Outside my window…it’s cloudy and windy.  The high today is supposed to be 71.  Seems as though winter never really arrived here.

I am noticing…Joseph has been reading for a long time, but he has just recently found himself enamored with reading aloud to anyone who will listen.  William curls up on the couch beside him and Joseph is happy to read whatever is available.  It doesn’t replace our reading time together, but it certainly adds a new dimension to our day.

I am thankful…that I have Daxson.  I just can’t imagine taking this parenting journey alone.  I am so grateful for all the little gestures of love. 

From the learning rooms…we spent this week on the letter R.  I know I owe you many weeks of our Alphabet Journey.  I’m still looking for a way to add hours to my days.

In the kitchen…I couldn’t help myself.  We made those yummy chocolate chip cookies again.  And with Ash Wednesday coming up this week, I imagine we’ll be making some homemade soft pretzels very soon.

I am wearing…black yoga pants, a navy blue t-shirt and an eggplant colored hoodie.  As usual, I don’t match, but I am comfy.

I am creating…Lenten plans. 

I am going…to make it to Confession.  I am inspired by my sister’s idea to cleanse my soul before this upcoming 40 day Lenten journey.  I cannot think of a better prelude to Lent.

I am reading…Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade as preparation for Lent (this will probably take me through Lent as well). 

I am listening…to silence.  Daxson is feeding the kids lunch and I am writing this in complete silence, out in Daxson’s office.  Amazing how a little bit of silence can be so incredibly uplifting.

I am looking forward to…celebrating Alex’s 3rd birthday.

Around the house…I need to pull out the 18 month clothes for little Roo.  I noticed that his 12-18 month pajama bottoms are a little too snug. 

I am remembering…the pride in Joseph’s smile yesterday when he brought out a container of squares that he had cut from a piece of paper…all by himself.  Jagged little lines, perfect in his eyes…and mine, too.

I am pondering…”To achieve the height of holiness, people must realize that all they count as trivial and worthless is what can make them holy…consider your life and you will see it consists of countless trifling actions.  Yet God is quite satisfied with them, for doing them as they should be done is the part we have to play in our striving for perfection.”  Jean-Pierre de Caussade

One of my favorite things…snuggling first thing in the morning with well-rested, happy little children!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

Outside my window…it’s raining.  The perfect excuse to stay inside and paint.

I am thinking…tax time is not my favorite time of the year.  To think that I once thought I might want to do this for a living.  Give me diapers to wash, babies to nurse, sticky fingers to clean any day over taxes. 

I am thankful…for hearing Mom repeatedly say throughout my childhood, “This too shall pass.”  Positive thinking at its best.  And it’s almost always true. 

From the learning rooms…we’re still traveling along the Alphabet Path, visiting letter Q this week.  Quicksand and quilt patterns, queens and quiet…we’re making the best of an odd letter.

In the kitchen…homemade, gooey chocolate chip cookies.  Egg free.  Dairy free.  Soy free.  Nut free.  It seems impossible for them to taste so good, but trust me…they do.

I am wearing…jeans and a thick striped short sleeve polo shirt.

I am creating…a list.  Aren’t I always? 

I am reading…Falling Home by Karen White, crying my eyes out (yes, I just said that). 

I am wishing…I had time to sew.  I want the boys to have custom made blankets for their move to their “big” bed and I wish so badly I had time to make the blankets myself.  By the time I thread my bobbin, though, they will have outgrown the blankets I’m imagining, so instead I’ve found the perfect solution on etsy.  Need baby blankets, taggies, or burp cloths?  Check out Aimee’s etsy shop.    

I am listening…to Joseph as he tries to make the biggest number ever on his calculator. 

I am looking forward to…Alex’s birthday.  3 years old already.  Where does the time go? 

Around the house…sprucing up the kids room so they can actually start sleeping in it.  Imagine that. 

I am remembering…a few weeks ago when I turned around and Joseph said, “I just did it because it’s his favorite color.”  Uh-oh.  “You did what?”  “That.”  And with that simple reply he pointed to William, whose arms had been colored black.  William proudly held out his arms and exclaimed, “Now I’m just like Martin Luther King, Jr.”   At least I know he was paying attention for our history lesson.

I am praying…The Memorare, finding comfort in the repitition. 

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

Outside my window…it’s sunny and cold.  Finally, cold weather.  I am bundled up and dreaming about spring days.  Ha, isn’t life always greener on the other side?

I am thinking…life is fragile. 

I am thankful…for little displays of sympathy…a call from my dear sister reminding me how much she loves me; a bottle of wine to ease my aches and pains from Lori; visits from my sister-in-law that help me keep my sanity; delicious home-cooked meals from Nury.

From the learning rooms…we’re lightly traveling along the Alphabet Path, focusing more on the season of Advent with a few things “K” related thrown in.

