We are almost three weeks into our new homeschooling year, the first one with a new baby in the mix in five years. The first week was great. I couldn’t believe how easy it was and got this false sense of having everything under control. New baby? Five kids to homeschool? No problem. This year is going to be amazing! Nearing the end of week three and things feel a little overwhelming and crazy. Ambrose is refusing to nap in his crib most days, a certain little boy is attempting to refuse to do his schoolwork most days, and older kids have me looking at the cost of Catholic High School (Wow. Not happening.) But it’s all normal and I am doing my best to surrender to it all except maybe the requests from kids asking never to do math again (because it’s stupid and they’ll never need to use it). It’s really hard not to let bad attitudes get under my skin and affect my own attitude. I’m trying to give us all grace, which means some days we don’t start with school but instead, the little boys go fishing while I nurse Ambrose and read Mabel stories.
Last Sunday, Ambrose started fussing as soon as Mass started. I was wearing him in a sling and quickly carried him to the back of the church hoping if I bounced him a bit he would go to sleep. He let me know that he wanted to nurse and wasn’t going to sleep. I took a seat and unbuttoned my bodice as quickly and discreetly as possible while he threatened to start crying. Just as I was about to get him latched on I realized I had forgotten nursing pads, which meant there was going to be a mess if I didn’t get out of there quickly. I used Ambrose as a shield to hide my unbuttoned dress and quickly exited the church. As I made my way to our van, I passed a couple of women talking outside. They both commented on Ambrose and with a warm smile on her face one of them said to me, “Aren’t you lucky!” I smiled back, feeling deeply the truth of her words. Yes, I am. Though luck isn’t quite the right sentiment. Even on sleep-deprived days when I find myself running out of Mass with my dress undone feeling like a bit of a disaster, having this little son still feels like a miracle.
I have knit very little in the months since Ambrose was born. That is actually unusual for me. With my last few babies, I did a lot of knitting while nursing. This time around it feels awkward and I am less motivated. I think about knitting, and I do have projects I’d like to work on, but I prefer to simply hold my baby while he nurses for now. And oftentimes that is all I have the energy for anyway. This is a sweater that I knit for Keats more than a decade ago. Both the cuffs and bottom band are damaged so I am hoping to repair it and add a bit of length to the sleeves so that Silas can wear it this winter.
Late last spring I started foxgloves and columbines in several varieties from seed. I ended up with loads of beautiful, healthy, plants but after Ambrose was born I neglected them and didn’t get them in the ground when I should have. Many of the foxgloves ended up doing poorly from being pot-bound and overcrowded in their flats. Thankfully, the columbines didn’t fair too badly. Yesterday, I handed Ambrose to Larkspur and snuck out the front door to run into the woods, and planted the last of the columbines with Silas, Job, and Mabel. It was raining, but not so hard that we got soaked. It felt like one of those magical homeschooling days, where you’re not actually doing any schoolwork, but remembering that sometimes it’s really good just to be outside working together. It will be so exciting to see if the columbines we planted in the woods bloom in the spring and hopefully reseed themselves and spread about. Hopefully, some of the foxgloves I planted in my flower beds will rebound as well. I really, really love growing flowers from seeds, particularly perennials. Because I already have grow lights (I am affiliate linking those because I often get asked what grow lights I use. Unfortunately, these have gone up in price a good bit since I purchased them) and I reuse my flats and pots, I just have the cost of seeds and good potting soil (Sometimes I can get this soil from a local business but sometimes I have to order it from Amazon.) Not everything I try to grow is a success, but I ended up with around four dozen columbines and dozens of foxgloves too!
These are two of the books I have read since Ambrose was born. The Hearth and Eagle is one of my favorites I’ve read by Anya Seton. I love stories that follow a woman from childhood to old age and especially enjoyed this one. I’m reading another of hers now called Dragonwyck and it’s definitely my least favorite of her books that I’ve read thus far. I don’t care for the characters or the story much.
