Summer Travels...

Mark and I started out the summer with a 10 year anniversary trip. We went the beachy route for our honeymoon, so I knew I needed to agree to a cooler option for this trip.

Off to Colorado we went!

We had several "adventures". The first one being that when we arrived to our campground (yes, we were tent camping!), it was closed for beetle spraying. So, we were directed by a national forest operator to go "back country camping". Which basically meant... drive up this mountain for an hour and a half, and then pull off the dirt trail wherever you want and pitch your tent. We were in the middle of NOWHERE. NO ONE was anywhere. That night Mark said, "If we die up here, no one will find us for weeks. Maybe months." Perfect.

We made our way back to Bear Lake Campgrounds the next morning and set up camp. It was a great get-away full of sleeping, reading, fishing, hiking... and it sounds cheesy... but just being together having thoughtful conversations.

We left Colorado a day early and made an impromptu trip to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.

Several weeks later, we took the kids back to Carlsbad with Mark's family... the kids loved it!

Last week, I got to go on a girl's trip... It. was. amazing. This trip was dubbed Girls VaCAPEtion. Brilliant.

Sunset on the beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There really are no words to describe how beautiful this was.

I have never been anywhere like it. Everywhere we went, no matter what it was, felt like I was walking around in a book or movie. It didn't even feel real.

This was our quaint little cottage...

We joked that we were on an old lady trip... visiting Plymouth.

This lighthouse beach was my favorite. I felt like I was on the set of Anne of Green Gables.

The weather was cool... even cold sometimes. We wore hoodies on the beach most of the time. And read books. And chatted. I laughed so hard with my girls. Perfection in my book.

We even threw in a little photo session. With this background... yes please!

It was really hard to leave this magical place. But I was happy to hug my family!

One day after my return, we had a staycation with my family... FULL of swimming, grilling, a bounce house, and a party boat. It was such a blast!

It has been a FULL few months with so many memories made. When I look back on it, I can only be very thankful. People tell us we stay super busy... Mark and I are both from large families. And we are both close to our families. And we have close friendships with people. So, when our calendar fills up with these people, I can only be grateful. And I don't ever want to take what we have for granted.

Thankful for our truly amazing family and friends.

Thankful for the strong love that unites us.

BLESSED.

Seed Babies

We have been studying seeds... first beans and now melon seeds. This is an excellent living book about seeds of all kinds... Jack and Ko are brothers who keep having lively encounters with feisty talking seeds... they continually question the two little boys about what they actually really know about seeds.

Bella has a green thumb like her daddy and grammy. She has loved planting any seed she can get her hands on.

Today, we were studying and observing melon seeds. Max did his part in trying to eat our materials.

My little seed babies

After our observations, we made cucumber boats because that's what Jack and Ko did from our book. So naturally, that's what we had to do too. :)

Umm... no idea why he has a toothbrush. 

They thought this was really fun. Bella found some sticks in the yard to attach a sail to.

And then we borrowed the dog's water to try our boats out in.

And they floated much to Bella's delight!

She loved this project so much, she continued the fun in the kitchen sink.

And later, I found her cucumber boat in the refrigerator... I'm assuming for safe keeping and later use.
Cucumber boat races in the bath possibly?

This was such a fun {and inexpensive} little activity... I highly recommend it! Even if you're not studying seeds, your kids will get a kick out of it. And you could make your boats as elaborate as you wanted. Let them go to town with it.

And a BONUS to all of this... Our dogs had the pleasure of sipping on cool and refreshing cucumber water all day today. :)

Happy Tuesday!



"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."   Psalm 1:3

School: Part 2

I gradually started school up a few weeks ago because the kids and I were kind of over the whole "no schedule" thing. Don't get me wrong... we love our lazy summer days... sleeping late, swimming all day, getting Slurpees ... I love summer. But after awhile, I need a routine again. And the kids are the same. Bella does not handle change well, so I knew I needed to ease into school again. It was a good call. 

This week we started back up for real. It takes awhile to find our "groove", but overall, the week went pretty smoothly. Smoothly for us is probably a warped version of what smoothly actually is supposed to look like. Ha! My littlest little man is a fire ball. I can't really even begin to describe his busyness, but it is intense. We are learning to be patient with him {and all the interruptions he so generously offers}, and in turn, we are trying to teach him about "school time". A time I need him to play quietly. I'm laughing out loud as I just typed that last sentence. He has though already shown that he's catching on to our new routine. Like a said... it takes some time to find a good groove. 

