Thoughts to You (But Mostly Myself) on Home Schooling

This week's weather reminds me of why I live in Florida. ONLY this week, mind you! It has been so stinkin' hot here. It's October for crying out loud. But this week has brought about morning weather that makes you want to sing. It also brings (or seems to anyway) the best out in my youngest student!

This year has been a roller coaster with the thoughts in my head of , "should I or should I not home school?" ADHD, sensory integration disfunction and attachment issues due to substance exposure in utero makes my littlest spin, literally, and my head spin, figuratively. Screaming fits, defiance and an extremely strong will make me question whether we have made the right choice to home school her.

Then we have days like this that speak for itself. My beauty who is normally distracted beyond all compare finds the ability to function quite normally outside surrounded by her bunny friends with her favorite story playing on her cd player. And school was done by 1 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. There were no screaming temper tantrums and life was beautiful.

So I remind myself, "These are some of the reasons I choose to home school. What memories are being made! What invaluable resources for my crazy princess!"

Unconventional, you say?

ABSOLUTELY!

Hard Life Lessons on Sin, Death and Grace Gifts

This last week was a tough one for my littlest. My nature lover. The friend of all animals. It was sanctifying for me too.

It started out as a regular ole' school week. Math lessons streeeeetttcccched out for longer than necessary. Sassy talk. Discipline. Hugs. Laughter.

Until Mr. Cartwright called home. He found a possum. A baby possum. He had thought of our little one who loves to nurture on lost and needy animals. I asked him, "Please not this time....I don't think I can do a possum." Well, little Inger overheard the conversation and asked permission to call her daddy about this issue. He was long gone from the sight he had found it, but PROMISED that the next time he found one, he would bring it home. Now mind you, HE HAD NEVER FOUND A POSSUM. EVER.

The very next day he came across another little guy. And he kept his promise. So Prince came into our lives. I NEVER would have EVER said I would have a possum in my home, yet I knew this would be an important experience in my little one's life. We read and learned tons about possums. Did you know they do not suck like other baby animals? They are marsupials who are in the momma's pouch for 90 days. We think our little guy was about 5 months old. He still needed milk although he lapped from a water bowl. So we gave him a bottle that he chewed on and we'd squeeze a few extra drops into his mouth.

I caved after the first night of him sleeping in a box in the garage. Inger begged for him to be in the zippered cat carrier on her bed at night. This worked well. She was such a good momma! She carried him in her apron or robe pocket. She played with him as he seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. She would walk around with him on her shoulder and he'd just sit there looking around.

In the evening of the sixth night we'd had him, he stopped eating and grew weaker and weaker! We tucked him in for the night, but I knew he wasn't going to make it. Little Prince died that night.

The next morning, my hubby and I were up early talking and getting ready to read Scripture, when a little person came out of her room wondering what happened. She snuggled up on me as I told her Prince had died. She started sobbing! Crying harder than ever!

I took her onto my bed and let her cry, talking to her about how God loves his creation. How He cares for the birds of the air and gives all those flowers she loves so much their beautiful clothes. I reminded her that Jesus knew little Prince was sick and allowed her to be part of his life. I, then, turned to the subject at hand. This subject being a little harder to discuss with her as she struggles through her own life, blinded to her sin as of yet. Not thinking she needs a Savior up to this point. But, this mommy's heart, knowing this was another opportunity to help her see the effects of sin on the world. Sin that separates us from a holy God. Sin that demands judgment. The Gospel became central again. I prayed that it hit close to home for my little lamb.

I turned to my own thoughts. I realized it just happened to be the anniversary of my dear mother's home going 5 years prior. I allowed myself to shed tears that were bottled up for the day. I tend to "keep busy" so that I don't have to face my own sadness at times, but my Heavenly Father knew I needed to grieve as well. This was a grace gift to start my day.

I laid there as we cried together. Both hurting. One of us knowing grace; the other needing it.

Our Special Friends

I hate cats!

This is what I said before Oreo came into our lives. Two years ago, Little Joe purchased a kitten for Inger for her 7th birthday. From just a local pet store. But he is one special cat that makes our lives happy, especially, Inger's.

And now, because we were duped to think all cats are Oreo, we have Snickerdoodles too. Snicks is now one and was raised from one day old by Inger. She bottle fed him and had to mimic a mother cat in many ways. Lots of you tube videos were watched about how to stimulate a baby kitten to use the bathroom. (I bet you didn't know a mother cat licks a baby kittens...you know what...to stimulate them to pee.) Sorry for all the extra info.

