Thanksgiving Daybook
/Outside My Window
It is dark and cool. It's nighttime and that makes this a rare blog entry. I rarely write at night. MIke has gone to watch Mary Beth's first Nutcracker performance. He took Karoline with him. Sarah Anne fell into a nap-deprived sleep very early. The boys are at basketball with Christian and I'm writing mostly to stay awake long enough to welcome them home.
I am Listening to
the dog snore.
I am Wearing
Jeans and a white t-shirt and a black, zipped hoodie, trimmed in red. It says ESPN America on it. Today, I think it was a conscious comfort choice, inside and out. It's soft and familiar.
I am so Grateful for
This week's list is exceedingly long and I will make it a post of its own. Right now, though I'm grateful for home. Just that--home and all I'm learning that it means to me.
I'm Pondering
"When I look into the future, I am frightened,
but why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter my soul at all.
It is no longer in my power,
To change, correct or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that.
And so, what the past has embraced I must entrust to God.
O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire.
I desire to use you as best I can.
And although I am weak and small,
You grant me the grace of your omnipotence.
And so, trusting in Your mercy,
I walk through life like a little child,
Offering You each day this heart
Burning with love for Your greater glory." ~ From the Diary of St. Faustina (H/T Ruthie)
I am Reading
Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship
The funniest thing happened on Thursday. Well, maybe not the funniest, but definitely worth smiling about. Linda, one of my dearest, closest friends in the whole world called to tell me that she was reading this awesome book that just reminded her of us and she wanted me to read it with her. Had I ever heard of Walking Together?
Um, yep. A little;-). Blogged about it last week and talked to the author on podcast that very day.
Linda doesn't read my blog:-)
I love her any way.
I am Thinking
Oh, so very many things. Can't turn my brain off. We are discerning a move. And I'm trying to stop thinking and just pray more. I'm trying to listen. But when I am still, I see real estate sites and homeschooling laws. I see Google maps between possible office locations and possible home locations. I see lists of things to do in this house and lists of things to look for in the next. I see cost comparison spread sheets. I see dear faces who will be so very far away. What I want to see is the face of God and what I want to see is the image of Himself He created me to be. Where is that person? How and where does she live?
I am Creating
Christmas cards. This week. Definitely. On my Mac, I think.
On my iPod
All of Amy Grant's Christmas albums. I loaded the CDs.
Towards a Real Education
My friends at the Sushi restaurant want me to teach them English. I didn't really know how go about that since I don't speak Chinese. Now I wonder if they can't come and learn along when I tutor writing with my children. And then we'll just talk.
They could come at lunchtime. And bring sushi. Nah, they're busy at lunchtime. They could come first thing in the morning. And bring sushi.
Unless we move.
Towards Rhythm and Beauty
I'm looking so forward to this week. I love the golden glow Thanksgiving casts on home. Patrick comes home Tuesday night and he's bringing a friend. Michael comes home Tuesday, also. This house will be filled to overflowing (note to Mary Beth: you're on the airbed in the little girls' room). Overflowing. I like it that way. The rhythm is beating of our hearts together and the beauty is a family at home.
We're having a Kind Conversation about
Those sweet ladies are holding our discernment intentions in their prayers. It's nice to know someone's on her knees for me.
To Live the Liturgy
I love Mass on Thanksgiving Day. It seems so perfect to celebrate the Eucharist. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek eukaristos, which means "grateful" and is now usually translated "thanksgiving." Perfect.
I am Hoping and Praying
For Michael, who had an emergency root canal yesterday. He was in intense pain early in the morning when I went to pick him up. All the way home, he was pale and sweating and on the verge of throwing up. Me, too. There is nothing like watching your baby suffer. He's better today.
For my husband, as he makes some big decisions.
Around the House
I keep looking at the house as if we were moving. When I do that, I see all the things I'd need to do to get it ready to sell and all the things I'd need to do to move what's in it. But I also see what I would miss. I see it through appreciative eyes, noticing the ordinary and the everyday and bringing gratitude to focus the vision.
From the Kitchen
I'm going to cook with Paddy this week. I have no idea what I'm going to cook. Still waiting for his menus and grocery lists.
One of My Favorite Things
Waking up after a good night's sleep.
Sarah Annie this week
Someone loves lipgloss as much as her mama does. Only she calls it "yip-gups." Mike has forbidden anyone to call it by its proper name ever again. Yip-gups it is.
A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
Tomorrow Mary Beth dances again. It's going to be a gathering of grandparents, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters and friends. A giant group of adoring fans. And afterwards, I think I might like to introduce my dad to the sushi restaurant. Carry-out back at my house.
Tomorrow is also the 24th anniversary of the day we got engaged. Fun to remember.
Crazy cleaning and the ballet co-op on Monday.
A happy airport run on Tuesday.
Wednesday in DC: Padddy's buddy is from Japan and he's going to get the grand tour. Then it's back to Mike's office. Every year, the set of PTI holds a huge Thanksgiving spread. When the show is finished taping, my big boys are happy to take the "props" home and eat them. It's quite a feast and lots of fun!
Thanksgiving is at Mike's sister's house. Every year. Mike's brother and his uncle come in from Michigan.
Then, a weekend of hanging at home and Christmas preparations--the first Sunday of Advent is November 28th. Time to prepare!
Speaking of November 28th, Mike and his sister share a birthday that day. Good thing, too; we were beginning to go through birthday cake withdrawal.
Picture thoughts:
