She is home!

Ok, not quite. She has landed safely at LAX. She said that Saturday, July 26, 2008 is a day she is going to remember for a long time. She saw the sun come up twice today. Once in Sydney and once over the Pacific Ocean.

She also arrived before she left. Her flight left Sydney at 1:25pm. She landed at LAX at 1pm.

I am so glad that she is home. I can't wait to hear about her experiences at World Youth Day and at the sightseeing that she was able to do.

Praise God that she was able to make the pilgrimage and that she returned home safely.

Last day of my vacation

Today is the last day of my vacation.

We went on vacation July 10-16. It wasn't a vacation for me. When you are in a hotel, it seems like keeping track of everything for everyone gets that much harder. I am not sure why. You are in a more confined space. Then, moving on to Grandma and Grandpa's house, you have the same thing as with a hotel, but there are different rules that our family is not used to.

So, Jessica and Deanna left for camp on July 20th. Theresa is still in Australia having been to World Youth Day. There are three children left at home. We have been having a very relaxed week. We have gone swimming, cleaned out the girls' closet, taken evening walks, and went to a Rosary BBQ for fellowship and prayer, and some bouncing (in the bounce house).

The dance studio is closed this week for a dance convention.

Today all that is on my list of things to do, besides cooking, is laundry. I think that we will take a swim later in the afternoon and then after dinner, it will be time for another walk.

Theresa's plane arrives tomorrow afternoon. I have no idea how long going through customs will take. I don't expect her until dinnertime. Then Sunday morning we go to pick up Jessica and Deanna.

I am enjoying the quiet and my vacation. By Sunday everyone will be home and the house will be full and noisy again.

The Simple Woman 7/21/08

July 21, 2008

Outside My Window...I just watched the garbage man pick up the garbage with my little guy. He was a little concerned when the recycle cans weren't picked up. I told him that a different guy would come around and get those.

I am thinking...of the things that I want to accomplish this week, there are quite a few.

I am thankful for...The Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Daughters #2 and 3 are up at camp this week. It is the same girls camp that I went to as a young girl and teenager.

From the kitchen...I have hard boiled eggs cooking.

I am wearing...still in my jammies. :)

I am creating...still working on my home journal.

I am going...nowhere this week. It is wonderful to think about. We were on vacation for two weeks and then we took two daughters to camp yesterday. The dance studio is closed for the week, so no one has to be anywhere. We are just going to enjoy being at home this week. I will make a run to the farmers market on Thursday.

I am reading...Surrender by Carmen Marcoux.

I am hoping...That I hear from daughter #1 who is still in Syndey after making a pilgrimage to World Youth Day.

I am hearing...I can hear my little guy watching Cars. It is summertime and his sisters are still sleeping. And, actually that is a good thing. On vacation their sleep patterns were horrible. They really need the sleep

Around the house...are blissfully quiet.

One of my favorite things...a nice cup of coffee in the morning.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Clean out girls' closet, register daughter #2 with Seton Home Study School, clean the floor of the soapy residue from when hubby "cleaned" the floors (I use a steam mop and he decided not to use it), straighten up office.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...(add your picture here)

This is my little guy (or my big strong boy) yucking it up for his sisters. He discovered a new trick a couple of weeks ago. He can get his foot into the seam in the sofa and get up on his head. As you can see this delighted his sister.

FOR TODAY July 7, 2008

Outside My Window...I can see shadows of late afternoon clouds on the mountains.

I am thinking...that I will miss my oldest while she is in Australia for World Youth Day.

I am thankful for...my children. I am constantly amazed at the gifts God has bestowed upon them. Lefty-big-eye plays the piano very well. Greg had her first singing lesson today. She has great pitch.

From the kitchen...I can hear George chanting a chant from Finding Nemo.

I am wearing...a chocolate brown t-shirt, denim capris, and borrowed flip flops from George.

I am creating...a home management journal.

I am going...to the high Sierra in a few days. It will be good to meet some of my husband's aunts and uncles...finally. We have been married for twenty years and there will still be some that I haven't met, even after the reunion

I am reading...a sweet Christian novel. Nice light reading.

I am hoping...that the World Youth Day trip is safe for all the youth gathering in Sydney and that the youth who are gathering have their hearts open to the Holy Spirit and that they heed His call.

I am hearing...my son digging around in a shopping bag that he should not be in.

Around the house...the kids are chatting. GM is trying to convince his sisters of something or other.

One of my favorite things...my new amethyst bracelet that Steve bought for me on our anniversary trip to La Jolla.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Help the girls work on some unfinished school work. I need to pack for myself and for the four youngest for the mountain trip.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

. My girls and I decided to go to Laura Ingraham's book signing earlier this year. I think it was during Spring Break. Laura made sure to say hello to each girl. She was amazed that I had five daughters. That earned us a photo on her website.

Taken from July 2008 Real Simple. Their question of the month is:

What are the top three things on your lifelong to-do list?

1) Learn to scuba

2) Move out of state to a large acreage of land. Live off of it and share the bounty of it with others. Like raising buffalo and/or chicken. It used to be beef, until I found out that buffalo is actually better for you.

3) Travel the world. I have a couple of places that I would love to visit.

Simple Woman, June 16, 2008

FOR TODAY June 16, 2008

Outside My Window...my oldest daughter's Honda is parked under the fruitless mulberry tree and high clouds that is making the heat humid.
I am thinking...that it is very good that God allowed air conditioning to be invented.
I am thankful for...a wonderful graduation for my oldest and that this last weekend was a wonderful weekend filled with fun, friends and family.
From the kitchen...I can hear my oldest daughter doing dishes and the little ones asking her for a snack. No dinner cooking. We have left overs from the party.
I am wearing...denim capris and a cute cap sleeved shirt, bare feet.
I am creating...a space to sew and scrapbook.
I am going...to be celebrating my 20th anniversary in nine days
I am reading...A Nun's Story, The Samurai Garden and Splendor in the Ordinary
I am hoping...to have my decisions about homeschooling done by this Saturday.
I am hearing...quiet.
Around the house...it is still. Since the summer weather has started, we have quiet time from 1p-4pm. No going outside unless we need to. It is just too hot. We rest and then swim and have a late dinner.
One of my favorite things...is seeing my daughters recently pedicured toes courtesy of a favorite uncle over the weekend.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:make a couple of doctor's appointments, finish up the homeschool paperwork, finish up my master book for the house.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The cat caught a baby bunny a couple of weeks ago. The daughter wearing the green shirt was very sad that we were not going to keep the bunny as a pet. It lives in the neighbor's front yard and that is close enough.

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY June 3, 2008

Outside My Window...The mulberry tree is swaying in the wind.
I am thinking...that I love listening to my children having fun.
I am thankful for...our new home.
From the kitchen...I can smell the burritos that we are going to have for lunch
I am wearing...a pink t-shirt, blue jeans and bare feet

I am creating...a new post for my blog
I am going...to run errands as soon as the older girls get home.
I am reading...an article about family camping.
I am hoping...that my four year old will take a nap today.
I am hearing...little feet run down the hallway
Around the house...things are quiet and calm.
One of my favorite things...bare feet
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: painting my daughter's bathroom
Here is picture thought I am sharing...