"Whether one looks at a star, a child, a moment of sorrow, or a time of gladness,
blessed is the ordinary.
I believe the small moment is the carrier of God's more endearing gift, and that it must not be permitted to slip away unsavored and unappreciated."
Gerhard Frost
Noticing and savoring lately….
Before this summer is completely over I am determined to document the things we have seen and places we have been together. I'm serious. Gonna try anyway. First stop…Wisconsin.
When we were in Wisconsin we were able to catch up with an old school friend. About the same time we left the Rockies for our European adventure some years ago, Gretchen left the Rockies to create a new life for her family back on the soil she grew up on. Back in the day her parents had farmed this land and sold Shaklee vitamins to my husbands folks. She inherited their love for the natural world and the great outdoors. When both parents were gone she had a vision to bring the old homestead back to life as a modern market farm and is working hard to do just that.
It is a year round effort to cultivate Hickory Hill Farm. Nothing goes to waste. In the spring they tap the sugar maples for syrup. Summer time they hit the farmers markets with organic veggies, eggs, edible flowers and wild-gathered herbs. In the fall they harvest corn, spelt, and wheat. Winter brings fresh cut pine and dried roots to the market stalls. In between there is weeding, mending, reparing, building. It's just awesome. It's a lot of work. A way lot. Food, it's a miracle truly.
Once upon a time I thought this was my destiny. It turns out I was wrong but it is super inspiring for me to follow Gretchen's journey. She is amazing. So glad we were able to visit in person.
And, people? If you have never looked out over a lush, central Wisconsin valley and smelled the veggies and grain ripening in the heat or felt the rain pelt down from heavy clouds overhead, you don't know what you are missing.
It was good to be back.
I love that this moment is sort of suspended in time now with the click of the shutter. Intrigued, tempted, but stopping for a second to see how that works out first.
So very her.
As the first day of school approaches – sometimes the very first day of school for little people – conversations naturally turn towards all things academic. Math, grammar, phonics. Chronological history. Hands-on science. Latin vocabulary.
Worry, worry, worry.
Usually more conversation reveals the root of those fears and that is often, "What if we can't make them do it? What if they won't listen? What if we can't work together? They don't listen to me." These fears strike deep into a Mom's heart, whether her children are learning at home primarily or away at school during the day. Moms know this is a team effort, either way, and cooperation is crucial. Few things strike at our morale as deeply as the inability to work well together.
As we prepare for the coming year we are laying the foundation carefully. There will be textbooks arriving soon, pencils and notebooks stocked, and complete lesson plans will be in hand that first day. The success of our school year doesn't really lie there however. For that reason, the first thing I have done is to print off John Bosco's Preventative System and his wise, gentle letters exhorting educator's to enter into their children's lives, into their childish hopes and dreams and fears. He knew that if we secured their hearts there is nothing we can't achieve together. Success lies there. It's a heart issue.
The sainted author focuses on preventing problems by kindness, modeling desired behavior, and close supervision. We are warned against demanding responses we are not demonstrating ourselves. "Master your own character," he says, "and then you will succeed in mastering those of your pupils." Be what you want them to be, in other words. It is that simple. It is that challenging. It is the only way.
He reminds us of the importance of movement, allowing children, "full liberty to jump, run and make as much noise as they please. Gymnastics, music, theatricals, and outings," are encouraged for discipline and health. More than that, we are urged to join in those activities with the children. We are to remember that a word "whispered in recreation" is often planted deeper in the heart than many words heard in lecture.
The focus is on discipling vs disciplining, being proactive vs reactive, however he does address the proper way to handle correction. We are to correct privately, only once the child is calmer, so as to speak to the source of the behavior and avoid humiliation which is more likely to reinforce bitterness and acting out. We are to be mindful of our tone of voice and our motives. Are we more concerned about true amendment or venting our anger?
He also advises us to be patient. "Charity is the cure-all though it may be slow in affecting its cure." I can tell you firsthand that it can be awfully difficult to remain patient and trust that gentle guildance works, especially while a child persists in running headlong into trouble. There is not a more effective alternative, however.
I can't encourage you enough, whether your children will be meeting the bus soon or gathering around the kitchen table, to take some time to read more about gentle leadership. Relaxed education has so much more to do with quieting our insides than in curriculum selection.
Don Bosco's Exhortation to Educators here
How a Saint Corrected Children here
Reflections on the Preventative system here
My teaching inspiration there to remind me every morning. : )
It's been almost a sure thing lately that if I sit and type it detonates a kid bomb someplace else in the house. Or I begin to nod off because the days have been full and I should be in bed instead of typing.
You probably cannot relate whatsoever right?
A very "lately" update. Lately….
– Our oldest's beloved of several years has moved in with us while they save and plan their future. It is a singular blessing that as big kids get busier and busier and leave altogether we sometimes get to borrow another for a season. As it turns out this awesome young woman also does math. MATHEMATICS. Math problems. (insert a moment of silence here) God is good, people. She quickly and enthusiastically began to trouble shoot any math challenge happening as we wrap up the bigger kids' straggler assignments from the 'big move year.'
– The sewing machine is set up. I am picking up odds and ends that didn't complete the move with the rest of their group – thread etc. Next up is some hemming/altering and some Christmas crafts. Because why? Because you do those now or it's just too late.
– It's raining and 65 this morning. That never happens. It will soon stop happening and be 95 again. Today is awesome.
– We moved bedrooms around some when Julie came. The boys have their own dorm of sorts now and needed another twin bed. I got on our local craigslist equivalent Saturday night, found a pair of vintage solid wood twins very like the ones we have. We picked them up this weekend for FREE. They are as beat up as the ones we have but it doesn't matter. We are stripping them all and hoping to restore them to Leave it to Beaver, 50's era boy room glory. Husband volunteered to head up this project. You heard him. We are holding him to this.
