First Daybook of the New Year

Outside My Window

It's damp and cold and getting dark. Lazy Sunday afternoon weather.

I am Listening to

Karoline. Always to Karoline. She's incredibly loud.

I am Wearing

Jeans, slippers and that same old, gray cashmere sweater (it survived being accidentally thrown in the wash--a little felted but not terrible).

I am so Grateful for

~email, Facebook, cell phones, and Skype; I do recognize how much easier it is to stay in touch than it was even a generation ago.

~safe travel

~sweet time together as one big family and sweet memories to warm my January

~a chance to rest and relax with my husband at home

~dinner with friends

~a reassuring conversation with Christian and Patrick when I started my inevitable, year-end self-doubting session

~Karoline and Sarah Anne and the perpetual good cheer and joyfulness of blond babies

~watching how those very little girls warm the twilight of Mike's parents' lives. Everyone should have little girls in the twilight.

I'm Pondering

My past, O Lord, to Your mercy;
my present, to Your love;
my future to Your providence.

– St. Padre Pio

I am Reading

One Thousand Gifts on Kindle

Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace in hardback (but there is a Kindle version of that one, too).

I am Thinking

Way too much. I am sad. There's no doubt about it. It was really hard to see Patrick leave today. We still don't know when we'll see him again. I've heard from other moms who understand, who empathize from the bottom of their hearts and share similar experiences. And I've heard from mothers who say it stings for a day or two and then they just move on, blithely going about whatever it is they do. They are almost unmoved by emotions that seem to nearly drown me. And then there are the mothers who tell me about the happy dances they do when their kids move out. 

I am thinking--wondering--what the difference is. Why the difference?
 

I am Creating

Virtual pages. This week will be about documenting our celebrations, so please bear with me as our family's Christmas bursts all over this space. Still--we have more to record and we're moving rathing slowly on that project. Life is happening faster than we can record. But Mary Beth is helping me and we are going to catch up this week.

On my iPod

Rich Mullins. Katie found him on an old iPod. I heard her singing along and needed a good dose for myself.

Towards a Real Education

We got word this weekend that Patrick's GPA ranked first among all the kids on the National Team. I distinctly remember the night he posted this status on his Facebook account:

Tomorrow is my first day of school. ever.

I didn't sleep all night. I tossed and turned and worried about whether he was at all prepared for a classroom, epsecially a prep school classroom so far away. Honestly, I'm still sort of astonished by how well he's done. Astonished. Grateful. And just a little proud.

We're doing good things here. Carry on.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

Candles. I'm thinking candles. As we move towards the time to pack Christmas away, I want to keep the candles. I've loved the light of this season, the way candles can light the rhythms, warm the transitions, bring a glow to the traditions of even ordinary days. More on that thought later, I think.

We're having a Kind Conversation about

Our "words" for 2011

Do you have a word yet? Comments are open. Do share!

To Live the Liturgy

I'm looking forward to our January 6th celebration of Epiphany. It always a little disconcerting to celebrate it on a Sunday and then celebrate it again later, but I do like that day set apart, a ways away from Christmas Day. I wrap a book for each of my children in gold paper--makes for "wise men" in the new year.

I am Hoping and Praying

for blessings yet to be imagined in the new year. God doesn't really need my wishlist. He usually outdoes anything I can dream up.

Around the House

My plan is to verrrrrryyy slowly put away the Christmas decorations. This was the Christmas of the deleted Christmas card mailing list. I very carefully reconstructed that list. I keyed it all into a new template and I kept careful track of cards that came in, updating and adding as I went. I'm very pleased with the orderly list that awaits me next year. I'd like to bring that order to everything we store. Slow and thoughtful will be my friends.

From the Kitchen

Michael is home. I am pretty sure that officially relieves me of grocery shopping duties. I'm looking forward to creating new menus and long, detailed grocery lists.

One of My Favorite Things

When the three big boys (not all at once) come flying into my bedroom and plop themselves on the bed, usually while I'm trying to put Sarah to sleep. I've given up scolding for it. I realized in August how much I miss it when it's not there. So now, I sort of hope one of them at least will fly into our presence every night.

