Always Learning

Written at the end of September...

My plan, finishing school last June, was to do a few school-type activities around 4 days/week all summer.  A little math, some French, some writing, and a few art crafts for fun--just to keep us in a good rhythm and help Isaiah not forget alot over the summer.  Of course... did that happen?  Absolutely not!  Summer got a little wild and very full with Andrew and I's work stuff, so the boys got to run free every day.  We did lots of time in the pool, lots of bike riding, and lots of times waving sticks around like swords.

Honestly, I was dreading the start of school. It really took several weeks for my brain to heal from the all the splintering of the school year before (see my previous post), and it was hard to imagine going through another season like that, with also needing to focus on several new responsibilities from other areas of life.

September 10th, the same day our Bible school students started class, we took the plunge. :)  By about 10am, I'd already cried twice, and my frustration level was high.  Not a good start!  Tuesday was much better though as the boys started to get a sense of our new routine, and by the end of the week I was feeling so encouraged.

God has met my prayers for this year on so many levels already!  Judah, at 2 1/2, has been much easier to include or occupy with many of the subjects we are doing. Isaiah, being able to read pretty much anything, is able to read and follow instructions, allowing him to do some work independently. Ezra has been so proud to have his own curriculum and activities this year, and he has been motivated and working hard on the tasks I give him. (Oh my goodness, it's so adorable!)   And as an a beautiful added bonus where I see the Lord's gracious hand providing in abundance--a couple mornings a week our Bible school intern is babysitting Judah for a period of time, which gives the older boys and I time to focus and work through the subjects I need to teach them individually, like spelling and math.

This year, Isaiah is in 2nd grade, and Ezra is in Kindergarten.  We are using My Father's World for both boys, and with their integrated learning cycle, it means that Ezra joins into all of Isaiah's program except for his own kindergarten-level Language Arts and Math.  Isaiah is doing Singapore math, All About Spelling, and French as his supplemented subjects.  The focus of the 2nd grade program in MFW is US History, which has been a little funny feeling to do since we live in Canada!  However, the boys and I are enjoying the rich literature and novel-like history books that are walking us through the early history of North America right now.

We also have so many fun 'extras' in our homeschooling year.  Every other week we meet with three other English/French homeschooling families to do various subjects together or do a fun/educational outing with.  The boys are doing a French class each week with one of the staff here and two other boys, and we've signed up to attend some fun French theater productions for children in our surrounding area.  This last week we also went for the first time to a picnic/playtime at a park with the local French homeschooling association - there were so many kids, and the boys found a girl their age who spoke English...always a fun discovery in our area. :)

**fast forward 5 weeks later**

And...here we are, in November!  The weeks are going by so quickly.  The kids and I have a pretty good rhythm for school, and are continuing to enjoy the programs we're doing.  Homeschooling is full of challenges, and yet it's also so special to see the kids learning and growing so tangibly.  This past week Ezra read and spelled his first words! And Isaiah's spelling and writing have improved noticeably from where he was a month ago.  Judah and I also just started some alphabet practice, which he thought was the funniest thing ever. Apparently the alphabet strikes his funny bone! :)

I am feeling so blessed at how the year is going, and so thankful for the ways God is providing--He is meeting me in the places I dreaded. 

In other news.... last month Ezra turned 5! Every year on their birthday we measure them, and Ezra is within 1/4 inch of how tall Isaiah is when he turned 6! Ezra is tall and skinny.... like his dad. :)  He has spent his own life trying to keep with up with older brother, that it's been hard to remember how young he really is. 

His 'fruit' cake.  Made and decorated 70% by Ezra!

Having fun with his new kite!

This fall we also had the chance to spend some time out and dress up for a SuperHero night!

A Year for the Books

We did it!  1st grade for Isaiah officially wrapped up two weeks ago. Whew. Somehow I didn't expect teaching 1st grade to be so challenging, although in reality I think it had far more to do with the younger two siblings than it had to do with Isaiah!

