Daybook for the heart of my home: February 16

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Outside My Window ...
there are a few snow flurries swirling (But I still want MORE snow;-)
 
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I am listening to...
noisy children who really need me to get them going in a productive direction this Monday morning.
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To Live the Liturgy...
It's time to start planning for Lent. I hope to have a few minutes this week to sort through files and links?
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To Breathe Deeply...
Several people asked about my workout. I've been doing the T-Tapp Basic workout, which was just perfect coming off bedrest and a c-section. This week, I'm moving up to the walking workout. Woo hoo! .

Towards rhythm and beauty ...
hmmm,, no doctors' appointments, no big trips, no one is sick; do I dare hope for a "normal" week?

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I am thankful for ...
a baby who only sleeps when in contact with my chest. Really, I am. She slows me down and encourages me to savor every moment of this all-too-fleeting time.
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From the kitchen ...
 Stir fried ham and veggies for dinner tonight and then split pea soup with ham tomorrow. We had a spiral sliced ham for our Valentine's dinner last night--a gfit that keeps giving:-)

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I am wearing ...
 black knit pants, a white tee shirt with a pink cardigan, pink pearl earrings and my St. Anne medal necklace. After thoroughly digesting It's So You! I've got the basic uniform down.
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I am creating ...
a facebook page. Ugh-it feels like a disorganized mess. No more time for that this week. But it has been fun to find some old friends and catch up a bit.
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  On my iPod...
still more Mozart for Sarah Anne .
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Towards a real education ...
In addition to the history trail, we're going to have a philosophy/theology binge this week. I want to make time to talk about  Before I Go: Letters to My Children About What Really Matters with my bigger kids. And I think I'll begin St. Patrick's Summer again with the younger set.  I was feeling like tea-time didn't give me enough discussion-reading time during the day and Colleen suggested instituting popcorn and lemonade time mid-morning. Sounds like a plan!
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
I've had children's paintings hanging in my sunroom as a kind of window valance for nearly three years. I think it's time to change up the art work. That will require creating new artwork and this seems a  good week to do that. (Didn't get to this one last week because we did lots of Valentine and president crafting, so we'll do it this week.)
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I am reading  ...

a great big stack of Michael Dubruiel books and you should too! Be sure to buy them this month from Our Sunday Visitor, who will contribute double to the Dubruiel college fund. These are really good books and make excellent Confirmation and Easter gifts. Please stock up and keep them on hand for giving.

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I am hoping ...
that my midwife, Margie, and her family are comforted by the prayers of people from all over the world as they mourn the loss of her sister Mary in the Buffalo plane crash. Won't you please pray for the family and for the soul of Mary?
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Around the house ...
the goal is to maintain our newly found sense of peace and order (still). This is the intention I bring to St.Anne every morning. She is such a faithful intercessor.
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One of my favorite things ...
Valentine roses--all eighteen of them. This guy really has figured out that romance thing:-). 
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
nail down a plan for Lent and buy all the supplies necessary. I went out the day before Valentine's Day to find pink and red jimmies and there were none to be had in the whole greater DC area. Lesson learned; I picked up St. Patrick's Day jimmies.I will have a plan and I will get it all together this week. I will.

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
Karolineblueyes0003  
DSC_0611  
  The first baby in blue is Karoline and the second is Sarah Anne  
 

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

My Heart's at Home Daybook - Candlemas

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Outside My Window ...
it's threatening to rain. And then tomorrow, we might have snow. I want snow and lots of it--after Mike gets home.
 
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I am listening to...
quiet.
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To Live the Liturgy...
today is the feast of Candlemas. I have nothing planned (I'm coming off a weekend of birthday and Super Bowl sans Daddy). So I think I'll revisit this Loveliness Fair for Candlemas and see if I can find a quick idea or two.
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To Breathe Deeply...
I've found a great morning workout routine and I've stuck with it.I'm finally feeling like I've awakened some muscles I feared had dissolved last year. Unfortunately, between the morning prayer routine and the morning exercise routine, I've lost the morning writing time,unless I happen to awaken before 6:00. To everything there is a season; I trust I'll find the time when the Holy Spirit wills it.

