Wedding Weekend

Life has been busy and this weekend is full. I can't complain. It is full of celebrations of family, friends and vows to share a life of love. It doesn't get any better than that. Maddy will be taking many pictures and I hope to share some here. Until next week...

Christmas in October

 I am very sad to say I only just discovered this wonderful Catholic business late this summer. I'm sure I had heard people refer to them, but had never visited their site. What a treasure! Great prices and amazing service. Linda personally called me to let me know a book I ordered had just gone out of print. And have I mentioned their selection is outstanding. Let's just say my wish list is getting rather long. Now go there and don't miss out on the Christmas in October sale for some even better deals.

Delight

 My little man.

Peeking

Isn't this cute? Maddy took it, of course. Actually, I'm just playing around with some new blogger features. Baby needs me so this is all I have time for.

Daybook: Sleep is Overrated Edition

Right now...I just cleaned up milk that Aggie poured over the table and being so sleep-deprives, managed to spill the rest of the cup all over the counter by the sink. I can hear attempts at waking the big girls going on in the basement. If they don't drag themselves up here soon, things could get ugly.

Later...Ah Mondays! Spanish for Maddy and then another round of ballet and soccer.

This week...sigh...

Sleep Deprivation...is no fun. Tough going this morning. At least I think I've figured out what is making it difficult for John to sleep easily. Separation anxiety. Last night, he was laying right next to me. He kept drifting off, only to wake himself and frantically lift his head looking for me. Each time I had to whisper to him, touch his cheek, take his hand and he would settle back down, only to repeat that pattern as he drifted off again and feared I would leave his side. It took him a long time (really long time) to finally give in to his exhaustion.

Living the Liturgy...Our Lady of the Rosary this week. I hope to post about the stunning Rosary handmade by this dear lady. Do check out her shop, she's got a beautiful giveaway this week.

In the schoolroom...we'll just keep plugging along. Despite my fuzzy brain, we are managing to keep on track.

Around the house...Uh oh, you know what I'm going to say...yup, laundry. Lots.

I am reading...*still* have to finish the Solanus Casey book. I do actually like it, but I got distracted by Hunger Games. (Where's the embarrassed emoticon?)

Picture Thought...

Anna at Tae Kwan Do. I know, scary thought.

Some Days

Is it possible to capture in words the blessings and grace of this day? I think I will try because I want to keep it with me for a long time. How to describe the abundant love and generosity of my Father in heaven? Consider these things...

A morning started bright and early with pumpkin bread already prepared from the day before.

A smiling baby.

Bringing the one I love his first cup of coffee to start his day.

A morning full of learning, shared with other dear families, each one of their children a precious blessing in our life.

A sweet boy signing "I'm sorry."

A tiny boy crawling around fearlessly.

Little ones reciting the Guardian Angel prayer.

A big teen sister proudly telling me that her own little sister could find Peru on a map of South America and sharing about the "fiesta" for Abuelo tonight.

Another big teen sister treating everyone to lunch at McDonald's with her own hard earned babysitting money.

Cheerful and efficient employees who made helped make lunch that much better.

Lots of big kids to wrangle little kids through a quick run at the store.

Trying to hide the tears as I drove as Lilly played this song because she knows I love it.

And still to come...bobbing for apples (because why not, it is Abuelo's birthday "fiesta" and he wants to), playing with cousins and celebrating with my father, who exemplifies in so many ways the generous love of my heavenly Father.

Happy Birthday Aggie!

Today you are "fwee"!

Daybook: Seeking Peace

Right now...I am typing and holding the baby boy that should be sleeping in his bed. Its been nearly three days of near constant holding. His panicked, anguished cries when I set him down for even just a moment are heartbreaking. Not sure why he needs me so right now, but I find if I get frustrated about what I "can't" accomplish while holding him I lose sight of what I am accomplishing...meeting the needs of my little boy. No small accomplishment at all.

In a little while...we'll try bedtime again.

This week...All the usual stuff. This week will probably include just about every activity possible...sigh...I'm must admit I'm struggling a bit with not feeling like I'm constantly running away from a tidal wave. I need to be careful as I hear the chorus of "I will not burn out. I will not burn out..." playing repeatedly in my head. Is it a warning or a prediction...don't know yet.

Birthdays...On Tuesday my Aggie is three! Three! She is such a delight. I love most how all her siblings love telling the stories of the newest clever thing she says in her lispy voice. It is also Grandpa's birthday. Grandma's is today. Then Abuelo and cousin Lindsay on Thursday. And then cousin Maggie next week.

Fall...really here now. So many things to bake! I love autumn.

Living the Liturgy...We'll celebrate the Archangels of course! And Therese, special to our family and our little co-op. And St. Francis, for Carmen, my animal lover.
Hmmm, I wanted to share about a wonderful perfect moment of peace after Communion today. It was so brief, but full of grace...I think I need to hold on to it this week, to remind me of His peace and grace, ever present, if I only remember to rely on it.
The other thing I'm pondering this week is piety. I have moments when I worry how well am I really passing along the faith to the children. More importantly, are they truly growing in friendship with our Lord. Mercifully, God gives me the tiniest glimpses to assure me His grace is present. Lately it is through Carmen. She is so sweet and sensitive. Watching her attentiveness and devotion at Mass is so beautiful. In the past weeks she has decided to wear her scapular all the time. This is not a devotion we have cultivated in our home. She simply felt drawn to it and so she did it. I smile to think of the work of the Holy Spirit going on in my girl's soul. And again I pray for the grace to let Him work, gently and secretly in her heart.

In the schoolroom...Despite the relentless pace of life...oh my, can I say it and not jinx it? Our world studies are so much fun and I can't believe how much we're learning. Is it true? Are all the kids really in a rhythm? Pretty much. So much I could share, but the once sleepy baby seems to be getting his second wind, so I think my time is getting limited.
I'll share this now. How amazing to see my Maddy mature and come into her own educationally. She is conscientious and precise about completing her work. She is eager to be challenged intellectually. I love talking to her about what she's learning. Maybe I'll be able to post what we chose for her for this year.

John...yeah, really awake now and chatting. Size will not stop this boy and I'm trying to figure out how to baby proof for a tiny boy ready to explore his world. I also need to get over my anxiety about it. He's 9 months! And now he wants to type, so its time to go.