One of you recommended The Magic Apple Tree and I did love it. It’s such a cozy read. I loved this passage so much that I read it aloud to my older girls:
“We had been in the town all day, and I had scarcely noticed the weather. But, by the time I put the car up the last, steep bit of hill, past Cuckoo Farm and Foxley Spinney, towards the village, the sky had gathered like a boil, and had an odd, sulphurous yellow gleam over iron grey. It was achingly cold, the coming north-east off the Fen made us cry. We ran down the steps and indoors, switched on the lamps and opened up the stove, made tea, shut out the weather, though we could still hear it, the wind made a thin, steely noise under doors and through all the cracks and crevices of the old house.”
I’m not sure that my girls love weather and descriptions of it as much as I do. I am slightly obsessed with the weather. Jonny teases me for the number of times that I ask my phone to show me the ten-day forecast, often followed by a request to see the hourly. I just love to see it, it’s a comfort somehow to know what’s predicted even though those predictions don’t always come true. I’ve learned that my phone can even pick up my whispered voice, “Show me the ten-day forecast,” when I’m feeling self-conscious and don’t want anyone to hear me asking yet again.
(I just noticed that there’s an audiobook version of this book available! That would be a really cozy listen.)
Mabel and I have been working on puzzles together. I try to always have one in progress for her. This one is called Birch Point Cove.
This is the only new knitting project that I have started since Ambrose was born. I am hoping to finish it for him before the weather turns cold.
Poor little worried baby. His temperament is so different than Mabel’s was. We called her the sunshine baby. We think that some of Ambrose’s distress is related to what I am eating so I have eliminated some commonly troublesome foods (dairy and eggs) in addition to the foods that I already can’t eat (well, just gluten.) It’s a challenge but breastfeeding isn’t forever (though I have spent nearly a quarter of my life nursing babies and toddlers!)
It’s not cold here yet, but Mabel is ready for cooler temperatures! Lark knit this hat for her when she was a baby.
Lark’s braces came off and she got her hair cut! Beatrix got braces the following week. She looks like a teenager now and though it’s hard to believe, she will be one soon!
Gabe’s braces came off earlier this year. Two kids down, lots more to go.
(Bad Figaro.)
I planned to start a bunch of plants in August but didn’t want to risk planting them and then not having time to move them into the ground. So, I just have one flat of pansies and violas and I am very happy about them!
There is a volunteer tickseed plant growing along my front walkway! I miss dyeing with tickseed. Maybe next year?
My shop is restocked with goat milk soap! There is lavender, citrus, fir balsam, and the calendula soap that I told you about in my last post. (Updating because the fir balsam and calendula are sold out.)
My messy desk is still covered in books and flowers from the garden; joined by random creations and homeschool books now that we’ve started school again.
I like to choose puzzles that depict places I’d like to visit. This one is called The Bookstore. I can always be convinced that I need more books and I’m certain that I could find some good ones in that shop!
Let’s hope that I am soon able to post more frequently so you aren’t subject to such long, rambling blog posts from me!
Ginny, I’ve been having such a lovely time catching up on your life and your family the last few days. I’ve always enjoyed your posts so much and have been following for many years! Sometime during all the Covid lockdown stuff, for whatever reason I stopped reading blogs and being on my computer as often. Not really sure why-maybe because everything was off kilter in life? Who knows? But it has been delightful to come back and remember why I have loved your blog so much. There is such joy, gentleness, tenderness, and honesty in the things your write. I’ve always loved that you don’t gloss over the realities of life! I love seeing how all your children are growing up into such fine people. I know this was in a different post, but I totally compassionately understand your feelings as Keats gets ready to leave for college. (Been there and cried those tears!) My last fledgling-of 6- flew the nest a year ago. I am still going through so many emotions about it! It is such a transition. You may never see this comment, because you posted this post over a year ago, but I just wanted to say Thank you to you, Johnny, and your children for the years of adding joy to my days as I’ve gotten to know you! Congratulations on the addition of Ambrose to your family! You’re my hero!! Sending love and hugs to you and yours. Renee (PS, Thanks for the new recommendations for books and puzzles!! They all are perfect for me right now!!)
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I love your long rambling blog posts
Just some things…
I LOVE your girls’ pro-life tee shirts! I need one for myself!
