Potty Training...

Life lessons hit me the most through my children, and for this I thank God. Right now we are working on potty training a two year old. A two year old who knows what's going on, and removes his soiled clothes and brings them to me with an, "Ut oh, uck!"

In between the 'ut oh's' we attempt to get him to eliminate on the toilet with no success. We keep placing  him there in hopes that he will soon succeed.  Well today came another 'ah ha' moment of life with God. In between the ut oh's of our life, He keeps putting us on the toilet so to speak, in hopes that we succeed. Is there a virtue in our lives in need of training? If we are open, we are constantly being trained to love, to be gentle...the list goes on for whatever virtue we must be trained in.  Like a child, God puts us in situations hoping that we, too, learn and succeed. At first we won't enjoy being there, and we'll have a lot of "ut oh, uck's" in between, but if we submit our will and listen to the heavenly cheers, we too will succeed! 

Sin/Reconciliation

Child 1: "I need to pray for (Child 2) so she'll stop making me sneak into her stuff!"

Child 1 continues, "Her just leaves her stuff right where I can see it and tells me to stay away and that makes me get it.  Yeah, that's why I need to pray for her, so she can let me play with all the stuff I see!"

One of our children has the privilege of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this evening. (Not children listed above.)

-Adding prayer request for him and all families, please!

But, what a great lesson Child 1 teaches us.  Maybe, just maybe, it's not the annoying person (and their thoughtlessness about me) that needs to change.  Maybe I need change.  Maybe I should pray for self control so that I am not 'made' to sneak, lie, hurt, blab etc.  Adults need change - it's what perfects our souls.  We need to reconcile our weaknesses and sin and ask for the grace to love more.

That is the bottom line- LOVE.  Love that irritating person in our lives.  I was thinking this morning: I need to love more.  We don't ever get irritating to God.  It's quite the opposite. When we get more awful and irksome, he wants to be closer to us. He doesn't run and hide (we do).  He doesn't avoid companionship, He longs for it and waits for our return. Maybe I too should long for that companionship, wait in love for those I struggle with. I'm pretty sure that's why God has put them in my life: so I may grow in holiness.  I have nothing more to worry about. Thankfully, God has a plan for us - to bring us closer to Him.  That includes, most especially, the times we fail. These failings may be our greatest gift; we learn that sin and weakness is really all we have to give Him, and in return He fills us with love and strength.

I think we have the better deal.

Fly Guy: Saving the World One Buzz at a Time

And who ever thought one of my son's favorite books and some annoying flies could make a blog?
Flies:  I seem to be collecting them in my house.  Some fruit flies hovering over what should have been cleaned dishes and fruit eaten 3 days ago delicious fruit; some other annoying house flies, seeming to come and buzz in my ear, and touch me on the arm.  They can be a bit of a nuisance; but so can we.  Have you ever compared yourself to a fly?

Oh to be like a fly - PERSISTENT!

I don't think I have ever seen a fly give up on reaching food. What food should we persevere towards? God!  Sometimes it's hard.  Sin keeps shooing us away. However, when we see good food, we'll stay on target.  We must fly to God with our prayers and never give up on Him. A simple buzz in His ear will do, "Hi God!" Or even a silent touch on His arm. Unlike us, He'll listen and watch as we try to stay close.  He knows what is good for us, and always fills us.  Sometimes with a 'yes', sometimes with a 'wait a while' and sometimes with a 'I have something better that you can not see right now!'

That last option makes me think of the garbage zone.  Sometimes we need to go through the trashy parts of life to reap the best fruit.  Once we are fed (by spending time with God) we go on our mission to help other flies find the food.  Buzzing Praying along as we fly. At times we will bump into a wall, "Ouch!" or a window ("Deceit looks so real!"), but we must reconcile and keep going.  Praying and trusting in God's love and mercy. He will always give us the best answer, but we must keep asking; keep moving to reach our fulfillment. The garbage zone is our true cross, but by perseverance, we help others attain the best as well. We may wander at times, but we must never give up on the Goal; we must use our eyes to scan beyond the initial image we see, so that we may come to a better understanding of the whole picture.

"Is fly guy lost? No, here he is."
"Fly high, fly guy! Lead us Home."

Freedom

Here's to ALL those who fight to protect our Freedom!

It can be a tiring job, but Christ too had fatigue as His companion.

Keep up the Good fight!

THANK YOU!

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!

Battleship...

Because life is like a game of battleship:

As St. Josemaria Escriva puts it:

Watchman, how goes the night? May you acquire the habit of having a day on guard once a week, during which to increase your self-giving and loving vigilance over details, and to pray and mortify yourself a little more.

Realize that the Holy Church is like a great army in battle array.  And you within that army, are defending one front on which there are attacks, engagements with the enemy and counter-attacks. Do you see what I mean?

This readiness to grow closer to God will lead you to turn your days, one after the other, into days on guard.

-from the Furrow, 960

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."

World Cup Bound

Yes, things are getting a bit more intense on the pitch!

Vincent's cheekbone bruises are beginning to fade from Saturday's pick-up game with the big kids; but the lessons live on!

There are many times in our game of life that we have a choice to play hard and do the right thing.  Many of those times we take a bit of a beating. We're like grapes tossed into the wine-press; trodden upon and bruised.  For what reason?  To be made into the finest wine! Jesus gives us the ultimate example of giving it our all: beaten and bruised to become a pleasing offering to God.  It's not particularly enjoyable, but I guess God knows what He's doing.  All we need to do is thank Him for the opportunity to suffer, offer that suffering as a prayer, and allow Him to transform us.

