The beginning...

This fall we began our "official" homeschooling journey with Elisabeth as she began first grade. It has been such an exciting and eye-opening process for her, for me, and for our family as a whole. I am amazed -- truly, deeply amazed -- by her receptiveness to the little bit of school work we've begun, and by her ripeness to learn the things we've worked on. (She was so excited to begin, in fact, that on the first morning that we began school stuff, I heard her tell James -- in the early morning chatting that they do in their room before we all get started on the day -- "Guess what, Jamesy? Today I'm a first grader!")

Our approach to homeschooling, at least as we begin, draws heavily on Waldorf education. One aspect of this particular educational philosophy that I really like is the approach to school readiness and literacy. Generally the alphabet is first formally introduced in first grade, and reading follows along with that. I have been excited to observe that in "waiting" until now to really delve into letters and their sounds (although she does basically know all of her letters in a casual way), that Elisabeth has really grasped them extremely quickly. And I really love that the first thing that she learns to read will be her own writing -- in a book that she has carefully and lovingly written and illustrated. 

In these photos, Elisabeth is illustrating a page in her book about the letter "characters" we've been using to learn the alphabet and introduce phonics. (Q for Queen, K for King, and so on.) Her care is so inspiring to me in my own daily work. Thank you, little one, for being my greatest teacher.

{Our path to homeschooling -- and the Waldorf approach that we're trying -- is a somewhat winding one. My parents homeschooled us, using a "radical unschooling" approach, beginning when I was five. I loved my experience, but I did go through a time when I thought I would probably still send my kids to school. Later, when I was pregnant with Elisabeth, I had the opportunity to teach cello in a Waldorf school. Many elements of this particular mode of education were, and continue to be, very inspiring to me, although as a Christian, I do not agree with most elements of anthroposophy, its foundational philosophy. We've decided to try homeschooling with Waldorf for now, but I'm open to an unschooling approach, as well, since that is how I was raised. We're currently working with (and adapting to our needs) the first grade syllabus from Christopherus Homeschool Resources.}

Quickie

Hi, everyone! Just a quick note to say thank you for all of your baby name suggestions on the last post! It's so much fun to hear others' thoughts on the whole issue and it gives the process a bit of freshness that has been lacking lately. Edited: I'm sorry I had to close the comments on that post, but I'm having some hideous problems with my email box and the number of comments coming in on that one post was creating a bit of a mess. I also wanted to hop on and say that our internet connection is wonky and the "o" is sticking on my keyboard today, so, although I have a proper post waiting in the wings, I might not get it up today! Hopefully this evening or tomorrow!

I don't know what to do!

Why is naming a baby so difficult? We have had a girl's name picked out for a long time -- it was in the top two choices even when we were naming Elisabeth almost seven years ago. But a boy's name ... I'm feeling lost here. My husband really, really hates the only boy's name that I like at all (Peter), and other than absolutely vetoing my one idea, he has no other suggestions. It just seems like no name is quite right. I guess we already used our favorite name. ;)

So, I'm opening it up to suggestions from the blogging neighborhood. We want something classic, and probably want to stay away from another E or J initial. Though Elisabeth and James are family names, our other girl's name is not, so we are not sticking with that vein. So really, suggest something!

Happy October!

October is probably my favorite month of the year. I really love the changing seasons, the coziness of autumn evenings, baking, comfort foods (bring on the soup!), the festive feel of preparation for Halloween ... I really love it. As I'm starting to feel just the teeniest bit better (nearing the halfway point of pregnancy -- yay!), I have high hopes that our days won't all blend together this month, with day after day of my lying in bed. I'm looking forward to exploring the season with my wee ones, making some costumes (really just getting reacquainted with my sewing machines -- I haven't sewn since July!), starting to think of some holiday gifts ... I'm so excited!

Not many photos for you today; I have been forgetting to carry my camera lately. Again, I have high hopes that this, too, will shift with the change of season and my feeling a bit better.

