The Meaning of Family

Anyone who knows me probably would tell you that my family is the most important thing in my life. In fact, just a quick glance through my blog would tell even the casual observer that my life centers around my family.

This month is a big birthday month. First, we celebrate my daughter's birthday. Shortly after that, we celebrate my niece's birthday. Finally, we celebrate my birthday! Besides just this inner circle of birthdays, I also have various uncles and cousins with March birthdays. My brother- and sister-in-law celebrate their wedding anniversary in March as well. So you can see how March, for me, is all about family.

Recently, my sister-in-law's husband decided he wants a divorce. Imagine how hard this is for her; imagine how hard it is for such a close-knit family! We are all hurting with her, and hoping and praying that she will somehow find herself during all of this.

Yes, March makes me think about family. Spring Break, the big event of the month, is usually spent with family. This year is no exception; we're looking forward to lots of family events and trips.

So, I've been pondering, "What is the meaning of family?" To me, it starts with those to whom I have been born. My parents, brothers, and children. The heart of my family is my husband, and by extension, his parents, siblings, and their children. But family is so much more than that. My family circle also extends to my church family (we're having a church family game night tomorrow, in fact) and my work family. When one of my colleagues hurts, I hurt. Might as well be family.

So, March is all about family.

I'm in the middle of reading a novel that looks at family a little differently.

In the book, the main character's parents are researchers raising a baby chimp as a family member, studying language development and chimp intelligence. What is so interesting about the story is that it seems like the teen protagonist is really the one being studied. Kind of blurs the definition of family.

Anyway, no matter your definition of family, March to me is the time to pull family close and enjoy every precious minute of time with them.

Writing Practice

My son hates to write.

Let me qualify that statement a bit. My son loves to create stories, enjoys research, and likes using the computer. However, my son hates to write - by hand.

He has always struggled with his handwriting. His printing was nearly illegible (but has improved a bit in the past year). His cursive leaves MUCH to be desired. And he is frustrated by his lack of progress and how difficult this task is for him. He will often snap the lead in his pencil just writing the smallest homework assignment. And writing a whole story? Well, let's just say he prints it first. (Because if he wrote in cursive first, the story would be a WHOLE lot shorter!)

So, I'm always trying to think of ways to encourage him to write -- for fun. I think the dying art of letter writing is helpful, but I need something that he can do for INSTANT feedback. Maybe journaling exercises? Maybe the whole family can journal together.

I got this idea after seeing a blog post about a book called "Un-Journaling". I checked it out on amazon.com and it looks neat. I also looked at some other journaling workbooks.

I just don't want it to feel like homework! I need it to be FUN! (big sigh) I need some inspiration. Hmm, I wonder how he would respond to the idea of scrapbooking? My scrapbooks always involve lots of journaling. Well, we'll see.

Giveaways

Just heard about the new VeggieTales DVD, Robin Good. I'm so glad they are still making movies! :) Such a great thing for kids. So glad my kids still enjoy watching them!

Heard about this great giveaway on one of my new fav blogs, Momma Findings. She's actually giving away a Robin Good DVD! Wow!

Here's where I found out about it: http://www.mommafindings.com/2012/03/faith-for-kids-veggietales-robin-good.html?showComment=1331403537456#c8951112203286582844

Yay!

Recovery

Yesterday, I had surgery. Not major surgery, just an outpatient procedure. Today, I'm recovering.

Even though I have a really low pain tolerance, I always think I'm going to just "feel fine" the next day. I don't know why I think this. It doesn't make any sense, given that I've always had a low threshold for pain of any kind. I guess I just think I should be fine after surgery.

Well, it doesn't work that way. Most frustrating are all the things that are not getting done while I am stuck in bed! Two birthday parties today, for example. So dad is stuck running kids to parties, and I get to go to none. Sigh. And attending church tomorrow is out, too.

Thankfully, I stocked up on library books on Thursday! Somehow, I've ended up with not one but two murder mysteries about ladies that knit! And they aren't old grannies that solve mysteries... Weird. Two very different authors, and different takes on the stories. But how odd that the heroines of each book should have knitting in common!

Is knitting really that popular?

What a Book!

I just finished reading another one of those books that just makes me want to write about it!

It is The Apothecary by Maile Meloy. To be honest, I picked up this book to read because the cover was so enticingly odd. Even the back cover of the book tells you very little about the book. What a pleasant discovery this book has been!

It weaves together espionage, the atomic bomb's creation, and magic in a way that is totally unexpected. It begins much like any ordinary historical fiction for young people. "I was seven and living in Los Angeles when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II..." Ho hum. But the reader is quickly dumped out of her chair and into a strange world where magic is real, even if you don't believe in it, and spies are everywhere.

One of my favorite things about this book is that the magic seems so believable. It takes for granted that readers will just go along with the story. And it moves so quickly, who are we as readers to question this?

I also enjoyed how quickly the children are swept into the world of spies and undercover mishaps. Though the premise behind the story is a little far-fetched, with this mixing of magic and espionage, what could one expect?

My favorite scene from the book comes near the end, when an atomic bomb is detonated. It could be a textbook example of historical fiction from World War II -- except that the bomb's blast is intercepted and cancelled out by magic! And the description of what ensues is so vividly written that the reader isn't put out by it at all. I was so swept up in the story!

Brilliant work. I'm hoping this novel can be a bridge between those who love historical fiction and those who love fantasy. It worked for me!

Birthday Girl

Yesterday, the family celebrated my daughter's birthday. She wanted a Belle/France theme, but we couldn't find Paris decorations, so it became a very pink princess party. She loved it.

We had a big party at PaPa's house. All the family was on hand, and daughter was allowed to invite a few friends. It began with just three friends, but ended up as five.

I believe she learned a valuable lesson about friendship during the whole birthday invitation process. First she had to decide which three girls (her closest friends) would be invited. After inviting these three, she got to thinking. There is one girl in her class who has always been a friend, but for some reason, this little girl has found herself on the "outside" of the class friendship circles. She really has felt left out and lost. So, after some discussion, my daughter said she really needed to invite this friend. So she did.

Then, there is another friend. She has always been close to my daughter, but definitely is part of a different crowd. You know, those popular cool girls who seem to have it all. Well, she has always come to my daughter's birthday parties. And my daughter said she is still her friend, will always be her friend, no matter what. So, she gets invited too.

So, at this small family birthday party, we also had 5 of my daughter's closest friends. Wouldn't have it any other way!

What's a great book about friendship? Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass. Great lesson in becoming friends with those who may be different than yourself, and learning to be a better friend. Important book for tweens, but everyone could read this book and enjoy its gentle humor.

Social Media

Today, at home with both kids who are sick, I have been exploring Social Media.

For many people, tweeting and facebooking are key components of their day. I admit, I'm learning more about facebook everyday, and love it! However, I am new to twitter, and I am slow at using Google+. I don't have a pinterest account, although I love going there to browse.

Today, since I have the time, I'm exploring. I started with my facebook. Then I browsed my tweets, clicking on lots of different things. I also follow several different blogs, so I spent time today clicking through blog posts.

The neatest thing was discovering that I can LINK my social media together! For example, if I find something on a blog that I like, I can tweet it out. If I find something on facebook I like, I can +1 it onto my Google+. Fun!

Yesterday, I spent the day reading. The book I finished yesterday was The Wild Ways,

and it (like social media) connected lots of aspects of things I enjoy. It is primarily a modern adventure story, but it incorporates magic, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, country music, Celtic tradition, saving the seals, family relationships, and soooo much more! Did I mention the teenage boy in the novel (typical teen) is also a dragon? Heeheehee.

Enjoy your combination explorations! :)