From Lisa, thinking of the O'Brians

December 28, 2009 Feast of the Holy Innocents

Had those little boys grown to manhood, God alone knows what their individual destinies would have been. But whatever they might have been, they would certainly be long forgotten. They would have no part in us now, no comfort for our sorrow, no redeeming for our sin, no beauty for the lifting of our hearts, no lesson to sustain our hope. Their Eternity would not have been as it is, the purest joy that God, even God, can give, unimaginable, unending delight in God.
Baptized in blood, those little children were among the first comers to heaven. Fittingly, they with their tiny King are the founders of the Kingdom of Children. We celebrate their feast with joy; it is the most lyrical of the year. They reach down their small hands to comfort every father or mother bereaved of a child. They are the first to have proved that the Passion of Christ can be lived in a tiny span of little ones. They are the forerunners of the magnificent sanctity of our generation, the "spiritual childhood" of St. Therese. The tears that dried on their faces two thousand years ago in Jerusalem have the redeeming power of Christ's tears today. Each one of those infants is the first Christ Child of the Incarnation, the first of the first generation to call the Mother of God Blessed.
Herod ordered the children to be killed because he was afraid that any one of them might be Christ.
Any Child might be Christ!--the fear of Herod is the fear of every tyrant, the hope of every Christian, and the most significan fact of the modern world.

(The Passion of the Infant Christ pp. 95-97)

Try to Get the Gifts Early

When I was 12 I REALLY wanted the Radio Shack remote control Lambourgini. When a wraped box appeared under the tree that looked the right size, I measured it.

Next time I was at Radio Shack I measured the Lambourgini box. :) I got my car!

So yesterday I was doing some more gift measuring. This involved going to this blog and reading up about fetal heart rates. I have tried to do this before, but had never gotten the information about it being accurate early, not late, in pregnancy. Baby's heart rate yesterday was 133. But most babies this age have a heart rate around there.

So I called my sweet midwife and asked her to tell me the heart rate our first 3 or 4 visits. 160. 160. 160.

After I was done squeeling in delight I said "Now I'll really need some time to adjust if baby has a scrotum!"

HAHAHA!!

Trying to get it early--but I still have to wait for the baby.

Ginger Bread Surprise!!

Dick and Cathy are parish members and erstwhile surrogate grandparents to our brood. They came over today with a to scale ginger bread replica of a local restaurant that is made up partly of train cars: Reunion Station.

They said it probably wasn't edible. . .but all the gumdrops and licorice are gone! Boys will gnaw at anything!

We have had so much fun with it all afternoon--it has really added to the holiday atmosphere. How grateful I am to all the people around us who help my children have these wonderful experiences! From Goats, to gingerbread, I would not be able to do this alone!!!

400+ Christmas Cookies

The 4 youngers and I went to a Christmas Party today. Mary Catherine was left home with ingredients. Voila! The Blouin family bake-off has begun. As I do not have the cookie baking gene, and am too pregnant to do much of anything but dream of baby flesh, Mary Catherine is on her own this year. She is doing an admirable job.

Last heard--Babci was over 700, and Hannah hadn't begun yet. I know nothing about Mary or Anne. . .

Not that I'm competitive. . .

Tonight at Our House

Snippit of Life

I got the Moosewood cookbook in college. But I left it in the lowers common room kitchen. Then I got it when my oldest baby was about 2--that's be 12 years ago. I still love it so much, and many of the recipes are family favorites. More than favorites, they are sustainers and healers of life!

Take tonight.

Who knew that pregnancy at 37, with 5 home schooled kids would be such an exercise in sacrifice, and continually having to perform beyond what I thought was my limit?

Maybe a thoughtful person could have predicted that--but I'm not that thoughtful--I just love babies!!

Tonight I was laying on my bed--not hungry--not knowing what was for dinner--and not thinking I could move another muscle today. Some grace, some prayer ,some child noise, all worked together to get me up off the bed.

More grace and prayer and looking through the cupboards brought me to the Brazilian Blackbean Soup recipe from the Moosewood. OH JOY! The smell of onions, much garlic, cumin and carrots sauteing in my pot!! Soon I will add the beans and O.J. Thalia's biscuits will be warm and fluffy. Simple pleasures. Simple sacrifices.

I'm so thankful to God that I can smell! I don't know how I'd get through otherwise!!

