Principled DiscoveryPrincipled DiscoveryHomeschooling mother of four takes a break from third grade to reflect on issues of faith, family and education. 
Articles
For the love of boys
2008-01-06 09:27:00 Snips and snails and puppy dog tails. That's what little boys are made of.I was sifting through the many posts saved as drafts on this blog to see if there happened to be anything worthy of turning into a post.And this is the post I found. It had a title. And a bit of an old poem. And it has been sitting here in draft mode for six months.What on earth was I thinking when I wrote this? Was I going somewhere with it? Surely I did not just wake up in the middle of the night thinking,THE WORLD HAS GOT TO KNOW THIS POEM!There is a lot more to it than our mothers taught us. Of course there is the bit we all know, that bit that probably came to mind as soon as your read the first part. Because that is how well we know this little ditty.Sugar and spice and everything nice. That's what little girls are made of.But how well do you know it really? Did you know, for example, that it was probably written by historian and poet laureate Robert Southey although he didn't see it signifi... More About: Love , Boys
Parental neuroses
2008-01-04 20:34:00 Parenting is full of inherent contradictions which I believe are specifically designed to keep us from ever feeling completely competent in what we are doing. Consider, for example, the following:We get excited over every milestone, calling friends and family (and posting to blogs) as each one is reached. She smiled! She rolled over! She's playing peek-a-boo! Then they grow up and we can only thing about how we miss them as little helpless blobs dependent fully on us.When the children are having a little too much fun, what does any good parent do? Send them outside or ask them to be quiet of course. Excited children do not make indoor noises. But when they comply and the house becomes eerily still, our suspicions are immediately aroused. Because mischievous children make no noises.Then there is the blatant disrespect for all rules that somehow goes completely unpunished, because, well, how can you? Sure my son is not allowed to play with the scissors without supervision. ... More About: Pare
A dog's collar
2008-01-02 06:31:00 A collar and tag may not seem that significant to some. Those who own a dog and especially those who have lost one will understand why it is I still have my first dog?s collar with all her tags in a cabinet. They might also understand the sadness I feel that I did not remove Holden?s collar before burying him, although it was a simple blue nylon collar that could be found at any pet store. He didn?t even have tags yet. This is Hunter?s collar, with the ID tag my husband bought for him. It, too, is a simple collar. The tag bears only his name and our phone number. Yet I believe it to be perhaps the most significant of the three.All of us at times allow the weeds of our heart to come out into the light. Not all of us recognize this or try to change it. Mostly, we just bury them deeper and try harder not to let people notice. After our dog was killed by a car, I was expecting my husband to become impatient with me in regards to missing Holden. ?It?s just a dog.? The fact tha... More About: Collar
Not even wild horses
2007-12-26 04:26:00 At the first snow, my son looked out longingly, desiring to build a snowman. But he was sick. And mean old mom wouldn't let him go outside. Then mom was sick. Then the baby was sick. Somehow, however, the snow persisted. And a day finally came when all were well, a fine snow lay on the ground and we had time.I let Bear go outside to play in the snow while I laid L. E. Fant down for her nap. Bear wasn't so sure.You're really going to build a snowman with me?Yes, really.Really and truly?Wild horses couldn't drag me away.He giggled and went outside, suited up for the winter weather. I finished a feeding, changed a diaper and tucked a little one into bed. Got on my shoes and was looking for my scarf when Bear suddenly reappeared, reddened with cold or excitement. His eyes were wide and he had a queer expression on his face.What are you doing back so fast? Did you get cold?No. The wild horse came.I looked at him with mock surprise. His little imagination can involve me i... More About: Horses
Good Morning This Morning
2007-12-25 15:00:00 It's either the sweet lullaby of a finely tuned instrument or a whole lot of raucous from happy bouncing feet in your house this morning. It is my hope that this post finds you all in good health and sanity. We have celebrated on the 20th in NE and will again on the 27th or 29th in KS, (as per Thanksgiving).Here's another twist on that ol' song Jingle Bells.Postscript:I) Thongs : cheap rubber backless sandals, flip flops.II) There were cute versions with kids performing but this one was the clearest lyrical version. More About: Morning , Good , Good Morning
