Honestly Hannah

I just organized our homeschooling nook and thought I’d share.  We’re having company for dinner.  Hope they won’t mind our mess.  They have college aged kids (who are also coming), so I’m sure they remember how it is.  I can’t keep up with the walking tornado that is my two year old!

I love when I have something I’m super excited about: a good book, a sewing project, making over a room . . .

Right now, I’m super psyched about teaching my kids and acquiring fun artsy supplies and cutely illustrated workbooks.  Who wouldn’t want to make a giant “A” on their kitchen floor with tape and then run around the house and find everything we can that starts with that letter?

It’s magic, I tell you.  Seeing things come alive for my kids, well, it’s one of my greatest joys.

Liam can say a good deal of the alphabet and count to 10 (with some prompting).  Olivia was thrilled at figuring out how to spell Bob (how random) and is enjoying making everything under the sun out of pipe cleaners.  She’s quite good!

Our plan this year was to get our feet wet.  I hoped to up the learning a bit with the occasional activity or workbook lesson, and then for the most part, go about our normal routine: playing, baking, running errands, etc.  We joined two homeschooling groups, onee Christian (they don’t have as much for the little ones), and another group, Amazing Mondays, that does an activity once or twice a week for younger kids.  We’ve been quite busy, really.

While Olivia is really excited about homeschooling now that she’s made friends, she was asking lots of questions about her friends “going off” to school this year.  She wanted a backpack and a lunch box and school supplies, and was delighted to learn that she’d need those things for homeschooling too.  We go on field trips and go to various activities.  She sees that she”s not missing out on anything.  Far from it, in fact!

On Monday, our group made dioramas of whatever it is our family’s been studying.  Olivia chose outer space.  She’s been interested in how my GPS works on my phone and that sparked a conversation about satellites and where they are.  So, on Friday, James suggested we take the kids to a 3-D IMAX movie about the Hubble.  While it was over their heads, they loved the 3-D aspect.  Liam kept grabbing at stars.

Our IMAX adventure:

They really ought to make smaller glasses for kids.

Our project at “school” inspired by the movie:

I love that Olivia has the opportunity to feel proud about displaying her work.  Having a homeschooling support group makes everything that much more fun!

In out Amazing Mondays group, we meet at a local community center.  We begin by doing an activity (like the diorama), eat lunches packed by the parents (so I got to buy a cute lunch bag for me too!),  have some PE time (playing ball or duck, duck, goose), and then we do Spanish, taught by my friend Sheri.  Her daughter is Olivia’s best friend.

Even though Liam didn’t pay that much attention he was thrilled to tell James, “I do Panish, Daddy!!”  He’s told us 100 times that he’s doing Spanish. Olivia on the other hand has learned a few words and is starting to be able to count to 10 (with some help).

I don’t want to over do it with the kids, so I think I’m going to limit us to 2 activities with our group per week.  We get together with friends other days, but those are always laid back and the kids can decide what they want to play.  I think at 4 years old, Olivia still needs that.  Other families may find that something else work for them, which is great.  It’s so awesome to be a parent (and scary), but I love that it’s up to James and I to raise our children as we see fit.  I’m thankful we have the freedom to do so.

Today, we went to an art studio with some families from our group.  The kids could use any supplies they wanted, and they had a blast.  I have to go by there tomorrow to pick-up our masterpieces because they were too wet and sticky to take today.

This may satisfy the nay-sayers (and I know a few).  Looky, socialization!!  hehe.

Olivia and her best friend:

All the kids were chasing each other and just having a good time.

And I’ve said it before (but have to say it again), I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Olivia and Liam are able to spend so much time together.    Family is so important.  Also, I was a little concerned what it would be like to have one of each.  I have a sister and we always had fun playing together, so I wasn’t sure how it would be with different genders, but they do just fine.  They love to play together and it beings me such joy.

