Category: parenting

homeschooling · learning · parenting

Orthodox Homeschooling

amandasexton13 Comments

Through a series of trials and errors I have come to a realization, and I will make a bold statement; there is no such thing as an Orthodox homeschool curriculum, nor will there ever be.

There are no set courses that constitute a school of Orthodoxy.  What I do have is the life of the Church, which is the Life of Christ in the Spirit.  It takes a radical shift in my thinking to accept and trust that the “mind of Christ”, what is often called Orthodox phronema is not a subject to be taught in a classroom.  However, it is the most important pursuit I can encourage as a so called educator.  And that begs the question, “How can I, a mother in training myself, teach my ultimate desire, that my children have, or better yet, attain the mind of Christ?”  The answer is so counter culture, so educationally unorthodox, so against the norm, that at times I want to abandon this faith and escape back into my systematic, scholastic religious world.  I want to check boxes and make schedules, and teach facts, and be certain, and rely on ideology.  I want a curriculum.  If only I were still Catholic.  They seem to have this education thing down.

Orthodoxy is lacking, it is behind the times, it is not meeting my family’s needs.  These are my fears, these are my shameful frustrations.

And then I stop, and I listen, and I pray, and I know.  It is not a knowledge of this world, but the knowledge the Church offers.  I am encouraged by my spiritual father, by the pious mothers of the saints, by the saints themselves, and by the constant reminder, “Let Us Attend” that the Church is where my heart will find wisdom, where my children will become by grace what I try so desperately to teach them.

A homeschooling Orthodox family has to come to terms with the lack of Orthodox teaching materials.  This acceptance is not about doing without, but discovering the fullness of the life of the Church.  I too would love the ease and comfort of curriculum based education, but I am coming to the wonderful realization that my alternative is so much more.  In a series of posts, I hope to share with you what I have discovered after 10 years of homeschooling, four of which are post conversion.  I am not claiming that my way is perfect, and I by no means know what the ultimate Orthodox homeschool looks like.  However, maybe my experiences and yours will help all of us anxious Orthodox mothers to open our hearts and trust, to gain perspective and peace.

Please join me in this discussion.  Are you stressed about the upcoming school year?  Are you desperate to find an Orthodox curriculum?  Or do you have suggestions that would help us all be better mothers and teachers?  Please comment, and let us hear from you.  Together we are better.  Happy Homeschooling!   
cleaning · faith · family · parenting · pregnancy

Liturgical Life: May & June

amandasexton2 Comments

Well, I have not posted in quite some time.  I have been spending ALL my energy growing a baby.  I have a litany of illnesses, pains, and problems I could share, but why bother?  All is well with baby, and that is the most important thing.  My struggles, when discussed, sound like complaints and bitterness.  I am sure those two ingredients are in the cake mix, but there is also joy, and great expectations, and pleasure.  It’s all there mixed up together, and the timer is about to buzz, and out will come the yummy deliciousness of a baby.  Don’t babies just make you want to eat them up?  The hot time in the oven is worth a cake any day.

So, this Liturgical Life post is going to be a little unorthodox, in the sense that I am going to post about the liturgy of just living.  I have no great books, or prayers, or services, or projects to report.  No, we have nothing to share in the traditional sense, but I do have a story.  The liturgical story I can honestly tell is one that is hard to put into words.  When something is hard to say, it usually means it was hard to understand.  Our liturgical life from May through June has been hard to understand.  But, life is not always easy to understand, especially if I am trying to put everything in a check the box kind of list.  So, here goes, I hope I say this right:

What we are reading:
A wonderful book lies on the side table in the living room.  We are on chapter something, I cannot remember.  What we have read is enough for me to have a certain heartbreak every time I look at its cover.  The girls asked about it for a while after we stopped reading it, but now they have stopped.  It’s stories are haunting, in the sense that they are wonderful; a truly humble priest who loves God very much struggles for himself and those around him in a Communist labor camp in Communist Russia.  Why did I stop reading it?  Because I imagine I cannot.  Because I am tired.  The very thing that might cure my weariness is the hardest thing to do.  This realization is humbling, and I know who I really am…no spiritual giant, no hero, no suffering servant.  I am a sinner.  I have deep seated faults and weaknesses.  Lord Jesus have mercy on me and help me.    
 Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father

