Short-Lived Blossoms

Grace and I had a long conversation today about nature...and how the prettiest things in nature are very short lived. It's really true. The blossoming trees are only in bloom for such a short time, and that sweet smell floating on the breeze...it comes and goes in what seems like an instant. Tulips and daffodils, lilacs and roses are just the same. They don't last long enough. And then, the peonies bloom and you think there couldn't be any more beautiful sight, and in an instant, they're gone again. Is is really that beauty fades so fast, or is it beautiful because we know it doesn't last? If they were always in bloom, would we take their beauty for granted? Would we think they were so beautiful if we saw them every day of our entire life? Grace and I had a moment of deep thought about this today. Either way, I feel like every splash of color is just like a miracle straight from the hand of God. He is behind all of the beautiful things on Earth, and I for one, can't contain my love for the beautiful world around me.

It's been a hectic week. We seem to have been over-scheduled (which is NOT something I enjoy). I am always trying to simplify my life so that I'm not running all the time, but this week, it was just out of my hands. The kids had to do their ISAT testing this week in a computer lab in town, and so that made two days of running around and spending time in town (BLAH!). Then between two group violin lessons, one private lesson, visiting teaching, scouts, achievement days, dance and million other little things, it felt like this week was a little out of control. Grace looked at me one night after a full day of running, and she said "I just don't like living like this. I can't be outside and enjoy life." This morning, we were finally able to settle down for a bit. We didn't have any commitments this morning... And the best part...WE'RE DONE WITH SCHOOL! We finished our cirriculum, and the kids did AMAZING on their ISAT tests. I can't believe how much more efficient we are than the public schools! Grace says she feels we covered almost two-three times as much material in one homeschool year than she ever did in public school, and Russ has proven to have increased his reading skills by leaps and bounds this year. It feels so good to have it all done. We're taking a little break from school for a few weeks, and then we have some plans for a simple summer program to keep the kids going so that they don't lose all of their skills. With no plans for this morning (and no school), the kids couldn't wait to get outside and play. They spent all morning catching bees on the blossoming trees, jumping on the trampoline and riding scooters. I walked around and enjoyed the overcast morning, taking photos of all of the beautiful things in bloom. I can't believe how early our spring has come this year. It really isn't normal for our area of Idaho. In fact, the lilacs are blooming, and usually, we are lucky if they are blooming for Memorial Day. I am normally wondering if they'll be blooming in time because I  love to take Lilac bouquets to decorate graves. I guess I'll have to rething my bouquets for graves this year :)

and even though this last photo is totally unrelated...LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT EGG! Russ found it in the chicken coop yesterday and brought it inside. He was so excited! I think it's the biggest egg we have ever gotten. It's more like a goose egg than a chicken egg! That poor chicken!

Comments

[Tsila Sofer Elguez]

I would love to read a post about your home schooling experience, how it came to be, how do you plan their week, what do you have to prepare on a daily basis, the children's social life and anything you could share. This sounds very interesting.

[JanSC]

Great pictures of the kids and their dog, and all the blooming flowers. Tulips and lilacs are my favorites but they grow in the Houston, TX area, so seeing pictures of yours makes me happy.

[Mallory]

Beautiful! I wish my job didn't get in the way of being able to spend more time outdoors. Maybe some time off is in order..

[Pauline]

Your blog is like a ray of sunshine...with really beautiful photography :)

[Dayami Lauzurique]

haahahah that poor chicken is right! ahahahaha
gorgeous photos as always!
And about public schools, I had my share of that until last year. It was sooo stressful. So glad your kiddos are having fun now.
Hugs :)
Dayami

[alicia king]

beautiful pictures! i guess i better hurry and take some too! we are just starting to bloom over here! i think that's great that you homeschool your kids and they are doing so great...right now i can't even think about that, i need a break :) we'll try public school for a while and then see how it goes!