Playing in the dirt...

Spring has sprung, Summer has come.
Bright eyed boys digging up wiggly friends.
Giggling girls chasing leaping playmates.

Rain coming down, mud in the making.
The landscape is glowing emerald.
New life erupting silently from between my toes.

Toads and turtles, lizards and snakes.
Everyone needs a glass container so they can "watch".
Tears stream down cheeks when new friends leave.

These last few weeks I had big plans for us to log some good "Summer School" time. Instead, the kids have been filling our days with making new friends of the reptile and amphibian kind. Not wanting to be neglectful or hurtful of our adoptees, I have spent a good amount of time googling about the proper care of our adopted mates.

Meet Toad...

Years and years ago, we adopted a little toad from my mother's backyard because Hannah fell in love with it. We watched that little toad grow from the size of a quarter to the size of the palm of your hand in about two years. We finally released the toad when we had to buy crickets the size of your pinky finger that chirped all night long. So, it only seemed right to allow the younger boys the same experience when they fell in love with a hoppy little friend in my front garden bed. Here was the first toad the kids caught, already pretty good sized, Caleb and Micah called him Tim Duncan because he was a good jumper.

Then, I found him a friend when I was pulling weeds. This one was much smaller, more reminiscent of Hannah's first toad. I was inspired to improve on the flat look of the tank, using some flagstone from our pool decking and some succulent plants I had in small pots. You can see the small toad in the upper right corner on the "mountain" and the larger toad in the bottom center.

The kids have been finding smaller toads all over the last few days. I don't have a picture yet, but there are currently four smaller toads in a 20 gallon terrarium (the one I found weeding, one the kids found swimming in the pool, another I found in the flowerbeds, and the latest one was gathered during an afternoon visit to a friend's farm). We decided to let the larger toad go back in the front flower beds. Micah was sad about that, but seemed better after collecting the last one this afternoon.

Meet Miracle, the Red-Eared Slider...

Photo credits: Hannah

I found Miracle on a road in a shopping center. Not long ago we watched a research video about how a high percentage of folks will go out of their way to drive over turtles. I found the information saddening but had no idea that Micah had been so affected by it until we saw a turtle crossing the road in Kentucky on our family road trip. We had no way of picking that turtle up at the time, and Micah was crying, so we promised that the next one we found on the road we could take home. (I googled whether or not this was legal after the promise was made, and it is, thankfully. And the law about it is a bit comical, in case you are interested.) Well, we made it home from our trip and I went out for coffee with a friend. As we went back to my car, low and behold, a full-grown female Red-eared Slider was crossing the road into a large parking lot. When I made it home with our newest "pet", Micah said he had been praying for a turtle, and it was a Miracle that God answered his prayers, so that became her name. (The turtle's size gave away its gender, she was a full 12" across, and boys only make it up to 10", thank you Google.)

We kept Miracle for around two weeks. The kids would walk with her around the yard, we made sure she had fresh water and food. She really was sweet and friendly, not easily spooked. When the kids picked her up, she wouldn't even put her head or legs in, she'd sit on their feet (which the kids said was her way of hugging them). But she wasn't eating well. And we didn't have a way to provide her with moving water, which was important because mosquitoes were beginning to take a liking to her baby pool. We decided that she needed to be released. We loaded up our Miracle and headed to a local park with a river. Miracle was thrilled to be back in the river and we watched her explore her new surrounding for at least an hour. Dragonflies were also caught, skipping stones flung, and feet sunk into the bank. Micah cried and cried and cried about releasing his best little turtle friend. I think the little man is going to be a vet or a zoo keeper.

This afternoon our reptile adventures continued, and I wish I had a picture, or a video, but I don't. I was pleasantly surprised that no one suggested acquiring the anoles we discovered on my Red Yucca in the front yard because I'm not sure where we would have put them! But we did enjoy about twenty minutes with our neighbors watching a male anole doing his best to woo a female, bobbing his head up and down and expanding out his red bulging neck. The kids started looking for the female and we ended up spotting three green anoles in and amongst the Yucca leaves.

So, while we are squeezing in a little school work here and there, we are spending far more time playing in the dirt, observing nature, and soaking up the rain and sun. Oh, and every other day we stand around to watch the toads slurp up crickets. If you ever want to watch, just come by, I'll make coffee and we can "oooh" and "aaah" and cheer the toads on. :)

Little glimpses...