I have read the books of Hebrews, Galatians, and Ephesians, in that order.  I have been meditating on righteousness, and what it means to be a friend of God.  I have cried out to the Lord for years to help me with guilt, the kind of guilt that is unhealthy and a result of perfectionism, pride, and self-righteousness.  In this very unproductive season of my life, a time when I am forced to stop production and just rest, I am experiencing the righteousness of Christ Jesus.  I wrote a little expository piece entitled A Persistence in Innocence that I may share in the future.  But, for now I am contemplating the finishing work of Jesus and the revelation that He is.  He is the full revelation of God and Man.  He alone is perfect, and I am His.  I have not included my children in these readings, but on a heart level I believe they are experiencing Christ through the work of grace going on in my heart.         

Special Services:
 PASCHA May 5
Ascension June 13
Pentecost June 23

We have not attended any special services outside of Sunday Liturgy (we have missed some Sunday Liturgies due to my hip pain) and the above listed.  This Saturday we did go to the Hermitage for Liturgy, but my comment afterwards to my husband was this, “Is it wrong that the only reason I went to the service today is because I love Father Gregory so much, and I miss him?”  I have not been able to talk with Father Gregory, our spiritual father, very much in the last few months.  He has called several times to check on me and the family, but I have not seen him.  In a very real sense I believe that there are times in our life when people are Christ to us.  Sometimes we have a hard time with the unseen, and men and women of God help us to hold onto the faith.  I see Christ in Father Gregory, I feel safe resting in his piety and love, and I long to be with him when I feel weak.  A monk is a special gift to the church, and Father Gregory is a blessing to our family.

Special Projects:

This section is a tribute to my husband, and especially my daughters.  To be in the service of another, to bear their burdens, and to bind their wounds is the very essence of Christ.  My daughters have had to bare a large burden sense I have been unable to work, cook, or plan activities.  They have cooked, watched little ones, kept the laundry going, and cleaned while I have been down.  Their little ways make me feel very vulnerable, and I have learned a lot watching them as they obey and serve.  It has been hard at times, and attitudes and tempers flare as we are all stretched and pushed.  However, the love they have shown and what they have had to do is the true work of salvation.  Although I struggle with guilt and anger about them having to care for me, I also know that if I shelter them from this time of service I will rob them of a true grace.  This is not to say that I will always depend on them at this level, and I definitely do not want to take advantage of them or hurt them.  I look forward to things getting back to some semblance of normal.  But, this is a special time, and a very special project.  It has definitely been ugly at times, the house looks like kids have been running it, as my oldest daughter would say.  But, we are a family and we are pulling together, and that is very special.     

         

faith · family · parenting · pregnancy

Do We Have Another?

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Physical Economic Psychological Social Work Load
Severe morning sickness Extra eating out expense Guilt from neglect of kiddos Family will be very stressed by the news Older children will take on a lot
Weight gain and stress on bladder due to very large babies. Maternity clothes Frustration at not being able to accomplish all that I need to. Older children experience social neglect and being bored Daily chores and responsibilities become very hard to get done
Lack of sleep and severe back pain Buying new things for baby and doctor visits Fear about approaching c-section. Family very stressed at watching me at the end of pregnancy Not able to garden or work outside much.
Possible diabetic and swelling episodes…5 c-sections and scar tissue Paying for hospital and doctor Unable to be intimate and feeling very fearful and disconnected Decisions are made solely around the preg. outings, play dates, trips, etc.

I found this journal entry that I made over a year ago, and it only reflects my pregnancy experiences.  Missing from this chart are the countless additions that could be added as a child grows.  But, I guess on this day I was just thinking of pregnancy and all that comes with it.  When I look at this chart I am really blown away by the things that I worry about and struggle with when I am pregnant.  Father Sergius, in a wonderful homily, commented that whatever vocation or situation a person finds themselves in, it can be a great opportunity for holiness.  I have to admit that each of the struggles listed above have not always been met with holiness.  In fact, quite the opposite.  Like when I am severely sick and throwing up twelve times a day.  Things get ugly.  Suffering in the body has always been a very difficult struggle for me.  The chart is a record of the areas where my trust in God is challenged and stretched, but I think it is also a record of just how very human I am.    

