Daybook...cold January

. 

 Outside my window...

...very cold -- around 30 but it feels like about 20. It's very cloudy and the sun is just breaking through in a barely noticeable sort of way. I think snow is in the forecast for Wednesday or Thursday. It's that time of year when kids start praying for snow days and usually wake up disappointed.

I am thinking...

...about my 18-year-old niece Rachel. She learned just before Christmas that she has a tumor in her thyroid. Today she goes for a test that should tell them (my brother, sister-in-law and Rachel) whether or not it is cancerous. Any extra prayers you have for her would be greatly appreciated. She was initially very upset, and then she road a roller coaster of emotions. No one anticipates cancer, but young adults least of all -- they are invincible, right?

I am thankful for...

... a warm bed (though it is awfully hard to get out of), a warm house, a full pantry. It doesn't take much to make me thankful, though some would say a warm house and a full pantry are pretty much. They'd be right.

From the lesson plans...

...new lessons. Yesterday was readjustment day and it didn't go so well. Faith woke up and put on last year's uniform (she was pretty excited to get back to school). Noah, on the other hand, came to the table with a scowl, which is absolutely normal (unfortunately). I must admit that I look forward to next year when we will be paying tuition for Noah to scowl at someone else. Ridiculous eh?

From the kitchen...

...working with leftovers this week. Tonight we're having some Spicy Chicken Nachos. Yum!

I am wearing...

...khaki trousers, pink turtleneck and sporting a new haircut. Yeah!

I am creating...

...some Miraculous Medal earrings, a couple of rosaries just for fun, and a white scarf for Faith -- never lacking for projects around here.

I am reading...

...a book about Edith Stein, St. Theresa Benedicta. It's very interesting, telling the story of her life, beginning when she was a young child.

I am hoping...

...for good news about my niece.

I am hearing...

...the space heater blowing warm air next to me. Mmmmm.

Around the house...

...laundry, and ironing -- lots of ironing. The Christmas decorations are still up at least until the Twelfth Day -- tomorrow. They'll probably come down on Friday.

I am going...

...to the orthodontist with two kids, then to pick up shoes for college boy, and groceries and deliver them (Mom's taxi and delivery service). It should be an interesting day in the car.

One of my favorite things...

...is not spending the day in the car.

I am praying for...

...my niece, my children, three soldiers (in particular), and all of the unborn babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion today (and every day).

A few plans for the rest of the week...

...taking dinner to a needy family tomorrow and first drum lessons on Thursday and that's about it. Lucky me.

Thought of the day...

...from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (whose feast is today)

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.”

Say it with me, sister: AMEN!

.