Gotta love him. :)

I mainly wanted to share in this post though the education method we have started to use. I am so excited about it, and it has proven so far to be an excellent "fit" for our family. 

Let me start off with this quote from Secrets of a Successful Homeschool Mom...

"It's not about the curriculum you buy. It's about the atmosphere you create. It's all too easy to get consumed by the hunt for the "perfect" curriculum. Even if we find a resource that works well, we wrestle with a gnawing sense of anxiety... wondering if the grass is greener over on someone else's bookshelf."

I love this. Not only do we stress about being responsible for teaching our children, we also stress about the materials we choose to teach them with. And let me tell you... there are so many teaching methods and curriculums out there. An overwhelming amount. 

The reminder that the atmosphere of my home and school time is actually what helps creates a successful day was a breath of fresh air for me. Ahhh. Relax.

That's not to say you go in blindly and randomly choose a curriculum. But the curriculum you choose does not make or break your school year. 

My recommendation for getting started is sitting down with your family and deciding what is most important to you... in education and everyday life. Is mathematics super important to you? Reading? Science? History? Bible? Foreign Language? What do you really want to focus on? What do you value? And then start looking for something that will be a good fit with your family. 

I read a book recommended to me, and it ended up being a game changer for our family. And again, I HIGHLY recommend it. 

For the Children's Sake is the book. I read it in a day and a half, and then told Mark he had to read it. And then I proceeded to recommend it to all my friends. :) Game changer I tell you. Don't let the cover of the book scare you off. :)

The book is about a women named Charlotte Mason, an educator from England during the 19th century. As soon as I read the book, I knew that this was exactly what I wanted education to look like in our home. And Mark completely agreed. It just "fit" us. Her method of education reminded me SO much of Mark. What she thought ought to be valued, he valued. To the T. 

Let me try and give you a glimpse into her method...

"A child's mind is the instrument of his education. His education does not produce his mind."

[She respected the children's minds so highly, she provided a truly liberal education for them at a very young age. She arranged for a broad curriculum. She believed in the principle of giving children time to play that she organized the lessons so that the child could finish them about halfway through the day. However, she knew that if attention was to be given fully, the child should have it contained in a length of time appropriate for them. Then they could turn their attention from mind-work to enjoying nature, art, play, hand-crafts, and physical activity. She believed firmly that they should have free time at home, in ordinary surroundings; so her schools never gave homework.] - For the Children's Sake

Charlotte Mason believed in using "living" books to educate children. Living books are classic or great literature {books by a single author who has a passion for the subject}... creating living ideas. These are seldom found in textbooks. She didn't like wasting children's time with "twaddle".

She coined the term "twaddle": dumbed-down literature; absence of meaning. 

Her feelings were the same on music and art. Let us offer our children art of the highest value. Let them listen to the great musicians. Offer them instruments to play. 

In her own words...

"Children should have relations with earth and water, should run and leap, ride and swim, should establish the relation of maker to material in as many kinds as may be; should have dear and intimate relations with persons, through tale or poem, picture or statue; through flint arrow-head or modern motor-car: beast or bird, herb and tree, they must have familiar acquaintance with. Other peoples and their languages must not be strange to them. Above all they should find that most intimate and highest of all Relationships,- the fulfillment of their being [their relationship with God]."

The curriculum our family has chosen this year is called Living Books Curriculum. 

Everyday we spend 20 minutes on reading and 20 minutes on math. Short lessons. We even set a timer, which Bella loves. It keeps her focused for the required time, and she knows the lesson won't go on forever. I can't tell you the difference it is making in both of our attitudes by adhering to short lessons. 

The rest of our time is spent on the following...

~ Bible study, storytelling, penmanship, poetry, read aloud, science, nature studies, music and composer studies, geography, world history (this year we are studying Egypt), American history (studying the colonies this year), picture studies, and art. 

We spend 10-20 minutes on each one. Short lessons. And most of the subjects are done 1-2 times a week. Except Bible... we do that every morning at breakfast. Charlotte Mason believed children should know Bible text. The kids and I are currently memorizing Psalm 1. 

