The Grace is there.

What a week.  I never knew I could be spread so thin yet never leave the walls of this house.  I want to be clear though, I am not complaining.  This first week of homeschooling was a lovely learning experience.  I learned about my children and tons about myself.  And hey, guess what-  I Can Do It!  The weekend has never been so sweet though :)  I also have been wanting to go to bed with the children around 8pm for the first time ever... but that time alone with my sweet husband, after they are tucked in, is to valuable to miss.
  I am grateful to my little ones for being so patient with me.  I am a sinner, imperfect and selfish.  My family loves me in the way My Lord does, past my faults, even embracing the darn things. I am in love with this new life.  It has only begun and I suspect in a few months (or possibly days.) I will be more than ready for a vacation, but I felt like that when they were leaving everyday to be educated by others.   

 I go to a women's group once a month (well most of the time) it is associated with Opus Dei.  At the most recent one, my circle leader talked about "asking for the moon" when it comes to the saint's intersession.  Through God all things are possible.  So I have asked for the intersession of St Margret of Scotland, I want her to fly to the throne of God and tell him that I don't want to yell in my home anymore.  I don't want to be the big mouth scary lady that I can often be when my children  are disobedient.  I am laying it at the feet of Jesus and I know that his plans for me are for a hope and a future, and not for evil or woe (Jeremiah 29:11, our memory verse this week)
She also shared with us a little booklet called "Bright and Cheerful homes" which you can download for free.  I have only read a little, but the conviction of it all...the weight of what we as parents...as mothers are intrusted with is big...the most important.  Forming little people to be other Christs in this world, nothing more, nothing less.  Set aside your emotion and do it.  I set the tone during the day in these walls, it will be a place of peace, a soft place to land, a place where the boundaries are clearly set and are enforced with a smile and a strong sense of obligation on my part.  Short is my time with them... I am grateful for this tug from the Holy Spirit. (I am thankful for my husband and partner in this endeavor)

Dancing with Baby... I love what happens in this house when music is on :) <3

John 15:5

We start schooling Monday. 
I have been spending more time reading about and pondering all that this year may bring.  It is becoming clear that simplicity is the way that will best ease our family into this school year. I have meditated upon the Holy family and how simple and real their life was. I have asked our sweet Lord to pour that simplicity out onto my family.  This has helped me to be less complex in my thoughts, let go of reading into things people may do or say, to stop inserting myself into what others are saying.  I pray I can listen simply and respond plainly even with regards to interacting with my children while working on school work or correcting faults in them.  Watch and listen with plain eyes simply observing, then in a non-complex (with out over analyzing emotions) respond clearly.  (I apply this to my sweet husband too)

Baby Lily recently stopped napping well.  This sent me into a bit of a worry because I need that time with out my clingy little monkey to spend time, single minded,  on a child who may need some extra help with a lesson.  I downloaded The Baby Whisperer onto the Kindle.  I dove into all she had to say. Much of which centers around respect of your baby and their cues.  Paying attention to her so you can know how to direct their actions, sleepy cues lead to napping...  I have also learned, over these years now that I have 5 souls under my care, that not every word in any book will help you.  Just, (as my mom says) "glean from it what you can use and throw out the rest" :)  This book opened my eyes to the fact that I don't expect much of a schedule from myself so therefor I am not creating an environment where Lily knows what to expect next.  A baby needs a routine, and I know that this was just the good Lord saying once again "See, it all fits together"  homeschooling will put us all on a routine and baby Lily will thrive.

Catholic Heritage Curricula is what we have chosen to educate our littles with.  Oh how I love it.  All the stories and even the spelling and history are authenticity Catholic.  The lesson plans are direct and I know we will have success in this year.  I did observe that the 3rd grade reading is a bit advanced for Isaac so I chatted via email with their Mom's support and they helped me to adapt and get some supplemental stuff for him.  I love that there is not pressure to make him conform to the level 3. I can work with him where he is until he masters reading and then move on at his pace.  It really fills my heart with joy to attend to their needs in this way.

So starting Monday I am going to fight the good fight to wake up before the children and shower and pray and be ready for the day "Wake up before the chaos starts, so it won't"   St. Josemaria described the moment of waking as being a heroic moment, don't snooze,  get up- be strong...start your day with Jesus by your side. 
One of my confessors told me to talk to Mary during the day and ask her "Please keep my little boat from tipping over"  I have said this many times since. <3

Letter to a friend

The dicipline of keeping up my blog is a bit of a challenge here lately. 
I am excited to report that our school books come today and I can't wait!  I wrote a letter to a long lost friend from College this morning and I wanted to record it here so I could have it. It is a lovely account of my children's personalities through my eyes. :)

Hey Robin,
I was excited to get your reply, but alas this crazy life took over and I am just now getting time to properly reply. So to answer your questions...

I have 5 little ones the oldest is Grace, she is 10years old, she is the mother hen of the house.  She is sensitive and kind. She loves to help out  and is enamored with our youngest who is 7 months old. She has a strong sense of Modesty even beyond my own, honestly.  Grace has such a love for her daddy, some might say she is a Daddy's girl but her and I have such a special relationship I would be hard pressed to describe her that way :) She has a natural tendency toward the good.
Isaac is 7, He is a man of resources.  He collects items (usually hiding them in his bed because this is his only space that is truly his own) he is keenly aware of how much change is in his piggy bank and what could be purchased with it.  He is growing in responsibility and has such a place in his heart for me and my feelings.  Often asking if I am Ok through out the day or offering to lighten my load. His tendency toward good, though, is more of a struggle ;)
Noah is 6, oh my...Noah...where do I start. He is so sweet, such a heart for the concerns of others and so quick to accept correction and make amends.    He is very funny and quirky.  His obliviousness to what is going on around him, proves often times, to be a source of humor for our family.  He feels deeply. He Loves Everyone and talks to everyone.  He has a special innocent affinity for pretty teenage girls, which we think comes from our years of doing youth ministry..hehe
Jacob is 3.  He is my little rigid guy.  He has the way he likes things done and he gets quite agitated if things don't work out like he sees fit.  He is just at an age where he needs lots of extra attention and kind words for his world to stay on it's proper tilt.  He is my sweet teddy bear of a boy. He wears his heart on his sleeve.
Lily is 7 months and is the light of our home. What a happy smiley little girl! The children love her and she is my constant accessory :) always in my arms or I am wearing her in the baby carrier.  Grace is happy to have a sister.  I wish I could have recorded the moment Grace met Lily at the hospital.  Her reaction was priceless, I believe it was a squeal of sheer happiness that I heard.  
 My life is spent mostly in my home, it's hard to get out these days.  I have lots of supportive friends who have large families.  We are starting home schooling this year.  Catholic school, although wonderful, became too expensive with all these little people to educate.  I feel confident that we will have a wonderful year and leave all the details in God's hands.  Prayers on this subject are welcomed!!
My husband Chris Loves his job.  We have had such a journey through ministry to get to this place for him.  Life is good and our Marriage is my favorite thing about this life!
I enjoyed writing this very much.  I hope you enjoy reading all these details and they aren't too cumbersome.  I will love to hear more about you too!

Christ's peace,
Angie