The Last Days Before Orion

Here are a couple of pictures that my friend Rachel took of me and the family before Orion was born. I am so glad to have them to remember such a special time in our lives as a family. Everyone was anticipating Orion's arrival. I will never forget those last few days waiting to meet him.






Dayna, Joe, Dakota (a/k/a Tiffany), Ivy & Devin



Some belly huh? This is what a 10 lb. 10 oz. baby looks like right before birth. ;)

More Than Just "Getting Through the Day"

An important aspect of being an Unschooling family is having my children see that learning never ends. There is never a point in life when we say, "Ok, all done! I've learned enough."

Being creative and interested in every thing around me has helped my kids to learn that this is how one can *Be* in life. Whenever the kids are using pastels, or paints I often join in. Not only to be *Present* with them, but to really enJoy doing something together. I try to make our lives as rich as possible. Life to us is more than just "getting through the day". Striving to be *Present* in life is challenging at times, but I am getting better at it everyday.

Here is a piece of Art that I created with the kids. I framed it to be able to remind myself what is important in my life. Allowing my "inner-artist" to emerge has been interesting. I never thought of myself as very creative when it came to art. I am now exploring this side of myself that was never allowed to grow because of my own past judgements of my artistic ability. Focusing on the process, rather than the finished product has been something I have shared with the kids. For them to see me enjoying my creative side has helped them create without judgement of themselves also. This parenting gig is pretty cool stuff. Growing along side my kids has been quite a ride. I look forward to our future while striving to be utterly *Present*.

This Life Rocks!

The Unschooling Unmanual

My new friend Jan Hunt asked me to reveiw her latest book, "The Unschooling Unmanual". I am very honored to do so. Jan is the founder of "The Natural Child Project", an incredible resource for parenting and natural living. Jan is also a sweet, down to earth, genuine person.

The Unschooling Unmanual was a unique and empowering book about the growing trend of Unschooling. There hasn't been such a ground-breaking book since Rue Kreams, "Parenting a Free Child, An Unschooled Life" (which I gave a copy to Dr. Phil, by the way) ;)

The Unschooling Unmanual is an an incredible compilation of essays by Unschooling Adovcates and parents. It is an easy, inspiring read. Joe has been reading me quotes from the book for the last few days. It isn't often that a parenting book will spark this kind of enthusiasm in him, so I know how special this book it. It is THE book to give to doubtful or fearing partners and family as well as anyone considering or interested in this life. So many cool Unschooling quotes that I have heard over the years are in this book.

Kudos Jan! You rocked out an amazing resource which will certainly make history!

Devin's Snowman

The other night I went to bed early and when I woke up the next morning Devin showed this to me. He made it from an old wash cloth, buttons and felt. I thought it was so amazing that he just got the idea to make this and then, by himself in the kitchen, created it!

He didn't think it was as big a deal as I did. I was just so impressed that he sewed it on without help. I told him how cool it was and hugged him. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "It's only a snowman Mom." Well.....I just loved it.

Orion - Our Newest Sparkling Dude

It took me two weeks before I put Orion down long enough to snap a few pictures of him. Before taking these I started crying looking into his eyes. I'm so happy he is part of our family. Today Orion was really *Awake* for the first time. His eyes shined and he was aware of everything around him. It was a truly magical day!

Unschooling America Gets a Makeover

www.UnschoolingAmerica.com

Freedom to Learn With Liberty & Justice For All

Recently I have had a lot of inquires about speaking appearances. It is my dream to travel and speak about respectful, peaceful parenting and Radical Unschooling.

I thought it was the right time to give my website a face-lift. I love how it came out and I look forward to what the future holds for us as Advocates for this amazing life.

I know this is only the beginning!

Whatcha Watchin'.......In Labor?

I wanted to share a few more details of my incredible labor and birth experience with Orion.

Laughter was such an amazing tool for me to enjoy the whole experience. Staying in a positive vibration throughout the labor was so essential for me to enjoy every aspect.
In early labor I watchted the movie "The Secret" (for like the 20th time). I also watched the Dr. Phil episode we were on. It reminded me that if I can go on stage and share our life with 50 million people worldwide, than I can do anything! But, the best thing I watched in labor was the movie "Tenacious D". It isn't a movie that the average person would enjoy more than likely, but where Joe and I grew up in the 80's as "metal heads" we could relate to the movie so much. It was just so funny! I was belly laughing with contractions 2 minutes apart. I stood while I watched it and rocked as a laughed.

Another really funny thing that Devin kept saying to me during a contraction in his own supportive way was a Spongebob quote; "Bring it around town Mom! Bring it ARRRRRROUNNNNNDDDDD TOWWWWNNNNNN!" It would make me laugh out loud every time he said it. It really helped me! He has such a good sense of humor.

This was just a little peek into my labor that I wanted to share.

Welcoming ORION!

Our son Orion William Martin was born on January 29th. He was 11 lbs. 100z. I labored alone most of the time, and with Joe until the kids woke up. Orion was born just as Joe brought the kids into the bedroom. The labor and birth was Joyful, easy and very pleasurable. It was my first painless birthing experience. Yes, it was intense and extremely powerful, but it was also the most incredible, romantic, sensual time in my life. I was never afraid. I embraced and worked with the great energy which brought me to a new level and understanding of how amazing and positive birth can truly be.

Ivy cut the cord about an hour after the birth.

Orion was also Born In The Caul (amniotic sack) which surprised us all! Here is some great information about the history of this rare occurrence. Thanks to my friend, Stacey from http://www.myfriendoprah.blogspot.com/ for posting it to my Yahoo group.

In medieval times the appearance of a caul on a newborn baby was seen as a sign of good luck. It was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness. Gathering the caul onto paper was considered an important tradition of childbirth: the midwife would rub a sheet of paper across the baby's head and face, pressing the material of the caul onto the paper. The caul would then be presented to the mother, to be kept as an heirloom.

Over the course of European history, a popular legend developed suggesting that possession of a baby's caul would give its bearer good luck and protect thatperson from death by drowning.
Cauls were therefore highly prized by sailors. Medieval women often sold these cauls to sailors for large sums of money; a caulwas regarded as a valuable talisman. Other legends also developed. One popular legend wentthat a caulbearer would be able to see the future orhave dreams that come to pass.

The most common portent of good luck in recent centuries is that the baby born with a caul will never drown, the second most common myth is from Scotlandand that believes the child will be fey, or psychic. Another British meaning is that the child will travel its entire life and never tire. Also an important myth hails from ancient Egypt, and that story claims the newborn baby is destined for the cult of Isis, again a mystically inclined fate. Other legends also developed. One popular legend wentthat a caulbearer would be able to see the future or have dreams that come to pass.

Ivy's Birthday

Ivy turned 3 on January 28th! We had such a fun day with her! We all made her cake together. Ivy wanted a pink cake with blue frosting.

Devin made Ivy a very unique and special gift which he called a "sewing center". Devin created a pocket for patches and one for buttons. There is also a place for Ivy to put her pins and needles. Here is a picture of Ivy and Devin as Devin teaches Ivy to sew. She learned to sew on a button and put a patch on her doll. Devin is so sweet and patient with her. The girls learn so much from him.

Woodworking Adventures

Having a Daddy that is a toymaker has it's perks. There is always tons of scrap wood and plenty of tools to build amazing creations. Devin and Dakota love spending time in Willow Toys workshop alongside Joe. They have learned so much about tool safety, sanding, waxing and building in the last few years. The kids have so much *Fun* out in Daddy's shop!