Homeschooling: staying on track

Leave a comment August 28, 2020 firstfruitsfamily

Here’s the truth: the unsettling part of homeschooling is that there is no track. Sometimes, structure is provided by the curriculum. The State regulations might have minimum requirements (like days of school and subjects/grades). Often, we can find expectations in a local homeschool group or co-op. Honestly, the choice of studies and the schedule is mostly up to the family. What to do in a day or a year is left to the parents to decide, yet this is both freeing and paralyzing at the same time. Considering that most people don’t have any experience homeschooling until they begin with their own children, staying on track seems intimidating.

Nathan and I regularly remind ourselves of the goals at large when we begin to get lost in the details of the moment. We are after their hearts, and all else is secondary. Praying for the new school year and pleading for wisdom from the Lord gives us peace. Trying to surrender our plans and our days is part of the call of a Christian to obedience and faithfulness.

As parents, we set the atmosphere for learning in our homes by our interests and experiences. Our family enjoys biographies, literature, music, hosting people, road trips, hiking and nature. Since we instill our strengths in our children, we can assume that we will not be teaching them everything they will ever need to know about God’s world. A seasoned homeschooling mom several years ago shared with me her schedule and her prayer request which I have treasured as a nugget of wisdom. She mentioned that she regularly prays “that the Lord would fill in the gaps.” This is part of the adventure of the journey. It would be so stressful to constantly compare what our kids know with the neighbor kids. It would be discouraging to always question if they’re getting ahead or if that other math program would have been perfect. There will be holes that others will fill in as God brings them along our path.

Every year I create schedules and checklists, but that is just because of how I think. I thrive on order, so following a curriculum and incorporating our interests has been a good flow for us the past 12 years of homeschooling. We simply complete the curriculum and move on to the next level. Although we have done hands-on projects, we have mostly depended on literature (reading aloud) and comprehension. We use copywork, converstion, and writing papers (if old enough) to evaluate progress. In the last seven years, we have found support through the tutoring and brief classroom experience of Classical Conversations. I have been tremendously grateful for it especially in the junior high and high school years as have my children.

Keeping on track requires a great deal of intuition, observation, and conversation. When frustration and discouragement seep in, we try to take a break and look at it again with fresh eyes the next day. Sometimes we have evaluated if the material was not suited for that year for that student. Often, we just prayed together and pushed through.

We have never heavily relied on testing. While it’s a constant challenge, Nathan and I have always wanted to inspire a love for learning rather than the academic tasks. We have required diligence more than perfection and required focus more than completion. In recent years, we have seen the fruit of this. Children that struggled to master concepts are able to embark on new and challenging themes with enthusiasm for learning. They don’t exasperate nor retreat. They’re aware of their stumbling blocks yet can fully enjoy their own level of engagement. They’re aware that the learning will take more and varied efforts, but they feel defeated. This brings us so much joy and triumph.

As parents, we tailor the year to suit our children’s interests and aptitudes. While creating a homeschool track can seem demanding, hopefully it is rewarding to each child. I firmly believe that if the parent isn’t enjoying it, nobody is. Don’t hesitate to deviate from what everyone else is doing! Learning should be interesting, fun, and appealing to everyone!

Enjoy as much as you can in a day, and the days will add up to a wonderful year.

with love, Damaris

welcome to homeschooling!

Leave a comment August 21, 2020 firstfruitsfamily

The talk about town is that many families are turning their efforts to homeschooling. While I am so excited for families to be home together, I wanted to drop a small thought that has been with me for months.

The experience many parents had with homeschooling a few months back was not the normal atmosphere in which parents homeschool their children. Because parents were frantically tossed into this semblance of homeschooling at the end of last school year, that is not homeschooling. It has been appropriately named crisis schooling. No one was operating as normal or in a purposeful, intentional environment. High anxiety, health fears, job loses and isolation are not a normal context for homeschooling. “This is so stressful.””This is horrible.” “I’m so glad I never did this before.” “I can’t imagine how you do it.” “This is a nightmare.” This perception of homeschooling is inaccurate.

