Daybook

January 13, 2016 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…it’s clearing up. Yesterday it was cold and rainy. I really didn’t want to leave the house today. So I didn’t. Lucky me.

I am remembering…the pure joy on this kid’s face when he volunteered at the Renaissance Faire.

I am listening…Katie stacking and restacking little cups. Knocking them over. Putting them on her head. Then doing it all over again.

I am wondering…why my sewing machine consistently outsmarts me. Sat down to make dilly pillows with the kids the other day…just a quick seam here and a quick seam there turned into an entire afternoon devoted to figuring out what the issue was. (No need to examine my stitches…I am a self-proclaimed un-perfectionist when it comes to sewing…I’m just impressed when I actually manage to sew something!)

I am going…to start the drudgery of doing our taxes. 1099s to get ready. Reports to print. My brain wants to be excited…I like the way the numbers all line up and it all makes sense, but I just can’t quite get there…there are just too many other things rattling around in my brain, vying for attention.

I am pondering…St. Teresa Benedicta’s words…”When night comes, and retrospect shows that everything was patchwork and much that one had planned left undone, when so many things rouse shame and regret, then take all as is, lay it in God’s hands, and offer it up to Him. In this way we will be able to rest in Him, actually to rest and to begin the new day like a new life.”

I am thankful…that these little guys (and gal!) all get to grow up together. Their lives are defined, not just by their own experiences, but by the experiences they share together. Lots of beautiful moments shared together. The fact that they’re all cousins is just the cherry on top.

In the schoolroom…we’re back in the swing of things. Lots of history and science (as well as science fair projects). Herbal studies are taking center stage for our nature studies and the kids’ reading goals are ready and posted on the wall.

In the refrigerator…homemade elderberry syrup. Ooh, our herbal studies are well underway, but they deserve a post all of their own.

I am wearing…black pants and a pink t-shirt, covered by a coral zip-up hoodie.

We are preparing for…the Tournament of Scholars. Joseph will be participating in the Spelling Bee and Science Fair. William will be participating in the Science Fair.

Someday I am going to miss...the whole inside out shirt thing. Not really sure what the fascination is with wearing them inside out, but every one of mine has gone through a phase of it. Last time I wore my shirt incorrectly was when I attended the 7:30 am Mass and got dressed in the dark…I didn’t discover that my shirt was on backwards until I got home. Personally, wearing my clothes incorrectly was rather embarrassing…not fascinating.

I am reading…I have declared this to be a year of intentional reading. I have an entire list (part of which is inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge) ready to go. Right now I’m knee deep in All the Light We Cannot See, High Five, The Church of Mercy, and Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs. Lots of reading. Lots of intention.

One of my favorite things…from this past Advent was taking this little gang Christmas caroling.

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

{this moment}

January 1, 2016 / Stacie / 1 Comment

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2015 / Stacie / Leave a comment

Dear family and friends,

As I sit here flipping through pictures of 2015, looking for the ones that mark the big events, reflecting on our year, wondering what in the world is worthy of a Christmas letter mention, I am struck by the pure joy I see reflected in all these photos. My kids’ eyes sparkle; their smiles are contagious. Another year of parenting and Daxson and I are becoming accomplished students, learning to see the world through these little people’s eyes. I thought I’d share with you a few lessons we’ve learned this past year…

There is magic in everything. No really, I mean everything. Not just in the big moments, like when William managed to lose both front teeth within a few days of each other and then anxiously waited to see if the tooth fairy would manage to make it twice in one week (which she miraculously did!) or when they hopped up and down at the discovery of trinkets in their slippers on St. Nicholas’ feast day, but in the little things, as well. Like the way Katie is swept away, as Cinderella, to a ball when she dances with her brothers or the way Andrew can magically change his character just based on a pair of shorts (the black ones are Batman; the red ones are Superman). But the beauty of magic in their world is that there doesn’t have to be definitive proof…the belief is enough to fuel their imaginations. I recently watched Joseph building a little fairy house by the pecan tree, arranging and rearranging his creation until it was just right. And when it was done, he explained that fairies would feel welcome there. Then he looked over and added an afterthought…just in case they really do exist. And in their world, the possibility is just as sweet as the reality.

