Little things

Last week I had a lunch date with my sweet friend Milissa.  We ate fast food and chatted about a few things, none of them world changing, but it fills my soul to spend time with fellow women.  Especially one seeking holiness so diligently.  
After Liturgy on Sunday we picked up some Carnitas and headed over to the Home of some friends, the children played outside and our families along with a couple other friends from church chatted and ate and enjoyed fellowship.  I know I say it all the time, but I love our Church.  I love the Eastern perspective of Catholicism.  The East is the Mother, while the West is the Father.  I see so much how this is true.  The nurturing of the East has called me on so much in my relationship with my Lord, fellow humans, and in peace.
 I have ordered a book called  The way of the Pilgrim.  By "The Monk of the East"  I am excited to read it.  It begins "By the Grace of God I am a Christian, by my deeds I am a sinner, and by my calling I am a homeless wander of humblest origin."  When he says the word "Christian"  it is in such a pure way.  No political undertones or denominational worries.  No fingers pointed, only at his sinful self with humility.
I got to drive Grace alone in carpool this morning (Isaac is sick, poor guy). It was nice in the cool of the morning to talk with her, she is so gentile and beautiful inside and out. I must include that,  a kind soul, that we have the pleasure of being friends with, said "I admire Grace's Meekness" this warmed my heart! 
Since our newest little flower needs so much attention and the other 4 desire it so much, the moments I waste are moments that are stolen from my children.  The biggest burden on my heart as the mother of a set of 5 souls is if I can sufficiently give the, eye contact, gentile touches, heart to heart talks, and enthusiasm for the things they are excited about, as they need it.  I just have to make sure I take the chance when I can to get down on their eye level and tell them they are special.

A huge responibility!

Oh I had a lovely workout this morning. I love that time to just sorta zone out.  I came home to say good-bye to the hubs and now Lily is sleeping and The boys are playing legos and singing.. :)

I had a little time for prayer, this morning I read a (very) little in the Vatican Council II document "Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People"  it says that the obligation (strong word!) of bringing other people to salvation rests on lay people. I am responsible for the salvation of people around me, that is a truth! When I was doing sidwalk counceling outside of an abortion clinic I did this in a more direct way, I got to actually spend time talking to people who had such wounds in their hearts and tell them that not only do I care about them but the God who made them cares too, in a big REAL way.  Now that I am taking a break from that (sadly it is more than I can handle right now) I have to remind myself that I am doing this through my children, teaching them to be good Christians, loving and kind, and this will spread... reaching outside of my home and touching others (at least that is what I tell myself)...but I am still responsible to do this out in the world, when I can.  I have all the more reason to get out a bit more and interact with the world a little, creating opportunities, just to be kind to strangers so as to let them know they are loved!!  I hope putting this intention out there will help me to hold fast to it

I have been trying to pray The Jesus Payer  it is a traditional prayer in the Eastern Catholic church, similar to what the rosary would be in the Western Church.  A friend and I were talking about it.  It is a way to "pray without ceasing" as we are asked to in 1 Thessalonians. You simply say "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"  but you say it always, with every breath if you can.  I find my self doing it in the car.  Or at specific times, so I will remember, like when I put on shoes or dress children...  another way to pray without ceasing is to make my work a prayer.  So I am off to do that.  And the Lord knows I have SO MUCH to do. 

Balance (-ing act?)

I had such fun spending time with friends yesterday.  We did some much needed dishing and heart to heart talking.  (and a little drinking- a very little, it was morning after all...but apparently in Russia bloody Marys with breakfast are common)
I have been feeling so proud of my coffee making skills with the French Press and I finally make it for a guest and it was super bitter and way too strong-  and so I grew in humility.

I read a blog by a Catholic Mom a while ago, it was posted by several of my friends on FB-  So I clicked and read-
  The blogger said she went to visit a friend to help her with something, this friend of hers had the front rooms of her home clean, but when they went to the back rooms of the house, those rooms not commonly visited by guests, they were in disorder-  She went on to say how she felt like this woman only kept the rooms on display clean and how sad it was that she wouldn't clean the less seen rooms for love of her family.  So many people read the post and commented, praising this blogging Mother for getting to the heart of some matter.  I felt bad after I read it.  It fed into my insecurities as a mother and wife and host.
  Contrarily, I had to go to the home of a Lady I have lots of respect for  to order something for my older daughter.  This lady home schools her huge family, runs part of a co-op, she is beautiful, her children seem well behaved and she appears to be a faithful Catholic.  I walked into her house and it was a little messy.  THANK GOD!  She said something about "don't mind the mess", but it was unapologetic. We got to talking and she said something I have always thought.  As moms of Large families, we clean our homes to have people over (which is normal...)but we perpetuate a feeling among each other that everyone else is perfect.  We look at our own homes each day and know that we are not.  I am sad that I have not "been there"  for friends in need because of my need to appear put together.  I build a prison and the walls are made up of what people think. I have a bad habit of not having people over, not showing the hospitality that is in my heart because I am so worried about opening my home to friends and being vulnerable. Yesterday I did it. Because of  newborn Lily and recent sickness and Jacob potty training, my house was not as clean as I normally would think it should be to have people over...but...  I had people over, and guess what, my back rooms got seen and it was not a big deal. 
I am not saying we should not do our best to keep our homes in order (I value order highly!) I am not saying that we should not pay attention to detail so we can "proudly" offer our work to God our father.  I am saying we should relax.  Putting love of neighbor above tasks.  It lifted some of the sadness I had been feeling, and love begets love...because now I am thinking "who can I hang out with next...who can I make some horrible coffee for and laugh with."  :) 

Simple Woman's Day book post

 The Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...It is a beautiful day.  Chilly but sunny and clear. I am going to get the boys out there!! We all need a little sunshine.

