Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we spent a couple days with my in-law's, just the kids and I, before joining my Hunksband for the special day at my grandparent in-law's farm for dinner. Seeing as my in-laws haven't had a child in their home for over 30 years... Well, let's just ay it was a little rough on our kids...

The baby wasn't nursing well, at all. Which isn't good if you have been following what has been going on with him and his doctors. Big brother had it super rough too... I heard plenty of "I'm never coming back here. There are too many rules. I can't follow them all!"

Since the house wasn't prepared for a youngster at all we spent some time outside at the school's playground in the neighborhood. I held Pooteroot as Boogaloo ran around playing and darting from equipment available.

 He seemed somewhat frustrated and unable to decide on what to play because nothing appealed to him. Which of course led to throwing mulch which I had to inform him was likely against the rules. (There we go with the rules again right?)

We returned to the house for lunch, but not much food got eaten. Boogaloo just wanted to go outside again. I felt bad because I had told my Mother In Law I would help prep food for the next day, but it seemed like helping my Son not get in her hair was a better help.

So after a short while, we headed back out. He was in such a hurry both times we didn't even take a device with a camera. This time we skipped the playground and tried out a walking path near their home.

Boogaloo had a blast looking at trees, collecting leaves and rocks etc. He had been told there was a creek back there and he was enjoying the search for it.

As we walked I felt peace begin to come over him, and Pooteroot. We rounded a corner at our own pace and found a bridge. We didn't make it any further on the trail. We spent the next hour and a half or more there.

Boogaloo experimented with dropping rocks, of various sizes from various heights in different ways. Then moved on to try sticks, and sand. I sat on the curb of the walking bridge and nursed Pooteroot, who finally relaxed, nursed well, and fell asleep with a smile.

At one point, Boogaloo grabbed a rock, smiled big (for the first time all day), looked at me and said.; "I just love you!" My heart melted and leaked out my eyes briefly.

As we spent our time there near the bridge and playing in the creek, I prayed. At first. I asked for peace because I felt the battle so strongly. I asked for protection too. I soon felt at ease. Watching my sweet boys there I found myself praying in gratitude for the creek, and that my kids were able to play the way God intended.

The answer astounded me for a moment.: "This isn't the way I intended"

I meditated on that for a moment... I realized just as the difference between the play equipment and the creek play was astounding ... The fact of the matter was that we were still interfering with child's play by imposing a man-made bridge, man-made rock banks on the edges, the fear of getting too close to the edges, the "try not to get your boots in the water" comment I made, and later I found out there was even really nasty stuff in the creek. (Which made me glad I didn't let him really play in the creek itself. I was more worried it was cold and he would have to go back to the house, but sewage makes a big difference.)

I feel like our kids have gotten so very far from the way God intended we play. I don't know that I have the real ability to give my children back the nature in childhood the way I really want to, but I can do my best. We all can.

I hope you will join me in pledging to give our children more untouched (as much as possible) by adults nature time. I can't help but feel God must be smiling when he sees his children that happy...

My Dream: Indulging in Motherhood

I had a dream last night...

I was in a large cafeteria eating lunch with many of my old classmates.

There were the standard groups... All girls table, the all boy table, and the table where people dared to mix ... I was always one of the daring mixers though I never had a boyfriend in school so that made me weird.

As everyone finished their food, one of the boys offered food to a teacher. She chided him asking if he had thought to share with one of the girls. He turned with a somewhat dumbfounded look and began to share with a girl near where he was standing. Then many of the girls began to eat seconds.



One boy across the table from me was just pushing food from his tray to the girl next to him without a thought, and the food never seemed to end. He just talked and talked while she spoke of how hungry she was and ate indulgently.

One girl was appalled that any woman should eat more than a small helping. I made a joke about how we were throwing all the rules out the window. She didn't like it and continued to complain.

All the while I sat and watched these other women feed themselves, get fed by men and none were satisfied.

I sat... hungry, and like a small handful of others... afraid to eat more.

I think often in womanhood we feel this way. Hungry... hungry for real food. No, I'm not talking about how as a breastfeeding mom I am ALWAYS  hungry. I'm talking about how food is a basic need, and so is self-care. Yet so many of us once we become mothers go with the bare minimum and think it is wonderful until we see the other women.



The other women who do take better care of themselves. Or better yet the woman who's husband or boyfriend just showers her with pampering and she is still hungry for more.