In the kitchen…doesn’t chili sound good?  I wonder if my pantry is stocked with the right ingredients…probably not, so I imagine I’ll make tacos instead. 

I am wearing…a very silly outfit.  I started out with a denim skirt and a long sleeve brown t-shirt.  Then I wanted to go outside.  So I slipped a pair of burgundy yoga pants on under the skirt.  Then added a warm brown fuzzy sweater.  Add a black eye that is now turning a delightful greenish yellow and yep, I look as bad as I just described.

I am creating…lists upon lists.  Since I’m not up to doing much right now, the most productive thing I can do is imagine what I should be doing.

I am going…to finish my Christmas shopping soon…I hope.

I am reading…Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  Yep, it’s that time again.  I read this book every year as part of my Advent journey.  It keeps me grounded in my parenting journey.

I am hoping…to blog about H, I, J and now K weeks very soon. 

I am listening…to Joseph and William as they discuss birdie balls.

I am looking forward to…feeling better.

Around the house…not too much.  I’m just trying to take it easy.

I am remembering…yesterday afternoon.  Joseph was using some clothes from his dress up box.  I asked him what he was doing and he said he was dressing up as a barber.  He put on his construction worker hat and I asked what that was for.  He said just in case any scissors went flying, he wanted to have his head protected.  He’s never been to a barber’s shop and we’ve never discussed barbers, so I can only guess that he read about them somewhere.  I asked him how he knew all about barbers and he replied, “Because I’m a grown up.”  Oh sweet little one, don’t rush.   

I am praying…the St. Andrew Christmas devotion.  It seems only right considering that we now have an Andrew in our family.  You can read more about it here, but here’s a copy of the prayer.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897.

One of my favorite things…happiness.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

Outside my window…it’s rainy.  The perfect excuse to stay inside and blog.

I am thinking…it’s hard to get in the holiday spirit when the temperatures are still in the mid 70s.  It’s just not right to think that we were playing at the beach (we were even wading in the water) a week before Thanksgiving. 

I am thankful…for patient big brothers.

From the learning rooms…we’re finishing up J week.  I promise to post H and I (and now J, too!) weeks soon.

In the kitchen…Grandma Nury brought fried fish last night.  Delicious.  Not a bite leftover.

I am wearing…comfy corduroys and a blue t-shirt.  Oh and these wonderfully fluffy red socks that Mom gave to me last week. 

I am creating…Advent plans.

I am going…to return the Advent candle ring and candles I bought at Mardel’s this week.  I was in for such a surprise when I was unpacking the Christmas decorations this morning.  I don’t know how, but I had forgotten all about the beautiful Advent wreath that my dear sister made me for Christmas last year.  It looks gorgeous in the center of our table. 

If you’re wishing to give homemade gifts this year but are lacking time, check here and here and here for some great gifts to give that are handmade.  If you have some other recommendations for handmade (or made in the USA) gift ideas, please share with us in the comments. 

I am reading…Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  Yep, it’s that time again.  I read this book every year as part of my Advent journey.  It keeps me grounded in my parenting journey.

I am hoping…for a peaceful Advent season.

I am listening…to Alphie.  We just replaced his batteries this morning and he’s been very busy playing games with Joseph all morning.

I am looking forward to…the sun.  Ha, ha.  One morning of rain and already I’m  ready to see the sun! 

Around the house…preparing the best way I know how for the coming of Christ. 

I am pondering…

“Our children are, in the words of Kahlil Gibran, the gift of Life’s longing for Itself.  They run toward Life, arms open, and Life loves Itself through their small bodies.  Pressing themselves into the sand, sifting dirt, watching an inchworm measure a branch, reaching toward the black cat, who evades, then looks at them through inscrutable green eyes…it is their biological imperative to reach toward Life, and we, their caregivers, must structure the way in which Life reaches back, the way they are touched in return.

They need to be touched by grass, flowers, sunshine, birdsong.  They need a pile of dirt, and earthworms, clay for mud pies and dirt balls for target practice.  They need sticks and bare feet, stubbed toes, too.  They need songs, stories, paints, costumes.  And games that go on without end. 

These children are Life reaching out to discover Itself.  What they touch must be vibrantly alive, that in growing they may learn to respect, to nurture, to cherish and protect.  This is our task; it is urgent they thrive.

They are Hope itself, here, now, forever.”

Taken from Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer

I am praying…the St. Andrew Christmas devotion.  It seems only right considering that we now have an Andrew in our family.  You can read more about it here, but here’s a copy of the prayer.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897.

One of my favorite things…big, curious eyes, taking it all in.