On some level, I wanted to propose that when a family home educates, it doesn’t look nor feel the same way as those intense and stressful weeks did for many families. I heard from several parents that their experience solidified why they never wanted to homeschool. Don’t be mistaken in thinking that homeschooling means confined people, who have no interests and live mostly disorderly, stressed lives; or that homeschooling families are miserable while attempting to school their kids. The notion that those months were “homeschooling”, is just not true nor normal. Not because parents didn’t do a good job, but because the situation was manufactured.

So if your experience was discouraging to you, be of good cheer. Homeschooling is a beautiful, healthy environment for learning.

“Talk together. You’ll find yourself enjoying it!

Relax.

It isn’t all as hard as the experts make out. We are human beings, persons, created to live. To have life more abundantly. Wonder together; grow together. Together share the struggles of knowing that we cannot perfectly follow God’s law. We are fellow-pilgrims. We walk side by side as human beings under the love and authority of Him who made us.” (For the Children’s Sake -Susan Schaeffer Macaulay)

Jump on in, the water is fine!

with love, Damaris

cobbler, the easy farmhouse dessert

4 Comments August 6, 2020 firstfruitsfamily

You have to just memorize it. This recipe is so simple that you can put it together while sitting down to supper and have it steaming hot as you finish cleaning up the meal. I have been making it for 15 years, and it’s still a summer staple.

It requires no forethought. No need for peeling, dicing, nor butter-softening. It’s a one bowl recipe. Perfect when you’re in a pinch to serve guests, pretty for an occasion to celebrate, yet mouthwatering on any given night of the week.

The edges get so crispy and buttery, the center so soft and the fruit oozes its delicious sweetness. This cobbler is nothing short of tempting. We serve it with fresh cream, but sometimes we have ice cream – wow!

We love blackberry the best. Peach is our next favorite. While cherries are good too, strawberries turn mushy and may not be the best choice for cobbler. Fresh fruit doesn’t last very long in our kitchen, which I’m sure happens at your house too. Since frozen fruit bags are something I keep on hand, that is what I always use. There’s no need to thaw the fruit before making the cobbler. Oh, and I always double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. The leftovers are even better! Promise.

Peach (any fruit) Cobbler

-1 cup flour

-1 cup sugar

-1 Tablespoon baking powder

-1 cup milk

-4 Tablespoons butter(1/2 stick butter ; a 1/4 cup)

-1 16 oz. bag of frozen fruit (or 4 cups of frozen/fresh is perfect too)

-Cinnamon-sugar for dusting

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the butter to an 8 inch square pan (a 12 inch cast iron skillet works very well) and place in the oven until the butter melts.

In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and milk. Pour mixture over the melted butter and drop the fruit evenly over the batter. The dusting of cinnamon-sugar (or just sugar) over the whole thing will add a little crust when it’s baked, and I highly recommend it : ). Bake the cobbler for 45 – 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center.

Let me know how you like it!

with love, Damaris

For Our 18th Anniversary

7 Comments August 3, 2020 firstfruitsfamily

From the very beginning of our relationship, we’ve both always said that “opposites attract” is not a true statement. Very shortly after we meet in that creative writing class, we talked for hours discovering how much we had in common. Even though we’d been raised worlds apart (literally), we were so alike that we couldn’t imagine anyone, so dissimilar being this close.

Today is our 18th wedding anniversary. Even though we have so, so many ways and things in common, I (and the children) came up with 18 things in which we are different. Nathan has not seen this list, and I can’t wait to hear him chuckle in consent.

1- I don’t use the snooze, but he plans for it.

2- He loves water, and I’m not a confident swimmer.

3- I thrive on change. He’s steady.

4- His virtue is delayed gratification, but I enjoy something new.

5- He’s good at impromptu, and I need to plan.

6- “Sleep is overrated,” he says. Bedtime is never too early for me.

