(IM)BALANCE

I have noticed this weekend that my focus has so much been secular education in the last year...which is fine, but there are many levels of development in my life, and the life of my kids and husband.  The life of our family.  Education is simply the reason we are here on earth, right?  But there are parts to it that I frankly haven't considered for a while.  I'm afraid I'm going to have to think out loud on this for a minute or two.


Other areas of Learning....


Physical = understanding our bodies, habits of caring for them (from brain chemistry to blood sugar balance to movement and flexibility, modesty in dress, being happy with what we have, lowering or killing desire to BUY...)


Spiritual = finding peace (I've found it many times, it's keeping it that's the problem), time to clearly think and meditate on needs of my family and myself, more fully worshipping


Emotional = keeping needed space, saying no to things to maintain a sense of balance, yet serving others to the best of my ability, loving others and showing it (ugh), being a good daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother.  


Not just a teacher.


What about creativity?  I am a good writer, designer...I love working with color.  I can "see".  I used to paint. I'd love to paint again.  I'd like to write my history, since I seem to be forgetting it so easily.


Life is pretty busy right now.  Maybe all this will come in time.  Maybe I have to make it happen?  Maybe I can't make it happen all at once.  My friend has a "Rule of One."  She works on one thing at a time.  So often we are expected to have it all together all at the same time.  Are we really?  By who?


Basics.  Sleep enough.  Eat right.  Read daily.  Teach family.  Die happy.


But I think something is missing from the basics list.  Maybe I'll let you know when I find out what that is.

New approach...?

It has come to my attention that blogs can be used for all kinds of purposes.

  It it so completely obvious that our family's blog is the rosy, perfect facade

 of the peaks of our lives.  True, it's good to let everyone know how we are,

 what is happening (like the Christmas Letters) but there is so much more.

  I've seen so many uses for a blog---family business, venting,

 speaking out on issues...even therapy.  Like journaling.

Which leads me to the question of the day.

So what do you put in your journal? 

 The rosy perfect stuff, so your grandkids

 will think they came from perfect stock

 (and thus feel unworthy, or possibly make them reach higher...)

 or do you tell THE REAL DEAL? 

 I have stacks of journals

 starting when I was 12ish, some with tear stains,

 a few pages with blood on them.

  I've considered abridging them into one perfect personal history...

but this question of authenticity has been preventing progression.

I've always been a realist kind of a person.  Some dislike it, others really appreciate it.

  But I do it for me.

  Being honest and not wearing a mask has been my mantra for years.

  Let's face it, lots of Mormon people wear masks.  And non-Mormon too, of course.

  But as I get older, will I?

S U M M E R F U N

Can I say how much I love my family?  Life is just so good.  Spending lots of time at the private neighborhood pool, playing with friends, exercising, and of course, all the birthdays.  Jackie's is nearly finished---she has a surprise dinner with a lovely older friend coming up.  She's already had a family dinner out, an iPod and new Vera Bradley wallet, and kayaking with friends.  Mine is next week, and I have my tickets for Eclipse for the following night.  I purged my closet of about 30 purses and bags, so I could buy a matching VB backpack with new cell/wallet with strap for NY.  And I'm getting my first iPod.  I think we'll be having dinner at the Farm on my night.  Dallin's got a few things coming up...pizza party at THE BEST place in town, BEATLES Rock Band, Fireworks at the Statue of Liberty, 2 days in Times Square, 1 day on Jersey beach, and Phili.  Actually those last 3 things are for all of us...Good Times!

Tuesdays and Thursdays are summer school days, so we don't have to review in the fall.  Dallin gets about 1.5 hours in and I teach Jackie and her friend Emily math/english/cursive for about 45 minutes, and they get homework assignments, then play.

Jackie is still doing gymnastics 4 hours a week, and Dallin and Steve are training buddies for half marathons all over the Midwest.  They plan to eat at restaurants in those cities that are featured on the show "Man VS. Food".  Recently we visited St. Louis for a day, and ate at Pappy's.  Must try.

