Beautiful Work!
Berklee College of Music Students
Produced by Shelbie Rassler
All credits on the original post. Please view and share.
Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 19
Reading: 1st Quarter Goals Accomplished
Apparently recording, reviewing and sharing my own 2020 reading goals on this blog, on a monthly basis, is at this time, a little beyond my reach. My new plan for the blog is to post my reading accomplishments quarterly. First quarter list below:
These titles are the ones I've gotten through during the first three months of 2020. I am noticing the rewards of being intentional with my own reading again. I've been choosing titles based on the goals I set of two fiction, two non-fiction and one audio per month. I'm feeling the rewards and the challenges of actually consistently setting aside time to engage in the printed word. Now, with the added changes to all of our lives this year, having this goal continues to be a helpful. I expected social distancing to create an atmosphere for increased reading. Despite remaining at home, the world situation has actually made it more difficult for me to focus.
Social distancing has presented the opportunity for more reading. In recent weeks, when I have been able to get started with a good read, I have found the time reading to be a welcomed escape from the anxiety that currently shapes the world and has managed to intrude into our homes and lives. Taking the time to dive into a good story, individually, gives us a break from our current day to day concerns. We might discover a better point of view from which to approach our intended plans. If we are sharing the experience of reading a title with others for a book group discussion or as a read aloud we share the experience of thinking about higher ideas or another's story and have another basis for deeper connections and creating community. My hope is for my family, friends and everyone, really, to enjoy the benefits from picking up a former favorite title or a recommended new one during this unprecedented beginning to a new year.
Happy Reading!
 |
| I set reading goals for myself for the year of 2020. |
Reaping the Benefits of Reading
Setting a reading goal for myself at the beginning of the new year propelled my reading back to where it has been at other times in my life. I have found sitting with a good book to still be as pleasurable as it has always been throughout my life. Immersing myself in a good story, or theory or approach of an accomplished writer is so very satisfying. Attempting to apply an approach and/or instigating conversation beyond the books has contributed to deepening relationships and added joy in my current life in only the past two short months. Honestly, it has!
My 2020 list so far.
January/February/March
Non-Fiction
Atomic Habits, An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
The Legacy Journey. A radical View of Biblical Wealth by Dave Ramsey
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Taken for Granted by Gianno Caldwell
One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber
All the Places to Go How Will You Know by John Ortberg
The Enchanted Hour The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon
This is my new favorite regarding the joy of reading aloud.
One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber
All the Places to Go How Will You Know by John Ortberg
The Enchanted Hour The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon
This is my new favorite regarding the joy of reading aloud.
Fiction
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls
The Glass Castle A Memoir by Jeanette Walls
A bit more about these two titles on an earlier post.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A bit more about these two titles on an earlier post.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
And one audio.
I love this option from our library. Digital listening allows me to knit while listening to a good book. For ongoing inspiration, Sarah Mackenzie's was a perfect listen to read.
The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
Social distancing has presented the opportunity for more reading. In recent weeks, when I have been able to get started with a good read, I have found the time reading to be a welcomed escape from the anxiety that currently shapes the world and has managed to intrude into our homes and lives. Taking the time to dive into a good story, individually, gives us a break from our current day to day concerns. We might discover a better point of view from which to approach our intended plans. If we are sharing the experience of reading a title with others for a book group discussion or as a read aloud we share the experience of thinking about higher ideas or another's story and have another basis for deeper connections and creating community. My hope is for my family, friends and everyone, really, to enjoy the benefits from picking up a former favorite title or a recommended new one during this unprecedented beginning to a new year.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, February 13
Reading for Me
The first month of 2020 is gone. February is flying fast right behind. I didn't and I haven't in the past made many resolutions or used the year's beginning as the only time to set goals but this year I did set some reading goals for myself. I have planned to read one fiction, one non-fiction and listen to one audio book each month of 2020. One and a half months into 2020 and I have exceeded my goal. I have been thoroughly enjoying my reading for myself based on my own interests.
