#1: Never, ever, ever let the baby walk away with the cell phone. I know, this should be a no-brainer, but somehow I forgot this simple rule and now... well... I seem to be completely phone-less. Amazing how this device (which I lived most of my life without, and quite happily at that!) has become so important to me. Many, many prayers (and requests for St. Anthony's intercession) have so far not yielded a phone. Did she toss it in the trash? I'm beginning to wonder, and I'm feeling just a touch of despair creeping in.
#2: Although your younger boys may be clamoring for a bubble bath... and one of those "Men's body wash" bottles (that you picked up for free from CVS) is close at hand, do not -- I repeat, do NOT -- decide that this is a good substitute. That stuff will foam like anything, leave a nauseating purplish-blue scuzz all over the tub and toys, and will cover your boys with a pasty film and a heavy '70s "unbuttoned shirt/gold chain/Abba/Aqua Velva" smell that will bowl you over.
Trust me on that one. Whew.....
#3: I don't care how long you've lived in the South and how used to the heat you are -- being in full sun for 3 hours (from 10 to 1, no less) is not the smartest of moves you can make.
Of course, I did learn some positive things as well, such as
#4: There is no substitute for homemade salsa. I knew that already, but that lesson is reinforced every time I make it (which is almost weekly during the summer). I don't think my family would even *like* the storebought variety anymore.
#5: Motherhood may be challenging at times, but the rewards are great when your children pour into the kitchen saying, "Oh wow, Mommy! What are you cooking? It smells sooooooooooooo good!"
For the record, it was simply black beans and yellow rice, with homemade salsa and cucumbers on top. However, all it took was the smell of the onions sauteeing in butter with cinnamon to bring them all running. (and if you've never smelled that cooking before, you are missing out on a little slice of heaven. I thought the cookbook I was reading was NUTS the first time I saw those ingredients together, but once I tried it, it was pure olfactory bliss.)
#6: Thanks to youtube's French theme on Bastille Day, I was introduced to Soha:
(Long time readers may remember that I've got a soft spot for music like this....)
Enjoy the music and have a great weekend!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Can I have a do-over?
Ever wish life had a reset button? A do-over option?
Right now, I wish mine did.
Go back to 6:50 p.m. Dinner was late and I was trying to get the last load of laundry folded before calling the kids in for supper.
Thomas came in, twinkling as always.
"Mommy! Where are the wrenches?"
"What on earth do you need wrenches for?"
"I want to take the training wheels off my bike!"
"Oh, honey, not right now."
"But why???"
"I need to get this laundry folded, and then we're going to sit down for supper."
"We can just take the training wheels off, and then you can get supper on the table."
"No, because you're going to need me to run with you, and right now I'm not going outside. I've got other things I need to finish."
I finished the laundry, and got supper on the table. My husband came home and took the training wheels off while I was reading a book to the older kids.
A few minutes later, a very excited Thomas came in.
"You guys! Stop reading! You have to come out and see this!!!"
Thomas can ride a two-wheeler now.
His 7-yr old brother took the time to give him the push he needed.
While I am so proud of Christopher for jumping in and being the incredible big brother he always is, a big part of me is so sad that I missed that golden opportunity to share that once-in-a-lifetime moment with my son.
That moment is gone.
I wish I had the chance to do that over.
Right now, I wish mine did.
Go back to 6:50 p.m. Dinner was late and I was trying to get the last load of laundry folded before calling the kids in for supper.
Thomas came in, twinkling as always.
"Mommy! Where are the wrenches?"
"What on earth do you need wrenches for?"
"I want to take the training wheels off my bike!"
"Oh, honey, not right now."
"But why???"
"I need to get this laundry folded, and then we're going to sit down for supper."
"We can just take the training wheels off, and then you can get supper on the table."
"No, because you're going to need me to run with you, and right now I'm not going outside. I've got other things I need to finish."
I finished the laundry, and got supper on the table. My husband came home and took the training wheels off while I was reading a book to the older kids.
A few minutes later, a very excited Thomas came in.
"You guys! Stop reading! You have to come out and see this!!!"
Thomas can ride a two-wheeler now.
His 7-yr old brother took the time to give him the push he needed.
