Keeping You - one way or another

When I look back years into this blog I feel a little sad and sorry that I don't bring my photography into our lives so much as I used to - but I'm SO very very grateful that I captured us the way I did, when I did. What a beautiful display of our days and memories together. 

I'd like to say I could do it again. Pick it back up and try and save a better glimpse of these days - commit to an individually artistic and intentional "life session". But I don't know if I could. That is who I was then. Becoming a photographer. Those days were a special, inspired time for me and my camera. With the ease of low quality cell phone cameras, and the kind of picture taker I've become for my work, I'm not sure I still have it in me. 

I hope when I look back at my posts in 5 years or so, I'm not disappointed in my efforts in comparison. Writing and photographing just aren't what they used to be for me anymore. Still want to remember. On whatever level, I do love these "pages" of you.

A Yelling Teacher is No Fun

Not two weeks into school and I have a monster of a cold, no voice, and a low tolerance. This is a part of homeschooling I remember and do not like. Being stuck in the same space with someone who loves you and can and will forgive you for being a total jerk when you're not up to being nice for one reason or another. Such a bad example, and a poor way to encourage a positive learning experience filled with happy memories. Sometimes, I really suck at being patient and kind. 

I'm going to devise a plan for this year. Something that will motivate, no MAKE me chose my words and tone wisely. 

I expect respect - I should display it as well. 

I wouldn't want my son to grow up and treat anyone poorly or unfairly or harshly, just because he's in a bad mood, sick, or at his end. 

I preach that we are gifted with self-control so we should use it - I need to use it myself. 

So, from now on, I'm going to start my day out in devotion to God FIRST. I am going to post helpful scriptures around our classroom. And from this moment forward, if I get harsh, loud, or even off on a lecturing tangent, I am going to write, 10 times, a scripture correlating to my issue.

So that's that. I have read this to Zeek and given him permission to call me on this if or when it is happening. 

I am committing to a year of no yelling, no harsh or stern lecturing, no down talking or rudeness from this teacher. If I have to change gears, face the wall, walk out of the room to control myself… I am going to do what I need to do. 

I want to look back on this year without regrets about my behavior on bad days. 

The End. 

Ready, set, go!

Heading lazily into our second week of school after three days off together, and I'm so grateful that we are home. I know what it feels like to come away from weekends only to say goodbye morning after morning, spending so many hours apart. Not anymore, though. I can't wait for you to get up so I can see you and have you all to myself today!

The cold going through our family, starting with your Dad, has finally caught up with me. While I'm feeling much better than the two of you did, I can appreciate that we have nothing but school on our roster today. YOU have your first piano lesson with Rhonda at 3 - and you and your Dad will be going to Football practice tonight. But I will be home, resting and getting well, asap! The rest of the week will not be so forgiving.

The weather has been VERY humid - wet really. Mornings are filled with fog, and days, if not raining, have been damp and dewy. It makes it hard to clean the driveway and decks much less stain or finish anything outside. I'm hoping we see a good dry week before fall comes and the leaves take everything over.

That's about all that's going on right now. Homeschool, 1st piano lesson, the end of the cold in our house, and less than ideal weather.

God is good.

Deyoung Zoo

Today we went about an hour north, to MI, for a family adventure. 

We started this at a favorite restaurant of your Dad's

called Brother's Three, in Marinette.

It was delicious. But we had a little drama in this place. 

You were having a hard time with your attitude, 

respect, and self-control.

It's unusual to have to address and issue with you. 

You are generally very mindful and considerate.

But public places and being around other people have always been a stubble for you. 

By the time we had eaten, and talked a bit more in the car afterward,

it was clear that we may have gotten to the bottom of the issue. 

We were proud of the way you humbly and responsibly

accepted the challenge to work on making some changes. 

By the time we got to the Zoo we were ready to explore!

They have so many sweet little baby animals.

And many, not so baby, but still sweet friends too.

We got to watch some alligator wrestling,

which was probably the highlight of this Zoo experience.

It was nice to walk the trails back and forth

because the weather was warm (80s), and the sun 

was blocked by a light cloud covering.

I got to feed a hippopotamus.

AND hold a large snake (which was what I was really hoping for).

You did not touch many animals, but had a great time watching them.

And you brought your money so you could raid the souvenir shop.

You got a cute little white lion, and a big blue snake -

Carrie (one of the owners and alligator wrestlers) photo bombed this pic of you.

It was a really fun day, and we got to have some 

Culvers on the way home to our own little Zoo.

where we belong

I love to homeschool.

Well, really, to teach and to learn.

It's odd that the past year was so good. How it didn't even hurt that nothing was anymore as we were so accustomed to in our lifestyle of togetherness and homeschooling before.