We had plenty of highs and lows this year. We enjoyed the consistent routine of homeschooling each day, the stories, fun science exploration, hands-on math components, music elements, and lots of reading.  The lows typically involved frustration at trying to teach (or learn) while having a toddler clambering for attention, or being interrupted by questions, loud brothers, requests for help, spilled water, etc etc etc!  My brain kind of felt like it got splintered into a million pieces with trying to multi-task constantly and manage three little people at once.  It is still recovering.

                       We went with the Bible school students to a service week at a camp - and took our school with us!                                         Perks of homeschooling. :)

Obviously, our schooling schedule and structure needs help!  I have many goals for next year of establishing 'classroom' rules, a day-to-day schedule so each boy gets some [generally uninterrupted] one-on-one time with me, and being diligent to prep our days better so that I personally don't feel so scattered.  Doing 2nd grade with Isaiah and Kindergarten with Ezra....with a 2-3 year old....seems really overwhelming. However, I remain hopeful because everyone will be a whole year older, and Judah will be able to be focused on an activity for longer than 10 seconds.... Ha!

It has been hard to not do a lot of comparing between the attention that Isaiah got in his early years versus the attention Ezra gets. (Which leads to mommy-guilt...which is entirely unnecessary and unfounded!)  We did a super fun, full-of-crafts and themes preschool program with Isaiah (and Ezra, obviously, though he was just 2).  This year, Ezra was in preschool, which meant he did alot of Isaiah's school program with us, and then I supplemented with preschool pages and small activities as necessary.  However, my heart was sad many weeks at the lack of big fun crafts for him, or the individual learning time together I hoped we'd have but didn't.

And yet... Ezra amazes me!  When I reflect on what he learned and how he grew through the year it is such an encouragement to my heart.  Honestly, I'm not sure he has all the last letters of the alphabet quite straight, (though he knows all the letters' sounds) - we worked on them intentionally far less than I intended.  Still, he started writing quite a bit-- of his volition--has sounded out and spelled some words on his own (say what?!?!), can count to 100 with 2-3 helps in the bigger digits, memorized the 39 books of the Old Testament in order (!), and was really just so eager to learn and be taught all year.  In his skinny bundle of barely-harnessed energy, it was wonderful to see his ability to focus and apply himself grow tremendously this year.

As far as Isaiah, well, the kid learned to read.  If he hadn't learned anything else this year it would still be a success, because he's learned the key to learning for his entire life! (Don't worry, he did learn alot of other things. :) ) Although I love to read myself, I had no clue how to teach a child how to read.  Day after day in his phonics curriculum we learned a new sound or a new pairing of sounds.  Week after week he learned, reviewed, and practiced, until he was reading the Level 1 books well. Then, his neighbor and friend lent us some chapter books; I hoped he would find something to grab his interest and motivate him to push past his perceived limits.  I think I read maybe 1/2 of the first book to him?  One day he picked it up on his own, and came to me later saying, "Mom, guess what I read!?" with a huge smile on his face. That was it--he was hooked!

A typical scene these days...

Isaiah read 20 of the Magic Tree House books in about 2 weeks in the first part of May.  He is now devouring anything else we can find (our local library is almost exclusively in French, so it is a bit more difficult to find books for him), and has read several books now by Beverly Clearly, Judy Blume, and more.  I am blown away at the big words he'll read aloud to me without stumbling, and at his level of comprehension with what he's read. Increeeeeedible!  I feel like I had basically nothing to do with it, so it's easy to brag about him. :)  

Isaiah reads quite often to one or two of his younger brothers.

One thing that has been a bit tricky is finding books that engage him that is still content appropriate.  He is still just 6 1/2 years old--so scary stuff, potty jokes, and lots of name calling is what we really want to avoid.  If you have any great books or series that you think would be good for him, please recommend us with your favorites! 