As a mom, I love my kids and make sure they get their basic needs met and do my best to do so for the house too.

But how often am I only eating a small portion of what my body tells me I need, and just sitting wondering if I should eat a little more.

Heaven knows as soon as you think about taking better care of yourself someone will stand up and start talking about how appalling it is that anyone would even think of it!!

Young mothers are supposed to have greasy hair, miss showers and  be cranky from taking care of everyone else and not herself right?

Actually... The principle of "put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others" is a true one. We do have to take care of ourselves in order to be able to better care for others. Even, and especially our family!



So what do I do, and how do I do it?

PRIORITIZE

I wake every morning, before everyone else so I can get my basic needs met. Am I perfect at it? No. There are definitely times I stay in bed and snuggle.

But on the mornings when I get up, study my devotional, and do yoga before the family wakes up I am a better mom! I am a better wife! My Hunksband notices and comments on how he likes the way the days go!

Some mornings your basic needs might be to just get up and get the dishes knocked out so they don't bother you all day.

We aren't talking mass amounts of pampering here. We aren't talking about eating mounds and mounds of dessert. I'm talking filling your NEEDS.

If it bothers you to go around with greasy hair. Don't be afraid to budget it in and go to the stylist to find the perfect cut and style for you to take care of and feel good. This is what BALANCE is!



It isn't sickening. It isn't appalling. It is a lifeline to you as a woman. A line we all need a little of.

So go ahead, if you are hungry eat a little more real food.

And please... Stop judging other women who do. You never know what a person is feeling on the inside.

So if a friend drops the kids off with a sitter, and gets her hair done, goes to the gym, takes a nap, goes to a bible study, watches a movie, goes grocery shopping alone. Especially during a deployment... Cut her some slack, and maybe see if she will kid trade with you so you can eat too.

My Vision for Life

   When I, Julia, began this journey of being a wife and mother I had an idea of what I wanted that to look like, I figured my Mom is a great example, and I would simply do as she had taught me. 
   
   I watched her keep the house clean, work from home, teach scripture, make healthy home cooked meals nightly, keep a cool temperament, use natural remedies along with modern medicine, attend homemaking meetings, bring music into life, teach her kids to play, serve the Lord, help with homework, etc. 

   If Pinterest had been around when I was a kid, my Mom's  creations would have been trending or viral pins all the time. Seriously, look at these photos of my amazing childhood!

   It sounded simple enough, I even had seen her deal with disability in her spouse. My Hunksband is a Medically Retired Veteran....

 Until our son Boogaloo came along, At that point it became very clear to me that God had another plan for me and my life, 

  Suddenly, I felt this great pressure from the other side to take everything my Mom had done and magnify it. Not that my Mom didn't magnify her calling(s)... She does daily. But this generation is different, and our day and age require different skill sets and focuses. 

•   I began to research and network. Let's face it no one does better research than a concerned mother! 
•   I found myself taking the natural remedies I had seen on occasion in my childhood and not only using them but replacing most modern remedies with new natural remedies. 
• We changed our diet to eliminate chemicals, minimize processing, and truly began to use meat sparingly. 
• We stopped using plastics wherever possible. 
• We began to educate our kids in the Montessori way at home. 
• I started really planning out my days.
• I became very deliberate in all my doings.

This is the blog about how I do what I have been prompted to do, in the modern day, without going crazy, and with little to no budget! 

I am a Retired Army Wife, A Montessori Homeschooling Mom, a Holistic Health Business Owner, and a Christian Woman who strives to be active in the community. 

   

   My life is far from perfect. However, I have a new vision for what my life should be! 

   I see in my mind's eye a home where Mom gets up early to ensure her own needs are  met. Starting with personal study of gospel topics, then a moving meditation yoga style for fitness. 

  I see myself following my Mama's example and waking my children with songs.

  I see a healthy whole foods vegetarian breakfast, followed by devotional for the kids.

  I see a dedicated 3 hour Montessori work cycle, where my children feel loved, respected, and learn to love work by doing it.

  I see healthy vegetarian lunches served with a gospel art discussion while we eat.

  I see my children play, learn and grow self-motivated within healthy boundaries while I run my business. Sharing Holistic Health practices with those in need, setting an example of work ethic and service.

