Today I Am Grateful For...

...long playdates when I actually get to visit with my friend.

...coffee with peppermint mocha creamer and whipped cream that reminds me of Christmas with one sniff and one sip.

...a friend who speaks truth into my heart.

...children who are so tired they fall right to sleep at 7:00.

...a healthy boy cousin on the way.

...His mercies being new every day.

...my baby signing please.

...babies safe in the wombs of those I love dearly, testimonies to this lovely, full, blessed life.

...grace abundant.

Daybook--Third Week of Ordinary Time

Outside My Window...rain, rain, and more rain.  

I am Listening to...a noisy toy.  Annelise is playing while the kids clean up the kitchen from breakfast.

I am wearing ...It seems I always do my daybook on the day I wear my yoga pants and black shirt, and today's the day.  Pilates resumes at nap time!

I am Thankful For...a Holy Hour on Saturday mornings, faithful priests, and amazing, godly friendships.

I am Pondering, listening, watching...I've been listening to the Divine Mercy Chaplet while stringing rosaries.  It's so beautiful and filling and relaxing.  I'm pondering a lot...

I am Reading...I Believe in Love.  I think I'll read one chapter a week and force myself to really soak it in.  I was given this book for Christmas in 1997.  I read a few chapters (I only know this because I highlighted some of it), but it was a bit spiritually advanced for me at the time.  Now, it's exactly what I need.  I'm also working on Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Smart Martha.

From the Kitchen... biscuits, bread, chicken in the crockpot (I remembered to plug it in this time.)

I am Thinking...about something an acquaintance said to me six years ago.  "It's so awesome when my friends are being obedient to God's will because it makes it so much easier and desirable for me to be obedient to His will."  And I am experiencing this right now, and she was SO right.

I am Creating...hats and scarves.

On the Learning Front...the basics, history, lots of read alouds.  I'm still mulling over next year's plans.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty...I've made it a habit to light a candle first thing in the morning.  I turn on music in the kitchen much more often.  Finding a moment to stop for quiet seems much easier when other senses are fulfilled.

Toward Personal Care...I had a great eating day yesterday.  I'm hopeful that today will follow suit.  Today I'm trying to drink lots more water and get in my Pilates.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home...right now we're sticking to our morning prayer routine.  It's going really well.  We're going to memorize Psalm 8 next, and we're reading through the Gospel of Mark.  We're still reading Devotional Stories for Little Folks, and there are many mornings that I get choked up reading it out loud.  These stories are sparking lovely discussions.

I am Hoping and Praying...for pregnant friends, many special intentions, wisdom for us and for friends on many different fronts, and I'm so thankful for answered prayer.

Around the House...we are status quo, and that's good enough.  Laundry is flowing, kitchen is picked up, bathrooms are clean.  And I'm thinking about this from Elizabeth:

"The older my baby, the cleaner my house. I hope I never, ever forget this fact. I hate didactic admonitions all about how if you just get your act together, your house can look like Pottery Barn. The reality is that if I really am tuned into my baby and I really have my priorities straight, the house will be a little "in process" most of the time. And the rest of the time? It will be a mess.

But now, it's rarely a mess. And it's often quite clean. But I don't want to pat myself on the back and have any illusions that it's because I've at last mastered all those housekeeping details. The reality is that my kids are older. Period."

One of My Favorite Things...the way Annelise ADORES Ava.  Yesterday morning, she followed me into Ava's room, popped herself up next to Ava's bed, and began squealing and screeching with delight.  These little sisters are a delight to each other.

My Kids This Week...have cabin fever and need to run around outside.  Jacob had scouts last night, and Mary-Grace has art today which will help some.  However, given the nasty weather, they've been playing together very nicely.  Yesterday they played several rounds of Zingo, lots of dolls, and Star Wars people.  But they are ready to burn some energy.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...Phil and I are attending a day retreat on Saturday, so the kids will be with grandparents.  Everyone's excited!

A Picture Thought I'm sharing...

Our king cake from Epiphany...it was so good!  I want to play around with the filling for next time.

Annelise showing off her mad building skills.

