Daybook Entry

Outside my window

Thunderstorms !  I love a good thunderstorm.  My little ones, however, have a different feeling about them. The minute Sophia sees the storm clouds she starts asking if we can "just stay inside the house for the rest of the day". 

Currently reading

Gosh, I'm not actually reading anything.....

I am thankful

 for my membership at the Y.  This week I was really thinking about how integral that is to our week.  It's part of our daily routine most days.  I love giving my kids a good example of health and fitness. They love playing with their friends in kidzone.  When I am able to exercise I am much more relaxed and I know I am a better mother and wife.  It's a great thing !  

From the kitchen

Being in the middle of the Apostles Fast, we are doing lots of veggie dishes and fruit smoothies.  A trip to a local organic farm this week provided us with LOTS of blackberries for our smoothies and snacking !  

I am thinking 

about my Uncle who is in the hospital tonight with several infections, pneumonia and a failing mitral valve.  Lord have mercy.  

I am wearing

Lately, it has been so humid that I search for the lightest things in my closet.  Thankfully, I have a few very light, airy summer skirts that are my favorite !

A few plans for the rest of the weekend

Barbeque get-together with some friends, Church, yardwork...and some good quality time with the family. 

on my iPod

I got a new iPod !  So sweet...I didn't actually NEED a new one, but my children (via my mother-in-law) got me an iPod Touch for Mother's day - engraved and all !  I love it.  Great for "all things iPod" of course, but I"ve also been keeping it with me in my purse on our regular everyday outings to serve as a camera/video camera to capture my kids doing their ordinary cute things !  It's my new personal traveling photo album too, since I've synced it to my computer and put on lots of fun pictures !  

Beauty in the home/Around the house

Last week my husband made a beautiful edging around our large flower bed in the front of the house.  We had been wanting to do that for a while, but after we priced out some ideas we decided it wasn't in our budget and we would wait. THEN he remembered that we had a large pile of brick pavers in the backyard.  He had piled them up in hope of using them to build a brick barbeque (which hasn't happened) so he used it for the front yard.  It looks great.  I should take a picture. 

The Domestic Church

We have taken a small break from our daily lessons in the morning )....but continue to pray with the children in the morning - where they are starting to take the lead role more often :)  They also say the mealtime prayers (Pater Imon/Our Father) for us.  Although we are formally not doing any daily reading lessons (mental note: need more books!), I still try to keep them in the rhythm of the cycle of the Church - talking to them briefly about the Saints celebrated on certain days, attending weekday Liturgies, etc.  

I am hoping/I am praying

My sister was recently rushed to the hospital from her doctor's office due to an abnormally high heart rate, blood pressure, etc.  She has been having some symptoms for the past few weeks and was trying to follow up.  She was stabilized and sent home the following day for follow up testing. She is having tons of testing, both cardiac and non-cardiac, so we hope that by next week we will know what is causing all of this.  I am hoping and praying that it is something that can be easily and quickly treated and does not affect her active lifestyle or quality of life.  

In the garden

The garden is finally showing some signs of growth !  I actually considered NOT doing it this season, there just seemed to be SO much going on...but Sophia really insisted and loves to watch it all grow !  How could I resist?  We planted tomatoes (plum, grape and big boy), Bell peppers (4 different varieties), fairytale eggplant, garlic, purple majesty "green" beans, carrots and cucumbers.  Not long after planting, the LEAFMINERS hit !  I had NO idea what was going on with my plants, so I took pictures and posted them on Facebook, of course !  By the end of the day, I had my answer.  We are trying to deal with the situation and it looks like health has been restored to most of the plants, with the exception of the cucumber.  Looks like we will be harvesting our first Sweet Pinot Noir peppers this week !  

One of my favorite things

is hearing Demetrios in his little voice saying "Sophia, I love you" !  I just want to bottle that up and save it !  

Sophia

Our little mermaid finished her swimming class at the Y a few weeks ago ! She did great.  She is not a GREAT swimmer yet, but I just love the confidence she has when she gets in the pool !  

Demetrios

He continues to "play altar" all the time.  He is mimicking services more and more.  He insists on using several of my head scarves as "vestments" and is very sensitive if I don't put them on "correctly".  He has a box in his room (well, usually it's all over the house) that is full of items that he uses in his "services". Gospel books, chalice, spoon, service book, censor, etc.  