Towards rhythm and beauty ...
We definitely have a new rhythm at last. It always surprises me to see where God leads us after each baby is born. My morning routine is the one I tend to put in place first, baby and I learning to dance together in the early hours of a new day. And then, I figure out the evening and bedtime routine. Then the rest of the day just falls into place. It took me longer this time. A new friend (who happens to be a NICU nurse) reminds me that my baby was early and that changes all the rules. Sure 'nuff, it has. All part of His grand plan.

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I am thankful for ...
the promise of February. Really:-). I like winter days, pots of stew, snow and ice, sitting on the hearth, lacy doily Valentines, and chocolate cake baked into heart shapes.
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From the kitchen ...
pecan crusted chicken thighs, risotto, salad--by candlelight!

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I am wearing ...
a white tee shirt with a pink and gray striped oxford shirt over it; pink pearl earrings; black knit pants; fuzzy pink socks; my new St. Anne medal necklace; my baby.
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I am creating ...
a memory book for two special little girls.
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  On my iPod...
Ben Folds (my iPod used to be Michael's iPod--some remnants are better than others)
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Towards a real education ...
We are so in the groove now and February is usually a good month for buckling down. I have to say it again: I'm really loving the IEW history lessons. They dovetail perfectly and writing is our focus for this semester. I can span the ages from fourth grade through high school and it's very solid, very time-worthy instruction. But I would not use it with children who aren't already good at narration.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
we'll be lighting lots of candles today and that always looks pretty. Things are fairly tidy.I'm thinking today is a good day to rub all the furniture with beeswax. Beeswax candles, beeswax furniture rub. Sometimes I just need to let my brain do its thing.
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I am hoping ...
Mike makes it home before the snow and ice. He's been gone a long time and, as much as I like February, it's much better with him in town.
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Around the house ...
the goal is to maintain our newly found sense of peace and order. This is the intention I bring to St.Anne every morning. She is such a faithful intercessor.
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One of my favorite things ...
a two-year-old curly girl who insists she is Felicity and expects us all to remember our assigned characters and to speak as such. It's really endearing. 
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
We don't have much on the calendar for the beginning of the week. A nice snow day would be lovely. And then I need to get Nicholas ready for his Daddy Trip at the end of the week. He's chosen to go to Niagara with Mike. He really wants to see the falls, frozen or not. Brrrr.
Need to sit down with Mike's travel schedule and get the rest of the year's Daddy Trips on the books.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
DSC_0512    
  Don't even attempt to read what the candles spell. I bought blue birthday candles yesterday. Today, I couldn't find them. But I had some brand new "congratulations" candles, minus the O's and the U (where did they go??). So, Stephen agreed that ten random candle letters would work. That middle child coping mechanism is quite remarkable.

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

My Heart's at Home Daybook - 18th January

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Outside My Window ...
it's very, very cold. But still no snow.
 
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I am listening to...
The Mozart Effect . I'm a huge believer in classical music for babies.
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Towards rhythm and beauty ...
My baby nurses at least fourteen times a day. I counted. Usually, I never count but I wondered if it was my imagination that she was "always" nursing. It's not.She has a sweet rhythm all her own. Seems her purpose these days is to slow me down. She's very, very good at that.
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I am thankful for ...
the fact that there is no place my children would rather be on a Sunday afternoon than here at home, making homemade Buffalo wings, folding laundry, and watching football. (Well, maybe they're not so keen on the laundry, but they do love the wings and the company.)
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From the kitchen ...
I have a new favorite salad: spring mix, goat cheese, toasted pecans, craisins, and homemade dijon vinaigrette. Every day for lunch. I was very sad when pomegranates were no longer available in the stores. I'm not terribly fond of craisins and would prefer fresh oranges or grapes, but I can't seem to keep them in stock these days. Craisins will hold me when fresh fruit isn't available.