So on this 39 degree morning here in Florida, please enjoy these photos of our special cats...and dog...and hens...and parakeets. So thankful for my little Inger who loves animals.

Big Red and Cover Girl

The girls and I took a little trip to Tennessee this last week to visit with my sister and her family and Dad and Lindi. We had such a great time and made some awesome memories. 

We went to the local Pigeon Forge pool.

 We were given complimentary tickets to Dollywood's Splash Country.

 We drove the Cade's Cove Loop and attempted to have a bbq picnic, but we were rained out.

 Each time we visit there is a "first without mom" memory too. As we drove through Cade's Cove, I realized the last time I was there I took mom while she was sick on Chemo. She slept most of the way, but at one stop we got out and sat in the chairs we had brought. I read Psalms to her. As we passed that meadow on this visit I could see her sitting there.

I can't believe it has been 4 years since mom has gone home to be with the Lord. Time flies. Children grow. Time just changes things. But some things never change. 

Like the smell of Big Red gum and Cover Girl Face Powder. These are the smells that my sister and I were reminiscing about. Mom's purse always carried these two essential things. I can still hear her laugh and see her crazy ways. My sister embodies many of them. Ha! So many of her mannerisms are moms. This made me happy.

After mom left us, my sister planted a tree and had a plaque made that still sits in her front yard.

 I've said this before, but I am so thankful for the legacy my mom left.

The Horrible Nuisances

We love nature here on the Ponderosa. We love having bird feeders, water feeders, and have seen a large variety of birds. We often have wrens make nests in our tree fort, garage and plants on the front porch.

But no matter how much we love them, we hate the other creatures that the seed draws here.

SQUIRRELS ARE SUCH A NUISANCE!!!!

We have tried baffles, airsoft guns, etc. And now our birdfeeders stay empty. Birdseed is expensive and they empty the feeders in one day.

And now, I can't even keep the chicken coop open during the day because they find their way in to eat the chicken food. Maybe our resident pet whisperer can train her beloved hens to chase and peck them. Any other ideas? I'd love them.

Happy 7th Birthday, My Little Sweetie!

Dear Bug-Catching, Nature-Walking, Animal-Loving "Inger",

Today is your 7th birthday. You have just about busted out of your seams all week waiting for this day. That's one of the many things I love about you. You are so excitable and your enthusiasm is contagious. You love life. You love God's creation. You make me laugh by all your little sayings and doings. God has given you incredible talents that, I pray, you never take for granted or forget about.

I am so thankful that Jesus placed you in our home 5 years ago. You are a gift from God. He knew this family needed you when he brought us together.

Our prayer for you is to grow up in all aspects. You are a beautiful young lady on the inside at out. But remember, the beauty in your heart and soul is so much more important than the beauty of your person and body. We pray that your love for Jesus will become so strong that it infects all of those around you. We pray that the world will see Jesus in you.

Aim your affection toward Him and He will be all you need.

We love you, silly goose!

Slow and Steady

We have had several "friends" stop in for pit stops...

We have enjoyed their presence and then, quickly cleaned up their slime trails.

My littlest has added a dimension to the Ponderosa that has NEVER existed before. I have always had my thoughts about people who had ten million animals in their home. Friends, please remind me of these thoughts periodically.

"Inger" may win in the end.

A Special Note

I woke to a special note left for me on my bedside.

"Inger" has such thoughtfulness and now that she is trying to spell and write I am looking forward to many more.

(For those of you that need a translation, it says, "Mom and Dad." We'll be working on our reversals this year. It's the thought that counts.)

(This is the same encourager who woke me up by rubbing my cheeks and saying, "That's not flubber, Mommy. Just loose skin. Like seals." Then she proceeded to imitate their mating call.)

I love my sweet pea.

My "Anything that Breathes" Lover

Pet For the Hour

"Inger" loves animals. Her daddy knows that and brought home a wild bird that he found at work. It appeared to have a hurt wing. We attempted to nurse it, but, as you can see in the photos, "Cochise" didn't like it too well.

Below, he proves he may be part Pointer/Retriever!

Here is the precious little bird. We ended up having to let him go free. "Cochise" would not let the subject drop. My precious little "Inger" had herself a good cry.

Anyone know what kind of bird this is????