Outside my window… I keep spotting two cats. Did I mention that we have cats now? Somehow I was convinced (or rather ambushed) by a neighbor, Hubby, and 6 begging children, to adopt the two eight month old kitties. They were recently abandoned, when the family across the street moved out of town. Since they “arrived” on Columbus Day, and since they kids had all been studying New World Explorers, they finally decided to name the cats Ferdinand and Isabella.
I am thinking… that it is SO. MUCH. EASIER. to pack for one than it is to pack for seven! It wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as I thought it was going to be, and I am all ready to fly to Texas tomorrow morning – if a 6:00 am flight can actually be considered “morning.”
I am thankful… that I finally will get to meet Charlotte and her family. I am so excited!
From the kitchen… yummy treats from our field trip to Harry and David!
Learning all the time… I took a break from Little Saints this week, to focus on getting some extra school work done with the older kids, and we will continue our “Fall” theme next week when I get home. In the meantime, Snuggles is still loving All About Reading’s Pre-Reading Program. This morning, after his lesson on the letter D and some more work on rhyming words, he got to complete another letter from “My First Book of Letters.” The older kids have all moved on to their second unit of History and are now studying the Colonial Times. History has definitely been everyone’s favorite subject this year, and Writing With Ease the least favorite (at least for the boys – the girls have been pretty happy with everything).
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… I have started making plans for our All Hallows’ Eve / All Saints Party, and our children have been trying to decide which saint they will dress as this year. Snuggles has decided to be St. George and was so excited when his dragon arrived this past week!
I am creating… a few new games for our All Saints Party, including a Saint Bingo Game. I will have to share it with you all when I get back from Texas.
I am wearing… old clothes. All my nice clothes (that actually fit) are sitting in a suitcase next to the front door!
I am reading… nothing at the moment, but I did pick up a book
Noticing that… as much as I am looking forward to a vacation, I am really going to miss my family. All day today the kids have been counting the hours until my plane leaves with sad faces, and giving me extra hugs constantly. I am so blessed!
Towards personal care… I never did get around to making an appointment to get my hair cut, but I have until December to use my gift certificate, so I still have time. I can’t believe that it has been since February! I am so bad at making time for these sorts of things. . .
I am listening… to Chiquita singing “Work while you work, Play while you play, This is the way To be happy each day. All that you do, Do with your might, Things done by half, Are never done right!” It is the latest poem she has been memorizing in her First Language Lessons, and she has been practicing it so much I think the whole family has it memorized!
Around the house… the laundry is all caught up, lesson plans have been created for the rest of this week and next, and their is food in the pantry. I don’t know why I am worrying so much, I am sure Hubby will be just fine and my mom has even offered to come over and help a couple days!
I am praying… for a safe flight, and that I don’t have a panic attack. It has been 11 years since I was on a plane last, and I am just a little bit nervous. 🙂
One of my favorite things… playing board games with my kids!
A few plans for this week:
- School… School…. School…
- Hockey practice for the boys
- Tutor on Wednesday morning
- Early morning flight to Texas on Thursday
- Finally “meet” Charlotte and her family!
- Cupcake’s Baptism on Saturday
- Spend the night with my sister on Saturday night
- and attend Mass at the Cistercian Abbey on Sunday!
A Picture thought I am sharing:
I, too, am soooo bad about making appointments for myself– My last haircut was in April! Wishing you safe and happy travels! Enjoy your trip!
It's probably too late for you to get this, but have a safe trip and have fun!!
I'll be thinking and praying for you!
It always breaks my heart to hear of pets being abandoned! St. Francis of Assisi must be smiling at you (in addition to the neighbor, Hubby and kids, doing so, too) for adopting those beautiful cats. Love the names.
I look forward to hearing about your trip to Texas. Have fun!
–Danielle
Hope you have a safe & happy trip, & the cats were lucky to find such a lovely home to stay at.
Jessica the Merit board game looks really good, we love playing board games too, we have 11 children so our games can get quite noisy at times…lol…
I was wondering where I could get Merit from?
May God Bless you & keep you,
Thankyou for your wonderful blog,
from another who is also desperate for a haircut,
Hugs Robyn
Ah… you found it at your library!! Let me know how it goes… perhaps we can start a project together, apart! I sure hope you have a wonderful time with Charlotte and her family – AND – your sister!! 🙂
hi there! i've so enjoyed reading your blog as i'm a recent convert, i'm learning so much on how to live the liturgy through blogs like yours.
on a completely random note, i purchased one of these: http://www.creaclip.com/. my hair would never get cut if i didn't have it. i'm a pregnant, mama of toddler, and my hair is unruly these days. so a quick little trim is just what i need from time to time! i also purchased some tweezerman shears from amazon for about $15 and haven't gone to an actual stylist in months! hope this helps!
Hi, what game are they playing? looks like lots of fun.
Prayers for a safe trip and for your family to be safe as well while you are apart! God bless! +JMJ+
You probably already know this, however, since I learned this at my prenatal appointment I'll feel better if I say something. The nurse cautioned me to be extra careful with cats during pregnancy because of something called TOXOPLASMOSIS that can have a huge impact on a developing baby. They recommended having someone else change the litter box since the parasites can be transmitted through cat feces. They also recommend having the litter changed daily since the oocysts are not infections for the first 24 hours. Even though your cats might be toxoplasmosis free presently, all it takes is them eating infected pray to change everything. Also, the parasite can live in soil/sand/litter box for up to 18 months. Because you have a garden, you should be extra careful about handling/washing the produce, as the toxoplasmosis can be spread to the produce, then to you and then to your baby that way. Your children and husband are not at the same risk that you are when you are pregnant and you likely would not know if your cat were to become infected. Your baby's risk of becoming infected increases with each trimester 15% in the first, 30% in the second, and 60% in the third. The severity of congenital toxoplasmosis is highest if the baby is infected in the first trimester. You are obviously past this point but I wanted to mention it just in case you are blessed with another bundle of love in the future. You have very responsible children and I'm guessing they will have no problem keeping the baby safe by helping out extra.
Angels look after you always, dear one!!!
Hi Jessica!! I just wanted to tell you about a Link-Up for All Saints Day here: http://homeschoolingcatolico.blogspot.com/2011/10/fiesta-de-todos-los-santos.html
I hope you can participate!!! I love all your saints customs!
Oh, just read that you came to TX.
I'm sure you thought summer was over, but not here! : )
Hopefully it was a little cooler for you up in the Dallas area, though.