Winter PJs

Winter flannel is fun and soft to work with. These were a lot of fun to make and both girls are delighted. They call them their "candy-stripe PJs".

I lengthened this pattern (by over a foot for Gianna's bottoms!) and simply appliqued the snowman-family onto plain white tees. The fabric is part of this collection, from which I discovered Jenn also bought for her kids' PJs this winter. Love that!

Make Today His Day

Gather the kids. Show excitement. Tell them it's Dad's special day. Just because. Ask them to think of ideas to make him happy when he walks through the door. See what they come up with. Whatever they want. Then stand back and enjoy the scene.

It'll make your day too. :)

~

Indirect Insult

Back in August we had our yearly round up of doctor appointments. We get sort of excited about them around here because they're rare. Our household is generally on the healthy side (a fact I often remind myself not to take for granted). So getting our heart rates and eyes and ears checked is always kind of fun. And the girls love their pediatrician.

This year however, our regular pediatrician was unavailable, so we saw another doctor instead. She seemed nice enough, engaging with the girls, and knowledgeable. I liked her. Then she began asking questions. Her first, about school, was directed toward Gianna, and after she got her answer, Dr. C's demeanor changed and all seemed to go downhill.

She prodded the girls with question upon question. "Maddie, you don't know your numbers yet?" "Gianna, how many friends do you have? Do you like being schooled at home?" Initially I just had a funny feeling about her line of questioning, but it seemed to go on and on, intermingled with suggestions toward me about parenting and socialization. When Dr. C told Gianna (my finicky eater) that she "must try six bites of food before declining it", and that if she did such and such she could watch "an hour of TV a day", I became disgruntled. She was now making rules for my children. Whether or not some of her suggestions were good they were out of place. I felt undermined in front of my daughters.

I said nothing, but drove home humiliated and angry. This was the first time anyone had shared, however indirectly, disapproval for my choice to homeschool. The experience was kind of shocking, really. And though I haven't given it much thought since that day, a recent incident I witnessed brought it back to mind. I now realize that what bothered me at that appointment was not the doctor's opinions about my homeschooling. It was her indirect way of communicating her disapproval of me, through my children. I call it indirect insult. It is a much too frequently-used means of telling someone what you don't like about them, and a dangerous means of communication.

For one thing it is dishonest. You have an opinion about Mary's way of doing something, but instead of either keeping it to yourself or telling Mary directly, you express your distaste in a soft, vague sort of way to Jane, knowing Mary will "get your drift". I knew Dr. C disapproved of my choice to homeschool. It was clear she disliked some of my methods of parenting. But had I confronted her I'm quite sure she would have denied her opinion.

Secondly, this type of indirect communication uses a third person as an instrument against charity, and in doing so can influence that person's respect of another. This doctor used my children to express her distaste of me. I'm grateful that after our visit, other than a few inquiries about an "hour of television", neither of my daughters questioned my decisions about matters Dr. C raised. But they just as easily could have and it wouldn't have been their fault.

We must always be careful about the way we speak. Indirect communication including the above kind, sarcasm, gossip....are all dangerous uses of a great gift.

Love, Love, Love!

The tail-end of Madeleine's love litany, caught on camera at the gas station on an outing alone together.... Heart. melts..... Love. her.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A New President and a Founder's Words of Wisdom

I was very pleased recently to learn of my alma mater's announcement of a new President, Dr. Michael McLean. Dr. McLean is a perfect choice on many levels, and I believe he will fill the shoes well of former President Tom Dillon and founding President Ronald McArthur. (Dr. McLean also taught my freshman Euclid class, and as excellent a tutor he was, I'm confident he will be a far superior President.) Please join me in praying for President McLean as he takes on this new role, and for the college.

As for our founding President (a truly spectacular and wise man), Dr. Ronald McArthur, here are his words addressed to the student body during lunchtime on his recent 85th birthday:

"My advice to you as a very, very old man now is study. Study while you're here. It will change your life forever. Don't take anything for granted. Pay attention to what you're doing. Learn, and learn from the great people. Become a disciple of St. Thomas Aquinas, and he will take care of you."

He is right on when he said "It will change your life forever." It does. It did.

Costume Idea

Oh my goodness, if I had a boy, this is the costume I'd make him for Halloween!

