Satisfaction

It sure feels good to drink some late in the day coffee! I will regret it in the morning I'm sure. But the joy of being able to get all the little ones to bed without falling asleep myself is rare indeed!

Though the dinner is not quite cleaned-up, and the kitchen counters are full, I am satisfied with my work. I have picked-up and mopped the entire downstairs. The last time I did this was the day before Blaise was born. 7 rooms and the stairwell hall. Before you think I'm too Martha, know that I go by the "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly" philosophy of late night mopping. I did sweep before, but I didn't track down every last scrap of paper or dust bunny, and I did not move furniture--that is a daylight, one room at a time job. I'm not crazy--just giddy!

Speaking of joy in the mundane. Yesterday I put away clean folded laundry, and my heart rejoiced that I could provide for my family in this way. To open one's drawer and find just what you need is a comfort that I really enjoy giving.

I think I'm focusing so on homemaking (did I mention my 21 gourmet meals meal plan for this week? Samosas and chicken curry tonight, sausage lentil stew tomorrow...) because I am in the last stretch of lent and it is only by the Grace of God, and some distraction that I am resisting facebook. The daily Rosary is plugging along as well as ever, but getting the cursor to move over "facebook" without clicking--THAT is the challenge!!

It has been a fruitful Lent. I read through a great little book on Confession that friends returned to me after a few years of being borrowed. It became my impromptu Lenten reading. The study group on Mulieris Dignitatem is a fabulous gathering of prayerful women who challenge me spiritually and intellectually. And Boy, am I loving housework and homeschooling!

[Lest you think I'm getting cocky--this morning while basking in the glow of well fed children all working independently on highly intellectual and creative educational pursuits, I was suddenly attacked by 2 whining children asking for MORE food, other children fighting about who used the pencil sharpener last, and a sudden urge to yell at everyone. Perfection lasts a moment. Then it's back to the muck and mire of real family life.]

So off I go to use up the rest of the caffeine reading a book in bed and dreaming of shiny floors!

Birth Announcment by Shutterfly

A limited edition--only got 25. They are going out today to a precious few distant family and friends. Since the Bible passage celebrates Sons, I decised to feature Blaise's sisters in the photos.

Sweet Consolation

Last night was the liturgical anniversary of my loosing our baby. What I mean is, it was the 4th Friday of Lent when I began to miscarry. I don't remember the date, and would rather remember it this way, since it so directly connects the suffering my whole family experienced with Jesus' suffering on the cross. When I knew what was happening, the words we repeat at least 14 times during the Stations of the Cross on every Friday of lent were profoundly present: "Not my will, but Yours be done."

So last night during the remembrance of 14 moments of Jesus' suffering, I looked down at my cooing, smiling, bundle of consolation. I wondered for a moment how old our lost baby would have been. But quickly realized that if that baby were here, Blaise wouldn't. I don't need to remember the "might have been" age of our little soul, because his or her life on this earth is complete. God's design includes suffering, redemption, consolation, a love for ever single soul He Creates--no matter how young or old. That little baby, who we call Happy Marie Joseph, blessed us in life, and death. And blesses us from heaven.

A year after my Good Friday, holding Blaise, I'm already seeing Easter Sunday!

Who Needs Photoshop?

I can cut and paste the old fasioned way. . .
We will be serving this cake to go with the theme. Guests will be dressed as their favorite barnyard animal. Pin the tail on the Piggy, and a dramatic rendition of "Click, Clack, Moo" on the agenda.

A Day in the Life

As I suspected, my facebook fast has seen rise to more blog posts. Today has been a good day, despite my feeling a bit headache and cough-y. Good food, good friend came by, dishwasher up and running! The dishwasher especially feels like a little piece of the land of milk and honey right here in Maine! (that Land is Oregon, in case you don't know. . .) I got housework done thank to the moby, took a partial sanity day off education, cause no one want to be educated by someone who is sleep deprived AND has a headache! I got spit up on. I watched the boys play with Blaise.

If the clothes don't get put away, and the zone work doesn't get done, that's ok. Blaise's first year (and the other kids' 15th, 11th, 9th, 6th, and 3rd) is flying by--I refuse to miss it!

Late Winter

It is such an appropriate time for a penitential season. Bleak, cold, wet, yucky. Bring on the penance! This year all the kids have a "crown of Thorns" with 40 toothpicks in each. They pick a paper with a sacrifice or prayer on it--when they have accomplished their (age appropriate) challenge they remove a toothpick, thus lessening Jesus' suffering. Everything from "clear the table without being asked," to "Say a Hail Mary for Mom."

I love Lent because the simplicity of the season helps us all focus on what we really want family life to be. Often it seems that we all rub each other the wrong way. Bring out the worst. Go out of our way to give a little dig, rather than a little lift. We are human after all, bad moods, sleepless nights, and the normal stress of life can take it's toll on familial charity.

But those excuses ALWAYS exist. There is always a reason to NOT go the extra mile. Lent is a time specially set aside when I can remind myself and the children that now more than ever we NEED to go that extra mile for the sake of LOVE. And maybe by the end of these 40 days some of it will be habit, easy, normal. Meditating on all that Jesus said while on the Cross, the words of love and forgiveness, gives me the recollectedness I need to give a smile and a hug, when I'd rather make a demand or point out a fault.

50 Way to. . . hold your baby!