Signs and Wonders

A Simple Woman's Day Book - December 21st

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window....The sun is setting there's a soft glow to the sky and the cicadas are out in force.

I am thinking about....  CHRISTMAS and would you believe next years school program. Our registration is up for review in March, the forms arrived last week in the mail. We have a new AP (approved person) we had a good relationship with the last AP and I'm not sure what to expect from this new person, it's kinda like starting out all over again.

From the learning rooms...Our school year officially ended on Friday last week so were on holiday!!! yippee!

I am thankful for...  A wonderful husband who loves to bath our sweet little man.

 From the kitchen... Lot's of Christmas cooking this week

I am going.... To attend midnight Mass for the first time in years. We have a learner  driver who needs just 6 more night time driving hours in order to go for her P's (provisional licence). She asked if I would let her drive to midnight Mass so she could get two more hours driving under her belt.

 I am reading....  lots and lots of books to the children with that advent/Christmas theme, there is a sample on my side bar.

 I am hoping....That those two presents still in the post will arrive before Christmas

I am hearing....Daddy reading to the little boys, The middlin's cleaning the kitchen and the twang, twang, twang of a hammer on metal coming from Josh's forge.

I am praying... For the good folk at Trinity Acres

the rest of the week...Wrapping Christmas presents, lots of Christmas cooking, Ham, chicken, lamb, pavlova, and trifle just for starters.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day Book - November 23rd

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window.... A light cloud cover has brought cooler temperatures today

I am thinking about.... Advent and Christmas plans, books to read, lessons to plan, food to cook and presents to buy.

From the learning rooms... This term we are concentrating on many of the basics, maths facts, times tables, literacy and spelling. I am also making plans for advent and Christmas

I am thankful for...   Healthy children, healthy daddy and a healthy mummy, we have had illness in the house since May and other then seasonal hay fever and a little residual cough from whooping cough we are otherwise well. This is momentous and I’m truly thankful.

 From the kitchen... Sausage, diced potato. beans, corn, and tomato and onion

I am going.... To try and get into some spring cleaning and some gardening with a large family there is always so much to do.

I am reading.... I’m between books at the moment.

 I am hoping....That the snake in the roof decides to leave and doesn’t make its way into the house.

I am hearing....  SNAKE, SNAKE, well not right now but as I sat down to start this post Erin called for some one to come help her as there was a carpet snake trying to get into the budgie cage. Said snake is now in our roof cavity!!

I am praying.... That as we make our way through advent we will draw closer to our Lord. As Christmas dawns we won’t only welcome the memory of the babe in Bethlehem but that Christ will truly be born into our hearts and souls and that our gift to him will be ourselves, our very lives, our hopes, our dreams, our joys and our sufferings.

A few plans for the rest of the week.. A quite week this week as swimming and sport have both been cancelled. Thursday I have a meeting with the board of studies to discuss and explain the new laws regarding the new age for school leaving and the new reporting requirements for home schoolers

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day Book - November 16th

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window.... It's hot, hot, hot, 36 degrees C and the children are in the pool trying to cool off.

I am thinking about....Sacramental grace, imparticular those graces bestowed upon spouses as they endeavour to bring children up in the ways of faith and as they persevere for better and for worse in sickness and in health all the days that they shall live until death do they part.

From the learning rooms...We are concentrating on literacy and spelling this term as well as times tables. So far we are doing well keeping to schedule and getting quite a bit done each day.

I am thankful for... For the blessing of family especially for my husband and beautiful children

From the kitchen... Chicken, potato salad, coleslaw and green salad.

I am going.... To try my best to get all 15 decades of the rosary said each day this week.

I am reading.... Lots of read alouds I'm working my way through the Rangers Apprentice books with Luke and Nick and the Caroline years of the little house books with Anna and Brigid. When I get the chance I'm making my way through Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality edited by Raymond Arroyo.

 I am hoping....That GrandBob and Helen have a wonderful two weeks away.

I am hearing.... Lots of noise from the pool, squeals of laughter and happiness.

I am praying....   For the wisdom to mother each child in a way that will encourage them to be the very best that they can be and to do all they do for the honour and glory of God.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Swimming on Wednesday, music lessons Thursday, sport and Mass on Friday. A general tidy up the yard to discourage snakes, we had an unwelcome visitor last weekend of the red bellied black kind.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day Book - November 3rd

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window....The sun is setting and the cooler evening air is very welcome after what has been an incredibly hot day.

I am thinking about.... Time management, money management and the most cost effective and water efficient ways to provide as much of our own food as possible.

