These last weeks I’ve shared the basic habits that bless our homeschool. One of the habits that is most important, especially for Mama, is getting away. Now, you don’t necessarily have to spend big bucks on a get away. You can plan an at-home retreat. Or Just Step Outside. Wow, what 15 minutes of alone time – even at home – in the morning or late at night can do for a mama! It’s good to keep a daily habit of stepping out of the urgent, into the quiet, out of our regular spot and look to our source of strength. Jesus set the example. (Luke 4: 42-43)
The month of May has been full of so much goodness. So just this last week, we got away. We borrowed the mountain home of my aunt and uncle. We just took the already bought groceries and…
We headed to the hills. We let that newly arrived package of Tapestry of Grace remain in its box (that was a bit hard). The higher elevation gave me a new perspective. A new view of things. And while the view was wonderful, remember that a family get away with a passel of children is rarely relaxing. I wish I had reminded myself of this prior to departure. I learned:
- being away from your comfort zone sometimes makes children uneasy
- we really need that outside play time in the Georgia red clay but we took lots of mountain nature walks
- long stretches of rest – for the parent – are virtually impossible
- there are still character issues to deal with on vacation. Timely article from Doorposts on Dealing with Quarrels 🙂
- Plus one from Ann hit home for the Mama that keeps blowing it.
But, these four days were still refreshing. Because the Lord answered our prayers and packed our week full of get away goodness. Because I was thinking about Hodgepodgedad and Eldest Boy at the Creation Museum – on their father/son get away – his 12-year-old trip. (You Must Do This). They sent updates, took a side trip to Joyce Kilmer National Forest to hike the trail of those enormous trees. We looked forward to photos they emailed.
And FaceTime a couple of times a day! Youngest girl sure missed her brother!
And also because, meanwhile, back at the mountain house, I grabbed snippets of alone time. Morning quiet time on the deck. Late nights watching the twinkling lights of the valley below. Mid-afternoon writing time with my laptop.
And, I counted blessings. Rather than frown at my early riser, I smiled when he said, “Good morning!” all cheerful. And sat up in bed, cranked open the windows and we listened to the birds welcoming the day just as cheerfully as Lil’ Buddy was. We felt the cool, mountain breeze.
It was a full, blessed week…
Because Nana was with us, we did lots and lots of art projects. So many to share with you in the future. Here’s one for the weekend: Watermelon: A Pastels Tutorial
We took morning and afternoon walks on the mountain road.
We made up stories.
We baked to keep busy.
We made Seed Tapes.
We read from some wonderful Book House Books.
We watched birds and spotted both a scarlet tanager and a flock of cedar waxwings to add to our Beautiful Birds Nature Study.
It was a wonderful start to summer break even with all my failings and all the parenting challenges. An official start to summer, of course, because we had s’mores.
We just got away. After all that May goodness, this Mama needed to. Now I am reading about others cleaning their homes and planning out the next homeschool year. Me?? I’m still in recovery mode. Tired and smiling.
And this weekend we celebrate even more goodness! The dozen years we’ve had Eldest Boy! His birthday weekend. Off to bake that homemade cookie cake he requested.
Twelve candles! (This morning’s cinnamon roll birthday stack.)
If you missed the rest of the Friday series, click Helpful Habits.
How about you. Have you had s’mores yet? Celebrated a birthday this month? How do you make it a habit to step out of the urgent and get away?
Looks wonderful and I am so looking forward to our trip to Oregon in a few weeks. I have dreams of just sitting and listening to birds and waves and nothing else. My journal is traveling with me as well. 🙂
Love the watermelon pastels….your family has such a great way of filling your time.
Thanks for sharing and I enjoyed your wrap-up post very much.
We are off now until September!
Oregon?! Oregon!? Can I come too??? Love the Oregon coast and hope to get back there some day. Well deserved for you. Enjoy! I just popped over and read your weekly wrap. Graduation with a capital G indeed – complete with a Jerry Garcia tie. Thank you for encouraging all of us Barb. Thoroughly enjoyed your post.
Ohhh…how do you make seed tape?
Amy – Nana did a whole post on the process! Have fun: https://www.yourbesthomeschool.com/2011/05/seed-tapes/
Tricia, what a wonderful post! The top two photos in particular are just fabulous. And love the cinnamon roll birthday stack! A scarlet tanager AND cedar waxwings?! I’ve never seen the former, but one year we had an influx of cedar waxwings, which stripped my holly tree of its berries and then never returned. I’m so glad you “got away” and had a lovely time with your family. What a blessing!
S’MORES????? YES PLEASE! I am drooling – what a fun week !!
I am so glad you got a chance to get away, relax and count your blessings! Sometimes we forget to do just that. Happy Birthday, 12-year-old!! My Sammy celebrates his 14th on Monday. It goes by oh, so fast.
Glad you enjoyed it! I checked out the “Mama that keeps blowing it,” and realized I am not alone! I rarely read Ann Voskamp’s blog because it makes me cry (the music doesn’t help!) =)
Re: Mama not really relaxing with children in tow…have thought about doing a “solitude retreat”. Good friends have told me about it…time with just you and God…no electronics. Time to reflect, regroup, make decisions. I plan to do one…when, I don’t know, but sometime! =)
It’s funny, I’m sure you’re getting to realize, teenagers can be just as demanding/time consuming as younger children (hope that sounds ok…I am blessed to be a mommy and LOVE my children at all ages!) Although they CAN dress themselves and can be left alone in another part of the house while you take a nap… =)
I’m in love with that first photo. And the s’mores. And the stack of cinnamon rolls. 🙂
What a wonderful week. I enjoyed looking at your pictures. Thanks for letting me peak in on your homeschool days.
It is strange, as much as I enjoy it, how much I have to talk myself into my morning stroll. It isn’t an exercise walk, or a photography walk, just a stroll, down the road, for no particular reason or gathering of information. I return so refreshed, so reset for the day. With the evenings glowing with the late night sun going down, I look forward to late night kayak trips alone, or with hubby, just quiet. Just floating. Strange how I have to get over the selfish feeling, like my experiencing anything without the boys is cheating them. Why is that? I hope the rain lifts in the morning – I look forward to another stroll.