January Daybook

Outside My Window::

::It is bitter cold. The wind is blowing 30 miles an hour and the wind chill is 4 degrees F.

I am Listening to::

::Katie practicing the piano.

I am wearing ::

::Under Armor sweatpants and a Middle Tennessee sweatshirt. Do the cashmere socks redeem it all? Maybe?
 

I am Thankful For::

::a good night's sleep. Or two. Maybe even three. Makes a huge difference.

::the real grace of the sacraments.

I am Pondering:

::You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving.

- St. Francis de Sales

I am Reading:

::Pioneer Woman's love story. It's riveting. Really. I read a couple of Pioneer Woman's posts a few years ago and never went back. It bugged me that she called her children "punk rugrats" and I figured we didn't have a whole lot in common. But I'm utterly charmed by High Heels to Tractor Wheels. Darling. And now I sort of see how "punk rugrats" fits her whole schtick. Sort of.

From the Kitchen::

::I watched Julie and Julia this week. The next morning, my friend Jan called me. Jan and I learned how to make some very good meals in an ancient electric kitchen in an apartment in Charlottesville, once upon a time. My Italian heritage met her Alabama roots and we emerged from that little kitchen with something that sounded like Carraba's, if nothing else:-). Anyway, she was in a kitchen mood and I was in a bloggy mood and we wondered aloud just what cookbook we would cook through if we were to undertake a similar  mission. We agreed that Julia Child's masterpiece wouldn't work in our current state of life. Ina Garten? The Monastery Kitchen? Giada? Hmmm...what about The Pioneer Woman? Stay tuned. It's just an idea right now.

I am Thinking:

::that twenty years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. Somewhere in the middle of treatment, I swore I'd never complain about bad hair days or birthdays again. My birthday is next week and my hair is graying as if on cue. But I'm not complaining.

I am Creating::

::order. Yes! I'm creating lots and lots of empty spaces, at least temporarily, as I prep to have hardwood floors installed throughout the house. It's like moving--everything is being moved to the basement. Moving is very good for thoroughly purging and cleaning. We were long overdue for that.

On my iPod::

::Oh. my. goodness! I am in iPod heaven. I have an iTouch. I have iBreviary (seriously changing my life already). I have Lose It (making no difference whatsoever, but hope springs eternal). I have iCal. I have the Weather Channel. I have ESPN scores. I have decided to leave comments open on this post should you have apps to recommend. And many thanks to Lissa for getting this ball rolling in our household.

Towards a Real Education::

::Ahh! Back to the books! Mike and I had a long heart-to-heart (or two or three) and tweaked the routines around here. I'm ready to get back to work.

::Well continue our geography studies, relying heavily upon Ann's volume exploring the Holy Land.

::Our writing workshop is shifting into high gear (just for the teens) and we're going full steam ahead with Shakespeare studies.

::It's M week on the Alphabet Path and we'll linger here a couple of weeks. There is richness in these plans that I don't want to rush. I've taken those four baskets from Advent and left them where they were on the window seat in the family room. Now, they are filled with Mother Goose, Robert McCloskey, St. Martin, Miracles and the Mass, and Manners and Mirette and Mailing May.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:

::Let's talk beauty: Danielle was spot-on when she recommended Revlon Colorstay Lipcolor:. The color really does last forever.There's Colorstay concealer, too. Top notch. 

I'm finding that our homemade healing salve is working much better than any nightcream I've ever tried. It was Mary Beth's idea.

I'm still a big fan of Aveda's cream blush. A bit pricey, but it's hard to find cream blush and powder makes me feel like I'm suffocating. And now, I'm in trouble. I went to link to it and discovered that it's no longer there!

Those are all the the tips I have today:-)

To Live the Liturgy:

::an early birthday present, the iPod Touch has brought iBreviary into my life for the new year. This has really helped me to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and bring the rhythm of prayer back into my life. It's only been a couple of weeks, but the difference is palpable.

I am Hoping and Praying:

:: for health and fitness, strength and grace to do His will.

In the Garden:

::there's a good deal of huffing and puffing, storming and blowing.

Around the House:

::The Christmas decorations are mostly boxed and put away, save for a couple of nativity sets high on the mantel. This is highly unusual for us. But the wood has been ordered and it's on its way. Won't be long now before major renovation begins..

On Keeping Home:

::Oh, I'm looking forward to cooking and cleaning in a just regular way this week.

One of My Favorite Things:

::Christmas Eve Tea by Stash. Too bad I discovered it January 2nd. 