Look at those tippy toes!  She is reaching everywhere now!  We have to make sure everything is scooted back or she'll get it.  We also didn't realize how tall she is because she was always sitting down!

I was cleaning the girls' room last week and walked in to find this.  I swear she thought she was nursing that baby!  I've never had a girl do this so young, although I haven't nursed any of them this long either.

Aunt Mari...my big girls are smitten.

If Ava is within reach and still, you can bank on Annie being right there with her.

Cheesecake stuffed chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream.  Heaven on a plate.

7 Quick Takes

~1~

My older three children have spent the last two mornings in the girls' room playing with the wooden castle and fairy lodge.  They have out all the accessories, the wooden saints, and the fairy house we made before Annelise was born.  I love that my boy is willing to dive in so wholeheartedly with his sisters, but mostly I love that they are playing so well together.  As much as I wish it were, this is not so often the case.

~2~

A dear friend is in town for a short visit for a funeral a friend of hers.  While I hate the reason for the trip, I'm so glad to see her twice in a year.  That hasn't happened since 1997.

~3~

Tomorrow night is the second Supper and Substance at our parish.  Wine, cheese, gumbo, other married couples, and a speaker (who happens to be a couple with whom we're friends).  CAN'T WAIT.

~4~

Three weeks from today I will be sitting in His Presence at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Alabama with two of my most treasured sister-friends and two of my most treasured mentors.  This trip is an answered prayer in so many ways.  I feel like God is spoiling me.  I keep wanting to pinch myself..."Really, Lord?  Me?"  I'm so grateful to have been placed in such holy company.

~5~

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."--Marianne Williamson

I have that taped above my desk.  On Tuesday, Elizabeth posted this:

"A child loved by her parents has faith in joy.

She expects it; looks for it. Sure that she will find it.

We are children who know we are loved. We can look for joy and expect to find it.

We are children of a loving Father.

A child loved by God has faith in joy.

I am a child loved by God.

Joy is mine."

I will tape it next to the first quote this weekend.  I love this...."Joy is mine."  I will claim it.  I will do my best to not let myself be robbed of it.  I will do my best to pass it along to my children. 

~6~

Next year's school plans are still dancing in my head.  I am excited and nervous, confident one minute and totally overwhelmed the next.  When I think of all that I want to do and learn with my children, I wonder when and how we'll fit it all in.  Then I remember this wise post from a trusted online mentor, and remember that I have asked St. Anne to be my patron this year, and I know that it will fall into place exactly as it should.  Next year will mean the end of a lot of the time I currently have to myself in the afternoons, but in the words of a very wise friend...I will choose excellence.  Dying to self is just as much about choosing excellence as it is about embracing suffering.

~7~

"The greatest tragedy ever is to not become a saint."--my pastor last Sunday

No pressure, right?  Thank God for grace!

Daybook--Second Week of Ordinary Time

Outside My Window...a teensy bit of sun, and some warmth.  I'll take it.  As soon as their rest time is over, these little people are on bikes and scooters indefinitely.

I am Listening to...the quiet of rest time.  Some days I can take it or leave.  Today, it's the best part of the day.

I am wearing ...yoga pants...about to hit the floor for Pilates.

I am Thankful For...His mercies being new everyday.  

I am Pondering, listening, watching...

I am Reading...same thing as last week.  I didn't read much this past week.  I'm hoping to rectify that soon.

From the Kitchen...fish, shrimp, salad, broccoli, bread.

I am Thinking...about a way to making Mondays less painful for our school time.  I don't like dreading them.

I am Creating...hats, scarves, wooden saints.

On the Learning Front...we got the basics in today.  History will happen later.  I'm praying about slowing down in some subjects and speeding up in others.  Next years plans are dancing in my head, and I'm trying to make sense of them.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty...still working on the Rule.  A candle has been lit everyday, all day.  The difference this makes in mental peace is amazing.

Toward Personal Care...the eating could be lots better, but I'm managing to get a workout in 3-4 days a week.  I'm praying about revisiting the saint diet (no sugar, no flour).  This might prove to be very difficult with a new bread machine in the house!

Living the Liturgical Year at Home...Ordinary Time...we are trying to learn to be extraordinary in the Ordinary.  We are reading our Bibles, Devotional Stories for Little Folks, and talking about all of it.  

I am Hoping and Praying...for many, many special intentions.

Around the House...the washer is backing up.  Phil is stopping at Home Depot on the way home tonight to rent a tool to fix it.  After that, the laundry can resume.

On Keeping Home...Must. Clean. Bathrooms.  (this week, I promise.)

One of My Favorite Things...when Annelise waits for us to clap and praise her when she knows she's done something grand.

Annelise this week...She is so close to taking steps unassisted.  This morning, out of the blue, she starting stacking blocks five high....with her left hand, no less.  Jacob is holding out for another south paw in the house.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...hopefully a field trip on Friday, a couple's dinner at church on Saturday, relaxing on Sunday.

A Picture Thought I'm sharing...I'll add it later.  If I don't publish this now, I'll never do it.  I need to empty the camera first, but Pilates is calling my name!

7 Quick Takes

~1~

Behold, the return of Friday Night Dinner.  This time, we were barricading my baby from climbing stairs instead of sympathizing with Gregg & Courtney over John's amazing mobility.  Now John just climbs over the barricades like it's a no brainer.  The kids played, danced, sang, threw bouncy balls over all the place, and we actually got to have some adult conversation and a glass of chocolate wine.

~2~

We used some Christmas money and bought a bread machine.  It's amazing so far.  We are toying with the idea of getting a wheat grinder as well, but we want to do more research.  From what I've read, the bread tastes so much better with fresh ground wheat.  We've made a loaf of bread every other day or so, a chocolate cake (not too impressed with this...I want to play around with the recipe), and dough for rolls.  I want to try a cinnamon roll dough recipe next.

~3~

I'm off today.  As soon as Phil finishes in the yard, I'm outta here.  I'm not sure how long I'll stay gone, but I'm free to do as I want.  We are trying out the "Mother's Sabbath" concept.  I'm going to go to Adoration, Hobby Lobby (because I have a gift card), and then probably to my mom's to just be.  I'll bring some crochet stuff with me, possibly some wooden dolls to paint, and I'm just going to hang out in the absolute quiet.

~4~

Jacob, Mary-Grace and I have just about finished memorizing Colossians 3:12-17, and Ava is well on her way.  I LOVE this passage.  It was the second reading on the feast of the Holy Family this year (2010).  I think we'll work on those readings this year...Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14, the Colossians one, and Psalm 128:1-5.

~5~

Some dear friends of ours have decided to homeschool one of their children for the rest of this school year, and all of their children starting in the fall.  We are SO excited to have them in our ranks because we might actually get to spend time together!

~6~

While Annelise is definitely pulling up and cruising along the furniture with much greater speed, she has also gotten MUCH MUCH faster at the butt scoot.  She's like lightning.

~7~

The big kids have built this incredible fort in the girls' room.  They are currently hunkered down with blaring music.  Right now they are playing "Back to the Bayou" (by Papop), Veggie Tales, Disney Classics, and The Flower Fairy Alphabet cd.  They pick one or two songs from each disc, play it very loudly, sing at the top of their lungs, and then switch discs.  It's hilarious.

Ordinary Time Daybook

Outside My Window...  Dreary and freezing. ***Actually, now it's beautiful and still very cold.***

I am Listening to...  not much.  I'm on a quick break from school work, and the bigs are playing quietly while Annelise naps.

I am wearing...  blue shirt, gray scarf, jeans, black boots.  I find that if I actually dress to the shoes and put on some make-up, I am MUCH more productive during the day.  Go figure.

I am Thankful For... Annelise's rapidly progressing gross motor skills.  She is getting braver and braver by the day.

I am Pondering, listening, watching...  Joy.  It's the virtue for the month of January in Small Steps for Catholic Moms, and it is speaking right to my soul.  I'm trying very hard to listen to the Holy Spirit's promptings for me toward one of my children.  I'm watching Him work.

I am Reading... same as last week, although I plan to start Voyage of the Dawn Treader this week.  I want to read it before the see the movie.

From the Kitchen... Chicken legs in the crockpot (this was supposed to be yesterday's dinner, but I forgot to plug in the crockpot!), leftover blueberry buckle from breakfast, lots of groceries just put away.

I am Thinking... about the lovely souls in my book study group and how they never cease to fill my tank.

I am Creating... the same scarf.  But I'm also creating plans in  my mind of many crochet projects, simplified birthday celebrations for my children this year, and hopefully soon, some painted saints.

On the Learning Front... Mondays are the pits.  While I love the start to the new week, my students do NOT.  I'm not sure how to remedy that.  Tuesdays through Fridays are always so much better, so I take much comfort in that fact.  I am pleased with their progress in their subjects this year.  I am hopeful for another relaxing summer!

Towards Rhythm and Beauty... still working on tweaking the Rule.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Toward Personal Care...  I managed to get in four days of Pilates last week, and two so far this week.  My eating has not been great, but it hasn't been terrible either.  I cut my hair a couple of weeks ago, and I am loving the length for the first time in a very long time.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home... Our new morning prayer time has been so good.  We begin with the Morning Offering and Scripture.  Right now, we are memorizing Colossians 3:12-17 and Psalm 1.  The discussions these passages are bringing have been beautiful.  I am trusting that the fruit will come.  We are learning to "let the Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly." We are also reading through Devotional Stories for Little Folks, and everyday the kids BEG for more "Seth stories."  We've had this book for three years...Jacob read it right when we got it, but this is our first family read-through.  How I wish we'd started earlier!

I am Hoping and Praying... for so many intentions.  A friend trying to conceive.  Those expecting babies.  Friends in Haiti.  My mom, grandparents, uncle and cousin who fly to California tomorrow.  Relationships in my home.

Around the House... we're just trying to stay warm without completely drying out our insides with the central heat.

On Keeping Home... Believe it or not, we have mostly maintained the order.  Laundry is moving and shaking.  The kitchen is staying picked up.  These two details make for a much more orderly home.

One of My Favorite Things... watching my children exhibit a virtue that does not come naturally to them.

My Kids This Week...have been busy.  We had Boy Scouts on Monday night, art yesterday, and a birthday party today.  It's good to get out even though it's FREEZING!  It's helping to keep the cabin fever crazies at bay.  

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week... Another relaxing weekend is on the cards, and I'm so grateful.

A Picture Thought I'm sharing:

On her way to check out the latest creation...

Destruction is her favorite thing!

7 Quick Takes

~1~

Our first week back to school has been great.  We had some attitude adjustments the first day, but after that it has been smooth sailing.  I've mapped out the rest of our school year, and I'm pleased with our progress.  There's just something about the New Year that kicks me into high gear.

~2~

Annelise has had a busy week!  She can now point to her nose, head, belly button and tongue.  She is crawling, pulling up, cruising along the furniture, and occasionally even letting go and balancing herself just standing.  She's even gotten brave and got her first egg on her head today after she tumbled over a toy she was trying to climb.  She loves to sing when she hears music, and her expressions are much more telling these days.  Oh, and when she sees a lit candle, she starts blowing.  She is just such a JOY.

~3~

I took the kids to Toys R Us yesterday to spend their Christmas money.  Jacob convinced Mary-Grace to spot Ava $3 so that they could each get a new Barbie.  I was so proud of both of them...him for the encouragement, and her for actually doing it when she really didn't want to part with her money.

~4~

We have had really good morning prayer everyday this week.  We are reading Colossians 3:12-17 over and over and discussing it.  Today we talked about each child's strengths and weaknesses and ways to strengthen those weaknesses.  I'm hopeful for lots of virtuous growth in the future.  It's exciting to see the Holy Spirit moving.

~5~

I got to go to Confession and Mass at noon today all by myself.  It was such a needed treat.  I'm hoping to make this a bi-weekly habit.

~6~

There are two things I want to how to do this year:  to knit and to make digital scrapbooks.  The books I've made for my kids are such treasures to me, but I just don't have the time and space to do them by hand anymore.  I'd love to get completely caught up, but I'll be happy if I just do Annelise's first year book!

~7~

Is it crazy that I'm already thinking about next school year?!  My wheels are spinning already, and I need to drive while they're willing to spin!  I'll have the big three all doing school next year, and if I'm not on top of it, I fear epic failure!

