Laughter From Within

Tocqueville on Elections

2012-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

"The presidential election [in the United States] may be considered as a time of national crisis...Long before the appointed day arrives, the elections becomes the greatest and, as it were, the only matter which occupies people's minds. Then political factions redouble their enthusiasm; every possible phoney passion that the imagination can conceive in a contented and peaceful country comes out into the light of day.

As election draws near, intrigues multiply and turmoil spreads. Citizens divide up between several camps each of which adopts the name of its candidate. The whole nation descends into a feverish state; the election becomes the daily theme of newspapers, the subject of private conversations, the object of every maneuver and every thought, the only concern of the present moment.

It is true that as soon as the result has been announced, this passion is dispelled, all returns to calm, and the river which momentarily overflowed its banks returns peacefully to its bed. But should we not find it astonishing that such a storm should have arisen in the first place?"

-Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

I am just so tickled by the fact that Tocqueville found elections in the U.S. so strange! :)

Today Part 2

2012-01-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

Remembered a post I wrote a few years ago where I listed the things I did that day. It was fun. So I thought I'd do it again for today, just because I like to see things like this written down...maybe you do too.

Woke up at around 6am, after pushing the "snooze" button a few times

Jumped in the shower, and drove off to school

Had to switch seats in Gov. class because the new semester started. I liked where I used to sit better.

Learned in English that I have to have up to chapter 10 of the Scarlet Letter read by Wednesday, and I haven't even started chapter 1

Then my teacher randomly walked up to me and asked me if I believe in Global Warming (I think he does this on purpose because I knows I am a Christian and very conservative)

I told him NO...but then I was stupid and couldn't come up with any very intelligent come-backs

So when I got home, I searched the house for every book on Global Warming my dad has

I couldn't find any, so I read the section about it in my old Physical Science book...I now feel somewhat educated on the subject...but I might not get another chance to argue the issue with my teacher! Oh well

Then I started freaking out about the Hillsdale interview I have tomorrow, and made sure I was pretty up to date on current events and political issues...which I am since I discuss these things with my parents every day.

But I just wanted to make sure

Practiced my violin for a little while. I have a competition coming up that I'm very nervous about.

Finished all my Economics homework.

Did history with JP (age 7) We learned about Ancient Africa and the Sahara Desert. I never knew the Sahara wasn't always a desert. It used to be very green, with flowing rivers and all sorts of animals!

In the lesson, there were African stories about Anansi the Spider. So I read them to JP in my usual overly-animated excited voice, and then I sang the Raffi song about Anansi. (Which is awesome!)

I pretty much love Anansi

Then we did science and learned about gravity and Earth's atmosphere.

I tried to get JP to draw a picture and write a summary about what he learned. He refused and ran away. I chased him and dragged him back to the table, but it was no good. Somehow he ended up watching Spongebob instead...I'm a bad teacher, I know.

Jenna made some watery brownies, and wanted me to fix it for her, but those brownies were past the point-of-no-return.

So that has been my day so far! Tonight parents and my sister and I are leaving for our little college visit excursion. We will stay in a hotel tonight, arrive at Hillsdale tomorrow, and then visit Taylor University on our way back. It should be fun!

Why I Hate It When People Say They Don't Care For Politics.

2012-01-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

"All the opportunity for self-government through the rule of the people depends upon one single factor. That is the ballot box...The people of our country are sovereign. If they do not vote they abdicate that sovereignty, and they may be entirely sure that if they relinquish it other forces will seize it, and if they fail to govern themselves some other power will rise up to govern them. The choice is always before them, whether they will be slaves or whether they will be free. The only way to be free is to exercise actively and energetically the privileges, and discharge faithfully the duties which make freedom. It is not to be secured be passive resistance. It is the result of evergy and action....

Persons who have the right to vote are trustees for the benefit of their country and their countrymen. They have no right to say they do not care. They must care! They have no right to say that whatever the result of the election they can get along. They must remember that their country and their countrymen cannot get along, cannot remain sound, cannot preserve its institutions, cannot protect its citizens, cannot maintain its place in the world, unless those who have the right to vote do sustain and do guide the course of public affairs by the thoughtful exercise of that right on election day."

-President Calvin Coolidge

Writing, Books, and College

2012-01-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

First, I would like to say a few words about writing. Yes, writing. I was just reading over a paper that I wrote for a Great Christian Classics class I'm taking, and I found myself cringing and heming-and-hawing over it...I was so disgusted, I couldn't even finish it! I already turned the paper in, and received it back with a grade...I just can't believe I turned it in like that. I don't know about you, but I hate reading over my own writing. When I try, it becomes such a painful experience that I just give up, turn it in, and hope for the best. Oddly enough, I always get great remarks about my writing. Am I missing something that other people see?

I believe writing and I have a kind of love-hate relationship. I often find writing things down hard, unfruitful, and horribly lonely. Words are tricky- and I'm pretty sure they purposely try to make my life more difficult. Yet it gives me such satisfaction when I can at least, however inadequately, get what I'm thinking on paper. What are your thoughts on writing?
______________________

College, college, college, college, college. It's all I can think about these days. It is still uncertain where I'm going, and what I even want to do with a college education. My first choice is the deliciously prestigious Hillsdale College. It's my "if I could only go to Hillsdale" choice. I finished the application, and I won't know until February if I got accepted. In a few weeks I'm visiting the school to take a tour (given by my lovely Hillsdalian friend), sit in on a class, and then have an admissions interview. I. Am. Excited. And nervous. This sounds stupid, but I've been worrying most about what I am going to wear! haha!

My other college choices are Wisconsin Lutheran College, Taylor University, and UW Stevens Point. I'm very uncertain about how it'll all turn out. It's funny to think that God already knows where I will go to college (or if I go to college!) and He even has my whole life planned out! When I think about that, it makes all my nerves and worries seem like such a waste of time!
_______________________

Now I should like to tell you about a book I am reading. Both my grandparents strongly recommended it to me, and that is saying something because my grandma is an avid reader, and a very critical one at that. She would have made an excellent book critic, and that's why I keep telling her to get a blog so she can write all about the books she reads! Just to show you how much my grandma reads, when she was younger, she made herself a book stand to keep by her ironing board so she could read even as she was ironing!

So anyway, this amazing book is called "Peace Like a River" by Lief Enger. It's basically just a story about a family in the 1960s. The content is actually sort of boring when I think about it...but the author's writing style is just INCREDIBLE! He uses lots of subtle references to literature, which make me feel proud when I actually know what he's talking about, and it's just so, so, amazing. I wish I could write like that. So yeah, I guess that's all I had to say about it. :D
_________________________

That's all for now. Sorry if this post was painfully boring, It just needed to be updated. Peace out,
Maddie

Authentic People Blog Party

2011-11-11T14:41:00.001-08:00

1. What is the nerdiest/geekiest/weirdest thing about you?

I have a not-so-secret crush on a fictional literature character. His name is Edward Ferrars (from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility) and I love him. The end.

2. If you could live in a fictional universe from any book, movie, or television show, what would it be?
iCarly all the way. I watch that show all the time and I LOVE all the characters. Especially Spencer. I always say I'm going to marry a Spencer someday, so if I was in the show, I could marry the real him! He makes me laugh.

3. Little or big, practical or frivolous, what is one of your favorite items in your house?
Our piano. It's beautiful and I love it so much. I just wish I could play it well!

4. Do you like animated movies? If so, what is your favorite?
Yes, I love animated movies. I have 7 younger siblings so that's just about all I watch! All the original Disney movies are awesome...my sisters and I were talking this morning about Disney princesses and I said I like all the princesses, but Prince Philip (from sleeping beauty) is my favorite prince...he's amazing.
But, anyway back to my favorite animated movie. Although it's a very hard choice, I'd have to say Ratatouille is the best. I can repeat back to you entire scenes from that movie! Love it!!!

5. What is your favorite household chore?
Cleaning off the kitchen table after a productive day of homeschooling! It's so fun.

6. What is your favorite thing to get at Starbucks (or your favorite coffee shop)?
I do like Starbucks' frappacinos...but my favorite drink is the campfire mocha from Carribou Coffee. YUM!

7. What is your favorite pizza topping?
Black olives.

8. Waffles or Pancakes?
They both taste the same to me...I guess waffles are more fun.

9. Have you ever let anyone win a game?
No...I almost never win board games anyway. The truth is, I'm sort of dumb at games. I'm a book-smart person with almost no quick common sense! lol

10. Have you ever died your hair?
Do highlights count? My mom gave me highlights before my 15th birthday...and I cried. Because I hated it. But I got over it and my hair is now back to it's normal color...plain brown. :D

11. Do you make your bed every morning?
On the weekends, yes. Weekdays, no.

12. Picasso or Norman Rockwell?
Oh my gosh, I LOVE Norman Rockwell! His paintings are so cute, and they portray life in such a real, heartwarming way. Sorry, but Picasso's paintings creep me out. This is my absolute favorite Rockwell:

13. If you could put one thing in a safe under your bed, what would it be?
Wow, I'm having a really hard time thinking of an answer to this one! I don't really have anything that is extremely valuable because I have little siblings that wreck almost everything I own. Ha!

14. What is your favorite condiment?
Um, Mayonnaise? That's a condiment, right?

15. What was the last thing that made you laugh?
My sister Jenna. She makes me laugh all day long. If you ever need some cheering up, spend an hour with my sister...you'll be sure to get a laugh. :D

16. Think fast...what's the first song that pops into your head?
Don't you dare laugh. My new favorite song is If I Ruled the World by Big Time Rush. Yeah, I'm still a 12 year old girl at heart. <3

Okay, that's all. Be sure to visit Abigail's blog to join the blog party fun! :)

I'm back!

2011-10-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

Hi!

My name is Maddie, the author of this humble blog.

I don't expect you to remember me, as I have been inexcusably absent for so long.

But that's ok, because I'm back now, and you are reading this post, though I still have no idea what I'm going to say, or even if I have anything to say. Sometimes I feel like my brain is like the matrix of a hair follicle: there are so many cells (or thoughts in this case) that are floating around, undifferentiated. I know they mean something, and they will. But for right now they are just scattered and unidentified and probably not even rational. And that's what you will read in this post.

So this year I have been taking two AP classes at the local public high school. I thought I'd never see the day after I was pulled out in 7th grade, but here I am as a senior in high school, walking the halls of a jam-packed public high school. I probably looked like a little lost puppy trying to find my way around. But now I at least know how to get to my classes and all I want from the this experience is to pass the AP exams in May.

I like my U.S. government teacher and that class is going fine. At first I thought it would be a total waste of time, seeing as I feel like I've spent all my high school years immersed in the workings of our government. But I have been learning so much, and almost everyday I come home from that class with something new to discuss with my mom.

But then there's the English class. I want to love this class. I really, really do because English is MY subject, and I adore it. But the teacher and the books we read make things complicated. The teacher is, shall we say....well actually I can't really think of a word to describe him. He's not the way a teacher should be and he tells the class things I probably would have been better off not hearing. Yet I don't dislike him exactly because he's actually a rather nice, personable guy and he looks out for me, since I'm the weird homeschooler.

We finished reading "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.S. Sallinger. I hate that book with a passion. I still don't understand what makes it a classic, because I did not find anything in that book that would make it worth studying in school, or even read during leisure time. I mean, I thought the author's characterization of Holden, the main character, was good, but he didn't even go anywhere with it. He killed his own character's spirit and potential! What kind of author does that?

Right now we are working through this quarter's "independent novel" which is a novel of each student's own choosing (from a list, of course). Today we did discussion and broke into groups according to what book each student is reading. But guess who was the only one reading "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf? You guessed it. Apparently the teacher is reading that book right now, so he and I were in a lonely group together. We were talking about one of the characters, who is an athiest, and the teacher was saying that since he is an athiest, he has no purpose in life...and he is trying to find it in his intellectualism. He knows I am a Christian so he said,

"So coming from a Christian background, what is your purpose in life?"

and I said "To glorify God."

Then he said, "If you take God out of the picture what is a person's purpose then?"

And I sat thinking for a while. I was going to say something about trying to find fulfillment for the self through worldly means, but he said,

"There is none, is there? Atheists, like myself and this character, don't have the the beauty and greatness of God, so they try to find purpose and fulfillment elsewhere. I haven't found it yet."

I couldn't believe it. I didn't say anything...what could I have said? Should I have said something? I really don't know. I will definitely be praying for him.

So anyway, I sort of liked going to school, and then I started hating it, and now I like it again. I still think that homeschooling is such a wonderful blessing, but I know that kids can excel in school no matter where they go, as long as they have the will to learn and do well. I hope to homeschool my kids someday not because I'm against public schools, but because I want them to have a firm Christian foundation, especially in their studies.

In other news, I have been thinking about and applying to colleges. Sometimes I feel so confused and worried that I'm not doing the right thing, that I'm not heading in the right direction. I have been praying about it and I've decided to just do the best that I can on the applications and then let God show me what he wants me to do. I will keep updating you about how that goes.

Ok, this post is getting pretty long. I will try to start posting more!
love, Maddie

The Love of Jesus

2011-08-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

O Father of Jesus,

Help me to approach thee with deepest reverance,
not with presumption,
not with servile fear, but with holy boldness.
Thou art beyond the grasp of my understanding,
but not beyond that of my love.
Thou knowest that I love thee supremely,
for though art supremely adorable, good, perfect.

My heart melts at the love of Jesus,
my brother, bone of my flesh, flesh of my flesh,
married to me, dead for me, risen for me;
He is mine and I am his,
given to me as well as for me;
I am never so much mine as when I am his,
or so much lost to myself until lost in him;
then I find my true manhood.

But my love is frost and cold, ice and snow;
Let his love warm me,
lighten my burden,
be my heaven;
May it be more revealed to me in all its influences
that my love to him may be more fervent and glowing;
Let the mighty tide of his everlasting love
cover the rocks of my sin and care;
Then let my spirit float about those things
which had else wrecked my life.

Make me fruitful by living to that love,
my character becoming more beautiful every day.
If traces of Christ's love-artistry be upon me,
may he work on with his divine brush
until the complete image be obtained
and I be made a perfect copy of him,
my Master.

This is a prayer from the Puritan prayer collection called Valley of Vision. I put my favorite parts of this one in bold...I hope this prayer will touch you the way it touched me. It helped me remember to keep my eyes fixed upward: on Christ rather than on myself. I spend so much time angry at myself for acting the way I do. It's funny because most people think that I am a very good girl...and they tell me so. Probably because I'm quiet...but oh, if they could see the ugly sin and pride within me they would not think so. Sometimes it even crosses my mind that God must be very disgusted and angry with me...that maybe I have fallen from grace. Yet though I disobey him too many times to count, he still loves me. "Make me fruitful by living to that love, my character becoming more beautiful every day." May I continue my walk remembering that Christ has redeemed me and loves me and everyday may I seek to do everything for his glory and put my past sin behind me and keep moving heavenward. <3

Lists

2011-08-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here wearing my favorite pink pajama pants with bicycles all over them and my "Ron Johnson for U.S. Senate" T-shirt wondering how the summer went by so stinkin' fast.

This Summer....

My lovely cousin got married
I went on my first mission trip
I turned 17(!!!)
I discovered and (almost) learned the amazingly awesome Concerto no. 2 by Haydn
I whitened my teeth for the first time ("rather than flaunt my style I'll flash you a smile of clean pearly whitesssss..." -Owl City. Just kidding, they're not that white. haha)
and uhhhhh......well I can't really recall anything else that happened....
OH! I registered to take 2 AP classes at the public school. I'm nervous but EXCITED! I haven't attended school since I was precisely 11 years old...freaky, huh?

NOT SO FAST! Summer is not over yet! Here are the things I still have to do....

Go to a video scavenger hunt/pool party with youth group (Tonight!)
Go on camping trip
Celebrate Becca's birthday and graduation. She is LEAVING FOR COLLEGE????!!!!! I might die.
See Franklin Graham speak at Rock the Lakes
Finish reading at least 3 books. Not yet sure which ones
annnnd...yeah that's about it.

Have a fantastic Friday everyone!!!

Letter to Toqueville

2011-08-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Monsieur Toqueville,

    Can I be very frank with you? When I first laid eyes on your great, large volume and learned that it was to be the first of a very long list of “great books” I had to read that year, I nearly fainted. I stared from afar at the tall stack of pages bound in a black cover with the words Democracy in America printed across the front...it was intimidating! How could I tackle a big book on politics? I didn’t even like politics! But that was just the problem: I didn’t care. I didn’t care about the past or current issues our country faced nor did I think I could ever make a difference, being so young. I didn’t fully appreciate the beauty of the freedoms we enjoy here, because I never experienced anything different. Your book helped change that.

    Summer was almost over and it was time to pull out my dusty old brain as the new school year approached. Ironically, as soon as I sat my rather reluctant self down at the kitchen table, with your book in hand, I began to feel excited about starting it, though I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

    I’ve always loved literature. It’s so fascinating to me the way writers from the past with brilliant minds share what they know, think, and feel through the power of words! So when I began Democracy in America, it was your intriguing way with words that first got me hooked. But then I delved deeper. Your descriptions of America as it used to be and your expression of the belief in America’s ability to do great things was breathtaking. Your thoughts became my thoughts and, for the first time, I thoroughly fell in love with this country we call America. It was refreshing to read about America through the eyes of a non-American because it is so easy for Americans to get caught up in our own everyday cares and wears of life, and we forget how incredible it is that we are FREE! Free to speak our minds, free to practice religion, free to do and be whatever we like. But you saw that immediately. You saw the spirit and individuality of American life. Why are we missing that these days?

    So I finished your book. From page one, all the way to page 859. I felt like I knew my country so much better afterwards. I now know what we stand for and what makes us americans. But there was one little concern hanging in the back of my mind. And it was the fact that America somehow isn’t the way it used to be. You may be very surprised at this, but there are many that don’t care about our freedom and seek to take it away. They think they are doing the right thing, but if they would just see America the way you and I do, they would never think of doing these things. There are also many who are ignorant of America’s founding principles and they only look at what will make things better now, rather than sticking to the fundamental beliefs of America. I knew something needed to be done to show Americans just how precious their everyday freedoms and privileges are.

    Since reading your book, I have visited our state capitol many times, I have written to many congressmen telling them my views, I have read so many more books on American politics, I have campaigned for political leaders, and I have dreams of doing much, much more in the future. This is thanks to your book. Your perspective changing words have changed my life, and it is now my lifelong goal to take what I have learned about America from your book and get Americans excited and proud of their country again.

Your fellow admirer of freedom,

Maddie Johnston

Beautiful One, I love.

2011-07-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am getting baptized on Sunday, July 31. I was baptized into the Catholic church when I was very small but we're not Catholic anymore, so I think it is fitting that I be baptized again...this time by my own choice. I'm going to have to write up a short testimony to read out loud during the ceremony. Last night I was trying to remember the exact time that I accepted Christ as my Savior. I grew up in a Christian home and I've listened to Christian music since I was a baby, and I guess I've just always had an understanding of who I am and who God is. It was never a struggle to accept Him into my life because I feel that He's just been there with me all along.

I do remember one night when I was 9 years old, and my mom and I were doing our nightly devotions together. I told her I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. We prayed together, but I remember not really knowing if it really worked or not. After that night, I started praying every night and a few times I asked Jesus into my heart again just to make sure it was official. haha!

I don't mean to say that my relationship with God has been perfect. Because it most certainly hasn't. Sometimes I go for weeks without opening up His word, and sometimes I stop praying. I read over my old journal from last year and I see that I'm constantly battling with myself. There are times when I feel like I'm on top of the mountain, but mostly He feels so far away. But however rocky life may get, I pray that He will continue to hang on to me despite my many, many faults and insecurities.

Assorted Trifles

2011-07-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

This Friday I turn 17. Oh how dreadfully old I am getting! Just as I was starting to get used to 16...

I must say, I apologize for being so lazy with this blog this past....year?!?! But I've been writing often in the beat up green notebook I call my journal. Sometimes I'm disgusted with what I write and I throw the notebook across the room. But I always come back to it.

