Homeschool When No One is Around

Saturday night my motivation vanished. A few hours later it reappeared. I discovered it giving a pep talk to my white blood cells. I decided to go to bed and see who won the fight in the morning. When light streamed into my room and birds welcomed the day, it didn’t take long to realize who won. Headache, sore throat, and achy muscles moaned before I got out of my bed.

Sunshine, my five-year-old daughter, stayed home from church with me. As soon as everyone else left, I passed out on the couch. I woke in a panic wondering where Sunshine was. Thankfully, she was sitting nearby drawing castles and fairy princesses willing me to be better. She watched movies while I tried to keep my eyes open. And now it is Tuesday night, and I still feel woozy and tired.

This morning I felt better. The filthy house bothered me, so I scrubbed the sink and then gathered the children for morning worship. Dance and song and Bible reading. The girls scampered off to play. Bug grabbed his journal. I stretched out and closed my eyes for just a minute.

Two hours later my lethargy slipped away, and I heard the whistle of a toy train and the laughter of my children. My thoughts came into focus and rattled around. I couldn’t believe I had fallen asleep! I haven’t slept this much since the first week of summer break during high school. We had a list of things to do before lunch.

But my children used the opportunity to play together. All of them crowded in brother’s room, setting up the train tracks, watching the miniature locomotive circle around the tiny town. Imaginations soared. My fitful sleep allowed a dream to come true.

My children are making memories together. They are loving one another. That was not written in the lesson plans. It was not on the to do list, but I’m thankful the most important things are revealed in the day to day of living life together.

Spring Cleaning Blog-Style

I know it looks almost exactly the same on the outside, but Life Nurturing Education has moved. Months ago I helped some friends set up a blog, then another friend, and another…all the while planning for this place to join them.

Woman Cleaning Alley, Sibenik, Croatia

After procrastinating longer than I care to admit, I finally switched everything over. I’m still scrubbing cupboards and straightening pictures. Literally, the pictures.

My images were not imported on my first attempt. Deckards absent from their own chronicle. Two years worth of pictures vanished, and by their absence I sensed how much this blog contains. I don’t write every day, but life is made of moments. If I capture a few here and there, doesn’t it give more meaning to the others?

Looking back I see with different eyes, a different heart. The moments of frustration give way to a smile. I see where we are now, the progress made. I see how quickly my children are growing. I remember starts and sputters, dreams and goals.

And it pulls me back to writing some more.

What We Need To Do In A Day

My eleven-year-old son and I think about the minutes and hours that swing into days, months, and years. Adding time on paper. Whispered groans from him followed by sinking sighs from me. The protest continues. This lesson is for both of us.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

We look up the meaning of wisdom in Webster’s 1828 and summarize it: getting and using knowledge for good.

“How do we gain wisdom?,” I ask. Bug is thoughtful, quiet for a moment, “Wisdom comes from God, so we should pray.”

Yes, first and foremost, ask, pray. Conversation continues while we do the work of a scribe. Bug watches astonished while my hand scrawls out calligraphy learned decades ago.

I dig, “How does numbering our days help us gain wisdom?” He reasons, “It helps us know how to spend our time.”

He begins to copy. Blue letters take shape. Our efforts to create beauty reward with a daily reminder. This is our math lesson. Adding. Counting. Considering.

“What do we really need to do in a day?”

A question of purpose. A question of goals. A question I’ve been trying to answer in my journal for months. My pursuit for focus and balance finally compiled in a declaration, a family motto of sorts, and a daily to do list.

Love Deeply, Learn Always, Live Joyfully, Honor God

Day by Day
Commune: pray, listen
Reflect: wonder, create
Grow: study, practice
Bless: love, serve

Bug has his own conclusions. They sound like the heart of my own: love and learn, work and play. Balanced and simple. I should have asked him weeks ago.

Meeting A Few Imaginary Friends

I left a bit later than planned. Before I rushed out the door, I dropped Amanda, Mandigirl Muses, an email asking her to send her phone number. Her reply saved me.

I arrived in Arlington right on time. Then Google maps failed me. The prescribed exit was closed. Construction zones surrounded me. I circled the convention center and found the road blocked. Signs directed me veering to the left and right. A frantic call to my husband. A string of numbers brought hope, and still I missed the turn.

Amanda called while I backtracked, and I finally saw the sign. Felt so foolish and humble. She waited for over half an hour. Glances from the servers. Stood up in a quiet restaurant waiting and waiting. Her graciousness blessed me and her story embedded itself on my soul.

Full of good food and sweet fellowship, we tromped to the convention center. I was late to meet April, Question the Culture, because I was late to meet Amanda. More circles, up and down the maze of vendors looking for a lady with crooked glasses. Little did I know, she got contacts.

Thankfully I heard my name and immediately recognized her from the photo she sent months ago. More grace for my tardiness. We got to chat a bit before empty stomachs and the Scholastic warehouse sale pulled her and her friend out the door.

While saying good-bye to April, I realized the lady I thought was Connie really was Connie.

The next meeting was the 2:30 announcement made on Twitter. We gathered in the back of an auditorium while Hank the Cowdog prepared to perform. A hello, a hug, a quick, blurry snapshot.

Connie ~Smockity Frocks, Dana ~Are We There Yet? , Heather ~Sprittibee, me, Amanda ~MandiGirl Muses

Promises to meet after the performance never materialized. Lost again, but the invitation remains. Next time let’s all chat over some Tex-Mex!

For other perspectives on this meeting of imaginary friends, use the links above. And if you are ever in Texas, please let us know. Maybe we can plan a party just for you!

Home School Book Fair, Here I Come

Today I’m attending the Home School Book Fair in Arlington, Texas, because there is something I like more than drooling over books and curriculum.

I don’t need a single thing. In fact, as hard as it is to believe, I’m satiated with book consumption right now. I considered staying home, but the homeschool community tugs.

When I started blogging, it was an act of obedience. I needed to think through ideas. I wanted to practice writing. I never imagined gaining friends on the other side of the computer. Friends who bless with encouragement. Friends who share joys and trials. Friends who remind me to grow. Friends who challenge my thinking.

Friends I’ll be talking to face to face!

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If you haven’t attended a homeschool convention, Beth wrote a helpful article: Ten Timeless Tips for Tackling a Homeschool Convention. And if you happen to be at the convention in Arlington, please greet me. I would be honored to meet you.