The Evans' Journey

Friday, October 9, 2020

Break Week.

This week has been break week from our homeschooling coop and I decided to break from all schooling this week seems we have been at it for several weeks now.

It worked out perfectly because Levi injured his eye so we had to drive him around to his jobsites and then he has been working crazy hours because the restaurant dare I say is almost done.

We had a playdate today at the house with friends from church who are new to homeschooling this year but other than that our days have been wide open and easy.

Fitting in the last days of summer - chalk life.

No picture but Bella has been LOVING writing her name over and over and over.

I LOVE our backyard. Levi has been working late so the kids and I have been enjoying outside time together after dinner.

We met my girlfriend at a park for an hour - we have not been to a park all year so it was a super fun treat and it was vacant. SCORE.

We have been on the mushroom hunt around here and have been finding out which ones are edible and eating them for dinner. So Fun!

Farm Life!

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Smudge Sticks

Smudge Sticks.

It was on my list this year to make and discuss smudge sticks with the kids - this year in Classical Conversations our focus is U.S. History so this fit in so well with the Native American lessons.

I sent out a message to our homeschooling families to see if anyone wanted to join us. I had plenty of herbs in the garden to share.

It was such a fun day and the weather was perfect.

Native Americans used feathers or their hands and wave the smoke from the sticks over certain areas or parts of the body while saying a prayer. Mostly used before or after a significant event.

White sage is the most popular herb that is used.

We used. Rose petals, Lavender, Cedar, and Sage

The kids gathered fresh herbs and will light them at home in about a month.

Rose petals - Associated with the Greek Goddess meaning to receive and attract love and beauty.

Lavender - happiness, healing, cleansing, brings blessings

Cedar - purifies the air (studies have shown that burning cedar purifies the air by 94% for 24 hours) they also say this improves the skill of which the smoke is over - eyes, ears, mouth.

Sage - drives out negative spirits and thoughts.

I didn't get too deep into the lesson just a basic overview of what they did and why and then we made them.

Pennsylvania!

Later post due to life but Levi took an extra day off over the holiday weekend and we went to Pennsylvania! Here is part two of our trip. We went to stay with Grandma Moni and Ken.

It was AMAZING. They treated us to so much which was so wonderful.

We went to an outdoor zoo and then to a drive through zoo.

We swam and swam and swam....

We will have to beg to go back next summer it was so much fun.

More pictures to come when I get Levi's phone.

(Symone was married to my birth dad, Troy, for several years when I was growing up.

I met her when I was eight and she was such a great part of my life)

When her and my dad got divorced, we stayed in touch. She makes an effort to be part of all our littles lives and I am so grateful for that.

When people first meet me and hear how crazy my family tree is they at first are overwhelmed to keep track but it usually ends with everyone saying how amazing it is I have such great relationships with some of these 'extras' I got as a child.

Although, I never promote divorce and actually I am a big advocate for marriage because I know my situation is different than most.

I was blessed with amazing step parents and I love them all very much.