Tea with Milk and Sugar

There is not one idea or concept I can discover that God isn’t enlightened to.  I learned this again today when I cracked open my Bible.  Something I’ve been mulling over is the concept that to do something worthy there will be a mess.  (Yes a timely thought for a Mom of 3 young kids.)  Today I found a statement in the Bible that says just this. 

First my scenarios.  A while back an author made a statement that has resonated with me.  She was talking about making the decision to homeschool if you feel that is right for you and your family.  One of my concerns at the time had been, how will I keep my house clean or keep up with daily jobs if the kids are home and I’m teaching them.  The author Mary Pride said “If your kids were gone during the day your house would be clean, but what fun would that be?”.  That was my answer.  There may not be a way to do everything I’d been doing and homeschool, but oh well, what fun would that be.  I came to terms with doing something that makes a mess.  I’ve accepted the mess. 

Scenario number two, anyone relate to a messy garage, art studio, office, etc?  Anyone get discouraged by not keeping it spotless and completely organized?  My husband looks at a messy office and thinks he’s failing a bit, I see all the great work and money he’s earning.  How can you produce something great with no mess?  You can’t, so it’s good to come to terms with the mess part. 

The verse- Proverbs 14:4  “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox. ”

So have no increase, no oxen and no mess OR have increase, some oxen and accept the mess. 

The boys spent the day at Dara Klinkner’s home playing “Little Mermaid” while Shawn, Joseph, myself and others painted Current for our opening church service Sept. 28.  After the boys were home the mermaid play continued much to my dismay only because my least favorite parent job is make-believe play.  So I was Ariel, Joseph was the bad witch Ursula (sometimes King Triton) and Jordan was so happily the evil eels (yes 2 at once) Flotsam and Jetsam which he called Jetsam and Handsome.  So Jetsam and Handsome questioned me with a pad and pencil like a private eye, over and over in a very mean eel voice.

J- are you a boy or a girl?

M- girl.

J- Do you have legs?

M- No. (Ah ha! he’d say)

J-Do you have a bra or a tummy?

M- Uh Jordan do you know what a bra is?

J- Yes, Dara told me.

M- What is a bra?

J- A rope. (Ha ha ha, – evil laughter)

Today is September 1st therefore I wore a long-sleeve sweatsuit.  It’s 80 degrees, sunny, we played all day at the park but I love seasons and I can’t wait to need to wear my sweats.  Fall is my favorite season.  I’ve loved Fall since I can remember caring about seasons, but to make it extra special I met Joseph Oct. 18th, had Joseph Jr. Sept. 26th and Jordan November 30th.  Now it holds even more special memories.  I have a few apple recipes marked to shop for, a new mug washed and ready to need hot beverages (even though I drink them daily I’ve kept this cup to need them in it- thanks Klinkners), can hardly wait for Tuesday when school starts.  So for keepsake- sake here’s the fall school schedule. 

Kindergarten for Joseph (M-F 9-11:30) less on Thursdays with art or outing scheduled

Weekly all year- Bible, French, Reading, Math, P.E. (swimming lessons, golf with Dad, sports lessons) nature walks, read-alouds, art, field trips.

Quarterly- First quarter- science, Second quarter- literature, Third quarter- geography, Fourth quarter- history.

Bible study/Play group every other Monday

Play group at the park some Wednesdays

I love that Jordan is eager to learn but content being young and out of the loop.  He’ll sit quietly while I read a chapter book and is happy to play with his trains when we do math.  “Jordan do you want to start school this year and do pre-school?” I ask.  “Nope. I’m just little.”  That’s so good for me.  Even though he’ll end up doing the equivilent to pre-school anyway, there is no pressure on me.  Jordan is very content being the second, younger child. 

Violet thankfully loves being in her crib for “book time” and will spend an hour looking at her favorite books.  So that’s where she’ll go for an hour each morning. The rest of the time she’ll play in the room or be on my lap. 

Thank you Lord for great materials, vision, a supportive husband, 3 fun kids, a great library system, the perfect town to homeschool in with so much to do- I love Portland.