Are you Cup bound?

Air Support

As it began to rain on our van, John declared from the back of the 'tank', "We've got Air Support!"
I replied back, "What did you say?"
John, "Yeah, we've got air support, the rain is dropping like bombs!"

Which made me think: Yeah, we do have Air Support! Heaven sends us Air Support! When we are on the brink of despair, Air Support can be called in to give assistance to us on the ground crew.  They've got a better view of things up there! And with Heaven's assistance, it's amazing how industrious we become!  As the Air Support flies in, each droplet/water bomb makes up the communion of saints and angels working to help wipe out the enemy and assist in cleansing us!

"I have told you these things that you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

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

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!

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.

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

Feast of the Epiphany

How does the Gift of Christmas begin?

The Angel came to Mary to tell her she would have a son; the Spirit breathes the life of Jesus into her womb. And Mary proclaims, “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” Then, Mary got ready and hurried to visit Elizabeth.

Mary was “Charged with the Spirit” and she was never alone!  Fr. Joseph Donders tells us in his book, Charged with the Spirit: Mission is for Everyone, “No one has ever succeeded in following God’s plan alone: there is too much fear to overcome, too many obstacles to clear, and too much resistance and confusion to set aside.”

Fr. Donders goes on to give us examples of togetherness: “What did Mary do?  She visited Elizabeth, where she received affirmation and support.  The first thing Jesus did on His walk along the lake was look for company; inviting people he accidentally met, to join Him.  The last thing He did on earth was look for company, in the Garden!  Together, with His family and friends He engaged himself for the Kingdom of God.” We too are meant to affirm and support each other as we engage on our journey!

 

Like the journeying wise men, each of us also has a gift to carry and share! Fr. Donders reminds us, “We each have a mission to accomplish."  Do we celebrate Jesus at Christmas, but then forget to grow with Him along the way?  Many times Jesus reaches our hearts and minds, but we miscarry Him before He grows in our soul!  Fr. Donders goes on to tell us, “We are called to realize the Kingdom of God." Realize! Realize means to understand clearly; to fulfill.  We realize the Kingdom of God, “by the way wives and husbands love each other and relate to their children; by the way children relate to their parents and future; by the way we offer our services; and by the way priests offer the sacraments.”  Fr. Donders also tells us, "We cannot complete our mission unless we attract others, and we attract others by witnessing our vision of God within our approach to life!”  Yes, within our own simple vocations; with our ‘Yes’ right where God has planned us to be! Not knowing fully what is to come, but faithfully trusting and loving from the depth of our souls!  When Love spills over, we become impregnated with the Spirit, resulting in fruit of the womb: A true witness of Love, then pain, in exchange for Joy as we greet new life and bear spiritual children for the Kingdom of God.

So I challenge you to share in my New Year’s Resolution:

To trust and to love;

Letting go.
Asking for help
to trust and to love,

Especially when my being wants to fear and throw a fit. 

How does the gift of Christmas end? 

It doesn’t!  However, it is fulfilled when we ALL make our home in the Kingdom of God!

John 14

Prayer:

Holy Father, You have chosen us to carry Your Son in our dusty souls;

As we say yes to You, may Your Spirit give us the courage and strength to hold your Son in the way each of us are called on any particular day.

Holy Spirit, charge and impregnate us!  Do not turn away from our ugliness, but with Mary, show us how to care for Christ.  As we travel together, guide us to love ALL the people you put in our lives, so that we may reflect His love and beauty and rejoice with new life!

Jesus, as we carry You and offer all our services to You, may those we pass by feel the Calm Breeze and Love of You, our True Life. May we all be attracted to your light; and together share our gifts and support, in humble adoration! 

Tests and Homework

"God expects us to do our best work on tests and homework." This is what Fr. mentioned in one quick sentence at Mass, today.  For some reason it has stuck with me.  Here are my thoughts:

Tests and Homework
From a Mother's perspective:
Do I do my best 'home'work?
Do I put forth my best effort to pass the test?

To do well on the test, we need to prepare - always to the best of our ability;
1. complete our 'home'work, no cheating ;)
2. listen better
3. put more effort into the details
4. ask for help
5. look over our work and make necessary changes

I need to consistently work on ALL the numbered points above, but 5 really gets me.  Have you ever thought you did well on a test, only to find out after the grade, you didn't?  This has happened to me! More pride here, thinking I'm doing well...sigh.  But, if I am forced to look at something from a different perspective, (usually better, though I may not think so at the time) I gain greater understanding!

Each person's best effort may record a different result; but we must be willing to put forth the effort and make the necessary changes. Only then will the Help shine through!

As we begin a new school church year next week, let us gather our 'supplies' and pledge to put forth our best effort so that we may 'pass the test'!

Have a Blessed Advent!

Reporting for Duty

Fr. Wade Menezes reminds us of the path to sainthood:

1.  Live an Active Sacramental life, so that we can be faithful in everything we do.
2.  We become holy by faithfulness to daily duties, St. Therese's 'Little way':


"Do what we are supposed to do, when we are supposed to do it, and in the way its supposed to be done!"

The day may get ugly, but we must stick with it, remaining faithful in service- until it is complete;
Just as Christ did ALL the way to, and through, the cross.

There is work to be done...and the time is now; no excuses

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 ;) )

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!