the rhythm of the home ~ uniquely me...

Outside My Window ~

It is quiet and quite beautiful. Snow still covers everything and it is not as cold as it was the past few days. Our dogwood tree in the front yard will need some trimming due to some damage from the last storm. A few branches didn't make it. I think the tree will be OK though. More icky weather is coming beginning this afternoon. I just pray for safe travel for everyone.

I am Listening To ~

Miss Courtney is sitting next to me curled up and sound asleep. The peacefulness of her nice even breathing is soothing to my soul. Matt Maher is playing softly on the iPod s I hum a long quietly. The washing machine is on the final rinse and the dryer has a peculiar squeek that I need to check out. These are sounds of a home being cared for and children being cherished. They are some of my favorite sounds.

I am Wearing ~

My ever faithful yoga pants, wool socks and a snowman sweatshirt. It just seemed appropriate somehow. I will head to the gym later when J-man is home from class to sit with Miss Courtney to workout. I pray I have the energy.

I am Blessed and Grateful For ~

#126 ~ daughters sleeping peacefully undisturbed by seizures or other sufferings.

#127 ~ time spent with some dear friends yesterday. They always meet us where we are with all of our intensity and insanity and love us still.

#128 ~ the man who God made just for me...my helpmate, my better half.

#129 ~ a son whom I love more than myself. No matter what struggles befall this child, my love never waivers even if I don't understand why. I still chose to love...always.

#130 ~ for sweet Confirmandi who I am blessed to sponsor this year. How did I win this incredible grace lottery??

#131 ~ a God who loves me through all of my insecurity and panic...by His grace alone.

#132 ~ a day planner that helps keep me focused and moving in a positive direction and the memory to keep writing it all down.

#133 ~ whole milk lattes, tea with honey and cupcake cookbooks

I am Pondering ~

The Beatitudes...God's road map for our lives.

"Whatever the circumstances of our life, we must know that we are invited to live the Christian life in all it's fullness. We cannot make excuses, we cannot say to Our Lord 'Wait until I have solved this problem!' or "Give me until I have recovered from this illness!' or "Hold on until I am no longer suffering calumny or persecution, then I will really begin to seek holiness!' We would be sadly mistaken not to make the best use of these difficult circumstances to unite ourselves more closely to God."

Conversation with God by Frances Fernandez

"The condition of the Christian after conversion - or "in" conversion - is not a state of blissful equanimity. It is a state of tension between the human self and the Christian yet to be. A Christian is a person always in the process of becoming, of turning, and there are places in his journey which may be filled with dryness and despair...it is in this encounter that we become aware of our individuality. God has made me. I am unique, even with all my faults I am worthwhile; this kind of self-discovery is strengthening and restoring; loving the Lord makes it possible to love ourselves in ways that are constructive and healthy."

A Catholic Woman's Devotional Bible - Emilie Griffin

I am Reading ~

Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by

Gretchen Rubin 

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp 

Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach

The One Year Women's Friendship Devotional by Cheri Fuller and Sandra P. Aldrich

I am Creating Something of Beauty with My Hands ~

I am still cleaning and re-organizing my sewing space. I am easily overwhelmed these days with piles and organizational tasks so this is taking me some time. I have signed up over at Whipstitch for  a sewing buddy which should help me stay on track with my goals for the year. I have to get going on my ten "craft" items to send out to my FB buds who did the exchange with me. 

On My iPod ~

I actually downloaded some Beatles music this weekend. The Red Album and The Blue Album. I have been singing for two days straight through most of my household tasks. I didn't realize how many of their songs I actually knew the words to. Pretty cool I must say.

I am Writing ~

...on the memoir. I wrote a new prologue and re-wrote Chap.1 this weekend. It's emotional work but it feels so good to actually be writing again. So much work to still do.  I hope to have Chap. 2-5 re-written by next weekend. My goal is to have it ready to send out with Queries by Easter. I will FINISH!! I will!!

Towards Rhythm and Beauty in my Home this Week ~

I re-worked two bookshelves in the living room. I have four bags of cookbooks ready for donation to the library. It's amazing what one can accumulate in 23 years of cooking and baking but seriously...how may cupcake cookbooks does one truly need. Especially when I'm trying to cut the sugar out of my life. Next up the hall closet and Courtney's room.

One day, one task at a time. 

Living the Liturgy Daily ~

I can't believe it's already time to begin looking toward Lent. I need to prayerfully decide what I will be doing this year and what my family can do together. I am slowly but surely getting my daily prayer time in order and I am beginning to see some results. God is good, all the time!

I am Hoping and Praying for ~

* for Courtney who is suffering once more three to four seizures a day. They are scary and take so much from my girl. Your prayers would be appreciated. 

* for the victims of the violence in Egypt, for the safety of those fighting for a better life that God's hand of peace be present to all

* for a return to civility with the political discourse in this country. Words have power and people need to be personally responsible for the words and deeds. "Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness." Mother Teresa

* in thanksgiving for those 16 men ordained as permanent deacons two weeks ago. Our church grows with the love and  strength of God sustaining us all.

* for my cousin Anne who is deployed to Afghanistan and our family friend Gerard who has begun Marine Boot Camp in Paris Island. May God protect all those who serve this wonderful nation.

*for Jerry's Dad who is recovering from surgery on his foot. My God grant patience to my mother-in-law and peaceful healing to Don. It's going to be a long two months I think.

* for those I hold close to my heart that are suffering from depression or anxiety. That God's healing grace will seep into every part of their life relieving them of these issues. 

"Pray, Hope and Don't Worry" ~ Padre Pio

* for Caleb and his Mom and Dad, for wisdom and healing

* for those who are searching for their purpose in this world. That God may grant them a passionate perseverance to discover His plan for them.

* for good health for my family this winter. 

In the Garden ~

The ground is covered in snow, trees are broken and more bad weather is on the way...but...my friend Pat has agreed to help me with my square foot gardening plan. I am so excited I can't wait!!

In the Kitchen ~

Epic FAIL on the Pantry Challenge. I just simply gave up. We have ordered out twice and I have made at least one grocery run a week. I hate failing at anything! I will say that some valuable lessons were learned along the way though. We are a household of emotional eaters and man was that not more evident this past two weeks being snowed in for most of it! Yowza! So there is work to do to detach from food and find some safe and healthy alternatives for our emotional distress.

Courtney's World ~

Courtney was given the anointing of the sick before Mass this weekend. She is suffering from 3-4 grand mal seizures a day now. They last at least five minutes sometimes going as long as seven minutes. We have been in this place before many, many times and I pray for the grace once more to survive it. God has a plan for this child that I must trust anew each and every day. We are all so tied together. When Courtney goes through these trying times, so does her brother as well as my husband and I. We are all experiencing some trail at the moment and it's rather exhausting I must say. I just keep praying "Jesus, I trust in you!"  Thank you for your continued prayer support for my girl. It is a precious gift to our family.

A Picture Thought ~

Courtney practicing sitting like a lady w/her Daddy

Join Ann for Multitude Mondays and be grateful for God is good!