After a Visit

My Mom just left.  It's always sad, a let down of sorts,  when you have a visitor and then they leave. Life is back to normal, which is beautiful, but it is nice to have an adult around all day to bounce things off of, or to pick up the slack.  My mom and I  differ some in our views of how children are to be raised, or homes are to be cleaned, and frankly my poor mother gets a bit overwhelmed by the business of our home.  When you add an extra element, even when they are helpful, it can bring on more stress than usual. We abandoned some of our lenten traditions and sacrifices while she was here, I am glad to get back on track!  I do miss her though. Hopefully she will be back soon.
Jacob and Isaac had birthdays on the 4th and 5th respectively. We had, at the last minute, friends over.  We had a fire in the back and roasted marshmallows.  I feel so blessed that I could call them a few hours before and they showed up ready to celebrate! 
I worked out this morning and when I returned (after hubby left for work) the boys were busy in a blanket fort and Lily was sleeping so I took some time to pray. I was reminded about a few things I have been neglecting in my life along with the fact that my time on earth isn't getting any longer.  Some tasks I should be more attentive to, and some human weaknesses that I don't keep in check like I should.   So I made a simple plan to pay more attention to these things.  I am going to commit it to paper, it helps me to remember.  Oh the spirit of Lent.  It is reflective and repentant.  I'm grateful for the grace to stop here in the middle and recommit.  I am off to have the first cup of coffee, of the rest of my life.

There is something about Ash Wednesday!

Honestly I can feel the GRACE in the air. As the people of our Universal Church (even the marginal Catholics) get ashes and reflect on sacrificing.  It feels inspirational to be a part of something like this. As I said in another post, Lent started for eastern Catholics a few days ago...Ash Wednesday is in my heart though- the solidarity of struggling along side the rest of the weak but striving human race.  "Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return."-Genesis 3:19

 Since Lily was born I have been using movies and television shows as a distraction for the older kids a lot.  Today we are going cold turkey, back to the way it should be, no TV! It is amazing all the opportunities for lessons taught and learned, games of pretend, and for little bodies to be in motion these are easily cut in half when the television is in our life.  
Isaac went to the Doctor, he has had a fever on and off for 5 days now.  They couldnt find anything wrong except fluid in his ears.  I am a little worried because now sweet baby girl has a stuffy nose, and that is such a bummer when you nose is so small.  


Currently...After some serious wining and fighting all 3 boys are in their beds to "reflect". We read a book about some chimps who are kind and courteous first, so they would have some food for thought :)   It's a wonderful life.