Apparently We're All in That Handbasket Heading South

From Religion class this morning:

Action Man:

Hey, here's an easy question... "When do we sin?"

Well, basically... all the time!

:)

Wondering what kind of household I live in anyway,

Because I am well loved...

We are celebrating my birthday today by:

~Having the bug exterminator come over. Nothing drastic, thank heavens, just making sure we don't see too many of these running around the floors. BTW: Little Boo does an awesome impression of a dying cockroach... flailing legs and everything. Need to get a picture up sometime....

~Inviting the stomach flu in for a quick visit. Sunday it was Little Love, yesterday it was Little Dear. Wonder who's up for today?

~Hoping to get to the Rangers game tonight. Yes, all of us. Aren't I so generous to share? It will be fun to watch my peanuts gorge themselves on hot dogs, cotton candy and sprite enjoy the game in the Texas sunshine.

~Also received many thoughtful cards from various family members and a lovely gift from an even lovelier sister. Thanks, everyone! Much love to you!


Have a great day, y'all!

:)

Retreat for Children...

This book is a gem.

It was previously published in 1936 with the title: A Retreat with St. Ignatius: In Pictures for Children. I have to admit, once I read that little note on the inside cover, I was instantly hooked.

Also please note the name of the illustrator.... Caryll Houselander

Pure gem.

Please go here and look at that first illustration. (page 6) (But then go here to purchase the book.)

Now, here are a few excerpts from the first lesson entitled Made For God that accompany this amazing picture:

The young boy at the bottom of the picture is supposed to be just made, or created, by God; that is why two lines come down from God's hands onto his head.

God has told the angels to get him ready to do what God made him for. This is because whatever God makes, He makes it for something- just as we do. If we make a dress, it is to wear, and that settles the shape; if we make a knife, it is to cut. If a knife is well made, it is sure to cut, because it has no choice about it; but the boy in the picture is not sure to do what he is made for, because he has a choice; he is free.

And so the author continues in this vein, explaining in the simplest and most beautiful way the highest mysteries of the faith... from The Best Way of Life to The Incarnation to How to Love God.

I have been using this with my own children as a supplement to our Faith and Life curriculum. I make five copies of the picture and pass it out to my little peanuts. As I read the lesson, I encourage them to find the different scenes that are being explained, and to quietly contemplate what I am reading. The questions at the end further drive the lesson home. For example, during the Best Way of Life explanation, the kids were introduced to the idea that maybe being wealthy was not the best way to ensure a place in heaven. So, that night at family prayer, Sports Fan prayed for "all of the rich people in the world."

:)

This book is a much-needed answer to prayer... literally. I find it very difficult to impart the truths of our beautiful Faith to my children without a lecture or a bit of nagging. And, as much as we love the Faith and Life series, I was finding that my children were separating church.. from religion class.. from life! Of course, I love our Faith, and I have always hoped that my love would shine through first and foremost. This book brings it all together for my kids, and exudes a wonder and a joy that I could not have accomplished on my own.

*suitable for ages 9-12 specifically, but I have seen that little bits of wisdom can penetrate even my own Little Boo.

Sigh

And speaking of books...

Are we tired of our Bloggy Bookclub?

:(

I love getting book recommendations from people, but won't usually read them unless forced to. And 98% of the time I find that it was worth it. It is rare when I am utterly bored with a book and won't finish it.

Up next for my IRL book club is Freddie and Fredericka by Mark Helprin (already read it... it's long and unbelievably hilarious) and The Jane Austen Bookclub by Karen Joy Fowler. That, along with my obsesssion desire to finish Witness, will keep me busy for awhile. I don't mind trying to squeeze a shorter book in there somewhere... so, if y'all would like to, and someone has an idea and would like to host... count me in!

Let's hear it, gals. I'd hate for this to die before it even got off the ground.

I love reading, you love reading... let's read and share!

:)

Savoring...

... as opposed to tearing through this:













It is an amazing story. And it makes me want to read all the historical documents concerning the Alger Hiss trial and the full extent of the infiltration of the Communists in the U.S. Government.