While I am so proud of Christopher for jumping in and being the incredible big brother he always is, a big part of me is so sad that I missed that golden opportunity to share that once-in-a-lifetime moment with my son.
That moment is gone.
I wish I had the chance to do that over.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Look what we got from our Uncle!
Astronaut ice cream!!!
Quick! Take it out of the package!
Hmmmmm...
...looks kinda weird...
Do I like this?
It melts in your mouth and tastes like... warm ice cream...
The texture is a bit like styrofoam at first...
I think it's neat!
Shhh! Quit complaining! She's giving us ICE CREAM for breakfast!!!
I think it's fantastic!!!
Quick! Take it out of the package!
Hmmmmm...
...looks kinda weird...
Do I like this?
It melts in your mouth and tastes like... warm ice cream...
The texture is a bit like styrofoam at first...
I think it's neat!
Shhh! Quit complaining! She's giving us ICE CREAM for breakfast!!!
I think it's fantastic!!!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Sweet Victory is Mine!
Guess who finally packed away the winter coats... and hats... and gloves............. in July?
Oh yeah, that would be me.
One more item scratched off the list.
Monday, July 06, 2009
I've missed y'all!!!
I can't believe ANOTHER week went by since my last post. It has been hectic in the evenings around here (the only time I really get to sit down and blog) and my time truly has not been my own.
But now, sitting here in front of the computer, enjoying a most delicious snack of basmati rice and asparagus (with a healthy dose of cayenne on top) and splurging on a tiny glass of Firefly (ooooh. Gotta brag on fellow South Carolinians!), I finally have the time to update my blog and see what's going on in the rest of the world!
For those who may be wondering what I decided to do for science and history, I am sad to report that I'm still as befuddled as before. Every time I think I've made a decision, I see something different which makes me rethink the whole direction I should take again. (I feel a bit like Tevye as he tries to make up his mind in the musical Fiddler on the Roof)
So, still in debate mode, although I'm leaning heavily in the "let's-at-least-make-it-though-to-the-1900s" direction. That way I'll be able to take advantage of all the great resources I already have. I'll try to find something in The Story of the World to keep the interest of the younger guys.
Speaking of homeschooling, my dear, sweet husband is hard at work building bookshelves for us so that ALL the homeschooling books can be in one area (what a concept!) I'll post pictures when he is done, but for now a description will have to suffice: he's building a 12 ft wall unit with cabinets on the bottom, a drawer in the middle, and bookshelves on the top. The drawer in the middle -- when pulled out -- will be a desktop so that the older kids can come in here and work on independent projects and be somewhat removed from the younger kids who tend to crawl in laps... spill glue... color on their assignments... you know, the usual. He's already built the bottom frame and the faceplate, which is a good start. I'm hoping he will be able to get it done in the next month or so!
But now, sitting here in front of the computer, enjoying a most delicious snack of basmati rice and asparagus (with a healthy dose of cayenne on top) and splurging on a tiny glass of Firefly (ooooh. Gotta brag on fellow South Carolinians!), I finally have the time to update my blog and see what's going on in the rest of the world!
For those who may be wondering what I decided to do for science and history, I am sad to report that I'm still as befuddled as before. Every time I think I've made a decision, I see something different which makes me rethink the whole direction I should take again. (I feel a bit like Tevye as he tries to make up his mind in the musical Fiddler on the Roof)
So, still in debate mode, although I'm leaning heavily in the "let's-at-least-make-it-though-to-the-1900s" direction. That way I'll be able to take advantage of all the great resources I already have. I'll try to find something in The Story of the World to keep the interest of the younger guys.
Speaking of homeschooling, my dear, sweet husband is hard at work building bookshelves for us so that ALL the homeschooling books can be in one area (what a concept!) I'll post pictures when he is done, but for now a description will have to suffice: he's building a 12 ft wall unit with cabinets on the bottom, a drawer in the middle, and bookshelves on the top. The drawer in the middle -- when pulled out -- will be a desktop so that the older kids can come in here and work on independent projects and be somewhat removed from the younger kids who tend to crawl in laps... spill glue... color on their assignments... you know, the usual. He's already built the bottom frame and the faceplate, which is a good start. I'm hoping he will be able to get it done in the next month or so!
