The Rituals Of Back-To-School

Most everyone, by now, is back to school.  We are still awaiting books and I still can't get out of Summer mode.  I tend to be ritualistic about certain things, school being one of them. For me there are certain things that need to happen before I can sit down and write lesson plans.  It all starts with a novena to our homeschool patron (St. John Marie Vianney) followed by the annual homeschool mom's retreat hosted by our support group, deep cleaning the house and finally, a camping trip.

Our mom's retreat was beautiful. This is my favorite quick get-away.  My best confessional counsels happen at this retreat and this year was no exception.  The priests who minister to us during this weekend are a gift. I was very thankful to the insightful person who put a box of tissue in the confessional, I used a lot of it.  And all the thanks go to the amazing women in our homeschool group that make this retreat so wonderful.

We were so privileged to have Alicia Hernon from Messy Parenting as our speaker. She also happened to be a gifted musician leading us in song during Adoration. The theme this year was Rejoicing In God's Order. Her talk was packed, I wrote copious notes. I continue to ponder how I use my time each day to bring about order in every aspect of my life as mother, teacher, wife, friend and daughter of God. Before the retreat I've already been stuck on that final blessing at Mass when the priest says, "glorify the Lord with your life". Do I glorify Him with my life?  Honestly, some days I know I do not and it shows in the dis-order that comes with not using time wisely.  Hence my diminished time on social media, which happens to be my "favorite" time sucker.

School starts for us after Labor Day. My kids are ready but I need all weekend to get myself ready.  In the meantime, let me share some photos before they remain eternally in the abyss that is my pictures folder:

I take this picture every year at the retreat house

persevere in prayer

the retreat chapel

matching rayban's for people with bad eyesight

yurt camping

building a tent despite the yurt

breathing in the beauty

tending the fire

walkie-talkie

beautiful sky at the beach

at the fish pond

don't know what this pose is about lol

he caught a fish

putting my feet up

night fishing

what's for dinner

it's always fun to camp during a full moon

toasting to something

s'mores are yum!

sparklers

homage to the Buckeyes

I love my camera