For the first time, I set a New Year's reading goal for myself for the new year. Entering 2020 with an empty nest, I have felt the need to establish more than a few new routines. Reading has brought me hours of joy through out the years so it's time for me to intentionally return to that experience intentionally and regularly.
It's been awhile since I've read a novel just for the sheer joy of reading. The first novel for my reading year was Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.Half Broke Horses led me straight to another title of Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle A Memoir. This recounting of her life story was fascinating and in some spots a little to close to home. In particular her description of her father's process of detoxing from alcohol, an experience I witnessed with my own father when I was a teen. Despite the fact that this is based on the authors life story I found myself frustrated with the ongoing dysfunction of her parents. Had this been a fictional novel I would have put it aside for the lack of resolution. Given that it was someones real life, I kept reading. Thankfully the story does have some redeeming resolution. You'll have to read it to discover the outcomes for yourself.
To add to the fun and my own sense of accomplishment, I'm keeping track of the titles by recording what I've read in a reading journal. While browsing at a local bookstore, I discovered the Literary Journeys A Readers' Journal. The small splurge of purchasing the journal has me listing the books with the sole purpose of recording my own reading progress. In the past, I've keep a running list in a word doc but have often skipped adding what I've read to the list and though I've added notes occasionally about some titles, the list method just wasn't inspiring me to keep track anymore. With space provided in the journal to include notes, other titles by the same author, writing down thoughts inspired and quotes by authors in one place, it is helping me to see my reading journey as a process of growth and the motivation to keep it up.
Thursday, January 30
There Will Be Gaps
Over our years of homeschooling, I commonly heard phrases from others that were often somewhat flattering to me, but quite honestly, mostly unfounded. I heard things like "You must be very patient." or "You must be really smart." There have been many commonly asked questions too, for example; "Are you a teacher?" "What is your education?" "How do you teach multiple ages?" And the most often repeated reaction to my being a homeschooling mom is, - (homeschool moms, I know you've heard this one at least as much as I have) - "I could never homeschool my kids!" That statement is frequently followed by an explanation from them as to why that is an absolutely irrevocably true, beyond any shadow of doubt fact!
My typical response is usually that it really isn't as hard as they imagine. For me, that is the statement of fact that continued to ring true throughout our days of homeschooling. (I may expand on my experience of that in another post.)
If such a conversation continues, (often they don't) and deepens, (less frequently) leading to a real discussion about education, learning and family it evolves into a discussion of who loves and is the best example and teacher to the children in all of our lives, assuming relatively stable families, of course.
Another protest I have also commonly heard is about all of the potential learning gaps that will afflict the poor homeschooled children due to their parents lack of expertise in all the many areas needed for academic success. Again, if the conversation still continues (even rarer at this point), I attempt (trying to remember to do so delicately) to point out that no system of education, public or private, will provide enough exposure and understanding of all of the potential areas and subject matter that will be needed by our children over the next decades and over their own lifetimes.
Giving our children the basics to access the world of academics is vital. Basic math and reading is obviously important so that they will be able to move forward in pursuit of more understanding in any subject area they choose. The basics are necessary so that they will possess the ability to search and discover answers and solutions on their own. A firm grasp of those same basics are important so that they will be able to take the steps they will absolutely need to move forward in their lives with confidence.
However, no matter where they are being educated, no matter who their teachers are, they will have gaps. All of them will have gaps in some area of expertise and without confidence in their own ability to find info, explore the ideas of others and create their own solutions, they will be living not with simple gaps in information but in a chasm of fear and uncertainty. Mostly, they will need to accept that ongoing learning is part of life. Ideally they will possess a love of learning that will not only sustain them but will bring them joy throughout their lives contributing to their ability to thrive in relationships and in the work they choose.
The most important attribute I have observed in homeschooling parents is an interest and delight in ongoing learning for themselves. Whatever your choices are for the education of your children, share your own love of learning with each of them and with all of the children you have contact with. Acknowledge your confidence in them that they will be able to find answers and make decisions. Remind them that learning lasts a lifetime. Celebrate sharing the journey of ongoing learning with them. Provide an example of working diligently to fill in your own gaps!
