A 2018 Mother's Day Surprise!.....Belated Post

Looks like I wrote this post below months ago, almost completed, but never published.  Better late then never.  Not going to waste my words or work!

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On this past Mother's Day, I had decided to work for my other coworkers so they could spend time with their families since we don't really do anything  traditional on that day in my family. 

It was a fairly busy day at work, for my twelve-hour shift. I got out on time…….and headed home. 

I remembered that my house was pretty thrashed with the boys’ stuff, clean laundry and dirty dishes when I had left at 0645 in the morning. I decided that I would have to jump on the mess on my return…..so that my Monday wouldn't be so painful. 

I could tell as I pulled into the driveway that no one was at home. 

I opened the front door……..and I was pleasantly surprised and excited by what I saw. The three boys (two youngest and our nephew) had cleaned the house spotless!!  What a relief!  What an incredible gift for Mother’s Day!

But that was only the beginning………

I realized there was a little display on the counter. 

The boys spoiled me with several gifts! There was a large candle, a sculpture of a crane (they all know that I am partial to sandhill cranes), Bluetooth earbuds (I guess they knew that was on my wish list!), a lovely potted flowering plant and a matching card and bookmark. Those boys totally have me figured out! Every gift was perfect!

I wondered if my husband had encouraged them to do something for Mother's Day…..but when I asked the boys if Papa knew about it, they said that he didn't. 

I am so touched that they figured it out on their own. They are 16, 16, 18 and 21. There are four ages listed because the best friend of my youngest was there for the shopping. They drive me crazy sometimes, of course…...but this will definitely endear them to me forever. 

My love language is Words of Affirmation…...so when I read that card, I had to ask the boys:  so does this card have sentiments that you are in agreement with????

They were unanimous in shouting aloud to me:  yes!!!

They said they picked up one card and thought:  this is the one. Then they found a second one and decided it was the one. On the third card they selected, they said they knew it was the exact one they needed…...and ceased to look for a better one. 

I love that card. And what they wrote for me in their own words is so sweet. I realized the bookmark matched the card and they said the bookmark was the clincher. 

And they didn't buy a potted plant…..they picked out a pot that “just said mama” to them and then bought a flowering plant and planted it themselves. 

This was so, so very thoughtful. I am so impressed with these four boys (Malachy’s best friend Mawolin helped them to shop, though he wasn't there when I arrived home.).

And I told them: if you had only cleaned the house, only got the card or just one of the presents, I would have been happy and proud…..they totally rocked it this Mother's Day!  I told them that they had to keep up the tradition now…..and especially to teach it to their children one day for their wives.  

God bless the boys!

Belated Mother's Day Blessings to all of you,

Chari

 

Gifts

Another angle of the gifts

Loooove my card!

Sweet words form their hearts

A coworker made this for me at work and left it on my computer in my office.......celebrating us as mothers.....who had to work on Mother's Day!

The boys were just beaming with my happiness.....

Very Late Mother's Day Blessings to you,

                                                                                    Chari

It's My 31st Anniversary as a Catholic!

It's not an April Fool's joke.  On April 1st, 1985, just 24 days before my 21st birthday, I was conditionally baptized into the Catholic Church........and made my First Confession and received my First Holy Communion on the same day.

BEST.  DAY.  EVER.

I know I mention this on this day each passing year.......but it is without question the Greatest Gift that I have ever received.  I thank God for this gift at every single mass that I attend. Every single mass.

I wish that I had time to tell my conversion story here today.....it's rather simple.......but time restraints are in effect. (Let me see if it is in my computer files.....hmmm, must have been on the last computer.......I will check the external hard drive later.....)


I did find a copy of it in my wedding scrapbook...though it might not be readable...

Let's just say:  God picked me.  He brought me here. I made no decision.....He just opened the doors and I walked through each one......no kicking and screaming.....just walked into my home.  And here I have been for 31 years.  Deo gratias.

For Lent, I have been reading Rediscover Catholicism:  A Spiritual Guide to Living With Passion & Purpose by Matthew Kelly. We picked it up at Saint Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church in Virginia City, Nevada, where we were married the same year. I will keep reading through the Easter season until I am finished.



Today, I came across a few passages that were good to meditate on this anniversary date.....