From the learning rooms...We have had a great start back to fourth term concentrating on our saints and virtues unit for November. lots of literacy activities and continuing with our maths facts and drills games,all good fun. I have stream lined our work box's some what in a bid to make it easier for me to load the box's and to see what each child has achieved each day.I have been finding it more then a little over whelming each night trying to load all the file folders for the next day. Trying to remember just what I wanted in each folder for each child each night despite the fact that it was all written on the computer was a trial. Running between work boxes and computer making sure I had it just the way I planned took far longer then it needed to.

So I have made up these task grids and have placed them on the wall near our work boxes now I can see what I want in each box and what lessons and activities I need to load for each child. These grids also provide the children with accountability for their schoolwork. When each subject/activity is completed the child takes a "done" button and places it on the appropriate subject on the laminated grid.This allows me to see at a glance what subject/activity each child needs to complete before they are finished their school work for the day. So far it is working well, everyone is enthusiastic about filling their individual grids and completing their work. They enjoy the visual prompts and it has made keeping up with everyone so much easier.

I am thankful for...  For the rain we had last week, our tanks are full and the paddocks have been transformed from dusty brown to a lovely green colour.

From the kitchen... Meals are over for another day and the kitchen is closed. Breakfast was cereal and milk, lunch left over chicken and salad and tea was meant to be lasagna but I didn't manage to get it all done so ended up being mince cooked as for a lasagna and vegetables.

I am going.... To make an extra effort to get to a daily Mass each Friday it's a 50min car trip but we are in town any way. I just need to leave earlier in order to get to Mass before our sporting commitments. A few children ago this wasn't hard but these days ... well... it's not so easy.

I am reading....  The little flowers of St Francis

 I am hoping....That no one else gets sick, we have a few down with some sort of bug. 

I am hearing....  "Gregorian masters of chant" and the children fighting helping one another clean the kitchen 

I am praying.... For two very special people as they prepare to spend the rest of their life together. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...Swimming on Wednesday, Mass, tennis and sport with our homeschool group on friday. Dropping the little girls off to GranBob and Helen so they can go dress shopping, they are very, very excited about this. A picnic after Mass on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day Book - 19th October

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window.... It's a hazy spring day here, Nick is swinging in the hammock and pippin (the dog) sleeps near by in the sun

I am thinking about.... Time management, money management and the most cost effective and water efficient ways to provide as much of our own food as possible.

From the learning rooms...We have been concentrating on X tables and maths facts for last two weeks and will continue this for the rest of the year. Our saints and virtues unit has been quite successful and with All Saints day just around the corner this will work in nicely.

I am thankful for... So, so, so thankful for my friend Beth who is coming to visit tomorrow and who will go home with our small flock of geese. Whoo hoo I can hardly wait to be a goose free family!

From the kitchen... It's monday and Erin is cooking some sort of marinated chicken and I'm not sure what else but it sure smells good.

I am going.... To get all the children's work boxes loaded tonight before I go to bed.

I am reading.... Mr Darcy's Daughterby Rebbecca Ann Collins

 I am hoping....That Sonja, Erin and Chris have a great time at the Christus Rex pilgrimage

I am hearing.... The little girls playing with Damian in the family room and Erin in the kitchen cooking dinner and by the sound of it Amiee is getting in the road trying to help. Pippin is barking at Anthony as he runs past the window.

I am praying....   For the children while their away at Christus Rex and for all the pilgrims

A few plans for the rest of the week...Lunch tomorrow with friends the least I can do is feed them before I send them out to catch and remove the geese. Swimming and music lessons on Wednesday, we will meet GrandBob at swimming and he will take Erin and Chris to Catch the plane on the first leg of their journey to Christus Rex and dr appointments on Friday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

 

A Simple Woman's Day Book - October 12

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window.... The soft hazy grey light of early morning fog shows holds the promise of a fine day ahead.

I am thinking about.... "The formation of the moral conscience takes place in concert with the development of the person—the development of moral emotions, the development of self-control, the development of empathy for their peers, the development of an appreciation and understanding of the role of authority in their lives. When parents are connected likewise with the moral teachings of the Church on truth and morality then the children learn the virtues—the moral virtues of chastity, and charity, and honesty, and integrity, and these are picked up almost automatically by the child, and they thus live the rules of the Church without any difficulty or any kind of distress about those rules." Bishop Robert Vasa

From the learning rooms...Even though it's school holidays here have continued to work. Maths, copy work, reading and spelling have all been completed each day much to the children's disgust, daddy's home and they want to play.

