This homeschooling year has felt like the most challenging yet. With a two-year-old, a senior in high school, and all the grades in between, I’m pretty stretched. Lately, I’ve honestly felt like I’m done. I can’t seem to get excited about homeschooling, and I’ve wondered whether the problem is that I’ve been doing it for so long or if it’s something else? I’ve concluded that it’s mostly “something else.” That something else is DRIVING. This year, I am typically on the road every single day. When I’m home, I’m bombarded with neverending tasks, and I can’t ever get on top of anything because I’m not home enough. My kids aren’t overscheduled, but I sure am. I remember when I only had younger children and we would homeschool four days a week, and leave the fifth day open for appointments or activities. That was lovely. This year, things are out of control. But somehow it all seems “essential.” I’m amazed at how being out for an hour or two can have such a negative effect. It prevents rhythm and routine and it’s making me crazy. Thankfully, there is an end in sight. Keats will get his driver’s license in May if all goes as planned, and he will take on some of the driving. But even before that, it looks like I am going to catch a break because we are the owners of an organ now! Yes, the solution to every over-scheduled mother’s problems: the organ. Just kidding. Well, not kidding about it being the answer to my situation, but an organ probably wouldn’t solve your problems. Though if it would, I suggest Craigslist. Check it every day, multiple times.
Jonny’s been watching for the right organ ever since Keats began lessons early last summer. Keats practices for two hour blocks four to five days a week at our church, which is twenty minutes away from home. On our longest day I have to drive him to orchestra after lunch where he stays a few hours, then I go back and pick him up just to drive him over to church to practice organ. Then I head back home and have about an hour before going back to get him and bring him home for the day. You must be thinking I’m crazy. You are correct. But I view this as temporary and important. Keats has two interests: music and baseball. (I used to have interests as well, but I can’t remember what they are. I’m too busy trying to remember where I’m supposed to be next.)
On Saturday morning, Jonny, Keats, Seth, Gabe, and I headed to northern Virginia to pick up the organ that had won the approval of Keats, Seth, and Keats’ organ instructor. We stopped about twenty minutes away from the home of the organ’s owner to rent a moving truck. The rental place happened to be across the street from a Woodcraft store, so we made what was meant to be a quick stop. We’d never visited Woodcraft before but knew it would be full of amazing things. It sure was. Seth got some lathe tools and Keats and I teamed up to lock the keys in the van. And while Jonny had the moving truck, all the tools we needed to move the organ were in our van. There was lots of talk about who was really at fault while Jonny tried to break in. (Why are people so into blame? No one listens to me when I explain that it doesn’t really ever matter whose fault it is. Especially if it’s sort of my fault.) Using a dowel, some wire, and a door stop, Jonny was able to get the doors unlocked and we got back on the road.
Once we arrived and Keats played the organ and gave his final approval, I could have cried with relief. It’s a beautiful mahogany reed organ with a full pedal board and it was priced well below it’s value, almost as if the fee was only charged to make sure folks were serious about taking it. It was built in the 1920s and has only had two previous owners.
Of course, none of us really understood what we were getting into with this little organ project. It took hours to disassemble it. Even with handwritten instructions, it was tricky. My main job was to take photos, say encouraging things, and keep all the screws in a baggie in my knitting bag.
The moving part was scary! A combination of straps, knots, boards, rolling pipes, and a dolly were all brought into play. And actually, at this point I had to put my camera down and get involved. I hurt my back helping to support the organ as we rolled it up the ramp and onto the moving truck. No pain, no gain.
By the time we got home it was far later than we had anticipated and everyone was exhausted. I was afraid that Jonny would forget how to put everything back together and that the younger kids would break something if the organ wasn’t reassembled right away, so I insisted that it be dealt with that night. Jonny and Keats stayed up until after midnight putting it back together.
I’m probably getting super boring with details, but have to mention that this organ can be powered by either a crank (turned here by Beatrix) or a blower. The blower is the preferred method, though it is a bit loud and we are going to have to cut a hole in the house to vent it outdoors. That’s good for resale, right?