Six White Boomers
2007-12-24 15:00:00 We don't ascribe to Santa or to his reindeer,But some out there do enjoy this season's cheer.So as night comes and the children lay down,Remember in Australia,Santa has already been 'round.. More About: White , Boomers
An Icy Experience
2007-12-22 06:10:00 The wife and girls had left, just me and the boy at home. I'm painting trim in the front room. A strange noise pulls me to the play room."Bear, what are you doing, that doesn't belong on the floor."There's Bear happily playing with a huge chunk of ice full of leaves and dirt slowing melting on the wood floor."Come on mate let's get this cleaned up and I'll put some ice in the bath tub for you to play with.""Can ya? can ya? cool!"After some distraction Bear did a good job with some help. I take the shovel and get a nice big chunk of icy, snowy goop, good enough for any boy and place it in the bath. Expecting him to play with it for quite some time, Bear turns on the water."Dad, Dad, the ice is melting.""Well that's what happens when you put it in hot water.""I guess I can have an icy bath then."And true to his word, bathtime did not last long. An icy experience. More About: Experience
A Downtown Stroll
2007-12-21 15:01:00 Strolling downtown with my boy the other day a gentlemen stopped us and said:"Now that is what the Christmas season is about, parents spending time with their kids." More About: Downtown
A Heritage Look - AFL Football 401
2007-12-17 19:14:00 For followers of this series on 'Aussie Footy' I consider this the last post. Conspicuously, To Protect One's Own - AFL football 301 was not posted. Upon further consideration I may post 301 at a later date. For now, enjoy the conclusion of the aussie footy series.Up There Cazaly (Roy Cazaly)He is known to have played 378 senior matches. The famous line "UP THERE CAZALY" was used as a battle cry by Australian forces during WWII. It is also a song by the Two Man BandUp There Cazaly (Roy Cazaly)Game of the GodsMr Football (EJ Whitten)Edward James 'Ted' Whitten played 321 games for his beloved Footscray. He became known by the moniker "Mr. Football". In 1996 he was among the first batch of inductees to the Australian Football Hall of Fame, immediately elevated to Legend status, and was selected as Captain of the AFL Team of the Century.Gift of Genius (Gary Ablett)Gary Robert Ablett, senior is widely considered one of the greatest and most gifted football players of all time, he is... More About: Heritage
And the toilet saga continues
2007-12-17 06:12:00 So Thursday evening found me snuggling into bed after a long day at the children's museum and an evening of karate. I laid myself to sleep with the expectation of being awoken in the wee hours of the morning to the tell-tale sounds of my husband unclogging our toilet. I fully planned to snuggle under our new comforter, feign sleep, and enjoy the restoration of a functioning toilet in the morning. Sure, if the clanking got too loud and the muttering turned to actual shouting, I would get up. But why bother my sweet while he is doing his manly, fixity kind of thing?I awoke with a start when I noticed the sun. No such noises awoke me. And I know my husband better than to honestly entertain the notion that he would have fixed the toilet quietly enough to have not awoken me. A quick survey established that the toilet remained clogged and my husband hadn't made it home yet.The toilet had clogged Tuesday evening. It was now Thursday. We were approaching emergency status. I would... More About: Toilet , Saga
It is nice to have a toilet
2007-12-14 07:28:00 Unfortunately, toilet training readiness brings with it a fascination with all things toilet. Which I have traced as the root cause behind a rather desperate phone call to my mother because it really makes no sense otherwise.Mom, do you have any great ideas for defrosting car doors? 'Cause pouring warm water isn't helping. It starts to work, but by the time I refill my pitcher and return, the water I poured last time has frozen again.Why are you doing that?Because the car is totally encased in ice two inches thick. And we're going to the children's museum.Why on earth are you going to the children's museum when your car is encased in ice?Well, the toilet is clogged and the plunger isn't working and I strongly suspect it is because Bug tried to flush a carrot last night and we have been without a toilet all night and John will not be home until late tonight and I really need to use the restroom.My mom began laughing when I got to the carrot. And kept laughing. And suggest... More About: Toilet , Nice
