Duggar vs. Normal folks like us

Say what you will about the Duggars, but I am a huge fan. Still, I find myself thinking that their portrayal of homeschool is just a little, teensy bit different than what goes on at my house. I mean, violin and harp lessons with each child meekly learning with a grin on their face—that’s just not what homeschool looks like at the Lasater’s.

Here? It’s more like forcing a dehydrated camel to water and trying to wrestle him to the ground to get him to drink. I have normal kids. The ones who don’t really enjoy school work. The kind who say, “I don’t like____.” (Fill in the blank with whatever subject we’re currently tackling.)

Then why do it? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. Just because I am constantly followed every single minute by three young, energetic, noisy boys doesn’t mean I’m not happy. After all, I’m their mom. That is pretty much what I signed up for when we decided to become parents.

We homeschool because we know that our kids really are getting the best education—at home with procrastinating little me—they can possibly receive. (Lasater Academy has small class sizes and a great teacher. Trust me on that one.) Plus, we know exactly what values and world view they’re being taught. An extra benefit… I learn a lot, too. Don’t ask my husband about my geography skills—he’ll just shake his head in shame. (I try to reassure him that I often learn right along with the kids and that we haven’t gotten to that subject yet, but he’s still doubtful that I’ll ever learn Geography.)

As Christians, we homeschool because we don’t feel comfortable handing off this job to people who may not agree with our faith. Bible is one of our subjects. Plus, since the boys and I are always together, I get the chance to teach them Biblical principles in a real environment. For example, the boys were present when a customer made fun of an elderly patron at a store. This gave them a chance to see how disgusting it is to disrespect others. I may also be teaching them some things I’d rather they forget. Like when my three year old shouts from the back seat, “Just run the red light, Mom!” I can’t imagine a Duggar child ever saying that.

When our first son was born, my husband and I decided that, as long as God provided, I would stay at home with our baby. We felt that no one else could care for him like a parent could. Two more boys and nine years later, we still feel the same way. No one can care for, educate, or advocate for our children better than we can. Having older kids doesn’t mean we’ve been relieved of responsibility.

Of course, we don’t have a problem with people who don’t homeschool. It’s obviously not for everyone. (For a long time, we thought it wasn’t for us. Honestly, it took Divine intervention for me to change my mind.) We also support traditional teachers and the important role they have. This is simply the decision we’ve made for our family.

So the next time I’m forced outside my house because indoors sound like a zoo, I won’t think to myself, “That’s not the way the Duggars do it.” (I figure my three kids make more ruckus than their nineteen kids ever could.) I’ll just remember: there’s more than one way to skin a camel.

Brittni's Book Update

Well, it's official. My book is sitting on someone's desk, waiting for it's chance to shine. The contest winner will be announced in February 2011. I was told they had over 100 entries. For some reason, I feel better about that than if they'd had 500.

My hope? That, some how, my fragile scratchings will glorify His name. Will you join me in praying for the same?



5/11
Well, it's even more official. (I can't remember if I've already posted this information, though, so forgive me if you already heard.) I didn't make the top 20. That just means I'll have to keep forging ahead. Thanks for all your encouraging words!

What I'm Reading: The Falling Away

The Falling Away by T.L. Hines is the story of a man who is no stranger to darkness. As he runs away from the demons that haunt him, he collides with a force that enables him to go on the offense.

Hines weaves an interesting story. The characters are likeable and make the book a good read. Best of all, Hines wastes no time with flowery descriptions and so the tightly written book hits the ground at full steam and finishes the same.

The undercurrent of the supernatural in this book is a great addition. It keeps the reader slightly off-balance and makes it impossible to guess what is coming next. Another plus, the supernatural involvement never crosses the line into “scary.” As a result, the reader can enjoy this book snuggled under the covers at bedtime without risking nightmares. In this reader’s opinion, however, Hines’s interpretation of spiritual activity should be considered, but not accepted as gospel.

As a whole, Hines’s writing style and plot line excel. This reader enjoyed each page and never skipped ahead from disinterest. The Falling Away is a book readers will want to recommend to a friend.

Our (successful) attempt at adventure: Chicken Pesto Pizza

Since our family is comprised of picky--super picky--eaters, we tend to get in a rut at dinner time. I went out on a limb trying this recipe--it contains artichoke hearts-- and... I'm glad I did. It was great. You can't tell it has artichoke on it. 4 out of 5 Lasaters liked it (with the youngest being the only dissenting vote and he hates anything that isn't in the waffle/pancake/oatmeal family.) I promise, this was easy and yum, yum, yummy!

Pesto Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) jar basil pesto (Look near the spaghetti sauce. At my grocery super center, it's on the top shelf where short people can barely reach it. By the way, thanks to the tall stranger that grabbed the jar for me!)
1 refrigerated pizza crust
2 cups cooked chicken breast strips (You can buy these pre-cooked if you're short on time. Look in the sandwich meat area at the store.)
1 (6 ounce) jar artichoke hearts, drained (I found these in the vegetable aisle for a couple dollars.)
1/2 cup shredded mozerella cheese (I may have used a little more to disguise the atichokes.)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Spread pesto sauce over the pizza crust. Arrange chicken pieces and artichoke hearts over the sauce, and sprinkle with cheese. (I only used the thin pieces of the artichoke hearts and I seperated them so they'd be less noticeable--hey, my adventurousness has limits.)
3. Bake for 10-15 minutes in the preheated oven, until cheese is melted and crust is lightly browned at the edges.

