The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, January 6, 2009

Outside my window..it is quiet and gray.

I am thinking...the wonder of my children as they enjoy their gifts from the Three Kings.

I am thankful for...life.

From the learning rooms..my littlest one wants to read the dictionary! Yay!

From the kitchen...breakfast is in full swing.

I am wearing...my jammies, an old workout shirt and extra extra large pink sleeping pants..soooo comfortable.

I am creating...a cooking class agenda.

I am going...to have some more coffee...yum.

I am reading...Salvation is From The Jews and The Diary of St. Faustina.

I am hoping...the sun comes out today.

I am hearing...my oldest has his tunes on already..Matt Maher at 8 am..wow!

Here is picture thought I am sharing: This time last year, we were taking in the sights as we prepared to say Goodbye to the DC area. If you have never been inside the White House, plan it! It's an awesome trip....

You can participate Here.

Of Pronouns and Surface Area

Whew! I thought at one point I was at a ballon fest..all the hot air that was being blown through pursed lips today. That was just during Math! Oh..vacations..they can wreak havoc on an overachiever who realized he forgot the formula for surface area. English presented it's own defense and almost won! I believe they have finally learned the meaning of the word "review."

The best part of my day..my oldest says to me "I need to study." That's it. But those are the sweetest words I have ever heard come out of that boy. I felt like Sally Field..."He get's it! He really get's it!"

All is well..we are on the way to scouts for an Epiphany party. One of the scouts arranged for a blessing on the scout house. Let me tell you, they really need an exterminator (do not look behind the shower curtain!) but perhaps Father will be able to banish those critters with his blessing. :)

I just got asked to teach a cooking class for middle/high school at the homeschool group we are part of. I'm game. Just have to have an agenda by Wednesday. Yes. This Wednesday. So I will be a busy girl tonight and tomorrow. Any suggestions? Help!

So, one down and only 115 more days to go! Then we can heave a big sigh and go jump in the pool every single day!

UPDATE: Thanks for the ideas Mau! I was thinking the same thing. The class will be 5th graders and up so I will be able to talk on a more adult level. Thanks for your help!

David Bowman Prints

UPDATE:Free Print offer has ended.

Just look at these beautiful David Bowman prints! Shauna, at Trying to Stay Calm, talked to David and got his permission to post these.

I wanted to share these beautiful pictures and what the artist has to say about each one of them!

David Bowman: has had a passion for art ever since he could pick up a pencil. He loves creating images of the Savior that inspire and uplift. Along with his Christian fine art, David has also written and illustrated a series of scripture storybooks for children titled "Who's Your Hero". Check out his website at www.bowman-art.com to see more of his precious art.


"Innocence"
The Savior tells us we need to become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God. I've often wondered what it is about little children Jesus loves most, and I think its their innocence. They are clean slates, seeing the world and others through untarnished eyes. Their hearts are pure, without the baggage of cynicism and self-doubt. In this piece, I've tried to imagine how a child would act upon meeting the Master for the first time. Without reservation or inhibition, I think he would simply want to play with Him. He would be at complete ease, allowing his pure little heart to soak in the love and laughter of His pure, infinite heart. Its no wonder Christ delights in these little ones and sets them up to be our examples.


"Security"
One of the greatest human needs is a sense of security. In all aspects of life, we naturally gravitate towards anything that makes us feel safe. In this piece, I wanted to convey a sense of complete peace and calm like only the Savior can provide. It's a security that allows us to rest assured, without fear or worry, when we put ourselves trustingly in His arms. Little children have that inherent kind of trust in their parents, so it's fitting that the man and girl who modeled for "Security" are actually father and daughter. They generated
the exact feel I was looking for.



"My Child"
This piece conveys an intimate, up-close-and-personal feeling of the Savior's love. Notice how all the lines draw your attention and point towards Jesus' face in the center. I chose the name "My Child" because the only thing that could compare (even remotely) to Christ's compassion for us is the love of a parent for his/her child. This image is also intended to put things in perspective. Above all, we are God's children first. He allows us the privelege of experiencing parenthood for ourselves and we are entrusted to be the mothers and fathers of His children here on earth.

Back To The Grindstone

The Holiday is over folks! Today we start back to school and getting this house back in order after the Christmas holiday. No more ribbons and bows, lights and stockings. We begin to decorate our table with school books :) Yeah!

