Homeschool

Joy in Saying Yes

Michelle Underwood God is Good, Homeschool , , 0 Comment

January 7, 2022 – Friday

This past summer, I said yes to gymnastics.  My spirit seemed to just know it was where we needed to be.    At the time, our 9:30 am class was overflowing with children on summer break.  My first day there I met Heidi.  We immediately connected and became fast friends.

In getting to know Heidi, she revealed that she plays the harp and is an instructor.  She also mentioned that her sister Gracia was in the horse world and worked at a barn near our house.

When my daughter was three, she told me she wanted to play the harp like King David (be still my beating heart).  I stored her dream in my heart and have pondered it ever since.  Since that time the dream has grown – mostly in my own heart.

When the Lord introduces you to a harp teacher who's sister works at a barn - it is hard to ignore it.   Needless to say... the Lord had my attention.

With the start of school, our gymnastics group dwindled down to the homeschoolers, and for a while it was just our family.  Heidi and I have since kept in touch.

Over the past six months the children's interest in gymnastics has waned.  They would rather be in the barn - riding.  Oh how I understand.  So would I! It is with horses that our hearts sing.   Though I was hesitant, I gave our 30 day notice at gymnastics and we are finishing up the month of January.

I filled the empty space with homeschool choir.  Perhaps I should have just left the space open.  There are so many wonderful options all around me.  I am trying hard to follow the Lord and His path.  Everything that sparkles does not demand my attention.  I am praying for wisdom.

Yet... before leaving gymnastics, God had one more thing in mind.  Yesterday, Ashley walked in with her daughter for their first class.  It was a cold January morning.  Her stocking cap was adorned with little bits of hay.  She obviously caught my attention.   As I introduced myself - she mentioned that she had just rushed over from the barn.  We chatted the hour away – mostly about horses.

Ashley told me that horses had always been a dream of hers.  It was this longing that led her to knock on a barn door and offer to muck stalls.  After almost two years of chores, she finally got to ride, and today owns a horse of her own.

I am so inspired by her pursuit of her dream. Perhaps there are times in life that we need to be willing to muck stalls to make our dreams a reality.    

Wanna know the cool part?  Guess where she works?  With Gracia, Heidi's sister.  The barn by my house.

As we were talking, she said something I can’t shake.  She said “it’s time for you to get your horse”.  Though I just met her, her words had a familiar ring - my spirit heard my Shephard’s voice.  Sometimes God uses us - even when we don’t know He is doing it.  I am pretty sure Ashley had no clue of the significance of what she said, but her words were salve to my dry and weary soul.  They were words I have been waiting to hear for over twenty years.

As we parted ways that morning, we both knew we had a met a kindred spirit and that the Lord was indeed up to something.

As I recapped the story to my husband over dinner, he said… “maybe it is time we get a horse!”  For so long we have pondered the idea of owning our own horse.  My dream for horses has been deferred for so long.  Is this the season this desire of my heart will be fulfilled!?  God… I lay this at your feet and wait in excited anticipation to see what you will do.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Prov 13:12, ESV)

ACTION: Where has your hope been deferred?  What have you been wishing and hoping for?  I hear the Lord saying to pull it back out again and press in.  Perhaps like Ashley, it will take action on our part.  Dreams do at times just fall in our lap, but other times we find ourselves mucking through the process.  Is there one step we could take today to get the wheels in motion?  Is there a stall that needs mucking? 

Joy in the Stretching

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

January 6, 2022 – Thursday

Joy in the Stretching

Praise the Lord for His goodness!  The lemons of yesterday, breast biopsies and no heat, made the sweetest lemonade.  I refused to allow them to make me pucker and pout.  Instead I chose joy.  There were times it wasn’t easy and my mind wanted to travel down the darkest most familiar path of worry.  Yet I refused, time and time again.  Did I worry a little? Yes.  But did I persevere? Yes!  As I sat in the sterile room, my breast in compression, awaiting biopsy I was uncomfortable.  I was uncomfortable about the needle.  I was uncomfortable about the procedure.  I was uncomfortable about the results.  Being stretched is never comfortable -especially when it is your breast.  Those of you who have had a mammogram know what I am talking about.  Biopsy is breast compression plus needle.  Double whammy.

