Sunday Daybook

Outside my window...

I've been in my room looking out the window most of the day.  And well, Facebooking.  It's overcast and the kids are playing with clay and baseball and singing, and not fighting, so that's great!  They've been watching a lot of movies this weekend.  I have been resting most of the past few days with some kind of throat illness.  I've lost my voice and didn't make it to mass today.  I started on antibiotics so hopefully by tomorrow I'll be feeling much better.

I am thinking...
About my friends the R family.  We spent a lot of time with them last week as they made it through the 1yr anniversary of the death of their 6yr old little boy last year.  They have found incredible joy and hope in the midst of such a tragedy and it was beautiful to see them open their own home, serve us meals, and even help with a minor accident of one of the little boys who was there.  Hardly any tears, just hope and joy and celebration of the little lives we've all been given for whatever amount of time they've been entrusted to us.  Memory eternal, +Avery Jude+

His precious baby sister who never got to meet him but exudes that JOY!

The girls can't get enough of her!

 

Sadly the media circus the past week hasn't been as joyful about life.  I spent a bit too much time on Facebook debates about the Texas Senate Bill 5.  It's just hard for me to comprehend why abortion proponents are fighting so hard against safety measures for abortion clinics!  Don't they want them "safe" and legal?  And I know they're against any gestational limits for abortions, but really...when a child can survive outside the womb they still think it's okay to abort?  This is women's "healthcare?"

I am thankful...
For my kids and hubby who have handled my being in bed this weekend.  Steven just made a fantastic grilled steak and chicken dinner, with the mashed potatoes and green beans made by Mary Clare.  He took all the kids to get chinese take-out last night and pick up a new battery for my car.  I'm thankful that we haven't been sick in quite awhile.  I just wish it didn't always happen when we have major family events going on!

I'm also thankful that a minor medical issue seems to be nothing concerning.  I went to the doctor on Monday to check on some pain I'd been having for months.  And I pretty much got the all-clear.  I always get that weird premonition that I'm going to be leaving an appointment with a life changing diagnosis.  I'm always so grateful when that's not what happens.  The only time that I've experienced something like that was with Steven's heart issue, but I really had no idea that was coming!  But I did have high hopes for this medical practice, and unfortunately they didn't impress me.  But for now, I need not worry about that.

I am praying for...

My father-in-law who has been hospitalized since Friday.  I'm glad he is getting the care he needs and hopeful he'll be back home early this week.

In the kitchen...
Mary Clare the little chef made an apple pie, all but the crust the other day, and like I mentioned the dinner sides tonight, too!  The kitchen needs cleaning as I prepare to host another informational meeting for our homeschool co-op this fall.  Tomorrow looks to be a big crowd with about 5-7 moms and 25-30 kids!  I need to plan some snacks.

I am wearing...
An Aggie Awakening t-shirt from the year 2000 and grey workout capris.  Pretty much PJs all day today.  No "What I Wore Sunday" post for me!

I am creating...
A homeschooling cooperative for the new year and a homeschooling plan for my own kids!  It looks like we're going to go ahead with the Classically Catholic Memory co-op and have had a great response so far.  The program offers all the materials, but we still have a lot of decisions as to scheduling and subjects and timing.  I have been looking at some different programs for art and sacred music since it looks like we may have some additional afternoon time after the academic part of the co-op.

For my own kids, I have the basic plan figured out, but I still have a few decisions to make.  Every year I consider moving Mary Clare to Saxon Math, but we have yet to make the change.  I'm looking at some different history textbooks, too.  Also, I would love to invest in some good quality literature for the girls now that they're needing more challenging reading material.  We have so many picture books, thousands probably.  But chapter books I fall short on, and the girls are tending towards "twaddle" at the library.  I guess the American Girl books and Nancy Drew are okay, but Ellie keeps wanting to check out books from this fairy series and I'm hoping to make my own book list so that that at least half of their free reading is good stuff I want them to read!  I love the recommendations on Mater Amabilis, but am also trying to gear my curriculum choices to what will prepare them for possible enrollment in Mother of Divine Grace in another year or two.

I am going...
Home!  Well, to Houston that is.  Hopefully we're all healthy and can head to be with family for the 4th of July weekend and then the kids and I will stay another week there to spend lots of time with friends and family.

I am wondering...
How the night is going to go, since Tommy fell asleep watching a movie with Daddy a little bit ago.  He's probably going to wake up around 9 or 10 and then be awake until 2 or 3am.

I am reading...
Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum, curriculum websites and co-op materials!

I am hoping...
That I get well soon.  We also have some of our closest friends and our goddaughter planning to visit for a night or two this week.  I would love to be able to share this fun time with them!  And I would love it if none of the kids caught the bug.  Steven Joseph had a sore throat thing a week or two ago, so I'm hoping that my immune system was just weak from my dieting (I think I had my calories set too low), and I also tend towards major issues with my tonsils since my teen years.

I am looking forward to...
Our friends' visit and our time in Houston...all the July 4th traditions of our old hometown (parade, fireworks, festival, etc), relaxing days at the pool with my parents, letting the kids play with cousins, fun times hanging at our friends' homes, visiting our favorite downtown parish who will be getting a new pastor this week, and maybe a trip out to our friends' farm.

I am learning...
What am I not learning in this vocation of motherhood?  Every minute there is a new lesson.  How to relate to each of these kids, how to better encourage them.  How to accept my little crosses.  How to be grateful for the incredible gifts of faith, family, and friends.  How to evangelize when our lives are mostly "hidden" in the home.  And other more practical things I am learning...cooking, cleaning, counting calories, ballet, photography...Our life is all about learning, right?  And that's what we're trying to impress upon our children...Never stop learning!

Around the house...

We've kept it up pretty well this summer, since we've had guests nearly every week!  I love having most of the toys upstairs so the downstairs can be more of a pleasant haven for me.  I mean I still find random pancakes, dirty kid clothes, and toys around my room.  This weekend I've dealt with nail polish on the walls and floor, a battery in a (used) toilet, poop in the bathtub, a cockroach taped to the floor by a child...always lots and lots of messes and interesting sights around here!

I am pondering...
If I'm really called to do this co-op and also help with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program this year.  I've always wanted to teach the CGS program, but the training is so very intense and expensive.  It is 8 full days in July, Thursday through Sunday for two weekends.  I'm hoping to maybe attend the first half.  But that's still 4 days away from my kids.  I keep thinking that this is a good year to try some things I haven't been able to commit to before because of a nursing baby, but it's still a decision I need to discern carefully.

A favorite quote for today...
From Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist...
"It is the ability to think that is our goal in a classical curriculum; we want our children to acquire the art of learning."
 

One of my favorite things...
A cute little two year-old enjoying summertime!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Co-Op informational meeting, ballet?, visiting friends, a beach visit?, s'mores around the fire, special meals with the friends, more dance class, packing, and road tripping for some family, friends and fun for the 4th!  If God wills it, that is. 

Have a great week and a Happy Independence Day!