My poor, neglected, blog:(

I took an "online break" for a little while to focus on the kids and my home.  I am also in my 33rd week of pregnancy and I have been doing some major nesting.  I did a spin off of "40 bags in 40 days" from Faith and Family live.  You know what I figured out?  I have accumulated so much stuff over the past 11 years of parenting that it is sinful.  There is nothing like having company over to press you into cleaning and de-cluttering.  I used the month before my baby shower in November to purge.  So here are my totals so far:

15 boxes to Catholic Charities

4 boxes to family

3 boxes to my daughter's therapy center

A trailer full and Suburban full to Goodwill AND...

A trailer full and Suburban full to THE DUMP.  That was the most convicting part.  Seriously.  I had that much JUNK AND TRASH in my house.  It was liberating but I'm not done.  We are in the process of a possible move:(  I am not moving most of this stuff with me.  Why wait for Lent?  I am posting some before and after pictures later.  You would not believe...

"C" week

C is for...

Eric Carle

and Saint Cecilia

Prayers to Saint Cecilia

We are going to be doing an activity from Little Cloud and doing the coloring pages from the Catholic Artworks CD.  We are also going to be using coloring pages from Charlotte at Waltzing Matilda.

B is for busy!

Alphabet Garden "Bb" week ideas:

B is for...

Saint Bernadette:

Saint Bernadette Biography

Tour of Lourdes

Saint Bernadette Coloring Page

Immaculate Conception Coloring Page from Waltzing Matilda (If you haven't joined scribed, I would highly recommend it.)

Blueberries:

Blueberry activities from Homeschool Share (This is an amazing resource!)

and...

Jan Brett (This is her official site and it is unbelievable:)

Update on Willow

Life with Willow has its hazards.  She is a mess.  Literally.  So, that being said, lets go back to the beginning (lets' go back to the very beginning...a very good place to start. Sorry.  ADD.  It happens sometimes.  All the time...anyway). Several weeks ago Willow took the bulb out of her ceiling fan (that's another blog).  We don't know the specifics but the end result was she shattered the bulb on the wood floor in her bedroom.  We walked in the room and she was sitting on her bed covered in blood.  I think she was as confused as we were.  We finally saw the glass and realized that she must have cut her foot.  This is where it gets complicated.  The cut looked really clean and there wasn't anymore glass that was visible.  So we put steri-strips on it and began the daunting task of keeping her out of it.  Good luck.  After the first week we noticed she still wasn't putting weight on it.  She also started telling us "fix it."  Looking back on it, there were other signs too: outbursts, crying, and aggression.  Willow has a very sweet disposition and that is the one thing her Autism has not affected.  We were stumped.  This is a common problem in the Autism community but never with Willow.  By the second week, no progress AND the foot started bleeding again.  So I took her to the ER and we finally figured out what was wrong.   We had missed 4-5 more pieces of glass in her foot.  She had been walking around like that for two weeks and couldn't tell us!  I wanted to crawl out of the ER.  There was no way to remove it but surgically:(  We had our pre-op the next day and surgery on Wednesday.   I was there at 5:30am and I was joined by my fiercely loyal mother and a devoted OT of Willows.  I couldn't have had better company.  Her surgery was at St. Francis South and they were AMAZING.  Willow did well going into the surgery but had a very difficult time in recovery.  They got us out of the hospital ASAP and we were able to get her home and comfortable.  There were two complicating factors; she threw up every time we gave her pain medicine and she wouldn't leave the surgical site alone.  By two o'clock I had three red barf stains on my carpet and Willow had ripped out her stitches.  We went to her Dr's office in the am and they put steri-strips on the incision and CASTED HER FOOT!  She hates it but it is the biggest relief for us.  It limits her mobility and she can't rip her stitches out again.  Anyway, I have to go...I think I hear her cast thumping on her wood floor!

St. Joseph...pray for us!

Oh...how quickly things change.  It looks like we are staying.  I am relieved.  We have been here for fours years.  It has provided us with some much needed stability.  We are getting excited and we hope you pray for us.  If you are not too busy, you can come and plant a Saint Joseph in our yard!

Alphabet Garden

Oh...how quickly things change.  We just found out we are moving end of May.  It is a huge blessing for our family.  The end result is we have decided to bring everyone home, including our daughter with Autism.  So, that being said, I am working on lesson plans that will suit our entire family.  A very exciting prospect, indeed:)  There is not much out there for kids on the spectrum.  I feel like this is a calling.  I hope it helps others...

"Aa" week ideas

This week we will be starting on "Aa."  I have tons of lesson plans and craft ideas I will be posting for each letter.  I am very excited.  I can't wait to get started with Landon.  I am embracing educating him at home this year.  Again, I want to thank Elizabeth Foss for her prolific contributions to Catholic home education.       