Happy Belly

I'm so excited. I just consumed some super-scrumptious fresh kielbasa and potato-and-cheese pierogi for lunch (with sour cream and sauteed onions of course!). My maternal grandmother used to make the most delicious Polish dinners (God rest her soul), and I thought I'd never enjoy great kielbasa again. But recently my mom and I found a local Polish deli owner whose fare comes really close to Grandma Helen's. The deli is thirty minutes away, but well worth the trip. Yay! I just had to share. You either understand or you don't. I get that. :)

Along the Bike Path

One of our favorite places to go bike riding. This trail has a beautiful combination of wild growth and natural landscaping. It makes me happy. We often bring a picnic. This weekend my husband brought a good book.

two cyclists off in the distance

I love the lush blue plumbago here...
...and these trees in the background which seem enchanted to me.

A red shrub rose - perfection!

lush golden fountain grass

The girls love finding white egrets around here. So graceful.

And who isn't captivated by a praying mantis!

~

Take a moment to stop and be captivated today! Happy Wednesday, everyone.

~

What's Going On

-Last night Gianna went out on a date with her dad for ice cream. When I tucked her into bed I explained how proud we are of her good behavior and how happy she makes Jesus with her obedience. She smiled, "Life is like a board game and we're playing it, and God made it and He's playing it with us, and I'm good so I get a big gold star." Then she went on to say, "My heart is so full of love it bounces off you and Daddy and Madeleine and me. I just LOVE my family."

-Speaking of nice things eldest daughter says, First Holy Communion preparation is going beautifully with Gianna. She can't wait to receive Jesus and wants to "make her heart full of daisy flowers" (a favorite quote she adopted from this book) so He will be happy to reside there.

-I've had a difficult few days (well, really my husband has). A few days out of the month I turn into a person I don't like much and I'm not pleasant to be around. Most women have this problem to some degree. Mine is severe. My whole family knows about this time and fortunately everyone has always made the best of the situation. Patrick has been a very patient man.

-Fall is here. Temps have been cooler, leaves are starting to change and we had rain for the past two days. I don't like the weather change much and dread wearing heavier clothes again, but I love warm stews and fires in the fireplace.

-I'm making winter pajamas, an All-Saints costume and quilt blocks right now. I'm behind on my blocks for the quilting bee, but I hope to catch up by the end of the month. I love this group - these ladies are so fun to "work" with!

-I'm planning to focus November solidly on Christmas preparation. I want December to be free this year for a beautiful Advent. No filling out Christmas cards, no gift making, buying, or stepping foot into the madness after Dec. 1st!

breakfast

Singin' in the Rain

Nature study today: rain, rain, and more rain, ladybugs galore, puddle splashing, hot chocolate (OK, not nature study per se, but a happy consequence of it!).

And she really was singing out there.

Dinner Tonight

I'm trying Chicken Tikka Masala tonight (never made it before, but keep hearing how delicious it is), and in my search for a recipe I came across this instructional video. Oh my goodness, this guy cracks me up! The way he mixes the ingredients, the "boom boom boom", the skewer! What a happy cook. He just made my morning. Enjoy!

Call Out to All CA Readers: Save California

I phoned Gov. Schwarzenegger's office this morning. If you're a CA resident, please consider taking half a minute out of your day to urge our governor to oppose 'Harvey Milk Gay Day' (SB 572) in California Public Schools.

You can call, email, tweet or fax (or all of the above). Before October 11 please. Today is good. :)

From savecalifornia.com:
BILL FACTS: SB 572 would establish every May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day" in K-12 public schools in California. Children would be taught to admire the life and values of late homosexual activist Harvey Milk, of whom the bill states: "...perhaps more than any other modern figure, Harvey Milk's life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement in California, across the nation, and throughout the world."

Under SB 572, children would perform "suitable commemorative exercises," remembering the "life," "accomplishments," and "contributions" of Harvey Milk -- in other words, the entire homosexual-bisexual-transsexual agenda for which Milk advocated. There is no definition or limit to these "exercises," which could include gay pride parades, cross-dressing contests and mock gay weddings, or anything else Milk supported.

SB 572 would affect children as young as kindergarten. There is no parental notification or consent written into the bill.

Thank you!

There is Always Hope Because He Gives

Our school days are full. They're beautiful. Learning is abundant, and new discoveries are treasured deeply by both of us. Reading, writing, number, faith, nature study, history, geography, baking, home-keeping, music, dance, art. We're persevering daily, with rhythm and regularity. I knew this would happen....I believed it could happen, with His grace.