I am thankful for... So many things, a roof over my head, good food to eat, a wonderful husband and beautiful children, I am blessed and I am thankful.

From the kitchen...Our chest freezer died and we spent the weekend cooking up the defrosted meat and premaking meals so today we have a number of choices.

I am going....  To finish deep cleaning Brigid's and Anna's bedroom 

I am reading.... The Ladies of Longbourn by Rebbecca Ann Collins

 I am hoping.... To have a week without dr appointments

I am hearing.... The early morning bird song as the many birds that live in this area greet a new day.

I am praying....   For Heidi the daughter of a friend who is in hospital suffering from complication of swine flu.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Michael is on holidays and while we are still doing school each day we will take some time out for a family picnic planned for later this week. As well as school I hope to get outside into the garden we have lots of baby tomato plants to get into the ground  and hopefully I can find some time for a little horsing around with our four legged friends.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day Book - September 21st

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window.... The sun has set and all is dark

I am thinking about....  "When most people think about schedules, they begin with the schedule, list of tasks, chores ect. This is all wrong and it will never work. You do not need a new book suggesting 1001 ways to do your laundry or 500 ideas for handling clutter. An abundance of chores and stuff is a sign of a poorly planned life. When your life is set in order, chores will be few and your house will slowly be emptied of the supplies needed for spontaneous (and wasteful) living." William C Michael

From the learning rooms... We have had a house full of sick children so are only covering the basics, religion, maths, reading and language arts. Hopefully we'll be back on track next week.

I am thankful for...  A faith that recognises the worth of hardships and suffering, for a faith that draws strength in the cross and for opportunities to carry that cross in love and humility.

From the kitchen...  Erin cooked her speciality for dinner tonight, marinated chicken, diced potato's and salad.

I am going....  To redo our monthly grocery list to suit our new monthly menu and budget.

I am reading.... The way of divine love sister Josefa Menendez

 I am hoping.... For a house free of illness, we have have had sickness in the family since May. Were ready for warm days and a healthy family.

I am hearing.... Little ones watching tv and the older children cleaning up in the kitchen. 

I am praying....   For an end to illness and for direction concerning one child's educational needs

A few plans for the rest of the week....A trip to the Mater children's hospital for Amiee (this is a routine check up and nothing to worry about) Post Natal check up for myself and Damian and if everyone is well on Friday we hope to go to our usual sports afternoon with our homeschool group, we've only made it twice this school term.  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....  Friends learning together

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window.... The sun has set and all is dark

I am thinking about....  "When most people think about schedules, they begin with the schedule, list of tasks, chores ect. This is all wrong and it will never work. You do not need a new book suggesting 1001 ways to do your laundry or 500 ideas for handling clutter. An abundance of chores and stuff is a sign of a poorly planned life. When your life is set in order, chores will be few and your house will slowly be emptied of the supplies needed for spontaneous (and wasteful) living." William C Michael

From the learning rooms... We have had a house full of sick children so are only covering the basics, religion, maths, reading and language arts. Hopefully we'll be back on track next week.

I am thankful for...  A faith that recognises the worth of hardships and suffering, for a faith that draws strength in the cross and for opportunities to carry that cross in love and humility.

From the kitchen...  Erin cooked her speciality for dinner tonight, marinated chicken, diced potato's and salad.

I am going....  To redo our monthly grocery list to suit our new monthly menu and budget.

I am reading.... The way of divine love sister Josefa Menendez

 I am hoping.... For a house free of illness, we have have had sickness in the family since May. Were ready for warm days and a healthy family.

I am hearing.... Little ones watching tv and the older children cleaning up in the kitchen. 

I am praying....   For an end to illness and for direction concerning one child's educational needs

A few plans for the rest of the week....A trip to the Mater children's hospital for Amiee (this is a routine check up and nothing to worry about) Post Natal check up for myself and Damian and if everyone is well on Friday we hope to go to our usual sports afternoon with our homeschool group, we've only made it twice this school term.  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....  Friends learning together

A Simple Woman's Day Book - August 31st

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window....It's early, all is still dark out, an inky pre dawn blackness as clouds cover the stars and the moon.

I am thinking....  Home school  camp, home school camp, home school camp! There is still lots to do before our annual Catholic home schooling camp next week. 

From the learning rooms...  The work box's continue to be a hit though it can be difficult for me to get them all loaded each day. We will continue with our study of saints and virtues as well as our Leonardo da Vinci unit ( this has been lots of fun and we have learned quite a lot.) Brigid will wind up her preparation for her first holy communion next week. 

