Weego

If any of you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Lock, than you have probably also met his sidekick, "Weego", the absolute LOVE of Lock's life. You might find it hard to understand his undying devotion to the blue stuffed whale, but for some mysterious reason, he wanted him at first sight. We were in line at Kohl's and he pointed at Weego and said "I want that" in a voice so sweet, I unquestioningly laid down my 5 bucks for him. (I know screamin' deal... right??)Normally, I don't give in to my child's every whim. But it just seemed right. And from that moment on, they have been inseparable. I , myself never had a favorite blanky or stuffed animal, and my other children didn't experience this level of devotion to theirs. I, basically, forced John's ugly green blanket, that was his as a baby, on Blaze, and she eventually was conditioned to want to sleep with it. But I had almost nothing to do with Lock and Weego.

Oh how does he love Weego? Let me count the ways:

1. Weego is Lock's sleeping buddy. Even if he accidentally falls asleep without it, we better sneak him in at some point, because Lock senses when he isn't there and wakes up screaming for him.
2. Weego is Lock's wrestling buddy. Yes, I said 'wresting buddy'. He actually wrestles him!
3. Weego is Lock's own personal clown. Not a day goes by that Lock doesn't tell me, "Weego is funny".
4. Weego is Lock's love. Now Lock has only told me he loves me once. And this was after I asked. But Weego.... Oh no... Weego is given daily if not hourly affirmations of Lock's love.
5. Weego is Lock's napkin. I wondered once why Weego needed to be washed so often, and then I noticed that Lock has him with him at meal times and wipes his face on him.

Numerous times in the day I hear Lock whisper in Weego's "ear" 'You are so cute' and then tells me, 'Weego's so cute'.

(I interrupt this post for a very important update!!! Lock just told me he loved me for the very first time... unsolicited! My heart melted. However, I am still no Weego).

John and I have had a few conversations about what life would be like if there was no Weego. (Not if we lost him, just if they never found each other. I know this is sounding strange, but this is what our conversation is about). They were so obviously meant to find each other.

That conversation usually leads to a related one about what if we did lose him!! And the thought of losing Weego was so frightening to John and I that we did an ebay search for one. We found him, and promptly won the auction. When he arrived in the mail, we were shocked at how different Weego looks now, from when he was brand new. Looks like we might need to run him over a few times if we ever needed to make Lock believe that this is the real Weego.

The new Weego came with a Dr. Seus book "If I ran the Circus". Apparently, Weego is the blue whale in the story. Lock carried that book around for two days, and no one was allowed to touch it. Finally the other night when Lock was asleep, I got a chance to read it, and was shocked to find out that one of the main character's names is "SneedLOCK". Crazy coincidence??? I think not. This is a match made in heaven.

Walking around in Darkness

I recently joined this really cool website called "Splink". They send some super cool ideas on how to do family devotionals. This week we are going to learn about walking around in darkness vs. walking around in light. Trying to make our way w/ a blindfold on, vs. being able to see where we are going. There are some fun games we will play, and I'm really excited about it.

Not coincidentally, I am dealing w/ some family issues about letting some very dark areas in our lives come into the light. Is it ok to let those things surface if it is going to cause pain to those that are to blame? Have you ever seen those charts at the doctor's office that asks you to rate your pain? 1 being a smiley face 10 being a very uncomfortable crying face? My sisters and I have been walking through our lives at somewhere around a 10 most of our childhood and part of our adult lives. Well, I can say for myself, and I believe they feel the same, we are done letting the darkness live on in our lives any longer. We have gradually shed light in areas of ours lives until there is no more darkness remaining. Why should the innocent bare the pain for the guilty? Someday, my kids will need to make their peace with me, because I am not a perfect mom. And I will take responsibity. And I will do what it takes to make it all better, because I would give my life for my kids.

I am a person that needs truth. I am a person that needs to shed light in darkness. I will not be defined by the darkness of my past, but by the Light. The one True Light, my sweet Jesus. The truth will set us free. It will free me up to have authentic relationships. I'm not interested in any other kind. I care about how this whole process makes others feels, but that doesn't mean I will protect them from it. It isn't about revenge, it is about healing.

Family is such an amazing creation. What a wonderful opportunity to love people that you didn't choose. What a wonderful place to show grace and forgiveness. There is nothing that I can do to change the blood that runs through my veins. But by the grace of God I have been adopted into a royal family that brings me the joy and acceptance I never got from my biological one.

Thanks to my dear dear sisters. They are so much more to me than family. If we were not born in the same family I would choose you. If I could line up all the big and little sisters in the world, I would choose Yvette and Koreen.

I hope that what comes out of all these ashes is a new fire. A fire that will purify us all from the tarnish of our past, and make us like gold. And I hope that in the light that comes from truth, we will shine.

