Made The Paper
Tis the season for piano recitals, and our little Miss Cliodhna made the paper 🙂 She looks like she is playing a beautiful minuet, but in true Cliodhna fashion, she is hammering out a Boogie Woogie tune.
Watercolour Christmas Balls Art November 7, 2015
Today was Fine Arts Friday… and we started Christmas art, oh yes, we did!
Oil pastels.
Halloween 2015
Kai performed his last show on Halloween afternoon, then we raced home to change into costumes for the night.
Lurking 9 to 5
Kai took on his second role at the Stirling Festival Theatre this Fall.
He has certainly developed a passion for the stage, and never complained about the eight weekends devoted to rehearsals. Our family now lives and breathes the theatre right along with him. We could not be more proud!
Hey, How’s it going? I’m Kai. You may recognize me as Taylor the Tailor, from the production A Tale of Knights that ran last spring.
I literally counted down the days until I could be on stage again, because “That’s the way, uh huh, uh huh, I like it, uh huh, uh huh!”
Sorry about that, it really can’t be helped. You see, “I’m the Boogieman, and I like to boogie!” I would like to thank my family who support me, the cast who welcomes me, God who gifted me, and of course, David Vanderlip, who again, gave me an amazing opportunity to, well, boogie! Hope the show is a Thriller!
From Thriller, to the CanCan, Kai had a blast boogieing it up!
And of course, he loves hanging with his “tribe” So thankful that he has found his passion, and his people early on in life!
Dave, his director.
Biggest fans…
Cliodhna’s Round Up October 18, 2015
Today, Cliodhna rounded up some friends to horse around with her.
The weather last week was glorious here, but this weekend was cold. Like, we saw some white stuff cold! Our all outdoor party had to be adjusted (and so did my attitude about it) to mostly indoors. I decided it really was a “First world problem” and it would sound pretty shallow if I complained that we had to whip up a last minute Pin the Tail on the Pony, instead of play Shoo the Fly outdoors!
The Party started with a visit to the Branding Station(aka the bathroom) for some face painting.
Next, it was coats and mitts on for a quick sack race, and bobbing for apples. Oh, yes I did! Who can say they have done these activities while it was snowing?
Enjoying the apples while listening to some stories.
A sugar cube stack game.
Cliodhna’s just fell as I snapped the picture.
Hey, who can stack the most cubes on their tongue?? This was a hit, of course.
On to Pin the Tail on the Pony (with a good attitude about it)
Thoughtful and gracious gifts.
And back atcha!
Gift bags contained- Horse Stickers, candy apples, candy carrots, hats, Bandanas, and Pearl craft kits.
Craft Time-
Some of the Grub
Not pictured- Hickory sticks for Hay, Candy corn (surprisingly 4 of 5 love!) Pumpkin dip and graham crackers, Wagon wheels, ranch with veggies, meat and cheese, sandwiches, chips and salsa.
Then it was off to the stable where Cliodhna rides. The girls worked together to brush the horses, and then each got a turn to ride them!
Thanks y’all!
Trails!
Thanksgiving Exercise October 13, 2015
“I wish I knew more of Papa’s character. I wasn’t really paying attention so much because I was only eight when he died.”
Quite often we have music playing in the car on road trips. Thankfully, we have outgrown the stage of Elmo’s World playing on a constant video loop to keep some backseat peace, and front seat sanity. Tonight however, on our way home from our Thanksgiving celebration with family, it was quiet. I don’t know what the rest of the family were thinking about, but my thoughts trailed to how much I still miss my dad’s presence at the table.
The way he played.
The way he prayed.
The way he loved his pumpkin pie, and leftover turkey sandwiches.
The way he would engage us in conversation, and ask us to share what we were thankful for…
“Hey Mom, what do you love about daddy?” Kai’s voice broke the silence.
“Like right now, what do you love about him? And, how is your marriage going?”
I smile, and share.
“And Daddy, what do you love about Mom?”
Cliodhna informs us that daddy said nine things about me, while I only said six about him.
“Oh, now it’s on!” I tease, and throw a few more out there.
Kai guided all of us through this “exercise” until each person had a chance to share what they loved about the one another. Cliodhna’s were sweet and honest. And when Kai was done sharing what he loved about each of us, I could only simply respond “Wow, Kai.”
Jay reached over and squeezed my hand as he listened to his son build him up.
He could never have known how much this was needed this very week.
The depth of his ability to embrace, and express his emotions never ceases to amaze us.
The way he encourages and invokes the same in others, a gift.
His capacity as a child, to see outside of himself, again, wow!
“ I think I’m going to do this with my wife and kids when I grow up.”
This “exercise” went on for an hour, and was followed by a talk about everyone’s love languages. And even a discussion on how each of us could do better in relationship with one another. “ Dad, you are an awesome father. I would love to have more deep heart talks with you where you can teach me about being a man.”
“ Cliodhna there is nothing you can improve upon, you are an awesome sister. And even though I pretend to not love your hugs and kisses (our physical touch girl!) I really do like them because I know it’s your way to express love to me”
When we were done, he then wanted to know how it made everyone feel. Be warned, this kid will go ferociously after your heart.
When we got home, Cliodhna asked for a piece of paper to write Mommy a note. Although it was well past bedtime, Daddy thankfully, allowed it.
When I finally headed to bed, there was a sweet note awaiting for me on my pillow. Someone was listening during the love languages discussion that mommy loves letters…
Hi mom, I have bin thinking of you all night.
I thought that you and me could be all alone, and kiss, and hug, and snuggle.
I love you mom forever and ever.
Dad and you are so cute together.
You’re the best mom ever in the hole wide world. You too dad.
I love you so much that I can’t stop bringing love to the family.