Sarah Annie this week

I have a hunch this little girl is going to absolutely fall apart when Mike leaves for work tomorrow. Me, too.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Back to the books. In a big way. The CM Organizer has been dusted off and updated. The book baskets are tidy and uncluttered. We're ready to rock and roll. This week will be the first meeting of the new girls' club at our mission church. Lots of basketball and some soccer.

Picture thoughts:

  

 
 
comments are open. a new year; time to be a little brave...

 

Daybook on this Beautiful Feast

Outside My Window

It is still dark, windy and blustery cold. I'm sitting on the couch in the living room, by the light of the Christmas tree. It's warm. And comfortable. I mention this because we've had no heat on this floor this season. Until yesterday, when the heat man came at last. He was a very nice man (exceedingly nice) and he made it all well again. It's lovely to be warm.

I am Listening to

the wind blow and the wreaths bang against the windows.

I am Wearing

flannel pajamas and Elizabeth deHority socks. Please pray for her. To be unable to knit truly deprives her of one of the last comforts she has. She will be annointed today. Would you carry her with you to Mass as well? (And I'll tell you what, in a house without heat, those socks totally rock!)

I am so Grateful for

Patient friends who never stop praying.

I'm Pondering

Still this:

"When I look into the future, I am frightened,
but why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter my soul at all.

It is no longer in my power,
To change, correct or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that.
And so, what the past has embraced I must entrust to God.

O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire.
I desire to use you as best I can.
And although I am weak and small,
You grant me the grace of your omnipotence.

And so, trusting in Your mercy,
I walk through life like a little child,
Offering You each day this heart
Burning with love for Your greater glory." ~ From the Diary of St. Faustina (H/T Ruthie)

I am Reading

The Light of the World. On my Mike's Kindle. May we pause a moment to marvel at the Kindle? I got it for him for his birthday. Amazing. When he leaves for work, children line up to beg to use it. My child who has struggled to read all his life is sure it will solve his problems. Pretty strong words. He can't quite articulate it but the e-ink is so much easier on his eyes that he says the tracking struggles all but disappear. You can be sure there is one in his future. I was particularly tickled because The Light of the World was unavailable in print at Amazon for three weeks when I wanted to order it. But I had it in three seconds on Kindle. Do I miss holding a book and turning pages? So far, surprisingly, I don't. The ease of reading is just amazing. Actually, instead of making me pine for real book feel and smell, what the Kindle is making me do is wish my computer were so easy to read. I'm much more aware of how hard my laptop is on my eyes after I've spent time reading the Kindle. PDFs on the Kindle are so much better than PDFs on the laptop.  And this research has really borne itself out: Kindle before bed, not computer glare. I got Mike this lighted book cover, because a book light is necessary at night. I'm kind of glad the booklight is necessary. I'd hate to see hiding under the covers with a good book and a flashlight fade into antiquity.

I am Thinking

Oh, my goodness, am I ever thinking! We still haven't resolved this potential move to California. Any minute. But dear me, have we been thinking. And praying. And prioritizing. And planning. And praying some more. And I might have become very tired and cranky in the process. I am reminded that we are clay in the Potter's hands. As we get older, our clay becomes a bit more difficult to shape and mold, I think. He has to work it a bit more forceably. It sort of hurts.

I am Creating

A Christmas letter to go with the darling cards Mary Beth and Michael collaborated with me to create. I keep procrastinating on the letter--can't really write it until I know if we're moving, right? And Mary Beth and I made two really pretty rosaries yesterday. Really pretty. We've all decided that one of them is the absolute prettiest yet.

No candy or cookies coming from my kitchen just yet. I'm holding off on all kitchen creations until the week before Christmas. Patrick will be home then. I don't want him to miss the making and baking because I know he loves to do it. Plus, I want my house to smell like Christmas cookies and I want my little ones to have the experience of creating beautiful baked goods, but I truly cannot handle flour without itching something fierce and Mary Beth seems to be developing the same allergy. With Patrick home to help, they can have all the fun and I can just supervise from afar.

On my iPod

People Look East. Perhaps my very favorite hymn of all--I love this song. I will freely admit that part of the reason I love this song is that it gives me license to clean and decorate. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. It's a homemaking song.  This version is a different, kind of bluegrass, I think. I do like it.

