First off, can I just say that having a baby is one of the most amazing things in the world. It’s just as fresh and new and amazing to me this time, even though it’s my fourth time going through this process. I feel so blessed that Tony and I have gotten to experience this a fourth time.
What I’m most noticing this time is how drastically slower life gets with a new little person around. Slower as my body takes time to recover, slower as I must stop whatever I’m doing every 2.5 – 3 hours to nurse the wee little guy, slower as I have to stop and take naps, slower as life gains perspective and the things of importance (family, people, life itself, God the brilliant creator, etc.) surface to the top. I’m noticing things about my other three kids that I hadn’t noticed before, I’m noticing things about myself, I’m noticing things about my husband and realizing all over again just how deeply in love with this man I am. It’s as if having a baby (and I’m sure the added influx of hormones, and thereby emotions, doesn’t hurt) takes a veil off of my eyes and allows me a much clearer vision. I totally love that.
Some other things on my mind:
Homeschooling. We’re really going to give it a shot. I’m hoping God provides some women to come alongside me and help me through the process, but I do feel like it’s something we’re supposed to at least attempt. I was getting terribly overwhelmed by it, but I took some time last nite to journal and pray, and God has restored peace in my heart about it all. Today I found a short article here about how to find out State Curriculum Guidelines. I feel much more prepared to take this on since I now know, on a general basis, what children typically learn in each grade. Very helpful. And I get excited to think about adding my own creative approach to it, especially since I know my kids better than anyone. Please feel free to speak up in the comments if you have any insight to add to a beginner in homeschooling.
The Gentle Art of Domesticity. This book has been my reading material during the past week. The chapters are very short and the photos are amazing. It has been an easy book to pick up and read in short bursts, which works perfectly for a nursing mama. It’s an amazing book about how creative and artistic being a mom/wife can actually be, as you seek to feed into your home. Loved this book! Very inspiring.
The Holidays and Family and Food and Gifts. Been thinking a lot about Christmas gifts and holiday meals that I want to make for family. (Both my parents and Tony’s parents get to come visit us in December, and Tony’s brother and family just moved less than two hours away from us!) Been working on some creations here and there, as much as my limited time permits. And hey, does anyone know a tasty/easy link on how to cook a turkey. Somehow I’ve managed to make it through 8 years of marriage without cooking a turkey. This Thanksgiving, I’m hoping to change that.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck on the homeschooling Mandy! I know we have lots of Scrapgirls that do it, and they’ve posted some great resources and threads. I bet if you posted something out there, you’d get lots of encouragement, help and ideas. Melissa Renfro has some great ones too.
Hey Mandy, I really enjoyed your post. I know exactly what you mean about how everything changes when you have a new baby. And every time it’s still new and different.
I homeschool my girls and it is such a blessing. No one else is raising my children, they learn life from me every day. If you need any help please let me know, I’d be happy to help you in any way possible. And I want to encourage you, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your child learn. And your right you know your child better than anyone else, the most important thing is to stay free and teach them how they learn..be creative and I know you will.
Oh ya, and the turkey….in an oven bag…it’s easy and YUM!!
ps. sorry for the long comment!
Blessings,
Launa
I echo launa’s comments….the oven bag is the only way to go! Reynold’s makes them and they can usually be found with the tinfoil and plastic wrap. It is actually really easy to do. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to defrost the bird (usually a day or so depending on the size). http://www.allrecipes.com is one of my favorite cooking sites. It has lots of articles as well as recipes
1. http://www.allrecipes.com is *wonderful*
2. turkey bag is awesome
3. cook turkey upside down. then the main meat is as moist as can be!! i *think* this is what the amish do.
Mandy~~
First – he is just a blessing
Enjoy every minute of him – I am jealous in a very positive way
We are homeschooling Li Li and did Ian until the end of the first 9 weks of this year. He is in 6th grade and went into AP Math and Science. He wanted to go to school – and so we let him and he is involved in all sorts of things like Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Li Li will probably never go to school – and you can e-mail me if you would like to know why and my homeschooling plan for her. I would be thrilled to help you
I know the challenges of HS with little ones – Ian was in the 4th grade the year that Li came home and hopeful next year we will have our little boy home when Li is doing kindergarten.
Shalae is right – there are LOTS of SG who HS – Syndee does too.
Ladybug hugs,
Mandy,
He is so beautiful, i can say that right?
Homeschooling sounds awesome. I am doing it with my preschooler for her preschool grades, but she probably will end up in elementary.
Funny how youve not cooked a turkey! I have cooked so many, and this year i offered again, but DH has decided we are going out for thanksgiving… going to be interesting. lol.
-angela
I am so happy that you are going to try homeschooling. We can try it together! The EFL meeting was awesome, hope you can come to the next one. Parenting Q&A is a great place to learn and meet moms that homeschool too=)
I’ve never cooked a turkey either. Just chickens! lol. Beautiful boy you have there. Congratulations!
I’m interested in homeschooling as well. Or unschooling.
Hey from South Carolina Mandy! Great meeting you on the UNLG tokbox. I know this post has been up for a while but I’m just now finding it.
What grabbed my attention was your comment on homeschooling. My wife has been homeschooling our children for a few years now (3 girls) and we have just had a new baby. So it sounds like there is much in common here.
I’ll try to get her online and commenting. Maybe even to check out the lifegroup (the timing might not work this time around).
Email me or hit my blog if you want to connect.
Peace.