what I'm learning in school

I haven't had much time for blogging lately...heck, I've barely had time to breathe! What with the stress of school (still continues to be a MUCH harder adjustment than I ever expected) and what seems to be waves of stress coming from various and sundry directions, I feel like I'm in a mode of just keeping my head down and surviving on a daily basis. However, I must say, that even in the midst of being swamped with school, I am at least learning things along with my kiddos! Lots of stuff that we've covered have even related to the current swirl of politics of this election time.

I'll quickly share two things that were particularly striking. First were some things that one of the 'teachers' (via video) from Kate's history curriculum said. He pointed out that if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. He spoke of the many similarities between the slavery debate of our civil war era and the debate surrounding the abortion issue of today. He remarked that the parallels are "stunning and obvious". He also said the following:

We never argue so eloquently as when decrying the crimes of past generations, and we are never so blind sometimes when we assess the holocaust living in our own time.

He continue to point out that "the place of history in our life is profound. If we can learn what the same kinds of people, dealing with the same kinds of moral paradoxies were dealing with in the past" that we could gain much insight into how to change our world today.

On a few other points he also had these quotes that I thought were worth remembering:

(Regarding history revisionism)
"He who controls the present controls the past, and he who controls the past controls the future."

(On society - I found this one encouraging in some senses, as I see a rise in the arts within the Church)
"At first art will imitate life, and then life will imitate art; soon life will take its very existence from the arts."


Bryce's literature last week also contained a fable that I think everyone in Washington, embroiled in partisan accusations, could stand to read and learn from.

Aesop's Fables

Translated by George Fyler Townsend

The Father and His Sons (or "The Bundle of Sticks")

A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it. He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon which they broke them easily. He then addressed them in these words: "My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks."

"Union gives strength."

PHILLIES CLINCH NL EAST CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

YAY PHILS!!! And my father-in-law was there to witness it!! His choir sang the National Anthem; I'm sure it was their moving rendition that inspired them to win. :) Well, I'm gonna assume that, even though I have no idea because we weren't there. But I so wish we could've been!!

clean desk, sick mind

If this saying is true, I am one menatlly HEALTHY person!! Remember the pictures I posted just a few short weeks ago of our cozy, clean little school area? Well, yeah...




It seems the rest of our school supplies have finally arrived, and as we've been 'flying by the seat of our pants' with the new cyber-school thing thus far, it's now officially time for me to get organized and do this right. I actually have my teacher manuals now, so I can understand what and how exactly that I am to be doing things. So, I am spending the afternoon, and probably part or most of the evening, organizing my books & supplies as well as reading manuals. (I absolutely cannot stand the clutter a minute longer!!) I know this sounds like an incredibly good time to you all, but I'm sorry, I just cannot invite you to join me. I want the pleasure of this all to myself...I'm selfish like that. So, whatever it is you have planned for tonight, try not to think of me and my manuals because you might be overcome with jealousy!

answers in unexpected places

As I mentioned, we listened to the entire unabridged version of "Prince Caspian" on our vacation. There were a few lines from the story that absolutely hit my heart like an arrow. Some of them almost seemed like God revealing insights to me about some things I'd been praying about. Some situations in our life have had me asking "God, where ARE you???" and wondering if He's even hearing me. I know many people get their answers from God directly from scripture, as often so do I, but God also speaks to me in many, many other ways. Like Elijah in the Bible, I'm usually looking for God's answers in the big ways - you know...wind, earthquake, fire...that kinda dramatic deal. But, also like Elijah, usually God is answering in the still small voice...the things that unless you are trying to be tuned in to Him you might miss. (If you want to read the story of Elijah, check out 1 Kings 19).

