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