A worthy way to end each day, and certainly the year:
"When night comes, and retrospect shows that everything was patchwork and much that one had planned left undone, when so many things rouse shame and regret, then take all as is, lay it in God's hands, and offer it up to Him. In this way we will be able to rest in Him, actually to rest and to begin the new day like a new life."
When Len joined the family, Mom made his with animal ornaments. I took responsibility for Lauren's stocking, and eventually made hers with a tree like mine.
We (Mom and I both made some) then followed tradition, making different designs for succeeding stockings.
Sorry, the rest of my photos came out even more blurry or dark or bright, and I'm not retaking any now! Instead of indulging myself by posting I should be making egg nog or cinnamon rolls or onion soup or breakfast casserole right now, or maybe wrapping presents. It's still too early to run out for the last groceries. :-)
Still waiting for Jesus...
And this hefty wallet/planner combo:
To a wallet
And a slim calendar/daily to-do list:
The contrast is much greater than it appears here:
The planner served me well for several years, but it was impossible for me to keep two calendars updated. I started using the planner mostly as a to-do list, but then stopped opening it because it was so bulky. Even finding the proper purse (now that I don't need a diaper bag size!) wasn't easy.
A big thanks is owed to Len, my sous chef, for taking care of most of the decorating while I prepared a rather elaborate early dinner. He touched a round pan to the top of the cake to ensure a symmetrical rainbow, which is made of (semi-sweet, of course) m&m's. The flowers are tiny silk ones just stuck in through the coconut grass. Like the pot of gold?
Since this is not Becca's "party year" (we alternate), she invited a few friends over just for singing and cake. We ensure that folks won't bring presents by waiting until the day of to ask them over.What's been going right for you this week? Meet and be inspired by other moms here.
Have a great day. I'm off to walk in the rain--a dog makes a wonderful exercise program!
Each child wore two gloves on one hand, then held it in ice water as long as tolerable. They didn't last long. ;-)
It was funny, actually--Rebecca held out more than four minutes, about twice as long as Marianna and Joseph. And she was nonchalant (compared to Joe, above): "Isn't is cold, Becca?" "Not really."
As you can imagine, installing the second glove was difficult, so when it was the girls' turn, I wrapped their shortening in plastic wrap--so much simpler.
Since we used wrap instead of a second glove and were unable to apply identical thicknesses of fat, this was a demonstration rather than a true experiment. Nevertheless, the difference was dramatic.
With a blubber layer, the children all kept their hands in for over 20 minutes! Their hands were taken from the water due to boredom and our need to get on with life, rather than discomfort. Basically, Mom said, "Enough already. We get it--time to move on!"
Even though we didn't follow the scientific method, I don't think these three will ever forget the insulating property of blubber.
Yes, I'm still redeeming summer reading prizes! 
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3. I created and laminated a "What's For Dinner?" chart. As I finalize my weekly menus, I've started copying them onto the chart using dry erase markers. I'm already reaping the benefit of increased sanity, as the daily WFD question no longer needs to be asked of me. Again. And again. And again.
What are your successes this week? Be inspired by other moms here.
I decluttered the front of the fridge and put up two sets of magnetic words. While not hugely popular, some alphabetizing and sentence creating has been going on.
Becca's "keyboard", complete with a space bar:
My favorite message:
On Tuesdays, after writing co-op, the children follow a "how to draw" video. The large group (15-ish), has already been sitting for more than hour, so sometimes they get a bit restless. We're sticking with it, though, figuring it's still an effective use of our together time.
Another mom had asked for pictures for a nursing home, but didn't suggest a subject.
Marianna and a friend have "moved up" to a higher dance class. It is challenging, so we struggle to remember to practice throughout the week. She'll begin wearing hard shoes around Christmas.
Joseph, I think, wins our award for the most activities: homeschool soccer, violin lessons, youth orchestra, Boy Scouts, ConQuest (Catholic boys' club), and tae kwon do (though we haven't been much lately). His birthday party (12!) will be next weekend.
Daniel is enjoying playing soccer on his school's team. The game and practice schedule is the biggest reason he and Joe aren't making it to tae kwon do.
Dan's braces will be off as soon as the latest rubber bands reverse the over correction of the previous set.
David has submitted his first college application, to Christopher Newport University. He sent it in this early so he can participate in a leadership event being held there on October 30--during fall break, and on the same day our family was planning to be field-tripping in nearby Jamestown. Talk about an alignment of the stars!
After my urging (keeping the Sabbath holy), David requested to work Saturdays more often than Sundays, and his boss has honored that as much as possible. An added benefit is that Saturday's shift is 3 hours longer, giving David more money to spend on music and food save for college.
Although I thought I had permission, Lauren was chagrined to find I had emailed pictures of some of her classwork to more family. I guess you're never to old to be embarrassed by your mother!
One of her professors has made the Wednesday before Thanksgiving class optional, so we'll be able to drive to NY that morning rather than traveling through the bleak night with the innumerable masses (traffic rather than TRAFFIC). Hurrah!
While his partner is on holiday, Len has been working more days and hours than usual. Before Dr. B left, he blocked out an appointment for Friday and told Len that someone was coming to "see about some cages." The homeschoolers and I surprised him with lunch and a batch of brownies. The air crackled with excitement, whispers, and giggling as we hid in the office waiting for him to appear. It was a nice break in a long (8-8) day in a long week. Added bonus: science class consisted of observing a real veterinarian neuter a dog. Cool.
Me? My news is up here most days. I feel a bit frazzled lately, as though I'm spending too much time cooking and cleaning rather than planning and schooling. Here's something Jennifer at Conversion Diary wrote (one of the 20 things she learned after a computer-free week) that speaks to me:
"Planning is a critical element of having a peaceful life. I realized that it's almost impossible for me to make optimal choices once the chaos of the day has begun; if I don't have a plan, I drift into survival mode where I just do the bare minimum to get by. Preparing for each day in the evening before by getting things ready and visualizing my goals makes a huge difference in my life."
Stray earring:
Rebecca spent her time alternating between energetically chasing the ball, crying in my lap, and walking on the field while holding her coach's hand. 
This week it's our turn to travel. Wish us lots of fun with no injuries!
I've cut down basil before and kept it flourishing for weeks in water; sometimes the plants even begin growing roots again. Actually digging them up and keeping some dirt is a new technique for me.
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The first week, Joe and Marianna made dolphins. One is under the water while the other leaps above..JPG)
Didn't they turn out great?
As you can probably imagine, Rebecca wanted to participate but was frustrated with what her four-year-old self could produce. Eventually someone suggested she make an underwater volcano and her cheerfullness reappeared.
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Rebecca wanted to make a surfer. Marianna helped her come up with this beauty, who I've been told looks like me (green IS one of my colors):