Dear Annonymous Homeschool Alumni

As much as my own school at home does not reflect your own experience, I am not writing to invalidate you or your thoughts and feelings. They are yours, and they are real for you. I am sorry for you and for your parents. To be under authoritative controlling manipulative authority is difficult, especially when you are only a child, and those causing you pain are the people in your life that are supposed to be loving and protecting you. I'm sorry that your parents used discipline to manipulate you into behaving a certain way, instead of capturing your precious heart. Our parents are human, they make mistakes. I know this first hand. My experience as a child was filled with abuses of every kind. However, forgiveness is the only remedy for your pain. Bitterness will kill only you. And maybe, your parents, just like mine, did the best they could.

If you could meet my family you wouldn't feel sorry for us. My husband is anything but authoritative, and I am anything but a doormat. My role as the submissive wife is not my strong suit! My children are so incredible. My oldest, Blaze, is breathtaking, and I'm not talking about her physical beauty. Although she is not short on that either! Her passion for learning, and her insatiable love of reading plus her tender heart makes her the best big sister and oldest daughter anyone could ask for. Shade, my second oldest, may be small, but she has a large capacity to love. When she is in the room, everyone is smiling. Not only because she is cute as a button, but because she is a real commedienne. Making people of all ages laugh, is no problem for her. Then there is Echo. There is almost no words to describe him. He is Wild at Heart. The word "obstacle" doesn't exist in his vocabulary, not because he is four, but because nothing stops him. He is a born leader. And last but certainly not least, our sweet adorable little lock. He is our little prince baby to love and dote on. He is so very easy to love, he is so darn lovable!!!

As much as someone can take heed from an annonymous (and so obviously bitter) naysayer, I have. And my choice to homeschool was not born out of fear and won't be changed by fear either. My heart is ruled by peace. And now that I have discovered the fast rate that Blaze learns, the inability for Shade to focus, and the unusual methods Echo needs in order to learn, I am so so glad that I do school them at home. I know so much about the people that they are, and they are incredible individuals. And I am so sensitive to their incredible potential. I'm not sure I would know all of this about them if I didn't spend the day with them. I am so thankful just to know them.

Also, for a list of famous successful homeschooled persons, all you have to do is google it. The list is long and their successes are large. I actually have to look no farther than a few of my dear friends houses. Their kids have grown into these amazing human beings, that I would encourage my kids to look up to anyday.

I hope you can look back on your painful past experiences and see the blessings that they were to you. I hope you can take that pain that you felt from your parents' decisions and turn it into joy. I hope you find forgiveness. I hope you don't let anger rule in your heart.

Blessings to you annonymous homeschool alumni. My prayers are with you.

Home School Freedoms

Well, I just discovered how much the Georgia government has got it's little hands in my sweet little school at home! I have to write a letter of intent every year, send in a monthly attendance record to the superintendant, my kids need to have "grades", and I need to have them tested every three years starting at 3rd grade. Testing and labeling.....

I have mixed feeling about all of this. The first one is, very overwhelmed! In AZ all we had to do was write one, meaning a SINGLE, letter of intent, at anytime, notarized. And that was it. Now that is freedom!

The second emotion I have is outrage. Homeschooling, when left alone, has proven over and over to be a wonderful form of eduction. It is so frustrating, when what we do naturally is structured to fit the form so many homeschoolers strive to get away from! Even though I myself am not an unschooler, I have seen that even that philosophy of learning can flourish.


The third emotion is, compliance. If the masses need to be mollified with proof that we are actually doing something productive with our days, then I guess that will have to be fine. As long as I retain my right to school my kids in my own home, and choose my own curriculum, I will comply! And since we aren't required to send in any other information besides a letter of intent and (I think??) the monthly attendance record, this will all just serve the purpose of seeing how well I am doing at schooling the Anderson clan at home.

For now, I won't revolt!

Resumen de Mexico

Cancun Mexico 2010:

Valium and drool sleeping on the plane (there and back), a romantic dinner for two at a French restaurant with (ironically) the best food of the whole trip, getting a beautiful silver bracelet from a new friend, blow drying my hair in 15 second increments (overheating blowdryer, hotel issued), dancing in the hot sweaty club de baile (could they not invest in a single fan??), Mango Margaritas starting at breakfast, white silky sand (that somehow ended up in the bed... and everywhere else!!), water the color of imagination, our own (mostly) private pool on our back doorstep, cigars and menthols, standing in the ocean feeding wild fish tortilla chips, running for my life screaming my head off because said fish starting lookin at me like I was a tortilla chip, swimming in the ocean, sitting on Pancho the bewildered donkey with a bag tied to his bottom to catch wayward poo, rediscovering John, coatis and iguanas, loving the Lombardis, drinking the water (with much regrets), never once calling home (scaring the crap out of everyone... sorry), buying junk so my family knew I was thinking about them (even if they didn't get a single phone call), losing my giant diamond earring, never once leaving the resort, sunburns sunscreen and sunglasses, eating and eating and eating again (gotta love those all inclusive vacations!), lost luggage, having the time of my life and at the same time so glad to go home.