7- I like sweet drinks, and he enjoys bitter coffee.

8- He’s prudent, but I move quickly.

9- I have wanderlust. He’s a homebody.

10- He enjoys a juicy burger, but I live on vegetables.

11- I’m from the old world, and he’s from the new.

12- He’s daring, and I’m fearful.

13- I’m cautious, but driving dangerous roads is a thrill for him.

14- I was trained in music, and he was trained in sports.

15- He says,”I’ll find another use for it.” I throw it away.

16- When I see a crisis, he sees a resolution.

17- I can feel overwhelmed and nervous. He’s calm and collected.

18- He rules his life by principles, yet I fall prey to convenience.

Regardless of differences, we are two sinners who God chose to bring together for such a time as this: to serve Him in this place as we nurture eight beautiful children.

On a very warm Spanish summer evening, eighteen years ago, we said “I do.” I’ve never looked back. Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary, My Love!

fall farm update

Leave a comment December 1, 2019 firstfruitsfamily

New Coop

Nathan and Alexander built a chicken coop with downloaded free online plans. This “chick-shaw” can house 30 chickens, never needs cleaning, and is mobile. The boys move it around every few days so that the manure gets spread out throughout the pasture. William lets the chickens out at sunrise and closes them up after dusk, but, really, they return to the coop when the sun goes down on their own. They free range all over the pasture during the day, and a couple of them like to lay their eggs in the sheep’s hay feeder. I don’t think sheep like eggs, we just have to remember to go get them. We currently have 20 hens and 1 rooster. He’s the nicest rooster ever.

Raspberries

We never thought, but raspberries our more prolific in the fall than even the summer harvest. Our variety produces in June and again in September, but this year, we still have some frozen under the snow.

Pigs

Nibbles turned a year old, and we (along with a few customers) are grateful for full freezers. The children are looking forward to bacon and eggs, and mom has meals planned though the winter. We have a fourth pig still growing which will be a year old in the spring.

Pumpkins

We had a very low harvest for all of our garden vegetables this year except for pie pumpkins. They were lustrous and abundant. It’s so delightful to use them around the house until we’re ready for baking them.

Bees

In the fall, Nathan and William add a reducer to the hive entrance. This prevents other insects like wasps from getting in and stealing the honey. We’re still enjoying raw, unfiltered honey, and we have it for sale too! We see a few bees still visit the few wildflowers that are most cold-resistant.

Sheep

We had three lambs born this fall. A singleton and a set of twins. One of the twins had a hard time within the first 48 hours, so we brought her in the house and bottle fed her. Really, force-fed her. She didn’t want to eat for 2 weeks. This is when Nathan noticed that her knee joint was swollen. He did some research and found that lambs that are rejected by their moms are especially susceptible to an infection. Alexander gave her a shot of penicillin for 10 days, and although she’s quite small, she is back in the pasture with the flock and just started eating sweet supplemental grain this week.

Llama

Larry has been the best shepherd for our sheep! We have never had any incident with losing even a lamb to predators. Each time there’s someone going on a walk with their dog or a neighbor riding a horse down our road, he races to the fence and watches. Larry lives with the sheep in the pasture and is always with them.

Fall is quieter than summer. We’re happy to have enough hay till the spring and all the animals buttoned up for the cold weather.

Until next time!

with love, Damaris

postpartum care and wardrobe

November 8, 2019 firstfruitsfamily

There is so much hype surrounding labor and preparing for baby’s arrival that many moms don’t even consider how they’re going to feel when they get home.

It’s not uncommon to feel like time is both standing still and moving too quickly. The fourth trimester is an important time that shouldn’t be rushed. For our baby, for ourselves, and for our families, we’re better off to prepare. While the magical and exhausting days after birth bliss pass quickly, we need to be aware of our body’s healing.

“I don’t have time to shower!” is something every new mom feels in the first few weeks (okay, months). Today I’m sharing what I’ve used to feel a little more put together without taking much time. Also, the fourth trimester attire is real and necessary. Mandatory soft sweats, stretchy jammies, and soft sleeping/sports bras make a tremendous difference in our mood and comfort during the several weeks of postpartum.