NEW TO THE BLOGROLL
Those who read Conversion Diary regularly have already been introduced to Jen's "lifesaving" friend. For those who haven't, please take a moment and stop by Betty Beguiles. You won't be sorry! In fact, on her recommendation I went out and bought the Puppini Sisters CD and my family has loved it! (The dancing gets a little extreme at times in the living room, but as long as no one gets hurt it's O-K.)
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GUY?
I don't remember where I first saw a reference to Brian Regan, but if I did, I would send them a huge THANK YOU! Finally, a comedian who is funny and (get this) NOT crude. I can actually let my kids watch him. Already these have become a standard in our household:
Enjoy!
Monday, June 29, 2009
WHERE have you BEEN?
Planning, my friends, planning.
Does anyone else struggle with this as badly as I do?
Every year during the summer I start the long process over, pulling out syllabi, going over each and every subject, deciding if that is the direction I want to take or not.
If not, then I have to pull out every book that I have on that subject here in our home library and make up a gameplan.
Multiply that by five children that I am currently teaching... add in the (almost) impossible task of figuring out how to make history and science something that we can "do together" (from first grade to sixth) and you've got the makings of the headache that has been my last two weeks.
I know that part of my problem is I tend to be WAY too much of a perfectionist. If we're studying George Washington, for example, I want my kids to memorize poems about him... couple that with read-alouds for everyone (on their level) about him... combine that with some sort of craft... and figure out a way to tie that into a monumental nature study that will revolutionize the way moms the world over will do homeschooling.
Yeah, right.
And yet I drive myself bonkers every year, trying so hard to plan this all out.
Sigh.
I am TRYING to make it easier for myself this year... REALLY, I am... but I'm still stuck on history and science.
Seeing as I got such a wonderful response for the chair (and believe me, the second I decide to paint it, I will let you know!), I post yet more questions to you:
(1) If you are teaching many children at a time, how do you do science and history?
(2) If you had been bogged down... ahem... studying American history for 3 years (and still hadn't gotten to the Civil War!), would you continue for another year, hoping against hope to catch everyone up to modern times, or would you just chuck it and start over with Egypt?
Bear in mind that
(a) We've never even made it to the Civil War. My kids are woefully behind in knowing about the history of their own country. I can't bear the thought of not even covering the last 150 years of American history.
(b) I bought many, many books for American history last year that we never got to, from saint books (St. Elizabeth Seton, St. John Bosco, St. Frances Cabrini), read alouds (Caddie Woodlawn, the Little House series, etc) to biographies of the great men of history (Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln). I also bought the Pioneer Sampler, and had grand ideas of doing so many fun things associated with the 1800s. This would be perfect for Sean (11), who LOVES history. This makes me want to stay with American history.
(c) my in-laws have BUILT a log cabin, out in the woods, with no running water and no electricity, up in the mountains. (They are honestly going to retire there, but that's a different story). This is a PERFECT opportunity for going up there for a week, reading Little House by lamplight, and living out what it was like. (you're jealous, aren't you? yeah, I figured.... *grin)
BUT...
(c) this time period of history is soooooooooooooooooooooo boring for little ones (like Thomas and Christopher) who would thrive on a study of Egypt and mummies, pyramids, etc. This makes me want to start over.
(d) MODG syllabus for 6th grade has WONDERFUL ideas for Egyptian history. I wouldn't have to kill myself planning something new for Sean (or Reilly and Kathryn).
(e) Reilly and Kathryn HATE history, and if they have to study American history one more year, they are going to throw up.
(f) I bought ALL YE LANDS last year and am so excited about starting it with the kids.
I think I've already made my decision after writing this out, but I still want to hear from you... What advice can you give a frazzled mom?
Does anyone else struggle with this as badly as I do?
Every year during the summer I start the long process over, pulling out syllabi, going over each and every subject, deciding if that is the direction I want to take or not.
If not, then I have to pull out every book that I have on that subject here in our home library and make up a gameplan.
Multiply that by five children that I am currently teaching... add in the (almost) impossible task of figuring out how to make history and science something that we can "do together" (from first grade to sixth) and you've got the makings of the headache that has been my last two weeks.
