CC 7.0: Not the Same...but the Same

 

It was apparently quite bright this morning when we arrived for the first day of 2021 CC!

Bridia (6th grade), Titus (4th), Stella (1st), Asher (3)

This year, our seventh in CC, we are part of a new-to-us community—one of the many recent changes in our lives, and yet another area in which God shows us He is unchanging and ever faithful. I am overwhelmed by our Savior’s lovingkindness as I look at this picture of genuinely smiling children, and think about all of the tears, prayers, preparations, and conversations that led up to this point!

Asher is giving a hopeful nod to Christmas by wearing one Santa sock. Gideon (8th grade) had already gone inside for week four of Challenge B seminar—sneaky teen. 

I'll catch him later ;). 

The Old-Fashioned Way

"Mom, can you wash it the old fashioned way? You know, the way with water and a towel so it's faster?"

Stella wanted a drink, and she preferred that it be served in the blue sippy cup, since she was lounging in the living room on a mound of her favorite comfy things.  I told her she could have that cup if it was clean or in the sink for washing. Immediately she made sure I could wash it by hand rather than make her wait for the dishwasher to run it's course. We washed it "the old-fashioned way."

Community

Jan. 11, 2020 (from my weekly CC email)                                                                                                Is there any such thing as a "normal" school week? As much as we try to prioritize school in our house, there are often things that throw us a bit off-schedule. This week Gideon and I had colds--the kind that make you so tired that it's hard to get off of the couch, much less think through math.        By Thursday we were feeling better, just in time to take a morning field trip to Free Lutheran Bible College where I joined Brett in the Relationships and Marriage class he was teaching. By Friday, I was as distracted as the kids I was supposed to be corralling. At one point I told Bridia, "I'm as distracted as you are. Don't let me get up until we get this done. No snack (gasp!) for either of us til we accomplish something!" 

That's just the way it goes sometimes. These days (or weeks) can make us moms feel unqualified for homeschooling--can cause us to dwell on our teacher-failure. Seeing my own failures can defeat me if I stop to dwell on them, but seeing them as opportunities to notice God's strength given to me, and His grace evident in my and our lives, that's where hope comes from! Every day, whether we get through all of our school or not, is filled with teachable moments--moments to look to Christ, moments to guide our children to the Savior and learn to be more like Him, moments to notice God's handiwork in what's going on inside of and around us. His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness!

This coming Monday we'll come together as a community of families that are imperfect. We're in this (crazy good) journey together. We're humbled as we share mistakes and tough weeks; we're encouraged as we see we're not alone in our struggles. We share victories, funny stories of life, ah-ha moments, Scripture's truths, favorite books or curriculum. Community is beautiful.

24-Hour Trip

Our family just spent a delightful 24 hours with my parents in my hometown. Brett and my dad took our kids and four of their cousins sledding on the golf course, and as everyone traipsed back into the house after two hours of exertion in the (deep) snow, I heard more than one declaration that death was imminent if water was not immediately obtained. Everyone survived. Phew! 

Gideon, once he bought Opa's Celebration guitar, gave Titus his little guitar. 

Titus has learned a little from his big brother, but asked Opa to help him learn a few chords.

I picked up a couple of books to read from Mom and Dad's bookshelf.

 On the way home I cracked open St. Francis of Assisi by G. K. Chesterton--a book that caught my attention because it was written by a person I'd heard of, and was written about a man who'd earned space on one of our Timeline cards. PLUS, Assisi lived during the Middle Ages, which we are currently studying. 

Seemed like a good pick to me! I've read picture books about Assisi that were easy enough to follow, but by the middle of the first page of Chesterton's version, I was wishing I had a dictionary in the van! 

Thankfully, Brett was able to define the words I couldn't. You'll have to ask me about this book in the next few weeks, as I may need your encouragement to continue wading through it to the end! 

A Very Stella Christmas

 By mid-December, Stella had seen enough pictures and books referencing Santa,

that she asked her Daddy to take her to see the big man with the long beard.

