Slowly

::noticing God's glory

The garden is utterly waterlogged. I was seriously tempted to cover it all with big plastic tarps today. Just way too much rain. Tomorrow, it's going to be all about cutting away a whole lot of yellow leaves-- basil, tomatoes, roses-- lots of waterlogged, fungus-ridden leaves. So sad.

::listening to 

Girls giggling in a room that is nearly perfectly clean and tidy. Sigh...that  was a project. I slowly took every single picture book we owned off the shelves and then reshelved them all neatly and with some sense of order. Such lovely shelves, now. 

::clothing myself in 

An ESPN 20th anniversary T-shirt (that's 14 years old but hasn't been worn until today) and boxer shorts. It's 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. My two little girls have been fever-free for about three hours now. Here's hoping we're on a roll. It's been a long week.  Karoline has had a fever for days and days. Still does...

::talking with my children about these books

Still Shakespeare. Karoline really, truly loves Shakespeare! It's so much fun to watch how engaged she is. The girls (under the influence of Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire) want to add Poetry Wednesday to our Shakespeare Fridays. I'll dust off these plans, breathe some fresh air into them, and slowly finish out the alphabet of poetry lessons.

And I've begun to slowly page through Inner Excavation. Looks like good inspiration for summer renewal.

::thinking and thinking

about battling back from burnout. I have to admit that I'm burned out. I tried to deny it, tried to defy it. Now, I'm "battling back." Actually, I plan to retitle that chapter in its new edition. "Battling back" sounds like so much work. Instead, I'm embracing renewal. I've got lots of new ideas about burnout. When I wrote that chapter a dozen or so years ago, no one was emailing with team updates every ten minutes. There was no constant barrage of social media. My phone didn't go with me when I left the house. I was thinking about survival in the near term and not necessarily sustainability over the long haul. It just seems like there is so much more noise, so much input.

Ah, but I was also unable to pray the Liturgy of the Hours while sitting in the waiting room outside an college IEP meeting.  couldn't text a friend when I got stuck on the renewal journey. So, it's not all bad. Can the internet be a tool in renewal? I'm pondering that.

::pondering prayerfully

“As an antidote to time-wasting and sometimes even alienating indulgence in superficial media programs,” the document proposed that the students should be “guided to the love and practice of reading, study, silence, and meditation. They should be encouraged, and be provided with the necessary conditions for community dialogue and prayer. This will serve to remedy the isolation and self-absorption caused by the unidirectional communication of the mass media . . .”  [emphasis mine]

as quoted in this great article sent to me by Elizabeth Williams.

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Aimee is my renewal coach. (This might surprise her; I recruited her;-). I texted her on Friday, my first full day without something gridded in the calendar. I truly was at a loss. What to do? I'm not overstating this befuddlement on my part. I'd been so looking forward to this time, but in the wake of an utter adrenaline crash, I couldn't make the simplest of decisions.

She insisted I not look at a clock. Such good advice! I spent the weekend listening to my body's cues and moving within my own rhythm. This wasn't entirely perfectly executed. Two sick little girls definitely dictated many of my movements and I peeked at the clock to time dosing meds. But mostly, I rubbed a lot of peppermint oil and On Guard on the soles of sweet, feverish feet. I sipped tea. I only ate things that would nourish me. I made cleansing, refreshing, clean smoothies. I pulled weeds. I took a nap with Serenity blowing across my pillow (diffuser is here). A nap! A real afternoon nap and I didn't even worry that it would disrupt my sleep at night (it didn't). I soaked in a tub full of Epsom salt and lavender and eucalyptus. I rubbed Balance on my neck and shoulders and feet and palms before working out--every day two or three times a day. Then, I took long showers and then doused myself with Citrus Biss. The rhythm wasn't imposed from without, but grew organically from within.

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::creating by hand

Finishing some projects, sewing some buttons, and working up the courage to start cutting pieces for Mary Beth's quilt. 

::learning lessons in

listening to inner cues and making time for self care.

::encouraging learning 

Christian and I got an education in IEP college-style. We visited James Madision University last week and we were introduced to the resources available there. I'm so impressed! He's on his own to tap into those resources--I'm not a part of this picture much at all--but there are resources there and we met some really good people.

::begging prayers

In the last three weeks, three people very close to me have confronted a cancer diagnosis. In the last three weeks, the children of three families close to me have struggled with the realities of new divorces. There are reminders constantly near at hand that we live in a fallen world. We send up our sighs, mourning and weeping. Please, please pray for all!

