Jewett's Maine and "Why do you read blogs?"

Far too many days have passed without my taking a little afternoon siesta, so, with my husband home from work today, I indulged in some reading in bed and then a big afternoon siesta. Sarah Orne Jewett's Country of the Pointed Firs does just what a good book ought to do: it captivates the reader. (As an aside, I prefer to be captivated in a wholesome, edifying way. I love quirkiness and humor, but nothing pointlessly dark or dirty.) Artists often talk of "losing themselves" in their work; this feeling spills over to the receiver of the artistry. I was lost listening to the virile storytelling of "Captain Littlepage" in Chapter 5.

I went to bed thinking about a question another homeschooling mom posed at her blog, "Heaven, not Harvard" (click: here for the link); she asked, "Why do you read blogs?" Indeed, why? Why write them? How is blogging better than publishing your life or work or business on a webpage? The first blog I read somewhat regularly was Amy Welborn's "Open Book," which I have not looked at in some time. I was, at the time, feeling called to home educate our children. So, I started reading some blogs by Catholic home educating moms. I have always been an avid reader.

On the writing end, I think blogging a form of journalism. Clearly, it is more personal and few of us get paid for it! We who take the time to keep this online journal called a blog are very often motivated to touch the lives of others. I think our "payment" is often in the form of enrichment, edification, and entertainment -- laughter is good, good medicine! Erma Bombeck would have blogged; I'm sure of it!

I do not have a funny style and don't tell stories like I'd like to....I do care passionately about what I do. I love my family and cannot properly express what a gift it is that the good Lord would give us this time to grow, worship and learn together. As usual, I have more thoughts swarming in my head, but I gotta sign off for now. Here is a very "unschooly" quote from the quirky and capable "Mrs. Todd". This reflects my own concern regarding too much rigor in our planning/scheduling.

In Chapter 8, she says, "I must say I like variety myself; some folks washes Monday an' irons Tuesday the whole year round, even if the circus is goin' by!"

P.S. I think blogs are more engaging than webpages, but, then again, each serves different purposes. I have seen them work nicely together, as is the case with love2learn.net.

Snow in Georgia and Happy 10th Birthday!

Maggie attends a Catholic girls' club up in Cumming, Georgia, once a week on Wednesdays. This week, Jay and I were waiting in the van for Mags and some friends. I mentioned to my son that the sky sure looked like a "snowy sky". He will turn 7 next month and has never played in the snow. Sure enough, as we drove some of the girls home, we saw a flurry or two. Steadily, the snow increased. As the sun set, we went out on the deck with the dogs and stuck our tongues out and looked up as the sky was pouring flakes of various shapes and sizes down upon our happy, chilly faces.

We ate some cheese and crackers, and it kept coming down. Beautiful! The children piled on hats and gloves, had a snowball fight and built two snowmen (we even had carrots for the noses!).

Then, joy upon joy, it snowed again yesterday on Joy-Beth's 10th birthday. Thank you, Lord. I had seen Jay making snow angels and building snowmen for the first time in his life. Since Joy-Beth entered the "land of the double digits" on the 19th, her father and I allowed her to invite 9 girls (including her sister) for a not-so-much-slumber party. We marvelled at the fact that it had never snowed on her birthday. Snow is so rare in Georgia. We go years in a row only seeing an occasional flurry; and, here in the course of a week, we had two snows with enough snow cover for sledding and snowmen.

Shooting the Moon

I am still thinking about the "leisure/'what is school?'" question that I posed in the last post...

I stole a moment, before I began writing, to look at some old photographs taken of Sarah Orne Jewett's Maine of the late 1800's. I bought a beautiful hardback edition of The Country of the Pointed Firs off the Internet (Half.com) for $1 plus shipping; and, it arrived a couple of hours ago! Joy-Beth, Jay and I are working our way through Seton's two clear and compelling history books on American history for children: How America Began and How America Grew.