Along the same lines, there was an e-mail that I found in my box when I came home from vacation also. It was from a local pastor who has experienced intense struggles in his ministry over the past number of years, and he was writing to share the incredible joy he was experiencing in seeing some of the wonderful ways God is working in peoples' lives now, that might not have happened had he quit when the going got tough. There have been a couple things in my life right now that I've just been questioning if I/we have missed God on, and wondering (mainly out of my own discomfort more than God's leading) if I should just throw in the towel. God sent another piercing arrow in the last lines of this email. This is what he wrote:

I just thought I should share that with you, in case there is someone who is thinking of quitting because they have not seen the desired results in their work for the LORD. I have often thought about it too!!!!!!

God sure knows how to encourage us when we need it though!

Pretty amazing, huh? So, looks like I'm supposed to hang in there and trust God more - He can handle stuff, even when (and especially when) I can't, or have tried and royally screwed it up. Which is the same thing He was reminding me with this line from Prince Caspian that keeps resounding in my mind and heart.

"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger." "That is because you are older, little one," answered he. "Not because you are?" "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
Dialogue from Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis

Here are just a few other impactful ones for you to ponder. Maybe God can use them to bring an answer to your heart today.

"You have listened to fears, Child," said Aslan. "Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?"



"Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?" "I — I don't think I do, Sir," said Caspian. "I'm only a kid." "Good," said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not. ..."


“Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the thins she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan."


“And I do hope,” said Lucy in a tremulous voice, “that you will all come with me. Because-because I’ll have to go with him whether anyone else does or not.”

Clemmer family vacation '08

I love creating traditions and memories with my family. In fact, our whole family loves it. And our yearly vacation is one of the best traditions we've started building so far. Everything from wanting to go to the same location every year (Ocean City, NJ) to doing the same things (hitting the boardwalk for the arcade & funnel cake; Kate & I having a girl-afternoon watching the movie "Emma" together; going to the Cape May zoo). There's just something very significant in building a family identity, and traditions are a big part of that.

We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time and we were so sad to leave our little family cocoon and come back to reality. It's such a bonding time for us. Here's the highlights: The kids were content to play and color together. We listened to the entire, unabridged version of "Prince Caspian" on audio book together (that's 4 solid hours, people, of listening - WITH NO SCREEN in front of them!!), as well as 'The Boxcar Children' (another couple of hours). Granted, we did it in 1-2 hour segments, but still... We visited the boardwalk and had fun on the beach. The guys watched the big Eagles game together on Monday night football, complete with 'party food', while Kate and I watched a movie called "Ballet Shoes" together. Every night Lukey would ask to go see "the monkeys on the boardwalk" - one of the mini golf places has mechanical gorillas in a helicopter that move and "sing" to different oldies, such as "Under the Boardwalk" and "The Monkees" song. We also got in lots of 'educational/school time' (in addition to all the literature time we racked up!) - we visited the Naval Air Station Wildwood museum, the Ocean City Historical museum, learned about the ship that ran aground in OC called the Sindia (still buried there somewhere) and learned some about hermit crabs as well as seeing the guy fishing next to us catch a small shark ("don't worry kids...it's not the kind that can actually EAT you..."). Todd also learned about the danger of catching crabs bare-handed...but that's another post altogether.

One moment that stuck out to me was a conversation we had w/Kate. The kids had been playing on the beach with 2 little girls who only happened to live about 1/2 an hour from where we do. At one point, Kate came over and asked Todd if he could tell Bryce that he shouldn't ask everyone if they are Christians. Todd asked her what happened, and she replied "Nothing. But we're just there playing and he says 'Are you guys Christians?' He always does that." While being able to identify with her uncomfortableness with her brother's straightforwardness, he simply said, "No, Kate. I'm not going to tell him to stop. I've prayed for years for that kind of boldness to talk to people about God." While he was very gentle in his reply to her, I think she was really impacted by the thought, and we were encouraged by Bryce's sincere heart.

On a not-so-touching side of things, I fell off the bottom step coming out of CVS, getting medicine for my sickees (2 of the kids got colds while we were away, and now another has it) and more suntan lotion (we only had 2 really warm, sunny days and 3 of us (not me...) managed to get burned in that short amount of time!!) and twisted my ankle, not to mention felt like a real dufus. God is always watching out for me - keeping me humble, that is!!

