Every weekday morning around here at breakfast-time we read a poem or two. It's amazing how quick the kids memorize them just by hearing them repeatedly. This morning, I asked if anyone wanted to read a new poem. Abby volunteered and she stood and read in her clear and sweet childish voice, "I Had a Dove" by John Keats. It goes:
I had a dove and the sweet dove died;
And I have thought it died of grieving:
O, what could it grieve for?
Its feet were tied,
With a silken thread of my own hand's weaving;
Sweet little red feet! why should you die
Why should you leave me, sweet bird! why?
You lived alone in the forest tree,
Why, pretty thing! would you not live with me?
I kissed you oft and gave you white peas:
Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees?
Well, you can probably guess how this sweet 7-year-old girl responded to the poem. She quietly asked, "Could I read the poem again but changing a few things?" I assented.
This was her version which she copied for English later in the day:
I had a dog by Abby Musser
I had a dog and that sweet dog died
and I have thought it died of grieving
O what could it grieve for?
Its paws were tied
with a silken thread of my hands own weaving
Sweet little white paws! Why should you die?
Why should you leave me sweet dog! why?
You lived with me.
Why pretty thing! would you not live with me?
I kissed you oft and gave you dog food.
Why not live sweetly in the green grass?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A Quick Thought on Cleaning
I just agree with this statement:
"Housekeeping is like the Word of Wisdom: we master it, and then go on to more important things. Cleanliness is pleasant but order is more important, and orderly lives require that ordering a house take a minor role. The dirty dishes can never be conquered; we have them with us always. By relegating them to their own brief hour we can rise above them. Housekeeping can be put down by this final insult: Do it but don't think about it."
Don't you agree?
"Housekeeping is like the Word of Wisdom: we master it, and then go on to more important things. Cleanliness is pleasant but order is more important, and orderly lives require that ordering a house take a minor role. The dirty dishes can never be conquered; we have them with us always. By relegating them to their own brief hour we can rise above them. Housekeeping can be put down by this final insult: Do it but don't think about it."
Don't you agree?
Monday, September 12, 2011
My Beast!
For any of you who knew Abby when she was a baby, you'll remember how CHUBBY she was! What a cutie. And Baby Felicity was so fat I could only fit her into dresses! But Klaus has them beat. He's our biggest baby weighing in at 25 pounds at 6 months old. Now, at almost 9 months, he is 28 pounds and H-E-A-V-Y!
I've had to pull box after box of baby clothes out of the garage to try to find something I can fit on him. Size 12 months, no way. Size 18 months look like they'd be big enough but nope! At a garage sale I picked up a cute Osh-Kosh onesie that said on the tag "24 months/24 1/2 - 27 pounds." So basically, Klaus is bigger than a 2-year-old! He's the happiest and cutest baby in the world too. I call him My Beast!
Here's a new video of him finally moving around. Please disregard the spitting up at the beginning!
I've had to pull box after box of baby clothes out of the garage to try to find something I can fit on him. Size 12 months, no way. Size 18 months look like they'd be big enough but nope! At a garage sale I picked up a cute Osh-Kosh onesie that said on the tag "24 months/24 1/2 - 27 pounds." So basically, Klaus is bigger than a 2-year-old! He's the happiest and cutest baby in the world too. I call him My Beast!
Here's a new video of him finally moving around. Please disregard the spitting up at the beginning!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
I got the job!
I found what I was looking for. Remember when I was searching for something to give me a change of scenery, a break of some kind, a hobby, a class, a part-time job? I got it, ba-by!
It is funny how it all started with Matt submitting an online application to the library for me. He didn't even ask me, he just sent it when he checked e-mail first one morning and saw there was an opening for a Substitute Library Clerk. This was the position I applied for at the beginning of the summer and didn't get. I might not have even applied the second time out of embarrassment, I don't know, but he decided for me and sent it.
Weeks later after the job posting was removed from the internet and I assumed it had been filled, I got called in by the director for an interview! Surprise! This interview was better than the first one because I was more comfortable and confident.