We knew of a place close by that advertised having a Santa, and made an outing

of going to see him. (Gideon was unimpressed and opted to stay home.)

Once she caught a glimpse of the man in red, Stella smelled Imposter.

Santa could not get her to smile or enjoy his sleigh. While her baby brother

found glee in the set-up, and her older siblings at least enjoyed the activity, 

Stella remained concerned and shy. 

When we got home, Stella told Bridia in private, "That was NOT the real Santa. 

"He have us tiny candy canes, and the real Santa gives us BIG candy canes."

Stella loves Christmas books, and she loves movies. 

I found "The Gingerbread Man" for her on YouTube last week and thought

she enjoyed the story...

A few days later we were at Auntie Sarah's, making Christmas cookies.

"Would you like to make a gingerbread man, Stella?" Asked Sarah.

"Oh, no," said a solemn Stella, "Gingerbread mans run away."

She did end up making one, once we assured her we would not give him a face, 

which is what makes them come alive, after all.

Christmas Greeting 2019

     

As we close out 2019, here are just a few of the numerous things we thought of to share.

In June, Brett and Gideon road tripped to Pennsylvania where the AFLC Annual Conference was held. On their way, they visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Gideon says, “Cooperstown is such a beautiful place. The museum was an amazing experience and lots of fun with Dad. Some of my favorite exhibits were a Mark Buehrle jersey and the World Series ring.”  

 The kids, with their cousins and grandparents, played hard when we visited them in IL this summer. The pool, the barn and animals, ping pong, and a trip into Chicago for a White Sox game were part of the fun this year, but there’s always time to swing on the front porch. During the visit, Brett and Theresa got a day and night away near Starved Rock State Park. We did some hiking, had a quiet (!) meal out, and even met up with some good friends for coffee.  

This September Theresa’s parents joined us in Duluth. From the top of Enger tower, we observed the beautiful view of Lake Superior. The kids dropped paper airplanes and watched them glide to the ground or smack into the side of the tower. Asher started saying Stella’s name while climbing the tower steps. Opa and Oma took us to their favorite smoked fish shop on the shore, and we enjoyed a picnic and playing near the waves of the majestic Superior.  

During the summer months, we enjoy having our backyard be a hub for neighborhood games. In July we hosted a neighborhood backyard Bible club and were thrilled to have 19 kids and our church parish worker join us for five days of a VBS-style gathering. 

 A big part of our lives is homeschooling with our Classical Conversations community. The kids and Theresa both have found meaningful friendships here while we learn together. Another place we experience belonging is King of Glory—our church home for almost six years!  

• Gideon (12) is an eager confirmation student this year, collects Star Wars LEGOs, and loves sports. He’s quick to help around the house, and enjoys books and time with friends—including his siblings and cousins. 
• Bridia (9) is often reading her Action Bible or books about animals, and coming up with creative ideas. She is a negotiator and a question-asker, and often helps Mom get tough jobs done—and loves to play with siblings, friends, and cousins! 
• Titus (7) always has a ball in his hands—unless he’s playing games with his siblings. He is enjoying school this year and his kind spirit makes him a sought-after playmate by siblings, friends, and cousins. 
• Stella (4) has made the living room her playground this school year, scattering stuffed animals and paper cuttings all around as we do school. While full of the dramatic, Stella is sweet and comical, and wants to be a princess when she grows up. She delights in playing with her rabbit, sister, brothers, friends, and cousins. 
• Asher (1) is a snuggler and Mommy’s sidekick, though not to the exclusion of his Daddy and siblings. He encourages his siblings to take breaks from school to play with him, and hangs out with Stella during school—when she lets him. Always ready to go places, Asher likes to keep his shoes on and we keep the entryway doors locked! 
• Mommy loves to grow things, from kids to kitchen ferments, plants, and butterflies. This fall the family expanded the garden so there will hopefully be more home-grown veggies in 2020. She also spends much time chatting with her friends and sisters, and coordinating activities and playdates for the kids. 
• Daddy’s hobbies are loving on his family and helping Theresa keep the household going. On days at home, he is good at taking time to put chores aside and play games with the kids. He still enjoys being part of the "Being Lutheran" podcast with two of his pastor friends, and teaching a class now and then at the Free Lutheran Schools. It’s been fun for him to have the older kids share his love of Chicago sports. 