Not real wordy lately... Just schooling, and taxiing kids to practices and competitions, transitioning to a Paleo-inspired/whole food diet... Loving on my family, keeping up with laundry and dishes...

Wasn't ever gonna...

... get married or have children... but God saved me, gave me a wonderful husband and opened the flood gates to give us six kids in 7 1/2 years...

... teach... and we homeschool, yes, all of them...

... put my kids in sports... but then we did, and they are flourishing both in skill and in character...

... run for any reason other than being chased by a bad guy... but the kids and I are starting the "Couch to 5k" training program today and are planning to compete in a 5k with friends in the November and a 10k in the spring...

... get back into social media, like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram... but my almost 13yo (in a month and a week) asked to get on Instagram and we decided a long time ago to "be where they are" in the virtual realm...

And then I am reminded how true God's Word is... 

The heart of man plans his way,

But the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

The trouble with being social...

I signed off Facebook a long time ago. And I don't miss it, really. I now truly know my handful of friends in rich, deep, transparent ways, instead of knowing a little of what is publicly shared from 100 or more "friends". Elliott keeps me posted on family since he is still socially connected. I am convinced that the decision for me to be off Facebook is the right one, every time he asked me to look for some particular post on there and I find myself sucked in for twenty or thirty minutes scanning through the praise reports of everyone's day. Moments of distraction I can never get back...

Then I found Instagram. I really enjoyed the square shaped photos and the cool filters. For a long time, I didn't know I could have "friends" on there too. My list of friends slowly grew and imperceptibly, my app that made my photos look cool turned into a "I wonder what my Instafriends have posted in the last day... few hours... twenty-three minutes..." I have taken the app off my phone, only to reinstall it. I have said I wouldn't post to keep myself from the temptation of perusing. Alas, my flesh is weak, I do ok for a day or two, followed by checking way too often for another day or two.

And then it happened. It was the same thing that happened with Facebook. The conviction that I was spending too much time in my virtual world was already starting to gnaw at me. I tried to justify it by making the excuse that the kids would be thankful for all my cute photos. But then the kids started saying, "Are you gonna put that on Instagram? I wonder who will like it." Or, "When Mom is done on Instagram, maybe she could read to us..." Ugh.

I admire the moms who can manage a socially-networked life and not lose touch with their real-life one. As much as I seem to be able to multitask in other areas of my life, it seems I cannot be "social" and "real" at the same time. I'll be honest, it's a hard pill to swallow. I have to admit to myself how weak my flesh is, how much of an approval junkie I still am. I have to repent of the sin of comparing myself to others, of being ungrateful for my blessings because someone else's look like so much more or because they have the photography skills I could only dream of, their homeschool day flows more sweetly than mine, they live on a farm with chickens and sheep, they have adopted kids from all over the world, they sell my favorite shoes and travel the world sharing shoes with all... the list goes on.

The trouble with being social for me is that my heart is drawn away from the things that truly matter; Jesus Christ and His Word, my husband and children, going out in front to keep in touch with neighbors. When I am "connected" I get distracted from what is real and true and lasting.

Bye-bye Instagram and social networking. Again. For good.

Crafting fun...

Some scrapbook paper pumpkins...

Some cute water colored leaves...

A line of kids waiting to make some melted crayon art...

And then cutting out leaf shapes to make fall sun catchers...

There was also a cute fall "snow globe" I made for each of the moms who came, but that escaped photographic documentation. Since I was the crafting "cruise director", all the above pictures were taken by my kids. And I found all the crafts on Pinterest. Seriously, I think that site is my new best friend (even though I did totally make fun of it when it first came out...). 

My favorite thing about our Pumpkin Patch and Play day is that in just a few hours we have created enough things to decorate our house to feel all nice and cozy and festive. And I get to fellowship with other Moms while my kids play happily with friends. 

In the end, we all had fun. Some of us may have had too much fun...

Day 12: Style...

I could list off all the different styles of homeschooling I admire, but I don't really fit perfectly into one. What I am is passionate about creating an environment that makes the children yearn for the next piece of the puzzle that is our history and culture and world. Sometimes it takes thinking outside the box. Sometimes it takes trying new things. Sometimes it means staying up until 3am carving a Viking masthead. And while in this season of life, my style seems to tends toward the last minute, all those late nights are worth it when you see the kids get excited and engaged. 