As we sit in a place of stretching… we have a choice.  Will we allow our mind to travel down every possible dark path of what if, doubt and worry it can find?  Or will we choose to focus on and trust God and pray for a heavenly perspective.  My first line of defense is to decree health and not come into agreement with sickness.  After that I lay it all at God’s feet and trust Him with the rest.  It is easier said than done.  It has taken years of stretching and practice.  I am not always good at it, but I am getting better.  I am paving new paths of joy, trust, and peace to travel down in lieu of the darkest valley.

Our brains have been created with the amazing capacity to remap pathways and neural connections.  This is known as neural plasticity.  Simply put, we are not at the mercy of our thoughts and experiences.  We can rewire our brains and alter our response to events that typically create a fight or flight response.

My beloved pastor at my church in Colorado initially introduced me to the concept of rewiring my brain.  He recommended the teachings by Dr. Caroline Leaf.  Dr. Leaf is a Christian neuroscientist whose passion is teaching people about the power of the mind to change their brain.  Her teachings are easy to understand, powerful, and life changing.   I have a link to those resources below.

“You are not a victim.  You can control your reactions.  You do have a choice.” ~ Switch on Your Brain, Dr. Caroline Leaf

I initially read Dr. Leaf's books back in 2018 when I was going through a period of intense anxiety.  I had never experienced anxiety to this level before and was at a complete loss on how to regain control of my thoughts.  With the help of my pastor, praying and supportive friends, Dr. Leaf’s teaching, a breathing coach, and anti-anxiety medication, I was on the road to recovery.  It was a painful season of stretching that was transformative.

There is so much more I could write about that season of my life and hope to get to that one day.  But for now… let’s get back to the stretching…

As I sat in the compression, waiting for the radiologist to examine the image and locate the place of biopsy, my thoughts wandered.  Time and time again I lassoed them up and redirected them.  As the radiologist approached I took a deep breath.  What happened next stunned me.  She told me that she couldn’t find the place of concern and that there would be no need for a biopsy today.  She apologized for the inconvenience and told me I could go home.  She recommended I come back in six months for follow up.  Praise God!  In my heart I knew it wasn’t anything concerning, but fear was screaming at me telling me otherwise.  I feel so thankful for God’s wisdom to identify anxiety and fear for what they are, and for the confidence and courage to face each challenge with joy.

On my way home I decompressed at the library picking up the Andy Griffith movies I had put on hold.  They had been free on Prime and we were having so much fun as a family watching these old shows together.  As of January 1 they are no longer free.  We are thankful the library is well stocked on Andy Griffith.  I then stopped by the used books for purchase and found so many!  Our home library continues to grow.  An over-abundance of books is part of the reason we spent so much of our Christmas break reorganizing.  We have to make space for the books!

That afternoon I got home to a warm house (the heat was fixed) and tender hug from husband.  Lemonade!!

Since December 31th, I have been journeying through this season of stretching.  It was only six days praise God (I have been stretched for much longer periods).  But without stretching there is no growth.  It isn’t the destination that God is after, it is the journey.  How we journey matters!

No matter what the stretching in your life, the outcome is extravagant, like a limousine.  Whatever you are facing – you can find the joy.  Even when it’s hard.   Fake it till you make it.  Skip the woe is me path and head down the road less traveled.  Maybe even start with serving others.  This less traveled path will make all the difference.

 

Resources:

VIDEOS

How too Detox Your Brain - Dr Caroline Leaf

 

BOOKS

Joy in Serving

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , 0 Comment

January 5, 2022, Wednesday

Joy in Serving

As I tiptoed downstairs early this morning, I quickly realized something was different.  It was so cold in the house.  The heat register read 59 degrees with a note from my husband that read “something has gone wrong, will call for service today”.  I turned on our propane fireplace and our double oven to try and take off the chill.    Yesterday it was 45 degrees.  Today with wind chill it feels like -13.  Oh heat! Why such timing?  Hopefully tapping into abundant joy brings warmth.

Yesterday I had my second mammogram and ultrasound.  The results indicated a biopsy.  The radiologist says he can’t see the spot of concern good enough to classify it.  So… here we go I guess.  A part of me wants to say no! It’s nothing.  Scrap the biopsy.  The other part of me just wants to surrender to God and put my trust in the doctors He has placed on my path.  I think I will go with option B – surrender and trust.  Though running from it all sounds good too.  The problem with running and not facing something is the storm we encounter.  Much like Jonah on the ship when he ran from what God called Him to face.  Running is never the answer.  We must simply take the next right step.

