I used to be different

I used to be different. Did you know me then?
I wasn't old.  I was young.  I was pretty thin.  I had free time.  I used to feel bored, sometimes. 
I loved learning French.  I loved it so much I majored in it.  I loved it so much I spent 5 months studying abroad soaking in everything I possibly could. 
I used to listen to music really loud in my room.  Sometimes the same song over and over and over.  Sometimes I would write down words to my own songs in my spiral notebook.  Or poems. 
I used to be different.  Did you know me then?
I used to rearrange my bedroom furniture at night, and if it was too late, I'd sketch out how I would do it the next day.  In my spiral notebook.
I'd make cakes and brownies for my parents and brothers.  I used make cakes to take to school in junior high after band competitions.
My best friend and I would take a pan of brownies to my room and eat practically the whole thing.  We had an agreement. She got the outsides, I got the middle.
I used to be different. Did you know me then?
I used to ride my bike around the block, go the movies, and hang out with my friends for hours.
I didn't like crafts, I didn't like to shop, and I didn't read much for fun.
I hadn't thought much about the world, about politics, about education, or about the purpose of life.
I am thankful for where I am today.  I am happy where I am today. But I used to different. I am happy there are people around who knew me then.

Beginning of December

Assalamu alaikom wa rahmatullah,

We've got one week left of our first trimester of homeschooling.  It's come along really well, alhamdullah, and we're all looking forward to a break ( in a good way, not because we're sick of school).  I'm still giddy each time a new perk of homeschooling comes my way.  They keep rolling in!  In general, the attitudes are improving, stress is decreasing, enthusiasm for learning for the sake of learning is growing.  They're finding teachable moments on their own and are acting out on what they learn. Masha'Allah, it's been an eye opener for me because I had never given education this much thought before.  To suddenly have taken matters into my own hands has widened my scope of knowledge about learning, about my own children, and about how things can/will work out in life.  And all of that blends perfectly with something I've learned about myself in the past few years.  I've learned that I enjoy questioning why we do things or follow any given trend, and I've felt liberated by realizing I don't have to follow the expected or 'normal' way.  The beginning of that was when I looked into my faith and decided to start practicing.  I learned about the true religion and learned how to set old cultural habits aside.  The religion is pure, culture is not.  And now with education, family, growing, shaping, learning. It's great.  It feels more natural.

I was expecting a period of 'detoxing' from the old way we were used to doing school. Happily, we didn't have any rocky moments.  I think we transitioned into homeschooling easily, and they're eager to work in the mornings, alhamdullah. 

I'm also very appreciative of 'quality' toys and books that have been gifted to us over the years (many from Mom; thanks Mom!).  Wooden blocks, wooden puzzles, classic readers, and hand puppets are on such a different level than the commonplace plastic out there.  I can say this with confidence after 4 children and 10 years of experience.  I now refuse to get 'junk' books for the littles to read and opt for quality storylines and language.  Sure, an occasional one comes home from the library, but I will not buy them. 

We've added two huge items to our homeschool.  The first is a set of bookcases I've been dying to have for almost 10 years.  We bought three of them and lined them up in our schoolroom.  Books are organized by age level including a whole section for preschool activites (like the wooden puzzles, lacing blocks, board books, and hand puppets).  There's a whole shelf for library books since we bring home about 30 each week.  The Arabic reader books are visible and look more inviting than being tucked away in someone's room.  Maryam has even pulled some out and started to read them! Great addition to our Arabic curriculum.

The second item is a Listening Center I set up.  We've had this CD player with speakers (looks like an old fashinoned tape player, but it's not) for years, and I've used it off an on, mostly in the kitchen.  Well it took up a lot of counter space so I banished it to a storage cabinet for a few months.  Till yesterday!  I set it up in the corner of our TV room that has the lounge seat and side table.  It is easy to use and has a remote.  We brought home about 5 Audio Books (books with accompanying CD) from the library and set them up there.  The girls fell in love with the idea!  They can now sit down with a book and CD and follow along!  It is downstairs which is away from the schoolroom  in case anyone wants to use it during the day (which Maryam will).  I don't forsee any conflict with having the TV in the same room b/c we only watch the TV for one hour a day.  So I'm looking forward to using the Listening Center! (I wish I did school sitting on the couch under a blanket!)

Thanks for reading!