Hometown Adventures

Somehow it is easier to explore places far away than it is to explore the ones close to us. In Maryland I made a point of visiting DC and other places of interest, historical and natural. Since returning to Montana I have been repeatedly struck by how gorgeous the Flathead Valley is, to myself and others. Living without mountains seems to enhance their majestic presence. Plus, we have snow when its cold. Just plain cold weather feels a little pointless. The spring has given a profusion of wildflowers, and as we give way to the heat of summer I am anticipating trips to the lake and huckleberry picking. Over the past couple of months Roman and I have made it a goal to explore the section of Creation by which we are surrounded. It helped that Roman is fixing all the boundary signs for the fire department , leading us to farm fields, woodlands, and back roads. Ethan loves going on these "adventures" (his words) and Saoirse is a eager explorer herself. Carsten is definitely happiest when we are outside and the whole family seems to have a better mood overall when we take even a short walk. There are so many places to find close to our doorstep. As our children become more surefooted in the wild I hope we will have many more adventures with them.

Picking Glacier lilies during a road trip to Spokane. The kids started the day in clothes but after several incidents of road sickness they ended up in their PJs.

Ethan has been begging to fish for a while now, so now Daddy is teaching him.

The walking path by our house leads to a Little Lending Library.

The day he actually caught a fish on the Flathead River.

"I am queen of the castle."

Saoirse adores tiny flowers and picks bunches of them.

Taking in the world, mostly through his mouth. A little dirt never hurts!

Noisy Creek

 

 

Family Rules

I love all the different ideas on Pinterest for presenting family rules. Painted on stairs, chalkboard art, canvases in black and white, etc. I have put together my lists of favorite succinct rules, because not everyone else's collection had everything I would want, or it had things I didn't want, or maybe just wasn't worded the way I would like. But I finally came across one that had all the rules I wanted on there (plus a couple extra that I liked), in a presentation I liked. Can't afford it right now, but someday maybe I can. Or I will find someone more crafty than I who can help me put my own list of rules on display.

 

This particular print can be found at Joss and Main. I like the reminder of "Don't Whine" as it is particular issue I am learning how to handle. I also like the saying "Use Kind Words" because that is something I say everyday to my children (and myself) as we learn to communicate.

What are some of your favorite family rules?

Watch the Sky

The wee ones and I spent some time outside this morning. After enjoying sidewalk chalk and shadows, Ethan laid on the ground and told me he was going to "watch the sky." This delightful activity kept us all entertained for a while, discussing and observing what may be found in the sky. Here is the list we came up with:

Stars (but you can't see them during the day)

Airplanes and the moon

Clouds

Birds (geese were the favorite)

Our flag

 

Hope you all can take some time to watch the sky and find some amazing things above!

Some Things I Let My Children Watch

As a follow-up to this post I thought I might share some of the media I have chosen to let my kids watch and why. Ethan took a while to learn how to sit through movies, and Saoirse is slow to learn too. But I did make Netflix a daily babysitter during the past holiday season. Now I am trying to cut back on my children's TV time. We don't actually own a television so the solution was quite simple. Move the laptop from the living area to the master bedroom. This made it more inaccessible to me, and for Ethan became an "out of sight, out of mind." Still, there are times when I really appreciate the work time that Netflix gives me. So I pull the computer out and pull up my list of chosen shows.

Since my children are so young, I have a lot of control of what they watch. I pick the shows and one of my standards is: do I want to hear this? I will admit Thomas the Train drives me nuts, so does Daniel Tiger. So my children remain unfamiliar with the otherwise beloved characters.

 Topping the list of shows I can tolerate in the background is Curious George.

Ethan's absolute favorite show is Curious George. And he has learned a lot from the busy monkey, impressing his father with knowledge about car washes and rockets, as well as special dance steps (quick, quick, slow). I appreciate the shows upbeat nature and the encouraging of helpfulness and admiration of what is right under your nose. Fostering a love of animals, interest in nature, eagerness to learn, and exposure to a variety of interests, i.e. the symphony, gymnastics, magnets, are all regular parts of this darling show. I have no idea how many times Ethan has seen every single episode, but he sure does like it!

 Another favorite show is Justin Time. The shows focus on history and cultural geography is really neat. The main character's imagination takes him from ancient China, Egypt, and Greece to building skyscrapers in New York, visiting the Eiffel tower, and traveling through various parts of the North American continent. As a history buff, I love introducing my son to the past through this simple, yet exciting show. Ethan's developed an interest in Vikings and sailing in general from this show.

