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...

Store-ing up Treasures!

Welcome to the neighborhood SAMS club.

Now if you are shopping in this store, you should be used to BULK items.

Including the main display today: Mom's Pre-school Package: 4 children, 4 and under (at least for 4 more days ;) ).

We had fun in SAMS today.

It all started with another mother commenting on the display above and how great they were. Followed up with her commenting on the fact that she is not ready to bring her 4 young children to the store, and in awe that it can work. For me, it has to work. Somedays it is not always in good order, but it works. As conversation went on, I filled her in that these 4 were the bottom half of 9 children. She replies, "So, you've had practice." Yes, lots of practice: namely in prayer!

I think she was priming us for what was to come. The record breaking number of times I would hear, "You have your hands full!"

First: a confirming smile.

Second: a bit of conversation followed by an attitude of "I can't talk right now, the baby is starting to cry, and 2 walkers are getting into the fridges asking if we needed everything in them."

Third: After the record breaking statement mentioned above, to John, "How do you like being the oldest?" John informs her that he is not the oldest, and I reiterate, "Yes, we have 9." I find it funny when I have to repeat the amount of children we have.

Did she

a. not believe him

b. believe she did not hear correctly

c. have short term memory loss

d. all the above

I don't know for sure, but I always blame it on c. short term memory loss. I guess that comes from my years visiting nursing homes. Repeat, repeat, repeat. That lesson comes in handy!

Fourth: This was great! I still laugh when I picture this man's behavior. We turned right to walk down an isle. The man, behind us went straight. Then, stopped. Came toward us and stared for a few seconds. Evidently our display caught his eye? Then he continued on in the direction he was intending to go. A moment later, he came back to observe our moving display, and quoted the 'record statement of the day': "My, you have your hands full." He was genuinely amazed. And I chuckled at his amazement, and followed up with, "Yes, aren't they great! I wouldn't have it any other way." And his reply, "That's great!"

Fifth: another confirming smile. I was still stuck on the gentleman mentioned fourth!

And, It's still ringing in my ears,

"My, you have your hands full!"

Priceless!

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Bosses Day!

Do I need words?

Just for the record:

"I'm the boss of this family!"

coincidently spoken the evening before 'bosses day'

Do we need to do something for her?

Or have we already done too much??

It's Snowing!

INSIDE!

And you ask where was Mama?

Simply changing laundry over.

Let the children come to me...

John was rummaging through some old hats from Grandpa, and look at the treasure he found:

"Awesome, a police hat just like Father _." Followed by a happy dance. "I'm wearin' this one! Oh yeah, just like Father _. But mine is blue and his is black, right Mom?"

Please say a prayer for our priests!

We NEED them

therefor

They need our prayers.

Sing Out!

This is where we were Sunday night!

Kathryn's favorite song, if she had to pick - Sing Out!

Gabrielle's Favorite: At the Ceili and When You Believe

Michael's favorite: Dulaman -namely the percussion

Celtic Woman

Their music is beautiful, and they will warm your heart!

Check them out for yourselves!

Thanks Grammie, for a nice evening!

Visit Celtic Woman to find a show near you.

Incognito

So, our 15 passenger van in is the shop. Therefore I am driving a mini-van. I now know why they call them mini! It is so small! Biggest change, other than mere appearance, when I get out, my foot touches the ground. Weird! Usually I slide out from the upper atmosphere and it takes a while before my feet touch bottom. And when I get in, I just sit down. Weird. I'm used to the step, pull, step method. My body is confused!

I already had to go out and pick up a sick, puking kiddo from school. I saw a few people on the way to and fro, and guess what, they didn't see me! Do you know how good it feels; not to be noticed and stand out, exp: "oh, there's the __mobile!"

Yes, that's the introvert in me coming out! I kinda like not being noticed. Funny that I should be blogging.

For a short time,

-Incognito

Unexpected Guest

The best unexpected guest came to our home last Thursday, and is staying the week! I was so excited when I got the phone call last week, looking for a place for her to stay - she must have known we needed her presence!

Pray, pray a great deal and offer sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell because they have no one to pray and make sacrifices for them.

-Our Lady of Fatima

Pilgrim Virgin Statue

Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for Us!

Happy

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!

St Maria Faustina Kowalska

Jesus I Trust in You

St. Faustina is the one whom Jesus worked through to bring us His message of Love and Mercy. In this International Week of Prayer, would you be willing to join me in saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet?

Jesus to St. Faustina, "Their love is weak, so I put them in your special care - pray for them."

FYI:

Here is a great DVD for kids! If you click the image it will bring you to EWTN catalog. It might air today on EWTN sometime between 4-5 PM Eastern time if you want a preview.

St. Faustina, teach us the mercy of Jesus that we may be merciful. We all fall to sin, but those who trust in God's Mercy prevail! His love and mercy are greater than any sin.

God Loves You!

*Actually, this is the DVD I was thinking about:

The sister teaches the children how to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and what to think about as they are saying it.

Need a Body Guard?

1-800-GUARDIAN ANGEL

Too many #'s? Then try the prayer line!

All you have to do is say, "Guardian Angel" and Bam, you've got yourself a body guard, protecting ALL of you, most importantly, your SOUL!

Give yours a call, today!

*Bill Osborne, a Christian artist, has some great digital pictures of Angel Warriors, the Guardian Angel is my favorite. These are the types of angels I want protecting me!

Here's one example named

Divine Protection:

-Psalm 91:11

In the blink of an eye

I just realized today is the 30th. The last day of September. I thought it just started...

So here is what I have learned in the blink of September:

-1-

I can still scream like a girl when surprised!

Some of you know, I don't get surprised by much, and I can't remember the last time my vocal cords let out a squeal because of something surprisingly gross-I'm referring to critters.

