Like Mama

It is strange how the unspoken feelings of our mothers sink so deeply into us. Things she saw as beautiful, special, and wonderful become so to us. Without her having to press it upon us or teach us, we follow her example. 

My Mama always loved lemon verbena and lavender, she was always trying to grow them in between our many moves. She was always loving them. I remember she had lemon verbena body powder when I was a child and it was cherished and so delighted in. Lately I have found myself longing for something so elegant as lemon verbena or lavender body powder. Perhaps to others these wouldn't be anything special- but to me they are ever so dear. 

I had been wanting to find a lemon verbena plant to add to my herb collection/ garden. I have been enjoying my lavender the last few years and it has really taken off. But I have not been able to find lemon verbena anywhere.Needless to say I was utterly delighted when at the plant market the other day I found my beloved lemon verbena. It was truly just as refreshing I had remembered and I am so blissfully happy about this. 

Oh dear Mama- how special the aromas of lemon verbena and lavender are to me, and how they remind of you. 

I love you. 

Happy Mother's Day

What reminds you of you Mama? Which things she considers special were quietly passed on to you? I would love to hear your stories.

Skinny Scarves

I have been discovering a trend for skinny scarves out there. And am wondering what is a skinny scarf to YOU?

• How long and wide do you like it to be? 
• What is your preferred material, silk chiffon, silk satin, cotton, etc? 
• How do you like to tie your scarves?

Spring and summer are perfect for wearing scarves in a ton of fun ways. I have some great links here for those of you who love wearing scarves.

How to Tie a Skinny Scarf

 25 Ways to Tie a Scarf

Too Many Ideas

I'm  a Mom of three little ones.
I am a wife.
I am a teacher. 

I am a daughter and a sister.
I am a daughter of the King.
And I am a dreamer.

I find myself too often caught up in a flurry of dream and schemes and business ideas.


Usually my business ideas have to do with teaching English- which is in good demand here- or having a bakery/coffee-tea house. Actually, my business ideas are so many that I thought I would write out a few and see what you all think :)


English Lessons: My newest and latest idea was a dandy (or so I thought as I contemplated it- let's get some feedback here !) Since during the summer kids are way too free and parents don't know what to do about them and worry about them and them getting into trouble. . . I could offer a summer English Intensive program. It would look something like this:

• 3-5 days a week
• 3 hours a day- 10-13. 
• Book time
• Cooking Lesson and Lunch
  
• Game/Active Speaking Time
• Ages 10-12, 13-16
• Groups no larger than 10 kids. 
  

Each activity would be done exclusively in English, and would be a fun and learning experience.
The length of the course would be 2 months. 
After the first week (or maybe month) kids would be "expelled" for one day for the use of Latvian or Russian in class. English only- so as to attain the best results.


Tea/Coffee  House: This is ever a dream of mine partially in part to the huge amount of compliments and fans I have for my baking. I would love to have a cute, quaint, vintage style decorated little shoppe where I would have delicious coffee and drinks, lots of yummy teas, cute tea pots, and tea cups. It must have an upstairs, with a spiral staircase (like one shoppe I loved- OK maybe not, but it would be darling). And of course there would be my cakes, cookies, candy and sweet morsels to tantalize the senses.


So there are two of my way too many business ideas. What do you think- you who know me best?


I must admit my greatest fear has to do with the paperwork and red tape of the business world - especially in a foreign country. YIKES!

Three Weeks-Something Different

This was a pregnancy I wanted to be different.
I prepared more emotionally than with any other pregnancy.
I did pregnancy art in a variety of ways.
I explored my past stories and envisioned something different this time- something easier, something less painful.

Looking back to our birth 3 weeks ago my emotions are positive, my recollections pleasant. No, it was not easy. BUT it was easier than any other birth I have had so far. No, it was not painless. BUT the most painful part of pushing which with my first two kids was 1 1/2 hours was only 3-5 minutes this time. So I am grateful, happy, pleased and no longer so afraid of birth.

I went away from my second birth thinking c-sections were far more understandable to me and maybe I would want one too.Why suffer? Why go through such incredible pain? Why, why, why?!

So if God sees fit to bless us with another child somewhere done the road in life- I no longer will live in fear of birth. I know things can be different, because they have been so for me.

Biggest Differences this birth:

• Was not at home this time. 
• I labored alone until I was 7-8 cm. dilated (when we arrived at the birthing center)
• Gave birth in water. 
• Pushing was 3-5 minutes, rather than an hour or more. 
• Never experienced the "urge" to push or the bearing down that comes when the baby is ready to be pushed out. Perhaps this was eased by being in the water. 
  

Our little man is an excellent eater and takes  nice long naps several times a day. He eats 2-3 times a night. Wakes up early with the hiccups and other gruntings. He is starting to have his eyes open more.

There is nothing quite so precious and dear as the feel of a baby's downy head. 