Gabe definitely won the award for “best sport” about the organ ordeal. He is not a fan of organ music, or any classical music and he puts up with a lot. He’s hilarious talking about Keats and his music. “He gets out his viola and practices it way too late. Eventally he stops and puts it away and I think, finally, some peace and quiet. BUT THEN HE GETS OUT HIS VIOLIN!” But he really isn’t mad about it. Part of being a family is being inconvenienced for each other. And baseball season is just around the corner….
p.s. Every now and then I get an email asking for classical music recommendations. In case you are a fan of classical music, I’ve been listening to (affiliate link) John Field’s nocturnes lately. The pianist whose concert I took Keats to for his birthday played one of them (No. 2 in C minor), and I loved it so much. Maybe you will too?
Kelly says
I am several months behind all of you on this comment but… we have a broken organ in our house (my summer project is to get it working again) and yesterday there was a minor scuffle over a tin whistle lesson and piano practice at the same time! Later in the same day the whole family had headphones on or went outside because my husband was practicing bass (it’s not his playing but the piece he is working on is one we all, he included, really dislike). So living with musicians is hard… and perhaps not “normal” but maybe that breeds holiness? I sure hope it does 🙂 Thanks for making me feel like I am not the only one with a crazy house full of children and sound… and life!!
Karen Trefzger says
Wow! That organ looks beautiful. I admire your commitment to your son in taking an organ into your home. Piano, yes…I play and my oldest daughter plays. But organ! I think that would try my patience.
As to the driving…yes I remember those years when my kids were old enough to have interests outside of what I could offer in our home school. I felt like I was constantly driving them to lessons or meetings. As you said, they weren’t overscheduled, but I was. I took a part-time job at our local pregnancy resource center, partly in order to fund said lessons. There were days I drove more than 50 miles just around our town. It was crazy. But after about 18 months, my oldest got her driver license, we were able to get her a cheap but reliable used car, and she took over about half of the driving. So then I had all the emotions of “oh my babies are growing up, they don’t need me any more.”
All that to say: time moves along. This too shall pass. And you’ll adapt (not without emotions and growing pains). So, as you know how to do so well, savor this time.
Blessings.
Sara says
I really love how encouraging you are of your children’s interests. You’re all amazing. While I encourage all of my kids interests, I feel like some people think I’m a little loonie. For instance my 9 yo is starting lessons on the high dive. It’s something she’s truly interested in, so who am I to say no?!
Erin says
What a fascinating story! Was mesmerised
And going to make your life incredibly easier!! Though poor Gabe
Katrina Greca says
My oldest just started playing the organ. I have a feeling that I might want to start keeping an eye on Craigslist.
MamaAshGrove says
I could have written this post (well the homeschool-burnout-overwhelmed mom part, not the organ part!). I feel much the same lately, and I also have a “senior.” Our family has always been careful not to over schedule, but with a big family it happens even when each kid is doing a minimum of stuff. And I really have a hard time staying on task at home when it’s broken up by leaving the house and coming back. . I always marvel at those I know who can do that or who can pack a lot in a day 3- or more away from home activities lined up in one day, and they probably wonder why I always decline to do stuff when I already have something scheduled that day at a different time. . .
Brigitte says
What a fun read! On having to drive so much….I grew up one of eight children born in 12 years. We often wonder how our mother managed, but then we realize that she didn’t drive. At all. She didn’t have a license. Also, this was the 1950s and 60s, so expectations, funds, and opportunities were drastically lower. But still, the driving! Buying an organ was a good way at getting to the underlying problem. I enjoy your blogging very much.
Megan Lowry says
Baseball tournaments start today for us so I know how you feel! I also have a competitive dancer. It is true, these things seem essential for them especially when you can see how passionate the kids are. I guess it’s only a season of life for us though and so I push through. One thing I’m thinking about doing is taking a kid with me to practices for one on one time. Usually I just sit there…although that is precious me time too…oh the balance 🙂
Susan says
Love the organ!! I too am a homeschooling mom with a son, 15, who plays organ. I remember trying to find places for him to practice that worked with our schedule (our church often had conflicts). He found on Craigslist a Baldwin C630 with pedal board. 1972 I think. Owned by a little old lady (who had passed) who played for years for her church. Her family was so excited to see it go to someone who would enjoy it as much as she did. When the weather is nice we open the windows wide and let the organ music out! Enjoy that beautiful organ you have.
