Simple Woman's Daybook - July and August 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for July and August 2017.

Outside my Window... The sky is presently covered with misty white clouds in July and it feels like it is in the ninety's.  I think we may get an afternoon shower. It is humid. In August today, it is in the low eighties as a high and a beautiful sunny day.

I am Thinking...that I hope the Lord guides the progress of my children.  

Colin/26 - July: Defended his thesis today and was approved to receive his Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering.  I am so proud and amazed with this son of mine.  He will be heading up to Philly to meet my other son.  August: My son is getting ready to go live with some Franciscan monks in New York for a whole year.

Brandyn/25 - July: Just returned home for helping to lead young adults in a service project with the Church.  He is on his way to Philadelphia tonight to see his girlfriend. August: Spending time with a priest at University of Maryland with Colin today.

Kristen/21 - July:  Just returned from a trip to Bethany Beach and New York City with her boyfriend.  Her boyfriend picked her up after work and they went out to dinner. August: Just returned from a mission trip to Belize in Central America.

Claire/17 - July:  Just returned from the service project with the Church that my older son helped to lead.  She went out tonight with some friends to a local restaurant. August: Packing and doing last minute things before she heads off to University of Nebraska.

Patrick/10 - July:  He is spending his last night of camping with the boy scouts and his father this week.  They will be home tomorrow.  August: Playing with his neighborhood friends.

July:  I just returned from adoration to pray for my health and my children.  They all came home and they all left.  Things are happening so fast.  I really needed to spend time with the Lord tonight.  August: Colin and Claire are getting ready to travel to New York and Nebraska.

I am Thankful... In July, I was thankful for one of the moms in our homeschool coop who came over to help me out with a tricky experiment tonight.  We have to buy the right kind of LED to make batteries out of lemons. In August, I was thankful for a wonderful vacation with our family in Ocean City, Maryland.

In the Kitchen...In July, the kids seemed to eat and run tonight.  I'm glad a was able to buy Marie Calendars Chicken Pot Pies which Brandyn had to eat for dinner.  Claire made pasta and sausage. She made too many sausages so I helped eat the left over one. Kristen went out to dinner and Colin ate after his presentation on his thesis. In August, we are having grilled salmon, grilled asparagus, and corn on the cob.

I am Wearing...Black Blue jean shorts with a turquoise and blue top and flip flops.

I am Creating...In July, all the crafts for the journal writing class I'll be teaching in the fall.  I'm teaching eight classes for four to six year old's. I have completed making supplies for seven of the eight classes.  I can't wait because it is going to be fun.  The leader of the other coop in Knoxville suggested that no one teach religion lessons.  Therefore, I had to fix my Creation display and song.  I rewrote the song and changed one of the pictures on my display. In August, I'm working on teaching chemistry to the first through third graders at the coop.

I am Looking Forward to...In July, my husband and son to come home tomorrow.  In August, I'm looking forward to traveling to Nebraska to bring Claire to college with my husband.

I am Hearing... Just the other day in July, I was copying a book for my son who is giving his dissertation to get his Ph.D. in engineering on Friday (today).  Therefore, I hear the copier and some music my son is playing while he is on the computer. I can't wait to go and hear him on Friday. The book is written in French but the formulas are what he needs.  I've seen him writing all these complex mathematical formulas before.  I don't know how he reads them.

The dog just finished barking at our neighbor walking with her grandchild.  She was looking out the door.  I think her eyesight is getting bad. I took her to the vet today to get a blood test because she was acting funny yesterday.  Her tail was down and she was following me around and wasn't her perky self at all.  It is the second time it happened.  I don't know why she does this.  I think she has PTSD.

In August, I hear someone mowing their grass in the neighborhood and my daughter and her boyfriend talking in the living room.

Around the House...In July, even though we cleared out much of the basement, we still have to clear out the back room and the garage. We just got a new air conditioning unit in the attic.  The air conditioning enters our kitchen now.  It didn't before.  Now it is nice and cool.  My husband should be helping me clean out the back room and the garage rather than writing songs for the swim team.  It is not necessary that he do this and it takes tons of time.  He is not sitting on the couch with me for thirty minutes anymore either.  It is supposed to help my recovery from when I was hospitalized at the beginning of the summer.