My Daughter the Farmer

One of the surprises and joys of living on the Rauscher's land is the Rauscher's.

OK--it's not such a surprise~ Andrea--fully capable mother of 3 adult sons can take my boys and play in the woods and tire them out for me without blinking an eye1

Kurt has goats, sheep, chickens, and other feathery animals in the barn. Mary Catherine has been getting up in the dark of the morning to help him in the barn. When there is a special chore she helps out. Like the slaughtering of rams a few weeks ago, or the worming of the flock yesterday.

As thanks for her help, Kurt offered MC one of the spring kids. So when the sweet spring babies arrive MC will have her pick to raise herself.

I know all this work with the animals is great practical education. But also a great way for her to build competence and confidence without her fussy mother standing by. It's also great for me to see her getting up and working hard. At a stage when she's more inclined to sit on the cough, read, and grunt at me every now and then, it is a relief to see that the will to action does exist--if not the will to scrub the upstairs withing 24 hours of my request.

Goats are more compelling than toilets. I'm so glad she had the goats!

PS this photot is just a stock photot from the internet--not really one of Kurts Goats!

The New Digs!

So We are here--we are settled, and I am nesting.

We have unplugged the children, with the exception of a netflix movie 2 or 3 times a month. We have to take the DVD player out of a closet, and detach the screen from the computer, and set it all up in the livingroom. A good amount of work when one is avoiding easy media exposure!

The lego's stay upstairs.

Weggie is potty trained (he also had a small case of pinworms--but we took care of that. I love modern medicine!)

The roast is in the oven.
(so is the bun. . .hahaha)

The fire is going.

But the best result of a more comfortable life is I feel more able to be mindful. In my speech, prayers, interactions. Not that it's always perfect or easy, but with lowered stress in general, I have more energy in my will to fight for what I want.
Holiness, Jesus, Scripture Reading, high quality child care and education, same for husband care.

We call all this "The Oregon Effect"--and we are feeling it and enjoying it. The small discomforts of late pregnancy at my advanced age are so easy to bear in this new environment.

But I am tired at the end of the day. Good Tired.

Innocence

Scene 1:

7 year old Boy: Mom I want to French kiss you.

[leans forward and kisses my shocked face, once on each cheek]

Mom: Thanks sweetie.

Scene 2:
5 year old [upon seeing the kiss at the end of the new Nancy Drew movie]:
Well! That's not PG!

Always a Celebration Around the Corner

I am SOOO thankful to be a Catholic Mother. We have celebrated Baptism Days for many years. I can name them all--April 14, Nov 14, May 5, August 28, May 5--notice how I began to double up on days!! But poor Thaddeus (Aug 28) often gets lost in the shuffle. After John's B-day, his own B-day, and school prep, the last week of August snaps by with no Baptism Day cake and Holy Card.

But God loves me and wants me to have the chance to honor my precious babies. The Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus!!! October 28! PERFECT!! His Godmother Sondra was even able to come. I can claim good Mom status again by giving this special little soul a few minutes of the spotlight, and nurturing his connection with his Patron Saint. The Saint of desperate cases. . . .like me.

A boy and His Poet

From an early age Eddyblouin's memorize the poetry of Robert Lewis Stevenson. "The Rain" is the first poem in kindergarten. John Henry had the most memorable rendition: "Da Wain is Wainin all awound. . ."

As they grow the books of RLS become popular also. He is everywhere in our curricula.

A few months ago I got my hands on a little, old biography for youth. I gave it to John Henry. We finished it tonight. We were both crying as we read the epitaph inscribed on his tomb in Samoa.

Now my little sailor boy want to travel to Samoa to visit his grave and farm. Scotland and France will probably be on his list too. After a week of hectic, stressful, non-school packing, an night like tonight helps me to realize that what my children learn is not limited to school hours.

God Bless Robert Lewis Stevenson.

What a Difference an Hour Makes

It has been a while, too long, but last night I sat in a dark, quiet church, in front of Jesus in the Eucharist for an Hour of prayer time. WOW!!! Talk about "source and summit"! The insights, comfort, reflectiveness, and pure love I felt was enough to fortify me for my busy week, and help me resolve to strive for growth in my own walk with Christ. There is no Humility like sitting with Jesus Humility.
God is Good--all the Time!!

