Friday Favorites : Thomas Jefferson & Breaking the Rules

The question this week is where to begin?

#1 -- The favorite book I'm reading right now is The Real Thomas Jefferson by Andrew M. Allison.  I'm learning so much about Jefferson that I'm seriously considering a series of posts on him.  Stay tuned!

#2 -- Okay - so, high on my list this week is the day out with my amazing husband to see The Avengers.  On an IMAX screen and in 3D.  And just the two of us.  (No kidlets!)

And two words that capped off the day:  Rally's fries.  Yum!


#3 -- Our homeschool co-op has started a weekly park day, so the kids and I got to visit with our friends Wednesday.

I cannot stress the incredible importance of support when you undertake to educate your children.  I know - there are some families that don't want or need outside support, but I am definitely not one of them.  I schooled for a long time without connecting with other homeschoolers, and I know, that for us, meeting occasionally with like-minded moms and kids is vital.

I'm so thankful to be able to meet with them through the summer!

#4 -- Last night, I did a bad thing.  *grin*  I crashed line dance class.  (Don't tell on me, ok?)

I wasn't sure how much I'd be dancing, given that I'm at 26 weeks and definitely feeling very pregnant.  But it was great.  And a bonus?  I can still walk today!  I'm really hoping to get back into attending (like, officially) this fall after the baby is born. 

Also - the class exposed a strange pregnancy conundrum.  Apparently, I can, in the same week, be (relatively) graceful on my feet while dancing and fall over while slipping on my sandals.  I don't know how it can be, but that's my reality right now.

#5  -- We're looking at the end of the school year approaching rapidly.  I think everyone can agree - no matter how much you enjoy education - summer is definitely a favorite!

(Even for those nerds like me who have been compiling literature lists and government class assignments for the fall with entirely too much excitement!)

Linking up with Rachel

 

Where did February go?

Or, for that matter, March?

Ah, well.  I've been trying to get back on top

of running the household and homeschooling, after spending

the majority of 2012 either ill or sleeping.

{grin}

Just as a little gentle reintroduction to the blogosphere,

I thought I'd share some of my recent favorite funnies.

My 5-year-old told me the other day, "Whew!  That scared the chickens out of me!"

A kitten dies when you use an apostrophe to pluralize.

(From the Well-Trained Mind Forums.  LOVE this!)

Breakfast conversation:

Me:  I don't know who (committed this terrible crime that I can't quite recall at the moment),

but let's not let that happen again.

5yo:  It was (insert brother's name).

Me:  Well, we don't need to point fingers...

5yo:  I'm not pointing fingers; I'm just telling you who did it.

Here's hoping that I find my blogging motivation sometimes before this baby arrives.

Oh!

And did I mention that this time around we're having a girl?!

I know...scary thought.

My house is often like a football game that never ends.

I'm not sure I can "do" a girl,

but I am trusting that God knows better than I.

{heaving a sigh of relief!}

How's your year going?

Tender...

Well, it's actually Saturday, but it's not as if anyone really expected me to post

a Five Minute Friday on Friday, right?

I'll take it, though, considering that it's the only poem I've written for over a month,

and I truly got it down in under five minutes.

And, it's a double deal today, because writing is one of my Favorite Things,

I'm linking up with Rachel at Finding Joy, as well.

Way to go, me!

 

Here are the rules:

Write for five minutes only, on the topic posted by Lisa-Jo.

Link up at The Gypsy Mama.

Spread some encouragement!

Ready?

Here          we          go.



Tender…

tender as a bruise –

the slightest breath of pressure awakening

the pain, the vulnerability beneath –

and my mind constantly awash

with all the dangers

tender as a steak –

pounded thin and spread wider

in new directions than I ever believed possible,

made malleable and accepting

by the heavy steel mallet

of this new situation You’ve put me in

tender as a payment –

the cost demanded for a treasure,

the submission offered up, the sacrifice

made to bring this child into the world,

to bring me to the foot of the Cross,

to You, when I’ve wandered away

Let me know what you think!

Didja miss me?

I've missed me.

I decided to take a break from writing and from posting during December.

I intended to get back into full swing with school, writing, blogging,

and of course, all the cleaning and organizing I get in the mood to take care of

right after Christmas.

Instead, I've spent the last three weeks or so,

up until last Monday,

sleeping.  And eating.  And sleeping some more.

Seriously, I've been in a mental fog.

The house is nowhere near the relatively clean state

that I can usually make peace with.

('Cause you know I'm not a compulsive cleaner, right?)

School didn't start on January 2nd.

Or January 9th.

We finally got out the books on the 16th.

The good news is - the house is still here to clean now.

The kids are adjusting to a more structured day that involves homework.

(Homework?  What's that?  Are you speaking English, Mom?)

The even better news is - we're expecting a baby later this year!

I'm thrilled to be able to say that.

A baby.

Why I should be so blessed, I have no idea.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole experience.

It's taken me a while to begin to get my thoughts in order.

(Or even stay conscious long enough to have coherent thoughts in the first place.)

But I'm hoping to be posting a little more regularly

now that the fatigue is retreating a bit.

Thanks for sticking around!