In August, after we return from Nebraska...we will look into selling the piano, getting rid of a couch, and possibly buying another flat screen t.v. and area rug for the living room.  We still need to clear out the back room and the garage.  Dh finally sat on the couch with me last night.

I am Praying...for all my children.  Like I said, things are happening so fast now and they are all growing up.  I am so grateful for each of them.  They don't know how much I love them.

One of My Favorite Things...was seeing Dr. Colin Miller, Ph.D. defend his thesis and taking vacation with my family.

A Few Plans for Next Week...start physical therapy for my left hip.  I have to teach a dance and movement class in the fall.  I need my hip to stop hurting.

Here are some recent pics when we brought our daughter to University of Nebraska to share:

Simple Woman's Daybook - January 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for January 2017.

Outside my Window...it is overcast with a slight breeze today and a bit cold.  Our dog cries when she sees our neighbor's dog running in her yard inside the electric fenced in area.  Our dog is put on a leash.  I've been asking my husband if we can get an electric fence for our back yard so that we can let Bella run around and get some exercise.  He thinks it is a waste of money.  Say some prayers that my husband will understand that our dog, Bella, needs to get exercise too.

I am Thinking...that this month will be a joyful month since all five of our children will be home with us.  I never get to see my oldest son who will soon have his Ph.D. in engineering.  His lease is up on his house and he will be staying with us during part of his last six months of research at college for his Ph.D.  I've been making him some chicken fried rice so that he has something healthy to eat when he gets hungry.  My second oldest son, who is a good cook, gave me the idea to cook with soy sauce.  It worked out quite well.  In fact, he is going to make dinner tonight for our family since he is on break from college.  Here is his meal:  

Brandyn's yummy dinner

I was able to have lunch with my oldest daughter yesterday and she filled me in on all her friendships in college.  She met a nice boy recently and he sounds like a real sweetheart.  She just returned from a Focus Mission Trip to San Antonio.  

My son and his girlfriend are so cute together.  Here they are working together to make sushi.  They have their college education to finish before they settle down together.  Please say a prayer so that their relationship continues to grow with the blessings of Christ.

Cute couple!

I am Thankful...for the relationships my children have established as siblings.  It is so good to see my youngest and oldest bond together as I know they are very good for each other...especially at this time.  My two daughters fill our home with tons of giggling and laughter.  It is wonderful to see their relationship develop.  My second oldest's girlfriend fits right in with them too.  I am also thankful for scouting for my son and husband.  Here is some recent pics:

Husband as cub master in same troop my father began years ago.

In the Kitchen...Last night I made pork chops, potatoes, and broccoli with cheese.  Tonight my son is cooking dinner.  We will all be pleasantly surprised.  This luxury can take place while he is on break from school.  He returns to college classes on the 25th of January.

My little scout!

 I am Wearing...gray sweat pants and a black long sleeved shirt.

I am Creating...A craft for my journal writing homeschool class.

I am Looking Forward to...not having to go to the doctor because I'm not feeling well anymore.  I've been having a lot of fatigue and some shortness of breath that has greatly worried me.  I've been able to receive doctor reports that are positive about my health.  I'm taking vitamins, exercising more, and quitting unhealthy habits.  I hope to be healthier and have more energy to do things this year.

I am Hearing...my 5th grader, who is the last child homeschooled, do research on the thickness of ice and when it is safe to walk on it.  We have a pond behind our back yard and he threw a heavy stick on it to see if it would sink.  The pond is frozen.  We told him he can not go on it.  He is also talking to me about building a tree fort in our back yard.  He comes up with ideas between his subjects during the day all the time.

Around the House...We finally have a handy man coming to fix odd jobs we have to take care of around the house.  We need two new toilets, better lighting, closet doors, book shelves, new faucets, new sink basin, towel racks installed, t.v. mounted on wall, etc.  Also, we've been able to declutter a bit since my oldest moved back in for a short duration until he receives his Ph.D.

I am Praying...for my husband to find where the mice are getting in our house.  They get in our utensil drawers in the kitchen and leave their droppings everywhere.  Right now, all our knives, spoons, and forks are out of their drawers and on top of the counters.  It is a pain in the neck.