I have always wanted more babies, but getting them here is hard on me and my family.  I have been accused of being idealistic and not truly evaluating my situation.  Those who love me test me.  I think this spreadsheet was an examination of my conscience and me trying to get real about the facts of my pregnancies.  It is not hard for me to see the positives of having a baby, but apparently I overlook some of the facts.  I would not necessarily call these concerns negatives, just struggles.

In the end, the positives outweighed the struggles.  However, for us, the concerns are important, and the process of discernment is taken seriously.  Were any of the reasons enough to keep from becoming pregnant a sixth time?  Obviously not.

Only God truly knows the motives of our hearts, and it takes courage to be honest with ourselves and with others.  To be humble and obedient no matter what we face as a married couple has been and will continue to be a hard work.  Saying, “We are done,” is a frightful statement, and one that has been impossible in the past.  As we discern and make important family decisions I pray for mercy and wisdom.  I also pray for courage and a willingness to be honest.  If the decision to stop is made, it will be out of our weakness, and it will not be something that we shout from the rooftops.  Children are such a blessing, and to not be open to another is a sad thing for us.  It is difficult to be honest about where we truly are in this decision.  It is difficult to balance obedience with common sense.  It is difficult to admit that things are not always black and white.  It is difficult to let others judge while following our conscience.  These are our true struggles.


Everybody wants to know, and it is almost the first question they ask me when I tell them the good news of our first son, “Is this your last one?”  It’s sad really, like we only had this many to have a boy.   Is it ever right to limit the number of children we have?  Searching for the answer to that question over the years has uncovered so many unanswered questions and revealed so many weaknesses.  It has also made me confront my unbelief and challenged my hypocrisy.  How then shall we live…with this knowledge….with this faith…now how do we live.  To walk out the faith is a fearful thing.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling… 
Philippians 2:12       
cleaning · faith · family · marriage · organizing · parenting

Feminine Virtues

amandasextonLeave a comment

Being pregnant always gets me going when it comes to matters of marriage, femininity, homemaking, and the likes.  I have recently found a charming blog that captures a kind of innocence that I wish I had.  The blogger”s posts on feminine dress, homemaking, parenting, and church life seem to be coming from some place within her that is truly genuine and beautiful.  Too many times I have read things that seem to be gadget oriented, as if something from without can create something beautiful within.  This sweet blog is different.  I tire of ideological living; if I do a,b,c it will produce e,f,g.  However, I truly love being a woman, and without becoming fake or legalistic, I have always tried to explore the makings and disciplines of beautiful womanhood.

Girly stuff has not always come natural to me.  When I was a young girl my boy cousins teased and called me Randy, because, I suspect, I could beat most of them in an arm wrestling match.  Those days were short lived, and as I grew I realized that being a tomboy was not something I would like to continue into adulthood.  So, the quest for beauty and love and romance began, and then I had four daughters.  I am amazed at how feminine they all are, especially because I have never really viewed myself as a particularly girly girl.  In fact, my husband’s friends are all jealous of him because I love me some football on Sunday afternoons, I love to work hard and get my hands dirty, and one of my favorite date nights is going out for wings and beer.  True, I think one of the reasons my husband was so attracted to me was because I am a little boyish, but in a girly kind of way.  Does that make since?  Here in Texas I think women have a knack for being boyish in a girly way.

This week I have been thinking about my relationship with my husband and the way I get on with my children, and how that relates to feminine virtues. My main purpose or job is being a wife and mother, and this Lent I have tried to examine the areas where I could improve upon my vocation.  A few things have come up: I am idle, I complain, and I struggle with boredom, all of which greatly hinder my job as a wife and mother.