Gabe looks like a man now. That’s crazy. I’ve been reading your blog for years, and it’s so weird how grown up your kids are now.
I will definitely be trying to get a copy of “The Magic Apple Tree.” Sounds like a book I would very much enjoy.
And last, we just pulled out our jigsaw puzzles this morning. We never work on them during the warmer months, but they always occupy the coffee table during the fall and winter.
Love your posts, Ginny!
I have followed your blog for many years. I haven’t been on in about a year due to health issues, (Hello, cancer. Ugh.) so I hadn’t seen your newest little baby. He reminds me of my first; so fussy and all, but, we get through it, don’t we? He’s a cutie, for sure! You are very blessed, my friend. 🙂
I’m praying for your complete healing!
Every word of this resonates with me. My last baby was a constant rainbow, a ray of sunlight at every turn! My little Flannery Alice has been something utterly different her whole six months. It’s been a challenge to remember that God has a purpose for the personality she has! Praying you find that peace as well.
I love the magic apple tree. I read a beautiful book a few weeks ago called ‘countryside and cloister.’ It’s an autobiography of a Carmelite nun in England, I think you’d like it.
Fishing, gardening, reading stories, loving a new baby, sounds like the best kind of homeschooling days to me. Columbine are my absolute favourite flower, mixed with foxgloves in a wood will be absolutely magical! Have you thought of adding ferns and bluebells too?
I so enjoy reading your posts.
Suzy, that book sounds wonderful! We do have ferns in the area where I planted the columbines. I have Virginia bluebells planted along the creek in a different area. Still waiting for them to take hold! 🙂
Ginny, your posts are always “just right” and a delight to my heart! Thank you for being so transparent and real. God’s Grace is always abundant and free and ours for the asking. Ambrose is beautiful and looks remarkably like his daddy. You have a delightful family and I treasure your posts. God bless you all.
Barbara
Ginny I love your long post. They are a treasure. Larkspur looks lovely in her shorter hair cut. Beatrix and Larkspur are such lovely and pretty young ladies. Gabe is a handsome young man. All of your children are special and lovely. Ambrose is looking so big since the last time . Ginny take it easy and just do one thing at a time. Funny everything gets done in time. We planted marigolds this year and so far only two have decided to show up. Oh well .Maybe next year will be a bumper crop.
Have a great week and I look forward to your next post ( a long one) I hope. You are always in my prayers.
Marion
You sure have a busy life. I always enjoy hearing about your family. The books you mentioned sound interesting. It is hard to believe how some of your children have grown. The children are beautiful. God Bless.
Joan
Hi Ginny, It is so nice to welcome one of your interesting posts. I love the way the older children are so loving and caring toward Ambrose. I admire you for homeschooling your children. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Marilyn
we got the pro-life shirts from amazon https://amzn.to/2XOIaIp 🙂
Ambrose is so very sweet! You are living a full life, the knitting will be there and so will everything else. You’ve been homeschooling for years and so far it’s always a success in the end (I’m cheerleading). Walking in the woods and having hands on botany lessons is wonderful for children, my dad used to tell me the names of trees and plants and to this day I remember them.
I had my own little Quentin Ambrose in June. I love seeing your little guy’s name is your posts so much, I may have to switch to calling my guy by his middle name. Your posts are so encouraging, it’s wonderful to watch your children grow into the beautiful young men and women that they are!
You just described my 28 years of homeschooling seven children.
My oldest was a grumpy, needy baby. His first two years were so indelibly etched on my psyche as a new mother that I was surprised every time I had a sunshine baby. I felt like I was pushing my “luck” and the next one would be a repeat of the first. #6 was colicky but the experience with #1 was never repeated.
I haven’t planted foxglove because I’m nervous that it is poisonous. Do you worry about that with kids? I’ve avoided puzzles as the kids got older because I didn’t want to manage small pieces (Legos and Playmobils were bad enough). I broke down during the covid shutdown and got a few. Do you have an organizing method for puzzles?