Well, I hope to post lots more pics, but I just spent 2 hrs trying to upload several to Facebook, so I'm too tired to do many now, but I'll leave you with a few of my favs. More thoughts to share over the next few days...

"America's Greatest Family Resort"...we agree!!

OK, are they identical or what?!?!

In an army helicopter actually used in vietnam (I think)

Being 'terrorized' at the Cape May Zoo

My family - just being together. :o)

catching up

So, where to begin to fill you in on my whirlwind past 2 weeks...

Well, I guess I'll start with my trip to the Big Apple and Betsy's Big Day.

On the morning of September 11th I rose before the sun (a VERY RARE thing) to leave at 5 a.m. to be in the audience of the television show The View. Now, I am aware that many people HATE this show (some of them vehemently!), but I enjoy it, for the most part, even though I disagree with about 90% of what is said. That would be because 4 of the 5 co-hosts are liberal, and only one is conservative, but I am amused by the political discussions (arguments) - unless they truly get nasty, which used to happen more, but hasn't been too bad of late (though I was thoroughly disgusted with the show the day they had the McCains on) and I guess I watch so I can hear what people on the other side actually think/believe (which most of the time leaves me incredulous, but I do think they represent most of the leftist opinions fairly accurately), and to cheer for the 'underdog'.

Anyway, whatever your opinion of the show, it was incredibly fun getting to be involved in a LIVE TV SHOW!!! Maybe it's just because I grew up as part of the 'tv generation', but it was just a really cool experience. (Plus I got a free bottle of perfume. Oh, yeah, and a Jessica Simpson CD, which I've already re-gifted! ;o) ). And yes, I DID appear on TV - 3 times - according to my children! I haven't gotten to see the tape yet (my friend taped it for us), but apparently I've now officially had my 30 seconds of fame (funny, I don't feel any different...). :o)

We drove to Staten Island and took the ferry across. I was keenly aware of the fact that we were crossing, looking at the NY skyline, at precisely 8:30 in the morning on September 11th, and could only imagine having been in that exact same spot at that exact same time 7 years ago. As we stood on the deck, watching as we crossed, I was standing fairly close to an older guy wearing a NYFD t-shirt with several crosses and names of members of the fire department who were lost in the attacks that day. He stared, teary eyed and unmoving the entire ride. At one point I was so aware of the fact that he was obviously mourning, that I felt he needed more space and moved to another spot. (I understand mourning, and just needing to be alone with your thoughts, feelings and memories, and wanted to be sensitive to that.) All the 'fluff' of visiting a TV show aside, it was a significant day to be in the city.


Also, whilst I was away, I sadly missed most of my baby sister's BIG DAY! Her house finally got put together, and after they put the roof on, the crew guys even put a big bow on the roof - as it was the unequivocally the BEST birthday present she could have gotten!! After the show I was so anxious to get back and share in her joy, and the only bad part of the day was how long it took for me to get from the one place to the other!! If you want to hear about the details of her house adventure and see all the pics (I tried to copy some over here, but it wouldn't work), click on the link on my right sidebar that's called More Than Mom. It's really interesting, and unspeakably exciting for her (and us) as she's waited almost 10 years for her dream house to be a reality.



I'll post more about our vacation soon (not sure if I'll have time this afternoon or not) and I'm planning to upload my pics to Picassa or something so you can view all of them...I'll let you know when that happen.

wise words

While I'm pulling my thoughts (and photos) together to post, here's some of the best (and actually non-partisan) thoughts I've heard on the whole election deal from anyone in the media. It's a clip from Late Night with Craig Ferguson. If you have a couple minutes, you will enjoy his "comedy-with-a-point".

after this message, we'll be riiiiight back (think commercial jingle...)