The New Jump Rope!

This past week was try-outs for our local Jump Rope Team. Thalia really wanted to try out. Mary Catherine, not so much. I got MC to go just for the sake of participating. Guess who made the team?

To be fair, this is a middle School team, so the coach knows that it's Mary catherine's last year eligable--while Thalia has 3 more years to be on the team.

We are all excited to watch the team practice and perform!

DRAT!!

I made the virtuous decision 2 days ago NOT to open the presents from Oregon until my shower tomorrow. . .then I thought I might just take a peek. . .I saw TISSUE PAPER!! Lots of Tissue paper wrapped around the gift inside!

Complaining to Sondra about the wrap job that was too thorough to get through easily she responded, "Sound like Teresa knows you well." HAHA!

Can't wait till tomorrow!
I love my friends!!

I have no Idea. .

This is the photo I was told to provide for my shower on Saturday. Bathtub was optional--that was just where the boys were. . .

Small Town Driving

For many year I have been familiar with the neighborly steering wheel wave. Thanks to Cumberstone Road I had been in the habit of raising one or more fingers off the wheel to acknowledge the neighbor driving past. So moving to New Harbour, the Bristol Mills Maine was not a huge cultural change for me.

But one thing I had not experienced until moving to this sweet mid-coast region was the social aspect of driving in town. I now an acquainted with enough people (La Leche League, Library story time, narrating puppet shows all over town, Weight Watchers, St. Patrick's--I get around!) that driving through town becomes a fun gathering of friends passing each other with friendly smiles, waves, shouts of "Hello!" etc.

For an extrovert like me, this is a dream come true! And as far as I can imagine from my days riding the subway in Toronto, where you are packed in like sardines and working hard to deny the existence of the people around you.

Keeping Little Boys in Thier Beds

I have 3 little boys. Two of them sleep on their own little beds. Weggie shares the king with John and I, though I'm looking forward to him moving into his brother's little bed when the older boys move up to twins next month (4 weeks 1 day till the move!).

But the weather has gotten cold. Even when we have a fire, we bank it at night so nighttime is chilly. And anyway, last night was our first fire of the autumn. Someone exclaimed "This is weird. The house is so WARM!" Yes, dear--that's called comfort...

Boys have been migrating in the wee hours into my bed. I am a loving, and patient woman. Compassionate, and slow to anger. But I am also gaining girth with a new baby within, and struggling with the timeless challenge of getting comfortable with a big belly. I don't look kindly on small children encroaching on my space. Two nights ago, rather than struggle to lift large children (in the day they are little, at night when I'm 25 weeks along they become VERY BIG!) back to their beds, I went and crawled into Thaddeus' bed. It's basically a crib mattress on the floor.

For some reason I had a dream that I was paralyzed from the waist down and moved around in a wheelchair. My curled up legs did not feel good after a couple of hours of that!

So last night we put extra blankets on the heat-seeking boys' beds. At 4-ish I got a hot water bottle for fussy Thaddeus. Tucking him back in, with three blankets, he complained he was still cold. With each blanket he said "Cold. Cold. Cold." Even at 4 am I could appreciate his great comedic timing. I told him I had a surprise. Put together the water bottle, and VOILA!! Baby in his own bed!

Let the day begin!

Indications that All is Well

Tonight I ultra-cleaned our coffee maker. New filter (thanks Ma!). Polished shiny happy red exterior. Programed to grind and brew at 6 am. This was a joy for me to do. Babies all asleep, husband on his way home from being the "Bread Hero", dishes washed and put away. What is a contented woman to do? Give some love to a faithful servant--the coffee maker.

Looking back I see that this meticulous attention to inanimate, yet cherished for their simple usefulness, objects is a common sign that I am happy. The washing machine was the previous recipient of my attentions.

Eating well and exercising have been a habit for a long time--and I do them to a certain extent no matter how I feel. Prayer, and closeness to God are a basic fact of life mothering and homeschooling this brood--less of a discipline at this point--more of a necessity--like oxygen. But taking apart the vacuum cleaner, dusting it out, and using Q-tip to get at all the crevices?

I'm walking several inches above the ground, I am floating on the joy of a well fed family, well managed household, well educated children, and best of all--a REALLY CLEAN coffee maker!!!!

