Outside my window… It is a gorgeous fall day! It has been rather chilly in the morning, but warming up nicely in the afternoon. It is my favorite time of year!
I am thinking… our school plans for this year, and how nicely everything seems to be falling into place. After 4 weeks of “school,” I still need to work on a better daily schedule for this year’s plans, but so far everyone has been very happy with their curriculum.
I am thankful… that my husband is home from training and for the wonderful early Anniversary gift of not only a new Smart Phone (my first ever!) but also a TICKET TO TEXAS to attend the baptism of a precious little “Cupcake” later this month. This will be the first time I have flown in over 11 years (and by myself no less), and I am a little nervous, to say the least. Yet completely excited at the same time!!!
From the kitchen… It’s Michaelmas Day, which, in our home, always means Blackberry Waffles for brunch, Apple Chicken, Angel Hair Pasta, Steamed Carrots, Sparkling Apple Cider or Blackberry Izze Drinks for dinner, and of course Devil’s Food Cupcakes complete with little swords for stabbing the cupcakes the devil!
Learning all the time… Our school year is off to a wonderful start. I did end up signing up for the local charter school which offers an allowance towards some of our school books and extra curricular activities (that our children wouldn’t have otherwise been able to participate in this year), and our ES (tutor) comes to our home 4 hours each week (on Wednesday mornings). She has been just wonderful with the kids, and a complete answer to prayer!
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… Isn’t it a great week for celebrating the liturgical year?! So many wonderful feasts, including Michaelmas Day, St. Therese and the Holy Guardian Angels. It is my favorite week of the year, which is why I choose this week to be married, all those years ago! 😉 I have all sorts of ideas for celebrating these feasts in the archives. Also, be sure to visit Elisa Loves for a St. Therese Link-up on October 1st, and Stories of an Unschooling Family for a chance to win one of three Ecopies of A Little Way of Homeschooling
I am creating… all sorts of Crafts, Lap Books, Notebook Pages, and Saintly Symbol Cupcakes for my Little Flowers Girls’ Club. In case you hadn’t noticed!
I am wearing… I have been having some awful challenges with my pregnancy the past couple weeks – nothing too serious, just extremely painful – and started wearing this Baby Belly Band yesterday. I am really hoping that it helps! In the meantime, I am trying my best to offer it up for a safe delivery and healthy baby.
I am reading… lots of pictures books to my little ones for their Little Saints Pre-School, P is for Peach: A Georgia Alphabet
Pondering these words… that I just read to my boys for them to add to their St. Michael Copywork Page (a great free printable from CHC) this year:
Noticing that… I really, really, really need to start adding a short walk to my daily routine. Why is that so hard to do?
Towards personal care… I’ve been drinking protein shakes every day, after my sister convinced me to try the latest product she’s selling. I’ve been having them for breakfast, or sometimes lunch, and have noticed an incredible difference in my energy and rapid weight gain (which has finally stopped, and actually went down a little!) this pregnancy. I have been mixing the Protien Powder (the “shake mix that tastes like a cake mix”) with either coconut, almond, or soy milk, and adding in various fruits. My favorites, of course, are the “Pina Coladas” and “Cafe Mochas” I’ve been making, which completely curb my ridiculous sweet tooth!
I am listening… to my printer going non-stop as it prints out all the Lap Book supplies for 8 girls! I’ve already re-filled the paper cartridge a few times. It’s a LOT of paper, but it will be so nice to have it all ready for the whole year.
Around the house… signs of fall! Our fall wreath is on the front door, their are baskets of books in the living and family room, cozy blankets on the couches, and the cushions from the furniture on the deck keep ending up inside the front door every time the forecast threatens to rain.
I am hoping… that I might be able to sleep tonight. I haven’t been sleeping much lately and I don’t even have a newborn yet!
I am praying… For the soul of my old, and very first, employer, you died this past week on September 21st, at the age of 94. I worked for him for many years, between the ages of 16 and 23, when I finally decided to start my own business. He taught me everything I needed to know to successfully start a local phone directory, which I later sold when I was expecting Twinkle Toes. Though hard to work for at times, I will be forever grateful to him. May he rest in peace!
One of my favorite things… celebrating name days. Happy Name Day to our little Snuggles!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
- Little Flowers Girls Club Meeting #1 for Wreath IV
- Celebrate Michaelmas
- Celebrate the Feasts of St. Therese
- Celebrate our 12th Wedding Anniversary
A Picture thought I am sharing:
Oh Jessica- you look adorable! Is that a basketball under there? 🙂
You will L.O.V.E. flying alone. It really is a treat. Just bring some good reading and sit back and enjoy. Tell me- when else does a Mama of many get to sit back and read for a few uninterrupted hours, while someone brings her a chilled Coke? It's divine, really. I love flying alone. 🙂 And what a treat to attend Cupcake's baptism! I'm jealous! 🙂
Hope you get some relief from the pregnancy pains that ail you. I'll offer up something for your relief, my dear.
