In my intellectual, angst-filled days of college, spending too much time in the basement of the JKHB at BYU reading and discussing literature, I remember coming to an ah-hah moment one day. I realized that as a stay-at-home mom I can choose to be a Renaissance Woman, a woman who "develop[s] skills in all areas of knowledge, in physical development, in social accomplishments and in the arts" (Wikipedia). I had lofty dreams of constantly learning all sorts of "stuff about stuff," and sharing what I learn with my family, instead of going out and doing one boring job to pay the bills.
I pulled that memory out of my brain today as I was sitting on a bench by the creek, supervising my kids and a neighbor playing with rocks and sticks and fish. At first blush, I laughed a little at my romantic vision of myself at this stage in my life, which doubtless couldn't have included piles of laundry, screaming children, and days when I can't remember what I did, let alone accomplished anything. But as I went back through my day in my mind with Renaissance glasses, I could see the Renaissance woman I had envisioned come to life:
- I rode my bike, with Graham in the back, to school and back twice.
- I spoke with a friend on the phone who has the same freezer as mine about how the thing works and how ours are both not working properly.
- I listened to the news on NPR while cleaning the kitchen.
- I had a visit from my visiting teacher, wherein we discussed the importance of education. We also discussed (bad) literature (Twilight) and I tried to psycho-analyze her and came to understand (a bit) why she loves it so much.
- I studied the scriptures and Church History for my Gospel Doctrine lesson on "Faith in Every Footstep."
- I taught Graham how to spell his name using play-doh and letter-shaped cookie cutters.
- I made no-knead bread to prepare for a cooking class I'm teaching next week (while listening to Mozart!).
- I updated and published my music teaching website.
- I climbed the fig tree with Russell, and discovered with him that if we cut one little branch we can make a nice seat for a little boy.
- I sat by the creek and pulled basil leaves from branches while the boys played with rocks and tried to catch fish in the creek.
- I read a book about a crocodile trying to eat all the animals and one about the sun--library books Russell brought home.
- I worked on our preschool curriculum--laminated ABC charts with the boys, called around for the right workbook, made a spreadsheet with the schedule, and helped find scriptures about standing for truth and righteousness to put in the curriculum.
- I made a giant batch of pesto using basil harvested from our garden and fed our family pasta with pesto.
- I worked on the family budget, figuring out how much money we can spend in the next year in case our income decreases.
Exercise, mechanics, current events, psychology, literature, astronomy, curriculum development, web design, music, horticulture, accounting, culinary arts, teaching, theology, history. All in a day's work for a Renaissance woman! A beautiful life is in the eyes of the beholder, I guess. I'm gonna wear my Renaissance glasses more often.
