Next Level Lessons

There are always more lessons to learn in life.  Always.  

Just when I think that maybe I've got it down "pat," God takes me to the next level.  The intermediate level.  Round two.  Or round five.  Or something.  

He takes me further into the process of growing in wisdom and maturity.  I don't always want those lessons.  Rather, I don't always want to experience those lessons, yet I do want to be what God has called me to be.  

Growing in wisdom can be hard though.

The lessons for me lately have been over Godly priorities.  I love God and I serve Him by loving and serving my family.  Everyone and everything else comes after that.  

Sometimes those priorities come down to really practical decisions.  

Practical decisions to be very present with the Blossoms rather than very present to others.  

Practical decisions to stay home, when I'd rather go.  

Practical decisions to go, when I'd rather stay home.  

Practical decisions to look them in the eyes, when my fleshy self wants to peek at my phone.

Practical decisions to confront an ungodly attitude, when it's just easier in that moment to let it be.  

Practical decisions to stand firm in what I've told a Blossom, when I just feel like giving in.  

This is where I've been feeling challenged lately.  

May His grace aid me in each and every practical decision as I soldier on this week.  

(Pics from our recent anniversary getaway ~ Grimes Glen, NY)

10 Reasons Why I'm Struggling to Embrace Fall

1. I haven't had a spare two minutes to redecorate my mantle.

2. I still want to go swimming.  

3. The Blossoms still want to go swimming.  

4. I have no idea when I will rotate clothes.  

5. I haven't had a break in the schedule since the middle of May.

6. I already drank all my good Chai, and the stuff from Walmart is MEH.

7. I am getting pale already.

8. My jeans are all angry with me.

9. I can no longer walk at 6:15 am because it is too dark outside.

10. My tea now gets cold MUCH quicker.

Hope you laughed, friend!  All joking aside, the apples, pumpkins, and mums are just beautiful.  The fragrance in the air is deliciously nostalgic for me!  The tips of red in the sugar maples are my favorite thing to spot at the end of our road.  

I've learned that I don't have to have all the feels, all the time.  Autumn is here.  I can laugh about everyday life and throw a cinnamon stick in whatever hot cuppa I'm drinking.  I can pick out a new hoodie, even when I gotta peel it off ten minutes later.  

"Yet, I smile at the days ahead."

(quoting the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman)

That Girl in Heels

Touring barns in heels?

This girl can!  

And she's not afraid of mud or manure either.

As part of her responsibilities as county fair queen, it's been fascinating for Blossom1 and I to tour other fairs.  We've learned so much about their communities.  We've returned with loads of fresh, new ideas for our own endeavors!

There's beauty to be seen on faded, red barns,

through the slats of stalls,

and just above where you're meandering.

(I want these vintage signs for my kitchen!!!)

Back home, at hometown events, we never knew that boats raced quite like THAT.

She mingled and we soaked in the scenery.

This "weird, unsocialized homeschooler" has done just fine getting to know other county queens,

inspiring youngsters along the way,

and interacting with county fair board members and knowledgeable folks all our Commonwealth.

There's been fun things to laugh at

and beautiful Fair night sights to behold.

It's been a lovely journey thus far.

Labor Day Weekend

Last weekend, we made a game-time decision to head to the cabin over Labor Day.  

I had carted Blossom4 off to a fair and knew I'd be tired upon my return.  However, this was the perfect opportunity for the quick overnight type of trip that I love to sneak in now that the Blossoms are older.  We're only an hour from the cabin.  That's ONE hour from resting, relaxing, and reconnecting as a family.  

Blossom2's 15th birthday was Labor Day.  Besides the turnovers, stromboli, and chocolate peanut butter cake she requested, her only other request was that she would not have to muck out rabbit pens on her birthday.  Mucking out pens happens every Saturday or on family work days... like "Labor Day" often turns into.  That was my additional motivation to get to the cabin despite how tired I was.  I knew Blossom2 would relish being at the cabin for her birthday.  

I pulled in the driveway and trudged up the steps with the victorious Blossom1.  She always is feeling a bit victorious after a fair queen obligation has concluded.  It's satisfying to conquer these obligations.  She never knows what exactly she'll be expected to do... and yet, she keeps rising to the occasion and doing what is required of her.  

I, on the other hand, crawled into my bed and closed my eyes for a short breather.  And I pow-wowed with the Rugged Mountain Man.  The schedules are always busy with the Blossoms at this age, it seems.  

