March 1 - One of the joys of homeschooling is getting to start Round Two--this time with Tobin and Shav. As I pull out materials I used with Josiah and David and check books out of the library that the older ones once enjoyed, I am flooded with happy memories of those early years of our homeschooling journey...and then I'm flooded with gratitude that I get to do it all over again!! :) What's more, often when I start doing something with Tobin and Shav--like reading Aunt Pitty Patty's Piggy by Jim Aylesworth, like I did this morning--David and Josiah will come over and sit on the couch with us and follow along. I love to hear them say, "Hey, I remember that book! I loved it!" These common experiences become loving bonds that connect the hearts of all of us in the family--from the oldest scholars to the youngest ones. :)
March 4- This morning I had what might possibly be the strangest awakening I've ever had. I woke up laughing...literally laughing out loud. I had been having a dream; and in that dream I was with a group of friends, but the part that made me laugh was a poem that I was reading. I don't remember the poem now, but I do know it was not a poem that I'm familiar with in real life. Something about it, however, tickled my funny bone; and I started laughing hysterically in the dream...only to wake up and find that I was doing the same in real life! Jeff woke up, too, and was concerned about me, thinking that maybe I was crying. "Are you OK?" he asked, in a voice laden with concern. "Yes," I managed to squeak out between giggles, "I'm laughing!" He probably thought I had really and truly lost my marbles at that point, but he went back to sleep. I, on the other hand, laid there and tried to think of all the serious thoughts I could so that my laughter would cease, but it didn't work immediately; and my shoulders shook as I worked to suppress the merriment. What in the world?? I don't understand what was going on, but I certainly enjoyed it. That's the kind of wake-up call I don't mind a bit! :)
March 4 - Why, oh why, do sleeping bag manufacturers make the sack that is supposed to go around the rolled-up sleeping bag SO SMALL?? I know logically that, since the sleeping bag came out of there, it should be able to fit back in it; but after wrestling with them a number of times, I've concluded that one must have the strength of Samson and the wisdom of Solomon to make it happen. Since I have neither, I'm forced to admit defeat and just pile the sleeping bags on the floor of my linen closet and shut the door quickly before they escape. But really, why couldn't the manufacturers make the sacks just a little bit bigger? I really think the world would be a better place if they would do that. ;-)
March 4 - I wish there were books that did for grammar what Life of Fred books do for math: make it real, make it fun, and maybe even a little silly. Although I loved grammar all through school, my sons have--so far--not inherited that love; and grammar is the toughest part of homeschooling for us. *sigh* Oh, well. I guess homeschooling can't be all fun and games! (But I wish it could!) ;-)
March 7 - I had fun introducing my boys to the music of Charlotte Church during lunch today. They enjoyed "Just Wave Hello," and I do, too! But I think I prefer her rendition of "Pie Jesu"--SUCH a beautiful melody. Listening to these songs again took me back to a time when I got to hear her give an outdoor concert in San Diego, downtown by the waterfront. The mother of one of my piano students had become a friend to me, and we went to it together. It was a marvelous evening...