SHE CRAWLS!

Finally, at 14+ months, the butt scooter has figured out how to crawl.  We knew she could after we'd done the PT exercises with her, but she is such a dainty thing that she likes to carry something with her while she scoots.  She has been pulling up since right before Christmas, and now she does so with great ease and really good balance.  Yesterday, I was reading The Magic Tree House: Night of the Ninjas to the kids when she crawled all the way across the room!  We were all shocked and cheered and clapped.  She stopped crawling, got up on her knees and clapped with us.  It was adorable!  Here is take two:

Epiphany Week Daybook

Outside My Window...  It is absolutely beautiful!  The sun is shining, the temperature is cool, but relatively mild...perfect for bike riding after rest time.

I am Listening to:  QUIET!  Everyone is reading or resting.  Music-wise, we are still listening to Behold the Lamb and Do You See What I See? as well as the traditional stuff.  I love hearing my children sing these favorites.

I am wearing...exercise pants, black t-shirt, pink fleece.  It's the only way I knew I would even try to get in my Pilates workout this afternoon.

I am Thankful For... a wonderful holiday break.  Phil was off for two weeks!  And yet, I'm also grateful for the new routine that we're working on.

I am Reading...A Mother's Rule of Life, Smart Martha's Catholic Guide for Busy Moms, & Small Steps for Catholic Moms.

From the Kitchen...biscuits for breakfast, red beans and rice for dinner.

I am Creating...a scarf, wooden saint dolls, and my mother's rule.

On the Learning Front...back to the grind today.  It was rough.  The first day back is always rough, particularly for Jacob.  I'm not sure why this is, but I've learned to expect it and not let it steal my joy.  I anticipate tomorrow being much smoother.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty...It's all about the Mother's Rule right now.  Phil has read the first couple of chapters also and is helping me find a rhythm that will work well for everyone.  I tend to jump in so fast that I'm destined to fail in the first two days.  Right now I'm working on my prayer routine.  Everything else will come after that is set.

Toward Personal Care...It's time to get rid of these last baby pounds.  I'm determined to get a grip on the snacking, and get back to Pilates.  I actually got it done today, and it felt great.  (I'm sure tomorrow my muscles will be screaming!)

Living the Liturgical Year at Home...We will celebrate Epiphany in our home on Thursday with king cake, star cookies, and star sandwiches for lunch.  I'm trying to think of something simple for Sunday's feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.  Hmmm.....

I am Hoping and Praying...for a friend trying to conceive, friends who are expecting little ones this year, and a couple intentions that I hold close to my heart.

Around the House...Christmas gifts have all found a home!  And many old things have been passed along.

On Keeping Home...order!  Finally, I'm seeing order.  I spent a few days organizing closets and my desk last week, and the mental efficiency it gives me is fabulous.  Again, we're still working out our Rule, but I'm hopeful for permanent house-keeping changes.

One of My Favorite Things...Annelise's face when she sees her Daddy or her Nana.  I cease to exist to her in those moments.  Priceless!  And she is finally taking steps with assistance!  Praise God!  The butt-scoot is still her preferred form of transportation, but she pulls up all the time now.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...Tonight we are going to the annual Priests vs. Seminarians basketball game.  This is always a hoot!  Friday night, we're going to my dad's to eat gumbo and watch LSU play in the Cotton Bowl.  Little Flowers is this weekend.  

A Picture Thought I'm sharing:

St. Lucia, St. Therese, St. Catherine, St. Anthony

A rare moment of sister love between these two...usually when Mary-Grace gets close, Annelise freaks out.  I'm praying that changes very soon because Gracie is so willing to help!

A rare picture with my cupcake friend!

Even more rare, a picture of me and my husband.  I was so very tired that evening, and if I weren't hanging out with some of my very favorite people in the whole world, I'd have been in my bed.

My diva girl and her new microphone.  She was in heaven.

Annelise's first gift of the day, a Leap Frog Violet doggie....she was so cute peeking inside the wrapping!

The cupcake girls in their matching dresses...Courtney and I didn't know we'd bought the same thing until Mass.