Flu Season

We made our acquaintance with the Flu this year.  It's been several years in the making, but Little Man got hit first and went through a 3 day fever before he subsided.  Princess was next 2 weeks later.  Again with 3 days of fever and then you couldn't tell she was sick, but I took her in and they swabbed her and confirmed it was the flu.  I was last (hopefully) on the tail end of Princess.  So Dh manned the house and took care of the crew.  I was only down for one full day and the next day started back slowly into tasks.  Crazy!

A friend has some essential oils for me to check out.  I ran all the linens in the house through the wash and I want to disinfect All.The.Surfaces.  Boo on the Flu!

Thankfully all feeling better now and ready for our last Wednesday co-op of the Spring.  We get a break till September, but our Thursday co op still goes another 2 months.  I taught "Marshmallow Science" on Wednesdays and it was super fun.  We used marshmallows in all our experiments and the kids seemed to really enjoy it all except that I wouldn't let them eat the marshmallows.  Gross!  Everybody had their hands all over them.  So I made them a special s'more cookie bar for tomorrow's last class day to celebrate after our lesson.

I'm waiting to hear from leadership, but they had a need for history classes in the Fall so I might switch gears and help there....since it's my academic background and all:)

Little Man is pushing things all around the house but doesn't want to let go and take solo steps.  It is hilarious to watch.  He will be walking soon.

We unloaded our rooster onto a friend who promptly consumed him for Sunday dinner.  It is so much more peaceful now outside.  The hens don't bother the kids and they are minding me pretty well still.  The hens that is.  6 ladies and getting 3-5 eggs a day right now.  We have a full coop, and I do want to expand a bit.  So back to the planning process to design another coop.  Perhaps a permanent one now.

Good News

Back in the summer, my FIL was diagnosed with Colon Cancer.  Yesterday he went in for the results of his 6 month scans.

Nothing.

Praise God!  No new tumors or growth.  What awesome news.  Thank you for your prayers for him.

We have been busy with lots of trips and time away from home these last few months.  Trying to live very intentionally to build and renew relationships.  We are also in the midst of Pearl's 1st grade year and figuring that out.

February started it for me....doesn't February do that?  Where I analyzed how she was doing, where I think I'm falling short, how I'm not meeting my expectations....The struggle of my melancholic temperament.  But there is a lot mulling around as I discern plans for next year, plans for the rest of this term, etc.

The restore workshop is a great blessing to me as is the preparation for Marian Consecration.

So yeah.  One of the needs I have been seeing is the need for deep friendship that reaches my woman's heart.  My two best friends are both religious sisters. So we are not able to have that time we used to have to support each other.

My other deep sister of the heart lives cross country and I wish we lived next door.  She is a beautiful blessing an an amazing example of God's grace and mercy to me.

So just praying for the community my heart needs and also the grace to extend myself further to be the support others in my life need from me.

He is stretching me in this since I would rather be a homebody and stay in my "little bubble." But God has a way of challenging us to go further than we would like or think we can go.

Anyways  :)

eating rice krispie bars with hot chocolate during Epcot Fireworks

enjoying scooter rides with Pop Pop

Princess is not a night owl, definitely my early bird so staying up for the fireworks was a big deal for her.  She saw the "purple sparkles" she wanted to see and then promptly passed out in the stroller.

Little Man with Daddy during fireworks

Princess didn't last through the Magic Kingdom fireworks, but Pearl was still going hours later.

a sweet Frozen Minnie Mouse.

(from our February trip with Grandma and Pop Pop.  We all had a blast!)

Time flies

So I haven't blogged since August...wow.  Well, I am stepping back in...or hoping to.  We'll see.

Lots happened in the Fall and this Winter. So busy.  Partly that brings me back here as I reassess to see what my priorities really are and what they need to be.

So a technology fast from certain screens (ie: facebook)

Many books to be read.

A RESTORE workshop to enter into.  Hurray!