One of My Favorite Things...was being able to watch some football games together as a family this month.  We all seem to like the Green Bay Packers.  My oldest son has the same smile as Aaron Rodgers - their quarterback. My oldest son is the one who got our family hooked as official 'cheese heads.' 

A Few Plans for Next Week...attend a wedding in Missouri with my husband.  Our good friend's son is getting married. Also, meet my friend at the local mall to walk together for some exercise.

Here is a recent pic to share of one January evening while watching a football game:

Night of the Green Bay Packer's game

Typical Homeschooling Day

My fifth grader is homeschooled and here is a record of a typical homeschool day from yesterday.  Yes, it was halloween but we still were diligent in doing our work.  Afterwards, my son went out with his big brother for an hour before he got dressed for trick-or-treating with the neighborhood kids.  Neighbors gathered in our court for a potluck and fellowship.

Religion:  Study and discuss two paintings of the Nativity and Coronation

Math:  Converting Units of Weight and Mass (Saxon 65 - second edition)

English:  Exercise on Nouns of Prepositions

Handwriting:  Cursive

History:  Complete chapter review on Andrew Jackson and Map Skills (Latitude and Longitude)

Reading:  Read stories on the Wright Brothers and the Israelites and answer questions

Phonics:  Work on dipthongs

Science:  Complete review quiz on brain and nerves

Spelling:  Spelling Test

Vocabulary:  Exercises on passage containing words and writing the definitions, circling the correct word used in the meaning of a sentence, synonyms and antonyms

Nucleus of Life (Journal)-picture above: Write first draft paragraph of story about a character who displays virtue.

Science Coop work:  Stinging, Crawling, and Squirming Animals - Read chapter, complete worksheet, and make vocabulary cards

Physical Education:  Patrick has his last soccer game this Saturday.  He will be taking an Upward basketball program over the winter.

Art/Music:  He is learning from some wonderful teachers at his Coop.  We attend Coop once a week.

Simple Woman's Daybook - October

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for October.

Outside my Window...as soon as the first day of October rolled around in Maryland, the temperature dropped and we had some rainy weather. It feels a bit more like autumn suddenly.  The temperature must be in the 60's or 70's rather than the 80's or 90's as it was most of September.  The other day it was a beautiful sunny day though...a bit of Indian Summer coming through (just for a few days) in the 80's for a high. Today was beautiful too:  cooler in the 60's with a strong cool wind, bright blue sky, and puffy white clouds!

I am Thinking...that the month started out a bit rocky in terms of my PTSD but seems to be more under control now.  My daughter did very good visiting three colleges last week:  University of Maryland, Catholic University, and James Madison University.  She is a senior in high school and she is handling the stress of college visits very well.  She is not sure what college is her favorite yet. She visited others as well in neighboring states.  I drove her to a friends party tonight in Virginia.

I am Thankful...for the two coops that my son is in.  One is close to home and the moms and families are all very nice.  He is taking history, science, art, and choir.   Even though he is doubling up on his history and science, he seems to be enjoying his curriculum.  The other is further away and we attend coop less often (There are only 8 classes as opposed to 16 classes this fall semester).  I teach one class and it is going very well.  I'm teaching kindergarten journal writing.

I am also thankful that we found a great used car for my other daughter in college.  She won't have it on campus yet but when she comes home she will be able to use her own car.  She is ecstatic!

In the Kitchen...I made Spicy Buffalo Chicken Bites for the last Maryland football game we attended at the beginning of the month.  I've been making Ruebin Roll-Ups and freezing them in preparation for the next game.  I'll have spicy and horse radish mustard with them.  Here are some pics from the last game.

My son is a ham! Just kidding!

I am Wearing...black sweats, a blue tee, and a grey and pink jacket.

I am Reading...I have seven books I'm busy with:  1) Out From Under: The Impact of Homosexual Parenting by Dawn Stefanowicz; 2) Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst; 3) How to be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving by David Richo - I'm reading with my hubby; 4) My son's book I'm helping him with a book report - If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Beckett by Barbara Willard; 5) The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian; 6) The Catholic Controversy - A Defense of the Faith by St. Francis De Sales; and continuously a daily devotional to keep me away from vice - 7) Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville

I am Creating...Two potential crafts:  One for my home journal class and the other for my coop journal class. I am also having a flyer made for my class.