For the next few weeks I have decided to be industrious, to work at being content with my situation, and to rekindle creativity.  Here are a few focus areas all inspired by that sweet little blog I mentioned before:

  • Waking early
  • Being faithful to my daily readings and prayers
  • Making sure my husband’s practical needs are met (lunch packed, work clothes ironed, cook a small breakfast before work)
  • Getting my grocery budget under some control and making frugal choices when it comes to food
  • Resuming my skin, hair, and nail care regimes
  • Cleaning out excess to prepare for a yard sale and to donate (starting with clothes bins in the shop)
  • Take walks or swim every weekday
  • Examine my wardrobe and dress with less (quality over quantity)
  • Be patient with my kiddos as I still struggle with acute nausea and fatigue
  • Rekindle a womanly atmosphere of creativity in my home with small things like scented candles, fresh picked wild flowers, etc.
  •  Reaffirm my love and affection with clean crisp sheets, soft music, warm dinners at the table, a smile, a pleasant tone in my voice, lots of hugs, and whatever creative ideas come to me.

Update:  How do I feel womanly when all womanly pursuits come to a screeching halt?  Explore the wonder of a round belly.  Enjoy a baby kicking and moving inside me.  Take in the joy of watching my body provide for another living thing.  Pregnancy is the one truly exclusive womanly expression.  Every bullet point above could be done by a man.  However, only the woman can bear a child.  

                

    family · parenting · pregnancy

    Morning Sick…Oh My!!

    amandasextonLeave a comment

    As of today I am 8 weeks pregnant with our fifth child.  At first, I believed that I was not going to be sick….and I wasn’t.  However, a little over a week ago I began feeling that old familiar feeling…that swampy, greenish, and stagnant gurgle in my tummy.  Beloved morning sickness I have not missed you one bit, but if you are the price I must pay for another beautiful baby, then I will gladly suffer you one more time.  I must say that I hate the term morning sickness.  This kind of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can happen at any time; morning, noon, or night.  And often times it happens all day and night for sufferers of severe NVP (Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy).    

    I tried really hard to avoid another yucky first trimester (although with my last pregnancy the monster sickness stuck around until my sixth month).  I have tried magnesium, milk thistle, dandelion, protein every hour to two hours, naps, B6, stomach enzymes, no sugar, no fried, no simple carbs, swimming, and mind exercises.   Although I would like to try acupuncture, I am also a little reluctant.  Maybe I should.  I think after six pregnancies, (our fourth pregnancy ended in miscarriage) I have finally made peace with the fact that  I just get extremely sick when I am pregnant.  It could be worse though.  I read a horrific story about a woman who terminated her pregnancy at nine weeks because she could not take it.  Her condition…. hyperemesis gravidarum.  This type of NVP is debilitating, and I have been there.  I sympathize with this woman’s pain, and I do understand her torment.  I can only imagine her desperation, and it brings tears to my eyes.

    Walking, moving, light, touch, smells, noise, pictures of food, thinking about what I could eat, all have made me vomit in the past.  My fifth pregnancy was spent on the bathroom floor and in a dark room my husband called, “the cave.”  This pregnancy is turning out not to be so bad.  I am feeling horrible, but no compulsive vomiting or dehydration.  So far, I have been able to eat a few things and drink in small sips, and this is a huge improvement.  I will take it.  Medication has been my saving grace.  Zofran and Unisom do help me function.  They are not a cure, but they do offer some relief.

    One thing that I struggle with during this time is managing my home.  Most days I am able to get dressed and at least keep the kitchen and laundry going at a snail’s pace.  Some days I am unable to do the smallest of tasks.  I find that if I rest and remain calm, my sickness is manageable   But, I do not get many things accomplished.   I cry sometimes because I am so sick and unavailable.  Guilt can really get a foothold on me. My husband and children take good care of me.  I know this is hard on my family, and their gentleness humbles me.  Ours is a story of evolution.  With the first pregnancy, I do not think my husband was prepared for the level of stress that my NVP caused.  I can gratefully say, that with this pregnancy he is not trying to fix me, and he is not upset, he is just trying to be there for me.  And that is all a person can do who suffers alongside someone with severe pregnancy sickness.  Extreme kindness and patience is what the mommy suffering needs most of all.     

