Outside my window… It has been sunny lately, but still very cold. I am so ready for spring summer!
I am thankful… that we finally found out the date that the boys’ Hockey season ends, and it is the day before Hubby leaves for a three week training session in Tennessee. I had really been nervous about how I was going to make those 3 extra trips to town with all the kids and a baby that doesn’t like his carseat. Whew!
I am thinking… that, even without Hockey, three weeks is a long time! Hopefully by the middle of next month I will be a little more adjusted to being a mom to seven, or at least have a chance to restock the pantry and freezer.
Learning all the time… Usually we are all feeling a little burned out by this time of year, but after preparing for a baby in the fall, Christmas, and adjusting to life with a newborn, we are all more than ready to get back to our plans for the year, with just a few changes. We are not as far along with my original plans as I would like, but American History remains the favorite subject this year and the kids have all moved on to Unit 3. I am hoping to have a chance to post pictures of their lap books and a couple projects from Unit 2 – Colonial Life sometime soon.
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… It seems like Advent just began, and now Lent is just around the corner! We are hoping to make some Valentine cards this week, and hopefully a couple more St. Valentine’s Day Mailboxes. I also picked up a box of Cocoa Pebbles so that the children can make another Grotto for Our Lady on Saturday. You can find other ideas for celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in the archives.
From the kitchen… lots of meats, fruits, veggies, and nuts. I’ve been off of Dairy, Gluten (actually all beans and grains) and Sugar for 6 days now. At first I noticed a big change in the baby’s fussiness, but then he caught his first cold from his very loving older siblings. I, however, am starting to feel much healthier, if not rested. 😉
I am wearing… Mamajamas. I found them on clearance last fall at a local boutique. So comfy!
I am creating… a military-themed cake for Rascal’s 10th birthday. I figured if I got started on it this morning, I might have a chance to finish it by tomorrow!
I am working on… our tax-return, with the help of TurboTax.
I am wondering… if we should wait until fall to start soccer. Interestingly enough, the spring season begins the week after Hubby gets back from that three week training. Our children have always been interested in playing, and the sign-ups end tomorrow, but I am soooo ready for a break from sports…
I am going… to try and begin writing thank you notes. We are so blessed with such loving and generous friends, both locally and online! After they are finished I might get back to all the emails sitting in my inbox. I hope I haven’t offended anyone by my lack of response, but responding to emails and all the questions from readers is usually at the bottom of my “to-do” lists… I still hope that someday I will be a little more organized and able to keep up with it all! 🙂
I am hoping… to have a chance to post a review of a couple great items for Lent and Easter sometime this week.
I am reading… Why I’m No Homeschool Superstar. If you haven’t read it yet, you must!
I am praying… for Sarah, and her baby girl!
Dear God, You are the Creator of the Universe, yet You have shared with woman the ability to conceive and bear a child, and bring into the world a new life for Your Kingdom. Bless this mother about to give birth. Give her your strength and courage, that she may deliver her child surrounded by Your protection and provision. Embrace her with Your love and grace, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Mothers’ Manual)
Pondering these words… from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:
I am listening… to various lectures given by Andrew Pudewa. We have been so happy with The Phonetic Zoo this year for the boys’ spelling program and I am really excited to start incorporating his Writing Program into our curriculum as well.
Around the house… new curtains in the dining and living room! They were my birthday gift this year and we finished hanging them up over the weekend. At first I thought I wanted white curtains, but I ended up choosing chocolate brown and they look so nice and cozy against the tan walls with white trim. I love them!
One of my favorite things… aden + anais Swaddle Wraps. I was so excited to see them on Baby Steals this morning!
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Same as usual for the children: Hockey Practices and Game, Piano Lessons, and hopefully the boys can serve Mass on Friday. As for me, I will pretty much be at home nursing my adorable little baby boy and trying to come up with some more foods that I can eat!
A little peek at my day…
I'll be praying that everything goes smoothly for you while your husband is away on his trip. My husband is traveling next month for a week and I'm already dreading it but I am relieved that he changed things around so it's only one week instead of two.
Don't feel bad about not having your thank you notes out yet. I'm much further behind. I haven't sent out the new baby gift thank you notes yet and I still have to write ones from the baby's baptism back in November and Christmas. Perhaps I need to stop reading blogs for a day or so and get caught up.
That last picture of Bud is beautiful. He's such a cutie.
You are such a great Mama! I so understand, some how it's different when hubby is away and trying to balance it all. I am due in 9 days and then hubby leaves for training for a while (baby may or may not be a month depending when she makes her grand entrance).
I was really starting to stress the other night, but sat down (in the wee hrs of the morning) and really thought about meals, activites, etc.
I've been making menus which has really helped. Then I go to the meat market and buy meat for the whole month. I've spent the last couple days cooking it all, chopping, and then putting the meat for each meal in zip lock freezer bags/ containers. If for some reason I don't cook the meal I had planned for a certain day (perhaps some one brings a home cooked meal or it's easier to just to order out those first couple post partum weeks)then I roll it over to the next month. Though, I am still tweaking when to buy the produce/fruit so it won't spoil, but I am not going every week.
My kiddos have had issues too with me eating dairy. I hope more people suggest some great non-dairy meals. Take Care and May God Bless 🙂
The recipes you pinned look delicious! If you think of it, could you send me an invite?
(Oh, and that BABY of yours is even MORE delicious. Wow. What a yummy little guy.)
Oh, Jessica, be kind to yourself. I love hand-written thank you notes, but I think most would be happy with a quick email thank you. If you are not up to spring soccer, your kids will understand. We are a soccer family, and there has been an occasional spring or fall session that we've had to skip over the years. My husband travels nearly every week, and we have a large family… it's taken me many, many years to get to this point but know your limitations. I still try to say, "yes," as often as I can, but I've learned to say, "no," as well to family, friends, and even Church. You are such a giving, selfless person. Peace and prayers