Outside my window… we have leaves everywhere. Or as Twinkle Toes has been quoting:
I am thinking… about Christmas gifts. I would really love to have all of my planning and shopping completed, and all the gifts wrapped, by the first Sunday of Advent, which is coming up way too quickly!
I am thankful… for extra help. I hired an affordable cleaning lady for the very first time last month! She came for 3 hours to deep clean the bathrooms, dust, vacuum, and mop the floors. It was amazing! Of course I “cleaned” (or should I say de-cluttered) all morning before she arrived and was so happy to have such a shiny house when she left. Now, three weeks later, if I could just get her to come back!
From the kitchen… leftover pizza for dinner. I haven’t felt like cooking much lately. If I could just find the motivation and extra energy to double some yummy recipes and stock up the freezer during the next couple weeks! I am going to look up the recipes that Barbara shared with me during my last pregnancy for some inspiration. If anyone has a great freezer recipe to share, I’d love some suggestions.
Learning all the time… Right now we are studying Colonial Life, which is just perfect with Thanksgiving coming up next week! I’ve been struggling to find time to work with Snuggles much, but he does love to join in with whatever the big kids are doing, so I don’t feel too bad. Still, I’d love to get back to Little Saints!
*Also, for those that have emailed, I will try and share more on All About Reading, once we have just a little more experience with it, and life slows down a little… So far it is going great and Snuggles loves the program!
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… It’s almost Advent!!! I spent some time updating my Links for Advent Planning from the Archives this past week, adding all the new posts from last year. The feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (one of the saints I choose for my confirmation) is also coming up this week. I’m hoping to make St. Elizabeth’s Crown (or some variation) for dessert!
I am creating… a checklist for Advent and Christmas. Hopefully it will help me feel a little more like I “have it all together” this year… Even if I really don’t! 😉
I am wearing… warm socks and a thick sweater. It is COLD today!
I am reading… history and science books to my children. That’s about all I’ve had time for lately, but I’d like to get back to The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun.
Pondering these words… from yesterday’s readings, which weren’t exactly comforting after a couple days of struggling from anxiety and panic attacks. Hubby glanced over at me, and I couldn’t help smiling:
When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Yes, I have been a little nervous about delivering again… pretty much since the moment Rose was born…
Noticing that… I really miss being able to share posts through Google Reader, not that I’ve had much time for reading blogs anyways, but still! Why did they have to change that?!?
Towards personal care… I’ve been trying to stay off my feet as much as possible, since walking seems to trigger contractions. It is much easier said than done!
I am listening… to the Felicity Books with my girls, as part of their Colonial History study.
Around the house… there are quite a few partially finished projects. The next on the list is to finish assembling the drawers for the “closet” organizers in the babies room so I can finally have a place to put his clothing, once I get it all washed. Hubby has been working constantly, and has only had Sundays off since I got back from Texas. Maybe this next weekend?
I am hoping… that this baby takes after all of his siblings and arrives a little early. Looking ahead at my calendar for December, it looks like the the 16th would probably work best for me… 😉 And goodness, that is just a month away!
I am praying… for the Hadley Family. We attended a dinner/fundraiser for their sweet children this past weekend and I am always so inspired by this amazing family. Please continue to remember them in your prayers, as they continue to search for a cure for their children, and all the other children suffering from Neimann-Pick Disease known as “Childhood Alzheimer’s.” For those of you that have so generously donated to Hadley Hope in the past, here is an update on Peyton and Kayla:
One of my favorite things… Amazon and Prime Shipping. The Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar I ordered arrived and it is even nicer than it appeared in the picture. I just LOVE it and can hardly wait to surprise the kids with it on the first Sunday of Advent!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
- Hockey Skills and Drills Tonight (Hubby came home early to take the boys so I could stay home! Yay!!)
- Try and schedule a Hair Cut for myself and the girls
- Tutor and Piano Lessons on Wednesday
- Hockey Team Practice on Thursday Night
- Daily Mass on Friday
- Hockey Game on Saturday Morning
- Mass on Sunday
- Musical with the older kids, hopefully!
A Picture thought I am sharing:
Thanks for the picture! You look fantanstic! How do you do it all?!?!
Thank you for everything, all your hard work, the shopping made easy and the inspiration.
You and yours are always in our prayers:)
God Bless, Kara
Oh Jessica, you look just stunning! (And…I love that top!)
I am nervous as all get-out for this next delivery, too. And when they read that reading on Sunday, Andy looked at me with a twinkle in his eye…and I tried to keep from hyperventilating. 😉
Praying for you!
Isn't it a cute top?! I wasn't planning on purchasing any more maternity clothes, but when I ran across it at Motherhood (when picking up a pair of tights) I couldn't pass it up. I figured it would be great for Thanksgiving, and maybe Christmas if I am still pregnant, but was so glad I had it when the dinner came up! 🙂
Jessica,
You look great! Maybe you will have your baby on my birthday: the 12th!
Angela
You look radient! Wish I could wear those closer fitting tops, I always wear the loose giant tent ones!!
I have a great recipe that freezes great, it's Wild Rice Soup:
http://jamieskitchenblessings.blogspot.com/2008/03/wild-rice-soup.html
It's always the new mama meal I bring families and they call me the soup lady!! SO if you make it, just eat it and think of me and pretend we live close enough and that I brought it for you! (wish I could)
Angela ~ Hubby has suggested the 12th as a good possibility as well… The only problem is that I would really love to celebrate Santa Lucia Day at home with my girls, instead of at the hospital! lol!
Jamie ~ Thanks for the recipe! I will have to try it out!
you are positively beautiful dear jessica.
Jessica you look beautiful!
I ordered the Holy Infant Window Jigsaw Puzzle for our family to work on through Advent. I thought I would mention in chase you would like to print them that I created some free printable planning pages that I find is helpful for me to keep organized. I made three sets one is a Nativity theme, two is a Angels theme, and third is a vintage Santa theme. I will put them on my blog as soon as possible. I hope you have a great (and restful) week.
In Jesus, with Mary and Joseph,
Grace
As always, Jessica, I love to read your Daybook. Please be assured of my continued prayers for you and your sweet little unborn one! Everything will work itself out… rest and enjoy the holidays. Peace and prayers! Annita
+JMJ+
Oh, Jessica! You're such a beautiful momma! That top really makes your pretty eyes stand out.
You and the baby continue to be in my prayers. God bless you.
You look great, great shirt. Little Saints is so hard to keep up with. I would just let him do sorta what your big kids are doing. Take it easy.
Jessica-you are beautiful inside and out! With all six deliveries, I did three things–wore a scapular, meditated on the moment I would finally hold the baby, and repeated the "Jesus, I trust in you!" mantra while preparing for delivery. Every experience is different and amazing in it's own way so I will say a prayer that you are able to welcome the grace our Lord provides to comfort your thoughts and ease your worries.
So excited for you and certainly admiring the growth of a wonderful family!