Love, Cli
And she does indeed bring the love to our family!
As I unpacked all the moments of the day, I was struck by how much Kai is like his Papa. How time with him leaves you uplifted.
How he loves to lead others in heart talks.
His wisdom.
How before you know it, you are in a counselling session you didn’t make an appointment for…
And, you know? It made me miss him a little less, and the void a little less immense,
just seeing that his legacy indeed lives on.
“Oh Kai, you didn’t have to pay attention to Papa’s character; you were purposely and wonderfully made by a God who knit that into your soul DNA.”
How Great Thou Art September 18, 2015
Fridays we marinate in the Fine Arts. Poetry, music, art, creation, and literature are the stars of the day. I attempt to slow, look for beauty, and be fully present. My natural bend is to multitask, so much so that some have even complimented me for all I am able to get done in the day. Ahh, the glorification of busy… It really isn’t a skill to be honed. Truth? It simply means that I haven’t quite figured out how to shut off the noise in my head, block the to-do list, and choose the important things. Creating an atmosphere that delights and awakens the senses, I wish this was my natural everyday, but I’ll start with Fridays.
We all look forward to Fridays.
Together we worship.
Together we are challenged. (Francis Chan)
Challenged indeed! (Salad!)
Together we pour over words.
We pour over our world. (maps from memory, and current events)
We create.
Whether plunking the piano keys, singing our history timeline song, throwing a load in, or being reminded that we don’t throw pencil crayons at our sibling for kicks.
Together we SLOW.
Together we do life.
First Day 2015- Lessons Learned September 13, 2015
Our first poetry selection to memorize.
Learning notebooks, that cover money, time, weather, the calendar etc. 
Classic read aloud selections.
Meet Sapphire, who will be joining Kai for school this year. Cliodhna’s is red, so of course named Ruby. Two new friends found at the end of the scavenger hunt, where they popped balloons to find their next clue. Fun!
The smell of applesauce throughout the house. Yummo!
A title page for their Gratitude journals.O
Our hymn for the month.
Looks dreamy right?
Well planned, well executed.
Well, it was; well planned that is…
I love to make special traditions for my family, and around here the first day of school is kind of big!
Sunday I had a migraine that knocked me out for the day. So on Monday, although a migraine hangover still lingered, I was determined to pull off the Lemonade stand that the kids wanted to do to raise support for refugees. They raised Two hundred, twenty dollars, and more importantly their voices.
Do. Something.
With the kids fed, showered, and Cliodhna’s hairs braided so it would have the perfect wave for back to school pictures, I hurried them off to bed. There were strong warnings if they dared to step a toe outside their door in the night. And then, then, I transitioned into a little elf who decorated, and set out treats like it was Christmas eve!
After the last clue was stuffed into the final balloon , and hidden in the bath, I looked around at all I created and said to myself “It is good” LOL.
I set my alarm, and flopped into bed.
I was ready!
Morning came, time to execute my finely crafted plan.
“You got this Mama!”
As I walked to the kitchen to start the special breakfast, I was greeted with migraine aura.
NO! NO! NO! This can NOT happen today God! I just had one, two days ago, please not today…
Blindness set in.
Crap!
I take my pills, and then proceed to run around frantically tearing down all the decorations, collecting all the treats, and trying to find the hidden clues with my vision impaired.
I scribble on a post it note – Day off- migraine. Hoping it is legible.
I find my way to the bathroom, and collapse on the floor; defeated.
I pray that the kids won’t be too disappointed.
I ponder, a lesson that I’m not in control?
I lament, ending with surrender and peace.
When I pick myself up at 12:30 and wander into the kitchen again, I am greeted with super happy kids who enjoyed ever minute of their morning off!
I decide that even though the schedule was way off now, this day is still redeemable.
I make a special lunch (instead of breakfast) and have the kids go downstairs while I set out all the fun treasures again! The final balloon was found in the bathtub, and when popped, led to their new Beta fish friends! We did many of the other activities planned for the day, only in a more relaxed and pleasing manor. Arguably, better than it would have been had I been tracking time.
The kids and I ended the day by having a conversation about why God allows me to continually have health problems. Kai wanted to know why I seem so happy even when I’m sick. I was able to share with him about how the Apostle Paul was stricken with an illness that never went away, and it wasn’t because he lacked faith. In his illness he was able to learn contentment. Notice he said “I have learned” It is certainly not natural or easy. I taught the difference between complaining, and lamenting. Complaining leads you further away from God, while lamenting draws you closer. Paul said that the illness keeps him from becoming conceited, and it reminds us we are not in control… lessons for me!
I shared how I could go online and post about my dreamy day, with no bumps in it, and how that would only point to my own glory. It would not be relatable, encouraging, or helpful for others, who just maybe, had a few bumps themselves in their day. So what, if Cliodhna’s hair never got out of the scruffy braids. So what, if they probably ate Bearpaws for breakfast, and so what, if they got to play Lego all morning instead of drill Latin! That rich talk at the end of the day, and the example I set for them of how to respond when things go wrong, was the lesson God had planned for them all along.
If I didn’t have a migraine, those truths may not have been planted in their hearts. And isn’t that exactly what I say I’m always setting out to do with them? Dig deep for truth!
When I fell into bed that night I was wildly thankful that God can take our best laid plans, and blow them all away. I was thankful that I only need to bring him my fish and loaves, and He will multiply them in the lives of my children. His grace is sufficient for me, His strength is made perfect in my weakness. So I will boast in my weakness!
We all got schooled today!
Well planned, well executed God!
Dreamy indeed.
Getting Ready for 2015-2016 August 26, 2015
While we do have a homeschool room downstairs, often the kids will gravitate upstairs to the dinning room. Yay, more areas to decorate!
Oak Hills Academy 