life is good

wanting to get this down before the spell bursts and i move out onto the patio to smell the roses and clip guinea pig nails. right off the cuff. spent the last four-ish days at the life is good unschooling conference with some amazing people who are also choosing this unschooling life for themselves, for their kids. always interesting in this environment to see where everyone is and how they came to be there. helps remind me so much of the process that is this life.

each life. a process in itself.

i took exactly one picture the entire time we were at the conference. there is a chance eva took some pictures of her experience there and i am eager to find the camera to check them out. there might even be video!

both kids really branched out this year as far as moving off in their own direction without me, which is new and exciting and exhilarating and thrilling and amazing all at the same time. by last night, our last night in the hotel, eva was racing through the halls with her friend rose, back to our room and checking out the vending machines with samuel. samuel made his way repeatedly to the game room to spend time with other gamers- again, without me. it is *always* enjoyable to see my kids making their own way in the world with others, being who each of them is without my interpretation. watching them branch out in this way, for me, is a testament to trusting that they will do what they need to do when they are ready. each in her or his own time.

with this in mind, i have to say {too} that while i do specifically enjoy watching the process unfold, i also love a little product thrown in {every once in a while} to remind me {sometimes} of why i make the choices that i do. (obviously, i make them because i believe in them. it is nice, however, to see things working out- at least some of the time- in ways i trusted they would. at least in part. sometimes... no guarantees and all that. still, trusting and following your heart seems to lead to goodness of one kind or another more often than not.) seeing my kids branch out in this way, seeing them own their experience when they are ready for it, is a lovely confirmation of my personal belief that we will all get where we need to get when we are ready to get there. and all that.

i was able to watch bits and pieces of a few presentations here and there. 10 minutes in one, 15 in another. i watched a little less than half of the teen panel. some of the dad's. and over half of a talk at the very end by clint stonebraker. i loved what he had to say about choosing to plug into your network of support when you need it rather than believing fear-based thoughts that can lead to feeling isolated. yep. easier said than done, often, i agree, but so nice to be reminded of this bit of wisdom once again.

my mind is still whirling from the fun and intensity of the weekend. it's looking like the sun-filled patio and cat-on-my lap is winning out over any more life-is-good blogging for the time being. i'm off to clip guinea pig nails and smell roses. i'll leave the unpacking and camera-searching for later.