The subjects listed above are why we LOVE this education method. Because what's most important to our family is valuing and appreciating the beautiful things in our world... books, stories, music, birds, animals, creation, art, God's word... these are the things we value most. 

My kids will learn to read and write, but for us, it's not our focus. 

Our curriculum doesn't contain any textbooks. It's all living books. Lots and lots of them. The kids and I have been in heaven. Right now, school is A LOT of reading aloud on my part. The books chosen are high level books written beautifully... too advanced for Bella to read herself right now.  But I don't mind. The quality of our time spent together has been great. 

I know this post was lengthy... it's so hard to condense so much information. I don't know how good of a job I've done. But I've been so excited to share it! :) I'm really looking forward to a full and rich school year. 

Feeling thankful.

School: Part 1

Bella and I wrapped up our first year of school this past May, and it was... crazy. Crazy tough. Crazy good. Nothing like I thought it would be. And more than I imagined.

It's difficult for me to re-cap the year... but I'll try. :)

Teaching your own child is nothing like teaching a classroom of students. Your expectations for your own child sky-rocket. Like ridiculously. The pressure you put on yourself becomes so heavy.

I am responsible for teaching her? What am I thinking? What if I don't know what I'm doing? What if she falls through the cracks because I didn't do my job correctly?

I was pretty stressed at first. Trying to fit all our lessons in to the time frame the curriculum recommended. Not skipping anything. I'm sort of a rule follower. :)

And then my awesome friends and family would remind me to step back and re-evaluate the scene. Before me was a five year old. And I'm teaching her kindergarten. Thank you loved ones for helping me get a grip. :)

I do want to give props to all kindergarten and first grade teachers and reading specialists out there. Teaching a child to read is no easy feat. English phonics rules are awful. So many "rule-breakers". Things we don't even think about... a little kid has to learn and catch on to all of them.

I know I just told you that ea says a long e but this time it's a short e.  Grrrr.

We both persevered, and she learned to read. I guess I didn't mess her up too bad. :)

Aside from learning that I didn't need to keep a five year old at the table for two hours (oops), I learned so much more than the academics side.

I HIGHLY recommend the book Secrets of a Successful Homeschool Mom. I know the title is kind of cheesy, but I absolutely love this book. It helped pull into perspective the why of what I'm doing.

This is the why:

"The most important thing you'll ever do for the success of your homeschool is this: Nurture relationships. Education thrives when relationships are nurtured."

Didn't I say I didn't want Bella gone 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Why? So, I could be with her. And why is that important to me? For our relationship. Bingo.

So, it doesn't matter how much I teach or what I teach... if I'm not building my relationship with my children in the process, then I am failing at what I set out to do.

This was so so important for me to grasp. I had to really let it sink in. And go deep. Because I don't ever want to forget it. Especially on our hardest days. There are moments when I have to decide on a route... drudge through this lesson no matter what - or - look at my girl, pull her onto my lap, and tell her a good story. I learned when I chose the "no matter what" route, it just wasn't effective. Academically or relationally.

There are times, of course, when things need to be completed in a timely manner without complaining, but I'm talking about those moments when you have a check inside you that says you're about to take it too far, and you have to make a decision.

Those are the moments when growth can take place. When I can choose my kids over my lesson plans or to-do list. I believe that check inside me is the Holy Spirit. And I am still learning how to listen and obey.

Bella and I grew so much this year, and in the end, grew very close. But there were some very difficult days. With tears from both of us. I would do some things differently of course. And not change other things. More than anything though, I am thankful for God's faithfulness in bringing us through the year, and in the process, teaching us exactly what we needed to learn. A beautiful design made special for us.

I look on this coming year with great hope. And a different perspective. That will be Part 2. :)


Lastly, I wanted to share some thoughts on this quote from the book mentioned above.

"Each family has a different heartbeat, a different focus, a different calling."

For the most part, I really feel like people in general are very supportive of one another's decisions in schooling for their children. I love the quote above because it states very simply... the truth. We are all different... thank goodness! :)

I never want to write in a condescending tone when I write about our choice to homeschool. That's all it is... a choice. It's not the way to do it. It's a way to do it. And on that note... a few words on the will of God.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."                      Psalm 23:1-3

The will of God for my life is to follow Him and live righteously. It's not about what I am doing but who I am becoming in Him.

So, when we decided to homeschool, it wasn't about what we were doing but who we were becoming in the process.