Titus as Joseph, Gideon as a wiseman, Bridia as an angel, and Stella as a shepherd.     

Past Faces: our Five Babies

There is often a struggle within me...

I want to recall beautiful moments, pictures, stories from the past.

I want to remember the faces of each of our kids as they used to be.

But inevitably as I do this, there is a toddler on my lap, vying for attention;

There is a skirmish going on in the adjoining room, or supper to be made 

for the hungry children these babies have become.

There is a game going on and a call for mom to join,

A child's math lesson that needs to be completed with my help. 

As 2018 comes to a close, I am taking more time to remember how the 

beautiful faces around me have changed,

the joys we've had together, and the things God has brought us through and to. 

If the kids come running, they can join in looking through pictures 

(which they love to do, but at a faster pace than Mom) and recalling memories. 

We will make new memories as I remember the old. Together.

It might not be as peaceful for me that way as I guide little hands away from 

keyboard and re-type things that get erased and answer questions repeatedly, 

but in a few years I'll be looking back to remember today and how these 

precious children look and are right now.

Each in their first week: Stella, Gideon, Bridia, Asher, Titus

Little Chefs

Bridia and Stella at age three.

Our blue-eyed babes playing Little Chef.

The Three Boys

Every day it seems we hear others say, or we say ourselves, "Wow, Asher really looks like Gideon/Titus!" Having heard that for nine months now, I have finally put together this side-by-side. I don't want to call it a comparison, but at least a way to see how alike, 

and yet how different, they each are!

Here they are, our Three Boys

2018 Christmastime! Year in Review

2018 was full. Full of many good gifts from our Father in Heaven. Full of trials that

had us on our knees and worked perseverance according to God's promise in James 1. Full of baby, baseball, biking, and bunnies. Full of laughter and crying. Full of delightful discoveries, endless activity, and constant chatter.

We welcomed Asher to our family in March. 

His name means "happy," or "blessed,"

and indeed he is the happiest baby our family has known. 

His smiles and laughter delight us all! At nine months old, Asher is following Mom around, clambering for Dad's attention when he comes in the door each evening, and a full participant in family mealtimes. We have yet to find a food he won't eat (we'll enjoy that while it lasts ;)! 

He has one tooth and sports a few words, such as "Mom," "Dad," "Gideon," "Amen," and "Hi." 

Stella has left behind the toddler stage for the preschool one. 

She is always chatting--to her family or her toys--and continually amazes us in her ability to turn anything into a story character. She's always packing bags full of treasures, writing on whatever paper she finds, and asking to be read to. When asked what she wants to do when she's grown up, she exclaimed, "Do STUFFIES!" Playing stuffed animals is her favorite thing to do with Titus, 

her best buddy at home.
She wants everything her older siblings have, but in pink, please.

This year she has fallen in love with Jesus's Word. Her Bible books are always part of her requested reading, her questions often involve spiritual things, and she's proud of being able to draw the cross Jesus died on.

Three has been a challenging, yet adorable, age for this mischievous sweetheart!

Titus is a big SIX for only two more months. He's a great writer, full of thoughtful generosity, and continues to be the family clown. 

He's quick to break into dancing, and boldly displayed his singing and presentation skills at this year's Christmas program. 

While he gets tired of being the "underdog" during game time with older siblings and Mom and Dad, Titus learns quickly and can sometimes beat us all at a round of Dutch Blitz! 

He is a sought-after playmate to each of his siblings. When asked what he likes to do best of all (during the winter when he can't be playing baseball), he says,
"Playing in blankets with stuffies, and playing cowboys."

Driven by a seemingly endless supply of energy, nine-year-old Bridia will tell you she LOVES to talk. At night, she has come up with her own routine for "putting her thoughts in the closet" so she can fall asleep.

