Is It Indoctrination?

When I reply to some that we homeschool, I am sometimes met with this "argument,"

"Oh, you're just trying to indoctrinate your kids."

To which, I have often thought,

"If you don't indoctrinate your kids, somebody else will."

And believe me, they will.

For a long time, I have not shied away from the idea that we indoctrinate our children.  I admit it openly.

Yes, I am doing my best to put in and pass on doctrines that we hold dear.  However, I realize that many can not get past the negative connotations of indoctrination. 

I like to think of it as saturation.

We are saturating our Blossoms in what makes us tick.  We sing about it.  We listen to it.  We talk about it  We live it.  We interpret our lives through its lens.  All day long.  In the morning.  Over breakfast. At lunch.  At supper.  In the van.  In the hard times.  In the happy times.  In the confusion.  Through the chaos.  When we discipline.  When we go.  When we stay. 

This home life is a saturated life. 

Dominique

They're in There

One of the high points of our classroom here in the Hollow is that it can be as traditional or as nontraditional as I/we want on any given day.  We often throw tradition to the wind by inviting fuzzy and feathered friends into the schoolroom with us. 

The benefits of warm, fuzzy occupants in a classroom are becoming more widely known these days. 

Kids relax around animals!  They don't feel judged!  They perform better!

I realize that institutional learners only have this luxury when a teacher is able to navigate budget issues, allergy hurdles and red tape, but we love that we can seize the opportunity to roll with this.

Jake and Rory, our pony-sized dogs, are always hanging out in and around the school room... on the couch, under the school room table, flopped in front of the door, wherever it may be; they love to remind us that home life is the best life. 

Bunnies make their way into the school room too.  Whether hopping around and exploring, cuddling in a girlie lap or, my least favorite, sprawled out on desktops, the Blossoms love bunny presence.

Ransom, our Albino Cockatiel, sometimes perches atop his homemade perch or on a Blossom's shoulder.  He enjoys the change of scenery and occasionally will nibble on posters and papers.  

Yes, I admit that occasionally, the animals become a distraction.  I don't hesitate to send them back to their residences. Overall, I try to remind myself often that every student learns differently than I do. 

If math with a bunny in your lap is better, then, why not?

Because we can.

Lately, I've Been

I've been sipping:
~homemade Chai lattes and exquisitely delicious loose leaf Earl Gray tea.  A friend gave it to me and it's superb!

I've been reading:
~ The Book of John
Seeing John's perspective again is enough to make me read slowly and think a lot.  I especially enjoyed the first part of John 12, thinking about how Mary, Martha and Lazarus were all honoring Jesus in different ways.

~ The Book of Jonah
We've been studying this book in Ladies' Bible Study.  It's such a great reminder of redemption!  Jonah ran from what God wanted him to do and yet, God offered him another chance to obey.  He finally took it and was able to testify of God's mercy to the people of Ninevah.  It's refreshing to think about how God uses real, regular people in His plan, people just like you and me.

~ Along The Cane River series by Mary Jane Hathaway
Since I've been snatching so little time for recreational reading lately, I've fallen back on old favorites that never disappoint. Mary Jane's writing is top quality and the content is wholesome and uplifting.  Always a good choice!

I've been cooking:
~ White Chicken Enchiladas  This is a family favorite here and the girls were practically dancing when they saw it on the menu last night.

I've been noticing:
~ The signs of Autumn. Black walnuts scattered across rural roadways. Tassled corn that's crisply drying. Farmers starting their harvest field work. Pumpkins scattered around the garden.  Longer shadows. The cadence of crickets and katydids. Fall fragrances in the air.

I've been wearing:
~ Flannels!!!

I've been listening:
~ to Here Again by Elevation Worship.  It's my current favorite, especially since it reminds of PDYM Convention this past Spring.

I've been loving:
~ The Rugged Mountain Man's good reminders.  Sometimes I need an attitude adjustment and he's been gently encouraging me in those times.  Though sometimes it's painful to hear the truth, it's good to hear it gently so I can grow.

Hope you had a lovely Fall week,

Dominique

Bargain Buffalo Plaid

When my bargain Buffalo plaid duster came in the mail, I wanted to wear it with something other than skinny jeans and a black tee. 

After a quick perusal of Pinterest for inspiration, I snagged my black pencil skirt and a black tee with shirred neckline.



I borrowed my black wedge sandals back from Blossom1 and paired it with a favorite filigree pendant on a long silver chain.  The Rugged Mountain Man bought it for me ages ago.  I added in some filigree earrings, given to me by a friend.  They matched perfectly, even though they aren't a matched set. 

It was the best kind of outfit ~ made up of closet staples and favorites.  Plus, it looked a little Autumn-esque with the Buffalo plaid, whilst tipping my hat to summer in wedge sandals.

My dad made a crack about me wearing a picnic tablecloth, but I don't mind.  That's how Dad tells me he loves me - with jokes. 