I don't Even Want to Know

" When you step on a baby snake, it opens it's mouth, and that means it can't breathe."
-5 year old in residence

Mothering is Living to the nth Degree. . .

This may be just a figment of my imagination. I'm probably totally wrong--but I need a bit of a boost today, and creating a little mythology around the importance of what I do seems just the ticket.

I am exhausted--and I can tell it's an emotional thing. I have been working fairly hard at being the adult in residence today. That's painful but not too hard when the toddler/pre-schooler set is rolling around like puppies. A bit more stressful when nursing a true, outdoor adventure induced physical trauma. But I am most pulled to the limit when the faculties an offspring is exercising involve arguing, emotions, and a critical attack on the examples of parenting and womanhood readily available for critique. . .that'd be me.

I have kept my cool. I have gently but firmly demanded respect. I have maintained verbal acceptance and support in the face of a maelstrom of emotion. I am ready to nap!

When things are quiet on the homefront I sometimes get caught-up in certain less than healthy political banter--esp on Facebook. I have been know to have some strong emotions myself when I feel marginalised, that my thoughts and opinions are dismissed out of hand. But it's all theoretical. I vote. I value civic participation. "Your wrong. I'm right. All those folks are evil." has very little impact on my life, and on the world.

So this very challenging morning has brought me back to the work that is worthy of my energy--that of teaching respect, communication, responsibility, and compassion. Teaching what should come first--in this house it's Jesus first, family second. But that has to be re-learned every day--sometimes every hour or minute!!

It is a good tired. It is Labor Day after all!

Mamma Bear Shows her Claws!

SO--we had one mile to go of the 10K. MC and I running together, feeling great--when CRACK! There is a peice of a car flying around and my little girl is grabbing her arm and crying out in pain.

Not Good. Everything is fine. She's a bit banged-up and bruised and will be sore tomorrow. She may favor off road races from now on though. . .

We didn't finish--but she got a consolation prize of 3 live lobsters. The man driving tried to move to the passanger seat and claim his wife was driving. He also started to yell at me because she was on the wrong side of the white line. I pointed out--not too nicely--that it's not illegal to run inside the white line, but it is illegal to hit a pedestrian wherever they are!! And besides, did you notice the traffic cops and the "watch for runners" and "SLOW" signs? I really wanted to tear his face off. . .

He has a suspended liscense. I told the Sherrif I definately want to pursue this since he is an unsafe driver and should not ever be behind the wheel again.

PHEW!! Now to follow up with my poor Mom who got the brunt of my anxiety when we got back to the race start. . .

Follow-Up--Amazing B-day Meat!!!

Pork Pomotion

My friend Kurt is getting into the smoked pulled pork business, and needs an excuse to have people taste his food. That excuse is John's 43rd birthday. If you live in Maine and know (or can get) my phone # you are invited to our house Saturday Aug 8 for pulled pork sandwiches, 4pm. BYO drinks and a side to share. I'll have cake and paper products. Remember--plenty of space for happy children to play!

Good Work

Dream come True Girl

In Anne of Green Gables, Marilla asks Anne to "dress a chicken for dinner" when they get an unexpected guest at Green Gables. It has long been a dream of mine to say the same to a daughter, and get the appropriate results.

That day has come!

True to my nature, I don't mean EXACTLY--on the 4th our friend Peter came over to whack the head off the "mean duck" who also happened to be a meat duck. Mary Catherine did the rest, including down for her pillow, and some lovely breasts, legs and thighs for the BBQ later that day.

Oh Happy day!

Can't wait to have chickens.

PS--she said later she could have done the whacking herself. . .

The only Shot

Thank goodness a child took this lone proof that we were all on vacation a couple of weeks ago--this is IT--the only photo. But then it rained all weekend. . .

Resisting Putting Life on Hold

There are obvious big watershed moments in all our lives. Getting a degree, a job, a marriage, a baby etc. My memories of these times include the feeling that my life will "begin" when x finally happens. Like that painful final semester before the BA, or the long last few days before a baby comes.

I did have a telling crossover between two of these event when I gave birth just at the end of first semester senior year in college. Since baby came a good 3 weeks early I didn't ever have the most painful part of the wait. If anything I was hoping that I'd get my senior paper done before she came (I didn't, and began my score of years typing at the computer with one hand while nursing).