Two days ago there was a message on my answering machine from the director of the library asking me to call her back. Matt and I listened to it as I tried to "read between the lines" of her message to determine if I had gotten the job or not but I couldn't figure it out.
Last night I called her back and she asked me to work for the library! I am so excited because this is a dream job for me. Just being in the library makes me happy. Now I get to help people find the books they're looking for and sign children up for their first library cards and spend time in the most orderly and book-filled place! This library system is amazing; I love it!
I know it's a little bit crazy with my youngins and all; some might think it's a wrong decision for me to leave my babies in the hands of a babysitter. But I know I will be happier and they will be happier if we get a break from each other every now and then! And I am confident that I will find a family or two that will watch my kids lovingly and their kids will play with my kids and it will be beneficial for all.
I am blessed! Thank you, Matt!
It is funny how it all started with Matt submitting an online application to the library for me. He didn't even ask me, he just sent it when he checked e-mail first one morning and saw there was an opening for a Substitute Library Clerk. This was the position I applied for at the beginning of the summer and didn't get. I might not have even applied the second time out of embarrassment, I don't know, but he decided for me and sent it.
Weeks later after the job posting was removed from the internet and I assumed it had been filled, I got called in by the director for an interview! Surprise! This interview was better than the first one because I was more comfortable and confident.
Two days ago there was a message on my answering machine from the director of the library asking me to call her back. Matt and I listened to it as I tried to "read between the lines" of her message to determine if I had gotten the job or not but I couldn't figure it out.
Last night I called her back and she asked me to work for the library! I am so excited because this is a dream job for me. Just being in the library makes me happy. Now I get to help people find the books they're looking for and sign children up for their first library cards and spend time in the most orderly and book-filled place! This library system is amazing; I love it!
I know it's a little bit crazy with my youngins and all; some might think it's a wrong decision for me to leave my babies in the hands of a babysitter. But I know I will be happier and they will be happier if we get a break from each other every now and then! And I am confident that I will find a family or two that will watch my kids lovingly and their kids will play with my kids and it will be beneficial for all.
I am blessed! Thank you, Matt!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
How sweet she is
I don't know what happened to make her change. Just growing up and growing older probably. It seems like last year Abby and I were constantly clashing because of her selfish and independent spirit unwilling to bend to her parents requests.
This year she is full of love and selflessness and a desire to make people happy.
This past week on the way home from somewhere some evening, she got so excited. She told me, "I need to talk to you and Daddy about something tonight without the other kids around."
Her secret turned out to be an act of service. She needed Daddy to switch her and Ella's mattresses so that Ella would be able to sleep on the top bunk, which is something that Abby just knew would make Ella happy. She was just bursting with anticipation for Ella to discover this gift. It did make Ella happy. And Abby was filled with joy too.
Many mornings Abby wakes up and gets herself ready without me asking, because she knows I would want that. She asks how she can help and often volunteers for chores and babysitting and little things around the house. It's not all the time and she still has her moments of not wanting to be helpful, but it's such a different Abby from the girl she was last year. I sure like it!
I can imagine her growing up into such a wonderful young woman.
Today during church when people from the congregation can go to the podium and share their testimony with everyone, I asked the kids if they wanted to go up. Abby did. She felt shy and wanted me to come up with her which I happily did.
When we got up to the podium, she didn't want to talk out of nervousness. So I shared my testimony first, including some words about a daughter who teaches me how to be more like Jesus.
When it was her turn, she talked quietly about loving her family, all of us. She talked about when Ella was having a grumpy day, that she knew she could do something that would make her sister happy and then doing it and how it made her feel. She talked about not always being the best sister. Sometimes she's more of Ella's friend than her sister. It was so sweet. I've discovered that when you let Abby talk, and you have to be patient and just listen, she says very profound and true things.
I'm so thankful for my sweet children.
This year she is full of love and selflessness and a desire to make people happy.
This past week on the way home from somewhere some evening, she got so excited. She told me, "I need to talk to you and Daddy about something tonight without the other kids around."