Sarah Annie this week:

::She's finally warming up to Michael a bit. He's been quite hurt at her standoffishness.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

::ballet, soccer, and basketball resume. I did relish the break while it lasted.

::Michael is still home, so that's nice.

A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

A very tired me, looking in absolute shock at a very clever husband who managed to pull off quite the astonishing and incredibly thoughtful surprise.

(It's a MacBook, Mom. Computer. Of my very own.Better than jewelry; trust me.)

Daybook: Quiet in the Heart of my Home

Outside my window::

::it's Saturday morning around dawn as I begin this entry. The rain has stopped at last but it's still gray and very damp. 

 I am listening to::

::quiet. No one is awake yet. I force myself to get out of bed earlier and earlier because I so need the quiet. I've been especially noise-sensitive lately.

I am wearing ::

::A pink fleece bathrobe with satin trim that reminds me of a comfort blanket I had as a child, and a pair of pink fleece slippers. These were my finds at Costco this week. Go! You know you want them, too:-)

To be Fit and Happy::

:: Dear Lord, please grant me one week between now and Christmas when no one is sick. Please? Please?

I am thankful for::

::a fabulous new math tutor who understands our particular brand of dyscalcula and assorted other learning disabilities. I can't tell you how many sleepless nights I've spent trying to figure out how to do what she does so very well. "Thankful" doesn't even begin to capture it.

 I am pondering ::

::The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17 (not that my children are fools or anything;-)

I am reading ::

::Keep it Simple

From the kitchen::

:: I'm trying to heed Ann's advice and incorporate orange  veggies into at least a meal a day. Favorites here are butternut squash risotto and this curried soup. Morning fare is carrots juice blended with an orange and frozen peaches. I'm looking forward to trying Tracy's pasta. And then there are the ubiquitous pumpkin muffins...

I'm thinking:: 

::I was much more active before I had big kids to do so much of my lifting and carrying for me.

I am creating ::

::a recipe scrapbook with Mary Beth. This resource is so beautiful it deserves its own post. Maybe this week?

On my iPod::

::Free Angelus Christmas MP3. Enter code 212. Exquisite.

Towards a real eduction::

::We have several narration projects to bring to completion this week before we diverge from the regularly scheduled curriculum to the advent-infused curriculum.

::I wonder if the Kindle's text-to-speech feature would bless reluctant readers and dyslexics. If you have firsthand experience with the voice, please send me an email. I don't think they'd like stilted computer-sounding voices...

Towards rhythm and beauty::

::It's interesting; at the beginning of every sports season and every school term, I sit with iCal and fiddle for hours to make it all fit. In some instances--like the carpool scheduling and such--it's very, very necessary. Getting five different kids four different places in the middle of a major traffic hub requires precision. In other cases--like the school planning--I don't even look at iCal again until the next planning period. I plan to make sure that there is theoretically enough time to do it all, but I rarely stick to anything but the most basic skeleton of a plan.

To Live the Liturgy::

::We'll review the mustard seed and the precious pearl in the atrium this week and then synthesize the Kingdom Parables--all in anticipation of advent.

I am hoping and praying::

::more prayers of thanksgiving. Suddenly, I can see God's hand in so many places.

::for healing in my friend Molly's household where H1N1 has landed her infant daughter in the hospital and her others home sick without mom. Please pray for them! (And an interesting note: our hospital is allowing absolutely NO visitors. Molly can't even leave to meet me in the cafeteria. Things are even tighter in the Birthing Inn. I'm grateful that Sarah's saga was last year and not this flu season. I can't imagine how difficult these restrictions are on mamas, babies, and families. Lord, bless them with grace and strength!)

In the Garden::

::roses still blooming. Every year, we hope for that December rose...

Around the House::

::some things are just maintenance things, you know? I never cross them off the to-do list. I finally have a new laundry rhythm. It's so simple that I wonder at my previous struggle. Three loads a day, folded on the dining room table, sorted into baskets according to gender and put away by the oldest child of each gender and me before dinner. Every. single. day.

On Keeping Home::

::we have chosen the wood for the floors and now we're just waiting for delivery. I can hardly wait for the wonderful transformation my house is about to undergo.I keep walking around with the sample in my hand, imagining, imagining, imagining...

