7 Quick {Thankful} Takes

Happy Friday, Friends!! This week, I've been pondering the relationship between joy and gratitude, so today's 7 Quick Takes is a summary of a few of the things I'm grateful for this week:

1. Spring Is In the Air!

The occasional near 60 degree days that flit and fleet in and out of our weeks have left me hopeful that spring is indeed right around the corner. On these warmer days, I love to see the boys digging in the garden and challenging each other to hoop games out on our backyard court.  Tiny buds emerging from the trees and flecks of green peeking out from sleeping grass pull us outdoors to enjoy every moment possible without snow, ice and frigid winds! Hallelujah! 

I love the way they all "up" their game whenever I come outside to watch....especially daddy!

“Leisure is only possible when we are at one with ourselves. We tend to overwork as a means of self-escape, as a way of trying to justify our existence.”  ― Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis Of Culture

2.  The One Room School House

With the countdown to baby passing quickly, we've decided (well, I decided - you know with all the preggo nesting stuff and ear-piercing noise that five monkeys in close quarters can deliver) that a little rearranging around the house is necessary before the little one's big arrival.  To make space for baby and still have a guest bedroom, our schoolroom is in the process of being moved out to a shed on our property that was once used as a wood working shop (also a handy detention center for the juveniles). With the floors installed and the walls patched, I'm thankful to have the extra room, and can't wait to show you the makeover after it's finished!

3.  25 Weeks and Still Running 

I really do consider it a gift to be 25 weeks along and still able to lace up my shoes and hit the road. I'm not sure I'd exactly call it running, I'm a little bit more in the "shuffling" stage.  Maybe that's why last week I had not one, but two people stop and ask me if I was okay, and if I needed a ride (to the hospital, maybe they thought??). My 10:40 pace is a good 3 minutes over my normal pace time, which doesn't exactly feel like lightening, but when you can barely see your toes, it feels so good just to keep moving! I just love a good ol' country run, and the other day, I caught my shadow moving along a row of milo stalks, and had to stop and take a pic of the two of us.  I always want to remember the days of running pregnant with each child - my very best running buddies!

4.  Boys Anticipating Baby

Every night around the supper table, at some point the conversation shifts toward the baby, how he/she is growing and what it will be like to have a new little miracle in the house.  This one seems to prefer activity in the evening, and as it stretches and kicks beneath my skin, the boys delight in taking their turn feeling the motion of the miracle inside of me.  I cannot describe how beautiful and joyful it is to see them long for another sibling!  Only God can give such a gift, and my heart overflows with gratitude for it.

5.  Lenten Preparations

Steve and I have been gathering ideas and discussing our goals for Lent, which begins next week.  I'm so thankful for all of the creative moms out there who share their wonderful ideas with the world! It makes life easier for homeschooling moms like me who are always looking for meaningful ways to incorporate the Lenten message into the rhythm of the school day.  Two of my favorite resources are :

A Shower of Roses
&
Catholic Icing

One activity our boys will be enjoying this season is the Jesus Tree, a biblical walk through the season of lent created by Jesse Tree Treasures. Jessica's archives are filled with many other great ideas for families to enjoy during Lent.

Catholic Icing is one of my favorite resources for creative lesson ideas that I can use throughout the liturgical season.  We'll be checking out a few new ones for this year, as well as digging into our own archive of activities, which are becoming traditions during Lent for the boys.

6.  Stories That Keep You Believing the Best About People

My sister-in-law posted this little video on Facebook last week, and I think I've watched it at least 10 times, and shared it with everyone I know.  The man in the clip reminds me so much of my dad. Stories like these really do soften my heart toward the world, and keep me believing the best about people!

7.  Good Brew News: 
A Non-Alcoholic Beer That Tastes Like the Real Thing!

I have to thank my awesome friend, Susan, for sending a surprise bottle of St. Pauli's Girl home with my husband, who had run out to their home to pick up one of our boys last weekend.  Oh, she knows me, she knows me good! I really do miss the simple pleasure of an ice cold beer at the end of a long day (or in the middle of one, or basically whenever...I've heard that red beers with breakfast is a real treat).  This beer really does taste so good, and I think it might hold me over for the next three months until I can enjoy the real thing!

Have a great weekend, everyone!!

Thanks to Jen, our gracious host!