Thankful

I've been sleeping in the living room for the last week. It isn't always the easiest thing because- people go to bed after I do (keeping me awake with bright lights and good conversations.) And get up earlier than I do (waking me up with bright lights and good conversations.) But tonight as I was preparing to bed down on Uriah's mat I realized that I have likely had the best part of the "deal". You see, I've been in the living room because Ivanna got ill. And Uriah isn't sleeping very well because he gave up his comfy mat for me! Anyway - I started listing things I am extremely grateful for... and thought I'd share with you.

I am grateful (and it doesn't really go in this order):

1. Orange Juice from Traders (the unpasteurized kind)
2. My sister-in-law having a new niece or nephew any day
3. The Abbott Family for making music easy
4. Gardening
5. The Word for becoming Flesh
6. My students - who remind me what joy learning is!
7. Lights for being bright and being able to turn them off
8. Laundry
9. Sweeping
10. Naps
11. The Lizard for regularly updating her blog.
12. Hua for being real, but trusting the Lord too.
13. Being able to read
14. Smiles
15. Phone calls - and being able to miss them.

Church History

I wanted to let those of you who care - know that I've been blogging about Church History! Just so you all know - the Lectures have been amazing, and the book we're reading "The Story of Christianity" by Justo L. Gonzalez is excellent.

Here's the link for those who would like to check it out.

Penguins - A Great Read

I read a wonderful book over the summer called Deconstructing Penguins: Parents, Kids, and the Bond of Reading it came recommended (and loaned) to me from Leah. While reading it, I was super thrilled about the ideas it gave me - and the connections I was making. Taking apart books, getting to deeper levels, uncovering the mystery seemed within grasp (finally!) I had begun doing this long ago, but to be honest, I wasn't that good at it.
Anyway, my friend Hua also read the book and with her children we started Animal Farm which is an excellent book. I'm grateful to be putting into practice some of the things I learned.
Everyone who is home educating, teaching or interested in literature should read Deconstructing Penguins.