My typical response is usually that it really isn't as hard as they imagine. For me, that is the statement of fact that continued to ring true throughout our days of homeschooling. (I may expand on my experience of that in another post.)
If such a conversation continues, (often they don't) and deepens, (less frequently) leading to a real discussion about education, learning and family it evolves into a discussion of who loves and is the best example and teacher to the children in all of our lives, assuming relatively stable families, of course.
Another protest I have also commonly heard is about all of the potential learning gaps that will afflict the poor homeschooled children due to their parents lack of expertise in all the many areas needed for academic success. Again, if the conversation still continues (even rarer at this point), I attempt (trying to remember to do so delicately) to point out that no system of education, public or private, will provide enough exposure and understanding of all of the potential areas and subject matter that will be needed by our children over the next decades and over their own lifetimes.
Giving our children the basics to access the world of academics is vital. Basic math and reading is obviously important so that they will be able to move forward in pursuit of more understanding in any subject area they choose. The basics are necessary so that they will possess the ability to search and discover answers and solutions on their own. A firm grasp of those same basics are important so that they will be able to take the steps they will absolutely need to move forward in their lives with confidence.However, no matter where they are being educated, no matter who their teachers are, they will have gaps. All of them will have gaps in some area of expertise and without confidence in their own ability to find info, explore the ideas of others and create their own solutions, they will be living not with simple gaps in information but in a chasm of fear and uncertainty. Mostly, they will need to accept that ongoing learning is part of life. Ideally they will possess a love of learning that will not only sustain them but will bring them joy throughout their lives contributing to their ability to thrive in relationships and in the work they choose.
The most important attribute I have observed in homeschooling parents is an interest and delight in ongoing learning for themselves. Whatever your choices are for the education of your children, share your own love of learning with each of them and with all of the children you have contact with. Acknowledge your confidence in them that they will be able to find answers and make decisions. Remind them that learning lasts a lifetime. Celebrate sharing the journey of ongoing learning with them. Provide an example of working diligently to fill in your own gaps!
Monday, January 6
Into 2020; Family, Parenting, Change and Love
Through all of the stages of parenting most of us have our favorites, some of us enjoy the babies, others of us enjoy the early childhood years of exploration and intense learning, others love the teens, (well, there must be someone, somewhere) though I have actually enjoyed watching the blossoming of my children during the teen years.
My theory is that whatever stage a family is currently in, it is often the phase that feels the hardest as parents - we look back at previous stages with fondness, easily forgetting the difficulties, only viewing the past through a sentimental lens. We can look forward to the future stages of development of our children with the hope and anticipation of smooth sailing when they are bigger or when a child acquires whatever skill might be next that it will make our life as a parent easier. We imagine that when the stage we are in passes, everything will be easier and better because... (fill in the blank). The phase of parenting we are in at the moment; with a ever growing, ever changing family can feel as if it is the most difficult, whether it is weaning a reluctant little one, potty training, learning to read, counseling a teen through a friendship crisis or encouraging a young adult through college applications and course work.
We are all in, at any given moment and that one stage of development of any member of a family can feel like the most intense and the hardest to be in and to support our children through. This parenting journey is a look to the future kind of gig while also always being all about the moment to moment experience of being present with our children as often as possible. Some days we just make it through, other days we rejoice and high five our spouse. Also, unfortunately there are those days where all we can do is weep. And the oft used phrase "The days are long but the years are short." hoovers around the edges or becomes a mantra for the experience.
Here in our home, we have launched three amazing young adults into the world. We are proud of each of them. We are thrilled that they are all doing well and we also miss the daily interactions. If you aren't this far along on the journey - you might imagine that this is a phase comes with less worry and anxiety. Once you make it this far there isn't much to struggle with or complain about. We're done, it's all good - until....
Until the college kid comes home, just a few days before Christmas to share the virus that's been circulating on campus, exposing the rest of the family for the holidays. Or another, comes home with huge doubts about their chosen course of study. Or another, on the easier side, joins the family celebration still needing assistance with a ride to the mall, a haircut and work done on their vehicle. It is all still a labor of love and our presence as parents (recognized or not) continues to be an important aspect of supporting our offspring and each other through another phase of individual and family growth. We are still all in - deep.