::keeping house

I promised Aimee I would only "putter" for the near term. There is so much digging in to do here! I did text for clarification when I began the great bookshelf project. There's another bookshelf project awaiting me downstairs, too. The reality is that the way my brain works, bookshelf organizing accomplishes about 80% homeschool planning. So, even though I promised Aimee I wouldn't plan--and I really, really didn't put a single plan to paper--it's all in my head, friends;-).

::crafting in the kitchen 

The boys have been in New England for the Region 1 Soccer Championship. The girls and I have hit the Farmers' Market hard for our meals. There's even a really lovely slow walk to be had there early on Saturday mornings. Katie and I could live solely on vegetables and legumes. She told me--and I agree-- that "beans and greens" is the best lunch ever for summer. Mary Beth is hanging in there and holding me to the promise of caprese salad. Ah, fresh mozarella! Will that be where I cave and eat dairy?

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Watermelon, cucumber, lemon, and mint: morning happy in a glass.

greens from our garden with garden rosemary, garlic, and slow cooked beans

::loving the moments

when I awaken feeling rested.

::giving thanks 

for someone who understands burnout and renewal and is gently encouraging recovery.

::planning for the week ahead

I'm planning to blog this week:-). Sometimes, when I'm really running on empty, I don't have the heart to even open the computer. I know that it's time for a shutdown, time to nurture the introvert that I am by shutting off the noise--all the noise. For a few days last week, I didn't touch the computer, didn't check in with social media on my phone, even refused to watch a chick flick with my big girl because I didn't want to make an emotional investment. We watched that movie last night. This afternoon finds me here with you. I'm on my way...

Memories Captured on an iPhone last weekend:

Mike is in Rhode Island with Stephen and Nick. They are playing a tournament in Kingston and staying in Middletown. I was born in Kingston, Rhode Island and I lived in Middletown until I was 8. I wish I were there. There's surely sea water in my veins and I think I might even be able to navigate the way to my favorite seafood restaurant. (On second thought, maybe not. It was a dive that served steamers. My dad always called the place "Dirty John's." As I look back, it occurs to me that that wasn't its real name.) My sweet husband sent me a picture of my old house. And he also sent me pictures of our boys here on hauntingly familiar rocks.

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Oh, I miss my men!

But stay, guys. Stay until you've won it all.

We'll pray for you!

Breaking update: the fever has hit Nick in Rhode Island. Game time: 9:30. He's hoping to be like Michael Jordan in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA finals and not like Ronaldo in the World Cup...

Gathering my Thoughts

 

::noticing God's glory

Rain. Rain. Rain. The weeds are proliferating and everything else is rather soggy. I'm going to "unorganic" my roses this morning and bring in some big guns to take care of black mold and insects. I wasn't planning on eating the roses anyway...

::listening to 

Quiet. I got up at 4 AM for this privilege. Seriously, I so love to have the house to myself for a little quiet first thing in the morning.

::clothing myself in 

Right now, I'm wearing one of Mike's T-shirts and a pair of pajama bottoms. He's in Miami. I awoke to the news that the Heat pulled it off in OT last night. Awesome. Not really. Means he's due home later than sooner.

::talking with my children about these books

Still Shakespeare.

::thinking and thinking

about a family social media/screen time policy. I have it drafted. It's a bit wordy;-). Still pondering, but nearly ready.. 

::pondering prayerfully

“As an antidote to time-wasting and sometimes even alienating indulgence in superficial media programs,” the document proposed that the students should be “guided to the love and practice of reading, study, silence, and meditation. They should be encouraged, and be provided with the necessary conditions for community dialogue and prayer. This will serve to remedy the isolation and self-absorption caused by the unidirectional communication of the mass media . . .”  [emphasis mine]

as quoted in this great article sent to me yesterday by Elizabeth Williams.

::carefully cultivating rhythm

So, about that email thing. I somehow stuck all my email in the trash. I can't restore it unless I restore one message at a time. There are now 19,951 conversations in the trash. Ever since I last wrote about email (oh, 3 weeks ago?), I've been retrieving email from the trash. Dumping the whole inbox might have been a good idea for someone else, but for me, not so good. I've been pulling important mail (for me and for Mike) like crazy. The clock is ticking; that mail will be permanently deleted 30 days from when I trashed it. So, there you go, I somehow managed to take my email mismanagement anxiety and make it so much worse.

