Small Successes

Danielle Bean says, "It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1) Yesterday I did four loads of laundry...three of which got folded AND put away.

2) I did not overeat when we went to my parents' house for Easter dinner on Sunday. HandyGrammy is a GREAT cook, so this was a HUGE accomplishment for me!

3) I ordered part of Casionodad's Father's Day gift...two months ahead of time!

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Easter from Our Family to Yours! (2nd Post Today)

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for yesterday's "Mom Therapy" w/ my dear friend. It was our last visit before they go out of state for a few weeks. I wish them a safe trip & speedy return!

2) I'm thankful that The Archangel's hand did not get broken when The Prophet accidentally slammed it in the van door. It looks a lot worse than it is, but thankfully did not require a trip to Urgent Care. They both learned lessons from this. The Prophet now knows to look before he shuts the door & to not slam it, while The Archangel knows to not put his hand on the section between the doors.

3) I'm thankful we're in the last month & a half of school. It's been a bit of a rough year, so it will be nice to have a break & return refreshed in the fall.

4) I'm thankful that many of the severe storms that were predicted for our area seemed to pass us by, especially after all the torrential downpours we've had in the last week. Building an ark has sounded like a good idea...perhaps an exercise for The Archangel's Cub Scouts?!?!

5) I'm thankful for the Easter celebration of our Lord's rising from the dead. We went to Mass Sunday morning then spent the rest of the day celebrating w/ family at my parents' house.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy hosts this each meme each week & you can read other Daybook's HERE.

(Prepared Mon. evening for posting on Tues. morning)

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...we're in between storms/rain showers at the moment, but more are in store for tonight & tomorrow. As evening is settling in, the birds are singing their final songs of the night. There is a nice breeze drifting in the windows.

I am thinking...of building an ark!

I am thankful for...finally getting the callback from the doctor's office regarding scheduling tests for my back issues. I go May 6th for the first round.

From the learning rooms...long division for The Prophet, geometry for The Archangel, & subtraction for The Princess, studying the five senses for science, & continuing our study of Asia

From the kitchen...I cannot exercise right now because of my back, so I'm trying to eat better (VERY tough to do w/ all the leftover Easter candy!)

I am wearing...denim capris, a yellow knit top, my hair pulled back w/ a clip, & barefeet

I am creating...a plan for my upcoming weekend away w/ some girlfriends - a plan to relax & laugh a lot, in addition to lists of what to pack, what food to take, & what books to read

I am going...crazy w/ all this rain. I love thunder storms & I know rain is good for this earth, but do we really need a year's worth dumped on us in two weeks?

I am reading...Coast Road by Barbara Delinsky, The Imitation of Christ, & trying to decide what my next review book will be for The Catholic Company

I am hoping...we will continue to see more of The Archangel's smile (see photo below!) & less of his anger outbursts.

I am hearing...birds chirping outside, the occasional shout of joy from neighborhood children, & the sniffles of my allergy-suffering munchkins

Around the house...back to clutter, clutter, & more clutter.

One of my favorite things...the uninhibited laughter of a child.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Mom Therapy w/ my dear friend, speech therapy for The Archangel, fighting allergies

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Isn't that a wonderfully, sweet smile?

Giveaway Announcement!

My dear online friend, Judy, is holding an AWESOME homeschooling giveaway (& you don't even have to be a homeschooler to win!) She has been given the opportunity to give away two Ultimate Homeschool Expo tickets, valued at $39.95 each. For more information on what the tickets mean for you & how YOU can have a chance to win one, go to her post on Benmakesten, one of Judy's many WONDERFUL blogs! Good Luck!

The Catholic Company Book Review - The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin

The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin tells about what our early Church fathers had to say about many topics. Part One is divided into three sections. The Introduction tells about the book & who the early Church fathers are. They lived from the first century through about 750 AD. The World of the Fathers includes maps & a brief history of the time in which they lived. The third section gives a brief biography of the early Church fathers, and also highlights the councils, writings, & heresies of the time.

Part Two is broken down by subject, giving a brief description then listing quotes from the early Church fathers on each subject. There are an average of 13-14 quotes on each subject, most about a paragraph in length. Over 900 quotes are included on eight major topics:

God

Creation

The Sources of Faith

The Church and the Pope

Morality

Sacraments and Worship

Mary, the Saints, the Miraculous

The Last Things

Within those eight topics are 49 subtopics. These include quotes on the Trinity, Mortal Sin, Abortion, Peter the Rock, Women Priests?, Purgatory, and The Resurrection of the Body...just to name a few.

