Time flies...

I think it is time for me to admit that I am not going to be one of those mom's who blogs often.  I would love to.  The ideas are always flowing through my mind and I think "oh, I would love to document this moment so it is there forever."  But then Life Happens.  For the most part, I am a busy mom of four very active children.  I homeschool them, and although I hate to admit it, I am inconsistent.  I find it very hard to stick to things.  I come up with awesome plans, and then I get sick.  I map out our week, and then find that we have to add things to it.  It is time for me to make habits.  I have studied Charlotte Mason for about a year and a half now and I think I am just now realizing how important the habits are that she so eloquently talks about.  I finally get it!

I have begun new habits with the help of Fly Lady.  Keeping in mind the baby steps.  Using the time that I have been given.  I signed up for the emails and started looking into it about a month ago.  It was overwhelming so that was it.  I just deleted them all.  Then one day I stopped and actually read one.  It was a flight plan for the next week.  The bathroom zone.  I thought "I sure would love to have a clean bathroom."  So I tried it out.  It was amazing!  My bathroom has been clean for over a week.  No clutter, no grime.  It takes less than 3 minutes a day.  The next zone was the Master bedroom.  I was so excited!  No clutter in MY bedroom!  Bring it on!  Well, unfortunately the only thing that came was a virus.  I've spent the last week in bed.  Instead of feeling discouraged, I thought "I can still do this."  So, with the help of my very organized 10 year old, we conquered the night stand yesterday.  It is so freeing to get rid of clutter  and keep only the necessities.  Today the dresser!

It truly is all about baby steps.  This journey we are on is taken one step at a time.  So if this finds you walking up a big mountain, know that you can cross it.  Just take it one step at a time and enjoy letting Him take every step with you.

St Therese...pray for us!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I've decided that Monday's are best for Daybooks.

My Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window:  The sun is shining in between the clouds, but to the west looks dark and stormy.

I am thinking: about how much time I spend online.

I am thankful for:  an amazing weekend retreat and the gift of helping form a new CRHP team.

From the learning room:  This is under construction for now...many plans and ideas are needed to motivate those who struggle.  I've made some progress, but still lots of construction.

From the kitchen:  Planning a feast for St. Anne's feast day.  We'll let our Ann choose. 

I am wearing:   a white t-shirt and green shorts and a snugly little boy in my lap.

I am creating:  not too much these days.  Lot of time spent helping to form the new team. 

I am going:  to plan a wonderful little getaway for the family soon. 

I am reading:  I am finishing up Simplicity Parenting and it has changed my life.
  
I am pondering:  "Lord, today I put my trust in your promises.  Take my heart, and transform it with you love.  Use my gifts to build your kingdom."    
Wonderful resource!

I am hoping: for the ability to stay consistent.

I am hearing:  Nothing but the lulling sound of the fish tank.

Around the house: We are still trying to lay the tracks and form the habits so that we are able to focus on life instead of only on housekeeping. It's hard when mom is wrapped up in a retreat, but now that it's over, we are back on track...I hope!

One of my favorite things:  Adoration.  I hope to add this as a given time every week. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  School, swim, and fun!

A picture thought I'm sharing:

Time spent online

I struggle almost daily with how much time is really needed online.  It seems that once I get on the computer it's like a snowball effect and the next thing I know, I've been online for hours.  My daughter and I watched a great movie the other day.  We were discussing how new the Internet was back then.  I told her that I remember not wanting to get the Internet when I first heard about it because I thought it would be too much of a distraction.  Now here it is, thirteen years later and I feel that it is a distraction. 

I love to find inspiration on here by reading other blogs and I love the communities that I am a part of.  But what happens when life gets so busy that there isn't time.  How do you catch up on the blogs you've missed?  I find myself in constant battle as to if and when I should turn on the computer.  Will it turn into one of those mornings where I get caught up in the online world?  Don't I have enough to do in the real world?  Sometimes I find that it is like a fantasy or an adventure to keep up with people's blogs and then follow the path to another blog, then another before I know it I have spent time traveling through other people's lives and have lost valuable time in mine.  What are the kids doing while I spend this time on a faraway adventure and why aren't I leading them on an adventure? 

