Outside my window… the daylight is waning, night falls earlier in autumn I am thankful… that we do not have major earthquakes here in Australia. Our thoughts are with the dead, grieving and homeless in Nepal, praying that Nepal receives all the aid they need, and fast I am thinking… about the future direction of my blog? You helped by participating in the survey back in January, it was wonderful to hear your voice.  Truthfully though I’ve continued to feel a bit ‘stale’ and have done so for some time, eight and a half years is a long time to blog. Whilst I’m committed to continue writing, I am mulling what…

Outside my window… the sky is lightening as the day ‘grows older’, the children are beginning to awaken I am thankful… to have had five precious days with our boys and Carpenter’s girlfriend home.  Always a busy time when our lads are home, creating many memories within a short period of time to have been able to celebrate our Einstein’s 18th birthday, all together that Jelly Bean’s injuries weren’t worse than they were! They could have been very easily. Praise the Lord they weren’t! I am thinking… my brain is always revolving, many thoughts swirl about, today’s include: household projects, plans and possibilities lesson direction for Term 2 photography dreams…

Outside my window… It’s afternoon and summer storm clouds are gathering, hoping it doesn’t mean an incoming lightning storm. We have swimming lessons today and we already missed last week, as when we arrived for lessons they were calling all the children out of the pool due to lightning I am thankful… that we live in the age of modern technology.  Although Anna Maria will be far away for the next three months we can still keep in constant contact via skype and emails. I often ponder on the courageousness of our early Australian ancestors as they set sail from England and Ireland on a journey half way around the…

Outside my window… a cool day, thank goodness I am thankful… for religious freedom, which I think many of us are too complacent about I am thinking… about courtesies, etiquette, hospitality and kindness Learning all the time… back into the ‘full swing’, haven’t quite found a regular rhythm yet and struggling to ensure I spend time with each child daily, particularly the older children.  I suspect the solution is to fit more studying time into our afternoons, now to gather all on board with that.. Celebrating the liturgical year…… attending a seminarian friend’s diaconate ordination next week, and the following night our Bishop is offering a Pontifical High Mass in…

Outside my window… the sun is shining, though thankfully it’s far cooler today than recent days I am thankful… that a loved one’s health is improving.  It’s been a long road but the ‘light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter’ :):) I am thinking… about the direction for our local homeschool support group this year. I created a survey for our group and slowly forms are trickling in, first we need to know the needs of all and then we’ll tackle how to meet those needs. Collating the information tonight, and then taking it all to a planning meeting tomorrow. Learning all the time… the new school year…

Outside my window… the day is beginning, hopefully it won’t be a scorcher I am thankful… for a full house, fourteen people in total.  All ten of our children are currently home, and we have a couple of special young ladies visiting as well.  Our son’s girlfriend and my 22 year old sister.  Fun times I am thinking… about a couple of big de-cluttering jobs I want to tackle.  The shipping container, it’s a mess, I can’t walk in and The Shed but…. venturing into a man’s shed with de-cluttering in mind does not make for marital harmony, maybe I should re-think the second Learning all the time… holidays still,…

Outside my window… it’s all dark, complete night time dark in the country I am thankful… for my very talented husband who is working ’round the clock’ to finish the bathrooms and laundry in time for Christmas.  I am thankful he is able to ‘turn his hand’ to any task and complete the job well. Tiling and building 4 bathroom cabinets is his current task I am thinking… it’s time I got serious about weight lose and exercise again.  All that weight I lost for the Weddings.. all and more has crept back and settled around my waist Learning all the time… learning in December is all a ‘hard slog’.…

Outside my window… the sky is overcast, finally a break in the intense heat, over 40C (104F) days we have been experiencing. I am thankful… that our College boy is coming home today on the train!!!!!:):):) So thankful that he received quality care during his surgery and follow up visits, that he has his new wrist cast on and that he is coming home:):)  He will be home for a couple of months!!!! Yep I’m dancing with delight! I am thinking… about preparations for Carpenter’s homecoming. When family members are coming home the house receives a deep clean, a clean house is pleasant way to be greeted and a way…

Outside my window…  The sun is shining, Spring is certainly here:)  Always happy to wave Winter goodbye, how do people cope with gloomy winters? I couldn’t. Photo Credit: Judi Dyer I am thankful… for family.  We’ve had a whole lot of family time recently, first my brother’s wedding, then family time on Sunday with an interstate brother and his family, followed by a visit for a couple of days:):):) Tonight our College boy arrives home for a few days!!!!! and PC’s mother:) Then we’ll be seeing PC’s entire family at his nephew’s wedding this weekend:):):) I am thinking… about the blessings of family.  I’m one of eight, PC one of…