A Bob the Builder tape is playing in the background as I write this. Do you know I've had the Bob the Builder theme song stuck in my head for the last few weeks. Caleb is going through the Bob the Builder phase just like J.P. did, so we own like every episode. Does anybody else think that Bob and Wendy are made for each other? hehe

Today I started Charles Dickens' book "The Old Curiosity Shop." It's been SO long since I've read a Dickens book and I'm being reminded why I love him so much. It feels like home as I read his gripping descriptions and wonder at his strange characters. It's been so long since I've really read a book from cover to cover. I've been reading a little bit here and a little bit there, and at night I fall asleep before I can even finish one page! This one, though, I am determined to finish. :D

I went to see the final Harry Potter last night. It. Was. AMAZING. I've been hearing people say that they didn't think it was a good final movie. I haven't read the last book so maybe I'm not an accurate judge, but let me tell you, I was entranced during the whole thing.

Okay I know this post was kind of a fail, but I felt obligated to update it. I'll do better. kloveyoubye!!!!

Autobiography

2011-05-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

So I've been working through this amazing multi-purpose text book called Omnibus. Through reading classic literature, I get to learn history, english, writing, and religion all in one! Anyway, about a month ago I was reading selections from Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf," and one of the assignments was to write a short autobiography. I wrote one, and it's not very good...and even though you will probably not be very interested, I'll share it here. (I decided to put dashes where there is private information because of creepy internet stalkers.) Here it is:

(No Title As of Yet)

An autobiography is, I think, not of much use when the writer has only lived upon this earth for 16 years. I have not gained enough worldly and spiritual wisdom or experienced enough to write a long, detailed account as autobiographers in the past have done. However, I still think it beneficial for a young person to write out the story of her life so far, so she can see it down on paper and recognize the work of her Creator. In this account of my life I will talk about my life story so far and the people and events that turned me into the person I am today.

I was born on July 22, 1994 in ________ to Scott and Katie. My mom planned to name me Stephanie, but when she first met me, she decided Maddie (short for Madeleine) was the name psychologically attached to me. I was a spunky, high-spirited you child, known for my scruffy voice. I talked before I walked and I remember having a fascination with notebooks because I would carry them around, drawing scribbles on each line. Some things never change. Only a year and a half after I was born, my brother Gavin came along-my childhood pal. At first I was annoyed that this tiny being was taking all the attention that belonged to me. But I came around once he got a little older and we would play many a pretend game for years to come. I taught him what I knew and he looked up to me, calling me “sissy.” Our favorite game was called “Jam and Julia”: a brother and sister pair who went on many adventures. In 1997 twins, Mara and David, were born into the family; and not much later little Jenna came along. There were five of us now, all born within 5 years! My mom had her hands quite full at this time.

My formal education began in 1999, when I began kindergarten at _____ school in ______. I remember having a lot of fun in my kindergarten classroom. My teacher Ms. Liska always came up with creative ways to teach us, though I remember getting in trouble every time I would work ahead, or read through the entire reader before the child chosen to read out loud got through the first page. My schooling at _____ ended with kindergarten when we moved to _____ in a neighborhood called _____. A few blocks from our house was a public school I attended for 1st, 2nd, and most of 3rd grade, and it was called _____. Summer before 2nd grade, my best friend Amber moved in a few houses down from mine. That summer we would spend hours drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, having skipping races down the street, and going down the Slippin’ Slide in my backyard. We were so excited when we found out we were both going to be in the same 2nd grade class. But I didn’t start 2nd grade at Smith until later in the year, because my mom decided she would try and homeschool me. It only lasted a few weeks until she decided it wasn’t for us and enrolled me in school again.

Though I wasn’t aware of it, it was at this time that conflicts began between my parents and they divorced in 2003. So my mom and the five of us moved out of _____ and into the “Little House in the Woods” as we called it, for it really was tucked away in the woods. A few months after our family broke apart, the Lord blessed us by bringing Jeff into our life- the guy that would become my step-dad (but I just call him Dad). He lived in ____, Wisconsin and almost every weekend we would switch off going to his house, and having him at our house. He fit perfectly in our family right from the start and not too long later, he and my mom married. So we moved to _____, Wisconsin in the house Dad grew up in. I finished the last few weeks of third grade and all the rest of elementary school at Wind Point Elementary. In 2004, Joshua Peter was born (we just call him J.P. for short). Then for 6th grade, I went to Jerstead Middle School. At this time, my mom pulled my little sister Mara out of school to homeschool her due to her dyslexic tendencies. She began researching and learning more about homeschooling, and the next year, she pulled the rest of us out.

For these past 5 years, I have really enjoyed homeschooling. I love taking responsibility for my own education, and having a flexible schedule. My schooling has a heavy emphasis on english, history, and literature because those are the subjects I’m partial to. When I was in 7th grade, my enthusiasm for classic literature began when I read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: my most favorite book even to this day. I think being educated at home has definitely steered my life in a different direction than it would have gone, had I continued to attend public school. I probably wouldn’t have been as passionate about the classics or school in general. My life would be just one big whirlwind of empty busy-ness and I wouldn’t have the time to spend with my family that I do now. Even my relationship with God wouldn’t have been what it is because I wouldn’t have time in the mornings to study his word and talk to Him if I was so busy with school all the time. So needless to say, being homeschooled is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

In my life so far, there have been so many influential events, books, and people that it’s difficult to choose just a few. The first thing that comes to mind is my experiences at Teenpact Leadership School. I went to my first Teenpact state class in February 2010 with my friend Rachel. We went because we both enjoy following politics and current events and the class is mostly about the workings of state government. But, as we found out, it’s SO much more than that. Through Teenpact I have met so many incredible people that had such an impact on me. I have also developed a life-long passion for U.S. government and making a difference in this country for Christ.

As for influential books, “Stepping Heavenward” by Elisabeth Prentiss is one that has changed my life. It is the diary of a girl named Katy as she walks through life with the Lord at her side and I love this book so much because Katy and I are so much alike it some ways. She learns how to control her temper, and how to faithfully live her life for Jesus. There are some passages and sections of that book that I will never forget and I hope to give my daughters copies of that book someday, in hopes it will impact them the same way it impacted me.

Although there are so many that it is hard to choose, there are two people who have influenced me the most. The first is my Mom. She is the person I can go to with anything, whether it’s an amazing quote I just read that I want to share, or a problem that’s been hanging on my mind. She has taught me how to love other people no matter who they are or where they come from and I am forever grateful to her for that. The other is my best friend Sarah. She is also someone I can talk about anything to. The two of us like nothing better than a good discussion on a book or a quote. This is a girl who loves the Lord so much that it blows me away, and I would give anything for one eighth of her devotion to God.

Sometimes I like to think I have my future all planned and figured out, but I really don’t. At least I have kind of a vague idea of what I would like to do. My immediate goal to complete before high school is over is to start a Generation Joshua club. My friend Rachel and I hope to gather up students who want to make a difference in their community. In our club we will do community service projects, campaign for conservative candidates, and meet legislators. I hope to go to college right out of high school and double major in political science and english and minor in music. I’m not quite sure yet if I want to become an english teacher, or have a career in the political arena, so I decided to major in both so I can keep my options open. My friend Sarah and I have dreams of opening our own school someday: a school that offers a Christian, classical education to kids grades K-12. In the future I also hope to have a big family and homeschool all my kids and also write a book or two. I love having big plans like these for the future, but I also must learn to hold my life with an open hand and let God do with me what He will.

Life

2011-05-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like to pick up our old copy of the Book of Virtues by William J. Bennet and read random passages from it. It is selections from great authors and great people all through history who have something to say about this life. So today I opened it up to something that really struck a chord deep inside me. It's called "A Psalm of Life" by Longfellow. I really needed to hear what it has to say, because my brooding mood lately has resembled something like depression and sometimes I feel so alone with these thoughts and disappointments in myself that the tears start rolling down my face. I can't put my finger exactly on the root of this depression but this Longfellow poem has a certain tone to it that made me excited about life again. I don't want to be stuck in the past anymore, reprimanding myself for every stupid thing I say or do. I just want to keep my eyes focused on right now and what I can do right now to display the love I have in my heart.

Longfellow himself said of his poem: "I kept it some time in manuscript, unwilling to show it to anyone, it being a voice from my inmost heart, at a time when I was rallying from depression." I think it's true that everyone goes through a time like this at some point in their life and it's sometimes really difficult to keep our spirits up, and a laugh on our lips. The only thing to do during times like this is to remember that Jesus brings peace and He brings JOY. That's all I have to say.

A Psalm of Life

TELL me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream ! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real ! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way ;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its dead !
Act,— act in the living Present !

Heart within, and God o'erhead !

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time ;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Spring Break

2011-05-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Alas, spring break is over! Monday morning is here to break all the fun. And, in Charlotte Bronte's words, what's more unromantic than Monday morning? It seemed to go by so fast and I'm glad I decided to take a break rather than being all obsessed with schoolwork as usual. :D Here's what I did:

Read "The Return of the Native" by Thomas Hardy from start to finish. My sister asked me, when I finished it, if I liked it and I told her I haven't decided yet. I have to ponder the ending for a while, think about the characters, and discuss it with my fellow bibliophile. It's a long process.
Watched the King's Speech. Twice. It was spectacular and I'm pretty sure Colin Firth is my hero.
Got a Ping-Pong table and (sort of) learned how to play. I've never been good with balls...in fact my grade school gym teacher wrote specifically on my report card that I needed to work on my "ball-skills." Well he hasn't seen me OWN the game of Ping-Pong!
Received my second ACT scores. I had an existential meltdown when the same exact score from the first time around popped up on the screen. But I soon got over it. SAT here I come!
Yesterday I went for my first run in 6 months. I. Am. In. Pain. I'm starting out with every other day and hopefully I'll get up to doing it everyday. I went 2 miles and I cannot believe that I used to be able to go 6!!! How the heck did I do that? Oh well...baby steps, right?
Bought the absolute cutest skirt it the whole world! At least to me. My sister told me it looks too old granny and typically I would listen to her but I've made up my mind about this one. :D
Rehearsed Vivaldi's Basson concerto in a minor with a real live bassoon soloist! Amazing.

Well, I think that's about it.
love, Maddie

Unsinkable

2011-04-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

I was really excited when I saw that this book, Unsinkable by Abby Sunderland was available on Booksneeze. I remembered hearing last year about a 16 year old girl who attempted to sail around the world by herself, and was rescued when her boat fell apart in the middle of the Indian Ocean. So when I began her boat I was surprised to find that she is one of 8 kids in a homeschooling family, just like me! But that's about as far as it goes with things we have in common, because she grew up sailing and the water is her life. But me? Well, I can barely swim! Nevertheless her story was absolutely fascinating and I really enjoyed reading her book.

The book is set up in a very unique style: switching off between her perspective on what happened and a third-person view on everything. It starts by telling about her childhood and how her dream of sailing was planted. Too much time is spent explaining all the preparations "Team Abby" made beforehand and I was a little bored, but things started picking up when her trip began. I was impressed every time Abby calmly fixed every problem that arose while out at sea, like staying up all night one time to fix her autopilots, or not complaining about being constantly cold and wet. She was incredible courageous throughout the entire trip and her story is very inspiring.

Though I loved the book, there are just two complaints I have about it. The first one is that the sections where Abby is telling the story are written too casually. She uses a lot of phrases like "or whatever" or "and stuff" and it was a little annoying. Also, I know Booksneeze warned that this book would not have as much religious content as most of their books, and that was fine with me. But some of the references that Abby made to God were irritating and naive. Here's a few of them: "I knew what Wild Eyes could do and I kept wishing God would cooperate and fill her sails!" Wishing God would cooperate???? Also: "It might sound corny or overly religious, or whatever, but maybe God really did send an angel to untangle the line." I don't want to be too picky, but I thought I'd point those two things out.

I really liked the underlying message Abby was trying to get across through this book: even though she is young and was criticized for trying, she started on a journey she had been dreaming about for years. It was dangerous and very difficult, and she didn't even finish the goal she set for herself. But the trip built her faith in herself and gave her confidence in her abilities. She came back a stronger person and a stronger Christian and I admire her courage to do the impossible.

Vignettes

2011-03-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

My Violin

I love my violin. My old friend. Sometimes I get frustrated when I can't make the sound I hear in my head, and I put my violin down, telling myself I'll never pick it back up again. But I can't help but come right back and keep trying. Music and I are connected in a special way.

I know my violin and I probably won't go very far or be famous someday, but that's okay. I enjoy playing.

My violin's case is getting really shabby and dirty. I'm not very good at taking care of it. I should get better at that. I bought this violin with my very own money four years ago. I remember how hard I worked and how carefully I would put any money I made in my special money box. Then, when I finally saved enough, my mom and I went to go pick it out. I knew, after I tried out the second one, that that was the one. I'm quite proud to have bought my violin with my very own money.

My violin is beautiful. But you want to know what's even more beautiful? The angelic sound it's capable of producing. It's silly owner just needs to practice harder in order to get that sound out of it!

Sister Love

I have three sisters. I love them very, very much. Even though it doesn't always show. You might be surprised at this but I yell at them a lot, and I hate myself for it. But I still love them.

My sister Jenna makes me laugh, and listens intently to anything I have to say. She is so beautiful, but the beautiful thing is that she doesn't even know it. She acts like little mother to the little ones, and she makes up these special games to make them do their chores. She can be really silly, and has the greatest sense of humor in the whole world.

My sister Mara is amazing. She too is so beautiful. She likes to be alone, creating stories in her mind. I love her genuine personality. She doesn't care what people might think or say about her and she is herself at all times. I often read out loud to her, and she listens carefully.

Lily is only 4 years old but there is a great deal of personality in that child. She is rough and tough, but at the same time she likes to be little mommy to Caleb. Her favorite color is pink, so if you see her playing soccer in the backyard, you better bet she'll be doing it in a little pink skirt. She has SUCH an affectionate heart.

So those are my three sisters. The ones that I love with all my heart. They make up the pieces of my heart.

Green Bananas

Green bananas are just better. They're not mushy, but firm. They are tasty. Not too sweet and not too sour. I like to eat bananas green. Do you?

Thoughts

2011-03-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

My two dear sisters, Jenna and Lily, have gone to Illinois to visit my aunt this week. I'm happy that they got to go, but it feels sort of empty around here without them. Jenna is like my best friend, and when she goes away I always feel like a big chunk of me is missing. I think this is a perfect example of the expression: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." So, I thought I'd share with you my favorite Jenna video from last winter (and little Lily is in it too). I feel obligated to inform you that this is Jenna's normal behavior...yes. She is a freak. Notice how my cousin Brenna (the one in the chair) is THOROUGHLY creeped out. haha!! Enjoy:

Today I got my ACT scores back, and I feel satisfied with the results. As usual, I scored very high in the writing, english, and reading, but completely bombed the science and math and that's what dramatically brought down my score. So I already signed myself up to take it again in April, and I'm really hoping to bring it up a few points. I detest all this test business because it's SO not a true evaluation of knowledge. But alas, I cannot argue with the great master ACT...I must bow down and conform. haha!

Today I started working on my big Junior year project: a paper comparing the personalities and writings of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. I am SO excited! I've been reading biographies on the both of them, and I've got a big head start already because I've read all of Austen's novels (well, except for Emma but I've seen both versions of the movie) and I've read Charlotte's major works. It'll be 18-20 pages of glorious literary analysis. And today I ordered a book called "The Juvinilia of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen." It's a collection of the stories each of them wrote when they were young. I hope this is something I'll get to do as a career someday: writing literary analysis essays. It's my most favorite thing!! :D

American Idol is on tonight! It's like the only TV show I ever watch (besides an occasional iCarly episode...I know, I know) because I can't stand TV. As I told my aunt Becca, I don't watch much TV, but when I do it's like a culture shock! I'm such a homeschooler. But anyways the guys are singing tonight on AI and my favorite is that Paul guy (the one with the beard and the BIG cute smile). I hope he wins! <3

Girl Scout cookies are EVIL!

On that strange note I bid you adieu.

TEENPACT!

2011-02-18T10:49:00.000-08:00

If you've been reading my bog for a while, I'm sure you've heard a lot about the absolutely incredible Christian leadership school for teens called Teenpact. Yesterday I arrived home after yet another amazing Wisconsin state class, and I can't help but be consumed with what Rachel and I call "post-Teenpact depression." For four days I lived in this perfect little bubble full of smart, friendly people who love the Lord so much. We worshiped together and we prayed together and I was brimming over with joy! but now it's ended, and I have to adjust to real life. This morning I prayed that God would give me peace and patience, because I need it more than ever right now! Today will be a tough one to get through...but that's ok. Some days are like that.

It was really interesting being at the Wisconsin capitol this week...because if you've been reading or watching the news, you know that there have been thousands of protesters there, waving signs and yelling and beating drums. They are protesting the bill Governor Walker proposed, which is trying to reduce the budget by making the teachers from the teacher's union pay only 12% of their healthcare insurance and 5% of their pension. Can you believe it?? It was scary seeing all those people expressing such anger just because they think it's the government's job to pay for their healthcare. My brother goes to a public school, and he had these past two days off from school because the teachers didn't show up. He got into a debate on Facebook with kids who think the teachers are protesting at the capitol because they care for the children. Um, last time I checked protesting for the government to give you money they don't have, does not mean you care about the kids you are teaching. In fact, if the government keeps spending money it doesn't have, our generation will suffer from all that debt. But anyway, it was kinda cool being there during this historic week. It also showed me how sadly ignorant and broken the vast majority of people are. Thomas Jefferson was absolutely right when he said: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be...it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."

Pride.

2011-01-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

Pride is an ugly thing. I see it seep into my thoughts and permeate my very being. Pride is seen by most people as just an annoying sense of self-superiority...a belief that one is higher or more important than others. But there is a very different sort of pride. The kind that tears a person down and tells them their not good enough. The dictionary says it is a "sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character." Maybe my daily thoughts of how my life isn't good enough and how I don't lead the typical, expected life of a 16 year old is pride! I wonder how someone like me, with so many blessings and privileges in life, can make herself so discontented.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like my life. In fact I love it! I'm part of a tightly knit family of 10 and I always have someone to talk to and share my heart with. I get to study what I love and go on political trips with my friend. I study violin with the best teacher in the area. I have close friends whom I love with all of my heart. So then why do I sink myself so low, convinced that I lead a life of ease and know nothing about anything and that I alone have the blackest, most sinful heart? I hate myself for being so reserved and leaving unsaid what should have been said. I loathe my procrastinating habits and my selfishness. This is pride I'm dealing with here and sometimes I wonder if I'm sunk so deep in it that nobody will be able to pull me out.

But you wanna know something funny? It's not about me. Nope, none of it. And that's the reason I make myself so miserable. I live for MYSELF! Ew, no wonder I'm so discontented! Exactly how many times have I said the word "I" in this post so far? Too many times to count. I need to get out there and get my thoughts off myself.

So, if it's not about me, then who's it about? Well it's about the One who brings me peace when I spend time with Him. It's about the One who has already forgiven all those sins I worry about. It's about the One who calls me to think of others and their needs before my own. It's about the One who loves me SO much.

So this was kind of how I worked out my problem of pride. But that doesn't mean it's gone forever. I'm pretty sure I'll struggle with it for the rest of my life...but as long as I put my trust in Jesus He'll take me where He wants me to go and shape me into the person He wants me to be. For His glory. Not mine. <3

I just really like miscillaneous posts!!