I am Looking Forward to...I looked forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary this month. We spent the sunny day hiking Sugarloaf Mountain, drinking wine on the way down, and going out to dinner.  Here is some pics:

I am Hearing...the educational channel my son was watching.  He is restricted from watching too much junk t.v.

Around the House...I have to finish organizing some of my clothes in the bedroom.  I bought baskets to organize outfits on my shelves. I also did a major clean up in my son's bedroom with him today!  Hallelujah!

I am Praying...for our country and for babies in the womb.

One of My Favorite Things...was having my son in an Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) class this year.  He is doing very well.  It is nice to develop numerous ways to write instead of just one way.  Therefore, any new exposures are beneficial for him.

A Few Plans for Next Week...attend my son's evaluation to place him on an Upward basketball team.

Here is a recent pic to share of my daughter and I at the University of Maryland game:

Simple Woman's Daybook - July

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my Window...it was hot, bright, and sunny in Maryland today. Yesterday it was very hot at our last swim meat of the year.  It is nice that swim team is finally over as it gets too hectic towards the end of the season.  Nevertheless, my daughters still need to coach until divisionals and teach swim lessons.  Therefore, I'm still swamped with carpooling duties early in the morning.

I am Thinking...I am glad that I made a doctor appointment the other day because I haven't been feeling very good lately.  I get tired very easily and seem to be struggling with occasional allergies or sinus problems.

I am Thankful...for the programs in the Church for our youth.  My sons have been on numerous mission trips both inside and out of the country.  The Catholic Student Center at the University of Maryland has two wonderful priests there that have continued the work of strengthening our children in the faith.  One was able to come to the house for dinner this month.  What a refreshing friendly change from our stuffy pastor!

In the Kitchen...We barbecued burgers and pork chops on Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday was the swim meat so everyone kind of ate left overs.  Tonight my daughter made a yummy chicken and pasta dish for us.

I am Wearing...black exercise shorts and colorful tee

I am Reading...How to be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving

I am Creating...Cookie recipes.  I wanted to give some to my neighbors but there are no nice cookie containers. I just used sandwich bags and attached a nice note.  My son and I will have to bring them to the neighbors together.

I am Looking Forward to...going to California for our nieces's wedding.

I am Hearing...the kids watching t.v. downstairs.  They were outside but apparently the mosquitoes are starting to attack.

Around the House...I straightened the girls room a little the other day as they are so busy with work, swim team, swim lessons, and coaching that there is little time for cleaning.  I also straightened my own closet out.

I am Praying...for my son Colin and his girlfriend Jordan.  They just met on Catholic Match.  She is a very sweet girl. Also, for Ted Cruz and his family.

One of My Favorite Things...helping Jordan cook for Colin at our house the other day and celebrating the 4th of July with some good friends. Here are some pics:

A Few Plans for Next Week...we are going to the Shrine of St. Anthony's and will complete a report on it for one of my son's 4th quarter homeschool assignments.

Here is a recent pic to share:  Crab Feast at the pool.  That's my hubby in the background.  He's a big flirt (in a good way) just like my dad was.

Simple Woman's Daybook - June

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook today - June 23, 2016:

Outside my window...it is a bit overcast in Maryland today.  The sun keeps trying to peep out of the clouds occasionally.  After some early morning showers, my daughters went out into the court to see my son riding his new bike as he improved tremendously in just a couple hours.  Then more neighborhood kids came out.  It is wonderful to see the kids playing with each other in the neighborhood.  I am so thankful for our new neighbors.

I am thinking...that June has been a great start to summer this year.  We are finishing up the fourth quarter for homeschooling.  My son only has English, spelling, and handwriting to complete.  Seton homeschool has been a blessing for us.

We had a great time at my son's girlfriend's graduation party at her parents house.  She has a wonderful family.  Her parents are so kind just like she is.  My son's girlfriend will be going to Drexel near Philadelphia next year.  He just took her up there to find an apartment.  We are praying that their love for each other continues to grow strong even with this distance apart.

We were able to attend our parish picnic together.  After the bible study my husband and I were in, we've been meeting more parishioners.  It is nice to share time with other Christians.  My daughter's spiritual adviser, Father Mike, also visited us one evening for dinner.  We had a great time and I couldn't ask for a friendlier help for my daughter.  Fr. Mike is much more friendlier than our parish priest.

