February {LOVES}

this scent

this special treat

this (free) magazine

this recipe

this book

February 2014 Learning Highlights

We've learned about several things in February! 

We've worked on rhyming words, we've painted, 

we've worked on simple addition, practiced counting to 100, and we've read a ton. 

Here's a look at some of the things we've done this month.

On February 2, we watched Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow. We read several books about Groundhog's Day, but our favorite had to be this one by Gail Gibbons.

 

We met with our Co-Op group twice. We took a field trip to a local fire station

 

and we had a Valentine's/Olympics day later in the month. 

Not only did we pass out our valentines, 

but we made a few crafts, had a few snacks, and enjoyed our time with our friends.

Back at home we painted heart necklaces.

  
We read several books about Valentine's Day, but one of our favorites was The Valentine Bears by Jan Brett, because it tied in nicely with what we've learned about hibernation.

 We played our fair share of Memory from our February Highlights magazine.

Then the last part of the month was spent learning about birds. February is National Bird Feeding Month and our local library had a bird feeder workshop that we attended.

We read our fair share of bird books, too. We read a lot!

 

After our bird feeder was hanging in the the dogwood tree in the front yard, 

we did some bird watching. 

One of the new developments this month as been the introduction of BOB books. Seth has picked up on how to read these very quickly. He has impressed me for sure.

  
Also, Silas' verbal skills have really blossomed this month. I'm constantly amazed at songs he can sing and little conversations he has with his brother and with us.
Next month, we're celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday and Spring. We're also learning about honey badgers (yes, honey badgers, per Seth's request)  as well as lots of other things!

{Gratitude} Lately

 Every day I look around in amazement at all the 

beautiful, yet simple, things that I'm so thankful for.

 

Lately I've been grateful for...

decorative duct tape (found on clearance at Tractor Supply!) 

and repaired rain boots

 

personal gluten-free pizzas and friends that make my boy feel included

 

taste testing opportunities

fun, new reading areas at the library

and for a generous gift of a grate

Local Bounty: Turnip Greens

This past weekend we picked up some turnip greens from the farmers' market. These particular turnip greens, from Sunny Point Gardens, had tiny turnips still attached. Their beauty almost took my breath away. Fresh fruits and vegetables apparently have that effect on me, because it happens often. Turnip greens are simple to cook. I like steaming them for about 5 minutes and then tossing them with a bit of olive oil, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper.

{Gratitude} Lately

 Every day I look around in amazement at all the 

beautiful, yet simple, things that I'm so thankful for.

 

Lately I've been grateful for...

a sunny winter day and playtime at the park

 lavender and it's calming effects

 

compliments from little boys and for finding 

my "farmer" hat after a year of searching

 

my Memaw's earrings which are now my favorite

 

 for preschool co-op field trips

 

and the excitement 

an orange and a little bit of olive oil can bring

 

Lessons from having Multiple Sclerosis

Three years ago today, I began to lose the sight in my right eye. The next month, I found out that I had early Multiple Sclerosis. What some might see as a curse, I see having MS as a blessing. Yes, some days are really rough but they are few and far between. Yes, our world was turned upside down, but sometimes we need a good shake of our little snow globe world to get us on a different path (and boy, we are on a different path!). But, I believe this disease has helped mold and shape me into the person I am today.
Here are just a few things that I'm learning from having MS...

• Whether it's while lying in a hospital bed with a friend on speaker phone, alone at home, or with a group surrounding you at church, prayer is a beautiful thing.
• It's alright to ask for help.
• No matter how hard I try, I can't fix things on my own.
• Each time I have a flare-up, there's always this thought that I might never be the same again. Being overly optimistic has never been a bad thing during those thoughts. 
• I've learned to be thankful for each day.
• It's alright to do things differently.
• Stress is dangerous.
• A loving and supportive husband is a treasure from God.
• I've learned to slow down and to savor every moment.
• I severely underestimated the power of this disease. 
• It's important to surround yourself with positivity.
• Sometimes one question can change your life.
• Family and friends will always be there to surround you with love when you need it most.
• Medicine can be helpful.   
• Rest is essential. 
• Fear accomplishes nothing.
• Friends will deliver amazing, nourishing food to your home no matter how weird you eat. 
• I've learned to seek God in everything. It could be in a simple green butterfly that's just outside my door or the two quarters a stranger gave me at the store so my kids could ride a little carousel. If I seek, I find.

So this life with MS is a blessing. During good times and bad. Every single day.

{Keeping Bees} Getting Ready

Bees have been ordered.

Workshops have been attended.

A hive box has graciously been given to us.

We're on our way to becoming apiarists.