You can't have a fireman in the house and not watch firefighter shows. Fireman Sam is a courageous hero and helpful neighbor. I love watching Ethan get excited about danger and hear him yell advice to the characters in this British series.

 

 

Although Saoirse has yet to develop any particular interests, I enjoy the Tinker Bell movies and hope she will too. Not quite the same fairy as J.M. Barrie originally created, she is none the less a delightful character. She often learns things the hard way, but is ever ready to admit her mistakes. The realm of tiny creatures holds great enchantment and fascination to me, and I have a feeling Saoirse will readily enter into the charm of fairy houses and grass dolls when she gets a little older.

 

 

 

The list would be incomplete if Winnie-the-Pooh were absent. Call me nostalgic and old-fashioned, but I enjoy the classic tales of A.A. Milne very much. I recall my own childish imaginings of The Hundred Acre Wood and how I wished to roam it. I should like to think my children are beginning their own imaginings in this classic setting.

 

 

So this is what I have given my children to watch. The is filled with simple, wholesome education. Shows that hopefully teach them about the excitement in the world around them. I want to have curious children, I want them to travel around the world and through time, I want them to be brave and ready to help others, I want them to love the beautiful Creation we are surrounded by. I think I have chosen the right shows to encourage their growing minds.



 

Frozen: How We Choose What Let Our Children Watch

Sometimes it is hard to choose what to watch. Children's films can have a powerful influence on their little minds. Sometimes it is nice to just watch a movie without thinking about it's potential damage to attitudes.

Most recently we have met Princess Anna and Queen Elsa from the Nordic lands of Frozen.

Personally, I loved the film. I loved the Norwegian designs, the mountains, the fjord. It seems to be in my blood,. and I know it is my heritage. So I was naturally drawn to it. The dirndl style dresses, thick braids, and beautiful fjord scenery were pulled me in, while the lovable and gallant snowman Olaf made certain I thoroughly enjoyed the film. On the surface, it was a delightful film and made a late night date with my husband very pleasant. I intend to own a copy of the film and I hope that Saoirse will grow up wanting watch the two sisters and play princess.

My husband and I often discuss our household movie standards. We each grew up in homeschooling families with vastly different perspectives. We have known those who avoid movie theaters, those who ban Disney, talking animals, sci-fi, romances, people who watch TV shows, and those who favor documentaries, etc, etc. As Christians we do want to be conscious of what we watch and how often. Yet we are tired of the everlasting debate and fuss that seems to accompany so many discussions. Unless you watch no movies at all, there seems to be no way to avoid some inconsistency in your standards.

There are certain groups who would have us watch every movie with a list of questions, usually theological in nature. Others want to analyze teaching moments, pausing the film for family discussion. Certainly there are times for this. But my children are toddlers! I am not going to pause Winnie-the-Pooh to tell my son that the bear stuffed with fluff has stress issues that he seeks to relieve with sweets. From a psychological and theological stand point we border on the ridiculous by our constant stress over what they might learn.

And let's not forget the left-wing feminist, speaking out against the Disney model for doe-eyed, slender-waisted princesses. Goodness, we wouldn't want girls to think that being pretty is even remotely possible!
And boys can never learn to be chivalrous, and girls cannot expect such things! How poorly Disney prepares us for reality!

What a lot of nonsense!

So how do we decide if a certain movie is allowed or not? Honestly, we have not fully resolved that issue yet. But so far we do believe that it is a personal preference matter. The Bible has nothing specific to address our reading, television, or movies. The general guidelines that Roman and I use come from these two verses:

Philippians 4:8

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

I Corinthians 10:31

Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Our children are young, they delight in very simple things and they understand things from a far more innocently open perspective than our cluttered adult minds. They are still sinners yes, but not experienced ones. I watch how they are influenced by books, movies, and shows. I want them to pursue excellence, beauty, honor, love, and above all the glory of God. If they can learn to be gallant like Olaf, loyal like Anna, hard-working like Kristoff, and create beauty like Elsa, then I will let them watch Frozen. And right now, if they just run around singing "Do you want to build a snowman?" that is fine too. Because it brought them some joy! We will save the cultural despondency for a more mature time of life. Right now I have to go change two smelly bottoms.

A List of Favorites

After finishing Life After Art by Matt Appling and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp I was challenged and inspired to make the beauty that I desire to see in my home. Autumn delights are something I am already grateful for and now I am taking steps to actually enjoy them. From the list above (courtesy of Pinterest) my favorites are:

My mustard yellow cardigan(along with boots and jeans)

 

Baking: lately French bread and a pear tart.