Nothing like the feeling of holding a tiny person in your arms and having him cling to your finger. Nothing so special as gazing in awe at the perfection of a tiny human created within ones being. Nothing so dear as the comfort a child finds with its mother.

In his cocoon with his "umbilical cord" hat

Thoughts on Homeschool

As my son nears his fourth birthday I find myself thinking more and more about education, and homeschool.

I was homeschooled for my entire school career- and then I attended college and got a B.A. with flying colors. To me homeschool is natural, normal and just the best way of doing it. I can see I learned good study skills and therefore did well in college.


But being homeschooled makes a person different. I have always been different, have always felt like I didn't quite fit in and though at times that may have made me feel awkward- now I am ok with that. Being different makes a person special and unique. But being different isn't easy- especially growing up.


Being homeschooled was not the only thing that made us different. We were pastor's kids-living in the "fish-bowl'' as some say. My Mom wanted me to wear skirts growing up- I didn't mind. My husband tells me now that there are so few girls who wear skirts that when one does she stands out as feminine and attractive. (Smile).  But it did make me different. There were other things- but who really cares now. . .


Anyhow, back to homeschool. Homeschooling here is NOT normal. Usually only sick children are kept home. It is however, becoming more popular and even could be said to be a growing fad. But it is still widely frowned upon. I remember the expression of horror, disbelief and wonder when one of my colleagues/teachers at my language school (where I taught English) found out I had been entirely homeschooled. She was LITERALLY speechless. As if my parents were complete genius or utterly stupid.

I feel confused as to the education of my son. I know that for the preschool years I can teach him at home and no one will think too much of it. However, he also needs to learn the alphabet in Latvian and how to read. These are things I cannot teach him because I want him to learn them without flaw or accent. I don't know if he should learn both alphabets at the same time or first English, then Latvian. I don't know if two languages at once will confuse him and make learning to read too hard. I feel confused.

I also don't know if we should homeschool him during his school years- my husband is against this I think. I personally feel he ought be homschooled through the early years so as to get back-bone and learn how to stand his ground in his character and beliefs. He is like a sponge now, soaking up everything- good and bad. But people think he would have a hard time adjusting- would he? I just don't know.

In my deepest heart I believe in homeschool and that a child learns best with their parents who know them and their learning styles best. I know homeschool isn't for everyone. But I doubt my ability to and mostly I doubt the skepticism I will encounter. If I had a teacher's degree it would be different- I wish I had majored in something more practical in college. I could go back to school now and get a teacher's degree- but that would be hard with my little ones. I hear so many criticisms of the school system here and I really DON'T want to send my children there. What can be done about? Start my own Christian school? Homeschool? Private school? So many questions. . .


For this fall our materials are ordered and I will begin teaching D his letters and numbers in a more serious manner. I have chosen "Heart of Dakota" after much consideration and the recommendations of my friend Jessica. I am going to use the "Little Hands to Heaven" this fall.  I look forward to seeing this material first hand and trying it out with D. I hope our first year of homeschool goes well and pray that God gives us wisdom to sort through all these questions for the years to come.

The End of Cloud Nine

Since the birth of our little one nearly 3 weeks ago I have been really very happy. Sure I have had "moments" and been frustrated and so on. But I have been living in the bliss of a wonderful birth experience and been just plain happy.

BUT lately the sleepless nights are catching up with me and I am starting to get cranky, irritable and frustrated. It is hard when you want to sleep in the mornings for a bit longer and the baby starts making all sorts of noises- hiccups, gruntings, etc. I wish he would just eat and let me sleep. . . oh well.

I realized today that I MUST take a nap. I haven't been napping much because I have wanted to paint and do other things. And besides on cloud nine one has so much blissful energy.

So if you wonder where I have disappeared to I may be napping and trying to stay afloat in my new role as a mom of 3 little ones.

The house is a mess and never quite clean- but there is always just one more diaper to change and mouth to feed and so I am learning to juggle these things. . .

Real life has set in and cloud nine may be past- but I am still so incredibly blessed.

Just A Little

I know I've, been gone, for a long, long, long, while
I've been singing a song, when all i want, is to see you smile
About the time, I get there, I forget, why I'm gone

I wonder, why, just a little, I'm always wanting something more
Life is a riddle, I wish I had the answer for
Love breaks your heart, to teach you to be strong
I die, just a little, so I can live a little bit more

Like your eyes, you can have rainbows, without rays
In the morning light, I'll be holding you, again
Don't forget, our music, won't disappear, there's no end

I wonder, why, just a little, I'm always wanting something more
Life is a riddle, I wish I had the answer for
Love breaks your heart, to teach you to be strong
I die, just a little, so I can live a little bit more

I will sing to you, when the road sings me to sleep
Maybe you stay with me, and I will give you songs, you can keep

I wonder, why, just a little, I'm always wanting something more
Life is a riddle, I wish I had the answer for
Love breaks your heart, to teach you to be strong
I die, just a little, so I can live a little bit more