On page 129:

      "The best thing that you can do for yourself is to become the-best-version-of yourself.  The best thing that you can do for your spouse, your children, your friends, your Church, your nation, and God is to become the-best-version-of yourself.

      "Catholicism is not a lifeless set of rules and regulations; it is a lifestyle.  Catholicism is a dynamic way of life designed by God to help you explore your incredible potential."


When I converted to Catholicism, my paternal grandfather asked why I would convert to such a "strict religion".  I told him that for the first time in my life (all 21 years of it!), I felt the most freedom that I had ever had. For the first time in my life, I knew what the boundaries were, where I was safe, and in the state of grace, and where it was dangerous.  Incredible freedom.  And still 31 years later, I say the same. 

And on page 128:

      "As we reflect on our brief and precious lives, let us also remember that they are but a transition to a long and blissful eternity.  Teresa of Avila encourages us. 'Remember that you have only one soul; that you have only one death to die; that you have only one life, which is short and has to be lived by you alone; and there is only one glory, which is eternal.  If you do this, there will be a great many things about which you care nothing.' "

Lastly on page 134:

       "My favorite passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church appears as the first line of the first chapter, and it reads, 'The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness her never stops searching for.' "

I have been so incredibly blessed.

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And that is all.

Happy Anniversary to me and God!


Easter Blessings to you,

                                 Chari

Four Medals. Twice.

 

 

 

         Three years ago, we did something that we never thought that we would do.........we sent our fifth child to the local high school......just so he could keep playing sports.

     Sports were that important to him.  He definitely had obvious talent.  From birth he has always needed to move, compete, touch.  Without the outlet of sports, he certainly would have struggled. In our small community, sports for kids aged 14 years and up were really only available at the local high school.  And even though our high school district is allowed by our state to allow homeschool kids to play sports, our school has continued to refuse.

     So, we placed Garrett in the Independent Study offered by the school.  The quality of the academics was much lower than our usual preferences, but in this case, it was something that we could work with.  He had a great independent study teacher. He was able to continue with his private piano lessons which counted towards his high school credits.

      Flash forward to this week: 

       He has now been attending the actual school building for the last year because the Independent Study program is limited here for higher maths and science labs.  He doesn't really like it.......but it is what needed to happen.

      He has played three years of Soccer, Basketball and Track......with two attempts at fitting Cross-Country in there.......even as a freshman, he excelled and got playing time in all sports.

      He moved to Varsity track during his freshman season and earned a spot at sectionals his first two years (the last step to go to state competition). He was moved up to the Varsity Basketball team as a sophomore. As a freshman, he started games on the Varsity soccer team. 

     One of the things I love about Garrett is how he takes his sports so seriously......like they are a job.  He gives 100% every game or event........and most practices.  He pays attention to eating well and right, getting appropriate rest and exercise and avoiding caffeine during times of serious focus.  He has really grown to own all of this.  And, he is wise enough to know that none of this is something he can be attached to for his adulthood........but he realizes the important lessons in always doing the best that you can and constantly trying to improve. 

     He started at the school so he could keep playing basketball, but found his true sports love is Pole Vault.  he has worked hard and close with his coach. He has practiced extra.  He has self-educated as well as attended a camp put on by a former Olympic Pole Vaulter.  He has recruited other athletes to jump....including one girl who has made it to state once.  He has become an "assistant" pole vault coach, especially for the Junior Varsity athletes.  Last week, I saw other student athletes perform their event and then respectfully turn to Garrett for advice and critique.  He has really risen to become a quiet leader in track.  And he is quite the encourager of his teammates.


     In his final year of school and competition, as a High School Junior, he has received All-League for Defense in soccer, All-League in basketball and probably the same this year in Track.  And he stays humble about these accolades.

     Speaking of track.........

             His junior year of Track Season is winding down.....though it kind of feels like it winds up till it suddenly just ends.

         Two weeks ago he won first places for four events: Pole-Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump and the 4X400 Relay.  Four medals.  And the chance to move on to the next level of competition.

          Last Friday, May 22nd, he did it again.  Four medals.  See picture above.  That was the Division meet. It earns him a chance to compete in all four events at the Northern California Sectionals meet........which is this Friday, May 29th.  This will be his third qualification to this meet........the last meet to attempt to qualify for State.  This year, there is a small chance that he might make it to State.  Small chance......but it is a chance. 