But life really began for me in a profound way with the birth of Mary Catherine. At the same time my close friends were itching to be done. All those nursing hormones mellowed me out enough to savour the Darwin readings in the unhurried manner of one who is eager to reach a goal, but also satisfied with what life is offering in the moment. (though I've gotta say I think my senior paper would have been better had I not been so distracted. . .oh well--MC is worth it!).

In this moment right now, in the soggy northeast I feel myself making the decision that life can only get back on track when the rain stops. Does the rain really have anything to do with folding the laundry, mopping the floor, and supervising the chores? No. I must fight this! Especially since there is rain forecast for the next week. . .

Now and forever under construction

Softball the Hard Way

This has been Mary Catherine's first season playing softball. She played with our local middle school. We have both had such fun! I had a few concerns about how she would fit in with the team, being a nerdy homeschooler and all. My favorite experience with the other girls was one day when we arrived for practice just as all the other girls (who had been dropped off by the bus) were piled into the coach's pick-up for the short ride from the driveway to the field. When the team saw MC they all started shouting "common MC!! You can Make it! Climb in!"

The games have been the same. Very supportive behavior for all the team mates. Everyone shouting encouragement and condolences etc.

Last week Mary Catherine made it all the way home after hitting a single, stealing second and third, and running on a hit. I was SOOOOO proud. They won that game easily!

Today they played the same team in the playoff run-up to the championship. Win and go on. Loose and the season is over.

They lost.
Badly. 10-4

It was painful. The umpire did seem to miss a lot--really--I'm being objective.
But the girls were still cheering each other on to the last minute. NOW I have to go bake the cookies I promised Logan if she made it home--which she did!

Blessings and Curses

A blessing can look a lot like a curse. A battle can be as mundane as overcoming exhaustion to fold the laundry, and feed the children. Or even harder--speak patiently while doing so!

Today's gospel reading (John 17:12-19) reminds me that the beautiful ideal of Christ's love meets reality in the pots and pans of my life. I can imagine the joy Peter and the other Apostles felt at being among Jesus' chosen intimate friends. But to maintain that joy during their own Crucifixions and deaths. . .blessing and curse.

I have always said that I'd be a great martyr. Give me a lion, or a fire and stake, and I'd do Jesus proud! But He has asked be to grow in holiness through this every day self-denial of children, family responsibilities, and openness to life. It seems a lot harder to me than having the courage to say "I think I'm done on this side." while being roasted to death.

But the good news is I feel fortified for the fight. The laundry may not get folded today (who's idea was it to wash and dry 5 loads in one day?). the floor may not get mopped. Maybe even some of the Wednesday lessons will be held over to Thursday. But I am strengthened to do what I can, show God's love to my family, and smile through the mess, and the joy!

**Mary Catherine is missing from the photo, and Quinn is added.

Ascension Thursday

Seems like it takes a feast Day to get me to post! Happy Ascension Thursday everyone! The kids and I took the day off school (a RARE things in this house--if a Catholic took EVERY feast day off it would be hard to get a school year done in 12 months. But today is a day of Obligation after all.)

We went to Thomas Point Beach with our Homeschool group, released a red heart-shaped balloon to re-create the first ascension, talked a bit about how neat it would be if Jesus came again right now, and scooted to the 4 pm Mass at St Patrick's before trying to hit the time/space wormhole that lets a mother drop 2 children at 2 simultaneous Farm Team games 20 miles apart. Haven't found that one yet. Thalia was late, and MC and John Henry had to wait for us to pick them up.

My new knowledge for the day is that these 9 more day till Pentecost are the foundation of the Catholic tradition of praying certain prayers for particular intentions for 9 days--the Novena. The bible refers to Mary and the Apostles praying and fasting for 9 days after the ascension. Now I don't know if that began on ascension Thursday, or the day after--but on either the ninth day, or the day after the ninth day of prayer, depending, here comes the HOLY SPIRIT. I asked Mary Catherine if she knew the source of Novenas and her response was a carefree "JA MOM! The days between Ascension and Pentecost!" She even quoted the verse! Well call me the ignorant convert! Who Knew?

So tomorrow we will begin our Novena to the Holy Spirit. I don't know what our special intention will be yet. Maybe I'll get some guidance overnight.

I know there is a connection!

