Daybook ~ Tuesday morning

Outside my window...the sun is shining hot and the humidity gives a misty glow. Birds are a little quieter today, and my dog just wanted to come in a lay down instead of going for a walk.

I am thinking...that I need to take it easy on myself. There are so many things that I would like to have accomplished and yet as I look around and see crumbs, piles of paper, and yes, laundry, I have to remember how important it is to take care of those things as well. If I take care of them first, I will have more peace about doing the things that I want to do. If only it didn’t take so much CONSTANT energy…. I am thankful for... naptimes…I am able to get in some writing, bathroom cleaning, laundry, and just…breathe for a moment until the craziness fun starts again.
From the learning rooms… Joe and I are reading Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is based on the historical account of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1973. As I read, he tells me the words that he doesn’t know, and we write them down to look up. In the meantime, he narrates back to me what we have read and talk about any questions that he has. (Also, he is still taking practice Virginia S.O.L. tests on the computer.)
From the kitchen... SIGH.  I have joined Weight Watchers and am learning how to tweak my favorite recipes. Luckily, it is summer, so there are a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from. Today I will make a brown rice and black bean salad with lots of cilantro and garlic.
I am wearing... linen pants that I bought in Moab, Utah years ago and a royal blue polo. On top of my head are sunglasses that are attempting to hold back the crazy curls…
I am creating... a mess as I go through the boys’ clothes and switch out things for summer. Max is only 10 months and is already wearing 18 month clothes b/c he is so long.
I am going...to my last book club meeting at church tonight. We have finished up our book (The Faith Club) and will have a lovely Muslim woman join us to talk about faith, family, and culture.
I am reading...  For next year: homeschooling magazines, homeschooling blogs, homeschooling groups on Yahoo…. For fun:The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton … For inspiration: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. (by the way, this is a book that is meant to be ingested slowly, savored, and allowed to grow in your soul. Pure loveliness.)

I am hoping... that the bees have pollinated the flowers and vegetables in the garden. I hear that there is a shortage of them this year…
I am hearing... the classical music from the monitor in Max’s room as well as the whirring of the ceiling fan where I am sitting
In the garden… I am seeing lots of growth! Daisies, cosmos, and Black-eyed Susan's are showing their sweet faces. The male zucchini blossoms have fallen off and I am waiting for the female fruits to swell… Several of the tomato plants have fruits and I am still marveling at the “Topsy-Turvy Tomato Planter”. It really is pretty neat.

Around the house... toys are scattered, laundry is waiting to be folded, but there is peace and comfort as well.
One of my favorite things...phone calls from Tom in the middle of the day “just because”.
A few plans for the rest of the week:  Thursday, Tom and I are hoping to go to the Virginia Holocaust Museum to see the exhibit about dear Pope John Paul II. Then, we head to the home school convention for some much needed encouragement and information. Hopefully, I will make it to the Catholic home school convention in D.C. as well.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Tom and I went to Hot Springs last Memorial Day, when I was pregnant with Max. I just love the greenery against the spray of water....

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