Happy Birthday Mom

Today is a special day! It's my mom's birthday and I could not let it pass without saying how much I love her. She is such a special mom... always willing to help, extremely creative and loves to play!

I just find joy watching her with my children... she sees the best in each and is patient with their faults... I guess because she has a bit of wisdom in knowing... they will grow and mature. She sees them for what they will become and enjoys who they are right now...

Thank you for being such a loving mother... you are so precious to me.

Happy Birthday!

A Virtuoso Kind of Day

I am so proud of my little girl. I had to share with you all...
Sarah performed at a Fall Festival with her fellow student and duet partner! These girls have worked hard since the beginning of September. Playing a Duet is harder than it sounds... when done right... the melody is beautiful and flowing... when playing the parts out of sync and without harmony... they are harsh and hard on the ears... (many practice sessions I have winced in pain at the horrendous sounds coming forth from these two adorable girls.)

The girls had to learn to prepare their own parts through commitment to practice, both on their own, as well as together; they had to learn to play in tune; to play at the same tempo; and... to listen to each other... this was very important to their success as a whole. They had to let go of their "personal" style and make adjustments for each other... In the end, they had to do their best and trust each other to do their part so that the whole did not fail.

I started thinking about life and how important it is to serve one another. Certainly there are times to let our personal style shine in the Solo spot light and lead the way... Yet, most of life is about teamwork. We need to commit to do our part well; to work hard; to be gracious and accommodate for one another's weaknesses; and, most importantly, to make it a point to listen to each other... :) I certainly hope these girls came away with a bit of this lesson in their own hearts.

The Festival was a success. The girls did their best... it was lovely.

Meet Wyatt

Here is my daughter's new love... Wyatt. He is a very gentle, yet spirited, bright bay, whom Sarah is working with this year for her 4H project. Sarah's 4H leader has been so generous to our little girl... she has allowed her to work with Wyatt and has been teaching her all about the various arts and responsibilities of horsemanship.

Today my little girl tried her hand at English Riding! (Although, she did not rid herself of her pink, very western, cowgirl boots!) She rode confidently in the English saddle...

We will miss Wyatt over the next month while we are away... but will look forward to meeting him upon our return in December.

Cheerio!

What Kind Of An Impression Are You Making Today?

I just finished reading a very thoughtful book. "Children Are Wet Cement", by Anne Ortlund. In this book she uses the image of wet cement to describe the heart and mind of the very impressionable child. She reminds us the impact actions, attitudes, behaviors and values of parents, grandparents (and other influential adults), who raise up children to adulthood, have on that child. She encourages parents (and any adult who works with children) to think more purposefully in how we approach the raising of our children.

I came away with a great principle that I plan to put more into action with my own little ones...The author reminded me to look at my children as God looks at me:

Not as I am now but what I will become.

How do I put this into practice? Well, through much prayer... seeing my child as they will be as a mature man or woman. Praying for them to become all that God wants them to be. Purposefully guiding them through life with affirmation and love. Encouraging them through my words. Hugging them even more often. Seeking the best and not pointing out the worst all of the time.

A child believes what they hear. If they hear they are lazy or dumb all of their lives... well, they will quiet possibly learn to believe that very attribute about themselves as long as they live.

Really, we don't have to even say the words... it can be in that disapproving exhale... in our attitudes toward them...in the roll of our eyes... in the way we act toward them in simple every day situations (like doing our Math!). OH... and when I mess up... I must say out loud and sincerely, "I was wrong"... "I am sorry".... "Forgive me". Very humbling... yet God humbled himself for me... this is the very least I can do for my own dear children.

As I have been reading through this book, I have started again to evaluate how I treat my own children... Do I affirm them enough? Do I apologize to them when I am wrong in my attitudes or actions toward them and others (like my husband)? Do I continually pray for them and their future? Is my heart always turned toward them? Or, is it distracted by my own cares and worries.

It is so easy to get caught up and distracted in day to day life (and sometimes too much activity) that we neglect the ones right under our loving care by not hugging them enough... or just looking into their eyes and deeply sharing our pride in them or an apology for a sharp response to a very innocent question... or just not listening as carefully as I should as the chatter continues on and on :)

I am encouraged to take time to stop and listen... to pray even more earnestly... and to truly love my dear little blessings as God has loved even me.

A Map of Spain

Map of Spain by Tourizm Maps © 2006

Homeschooling

As most of you know, we are a Homeschooling family. This particular journey has been quiet a challenge for me personally, but so rewarding on so many levels... the most rewarding is spending my time with my children and ministering to their needs every moment of the day... training them up in every aspect of their lives... in the way they should go...while we walk together along the path of life.

What is so fun about Homeschooling is when an opportunity to travel to Spain during the school year comes up.... we can drop everything and go!

I remember when my husband and I began our journey as homeschooling parents, we dreamed of the opportunities such a life could afford... our vision for our children was to travel the world and teach them through museums and trekking across famous landmarks of America, Europe, Asia etc. (We were living in Japan at the time.) We neglected to consider that life throws us curve balls :) Although, we have had many opportunities to learn on the go, through experience, and cross cultural venues, a majority of our learning has taken place at the kitchen table through the wonderful world of books thus far.

Well, we are finally getting a taste of our idealistic vision! Sarah and I have already been to the Library and have collected as many books on Spain as we could get our hands on! We are learning all about Spain's history, gaining insight into it's culture and learning about it's geography. We are also going to begin study in Espanol this week... which we will be immersed in for about thirty days or so. I have found, that immersion is the absolute best way to learn a foreign language. It is amazing how much you pick up just being forced to communicate!

How would you like to go to Spain?

My husband sat at the dinner table last week and proposed this very question. At first I thought he wanted to move there! Yes, my husband has come up with some pretty amazing places to move... but facing a surgery for our son in the next month, I looked at him with those telling eyes of disapproval.

He explained to me that he had the opportunity to take a temporary assignment and was excited at the possibility that we could all go! After I thought it over a bit and prayed... I realized this was not an impossible notion. We could safely postpone our son's club foot surgery (although necessary, it is not extremely urgent) for a month in order to have a truly memorable family experience.

To tell you the truth, I have been a bit consumed with all that this surgery has in store for my dear son... It seems that God has brought this blessed diversion to give us some more time to appreciate His goodness and rest in His sovereignty.

As things have come together, I realized I needed to start sharing some of our experiences with our family and friends... and this opportunity has given me the kick I needed to start a blog for you all to follow.

My plan is to keep you up to date while we are away and to share a bit of our experience as well as document our time for the future!

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare to travel.

Look out Spain... here we come!