         We are very excited for his opportunities. And for his successes.  He has worked hard for them. He has got past several injuries over the years........to get to this point.

     This point......this meet........could well be the last sports event of his high school career.  He will be spending his final year of high school as a Rotary Exchange student in the country of Austria.

     Please pray that he does well at Friday's meet.  Please pray that the predicted high of 99* is predicted too high......and that there is at least a pleasant breeze.  :)

 

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Oh!  I almost for got to add the following.........

 

 

 

      Garrett may have won all of those medals.......and three first places in the meet before the four.......but the best reward may well have been two comments from a coach and a parent......

 

      The coach from another school who was running the Triple Jump event asked if I was Garrett's mom. When I answered yes, he let me know how much he liked and appreciated Garrett.  He told me that Garrett as respectful, helpful and enjoyable to converse with.  He said that Garrett was a very good boy.

 

 

     While sitting at the top of the stands, waiting for Garrett's 4X400 Relay Race, a mother who was sitting nearby, whose son was also on the 4X400 relay team, came over to share some positive comments with me about Garrett.  He had taken her Senior daughter to the prom a few weeks before.........and has been mentoring her younger son, a sophomore on the soccer and track teams.  She waxes on about what a wonderful young man Garrett is.......fun to talk to, so respectful......showed her nervous daughter a good time at prom, putting her at ease. And, "so thoughtful, a real gentleman"........." he brought flowers for me!"

 

 

    Yeah.  In spite of the fact that he challenges our parenting techniques at times........I am so grateful to know that out there in the world, he is a good guy, a "real gentleman".........respectful and "fun to talk to"...........proud of my young man.



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  Enjoy the photos...........


   The first four photos are of his long jump last week........the fourth photo shows him about to make a personal record.....one more foot longer than his previous personal record!

 

 

Running with the baton in the 4X400 relay........

 

 

 

 

Various Pole Vault photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jumping over The Mountain!

 

 

 

Below, a photo montage of several steps in a pole vault attempt of

on my 51st birthday, April 25th, in Klamath Falls at an Invitational meet.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May Blessings,

 

                Chari

 

 

 

7 Quick Takes, Volume SIx

July 4th, 2014     Silly me.  I started this post 5-6 weeks ago....thinking that I could at least blog once a week.  I can see that is so not going to happen.  As the cheerful, Pollyanna-type, I will still keep believing that I might.  Perhaps if I aim for one-sentence Quick Takes I could possibly pull it off.  As if........I could stay that minimalist with my writing.  Oh, well.......here this goes......

The below was started in May.......and completed today.
 

 

 

--- 1 ---

Even though Willa has blogged since I started number one........I will keep the following thoughts anyway:

 Well, I am sure that Willa and I have some good explanation as to why the last time either of us published a blog post, it was 2/15 for me and 4/13 for Willa.  The last time that I wrote, I finished by saying that until I had written a memorial blog post for my friend Micki who had just passed away, I would hold off on writing any blog posts at all.  I was trying to make that memorial a priority.  It did not work very well.  Not only have I not written anything for the blog, but I have not written that memorial. Sigh.  I am not going to beat myself up……but I sure wish that I had accomplished all.

And now…….I believe that both of us have just hit that time when we just cannot get to writing here…..for whatever the reason.

For me personally, I have not been able to keep up enough in life, to spend time on a hobby: writing, for instance. Since I wrote my last post, I have been working full-time……recovering from my long work days……helping one daughter get herself accepted and choose her college……..figure out the financial aid of four college students……study for a required course for work…….visit family in Reno twice…..my 92 year old grandmother on the coast……..a week for spring break with my boys in San Francisco……..and the usual stuff…… like watching my boys play lots of sports (both boys were on championship basketball teams), chauffeuring, laundry and what have you.

I still have so much on my plate right now, I just do not seeing me doing lots of writing….maybe any writing….though as Willa knows….sometimes when I state that……I end up on a writing roll.  Still….probably not this time.  I may aim for doing these Seven QuickTakes……just as a minimum.  It will be one way of keeping up a journal of our present moments….more for my own sake than for the blog’s sake.

