Deos Gratias

It is time for Deos Gratias where we list five things we are thankful for during our week.  Just come on over to Thoughts on Grace at Colleen's blog to participate.

1)  I am especially grateful that we are here to speak with our son regarding the situation with his girlfriend.  He is going through a difficult time and he is reaching out to us for advice.  We spoke to him on the back deck last night and he is handling the situation beautifully even though his heart is breaking.  Please pray for him that he strengthens his heart and is at peace. 

2)  The parade in our town went very well and it was a good time for all.  The swim team marched in the parade and the kids had a great time.

3)  The swim team went to Hershey Park and we all had a great time.  I am one who does not do well in crowds all day long.  Therefore, my son and I went in the big wave pool often instead of going on every ride and waiting in lines.  It was almost like being at the beach.  We also went down the Lazy River in inner tubes.

4)  I'm glad I was able to recover from walking all day long at Hershey Park yesterday.  Now that I am older, I can not keep up with the kids as much and I needed a day to rest more.  I took an afternoon nap yesterday.

5)  I'm grateful that the bon fire and dive in movie went well for the kids on swim team.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

It's time for A Simple Woman's Daybook for today July 16, 2013.

Outside my window...it is evening here in Maryland after a scorching hot and humid day.  It is slowly cooling off with the setting sun and the sky is a clear blue.  There is no wind at all and everything is still and quiet outside (the opposite with what is happening in my house).

I am thinking...that it is so ridiculous to here the libs proclaiming racism for everything thing that happens.  It is like a big headache soap opera.  I wish they knew how ridiculous they sound when they do not deal with real issues rationally and try to make everything into a revolution.  I am so worried for the soul of George Zimmerman.

I am thankful...that I have a beautiful family who loves each other and we're here for each other to help each other out.  I've been here to feed my young one and talk to my older children about issues they are facing and to drive my daughter to and from work today.  I get no pay or credit for what I am doing but it means the world to my family and that is all that matters.

In the kitchen...we just finished grill cheese sandwiches as it has been too hot to cook anything.

I am wearing...a maroon Danskin warm up suit that I purchased at Wall Mart.  You can find some real nice items there once in a while that are very inexpensive.

I am creating...crafts and writing prompts for my second grade journal writing class next year.  Please join my MeetUp here http://www.meetup.com/nucleusoflife-com/members/ if you would like to get ideas.

I am going...to Anytime Fitness to work out in a little while.

I am wondering...how my oldest son is doing at college as he is going to grad school next year and working on his research paper.  He is back and forth between college and our home during the summer months.  We are only an hour away from his college at University of Maryland.  He will be moving into a new townhouse soon that is just off campus.

I am looking forward to...our vacation coming up the first week in August.  We are going to Ocean City, Maryland.  We have an ocean front beach house.

I am hearing...my two youngest children playing and the t.v. on quietly.  My husband just got off the phone with someone regarding the swim team that our three youngest children are on.

Around the house...my youngest son is looking for his gummy worms, my husband is answering his cell phone, and my dog is barking.  Earlier today I was very busy cleaning and vacuuming after a busy day yesterday at Hershey Park.  We weren't home yesterday and the house was too messy. 

I am praying...for my second oldest son who is going through a rough time with his girlfriend.

One of my favorite things...is taking a warm bath after a busy day.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to pick my pictures I had framed up from Michael's and to buy a summer dress for the swim team banquet.

Here is some pictures to share from swim team happenings...

7 Quick Takes

I'm posting to 7 Quick Takes over at Conversion Diary.

1)  We had a successful march in our town's parade last night.  Candy was flying everywhere. The swim team is great fun for the kids and the families are great too.  Two of my children are lifeguards.  One is a coach in training and helps all the little ones learn how to swim.  It's great to see her helping families in our community.  Some parents even ask her to teach their young ones private lessons.  She makes good money doing this and enjoys the children.

2)  I'm filling out my Body Clutter Investigator form and it is helping me take better care of my health and loose weight.

3)  Saturday night we attend the Adult Pool Party.  We are looking forward to more fun with other parents on the swim team.  I will post pictures here later.

4)  I just found out that my mother broke her wrist when she fell.  Please pray for her continued healing.  She is lucky my brother was there to help her up and bring her to the hospital which is near her house.

5)  When I brought my son to swim team practice on Friday, I spent my time running my legs instead of running my mouth.  I walked around the pool that isn't opened yet to get some exercise.  This was good for me.  Anytime I have the opportunity to exercise, I should take advantage of it.

