Just Had This Conversation...

The Saint (walking into the kitchen while I'm doing dishes): A bud, Mom, a bud!

Me: A Bird?

The Saint: No, a bud!

Me: Oh, a bug...where?

The Saint: In mine hand. (as he reaches out to hand me the ant, still alive between his thumb & finger)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I've been toying w/ participating in Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook for quite a while now. Each Tuesday, participants from around the world share what's happening in their day. So, here is my first entry.

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...a slow rain w/ a bit of sunshine trying hard to peek through the clouds. Our beautiful non-fruit producing pear trees in the backyard are just about in full bloom (not to mention, full dead animal scent...why does something so beautiful have to stink so much?)

I am thinking...of ordering school books & deciding which online school to use for The Archangel next year. He really wants to do one & I think, w/ his ADHD, it might be a good choice for him. He seems to like order & knowing what's next on his schedule. Plus, he LOVES computers!

I am thankful for...my wonderful family held together by our faith.

From the learning rooms...We are trying to get back on track after Casinodad's vacation from work last week.

From the kitchen...letting the munchkins learn to cook, so we're kind of winging it right now.

I am wearing...a light blue T-shirt, my only pair of jeans, & bare feet

I am creating...a secret gift to give to my dear friends when we go away for a weekend soon.

I am going...to San Diego this summer for my cousin's wedding. The Princess & I are going w/ HelpfulGrammy & we are looking forward to this girls' trip!

I am reading...When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall, The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin (my review for The Catholic Company coming soon), and The Imitation of Christ, as well as all my Lenten spiritual reading.

I am hoping...for good results as I work w/ a pain specialist for my back. We are trying a process of elimination to find the root of the problem.

I am hearing...The Princess singing & the boys enjoying Wii Fit for the Physical Education this morning.

Around the house...clutter, clutter, & more clutter. I'm trying to get rid of stuff, but it just keeps multiplying! I am keeping the kitchen fairly cleaned up each night...that's good, right?

One of my favorite things...toddler feet! My desktop photo is The Saint's feet from last year when I let the munchkins play barefoot in the rain. (See photo below)

A few plans for the rest of the week...dentist appointment for the munchkins today, psychologist & psychiatrist appts. for The Archangel on Thurs., Lenten Penance Service Thurs. evening, & Little Flowers for The Princess on Fri. It's a busy week for us!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...aren't these tootsies just adorable?

And Now for the Next Driving Law...

OK...I now think I have seen it all! Over the years, we've seen people doing all kinds of things WHILE driving...putting on makeup, reading a book or newspaper, talking on a cell phone, texting, etc. Well, yesterday I saw a new one. I passed a lady on the outer-belt driving much slower than the rest of traffic. In her right hand she had a pen & in the left hand she had a form to fill out for a lottery ticket! Wouldn't it be ironic if she were killed in an accident & had actually chosen the winning numbers?!?!?

Sometimes: a Little Confession

I have a little confession to make...

Sometimes, when I'm alone in the van, I will turn the radio to a local station that plays classic rock songs from the 80s. (Did I just put "classic" & "80s" in the same sentence? Boy, am I feeling old!) Then, I will put the windows down (except for the driver's side...can't mess up this huge mane of mine!) & turn up the volume. Then, I'll sing along! There's just something about Journey's Separate Ways, Survivor's The Search is Over, or anything by Phil Collins cranking out of the speakers on a bright, spring day!

There...I feel so much better since I've gotten that off my chest. Care to share any of your guilty pleasures?

Small Successes

Danielle Bean says, "It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1) I sat down & made a very detailed shopping list for Meijer...coupons are in order of the items' location in the store & the list is also in a similar order. The reason? They have some GREAT deals this week (10 for $10 with the 11th item free) which will require two shopping carts for stocking up & the whole family working together. Our goal is to load up one cart first w/ non-cold items, then Casinodad will take the munchkins to look at the toy department while I finish out the cold stuff. Plan ahead, stay organized & it SHOULD go quickly! (Please say a little prayer for us, if you can!

2) I treated Casinodad to his meal requests for his birthday (TODAY). Last night for dinner, we had hamburgers, sweet potato & regular fries, mixed veggies, & marbled cake for dessert. For breakfast this morning, I made pancakes w/ white chocolate mocha coffee creamer mixed in for 1/2 the milk, scrambled eggs, & bacon.

3) I finally dropped off some of the donation items in the back of our van! They've been in there for about a month or so.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

It's been a busy day so far & I am just getting to my blessings. Better late than never...

1) I'm thankful that Casinodad took this week off from work. I didn't cancel school for the week, but we are having a lighter schedule so that we can do some fun things together.

2) I'm thankful Casinodad & his best friend had a safe & enjoyable trip to Washington, PA yesterday. They went to a casino & spent some great friend time together. They didn't win a whole lot, but they're not big-time gamblers anyway...they just go to have a little fun.

3) I'm thankful we were able to take all four munchkins to a movie this afternoon & everyone had a GREAT time. We saw Gnomeo & Juliet in 3D. It was such a GREAT movie...rated G & none of that extra "adult humor" that so many of the kids movies add. The 3D was not over the top either...nothing to make us jump. Plus, this was The Saint's first theater experience & we were so impressed w/ how well he did. (Unfortunately, w/ movie prices these days, we rarely are able to go just the two of us, let alone the whole family.)

4) I'm thankful for "Mom Therapy" w/ my dear friend & her kids on Monday. We had a great time visiting, as always, & of course the time went way too fast! Unfortunately, HelpfulGrammy was unable to join us this time...hopefully the next!

5) I'm thankful Casinodad is such a wonderful father. At this moment, he is out in the backyard w/ all four munchkins & one of their neighborhood friends, tossing a football around. He's so positive & encouraging w/ them. While they are out there, I am here inside making a marble swirl cake for his birthday tomorrow!

On Whose Authority?

One of the books I'm currently reading is My Life on the Rock: A Rebel Returns to the Catholic Faith by Jeff Cavins. He talks about leaving the Catholic Church as a young adult, becoming a Protestant pastor, and finding his way back to the Church. I'm only about halfway through it, but I've learned so much already!

Last night, as I was reading it, I had a revelation. In a conversation he had w/ a convert to Catholicism, he asked the man what brought him to the Church. In response, the man said that he had a "...hunger for the sacraments, his yearning for the ancient tradition and authority of the Church..." (page 152). The part about authority really hit me.

Many people (Catholics & non-Catholics) question the authority of the Church. That is one of the biggest complaints I hear about the Catholic Faith. "Who is the Pope that he has the right to tell me what to do?" "Why should we listen to one man?" "Sola Scriptura! All I need to know is what's said in the Bible!"

But think about this...what other faith can trace their roots in authority all the back to Jesus, where He entrusted the Church to our first pope, St. Peter? "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).

As I was reading, a thought popped into my head, a comparison to our lives to help understand the authority of the Church. How many parenting specialists have said that children need, & in fact WANT, boundaries? Even though the children may balk at the restrictions their parents have placed on them, most will say that having those boundaries made them feel safe, secure, & loved. I know my sister & I are thankful for the boundaries our parents set for us! They've helped shape us into the people we are today.

Isn't that one of the MANY wonderful things about our Catholic Church...safety, security, and the love of our Lord? Sure, we may not always like the boundaries, but they are there to help us be better Catholics & get us to our final reward in Heaven.

I leave you w/ this prayer for Pope Benedict XVI. I found it in a 2003 book, Prayers for All Occasions from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington DC).

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care my he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives ans reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.