She is fascinated with creating things, while her reading and conversations can usually be tied to rabbits in one way or another. She is full of love not just for her treasured animals, but also for her family and many friends. A favorite pass time, especially during while being read to, 

is drawing animals and still life. She delights in caring for Asher and Stella when they let her.

An avid learner, Bia loves to be quizzed on her acquired knowledge learned in rabbit bowl and Classical Conversations school curriculum.

Our oldest is now eleven! Gideon is growing in many ways. Not only are we hearing more often, "My pants don't fit," or, "My shoes are too small," but we're also seeing Gideon grow into new activities as well as new levels of understanding. He's always been a careful thinker, he's grown into a huge helper, and is sharing his love for God's Word with others in his home, neighborhood, and classrooms. He can still be found playing cowboys with his little brother or reading a huge book like Lord of the Rings. He also likes LEGOs, playing baseball and football, and playing guitar! His days are full of helping mom, playing with siblings, completing schoolwork, and trying to get in some good time of "doing nothing," which includes his favorite things. 

Four years and ten months ago our family moved to Shakopee. Brett's full-time husband, dad, and Pastor of King of Glory Lutheran. He is still part of the Being Lutheran podcast with two pastor friends. His family cheers when he comes home each evening, clamors for his attention, and learns from his servant heart. When no one is asking him to play or read, and he's not doing laundry, helping the kids clean up, or doing fix-it jobs, and he has his to-do list checked off for the day, Brett can be found laying on the floor listening to podcasts, checking sports stats, and catching up with people-- including Theresa. Theresa's a full-time wife, mom, teacher. Her days are filled by reading aloud, listening to kids read, assisting with math/phonics/grammar/writing lessons, answering a never-ending flow of questions, tending an infant and toddler, catching some fun with the kids and sometimes with friends, and scrambling to make meals. At the end of the day, if she manages to stay awake longer than the kids do, she catches up with friends and homework, and with Brett. She is on a new mission to add better organization to the running of the Boe household.

We're all enjoying friends in our neighborhood, church congregation, and Classical

Conversations homeschool community. We're all thankful to God for

His indescribable gift of full forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus!

We wish you a Christmas that is made merry by the Savior. 

Asher's First Five Months

4 days:

5 days:

Bridia's Springtime Rabbit Shows

Summer means a change in activities for most families.

For ours it means Mom gets a break from teaching school,

the kids are glad to have more play time, and we add a few 

new things to the looser schedule.

We like to give our kids the option of a summer sport each year. 

Gideon is in his second year of baseball. Titus chose to simply play baseball in 

the back yard with Gideon and all of the neighbor kids that join us 

several afternoons a week.

Bridia asked that we take her to rabbit shows. 

There is nothing she likes to fill her time with more than learning about

and caring for her rabbits. 

In April Bridia, Asher, and I went to a "Fun Show" forty minutes from home.

A couple of days ago we went to an ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association)

show an hour from home.

The competition at these shows can be pretty intense in the "Open" division.

Bridia (and Titus) entered in the "Youth" division, which made placing possible, 

but still included much more competition than we encounter at our county fair.

What happens at a rabbit show? People from around the state and nation

gather with their rabbits. Judges see up to 250 rabbits each, using a book of standards

for each breed; they choose as winner the animal of each class, variety, and breed that best

matches the standard of perfection.

Here is Bridia with "Squirmy."

At the Fun Show in April, Squirmy won second as a Jr broken Polish buck.

This was a smaller show than the next but still much bigger than the county fair's.

Titus showed the same rabbit at the big show in May and earned third.

"Cutie" earned two firsts last Saturday at the double-header show.

Cutie is also a Jr broken Polish buck.

 Bridia and Titus share "Georgie" (President General George Washington),

who won second as a Jr solid Mini Lop buck.

 Now that they have some ribbons "under their belts," the kids are even more excited to go to another show! We'll be at the fair in July and at another large show in August or September. 

