Lord, That I May See

She choses it by herself, carries it to the table, and even climbs into the chair on her own. I'm so proud of her!

A mother's life is made of many seasons -- big and little. Some are more pronounced -- a season of pregnancy, or a new baby, for example. Others are less obvious to the world outside one's little home, but there can still be an upheaval in the rhythm of living when one stage of a child's little life, and thus his mother's as well, ends and another begins. Just when the mother thinks that she has finally become accustomed to and comfortable with the stage that her family is in, things change -- sometimes gradually, but often suddenly -- and a whole new family rhythm is born full of different challenges and different joys. A few weeks ago, Rosebud quit her morning nap. A simple thing, right? Something all babies do eventually. She's growing and needs less sleep and more exploring time. But what a change for us! The first day that I didn't lay her down in the morning was rough. The morning dragged on and on as girls squabbled and fought and cried over every toy, th...

Am I the only one who's never heard of this wonderful man? http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ I'm taking a lesson from him today!

Music turned out to be sort of the theme of Rosebud's Christmas presents from Mommy and Daddy this year. So now, she and Turtle have a "basket of music" on their work shelves! I had originally wanted to get this set, ( http://www.atoygarden.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1396 ) but decided against it as it was pricey and probably not all the instruments were appropriate for a 12 month old. (Rosebud is not quite reliably past the age where everything goes in her mouth.) The wooden drum I got for $18 from Montessori Services ( http://www.montessoriservices.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=101_160_4141&zenid=ad49d35519e77553f5f633b04f70c601 ). It is already missing one of its drumsticks unfortunately, but it is Turtle's favorite. She likes to play it and sing Little Drummer Boy. The jingle bells were $4 at Pier One in the stocking stuffer area -- where I made a special trip to get them after I saw them and loved them at a frien...

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/ FOR TODAY: January 19th 2009 Outside My Window . . . No snow. Not even any snow clouds. Just sunshine. :( I am thinking . . . of this: I want some snow and I miss my home. I am thankful for . . . hot tea on cold days and this long time, dear, generous friend: http://bpnnpt.blogspot.com/ From the kitchen . . . For dinner? I have no idea. I had reheated tomato soup and toast for lunch. The soup's from a carton. It's Monday, people. I am wearing . . . a purple shirt, pinstriped jeans and slippers I am creating . . . the apron I talked about a WAY long time ago, here: http://thegreatestgiftsofgod.blogspot.com/2008/08/simple-womans-daybook-august-19.html is almost finished finally! It just needs two more seams and a red bow. I am going . . . to go to Mass tomorrow and pray for our beautiful country. I am reading . . . Throne of the World, by Louis de Wohl. It is about Attila the Hun and Pope Leo the Great. I these kind of books! (history maj...

Pomegranate Salad Right before Christmas, we splurged and bought five pomegranates. Everyone in the family loves them, except Daddy. Today we ate the last of them. This salad was amazing. All that was missing was some feta cheese. Mmmm.

This morning, I ate my eggs when they were hot. Oh, happy day!

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/ FOR TODAY January 13th 2009 Outside My Window... white stretched cotton candy clouds with soft feathers of blue in between I am thinking... of how I need to brave the cold and get the girls outside today. We didn't go out yesterday because Mommy's a wimp in the cold, but the girls, especially Rosebud, really miss and need it when we don't. I am thankful for... weeks where my husband works from home -- especially when the week includes an overflowing washing machine and a flooded laundry room. :) From the kitchen... sourdough pancakes and vension breakfast sausage! I am wearing... slippers, jeans, a black shirt and a gray sweater -- my new favorite sweater. :) I have to wear sweaters every day during the wintertime or I'm just too cold I am creating... or have created, really . . . I just finished the second of these curtains for the girl's room last week -- after 7 months of living here. Aren't they cute? I am going.....

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/ FOR TODAY January 6th 2009 Outside My Window... bare gray branches against a gray, gray sky. It has been raining all last night. I am thinking... of new schedules, new goals for a new year I am thankful for... cosy evenings under a down blanket on the couch with my best friend, watching a movie, eating dinner, or best of all, just talking in the glow of the Christmas tree From the kitchen... there are still TONS of Christmas cookies left over -- snickerdoodles, ginger snaps, chocolate chip walnut cookies, pumpkin cookies . . . . Oh my goodness. I think I'm going to throw some away! I am wearing... gray sweatpants, a tee-shirt from our honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains and slippers. I am creating... plans to organize my hall closet-- it's a wreck right now. I am going... to make Mother's Rule of Life ( http://www.mothersruleoflife.com/ ) for myself this year. I have been trying to find the time and the motiv...

Driving at home, on open, winding country roads, I hear a voice from the back of the car: "Look, Mommy, there's no people driving in our way!" Boy, do I miss that!

I have been thinking about the old year and the new one these last days -- who hasn't? There are the following reflection questions on 2008 at http://simplemom.net/new-years-eve-questions/ (H.T. http://epiphanysprings.blogspot.com/ ) that made me think. I shortened it a little and here are my thoughts on the old year. Reflection Questions for 2008 1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? Rosebud. Yes, she was technically born in 2007, but other than that first hour, she's been our big 2008 happiness. She's a darling and makes me happy every day. 2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened? Our move from the country to the city. 3. What was an unexpected joy this past year? Turtle being able to attend the Atrium. This is a constant source of joy to me. 4. What was an unexpected obstacle? A deep personal suffering that my parents and other members of my family were given this year. It has been, however, a beautiful thing to see the han...