Daybook

/ Stacie / Leave a comment

Outside my window…it’s breezy and beautiful.  We headed out here as soon as we could.  We’re making up for lost time.  Yesterday we came outside to run off some energy and were swarmed by bees.  Perhaps a neighbor hit a nest when mowing the lawn.  Regardless, we ended up inside ALL day.  Two little boys, lots of energy, no naps.  It was a long day.  A very long day.   Today there is not a bee in sight.  The temperature is just right.  The sun is out.  All is right with our world again.

I am thinking…about grace.  It’s what gets me through each day.  I can’t imagine being a mommy without the gift of grace. 

I am thankful for…a few moments to reflect on this busy life. 

From the learning rooms…today we’ve moved the schoolroom…yep, you guessed it…outside.  We’re doing our Draw Write Now lesson with sidewalk chalk on the driveway.  We’re reading, reading, reading (that’s the great thing about books…they’re incredibly portable!).  Later today when we head inside, we’ll continue with our RightStart Math.

 

From the kitchen…homemade coconut ice cream.  We made the batter yesterday so today we’ll make it into ice cream.  It’s meant to be our dessert for Easter Sunday but I have a feeling we might need to sample it a little later today. 

I am wearing…jean shorts and a pink t-shirt.  With this baby belly, I think perhaps I look a little like an Easter egg.

I am creating…next year’s curriculum.  Adding to it.  Looking at it.  Reflecting on it.  Thinking that perhaps I need to take a little from it.  After all, there are only so many hours in a day.   

I am still smiling…when I think about the other afternoon.  We built a fort and the two of the them played inside it for what seemed like hours.  Joseph read book after book after book to William and when they were tired of that, the two of them decided to bring some play food in with them and fix one another snacks.  It was so nice to hear them playing together nicely.  No squabbling.  No arguing.  No teasing.  Perhaps there’s a chance for a friendship between them yet. 

I am still reading…One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, constantly reflecting on the gifts in my life. 

I am hearing…William ask, “Please kiss it Mommy” as he just bumped his knee and Joseph calling to William to join him for a pretend picnic (they’re pretending to be on their way to Austin and they’ve stopped to have lunch). 

Around the house…I’ve caught up on the laundry.  Today that feels like enough.

One of my favorite things…watching Joseph and William play.  Those little minds are always working.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…

{this moment}

/ Stacie / Leave a 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.

Passing on the faith

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

Somewhere in the world, there is an ever faithful mom.  One who gets up early every morning, dresses in the dark and quietly reads the Bible to herself before anyone else is awake.  She then wakes her children before the sun comes up, fixes them a healthy breakfast, and takes them all to daily mass.  Somewhere else, another mother wakes up beside her children and snuggling them close, she makes a morning offering, dedicating her day, her chores, her life to Jesus.  She pauses, allowing the children to participate with their own heartfelt prayer requests.  Elsewhere, a family gathers around their table ready to dig into breakfast, when Daddy clears his throat and asks them all to bow their heads in prayer and thanksgiving for such a bountiful meal. Somewhere, tonight, a family will gather around the foot of their family altar and taking turns, they will pray the rosary.  Throughout the day, throughout the world, today, moms and dads will read stories about saints; spontaneously pray with their children; sing songs; live by example; tell stories from the Bible.   Each family, in their own way, is doing what we, as parents, are called to do.  They are passing on the faith.  They are building the most important foundation they can, preparing their children for the ultimate goal in life…Heaven. 

Why do we pass on the faith?  The goal is not sainthood (although, yes, that would be a remarkable and profound gift); the goal is not perfection; the goal certainly is not to be a walking theologian, spouting Church doctrine.  The goal is simple (although I’m not implying easy):  It is to get our children to Heaven.  That is our calling as parents.  That is how we serve the Lord. 