Marian consecration to renew.

Yay Lent.  We are getting ready.  A calendar to prepare tomorrow. Mardi Gras masks to make.  Pancakes on the docket for dinner tomorrow.

A couple a of trips this month and then home for March.  Really looking forward to that.

Our school room is in chaos right now but we got new bookcases and a shelving piece to set up and organize.  I should take pics. Note to self.

But here are some recent pictures:)

fishing with Daddy

playing superhero

attending the 2015 March for Life in Washington D.C.

little man fell asleep on my shoulder.  The girls never did this.  It was a surreal moment.

Returning Home

There is a lot to put in order now that we've returned home from our family visit.

My FIL is doing very well.  The mass was larger than expected but the scans and pathology report came back clean after the surgery.  That is amazing!  He still has an oncology consult but these are all good signs so far.  We continue to pray for his recovery and his comfort in the healing process.

Now at home, I am a "little" overwhelmed with what is on my shoulders to get done in the next few weeks.  Our own lesson plans along with the two co-op classes I teach.  Our pear tree is ready to be harvest for canning...only 160 more lbs. to go...

Trying to get the house in order, prepare for Pearl's 6th birthday, and manage these three little ones.  Little man is 4 months old today.  He is rolling from back to front and vice versa.  Lots of cooing and smiles now.  He seems huge, but we'll see just how big when we take him in for his check up at the end of the month.

Princess is working on potty training....sigh.  What a process with her.  Super strong willed and not wanting to do this.  But she will be 3 in October and I'd love for her to move forward and be able to stay daytime dry at least.  I must say the last week we've seen progress, but she fought me around Little Man's arrival.  A lot of changes and she wasn't ready to continue.  Hopefully we can get back on track.

Starting to plan out Fall and Winter travel plans as well....okay time to stop before I go into panic mode:)

Prayer Request

 Our summer seems to be flying by; and it seems like the plans I had in my head are definitely not want God wants of us.  He has some other ideas.

  I had hoped to get us to a family reunion in MN this July.  A big trip, driving with our littles, but it hasn't come together and I was getting frustrated.

 However, this past week my Father-in-Law was diagnosed with colon cancer.  This, shortly after my my MIL retired from her teaching career and our summer plans can be adjusted as well.  So God and his timing...

I am so grateful that we have the time now to be present and available to my in laws.

Please keep Bob and our family in your prayers as we face this together.  Thank you.

Almost 2 months later

A moment sitting down finishing lunch's leftovers. Yay:)

J man turned 8 weeks old on Tuesday.  I'm still sleep deprived, but I feel like I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel that is newborn exhaustion.

This time around I felt like I had to jump back in so fast with olders to care for and DH recovering from a month long sinus infection and a big mentally exhausting work transition for him.

Whew!

Thank goodness for holy energy and the Sacrament of Confession, and an abundance of grace.  Buckets of grace.

Also some great reads and resources I'm delving into including Auntie Leila's book--The Little Oratory.  Love it.  Love the podcasts that Elizabeth Foss and she are putting together.  I would put links to these, but ...yeah...sleepy no think-itus.

But happy news.  We are planning J's baptism for this weekend, the Feast of Pentecost.  Awesome!  So excited but also a little nervous.  Princess is quite the handful...aren't all 2 year olds?  She pretty much launches herself everywhere she goes with intense enthusiasm.  And J wants to eat.all.the.time.  So having to interupt him for the actual baptism part is going to be interesting.  I've thought about if I could just uncover his head from under the nursing cover and make that work....

Say some prayers!

meeting Sr. Giovanna for the first time

sweet smiles for Daddy

last day of kindergarten.  I think Pearl's hair has grown 3 inches this year!

building legos

A month later...

We are settling in and learning the ropes with a new addition.  This past month have seen a lot of changes, challenges, and joys for our family.  Some discipline issues with the olders and (hopefully) getting J Man to sleep better.