2011-01-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I've been thinking about doing my final Junto post for Wives and Daughters tonight but I also have a bunch of other things I want to say so I'll just jam pack it all into one post, if that's ok with you. :D

First, I start out by talking about Wives and Daughters. I finished the book (yay!) a few days ago and well, I haven't really decided my true feelings towards it. It certainly kept my attention the whole time and I liked all the characters. I thought Mrs. Gibson was hilarious with her constant tittle tattle which nobody every listened to or cared about. Mr. Gibson was awesome...and I liked how involved he was in his daughters' lives. Molly Gibson was your typical herione...the author kept going on and on about how amazing she is: quiet, selfless, and oh so much better a person than her stepsister Cynthia. But I kinda liked Cynthia better...she's not so far-fetched a character and I can really relate with her. She loves to be liked and admired, all women do, and she is really lively and sarcastic. And a little goofy too! But she is very inconstant and she doesn't love like Molly does.

And then there's Roger Hamley. I LOVE him!!! jfkdljfkl;sa! Ok, maybe he was really stupid about engaging himself to Cynthia without rationally deciding if he really loved her and she really loved him, and then she dumped him, and then he just went for the sister, Molly, who loved him all along but who will probably never forget that he loved Cynthia first. Did that even make any sense? But other than that I love his fun personality. He and Molly make the PERFECT couple because she is more reserved and he is so outgoing. Plus they made him really cute in the movie:

So yeah I love him. And isn't Molly pretty? I almost think she was prettier than Cynthia in the movie! But you'll never guess what: they never kissed during the entire movie! Even at the very end! How lamo is that???!! But other than that I think the movie was great. It was perfectly true to the book and they used so much dialogue straight from the book!

So overall, I liked the story but there just wasn't much uniqueness or profoundness to it. But maybe if the author had lived to finish the book and write the ending scene there would be some pizazz to it. You know what I mean? Like there just wasn't a BAM moment that will make you remember the book forever. It was sort of a forgettable book. But a very entertaining story!

So, as for the next Junto books, Sarah and I have come up with a brilliant plan for our 2011 Junto. She has this book called Invitation to the Classics which has a list of all the essential classical books from ancient to modern times. We decided we need some more meaty books to read for this thing...and we'll be really educated by the end of it. So the first book on the list is the Odyssey by Homer. (of course...when ISN'T that the first book on a classical reading list??) But, nevertheless, I've NEVER read it! So we shall update you on details on how this is going to work as soon as Sarah finishes Wives and Daughters. So write on her blog and tell her to hurry up so we can get this partay started!

Ok so who watched American Idol last night? I DID! And I loved it. The only season I ever followed closely was season 7, the year David Cook won. So this year I decided I'd turn it on to see what it'll be like with those new judges: Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Here they are!!!:

I was super nervous that it was going to be lame and stupid without Simon and Paula but I actually really enjoyed watching it! That Steven Tyler is so awesome on the show! He's so nice to everybody and super funny too. Love him! And Jennifer Lopez was pretty good too. Though I think, once again, Randy is the only one who really knows what he's talking about musically. I mean, anyone can judge good singing from bad singing, but he knows about notes and pitches and all that. Also, did you notice how many young people auditioned? There were like five 16 year olds who made it to Hollywood! My sister said maybe they were inspired by David Archuleta. Hmm...maybe. My dad kept walking in the room and telling us, jokingly, to quit watching that garbage. Yeah, maybe it is garbage. But who cares? It's entertaining and it brings good singers into the world. I guess? whatevs

Ok I feel like this post is way to weird and random for me but I'm posting it anyways because this blog is suffering from serious neglect. Poor baby. I hope to be better about posting in the future!

I hope you have a very peaceful Thursday night's sleep. <3

Streeeaaaammmm of Consciousness

2010-12-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

I'm not quite sure why I'm here right now, typing this post, for I have not yet the slightest idea of what to write about. All I know is that lately I've been itching to write. So maybe this will turn out to be one of those "stream of consciousness" posts, or maybe I will end up with a point to this madness.

The Christmas holidays are over, and the New Year is approaching. We had so much fun celebrating Christmas this year. Christmas morning is always a BLAST at our house, because I get to watch a little four year-old girl's face as she opens her gifts: which are always pink, and undoubtedly sparkly. It was fun to watch Jenna open the present I got her, which was a pretty little "sisters" necklace. It has two hearts connected to each other and I thought that would be perfect because she is the sister closest to my heart. This Christmas I got to witness the the receiving of an iPod Touch and an iPhone!!!! My brother Gavin got the iPhone (I was screaming louder than he was when he opened it!) and Davie Gravie got the iPod! And as for me, I got a nice suitcase! Perfect for all of my crazy Teepact adventures and any other sophisticated trips I may go on in the future. (This is the Jorgenson family! We don't do sophisticated!) Inside joke. Ok, moving on!

So now all the joy and festivities of Christmas is over...(Festivites include watching Eloise at Christmastime 3 times, singing MANY Christmas carols at the top of our lungs, baking and eating more Christmas cookies than you could ever imagine, and....well, just sitting around the fire talking and laughing our heads off) I'm feeling that post-Christmas depression and that mid-Christmas break boredom. Ha, but that does NOT mean I'm ready to pull out my algebra 2 any time soon. But over the break I DO have to study for the dreaded ACT, because I'm officially taking in in (gasp) February!!! We have a tutor come once a week to help me work through my test taking issues, because I have serious issues with tests. Does anybody else besides me completely freak out on the Reading part of the test and try to read it quickly but end up having to go over it a bajillion times? This cracks me up because Reading is my best school subject!! Ok, enough rambling about the ACT...how did I even get to this subject?

Ok, back to the whole theme of Christmas, wanna hear one of my a favorite stories about Christmastime? Actually it's not really a story because it really did happen during World War 1. It's called the Christmas Truce. World War 1 was fought in trenches dug in the ground...and they were usually smelly and disgusting and the soldiers were miserable fighting people they didn't even hate...they just followed orders. But on Christmas eve, the Germans put up Christmas trees and started singing Christmas carols, and at first the British thought it was a trap. But soon all fighting stopped and both sides met in No Man's Land, made a truce, and began a Christmas celebration! All of Christmas day they were singing, playing games, shared pictures of family and they realized how alike they all were in their longings, their sadness, their joy. No longer were they the "enemy" but human beings with the joy of Christmas in their hearts. This celebration went on for a few days until finally they were ordered to begin fighting again. Isn't that AMAZING? "Christmas is the season of perpetual hope!"

So, I don't know if I've already told you this, but I now have my learner's permit to drive a car. Me? Driving? Yeah, it's scary. So far I've been out driving a few times around town...and it's getting better! I still sort of freak out and I hold the steering wheel so tight my arm hurts afterwards. At least now I'm better at listening to directions and talking while driving. (I couldn't do that before) Maybe there was a reason I had to wait till I was 16 to start driving...anyways wish me luck in my future driving adventures. :D

Ok, I congratulate you if you made it to the end of this post. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and have a good New Year's too!
Love,
Maddie

Book Review

2010-12-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

The American Patriot's Almanac

This book has been an absolute to thrill to read...especially for an American history freak like me. It's written by William J. Bennet (author of the Book of Virtues) and John T.E. Cribb. These two brilliant authors have wrote a day-by-day almanac of America's most memorable moments in history, whether it's a tragedy we worked together to overcome, a quote by a brilliant American leader, or a story on how we've become what we are today. In between each month's section, they have little pieces of America, like our Constitution, famous American poems, and more.

I think this book was excellent in every way. I especially loved the amount of quotes they put into it. If I kept reading this book every day for a whole year, I would know plenty of American history!

I 100% recommend this book to anyone who has an interest and a passion for America's history. :D

Junto 1: Wives and Daughters

2010-12-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

Ok! I'm here...drinking mint tea and ready to ramble about that terribly WONDERFUL book named Wives and Daughters. If you care to read on, I'd be glad for your listening ear.

First of all, I've observed that Wives and Daughters is not a book of much substance or wisdom. I've been considering it a "junkie" book from the 19th century, full of descriptions of a teenage girl's emotional highs and lows, according to what trifling this happen. But I kind of like it and I can't figure out why! Anways, I'll just go ahead and fill you in on some of the characters and what I think of them.

Molly Gibson is the aforesaid teenage girl. She is 17 and very quiet and practical. She lives only with her father since her mother died when she was young, and she doesn't get out of the house much. What I like about Molly is that she speaks her mind when it's necessary and she's not afraid to let people know if they offend her. She is VERY devoted to the people she loves and she seldom thinks of herself. Typical 19th century heroine, don't you think?

And then there's Cynthia Kirkpatrick, Molly's step sister. Everyone loves Cynthia because she's very pretty and lively. But she's definitely a people-pleaser. She puts on a different personality according to who she's around: flirty around young men, shy around older men, talkative and charming around whoever she wants to please. But when she's around her mother, she is very rude and sarcastic. At least she's nice to Molly!

So far two young men have been introduced in the story: Osborne and Roger Hamley. As I said in an email to Sarah, "Osborne=BLAH Roger= **SWOON** Yup, that's my thoughts of the characters summed up in 4 words." Osborne is supposed to be some wonderfully romantic poet who is quiet and thoughtful...but I haven't gotten that impression at all. I love quiet, romantic poet characters (John Keats I love youuuuu!!!) But this guy is nothing but a PANSY! His feelings get hurt really easily and he's obsessed with dressing elegantly. Roger is supposed to be the rougher one who likes to eat and do outdoor activities. But he's the one who really knows how to relate with people....especially with Molly. He's kind and very wise. I think Molly fancies him, and for a while I thought he liked her too. But then Cynthia butted in and is trying to win over Roger. But I really think Roger and Molly are a REALLY good match!! I really hope it doesn't turn into some girl fight over Roger. But we'll see!

Ok, well that's my little analysis on the key characters. Sorry I haven't written much, but as I said before this book doesn't give much food for thought. But I'll keep looking for blog-worthy passages to write about. :D

Junto is Back!

2010-10-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! Over the summer Sarah and I took a brief hiatus from Junto. (If you don't know what Junto is, go here) It took us forever to settle on a book because we kind of have different literature tastes. I like deep, depressing books with an underlying meaning I have to figure out, while she likes the more intellectual in-your-face books. But we both LOVE 19th century brit-lit (i.e. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Bronte sisters, ect.) and we found a new author who looks rather promising.

Her name is Elizabeth Gaskell and from what I've read, she was just your average British writer with lots of connections. These are all the famous people she knew personally:

Charlotte Bronte (Gaskell was Bronte's official biographer.)
Charles Dickens
William Makepeace Thakeray (author of Vanity Fair)
Florence Nightngale
Charles Darwin (was her distant cousin...not sure if they ever met)
William Wordsworth
Harriet Beecher Stowe (kept up a correspondence with her!!!!!!!!!)
George Eliot
and many more!!!

Ok is that not TOTALLY AWESOME that she actually knew all those awesome people??!! My mom says she must have been "that kind of woman" to have so many connections. ha!

So anyway, the book is really thick and it will probably take us quite a while to get through it. But don't you just love that strawberry pink cover? I was sooo excited when I bought it! I'm not quite sure what it's about so far but here's a nice quote about it by Henry James:

"The book is very long and of an interest so quiet that not a few of its readers will be sure to vote it dull. In the early portion especially the details are so numerous and so minute that even a very well-disposed reader will be tempted to lay down the book and ask himself of what possible concern to him are the clean frocks and the French lessons of little Molly Gibson. But if he will have patience awhile he will see. As an end these modest domestic facts are indeed valueless; but as a means to what the author would probably have called a 'realization' of her central idea, i.e. Molly Gibson, a product, to a certain extent, of clean frocks and French lessons, they hold and eminently respectable plave. As he gets on in the story he is thannkful for them. They have eduvated him to a proper degree of interest in the heroine. He feels that heknows her the better and loves her the more for a vertain acquaintance with the minutia of her homely bourgeois life."

Interesting...I hope I find the ridiculous detail the book goes into as interesting as Henry James did. I'm determined not to put it down, no matter how boring it gets.

So keep looking out for posts on this book every Monday. I believe we settled on 5 chapters a week for now. So please join us! :D

Fiesta de Octobre: Blog Party!

2010-10-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

Jo March from Scraps from My Workbasket is hosting a blog party/giveaway called Fiesta de Octobre. It lasts the whole month of October! So head on over and check it out. :D

Fiesta #1: "Just Living"

{1} What time do you wake up each morning? Why?

My alarm goes off at 7, but I don't actually roll out of bed till 7:15. At this time, it's still very quiet and everyone's asleep so I spend some quiet time with Jesus.

{2} You've just woken up, and you're thirsty. You fix yourself a glass of....

Water. I'm NOT a juice person and I have milk in my cereal. And, as always, a big mug of coffee.

{3} Where do you go to school? What do you like/dislike about it?

I'm homeschooled!!! I love it! One downside is that I'm not busy all the time like my brother Gavin is (he goes to school) so sometimes I feel less important or worth less. I'm workin' on that...

{4} How many siblings do you have? What are their names and ages (if you're allowed to share)?

yeah....I have 7 siblings. Whoever reads this blog is probably tired of me talking about them but I can't help it! I LOVE those kiddos.

Their names and ages are: Gavin 14, David and Mara 12 (twins), Jenna 10, J.P. 6, Lily 4, and Caleb 1

{5} What is your favorite game to play with your family?

We call it the "ball game" (original, i know) and it's on the trampoline and involves balls. :D

{6} What's the silliest thing you've ever done with your siblings, cousins or any other family member? Would you do it again if you could?

Uh...I can't immediately recall an exact time but my siblings and I are silly all day every day! We make voices, dance, and sing LOTS of songs. If one person has a song stuck in their head, the whole family has that song stuck in their head. haha!

{7} What's your favorite game to play with your friends?

I love our awful fairy-tale movies. So far we've done Cinderella, the Goose Girl, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid (which was a fail...)

{8} If you could meet one person in the whole wide world (who's currently alive), who would it be? Why would you want to meet that person? What would you say to them?

Wow, I was going to say Jane Austen, but that was before I read the currently alive part. In that case, I would love to meet the lead Tenth Avenue North singer Mike Donehey. He's such an awesome artist...he could sing the phonebook and I would love it! I would want to have a conversation with him because I know I would take a lot away from it.

{9} If you could meet one person in the whole wide world (from the past), who would it be? Why would you want to meet that person? What would you say to them?

Aha here we go! JANE AUSTEN!!!! She's so brilliant and I'm soooo curious to see what her personality was like and to get into a deep conversation about her characters and why they did what they did.

{10} What is your favorite way to worship God? Singing, dancing, playing an instrument, praying, fasting?

Singing!!!!

{11} "God cares about the little things of life." Do you agree? Can you give specific examples of ways that God has shown Himself in the little things of your life?

My brother J.P. is a little stinker...anyone who has met him knows that. But lately I've been seeing a sweetheart side of him, and for some reason I get this feeling that only God could have changed his heart in this way.

{12} Is there a particular Bible verse that has stood out to you recently? Which verse and why?

"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
       surely I have a delightful inheritance...
You have made known to me the path of life;
       you will fill me with joy in your presence,
       with eternal pleasures at your right hand. " Psalm 16: 5-6, 11
Lately, every time I start to feel discontent with where God has placed me, I always pull out my Bible and read these words. Extremely encouraging.

{13} Your parents are out for the day, leaving you home alone (with your siblings). Then, your grandmother from out of state calls and says she'll be there in fifteen minutes. (She wasn't supposed to come until tomorrow) What do you do?

I yell at all the kiddos to get their butts moving and CLEAN THE HOUSE!!! Then I start stressing, scrambling around picking up every toy and out of place item, gather them all in my arms, and try to put them in their proper places...then I give up and stuff it all in some obscure spot. yup, true story

{14} Have you ever traveled out of country? Why did you go?

Um, well when I was eight, we drove to Canada to see the Niagra Falls. But the only thing I remember is us trying to buy a cherry pie with american money. strange...

{15} What sport do you play and what do you enjoy about it?

I don't play sports! I used to play soccer, but that was a fail. I do jog to keep in shape but that's about it.

{16} Do you like cats or dogs better? If neither, specify:

Hm...neither. I'm NOT an animal person, and nor will I ever be. There just has never been a sentimental place in my heart for animals. They freak/gross me out. :D

{17} Country or city?

Country. I love fresh air, grass, and long country roads.

{18} Cowboy hat or prairie bonnet?

Aw, prairie bonnet definitely!

{19} Flipflops or tennis shoes?

Flip flops. I wear them from March till November. Or at least till my feet turn blue. :D

{20} Do you like Jo's blog?

yes!!

Spiritual Lessons From Florence Nightingale

2010-09-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

This morning I was reading a fascinating book on the Crimean War when I came across something that gave me a great idea for a post. The book briefly mentioned Florence Nightingale which made me recall the children's book on her that my mom was reading to Lily yesterday (and I listened in). It talked about how Nightingale grew up in a rich family very distinguished in society. She went to the theater, traveled around the world and did all the things wealthy people did back then. Florence was a very pretty girl and she had many admirers and many marriage offers, but she turned them all down. She did love one man in particular and he proposed to her many times but each time she had to force herself to turn him down! It's really sort of sad, and at this point in her history, you get sort of annoyed at her for turning down the man that she loved and rejecting the comfortable life he offered her. But I slowly began to understand as the rest of her story unfolded:

Florence Nightingale loved the Lord and she wanted to live life serving Him by serving others. When she was 17 years old she felt God calling her to a life of service, she just didn't know what that service would be yet. She prayed and she waited, turning down many marriage offers. The man that she "adored" Richard Monckton Milnes was very wealthy and loved Florence very much, but she knew that she couldn't live the life of a rich wife, expected to "make society and arrange domestic things." At age 24, she decided her call was to be a nurse. She is known today for her dedication and contribution to the medical field, serving people and God all along.

I just think that story is SO amazing. She loved the Lord so much, that she obeyed what He called her to do, rather than what her heart told her to do. And I'm sure the life she lived was so much richer than what it would have been, had she accepted that marriage offer.

Now, what would I have done if I was in that situation? As of now, I unfortunately think I would have chosen the wealthy married life, instead of waiting to see what God had in store for me. When I think of my future, I almost always think that when I'm an adult, I'll have to be married in order to be happy. There's nothing wrong with seeing myself as married in my adult years. But it's so important to trust the rest of my life to the Lord and to hold my life with an open hand, because I never know what he has in store for me! Maybe he will have me stay single my whole life, to do His work. Or maybe not!

We need to find our peace and contentment in the Lord, rather than other people. This really hits home for me because my moods always fluctuate according to the people around me. Florence Nightingale knew that the Lord had a plan for her, and all she had to do was trust Him and stay content with the plan He had for her. Isn't that wonderful? I hope you've been encouraged by her story and that you will think about what God's call may be for your life as opposed to what you always saw yourself as doing.
__________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: As you might have seen at the top of my sidebar, my little sister Mara has a blog now. It's really funny to me, but that might just be because I know her personally. She has minor dyslexia so her spelling isn't the greatest (scroll down to her first post and she'll explain it). So go visit her and stay awhile if you, like me, laugh your butt off when you read the posts. :D

Miscellany Monday: Yummy Mochas, Spelling Book Confuzzlement, and Febrezey Farts

2010-09-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

{1} It's funny how difficult it can be to get a simple math lesson done. I sat down at the table with by text book and notebook, all confident that I would get a lot done today, but then JP stumbled into the kitchen begging for Reeses's Puffs (the food of the gods), which I got for him. I sat back down only to realize that today wasn't the best day to do school at the kitchen table, grand central at our house. So I relocated to my room. Mara and I got talking about embarrassing moments and all that fun stuff. By now it's 11:30 and I only did 8 problems. Needless to say, I will be doing some homework tonight. My poor brain must not be capable of the concentration necessary for math problems.

{2} Yesterday was by first day playing in orchestra AS A FIRST VIOLIN!!!!!! JFKDLSA;''EOEJKFN;'EIO847RE0JFDKLD
I'm ok now
It went really well. The orchestra looks so much different from the front than it did last year when I sat last chair 2nd violin. AGH I'm just so happy that he bumped me up!!!!!!!!!!!

{3} My sister's spelling book said the following:
Riddle: What do most people buy in a pizza shop? answer: A slice of pie
I don't get it. do you?