He is also very much into cars, trucks and buses.  Actually, buses, trucks and cars - in THAT order.  He carries a little lunchbag full of his little car collection and when he sees a truck, etc...he holds up that particular one.  So, when he is in the jogger and we pass a school bus, he rips the school bus out of the bag and holds it up so proudly.  He thinks they see him.  He will stand on the lanai at 6:30 in the morning to hold up that garbage truck as they come by !  He's having fun !

Picture though to share

Christ is Risen !

A sleepy little girl, during Divine Liturgy

Christ is Risen !  What a glorious journey it has been for us !  Having my children with me really made it so special.   They were able to attend every single service through Holy Week (except the Hours on Holy Friday morning) and really enjoyed it.  We talked at length about the meaning of the week and of the Feast.  In their own simple understanding, they really were able to understand the meaning of Pascha (Easter) and were joyous and filled with anticipation as we arrived at the Resurrection service.

Of course, it was exhausting - but I think it takes every Orthodox family a few days to fully recover from Holy Week.  We are at Church services every single day and/or night, sometimes more than once a day.  Some of those services are very long and end very late - which can definitely be a challenge for families with children.  But to teach a child that our spiritual journey is NOT always easy, is a good lesson for them to start learning in their early years.

Of course, after a few hours of sleep...someone has to get up and start cooking for the dinner on Sunday. That "someone" is ME.   In our family, I have always taken this holiday in our home as it is so very special and I am honored to prepare the Feast !

My little man holding his own Paschal candle after receiving the Holy Light

Daybook Entry (my short version)

Outside my window  

It is dark and quiet.  I had to take the children for a little walk tonight in an attempt to calm them down a bit before bedtime - so we walked until the sun went down and it was beautiful !

Currently reading

Crazy John by Dionysios A. Makris  What an awesome book.   I just finished it last night and I already want to read it again.    Perfect book to finish off my Lenten reading !   

I am thankful

for my darling nieces, who took an entire day to spend it with my children at their very first big "park" !  They gave 7 selfless hours and played in the kiddie area with them, riding the rides, climbing the ropes, going through the mazes, etc.  They never once asked to go on a "real " ride or watch a show.  They are amazing - and my sister is an amazing mom for raising them they way she did !

From the kitchen

This week is so crazy busy that there are NO big plans for the kitchen.  I am thankful to have frozen a few meals and soups to be able to send with my husband for lunch...so light and fast dinners are the tallest order I have to deal with - until the big Feast on Sunday !  We will be having leg of lamb with roasted potatoes, vegetables, pastisio, avgolemeno soup,  traditional Easter bread, Greek salad and plenty of sweets !  Feast of Feasts !

A few plans for the rest of the week

We are in the midst of Holy Week - which as many of you know, is a non-stop beautiful week !  We will be spending our time at some of the most lovely Church services every day and sometimes more than once a day.  Amidst all of that, we try to maintain a little bit of a normal rhythm here in the house; learning time, exercise time, cleaning time, etc.  But really, who am I kidding ! ?  Church services, coloring eggs, Holy Week lessons for kids and shopping for our Paschal meal with the family...I"m lucky if all that gets done.  

Toward a living education

We bought the kids a little "critter catcher" set.  An adorable lunchbox-looking thing with netting on the sides, a plastic tweezer and magnifying glass.  They are always trying to get a closer look at the bugs and creatures outside and now they will be able to do that.  (and then let them go of course)!  

Beauty in the home/Around the house

I have been trying very hard to somehow redecorate our 2 lanais/porches without spending a lot of money.  My first choice was to buy one of those lovely outdoor sets with the fluffy pillows - a loveseat, two chairs and tables.  Alas, that is not really in my lanai-decorating budget.  I am starting small ( meaning the smaller one in the front of the house).  I have reassigned the large wicker rocker and side table from the "nursery" to the porch.  Ditched all the artificial plants and "junk", stopped storing my double-jogger there, purchased a few houseplants, a comfy pillow, door mat  and a wall plaque.  Wa-La - $40 and I have  a pretty peaceful retreat to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning (or at least 3 sips before the kids get up)!  The back lanai will be much more challenging....but I'm working on it !  Hopefully, some pictures to follow !

The Domestic Church
I have really been trying to emphasize Holy Week and the importance of each day and service with the kids.  Sophia, particularly, is much more interested this year in learning and is asking a lot of questions !  We are also using the Holy Week coloring book that I purchased from Potamitis Publishing...which I cannot recommend enough !  Instead of learning a new hymn from the Liturgy this week we have been chanting the hymns from each of the beautiful services.  I benefit from this as well because I am sometimes called upon to read and/or chant the English versions during the services.  