Jessica, you look beautiful as always!!
Love that perfectly round tummy!!
So happy you can make it to the Baptism, how very special!
Oh, yeah, and happy Anniversary and God bless you both!! (all!)
OK, another comment!! How are you supposed to use those protein drinks, I looked at them once and then didn't know, so I didn't buy. Do you drink them instead of a meal?
Yes, I am having the protein drink as my meal. Basically I purchased the powder (which is delicious… I usually don't like the taste of protein powders) and blend it with a variety of things.
My favorites (since I try and do mostly daily free due to my allergies) are 1 cup of coconut milk, a handful of pineapple chunks, some ice cubes, and 2 scoops of the powder. Another favorite is Chocolate Almond milk, mixed with some instant coffee crystals and the protein powder. YUM!!
It is perfectly safe when pregnant – as a supplement – and after hitting my highest weight ever over Labor Day Weekend – about 10 pounds of that was due to swelling – I am feeling so much better, have more energy, and am actually down 13 pounds, even though my stomach is growing. (A lot of that was extra weight from swelling that weekend, but it really depressed me knowing that I had 4 months left to go at the time, and now I feel much healthier.) I really think that it has helped with my sweet cravings and increased my energy. I have also been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and baking less, so that has helped too! 😉 Now if I could only get my other little physical problems taken care of (we all have them, don't we?!) I would feel great… As it is, I still have plenty to offer up! lol!
Ooh! Where did you get that beautiful St. Therese statue peaking out of your picure?? (You look wonderful, by the way!)
You look wonderful!! Praying for you and your lovely family!
Thanks, to all of you! Of course this was my favorite of all the photo attempts, by far, which probably has to do with the fact that it is blurry! 😉 From the front my tummy doesn't look nearly so round…
As for my statue of St. Therese… Isn't it lovely?! My husband found it at a little church gift shop that he was visiting one year and purchased it for me. I love it! She had a little damaged to her hand one year when my boys were throwing a ball around in my bedroom but I was able to disguise it with a little bit of paint.
You look beautiful! I hope you get some relief soon with the Belly Band. Can't wait for you to be here!
What a great picture. I just love how St. Therese is perfectly in focus and that she is smiling lovingly at your pregnant belly. Did you purposely frame it that way?
I've been meaning to ask you, what brand is your bedroom furniture? You and I have similar taste because it is exactly what I've been wanting for my bedroom. Right now we have a hand-me-down set. At least it's decent looking and all the pieces match, but I look forward to choosing my own someday!
Katie
With one month to go I whined in the morning about my swollen legs. My husband felt sorry for me and wen to the grocery for me, so I could make the Apple Chicken for Michaelmas. We all enjoyed the recipe along with the Blackberry Trifle. My night ended with a Pampered Chef party at a friends' house in which I bought more kitchen gadgets to help me continue the feasting 🙂
Your belly looks adorable. Have a great day!
Carla Filla
Nope… That picture just happened to turn out that way. Other than when I move the statue out for her feast day, she sits on our dresser right next to the mirror in that position. Most of the rest of the pictures I took were a little more zoomed in, eliminating the side of the mirror and focusing more on my tummy, but I ended up liking this one the best. 🙂
As for our furniture… I couldn't tell you who makes it. It was from a local furniture store in their section that was for less expensive furniture sets, and though it is pretty, I wish that it was made from a little harder wood, since it gets dinged up pretty easily. My husband really loves the Mission Furniture Style and so this set was perfect. I have been trying to find a new set of bedding though, and have been having such a hard time finding one that I love, that would look nicely against the brown walls and white trim.
I agree with everybody, you look beautiful!! That picture is a great idea!!
By the way, I already posted about your blog, in case you want to see it: http://familiacatolica-org.blogspot.com/2011/09/blogsitio-de-la-semana-shower-of-roses.html
Blessings!!
Jessica, you are beautiful. Happy anniversary and continued prayers. +JMJ+
You look so great at 27 weeks!!! Thank you for sharing these posts. I really enjoy reading them! Happy Friday!
Happy Anniversary Jessica. Very beautiful picture of you and baby! I love that the Little Flower is blessing your picture.
God bless.
First, let me repeat the statements of others by saying, "You look so beautiful".
I haven't had much time to visit the blogs or post lately but you have been busy! Glad you found an answer to your home schooling year. I'm not sure if your read that post regarding charters on my blog. They do help and it sounds like you found a good fit.
Happy Anniversary!
Jessica, you look so. darn. cute!
I love your pretty preggy pics. 🙂 God bless you and your wee one.