 

The daily teatime ritual I am creating with my family.

Sometimes it's morning, sometimes afternoon, or even evening.

I make a pot of tea or hot cocoa to share with Ethan and Roman (while Saoirse has a sippy of milk) and we enjoy relaxing together. Setting up the whole tea service makes an inviting and relaxing experience that much more beautiful.

What are your favorite autumn joys?

 

 

 



Ah! Sunflower

Ah! Sunflower! weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun,
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the travelers journey is done:

Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow
Arise from their graves and aspire
Where my Sunflower wishes to go.

~William Blake

One of my favorite autumnal flowers is the red and black sunflowers. They match the dark, yet bright tones that mark the remarkable change in seasons, much different from the standard bright yellow of summery sunflowers. It is remarkable how each plant changes through a year.

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

"I have found a direct correlation between my eagerness and ability to simplify our family life—to live holistically with our life’s purpose—with how well I’m taking care of myself. True story. And yet the terribly ironic thing is that the best kind of self-care is the simple kind."
Read the rest of this good advice: Tsh's article on Self-care

And what are a few of my favorite things?

Beautifully bound volumes of wonderful words

Running my fingers along the piano keys in simple melodies

The sweet and delicate fragrance of lily-of-the-valley

A wide ocean beach

The graceful strength of a ballet dancer.

A date night with my dear and loving husband!

I Never Saw a Moor

I never saw a Moor--
I never saw the Sea--
Yet I know how the Heather looks
And what a Billow be.

I never spoke with God
Nor visited in Heaven--
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the Checks were given--

~Emily Dickinson

I have seen the sea.

And someday I hope to see the moors.

And someday I will see the Heavenly realm.

A White Rose

The red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
O, the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.
But I send you a cream-white rosebud
With a flush on it's petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.

~J.B. O'Reilly

Nature Photograhy

Roman and I went down to the Swan River for a little walk and some fishing the other day. Didn't catch anything but certainly enjoyed the summer day!

Wild roses smell heavenly.

Forget-me-not is such a lovely flower.

A creek running into the river.

He is just amazing!

We feasted on gooseberries.

The wild mile of the Swan River

Plannning

Flathead Lake, Montana

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell

Lake MacDonald, Glacier National Park

This is in our backyard, only a 45 minute drive.
And yet we rarely visit this gorgeous place.
God surrounds us with beauty, let us take the time to
enjoy the place we call home.

There Will Be Magic In My Garden

My husband and I dream and plan for the day we will own some property and have a garden. For now I content myself with simple herb boxes. But someday I will have a place for magic to spread and romance to bloom. And today I will make what magic and romance I can with what I have.

Thoughts from another blogger (and an anniversary)

Ladies, you should all take a few minutes to read this article.
The Proper Lady: The Subtle Details of a Feminine Lady

Nina has some wonderful thoughts on femininity. As I raise my little girl, I want to exemplify to her all the delights of being female. I want my son to admire feminine traits, as his father does so very well. And I wish to show the world how delighted I am to be a woman, happy with my children, joyous in my home, filled with pleasure by my husband. God has been so good to give me a full life!

On the 3rd of July, 2010, it had been a fairly normal Saturday. I had worked in the garden, planned dinner with my beau, and gone to visit a friend recently returned from a missions trip. As far as I knew the evening was going to be a quiet one with Roman and my parents. But when I returned home from my visit, Roman showed up with his parents and a pile of gifts. A silk dress, light blue sweater, a blue topaz jewelry set, and shoes. I was overwhelmed and eagerly anticipating the coming evening which I hoped would hold a proposal. I will never forget his reaction to when I came out in the outfit he had so carefully planned for me. He looked down the hall from the couch, stood up, and as I entered the room his knees buckled and he sat
down.  Best compliment he could give me was the overwhelming inability to speak.

So we went to dinner and then to Flathead Lake, auspiciously to watch the sunset. At the end of the dock Roman presented me with a diamond ring and an anxious question. My answer sent him into utter delight; he spun me around, and we hugged while fireworks were going off all around us.
It has been three full years since that magical evening. We have moved four times, traveled some,worked a lot and have added a son and daughter to our lives. Each year we have gone back to Wayfarers Park on Flathead Lake to consider just how joyous our lives have been. Our date this year was short, but still magical and more meaningful. How full of bounty is our life! How good it is to be married! How glad I am that the Lord has brought Roman and I together forever!

July 2010 (Right after the proposal )

2011 (pregnant with Ethan)

July 2012 (pregnant with Saoirse)

July 2013 (just the two of us)