Pomp and (Quarantine) Circumstance

In short- I've been pretty bummed lately.
I have even been hesitant to post on my personal blog. An accumulation of events have made me pause about what I share and how I share it.  
The fact is I personally enjoy expressing my self and would even say that I pride myself on being authentic. Putting myself out there helps me connect with people in a great way but it also opens me to judgement.  If there is one thing we have learned through recent events is that people take their own interpretation of events and refuse to see another perspective. It's sad that this has to be a worry.  I have so many thoughts that I want to share- life raising and teaching a vulnerable teenage boy, navigating the unexpected world of "girl" with unexpected cliquish mentality, and as always advocacy.  While these topics have effected me and others deeply, I'm just not sure if I can share them yet.
How is that for a fun opener?
You can call me a snowflake if you want but 2020 has hit an empath like me hard.  I need a hug.  I have struggled with the close of this school year for many different reasons.  As for me and my family- the blessings have been numerous.  As for the rest of the world- my heart aches and I find myself challenged mentally and spiritually.  
Today I decided I would spend some time on my Happy List:  watching some movies, sorting through pictures, talking to God in half thoughts and words spoken aloud but knowing He understands, eating food with the first ingredient listed as sugar, and spending time to reflect on a really happy topic.....

my graduates! 

This makes my heart very joyful.  If you follow my blog, then you have watched my children grow pretty quickly.   I know you are as surprised as I am that they have both successfully completed two MAJOR transitional years: 2nd and 8th grade.

CoNnOr

Connor in Kindergarten.

This one is leaving middle school for foreign land soon:  High School 

Yay! (secretly weep)

grade 6, 7, and 8

I wasn't sure what to write about my young man but I remembered that I had saved a letter.  In 6th grade Connor's  ELA teacher asked me to compose a letter about him. I would like to share bits of it with you.

All I can say is:  God is faithful.. amazing....  
Another true testimony!  

This yearbook caption says it all.


I began middle school with Connor.  
 For three years he would run ahead and open the door for me.
It's going to be really hard when I enter that building alone.  
(I'm not crying, you're crying)

CaRleE

Grades K, 1, 2

This little lady has certainly turned into her own person (help..SOS).  Just like her brother, she would rather re-tile the bathroom floor than sit in a classroom and read (oh yes, remote learning was so much fun- sarcasm) but when it comes to creativity, this one is tops! 

She could care less about awards but she would have you admire her ...

tie die ensemble with new finger nails! 

Carrying on the family tradition, I was very proud that she scored the coveted STEM award from the very talented Mrs. J.

Connor also earned this same award in second grade.

Mrs. J. and I started teaching at the same school, the same year together.  I have always loved her but not as much as my kids love her.
What a blessing special teachers are to us,

like this one-

Our Mrs. D. is leaving us (retirement- that lucky dog). I do thank God every single day that she was able to teach Carlee.  She gave her the push and the much needed start to become a more fluent reader.   
It's true what they say:  
You Can't Retire Greatness. 
Yay! 
(secretly weep)

first day of primary school

Awww.  This was the good ole' days when I could dress her and do her hair.

last day of primary school

This year I placed Carlee in a looping program, so she will go with her second grade teacher into third.  I think I made the right call.  
This transition will be so much better. 
The "looping" teachers made the cutest video for the kids-

Meet you at the next school! 
Yay! (secretly weep)

Congrats my Graduates!
We could not be more proud and I know one day you will make a compassionate impact on this world. 

kindergarten/ 6th

Third Grade/ 9th 

The Girl with a Pearl Earring

We are barely hanging on in this digital learning era but in the mix are a few fun projects.  I wanted to share this one from Carlee's art class.

This week Carlee's art teacher challenged her to the Getty Museum Challenge.

You can learn more about it here.

Art Challenge

 I really had no clue what we were going to do.  I mean so much art and so little time, right!?    Luckily this morning I saw my friend's picture on Facebook for inspo.

I just fell in love with this picture.

Isn't her daughter absolutely beautiful as Frida Kahlo?

Self Portrait Dedicated to Dr Eloesser

Immediately I thought of

'The Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Johannes Vermeer.

I think Carlee's sweet face was perfect for this recreation.

Here are 15 facts about this oil painting- here! 

We tried to pull as many items/like colors around the house that might work for this picture.

Carlee was annoyed that we could not be exact but I told her that was the fun of the 'project' to take what you have and build.  It's all about imagination. 

Connor even let us cut up a pair of his blue shorts.

While I don't own a pearl earring like in the painting, some critics felt the pearl earring in the painting looked like a fake.  One quote "... it looks more like polished tin than pearl on the grounds of the specular reflection".  

I decided to cover one candy corn earring with foil and one with white paper. Needless to say, I really felt the shiny was captured on the camera best.

Also this child was getting a bit tired and was in no mood to change earrings.

We had a challenge with pinning my silk shirt to her head (I tried to use my black shirt as a back drop).

We also had a big challenge with getting a 'serious' pose like the model in the painting.  She would giggle and everything would fall off of her head.