Here’s a list with links to all of my favorite items for postpartum wardrobe and care:

Cleansing Face Wipes – I love these! They are perfect to keep in the nightstand for washing my face at the 3am feeding, if I haven’t gotten to it earlier. These are quick, no getting out of bed, no waiting for the water to run warm at the sink, no lathering, etc. : )

Dry Shampoo – always smells good and when you spray the roots, you actually get lots of volume. It’s a multipurpose product that helps you feel fresh and combats flat, day-old (or two or three) hair.

Perineal Spray – it provides healing and relief without the chemicals. The application is just a simple and light spray.

Feminine Pads – the length of time you may use these varies tremendously between 10 days or so to 6 or more weeks. I like the long and thin for most comfort and extra coverage at night.

Depends/Always Discreet Underwear – what the hospital provides is usually not tight or secure. It’s mesh and itchy and never stays in place. I brought these to the hospital and was so happy I did! I wore them until the package was empty which was just right. They are very comfortable, you feel very dry with no leaks, and they have a little built-in support for feeling covered and all tucked in.

Breast Cream – this is a must. I always use it consistantly for the first couple of weeks. I’m so afraid of getting chapped or worse. This balm gives very thick protection.

Nursing Pads – disposable is quick and you may not need them for very long. I like to wear them especially during the weeks I apply the breast cream since it can stain or leave a greasy residue on clothing.

Witch Hazel Pads – these are my secret weapon. I have used them for all of my postpartums (eight), and it feels very cooling and clean. I use them until the package is gone. First, I wear them over the pad, later, I use them to wipe and feel like the healing is coming along.

Underwear – just a couple of these help smooth out the middle-section so fabrics don’t cling in all the wrong places ; )

High-waisted Leggings – they cover the tummy when nursing for more comfort. These have a gentle compression that secures the post-baby belly and feels supportive on my back.

Seamless, Soft Sports Bra – I always wear one through labor and delivery and really for the first few weeks. It doesn’t tug or dig anywhere and you still feel supported. Later, when I wore regular nursing bras, I still wore these to bed for the comfort for sleep and ease of nursing.

Sweatshirt – soft and cozy adds a little comfort when you’re extremely tired. This works great when you’re too sleepy to change into pajamas.

Protein Drink – helped me get to the next meal if we were going to be out or if i was nursing/pumping and couldn’t get a bit to eat until a little later.

Concealer – this one is thick and a very little bit goes a long way. I’m still using it over a year later.

Audio Bible – listened everyday and brought so much joy to my soul. I would switch up the versions (a different reader with each one). I purposed to listen during my morning feeding/pumping session. It was very comforting and I looked forward to it.

Tylenol – when you’re not a first-time mom, afterbirth pains may be intense. I have sometimes taken it just to not think about it. Afterbirth pains should taper off within the first week.

Nursing/lounging Clothes – you may have taken some to the hospital, but if not, having a couple sets at home is very practical. You’re comfortable and discreet for visitors, but can slip into bed for a quick nap midday, too. It’s a wonderful feeling to change into clean clothes when there are so many messes around : )

Probiotics – I mentioned similar ones in a previous post regarding postpartum preparation. It was helpful to take them through the postpartum weeks to keep the digestive system regular. It may boost the immune system, so I take it in hopes to compensate for lack of sleep lowering my immune system.

Water Bottle – staying hydrated is so important! It will affect your milk supply. I like this kind because I can sip it while driving without having to tilt the bottle. It also doesn’t require two hands to unscrew when nursing.

