The Big White Farmhouse

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I have learned over a period of time to be almost unconsciously grateful–as a child is–for a sunny day, blue water, flowers in a vase, a tree turning red. I have learned to be glad at dawn and when the sky is dark. Only children and a few spiritually evolved people are born to feel gratitude as naturally as they breathe, without even thinking. Most of us come to it step by painful step, to discover that gratitude is a form of acceptance.
― Faith Baldwin, Many Windows, Seasons of the Heart

• Fiction: I’m less than 100 pages into The Well, but had to put it aside when my library hold for The Kalahari Typing School for Men (#4 in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series) came in.  I just love that Mma Ramotswe.
• Non-fiction: The Year Without a Purchase  
• Religious: I’m still working my way through Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska’s Diary and it is so beautiful.  I’m really enjoying it.     

SUMMER LEARNING

We’re just a few days away from the beginning of our summer break!  Here are a few ideas that we will be doing to keep some structure to our days – maybe they’ll inspire you too!  

• A nightly read aloud.  I’m thinking about starting the Magic Treehouse series with my 7 and 5 year olds and then doing a corresponding activity (very low key and mostly led by them) sometime during the week.  
• A weekly science experiment.  This does not have be complicated.  Shining pennies with lemon juice has kept my younger kids enthralled for almost an hour.
• For my older boys, we have a summer tradition that if you read five books, you earn a sugary cereal that you don’t have to share.  (I copied this genius idea from Theresa and it’s been a huge hit.)  We set the threshold at five because my boys fly through books, but you may want to lower that for extra motivation.
• Cooking is a great task for my older kids, although my littles help a lot too.  Not only a life skill, but paying attention to detail, measurement, knowing the difference between baking soda and baking powder…all good things.  At the beginning, I usually go over the recipe, make sure to distinguish between teaspoon and tablespoon, and then off they go. 
• At the dinner table, we sometimes play the “Guess what I learned today?” game.  This implies that you sought out new information in some way.  So, my preschooler may rattle off some facts from a Wild Kratts episode, my teenager may share about what distortion pedals do for his guitar, or maybe I learned the definition of a word from a book I’m reading.  The results are always fun, random and interesting.     
• Outside as much as possible!  I’ve printed out our 100 Hours Outside chart and we’re going to see how quickly we can fill it in.

#STANDWITHSMALL

• I think the description of this Morning Dew candle from Lustre + Bloom sounds intriguing: “Dewy petals, jasmine, rain drops + wild grass create beautiful top + mid fragrance notes.”  Wish I could smell it through the screen!
• I definitely have said the saying on this t-shirt about a million times since the lockdown began.
• Is recipe organization on your to-do list?  This 3-ring recipe binder is gorgeous and is pretty enough to keep on the counter.  I think it would make a thoughtful bridal shower gift too.
• Elyse Breanne Design has a little bit of everything in her shop, but make sure to check out her greeting cards.  $3.50 and free shipping is a great price point!

• ✔ I want to spend time with God everyday.  I’m still working through the Bible (as of April 30, I was on day 275/365).  I’m reading through Saint Faustina’s Diary, which has led to much reflection and prayer.  I also finished the 54-day novena and am so proud of myself that I didn’t miss a single day!  The rosary is once again an important, non-negotiable part of my day.

• ✔ I want to keep on, keepin’ on with our debt freedom journey.  We used most of the stimulus check to pay the remaining balance on our car loan!  So, so happy not to have a car payment for awhile.

• ✘ I want to be a better steward of my home.  We’re all coping in different ways during this quarantine and something has to give.  For whatever reason, staying on top of chores has been my breaking point.  I’m probably accomplishing about 50% of the tasks listed on The Confident Mom’s Household Planner.  Our house isn’t filthy, but it isn’t as sparkling as it has been in the months prior.  Oh well…hoping May will be better for me in this department.

• ✔ I want to hand write 52 pieces of mail.  I sent out 11 pieces.  (Here is the post.)  Current total = 45

• ✔ I want to write 150 blog posts.  A pretty strong month!  I posted 18 times.  Current total = 65

• ✔ I want to read 52 books.  I read 8 books. (Here is the post.)  Current total = 32

• ✘ I want to take the first steps for postpartum doula certification.  This has been put on hold for the time being. 

• ✔ I want to create a family culture of generosity.  
• April’s $20 Donation // We donated money to a local farmer (and a friend of Mark’s) who will then donate that amount in fresh produce and meat to the food pantry.  A win/win!
• April’s 20 Minutes of Time and Talent // Mark led his men’s group virtually through Easter, the kids have worked tirelessly on the garden, and I sent lots of mail