The Homeschool Swap- The Real Gift

My opportunity was on the way!

The opportunity for me to step outside of my introverted ways. The opportunity to open my newly finished and almost empty home. The opportunity to have company while my husband was so far away. 

Some would say it was foolish to let a practical stranger come stay at my house, but that’s the thing. Heather didn’t feel like a stranger. Even though we met only briefly at a homeschool convention, I knew her in a way I don’t know my own neighbors. I knew her through blogging.

photo by: Sprittibee

When I sent my first post into the cloud of search engines, I never imagined friendships would form. Friendships created not on externals, but on ideas shaped with words.

Even though writing doesn’t peel away our flesh, souls are revealed over time. And time is on Heather’s side. She has been blogging at Sprittibee for FIVE years.

photo credit: Sprittibee

I was so blessed to have Heather’s beautiful family in my home. They arrived late and had to leave early, but our time together was refreshing. Our children became instant friends.

I got to hold the baby while the boys chatted about Star Wars Lego faster than my brain could process the words. The girls enjoyed drawing pictures together.

The gifts Heather sent me for The Homeschool Swap are still making me smile. Many of the presents brighten my new kitchen: a cute towel, a stainless steel bowl (the perfect size for blogging munchies), a timer (which I really needed), and a cool magnetic spice container.

The artsy, handmade cards for each of my children were carted off immediately. Sweet Pea claimed the fairy wand, and Bug built the Lego set in mere seconds. Sunshine decided the CD was for her. She was not disappointed. Heather filled it up with pictures of the visit.

These last photos of our time in Texas brought tears to my eyes. She captured not only my children, but little glimpses of my house with new eyes.

photo credit: Sprittibee

The package was only a representation of the real gift: her friendship.

Thank you so much, Heather!

You can read Heather’s side of the story here.

Silencing the Background Noise or Why I Blog

While kids and weary husband sleep, I sit at the table and peck through chapter by chapter. I copy the author’s words to help me remember, to help me teach.

I strain for the discipline to just finish the last two chapters, but thoughts buzz. Ideas repeated here and there during the day hum for the moment they can be completed. When is that moment? It’s now, when the silence of the night gives ear to their music.

I decipher the purposeful notes and realize daily multi-tasking dulls my focus. My children too easily become part of the background noise. Walls press in, so I must press out. I need new perspectives.

Today three of us lingered at the window. Flocks of birds visited our feeder. We watched the juncos bounce around nibbling spilled seeds. Their black suit coats contrasted with the white snow. Finches of gold and purple brightened the dead lilac bush.

The fourth person here, my son, glanced out, flipped through books, and started asking:

Can we make a suet feeder? Can I make a bird bath? What about a brush cover?

My active, imaginative son always wants to do. I want to bundle up and hibernate until spring. Instead, I make the effort to listen and gather supplies.

Then I pause, before sleep, to capture a moment to help me remember, to help me teach.

What helps you be a better mother and teacher? What do you do to stay focused?

Inexcusable

I should know better by now. The hint of an upcoming article haunts me. Series take me so long to complete, they can’t be called sequential at all. A better explanation is that eventually my ideas find a way of escape.

My intentions are the best. In fact, they are so good they get sketched out again and again like a draftsman crafting a castle. I know it’s hard to believe, but I am a bit obsessive.

For instance, my homework assignment for the past three weeks has been to compile a notebook on Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. I’m supposed to take notes on the five elements of literature in each chapter: setting, characterization, plot, style, and theme. Simple enough. Unless you’re me.

I took six pages of notes on one chapter! This book is for upper elementary grades. Would my twelve-year-old son write that many notes on one chapter? No way!

Needless to say, I’ve realized the error of my ways. Homework for this week was much easier and less time consuming. See, I can relax. Really, I can.

When our computer dubbed, somewhat affectionately, Frankenmachine died, I took deep breaths to calm my heart rate. And as soon the twitching stops, I will be fine.

Our antique laptop dubbed, somewhat affectionately, What is that! is just what I need to slow me down. Because it would be inexcusable if I had the chance to overwhelm you with all my ideas at once.

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.

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!