We made this pumpkin bread last week after I saw the recipe over at Molly's. We were just pouring in the ingredients, and I was kind of on auto-pilot, so it wasn't until after I baked it and tasted how sweet it was that I went back and looked at the recipe -- 3 cups of sugar! It was so tasty -- a real treat. We called it "pumpkin cake" because it was so sweet. Anyway, I might reduce the sugar next time, but it was really, really yummy. It got gobbled up very quickly in this house!

{Edited: Though I am feeling somewhat better, I am still quite sick. I've experienced this hyperemesis in all of my pregnancies, though this one has been by far the worst. I have tried all the usual home remedies, acupressure, homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbs, and two pharmaceutical medications -- the latest being one that was developed for chemo patients. I haven't received much relief from any of this. It seems that, for me, time and rest are the two best remedies. I have a really good midwife who is monitoring my health and the baby's, and everything is OK, though I would probably benefit from eating and drinking more. Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and warm words. It's such a happy, exciting time, but feeling sick dampens that sweetness just a little bit. Sigh. It's good to know that people are thinking of me.}

In the Orchard

First, I want to thank you all so much for your enthusiasm about our news. Reading all of your sweet comments has certainly added to the excitement here. We just can't wait to meet our little someone new!

We have had a strange and busy week, which explains my longer than expected absence here. Between a scary injury (in a very inoppurtune place) for our little guy necessitating a "drop everything and rush to the ER" trip (everything is fine, by the way), a busier than usual weekend, a mama with a very sore shoulder (alternating ice and heat, and calling my midwife begging to be allowed to take more Tylenol), and a dog who both impressed and grossed us all out by killing a squirrel for the first time in the eight years we've had her, I haven't quite known which end was up since last week at this time.

We did take a day to visit our favorite, small, sweet, family-run apple orchard for some quiet apple picking, basking in that early autumn sunshine, visiting with some horses and chickens, and enjoying a treat of fresh apple cider and handmade cider doughnuts on the farmhouse porch.

At long last...

You all have been so very patient as you've waited to discover what this big work-in-progress I've alluded to is. I've been excited to share it with you, but it wasn't quite time yet. But finally today, with the help of my magnificent assistant, I have an illustration for you:

That's me. With our newest wee one traveling happily along inside my belly! (Don't you love my rosy cheeks?!)

We are all so excited around here! We can't wait to meet our new babe so that we'll have some cheeks to kiss. We expect his or her arrival to be right around the first of March, give or take. (My due date is actually March 4, but I've never made it quite to the end.) Elisabeth wants me to mention that she likes the name Cupcake for a girl, and Karl for a boy.

So, I'm sure you'll all want to know how things have been going. Baby is healthy and growing, with a strong heartbeat. Mama is very, very sick. I'm one of those unfortunate ladies who has that severe nausea and vomiting -- that lasts, and lasts, and lasts. So, though I'm quite firmly into the second trimester now, I'm still quite ill and not doing as much as I was before. Having done this twice before, I do have some perspective, and though I admit to pleading with God for it to stop sometimes, I do know that pregnancy goes by remarkably quickly, and we have a little miracle to look forward to at the end!

And to some of you who guessed about my big project -- the three most popular guesses were a book, an etsy store, and a new baby. I have to say that I would love, love, love to write a book. I don't have a particular topic in mind for one, so I don't have one in the works. But it's something that I have wanted to do since I was a wee girl myself. An Etsy store, while not in progress right now, is something you will most definitely see from me at some point, though not until after baby arrives. And those of you who guessed it was a baby ... well, you were right on!!

Blessingway for Meghan

Thank you for your kind words and enthusiasm on my last post! I'm excited to be back, too.

We have a lot going on around here. I don't know that I've ever felt so crazy! Since I'm still not totally organized, or back into the swing of posting, I thought I'd share a few photos today from my dear friend Meghan's blessingway (which was in July). Her beautiful baby girl was born two weeks later.

The first blessingway I ever participated in was for my friend Melanie more than four years ago. I'd read about them, but had never attended one, and was so excited when Melanie's sister-in-law organized one. Since then, just about all of my pregnant friends have had one. My own -- two and a half years ago tomorrow -- was really special; James was born 12 hours later!