Last year I struggled with thoughts that I wasn't good enough at this homeschooling thing. I worried that Gianna would fall behind other children, not from any deficiency on her part but from my own lack of discipline. The virtue of discipline, essential to education, is probably one of my greatest weaknesses. So naturally I would be concerned that without such a habit formed in myself, how could I possibly form it in someone else? I spoke many times with my dearest friend about my lack of confidence, and she reassured me again and again. Good friends are priceless.

The day after I wrote that post I had something of a revelation, or more likely a reminder of something I already knew. I happened to be reading the story of Saint Paul's conversion and remembered. GOD IS ALL-MERCIFUL. His love for us is so encompassing that He bestows graces we don't deserve in order to have us. He wants us for Himself, and for our own happiness. I suddenly realized if He could convert St. Paul, a treacherously sinful man who'd committed vile and murderous evils, surely He could convert me, His broken and sinful daughter. He could knock me upside the head, give me the virtue of discipline in an instant if He wished, or He could bless me with subtle graces over a lifetime to increase in me what is lacking. I knew then and there, that day. I was not alone on my path toward this virtue. I had a loving and merciful Father who would help me. And now, I had great hope.

I've prayed every day since then in the first hour of the morning, for more grace and more discipline. I'm growing. I see the difference in our days of learning. I'm persevering in ways I failed last year. I wasn't knocked upside the head - I still fail and have a long way to go. But I don't wonder anymore, whether or not I can do this homeschooling thing. I've stopped pondering (too much) that my faults are going to ruin my children. Every mother doubts herself. I now ponder on His mercy, on hope that He will fulfill in me what is lacking. Only He can. And I'm gonna keep asking.

Help Me Redecorate

Well, eating family meals without a dining table couldn't last all that long. I knew it wouldn't, though I can say with gladness that none of us complained or felt distressed by having to eat on the floor, in the living room or at our tiny work table. It's amazing what we can live without and still function well.

That said, we found a great small-business guy on Craigslist and bought a table from him at an astonishingly low price. Granted, it was a store return so it has a few hairline scratches, but I'm so happy to have not bought "new" and support an individual trying to make a living. (He also happens to be a Catholic man who loves the latin mass and has a devotion to St. Peregrine.)

But now I need chairs - we're presently using 3 folding chairs and a step stool. I found this (#1) at a local shop and was able to bring it home to see it next to the table. Call me completely crazy but I love it. If you like your furniture to coordinate perfectly than you won't like this, but I do.

The back of this chair (covered in grain sack) is fabulous!
#2 is similar to #1, but cheaper because we have a gift card to this store, making it the most affordable of all the options.

#3 - the ladderback. I like this a lot, but I'd want to change the upholstery or slipcover the seat cushion.

#4 is very similar to the chairs we used to have, with a little more detail.

Though pictured, I'm not considering arm chairs. Just 4 side chairs for now because that's all we need. So, considering style only - not finish (or the impracticality of upholstery:) - which do you like best?
~

Because I know this stage will pass too quickly...

....I want to remember Madeleine's current way of saying goodbye to everyone - to us, family, friends, moms of friends, neighborhood kids, the grocery cashier lady:

"Bye! I love you!! Sweet dreams! My heart loves you!!"

(Always accompanied by a hug and a kiss.)

I'll just admit it. This girl is totally wrapped around my little finger and renders me utterly helpless. Her dad knows. I'm working on it, I promise.

Driving the Gospel

I'm generally not one to appreciate "vanity" plates (for obvious reasons), but two impressed me this last week:

POPUL8N

(this was on the back of a white 15-passenger van, aka Catholic limousine)

and

4PURITY

(I don't think I'd have been so impressed by this SUV if it hadn't been driven by a cool, good-looking young fellow)

~

Custom-Made Outfit Giveaway Winner

~

Yes, that would be you, Michelle of Rosetta Stone, lovely mom of six and wife to a courageous defender of our country! Congratulations!

Though I am not able to fulfill Gianna's request and hand-make something for everyone who entered, I've begun a novena to the Holy Angels for all my readers. Thank you for making this blog so worthwhile!

(Michelle, drop me an email and we'll go over what you'd like, size, fabric options, etc. What fun!)

A Couple More Hours to Enter

Go, and put your name in there (with a story of course) before it's too late. You've got excellent odds!