SystematicChaos ~
Where we try to find order in our universe
I'mPublished! »
Several years ago, I wrote a letter to a friend of mine who was going through a hard time in her life. I was worried about her. I prayed for her. I prayed for wisdom, patience and peace for her. I prayed for wisdom for me as to how to help her. So, I wrote her a letter.
To read my letter about living with husbands, what to decide about lunch, valiant kings, and what man to turn to when your husband disappoints you (because he will, you know!) come on over to Heart of the Matter.
I'mPublished! »
I know some of y’all remember us doing these last year, but humor me and go over to Heart of the Matter to look upon their beauty again this year. Also, if you haven’t been yet, there’s a little button over there on my side bar that links straight to all the Christmas crafty tutorials. They have some cool stuff!
I'mPublished!, Somethin', TheHolidays »
(the picture was pulled from a post that i drafted just over a year ago on one of the rare occasions that i went overboard and filled my cabinet. many emotions attached to this little picture.)
On this day of thanks I’m finally able to write about it. The full story of what we went through last fall. I shared some it along the way when I could no longer contain my emotions at the time, but as we were brought out from where we were this time last year the memories of it faded away. Until the other day. With a simple prayer it all came back. And then while reading to my children about the pilgrims about how that first winter they lost half of those who had come over from England. How they had starved. How the next spring things began to change. The sun came out and God’s blessings began to flow in abundance. And I began crying over these people from so long ago. I could somehow, kind of, relate. And I realized how thankful I am. How much He has given us. And how at this second Thanksgiving in this home the food and blessings are in absolute abundance. He heard my cry. He answered my prayer.
Please come read my heart that I’ve finally been able to expose.
I'mPublished! »
But His. And how thankful I am!
Heart of the Matter is so awesome. Yes, I know, I’m blushing over them again. Please don’t leave, if you normally get fuzzy-eyed when I start talking about them. This is a different, non-look-at-what-I wrote kinda post.
They are so polished and on top of things. But it’s not like a corporation that is distant and business-minded. We are a group of women (and one man now!) that are real people. Just like you. Who love our kids and are doing the best we can. Even when our best is more than a little lacking. We’re sharing what we’ve already learned, are learning along the way, a bunch of printables, ideas, and so much encouragement on those days that you’re thinking, “What am I doing?”
It’s been an honor to write for them. Wow. A year ago, they were a little site with a readership of, like, oh, 5, or something. ;) And then they had a post that asked if anyone wanted to contribute to this great idea of a site that they had been praying over. I jumped up and down and begged them. Really. And they said sure. They started recruiting writers and redesigning and it blew up! I loved everything about them. The Amies, all the sweet ladies that I get to write with, how everything was free and readily available for those who wanted it.
Then they decided to go to print and keep the blog going. Wow. Again. And I was so excited. Several of you have asked me how I got involved. I begged, they let me. That’s it. I write for free. I don’t get paid. When I link to them or link to an article and beg you to go read - there’s really nothing in it for me - except your sweet words of affirmation. Several of you more go-get-’em minded folks are gettin’ your hackles all raised. Sure I would like to make money, but I believe in these people and their hearts. I’m honored to be a part of them. I want as many people as I can to know that if you are contemplating homeschooling - that you can do it! There is no one less together or incapable of doing this than me, and yet I’m doing it. So when HOTM (Heart of the Matter) was planning to take their free digital magazine to print and the possibility of getting reimbursed for my random goofy dribblings, well, I was giddy.
The thought, ever-so-briefly, crossed my mind that it was kinda sad that such an amazing and free resource would be made private, unavailable to people who don’t have the money to order such a frivolty as a magazine, but my excitement bubbled up again and I pushed the thought away and didn’t mention it to the Amies.
And then I got an email one night. Saying almost verbatim: this. (Go ahead, go read it, I’ll be right here waiting on you.)
And I cried.
With absolute joy and pride in these people and their hearts. My heart was broken for them. I knew they wanted to see this happen. I knew it must be incredibly hard to write such a letter to all of their writers who were so excited to go to print. And we all know what happens when a dream is deferred.
But instead of focusing on that sagging dream, they chose to listen to His voice that was calling them away from this. And they felt freedom. Even in the face of sadness. How can you not rejoice with hearts so full of gladness?!
And as I sat in front of my computer screen reading these words, my apprehensions of those left out by the price tag came back to me and His whispering settled and stirred me at the same time. I love knowing I’m in His will (and let’s face it, folks, alot of times, that’s just not as easy as it sounds). And their support for our perceived competition? Unreal. People, these girls have hearts of gold and are listening to the call of The Spirit on their lives. They make me all the more proud to be part of such an amazing team.
