Been Dreaming Again

It's about that time of the year again.  We've been in "taxing season" for what seems like a long time, but really not when I think of those who have husbands in much more demanding careers.  (((Hugs to you Jeannie!)

I hesitate to even write this as I have nothing to complain about.  I think it is a bit of spring fever that starts to well up inside of me. (I want to go camping!  It's been six whole months!  And the weather has been awesome, adding to the fever.  And we cannot go camping until "taxing season" is over, just a few more weeks!)  There is the problem, and the solution is patience.  *sigh*

So, all that said... 


I took my beloved on a little wild goose chase this past weekend, trying to find this house that I saw listed that was supposed to be only 16 miles up the road.  Why?  I don't really know, perhaps all that I wrote  above?  I needed an outlet for my frustrations?  Or perhaps it is spring and I am feeling the itch to move to the country again?  Or it was a pretty day for a drive despite the fact that gas is $4 a gallon! 

Thankfully, the wild goose chase helped me to see that this is not the house for me.  It's 30 miles from church!  We'd have to seriously give up some weekly trips.  Plus, it is an extra 30 miles (each way) for Jeff to drive to work. 

But, it is 30 miles closer to the lake!  :-)  And it is my dream house, a little white farm house with a porch, barn, and detached garage!  Still, not really enough to pull me from this current home situated so perfectly to our church, work, library, friends, family, etc., I am mature enough to see that the dream can wait a little while longer.

I guess I had to see it to believe it and get it out of my system.  No more looking at those ads.  I promise!   Time to put that energy into good things around here like our garden boxes and cleaning baseboards! 

Afternoons

Afternoons have ALWAYS been very difficult for me to get into a solid routine.  I am a morning person.  I am full of energy (after my coffee).  I can get so much done in the hours between 6 and 8AM.  So, why is it that between 2 and 5 PM, after lessons, I am dragging and struggling to finish strong?  Oh, I do some light chores, like folding laundry, or making muffins, but I am willing myself to keep going, and more likely than not, I am folding clothes while watching a favorite show via Netflix, like Hoarders. There should be some relaxation time, as I've been going for 8 hours at that point.  But there needs to be balance,too. I have tried and failed so many times to structure my afternoons.  I have prayed for the strength of character that I need to keep my focus during these hours. 

Here is my proposed plan: 
(Of course this is only on days we are home between 2 and 6)

2PM Go to Flylady's page and do the day's mission.  This doesn't take much time and it is fun since I know I will be challenging myself to get this done.  (Involve kids) 

**This is also a good time to deal with the leaves, if needed. We try to keep on top of the leaves instead of waiting for them all to drop.  Ryan can do most on his own, but I usually push mow for half the time, getting areas hard for the rider.

2:30PM  Fold laundry and PUT it away!!!  (Involve kids)

3-4PM My rest time. Kids should have room time, too)

4PM  Return phone calls, check email, etc.,

4:30PM start before dinner routine, cycle dishes and laundry, set table, chop vegetables, do any prep work.  Make any items that we need for the week like muffins, hummus, or bread.  (with Grace)

5PM  Start Dinner, be ready to eat by 5:30, most nights.

I'll let you know how it goes.
Jenn

How To Be Happy

For the most part, I consider myself a happy person with many blessings.  I decided to write a little about how I achieve this state of being as a record perhaps for my children one day. 

1. Wake up every morning with a grateful heart.  Spend time in the Word of God.  Ask Him to help you navigate through your day in a way that pleases Him.  
2. Exercise for 20 to 30 minutes a day.  Even if you are not training for an Olympic sport, you will reap many benefits from this simple step.  You can be proud of yourself for one thing.  You will have more energy.  You will sleep better. 
3. Eat less, avoid sugar, regular or diet soda, and refined foods.  Be moderate.  
4. Purpose to work hard for the glory of God whatever you do.  No grumbling.  Look for ways to bless others.
5. Be the first to say you are sorry.  
6. Look people in the eyes when speaking to them.  Smile!  
7. Go to bed at a decent hour.  Get up early enough to do #1 &#2 on this list.  Get up before your children.  
8. Do not spend money you do not have, EVER!!!  
9. Save for a rainy day, even if this means you have to say no to yourself now.  
10. Spend time marveling God's creation whenever you are able.  