::creating by hand

Somehow, the costumes for the Tiny Toes little girls came in in a GIANT size. This week, I set up in the studio with my sewing machine, took a deep breath (or two or three), and cut those sparkly lovelies down to size. Then I stitched them back together. They're so cute! Only 5 more to go...

::learning lessons in

Eating well. I just finished Heather's 30 Day Vegan. I was surprised by the things I learned. I very much benefitted from the workshop. I especially enjoyed essays by Renee Tougas (looks like her site is down today). At the outset of the Whole Food Kitchen workshop I took last winter, I commented to a friend that I was skeptical because it seemed like the goal was to move in the direction of veganism. And, I said, that wasn't a good option for me because how in the world can you be a vegan without wheat or corn? Turns out Renee's family eats a plant-based diet without wheat or corn. Imagine that?! Plant-based. No wheat. No corn. No sugar. I'm learning lessons in what works for me.

::encouraging learning 

Yes, we are doing school all summer. We absolutely are. I'm no longer in the running for favorite neighborhood mom.

::begging prayers

for teenagers: mine, yours, and those they befriend. It's really challenging to be a teenager these days. They need us to cover them in a mantle of prayer and to beg showers of grace on their behalf.

::keeping house

We're working on it;-)! The reality is that this is recital week. I'm trying mightily to make sure we don't get behind in housekeeping, but I'm not making great forward strides either.

::crafting in the kitchen 

We did a big brunch for Father's Day:

• Strata with asparagus, manchego, and prosciutto
• Mixed berries smothered with berry puree and served with a Greek yogurt/lemon curd sauce
• Homemade Belgian waffles with toppings
• Muffins

The dads were happy. I lived on berries for 48 hours after Father's Day because I definitely wayyyy overbought. Not a bad problem to have.

::loving the moments

when I see him standing, waiting for me at Arrivals at Dulles Airport. Counting the hours.

::giving thanks 

for you. I'm so grateful you come back and find me here, despite my sometimes erratic publishing schedule.

living the liturgy

This is not some earthshaking revelation, just a simple truth: the most effective way to live the liturgy is to go to Mass as often as possible. It’s all there, available every day. You don’t need a craft closet. You don’t need a grocery shopping list. You don’t even need much advanced planning. You just need to show up. And a priest who gives relevant homilies is plus, too.

::planning for the week ahead

Let's see...We have rehearsals this week for this weekend's spring recitals. We have training this week to get ready for Nick's team to go to the Regional tournament, following his State Cup win (thereby extending soccer season by a month). Turns out Stephen lost his State Cup game. Three days later, he tried out for the team which beat him (and which is the closest team to us geographically). He made that team and now he's training in advance of their trip to Regionals (thereby extedning his soccer season by a month, even though he's not eligible to actually play in the Regional tournament.) Christian and I will take a trip to James Madison University for an IEP sort of meeting. Mike will depart with the boys for the Regional tournament in Rhode Island.

And, by late next week, I will revel in at least three calendar days with absolutely nothing written on them.

I will.

Memories Captured on an iPhone last weekend:

Sarah performed for the first time ever last weekend -- a Circus Tea at the Ritz-Carlton. She had so much fun, she just didn't want to take off her stage makeup. She and her biggest fan fell fast asleep within seconds of arriving home Saturday afternoon. Takes a lot out of a girl to be a dancing clown!

Father's Day Brunch:

Gathering My Thoughts

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::noticing God's glory

We spent lots of time in the yard last weekend. Kristin started plants indoors late in the winter and she brought her little baby tomatoes and peppers over to plant in our ground yesterday. After much weeding and dirt hauling, a few new whiskey barrels, and a trip to deBaggio’s, my little piece of suburbia is looking much greener.

::listening to 

The cappuccino machine in the orthodontist’s office. Seriously, this guy makes me want to start drinking coffee again. Then again, his tea selection is impressive, too.

::clothing myself in 

Lightweight jeans above my ankles and an oxford cloth shirt. My feet are happily ensconsed in crocheted TOMS, a Mother’s Day gift from Mary Beth.