I haven't been online as much or reading as much...in the thick of things here.  I have some goals for the summer time as we emerge out of newborn survival mode:

-summer bucket list to-dos
-prep the school room for upcoming school year
-get curriculum ordered for Pearl's first grade year
-2 homeschool conferences to attend
-visit with family nearby
-J's baptism!!

J Man

Baby J arrived Tuesday morning at 9:05am safe and sound.

8 days late just like Princess.

He was 9lbs 15 oz, so quite a big guy for our family. The girls were both under 8 lbs.

It was a wonderful birth experience for us at the birth center; truly amazing.

Settling in together and the girls are over the moon that he is here.

Thank you for your prayers!!

Slowly upward

I think the infection is clearing. Whew!  The girls are much better. DH seems to be making slow progress and I am getting there as well.

Still using mucinex to aid drainage in my head and hopefully break up the chest congestion.  Just a little bit remaining, but it does still stall my breathing a bit.

Little man is putting lots of pressure in my hips; I feel like things are starting to get ready.  Yay!  Still praying for a fast efficient labor once things start actively progressing, but just doing lots of stretching to get comfortable and aid his positioning.  He has been flipping from posterior to anterior randomly.

Pearl was a posterior birth and Princess was an anterior birth.  Much prefer the anterior:)  So lots of stretching and such to get him to be in an ideal way to exit.

Today was nice since we got to Mass together.  First time in two weeks due to the sickies.  We also made it to Confession this week with our Parish Priest.  Hurray!!  That was awesome.  He met with both DH and I and did a special blessing for healing for the whole family since we've been sick pretty much all of March.  He also did an anointing and special prayer of blessing for me as I prepare for childbirth.

Even though we still struggle physically, I felt so much peace after Confession and Anointing.  What a gift!

Keep us in prayer!

The colds continue

This spring has done a  number on my family.  DH is on his second round of antibiotics and steroid shot; the girls are coughing and goopy; and now I am coughing...

My stomach muscles are so sore and the struggle to breathe got to be too much this close to delivery that I called the birth center and they got me some antibiotics to get started on quickly.  Hopefully this will take care of this mess so I can be rested and ready for labor when it does start.

Signs of things getting set into motion the last few days, so hoping I have a little time to recover before little man decides on a birthday.  I think everyone is ready....except me.  This coughing is wicked and I really don't want to go into labor this way.  But God is Good and His grace is sufficient and sustaining.

Please keep us all in prayer for speeding healing!!

38 weeks-ish

Feeling pretty good. Had our 38 week check-up yesterday with the midwife.  I think DH is more anxious than I am about little man arriving.  He was asking the midwife when she thought I'd go into active labor and whether I wanted to be "checked."

I said, No thank you.  Midwife agreed.  She doesn't like to do checks until mama is at her due date; and particularly for someone who has delivered before, she doesn't like early checks.

Her guess is next week, but would like to be proven wrong:)

I am having a lot more contractions, pressure and now feeling like things are effacing and getting ready.  Yay. He definitely feels lower this week and she commented on that as well.  Outwardly checked his position and he is head down and low in the pelvis.  Good position!

The girls are super excited.  Albeit, they started coughing yesterday so I'm not happy about that.

My bag is ready to go with us to the birth center and I've been alternating between bursts of energy and getting things done around the house with feeling super tired.  The heat is just now creeping up and I am starting to swell a bit.  So much better than my summer girls though:)

Today we went out to gather ingredients to make homemade lactation cookies and also stocked the fridge with fresh produce and lunch foods.

Keep us in prayer!

35 weeks

This was at 35 weeks (I'm now 37).  Not too far to go!

Right Now

Late Afternoon; Saturday.

Seeing--Sun filtering through the front picture window bathing the living room in late afternoon light. Two girls snuggling on the couch enjoying Daniel Tiger.

Hearing-DH watching Top Shot from his office.

