11 things I learned in August

At the end of each month, I'm linking up with Emily of Chatting at the Sky to list the things I've learned in August. Be it silly or serious - it's here.



1.  The Dallas String Quartet is blowing my mind. They play grown-up versions of popular songs from the present day and days past. I listen on Pandora - maybe you'll like them too?


2.  They've released the new main image for Season 4 of Downton Abbey. Don't click if you are still getting caught up with the series. Just don't.


3.  Even if it takes a year, it's okay. I started reading the book Little Britches out loud to my kids last September, as our first homeschool read-aloud chapter book of the year. It was to be the first we read last year, not the only.

But as life would have it, it's all I had in me to read a chapter every week or two. I let go of the guilt a long time ago, but was determined to actually finish. And finish we did, about two weeks ago. At one point in that last chapter I couldn't speak, the story was just so emotional. I didn't dare try to read on right then or I would choke and sob through the words. The kids were wide-eyed as I stared at the pages with tears brimming and no words. It was that good. I highly recommend it. (I edited the rare moments of cowboy slang/cuss words as I read for our listening pleasure.)


4.  I still don't get why the whole mustache thing is so popular. Weird is more like it.


5.  Watching your baby learn to walk never gets old.  First baby or seventh, it always takes my breath away.

 6.  I'm uncomfortable with being misunderstood. I've known this about myself for a long time, but it became very apparent this month. But I'm over it now. I've learned that I can't convince a person to understand me or the truth about me if they can't see it for themselves. But I can trust the Spirit to do His thing, working even when I can't see or do anything about it. Some serious peace is found there.


7.  There is a cure for fruit flies. We were having dinner with friends early in the month, when I saw a strange contraption sitting on her counter full of little dead flies. We've had tons of those pesky flies come in with our store bought our produce lately. Yuck.

What you need: a small bowl, about an inch of apple cider vinegar, and some plastic wrap. Pour in the vinegar, wrap it tightly, then poke some fork holes all around. Watch those little flies be attracted to the vinegar and get trapped inside. Gross, but useful!


8.   My first post as a new monthly contributor at The Homeschool Classroom goes live on September 23rd!  Earlier this summer I was brought on as a new "staff" writer for the site. So exciting! I'll be linking to my post that morning... stay tuned.


9.  Fresh air and mountains does a body and soul good. We spent an evening not long ago up in our nearby mountains. I breathed deeply, taking in the wonder of God's creation and the wonder that He knows me by name and by heart.

 

 

 

 

 

10.  Sending two boys off to their first night of middle school youth group night feels a bit like sending a five year-old off to kindergarten (as if I know). These boys who still want bedtime hugs and kisses, are so cool to parent.

 

 

11.  I need to read THIS nearly every month. I re-read this article yesterday written three years ago by Ann Voskamp ... All I can say is: yes to all of it. It's a must-read for us bloggers. 

Well, friends... that's it. I do believe that was by far my longest "things I learned" post to date! Thanks for sticking around to read it.

Now it's your turn, I'd love to hear what you've been learned in August!