Toilet Talk
2007-12-12 08:46:00 For some time now, my little Bug has shown all the frequently listed signs of potty-training readiness. She likes to follow people to the restroom. She talks about what is in her diaper. She thinks "poo poo" is about the funniest word there is. She tells me when she is wet and she demands to be changed.Then came bath night. Wrapped in her adorable little duckie towel, she sang her "bawk bawk" song to me. For some unknown reason, her ducks bawk rather than quack, but that is probably irrelevant. She waddled around, bawked and froze.Panic was in her eyes.Mommy! Mommy! I need a diaper! I going to poop on the floor!OK, sweetie. Let's go to the potty.No! I need a diaper!Don't you want to go potty like Bear and Mouse and Mommy and Daddy?No!Duckies like potties.Ok, so I was running out of coercive techniques. She looked at me intensely.Mommy. I. Going. To. Poop. On. The. Floor.I was at a loss. Clearly I was losing and was going to have to either give her a diaper or ... More About: Talk , Toilet
An Unusual Advertisement
2007-12-11 02:20:00 I found this ad in the household rag. The text is a little hard to read so I've included it below:NAPS INTERRUPTED INCORPORATED.With offices nationwide we are the largest nap disturbance business in the nation.99.99% of our services are performed free of charge, free of commission, at no cost to you, can you say VALUE?100% satisfaction guarantee. If we can't keep them awake we'll certainly annoy the heck out of you! More About: Advertisement , Vert
A few of my favorite guests
2007-12-10 03:59:00 I am not much of a gardener. If dandelions and clover ever become coveted flowers, I may have a chance at making the cover of Country Gardens, but until then I will be happy to I do not live anywhere with tickets for weeds. If you were to close your eyes for a few moments, however, you might notice another aspect of our backyard that is not immediately noticeable. Especially if you are the type that would fret over my sickly looking plants.Our yard is always alive with the sound of music: the melody of the cardinal, the raucous cry of the jay, the nasal twack of the nuthatch and the gurgling of the brown-headed cowbird. Now that our town is covered in a thick blanket of snow, my gardening is on equal footing with the green thumbs I am surrounded by. And I dare say my yard could compete with the best of them.Full of sound, color and striking contrast, my winter birds have again captured my full attention. Here are a few of my favorite photos taken over the last couple of days:... More About: Guests , Favorite
Finally: A Sleep Time Milestone
2007-12-07 00:46:00 At 7 months our L.E. Fant has discovered the benefits of a sleep time milestone I am sure all parents are sometimes thankful for.After a long day of naps interrupted and resulting fussiness, L.E. Fant is learning that a car seat, a dryer and some quiet results in a good ol' nap.P.S. The culprits of naps interrupted apologize. Mouse, Bear and Bug wish Fant a good nap :) More About: Time , Sleep , Finally , Milestone
When disobedience warms the heart
2007-12-06 03:41:00 Bedtime around here is 9PM. Everyone knows that. Even the little ones who cannot tell time. Winter is nice for those two, who judge time by the sun for I can send them to bed early and they do not even notice. For the Mouse, however, it is a different story.Last night, I forgot to go back and turn off my daughter's light. (The switch isn't actually in her room.) And knowing it was past 9 even when she was sent to bed, she stayed up happily, contentedly reading.My husband went back to the laundry room close to midnight and guess who was still up? With her nose still stuck in a book?She reminds me of someone else I know who used to stay up late into the night with a good book. On more than one occasion, a really good book would see the sunrise with me.Boy am I glad we homeschool.P.S.Please don't tell her I said that. At least not until she is a little older. More About: Heart , Diso , The Heart , Sobe
Our Children and Television
2007-12-05 15:18:00 As home-schoolers we have plenty of opportunity to plop the children in front of the telly (T.V.) and take advantage of our in house babysitter, all day if we choose. For us though we limit them to one show per day, about 30-45 minutes with a family movie on Friday nights. Still sometimes I think this is too much telly.It is a fact that we have no air channels or cable, simply videos picked up from the library (find it hard to rent videos these days, can not stand supporting Corruptyhood). So besides saving a bunch of money each month for more beneficial items my children will not be subject to the senseless violence pulsing through their eyes into their sub conscience brains. More About: Television , Children
