Well, THAT week flew by

It is amazing, how fast our weeks can go, when every day seems like forever. Time doesn't change, but our perception does, as we grow older.
My own life seems like the blink of an eye. I remember being a small child. My earliest memory is sitting in a car seat, with the window down and my hair blowing. Another child, not related, sat next to me. My mother, before I was 2, used to drive a car pool for a nearby nursery school. It is a snippet, but so vivid.
I wonder what my children will remember, when they are grown. Will they remember the time they spilled nail polish, and got in trouble? When their mother lost her cool? Maybe the year the hurricane came, and we had to sleep in the basement. Perhaps instead they will  remember the countless nature walks we took, drives to nowhere, and dancing in the rain? The day kittens were born in our basement, or when their sibling learned to roll over, and we all cheered.
Whatever their memories, good, bad or ugly, I hope the smell of broth cooking on the back burner brings them back, to a moment that passed, at least for them, a lot more slowly. When being a child, and playing, was their job.

New Beginnings

The new school year is upon us. My nineteenth year of homeschooling. It feels like the first one, again, on this day. The pile of books is both exciting and a little scary. My students stagger from their beds, wrapped in blankets, muttering about the indignity of it all.
My littles are already outside, on the playground, because when you are 7, or 3, or 2, life is fun, 98% of the time.
This year is unique because I have no middle school students. I have a 9th, 5th and 1st grader. I have a pre-k and toddler that like to do things too.
My highschool student, Malea, is in two co-ops. Her schooling will be planned by others this year. She is taking:
Biology with a lab
Writing
Poetry
Government/U.S. History
Teaching Textbooks Algebra
Apologetics and Current Events from a Catholic Perspective
Nature study


My fifth grader, Mary Catherine, has:

Catholic School House for:
History
Religion
Science
Art
Grammar
Composer Studies
Artist studies

Teaching Textbooks 5

The Care and Keeping of You for Health


My first grader, Elina, has:

Catholic School House for:
History
Religion
Science
Art
Grammar
Composer Studies
Artist Studies

Life of Fred for Math


Andrew, almost 4 and Lauren, just 2, have:

Catholic Icing at co-op
Signing Time at co-op

26 Letters to Heaven
Catholic Mosaic

Rotating daily totes with books, felt games, peg dolls, cutting activities, etc.

Lots of books and a huge playground



Mom has:

A grateful heart
A willing Spirit
A more humble self than before

God, please bless this school year! We will be busy, and some of the things we need to learn are difficult. Give us hearts for service, to help others without expecting anything in return. Help us to persevere, and give all glory where it belongs, to Christ alone. Let others see only Christ in us. Amen

Adios Facebook Drama!!!

I have done something I can't believe. Yes, I have unfollowed everyone on Facebook!!
What, but, how...how will you know what is going on?
Well, I won't. That is kind of the point. :-)
I NEED this, my family needs this, and my husband especially needs this. Too many times, something I read changes my mood. Many times it is not for the better. Even happy news, if overwhelming, can change my focus.
You see, my focus needs to be on those God has given to me, here in this place. This home, this group of people, this family.
Of course, others are welcome to join us in our lives. We are happy to see and talk with family and friends. Just in person. :-)

A new beginning, again

I have found this blog again, after being away for a long time. The posts speak to my soul, and I can't bear to go somewhere else and start again. Once again, I am home to stay.

An Advent Devotional by Caitlin and Leocea

My daughter Caitlin and I decided to write a mother and daughter ADvent devotional. We plan to cowrite in the future as well. This is week one's devotional: This Advent devotional is co-written by Leocea and Caitlin McLanahan, mother and daughter in body, daughters of Christ in spirit. We hope that this devotional will bless you during this wonderful season of Advent. To make this even more enjoyable, attend Mass together as often as possible during this time. Spend time together before the Blessed Sacrament. There is a very good virtual Blessed Sacrament online at savior.org for those who are unable to find a nearby adoration chapel. Make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, if possible, before starting or during the devotional. Make a serious Examination of Conscience regarding your relationship prior to Reconciliation. Enjoy this time together, as mother and daughter(s). St. Anne and Our Blessed Mother, pray for us! Beginning Prayer: Lord, as we approach the blessed season of your birth, help us to see clearly the path on which you lead us. As mothers, let us learn to find joy in raising our daughter(s) to womanhood. Help us to love them unconditionally and without strife. As daughters, help us to have hope for the future, growing in love with our mother's help. Be with us to give us peace through the daily turmoils of the mother-daughter relationship. Together let us walk in your ways as women, growing closer to your son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Advent Week One: Hope Sunday: Light the advent candle together Opening Prayer: Lord, during this Advent we celebrate not only your coming, but your mother's Immaculate Conception as well. Your grandmother St. Anne waited, hopefully, for the birth of her daughter, Our Blessed Mother. So now, give us hope in this upcoming season to do your will and grow in our faith as your daughters. As mother and daughter(s), let us be hopeful that our relationship is as loving as that of your mother and hers. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, through the intercession of St Anne and our Blessed Mother. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Hail Mary... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Discussion questions: Mother: When you were pregnant, or expecting to adopt, what one thing did you hope for your daughter? Daughter: What do you hope for in life? Both: If you could hope for one thing right now, what would it be? Closing Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time together. Please bless us during the coming week, giving us joyful hope for the future. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily: Light the candle if desired. Lord, during this first week of Advent, give us hope. Hope for good health, safety, and trust beyond all understanding. Hope for our country, to rise above the current culture of death. We fully await your second coming together. In Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Hail Mary... Glory Be...

My mother-in-law is at peace now

My mother-in-law, Judy, passed away on November 25, at 7:53 am. We celebrated her life at a memorial service on December 4, 2009, at our church, St. Agnes.
So far, we seem to be doing well. My husband, son and I were readers at the service. My daughter sang Amazing Grace. It was beautiful, as was Judy. May she rest in peace, free from the pain that had become her daily, unwelcome companion. May her family feel peace that is beyond understanding, and may this experience bring us closer to God.

Thank you to all who have prayed, and continue to pray, for us.

Roses again!!!!!!!!!

I am in awe.
I am having trouble sleeping tonight, so I was online. It occurred to me that my original duedate with Meredith, miscarried on 5/21/08 at 11 weeks 6 days, was 12/04/2008. Today would be her first birthday.
I ended up by chance on this blog: http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/

Elizabeth's daughter Sarah,the beautiful toddler shown on the blog, was due within days of Meredith. I often think of her, and I even asked Meredith to pray for her when Sarah was born prematurely.

What made my hair stand on end and reminded me of the wonders of this universe was the next post, the Roses of December. St. Therese never ceased sending roses, to both Kenny and I, while we were waiting seven long months to conceive again. During my pregnancy with Elina Rose, we received roses here and there too. Immediately to the right, on Elizabeth's blog today, is a novena to St. Therese. These were not put there by accident, or coincidence. I have found that coincidence does not often exist in my world, since I became Catholic. Instead, God allows me a glimpse of what He sees everyday. I can only thank Him today for the short time I was able to carry Meredith, and for the opportunity to see her again one day. St. Therese, please continue to remind me of your presence with our Lord. You have helped make my faith as strong as it is. You have truly,, in your little way, brought me closer to Christ.