On Going Home and the blessing of people!

     What a busy weekend.  Sunday alone was bursting with friends and fun!  I take such pleasure in watching my older 3 children mature in their friendships with kids from families that I love.   (I also enjoy watching the little ones and their sweet friendships of course!) It is fun to chat with a Catholic Mommy friend about the possibility of a someday wedding between our kids. :)

     My family moved a few times in my youth an although each move proved to be a big part of God's will for my life, I have not had that privilege of "going home" to see those I was once young with.  Our plan is to stay in the Dallas area and I hope our children will too, and that no matter what, they will always be able to come home, not only to us but to their roots and memories! 
I would not trade the years that I did spend with just hubby and I starting our little family in places where no one knew us previously. We were able to forage traditions and enjoy activities that were ours alone. We came to see how valuable friends can be as the family God gives you.
      I am so happy to say that things are coming full circle, we are now near Chris' family and get to see them often and his mother is in our life  helping us love our kids.  My parents are getting close to retirement and will be moving near by in the next year or so and this warms my heart!!  I welcome their help in forming these beautiful souls that God has given me!
      I can not leave out our church family-  St Basil's! Just yesterday a few little ones had formed a cluster during liturgy and were chatting, my hands were full and so were Chris' and a friend of mine got out of the communion line to tell the kids "this is not social hour"  I couldn't have been more grateful. I always feel like there are eyes and ears helping me and loving my kids when I am there. The sort of People who notice little things like new dresses and comment on a droopy eyed child "how is she feeling?".  Our Children's school is unlike any other that I have seen, a family environment is fostered there, when I get to visit, and I  walk down the halls everyone has a smile, everywhere you look there are visual reminders of God's love, even a Eucharistic Chapel where you can stop and pray!  Even our Neighbor hood is a special place, with people close by who we care about and look forward to seeing every time they drop by! The blessing of Good people in my life out weighs and out shines any material thing.  I wouldn't trade all this love for a bigger home or condo on the beach ever. 
We are looking forward to our family vacation this year,  we go to a river with lots of big catholic families and friends.  It is not fancy, and it is more about fellowship and genuine interactions than it is about relaxing.  So as I prepare to mop my floor for love of my little family, I will dream of Vodka lemonades and river sittin' - kids laughing and swimming- Mass and praise with friends- and late night girlie talks.
 I love the people in my life.  I am so grateful for them.  This family, in all it's many forms.  All of them.

fluttering close to the ground

This morning, I can barely wrap my mind around the words of St. JoseMaria Escriva.  He pictures himself as a little bird fluttering, short little distances, and slowly making it to a tree, then a house, until one day an Eagle mistakes him for one of his own and scoops him up and he soars higher and higher, then the Eagle lets him go and says FLY!!  St JoseMaria asks our Lord that He never allow him to be okay with fluttering close to the ground again.

It is so easy to keep your mind busy with the things on the ground, allowing what appears in front of our eyes to disguise what all things in life are...  An opportunity,  every diaper, meal prepared, and mess made to be cleaned, is a chance to soar with the eagles, to sanctify our lives!  If we roll our eyes at the cereal on the floor and in frustration clean it AGAIN, or grit our teeth at our husband when he isn't a prince charming here and there, we miss out on a beautiful moment to SOAR, to put a smile on our face and Tell our Lord thank you! We get a chance to serve Him, in his creations, who have been given to us- to love.  May I never forget that I live in the presence of God in a real way, All Day Long.  Right now!  "what peace is ours once we have embarked upon ‘the narrow road that leads on to life’!"

He is risen

Oh my goodness! Easter was a celebration.  The songs from Divine Liturgy still echo in my head and make me smile.  We stayed with our Church family for the whole day, and it was so fitting to celebrate our risen savior with them.

Chris will be returning today from a trip to Washington DC. He was there to attend an orientation for Diocesan Family life ministers.  He stayed with the Franciscan friers and attended talks and discussions. With each call home he had something new to tell me.  I delight in being the person he thinks of when he hears something great and wants to share that feeling.  I imagine that is how our Lord sees us.  When we see a beautiful sunset or feel a nice breeze and we lift our thoughts to heaven and say Thank You.

This morning I spent my prayer time reflecting on how much has been forgiven of me.  It helps me to feel humbled to reflect back on my life and know that God not only forgives me for my failings and loves me anyway, he continually blesses me and protects me above and beyond. I think of my little Jake. Jacob is my 3 year old, he is often excitable and aggressive and tends toward the naughty.  (He is sweet and loving too) I have noticed when I punish him he doesn't turn away from me but instead throws himself in my arms.  It makes me feel good to know that even when I have to be harsh to teach him something important, that he knows he is safe and loved in my arms, that I am Mommy.  How beautiful, this is a reflection of Our Father God.  I often tell Jesus in my heart that I will not let go of Him, even when life sends me difficulties, or my own choices do not reflect the daughter of God that I am. I will still cling to him because there is no where better to be than in His arms. 

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.   John 6:68

We have a big decision to make regarding our Children, please pray for God to show us his beautiful will for their lives.