Swim Team is off to a great start.  My oldest daughter is an assistant coach while my younger daughter is a coach in training.  My younger daughter is also providing swim lessons for children.  Their summer jobs are lifeguards at our local pool.  My son and daughter are both on the swim team.  They are up early in the mornings for practice and busy at work so they are not sitting around the house all day on the computer.  Practice was cancelled today due to the weather.  We participated in the swim team's pasta dinner, pancake breakfast and picture day, and our first A and B meets.  The swim team is tons of fun for us.  Here are some pictures so far this year:

Swim Team Pasta Dinner: My daughter is standing up as assistant coach and the coach is sitting down talking.

Pasta Dinner-Swim Team: Good friends on swim team

Pasta Dinner-Swim Team: Good friends on team

Two assistant coaches

My daughter coaching

Mom and son

I am thankful...that my husband, youngest son, and I were

able to kick off the summer by going to Ocean City, Maryland on Memorial Day weekend.  The four oldest children are all very independent and busy with jobs and/or their college educations.  Therefore, we just brought our youngest son with us on this trip.  We had a very peaceful time together.  Here is a picture of where we took long morning walks together by the bay.

Memorial Day Weekend

In the kitchen...We had taco's last night for my youngest son's birthday.  It really was a fun filled day because my older son's girlfriend came over to help celebrate. They took my youngest son to the movies and made delicious taco's for everyone.  I made a spice cake and the kids frosted it with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles.  My two daughters got off work early as they are lifeguards and there were thunderstorms all afternoon.  There was a break in the storms and we all ran outside to see the double rainbow.  All the neighborhood kids were running in the puddles together getting soak and wet.  It was like we had our own instant neighborhood water park.  My husband bought a bike for my son's birthday.  Now he could ride his bike with his neighborhood buddy around the court.  Here is a picture of his new bike:

It is so heartwarming for parents to see how well their children get along and interact with each other.  All the kids (adults now) made my son's (10 years old) birthday special.

I am wearing... red, white, and blue.  I think I'm ready for the 4th of July.

 I am reading...Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin - The Extraordinary Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux.

I am creating...I am making a craft for my journal writing class.

I am looking forward to...I planned a movie date today for all the neighborhood kids.  We're going to watch Zootopia and have popcorn.  I'm making fruit salad for a healthy snack too.  I hope they have fun and I hope some of their parents and grandparents stop by while the kids are all entertained with the movie downstairs.  The parents can all visit with each other upstairs...if the parents come.  If they don't come because they are busy...that's o.k. too.

I am hearing...the kids are playing outside in the hose with water balloons and squirt guns now.  We had "movie day" and played "Stay Out of the Thorns."  The girls loved the game.

Around the house...I have been trying to organize more.  I've been going through my mail quicker too.  I bought this unit at Home Goods the other day and it is perfect to store some of the clutter we've had laying around the house.

I also bought this full length mirror for $10.00 at a yard sale.  We had no long mirrors.  I put it here and moved the coffee table in front of the couch.  I cleaned out all the clutter in the drawer of the coffee table.  Now it is organized with things we need rather than junk.

It's been a slow process but with college kids coming home for the summer, I've been trying to help them organize all of their things.  We just don't have the room in our house.  It's absolutely awful to have all the items from their dorm rooms piled up around the place.

I am praying...for my oldest son.  He just came back from a mission trip to Denver to help the homeless.  He loved it.  Presently he is going to University of Maryland and will soon have a PhD. in engineering.  He told us that he may do something totally different than engineering.  He has to think about it though.  We think he may be moving out to the west coast in the future because he has told us that he likes it there better.  He's been taking many trips out west with his research.  He has a heart of gold and loves to reach out to disadvantaged people to help them.  Help me lift him up in prayer so that the spirit with lead him in a good direction.

He was able to visit us yesterday and I was having some symptoms from my PTSD.  He always seems to be able to help me through any fears I am encountering at the time.  I am so grateful for him.

One of my favorite things...was celebrating Father's Day with the whole family.  It is not too often we can all be together at the same time.  We've been eating out on the back deck often and we did so on Father's Day too.  We had ribs and beer.  Here are some pictures of some of our fun together.

