Rainy day...

What do you do on a rainy day? I would say my boys are enjoying the peaceful steady raindrops outside. 

I am enjoying the raindrops from the peace inside.  This photo was taken from the view from my house, and its a much better sight than our yard. I do like the upkeep of our wonderful neighbors, but I also wish I could return the favor of a view from their house. Inside and out, I'm wondering where to start.  So yes, a blog post...to rev up the motivation within.  Then to my kitchen. 

As I work on perseverance, this is how I feel:

Trying to stay focused, keeping my eyes on the present journey, and hoping our Father is there giving me the strength needed for the task at hand, and smiling...

Reading Dates

Reading is way better when it's shared with baby time:

Cops and robbers...

Upon arriving home on the last day of school, my kids with some friends decided to get a good game of cops and robbers going.  I kept glancing out at their play, smiling...until I saw this:

It's kinda eerie, don't you think...

Until you get yourself together and realize he actually fell asleep while his sister was pushing him on the swings.

Off to your bed young man!

In a world of boys (and girls) we must keep up the Good Fight...

yet rest so we can be prepared for yet another battle.  

Precious Moments

Just when I think I haven't seen the little man and wonder why he's so quiet:

God gives me respite and melts my heart once again.

 It's been almost 2 years since I last witnessed this pose.

Deer Teachers

I am sorry my kids stayed up so late on a school night, but there was much learning to be done.  For example hands on learning about crushed bones, heart attacks and pericardial tamponade.  In other words, the thingies (protective sac) around the heart squeezes it a little (too much pressure) and then the doctor has to get a needle and do surgery up past the ribcage and put a tiny hole in the heart and take out the extra blood.

That's all
Have a lovely day

Power at the Pump

Memorial Day Weekend:

A time to remember those who have died in active military service! A tribute to those who pay the price so I can live freely.

THANK YOU SOLDIERS, 

for your service!

It is also a highly traveled weekend due to a 3 day vacation for most people.  This year we have joined the ranks and made a journey just over 400 miles in one direction to visit family for a beautiful baptism.

But, back to the story.  Do you ever get 'loaded up' and think you're ready to leave, but don't actually get out the door for another hour due to loading process?  We are notorious for not leaving at the scheduled time when we first get started out on a trip. I think it's the: making sure we have what we need, the bathroom breaks, the chasing toddlers while trying to remember what we're forgetting.  For some reason, it's an accomplishment just to get out of the door!  

We stumbled through loading up yesterday.  As I put the final touches into bags after completing laundry, my dear husband cleaned out the van.  It's always good to start with a clean slate! Especially after the van has been lived in: for eating, napping, playing and storing garbage and clothes in between activities. In the meantime, my 'key boy' kept himself occupied by 'helping' Daddy.  Vincent has mastered the gadgets of the van. He was thoughtful as he helped his Daddy: giving him music to listen to, air conditioning, lights, and he even checked to make sure the blinkers worked! 

Vincent was thorough.  We finally got to the point of pulling out of the driveway. Or so I thought.  I turned the key to start the van.  Nothing.  So I tried again.  And smile.  Who was I kidding that we'd be leaving.  Thank God we had another vehicle and jumper cables.  There's something about being connected to a Power source to recharge our batteries.

The engine started back up after the second try and we were out of the driveway and on the road to deliver the doggy to his favorite play place.  I like this little trip out the door, completely loaded.  It gives me time to think about what we may have forgotten.  Two things made the list this time after we dropped off the doggy.  We came back to the house on our way to the interstate for the important things: camera and sippy cup!  And would you believe, 3 kids jumped out to use the bathroom!  Boy am I glad we didn't get down the road 2o minutes, and hear, "I have to go potty!"

In those few minutes back at the house, our neighbor yelled across the street, "Did you remember to pack your patience?"  I chuckled and thought, 'I'm not sure.'  My husband on the other hand responded, "Yep, I think all our patients are accounted for!" Just another way we think differently.  