So how do we pass on the faith?  Oh, if only it were so easy that I could just tell you.  But wait, it is that easy.  Because faith is not meant to be complicated.  It is not meant to need a degree in theology to understand.  Faith is simple.  It is humble.  It is childlike.  “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:3-4

St. Therese of Lisieux is a beautiful example to follow when we attempt to pass along our faith.  She believed in the “Little Way”, a way of simplicity; a way of loving the Lord in all the small things she did each day.  Following St. Therese’s example of her “little way” is the key to passing the faith along.  Passing along the faith cannot be done simply by attending daily mass, teaching Church doctrine, or studying the lives of saints (although all of these are worthwhile endeavors).  It is more important to ask yourself the following:  Do your children see you praying?  Do they see you struggling with sin (like short tempers and angry outbursts) but then see you asking forgiveness and begging for mercy (not just from the Lord but from the person on the receiving end of an angry outburst…even a 2 year old sees regret in our eyes and hears the plea for forgiveness)?  Do they see us trying harder each day?  Do they see us reading the Bible and reading about the lives of the saints?  Do they see us expressing gratitude for the many, many blessings in our lives?  Do they see us living the faith?  Because that’s how we pass on the faith.  By living it.   

So everybody has their own method.  Their own “little way” to pass the faith along.  There is no wrong way.  And there certainly is no right way.  No way that is holier than others.  Some attend daily mass; some pray a daily rosary; some read Bible stories at breakfast; some celebrate feast days; some simply pray.  Some moms have it all together.  Some don’t.  Some do it gracefully.  Some don’t.  It doesn’t matter how it looks to the rest of the world.  What matters is what’s in your heart because children see that.  They feel it in their little beings.  They know when you are earnest and humble.  And they imitate that.  So do it with a pure heart and the best of intentions.  Do it your own “little way”, this grand task of passing on the faith.  That’s what’s important…that you do it.  So live it, breathe it…you’ll be passing that beautiful gift of faith right along…and your children will be one step closer to the gates of Heaven.

Daybook

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…the clouds are dark and look heavy with rain.  So far, though, we haven’t seen a drop.

I am thinking…raising children is not an easy task.

I am thankful for…a very helpful little 3 year old. 

From the learning rooms…Joseph loves to practice adding and subtracting.  Here he is last week acting out some addition/subtraction stories with his teddy bear counters.

 

From the kitchen…lasagna.  We are still on a dairy free diet for the most part, but every now and then, we like to indulge.  I knew lasagna was a good choice when I asked Joseph if he wanted to help make it and he asked, “What is lasagna?”  Sometimes I forget that we’ve been dairy free for so long that Joseph has forgotten some of the traditional cheesey dishes! 

I am wearing…dark brown pants and a striped t-shirt.  I don’t match but at least my belly is covered! 

I am creating…a list of all the things that I’d like to get done before the new baby arrives…and thinking that the majority of it will probably never be done.

I am still smiling…as I remember how Joseph was giving William manners lessons last week.  Every time I turned around, there was Joseph reminding William to use nice words like “please” and “thank you.”  Now if only Joseph would remember that actions speak louder than words and perhaps he should practice what he preaches (although that seems to be a hard lesson for each of us)!  (I will say, though, that Joseph’s lessons seem to be very effective as I’ve heard William use the word “please” each and every time he’s asked for something.)  

I am reading…One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and already I am inspired.

I am hearing…Joseph, as he sounds out the word curious. 

Around the house…I hung some pictures today and consider that a huge accomplishment, since they’ve been sitting there waiting to be hung for a very long time.

One of my favorite things…Sundays. 

I am offering up…the aches and pains of pregnancy for the health of a beautiful new baby.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing:

{this moment}

/ Stacie / Leave a 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.

Daybook

/ Stacie / Leave a comment

Outside my window…it’s sunny and gorgeous.

I am remembering…a beautiful birthday celebration for my nephew Alex on his 2nd birthday and the many fun memories created (like how happy Joseph was to “help” Alex open his gifts and how happy William was to “help” Alex try out his new toys!).

 

I am thankful for…naptime. 

From the learning rooms…we’re working on a Presidents’ Day lapbook amongst other things (like our everyday curriculum!).

From the kitchen…a roast in the crockpot.  We’ve been smelling it all day as it cooks and it certainly smells delicious!