We held our first and last garage sale.  I've always despised the concept, but thought the kids would learn a bit about money, etc, by doing it.  Jackie made a lot of money on barbies, toys, books, etc.  Total, I think it was about $130.  Jackie also held her first lemonade stand both at our garage sale and at her pal's sale down the street.  She rocks at sales.  Mainly because she's just too cute.

Jackie cut all her hair off for Locks of Love.  It is so adorable.  I'll post a pic later.  Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of this, but her and I shared our first mani/pedi together recently.  She chose neon orange polish, which looks great at the pool.  She's just such a cute girl.

Dallin will be ordained a Teacher this week, turning 14, which opens the door to group dating.  Eventually.  Maybe.  Perhaps.

Home Is Cool!

OK, so yeah we had some really rough days in the fall---figuring out a groove, choosing materials, getting into a R O U T I N E, but since the break, we are doing fabulous! Our goal is to have 20 successful school days per month, then we'll go to

T H E B E A C H!!! Who isn't up for that?

JACKIE.....is a singer, so she is doing the Indiana University Children's Choir. After singing a few solos at church events, a friend asked me if she was in that choir. The Choir will perform the end of April. She is also performing in a dancing musical of Cinderella/101 Dalmatians on February 27th. This is with Bloomington Stages group. She loves the dancing parts as well. She is a narrator in Cinderella and Perdita in 101. Jackie is still doing gymnastics at BUGS here in Bloomington, and is about to move into Flipsters, which will be 4 hours a week instead of one. She is convinced her body will adapt to the extra work she wants it to do. Academically, she is LOVING science right now, loves being home schooled, and is doing well at 2nd grade level.

DALLIN......is a BEATLES fan. There are now 14 albums around the house, and he knows every word. He and Steve went to a tribute concert of the Beatles at IU, and he loved it. Star Wars continues to be a major part of his brain's activity also. Star Wars Legos decorate his room. He is taking piano lessons, but insists on playing theme songs from Star Wars, and uses the piano to figure out Beatles songs on his guitar. He is learning Spanish, writing, pre-algebra, still reading like a mad-man (since he was 4), and loves the comfort of home while he is learning. Dallin enjoys chess club and boy scouts. He is reviewing 7th grade levels, and doing very well. Next year, 8th grade, will also be spent here at home. THEN IT'S ON TO HIGH SCHOOL!

Tami is constantly ORGANIZING school supplies and home stuff and the kitchen---which makes her very happy. Someday she'll get to the garage and the loft closet... This surprises her sometimes, but she loves having Dallin and Jackie at home with her. She realizes time is passing faster, and they'll move on away from her soon enough. These are very valuable years for her. Tami cooks spuratically...when the mood comes, she'll make lots of food (too much for a full day of meals), then there will be no food for a few days. Everyone loves cereal! She is baking bread! Huge accomplishment. And most of the time, it rises. She struggles to not eat sugar, is mostly a vegetarian, and loves eating other protein sources. Don't start a conversation with her about food---she won't shut up! She wants to read her own books...but what is ENOUGH time to read? She wonders if she made a checklist like she has for the kids, including physical and spiritual care, and learning/school if she would have time for anything else. Then she'd also have to add the heading "work" to the list...that's what she spends most of her time doing.

Steve----oh, we all love Steve. He's our bread and butter, he's the lifeline we all hold on to. He makes the money! Steve's job at IU is going well. He rarely gets everything done before he has to come home, but it's where he wants to be. Steve is the FUN DAD. He plays with Jackie exactly as she needs him to, and they have a special bond that is wonderful to watch. He and Dallin share manly phrases and banter. And movie lines!

Our family is happy. What more is necessary? We attribute this happiness to our faith in God. Heavenly Father answers our prayers, we talk to him often, and we read his words together. Love and service are (most of the time) in our hearts because our Father loved us first. And Jesus Christ redeems us all the time.