The Gift You're Given

Word has begun to circulate that I’m in the process of writing a book. Because of that, I hear three recurring themes from curious friends and family. First: Is it a children’s book? Second: What’s it about? Third: How do you find the time?

To answer the first, I am writing a novel, not a children’s book. I would love to write a children’s book that focuses on a strong boy character (hard to find if you don’t count the animals that happen to also be males –Frog and Toad, Franklin, Clifford, Little Bear, etc.) because I know how hard it can be to find a book I’d like my boys to read. However, I’ve had a story rolling around in my head (for years now) about God’s power to restore. One that I felt needed to be told. So, at my husband’s urging, I started with it.

The book is Christian, fiction, and finished. Well, sort of. Although I did end the book, I feel some areas are not complete and so I am going back and revising where necessary. I feel thrilled to have enlisted the help of a talented woman who has agreed to act as my editor. As it stands today, my book has approximately 71,000 words, 40 chapters, and 200 pages. (This, by the way, is on the shorter side where books are concerned.) While I’m editing, my goal is to add another 4,000 words, which would give me a high enough word count to enter the book into a writing contest. (The contest deadline is October first. I’m sweating over it a little. Okay, a lot.)

In an effort to address the second question, I have to say, “It’s a secret.” While I’d love to divulge the plot of my book, I can’t. Imagine what would happen if my plot trickled down to someone who could write my book better. Exactly.

Thirdly, people ask, “How do you do that?” The implication is that writing a book in the midst of home schooling a second and third grader while keeping dibs on our three year old might be an impossible task. I’ll suffice it to say that I ignore things I shouldn’t (dishes, laundry, vacuuming) to focus on something I like more. After all, everyone finds time–even if it isn’t much time–to do what they enjoy. (Be honest, haven’t you ever sat down with a good book when you should’ve been doing something else? Well, me too. Only I write it.)

Personally, I think there is a greater question that how I find time to write. For me, the mystery lies in how a book gets written. Any writer will tell you that some things will not be written. Will not. No matter how much you want to write it. It’s almost as if the words, the stories, take on their own persona and on occasion refuse to be manipulated. At other times, the words begin to flow and there’s no stopping it. The writer feels the rightness of what is spilling on the page. It is a, this-is-good-stuff-really-good-stuff kind of experience. Like going shopping, plucking something from the rack, hitting the dressing room, and slipping into the best fitting outfit of your life. It looks good. It feels good. You know it’s good.

The secular writing world refers to this as a “muse.” A muse is a near-magical being that moves on the writer and lends inspiration. I doubt writers believe an angel or the like is hanging over their shoulder, but they do recognize the instance of receiving inspiration and believe it comes from somewhere.

I find the process amazing. Even now, I look at the 71,000 words and wonder how they happened. How is it possible to come up with 200 pages worth of creative writing? Personally, I see this as evidence of the Creator. All creative processes must come from somewhere. Doesn’t the Creator just make sense?

Before the words hit the page, I feel them in my mind. As if they were given to me. Then, I use a process I refer to as “stewing.” I stew over them. Then, I sit in front of a blank screen and type. This isn’t a thing that can be forced.

Vessel. Aren’t all Christians called to be vessels with an ear to heaven and hands toward the world? Whether or not writing is your forte, the key is to do what you must with what you’ve been given.

Girl's baby calendar

Finally! A girl to make things for. My mom and I teamed up on this one. It's a gift for a sweet expectant couple at her church. We took the pink, brown, paisleys, and monkey ideas from a photo of the baby's nursery.

Caprese recipe

This is our favorite recipe. (And a rip off from Olive Garden) It's super easy. 5 out of 5 Lasaters like it. (That's unheard of at our house. Usually 3 out of 5 is doing good!)


Steak Caprese
Ingredients
Marinated Tomatoes:
1 1/2 lbs Roma tomatoes, cored* and cut into 1” pieces
20 medium fresh basil leaves, stems removed and cut into smallish pieces (FRESH BASIL is important! Find it next to the lettuce at the grocery store.)
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt to taste

2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup white wine
11/2 cups heavy cream
1 block Frigo Parmesan cheese, grated (We've tried different Parmesans, but this works best. It's in a triangle shape in the refrigerator cheese section at Walmart.)
1 lb capellini (angel hair) pasta, cooked according to package directions (we use thin spaghetti)
Steak (I try to buy something that I think'll be tender and just enough to feed our family.)

Procedures

1. COMBINE tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and salt in a large bowl and blend thoroughly. Cover, set aside and marinate for at least 1 hour. (Don't skip the marinating time!)
   
2. HEAT a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add butter and let melt. Stir in white wine and bring to a boil. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let sauce reduce to desired consistency.
   
3. ADD cooked, drained pasta and marinated tomatoes to skillet. Stir to thoroughly coat pasta with sauce. (We simmer our tomatoes a while to make them cook down and being tender)
   
4. Top with steak and serve.