Get yourself recollected

If I thought homeschooling my oldest was hectic with a toddler and a new baby, then I wasn't thinking how much more difficult it would be with ds1 taking classes in the afternoons at the Jr. High on top of that. This also happens to be my two year old daughter's nap time; the time I used to be able to look forward to going over together what we could not get done when she was awake and needing attention.

I am trying to have a plan ahead of time. I was reading in Kimberly Hahn's book Homeward Bound that the little ones should be made part of the homeschool. I guess I'm trying to do this by figuring them into the plan for our day. For example, I have my two year old daughter watch the "Elmo's World" portion of Sesame Street so ds and I can use this time to go over things together. Or perhaps we work some school time in before dd gets up in the morning. I try to think of the things that I would like to do with ds1 and the things that he can do on his own. My goal then is to do the things we want to do together when the opportunity presents itself or by creating opportunities by planning activities for dd such as drawing with her crayons so I don't get so frustrated trying to school when little kids want my attention.

That's not to say I still don't get frustrated. I'm trying to practice the virtue of recollection by focusing on one thing at a time and doing that one thing well. Ds1 and I have read about this in The Virtues of Jesus by Quentin Hakenewerth, SM. This book is part of the Catholic Heritage religion curriculum for 7th grade. Recollection is about the" sacrament of the present moment." By being attentive to what is required in the present moment we are able to know the Will of God. This idea as it is known to me is from the great spiritual classic by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Here is a quote:

You are trying to discover the secret of how to belong to God, beloved sisters. But there is none, unless it be to take advantage of every opportunity. Everything leads to union with him; everythings brings about perfection excepting sin and what is not our duty. Only take things as they come without interfereing. Everything guides, purifies and sustains you, carrying you along, so to speak, under God's banner by whose hand earth, air and water are made divine.

Taking a Baby Break

Our first official day of homeschooling was on Monday (Hard to believe that was only yesterday.) This week will be our trial run. It was exhausting trying to occupy the toddler and keep the baby happy while at the same time focusing on our studies. Today it didn't feel as crazy though I'm not sure why not. Was I better rested? Perhaps.

DS is really excited about starting schooling. We are making a galliant effort to be more organized this year. I am trying the basic version of Homeschool Tracker to record what we will be working on and to keep track of what we have done. You can pay a one time 50 dollars and get the plus version which I think I will do when I'm feeling less like I need the dough for other things. I hope we can keep it up.

"Nature Walk"

Yesterday my almost two-year-old daughter and I just went around the corner a little ways from our house on a "nature walk." Here is what we brought back with us. A still maturing apple and a sprig of Queen Anne's Lace (or is it wild carrot?) I'm so excited to post a picture of a homeschool "project." In the top picture my 13 year old son is holding up his sisters hands holding our new found treasures.

Lord Help Us Sell the Condo

"Lord, we have planted the seed, tended the shoots and watered the leaves. Now it is up to you to grant us the yield of our labors." --Living Prayer: Daily Catholic Devotions July August September 2009

This is the line from a prayer I found in the back of the cited devotional booklet yesterday. It made me think of the work we are doing on our condo in order to sell it. Our realtor tells us that now is the time to be aggressive. So we are "tweaking" and making improvements that we were putting off until a possible offer was made. After we've done all we can do it is really up to God to bring us the right person to buy this place.

This quote shows that it is up to us to do all we can before we expect God to take over. We have our part and God has his. It is at the same time wonderful and terrifying that God gives allows us part of the responsibility for the outcome of our own lives. I guess this is what is called free will.

I'm so Proud

Today my 13 year old son was enrolled in the brown scapular. He took the initiative to ask Father before mass if he would enroll him. I did not know he was going to do this. He was watching a Mother Angelica Episode about the brown scapular. I think this is what got him excited about it.

Four Weeks Old

My new born son EA is 4 weeks old today. He was born July 3.

Inner Peace

I was reading a book specifically about inner peace. Inner peace allows Jesus to work through you. The illustration of the sun reflecting on the water was used. The sun is much better reflected off of calm waters than it is off of rough waters. God is the sun and the water is our soul.