One of my favorite things::

::morning. Really. I love morning. I love the quiet. I get up very, very early in order to indulge in morning quiet. The perfect morning proceeds exactly in this order:

1. morning offering while still in bed,
   
2. up and into a warm bathrobe,
   
3. cup of tea,
   
4. Bible, prayer journal, spiritual book--QUIET TIME
   
5. computer for calendar/email check 
6. time to blog
   
7. children awake
   
8. breakfast for kids
9. wake Mike with breakfast in bed

Less-than-perfect mornings: #1 while scooping up the baby so she doesn't wake Mike, then directly to a very abbreviated #4 while hiding in the bathroom and quickly on to #8 & #9--a totally non-negotiable scramble, no pun intended.

Sarah Anne this week::

::Still not crawling, but she has decided that if absolutely necessary she will sit on her bottom and scoot very slowly across the room. She has a new tooth on top, bringing the grand total to 3. In other news, she's not been able to wean off the inhaled steroids that we began again in early September. Poor little love, breathing just doesn't come easy... 

How's the burnout recovery going?

::So, I'm still gathering thoughts on depression, but my mail indicates that this is an intense and very personal topic. Prudence dictates that writing and publishing about it is probably something I should not do until I'm fully rested and have lots and lots of time for discussion. So, we'll hold off on that for ten years or so.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week::

:: Tying up lots of loose ends: putting the finishes touches on the advent school plans; putting the finishing touches on book project; putting every loose thing in my house into a box so that the floors can go in...

::Girls have a Daddy Date to an ice show

::Soccer Tournament this weekend

::shhh...the little boys just might have a surprise trip to Seattle in their future.

 A  Picture Thought I'm Sharing:

Fifth's disease. Of course, we have Fifth's Disease. We've certainly had at least four other diseases since school started. Poor dear.

Daybook: Settling In

Outside my window::

::it's dark, but four little boys are determined to pretend it's not. A football game continues under the back lights. They'll come in when they are very cold and very hungry. 

 I am listening to::

::girls making dinner.

I am wearing ::

::black yoga pants and a gray ESPN sweatshirt. Ponytail. Cashmere socks. (Are you praying for my sock friend?)

To be Fit and Happy::

:: I finally can walk and talk and breathe at the same time. Back on track this week. T-Tapping back into the groove.

I am thankful for::

::a month of meaningful October celebrations.

 I am pondering ::

::Gratitude in November-

"When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." ~Chesterton

I am reading ::

::Actually, I'm re-reading an advance copy of Sally Clarkson's new book. I read it through the first time, without stopping to do the study questions because I was under a deadline. I can't begin to express how much I needed this book at this time in my life. Now, I'm reading slowly and letting it all sink in.

Sally writes: Every day, I hear from precious women all around the world who know the Lord, and are committed to serving him in their homes, but they are weary in the work of being a mother. They have lost their way. They have no intention of giving up, but they need something more to keep going. I hear in their voices and words the need for a renewed sense of the Lord’s work in the midst of their lives. If that’s you, I want you to know this year that God wants you to be renewed in him…he wants to do “new things” (Isaiah 42:9) in and through you. He wants “You…Renewed!” in your habits, heart, home, and hope.

That's what the book is all about.

From the kitchen::

::Mary Beth and I have worked hard on the autumn menu. We've gotten lots of recipes linked and made some PDFs . I'll add more PDFs as I print and put them in my binder. Paddy and I finally figured out a new grocery routine. Michael used to do all the grocery shopping but the Costco people won't let Christian in without an adult, so he can't just drive there and do it for me. So, I've been going in with Patrick on my way to take the little boys to soccer. I leave Paddy there to do the shopping and then go back and go in and check him out after I drop the little boys. That keeps Sarah Annie in my arms and not the shopping cart and makes efficient use of drive time. Besides, I think being able to grocery shop is a very essential life skill and so far, I've got three teenage boys capable of shopping for a double digit family.

I'm thinking:: 

::that the Halloween fairy might come tonight and take several heaping hands full of candy. Enough of the sugar rush already!

I am creating ::

::Christmas lists.

On my iPod::

::Well, I know someone who really hopes I'll download six new songs on the Taylor Swift Platinum Fearless edition. Hmm, what can I attach to the bribe?

Towards a real eduction::

::We've moved from Africa to the Holy Land. Oh, and we've added laser pointers to our astronomy study at Kimberlee's suggestion.

Towards rhythm and beauty::

::Mike and I are going to make a hardwood flooring decision this week. I cannot wait to get rid of my carpet which looks like I've potty trained four children and a dog since we moved in, and all of them had muddy paws.

To Live the Liturgy::

::I'm very focused on some new saints this week and on the hearts of their grieving mothers.

