"Funny" things kids say.

This morning I was bringing up my browser and one of the headlines from my homepage caught my attention.    Apparently, the miniseries now playing, called "The Bible" cast a character to play Satan who some suggest looks like our President.  Now, I immediately giggled and read it out loud to my kids.  My son, who has always had sarcasm racing through his veins with a dash wit says "I thought Obama was the anti-Christ."

Here's the link:
http://www.rr.com/tv/topic/article/rr/55255090/82952760/Bible_producers_dismiss_Obama-Satan_connection

We watch news programs and read reputable news stories often around here, so no surprise to me when my son made this joke.  However, the fact that he has heard it so often to readily put it in joke is interesting indeed.

On to the girl!  So earlier we're sitting down having tea/coffee this morning and the Stuebenville, OH rape case was further reported on CNN.  My daughter is so pissed, for lack of a better word, over the coverage as it relates to the victim.  My son asked my daughter why is she getting so upset.  My daughter had the look of someone who may literally produce steam out of their ears.  I took a step back to watch how these two would carry on this conversation.

My daughter, in her best controlled voice, attempted to explain the seriousness of rape and the impact on the victim.  She further went on to explain to my son how wrong it is that someone (a reporter) asked the victim if she has extended forgiveness to her attackers is insensitive.

My son's response was to tell his sister to calm down.  Then he finished his breakfast and left the room.  My daughter let me know how it bothered her that her brother would question why she is so upset about this.  I immediately remembered being 16 years old and having such strong convictions against racism, sexism etc.  I explained to my lovely girl that her brother is 13 years old and from his stance, the boys who raped the girl are being punished (rightfully so).  Case closed.  He feels sorry for the victim of the rape, but he has no frame of reference to begin to view this crime from my teenage daughter's eyes.  My daughter got what I was saying.

I think these types of conversations are great.  It encourages balance.  Because of my daughter's response, my son may begin to view situations like this with a broader view in the future.  Because of my son's response, my daughter may remember not everyone shares her views so strongly.  My kids are both against attacking an unconscious young woman.  There mom and dad are too, by the way.  I am sorry that this happened to this young woman and my heart goes out to her and her family.  However, I am grateful for the dialogue that has occurred because of this crime.

I'm writing. Again.

Wow, I haven't posted anything since September?  I mean I was aware I wasn't blogging, but wow, September?  Really?

There has been loads of good things and not-so-great things that have transpired.

We're about to take a much deserved spring break and then wrap up the school "year" by May.  Currently Ari is studying for SAT's and Rodney is giving Algebra 1 the business.  The kids are finishing up other subjects and are ready to move on to something else (just after that well deserved break I just mentioned).

I am back to being a full time wife, mom and teacher.  It became painfully obvious the kids needed my full attention during the day when it comes to their schoolwork.  Also, I didn't realize to the extent of how much I do around here!  Taking 25 hours of productive time really screwed some things up.

The really, really exciting change is that I'm hoping  we can relocate back to Florida in the near future.  I have nothing against NC, it's just that I am a Florida girl at heart.  Hopefully we'll know sooner, than later when we can embark on yet another journey to a new community.

I have grown substantially with regards to divination and previously unknown gifts.  I'm not overly into labels, actually, I sort of despise being labeled in general.  I just know I can now "hear" spirits.  I receive relevant and sometimes startling real, messages in my dreams.  I use tarot cards and have discovered my talent of interpretation of the messages I receive.  I have basically allowed my intuition to flourish.  I trust it completely.  I trust my guides completely.  I have allowed this "otherness" to integrate within and around me so that there's now a completeness that I've never felt.  I know my mind.  I know my heart.  I know who I am.

I have definitely experienced some challenges over this non-blogging time period.  I have been actively and intentionally allowing myself to feel what I'm feeling and attempt to stay true to myself while going through whatever the challenge was at that time.  This is hard work because it is very easy to block out all of the hard earned progress of learning to handle challenges life can through your way when the crap really hits the fan.  Fear can be a b**ch!  I'm grateful I am "awake" and "present" enough to even feel, good or bad.  Although I'd be lying if I didn't say I want more of the good!

I promise not to wait so long between posts.  I enjoy blogging, but with any and everything, sometimes a girl just needs a break!

It can't always be good.

