Melissa Wiley on her blog Here in the Bonny Glen recommended a poetry blog today.  She writes: 

“Her name is Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, and she had the best coat at the convention, and she kept me in stitches with her stories. She’s a poet and a writing teacher, and her blog, The Poem Farm, is kind of incredible because Amy writes and posts a new poem every day. She’s on day 210 now. Two hundred and ten original poems in as many days! I’m in awe.

Homeschooling moms and teachers take note: what Amy does on her blog is really unique. Besides sharing her poems, she writes about the process—what sparks the idea, what stages the poem goes through along the way. “

Anyway, on that note I skipped over to see what it was all about and I think I’ll definitely be weaving this one into our lesson plans and thought some of you might like to as well.

As for Melissa Wiley, she is the author of several companion books to the Little House series and a great source of book recommendations for our family.  We would have never heard of Betsy-Tacy without her.

And since we’re talking about poetry here’s a narrative verse Sister wrote last week.  So far we’ve studied several types of poetry (including limericks and haikus ~ her favorites) and for each type I have her write her own.  She complains greatly at the beginning but is so proud each time she finishes.

Since I was nursing when baby #4 surprised us by his presence we weren’t sure of the due date so we went to see Barbara.  She gave us these.

and a due date of Nov 18th … you know, because having a newborn in the mix will really make the holiday season go more smoothly.

She also told us our baby to be is a boy (which, for the record, I knew already).  Sister and Brother are both pleased with this information.  Sister because it means that she won’t have to share her room with another sibling and Brother because he likes things to be even.

She also told us that Baby is super healthy and perfect in every way.  (She didn’t use those exact words but that’s what she meant.) but she also informed us that we have marginal placenta previa.  Probably everything will be just fine because it’s still so early in the pregnancy but later we will make a trip to see Barbara again to be sure.  Other than that all is well.

As a bonus for you, here’s a baby picture that Sister drew for me when we returned.

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I love poetry.  It’s one of my favorite things.  It’s also one of those things I want my children to appreciate.  Sister apparently has different thoughts on the subject.

I think she was surprised by how much I truly enjoyed her attempt contempt.

All the things I have to do
Like Noah’s ark march two by two
A never ending laundry list
of tasks cry out not to be missed
Each one vies for my attention
Hopes at least for honorable mention
A daily contest: who will win
Dishes?
Dust? or
Three children?

In the midst of this commotion
Comes a balm, a magic potion
Seeping to my very core
Something that will peace restore
In chapter 3 of Lamentation
A promise that will end frustration
I have hope, I’m not consumed
The days loom large but I’m not doomed

With morning’s light hail mercies new
Compassions from my God debut
Faithful Father, One I need
Daily for Your help I plead
Please, this raging storm abate
Seeking you my soul doth wait.
Peace descends ~ still much to do
But now I know that I have You.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

Lamentations 3:21-25 (KJV)

In this room

Tread with care;

Legos, legos

Everywhere

In the bed

On the floor

Bare feet

Enter here no more.

Lego Attack by Brother

Rock Monster Attack by Sister

Why is stop motion animation so violent?  Peace, Lego people, peace.

Today I am thankful for
    A baby that sleeps through the morning chatter.
        Morning chatter.
    Bathroom hand towels rakishly askew.
        A little boy with things to do and scant time for neatness.

Today I am thankful for
    Room on a bed for fifteen stuffed friends piled high
            ~ guardians against monsters and other scary things ~
        and the growing little girl underneath it all.
            Also, a home with no monsters.

Today I am thankful for
    A man of fierce commitment.
        A love that is steady.
            Strong arms and character.
        Blue eyes and 11 years of weak knees.

But mostly
    this Thanksgiving
        I am thankful for outstanding friends
    who are doing all the work.

Somehow I never posted my Buckaroo haiku on the front page ~ not certain why.  Anyway, today I found the perfect picture accompaniment from Dora’s early days and had to share.

baby in the house

bleary eyes for tiny toes

a worthy exchange.

Planning on Sunday

for a busy week ahead.

Also, I do bills.

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Consuming baby love

like the intoxicating beverage it is.

Can’t get enough.

Drunk all the time.