**Bonus:  if you want to grow old gracefully, never stop moving,  reading / learning, and don't watch a lot of TV !  (From personal observation of my elders) 

I Have No Complaints

"One wise mother insisted that her children write out all their complaints in 200 words or more. She received few. This is a good exercise for all of us. Make your list and go over it in your prayer time with God."
~Elisabeth Elliot

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14

My Family Needs All of Me

This is a note to myself.  It's a hard post to post.  I thought perhaps sharing my thoughts might stir some to action as well, however not all need to make any changes. Just those of us who find computers more than just machines! 

Often, I am drawn to the wonderful world that is available to me via my fingertips.  I find valuable friendships.  (I love my online friends!) I find knowledge, which I ponder.  I find encouragement, which I treasure.  And I get a chance to express myself right from the comfort of my very own kitchen.  What more could I ask for?

Actually, more self control comes to mind!  It is so easy to allow the good things to take over.  My family needs all of my mind, not just fragments.  These are the years that count. 

The following list comprises my personal computer use guidelines.  These are set by myself in order to control my time spent away from my home duties.  Because let's face it, when I am reading blogs, I am not available to my family.

I am sad to say that my love of learning can take me away from the very ones I am trying to serve better by learning more!  Therefore, I have decided a little prudent reminder is in order.

• Strive not to be on the computer when my family is not actively engaged in other activities. 
• Set regular times to check email, Twitter, my cbox  and stick to these.  (After morning chores, during lunch break, a few times before bed.  No peeking in between!)  
• Do not read blogs via my phone during school time, even if there is time while a child is working independently.  I need to be available, not distracted. 
• Limit online time in general when my husband is home.   

I saw this very neat disclosure, recently.  I want it to be true of my blog.

Habits, Part Two

Thank you for your responses to my first post about habits. I knew that I was probably not alone in all of this. I have decided to be proactive and not get down on myself.

There has already been much said about habits.  Experts seem to agree that forming new habits takes time, as much or more than 30 days.  I am generally pleased with the progress we have made in changing our habits over the years, although I do get impatient and discouraged (perhaps overwhelmed is a better term) at times.  If we were not disciplined at all, I doubt we'd be done with 180 days of school before the end of May. And feedback I get from family and friends seem to suggest that I am doing a good job with my kids. 

That said, however, I crave more progress!  I've decided to make this our summer theme, putting off the old and putting on the new. I am going to challenge my children to think about their habits.  And then to take on the work of rooting the bad ones out for good.  One at a time.  One month at a time.

For me, that means I am going to piggy back new habits onto more firmly established ones.  For example, I am in the firm habit of getting up early, reading my Bible and praying.  I would like to add exercise to that routine.  (Oh dread! Did I just say that?)

I do need to be very careful not to add the top fifty habits I'd like to acquire all at once.  I am tempted to launch into a totally new routine.  I think building on my already good habits is the key for me.  One at a time.  One month at a time.  That will be my motto. This will probably take the next 25 years, if the Lord allows.  (lol)

I will continue to strive to maintain the good, solid habits we have and then endeavor to add on to those new ones until they too are part of our lives.

Summer break just seems like a great time to work on these things. Want to join me? What habits would you like to "put on?"
~Jenn

Ephesians 4:21-23 (ESV)

...assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Romans 6:6 (ESV)
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Beautiful Girlhood

Grace and I are reading, Beautiful Girlhood, revised by Karen Andreola.  I bought this book a couple years ago in preparation for the day when my Grace would be entering young womanhood.  It is hard to believe that we are nearly there.  I wanted to fill her mind with beautiful thoughts as she makes this difficult journey to womanhood.  We are just in chapter 9 and already I am so glad we are reading this book together.