My intention this morning was to type up another daybook, but these words just came out.  I am beginning to hate my blackberry.  I find that I am addicted to the red light.  Once it begins flashing I have to find out why.  Is it an email, text?  I find myself longing for the old phones with no other function but phone calls.  Is this crazy?  How often do my children see me with a screen in front of my face and what kind of example is this? 

I need to spend some time in deep prayer about this because I really feel God calling me to more time away from this beautiful tool of the Internet world to spend more time living in my world with my beautiful family. 

Wow, I didn't see this coming this morning. I am still going to type up my daybook, but now with a much clearer mind!  Thanks be to God.

Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

So after being gone all weekend, I'm writing on Monday.

My Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window:  The sun is shining, which means it is VERY hot and humid!!  May be a day for swimming...

I am thinking: about how much fun I had with my family this weekend.  Happy Birthday sweet Alli!!

I am thankful for:  an amazing husband, beautiful children and a wonderful mom who always knows just what to say.

From the learning room:  This is under construction for now...many plans and ideas are needed to motivate those who struggle.

From the kitchen:  Today it's pancakes.  I LOVE having a child who LOVES to cook.  If only she'd love to clean the dishes when she finishes. 

I am wearing:  a new purple workout shirt and new black workout shorts that I still haven't changed out of since walking early this morning.

I am creating:  a beautiful retreat for our parish women happening this weekend.  I have been honored to be chosen as spiritual director and I pray that I can let Him use me as a tool however He needs...

I am going:  a little crazy trying to finish up the logistics of the retreat.


I am reading:  I am finishing up Simplicity Parenting and it has changed my life.
  
I am pondering:  How wonderful it is that God uses so many to spread messages and love.  How special certain people are and how we should always tell them, no matter what we are afraid of.

I am hoping:  for a wonderful retreat and for all those called that they are able to attend. 

I am hearing:  Taylor Swift in the background and children working together on something...not quite sure what.  I love to hear them work things out instead of "MOM, she won't do what i tell her to!"

Around the house: We are trying to continue laying the tracks and forming the habits so that we are able to focus on life instead of only on housekeeping. 

One of my favorite things:  my home

A few plans for the rest of the week:  This week life is all about the retreat this weekend, with a few doctor visits thrown in.  Pray that I can handle whatever is thrown my way, thanks!

A picture thought I'm sharing:

 Snuggles from Dad are the BEST!!!  


St. Therese of the Little Flower, pray for us!

Cooking Class

This morning my 10year old decided it was a good day to bake muffins.  She decided it was also a great day to teach the 2 year old how to bake muffins.  She is an amazing teacher and most of what he has learned in his little life has come from her!  When the muffins went into the oven, she even got to kiss the cook.  I think that was her favorite part.

Beautiful roses from Heaven...St. Therese, pray for us!

B17- Bomber

We were invited by our wonderful neighbors to head to a local airport to see a B-17 Bomber.  My husband and I jumped at the chance to show our girls this old, beautiful plane.  When we pulled up to the airport I noticed all the firetrucks out with their lights on.

 I got a little anxious, but everything looked okay so far.  We quickly found our friends and headed over to the huge plane for pictures.  While we were out there we found out that the firetrucks were there for a plane who was having a little difficulty with his landing gear.  I really didn't want my children to see anything so I watched the sky the whole time we were there.  I was praying frantically while we watched our friend line up with the others and the pilots. 

Then we watched them load up and take off. 

We never saw the plane land, but heard from our neighbors that the firetrucks were gone so everything must have turned out okay.  Thanks be to God!! 

Our friend's flight lasted about 30 minutes and he enjoyed it so much.  So did we.  We also went to feed the ducks at the pond at the airport which turned out to be a lot of fun for our little guy.  He loved throwing food to the ducks.  I think he might have some baseball in his future...