Truth is Absolute - Let My People Think
2007-12-02 21:15:00 Allow me to present the second of three ministries that helped guide me to Christ back in August 2001, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. I find it fascinating that people will comment that Christians cannot be intellectuals. Ravi Zacharias proves otherwise. Like me, Ravi enjoys tennis and tea with biscuits (cookies). Unlike me, Ravi makes the complex simple and is one of the most engaging public speakers I have ever heard.Check out his website for an abundance of audio and articles.Who is Jesus?How do you know there is a God?Many Religions Claiming to be the True PathHell - What is it? More About: Truth , People , Absolute , Ruth
Photo Hunt Saturday: Red
2007-12-01 16:28:00 Not nearly as cool as Linda's baby picture at the bottom of her red things, but here is a picture from our trip to the Rockies when my husband had to move out to Denver for awhile.We found it humorous, anyway. More About: Photo , Saturday , Hunt
Simple Pleasures
2007-11-30 08:28:00 I hereby interrupt all this sentimental, homesick-for-Australia posting of late for something cool.Due to a bad experience early in my blogging life where I inadvertently allowed my daughter to (unknowingly) name her blog after an international that kind of star, I learned to occasionally google the names of my blogs.And searching for "simple pleasures" revealed this little gem: Simple Pleasures, a comprehensive guide to the simple pleasures in life. It is a sort of community project to document these fleeting moments which bring joy to our hearts. Too much of it is about all that mushy teenage first date kind of thing for my taste, so I'm making up my own list. Imitation is the best flattery, right? I have to think of some things to start off my list and I'll put it in my sidebar.You are welcome to add your thoughts for inclusion...but none of that mushy stuff. Besides, some of that goes a little beyond mere simple pleasure and thus is outside the scope of this list.
A Thoughtful Cheesecake, What's Yours?
2007-11-28 23:39:00 Dana just finished the shopping list. This week I get a treat, one of my favorite-est, cheesecake (yummy).In McCook Nebraska an Australian couple own Oz-Tek an eatery that specializes in donuts and light lunches. I bit into a 'Ned Kelly,' an Australian meat pie. First time in ten years, and it tasted good....................People often ask, "What do you eat in Australia?" My response is meat, potato and two veggies. One thing though is we do eat a lot more lamb. I guess when you have a 10-1 ratio of people to sheep other than making jokes you have to do something with them.My favorite-est meal my mum (no 'o'), whose from England, used to make by my standards was 'Shepherd's Pie'. Once again, meat, potato and (at least) two veggies.Thinking of these lip smacking good meals, what is your favoite-est? More About: Cheesecake
Peek-a-boo
2007-11-28 08:23:00 One week ago yesterday, at the age of seven months and four days, my baby learned something new: the incredible joy of peek-a-boo. Now, it isn't as if we hadn't played this favorite-of-games before. Little L. E. Fant had held her breath in suspense as Mommy hid her face behind a blanket before this momentous day.But last Tuesday, dear little L. E. Fant realized she could pull the blanket over her own head. And then whisk it away just as suddenly.I think everyone in the YMCA heard her ecstatic squeal of accomplishment.If only we were so easy to delight as we grow older. More About: Peek , Peek-a-boo
Husband, You Are Off Topic Again - AFL Football 201
2007-11-28 04:36:00 Why is it that every time I post I wish my wife would bury it quickly. Maybe it is because I know I am out of sync with most of Dana's readers. I guess that is the danger of blogging with hubby. Nevertheless, I will keep plowing and soon Dana will bury this post.Allow me to introduce Australian Rules Football 201:Goal KickingScoring occurs when the ball is kicked between any of the four goalposts. If you are standing on the ground facing the goals thus:(The image on their website is better than my paint attempt)Then kicking the ball through B is worth one point (called a 'behind') and kicking the ball through slot A is worth six points (a goal). If, during the course of play, the ball passes through the goals but is not kicked then a 'rushed behind' is scored, again worth one point. If the ball is kicked into post B or C then one point is scored; if it is kicked (on the full) into A or D then it is classified as 'out on the full'If that's confusing it has taken years for my ... More About: Topic , Husband
