TulipGirl

Just some things I’ve been reading. . . thinking. . .

Immigrant families. . . A few weeks ago, Camille shared a series about her family and then I read about Tom’s grandfather who has recently passed away, and that brought tears to my eyes. When Hubby was working on his thesis, we had so many conversations about transnational migration. Though so many families are very firmly planted in one place, even for generations — moving and migration have been very common throughout history. In our lives, we’re at the 3+ year mark here in Florida. I have itchy feet. I’m not used to living somewhere this long. And yet. . . we’re finally settled in a church, part of a community. I can imagine staying here longer (not forever) and am not sure I’m ready to leave yet.

I like Pandora even more now than when we first discovered it. I’ve been listening to a station called Michael Card and John Michael Talbot today.

If you live in Florida and aren’t registered to vote, you still have one more day. October 6th is the deadline to register to vote in Florida.

I won a special giveaway from Karen Campbell who does the weekly ThatMom podcasts. How fun it is to get a package in the mail! I have the Campbell family cookbook, a handcrafted apron with a comfy neck, a Sally Clarkson book, and three dvds of the first year archives of ThatMom podcasts. How fun!

Our family has been involved in a lot of civic activities this week. The boys had volunteer roles at a grassroots rally on Thursday night (and we stayed after the rally to watch the debate.) This election cycle has been interesting for me, in that there are those in my circles online and in person who share a very many similar views and yet are supporting different candidates this election cycle. In the past, my friends who supported different candidates also had different understandings of basic approaches to life. . . With those friends it seemed as if we had an easier time coming together and discussing or debating issues — even heatedly — and yet easily accepted one another and our differences. This time around it feels different. . . Perhaps because those friends who are vocal about supporting a different candidate share so many other views than in the past? In any event, I’ve been pretty hesitant to post that much about political issues lately (not that some would think so!)

This weekend the two older boys attended the Leadership Institute political action conference. I accompanied them yesterday, and Hubby attended today. They’ve been absorbing it all. One interesting thing, something I felt acutely lacking, was the mention of God’s sovereignty in the realm of culture and politics. Of course, I don’t think it would have been appropriate to be honest. Still it was illuminating to see how much of our thinking in infused in looking to the Providence of God, and rightfully so.

We’ve “inherited” two computers for the boys and their schooling. . . We’re thankful for them and are thinking about how to best utilize them. As our primary desktop was moved into the bedroom when Hubby was working on his thesis, we have the “kitchen office” to set up a work area for the boys. (My Dad bought me a big, beautiful wooden desk. . . oh, maybe 15 years ago? . . . and I still love it.) The desk is big enough to set up both computers and have all four boys work together there. One computer is linux based and the other is windows. I think it is good to have a linux computer in the house — the boys will now be able to develop more geeky skillz. Still, I’m much more comfortable with windows. I think I’m going to be downloading Homeschool Tracker (thanks to Kirstin, referral code 2RNSD) and see whether I can do weekly updates with that and have the boys do daily tracking. I’d be interested in hearing how others have incorporated more computer stuff into their schoolwork.

My nephew is three years old and beautiful.

My cousin is celebrating four years of marriage.

My brother-in-law has started blogging.

Autumn reminds me of how much I miss canning. R9 is asking me to make apple butter with him. I miss Ukraine.

I had a bunch of other misc thoughts on my mind this week. . . but the rest will have to wait for now. The younger boys have asked me to read aloud and I’m off to snuggle with them.