Come over and love them with me. Go over to The Old Schoolhouse and take part in their “Black Friday” sales. I, who don’t have much to blow on “unneeded” items have subscribed to this magazine - and I don’t get any cool deals on it, like I do at HOTM ;). If you want to submit articles, pictures, ideas, tutorials, printables, or just plain encouragement to Heart of the Matter, go here. They’d love to hear from you.
And my dreams? Undeferred, people. I don’t feel shriveled. I feel so full of pride for these girls, that I’m as full as a tick!
I'mPublished! »
If you’ve been reading me awhile or you have read my 100 things about me then you know I didn’t do science in high school. But I’m gettin’ paid back now for my refusal to dissect. Oh, my Father’s sense of humor! So, the other day, it all came full circle and I got cracked up and grossed out all at the same time. Come read the rest of this awesome story (and I use that term loosely, folks) at Heart of the Matter!
SystematicChaos »
I got nominated for something! Can you believe it? I knew the voting was going on over at The Homeschool Blog Awards, but since I assumed I hadn’t made the cut I was slowly taking my time to go through the list and vote. And I got down to “Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschooler” and whatd’ya know - there I was. Excited and humbled at the same time. And I love the category!! Well, heck yeah, brutally honest is what I’m all about. If teachin’ your four kiddos is a breeze for you, then, really, I just don’t even want to know.
Anyway, speaking of humble, you could, you know, maybe bop over to this and maybe, just maybe click on that little circle by my link. You know, if, uh, you wanted to. And really, there’s nothing in it for you, it just all about me. But then isn’t it always? And while you’re in the voting mood, you might could vote for all the categories that Heart of the Matter made, because well, if they do well, and increase readership, then well, that reflects good on me. And don’t pay any attention that one of my best friends in real life made the same category. Me, remember, ME! Right?
AccidentalDesign, Lapbooking, TheHolidays, UnitStudies »
Welcome to the holidays around the Parker house! It has begun!
I’m baking this year. At least I’m trying to bake this year. So far, I’ve tried my hand at cinnamon raisin bread:
pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, apple butter muffins, oh, and I might’ve had this shade of burnt at least a couple times too:
But we’re not talkin’ ’bout that.
I’m workin’ on gifts for my kiddos.
I’m workin’ on gifts for some of y’all’s kiddos!
We’re makin’ “Countdown to Christmas” chains.
We’re still fittin’ in Stars Wars lapbooks (yes, Maury, I have plans already to share as soon as I get it together!) unit studies on Thanksgiving, pre-school alphabet lapbooks, and all the normal excitement that comes with this time of year.
I’m also learning how to homestead. Yes, I am! My compost bin needs to be stirred around. We’ve dried pumpkin seeds and appleseeds. I have beans in the crockpot almost constantly.
I’m trying to start a shop.
We’ve had a bonfire with those boxes, a camp out in the front yard that ended with us sleeping inside (it’s cold out there, people!)
So, I tell you this to say, I may not be here as much as I’d like. But don’t be discouraged. I’ve finally figured out how to offer you a bold subscription to my site. I still don’t really know how it all works (y’all just think I’m smart at this technology stuff) - but I do know if you click on the little picture of me at the very top of the site - the one that talks about “learnin’ young’ns” or the rotating pictures of everybody over there on the sidebar it will offer you a thingy (or, heck, that link right up there!) that will let you know when I post. I think. Those of you who know more than me please leave me a comment explainin’ this a little better. And those of you who don’t have a clue what I’m talkin’ about just keep doin’ what your doin’ and disreguard this whole paragraph. Mom and Nana, just call me - I’ll talk y’all through it - I think you would love it!
And I’m cleaning my house one day at a time, shining my sink, and learning to FLY. While you’re waiting on me to post (you know, because you have nothing better to do, right?!) you should try it too. Flylady’s so cool!
I hope your holidays are as fun and filled as ours are!
I'mPublished! »
I absolutely could not figure out how to get this child to read.
So I did what worked. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
To read more about my anti-parenting technique go here…
AccidentalDesign, I'mPublished! »
Kinda - I don’t actually have anything in the shop yet. But, hey, I have a shop. And that’s somethin’, right? I’ll have a button soon and I’ll be begging you to link me. I’m really praying that I can sell some stuff and make a little money. Please pray with me. Speaking of money and freelancedness stuff… The Heart of the Matter goes to print in January. Print, people! As in you can hold a glossy magazine in your hands and see my smiling face lookin’ at ya. This is a huge deal. I’ll have my own column each month. Please, please, please contact me about ordering your first issue! And pray that this would fly. I’m really excited about it.
And for those of you who have placed orders for Accidental Design for some dolls, namely Maury and Brandy!, they will be the first priority for Christmas.
Here we go…
