A Visit with T.J.

On our way to visit my sister and her family in Richmond, VA we made a stop at Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello.  As an interesting learning experience we all gave this trip a thumbs up.  The house and grounds are beautiful.  Thomas Jefferson, or T.J. as we came to call him, is fascinating.  The exhibits and museum, especially the discovery center for children, are focused on hands and minds on interaction.  The gift shop sells root beer.  What more can you ask for?

We highly recommend that you take the Family Fun tour and take time to stroll from the mansion back to the visitor center.  We also recommend a clear day in December as the perfect time for a visit.  It was chilly but there were no crowds and the views were amazing.

Weekly Recap: January 7-11, 2013

School is back in sesslon and the new year is off to a fabulous start. In history we are winding down World War I.  Our reading has gradually transitioned from Civil War to the Great War.  As a read aloud, we are listening to Caddie Woodlawn.  I think we will be looking for a strong male lead in our next read aloud.  Any suggestions?  I do plan to read The Diary of Anne Frank in a few weeks so it would be nice to have something lighter before we jump into that.  Currently H12 is reading All Quiet on the Western Front, S10 is reading Will's War and M8 is reading Betsy-Tacey-Tib.

Math is continuing at a brisk pace.  M8 is beginning multiplication. S10 is working on dividing fractions.  H12 is feeling comfortable with Algebra.  I might even say successful.  I am so thankful that we decided last year to stop slogging through basic math and move forward slowly.  It is the right choice for us.

Our co-op for the next 6 weeks is activity focused.  This week we'll be roller skating.  Next week we'll be bowling.  Movies, swimming, and community service are on the schedule, as well.

I spent some money on classes from The Great Courses in writing, math, and physics.  I am planning to get going with physics and writing in the next few weeks.  I'm expecting that these will be as educational for me as they are for the kids.

Finally, we've been enjoying some unseasonably warm weather.  It's good to get outside and move.

Monday Munchies: The Perfect Pot Roast

There are several things you need to understand about this post right from the start.  First, I hate pot roast.  Second, we grow our own cows.  When you grow your own cows you don't really get a supermarket selection of meat.  We eat what we grow and so we eat pot roast.  Third, I hate pot roast.

That being said, I am going to introduce you to a woman that loves pot roast and has, in my opinion, created a pot roast that is as close to perfect as anything made with a pot roast can be.  I still don't love it but I don't hate serving it and I've even been known to take a bite or two.

Without further delay, click right here and join Ree and her perfect pot roast.  Even if you don't cook, the pictures are enough to make you wish that you did.

Looking Forward to 2013

Again, if you haven't checked out Simple Mom yet, be sure to go there.  She has a great list of goal-setting questions that you might find really helpful.

Now that I spent some time looking back I figured it was time to face forward.  It's easier to move forward if you are actually looking that direction.  So, here we go, in 2013 I want to:
1. continue to spend daily, personal time with God.
2.  read at least 52 books.
3. develop a community relations team for Operation Christmas Child by adding one member and one event from each of my target counties.
4.  participate in sustained physical activity/exercise at least three times each week.
5.  maintain a healthy diet, heavy in fruits, veggies, and healthy choices. 
6.  continue to provide my family with meals that are healthy and, as much as possible, home made.
7. date my husband and nurture a relationship that will last for another 25+ years.
8. pray with Rob and for Rob daily.
9. create a planned family night each week.
10.  enjoy family meals as often as possible.
11.  go on a Disney Cruise with my family.
12.  SHOOPA!
13.  paint the kitchen, laundry room, half bath, and upstairs bath.
14.  provide opportunities and encouragement for family time that is physically active.
15.  continue to pray for and with my children each day.
16.  nurture closer relationships within our family by providing quality time, activities, and opportunity for interaction.
17.  provide quality, personally matched education for each of my children.
18.  continue to look for the best curriculum and educational opportunities for my children.
19.  encourage reading, writing, independent learning, and personal growth in my children.
20.  develop a plan for chores, jobs, compensation and cooperation that works for our family.
21.  maintain a debt free lifestyle.
22.  increase retirement contributions to 15%.
23.  continue at current level of charitable giving.
24.  increase college savings.
25.  nurture one new friendship.
26.  complete one family act of service each month.
27.  harvest honey.
28.  can enough food for winter use.
29.  sew to express creativity and bring joy to myself and others.
30.  begin to turn our farm into a business.

Wow!  It looks like 2013 is going to be an exciting year!

Reflections on 2012

I just found a wonderful site for two things near and dear to my heart, intentional living and simplifying.  When you have a minute go check out Simple Mom.  What led me to Simple Mom was the idea of reflecting and looking forward.  On the site are lists of questions for looking back at 2012 and setting goals for 2013.  In the spirit of the list and without making any copyright infringement I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on 2012.
How do you pick one thing in any of twenty categories that cover twelve months of best, challenge, unexpected obstacles/joys/challenges/relationships/change?  I suppose I could go with writing down the first thing that pops in my mind.  I think I'd better just stick to some easier questions and categories.  Here's what I accomplished this year:
Personally, I learned to sew and can food using a pressure cooker.  I read more than 50 books, some of them excellent, some not so great.  I survived my husband's open heart surgery.  (So did he, in case you were just tuning in and wondered.)

Professionally, I taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th grades.  I raised and harvested 100 chickens, a turkey and a steer. (Yes, I had some help with this but it's a valid accomplishment.)  I became a volunteer for Operation Christmas Child in a year round leadership role.

Spiritually, I learned more about God and who I am in this world and in the next.  I shared my faith in various ways with my children, husband, family and friends.  I worked to develop a heart full of gratitude and joy.

Emotionally, I continued to nurture relationships with my husband, children, sisters and parents.  I consistently took part in several groups outside my family including a book club, homeschool co-op, and church groups.

Physically, I began a routine of regular aerobic exercise and built strength by all the daily tasks that a farm and motherhood requires.

I probably have overlooked something or left out a really important event but in a brief reflective glance I think I covered the majors.

Things I Learned (or Relearned) in 2012

1.  Sewing is the perfect hobby for me right now.
2.  The people I love are really the most important thing.
3.  Quality time rocks my world.
4.  Bidding is more fun than growing.
5.  Being needed and needing others are both important.
6.  Time moves quickly and staying in the moment is essential.
8.  Having a camera makes moments easier to remember.
9.  Surprises are fun, whether you are giving them or getting them.
10. A thankful heart makes all the difference.
11.  God is good, all the time.
12.  Asking for what I need is difficult but worthwhile.

An Absurd Gift

We attended church this past Sunday at Crestwood Presbyterian Church near Richmond, VA.  My sister attended services there a few times in the past and she was excited about going to church with family.  We all enjoyed the service and especially liked the message about how the gift of Christ is absurd.  I wish I could remember the name of the gentleman who shared the message.  All I know is that he runs an inner city ministry in Richmond and frequently fills the pulpit at the Crestwood churches.

In typcial preacher style, he had three reasons for why the gift of Christ is absurd.  First, absurd gifts are often incredibly practical.  Second, absurd gifts often require action on our part.  The absurd gift, finally, is a gift that only becomes fully useful and understood over time.  There were numerous pertinent examples of absurd gifts and how Christ fits.  Gallons of milk, super size underwear, and garden benches were among the examples given. The sermon was well presented and enjoyed by everyone in our party, including S10 and M8.  Quite an accomplishment!

We left the service thanking God for the absurd gift we all received and the sermon that reminded us of it.  What a blessing to spend one of the days of Christmas celebrating with family!