Blogging in the Rain

No... really.  I wasn't trying to be cute with the title.  It's raining outside.

A good friend sent me a message last week (eek!) and with much kindness told me that she missed my blog posts and was eagerly looking forward to another.  It's been a month!  I didn't really think anyone liked them, so thank you.  Thank you for finding my life more interesting than I do ;)

I hate to admit it.  Really - I HATE to admit this - but I have become one of THOSE people.  I have read many, many blogs over the past few months/year.  Most of these blogger moms talk about putting aside a specific time to write, and even make notes during the week so they won't forget.  I used to think "man! what a goober!", but now I now understand!  I also have a note of things I've written down over the past month so I wouldn't forget.  Guess what?  I would have forgotten if I hadn't written it down.  *sigh* I love getting old.

I now wonder how we had time to go to public school.  Our days have been super busy with life, and living it.  We took a grandparent field trip to Biltmore at the end of September for homeschool days.  It was a long and exhausting day and we loved every minute of it!  We also went to Andrew Johnson's home in Greeneville.  If you've never been, I highly recommend you go, even if you have no children to take along.  I am learning more since starting this school adventure than my children are!  Ok, maybe not MORE, but definitely as much.  History is coming alive to me now, in a way that it never did from inside a textbook.  And, more importantly, it is coming alive in the eyes of my tots.

From the non-school side, we've still been busy.  L and S have learned to ride their bikes - FINALLY!!  I have found papaw to be the best teacher in matters such as these.  We also participated as a family in the great garage re-do.  Frankly, I was just sick and tired of having to eject myself through the moon roof of my car to get in the house.  I cleaned up, paired down and re-organized.  I've also re-arranged my bedroom furniture and cleaned the windows.  I've always been an odd duck (and you don't have to verbalize your agreement) but I'm the only one I know that does her spring cleaning in the fall.  I think it's just a matter of I can't stand the thought of being cooped up in this house all winter looking at junk. 

I'm looking forward to fall.  I like pumpkin and cinnamon smells in the kitchen and sweaters and falling leaves.  I like putting my blanket in the dryer to get snuggly warm before settling down in front of the TV with a good book and a cup of coffee.  I like socks and sweatpants.  I like the quiet of moonlight.  I like that my children are still small enough to wear those cute little pajamas to bed.  You know the ones I mean?  The ones with cuffs at the hands and feet.  I don't care that they're 4+ feet tall and weigh 65+ pounds each - when they wear those pj's, they still look like toddlers to me and I get to remember. 

Alas... life does go on.  Today is a big day in the homeschool world.  We are headed to the Knoxville Botanical gardens to tag Monarch butterflies.  I'm sure I will have some good photos to go with these memories! 

This morning, S asked me how much the moon was worth.  Thinking I was about to have a great philosophical debate, I started to sit down.  That's when L pips up and says "A dollar?"  I started to say "no" when he continued with "you know?  because it has 4 quarters??" -- Insert rolled eyes here.

A good friend and I have been having several discussions lately about James 3.  When you get a chance, I suggest you read it. 

I also highly recommend "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick and "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.  Who needs Barnes and Noble when you have me?? ;)

Happy October 9th everyone.  Remember to smile, remember to laugh, and remember to never take life for granted or too seriously - ain't none of us gettin' out of here alive!!