If tomorrow, we decided to put her into school somewhere, it wouldn't be about what we were doing, but who we were becoming in the process.

What matters is living out our decisions righteously. In a manner worthy of our Savior's love.

Let's pray for one another as we all strive to do just that.

My busy little bees. :)

Bella turns 6!

I have been very absent from my blog... I haven't been super inspired to write about anything in particular lately. Except today, of course. Bella turns six. Sniff. Sniff. I blame my emotional state on my children's birthdays entirely on my SIL... she has rubbed off on me. Now, I'm just a cry baby about it. :)

Bella has changed so much in the last year, yet stayed the same too. She's a little more grown up... a little more mature. She understands more, wants to know more... has more insight. She's taller, her hair is longer... and she looks older.

She's still strong... a leader. She's still stubborn. Still wants it her way. Bella has wanted it her way literally since the day she was born. She came out of the womb refusing to nurse. Absolutely wouldn't do it. Mark drove me from Burleson to Arlington everyday for a week to meet with lactation consultants. We met with ALL of them. For hours. They were stumped. She was determined. But I was prideful and refused to let a week old human being beat me. And she finally gave in, but not before a lactation consultant said, "It's okay if you want to quit trying. There's nothing to be ashamed of. We've all tried our best." If you know anything about lactation consultants, you know that is something that most of them would never utter... unless you're driven to the end of your rope by A WEEK OLD INFANT. Ha! She as been challenging Mark and I ever since. She is a tough tough cookie. Many of our days are difficult. More challenging that I ever would have imagined. I've cried out to God many times as I laid on my bed alone. Pleading for help. More patience. More wisdom. More clarity on how to raise this child. And He has been faithful.

Hard to imagine her being such a fighter. Sweet little thing.

Bella thinks deep. And thinks big. She wants to know the hows, the whys, the who's. Constantly. She's a planner (which she comes by honestly). Either before she goes to bed or right when she wakes up, she asks, "So, mom, what's the plan for today?" Every. single. day.

It's hard to keep up with her somedays. She doesn't like idle time. She likes her moments filled with something... conversation, reading a good book, crafting, playing. I'm trying to teach her that "Silence is Golden." Ha. :)

She's currently obsessed with two main things... crafts and stuffed animals. SO many stuffed animals. They have over-taken her bed. But they're practically all she plays with, so we are just going with it. And crafting... which includes creating things using stuff she drags out of the recycling bin. It drives me crazy. But I'm trying to just say yes. Yes... you may take the empty milk jug and granola box out of the garage and invent something. Yes... you may drag out paint, markers, tape, glue... to help you with your invention. How can I say no? It's how she loves to spend her time. So, I say yes... with a smile. :) Ok, sometimes I don't have a smile. And sometimes I say no. Like when she asks at 5pm. But, I'm really trying. :)

Here are a few words Mark and I came up with that we think best describe her...

~ Beautiful
~ Clever
~ Vivacious
~ Strong-willed
~ Innovative
~ Precocious
~ Motherly
~ Natural leader
~ Curious
~ Inquisitive
~ Thoughtful
~ Observant
~ Intuitive
~ Challenging

One of the things I pray for Bella most often is that she would learn humility at an early age (which is a hard thing to watch your child experience). But with humility, comes empathy. And with her gift of discernment and her strong spirit, I feel like she could be a serving hand of compassion for the Lord. Sacrifice and serving others around us is the example Jesus gave us. That's what I want to matter to her.

Bella and I finished our first year of homeschooling (which will be a separate post), and although we both learned so much, one things rises to the top for me. Our relationship. And through that, her character. It took me almost the entire year to realize that my focus, my energy, my planning... was misdirected. All the work and effort was for one main reason. My relationship with my then five year old daughter. And as our relationship grows, so do we.

As she turns six today, I am grateful, over-whelmed, privileged... to be her mom.

I'm proud of you Bella Kathryn. You challenge me and teach me. I grow as I raise you. And I love you so much.

Happy Happy Birthday!

Daddy made her cake.

Now she won't steal my bathrobe.

She got her camera that she really really wanted. 

First birthday slumber party!

* Bella wanted me to read her this post. So I did. She wanted to hear every detail of her "stubborn nursing" story. She laughed when I talked about her pulling all of our recycling stuff out of the bin. And she made me look up and read her the definition of vivacious. :)