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Three days before Christmas, T12 announced he really, really wanted a guitar for Christmas. This seemed to come out of nowhere, but had been an idea he’d been muddling around with for awhile. “I have some money saved, I can help buy it! My friend JB will teach me to play, he’ll give me lessons.”

With such enthusiasm, of course we wanted to say yes. And thanks to Amazon, were able to have a large, mysterious package delivered on such short notice.

Sure enough, T12’s friend has been teaching him. While his friend is learning classical guitar and note reading, he’s starting T12 off with learning chords and playing familiar songs. Well, songs familiar to JB but new to T12, and definitely new to me! (Long ago were the days when I listened to lots of music and knew the newest and most alternative sounds out there.)

In spite of my limited musical repertoire of late, we have introduced the boys to some of the classics through the years. . . and with a son learning the guitar I’ve “accidentally” left some of the music I want him to enjoy on our portable hard drive, the one we use for the kids to transfer their debate briefs and schoolwork from their computer to ours.

In the truck the other day I casually brought up The Choir. “Hmm, you might want to check out The Choir. Pioneering SoCal alt rock. . . still around making music. Doing a lot more producing now than recording and touring. Always have been trailblazers. . .” (And one day I’ll tell him my claim-to-fame, fan-girl stories. . . but not yet.)

He took the bait, has been listening. And even started to learn the chords for one of the songs. The other night when I came home he pulled out his guitar, and a concert just for me played and sang.

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Beautiful Scandalous Night – The Choir
At The Foot of The Cross, Vol. 1

G C G
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
G C G
To the crimson perpetual tide
D
Kneel down on the shore
C
Be thirsty no more
G C G
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the Holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for all

D C G
At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree
D C G
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
D D#o7 Em C
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white,…
G C G
On that beautiful scandalous night

On the hillside you will be delieverd
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the rivers that pours
From our blessed Savior’s side

Love pottery? Live in the Sarasota / Bradenton area? Check out the holiday open house hosted by Nigel and Cheyenne Rudolph.
Friday, 12/4, 5 – 9 pm
Saturday, 12/5, 10 – 8 pm
2321 14th Ave W, Bradenton 34205

How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about [arithmetic], and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman’s function is laborious because it is gigantic, not because it is minute.

–G.K. Chesterton

(Via Chris)

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“Hey, Look! It’s Van Gogh!”

That’s what C8 said, as he brought me a sadly neglected Christmas leftover, a snowman pencil topper missing one of its pom-pom ear muffs. I guess the books we’ve been reading and pictures we’ve been observing have been making an impression.

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We’ve been using Ambleside Online Yr. 5 as the framework for our homeschooling since January. It’s been a good fit, the right balance between structure and flexibility, keeping the boys studying similar things but on their own levels. AO encourages the exposure to and study of an artist each term.

Our local museum doesn’t have a Van Gogh in its permanent collection, and unfortunately not in its special exhibitions either right now. My favorite Van Gogh is at my favorite museum, The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise at Musée d’Orsay.

The screensaver on the kids’ computer rotate Van Gogh works and the boys know them better than I do now, and these are some of their favorites. . .

This Friday and Saturday
May 1st and May 2nd
7pm – 10pm
4455 30th St. E
Bradenton FL 34203

Facebook info
Bradenton Herald-Tribune Info

Featuring:
Bill Kimrey
Matt Crotts
Joan Senkowicz
Meagan Chaney
Jim O’Donnell
Bob Salyers
Janine Hoffman
Nigel and Cheyenne Rudolph
Haitz
Scone Train
James Hawkins
Justin Layman
Stephen Gillum
Brandon Crane
. . . and more.

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Kim explains to her son that, yup, Christians can be annoying and unlikeable. “My answer to my son was that I, too, dislike Christians at times. I followed it up with the fact that I am probably disliked by other Christians at times, and so is he. I reminded him that we are not perfect, that we make mistakes, do stupid things and are unkind. And I reminded him that all we can do is continue to make an effort to love our fellow Christians even when it is hard.”

