Words to Live By

"The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
 

— Mother Teresa

Motherhood = A Calling

As a member of an on-line Catholic mother's group I am continually coming across intriguing articles about being a wife/mother/parent. I have SUCH a passion for learning about my vocation as wife and mother. Yesterday, one of the mothers in our group shared this article and I found it particularly intriguing and thought I'd share. It certainly puts my life as "mother" into perspective. Happy reading!

Theotokos - Holy Mother of God, Ora pro nobis.

Bedhead and Breakfast

Each morning I wake with the littles between 6 and 7 am. I have NEVER been what you would call a "morning person" so getting up in the morning takes a LOT of will power love.

Regardless of the sacrifice, there is something wonderful about looking around the breakfast table at their heads of matted, crazy curls as they rub the sleep out of their bright blue eyes that makes each and every early morning worth it and reminds me of the absolute JOY that it is to be their mother.

Note: To those of you who are morning people...you know, wake at 5am, get your work out and prayer time in, have time to make and eat breakfast while reading the morning paper...

I am jealous...

sometimes.

Feeling Young(er)

Tonight as I was checking out at our local Wal-Mart I was asked to present my I.D.

I have been asked to present age verification for many things in my life but never for a 0.07 oz. tube of this...

Well, apparently you have to be at least 18 years old to purchase super glue these days.


I can't say that I minded though...in fact, after almost a decade and four children later, I was quite flattered.

I walked out of the store with a new spring in my step waddle and feeling just a little lighter and a little younger.

We Made It!

It has been a couple of weeks since the last time I wrote...I guess we've been a little busy.

We successfully packed up everything we own, loaded it up, stacked it in a storage unit, and officially checked out of our 2 bedroom apartment forever. In a nutshell, it was messy, chaotic, and stressful...dare I mention the gallon of paint my 2-year-old dumped "spilled" on the clean carpet...or the fresh sidewalk chalk art makings all over the just-washed front porch and windows...or the...I think not.We are relieved that that part of our move is over. On a different note...it was SUCH a blessing to have good friends to help us on this side of the move. It has been quite overwhelming to feel the love of God through those we love.

We have been living in Albuquerque, NM for 2 weeks now and currently reside in a lovely (furnished) 1 bedroom apartment. We are in love with this city and have had such a blast over the last few weeks. So far we have enjoyed visits to the zoo, aquarium, and botanical gardens and have gone to an Isotopes baseball game. We have also enjoyed many FREE activities including visits to multiple library programs (reading, singing, dancing, puppet shows, and more...we're looking forward to the upcoming magic show, petting zoo, and recycle man band that will visiting within the next several weeks), checking out and reading library books, a scenic drive up to Sandia Peek, a visit to PetSmart (the miniature aquarium/small animal zoo), a trip to the duck pond to feed the ducks, and outings to many new and exciting parks. It has been so much fun to live in a big city with all that it has to offer.

The littles (specifically my 2 and 3) are very much looking forward to this coming week because they are signed up to attend Vacation Bible School (with mommy and baby girl as tag alongs). If all goes well I think I'll sign them up for another one next week.

We'll see.

The P.L.A.N.

We have been anticipating our (first) move for almost 6 weeks now and today we began our 1 week countdown. Since the last time I posted about our great big move, a couple things have changed. We are no longer moving to Missouri, but are moving somewhere over the rainbow (a.k.a. Kansas) instead. The reason for this abrupt change is that my Mister was selected to fill a science teaching position at a Catholic(!!!) school and was offered the right salary...how could we resist?

So, here is our plan:

We are moving to Albuquerque, NM in 7 days.

The reason we are moving to ABQ is that my Mister will be taking 3 Summer classes (8 weeks long) at UNM (pre-requisites for his physicians assistant program).

Between now and then, we have to pack up the rest of this house, move what is left to a storage unit, paint our beautiful red living-room white (it's a looong story), deep-clean the apartment (including all of the lovely white walls and trim that my littles have covered with love), shut off the utilities, turn in our change of address to every institution that we owe $$$ and to the post office, close out my Arbonne business orders, help throw a baby shower for a dear friend, and say goodby to our friends.

Once in ABQ we will live in a (semi) spacious extended-stay hotel room (i.e. full kitchen, full bath, bedroom/living room/dining room, fully furnished, utilities included, free wireless internet, free cable, and last but certainly not least, cleaning service!) bringing only 2 suitcases, some dishes, some toys, a stroller, and some educational materials. 

When my Mister is finished with his classes, we will pick up our moving truck (which happens to be the same dimensions as our current storage unit), drive it to our storage unit, pack it up, and drive it to Kansas.

Now, I know that you may be thinking that we are completely out of our minds to move into such a small space, with 3 small children, and almost nothing else...BUT, there are many perks to living in ABQ...I'll have to share them with you another day...right now, I am tired.


G'night.

Catching Up...

So much is happening/has happened in my life and in my heart lately. Here are some of my recent thoughts...

I love the month of May. I just love it. I love the blossoms on the trees and the flowers that spring forth from the earth. I love the singing of the birds and the sunshine that pours through my windows. I love that it is the month of Mary. I love the Marian hymns at mass and the beautiful tradition of the May crowning...speaking of, I really need to glue our statue of Our Lady back together so that we can have our home May crowning...

Lately I am re-obsessed (it hits me every Spring and Summer) with smoothies. I JUST. CAN'T. GET. ENOUGH!

It is such a blessing to have the opportunity and grace to house another precious child within my womb. I am often overwhelmed with the the beauty of this reality. And, I can't wait to find out if we are to welcome a little boy or a little girl into our hearts and home this September (2 weeks until the ultrasound! eek!).

We are leaving in 2.5 weeks and I will dearly miss our friends...sigh. And, there is still SO much to be done before we go.

My in-laws are coming to our home in 3 days! 

I love my husband more than words can express. He is such a loving, giving, caring man. I have been feeling the blessing of his presence in my life a LOT lately. It is an incredible gift to be married to my best friend.

Speaking of my Mister, he made a toddler bunk bed yesterday! Who does that?! He did such a great job! I can't get over that man. We'll sand and stain it later this week. I can't wait to show you the pictures!

Speaking of yesterday, my baby girl turned 1 (1!!!) I can't believe it! The day was simply lovely.

Library fines can be so EXPENSIVE! That's all I'll say about that!

I found (and bought) this INCREDIBLE  orange necklace at this little boutique I happened to pass through the other day. You may have heard of it...it's called Goodwill. (Pics another day)

Did you know that Tom's of Maine made a toothpaste for kids?! I JUST discovered it this weekend...and promptly escorted it to the checkout and into my home.

I have been listening to the Parent Trap soundtrack on repeat ALL weekend. SO GOOD! I had forgotten how much I love it. And, dance parties with toddlers are truly priceless!

And now, my coffee is beckoning and there are empty boxes waiting to be filled...

More later!

Ciao!

Happy Mother's Day!

 She remained hidden for thirty years at Nazareth with the Savior. There her chief concern was to raise her Divine Son, to merit increasingly the confidence of her husband, and to provide her family with what they needed by working as her strength allowed. - The Imitation of Mary

Today I am thanking God for all of the beautiful mothers in my life (physical and spiritual) who, by their examples, have taught me to be a better and holier mother. My Mary, the Mother of us all, guide each one of us on our journeys toward her Son.

PAX, b

What We Were Up To This Weekend...

This weekend was incredibly productive, relaxing, crafty, and blessed. 

On Saturday we cleaned and packed and NAPPED! (Rest is such a beautiful, needed thing). After our long siesta, I made a large dish of chicken enchiladas for dinner (YUM!) and then my  dear husband had to go to work (until 12a). SO, after the kids were in bed, I had a movie night with a couple girlfriends. We laughed, cried, and ate brownies a-la-mode (how exactly does one spell this word???). Such. a. great. time.

Sunday was such a HUGE day in the Church. At our place we primarily celebrated the Feast of Divine Mercy and the beatification of Blessed John Paul II (!), but it was also the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and the begining of the month of Mary! What a DAY!

We started out with a breakfast of Divine Mercy Rolls (courtesy of our local bakery) and eggs, went to mass, took naps, prayed the Mercy Chaplet, SKYPED with the family, and went to bed.

Our family also got to spend LOTS of time with a dear seminarian friend (Lowell) who was in town for the week.

AND, I worked on lots and LOTS of little, crafty, projects all. weekend. long! : )

I have decided to post a DIY or a tutorial each day this week so that you can all craft along with me!

Here's a sneak preview of my first little project...

Stay tuned for the tutorial later on tonight!

So, what were you up to this weekend?

Blessed Pope John Paul II

 Our hearts are in Rome today...

My Mr and I had the opportunity to see him there in 2003...on my birthday...what a GIFT!

We were THIS CLOSE!

"From Mary we learn to surrender to God's will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her son and the son of God."
John Paul II

Totus Tuus

It is neat to think that they're together in heaven...praying for us all 

Two saints of our time!

 This is a special and exciting day for our "2" (JPII is his namesake and he was born on the anniversary of his death).

I just LOVE this man!

 Blessed John Paul II, Pray for us!

A Royal Wedding

I'm not sure if it is the horse drawn carriage, the beautiful dress, prince charming, the crown, the bells, or the thought of happily ever after...but there is something about the wedding of a royal Prince and Princess that speaks to the heart of every woman (c'mon ladies...admit it!).

I have to say that I loved the sermon given by the Bishop of London...especially this part...

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves. ~ Royal Wedding sermon of the Bishop of London

A final thought: I think that if my little princess was several years older, we just may have woken up in the wee hours to watch the entire ceremony...while eating scones and drinking English tea...out of REAL porcelain tea cups...and wearing big beautiful hats...or perhaps even tiaras.

Phew! What We've Been Up To...

Over the last couple of weeks we have been SO BUSY!

We've had a HUGE birthday bash (for our two boys), visited the E.R. with our 2 (long story...and he's fine after 4 stitches), mourned the loss of a dear student, packed 30+ boxes to get ready for our big move, searched our entire home (every closet, shelf, and drawer) to find things to get rid of at our moving sale, had a very successful ($$$) moving sale (and got a great big, blistering, burn...very appropriate and right in time for Palm Sunday Mass...my face matched the red vestments...no pics. Sorry.), went on a date with my Mr <3 <3 <3, visited the dentist 2 times for fillings (ARGH!), detailed our cars (well, my husband did while I watched the kids...and then of course I "oooed" and "ahhhed" at how sparkly clean everything looked), sold one of our (2) cars, made painting smocks (for the kid's Easter baskets...tutorial to come), altered some jeans, and sewed the top of a baby quilt (pictures after Easter)...PHEW!!!

Currently, we are trying to focus our minds and hearts on the passion and death of Our Lord and (with great anticipation) look forward to the great celebration of His Resurrection this Sunday. (I had so many things I wanted to share on this blog for Holy Week and Easter Sunday...but soooo little time...I'll have to post them all next year)

Have a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter everyone!

Top 15 Yard Sale Advertising Tips From All Things Thrifty

 We have been super busy all week preparing for our HUGE moving sale. Since this is our 4th yard sale (we have been having one every year since we moved here) I was planning on writing a post on how to have a successful yard sale...but Brooke, over at All Things Thrifty, beat me to it! I liked her ideas so much that I'm attaching her link so that you can hop over there and soak in all her creative geniusness.

All Things Thrifty Home Accessories and Decor: Top 15 Yard Sale Advertising Tips

The only things I'd add to her list are:
1)Provide plastic grocery bags for your customers
2)Have lot's of change (quarters, 1's, 5's, and 10's) and
3) sell some food/beverages. You could sell coffee and donuts, or chips and soda, have a bake-sale or whatever you'd like. AND, it really helps reel in customers if you have a cute little person sitting behind the food table! ; )


Have a fabulous day!

Life is a gift...precious...fragile.

Because we have two birthdays in our household within 10 days, we have been doing a lot of thinking about the GIFT of life. It is such a beautiful, precious, and wonderful gift. Every person experiences the gift of life in different and unique ways. Today I'd like to tell you about one specific life that has changed mine forever.

Yesterday, I received a phone call from the grandmother (and caretaker) of a former and beloved student (B). With tears in her voice she relayed the news that her grandson had passed away that morning...



Several years ago, after graduating with a degree in special education, I came out to the Navajo reservation in AZ, to teach. I was placed in the one classroom that no one else wanted. Why didn't they want it? I have no idea. To me, is was a little piece of heaven on earth.

In this double wide trailer (my classroom), I was given the beautiful opportunity to meet Our Lord in the poorest of the poor; the most helpless children I had ever met. I was given the gift of teaching, caring for, and loving 10 precious children who were (and still are) medically fragile.

They could not walk, talk, or eat as you and I do. Some of them had feeding tubes, some of them needed chest percussion treatment 1-2 times daily (more if and when they caught pneumonia, a common occurrence due to their fragile conditions), all of them took medicine at different time throughout the day, all of them received range of motion, physical therapy, and massage therapy,and some of them were deaf in one ear.

Some of them needed nebulizer treatments and some of them needed to be close to a suction machine (they were in danger of suffocating if they accidentally swallowed too much of their own saliva/mucus). All of these children wore diapers and needed to be changed several times a day, and most of them required a "two-man-lift" in order to get out of their wheelchairs and into bed.

The world may have called these children "vegetables". *shutter* Vegetables they were not. These individuals where the most HUMAN, human beings I have ever met...and "B"...so beautiful.

Of all of the children in my classroom, his existence was the most phenomenal...you see, "B" was born with many rare conditions that most babies would have died from in their first week of life. In fact, one of his conditions was that he was born with out a brain...he had only a brain stem.

The doctors told his grandmother (he was abandoned by his mother at birth) that she shouldn't expect him to live for more than two weeks. Every doctor and specialist that they have seen over the years, has told "grandma" that there was nothing that could be done, and that she should expect his passing at any time. They told her "be ready".

To look at "B", you would just KNOW that HE was a MIRACLE. His head was 1.5 times bigger than it should have been (due to hydrocephalus) and the back of his head was a few inches from meeting his back. He weighed no less than 18 lbs and no more than 25 lbs at any given time. His body was bent and twisted in such a way that both his head and posterior nearly touched his back. His hands where mangled and the skin was constantly cracking. The circumference of his tiny thighs was no larger than the circumference of an egg and the circumference of his arms was no bigger than a quarter. Yet, he smiled, he laughed, he cried, he lived and he loved.

Do you know how old "B" lived to be? 22 1/2!

Now THAT is a testament to the love that he was given...most especially by his saintly grandmother...but also to the love that he held in his own, precious heart.

I can't begin to tell you how this experience, how these individuals, have shaped me as a person.

I take lessons from those couple of years into everything I do and into every relationship I have. I thank God for the gift of life...the gift of these lives, the gift of "B's" life, and the gift of His life.



...as I hung up the phone, I thanked God for "B" and that I was one of the blessed people, on this side of eternity, who's life was touched, and changed, because of the GIFT of his life.


Note: I would love to share some pictures of "B" with you but am waiting for permission to do so. Stay tuned.

I Am The Child

I am the child who cannot talk.
You often pity me, I see it in your eyes.
You wonder how much I am aware of -- I see that as well.
I am aware of much, whether you are happy or sad or fearful,
patient or impatient, full of love and desire,
or if you are just doing your duty by me.
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater,
for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.
You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.
I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions,
responses over my well-being, sharing my needs,
or comments about the world about me.
I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards -- great strides in
development that you can credit yourself;
  I do not give you understanding as you know it.
What I give you is so much more valuable -- I give you instead opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine;
the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.
I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder,
seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.
I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk.
The world seems to pass me by.
You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children.
There is much you take for granted.
I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again.
I am dependent on you in these ways.
My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,
your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.
Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.
I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,
to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.
I give you awareness.
I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick,
what I do know is infinite joy in simple things.
I am not burdened as you are with the strife's and conflicts of a more complicated life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,
to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love.
I give you the gift of simplicity.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child.
I am your teacher. If you allow me,
I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you.
I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted.
I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.
Most of all I teach you hope and faith.
I am the disabled child.