A blessingway (for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to attend one) is based upon the Navajo tradition of honoring people as they stand on the threshold of a life transition. In the last several years, the tradition has been adopted as an alternative to a "typical" baby shower.

It gives the friends and family of a pregnant woman the opportunity to honor her, to support her at a time when she is probably feeling vulnerable, and to celebrate together as a community preparing to welcome the new baby. I have always felt like it buoys the mother-to-be with a bit more strength, knowing that she isn't alone on her journey to the birth of the new baby.

Some of the blessingways I have attended have been very spiritual in nature, and some have been focused more on pampering the new mother. Either way, each one I have attended has been as unique as the friend it honored, and as beautiful.

Thank you, Meghan, for counting me as one of the women to join your circle. 

Edited: Here are a few resources on blessingways if you want more information!

*Mother Rising: The Blessingway Journey into Motherhood by Yana Cortlund, Barb Lucke, and Donna Miller Watelet is my favorite. I've used this book for ideas and inspiration a lot with the blessingways that I have helped to facilitate.

*I attended a talk given by Anna Stewart, author of Mother Blessings: Honoring Women Becoming Mothers, at the same conference that I spoke at in May. She had some beautiful ideas that I had never tried or seen at another blessingway.

*Blessingways: A Guide to Mother-Centered Baby Showers -- Celebrating Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood by Shari Maser has been recommended to me by a couple of people, but I haven't had personal experience with it.

*The best online resource I had seen for blessingways seems to have been removed. :( But it'd be worth doing some online searches if it's something that piques your interest.

Summer Is...

Hello, everyone! I'm back from my "summer break" with much to share. This is the final post in the Summer Is series. I would like to thank my fantastic guest bloggers for contributing in such beautiful and unexpected ways over the last month. Sarah, Molly, Emily, Stefani, Heather, Erin, Leslie, Alicia, Kristin, and Kirsten are all such amazing, inspiring women and true friends. Thank you, ladies.

Summer is...

...a snack of fresh produce gifted by our new neighbor from her yard -- lovingly arranged by my girl.

...camping. Even if this year it ended up only being in the backyard.

...celebrating Midsummer Night (that's a link to last year's Midsummer post), this year with friends.

...little living gifts from my children.

...a little bit of u-pick fun. (Strawberry season in our part of the world was fairly weak this year due to a late frost, so no freezer jam this year for us...)

...our once-a-year trip to an amusement park.

...and the backyard rides inspired by it.

And finally, summer is the time to feel awe for life in the most tangible of ways. In the life of my daughter, coursing through her. ("Mama, feel my heart beating!" she gasps after racing around the yard at twilight.)

Now, what's autumn to you? Come join me over in the new flickr group!

Guest Blogger :: Summer is:

Bikes.  It's all bikes all the time around here.  The boys listen for the sound of their friends training wheels rattling over the pavement.  It really is a distinctive sound. 

Then they run and find their sandals.

I like to wait till the evening for a long riding session, but I usually don't get my way.  I prefer to wait until 6:20, which is now 5:20 as the days get shorter, for the shadows from the cottonwoods and houses to shade the circle. 

There is usually a whole pack of kids, mostly boys, out riding in the evening.  Tricycles, bikes, training wheels, scooters, you name it.  Sometimes a parent or teenager will join in the fray, which the kids love.

For me, the bike thing this summer has been very special.   Even more so than last year when my daughter learned to ride without training wheels (oh, happy day!).  This year both of my sons are riding like maniacs on their tricycles. 

Which is a big deal.

Last summer I got my son (who is autistic) a big trike in the hopes that it would help his motor and social skills (pedaling + hanging out with the other boys).  He liked that he had a bike like his friends, but wasn't so into riding it.  It wasn't until this summer that he's really taken off riding. 

When the neighbors see him outside riding, they will usually come out too - and they have races and play policeman and gas station and super heroes, and I love it.  He used to ask to ride bikes in the hopes that his friends would come out and they could do something else  - now he is now happy just to ride - even if it's just with his little brother.