Just popping up here to say that I'll be back to posting soon...vacation is almost over, and the past 2 weeks have just been a whirlwind of activity, so I'll have lots to tell you about, and pictures to share too!! Right now I'm trying to soak up every last minute, cuz it's all about to end. :(

let the fun begin

Well, here's where the fun begins. This is the official beginning of my 'week of craziness'. I'll be leaving by 8 a.m. today to head to our Lancaster meeting day - but first I get to see my sister's new house - well, at least 3/4 of it!! 3 out of the 4 pieces arrived yesterday, I believe the last one comes today and it all gets put together on Thursday. But my baby sister finally got to stand in her dream kitchen - now a reality 9+ years in the making! If you'd like to follow the whole amazing process of a house being 'delivered' and 'put together' you can check out the photo journaling of it over at her blog www.bets-morethanmom.blogspot.com.

We'll be trying to keep up with school this week, help out at the new house, do laundry and pack for vacation - and oh, yes, sneak in a quick trip to NYC over the next few days... so watch for updates of my excitement, but don't be too surprised if I don't have a spare minute to post until AFTER the festivities are done...

See ya on the flip side!

the evolution of dance

Just something fun to give you a chuckle (if you like dancing...if not, well, you might not appreciate this quite as much).

let me hear from you!

As I've gotten more readers visiting my blog, I am often curious about who they are, and how they ended up here. The past few days as I've mulled over what to post about, I've wondered what it is that people want to find when they visit my site. I also have been wondering if I've offended people with the occasional 'rants', as I like to call them, or the few political posts I've done. Sometimes I post things just because they're running through my head and I need to get them out, but other times I wish I knew what people most enjoy finding here so that I can make your visit to 'crocuses...' a bright few moments in your day. I know some people don't post comments because they aren't sure how, and others (like I myself many times) enjoy reading, but don't have time to comment on everyone's I read, or simply don't have anything to add.

In the past few months a few other blogs that I read have posted some polls, or asked readers to comment and share who they are and where they're from, or how they found the blog, etc. It's been fun to see who the various people are and how far and wide people are connecting in that one spot. So, I thought I'd kind of 'steal' their idea and do a little polling of my own.

So, a couple questions I'd love to hear feedback on... First of all, I've posted a poll on the sidebar asking what kind of posts you most enjoy here. All you have to do is click and vote - no registering or giving any info about yourself. I'll just get to see numbers for the most popular post topics.

Then, if you have a minute I'd love to know who you are, where you're from and/or how you found 'crocuses in march'. If you care to share, leave me a comment (click the comment button at the bottom of the post; if you don't have a blogger or google account, you can opt to leave an anonymous comment). (If you're reading this and think "Didn't she ask me to do this before?" - well, the answer is that I may have, but I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to go to my archives! So if you already did this and you know that we're already 'blog-friends', you can just disregard this part if you like.)

Finally, one last thing - and you may want to do this anonymously if you wish - I was just wondering if when I go on my little 'rants' or talk politics if it offends anyone. Again, you don't have to attach your name, but if you've been offended by anything here, it would be helpful for me to know what you think I should omit because it simply isn't 'becoming'.

Thanks for interacting with me - I'm looking forward to the responses!!

Thankful Thursday

1. Having at least a good portion of my school materials and computer; heard of folks in my charter school who have still not received ANYTHING!
2. Freedom to vote and elect our officials
3. People who know me - and love me anyway!
4. My sister getting her house in mere DAYS!!!!!
5. Tomorrow being Friday!!
6. My hubby's jobs -stretching as they might be.
7. Having had a good dad for 33 years.
8. Lukey doing amazingly well at entertaining himself during school time.
9. My kids 'owning' their faith - choosing of their own free will to participate in prayer meeting tonight, and commenting about looking forward to our small group study next week (Seth).
10. Iced tea (I'm tired, gimme a break...) ;o)
    

my brother

So, as you may or may not have noticed, I changed my sidebar pic of myself. The reason for this (and the reason I'm doing a post about why I changed my picture) is because I've been thinking about it for days...since my sister mentioned that her hubby thought I should change it. He said I looked like I was 'scolding' in the other one, which I can totally see his point. (I don't love the new pic, but until I get something better - maybe at the shore! :o) - it'll have to do.)

