Lest I Forget

It is not often that you actually get to "walk in someone else's shoes". I have sort of done that for a week now and I pray that I will remember some very important things about life. First is this: My mom is an amazingly strong woman. Second, these 'big' things in life can really bring you down if you don't look for the little moments that can warm your heart and lift you back up. For me, I find that the little things are the laugh of my toddler, the words of my preschooler, the creations of my son, the smile of my daughter. Noticing the mourning doves that skitter under the bushes each morning as I walk by their nesting spot. The curve of the mountain that I looked at every day as a child. The pattern of the frost on my van in the early morning. Nature is full of God's handiwork, and stopping to admire the beauty is essential for my well-being. Third, I must remember not to judge. It is not my place, and I do not know someone else's heart or ci...

From the warmth of my house, I stared out the window at the cold wind blowing, swirling leaves up and around and spreading them hither and yon. I felt like one of those leaves. I am caught up in the winds of a huge move and I don't have a lot of say about which way I am blown. Today, for instance, I will be packing up the kids again so that the property manager can show the house. We did this yesterday too. So much for organizing our things. On New Year's Day, though, I stood firm against that mighty wind and chose to get in the car yet again to take one almost seven year old to the Lego store two hours away for a birthday surprise. I walked behind him and his siblings. As the store came into view, he grabbed Anna's hand, gave it a good squeeze, and began walking faster. There may have even been a little jig in his steps. Before going inside, he paused outside to look at all the displays in the store window. Then, after giving me one of the biggest grins ever, he stepped ...

This year has been anything but traditional, including how we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Usually we are on our way to my parent's house right after we open presents. But today, we stayed home. We opened presents, we had a lovely breakfast, we played with all the new things, we made cookies, we are having a nice steak dinner (I am waiting for the potatoes to finish roasting). I am thankful for this Christmas Day with my family before we head overseas. Next week all sorts of craziness and chaos will be the norm, but for today, we have enjoyed the relative quiet of our little family of eight. She wanted this specific kitchen. Never mind the pink model was A LOT cheaper. He has wanted this for a long time! A metal detector. The perfect seat to practice playing your new accordion. Homemade cinnamon rolls that don't take forever. Made with biscuit dough. His first "treasure" found with the metal detector! I always wonder what happens to...

As I tie up all the loose ends preparing for Christmas morning, I decided to pop in for a minute. After spending a week at my parent's house taking care of their dog and my grandmother, I am home with my family. My dad had his surgery and is recovering very well. I really appreciate all the prayers that were said for him. Last night, I stayed up way too late assembling toys and wrapping gifts, watching old movies and drinking lots of hot tea to try and keep at bay a cold that is threatening to make me feel miserable. The big girls and Tony started out helping, but one by one, they got tired, or rocked a baby back to sleep, until it was just Sophie and me. This afternoon we will go to Christmas Eve Mass, where Anna and Jack will be in the children's choir. They have been rehearsing for an entire month. I have tried to let go this Advent and really enjoy the time with my family. Believe me when I say that this has taken much grace from God. I do not recommend trying to move o...

The kids have been impressing me with their art skills lately. I am very, very thankful for the Holy Heroes Advent Adventure. Our mornings have been so much fun! This morning we started some gingerbread houses too. The buildings are pretty much ready to decorate now and that will be our afternoon activity. We forgot to inform Sophie, who arrived home for Christmas break last night, that it is a St. Lucy feast day tradition for the oldest daughter to get up early to make cinnamon rolls and coffee for everyone. Cinnamon toast was an acceptable substitute, though she was not up early, so the mom had to make it! Coloring page from Holy Heroes Not creative, but he has learned 2 new things: to say 'cheese' and to stay back long enough for me to snap a picture. lego Nativity Christmas tree ornament by Jack Therese brought me this drawing today as a present. I love it!

I am not good at planning. You would think that I might be, given we homeschool and all, but that is not the case. So planning liturgical celebrations is not my forte. I want to give my kids a love for their faith and celebrating feasts and saints and seasons seems like the perfect way to build that love. So when I stumbled upon this website last night, I was so excited. And this morning, when the kids and I checked out the activities for the day, we were not disappointed. We have had fun and they are learning!  I may be the only Catholic mama who had not heard of this, but for those of you who are like me and are not good planners, here it is, all sent to your inbox daily! Holy Heroes Advent Adventures ! **I forgot to add that today you can get the CD of St. Juan Diego for free, just pay the shipping!

Yesterday was one of those days. If one more person had told me one more thing that was even slightly unpleasant, well, let's just say it was a good thing they didn't! But then I read Jamie's blog and I realized that I needed to find the little things and just be thankful. There is so much to be thankful for! First, I am thankful for Jamie, who helped me to remember where my heart should be. I am thankful that my husband has a job that provides food, shelter, and clothing for us all with some left over for those unexpected bills and maybe even a treat now and then. I am thankful for unseasonably warm days in December, so the kids can play outdoors without having to get bundled up. I am thankful for little boys who like to snuggle in my arms to fall asleep.   Thankful for a spunky, sassy, full of life 3 year old little girl. Thankful for creative little boys whose Christmas list includes a metal detector and an accordion. Thankful for Cari...