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TWT: Keeping a positive attitude

Hey ladies! You'll be excited to hear that today is a Total Woman Tuesday! This Tuesday is all about keeping a positive attitude. Let's face the facts: no one has a perfect life, a perfect day, a perfect marriage or a perfect home. It's so easy to get caught up in all of the negative (believe me, I sure can!), but when we do, we just make everything worse. So today, focus on the positive. When you're stuck in traffic, listen to some of your favorite music, take some time to relax or spend some time in prayer. When you're frustrated with your husband or children, focus on what you love about them (and tell them about it). Take joy in your responsibilities as a woman, a wife or a mother. Positivity is so good for the soul. Enjoy your Tuesday! Stay positive!

Some New Orleans Music and Little Cousins

First Unifom

This afternoon I discovered a new Lenten sacrifice worthy of time off purgatory. I had to sew emblems and Pack Numbers onto John Henry's new Webelo's uniform. Sounds easy. I thought it would be easy. But one badge was too low for the numbers to fit between it and the pocket. Re-do. One number was crooked. Re-do. One is still too high--will re-do at a later date.

Stitch. Stitch. Stitch. Ouch!

After a while--when I got into the groove I was able to reflect on what I was doing. Sewing on the uniform of a 9 year old. What other uniform will this child wear as he grows? The casual non-specific uniform of a college student in the 2020's? A military uniform? The uniform of a religious order or of the priesthood? Perhaps this is the first in a long line.

But I don't ever meditate on the future for too long. I know that my own daydreams of my children's future will have little impact on their choices. Also, I don't know Young Man John Henry. I know this John Henry and want to enjoy every moment that we have together. This affectionate, intelligent, curious, creative, boy-ish boy. Qualities that are common to almost every child, and yet he is unique and precious to me. The boy with the splitting smile, the crinkly eyes.

So I sewed my love for him with each stitch. In the end it is appropriate that one thread is loose, one badge a bit high, one letter a bit crooked. Regardless of my love for all of my children, it is imperfect. I hope I can point them towards the only perfect love available to them. Remind them that they have a perfect Mother in Mary, and the infinite well of God's Love.

Stitch. Stitch. Ouch! That is Marriage and family in a nutshell, isn't it?

Beginning a bit Late

But better late than never! Spending almost the whole first week of Lent in New Orleans was not necessaarily the best beginning to fasting and repentance. . . more like an exerciese in humility at my lack of self-control. But in my defence. . .EVERYONE was eating a lot!!

But now I'm back home, the laundry is done, the children back in the homeschooling schedule, and I am focused on getting my spiritual journey towards Good Friday on the right track. I have found this blog through Minnesota Mom. Today I think I'll splurge on a big journal and get going! It will be a profitable Lent if only I keep following the promptings of the spirit!

It was a battle to get to Stations of the Cross last night. An ugly, sin filled battle. But I got there, and felt the truth in both my own sinfulness, and God's Mercy. "Take up your cross and follow me" is a profound statement to a struggling, tired mother of many. Ok Lord, if you say so!