There are a ton of resources out there. And I hope I have the time to delve and probe....

But for now, I have 800 pages of Whittaker Chambers' story to enjoy. I love my IRL book club!

:)

Crossing Cultures

Little Dear to Love and Boo this morning as they set out their "picnic" in my bedroom:

Little Boo! I said we were playing "COLLEGE!"
Now, where is my tea cup?



And later on, Little Dear races past me wearing a bandana and clutching three large cups in her hand:

I'm coming with the beer, Mateys!


And I'll remain forever optimistic that these two cultures won't, in the distant future, be melded into one.....
:)

Crack Open the Bubbly!

Your Slogan Should Be

Nutmeg. Champagne for the Brain.

The Slogan Generator

Because I'm always game for a cold one....

:)

h/t Carmen

My Father

My Father always promised us
That we would live in France.
We'd go boating on the Seine,
And I would learn to dance.
-Judy Collins

My Dad turns 60 years young today. Spending time with him just a few short days ago, I'd say it wasn't possible. He was as funny and witty as ever, even more so now, I'd say. I am fortunate to be the oldest in my family, and so I have been present for more than half his life.

During my "weekend get-away" we spent a lot of time re-living our family history for the sake of my younger sisters who had always "heard of" some of these stories and people of days gone by, and wanted the whole scoop.

It was hilarious at times, and very therapeutic.

It also made me appreciate my parents, and all of the hard decisions they made. In short, they were the ones to step out in faith. They came back into full communion with the Church, followed a brief calling to the missions, steered me through a few dubious relationships, pulled me out of a dysfunctional college, and gave me the freedom to fully explore God's will for my life. Their pain and heartache at each of these junctions is obvious to me now that I am a parent. It is so difficult sometimes to see God's hand, and to know for certain what His will is in each circumstance. My parents seemed so confident in their parenting at the time... it is only now as they re-tell it, that I can appreciate the worry and concern involved.

And I am grateful. (In spite of all of my joking about being the "guinea pig" child... ) The path they chose was not easy for them. In deciding to trod this different way, they made it smooth for us, their children. We have no compromises to make in dealing with our parents or in-laws, no heart-wrenching crises of faith or thought.

We know, simply because they chose to know and passed that knowledge on to us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The quote from Judy Collins seems a bit worldly, doesn't it? I've never even been to France! However, I think the sentiment is accurate. My Father has always wanted his children to be safe, and happy. In that order. He gave us our faith. And that has ensured that we will always be in God's care which is the cause of our joy and happiness.

Love you, Dad. Happy Birthday.
















:)

What I Learned in California...

~I love California. Especially in the spring when the Santa Anna winds are blowing and the smell of jasmine is in the air. Love. it.

~I love my family. Hanging out with my sisters was immensely enjoyable. Being just their sister was immensely enjoyable. Not being a mama for a few days was also... well, you know. But I did miss my little ones.

~My parents are hilarious. The jokes and banterings were non-stop. The amount of inside jokes generated? ...infinite. My sides still ache from Sunday night dinner.

~I am an alumnus of an amazing college. It is breath-takingly beautiful, and filled with truth and goodness. The students are talented and witty and charming, and work their tails off. I am proud of my sister for succeeding there, and yes, proud of the school I can call my alma mater.

~I have an amazing husband. It's difficult to be home with the kids all day. He always comes home and steps in most handsomely at the end of his work day. Well, for 4 days, the kids were his work day... and night. And right now he is out grocery shopping so I don't have to tomorrow with all the kids. (it's all about reducing the shell-shock)

~In-n-Out Burger still beats any fast-food burger in the US. Hands down. And that Ice Cream joint in Ojai? Yumm-i-li-cious.


~Last but not least.... The best way to beat the heat on a 90+ degree day? Don't go into the frigid pool, step into the hot tub instead! Because... (say it with me sistahs) hot water will make you feel cooler when you get out.

