Has anyone seen...

Oh, there's Christopher's pants!

And John's shoe!

"Please do not run off with the pull chain!"

Yes, that has happened!

Vincent's nickname: "Thief" 

He is a 'good thief'

Looks like Christopher has forgiven him!

If you take a girl to the dentist

Gina Style

If you take a girl to the dentist, she will valiantly hold her mouth shut.  Since she did not open her mouth, you will have to set up another appointment in six months, in hopes for a better result.  Before going to the next appointment, you rave on about seeing the dentist. You even go to the extreme of buying a beautiful dancing shirt that she picked out. (She needs clothes for summer, but you won't give this shirt to her until she cooperates with the dentist.) Since you set up a second appointment, you take the girl to the dentist again.  On the way to the dentist office, the car ride goes something like this: Girl, "Yeah, we're going to the dentist! I'm going to do really good so I can take the tags off my new shirt."

Upon arriving at the dentist office, all is well!  However, once the hygienist brings the girl to the room, the girl forgets her desire to take the tags off her new shirt.  If you put a girl in a dentist room, she will see a pretty princess toothbrush that she really wants!  The hygienist tries to give it to her, but mom says, "Not unless she nicely lets you look at her teeth." and intercepts the toothbrush.  Because, if you take a girl to the dentist, mom gets really stubborn, too!

If you take a girl to the dentist and mom gets stubborn, she will hold the girl in her lap and pry her mouth open to let the dentist see the concerning spots on the girls teeth.  If a strong willed mom shows a dentist a reluctant girl's teeth, the dentist will recommend her to go to another dentist.  

In fear of girl chomping off his hand?

If you get recommended to another dentist you will have to make another appointment.  If you have to make another appointment, you will have to talk with a valiant girl about true courage and remind her about the pretty shirt she desperately wants to wear.  

If you set up an appointment with a new dentist (another male, yet unbeknown to girl), the girl will get sick with stomach flu in the wee hours of the morning on appointment day.  If the girl is sick, you will have to set up another appointment. This time the next available was with the wife of same recommended office. 

If you set up a fourth appointment, the girl will have more time to adjust to the idea of a dentist seeing her teeth.  Mom will be calling grandma to ask for prayers for stubborn girl to let the dentist see her teeth. Mom will talk it up again and pray all the way there, in hopes for a positive result.  

If you take a girl to the dentist, and it's a girl dentist, the little girl will do anything the girl dentist asks. You will wonder if this is the same child you struggled with for past visits to previous dentist. And  you will be happy to report to daughter's dad her thoughts, "I really like GIRL dentists!"  For that statement, dad thinks she should go back to the boy dentist.

If the girl likes a dentist, you will go back to that dentist to fix her teeth.  Mom will explain what is going to happen, and girl will say, "If it's at the girl dentist, I'll go!"

If you take a girl to get her teeth fixed, she will have a numb mouth.  

Since she had a numb mouth, she was able to get this shiny tooth!  

However, since she has a numb mouth, she might bite her cheek.  If she bites her cheek bad enough, she will have to eat soft foods.  If she has to eat soft foods, her mom will want to make her a smoothy for some sort of nutrition.  If mom goes to make a smoothy, the blender will break, and the motor will not operate.  If the motor does not work, mom will have to find a new blender.

If mom finds a new blender, she will taste her speedy concoction and have to call hubby to tell him how great it (the blender and the smoothy) is.  

The girl will be begging to have her smoothy back,

 and hubby will ask for a smoothy when he gets home.  

All because I took a girl to the dentist.  ;)

Vincent and the dancer wanted smoothy, too!

If YOU have to replace a blender, I highly recommend this one.  I've used it once, but the smoothy was made in seconds.  Smooth and Yummy!  If I change my mind, I'll let you know.
 

Just a little Upgrade

John asked when we were going to the short Mass at night.
I responded, "That's tomorrow with soup supper."
His reply, "Oh yeah! Is soup supper gonna have another UPGRADE?"
Me: What do you mean?
John: Well they upgraded last week and had green cookies!

Dear St. Patrick, my kids thank you for enabling an upgrade to our soup supper last week.  They loved the green shamrock cookies.  What do you think you can come up with this week to appease my squirrelly kids?