First--Happy Feast of Our Lady of Fatima!! If you haven't read about the apparitions at Fatima Portugal you need to. A beautiful example of the simple faith of children, and the wonderful powers of God. I have a tradition of reading Sister Lucia's own account of her first communion to my children before they themselves receive. Wonderful!

The connection I'm looking for is between the feast day, and my successful, and totally exhausting day. It's been sunny, lessons have been done well, laundry washed, folded, and even put away! Healthy lunch and even snacks. Cheese dripping. Phyllo thawing for dinner. Children playing happily outside. Can it get better than this?

I have worked hard, and prayed hard--for my children, for a family who lost their adult daughter, for my husband who is working late into the night--and I feel it in every bone. A good, full bodied tired. A tired that lets me know I am living my vocation to the fullest.

Maybe that is the connection. The children of Fatima, two of whom died young, and one lived her life as a holy nun, lived their vocations to the fullest with the encouragement of Our Lady. It is when I am on my knees (prayer, or physical collapse--doesn't matter) that I can most profoundly feel God's presence, and that of His gentle Mother. In these moments of Homemaking and Mothering fatigue I can look most assuredly to Our Lady for her loving support as I continue on the road to Jesus through this vocation of love, laundry, and laughter.

My Handsome Boy--"Miles Christi sum!"

The God of Details

First Communion with the entire cluster (7 parishes I think) can be frantic. After a school year of teaching a sweet class of 9 students, gathering with over 100 7 and 8 year olds is overwhelming and de-personalizing. To add to the stress, in the rehearsal our class was strewn throughout the mass of children. This was downright painful for the twins, whose Mama Bear Mama was ready to battle for her girls sitting together.

What is a Sacrament Prep teacher to do? Pray, and make some decisions. On the night of the sacraments I just made a new row. A St. Patrick's row. When they began filling up the woman in charge suggested that some of my children move over to even out the rows. I very sweetly said, "No. This is St. Patrick's. They are staying together." This seemed to be enough of an explanation. I felt like a Jedi: "These are not the communicants you're looking for."

So I saw them off in the procession, and sprinted upstairs to supervise the seating. I don't know what I thought I would do, but I stood behind the Knight of Columbus as the children and their sponsors filed into the pews. I especially wanted to make sure the twins were not split between pews.

Here is the Wonderful part.

A pew began with the first girl in my class. It ended with the second twin. The next pew was short because of a column. It ended with the last child in my class.
PERFECT!
Thank you Lord!! Thank you for loving our children so well as to humbly come to them as a little piece of bread, and for taking care of every little detail, including the seating.

First Thing in the Morning

My Little sad story

When we told the children about our little baby having passed, it was interesting to see the different reactions they had. As I expected, the girls were immediately sad and grievous. John Henry spent most of our conversation saying things like "Maybe it was triplets and only one died. Maybe we are still having twins!" Only long after our prayers were said, and everyone in bed, did I notice John Henry quietly weeping into his pillow. Thaddeus, after a good 10 minutes of almost his whole family, and a few friends, crying began to sob. When I asked why he was crying he said "I don't know, but everyone else is!"

Last night Thaddeus was up late. We were having some quite time together when he asked "When is a Shannon coming out of your body." My friend Jessica is mother to Thaddeus' close friend Connor, and 3 month old Shannon. I also have an adult friend Shannon, so I really didn't understand what Thaddeus was asking, thinking of adult Shannon.

"There's no Shannon coming out of my body!"
"Oh, Did the baby die?"
Now it all clicked.
"Yes, the baby died."
"But we'll see the baby in heaven" (Smiling)
"Yes, we'll see the baby in heaven. And we are praying for another baby to come soon."
"When"
"Maybe a baby will be in my body in the next month or two."
"Are their dinosaurs in heaven? How does God make Dinosaurs?" Back to 4 year old land.

And so the process of letting go continues.
Today I looked at my school calendar. I didn't understand some of the numbers on every week. AH! They were my gestational weeks. I would have already been 12 weeks along.

Those are in pen, so I can't erase, but I did adjust the school schedule for next year.
Planning is necessary, but we really have only this moment.
God is Good, all the time.

Latin

We study Latin in this family. John has decreed, in that head-of-houshold sort of way, that all of his children will read latin with facility before leaving the nest. I hope this doesn't mean the slower floks will hang on into their 30's!