But now that we're back to what I can't help but refer to as "our real life", everything feels so righted. As if we were off our rails, even though we weren't recognizing it as any kind of struggle.
And now, were right on. Exactly where we belong. Everything, all day and all night, and even into the weekends, just fits and works so well when we are a homeschooling family.

I don't judge other people for what they chose is best for their families and their lives. But I do secretly hurt a little for what they are missing out on. Probably close to the way a mom who has more than one child might secretly hurt for what she knows I am missing, while I'm none the wiser.

I'm grateful that God called us to this. And just as much so that He called us out of it for our year of Public School. It was good for us in so many ways. This refreshing start is amazing, after a year away and a new perspective on schooling, socialization, organized activities, family time, and even gratitude for the honor of having this opportunity together.

It's strange how different we are this year, and yet how easily we are slipping back into what we've always been.

Love it.
Like breathing after agreeing to and getting comfortable hardly being able to breathe.

First Game

You're first game, and we're feeling a little but too complete. 

Your Dad and I joked afterward that 

"we made a child, he plays football, we've done all we came to do"

Of course, Uncle is super stoked as well. 

He will be here for every single game you play, I'm sure. 

For as long as you play.

Where ever you play. 

Forever. 

We're sorry in advance, if this crazy fan club of yours 

happens to embarrass you at some point along your journey. 

We are just SO excited!!!!! 

First Day of Fifth Grade

You started your new morning routine of feeding the dogs,

getting dresses, eating and brushing your teeth before school.

We had delicious gluten free funfetti pancakes with yogurt, applesauce, and OJ.

Then we took first day of school pics…

which, of course, you had to have the Pug in. 

You called her your homeschool mascot.

She was confused at best.

The school day was short - just an intro to the year

and a couple of classes. 

The space is perfect, and the pets gravitated to us 

the whole morning. 

I loved the way you moved around comfortably, 

reading and doing work where ever you wanted. 

The day went well, and I can't wait to be in the full swing of 

all classes each day!  

We can pretend all day that a "first day of school" ice cream tradition

is what we were complying with when we got ours at about noon.

But being honest, daily ice cream is the real tradition we are 

struggling with this year. :)

Shadow Lake w/ friends

Today we went to Shadow Lake with Amy and her kids

for a last day of summer vacation beach party!!! 

about 20 years ago, I went to Shadow Lake with some friends of mine.

One of them had her little baby girl with her.

I watched how cute and sweet it was for her to play with her daughter

in the sand on the shore of the lake, in the summer sun.

And I dreamed… 

I thought about how I might take my baby there someday.

And today, I did just that. 

Only you are no baby anymore. 

And it wasn't nearly as nostalgic as all of that. 

We just had a great time, building new memories

of real things that are better than I ever could have dreamed 

of for myself and a family. 

You are my real, always sunshine. 

Sunshine.

Home'sCool Room

So, we didn't plan to do this, but in the last week before school starts

you and I decided it would be cool to create a Homeschool room 

in the extra half of the basement living area that is empty. 

With a little work and VERY little money, we have put together 

what will be the cutest little school room we've ever had. 

I was able to use almost the entire dry erase board on the wall.

And little odds and ends we've had in storage that I loved and bought 

and never quite found a place for in our home yet. 

We have the couch and tv area to watch your 

DVD lessons, Netflix, Amazon, or Youtube for classes. 

And our piano fits perfectly in the nook. 

The bathroom and school book storage is all right down here. 

Even your computer in the computer room. 

You painted a chair and picked out some fabric you'd like for the seat. 

And I brought down the Chalkboard topped table from the bridge

(which wasn't being used anymore)

I'm getting closer and closer to having everything ready,

with the room, the syllabuses, and all the rest of the preparations.

I'm so excited to get started!!!

smile emotico

My Kinda Morning!

We had a serious thunder storm a couple weeks ago, when a tree came down 

just in front of the shop, stretching about 90 feet across the driveway, 

into the yard, and past one of our fire pits.

I had big dreams of taking out my new chain saw and cutting it up myself. 

Little did I know what a solid tree it was, and how much strength

it would take to see it though to the end.

I was so grateful to have Greg to do the heavy work.

Ezekiel got to use his new axe to cut off the branches, and 

help haul the wood to the new pile we started under the deck for winter. 

This was a dream morning for me. Truly.  

It may sound weird, but there is nothing I like more than moving wood. 

To me, this pile represents strong hard team work, prosperity, victory

and success. Just beautiful. 

We did a ton of yard work afterward too. 

That storm kicked up quite the mess. 

It was only right for us to each shower, 

then go to our favorite breakfast spot to reward ourselves for all our labor.