Towards a Real Education

This year, we aren't doing the Jan Brett unit or the Tomie de Paola unit or the Anne of Green Gables unit or the Christmas Around the World unit. We're doing business as usual with our math and our writing and then we're just reading books from the baskets. Of course, all of the books in the aformentioned units are in the baskets. But with the move thing ever at the forefront and with some other real life limitations, just the facts plus a sprinkling of good books is a good fit. Perhaps next week or so, we will pull an activity or two from any of those places. We'll see.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

The winter rhythm is a much quieter one, thank God.  It's nice not to drive to McLean nearly every day. But I do miss my Starbucks wi-fi time and it's lack is really showing up here. I have no blogging time written into the winter rhythm. Without planning for it intentionally, it's just not happening.

Funny thing, after thoroughly investigating what driving to soccer and ballet would look like if we move to California, the traffic and commute  in the Washington DC suburbs look like an afternoon in the park. (Hmm, maybe because they often result in an afternoon in the park.)

We're having a Kind Conversation about

Advent. What a lot of good ideas! Did you know that the Pope's advent candles are red? I find this fact fascinating. So often, we look to our trusted and excellent resources for living the liturgical year in our homes (places like Catholic Culture and Domestic Church) and we think that what is shared there is the only right way to do something. Pink and purple candles--it's what done and what must be done.  If you can't find pink and purple, tie ribbons on white. I've always thought that was the only way to do it. The interesting thing to me is that these are not liturgical traditions, they are domestic traditions. Domestic traditions by their very nature reflect the culture. And they are open to intepretations of the culture over time. The Pope has red candles. Can you get more authentically Catholic than the Pope?

To Live the Liturgy

We are marking our hours with prayer and light. In the morning, we light the Advent spiral and read our Jesse Tree devotional, hang an ornament and say a prayer. At noon, it's Midday Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. At dinner, time, the Advent Wreath and our candle song. At bedtime, the St. Andrew Christmas Prayer and the Immaculate conception candle and prayer. The time of each devotion is very short, but I truly love this rhythm. It works for us and I'm already trying to think of ways to hold the same rhythm after Christmas.

Recently, I saw a link to this post and a reference to the "crafty, busy advent." And I suppose it would be so if I were doing all those things during these three weeks. The reality is that I have done all those things. Over the course of 23 years of mothering chidren during Advent. Now, I have a plethora of things from which to choose and a small, but meaningful number of activities that are dear, every year traditions. It's actually a "creative, purposeful, intentional Advent." I only wish I could make the rest of the year so peaceful.

I am Hoping and Praying

For Michael, who finishes his college career this week. Words evade me. I'm sure they won't for long, but for now, I'm just speechless. My heart's pretty much spilling over.

For Patrick, who leaves for Brazil on Saturday for the Future Champions Tourney. Safe travels, dear one. And remember, the game is supposed to be fun. Play hard, pray harder. And have fun.

For my husband, as he makes some big decisions.

Around the House

Prettiest Christmas decorating job ever.

I wish though, that I had a record of the text messages Michael was sending on the day we decorated. Every time something went wrong, he'd whip out his phone. I'm sure there were things like:

We just broke the third string of lights, fresh out of the box.

I can't believe this crazy woman is sending me back to Home Depot yet again. I've been there four times today.

My mom just let fly a couple dozen cookies and string of expletives as she opened a brand new box of Peppermint Joe-Joes all over the kitchen floor.

I'm pretty sure everyone has now had a temper tantrum today. Fa-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.

But it sure does look pretty now.

From the Kitchen 

Not soy. I am here to tell you it's true: just half a cup of soymilk a day can totally mess up your thyroid. So, now dairy milk is out; soy milk is out. Coconut creamer tastes like soap to me. I'm on the verge of giving up coffee because I just can't drink it black.

One of My Favorite Things

A day of surprises:

• An impromptu St. Nicholas shopping date with my husband that included lunch together. Just us.
• A birthday dinner for Granddad's 87th during which we surprised him with a face-to-face conversation with Patrick via Skype.
• The surprise appearance of my two favorite college students who came out to celebrate with us despite it being crunch time at school.