I am wearing…olive green maternity pants and a black t-shirt.  The black shirt was a little too warm to wear for a walk today…almost came home and changed into shorts!

I am creating…a list of books I want from Usborne books.  I’m hosting an e-show.  Feel free to come shopping and stock up on some great books! 

I am still smiling…as I remember how Joseph fell asleep for his nap today…cuddled up on the couch beside me, with his hand resting on my belly, “just waiting, Mom, in case the baby kicks.” 

I am reading…The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, wishing I had time to quilt.

I am hearing…a bird chirping and the flap of the curtains as they are blown by the breeze.  I just love weather like this when we can open all the windows.

Around the house…it’s finished!  The office and the guest suite are done!  We still have a few odds and ends to pick up (like a shower curtain and towels) but Daxson is all settled in his new office.  Life is good.  Here are a few shots from before Dax moved in…

Finally...a place for everything!

One of my favorite things…falling asleep at night feeling the rhythmic thumping of a baby deep inside me. 

I am praying…for a friend as she begins her homeschooling journey…that she finds peace in her heart and support from those around her.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing:

{this moment}

/ 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.

Ice Excavation

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

We live in a city where the majority of the year it’s sunny and warm.  Warm might be a little bit of an understatement.  It’s usually hot.  And humid.  We hardly ever have cold days and it’s a very rare event for the temperatures to actually drop below freezing.  This week we were in for a treat.  It got cold.  Very, very cold for us.  The temperatures dropped below freezing for a few nights and we even had a day where the temperature hovered right around 31.  Oooh, so very cold. 

I wanted Joseph and William to get an idea of how cold it really was getting at night since we were all cuddled up under our down comforter, snug in our long sleeve pajamas.  So last night we filled a Pyrex pan with water and added a few sea creatures and then set it outside overnight to see what would happen.  This morning Joseph was amazed to see that the entire thing was frozen!  We brought it inside and I gave each of the boys a tool to begin excavating.  The chiseling and banging began and slowly, slowly, we were able to free our sea creatures.

{this moment}

/ Stacie / Leave a 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.

Daybook

/ Stacie / 2 Comments

Outside my window…it’s sunny and gorgeous, but the wind is howling.  The temperature is slowly dropping.  Finally, a little winter in our corner of the world. 

I am remembering…yesterday I framed a photo of William and Walker.  William went over to see it and was so excited to see Walker, he exclaimed, “Hey, that kid is Walker!” 

I am thankful for…walks with my sister-in-law, Jessica.  It’s so nice to have someone to get out and chat with.

From the learning rooms…put up our February calendar this morning.  Joseph loves the February numbers because each number has a heart on it (he’s always saying “My favorite shape is a heart cause I love ya!”).  Almost done with Saxon K Math and I think we’re going to give Right Start Math a try…I’m very excited to approach math in such a different way.

From the kitchen…homemade pizza today.  Maybe some homemade bread later in the week (just seems right with all the cold) and oh, wouldn’t chili be nice?

I am wearing…gray maternity cords and a black knit top.  I actually match and even look a little fashionable (until I put on my old ratty tennis shoes, that is).

I am creating…still working on the preschool curriculum that I started awhile back (lost a little motivation when the 1st trimester ickies hit). 

I am going… to order a fun print of Daxson and William from mpix later this week.  It so perfectly catches his little personality.  I know you’re curious, so here it is (it was taken by our friend Amanda Hagood in Austin).

I am reading…A Child’s Book of Geography by Ann Voskamp, storing up geography information for our Tour of the Continents next school year (I’ll share more later).

I am hoping…the shelves get installed into the new office soon so I can move some of the “stuff” that’s cluttering the house out!

I am hearing…William’s rhythmic breathing as he naps and Joseph’s imitation of an airplane (done in a whisper so he doesn’t wake up little brother).

Around the house…the office and guest bedroom really are almost done.  The tile is being grouted and then the shelves need to be installed.  I’m sure there’s a few more things to it than that, but those are the big things. 

One of my favorite things…a coffee from Starbucks. 

I am praying…that my children always feel the hand of God gently guiding them.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing: