Tough One

I did something I've never done before. Yesterday after Mass we took the kids to get a special little treat at a very special little place. The smells, the chocolates- it was almost too much for a Lenten girl to handle. Everyone except mommy claimed their treat; toffee covered in chocolate, choclate dusted with coconut, white chocolate drizzled with dark and even a little chocolate turtle. The pangs hit deep but I made it. It was temptation at it's finest... and I won.

So Proud

He finished his Kindergarten math book and is on to bigger and better things. PJ is so excited that his goal is to wrap up 1st grade math and start 2nd before the year is done. He's got high hopes...

And On A Lighter Note

PJ is giving up making his bed for Lent. Why didn't I think of that?

Penances Abound

Last night I caught an old episode of Mother Angelica Live on EWTN. I love that woman. She is so funny, so holy and definately speaks her mind. The episode aired years ago the day before Ash Wednesday and she spoke about sacrifices and Lent. I had to laugh when she scoffed giving up sweets. If she only knew just how hard that is for some...ahem- me! Anyway it was it good reminder of giving something up in hopes that it will be forever. Not just 40 days but a change for good. She also talked extensively about penance. Each of us can use difficult situations as a penance. We're off to a good start with that at our house. My daughter woke up and is on the 'verge' of the stomach flu that began Monday. She is couch bound and moaning so I suppose 9:30 Mass is out of the question. Joey woke up all out of sorts. The whining and crying this morning is almost too much to take- but then that's a penance, right? I'm just going to put that smile on my face and take it. All day long.... (I may sound optomistic but then again it's not even 8am.)
Have a wonderful Ash Wednesday everyone. May you find grace and penance, too!

Sick Day Leads to Great Imagination

Yesterday little Joey got his first stomach flu. You know what that means when they're two. It tears at your heart and at the same time is so messy that you can't leave their side in fear of the inevitable. So while Joey and I camped out on the couch with buckets and towels, the big kids had great adventures. (Of course they finished their school work first!)

The rain stopped so I sent them outside for some "fresh air". While pretending to fish in the trickle that runs through our yard, two bald eagle flew about 15 feet over their heads. They came back up yelling like mad with such happy faces.

Their next adventure took place in the basement. They created their own science center downstairs. It had such imaginative exhibits: bird watching, rolling cars down a hill to see which is faster, a gravity test, a stopwatch for throwing the ball in the air- to see how long the ball could stay up, a find it game with clues, and a baby center where you could take a grabby baby so "he won't mess up the exhibits". They even had a gift shop! Proud of their accomplishments, they were sorely disappointed when mom put the kabosh on their magnet center. For some reason they couldn't understand that a brand new box of magnet experiments had to be used for a monitored science lesson. Mean mommy said "kitchen table only". I hope they don't still resent me.



And that leads to our last great fun of the day...magnets! And what a beautiful sight - they are all being contained on the kitchen table. Millions of magnets in one place makes for one happy mommy.



Homeschooling can be such a wonderful thing. I bet the big kids learned an abundance today from their experiences and boy did they have a blast.

Did I Really Say Yes?

Because my good friend Angel says that you have to "get busy livin'", I have said yes to this!

I have been known to get overly enthusiastic many a time; it's one of my greatest battles. It's a fight because I get excited about something and I say YES! and then it's just one more thing I have in the works. I've done it with sewing, scrapbooking, knitting, making books, home projects - the list is long.

Okay so back to the latest committment. Myself and eleven other runners will set out on a 24 hour expedition and run in a relay for 187 miles starting at the Canadian border more or less and running down Western Washington to the end of Whidbey Island. And yes, I said 24 hours. An entire day of a mobile slumber party so to speak with runners of all ages and backgrounds only hopping out of the car to run my portion of the race. Oh the madness.

And to not appear as superwoman (because I am far from that) when my dear friend Lisa asked me if there was anything I can't do... The answer is a resounding yes. Yes Lisa, I haven't sat down to finish those baby blankies that I started last September for the twins. I promise they'll come. Maybe I will run them to you this summer!

Shredded

Oh boy. I've done it now. I have taken a small break from marathon training do to shin splints and am replacing the run with hitting the gym. I say gym loosely, for it's more than that. Debby at Sculptor Fitness is killing me. I have never, ever taken a class like this before. This is no ordinary gym- this is boot camp for people who thought they were strong but were wrong. After Wednesday's workout and an early morning workout today I feel like I've been run over by a truck. A big, fast moving, mud-flapping mac truck. And this is what I look like with just two visits to Debby!