(A side note, my son is also into restoration of old instruments. He loves to tinker and has taught himself. He recently was hired by a lady who wanted her old pump piano fixed. He did it! :). )
Laura says
Oh my goodness – I could have written this…well, except for the whole part about the organ :-). In all seriousness though, I just texted a friend earlier this week about how burned out I am with homeschooling, but in truth, much of it has to do with the fact that we have activities 6 days a week….and we live 30 minutes from almost all activities. I leave our house around 3:15 every week day and the earliest I ever get home is 6:45. Like your kids, mine are not overscheduled – I am! It must be the nature of more than a couple of kids in a family.
Moving the organ looked difficult. We moved a piano, which wasn’t easy, and it was smaller than that beautiful organ! How lovely that you have one now – I am sure Keats is delighted!
karen says
I used to drive 1 1/2 hours one way for french horn lessons twice a month – it was crazy but I enjoyed the one on one time together and the chatting with my daughter. I bet the music is louder than ever now that the organ is IN your home and not down the street!!
Elizabeth says
What a beautiful organ and what amazing skills and perseverance on the part of all your family…!
I’ve just heard an amazing organist on the radio called Gunnar Idenstam and wondered if your son might like him/be interested in hearing some new music – he’s Swedish and plays folk music on the organ. Here’s a link to a lovely folk tune https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjZAA5U3HeA and I heard an amazing piece on the radio this morning called ‘Maria’s Wedding Waltz’ which doesn’t seem to be available yet
Jane says
I love this so much! That organ looks so complex, beautiful and fascinating. I also love the way you don’t edit out the frustrating parts of your stories. In the end, so long as there’s no real disaster, the times we locked the keys in the car/got a flat tyre/were locked out of holiday apartment with kids sleeping inside (raises sheepish hand)/missed a train/whatever make amazing memories. In fact I believe our brains are wired to remember stressful times better than when things go smoothly.
Enjoy the organ, and a bit less driving!
Rita says
When I see your post in my email, I just get a smile on my face. I usually save it so I can savor your latest adventure at home. It’s like making a cup of tea and sitting down for a rest. Today’s post was wonderful! I know it must have been a bit of a traumatic day–the keys, the scary slipping/sliding of the organ out the door than staying up late to reassemble it. But, look at that picture of the “littles” dancing in the moving van, barefoot in the winter! Makes me laugh. Do children’s feet ever get cold? You probably have no idea how much pleasure you bring to our lives all over this vast world! Keep writing and taking pictures, Ginny. Don’t ever stop.
Becky says
So cool! I love it when you get animals and have babies and have giant snakes delivered to your bedroom, but getting giant musical instruments is pretty cool, too. I have quoted you to my husband (“it’s never a good time to get a goat”) many times when we weigh various life decisions. Thanks for sharing!
Meg says
What a beautiful instrument! My Grandfather found an old pump organ in a barn sometime in the 60’s or 70’s (maybe even earlier?). He refurbished it and inserted a vacuum motor in it so you didn’t have to pump it. I still chuckle when I think how loud that motor was compared to the music put out by the organ.
Penelope says
How amazing! We would love to have a proper organ (ie with pedal board) here at home! My 16yo is the organist and yes, daily practice at home for piano and organ on the electronic keyborad that mimics the action of an organ keyboard, and then organ practice at church 4+ times per week …
Susan Kuhlman says
One year my driving exceeded a friend’s who was a traveling salesman. Over the year I never left two counties. I was exhausted. I found that it was really hard on my body with stiff shoulders from gripping the steering wheel and lower back pain. The solution was a book called Yoga 28 day exercise plan by Richard Hittleman.
Marion says
Ginny, that organ is lovely. I never realized how big the organ can be. How nice for Keats to not have to travel to the church to practice. Thank You for sharing this experience.
Marion
Joan says
What an experience for you and the family. Having the organ will save you some drive time. You can now have a little more free time.
Joan
Marilyn says
That organ is beautiful. What a job hauling it. Keats, enjoy playing and practicing.
Marilyn
Elisabeth Leake says
I love Gabe’s attitude. It reminds me so much of my own family. Having grown up with a lot of siblings in the house and everyone doing their different things, I know how it feels to want the “peace and quiet.” However, I also kind of miss the noise now that we’re all dispersed.
