Small Successes~16

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Leaving the State Cup game on Saturday, I ran into a lady I knew I recognized. She instantly exclaimed, "I know you! You're Danielle's first soccer coach. She's warming up right there. She's playing Division 1 soccer, now. Remember when she wanted to quit?" I did remember. She played with Paddy on a 4-year-old co-ed team. I was coaching because Mike was traveling. Stephen was an infant in a front pack.I remembered meeting her for some extra sessions because she was afraid of the ball and confused on the field. "She'd not be playing at all if it weren't for you!" her mother asserted. Paddy tells me that out of the six kids on that team, three are playing Division 1 now, ten years later. Not bad for a coach who only really knew one secret: the ball is going to go in the direction of your plant foot. 

Everything I need to know I learned in Tiny Tots Soccer.

   
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I fingerpainted with my little girls before 9:00 AM yesterday morning. This is made even more impressive with the knowledge that someone broke both my coffee pots lasts week, so I painted sans caffeine... The French press was mysteriously missing its glass cylinder. Then, the Mr. Coffee (which plays back up to the press and makes company coffee) was missing its decanter.No one seems to know what happened. I've been vaccuuming glass pieces for days.  I found the sad, plastic decanter top and saved it for CSI-Coffee. I went up to my very friendly neighborhood Starbuck's to see about replacing  the cylinder. The woman took the situation very seriously,called the customer service department, checked into warranties, and on and on. She fixed me a free coffee and then asked, with all gravity, "You have nine kids and you homeschool. What ARE you going to do until you replace it?" I smiled and told her I was sure I'd manage (truth is, I usually drink tea--coffee is reserved for severe sleep deprivation days). She grew even more concerned and told me they'd give me a loaner! These people take their java fix very seriously.
But back to successes: fingerpainting, followed by free coffee and a friend for life in my barista. All good:-)

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I got the perfect birthday present for Christian. He is one happy boy.
 

What are your successes this week? This is a great exercise in holding ourselves accountable and patting ourselves on the backs. Mothering and homemaking don't have built in performance reviews and bonuses. The  internet can be a source of support and encouragement. Let's encourage one another in our small successes.I'm very late to the party, but you can still share too at Faith and Family Live!

New Column

I’ve gotten several e-mails recently asking parenting advice. Idon’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable answering those requests. I’m learning as I go and I don’t presume to know enough to comment on someone else’s home situation with an authority at all, particularly when all I know is what I read in an e-mail.

All I can do is offer observations from experience gained in more than 20 years of parenting a large family. From my own experience, in my own house, my overriding parenting principle is to stay close to your children and to stay close to God. It’s simple advice, but not easy advice.

Please read the rest here.

My Heart's at Home Daybook

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Outside My Window ...
it continues to rain and the world is turning brilliant shades of green. There is really nothing like "Virginia Green."
 
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I am listening to...
Karoline chattering.
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To Live the Liturgy...
we've changed our mantel letters to reflect our focus. This is May, month of Mary.
 
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To Fit and Happy...
Indoor exercise is in the plans. Looks like rain most of the week.
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I am thankful for...
steadfast husband
annointing of the sick
chemotherapy
radiation
second chances
miracle babies
compassionate midwives
gifted surgeons
third chances
life
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From the kitchen ...
Chicken soup for lunch. We've all got weird colds (but we don't have Swine Flu).
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I am wearing ...
 standard rainy Monday wear: Jeans, a sweatshirt, cashmere socks. So, maybe not everyone wears cashmere socks, but I do, because they remind to pray for my friend who knit them. She will have surgery within the week.
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I am creating ...
a new plan for keeping house. This one will work--ahem.
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  On my iPod...
Taylor Swift
Are you tired of it yet? I'm not.

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Towards a real education ...
We've dusted off the learning journal. It's time to focus and this worked for me last time. Of course, today was to be the first day and I didn't get to it. Hope springs eternal.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
This was to be the week of flower beds and vegetable gardens and herb gardens and rose gardens. The rain may delay that.
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I am reading  ...
nothing at the moment. Must dig up a book tonight.

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I am hoping and praying ...
that my friend Molly has a beautiful delivery on Wednesday when she welcomes her seventh child, a little girl. Please pray with me for a safe and blessed seventh c-section.
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On Keeping Home ...
I am very serious about implementing the seven point plan, adapted to for the Foss Family.
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One of my favorite things ...
Peanut Butter M & Ms. Not to be confused with Peanut M & Ms, which I don't like.
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Patrick gave me these to celebrate living long enough to see them invented.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Four days of concentrated study in the learning room. Christian celebrates his birthday Wednesday. Nature study on Friday.  We'll have double soccer this weekend due to rainouts. I'm hoping to have some very good company at Stephen's game on Saturday.

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Picture thoughts
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My friend Linda organized my children to celebrate "Diagnosis Day." She and Mary Beth conspired to make it a celebration day this year. It's always been a pretty personal day for me. And usually I end up  Googling things like recurrence statistics and mortality statistics (I didn't this year). But my kids made me cards and a paper chain with my blessings listed inside each rung.Paddy came through with candy.  Some faithful friends sent lovely notes and Linda sent tulips. I feel like I've already celebrated Mother's Day.
Be sure to visit Peggy for links to more daybooks.