I know that part of my problem is I tend to be WAY too much of a perfectionist. If we're studying George Washington, for example, I want my kids to memorize poems about him... couple that with read-alouds for everyone (on their level) about him... combine that with some sort of craft... and figure out a way to tie that into a monumental nature study that will revolutionize the way moms the world over will do homeschooling.
Yeah, right.
And yet I drive myself bonkers every year, trying so hard to plan this all out.
Sigh.
I am TRYING to make it easier for myself this year... REALLY, I am... but I'm still stuck on history and science.
Seeing as I got such a wonderful response for the chair (and believe me, the second I decide to paint it, I will let you know!), I post yet more questions to you:
(1) If you are teaching many children at a time, how do you do science and history?
(2) If you had been bogged down... ahem... studying American history for 3 years (and still hadn't gotten to the Civil War!), would you continue for another year, hoping against hope to catch everyone up to modern times, or would you just chuck it and start over with Egypt?
Bear in mind that
(a) We've never even made it to the Civil War. My kids are woefully behind in knowing about the history of their own country. I can't bear the thought of not even covering the last 150 years of American history.
(b) I bought many, many books for American history last year that we never got to, from saint books (St. Elizabeth Seton, St. John Bosco, St. Frances Cabrini), read alouds (Caddie Woodlawn, the Little House series, etc) to biographies of the great men of history (Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln). I also bought the Pioneer Sampler, and had grand ideas of doing so many fun things associated with the 1800s. This would be perfect for Sean (11), who LOVES history. This makes me want to stay with American history.
(c) my in-laws have BUILT a log cabin, out in the woods, with no running water and no electricity, up in the mountains. (They are honestly going to retire there, but that's a different story). This is a PERFECT opportunity for going up there for a week, reading Little House by lamplight, and living out what it was like. (you're jealous, aren't you? yeah, I figured.... *grin)
BUT...
(c) this time period of history is soooooooooooooooooooooo boring for little ones (like Thomas and Christopher) who would thrive on a study of Egypt and mummies, pyramids, etc. This makes me want to start over.
(d) MODG syllabus for 6th grade has WONDERFUL ideas for Egyptian history. I wouldn't have to kill myself planning something new for Sean (or Reilly and Kathryn).
(e) Reilly and Kathryn HATE history, and if they have to study American history one more year, they are going to throw up.
(f) I bought ALL YE LANDS last year and am so excited about starting it with the kids.
I think I've already made my decision after writing this out, but I still want to hear from you... What advice can you give a frazzled mom?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thought for the morning
You know, we can all wax poetic about the glorious vocation of motherhood, and find all sorts of deep spiritual lessons from the activities of the day, but this morning I can't stop laughing at the thought that *MY* personal path to holiness -- lovingly planned and hand picked by God Himself -- is peppered with such questions as:
"What did you just eat off the floor?"
"What the heck is that smell?" and
"Why are the Rice Krispies in the bathroom?"
[those are three questions I've asked within the past hour, by the way]
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Project for the day
I couldn't take this ugly, beat-up rocking chair (that yes, I've rocked each of my children in) another day, so while Grace took her nap...
...I whipped up some slip covers out of the free fabric I was given.
You know where this is going, don't you?
Yeah... I'm trying to figure out if I should paint the chair.
PLACE YOUR VOTES NOW!
Should I paint it, or not?
[I feel like I should explain the horrific mess in the background. This (unfortunately) is where Grace has to sleep -- in the battered shell of our former office. Since dh still has lots of construction to do in the new office, this stuff has no place to go. Poor Grace... she will have a nice bedroom one day!)
...I whipped up some slip covers out of the free fabric I was given.
You know where this is going, don't you?
Yeah... I'm trying to figure out if I should paint the chair.
PLACE YOUR VOTES NOW!
Should I paint it, or not?
[I feel like I should explain the horrific mess in the background. This (unfortunately) is where Grace has to sleep -- in the battered shell of our former office. Since dh still has lots of construction to do in the new office, this stuff has no place to go. Poor Grace... she will have a nice bedroom one day!)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
BOOK REVIEW: The Magnificat magazine
The Catholic Company offered me a chance to review the Magnificat magazine. How incredible is that?
This magazine is a Godsend, pure and simple.