I currently have four of the six kids at home….the two little boys (ha! 12 and 17 now) and two of the college students.  My exchange student will be home from her 11 months abroad in about 5 weeks or so. That will make five home……and then another college student will come home for two weeks in July.  This very well could possibly be the last time all of them are under the same roof for a long while.  Christmas vacation could be a possibility.  Hey…maybe even Thanksgiving.

 

Well, this First Take is taking long enough……and is possibly worth three takes as it is…….  J

 

--- 2 ---

 I am so sorry that I have not kept up with The Short Story Club.  Really???  How hard could it be? I already know what stories I was using for most of the year.  I will try to pick that up, too as well…….if I remember.  ;)

   

--- 3 ---

And now, some literature talk, on our literature-based blog:

I finally finished a book that I started over a year ago. Or is it over two years??? Either way, it is an audiobook, from Audible.com.  I was alerted to purchase 20 free books one day….and I got all of them, even though I had read about half of them.  I figured it was better than listening to those Librivox versions with so many different readers.......which I still would prefer over nothing, but these free professionally-read books are a serious treat.  :)

So in my effort to tackle more Dickens, I decided to listen to David Copperfield.  Do you know how long that book is???? It is 34 hours of listening time! And because I only listened for 5-15 minutes only a few times a week, it did take over a year.  Anyway, it is done.  Finally and phew.

I needed something short, next.  Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton made the cut.  Interesting turn of events at the end, that novella.

And now I have already started listening to A Tale of Two Cities.......endorsed highly by my eldest daughter and Willa. I had avoided listening to Dickens all these years.....knowing that I would prefer it in hard copy......and I cannot help, but think that I was right.  I feel like I am missing out on seeing the lovely vocabulary and details in his words. Oh, well.  At least I will have the storyline.  :)

And.......I am still trying to read Our Mutual Friend on my iPhone.  Slower going than David Copperfield........

 

--- 4 ---

Today is the 4th of July.  The nation-over celebrates the birth of our country. As is appropriate.

But in my father's family.........we have a veil of sadness hanging over our festivities. 

My dad's family at his first wedding......left to right:
someone I cannot recognize with half a face, my grandmother and grandfather,
my great-grandfather with my cousin Claudia behind him,
my great-grandmother Charlotte, for whom I am named, my Aunt Nancy and lastly, Aunt Joanie.

In 1966, just a month before my sister was born, and I was a little over two years old, my Aunt Joanie, one of my dad's younger sisters was killed by a drunk driver on the 4th of July. She left behind her parents, an older and younger sister, a brother (my father) and her significant other and her 10 month old baby girl, my cousin Julie.  She was only 18 years old. :(

My Aunt Joanie
Aged 15

 

It was a strange turn of events that led her to be driving where she was........

Anyway, I have heard enough stories of my Aunt Joanie to feel like I knew her......and so I do miss her.  And my heart always broke for my cousin, losing her mama at such a young age.
And for my dad who loved his sister.

May the faithful departed rest in Peace,,,,,,,,

--- 5 ---

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

My soul is having muscle memory flashbacks:  one year ago tonight, after the fireworks, my youngest sister and I left for almost three weeks in Hawaii, visiting the middle sister.

My soul aches to return to my favorite places on Oahu.

Above is a photo that reflects one of the best days ever in my life........my sister Teresa and I went kayaking here, a mile up a beautiful and peaceful river with green sea turtles.  Heavenly.

--- 6 ---

Only five days.......and Miss Maddelyn, who has been living in Slovakia for the last eleven months as a Rotary Exchange Student, will be home in our arms.  Tuesday night, just before midnight.
Blessed are we.

Saints Christopher and the Three Holy Kings,
Patron Saints of Travelers, Pray For Us!

 

--- 7 ---

 
Today is the 4th of July!
 
Since we all stayed up late........it was a sleeping-in-till-nine kind of morning.
 
They listened to American Favorites music.......then 1776, the musical......and all have now scattered.  That is what happens when they get old enough to drive themselves......
 