All this simply to say, it made me realize how much I really value Joe's opinion. I was really surprised - and not at all offended - by the fact that he said actually voiced his opinion about the photo. Joe isn't one to necessarily throw out his opinions a lot. He's sort of a go-with-the-flow kind of guy, and is usually happy with whatever makes others happy. So when he has opinions on something, and voices them, I listen and value them, because I know he's not the type to just "blow a lot of hot air".

I never had brothers growing up, though I always wanted one. There was something very appealing to me about having a male that looked out for you. And I mean in a way that would be different than the way my husband takes care of me - because he surely does. But there's just something about a brother - a 'buddy' type relationship where he can be comfortable enough to tease you, but doesn't take kindly to someone else insulting you type of thing. I don't even really know how to explain it - but maybe if you had a brother (who you have a good relationship with) you'll understand what I mean. I would NEVER trade my sisters for the world, I'm just saying, a brother would have been nice too.

Anyway, all this rambling to say - I'm glad I've got a brother that looks out for me now. :o)

creating quite a stir

I am rather amazed by some of the attacks/accusations being leveled at Sarah Palin. Admittedly, at first I was hesitant myself about her ability to serve as VP, but NOT because she's a woman, NOT because she's a mother, and NOT because she's being investigated. I was somewhat concerned at first about her experience, but learning the things she's accomplished in her political career thus far has more than put that issue to rest for me. However some of this blows me away:

• The whole "investigation" scandal - anyone who cares to take 5 minutes to research it online a bit can find, as I did, that this cop was truly corrupt, and should have been removed...he TASERED his own stepson, among other things (as proven by the 482 page investigation on him). Being family would have certainly given the Palin's an inside perspective on this corrupt policeman, but all of this happened over a year before she was even governor. Last time I checked, having corrupt officers or other public servants removed isn't an abuse of power...it's a wise use of it.
• Her daughter is pregnant, but getting married and keeping the baby. People are trying to use this to say she doesn't really have family values I guess? Seems to me that she, as much as anyone, would have stances on family value issues that have been tried by the fires of the crucible, and she didn't flip flop in order to give herself an 'out'. Most other politicians form opinions and take their stands on suppositions; Palin's living her convictions...even when it's hard to do so.
• People are apparently commenting on her appearance. Some folks are upset about people making comments about her being "hot" and saying they're glad to finally have a candidate that wears skirts instead of pantsuits. Here's my take. Yes, it's completely inappropriate and disrespectful to be referring to her as "hot"; she's running for the office of Vice President of the U.S. - not Miss September. It's rude, and definitely would not be happening to male candidates. However, the skirt comment might be conveying something different than prejudice , in my opinion. I think that people might simply be appreciative of a strong, capable woman to can be comfortable enough with her God-given identity as a woman to be able to lead while maintaining her femininity. It's not a shameful thing to acknowledge that men and women are NOT the same. Equality doesn't mean sameness. I love the fact that Sarah Palin is a woman who does her hair and wears a skirt and leads and gets the job done.
  
• Finally, the whole "should she be running for VP when she has kids..." discussion... Yeah, there's not enough time or space for me to get into that, and I gotta get to bed.
  

So, suffice it to say, I like her. I thought she did a great job with her speech tonight. Looking forward to seeing her hold her own in a debate with Biden. Go, Sarah.

tie a knot and hang on!

School is turning out to still be quite a struggle. Any prayers would be greatly appreciated. I keep telling myself that it's just a transition and that each day will get better... So looking forward to that kicking in any time now.

Remember when I said I was gonna like September? Well, I sorta forgot about all the rest of the days when I DIDN'T have 'fun' things planned...and there's a lot of 'em!!

So, consider me tying a knot at the end of my rope and hanging on...I'll be back to blog when I can!!