Every phase of family life has it's joys and challenges, every year has it's change of seasons, accomplishments and setbacks, every decade has it's holding on, letting go and new adventures.
"To everything turn turn turn there is a season and a purpose under heaven and a time to every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Happy New Year!
2020 - here we come!
My theory is that whatever stage a family is currently in, it is often the phase that feels the hardest as parents - we look back at previous stages with fondness, easily forgetting the difficulties, only viewing the past through a sentimental lens. We can look forward to the future stages of development of our children with the hope and anticipation of smooth sailing when they are bigger or when a child acquires whatever skill might be next that it will make our life as a parent easier. We imagine that when the stage we are in passes, everything will be easier and better because... (fill in the blank). The phase of parenting we are in at the moment; with a ever growing, ever changing family can feel as if it is the most difficult, whether it is weaning a reluctant little one, potty training, learning to read, counseling a teen through a friendship crisis or encouraging a young adult through college applications and course work.
Here in our home, we have launched three amazing young adults into the world. We are proud of each of them. We are thrilled that they are all doing well and we also miss the daily interactions. If you aren't this far along on the journey - you might imagine that this is a phase comes with less worry and anxiety. Once you make it this far there isn't much to struggle with or complain about. We're done, it's all good - until....
Until the college kid comes home, just a few days before Christmas to share the virus that's been circulating on campus, exposing the rest of the family for the holidays. Or another, comes home with huge doubts about their chosen course of study. Or another, on the easier side, joins the family celebration still needing assistance with a ride to the mall, a haircut and work done on their vehicle. It is all still a labor of love and our presence as parents (recognized or not) continues to be an important aspect of supporting our offspring and each other through another phase of individual and family growth. We are still all in - deep.
Every phase of family life has it's joys and challenges, every year has it's change of seasons, accomplishments and setbacks, every decade has it's holding on, letting go and new adventures.
"To everything turn turn turn there is a season and a purpose under heaven and a time to every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Happy New Year!
2020 - here we come!
Friday, December 13
Encouraging Gift Ideas for a Dancer
The thick of the holiday season is upon us! For our teen daughter that continues to mean Nutcracker performances. For the rest of our family it means the excitement of seeing her perform after many hours, days and weeks of hard work in classes and rehearsals as a dancer. It also means providing encouragement along the way; with reminders to eat well, rest and generally take care of herself. For me it also means continuing to be available for the conversations that include listening, communicating loving support and positive feedback. This year for the first time it means offering that in whatever ways I can from a distance because she is now pursuing this dream hundreds of miles away from us.
We will be traveling to see the Nashville Ballet's Nutcracker and bringing her home for our Christmas and New Year's celebrations, in the meantime, I've been researching, reading and acquiring resources to share with her over the holidays. Posting the beginnings of that exploration here, for any other dance moms, looking to enjoy the season, calm themselves and support their dancers.Dancers spend an enormous amount of time moving and being physically active. Along with the physical stamina needed there is a significant amount of mental activity involved. The heightened awareness of the brain and body connection that dancers and other athletes have is usually keen however with the demands of performing in a competitive environment they are often likely to ignore the need to take some time to rest and relax.
Some down time that requires another approach to the kinesthetic mental and physical activity seems like a good idea to this mom of a ballerina.Reading and instilling the love of reading has been one of the ideas I've worked to implement to counteract the tendency for the competitive young athlete to keep pushing through without taking the necessary break for recovery time. I've put together some favorites and some newly discovered reading resources that will hopefully lead to some relaxed, informative and inspirational reading time for all the dancers in your life.
First for the littles:
These are filled with delightful inspiration for the littlest ballerina. We read our Angelina Ballerina books over and over when our daughter was young.
 |
| This little Angelina board book is so cute! |
Books for for older teen and young adult dancer:
(Keep scrolling, there's more).
