7 Quick Takes September 21 2012

--- 1 ---

 
I'm plugging away at my new unit study on the soon-to-be St. Kateri.  I love writing these things because I learn so much!  I came across a documentary by Jacques Cousteau on the St. Lawrence River that looked so interesting I'm tempted to order it from the library.  My curriculum planning for this year didn't really allow for a unit study, but we just might have to do it ourselves once I'm done with it :)
 

--- 2 ---

Our parish is planning a pilgrimage in October to New York for the canonization of Blessed Kateri.  They plan do some sight-seeing, go to the Shrine in NY and then on the way home stop at the Shrine of Divine Mercy since our priests are from there.  Can I just say that we here are all praying REALLY HARD that God will in some way open up a door for us so that we can go on this pilgrimage.  All nine of us on a bus trip for five days - that would be AWESOME!
 

--- 3 ---

I decided today, for the first time since getting a laptop, to unplug from my desk and go work in my bedroom.  I figured being away from all the commotion of the house might be more conducive to creative thinking.  At least for this afternoon it seemed to work.  I kind of like being tucked away in the dark recesses of my home.  It's mighty comfortable, too.
 

--- 4 ---

We're getting back into an exercise routine around here again after a long summer of interrupted exercising (or more like NO exercising).  I must say that having my four oldest daughters as partners really makes the time so much better.  On a good day, they can be so goofy that we laugh more than we sweat!  I wonder if laughing burns as many calories as actually exercising?
 

--- 5 ---

Fall is right around the corner (or here, depending on the day you're reading this)!  I do believe this is my favorite time of year.  I enjoy the change in weather and the colors and I enjoy decorating for it, too.  Love those orange, yellow and brown colors :)
 

--- 6 ---

Speaking of decorating, my eldest daughter and I went on a house walk last week - you know, where nice people open up their homes so you can gawk at all their stuff.  Kind of a weird concept when you think about it, but we go anyway.  There were three large houses on a lake and the views alone are enough to gawk at.  One of the houses had this really cool theater set up in the basement.  There were comfy leather seats, surround sound and a big white screen on the wall complete with red velvet curtains!  I don't go to gawk, really, just to find new decorating ideas :)...and have a good luncheon, and have fun with my daughter!

--- 7 ---

Not a lot planned for the weekend.  The kids found out that "The Avengers" is in the cheap theater around here and thought it would be fun if ALL of us could go to the movie together.  We were discussing it at dinner, and we couldn't remember when the last time was that we all went to the movies together.  Hopefully we'll remedy that this weekend.  Have a great first Fall weekend wherever you are!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

God Bless!

 

What to do With Those Little Ones

Being that it is the beginning of a new school year, I have seen a lot of questions come up on the various homeschool groups I belong to about how to home school your older children while you have a baby and/or toddler (or more) running around.

Based on my past experiences (I homeschooled like this for 12 of my 15 years!) and what I've been reading, there really are only a few tried and true answers.  You probably know them by heart if you've been homeschooling for any length of time:

1.  Keep a special basket of toys for the baby/toddler to play with during school time only.

2.  When you really need to focus, assign an older child to watch the baby/toddler for that time period.

3.  If the baby/toddler will cooperate, have a gated off area that he/she can play in while school is going on.  This will allow you to focus on your students and know that the baby/toddler is safe.

4.  Keep them in the school room with you and give them their own "work", even if it is just scribbling on a paper, to do.

5. Take full advantage of nap times (if there are any) and make sure the older kids have independent work they can do when necessary.

And that, folks, is about as good as it gets.  This time has to be one of the most challenging times in homeschooling.  There will be good days (meaning the baby/toddler are happy and content and the older children want to learn during that same time) and there will be bad days (the baby/toddler is crying and fussy all day and the older children just don't want to learn).

I really don't mean to sound like a pessimist (because I prefer to think of it as being a realist :), but the best you can do during these years is to take advantage of the good days and know that on the bad days you did the best you could and that your children are still learning things by helping out around the house and doing their independent work.

You can have a plan...you can have structure...but you still might not be able to make everyone cooperate at the same time!  It is still good to have that plan and that structure, but realize that part of homeschooling means being flexible.  Try very hard to love these challenging years, knowing that they really will be gone before you know it, instead of letting them push you over the edge.  If you have an over-the-edge day, just do like Noah Webster's mother used to do and throw your apron up over your head so no one can see your face and pray for strength (I always loved that story :).  

May God bless you as you struggle to find what works during this very busy, but wonderful time in your homeschooling career!

God Bless!
 

Joliet Vocations Video

These fine young men are seminarians from our diocese.  I just saw this on Jamie's blog from Minnesota and I had to post it here.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we all did!  Way to go, guys!

God Bless!
 

 

Is Our Country Worth It?

I just read an email that is asking people to stop for one minute at a specified time each day and say a prayer for our country.  Apparently during World War II there was an adviser to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute, to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect, as bombing stopped.

The email said that people in the US are now trying to organize the same thing.  At 9 pm ET (8 pm CT, 7 pm MT, 6 pm PT) each day, take one minute to stop and say a prayer for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land, and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.  I think that pretty much covers it. 