And we were off!  Traveling with kids is an adventure in itself.  They get along, they fight, they sleep and they get loud and rambunctious with no rhyme or reason for any situation. Ok, well maybe there is reasoning behind some of it: like fighting when they are starving and sharing laughter after being  refueled.  Its fun, and at times trying, as we decipher which pokes to ignore and which ones to correct. But we're in it together and even though we get on each other's nerves at times, we still have the opportunity to love and practice patience.

And that is where this story came to fruition.  As we sat in church, Father reiterated, "God is Patience. This week, ask God for the gift of patience, because He is always Patient with us."  All I could think of was our neighbor asking if we packed all our patience. But, you know, our tanks only hold so much.  We need to refuel; stop in at the Station during our journey, so the Holy Spirit can pump us full with Patience once again; that we may Love like Christ:   

Life is full of times when we miss turns and have to map out new directions.  Sometimes we're in control and other times we have to sit back and be patient with others when we don't understand what they are doing.  We should smile and say Thank You, just like our Father, when He watches our feeble attempts to serve Him.

And so, We Soldier On...

"Are we there yet?"  

"Nope."

"When will we be be there?"

"When we get there; enjoy the ride!"

"Ewe, the van tooted!"

(followed by giggles)

For God so loved the world...

So must we!

T.P.-Thoroughly Pristine

Because life with Toilet Paper

Is Good

Happy Friday

Through the cross,
 we are "spread thin"
and all offenses are wiped clean.

Mother's day notes:

Kids Notes are the best!

For those of you who don't know what I look like:

Blue eyes. Brown eyes. They're all the same, right!

Anyone else like to watch Father Crappy? Or Croppy? Not be be confused with crappie-but, if my fishing son chose to spell it this way, I'm sure Fr Corapi would take it as a compliment.  The crappie fish comes from the family of sunfish in which the male builds the nest and then guards the eggs and young.

Also, take note: the author of the above note did not fill anything in for 'in her spare time'.  

Evidently he doesn't know what that is either.  ;) 

(some days are better than others)

Followed up with,

 "Yeah, since you help me, I don't have to."

I may have to take the contents of this note into reconsideration.

And the one I still question the meaning of is below:

"Your so sweet and kind Mom but you layed Christopher."

Maybe I need to quit being such a chicken about some things...

That's the best I can come up with.

Holy Spirit, may I have the gift of Courage!

I Lave you too, sons!

May we be cleansed of all our offenses;

for Love does wash out a multitude of sin.

definition of lave: (of water)wash against or over (something)

A Warm Spring Day

Call of Duty Reminder

From St. Josemaria Escriva

My daughter you have set up a home.  I like to remind you that you women--as you well know--have a great strength, which you know how to enfold within a special gentleness, so that it is not noticed.  With that strength, you can make you husband and children instruments of God or demons. 

You will always make them instruments of God: He is counting on your help! 

St. Joseph the Worker

Note to Boy:

  If you lock your door when you leave your room so that no little people get into you treasures, please make sure no little people are currently in you room!

Job description of this mother: 

Must be able to find lost children, cleanse, and nourish them.

St. Joseph, help me in this Great Task!

"You can not forget that any worthy, noble and honest work at the human level can - and should! - be raised to the supernatural level, becoming a divine task."  

-St. Josemaria Escriva in The Forge

Lost and Found

"Rejoice with me, I have found my lost sheep!"

So yesterday, I lost a child, a 2 year old child.  Something is just not right about that, but it happened. Quick to lose, what seemed like forever to find.  20 minutes is forever in a mother's heart.  Vincent is a wanderer, he had no intention of being lost.  In his mind he was not lost.  It was no big deal to him.  He was on his own, and perfectly fine with that.  His mother however was not.

And that is life.  How often do we go off exploring on our own, separated from our Father.  And to us, it's no big deal.  We think we are fine.  We don't see the danger with our independence. But He still gives us boundaries to keep us safe and hunts for us until we are found and back home again.

'Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do.'

Luke 15:1-7
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Meant to Be

As 40 Days for Life continues, this video reminds us:
We are ALL brought into the womb for a Purpose

Psalm 22

Visit: ThisIsRyan.com

Stones

I'm in the midst of a few house projects.

