Author: Angela

I write so my family will always have letters from home.

School notes: Day 31

It’s Day 31 of the Ross School Year.

Last night I sat down and read all the articles that were submitted last year for our monthly homeschool paper. I could finally read them without the baggage associated from already reading the roughest, rougher, and rough drafts. It was good for me. I was entertained and very encouraged. So many things are like that. You have to take a step back to see things clearly.

Paige is busy these days learning German, playing piano, writing essays, reading heavy books, and dancing ballet 4 nights a week. She gets up for early morning seminary, too. Half of her classes are away from home and she is surrounded by good friends and teachers each day.

Daniel sits down to play the piano probably 4 times a day. He’s composing a piece for his piano lesson as I write. Last week he read Microbe Hunters by Karl deKruif and The Double Helix by James Watson. He’s a scientist at heart. He spends his free time creating little stop-motion Lego animation movies and training for his athletic test for Webelos. He likes Latin.

Timothy remains most interested in science and math. I love his writing and tiny illustrations. He sits down to play piano several times a day, too. He takes a weekly P.E. class and runs like a cheetah.

Mark wants to read. He wants to know how to spell everything.

That’s the school report.

Health

I’m feeling much better. Thanks for your concern and prayers.

As for Ray, I wish his news yesterday had been better. I’m grateful for the progress that has been made, though. I wish all the energy and concern and love of relatives and friends could be turned into a medicine because I’m pretty sure that would be the cure. There would be no needles and no nausea and hugs and fun times would be the only therapy required.

However, I know that God has a plan for Ray and each of us and we can trust that plan.

Health is a blessing that I easily take for granted. I’m grateful for fewer aches and the good night’s sleep last night.

Summary

We had a wonderful Labor Day. We visited the Desert Museum and grilled steaks on a new grill. I think food is a link to our extended family on holidays. Naturally, we make clam dip (Sanchez) and baked beans (Ross) and pretend we’re with everyone, I guess.

Our week brought a new course for Paige in school and a talent show performance for Daniel. Timothy loves listening to Treasure Island each evening. Mark writes letters. If you are a lucky recipient, I hope you know he loves you. Also, I can’t think of a prayer offered by Timothy or Mark since May in which they haven’t mentioned Ray. We hope your tests this week show no signs of cancer, Ray.

I’ve felt terrible for about five days now and I hope to feel better soon.

Richard and Mark went tool shopping on Saturday. Mark came home with a hammer but Richard only came home with a duster for the ceiling fans and some welding gloves that don’t really work. Bummer.

I can’t sleep because I am so uncomfortable. Say a prayer that I feel better. Thanks.

Going with them

“Of all the help we can give these young people, the greatest will be to let them feel our confidence that they are on the path home to God and that they can make it. And we do that by going with them.”

-President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

I was studying this morning and found this quote really sang true in my heart. I am finding that the more I involve myself in what my children are doing, the more I am able to encourage them. It’s not about making their choices for them or doing their work for them. It’s about working alongside them. How do I do this?

I read the books they are studying.

I read to them.

I go on Cub Scout hikes and service projects.

I know which Personal Progress goal Paige is working on and I’m working on the same goal.

We make dinner together.

Sometimes the introspective loner in me takes over and I don’t feel like engaging in conversation, even though I am interested. It takes effort for me to dig deeply into my children’s thoughts by asking questions, but I see its value and I’m working to be better.

I learned when they were very young that you don’t ask children to clean a really messy room by themselves. You work alongside them and guide them. They don’t feel abandoned and overwhelmed and we each grow in love and appreciation for one another.

If you want children to do a job well, you have to teach it over and over and model it. You have to have expectations, but be forgiving and gentle as you correct them.

I try not to teach distractedly and I’m really winnowing down my computer use. It’s mostly a superfluous escape. But I’ll keep writing so my family far away knows that I am thinking of them and wanting them to be a part of our lives.

Arrow of Light

Daniel is a good scout and this means he usually has a pocket knife and a screwdriver handy. He is good with tools, first aid, and swimming. He received his Arrow of Light last night and we are proud of him.