The laundry monster is back and threatens to overwhelm if I don't move quick. I feel like a Jedi in need of The Force!

I start back to work this week as well. Truth be told, I have missed it. I am looking forward to getting back and greeting and serving the customers. I work at a movie theater and it's just a fun place to work.

Last night we were invited to dinner at the home of a sweet woman from our church. She welcomed us into her family with open arms. Father B. joined us and it was a great time. We met a great homeschooling family. Their kids are the same age as mine and they got along famously. We made plans to get together again and I am looking forward to it.

I am beginning to understand why God put it in our hearts to attend this parish. We are truly being spiritually fed. Thanks be to God!

But back to today. The good ol' grindstone is calling and minds need sharpening. Off we go into the wild blue homeschooling yonder! Have a great day!

The Epiphany of Our Lord

Today Father Dave hit the spot with his homily. He spoke of Epiphany and that it is not just a memory. Not something to look back on, but something that happens every day, many times a day. The Epiphany of the birth of a new child, or a first word spoken, or a beautiful sunrise. It is seeing the wonder and awe of God's Love for us in His creation.

He spoke of the words of the prayer and hymn "O Holy Night". Fall on your knees. O Hear the angels voices. O night Divine." Fall on your knees at the awesome beauty and splendor of God's creation. Take time to notice the beauty in what surrounds us. Your home, your family, your work. It is there, waiting to be discovered and take your breath away.

Let God's beauty and majesty take your breath away. The kindness of a friend or neighbor. The smile of your child. The joy in knowing they are experiencing something for the first time. The gentle kiss from your spouse. The smell of dinner cooking. The taste of something created with love. These are those "fall on your knees" moments.

Father read a piece from Ann Landers at the end of his homily. On resolutions in the new year. One that struck me was this "Deep six the trash. You wouldn't eat garbage - why put it in your head?" I want to add or feed it to your children. Sometimes this world can be so hard on parents. It is not easy to say no to the world for the sake of your children. It is definitely not easy to teach them to say no.
Love them. Love them. Love them. Don't let them eat the garbage.

You can find the rest of Ann Landers' column here.

I love each and every one of you. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this little blog of mine. May you always find it to be uplifting and joyful. And if it's not..send me a comment to fix it. :)

What The World Needs Now...

I heard this song today and it made me think about what we need in this world. Love. Maybe...we could all benefit from showing Love to one another. Not this world's love, but the Love that is patient, the Love that is Kind, the Love that is not jealous and envies no one. Love that lasts forever.

I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over
I better read between the lines, in case I need it when I'm older

Now this mountain I must climb, feels like the world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine, it keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far, to change this lonely life

I want to know what love is, I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is, I know you can show me

I'm gonna take a little time, a little time to look around me
I've got nowhere left to hide, it looks like love has finally found me

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far, to change this lonely life

I want to know what love is, I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is, I know you can show me
I want to know what love is, I want you to show me
(And I wanna feel) I want to feel what love is
(And I know) I know you can show me

Let's talk about love - I want to know what love is
The love that you feel inside - I want you to show me
And I'm feeling so much love - I want to feel what love is
No, you just can't hide - I know you can show me
I want to know what love is (let's talk about love), I know you can show me
I wanna feel it too - I want to feel what love is
I wanna feel it too, and I know and I know - I know you can show me
Show me love is real, yeah - I want to know what love is...

The Feast of Mary The Mother of God

What a happy beautiful day! Today is the feast of Our Blessed Mother. Thanks Be to God for offering her to us, as our heavenly Mother. Thank you also to my earthly mother, for her gift of imparting the Faith to her children. It is because of the foundation she helped to build that God has seen fit to bless us. I am grateful for her "yes" to life and for the gift of my parents marriage. Together they have been a model for me and a witness to the blessings of the Sacrament of Marriage.

Today, Father Simon told us that if we do not see Jesus in our mothers, than we won't be able to see Him in anyone. I see Him in my mother, in both my parents. I thank them for their many gifts and blessings. For their endless prayers, for the foundation they built in me.

May God Bless them and keep them, May He make His face to shine up on them and May He look kindly upon them and give them Peace.
Happy New Year