Bedtime Reading

I am slowly starting to find time for myself ..... again. ;-)

Last weekend I went on a wonderful retreat at our parish. It was refreshing and helped me refocus. I was also astounded by what I can do when expected to do so ....... like waking up at 5am!! I did this for 3 days in a row and lived to tell!

This week I have been working hard at getting my slothful self out of bed. St. JoseMaria calls it the heroic moment. Only a non-morning person (like me) can truly appreciate his words.

I'm also making time to do my life's favorite pleasure .... reading! Somewhere I lost myself in homeschooling, dishes, laundry, etc. and have slowly stopped reading. Sure, I read something here and there but its been a while since I've had my nose in a good book.

Today I found a book I've been searching for. I've been hoping to find a used copy of Clarence Thomas' book, My Grandfather's Son, and did so today at Half-Price books. Thank you, Michelle H., for the recommendation!!!!

So far I'm hooked!!!!

I'm also reading this little booklet/article and really taking it to heart. Craig and I are reading through it together. The advice contained in this booklet, coupled with my experiences from retreat, will hopefully get me moving again.

This week we've successfully made it to mass 4 out of 5 days. Now that the train is rolling I pray we can keep it going. I keep telling myself that getting up at 6:15am is MUCH, MUCH better than getting up at 5am!!! Its all about perspective!! LOL!! ;-)

Have a blessed weekend my dear friends!!

May Crowning Cake

Tonight we celebrated a May Crowning with some families. We prayed the rosary and then enjoyed snacks. I volunteered to bring the cake and ... tada .... this is how it came out. At the last minute I ran over to my mom-in-laws and she made some roses for me. I've always wanted to do a rosary cake!! I finally got the chance! BTW, those are M&M's!!

* On a side note: I had a great time and really enjoyed myself with these ladies. I always do. Unfortunately, they don't live on my side of town but I'm not going to let that be such an obstacle anymore. Thank you so much for your supportive comments and heartfelt prayers!! I wish I could get together with all of you IRL!!! The private emails made me feel so loved. The reminder to lean heavily on my Lord was just what I needed to hear! Love you!!

I'm still here!!

I'm just so busy that I haven't had time to sit down and blog. This year's resolutions are just the two: (1) pray my Rosary first thing in the morning (before ANYTHING else) and (2) smiling more (St. Josemaria says sometimes smiling is the best mortification).

We're slowly adjusting to being back to school after the holidays. Baby Veronica is smiling and cooing and everyone takes turns holding her. I'm trying to smile more which means I have to go to bed earlier and try to stick to my schedule. LOL!!

Isabelle is REALLY thriving with our morning routine of waking up before the rest of the house. I'm still eating breakfast and tea with her while we go over her English, spelling, and memory work. She does better when its quiet and there are no distractions. I'm a happier homeschooler when she's happy! LOL!!

Tomorrow is the first day of co-op. The kids are SOOO excited!! We spent part of today shopping for school supplies (like drawing pads, sketching pencils and erasers, new backpacks, etc.).

The kids are really loving co-op. Isabelle sees it as her one day of going away to school. We start the day with morning mass at 8am. Classes start at 9am and are an hour each. They get a 30 minute recess after 2nd period and a 30 minute lunch after 3rd period.

Here's the schedule for this semester:

Isabelle
Period 1: Latin
Period 2: Theatre (A.D.)
Period 3: TX history
Period 4: Intro. to Interior Design (very excited about this class)

Anna
Period 1: US History
Period 2: Art
Period 3: Theatre (Abraham & Isaac)

Sophia
Period 1: US History
Period 2: Experience the Bible
Period 3: Theatre (Abraham & Isaac)

Kolbe
Period 1: Theatre (Noah's Ark)
Period 2: Pre-school
Period 3: Pre-school

*Yes, Kolbe is in kindergarten. But he's still not able to write or color very well. And he's fidgety. He fits in perfectly with the preschoolers!! LOL!! He might be the tallest but he's behaving and loving it. I'm still doing kindergarten at home with him but really wanted something that he would enjoy and wouldn't stress over.

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I can't believe how fast the kids are growing!! Can you believe that almost 11 years ago I was having my first baby. I was only 24 and felt so young and full of hope. I still feel young and full of hope. But, my definition of young has been bumped up to 35 and middle aged is now 50?!?

Tomorrow's my birthday and I'm going to go have breakfast with my mom-in-law (after I drop the kids off at co-op). Craig gets home Friday and then Isabelle has a Suzuki Piano Workshop this weekend.

I've also been VERY busy crocheting and sewing. Hobby Lobby had patterns on sale for $.99. I'm in the process of making 3 skirts, 1 baby blanket, and some tote bags. I think this month I replaced blogging with crafts. SORRY! ;-) I'll show some pictures of what I'm working on later.

Busy, busy, busy!! Happy, happy, happy!!

My new quote on the sidebar (for a while anyways) is:

From time to time I have wondered which kind of martyrdom is the greater: that of the person who receives death for the faith, at the hands of God 's enemies; or the martyrdom of someone who spends his years working with no other purpose than that of serving the Church and souls, and who grows old smiling, all the while passing unnoticed...For me, the unspectacular martyrdom is more heroic... That is your way.

-St JoseMaria Escriva, The Way of the Cross