Today, I turned to Philippians in the Passion Translation.  The title: A Heavenly Letter of Joy!  I love that!

We now know we can and should find joy in suffering, and that gratitude plays a role in finding joy.  Knowing about joy and receiving it are two different things.  We must not only believe, we must also receive.  Receiving requires active participation.  Believing is just the beginning.

As I proceed to chapter 2 today, I read that there is joy in serving.  Immediately my brain says go big or go home.  Yet I have so much on my plate today, I can’t fathom how I am going to serve today.  I know I live in a world that needs Jesus and that the opportunities to serve are endless.   But today Lord?  How?  It is there I feel His familiar whisper… there are so many to serve right within the walls of your home.  We can serve our children and our husband, and do it well.  The key isn’t how elaborately we serve, it is simply that we serve.

It is easy to be selfish when life is giving you lemons.  It is easy to put on a sour face, feel sorry for yourself and expect others to serve you because of the hardship you have been dealt.  A woe is me attitude will not result in joy.  It will result in a selfish pursuit of expecting others to serve us, and disappointment when they don’t meet our expectations.  The longing we have to be served, can only be satisfied through serving others.  It is through the selfless pursuit of serving that we find joy!

3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. 4 Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. (Phil 2:3-4, TPT)

Today I will trust God and focus on joy.  I will serve others with a joyful heart.  I will smile.  I will refuse to worry.  I will pray for others.  I will tell my husband thank you for being home to watch the children and fix the heat.  Today I will choose the path the less traveled.  The path with scenic views and heavenly perspectives.  Today I will choose joy.  Joy in the trial.  Joy through serving.  Today I will paint myself in revival and lift the mood of our home!

Joy in Suffering

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , , , 0 Comment

January 4, 2022 – Tuesday

Joy in Suffering

Yesterday morning, as I was writing about gratitude and joy, I heard the pitter patter of footsteps upstairs – a natural timer that tells me it is time to shift gears.  I greeted my children with smiles and prepared to start our day.  Over a yummy breakfast of Baked Pancakes, we resumed our Armor of God study.  As part of the study, the children had to look up various verses in the Bible.  I was helping my youngest find Ephesians, as he quickly paged backwards through the four chapters of Philippians.  The bold titles of Philippians flashed before my eyes: JOY IN GIVING, JOY IN BELIEVING, JOY IN SERVING, JOY IN SUFFERING.  I wanted to pause there, God had just given me the blue prints to joy!  Yes – there is joy in gratitude.  But here were four other layers the Lord was highlighting (all because we were in the Word)!!  But my son was moving on to Ephesians full steam ahead.  Philippians would have to wait.

I am finally able to open my Bible and get back to the blueprints the Lord laid before me yesterday.  This comes at a good time.  Today I am going back in for a follow up mammogram and ultrasound (Joy in Revival).  Anxiety has been shouting at me since I first got my results on Friday, December 31st.  Thank goodness I was knee deep in painting and covered from head to toe in the color of revival!  I had a choice over the past 4 days.   Was I going to choose joy or was I going to let worry consume me?  The quote from Corrie Ten Boom has been booming in my mind…

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ― Corrie Ten Boom

Today was coming no matter the path I traveled.  All roads were leading to Tuesday.  The choice I had to make was which path I would take.  Would I take the scenic road with a heavenly perspective full joy, or choose the valley of the shadow of death ridden with weeds of worry and fear?  The latter is a familiar well-worn path with deep ruts from many years of travel.  My mind knows that path well and is comfortable with the familiar scenery.  Over the past decade I have been working diligently to pave new paths.  They are slowly forming ruts as well.  The old road of worry is no longer well maintained due to lack of travel.  There are now obstacles in the way.  Trees have fallen across the path. Mud slides have filled in the ruts.  New grass is growing making the path obscure.  I can still choose that path if I want.  Fortunately I don’t want to.  For years I didn’t even know there were other paths available.  But I have seen those paths and they are beautiful.  They are indeed less traveled.  It is always the road less traveled that makes the difference.