Smelling--Tomato-Spinach soup simmering on the stove and baked potatoes in the toaster oven.

Tasting--orange juice.  So cold and quenching my pregnancy craving.

Touching--cushy pillow and our leather couch.  Wearing my softest maternity tee and yoga capri's.  So comfy.

Soaking it all in, this moment. Just sweetness surrounding this life.

The "Big Baby Stock-Up"

With this pregnancy I have made a few priorities that I feel the NEED to get done so as to be ready when little man picks his birthday.

The biggest priority has by far been stocking the pantry and freezer for postpartum meals.

With the girls' allergy patterns well established and our adherence to certain dietary avoidance's, I really wanted to be prepared for when I'm not able to be on my feet too much or things are a little crazy in those early weeks.

We avoid gluten and most dairy.  If we do dairy, it is mainly as a topping for DH and Pearl.  Princess and I are completely dairy-free.

Here is what is packed away:

Freezer--
Ground Beef in 1lb. portions
pork loin cut into chops or pieces for stir fry
chicken breasts
pulled pork, already cooked.
Boston Butt Roast, ready to go into the slow cooker
Guacamole single packs (easy to pull out for dips or toppings)
Chili
Hearty Hamburger Soup
Pumpkin Pucks
Tater Tots and French Fries
Vegetable Soup
Vegetable Chowder-- sub coconut milk and hold cheese till end and top individual bowls.
Gluten Free Waffles (a treat)

Pantry--
Canned Tomato Products
Chicken and Beef Broth (also some homemade in the freezer)
peanut and almond butter
Tuna
Applesauce (jar and squeezy packs to take to co-op)
GF and regular noodles (ordered the GF ones from Amazon)
rice
spaghetti sauce

Still to get or make for the freezer:
Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
Grain Free Coconut Flour Muffins--Blueberry
Garlic Soup
Lactation Cookies
Spinach Tomato Soup
Breakfast Egg Muffins
Steam-able Veggies (love when these go on sale; so easy for DH to put together a meal with them)
GF bread (waiting on a deal)

Other items to have on hand:
Toilet Paper
Paper towels
laundry detergent
cleaning wipes
updated medicine cabinet

Fun treat:
I made GF chocolate cupcakes and stuck them in the freezer so we can pull some out when little man is born and have a little birthday party together.  I think the girls will enjoy that.

Made it to March

Today we are 36 weeks.  Almost there; I need to get to 37 weeks (next Monday) in order to deliver at the birth center otherwise I'd get sent to the hospital.  Boo.

So, we are praying that I get to the 10th and then all bets are off.  Granted I'm due at the end of March, but for some reason I keep thinking I'll go early.  Maybe all the STUFF I keep doing.  I am not good at not doing things, especially pregnant.  Still doing lots of cleaning, cooking, lifting small children, etc.

Maybe I can rest a week and then pick up my speed again:)

DH and I are battling allergy colds right now.  He is worse off than I am, though.  He went in to the Dr. this morning and had to get a shot and a script for other meds.  I had two tired days and then my energy returned; still sound congested and my ears keep popping, but doesn't seem to be an infection.  I have my weekly midwife appt. today so I thought I would see what she wants to do--meds or no meds.

The girls and I continue to plod along with schoolwork.  I say plod, but really its not.  Pearl is in her next math book and we continue with Along the Alphabet Path (Elizabeth Foss) with our literature reads, lots of Bible Stories, starting Lent this week so moving into that, some handwriting, reading at her pace (this has been going better lately as it's more "Pearl-led" and less mommy forced:)

I'm starting to get my plans together for her 1st grade year, thinking how that will work with an ever eager Princess and a new little man to join our crew.  Getting a supplies/curriculum list together; planning to attend two homeschool conferences (just registered for one!), and thinking of summer plans (trips/visits, conferences, baptism, vacation)

So prayers for us in these next few weeks, getting ready to welcome this little guy. A little nervous about that, but trusting in His plan!