Her secret turned out to be an act of service. She needed Daddy to switch her and Ella's mattresses so that Ella would be able to sleep on the top bunk, which is something that Abby just knew would make Ella happy. She was just bursting with anticipation for Ella to discover this gift. It did make Ella happy. And Abby was filled with joy too.
Many mornings Abby wakes up and gets herself ready without me asking, because she knows I would want that. She asks how she can help and often volunteers for chores and babysitting and little things around the house. It's not all the time and she still has her moments of not wanting to be helpful, but it's such a different Abby from the girl she was last year. I sure like it!
I can imagine her growing up into such a wonderful young woman.
Today during church when people from the congregation can go to the podium and share their testimony with everyone, I asked the kids if they wanted to go up. Abby did. She felt shy and wanted me to come up with her which I happily did.
When we got up to the podium, she didn't want to talk out of nervousness. So I shared my testimony first, including some words about a daughter who teaches me how to be more like Jesus.
When it was her turn, she talked quietly about loving her family, all of us. She talked about when Ella was having a grumpy day, that she knew she could do something that would make her sister happy and then doing it and how it made her feel. She talked about not always being the best sister. Sometimes she's more of Ella's friend than her sister. It was so sweet. I've discovered that when you let Abby talk, and you have to be patient and just listen, she says very profound and true things.
I'm so thankful for my sweet children.
Friday, August 26, 2011
My brain-switch is on again!
Towards the end of my pregnancy last year, I made a comment on this blog about my inability to think. I couldn't study. I couldn't contribute to Sunday School because I had no good thoughts to share. I just passed away hour after miserable hour doing Sudoku and Ken-Ken puzzles. All of my energy was in making a baby and keeping us warm and caring for the kids.
Fast forward a few months. Klaus was still fresh out of the oven but enough time had passed that we were going on a family outing to the library--all of us! I remember talking to Matt on the long drive there, and then seeing something on a passing car which triggered a thought. I remember thinking about that thought, really actually thinking about it, analyzing it, pondering over it, and then coming to a conclusion. I remember sharing it with Matt. It was my first real brain-powered thought since having the baby! I was so pleased with myself. It was reassuring to know that I was capable of having my own thoughts.
Fast forward to the present. I have recently found myself yearning, praying, researching for something to do that will be a break from my life as "Mommy"--a hobby of some kind, a service project, an outlet, an escape, a change, a class, something that will use the part of me that is not Mommy but Rhyetta.
Maybe it's because we've started kidschool again and we're studying and reading and learning again. Kian and I are reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin. And we're reading "Robinson Crusoe" which takes a little mental exercise to understand. Abby and I are reading "The Secret Garden." Matt and Kian and I are reading "Plutarch's Lives" which takes a lot of mental exercise to understand. And we'll be starting Dickens and Shakespeare this year as well. It's turned my brain on and I like it! It's felt so exciting to read something, have to think about it to understand it, then explain it, then question it, then do a little more research on it which leads to learning about something else. I suppose it's the learning process. It's not just my kids learning, it's me too! And I can THINK again!
I smiled to myself yesterday during the briefest of moments on a quick kidschool break when I glanced down the hallway and thought to myself, "This afternoon during quiet time I'll be able to study something!"
I've researched Masters Degrees in Library Science (cost-prohibitive). I've thought about becoming a Master Gardener through the local Extension Office (should help my gardening skills). I've pondered institute classes, part-time work, exercise classes, anything really that might be the break I'm looking for. I don't even know what yet. But I'm so happy just thinking of the possibilities.
Fast forward a few months. Klaus was still fresh out of the oven but enough time had passed that we were going on a family outing to the library--all of us! I remember talking to Matt on the long drive there, and then seeing something on a passing car which triggered a thought. I remember thinking about that thought, really actually thinking about it, analyzing it, pondering over it, and then coming to a conclusion. I remember sharing it with Matt. It was my first real brain-powered thought since having the baby! I was so pleased with myself. It was reassuring to know that I was capable of having my own thoughts.