Presently, I have wall paper mostly taken off of 2 bathroom walls (waiting for help to remove toilets and a sink- shortly, it might turn into a hands on self taught project ;) I think my husband takes pleasure in the fact that if he waits long enough, I will try it my self.) Anyway, we are also looking into ripping up well liked carpet and putting a hard floor down in our 'school' room. This is the ADD coming out in me. I really have a hard time sticking to a task and finishing it - or am I just flexible and able to handle multiple things at once?

Either way, I was thinking about putting some sort of irregular stone or tile onto the school room floor. As I was gathering ideas from this wonderful internet, I got to thinking these irregular stones can reflect us - our family, a bit irregular, patched together and laid on the foundation of the Catholic Church. Each of us with our our intricacies, yet still able to be stuck together. We need each other to portray the beauty of whole. By ourselves, we might look neat, but patched together we are so much more - Beautiful, Meaningful, Strong!

Someday you will be able to see the finished projects...

The Lost Sheep (continued)

2nd Installment of The Lost Sheep

Ok, the kids are loaded up. I went back in the house and called for Michael. No answer. Here we go again... Up the stairs. Would you believe, I lost the lamb again! He was no where to be found. Neither was his backpack, shoes, the works- all missing!

This little lamb was not going to follow 'Mary' to school, today.

I decided I had better take Daniel. He had been waiting to go, and he didn't want to miss anymore of the school morning. At this point, he was already an hour late. As I left, I yelled through the air, "Michael please be ready by the time I get back home!" hoping the sound waves would carry to him, wherever he was. Then I called Dear Dad to fill him in on the missing child situation.

We arrived in the front office and I state, "Well, here's Daniel, I don't know exactly know where Michael is." The office staff answers back, "You're kidding, right."

"Well, I think he is in my house, the last time I checked, he was getting ready." We then had some caring dialog about this lost sheep which ended with the secretary saying, "Well, he'll have to use the bathroom eventually!" And I thought, 'Yes, we've got something going for us there' :) .

(This lost sheep of mine struggles with his colon, and the medicine he is on right now does NOT help his behaviors.)

On the drive back home, I began to second guess my decision to leave the house. What if he ran away while I was gone. Would he come back. Then thought, 'Of course he would come back, he's a kid; kids always come back, right?'

We pulled into the driveway, and I tell my 'littles' not to unbuckle just yet; incase Michael is ready. Inside I go, wondering. Wondering, 'Will he be here? Will he be ready? Will I find him?'

No luck on the quick find. I go back outside, and begin to haul the little ones in. Once we were all in and settled, I called for Michael again, no answer. I decided to leave the situation alone for a few moments, thinking he had to be in the house. Besides, I needed to figure out a better way to coax him out of hiding. As I swept up the mess of cereal and chocolate Nesquick that Vincent made during the Michael hunt, I thought of another tactic. I went upstairs with a prayer in my heart, and called again, "Michael, we need to talk, please come out." I continued to look around. Nothing, no Michael. How long do I wait before I have to search the neighborhood?

I beckon again, calmly going through each room, "Michael, please come out. I'm not going to hurt you. I love you and I forgive you." The third room I come to, I hear a stirring. I stop, listen, then repeat, "I love you, Michael, please come out." More stirring comes from under the bed. He was hiding in between two storage containers. Out he crawled, followed by him dragging out his shoes, backpack, and extra clothes.

We embraced, and talked. Since a significant amount of time had passed, I called the school to tell them I had found the lost sheep and would be bringing him up shortly. (Only 2 hours late).

This story, brings me to a greater understanding of the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14). Our Father does not want any of us to be lost. We hide in shame, when we feel like we can not be forgiven; and only come out when we trust in Love. Oh what I learn from the example of a child...No matter what our sin, we should not be afraid and hide it; rather expose ourselves, for Jesus already took care of our shame by His crucifixion. His suffering with the pain of the cross was easier for Him to go through, than it was to watch with compassion the suffering consequences of our sin. With love and pity, He suffered to gain our eternal embrace.