As much as I prefer to only know about the good things coming my way, I realize I HAVE to accept everything in my future won't be peachy sweet.

I have mentioned before that I have been working, and growing, my skills with divination.  So I asked a question.  It was a very important question.  I got answers.  I didn't want to accept the first answer so I tried again, then again and two more times after that.  I got the same answers, each time with a little more information, however the same results.  I sat perplexed for a moment.  So, I asked a question of how to gain a more positive result.  I didn't love this answer either by the way.

I have come to realize we all have the power to make whatever future we want, for the most part.  I also realize that sometimes conflict is necessary.  I sort of have felt that I could use a break from conflict and strife, having had so much of it over the years.  However, there are more lessons to be learned and even more obstacles yet to overcome.  The best I can do is keep a positive outlook, hope for the best, and learn my lessons.

Progress?

Last week, with the holiday and all, I didn't want to have our regular "school" so I made a creative fiction writing workshop for the kiddos.  They loved it.  Ken and I got a kick out of what the kids wrote.  I knew my daughter had a gift when it comes to writing, but my son is a natural.  I love his simplistic, clean style of writing.  He delivers just the right wording to make his point.  I'm truly impressed.  I think my husband was taken aback with how dark my son could get in his writings.  You see, I didn't ask them to write typical age appropriate responses to prompts.  I chose things like, write from a villains point of view.  I had the them do plenty of background on who and what type of villain they would create.  Like I said, they ate it up.

This week wasn't so challenging because the kids were happy to get back on their normal "school" schedule. Unfortunately I'm not quite as together.  I started working a part time, work from home, job.  I have discovered that I much rather enjoy working as a stay at home wife, homeschooler and of course mom-in-chief.  Or as I also refer to myself, home manager.  My duties have been seriously put on the back burner because of the training for the part time gig.  I'm so over it at this point.  However, we've purchased a second car and I have to make good on the difference of the car note, so it is what it is at the moment.

I truly hope my hubby will reconsider moving a little further north of where we are now so we could save more on gas and maybe I could drop this whole part time job thing.  We'll see, I have my ways... wink, wink!

Happy Blue Moon

How could I have forgotten to mention.  It's a Blue Moon tonight.

And We're Off and Running...

I've taken a serious backseat to posting here because I've been in full back to school mode.  Plus I've been training for my new part time at-home job so I've been extra busy.

Well here's what I've been up to:

• Still canning peppers and tomatoes!
• Reading everything from Arabian Nights to Silver Ravenwolf's "Hedge Witch" with a bit "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" for extra fun.
• Knee-deep in middle school Chemistry and advanced Biology and Anatomy.  Oodles of fun, I tell ya!
• Finally bought a second car - yes we were a one-car family.  Ironically I haven't really gone anywhere except Aldi's, Harris Teeter and the library.
• Still exploring Charlotte more and more (on the weekend mostly with the hubby)
• Magic Mike - yeah, I had to.
• Sadly, no writing.  I'm so disappointed with myself.
• Making friends, or more like dating potential friends.
• Readying up for football!
• Growing little by little with divination.

I'm sure I've done other interesting things, but clearly they escape me.  Or they're just too OUT THERE to post in this blog! hahaha

Mommy's Study!

I came to the realization some time ago I need a space just for me.  I know not everyone has the room in their house to even consider designating a personal study/office/etc.  I am very lucky we're not a formal dining type of family.  Basically I have taken over what was designed to be the house's formal dining room.

When we first moved in it was a very bright yellow.  I'll spare you the before pictures.  I also can't find any pictures before I painted, so there's that too.  ;-)  However, I decided to use the same color I had recently used for painting my son's room.  It's Valspar's Green Pastures and it's so calming.

I plan to get new comfy chairs, shelving and a console table.  This is just some extra furniture we've had for a few years now.  Those chairs are so NOT for curling up with a book.  I'm working on being more patient, so I'll survive using them for now.  I've been online checking for inspiration.  I get most of my decorating fix from blogs and of course Pinterest.   However, yesterday the Holy Book was delivered to me.  Oh yes, the 2013 Ikea catalog!!! Just what I needed.  I. Am. So. Psyched.

I'm hoping by Christmas I'll have this room pretty much done.  I plan to paint the hall and staircase too.  That's going to be a challenge because I have some issues with height.  Oh well, should be something fun to write about later, right? ;-)