Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Monday, July 09, 2012

Daybook...and a little treat at the end


Outside my window... 
...very warm and not a cloud in the sky. I'm praying for rain.


 I am thinking... 
...about how fast the summer is passing. I haven't really spent much time thinking about our curriculum for fifth grade, and I've had a nagging voice in my head for a couple of days. Time to start planning. I need to put aside about an hour every day.


 I am thankful for... 
...my husband's job
...the freedom to homeschool
...my faith and the Catholic Church

I'm not taking any of these freedoms for granted these days.


 From the lesson plans... 
...light school -- math, phonics and reading
...thinking about history, science and religion for next year -- the three subjects I am not entirely sure about curriculum-wise

 From the kitchen...
...the kids are having pizza, I am meeting a friend for dinner, and Doug will be at a golf outing, so no cooking today.

The wheat-free trial is going ok, but unfortunately I don't feel any differently. I was hoping to feel less achy all over, and less bloated. I had hoped that just substituting more fruits and vegetables for bread and other wheat products would give me more energy. I realize it might take longer than a week to notice a difference, but I had hoped I would feel something by now.


 I am wearing... 
 ...a light blue blouse and my green and blue dragonfly print skirt, blue sandals, and my chain.


 I am creating...
 ...a St. Michael chaplet with hematite beads and silver wire. I just finished a nightgown for myself, so I'm not sewing anything, but I need start a new baby quilt. I also bought some sock yarn to create something from the book my mother-in-law gave me for my birthday, but I think I'm a little bit chicken to start.


 I am planning... 
...to schedule my days a little more. Not terribly structured, but at least a list of things to do and the time I want to spend on them. On most days I get to 3 o'clock and feel like I have wasted the day. That's probably because I'm mostly responding to other people's needs (and the house's needs) and not being "offensive" (as opposed to defensive).


 I am reading...
...over the weekend I listened to That's Why I'm Here by Chris Spielman. It was a very moving story. Today I started reading the Parent Guide to Love and Life. I've been avoiding it, but Noah and I need to sit down and do this. Soon. He has become much more interested in girls earlier than the other two boys. Fortunately he is never alone with any. 


 I am hoping... 
...for a peaceful week. That's really all I need is some peace.


 I am hearing... 
...Faith is at the table making a doll. She got into the fabric stash.


Around the house... 
...laundry today. There's always laundry. I say that every Monday. So far I have done five loads today.

Also watering in the garden.


I am going... 
...out to dinner with a girlfriend, always a good thing. 


I am praying for...
...my children, and my husband
...a friend who just had a baby
 ...two soldiers in Afghanistan
 ...our priests and all religious
...all of the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week


 For the rest of the week... 
...the only thing on my calendar is lunch with a friend on Wednesday. This is a goooood week.

                   
A quote for the day...

“All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.”  Flannery O'Connor


                                
A picture thought...


                   
We had our portrait taken for the church directory. I think it turned out well, if I do say so myself.

PS That was the little treat. I hope I didn't disappoint.
PSS Noah (far left) would be very disappointed if I didn't tell you he was kneeling. He is taller than his brothers and his dad. Joshua is in the middle and Geoffrey is on the right.

24 comments:

  1. That is a wonderful family portrait!

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  2. Look at Peach with the red hair! It looks like Noah may have a little hint of red, but the boys are all so dark-haired!

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    1. Noah's hair is very red, Jennie. True auburn. And, yes, Faith has some strawberry in that blond. The other boys take after Doug.

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  3. Great family picture! It IS a treat to see such a beautiful family.

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  4. Lovely photo and smashing looking family.
    Gail

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  5. I LOVE your family photo, Barbara! VERY nice!! I will have to show {A}. She always asks if there are any pics of Faith on your blog ;-)

    Enjoy dinner out tonight!

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  6. Agreed, very nice picture! You look especially pretty there!

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  7. It is a wonderful treat! What a great picture of your whole beautiful family. And you look gorgeous, Barbara! - Rosemary

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  8. Oh my gosh! What a handsome family. I've never seen such a good church directory pic. Xo

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  9. Wonderful treat! Great pic! :)

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  10. That photo is beautiful, love it!!! I like those kind of treats!

    So funny about your son kneeling...I bet he hated that!

    (we just got out computer back, so I'm trying it out on your blog...it needs to go back in, still can't email anyone!)

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  11. LOVE the photo! It was, indeed, an excellent treat--so good, in fact, that perhaps it can take the place of the Magnum bar that's calling my name.

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  12. What a great picture! Peach looks like she's UP TO SOMETHING ;) And I love your haircut!

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  13. Barbara, definitely a treat! I love seeing family photos. What a lovely family you have!

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  14. Beautiful picture, Barbara. Beautiful family. God Bless you all!

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  15. What a wonderful picture of a beautiful family!

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  16. I love your family picture - it turned out beautifully!! Our church directory picture looks like there has been a breakout at the local asylum. Yours is nice enough for a Christmas card!

    PS: and it was a real treat - no letdown. :)

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  17. What a beautiful family!

    Do you know if you are eating any "hidden" wheat? I know I have to make sure ALL of it is completely gone to get any benefits.

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  18. Ruby, I check all the food labels and mostly eat whole food, but I guess if wheat is disguised under another name, I could be. I am pretty good at reading labels though, because my son has life threatening food allergies. What other ingredients are wheat besides the obvious?

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  19. What a fantastic photo! Beautiful family!

    I especially loved the quote you ended with. Very true and worthy of prayerful meditation.

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  20. Beautiful family! Thank you so much for posting it. Your sons are so handsome but I can see that your daughter will have the boys hanging around soon. ;) By the way, I like your haircut. It frames your face so sweetly. I hope you can keep up the removal of the wheat from your diet. My mother-in-law did so a couple of years ago, and she has lost a lot of weight and feels great. I probably should too, but I don't like gluten-free. I'm so spoiled!

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  21. What else can wheat be disguised as? MSG or anything "glutamate." I have another friend who gave up wheat, but she completely forgot about communion hosts! Did you?

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!