Maybe I can do these in honor of St. Catherine of Sweden when we get home tomorrow night.  They appear to be a very lenten type of dessert. We'll definitely use the whipped type of cream as my kids would not eat the sour cream, and maybe substitute with cherries in honor of the Order of the Holy Saviour, the convent that her mother, St. Bridget, had founded.
I hope Saints Catherine and Bridget don't mind us celebrating with them this lent.  :)

St. Joseph, a guide to fulfill our vocation

St. Joseph, I ask you to watch over, guide and protect us like you protected Christ.

We may find ourselves at times like St. Joseph: not knowing what to do, not fit for the duty God places in our lives.  But if we remain prayerful, Heaven will guide us to gently follow a precise route of battle, dodging mines, to gain the most ground for Heaven. 

St. Joseph, teach us to honor, protect and provide for Christ in our day. Help us work to perform our duties well; all the while listening and being obedient to the will of God. 


"To be perfect in our vocation is nothing else than to fulfill the duties which our state of life obliges us to perform, and to accomplish them well, and only for the honor and love of God."- St. Francis de Sales

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

Sledding, Baby Style

Christopher's Rendition of Sledding on Melting Snow

Our snow is steadily melting.

The ground is colored brown and white with a splash of dull green.

I think I'm catching Spring Fever!

From the Pond...

Who Let the Frogs Out?

Frogs are awakening from Hibernation!

Kids are excited

Even kids at heart!

Dad says, "We might have to get some minnows to feed them."

  Gina says, "I want to go with you!"

Dad, "What do you think they would eat?"

Gina, "They'd eat what they like!"

Police - Maintaining Order

The 'Police Hat' Strikes Again

Please Pray And Sacrifice for Priests

That they may have the Grace
To embrace the Cross
United with Christ
Living the Mass
Ready and Willing
To Serve
To Suffer
For the Redemption of Souls

It IS OUR DUTY!

St Frances of Rome

What can we learn from this married saint? Sanctify our daily duties as we love and serve the sick, most especially when they are poor patients. This hits home with me as we go through stomach flu with puking and pooping kids.


Nowadays, I find prayer: 
Standing, bucket in hand with a vomiting preschooler. 
Cleaning up carpet, floors, sinks, toilets.
Changing sheets and 'Daddy T-shirts' 
Washing blankets, pillows, clothes, kids, myself


Through simultaneous puking and a two year old taking off his diaper to poop on the carpet as I change over laundry, I am reminded, it's all about the attitude.  I have a choice go alone, impatient and overwhelmed or I can bring Christ into the battlefield, patient and diligent; knowing that we work for a Greater cause which will remain hidden until I meet my Boss face to face.


Thanking God for the opportunity to serve, yet praying that these children will be healthy soon!


“It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife. And sometimes she must leave God at the altar to find Him in her housekeeping” 
-St. Frances of Rome in Butler’s Lives of the Saints

Proud to Throw Like a Girl

Sometimes comics speak volumes:

Did someone take a picture of me when I wasn't looking?

Around here, snowballs are flying every time we go outdoors, whether it be to run errands or after church. A few of us made it to reconciliation Sat, and as Michael and I built up our ammo to ambush Dad, Luke and his friend, Michael mischievously states, "Mom, (giggle) we're gonna have to go back to confession!"

Nah...this is pure fun ;)

Fertilizer...

Fertilizer comes from taking the failures that make us stink and spreading them out into the open via the sacrament of Confession, where Christ makes all things Good!  Therefor, be patient, merciful, and thankful with failures, for in repentance, God cultivates, breaks us up and seasons us, so that we may experience new and improved growth!

Humility = Christ's liveliness!

Diligence Gets Us One Step Closer

Christopher is gaining ground

One step at a time

Are you watching?

I know that I always hope Our Father is watching:

Our hard work & concentration in striving for the Goal!

Falling back a bit...

But, getting right back at It!

With more confidence

And coming back down to share

The Joy of the Cross!

I have much to learn from him,

and his example of

 Diligence!

Personal Trainer

Christopher is getting me in shape!  

Up

and down

again, up

down

He's a tough act to follow, but his smiles are worth the workout! 

With Lent in full bloom, it's time to spiritually workout as well!  

Train our souls to go the distance!