GretchenJoanna says
How completely mind-blowing!! The organ, that is.
The first part of your post had me laughing and crying, as another commenter said. I so well remember the change when my fifth child was a teenager and I started to have this problem of too much **driving** – Ugh. The older children had been fairly content with the flow of our homeschooling life centered on HOME, but she somehow required me driving her to this class and that lesson, etc. At least by then I didn’t have little ones that I also had to cart around.
I am the same way in my older age, as an empty nester. To maintain serenity and the necessary creativity to guide a family and run a household, one must BE home for some minimum amount of time, which I suppose is a variable number depending on the mother and the family, and more factors.
Your organ is a glorious contribution to the improvement of your life and “lifestyle.” I’m glad that you included all the delicious details of its transport and itself. Thanks be to God!
Becca says
This is the best thing I’ve read all week, every little detail. It was enjoyable to read, made me laugh, and I’d encourage you to keep on keeping on!
martha says
I know you weren’t fishing for compliments, but you truly are amazing! I am in that season with little ones schooling and we do the four days a week with one day for activities and it made me smile and also feel a bit of trepidation because I already feel overwhelmed most days with what I juggle! I am so like you in that driving around each day just makes me feel so frazzled and behind. Sounds like/seems like homeschooling becomes less about schooling at “home” when they are in the older years + more about activities. The reality is, you would probably be doing just as much driving even if they were in school. But mentally more would be off your plate if someone else was ensuring they were educated (lol). 🙂 Anyway, I feel/hear you on all the woes, even though I’m not in that particular season just yet. The organ looks absolutely stunning! I am so hopeful that our children adopt a love for instruments and music because I want our home to be full of it, even though a quieter home sounds appealing sometimes. All the sacrifices will surely be well worth it one day!
Jodi says
Ginny, you and and your family are amazing. Wishing you guys all the best, wishing you in particular some peace and quiet. Hope that your home is filled with beautiful organ music!
Kendra Irving says
We are walking parallel journeys so you are not alone.
Family life and facing the constant work of maintaining your health because of auto immune conditions can be a lot, especially when energy needs to be protected. Homeschooling through the years has its different demands. I have found, as our children have come to grade seven and up their focus starts to turn outwards to community with friends, volunteering, jobs and activities rather than home centred as little ones. Being homeschooled having outside opportunities to learn from others, serve others and befriend others is so important and get deemed essential. Until the olders can start taking responsiblity for their own responsibilities it is time and energy intensive for a few. (Yay for drivers liscenses it helps a lot as long as there is a vehicle available to share!) Hang in there! It is so worth it. Homeschooling through high school has had blessings I never anticipated. Being able to witness our kids develop their unique talents and have the time to do so has been amazing. Regardless of all the hard and sometimes overwhelming moments. Looking forward to our first graduation sometime next year.
God Bless you and your family Ginny!
Melisa Capistrant says
Seeing your little ones playing so gleefully in the moving van reminds me of my kids…
We once had to rent a backhoe to do a sewer line fix. We parked the rental trailer in the street in front of our house, and the kids decided to bring their supper out there – along with a radio and some twinkle lights – and make a party of it. The things they do crack me up. 🙂
Hang in there, Ginny. Right around the time I was feeling the need to duplicate myself (spread too thin), our oldest son was driving. That helps a ton. We now have our oldest daughter driving. What a difference to have their help to drive to lessons, appointments, co-op classes, the store, etc.
Really I have no solutions, but know that you’re not alone.
I think it’s a beautiful thing that your son is so into music. We need more of that in this world.
God’s blessings to you and yours,
Melisa
Connie says
Love this adventure!! You are such good parents to affirm you son, his importance and the importance of his gifts in this way!! He will always remember that you did this for him.?
(And my job would be exactly the same as yours was, lol)
Sandra says
Love, love, loved your posting today. How fantastic to have that beautiful organ and what memories you will have around the table about your adventures bringing it home 🙂 Even though you sound so worn out, you always write so beautifully. I get so caught up in your family, feelings, adventures, disappointments and health scenarios you explain yourself so well. Thank you too for the music suggestion. I’ve had a listen on Amazon and will definitely be adding it to my birthday list.
Kate says
That organ is great! What a sport you are to find a place for it in your house.