I am hoping and praying::

::prayers of thanksgiving. We are not moving! Big sigh of relief. HUGE sigh of relief. Still some other things hanging out there, but the moving thing was huge.

In the Garden::

::the kids planted two flats of pansies and 90 tulip bulbs.

Around the House::

::I'm finally caught up with the laundry that slid while I was sick. That's a great thing because as the laundry goes, so goes the house.

On Keeping Home::

::I'm going to be packing up things this week in anticipation of massive furniture moving when the floors are installed. and of course when I pack, I'll purge. Yay for purging! 

One of my favorite things::

::The smell of baking bread. Patrick is baking four loaves at a time, every other day. I can't eat it, but it sure does make the house smell wonderful.

Sarah Anne this week::

::It's just so much fun to watch her personality emerge. She's quieter than Karoline, with a certain sweetness about her. She's learned to sign "more" and "thank you." 

How's the burnout recovery going?

::I'm gathering some thoughts on depression. Perhaps a post for later in the week. Or, perhaps not. We'll see what kind of time the Lord presents to me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week::

::Election Day tomorrow and a doctor's appointment for my little girls. Basketball practice begins so there will be some tinkering in iCal while I figure it all out. Christian is coaching Stephen, Nick, and Mary Beth so I won't have to drive to those three practices and Paddy is playing on a team with Christian, so I won't have to drive there either. There! That was easy:-).

 A  Picture Thought I'm Sharing:

About midway through September, Christian began hunting for any school that would allow a homeschooler to play basketball on its team. The Catholic schools flatly denied him a chance. [Ahem] But he found a small Christian school nearby. He went to check it out and Paddy went along for the ride. When they got there, they discovered that the basketball coach is the soccer coach, too. The soccer team was struggling a bit with a losing record at that point in the season. Paddy and Christian decided to play soccer that day. Christian hadn't played in six years--except in the backyard, which in our life is pretty intense play. He took the goal. Paddy took the field.

The rest is history.

Daybook: Brrr...

Outside my window::

::it's dark and raining sideways. It is cold and there's the threat of that northern Virginia phenomenon known as "wintry mix."

 I am listening to::

::children cleaning the kitchen. And a sweet baby who is wheezing. Oh dear.

I am wearing ::

::a plaid flannel nightgown.

To be Fit and Happy::

:: sheesh. I'd just settle for being able to talk and breathe without coughing and wheezing.

I am thankful for::

::praying friends.

I am pondering ::

::We can never have too much confidence in the good God who is so powerful and so merciful. We obtain from him as much as we hope for.  --St Therese

I am reading ::

:: How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life at the recommendation of a fellow soccer mom.

From the kitchen::

::we're tweaking the autumn menu and expanding it to a three week cycle. One week cycles were crucial for the last couple of pregnancies and some shorthanded seasons. This autumn, though, I have some very able sous chefs who are more than capable of taking plans and running with them on their own, so we're going to have some happy variety for the autumn and into the winter.

I'm thinking::

::that Rich Edgar deserves an award. And you can vote anew every day. How crazy is that? Speaking of voting, it's Homeschool Blog Awards time again.

I am creating ::

::a talk for the campus ministry at George Mason Thursday night. I usually turn down speaking engagements, but as Sarah's birthday approaches, I am reliving my gratitude for the energetic prayer warriors who carried me through our season of crisis. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them for the evening and talking love. Besides, how often is that a grown son invites you to talk to his friends about marriage?

On my iPod::

::nothing new this week. Any suggestions?

Towards a real eduction::

::a complete, uninterrupted, unexceptional week stretches ahead of us. I'm so glad.

Towards rhythm and beauty::

::I'm clamping down on screen time for all of us. No screen during school hours unless it is directly related to studies. That includes TVs, computers, iPods, cellphones--and "quick checks" of any of those. Same rules for Mom. Monkey see, monkey do. I think we all need more quiet and focus.

To Live the Liturgy::

::I'm going to really focus on daily Mass readings this week and take Lisa's suggestions for the daily liturgy reflections at USCCB.

I am hoping and praying::

::for resolution to a bunch of up-in-the-air things. Any resolution at this point. I just want to know.

In the Garden::

::pansies and bulbs still need to be planted. I'm thinking that the weather will clear and warm a bit by Tuesday.

Around the House::

::some focused de-cluttering is in order.

On Keeping Home::

::Like the school schedule, I hope that the homemaking schedule is ordinary, ordinary, ordinary this week. 