::talking with my children about these books

Shakespeare. Christian is taking a Shakespeare course this summer and I’ve seized the opportunity to immerse us all in the bard once again. His first assignment was to read this article and a few others. Well, that’s interesting! Perhaps Shakespeare wasn’t the Shakespeare we thought we knew? I’m planning to tweak these plans, gathering baskets of books today.

::thinking and thinking

that I wish I could see myself the way my husband sees me. Particularly when I’ve been stung by the words of another woman, Mike’s insight is always such a revelation to me and I come away from our conversation wishing that I could just see through his lens occasionally. 

::pondering prayerfully

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”  ― Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

You know? I think this one suits me again this week.

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Could we please talk about email management this week? There are currently 1265 unread “new” emails in my inbox. These do not include blog emails. Clearly, I am a poor email manager. Everything pretty much gets dumped into the same box (except blog mail). I read it (or not) and then move on. If I know it’s an ad or whatever, I’m likely to just skip it. Why don’t I delete it? I have no idea. I never archive. I never trash. It’s just a giant mess. So, how do I clean it all up and unclutter without losing something I might actually need or missing someone with whom I might need to connect? Oh, and I’d rather not spend hours fixing this. Ideas? Suggestions?

::creating by hand

The girls need some summer clothes as soon as possible. My sewing mission is critical. This week, I’m focusing on tops.

::learning lessons in

time management. Always. But more than that, I think I’m learning lessons in emotional investment. There’s only so much of me. Where is the best place to invest my time and emotional energy, even my affection?

::encouraging learning 

It’s been about five years since I made detailed plans. I think, back then, that I was planning on paper (or digitally) because those plans gave me a sense of security and maybe of control. To some degree, they were also a creative outlet. Sharing them was an opportunity for community. But then Sarah was born and we leapt as a family into a new season. Somehow, I’ve been propelled into an incredibly active existence that leaves me little time for pondering with pen and paper or even keyboard...

Besides, keyboards make me ache: my neck and shoulders and fingers and wrists. Writing is laborious. Words have long been my constant companions and, in many ways, my comfort and joy. They still are. Giving them voice in print, however, is exceedingly challenging for a myriad of reasons. I remind myself all the time that God has a plan. 

::begging prayers

for our prayer community, particularly for veterans and their families, who still struggle mightily with scars both seen and unseen.

::keeping house

I’ve started to get some deep cleaning, decluttering, and organizing in the works. My house looks very neglected lately (probably since I haven't been home nearly enough to keep things running smoothly). I’m trying not to go after it all gung-ho. My style has always been to make a long list and then prusue it relentlessly until the job is done and I’m totally spent. That’s not going to happen this summer. I can’t afford to deplete myself that way. So, I’ll chip away at it, certain that no tragedy will befall us because my house isn’t ship-shape perfect.

::crafting in the kitchen 

I’m going to roast chickens from our co-op tonight. I’ll smother them with herbs from our garden and garlic from the farmer’s market. Alongside, we’ll have summer squash from the farmer’s market and a salad with greens and beets from the same farm. Nothing inspires me more in the kitchen than local food with which to create. 

::loving the moments

When we manage to squeak out a date night despite the ridiculously demanding weekend kid schedules.

::giving thanks 

for good news and the promise of new beginnings.

living the liturgy

This is not some earthshaking revelation, just a simple truth: the most effective way to live the liturgy is to go to Mass as often as possible. It’s all there, available every day. You don’t need a craft closet. You don’t need a grocery shopping list. You don’t even need much advanced planning. You just need to show up. And a priest who gives relevant homilies is plus, too.

::planning for the week ahead

Tomorrow is orientation at James Madison University for Christian. Mike’s taking him. I’m going to spend my day with Mary Beth at physical therapy and Stephen at a soccer match. I will be actively working to silence my inner teacher that would very much like to hover.

Nutcracker auditions are this weekend. See? It’s not my imagination. There is no offseason.

Stephen will play in the State Cup semi-finals on Saturday. If he wins, the finals are Sunday. It’s seems so incredibly unlikely that we could have two state champions in the same year. We are, however, only two games away. Say a prayer for him? It would be most unpleasant to lose this one;-)

Memories Captured on an iPhone last weekend:

Gathering My Thoughts

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I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

Our rose garden is overrun with weeds. Patrick is home for a few days, so I'd hoped he'd conquer it. He went out, took a look, and came back inside and said he doesn't have time. Ah, well. Perhaps I can do it next week. Kristin has big plans for our gardens. The weather is fine these days. I'm hoping we can get out it in it together and do some serious planting.