How can we follow Jesus' example? By offering our everyday challenges with love and pity for others, so that we may all enjoy the embrace. Today, I re-learned that when people are shown punishment, they hide more; and when they are shown mercy and love, people change!

God hears our cries for help. On the initial road of Calvary, Jesus had help. As I think back on this ordinary cross of mine, I thank God for the help he puts in my life. I called my mom after I got Michael up to school, and asked her to say a prayer for us. I began to joyfully clean up the ordinary messes which cluttered our 'road'. Then I heard a knock on my door. I opened it, and the lady on the other side stated, "I've got an hour, put me to work!" What, did I just hear? Really? I gave her a big hug. We talked and cleaned, and she left. And I was blessed by the Lord.

Carpe Diem!

Psalm 28

The Lost Sheep

'Mary' had a little lamb, its fleece was, well, not white as snow...

Monday morning goes as follows:

I was up and ready! I dropped Kathryn off at school and headed to Mass. (God knew I needed to be there this morning more than I!)

What a beautiful morning!

I joyfully came home, ready to seize the day. Carpe Dium! My other school go-ers were getting ready, well two of them anyway. I went back into the room of the younger two, reminding them to get up before they miss their ride with Dad. I could hear a bit of grumbling as I left the room, but they seemed to be moving the the right direction!

However, it came to be, they didn't move fast enough. Dear Dad took the older two, and I told him I would take the other two, so the bigger ones wouldn't be late. Off they went. Carpe Dium!

I helped Daniel tie his shoes, and started prepping the others to load up. I called up to Michael, "We're leaving, let's go please!" No answer...

I run up the stairs, taking two at a time here and there. (It's better exercise, you know!) Call for Michael again. No answer. Hmm, maybe he went to the bathroom. "Michael, we need to go." No answer. Back to his room. "Michael, where are you?" No answer. "Michael!" Getting desperate, I call, "Does anyone know where Michael is?" Daniel responds, "He's in the closet." I went back to the closet. No Michael. Search the room, search his brother's room. Back to the closet, move around the sleeping bags, no Michael. Hmm. "Michael, come on, we HAVE to go!" Fifteen minutes of searching, and I state, "If you don't show yourself, the wooden spoon will! And it won't feel good!" Still, nothing!

I began to think, "God, are you still with me?" I could feel the anger coming on as I shouted again, "Michael!" So much for going to church; I was becoming militant for sure, but not exactly church militant. I marched down the stairs mumbling to myself how this child is going to get it - and get it bad. I couldn't believe I was dealing with this. It was a nice morning. I shoved the utensils around looking for a good wooden spoon, and yelled again, "Michael, you better not make me use this!" Then I had this chilling thought that someone was enjoying this scene: Not good!

Ok, God, you need to help me here, I'm losing it! Help me calm down.

Jesus.

Jesus.

Jesus.

Yes, calling on His name helped me. I began to relax. I thought of this boy of mine, and how I needed to follow through with the consequence I gave him. I thought to myself, oh, I know, I will test the wooden spoon on my own hand to see how hard I can hit it to make it hurt, but not bad. Brilliant, God! I'm ready. I walk up the stairs, stating, "Michael, this is you last chance!" Please come out." No Michael. I searched his closet again- a bit more thoroughly, and finally found him curled up behind some hanging snowpants. Firmly, I state, "Let's go, get up!" His reply, "No, I'm not going to school!" I dragged him out. The spoon stung his but; he began to get ready, and I loaded the kids into the van.

*to be continued...

Empty Box = Full Lesson

Maybe its because the kids are getting older...

Maybe its because they are too much like a parent before them...

Maybe its because if they didn't get to them first, they wouldn't get any...

Maybe its because they don't want to get caught...

In any case, I found an empty box of cookies in the cupboard, neatly placed so that it looks like it has never been touched and opened. Another empty box/container kept special in the cupboard to fill with childhood memories:

One Christmas, my dear mother baked cookies. Actually, she baked every Christmas, but this one fills the cookie box today. She kept the cookies in the deep freezer out in the garage. A perfect place for cookies to be kept until Christmas; that is, unless you have a dear husband and 7 kids looking for treats.