A is for...
Apple-(Museum ABC, Eating the Alphabet, and A Picture of God 3in 1)
I am going to be cooking like crazy and I am planning on posting links to popular food blogs and sharing from my own cooking library.  There are obviously millions of craft ideas for this beloved fruit.  I found some really cute ideas on this web page about using an apple cut in half to show the Trinity.

Also a scripture verse from Proverbs:
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2
and
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.
Proverbs 25:11

Ant-(The Icky Bug Alphabet Book)
The ants are not a strong people, But they prepare their food in the summer
Proverbs 30:25

Amaryllis (The Flower Alphabet Book)
Want to buy bulbs and decorate pots with A!  Also want to visit some local nurseries!  I am planning on planting most of these flowers in my garden:)

Anne, Anthony, Angels (An Alphabet of Catholic Saints and old favorites)-
We ordered the Teach Me To Discover Saints CD from Catholic Artworks.  I also saw a cute idea of having a St. Anthony treasure hunt.  I am going to make a list of "A" items and have Tiana help him find them.  I am also starting to teach Landon the Guardian Angel prayer.

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here,

Ever this day,

be at my side,

To light and guard,

Rule and guide.

Amen.

and Alter (A is for Alter, B is for Bible)
This book is based on the Catechises of the Good Shepard.  Wanting to learn more.

You can also visit Waltzing Matilda for coloring pages!

Our author for the week will be Rev. W. Awdry.  The creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.  Landon is crazy about him.  I suggest A. A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh) for an alternative author.  Start gathering your "Aa" books and I will see you here!

The Alphabet Garden: Where Faith and Learning Bloom

Painting by Monica Arrache

I will start "A" week next week.  I am starting earlier than most (many start in August) because I obviously am going to need to show you the craft ideas and lesson plans:)  Each week in the Alphabet Garden I will have a letter, fruit or vegetable, flower, and a strong emphasis on Catholic religious formation. The main reason I am developing this is to give my young son a simple but thorough Catechism and to foster a love of learning. I will eventually have a tutorial and recommended book list for each week.  Please be patient while I build the curriculum.  I have four young children and a daughter with special needs.  Elizabeth Foss' Alphabet Path is brilliant and inspired. I am not interested in reinventing the wheel. At all.  She divides her books into three categories: faith stories, childhood favorites, and storybook science. Why mess with perfection?  There will also be a scripture memory verse and recommended prayers.  Here it is.  Be blessed...



Alphabet Garden Essentials:
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A-Z by Lois Ehlert-I am planning on cooking from every letter!  I have some really great recipes and ideas!
The Flower Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta-I am going to plant a Marian Garden this year using most of these:)
A is for Alter, B is for Bible by Judith Lang Main (based on the Catechises of the Good Shepard)
An Alphabet of Catholic Saints by Brenda and George Nippert
I also bought their Teach Me to Discover The Saints CD and the An Alphabet of Catholic Saints Poster
Museum ABC by the Metropolitan Museam of Art
An Alphabet of Saints by Robert Hugh Benson (optional but helpful)
A Picture of God (a great book on the Trinity!)

Also recommended:
Handwriting without tears
Guiding your Catholic Preschooler by Cathy Pierce and Lori Rowland
Catholic Children's Treasurebox
Catholic Mosaic: Living the Liturgical Year with Literature by Cay Gibson
The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions
Holy Days and Holidays: Prayer Celebrations with Children by Gaynell Bordes Cronin

The Simple Woman's Daybook



This amazing idea is from the blog The Simple Woman.  Please join us if you can...

 FOR TODAY January 31, 2011...

Outside My Window...
The sky is cloudy and we are waiting for snow.  Praying for "snow days" for my little ones. 


I am thinking...
about how my life has been transformed over the last several months.  I am so very, very grateful.

I am thankful for...
my incredible husband and the gift of my children.


From the learning rooms...
We are behind on our lessons but I am really happy with the learning enviornment here.  Krystiana got the Harry Potter series for Christmas.  She finished all seven in a month and still got her lessons done.  Amazing...


From the kitchen...
I have accepted the fact that our family really doesn't like fancy, complicated meals.  That's okay.  It's saving me time and money.  I have lost 27 pounds so lean protein, fruits, and vegetables work for me too.


I am wearing...
Jeans and a grey ribbed turtleneck from Coldwater Creek.  They were a gift from Chris on my birthday:)


I am trying to create creating...
a relaxed, clean enviornment in the home.


I am going...
to get rid of the clutter and all of this extra "stuff."  It is driving me (and my type A husband) crazy. Simplify, simplify, simplify.