Poor Poor Pancho...

We seriously look like movie stars from the '60s!

We love the Lombardis!!

Me and John at the romantic dinner at the French restaurant in Cancun.

Me and John taking pictures of ourselves at the beach. Having no idea about the "zoom" feature on our Droid.

Our "back porch" at the Secrets Moroma Resort.

Me and John on the beach.

He is in the Whisper

I am reading through the Bible in a year, and although it has been a challenge, it has also been more than worth the efforts. My love for God's Word has increased by much and I am reading things that never really get touched on in a Sunday morning service. Things that Beth Moore will probably never write a bible study about. There is so much I have never noticed or heard of before, and as a student of God's Word for the last 21 years, (minus a hiatus of about 4 to 6 years) that surprises me! Not that I think I am some sort of "Biblical Scholar", I certainly do not! I'm just shocked at the amount of stories I do not recognize AT ALL! So, I highly recommend this goal.

Today as I was reading about the "god off" (think dance off or sing off) between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, I asked God if he would perform a miracle like that today. I pictured me in my head, telling all my friends that are unbelievers that I could ask God to perform a miracle with fire. I pictured myself fretting all day, wondering if God would show up. I found myself sure that the project would fail. Then I wondered what this meant about God, not to mention my obviously complete lack of faith. Doesn't believing that God could and would do something earth shattering, make it happen?? The Bible says that the faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains! Sounds pretty earthshattering to me. But it also says not to test God. And here, like in so many other ways, God is once again outside the reach of my human comprehension.

Besides falling in love with God's word, and finding out how much I have never heard, I am also forming lots and lots of questions. I am not, however, losing faith by questioning, I am gaining faith. In the book The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer writes "These forget that their whole life is enshrouded in mystery. They fail to consider that any real explanation of even the simplest phenomenon in nature lies hidden in obscurity and can no more be explained than can the mystery of the Godhead". Or really any inexplicable mystery of God. He goes on to say "This world after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle; wonderful, inscrutable, magical and more, to whosoever will think of it..... We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper "mystery."

So, back to my "god off". Would God make a showing? I don't know (and I'm not planning to test my theory). But I continued to wonder, and so I continued reading. And as is the case with God's Word, the majority of the time, the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself! In 1 Kings after the fire of God consumed the offering, God speaks with Elijah and this is what He says: "'Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD' And behold the LORD passed by, and a great wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

It doesn't mean that God is absent if He doesn't perform earthshattering miracles in our lives. He is present in our lives like the whisper of a loving mother to her newborn child, like the whisper of a man to his young bride, like the whisper of the wind through the leaves in the trees. A whisper doesn't force our attention. However it does require stillness and quiet to receive it. So my question became, will I be still and hear His whisper?

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God..."

Atlanta so far...so good

Well, we've been here a couple of months, spent two holidays here (Easter and Echo's birthday) and have almost completely unpacked. I wonder if I will ever get around to unpacking my scrapbook stuff before we have to move again. A lot has happened in the short time we've been here. Blaze learned to ride her bike, Shade made a new best friend (Echo), Echo turned four, and Lock was attacked by red ants! (which apparently are black?), we have found a church, I have found a soul sister, I have started my own private Zumba classes (successfully!), John has been kicking booty at work, we have made nice w/ the neighbors, spent quality time w/ my mom and Cedric, discovered the most wonderful Farmer's Market in the world, and have just been on the receiving end of good ol' Southern hospitality!! This place is like a cold glass of water when your thirsty. This place feels comfortable. This place brings a sense of contentment. This place is becoming home.

Capture Your Child's Heart

I was driving home from Zumba the other night, listening to the radio, and I was reminded of literally the best parenting advice I have ever been given. This little piece of advice can spill over into any and all situations. It is simply "Pursue your little ones heart, until you take it captive".

Sometimes a person is blessed with a child whose conscience guides them. And those children will be compliant with you when you are there as well as when you are absent. But most times our kids have sinful natures that win the battle between spirit and flesh. Well, when our little sweethearts love us and remember our kindnesses, they are more likely to respect and obey us whether we are present or not. So, if their sweet little hearts are devoted to us, the things we teach them will reach places they wouldn't normally. And when they go, they will take the values, morals, and spiritual teachings with them. And the day will come when they go.

