Getting ready for a new year

I consider my new year to start on my Birthday.  Shouldn't everyone?  I have been thinking, praying, wondering, and conspiring over my birthday wishes.  

I plan to spend the month of August following The 30 Day Vegan Challenge.  Which I am sure you have seen me posting about already.  I have been desiring to go Vegan again.  I have felt drawn towards it.  Then Colleen posted about her challenge.  And, I thought.  "Wow, that would be the perfect birthday present to myself!"

I am working on joining a group of ladies who have larger or really big families.  We are married and single, rich and poor, main stream and hippie, homeschooling and out of homeschooling, working and moms at home.  It is a varied bunch but we all have one thing in common.  It isn't something we see often in larger families.  The one thing we have in common is we are all committed to being Gentle Christian Mothers.  None of us claim to be perfect.  We are just centered on the gift of Jesus, Grace, and a job well done.  It isn't always easy.  Sometimes we have to extend the Grace to ourselves.  I will hopefully be announcing where to find us soon. 

Thinking about simplicity in 2011

Well, 2011 is here. Several years ago I realized I had a sometimes over the edge attachment to things. I started trying to simplify. In the midst, We added another child and now there will be another soon. I have that nesting thing going on. I am craving a big move. I love moving. My third child asked me this week what my favorite things were. I told him moving. He laughed because he thought I meant the ability to move. I mean moving to a new home. I love throwing out and donating as we pack. I love getting there and not opening boxes till we need them. I love putting the glasses away in new clean shelves. I love the smell of fresh paint (even the low voc stuff has a smell).

Here are some Other bloggers to help you get started:
SimpleMom has a list of questions if you are feeling thoughtful.

Raising Olives encourages you to read your Bible.

Enjoy and celebrate the seasons.

And, two of my favorite boards are holding the 2011 in 2011 decluttering challenge. Here and Here.


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5 Years

I was editing a post this morning.  I decided to look back on my posts.  I realize I have been blogging for over 5 years now.  I started with Xanga, move to blogger, moved to wordpress, and then moved back over here.

That is such a long time.  My kids are 5 years older.  I only had three back then and one was just a baby.  Where did all that time go.  What were my goals and dreams back then?  We have moved three times since then.  The adults have gone back to school.  We have added another child to our family.

I've changed a lot during that time.  I've relaxed.  I've grown.  I've tried new foods.  So, have the kids.

We took a short break in there to try public school again.  The oldest went to half of Grade 4.  The second went to a fabulous K program and half of a not-so fabulous Grade 1 program.  The third child has not attended any schooling, although he has been in speech therapy for two years.  And, then there is the youngest.  Who I pray will never attend school.

In 5 years, it will be 2015.  Our oldest will be graduating and be just turning 18, the next will have just turned 15, then 11, and a Kindergartner.  Now that my friends will be a crazy year.  I bet I cry a lot that year.  I bet I will have changed a lot by then.

But, goals, thoughts, guesses on my future.  It seems so very wrong to do.  How can I do that to my family?  How about hopes....

I hope...
               we are still homeschooling
                         we live on Vashon or in Ojai
                                  my husband has a profession he loves
                                           I've finally found a hobby I love or written a book
                                              we are happy and strong
                                 our oldest is going out into the world with God in his heart
                        I've gotten my hands in some good organic earth
                 I can decorate a cake without it falling apart
            I've experienced dreads
       I've sailed on a boat with my husband
 I'm no longer afraid of the water
            

Brooms, Waldorf

Here are some of the things I've been gazing at lately...

 I really hope you do not mind me downloading this picture and sending everyone who actually reads this blog running over right now at this very moment to find something that will actually bring them some joy when they do that dirty little deed of sweeping.  Not only that, but it comes in a child size, too.  

Waldorf education.  I've been drawn to this for years.  I've put it off for different reasons.  I think it's time though.  I'm taking a few things with us that we have enjoyed in this homeschooling journey.  I'm packing them in a sweet basket and walking down a trail.  It's still homeschooling.  It's just going to be a bit more.  I don't know, meaningful.  I heard that voice that says jump.  Then I read a post I made when my oldest was much younger.  I realized I need to jump. I couldn't afford not to.  Grade 1 may not look like much.  She includes everything you need.  Stories, supplies list, examples of pictures.  I printed out the e-book.  I'm glad I did.  I just print out a bit at a time to read.  And, now I can print out the months outline and stories.  I wasn't sure if it's what I needed.  But, it's wonderful, amazing and everything you need to jump.  Everything you need to start.  The rest will come.  You don't need to be perfect. YOU NEED TO DO.