I told her there was no way she could have sat for 10 hours (like the original) for me to paint! 

Even though her headpiece was off, 

I thought her sweet face and grey eyes made the painting! 

Carlee as The Girl with A Pearl Earring

Scenes from the Quarantine

We are officially moving into week 5 (not counting Spring Break) of social distancing.

So far we have stuck to our routine here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE9U96w0DLE&t=666s

But, because I have terrible allergies and because I get so exhausted from "online learning", I found myself just slinking to the couch or bed with LOTs of social media.  I was as tired as if I went to school.

That action was putting me on the computer from 6am until 4pm and then on again for mindless entertainment until 9 to 10pm between chores.

My anxiety levels were at an all time high.  I cried three times last week.  I know God laid it on my heart-  too much access to too much information. Today's events are stressful enough without reading the nonstop conspiracy theory thoughts, and trying to not react to people asking for prayers for only certain political leaders and bashing others. 

hmmmmm.

too. much.

I am so thankful God didn't call me to be a political leader right now.  Talk about hitting the FREAKOUT button.  Thinking of me making decisions like that would make the best SNL skits ever.

#moregraceplease

Time for a break but why is a social media break so hard?

I wrote out as many enjoyable homebound things that I could.... such as blogging! 

Spring Cleaning

We cleaned out our spring clothing (not enjoyable but so needed).  Am I the only one that feels that it is HOT already!?!  Which probably means a VERY HOT southern, summer.   I needed my capri pants out of storage ASAP.

Both of my kids have hit a growth spurt.  Not a good time for clothing shopping but who cares if they are wearing mini-short shorts right now.

 

Painting

We have so many house projects that are are so overwhelming.  Darren started on the kitchen.  It looks so good.  He is an excellent painter because he is so patient.  (I hate painting.)
We purchased the paint through a local shop even though it was more costly then Lowe's Hardware. We are trying to support our locals.  They ran our card over the phone and we got good quality paint curbside! 

Baking

Carlee thinks we should bake something every day!!  I've tried to curb her brownie making habit but sometimes we just have to have the brownie. 

Outdoors

My kids are spending as much time outdoors as humanly possible.

Connor has found a way to be outside the whole day because you can't keep that boy inside (even during torrential rains).

I wish I felt this good.

Mags Time.

The quarantine has not been good for me or Maggie's waistline but she is getting good food and good loving. 

Easter Surprises

This was by far the most low key Easter we have celebrated.  We had a few festivities to celebrate.  The cousins, party of two, had the best outdoor egg hunt.

 



They were very sweet and helped each other, offering the other eggs found.

We also met on top of the mountain for a little family surprise. For the most part we maintained our distance but did take a quick photo op.  Just getting out for fifteen minutes to see other humans we love was helpful.

The Easter Bunny left a few surprises but some little surprises were delayed.

 






Nothing to get stressed over (or to go out over) because we try to stay focused on the good news.
Thank you Jesus for going through it all for us who are so unworthy.





















We didn't even dye eggs because I know a lot of stores are sold out.  It just seemed wasteful during this time.  Luckily, neither child mentioned it.  I'm not the best egg decorator anyway.  










Beauty Shop

I am feeling a Carlee/ Mom beauty shop video coming soon.  Playing hairdresser was fun since someone scored a real curling iron.  



Isn't it incredible how they get that selfie down pat at such a young age!?!

no filters! 

Puzzles

I also bought the world's hardest puzzle (10000000000 pieces of the same color).  I laid it on the table for everyone to work when they got bored but I'm pretty much the only taker on this one so far.

I think I have the border worked out but these tiny puzzle pieces fit no matter if they go there or not, so I am not sure.

 Reading 
In addition to daily scripture (video routine), I am trying to read more when possible.  I started with Jessica Simpson's new autobiography.  Really loved it at the start.  I've always been a fan and I can so relate to her 'blonde moments'.  Simpson got her start in the southern baptist church where her father was a youth pastor.  She definitely talks about how the industry pressured her to be thin and perfect.  She also writes how fame changed her family for the worst.  If you want do know about her former marriage to Nick Lachey, then you will get the FULL story here.  Am I the only one that wished they had stayed together forever?  You can get it on John Mayer too (I will never think of him the same way).

her current fam! 

The ending fell flat for me.  There was a bit of cherry picking God's word in her story.  I would never judge another person's spiritual journey but I would have liked her to delve a bit deeper on her current spiritual journey with addiction and children.
I still love the girl!  If you are a fan- buy it!

If you like historical romance then Lisa Kleypas is your girl.  This is the story of sweet Cassandra who basically falls in love with a rich railway magnate (American of course).  Our hero is all facts and figures and not at all affectionate until (you guessed it) he falls in love with Cassandra.  Predictable but Fun! 

I am just starting this mystery by Jayne Ann Krentz.  I really like mystery but the last one I read by Karen Robards had a horrible, horrible, horrible scene that I can't unsee in my head.  I am hoping I can get the mystery without the graphic details in this one?

I'll keep you posted and don't forget to recommend some good reads for me.