Also, an excellent online resource regarding nutrition, that I recently discovered is; To the Pointe Nutrition. Created by Rachel Fine, a nutritionist and dancer she has written nutritionally sound and well researched ebooks for dancers. Look for more about her here on the blog; I'll be posting a longer review of her work in January. All of her work is available at: https://pointenutrition.com/
Tuesday, December 3
Get Cash for Christmas - Giveaway
Check Out Two Great Resources Below and Potentially Win Christmas Cash!
If you've heard of Dave Ramsey, you're likely to have heard of his opinion about borrowing money. His financial recommendations begin with paying off debt. "The borrower is slave to the lender."
His plan begins but doesn't end there. The choice to follow the principles he teaches have led to many individuals and families gaining control over there financial situation. If you are looking to do the same, his program is worth checking out. Even if you are not trying to eliminate debt - though if you are in debt in any amount you should consider ridding it from your financial picture - there are excellent educational resources concerning money on the Dave Ramsey website. Through the month of December Ramsey is hosting a cash giveaway contest that anyone can enter. The link is below:
Dave Ramsey Christmas Give Away
 |
| Enter the cash giveaway! |
Another Great Way to Get (or save) Christmas Cash
Traveling for Christmas? Get $55.00 off your first stay with Airbnb. Another wonderful resource for yourself this holiday season if you are traveling or if you don't have enough space for visiting relatives is Airbnb. We continue to use it as a way to find great places to stay when we travel. Airbnb offers a wide selection that are typically more interesting and within our price range than a typical hotel.
There are parts of the country that the costs of Airbnbs are going up but it is always worth checking before booking a hotel. If you use the link below for your first booking with Airbnb, you will get $55.00 off of your stay. Happy Trails. Be Safe!Traveling for Christmas? Get $55.00 off your first stay with Airbnb.
https://www.airbnb.com/c/arunyan11?currency=USD
Tuesday, October 29
Orange You Glad It's Fall?
Fall is upon us and the fall harvest provides wonderful, rich and flavorful options for our meals. I love the varieties of squash available at this time of year and the cozy warmth provided by baking some up. Squash is filled with beta-carotene. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A which is good for vision, healthy skin and immunity. Easy to prepare and versatile, squash is a welcome addition to many of our family meals.
A long time favorite in our household, this pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe has evolved and while still a bit decedent, with the chocolate chips involved, it does have less sugar than the original recipe and the butter has been reduced. I use all whole wheat flour. The muffins freeze well and are still yummy upon reheating. I usually double the recipe so that I have some to freeze - otherwise they disappear way too fast.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
12 standard or 48 mini
1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
a pinch of cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup plain pumpkin (half of a 1 lb. can)
6 Tablespoons butter melted
1 cup chocolate chips (dark chocolate works for me)
Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
Thoroughly mix flour, sugar, spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
Break eggs into another bowl add pumpkin and melted butter. Whisk until well blended.
Pour over dry ingredients and fold in just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Scoop batter into lined muffin tins.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until springy to the touch in the center.
Turn onto a rack to cool.
A long time favorite in our household, this pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe has evolved and while still a bit decedent, with the chocolate chips involved, it does have less sugar than the original recipe and the butter has been reduced. I use all whole wheat flour. The muffins freeze well and are still yummy upon reheating. I usually double the recipe so that I have some to freeze - otherwise they disappear way too fast.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
12 standard or 48 mini
1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
a pinch of cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup plain pumpkin (half of a 1 lb. can)
6 Tablespoons butter melted
1 cup chocolate chips (dark chocolate works for me)
Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
Thoroughly mix flour, sugar, spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
Break eggs into another bowl add pumpkin and melted butter. Whisk until well blended.
Pour over dry ingredients and fold in just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Scoop batter into lined muffin tins.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until springy to the touch in the center.
Turn onto a rack to cool.
Friday, October 11
Build a Business & Raise a Family? Can It Be Done? Need A Mentor? Let's Ask Lisa!
Can a stay at home mom committed to the day to day care of young ones and homeschooling really work from home and get anything done? Can or should a homeschooling mom of school age children plus a couple of preschoolers even consider working from home? Or even more challenging can a mom with little charges of any age, stay at home, homeschool her children, run a business from home and better yet make it profitable?