One will go to Castle Lake with a friend.......after hanging out in downtown Mount Shasta around parade time.......three boys are watching the World Cup game this am at a friend's house (she has cable & Tivo) .......the youngest is with my best friend and her young family, doing the parade, hanging out and then to the lake. The oldest is relaxing........and might be talked into joining me.  :)
 
I am spending the morning writing this piece.....and then I will put together our annual 4th picnic food for dinner, take a nap if there is time (the 4th is always a late night here), go visit a close friend and her young family (where they have an ice cream cone waiting for me) and then head to the lake where I expect my kids will join me (because I have the food :) ) for that picnic dinner and fireworks over the lake.  Thinking about going to the lake early enough to walk the trail around it for my daily exercise.  It seems the day will have a nice breeze to counter the heat.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Independence Day Blessings,

 

                                            Chari

 

Wednesday With Words: You Will Not Be The Same

 

      I have finally confiscated my own computer from my youngest boys......who are becoming little Olympics addicts......since for the first the in their lives we have the ability to see the Olympics through streaming......

       I tried to write this post all day Wednesday......but was unable to pin the computer down when I had the free time......so Thursday With Words it is.....

      Last week I misunderstood the link-up.  It was my first time, after all. I thought it was simply "quotes"......then I discovered it was quotes from books we are reading......Well, yeah.  This is a literature-based blog.  I can handle book quotes.

     So, when I thought about what I was currently reading, I decided to consider the The Hobbit.  I am reading it aloud to my 12 year old son.  I wanted to make sure he heard all of it from Tolkien before Hollywood twisted the story in his mind.  I wonder if it will be my last time to read it aloud......it is my third time.  He is my youngest. 

      Since I am reading aloud, we discuss the great quotes when they come up......but I do not have time to write down or savor any of the words........so I put "Hobbit Quotes" into Google......found one that spoke to me...and brought it here.

 

Gandalf: I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.

Bilbo: I should think so—in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them …

Gandalf:  You’ll have a tale or two to tell when you come back

Bilbo:  You can promise that I’ll come back?”

Gandalf:  No. And if you do, you will not be the same

      The very first thing that came to my mind when I read this quote.......were my three kids who chose to go off on the adventure of a lifetime........even knowing that it would forever change them.

     In fact, as we said farewell to each of them as they departed in their own turn as Rotary International Exchange Student Ambassadors, both they knew and we knew, we were saying goodbye to the who they were at that moment in time, at just eighteen years of age. 

      Two have gone and returned home.  One is currently on her exchange.  And yes, they have changed.  And I love them for it.  They are certainly more global in their thinking.....

My sweet baby girl, Maddelyn, is currently in Slovakia. 
I am so proud of her.
She is offspring number 4, youngest of the three girls.
Becoming fluent in Slavic.

Matthew lived in Switzerland for a year.
His is standing on the Matterhorn here.
He is offspring Number 2, the oldest of the three boys.
Fluent in German.

 

Sarah lived in Austria for her exchange year.
She is the middle girl of the three girls, and offspring Number 3.
She is now fluent in German.
I am so proud of her.

 

      I am so very excited that I found this quote in one of our favorite books by one of our favorite authors.......one who encouraged the spirit of adventure in my kids.  First they practiced with his stories in our living room and then our backyard....and then they applied it to the world.

 

God bless JRR Tolkien!

 

 

 

 

Go to Ordo Amoris for more Wednesdays with Words.

 

Blessings,

              Chari

 

Week in Review: What We've Been Doing This Week

This week was kind of uneventful and flowing.  We seem to be mostly unschooling still.   Having three birthdays in January, falling in weekly sequences after Epiphany, seems traditionally to break up the Ordinary Time rhythm and interfere with academic momentum.

Paddy has been voraciously reading.  

 I keep partial track of his reading by taking a picture of the pile next to the dining room table.    Here you can see the pile for this week:

• The Assassins of Rome (Caroline Lawrence)
• Detectives in Togas
• Hank the Cowdog
• Mrs Piggle Wiggle 
• My Father's Dragon
• Peanuts Collection Volume 13
• Catholic Treasure Box

With the exception of the Peanuts Collection, which was a Christmas "everybody" present, and possibly the Roman mysteries, these are all nostalgic favorites from when he was five or six.

Aidan was the only one who I worked with on school much this week.  

