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.