A Peek at Patterson Homeschool
It’s Tuesday, 4:57pm. Today we had Bible study and I had an afternoon meeting. We’ve just finished painting, chicken’s in the crockpot, green beans are in the skillet. Kids are at the table, hungry, waiting, nibbling peas from little bowls. I seize the moment. Turn my attention to 4-year-old Dutch. Time to homeschool.
“Dutch, we’re going to learn a little something about water today.”
“I already know all about water.”
[Insert instruction regarding humility and listening. Return to lesson on water.]
“Remember last week when we took that looong walk to the park? When we got home, we were very very….what?”
“Thirsty! AND hungry.”
“That’s right! Good. When we work hard we get very very thirsty. So what do we drink?”
“SODA!” I stare at him. (I have never given him a drop of soda in his life.) He grins mischievously. I will not be derailed.
“We drink water because that helps us grow strong and be healthy.”
“Haha! Papa gives me soda sometimes because I like it because it bubbles on my tongue and gets all tickly. And I like it. It makes me grow strong!”
“No, soda makes you sick, water makes you strong.” Let’s change the subject.
“Dutch, remember the story from Sunday school last week, the story about the woman at the well with Jesus? Can you tell me about it?”
“Yeah! Jesus fell in the well and the woman pulled him out!” He is being completely serious. I am now shaking my head in disbelief. Where did I got wrong? 🙂
“Actually the woman asked Jesus to give her this special water so that she would never thirst again. Our spirits need living water just like our bodies need liquid water. Jesus is the only one who can give our spirits this special living water and give us this special life in him.” I smile, satisfied, letting it sink in.
“I like soda!”
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Some days are better than others. Every day is a gift.
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*Check back tomorrow for a very special day, challenge, and opportunity to win a free gift. WCC ladies, check in before you go to Bible study in the morn! Hint: You might want to paint your toenails today…
Week's end with thanks
- Nyquil.
- Girls getting real, vulnerable, breathing, crying, changing, growing — to be like more Christ.
- House showing timed perfectly for 11am church.
- Sunday afternoon naps for all.
- Hum of dryer.
- Learning.
- Contentment.
- Church home, faces smiling, arms embracing, love that’s true.
- Feeding the right appetites.
- Arriving at church 30 minutes early, time to play, meander, laugh.
- Kids playing drums.
- Coconut moisturizing hand-soap.
- Feel of clean wood floors under my feet.
- Black beans and cheese.
- Sore throat, Marge Simpson voice, for some reason finding it fun.
- Every at church commenting that my voice sounds sexy. Umm…kinda weird…ok!
- Little boy in dress shirt and jeans.
- Rainy day, dry home, no need to leave.
- Jesus Storybook Bible.
- Happy husband.
- Drive with a friend.
- Reflections on disappointments that turn out for good.
- Electricity.
- Learning to relax.
- Getting organized.
- Realizing all over again how rich I really am.
- Paul the Apostle.
- Inspiration from Anthroplogie without spending a dime.
- Steady Mom.
- Carrot sticks cold.
- How Heidi helps me with laundry, crawling inside the dryer and handing items out one-by-one sorting and naming, “Dada … Bruh-Bruh … Mama … Mine!” Little helper.
- How both my kids think that their underwear has a super-power button and gives them jet-propulsion power to zoom through the house. Where do they come up with this stuff?
- Dutch holding his hands over his ears and saying, “Mommy can you hear me even when I do this?”
- Children chasing each other. No idea who is “it” but they’re having fun!
- Sneaking away from the family fun for some alone time. 30 seconds later all three of them have found me, surrounding me, hugging me, hanging on me, wanting me. Reminding myself it is good to be loved!
- Heidi cutting all four cuspids at once, poor girl, and after getting up from her nap asking “Car car!” I put her in the car (in the garage) with her dolly, strapped her in, and she promptly fell back asleep. Even when she’s miserable she’s sweet!
- Letting Dutch eat the last bit of peanut butter right out of the jar.
- Winning the purple primrose.