Isaiah's newfound love for reading has changed the dynamic in our house; all of a sudden our oldest is tucked away on a couch or his bed, with his nose in a book and almost completely unaware of his physical surroundings. :)  This leaves Ezra and Judah to fend for themselves more as far as entertaining themselves goes.  Their play gets a bit more wild and destructive quicker than when Isaiah (our rule-follower...) is leading the group.  I have been hearing the question, "Mommy, what can we do?", alot more often from Ezra and Judah.

And oh, Judah! This little kid is a charmer. He is as adorable as ever, but his stubborn, I-want-it-my-way streak has started to make a regular appearance throughout the day.  He loooves to ham it up, and be silly just to get a laugh out of us.  He is also incredible polite!  He says "'anks" (Thanks) and "'ease" (Please) (with sign language signs also), so often we hardly need to prompt him.  He is setting the example for his older brothers in this regard! 

For as many fights as I break up in a day, I am really enjoying this phase of parenting. The boys are so fun and engaging, and it is a joy to watch their personalities develop and their awareness of the people and world around them grow.  More than all that, it is an incredible blessing to see their love for Jesus grow, and to watch as their understanding of the relationship God wants to have with them expands. We hear it as they pray, in the questions they ask, and in the quiet moments of conversations we have together about tough things and difficult experiences.

We have much to be thankful for--what a gift these three boys are to us!

Nice

Back in the day when I wrote on a blog....it was nice.  Nice to unpack my thoughts, nice to have a place to work out in words struggles and challenges of parenting I was facing.  Nice to document the growth and details of little growing boys.

Now....I have mostly forgotten about it.  Most days it feels like all creative juices--and words--are thoroughly used up by those three little boys I used to write about.  I am immersed in motherhood, in the refereeing, comforting, training, teaching, disciplining, loving days of raising our children.  The struggle of learning to be a mom has gone; in its place is the day-to-day growing, wrestling, and hands-on implementation of all that being Mom means. 

Mom means being available 24 hours each day to a little one who needs me.
Mom means breaking up fights...for the fifth time in two hours.
Mom means getting snacks for hungry tummies...lots of snacks.
Mom means mopping up spilled water, spilled cereal bowls, spilled oatmeal, etc etc.
Mom means getting up at 2 am to comfort a little boy having a nightmare.
Mom means reading the same book--again.
Mom means holding and hugging tight a child after discipline.
Mom means taking deep breaths when the chaos seems too much.
Mom means praying for our children to know Jesus and follow Him.
Mom means clasping a sweet little hand in mine.
Mom means overwhelming joy in the smiles and laughter of our children.
Mom means a tired body at the end of each day, but a thankful heart.

In being Mom, I see each day my inadequacies, and my complete need for dependence on Jesus for wisdom, love, patience, grace, kindness, joy, and strength.

He provides it all--all that I need for being Mom. And with it I experience God's complete, steadfast, faithful love for me as well.

Our little blondie!

fresh, homemade maple syrup!

a field trip to the Ecomuseum Zoo

A year wrapped up

I knew it’d be a while since I blogged…I just didn’t realize it had been THIS long. Yikes.  The past ½ year has felt like a whirlwind in many ways.  I supposed it hasn’t been anything too much out of the ordinary, just living life with three little boys, work, and ministry.

This fall, after much consideration and prayer, Andrew and I decided to start Isaiah in 1^st grade, even though he will be just be turning six in a week.  We are doing the 1^st grade curriculum from My Father’s World. I enjoy it because it is so well laid out and organized, with little to none preparation for me, and isn’t overwhelming to get through a day’s lesson even with Judah distracting us. J  Isaiah is a super little student who loves math, art, science, and books.  He is getting better and better at working through the lessons that don’t come super easily, which is encouraging for me as a teacher.

