Daybook -- First Day of School Edition

FOR TODAY August 31, 2009
Outside my window...
Right now, it is dark. This is the evening edition of my "daybook":) It was a lovely sunny day with temps in the 70's to low 80's...perfect, in my book!
I am thinking...
about my friends who are undergoing medical issues, and another friend who is leaving the area for good:(

I am thankful for...
my faith, my family, life itself

From the learning rooms...
It was our first day of school!! We hit some glitches (Teaching Textbooks needed to be reinstalled) but had a decent day. I am realizing that I need to capitalize on my sons' enthusiasm and make the first day of school something special each year...either with paper cones (from Cay?), a special breakfast or lunch, or a fun activity. After 15 years at this homeschooling gig, I still have my own lessons to learn!!

From the kitchen...
It was grilled chicken, broccoli and garlic and olive oil noodles for dinner. Tomorrow night will be quick and easy since we have a soccer game to attend! (Fierce rivalry...should be a good one!)

I am creating...
stronger muscles through my new exercise program appropriately named, "Clearing the land for our new house." Catchy title, doncha think?

I am going...
To bed really soon. I'm tired!

I am reading...
Lord of the Rings with my high schooler, You Can Become a Saint with my high schooler and not much else!

I am hoping...
To get the boys' room cleaned and packed...soon, very soon

I am hearing...
gentle snoring coming from the boys' room and not-so-gentle snoring coming from my room!

Around the house...
Boxes...lots!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Two soccer games, more tree cutting, more schooling, insurance meeting

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Finally, a picture of the whole family including hubby and me.
Some friends have been asking for it...you know who you are!

Visit Peggy for more daybooks.

7 Quick Takes -- End of Summer Edition

1
Wow, is my life in a different place than it was last year at this time! A year ago, I was in the throes of organizing and planning for a homeschool co-op with 10 families. I was the "reluctant leader" since I was the one with the big mouth who made that first phone call. It was a good experience and much good came from it. Unfortunately, or fortunately, however you look at it, I am unable to participate this year since I am busy building a house...not all by myself, mind you, but we are putting a lot of time and energy into the process. I could never have guessed last year at this time the changes that we would be experiencing this year!! God has his own plans that he does not give advance warning of!! I am strictly on a "need-to-know" basis with Him--he lets me know the plan when I need to know, and not a minute before!! That's OK, He's the Boss and I trust him.

2.
I have spent 3 mornings (and into the afternoon) this week making phone calls and doing paperwork for the house. Ugh! I know it has to be done, but it still leaves me feeling very unsatisfied...like I haven't accomplished much, when the dishes and laundry go undone. BUT, I finally got our new address, figured out who our new electric company is going to be (there was confusion--we even sent a deposit to the wrong company!), arranged for the correct electric company to meet us at the property, placed a work order with the phone company for a new pole, got the septic system approved by the selectmen, received the driveway permit approval, filled out the building permit and a real estate questionnaire required by the state, and completed a few other household tasks. Phew! Cutting trees is almost easier than this stuff.

3.
No, that's ridiculous! Cutting trees is much harder than the paperwork!! But it is more rewarding, since you can actually see your progress. But, it is hard, sweaty, dirty work, and it makes me hurt...and tired...so tired. I count it as grace, though. We are blessed with this beautiful land, and this type of physical work is very good for me. I am hoping it will be the start of a whole new me! Plus, we are all sleeping very well!

4.
The nice man at the deli asked me yesterday if I was glad the kids were back in school. So did just about everyone I met at the grocery store. When I replied that we homeschool, I normally got a response something like, "Oh, you don't get a break, do you?" I tried to be positive and cheerful and send the message that I don't feel I need a break from my kids, that I enjoy being around them. I'm not sure how successful I was. I was more concerned with the message my kids were receiving, as all these comments were made right in front of them! Do people really think children don't feel the sting of these words?

5.
We start school Monday, the first time I have ever started before Labor Day (since I am pretty sure we will be taking some weeks off this fall to move) and my kids are excited! Well, the younger ones, anyway. My almost 17 year old son started a couple of classes at the local high school yesterday. He's not as thrilled:)

6.
The weather has cooled off and I am so happy. It is still warm and beautiful, but not humid. I like it!

7.
We miss our College girl, but she is having a great time back at Franciscan University, so I'll try not to fret too much. I am hoping she reads my blog and sees this and at least sends me an email!! Love you, sweetie!

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What a day!

What an experience today was! We spent a good share of the day at our land cutting trees. Hmmmm, mud, sweat (lots!), blood (a little), bugs and trees (lots)....who would've thought these could be the ingredients for such a wonderful day. Well, I didn't mention the family, and that is the most important ingredient of all.
First, working with my husband on our land, to prepare it for our new house....that is a pretty special feeling. My husband is an excavating contractor. Working with the land, preparing it for building, utilities, septic, etc...that's what he does...and he's good at it (if I do say so myself!) It was very sweet working side by side with him doing what he does best. Watching him in his element, toiling for our family was priceless.
I loved watching our sons working with their dad and grandfathers. If I turned quickly or caught them out of the corner of my eye, I had a hard time distinguishing my oldest son from his father and Scott's dad! They all have the same curve to their shoulders and arms and they move and carry themselves similarly. Our middle son was so cute. He was excited to have his own pair of work gloves and did an excellent job picking up brush and logs. I have to say I got a lump in my throat watching him help carry a log with a grandpa on each end. OK, so I'm a sap (pun intended:)
Scott and I were both very moved by the fact that both our fathers volunteered to help, and seemed quite adamant and even eager to do so!! It is hard, back-breaking work, but they strained and sweated right alongside us, and it was very meaningful and so much appreciated by Scott and me. "How do I love thee, let me count the trees...."
We love you, too, Bubba S. and Bubba T.!!
We made quite a bit of progress. You will notice in the pix a big open space where the excavator is sitting. That was all trees this morning! I always feel closer to God when I am working in nature, whether gardening or hiking or cutting trees. God is magnificent in his creation, and He has blessed us abundantly, not only with the opportunity to build a house on this beautiful land, but with loving family willing to labor to help us get there.

And So It Begins...

Even though it was almost the hottest day of the year, yesterday afternoon, my dear hubby decided to head over to our new land and begin cutting trees. God bless him! He opened up the beginning of the driveway and it is much easier to picture how it will curve up and around to where the house will be. I hope to keep a photo journal of the progress of the building of our new house. Here are some pics.

Daybook - Hottest day of the year edition

FOR TODAY August 17, 2009

Outside my window...
It is hazy and foggy. The weatherman said on the news last night that tomorrow is going to be the hottest day of the year. After all the cool weather and rain, we are now having a heat wave. Hazy, hot and humid until Thursday. It was a HHH weekend also. Thank goodness for generous friends with pools they are willing to share with the hot, sweaty masses!
I am thinking...
How much I miss college girl already, and how different my schedule and days are going to be without her. She and hubby and our oldest son left Saturday morning to bring her back to Franciscan University. This is her junior year. It doesn't get easier. I don't worry about her so much anymore, but the missing is the same...she leaves a hole in our hearts and our lives.
I am thankful for...
A College girl who is thriving and blossoming and becoming the delightful young lady Our Lord created her to be
For the safe return of my husband and son from Ohio
For the successful purchase of the land and the opportunity to build a house this fall--oh, it will be nice to be homeowners again. Renting, even temporarily, is weird when you are used to owning.
Generous friends who welcome my children and me into their pools in hot, sticky weather.
For another friend who called to invite my children and me to go swimming at her house, and greeted me with a margarita!
From the learning rooms...
We are all set and ready to go! I mentioned my joy at finishing up the portfolios. The lesson plans are complete, books purchased (not all received yet), supplies organized and replenished (due to a Staples run with College girl on Friday evening). We are all set! We will begin school on August 31....two weeks....
From the kitchen...
Need to do some serious grocery shopping today...not much is coming from the kitchen until then! But who wants to eat in this heat?! I wonder what folks in the south eat in the hot summers? I could use some new recipes.
I am creating...
Order from chaos. My goal is to clean, organize and pack certain areas of the house (I have a list!) every day for the next two weeks until school starts. College girl's stuff is all packed. When we were packing her room for college, I packed everything else up for the move, so she's all done! Once school starts, I want to keep working a couple of hours each weekend on the cleaning, purging and packing detail, so that when the time comes to move, the load will be lightened a bit. Especially because I am going to have to be painting and working on the house in the meantime.
I am going...
Swimming with the kids this afternoon (after the abovementioned cleaning and packing project, ummm and the grocery shopping...I'd better get moving!)
I am reading...
Not much right now except my teenage son's school books, home decorating catalogs and a few blogs.
I am hoping...
For an enriching and grace-filled school year for all of my children, homeschooled or college.
I am hearing...
Hubby getting ready for work. I am also thankful for a hardworking husband who keeps plugging on whether it is the hottest day of the year or the coldest.
Around the house...
All is quiet, and smelly....a skunk sprayed outside last night. The dog got caught in the crossfire, not a direct hit, but she still got an impromptu bath on the back porch at 9:30pm.
One of my favorite things...
Watching my children blossom. My 10 year old had his soccer jamboree championship on Friday evening. His skills have improved so much! He truly dominated the games with 9 goals on the night (out of 13 total for the team) and some beautiful passes and assists. He received many comments from other parents and spectators. Even big brother's varsity coach wanted to sign him up:) and offered him big brother's spot as striker!:) (Just a little fuel for the sibling rivalries--thanks coach!) This is the boy who only started playing the game 2 years ago, and spent most of his first ever game crying in the car!!! I used to worry if he, with his "intense" personality, would be able to function in organized sports or group settings. Silly me. He works hard at this sport he loves and it has given him confidence and discipline. I am so proud of him!
Oh, his team won the championship, btw!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Cleaning, packing, purging and swimming

Sweet successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. Click on the image above to visit Faith and Family Live! for more Small Successes.

1.
I must list this as my number 1 success this week. It is not a small success, either...I've been working on it for so long. And, I did sleep well last night and woke up with such a satisfied feeling, knowing that that portfolio is complete.

2.
I have kept up with the laundry for a couple of weeks now...ever since my big trip to the laundromat to catch up and give my poor old machines a needed break. I love the look of empty hampers. And not having to hear, "Mom (or worse "Honey"), I can't find....." or "Did you wash....." or " I need clean...." shudder

3.
The local Catholic school is changing hands, and they have purged the old library. The books they decided they didn't want to keep were up for grabs. Our pastor decided to invite homeschoolers to come and take their pick!!! Free books!! Yeah I was there, bright and early. There were several classics I was thrilled to pick up, plus some early reader books. I also nabbed 3 area rugs they were discarding (in good shape, only needing cleaning)!!! I will use them in the basement of our new house! Woo hoo!

Phew!!

I will sleep well tonight! I have just completed the portfolios for all three boys!! The 1st and 4th graders were a snap--probably 20 minutes each. BUT, my 11th grader's portfolio was SO MUCH MORE COMPLEX (high school always is)!! It took me days to complete all the paperwork. I only need 2 signatures, 1 certificate and then I will bring it to the dear, dear ladies at the UPS store to photocopy (so glad I don't have to do this) and mail out. Oh, how happy I am!! I could sing and dance, but I think I'll just go to bed....ah, peaceful slumber. Good night!