A little Mother Culture!

As some of you may recall, over the summer I reviewed the book Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola, and the gist of it was that I was completely in love with the book and couldn't wait to read the sequel, Lessons at Blackberry Inn.

Well, shortly after my review I came across Karen's blog, Moments with Mother Culture, which I was positively thrilled about, and shared with her that I had reviewed her book.  Imagine my surprise and complete gratitude when she not only visited my blog and commented but also sent me the sweetest email in which she offered to send me a free copy of Lessons at Blackberry Inn out of appreciation for my review!  I was shocked and beyond delighted!  It is always a humbling thing to have an author or speaker that you have reviewed actually read your work, but then to offer to also send me her book was thrilling, especially since I have been dying to read it!

Just to add to my excitement when the package arrived it had not one but TWO of her books inside- Lessons at Blackberry Inn (which she signed!  Eeeeek!) AND Story Starters (which I will be discussing more on my homeschool blog, The World According to Them, very soon)!  And get this- she even wrapped each book in tissue paper!  It was the sweetest gift and I am so honored to have received it!

I wasn't going to start reading until I had finished the other books that I have been working on... but I couldn't resist!  So, I have stashed it in a spot that I can fairly regularly sneak off to for a few minutes alone and I try to read a couple of pages whenever I can!  I'm about a third of the way in and loving it just as much as Pocketful of Pinecones!  I will be sure to let you all know what I think when I am finished!

Thank you so much Karen for such a lovely gift!  I appreciate your generosity and extravagance more than you can know!

Now for a little Thankful Thursday...

#21.  Generous authors who go above and beyond

#22.  MOPS- a lovely break yesterday

#23.  MOPPETS Volunteers- who deal with even the fussiest of kiddos

#24.  friends who offer support and encouragement

#25.  friends who allow you to return the favor and get the attention off yourself

#26.  Kay Arthur podcasts

#27.  cool fall days

#28.  little boys who say and do the funniest things I've ever heard and seen

#29.  second (and third, and fourth, and infinity) chances

#30.  creative inspiration

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

On the horizon...

I feel like I have had so much rattling around in my head lately and in all honesty have felt a bit scattered and depressed.  You those times where things just don't seem to be going quite as planned and it feels like you have nothing to grasp onto that makes sense or feels solid.  So, I have been trying to get my bearings and figure out what I'm going to do with myself.  I decided...

Step 1- run fiercely sprint to Jesus!  I need Him.  I need His words pouring into my life and I need to be engulfed by His love, His comfort, His forgiveness, His grace, His wisdom and His guidance.

Okay- next.

Let's build on that.  (wait for it...)

We are trying to get pregnant again.  There, I said it.  Some people might not like it, but guess what- it's not your life, it's mine and I don't feel done having children yet.  Am I going to ever turn into Michelle Duggar?  No.  (although I do have a deep-founded respect for her)  But, yes, I do want a bigger family than I currently have and the sooner I can get these tough baby years wrapped up, the better.

So, getting to the point.  In reflection on Lion Cub's demeanor (high-needs, fairly whiny, busy and a little... angry?) and the state I was in during my pregnancy with him (one of relatively high stress), I feel an intense need to live more peacefully.  I need to create an atmosphere of peace and kindness in my home- to my family and myself.

Now, this is a fine line for me.  I have been floundering between the two worlds of "mom's should be completely fulfilled by meeting the needs of their family- by taking care of their families they are taking care of themselves" and "mom's should ultimately put themselves first in order to be there for their families" for the last couple of years.  Honestly- both extremes leave me feeling spent and guilty for the feelings and attitudes they generate in me.  I have been having to reconcile to come to a balance between these two viewpoints and it is not easy.  I am finding though, that I truly do need to maintain my personal identity and take care of myself in order to take care of my family (emotionally, spiritually and physically) and a little bit of time to recharge my batteries and refresh can be a good and even needed thing as well.  However, none of that can come at the cost of my family.  It's all about balance and it isn't easy.

True to form- I have a plan.

Step 2 (spiritual & emotional health)- sign up for Lorrie Flem's Step Up: Attitude is Everything 6 month series.  Check!  This series was just released this week and will run through the end of February.  It is all about transforming your mind and generating the attitudes that God desires It is a total answer to prayer for me and I am so excited to commit to this journey and see the rewards it will bring.

At some friends' prompting I also plan to start attending MOPS next month and possibly another Bible study at the same church.  