Extra Set of Bedsheets – if baby’s diaper leaking and spitting up the whole feeding doesn’t convince you, then mom’s night sweats and midnight snacking in bed will. You’ll need another set of sheets for a 3:15am bed change. Choose natural fibers like cotton or linen.

with love, Damaris

three treats with all the feel of fall

3 Comments September 22, 2019 firstfruitsfamily

Happy First Day of Autumn! A strong warm wind blew all day yesterday warning us that the piles of leaves will soon be rustling under our feet. The sounds of summer fade to a crinkly whisper and rich green turns to dusty gold. Acorns keep the squirrels busy and we know the world is changing.

harvest apple dip

Applesauce, fresh apple slices, apple butter, baked apples, apple pie, or just a whole apple in your pocket can only mean one thing. September is for apples, and we love this three ingredient apple dip. I always double the recipe, cover the bowl we served it in, and store it in the fridge for next time. We have this at lunch, for a snack, and as a fruit side with supper. It’s only three ingredients: cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

https://letsdishrecipes.com/2017/09/three-ingredient-apple-dip.html

apple bread

Apple bread is at the top of our family’s favorite quick breads. It’s sweet and soft and we often serve it alongside dinner. You’re going to love this recipe full of chunky apples! We use 1 cup of sugar instead of 2 cups.

maple milk

The maple milk is turning into our family’s year around favorite special drink. We used to only have it cold during the summertime, but warm is the best alternative to hot chocolate in case sometimes you want something else :).

It’s just two ingredients:

1 cup milk (cold, warm, hot)
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (we prefer FirstFruits Farms maple syrup :). Comment or email us if you’d like some!

We sometimes sprinkle cinnamon on top or a little nutmeg (the children’s preferred way).

Do you have simple recipes your family loves? Happy Fall Friends!

with love, Damaris

preparing for postpartum

1 Comment September 15, 2019 firstfruitsfamily

After eight deliveries, I feel comfortable to talk about my personal postpartum experience. With each baby’s arrival, I learned how to prepare for the ups and downs of postpartum, which has been very appropriately nicknamed the fourth trimester. Even though I’m not wiser nor a medical professional, I know my postpartum self pretty well – and it isn’t six weeks. Feeling stronger, feeling rested, coming out of the mental fog, having stamina and focus, all these take longer that six weeks to recover.

We all have ‘glitter marks’ (I read this somewhere, and I love it!) in different places. Some carry extra weight, other’s skin is forever changed, a few have soft in different places. Many of our glitter marks disappear and some stay with us forever.

But not all the changes are physical, our minds will cope differently which is the one part of postpartum that you can’t physically see or compare. We find ourselves exhausted with the joy that is the fourth trimester as we become acquainted with our shifting hormones. You can be happy beyond measure and cry tears of sadness or fear at the same time.

Motherhood changes us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some of these changes are permanent, but most are only temporary. The unsettled feeling, discouragement, freak out moments can be so normal and often feel that they’ll become permanent.

We want these early newborn days and weeks to be a celebration of the sacredness of life, so having a chance to understand and prepare will help the transition that is postpartum. I’m compiling a list of my postpartum essentials, but today I’d like to share a few things I’ve learned about the postpartum journey:

it gets better. With the passing weeks, you will feel stronger and have more stamina.

it’s very brave to ask for help. Remembering that so many women understand and care makes it tremendously better.

slow down. Have time to bond with the baby, time to talk, and cry. A good friend, mom, or husband will allow you to have a good sob and release those hormones.

eat, drink, and sleep well, or as best you can. Nutritious food is very important to balance our hormones. It will be difficult to find time and mental focus to invest into menu planning and healthy pantry items, so it’s best to prepare before the birth. I freeze wholesome meals before baby comes, stock the pantry, make simple breakfasts menu (more like a list that Dad or grandma can follow), and lunch ideas based on what we keep stocked and what the children like.

get in the sun. I have made it part of my recovery routine to be outside everyday (usually a short 15 minute stroll).

probiotics. Gut health is closely associated to mental health. Link.

prenatal with DHA fish oils. Continue to take it daily. Getting enough iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, and proteins will help recovery.