Life gets so hectic and we're always running from thing to thing, but maybe, somehow, we can all pause for that minute and say a prayer.  If you're participating in the 54 day Rosary novena, then maybe pray it around that hour.  I'm sure, however, that if you don't make it at that exact minute, God will still hear your prayer and honor it.  It is kind of cool, isn't it, to think about thousands (dare I say millions?) of people stopping at the exact same moment to lift their prayers up to God for our country.  Surely all that clamor will be heard in Heaven!

I'm not sure how I'm going to remember it every day...a sticky note somewhere?  Something big on the fridge?  Maybe something stuck to my forehead?  Maybe I'll ask my Guardian Angel to tap me on the shoulder and remind me!  Well, somehow, we'll give it a shot here and see if we can do it!  Hope you can, too.

God Bless!
  

Moments of Grace

Joining with the ladies over at Sucipio again today!

Have you ever gotten frustrated because you can't seem to finish any books?  It seems to me that I have a hard time finishing many of my non-fiction books.  Now, give me a good fiction book and I don't seem to have that problem, but if you look around my house right now you will find a trail of half-finished books.

Sometimes, though, we put those books down so that when we need it most, we are inspired to pick the book up again and read something that we really need to hear.  

I have read before that God speaks to people in different ways but that He usually has one typical mode of speaking to a person.  God usually speaks to me through the written word.  When I need to hear something or learn something from Him, I will inevitably read it.

This week I came across a book just like that.  I had started this book last summer, I believe.  I got through all but the last chapter and a-half.  The other day I picked it up and with a moment of determination, vowed to finish it.  Well the first page I read pretty much blew me away because it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear!!  I just had to stop and praise God for being so good to me.  That was a total moment of grace for me this week.

So the next time you are frustrated because you can't seem to get back to that book - don't be.  God just might be putting the brakes on so that you can pick the book up again just when you will need it most!

God Bless!

7 Quick Takes September 14 2012

--- 1 ---

I always seem to be harping on the kids to get outside, use their imagination, do something with their siblings.  Well today they did just that.  They took the card table and chairs, set them up in the garage with the door open, put some music on, got some pretzels and proceeded to play poker.  Well, at least they finally listened :)

--- 2 ---

A good friend of mine sent me a new book for my birthday called "A Reason to Believe" by Ron Tesoriero.  It looks very interesting, but I AM NOT going to start another book until I finish some of these other ones, right???

--- 3 ---

If you are an astute observer, you will have noticed that the kids in the above picture have long sleeves on.  LONG SLEEVES, can you believe it?  We went from sweat to chills in one day.  Looks like the next 10 days are going to be a bit on the cool side...some nights predicted to be down around 40 degrees.  It's a good thing we can roll with the changes (name that 80s song).
 

--- 4 ---

 Mr 12 yo has asked to be put on the dinner making schedule this fall.  I love that he is so interested in learning how to cook.  Tonight (Thursday) he is cooking spaghetti and making a salad for us.  He usually sets the table, too, as he is very particular about how his dinner is presented; everything is usually placed "just so" on the table.  I hope this is something he keeps up for the rest of his life!
 

--- 5 ---

Have I mentioned that I'm finding Blessed Kateri a fascinating person?  The graces and spirituality that she had were incredible.  She did suffer a lot and her life was short, so she did not have an easy time of it.  Her faith is admirable and I am excited to be writing a unit study based on her life. I hope to have it complete by her canonization in October.
 

--- 6 ---

Here's one of my favorite "trust" verses from this week's study:

Many are the pangs of the wicked; but steadfast love surrounds him who trusts in the Lord.  Ps 32:10

 --- 7 ---

 Don't forget to join in the 54 Day Rosary Novena for our country.  It begins (began) on Friday, September 14th and ends on election day.  Check this page for all the info.  Have a great weekend.

God Bless!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Falling to Your Knees for 54 Days Straight!

Just wanted to put a shout out to everyone who is interested in praying a 54 day rosary novena for our country.  If you are interested, the novena begins on Friday, September 14th (which just happens to be the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross!) and ends on election day, November 6th.

The intention for the novena is:  For God's Will to prevail in the upcoming USA Presidential election.

I don't think I've ever made it through an entire 54 day novena before, but this is a great time to give it another go-around.

If you are unfamiliar with this type of novena, it is simply 6 sets of 9 days of praying the rosary.  The first 3 sets of 9 days is in petition.  Simply pray the rosary every day for the first 27 days asking God to grant the above intention.  Feel free to add you own intentions, too.

Once you do that, the next 3 sets of 9 days is in thanksgiving.  When you pray the rosary for those next 27 days, thank God for hearing your prayers and answering it in whatever way He sees fit.

Join in with people all over the country (and maybe even the world) to pray that our country will go back to following God's Will and that He will have mercy on us for the sins of our nation.

I'm sure it is going to be a challenge but, hey, let's see who has the best callouses on their knees at the end of the 54 days :)

God Bless!