SOAP: Week 10 - Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "My child, from your youth choose discipline; and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.  As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then wait for her bountiful crops.  For in cultivating her you will work but little, and soon you will eat her fruit."  (Sirach 6: 18-19)

O - I have a very close relationship with a disciplined individual in my life...my husband.  I've seen him grow after his heart surgery.  He is very disciplined about what he eats and getting enough exercise now.  I wish I can be more like him.  My eating habits and exercise can both improve.  Not to mention, some bad habits I've picked up from my youth.  I also wish I could clean and purge clutter in my house better.  My hubby can sit down and read for lengths on end while I get distracted and side tracked.  That is the whole reason why I'm doing this SOAP meme for me to improve on my discipline skills.  I enjoy reading scripture and trying to apply it to my life.

A - This will be my application of discipline in my life if I want to lose weight and be healthy:

Prayer:  Say the devotion and decade of the rosary with my son every day.  Say the St. Michael's prayer on EWTN every day.  Go to adoration at least once a week and say rosary or read something spiritual.

Diet:  Eat no more than 300 calories per meal and no snacking until I reach my desired weight.

Exercise: At least three times a week at the gym and continue walks with hubby (I walk on the treadmill or ride the bike for 30 minutes at the gym.)  I also need to lift my hand weights at home twice a day.

Cleaning/Purging: Pick one small area every day to clean and purge (believe me...there is plenty around here to keep me busy.)  Also, to keep a clean sink.

Reading:  Do a SOAP meme every week, keep up on my son's homeschool grading, read at least 30 minutes to an hour per day, Write the Word from http://www.shop.cultivatewhatmatters.com every day.

Cooking:  Try at least one new recipe a week.

P - Dear Lord, please help mothers who have to manage their time on their own be able to meet the needs of their families with grace and discipline.

Simple Woman's Daybook (September)

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my Window...it is going to go up to 94 today in Maryland according to this mornings weather report on WMAL.  It is currently pleasant in the morning as we just returned from walking our dog, Bella.  She attracted a couple of our neighbors' dogs.  It's so funny how she gets so excited when she first sees them at times...and...suddenly...a couple minutes later...she doesn't even know the other dogs are there.  Why is her "doggy world" like this?

I am Thinking...I am very concerned about my 24 year old son.  His heart is breaking as he just helped his girlfriend move three hours away to attend grad school.  His girlfriend is studying to be a physical therapist and they just tacked on three more years of study for this degree.  I do not see the need for this.  I think people (likely liberals) are specifically making it harder for young people to start families together.

Son and Girlfriend

I am Thankful...for the interview I had with a local Catholic school to possibly be a substitute teacher in the future.  In the meantime, I might be able to help with after school care.

In the Kitchen...We barbecued chicken last night and had mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.  I also made some yummy Buffalo Chicken Bites for our next tailgate at University of Maryland football games.

Dinner last night

Yummy Tailgate Food

I am Wearing...pink shorts, grey tee, and black flip flops.

I am Reading...My son's book on Thomas Becket with him.

I am Creating...Two crafts for two different journal classes I am teaching.

I am Looking Forward to...going to the Penn State game with Maryland in Pennsylvania with my hubby, other son, girlfriend, and her parents.  It will be the first time we meet her parents.  She is a beautiful girl my son met on CatholicMatch.com.  I've heard about 1/3 of couples are meeting online these days.

Son and Girlfriend

I am Hearing...the quiet in the house while my son is doing his religion. He studies three separate religion books, including the Catechism and Bible History.

Around the House...I just watched the ending of the "Lord of the Rings" with my 5th grader last night.  It was so good that I could hardly take my eyes off of what was going to happen next!

I am Praying...for my children and our country/military...always...always...always!

One of My Favorite Things...was seeing my 5th grader double up on some of his work this year so that he does not fall behind.

A Few Plans for Next Week...attend Back-To-School night at my daughter's Catholic school in Virginia.  I always look forward to meeting her teachers.

Here is a recent pic to share:

Family at the Beach 2016 Summer

Simple Woman's Daybook - May

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook today - May 9, 2016:

Outside my window...it is overcast and mild in Maryland.  At least it is not raining now.

