Homegrown Learners

Summer is a time when everyone should allow their minds, bodies, and spirits to recharge.

For the next couple of weeks I am going to focus on several things that have nothing to do with blogging or the online world.

I will be spending a few days ALONE with my husband. (see that pretty lake in the picture? I'm going there.) Once home, some serious planning for this school year will commence, and we will also finish our summer swimming season with a synchronized swimming and diving show.

I had a huge heart moment last week. I truly believe it was the Holy Spirit gently whispering to me.

It came as I was watching my children at a senior center here in Atlanta. We visited the center as a part of our music camp - the children sang, and then sat with the residents to ring bells and sing Christmas Carols (it was Christmas in July). Then, they made Advent door decorations with the residents.

The caring and kindness I saw in each of the campers that day literally reduced me to a puddle of tears. When I saw my own children (Gman sitting on his sister's lap), that even further got to me.

That day I was clearly hearing that I need to SLOW DOWN and seek opportunities for my family to do the same. We need to find our fulfillment in relationship and service.

Sometimes I get so caught up in our "Homeschool World" that I forget about the big, wide world out there. I'm hoping you understand what I mean by that.

There are days when I literally don't think of much else besides homeschool lessons, blogging, and just making it to the next day.

Over the next couple of weeks I will be thinking about BROADENING the perspective in our home. I want to be more well rounded, physically and mentally, so that I can model this for my children. I want to seek ways to serve those in need in our own community. More time needs to be spent with a few dear friends I have here.

My children need a mom that isn't worn out and frazzled on the first day of school.

There is so much I need to do with these precious souls in the short time I have them with me!

I will be praying about ways to balance serving my husband, homeschooling my children, staying committed in our church, blogging, and my piano studio.

I will be reading books for FUN and also a few to help in our homeschool.

Most of all, I will be enjoying time with those who are precious to me. We have a 15th anniversary to celebrate, and a certain young lady I know will be turning 11.

I don't want to blog the time, or tweet it along the way. Somehow that almost seems like a violation of my family's privacy.

I do hope you'll check back for another Homeschool Guest on Wednesday, and of course I'll have a Collage Friday for you.

It also should be added that I'm learning a lot about balance, blogging, and friendship through being a part of the iHomeschool Network. It has deepened my commitment to blogging, but at the same time opened my eyes to the fact that I need to blog smarter.

I'm coming to find that LESS sometimes really IS MORE.

Lots is swirling around in my brain right now, and I'm looking forward to a mental and physical vacation!

I pray you are taking time to recharge this summer. All to soon we will back into the daily grind and longing for these summer days again!

Here's a favorite poem of mine - which aptly matches my sentiments ... we'll be working on memorizing this for the rest of the summer:

Let us find a shady wady

Pretty little brook;

Let us have some candy handy,

And a picture book.

There all day we'll stay and play and

Never mind the heat,

While the water gleaming, streaming,

Ripples round our feet.

And we'll gather curly pearly

Mussel shells while bright

Frightened minnows darting, parting,

Scurry out of sight.

What if, what if, - heigho! my oh! -

All the "ifs" were true,

And the little fishes wishes,

Now, what would you do?

~ Evaleen Stein

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