One of my favorite things::

::wedding bands. Isn't there something that just makes your heart skip a beat when you notice--really notice--your husband's wedding band? I remember the first time I noticed it the day after we were married. I caught my breath. I still do.

Sarah Anne this week::

::Let's see. She crawled about two scoots (maybe). She pulled herself to standing and then let go! Sarah wants nothing to do with being on all fours, staring at the dirty carpet. She much prefers to be upright and reaching for the world.

She loves to play peekaboo and is blessed to have no end of people willing to play with her.  

How's the burnout recovery going?

::Now, it's just flu recovery.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week::

::I'm really determined to put together five productive, academic days. I hope everyone stays healthy enough.  Mary Beth's birthday is Friday, so there will be a bit of celebrating, suitable for the momentous birthday that marks the beginning of the teens. Depending on how the playoff week goes, we might head west a bit for a soccer championship on Saturday

 A  Picture Thought I'm Sharing:

 

Hard to know who had more fun.

Daybook: Birthday Week:-)!

Outside my window::

::it's raining and it promises to rain some more. I'm happy to see and hear the rain. We've had a fairly dry summer and frankly, I like the change of pace a rainy day brings. 

 I am listening to::

::Nicholas kicking a soccer ball around the kitchen and family room. This practice is frowned upon. They all do it anyway. Some days, it's not worth fighting.

I am wearing ::

::a purple empire waist sweater with 3/4 length sleeves, jeans, and cashmere socks. I have diamond studs in my ears that were a gift from my husband a couple of years ago.I wear them almost all the time now. My teenaged sons pierced an ear each and now I'm guarding my earrings from boy borrowers. I hope this is a short-lived phase and those holes close soon.

To be Fit and Happy::

:: I had an enormous allergic reaction to my father's cat last week and came home with a secondary infection. Not much exercise happened. Time to get back in the saddle.

I am thankful for::

::Colleen. She is a dear and precious example of grace and faith and strength in the Lord.

I am pondering ::

::Sanctity is an interior disposition which makes us humble and little in God's arms, conscious of our weakness and trusting even to audacity in the goodness of our Lord ~St. Therese

I am reading ::

::a wonderful book that is not yet published. I have been blessed by the author throughout my motherhood journey and I consider this advance copy of her new book to be God's provision. I can't thank her enough for the honor of reading it now (when I so need it) and I am very eager to share it with you soon.

From the kitchen::

::Birthday and Name Day dinners:

tonight it was steak and potatoes and salad at Michael's request

on the 29th: Chicken Parmesan. We'll eat it at home and package it to take to Michael for after his game.)

on the 30th: Homemade Kung Pao chicken

on the First of October: Chicken Tikaa Masala

on the 2nd: yet to be determined (hopefully, not chicken)

on the 4th: Cream of Tomato soup and Grilled Cheese Paninis

I am creating ::

::an autumn template for my blog. But, I'm not sure I want to say goodbye to this template. So, I might just not worry about the changing season.

On my iPod::

::L'Angelus. They'll be in town this weekend.

Towards a real eduction::

::Ah. We're settling in nicely. The children are beginning to "feel" the rhythm and anticipate what comes next. I'm really enjoying the new notebooks that go with the Jeannie Fulbright elementary science. Mary Beth has dropped Botany in a Day for the Apologia Botany and it's a much better fit. Her notebook is beautiful already. And I got the astronomy notebooks for the boys. Even Patrick will use one and we'll supplement the text with some of MacBeth's suggestions to make it a high school course. Our geography studies are going beautifully and I'm proud of what my children are learning and even more proud of what they are caring about. The very best news of the day entire homeschooling adventure: Mike will take over the teaching of math beginning next week. There! Now everyone who knows how incompetent I am with numbers can breathe a big sigh of relief and stop worrying that we're ruining our children for life.

Towards rhythm and beauty::

::We add dance and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd into the schedule this week, ramping everything up to its fullest level. Katie is beside herself with gleeful anticipation. I'm a little nervous, but I made a really hard decision and pulled everyone out of choir in order to ensure at least two days fully at home every week.  My kids are sad and I am too, but it's better than the suffocating feeling I was having. Nine children are a lot of children--and nine children who have different needs and different abilities and ALL need me on a regular and frequent basis means that I have to make some choices that mothers of smaller families might not have to make. I'm good with that. My husband goes in early and works late. My children practice soccer on lighted fields well past dark on school nights. I'm good with that. Sometimes, I have to decline wonderful, fantastic opportunities for fellowship and fun because they just don't work with the rest of life. I need to learn to be good with that, too.

