Gettin' Our Learin' On

Since coming home from our travels to North Carolina, we have stayed put.  We haven't wasted our days traveling around town on an empty mission just for something to do.  During the week we have (mostly) remained at home.  It's a nice change of pace, though I have had a bit of cabin fever.  I can't claim to have been extremely productive in the home, either.

Last week we returned to our lessons.  It was rocky some days and smooth others.  We are still trying to find our groove.  Morning time is by far everyone's favorite, and has been the smoothest part of our school day.  We begin with the Morning Offering prayer and then into our memory work.  We are working from Classically Catholic Memory alpha year, and everyone seems to at least tolerate it.  I let the kids take the timeline cards and put them in order on the floor.  They have really enjoyed it.  We have also started using Blob Maps for map tracing with zero resistance from the kids.  We finish up by reading A Bear Called Paddington while they draw in their journals.  On Saturday I bought some marmalade for the kids to try.  Owen is the only one that seems to enjoy it.

I have been working my own thinking muscle.  Along with the eCourse on classical education, I'm reading Awakening Wonder: A Classical Guide to Truth, Goodenss, & Beauty with some lovely ladies and discussing it using the Voxer app.  Classical education is so intimidating, but it pairs so well with our faith.  It feels like the best option for us.  But how do we have a classical homeschool?  I don't know.    I'm still working on that.  For now since classical schools do memory work...ok, we'll do memory work. Classical schools learn Latin...ok we'll learn Latin.

Reading and learning about classical education, I feel that I need to try and fill in the gaps of my own education.  Sadly those gaps are quite large...embarrassingly large, especially in literature.  I'm not classically educated...sometimes if feel barely educated.  So the past couple of months have been a bit emotional about homeschool and capabilities.  But I digress.  2016 I'm reforming my reading habits.  While reading the nonfiction with the Voxer group, I'm going to have a fiction book going as well.  So, I'm reading Little Women for the first time.  It has been so delightful.  I can't wait to read it with Amelia!

I'm working on a post for my education metaphor.  I have it, but I'm having a hard time crafting my words.  Choosing a metaphor has been really great.  It's made me really think about what education means to me, and what it will mean to this home.  Be on the look out for that.

Chris as has tomorrow off.  Exciting.  I can tell the day is going to fly by, but it's nice to have him home an extra day.  He's in the thick of flight school lots of studying.  When I can, I get the kids out of the house to give him some silence.

I hope 2016 is treating you well.  :)

Word of The Year: 2016

We are still feeling the renewal that the calendar provides each January, and I have chosen a new word for 2016.  In 2014, I choose a word of the year.  It has been the only time I have ever chosen a word, but in retrospect, I think 2014's word really needed to roll into 2015, so maybe that's why I was never struck with a word that year.

Facebook had a fun word generator floating around toward the end of December, and I could not resist the click.  It provided me with the word innovation.  There was a pause, but I didn't feel as if it was the word to guide me through the next year.  So, I Voxed Ashley to get her thoughts, and she recommended looking up synonyms and antonyms which was a lovely idea.

I read lots of words, and continued to Vox Ashley, using her as a sounding board, to determine my word for this year.  In the end I settled with:

I was not blown away with the word in the beginning.  When I hear reform I naturally think of political reforms, which is just makes me think of debates, and honestly leaves a gross taste in my mouth.  Once I got over that and really consider the word, I felt like it was kind of perfect.

Most everything that is going on in my life seems right, but the quality in which I'm doing things is lacking.  Praying, housekeeping, parenting, homeschooling, budgeting, community building, and personal development you name it, I'm not doing it well.  I feel like I'm planted where God wants me, but I'm not fulfilling these roles in the best way.

After going through Advent with St Benedict, I have a better understanding of my life, the mundane, being a pray that needs to be said everyday.  Meaning, my work is prayer.  Getting up and doing my job is a prayer that I need to be saying, or doing, everyday.  I know I haven't been.  Or at least my work has been poor and sloppy. 

By making paradigm shifts and using my strengths to foster my shortcomings will (hopefully) build my self confidence will slowly reform my daily life.  It's going to be a long year with lots of growing pains, God willing.   

First post of 2016

It has been nearly a month since my last post.  Over the last few days I have reading old posts, when I was posting kind of regularly...2014ish.  It was so much fun!!!  I miss it.  I miss documenting our lives.  I miss typing aimlessly to the empty internet.  I miss the comments (mostly on Facebook).

That is not to say that I haven't sat down at my computer several times to type something to share with you, but at some point I started over thinking what I was doing.  Honestly, I'm not sure why.  It was like I was trying to make my life interesting for the sake of this space.  The thing is, my life isn't that interesting.  I'm a mom drowning in dishes and dirty laundry while I'm trying to educate tiny humans and myself on the side.  Seriously, there is no way to make dirty diapers interesting.  They're just gross.