    Isolation, guilt, anger, and depression only intensify my sickness.  Some days I wonder how I will make it to the end of the day, and the dread of another morning makes falling asleep bitter sweet.  I try to stay in the moment and not project what tomorrow will bring, but sometimes it is difficult.  I know that me getting pregnant again is hard to understand for those who watch me suffer.  I just love babies and children, and I love them so much that I imagine that this is all worth it.  Is it?  Ask me when it is all over.  I have four beautiful, amazing, and delightful daughters.  When I watch my three year old bounce around this house, her own little great person, a whiff of happiness overcomes me.  My heart is full because of my family, and I guess I have just always thought that this suffering does not compare to the joy my children bring.  Each one is full of life, and the world is a beautiful place because they are here.  Life is a wonderful thing.

    Today, I remind myself that this too will pass, and in the end I will hold a beautiful new life in my arms, and all the suffering will fade in the light that this new human being will bring to our family.

    Some Ideas for surviving severe NVP:

    Do your research.
         If you can manage it, find out all you can about your condition.  NVP and hyperemesis        gravidarum are not in your head.  They are real and they deserve a serious approach.  I have found that information decreases anxiety and it helps to know that I am not alone.  Try these great resources.

    http://www.motherisk.org/women/morningSickness.jsp 

    http://knockedupknockedover.com/

    Make sure you find a cooperative doctor.
         I cannot stress this enough!!  If your current doctor or midwife is not understanding, find a new one.  This is crucial.

    Ask for help
        It is essential to stay calm and relaxed during this time.  If a dirty house and unhappy children stress you, then ask those closest to you for help.  A dear friend came to my house and cooked up a bunch of freezer meals.  My neighbor lets my kiddos come over and play to have some fun.  I find that if my kids are out being kids and not stuck in the house with a sick mommy I feel better.  Husbands have to help, there is no getting around it.  Its hard to let my husband do the job that I love to do, but I cannot do anything about it.  Grocery shopping, cleaning toilets, putting kiddos to bed, laundry, it all falls to him at this time.  Do not be ashamed that you cannot do the smallest of tasks.  It is hard, but you must let it all go and just rest.  If you really want some ice chips, but walking to the kitchen seems impossible, ask someone to bring you some.

    Lay quietly in a dark cool room.
    Light and sound can trigger nausea.  This may seem impossible if you have little ones running around as I do.  Call a friend and ask them to take the kids for the day.  Let an older sibling occupy the littles while you hibernate.  Let hubby take them out for a couple of hours.  Complete quiet really does help me settle down and rest, even if its just for an hour or two.

    Breathe deeply several times a day.
    Deep relaxing breaths while meditating on something that makes me happy, or praying helps calm my nerves and my stomach.

    Use mouthwash instead of toothpaste.
    Keeping my mouth clean and free of that metal taste really helps.

    Do not stress about prenatal vitamins.
    Clear this with your doctor or midwife first.  

    Take folic acid by itself and a prenatal vitamin without iron.
    If you are really concerned about your baby’s health taking the folic acid will at least ensure that you are doing something.  When I am this sick I can hardly imagine that my baby is getting what it needs.  My doctor reassures me that everything will be ok, but I worry.  Taking the folic acid is good for baby and for my peace of mind.  However, there have been times, like right now, where I do not take any supplements at all.

    Drink with a straw.
    This helps bypass the taste buds and cuts down on swallowing air.  I find that I can sip this way pretty much all the time, tiny sips are better than no liquid at all. 

    Try a cold protein shake.
    It is a horrible thing to be starving and repulsed by food at the same time.  Again using a straw, I drink a protein shake twice a day.  Sometimes I throw it up, but sometimes it stays down, and it makes all the difference.

    If something sounds good to eat or drink, partake.  Eat as much or drink as much of that thing as you like.
    No matter what it is!!!  Even junk food.  Don’t let anyone (not even you) make you feel bad about eating what you can, and I stress can.  If you can eat or drink it, do it. 