Stomach Bug

The random stomach bug caught me this week:(

Two days, 5 lbs. lost, dehydrated, almost 34 weeks pregnant.  Wowzers!  That was crazy.  Had to go into the birth center for fluids and monitoring since contractions picked up.  But little man was great and after EVERYTHING evacuated my system, I was able to start fresh and start re-building with foods and fluids.

A little scary and just horrible feeling, but thankfully on the mend.  Trying to rest and restore and look at ways I can slow down these next few weeks.  There still seems like so much to do--mainly: fill the freezer!  I want to double some meals to put aside and get all that ready for the rest of the family.

The other projects are generally making our bedroom a nice cozy post-baby retreat where everything is ready to go for sweet new baby and family snuggles.  So cloth diapers getting prepped, blankets washed and put into baskets; everything lined up.

I also need to get my lesson plans done for our co-ops so I can just hand that all over to a few other mamas.  I'm at that point, where I think I am just ready to be done leading and just things go.  Hard to do, but when I got sick this past Friday, it was so nice to hand it all over and say "good luck!"

I should do that part more often:)

Settling Down

We returned late last night from the last trip planned for "before baby."  It was an exhausting weekend in more ways than one and we returned to exhausting work ahead of us.

There is much to be tidied up and put away trip-wise and their are several projects on the books to complete in the next few weeks.

We are 32 weeks now, so anywhere from 5-9 to go-ish.  We'll see when little man decides.

Right now though I am reminded that I need to space out my energy.  Only take one what is crucial and let the rest slide or delegate at home or ask for outside help.

Today is a day where I feel a bit daunted with what is ahead of me.  Preparing our home for a new little one, preparing our hearts for a new little one and for me to prepare to birth this little one...who isn't feeling so little anymore.

One step in front of the other; begging for grace and stamina in the times I am up and for much needed rest when I am able to.

He is Good and His Grace is sufficient.

Mid-January Daybook

Outside My Window: An overcast sort of day; rain in the forecast later and cooler temps at the end of this week.  My kind of weather:)

I Am Thinking: About my nesting/purging pregnancy projects.  This is the part of pregnancy that DH really despises.  I get all kinds of busy with grand and lofty schemes.  Most of my preparations are focused on the kitchen--doing a big stock up, making a snack space for the girls, putting away freezer meals.  However, I do have two "fun" projects.  I'd like to make a lego space in the school room and re-do some shelving in the girls' closet to enable the back closet door to open all the way and their outgrown clothes bins to fit in.  Break out the power tools!

Attitude of Gratitude: Grateful for DH's safe travel home to us last night after a business trip, for renewed vigor and enthusiasm in this new year, for community.

In the School Room: Getting all kinds of organized.  Games are being re-arranged as Princess is climbing on chairs to get to them.  Shelves dusted, books re-sorted, etc.  Making things nice and neat and accessible for these girls to get to their new interests.

Celebrating the Liturgical Year: Planning some time for January saints, March for Life and pro-life issues, picking a few saints for February, and sorting through Lenten resources.  I want to get all that ready to delve into with little effort when the time comes.

From the Kitchen: 

Sunday: Potato Soup

Monday: Crockpot Paleo Jambalaya

Tuesday: Pasta Night with the Campus Ministry

Wednesday: Roast Chicken, Rice and Veggies

Thursday: Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, veggies.

Friday: Fish, Rice, veggies

I Am Working On: Menu plans, Nesting Lists, Baby Needs List, organizing, purging

I Am Creating: a wee mannie.  Trying to eat well.  He is definitely hitting the third trimester growth spurts.  I'm finally hungry now. (The morning sickness held on till 22 weeks all out and 27 weeks off and on. Whew!)  DH gets a kick out of my cravings.  It's all "man food"--hamburgers, potato skins, fried chicken, steaks with sauteed mushrooms and onions.  And Sauerkraut...I have a bowl a day.  Weird, but I did read an article about fermented foods aiding sufferers of morning sickness.  Perhaps my body knew something my brain didn't.