More often than not, life is about the process, not the product. This past summer we had a Tinkerlab. I went in with it all organized and I had a book that gave ideas on how to build things. I imagined exactly how it was going to go…the kids would sit down, all orderly, and I’d hand out supplies and we’d build exactly what the book suggested. But somehow they made it to the Tinkerlab supplies before I did and what I saw (after the initial holy cow! that’s a mess! thought) astounded me. They were building beautiful creations without any guidance, without any rules. So I left them to it. Some of their projects turned out (like Andrew’s chair that looks so unsteady but is actually a favorite resting spot in the backyard, even for adults); other projects turned into something else along the way (like William’s homemade instrument that somehow managed to transform into a rocket); and some projects were just never finished (like Joseph’s long thought out machine that was going to recycle whatever you put in it). But it really didn’t matter…it was the feel of the goop in their hands, the flubber bouncing off the floor, the sawdust in their hair…it was the process, not the product. A valuable lesson in a society that only seems to value performance. A quiet reminder that sometimes the beauty lies mainly in the journey.

Joy is meant to be simple. Not complicated. It’s not meant to require advanced planning and foresight or a list of supplies that breaks the bank. Sometimes I get caught up in what friends are doing or the latest blog about the best way to teach this or that and I forget. I forget that simple is good. And memorable. And magical. A cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night. A walk around the neighborhood, hand in hand. A sunset and the chance to take their lanterns out to play hide and seek in the dark. A first camping trip with cousins in the woods, free to laugh loud and run free. The simple traditions that define our family life: Waffle Wednesday, family game night, movie night, ice cream every Sunday afternoon, early morning snuggles. It isn’t the material goods that make them happy. Or the millions of Pinterest projects. It’s the people. The relationships. The time we spend together, laughing and building memories. It’s what’s hidden in the simplicity of life that makes their world a place of joy.

Mercy. Forgiveness. Peace. Understanding. I lose my temper and yell at a child or I get lost on my phone texting while they wait, wide-eyed, vying for my attention. I look up and catch their unmasked adoration and I repent. And they forgive. Over and over again. Each day is new. Fresh without yesterday’s mess. They offer me mercy and forgiveness. They fill my heart with peace and understanding, only because their entire world is built on a foundation of peace and understanding. They possess a childlike faith in humanity. They exhibit unconditional love. Their hearts are pure and innocent, untarnished by the harsh realities of life and I revel in their spirits. I find myself just wanting to be near them because I know their ways will become my ways if I just allow myself to soak up their wisdom and faith.

I close this year (and this letter!) with a heart full of gratitude. I am thankful for a year of beautiful memories with this little family of mine. I am thankful for a marriage that continues to grow and is strengthened by the trials we face. The struggle is real, but having a partner who is steadfast and supportive makes the crosses encountered easier to bear. I am thankful for another year spent homeschooling my children, learning alongside them, delighting in each new adventure, praising God for each hurdle overcome. Thankful for the richness of good health, steady work for Daxson and prosperity. Thankful for friends and family that are so dear to our hearts. Thankful to have each and everyone of you in our lives.

May God bless you with a magical season filled with all the things that make us worthy to be loved…mercy, forgiveness, peace, understanding and unconditional love. And here’s to hoping you get to experience 2016 with childlike wonder and faith.

With love from The Saterys:

Daxson, Stacie, Joseph (8), William (6), Andrew (4), and Katelyn (2)

{this moment}

December 11, 2015 / Stacie / 2 Comments

Daybook

December 10, 2015 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…it is bare. The big ash tree that has given us shade for all these years was finally declared rotten…so today we said farewell. The stump will be gone soon, too, but for now it makes a fun addition for backyard play.

I am remembering…a beautiful, bountiful Thanksgiving dinner at Mom and Dad’s…and I am so very thankful.

I am listening…to Joseph and William’s voices, recording a book for Andrew on the Sparkup, their voices a tiny hum amidst all the noise of Andrew and Katie who are building with Duplos and imagining a world all of their own.

I am going…to try to remember all the thoughts bouncing around in my head. Seems like an idea bounces in and before I can react, it bounces right out again.

I am pondering…Sometimes, in order to move forward, we have to let go of dreams and of vision. We have to see how our carefully crafted ideas of the way things should be might not be part of God’s plan after all. We have to come up with new visions, ones that are colored and tempered by the experiences of life. The trick, I think, to doing this successfully, is to believe that the new vision really can be better than the old one, even if the old one was very dear, indeed. –E. Foss

I am thankful…for quiet moments early in the morning before little sleepyheads appear.

In the schoolroom…Advent plans are well underway. There are Jesse Tree readings and ornaments to hang. Our Advent books are all wrapped and labeled to be opened each day. We plug along through Advent with our regular Math and Grammar, but our science and history correlate to the season. This year, inspired by the scents of the Christmas season, we decided to embark on an herbal study. We’re studying herbal use throughout history (this is a rich topic and so related to this season…the most obvious being the Wise Men and their gifts) and the science of using herbal remedies, using this awesome kit and game. Our reading is focused around the Herb Fairies and this lovely book by Lesley Tierra.