    When liquids are not an option try ice or popsicles.
    I put ice under my tongue, one tiny piece at a time.  This can be exhausting, but worth it.  Popsicles are not so bad coming back up, so I have always thought they were worth the risk.  Sometimes I eat two or three.  

    Avoid hot baths and showers.
    This is something that I hate.  I love a hot shower, especially when I feel nasty from all the throwing up.  However, extreme heat can throw me into a tailspin as quick as anything.  Try tepid baths and showers. 

    Ask for medication from your doctor or midwife.
    Do not be afraid of anti-emetic drugs.  I hated taking them at first, and sometimes I feel guilt about all the meds.  However, my sanity is important also, and if my doctor assures me a medication is safe, I have decided to trust.  Taking care of myself is important, but it is hard to think of that when all I want to do is take care of the baby.  

    Some may work, maybe not.  Just some things to help, but not cure.
    Do not be angry if none of these suggestions bring relief.  It is quite possible that they will not.  And expect that what works today may fail you tomorrow.  Coping with severe NVP is a frustrating task.  People who give you advice are just trying to ease your suffering, possibly not understanding the full scope and magnitude of this condition.  I have learned to keep to myself during this time and not solicit advice from those who have little knowledge of my circumstances.  This is not normal morning sickness, and crackers don’t help (but if they do keep eating them).  But, I do love and appreciate my friends and family for there concern, and I feel terrible that they too feel helpless. 

    Cry with someone, talk with someone you trust, and know that you are not alone. 

       
           
           

    cleaning · family · organizing · parenting

    Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars

    amandasextonLeave a comment

     
    Last night after we watched the American men win silver in the 4/100 relay, the last track and field event of the London Olympics, we headed outside to watch a meteor shower.  Slade, Addy, and I pulled the trampoline into a open spot with a clear view of the sky (over sixty fully mature trees makes this task a challenge).  We all laid on our backs, gazing and waiting, and after a few minutes we saw our first meteor blaze across the sky.  It had a beautiful arched tail, and as it traveled it lit up the dark with a flash of white.  Everyone oohed and when it was over the horse in our neighbor’s pasture neighed so loud that it made us all laugh.  When the horse neighed at every meteor from then on we decided that he was enjoying the night sky as well.  It was hilarious, and even Elinor listened for the horse.  She would say, “The horse neighs, horses neigh, daddy.”  When the horse stopped neighing, we decided he was tired, and it was time for us to head to the house as well and go to bed after a long day’s work.
     
    The day was very productive.  The girls and I cleaned out the closets, organized the clothes bins in the shop, while Slade cleaned out the barn, and cleaned and organized the shop.  The closets were full of unused clothing, clothing that was out of season and not the right sizes.  We sorted piles of keep, throw away, and give away.  The same went for my bins in the shop.  We sorted by sizes and seasons.  I culled deeply, and it felt wonderful.  Although, it was sort of emotional.  Going through baby clothes is bitter sweet.  I was having so many memories surface of the girl’s, each outfit revealing another time and another place.  It is hard to accept how fast kids grow up.  Maybe that’s why I have avoided dealing with the mountain of clothes chaos that was in the shop.  Maybe that’s why my scrapbooks are unfinished.  However, today as I write this I feel such a sense of peace and harmony.  Being stuck in a rut, or in the past is not a healthy feeling.  Things change, and nothing stays the same…might as well jump in the river and keep moving, enjoying the now.  Now that my closets are clean and my seasonal clothes are organized I feel stronger and better equipped to deal with the clothes issues that a family of 5 girls faces…oh my, the laundry, the accessories, the outfits, the drama…it’s great!
     