It is a great resource for anyone who would like to establish a better daily routine of prayer and Scripture reading. This monthly magazine is set up with readings (taken from the Liturgy of the Hours) for morning and evening prayer times, as well as the Scripture readings from the Mass for that day. Each day also has meditations (often homilies from Early Church Fathers or well-known theologians) and a short write-up of the saint for that day. Also included in each month's issue is the Order of the Mass and a discussion of a well-known work of sacred art.
I have found Magnificat to be easy to use (much simpler than trying to follow the Liturgy of the Hours) and great to leave out on my kitchen counter, so I can snatch a few minutes here and there to pause for small moments of grace throughout my day.
I highly recommend treating yourself to a subscription!
This magazine is a Godsend, pure and simple.
It is a great resource for anyone who would like to establish a better daily routine of prayer and Scripture reading. This monthly magazine is set up with readings (taken from the Liturgy of the Hours) for morning and evening prayer times, as well as the Scripture readings from the Mass for that day. Each day also has meditations (often homilies from Early Church Fathers or well-known theologians) and a short write-up of the saint for that day. Also included in each month's issue is the Order of the Mass and a discussion of a well-known work of sacred art.
I have found Magnificat to be easy to use (much simpler than trying to follow the Liturgy of the Hours) and great to leave out on my kitchen counter, so I can snatch a few minutes here and there to pause for small moments of grace throughout my day.
I highly recommend treating yourself to a subscription!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
They may want to rethink the design
My 19-month old daughter, who can handle this...
...and this...
...is absolutely terrified of this.
Can someone explain this to me?
[note: lest anyone out there write me off as a horrible parent, I will just say that letting the kids watch The Lord of the Rings was NOT my idea. My husband thought the older ones were ready, and it turns out that they have all been able to watch it with no nightmares. We watch it as a family and, in fact, it is my children's favorite movie, hands down.]
...and this...
...is absolutely terrified of this.
Can someone explain this to me?
[note: lest anyone out there write me off as a horrible parent, I will just say that letting the kids watch The Lord of the Rings was NOT my idea. My husband thought the older ones were ready, and it turns out that they have all been able to watch it with no nightmares. We watch it as a family and, in fact, it is my children's favorite movie, hands down.]
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The death of hope
OK, I know it's not as bad as that, but at 1:30 am, that's what it feels like!
Background first: I haven't mentioned this, but I've been going through a miscarriage now for over 4 weeks. FOUR WEEKS. My body just wasn't able to do what it was supposed to do, and since I'm planning on going to this conference on Thursday... and fearing some horrible complications while so far from home... I finally opted for a D&C today. (I've had many ultrasounds... there was no baby there).
Devastating, but I've been dealing with it OK.
Many thanks to Hillary, to Reese and her son B-Boy, to Perrin, and to the Wanna Be (who wanted to help out, but her kids are sick!) for jumping in and taking care of my kids so that my dh could drive me to the hospital this morning.
That's not the "death of hope" part.
One of the medicines I was given says specifically that I'm not to nurse while taking this.
As you may recall, I've still got a 19-month old who does.
I'm going out of town on Thursday (Lord willing and I don't get sick!).
Dh has decided that tonight is "show-down night," and he has specifically told me not to go in to Grace's room. If she cries, he's going in to comfort her and lay her back down.
Let me take that back. Grace doesn't cry... she just stands in her crib and cries out, "Mommy? Mommy?" over and over again. For over 40 minutes I'm listening to her, my heart just breaking, as I hear her cry out in hope that maybe THIS TIME Mommy will come in... and the sadness I hear in her voice as she's giving up hope.
Y'all, this is just killing me.
She's in there staring at a closed door, not getting the answer she so desperately wants, and wondering why I haven't come in.
Sound familiar?
I wonder how often God sits outside the door, His heart breaking, as he sees us wondering why He's not answering. After all, I get all these maternal feelings from Him to start with, so I wonder if He really -- on any emotional level -- feels like we do in situations like this. Does He grieve, knowing how confused and hopeless we are on our side of the closed door, because we don't see the whole picture as He does?
I'm reminded of a quote I read just recently from A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. His brutal honesty amazes me as he cries out like David did in some of the psalms:
[on grieving the death of his wife Joy]
"Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be -- or so it feels -- welcomed with open arms. But go to Him, when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. There are no lights in the windows. It might be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited? It seemed so once. And that seeming was as strong as this. What can it mean? Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?"