Hang in there with the homeschooling! It isn’t easy and it will never be. However, the housekeeping gets easier as everyone gets older. I have seven kids and we have always homeschooled. What has helped with our situation is my husband works at home so we share driving (with planning) and carpooling. Sometimes I’ve told my kids they couldn’t do certain activities unless they arranged rides. If they want to do it badly enough, they do. I had to learn to not be afraid to ask for help. Other families are in the same boat and they are often very grateful to share the burden of driving. I really try to combine trips as much as possible. It helps if you are very intentional about your driving time and don’t fly by the seat of your pants. A big write-in calendar is invaluable. A homeschooling friend joked that she doesn’t feel like her kids’ teacher but more like the family concierge. And, dang it, if that was the case, she was going to be an efficient one.
Rachel says
I am right there with you on the not feeling homeschool love right now. I told my husband yesterday that I’m just tired of not being “normal.” We’ve never been normal. Homeschooling, having a bunch of kids, and adopting have put us into a category that most people call crazy. So it can feel very lonely. Large family homeschool mama-ing is no joke! It is wearying work. And yes, the driving just about killed me last year. Having one child with a license is life changing. But now the next ones coming up have to be driven to lots of places and the oldest can’t always do it because he’s at work or college classes. Someday we’ll miss this, I think. Congratulations on the organ- it looks lovely and quaint, and very not normal 😉
Winwick Mum says
You have absolutely made my day with this post – “we are going to have to cut a hole in the house.” Brilliant! I am glad you got such a bargain, though 🙂 xx
Emily DeArdo says
Wowza! What a great organ! We had a little electric “Parlor organ” thing that we got from my grandmother, and I loved to play that, but it’s nothing like this!
It’s gotta be hard if you’re not a musician and you live with musicians. In our house growing up, you either heard me practicing clarinet, my piano, or singing in Italian or learning a new show; my sister played flute, piano, and piccolo, and my brother plays the trumpet. The worst was the piccolo.
Cathy says
I think you are actually wonder woman. I had enough headaches with three sons, a dog, a cat, two guinea pigs, three part time jobs and the boys in regular school. How you remain upright and in On mode all day is beyond me. Enjoy the organ and don’ fill the time not driving with any new commitment.
Wendy says
Your family’s adventures are always so memorable! We are in the midst of a horribly busy season, too, and all I can do is hang on and remind myself that in three months things will return to a slower pace. I’m glad you can look forward to another driver to help carry the load.
Kimberlie Ott says
You made me smile this morning! What a wonderful story. I am on the other side of the place you are in, and it is quiet in my home now, as they are all grown and gone. Those homeschooling memories sometimes bring a quiver of anxiety, and then sometimes, the sweetness of those memories makes me cry. Hang on, you are doing an excellent job. P.S. You are an amazing writer, and photographer, I felt like I was living your adventures!!! <3
Sara says
Oh my goodness! I can’t imagine having an organ in the house! I have greatly enjoyed my 2 pianists, both of whom are grown and gone (hard to believe!), but I have a love/hate thing with organs. My husband used to turn on the radio at bedtime to organ music and I hated it! This was many years ago before I was Catholic. I guess I got used to hearing the organ when we started attending Mass together and I converted, so maybe I wouldn’t hate it now? LOL. I hope you love it—honestly, I think I would.
As for the driving…. I think it is just SO STRESSFUL. Even the short trips! Especially the ones where you get to come home for an hour before doing it again. I’m sure you have weighed the possibility of taking littles with you and hanging out or running an errand during those in-between times. If not, I would consider it. That in-between hour would be totally wasted at my house as I would spend it online “recuperating” from the previous drive. We used to go to the library during piano lessons.
Finally, 🙂 When I first started reading your blog (when Beatrix was tiny) I assumed the children’s names were all “blog names” because they’re unusual. Now I assume they are their real names—have you ever told us the stories of where they got their lovely, distinctive names? Obviously, your love of literature is part of it, but I’d love to hear about each of them!
Jennifer G Miller says
That organ is sooo fantastic! I played the organ for years at church (starting when I was 13) and getting in practice time was THE hardest thing because you had to travel. To have the foot pedals and everything at home to practice—that is just super fabulous! know of one other person who also has one in their home. I wish I had gotten one!
