Reflecting as the days grow shorter

I was reflecting today and was reading some of Lynn Jericho's blog. A few years back I did her inner Christmas program and really enjoyed the insights.
She was posting about Michaelmas and said,"we can slay dragons and we can tame dragons and we can know the difference between the two deeds."
Often there is a big debate in Waldorf circles about age appropriate 'slaying of the dragon'.
I think this is the answer. We all have those 'dragons' in our lives. Some do need to be slain and never rise again. Some need to be tamed. Finding that inner light, that inner strength to know how to guide ourselves and our children on the path is part of the process.

Tonight I watched a webcast with Jenny McCarthy. She has a new book called "Warrior Moms" out. Amazing lady! She is inspiring and pro-active and I really like her.
I really HATE the word Special Needs! My girls have bodies that are no where near normal frames. Maliea recognizes she has mental difficulties sometimes too. Lydia is slowly figuring out these physical things too.
Every child has special needs. Is it hard? Heck yes, but we all have callings. I am NO different than any other mom out there. Every day I know I am on borrowed time with these children. We ALL are on borrowed time. It breaks my heart to have to watch them in pain and not be able to "fix" it. For other moms it might be having to nurse a child with the flu, here it's a little more severe but the emotions are the same.
The blessing of all of this is that I never take a breath or an hour for granted. I am not saying it's all wonderful. I struggle sometimes. Each day I (and you) have the opportunity to choose joy. Someone asked me the other day, if I wished my girls had been born healthy. Part of me said"well, sure" but the other part said "no, I wouldn't change a thing" because we wouldn't be who we are as a family, as individuals if they were "perfect".
God asks us all do to hard things sometimes in our lives. I would never, ever, ever change a minute of this journey. The beauty of this path is stunning! The joy that every single day brings is amazing.
Plus there is a extra surprise bonus package with all the hard stuff. GRACE.

Michaelmas

Today we meandered up to Groom Creek to celebrate our family's Michaelmas festival. The woods are starting to turn very slowly but the hillsides radiated autumn with the wild weeds as they have turned red. It smells so earthy and good but I neglected to gather a bunch to bring home today. I have incentive now to hurry back to get some. The little angels of light coming up the path.
They love each other so much!

Chaiya and Quayde were having a little too much fun with the whole slaying of the dragon.
After we had our little skit, we discussed finding inner light and the "dragons" in our own lives. Then we started our feast.

Blackberries
Roasted chicken because I'm not going to do a goose! Even if a goose is traditional. We also feasted on whole grain bread , cheeses and grapes.

Look I even got a rare picture of Maliea. She made the choice to come and celebrate and not stay home reading a book. I think she really enjoyed getting away from the house. We had such a wonderful celebration this morning. There was even a little time to play on the rocks and find the "smallest" frog ever according to Lydia. It was really a rock toad.

Hello Autumn!

Quick trip

My friend Melissa's husband Sam called me on Wednesday night a little upset. It seems that our son's Boy Scout Leaders were bailing out on a camporee thing up in Flagstaff . Was there any way that Michael or I could bring the boys up and make sure they got to participate?
After some serious finagling we arranged to go ahead and take Quayde and another boy up to the campground.

Our plan was to drop them off and then drive the rest of the way to Flagstaff, spend the night and enjoy Saturday before the boys had to be picked backed up to come home.
NEVER, NEVER , NEVER go to Flagstaff without hotel reservations ahead of time! The Europeans on big buses take up all the rooms!
We were not even sure of this plan until Friday afternoon so.... spontaneity rules right?
Finally around midnight we got a hotel room after searching multiple places for vacancy but I have jumped ahead of myself.

Once we got to Camp Raymond we were told to park and the boys had to hike over to the main building to register. Things at the campground took awhile to settle. Lydia, Thayne and I waited in the van for over an hour in the dark, the pitch black dark! Ever see those movies where people are combing through the woods with flashlights and then some evil thing comes. It was reminiscent of that only without the evil thing popping up. Give or take. When Mike came back to the van we were "allowed" to drive to the campsite which was like the farthest one back. We got the boys' tents put up and got them settled. Then we headed out on our adventure. Apparently being a district leader for the Scouts is an adventure too because when we came back the next day things were even more crazy. Poor Sam. He was a little stressed out. As the other boy we brought ended up being the evil thing! I really felt bad but the boy is not my kid. At least we got a good report about Quayde.

