Yesterday I made a big turkey dinner with all the fixins: stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, etc. Since it was an 18.5lb. turkey I invited my parents over for dinner. (Still have LOTS of leftovers!) Afterwards, while I was doing the dishes, I got to enjoy one of the greatest sounds on earth: laughter coming from the family room. Keith, Isaac, and Josiah were playing with the balloon-powered vehicle set Isaac had received for his birthday. They were making big hot dog shaped balloons and letting them go. They made a really loud noise as they flew around the room. They made balloon-powered helicopters and cars too. Watching Isaac and Josiah squeal with delight made my parents laugh too. It was really a pleasant evening. My family was interacting and enjoying one another's company.
Now, if we had cable, as soon as dinner was over someone would've turned on the TV, and everyone would've sat in a semi-catatonic state on the couch watching something completely mindless that wouldn't add anything to their lives. Rather it would steal 30 minutes from them that they could never get back.
This is part of the vision I have for my family. This is why we don't have cable. We can interact, converse with one another, and enjoy being with each other. Sure, I miss some of those The Universe shows Keith used to like watching on SciFi or History channel. I definitely miss Stargate Universe. But you know what? We can catch those on DVD when the seasons are over, on our own schedule in our own free time after the kids go to bed. We've now been without cable for, I don't know, at least 6 or 8 months. Do I regret our decision? No, and I never have. After last night, I'm more glad than ever we don't have it.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Book 1-Far From the Madding Crowd
A very good story, with a very abrupt and in some ways disappointing ending. I don't think I'll be reading any more Thomas Hardy books for a while. If I had kept a notepad, pen, and dictionary next to me I could have learned at least 50 new vocabulary words. I'm talking about words that I have never, ever heard or seen before in my life. Here's one I did look up though: desultorily. It means in a random way, disorganized.
Since I was only halfway finished with this at the end of 2010 I put it on the list of books for 2011. I don't think I'll do very well with my reading this year, though. I find myself so engrossed in my book that I stay up way too late, or neglect my housechores. I also want to make more time for Bible study. If I finish at least 12 books this year, 1 per month, I'll be happy.
Since I was only halfway finished with this at the end of 2010 I put it on the list of books for 2011. I don't think I'll do very well with my reading this year, though. I find myself so engrossed in my book that I stay up way too late, or neglect my housechores. I also want to make more time for Bible study. If I finish at least 12 books this year, 1 per month, I'll be happy.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Isaac's First Composition
My firstborn, Isaac, just composed his first story. He recited it to me, & I'm just now recording it. Here it goes!
When I went shopping I met a friendly name named Mommy.
When I went to the grocery store I met a friendly name named Daddy.
When I went to the store I met a friendly name named Mommy.
I like how he put Keith at the grocery store, where all the food is, and not me!
I love my kids.
The irony is Monday was one of those days I threatened to put them in daycare and go back to work! I'd never do it. That's just one of my sayings for when I'm having a really bad day with them.
When I went shopping I met a friendly name named Mommy.
When I went to the grocery store I met a friendly name named Daddy.
When I went to the store I met a friendly name named Mommy.
I like how he put Keith at the grocery store, where all the food is, and not me!
I love my kids.
The irony is Monday was one of those days I threatened to put them in daycare and go back to work! I'd never do it. That's just one of my sayings for when I'm having a really bad day with them.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Book #22-My Antonia
I've had My Antonia on my bookshelf since I was a teenager and always passed it by when trying to decide what to read next. Finally, upon my father's recommendation, I picked it up. I loved it! One half of me wishes I'd read it long ago, but another part of me knows that I would not have understood everything implied in it. For instance, one less significant character in the book is Wick Cutter. One of the many villainous things Wick does, it is told, is he "ruins" a girl and then sets her up in another town to run the only business anyone would ever go to her for. In not so many words, he basically set her up in another town to run her own "house of ill -repute." At least that's how I understand it. Honestly I'm not sure I would have picked up on things like that when I was a teenager.
While this is not what I'd call a "bonnet book," I still cried at times! There is at least one instance when the main character, Jim Burden, is in between colleges and decides to visit his old friends and stomping grounds once again. At this point he reconnects with his childhood memories that he kind of pushed into the background of his mind because he was learning so many new ideas and philosophies in college. He actually becomes heartsick for his childhood. I distinctly remember a time like this in my own life, in my first marriage. I simply began sobbing uncontrollably for my childhood, my youth, once again! It was some sort of awakening that I had to grow up now and do my own housework, laundry, and ironing because if I didn't do it, nobody else would. Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, but looking back I can clearly see that my ex-husband was not the only immature one. I was pretty immature myself, mentally and emotionally.
I also loved the parts of the story where Jim Burden is describing how much he adores, admires, and respects the "hired girls," the eldest daughters of immigrant families who come to the town to make a living, and of course send money back home so their fathers can pay their debts and own their lands. Throughout the story I wondered why didn't he marry one of those girls he admired so much! At a point during his adolescent years he even despises the other boys his age because they don't see in the hired girls what he does! He seems to despise the American girls because they don't have the vitality, strenth, personality, or zeal for life the immigrant girls do. Yet back in those days people stuck to their own kind. American boys married American girls, and the immigrants for the most part stuck to their own kind. What a shame! And how unlike it is today!