– on a related note we began looking around at what we could potentially sell and listed a non-working lawn mower the previous owners left here. It sold immediately, paying for our drive to get the beds and all the refinishing supplies. Looking around for more stuff now!
– A thrift shop trip is happening this week for miscellaneous containers to store a plethora of DIY cleaners and condiments. Homemade gatorade. You name it. This country has more delightful household and workout and snack products than you can shake a stick at. My wallet has not been as impressed as my children have been. Serious DIY happening in the kitchen this week.
-I have been a pinning fool, preparing for the above plus the new school year. It looks like with a few tweaks we have most everyone doing American history and life sciences this year. (even the college student!) I am amassing videos, books, and hands on extras. If you want to follow along, hit me up over there.
– Lots of wonderful stories every night. The girls are completely absorbed with Brambly Hedge right now after looking at the anthology cross-eyed when I brought it home. As it turns out it meshes perfectly with the Sylvanian Family/Woodzeez obsession they share with their new neighbor friend. Tiny felted critter village underfoot. I love this. I'm just gonna say it. I want to live in Brambly Hedge. Short of that, I would like Jill Barklem as my personal decorator.
– We are taking advantage of every festival, parade, live music event we can in our new locale. After one such outing with husband and Brendan we splurged and went to the 'fancy' Italian restaurant where I used to meet my mom friends when we lived her 15 yrs ago. Alfresco dinner for three with my guys follows here:
What? You write right on the tablecoth? For real? Why yes. : )
Paleo, where e'er you go. Thank you Tucci's.
I think half the people under this roof need rides to someplace else today. Abbie needs a footwear upgrade. She says she is looking for some 'country style shoes' specifically. What are those I asked. She can't say exactly but she assures me she will know them when she sees them.
Good enough. We are off to see what we can do.
Hope your 'lately' has been awesome.
It has been a week since I have posted. Surely it is not for lack of stories to share. My photo albums are full to bursting, we have read beautiful books this summer, gone many exciting places – even in the past week, and back to school preparations are beginning. This has also been a very sober season. There are multiple novenas going daily for various intentions among those we love dearly.
Big, big, stuff God is asking of our friends and loved ones right now.
What can we do? We become Aaron's holding up their arms. This is the very definition of loving – to come up on either side and help your friends "remain steady." This is what we all need. That and the assurance that we are equal to the challenge. Perhaps this is always at the root of our fears. We look ahead to where our journey is leading and we know quite honestly that, as we stand at this moment, we do not have what it will take. Truth is, we don't. God in His economy doesn't issue us graces a minute before they are needed. (Personally, I will just say right now I have had words with Him about this policy.)
If you haven't already heard Corrie ten Boom's story about her father explaining how grace works maybe it will bless you too:
"When you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?"
"Why, just before we get on the train."
"Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need, just in time."
Just in time. No matter what it is He is asking of us.
Just don't run out ahead of Him.
(side note: It cannot be coincidental that the other story that has been so influential in my life was about a trip to Holland. Because I am a slow study, it is probably not coincidental that when I was an exchange student in high school I was sent to….
wait for it…
Holland.
yep. True story. No coincidences in this life. Just a loving Father who pursues us tirelessly with grace at the ready.)
21.
Just sit right there a minute ok?
ok. Why are we sitting here?
Because I want a picture. I need to freeze this in my mind. Because like two minutes ago your Dad was walking, walking, walking his swollen wife up and down hot Texas sidewalks hoping labor would start before Gramma's plane took off again. Then a few seconds later I was telling you about how to twist those brand new stud earrings so they didn't close over. And right after that you rode past the window on a big bay gelding, hair flying behind you. It had to be a minute later you grabbed the keys to drive to work. And I just need a picture of this.
Laura D. I am sending Katie your info now. Congratulations! Your beautiful floral crown headband will be winging its way to you soon.
Thank you so much to The Fierce Chipmunk for gifting so generously.
“Every summer there are a number of nights, not many, but a number, when everything is perfect. The light, the warmth, the smells, the mist, the birdsong – the moths. Who can sleep? Who wants to?”
– Fredrik Sjoberg
Reminding us that even in the darkness there is beauty.
I have some very happy news for you today. Earlier this year I fell in love with The Fierce Chipmunk, an etsy shop of pure awesomeness. Like, fell hard. I mean, people, she had me with the red mushrooms. And little flocked deer? Oh my.
I had this brief, fleeting, DIY fantasy idea that went something like, "I should make something like this…." Then I got my hands on these beautiful pieces and well, laughed uproariously at myself. There is handmade and there is homemade, if you know what I mean. One glance and Katie's fabulous workmanship is evident. Not only is her vision to die for, her handwork is superb. Totally impressed all around.
I was so impressed that I hoped to share the love with another of my friends. Katie will be giving away one of her whimsical felted floral crowns to a lucky reader this weekend. You in? Here's the deal. Leave a message in comments here to enter the drawing, then hop over to The Fierce Chipmunk on Facebook and "like" the page. That's all. You're in. : ) If you link up on your own blog or facebook we will toss your name into the hat a second time, doubling your chances. This pair of picnic-ers will draw a name from their basket on Saturday and Katie will send off a crown to the winner.
(delivery is only possible to regular US and APO addresses)
May you enjoy yours as much as we have been….
The crown is glorious needless to say, but I have to plug the tiny deer.
And the mushrooms.
I really do.
Starry Sky Journal 