Olivia is starting another year of ballet and tap.  She’s loving it.  She has the cutest teacher who reminds me of Tinkerbell.  I’m hoping in a year or so, Liam will be ready to get involved in an activity.  What do little boys do?  Tee ball?

An entry wouldn’t be complete without some foody pics!

I made some vegan cinnamon buns to take to a vegan friend’s house for brunch.  Let me tell you, vegans eat very well.  As a somewhat lacto-ovo-vegetarian who eats little meat, I can appreciate a good veggie diet, but who knew ooey gooey cinnamon buns were possible?

We also ate tempeh bacon (yum!), pancakes, fruit, and a yummy tofu scrable.  I was super impressed with Sheri’s cooking skills.  It’s nice to have talented friends.  Oh, and did I mention her sewing abilities?  Drool!  I’ll have to take a picture of the diaper she made me for Liam.  WOW.

Homemade pizza, which has to be Olivia’s favorite because she’s likes to help with toppings.

There were also vegan lemon poppyseed muffins with blueberries, and an amazing bean and rice dish.  Ahhhh, how I love food.

Well, the mailbox is calling me.  I’m expecting a book on the human body for the kids!   We also need to get started on our presentation on Brazil for Monday.  We’re going to do some sort of fun activity or little project to share with our group and the parents are going to bring a dish to share.  Fun!

There’s no place like home, except when you’re not sure where that is.

We used to live near a Buddhist monastery growing up.  Did I ever mention that?  It was down a country road, and I loved seeing the rustic, other-wordly sign with Chinese characters at the front gate.  But now, the sweet town of Germantown, MD where I grew up is big and booming because of its proximity to the DC area. 

Although I was born here in Georgia, I have always considered Maryland home.  It’s where I have most of my memories.  It’s where I thought I’d return when I reluctantly moved here.  But it’s been nearly 10 years since then.  A decade!  I have actually lived half my life here in Georgia (counting the time I lived here as a child).  And now, my home in Maryland has changed so much that it’s hardly recognizable with its exorbitant prices and crazy traffic.  It’s not home either.

So where is home?  I don’t know . . .  I’m sure there are many people who don’t necessarily feel that one specific place  is home.  Frankly, the fact that I’ve lived in two such different places only makes my sense of home all the more confusing.  Many people in the south don’t like the north, and many people in the north make fun of the south.  Northerners think I have a southern accent and people here in Georgia tell me I sound like a yankee. 

We’ve gone back and forth between staying here and raising our children, or getting out while our children are still young so it doesn’t disrupt their lives as much.  I think we’re leaning towards leaving, just as soon as the economy picks up (then we might be here forever after all!!), and when we think our house might sell.

But we don’t know where to go.  I’m rooting for the Hudson Valley area in NY (Hello, Lisanne!!!!), but we’ve thought about Charlotte, NC among other places.  My parents will probably move with us to be near the grandkids, and because they don’t want to stay here forever either.

So much to think about.  We’re not in a huge hurry, but we’re starting to weigh options.

So, here are a few questions for you:

1) Where are you from?

2) Where do you live now?

3) What cities might you recommend?

I’ve been writing about how I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m constantly growing, changing, questioning . . .

I feel as if I’ve been doubting myself my whole life and am just now coming to a place where I feel comfortable.   I think part of of it moving here, to the south, away from everything I grew up with.  Right in the middle of college, I moved, got married, and left my parents home and I just now feel as if I’m settling in to being all grown up.  It’s weird, because I don’t think I was ever conscious of not being grown up last year, or four years before that.  But knowing how I feel now, I can see that I was struggling a bit to find myself.  And now I think I’ve found me.  It feels good.