For me, it has been daunting. Being at home, raising children and homeschooling them took a lot of focused energy. Honestly, I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. As all of that was happening, I volunteered as a La Leche League leader for many years, I began lactation consulting, offered doula and postpartum doula support to new mothers as an extension of my work as a volunteer. I wrote and published the content for the website for that work at A Baby Moon Company. I also began writing this blog. As every mom knows, getting it all done for home and children, attempting to accomplish it all can be overwhelming at times.
For myself, as the last big needs of guiding my kids, as they move out into the world are now complete, I am returning to some dreams that were put on hold. I am truly beginning to focus again on my own big ideas and am plotting out plans to achieve a new set of goals, though there are still plenty of days, when I am overwhelmed with the steps I need to take to achieve those goals.
As I plan and process, I've re-discovered the great benefit of uninterrupted time to actually concentrate on and complete tasks. Moving forward is exhilarating. As one completed project leads to the next, I have also re-discovered the great value of having a few cheerleaders. It is in conversation, discussion and sharing that my enthusiasm is built up. Sharing is motivating. It is in connection that the fire is flamed. I've realized that I need to intentionally set up more of that for myself on an ongoing basis.
For all of the important projects and vocations in life having someone to look to for inspiration, encouragement and motivation is important. For the achievements listed above and others I didn't include, having a mentor, has been valuable. Whether officially enlisted or otherwise, having a friend, acquaintance or even someone admired from a distance may become the key to taking the next step to keep going.
So I began getting coaching for myself to stay inspired and move further along in achieving the goals I'm pursuing. One of the most encouraging voices I have enlisted as support is that of busy homeschooling mom, Lisa Tanner. She is a friendly bundle of helpful resource; a cheerleader and a to the point source of information and encouragement.
I first found Lisa by reviewing a product she created that addresses the topic of balancing it all as a homeschooling mom. It is hard to believe what Lisa has accomplished while also raising a large family. She is contributing significantly to her family finances while she and her husband are also committed to following God's calling on their lives to do missionary work.
Her course Diapers and Deadlines covers the basics of juggling all the things. It is an encouraging guide with needed reminders and practical step by step suggestions. I enjoyed Lisa's written course (you can read my review on this blog). It was useful and inspiring and I have referred back to it since writing the review, but now I am ready for more.
Well, if she can do all of that it, I thought, I'd better listen to what she has to say and read, consider and follow her plan. Since Lisa also offers individual coaching and mentoring, I decided, I'm in. I have enlisted her as a mentor and coach. Did I mention it has been a wise choice?
Big kids can sometimes take up as much or more time than the little ones and Lisa has reminded me to focus on my family when needed, especially during the big transition times. For example, during this past summer as all three of our young adult children were getting set up in the world to pursue higher education and big dreams.
Now with the big move out of our young adult children accomplished and with Lisa's insights and help creating follow up action plans, I'm finally putting in the consistent daily work of re-evaluating and building on what I've started.
Lisa's respectful listening presence and reassuring voice via a phone call has been one of the best investments into myself during this new season. She has offered a place for me to engage as I sort out my own goals and next steps. Phone calls with Lisa are where I have found encouragement, as well as practical advice for the next tasks and actions I need to take. Please, follow along to see where it will lead.
You can also check out what Lisa has to offer: Guide to Successful Family Writing Time, Teaching Reading Through Play Homeschool Curriclum and her coaching services on her website at Lisa Tanner Writing.
 |
| Visit A Baby Moon Company website. |
For myself, as the last big needs of guiding my kids, as they move out into the world are now complete, I am returning to some dreams that were put on hold. I am truly beginning to focus again on my own big ideas and am plotting out plans to achieve a new set of goals, though there are still plenty of days, when I am overwhelmed with the steps I need to take to achieve those goals.