"The great foe of these years is selfishness, and the girl who comes to the most perfect womanhood learns soon to fight selfishness with all her might."  page 27

Oh how I wish I had thought about these things when I was a young girl of almost twelve, like Grace.  It would have saved me many heartaches, for sure.  Unfortunately, I did not meet my Savior for many more years ( I was 20) and so I was left to my selfish ways for too many years.  Years that the Lord has redeemed to be sure, thankfully!

It is my prayer that my daughter can avoid the discipline issues that I struggle with.  Is it not what all mothers want, to spare their children pain?  Sometimes pain is the best teacher, though, and I must step back and let her learn.  

So, Grace and I will read this lovely book together and pray that she can be a girl who is wise and learns to fight selfishness with all her might for the glory of God!

In Which We Study Prudence

If only a fairy could wave her wand...

What is prudence?  

prudence

PRU'DENCE, n. [L. prudentia.] Wisdom applied to practice.

Prudence implies caution in deliberating and consulting on the most suitable means to accomplish valuable purposes, and the exercise of sagacity in discerning and selecting them. Prudence differs from wisdom in this, that prudence implies more caution and reserve than wisdom, or is exercised more in foreseeing and avoiding evil, than in devising and executing that which is good. It is sometimes mere caution or circumspection.

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, season and method of doing or not doing.

from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary   (I just love that dictionary!)

This month begins our study of prudence.  We just finished our formal study of wisdom, not that we will ever arrive. Now we attempt to put wisdom into action.  Much harder to do than it should be.

The specific area we are looking at is taking care of ourselves. This includes eating well, exercising, keeping clean, getting enough sleep, and other good habits.

One of my goals in this area is to increase our daily physical activity.  We might go for a walk or a bike ride.  We may go to a park and explore.  We will have to overcome my natural tendency to be at rest! 


I have already purged our pantry of white floury junk.  Now, I want to find healthy treats to bake.  (Is there such a thing?) The whole grain oatmeal raisin cookies that I made had too much fat and sugar to really be called healthy.  Maybe we should make some gingersnaps and angel food cake?

We also have one child who has  an aversion to keeping clean and tidy.  I know this is just an age thing.  When I was this same age, I was the same way.  However, it is an area that needs improvement.

And Mr. Teen needs to learn that going to bed at a decent hour is imperative to his well being the next day. 

My sincere hope is that my children will take these lessons to heat  before it is too late for them.  Sometimes I really wonder if I am reaching their hearts with anything!  If only there was a magic wand to wave and all would be prudent, including myself.  Lots of prayer is needed, for certain.


Here are some of the verses we will be studying.  

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
   but the simple go on and suffer for it."  Proverbs 22:3

"The wise in heart shall be called prudent."  Proverbs 16:21

"The simple believeth every word:  but the prudent man looketh well to to his going."  Proverbs 14:15

"He that regardeth reproof is prudent."  Proverbs 15:5

A Mother's Brave and Tender Love

"...for no matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering some may be, mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them in their fostering arms.  Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love." 

from Little Men, Lousia May Alcott 

(Oh, I am really enjoying this book!  My dear, not-so-little, son downloaded it for me onto the Nook when I was having a recovery day this week.  It is so handy to have a son who likes computer gadgets.  I would be lost without him to guide me through them all.) 

Is it Wrong?

Forgive me this rambling post.  Indulge me,if you will, as I sort out my thoughts.  I go back and forth on this issue.  Maybe it is this long, cold winter that is stirring my longings, I do not know.  Whatever "it" is, I find myself pondering a change, before it is too late.  