I don't know what it is about bikes.  My daughter took a little spill last month and has refused to ride again until this week.  Though she's a bit more cautious, she's proud of herself and is enjoying her rides more and more.   I'm proud of her getting over her fear.  It makes me smile when she takes one hand off the handlebar to wave to me.  I also love seeing the boys give each other rides on their tricycles.  It warms my heart.

So you'll find us out in the circle in the evenings until the weather changes. 

And if you have a cape to wear while riding?  It makes it that much better.

............................................

Hi!  I'm Kirsten - I blog over at kirsten*can about whatever random stuff is in my head that day, whatever crazy stuff my three kids are doing or my current craft obsession.  Thanks for reading my ramblings today!  

And I swear, in the above photo of my 3yo wearing his Batman shirt with hippo shorts - he dressed himself! 

But I let him. ;)

I think I'm the last guest blogger - so we should have Grace back soon - yay!

Guest Blogger :: Summer Is :

 

Summer is an endless opportunity to create, given to us by a warm, lingering sun and the generous earth that it shines down upon. 

With days out at the beach, driftwood bridges leading over the sandcastles' motes are created. Paths are constructed with a myriad of seashells. Games are invented with the incoming waves...

With days in the yard a garden is created with the workable soil. Edging stones and climbing poles are laid out in thoughtful ways. Plants are cultivated and cared for. Watering time is inspiration for fun ways to cool off.

With days in the kitchen meals are created with the fruits of the season. Berries become pies, ice creams, etc... Peppers get stuffed. Tomatoes get layered up with mozzarella and basil. Here and now almost anything is possible in the kitchen and the fresh produce keeps the ideas and imagination flying high.

Thank you Summer for all the materials out there and the opportunities they provide to create. Summer is fun.

•     •     •     •     •     •     •     •    •

hi everyone. my name is kristin from over at honeyflake. i'm quite thrilled to be popping in here today, joining this wonderful tribute to this very wonderful, sunny season. thanks grace!

Guest Blogger :: Summer Is :

"Don't tell me about the world.  Not today.  It's summertime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball." 

~Pete Hamill

Summer is little league games with all the dressings: clunk-clunking cleats in the parking lot, Big League Chew and brand new gloves, bleachers and the snack bar, little sisters playing in the dirt, grass stains and dusty faces. It's beautiful orange sunsets as the lights buzz on, and pizza parties at the end of the season. But mostly it is Coach Daddy with a big smile on his face and a pat on the back for everyone (just like the Coach Daddy that preceded him.)

Summer is heading out to minor league and major league games: friendly rivalries, ice cold beers and grilled hot dogs in the parking lot, grocery store peanuts and ballpark cotton candy. It's stolen bases, pop flies, strike-outs and bunts. It's spectacular plays, fireworks after a home run and the seventh inning stretch. But mostly it is a little boy and a daddy who look at each other and say, "Oh, wow! Did you see that?"

But as all good things seem to do, summer is winding down. All that is left to do now is squeeze as many games of catch in as possible and start dreaming of next season.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hi, everyone! My name is Alicia. I am a true summer girl, so I'm tickled to be part of the 'Summer Is' series. I am a artist/crafter/blogger/wife/mother from Kansas City who is honored to call Grace a dear friend. My homes on the internet are here, here, and here.

Thanks!

Guest Blogger :: Summer is:

Summer is buying locally grown strawberries from roadside stands and being reminded of the goodness of others. Listening to your inner voice to pay him more, honoring him for his selling style. Summer is lazy days spent at the pool with the scent of coconut sunscreen and fresh grilled food. Listening to the shriek of the lifeguards whistle and the laughter of children. Summer is teaching children the importance of working together for a summer meal. Listening to the snapping noise as the husk is being torn away from the cob. Summer is the reward one gets from planting seeds in the spring. Listening to the buzz of bees that are feeding on flowers.....and not my children. Summer is dinner served outside. Listening to the faint sound of lawnmowers in the distance, the sounds of summer, the beautiful, wonderful sounds of life. Hello! My name is Leslie, and I blog over at a friend to knit with where I like to sprinkle bits and pieces of my family life on top of knitting. I can also be found over on flickr. Thanks so much to Grace for hosting the "summer is" series. It was such a joy to join in the fun with these girls and such a sweet reminder to soak up all I can of summer.