{4} Pumkin white chocolate mochas from Carabou are SO GOOD!!!!

{5} My brother announced yesterday that from now on he is going to follow my other brother around with the Febreze (is that how you spell it?) bottle so that when he farts, he will drench him in it. Gross huh?

{6} on that note I will bid you adieu <3

A Ramble

2010-09-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

TeenPact is amazing. I thought I'd come here and say that because that place and those people change my life every time I go. Me and my bestie Rachel went to DC this time for an alumni event, our first one, and we had a BLAST. We walked, we laughed, we saw, we took pictures, we shook hands, and we worshiped an awesome God. The same God that brought all those people together for a purpose. It was sad leaving them all when it was over. Facebook is an easy way to stay in touch, but it's just not as intimate. I hope I'll remember this trip forever...because I came home smiling and ready to change the world!! It's definitely difficult getting back into the swing of everyday life after that without getting depressed but that's where contentment comes in. That's what I've been praying for lately. I've also been praying for intimacy with God because that's what I haven't been feeling lately the way I used to. In DC we sang these words and they made me cry:

"Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy unchanging love

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wondering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above"

I definitely wish I was still at TeenPact DC but I'm also glad to be home. <3

Vacation

2010-08-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we (my whole family and another family) took a week long trip to northern Minnesota- almost in Canada! We all camped together, well we were in tents and our friends in a mammoth RV, for a few days...

This is typical...just hanging around the campfire. To the left is me reading a book I found before we left called Up The Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman. It was really good, and I'll probably write a post about it soon.

and then we saw all the guys off to the Boundary Waters! It's this area of almost untouched nature where people go to canoe their way through, camping along the way and eating the fish they caught in the lakes!

Anyway, while they were braving the hard-core nature, we girls stayed behind and camped in a civilized campground. :D We relaxed, chopped wood (that was quite a sighte to see!) shopped at Target, did makeovers, and cooked dinners over the campfire! It was a lot of fun! But shhhh...don't tell the guys that we survived perfectly fine without them, though it was much less fun and action filled.

I'd say the highpoint of the trip was welcoming back the boys after five days of braving the Boundary Waters! I just can't describe the overwhelming love and pride I felt for my dad and brothers when they climbed out of the van. They jumped out with tan, smiling faces, and my dad let his whiskers grow for the first time in a long time. I must say, he looked pretty handsome in a beard!! I just couldn't stop smiling and hugging them when they came back. My heart was full and I was praising and thanking God for bringing them home safely and for reminding me of how much I love and appreciate them. <3

Once they came back to us, we drove up to North Dakota to go to a wedding! It was such a beautiful wedding and my little bro' JP got to be the ring bearer! Isn't he just the most handsome little guy ever?

He was so cute walking down the aisle grinning from ear to ear. He can be a pain and most people label him as the naughty one in our family. But I gotta hand it to him: he did a fine job as ring bearer!

This my sisters and I with my darling grandma. :D

So then we drove 12 hours back to good ol' Racilla. Hm...car rides are so much fun with screaming babies and fighting kids. But that's what makes it fun. :D

A New Challenge!

2010-08-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

Ok. It's time to start fresh with blogging because obviously I'm failing in that department. So the idea just popped into my head like 5 seconds ago to turn over a new blogging leaf starting with a little challenge for myself called: The Write a Blog Post Every Other Day For Two Weeks challenge. Original, huh? This is definitely going to be difficult for me since I have issues with being afraid of my writing...it took me a whole entire summer to write a 6 page research paper! Yeah...it's that bad. So, to get comfortable with throwing caution to the wind and just writing, I decided to write lots of blog posts, one after the other, about various subjects. I'll probably make a list ahead of time of the subjects I want to write about so as to prevent writer's block...plus today has been a very thoughtful day. I have gazillions of thoughts and ideas swirling around in my head and I hope they will be formed into interesting blog posts in the near future! That's all for now but you will hear from me tomorrow! Or actually later today since it's 12:25 am. So until then, please enjoy this adorable picture of the most dashing young man alive:

A Book Review

2010-07-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

Same Kind of Different As Me

I don't usually cry while reading books. In fact I almost never do so. The only two I can recall are Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, and this incredibly touching story- Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall. It's these stories of raw humanity captured beautifully by the authors; the laughter, tears, triumphs, and failures are what make stories like these unforgettable.

The book begins with the personal narratives of Denver, a dirt poor sharecropper from Louisiana who ends up homeless on the streets of Fort Worth, Texas, and Ron Hall, a rich art dealer. They each tell of their childhood and their lives before they met each other and changed each other's lives. Ron and his wife Deborah began to volunteer regularly at the local mission for the homeless, serving food and creating relationships. Then along came Denver. He had a grumpy, uninviting shell but when Deborah urged Ron to befriend him and "help him out". Denver turned out to have a wise and kind heart and had a few things to teach Ron! They form an amazing friendship in which God was so evident and active.

I loved the style of this book. All the parts where Denver is talking, it is written in his African-american speech which makes it so real. I also loved Ron's writing because he was sarcastic at parts especially about his hilarious quests for dates with the prissy TCU girls back when he was in college. This book definitely made me look at the homeless in an entirely new way. Regrettably, I always sort of thought of them as lazy bums who got there because of their own terrible choices. But you just never know how a person got the way that they did because we are all broken and I am no less a sinner than the bums on the street. We've all got our own stories and you just never know. I've always had a compassionate heart for people and reading this just made the tears spill over...strengthening my desire to reach out to those in need. So I would definitely encourage anyone to read this touching story. It's so perspective changing and showed me how much your life can change when you take that first step into the unknown...which is something I definitely need to work on.
Thomas Nelson has provided me with a free copy of this book as part of their BookSneeze program.

A Family Just Like Mine!!

2010-07-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was searching around on the Sparknotes website for an easy explanation to the confusing beginning of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, when an article caught my eye on the home page. It was entitled "A day in the life of a homeschooler with seven siblings". Funny because I too have seven siblings and am homeschooled! So I clicked on it and after I read the post, my jaw was dropped to the floor in awe of how much alike this girl(well, whoever wrote the article, anyway) and I are!!! (Read it here.) We both love running, have to read Shakespeare out loud in order to understand it, HATE algebra, want to major in English, and spend LOTS of "quality" time with the fam. Okay, well this was pretty much the lamest post in the history of all posts, but I can't think of anything else to say. And I'm tired. Really tired...so now I will go back to trying to figure out that terrible beginning to A Tale of Two Cities. It's like a puzzle. A literary puzzle! How fun!!! Have a nice day! (or night???)
-Maddie

Three Things

2010-07-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

1. Don't you love it when songs explain your life and what you've been thinking/feeling lately? Well that happened to be the other day when I first heard the song More Like Falling In Love by Jason Gray. It is truly an amazing song because I feel like in the past year or so I've really begun to grow in my faith and, well, fall completely in love with Jesus! And that's what this song is about. He says that it's got to be more like falling in love with Jesus rather than just stating that you believe. Because it's when you come to know Jesus as a personal friend, that christianity really means something to you. So listen to the song on my playlist below.
2. So, I'm still working on this World War 1 paper which I have to get finished or else I can't have a 16th birthday party. And it's usually not that hard for me to write papers but this one is going to be the end of me!! It's like I have a phobia of writing long research papers...especially ones about world war 1. (blahhh) Actually I should be working on it now because I'm home alone and the house is quiet. Although, for me, since I'm used to noise, the silence is actually more distracting. I start thinking about other things I want to do, go do them and by the time everybody is home again, I haven't worked much on the paper. But I'll keep at it.
3. I love coffee and can't live without it. I was badly suffering when I stayed at a friends house all weekend and didn't have ANY coffee. I just about died. Coffee- you are the love of my life. <3

nota bene- I wrote this post in like 3 minutes and I don't have time to read it over so please excuse any spelling mistakes or incoherent sentences. thank you. hehe

Cast of Characters by Max Lucado- A Review

2010-07-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

I requested this book for two reasons: The first being that the cover is very appealing, is it not? The second is that I love Bible commentaries...especially ones about bible characters. In this book, Max Lucado divided it into chapters for each person he was going to talk about. He would first put the Bible passage about them, he used the New Century Version of the Bible which puts an unappealing modern twist on the historical richness and beauty of the word of God. Then he proceeds to kind of retell that person's story in his own way. Lucado's intention was to illustrate these men and women of God and show us that these people were by no means perfect yet God still chose them to use for his good purposes.

I think Max Lucado had excellent intentions in writing this book. It just wasn't very well written. He was retelling the stories of these people of the Bible but tried to make it too modern and lighthearted. His attempt at humour was bordering on vulgarity. Wheres the author's awe and reverence for God's holy Word? The whole time I was skimming through this book (for I couldn't bring myself to sit down and read it word for word) I got the feeling that it was hurried and not well thought out. I didn't take anything away from this because I couldn't grasp the lesson in each chapter. I wouldn't recommend this book and I've learned that I shouldn't judge a book by it's pretty cover.

Thomas Nelson has provided me with a free copy of this book as part of their BookSneeze program.

Oh the joys of Thunderstorms!!

2010-07-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Ohhh...a thunderstorm is brewing outside!! Thunderstorms and I have a kind of love-hate relationship. I love the feeling of being safe and cozy inside, yet they always come at the wrong time- the time when I want to be outside. A few weeks ago I was babysitting my sibblings and as I was reading a bedtime story to JP and Lily (they were just about to nod off to sleep) a huge thunderstorm came, totally unexpected. Jenna and Lily started crying and my parents called to say that they were stuck in some parking lot waiting for the rain to lighten up and didn't know when they would be home.

So the power went out and everyone was running around, panicking trying to find some flashlights, which of course disappeared just at the right moment. So we lit some candles and filed in the basement so Jenna and Lily would feel safe from the lightening. Before the power went out, Caleb had been crying because he was overtired but too stubborn to go to sleep but when all the lights went out, he got really excited! It was the cutest thing.We grabbed some blankets, huddled up together and started laughing and singing camp songs!!! Oh, but not Gavin...singing songs is much too childish for him. ;) I was kinda sad when my parents finally came home and our singing and huddling ended...it was such a fun and sweet moment!

I like thinking back to that especially now because Gavin, Mara, and David are all off to camp for 2 weeks and Jenna is visiting her cousin in Illinois. It's so lonely around here! No Jenna to talk to and goof around with at night, no Mara to make fun of and hang out with, and no Gavin and David to harass. ha! I miss those guys and can't wait till they come home. So I've been working on a tedious research paper on world war 1 (kill me NOW!) and crocheting my afghan and gardening. The quiet was nice at first, but I want my family back now, please! :D

And now, before I end this post, I have 3 things:

1. I have not forgotten about Junto! The Warden by Anthony Trollope turned out to be a very borrrring book. So we will try again and do C.S. Lewis's book "Till We Have Faces" which is a retelling of the greek myth Psyche and Cupid. So I'll try and start posting about it soon!
2. I'm going to send anybody who reads this blog over to my dear friend Sarah's blog called Ex Libris. Read her fun Summer Miscellanies post!
3. Today I got another Booksneeze book in the mail called A Cast of Characters by Max Lucado. So be looking out for the review soon!!
ciao!
Maddie

Laughter and Summer

2010-07-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! How do you like the new design? Brianna from The Boutique Window kindly created this adorable design! As you can see I've also decided to change the name of my blog. I wanted something sort of cute and created so I thunk up the name "Laughter from Within". Why? Well, because I dearly love to laugh...especially the kind of laughter that comes because of the joy in my heart. Giggling with friends, laughing till I can't breathe with my sissies, and laughing with my mom about how CUTE my baby bro Caleb is!!! So, as you can see, I LOVE to laugh! hahaha. (isn't that from the Mary Poppins movie?)

So I know that I have been neglecting this blog but I promise I will start posting a lot more this summer. Oh! And speaking of summer, I never shared with you my list of things to do this summer! I realize that a good part of the summer is already over, (I just can't believe it's already JULY!!!) but I still have time to do the stuff on my list:

Learn how to sew and then sew something with a sewing machine and a pattern
Learn some french (I mean the actual language)
Write a poem (ha! I believe John Keats once said the following: "If poetry does not come like leaves to a tree, then it had better not come at all." My poems will not come that easy...but who knows? I could be good at it!)
Pick a week to plan/cook dinner for my family (yeahhh....I need help in the cooking dinner area. Every time i try, I always come running to my mom because of some disaster or another...)
Read 10 books cover to cover. I've already finished three: And then there were none by Agatha Christie, Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long (read the review below), and 1984 by George Orwell (worst book ever DON'T READ!!)
Continue reading about modern times history
Crochet an Afghan

So viola! That is my list. What are some of your summer goals/things to do?

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long- A Review

2010-06-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

I believe it's been way too long since I've posted on this little blog of mine. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if nobody even read this neglected corner of the blogosphere. But I am back, and this time to officially review a book! I got this book "Sarah's Garden" for free from Thomas Nelson's program called BookSneeze! So they send me the books that I request in exchange for my review of the book! How cool is that? So without further ado, My review:

Sarah's Garden

To tell you the truth, I was a little cynical at first about the whole "Amish romance" theme that so many writers and readers have caught on to. But since it seems like such a popular theme, I thought, "Why not try one?" The story is about a beautiful young amish woman named Sarah. Up until her 20th year, it was just little Sarah and her garden. But then her life gets turned upside down when a young Englischer Grant Williams comes to work as a vet for the Amish community. Grant is immediately captivated by Sarah and quickly begins to fall in love with her and her simple, godly way of life. Although Sarah doesn't fully realize it at first, she too has fallen for the sweet young veterinarian with blue-gold eyes. Her family constantly reminds her that if she continues with this relationship with the doctor, she would risk being shunned by everything she knows and holds dear.

I surprisingly read this book in just four days. It was a sweet and captivating book as I read it but when I finished the last page and closed this book, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The book was painfully predictable and seemed to drag on. The ending was just what any reader would want but I was hoping to see a little into the future after the perfect romantic ending to see how the couple fared. But one thing that I really liked about this book was Sarah's walks with God in her little garden praying and asking His guidance. So all-in-all I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's interested in modern romance novels with an Amish twist.

Today is a Gift

2010-06-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

"The past is history, the future is a mystery, but today is a gift—that’s why they call it ‘the present’”

Lord, help me to treat my days as gifts with endless possiblities and opportunities waiting to be unfolded.

-excerpt from Maddie's journal 5/30/10

A Racing Mind

2010-05-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is now 3 minutes till midnight. I can't sleep! I picked up book after book, and nothing is interesting me at the moment. So I got up, and started pacing...and here I am at my computer. I can't figure out what it is because nothing in particular is on my mind. Maybe it's that my mind is just full and I need an outlet for it all to clear my head and fall peacefully back on to my pillow.

This warm summer weather is simply divine! I can't get enough of it! But that means I'm getting barely any school done. Each day, all I can stand is to do a little math, science, and history (I'm working on an end of the year research paper on World War 1) and then I've just had quite enough. Which is fine, i think. The school year is practically over so why fret about it? Other than that I fill my days with gardening, lots and lots of music practicing, and running around outside with the sibs. Our yard has been looking so nice since we've been working on it! The flowers are blooming and everything is gorgeous! I wore shorts today for the first time this summer and my mom goes "Why don't you go out and get a tan. I've never seen legs so deathly pale!" And she's right! ha!

Been working A LOT on my music lately. Especially violin since I've got this big recital coming up on June 13. I've developed this sore on my chin from it so today I couldn't practice because it hurt. But I'm getting SO excited for this recital! Last Sunday I had this concert for my orchestra and most of the kids in the orchestra got to play a solo. So I played the solo I'm playing in the recital to get some practice performing it and surprisingly, It went really well!! I didn't think so when I finished playing it but afterwards people kept telling me I did such a great job and I was like, "Was it really that great??!!" The drudgery of practicing over an hour a day is really paying off! <3

The house is terribly silent right now. Almost everybody is sleeping. Silence is something I am unaccustomed to, as I live in a constantly chaotic house! The piano is almost always occupied, little Caleb is into making this high pitched screech when he doesn't get his way, and there is just always some sort of commotion going on. As my dad says, "Never a dull moment around here!" I love it that way and I would never wish it away!

Okay well this probably makes the record of the most boring post ever, but at least I got myself a little tired. Nighty, night!!

Bring on the Non-fiction! and "An Artist"

2010-05-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

The above title presents two rather strange topics! First of all, your probably wondering what the heck is with the above freakish pictures. Well, that is me being obssessed with my new "to-read" pile. I'm so excited about it because they are all non-fiction! I never thought it would happen. So these are what is in that thar' pile o' books.
1. On Writing Well and Writing to Learn by William Zinsser. My dad bought these at the bookstore a while back and he was really excited about them! I thought about reading them but never got around to it, and since I love to write (a phenomenon that happens not too often on this here blog) and I think I desperately need help with my writing skills, I thought I would tackle these two books and see if they can help me solve my issues; such as my fear of just putting the pen to the paper and letting the words flowwww.
2. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I got this book for Christmas from my aunt. She thought I would like it because I have dreams of opening my own school someday and this book is about a guy who opened a school for girls in a poor pakinstani village. How cool is that?
3. Charlotte Bronte: A Writer's Life by Rebecca Fraser. I bought this one on my first visit to the amazing Half-Price Books with Sarah! I love biographies...and better yet, biographies about my favorite authors! My mom said this particular biography reads just like a novel and it tells about how she incorporated much of her own life into her novels.
4. Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin. I love Mark Levin's radio show. My parents and I listen to it sometimes when we are in the car at night. He makes us laugh so hard! He can sometimes be kinda harsh, but hey! at least he says it like it is! So anyway, I thought it would be cool to read his book and see if it is any good.
5. How Now Shall We Live? by Charles Colson. I dont' have much to say about this one, except I saw it on my dad's shelf and this Charles Colson has kind of an amazing testimony. So this one should be pretty good!

The other day I was reading the preface to Oscar Wilde's book The Picture of Dorian Gray and I thought it was something very brilliant! So I thought I'd share it with you. It doesn't have a title but I'd like to call it "An Artist".

The artist is the creator of beautiful things.

To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.

The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things.

The highest as the lowest form of criticism is a mode of autobiography. Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming.

This is a fault.

Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope.

They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only beauty.

There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written.

That is all.

The nineteenth century dislike of realism is the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in a glass.

The nineteenth century dislike of romanticism is the rage of Caliban not seeing his own face in a glass.

The moral life of man forms part of the subject-matter of the artist, but the morality of art consists in the perfect use of an imperfect medium. No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are true can be proved.

No artist has ethical sympathies.

An ethical sympathy in an artist is an unpardonable mannerism of style. No artist is ever morbid. The artist can express everything.

Thought and language are to the artist instruments of an art.

Vice and virtue are to the artist materials for an art.

From the point of view of form, the type of all the arts is the art of the musician.

From the point of view of feeling, the actor's craft is the type.

All art is at once surface and symbol.

Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.

In which I discuss the magnificence of the great books.

2010-05-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

Earlier this evening at the dinner table (dinner at our house is always a "fun" family event. hehe) my brother Gavin started to complain about how positively "boring and cheesy" the book Jane Eyre is. He has to read it for school and he HATES it; he insists Ted Dekker books are a bajillion times better...I beg to differ. Although I did rather like the Ted Dekker book that I read a little while ago, "Blink", it's nothing compared to the classics. My mom said, "Ted Dekker books and other fantasy books are like hotdogs (we were eating hotdogs for dinner) they are small, tasty, yet junky and cheap. Classical books, such as Jane Eyre, are like steak. Expensive, take a long time to chew, yet delicious and really good quality." I love my mom's spontaneous analogies. <3

As soon as I finished my first "classical" or "great" book, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, I was totally hooked. It seems like those books have more substance, or lessons to be learned from them... or something! I don't really know how to explain it. Why do you think these books are still so famous today? Although I suppose writers today need a chance to be tried out, but I usually much prefer old books. What can I say? I'm a literature/history nerd! I even love the smell of old books! There's just something about old books, like a precious piece of the past, like some author's thoughts and brilliancy recorded on paper! It's such a beautiful thing!