God allows us to feel this way for a reason... just as I had to allow Grace to feel this way for a reason, too. It doesn't make it any easier on her, or me.
She gave up a few minutes ago and fell back asleep. I think I'm going to have a good cry, now. I know it was necessary, but my baby thinks I failed her...
Background first: I haven't mentioned this, but I've been going through a miscarriage now for over 4 weeks. FOUR WEEKS. My body just wasn't able to do what it was supposed to do, and since I'm planning on going to this conference on Thursday... and fearing some horrible complications while so far from home... I finally opted for a D&C today. (I've had many ultrasounds... there was no baby there).
Devastating, but I've been dealing with it OK.
Many thanks to Hillary, to Reese and her son B-Boy, to Perrin, and to the Wanna Be (who wanted to help out, but her kids are sick!) for jumping in and taking care of my kids so that my dh could drive me to the hospital this morning.
That's not the "death of hope" part.
One of the medicines I was given says specifically that I'm not to nurse while taking this.
As you may recall, I've still got a 19-month old who does.
I'm going out of town on Thursday (Lord willing and I don't get sick!).
Dh has decided that tonight is "show-down night," and he has specifically told me not to go in to Grace's room. If she cries, he's going in to comfort her and lay her back down.
Let me take that back. Grace doesn't cry... she just stands in her crib and cries out, "Mommy? Mommy?" over and over again. For over 40 minutes I'm listening to her, my heart just breaking, as I hear her cry out in hope that maybe THIS TIME Mommy will come in... and the sadness I hear in her voice as she's giving up hope.
Y'all, this is just killing me.
She's in there staring at a closed door, not getting the answer she so desperately wants, and wondering why I haven't come in.
Sound familiar?
I wonder how often God sits outside the door, His heart breaking, as he sees us wondering why He's not answering. After all, I get all these maternal feelings from Him to start with, so I wonder if He really -- on any emotional level -- feels like we do in situations like this. Does He grieve, knowing how confused and hopeless we are on our side of the closed door, because we don't see the whole picture as He does?
I'm reminded of a quote I read just recently from A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. His brutal honesty amazes me as he cries out like David did in some of the psalms:
[on grieving the death of his wife Joy]
"Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be -- or so it feels -- welcomed with open arms. But go to Him, when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. There are no lights in the windows. It might be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited? It seemed so once. And that seeming was as strong as this. What can it mean? Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?"
God allows us to feel this way for a reason... just as I had to allow Grace to feel this way for a reason, too. It doesn't make it any easier on her, or me.
She gave up a few minutes ago and fell back asleep. I think I'm going to have a good cry, now. I know it was necessary, but my baby thinks I failed her...
Saturday, June 06, 2009
What a great way to start the day!
I've had a rough couple of nights this past week... very little sleep, plus a 19 month old who STILL won't give up nighttime nursing (arrgh!), has made waking up in the morning a less-than-pleasant experience.
And if you knew me, like my family does, you would know that even on a GOOD day, I won't be the happiest of campers when I wake up.
I'm not (usually) mean -- I just don't want to say much, or do much, until I've had a chance to s..l..o..w..l..y face the fact that a new day is here and requiring my participation in it.
[my husband, on the other hand, is one of those "up-at-5:30-am-who-needs-the-snooze-button?" sorts. The kind that people like me don't like...oops! I mean people like me RELY on to get the morning moving.]
So, back to this morning.
After nursing Grace from 5:30 am to 6:30 am this morning (I know! grrrrrr...) my husband did the switch-off and told me to go back to bed.
Blissful, wonderful sleep.
I was awakened a little after 8 am by a knock on the door.
Kathryn, sweet girl that she is, came in quietly and said, "Mommy? Daddy and I made pancakes this morning... and I know you don't like pancakes... and he said that you had a rough night last night... so here... I made you some breakfast."
That sweet, wonderful, angelic 8-year old gave me breakfast in bed!!
She made scrambled eggs, and tried to make an egg/muffin sandwich -- however, she didn't know that you have to cook the muffin first, so it was raw.
She didn't salt the eggs (I'm a saltaholic), so they were bland.
And she made me tea, but put milk in it (something I never do).