To Live the Liturgy::

::it's that very happy week in our family, where the saints and the babies are celebrated. What happy, happy memories and grateful peace this week evokes in me. 

I am hoping and praying::

::for a happy outcome for a long-prayed family intention this week. We're offering our St. Therese Novena and the Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart for this intention. If you have a moment, won't you pray with us? The prayers are on the lefthand sidebar.I would be so grateful.

In the Garden::

::the mums are bloomin', big and beautiful.

Around the House::

::the gnomes and fairies welcomed autumn to the nature table. Oh! I love this season and I'm so happy to be up and about to celebrate it with joy this year.

On Keeping Home::

::my home is not one that keeps itself or whose children keep it perfectly when mom's arms are full of sick baby. And I am not at ease keeping house when a baby wants me to hold her. So, the house looks a bit peaked this weekend and I am reminding myself that being ill-at-ease when my house reflects good priorities is a sin of sensuality. If it makes me nuts that the house is a mess because I've spent my time loving my children well, then that's my problem and I need to take it to prayer--and confession.

One of my favorite things::

::warm, spiced apple cider, a good picture book, and three little girls fighting for a place on my lap. 

Sarah Anne this week::

::Sarah-Sweetie has had another upper respiratory infection this week. I'm so sad about this! I can't help but wonder if our long stretch of isolation in the months following her birth have left us vulnerable to every stray germ now that we are out and about. then again, Nicholas is wheezing and barking like a dog and Karoline has had a fever off and on. They weren't cloistered all winter. Who knows?

How's the burnout recovery going?

::Smile. I think I have moved from "recovery" to "prevention." I was happy to meet some new readers when Andrea linked last week. And I've truly been blessed by some wonderful conversations with mature Christian mothers who are also experiencing burnout lately. It's as if our zeal and our idealism has crashed in a huge wave of utter fatigue and a little fear that the grand experiment might not turn out as we imagined.

One thing I learned during my blogging break is that it's not so much the internet that was burning me out. I cut out all blogging and most reading and I still didn't have the time and space I needed wanted. I still felt overwhelmed and frustrated. The reality is that big families are a lot of work, plain old hard work--and more of it than in an average-sized family. I wouldn't trade that work for anything in the world if it meant I'd have to trade the children with it. I love my life. But I do get tired. Christians who want to live authentically have to work diligently and constantly to be a light in a dark world. We want to be light. But we lights do get tired. For some of us, the same temperament that makes us empathetic and sensitive makes us prone to depression and burnout.  For me, there must be an ongoing dialogue with Holy Spirit to hear his voice and seek his will and lean on him for strength and grace. And it's a choice every single day to live in his light and share in his joy.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week::

::Big smile. Not a few plans. Lots of happy plans.

Today, Michael got a surprise day off. He hasn't been home since the middle of August and won't be home again until the end of the season. We seized the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with a home-cooked meal and apple pie.

Ballet begins on Monday. I just remembered neither girl has shoes that fit. Hmmm. Christian and Patrick have found a local Christian high school that welcomes homeschoolers to play. So, they have a soccer game that day, too.

On Tuesday, my first baby turns 21. He also celebrates his name day. George Mason University plays University of Maryland at home. So...we'll all go watch him play and wish Michael a happy birthday, toting cake to the field. We'll be up way too late. I will try not to be too melancholy about the passage of time.

On Wednesday, Katie turns seven. We'll have a special dinner, but the party will wait until Saturday.

On Thursday, our family will celebrate the name days of both Katie (who is Kirsten Therese) and Karoline Rose, who is a rose from the heavenly gardens sent to us as a message of love (and she knows it).

On Friday, Paddy turns 15. Details on this celebration are still in the works. Angel food cake will happen that day, too, as we party with our guardian angels.

On Saturday, we'll have a birthday tea for Katie and Karoline.

On Sunday, my curly girl turns three (can you believe it?)! She's so excited to be able to celebrate with her friends in the Atrium. She'll bring cupcakes with a St. Francis theme. We'll have our "Karoline Pie" for dessert Sunday night after her favorite dinner.

I think I better head to bed now. Big week ahead.

 A  Picture Thought I'm Sharing:

This week has me thinking about all those birthing moments--the first ones, the hard ones, the surprising ones, the incredibly sweet and joyful ones. I'm at a computer with very few pictures as I write, but I happened to find this one, taken by Michael shortly after Karoline was born. I loved this moment. And I love it still.