Happy 8th Birthday Olivia

Last night we celebrated Olivia's birthday with her grandparents, but today is her actual birthday. As I was getting ready early this morning (5am) I was remembering how I was getting ready to go to the hospital in the early hours of the morning 8 years ago. I was scheduled for an 8am c-section and needed to be at the hospital by 6am. My sister and her husband joined Paul and I at the hospital and helped us pass the time until they wheeled me away, and then they were there to see Olivia only minutes old. I still remember how it felt to hold her in my arms for the first time, just nuzzling her close to my cheek. She was beautiful the first time we laid eyes on her, and she is even more beautiful now. I know it's a cliche, but it is so hard to believe that 8 years has gone by so quickly. One of the best decisions Paul and I ever made was that I would quit my job as a social worker and stay home with the kids full time; I've never regretted it. Who could with these bundles of love and energy?

This cake was a definite act of love. I had a dilly of a time. It was well worth it when I saw Olivia's face light up and as I heard her say "thanks mom for working so hard on my cake." We love you Olivia; you're worth the work.

Lord, we thank you so much for bringing Olivia into our family. She adds so much spunk and color to our lives. We pray she learns to lean on you and trust you in all things. Heavenly Mother Mary hold Olivia close; pray for her and bring her to your son.

Our new school room

Finally, it is complete! Thanks to some encouragement, ideas, and a little sweat from my veteran homeschooling friend Kristina and of course my handyman husband, our dining room has been transformed into our new school room. I have to admit that there was a few tears in my eyes as I said good bye to our "pretty" dining room, but there is a flutter of excitement as I sit in our new school room. It still has the "pretty" room feel, but now it is a lot more practical use of space. Although I believe that learning should happen anywhere and anytime, it is great to have the majority of our schooling stuff all in one space. It really feels like we are a legitimate homeschooling family; there's no mistaking it now and it's kind of nice to have my kitchen cupboards back.

We have yet to name our school, but we plan to dedicate it to Our Lady as I believe she is truly drawing us closer to her and her son. Praying the rosary has been such a source of inspiration and strength for me over the last few months dealing with the death of Paul and my grandma, and it is becoming such an important part of our family time.

Happy Birthday Mother Mary... please bless our new school year.

Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God,
heralded joy to all the world
For from thou hast raised the Sun of justice,
Christ our God.
Destroying the curse, He gave blessing;
and damning death, He bestowed on us
life everlasting.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
For from thou hast risen the Sun of justice,
Christ our God.

(picture and prayer taken from Women of Faith and Family)

Silence really is a beautiful thing. I am all alone in the house; ok so I am not actually alone but everyone but me is still sleeping. There can be such contentment in silence. As hard as it was to not crawl back into bed after George's 5 am feeding, I resisted and got myself into the shower. I have already had some time with the Lord and a cup of coffee- both very vital to a successful start to the day.

Today is our first day of school. I had intended for last week to be the start of our new year, but I am learning more and more that our plans our not always what we would have them to be. I am almost starting to hear the Lord laugh out loud every time I utter the words... "my plan for today is..." or "I would really like to do this..."

As I began to read my daily scriptures for the day, I realized that it is the feast of the blessed Virgin Mary, my original start day before I let pressure push is it to when the public schools were starting. My heart felt such a peacefulness and joy, a contentment that the Lord really is in the business of knowing what's best. I really need to trust His time management and organization skills. This summer has been a whirlwind and roller coaster to say the least, but wow has it been FULL of God and His plans.

I had hoped that this was going to be the year that I was "totally" prepared for the first day of school. I had visions of chore charts, detailed schedules, perfect lesson plan, organized cabinets and school space; You get the idea- I wanted everything to be perfect. Well, that is definitely not what I have today, at least by the original standards. My new school room is in complete disarray (actually some of it is still in the garage waiting for me to "organize," two kids are sick and one escaped to her grandparent's house, George is teething, and Gabriella- she's 2 for goodness sakes. So, I am not totally prepared, but I am totally content. One of the beauties of homeschooling is it gets to look different for every family and from day to day. Today will be a quiet day of reading, puzzles, and movies.

Blessed Virgin, please bless us and our new school year. Please pray for us O Holy Mother of God that we would be drawn closer to you and your son Jesus; may we be a witness to the hope, peace, joy and contentment that only comes from being in and doing God's will.