It has always been a dream of mine to live somewhere beautiful.  As an adult, I have always lived in suburbia sprall.  At times, it tires my eyes.  My heart's desire is to look out my window and see God's handiwork, not a trampoline and the neighbor's backyard.  Sometimes when I am at Lake Michigan or looking at a beautiful picture on a blog, I find myself caught up in this desire for beauty to surround me.  I start to wonder why cannot I also live in a beautiful part of this world, if I chose to do so.

Then I feel guilty.  Is this a wrong desire?  Is this being discontent?  I do know that I find myself feeling renewed and  restored in such places.  Sitting on the beach in the sun listening to the rush of the water thrills my soul.  Is it wrong to want to live closer? 

Here is where my desire gets wonky.  Reality is that I live in what I think is a very good place to raise my children as far as community goes.  We have a very good job, parks, friends, a church, family and other joys.  We are mostly safe. We are comfortable. We do live only 3 hours away from our lake and go often. 

I feel foolish.  And really, I do not spend a lot of time worrying or wanting a change. It is just there in the back of my mind.  "If I ever get the opportunity to move somewhere beautiful, I just may jump at the chance!"  (Most likely to discover that home was best of all. )


What do you think?  I'll tell you what I think.  The conflict lies in that this life is not my own.  This world is not my home.  Perhaps, if the LORD wills, one day I may live in a beautiful place or not.  My life's purpose is to glorify my Maker, not myself.  And I need to be content where I am, right now.  Easy to say.  Harder to change my heart.

It's Monday!

I just had to post an update today.  I am feeling so much better!  I did not go anywhere or do anything this weekend.  It must have been just the thing I needed.  Thank you for your prayers. 

It felt so good to be out today.  The sun is shining, making the 30F temperature feel lovely.  It occurred to me that I had not been away from home since last Monday.  What a blessing! 

Oh, and I just finished another fantastic book, Cobwebs and Cables by Hesba Stetton.  You have to read it too!  (My poor husband was thinking he needs to get me my own Nook, after I hogged it all weekend.)   

Here is what Lamplighter says about the book.

" It is a story of man's decision to get caught up in sin out of desperation to serve the one he loves. But it soon becomes clear that one lie from a "truthful" man is more hurtful than all the lies of a liar. Those who yield to its power engage in an intricate path of falsehood-an entangling maze-that ever deepens as one lie builds upon another. As you wrestle with the characters in this engaging drama, rest assured that your confidence will grow, not in man, but in our loving, forgiving God."

How can you pass on this one?  And there are so many more!  For free!   

Now, I promised my husband that I would not start another book for awhile so that he can have HIS Nook with him at work.  At least until he finishes the book he bought for Christmas.  And since I am committed to debt free living, I will not press him to buy me my own Nook.  (Perhaps for my birthday in October.  Which is so far away!!!  *sigh*)  For now, I must learn to like reading from my PC.  Or rent my son's laptop!  He only charges a dollar an hour. 

~Jenn

Diligence

The character quality we are studying this week is diligence.  Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary defines diligence as the steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken.  The Bible verse we are memorizing this week is from Ecclesiastes 9 verse 10.

 "Whatever you do, do well.

For when you go to the grave,

 there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom."

Diligence as a homemaker has always been a goal of mine, not that I succeed even half the time.  I usually make a good start each day, getting up near 6 o'clock.  Then I hit the afternoon "wall" around 3 PM.  Lessons are done.  I've been diligent with the laundry and dishes.  I know what I am making for dinner.  I am over being diligent.  I want a break.  There is nothing wrong with wanting a break, until the break eats away at time we could be putting effort into the house or even just going outside to enjoy the sunny day.  We are warned that life is short.  Wasting one moment seems reckless. It is up to the individual to determine what that means.  Wasting time to one, might be resting to another.  We are clearly told that there is a time for work and a time to rest as well.    My purpose of this post is not to make anyone feel guilty, including myself.  It is a matter to consider though.  And my conscience says that my afternoon rests are and have been a little indulgent.  I am going to make an effort to change this.  You have my permission to ask how it is going.  :-) 

Jenn