Step 3 (physical health)- This may sound crazy, but for about the past 9 months or so I have been trying to gain weight.  I know, I know, what a cross to bare, right?  But in all honesty, it is a burden for me.  My weight drops very low while I am nursing and I have to make a conscious effort to consume enough calories in order to be healthy.  This is of special concern when I am trying to get pregnant (which I am), especially since I was nursing and my weight was fairly low when I had my miscarriage.  So, there's that.

Adding to that, though, I want to get in better shape without burning too many calories.  Of greatest importance is getting my abs stronger to hopefully help support the weight of a pregnancy.  I have scoliosis and pregnancy causes me a fairly great amount of back and rib pain, so I am hoping that this next time around I can alleviate some of that by strengthening my abs.

Step 4 (doing something for me)- One of my dreams is to someday be a published author, and while I see myself most likely writing a work of non-fiction many years down the road about the lessons I have learned in the trenches of motherhood (or as I often refer to them- "the research years"), I would love to have the opportunity to attempt to publish something before then.  I have trouble following through with my ideas, however, and they always end up piddling out.  So, this November I have decided to attempt NaNo WriMo (or the National Novel Writing Month Challenge).  Basically you are supposed to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1-30.  Now obviously this is a very rough first draft but it is an entire novel and quite an accomplishment if you finish!  

My goal between now and then is to come up with an outline and character sketches to work off of and then hit the ground running on November 1.  I was surprised when perusing the site to see how many people have actually gone on to have their novels published, and while I don't anticipate that happening, it is just the kick in the rear I need to get heading in the right direction!  You can be sure (unless God just puts a total kybosh on this plan) that you will be hearing much more about this in the future- especially in November!

Step 5 (improve and rest)- Save up for, arrange for, and actually attend TEACH on the BEACH March 11-13!  This is a mom's retreat (also put on by Lorrie Flem) that is all about rejuvenating and learning how to be a better wife and mom, and I need it!  I have been wanting to go since I first heard Lorrie speak last March and am determined to go to her retreat next spring.  Just knowing that it is on my calendar gives me something hopeful and meaningful to look forward to and I can't wait!  (And hey- I'm looking for some ladies to go with, so let me know if you're interested!)

Step 6 (pursuit)- Sometime within the next 8 months or so I want to take a couple of cake decorating classes at a local cake supply shop.  I am just starting to get back into the decorating arena (I used to decorate cookies professionally) and I would love to add some skills to my decorating repertoire and possibly be able to take a couple cake orders a month to help subsidize our income.  I currently have one tentative order on the books for next month, but since I am just starting out I am basically doing it for free (the cost of supplies and blog comments)!

So yeah.  That's what I'm thinking.  It feels good to see it all written down.  I am holding all of this in prayer and above all want to do what the Lord is leading me to, so I really feel that I need to remain sensitive to His call, but these are the things on my mind.

Do you have any goals right now?

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

Co-op for moms

It actually isn't a co-op at all anymore.  In fact, many of us refer to it as "Jenny-School" since our lovely and sweet friend not only hosts it but teaches it and puts together all of the activities each week.  We come under the guise of having our children learn together and play but I think there is a real reason for our gathering that is less often spoken of- we want to be there.  We want to hang out and let the kids run slightly wild while we just relish in the fellowship.  It is such a sweet time to look forward to each week.

We met seldomly this summer because of vacations and activities, and I hadn't fully realized how much I missed that time until we regathered this past Friday.  By the time I left I was a little overwhelmed by the realization of what those women and the relief that comes from spending time with them, really does to me.  It is medicine for my soul.  They are such an encouraging, understanding and compassionate group of ladies.  I have joked with Jenny that this will be the boys' homeschool group until they graduate so she had better stick around here!  And although I know that won't really be the case, I so cherish the time that I have with this group right now.

I must admit that often times when I leave I do feel entirely socially awkward.  It seems that being a stay-at-home-mom has dimmed my social skills a bit and I apparently must get giddy when in the presence of other adults which leads to talking too much.  I walk away each week feeling like they must just think I am a total bozo, but somehow they always seem to genuinely welcome when I return the next week.  They baffle me, and I am so grateful for them.

Look what they did for my birthday this year (which of course I never got around to posting because the pictures were on my phone, blah, blah, blah...).  I was so stunned and humbled by their out pouring of love for me.  They had collectively planned a little party for me- their were decorations, flowers, cards, white chocolate huckleberry mouse and even lunch!

Sadly, due to an ear infection for Lion Cub I only got to be there for about a half an hour and missed the lunch, but the fact that they had done all of that for me was so beyond anything I would have ever even thought to expect!  The thought of it still honestly brings tears to my eyes.  I have never been that great at having many girl friends, so the fact that these ladies (many of whom I hadn't even known for that long) would rally around me in this way, just to make me feel special on my birthday, was (and is) beyond words!