Around the house…it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…we tried to hold out on decorating the tree, to keep in tune with the true spirit of Advent, but we just couldn’t wait. So the tree is decorated, the lights are up, and if it weren’t high 70’s outside, I’d say it’s feeling like Christmas is in the air.

In the refrigerator…parsley pesto. And it’s good.

I am wearing…a cotton knit skirt that Mom lovingly whipped together for me and a blue t-shirt.

We are preparing for…obviously…Christmas ; )

Someday I am going to miss…William’s nonstop talking. Joseph’s constant humming. Katie’s squealing. Andrew’s chatter. But just for today, a little silence would be nice.

I am reading…Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books. Yes, that’s right. I’ve doubled my years since the first time I read this series. I thought it would be fun to re-read them…just to see if I still have the same sense of humor I did when I was in college. Turns out, yep, these books are still as funny as the first time I read them.

One of my favorite things…this girl…

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

{this moment}

November 20, 2015 / Stacie / Leave a comment

Daybook

November 18, 2015 / Stacie / Leave a comment

Outside my window…it is perfect. Sunny. Forecast for today is mid-70s. I wish these kind of days were more common.

I am remembering…another little Superman from years ago…hard to believe this superhero is already getting his driver’s license.

I am listening…to the creak of the boys’ swings and their conversation about Superman. Seems some fascinations with superheroes just never fade.

I am wondering…how other people get a good family picture. Here’s the best out of a whole bunch that were taken…

p.s. thanks, Joseph, for the cross-eyed look…it certainly makes the picture an authentic representation of what our lives are usually like ; )

I am going…to have to think about winter coats for a few of these little kiddos. It’s hard to think about heavy clothing when it’s still so warm outside, but I know how the wind doth blow…one day it’ll be beautiful and sunny, the next day it will be shivery cold. I better get on it.

I am pondering…the thrill of going up the slide rather than down it. Every kid does it. Without fail. And every kid loves it. Without fail. Why?

I am thankful…for a successful first camping trip (with the kids, that is). Somehow, I got really lucky and not only do I have an amazing sister and an amazing sister-in-law, but they both double as my best friends. Having both of them there, along with their awesome kids (who, of course, double as my awesome nephews!) and husbands, really made this first camping trip with the kids special.

We camped at Stephen F. Austin State Park, which was beautiful…lots of tall trees and hiking trails. It’s located on the Brazos River and it’s about 30 minutes from the outskirts of Houston, so it was a bit humid. We had the park to ourselves, which made for a relaxing adventure (no need to worry about the kids bothering anyone). The following day we headed into Bellville to visit Newman’s Castle.

In the schoolroom…Thanksgiving plans are in full swing. Last week our focus was on the Wampanoag Indians. This week we’re focusing on the Pilgrims. Next week, of course, will be a week of reflection on the First Thanksgiving. Lots of great books, a few crafty projects, a couple of specially chosen DVDs and some Thanksgiving tunes. We’ve got this holiday covered.

Around the house…trying to sort through toys before the Christmas onslaught. Would love to hear how you keep things simple and organized.

In the refrigerator…all the ingredients for kolaches are waiting to be thrown together…Andrew has been asking for them since our camping trip.

I am wearing…black yoga pants, a purple Merit t-shirt, and a dark gray knitted shawl. The shawl is a bit of an exaggeration but a crisp morning calls for a little fall accessory.

We are preparing for…A Year of Mercy. Not sure what that’s going to look like with the kids yet, but my reading list is ready to go. Here’s what I’m planning…

The Church of Mercy: a collection of Pope Francis’ thoughts regarding his vision for the Catholic Church, which is namely a call for mercy, service, and renewal.

Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life: a theology based book looking in depth at the essence of the gospel (yea, I totally just used its title to describe it).

Mercy in the City: the memoir of a young lady who decided to spend Lent living out the Corporal Works of Mercy

The Second Greatest Story Ever Told: Now is the Time of Mercy

With God in Russia and He Leadeth Me: The first book, With God in Russia, tells the story of Father Ciszek and his journey to Russia where he was imprisoned as a “Vatican spy” in labor camps for 15 years. His faith gave him the courage he needed for each moment and upon his release, he offered forgiveness and mercy to his captors. He Leadeth Me, the spiritual memoir of his journey, is meant to be read alongside With God in Russia.