Ezra is in preschool, and does much of Isaiah’s school with us, although he has his own projects and workbooks when Isaiah is doing the harder stuff.  He loves to cut with scissors, write his letters, and read books with us.  He is a skinny tall bundle of energy, who frequently reminds us of Andrew in his preferences and mannerisms.

Judah…oh Judah.  This little guy will be TWO (already!) in February.  He is such a little ham who loves to make people smile, and wants to be into everything his brothers are doing.  Everything but sit quietly and color, of course! Ha. He is my home-school challenge right now – being able to teach Isaiah, guide Ezra, and keep Judah out of trouble at the same time.  Before we start back in January my hope is to brainstorm some ways to organize our day a little differently so I have some individual and focused time with each child, rather than being distracted by Judah’s antics continually.   

As challenging as trying to monitor all three of them at the same time has been, I am loving the ways I see them learning, growing up, and developing. Some highlights on each child from the past several months:

Isaiah, at 5:  He is sooo good with Judah, and has always been. Isaiah can put on Judah’s hat, coat, boots, and gloves for me to get him ready to go outside.  He constantly has eyes out for situations that may put Judah in danger, and alerts me right away.  He is doing great learning to read, and while he still prefers being read to, I am amazed at how much he can read when he puts his mind to it. 

   Isaiah loves to make cards and pictures for his friends, or write them nice notes.  He is quite a good little chess player, and spent a ton of time this summer and fall playing soccer with conference guests and Bible school students at the place we live/work.  It's so fun to see his skills developing.

  We love to hear Isaiah pray.  The sincerity and depth of his prayers to Jesus astound and humble us.  It is such a blessing to witness his growing relationship and faith in Jesus.

Ezra, at 3 and 4:   He is our little wildcard, the one with the biggest emotions.  He is a go-getter, determined to keep up with Isaiah and older friends. This summer he went for it and developed a ton in his swimming skills. Ezra also mastered a pedal bike in about…10 minutes! this summer, at 3 years old, and loves to charge around on his bike at full speed yelling at the top of his lungs. (Hmm, yep, that pretty much can sum up Ezra!)  He loves to clean – vacuuming, dishes, wiping stuff down, trash, laundry – it doesn’t matter, he’s all in.

Judah, at 1:   This little guy is a bright joy in our family.  His brothers love on him in big ways—constantly.  He has been and continues to be our best sleeper—he went 10 straight months (that’s 300 days, people!) without waking up in the night. I couldn’t believe it.  He loves to make people smile and laugh, and though he can be shy with a few people, he generally is happy to meet new friends and make eye contact with almost anyone around him. 

    I am thankful for his easy-going nature, which has made many situations much less stressful because he is content to watch and wait.  Granted, he has recently started revving up for the terrible-two phase, but that’s to be expected…he is a toddler, after all!

    He doesn’t say more than a handful of words, but communicate very clearly with signs and expressions.  He loves to dance and listen to music.  And my goodness, does he give amazing squeeze-y hugs and sweet baby kisses!

Together, we learn and grow.  Together, they teach me of how desperately I need Jesus to parent them with love, grace, and wisdom. 

For 2017, it’s been one of the hardest years for me personally in a long time.  In the midst of struggles and difficult situations, God has met me and supplied all that I've needed.  I have learned a lot this year, both about myself and about the incredible faithfulness and wondrous, steadfast love God has for me.  I feel so richly blessed, and I am excited to see and be a part of all that God does in the coming year--in our family, myself, our community, and ministry.

I guess that will be it for this year - maybe January will be a fresh start to get back on track with blogging more regularly.  I can always hope.... :) . 

Here are some pictures of our year - 

At the strawberry fields

31st birthday date

Our start of school picture

a beautiful fall sky 

three peas in a pod

Isaiah doing jokes at the Bible school students' talent show

a fun summer visit from my parents

Chocolate Zucchini birthday cake for A & L 

an icy fall day

fun in the snow together

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Dusing Family, September 2017