As I drove down our pretty suburban street this afternoon, praying that Liam would fall asleep so I wouldn’t have to fight with him about nap time and could simply carry him in to his bed, I smiled as five bright yellow school buses past us in the neighborhood.  Let me just say, I love everything associated with school: books, bouquets of newly sharpened pencils (10 pts to the person who knows what movie that’s from!), crayons, etc.  I also saw parents waiting by bus stops as the teeny tiniest children hopped off the bus and ran to their mother’s waiting arms.  I smiled because I think school kids are just the cutest with their oversized backpacks and lunchboxes, and . . .

I also smiled because I’ve been with my kids all day and am so glad we’ve made the decision to homeschool.  Olivia did want to ride a bus, though.  I’ll admit it was a little hard to make the uncommon, unusual decision.  Almost all of our friends send their kids to public school.  I totally support public school and I’m happy for my tax dollars to fund it even when we’re not using it.  I went to public school, and I taught in public school.  So I think our decision not to use the cute little elementary school around the corner (with FREE pre-K I might add) seemed a bit strange to many people who know and love us.

But that’s ok.  I’m really coming into my own and I’m ok with being the odd ball.  And I’m kinda liking it, too!  And actually, I’m realizing that the choice I made really isn’t that odd or uncommon at all.

Did I mention that I’m expecting 4 packages this week of awesome school stuff?  An Usborne atlas and encyclopedia (their colors are so bright and cheery!), a few books about animals, a new children’s bible, a book of site words . . . and I all of it used, which is the best!  I spent what would’ve been 10 mins in the shower with Olivia yesterday evening except that we discovered we could practice letter and numbers on the foggy shower door, so 10 mins turned into a 30 minute “school” lesson!  Fun times.

Yesterday we went to a kick-off for our Amazing Mondays homeschooling group where we ate lunch, played some sports (and Duck, Duck, Goose!), and just had fun.  Soon, we’ll be taking a weekly field trip with them and doing beginners Spanish every week.  But before we met with our group, Olivia and Liam spent nearly 2 hours building a “playground” in the living room, which involved all couch cushions, pillows and blankets in the house.  I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything.  I love that they have this time together and that they are so close. 

We aren’t doing anything “formal” this year, and I suppose what we are doing fits more into the unschooling category, as we don’t necessarily plan anything that we do.  We turn everything into a learning experience.  We do spend some time with phonics and maps, but mostly, I take Olivia’s lead, and by doing so, she’s can write almost the entire alphabet, many words, and is starting to recognize sight words.  Liam knows all his colors and many shapes, and is learning to count.  This is all from informal learning.    I’m having the best time watching them as they discover new things.

"Two crabs brushing their teeth"

I was worried initially that we’d be isolated during the day, but it’s been the complete opposite.  I am shocked at how many homeschooling families there are in our area, of all backgrounds and beliefs.  We have several Muslim families in our Amazing Mondays group and there are diverse denominations in our Christian group.  The library is starting to offer regular activities too and has just hired a homeschool coordinator, full time.  

I’m enjoying watching Olivia understand more about God and his love for us.  The other day we saw an ambulance and firetruck go by, and she asked if we could pray for the person who was hurt.

So, for the family and friends reading this who thought I was nuts, we are thriving!  We are learning, playing, socializing, and enjoying life.  No one in this house is going to be weird or unsocialized. 

Guess I’ve been a bit of a stranger for the last week.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in living life that I forget to write about it.  Don’t want that to happen though because I like this little space of mine, and I cherish all of you who come here to read.

Let’s see, let’s see . . . what’s been going on?

Last night I did something that I haven’t done in years (gasp): I went out late with a friend.  I was actually out past midnight.  Downtown.  At a bar.  My friend A and I got dressed up, and she picked me up about 8:30 and we headed downtown.  We hit a few bars, which was funny because those of you who know me know I’m not much of a drinker.  We listed to some music, had a drink or two, and celebrated the freedom of being out after dark.

I actually giggled later thinking about the 2 of us: two nursing mommies escaping after bedtime in a minivan.  Good times, good times.  I wish I’d taken a picture.  We were hot mamas if you’ll pardon the pun.  I definitely need to get out more, and have committed to do so.  Sometimes you’ve just got to recharge your batteries. 

In family news, I attended a homeschooling luncheon last week and loved everything about it.  I’ve known I wanted to homeschool for a while, but somehow meeting other HSing families and hearing about what they’re doing, the field trips they take, and just the many ways they support each other . . .  it was all very encouraging.  I’m excited!  I know some family members are unsure about the choice our family has made, but I can assure you, my childrens’ experiences will be vastly different than simply sitting around the dining room table with mom.  As one dad joked at the luncheon– amidst booth afer booth of activities to sign up for– uh, where do we sign up for all the unsocialization??? 

We’ve also chosen a curriculum which will serve our family well for next year.  It’s for ages 2-5, so both kids should get something out of it.  I’ll add in additional phonics and activities for Olivia, but there are many aspects of it both kids can share.  Liam will enjoy being involved.  He loves singing and reading books too.  It’s going to be great!

We’ve decided to go lightly this year.  Olivia is already pretty proficient with letters and can write most of them.  She’s also learning site words.  I plan to “do school” at least a few days a week, but we’ll of course be seizing learning opportunities each day. 

An answer to prayer came recently in the form of some new friends.  They’ve been such a blessing to us and have made a difference in our lives.  S found me through LLL when she found out her family would be moving here, and through e-mail and FB, we were already friends when they arrived.  My kids adore her kids, and they are homeschooling as well, which is great!  Olivia has had questions about HSing vs. public schooling, and I’ve tried to make what we’re doing sound exciting while still making sure that she realizes that public school is a good choice too.  It’s just not the best choice for our family.  Having a HSed friend to learn with all year will be awesome for her.  And of course, we’ll be involved with our support group for play dates, field trips, etc.  It’s been great for me too.  Who doesn’t love a new and awesome friend?

We took a nice little family trip to the zoo last weekend.  It was as hot as can be, but we made the best of it and enjoyed the non-existent crowds.

The kids begged us to “rent” one of these stroller things, so we did, and it proved to be an awesome decision.

One of the highlights of the trip was taking a train ride around the zoo. It was one of the best train rides I’ve been on, and we’ve been on our fair share. This was no kiddie ride. We went through tunnels, around the lake, around the animal enclosures, and every site was more beautiful than the last.

Liam hasn’t stopped talking about it. He waved to every animal and person along the way.

Olivia loved it too. I couldn’t resist taking pictures of her sweet curls blowing in the breeze.

I loved it too.  It was probably my favorite part of the trip, besides enjoying the picnic lunch we’d packed with the kids.  For some reason, that moment felt so “familyish” as the kids dipped carrots into hummus and gobbled fresh strawberries.  The best part though had to be the peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches we packed.

There’s been some good food around here lately, too.  After being unable to stand up to cook for a while, the list of recipes I wanted to try piled up, so I’ve been catching up and enjoying my time in the kitchen.

I finally got around to making falafel.  Yummy!  I also made a yogurt sauce, tahini sauce, and something much easier than I anticipated: homemade pita bread!

Another winner: homemade calzone!  Have I mentioned how much I love my little old bread machine?  It’s old as dirt.  My dad had it when I was growing up.  I’m sure there are fancier machines now that do all kinds of things, and probably do them faster, but mine works quite fine for my needs.    I kind of like using the same on my dad used.

We’ve been enjoying impromptu tea parties in the living room, too.  Olivia takes great pride in setting her table.

I wanted to thank you all for your advice in my last post.  We’ve decided to hold off on the gun for now.  You all gave me lots to think about.

It’s time to get dinner on the table!

Some of you may be horrified by this . . .

Others may already have one and think nothing of it . . .

The truth is, I’m a little nervous about posting this, but I really want to seek your opinions.  So . . .

I am thinking of buying a gun.

