“Ask Mommy if we need anything,” Mike said.
Without hesitation, Karoline replied, “The moon. I want the moon.”
“OK. One moon. I’ll bring it home.”
Read the rest here.
:)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Pure Sweetness
Read the rest here.
:)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tote Talk
Nicole has done a few fun memes lately, and while I haven't been tagged for any of them, I'm snitching the ideas and running gleefully away.
In other words, we need a little frivolity around here.
:)
First, an impromptu photo of me. In the interest of full disclosure, I had to take Action Man to a pre-coffee orthodontist app't this morning. So, rest assured that this home schooling Mama rarely, if ever, looks this put together in the morning, and that glaze in my eyes is just me letting the recently consumed caffeine work it's magic:
Nicole also asked for a post of our handbag. I have two. One for summer, and one for winter. They are fully machine-washable, super easy to throw over my shoulder leaving me hands-free, and really... quite cute.
My Vera Bradley purse. (warning: clicking on that link will make you rationalize the purchase of a new handbag, no matter how many you already own. resist. temptation.) Also? I never buy full price. Ebay is my friend.
I tag.... Margaret, Elizabeth, Mrs. Bear, Barbara, and Elaine.... actually, anyone whois brave enough wants to to do this!
:)
In other words, we need a little frivolity around here.
:)
First, an impromptu photo of me. In the interest of full disclosure, I had to take Action Man to a pre-coffee orthodontist app't this morning. So, rest assured that this home schooling Mama rarely, if ever, looks this put together in the morning, and that glaze in my eyes is just me letting the recently consumed caffeine work it's magic:
Nicole also asked for a post of our handbag. I have two. One for summer, and one for winter. They are fully machine-washable, super easy to throw over my shoulder leaving me hands-free, and really... quite cute.
My Vera Bradley purse. (warning: clicking on that link will make you rationalize the purchase of a new handbag, no matter how many you already own. resist. temptation.) Also? I never buy full price. Ebay is my friend.
I tag.... Margaret, Elizabeth, Mrs. Bear, Barbara, and Elaine.... actually, anyone who
:)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Turning the Tables
Sunday evening, Lil Sis had to borrow the car to take her boyfriend to the airport. (more on him later... he's an awesome guy, we all love him)
Upon hearing that Lil Sis and Saintly Man (what we call him) were going somewhere, Little Dear asked if she could come.
Lil Sis snorted and replied in the negative.
Which jogged my memory and I immediately shared with Lil Sis.
I told her that I distinctly remember that when leaving the reception of my own wedding, there was a certain 7 year old who happily bounced into our car announcing:
"I'm riding with Nutmeg and DH!"
Lil Sis' mouth dropped open and she covered her eyes. "I didn't know!" she wailed.
I just smiled.
:)
Upon hearing that Lil Sis and Saintly Man (what we call him) were going somewhere, Little Dear asked if she could come.
Lil Sis snorted and replied in the negative.
Which jogged my memory and I immediately shared with Lil Sis.
I told her that I distinctly remember that when leaving the reception of my own wedding, there was a certain 7 year old who happily bounced into our car announcing:
"I'm riding with Nutmeg and DH!"
Lil Sis' mouth dropped open and she covered her eyes. "I didn't know!" she wailed.
I just smiled.
:)
Inspiration
From Mark Shea on his beloved parish priest, Fr. Tom Kraft, who is dying of cancer:
Read the rest here. And grab some tissues.
h/t Danielle
This supremely loving man who could barely sit up through the Mass actually stood and assisted at the consecration. You could barely hear his voice, a thin, papery whisper that demanded everything of him (the cancer has metastasized to his lungs). But he did it, gripping a chair to keep his balance and then leaning on the altar itself.
"Through him, with him, in him".
I've never seen the meaning of the priesthood so clearly incarnated before my eyes before. Alter Christus. Priest. Victim. Sacrifice. This man and his Lord were standing so close together it was hard to tell them apart, especially from my seat up in the Nosebleed Section of the Human Race, so very far from that kind of sanctity.
Read the rest here. And grab some tissues.
h/t Danielle
Monday, January 12, 2009
Perspective
Something I need to keep at the forefront of my mind:
The money I received when I returned a dress to TJMaxx just because I decided that I didn't really want it, after all.... pays for two months worth of my promised donation for diapers for a young woman who chose not to abort, and has no steady income.
Two months.
This is not a "pat myself on the back" post. (because, really, my donation is a very small part of the larger effort in motion to help this woman) But a real reminder for me that what I may deem a necessity in this consumeristic culture, is a very real luxury for most folks, and I need to keep those situations in my thoughts and prayers constantly.
And, looking at things quite frankly, it's probably a luxury for my family too.
I need to be a better steward of our blessings.
Yet another resolution for me to work on!
:)
The money I received when I returned a dress to TJMaxx just because I decided that I didn't really want it, after all.... pays for two months worth of my promised donation for diapers for a young woman who chose not to abort, and has no steady income.
Two months.
This is not a "pat myself on the back" post. (because, really, my donation is a very small part of the larger effort in motion to help this woman) But a real reminder for me that what I may deem a necessity in this consumeristic culture, is a very real luxury for most folks, and I need to keep those situations in my thoughts and prayers constantly.
And, looking at things quite frankly, it's probably a luxury for my family too.
I need to be a better steward of our blessings.
Yet another resolution for me to work on!
:)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
I Wonder How Long...
... I can navigate that fine line of giving advice while still appearing understanding and somewhat hip to an impressionable 19 year old?
Wow.
The wisdom of the Holy Spirit has never been so very needed in this house as it is these days.
It's a great and wonderful thing to realize it before my peanuts reach their own "coming of age."
Here's hoping I gain lots of experience while incurring little damage!
knowing I could never do this without all your prayers, and humbly thanking you for them,
Wow.
The wisdom of the Holy Spirit has never been so very needed in this house as it is these days.
It's a great and wonderful thing to realize it before my peanuts reach their own "coming of age."
Here's hoping I gain lots of experience while incurring little damage!
knowing I could never do this without all your prayers, and humbly thanking you for them,
Friday, January 09, 2009
Volunteering?
Surveying the scene of the mad scrubbing of the baseboards by Little's Love and Boo, in preparation for their school Christmas Party tonight:
Action Man: You know, those walls could really use a new coat of paint.
:)
Action Man: You know, those walls could really use a new coat of paint.
:)
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Yop!
In other words... "We-are-here! We-are-here! We-are-here!!!!"
Barely.
I wanted to make the title of this post: In Which Nutmeg Excels in the Art of Overcommitment Again...
But decided that y'all would just roll your eyes in a whatelseisnew kind of way.
Since the installment of lil sis into the Nut House routine, things are twirlin' and swirlin'. And no, I do NOT mean Little Boo's stomach, at least not right now... I hope. (we do have company coming this week though...)
There have been a few expansion pains with this new addition, and most of it has to do with issues from the crazy college life she has left behind. No, she's no extreme partier or anything like that. Privacy issues prevent me from further explanation. Let's just say that we're hoping that what she left behind stays there.
Moving along....
DH is expecting one of his buddies from the Great White North this week. He will take us out for dinner tomorrow and spend the daymountain trail biking with DH and the 4 older kids. Little Boo would NOT be left out of this, trust me. She's just as gutsy as the boys. Surprised?
:)
Friday evening we are hosting over 50 people for Little's Boo and Love's Montessori School Christmas party. We'll be having dinner, a nativity play, carols, and dessert. With a double-shot of kahlua for Mama before bed. :)
It will be a super fun time, but my mind can't wrap around the level of cleanliness that needs to be maintained in my house in order to survive the week of festivities. Time to break out the Super Vitamins, I guess!
And the next time I complain about how boring my life is... remind me of this, 'K?
:)
Barely.
I wanted to make the title of this post: In Which Nutmeg Excels in the Art of Overcommitment Again...
But decided that y'all would just roll your eyes in a whatelseisnew kind of way.
Since the installment of lil sis into the Nut House routine, things are twirlin' and swirlin'. And no, I do NOT mean Little Boo's stomach, at least not right now... I hope. (we do have company coming this week though...)
There have been a few expansion pains with this new addition, and most of it has to do with issues from the crazy college life she has left behind. No, she's no extreme partier or anything like that. Privacy issues prevent me from further explanation. Let's just say that we're hoping that what she left behind stays there.
Moving along....
DH is expecting one of his buddies from the Great White North this week. He will take us out for dinner tomorrow and spend the day
:)
Friday evening we are hosting over 50 people for Little's Boo and Love's Montessori School Christmas party. We'll be having dinner, a nativity play, carols, and dessert. With a double-shot of kahlua for Mama before bed. :)
It will be a super fun time, but my mind can't wrap around the level of cleanliness that needs to be maintained in my house in order to survive the week of festivities. Time to break out the Super Vitamins, I guess!
And the next time I complain about how boring my life is... remind me of this, 'K?
:)
Friday, January 02, 2009
When Your Resolutions Choose You
So it looks like my beautiful lil sis is here to stay.
Yes, I did say beautiful.
You're right, I'm sorry. The last picture I posted of her hardly does her justice.
Well, how about this one... yes, both of my lil sis's are beautiful.
The one that is staying with us, (the baby of the fam) is the beautiful lil sis on the left.
Yes, she is very beautiful.
She's managed to survive almost a week here at the Nutty Nut House, and still comes up and thanks me for taking her in.
I just smile, knowing that at some point, she will be gritting her teeth as she dashes for the front door.
:)
In reflecting on this change in our lives here, I'm realizing that the benefits go both ways.
Because we have a.... quasi-guest in the house, I've been taking more time to really listen to my children. To understand their point of view in situations, and not just scream that everyone who is fighting will now pick up their scrub brushes and commence with the cleaning. Not that I ever did that. Really.
I've also noticed that where DH and I tend to succumb to our melancholic selves when tempers are short, we are now finding the humor in the squabbles, and all for the benefit of our new teenage charge. I distinctly remember my own Dad breaking the tension many times for my mom and us older kids because the bickering by the younger ones (yes my adorable sis being one of them.... ironic, eh?) was driving us all to distraction. It's molding our parenting style into something more light-hearted... which was an issue I've been mulling over during this break.
One of the main reasons lil sis is here, is due to a medical condition that has developed because of (stress-induced) poor eating habits. My job is to make sure that she gets her protein and veggies at least once a day.... mainly at dinner time. Therefore, my menu planning is essential. This, again, is something that has been suffering lately. And a little kick-in-the-pants is definitely needed. In fact, I welcome it.
Another area where my score is that dreaded "needs improvement" is cleanliness. By that, I mean of course, the house. Lil sis has said that it doesn't bother her how clean the house is, and I've cautioned her to lower her expectations from the beauty that surrounds her when she goes home to Mom. But it sure does bother me to see the state of the kid's bathroom that she has to use, or the dire straits that the kitchen floor is in. I'm determined to keep better control over the state of the union around here, and to re-instate the chore schedule with gusto.
And last, but certainly not least.... here is a little known fact. I am her Godmother. If that doesn't heap a bunch of responsibility on me to get my act together spiritually, I don't know what does. This seeming dry spell that I am experiencing on the praying front has me deflated. The thought of the upcoming home schooling semester and all that it will entail, is daunting. Knowing that there is a huge opportunity to witness to God's will and God's grace working in and through a family, humbles me. I will be hitting my knees more often this year.
The best part about this arrangement, is that I get to have family really close by. My beloved lil sis is not responsible for anything but herself and her studies while she's with us. I've made that clear. The kids have chores and school, she has school and laundry, and I have my own stuff that goes along with my vocation. It's enough for me to saunter past her room and have a quick chat, or glance in at her room and all the college accoutrements that go along with that life, and it makes me smile.
I love that she's here, that she is doing well, and that I can help in some small way.
What a blessing that these New Year's resolutions have come my way.
:)
Yes, I did say beautiful.
You're right, I'm sorry. The last picture I posted of her hardly does her justice.
Well, how about this one... yes, both of my lil sis's are beautiful.
The one that is staying with us, (the baby of the fam) is the beautiful lil sis on the left.
Yes, she is very beautiful.
She's managed to survive almost a week here at the Nutty Nut House, and still comes up and thanks me for taking her in.
I just smile, knowing that at some point, she will be gritting her teeth as she dashes for the front door.
:)
In reflecting on this change in our lives here, I'm realizing that the benefits go both ways.
Because we have a.... quasi-guest in the house, I've been taking more time to really listen to my children. To understand their point of view in situations, and not just scream that everyone who is fighting will now pick up their scrub brushes and commence with the cleaning. Not that I ever did that. Really.
I've also noticed that where DH and I tend to succumb to our melancholic selves when tempers are short, we are now finding the humor in the squabbles, and all for the benefit of our new teenage charge. I distinctly remember my own Dad breaking the tension many times for my mom and us older kids because the bickering by the younger ones (yes my adorable sis being one of them.... ironic, eh?) was driving us all to distraction. It's molding our parenting style into something more light-hearted... which was an issue I've been mulling over during this break.
One of the main reasons lil sis is here, is due to a medical condition that has developed because of (stress-induced) poor eating habits. My job is to make sure that she gets her protein and veggies at least once a day.... mainly at dinner time. Therefore, my menu planning is essential. This, again, is something that has been suffering lately. And a little kick-in-the-pants is definitely needed. In fact, I welcome it.
Another area where my score is that dreaded "needs improvement" is cleanliness. By that, I mean of course, the house. Lil sis has said that it doesn't bother her how clean the house is, and I've cautioned her to lower her expectations from the beauty that surrounds her when she goes home to Mom. But it sure does bother me to see the state of the kid's bathroom that she has to use, or the dire straits that the kitchen floor is in. I'm determined to keep better control over the state of the union around here, and to re-instate the chore schedule with gusto.
And last, but certainly not least.... here is a little known fact. I am her Godmother. If that doesn't heap a bunch of responsibility on me to get my act together spiritually, I don't know what does. This seeming dry spell that I am experiencing on the praying front has me deflated. The thought of the upcoming home schooling semester and all that it will entail, is daunting. Knowing that there is a huge opportunity to witness to God's will and God's grace working in and through a family, humbles me. I will be hitting my knees more often this year.
The best part about this arrangement, is that I get to have family really close by. My beloved lil sis is not responsible for anything but herself and her studies while she's with us. I've made that clear. The kids have chores and school, she has school and laundry, and I have my own stuff that goes along with my vocation. It's enough for me to saunter past her room and have a quick chat, or glance in at her room and all the college accoutrements that go along with that life, and it makes me smile.
I love that she's here, that she is doing well, and that I can help in some small way.
What a blessing that these New Year's resolutions have come my way.
:)
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