Happy Crunching!

Just Adding to the List

I'm going to have to start some kind of log for what comes out of Joey's mouth. He's two- everything he says is funny.

PJ: Mom, when are you going to get off the computer?! I want to use my 15 minutes now.

Me: PJ, I just sat down with my coffee and I'm going to read. It will be a little while. Maybe you should go eat your breakfast.

PJ: Mutter, mutter, stomp, stomp

Me: PJ, go lie down in your bed until you feel better and are not so grumpy.

Joey: (Running at top speed into the office) TJ goin to time out???? WHAT did he throw?

The look on his face was priceless- half filled with concern that his big brother was getting the forbidden time out and half filled with pleasure that he isn't the only one.

Ramping Up

It's that time again. Each year right before Lent it never fails. I get nervous for I am weak. I think about sacrifices great and small. I question myself whether or not it really matters if I give up something. In the grand scheme does God really care if I don't have sweets? Is it supposed to be greater than that? Am I pleasing him more if I work on being pure in every sense? And fasting, I am terrible with fasting. Did I mention weakness?

Well, because I feel that I really do have to make a sacrifice, I think I am giving up sweets. It will be really hard. I mean really, really hard. Doesn't that sound stupid? I know it does - but I crave sweets 24 hours a day. I think about licorice and my mouth waters. It's a HUGE downfall of mine.

So this year it will be something tangible and something deeper. I keep going back to the purity issue. Asking myself if I truly give it all to God or is some of it so that others will think that I am good?? I read this last night:

In all our desires, prayers, fasting, almsgiving, in all our acts and in all that we bear from God, let our intentions be pure. Without aiming at our interest, without speaking to please men, without fear of displeasing them, without even fixing our intention on what we might receive of grace in the present time and of glory in the time to come, we should only consider the admirable goodness of God and act purely and in the first place of it, and in the second place for the salvation of our neighbor.

The more our intention is pure and strongly directed toward God, the less we dwell upon our own advantages and even upon those of other men, and the more our works will be agreeable to God and profitable to all. But, alas, how much they will lose in value before God, and for all creatures, if we see in them any other thing than the pure goodness of the Lord.

From The Ways of God for Meditation and Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas

So there they are- the hurdles for Lent. Giving it all without looking for the grace, without trying to impress, and with fullness of heart. I suppose that's why I am ramping up. Getting ready. I'm in for a long road, please wish me luck. Better yet- say a prayer.

Sock Puppet Fashion Show

My daughter and her friend had a debut show today that would knock the 'socks' (HA!) off of Paris. They wore their daily wear, outer wear and bathrobes, these socks did.



After the final premier and the socks went away, Joey turns his big blue eyes to me and asked, "What was dat?? Dat was funny!"

What We're Reading

The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer has dramatically altered my philosophy for homeschooling. So much so that we have already changed our curriculum for next year.
This book is written by a mother/daughter team with plenty of experience and knowledge of classical education. If you would like to learn more about what classical education is, you can visit their website. And for more good homeschool blogs try this.

Motherhood and Snow

The sun is still a good hour away from rising but the snowfall is illuminating the yard. About half a foot has come down and it continues to fall softly. I'm thinking about that gentle blanket of snow wrapping around the earth and realizing that my job of a mother is one in the same.

At least once a week I have 'one of those nights'. The kind where it takes hours to fall asleep. My mind jumps from one frame to the next on fast forward. Am I really strong enough to give up sugar for Lent? When will I get the quarterly grades turned in? Why is my two year old so hard to put to bed? I still haven't called the dentist. So last night I watched the clock strike midnight not able to turn off that constant noise in my head.

At 3am a gentle hand rubbed mine. "I had a bad dream" he said. For the next three hours he joyfully dreamed about winning the world soccer cup, upon my back. I dragged myself out of bed with my brow furrowed and that's when I saw it. The hush of nature that took place while I should have been sleeping. The beauty of God's gentle reminder that I could either spend my day growling at the kids about excessive noise, getting their work done and toys out of place. OR I could envelope each one with that love that only a mother can give. Kind, warm and nurturing. I'm so grateful to be this exhausted and would do it again and again knowing that these little ones are a gift to me. The gift of motherhood.

Calling All Young Writers

Have you seen this contest? From now until Friday, March 14th, children from kindergarten to third grade can write and illustrate their own stories. There are are certificates for all entries and book prizes for the winning stories per grade. The contest guide offers an awesome way for your little authors to brainstorm, create and revise their works. That means it's fun AND educational! Will we see your work on TV?

Look What We're Doing for Lent

We're placing our order and will work on them slowly. What a special project that can stay up all year round!

How Do You Know When You've Had Too Much Coffee?

When your hands are shaky, your head is foggy and you make your kids a peanut butter and salsa sandwich.

Infiltration

Getting out of the shower this morning I saw a ladybug crawling up the door frame. Not something you see everyday in your bathroom. My son pointed out that there were some in the window pane of my bedroom, too. However he thought they might not be "with us" anymore. Next we found them in my daughter's room. On her dinosaur, on the window pane...What's going on here? Oh, maybe this will help.

Can't Wait

When Somebody Loves You

They leave you subtle messages.



Thank you honey, I love you back.

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Subtitle: Those Same Woods The Morning After

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost

Proper Dinner Etiquette

I try so hard. I really do. Saying grace before we eat, teaching them to set the table properly, have earnest talks while we eat...

Warning: This dinner story does not fit into anything proper-

The dog can always be found under the table if someone is eating. Well it appears the dog may have eaten something she shouldn't have for she was having issues. After a loud groan on the other side of the table I saw my husband quickly put his shirt up around his mouth and nose. At this point, Joey got up out of his booster, leaned over and yelled, "Are you the doctoe"?????

It was all over then. Raucous laughing, things spilling, children screaming- I suppose we can try again tonight.

Big Night Out Teaches Valuable Lesson

Some of you know that it's been a long time for mommy to get out of the house. (Still working on finding a sitter so mom and dad could actually have a date!). Last night I was invited to join a group at church called Willing Hands. What a nice group of all aged, beautiful women knitting together and attempting to do Bible study. It was a great night of laughs and I really needed it.

Let me go back a bit and say that on my way to Mercer Island, I picked up my friend Robin, her teenage daughter and her one-month old baby. As we drove along the highway a new light came on in the van. "Hmmm, haven't seen that one before..." I said. It turned out to be a tire pressure light. Instantly my mind blamed I mean thought of the guys filling my tires just hours before at the lube shop. I got out and checked the tires- they looked good to me....

Hours later at 10pm we come out of the church and there is my car, looking sick. Tire just a hair off of being totally flat- not good for this disconnected girl with no cell phone on a sleepy, dark island. I borrowed a cell and called AAA- they would be there in an hour. Did I mention I had a baby and teen with me??? That wouldn't do... Then came Amanda, a young lady from the group. "You don't know how to change a tire???" she asked me in great surprise. "You do?" I asked back. Turns out Amanda is from Alaska with mechanics in the family. She was calm, cool, collected. It was dark, desolate and FREEZING! With a smile on her face she taught me a great needed lesson...faith. In between working on the car Amanda introduced me to the beautiful perpetual adoration chapel. We went in to say a prayer to get us home safely. It was warm and cozy and I asked for protection to get this sweet little newborn home safely.

Shortly before midnight we did just that. Home safe with a thankful heart.

Update

We are now on our 64th favorite place. (In reference to below)

I need a hint....

Easy, Hard or Challenge

Want to play?

It's all the rage at my house. PJ is on a new kick. For a week now at the dinner table one if not all of us are taken on with, "Easy, Hard or Challenge?".

The poor soul who is not chewing at this time says something like "Challenge".

"Okay" he says excitedly, "name my 17th favorite place".

We have gone all the way up to 54 with hints and 'give ups'. And the brutal part is that he seems to not pick a favorite place until he's happy with one of our guesses. (And it's never his sisters!)

Disconnected

I believe it was November 30th- the day my cell phone teetered on a pair of jeans in the bathroom and fell; smashing into unfixable bits. Uh oh, I thought. That can't be good.

Well maybe it is-maybe it isn't. You see it's been almost two full months of not having a cell phone. I used to think I couldn't run up to the grocery store without it. What if someone needed me? What if one of my kids were bleeding at home with their daddy? I guess I was addicted to constantly being present for others but even worse, I was addicted to 'filling up time'. Getting in the car for me meant it was time to catch up current events in the lives of friends and family. Sadly it was usually with my kids in the back seat. Talk about not seeing being present...ugh!

I now drive thirty miles or so to church, or to run errands and just a faint nagging creeps up on me sometimes. What if I get a flat? What if I get lost? For the most part I have to confess that it's liberating not to be at one's beck and call (okay, that is funny!).