- Nourishing Traditions.
- Chickpeas.
- My pasta-less spaghetti casserole concoction–yum!
- Being able to laugh when I took Dutch into the bathroom at church for intense discipline, had nowhere to set my purse so I perched it in the sink forgetting it had an auto sensor–purse full of water! Love those moments–we all need comic relief.
- Hating hating hating disciplining my boy, but thankful for the strength God gives to do it. Clinging to His strength!
- This blog.
- Precious people who read it!
- Like-minded friends in ministry.
- Unity.
- Hope.
- Praying together.
- Crockpot.
- Children watercolor painting.
- Duplo Legos.
My new 15-inch cast iron skillet–it’s HUGE and I love it!- Kids playing in packing material.
- Dutch quote of the day: “Toys are more fun than vitamins.”
- Foundation Farm.
- Words.
- Opportunities to risk.
- Courage.
- Google.
- Old people.
- Free Starbucks.
- Beth Moore.
- A gift of ginger tea from a generous praying friend.
- Homeschool day with the girls. Hiking down to creek. Mud to knees. Storm threatening. Seven tired happy people ready for a nap.
- On my face, “back to the sky”, the safest place to be.
- Elder and wife who care. Laid back dinner. Made to feel at home.
- Molalla friends.
- 45 minute drive out to the country which always nourishes my soul.
- Hundreds of acres of clear-cut, logs and branch remains, speckled with thousands of daffodils, delicate brilliant yellow heads sprinkled throughout. Breathtaking. Beauty from devastation.
- Hundreds more acres of pasture, rolling green hills endless. Long-horns, sheep, trusty barns with peeling red paint. Faithful homes.
- A small sign out front of a tiny house tucked miles away from anywhere. Sign reads “My son is army strong.” Brave mama holds her man-boy with an open hand. I reach mine back to grab Dutch’s. Hold it tight and pray. God give strength to this mama as she grips his little life to give it away.
- Trout Creek Rd. connecting two “middle of nowhere” roads. Winding down down down through moss-filled forests. Looks like it snowed green.
- Barkless trees I’ve never seen before. Must slow, stop, see. Learning to see.
- The familiar curve of my parents’ driveway, car knows the way, down the hill, curve to the right, up the slight crest, pull to a stop. Front door opens. Weight of life slides off. Inhale peace.
- Riversong.
- The smell of my mom–home.
- A baker’s dozen of kids taking off for the woods like fierce little miniature rangers. Dutch dragging his shovel, off to fight for freedom, catch bears, capture pirates all at once. Something about sharks in the woods.
- Ministry meetings that feel like parties.
- Laughter.
- Repentance.
- Our new Jehovah’s Witness friends who we love love love.
- Meeting neighbors.
- My momma-in-law.
- Jeff beside me, now, tucked into bed, reading parenting book. A dad who cares. A treasure.
- Doing my Bible study in bed, legs tucked under quilt, a little early-riser snuggled up at my side, shaft of sunlight, patch of blue sky, a promise through the curtains. Sleepy little voice, “I love you so much.” The pages of my Bible telling me the same. Engulfed with love. Lord You are too much! How do I get moments like these? They are too much for words.
- Amazing morning with my discipler-sister-friend. Not one, not two, but four miracle stories. Gratitude always precedes the miracle. In awe. Jaw dropping eyes-filled-with-tears sort of awe. That kind. That’s our God.
- A very busy day that forced me to be diligent, getting everything done, dinner made, house clean, kids down, then unexpected no-show meeting meant two whole hours to sit on the porch, in the warm surprise of afternoon sun, sip iced tea already made, read, write, talk with my man. The gift of time, of stillness, of holy leisure. Amid the thousand gifts of my week this was the sweetest.
- Mother-in-law’s words: “I’ll make dinner!”
- Ikea chalkboard easel.
- Lentils.
- Sunset magazine.
- Smell of fresh barkdust, the scent of summer. All this and sunshine too?!! Too much.