Day 11: Quote...

I had some errands to run this evening. I left after dinner, no one missed me because they all proceeded to go swimming while I made returns and dashed in and out of a half a dozen stores. I was half tempted to buy this sign. I love this little poem. I think it will be going up on the chalkboard wall soon. I am always keeping an eye out for sayings that I think will catch the children's attention or inspire them to love each other more, thank God more, live more boldly for Christ. 

What quotes inspire you? Or just make you smile? 

Day 10: Lunch...

It was one of those days when my best laid plans were changed by a single phone call. The call that changed my well orchestrated post-school 3pm doctor appointment into a 12:15pm one which splinters the children's focus and sent me scurrying to make changes to my previously arranged childcare as well as rushing to pack lunches I never intended to pack. And in all my rushing, I forgot food for myself and ended up at the only drive through that has food that I can safely eat on a GF diet. 

I had intended on making a special new oatmeal for lunch and was looking forward to photographing it. Instead, I barely remembered to snap a picture of my empty crinkled Chick-fil-A bag. 

What did you eat for lunch? 

Day 9: In The Schoolroom...

An atypical September day in Texas found Noah on the deck all morning and afternoon with the dogs and a pile of books. The rest of the kids were strewn about on couches and floors. It was a lovely day with lots of reading and little time spent at tables (except for handwriting and math, required table subjects). The fall is approaching and I envision trampoline studies will soon commence. 

I am loving our studies in Tapestry of Grace, and while the workload took a while for us to all get used to, I think the kids are enjoying the relaxed approach to learning that reading all day provides. :)

Day 8: Word...

This school year we started a new Bible Study, The Narrow Way by The Pearables is an in depth study of 2 Peter 1:4-8. We are just starting, so we are digging into what faith is and who God is whom we place out faith in. It is a sweet time each morning after breakfast and sets our day in the direction. 

What are you doing to be in God's Word with your kids? 

Day 6: Project...

Studying the Middle Ages has been enjoyable for our whole family. As a part of our co-op, I am co-teaching the 6th grade History class. Today, I led the kids in a lesson on heraldry and they designed their own shields. I am continually impressed by the creativity of these kids! Our co-op has been such a blessing, I love seeing all the things the kids come home with each week, and am so thankful for the other moms who pour into my kids. 

Day 5: Music...

Car dancing is always a fun way to help pass the time during a drive, whether around the corner of across town. We were jamming out to some catechism songs. How do you keep your kids happy and busy on the road?

Day 4: Lesson Plans...

Keeping six kids going in the right direction makes for lots of lists. But this is how we have been keeping the family on track this week. The kids LOVE crossing things off as we finish them. Elliott enjoys seeing all the kids have accomplished each day. And I am enjoying making the seemingly mundane a little more fun, plus the kids can read it, so I don't have to repeat myself a thousand times! :)

Day 3: Favorite Subject...

The conversation was between his twin sisters. They were reading their word problems for math aloud, "There are seven monkeys in the tree. Four monkeys jumped to the ground, how many monkeys are still in the tree?" Before his sisters had a chance to answer, Caleb very matter-of-factly said, "3". I wasn't there, but I was quickly greeted by a pair of giggly girls telling of his "lightbulb moment". So, I asked if he wanted to do some math work. In under twenty minutes he had completed two weeks of lessons and was beaming with excitement and pride and joy. These are the moments that remind me why we homeschool. :)

Day 2: Chore...

I laughed when I went to take a picture of Mount Washmore and there wasn't as much as there should be piled precariously on my living room couch. But then, I took the picture after we went swimming, so 8 towels had been grabbed out of the mix, lessening the imposing monument's height and breadth. This chore is a daily one around here Monday through Thursday, and as needed on weekends. What is your laundry habit? And what do you call your laundry pile? 

Day 1: Organize...

This may look like a disaster, and in many ways it kind of feels like one right now... But all this preparation and organizing should benefit us with a smooth, well prepared week. Or at least, that is the idea behind squirreling away on my bed all day with my computer and mounds of resources. 

I am also working on a new schedule and chore charts... How do you organize?