When you read about old, famous author's lives, there's usually nothing very special about their lives, or their looks, but I would have loved to watch the wheels turning in their minds. As they are thinking up a story to portray something that happened in their own lives, or just to write down thoughts and opinions. You can even tell what an author's personality was like just by reading a few of their works! Books are like a tangible piece of an author's mind, that will live on and on. It's extroardinary...

Um, not sure what to call this post.

2010-05-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sooo... how does everybody like the new blog layout? Pretty snazzy, ain't it? Thank you dear Sarah for your wonderful word on the header. Gosh, it's been quite a while since I've posted. I've been doing a lot of writing in a personal journal lately. I like the privacy and intimacy of a written journal, but I'll keep blogging as well.

I just came back from an orchestra rehearsal today, a final practice before the concert tomorrow afternoon. I didn't enjoy this semester as much as the last one because the songs are not as good this time. Last semester we played the entire Mozart's 25th symphony (which is amazing) and also Beethoven's Corialanus Overture (this one gives me goosebumps!). But this semester we are playing kind of "blah" pieces. Some Ancient airs for the lute song and a Vivaldi concerto. I didn't practice as much, the pieces are super hard, and I don't feel confident playing these ones as I did with the first ones. Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself because as soon as I start playing at orchestra, it's almost like I loose my ability to play because I get so shy. My bow feels locked in place, and I only use about 3 inches of bow! Is it nervous-ness about making a mistake? Is it just my personality? I really can't figure it out. I think I'm going to have to start praying to ask God to give me the confidence I need to play these songs to the best of my ability. Just take a deep breath, Maddie and loosen up! You'll do great tomorrow.

Last night I went to see the Last Song movie with Miley Cyrus. I'm not a big Miley Cyrus fan, but I absolutely adore the Nicholas Sparks movies based on his books. I'm also a sucker for sad, romantic, and rather sappy movies. And this one definitely fit the bill. It was SO good!! I cried a little, smiled a lot. Definitely a must-see for those who have my same movie tastes. :D

Guess what? I finally finished Anna Karenina!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh.... It was sooo good. so good. I just love the ending. There is this character named Levin. He reminds me a lot of myself because he thinks too much, he's quiet but loves very passionately. But he believes only what his mind can reason as rational, so he doesn't believe in God for most of the book. But finally, at the end, he has a change of heart and drops all of his reasoning and just believes. And guess what? It brought him joy. Immense joy! He found that once the spirit of God was within him, nothing could shake this joy and peace that he had. It was "untouched within him." So true isn't it? Although this life is full of cares, struggles, and worry, as long as we have the spirit within us and we are constantly in his Word, nothing can shake this joy we have in Him!

I am sitting in my room right now writing this and my deoderant is right next to me. Without a cap. I can't find it and it is really disturbing me. Does deoderant go bad if the cap isn't on it? I have no idea. Hmmm....

And on that random note, I bid you adieu.

3 things

2010-04-02T06:21:00.001-07:00

1. I'm happy to say that Sarah and I have finally finalized what book we are going to do for Junto and we are starting it shortly. Quo Vadis was just too boring and weird and I couldn't get into it so we decided on The Warden by Anthony Trollope. I don't really know much about it because I learned my lesson with Villette when I tried to search online for a short summary so I could write about what it's about in the introductory post...but then I read too much and it gave a little of the story away. So this is what I know: this guy named Septimus Harding is accused of mismanaging church funds by some newcomer. But the newcomer is kept from spilling the beans because he is in love with Harding's daughter! I don't know about you, but a plot like that really draws me in. haha. So, anyway I think I'll probably do my first post about it on Monday.

2. Guess what? A few days ago I started giving my 3 year-old sister Lily violin lessons! My 10 year-old sister Jenna has been taking lessons for about 6 months now and sometimes Lily would get caught playing with Jenna's violin. She would pick it up, put it to her chin, and try to get some sound out of it. So that gave me an idea. I asked my mom if she could get Lily one of those tiny violins and I could start giving her lessons. Lily was so excited that she kept nagging my mom every day to "buy her a violin"! Finally she did; it's a tiny little 1/10 size violin and we've had three days of lessons so far. She's really good at it and I'm certain I've got a musical genius in the making. I would have posted pictures but I can't find my camera, so you'll just have to try and visualize a chubby, blond 3 year-old holding a violin to her chin and plucking the strings. :D

3. Lately I've been reading a few blog posts of girls my age who feel like they have been drifting from God these past few months. I don't know why so many people are feeling like this now, but I've sort of been feeling it too. I wake up every morning and read my Bible but I've been ignoring my need for prayer. Sometimes prayer gives me such an amazing intimacy with God so I don't know why I've been neglecting that relationship through prayer. I talk to people all day long; why have I stopped talking to God? I honestly don't know. But I will definitely start praying more because I know now that when I don't, I feel empty and distant from God.

Rice Krispie Treats are Yummy

2010-03-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

So this morning I got up at 6:15 am
Okay tried to get up at 6:15. My alarm went off, I pulled myself out of bed, took one look out the window at the dark and gloomy rain, and jumped back under the warm covers and slept for another hour.
Then I finally got up and spent some time with the Lord.
After I ate breakfast, I decided to pull out the Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (an excellent detictive novel) and read for a bit but then accidentally ended up reading for almost 2 hours. Then I slapped myself and jumped in the shower.
Did math, science, and grammar in good time but then my excellent school day went down the drain when I started alternating between reading John Keats' poetry and staring off into space.
So then I ended school, wasted some time on the computer, and then went outside and jumped rope on the damp driveway. It was fun but tiring. I'm so out of shape.
Played through my Vivaldi violin sonata three times
Made yummy rice krispie treats while thinking about getting a new blog because I'm sick of this one. then decided against it.
I am now a member of the Literary Ladies Discussion Society! I'm so excited!
People. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is with out a doubt the BEST BOOK EVER!!! My dad is reading it along with me. It's fun to talk about it with him!
Ok this post is way to weird and random for me. I'm considering deleting it. maybe not...

Blog Partyyyyyy!

2010-03-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

Okay so I'm participating in Abigail Kraft's blog party as I mentioned in my last post. I'm supposed to answer a bunch of cool questions so here goes...

1. What is your favorite time of the day?

Early morning most definitely. I don't like the waking up part, but once I'm up, it's so peaceful and quiet in the house. I used to think I was a total extrovert but I'm finding more and more that I lean more towards being an introvert. I love to sit in solitude for a few hours reading my Bible, praying, thinking, eating a yummy bowl of frosted mini wheats while reading a good novel. ahhh....

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?

Well, even if health wasn't an issue, I would still choose to eat healthy. I love whole grains, fruits and vegetables but I'd have to say the one food that I absolutely LOVE is cooked, and salted broccoli. mmmm

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?

I would wish that my mom could have another baby. Caleb is now 1 1/2 and although right now he is the CUTEST thing in the entire world, I miss him when he was a newborn! I LOVE babies! haha...

4. What's the one thing you get teased a lot about?

My picky eating habits. Although I'm much better about it now, my dad never lets me forget about how I would dramatically gag at apple pancakes, mustard, and mannny others.

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in what would you pick? What type of character would you be?

Oh gosh this is a hard question... hmmm. I guess I would have to say I would live in Charles' Dicken's book David Copperfield. Best. Book. Ever. All of the characters are so awesome that I can't pick one to be! I would either be Agnes, a smart, clever girl who ends up getting married to the guy that she always thought of as a brother, or I would just be a maid or something who gets to watch the whole stoy! ahhh...

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?

I would love to be able to play the guitar and sing really well. You DON'T want to hear the way I sing now! It's glass shattering!!!

7. If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?

I would MOST DEFINITELY go on a Jane Austen tour through Europe, seeing all the houses they used in the Jane Austen movies, visiting her house, going to balls, sight seeing...

8. If you were an awesome singer, what genre would you sing?

Ha! thats funny! I was just talking about wanting to be able to sing really well!! Um but it I could, I would sing contemporary Christian music or alternative.

9. If you had a $10,000 shopping spree to one store what would it be?

Barnes and Noble, baby!! I could spend my life in that amazing place.

10. If you could live in any point in time, what would it be?

*sigh* so many good eras to choose!! Ummm... I would have to say the Regency Period or the Victorian Era.

11. If every outfit in your drawer had to be one color, what would it be?

PINKKKK!!!!!!

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?

Probably Happy.

13. What's the last album you listened to?

Ocean Eyes by Owl City

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?

I'm usually a pretty predictable person but one thing you *might* be surprised to know about me is that I love war and action movies. Ok that wasn't a very good one. Maybe I'll get back to you on that. :-)

A post on sundry things.

2010-02-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been a while since I've been on here! All last week I was gone at a camp called TeenPact. It was one of the most AMAZING weeks of my entire life. I learned so much, met a bunch of really awesome people, and got a changed perspective of my relationship with Christ and how I can let my love for him shine and splash onto others. There was one young lady that I met by the beautiful name of Melika and she showed me SO MUCH! I told her about how I wished I was as outgoing and talkative as many of the other girls there and how it was so hard for me to break out of my comfort zone. But she assured me that my personality and my gifts were given to me by God. I should be comfortable with who I am and just let God work through me with the gifts that he has given me. I just have to give it all to Him and trust Him. I tell you, that girl is amazing and I hope that we will have the chance to meet again!!

Right now I am supposed to be cleaning our basement. It's sooo messy down here! My mom told me she would give be $20 to clean it top to bottom and I REALLY need the money so my Saturday is being spent scrubbing, picking up, and rearranging. My dad said that I have to pay for my own driver's ed...and I'm broke. So I am doing everything I can to get some moola so I can learn to drive! Except once I get my licsense, I have to pay for my own insurance. We'll see how that works out...

I am happy to say that Sarah and I are starting a new Junto book!! I am sooo excited for this one. It's called Quo Vadis and the author has a long confusing name that I don't feel like spelling out. It's about a roman guy who falls in love with a Christian woman. I'm always a sucker for historical romances. ;) So further posting about it will appear soon.

Also, notice on my side bar I have a button about Abigail Kraft's blog party. I've been following Abigail's lovely blog for a while now. I'm not really sure what a blog party is, but it sounds kinda fun, i think. haha. So I guess I'll find out when it starts on Monday. hehe

Unspeakable Joy

2010-02-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

Reading over my last entry got me thinking. Sometimes, after reading a great romance novel (i.e. Sense and Sensibility and Mara Daughter of the Nile) or watching an awesome romance movie (i.e. Sweet Home Alabama and The Notebook) I find myself dreaming about the day when I will get my own love story. You know, finding the perfect guy and falling in love. It's not that I'm discontent with where I'm at right now, I am perfectly happy, it's just anticipation to meet the man I will spend the rest of my life with. I hope he will be funny, loving, honest, intellectual, and a faithful Christian. I have plans even down to what I want my wedding dress to look like!

The thing is, is I don't have to wait for my true love. He's already here in my heart and He loves me so much. His name is Jesus. He loves me so much, that He even came down to die for my sins and he wants to have a close relationship with me. But sometimes I fail to seek Him and serve Him and let Him fill me with love and devotion to Him. I want Jesus to fill this longing for true love. I want to feel complete joy and contentment in Him so that even if it is His plan for me to stay single, I will be content.

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalms 90:14

God can satisfy this longing for love. In fact, He is the only one who can! I realize that people aren't perfect and looking to them for satisfaction will always be in vain. The purpose of marriage would not be just for me, but also to give God glory. So whatever God's plan for me may be, I pray that He will help me live for Him and to find joy and satisfaction in Him.

2010-02-09T15:07:00.000-08:00

Ta Da!! Here I am, back to the blogosphere at last. I am rather surprised at my lack of posting lately. I just can't seem to get these jumbled up thoughts that bounce around in my brain on paper. I should be doing a final post on Villette, which I finished a few days ago, but I just haven't gotten around to it. But I will say right now that Villette was NOT as brilliant, compelling, and AWESOME as Jane Eyre. Villette just didn't have a nice plot flow like Jane Eyre and who could beat the funny, scary, luring, loveable, hateable, deceitful, passionful Mr. Rochester?!!! Sorry M. Paul, your just not that great compared to this guy. I couldn't think of half as many great adjectives for you as I can and did for Mr. Rochester. Except I wouldn't marry either of them. Sorry guys, Edward Ferrars beats you big time. I'd marry Edward Ferrars. That is, if he was real. *sigh*

Includes: A short Junto update, an "ironic fact", and excitement about February!

2010-01-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

Villette is getting so exciting!! Awhile ago I was griping about how boring Villette was compared to the awesome and thrilling Jane Eyre (which I've been reading out loud to my sis Mara, she loves it). But then I got to a few on-the-edge-of-your-seat parts in Villette, like a creepy nun appearing to Lucy when she was in the attic, and a young girl falling unconcious at the theater, who Dr. John saved. (wow that was a terrible run-on sentence)

Dr. John, who turned out to be Graham Bretton, is wonderful. I love him and I'm almost positive Lucy loves him too. When Lucy became very sick and then woke up at Dr. John's house, they became very intimate again. Dr. John is very cheerful and has a kind heart. Though Lucy by no means overlooks his faults. She made it clear that he is cruelly vain and indulges in material things too much. But this proved to be no hinderance for her love. Lucy became quite depressed when she had to leave Dr. John and his kind mother, but he did promise to write her letters and it was with that hope that she kept up her spirits at Madame Beck's school (well, sort of). So when she finally got a letter from him, she waited for a chance to go up to the attic to read it alone and that's when she saw the creepy nun, just standing there. Then it disappeared. But I mean, come on. a nun???? Why couldn't it have been a mad maniac like in Jane Eyre or a ghost or something other than a nun specter. But maybe it will have some significance later. But the important thing in this part of the book is that Lucy so treasured Dr. John's letter that she was frantic when she thought it was lost! Surely she loves him!

The other exciting thing that happened in the book happened at the theater. Dr. John invited Lucy to go to the theater with him. (hmmm sounds like a hot date, huh?) While they were there, a young girl fell unconscious (can't remember why) and Dr. John carried her out and back home. She was a pretty young lady of 17 and I'm almost positive that girl is Polly from the beginning of the book. But I could be wrong. I really want Dr. John and Lucy to fall in love and marry and live happily ever after, but I don't thing that's going to happen. Dr. John's too perfect. The Bronte's always write about men who are passionate and very un-prince charming. But I guess we shall see...

So about the "Ironic fact". I was reading this very interesting/annoying/irritating thing on a new friend's facebook. It's this:

"Ironic fact: Susan G. Komen for the Cure gives money annually to planned parenthood. Funny how abortion increases a woman's chances of breast cancer by 18%. How...ironic."

Isn't that WEIRD?? Anything that supports abortion, I am most definitely NOT supporting them. Abortion is murder.

Ok I don't have much more time to write but I wanted to let you all know that in February I am going to a Teenpact government camp in Madison!! We have to wear business suits and everything! I am going with my dear friend, and american government buddy, Rachel. I expect to have tons of fun and learn a lot!

Oh and one more thing. Go Scott Brown! I really hope he wins in tomorrows election for Ted Kennedy's seat in the Massachusett's senate. If he gets elected, we might be able to kiss this terrible healthcare bill goodbye for a while. yay!!

Hmmm...

2010-01-12T14:06:00.000-08:00

Is there a greater feeling in the world than the feeling of utter satisfaction when you finish an essay? That feeling was mine today when I finally finished my essay on foolish Karl Marx and his communist ideas. Yes, I was very pleased indeed.

Today I was working with a chemistry/math tutor and he was explaining about how electrons are repulsed from one another and to demonstrate it, he leaned across the table and got as close to my face as possible and I, of course, leaned away from him. I must say that was the most awkward science demonstration ever.

My Bible in 6 months challenge is going fairly well. I am starting Exodus and I am also halfway through Matthew. I love this passage:

¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Today I am starting a book for school called Return of the Native and it is about a man named Clym Yeobright. I think that is the coolest name in the world.

I love the cycling game on the Wii sports resort. I could play that game with my sister Jenna for hours. :-)

Now I must go clean out the bathrooms because we are having company tonight. Farewell! Oh my gosh! That reminds me of a hilarious part in Jane Eyre where she is saying goodbye to Mr. Rochester to go visit her aunt.

"And how do people perform that ceremony of parting, Jane? Teach me; I'm not quite up to it.
"They say farewell; or any other form they prefer."
"Then say it."
"Farewell, Mr. Rochester, for the present"
"What must I say?"
"The same, if you like, sir."
"Farewell, Miss Eyre, for the present; is that all?"
"yes"
"It seems stingy to my notions, and dry, and unfriendly. I should like something else; a little addition to the rite. If one shook hands, for instance; but no, that would not content me either. So you'll do no more than say 'farewell' Jane?
"It is enough, sir; as much good-will may be conveyed in one hearty word as in many."

Junto Part 4: Villette

2010-01-06T19:39:00.000-08:00

I love this book immensely! My dear friend Sarah and I were talking the other night about Villette and we both agreed that it is the characters that makes it so interesting and enjoyable. For this junto post I'll just list the main characters and analyze them.

Lucy Snowe. She is quiet at times but also very firm and opinionated. I was surprised to find, though, in the last couple chapters I read, that she can be very sarcastic! Especially to the vain and selfish Ginevra Fanshawe and to Dr. John who is foolish enough to love Ginevra. One of my favorite parts is:
“I love Miss Fanshawe far more than De Hamal [the rival] loves any human being, and would care for and guard her better than he. Respecting De Hamal, I fear she is under an illusion. The man’s character is known to me, all his antecedents, all his scrapes. He is not worthy of your beautiful young friend.”

“My ‘beautiful young friend’ ought to know that, and to know or feel who is worthy of her,” said I. “If her beauty or her brains will not serve her so far, she merits the sharp lesson of experience.”

“Are you not a little severe?”

“I am excessively severe—more severe than I choose to show you. You should hear the strictures with which I favour my ‘beautiful young friend,’ only that you would be unutterably shocked at my want of tender considerateness for her delicate nature.”

“She is so lovely, one cannot but be loving towards her. You—every woman older than herself must feel for such a simple, innocent, girlish fairy a sort of motherly or elder-sisterly fondness. Graceful angel! Does not your heart yearn towards her when she pours into your ear her pure, childlike confidences? How you are privileged!” And he sighed.

“I cut short these confidences somewhat abruptly now and then,” said I. “But excuse me, Dr. John; may I change the theme for one instant? What a godlike person is that De Hamal! What a nose on his face—perfect! Model one in putty or clay, you could not make a better or straighter or neater; and then, such classic lips and chin; and his bearing—sublime.”

“De Hamal is an unutterable puppy, besides being a very white-livered hero.”

“You, Dr. John, and every man of a less refined mould than he, must feel for him a sort of admiring affection, such as Mars and the coarser deities may be supposed to have borne the young, graceful Apollo.”

“An unprincipled, gambling little jackanapes!” said Dr. John curtly, “whom, with one hand, I could lift up by the waistband any day, and lay low in the kennel if I liked.”

“The sweet seraph!” said I. “What a cruel idea! Are you not a little severe, Dr. John?”
A very amusing character in Villette is M. Paul Emmanuel. He is short, stocky, and has quite a temper! He reminds me of Napoleon Bonaparte. When he gets mad I imagine him getting really red, and yelling loudly while stamping his little foot. Also with an imaginary cloud of smoke on top of his head. I don't know much about him but I expect that he will reappear later in the book
Ginevra Fanshawe. She is selfish and heartless, yet very pretty and charming. All the men fall for her and then get their poor hearts trampled on by her. She keeps acting like she's Lucy's friend even though Lucy doesn't even like her and criticizes her constantly. I feel so bad for poor Dr. John because he loves Ginevra. She is so cold and cruel to him yet he thinks that she likes him deep down. Good luck with that buddy.