As I embarked on the four day wait to today… I literally had to refuse to travel down the path of worry.  I would shout NO! I refuse to travel down this road.  I will take the path less traveled!  I will choose joy!  Worrying about tomorrow today will do me no good.  This is easier said than done.  But it is said.  It is said time and time again in the Bible.  We are called to cast our worries on Jesus (1 Pet 5:7), to refuse to worry about tomorrow (Matt 6:34), to be joyful always and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:16-18).  This is just the tip of the ice burg.

7 Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. 8 Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. 9 Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. 10 And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. 11 And he has all the power needed to do this—forever! (1 Peter 5:7-11, TPT)

34 Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” (Matt 6:34, TPT)

16 Let joy be your continual feast. 17 Make your life a prayer. 18 And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:16-18, TPT)

God has given me the blueprints of joy in the four chapters of Philippians.  This is the road less traveled.  Today's path... joy in suffering.

Joy in Suffering:

We discover happiness when times are easy.  We discover true joy in Jesus.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he is writing from prison as he awaits trial.  He is teaching about joy while he is in prison.  Perhaps he was preaching to himself what he knew to be true, but needed a reminder of.  Perhaps that is what I too am doing today.

 

Here is what I know to be true:

The enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy.  Jesus came to give us life in abundance (John 10:10).

10 A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! (John 10:10, TPT)

I am a daughter of the King (2 Cor 6:18).

I will be a true Father to you, and you will be my beloved sons and daughters,” says the Lord Yahweh Almighty.  (2 Cor 6:18, TPT)

By His stripes I am healed (Isa 53:5).

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5, KJV)

No weapons formed against me will prosper (Isa 54:17).

But I promise you, no weapon meant to hurt you will succeed, and you will refute every accusing word spoken against you.  This promise is the inheritance of Yahweh’s servants, and their vindication is from me,” says Yahweh. (Isa 54:17, TPT)

When I stand firm on God’s promises and trust Him with the details, I can be unshakable (Matt 7:24-25).

24 “Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. 25 When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation. (Matt 7:24-25, TPT)

 

As I journey through the waiting, I choose to take this opportunity to experience the greatest joy that I can.  If I can tap into the endless fountain of abundant joy in the trial… finding it in the day-to-day will become second nature.  I feel like the Lord is saying this isn’t about the destination, but the journey.  How I journey through this matters.  Over the next days – my goal is to experience the abundant joy of Jesus.

2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. (James 1:2-4, TPT)

Joy in Gratitude!

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , , 0 Comment

January 3, 2022 – Monday

Joy in Gratitude

I’m happy because I am thankful;
not thankful because I’m happy.

Joy is a byproduct of gratitude. We become increasingly joyful as we become increasingly thankful. To focus on joy we must focus on gratitude. The children and I have gratitude journals. Much to my chagrin, I have become lax at mine. As they grew more independent over the past year, they would sit down (in the dark red parlor room) to do their journals as part of their morning independent work. This would give me time to clean up the breakfast dishes or get dressed for the day. But I miss sitting and focusing on gratitude together. Those were precious moments I long to regain.

What we focus on we magnify. Who wouldn’t benefit from gratitude magnified? As we begin this New Year, I am making a commitment to dust off my gratitude journal and magnify thanksgiving alongside my children.

Another really fun way to journal gratitude is daily beauty walks. I have done this in years past, though it is not my current practice. The kids and I would head out into nature and search for something beautiful. We would then capture it in a photo and share it on social media. Even in the dead of winter – we would find the most extraordinary beauty.

Whatever the ailment – nature is the remedy.

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Joy in Revival!

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

January 1, 2022 – Saturday

Joy in Revival!

Chickens.  They are all fun and games until the wind chill is -20 degrees.  Enough said.

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My favorite way to begin a new year is by listening to what the Lord is saying about the upcoming year.  This year I hear Him saying revival and authentic joy!  As we prepare to literally cover our parlor room walls in the color of “revival” I know this word is deeper than my paint can, and the year will reveal God’s truth one brush stroke at a time.

These words are timely.  The results from my mammogram were sent to my inbox yesterday and are indicative for a follow-up.  Ugh.  Joy is put to the test right out of the gates!