Our day in Flagstaff was a nice little break. I always have this tendency to view Flagstaff as a cute little town and forget it's a city until I hit the traffic and try to get a parking place. We played at a few parks, hit the fun toy store in old town and Bookmans ,which is my dream bookstore! I forgot to bring up the pile of books I have waiting for exchange but I found some new ones anyway.
We created this yummy lunch by getting some herbed/vegetable cream cheese and flatbread, ohhhh so good. Lydia and Thayne love Thorpe park so we played there for about 1 1/2 hours until I was done. We drove by this house that has a great cob wall that is a work in progress. Very cool. I'm sure they were wondering why we were stopped in the middle of the road looking at their yard. All in all it was a really laid back relaxing day.
When we picked up the boys, Quayde wanted to know how far (fast) it was to a Circle K store so he could go to the bathroom. He refused to use the one at the camp and said it was too disgusting. When we got to Williams, 22 miles later, he spent quite a lot of time in that restroom. I hope he didn't "hold" it the entire 24 hours!
We got back fairly late. Good thing church is in the afternoon. Some of us got to sleep in. I need to go wash the van tomorrow it is covered in good old Northern Arizona red dust!

Our art day

We had such a great time at the ASU art museum today! To start with I was so glad I read the fine print on the web site about parking because if you park in the reserve spots it is free! You just have to sign in at the desk with your license plate number. Then admission into the museum is free! Plus throughout the exhibit halls they had stacks of postcards of some of the displayed art pieces for free. These were the same postcards they sold at the gift shop for .70 cents!


Lydia was delighted to find that there were some 'please touch' areas. We read a fabulous book about a sister that created a dream jar for her younger sister to keep away bad dreams. The whole first floor exhibit was a dream theme. I discovered that Lydia is way too fast in her wheelchair on hardwood floors!


Chaiya got to look at a Marc Chagall piece, he is her artist of the month. She was amazed at some of the wild sculptures. Now I only got these pictures because I did not 'see' any sign that said we couldn't use cameras. Okay I know better but......

On the second floor they had a guard so I had to behave. The second floor had a whole wall of portraits including this huge paper crafted one that just made you smile. The gift shop had a lot of really unique items. I just love museum gift shops. I resisted though. I only purchased a little wind-up robot for Thayne and a book on paper bag crafts inspired by works of art.

This was really a very weird piece of art with no explanation of what exactly it is. We had a great afternoon and free is always good. Very grateful to IKEA for sponsoring the exhibit!

QOTD

Discussing farming with Lydia...
Me: "Okay the farmer plows and then plants the seeds. What happens next?"
Lydia: " The grasshoppers come."

I think she has a full grasp on this farming thing.

trying not to whine here

lunchtime bread

We have been working on this farming main lesson unit with Lydia. It really sucks!

Lydia is deathly (anaphalatic shock) allergic to almost everything I would love to do hands on with her. We can't make anything with eggs, dairy, meat etc.. or risk her life. So as much as I love to really get involved and do amazing fun things, this time we are stuck with paper puppets and looking at pictures and storybooks. Anything with animal protein is a major no-no. I want to take her out to a farm but I am not really willing to risk her being in the hospital. We have been focusing on food farming. I have been listening to "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barabra Kingsolver on audio for my inner work on this lesson. It really is a fabulous book!

This is supposed to be a cow puppet, which Lyd really had fun making. She has also been having fun running around the house saying Rosh Hashanah just because it is fun to say.

I know that the other kids have not received much blog highlights. Quayde is always gone with friends. I need to find a way to keep him from being so social. LOL

Thayne and Baby M are my serious challenge this year. I am breathing and trying to meditate on how to fill their needs without locking them up in a closet.

Maliea has been fully engaged with the latest Eragon book. Which she just finished tonight and is thoroughly ticked off about waiting yet again.

Chaiya, Lydia and I are headed to Phoenix tomorrow to go to ASU's art museum to look at a very cool exhibit. One of the artists featured here in this film will be in part of the exhibit. As well as some of Salvador Dali and Marc Chagall 's works. We will then head to a Dr. apt and after that, I have a consultation for a new client. I would prefer work in my hometown but I will take what I can get.