Here are some pictures for thought I am sharing…Thanksgiving thoughts…

Baking pumpkin pie with Grandpa Gary (using a real pumpkin!)…

We had a special guest at our Thanksgiving dinner this year.  A friend named Tim.  The kids thought the best thing about Tim was the motorcycle gear he came equipped with…

Full and happy (thanks Mom and Dad for feeding the hungry)…

and a few little Indians…

Outside my window…it’s windy and cold.  Finally.  It’s supposed to warm up again at the end of the week, but I’m enjoying this lovely little bit of fall. 

I am remembering…William’s prayer earlier today.  “O Jesus, I offer you today, all that I think and do and say.  And Jesus, please bring me some left-handed golf clubs.  Amen.”

I am thankful…for Sundays.

From the learning rooms…in the midst of “H” week. 

In the kitchen…chicken enchilada soup. 

I am wearing…light green yoga pants and a hot pink t-shirt.  I think I may have been wearing this for the last daybook…not to worry, I’ve done plenty of laundry since then.

I am hearing…Daxson turn the page of his book.

I am reading…Heaven on Earth and picking up lots of good ideas.

One of my favorite things…cold, rainy days. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…our new bedtime ritual…prayer by candlelight (that’s one of the candles we made last week when we visited the Texas Annual Beekeeper’s Convention…more on that to come soon!). 

Outside my window…there were ducks!  These pictures are from last week (coincidentally they showed up on my birthday, so naturally Daxson took full credit, claiming they were a birthday surprise!).  The ducks showed up first thing in the morning and were quite happy to be fed.  Apparently they were still there at nightfall.  We were not.  We were in Austin, but Daxson received a text from our neighbor, asking if the ducks were ours, as they were in our front yard again searching for water.  I saw them again down the street this morning. 

I am thankful…when our internet actually works.  Lately we’ve been having some issues and it seems like it always happens right in the middle of a blog.  A few weeks ago it was a provider issue; now it seems to be a wireless issue. 

I am remembering…my birthday one year ago.  We’re all a year older.  Possibly a little wiser.  Certainly more blessed.

From the learning rooms…still on “G” week.  Will post details soon. 

In the kitchen…pie made with the leftover roast.  Mmm, it’s like dinner and a treat, all in one.

I am wearing…green pants and a pink t-shirt.  I look like a spring flower. 

I am hoping…for cool weather.  And while I’m hoping for what seems impossible here in the deep south, I’ll also hope for rain. 

I am hearing…the dryer.   

Around the house…suitcases are all unpacked.  Laundry is done (with the exception of the diapers that are still in the dryer).  Toys are picked up and put away.  Sigh of relief.

One of my favorite things…birthdays.  A reason to celebrate.  A time for family and friends and good food.  Memory making at its best.  (A special thanks to Mom and Dad for such an amazing dinner!)

Here are some pictures for thought I am sharing…Halloween.  Joseph and William’s first time trick-or-treating.  By the end of the night, William had the routine down (we just couldn’t convince him to say trick or treat before the candy was dropped in!).  Wait for someone to answer the door.  Wait for the candy to be dropped in his bucket.  Then he’d reply, “Thank you.  Trick or treat.  Bye-bye.”  Joseph went from house to house, arms out, “ooohing,” quite pleased with his impression of a ghost. And Andrew?  Well, he went face-forward in a carrier, content just to be along for the ride. 

 

Outside my window…I see the light on in Daxson’s office and am wondering when he’s going to call it a night.

I am thankful…for dimpled baby hands.

I am thinking…reuniting with family is always so precious.

I am wondering…are Gavin and Andrew having a conversation here?  If they are, I imagine it goes something like this…

Gavin:  Is this to eat? 

Andrew:  Even if it is, you should try your fist instead.  Mine is quite tasty.

Gavin:  Maybe later.  I need to figure out how this thing works exactly. 

Andrew:  Try flipping it inside out.

Gavin:  Oh, yeah, I think I see what you mean.  If I just turn it this way… 

From the learning rooms…oh “g”osh, we’re having such a “g”reat week at school.  It’s G week…I’ll share details soon!

In the kitchen…fish and lentils. 

I am wearing…gray shorts and a pink t-shirt, ready for bed.

I am hoping…for cold weather soon. 

I am reading…Raise Happy Children…Raise them Saints! 

I am hearing…the fan.  That’s it.  Silence really is golden.   

Around the house…a little postpartum nesting, if there is such a thing.  I am cleaning out toys and kitchen tools and clothes and, well, pretty much anything I can get my hands on that I don’t think anyone will miss.  Note to self:  Do not ask the kids for help in choosing toys to get rid of.  Here’s a recent conversation with Joseph.  Me:  I’m going to get rid of this xylophone.  No one uses it.  Joseph:  Oh, yes, Mommy, I use it.  Watch this.  (he hits a few keys)  See I use it.  I’m using it now.  Me:  But Joseph, you haven’t touched it in ages.  It’s a baby toy.  It only has four keys on it.  I think we can part with it.  Joseph:  Oh no, I am using it now.  (He then carried it around with him the rest of the day, afraid I might snatch it up when he put it down…it’s now back in the toy box, unused.)