What strikes me about joy is that it is a choice we make despite our circumstances.  Joy is supernaturally empowered, and isn’t something we tap into by might or strength (Zech 4:6).  Authentic joy is dependent on Jesus.  Happiness is dependent on our circumstances.  Happiness can be found in paint colors.  When our identity is rooted in happiness it is shakable.  When a child takes a sharpie to our newly painted walls, happiness crumbles.  Authentic joy comes when our identity is firmly rooted in Christ and in His love for us.  This my friends is joy unshakable.  Its source?  Love.  Authentic joy is not dependent on “marker free” walls.  If we wait for our circumstances (or our parlor room) to be perfect, we may find happiness, but it is fragile and fleeting.  Joy on the other hand is a firm foundation that comes from Christ alone, and His deep love for us.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. (Zech 4:6, NKJV)

“Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit: spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences. But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, and the party’s over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.  In contrast to happiness stands joy. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that he will be there no matter what!  Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ.”  (NIV Life Application Study Bible)

Joy and revival go hand-in-hand.  The definition of revival is to return to life or to recover it (Websters 1828).  Jesus came to give us life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10).  When we start to live life abundantly through Christ – we start to experience revival.  To revive our life, or to live life abundantly, we must first learn to tap into the joy that is found through Christ alone.  His joy is our strength (Neh 8:10), and is exceedingly abundantly above anything we could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Revive: To return to life; to recover life. (Websters 1828)

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)

And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.” (Neh 8:10, AMP)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph 3:20, NKJV)

Our souls are longing for what our spirit knows is inherently ours.  Joy is our birthright.  As sons and daughters of the King – we have access to the abundance of Christ (Phil 4:19). Yet, so many of us are searching for authentic joy through happiness.  Joy can only be found in discovering Jesus’ love for us, and that joy is the strength that revives us.

I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ! (Phil 4:19, TPT)

As I am writing this, the song “Lookin’ for Love” by Johnny Lee is playing on repeat in my mind, while the Lord reminds me of my writing "Holding Out for a Hero". I invite you to join me there...

Lookin’ for Love (Johnny Lee, 1980)

CHORUS
I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places
Lookin' for love in too many faces
Searchin' their eyes
Lookin' for traces of what I'm dreaming of
Hoping to find a friend and lover
I'll bless the day I discover
Another heart lookin' for love

VERSES
I spent a lifetime lookin' for you
Single bars and good time lovers were never true
Playing a fools game, hopin' to win
Tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again

I was alone then, no love in sight
I did everything I could to get me through the night
I don't know where it started or where it might end
I turned to a stranger just like a friend

You came knockin' on my heart's door
You're everything I've been looking for

No more lookin' for love in all the wrong places
Lookin' for love in too many faces
Searchin' their eyes
Lookin' for traces of what I'm dreaming of
Now that I found a friend and lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin' for love

 

You are still here… hope you are in awe of those lyrics.  Now really... let’s hop on over to “Holding Out for a Hero”.

You can come back… and when you do… take a moment to soak in the beautiful truth of the song Build My Life by Pat Barrett – yet another love song.

Primer – I’m in Love with You

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , , 0 Comment

December 30, 2021 - Sunday

This morning, in the midst of our remodel, I decided to squeeze in a routine mammogram before the turn of the year.  Our deductible is met and I am overdue.  As I was out and about, I decided to shop for lights for our parlor room.  When I returned my husband had concealed the red walls with primer. “I’m in love! I’m in love! And I don’t care who knows it!” (You’ll have to excuse me – I am still coming off the joy of the Christmas season.  Elf anybody?).  You know you have made a good decision when you fall in love with primer.  What a breath of fresh air from the dark reds.  It is almost as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  How can color do that?

Speaking of color.  We have decided on Colonial Revival Gray (by Sherwin Williams).  I am all about revival!  And oh how I love the history of Colonial America.  Meet my perfect color.  The color is as lovely as its name.

Tomorrow we paint!

A Christmas Carol

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A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

When I was praying about what to do for Christmas school this year, I felt a gentle nudge to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  We chose to listen to the audio book by Tim Curry (available through Audible), and really enjoyed his narration.  I was uncertain if my children (9 and 11) would be too sensitive for the material, but I found it to be age appropriate.  The book itself is written in a manner that did not invoke fear in my children.

A Christmas Carol picture book by Brett Helquist, and the graphic novel by Sean Wilson, were nice accompaniments to the novel, though some of the images did create some uneasiness.