::listening to 

Coffee shop noises. This soccer season, I haven't spent much time writing in coffee shops. I haven't spent much time writing at all. This afternoon, with two hours to catch up a bit, feels like such a gift!

::clothing myself in 

Jeans, T-shirt with lace, lightweight cardigan, light dangling earrings. The spring and fall are my favorite months for clothing.

::talking with my children about these books

Heaven is Here- -Mary Beth and I are sharing this one. I found it to be a wonderful book to hand off to a teenaged daughter. 

The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Secret Behind What You Eat, Young Reader's Edition. ---Nick and I are reading this one

We are going to take on this reading challenge this month. Actually, I'm making it a writing challenge, having my kids share their little bookshelves with you here. I'm going to take on the challenge at Instagram (where I'm already behind) and the children are going to write here. Soon. I promise;-)

::thinking and thinking

about a little bit of a miracle in my overactive brain. On April 29th, I marked 23 years since I was diagnosed with cancer. That day, I noticed that when a friend (Hi, Jen!) posted to Facebook about a local wine and farm event that featured an awesome fundraising cause and her spectacularly awesome (priest) brother as an auctioneer and my favorite vineyard, I did something I have not done in 23 years. I said I couldn't make it this year, but I was a definite for next year. In 23 years, I've never let my brain go there, never assumed next year. Of course, none of us knows if we'll be around next year. But normal people do say, "I'll see you next year" or "Let's plan on next year." I never have. 

But I just did.

I think that might be progress. Maybe. What's amazing to me about this whole thing is that I've had a super hard time getting out from under the shadow of cancer the last few months. I've had to do some hard work reconciling survivorship in my own soul. It's not like one day you have cancer and then you're cured and then life rolls on as normal. Physically, nothing is the same again. I'm aware that I'm in uncharted territory. Treatment for my particular disease was changing so rapidly when I was being treated that there are just a handful of us who make up this cohort of survivors. Most people I know in that cohort have some pretty significant longterm effects. I have definitely been spooked.

Part of renewal for me has been confronting this fear and then working to weave a positive strategy of care and realistic awareness into my days. So, hey, chemo destroyed my gut and it's still messed up 23 years later. OK. Time to learn to be assertive about what I can and cannot eat in order to protect myself. And yes, I have a one in three chance of getting breast cancer because I was radiated. But gosh, if pregnancy and extended breastfeeding are protective measures, show me someone has has more of those than I do;-).

And, somewhere, deep down inside, I just had the confidence to say, "Next year..."

::pondering prayerfully

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” 
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

::carefully cultivating rhythm

I'm here to tell every mom trying to "balance" (hah!, what a joke) work and home, that it's possible to ask God for direction about one's professional life every day for nearly a year. And then, in a fifteen minute time span, have Him make himself abundantly clear. I feel more at peace in my skin and with my plans than I have in a very long time.

::creating by hand

The girls need some summer clothes as soon as possible. My sewing mission is critical.

::learning lessons in

community. I think that a lot of my notions of community, both online and in real life, have shifted dramatically over the last couple years. I'm very grateful for the insight. And I'm very grateful for a genuinely diverse community.

::encouraging learning 

We are finishing up Karoline's First Communion notebook this week. May is going to be all about math for everyone. I have some very lofty goals for the month, but if we can achieve them, I think I'll call the year a huge success.

::begging prayers

these prayers are still very, very much on my heart:

For a child of mine who needs big infusions of grace. Please pray with me?

For my friend Barbara's new grandson, Isaac. (So far, both our homeschooling-friends-grown-up who have had babies have named them Isaac.)  He was born three weeks ago, by emergency c-section, six weeks early. He and his mom are doing fine, but his time in the NICU just keeps extending. Your prayers for recovery and growth and NICU grace are very much appreciated.

And for Rick Warren, his son, and his family.

and a new one:

Mary Beth sustained a significant injury to her Achilles last weekend. It's never fun to be injured, but it's especially difficult when you train all year for a very short competition season and you find you're going to miss a huge chunk of it. Please pray that she will have the strength and grace to bear the crosses that come with this time of stillness.

::keeping house

One must be home in the house in order to adequately keep the house. That is all.

::crafting in the kitchen 

Paddy is home for a few days to study between the end of classes and the beginning of exams. Hence, I am free to drive to soccer and sit in a coffee shop with you. He is at home making a trademark chicken fried steak dinner. 

