in pursuit of wild things

I’m not really sure how to describe this past week. In some ways the days were really good and other moments were not so pleasant. The tougher moments this week involved observing Sparkles trying to come to terms with her illness and general friendship troubles. She is emotional, confused, a little scared and trying to be brave.

I didn’t really realize just how hard this has been on her until I took her to the library. She loves books…she is Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She was so overwhelmed at the library that she did not

have the mental ability to pick out some books. After picking out a pile of books for myself I found her sitting in one of the chairs trying not to cry. I noticed she didn’t have any books and she just wanted to leave. She didn’t know how to choose a book. This is the girl who would check out ten books a week!!! I offered to pick some books for her and she thought that would be okay. I charged her with guarding my pile and wandered around the children’s section trying to remember some authors I loved at her age…I loved the Nancy Drew books so I grabber a few and some Susan Cooper and Madeline L’Engle. I was a total die-hard for Asimov, Clark and Heinlein around the same age but I’m not sure she would enjoy those as much…

Waiting for test results to come in is hard. Tomorrow I will pick them up so we can give them to the specialist on Tuesday. Maybe we’ll have some answers…just maybe I’ll feel like I can breathe again.

On a brighter note I found the most amazing homeschooling group called Wild+Free. I feel like I have found my tribe and have

spent a couple of mornings listening to podcasts and reading through the free sample magazine. This group is…just wow…I cannot find the right words without sounding like a crush stricken fifteen-year-old. I also finished up Teaching from Rest this week and plan to rewrite some of my notes. I’ve felt so inspired this week and even wrote out a first draft of a homeschooling mission statement. Well, it started out homeschooling based but morphed

into a family statement but I’ll have to send it to my husband before adopting and sharing. I think such a statement is a great way to keep your purpose and focus…especially when relationships get hard and doubts rule the mind.

In the midst of reading and absorbing all this goodness I found the inspiration for my art assignment for the Brave Writer retreat

next month. I filled up about twenty post-it notes of phrases and sketches trying to capture the feeling and image that filled me.

Our family is truly blessed. So many people are praying for Sparkles and the rest of us. I receive emails and texts everyday asking about her. She received several cards, an anonymous gift (Wow! You are amazing and thank you mystery person with a heart full of love!!!), a couple of packages, calls and a super awesome pen-pal. She is super excited about her pen-pal!! Like over-the-moon excited.

I didn’t expect any of these responses. Family and a few friends of course but not this…something beautiful that happened. The world was full of terrifying and very sad news this week…too much pain and hatred. All that sadness was in my thoughts as we continued to receive compassion and love from people of various faiths and backgrounds. I feel so tiny and humbled…and my heart is full to bursting.

Linking up with: Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

The Hot Rod Bus!!!!

sandal detail

Batman and Doggie

pancakes for Batsie

Parthenon mosaic tile detail outside ceiling

trying to pack their toys

the “Batman” starte

breakfast at Hutchen’s BBQ

Batman at Lego store

large doors at Parthenon

Athena

Sparkles and friend

Athena’s shield

our sleepy kitty

paddle fish

passing from Indiana to Kentucky

Parthenon of Nashville

watching fish

park

Obelesk at park

snake

packing the school room

playing

breakfast with Batman

crew

convergence of Ohio and Kentucky Rivers

crew examining Athena

exploring the river

my husband and Middle Boy at Hutchen’s BBQ

even Batman needs comfort sometimes…

breakfast with Batman