At first, I was a little confused when reading Part One. Mr. Akin kept referring to various Church councils & heresies by name, but didn't explain what they were. It wasn't until I got to that third section & saw that he had a whole list of them.

The Fathers Know Best (yes, that is a take off of the TV show Father Knows Best!) is a great resource in apologetics, confirming that the stances the Church takes on many issues are not new. This book can be read straight through or you can go directly to any subject.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Fathers Know Best. While you're there, check out all their great books & gifts for upcoming Sacraments...First Communion, Confirmation, & Baptism.

Small Successes

Danielle Bean says, "It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1) I got the gift bags prepared to give to my girlfriends when we have our weekend away in a couple of weeks.

2) I read a whole book on Saturday.

3) When making up our school plans for this week, I actually remembered that the munchkins were having "Craft Day at Grandma's" on Tuesday & made sure I didn't have a full school schedule for that day. (I usually don't think ahead & we end up either rushing to get school done or we postpone & get behind.)

FYI: "Craft Day at Grandma's" is when the munchkins & their homeschooled cousins get together at HelpfulGrammy's to do some type of seasonal craft. They usually do this about four times a year. On Tuesday, they decorated Easter eggs & made Spring banners w/ foam stickers.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful that, even though there were storm & tornado warnings overnight & we woke all the munchkins to go to the basement, nothing severe occurred & all of us were calm.

I pray for those who have recently had to endure severe weather, losing homes & lives.

2) I'm thankful for the food & drink on our basement, pantry, & refrigerator shelves.

I pray for those who are going without, unable to provide for their families & selves.

3) I'm thankful for the roof over our heads, keeping us safe & comfortable.

I pray for those who are homeless, living in cars, streets, or homeless shelters.

4) I'm thankful for the jobs which Casinodad & I have that enable us to provide for our munchkins.

I pray for all who are without jobs right now.

5) I'm thankful for my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, who is there to help me through the tough times & celebrate the good.

I pray for those who do not know Jesus & hope that more will come to know Him as this Lenten season comes to a close & the Easter season begins.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Tomorrow is a busy day for us & we won't be home, so I'm doing this meme today (Monday).

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...a bright, beautiful sun, blooming but stinky pear trees, & birds preparing their nests (& flying into our back windows!)

I am thinking...of Casinodad & hoping he's having a good day at work. Things have been stressful for him lately...changes to the way things are done & co-workers being spiteful behind each other's backs.

I am thankful for...Looney Tunes cartoons on YouTube. They really help keep The Saint occupied while I get dinner ready in the afternoons (his tough time of the day since he's given up naps). He likes to sit w/ a bowl of carrots & watch Bugs & all his pals.

From the learning rooms...We're starting our study of the continent of Asia this week. Plans for the study include animals, landmarks, & saints from Asia, as well as some origami projects, making Turkish Delight & other Asian meals, mapwork, & fun read-aloud stories.

From the kitchen...cheesy chicken & rice casserole w/ some type of veggie for dinner. The Archangel chose this for his birthday meal today.

I am wearing...khaki pants, a black short-sleeved top & black socks

I am creating...not much creativity going on for me right now

I am going...nowhere. Last week was a busy week, so it's nice to not have to be anywhere today.

I am reading...When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall (Book 3 in the trilogy), The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin (my review for The Catholic Company coming soon), and The Imitation of Christ, as well as all my Lenten spiritual reading.

I am hoping...that adding a medicine for The Archangel's hyperactivity (a different stimulant) will work for him & that it won't add to his aggression like the last stimulant we tried.

I am hearing...the voices of munchkins & their friends playing in the basement & outside, the squeak of my chair every time I move, birds singing their spring songs, & The Saint laughing at his cartoon on TV.

Around the house...things are actually looking pretty good. We cleaned a bunch this weekend & are trying to keep it like this!

One of my favorite things...that first sip of coffee in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...craft day at Grandma's for the munchkins tomorrow, speech therapy begins for The Archangel, Holy Thursday Mass, & a beautiful Easter celebration at church followed by dinner at my parents' house.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...This is me in the third grade! (The Princess really looks like me when I was younger!)