Last night, I attended a most inspiring talk by one of our TORCH (go here for a link to this wonderful group) mothers, who has educated her eight children at home for the past 14 years. She and her husband draw on the sacramental grace of marriage to create the "domestic church" that all Catholic families are called to be. Since I was not raised in a Catholic home, it inspires awe in me to see what is possible when we participate in all seven sacraments. We can truly shoot the moon! We should always strive to be who God has created us to be, to be the best version of ourselves. We have no excuses to settle for less than the best, as our Lord has given us all of Himself. He has given us His Most Blessed Mother. He has given us the Vicar of Christ. He has given us our Guide and our Rule, the Church, which is Him alive in the world this minute.

I was particularly touched by some of Patty's exhortations as I have, on many occasions, received the grace necessary to be what I could never be "on my own steam." The gift of home education has only come to our family through God's steady and merciful grace. I have always been intrigued by philosophy, but it was not until I became a Catholic, at the ripe old age of 33, that I realized that a true love of learning can only be possessed when all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are present. What happens when the Holy Spirit is missing? Secular culture for one. People can be very intelligent, but we are a ship with neither rudder nor captain, without God as our Guide. We are adrift, ready (and often willing!) to be blown around by myriad temptations. It is my experience that the more intelligent the person, the more temptations abound. An intelligent person ought to be aware of his need for guidance and grace. So often, this is not the case.

My point is that learning is not just a gift we possess, but it must be accompanied by the grace that we receive from our Creator. Creatures these days are all too ready to worship themselves. Humans want to invent their own religions; they want God to belong to them. The opposite reality -- that we belong to God and His Divine Will -- involves humility. Last night, I saw and heard from a very beautiful, humble child of God. My heart is so full of gratitude and love for all that God has done for me and my family. He has brought the most amazing people into our lives.

Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace. Amen

Knowledge, Leisure and What is "School"?

I just changed the "wallpaper" on my computer desktop to this graphic drawn by artist Mary Englebreit. She calls it "Knowledge". If you click on the link above, you can download it for free. We have a busy weekend with Joy-Beth going up to a sleepover in Buford, Georgia, and Jaybird and Jerry are busy with scouts tonight and in the morning, as they are racing in the "Pinewood Derby". My inlaws and I had such a good phone conversation yesterday evening. I am one fortunate Catholic mom to have my inlaws so very supportive of our decision to educate the children here at home. Somewhere (maybe someone will read this and comment) I read that school comes from a Greek word, schole (I think), which mean leisure.

Now, the implications of this are many. Please hang on and I will write more after I drink more coffee (:

Second Cup

If you click here, you will see this wonderful book we read yesterday by Jerry Pallotta; the artwork and the text are so enriching. Our winter term is off to a good start. Today, later this afternoon, we go back to our clarinet and guitar lessons after a big break. Yesterday, Joy-Beth and Jay used some of the money they received as gifts for Christmas to purchase some more furry friends here at Casa Sullivan. Joy-Beth has a new dwarf hamster named "Winnie" for Winter, and Jaybird has a good-looking black and white guinea pig, which the children named "Oreo". We are also reading Mary Fabyan Windeatt's lively book, King David and His Songs: A Story of the Psalms (here). I am really looking forward to the arrival of a book order from Adoremus books and also some used books from Ebay and Half.com by Ebay. With the new year back in swing, I hope to try some new housekeeping strategies: the "Tuesday Tackle" and "Friday Floors"....this is inspired by Holly Pierlot's book, A Mother's Rule of Life. I also want to try to write everyday.

Thank you Lord for this new year 2008. Please grant us the grace to do your Holy Will in our thoughts, words and deeds. Amen

Sullivan Family Update

I wrote the following on Christmas Eve and was able to mail it to many friends and family. I ran out of cards! So, I am posting this on my blog:
Christmas Eve 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for taking a few minutes to help us count our blessings. Our beautiful Advent season flew by all too fast this year.

Welcome Christmas! Here is a “Sullivan family update,” from the youngest to the oldest:

Jay is 6 and self-described as “fun and nice”. He draws often and well and spends hours building with Legos. He is outgoing, loves people and animals, and has been asking nonstop if he can open his Christmas presents.

Joy-Beth is 9 and true to her name; she is a joy. She loves to read. She writes creatively, writes in cursive, helps Mom re-arrange furniture, composes songs on her guitar, and plays with her siblings and friends.

Maggie is 11 and is blossoming into a lovely young lady. She is a terrific cook, good to her friends and an intellectual powerhouse. She plays the guitar and the clarinet. She advises Mom on the latest home education curricula and trends.

Sara is 41 and can be found blogging on the Internet at “Those That Wonder,” an online journal. http://thosethatwonder.blogspot.com/ Home education is a fit for now for her and her family. She does her best to be active in her neighborhood and parish. She loves to read, write, be outside; and, most of all, watch her children grow and learn.

Jerry is 44 and our hero. After three years of hard work and sacrifice, his work on an Internet security software product is truly making waves in the computer industry. He loves music and plays guitar. How he finds time to care for us, two big dogs, three cats, two cars and a big house is a testament to his faith and love! He is his wife’s greatest blessing on earth.

We survived a few bumps in the road -- more blood and stitches with Jaybird, for one. As those of you who know about some of our past “adventures,” this year has been so very peaceful and uneventful. We had a lovely week at the beach in September, and we love our friends here in Georgia. We miss those of you who live far away, but keep you close in thought and prayer.

May Christ’s Peace and Love be with you today and through Eternity. Have a blessed and happy Christmas season and 2008!
The Sullivan Family

Welcome Christmas!

A dear priest we know from Ghana, Fr. James, signs many of his written communications with the exhortation to, "Stay blessed!" Keeping a good and holy Christmas is to really let the Lord in and to give Him every fiber of our being. This is easy to say, hard to do. I am organizing my workspace in my kitchen and am going to throw away the paper version of this quote, attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. As you can see, it is an examination of conscience of sorts:

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

FOR YOU SEE, IN THE END, IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.
IT NEVER WAS BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY.

Mother Teresa

Those of you who know what a clutter bug I am will laugh. I am not throwing it away and am off, instead, to tape it into my new red leather F.Covey zipper organizer that I bought for myself at Wal-mart a few days ago. Watch out 2008, I am armed with a Day Timer!

Giving God the laundry

Yesterday, right before lunch, my 6 year old son, my 9 year old daughter and I made a major move toward a long-time goal of mine. My goal for many years now has been to enjoy, even for a few minutes, the feeling of having all of the laundry washed, dryed and put away. I have, on one or two occasions, come very close to this. My husband would think he'd "died and gone to heaven," just to arrrive home with all the wash done and put away. Since becoming a mother in 1995, it has been an ongoing struggle for me. To be defeated by heaps of clothing would be such an unhappy fate!

Some Advent notes:
Mother Church gives us a liturgical year filled with goodness, wisdom and plain common sense. I was fortunate to have experienced so much joy and energy as my husband and I prepared for the birth and delivery of our first child, Maggie. Preparing for the Child Jesus does not really depend on our energy level or mood. It depends on our will. Even the devil cannot touch our will. A major obstacle to the life of faith is equating our material happiness with our spiritual happiness. We are happy and at peace deep in our souls because we are in a state of grace, not because all of our material needs (or wants) are filled.

I was so blessed to get to attend a lovely evening two nights ago up in Cumming, Georgia, at the new chapel at Pinecrest Academy. Mass and Confession were part of this "Evening of Reflection," as well as two short and inspiring talks, given by an obviously passionate priest. I hope it is ok to share my penance because it was both unusual and so very thought provoking. The priest gave me absolution and told me to go and do something I'd never done before before Christmas.

Well, I've never started a business, seen a kangaroo, or written a book. These were the things that immediately popped into my head. I've never died and thought about that. But, that is not something within my control.

Control was a big topic that evening. Most folks interested in living a faith-filled life have read some Christian mysticism. The great mystics were really practicioners of the small. They gave to God by letting go of themselves. St. Paul in Phillipians mentions "emptying himself" so as to be filled with God's will. The priest listed 6 obstacles to the life of faith: 1. an "entitlement" attitude 2. a weak prayer life 3. intellectual over-confidence 4. over-confidence in self 5. control and 6. unforgiveness/anger...

Spending as much time as I do with children, I have spent alot of time studying what makes them tick. In general, I love being with children and young people as they are so honest and so full of desire to change the world. Adults tend to become entrenched and, as a whole, have a harder time with change. Children live in a world of change, and, when they are left to their imaginations and a wholesome surrounding, they are inquisitive and creative. They are not always as good as they should be (who is!). They need guidance, and it is my experience that they learn to pray from the heart, when given the time and attention that they deserve.

Well, I better go do some housework. I wonder if I will do that one thing I have never done before Christmas day. I hope my family will celebrate a lovely, peaceful Christmastime filled with family and friends. I am often repeating two things, one of which my own father said to me often, "Pretty is as pretty does." I have added, "People are more important than things."

Begin Again

This post could also be titled, "Back to the Drawing Board," as I am feeling the frustration all mothers feel at not having the time to do all that we'd like to do. This past October when I was on a women's retreat at our parish, I was reading an excellent little book, The Way, by the Spanish priest and saint, Jose Maria Escriva. That is where I got "begin again," it is an exhortation from him, and it is inspired by Him who is merciful forgiveness.

I think we need to pull in and check up on our priorities when we feel overwhelmed. Are we, in this order: first, a disciple of Christ, second, a "dream" wife to our husband, and third, a loving mother to our children. All this must be lived at once, which is a tricky business. I wish I could express this better, but here goes: I am both an idealist and a realist. All this means that I think we should dream big, while, at the same time, be gentle and forgiving with ourselves and others (this is the realist part).

That's all for now as I am off to pray, do some math and fold some (and put away!) laundry.

Thank you Lord Jesus for unending new beginnings. You are the Word made flesh and you lift us up every time we fall. Please put Your Holy Desires on our hearts!

Getting rid of our sins...

I was just watching a little EWTN via the Internet, as I cleaned up the kitchen (We have not had cable t.v. for nearly 4 years. Can you tell I miss the good part?), and the priest from England who was giving a little Advent meditation mentioned that when G.K. Chesterton was asked why in the world he wanted to become a Catholic, he responded, "to get rid of my sins." As any practicing Catholic knows, the gift of priestly absolution in the Confessional is from God and it is absolutely meant for us. We are called to be saints. We are called to love others as our Lord and Savior has loved, and continues to love, us. I think I could go to Confession once a day! I so desire to love God. So often, I find myself falling short, and I am in awe at the power of the sacraments to restore my soul.

Thanks be to God, my husband and I got what we sometimes call a "spiritual shower" (We went to Confession) on Saturday morning before the first Sunday of this lovely season.

Lord Jesus, thank you for Mother Church which continues to save us as often as we are willing to be open to our salvation. Our salvation is not complete until we see you face to face. Then, we will see ourselves and our earthly pilgrimage as they truly are. Help us, during this time of waiting, to examine the state of our souls. Help us to love ourselves, not judge others (as we never know the "whole story"), and love You as You have loved us. Amen.

Coffee, tea or me

When I was growing up, I had several opportunities to travel by airplane. I was delighted by all of it. (It was not until after I was married that I had my air travel bubble popped, when we nearly crashed upon landing in St. Louis.) Back to those golden times, however, the trappings of air travel were exciting, even glamorous to this Kentucky-bred girl. While part of me wants to sit here and reminisce about all those travels, what brought it to mind was the ongoing discussion I am having with several friends regarding home education.

I was raised in a very privileged environment. I am an ivy-league graduate and have seen my fair share of the globe; and, no I was not a Catholic missionary at the time. While I am easy-going and like to please people (dominate sanguine temperament), I am pleasure-loving as well. I have travelled and lived in Spain and Latin America where, unless I've missed a trend, homeschooling is not a big movement in those places. Here in the US of A, it is; and, thank the good God for it. It is a movement. It involves both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. At its best, homeschooling is a vocation, a calling from Christ our Lord to enter into His very life.

The requirement is a willing heart. For me, the willingness to bring everyone home was just the beginning of what has been a very challenging and inspiring, 18 or so, months. The last year the girls were in school I read and read and read. I looked at lots of curricula. I thought I knew my childrens' needs and planned to the best of my ability. I knew God's Love would fill in my gaps. The one thing that has remained consistent since 2005, when my husband and I really began to desire to educate the children from home, is a regular and fervent prayer life. We "show up" for prayer.

I could really end the story with that. Pray, and keep praying, and the Lord will enlighten your path. For those interested in "jumping off the cliff," in taking the leap of faith necessary to bring one child, or more, home, or to home educate from the "get-go", the tools in the tool belt are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, Knowledge, Piety, Understanding, Wisdom, and Counsel).

I really wish there was less thought of "homeschooling" and more on "home educating," because education and schooling are two very different things. As my nine year old daughter told a dear friend the other day when asked what she most liked about homeschooling, she replied, "I like how we are learning all the time." I love watching my children pursue their interests. I am amazed at how different our three are one from the other. I do not always have an easy time with my children, and I am with them alot more than they are with their dad. Yet, the children know that my husband and I are a common front when it comes to their education. Jerry really encouraged me to breastfeed, and I joked with him that he just wanted to save the money on formula. Down deep I knew it gave him great pleasure and real satisfaction that I chose to raise the children in a very wholesome, relaxed way. When I finally got the courage to bring the girls home, he was again deeply appreciative. He still is.

I love the discussions my husband and I have about what we are learning and how we are doing it. Again, it is not always easy for us to find our way, but we turn to Mother Church. By staying faithful, we are faithful to our children. In turn, I love talking with my children. I do not talk at them much; that is, I am not spending my mornings "playing teacher". I am who I am, and I bring my gifts to bear on their education. I notice that if I leave them alone for long periods, they learn more. We spend a good amout of time each week learning together as a family.

I think home educating moms need time alone to pause and reflect on the journey. My husband is down the street "as we speak" at our neighborhood father-child campout, but two already came home. You know, one news flash from my end is this: my children and I love being at home alone and quiet. This notion that you "never get a break" is faulty because home education provides the time and space to learn to peacefully co-exist.

NOTES: I began my search for materials with the Catholic Heritage Curricula and have been so nourished by the writing and speaking of Rita Munn. Holly Pierlot's book, A Mother's Rule of Life, is one of my favorite resources so far. I also loved Susie Andres book, Homeschooling with Gentleness, A Catholic Discovers Unschooling. But, looking back, both of these books came into my hands as what I call an "affirmation", meaning that they affirmed what I was already doing, what I was already thinking. I do not read about someone's life, then go change everything. It is, I believe, a gift from our Lord that we are all valid. There are several approaches and each family has a unique charism that enables them to learn in the manner that fits their needs, talents and challenges. I loved the political and religious insights in Mary Kay Clark's book Catholic Home Schooling, and have found a lot of the Seton materials engaging. I peruse regularly Adoremusbooks.com.

Adoremus has the syllabi for various programs in all grades in all subjects. I do not follow a daily lesson plan split into subjects. I do cover the "four R's" (reading, writing, arithmetic and religion) as part of our morning prayer/saint of the day routine.

In writing this, I realize that I'd like to blog some of our favorite books. I am reading How America Began from Seton and love the Pauline sisters books on the saints. There is more, but I am getting tired. More later....

So much going on...

I just asked Jaybird to give me a title for this little reflection, and he said, "So much going on..." And, that is the truth. It is not busy-ness, however. Good stuff. Being with lots of people, living so much real-life learning, reading, cooking, playing, drawing, making new friends, visiting with old friends. A week from this coming Friday we will wrap up our fall TORCH coop session on the Environment. It has been a time of wonder and growth for all of us. I am low on being able to express the particulars right now, but high on gratitude for the blessings of this past month.

I love homeschooling and hope God gives me many more days of living in this way. It is such a fit for our family.

I'll close with a short prayer for my dear friend Mary-Gay who is laboring with her seventh child. St. Gerard, pray for her!