I am a little disappointed in Home Depot as Michael's bonus check was a whopping $54.00

Okay, truthfully I'm ticked but it is not something within my control factor so I must let it go.

At least he can afford an oil change if not a full tank of gas. SIGH.

I have been working on some new creative ideas that are brewing. Exciting more authentic things to enhance my life.

Summer is still very here. Cicadas are still singing like mad. All the trees are very green with only a little tiny speck of yellow here and there. It is cooler at night and I am looking forward to hot chocolaty mornings.

Autumn is here?

pic from ladybird books

Happy Autumn! Lydia walked in this morning to tell me she was a little surprised by the display on the table but the all the leaves on the trees were still green and still on the branches so what was the deal.

What happened to all my plans?

I think sometimes we need to focus on what we did accomplish throughout the day instead the things that we had hoped to accomplish.
So today: I made a batch of 15 rolls
a loaf of bread
two bottles of syrup for pancakes/waffles
pancakes for the kids for breakfast

Quayde and I accomplished two whole pages in his language arts book

I had visiting teachers come over(they are both over 75 and apparently hard of hearing as the Wall-E website was on Michael's computer and making robot noise a plenty and I couldn't reach it to make it stop. They didn't even notice.) and Erica, baby M's mom came to give me her schedule and stayed for way over an hour.

the house was relatively clean with the requisite normal piles

spent quality time with Chaiya ( a rare thing these days)

talked to Shawna and a future client on the phone (only 3 solicitors called today)

found the magnetic sheets at Office Max that I have been looking for

I played 1/2 a game of Candy Land with Thayne before he went to locate Daddy (this was a major accomplishment I tell you!)

I know pretty pathetic list huh. Someday I will have it all together again. Not quite sure when though.

Farming coloring book

So this is not very waldorfy but Earthbound farms has a great little coloring book in PDF that talks about all the helpful bugs on an organic farm. It has some fun word search and other things all based on organic farming. If you happen to be studying farming right now, check it out. Even if your not it's fun any way and you might learn something

What we are laughing about now....

This is probably a 'you have to be there' thing.
We have this THING about funeral stuff around here. Chaiya suggested that for a family project we should all make urns. Learn how to throw on a wheel and fire our own urns. Keep them on a shelf or in a box to grab with our 72 hour kits...just in case. Then we got off on making individual necklaces so they could have a tsp. of me with them always and then it is late and we are all laughing really hard and probably being irreverant to the dead and stuff. Quayde suggested that Maliea gets a kidney, 'cause she only has one you know. Well it got way out of control around here.
Then we found this site so obviously we are not as crazy as you might think.

Introduction

I think Lydia believes that Chaiya is gone too much lately.
After we left to drop off Maliea at her institute class, Lydia approached Chaiya.
Apparently the conversation went like this.
Lydia extends her hand to shake and says," Hi , you are my sister. My name is Lydia. Our parents are gone. They sometimes feed me. I'm hungry. Will you feed me?"

Now we DID give her food prior to leaving! Lydia has quite the sense of humor. Chaiya gave her Soy Dream ice cream. She was happy.

Cucumber dressing recipe

okay folks here's the yumminess!

Cucumber dressing

1 cup plain greek yogurt

1 large cucumber seeded and chopped

1 garlic clove chopped finely

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp white wine vinegar

pinch of salt

mix well and refrigerate overnight for best flavor

Of course for our big family we made double. You can also add a little fresh dill for more yumminess I just didn't have any available.

What's for dinner?

Around our home the question is always, "what's for dinner?" Lydia has a lot of restrictive diet issues to put it mildly, so we are frequently trying to come up with yummy things for everyone. Tonight was these delish romaine burritos! We layered avocado, tomato, radish sprouts, mung bean sprouts, garlic , salt, red peppers, feta, and homemade Greek cucumber dressing. Although there were a few variations on Michael and Chaiya's to add more heat. So good, I think I'll go make me another!

Supreme!