I Am Going: to a concert.  In a few weeks.  I'm super excited.  A date night for DH and I.  I haven't been to a concert in forever, and I'm really hoping DH and I have a blast....and that I can fit into my arena seat:)

I Am Hoping: that I can finish preparations for our co-op plans due tomorrow.  Yikes!

I Am Praying: for several special intentions, for Pia--a sweet little girl battling cancer, for Alan also battling cancer, for safe healthy pregnancies for dear friends, for my own pregnancy--for peace in my anxiety and worries.

I Am Reading:  an at-home Home School retreat!!  I got some birthday money that I put towards a few new books--
10 Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child
Teaching in Your Tiara
A Literary Education

I Am Listening: to the clock ticking.  Girls down for naps/rest time and even the animals in our neighbor's farmyard are all quiet.  It's a little eerie.

Around The House:  Piles being organized and purged.

Favorite Things:  Sitting on the couch reading to my girlies, praying the rosary on the floor while they put their roses in the basket, making yummy meals, a special lunch treat out after church, pot luck with the Parish community.

This Week's Plans: 

Speech Therapy

Library Storytime

Hockey Night Date Night/prepare for Little Flowers and Blue Knights while we watch:)  DH is making swords and I'm making shields.

Church Home School Co-op

Glimpse Into My Day:

Not really a glimpse into a day; rather, from a few weeks ago while visiting family at Christmas.

Joy in the Mundane

Third week of Advent--Joy.

This is a week of Joy.  Joy that we are slowing down and enjoying one another and little Advent traditions.

Gratitude:

An Advent book (or two....or more) each day snuggled on the couch with my girlies.

Jesse Tree Ornaments and the readings that accompany them.

Love looking at our mantel and reflecting on our Year of Faith-Virtue Study.

Making a different kind of (gluten free) cookie each day this week to put on our Christmas Eve Cookie Tray

Taking our Christmas Card and candied almonds to the near by neighbors and visiting with each one.

Long sleeves and pants....we don't often get to wear cozy clothes here in Florida and I love the Fallish/Winter weather while we have it.

Lots of kicking from little man which is kinda neat during this Advent Season.  I've never been this pregnant during the Advent Season before, so a new experience.

Interesting Nativity set-ups

wrapping presents with DH and praying for those these gifts will be for.

An awesome new book I'm using each day--"Meditations on the Art of Waiting" by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C.

The O Antiphons.  I LOVE these last few days before Christmas.  Seriously my favorite part of Advent and the little ways to make them special for our family. New Printable Prayer Companion for the O Antiphons.

And the little ways to care for our family--a week of scrubbing toilets and bathroom floors, scouring the kitchen sink, sweeping, straightening, etc.  As I tidy up our home and make it warm and welcoming for these dear ones snuggled close, I'm cleaning up the "stable" of my heart.  Trying to make room for the infant King who will soon be born anew in our lives.

The December Whirlwind

So much on the to-do list.

We just returned from a sweet trip out to see DH's sister's family and be at the baptism of my first goddaughter.  It was lovely.

However, so fast, and then we return to the hustle and bustle of a very short Advent.  I am gathering my thoughts as I look over "my plans" and ask to see what His plans are for our family this Advent.

There are some great resources I'm tapping into as I make sense of the secular needs that need to be addressed and keep the core focused on His Precious Love Came Down.

Mary's Advent Series at Better Than Eden

Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on Waiting by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C.

Joy of the Gospel for Advent Families by Elizabeth Foss.  She has some great stuff in the archives as well.

Post Resurrection: Why I'm Not Homeschool Superstar by Sarah at Amongst Lovely Things.  A post that was quite timely.  She has some gems as well to peruse.

God Be Praised!