One of my favorite things…early bedtimes. 

Here are some pictures for thought I am sharing…from our trip to the pumpkin patch a few weekends ago. 

Outside my window…a hummingbird is hovering around our tree, waiting for just the right moment to land on our feeder.

I am thankful…for energetic, happy little boys.

I am thinking…sleeping babies are so beautiful.

I am praying…for guidance on my parenting journey.  There are never simple answers and parenting is truly an art (if only it were a science).

From the learning rooms…enjoying a “f”antastic “f” week, with flowers, farm animals, fairy houses, and more!

In the kitchen…my choices are limited.  Once you cut out dairy, soy, and eggs, the menu is dramatically reduced.  We’re eating lots of oatmeal, beans, fruits and veggies (not together, mind you). 

I am wearing…jean shorts and a white tank top with little tan and brown designs on it…and I am realizing how terrible I am at describing things. 

I am hoping…for fall weather sometime soon.  I already pulled out long sleeve shirts and pants for the kids, hoping maybe just that little action would bring forth crisp autumn days, but so far, it’s still extremely warm outside (heat index today is 93 degrees).

I am hearing…Anne of Green Gables.  Joseph has been asking to watch it for days now, so I finally gave in today and let him watch a little while William is napping.  This movie never gets old for me.

Around the house…packing away clothes that are too small for the boys, rearranging the clothes that fit, and wondering how three little boys have acquired so much.

One of my favorite things…a visit to the plant nursery, which is where we were this morning.  I am so inspired when I see those beautiful blooms and hear the trickling water of the fountains.  Now if only I had a green thumb (or maybe if I could just remember to water the plants I have). 

Here are some pictures for thought I am sharing…We’ve started having tea time every afternoon after William’s nap.  William requires his to be warm with honey; Joseph takes it however it is served.  I am happy to have a few moments just to sip in peace.

Outside my window…it’s windy.  I can still hear William praying when we were outside, frustrated with the wind knocking his golf ball off the tee, “Please God.  Stop the wind.  Amen.”  His prayer went unanswered and Joseph tried to explain that “God doesn’t always answer us right away…at least that’s what Max Lucado says.”  Glad to know that the Hermie movies are making an impression.

I am thinking…I love reading stories to the kids that rhyme.  Our favorite this week?  The Duchess Bakes a Cake…one of my favorites from when I was a kid.

I am thankful…for the little things that I fail to acknowledge.  Oh, like arms and legs.  I take so many things for granted.

From the learning rooms…working on a “d”elightful “D” week.  Will post our “C” week adventures soon.

In the kitchen…slow cooked beef, rice, and corn.  Mmm, comfort food at its best.

I am wearing…gray knit capris and a black t-shirt.  Comfy.

I am reading…Playful Learning by Mariah Bruehl…full of lots of great ideas for teaching the little ones.  Also reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. 

One of my favorite things…watching Joseph and William try to solve a problem.  Earlier today they knocked over the basketball hoop and then took it apart.  After playing with it like that for awhile, they tried their best to put it back together.  They work quite well together.  Each had ideas of how to fix it.  One would say his idea and then the two would work together to try it.  Unfortunately, their ideas didn’t work out, but at least they tried. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…Andrew wasn’t really too happy to be held by his big brothers at this moment…but it now takes two of them to hold the little guy…he’s growing so fast!

Outside my window…it is dark and peaceful. 

I am thankful…for rare moments of peace and quiet.  This is one.

I am thinking…about the ties that bind siblings.  I watch Joseph and William play together, knowing Andrew will soon join them.  I watch them argue.  I watch them as they learn to share.  I watch them struggle.  I watch them as they love one another, get angry with one another, help one another, grow with one another.  And I pray.  I pray that despite their differences, they will grow to be true friends.    

From the learning rooms…we’re in the midst of C week on the Alphabet Path. 

In the kitchen…homemade pizza.  Again.  I know that’s what we had last time I did a Daybook.  We really do eat other things.  It’s just so nice to have traditions and it seems that homemade pizza once a week is a tradition of ours.

I am wearing…comfy pajamas.

I am reflecting…on 127 Hours, the movie Daxson and I recently watched.  I am in awe of the human spirit and the will to live. 

I am hearing…the rhythmic thump of the motor on the baby swing.  Andrew is finally sleeping peacefully.

Around the house…the usual.  Laundry, cooking, cleaning.  No big projects right now.  Maybe one day soon I can start to organize photos.   

One of my favorite things…schooling alongside my children.  I’m learning things now that I missed out on the first time around.  (I had no idea there was a country called Belarus until recently…thank you to Joseph…he’s my little geography teacher.)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…stopping to pray a Hail Mary in the prayer garden at our parish.