-Author Unknown

Celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph - Prayer, Craft, and Song

Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph!

Today I am praying for my beautiful son on his feast-day, for my holy, humble, and heroic husband who strives to follow the example of this blessed Saint each and every day, for my wonderful father and father-in-law, and for all of the other holy men in my life. I am so thankful for each and every one of you, and am a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, and woman because of your presence in my life.

 

This is my favorite prayer to this beautiful and blessed man:

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me. 

Taken from the Pieta Prayer Book

*This prayer was found in the fifteenth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, poison shall not take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.

Here are a couple of ideas that you can use with your littles to celebrate today's Solemnity (and if they're too late for today, remember that the whole month of March is dedicated to this beautiful Saint. Or you can re-visit this post on May 1 for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker):

Craft Ideas: 

1. Sacred Space:

Today we are going to change up our sacred space by placing an icon of St. Joesph in the center and adding a bouquet/vase of lilies (see craft below)...adding a hammer, a piece of wood, and a square would be neat too. 

2. Paper Roll Doll Craft:

We are going to make St. Joesph, Mary, and Jesus (the boy) dolls using paper and toilet paper rolls. Learn how here.

3. Hand-print Lily Craft: 

Last but not least we're making this awesome lily craft. The lily is a sign of virginity in the Church and St. Joseph is often depicted holding one. Get step by step instructions (with pictures) on how to make a St. Joseph lily here.

Song Idea:

This song was taught to me and my siblings when we were young, by my beautiful mother, who in turn learned it from  the sisters at her grade-school. Today I am thrilled to pass it along to my littles. I guess you could call it a family tradition!

St. Joseph the Carpenter

St Joseph was a carpenter, a carpenter, a carpenter,

and Jesus used to watch him hammer, hammer all day long

And Jesus learned to hammer too, to hammer too, to hammer too,

And he could make a table or a little chair for you

It really was not hard at all, not hard at all, not hard at all,

For God who made the lovely world to make a chair or two

 (author unknown)

I'll have to post a video with the melody...to find the time...if only.


PAX,

b

P.S.

If you'd like to read a beautiful little commentary on St. Joesph and the men in our lives hop over to Sarah's blog and read her post.

Survival

It is St. Patricks Day! As an Irish woman (well...1/4) I LOVE to celebrate this day with dancing, listening to Irish music, reading books about St. Patrick, telling Irish tales, singing Irish songs, making and eating Irish food, drinking Irish drinks, and on and on...

...alas. Yesterday, this mama was bitten by a bug, and today, this mama is sick. Today this mama is on survival mode...which means...

I'll be taking some of this...

 drinking some of this...

with this...

I'll be eating lots of these...

...and lots of this...

 I'll be using one of these...

and a lot of these...aaachoo!...

And we'll all be watching a LOT of movies.



As I was thinking about the dismal day ahead of me I had a thought...today I have a very unique opportunity to unite my "suffering" to the cross of Christ.

And so today, as I face all the difficulties ahead of me, know that I offer them up for you and your intentions.


Have a blessed and happy St. Patrick's Day!


"Lord God, our strength and salvation, put in us the flame of your love and make our love for you grow to a perfect love which reaches to our neighbor."
-taken from today's Office of Readings

Celebrating One Month in Blog Land

Though the thought of this blog entered my mind last October, it didn't become a reality until a month ago today! (I can't believe it's already been a month! Neat!). I'm not sure exactly where it will go or how long I will write but knowing that YOU are taking the time to read makes my time writing worth while.

I would like to take a moment to thank you all for visiting and re-visiting my blog over the last two weeks. I am flattered, no, honored that you are reading. And a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to share what I have written with others. You are too kind.

Here's too you!

                                                                  

And now for a couple of questions...

1. Do you find this blog easy to navigate? What changes, if any, would you make in this regard?
2. What are your favorite posts so far and why?
3. What are some topics/ideas that you would like to see discussed on this blog? 
4. What have you seen so far that you'd like to see more of?

Thanks friends! I appreciate your feedback!