6)  My seven year old can now swim the length of the pool on his own.  It was so good to see his little body in the giant pool working hard to get to the other side to get his ribbon and cookie.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=588373551185628

7)  Patrick was complaining about his hand hurting from swimming so he wasn't able to do his math.  Then I said, "you can't type and use the mouse on the computer either."  He said that it takes more energy to write than type.  I told hime that he had to prove it with a science experiment.  He quickly changed his mind and did his math.

Deo Gratias

It is time to make a list of various events I am thankful for that have occurred this past week.  To participate join Thoughts on Grace at Colleen's blog under Deos Gratias.

1)  I am grateful the my seven year old finally swam across the length of the swimming pool yesterday - July 9th.  Now he will be able to swim in the Cookie Meet on Thursday with his age group.  It is so exciting to see their little bodies in that giant pool struggling to get to the other side as you cheer them on.  I am so happy for him.

2)  I am thankful for toast, peanut butter, and banana snacks for my son.  They are healthy, easy to make, and delicious.  No the dog can't have any.

3)  I am ecstatic that my 21 year old son finally got a good used car.  It looks like it is brand new.  It is a white Honda that cost $7000.  We are fortunate to know a very kind and honest mechanic who we found to buy it from.  Now my son can come and go without trying to see who needs the car.  This is soooooo what he needed!

4)  Our 4th of July celebration went extremely well.  We attended Baker Park in Frederick, Maryland and listened to Lone Star.   This was the best part.  We were all spread out in lawn chairs while the kids sat on blankets listening to good country music.  The fire works were too short but it didn't matter.  Afterwards, the traffic getting out of the parking lot was all backed up.  Therefore, my hubby and I and another couple danced to oldies in the parking lot for over an hour until traffic moved.  I think we were scaring the kids as they all huddled in one of the cars.  It was great fun.  Also, this is out of character for my hubby.  He usually parks in the best exit spot and is one of the first to leave.

5)  I am grateful that I am taking more time to listen to Fr. Barron's Word on Fire website.  He is awesome.

Light in the Darkness

I am participating with Light in the Darkness at Four Blessings Academy.  Just click on this link to participate on reporting some good news you've heard in your life.

My good news is that I was able to belong to a co-op my son wanted to join part time instead of full time.  It  was impossible to partake in the event all day long next year as our schedule did not allow it.  Now my son will be able to participate for half the day at a reduced price and he is very excited about it.  I love it when my children are excited about their education.  Today he asked me, "Mom, when does the co-op start?"  He is looking forward to when the school year starts back up in September.  Plus we will be able to attend weekly Mass after his classes.  This is a great benefit.

Five Minute Friday: Beautiful

It's time for Five Minute Friday.  Today we write for five minutes without editing on the word beautiful.  Just click on the link to participate.

Attending the fire works this year was a beautiful sight.  We gathered with our friends at a near by park as we all enjoyed the sounds of Lone Star.  People swaying to the music, sitting in our lounge chairs talking and mingling, kids playing cards on the blankets sprawled out, fire works lighting up the sky, yummy sandwiches and snacks to eat, and drinks for everyone.  It was a beautiful sight to see and be involved in.  The best part was dancing in the parking lot while we were waiting for the traffic to start to move.  We played oldies songs and we were talking and dancing in the parking lot in the middle of the traffic jam.  We were the last people to leave.  At least we enjoyed waiting for the traffic to begin to move.  We danced for at east an hour.  Old friends and good times and much laughter made a beautiful evening.

Deos Gratias

It is time for Deos Gratias to list things we are thankful for during our week.  Just click on the link to participate.

1)  I am grateful for our freedoms on this 4th of July.  We need to continue to pray for good virtuous leaders who will protect our National Sovereignty.

2)  I am so thankful that hubby took off work this week to help organize the house.  We moved all our books into bookcases downstairs (rather than upstairs).  It looks a lot better.  I'm making a little library and scrapbooking area for myself downstairs.  Thank you to my sweetie for helping me do this!!

3)  I'm grateful that I was able to get a gel manicure today.  My nails are so weak and always break.  The gel mani helps them be stronger.

4)  I'm grateful that my son found a good used car.  He and his father will be purchasing it this week.  Unfortunately, his insurance is $300 per month because of his young age.  This is outrageous.

5)  I'm thankful that my son talked to me about his problems with his girlfriend.  It is so hard to grow up and meet the right one.