Hey I made myself a goddess and you can too! Just go to the create your own goddess site. Very fun

QOTD

Lydia to Thayne: " Oh yeah!!! Mommy is letting us play with chemical play dough"

Words that make my soul sing!

enchant

comfort

gratifying

idyllic

charming

enjoyment

bliss

glimmer

entrancing

contentment

pleasure

scrumptious

delight

relish

lovely

What words make you SMILE when you say them?

Verse for Autumn

Leaves

How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare

Beneath the trees without a care

Content to sleep, their work well done

Colors gleaming in the sun

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait like children for the snow

Elsie Brady

We are saying prayers today for Helena's sister and famly. They live in the Galveston area. Yesterday afternoon, Helena didn't think they were planning to evacuate. So our hearts and prayers are being sent to them where ever they are right now.

joys of harvest

Basil fresh from the back, whirled into pesto delight!

Tomatoes picked fresh and sliced

made into a yummy lunch!

Summer goodness at its best.

just

Just the ordinary beauty of everyday life has been happening around here. Some school work, some knitting, some creating of recipes, just some life. Nothing blog worthy just a little joy and a little laughter. Just us.

Carrie's food picture

On the kitchen counter.

hedgie

We totally love hedgehogs around here. Several of my children think it would be a fabulous idea to get ne as a pet. I haven't agreed. This craft is from an adorable site that doesn't have one word of english on it but has amazing craft ideas from natural materials and is divided by season. This hedgie is on the Herbst page. They also have ideas for lots of other things using leaves and nuts and rocks, laterns for Martinmas, lots of calendar and mandala ideas...it's just a really cool site. Most of you can figure out how to do the crafts without english right?

Baby M

This kiddo is just sooo cute! None of my babies were ever this beautiful. I had forgotten just how much little ones shove into their mouths (everything) and she is getting faster. We are now having to shut all the doors down the hallway because she can move. School has been a little bit more challenging this year, I hadn't planned on having a baby here. Not only trying to keep a very jealous Thayne occupied but keeping her playing also. We have her about 10 hours each day so technically we are just incorporating her into our every day life. I need to plan things better or get a little more organized. Gee, isn't she adorable?

Confused or a sign?

Do you see what is in the middle of this picture? It is a blossom on our apple tree out front! Just one little flower. I took this picture right after I had given a screaming Baby M to her mommy to go home. I was feeling very sad that Baby M is not liking her mommy at all and was reaching for me and crying very hard. I turn to enter the house and lo and behold here is an apple blossom in September. Not a single one any where else on the entire tree. It is a little freaky. Not quite sure what to think.

Farming

Part of Lydia's 3rd grade Waldorf style curriculum is a unit on farming. I remembered that we had this great felt playset that I purchased when Maliea was about 4. Nothing like using what you already have, it is just remembering that you have it. I have a tendency to forget everything that I have already when it's been a few years and it is out in the garage. We had a lovely discussion about corn. Lydia and I then went on a "field trip" to our local Safeway store to see how many ways corn was sold. I didn't get into the whole corn syrup thing with my 8 year old.

She picked out some ears to bring home and had a lot of fun shucking them and we ate them for our dinner. I wish we had a local farm where I could have taken her to pick them. Maybe next year we will have worked the ground enough in the lower back to plant some of our own.

I think Thayne had a great time too! He actually sat still long enough to clear two whole ears himself. He wasn't quite sure about the silk though. He helped cook the ears and I know he ate lots more than Lydia did. She like licking the salt and Willow Run margarine off of hers.

Vegetable world

Lydia just came in singing a Hannah Montana song, "The Best of Both Worlds"
Chaiya decides to change the words to "Vegetable World" and we are now sing a song about stirring and steaming and still it's a vegetable world.
Lydia is not pleased.

Verse of the week

I found this perfect verse for our gathering time. I had it in some old notes from an old Green Meadow Waldorf School newsletter.

Summer is Ending

"Summer is ending!", Father bear said

"In yonder tree hollow I'll build me a bed."

"Summer is ending" then said all the weeds

and so softly sighing they scattered their seeds

"Summer is ending", the hurricane cried

Hurling and whirling harsh rains high and wide

"Summer is ending" said the fair yellow sun

"My heat must grow fainter, then fade out to none!"

I really like this verse, it feels like a good transition one. We might make up some more parts of it for our own little style.