Spring Fever

One thing I have been reminded of lately is the importance of a big picture goal. Recently my husband and I sat down one evening and discussed our long term goals for the family. Actually we do this pretty often, a few times a year.

We need to start writing things down though, it is not easy to remember to 'take notes' during those intimate talks though. But every time we have one of those good, sit down, long term, big picture discussions I feel soooo much better about the day to day stuff.

Our long term goals are not very complicated the biggest, most important one is 'get to Heaven bring as many people along with me as I can' Not very earth shattering. But-remembering that goal does put things into perspective for me. Then we drill down a bit and discuss how what we are doing day to day is helping us achieve that goal and the little ones in between like having a strong family sacramental life, encouraging our children to be close siblings etc. etc. Not that it is so formal when we talk, we just always seem to get around to those points.

One thing I have been missing lately, a key point I think, is the mindset for myself that if I am doing my job daily of taking care of the household, parenting and educating my children and nurturing my marriage, then all those small baby steps, as small as they may seem in the day to day grind (laundry?), are are still on the same path, the road I want to be on heading for Heaven. When I look at my life with that vision, I don't feel so overwhelmed, (or at my worst, apathetic, which is a sure burn out symptom for me)

Spring Cleaning

I've been spring cleaning around the house and decided it was needed on the blog too. White space feels very freeing and simple to me right now.

I am so glad winter is over. Some years it flies by and spring is here before I know it-this was not the case this year. After Christmas, I was so done with winter. Lent was a drag. I was haphazard about it at best.

I completed the CT5K and I am now working on 10k training, but it is going verrrrry slow. Kind of like how I did the CT5k (a 9 week program) in about 30 weeks. I will be thrilled to complete the 10k program by 2011!

We are still trucking along in the hybrid school. There was really no way to get out of it. It is not horrible really, just not a great fit for our family. I beginning to discern and evaluate our needs for the fall and I am also keen on implementing a summer program for us. Nothing intensive, just to keep us in a routine.

I've been reading the Well-Educated Mind for myself. It is basically a reading program with a list and questions. I am ready to begin the first book Don Quixote. Coincidentally, the kids are going to be in a DQ playette in a few weeks. This book is hefty though. I seriously doubt I will finish it soon.

It looks like my reading training is going to be a lot like my physical training. Luckily I have no deadlines. No exams scheduled for me, ha!

Favorite Animals

Top 5 favorite Animals



MaryClare (4)

1. Horses

2. Unicorns

3. Ponies

4. Puppies

5. Sea Monkeys



Lainey (7)

1. Horses

2. Flamingos

3. Dogs

4. Rabbits

5. Ferrets


Luke (7)

1. Frogs

2. Lemurs

3. Monkeys

4. Fish

5. Bats


Ryan (10)

1. Peregrine falcon

2. Sea otter

3. Snow leopard

4. Seahorse

5. Leafy sea dragon


Jake (11)

1. Asian giant flying fox (it's a type of bat)

2. Great horned owl

3. Hammerhead shark

4. King cobra

5. Sparky

7 Quick Takes

Stop by Jen's for more Quick Takes
1.

The past 6-8 weeks has been very rocky emotionally around here. Lee has been in job turmoil. He began a new position this week, thanks be to God.

2.

Lee's grandfather, Buster, passed away last week and my dear Granddad is in the hospital.

3.

We took a last minute, much needed family vacation. Even on the vacation there was some job drama, but drama on vacation is better than drama at home, right?

4.

I still have a few little Christmas decorations up.

5.

Even though we homeschool, we are connected to this hybrid school so when we went on vacation for a week, a week they were scheduled to be on syllabus, they ended up with lots of make-up work. Not cool. We will not miss any more this semester if I can help it.

6.

Still doing the C25k. I should be completely done with this by now. With the holidays and our wacky schedule I have been just maintaining so I have been on week 7 for like a month. Next week I am moving to week 8.

7.

I have a new nephew! Weston was born on December 27th, yay!

8.

I did manage to get out Chistmas cards. Tiny miracle!

Around the house

Our Jesse Tree I did a wonderful Jesse Tree ornament exchange a few years ago on the 4Real Learning boards and have a lovely set-that I couldn't find, so I just improvised this year and used clear glass ornaments and colred sharpies. They turned out great. Of course, I found my other stash a few days later...That's ok though. Maybe I'll make a set every few years and then each kiddo will have one of their own when they grow up. We've been following along with the Holy Heroes Advent Adventure site. I am so grateful for this free resource. We watched a short video explaining the ornament, the symbol and it's story, for the kids every night (well not every night, we missed a few, like every year).
This was the Advent calendar I made. It is just scrapbook paper on envelopes. Inside the envelopes I tucked little cards with an activity for that day. We had prayers for special people, ideas for hot chocolate, Christmas movies, stuff like that.

I just clothespinned them into a garland in our kitchen. I had this unfinished star ornament that we moved along to show what day we were on. I kept meaning to paint and/or glitter it, but never got around to it.

This is the setting up of the snow village. I only put up a few pieces this year. I must have 10-15 more parts and I just didn't feel like getting it all out. I need to remember to take a pitcure of it finished! This is how I set it up though, just stacking the buildings randomly on books and boxes then putting the lights in behind. The 'snow' is white felt and pillow stuffing. And the tree. We have a real tree this year. Also, we used colored lights. It looks great. We have no theme just tons of ornaments, handmade, bought and given to us. I know the top is bare. We have an angel, but I just couldn't get her to fit up there! So this year no topper. The angel is watching over us all from the piano.

MaryClare funny

MC has been trying to stop sucking her thumb. She's doing well, only going for it when she's very sleepy and in bed. Last week I laid down with her to take a nap. She pulled the covers up almost over her head. Several minutes later I peeked over at her and saw the thumb in her mouth.

"MaryClare! Stop sucking your thumb honey." I smiled a bit to take the edge off.

She blinked at me. "I'm not sucking it, I'm just cleaning it."

Oh, ok.
(This is a picture from the day we met)

Babies!

I love this trailer. I hope we'll be able to see the full length when it comes out. I've watched it with the kids several times and we determined you simply cannot watch this without smiling. Enjoy!

HT: Melissa Wiley