To go further into disconnect- we have no answering machine and one working telephone in this house. We're obviously not too concerned about it because neither my husband or I has yet to run to Radio Shack to get any constant contact device. I suppose that soon I will have some new, cool functioning cell phone and we'll eventually look into an answering service but for now I am enjoying the peace and conquering the fear of being disconnected. (Just PLEASE don't let anything happen to my computer!!)

St. Anthony's I Owe You

From the backseat of the van yesterday I heard a little voice asking for a pen. I handed one back not really thinking much about it. Soon after we had arrived at Mass and headed in to find a seat. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my daughter affixing a stamp from her purse onto a church envelope. She handed the envelope to her daddy with an enormous smile on her face. No more than two minutes later, she was gone- following the kids to their own liturgy downstairs.

"Did you see this?!" whispered my husband. He bent the envelope so it opened and in it was a note that read like a check;

I Owe You, St. Anthony $6.00

Signed and dated, too. Along with the note was a five dollar bill and a buck.

When I told my little saint-in-the making how proud I was at bedtime she just looked at me and said, "Mom, St. Anthony has found so many things for me- it was time I paid him back".

You know the biggest lesson I learned from this was that she went all day long without saying one word about it. She needed no praise and no recognition. She just did what she needed to do...

Guess Where These Took Me Today?!

I should back up and preface that it was the MOST glorious day. Sun, yes, I said SUN-shining brightly. Birds chirping. 48 degrees. So the shoes gave me a nudge and said, "Up and at em, mama, we have trails to cover".

Well you know how much of the trail these over-zealous little shoes conquered? 14 miles! Yep, the longest of my training thus far. My timing STUNK but that's okay. For the first long run I needed to make sure I could find my way home from the trail. I wasn't trying to be a superstar out there or anything like that. And 2.5 hours later, I was home and hurtin' for certain. My legs have never felt that way before.

You'll be happy to know that after 2 Advil, a hot bath and a sandwich, I am good to go. And I'm looking forward to next we when week up it one more mile! (Actually, I better get back to you on that in the morning!)

The Pirates That Entertained

So I took the big kids to see the new Veggie Tales The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything today. I've never actually seen a Veggie Tales movie in the theater but it's a rainy winter in Washington so...

The movie was cute, I laughed a few times and the kids enjoyed it. I couldn't remember so much from past movies but it seems that there was something missing. The message about heroism was a good one - but aren't they usually faith based? There wasn't one reference to my knowledge of anything faith-related(unless it happened when I fast ducked down to grab the licorice that was headed for the floor).

But like I said, it was raining, the licorice was saved and we had a nice outing. Need I say more?

A Winter's Afternoon

Afternoon Tea

My copper kettle
whistles merrily
and signals that
it is time for tea.

The fine china cups
are filled with the brew.
There's lemon and sugar
and sweet cream, too.

But, best of all
there's friendship, between you and me.
As we lovingly share
our afternoon tea.
- Marianna Arolin

Care to join the party?

When What to my Wondering Eyes Should Appear

but a daily visit from a local deer.

I just love how the dog is in position for attack. (Belle would run out all tough and lay down quivering.)

The Neti Pot Play

These Neti Pots...have you seen them?

Better yet- have you tried one?

The Opening Act
I digress. Last night I skipped my group run because it was lurking... Cold number 2 for the season. Scratchy throat, stuffy nose, feeling rather run down. After early bed times for the wee ones and a hot bath followed by two EmergenC's- it was imminent.

Amazingly my husband (who is fighting the good rhino fight with me) recommended we try one of those "things" that drains out your nose. "A Neti Pot"?? I asked. "Mmmhmm, let's try one".

Scene II
We're driving away from the health food store and my daughter in the back seat is astonished as she's reading the box and instructions. My bear-fearing girl yells, "I'd rather kiss 100 ANGRY brown bears than put this thing up my nose!" Followed by a meek "You wouldn't make me do that, would you mom"? The bears or the flush, I wonder.

The Final Curtain
My husband emerges from the bathroom with a sheepish smile. He claims he feels a bit like he just took a swim. He claims he feels "pretty good". So off I went for my turn. I snarfed and hacked- I'll spare you all the details. But now I'm sitting here now feeling like $999K. That close to a million bucks...

So the moral of the story is - go ahead and try one, you might like these "nutty pots"*. Let's all raise our pots to happy health.

*My daughter swears they made a typo on the box!