Are you with me?

Let's get started and practice prayer a little more each day;

 so that we may be strong enough to crawl, then walk, and RUN!

Love, Measured in Distance

A while back, Daniel came home from school and stated, "Mom, I missed you."
Continuing, "But I missed Dad more, his office is way farther away from school than our house is. That's why I missed him more."

Our Lady of Lourdes in the Pig-sty

What is the pigsty? The place where pigs live; a dirty, stinky dwelling.

Like any good mother, Mary wants to pick up and clean a dirty or untidy space; She wants to see things clean! She knows that the best way to get the job done is to make herself present, state what needs to be done, and then help us do it.  She is such a good Mother! She sees our messy lives and shows us the way to clean it up.  At the same time, it is never about Her, but always about Her Son, Jesus; as She tells us, "Do whatever He tells you!"

What does Jesus tells us? Repent, Pray, Love.  It's that simple!  Yet our being tends to fight such simplicity. Even when we know it's what we want, we fail.  We are poor souls needing continual work, just like our homes!  Yes, our sins usually stay the same, but the clutter of our homes is typically the same as well!  We clean our homes: sweep and mop the floors, launder the clothes, wash the dishes and try to stay on top of the mess, for when it builds up, it takes over us, it's too much to deal with and we become more complacent. The same is true for our souls: we must repent more frequently to keep our spirits tidy; so that sin doesn't take over us and make us even more complacent.

We must ask for the grace to clean: both our hearts and homes.  Look around and see what needs to be done and do it!  When we are not sure, ask Our Lady, for like any good mother, she will point us in the right direction and tell us where things belong!  She loves us, but to keep things running smoothly, we must help with the work, like any good child!

So grateful to Our Father for allowing the Mother of Jesus to come to our pigsty and help cleanse us!
"Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." -Rev 3:19

St. Bernedette pray for us who struggle with sin.

Ordinary Time

Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
O [Maria] you are everything my heart desires

This is the tune that brought me to Adoration early this morning.  I had a difficult time getting out of bed on this quiet, snowy morning, and thought, 'Can't I just be with You, in the comfort of my warm home, Lord?'
I got up and walked into the chapel singing the song above back to Jesus.  However, I had to change the words a bit 'I think about you most the time.'  Wishing it was ALL the time.  Then listened to Him sing it back to my heart.  After a moment of time, I broke the silence with a fart, pass of gas, flatulence whatever you want to call it.  I quickly apologized, saying to Jesus, "I probably shouldn't do that in here, huh!" At that instant, this little toot became a prayer. A conversation with God that went something like this:

"Well Jesus, you were human, didn't you ever fart?  I'm sure you understand.  Did you ever fart and have the disciples chuckle?  Maybe Your's weren't this smelly because of you Divinity, but maybe they were.  Tell me about it."
~Pause to listen~
Chuckling, "Did you ever have to give those fishermen you hung out with a hard time because of their farts? I've been around a fisherman, and he doesn't always smell so nice when he passes gas!"
~Pause to listen~
Did you ever ask Our Father, "Really, Dad, farts? What good is there in that? These men stink!"

And the answer for the gift of farts:
Humility and Conversation aka: prayer - taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary.

Yep, that's what my farts in the chapel were this morning.  Extraordinary! Gifting our Father back.
Humbly admitting I'm human (and smelly).  I hope it doesn't linger.  But, if it does, the people after me might just have something to talk to God about, too!  ;)

2 Many

When asked how old he was, Vincent said,

 "I Two Many!"

And this look of his says it all!

 Yes, some days he IS 'two many'!

Here's what he has accomplished this past year:

He has become an avid climber; indoors and out!

Driving!

I must say, he is quite good at driving my patience;

 in one direction or another!

Fishing!

And baking

To take care of his mama!

A bit of rest as he protects his little brother!

The art of taking a girl for a ride on his 'bike'!

He can pour his own cereal

into his bowl.

And he has become quite the carpenter with his Daddy!

Happy 2nd Birthday Vincent!

One bridge crossed, hopefully many more to come!

The fine art of asking nicely...

Gina:  Gimme some milk. Gimme milk now.

Mom: I'm waiting for some nice words.

Gina: Please!

Mom:  Try, "May I have some milk please."

