I just had to reintroduce myself to Blogger. It didn't recognize me! I had to prove it was really me before it would let me back in.
I've been away for too long!
Roman has had my computer for a while now, working on a project, so I haven't had access to it. My mind has been filled to capacity with home and family besides. But I'm finally now taking an opportunity to write.
It's nice to be back. It always feels luxurious to carve out some free time to open my computer and see what will flow out of me.
Our days have been rich and full and never monotonous.
There really is no such thing as monotony in home living, because there is no such thing as a typical homeschool day.
We don't cram ourselves into a rigid schedule.
We're people, not robots.
Instead, we follow daily rhythms and personal interests.
My body has been waking me up quite early lately.
I awaken naturally, in the darkness, without an alarm clock, feeling rested.
I think I've figured out the secret!
For me, a healthy combination of hard work, fresh air, and minding my own business, allows me to fall asleep at once, sleep deeply until morning, and rise with recovered spirits and fresh hopes.
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands."
1 Thessalonians 4:11
I aim to be in bed between 9:00 and 9:30, then I read until my eyes can't remain open and my hands can't hold on to my book one moment longer.
I've been reading the Queen Mother's biography in the evenings and have learned so much!
I've already possessed the high ideal of "duty over feelings'' in my own life, but reading about how royals must live this out in service to their country is inspiring to me.
When the Archbishop gave the address at her wedding, he said, "Will you take and keep this gift of wedded life as a sacred trust? You cannot resolve that it shall be happy. But you can resolve that it shall be noble. You will think not so much of enjoyment as of achievement."
The Queen Mother was such an amazing example.
"With all the seething anxieties within her, publicly she carried on as if there were not a cloud in the sky."
I wish to be more like her.
In the mornings, when my Bible reading is finished, I've been reading "Mother Culture" by Karen Andreola. I believe every homeschool mom should read this book! It has helped me so much!
Karen has taught me the art and balance of "high ideals and lowly living."
She is a huge believer in living books and beautiful literature. At the start of my getting to know Karen, I wished to imitate her so much that each time she mentioned a book I would hop over to Amazon and buy it immediately! After several impulsive purchases, I realized books were being shipped to my door faster than we could read them. I stopped my shopping spree.
Now, I read a section of "Mother Culture" each morning, then write for myself a daily assignment from what I've read, as an effort to apply her wisdom to my homeschool.
Some examples of daily assignments from "Mother Culture" include:
Fill the home with classical music,
After family read-a-loud, have kids write or draw what impressed them most,
Remember that children's personalities must not be encroached upon,
Start a Book of Remembrance for the family. ( I am reminded that that is exactly what I started this blog for years ago. If only I will quit neglecting it as I do! )
As Charlotte Mason says, "In books and men, let us look out for the best society, that which yields a bracing and wholesome influence."
If you cannot seem to find people in real life whom you care to emulate, well chosen book friends can be made. Allow their noble lives to influence and impact you.
::
I have resurrected an old favorite, "Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends" to read again to the children.
We read it several years ago, but need to be reminded how, "If there is one thing more than any other that is to be reverently cherished, it is the life of the family."
Being homeschooled themselves, the three Mally children take turns writing simply yet powerfully about how to, "Accept God's design for your family. Thank God for each of your brothers and sisters. Then choose to do whatever it takes to establish edifying relationships with them."
I agree with this book's "high ideal" of prioritizing ministry to your own family first.
We've all known people who have achieved ministry success in public, yet in their private lives they failed.
I hope to teach my children that God has given them the perfect place to learn to serve and be a blessing - at home with the family!
Home is an ideal I seek to honor each day.
I am mindful not to give of my time and talents to any public ministry that I'm not already giving in abundance to my own home and family first.
We are feeling rather accomplished to be closing out first semester very soon.
We've had a great school year so far.
Settled snuggly into our routine, homeschooling now feels like a well-oiled machine.
I am thankful the Lord gave me the foresight when my kids were little to teach them to be self-governed. As Charlotte Mason says, "The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days."
The schedule I wrote at the start of the school year hangs on the fridge as the "high ideal" we aspire to each day.
I love to borrow the apostle Paul's words when instructing my children, "And now I will show you the most excellent way..."
The schedule ends with my own 5 priorities for a successful homeschool day:
🌼 Chores
🌼 Personal hygiene
🌼 Faithfulness to curriculum
🌼 Nourishing food
🌼 Fresh air/ Nature
These ideals have suited us well.
Homeschooling is not the rigorous, exhausting life some think it to be.
Over time our home has developed a culture, an atmosphere that is authentic and comfortable. A haven that has allowed us all to grow.
For that I am thankful.
xo,
~ Courtney
