Eastertide Daybook

I hope that everyone had a joyous and blessed Easter.

Outside my window...

The sky is blue and it is supposed to be another beautiful day. I think that it was in the 70s on Easter Sunday.   We are on Easter vacation this week and thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather.

In the kitchen...

Catherine made our lamb cake for Easter and did a much better job than I did last year. The boys used all of my wood skewers for arrows again, so we didn't have anything available to place a flag in the cake.

We finally made sugar cookies to give to friends as Easter gifts. I have been wanting to do this for a few years, but never got around to it. The children had a lot of fun making them and eating them. Yesterday, Elizabeth said, "Mommy, all those yummy cookies are gone. Can we make more?" Hopefully, we will have time to do so soon.

I am listening to...

Theresa talking to Kieran. He absolutely loves her. If he isn't in my arms or playing next to me, he is usually with Theresa.

I am wearing...
a jean skirt and a red shirt.

I am praying for...
my family. I am also praying for friends who are pregnant.

I am thankful...

for the beautiful weather and that we are on Easter vacation. The children have been helping in the garden this week. We also spent a couple of hours at the beach. Brendan, Theresa, and Patrick had fun skimboarding. I was very thankful to a young man who gave the children some skimboarding tips and loaned them one of his boards.

We were able to have our Easter egg hunt outside this year.

In the learning rooms...

Catherine is crocheting roses for Elizabeth. All of the children are enjoying the books that they received in their Easter baskets. The girls are practicing for their piano and violin recitals. Brendan wants to go skimboarding again. We're enjoying our vacation.

Living the Liturgical Year...

We were blessed to have Fr. Skeris visit our parish for Holy Week and Easter. On Palm Sunday, he chanted the Passion along with our pastor and our assistant pastor. He has an amazing voice. Once again this year, we went to the Triduum Masses and service. Brendan served as Crucifer on Holy Thursday. Kieran and Elizabeth slept through the Easter Vigil which allowed me to fully participate in the Mass. This Friday and Saturday are the firsts of the month and we will be going to Mass again. I love the Catholic Faith. Christus Resurrexit!

I am pondering...
these passages from Story of a Soul:

“As little birds learn to sing by listening to their parents, so children learn the science of the virtues, the sublime song of Divine Love from souls responsible for forming them.” (p. 113)

 “…joy isn’t found in the material objects surrounding us but in the inner recesses of the soul.” (p. 137)

I am reading...

Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. I cannot help but wonder where my mind was the first time that I read this book. I remember enjoying reading it; however, I do not remember it being so rich in wisdom. I am thoroughly enjoying reading St. Therese's words.

Plans for the rest of the week...

We will be going to First Friday and First Saturday Mass.
We're going to visit with one of my husband's old college friends.

I will be getting ready to start teaching my children again next week. I have been doing a little reassessment, trying to determine how best to help each child spiritually and academically.

A picture thought...

Happy Eastertide!