Works For Me

So often I share with you, dear reader, blunders, messes and faux paus.  Today I thought I'd share a success.

As our family size has increased, it became more of a challenge for me to find jackets, mittens, hats and library books.  So, I've created one central location for them all-right by our door.

The other great success with this is that the boys know where to put their accessories.  There is no guessing when I ask them to put something away.  That makes tidying up much easier!

One small success for Mommy-kind.

Planning for His Future

In the truck the other night, Jozef was in a cross mood.  We had just finished attending a college football game here.  Mom and Dad did great, the boys wanted to leave before the 1st quarter began.  So, as we were embarking on our 30+ minute drive home, he felt it would be a good time to let us know three of the things that, once he was an adult, he was not going to be doing:

1.  Cook--anything!
2.  Drive
3.  Go to work

You see, Nate and I have an inside joke that Jozef should have been born into royalty.  While other boys his age are clamoring to become independent (tie their shoes, buckle themselves in the car, etc), Jozef is quite happy to be served.

And, for now, I will do that happily.  Afterall, he's only going to be one of our little boys for a short time.  Then, I'm sure that list will be history once he's experienced sweet taste of freedom!

Notes From the Box : October Edition

On my iPod

Daughtry's album Leave this Town.  Sometimes, when I have to buckle down and clean the house, or need to get energized, there's nothing like rock music.

Netflix

We borrowed the new Russel Crowe film, Robin Hood (2010), from some friends.  Sadly, we were disappointed.  The story was not true to the common tale.  In addition, Maid Marion was a liberated woman--going to war with Robin at the end of the movie.  Presumably, Marion and Robin lived out their days in Sherwood Forest--unwed.  I am a BIG Russel Crowe fan, but I was left wondering what they were thinking in creating this edition.  Steve Greydanus has a comprehensive review on his site.

Since the show left such a bad tasted in our mouths, we had to watch Kevin Costner's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) the next night.  Though the movie isn't a great story, it's enjoyable to watch and is true to the common tale of The Hood.

The boys' Netflix

In our Robin Hood craze, we purchased the Disney edition from the store last week.  Robin Hood (1973) is lighthearted and fun to watch!  The boys have been watching it over and over!

Currently Reading

Choosing Beauty: A 30-day Spiritual Makeover for Women by Gina Loehr.  The book is a guide for women seeking what is truly beautiful--a virtuous life.  There's a great group of women here that are discussing the book chapter by chapter.  The chapters are short but poignant.  The author shares relatable stories and inspires the reader to resolve to add virtue to her days.  

Nate's Reading

Michael O'Brien's (of Father Elijah fame) Island of the World.  He devoured it.  He said it was the story of a man that was asked by God repeatedly to forgive.

Boys Reading

Magic Treehouse books have become a family favorite.  We listen to some of the audiobooks in the car and the rest we've been getting from the library.  Kolbe is able to read from them and the younger boys enjoy the stories thoroughly.  

For Inspiration

Magnificat is a companion for many of our days here.  Often, I look to the small book when I have a short break in my day.  One recent day, I read a Psalm that I'm planning to commit to memory.  You see, it is easy for me to petition Our Lord or complain to Him, but I rarely recall the need to praise Him--to simply thank Him for Being.  Here's part of the beginning:

I will give you glory, O God my King,
I will bless your name for ever.

I will bless you day after day
and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised,
his greatness cannot be measured. 

On My Mind

Homeschooling.  The year has begun and I have so many ideas of things I'd like to be teaching the boys.  There is always a tradeoff here between money and time (which is a common tradeoff in life, I'm quickly learning).  I can take the time to make some Montessori or other curriculum materials or I can purchase them.  Whenever I resolve to make the materials, life gets busy and overwhelming.  A week or two pass by and I remember my obligation to make materials.  Then, I give up on the idea, and plan to purchase them, only to talk myself out of spending the money...  Time for some prayer and some decisions!  =}

A Slice of Real Life

Yep.  That's my living room.

Lego Dragon

by Kolbe