Tired.

This thriving business can be exhausting! Especially when I loose sight of what thriving is. I have so many projects I could work on completing right now, but really, I don't think I should. I am so tired. I went to two homeschool activities today. within two hours of each other. I don't think I'll do that again. Thriving is not about being busy. It was just too hard on all of us. How to prioritize? How to pick the best over the good? These are the questions in my head right now. Too much activity seems to overwhelm the day and things like riding bikes and inventing new games get pushed aside. I've come to this conclusion before, and now I know. I am a minimalist when it comes to activity. I want free time...time to think, time to invent. We don't need every moment to be filled. We just need inspiration and happy moments to create the many God given dreams bouncing around in our heads. Heres to a free day tomorrow.... a day open for any adventure that comes our way.

What does it mean to thrive?

Main Entry: thrive 

Pronunciation: \ˈthrīv\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): thrived or throve \ˈthrōv\; thrived also thriv·en \ˈthri-vən\; thriv·ing \ˈthrī-viŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp

Date: 13th century

1 : to grow vigorously : flourish
2 : to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
3 : to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances —often used with on s on conflict>

— thriv·er  \ˈthrī-vər\ noun

Thrive. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.

Retrieved February 11, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrive

I love this. This is what I want for Joe and I, for our children. I want more than a day to day existence. I desire to "grow vigorously". There is always something new to learn or try. There is always  an obstacle to overcome...that's what causes growth. Although we may not be gaining in wealth or  possessions, we are prospering. We are most definetly progressing toward a goal, despite circumstances. My goal is to not waste a day but to invest in my family ,even in a small manner, each and every day. That takes a mind-set. It is something I have to do on purpose. Just like I need to make Jesus first each morning. It does not just happen naturally. Life and chaos happen naturally. To go beyond that, to see the sweetness and blessing each day, each moment has to offer, that takes effort. I don't accomplish this everyday....not even every other day. But, I want too, because I have tasted it, and it is good.

Psalm 34:8

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Family name plaque.

Have you heard of  the Think blog? Well, they post a weekly project that you can do with objects around the house. It is designed to be a challenge...hence to make kids think. Today we participated. We were stuck in a Starfall.com/ movie rutt and really, it was getting boring. You all know what happens when kids get bored. No good! Here are the instuctions from the blog

Sticking with the theme of few parameters and limited materials -- this weeks challenge is to place a box of nails, a board and string on the table. Then, create something.

A hammer may be used in construction but not the solution. 

Here is what we did: 

Getting started. 

Planning.

Boys love hammers and nails, don't they?

One more from the boy......

A garage. :)

Way better than boredom.

Sweet clams.

Tomorrow my friend and I are leading our science co-op. As a group we are going through  Apologia's "Swimming creatures of the fifth day". We read through a lesson, and meet every two weeks for a review, craft and science experiment. The lesson we are on is all about mollusks. Who knew that bivalves and gastropods could be such fun? Anyway, I came across this super cute cookie and simplified it to meet my needs. Here is my version and how to do it, if you so please.

Gather the ingredients:

Vanilla wafers

White chocolate covered pretzel rounds

Cherry frosting

To assemble:

Frost the flat side of the vanilla wafer.

place one pearl on the frosting.

prop another wafer (flat side down) on top.

Now, you have a clam sweet enough to eat.

Enjoy.