And you know what? That was the BEST breakfast I've had in a mighty long time. The love in her eyes and her sheer delight watching Mommy eat something she cooked made everything taste fantastic, and I gobbled it up while we sat on the bed and read a Foxtrot book.
"We don't have to do great things... just small things done with great love."
That breakfast will be one of those treasured Mommy moments that is forever imprinted on my heart.
And if you knew me, like my family does, you would know that even on a GOOD day, I won't be the happiest of campers when I wake up.
I'm not (usually) mean -- I just don't want to say much, or do much, until I've had a chance to s..l..o..w..l..y face the fact that a new day is here and requiring my participation in it.
[my husband, on the other hand, is one of those "up-at-5:30-am-who-needs-the-snooze-button?" sorts. The kind that people like me don't like...oops! I mean people like me RELY on to get the morning moving.]
So, back to this morning.
After nursing Grace from 5:30 am to 6:30 am this morning (I know! grrrrrr...) my husband did the switch-off and told me to go back to bed.
Blissful, wonderful sleep.
I was awakened a little after 8 am by a knock on the door.
Kathryn, sweet girl that she is, came in quietly and said, "Mommy? Daddy and I made pancakes this morning... and I know you don't like pancakes... and he said that you had a rough night last night... so here... I made you some breakfast."
That sweet, wonderful, angelic 8-year old gave me breakfast in bed!!
She made scrambled eggs, and tried to make an egg/muffin sandwich -- however, she didn't know that you have to cook the muffin first, so it was raw.
She didn't salt the eggs (I'm a saltaholic), so they were bland.
And she made me tea, but put milk in it (something I never do).
And you know what? That was the BEST breakfast I've had in a mighty long time. The love in her eyes and her sheer delight watching Mommy eat something she cooked made everything taste fantastic, and I gobbled it up while we sat on the bed and read a Foxtrot book.
"We don't have to do great things... just small things done with great love."
That breakfast will be one of those treasured Mommy moments that is forever imprinted on my heart.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Baby Faith
It was with great sadness that I learned over the weekend that baby Faith had passed away. I wish I could have the opportunity to talk to Myah (her mother) and tell her how much I admire her --
... not because she carried her daughter to term in spite of the world telling her to abort her child (although that must have been so incredibly difficult to go through the emotions of pregnancy, with the added burden of knowing the tragic outcome)
... not because she took care of her child (which took up every moment of her day, I'm sure)
... but because she didn't hold back on the one thing that Faith needed more than anything -- a Mommy who would snuggle with her, give her kisses, and love her passionately. Too many (me included) would be tempted to back off emotionally, knowing that the loss would be too devastating to bear if one got "too close."
Myah didn't do that.
Faith has a Mommy who spent every second cherishing her, giggling over her coos and funny faces, covering her with kisses, and loving her as if she had all the time in the world.
I know Faith is now whole, and I know that she is so incredibly proud of her Mommy. Please keep Myah in your prayers as she deals with this painful loss. May Jesus hold her close, and may her every thought of her daughter bring her only joy as she waits for the day until she can see her again.
... not because she carried her daughter to term in spite of the world telling her to abort her child (although that must have been so incredibly difficult to go through the emotions of pregnancy, with the added burden of knowing the tragic outcome)
... not because she took care of her child (which took up every moment of her day, I'm sure)
... but because she didn't hold back on the one thing that Faith needed more than anything -- a Mommy who would snuggle with her, give her kisses, and love her passionately. Too many (me included) would be tempted to back off emotionally, knowing that the loss would be too devastating to bear if one got "too close."
Myah didn't do that.
Faith has a Mommy who spent every second cherishing her, giggling over her coos and funny faces, covering her with kisses, and loving her as if she had all the time in the world.
I know Faith is now whole, and I know that she is so incredibly proud of her Mommy. Please keep Myah in your prayers as she deals with this painful loss. May Jesus hold her close, and may her every thought of her daughter bring her only joy as she waits for the day until she can see her again.
Friday, May 29, 2009
What I Accomplished This Week
Subtitled: Too Much Of a Good Thing
First, the good news.
I have been needing to make new seat covers for oh, I hate to admit it... about a year now. We have a cheap little kitchen table set with some pretty sad chairs to go around it. I mean, it's fine for what it is, but it's looking pretty worn.