Fast forward to the present. I have recently found myself yearning, praying, researching for something to do that will be a break from my life as "Mommy"--a hobby of some kind, a service project, an outlet, an escape, a change, a class, something that will use the part of me that is not Mommy but Rhyetta.
Maybe it's because we've started kidschool again and we're studying and reading and learning again. Kian and I are reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin. And we're reading "Robinson Crusoe" which takes a little mental exercise to understand. Abby and I are reading "The Secret Garden." Matt and Kian and I are reading "Plutarch's Lives" which takes a lot of mental exercise to understand. And we'll be starting Dickens and Shakespeare this year as well. It's turned my brain on and I like it! It's felt so exciting to read something, have to think about it to understand it, then explain it, then question it, then do a little more research on it which leads to learning about something else. I suppose it's the learning process. It's not just my kids learning, it's me too! And I can THINK again!
I smiled to myself yesterday during the briefest of moments on a quick kidschool break when I glanced down the hallway and thought to myself, "This afternoon during quiet time I'll be able to study something!"
I've researched Masters Degrees in Library Science (cost-prohibitive). I've thought about becoming a Master Gardener through the local Extension Office (should help my gardening skills). I've pondered institute classes, part-time work, exercise classes, anything really that might be the break I'm looking for. I don't even know what yet. But I'm so happy just thinking of the possibilities.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Two versions of an exciting day
First, here is Abby's version of this exciting event...
Abby Rescues Blackie by Abby Musser
One day in a huge forest with a clearing there was a family. Mom, Ella, Felicity and me went on a walk and a big dog and a small puppy came along. The dog was named Wilbur and the small puppy was named Blackie.
Now, Blackie always followed Wilbur. While we were walking back home, Blackie followed Wilbur into some tall grass and did not come back! So I, Abby, went in and rescued Blackie. Then we went home and played. We still have our beloved Blackie and he still loves us. The End.
Abby Saves the Day by Rhyetta Musser
Today we took a break from learning to go for a walk. It was hot but now and then a refreshingly cool breeze brushed past us and the day felt extremely pleasant. Our new puppy Blackie followed us along with Wilbur, our dog. It was a healthy exertion for us all climbing up and down hills. On our return, the puppy followed Wilbur into a brush-filled, sloped field and didn't come out again. "Blackie, come!" we called. We heard him cry from not too far away. I didn't want to enter the tall, grassy, tick-infested, chigger-loaded field to rescue him! But Abby was unafraid. She bravely stepped in, found a path to him (there were big spiderwebs too!) and pulled him into her arms.
"The brave rescuer saves her helpless puppy!" I declared encouragingly. She beamed at her heroic adventure for the morning. The End.
Abby Rescues Blackie by Abby Musser
One day in a huge forest with a clearing there was a family. Mom, Ella, Felicity and me went on a walk and a big dog and a small puppy came along. The dog was named Wilbur and the small puppy was named Blackie.
Now, Blackie always followed Wilbur. While we were walking back home, Blackie followed Wilbur into some tall grass and did not come back! So I, Abby, went in and rescued Blackie. Then we went home and played. We still have our beloved Blackie and he still loves us. The End.
Abby Saves the Day by Rhyetta Musser
Today we took a break from learning to go for a walk. It was hot but now and then a refreshingly cool breeze brushed past us and the day felt extremely pleasant. Our new puppy Blackie followed us along with Wilbur, our dog. It was a healthy exertion for us all climbing up and down hills. On our return, the puppy followed Wilbur into a brush-filled, sloped field and didn't come out again. "Blackie, come!" we called. We heard him cry from not too far away. I didn't want to enter the tall, grassy, tick-infested, chigger-loaded field to rescue him! But Abby was unafraid. She bravely stepped in, found a path to him (there were big spiderwebs too!) and pulled him into her arms.
"The brave rescuer saves her helpless puppy!" I declared encouragingly. She beamed at her heroic adventure for the morning. The End.
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