Elena 
Outside my window…
Green and lush… because so far every day this month it has rained, sprinkled or otherwise precipitated upon us. I’ll bet we hit a record for precipitation for the month of June!
I am thinking…
about how the busyness of summer is helping me to cope with the anniversary of my mother’s death next week. What a difference a year makes.
On a different note, I took three of my kids to music camp today. They were gone between 10 and 3 p.m. and I REALLY MISSED THEM!! Glad camp is only for a week, but they seemed to have a good time.
I am thankful for…
Mr. Pete, who drove all of us up to Michigan and back (total of 8 hours)to spend a few hours at my BFF’s son’s graduation party!
From the learning rooms…
The kids are at music camp this week, but I still hope to keep Gabe and Izzy especially working on Math. Sam is finishing driver’s ed this week and also working on his ACT writing class.
From the kitchen…
Taco salad!
I am wearing…
Maroon T-shirt, running pants.
I am creating…
some space in my laundry room and in cleaning out Gabe and Noah’s room. We gave away three big bags of clothes over the past two weeks and it felt great. I totally understand the hoarders mentality. When Mr. Pete started his business and our income plummeted down to basically nothing, people were very kind and always bringing over bags of clothes for the kids. I just started to feel that I had to keep everything because I never knew when I would need it and because it would be ungrateful to throw anything away. I also note that Mr. Pete’s parents and my mom and grandparents lived through the depression with the attitude of saving things during times of plenty just in case they were needed during times of depression. The difference I suppose is that in my experience, survivors of The Great Depression were a little more organized with their stashes of stuff than the hoarders they feature on television.
But back to my laundry room – I kind of finally had to just determine that if we aren’t using it, then I had to be a good steward and pass things on to people who could. What helped me get to that point was the realization that if God provided for me in my times of need then, He certainly would again if I needed Him to, and it wasn’t being very trusting of me to hold on so tightly. So I happily bagged up the stuff, especially the little girl clothes that I gave to a very special new grandma for her little granddaughter. I can absolutely say that gave me a feeling of great delight to know those pretty things will get used again.
I am going…
get some typing done and rest. I am also going to try Evening Prayer with Mr. Pete tonight. I think it will be easier for us than trying Morning Prayer with his busy work schedule.
Interestingly I have become a little paralyzed with praying the Divine Office. It reminds me of my days as a ballet student, when I was so focused on doing the steps so technically perfect that I forgot to actually dance them! I’ve had the same sensation with learning the Divine Office but I’ve read all the helps and I have my helpful bookmarks. I’m just going to dive in.
I am reading…
I am re-reading Real Learning
I am hoping…
to maybe get some more Reading Readiness done with Rosie this week and to help Sam go over his ACT results.
I am hearing…
the humm of the air conditioner.
Around the house…
I’m going to get Mr. Pete to get that front porch organized. I am also going to take down my Halloween banner and the Easter wreath. It’s way past time!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Choir Camp performance at the end of the week. Kids have an opportunity to do a 1.5 race on Saturday. We’ll see. I also have to send out the notices for the Family Reunion. I really got a good deal on the postcards!
A picture I am sharing:
Calvin and Sarah
Please browse my eBay items! Visit my new Amazon Store!