Someday I am going to miss…seeing Katie in her pink tutu. Every.single.day.

I am reading…The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy. Daxson and I have been reading bits of it together, laughing at our scores on the assessments. I’m also reading Cocktails for Three for a little light reading. And I’m back to Genesis in the Bible. No specific book for our December book club. Instead we’re going to each talk about the book(s) that have changed our lives. I’d love to hear about your life-changers in the comments!

One of my favorite things…an excuse to pull out my camera.

A peek into my day…William is pretty impressed with himself. After reading The Flying Hockey Stick, he decided to invent a flying contraption of his own. He “invented” this handy propeller. I’m still waiting to see where he flies off to. (The Flying Hockey Stick has been re-published by Purple House Press. If you haven’t hopped over there to see all the old gems they are re-publishing, it is totally worth your time. Keep an eye on their bargain basement…tons of awesome deals!)

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

{this moment}

November 13, 2015 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Freeze!

October 21, 2015 / Stacie / 1 Comment

If I could freeze this moment in time, here’s what you’d find…

Joseph: You now like to be called Joey. It’s hard for all of us to remember (after all, you’ve been our Joseph for 8 years now!), but we all try! Katie always remembers, though, and you adore her for that. Actually, you just adore her. All her littleness…the things she says and does. You are praying for another sibling. You are still holding steady with your favorite color…red. Therefore, Iron Man is your favorite superhero. You love Legos and superheroes and Star Wars. You drag your feet about everything, but then throw yourself wholeheartedly into it despite your reservations, like for example: the beach. You are practically in tears before we go, reminding us (at least 10,000 times) how much you hate the beach. Until the moment we arrive. Then you throw yourself (literally) head first into the water and call out, “I love this! I love the beach!” You love grammar and writing. Math is definitely your least favorite subject. You’re optimistic and joyful, outgoing and so very easily distracted.

William: You now like to go by Billy, although you’ll answer to any name we call out! You love to imagine how you’re going to spend your money and you’re always updating your wish list. Right now that wish list has all sorts of things on it ranging from a motorcycle to a canon, gamma rays and water balloons in between. Really…your list is huge and everyday, you manage to cram another item or two on the list. You love science, but you drag your feet when it comes to reading and writing (unless it’s writing a letter to Auntie Romy…you’ve found that she knows quite a bit about each of the superheroes). You have moved on past Superman (a phase you were stuck in for, literally, years) to the Hulk and sometimes Ironman. You crave adventure and love the books Daddy reads to you at night (usually stories about survival like My Side of the Mountain and The Cay). You are definitely a people pleaser, always wanting to make each person around you happy. You love to offer massages and are always quick to offer a kiss. You don’t like to go to sleep without me…in fact some nights you sneak out of your room once your brothers are asleep, so we can snuggle together on the couch.

Andrew: We still call you Roo…or Superman…or Batman…or Bruce…or WonderBoy…or whichever character you are for the day, but the default name is Roo. You’re still struggling to find your place with the other boys, some days things go well and you’re happy as can be; other days, you tell me you’ve had a rough day because you’ve been bullied (although just for the record, you do your fair share of bullying, too!). You are sweet and affectionate, always offering me a kiss and wrapping your little hands around my neck at night. When I told you recently just how cute you are, you seriously looked at me and explained that you’re handsome, not cute. When we visited the neighbor this past weekend and she asked your name, you told her Simba (from the Lion King). Then you proceeded to tell everyone there that when you go fishing, you catch fish with your mouth (because you’re a lion, of course). You take character role-playing to a whole new level, sweet one! You’re just learning to read and you can write some of your letters. You love to be left alone to your imagination.

Katelyn: Oh my! You are one determined little girl. Shakespeare described you perfectly…though she be but little, she be fierce. You love Minnie Mouse. You put on your Minnie Mouse dress and pink high heels in the morning and it takes some major trickery to get you to change those clothes to go play outside! If you wear your Minnie Mouse shirt, it takes a force of nature to get you out of it at bath time. When we ask you a question, your answer tends to be “You betcha!” You still ask for milk multiple times a day although you really only nurse at night now. You love a can of sardines for lunch (which you affectionately call sar-beans). You don’t nap because, heaven forbid, you miss a single moment of the day, so instead you fight the afternoon meltdown and make it until about 7:30. You talk in your sleep (usually to tell Roo not to steal your purse or to call out, “I can’t do it!”). You can count to 10 now. You love everything your brothers love…superheroes, legos, books, but you’re developing your own loves now…pink, princesses and, of course, Minnie Mouse.