Daniel my boy who always has a bit of nature in his hands (from dirt to plants to critters) came into the house while I was on the couch half awake nursing Christopher. He showed me his net. This one to be exact:

And continued to ask me if I wanted to know what he had in it. Tiredly, I said, "Sure." He took his hand off the top, and a BIG BULLFROG jumped on my shoulder, just above Christopher's head.

Go ahead, scream with me!

AHHH!

Daniel was full of laughter, and so was I a few seconds later.

He tried it again, but to his surprise, I didn't scream anymore: I took the frog, reminded him that it belonged outside, and laughed some more!

-2-

Have I ever told you how much I like preschool helpers?

They make a mess

In a blink of an eye

And I love it!

Really, I do!

I wish I could join them!

And their innocence!

-3-

And then they grow up!

And I'm learning to love it.

Yes, Learning:

To understand

To teach

To let go

-4-

The race is on:

Last year, Luke was the fastest 4th grader in town!

This year, he had the honor of lighting the torch for the 4th grade 'fun run'.

-5-

Bracelets Anyone?

I told her she had to take them off before we went to the store, and she replied, "But they are pretty and soft!" I'm sure it would have brought a few chuckles at the store, but I just couldn't do it. She reluctantly took them off.

-6-

We've been in a 'No' Craze:

If I say "No" to one child, why do the others have to do/ask the exact same thing?

Just in case its ok for them?

It's making me craz-E:

Mom: "Didn't I just tell you, 'no'."

Kid: "No, you told ___ 'no'."

-7-

F.R.O.G

Fully Rely on God

He is always watching us. ;)

*may or may not be the frog mentioned in 1*

But isn't it cute peeking in the window?

I leave you with this:

"Pray, Hope and Don't Worry!"

-Padre Pio

September 23

And that folks, is our September in a blink of an eye!

Hopefully October will be a better blog month ;)

Can't keep my hands off you!

Christopher is 2 months old!

And look at all the help and love around him!

Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children born in one's youth. Blessed are they whose quivers are full.

Psalm 127

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 ;) )

Rest

I wouldn't recommend it, but the bassinet does hold more than 15 pounds.

Thank God!

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Job 11:18

Brain damage...take 2

Child, "Umm, Mom, the stool broke."

To clarify the type of stool:

Parents, "Were you sitting on it properly?"

"I don't know. I was just sitting on it, and it broke."

Yes, I think our child has brain damage...

Being a brilliant parent that I am, I later pointed out the safety sticker on the bottom of the stool stating:

Proper use: ...Do NOT rock or tilt stool on two legs while seated.

Only to notice the next line: Do NOT let children use stool without adult supervision.

I guess I am at fault, too.

Why is it that kids can't resist rocking on a chair or stool. How many times have we heard, "Don't lean back in the chair!" Maybe it's just me, but growing up, we heard it a lot. Which brings back memories. At one point in time my parents decided to add a room on to the house. I had a particular brother who was notorious for balancing his chair on two legs, and reclining it back to rest on the wall behind him. That wall is the one that would later be knocked out to an open room. Yes, he was in such a habit of sitting back in his chair that he tried to lean it against the wall that no longer existed. He will never live that down, except for the day he was "down" on the floor. ;)

Thanks for the laugh, bro - you know who you are!

Trick Question

Kathryn was going to demonstrate to Michael and Daniel a take down handshake. (Like they need to know how to do this at their tender ages of 8 & 6 sigh) They both wanted to go first, so she did the famous pick a number game:

"Ok, I've got a number behind my back between 1-10."

With only ONE hand behind her back, I wondered how she had a number bigger than 5.

Maybe she was growing fingers back there...

She's not fluent in sign language. (But you can try it if you click on the 1-10 link.)

She covered up with, "Ah, yes, it was a trick question!"

A Slug-ger

There are just some things about boys that make me laugh! Maybe that's why God keeps gifting us with them: to bring humor to our lives. Some of you readers might not find the humor in this little story, but I am still chuckling. Maybe it's because I had to try and bottle the laughter up when it happened...thus no picture. These boys of mine don't need any encouragement!

John came strolling back into the bathroom this evening, after his shower, bare back, announcing, "Mom, can you get the slug off my back?"

I questioned him, "You have a slug on your back?"

"Yes, I can't reach it, Daniel put it there."

John turned around, and I didn't see a slug. It wouldn't surprise me if I did see a slug there. The boys have found slugs in the yard to feed to the fish. It's possible one of them snuck a slug into the house. It's also possible that one of them would think it is cool to see how a slug would crawl on someone else's back.

Daniel came giggling into the bathroom as I was telling John he didn't have a slug on his back. Try as I might, I could not keep a straight face as I looked at Daniel and his "slug".

Do you want to know what was crawling on John's bare back?

A big slimy booger!

aka slug

straight from Daniel's nose

got milk?

I'm sure you've seen the ads. One of the latest is of Batman with the quote, "Others reload, Batman refuels." gotmilk.com tells us, "With all its healthful benefits, milk could be considered a superdrink." Now, my favorite memory of a milk add is from the 80's, "Milk, it does a body good- Pass it on!"

So, where am I going with this milk fetish?

I was feeding Christopher this morning as I sat in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and thought about this superdrink. G.K. Chesterton tells us, "A baby does not find nourishment from sucking his thumb, but from an outside source." And so it is with us!

However hard we try to satisfy ourselves, we still need nourishment from an outside source. What better place can we go to refuel from a superdrink than to Jesus? Jesus: the one who gives us drink when we are thristy (John 4:14), food when we are hungry (John 6:35), healing when we are hurt (Matthew 9:35; Luke 6:19), and the touch of Love when we simply need to be picked up.

Got Love?

Adoration, it does a body good - Pass it on!