We must take the family rest and reconnection wherever and whenever we can.  

I told the girls to grab their sleeping bags, swimming suits, hoodies, and a change of clothes.  

I marshalled my energy and went to the kitchen to put together birthday food.  A little work now so that I could relax on Labor Day.

Within 1 1/4 hour of declaring the official decision that we'd venture forth, we were headed down the driveway.  And there was no yelling.  I held tightly to the peace and the reason for this trip.  Conflict would not rest us.  

I did forget to grab the Rugged Mountain Man's pillow, but at least we were all calm during prep time.  That's worth it.  

It rained quite a bit while we were there.  That's not a problem, as we sally forth even when water is falling from the sky.  We also love the sound of raindrops on the roof, lulling us to slumber.  Naps and books are a big part of our time there as well.

On one excursion, Blossom4 and I were dinging around by the creek and ended up hunting for heart rocks.  We found five, but we think Binney decided she really wanted the tiniest one as a souvenir.  

The rest and the peace was lovely.  Blossom2 had a fabulous birthday!

It was totally worth it!

Click. Tap. Solve. NOT.

The answer isn’t always to buy something. As the main problem solver of the house, I know the temptation to jump on Amazon and have a solution sent here.

Click, tap, solved.

My ingenuity and self control are continuous contributing factors toward our family being able to remain a single-income family.

That sounds a bit lofty, doesn’t it?

Practically, sometimes that means mismatched desk chairs that include a large squeaky clunky rolling chair from the 1970s. A bit annoying but it works. Every Blossom has a place for her bottom.

Sometimes it means using all those reusable shopping bags from my stash instead of purchasing more expensive organization options.

Sometimes it means using a shoe box instead of buying the prettier bin I originally envisioned.

Sometimes it means using the mason jars we have rather than purchasing a brand new fancy motivating water bottle for Blossom4.

I know the logistical pressure. My brain is tired and I just need to SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS... FAST. (And shopping for new stuff is fun!)

The click and solve approach is so much faster when it comes to taking problems off my plate. And I admit, there IS a time and place for ordering a solution. I’m just slowing myself down and reminding myself to think before I click. 

Can we make do with something we already have? Surprisingly, the answer is often yes.

Favorite Freezer Tip

Freezer organization is something I have to stay on top of in our house.  Over the years, I've tried multiple ways to organize and keep track of what we have.  

For years now, I've kept a whiteboard above the freezers tracking the location of each type of meat (Left Hand Freezer, middle bottom or Right Hand Freezer, left top).  I don't track how much of each item.  I've never been able to sustain that system and it hasn't really helped us all that much.  If I can find where the lima beans are supposed to be, I can usually make sure we eat them all.

Anyway, lately, I've been finding that reusable shopping bags work really well for keeping types of meat and ingredients grouped together.  I put the 9,634 packages of hamburg directly in the freezer and then, stack different types of meat, veggies, and fruits on top in these reusable bags.  

One foray by the Blossoms into the freezer for an ingredient doesn't destroy the entire system of organization.  That's what I'm talking about!

First Day

Here we are again!

 Wait?!  Are you serious?  

A SENIOR????  And how is Baby Blossom4 NINE? 

Our kick-off day preparation was juggled alongside and in between canning and Fair visits.  I really try to have everything organized and well-communicated for our kick-off of bookwork.  I mean, being able to actually find pencils with erasers is a real necessity in my book. 

This year, I had to say no to a number of fun summery things I wanted to do, just to make sure we were ready.  Boy, that was a hard one for me.  

I LOVE MAKING MEMORIES WITH THE BLOSSOMS.

However, it's part of my responsibility to plan well and think ahead.  This is my job.  I made sure any changes to our Standard Operating Procedure were vocalized, whether or not they were popular or well-received.

I don't expect rainbows and roses on the first day... or any day, for that matter.  I've come to understand that pushback to the discipline of sitting down and doing what's required is a part of kick-off day... or week... and sometimes more.

Character bumps don't communicate anything more to me other than what I already knew ~ 

I am deep in the trenches of training our Blossoms.

And training is a whole lot of steady plodding, day in and day out.  

Each of us is growing in grace, every day of our lives together.  Kick off day included.  I am thankful for another day on the job, another day of learning, another day together, another step forward on our journey.