Gina: May you Gimme milk PLEASE!

Mom: May I have milk please.

Gina: May I (pause) Gimme milk please.

Mom: May I have milk please.

Gina: Will you gimme milk please, I asked nicely!

Mom: May I have milk please.

After a couple more tries...

Gina, in the sweetest voice: May I have milk please.

Mom: Oh, Yes, you asked so nicely!

Gina: Well, gimme it.

...is not so fine.  Yet.

Sigh...we'll keep practicing! 

Celebrating Catholic Schools

Well, it was this time last year that I wrote an email which became the 'beginning' of my blogging days.  It just took a little over a month to make it happen.  If you're interested, I decided to post it.  It is dated on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (in commeration) :)  The plan was to post it back then, but it's up and running now!


This year's kick off to Catholic School's Week has not been as exciting, but still notoriously filled with active children.  A 3 year old yelling across the alter, towards the choir members, in the silence following the Alleluia, "Hi Gabrielle!!" and waving, then saying, "I love you!"  Then looking at me as I'm trying to get her to stop and stating, "But I see Gabrielle and I love her!"  We then had to reposition her so she would not sneak out into the isle to dance during the songs. However, she wasn't the only child in our family that got repositioned!  


We also had a cry-er, due to big brother's strong hands not remaining to himself. And a stealthy 2 year old who managed to crawl under the pew and run out in the communion isle, not once, but 3 times.  At that moment, I was really wishing I could have sat closer to him, because sometimes, his Daddy just doesn't notice these things - obviously. 


Today was simply a typical Mass experience (more or less): corrections, smiles, tears, movement, peace, listening, speaking, singing and dancing - sounds like a typical family to me.  This evening, I'll be reading the readings again; somehow I missed them today.  But really, what would this celebration with God's family be like without the gift of children - probably less distracting, but also less meaningful!  


"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." -Matthew, Mark and Luke!

Milk and cookies...

A small glimpse of 'Mother Hen's' day:


I've played hide and seek with a big kid. Twice.  By the grace of God, I am getting better at this game! So are my younger children.  While I stealthily searched, two other children climbed onto the counter to scarf down as many oreos as they could before I returned.  'Are you kidding me?' I thought to myself.  Nope - the big chocolate toothy grins with make-up crumbs surrounding their mouths were a bit of a give away- they must have thought I'd be gone longer.  I'm telling you, prayer works, we are getting better at this challenge!


I also taught my preschooler and older 'found' child.  With the preschooler, we are working on rhyming.  It just so happens we are rhyming with the sound 'oo' today.  First sound, 'm'.  He got it perfect!  I exclaimed, "What, we have a cow in the house!"  Giggles and more "MOO!"  "Where's John, get this cow outta here!" Then we have, "Moo, Poo" and more giggles.  "Moo, poo poo!"  'Eww!' I exclaim.  "Moo, Doo doo."  more giggles.  This 'cow' is out of control with giggles, and his mama is not helping. You could say I was maybe the hen; egging him on.



Whose idea was it to rhyme with 'oo'? 


 Oh, yes,  the great reading book shown on the left!  


I milked this 'cow' for thousands of giggles, all the while thinking, God, I hope You're laughing with us, and smiling in His presence. And wondering if he milks us for smiles as well- like in the sometimes challenging moments of the day: for example when above children were scarfing down cookies right before lunch as I searched for the older child.


He DiD milk a smile out of me when I saw their chocolate covered teeth and great big crumby smiles.  Oreos, dipped in milk - oh, delicious.  


And so, once again, God teaches me through my children: Grace, Love and Mercy.  In my milk and cookies kind of day, I'm grateful for life's challenges.  In a prayerful mind they are delicious. First I am humbled, which calls for grace. The Grace strengthens my weaknesses and brings joy. Joy allows me to love and show mercy. 


The parable of Milk and Cookies:Take the gift of cookies (kids) dip them in a bit of Milk (squeezed from the work our Father) and the outcome is delicious - (love, mercy and a touch of laughter).

"Whoooa! Are you writing on the windows?"

Culprits in unison, "Sowry mom, I sowry."

I reiterate: 

Grace.  

Love.  

Mercy.  

And I add:  Consequences...ya know, to purify.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  
-Matthew 11:28-30