Snow-bound productivity

I've been trying, in vain, for some time to post some photos of our days (and weeks) in the snow, but Blogger hasn't been behaving. So I suppose I'll have to depend on the written word...

Needless to say, the kids have been loving the snow. Until they lose a boot or glove in it. Or catch a snowball in the face. Stuff like that seems to happen around here, even when I'm not involved.

What's been most exciting has been what's been going on inside. Not only has Abi's sweater been completed, Daniel's blanket is done and waiting for him, as is his sweater. Then there are the balaclavas, wrist warmers, and bookmarks that have come into the world (well, our house). Can't wait to show them all to you, when Blogger gets it's act together.

There's also been some baking (Amish Friendship Bread & brownies, mainly) and reading. For the adults, I highly recommend Just Do Something. Engaging, biblical, quick, funny, insightful. I read it with pencil in hand (must do that more) and made notes like crazy.

For the kids, it's got to be The Big Snow, particularly considering recent weather patterns. Whether you homeschool or not, it's a great "learning without realizing it" kind of book. You're looking at animals, their different winter habits, natural weather predictors, not to mention the pretty pictures. I borrowed it from the library, but it's going on my wishlist. Right now.

Hopefully pictures of all the excitement will be up soon!

Mission Accomplished!

Well, Abigail's Libby cardigan is complete! I'm so pleased with it, though not as much as Abi herself!

Finally finished putting it together last night so that she could try it on before bed. It's definitely on the big side, but it is sized for a 10-12 year old. That just means she's going to get plenty of wear out of it!

Now, it's on to the Salina for me!

"Necessity is the Mother of Invention"...

...or "What to do when the refrigerator breaks down in the middle of a snow storm":

Every time we open the door to get something off the deck/out of the "fridge", Toby giggles and says, "This is so cool!"

Nesting, Kelly-style

With about 3 weeks to go until the big day, I don't think it's unfair to say that I am nesting, but I probably am doing it a little differently from the average bear. Most women would be getting their hospital bag together, making meals, writing birth plans, and generally planning it all out. Me? I'm finishing knitting projects, working my way through a few sewing projects and ordering yarn for my in-hospital entertainment. Weird, I know.

This week has seen a frenzy of sew-nesting:

A couple more cross-back dresses for Ellie. Should be great birthday gifts!

Some tiny trousers for Daniel, all made out of scrap fabric. I was really excited about the fold-over elastic, which I've never had a great deal of success with. Until now, that is.

I'm really excited about this, too. I found this beautiful quilt at the thrift store at the weekend and promptly fell in love. Looking at it, it looks almost certainly hand-pieced, and yet somehow it ended up threadbare with a $2.98 price tag on it. I convinced Toby it was less of a purchase and more of a rescue mission - this quilt needed some attention and a loving home and Daniel needs a blanket (well, I need to give him a blanket).

I'm currently working on adding a layer of warmth and a new backing to cover up the frayed binding, but I'll be sure to post the finished product. Maybe the photo will include a new little person, too, but we'll see...

Oh, the humanity!

I am more than 36 weeks pregnant. I am tired, unwieldy and a little uncomfortable. In short, I am ready for this baby to be born. In addition, I have had busy weeks, not enough sleep and last minute changes of plan, which I really don't like.

I also spend most of last week snapping at my children, grumping around the house and generally bemoaning my plight. Now, I know some would suggest that it's hardly surprising - heavily pregnant + tired + uncomfortable = some moaning and a short temper. After all, "I'm only human". But is that all? Is that enough? Does my discomfort justify my sin?

On the cross, Jesus did not revile His mockers, but forgave them. (Lk 23:34). In prison, Paul and Silas sang praise and worship to God (Acts 16:25). Being stoned, Stephen forgave his murderers (Acts 7:59-60). My Christian heritage is full of testimonies of faithful believers who faced persecution with joy, so how can I - a woman married to a godly man, enjoying excellent health and living in one of the most prosperous and free countries in the world - even suggest that I have the right to complain?

The kindness of God not only brings comfort and peace, but also the conviction of sin that separates us from Him. It is by His grace alone that today I can thank Him for the discomforts that come with pregnancy, because it means that He has blessed me with a new life to love and train for His glory.

His mercies are new every morning!

Early Childhood Training

I've been doing quite a lot of this this week:

Evidently, it looked pretty cool to the younger ones, because they've been doing lots of this this week:

If I could only make putting their clothes away this appealing...

Learnin' with Littles

Between concerns new homeschoolers have regarding their preschoolers and a continued mulling over of what to do with my little ones when the big girls are doing school, I thought I'd share some of how we occupy little people without turning on the TV or locking them in the dog cage (tempting, though).

First, let me begin by saying that I don't know much. We've only been at this gig for 2 years, 3 if you could kindergarten. There are many more qualified to speak on the subject than I. Having said that, I'm learning more all the time, and it would appear that I will be having preschoolers underfoot for several more years at least, so the sooner we figure this thing out, the better.

First, have them with you. In fact, Noah and Eleanor are required to sit with us during Bible, History and read aloud. They enjoy it (usually) and it's a good opportunity to teach them the importance of sitting still for a few minutes.

When we're doing things that they can't take part in, there's the chance to learn to play together. In our house, this means in one of the kids' bedrooms or the Family room. This can be a tough one, as there is often disruption when someone gets hurt or arguments erupt. I think that it's still important, though, because it does lay a foundation of learning how to play well together, share, and not lean solely on Mommy for entertainment. Just know that the disruptions will come and pray for the grace to disciple your children with love, rather than do what I do, which tends to involved getting irritated that all are not bowing to my Almighty Plan.