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I am wearing ...
a white t-shirt, long red cotton cardigan, khaki pants, ski socks, bandana-headband-style, pearl earrings, down blanket, lipgloss, and a sweet baby in a very faded floral sling.
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I am creating ...
several medal necklaces. I've become aware of what a witness religious jewelry can be--and what a comfort. So, I'm making several different necklaces to keep and to give.
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  On my iPod
Joy in the Journey: Michael Card
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Towards a real education ...
We are going to wrap up our studies of the Alamo this week and begin Westward Expansion next week. I'm really loving the IEW history lessons. They dovetail perfectly and writing is our focus for this semester. The little ones are excited to have had a sneak preview of the final Alphabet Path story. The "Z" story will be up for you this week. it's very sweet, but we were all sort of sad to see it end, too. (By the way, "W" and" X&Y" are already up, they're just not hyperlinked on the elizabethfoss.com site yet.)
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
iI think an organized pantry and an organized laundry room are beautiful things, don't you? And there's nothing like freshly washed floors, a vaccum with a scented bag, and candles lit throughout to ready the house to welcome the weary on a wintry evening
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I am reading  ...
to my under-tens at least an hour a day. I'm very sure that reading aloud to the little ones, requiring reading of the big ones, ensuring that everyone write every day, proficiency in math and lots and lots of lively discussion is all we need academically right now. Good thing, too, because it's taking me all day to provide that for everybody in my care.I can read and nurse with the best of them, though;-)

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I am hoping ...
a this will be a very safe week in Washington DC. It's been a long time since security niggled at my thoughts all day. But there it is. People I love will be in and out of the city (no small feat in itself) all week long. I hope we're safe.
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Around the house ...
I am noticing Michael's absence. He took his messes with him. He also took his bright conversation, his helping hand, his easy laugh, his warm companionship. Ah, but it's nice to rid of the mess, huh?
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One of my favorite things ...
text messages from people named Michael Foss. Both of them. 
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
We will  gather in front of the TV to celebrate our country on Tuesday. We will watch the inauguration. To ignore it is to deny all that's right about a country that elects its officials. To ignore it is to miss a valuable opportunity to rededicate ourselves to prayer that this government succeeds. I hope and pray that our new president's policies fail. But I do not want our government to fail. I fully admit it will be difficult to listen to that inaugural address, but listen we will. I'm sure that Rick Warren will be the high point of the day, though. Mike will spend two nights in his office on either side of Tuesday. He's in a secure zone and he can't leave. There are no hotel rooms to be had in DC. Then, he will spend the night at the Shrine since he'll direct the vigil Mass before the March and Mass the morning of the March for EWTN. I think I'm really going to miss him this week. My bigger kids will march on Thursday and then go back downtown for a field trip at the National Gallery of Art on Friday.
So much real life fodder for narrations this week...
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
   DSC_0400
  I wish I could tell you the "missing" is not so bad this time. But it is.
I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.

My Heart's at Home Daybook - 13th January

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Outside My Window ...
it's very frosty. We've had no snow to speak of yet this winter, but we've had temperatures swinging wildly from one extreme to another. Truly, I'm ready for a big snow!
 
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I am listening to...
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman. Ever since it came up on this thread (and this and this), I've been listening every morning, in order to get the song stuck in my head for the rest of the day, and so to inspire gentleness in myself.
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Towards rhythm and beauty ...
inspired by some friends, I'm working on some new chore routines. I'm also sensing that we're in for a relaxed homeschooling season--I have a few children who have their own projects they want to pursue. We'll run with that for a time.
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I am thankful for ...
the opportunity to talk and pray with this friend
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From the kitchen ...
I"m re-stocking the pantry and the freezer. I'm also going to spend the weekend making care packages. Michael will go back to school on Sunday. On Monday, Mike is going to have to spend the night in his office since he won't be able to get back into town Tuesday morning (Inauguration Day). The entire cast and crew of Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn will be having a giant slumber party. Sounds like a call for caramel popcorn and morning granola to me.