In the mean time, Bridia researches rabbit care and aspires to shadow a writer (one who writes comments and results as the judge makes them) at the next show so she can learn how to do that job! Titus and Bridia are sometimes found playing pet store, which includes grooming and photographing the rabbits. Family and friends are welcome to visit the shop! ;)

While the rabbit shows were Bridia's request, she convinced Titus to come with us to the show last weekend. Her enthusiasm won him over, and the two of them were happy as larks for the hour+ drive each way and the seven+ hours we spent in the rabbit barn.

Here are some pictures that I took on my phone during the shows: 

Our first show! April 22

2nd & 3rd shows (AM & PM), May 26

 Asher slept, ate, and made happy coos all day long while letting his siblings

do their rabbit thing. I took time to visit with some fellow rabbit owners around us and learned some new things from them!

At the show table:

Bookie #4

Every evening, and never any fewer books to read. We love this habit!

Some favorites: 

Jesus Storybook

Shapes

ABCs

Counting

Big Red Barn

Minnie Mouse

George's Store

Policeman Small

The Story of Jesus

Good Morning, Good Night

Rhyming Bible

Curious George

Frog and Toad
Book of Things to Spot Out and About

Books about our bodies (in her words, "skeleton" and "brain")

...etc...

At Home

Bridia and a friend hosted a last-minute neighborhood girls party.

They made the paper decorations and I helped with the cupcakes and lemonade.

From idea to clean-up in two hours, these girls had a good time.

School time: 

As long as math HAS to be done, Gideon prefers to do his it in jammies while

sprawled out on the couch...

He does always choose to work quickly, but sticks to it until he is finished.

 Bridia is ok with school most days, often seeing how quickly she can 

whisk through it and move on to LEGOs or stuffed animals...or selfies with the iPad.

Titus is our reluctant kindergartener. He would MUCH rather be 

tossing a ball, playing LEGOs, or setting up a fort and stuffed animals.

He does plenty of all of these things, as he has figured out it really doesn't take

long to do a 5-year-old's schoolwork if he is willing to get it done! 

As soon as possible, he is whisking Stella away to play, which is good for everyone!

  Stella still thinks school is fun :). I just love her bright smile!

Littlest and Biggest:

Bridia and Titus like to help me make crepes. They are getting pretty good at it!

Stella is always watching, hoping to get a preview-plate-full of the goods!

Holding Gideon's bunny-rabbit!

Daddy has been raking leaves a lot lately. And he humors the kids 

with games and fun!

Bikes.

Biking is what our kids did all summer long. "Can we bike on the road?" 

was a question we answered multiple times per day. Whether it was just our kids, or them and a HOST of neighborhood friends, they were out there every possible chance they had.

Stella is a challenge to keep up with. She moves quickly, but doesn't do so well 

at keeping to the side of the road. She requires constant supervision, of course, 

though she sometimes does her best to escape it.

 After much waiting and requesting, Titus finally got to have his cousin-buddy Julian over,

and they rode bikes too! 

 Gideon found out he could ride my big bike, and pull people in the buggy.

He gave rides to his siblings and neighbor friends, sometimes picking up the neighbors from 

the bus stop down the block and carting them to their homes!

 Titus is a little stunt-man! He jumps curbs, rides "with no hands," rides like this picture shows, 

and is working on popping wheelies.

Bridia and the neighbors wore the tires right through on her two hand-me-down bikes.

Here she is on her brand new bike that we hope she can ride for a couple of years. 

She LOVES biking!!!!

These two have become fast friends since school started. 

With older siblings spending more time with bookwork, the youngers

have bonded over forts and playing house with stuffed animals. 

Titus has also taken to teaching Stella school and art.

As usual, no matter where we travel or what excursions we take, 

the days at home hold as much joy. 

At the end of a school day, when it seems there has been struggle after struggle and

sometimes sick child after sick child, I thank God that He still creates beauty.

Challenging? Yes. 

Tiring? Yes. 

Rewarding? Definitely.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone that loves

has been born of God and knows God." I John 4:7