March 7 - You know that quote by William Morris - "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful"? Well, I'm going to change it a little bit. Here goes... "Even if it's useful or beautiful, it doesn't have to be in my house." Somebody else can benefit from some of this useful and beautiful stuff that is filling up my house!! :)
March 9 - Tobin, while eating breakfast this morning: "Has it already been a few years since the first day of winter?" Although I think his question had mostly to do with figuring out length of time of seasons and years, I also think there might be a *few* other people here in the Valley who might be feeling the same way: weary of winter, to say the least. :) Although I LOVED our snow this week, I'm also looking forward to my favorite season. We're eager to meet you again, Spring!! :)
March 12 - "Finishing creates its own energy!" Yes! I have benefited numerous times during the past few years by reading Anna's blog; her peaceful, beautiful blog is a welcome spot in the vast internet. One of her recent posts was especially inspiring to me. :)
March 14 - This week has really been a challenge for me, especially because I feel like I've been doing just the bare minimum to get by...and as a result, I feel behind in EVERYTHING. But tonight, smack dab in the middle of my discouragement, came a question that shifted my perspective instantly: "Did your children go to bed with smiles on their faces?" As I thought about it, I realized that yes, they did. I remembered how, as I was kissing Josiah goodnight, I told him, "You're amazing," and when he asked why, I was able to verbally affirm him and feed joy and strength into his soul. I remembered how I said to David, "I'm so glad you're my son!" and he replied, "I'm so glad you're my mom!" I thought about how Tobin asked for a special blanket, and rather than telling him he didn't really need it but could be content with the blankets already on his bed, I went to the linen closet and got it for him, then helped spread it out over him. I remembered hearing Shav's cheery voice call out to me, after I had blown one last kiss to him and was leaving his room, "Good night! I love you!" I thought about how Moriah smelled so clean and good after her bath and how, after I'd put her in bed, I just had to reach down and gently touch her head again. It's funny how that one little question changed my mindset completely. Thank You, God, for planting that thought in my head; because of You, I go to sleep with a smile on my face tonight! :)
March 15 - In preparation for Easter, I've been reading Max Lucado's book And the Angels Were Silent which is all about the last week of Jesus' life here on earth. I've enjoyed it tremendously. One thing he writes in it made me laugh, however...although the book is anything but flippant. He describes how he proposed to his wife and then says this about her reaction:
"She began to cry. I was devastated: I thought I had offended her. I thought I had insulted her. I don't know how I expected her to react, but I never expected her to cry. (That shows how little I knew about women. I now understand that crying is the utility infielder of the emotion--it covers all bases: sorrow, happiness, excitement.)"
Isn't that the truth?? :)
I thought of this today when, yet again, a book I was reading aloud to my boys made me cry. It was Johnny Tremain; and even though I was pretty sure I'd find something to cry about in the last chapter, I made it all the way TO THE VERY LAST SENTENCE before my voice broke. Josiah and David didn't give me a bit of affirmation for the great self-control I exerted to make it that far! Instead, my choked voice led to the usual chorus of "aw, Mom!" and "why do you always have to cry?"
Oh well. Someday they'll understand, like Max Lucado, about the "utility infielder of the emotion." ;-)
March 18 - Want to know how I really feel about St. Patrick's Day? My soul has been saddened and sickened by the emptiness of the day for so many people. For those of us who seek to follow Jesus, it should be so much richer than the world portrays it. The real story of Patrick is incredibly heroic and faith-building, and wise are those who take the time to go deeper on this day!
March 19 - Tonight as I was helping Shav get ready for bed, he was doing everything he could think of to stay OUT of his pajamas, it seemed...including tapping all the surfaces he could reach: the wall, the lid of the toilet, etc. I happened to be in a lighthearted mood, so I just smiled at him and asked, "Are you going to be a drummer when you grow up?"
"No," he shook his head seriously, "I'll be a just plain dad..."
Then he grinned and added, "...and have a rifle."
Aw, well, all the important stuff, I guess! :)
March 20 - It's a good thing I wasn't particularly counting on having an early spring this year, because it sure hasn't happened! Even now that it's officially spring, it does not feel like it at all. So, even though spring is my favorite season and I'm always eager to welcome it after the cold of winter, I'm determined to not fret about it. I'm grateful that God is faithful to keep all of His promises, especially the one in Genesis 8:22! Spring WILL come, even if it seems to be a little late. :)
March 24 - Throughout the course of a week, I take a whole lot of pictures; but even with my propensity for snapping photos, I miss many moments that I wish I could somehow capture. So I use words, and hope that the way I arrange the 26 letters of our alphabet will somehow be sufficient to bring back to my mind a memory--a moment--a snapshot I took only in my mind.
The mental picture I want to capture from today occurred this evening when it was almost dark. Snow covered the ground and continued to lightly fall. Lights spilled from our neighbors' windows and illuminated rectangles on the white ground. My firstborn, with bare feet stuck into boots and a jacket hastily thrown on, carried a plate of coconut cookies, fresh from the oven, to share with our neighbors. The moment was magical: all the ordinary colors of the outdoors muted into shades of black and white and gray, except for the warm yellow light...silence and stillness reigning supreme outside...the dark figure of my son, head down against the cold air and snowflakes. *click* My heart just took a picture. :)
March 26 - Pondering this quote today:
"I challenge any skeptic to find a ten-square-mile spot on this planet where they can live their lives in peace and safety and decency, where womanhood is honored, where infancy and old age are revered, where they can educate their children, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not gone first to prepare the way. If they find such a place, then I would encourage them to emigrate thither and there proclaim their unbelief." (James Russell Lowell)
Beyond any future salvation (which is, of course, the most important thing), Christianity has changed--and will continue to change--the world by affecting cultures and civilizations right here and now.
