Hillbilly EllaB

Whether you like VP elect J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” book or not, we couldn’t pass up a Halloween costume opportunity;). 

Meet Hillbilly EllaB…

Grateful for cooler weather today.  Otherwise, this photo shoot would have been "hotter than a goat's butt in a pepper patch!" That's all the hillbilly slang I know.  Find your imagination and tell your story.  Happy Halloween!

High School Freshman

Ella's first day of 9th grade looked very different from our actual lesson plans. After reading posts from parents whose kiddos started school last week coupled with news of a tragic school-related accident, we deviated from our "plan." 

Turning off the early morning alarm before it sounded, I stared at my beautifully sweet teen sleeping peacefully. She looked as if the summer breathed a new level of maturity into her--her big bed no longer swallowing her.  I couldn't help but delay the inevitable and climb in for cuddles. "The Old Man and the Sea" could just continue fishing, and we would CATCH him later.

These are the times when being an older parent comes with special benefits. Grateful for a successful career, retirement, an amazing hubby, and the opportunity to homeschool, teach, follow and support my girl--without judgment, while she navigates the different stages of life. 

"Every day is a new day" (Hemmingway). I love watching her smile and grow into the fresh-faced teenager she’s become.  With over seven billion people on God's earth, SHE is the absolute perfect daughter for me.  Can't' wait to see what this year brings. 

Happy learning sweet girl from the Happiest [Mama] in the Whole USA;).  

Montessori roots...music and practical life

From playing music at German festivals to building fences on the farm, Ella B gets the job done! 

Follow the child…and watch her light the way!

ADVENTure

"In the beginning" versus "Once upon a time" is where our ADVENTure begins, and it is a story far greater than any fairy tale ever told because...it is true! 

Every year as Christmas nears, we anticipate and celebrate His birth through our homemade Jesse tree ornaments and/or a precious Advent wreath made by Ella during her early Montessori days.  

https://cyndi-ella.blogspot.com/2011/11/celebrating-advent-from-creation-to.html

We welcome this period of waiting, even more so since we are surrounded by a world of people who can't seem to wait for much of anything.  Our desires for instant gratification is ever-present with the rise in online shopping (Amazon), fast food, video games, etc.  

"Waiting is the hardest work of HOPE."  Jesse in the Bible experienced the miraculous impossible when his family tree (that looked more like a stump from failing God) eventually sprouted a new shoot of Hope.  

Waiting is where God prepares us for our next ADVENTure; growth is in our struggles.  It is when we become impatient and try to write our own story, that the ending falls short. 

This morning, we lit our candle of Hope, as a reminder that God's promise comes true, and He sends His son as a light in the world.  

We're thankful for men like Isaiah and Micah, who were faithful in their waiting for the light, when all around them was dark. 

"And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?  My hope is in YOU!  Psalm 39:7