TODAY
Out my window: Hot. Sunny. Windy. It is Summer in the midwest. Although I must say by recent standards (past 5 years or so) I really can't complain. And last week the highs were in the seventies! We had a good friend over for dinner last Thursday and we all spent the evening (after dinner) sitting outside and watching the kids play. It was remarkable for mid-July and he stayed late enough that after he left Aaron took the big kids on a firefly walk. Clement had crashed on daddy's lap some time prior to that.
Around the house: Hmmmmm, not much of note? No wardrobe switches looming, no major home renovations or reorganizations. I still have one bag of children's clothing to find a home for, and a few odds and ends I will probably put out for the DAV truck next week, otherwise everything seems to be running pretty smoothly (cue expensive disastrous mishap).
The kiddos:
Clement insists that he is no longer three because, "it's NOT my birfbay AMYmore. I two again." The kid has a point. I spent weeks coaching him to say he would be three ON HIS BIRTHDAY. Well duh, if it's not his birthday anymore then he's not three anymore. Perfect three-year-old logic.
Gemma got to see the priest who baptized her this morning (as part of our area Church visits), so that was exciting for her.
I am getting anxious to see how Kolbe will do with school. He is due for a change. I am hoping he likes school and that the routine brings some motivation to his life (or at least his mornings). Mornings have been...difficult. He has his lists of simple chores (pray, eat b-fast, get dressed, make bed, etc) and lately carrying out this routine has been about as pleasant as a root canal, unless he has something to motivate him. Here's hoping... I know part of it is just middle-kid syndrome, and he is looking for some extra attention. And I get that, I do. But it is still frustrating especially when I have 17 other things I am trying to do.
In the kitchen: This past week we had baked ziti with steamed broccoli, crispy chicken salads (those, or some sort of protein with salad have been a weekly staple of late), white chicken chili and tonight baked cod and I am still working on coming up with some slam dunk side dishes. Which means canned green beans and simple pasta or rice it is. Does anyone have any simple/healthy/tasty/easy side dish recipes they would like to share? Sometimes I feel like I get in a rut with my cooking.
I have been really enjoying these ancient grain hummus chips we get from Aldi. They are tasty! Speaking of Aldi, last week I went to the store in the evening by myself instead of during the day with the kids. That, folks, was a little slice of heaven (and I may or may not have asked my hubby if I can do the same thing this week). I am looking forward to grocery stores with ONE once the school year starts.
Next week's menu includes cornbread and bacon stuffed pork chops with asparagus, more salads, honey sriracha chicken, beef stew and baked Atlantic salmon with more amazing side dishes.
Learning: School registration is week after next and then we will be in full throttle getting ready for school mode. Summer has been nice, but I think I will be ready for the change in routine here in about a month. Last week we picked up another booster for Gemma since she and Kolbe will both be riding to school with Aaron. Oh car seats. Have I really purchased seven of you? Gemma has Bible School next week and then all three kids (crossing my fingers that Clement likes it) will have a two-week session of swimming lessons. And then it will pretty much be school time. ACK!
Reading: I finished Happy Are You Poor and will probably be unpacking it for the rest of my life. Up next from Dubay I am going to read Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer and I recently started Theology for Beginners. I also have my eyes on this book of saints, and am debating Butler's as well. I am wanting something that gives a little more info on the life of a saint than what's in the Liturgy of the Hours, but something that takes a little less mental commitment than a 300 page biography. Suggestions? Click here for what I have been reading aloud with the kids.
Watching: First it was Shark Week and then it was Space Week. I find I am becoming less and less enamored with the television. I would really like to ditch cable but that would leave us (Aaron) with no way of watching MLB, and I do really enjoy watching baseball with him after the kids are in bed. Sigh. #firstworldproblems
Bringing me joy: Confession. Grace. Family. Out recent dinner guests have just been delightful! Three separate guests in just over a week for these introverts, can you believe?!! Cooking. The times when our kids get along and play well together. Catching up with some cousins and watching our kids play together.
Thinking about: The whole Planned Parenthood scandal of late. It sickens me, almost more than the Supreme Court decision of several weeks past. Maybe not more, but differently. However, that aside, it bothers me that the information came about essentially by someone else's lying. Ends do not justify means. The Catholic Church is very clear about that. And I realize that this gets incredibly complex, being stuck in the mire of modern day society and all the problems we've created. Even so... To that note, I found this article on lying very interesting...and it made me want to study morality.
Pictures to share:
Happy Birthday Clement Paul!! He had strawberry shortcake for breakfast, his request. He was a little grumpy upon waking. As usual. But he was so happy his favorite blue shirt was clean.
PRESENTS! Gemma had a whole party planned and decorated for in her bedroom. It was very sweet (although she was just a leeeeeetle controlling about the whole thing....) Clement got some toy farm animals and play food for his birthday. And a few books. And Gemma and Kolbe made (and this took them a LOT of time) him a big birthday cake and a few other things from their Perler beads. He was so excited when he opened their gift. It was very sweet.