March 27 - Can anyone convince me that it's important that my children memorize the capitals of all the U.S. states? I can't remember if I ever learned them all...if I did, I forgot them quickly, and that knowledge falls squarely in the category of "I've Done Just Fine for 36 Years Without Knowing That." With the instant accessibility of knowledge these days that I'm sure will only increase in the future, it just doesn't seem worth spending the time or brain power on that. But maybe I'm missing something. I'm open for input if you have an opinion! :)
March 30 - I was outside, taking pictures of David and Moriah a little while ago (hoping for something to use for my blog header for April); and then David started taking some pictures of Moriah and I. As we walked back into the house, he warned me that some of the pictures he took weren't very good and that he wasn't sure he had gotten all of me in all the pictures. I assured him that it was OK: most photographers take a bunch of pictures and hope for a few good ones. I had to smile when I was looking through the photos he took and saw this one. He was right: he didn't exactly get all of me in all the pictures. But look, there are my boots! :)
March 31 - It is not at all uncommon for random melodies to pop in my head at various times, and usually I pay little attention to them. However, with Easter adding an extra measure of significance to everything these days, I gave more thought to the songs I found myself humming and singing yesterday and today. These are the three that I can remember:
1. "What a Mighty God We Serve" ("...angels bow before Him; heaven and earth adore Him..."),
2. "Let God Arise" ("...let His enemies be scattered..."),
and
3. "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" (which is actually considered a Christmas song, but with words like "...we didn't know who You were, didn't know You'd come to save us, Lord, to take our sins away..." it seems very appropriate for Easter, too!).
None of these three are songs that I normally sing or have even thought of for quite a long time, but suddenly they were in my head. I wonder why...
April 6 - I could hardly believe my eyes earlier today when I walked into Moriah's room to get her up after her afternoon nap and found her standing up, holding onto the side of the crib! That's the first time she's ever pulled herself up! (Or, at least, the first time I've ever SEEN her pull herself up.) ;-) When they heard me exclaim, David, Tobin, and Shav came running to see; and we all stood around and told Moriah how amazing she is. She beamed. :)
Tonight when I set Moriah on the floor of the bathroom before giving her a bath, she grabbed hold of the edge of the tub and pulled herself right up again--quick as a wink.
Each milestone is so precious; I take great delight in watching Moriah meet them! :)
April 11 - Earlier today while I was changing Moriah's clothes in her room, we heard Jeff come into our room (which adjoins Moriah's), and Moriah brightened, like she always does when she hears her daddy. Then I heard Jeff call out, "Moriah Pie-uh, I love you!" and I was reminded of how wonderful it is that my children have a daddy who's not reluctant to verbally express his love. Later, when Josiah, David, and I were getting ready to walk out the door for a full afternoon of violin and gymnastics, Jeff said to all of us, "I love you!" and I thought again of how blessed we are to have him. Words are powerful, and there's just something about a daddy saying "I love you" that has a tremendous effect on a child. I'm so grateful for Jeff's words of love for our children!