Sarah Annie this week

This is the most Daddy's Girl child I have ever encountered. She talks about him all day long. She counts the hours until he comes home. She squeals when she hears the door open. She sings his name and he sings hers right back. I need to get that on video. Priceless.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Mass today. I love this feast; this date will always be dear to my heart. I want to get down to the Shrine, the way we have in the past, but I don't think I can do that and be back in time to pick up Gracie at school. So, I think we'll wait for her and then go locally late this afternoon.

A very fun party planned at Mary Beth's ballet studio on Saturday. Eighteen little girls from our homeschool dance class will be there. Mary Beth will dance and we'll have crafting and cookie decorating and face painting and tiara bejewelling. Pretty much little girl heaven. They are so excited!

Picture thoughts:

 

 

Thanksgiving Daybook

Outside My Window

It is dark and cool. It's nighttime and that makes this a rare blog entry. I rarely write at night. MIke has gone to watch Mary Beth's first Nutcracker performance. He took Karoline with him. Sarah Anne fell into a nap-deprived sleep very early. The boys are at basketball with Christian and I'm writing mostly to stay awake long enough to welcome them home.

I am Listening to

the dog snore.

I am Wearing

Jeans and a white t-shirt and a black, zipped hoodie, trimmed in red. It says ESPN America on it. Today, I think it was a conscious comfort choice, inside and out. It's soft and familiar.

I am so Grateful for

This week's list is exceedingly long and I will make it a post of its own. Right now, though I'm grateful for home. Just that--home and all I'm learning that it means to me.

I'm Pondering

"When I look into the future, I am frightened,
but why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter my soul at all.

It is no longer in my power,
To change, correct or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that.
And so, what the past has embraced I must entrust to God.

O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire.
I desire to use you as best I can.
And although I am weak and small,
You grant me the grace of your omnipotence.

And so, trusting in Your mercy,
I walk through life like a little child,
Offering You each day this heart
Burning with love for Your greater glory." ~ From the Diary of St. Faustina (H/T Ruthie)

I am Reading

Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship

The funniest thing happened on Thursday. Well, maybe not the funniest, but definitely worth smiling about. Linda, one of my dearest, closest friends in the whole world called to tell me that she was reading this awesome book that just reminded her of us and she wanted me to read it with her. Had I ever heard of Walking Together?

Um, yep. A little;-). Blogged about it last week and talked to the author on podcast that very day.

Linda doesn't read my blog:-)

I love her any way.

I am Thinking

Oh, so very many things. Can't turn my brain off. We are discerning a move. And I'm trying to stop thinking and just pray more. I'm trying to listen. But when I am still, I see real estate sites and homeschooling laws. I see Google maps between possible office locations and possible home locations. I see lists of things to do in this house and lists of things to look for in the next. I see cost comparison spread sheets. I see dear faces who will be so very far away. What I want to see is the face of God and what I want to see is the image of Himself He created me to be. Where is that person? How and where does she live?

I am Creating

Christmas cards. This week. Definitely. On my Mac, I think.

On my iPod

All of Amy Grant's Christmas albums. I loaded the CDs.

Towards a Real Education

My friends at the Sushi restaurant want me to teach them English. I didn't really know how go about that since I don't speak Chinese. Now I wonder if they can't come and learn along when I tutor writing with my children. And then we'll just talk.

They could come at lunchtime. And bring sushi. Nah, they're busy at lunchtime. They could come first thing in the morning. And bring sushi.

Unless we move.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

I'm looking so forward to this week. I love the golden glow Thanksgiving casts on home. Patrick comes home Tuesday night and he's bringing a friend. Michael comes home Tuesday, also. This house will be filled to overflowing (note to Mary Beth: you're on the airbed in the little girls' room). Overflowing. I like it that way. The rhythm is beating of our hearts together and the beauty is a family at home.

We're having a Kind Conversation about

Those sweet ladies are holding our discernment intentions in their prayers. It's nice to know someone's on her knees for me.

To Live the Liturgy

I love Mass on Thanksgiving Day. It seems so perfect to celebrate the Eucharist. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek eukaristos, which means "grateful" and is now usually translated "thanksgiving." Perfect. 