Seven kids can do that to a kitchen set fairly quickly.
This is what my kitchen table looks like now (I had to spruce it up a couple of years ago after a primer mishap), and just so you get an idea of what the rest of the room looks like, here it is.
All of that is so you don't cringe in horror when I tell you that I made new seatcovers that are pink.
Bright pink.
You've seen the pictures, so hopefully you understand that in my kitchen it just... works. (or maybe it's just my imagination, but humor me!)
It made me happy. It made me smile. Look at Grace here... she's a happy kid sitting on the new seat covers!
But I couldn't leave well enough alone. I stood back, loving every second of my seat covers, and then the thought came to me...
"Maybe you should paint the chairs as well. After all, look how much fun you had painting the table!"
That did it.
I HAD to paint the chairs.
The room was just too yellow, and the yellow hue of the wood in the chairs and the counter was just too much. I went to the hardware store, picked up some paint, and had the kids help me take the chairs apart and sand them. They did a GREAT job, and as a reward, they each got to paint a chair (or part of it, at least). I even had some fabric stashed away that would be GREAT for the actual seat itself (you see, the original seat fabric was beyond nasty, and had to be replaced. However, being a mom of many, I knew that the REAL seat would need seat COVERS that could be WASHED. Does this make sense?)
It took two days of work (the original seats were covered in fabric that must have had a hundred staples holding it on! Good grief!), but we finally got it done.
Here's the chair as it really looks in my kitchen...
...and here it is all nice and bright so you can actually see it.
(No, I don't normally let Grace run around like this. She had just spilled her drink on her shirt, and insisted on being in the chair even though I was trying to take a picture! Just keepin' it real, here...)
But alas... the new chair, while looking OK on its own...
...just looks wrong with my hot pink seat covers on it.
The ONLY thing that I was really thrilled about in the first place!
So now I'm kicking myself for painting the chairs. I should have just replaced the nasty fabric on the seats themselves, put my new hot pink covers on, and gone my merry little way.
I'm so sad.
First, the good news.
I have been needing to make new seat covers for oh, I hate to admit it... about a year now. We have a cheap little kitchen table set with some pretty sad chairs to go around it. I mean, it's fine for what it is, but it's looking pretty worn.
Seven kids can do that to a kitchen set fairly quickly.
This is what my kitchen table looks like now (I had to spruce it up a couple of years ago after a primer mishap), and just so you get an idea of what the rest of the room looks like, here it is.
All of that is so you don't cringe in horror when I tell you that I made new seatcovers that are pink.
Bright pink.
You've seen the pictures, so hopefully you understand that in my kitchen it just... works. (or maybe it's just my imagination, but humor me!)
It made me happy. It made me smile. Look at Grace here... she's a happy kid sitting on the new seat covers!
But I couldn't leave well enough alone. I stood back, loving every second of my seat covers, and then the thought came to me...
"Maybe you should paint the chairs as well. After all, look how much fun you had painting the table!"
That did it.
I HAD to paint the chairs.
The room was just too yellow, and the yellow hue of the wood in the chairs and the counter was just too much. I went to the hardware store, picked up some paint, and had the kids help me take the chairs apart and sand them. They did a GREAT job, and as a reward, they each got to paint a chair (or part of it, at least). I even had some fabric stashed away that would be GREAT for the actual seat itself (you see, the original seat fabric was beyond nasty, and had to be replaced. However, being a mom of many, I knew that the REAL seat would need seat COVERS that could be WASHED. Does this make sense?)
It took two days of work (the original seats were covered in fabric that must have had a hundred staples holding it on! Good grief!), but we finally got it done.
Here's the chair as it really looks in my kitchen...
...and here it is all nice and bright so you can actually see it.
(No, I don't normally let Grace run around like this. She had just spilled her drink on her shirt, and insisted on being in the chair even though I was trying to take a picture! Just keepin' it real, here...)
But alas... the new chair, while looking OK on its own...
...just looks wrong with my hot pink seat covers on it.
The ONLY thing that I was really thrilled about in the first place!
So now I'm kicking myself for painting the chairs. I should have just replaced the nasty fabric on the seats themselves, put my new hot pink covers on, and gone my merry little way.
I'm so sad.
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