Our Magnum Opus

Finding a Daily Rhythm

This was the week to plan the details of our school year, begin the schedule and get into a daily rhythm.   The last two weeks were SO busy that several things got pushed to this week and I still have a few kids annual physicals with our pediatrician.  (Actually, they are generally healthy so we go every other year.)  My week has been loaded with a lot of time on the road so we are not exactly finding a workable rhythm to our days.  We will.

In the meantime we miss our big guys but Rebecca brought a camera to school so we got to see a little of the weekend fun at Christendom.   This one is of her pictures.  :)

Alex in tug of war between the dorms

 

And for this week's beauty: one of Monica's sketches.

Don't Blink

Once upon a time there were three little boys.  I fed them.  They grew big, really big.







Blaise, Kevin and Alex  ~ August 2013, move in weekend at Christendom College.

Sweet Maria is Eight

art supplies

singing 'Happy Birthday'

Monica made the most luscious blueberry crumb pies, and without the big boys here we have an entire pie leftover!

 

Then There Were Six

Kevin J and Alex left for Christendom College this morning.  Kevin is in his junior year and Alex is a freshman.   We couldn't be happier with their college choice, it's a good place for both of them.  Virginia isn't even that far away, about a nine hour drive.  It is all an incredible and overwhelming blessing.

However, each time a child graduates and leaves our homeschool, it's a change.  A new beginning.  Even good transitions are hard.  Launching our kids into the world,  albeit a wonderfully Catholic and kind world like Christendom, hurts because these kids are our hearts.  Our younger kids childhoods will be filled these changes and bigger kids coming and going.  I must work harder than ever to create stability, joy and family unity for the remaining six.  Then five, four....

It's all good.  (She says smiling bravely through her tears.)

Alex and Lydia say goodbye.

Can't wait to see you guys in October!

They're off!

This Year It's Two

Originally Alex was going to take a gap year before heading off to Christendom College.  Then he wasn't, then he was, now he isn't.  A rather miraculous series of events fell into place last week and only this week, with three days to get him ready, it was decided , that he is going. 

The college has been remarkably gracious and helpful with his last minute acceptance.  They told us he wasn't the latest applicant ever to be accepted.  However, I would not like to repeat this last minute scenario with any other kids.

Alex is excited, and I am frazzled with the mad, last minute scramble to prepare two of them to leave.  Alex is tall, you can't just walk into a brick and mortar store to buy him clothes.  Even online it's like searching for a needle in a haystack to find clothes for a tall, slim man. (Christendom requires business clothes for class and Mass, and my boys aren't known for their diligence in laundry.) Thank goodness that one can order online and ship to the college.

the school room is the packing room

And what is this child going to do when he is gone?!  How will she go to bed at night?!  He carries her up every night.  On nights he is not home, she has been known to get up when she hears him return, and come back down so he can carry her up!

Beautiful Basilica

 Our Lady of Consolation National Shrine and Basilica.   Where better to be than soaking in the beauty of Our Lady of Consolation after a difficult event. 

the main altar of the basilica, showing a little of the magnificent dome

gorgeous

detail of the angels

Our Lady of Consolation Altar

viewing relics in the crypt

The younger children spent time with the statue of Jesus in the Tomb, just keeping Him company.  They were so loving. You can see the baskets of prayer requests left by pilgrims.

some of the girls with the Little Flower statue

The first large statue I have seen of Mother Teresa.  Joy.

the outdoor altar

 

 

Rebecca and her wonderful parents

the courting couple

Fall Menu Update

I made yogurt and sourdough bread from  my Fall Menu plan,  both were good.  I think I will only make sourdough once a week with soup since it does have a strong flavor.  I don't think the kids will like it so well with sandwiches.  So I will bake a weekly batch of my regular bread one of those bread days.

The yogurt was yummy and was devoured quickly.  A whole gallon of yogurt gone in a few days. Imagine that.  Note to self: lightly sweeten yogurt ahead of time to avoid future small child sugar disasters.

Beautiful Monica

Life is rarely beautiful as in glamorous beautiful, but occasionally a little glamour is a lot of fun!  Monica and her friends know this well.

Beauty is Fifty Years

My wonderful parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in bits and pieces this year.  They are so quiet and reserved, we had to force persuade them to have cake and a picture cutting it.  :)



The blessing at church.  Mom's coat and hat and Dad's vest are all gifts they gave each other in their first years together.

 

Sharpshooters