Crazy, I know.  It’s not something I’ve ever wanted to own before.  I don’t even let my kids play with water guns because I don’t like the idea of them simulating shooting at people.  Now, if we were to go to someone’s house and they had them, fine.  I’m just not going to intentionally buy something modeled after something that kills, even if it only shoots water.

So, why do I want to buy a gun then?  To protect my family.  How sad that it’s even a concern.

We live in the country.  Our city is considered to be “rural” although we are minutes outside of the 3rd largest city in Georgia.  We live in a nice neighborhood.  We have a homeowner’s association.  There are kids playing outside and people boating in our neighborhood lake.  We like it here.

But for some reason, our area– for the last year or so– has been the target of countless break-ins.  Some during the day, some at night.  Sometimes when people are home, sometimes not.  They steal all kinds of things.  They leave houses in ruins, scare families.  There was an incident a few weeks ago where a robber entered a house in a nearby neighborhood and entered a sleeping child’s room.  The parents heard him break in and chased him from the house.

Just this morning, 3 houses within a mile were broken into.  There power lines were cut, at least one of their alarms was disabled, and many things were stolen. 

So you can imagine my fear when minutes after reading about the morning break-ins and power lines cut (I am on an e-mail alert list), my power goes out right out of the blue.  Not a storm in sight.

I thought about calling the police, but not wanting to be an alarmist, I decided to check doors (all locked), and peek out windows to look for someone.  Then I did something that might’ve been stupid.  I locked the kids in the house and walked the perimeter, cell phone in hand.  I’ll tell ya, I would’ve felt a lot better had I been holding a gun.

I HATE guns.  I’ve never understood why friends of mine want to have them for fun.  But I am seriously re-thinking things.

I am home all day with my kids.  What if someone were to break in while we’re here?  I can’t imagine shooting someone, but if someone was to break-in, I’d rather be with a gun than without one.

I can’t imagine shooting someone, but if they come in my house with my kids here, it’s them or us and it’s not going to be us.

So, I’m wondering.  Do you own a gun?  Would you consider buying one in my case?  Am I nuts?

I know some of you will ask about my other options.  So far though, alarm systems and neighborhoods advertising surveillance haven’t protected anyone.  Some of the robbers have even waited to flee until police were within sight.  Can you imagine the boldness?

Oh, and if you’re wondering how James feels about all this– he’s scared I’ll shoot him when he comes home late from work some night . . .  but he knows now that we need to do SOMETHING.

Wow.  Six days without blogging seems like an eternity . . .

Let’s see . . .

there was Olivia’s princess dance camp this past week.  The absolute highlight of her year!  I somewhat reluctantly sent her last year because she was so little and had never really been away from me.  But she did beautifully and couldn’t wait to go again.

There were tea parties . . .

. . . and crafts, too.  Creations of paint, glitter, stickers, and glue, all while giggling away with her were testament to the fun she had creating her art. girl friends.  Evenings this week found me oh-so-delicately washing princess costumes which bore testimony too the many art endeavors!

Cinderella made an appearance, too.  Olivia asked me a few times if I thought it Cinderella was real?  I told her I wasn’t sure.  What did she think?  In the end, she decided that yes, it was the real Cinderella and I did nothing to discourage her thinking.  It’s good to have  a little magic, I think.

Olivia wasn’t the only one excited about Cinderella.  Here you go– 4 generations!

There was good food this week, too.  A diagnosis of very high cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides for James (who is at an average weight) has served as a huge wake-up call for us.  Wanting to avoid lipa_tor at such a  young age, James has dedicated himself to a rigorous exercise routine and a better diet.  I like to cook and I like to make good food, so I didn’t mind an overhaul of what I make, which while mostly healthy, still had more for improvement.  James is seeing great results!  And I’m having fun with new recipes. 

Quinoa summer salad:

One night, I whipped up some Brazilian banana french toast, made without eggs.  I soaked it in vanilla almond milk, nutmeg, and cornstarch for a while before cooking it in some light cooking spray on the stove.  A little sprinking of cocoa and cinnamon replaced syrup, although I’m sure a drizzle of maple syrup would be amazing.  We were out.

Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? 

Another night, I made a side dish of some very-lightly-cooked-in-olive-oil potatoes and onions, sprinkled with fresh rosemary and garlic.

We’ve also been enjoying some new friends.  We had them for dinner Friday night and I made my first attempt at a fully Vegan meal (my friend S is Vegan) and I think it turned out pretty well.  The menu: chick pea curry, pea/tofu curry, white bean hummus, homemade pita bread (made by S), and lemon coconut cake.  I’ve discovered that Vegan cake is much more fun to make because I can safely eat all the batter I want– not that the threat of raw eggs has stopped me before.  

Olivia and I have also begun reading our first chapter book together.  It’s nothing really special.  Just a silly fairy book, but she loves it.  I’d love some suggestions for easy chapter books a little girl might like.  Ramona maybe? 

Also, I need a good pasta salad recipe for a luncheon on the 3rd.  Any recommendations?

You know that song by John Michael Montgomery?  Life’s a Dance, you learn as you go . . .

Indeed, life is a learning process, but I’ve found that I sometimes have times of major growth– growth spurts I guess you could call them– where I grow a lot emotionally and spiritually, and then all seems to go back to normal for a while.

I think I’ve been having a spurt over the last several months.  I am learning about myself– some good, some bad.  I’ve gotten stronger in my convictions, and figured out how I feel about things I wasn’t sure about before.  I became a wife and mother a lot younger than most of my friends.  It’s a decision I’m happy I made, but I feel like I’ve had some personal growth to catch up on.  I left the security and familiarity of my parents’ and went straight to being the wife of a man I felt safe with.  Again, it’s not something I regret in any way.  I’d make the same decisions over again.  I don’t feel at all that I missed out on anything.  I traveled around a lot before I got married and studied abroad.  But I do feel that I was somewhat naive when I got married, and I’ve somehow hit a time in my life where I’ve grown up a lot and really feel like a real adult.  Maybe I should’ve felt this way sooner?

With all this “growth” has also come a new-found love of life.  I have taken things for granted in the past.  No more.  I am blessed.  And I want to remember that every day. 

My kids– what a joy they are!  I am so excited to be teaching them myself and also to be taking advantage of all the awesome resources we have here for homeschooling families.  I have always loved to learn, and I loved teaching!  We have great co-ops here with classes HSing children can participate in and I’m attending some luncheons/meetings soon to find out more.   

My kids love to dress up on a regular basis. Olivia is "berry picking" here.

In spite of the foot problems I’ve had since May, summer has been good.  I do miss having pretty painted toenails and cute flip-flops on two  feet though!

And I’m on love with Starbucks’s new iced coffee packets!  Perfect for after a hot day playing outside. A while back, a new employee at Starbucks starting to put these out on the shelves and was promptly yelled at by another worker.  “No!!!  No one can see those yet!!!”  But it was too late.  I’ve been waiting for them to come out for real since then.  Lucky for me I had a gift card to get them.

We have a few fun things still planned for the summer: a trip to the zoo, a road trip to meet some reptiles and hear a story.  And we just got a slip-n-slide for the back yard.  Although school may be starting soon, it’ll feel like summer until October down here.

But I already have things on my “to do” list already for fall: beginning to teach Olivia in a more organized way, sewing some winter dresses and pants, and I really want to re-organize the house and clean out a bunch of stuff to make a homeschooling area.  Our house isn’t small, but they way it’s configured, it’s going to take some planning!

I’m learning lots of new recipes from a Vegan friend and plan to share those, too.  We’re not Vegan (love my dairy!), but I was a vegetarian for a while and am enjoying cooking new dishes without meat.  I’d like to learn some Middle Eastern cooking too.  I haven’t shared any food pics lately because I haven’t been standing up to cook as much.

