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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Day in the Life

four crazy kids


The beautiful days of quiet rhythms. The hush of early morning productivity. The year in, year out steady march of progress. Do you wistfully wonder how to transform your home into this wonder-land of peace and earnest learning?

You won’t learn how from me.

We have spent the past year in survival mode. Pregnancy (which I’m afraid I didn’t handle gracefully), a newborn, illnesses, and a husband whose work routine changed drastically challenged my notions of what a homeschool day ‘should’ look like. Add in three young, extroverted, physical boys, and quiet anything was all but impossible.


I have embraced the concept of life seasons. It is counterproductive for me to dream of days that belong in a season other than the one I’m in.


After a period of letting go of expectations and riding the waves of life, we are using the freshness of a new year to move into a season of more focused academics.


We spend Monday mornings at our Classical Conversations group, and the rest of our week we spend learning at home. As our rhythm has yet to find a steady beat, I’ll share a specific day rather than a general routine.




I'm over at Simple Homeschool today. Head on over to read the rest.

10 comments:

Timi said...

I love the way Lola looks at the boys!! She is so cute!

Renee said...

I love what you said here, especially "it is counterproductive for me to dream of days that belong in a season other than the one I'm in." So wise, so true!!

Pam Barnhill said...

I second this - "it is counterproductive for me to dream of days that belong in a season other than the one I'm in." I may have to print this out and put it on my mirror. Loved your Day In The Life.

A Contrarian's Way said...

Heidi,
I was wondering about your book lists for Levi from this year and the last. Some of the titles I have not heard of, and I can't keep up with all of my son's reading...have you read these yourself, or have they come recommended...just wanting to make sure you are endorsing these titles, as I trust your opinion on literature.
Thanks again for your WONDERFUL blog!
Julie in St. Louis

Heidi said...

Julie~ I'm so glad you asked that question. No, I'm not endorsing all those books. Many (most) are ones I have not read. They are simply books he read this past Unfortunately, Levi loves fantasy (as does his dad) and it is not my favorite by any stretch of the imagination. So Dad does some of the pre-reading (or post reading) and I might feel differently. :) And fantasy is one of the hardest categories to recommend without reservations. Other books are award winners, but that isn't an indication that everyone would find them acceptable. Other books are from book lists or recommendations. But, again, I haven't read most of them (or all I would do is read :)) so I can't recommend them myself. Maybe I'll make up a list of books I CAN endorse. :)

Lora @ my blessed life said...

I love, love, love that top photo of your kiddos~it is so precious!!! The look on Lola's face is priceless:)

Now I'm off to read the rest of your post...which I know will be fabulous and inspiring!!

Anonymous said...

Grandpa and I really enjoyed your blog today - esp. the picture of the kids. And we are really going through a season of life we might not prefer to be in, but we have always found the Lord to be so faithful in all the other seasons so we continue to trust His wisdom.

Annie Reneau said...

Hi Heidi - A friend of mine fowarded your blog post about Camp Avonlea, and now I'm hooked on your blog. :) You've done a beautiful job here. I just quoted this particular post on my own blog, and it dawned on me that perhaps I should have asked your permission first. I couldn't find an email contact on your site, so I'm posting here instead. Here's the post: http://www.motherhoodandmore.com/2011/02/seasons-of-motherhood.html?showComment=1296947393091#c7869814171643052913. If you don't want me to quote and link to you, I'll take it off. I just loved that sentiment so much; it really spoke to me at this particular juncture in my motherhood. :) I clicked the "Email follow-up comments" so if you just post here I'll get the message. Thanks! :)

Heidi said...

Annie~ I don't mind at all! :) Thanks for the kind words!

Erin R said...

Thank you so much for sharing this. It sounds so like my year so far, only I have four girls, 10 (just turned 10 last week), 6, 3, & 4 months. I have been so overwhelmed and also decided to use the new year to regroup. I appreciate your openness and encouragement. And I am also very thankful that baby #4 sleeps! :-)