Elena 
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Outside My Window
I am thinking…
about the Catholic Church sex scandal…again.
Back in 2002/2003 I was in deep grief over the stillbirth of my 6th child. But I was still doing my duties as a mom and driving my children to their respective sports practices and activities. It seemed as if every time I turned on the radio there was a new report of another allegation of another priest molesting a minor from somewhere in the United States. It was overwhelming, it made me sorrowful, and I think it prolonged that dark period in my life.
I’m sure that I wasn’t alone in that. Then this week on Facebook I’m seeing so many good people/faithful Catholics defending themselves for staying in the church. You can defend the faith without defending the abusers – but it’s exhausting. That’s the thing about this kind of dark sin – it never stays private. And there are always more people affected in addition to the victims who experienced the actual abuse.
This time around, I hope the light finally makes it into all of the corners. Let’s just get it all out into the open and deal with it once and for all.
I do think that the Virtus Training instituted in my diocese over a decade ago was a good step in preventing future abuse.
I am thankful…
That I am done with my own wedding season.
I’m also thankful for the safe delivery of my first grandniece and that baby and mom are doing well.
And I’m thankful that my sister is taking so much pleasure in being a first-time grandma!
I am pondering…
how much I don’t want summer to end.
One of my Favorite Things…
Miss C. and I went to all three of the working dog shows this summer and then we watched the movie Babe! She said she would like to be a sheep herder, or at least own a border collie. I’m glad she enjoyed the shows.
I am hearing…
The air conditioner humming and the dog barking
In the kitchen…
I am wearing…
Gray capri pants and a black and white striped shirt.
I am going…
- Walking, exercising, weight lifting and ab work as much as possible. I can walk almost 3 miles in about an hour.
- add some additional novenas next year with the help of PrayMoreNovenas.com.
- to cut my carbs via the Wheat Belly Total Health: The Ultimate Grain-Free Health and Weight-Loss Life Plan recommendations
and Intermittent Fasting.
- Practicing the Bach Sonata for flute alone.
- Getting supplies for my first Physical Science class in my co-op. I have to determine how much to charge for materials.
- Give my editor more information for my book proposal.
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I re-listened to Lee Binz’s Free Webinar last week. It was my 3rd or 4th time through and I still learned something new! So here’s a quiz for you – what classes can I put on a high school transcript for a 7th or 8th grader? The answer might surprise you!
- I will be listening to lectures from the 2018 Homeschool Mom’s Conference – with a particular interest in the Work From Home Track. I’m also taking a new affiliate marketing course from Pajama Affiliates and auditing a teacher’s writing class.
My classroom is ready to go!
We aren’t doing any lessons right now. In fact, Rosie is sleeping in until noon. This might be a good time to assess how my homeschool students and graduates are doing right now.
Calvin is happily married to my sweet daughter-in-law. He is working his dream job as a paramedic crew chief saving lives and training for next year’s SWAT Team try outs.
Sam is opening his own restaurant in the next few months. We are super proud and excited for him.
Gabe is a full-time single dad, working in a deli and still making music with his band.
Noah is starting his jr. year of college. He has completed four semesters of college and made the Dean’s list each time. He continues to run cross country and sing in the choir.
Isadora is working at an Arts and Crafts store and also makes her own jewelry for sale. She is very frugal and even loaned her brother money to go to Rome last spring.
Rosie got a 92 composite score on her California Achievement Test. But the part that tickles me is that she was in the 99th percentile for Math!
| I am also preparing for this online course for 10 weeks this fall. Ana is uniquely qualified to teach this course. She lived in Jerusalem for 5 years. She studied at the Hebrew University for two years and graduated from the Isreal College of the Bible with a Bachelors of Arts in Bible and Judaic Studies.
The course covers
– The Alef-Bet (Hebrew alphabet)
– Numbers – Colors – Shapes – Greetings – Basic vocabulary – Biblical vocabulary – Hebrew songs In only 10 weeks students will be able to read, write and speak Hebrew for beginners and have basic conversations. |
I also purchased some tea cups and a teapot from a local antique store (not very expensive) so that we can thoroughly enjoy our tea times this year with the Bravewriter Lifestyle. I’m also lining up movies for our movie day.
Rosie has become a prolific writer by following a Bravewriter philosophy and I want to pass that on to Miss C who also writes prolifically, although only she knows what she is writing!
A Photo to share
A quote to share…
there is a story once told to you about running: “You get out what you put in.” You’ve heard there is a direct line between effort and improvement, between wanting it more and winning. This is a “truth” written by men, based on the experience of boys and men. Your male teammates are bathing in testosterone, a dramatic performance enhancer. You will not. You are about to bathe in different hormones, hormones that, more often than not, temporarily interrupt that promised straight line of improvement. What you need are knowledgeable coaches and parents who know how to support you during this time, to let you know it is normal, to celebrate you through development, who can zoom out on the big picture, because it is at this time that many girls give up.