Off to pick some cucumbers from the garden.  We have more growing than we can eat!

My foot is free, for the most part.  The stitches are out.  No more bulky bandages and difficult one-leg-out baths in the tub.  I can shower!  I can shave!  Now I”m in a walking boot, but at least I can take it off.  I’m not really supposed to, but it’s so hot and it squeezes my very swollen foot.  It feels nice to put my bare foot up and just let it breathe.   Ahhhhh . . .

I’ve noticed that my foot is hurting more since the splint and bandages came off.  I think it’s because before the surgery, my big toe was curling under.  Then after surgery, the splint was holding it up.  Now the tendon is the only thing keeping it up and the repaired tendon is still very sore.  I still can’t move my big toe, but the doctor says it’s because of swelling and it will get better.  I have an appointment next week with the surgeon to try to move it again.  He explained that the period around 2 weeks post-surgery is the most critical because the tendon can sever again more easily.  I have dissolvable stitches keeping it together, and they are disintegrating and the tendon hasn’t yet grown back together very well, so until it does, I have to watch it.  When I was researching my surgery, I read about a women who fell after having the same surgery.  She’d dropped a knife on her foot too and needed the same tendon repaired (see?  I’m not the only idiot!!)  and then had fallen during her recover and severed it again!  She had to repeat the whole thing over again! 

In a week or two, I’ll begin exercises to stretch the tendon back out and to avoid scar tissue from forming. 

So that’s the new on my feet.  Other good news– I have 3 catalogs coming of preschool curriculum to look through so we can choose what we want to use for Olivia.   We’re going to be homeschooling and taking part in a local co-op (or 2– haven’t decided yet)  where she can go to classes and participate in activities with other home schooled kids.  There are things on the schedule each and every day here, so socialization isn’t a problem.   I’m really excited to teach her.  The stipulation of joining the co-op is that I have to volunteer to help.  Lots of the parents teaching the “classes” are certified teachers like me.  We are going to be using a Christian curriculum, but knowing me, I’ll treat the curriculum like I treat a recipe:  it’s a guideline to help me stay in track and then I’m going to add and subtract from it.  I’m attending a luncheon on Aug 3 to learn more about the Christian homeschooling group here.  The other is secular and I don’t know when their kick-off is.  I’ve already acquired some materials to get started.  This year, I plan to only order a few small things since it’s pre-school and utilize other great resources like the library, museum activities, the internet, and also some hand-me-down books I’ve gotten.   We have a few friends who will be homeschooling too, so we’ll be able to plan activities together, too.  I’m so excited!

I’m sad to say though that my grandma is not doing so well again.  We’ve been waiting for the “decline” hospice has said will start– the one they expected months and months ago.  But we’re starting to see it, I think.  She’s more tired, dizzy sometimes, and I think she’s more ready.  It breaks my heart to even think about it, but I know it’s coming.  Olivia’s sadness is what’s hardest about this, I think.  I want to promise her that life is all rosey and it just isn’t.  We drove by my grandma’s retirement community the other day and Olivia said, “Mommy, I’m sad.  We’re near Dah’s house and it makes me think about her going to Heaven.”  I can’t promise Olivia that she’ll never hurt, or that she won’t question the sad and terrible things that happen in our world, but I can promise her the hope of eternal life through Jesus, and I can guarantee her that we’ll all be together again in Heaven.  I can promise her HOPE.

We were out at a party until midnight last night, with the kids . . .

And it was totally worth it.  I don’t remember having been out that late since, well, before I had kids.  So to be out that late with kids is pretty unusual.

We received an invitation from our good Indian friends L& K to attend their baby shower being hosted at their home by some other friends of theirs.  They said we could bring the kids.  The party began at 6:00.  We figured we’d be there a couple of hours, and then come home in time for baths and bed.

Well, Indians don’t do 2 hour parties.  