  I see healthy well planned balanced dinners prepared with love, eaten while having happy and intellectual family discussions.

  I see the dishes, hygiene, and a loving bedtime routine complete with family scripture study.

  All this intermingled with peaceful interaction, songs, laughter,love and respect for learning, and striving to be prepared for anything. 

"If I can see it, then I can be it." and I am sharing my ride here. 

--- Julia 

Church Behavior... I learned it differently....

I am about to post the phrase that officially makes me old. "When I was a child,"we were taught certain behaviors were, not only appropriate, but expected at church. Church was a place to worship our Heavenly Father, and was never to be treated as any less. As an adult I have noticed some disturbing trends at church, and I feel the need to be sure that my children are taught correctly. So as a public plea for aid in doing so I am going to post my list, and ask you to help correct my children, if you see any behavior to the contrary.

1.) We are all Heavenly Father's children and we should address one another accordingly.

Brother or Sister _______. I don't care if we are all friends outside of church, or if you have never seen me before! My name is Sister Cowell, not Julia, when I am at church. In fact if you know me from church, or my children know you from church, they will call you Brother or Sister ______ . I don't want my kids to call you ____'s Mom, your first name, teacher, or anything else! They are being taught their place in the divine plan of our mutual Father, and should always know, and regard you as a Brother or Sister. Please, help me by also referencing me as Sister Cowell, and nothing else, so that I am not the exception.

2.) Sabbath day or not, it is the Lord's house.

Don't allow my children to be caught running or playing in the halls on any occasion at church! I teach my children: "Jesus Christ, doesn't come to our house and run, so don't come to Heavenly Father's House and run." This principle does not change, just because it isn't Sunday, or because the block meetings are over!

3.) Reverence!

"Reverence is more than just quietly sitting" and is expected! No exceptions, not need to elaborate. 

4.)It's a special building we use special language to describe it.

It's not a gym, its a Cultural Hall. It's not just a couch, it is in a foyer. It's not just another changing table, it is in a Mother's Lounge. It's not just a room, it's a classroom. Using proper terminology reflects a respect for the places we are in, and their use. A gym refers to a place to be exercising, and while we may do so on occasion, it is still in the Lord's house and is used for a variety of purposes. Each in their own appropriate time.

5.) Dress

Sunday best means, Sunday best. Dressed, pressed, and keeping it that way. There was no bringing clothes to church to change, or rushing home to sweat pants. My heart sinks when i see  youth run to the bathroom and change right after the third hour of the meeting block. If your best is jeans and tshirt then by all means please come in it! But don't trade in your Sunday best before you even leave the building!

November 2013

November 2013 

I officially have real shelving for our toddler to do Montessori Learning with! I missed our Shelves in October but here is a start! Enjoy, and feel free to ask questions.

This was in preparation for meeting a new cousin, and going to Great Grandma's farm for Thanksgiving.

Note: This does not include Practical Life(http://cannycanner.blogspot.com/2014/01/practical-life.html),

Upper (Motor Control): Bead Maze, spooning (2 bowls, spoon, small poms), nesting cups, nuts and bolts from Melissa and Doug toolbox, to help with twisting practice as prep for lids.

Lower (Language): Chalk board and chalk, books, and in the drawer are some cards labeling things we see on walks outside (I just pulled these from a Playskol first words flashcards pack, available at dollar tree)

1 (Religion)- 1: "The Stable Where Jesus was Born", "Alabaster's Song", "Christmas in the Manger" Baby puppet in a basket bed, with blanket, to practice how to treat a new baby. This photo was taken later in the month or you may have seen a lesson like these instead of Christmas books (https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-11-i-love-my-family?lang=eng)

2 (Math)- 1:1 Correspondence with Walnuts and an Ice Cube tray (also good for full hand grasp transfer practice), Number 1 blocks and rods, and building blocks.

3(Arts)- Color matching cards and chips, book for Color Box 1, and Nursery Rhymes.

Upper (Zoology/Science): "Barney Goes to the Farm",  "Ole McDonald", "The Very Busy Spider" We were starting animal sounds, farm animal ID. There are also 2 puzzles, one large knob, one with no knobs with farm animals on them. 

Lower (Sensory)- Sound Jars, Soft v. Hard discovery bag, and smelling jars. 

Toilet Learning

coming soon! I need pictures and links!

2013 Daily Schedules

coming soon