Father's Day Drinks

Father and two oldest sons

Mom and two oldest sons

Mom and two oldest studs

Dad with the three youngest kiddos

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to continue to go on walks with hubby on nice days and eat out on the back deck as often as possible before all the mosquitoes come.  I'll also start creating my craft for class.

Here is a recent picture of  my youngest at his cub scout "Rain Gutter Riga-ta":

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.

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 13, 2016 - April 14, 2016

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window...it was a bright sunny day today and yesterday in Maryland.  It is finally warming up a bit but is still too cool for me.  It is often cool lately for this time in our state...in the 50's or low 60's.  It is more often in the 70's during April in Maryland. 

I am thinking...that I am grateful for the Bible study my hubby and I are attending at our parish.  Some of the questions were:

1)  Identify people and events that God used to help you come to faith in Jesus.

The constant love between my own mother and father greatly greatly assisted me in falling in love with the Lord.

Also, when I broke up with my first serious boyfriend, I finally realized how important family was to me.

After I was assaulted in a woman's restroom, I turned to the Lord more often.

Each of these situations played a huge role in fostering my faith life.

2)  Who cultivated your curiosity?

My religious education classes taught me a lot about Jesus, the Mass drew me in, my parents constant love, and the suffering after the assault all cultivated my curiosity or planted seeds w/in me to explore further into His love. Both words, actions, suffering and His very presence drew me closer to the Lord.

3)  Who explained the Gospel?  

My religious education teachers taught me the parables and sacraments while my parents taught me through virtuous actions and living.

4)  Who invited you to make a personal decision to accept Christ into your life?

It was never a choice.  Christ was always present, and I ran to him.  I've accepted the Lord from the beginning.

I am thankful...that I was able to hold the Journal Writing Class at my house today.  The boys had so much fun.  It was a beautiful day and they were able to play outside often.  I am also grateful that my leg stopped hurting.

In the kitchen...We are having shish kabobs tonight.

I am wearing...a pair of blue warm ups with a grey jacket.

I am creating...I finished my craft and chose some Bible verses for my Journal Writing Class Thursday.  I also chose some books for the Journal Writing Class I'm teaching at our homeschool coop next year too.  I sent out the song with sign language we are going to learn and asked the moms to do a summer prerequisite for the class.  They are to teach their children what the word VIRTUE means, point out examples, and practice the song occasionally.  Friday I am looking at a closer coop to home which means we might do both coops as the one I'm in now only meets every other week and is 50 minutes away.  Here is my Virtue Song:

Virtue Song

(Tune:  Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)

Help Me See the Virtue

The Virtue

The Virtue

Help Me See the Virtue

In the World Around Me

Help Me Have the Wisdom

The Wisdom

The Wisdom

Help Me have the Wisdom

In Decisions I Make

Help Me Seek the Knowledge

The Knowledge

The Knowledge

Help Me Seek the Knowledge

In People that I Trust

Anchor Thoughts bring Joy

Bring Joy

Bring Joy

Anchor Thoughts bring Joy

To Everyone I Meet

I am going... to check out another coop tomorrow that is closer to home.  They offer History, Science, Art/Music, and IEW course.  It sounds great.  They meet once a week.

I am wondering...how my daughter will enjoy her junior prom tomorrow night.  She is double dating with a friend. I picked her dress up from the cleaners today as it needed to be hemmed.

I am looking forward to... picking up my dog, Bella, from the vet later today.  When I woke up, I noticed a big stain of blood on our white couch.  She kept licking as though she were swallowing the blood.  The vet said, "she had a 3.5 leison under the right side of her tongue and her tooth was loose.  The tooth had to be extracted and she needed stitches.  Nobody knows what she did to herself.

I am hearing...my two sons and I clicking away on computers.

Around the house...I need to organize better.

I am praying...for Ted Cruz and his family.

One of my favorite things...teaching my son how to write and communicate.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to visit the new coop, get my nails done with my daughter, drive my daughter to her friend's house on prom night and take pictures, pick up my dog, and continue to pray for the list of people I wrote down on paper.  It helps me to remember when it is written down.

Here is a recent picture of Journal Writing Class today: