Thoughts from the Hearth: Week One

Artwork: "Bringing Home the Sheep" by Ernest Walbourne

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I was inspired by another blogging mama to share some small and simple things about me once a week. I thought it might be a good way to motivate me in pursuing my goals with some accountability.


Y'all don't mind being my accountability partners, do you? 

Here goes...


On my mind-

While I was working on my son's wedding plans, my husband took over the menu and the grocery shopping. He is really great at it, and has a talent for logistics, but I was starting to feel out of the loop. He handed those two things back over to me today, so I am at my computer working on the menu before retrieving the high schoolers from seminary class.

I am kind of excited for the alone time, actually. Ha!


Grateful for-

Does anyone else love Google Drive? 

Oh, man, it has been a lifesaver for me! I used to dislike the interface, but they've finally improved their spreadsheets to the point where I prefer them over Libre Office. I love that I can just go right to our menus online and tweak as needed. I can share the link with my husband and with the daughters who cook different meals. 

Goodness! I can even share our menu with all of you, if you care to take a peek.

Pondering-

I am looking at more ways we can possibly simplify things at our house. I never totally finished our KonMari purge, so I'm picking that back up. I have personally stayed very "tidy" with my own things, but I still have a lot of children to win over, and LOADS of kids things to go through.

Which brings me to...

Organizing-

I am currently going through every piece of my children's clothing (at least those under age 13). I am implementing a color coordination to see if that helps me decide what to get rid of, and what to keep. It is working beautifully so far! I still have clothes to go through, but I am starting to see a light at the end of my crowded laundry tunnel. It feels great!

I stole the idea from Andrea Mills' YouTube channel. I really love how down to earth and REAL she is! You can find her channel here.

Creating-

This week, I plan to work on writing some in my updated Shakespeare curriculum. I finally got the Table of Contents all finished and worked out (whew!), and now I just need to write the scripts for each lecture. Now I just need to decide if I want to film a lecture video after I finish writing each one, or should I write all the lectures, and then film everything in one blow... I think I know what my mentor would say. (I'm now hearing your voice in my head, Suzanne! Hee!)

Reading-

I am still slowly reading the book "The Cozy Life" which is about implementing a "hygge" lifestyle. My hubby and I redecorated our room (thank you Goodwill and IKEA) to be more hygge, and our whole family has noticed a difference. 

I'm also re-reading "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" book by Marie Kondo while I continue our home purge. 

I really love it-- it has made such a difference in how I declutter and organize. I'm still a BIG fan! If you haven't read it yet, can I be another witness that you should? Your library should have a copy of it by now. Let me know how you like it!

Homemaking-

Mondays are always our "House Recovery Days". Why is my house always so trashed Monday morning?! Someday, I will solve this mystery... 

In the meantime, we will put on the happy cleaning music and race to get the house put back in reasonable order. (Notice I did not say "perfect...")

Songhaven Homeschool of Fine Arts-

We are in Recovery Mode after this mama was sick for more than two weeks. It is so hard to start over again after our false start after Christmas-- my son's wedding was two weeks after New Year's, and then I got sick, of course. Oy!

HOWEVER, we finally got in a rhythm this week. We are continuing with our study of the following:

• Gospel Study- New Testament
• History- American History
• Composer- Mozart
• Artist- Titian
• Science- Botany
• Shakespeare- Check out the LEGO Shakespeare videos on YouTube. My kids love them! This version of "The Tempest" is one they go back and watch again and again.

Scripture Study-

Moroni 7:48 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."


Something to Share-

I got to start back to rehearsing with my wonderful choir this week, and it was so great to be back singing with such an amazing group! I was thrilled to begin rehearsing Lauridsen's "O Nata Lux". I look forward to performing this gorgeous piece on our program for the Spring concert!

Final thoughts-

I really enjoyed a very uplifting lesson during my women's meeting at church on Sunday. We are studying the teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, a past president of our church. I love this quote from him:

"How magnificently we are blessed! How thankful we ought to be! … Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and for the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy. The Lord has said that the meek shall inherit the earth. I cannot escape the interpretation that meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments. This is the beginning of wisdom. Walk with gratitude before him who is the giver of life and every good gift."

P.S. -

Ladies, we have got this! We can do this motherhood thing, and do it with grace, and gratitude, and love. We are daughters of God, and He loves us! He will help us through it ALL.

Love, Mama Rachel