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Camille has been reflecting on Things I Never Heard in Fundamentalism (1) (2) (3). And while our backgrounds are very different, the familiar refrains of grace, grace, God’s grace reverberate in my soul when I read of God’s comfort and faithfulness in her life.

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TAKS — easy-peasy assessment tests, online, free and instantly scored! Errr. . . easy-peasy as far as doing it online, not necessarily for the student. The boys have been worried about their “gaps.” But as my sister reminds me, “gaps are just spaces waiting to be filled.” Thanks to Jess and Bayou for directing me to the TAKS site.

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The dragon-mommy very thoughtfully reflects on The Irony of Ezzo and AP (1)) (2). It concerns me that there seems to be a resurgence of the popularity of Babywise. With a generation of moms and babies who have already been there, done that, regretted it. . . why do people not learn from the mistakes of others? I still find the Ezzo materials introduce such an antagonistic mindset to the parents who read it — as one mom said recently “Do you hate me that I am a Babywise mom?” How sad. Sure, I try to caution moms about the misinformation in Babywise, but I don’t “hate” any moms.

How firmly I believe that God gives just the right parents to each child, and just the right child to each parent. Our love, our mistakes, our triumphs, our struggles — the Lord uses those in both our lives and our children’s lives as we grow into the people He created us to be. I believe it is so important to communicate respect to other parents — and still point out the problems in basing decisions on flawed information and problematic principles.

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Some freebies, giveaways, and contests: Dada Ring Sling from Babywearing.com (deadline 4/30); Online Kitchen Garden Planner via CleverNesting, a little critter giveaway (’cause I was too late in posting about the neato mobile from royal buffet). . . ack, saw some other good ones this week and can’t find them now!

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Remember, local art and music in Sarasota / Bradenton on May 1 & 2. I read a blurb in the East County Observer, unfortunately they don’t put their articles online. (Nor the pics the publish in the paper version — which is disappointing, ’cause they had a cute one of my little protesters.) I also saw a column that mentioned the art show in the BHT. If you are local, it’s a great place for a low-key date night. Local music, local artists, good coffee. . .

judas, peter

because we are all
betrayers, taking
silver and eating
body and blood and asking
(guilty) is it I and hearing
him say yes
it would be simple for us all
to rush out
and hang ourselves

but if we find grace
to cry and wait
after the voice of morning
has crowed in our ears
clearly enough
to break our hearts
he will be there
to ask us each again
do you love me

–luci shaw

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

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While I highly recommend listening to the whole course, today is a great day to listen (with the kids!) to Dr. David Calhoun’s lecture on The Christianization of Great Britain and St. Patrick contextualizing and preaching the Gospel in Ireland.

“He was also able to preach to the Irish a new message. He not only told them about a new God, but also a new message. It was not a message from an angry Celtic god who demanded human sacrifices, but rather a message from a loving God who Himself provided the sacrifice that was needed for the sins of people. Soon that message began to be heard all throughout Ireland.

Patrick said, “We preached it everywhere. We preached it all the way across Ireland until we reached the ocean and we could not go any farther.”

So in Patrick’s time, through this man and his followers, the Gospel came to Ireland and converted many of the Irish to Christianity.”
— Dr. David Calhoun

Check out the Pickle Pal!

(Brought to you by Rudolph Studios.)

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

– Maltbie D. Babcock / Franklin Sheppard

The other night my nine-year-old called me over to the couch, hymnal in hand, and sang to me.

All things praise Thee, Lord most high,
Heav’n and earth and sea and sky,
All were for Thy glory made,
That Thy greatness thus displayed
Should all worship bring to Thee;
All things praise Thee—Lord, may we!

All things praise Thee—night to night
Sings in silent hymns of light;
All things praise Thee—day to day
Chants Thy power in burning ray;
Time and space are praising Thee,
All things praise Thee—Lord, may we!

All things praise Thee—high and low,
Rain and dew and sparkling snow,
Crimson sunset, fleecy cloud,
Rippling stream, and tempest loud;
Summer, winter, all to Thee
Glory render—Lord, may we!

All things praise Thee—Heav’n’s high shrine
Rings with melody divine;
Lowly bending at Thy feet,
Seraph and archangel meet;
This their highest bliss, to be
Ever praising—Lord, may we!

All things praise Thee—gracious Lord,
Great Creator, powerful Word,
Omnipresent Spirit, now
At Thy feet we humbly bow;
Lift our hearts in praise to Thee;
All things praise Thee—Lord, may we!

Listen here for young brothers in the Lord, praising God through shape-note singing.

(Via Kathy/Amy)

It seems as if the Lord is bringing forth new life in so many families around us. What a joy! What a reminder of His blessings! I want to especially rejoice in the births of Marlowe and Connar.

And we are continuing to wait (not for long, though!) with Heather and Aliza. Just a few more months, and more babies will be born (including those to non-blogging friends!)

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”

The Lord reveals an aspect of His nature to us both in word and in the examples we see in His creation.

May the mothers and children around us be the living illustrations of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and lovingkindness; and may we look to the God of all comfort in our everyday needs.

(Artwork by Cathy Rositano)

Maybe you’ll be the one to win a spring-loving, handcrafted diorama!

Update: Congrats, Leigh!

Update: I meant to post the answer the very next day. . . but this week has been a bear! As Candace, A and Allison said, this is an alluvial fan in Xinjiang Province, China. “Covering an area 56.6 x 61.3 km and taken on may 2nd, 2002, this photo shows an alluvial fan that formed on the southern border of the Taklimakan Desert in China. An alluvial fan usually forms as water leaves a canyon, each new stream eventually closing up due to sediment – the result being a triangle of active and inactive channels. The blue ones on the left are currently active”

I think it is beautiful and makes me wonder and the glories of Creation.

What are we looking for?

Illustrate the kind of support you provided or that you received in a photo. When taking photos, think globally and locally! We encourage you to submit photos that reflect different ethnicity and that include breastfeeding children, from a newborn to a child of 2 years or more. Support takes place in different environments, so the support you illustrate may be in a home, in a museum, in a marketplace or in a field.

(Note: I don’t know the photographer of the above picture, neither do I know where I found it to give proper credit. If you do see it elsewhere online with credit to the photographer, please let me know so proper attribution can be given. Thanks!)

I didn

Arrrrrr! Thankee, Jago.

We spent quite a lot of time looking at the glass sculptures, and it was fascinating to see which pieces caught the boys’ attention. Gave me glimpses into their personalities and thoughts. I can’t find images online of the pieces I liked most, but they were by Martin Blank and Michael Pavlik.

Overall, though, the boys are still classicists and their favorite exhibits were either Greek, Roman, or reminiscent of the styles of the classical periods.

What About Mine?

When you cried as a little baby
Mom and daddy let you cry
Thought that that was the best way maybe
To make you grow all strong inside
Now that you’re older
You need someone’s shoulder
What about mine?

Growing’ up your mind was closed
For repairs for a long long time
You could feel the loneliness in your hairstyle
Just like mine
Now that you’ve grown up
You still need that shoulder
What the hell are you waiting’ for?
It’s mine

I promise not to chase you
Only to embrace you
I promise not to bug you
Only just to hug you all night

When you was a little baby
Mom and dad they let you cry
They thought that’s the best way maybe
To make you all strong inside
(Were they) wrong? (Yes)
Mine……What about mine?

–Paul Westerberg

Hear it Barlowised.

The Betrothed

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Please join me in praising our Lord for another baby boy for my friends Tara and Jorge. We’ve known each other since our oldest boys were babies together. I’ve cried tears of joy for her tonight, hearing of the birth of her third son, into his father’s hands.

Birth art by Nancy Bright

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