A bit of sad news today...

LeRoi Moore 1961-2008

photo from the Dave Matthews Band website

 

LeRoi Moore, saxophonist of Dave Matthews Band, died yesterday. To say how shocked and saddened I am by this news would be an enormous understatement. I know I've mentioned here a few times how important the music of DMB has been to me over the years. I've basically lived on it. My entire courtship with my husband is flavored by it. I know there are so many of us in our late 20's and 30's who have been inspired in some way or other by the music of this band.

 

Anyway, my shock over this news is so great that I don't know what to say, except that I wish comfort to those closest to him.

 

PS: This is me, Grace. Aren't my guest bloggers doing a beautiful job? I feel so blessed that each of these inspiring women has been willing and able to contribute to Uncommon Grace this month. I'll be back to regular posting at the end of the series, in early September. Until then, I'm excited to see what summer is to some more amazing ladies!

Guest Blogger :: Summer Is :

Summer is veggies from the garden that typically go straight to the dinner table.

Summer is trips to our favorite beach for a dip in the cold ocean.

Summer is enjoying local corn on the cob. (The only way the little one will eat it.)

Summer is fields of flowers.

And it just wouldn't be summer without an evening on the beach to watch the beautiful sunset.

Hello there! I'm Erin and I am so thrilled to join these lovely ladies for a guest blogging adventure! It has been fun. Our little family lives in the farm lands of Maine, where there are more chickens than people, and tractors pass by more frequently than cars.You can find more of my ramblings over at Bluebirdbaby and view my photos on my flickr page.

Enjoy the rest of summer! I hope to see you around.

Guest Blogger:: Summer Is:

Summer is when the earth comes alive. It is when water sparkles and dances... when green leaves become translucent under a golden sunset. Summer is an endless palette of color offered freely as comfort and inspiration. Summer is walking slowly through the woods and looking closely, low to the ground. Here, we are reminded by something that is millions of years old to be still, to stay strong, and to understand the truth that in order to exist peacefully in the world, we must be willing to support, love and nurture the lives of others.
  Summer is a season of roadside farmstands and deep front porches, a season of creamsicles and sticky fingers, of chilled wine and bruschetta, of swimsuits drying and sand in the car. Summer is my season. A time when I, like the earth, am most alive. 

Well hello there, my name is Heather... I'm feeling a little shy and at the same time thrilled to pieces to be here. I can also be found writing and sharing about all things under the sun at my blog, Beauty That Moves. Thank you dear Grace for hosting myself and so many other beautiful ladies. It's been a pleasure.

Guest Blogger :: Summer Is...

Summer is :: 

Violet fingers

 

and the wide, wide blue sea. 

 

Summer is inhaling the verdant green, 

 

And savoring bushels of sunsets that are precisely the color of ripe peaches, and just as sweet. 

 

Summer is a long walk in a field of yellow, with cicadas singing overhead. 

Summer is all the colors under the big orange sun, poured into jeweled jars, to warm the chilly grey days ahead.

   

**** Hi y'all!!! My name is Stefani, and I'm just so excited to join the girls of summer, here on Grace's blog! What fun it is to see the season through the eyes of such lovely and talented women! 

Most days, you can find me at my regular haunt, Blue Yonder, where I share little bits of my crazy sweet life with 3 boys and 5 chickens. You can also find the story of us, in photos, on our Flickr site. 

We're wishing you all colorful, sticky, sweet summer days!

Guest Blogger :: Summer Is:

summer is flying a kite.

especially on the beach.

i remember my parents flying kites at the beach from the time i was a small child.  and kites have made me a wee bit nervous ever since.  there may have been a kite that landed in the ocean.  or maybe it was just my worry that a kite might land in the ocean.  i'm not sure anymore, but i love them nonetheless.

i love all of the conversation about dowels and hooks and strings and whether there is enough wind.  i love the admonishments - "don't let go!" - to young hands that want to help.  i love the splash of color against a bright blue sky.  or against a grey sky.  or against a blue and grey sky.  i love flying kites especially when someone else (usually my mother or my husband) launches them into the air and i can sit quietly in a beach chair and look out at the ocean and hold the kite string and feel the tug of the wind in my hands and breathe.

