The Night before Advent starts

Actually, I only have six minutes until the start of Advent. :)

I love this time of year. I love preparing my home and myself to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

My darling husband said to me on Thanksgiving night after we had dinner, but before dessert, "Let's put the Christmas tree up tomorrow." You could have pushed me off the sofa. I grew up not putting the tree up until about half way through December. I should ask my mom why. It could be because a live tree would never last from the beginning of Advent until after Christmas.

We will be putting up our artificial tree this year. We are trying to watch how much we spend. And, with an artificial tree, I can have it up from the first day of Advent until the feast of the Epiphany (Jan 6th, Twelveth Night). Sometimes I even wait until we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord (second Sunday of Jan).

A friend of mine put it to me this way, "I want to get as much Christmas as I can." I think that is a fabulous way to put it. Thanks Lisa.

40 Days for Life

Today is the start of 40 Days for Life. http://www.40daysforlife.com/splash.cfm

The last day will be All Saints Day. It is a rather fitting day.

Please remember to pray for the victims of abortion, the babies, mommies and the daddies.

Homeschool Open house

We homeschool. Two words, but it says so much.

I have been married to a great guy for just over 21 years. We have six children: five girls ages 19, 15, 9, 8, and 6; and one little guy who is four.

We homeschooled our 15 year old daughter when she was in fifth grade. She went back to school in the sixth grade. Our three youngest girls have always been at home. Their big sister came home last year.

We use a classical cirriculum. Well, at least this year we do. We are enjoying the switch. We are not doing it on our own, we are enrolled with Mother of Divine Grace.

Officially our school room is the office. However, most days you can find us at the table doing our schooling.

We have a general schedule for the day, but it seems like it always subject to change. We start out with math and faith. I start with the 8 and 9 year olds. I am usually able to go back and forth with the two of them pretty easily. I school the 6 year old by herself. It works out well.

I do have two things that I just haven't figured out yet. What should I do with the four year old when I am schooling. He likes to color at the table with us, but he has two volumes, loud and sleeping. LOL And, our six year old may or may not be motivated to do schooling.

href="http://thehomeschoollounge.com/">

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY August 31, 2099...

Outside my window...it is smokey and raining ash. There is an extremely large
(85,000 acres was the official count two hours ago) in the Los Angeles area. We are on the north side of the mountains that are burning and the smoke has made it to Nevada already.

I am thinking...that the pasta salad I made for lunch is going to be yummy.

I am thankful for...that my brother in law only has an infection and not diverticulosis.

From the learning rooms...today is a family day. We might do a little math and science later. Definately will be doing some faith sharing/learning.

From the kitchen...things are quiet. Just waiting for my hubby to come in so we can dig into above mentioned pasta salad.

I am wearing...my pink t-shirt and my blue skirt.

I am creating...backstage directions for the recital.

I am going...to help some friends move on Monday.

I am reading...Down to the Bonny Glen.

I am hoping...that my oldest daughter is able to find a job.

I am hearing...the kids playing nicely together and my D practicing her piano lessons.

Around the house...things are quiet.

One of my favorite things...a nice clean studio.

A few plans for the rest of the week:dance classes for the kids, piano lessons, moving, maybe painting a room, homeschool.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...This is a photo of my mom pinning a corsage on her youngest sister at her oldest daughter's wedding. I got a little teary eyed while I was watching this. I couldn't help but think that it should have been my grandmother taking care of that. She died 7.5 years ago. But, my auntie was so sweet. She said it was great to have her godmother do the honors.

Uppercase Living Give Away

Darcy at http://www.my3boybarians.com is offering a chance to win $35 towards a purchase at Uppercase Living.

Here is the link to the thread. http://www.my3boybarians.com/2009/08/give-away-even-i-can-look-crafty/comment-page-3/#comment-7021

She has a link to the catalog. Lots of neat stuff.

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY August 23, 2009

Outside my window...I am actually outside on my back patio. I can see my little guy playing wiht a pool noodle.

I am thinking...that summer is coming to an end.

I am thankful for...our pool.

From the learning rooms...is coming along. I have a vision for what I would like it to look like.

From the kitchen...it is quiet. Dinner is marinading. Dishes are done for now.

I am wearing...skirt with a brown -shirt with kanji on it.

I am creating...a Simple Woman blogspot, something I haven't done in quiet a while and I have missed doing.

I am going...grocery and other supply shopping tonight.

I am reading...school syllabi.

I am hoping...that

I am hearing...Daughters #3 and 5 playing in the pool.

Around the house...the school books are put away. Some furniture has been moved around.

One of my favorite things...flip flops.

A few plans for the rest of the week: school, first 4H meeting of the new school year, dance rehersals.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A Perfect Mess

ABCmomof3 has an opportunity to win a copy of A Perfect Mess at her blog, The Ladybug Chronicles.

I love what she has to say about the book. She even has an interview with the author at her site.

http://ladybug-chronicles.blogspot.com/2009/07/perfect-mess-by-lisa-harper-blog-tour.html