flowers

 

my mom loves flowers.

The days are uncertain.  We are baffled why parts of her have just seemed to crumble before our eyes in the last couple of years.

Its funny how a "new normal" creeps in... but one that doesn't feel very normal.  Parts of my mom we knew even two years ago have changed, yet we are getting used to not expecting certain things.

It doesn't make sense why this would happen when my mom is finally through with the task set before her of her full time career.  She finally could taste that freedom of retirement, more time for us and for our kiddos and pursue new things.

There is a certain cruelty in the very thing my mom struggled with in the past that could have freedom finally tasted in her future is blocked now by a mind that will not work and remember.

Healing takes memory.  Relationships take memory. 

I don't know how to lose a mom.  She is the ear to my stories.  She is the one who ever really sees me as the one at fault.  It feels too soon to switch roles.  But here we are. 

Life is just never what you think it will be.

She says she feels surrounded by Jesus here.  I am so glad.  After all, that is really what matters.

My mom has an appointment on Friday for the neurologist to find out why her short term memory is worsening and her overall functioning is worsening.  Last year after different, tests, Alzheimer's was ruled out.  It is back on the table.  I thought we have evaded that one.

 

A Great day

Drew encouraged me to have no regrets

in this process of homeschooling.

This enabled me to make the final choices in

curriculum. And after talking with my sister, I was

able to come to a place in our schedule that feels

like a good mix of meeting standards,

building skills. making room for creative outlets and

 character development.

Our day begins.

Bobo is checking the surf.

Deveraux had gotten an area ready for her and Bobo for our Bible time.

Recess!

We made stained glass out of wax paper and shaved crayon like

the Phoenician people who were known for their glass blowing.

A beautiful 5 from Bobo!

We started our Orchestra book and heard Vivaldi Spring as we

colored our inspirations.

Dev created an art wall for us.

We then presented our works of art/

Bobo then wanted to do the color wheel.

Quiet times, we all have our spot.

This is my quiet time spot. 

This was a good day!  A great day of

homeschooling where I let it go a bit, we didn't have to

worry about time, creativity flourished, and I felt

freedom of the day and in learning.  I got a taste!

It is good

Armed and ready to pound out chalk.

We mixed egg tempora with crushed chalk.  In our new Discovering Artist's book, we learned about
 Giotto and his paintings which are over 700 years old. I did not know sometimes artist's used eggs!

I recently read a good book, "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist.

A thoughtful book.  She says,

"I think that is what we are here for, not for a passive, peaceful life,

but to stand up in the face of al that lacks peace ad demand more."

She talks about how she lives according to her faith when she

notices beauty or delights in a good conversation.

"I have to remind myself that it is good.  I have to create hope in my life,

because there's something inside me that has radar for the bad parts of life."

But she goes on to say there is another reality going on, one of hope.

One you witness when you "have a great conversation with someone

you love, or when you read a great book, or when you do

something courageous."   I have felt that....when I just know

I am in the pocket of goodness.  We can seek those moments,

try to be a part of them, and notice all that God has going on.

We gotta stop, we need to notice! 

Shauna challenges her readers to live like "today is a gift."

Seems like that is what God is saying to us over and over.

'What can I do today to remind you again how good this life is?

You think the color of the sky is good now, wait until sunset.'"

It would be so great to live with the expectation that God

is reigning down blessings and He is so out for our good.

She speaks of creation.

"Let's echo his words, and let our lives speak those words, It is good." 

It is good!

Great Bobo quotes!

We bought Bobo a new helmet for riding his bike and scooter. He asked, "When
I go to windy places, will I be able to wear these?  And then he asked,  "Can I
wear goggles over these?

One day we were reading the Bible and Bobo says, "God is in a lot of the Bible!"

Bobo has accomplished a great feat,,,he began surfing on his own!  One day he was upset
because Andrew was taking Dev on a date and he was hoping to go surfing.  I told him we
were going on a date and what would he like to do?  He said, surf.  Okay, I had to step it up
and take him surfing.  He loves going to Puamana and so I had to put on my "game"
face and be a mama who can do cool stuff.  There we were in the surf together, I would
push him in and cheer him on and we watched the sunset from the water.  He taught me
that day that sometimes we step out of our comfort zone and we are blessed with our boy
and an experience!  On the way home he said about surfing "I knew I could do it before
 I was born. I knew it would be my favorite sport."

Our 5 year old boy catching a wave!

"I love having a dada" he said one day.  Bobo is known for just saying great things, 
He has a lot going on in that head.

They fall asleep like this sometimes.

One night Bobo said while waching the sun go down, "Is that the same sunset every
 beach sees?"  His ah ha, "So it's the same sun?"

I was taking with Dev about how when one takes music lessons, you have to practice.  I said I would like to take guitar but I don't know if my life allows for practice time right now.  Bobo (who we didn't even know is listening) says, "I have a lot of time." 

First tennis lesson in Kapalua.  Tennis was one of Bobo's picks

for an activity to try.

We are proud of you Bobo!

Bobo earned enough cotton balls (rewards for kindness and

obeying) to buy a ukulele, something he has been wanting.

Today Bobo said, "I want to paint a Cartwheel."  He meant the Color wheel.

  I just cannot correct certain things.  I like hearing cartwheel and I am

the teacher...he he

He loves Richard Scarry, he will just take his

time and look at all the pictures.

Bobo said he was getting "Father Hair" as he looked at his legs.

Bobo told me yesterday, "You love me so much

you don't even care that I am growing!"

Now that would be love Bobo!