I am thinking...that it is good that I planned my journal writing class out for next year's coop already.  We will be covering many virtues, such as:

Good decisions

Inviting others

Expressing sorrow

Encouraging others

Admitting mistakes

Sharing

Gratitude (thankfulness)

Generous

Perseverance

Acknowledging Christ

Team work

Not attempting too much at one time (Avoid Vice called greed or selfishness)

Manners at table

Concerned

Helpful

Caring

Good friends

Cheerful

Dependable

Diligent (steady, earnest, energetic application and effort)

Strength in weakness

Hard worker

Good listener

Commitment to serve others

Contentment with what one has (near Thanksgiving)

God’s love lasts forever (John 8:12 “Light of the world”) – near Christmas

Spreading the good news - (near Christmas)

I'm almost totally done planning.  I just have a few more things to do.  Then we will be able to enjoy the year a bit more, including the other coop we are in which will teach history, science, music/art, and writing.

I am thankful...that we had our last coop of the year and the dance and movement class went very well.  All the kindergarteners loved it.  On the last day I used the parachute and we pretended to wash everyone in the 'washing machine.'  The kids loved it.

In the kitchen...We are having pizza tonight because my hubby has a scout meeting.

I am wearing...a blue warm up suit.

I am creating...I traveled to my mother's house in West Virginia to show her how to make a scrapbooking album of some very old pictures.  We went out to lunch at Maria's Garden.  It is such a nice place as it has many beautiful statues that honor Mary.  If your ever in West Virginia, look them up...or better yet...stay there because they are a bed and breakfast.

I am looking forward to...Swim Team starting up this year.  Both of my daughters will be lifeguards and my oldest daughter is an assistant coach for the team.

I am hearing... it is pretty quite right now.  Our dog is playing with a squeaky toy.

Around the house...I have been trying to declutter a bit and organize.  I can do this work best when I can open the windows and get some fresh air cirulating in the house.  When it rains, I am not as motivated for this.

I am praying...for my good friend today as she is having a bilateral mastectomy.  On Saturday, my parish was supposed to dedicate Mass to her but they never said her name at the Mass.  The staff at my parish, along with most of the priests, have always had problems.  They have always been lacking in customer service.

One of my favorite things...was Mother's Day because it seems to have been raining for two weeks straight or so here in Maryland.  On Mother's Day it was beautiful and hubby and I were able to go on our walk together.  I read Mother Angelica's book in the back yard for a couple hours and we ate dinner on the back deck (there are no mosquitoes yet).  We had dessert for a celebration and I received some beautiful cards from the family.  It was extra special when we said the family rosary together.  Three out of the five kiddos were able to be home.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to try and finish or add more to "sharing my story" section in our bible group.  I have the first half of my life done.  Now I need to complete the second half of my life.

Here is a recent picture of  me on a walk on Mother's Day:

Weekend Happenings

This month of April in Maryland is so nice when the temperature is in the low 70's because we can spend a lot of time out on our back deck without mosquitoes, knats, and heat.  We thouroughly enjoyed the outdoors this past weekend.

To begin, this is a picture of my daughter getting ready to attend her junior prom on Friday night.  She said, "we danced all night."  Therefore, I know it was a good time.  She double dated with her good friend.  When I picked her up Saturday morning, I drove with the windows down and listened to oldies.  It is about an hours drive as her friend lives in Virginia.  This is what life is like when one lives in the Maryland, WDC, Virginia corridor.  The kids private high schools have students attending from both states and often have to receive rides from parents to and from activities.

Furthermore, my hubby bought a new deck chair and pillows for the chairs we currently have on the deck.  We ate our dinner both nights out on the back deck.  Saturday we had Salmon and Sunday we had sishkabobs.  Our neighbor's cat wanted some of our Salmon.  It was quite comical.  On Sunday, we said family prayers on the deck after dinner.  Hubby and I were also able to take our traditional walks on the bike path in town.  This is great exercise for us with my occasional arthritis and after my hubby's heart surgery.

On Sunday it was so heartwarming to hear our son playing with the neighbors children all day long.  It is such a joy to hear the laughter of children in the neighborhood.  My hubby and son also cleaned up all the debris in the yard (sticks and stuff). It is nice to see how helpful my youngest child is when we need help with something.

I was able to register and submit the downpayment for my son to attend a new homeschool coop next year that meets weekly.  They provide history, science, art/choir, and IEW.  It will be good for us.  I also plan to continue to attend our current coop which is further away and meets bi-weekly.  I will not have to plan and teach in the new coop. I can plan my materials over the summer to teach in the old coop.  I will have to assist and help out where I can in both coops.  I think we can swing both coops because the one we're in now does not include core subjects but usually fun type classes.  I can do all my planning over the summer and it only meets twice a month.  I've begun planning my crafts for the class I'm teaching this weekend.