- Watching out the window at my two workers, busy. One with wheelbarrow, shovel, arms of strength. One with Lightning McQueen hat, sagging shorts, little boy arms and trowel. Man and man-child fulfilling their calling, subduing the earth.
- Combing tiny tangles from Heidi’s wet curls.
- Psalms of Ascent.
- Christ in you.
- Beauty.
- Honesty.
- Truth.
F is for Food, new kinds (and a Frugal Friday deal)
First, in the spirit of Frugal Friday check this out: Groupon is offering a great deal on passes to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Two adults and 2 kids can get in for only $25. CLICK HERE to get the deal. We went last summer and it was awesome for the kids. I don’t think it’s worth the full ticket price, but definitely worth $25 for the whole fam, especially if you have any marine biology enthusiasts like I do. 🙂
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Second, after writing this post, two questions have surfaced quite a bi:, “What then ARE you eating??” and “Can I get the link to that article?” 🙂 LOTS and yes. Here we go:
:: I’m eating lots of meat, veggies, beans, nuts, and some fruit and dairy.
It’s actually way easier than it seems at first. Yes, I’ve had to make the switch to being a tad more carnivorous than would be my natural inclination, but actually it’s great. I’m going to include our 10-rotation meal plan. (I recently switched to this to simplify meal planning.) So for example, sample day:
- Breakfast: Coffee with whole milk along with two scrambled eggs and a slice of turkey bacon (yum! Kids still eat oatmeal but they always steal bites of my eggs and bacon).
- Snacks: Slices of cheese, carrot sticks, a bowl of peas, sometimes an apple, or a big spoonful of peanut butter (or just leftovers, I love leftovers).
- Lunch: Crockpot beans (black, pinto, white or garbanzo) and cheese or leftovers from dinner or roasted chicken with sauteed green beans.
- Dinner: Here are our 10 grain & sugar free dinners.
1. Spaghetti casserole: This is really just spaghetti sauce, lots of added tomatos and veggies, grass-fed beef, onions, garlic, etc. then put it in a casserole dish layered like a lasagna: sauce, and then either mozzerella or ricotta cheese, sprinkle mozzerella or parmesan on top and bake until bubbly. Yum! (I’ll make a bit of whole wheat pasta on the side for the kids if they want)
2. Roasted chicken and veggies: simple, just a whole roasted chicken in the crockpot with sauteed green beans, beans, carrots, whatever veggies I have on hand. (Let kids have a slice of homemade bread after they eat their protein and veggies)
3. Bacon, onion and lentil skillet: Ok this is SO delicious, and it’s even better if you make it and then let it bake or sit in the fridge and eat it the next day. I add frozen spinach to it and ten top it with grated parmesan. Use the chicken stock from yesterday’s chicken.
4. Thai chicken Saute: I just skip the rice for myself. Use the roast chicken and stock from earlier in the week.
5. Beans and cheese/rice: Basic, crockpot beans. Now I sprout mine, by soaking and rinsing them for a few days before cooking in the crockpot. Kids eat with rice and cheese, I eat with cheese. Yum!
6. Meatballs with veggies: I haven’t actually made these yet since starting this because I’m still figuring out how to make them without any sugar or oats (my recipe calls for both). But it should be pretty easy to figure out. Serve with beans or peas or carrots or whatever.
7. Roasted Garlic & Butternut Squash Cassoulet: (leave out the two slices of bread) This recipe will need to adjust in spring with spring veggies instead of butternut squash. But any dish with beans, some sort of squash and a little bit of uncured turkey bacon will be great. Parmesan makes everything delicious, right?
8. Salmon and veggies: Basic salmon either baked or pan-cooked or on the BBQ (my fav). Douse with lemon juice, salt, pepper, some crushed garlic and a tad bit of mayo, wrap it up in a little foil packet and bake or stick on the BBQ. YUM! Serve with beans or peas or carrots or red potatoes or whatever.
9. Tortilla Soup: No recipe for this because it’s whatever you have on hand. Beef or chicken or no meat, beans soaked and cooked, taco seasoning, shredded squash, onions, garlic, carrots chopped, tomatos, cilantro, corn, whatever. Top with cheese, can’t beat it.