When big kids are doing things that don't require teacher's direct oversight or involvement, do school-type things with the littles as well. Read some stories, do some flash cards, play a little game or just talk to them. When they know that they are as interesting and important as your official "students" they are often happy to run off and play again for a few peaceful minutes.

We have tried other methods, as well, including busy boxes (a different box each day that's filled with a few different toys that only come out during school) and other sitting-down activities, which have had varying measures of success. Noah's every inch a boy, though, and really needs to move after a few minutes, so coloring and related crafts tend to take more time getting out than actually being used. Play dough and puzzles are good, though have the tendency to distract the school kids.

It is something of a juggling act and requires some creativity on my part, but to be home together as a family is so worth it. And it won't be long before Noah's doing his workbooks and Abi's teaching Ellie her letters. That'll be so cool.

Any other recommendations?

Getting ready

In about 6 weeks, we shall be welcoming our 5th child into the world. So, we've been working at making our home and our lives ready for him. For me, this includes finishing up some of the knitting projects I'd been working on for him.

This sleep sack has been a great pattern to work with. My first attempt at mini-cabling and the three needle bind off. It's nice learning something new. And the wee one will have something bright and cheerful to keep warm in.

We also thought he'd need a bed to sleep in - turns out the bookcase idea isn't so great. So thanks to the Lyttles for the loaner!

Now it's a matter of finishing up the sweater I'm working on for him - just seaming up, really - and deciding on a good knitting project for packing in my hospital bag. I'm thinking something not too pattern-heavy, not too boring and rather forgiving of the occasional contraction-induced dropped stitch. I'm open to suggestions!

The Quickie "Quilt"

It had been a frustrating sort of day - the kind where nothing quite went to plan. I needed to do something, something enjoyable that resulted in some sense of accomplishment. So, I made a "quilt". Another one for Noah, since the newbie is going to be inheriting his before too long. What's great about it is that it looks impressive, but really is not. That would be because it's a cheater cloth - that fabric you buy where all the pieces are already sewn together. I've had this stuff sitting in my stash for quite a while, and was just the thing for a little achievement-based satisfaction.

The warm internal layer came from an old yellow fleece blanket Toby had from childhood. Gotta love repurposing.

So all my other plans might have come to naught, but I completed something that I could not only point to at the day's end, but tuck my little man up in it on my way to bed. Not all bad, then.

The Homeschool Question

With the planned closing of our church school at the end of this academic year, a number of people are considering alternative educational arrangements for their children. At the same time, a few friends are sharing their homeschool thoughts and journeys (thanks, Zoanna & Laurie). I thought I might throw my lot in, too.

When Abigail was born, I was already thinking about school and homeschool (forward planning, and all that). It wasn't long before Toby and I decided that we wanted to be among those weird and wonderful people that decided to homeschool their children. Thinking back, some of our reasons (or mine, anyway) would have lacked real backbone: I didn't see why my child should start spending the largest portion of the day under the care and influence of another adult and 20-30 other kids; because of our particular family situation, how could I be sure that our kids would learn enough about the histories of both their nationalities; I saw other families that had homeschooled (well, one or two), and their children had grown up to be interesting people doing interesting things.

Upon reflection, though, these are all side issues. They are all true, but they are not the main point. I think what it boils down to for our family is this: If I am to train up my children in the way they should go (Proverbs 6:22) and teach them God's ways as we lay down and rise up and walk by the way (Deut 11:19) , how can I do that at all well when they are away from me for the largest portion of their day? Maybe some can, but I can't. Because they are at home with me, I have the opportunities to train them in diligence, service, and loving-kindness that I don't believe I could do if they were in school most of the day. (I also get to model a lot of repentance for them!)

I can already hear some of the protests, so to clear up some misconceptions:

"I can't teach! What about when we get beyond what I can teach them?" I am not a trained or natural teacher. Having said that, I think we've all managed to teach our children to walk, talk and go to the bathroom on their own. The Rs are just the next step. Beyond that...let's just say there is more than one way to skin a cat. Worry about calculus when you get there - by that time I daresay little Johnny will be learning it on his own.

"I'd go crazy stuck in the house with my kids all day! We don't get along as it is." Not getting along with your children is probably a pretty good indicator that you should consider homeschooling them - it's a sanctifying experience. And who says you have to be stuck in the house? Co-op, library, field trips, playground...sometimes it's a fight to stay home.

"I'm not organized enough." If you're not organized, that's probably an area you'll want to grow in, but I wouldn't suggest using an area of weakness that can be improved upon for not doing something. After all, I am somewhat organized, but not as much as I should be - I had to miss Care Group last night because I didn't allow enough time to find an available babysitter!

"I don't know how you do it - I never could!" And finally, please don't say that. At all. For any reason. I am a saint, but only in the Scriptural sense. I sin against my kids every single day, which would be the case if they were in school, too. So please do not assume that I am somehow endowed with some shiny radiance that never gets tired or loses it's patience or doesn't struggle with selfishness. We homeschool because we think it's the best thing for our family, not the best thing for me.

Is homeschooling for everyone? Probably not, but I do think it is for more than are currently giving it a shot. Don't get me wrong - I do think that there are valid reasons not to homeschool, but "It would mess up my gym schedule" is not a good one.

Give thought and consideration to all the options, and ask God to give you direction and a sense of His purpose. If He calls you to homeschool, He'll equip you to do the job.