Hi Kate! I have told my kids that the foxgloves are poisonous and I only plant them in the beds near my house so that it’s easy to point them out. They all know not to touch them, though I don’t know that touching them would actually be a problem-mainly they shouldn’t eat them! And I’ve not ever had a child eat flowers. Though Job once ate a few pokeberries! He was sick to his stomach for nearly a week. I store the unused puzzles up on high closet shelves, but no organization beyond that. The puzzle table helps keep the current puzzle all in one place. (And I really smiled over your homeschooling comment.)
It was so nice to read your post as I’ve wondered how things are going in your super busy household. Here’s a suggestion that might help with home schooling. You could hire a tutor to assist you. My 15 year old granddaughter who is doing independent study for high school helps a woman with 6 kids who is homeschooling. She specifically works with them during math time each week. Perhaps one of your older kids might be able to do this and earn extra money or a local HS or college student.
Once upon a time I had a ledger where I recorded every check or withdrawal from my bank account. Recently I tried to do a simple subtraction problem and realized I no longer remember how to do it. On of my daughters changed elementary school and never learned long division. We use the calculator on our phones and do just fine.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful family. I wish my younger girls had your daughters to be friends with. They go to public school (I keep asking God if I am to homeschool them and I never get the pull to do it) and it’s a lonely place to be for them. God bless you all.
I always look forward to all your posts…no matter the length. It’s like a treat visiting with an old friend.
I think Ambrose looks so much like Jonny! All your children reflect all the goodness and love they have been given. Just beautiful.
We are finishing up the garden & canning here but now wish I had started pansies, like you…….
Great to see you back here!!
Dear Ginny,
Ambrose is such an adorable baby! Thank you for all the photos and updates.
I think I’ve never needed to use the translator (English to Czech) so much to fully enjoy your post – I think I needed to look up about five different plant names, haha 🙂
That plus the books you mentioned reminded me of a Czech classic book that you might enjoy, it even exists in English, yay!
https://www.amazon.com/Gardeners-Year-Illustrated-Josef-Capek/dp/1447459806
Here’s an article about it also with some pictures
https://blogs.bl.uk/european/2019/05/up-the-garden-path-with-the-brothers-čapek-and-friends.html
Take care, best from Prague, Czech Republic 🙂
I love the rambling posts. I too believe I can never have too many books.
You sound like you are doing well at remembering each moment. Thank you first sharing them.
Oh to have your wonderful life shown in the beautiful pictures. God bless you Ginny as you are navigating through your life.
I feel like, after so many children, I should be more prepared for moments like you described at Church. Or, at least, I should have a well stocked baby bag in case of mishaps. I find myself, with each baby, being less organized and less concerned about that organization and at the same time laughing at myself and lecturing myself on yet another outing without a pack of baby wipes…who does that?! Surprised each time that this baby is just as challenging as my first but in different ways. We are homeschooling 4 at the moment, with a 3 year old, and two in a local Catholic High School. Baby will be born in March. This year is already such a rollercoaster with schooling (some special needs, and a 3 year old who never sits still) but we keep pressing on because those relationships are so important, I dont want even a single one of my younger children to miss out, as difficult as it is for me and them some days. It so pays off when they are teenagers and they are still joking and laughing with you and sharing their days, even at the age of 16! It’s worth it.
Our oldest two are being Confirmed next month, it was delayed because of Covid for an entire year, and finally the day has come. I think I will be the only one in the church with two teenage boys being Confirmed and 4.5 months pregnant. I feel so old….and so blessed.
Peace be with you.
Olivia, I am the same progressively less organized and prepared with each child! This time around I feel like I’ve never done this before. Ha! I also feel that combo of old and blessed (and tired!)
I always love all your posts and pictures! Ambrose is darling and some of the pictures of him (like that last one) are just amazing. And today, I must say I really love those pro-life t-shirts too! Where did you find them?
Homeschooling is a profound and deep work (and also exhausting, overwhelming, etc) and I often have to remind myself that Man’s chief end is to GLORIFY GOD AND TO ENJOY HIM…not to be successful or measure up to some worldly set of standards. As Mother Theresa said “God did not call me to be successful, He called me to be Faithful.”