I am thinking...about my vocation of love.  I am tired because I have a newborn baby (tired and blessed) but I have been choosing not to rise above the tiredness and be a hero for my family, I instead have been pretty grouchy.  Today I will be the quiet hero for my family in-spite of my passing feelings, so as to create lasting memories and a home of love.

I am thankful...for my husband.  Everyday, I love him more. He is my ultimate helper and makes my life rich, full, and easier!

In the kitchen...I am very blessed today to have a friend bringing Dinner this evening!  How kind of a mother, who has meals to prepare for her own family, to also  prepare one for me making my day easier, I have many loving friends!

I am wearing...A grey sweater and yoga pants,  (I think if I wear workout clothes I will eventually work out:)

I am creating...Stenciled Tea towels for some of my friends to say Thank you for being so generous and such a warming part of my life.

I am going...on a walk, and to the back yard with my boys to play.

I am wondering...when I will start to feel just a little bit pulled together. *sigh*

I am reading...The Domestic Chruch Room by Room, a study guide for mothers
Here is a link to it. I am enjoying it lots.


I am hoping...To have the house in order and smelling lovely by the time my sweet Hubby gets home.  I am also hoping that this will be a Potty Training day of success!! Go Jake Go!! (in the potty, not on the floor or in your pants)

I am looking forward to...My friend Lara (whom I treasure!) is coming over tomorrow morning for a "Bloody Mary" Breakfast (this is true) and then in the afternoon another friend Megan who hasn't met baby Lily yet is going to stop by to see her and me, it will be nice to catch up!

I am learning...to keep my mouth shut and my ears open, and I am learning to juggle life and be at peace with dropping a ball here and there but lovingly picking it back up with PATIENCE for myself and my family

Around the house...I made some cleaner out of rose oil and some other ingredents and I have enjoyed cleaning and making the house smell like Roses! It's like Our Lady stopped by ;)

I am pondering...So many things.  As I nurse the baby, I ponder life a lot when the children are new born and how fast they grow.  It is bitter sweet.

A favorite quote for today..."Our Lady was a guest at one of those noisy country weddings attended by people from many different villages.  Mary was the only one who noticed the wine was running out.  Don't these scenes from Christ's life seem familiar to us? The greatness of God lives at the level of ordinary things.  It is natural for a woman, a homemaker, to notice an oversight, to look after the little things that make life pleasant.  And that is how Mary Acted 'Do what ever he tells you'(jn 2:5)."_ Josemaria Escriva in The Holy Rosary Book

One of my favorite things...Green Tea, cold, in my big insulated cup to be sipped all day

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Get Noah back into reading again by printing out the rest of the phonic word list and sitting with him and reviewing.  I also plan to Visit a park we haven't been to in a while.

A peek into my day...The little face that stares up at me...love love love.

(add your picture here)

In the house-

A new born baby, potty training Jake, sick kids... I have so many reasons not to leave my house.  The longer I stay here, the harder it is to leave.  I think (even though I really don't want to)  I will go to the store this evening, I will even leave Lily behind, just for a little while...I tried to get in some exercise today but i kept having to stop to get fussy Lily. Being on this end of losing 40 pounds is a bummer.  I just keep telling my self every little step matters!

There is so much being said about the HHS mandate.   It is scary.  Chris quoted Cardinal George of Chicago when he gave a talk at the parents meeting a few nights ago "I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square" this seems more and more possible.  It makes me sad.  I try not to let fear in about it.  Fear is not from God. St. Michael pray for us.

Ugh, well Jake just pooped his pants. peace out-

French Press

I ordered a (pretty cheaply made) French Press, coffee press, off of Amazon.  I have to coarsely grind beans, boil water, pour, stir, wait, wait more, press...and then I can have coffee- with more time and effort than our Automatic coffee maker.  I LOVE IT.  It is old world to me.  It feels more feminine to very domestically :) work for the coffee.  The coffee is richer and to be truthful, I enjoy it more! It's the little things in life.

After an up and down night with a baby and puking big kids, I am enjoying a cup right now. 

It has been days since Jake has been out of the house (minus carpool pick up) He is potty training and not really on the Potty train willingly, but he would FIGHT me at Diaper changing time and he is getting big, I know he is capable of doing it.  So we have locked our selves up in our house with no pants on (Him, I am wearing pants as usual) so today we begin again, I know it will click, this is after all the 4th time I have encouraged toilet training and the 3 before him are using modern pluming with ease :)

Chris spoke last night at the parents meeting for MSM.  He talked about how the Church needs heroes, and it is us and the children we are raising who are going to be the heroes that stand up in this world that is going increasingly in the opposite direction...  I look at the day to day, messes, sleepless nights, disordered family prayer in the evenings, and it is easy to not see the "forest" for all the Trees of daily life in my way...but today I woke up, and talked to My Lord, and I am going to commit to my vocation of love.  Even if this day doesn't look like "Christian Solder Boot Camp", I know that all the fanny wipes,  tears kissed away, and little lessons on sharing are creating the Heroes we need!  I will hand the rest over to Jesus.  I meant to tie in the coffee press and the raising of children, but the baby is crying and I will let that go...  I will have peace, and coffee. 

Baby Lily

On January 9th (8lbs 6oz) an angle was born, and I do know this is theologically incorrect...lol but she is sweet and cute and our family is in love with her.
I am in a fog, I know it will pass. I need to loose weight. The older children have had a stomach bug going around and I have very generous friends who keep bringing me rich food and deserts that I have a hard time staying away from.  I just have to keep telling my self that this is a lovely chapter in my life that I should not gloss over but enjoy and take small steps toward "normal"  and it will come.  AMEN Breathing!