I am thankful for...  A heavenly Father who see's and provides for our every need, spiritual and temporal.

From the kitchen...  It's Erin's turn to cook today so I'm not sure. I can tell you that it will be porridge or cold cereal for breakfast, most likely chocolate cake for morning tea, made by Anna this has become her speciality, something with eggs for lunch and something with chicken for tea.

I am going....  go through the children's clothes cupboard as I pack for camp and clean out old and out of season clothes.

I am reading.... I'm between books at the moment as I finish Swords at Sunset last night.

 I am hoping.... Damian has been such a good baby, he sleeps really well only waking once a night and even then he has a quick feed and goes straight back to sleep. I hope next weeks camp doesn't upset his routine to much.

I am hearing....Geese , roosters and the morning song of many birds as they greet a new day.

I am praying....   For Julia, maybe you could spare a prayer for this young woman before she passes from this world to the next.

Around the house.... I can hear the boys starting to stir in their bed room, Mike has gone out to milk the cow and Damien is making those sweet little baby coo's that are so very cute. Every one else is still asleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week....Last minute preparations for camp, talk with caterers, print of certificates, pack clothes, organise craft materials, print trivia questions... I think you get the idea this week is all about preparing for camp. We will however take time out to celebrate Anthony and Amiee's birthdays and fathers day next Sunday. Wednesday we will enjoy a picnic with some other home schooling families. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day Book - August 24th

Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window....The eastern sky is a blaze of orange and yellow as a new day dawns bright through a light misting of fog.

I am thinking.... About preparations that need to be completed for this weeks school work, Camp and gardening. Spring is upon us well and truly even though it's still August, the days have been very warm and the garden beckons for attention.

From the learning rooms... The workbox's are working well but I do need to be more consistent in filling them each night before I go to bed instead to trying to fill each box as we move through the day.

I am thankful for...The gift of family and friends as we came together with both yesterday to celebrate Damian's Baptism.

From the kitchen...  It's early and the kitchen hasn't opened yet

I am reading....  I'm still mulling over much of the advice in this book Late, Lost and Unprepared, A parents guide to helping children with executive functioningby Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D. & Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D. Swords at Sunsetby Rosemary Sutcliff

 I am hoping....That today's high of 36 deg C doesn't eventuate that just way to hot for winter!!!

I am hearing.... The gulps and squeaks of Damian feeding he makes the funnest noises when he feeds Michael affectionately calls him squeaker.   

I am praying.... For friends,  far  and not so far away

A few plans for the rest of the week....I need to finalise a few last minute camp details and go through the childrens clothes and see just what we need to buy before camp. Sort through the box's and bags of books lining the breeze way area of our house and find them a home on the book shelves.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

A Simple Woman's Day book - August 10th

 Be sure to drop over to Peggy's for more day book entries.

Out side my window....The sun is setting through a haze of smoke as we are burning off ahead of the fire season.

I am thinking.... Baptism plans, Damian will be baptised Sunday week and we will have family and friends out for a Baptismal lunch afterward.

From the learning rooms...Lots of creativity here this week as we continue on our leonardo da Vinci study. We have been painting birds with water colours and creating stained glass windows based on some of Leonardo's best known pieces. Our new spelling program, All About Spelling arrived last week and we have made a start using this the children are keen and I'm hopeful that this will help not only with our spelling but also with the children's reading.

I am thankful for...  A gentle and relative easy water birth here at home.

From the kitchen...  Spicy Chicken, potato and steamed Veggies

I am going....  To spend alot of time this week inhaling that new baby smell. This time is all to fleeting and I want to snuggle as much as possible with this new little man.

I am reading....  Late, Lost and Unprepared, A parents guide to helping children with executive functioning by Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D. & Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D. and Crown of the World Book 1 Knight of the Temple by Nathan Sadasivan

 I am hoping.... Damian has been such a good and easy going baby through this fist week of life. He sleeps at night and I'm getting more sleep now then I have for weeks I really hope this pattern continues.

I am hearing.... Children setting the table and dishing up our Evening meal and sweet new baby snuffles and cues

I am praying.... For the seminarians and priests of the Diocese in a special way during this year of the priest.

Around the house....We have a new baby and the ebb and flow of daily life revolves around this little man. Chores are not being done in the same timely manner and life has slowed a pace as we all dote on our newest addition.

A few plans for the rest of the week....Sending a teenage daughter to Sydney for a few days holiday with her older sister. I hope to sell two mares at Fridays horse sale. Mass on Saturday for the feast of the Assumption.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....