Going crazy

That is exactly how I feel right now. The boys are fighting, it is literally freezing cold outside on this last weekend of March, there are no buds or anything on any of the trees and I have reached my maxium capacity for dealing with anything. Michael is out of town AGAIN!

Good advice

QOTD: Thayne "I like friends who give good advice"

On keeping shoes laces tucked if they come undone.

Bliss

I wish I could capture the sounds and feelings I am experiencing right at this moment. The earth is literally singing. The sun is out and the Frost King is retreating.



There are birds warbling songs of delight and the squirrels are running about like they have waited for this day for so long. The crackling of the ice is celebrating the hope of Spring.



As the ice melts , it sounds as if I am in the middle of a rain forest. So much joy is echoing out from nature. I am literally in tears and awe at this symphony.



Geese just fanned out overhead honking in joy and the caw of the ravens is pure bliss. I am seeing the fattest robins ever. I wonder where they have been eating this winter.



I never want to forget this moment.

A Glimmer

My sweet giant of a little boy is slowly finding his way in this big world. I stroke his hair at night after I have sung his lullaby and wonder how he will create his path and stay afloat or if the seas will swallow him up.

Last week he had what we call a melt down. Quayde had taken him to cub scouts and somehow he had believed that I was coming to take him on a date afterwards. Thayne was devastated that he wasn't going to have a date. Quayde tried to explain that he had misunderstood and took him to get a sandwich. Thayne would have nothing of it and cried all the way home.

The next day, Thayne made a choice to play a computer game on his dad's computer. This game is not supposed to be played at home because it uses up all our bandwidth. He then was grounded. All in all, the week wasn't turning out so well for him.




Then this happened! All on his own he made himself a chart. He said he wanted to track what was going on with his feelings. The top was good days, then making bad choices, then feeling crazy inside, and then the last when he had a meltdown and why.

Thayne really doesn't have too many crazy days anymore now that we watch what he eats, and usually the meltdown times are when he is tired. Heck, I have meltdowns when I am tired. Just the fact that he did this on his own is so huge! Gives me insight that he will navigate through these rough waters of life just fine. It might just take us a little longer.



This is Thayne's jug of white vinegar with his name on it. The first thing he has written his name on all by himself. Huge, I tell you, huge! Loosen the sails. We are on our way.

Every day

Our days have been quite simple as of lately. We have seminary bright and early at 6am. Lydia and I make it home about 7:30. She eats breakfast and heads for a nap. Thayne awakes and I feed him and we start on his school work. After Lydia comes to again, we do our main lesson work or a country study. Thayne heads for a video game while I do math with Lydia.
We eat lunch late. Then they make art or create with Lego. Homeschooling with only two kids is a lot easier. I really am enjoying this year.

The first part of each year always seems to go slowly, perhaps because it is cold. I think I would like to never leave when the north wind blows. Snuggling down, wrapped in a blanket with a warm mug and a good book. Sounds delightful...yes?

So for now our days are simple..until Jack Frost heads home and the cherry blossoms bloom.

Filling My Own

 A week ago I attended an amazing workshop filled with a little bit of magic and a lot of wonder.

It was held up in Annapolis, in a quaint charming neighborhood that became our focus for the day. Soulful journaling and photography was the key to the inspirational hours. Kayce Stevens Hughlett and her husband, professional photographer Bill came all the way from Seattle to guide our group. It was organized and hosted by  Amy Steindler.

 We started our morning with a poetry reading and a unique way of introducing ourselves.

We were to take the first part of the poem..."I am From..." and write, then share.

My 'I am From'

I am from courage and weakness, from the raging river and water;

the sunlight and heat

And dirt

Oh the dirt - brown and red, dried puddles into crusty patches.

Rocks

I am from the rocks that sing of eons past,

That hold steady when all around is crumbling - yes I am from those rocks.

I am also from the tender nights, the longing for quiet and hope.

I am from the dedication of all to be sacred,

And yet releasing all to God

But begging for life in that same moment.

I am from noise and laughter and chaos

The feeling of freedom to feel and grow.

I am ever changing in the from....hoping, searching and blessing what is.

Ultimately what I am from is the hope of more.....

- September 27, 2014

We had a photography lesson from Bill. He is an amazing photographer and we were blessed by his presence and guidance. Once we got our tips and hints, we headed out into the neighborhood to shoot pictures. Our task was to not think to hard about it and just shoot photos. There were two sessions of looking through our lens that day. All of these pictures I took were straight out of my camera. 

We would come back to the house and have more prompt journaling. 

This is mine from the second prompt.

Everything is open - and my destination is not clear.

I feel it shifting, hear it, smell it. 

Then I question....it is only the change in the season 

but I know better.

Where is next, what is going to be asked of me

 or can it just continue getting brighter and brighter.

The hints and clues

Why oh why do I always doubt

and then put it off when I know.

I know that the tumblers of the lock click into place

so quick;y and the door stands open.

Beckoning and inviting 

And I am always amazed at how fast it falls into place.

One would think that I would be better at trusting

this process by now.

Sometimes there is the pruning in the garden

and sorrow

But it is always never fails a bigger better joy.

The night is peaceful now and nature is bountiful.

I have learned that the key to that lock is

gratitude.

Always in the gratitude.

 -September 27, 2014

The day finished with a little alchemy and a slideshow of everyone's six favorite shots of the day. It was hard choosing from the 105 pictures I took. 

This workshop was so good for my soul. I had needed to do something that wasn't 'mommy' or homeschooling related. Must fill your own well in order to still serve others.

Serenity farm - Day to Serve

This farm is special. The food they grow here all goes to those in need. Our family got to join 800 + other people in the Day to Serve at Serenity Farm in Benedict MD. We worked hard picking beans and preparing corn.


Each September as the harvest calls, we have the opportunity to make a difference.


It was really nice to work as a family and help with truck loads of food. Thayne said we needed more work. Lydia can not wait until next year when we can go back.

We are so blessed. It is so nice to help others.