I have been cautious to wait on books and movies that might promote fear in my children.  What I have discovered is that novels like the Wizard of Oz or A Christmas Carol rely on my children’s imaginations, as opposed to picture books and movies that do the imagining for you.  With that said, we did enjoy A Christmas Carol the picture book by Brett Helquist, and the graphic novel by Sean Wilson, along with the Muppets Christmas Carol.  The movie was nicely done for younger children.  The images in the pictures books did create some uneasiness, but overall they felt appropriate for older children.  For the grand finale our family attended a local performance of A Christmas Carol at a local University.

When I asked the children how they would rate the novel, my oldest gave it a 5/5 and my youngest a 4/5.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how much they enjoyed this timeless story.  The novel sparked many delightful conversations, as well as an opportunity to study Charles Dickens.  Who Was Charles Dickens by Pam Pollack, and A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson were a great addition to our study.  It makes me excited to read some of his other books with my children like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield.

Parlor Room and Pound Cake

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , 0 Comment

December 28, 2021 – Tuesday

The Christmas season has come and gone.  My sweet husband is home for a week with us.  This is the first time we have had a staycation since we moved to Midwest. There is something so refreshing about being home.  At least for me.  My husband on the other hand, may need a vacation from his staycation.  He is generously tackling my honey-do list in the school room, and for that I am SO thankful!

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The room appears to have been originally designed as a parlor room, complete with dark red stripped walls and a gaudy chandelier.  Along one wall is an amazing nook where our beloved 1919 player piano resides – right at home in the late 19th century motif of the room.

Historically, the parlor room was typically set apart for formal occasions, conversations, and entertaining acquaintances.  It was the mothers pride and joy and not to be defiled by her children.  Think Farmer Boy.  You remember the scene.  Mother and father are out of town and Alice wants to make a pound-cake and eat it in the parlor room.  Eliza Jane, the oldest and most responsible sister, tells her ‘you’ll do no such thing… you know the parlor’s just for company’.

"That day they made ice-cream again, and they ate the last cake. Alice said she knew how to make a pound-cake. She said she’d make one, and then she was going to go sit in the parlor.  Almanzo thought that wouldn’t be any fun. But Eliza Jane said: “You’ll do no such thing, Alice. You know very well the parlor’s just for company.” ~ Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder

We have never eaten pound cake in our parlor room… but that’s only because I have never made pound cake.  Contrary to Mrs. Wilder’s home, our parlor room is the children’s space.  There are days I do dream of making the parlor room all mine…  No pound cake!  No children!  No pets!  A room where I can go to find refuge from the chaos.  Where I can enter without stepping on Legos, sit in a chair without first clearing it off, or read a novel without looking around at all that needs to be tidied.  I would sip tea with girlfriends and play chess with my husband.  I would sit at my writing desk and scribble notes for the most wonderful stories…  Alas, that is not my season.  Nor do I want it to be.  The truth is that I love my season and the energy my children bring into our home.  I wouldn’t have it any other way!  There will be days for a parlor of sorts I suppose.  But then I will miss my school room terribly.

After some deliberation, my husband and I have decided to change the paint and light fixture, all while working to maintain some of the parlor charm.  The term parlor was originally derived from the French verb parler, which means to speak.  Therefore a parlor room is a room in which to have conversations (1).   I love that!  Isn’t that what school should be?  A place where we converse and share ideas.  A place where children are seen and heard.    A place where friends gather.  Perhaps, after all, a parlor room is the perfect school room.

  1. https://www.americanheritage.com/parlor

 

Christmas School

Michelle Underwood Homeschool, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

December 20, 2021 - Monday

JOY

During December I intentionally slow down and strive to enter the rest of the season.  My hope - to surrender to the Lord, lay aside my agenda and the agenda of my curriculums, and simply follow Jesus.   Advent is an important part of that slowing down.

Each December has looked different for us.  We have used various advent studies over the years.  I hope to share those soon.

The overarching theme for our advent season this year was joy, and my desire was to infuse joy into all we did.

 

Memory verse:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (Rom 15:13, NIV)

Advent:

As I was praying for fresh manna for advent this year, a beautiful devotional arrived in my inbox from The Keeping Company.  They are the makers of the Cradle to Cross Advent Wreath we have used for years.  This year they released a new devotional that focuses on the twenty five names of Jesus.  It is beautifully done.  We particularly enjoyed the beautiful art that accompanies each day, and used it for December art study.  (Recommended for older children.)