It's funny how I often do that to myself.  Over-complicating an ordinary task.  So I will do a very very quick update in bullet points so we can  move on with our lives.

• I will begin with the most important thing.  The selfie stick.  It didn't work with my mom's phone so now I get to be like that guy at the commissary using his selfie stick in the produce department!  I'm pretty sure Chris is more thrilled by me owning a selfie stick than I am!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We are still homeschooling.  I am currently taking a self paced online class The 5 Elements of Classical Homeschooling.  Over the past week I've been reading Awakening Wonder: A Classical Guide to Truth, Goodness, and Beauty by Steve Turley PhD.  My brain wants to explode with excitement and ideas, but I'm still not articulate.  But classical education is totally what I'm trying to achieve.
• I love our co-op.  Amelia was asking today if we get to go this week...sadly, we have to wait one more week.
• Chris is in the thick of flight school.  Studying with four young kids underfoot is tougher than you may think. ;)
• Owen wants to take Karate or something, but I'm being a little selfish with the schedule.
  
• Amelia LOVES dance. She loves putting on a "show" for anyone who will watch.
  
  
  
  
• Simon is still Simon, but dino lovin', age three has been a real treat!  One and two were pretty tough.  Three isn't a cake walk, but we know what he's capable of, and it has been mostly fun.  But he is REFUSING to potty train, and I'm refusing to fight over it.
  
• Becket loves to dance.  He love to say "mo" to everything.  If you ask him to say Muma he tilts his head.  He is into everything!
  
• I'm still adminning the two Facebook groups, and having a great time.  Peg Dolls (I'm working on eggs right now) and Periscope. 
  
  
  
  
• Myers-Briggs is so much fun!!! I love it.  You can take the free test at 16 Personalities.  I'm an ENFP.  I LOVE knowing what others are, too.  I find it very fascinating.  Please comment your type.  
• Go watch the TV show Miranda.  It's a British sitcom, starring Miranda Hart.  It's, what I like to call, funny!  Such Fun!!!

And that's about it really.  Most anyone reading this probably has kept up with our shenanigans on Facebook and Instagram.  I've missed this!  Bring it on 2016!

Adventing: Resting in Christ

Have you ever taken on projects that normally would be too much, but you're still managing to get things accomplished peacefully? Over the past few weeks, my plate seems to becoming more and more full.  Yet, this Advent still seems to be more intentional slower when compared to years past.

Why is that?  I'm not really sure.  On top of the normal day to day of keeping everyone mostly safe, relatively clean, kind of fed, and somewhat educated, I have been given opportunities to grow in faith, fellowship, service, and my own education.  Over the last few weeks I have entered into this new kind of peaceful busyness. .  if there is such a thing.  

Currently, I am admin-ing two Facebook groups.  These are not solo endeavors; I'm working with some fantastic ladies!  But, there is a bit of personal time devoted to it.  One is the Catholic Peg Doll Swap group, with two other ladies. I get to serve women who want to share the faith with their families through crafts in a way they might not be able to otherwise.  The other is the Catholic Woman Scopes group where I work alongside of Amber the nurturing pioneer, Sterling the encouraging evangelist, Ashley the philosophical apologist. We are just building a community with Periscope to grow in faith and fellowship with other women.  And I'm trying to educate myself in Catholicism, classical education, social media, and how to be an adult while trying to remain a good wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.  Not to give you my laundry list, but to let you know I'm being pulled in ways I've never been pulled before.  

I'm #Adventing with Ashley and we are reading The Joy of Advent with Saint Benedict.  Each day, we the book provides us with the gospel, a quote from St. Benedict, a reflection, and a prayer.  Today's short gospel spoke to me.

"Jesus said to the crowds: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.'"  Matthew 11: 28-30

And the St. Benedict quote paired with this gospel was incredible as well.  He basically said to be obedient in the fight for Christ.  He called obedience a "powerful and shining weapon".  Obedience would be fulfilling God's will, would it not?  In the reflection portion, it is reemphasized that we are to pick up Jesus' yoke, but not put ours down by carrying both we can see we can see the light of God.  When we are obediently following God’s will, we are resting in Christ.  Our burdens remain our burdens, but the burden is light. And then we can find peace.

Maybe that is what I’m experiencing, right now?  This peaceful busyness?  

This post is apart of the Blessed Is She #BISsisterhood link-up.  Please head over there to see what others have to say this week about PEACE. 

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Kicking off Advent with St. Benedict

Image found at Roaming Catholic

Several weeks ago when Ashley at Between the Linens asked if I would be interested in joining her in reading a book during Advent, I jumped in and said yes.  One, because she’s awesome. And two, I’m pretty sure the Holy Spirit uses my spontaneity to work through me; otherwise I would never make a decision to do anything that may seem challenging.