So that's all for this junto post. I'm too excited about whats going to happen next to write more. Also, as you can see I changed my blog background again. It's a little weird but I fell in love with it because of the old piece of music on it. I'll change it as soon as my excitement about the music on it wears off. ;D

Too Tired To Think Of A Clever Title...

2010-01-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

Why hello! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I have about a gazillion random things to say in this post but unfortunately I am so tired from our 8 hour car trip home from Michigan that I think I will fall asleep before I get to very many of them.

So this years Christmas has been very fun and very busy. In fact, it was so busy and so fun that I can't even remember what happened in the last two weeks. Hmm I'll have to think about this for a minute... well we traveled to many places to visit family and friends and to do insanely awesome things like snowmobile-ing, sledding down HUGE hills, ice fishing, and spending whole days in a 15-passenger van with 8 fun and crazy kiddos. I was also very excited about finally getting to see a friend from camp to have a sleepover, do a gift exchange, and goof off. I am very sad that Christmas break is almost over. I am dreading the two essays that must be written next week. Oh well, at least it will be nice to finally be able to stay home for a week.

So I was hoping to be able to post ON new years day about my new years resolutions but I was out of town so I will just have to settle with doing it on January 2nd. I have a few typical resolutions like eating healthier, getting up earlier, being more content, start talking less and listening more, ect. But the biggest resolution/challenge this year is reading the Bible in 6 months. A few weeks ago I had been thinking about starting a read the Bible in a year thing but then I came across this blog where a bunch of people are going to try this challenge together. So I thought I'd join in and try it. It will really increase my Bible knowledge, it will be something that I start and actually finish (hopefully), and I hope it will deepen my relationship with God. I decided I am going to read through the Old Testament and the New Testament at the same time so I started Genesis and Matthew. I realize that this may be very difficult with schoolwork to do, music to practice, and chores to do around the house so if its to hard to do in 6 months, I'll stretch it out to a year. I'm so excited about this!!

Okay well I think thats all I can keep my eyes open for. (yawwwn) I'm off to bed. I will hopefully start posting more regularly and I will do my Junto post on Monday. (sorry Sarah for missing a week!) Goodnight!

Thankfulness

2009-12-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve! I absolutely LOVE Christmas time especially all the excitement of giving gifts (and receiving them, I cannot lie :) I have been thinking about a few things lately that I really wanted to get down on paper. (or in the computer).

I feel so incredibly blessed, especially at this time of year. On the radio I have been hearing so many sad stories about why people dread this time of year because of painful memories. Also yesterday I found this blog that got me so interested that I spent almost a whole hour reading through all the past posts. The blog is about a 14 year-old girl named Hope and she has cancer. There is doubt that she will be able to be home for Christmas this year. Yet she continues to thank God for her loving family and the healthcare she is able to receive. My life so far has been relatively hardship free and I hope and pray that when sorrow and strife comes in my life, I will, like Hope, continue to thank God and bless His name.

The other thing that has been on my mind is why exactly do we celebrate Christmas. The other day my 5 year old brother JP yelled at my sister Lily that he was the boss and she had to do exactly as he said and obey his rules even if he himself doesn't follow them. Then my mom took JP aside and told him about how God has set rules of life for us to obey and that on Christmas, He Himself came down to earth to be an example to us. But when he did come, he didn't act like the king he was. He took the very nature of a servant. (Philippians 2:7) How absolutely incredible is that? So this Christmas season, let us joyfully praise and thank our wonderful Savior! :)

Junto Part 3: Villette (And Confessions of a Bad Babysitter)

2009-12-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

So, as of a few seconds ago, I finished chapter 11 in Villette. I am babysitting my 5 year old brother and my 3 year old sister right now and I am completely and totally engrossed in the book. So I was sitting at the kitchen table reading and they were hanging on me to play with them and I was trying to use the TV as my last reserve so I did everything I could to console them so I could peacefully read. I gave them food, I told them funny stories about when they were born (or "borin" as Lily would say), and told them that if they went and played together like good little children, they could watch TV at 2:00. Then they started fighting, tackling each other, and screaming. So I ran into my room, shut the door and held the door closed, determined to at least finish my chapter before I played Mouse Trap with them. So there I was with my back to the door, and two little ones banging at the door and crying. So, being the selfish book-worm I am, I went out and turned on the TV for them so I could finish the chapter. But I promise as soon as this episode of Little Bear is over and I am done writing this post, I will play some games with the little dears.

So without further ado, I will now do a short evaluation of Villette. I am liking sensible and kind Lucy Snowe more and more and liking the cold Madame Beck less and less. Bronte also introduced Madame's three children and described how Madame treats them coldly and unmotherly. All the poor kids want is a little affection from their mother!

Another character whom I dislike is Ginevra Fanshawe, a student at Madame Beck's school and an acquaintance of Lucy's. Miss Fanshawe is, as she describes herself, "coquettish, and ignorant, and flirting, and fickle, and silly, and selfish, and all other sweet things you (Lucy) and I have agreed to be a part of my character." A handsome, serious young man named M. Isidore fell in love with Miss Fanshawe and she finds it amusing when he pays many attentions to her and expressing his love. She makes him believe that he loves her too but really that's not the case. Poor guy!

The author has also re-introduced the young man that so kindly helped Lucy when she first arrived in France and had some confusion with her luggage. It turns out that he is a doctor that comes in place of the regular Beck family doctor to treat Madame's daughter's broken arm. Doctor John (for that is his name) sticks around the house for a few weeks and is suspected of having fallen in love with Madame Beck and she with him. And that is where chapter 11 ended. And now I must go turn off that horrible TV and play Mouse Trap with the kids. Au revoir!

Junto Part 2: Villette

2009-12-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

So here I am again to write about and analyze Miss Charlotte Bronte's lovely novel Villette. I finished chapter 7 on Saturday morning and I was so tempted to keep reading but I decided it's better to pace myself so I can cover everything in my posts. :)

Lucy Snowe is all grown up now and for a few years she took the position as nurse to the crippled old lady, Miss Marchmont. There wasn't really much about Miss Marchmont's character except, on her deathbead, she told Lucy about her tragic love story and, to Lucy's horror and dismay, died. So then Lucy was left without a place to go. She tried London, but decided she wanted a little adventure and sailed to France. When she arrived, she found there was a teeny, tiny problem. She couldn't speak french!! There was some confusion with her luggage and, not knowing how to speak french, she couldn't figure out how to get her stuff back. Thankfully a very suave, handsome young man came to her rescue. He helped get her luggage back and pointed her in the right direction to the nearest inn. On her way to that inn, she stumbled upon Madame Beck's house. (I can't remember exactly how she knew Madame Beck but she had heard of her before and heard that she needed a governess, I think) She went into the house and offered her services to Madame Beck. Then, Madame Beck told a man named M. Paul to come and evaluate whether Lucy seemed fit to be a governess. M. Paul advised Madame Beck to hire Lucy. I know this summary was quite long and boring but it organizes my thoughts about what has happened so far.

I rather like Lucy Snowe so far. She is very sensible and plain yet very adventurous, brave, and she likes to think about and analyze things. I'm sure the book is not going to give much information about Lucy's character because she is the one telling the story but I imagine her to be very thoughtful and slightly melancholy. She is also very frank has a bit of a temper! There was one part where the rough seamen tried to mess with her and she told them to back off! (although I wouldn't call that temper, I would call that self defense) She seems like the sort of person that I would get along very well with. I do hope that she meets up with Graham Bretton and Polly Home again sometime in the book!

So far there were two places where, as I said in the intro, Bronte personifies emotions or virtues:

"In to the hands of Common-sense I confided the matter. Common-sense, however, was as chilled and bewildered as all my other faculties, and it was only under the spur of an inexorable necessity that she spasmodically executed her trust."

Isn't that so true? It's not until we really need it the most that common sense kicks in. I don't mean to bring politics into this but I can't help but think that it'll be too late before necessity spurs people to use common-sense and realize that Obama's socialist changes are not good for America! So anyways the second personification is:

"...so peril, loneliness, an uncertain future, are not oppressive evils, so long as the frame is healthy and the faculties are employed; so long, especially as Liberty lends us her wings, and Hope guides us by her star."

So I will read to chapter 12 for next time!

My Mom is Blogging!

2009-12-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

Yup, that's right; my mom is finally blogging. I set up a blog for her last spring telling her how much fun blogging is and what a funny and interesting blog she could do seeing as she is a homeschooling mother of 8 kids. I kind of fail to post about all the wild and fun goings on around here so I hope my mom will do a better job of it! Maybe it will give me an insight on how things seem according to her.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how much she does for us and how little my siblings and I thank her. She is the most amazing, godly, loving mother I know. She is my best friend, my confidante, and she the one I run to when things get tough. Or when I have an amazing quote or fun fact to tell her. (I'm a nerd, I know)

So anyway, I guess what I wanted to say was thank you mom for all you do, I love you to pieces and for anybody who reads this blog, check out her blog and become a follower. If she sees that she has people reading it, hopefully she will keep posting! :D

Today

2009-12-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Woke up to my dad watching the news saying to it, "only Jesus can bring peace!" Then thought about the Montesqieu quote I read yesterday "If we wanted to be happy it would be easy; but we want to happier than other people, which is almost always difficult since we think them happier than they are."

Pulled myself out of bed, ate some rice crispies, and looked at an IEW binder thinking wistfully back to the IEW co-op days

Hopped in the shower and tried to get dressed but couldn't find anything to wear so I pulled a poop-green tee-shirt from my sister's drawer and threw that on

Started school hoping that I would be able to get a decent amount of work done today

Jumped up and down for joy when I found out that my algebra 2 test average is a 75%

Yelled at my sister for being such a slob and then slapped myself when I realized that most of the mess in our room is my stuff

Took 3 hours to do science

Had a philosophical talk with my mom about the above quote and whether Sarah Palin should become president

Checked my blog for comments. There were none.

Obessessed over baby Caleb and took a million pictures of him

Tried to practice my violin but couldn't play the notes because my hands were so cold

Gave Lily a bath while doing my rhetoric.

Thinks this list is way too long and boring

Junto Part 1: Villette

2009-12-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

I really like this book so far! I have read the first three chapters and there are two characters who I like a lot: Polly and Graham. I don't necessarily like the characters of these two people but I think their relationship is so funny and unexpected that I can't help but like them both. Polly is a very ladylike little girl of six years old who is taken from her home to live with Mrs. Bretton and her 16 year old son, Graham. Polly and Graham are polar opposites yet they formed a strong affection for each other. She takes care of him and loves him dearly and he treats her just as if she were his little sister, teasing her, putting her up on his shoulders, and calling her his "little mousie". Polly is quite the emotional and passionate little girl. It will be interesting to see what she is like when she gets older.

A very thought-provoking part in the book is at the end of chapter 3 when Lucy Snowe and Polly are talking together the night before Polly has to leave the Bretton's to rejoin her father. Polly asked Lucy if she likes Graham and Lucy said she likes him a little but "whats the use of caring for him much? He is full of faults." Lucy then says, "Wise people say it is a folly to think anybody perfect; and as to likes and dislikes, we should be friendly to all and worship none." Isn't it funny that it is a 14 year old? They are very wise words though. Often I base my treatment of people on how much I like or dislike them and their faults. I fail to realize, though, that most of the faults that I hate in other people are the very faults that I struggle with everyday. I must remember to be friendly to all because I think everyone could use a little kindness whether its the weird girl sitting by herself, or the annoying person whom you have nothing in common with. I'm sure Lucy Snowe found it difficult to get along with Polly yet she still treated her with kindness. :D

Here are a few more interesting thoughts about Villette:

Charlotte Bronte's heroines (including Lucy Snowe) are always very plain and sensible, taking in their surroundings and analyzing them.
I think Graham's long red hair suits his character well. I think I would want to meet him. Too bad he's just a fictional character.
Isn't it funny how all of the Bronte books are written in first person? I wonder why that is...

Okay well I think that's all for this week's Junto post. Again, if you would like to join in and read the book, please do so. The more the merrier!!

Sister Love

2009-12-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

This is someone who's sweet smile and cheerful countenance brightens my day. This is someone who is kind to everyone. This is someone who is incredibly patient with my temper and my odd ways. This is someone who loves her family with a passion and is always content no matter what the circumstance. This is someone who's simple love for Jesus Christ shows in her actions everyday.

This is Mara, my little sister.
You inspire me lil' sis! I love you to pieces!

Junto Introduction: Villette

2009-11-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

Junto is a little club/group/whatever you want to call it that my friend Sarah and I started a while back. Please join in and read the book with us! And you can grab the button on the side bar and put it on your blog! The more the merrier! My parents are going to run to the bookstore to get "Villette" by Charlotte Bronte while they are out tonight so I will start reading as soon as I get it! But for now I will just tell you what I know about the book so far. :)

I am so excited to read this book because I am a devoted Bronte fan. I have read Emily's "Wuthering Heights", Anne's "Tenant at Wildfell Hall" and "Agnes Grey" and Charlotte's "Jane Eyre". I absolutely adored every one of these books and I hope Villette is just as good if not better. My mom has read it and she said it was very good. According to her, it was a mix between a romance and a thriller which is not surprising since the Brontes are known for their passionate and on-the-edge-of-your-seat style of writing.

So far what I know about the book's plot is that it is about a girl named Lucy Snowe (I just love that name!! its so cute!) who is based on William Wordsworth Lucy poems. She is very quiet and reserved but remarkably loving and passionate. I hear from my mom that Bronte actually personifies Lucy's emotions. That'll be interesting, won't it? So Lucy becomes a governess and forms a friendship with two men: Graham Bretton and M. Paul Emanuel. So I guess we'll see what happens as we delve into the pages of Villette and find out what happens to young Lucy Snowe.

A Few Thoughts Jumbled Up In One Post

2009-11-28T13:01:00.000-08:00

Today has been a delightful Saturday. I had absolutely nothing to do so I was kind of at a loss as to what I should do with myself. So so far my day has consisted of reading a book, eating pumpkin pie, messing around with my blog trying to find a layout that didn't look ridiculous (I''m still working on it. Is this one okay or is it too gaudy?), and jumping on the trampoline. But I feel like I'm the only one in this house even though all 8 kids are here plus a cousin visiting from Illinois. They all seem occupied... maybe I'll find out what mischief they are in later.

I've been very thoughtful today. I'm reading Elizabeth Prentiss's "Stepping Heavenward" for the second time. I read it a few years ago but I think now that I'm a little older, I can get a little more out of it. It's about a girl named Katy and her walk with Jesus. It made me realize how much of a beginner I still am in my faith. I'm still learning to hold Jesus' hand and to draw near to Him. I think the only things I can do to draw closer to Him is to read my Bible a few verses at a time and meditate on them instead of reading whole chapters. I also need to pray more often. I pray daily but I need to learn to come to God in prayer throughout the day and to be thinking of Him often so that He can direct me in the right path and help me make choices. I pray that God would help me to do these things with a great zeal and passion for Him.

Such beautiful weather today! Clear blue sky, sunshine, and crisp, cool air. I hope this lovely fall weather lasts long! Although snow is nice. I love to shovel the driveway, make snowmen, and sit with my family by the fire with hot chocolate. yummm...! Okay now I really want it to snow! haha

Okay I have to go now. I wish I could write more! bye...

Thanksgiving and A Joyful Smile

2009-11-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!! I'm so very excited to see my relatives and talk, laugh, eat, and have a great time. I love them all so much and I'm very thankful that we are so close to my relatives. I can't imagine having a Thanksgiving without a house full of people!!

I've been thinking a lot lately about living my life for Christ and exactly how I, a girl with not much to give, can live a godly life and share my wonderful faith to others. I feel as if I should start with myself and my relationship with God. I saddens me when I pray a fervent prayer to the Lord with tears streaming down my face as I thank Him for all He has done for me, and then I go and yell at my sister for making me do something for her that I don't want to do. I love God with all of my heart and He gives me unspeakable joy and I want to please Him with my words and actions. And that is how I can share my faith with others: my actions. People notice a girl who is joyful and ready to serve others instead of a sulky teenager (which, i'm sorry to say, I have been guilty of far too many times). Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile can be? Sometimes a person's smile can just bless you and make you want to smile back. There is pure joy and love behind a smile like that. That is someone who has God's love tucked away in their heart and can't help but show it in their facial expressions.

(sorry about the total randomness of the last paragraph. I'm pretty sure each sentence had nothing to do with the next. I guess my thoughts just sort of tumbled out...)

I love Edward Ferrars

2009-11-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Hello there! I apologize for not posting lately. I have been pretty busy lately but I wanted to write a post because I get annoyed when people who's blog I read don't post for a long time and here I am neglecting my poor blog and my readers (if any...). So anyway, I've been doing great. Not much going on besides school, music, and lego league. Oh and of course spending time with my awesomely incredible family. I honestly can't imagine life without these guys. Jenna and I like to laugh and goof off together, Mara and I talk about everything and anything (we share a room), Gavin and I play lots of games and watch movies together, David likes to tell me jokes, JP can be a handful but I still love him, Lily is a sweet little thing, and Caleb is the cutest baby in the entire world (Jenna and I obsess over him. He is spoiled. :) My dad can answer any question I have and my mom is one of my very best friends. I LOVE you all!! <3

I just finished the book Uncle Tom's Cabin this past weekend and I would have to say it is now one of my favorite books. This book is so beautiful. It changed my view on so many things. Here is one of my favorite parts:

"Down you dog!" said Legree, striking him with his riding whip.
"Mas'r Legree," said Tom, "I can't do it. I did only what I thought was right. I shall do jest so again, if ever the time comes. I will never do a cruel thing, come what may."
"Yes but you don't know what may come, Tom. Ye think what you've got is something. I tell you 'tan't anything,-nothing 'tall. How would ye like to be tied to a tree, and have a slow fire lit up around ye;--wouldn't that be pleasant--eh Tom?"
"Mas'r," said Tom, "I know ye can do dreadful things; but,"-he stretched himself upward and clasped his hands,--"but , after ye've killed the body, there an't no more ye can do. And O, there all eternity to come after that!"
Eternity,- the word thrilled through the black man's soul with light and power, as he spoke; it thrilled through the sinner's soul, too, like the bite of a scorpion. Legree gnashed on him with his teeth, but rage kept him silent; and Tom, like a man disenthralled, spoke, in a clear and cheerful voice,
"Mas'r Legree, as ye bought me, I'll be a true and faithful servant to ye. I'll give ye all the work of my hands, all my time, all my strength; but my soul I won't give up to mortal man. I will hold on to the Lord and put his commands before all, --die or live; ou may be sure on't. Mas'r Legree, I an't a grain afeard to die. I'd as soon die as not. Ye may whip me, starve me, burn me, --It'll only send me sooner where I want to go."
"I'll make ye give out, though, 'fore I've done!" said Legree, in a rage.
"I shall have help," said Tom; "you'll never do it."
"Who the devil's going to help you?" said Legree, scornfully.
"The Lord Almighty," said Tom

Ahhh. I just love that part. I had always thought of death as the worst thing that could happen but since I read this book, I've realized that death is many times a very beautiful thing. When we, as Christians, die, we get to come home to Jesus our Lord and Savior! Doesn't that make you so happy and willing to live your life in a way that gives glory to Him? Yes I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a good cry and to see things from a different point of view.

I was remembering today a post that my friend Sarah wrote on her blog a while back and it was "conclusive evidence that I am a nerd". I was realizing today that I too am not a normal teenager. I am, in fact, a nerdy homeschooler! ha. Here's why:

I have an abnormal obsession with books and I think about what books I want for Christmas
I love to do school!
I don't like Twilight or the band Paramore
I love the Latin language
I am in love with Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility
I am not allowed to watch many PG-13 movies (well I also choose not to watch many of them)
Okay this one is kind of difficult for me to confess but I am afraid of public school teenagers when they are all together
I don't have a cell phone

Okay I think that is about it. I laugh at myself all the time about this stuff. :D But I'm not all geeky. I also:

Listen to music other than classical
Wear makeup, skinny jeans, and shop at Aeropostale
annnnd... actually thats about it.