    Slade did man stuff… hauled off trash, cleaned tools and lawn equipment, organized the work spaces, and made room in the barn for more bunny cages.  He has been like a bird out of a cage sense he finished graduate school.  The three years of school took a toll on the outside maintenance regimen, however since May Slade has been steadily catching up.  Things are looking great around here again.  I love to see the progress of family, husband, wife, and children, working together to make a home beautiful.  My attention to details, Slade’s big picture vision, and the girl’s willingness to work alongside us both makes work meaningful and surprisingly fun.    There is nothing like shared vision.  When we as a family think of  our family we have a certain vision in mind, the way we want things to be, the feelings we want to have, the atmosphere we want to create.  As we work together to bring that shared vision into existence and with each accomplished goal, the family grows up, grows stronger, and creates the family experience; together.

    When the day was done and as we all laid on our sore backs on the trampoline everyone enjoyed the stars a little bit more.  We enjoyed the ice cream after supper a little bit more.  Hard work has a way of making play meaningful.  Everyone chimed in as I sang to Elinor, her all snuggled up next to me with her blanket and sucking her thumb.  I sang, “Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.  Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.”  It was fun, and we all giggled and wondered how far away the stars really are, and how scary space is, and how mosquitoes bite, and what the difference is between meteors and comets, and what Haley’s comet is, and how dark the sky is in West Texas, and how we had a great day, and how we were going to sleep hard tonight, and how it was amazing to think of all the people who were watching these same meteors, and how much we enjoy being together.  

     Work Together, Play Together 

             

    parenting · summer

    Wonderland

    amandasextonLeave a comment
    From right Jarrett (my brother), Tash (Jarrett’s wife), Elinor, Josh (my brother), Adalay, Me, Slade
     in front Caroline & Sophia 

        There is a saying, “No one needs a vacation more than the person who just had one.”  This is so true.  About fifteen miles from the house on Highway 51 the reality of this hits me, as I begin to make a list in my head of everything that must be done when we pull into the garage, turn off the ignition, and vacation is officially over.  Going on vacation with four kiddos, and especially a rambunctious toddler feels more like running a marathon than it does a retreat.  Was it all worth it?  Absolutely!!  We had so much fun, but I am exhausted.  The kids are passed out in the back of the suburban, their little bodies resembling a bobble head doll on a dash board.  The inside of the car looks like an Oriental Trading Company catalog, littered with pillows, flip flops, fast food left overs, trinkets from the trip, strewn bags, and everything packed almost to the ceiling.  Slade is like a horse to the barn, no thought except getting out of this car.  His eyes are fixed on the road, and he is not saying a word, and I feel the car speed up as we get closer and closer to home.  We both know what awaits us there, back to the grind, and yet if we spend one more minute in this car with these children we might both gouge our eyes out with the pencil on the console.  We have to get home before they wake up.  When they wake up it will all be over, and I know they will be sad.  I smile.  Yes, it was all worth it.  All the work, all the money, all the effort; it was ALL worth it.
      This year we vacationed in Amarillo, Texas.  Both of my brothers live there, and we stayed with them and did all sorts of fun stuff.  Because we live so far away, we do not get to spend extended periods of time with them, and going there for almost a week was a wonderful time of bonding for the girls with their uncles and aunt.  We played games, barbecued, went to the mall, and had a blast at Wonderland Theme Park.  We also visited Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  It is beautiful, and the girls loved hiking there.  If you are ever in the area it is worth the stop.  We have been before, but it never gets old.  We will visit again I am sure.  This year we went to the play Texas at the theater in the canyon , and what a show that was!  I remember going to this play as a little girl, and it was great to see it with my own kiddos.  We also stopped by the Stockyard Cafe to have the famous chicken fried steak, my girls’ favorite meal.  We saw this cafe on the TV show, Man vs. Food, and we could not wait to try it out.  It did not disappoint.  The chicken fry was like Mama cooks it, and the creamed potatoes were fabulous.  All in all we had a great time.
      The day after we came home we packed the suburban again, and we surprised the girls by taking them to there favorite hotel, Staybridge Suites, here in Fort Worth.  While at the hotel we watched movies in the hotel theater, swam, and snacked at the hotel’s happy hour.  The movie theater is available to guests by appointment and is equipped with surround sound, a giant screen, and cozy recliners with cup holders.  My kids had a blast munching on popcorn and candy and watching Night at the Museum and Flushed Away.  I enjoyed a beer, and we all fixed ourselves a loaded baked potato from the dinner buffet.  We finished the evening with a swim in the pool, and then called it a day and went to our cozy three room suite to sleep in the most comfortable hotel bed ever.  The next morning we went to a nearby water park and spent the day riding crazy rides, picnicking, and getting a tan (a sunburn to tell the truth).  And that was our vacation.
       It is really amazing how different an experience can be now that I am all grown up.  However, when I am willing to let go of my need to recapture the past and I experience places, people, and wonders anew alongside my kiddos, the world is wonderland again.
        It brings so much joy to see the world through the eyes of a six year old looking up the side of a steep canyon. She turns and says confidently, “We can make it, we can climb this.” And off she goes, full of adventure and curiosity.  She takes in the scenery like her favorite ice cream, and that energy is infectious.  She is my tour guide, and I follow carrying the past right into the now as I remember my own climb in this very canyon when I was ten years old.
        I marvel at God’s design for family, and I am humbled by the sharing of it all.  Nothing is ever lost; my childhood, my husband’s childhood, and even the years that have flown by since our first baby was born (it has happened so fast); everything is in tact, wrapped up in the moment.  This year as we traveled the long and thrifty roads of the high plains I realized that one of the few consolations of getting older is that I see more of the journey and possibly more of what it all means, and how circular life really is.    Vacations are so special, and more is going on than just hotels and park rides and fun.  Vacations are about bonding, and ultimately no matter where we are out on the road, whether in Amarillo, Texas or the French Riviera, as long as we are together sharing the moment, all is wonderland.  