Ann says
I loved this post, your beautiful new organ, and the support and encouragement that you give your children and their many interests. Here is an idea in case you haven’t already tried it. My daughter lives in a very busy household and also home schools her kids. Each week she creates two spread sheets that live on the refrigerator. One contains the weekly chores with who is responsible as well as the dinner menus. The other is the family schedule which includes addresses, time for drop off, pick up, etc. Here is where the music lessons, therapy sessions (speech) coop schedule, etc. are listed. This way, another family member like grandparents, Dad, or even in your case an older child can step in and help with driving and pick up. We don’t live close by to help on a daily basis but when we are visiting we help where we can. These spread sheets are really helpful and avoid having to ask our daughter all the info each time. I’m sure the creation of them took some thought in the beginning but now she just adjusts the weekly print outs each week. Although she has fewer children than you she also has a full time job as a curriculum supervisor of curriculum with a Charter School. She’s on the road with this job several days a week. Her husband is a minister and she also has a lot of church related duties.
My husband and I find it overwhelmingly busy and tiresome but she seems to thrive on it.
Stephanie says
I totally understand this. I got burned out homeschooling when my son was 8, and at 9, he went to our local school (which was a good one, fortunately, otherwise I just would’ve forged on ahead with homeschooling). It ended up being the best decision for both of us, as he’s gotten really involved with his school’s choir program, but it’s tough when you’re being pulled in so many directions. Even now, when I’m at home with my 4 year old (who is in preschool several days a week), the stress and tasks are neverending. I spend hours each week driving, getting everyone where they need to go, picking them up, running all the errands that make our lives work, and yes, even the smallest errand can interrupt the flow of the day. I constantly feel like I’m a hamster in a wheel, except the hamsters in front of me are trucking along just fine, and I’m that hamster in the back who just can’t catch up and is flopping all over.
Congrats about the organ! My mom had an organ when I was growing up and that’s where I learned the basics of music. We have a piano now, but my daughter isn’t as interested in plunking around on it as I always was. Maybe when she’s older…
Elizabeth says
This post made me laugh out loud several times! Love the teaming up to lock the keys in the car – been there. Also love seeing the younger kids play in the back of the moving truck – the best! Congrats on your new organ!
Anne says
Yep. “I’m amazed at how being out for an hour or two can have such a negative effect. It prevents rhythm and routine and it’s making me crazy. ”
When we finished a homeschool gym class at the local university in the fall, I knew I would not be signing up for the next semester. It’s only 10 minutes away and the class is only an hour, but leaving two days in a row (our co-op is the day before) was definitely messing with our rhythm. I hope the organ helps you get more rhythm back in your life sooner!!!
Johanna says
Oh my! I would have stayed at home and let the boys pick up the organ; delegation ! I think, though, it is a real winner, having an organ. I would love it! (said the recorder player)
Hannah says
Totally relate. I keep asking, how do you simplify when all the things eating up your time are things you HAVE to do?! I am driving everyone about backwards and forwards all week, and it makes me crazy! Bravo for tackling one of your time-drains. I feel encouraged xxx
Kerry says
I love these big family adventures!! They will never forget it!
Ps to another post where you talked about photography- I have been randomly commenting on this on your blog for a few years— a children’s book of your photos of animals on your farm would be amazing!!!!! I would be your first customer.
-Kerry, friend of Eve
Amy says
Part of being a family is being inconvenienced for others… something so true. Just like the days are long and the years are short. Thank for you the above statement. So true and is repeated in many ways in our home. It’s important for everyone to hear and to feel and understand. Also, on a side note, when I find myself all over the place for my children I try and sneak in a walk with a good book or podcast in between drives. It helps me so much. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes. ❤️
Elizabeth says
OH that is so LOVELY!!! My Opa played the organ!!! That Organ looks so beautiful and it totally frees up some driving time for you! YAYYYYYY!!! it’s lovely and all those pictures are so fun to see!!!
jill says
This is totally the sort of situation I would get my household in to, so I read every word with great enjoyment.
I needed this story, especially as I am having a soccer-mom week (though no one plays soccer) from getting my introverted children to their few activities, made more complicated with a baby–the trips have somehow multiplied lately, and that sort of day is just not my thing.
Now, how to keep everyone from feeling crazy with an organ in the house?!?