Wow that was completely pointless... oh well. This post is getting really long so I think I'll wrap it up. I hope you all have a great rest of the week!

Three Things

2009-10-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

1. I must say, politics have definitely been on my mind lately. I have been reading Glenn Beck's new book Arguing With Idiots, writing an essay on Toqueville's Democracy in America and how it relates to today's political issues, and excitedly looking forward to going to the capital in Madison, Wisconsin to shadow representative Robin Vos with my dear friend Rachel in a few weeks. I think bringing America back to the principles it was founded upon and opposing an out-of-control government are very important but when it all comes down to it, God is in control and we must trust in Him to carry out His perfect plan.

2. ioerjksdfnmbvjnfsgjo vnkgp hsdhjklsioswbsd sdvjkxcvlvsshjsdb fb d fjq
][a
P'F;KJHAS; (This means I have nothing to say for number two)

3. I have been working on patience lately. My temper has always been one of my biggest faults and my 7 siblings (bless their hearts) don't always bring out the best in me. I have been praying for patience and working on controlling my temper. As my mom always says "kill them with kindness" and that will make it so much easier to be patient with them and be a good example for the little ones. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Ramblings...

2009-09-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Just here to give an update and let you all know that I'm alive and well and doing great. I've been hard at work with the schoolbooks, one of my favorite companions. English, American Government, Astronomy, History, Great Books... I just love it all. Well I suppose I will have to make an exception for math. That one I can do without. ;)

Last night my family and I got together with some friends of ours for a Bible study for the adults and for the kids just to hang out. I played about 3 hours of Guitar Hero and afterwards my wrists and shoulders were killing me! Who knew video games could be so painful? haha. It was a blast jamming on plastic guitars laughing our heads off about how stupid yet remarkably amusing this game was!

I am reading a book called the Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and although the title is terrible, I am completely and totally engrossed in this book! It is about the Civil War and, more specifically, the battle of Gettysburg. It switches off between semi-fictional accounts of the battle by Leiutenants and Generals that really fought in this unforgettable war. An interesting question came up in my study guide for this book. It was "Which side fought for the noblest cause, the North or the South?" I had always thought that the North was the good guys and the South was full of bad, hateful men who had slaves and treated them badly. But as I've been reading this book, I've gotten to understand a little bit more exactly what it was that the South was fighting for. It wasn't all about slavery. It was about a way of life that had been going on for many, many years and giving that up would bring drastic changes to the economy and all the plantation owners. One of the characters in the book gave this analogy: "I mean, it's as if we all joined a gentlemen's club, and then the members of the club started sticking their noses into our private lives, and then we up and resigned, and then they tell us we don't have the right to resign. I think thats a fair analogy, hey Pete?" So the men fighting for the South weren't bad men. They were just fighting for a way of life that they didn't want to change. Unfortunately, this way of life brought other precious lives (the slaves) into the picture and it wasn't pretty. So in the end, the North definitely had the noblest cause because they were fighting for liberty and union and those are the traits America was founded on.

Okay, sorry to ramble. I should probably get back to finishing up school. I also feel an urgent need for chocolate... I'll go see if I can find some chocolate chips or something. :)

Short Answers!

2009-09-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

When I came across this "Short Answers" thing, I got really excited when I thought of how many little people live around here and how funny their answers would be. I asked Lily (age 3), JP (age 5) and Jenna (age 9). Here's what they said...

What’s your favorite thing about where you live?

Lily: Playing with Julia and um playing with Jenna ad Julia and JP and Joey... and Gavin and Mara... and uhhh
Is that it?
Um no. and ummm... and uhhh... Reading books and playing with you!

JP: I don't want to answers this question (walks away)
JP come back here I'm not done!
*no answer*
JP!!!!
(finally wanders in after a few minutes and I ask the question again) My favorite thing about living at this house is I... I don't remember.
Just tell me your favorite thing
Well I have a big room

Jenna: Because we live next to the corner store. We can get all sugar and candied up. Yummm

What do trains carry?

Lily: People

Jenna: Coal! See I'm good at this test!

JP: Coal

What does a Sherriff do? (I substituted Police Man here)

Lily: I don't know
Just say anything
I DON'T KNOW, OKAY??!!

Jenna: um a sherriff is a person who arrests people
What else does he do?
He arrests people who are being bad

JP: Theyyyy..... Search for people who are on the speed limit?

Where does the gas station get the gas?

Lily: Cars

Jenna: Trucks
Where do the trucks get it?
Metal (haha. maybe she heard the question wrong or something)

JP: I don't know! A place where you get gas things?

If you could do whatever you wanted for a whole day, what would you do?

Lily: Just do the same thing and ummm... listen to music and uhhh... scribble on paper and ummm... that's all!

Jenna: I would sit and eat chocolate and cake. And go on water rides with my cake and ice cream. That'd be the dream day...

JP: You think its playing on the computer but it's not.
Okay then what is it?
It's playing with Steven. He's a good wrestler.

Oh Mondays....

2009-09-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not being very consistent with my posts as of late. Although I could make the excuse that I'm too busy, I choose admit that it is because I have been faithfully reading other people's blogs and thinking about what great bloggers they are and what a... well, not-so-great blogger I am. throghout the course of the day, ideas of a good blog post will cross my mind, and I make a note in my mind to blog when I have time and then when I do have the time, I draw a blank and decide not to bother. So here I am still with no idea what to write about. But still I'm here and I amgoing to let my fingers fly about the keyboard with whatever comes to my mind. Ready? set... GO!

Today I had an audition for a local orchestra. It's cheap and its something else to do along with private lessons and another orchestra I am starting on Sunday called the Lakeshore Youth Philharcmonic which is, as my dear friend Sarah says, very "hoity toity". I still don't really know what it means I just like to say it. hoity toity, hoity toity, hoity toity.... So anyway this thing that I tried out for today is a small orchestra that desparately needs experienced players. So I will play in it as one of the top players and hopefully it will improve my confidence. I have a tendency to be very shy and to hold back when it comes to playing my instruments which keeps people from seeing how good I can be. That's my challenge this year: play with confidence and don't hide the gift that God gave me because I'm afraid of making mistakes. Who cares if I make mistakes anyway? If I would just let the music flow from the instrument and only think about how beautiful the music is or should be, my violin and I could rock the house! Well actually a violin couldn't exactly rock... more like put the house to sleep but whatever. :)

Last night I went to a new church youth group. We started going to this new church a few weeks ago called Southbrook Church and we really like it. Last night was the kickoff night for the youth group. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Usually I HATE being dropped off somewhere where I don't know anybody and all they teenagers are with their own friends and don't make much of an effort to reach out to newcomers so I have to fend for myself and try to introduce myself to some people so I don't look like an idiot sitting by myself. So there I was wandering around looking for someone available to talk to. Then I saw this girl who was sitting by herself reading a book. So I pulled up a chair next to her and we started talking. Her name is Anna and she is a senior in college majoring in nursing. She asked me about my homeschooling and how it works and I did my best to explain it. I just love meeting new people! Because of her, I might consider going again next Sunday!

hum dee dum, hum dee dum.... oh! Today I went for a run and this time I made it 3 miles! YAHOO! My stomach felt sick and my legs were weak afterwards but that feeling of satisfaction when I finished made me forget about all that. :)

My parents and their friends the Hewitts went out for a late night treat and I'm here with all the kids and Steven Hewitt. They are all downstairs watching a movie and I'm here trying to concentrate on Democracy in America. Wish me luck as I try to delve into a book about 18th century American politics and resist the temptation to veg in front of the TV. Have a good night everybody! Maybe I'll have something good to write about tomorrow after a good nights sleep. Sweet Dreams...

Three Things*

2009-09-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

1. Some friends of ours were eating at Panera Bread I guess pretty late last night. They were still eating when it was closing time so the Panera people gave them all these free goodies like bread and cookies and brownies that they had to get rid of so they could have fresh stuff for the next day. So then they stopped over at our house (everybody always comes to us when they need to get some leftover food off their hands) and gave us a bunch of yummy Panera stuff! So here we are with this little pile of bread. And some of it is kind of exotic too! One is called "asiago loaf" whatever that is...

2. Today we had relatives over for Labor Day. (I don't exactly know what the point of labor day is but hey, we get a day off of school!) My little cousins Jayden (14 mos.) and Isaiah (2 yrs.) were having the time of their lives playing with my little bros and sisters. But watching them was so funny because Isaiah is probably the sweetest little thing you would ever see! He's so easy going and always asking "you okay?" when anybody falls down or gets hurt. And then there's Jayden, the sort of sassy one with a little bit of attitude. He's so cute but very strong willed and passionate about everything. Hopefully that strong will and passion will be used for God's glory one day! But anyway it was interesting to see how different the personalities were and how well those opposite personalities get along!!

3. I have another awesome Democracy in America quote for y'all: "Liberty looks upon religion as its companion in its struggles and triumphs, as the cradle of its young life, as the divine source of its claims. it considers religion as the guardian of morality, morality as the guarantee of law and the security that freedom will last." America was founded on religion and driving it out of society will be the end of the cherished freedom we find here. I think de Toqueville really understood that because of America's strong, christian foundations, we have been able to be successful and happy for over two hundred years now. Hopefully this won't change...

*This idea of the "three things" came from the Underdog. His blog is awesome and I really liked this way of doing a post but I thought I should give him credit. :) Check his blog out! It's really good!

Democracy in America

2009-08-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I am here with nothing particular to blog about. I just felt compelled to update it. School started today. Now for me thats a good thing. Most teenagers my age would think this was crazy but I love to learn. I love it! And the great thing about homeschooling is that I can just pick up a book and learn whatever my heart and mind desires without a teacher nagging at me to finish some cheesy worksheet by Friday. For my Great Books course this year I am studying the "Modern" era. Which is about from year 1830-the present. I'm starting out with reading de Toqueville's Democracy in America. I just finished the Author's Introduction and I love this guy because it seems to me like he just rambles on and on about whatever comes to mind. In the intro, I came across this awesome quote that I just remembered about.

"Reading through the pages of our history, we shall scarcely find any great events which did not promote equality over the last seven hundred years. The Crusades and the English Wars decimated the nobles and divided up their lands; the setting up of municipal corporations introduced democratic freedom into the feudal monarchy; the invention of firearms reduced the serf and the nobleman to the same level on the field battle; the printing press presented the same resources to the minds of everyone; the postal service deposited knowledge on the threshold of the poor man's cottage as much as at the gate of the palace; Protestantism maintaned that all men are equally capable of finding the pathway to heaven,the discovery of America opened up a thousand new roads to fortune and delivered wealth and power to the most humble of adventurers."

I love this quote because I agree that America is here for men to fulfill their dreams and work hard to get to where they want to be. Kids in school dream of what they want to be when they grow up and in America, it is possible for them be whatever they want to be. But I think we loose sight of what a blessing it is to be able to live in a country like this. This plan of nationalized healthcare will deny americans the right to choose what healthcare is best for their family and hospitals and insurance companys won't be able to compete against each other for the best quality care because it will all be owned by the government. Handing out fat welfare checks all the time to the poor of America will not encourage them to get out there and work to support their families. I just think that the idea of a free republic in America was so revolutionary and so wonderful that it would be a shame to throw it all away now. Freedom and equality are what America stands for and I hope thats the way it will always be.

Lessons in Attitude and Contentment

2009-08-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

So here I back at my keyboard with thoughts tumbling through my mind as I wonder what I will blog about this time. The days just keep passing by and I feel like all I do everyday during this dull, boring, and exceedingly monotonous month of August is... go for runs, bake bread, and read. I think attitude and contentment are the lessons to be learned during this time. Maybe if I would stop in the midst of my complaining and take the time to look around me and count my many blessings, I wouldn't feel so un-content (if thats a word). God has blessed me with many fun brothers and sisters, the opportunity to be homeschooled, and the cutest baby brother in the world who is here all day for me to enjoy. And I'm sure once I learn to keep my attitude positive and be content in all circumstances, I will become a much happier person.

Julie and Julia

2009-08-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

I must say that I would give this here movie "Julie and Julia" 5 stars. I went to see it this afternoon with my dear grandmother (well actually we call her Nonny but that is a story to be told at another time) to go see this darling movie. It's about the famous chef Julia Child who learns how to cook french foods and writes a renowned cook book "The Art of French Cooking." Then, as they are telling Julia's story, they also tell the story of Julie Powell who makes a goal to go through all of Julia Child's 500-and-something recipes in 1 year and to blog about it too. Then she gets pretty famous because of her blog. I thought it was very cute because first of all Meryl Streep does an excellent job of playing Julia Child who is hilarious! Also I liked it because they showed Julie posting on her blog and some of the things she wrote about and she was really funny! So anyway I thought I would post this little movie review and tell you all that I highly recommend this movie. And seeing it with Grandma makes it extra special too. ;)

Pictures from 2009 June Camping Trip

2009-08-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Jesus our King

2009-08-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Gosh its been quite a long time since I posted here last! It's not that I've been too busy, I just didn't think that I had anything interesting to write about. But now I think i do.

One July 19, I left for camp. (Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp in Fallhall Glen) That camp was AWESOME! It was so awesome to meet new people and to have an intensive bible study for two weeks straight. We studied the entire book of John and although we all might think we know the life of Jesus told by John by heart like I did, I found many things that I had never caught before. I really liked being able to share my thoughts and findings in the small groups and to hear what other people had to say. One of my Bible teachers said something though that really blew me away. I knew it already but the way he phrased it was like this... "Jesus, our King, came to earth not to rule over us, as kings usually do, but to die for us."

Another thing that really touched me was the realization that if Jesus, the Son of God, could be so focused on others and their needs, I think I have no excuse for thinking of myself as much as I do. He loved us so much to die for us. There are only a few select people in my life that I would do that for. But I am called to love my neighbors as myself. I must remind myself constantly of that because truly loving Jesus is not just about reading my Bible and praying and saying that I love him, but my love for him needs to shine through my actions, thoughts, and words.

"The Lord looks at the heart"

2009-07-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

Today I had my hair high-lighted as a birthday present from my mom. I was so excited about finally getting it done but when it was finished, I thought it looked awful! I am now half strawberry blonde and half dark brown. So all I could think about afterwards was about how awful I looked and I tried hiding it when I went to my brother's baseball game. But as we were riding to the game, this song came on the radio and it really made me think. This is how it went:

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Now this guy who sings it (Jonny Diaz) must have had a daughter and knows what its like. I find myself constantly thinking about how I look and comparing myself to others. But then I thought, does all this really matter? My life here on earth is merely a trifle compared to the eternity I will spend with my God. I should be preparing myself for that life by making my heart beautiful, not my hair or my toenails. I should work on my relationship with God and think about the others around me and not myself. Those are the things that really matter. 'But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."' 1 Samuel 16:7

WARNING Reading This Post Will Most Likely Waste Your Time

2009-07-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

Things have been kinda busy lately. I'm anticipating the two week summer camp I leave for on Sunday! My mom and I went clothes shopping partly for my birthday (which is a week from today) and partly for camp clothes. When we were walking out of the store, this lady walked by and looked at Caleb and said "awww! Where'd you find him?" as if my mom had bought him from the store. It was funny.

Gosh this summer is going by so fast! When I come back from camp it will only be a few weeks till school starts again! I guess I should savor these moments of summer bordom...

The kids are watching Mary Poppins. That movie cracks me up with it's classic silliness. Dick Van Dyke is a riot!

OK I guess I should get going before I waste too much of your precious time with my rambling. God bless!

Mere Christianity

2009-07-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

I'm back from the camping trip! We went to way northern Wisconsin up by Lake Superior and camped for five days. We did bike riding, hiking, sight seeing, and a bunch of other fun stuff. I would have posted lots of pictures from the trip except my aunt accidentally took our camera home with her to Illinois so I probably won't get it back for a while.

But anyway, the real point of this post is to tell you about a really good book I am almost done with called Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. There is a lot of stuff in there so I can't tell you about all of it but I thought I'd summerize a few of my favorite parts.

He starts the book out by talking about everyone's human being's concience or sense of right and wrong. This "Law of Moral Behavior" is in us all. We all know what we ought to do yet we don't do it. But where did this "moral law" come from? If non of us obey it completely there must be something or someone behind this (says the curious non-believer). So then this non-believer might begin to think about this Someone behind the moral law. By the looks of it, He is a very good God but also very powerful. And because he is all goodness, he can be no freind to us sinners. At this point, the non-believer (well not anymore) begins to be uneasy about this God. But this is where christianity brings hope and forgiveness to all sinners.
After Lewis then talks about what Christ did for us, he goes on to write a section on "Christian Behavior" He says that although Christ died for our sins that doesn't mean that as soon as you are saved, you can just go around sinning as you were. You must give moral behavior an effort. Also, once you are saved and your relationship with God starts growing, the more you love Him, the more you will love your neighbors. Lewis says that it is often impossible to "like" or "be fond of" all of our neighbors. Therefore it is hard to do good to the neighbors we do not like. But the Bible says we should "love our neighbors as ourselves" Now if you really think about it, we don't really "love" ourselves. But we live with ourselves and accept ourselves simply because we are ourselves! That is how we love our neighbors. We are kind to them simply because they are human beings. You will find that the more you are kind to the neighbors you dislike, the more you begin to like them.
Pride is the greatest sin of all, says Lewis. It is pride that keeps God out of our lives. The first step to becoming a Christian is to realize that we are proud and to lay down that pride and realize how great God is. "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Psalm 10:4

Ok well that's about it. This book is really good and I would certainly recommend it.

A 3-year-old Musical Genius

2009-07-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Blog Post Without a Title

2009-06-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

"Knock, knock. Who's there? Seenyour. Seenyour who? Seen your underwear when you bent over to blow out the candles!!!" I had JP laughing so hard at this one today! Ha! We were having a little knock-knock joke show down and I won with this one! I got it from one of those hoops and yoyo birthday e-cards. I hope that joke made you laugh! I've been blogging kind of boring-ly lately... I guess I've just been in a philosophical mood this week.

Mara, Gavin, and David are all leaving for a summer camp tomorrow and will be gone for two weeks! Also Jenna is visiting our cousins down in Illinois so my parents, the two little hooligans JP and Lily and I will have the place to ourselves! Oh! And how could I forget precious little Caleb?

Big babysitting job starting this week! Everyday from like 9am till 1pm, I'm babysitting my cousin. He can sometimes be a handful but I'm sure we'll have fun together. At least I get to make some moola!

I found myself reading some old Calvin and Hobbes comics today (we've got like three books full of them) and this one has always been my all time favorite and I have absolutely no idea why!

Common Sense

2009-06-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

I started this new book by Glenn Beck! It's called Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government It is ON FIRE, MAN!

The reason I got it is because I have been doing a big study on Thomas Paine and this book is based on his pamphlet written in 1776 four months before the Declaration was written. Thomas Paine wrote his book because the american people needed something to fire them up about what they stood for. This book sure did the job! It ripped on King George III (in a *mostly* respectful way) and it basically called the people to wake up and realize the critical precariousness of the times. "he encouraged his fellow citizens to take control of America's future and ultimately, her freedom." The King was gaining too much power over the colonies and over-taxing the people without giving them representation. I can see some similarities with that and today's times. So Glenn Beck wrote his own book called Common Sense in hope of the same results Paine received.

"If you believe it's time to put principles above parties, character above campaign promises, and Common Sense above all- then I ask you to read this book." That's the quote that is on the back cover and I absolutely love it. The political parties are dividing more than ever. What was it that brought us to freedom in the first place? The colonies united against the british. What do we need to do now? Unite against an over powering and out of control government. Government is not the key to happiness. It can't give you liberty and pursuit of happiness. The government is for making the laws and keeping the country together while the citizens take charge of their own lives. The government is for the people, of the people, and by the people! let us not forget that!