So, needless to say, I am thrilled and blessed to once again have Fridays to look forward to!  And I just want to extend my love and thanks to these beautiful women who bring compassion, honesty, kindness and love to my life each week- they represent the definition of friendship.

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

Guest Posting on HannahKeeley.com today!

Hello all you lovely ladies visiting from HannahKeeley.com!!  Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy your look around.  Stay a while, grab a cup of tea and put up your feet!  I try to fill The Mama Kenz Studio with a little taste of me, mixed with a lot of honesty and humor, a helping of useful tips and ideas, and some beauty & fun along the way!  I hope you find it to be a comfortable and interesting place to rest your mouse for a spell!

Be sure to stop back by throughout this week (or just grab a subscription!) as I have some very fun things on the horizon, including some very cute and useful printables (the best kind, in my opinion)!  Also, don't forget to check out the giveaways I am currently hosting (Marmee's Favorites recipe bundle & The Hands on Bible) and my upcoming BOSCH Universal Mixer Raffle!!  Oh, and if you want to learn more about our family life and the homeschooling adventure we are on, take a peek over at my other blog, The World According to Them!

For those of you who don't know, I am very honored to be guest posting over at HannahKeeley.com today!  If you haven't checked out this Christian Mom of 7's great website you should definitely go and do so!  And while you're there, check out my post about getting ahead of the game!

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

We're back to school!

I say we are "back" but it really feels like a first in so many ways!  This is the year that I am really starting to take our schooling seriously.  Not so much for Rhythm, but more for myself!  This year is about learning but even more so it is about getting into a new routine that includes more structure and consistent set-aside school time.  I feel like I am in that transition from being a mom with young kiddos who could pretty much do whatever whenever, to becoming a mom with a homeschooler who will require goals and a routine.  It is a definite shift in our family but one that I have been looking forward to- a chapter that I am ready to open, and work hard on.

To be perfectly honest, this first week was really hard!  Much harder than I anticipated!  Monday was darn near enough for me to put Rhythm in preschool and Lion Cub in full time daycare!  However, I took a step back, gathered my senses and gave Tuesday a second chance. It did work out better but we are definitely still adjusting!  You can read more about how it went on the boy's blog, The World According to Them.

Hop on over to The World According to Them to also hear more about everything I have planned, what our school room looks like and even take a peek at our Back to Homeschool pics!

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

"Pocketful of Pinecones" Review

Where do I even begin?  I LOVED this book so much and since finishing it (okay- so even while I was still working my way through it) I have been recommending it to nearly every mom I know, homeschooling or not!

Let me give you a little background.  Pocketful of Pinecones, by Karen Andreola, is a living book about doing nature study with your children.  What's a living book you ask?  Well, in this case, it is a book that teaches you about something (Nature Study) but it is written in novel form.  Yup, you heard me!  This book boasts a wonderful storyline that completely drew me in, while at the same time offering me tons of wonderful ideas for how to implement nature study into our lives in a very natural, Charlotte Mason style.  I very much appreciated that I was able to learn about a Charlotte Mason method in a Charlotte Mason way- which I think is hard to come by! 

Though it was set in the early 1900s I was able to instantly connect with Carol, the mother whose journal you are peering into, and learned so much from her example in not only teaching her children but raising them as well.  Karen Andreola does such a lovely job of weaving what she calls Mother Culture into the book- those things that span the test of time and all mothers can relate to.  She also reminded me of how much more work being a wife and mother was in the 20s and 30s!  Man do I ever have a renewed appreciation for my little modern conveniences that rarely used to cross my mind!

Oh and did I mention that the chapters are blissfully short, thus allowing you to actually fit them into your own little mother culture?  I loved the fact that even if I only had a couple of minutes to sneak in a little reading, I could almost always actually complete an entire chapter! 

Along with the beautiful story that Karen Andreola has woven, she rounds out the text with questions at the end of each short chapter to help you consider how you might be able to incoporate nature study into your everyday life, along with the latin names for the things discussed in the chapter.  Lovely nature poems are also sprinkled throughout the book and each chapter features exquisite hand-drawings.

I have truly found that this book has given me a fresh perspective on considering nature and on motherhood.  I spent time outdoors growing up but I was never all that particularly inquisitive about nature itself.  Now, however, I find myself noticing things that I never have before.  My renewed curiosity for the world around me is rubbing off on my children and they are beginning to make their own discoveries as well, which is so exciting to witness.  I am thrilled to be able to use these methods in our homeschool and am so glad that I discovered them so early in our homeschooling journey!