activities for the siblings. I always buy a few craft kits from Hobby Lobby of Michael’s. Many years ago, my sister-in-law mailed us a new Cat in the Hat DVD soon after having a baby, and it was so hepful for the siblings. Having the littles sitting at the table with a craft or on the couch while you nurse is priceless peace of mind. A container with new puzzles, coloring books, crayons, stickers, etc. is also handy.

routine. I try to have a couple things that I do everyday that make me feel normal. Notice I said a couple :). Little daily anchors, if you will. Mine are to have a cup of coffee in the morning, take a shower (even if it’s mid-day), sit down with the family at dinnertime, pray with the littles and kiss them in their beds. These few and little things are big deals in postpartum and can help make you feel sane.

What other advice would you give an expecting mama?

with love, Damaris

family currents: last call to summer

Leave a comment September 8, 2019 firstfruitsfamily

August began with a hot sun, though it didn’t hang on to the summer song long. We all seemed keenly aware this year that the changing days would soon give way to the start of school, and we savored the last of summertime’s fun.

Eva and William got to take tennis lessons through our township’s Rec and Ed. Thursday evenings were spent at the park riding bikes, playing in the play structures, or walking the trails while we waited for them.

Since our anniversary and my birthday were in August, we went on a couple outings without the children. We took lots of pictures and told them all about it, though : ). We are so blessed to celebrate 17 years of wedded bliss!

Samuel had a birthday. He’s 3!!! It’s truly the magical birthday age. He was very aware his special day was coming and couldn’t contain his long trains of questions, “And get presents? And blow candles? And my birthday? And get presents?”

We also went to the lake because if you live in Michigan, it is the proper way to enjoy summer. Of course, thunderstorms rolled in, and we packed up our encampment pretty quickly to enjoy a bowl of lentil stew at home.

This was the year of the frog. The children found so. many. frogs and toads! Cicadas, katydids (green leaf bug), praying mantis, and garden spiders also went into Samuel’s new bug box. And sometimes all at once. Not a good outcome for some. Nope.

This was also the summer we ran an animal rescue. Eva started the summer with a baby raccoon she named Boone.

And the three little girls found three baby bunnies!

We enjoyed pizzas on the grill most Sunday afternoons, and sometimes shared it with friends. Alexander would get pretty creative with the toppings, and Nathan grilled them to a crispy perfection. Our long picnic table makes for easy after supper clean-up, so we ate most suppers al fresco.

Nathan had bought a few large sky lanterns, and on the last weekend of August (while lovely friends were visiting), all the boys released the lanterns as a Farewell to Summer.

with love, Damaris

modest teen girl outfits for back to school

Leave a comment September 3, 2019 firstfruitsfamily

Since summer is coming to an end, we’ve begun looking at the fall clothes that we have and what we need to add to the children’s wardrobes. I’m especially focused on the older kids’ wardrobes, since they don’t have a previous sibling’s clothes waiting to be rediscovered from a storage tote in the basement…

So that means Eva and I have an awesome excuse to go shopping! Shopping for clothes for Eva, who is now 13, means browsing the women’s section. Yes! She’s all grown up, and I couldn’t be more pleased. She’s a true blessing in our home as a sister/friend and a loving helper.

As we picked transition outfits for the new season, we had two criteria:

modest yet stylish
at a good price

Looking or shopping for clothes is a good opportunity to talk about and instill in our daughters a sense of modesty. Finding age-appropriate, feminine, fashionable clothes can be hard, and it is equally challenging to find them at a reasonable price.

It’s important to add that modesty is a virtue, and dressing modestly doesn’t make you modest. Trying not to draw undue attention to ourselves is both in action and in dress. Particularly as moms, we should help our teenagers recognize that their attractiveness is not tied up in their clothes. We should encourage them to feel respectable, appropriate, decent, and humble as they transition throughout the seasons of life.

This past week, Eva and I looked for items that she’d like to add to her wardrobe. We’re including some that she already owns or are very similar. Both of us think you’re going to love these outfits and find them perfect for the transition from summer to fall.