Of course, Antonia Shimerda is the main object of Jim Burden's admiration throughout the entire book to some degree (hence, the title). She is a wonderful character who most women would probably like to emulate one way or another. I relate to her character in the sense that I've always been one to land on my feet out of any crises or struggle. I like to think that I'm a survivor, that no matter what circumstances I might face in life, I'd pull through, myself & my children. It bothers me that I depend on my parents as much as I do to help me with the kids. I'm always looking for ways to not rely on them, as silly as that may sound. I'm sure mothers out there who don't have their family nearby would love to be able to rely on their parents more. But Keith & I both kind of pride ourselves on standing on our own two feet, so to speak. We don't like to take help, but sometimes we have to.
Of course an overall theme of the book is the hardships the early pioners to the West had to face: the first winter, farming unfamiliar land, the language barrier, homesickness, etc. Antonia, I think, at least partly represents or symbolizes those pioneer women, specifically.
To conclude, if you haven't read My Antonia yet, read it! I'm actually going to give it to Keith to read next time he leaves the country, which won't be too long from now! I think this book appeals to men & women alike. It is not a "bonnet" book.
While this is not what I'd call a "bonnet book," I still cried at times! There is at least one instance when the main character, Jim Burden, is in between colleges and decides to visit his old friends and stomping grounds once again. At this point he reconnects with his childhood memories that he kind of pushed into the background of his mind because he was learning so many new ideas and philosophies in college. He actually becomes heartsick for his childhood. I distinctly remember a time like this in my own life, in my first marriage. I simply began sobbing uncontrollably for my childhood, my youth, once again! It was some sort of awakening that I had to grow up now and do my own housework, laundry, and ironing because if I didn't do it, nobody else would. Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, but looking back I can clearly see that my ex-husband was not the only immature one. I was pretty immature myself, mentally and emotionally.
I also loved the parts of the story where Jim Burden is describing how much he adores, admires, and respects the "hired girls," the eldest daughters of immigrant families who come to the town to make a living, and of course send money back home so their fathers can pay their debts and own their lands. Throughout the story I wondered why didn't he marry one of those girls he admired so much! At a point during his adolescent years he even despises the other boys his age because they don't see in the hired girls what he does! He seems to despise the American girls because they don't have the vitality, strenth, personality, or zeal for life the immigrant girls do. Yet back in those days people stuck to their own kind. American boys married American girls, and the immigrants for the most part stuck to their own kind. What a shame! And how unlike it is today!
Of course, Antonia Shimerda is the main object of Jim Burden's admiration throughout the entire book to some degree (hence, the title). She is a wonderful character who most women would probably like to emulate one way or another. I relate to her character in the sense that I've always been one to land on my feet out of any crises or struggle. I like to think that I'm a survivor, that no matter what circumstances I might face in life, I'd pull through, myself & my children. It bothers me that I depend on my parents as much as I do to help me with the kids. I'm always looking for ways to not rely on them, as silly as that may sound. I'm sure mothers out there who don't have their family nearby would love to be able to rely on their parents more. But Keith & I both kind of pride ourselves on standing on our own two feet, so to speak. We don't like to take help, but sometimes we have to.
Of course an overall theme of the book is the hardships the early pioners to the West had to face: the first winter, farming unfamiliar land, the language barrier, homesickness, etc. Antonia, I think, at least partly represents or symbolizes those pioneer women, specifically.
To conclude, if you haven't read My Antonia yet, read it! I'm actually going to give it to Keith to read next time he leaves the country, which won't be too long from now! I think this book appeals to men & women alike. It is not a "bonnet" book.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Pumpkin Patch
Elizabeth's 1st visit to the Pumpkin Patch!
Josiah in full-cherub mode once again.
Isaac also in full-cherub mode.
Of course we couldn't get everyone to look at the camera at the same time.
Keith and Isaac did the corn maze together.
A desperate attempt to get a shot of all 3 kids.
With us this year were our dear friends from Michigan, Troy and Denise Bryant along with their four children: Caleb (9), Rachel (8), Sam (5), and Sarah (4). So, yes we had seven children in our house that weekend, but it was a blast!
Catch Up
I just want to say if you've never read one of Francine Rivers' books, you must! Even with three children, ages three and under, when I pick up one of her novels I cannot put it down. I finish her books within about three or four days. I just completed The Last Sin Eater-AWESOME! I am concurrently reading Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling as well. However, Mary Pride's Complete Guide is over 600 pages long and, while I am interested in learning more about homeschooling, it's not exactly the type of nonfiction you can't put down.
Tonight I painted our foyer. It's so exhilarating to work on our house again, even if it's just a tiny entryway. I fear this fire will not be quenched until we paint every room in our house that hasn't been painted already.
Back to painting....
Tonight I painted our foyer. It's so exhilarating to work on our house again, even if it's just a tiny entryway. I fear this fire will not be quenched until we paint every room in our house that hasn't been painted already.
Back to painting....
Friday, September 3, 2010
Bikes & Boof
Per Nana Drudy's request, here are some pics of the boys on their new bikes, and Elizabeth ,aka Boof, on her 10 month birthday.
The King of Cute reigns!
My biggest boy, Isaac, just couldn't be happier.
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