About 2 weeks before Christmas, my mom decided to pull out a container of cookies. My grandparents were coming to celebrate my brother and I's December birthdays. Well, she pulled the container out and opened it. The container was empty, so she pulled another. It was empty. And another, and another and another: all empty! All the sudden we heard an agonizing "NOOO!" come from the garage. Mom went through the cookie containers (11 or 12 of them) which were supposed to be full of cookies-all empty!

A little later, Mom shared the story the neighbor, who also had a big family. And the neighbor lady said she was getting together with her adult girls to make Christmas cookies. My mom wished us girls were old enough to do that, but that was not the case. So, she got busy baking again, and made a few more containers worth. This time, she marked them "For Christmas! Don't Eat!" In the meantime, the generous neighbor lady came over with about 5 dozen of their Christmas cookies to share. Thank God for neighbors!

So, today's lesson for me comes from my mom whom I love, a memory, and an empty box: We must give and keep giving even when there is nothing in it for ourselves. Yes, there's nothing in it for me. It's not about me, but Christ who lives in me, doing His work. And as we keep giving, he fills us with more! It's all about Him.

Our Lord to St. Catherine of Siena (youngest of ≈ 25 children)

Do you know My daughter who you are and who I am? You are she who is not, and I am Who Is.

I spread the grace of my Spirit where I will... Be brave and obedient when I send you out among people. Wherever you go I will not forsake you, I will be with you, as is my custom, and will guide you in all that you are to do.

kinda sounds a lot like John 14.

All for the Glory of God!

Note:

1. Now just so you know, freezer cookies are different from fresh cookies or treats left out on the counter. When we got into those, we NEVER took the last one! It was then that we were working on our sharing hearts. ;)

2. Even to this day, (my dad is the only one home) she puts a note on the special containers: "For _____, Do Not Eat!" It is understood, and everything else is free for all! (Her notes remind me of Adam and Eve, and the forbidden fruit ;) )

Timing kills me...

So you know the post about offering things up when they aren't going the way you want?

Yeah, let me just say I've got a lot to work on.

I hate it when I am being tested; know I am being tested; try to stop the major temper tantrum, but can't! Have you ever been there?

We had an engaged couple come over last night. The house was a disaster of seeds, mud (partially from the pond remodeling) and clothes from a multi child wardrobe changeover that has been in the process for a year. Yes, you read correctly, a year (sigh). My husband was excited to be able to see a good portion of our bedroom floor, but half of the disaster ended up on the kitchen table, amidst the few dirty dishes.

After realizing we had about an hour before the couple would be here, Gabrielle came to the rescue and made some mac and cheese for dinner. However, her attention to detail, or lack there of, started to wear on me. I am not an expert in this detail field, but evidently I have learned a little bit since I was her age. ;) I needed to be more patient with her.

As she was making dinner, I was fixing the vacuum cleaner that wasn't working due to some helpful child (or children) vacuuming up a bobby pin, pencil, and sucker stick which clogged the rest up with a bunch of dog hair and dirt. It felt good to get all that gunk out of it! I asked for someone to help bring me the garbage. John was excited to help! I was thanking him until.....it tipped over on the carpet. I was in disbelief and commanded him to put the stuff back into the can. I continued to put the vacuum back together, and one piece was not going on. I was doing ok until I noticed I had been working on it for over a half hour (yes, I am stubborn. I knew I could fix it, just one more try!) and our guests would be arriving soon to the previously described condition of our house + a tipped over garbage can on the carpet that John was not wanting to clean up because of some slimy stuff. All I wanted to do was tidy up quick and vacuum. It didn't happen. We had a bigger mess!

They showed up. The out of control woman of the previous 10 minutes all the sudden turned nice. I hate this. Well, it was good I snapped out of it, but I should have the moment it started.

Actually, they should have come 15 minutes early! Then all would have been fine. ;)

FYI:

1. I hereby give you permission to arrive early to our home! ;)

2. The piece of the vacuum cleaner that wouldn't go on properly - I fixed it in one 20 second try after the couple left. Gotta love that...