I am praying

for my sweet Uncle, who continues to be a warrior against bone marrow cancer.  They were unable to perform the transplant because of a heart condition and mostly because his liver is in such bad shape at this point.  They are going through 2 more rounds of chemo and will reassess the situation.  Praying for some change in this scenario so that he can receive this life-giving transplant that he so desparately needs. 

In the garden

Oh, we are very far behind.  I don't know what has happened to our time or our plan !  But my little square foot gardening box is just BEGGING Me to fill it !  After Easter, that's when we will do it.  Sophia is so anxiously awaiting our first fruits !

Picture though to share

The Kiddie Table

I can clearly remember when I was a kid how we would have the "kiddie" table at most family events.  I can also clearly remember that awkward time when I felt like I was too old to be there, but too young to sit with the adults.  What a dilemma for the oldest child to face !  

Well, my poor niece will be 15 in a few days and she has VERY little choice in the matter.  My son and daughter would NOT be happy if their two big cousins didn't sit with them at the little table during any family get-together.  It wasn't until I looked at this picture later on that night, that I realized how completely ridiculous she looks.  Oh, how I love her !  

First Big Girl Sleepover !

All packed up and ready to go.....our little girl had her first SUCCESSFUL sleepover at Nouna's house !  You know, the kind where you are up checking your phone every half hour and you are half dressed in bed because you are completely prepared to have to go pick her up at 2 a.m. !  But this time, she made it !  Of course, she is already asking for another one !

Great Lent with my Little Ones

Sunday of Orthodoxy

As most Orthodox Christians, I eagerly await this spiritual journey through Great Lent.  What an awesome gift !  But as my children start to become a little older, I begin to wonder how can I make it mean something to them...in their own little way.  I thought about a calendar, like the ones sold HERE.  It looks wonderful and I think it's a great idea.  But in our house, that presents a few challenges.  Sophia is REALLY into all things letters and numbers.  Prices, sizes, bar codes, grocery flyers, microwave clocks, etc.  I have had to put our Melissa and Doug calendar away for a little while because she was "missing the point" of the daily flow of things and only interested in manipulating the numbers, moving them around, etc.  Along with that, we have a more pertinent issue....which is Demetrios !  There is NO WAY those cute little magnets would stay on the refrigerator in ANY sort of order !  I think next year, when they are 5 and 3 years old, it might be a better idea !
So, I sat down with the kids on Clean Monday (the first Monday of Lent) and explained (mostly for Sophia's benefit of course) the fact that we were starting this period of Lent.  I kept the conversation fun and simple.  I reminded her of Pascha last  year - and then began to add this period of preparation to her explanation.  I explained that we'd be changing the rhythm of things in the home a bit.  Any new plan seems to excite them, so this is good !

We have added some additional prayers and prostrations to our morning prayer time.  We've also added times throughout the day for the Jesus Prayer.   The kids seem to be enjoying this even more than I had anticipated - Glory be to God.   I try to find a time during the day for them to at least SIT somewhere near me while I read aloud my assigned Kathismata from the Psalter for the Psalter reading group.  Of course, there are the extra Church services which they notice right away! They are trying (and being reminded...CONSTANTLY) to act with LOVE toward one another, not to yell or hit, to share more, donate some of their things, etc. etc.    I think seeing their little efforts in this area is my favorite.  We enjoy listening to the Hymns of this time in both Greek and English.  I think our favorite is Gates of Repentance.  If you have have not listened to it, I cannot recommend it enough !  Sophia has also been trying to teach her little brother to chant the Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen)...so she is taking over some of the teaching around here too.

So, these are some of the things we are trying to do a little differently around here to make this period stand out a bit for our children, at their own level of understanding, without overwhelming them.

If you have young children (or maybe they are older now)..what kind of things did you do during this time to make it meaningful and help them to understand ?

Donor Match (update)

As I previously posted, my sweet Uncle is suffering with cancer and in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant.     The good news is that is appears a match (anonymous donor) has been found.  The bad news is that my Uncle is unable to receive this transplant at this time.  He must undergo yet ANOTHER sickening round of  chemotherapy - because his blood is not in the condition that it must be in order for the transplant to be successful.  The condition of his liver is also deteriorating and will be a concern.  After this current blast of chemo, if successful, the surgical team will have to re-evaluate his condition to determine whether or not he gets the transplant.

Please keep him in your prayers.