"I'm not a little kid anymore..."

This morning I actually got to go for a walk all alone, for awhile.  My almost 8 year old decided to meet me at the park to play while I walked the track.  After walking back to my street to meet her at the end, we headed back to the park.  I walked around once while she played and then she joined me at the path. 

Me: "Would you like to walk with me?" 

Her: "Yes, I forgot I'm not a little kid anymore."

Me: "You are very big now."

Her: "Yes, I forgot I'm not little kid anymore and so I can't play at the park without friends." 

I agreed and told her that it was a lot of fun to play with friends.  Then I laughed to myself and saw her as a much bigger kid than I had before.  She is growing quickly...Time goes fast.

Trying a daybook again...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I find such peace by reading others and find myself constantly thinking of wonderful posts, then time gets away and another day goes by, so I am going to try to do just this each Thursday and see how things go.

My Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window:  It is raining, but not too hard.  It's amazing how a hurricane can make the humidity go away and the breeze actually brings relief to the heat.

I am thinking: about how wonderful prayers can be when we storm Heaven and beg for His never ending mercy.  Pray for Alec and his parents.

I am thankful for:  an amazing husband, beautiful children and wonderful friends.

From the learning room:  This is under construction for now...many plans and ideas are needed to motivate those who struggle.

From the kitchen:  I smell amazing beer bread just coming out of the oven.  Prepared and baked by an amazing 10 year old who never ceases to amaze me!

I am wearing:  a new purple workout shirt and new black workout shorts that I still haven't changed out of since walking early this morning.  Better go freshen up before hubby gets home!

I am creating:  guides for our home.  I prefer to call them guides rather than charts, because I think they might go over better this way.  This is all part of my simplifying summer to be able to form new habits before we begin schooling again. Prayers would be appreciated.  Especially for me...the inconsistent one.

I am going:  funny thing, the last time I wrote a daybook I was going on a retreat, now I am preparing to host that retreat in a few weeks.  So many blessings from this beautiful event.

I am reading:  I am finishing up Simplicity Parenting and it has changed my life.
  
I am pondering:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tiding to the poor."  Luke 4:18

I am hoping:  for everyone to wake up one day and actually feel the love Christ is sending their way.

I am hearing:  the t.v. which hasn't been turned on much this summer, until this week.  Hopefully I'm  not starting a trend.

Around the house:  laundry is going, dishes are clean, floors need some tidying, but that is an everyday occurrence with a shedding dog.  

One of my favorite things:  spending time serving others.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Hurricane Alex changed our plans, for now I wait to see what the weekend brings...

A picture thought I'm sharing:

I hope you all have a blessed Fourth of July celebration.  Our Lady of Hope, pray for us.

Savoring the Summer

Savor summer contest!!

This is a friend's new summer challenge.  I offer it to you with love so that you may enjoy the simple things this summer.  Now that we have finished with swimteam, our simple summer can begin!!  Happy Summer!!

The journey

Lately I have been feeling very inadequate in so many ways. Around the house, in the school room, as a wife. Now in all fairness life has been very full and stressful, but that stress has left us now and I still feel like I'm so far behind in everything. I feel that my spiritual life needs to be so much more. I feel like I'm searching and searching trying to find inner peace. Then at Mass on Saturday night, it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. We always need to be searching because once the search is over, we have reached our destination. Once we reach the end of the journey, we're home. I want my home to be in Heaven with our Lord. I need Him to be complete. We are all on our own journeys, but they will all lead us home if we choose the right road to follow. I guess what I realized is that I should never feel adequate. If I did, then where would I have left to go? I always need to improve myself, I always need to grow. It is when we stop growing that we die and I really don't want to die. I want to live eternally with My Father in Heaven. My creator who calls me to Him every day. I just need to live in the moment and follow the journey He leads me on. Do the best that I can do and realize that I need to search, and I need to be more than who I am now. It is only through Christ that I find strength and peace. I need to see myself through His eyes. It is for Him that I live, serve and love.

Enjoy your journey and find peace along the way.