It unfolded as a magical evening with amazing food (dinner wasn’t unitl 9:00!), incense, and beautiful saris which my modest choice of black capris and a deep red shirt paled in comparison to.  

The whole evening was a whirl of color.

I found myself wishing I could wear a blouse and matching sari and wondered if I’d look silly with my fair complexion and dark blonde hair?  I wished I could put a small jewel on my forehead and parade around with a intriquitely decorated sari draped over my arm as the other women were.  I felt so . . . plain. 

But I found this quite amusing: a pretty silver platter was home to a number of cell phones.  I found it amazing that everyone was so tuned in to their ringtone.  A phone would go off, and no one even looked up except for the phone’s owner.

There was a bangle ceremony to bless the baby and expectant mother.  The women take turns giving gits of fruit to the expectant mother and they place bangles (called lohas) on her arms.  They also use their ring finger to apply kumkum (red powder) to the mother’s forehead for good luck, as they would do to a bride.  They also dab some turmeric on the jewels around her neck and sprinkle rice in her hair.

As a woman attending, I was asked to participate in the cermony.  I had no idea what I was doing, but the women were all to happy to show me.   I was so nervous.  Everyone was videotaping and my hands were shaking.  I ended up getting turmeric on her sari, but L smiled sweetly at me and assured me it was fine. 

And then there were the offers of help because I am still not able to walk without crutches.  Can I get you a drink?  Would you like more food?  What do you think about the dahl?  Try some sweets! 

And then my favorites: Your children are so beautiful!  They love each other so much!  We’ve never seen siblings play so well togther!   I loved this because the definitely have their fighting moments, just luckily, they did happen there.  They also loved my nose piercing and complimented my children’s hair, which I have to say, it pretty fabulous in my opinion.  I never dreamed I’d have children with tight curls.  Of course, I didn’t know I’d marry a man with curly hair either.

Many people asked if I was bored.  Was I enjoying myself?  Did I like it?  I’ll admit to sitting quietly for a while, but I wasn’t bored.  Far from it.  I was taking it all in, savoring it.  Because anyone who knows me, knows my love of other cultures.  I was dragging friends and dates to Indian restaurants and festivals when I was in high school.  I remember one Christmas, filling a stocking with pakora mix and spices for a boyfriend who was my partner in my attempt to learn Indian cooking.  We never made anything great, but now that I have Lakshmi for a good friend, she’s taught me so much and my food actually tastes good!  I was promised recipes from last night, too.  Yippee!!

Truthfully, as silly as it might sound, sitting there among all the Indian families, participating in their traditions, eating their food, and admiring their dress was one of the most exciting things I’ve done.  I miss traveling so much, and I know that I have years before I’m able to go abroad again, so having experiences like this satisfies that need for knowledge and adventure.

I think one of the things that amazed me most is the sense of family that’s been created among these people in our Southern town.  There was a variety of ages: one couple was celebrating 50 years. of marriage, which I believe had been arranged in India.  There were young families with babies and small children.  There were couples with no children.  Couples planning families.  All these smaller families making up one large community of people.  Many wear American clothing to work and during the day, but at these events, they come together, dressed in their finest to celebrate their culture, and each other.

We stayed for a few minutes after everyone left to help move furniture, but instead, we ended up all laying around and talking for a while.  L & K wanted to know what we’d thought and if we’d enjoy ourselves.   L told me that her mother is bringing me an Indian tunic when she arrives next month.  Maybe if we’re lucky enough to attend another Indian gathering, I’ll have something to wear.

We also attended a birthday party earlier in the day, and Olivia received her first kiss from a very bold two-and-a-half-year-old.  She thought nothing of it though because Liam kisses her all the time on the lips.  It was cute.  James left my camera in the car, but my friend took pictures and I’ll have to share them when she sends them to me!

For now, I’ll leave you with this.  Aren’t they a gorgeous couple?  Their baby girl is going to be beautiful!