Regardless--much of our time is spent doing recetations "Amo, amas, amat. . .terra, terrae, terrae, terram, terra. . . lex, legis. . .etc etc." Singing songs "Christus Vincit! Christus Regnat! Christus, Christus, Imperat!" and memorizing vocab (that is so dry you don't want an example).

We also like learning little phrases in latin. Like "Medax, Mandax. Bracae tua conflagrant!"

Today's is "pluvia , pluvia discedo. Dies alius iterum adveho."
iterum sounds like aeternum--if I were a little more fluent I'd write a Virgil-esque poem about the rain lasting FOREVER!

For Erin

I can't remember where I stopped in my "trip abck East" retrospective--and I can't go check because I'm sneaking in some pre-schooling blogging. The girls are getting started--but if they find out I'm blogging they will not get any work done. . .this is worse than being on the phone while homeschooling!!

Anyway--my new friend Erin commented on one of the Easter posts. Thank you Erin!! Erin and her husband were the messangers of God who took in a family of 7 whose van totally died in Montana. We had met them at Mass, and discovered some connections (St. John's and Thomas Aquinas, not to mention pro-life medical connections). We died the second time mere miles from their home, were able to limp to their driveway, buy a new truck with the help of the used car-dealer neighbor across the street, and have our 5 slip into play time easily with their 7. At one point it was hard for Erin and I to tell little Joseph and Thaddeus apart. I think we brought home the right one--he answers to his name anyway!!

So--here's to Erin! God Bless her, her family, and new baby Daniel!!
Also--Erin, please email me at edblouin1021@yahoo.com so we can communicate privately.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter!

It is Easter Wednesday, and here I am finally! After 40 days of no blogging I have LOTS of photos to take off our camera. Unfortunately it is somewhere in the post road trip chaos. . .so that will have to wait.

Lent was fruitful and difficult. The newest and most challenging experience was getting pregnant, then miscarrying a few weeks later. That's a story in itself, but suffice to say that Our Lord is generous in His consolations, and always present in times of grief. The Children helped name our littlest soul Happy Marie Joseph. Happy really was on my short list for names, after St. Felix y'know?

But right now am 37! Happy Birthday to me!!! I love my birthday! John got me a wonderful cake that says " Happy 37th Bithday Allison" the 37 is crossed out in red frosting, and 29 next to it. HAHAHA!

It so timely to have the begining of a year right at the begining of Easter, in the Spring, with the sun shinning! Very hopeful!

Lent

So--tomorrow John and I will not be eating much. I have a good book to read as part of my lent ("Holiness for Housewives"), and by the end of the day tomorrow we will have a nice big poster board with all the days leading to Easter, and a jar to fill with beans for each sacrifice and good deed.

That means it's time to sign off of the blog (and Facebook) for the next 40 days.
Leave a comment if this makes you sad--cause it'll make me happy--if you know what I mean. . .

Have a blessed season of preparation!

Buttprints in the Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some strange prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord, they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you along.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know,
So I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
Or leave their butt prints in the sand."

-- author unknown

News Flash!

This just in: The Eddyblouin family is joining the rest of the State, and having February Vacation. Much rejoicing was to be seen, and heard, through tout the house. The requirement of math and Latin computer programs for 15 minutes a day for the three scholars was quickly arranged.

Busy Happy Day

Today I home schooled while doing computer work. While at the Library waiting for the new tire to be put on (nothing is more impressive to random library go-ers than a 7 year old studying Latin. . .). While driving to the Orthodontist. In the waiting room. On the way to Basket Ball practice. At the basketball practice (nothing is more impressive to a 7th grader than a 4th grader studying Latin. . .).
Then we were done--and on our way to rehearsal.

On the way up I REALLY needed a break from the Boxcar children CD--so we sang:
Thank you Lord for giving us _____. X3
Right where we are.
Alleluia, Praise the Lord. X3
Right where we are.

We went from oldest to youngest to fill the blank. I loved how we got a peek into each others thoughts and dreams through our choices.
Mine was "warmth"--it was almost 50 degrees today, sunny, then rainy later. I will always love warm rain. It reminds me of Oregon.

MC chose "teeth". She has hers back after 2 years imprisoned in braces.

Thalia chose "babies" both for her love of Arveragus, babies in general, and her prayer for a little sister. (That's up to God, not me!)

