Outside my window...
I hear the leaf blower as my husband cleans up the yard for our party tomorrow night!
I am thinking...
about everything that still needs to be done... So much (that I'd like) to do and so little time! (And yet here I am sitting at the computer... Everyone needs a break every once in awhile, right?)
I am thankful...
that we were able to squeeze in a trip to the pumpkin patch this past weekend. It was a whirlwind of activities all weekend long, but we had a blast!
Learning all the time & Celebrating the liturgical year... We have a light school week this week, as we wrap up our first quarter, so we can focus on celebrating the liturgical year. We'll be learning lots about the saints, attending mass on Thursday for the feast of All Saints, and the boys will be serving
Mass at the Cemetery as always for the Feast of All Souls.
From the kitchen...
dinner is simmering in the crock pot, Chicken with Marinara and Artichoke Hearts to serve over spaghetti with Parmesan Cheese, Dinner Rolls, and Salad. After dinner I am going to start the
Pumpkin Cupcakes for tomorrow!
I am working on...
carving this year's
Saint-O-Lanterns! After going to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday with four of my siblings, aunt, uncle, sister-in-law, and niece, we headed over to my brother Brian's house to eat dinner and carve pumpkins! Since we weren't at home, and there were aunts and uncles to visit with, my kids weren't nearly as focused on carving this year so we only completed three. I have one more all ready to carve and Snuggles and I are hoping to finish it tonight after dinner.
While we were working on our Saint-O-Lanterns my brother cracked me up with his "Pumpkin Head Tiki Torch!" While the tiki torch pumpkin was totally creepy, I loved his carving of a candle for his daughter! I'll be back to post pictures of our completed carvings later.
I am creating...
a couple games and a banner for our All Hallows' Eve / All Saints' Party!
I am going...
to try and get back to answering emails soon! It has been awhile and I am really
really behind (some have been waiting a year or more). I do read every email, but it is impossible for me to respond to them all, as much as I do try. (Often times I am reading on my cellphone and have to wait until I'm on the computer to respond.) FYI: I usually work on answering comments on the blog first, followed by Facebook, emails from friends and family, and then other emails are usually last.
I am hoping...
for the Hadley's! We attended the 5th Annual Harvest of Hope Dinner, an annual fundraiser for the
Hadley Hope Fund, this past Saturday night. Here is an update on their beautiful family and a few pictures from the dinner.
 |
2012 Hadley Hope Dinner © Marc Salvatore |
 |
Bud, me and my sister-in-law Meagan (You can also see my Dad just over Meagan's shoulder) © Marc Salvatore |
 |
Kristin & Ann-Marie (dear friends that I grew up with, Kristin was my Confirmation sponsor and is Rascal's Godmother and Ann-Marie was one of my bridesmaids), Amy (who is losing weight like crazy and looking amazing) and Me (not looking my best!) :)
© Marc Salvatore |
I am praying...
for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, for the soul of
Barbara Curtis, for my sister-in-law Melissa who will be delivering another baby soon, for my little sister Jamie Jo who just celebrated her anniversary and birthday yesterday and the day before, and for
Emily! Oh, and that it doesn't rain here tomorrow night!
I am (still) reading...
the saint quotes and short paragraphs that my children have come up with to share with everyone tomorrow evening. I will have an extra treat for any of the children that come dressed as a saint or biblical character and have something to share with everyone. (A short paragraph, quote, or even just a coloring page for the little ones.)
Pondering these words...
spoken by St. Joan of Arc, which Chiquita found (all on her own) in her copy of
The Pocket Daring Book for Girls and is planning on sharing at our party tomorrow:
"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying."
I am listening...
to Prince Caspian, as we continue working our way through the
7 Volume Unabridged Audio Set of The Chronicles of Narnia.
Around the house...
I've done over 20 loads of laundry yesterday and today and am almost caught up! I've also sorted through half the kids clothing, boxing up everything that is too small and pulling out all the summer clothes. What was I
thinking starting this project
before our All Hallows' Eve party?
One of my favorite things...
pictures at the Pumpkin Patch! I will be posting this year's soon.
This week's plans...
- Lego Robotics Classes for the older boys (Tues & Thurs)
- All Hallows' Eve Party
- Mass on All Saints Day, Tutor in the Afternoon
- Annual Mass at the Cemetery for the Feast of All Souls
A little peek at my day...
Captain lost his very last baby tooth last night! {sniff, sniff} Considering that his orthodontist wanted to have it pulled if it didn't fall out within a month, the tooth fairy left an extra fun surprise for all his extra work on getting it out {6 lego mini figures packages}... Apparently "the tooth fairy is much better than mom at picking out mini figures!!" We had a very excited boy this morning!