 Here, he is drawing a map of the entrance to his Grandma and Grandpa's house, and on the left is the schematic drawing itself.  You can see the cars going up the road, and the sidewalk in front of the condo subdivision, and the condos themselves at the top.   I love his style.  Aidan's Grandpa has just recently come home from rehab after breaking his hip (fortunately a mild break as these things go) and so this seems to be Aidan's way of expressing what is in his mind.

Aidan doesn't draw pictures of people -- his art usually takes the form of cars or other artifacts.

In addition to drawing and working on his scrapbook, Aidan did lots of connect-the-dots (he is passionate about them right now) and some reading and spelling/dictation.  Not much math.

Kieron had his birthday on Saturday.  

He has been absorbed in a Wii video game he got as a birthday gift.   Otherwise, he has been doing his academic reading, helping his brother repair his laptop, running, and working on his imaginary universe.   Everyone in this family has their own imaginary universe.   I have one, too, but I don't get to visit it as much these days.

Kevin and I have been walking almost daily to the Post Office.

Here is a picture of the beginning of the 2.5 mile journey.   We have had no rain, so everything is crispy dry and brown, except the evergreens, which are a faded shade of evergreen.    But it makes for nice walks, temperatures in the high 50's --- my perfect comfort zone for a brisk hike.

Other things I have been doing:

• Reading a LOT.... January is Philosophy month. Heidegger and Kant and Cardinal Newman!  
• Practicing the piano.
• Playing video games with the kids.
• Helping Aidan with his art projects.   He is getting so INTENTIONAL about what he wants to do.  
• Trying to restore the house to its lost state of order.  First I was sick, then we went to Eugene, then came the holidays in which I did a lot of sitting around.  Now I think I was still recovering from being sick!   But now I am revisiting Flylady, which has helped me in other not-coping-so-well times in my life.  
• Looking back at old photos and writings.   That is my ongoing project for this year of 2014.   What memories!   Memory..... let your memory lead you... in the words from a song in the soundtrack Aidan has been listening to constantly, recently!  (though right now he is listening to the Clancy Brothers).  

Looking Back into the Past

Since I've been doing so much looking back into the archives and photo-sorting and reflecting on memories, I thought I would try to regularly make a collage of the past.   This is from the first day I used my first digital camera, a low-end point and click.   That was in June 2006.   I never graduated from the low-qual point and click.  Now I use my iPhone.

I love the memories brought to life by the photos.

Note to Self:  Take pictures!   

Main Thought:  I don't miss Aidan's hospital trips (though he sometimes talks about them wistfully, those days of unlimited Sprite and videos and attention from Dad!)  But I do miss my only daughter so much!   Virginia is about as far as you can get from California!  

New Year's Posts Cache 2007-2013

This is kind of more for my reference than anything else, and will probably be my last post of links for a while, anyway!     I was practicing making banners at Picmonkey, and also trying to collect my (and Chari's -- we co-posted a New Year Thankfulness list in 2012) posts talking about New Year's resolutions and related things.     That way, it's easy to refer back to in future.  

By the way, I think this year  (2014) is going to be a retrospective year.  Be warned!   I just realized that I have been blogging for 9 years this January, and I have been online (in egroups and the like) for a little bit more than 15 years, basically since the time I knew I was pregnant with Aidan, my #6.   That would be November 1998.   So I have been digging through archives recently, trying to organize and provide myself that continuity so vital to a proper sense of self.  

Here's a New Year resolution for me!  Get better at archiving!   

So here goes:      

Loveliness of New Years' Resolutions

Learning Goals for 2007

Paddy and Aidan on a nature walk

 Resolutions and Retrospectives for 2007/8


a bit more on resolutions and how they work here


random thoughts on goals

The royal crew in Ireland.   We were in Ireland that year!   

Resolutions and Retrospectives for 2008/9

Blog in Review 2008

Aidan took this picture -- Paddy got involved

Checking Systems for New Year

Systems Update


(I was into systems that year)

Frodo thinking

 11 for 2011

2010 Retrospective

Word for 2011:  Cultivation

Pirate and Ninja Knight

Thankfulness Times Ten -- 2012 New Year Edition

Word for 2012:  Diligence

Clare and Paddy

New Year Notebooking Page

(Paddy wants to do this again)

Word for 2013:  Beloved

Aidan in doctor's waiting room with friends