Shhhhhhh!

Do you hear that? .......Neither do I. Silence has become a trusted friend of mine over the past 7+ years. I used to hate it, it used to make me feel lonely and vulnerable. But now...because it so rarely makes an appearance, I crave it. I need a litte in the middle of each day and after the kids go to bed. Those moments where the pitter pat of little feet and the little voices stop, even for just a few moments, helps me calm myself and causes me to appreciate the fact that I have been blessed with noise.

Spelling curriculum.

Allright...well it is not really a curriculum at all, but just a creative way to get those spelling lessons in. In the morning after breakfast chores I have my seven year old daughter write a to-do list. So she goes to town on our large dry-erase board (my all-purpose homeschool tool) that hangs in our living room. She lists all the activities she wants to do that day, and includes some things that I ask her to. Then I go down the list and correct the spelling. It is amazing to see improvement each day..sometimes after just one correction! I think the reason this works is because these are words that mean something to her, she has a connection to them, words like: knit, email, quilt, bike etc.... She enjoys this process and it is all very natural and free of stress. In addition she is practicing penmanship and time management. I am in love with homeschooling.

Do you have any other ideas for sneaking learning into your day?

The uncertainty of life.

Whenever I run across a story of a parent loosing a child, I am rocked to my core. My brain at once travels to the place of...."What if that were me?" Losing a child is one of my greatest fears. Something I have had to surrender to Jesus.

I had an experience a few days ago, that got me thinking.....

My husband and I (+ a sweet baby) were traveling home after a splendid day trip. We were chatting and thinking and just enjoying our drive. When suddenly a semi truck decides to flip a u-turn right in front of us! We were heading directly for it...the collision seemed immanent. I closed my eyes and cried out in prayer, Joe acted on his instinct and God used his quick reflexes to slide us along side (not into) the semi. I open my eyes and looked at the driver, we are both a bit confused and dazed. Joe pulled over to catch his breath and to talk to someone who had observed the whole thing. 

As I sat there alone in the car, I thought about the fact that I could be dead. I thought about the last day I had spent with my children and I was glad it had been a good one. Then I pondered how my children would remember me, if I died right now. Would it be good? Would they remember me smiling, saying "I love you", would they remember encouragement and peace? Would it be bad? would they remember frustration and anger...would they remember me yelling and being disappointed in them? I know my children love me, but, what will they remember about me?

As I thought about it, I purposed in my heart to smile more often, to slow down to get to know my children and to invest in them personally. Yes, I can strive to do these things...but in my flesh, I will fail. I need to know Jesus. I need to follow after the Spirit. I need to teach them of Him. Only Jesus can make me the mother I need to be. And, if they know Jesus, they will have something that will far outlive any memory of me good or bad. 

I am so thankful for His mercy and so thankful that He is in control.I am thankful for each day I get to enjoy my family. I am thankful I know Him. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

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.