::loving the moments

When a faraway friend calls just as some interesting things are happening in my inbox and she is able to help me make sense of it in real time.

::giving thanks 

for hope.

living the liturgy

Karoline will receive her First Communion this weekend. I've never seen a child more excited about Jesus! Please note: it's Thursday as I write and she still has no dress, veil, or shoes. I hate that this seems like an eighth child kind of thing. I care very much about this special day; I'm just having trouble making decisions and I absolutely detest shopping and my favorite Catholic store has gone out of business...That flower girl dress is looking like a very good option.

::planning for the week ahead

My precious second son will turn 21 on Monday. This fact astounds me. I still can't get over the miracle of him. I will never get over the miracle of him. ...

Gathering My Thoughts

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

Northern Virginia is absolutely breathtaking in the springtime. Witihin a matter of hours the blooms change, the leaves look greener. I hardly want to go inside for fear of missing something.

::listening to 

Sarah slurping tea.

::clothing myself in 

Cotton.

::talking with my children about these books

The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Secret Behind What You Eat, Young Reader's Edition. 

::thinking and thinking

About losses and crosses and hope and determination and strength of character.

::pondering prayerfully

Every time there are losses there are choices to be made. You choose to live your losses as passages to anger, blame, hatred, depression and resentment, or you choose to let these losses be passages to something new, something wider, and deeper. (Henri Nouwen)

::carefully cultivating rhythm

The girls and I spent the last weekend at the first dance competition of the season. Here's a major point to consider about dance competitions: they happen inside, rain or shine, dark or light. This differentiates them from soccer tournaments. Soccer tournaments--like this dance competition--can begin very early. It's not at all unusual for me to leave the house with sleepy children in the dark to drive to soccer. But they don't play until it's light outside. Big difference. Bigger difference: rare is the soccer game played late into the night. Even on fields with lights, we're usually finished before 10:00. Not so with dance competitions. Soccer tournaments are outside. True, that means that we've played soccer in wind and snow and sleet and lots of rain. However, we play under the wide open sky and noise dissipates mostly into fresh air. Dance competitions? Inside. Darkened auditorium. Relentless noise of music and cheering. For fourteen hours at a time. I was so tired last night, but it was still so hard to sleep. Today, rhythm is all about re-setting the girls. Fresh air is the antidote, I think.

::creating by hand

I have 7 1/2 rows of the cuff to purl today and Katie's sweater will be finished.

::learning lessons in

essential oils. I'm immersing myself in a unit study;-). I broke out my trusty {old} essential oil book and read some dated information and then, I looked around and saw that the world of essential oils has exploded while I've been doing the same old thing for twenty years. So I'm learning lessons.

::encouraging learning 

All about being outside this week. Break out the nature journals, the colored pencils, the bug zoo, the butterfly net. 

::begging prayers

For a child of mine who needs big infusions of grace. Please pray with me?

For my friend Barbara's new grandson, Isaac. (So far, both our homeschooling-friends-grown-up who have had babies have named them Isaac.)  He was born a week ago, by emergency c-section, six weeks early. He and his mom are doing fine, but your prayers for recovery and growth and NICU grace are very much appreciated.

And for Rick Warren, his son, and his family.

::keeping house

See above for description of dance competition. Know the boys were here at home. 'Nuff said.

::crafting in the kitchen 

We crafted in the kitchen and took it on the road. In the Whole Food Kitchen Workshop, Heather shared a lovely basket for road trips. She packs glass containers with healthy treats. I started to think through that strategy and recognized quickly that carrying glass containers for five or six kids would be impossible (both in terms of a container and mom strength). I found these "healthier plastic" lunchboxes and we had some big fun considering them as palettes for food art. They held up very well in their first road test. 

::loving the moments

when I get home and I know I've been missed and he's planned a late date of wine and cheese just for us.

::giving thanks 

for hope.

living the liturgy

We're focusing on Divine Mercy.

Easter is a season. My intention is to live it as such. Throw open the windows; let light flood our lives. He is risen! And we, too, can run and leap and shout for joy:-). So let's get after that...

::planning for the week ahead

Lots of bluebells this week. The weekend brings State Cup for Stephen and a game for Paddy in Charlottesville and a game for Nicky in way far Maryland and more dance and plenty of fresh air and sunshine.

Instagram recap: