Lent

So--tomorrow John and I will not be eating much. I have a good book to read as part of my lent ("Holiness for Housewives"), and by the end of the day tomorrow we will have a nice big poster board with all the days leading to Easter, and a jar to fill with beans for each sacrifice and good deed.

That means it's time to sign off of the blog (and Facebook) for the next 40 days.
Leave a comment if this makes you sad--cause it'll make me happy--if you know what I mean. . .

Have a blessed season of preparation!

Buttprints in the Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some strange prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord, they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you along.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know,
So I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
Or leave their butt prints in the sand."

-- author unknown

News Flash!

This just in: The Eddyblouin family is joining the rest of the State, and having February Vacation. Much rejoicing was to be seen, and heard, through tout the house. The requirement of math and Latin computer programs for 15 minutes a day for the three scholars was quickly arranged.

Busy Happy Day

Today I home schooled while doing computer work. While at the Library waiting for the new tire to be put on (nothing is more impressive to random library go-ers than a 7 year old studying Latin. . .). While driving to the Orthodontist. In the waiting room. On the way to Basket Ball practice. At the basketball practice (nothing is more impressive to a 7th grader than a 4th grader studying Latin. . .).
Then we were done--and on our way to rehearsal.

On the way up I REALLY needed a break from the Boxcar children CD--so we sang:
Thank you Lord for giving us _____. X3
Right where we are.
Alleluia, Praise the Lord. X3
Right where we are.

We went from oldest to youngest to fill the blank. I loved how we got a peek into each others thoughts and dreams through our choices.
Mine was "warmth"--it was almost 50 degrees today, sunny, then rainy later. I will always love warm rain. It reminds me of Oregon.

MC chose "teeth". She has hers back after 2 years imprisoned in braces.

Thalia chose "babies" both for her love of Arveragus, babies in general, and her prayer for a little sister. (That's up to God, not me!)

JH chose "science"--intellectual little guy. Always talking, asking questions I can't answer, and memorizing his multiplication tables faster than Thalia!

Thaddeus chose "planes" because he's a 4 year old boy and loves anything that goes.

Arveragus chose (with a bit of prompting) "nu-nu's" because he is having a language explosion, and everyone knows a 21 month old going through big developmental changes needs to nurse like a newborn, right?

Good choices, all.

Christmas Sweaters

Babci made these lovely sweaters for the boys. Sure hard to get all three in one place at the same time without them causing bodily injury! Sweet boys!

6 things are easier than 25

6 Things you may not know about me:
1. I'm not naturally organized, but I use a careful, strict, homeschooling plan with the children, so I can have the comfort of checking off the things they need to do.

2. I hate Jigsaw puzzles. My poor sister-in-law made us a nice puzzle saving roll of felt with a really hard puzzle several years ago. I wanted to throw-up when John started it. It collected dust for 4 years until I finally snuck it out of the house.

3. I have no siblings with whom I share 2 parents by blood.

4. Maybe I'm trying to make up for this by having as many children as possible who have the same parents, and a stable family life.

5. I get very upset if someone tries to play a game, any game, without following the rules. I'll get very quiet, non-responsive, and walk away. So if you ever want me to shut-up, you know what to do.

6. I have a devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Meditating on them gives me strength and comfort.

Harmony

Courtenay

Brooke

Lisa

Darcy who tagged me
but she doesn't count I guess

Melanie

and Jennifer

One of those days

On a day like today my most descriptive phrase is "my own personal hell." It is the kind of day when all of the things that you love and cherish suddenly become the very things that are killing you and driving you CRAZY.
My List:
*fussy clinging demanding crying toddler.
*No coffee in the house
*screaming for what he wants 4 year old.
*Sibling rudeness, meanness, and general "I'm here to make your life miserable" sibling attitude.
*No dishes Fairy
*No coffee.
*Spousal miscommunication that leads to a field trip cut short, and disappointed Mom and children who don't really want to go back home just to find out they really didn't need to go back home after all.
*A sunny day when it really should be grey and overcast because of the family mood.
*Homeschooling.
*Did I mention I haven't had coffee--then didn't buy any in town because I had to rush home, but I really didn't have to rush home after all--so not only have we missed a fun afternoon with friends, I've missed my chance to have the Brown food group.

I love my husband, my children, my home, and homeschooling. I just wish they would all go away for just a little while. That's not terrible is it?

I'll offer it up--the pain of sanctity--ugg! Let's hope I'm sanctified as I try to
#Do lessons with the children.
#Wash the dishes.
#Do something fun after lessons, like go to the library.
#not take a nap cause I know I'll be all grumpy when I wake-up.
#Maybe buy myself a coffee when we go to the library.
#Take a walk in the sunshine, even if I want to curse the sun for being so cheerful.

Who knew a happy person could have days like these! Pray for me!

UPDATE: Finishing lessons, playing outside, a big can of coffee, and visiting with Sondra = salvaged day.

Feast of the Presentation

I love this day! I love Simeon, and wise old Anna. I love six week old baby Jesus!

Inspiration

We all enjoyed this so much. Want to find a way to show my first Communion class. Now I need to find one about Monks!

Checking on the Baby

Everyone should go look at Weggie's blog, just to see what he's up to.