:)

Because the Sign Around my Neck Says....

... No muffins for you!


Actually, it's more like "This Person Will Not Be Allowed to Board an Aircraft Without a Considerable Amount of Hair Pulling and Gnashing of Teeth."

Yes, I'm supposed to go out of town again.

In commemoration of this fact, American Failings has decided to cancel 1000 flights every day for the past three days.

Aren't they so thoughtful?

But! (insert evil cackle here) I have them figured out! I understand their madness and am prepared to outwit them!

My sister and I leave today (said with as much optimism as I can muster) for a beautiful family* weekend of visiting our other sisters, one at TAC, and the other married and pregnant with her first... and we're meeting our parents out there too.

All of this in Sunny California. (sigh)

God just has to make it work out... right?

:)

*minus Sephora and Tim. :(

Bookclub

This month's book is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. My delightful sister, Erin, picked it out. Do be sure to go visit her and see what she has to say!

I found the book to be both engaging and bothersome.

I was immediately drawn into the plot, as is told by the daughters of Baptist missionary parents. It was interesting to read completely different accounts of the exact same experience. Each daughter has their own personality, some being polar opposites of others. The best (and by far the hardest) chapters to read were the ones written from Adah's point of view. She was crippled from birth, in body but most definitely not in mind. There were times I had to re-read sentences, just to understand exactly what she was saying. Very intellectually challenging... at least for this old Mama!

The other aspect I enjoyed was of the explanations of the African way of life. I found it fascinating. At first, it was more of a horrifed fascination, the way one might ogle over a train wreck. After awhile, though, I started to develop an appreciation for the African way of life. I don't think I could ever survive there, but I could begin to see and understand how backwards our society would seem to them. And maybe even envy a return to a time where a person is more connected to the land they live on, and not so dependent on convenience items.

Then I promptly kissed my washing machine and paid homage to my stove.

:)

The bothersome parts had to do with their insufferable Preacher-Father. He was your typical hot-headed idiotic prideful bastard. Of course he moves his entire family to Africa against the wishes of the Baptist Community, and then doesn't have the presence of mind to actually learn about the culture or how to farm.... Instead, he truly believes that he knows the best way to do things and proceeds to tell all the villagers what they should do. Of course, none of this works out for him. His wife and daughters finally leave him, he is run out of the village, and ends up dying a horrible death.

The heroes of the story seem to be those who can mix religion with pagan custom, and anyone associated with the Communists. (there is an overriding political commentary about independence for the Congo and all that entails) Bible thumpers and Americans are portrayed as overbearing imbeciles that just want to flush out all the natural resources from the Congo and leave the rest to rot.

I'm sure a lot of this may be true, but I highly doubt the Communists wanted the Congo because of the people... but maybe I'm just too skeptical.

The story I wish I could hear? Barbara Kingsolver's. She actually spent a good number of years in the Congo with her parents:

I thank Virginia and Wendell Kingsolver, especially, for being different in every way from the parents I created for the narrators of this tale. I was the fortunate child of medical and public-health workers, whose compassion and curiosity led them to the Congo.They brought me to a place of wonders,taught me to pay attention, and set me early on a path of exploring the great, shifting terrain between righteousness and what's right.

And even though, at the end of the day, Ms. Kingsolver and I may not see eye-to-eye on many things, I am intrigued enough to hear her experience. Hers is the story I'd love to read.

:)

In Awe...

Please go here and read, cry, read some more, and pray.

Pair of Posts

Quite interesting that Elizabeth's exhortation today of intentional housekeeping can be paired with Karen's post about her youngest, little Ramona, who is wise beyond her years...

May we all rise to our duties with fervor and joy. And realize that things don't have to be harder than it looks. With God's help and His grace, it can be all about Love.

:)

p.s. Bloggy Bookclub tomorrow. The Poisonwood Bible is on tap. Anyone else in?

I Know, I Know...

There must be a story behind my whole-hearted agreement with Elizabeth Foss yesterday.



Really? Don't you know by now that whatever that woman writes is gospel in my book? Stop laughing, Elizabeth.



:)

Ok, no, really. There is a reason her post hit so close to home.


I have always found myself in a certain season of chaos after one of my children is born. And really, who doesn't? I actually enjoy that "down-time" or "babymoon" if you prefer. Life swirls around me, and all I have to do is drink 3 gallons of water a day and nurse my baby. It's lovely.

Well, now my baby is 3 and a half... do ya think that maybe the Babymoon can stop?

Sure, I think. BUT we are moving, or we just moved in, or we have the stomach flu, or this internet discussion needs my amazing intellectual input, or my big toe hurts.... get the picture?

I could come up with a million excuses as to why I just cannot seem to get my act together. And trust me, I do. Moving into our beautiful new house has definitely been an incentive for me. But in the beginning, I went a little overboard and promptly got burned out. Remember that sparkling clean kitchen counter?

Hahahahahahahaha.

I really wish I could post a picture (software is not installed after DH's rebuild) because, in this case especially, that picture would be worth a thousand of my words. Right now, toys, dishes and cereal boxes abound. The left side of the counters hold a fruit bowl, the girls' tea set, two coffee pots (priorities, people) and newspapers. The right side overflows with toys from our plane trip, waiting to be brought upstairs. The stairs. I could do an entire post on those stairs and all of the stuff piled (in the basket... thanks mom! ) at the bottom.

In short, our habits and our house need an overhaul.

I have known this for awhile, and have actually been trying to establish some sort of a cleaning routine for myself and the kids. It has been a 2 month process of fits and starts and not a lot of habit-forming. The kids believe that this is just another one of Mama's phases-and-she'll-grow-out-of-it. Little do they know.

Everything Elizabeth wrote rings true for me and is something I have reflected on time and again as I strive to maintain a balance of order and freedom in my home. I tried (in my bumbling way) to write about it here. But I love how she juxtaposes the two homes and her reasoning for keeping her home tidy is spot on. She convicts me with her husband's assessment of the messy home, and although I am happy with the friendship and equality I share with my husband, I understand that my role is much different and extremely vital to the peace and happiness of our home. Luckily, I am the type of person that can appreciate this importance and rise to the occasion. I know many moms who truly struggle with "housework" and cannot seem to rise out of the drudgery. I enjoy making our home beautiful. For company, and for ourselves.

And this means that I do not let myself get away with just the main areas of the house being tidy. Bedrooms and bathrooms as well (admittedly my downfall) should be kept clean and clutter-free. As Flylady says, "nothing says 'I Love You' like plenty of toilet paper!" I'd like to add that a well-ordered home also says "I Love You".... as long as (as Lisa pointed out in her comment below) there is plenty of fun, one-on-one, totally lived-in-homey quality time with those cute inhabitants as well.

:)

Yes.

What she said.

:)

Canada Wins It!

The Women's Curling Championship, that is.

Interesting sport, curling. It requires a whole set of skill and strategy that I can only begin to imagine. And, apparently, I have little to no imagination.

After watching for a few days, I could really appreciate that it would be difficult to balance on the "starter blocks" (or so they looked, like the ones you use when starting a race in track) with "rock" in hand, pushing off while steering the "rock" in just the right direction, at the right speed, with the right amount of spin, or "curl".... Yes, I could see that it would be difficult.


But the strategy I could never understand.


I watched and watched, and just when I thought I had it, I demonstrated most definitively that I had no idea what was going on.


Canada throws a rock, it spins and curls, smashing into the opponents rock, narrowly missing another. It lands just outside the circle. DH and I groan. Too bad! We say, Almost!


DH's brother-in-law looks at us in amazement... But that was a great shot! Just as the tv pans the crowd and shows two Canadians with red maple leaves painted on their faces, cheering their heads off.


Alllrighty, then.


Canada wins it.


We're not quite sure how or why. But we'll leave it to the experts, like those red-face-painted hosers in the third row.









:)