    Here are some pretty good ideas for a great Staycation, for those of us who want to go on vacation, but resources are limited. Our vacation this year was a semi-staycation, and was very inexpensive.

    My favorites
    • Camp in the backyard
    • Book local hotel
    • Turn your house into a spa
    • Throw a family pajama party
    • Cook some great food and have a movie marathon
    • Tour the local landmarks
    • Have a traveling dinner; appetizers, main course, and dessert all at different restaurants
    • Put on a family play
    • Buy a blow up pool and lawn chairs, fill up the cooler and put on your favorite CD
    • Build a huge tent in the living room, and play games and eat snacks under the sheets
    • Turn off the phones, news, and computer and just be inaccessible for one whole day  



                           

    http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · parenting

    Garden Harvest

    amandasextonLeave a comment
     July 4, 2012
        On this hot Independence Day the girls and I blanched our summer harvest of zucchini, squash, and tomatoes and put the bags of veggies in the freezer.  It was not alot of tomatoes, but we will have a few more freezing days before the harvest ends.  This winter I look forward to putting squash and zucchini from the freezer into a warm soup or casserole.  The fresh tomatoes will be great for a comforting marinara on warm noodles.  
        Addy loved the easy preservation process and commented several times that she was having fun.  She  even suggested that we increase the size of our garden  next year and freeze even more.  We shall see.  We also made pear tomato jelly.  It did not turn out as well as I hoped, but I think it will be a great marinade for pork.  Elinor and I had it on toast this morning for breakfast, and it went well with our coffee.  Yes, I let my two year old drink sips of coffee with me in the morning.  She loves it!  I wonder if the girls will remember this 4th of July?  I hope I do.  There is nothing like being in the kitchen with daughters and teaching them the joy of cooking.  
        Doing, its sometimes a challenge for me; not talking about doing or dreaming about doing or planning about doing, but actually doing.  The thing that is in my heart to do is sometimes the very hardest thing to do.  Funny conundrum.  But, today I did what I wanted, what I have been planning to do.  I put the summer harvest in the freezer, nothing is wasted, and the girls and I made a memory.  I passed down something that I remember doing as a child with my mother.  I felt free, free of the burden of letting my vegetables go to waste, and also free of the regret of missing an opportunity to be with the girls in the kitchen teaching them something new.  
    Whatever is in your heart to do today; be free, and go do it!        

    Here are the resources I used to make our freezing day a success.
    http://www.pickyourown.org/
    http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Pear-Tomato-Preserves