I just added a place for prayer requests. Please let me know if you have a need, and I will include it so that others can pray for you.
-kanga
2.16.2008
2.14.2008
6 months to live
What would you do if you had only 6 months to live?
Don't ask me why, but I've been thinking about this lately.
For me, the first thing I would do is cut back...on everything...of course the extras, but even important, good things stand in the way of the most important.
Secondly, I'd spend more time with my family. Not sure how to spend more time, as I am with my crew 24-7....but maybe I mean spending time AND being present to them more often. I would love them more and better. I can't control C. Robin's work, but I could hope he'd be home more often too. Then I could love him more and better too!
Third, though I know my olders would remember me and would remember how profoundly I love them, I would need to find a way to translate my love to Roo. I would want him to know that I love him beyond imagination. I love them all wildly, without reason.
And fourth, I would try to finish my scrapbooks. To which Pooh said, "you better start scrapbooking again then!"
And I guess I should, if it ranks on a 6 month to-do list!
-kanga
Don't ask me why, but I've been thinking about this lately.
For me, the first thing I would do is cut back...on everything...of course the extras, but even important, good things stand in the way of the most important.
Secondly, I'd spend more time with my family. Not sure how to spend more time, as I am with my crew 24-7....but maybe I mean spending time AND being present to them more often. I would love them more and better. I can't control C. Robin's work, but I could hope he'd be home more often too. Then I could love him more and better too!
Third, though I know my olders would remember me and would remember how profoundly I love them, I would need to find a way to translate my love to Roo. I would want him to know that I love him beyond imagination. I love them all wildly, without reason.
And fourth, I would try to finish my scrapbooks. To which Pooh said, "you better start scrapbooking again then!"
And I guess I should, if it ranks on a 6 month to-do list!
-kanga
A Knight's Birthday
Roo turned 5. He loves knights and the whole medieval time, so we tailored a party for his brithday. Saturday was perfect, in the 70's, weather. We decided on 'quests' for them to earn their knighthood!
First, the kids made shields. We made 'knightly' names for them like 'Sir Seth the Sixth' (this one was my favorite! ) or 'Sir Frank the Fearless' etc. and they decorated the shields.
I then put the lone maiden in our party in the soccer net, which was made into a castle (thank you Pooh and Piglet for finding tall, perfect boxes for castle posts) In theory, they would free the maiden after getting by the dragon (this time, C. Robin) the older kids did so, but the younger ones kept going after poor dragon. He later said it was like being swarmed by ants...only they ha
d swords! 
My sis then read a book to the troops, which settled them a bit...or me =) Thanks A-L!
First, the kids made shields. We made 'knightly' names for them like 'Sir Seth the Sixth' (this one was my favorite! ) or 'Sir Frank the Fearless' etc. and they decorated the shields. Then, we went upstairs which was filled with balloons. 288 of 'em....soar cheeks and a dizzy head...but well worth it! I don't know how I thought that the kids would be able to ignore all the balloons and listen to intructions for their next quest. Duh! They went nuts for a while, and then they needed to try to get across the perilous balloon infested ground, dodging the balloons being lobbed at them from their fellow knights. If they made it outside and touched the dragon, they earned a tunic.
Then we went outside for them to shoot an arrow at the dragon (pinata). If they hit the dragon, they earned a sword. Again, I don't know how I thought that they would ignore the great outdoors to do the quest! 
Anyway, enough hit the target to get the swords.
Anyway, enough hit the target to get the swords.I then put the lone maiden in our party in the soccer net, which was made into a castle (thank you Pooh and Piglet for finding tall, perfect boxes for castle posts) In theory, they would free the maiden after getting by the dragon (this time, C. Robin) the older kids did so, but the younger ones kept going after poor dragon. He later said it was like being swarmed by ants...only they ha
d swords! I knighted them (I dub you "Sir Xavier o' Lake" ) The kids solemnly kneeled down for the ceremony. And then they killed the Dragon (pinata) and got booty (chocolate coins).
At some point, they were thirsty so we went in for cake.
We sang, Roo blew out the candles, and the kids ate the castle cake.
My sis then read a book to the troops, which settled them a bit...or me =) Thanks A-L!Whew!
It feels like it went that fast too! I think the kids enjoyed themselves; I know Roo did. He's been reminiscing ever since.
I figured out that the part I like best of parties is the preparing. I like remembering too,... oh and I loved watching the kids delight in the moment.
-kanga
2.09.2008
State Homeschool BB Championship
This is an email that I sent out to my local hs groups. I have no energy to go more in depth, but here is the update.
The State Basketball Championship was held in Dallas from January 31-February 3. Our own Royals feilded 3 teams to participate.The teams positioned themselves well for the NationalHomeschool Basketball Tournament in Oklahoma City in March.
Boys Varsity placed 5th out of 19 teams, coming in 1st in the Silver Bracket. The boys had a good showing in their first ever State Championship, winning 5 out of 6 games. They had a disappointing 1point loss in their first game that prevented them from competing inthe Gold bracket.
Girls Varisty placed 4th in State. This was also their first try atState. They had two early wins, and two hardfought losses. They lost to the eventual Champions, FEAST of San Antonio, by 2 points.
JV girls showed themselves to be competitive with the best in Statewith a strong 3rd place.
For more information on the State Tournament:
http://www.hsaa.org/THSSBC%20Brackets.htm
For more information about the Royals:http://royalsathletics.org/
The State Basketball Championship was held in Dallas from January 31-February 3. Our own Royals feilded 3 teams to participate.The teams positioned themselves well for the NationalHomeschool Basketball Tournament in Oklahoma City in March.
Boys Varsity placed 5th out of 19 teams, coming in 1st in the Silver Bracket. The boys had a good showing in their first ever State Championship, winning 5 out of 6 games. They had a disappointing 1point loss in their first game that prevented them from competing inthe Gold bracket.
Girls Varisty placed 4th in State. This was also their first try atState. They had two early wins, and two hardfought losses. They lost to the eventual Champions, FEAST of San Antonio, by 2 points.
JV girls showed themselves to be competitive with the best in Statewith a strong 3rd place.
For more information on the State Tournament:
http://www.hsaa.org/THSSBC%20Brackets.htm
For more information about the Royals:http://royalsathletics.org/
2.07.2008
one yes
Yesterday morning as I sat down with my piping hot cup of tea, settling in for my morning reading, I heard pitter patter upstairs. I love that little time in the morning to myself, so I really didn't want it to be true.
"Roo?"
" Morning, mommy. Will you come play with me?"
Did I mention that I love that little time in the morning? to the point of selfishness most times. "Yes," I replied despite myself.
We didn't do anything important. He dressed in his bear costume and he wanted me to be a wild cat. We played for a short time before I needed to make breakfast and start the day, but what a major difference for Roo. I do beleive he felt love and appreciated all the day through. He was fun, considerate, thoughtful. And he was so easy to redirect...even just a quick look or smile by me could get him on the right track.
Just one little yes. Who gets your yes today?
kanga
"Roo?"
" Morning, mommy. Will you come play with me?"
Did I mention that I love that little time in the morning? to the point of selfishness most times. "Yes," I replied despite myself.
We didn't do anything important. He dressed in his bear costume and he wanted me to be a wild cat. We played for a short time before I needed to make breakfast and start the day, but what a major difference for Roo. I do beleive he felt love and appreciated all the day through. He was fun, considerate, thoughtful. And he was so easy to redirect...even just a quick look or smile by me could get him on the right track.
Just one little yes. Who gets your yes today?
kanga
2.06.2008
Ash Wednesday
In the spirit of being simple, no long blog today. I did want to share a wonderful blog though, http://thesefortydays.blogspot.com/ It should help the lenten journey!
kanga
kanga
2.05.2008
Super Bowl trumps Jane Austen
I don't know why, but the guys in our house thought that this football game was more important that the latest PBS movie about Jane Austen...!
We watched out taped episode of Jane Austen Regrets yesterday. I imagine that this portrayal of Jane is close to real life. It isn't as glamorous, or have the intense experiences, but her life is much more intriguing to me than her stories. There is pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, waves of plain days and interesting ones too throughout her life. Her relationships formed and developed her as a person and this, in turn formed and developed her writing subject too.
Jane is winsome, yet deeply yearning. She is like all of us, I suppose.
We watched out taped episode of Jane Austen Regrets yesterday. I imagine that this portrayal of Jane is close to real life. It isn't as glamorous, or have the intense experiences, but her life is much more intriguing to me than her stories. There is pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, waves of plain days and interesting ones too throughout her life. Her relationships formed and developed her as a person and this, in turn formed and developed her writing subject too.