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Science and Nature:

In addition to our daily advent study, we have been journeying through the book All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings, by Gayle Boss.  Each day focuses on a different animal and how God created each one to prepare for and survive the winter months.  This book is very well written and full of awe inspiring facts about the wonders of nature.  (Recommended for upper elementary children and older.)

 

Nature walks continue to be part of our weeks as we enjoy the fellowship and the adventures of our Wild and Free group.  We have been blessed by warm December days – something we are not taking for granted.  One of my favorite hikes was through a wooded preserve where we found a variety of winter treasures, from Hedge Apples, Black Walnuts and giant oak leaves.  For the pièce de résistance - we had a Christmas party complete with a hot cocoa / snackuterie board.  You can read more about that here…

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Hymns:

Each year we pick a new Christmas hymn to learn and study.  This years I chose Joy to World (it goes well with my joy theme).  We used the lyrics for copy work*.   In addition to copy work, the children learned to play the carol on the piano, and study the history.

* Did you know that you can create your own handwriting worksheets at www.worksheetworks.com?!  I love this site!

Children’s Literature
December is one of my favorite months for read alouds.  There are so many fantastic Christmas books we enjoy year after year.

LIST OF FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS – coming soon

LIST OF FAVORITE CHRISTMAS NOVELS – coming soon

As I reorganized my bookshelves this fall, I stumbled upon the book The Christmas Doll.  You can read my full review HERE.   It was one we had never read, so I set it aside for December.  It was a beautiful story, and nicely complimented the books we read in November - A Place to Hang the Moon and the Railway Children.

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Our primary study for December was Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.   The book stretched the children slightly, but I found they adjusted to the language and literary style as we progressed through the story.  We chose to listen to the audiobook by Tim Curry (available through Audible), and enjoyed his narration.  I was uncertain if my children (9 and 11) would be too sensitive for the material, but I found it to be age appropriate.  The book itself is written in a manner that did not invoke fear (in my children).  What I have discovered is that novels like the Wizard of Oz or A Christmas Carol rely on children’s imaginations, as opposed to picture books and movies that do the imagining for you.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE picture books!  And we did enjoy A Christmas Carol picture book by Brett Helquist, and the graphic novel by Sean Wilson.  The images did create some uneasiness, but overall they felt appropriate.  We also enjoyed The Muppets Christmas Carol movie, which was nicely done for younger children.  For the grand finale our family attended a  theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol at a local University.  As you can image... by the end of December, we all knew the story inside and out; though there are layers upon layers to still be discover with future readings.

In addition to the novel A Christmas Carol, I took this opportunity to introduce the children to Charles Dickens.  We really enjoyed Who was Charles Dickens by Pam Pollack, and A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson.  If you have not yet discovered Deborah Hopkinson, I highly recommend you make her acquaintance.  Her historical picture books are some of my favorites - including Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen.

When I asked the children how they would rate the novel, my oldest gave it a 5/5 and my youngest a 4/5.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how much they enjoyed this timeless story.  The novel sparked many delightful conversations and memories.  It makes me excited to read some of Dickens other books with my children like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield.

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Character Development

We flow from gratitude in November to giving in December.  As we cross over into December – our posture of gratitude should become more pronounced as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior.   A foundational element of gratitude is giving.   As parents, we get a lot of practice giving in December, and our children become experts at receiving.  My hope is that they would also develop the skill of giving, not just to those they love, but to those in need.

Thankful for You

Together we created a "thankful for you" list - where we listed the people in our lives that we are thankful for.  From there we embarked on a different craft each week, creating gifts we could give to the people  on our list.  This year’s package included Canna Lily bulbs from our garden in burlap bags the children sewed, and homemade felted wool bookmarks.  We were able to combine art and giving - both of which bring us joy!  Felted wood bookmarks are so much fun to make.  There are various tutorials on youtube you can follow if you are interested in trying your hand at this fun craft.

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A Gift to Give

In addition to giving to those we know and love, there are many ways to bless those less fortunate at Christmas.  Gifts to Give at Christmas has a collection of ideas on how to incorporate a tradition of giving in your family.