10. Vegetable Soup or Salad: Depending upon the season, this could be the super easy lentil vegetable soup (again, just make with whatever’s on hand and use the chicken stock from last week). OR, during the summer months a big salad with whatever veggies are on hand.
TREAT: (Because there has to be one, right?) Whole milk warmed up with a pinch of Stevia and a teaspoon of baking cocoa. It’s delicious!
:: Here’s the article link. Enjoy!
What about the budget? Thoughts on that next week.
Happy Friday! Week’s end with thanks tomorrow…
Why I Write.
Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Fear.
It is the reason I sit here, minutes turn to hour, fingers poised at the keyboard, without writing a word.
Because writing is still a little like undressing.
If I write this post it clearly means I care. But there is a jewel and there is courage, so I will my fingers move.
Cowards pretend that they don’t care. That they don’t try. It takes no courage to pretend we have no fears. I have heard enough that leaders must feign fearlessness. You can lead me nowhere unless you lead me through your heart. Through the places that ache, are dirty, the places that are scared to death and yet go on.
I would love for the world to think that words come easy to me. I would love for you to think that my retreat messages come together in beautiful serene moments of epiphany while walking through the woods. That Bible studies flow effortlessly through my fingers as I type. That I don’t still face heart race and palm sweat and stretched on face pleading God give grace I need you!
No sweat, right? Does not our culture insist that it’s not cool to sweat? Is there not a measure of pride in the idea that something came of us and we didn’t even try?
And what is pride if it is not fear? Pride stems from fear and fear from pride. The cycle of depravity nipping at our heels.
Fear.
Fear keeps us from trying so hard that someone might take notice, and we, standing naked, would be seen. Be seen trying.
To try is to risk. And risk is only risk if the possibility of failure is real.
Hence fear.
But beneath the layer of fear, we sense, there is a jewel. We–we all–sense that in our imago Dei image of God there is something deposited in us that is worthy. That bears His name and brings His grace to the world. That’s meant to be shared.
“Do not be afraid of being beautiful,” a trusted friend once said. I had been. Had cried. Sobbed. Had somehow believed that how God made me was a problem, a temptation, a stumbling block to the world. Shroud that imago Dei away with whatever layers I could find.
I do not mean modest I mean mask.
And there were others. Writing 324 instructor. His name escapes me but his words never will. Shaggy hair, two-day stubble, seated across a cafe table on the University campus. Squinting into my eyes, “No, this stuff is really good.” He was crazy and blunt and harsh enough I had no reason to not believe him. Ok then, I will write.
Margorie Sandor, Dr. Dan Lockwood, Valorie Clemen and of course then there’s you. You, many of you who have spoken words of life to my soul, who have fanned my faltering flame and not let me slide but instead slipped an email, “Did you do it?” Holding me to courage.
Reminding me of the jewel. Christ in me, the hope of glory. The glorious mystery. A jewel in a jar of clay.
And jewels I have seen. Jillian acts and Sarah designs the world. Joy speaks and Pam snuggles orphans. Janae and Candi wear motherhood like a crown. All beautiful jewels, shining for His glory, they rest in settings of proper placement, first helpmeets to their husbands, caretakers to aging parents. I look. I see jewels.
And we are not called to flatter each other’s flesh. But we are called to seek out the treasure in each other. To douse envy’s burn with love, to glimpse into another’s heart and hold the jewel up to the light, make it seen. To bravely bare our own souls–the jewel within–and let Christ be magnified in us. One day in death, today in life.
The jewel of God’s mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Fear will keep it shrouded. Faith will set it free.
That’s why I write.
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Thank you, beloved readers, for your jewel-seeking and flame-fanning. In the spirit of this post I’m linking this to a beloved blog where I often find a home. Ann Voskamp is graciously offering an opportunity to receive a scholarship to SheSpeaks, a conference devoted to this very thing–holding jewels to the light. Christ in us, the hope of glory.
So glad I get to try.