JH chose "science"--intellectual little guy. Always talking, asking questions I can't answer, and memorizing his multiplication tables faster than Thalia!

Thaddeus chose "planes" because he's a 4 year old boy and loves anything that goes.

Arveragus chose (with a bit of prompting) "nu-nu's" because he is having a language explosion, and everyone knows a 21 month old going through big developmental changes needs to nurse like a newborn, right?

Good choices, all.

Christmas Sweaters

Babci made these lovely sweaters for the boys. Sure hard to get all three in one place at the same time without them causing bodily injury! Sweet boys!

6 things are easier than 25

6 Things you may not know about me:
1. I'm not naturally organized, but I use a careful, strict, homeschooling plan with the children, so I can have the comfort of checking off the things they need to do.

2. I hate Jigsaw puzzles. My poor sister-in-law made us a nice puzzle saving roll of felt with a really hard puzzle several years ago. I wanted to throw-up when John started it. It collected dust for 4 years until I finally snuck it out of the house.

3. I have no siblings with whom I share 2 parents by blood.

4. Maybe I'm trying to make up for this by having as many children as possible who have the same parents, and a stable family life.

5. I get very upset if someone tries to play a game, any game, without following the rules. I'll get very quiet, non-responsive, and walk away. So if you ever want me to shut-up, you know what to do.

6. I have a devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Meditating on them gives me strength and comfort.

Harmony

Courtenay

Brooke

Lisa

Darcy who tagged me
but she doesn't count I guess

Melanie

and Jennifer

One of those days

On a day like today my most descriptive phrase is "my own personal hell." It is the kind of day when all of the things that you love and cherish suddenly become the very things that are killing you and driving you CRAZY.
My List:
*fussy clinging demanding crying toddler.
*No coffee in the house
*screaming for what he wants 4 year old.
*Sibling rudeness, meanness, and general "I'm here to make your life miserable" sibling attitude.
*No dishes Fairy
*No coffee.
*Spousal miscommunication that leads to a field trip cut short, and disappointed Mom and children who don't really want to go back home just to find out they really didn't need to go back home after all.
*A sunny day when it really should be grey and overcast because of the family mood.
*Homeschooling.
*Did I mention I haven't had coffee--then didn't buy any in town because I had to rush home, but I really didn't have to rush home after all--so not only have we missed a fun afternoon with friends, I've missed my chance to have the Brown food group.

I love my husband, my children, my home, and homeschooling. I just wish they would all go away for just a little while. That's not terrible is it?

I'll offer it up--the pain of sanctity--ugg! Let's hope I'm sanctified as I try to
#Do lessons with the children.
#Wash the dishes.
#Do something fun after lessons, like go to the library.
#not take a nap cause I know I'll be all grumpy when I wake-up.
#Maybe buy myself a coffee when we go to the library.
#Take a walk in the sunshine, even if I want to curse the sun for being so cheerful.

Who knew a happy person could have days like these! Pray for me!

UPDATE: Finishing lessons, playing outside, a big can of coffee, and visiting with Sondra = salvaged day.

Feast of the Presentation

I love this day! I love Simeon, and wise old Anna. I love six week old baby Jesus!

Inspiration

We all enjoyed this so much. Want to find a way to show my first Communion class. Now I need to find one about Monks!

Checking on the Baby

Everyone should go look at Weggie's blog, just to see what he's up to.

Small Successes

Today has been an OK day--but I don't feel like I've really DONE anything. So this is actually a good exercise for me. . .

1. I made homemade, lowfat, sugar-free, yummy, pumpkin bananna muffins for breakfast.
2. I talked to a friend on the phone, and I think gently pointed out that husbands need loving care too.
3. I homeschooled my 7 year old, even though I often let his lessons slide because they go so fast. As of 5 pm only the 13 year old still has work. . . and that's her issue, not mine. . . ">

Snow Day

We did do our lessons today. But a snow storm must be celebrated! We did so with molasses candy. My sister and I have fond memories of eating Maple Candy off trays off snow with wooden sticks during the sugaring off in Montreal. This is easy to replicate at home--cookies try collecting snow all day. Maple Syrup doesn't fit in the budget right now--so we just made molasses candy. Very yummy! Very festive! Now it's very Bedtime! ( after some careful tooth brushing!)