I also began reading The Authority of Women in the Catholic Church by Monica Migliorino Miller (out on the back deck in my new chair). I'm really enjoying this book.  I was able to call grandma to see how she is doing too.  It was good to talk to her.  We attended the 11:00 am Mass and there were baptisms for about 5 or 6 infants.  It was nice to see. We completed the final edits on my son's book report about Thomas Aquinas, and I was able to take a long bath, shave, and apply lotion to my dry skin.  It was a good weekend with beautiful weather that we took advantage of spending much time outdoors.

Thankful Thursday

I am participating in Thankful Thursday today.  What a wonderful way to remember ones gratitude to God for the week.  I am thankful for:

- The Valentine celebration for my NOL Journal Writing class (with yummy ice cream cake)

- Quiet time at McDonald's with a coffee, some books and writing materials

- Attending the VERITAS celebration my eighth grader applied for at her school

- Preparing my CCD (first graders) for Lent

- The Father Daughter dance for my middle schooler

- The swim meet my sixteen year old daughter was chosen to attend this weekend in Richmond, VA

- Beginning to teach my first grader about the economy using a systems view

- The box of chocolate my hubby gave me for Valentines Day today

Thankful Thursday

I am participating in Thankful Thursday at Jenni's blog today.  Here are some of the items I am thankful for this week:

- Completing our Science lessons on how matter changes along with some experiments

Which ice cube will melt faster?

Air takes up space

Salt in the water reappears after some water evaporates

- My hubby who drove the girls to school today for me because of bad weather here in Maryland

- Our new puppy

- Discovering that our new puppy has round worm so we can give her medicine

- My hubby who said he will make a volcano with my son this weekend for his history project

- Completing our Journal entry for The Empty Pot

- Learning about adjectives in English

- My first grader working with adding and subtracting tens successfully

- Learning how the Lord loves children at CCD

- My college son possibly coming to visit this weekend

- The flowers and balloons I was able to send a family going through a difficult time

- Discovering potatoes to cook for dinner -  before they go bad

- My wrist brace for Carpel Tunnel while I cut potatoes

Small Successes

Faith and Family has a wonderful meme where you can list three small successes accomplished during your week.  It is wonderful to hear so much progress.  Just click on the name and post your successes.  Here are three of my accomplishments this past week:

1)  My sixth grader finished her edits on her writing assignment about a dishonest leader.  She chose a bible verse of Proverbs 1:29 to include in her paper.  It refers to knowledge and my daughter believed the people in the story did not turn to true knowledge (in reference to God) and, therefore, fell into the trap of this dishonest leader.  There was one person who escaped the trap set by this leader because he was smart and sought true knowledge.  I love when I can include the Faith into their daily academic assignments.

2)  The main teacher in our co-op was out sick at the last minute.  We had to think of something the children could do quickly and easily.  I had an idea to teach them Math using the white erase board.  It was a big success.  The children were three to seven years old and my idea caught their attention for 45 minutes.  I'm glad I thought of trying this even though I didn't know if it would be a success or not initially.  We would of had a much harder time with the children if I did not come up with this plan.

3)  I left 15 minutes early today to pick up my daughter from high school.  This was so I can enter the little chapel they have in the school and say the rosary.  It is so much easier to pray sometimes when I'm away from the kids and clutter.  It just took 25 minutes and it was worth every minute to be able to sit in quiet solitude and be in the presence of Our Dear Lord.  This was a success for me even though immediate results aren't easily visible.  I really prayed hard for our country as I'm sure you know it is needed!

Small Successes

Faith and Family has a wonderful spot where people can list three small successes they've accomplished during their week.  It is wonderful to see that many people share the same desires for their families and tackle similar problems during their week.

1)  I finally got the scrapbooking picture I made for my husband at Christmas framed and hung on the wall.  I would post a picture but do not know how to put pictures from my camera onto the computer yet.  Hopefully, I can do this for you later.

2)  I submitted my proposal for a class and activity idea at my daughter's high school.  I am waiting to hear their response.  It's just a simple thing I have experience in doing and resources to do it.  The purpose is to get the moms and girls together for fellowship, formation, and fun.

3)  I was able to enter the little chapel at my daughter's school to be in front of the tabernacle and offer prayers for families and our country.  It is a beautiful chapel and I will take a picture of the statue they have in there to show you sometime.  (Still have to learn - sorry).