Another issue, not mentioned in the book yet but should be addressed, is keeping God in the picture. Our founding fathers understood that this country and its freedoms and liberties is a gift from God. Fine if other people have other religions, they won't be persecuted here. Christianity is the religion of this country. Well, maybe not specifically christianity because many of the founders were not christians. But this country stands on the fact that there is a God in Heaven! He helped and still helps, if we will let him, through it all.

This country is going through a lot of changes. I have no idea where it will be in the years to come. Only the Lord knows. But as for me, I will stand by what I believe in and trust Him no matter what. Will you stand with me?

Lovely Music

2009-06-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this new song on the violin called La Folia by Aracangelo Corelli, an italian composer. You can listen to it on the playlist below. That version is a little different than mine but its essentially the same. Very intruiguing with its constant changes isn't it?

I am so glad that my parents decided to spend the time and money they did on music for me. It has definitly had a big impact on my life in the way of learning not only discipline and the technical aspects of music but also that this music that I make through my instruments is a gift from God. Music is beautiful and lovely and it can surely give us a glimpse of God and his wonders and beauty. I am sure that music can bring me closer to God in that way.

I heard this story once that some researchers were studying Bach's music and they found that his music was perfect in every way with the rythem and timing that they knew surely he must have been a man of God because of its perfection. Music is a great way to express love and admiration for God. Ok, thats all. I just thought I would pass these thoughts on to you guys. :)

Summer...

2009-06-11T19:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is here!!! yay! I have absolutely nothing in particular to say in this post. I am very happy that I finished my end of the year paper today. It needs a little proofreading yet but for the most part SCHOOL'S OUT BABY! Now I've just got to find something to do with myself this summer. I hope to start redecorating my room soon. That'll occupy me for a while!

Tomorrow I get to go out to breakfast with my mommy! That should be fun! We really don't get that much time to spend together even though I'm home all day. Our conversations are always cut short by some crisis or another. This time there will be no interruptions! (i hope)

About two weeks ago we found a nest with three little blue eggs in the bushes right outside our house. They hatched and David has been taking pictures of them everyday so we can see them grow. Here's a cute picture of them!Isn't that sweet? They must be waiting for their mother to bring them food.

I started Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens the other day. It's pretty good so far but I found this quote that I thought was really neat: "And thus ever, by day and night, under the sun and under the stars, climbing the dusty hills and toiling along the weary plains, journeying by land and journeying by sea, coming and going so strangely, to meet and to act and react on one another, move all we restless travellers through the pilgrimmage of life."

I like life, life is cool. How about you?

2009-06-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Summer will officially start after this week. The whether was lovely this morning and now it's being grumpy. The wind is howling and the clouds are dark. But I'm contented enough to sit inside and practice music and catch on my writing before school ends.

I just put Caleb to sleep this afternoon and it was amusing to see him drift off into the Land of Nod. :) Here is a picture of that sweet cutie pie whom I absolutely adore.I am very excited for Friday because I am going to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra! I went already in April and that was very enjoyable. I love to watch the motion of the professional violinist's bows. They are so graceful and play so flawlessly. (is that a word?) Can't wait!

Junto update. Sarah and I will start Animal Farm by George Orwell as soon as she gets the book out of the library. Posts about talking animals with government problems will be fun! :)

Summer Goals

2009-05-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am soooo excited for summer!! My mom and I made a "maddie's summer goals" list last night. She just came into my room last night and we were talking about my plans for the summer and she just started making this list and then taped it on my wall. We were laughing because it looks funny that there is a maddie's summer goals list on my wall in my mother's handwriting. :P But anyway I thought I'd share the list with you. It's pretty nifty.

1. Make $
-get the word out there for bbsitting jobs
2. Redecorate room.
-remove wallpaper border
-tape edges
-get new bedspreads
-paint walls. (we want to try painting each wall a different color. this will be interesting...)
3. Keep room clean daily (ha! this will definitly be a challenge!)
4. Look into new violin teacher and practice music daily
5. Run daily (my goal is to make it up to five miles)
6. Learn guitar
7. Finish crocheting blanket (remember that one that I started a while ago?)

Ok well there's the list. I hope to stick to it!

*edit* Read this blog. I don't know this person and I can't remember how I found it, but her writing is so good and so powerful I just had to share it with you guys. :)

Time to brighten this boring blog up with pictures!

2009-05-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some random pics. Some from our trip and some...uhh not from our trip. :)

2009-05-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well, life's been great these past weeks. No particular reason, I'm just really happy. School is almost out, the sun is shining, and I'm going to church tonight with a friend. I'll just update you on what's going on. I started The Scarlet Letter for a great books book and thats...interesting so far. Also we are quitting VRW for Junto because that was getting a little overwhelming. We are soon going to start Animal Farm by George Orwell. More about that soon.

Ok well I have to go now but Sarah, we are praying for your family and I hope your dad will have a speedy recovery!

Vacation

2009-05-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been exactly three weeks and one day since I blogged last. I could use our vacation out east as an excuse but the week and a half before that I have no excuse for. But I drank a cup of coffee this morning so I'm ready to power blog to make up for it. Our vacation was very nice and occasionally educational. We went to Colonial Williamsburg and that was very interesting and we also went into Washington DC a few times. But as my mom said this wasn't a "break" from everything, (except school :)) it was more like a "change of scenery" because we still had JP, Lily, and Caleb (bless his sweet heart). Although JP and Lily are cute and life would be dull without them, there were a few times when I just wanted to pull their hair out. But I won't get into that now. :)

We didn't take very many pictures during our trip because our stupid camera wasn't working so I can't put pictures on here. Williamsburg was very cool. We took tours of the old buildings from back then such as the capitol, jail, and the governor's palace. It was more set in the American Revolution time period than when the town was founded. There were people dressed up all over the town and cute little shops to go in. They did this Revolutionary City thing where the people dressed up did little reinactments of the Revolution.

On Saturday we went to DC and went to the history part of the Smithsonian. It was amazing in there! But then just as I was reading the Gettysberg Address, JP and Lily were throwing temper tantrums so we had to rush out of there before we were kicked out. I was a little upset but I got over it. Then we just walked around, ate hotdogs from a hotdog stand, and took the metro back. That wasn't the most eventful day in DC but later we went back and went to see the Arlington National Cemetary and that was cool. We saw Kennedy's grave and watched the "changing of the guard" at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Seeing the graves of men who fought in past wars to preserve what America stands for was pretty powerful.

Then we drove into North Carolina and stayed at a hotel right on the beach. We only stayed there for two days and the only day we could go to the beach was the day before we left for home and it was raining. So we went to see Kill Devil Hills where the Wright Brothers made the first airplane. But the next morning we were able to go to the beach for a little while before we left. It was beautiful! Then we left for home and here I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I hope to go again someday!!

Junto: VRW Part 3

2009-04-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Ok here I am FINALLY! This morning I had my mind set on blogging after school so when I was finished, Lily was begging me to go outside with her so I did that. Then I decided I would finish chapter four in Vindication of the Rights of Woman before I wrote about it. Then after that I had a phone call from a friend and then it was time for dinner and after that I had to clean up the kitchen. So I was just about to sit down at the computer when I heard, "Maddie, can you pick up all that stuff around the compter?" So now here I am! Let's get started, shall we...

So as I already said I'm on chapter four and am almost half-way through the book. I'm still not too crazy about this book. Not that I don't like reading it, (i love reading it!) I just don't like her views. I was just reading today that she thinks wives who submit to their husbands are "weak and indolent mothers." I totally disagree with this. The Bible specifically talks about wives submitting to their husbands.

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior." 1 Peter 3:1-2

Submitting to authority, I believe, is what makes a prosperous family. If wives and husbands do not work together, it is hard to raise a healthy family. There must be some authority in the family. The wife should submit the their husbands and the husbands should submit to God. (although the wife should also submit to God) Of course there could be some problems with this if the husband is very careless and unloving. The Bible also says that husbands should love their wives.

I think, though, the main theme of the book is telling women to wake up and get their act together. To educate themselves so not to be ignorant. She believes that women need to take a more active part in society and not to "over exercise sensibility." She says that men are all about reason and getting things done while women are all about feelings and passions. She thinks this makes women weaker in society. Ok well, the more I do this evaluating thing, the better I will get at it but for now this is all I can come up with. :)

Blogging Examined

2009-04-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's totally unecessary post I was set upon reforming my blogging ways. I looked through many people's blogs since and have come to the conclusion that everyone has their own blogging style. I just need to find and define mine. I also found that the more you do it, the better you get at it and are more able to just pour all the day's thoughts into a blog post for the world to see.

So saying that I have decided upon choosing a blogging style and keeping my readers more up to date. What is easiest for me is just writing down (or typing) different things that happen, or random things I have been "pondering" about. Which is pretty much what I have been doing but I just need to remember to blog more often and make a notes in the day of what people would like to know about. So this is my new resolution and I hope that I will stick with it!

And one last thing before I press "publish". My sister Mara was so cunning and tricky last night I can't believe it. Before I tell you, you must know that my sister and I share a room and a reading chair. We are both reading constantly so therefore, we are constantly fighting over the chair. (Which, by the way, is very comfy and beats laying in bed and reading any day.) So last night I was so excited to finally just sink down in my chair and enjoy my new book when Mara walks in and says, "Maddie I have a really bad headache and I want to go to sleep, can you go and read in the family room?"

So I thought, "Poor girl's got a headache, I guess I can tolerate the family room for one night."

Well, I turns out as I was tossing and turning on the couch trying to get a comfortable way to sit, she was happily reading in the chair that was MINE. I walked in there ready to crawl in bed and there she was!! I was so mad! So I pretty much let her have it about how terribly unfair that was. Funny how upset I get about little things like that...

Uhhh...

2009-04-18T06:42:00.001-07:00

Wow, I am really sorry I haven't posted in such a long time! Not much to say these days. It is now 8:42 and I am waiting for everyone to get up. Especially since there is no food in the house. :) Very thankful it is Saturday today and I get a little break. This week has been...well not my favorite week! Although going to the Tea Party at the capitol was pretttty awesome. OK this post was kinda lame but I really needed to update it.

2009-04-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Today we decorated Easter Eggs! How fun. My very *wink* artistic talents *wink* were put into use. Here is a picture of the rainbow of eggs:

Wow they actually look pretty good in the picture! What you do is take some melted wax on a pin and just draw the design and then (the fun part) dunk 'em in whatever color dye you want! Mine is the dark blue on the far right.

Question for my readers (if any). Do you think that police officers have the right to search someone's car or house without a warrant even if they did have something illegal? The fourth amendment in the Bill of Rights says they don't but I'm thinking that if it's illegal, the warrant isn't needed?

Vacation to Williamsberg starts May 5!!! This is gonna be so fun. Laugh at my dorkiness if you want but I'm excited to see the historical sites. American History is my favorite and it is going to be so cool to see, well, whatever there will be to see!

Junto: Vindication of the Rights of Woman- Part 2

2009-04-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

As I plug along through this book, it is becoming less and less of the terribly "feminist" book that I thought it would be. Many of the issues she talks about I actually agree with. I will address a few of them here. Back in the 18th century when this book was written, women were regarded as ignorant little pets who only cared about dress and the passions of the moment. Wollstonecraft argues that if women would only be sufficiently educated according to the "opinions and manners of society" they could do just as well as men in almost everything. If they were to be such educated, they would not "blindly submit to authority" and could make good choices and wisely contribute to society. I heartily agree with her here.

She also talks about how back then, nothing very honorable was expected of women. Her argument is that although women were created below men, that all virtue has "one eternal standard" She says that:

"If women are by nature inferior to men, their virtues must be the same in quality, if not in degree, or virtue is a relative idea; consequently their conduct should be founded on the same principles, and have the same aim."

I agree with this one too. I think that the same virtuous qualities should be expected of both genders. Ok I think that is about it for this time. Comment and say what you think!

This is Random...

2009-03-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

Today I went for a run. March is definitly the best month to go out and run because you feel the crisp, cold breeze blowing across your face. I love when I pass by other runners and we smile at each other as if to say "good luck!". And then it feels so good when you finish to know that you made it! Running has to be the best sort because you can do it anywhere, anytime, and it is really fun!

Today was a really quiet day. I stayed home alone to catch up on schoolwork while the rest of the fam went to co-op. It was really quiet! But kind of nice seeing as I don't get very many of those days. Although I should be thankful because people are always telling me that I'm lucky to have so much excitment around here all the time. I love my family and would never trade them for any other!!!

Junto Part 1

2009-03-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Ok well this is the first post for our "Junto" on the Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft. I finished the first chapter and it is a little confusing. She throws at you so many random thoughts that it's hard to keep track of them all. First she was talking about how virtue, reason, and knowledge are what "distinguish the individual and direct the laws which bind society." and then ripping on monarchies. But my overall evaluation so far is negative. She definitly had a lot of wacky ideas about God and mankind. This is my first shot at being a literary philosopher and putting it down for people to read so look forward to better reviews later.

Ramblings

2009-03-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Well I really don't have much to blog about...I just thought I should update it. The last few months have been very dull and uninteresting but suddenly it is looking brighter as spring comes along. First of all the warm weather and the birds chirping just makes me happier no matter what. But these next few months are getting better and better! We've got a tour of the capital in Madison coming up and a play for "To Kill a Mockingbird", and in May we have an end of the year celebration for co-op. Ok, so maybe this doesn't seem like much but to a homeschooler who is stuck inside all week this is pretty exciting. haha ok. I need to get out more...

So anyway, the crocheting is going really well. We have to do ten solid color ones before we can get on the the squares with patterns. Maybe I'll try a pattern one today. (oo getting a little adventurous aren't I?)

Junto

2009-03-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

So the other day my friend Sarah and I came up with the most brilliant, beyond brilliant idea. Since we both excessively love to read and excessively love to talk and write about what we read, we decided we would start a little club sort of thing where we pick a book that interests us and write a blog post about it every Monday and write quotes and our thoughts about the book as we read it. A little while back, we were reading Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography for our literature group and we were intruiged when we read that he started a little philosphy/book discussion group and called it Junto. (I think that means a group that discusses things but im not positive) So we are calling our group Junto. So far it is just the two of us doing it but please feel free to join in and write on your blog about the books we read together. You can grab the Junto button on my sidebar and let people know you are joining!!

We decided to start with "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" by Mary Wollstonecraft (who by the way was the mother of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstien) She lived during the French Revolution and was a huge advocate of it. She believed that women should have the same rights as men because she thought that women were capable and should to do everything a man can do. These beliefs were revolutionary for her time. I don't necessarily believe that but we will see what her reasons are as I read on.

Fun and Crochet Project

2009-03-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

The weather has been really nice lately! The other day we took the camera out on the trampoline and took some funny pictures:

I started a new crochet project! This time it's an afghan (a blanket for decoration) and it's really cute.

It's called the Love Afghan because the four squares in the middle say "Love" (it's kinda hard to see)

Today's America

2009-03-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

uuuugh! Where this country is going makes me mad. Things are happening so quickly since Barack Obama became president. I've have been hearing things here and there about proposals and bills that are going completely against what our constution originally states. From the talk about prohibiting american's right to bear arms to what happened recently with the proposed bill to meddle with the catholic church's authorities in Connecticut. I saw on the news a group of protesters with signs that said "leave my church alone"! That is ridiculous!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

What it all comes down to is a country without God cannot be free with certain rights reserved for every man. We were meant to be one free nation under God and with all of that stuff happening lately what will become of the country that the colonists worked so hard for 200 years ago? This is from Thomas Paine's "The Rights of Man"-

"Call to mind the sentiments which nature has engraved of the heart of every citizen, and which take a new force when recognized by all-For a nation to love liberty, it is sufficient that she knows it; and to be free it is sufficient that she wills it."

Could it be that today's americans take liberty for granted? Boy, if our founding fathers saw what was going on in today's times, I can't even imagine what they would do! It is time for America to remember what we stand for. We are governed by a Creator up above and the natural rights He has given to us. Let's not forget that.

My New Instrument

2009-03-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Today I started learning how to play the guitar! My dad knows and has a guitar so he was teaching me a couple chords and guess what? I was able to play Home on the Range! (aren't you proud of me?) I would put up a picture of me in guitar playing action but my camera is currently out of batteries and we don't have a single un-used battery in this whole entire house! So I will put one up once we get some batteries for that thing.

Hmmm...

2009-03-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

Ok well the violin contest that I was going to be in this Saturday is officially off. My song is definitly NOT ready. I knew it was coming so I'm not too disappointed. It was just way too hard of a song and I wasn't ready for it. It's all my fault because I pushed for my teacher to give me this song because I thought I could do it. I guess not... oh well. I still have a piano contest coming up soon so at least I have that to work for.

Wow I have absolutly nothing more to say! This is turning out to be a very boring and depressing post. I'll push publish anyway... haha

Musings

2009-02-25T13:29:00.000-08:00

Do you think that it is really what happens to a person in life or their attitude toward what happens that really matters? I believe it is the attitude. Many times I find myself moping around the house complaining about boredom. Attitude adjustment NOW!

So many books and so little time. Do you ever feel that way? (sigh) So, I'm dragging myself along in War and Peace, right? Well just this week a book overload was dumped on me. I'm reading The Aneid (practically impossible) the American Constitution (yawwwn) and another book by Thomas Paine (its pretty funny believe it or not. This guy is a riot!) But don't get me wrong, I LOVE to read! But this is just a little too much for me. The other day my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and I had so many books I wanted to get! (and no money) My mom was going to buy them all for me but my dad stopped her before she drained the checking account! He has now named me an official Book-aholic. That's a good thing, right?

Something funny to round it off: Lily calls herself Lillian Ann Jorgafinny. (real last name is Jorgenson!) :-D

Laughter From Within

Tocqueville on Elections

Today Part 2

Why I Hate It When People Say They Don't Care For Politics.

Writing, Books, and College

Authentic People Blog Party

I'm back!

The Love of Jesus

Lists

Letter to Toqueville

Beautiful One, I love.

Assorted Trifles

Autobiography

Life

Spring Break

Unsinkable

Vignettes

Thoughts

TEENPACT!

Pride.

I just really like miscillaneous posts!!

Streeeaaaammmm of Consciousness

Book Review

Junto 1: Wives and Daughters

Junto is Back!

Fiesta de Octobre: Blog Party!

Spiritual Lessons From Florence Nightingale

Miscellany Monday: Yummy Mochas, Spelling Book Confuzzlement, and Febrezey Farts

A Ramble

Vacation

A New Challenge!

A Book Review

A Family Just Like Mine!!

Three Things

Cast of Characters by Max Lucado- A Review

Oh the joys of Thunderstorms!!

Laughter and Summer

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long- A Review

Today is a Gift

"The past is history, the future is a mystery, but today is a gift—that’s why they call it ‘the present’”

Lord, help me to treat my days as gifts with endless possiblities and opportunities waiting to be unfolded.

A Racing Mind

Bring on the Non-fiction! and "An Artist"

In which I discuss the magnificence of the great books.

Um, not sure what to call this post.

3 things

Rice Krispie Treats are Yummy

Blog Partyyyyyy!

A post on sundry things.

Unspeakable Joy

Includes: A short Junto update, an "ironic fact", and excitement about February!

Hmmm...

Junto Part 4: Villette

Too Tired To Think Of A Clever Title...

Thankfulness

Junto Part 3: Villette (And Confessions of a Bad Babysitter)

Junto Part 2: Villette

My Mom is Blogging!

Today

Junto Part 1: Villette

Sister Love

Junto Introduction: Villette

A Few Thoughts Jumbled Up In One Post

Thanksgiving and A Joyful Smile

I love Edward Ferrars

Three Things

Ramblings...

Short Answers!

Oh Mondays....

Three Things*

Democracy in America

Lessons in Attitude and Contentment

Julie and Julia

Pictures from 2009 June Camping Trip

Jesus our King

"The Lord looks at the heart"

*WARNING* Reading This Post Will Most Likely Waste Your Time

Mere Christianity

A 3-year-old Musical Genius

The Blog Post Without a Title

WARNING Reading This Post Will Most Likely Waste Your Time