As I plan and process, I've re-discovered the great benefit of uninterrupted time to actually concentrate on and complete tasks. Moving forward is exhilarating. As one completed project leads to the next, I have also re-discovered the great value of having a few cheerleaders. It is in conversation, discussion and sharing that my enthusiasm is built up. Sharing is motivating. It is in connection that the fire is flamed. I've realized that I need to intentionally set up more of that for myself on an ongoing basis.For all of the important projects and vocations in life having someone to look to for inspiration, encouragement and motivation is important. For the achievements listed above and others I didn't include, having a mentor, has been valuable. Whether officially enlisted or otherwise, having a friend, acquaintance or even someone admired from a distance may become the key to taking the next step to keep going.
 |
| Learn more about Lisa at Lisa Tanner Writing |
I first found Lisa by reviewing a product she created that addresses the topic of balancing it all as a homeschooling mom. It is hard to believe what Lisa has accomplished while also raising a large family. She is contributing significantly to her family finances while she and her husband are also committed to following God's calling on their lives to do missionary work.
Her course Diapers and Deadlines covers the basics of juggling all the things. It is an encouraging guide with needed reminders and practical step by step suggestions. I enjoyed Lisa's written course (you can read my review on this blog). It was useful and inspiring and I have referred back to it since writing the review, but now I am ready for more.
Well, if she can do all of that it, I thought, I'd better listen to what she has to say and read, consider and follow her plan. Since Lisa also offers individual coaching and mentoring, I decided, I'm in. I have enlisted her as a mentor and coach. Did I mention it has been a wise choice?
 |
| Lisa and her family. |
Now with the big move out of our young adult children accomplished and with Lisa's insights and help creating follow up action plans, I'm finally putting in the consistent daily work of re-evaluating and building on what I've started.
Lisa's respectful listening presence and reassuring voice via a phone call has been one of the best investments into myself during this new season. She has offered a place for me to engage as I sort out my own goals and next steps. Phone calls with Lisa are where I have found encouragement, as well as practical advice for the next tasks and actions I need to take. Please, follow along to see where it will lead.
You can also check out what Lisa has to offer: Guide to Successful Family Writing Time, Teaching Reading Through Play Homeschool Curriclum and her coaching services on her website at Lisa Tanner Writing.
Thursday, September 26
New Reality
When in the thick of early parenting, or the midst of elementary education - homeschooling or otherwise - or during the busy, busy, run here and there of active teen years, it is hard to imagine that the day, whether sometimes longed for, or sometimes dreaded, will ever actually arrive. And even though it has clearly, been approaching steadily, looming over the horizon, day by day - it lands with the sudden surprise of a lightening strike in an approaching storm, not yet immediately overhead, and the day is here. They move out and into the world on their own.
So with pride and tears and joy for all that has been shared and all that is in front of them and me, too - I watch and guide as best one can, as they fly, or lurch, or stumble, away into the big wide world and the best thing left to do is to sing praise for the love and wonder of it all!
Wednesday, September 11
A Review of a Writing Course by BetterRhetor
This summer, we were given access to the course College-Ready Writing Essentials™ by BetterRhetor for review. This course covers the topic of essay writing for students as they prepare to enter college level courses. It is a complete and practical writing course with step by step instructions. It also gives valuable background information that will raise the awareness of any student embarking on the challenge of college level academics.
My interest in have my daughter use this course despite her recent graduation was to give her one more writing experience to boost her confidence in her knowledge and ability to communicate effectively with the written word. She has written throughout her homeschooling experience but an essay format was not the norm. I want her to have an understanding of for what will be expected of her and to approach it with more confidence. The college essay assignments seem to produce anxiety for many students regardless of the approach to their high school education.
The first section of College-Ready Writing Essentials™ includes lessons and worksheets that prep a student for the process of writing an essay. The information also includes a discussion of what to expect and what will be expected from students in a college academic setting. This information is presented in a straight forward way and presents useful considerations for a student about to enter a college environment. As a homeschooling parent, I appreciate this aspect of the course. Having another voice contributing to the importance of taking what will be expected of a college student is helpful. The material covered in the preparation section is a solid reminder of what "the college experience" is really about. Learning, incorporating, presenting and communicating are all necessary skills for successful careers no matter what field of work someone plans to enter.