Jane is winsome, yet deeply yearning. She is like all of us, I suppose.
2.03.2008
Vice and Virtue
, which is NOT a long-lost Jane Austen novel!
In the spirit of cleansing, the theme for our family this Lent is cleaning out the vice and practicing the opposing virtue. (and the CCC says that every vice is in opposition to virtue...many quotes and ideas below directly from the CCC) However, it's not that simple. There are 4 capital virtues and 3 theological virtues. They don't correlate very easily, so I tried a different angle. "The gifts of the Holy Spirit complete and perfect the virtues" and there are 7 gifts, but these also don't correlate perfectly. And, "the fruits of the Holy Spirit are perfections that the HS forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory." But there are 12 and these really don't match the vices in harmony either.*sigh* I ask myself, "why didn't we just go with giving up TV?"*deep breath*
I think we've got it though!
The Plan:
Each week we will focus on turning away from a vice and practicing a virtue. (even if "techinically" it is not categorized "virtue) When one of us practices a good or resists a bad then we place a rose petal on our Crown of Thorns. Yes, we have a very sharp crown (C. Robin cut himself 3 times with it today!) No, not real rose petals. We'll cut some out of construction paper. The more rose petals, the softer we make the Crown for Jesus.
This week: practice fortitude, root out sloth.
Week 2: practice justice and kindness, root out envy
Week 3: practice temperance, root out gluttony (this is not limited to food, but taking more than we need in anything)
Week 4: practice generosity, root out avarice (greed)
Week 5: practice purity and self-control, root out lust
Week 6: practice prudence and patience, root out wrath
Week 7: practice humility, root out pride (we thought this would be the best week to unite ourselves to Christ's amazing humility when God-who-became-man-for-our-sake humbled himself to the point of death, death on a cross.....this should make any minor humiliations I have to suffer seem miniscule in comparison!)
I will also be letting go of sweets......oh no! (this is the little something I love so much!) I need to limit of a couple of distractions, one of which is my email and computer time. Other people in my house have to limit time with their electronic of choice. Please pray for us!
Are you doing anything special?
Let me know, I can pray for you too! (this isn't easy!)
kanga
In the spirit of cleansing, the theme for our family this Lent is cleaning out the vice and practicing the opposing virtue. (and the CCC says that every vice is in opposition to virtue...many quotes and ideas below directly from the CCC) However, it's not that simple. There are 4 capital virtues and 3 theological virtues. They don't correlate very easily, so I tried a different angle. "The gifts of the Holy Spirit complete and perfect the virtues" and there are 7 gifts, but these also don't correlate perfectly. And, "the fruits of the Holy Spirit are perfections that the HS forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory." But there are 12 and these really don't match the vices in harmony either.*sigh* I ask myself, "why didn't we just go with giving up TV?"*deep breath*
I think we've got it though!
The Plan:
Each week we will focus on turning away from a vice and practicing a virtue. (even if "techinically" it is not categorized "virtue) When one of us practices a good or resists a bad then we place a rose petal on our Crown of Thorns. Yes, we have a very sharp crown (C. Robin cut himself 3 times with it today!) No, not real rose petals. We'll cut some out of construction paper. The more rose petals, the softer we make the Crown for Jesus.
This week: practice fortitude, root out sloth.
Week 2: practice justice and kindness, root out envy
Week 3: practice temperance, root out gluttony (this is not limited to food, but taking more than we need in anything)
Week 4: practice generosity, root out avarice (greed)
Week 5: practice purity and self-control, root out lust
Week 6: practice prudence and patience, root out wrath
Week 7: practice humility, root out pride (we thought this would be the best week to unite ourselves to Christ's amazing humility when God-who-became-man-for-our-sake humbled himself to the point of death, death on a cross.....this should make any minor humiliations I have to suffer seem miniscule in comparison!)
I will also be letting go of sweets......oh no! (this is the little something I love so much!) I need to limit of a couple of distractions, one of which is my email and computer time. Other people in my house have to limit time with their electronic of choice. Please pray for us!
Are you doing anything special?
Let me know, I can pray for you too! (this isn't easy!)
kanga
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