::Park Day::

This Day was beautiful.  Our first good snowfall in Montnaa.  we put on al the gear we could muster for an afternoon at the park which led to a long walk around town.  We ended up at the library and local coffee shop for cookies and Dirty Chai.  No one had visited the park, well maybe a few animals and one brave bike rider.  The snow sparkles and is fluffy.  

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

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"True wealth is not about money; it's about independence.  Gardening gives you back that basic freedom."

"Generally, people who show up with fiddles and pie are welcome in almost every enjoyable place in America.  This is a truth to live by, friends.  If these two items aren't welcome where you spend your free time, you're hanging out with the wrong crowd."

I hope Jenna at Cold Antler Farm doesn't mind me quoting her book here.  I enjoyed this look into her journey.  I deeply admire her strength and determination to keep going to her goals.

 

Habit and Nature

I am inspired by this post

http://www.afterthoughtsblog.net/2013/10/31-days-of-charlotte-mason-discipline.html

I really struggle with my nature and habits (both good and bad).  I feel like homeschooling and being a homemaker brings my nature and habits to the forefront where maybe if I had a career they would be less noticeable. Because people always ask what do you do?  (At least they used to where I lived previously.  I think people here figure you BREATHE and LIVE and they don't seem to give a damn about vocations).  I could hide behind a career.  But, sometimes I feel like it would be really easy for someone to see me as that crazy homeschool mom who never washes her hair (dreads) and those kids who can't wake up at a normal hour (we don't really have bedtimes).  

But, I honestly never directly connected my nature and habits before.  I figured my nature was something to battle to fit into the right mold (of which I cannot figure out why or whom the mold is...I just battle with the darn thing and it is getting to weigh me down).  

I don't know if I should change some of my habits or if they are apart of my nature.  I don't even know if they are good for my kids.  I just know that they aggravate me some days.  When they aggravate me, I attack them and try to change them all at once.  I try creating a plan and applying rules.  And, I always do it to someone.  But, I don't really apply it to me.  I insist the kids get up and do ALL THE THINGS.  But, then I get distracted and run out to the grocery store or I don't set them up for success with a good breakfast because...well.....I was up...erm...all night...doing...hmmmm stuff.

::Autumn 2013::

I am going through one of those times when my brain seems useless.  I can't remember things.  Today I put a block of cheese in the baking cabinet.  I found it a few hours later, when I went looking for mini dark chocolate chips.  Montana Autumn is quite lovely so far.  Some cool nights.  A threat of snow.  A few really warm days.  

The Mist and All

by Dixie Willson

I like the fall

The mist and all

I like the night owl’s lonely call

And wailing sound

Of wind around

I like the gray

November day

And dead, bare boughs that coldly sway

Against my pane

I like the rain

I like to sit

And laugh at it

And tend my cozy fire a bit

I like the fall

The mist and all

Merry-Go-Round

Merry go Round, a photo by OakBlossoms on Flickr.

He is free.
Free to learn.
Free to play.

We walk to the park.
He rides his bike to the park.

Forbidden Merry-Go-Round.
Deemed to dangerous.
Banned from modern playgrounds.
It sits here amongst the new equipment.
Calling them for fun.

The Artist

4 years old 

I don't know if I really kept many drawings and artwork from my children in the past. I found this posted on the fridge. A little girl on a horse with her mom and brother. So sweet. So innocent. 

April 2013

It has been quiet around here.
Changes happening.
One of us found out we can't eat gluten.
A birthday.
A celebration of Christ.
New season of cleaning and hope and praying.

I woke up to the strangest sound on Easter Morning.



Oops forgot to add the water when I set the coffee the night before. Life has been really long and tiring here. I turned in my French Press and got a coffee pot with a timer. The only rule we have for mornings is to leave mama alone till she has had her coffee.



Someone beat me to it.




An egg hunt and a newly found aversion to itchy clothes. She insists on wearing what she calls her gym shirt underneath the itchy princess dress.



And, this guy is double digits now.
He was told there was one last egg.
An orange one.
He didn't believe it was for him.

Toy Rotation and what to do with all the baby blankets...

 


 To keep the toy mess down we use a toy rotation for the little ones. We use plastic bins to store away toys. Then they can pull a box out to play and just that box. Each box gets an old baby blanket. They can set out the blanket for play. If they keep most of the toys on the blanket it is pretty easy to bunch up the ends and dump them back in the box. But, an old blanket is just a fun toy or cape or tablecloth for the imaginative child.

January 2013

Here it seems to be my monthly post!  This month I bought a coffee maker.  Which seems silly to some of you.  But, I have been a mostly tea drinker and occasional French Press coffee drinker for the past few years.  I think the French Press was just too strong for my tummy anymore.  But, homeschooling and mothering five children has taken it's toll.  I bought a nice big bag of Organic Coffee, French vanilla Silk creamer, and a coffee maker with a timer.  Now it is waiting for me each morning.

I joined the Book a Week challenge at The Well Trained Mind Forums in hopes that I can get back into reading for myself.  I have been having a difficult time reading in general.  Just fitting it in to my life and then my eye sight bothering me.  I had some reading glasses which my youngest child broke a month or so back.  I was at Costco and found out that my eyesight had weakened a bit, so I picked up a pack of three glasses at a stronger level and they have indeed helped a ton.  And,  three pack means if I forget them and a certain child snatches them up, there is a spare.

I finally cracked my books open.  And, getting up before children with a cup of coffee in hand certainly has helped accomplish that.  I haven't read for personal pleasure in the last two years.  Maybe an occasional article or online junk.  But, a book in hand...no not at all.  I mean to.  But, I end up putting it off or I am too tired.  And, that was a season in life.  One of those times wherever indeed, having a family especially a larger than average size family, does mean you have to set aside what you want sometimes.  Don't throw a big fit.  Just put on your big girl panties, you signed up for this ride.  Some times the ride is going around a swift turn and down a really steep drop.  It is ok.  Life does go on and you will find the time to fit the fun stuff in again.