So, obviously, my recommendation would be for you to run out and purchase this book immediately!  This isn't one that you would just want to borrow from the library!  I guarantee it is a text that you will return to again and again for years to come!  Personally, I just can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the sequel, Lessons at Blackberry Inn, in which Karen Andreola continues the story and expands on Charlotte Mason's philosophies of learning in all areas, not just nature study!  Sounds like the perfect read for back-to-school!

For more information about the book you can go here and to order you can go here.  Oh, and you can visit Karen's blog here and read about all her other books and articles here a her website- Homeschool Highlights.

By the way, this is a book I purchased on my own and decided to review because of my genuine love for it!  This review is 100% my honest opinion.

Aren't you bored at home though?

That is the question I was recently asked by a mom of one of my old friends when we were talking about how I stay home with my boys- all day (gasp)!  I think I actually laughed out loud when she said it!  I guess if you consider non-stop concerts (both singing and playing a wide array of instruments!) from a very musical 4-Year-old boring...

or chasing after the craziest 14-month-old I've ever met...

or cleaning up nearly constant messes...

or trying to figure out how to capture the heart of your child while balancing discipline and punishment...

or listening to silly 4-year-old humor...

or watching your 14-month old truly start embodying the essence of the term "little brother"...

or going on crazy outdoor adventures...

or seeing the world through the eyes of your children...

or trying to study and apply the principles of being a true keeper of the home...

or watching them sleep...

or seeing your boys bond...

or learning more than I ever thought possible by choosing to homeschool (and we are only in preschool! haha!)...

or any of the other thousand things I do in a day...

  If you consider all that boring, then, yes, I guess I have the most boring job on earth!

Tiring?  Yes.  

Frustrating?  Often! 

Filled with joy?  Absolutely!  

But boring?  Never!

Finding Joy

Joy.  It's a tough one for me.  It isn't something that comes naturally- I really have to work at it.  I think I tend to be a "glass half empty" kind of gal.  I wear my heart (and often my mind) on my sleeve.  Not much is hidden.  When people ask "How are you?" I hate saying the standard, American, upbeat, "Fine!" if I really don't feel it.

So, when I came across this post a few days ago on Ann Voskamp's blog A Holy Experience- I was thrilled and moved (or, shall we say, overjoyed?)!  It is her 10 Point Manifesto for Joyful Mothering!  Always one to love a good plan, I really sunk my teeth into this!

And don't you just love that word- Manifesto?  It reminds me of an old Boy Meets World episode when Eric has a dream of what all of their futures will look like after college and he keeps referring to "Me Manifesto!"

Not ringing any bells for ya?

Alright, I digress.

Truly though, I have just begun to uncover all the goodness that this post has to offer.  I haven't even begun to follow her links which will surely give it that much more depth!  The simplicity of it humbles me though.  Prayer.  Beauty.  Gratefulness.  Consistency.  Laughter.  Focusing on the Lord.  I need all of these things!  In abundance!

In one of her points she says "Only amateurs hurry."  Wow- she got me!  That one thing alone has the ability to steal all kinds of joy from my mothering!

I want to be better at joy.  I need to be!  I need to create a "culture of joy" in my home for all of our sakes!  Yes, I do believe that I will be adopting Ann's points to read every morning- I quite like me new Manifesto!

Who says motherhood doesn't change you?

I don't exactly know what brings you to the point in your life when getting pee-ed on does not absolutely necessitate the subsequent immediate changing of the offended garment, but somehow I am there.

I think that every mother probably encounters this sort of phenomenon at some point in their baby years.

I know it is just a phase. 

I know that I will not always encounter the spray of a little boy who just experienced the inevitable draft of an opened diaper, and so relinquished his powerful little fountain, with the thought , "Eh, it'll dry."

Maybe it is a result of no energy.

Maybe it is the feeling that there are just bigger things to worry about.

Maybe it is that ever-nagging voice whispering from my laundry room that justifies the continued wearing of said garment, just so as to not dirty one more thing, thus creating more work for myself.

Whatever it is, right now... I am there.

Eh, oh well.  It'll dry.

Do You Hear That?

Shhhhh- listen! 

I don't really remember what they call it... maybe something like... quiet? 

Yes, I do believe that's it! 

By miracle of all miracles my crawling 6-month-old is playing quietly on the floor with trucks and his big brother is quietly watching a cartoon. 

Mmmmmm.... 

let me savor it...

it won't last long. 

Oh, yup, there it goes...

gone. 

Hey, it was nice while it lasted!