KU, Kinko's and Dunkin' Donuts @ 2am
2007-11-27 06:50:00 There is the gift of the gab and the knack for writing. Reading my wife's postings it is evident that Dana has the latter. Dana accuses me of letting this be a matter of contention between us. As if I can not forgive her for this skill. Frankly, I just admire the talent.Where is this manifested from? A sneak peak into Dana's writing ability from her university days."John, we need to go to Kinko's.""Why?""Assignment due tomorrow.""How long have you had this assignment?""Several months.""And you are just now starting it? Typing it tonight? At midnight? The day it is due?""Yes""Well, you want to go to Dunkin' Donuts when you are done?"Of course the story would not be sufficient without the ending. A couple of weeks later."So what did you get on that assignment?""4.0""WOW" (Probably in a more exaggerated tone) More About: Dunkin Donuts
Yes, moms throw tantrums, too
2007-11-25 12:21:00 Yesterday, I had a temper tantrum. I yelled at my son. I yelled at the wall. I yelled at my daughter who saw it necessary to correct something I yelled at the wall. I even stomped my feet. I could have passed for any two year old.Like most temper tantrums, it was a result of immaturity combined with tiredness and a sense of powerless with a small catalyst to ignite the frustrations. While making dinner after four hours of driving in a car with small children who were entertaining themselves by seeing how loudly they could sing, my son decided to drool on the piano and spit on the kitchen floor.That is disgusting. Not normally cause for a meltdown, but it is disgusting.It also leaves me feeling powerless. I may have learned a lot from my son because he is different. But I haven't really learned to accept that difference. I lack that casual, come-what-may attitude full of grace and patience. I must admit that I really do not want all that. I just want him to be "normal." ... More About: Moms , Throw
A sudden realization
2007-11-22 21:47:00 Thoughtfully observing the conversation at dinner, my two year old suddenly connected the dots. She pointed at her gradnfather and exuberantly exclaimed,Pop-Pop a daddy! Pop-Pop a daddy, too!Now, it isn't as if we hadn't told her that before. But today, during Thanksgiving dinner, she discovered it for herself.And she is excited and proud of the revelation. More About: Realization
Wife and Kids in KS, Me in NE
2007-11-21 15:51:00 With my wife and children visiting Grandpa and Grandma for Thanksgiving here's a little reminder for myself when I come home from work to an empty house, why I need to work!God said, "Six days shall you labor and the seventh shall you rest." Unfortunately Thanksgiving is not my seventh. Sometimes we can not always be around as working fathers but we can cherish the little things of life.Enjoy your holidays More About: Kids , Wife
Thanksgiving Iced Tea and AFL Football 101
2007-11-21 01:42:00 While sipping iced tea this Thursday America will settle into a tryptophan state as many T.V. sets will be automatically tuned to the NFL. Please allow me a simple pleasure from my youth to show how we play ball:Full contact, No pads, No offense/defense/special team units etc, and no time outs. Basically sounds like a certain restuarant commercial :).Australian Rules Football 101: Marking.A mark is a skill in Australian rules football where a player cleanly catches a kicked ball that has travelled more than 15 metres without anyone else touching it.It is a distinctive part of the game. Although catching the ball is also found in other codes of football, along with kicking the ball, it is one of the most prevalent skills in Australian Football. Marking can also be one of the most spectacular and distinctive aspects of the game.(Notice to catch a ball is called a 'mark')So here is how it is done.Enjoy your holiday. More About: Thanksgiving , Hank
Ministry Spotlight - Hell's Best Kept Secret
2007-11-19 00:25:00 Living Waters is one of three ministries that guided me to Christ back in August 2001. Since that time Ray's ministry has expanded. So being Sunday please share this newer version of Ray Comfort's message 'Hell's Best Kept Secret ,' with me. Living Waters. More About: Ministry , Spotlight
Saturday Photo Hunt, I love...
More articles from this author:2007-11-17 08:06:00 Maybe it is just me, but nothing makes my heart go pitter pat like watching my husband with our children.What better place for a nap than in arms that love you? I love him, I love her and I love watching my babies sleep. More About: Photo , Love , Saturday , Hunt 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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