Ladies, scour your closet and put those bargains with staples and favorites for something fresh, fun and budget-friendly!

Five Tools that are Making our School Day Easier

The transition to the school year is just that - a transition.  Since we've been doing this a while, I think we had pretty accurate expectations for how it would go.  Mostly, the Blossoms are ravenously hungry all day for the first week.  My brain is ultra tired by 4:00.  I think I've accomplished a lot, but then I realize I forgot to do my housekeeping chores.  Then, after about a week and a half, things level out and we hit stride again.

A few things have really been helping to smooth out our days.  I thought it would be worth mentioning these, in case they help you.

1. Wireless Printing
Somewhere mid year last year we bought an inexpensive wireless printer.  I can print from my phone.  We can all print from either of the laptops without hassle and without my assistance.  Anything that helps the girls do things independently vastly helps our day!  It also means fewer technology headaches!!

2. HP Instant Ink Service
When I purchased the printer, I heard of a new service that ships ink cartridges to me for a small monthly fee.  I chose a package that fits the amount of printing we do (and it's a lot).  I get rollover pages for what I don't use and I don't have to worry about constantly remembering to buy ink cartridges at Walmart.  I'm saving money on ink too!!!  It's nice having one less thing to think about!  It seems they have packages for all different needs.  I'm glad I let the Rugged Mountain Man convince me to give it a shot!

3. Shortcuts on the Computer
The Blossoms are supposed to save all their work to specific folders.  They also have links to educational web sites and resources we use.  To keep things super simple, I spent about 10 minutes before school started creating shortcuts.  Now everyone, even Blossom3 and Blossom4, can access and save their work independently!

4. Pencil Sharpener
My mama got me a new swell pencil sharpener this school year.  Seriously, it's my best friend!  In previous years, I had all but given up on getting pencils truly sharp.  It seemed a ridiculous lost cause that caused me wayyyyy too much frustration, so we went almost entirely mechanical pencil.  It's so awesome to have a tool that really works!

5. Headphones
The Rugged Mountain Man and I picked up two new pairs of headphones.  One is smaller for the younger girls and one is larger.  They are still basic Walmart brand headphones, but they fit better and keep the important noise in and the peripheral noise out.  They've been a lifesaver for when the Blossoms are on the computers, doing what would be distracting work.

Hope your transition back to school has been smooth.  Don't give up!!!  Keep tweaking, keep making them do their work and keep fostering independence in whatever ways possible!  You'll reap good rewards!

Dominique

For Fourteen

Blossom1 is fourteen now.  We're often turning our thoughts toward more ways to prepare her for adulthood.  It's lots of little things and big things put together over the years.

Most recently, I created a password book for her.  I've noticed that she has more online than she used to and I only expect that to increase.  I want her to get into the habit of keeping track of such things, as I expect technology's role in our children's lives to only grow. 

There's my motherhood tip for you.

Make 'em a password book and make 'em keep track of it. 

An August Afternoon

I don't need to tell y'all again how busy the summer was.  At one point, a get together planned for the beginning of July had to be rescheduled for the end of August.  

When the day finally arrived, the temps were breezy as we meandered about our friends' homestead.  

I remain completely enamored with their old brick silo and quintessentially rustic barn.  

We ambled through small creeks, delighted over an old railroad trestle and rejoiced over apple trees, squash and zucchini.

We chatted about roosters, piano teachers, instant pots and just life.

We munched on the sweet fruits of summer.

We found sumac, mint and and brown-eyed Susans.

We marveled over a water snake stalking its prey and frogs and toads torpedoing away.  As we watched little fish knowingly swim by this snake's repeated ambush, we spoke with our Blossoms about staying far away from sin.  The little fishes that were his lunch reminded us that if you fiddle with sin, you'll eventually fall... or get eaten.  

'Twas a pleasant and picturesque afternoon.

Reminding Myself

I'm tired at the end of the day. 

What I'm doing is worth while.  I know this; I derive a sense of satisfaction in knowing this.

Knowing that I am doing good and that my effort is worthwhile, doesn't make me less tired though.  I try to remind myself when I feel exhausted, 

"You are tired because you worked hard doing important things God wanted you to do today." 

It's good to remind myself of these things.  I need these reminders.

Last night, I forgot to remind myself of this truth.  Instead I wallowed in my feelings, inaccurate as they are.  I stormed around, believing myself to be forgotten and taken for granted. 

This morning, in the light of a new day, in the quiet in my chair with tea in hand, I remembered to dwell on the truth again.  I reminded myself in yet another way.  I scrawled one thing that I love about the Rugged Mountain Man and one thing I love about each of the Blossoms. 

I celebrated one small thing that I've noticed.  Gratitude took wing in my heart.

I took the last swallow of my tea and met the day with a fresh new attitude.

Dominique