That this course emphasizes that college is a place to learn and to take that learning and "transform it through your own creative intelligence", from Lesson 9 College-Ready Writing Essentials TM.
Beyond the background and preparation lessons College-Ready Writing Essentials™ covers all of the essentials of writing a college level essay. It walks the student through the entire writing process step by step. it covers the importance of how to evaluate source materials for credibility and provides ways to discern what is high quality and trustworthy as sources for a student's investigations. The course requires a fairly high level of reading comprehension skill. It gives a range of topic exposure in general terms including some current events and societal issues.
The full package course includes 25 lessons. Each lesson contains thorough teaching material, examples and some include downloadable pdf worksheets for student use.
Given our very busy summer and the big changes in our family this summer, it was difficult for my daughter to get through the entire course. Even in a normal summer, I think it would be hard to complete the full course. It would be a great course to use over an academic year. It could be worked through at a student's own pace finishing quickly or over a school year's time frame.
The course is easy to access online. However, since we spent much of the summer in a variety of locations and not all together as a family, we struggled with what has typically been an easy, just jump on the computer, to read and do lessons from our home desktop. For most of the summer, my daughter has only had internet access via her phone and that has been spotty at times. It was this experience that gave me the idea and the wish for College-Ready Writing Essentials™ to be available in a text book/workbook format. An old school idea perhaps, but having the course in a book to take along would have made it possible for my daughter to use our travel time as an opportunity to continue to work through the course.
Technically, this year is somewhat of an academic gap year for my daughter while she is pursuing her dream of ballet training. However, we will soon be solving the current online access issue for her so that she can complete the course this year for added preparation for college classes. College-Ready Writing Essentials™ is an extensive and valuable course for any student wanting to improve their writing skills in preparation for college.
Read more reviews from the Homeschool Review Crew, click the banner below:
My interest in have my daughter use this course despite her recent graduation was to give her one more writing experience to boost her confidence in her knowledge and ability to communicate effectively with the written word. She has written throughout her homeschooling experience but an essay format was not the norm. I want her to have an understanding of for what will be expected of her and to approach it with more confidence. The college essay assignments seem to produce anxiety for many students regardless of the approach to their high school education.
That this course emphasizes that college is a place to learn and to take that learning and "transform it through your own creative intelligence", from Lesson 9 College-Ready Writing Essentials TM.
Beyond the background and preparation lessons College-Ready Writing Essentials™ covers all of the essentials of writing a college level essay. It walks the student through the entire writing process step by step. it covers the importance of how to evaluate source materials for credibility and provides ways to discern what is high quality and trustworthy as sources for a student's investigations. The course requires a fairly high level of reading comprehension skill. It gives a range of topic exposure in general terms including some current events and societal issues.The full package course includes 25 lessons. Each lesson contains thorough teaching material, examples and some include downloadable pdf worksheets for student use.
Given our very busy summer and the big changes in our family this summer, it was difficult for my daughter to get through the entire course. Even in a normal summer, I think it would be hard to complete the full course. It would be a great course to use over an academic year. It could be worked through at a student's own pace finishing quickly or over a school year's time frame.
The course is easy to access online. However, since we spent much of the summer in a variety of locations and not all together as a family, we struggled with what has typically been an easy, just jump on the computer, to read and do lessons from our home desktop. For most of the summer, my daughter has only had internet access via her phone and that has been spotty at times. It was this experience that gave me the idea and the wish for College-Ready Writing Essentials™ to be available in a text book/workbook format. An old school idea perhaps, but having the course in a book to take along would have made it possible for my daughter to use our travel time as an opportunity to continue to work through the course.
Technically, this year is somewhat of an academic gap year for my daughter while she is pursuing her dream of ballet training. However, we will soon be solving the current online access issue for her so that she can complete the course this year for added preparation for college classes. College-Ready Writing Essentials™ is an extensive and valuable course for any student wanting to improve their writing skills in preparation for college.
Read more reviews from the Homeschool Review Crew, click the banner below:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)