***

hello uncommon grace readers!  i'm emily.  i blog about life and creativity and mothering and mindfulness at shining egg, and i share my photos on flickr.  i'm honored to be sharing this bit of my summer here on uncommon grace.  many thanks to you, grace, for dreaming up this summer is series and for inviting me to participate.  and thanks to all of you for reading.

Guest Blogger:: Summer Is:

Sweet, sticky juice dripping from your chin, to your wrist, down your forearm...from the brightest, softest summer peach.

Sitting on the back porch husking sweet corn until your feet are buried in feathery tassels and coarse green leaves.

The smell of hay being cut and raked, tossed into windrows, and left to dry in the summer sun.

Swimming suits, always at the ready, hanging up to dry on the pegs inside an old wooden pool house.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hello to Grace's readers. My name is Molly and I blog at mollycoddle about my life on a little green spot in the country, raising three young girls, keeping my home, and finding time for creativity. You can also find my photographs here.

And *thank you* to Grace for beginning this series. It has caused to be more mindful of the sights and sounds and smells of Summer.

Guest Blogger :: Summer Is:

Summer is ripening.  The blueberries have made their way from green to pink to a blue so blue it's almost black.

Summer is feasting.  Eating more fresh berries than you ever imagined possible.  And then making a latticed pie and homemade vanilla ice cream just because.

--
I'm so pleased to kick-off the "Summer Is:" guest blogging series here.  So many thanks to Grace for opening up her online home to a variety of interpretations of summer.  I've seen the line-up of guests ahead, and know it will be good fun.

And to introduce myself, I'm Sarah.  I share snippets of family, nature and craft as I experience them by the shore of Lake Superior on flickr and at cloth.paper.string. 

Summer Is:

Our wedding anniversary. (Yes, that's the same photo I used last year. It's my favorite photo from the wedding.) So, nine years ago today, on a sunny, not-too-hot morning in August, my husband and I said "I do."

For fun, I thought I'd share nine things about us today.

1. When we met, I was 19 and he was 29. It kind of freaked my parents out a little bit, but they got past it pretty quickly.

2. I pursued him for about 4 months before he finally asked me out.

3. Our first official date was to an Indian restaurant. We now have a tradition of going to that same restaurant every year after church on Christmas Eve. (No, our first date was not on Christmas Eve. It was in September.) Our wee ones love it, and we love the chance to reminisce about that night when we were both so nervous. ;)

4. He proposed to me on a stormy night in late October. We had plans that night to go to a local amusement park that had reopened that week to do Halloween stuff. (You could ride the rides but they also had haunted houses going on.) {Halloween is my favorite holiday. He knew me well to plan a proposal during a Halloween bash.} He says he planned to pop the question on the ferris wheel, but I'm not sure how that would have worked, all scary and shaky up there. Anyway, it was too stormy to go, so we were in the car trying to come up with a Plan B for the evening, and he just blurted it out and pulled a ring out of his pocket. It was so, so sweet. We don't have the car anymore, though, which makes me kind of sad.

(By the way, I used to love all things scary, like haunted houses, until Elisabeth was born, when I very abruptly started hating them.)

5. Our children both have family names: Elisabeth is a family name on my side (going back at least 6 generations now), and James is a family name on my husband's side.

6. We are totally boring people.

7. One time we thought it would be fun to make a list of every movie we'd gone to in the theater together. It was in the hundreds! We made the list 5 years ago, and I don't think we've really added any to it since then. ;)

8. We did not live together before we were married.

9. I am two inches taller than him. I usually wear Danskos, though, so I tend to look even more than two inches taller. We're both so used to it that we don't really even notice anymore.

Looking forward to a bit of celebrating today. Hope your day is lovely and bright!