And C.S Lewis says “It is not your business to succeed but to do right, when you have done so, the rest lies with God.”
I actually have that one on my chalkboard in the kitchen right now!
Hoping you find as much encouragement as I do in those words. Lots of love~ Rebecca
I think your long, rambling posts are the best 🙂
You know, as well as anyone, that these early days are so hard. Ambrose is lucky to be wrapped up in a family who loves him. I loved the story of rushing out of Mass with Ambrose covering you – I think it’s one of those universal moments that many mothers have and reminds me how connected we all are.
I’m wishing you luck homeschooling with a new baby.
A comforting post as always, Ginny. Thank you x
Ambrose looks like a miniature Jonny! He is well-loved.
Doesn’t he? I think he looks the most like Jonny thus far. 🙂
Ramble on! I love the long rambling posts the best. Gabe, Larkspur and Beatrice are growing up so much, it’s good to have another baby. And it’s so good for them to “practice” parenting and to know how babies behave day-to-day. Best birth control in the world for teens is to have a new baby in the house!
Your children are all so beautiful. Even Figaro is a gorgeous cat! And Ambrose is so beautiful too. Don’t you think he looks like Mabel?
Let me start off by saying how delighted I am every time you have a new blog post. For many reasons, this space of yours gives me such comfort and happiness. I love the glimpses into your daily life and always get quite a kick out of your humorous stories and thoughts. Your photographs soothe my soul, lifting my spirit…such loveliness. We are kindred spirits, for I am also obsessed with the weather and love when the autumn/winter seasons roll around for it gifts my days with such varied weather, each day a new surprise (even if I might have the 10 day forecast memorized!). Thank you for taking the time to sit and say hello, I wish more of my favorite people still blogged instead of instagram, but hey, it is what it is and I keep hoping blogging makes a comeback over social media! Looking forward to your next blog post…happy autumn!
I’m fine with long rambling posts. I love that the ladies are saying you’re lucky, just at the point you are feeling rather not lucky. That is so like life. Beautiful pictures.
Oh, but I love the ‘long, rambling posts’ from you!! So happy to see little Ambrose. He sure looks like he is doing well – those edible cheeks!! I admire very much your wisdom in dealing with homeschooling when all becomes overwhelming, after all, one can learn a great deal from fishing, mostly patience I would think and that is something we will need ALL our lives! Take good care and God bless you all!
It’s lovely to read your latest post, Ginny. As always, the longer, the better!
While I’m sure you’re pretty much an expert in baby care, I want to tell you my daughter stopped including dairy AND soy in her diet when her new baby showed signs of distress. I had no idea soy could be detrimental to a young infant’s digestive system! She was a much happier baby after a week or two and outgrew the issue by 6 or 7 months.
I do not feel like an expert in baby care! I have forgotten so much! I have eliminated soy as well, but forgot to mention it (it only meant giving up gluten free soy sauce for me). I can’t remember what foods I listed but at this point I’ve eliminated dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and nuts. He seems to be doing better!
‘Dragonwyck’ is one of my least-favourite Anya Seton titles, too. And if you feel that way, don’t try ‘Foxfire’! 🙂 But ‘Green Darkness’ and ‘Katherine’ are absolute forces of nature and are two of my favourite books ever.
I’ve collected all her books, most in first edition, and ‘The Hearth and Eagle’ is a super read.
Little Ambrose is looking so much older, so quickly! I particularly love the photo of him held in Gabe’s grown-up hands, it’s beautiful.
As always, beautiful photos! I feel like all of a sudden Gabe and Larkspur are looking so much older – crazy how that happens. Ambrose is a doll 💕Good luck with the diet with him. I had to do that with each of my babies as well when nursing. Not fun, but worth it if it helps! Also, love the girls’ pro life T-shirts!
Thank you for warning me against Foxfire! I will have to read Green Darkness soon!
I love the “long rambling blog posts” from you. Ambrose and all of your children are beautiful!!
Dear Ginny, the beauty in your life reminds me of the beauty in my life, and brings me to tears. Thank you so much for what you share here. Seeing your big kids with your baby makes me so happy, too…big brothers and sisters are the best!