SHEAF

Where is my Baby?

Sun, 06 May 2012 23:46:51 +0000

With my fertility issues and the fact that I am now almost 41 years old, it is unlikely we will be blessed with another child. The result of this reality is that each milestone Max passes is most likely our last. Today, just 14 days before his First Holy Communion, Max lost his top left front tooth. It is not his first lost tooth, but it is the first top front tooth to go.

It is with mixed emotions that I celebrate this special right of passage. On the one hand I am very proud of the strong, affectionate, sweet, funny, tough, all boy, young man, Max is becoming. On the other hand his childhood is slipping by so fast.

As Aubrey has grown time seemed to speed up, but now it feels as if it is spiraling out of control. Why when our children are young, and the experiences we are having are the most valuable, do they speed by so fast?

This morning our parish family joined together for Mass, we began with our May crowning. This year was particularly moving: my youngest child, Max brought flowers up to put at the feet of the Blessed Mother, my middle child, Joshua served Our Lord on the altar, and my oldest, Aubrey spent some time snuggling with her godson, Joseph.

I find myself reflecting on the life of Our Lord, Jesus. How Mary must have savored each of His milestones. I love the way scripture expresses it, “and His mother kept all these things in her heart.” Each of these moments with my children seems to slip by so quickly. Our lives are so hurried, we run from one event or function to another, we barely have time to note the passing of time, much less take the time to carefully pack memories lovingly into our hearts.

My dear Blessed Mother, when Our Lord, as a tiny baby, looked up at you and cooed what joy your heart must have felt. Kissing His sweet tiny baby toes and snuggling Him into you as He nursed, such precious moments packed lovingly into your, His mother’s heart. Knowing your son, your baby boy is the Son of God must have made those moments feel all the more fleeting. Help me, dear Mother to take each moment, savor it, and keep it always in my heart.” Amen

Little Boy Love

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:48:45 +0000

Max “This is for you, Mom. I had to fold it to fit it in my pocket.”

Spring is in the Air

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:01:02 +0000

The birds are on our front porch. I am worried something happened to the daddy because he had been very involved and is now nowhere to be found . We are also on constant watch in order to deter our cat with a spritz from a water bottle when she starts salivating under the bird house.
UPDATE: the daddy bird is alive and well. He must have just been on a “guys afternoon out”. I will add a picture of him soon and a video of his lovely hardworking “wife”.

The Wolf Spider is my pet. She was found in Church on Ash Wednesday. She laid an egg sack that weekend. During Holy Week she allowed the newly hatched-out babies to ride on her back. Very religious spider. (Click on the image to see all her babies)

How Homeschoolers…

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:56:08 +0000

visit the pediatrician.

Finally it’s getting cold

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:50:56 +0000

Yesterday there was a tiny bit of ice on my windshield. Today we are enjoying school in front of a beautiful fire in our 81 year old fireplace.

Of course being in Florida, cold is a relative term. Today was a low of in the high 40s with a high in the high 60s.

Videos I promised

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:23:29 +0000

Gold!!!

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:43:17 +0000

Well, we have returned from our quick trip to Snellville, Georgia where Aubrey competed in her first travel competition. It was hosted by Archery Learning Center. The competition began with sign in and practice Friday afternoon (Friday evening we had an awesome treat seeing my extended family, but more on that in another post). Saturday, Aubrey’s scheduled start time was at 1pm. The shoot was 20 ends of 3 arrows at 25 meters(I am still learning the lingo so if I did not get that right sorry). Aubrey scored 471 points for the gold!!! The silver medalist finished with 409 points. Then off to Mass (maybe more on that later). On Sunday the “children” were scheduled to begin a fun competition called the “Quest for the Best” where they shoot 3 arrows per end until someone get 6 points (or above if breaking a tie) to be “The Best”. It was a lot of fun watching this exciting competition. It was a fight to the finish, but finally in “overtime” Aubrey won!

Although Patrick and I were so proud and excited (I could have burst) there is no doubt that after Aubrey this victory belongs to Papa. Since Aubrey began archery almost 10 months ago, it has been Papa that has driven her to and from her classes, it has been Papa that has taken her day after day to practice at our facility at the Easton Newberry Sports complex, it has been Papa that has helped to control my Disney mania so that Aubrey would not be “away” from archery for too many days in a row, and it has been Papa that has kept me “on task” getting Aubrey the equipment she needed at each stage of her learning. So Aubrey achieved gold and “the Best” for her division because God has given her a gift, because she is focused and takes her passion for archery seriously, and because her Papa loves this special “thing” they share. Papa is officially the Archery Papa, Aubrey’s assistant archery coach, and also the Newberry JOAD Club WebMaster.

It was an awesome experience. We met and made new friends, we “hung out” with friends from our JOAD team, and gained valuable experience for the next travel competition.

Here are some pictures of the event…

First arrow

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:55:04 +0000

The first arrow of her first travel competition.

Turkey!!!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:38:38 +0000

Although, I also bought a turkey from Publix (my favorite supermarket), we are fortunate to have been gifted two awesome turkeys to add to our holiday meals. Yes, I will be butchering, plucking, and gutting “real” turkeys this year for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One of the things I really wanted to know when we moved out here was whether or not I could take care of my family if going to the store for food was not an option. I have learned that yes, I can put meat on the table. However, I can not seem to do anything about putting veggies on the table. Apparently I was born without a green thumb.

Shhhh, don’t tell them this is their last 24 hours; I prefer they never know it is coming, Here are a couple of pre-dinner pics.

Aren’t they so cute? I love the noises they make. I think we will have to raise a pair to keep and breed. Who knew turkeys were so neat.

Peeps

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:34:18 +0000

They many not be glamorous. They may not be as smart as a bug. They may be a bit messy, but I love my chickens. Here is a pic of our latest clutch to hatch. The mother hen ,a tiny bantam, is Las’ daughter, Leona (ok, Aubrey and I just named her for this post). So anyway, Leona has had 7 chicks hatch. She is still sitting on several more eggs. Apparently, after she went broody the other hens continued to lay their eggs on top of her, so they are at different developmental stages. I am not sure how much longer she will continue to sit on the latecomer eggs. I am trying to encourage her patience by providing her with plenty of food and water within reach of her eggs.

***Update*** The final count is 8 adorable little chicks.