I am Hoping and Praying

For Michael, who had an emergency root canal yesterday. He was in intense pain early in the morning when I went to pick him up. All the way home, he was pale and sweating and on the verge of throwing up. Me, too. There is nothing like watching your baby suffer. He's better today.

For my husband, as he makes some big decisions.

Around the House

 I keep looking at the house as if we were moving. When I do that, I see all the things I'd need to do to get it ready to sell and all the things I'd need to do to move what's in it. But I also see what I would miss. I see it through appreciative eyes, noticing the ordinary and the everyday and bringing gratitude to focus the vision.

From the Kitchen 

I'm going to cook with Paddy this week. I have no idea what I'm going to cook. Still waiting for his menus and grocery lists.

One of My Favorite Things

 Waking up after a good night's sleep.

Sarah Annie this week

Someone loves lipgloss as much as her mama does. Only she calls it "yip-gups." Mike has forbidden anyone to call it by its proper name ever again. Yip-gups it is.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Tomorrow Mary Beth dances again. It's going to be a gathering of grandparents, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters and friends. A giant group of adoring fans. And afterwards, I think I might like to introduce my dad to the sushi restaurant. Carry-out back at my house.

Tomorrow is also the 24th anniversary of the day we got engaged. Fun to remember.

Crazy cleaning and the ballet co-op on Monday.

A happy airport run on Tuesday.

Wednesday in DC: Padddy's buddy is from Japan and he's going to get the grand tour. Then it's back to Mike's office. Every year, the set of PTI holds a huge Thanksgiving spread. When the show is finished taping, my big boys are happy to take the "props" home and eat them. It's quite a feast and lots of fun!

Thanksgiving is at Mike's sister's house. Every year. Mike's brother and his uncle come in from Michigan.

Then, a weekend of hanging at home and Christmas preparations--the first Sunday of Advent is November 28th. Time to prepare!

Speaking of November 28th, Mike and his sister share a birthday that day. Good thing, too; we were beginning to go through birthday cake withdrawal.

Picture thoughts:

 

Late October Daybook

Outside My Window

Frost! Not a hard freeze, yet, thankfully, because I still haven't done that autumn gardening, but definitely a nip in the air. I love autumn.

I am Listening to

Nothing. And liking it.

I am Wearing

A cordoruy shirt and jeans. And this awful haircut that is beginning to grow out. I just need it to get long enough for someone competent to fix it. When I had cancer, I promised myself I'd never complain about bad hair days and birthdays. For twenty years, I stuck to that. This haircut is definitely trying my soul.

I am so Grateful for

Beautiful Sunday afternoons.

OK, I'm going to say I'm grateful for athletic trainers. I need to cultivate an attitude of gratefulness for them. Truly, I'm annoyed as all get out. They need to not diagnose. They need to consult parents when we're talking about children. They need to consult doctors because, well, they need to not diagnose. But, I'm grateful they are there on the scene and that they do have my boys' best interests at heart.

Husbands who are also on the scene and can calm the panic created by the athletic trainer.

Whole Foods Market with my little girls on Satruday mornings.

A ballet studio that has brought the sparkle back to my big girl's eyes and the spring into her step.

Peeled and cubed butternut squash at Costco.

I'm Pondering

The reason that we are not fully at ease in heart and soul is because we seek rest in these things that are so little and have no rest within them, and pay no attention to our God, who is Almighty, All-wise, All-good, and the only real rest. ~Blessed Julian of Norwich

I'm thinking about that quote a lot lately (again) as I look towards Sarah's birthday.

I need to be reminded to seek rest in the only real source of rest.

I am Reading

Church Fathers and Teachers. This is the volume that fits nicely with our Middle Ages Studies.

I am Thinking

That Sarah Annie probably should be transistioning to her own bed in her own room. I'm not sure her Daddy is ready for that, though. I am wondering what I'm going to do with that alcove in my bedroom that has long held the rocker and the baby's dresser.

I am Creating

Beeswax leaves. Have you seen Ginny's? Gorgeous! And I've already dedicated my Little Dipper crockpot to beeswax. I use it for salves. So, we're all set, if only the weather cooperates.

On my iPod

Isn't today the day the new Taylor Swift album becomes available? Or something like that? Seems like someone has been talking about it incessantly.

Towards a Real Education

Settling nicely back into our CM Organizer rhythm. I've been pummeling myself quite a bit the last couple of weeks. I recognize that I've been too easily swayed by someone else's good idea. That's not my usual me. And I've been beating myself up for not being more prudent and giving in way too easily to my impulses (which is really not me at all). Back to the Julian of Norwich quote and the hard learned lessons on the value of silence.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

The rhythm will rock at the end of this week and I'm postiviely gleeful about it. Daylight Savings Time will bring soccer practices to an end, except for the one under the lights, once a week. It will make it easier to settle little ones at night to establish a new bedtime routine for my youngest girls. It will mean mama will be home much, much more and that can only be a very good thing for hearth and home.

We're having a Kind Conversation about

Making learning a Passionate pursuit

I have neglected Kind Conversation since its founding last spring. In my eagerness to redeem the time and reclaim what was lost, I was justifiably leery of message boards. It has proven itself to be a very nice place, quite in keeping with all the principles of its founding. It's not very busy there at all, but what is written there is written with every good intention for the support and benefit of the women who read it. I think I might just hang out there a little more often.

To Live the Liturgy

We're preparing for All Saints Day. This litany is lovely. After clicking through everything Youtube had to offer, we settled on this one. There are a few others there that might suit you also. Thanks to Donna, for starting us on this rabbit trail.

I am Hoping and Praying

For Katie and Sam and Isaac and all the people who love them. A miracle, please. Please, God! We really are begging for a miracle!

For Michael--a hamstring injury may mean his competitive playing days are over. Please, God, let him clearly see your hand in this turn of events.

For Patrick, who has likely broken his nose. A doctor, today , would be a good thing and then peace of heart for all of us as we again learn to parent from afar.

In the Garden

Mike is talking about taking a day off this week. Perhaps we will get to that garden after all.

Around the House

We've added touches of autumn here and there, a stuffed scarecrow in the foyer that Sarah Anne waves to with every passing is my new favorite (even though he's quite old). Looking at him through her eyes and hearing her call him "my guy" has shed a different light on the tattered chap. 

My absolute biggest news in a long time in the housekeeping department is this (trumpets please): Someone in this house now folds clothes even better than I do! It is a well established fact that I am particular about the way clothes are folded. Over time, to my credit, I have loosened the standards a bit, but only because no one has ever seemed to "get it." They just don't see what I see or seem to understand that I want it all crisp with all the seams lined up. Until last week. Christian got a job at American Eagle Outfitters. The first day on the job was an all-nighter. They changed out the entire floor. He folded clothes for seven hours straight under the watchful eye of a designer/supervisor. And he rocks at it! He is one awesome folder. I'm telling you, now, when I see my laundry all stacked and folded, I am giddy with delight!

From the Kitchen 

A menu. It's all shopped and everything awaits faithful stewardship over the kitchen. I can't tell you how necessary this was. It's mostly vegetarian. Christian is grumbling about this in a big way, so I'm thinking simple broiled "sides" of meat for men who think they're wasting away?

Spicy Mexican Squash Stew (I think this is in Moosewood Cooks at Home?)

Pumpkin Muffins (Cooking for Isaiah-these are gluten free and really good)

Golden Rice Pie (p126 Vegetable Heaven)

Spicy Green Beans

Good Shepherd’s Pie (Laurel's Kitchen 268)

Tomato Soup

Grilled cheese sandwiches

Green Potatoes (Laurel's Kitchen) 

Caesar salad

Cranberry  squash (Laurel's Kitchen)

Butternut risotto

Salad

Rustic chicken

One of My Favorite Things

The chance to chat with Marisa, in person, an hour a week, while our girls dance and our boys play flag football.

Sarah Annie this week

This is the last week before she turns two. One of the many endearing things about Sarah Anne is that she is an effusive user of the phrase "thank you." She thanks me for everything: a diaper change, a cup of juice, the chance to nurse, new clothes, bubbles in the bathtub. You name it; I am thanked for it. It's really darling. And what a beautiful habit! As I'm temtped to be sad to leave this phase of my life, and as I tear up at the thought of our home without a baby in it, I'm taking my cues from my Annie-girl. I'm just saying "thank you" every time I turn around.

It's way better than the alternative.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Last week of soccer "as usual."

Need to find/make/beg/borrow something for the little boys to wear for Halloween.

Pansy planting.

Basement cleaning.

Garage cleaning too?

Hopefully, an in-real-life visit with a friend who lives so far away I wouldn't have thought it possible.

Picture thoughts:

 

October Daybook

Outside My Window

The sun is rising. But will it be setting before I cobble together enough time to finish this daybook?

I am Listening to

Laundry noises from the first loads of the day.

I am Wearing

Skimmer shorts and a pink and white striped shirt. It’s going to be hot today.

I am so Grateful for

The clarity of God’s answers.

I'm Pondering

Let nothing affright thee,
Nothing dismay thee.
All is passing,
God ever remains.
Patience obtains all.
Whoever possesses God
Cannot lack anything
God alone suffices.

~St. Teresa of Avila

 

I am Reading

Church Fathers and Teachers. This is the volume that fits nicely with our Middle Ages Studies.

I am Thinking

That there are only four days left until Paddy comes home for a couple days! And if that ever happens to slip my mind, Karoline reminds me.

I am Creating

A clean room where Patrick left a messy room. No one wants to come home to a messy room.

On my iPod

The Last Viking. We listened to this on the way to and from soccer last week and the boys didin’t want to get out of the car until the end. Very well done and Stephen is quite taken with St. Magnus. Since Mike is a "perfect" blend of Norwegian and Scottish, this seems a quite appropriate saint to add to our family favorites. .

Towards a Real Education

This week, we explore Byzantium and the Eastern Orthodox Church. We’ll try our hand at iconography. Our scientific studies have us birdwatching. We begun our studies of Latin (yet again); this time we’re teaming up with the family across the street. The kids had a blast chanting together last week.

And I suspect we’ll spend the end of the week helping Paddy get caught up. He’s missing this week of school as he hangs out in Seattle and plays some soccer.

Sigh. It’s beautiful outside. I don’t know if I can stay inside on task all week. Our nature mornings could be a little longer, I think.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

I wrote a big, long post last week about how graciously St. Anne has heard my pleas and interceded for my benefit where rhythm is concerned. Upon further thought, I decided to hold it until the end of soccer season since it probably gives too many details about where we are and when my house stands empty. So, for now, I’m just really grateful for a rhythm of blessing I could never have imagined and I am very certain St. orchestrated it.

To Live the Liturgy

We celebrate St.Teresa of Avila, one of my favorites.

I am Hoping and Praying

For God’s mercy and grace to be very evident to some dear firends.

In the Garden

What a mess! All the rain has given the weeds quite a boost. We need to get out there and do some bigtime work!

Around the House

Have I mentioned how badly I want to paint?

From the Kitchen 

Awaiting a list from Patrick of all the things he wants to cook and eat while he’s home.

One of My Favorite Things

The smell of autumn. Evergreen Mills Road as the leaves start to turn. White’s Ferry in the early morning on Columbus Day Weekend. An afternoon at Cox Farms (after all the preschool groups have left). Sipping Toffee Mocha at a very early morning soccer game. The “old” section of South Riding as turns crimson and gold. The walk to the first Mass on Sunday when there is a definite nip in the air. I’m not cheating; it all adds up…

ONE of my favorite things: Loudoun County, Virginia in October. Wouldn’t miss it for the world (OK, that’s not exactly true; I missed the whole month two years ago on bedrest with Sarah Annie. The tree outside my window was just lovely though.)

Sarah Annie this week

I have a sure sense that two weeks remain where there is a baby in this house.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Things will be pretty quiet from here until the weekend. Michael has a game tomorrow night. I think Christian has one Thursday, but that looks like a rain day, so I’m not sure what that will mean. The weekend will be full and happy!

Picture thoughts:

I missed posting my “This Moment” last week. This is Karoline’s “perfect” birthday cake. It was so her! Funny thing is she was very particular in every detail and then she didn’t even eat a bite. She told us she only liked decorating and blowing out the candles.