First Sick Day

All week long, at least one of my children have ran a fever.  With the first, I took him in to the Dr. and it ended up being a virus that needed to run its course.  Tending to him with Motrin, hugs, movies, liquids and rest.  The it moved to my youngest.  She doesn't even act sick.  She has had many fevers having to deal with chronic ear infections over the years.  She has run a temp the longest, since Tuesday night Wednesday morning.  Which brings me to this morning, both girls are running a temp.  The differences are night and day.  My youngest with the highest temp, is sprightly and giggly.  Only flushed cheeks and mass body heat indicates that she is not feeling well.  Then there is my oldest, almost nine.  She has a low grade fever and thinks it is the end of the world.  This what this post is about, her first sick day since implementing a Charlotte Mason education.  Normally I would stress over how far we would be set back in our lesson plans.  Today, I feel such freedom in not having my ducks in a row (corresponding lessons for each subject) because it means we just pick up where we left off and since I have more fun reading (poems/riddles, riddles because I am having a hard time figuring out what the moral is) scheduled for today so we can move past them and pick up next week.  Ah, the beauty of short lessons, it doesn't have to be daunting to "catch up."  This educational switch has been such a blessing to my educational expectations, limitations and stress level.  This week has been a lesson in being Thankful even during the hard times.  We are thankful to go through this because we can see the value of health, as well as our want for dad (who happens to be out of town during this week of fevers) to be home and not forgetting it is all a gift. 

Happy Friday
~Brandy

Saturday!

I know I should be doing something around the house like folding my laundry or some other service to my family but I am enjoying the sound of my kids playing nicely together. Even if right now is following a couple of melt downs and tiffs among them.  I'll take the joy of this moment knowing they can enjoy one another and the realization that they trust one another enough to show each emotion boldly.  I just had to share that in my struggle to find Joy (this has been boosted by a friends gift of a great read but has been my longing for a long time) I am reading three books at once.  Within a couple of days of each passage read, I have come across the same idea in all three.  My sight is tainted.  I am not seeing the world through the goggles of Grace, a necessity to find Joy.  What is Grace?  How do I show Grace, see Grace, embrace Grace?  Is it through Thankfulness you find both Joy and Grace?  I was Thankful for not over reacting and becoming angry when I dropped two separate food items down my sink.  I was Thankful not for dropping them but for not losing my mind.  My prayer today is that my reactions carry over to my kids, not losing my mind when they trust me enough to test me.  To bestow Grace on them through Joy!
~Brandy

Word

Magnanimous ~ adj.  1.  Courageously noble in mind and heart. 
                                 2.  Generous in forgiving; eschewing (to avoid or shun) resentment or revenge;  unselfish.

Changes are on the Horizon!

We have been a homeschooling family for three years now.  To me, that seems like a long time, like I should know the best way of doing it.  Well, throw in changes in our goals, priorities, and morals.  Not to mention, changes in interest, the addition of interested preschoolers (as opposed to dis-interested, they were this a few months ago) and the ability to challenge minds in a way that benefits each child.  We are chucking our current curriculum, throwing caution to the wind and jumping right into a Charlotte Mason based education.  I have been researching alternatives for most of this school year, thinking I would use it next year.  Last week, I felt many things come together and God spoke to me.  I have my babes home with me.  I have the ability to change what is not working and I don't have to feel I am doing something wrong by not finishing the curriculum we started.  It wasn't working.  My husband and I are in love with the methods and theories of education and child-rearing that CM taught.  I feel this change in the entire family and our educational goals are going to lessen the stress and bring much more joy out of learning!  I am so excited to read through some of the classic novels suggested by other CM parents.  I don't remember having been exposed to them but want my children to find joy in them right along with Dad and I.  I am finding joy in where God has me now!  My family, the people he has placed as friends and mentors and the ability to love my blessings, his blessings!  My prayer is for continued Joy and for others to find a passion for the children, embracing their whole being and find JOY in the now!

~Brandy

No More HFCS!!!

I made my own fruit spread.  This one is Strawberry.  I wouldn't call it a jam or jelly, as it has not set as firmly as I envisioned.  It may not be intended for a PB&J but on a slice of toast topped with a perfectly cooked egg, it is fantastico.  We are trying to move away from the high fructose corn syrup in our foods, so I am going to have to practice perfecting this.  Next, Apples!

Thankful

Today I am Thankful for Quiet time.  A time when each of us can be alone with our God, our thoughts and regroup those things we hold dear!

~Brandy

In Motion!

In Motion!

Super Moon

After my day yesterday, I needed to be reminded that no matter how small I feel He is always with me.

Not that yesterday was a bad day, I just felt pulled in many directions.  Pulled by my expectations, obligations, my concerns, and my children.

I love how simple a reminder of Love and Purpose can be, reminding me to set my mind on things above.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God."  Phillipians 4:6

~Brandy

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I think she found her pot of gold...Happy St. Patrick's Day, a day late!!!

Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Hear No Evil

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30

I am working on the temperature of my household.  I am on a mission to find Joy, to enjoy the blessings I have been given.  I am working on a 'Cheerful Look'.

I pray you find Joy with a Cheerful Disposition!

~Brandy

Happy Valentine's Day

We got together with a few of our little friends for Valentine's Day.

There were lots of cupcakes and goodies to put on top!

Bag decorating

A game table

Major color in my decoration options

Coloring Fun

Thumbs up (I think)

Again, Yummy Cupcakes!

Hanging out, enjoying good people!

And Ice Cream Sundaes!

Lots of Giggles.

Lots of Pictures!

Lots of "I Love Cupcakes" moments!

Valentine Exchange!

My little ones were so excited to share their cards!

Lots of cute little people playing by their own rules.

Good Night Moon

The Moon and Stars are quite lovely this evening! Good night Moon!

I am Determined!

This is my determined one.  She is full of Spunk.  Determined to have it her own way, will do just about anything for a laugh.  She is a wonderful comforter.  She is a lover, a great mommy to her dolls and in general lovely.  She is all these things on her own terms.  She is a beautiful force to be reckoned with.

Word!!!

This word has popped up a few times this week and it is speaking to me...

EDIFY...–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.


to instruct or benefit, esp. morally or spiritually; uplift: 
 
 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)


As I meditate on this verse and word, I realize how much kinder and how much easier it is to implement this with strangers.  My apologies to those close to me.  It is on my heart, it is my mission to keep this on the forefront of my mind.
 
I have been blessed and need to remember to praise those blessings. 
 
~Brandy

My Super Hero

This one was my Hero today.  He hugged, gave smooches and played gently with his sisters. He held my hand when we went for a walk.  He took a break from being a rambunctious boy and melted my heart. 

What a blessing, God provided me with just the people and attitudes I needed today.  My heart is happy!