After saying yes to this project, I realized what I was saying yes to, and I would be lying if didn’t admit to being intimidated.  This is out of my comfort zone.  I lack understanding, vocabulary, and confidence. I said yes and before I knew it, I was putting it out publicly that I was taking this on with Ashley.  So here I am, at the beginning of Advent and a new year in the Church with little to offer other than the journey that God has prepared for me. . .us. . . this season.

We are using The Joy of Advent with St. Benedict. I know very little about St. Benedict; after reading his brief history chapter, I can see why I did not connect with him sooner. His Rule of Life goes against every natural tendency that I possess.  His rule is something I don’t really want to live by but I recognize that slowing down, prioritizing, creating order, and taking the time to contemplate is something I need in my home and prayer life.  Being a Christian is hard, especially when we acknowledge that something must change even when we are comfortable with how things are. However, the change is necessary  in order to grow in our faith.

So readers, ‘scopers, ‘grammers, tweeters, and facebookers, I’m beginning the journey completely aware that you are probably further down the path that I am.  Hopefully, we can learn and grow within this beautiful community.  

Building Community

A Catholic women's scope group was created last week and my extroverted self can not slow down my brain.  Out of pure excitement there were two back to back scope hops #catholicscopes. And I couldn't help but jump on, but being a extrovert I left being really charged and having a hard time going to sleep each night.

Many women have been eager to hop on to this fairly new platform, but may felt like they were talking to no one.  This new group has organically given the broadcasters an audience (that is probably just a nervous as they are).  And in a matter of days the group has grown and has been fairly active.  You don't have to broadcast to be part of the group.  Being live and talking into your phone is not for everyone, but there is lots of activity in the comments.  We are all here learning the platform and getting to know each other at the same time.  It has been so much fun.  The only prerequisite for the group is being a Catholic woman.

I will say there are many homeschooling moms in the group, I think because it can often be hard to get out and make friends with like minded people if you don't have a local community.  To find a friend that understands the season of life you are in can be difficult whether you're homeschooling or not.  Periscope can create a community quickly.  But the group needs women from all walks of life.  We all don't have the same calling, but I can still be encouraged and learn from other walks of life.  I see so much potential and fellowship possibilities.

I am still really awkward, maybe I'll always see myself as awkward, but I'm hoping that will improve.  And if not, I'm thankful for the forgiving community that is beginning to grow.  :)  

7QT: Wedding, Dolls, and Social Media

It is the quickest of quick takes, because I NEED to get to bed.  And they are going to be all over the place!  Make sure you head over the Kelly's for more quick takes!

1. This last trip to North Carolina was quick.  Chris's cousin was getting married so the kids and I headed to back to celebrate.  We had a wonderful time, but it was different not having my cousins to help with the kids like I did at my brother's wedding.  The four kids seemed to be going in every direction.

2.  You know the peg doll group I'm always talking about, right?  Well, we will be opening our new swap on December 1st.  I'm pumped!  It's an Easter Swap.  The idea is to have them done, swapped, and delivered before Holy Week.  I'm getting all the details for that swap set up now.  Feel free to join the Facebook group.  We do more than peg dolls, though we try to stick to painting wood.  You can join the group for community or to get ideas an tips to host your own local swap.  Being part of the group does not commit you to any swap, and there are many of lovely ladies there.

3.  Homeschool.  Let's just say something is getting done everyday.  Very little some days.  But something.  Our first six weeks were so strong, and now it feels like I'm pulling teeth.

4.  Christy over at Fountains of Home wrote this.  I'm so glad she wrote it.  She articulated what, I think, many were thinking.  I am happy for my old faves, and there are still wonderful blogs to read.  I just need to troll the interwebs to find some new ones!

5. Voxer is my new favorite app.  It's like walkie talkie text messaging.  You record a message and it is sent.  The person will listen and respond when they can.  Voxer gives me the freedom to do what needs to be done like text messaging, with the speed of conveying my message because I'm speaking like a phone call.  Not to mention you can hear inflections, too.  

6.  Ashley over at Between the Linens is my super duper awesome friend!  Her and I are teaming up and using social media through Advent.  Blog posts, Periscope, Google Hangout for sure are on the calendar.  We are still ironing out the details, but we would LOVE for you to join us.  We are using THIS BOOK.  It's on kindle of $7.99. 

**Update we are changing out book, but we still plan to do an Advent book study.**

7.  Last night Catholic Women Scopes group was formed, and I'm stoked.  Ashley and I have been talking about this for about two months, and I'm so excited that it was created.  Tonight we are going to be doing a scope hop starting at 10pm EST.  The theme this week is favorite saints.  There is sign up in the group.  We will start with the first person and work our way down the list hopping from one scoper to the next.  I'm kind of awkward, but I'm excited for the opportunity to learn, be inspired, and connect with others.  If you don't really want to scope hopefully you can grab a cuppa and join in on the chatbox. #catholicscopes