The Bible says that we love God because of His kindnesses, and because He first loved us. God pursues us and pursues us. And even when we act like a wayward wife.... He pursues us some more. So when can spank, fill out charts, yell, reason, ground, and create the most structured environment on earth, and if we do it all without the goal to captivate our child.... we are just a resounding gong to them. As much as having a child with a "perfect" outward behavior sounds wonderful, it is all useless if we haven't reached their inward parts. This isn't to say, ditch all discipline! Sometimes the kindest way to respond, is with a good ol' fashioned swat on the toosh! But with every act of discipline the Holy Spirit needs to be there along every step of the way to guide us and fill us with His Fruit. I was told once by a very wise mommy, "Camp out in Proverbs when your kids are little." (Meaning memorize as many Proverbs as you can, and integrate them in your parenting decisions ) And also "PRAY!"



Now I must include that the final goal is, of course, that they would be captivated by their Father in heaven. But we have been given the opportunity to play an integral part in that. And because we have been given the exact children we were supposed to. Or in other words, our children have been given the exact parents they were supposed to, we can be rest assured that we are the right ones for that amazing job! I have felt much conviction from this message. Pondering my every action, "Am I driving them away from me? Or drawing them near?" And there are definitely those moments that I know I have messed up. But I have also been encouraged that parenting can be dissolved into such a simple goal, just capture their heart..... their precious little heart.

"Clean Your Fridge Out" Spaghetti Sauce (and hide some veggies so kids eat 'em)

I sneak a bunch of veggies in this sauce! And no one is the wiser....
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1Tbsp Dried Oregano or several sprigs of fresh
1/2 Tbsp Dried basil and thyme or several sprigs of fresh
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2-3 Carrots
2-3 Celery1 Onion
4 Garlic cloves
2 Zuchinni1
Red Bell Pepper (or any color, but red makes the sauce redder!)
2 Cans of Italian Stewed Tomatoes
1 Can of Tomato Paste
1/3 Cup Red Wine
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Jar of good quality Spaghetti sauc
e2-3 Cups of Beef Broth (veggie or chicken would work)
2 # Ground Beef or Italian Sausage (or both!)
Salt and Pepper (no salt with Italian Sausage... or to taste)
Process all veggies in food processor until well blended and like a sauce. Heat oil and add herbs to oil. Add veggies and cook for a several minutes. Blend can of tomatoes in processor and add to pot. Add the rest of the ingredients except meat. Meanwhile brown meat in separate frying pan and add to sauce when no longer pink. Cover and let simmer for 1-3 hours. Salt and Pepper to taste... and Yum! I make this last for a spaghetti dinner and a lasagna.

Just Some Tid Bits

Here are some funny little happenings from today that I thought were worth sharing. I will tell them in order of how they happened.

First, while I was on the phone with a friend, I saw Echo inconspicuously walk into the kitchen with his pants and underwear around his ankles. If you are asking how anyone can manage to do that in any way but a conspicuous manner, my reply would be, you just have to know my son. When a few seconds later, I heard what sounded like water trickling into some sort of container. I decided to investigate the situation, only to find my sweet little man peeing into a drinking glass. He left the kitchen heading for the bathroom with his urine, which I assumed would be dumped into it's proper receptacle. However, later I learned from John that he had handed it to John. And John thinking it was water went to take a sip. Echo yelled "NO DAD!! It's pee!!"

At some point today I was having a conversation with Blaze about calories, and how they keep you alive. And I mentioned that I burn a lot of calories at Zumba, and I haven't been consuming enough. About an hour later, she asks me, "Does milk have calories in it?" and I responded that it does. And she brings me a glass of milk and says "Here mom, drink this." She is such a sweet sensitive spirit, and I love that about her. But she can also be a bit of a worrier. I have to be careful what I say to her. A few hours later I found her almost in tears in the playroom stressing about a cartoon that just revealed to her that watching TV will ruin your eyes. With some reassurance she is feeling much better now.

Lock has been walking around all day uttering, yelling, screeching, whining, or just casually saying his newest phrase, "NO WAY!" It's especially cute when he pairs it with what he now calls me, "No Way Honey!" He had a great time making "mud pies" today with Shade and Echo. The only problem was, as their water boy, he would come in the house to refill his muddy filthy cup, take several large gulps and head out the door to bring his siblings the rest. Can you say probiotics??

Shade just announced that she had to go to the bathroom. So she picked up the dog and started heading towards said direction. When I questioned her about what part the dog was playing in her trip to the loo. She simply said "He likes to come with me." She is quite the mystery that one.

So although I have been mostly bedridden with strep throat for a couple of days, I haven't been bored!!

This is just a little something Echo built me today. I was resting on the couch and he says "Mom, come and see this!" I was so amazed I had to take a picture. Notice the bowl of balls as the "finishing touch".