Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad…Generally Speaking

It’s true that two out of three isn’t bad…when you’re talking odds. But when number three is a real live person (who happens to be your child) it’s another thing entirely.

Three of my previously homeschooled little Shoes started school (for the very first time) last week. Tessie and Gus both enjoy it very much and seem to consider our public school experiment a success. Will, on the other hand, deems it a complete failure. He told me, when I picked him up this afternooon, that he hates it and doesn’t want to go back. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time he’s told me that. I think he feels like he can’t do anything right. He wants so much to please his teacher but I don’t think teachers generally appreciate the easily distracted, impulsive, high volume, sensitive types such as Henry. Heck, to be perfectly honest, I don’t always appreciate that type either. You know, I think I’ve been down this road before – 11 years ago when Ethan was in first grade. It’s the road that led us to homeschooling in the first place and I don’t want to travel it again!!! I’m not sure what my alternatives are though. Is there something I’m not thinking of? I can leave Henry in school and watch him struggle, and suffer and possibly learn to dislike himself, or I can bring him home again and be right back to where we were a few weeks ago. This is one of those times when the saying “ignorance is bliss” rings so true. I could use a little ignorance right now.  If only I didn’t know what I know about homeschooling! If only I didn’t know that it works!  If only I didn’t know it is an option! Right now I want to be one of those mothers who can say, without a doubt in her mind, that there is NO WAY she could homeschool her kids. I want to believe that the road we’re on is the only dang road there is!! That sure would make things easier for me. But who ever said this motherhood thing was going to be easy?

Okay – I’m finished…for now.

More From Mr. Emerson

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

‘Tis so true!

I Agree, Mr. Emerson

“Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

For me, the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” has never really held much truth – at least not where close relationships are concerned. I suppose there could be some truth to it in the case of acquaintanceship. But, for the most part, it seems to me that people need regular, physical and emotional, contact in order to stay connected. The people I’m the closest to are the people I see the most, and vice versa.

Mr. Emerson says it much better than I do, though.

Thank goodness for poets!!

If

If all my kids were grown up and I had a little time on my hands, I would…

Write more songs.
Hang out with Old Man.
Read, read, read.
Play my guitar.
Travel with friends.
Fix up my house.
Learn to crochet.
Watch more movies.
Host cook-outs, parties and other get togethers.
Spend time with my kids.
Explore the world with Old Man.
Learn to play my hammered dulcimer.
Cook fancy meals and invite people to share them with me.
Join a book discussion group.
Hang out with my friends.
Sleep when I’m tired.
Wish I still had little kids.

What would you do?

Today’s Pleasures

Praying with my family before the kids left for school.
Talking to my mom.
Quiet.
Running into a friend at 7-Eleven.
A five dollar loan when I found myself at the gas pump with no debit card and an empty gas tank.
Sweet iced tea from McDonald’s.
Listening to Ben talk about pre-school.
Lots of computer time.
An unexpected visitor.
Being understood.
Good information.
Making a schedule.
Left-overs for dinner. Didn’t have to cook.
Funny IM conversation.
Anticipation.
Good neighbors.
A cuddly baby.
Little boy hugs.
Walking and talking with Old Man.
Love all around me.

My Favorite Things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

A little background for you. When my youngest sister was a little girl she used to watch The Sound of Music every single day…at least one time! I think I might know that dang movie by heart. There’s no way it couldn’t have rubbed off on me, and what happened this afternoon is proof of that.

Today has been a particulary gloomy day for me – at least so far. Nothing I wanted to happen has happened and a few things I didn’t want to happen have happened. I’m stressed and a wee bit lonely. Poor me. There’s a certain tactic I’ve used for years that almost always helps me when I’m feeling this way. I simply make a list of all the things I’m grateful for and read over it a few times. It rarely fails to lift my spirits. I’ve posted several such lists on this blog – usually titled something like, Simple Pleasures or Today’s Pleasures. It hadn’t occured to me to make a list today until I’d hummed this stinkin’ annoying song that was stuck in my head for a couple of hours. When it dawned on me that the song was My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music I thought, “Whoa, the Lord really does work in mysterious ways!” I think Someone out there was reminding me, in the words of the wise Jiminy Cricket, to “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative”. I think I’m going to take the hint…or the nudge…or is it a slap? and make myself one of those lists…or rather, write myself one of those songs!

My Favorite Things

(Sung to the tune of My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music)

Laughter and children and love all around me
Quiet and good books and my friends and family
Music and singing the songs that life brings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Good conversation and learning and growing
Hope and acceptance and moments of knowing
Warm sweet caresses, the joy that they bring
These are a few of my favorite things.

See there? I feel better already!

One Cute One Year Old!!

Presenting, for your viewing pleasure, Clara’s first birthday pictures!!

                                                                

  

  

First Day of School

Tess, Henry and Gus went to school for the first time ever yesterday. They all enjoyed themselves very much and were excited about returning today. In fact, Gus was ready to go back at 6:30 this morning!

Gus told us that his teacher, Mr. F, was nice and very handsome, and that he’d like to have him for his daddy for a while. Henry liked his teacher, Miss P, too! He came home with all kinds of stories to tell us – mostly good ones, thankfully. Tess loves Ms. H, her teacher! When I asked her if she was nice, she said “She’s almost too nice, Mama! She calls us her dears.” What a pleasant change that must be for her after dealing with me all these years!!

All in all, I’d say the Shoe children’s first day of school was a success! Since I’m writing this after the fact, I happen to know that day two wasn’t as great – for two of my little darlin’s, anyway. I’m afraid this is going to be quite an adjustment for all of us. Anyway, here’s hoping that day three is a good one!!

Keep praying my friends!!

The Last Can of Formula

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

We’ve been transitioning Clara from formula to cow’s milk over the past few weeks. She seems to be doing well on milk so when we used the last bit of formula in the can the other day, I didn’t make a mental note to buy more. As I was throwing the empty container in the trash it occured to me that I might not ever buy another can of baby formula. I thought to myself, “If this is the last can of formula you’ll ever use, maybe you should take a picture of it.” Old Man says I have too much time on my hands! I disagree. I just happened to recognize the moment as one that could possibly mark an important ending (which would also be an important beginning) in my life. Clara might be my last baby. I might not ever feel another baby kick inside of me, or watch in awe and wonder as the flesh of my flesh cries his or her first cry, or hold a naked newborn on my chest, or marvel at those tiny fingernails, or breathe that new baby scent, or nurse a wee one who looks just like all the rest of them. Old Man and I remain open to God’s gift of life but I’m not getting any younger, as we all know. One of my friends likes to remind me that her mom had her when she was 48 years old! I don’t know which is worse, the thought of not having any more babies or having them until I’m 48!!

Okay – I’m finished with my ramble.

Yeah, What He Said

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” ~ Anatole France