I am reading...
about Clean Eating, working out, and the transforming power of self-discipline.


I am hoping...
to inspire others with my life.  I will be posting before and after pictures in a few months.


I am listening to...
Joel Osteen's Podcasts and upbeat music for my workouts.


Around the house...
Bags to give away and constant discernment about what we really need.  How did we accumulate all of this?


One of my favorite things...
The sound of my children running to the door and my husband yelling "Daddy's home!"  A close second are the words: "I can work from home today if you need me to."


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Hunkering down at home.  It is supposed to snow and Willow still isn't feeling well.  It will be good for everyone to have some family time.  Chris and I grew up in the Northern part of the country.  We both love being snowed in:)


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Why I love snow days.  Landon was stck in the swing.  It took Chris, my Mom, and I to get him out...



The best spaghetti sauce, ever!

Personalize your own recipe card

Pearls of wisdom

Recently, I have developed a habit of waking up early.  It has changed my life.  Really.  Being able to fit exercise, prayer and reading into my day has made me happier than I have ever been.  The only problem is trying to be quiet so I don't wake up the rest of the house.  Which would be counter-productive:(  I started downloading pastor Joel Osteen's podcasts and listening to them first thing in the morning on my ipod.  He is so amazingly positive that it is the perfect way to start my day!  I am taking notes and letting his sermons guide my Bible study for the week.  This week he spoke about "developing your pearls."  In short, he said that oysters form pearls from a piece of sand...an irritant.  He went on to explain that irritants in your life are allowed by God to form character or pearls.  He said that if there is something that you are praying about and it does not change, God has put it there for your benefit.  Suffering forms spiritual "pearls" or character.  Pastor Osteen said, "It is not where you are but what you are that matters."  It is what defines you as a Christian.  Sometimes you hear something from God that you know is just said for you.  He quoted a passage by the apostle Paul on suffering.  After the podcast ended, I wished he would have given the chapter and verse.  I was looking over my notes and decided to open my Bible.  If anyone has ever done Lectio Divina you know it can be powerful.   I still have my drivers licence that I got 16 years ago when I got married.  Tosha Michell Schiffli.  I was so proud of my new name I ran right out to get my new licence.  I keep it out and look at it to remind myself of the blessing of my marriage.  I let Landon play with it the night before and he had placed it in my Bible.  So I naturally opened it up to that place.  Landon  God had marked the place of Paul's quote that was in the sermon that morning!  It was Romans 8:18-19. 

I consider that the sufferings of the present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be reveled for us."

I looked at my licence and at my smiling naive face.  I thought about how different things turned out than I had planned.  I thought about God's plan and all of the trials of our 16 year relationship.  I thanked God for all of them and how grateful I was that I was not that girl anymore.  Thank you Jesus...for all of my pearls.

Joy comes in the morning

Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

For years, I have been praying about how I could pack everything I wanted to into my day.  I read every book I could get my hands on about managing my home.  Fly Lady, Managers of their homes, Motivated Moms...you get the point.  Read them all.  Every.  Single.  One.  I would do good for a while but ultimately it was a total failure it did not work for my hectic household.  I found Godly council in many of those books but none were written for an Orthodox Catholic Homeschooling/ Public School family with kids on the Autism spectrum with an ADD Mom and an OCD Dad (who is going crazy in this mess).  Does such a book exist?  If it does...could someone please tell me where I could get it?  Landon started coming downstairs between four and five am and crawling into bed with us about a month ago.  He kicks and turns like Bruce Lee.  It took me five minutes to get out of bed.  This rude awakening turned into an epiphany of sorts.  There really isn't much to do around here at four am.  So I started my day with prayer and scripture.  Then I noticed the dishes...and I could throw in some laundry...and I could go for a quick walk on the treadmill.  By seven o'clock in the morning I was ready and prepared to start my day.  My body started waking me up early and I was wide awake by five.  I have already lost 18 pounds!  The lesson here is I was looking to others for inspiration and what I needed was to go to the source for answers.  God gave me the answer to my prayers in the early hours of the morning.  All I had to do was meet him there.

New Years Resolution

Have nothing in your home that you do not find to be useful or beautiful. 

William Morris

This year my resolution is to simplify.  Especailly in my home.  I am tackling clutter in order to have more time for my family.  I know someone who has a problem with hoarding.  I have seen firsthand what happens when "stuff" takes over your life.  It seems like lately all I do is clean manage my things.  Chris is on board and we already have started boxing things up!  It feels great.  I am initially planning on doing "40 bags in 40 days" like many have done during Lent.  I know if I don't tackle it while we are both motivated it will never get done. Please join me and link to your blog to show your progress:)  If you don't have a blog, e-mail me and I will post your pics.  Good luck!