The New Instrument

I have been reading a blog and enjoying it very much.  On this blog the writer is posting a picture a day and keeping a journal of sorts about their life there.  (They are missionaries)  I thought I would do the same.  Not because we are missionaries or that our life is some spectacular event; but we do have family (mainly a sister/daughter who is living far away and we want to keep her posted on every day life here.  I thought some of the others of you might enjoy too.  Like grandma's and aunts and dear friends in the North.  :)  So, I will try to keep you posted with a picture a day and my thoughts on the happenings of our life here.  I will start with yesterday.  :)

Monday:

We started into our school schedule.  We tried last week; but it just never came together.  I was sick last week and it just collapsed our week before we even got started.  Well, not this week!  The younger kids are into week three of their school and the older kids are starting their school year this week.  I love the first days of school!

I also love being on schedule.  I love getting things done and having the time set aside to do them.  It seems when we have summer break things do not get done as efficiently as they do when we are in a school schedule.  I love my school schedule.  I am funny that way.

Anna started reading her blends and I love how she is so excited when she gets the blend correct.  The light in her eyes makes me smile every single time.  I love teaching children how to read.  Zak is doing fantastic and retaining things better than normal.  I think it is the new meds we have him on.  I am thankful for them.  We have a doctor appointment on Friday and we will see how that goes for his medication check.

The big event of the day was getting Anna's violin from the music store.  Daddy brought it home when he came home from work.  We had one pretty excited little girl!  She was so excited to have her pictures taken and sent to her sister in Germany.  She will start lessons on Wednesday night.  She is pretty excited.  This is about all she talks about!

All is well here.  We woke up a little cold and it indeed feels like fall is on it's way here.  I love fall and the changing leave colors.  I think I am ready for the change of seasons. 

Well, that is life at our house on Monday.  Hope the beginning of your week started out as well also.  Thanks so much for stopping in.  I am so glad you did.

Blessings,
~Martie

The Kindergarten Files : Enthusiasm!

"Write you name on your paper and then put your hands in your lap.  (I reminded her this particular morning to not draw clouds around her name.)

The clouds had been drawn around her name yesterday.  Every paper.  Every printed name she wrote.  Penmanship class brings out my clouds.  I draw the curved lines around the letters that are written nicely and neatly.  I point out how wonderful her work is as I draw my artistic approval.  She had noticed and felt that her name - on every page - needed a cloud.  For the simple reason that it was *her* name and a special one at that.  I had told her to leave the cloud drawings to me and just write her name.  That was yesterday.  She remembered.  Name was written; and there was no cloud.

Our subjects begin with instruction, flashcards and teaching new concepts, then a worksheet. The rules are few and simple: 

No talking when I am talking.
No whining.
No toys at the table during school. (Polly Pockets had been invited; but had to be returned when that rule was made.)
Pencils down and hands in lap when Mommy is teaching.


The letter was "E" and she listened closely as I gave the lesson; hands folded and sitting in her lap; pencil box sitting on the table in front of her.  I began my lesson:

"E is one of the five vowels."

"Every word has a vowel; so that makes knowing our vowels very very important."  (Her eyes got big as I told her that fact.)

"E says ehhh as in elephant"

She listened.  She took it in.  Then I finished by giving the instructions on her worksheet.

"Color the Capital 'E' and the lower case 'e' purple; then color the elephant any color you would like.

I paused, waiting for her response.  It came with as much enthusiasm as I have  witnessed at sporting events.  The clasped hands came apart and reached for the new crayons sitting in her pencil box.

"I'm on it, Mom!  No need to worry.  I will color the letters purple..."  and off she went with her work.  Diligently coloring, even sticking out her little tounge in consentration as she worked.

And I sat and watched.... and thought.

"If only that was my response every time God speaks to me!" 

So many times I feel too busy to do what needs to be done.  I hurry through life and begrudge any extras that I am asked to do.  When I do this I fail to remember that God always gives me enough time to do all the things that I need to do; enough strength to accomplish His will for my life; and more grace than I could ever use up.  I am Divinly enabled to accomplish everything God asks me to do.

I can be enthusiastic about everything He wants me to do!  Enthusiasm could be a word that defines me.

God make me eager to do your will, to listen to your voice.  Make me enthusiastic - it is a character trait I fail to have so often!"  

Trust your week is going well; and that you will find opportunities to serve the Lord enthusiastically.  I know I ma going to try! 

Thanks for stopping by, I am so glad you did.

Blessings,
~Martie