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I am wearing ...
a long sleeved black T-shirt with flowers embroidered down the sleeves, khaki pants, ponytail, lipgloss, and a sweet baby in a Moby Wrap.
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I am creating ...
lesson plans for Serendipity. I promise.
Oh, I AM sorry! Of the five women working on Serendipity, two have newborns (both of whom were born prematurely) and the other three are pregnant and dealing with health challenges. Hmmm...what is the message in that? We have booklists to work with right now. We're trusting Providence to grant us time for anything else, all according to His plan.
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  On my iPod
for my birthday, Michael loaded a new iPod for me!  Along with Ben Folds, he loaded Praying the Rosary with Mother Teresa and Praying the Rosary with St. Faustina, two new CDs much like the one I told you about here.
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Towards a real education ...
We are working through the aforementioned booklist and we're also reading up on the presidents in advance of the inauguration. Stephen, especially, is becoming quite the presidential trivia buff.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
Inspired by Mary, we're going to craft this week.
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I am reading  ...
a sneak preview of an absolutely delightful new book. Much more on that later.

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I am hoping ...
a friend's baby is well soon.
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Around the house ...
I am determined we will keep up with the chores. I am more determined not to sin while keeping with the chores!
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One of my favorite things ...
warm, cozy, lightweight sweaters that are easily washed and dried after the inevitable spit up. 
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
To cheerfully persevere in all faithfulness. In other words, I just plan to be a GOOD MOM.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
   DSC_0413
 


My Heart's at Home Daybook - January 6th

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Outside My Window ...
it's still night time. I couldn't sleep in the wee hours this morning. I had a dream that Sarah smiled a big, huge smile. I was so bummed when I woke to find 'twas a dream. Sarah smiled just before Christmas but she hasn't blessed us again since. I'm told this is normal for a baby whose corrected age is barely 4 weeks old.
 
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I am listening to...
Rachel Coleman singing in my head: Sarah will do what Sarah will do when Sarah is ready to do it (Shine). She's followed by Rachel- the- neonatal- specialist saying, "Tincture of time; all she needs is a tincture of time." The baby we didn't have to wait for is teaching me patience.
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Towards rhythm and beauty ...
I'm looking forward to fully embracing the ordinariness of Ordinary Time.
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I am thankful for ...
conversations with old friends.
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From the kitchen ...
it's time for the winter orange smoothies in the VitaMix: carrot juice,oranges, frozen peaches, yogurt and coconut oil.

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To live the liturgy...
today we'll celebrate Epiphany. Wonder what "Wii Three Kings" might bring? (Come back here later and I'll have a link;-)
the link
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I am wearing ...
a George Mason Soccer T-shirt and yoga pants.
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I am creating ...
lesson plans for Serendipity. I promise.
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To be fit and happy:-)
I scrapped the Fat Flush Plan . I've come up with my what-works-for-me-and-my-baby plan. Still looking towards total detachment. Still eliminating those food categories that I know are problematic for me personally. Still inspired by Jen's Saint Diet. I'm loving T-Tapp and Wii Fit every day.T-Tapp is a very efficient 15 minutes--you've got to love that in a workout. And Wii Fit? Let me sing the praises of anything that gets the entire family moving, laughing, and enjoying both exercise and each other in the middle of the winter!
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Towards a real education ...
We settled into a good pattern yesterday. I'm so relieved to be back at it! The children seemed glad for the rhythm and structure too.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
I feel a visit to the craft store coming on.
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I am hoping ...
that every day this week is as peaceful as yesterday.
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Around the house ...
The laundry is nearly all caught up!
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One of my favorite things ...
time for prayer. 
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
The re-boot of the soccer, basketball, and ballet schedule. Epiphany today. Doctor for Sarah and midwife for me. My birthday is this weekend.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
   
 Paddysoccer

Paddy came back from Florida with a concussion.This isn't a picture of a concussion in action--it's just a random picture of Paddy's head and a soccer ball.