Viva la Revolucion

Ahh. Revolucion. Taking your ball and going home. Has it come to this?

I used to think, or rather, I fancied myself a fighter. I had a few pet causes, but who doesn't in college? Now...who has the time? In groups that we inevitably find ourselves, I have found that my fight is gone. When I find myself in a situation that I cannot support, or defend, more and more I find myself withdrawing from the whole group. My husband will disagree because he still gets an ear full from time to time, and he's convinced revolution soon follows me. (I tend to think it's a strong Germanic streak that doesn't like being told what to do).

Could that be the catalyst of my homeschooling adventure? I sure didn't think that the public schools were where my kids needed to be - academically or spiritually, but I didn't want to fight the system. I didn't have the time or the energy. All my energy has been wrapped up into these four little people. To fight the fight, of say changing the face of public school, I would have missed out on watching them learn. I would have missed out on them. They are now my cause.

I think my revolution is in the home. (If you've seen my laundry pile couch you would have thought there had been a revolution in the house). But really, in today's world, the home is revolutionary. It's counter to everything that we're fed through the mass media and modern convention.

There are some people who I wonder why they ever had children - they seem so unjoyful about that situation, but for those who have chosen to really be in their families, I encourage them whenever I can. They are the revolutionaries. They are fighting the system from their own dinning room tables. Whether they have no children, or seventeen, those people who have decided that which really matters is the people around us - those are the revolutionaries.

So, as I have written this, I have thought that I had no fight left in me. I've just realized that my fight is not gone, but rather it's a new one - one that you'll not read about in Glamour or in Newsweek. It's fought by living in families where compassion, selflessness, generosity and forgiveness are learned. Those are virtues that can change the world.

The Mysteries of Men

My little boy is a man. Well, as much of a man as a three year old can be. He "tee-teed" at the potty standing up! There was much jubilation, knuckle punching and whooping between him and his daddy. All of this while the sisters and I watched the celebration in a confused disgust. Knowing that Little Man is outnumbered in the house, I was glad he had reached this manly milestone, but all the while I was thanking the potty gods that our bathroom is tiled four feet up on all the walls. (What really makes me need a margarita is that I've been warned that four feet is not nearly enough). This also means that midnight screeching will soon be upon us when one of the sisters lands in the water after Little Man has obligingly left the seat up. He's well on his way into the Man Club. Good for him, but we girls have no idea why it is so cool for guys to be able to stand up for the task. I've asked Darling Man, with all academic sincerity, and the only answer I can get is "I don't know, it's just cool!"

What Big Eyes You Have

Comics joke about it, parents lament together over it, and it will never change. It is the uncanny ability a child has to ask you a question about someone or something at just the wrong moment. You know, questions like "Why's that lady so fat?" or at McDonald's, when the eyebrow pierced, goth goon hands you your food, " Is that a boy or a girl?"

Well, my Second Darling, who is quite the spunky one, has had several of those questions in the past week, and the amazing thing is that I've learned her "face" when she's about ready to lay one on me. For instance, the other day at our mega-buying club, a man had some sort of pigmentation disorder. His skin was splotchy and oddly colored. She turned up and looked at me with the most enormous blue eyes. Just as she said "Mom," I realized what was coming, and I was quickly able to head her off by saying, "Just wait. I'll tell you in a minute." Thank God she was willing to wait.

I'm not stupid - I'm fully aware that I'm being lulled into a false sense of super-momdom. One of these days, probably in the not too distant future, she's going to bust out with the nastiest on-the-spot question. I'm just enjoying my delusion for the moment. I'm sure you'll hear about it.

Conquering the Beast

Yes, we did it! We made it through our first day of school today. It was great! I think I smiled a little more than this vanquishing squirrel killer. (I HAD to use this picture....it was just to funny to leave out!). There were no tears, no struggles and both Darlings actually told me how much "fun" it was! Miracle of miracles, I even managed to go out for brunch with my Darling Man. The mere fact that I got more than one thing done today, in and of itself, is a true miracle. Today was a great day!

Not every day is this victorious, mind you. Sometimes we are not so fortunate. I am praying that this will be a good indicator of the year ahead. On those days that I feel more like this squirrel than the warrior, I'm going to re-read this post and remember today.