April 20 - "Look, Mom! I wrote my name!" Tobin exclaimed this morning while I was still rubbing sleep out of my eyes. And so he had. In the dust on the top of my dresser. Lovely. Since I'm so proud of what a fine job he did of writing his name (a capital T! and no reversed letters!), shall I just leave it there for a while? Or should I break down and dust? ;-)
April 20 - Last night I went into Tobin and Shav's room to check on them, and I heard Shav mumbling something in his sleep. At first I couldn't understand his words; but then I heard, clear as a bell, his little voice saying, "Thank You, God, for the food..." How sweet that he was praying in his sleep! :) When I laid back down in my bed, still smiling that I "happened" to witness that moment, I remembered that earlier that evening, while I was helping Shav get ready for bed, we had started talking about what kind of food and drink might be in heaven. I had told him that earlier in the day, I had read the passage in Exodus where Moses, Aaron, and 70 of the elders of Israel had gone up to meet with God and had feasted with Him--how fun would that be!! (Exodus 24) You can imagine what kind of food Shav thought we'll have in heaven--french fries and chicken nuggets being on the list. ;-) Somehow I just can't imagine eating chicken in heaven, but I didn't bring that up to Shav. :) Anyway, I wonder if that conversation somehow showed up in his dreams and caused him to pray about food while he was sleeping... :)
April 21 - A little earlier this afternoon, I was outside, taking some kitchen scraps out to the compost pile. Tobin and Shav came racing across the yard, small wooden ladders in hand, which they were alternately using as steering wheels and as guns (of course, weapons would be involved). We talked for a few minutes while I completed my task; then as I was getting ready to come back inside to finish the dishes, Tobin called out, "Goodbye, my queen!" Oh my! Melt my heart! Shav quickly echoed, "Goodbye, my queen!" Those two boys are such sweethearts--true gifts from God! :)
April 25 - One of my favorite things about today was sitting outside on the trampoline in the late afternoon sunshine, while Moriah was having a nap. The four boys were with me on the trampoline. David was practicing handstands. Shav was going up and down the slide. Tobin was doing somersaults (after having picked a dandelion for me and tucking it in my hair behind my ear). Josiah was cuddled close beside me, intently listening to our Sonlight read-aloud, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. We're almost at the end of the book, and I wanted to finish it today; but time ran out, and I needed to come inside to make our supper of steak quesadillas. We'll finish the book tomorrow, I think. That time on the trampoline reminded me that reading great books aloud together is one of the aspects of homeschooling that I treasure most. In years to come, I know I'll be so glad that I chose to spend my time this way! :)
April 26 - Let me preface this by saying that I like Bed Bath & Beyond (I like it so much, in fact, that I rarely go into the store, because I'm always tempted to find things I "need" when I go in!), but I had to laugh tonight when I was looking through the mini-catalog they sent in the mail today and found this item. A trap door colander. WHY would a colander need a trap door? Wait...let me think about this... The wheels in my head are turning... I'm gonna figure it out... *lightbulb* I've got it!! It's because it's WAY too hard to actually lift the colander and turn it over and pour the contents out over the side of it! Never mind the fact that our mothers and grandmothers and their mothers, etc. didn't seem to have any trouble doing it that way. NOW we know how it should really be done! Obviously this is far superior to that old-fashioned way. Wow, I'm just so grateful for the technological advances of the 21st century. I can hardly wait to rush right out and buy this so I can make spaghetti and then...oh, I have chills...put it in this colander and then...take a deep breath, Davene...let it go through the trap door!!! Will wonders never cease?? ;-)
April 27 - Date Night!
April 28 - Because it was a little chilly this morning, I put tights on Moriah, under her pretty spring dress. She fell asleep on the way home; and although she woke up briefly when we got here, I just carried her straight from the car up to her crib where she continued her nap. Later, when I went to get her, I discovered what had been keeping her occupied and so quiet. She had managed to get her tights off one leg and had them halfway down the other. :) Talented girl. :)
April 29 - My favorite quote of the day: "In my years, I have seen a lot of people jump ship for a sinking raft." Written by my very own Jeff. He's so wise. That's why I married him. ;-) (And in case you don't get the joke, I say that about EVERYTHING. The fact that he happily grates cheese when I need it grated? That's why I married him. The way he can find obscure photos on my external hard drive when I can't locate them? That's why I married him. The fact that he understands and cares about discussions of which English word is the best translation for a particular Greek word in the New Testament? That's why I married him.) ;-)
April 29 - You know what scares me? Getting the hiccups while I'm eating raw carrots. My hiccups are so strong that I'm always afraid--with good reason, I think--that a piece of carrot will either be sucked into my lungs or will lodge in my throat or something disastrous will happen and I'll choke to death. So, the logical lesson I've learned from this is to immediately stop eating raw carrots when I get the hiccups (and, by the way, it's happened two times in recent days that I've been eating raw carrots when I got the hiccups...what are the odds?). :) You know what makes Moriah laugh? Hearing me hiccup. My hiccups are so loud that it apparently surprised her every time I hiccuped. She must have thought I was playing a new silly game with her, because she burst out laughing after each of my hiccups. I'm glad I can be so amusing. :)
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