Saturday, December 25, 2010

Signing Woody

What a Christmas!  We finally got the tree up and made cookies all in the past couple of days.  Eric made his cookies this morning and I made rumballs this afternoon.  The kids are all happy with their presents.  The favorite gift this year for the family is a Woody doll for Luke. 

Luke doesn't really talk but since having Woody today he can approximate some of what Woody has been saying when you pull the string.  Now Woody is signing the things that he is saying!  I just checked on Luke and he is having Woody sign "thank you, thank you thank you" when you help him with his hat.  Too cute.

Thank you God for giving me the wisdom to get my kid a toy that I would NEVER would have dreamed of getting him.  Thank you God for the gift of my good friend who actually did most of my Christmas shopping.  I feel very blessed to have such a great friend.  Thank you Mary for saying yes to God and giving birth to Jesus.  Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

So Proud of her!

My kids artwork was picked for the cover of the Christmas program at school.  I'm so proud of her. 

I would say that I'm easily proud of my kids every day.  The little things that they do and say--"don't worry Mom you aren't too big--just too short", that one I love.  They always see the best in me when I can't seem to see it in myself. 

I have the best kids in the whole world and they tell me I'm the best Mom ever (on most days). 

Thank you God for the gift of my family.  I really do enjoy serving you by taking care of these awesome kids.  Thanks for the grace and patience--keep it coming.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Too busy for one day!

Eric came home yesterday for Olivia's birthday and left this morning.  Our time was too short and filled with too many jobs.  We both wanted to just sit with each other.  Well, that is what I wanted and I'm sure that Eric wouldn't have minded just sitting.

Olivia had a nice birthday despite us all being so sick.  We managed to go to Red Robin for her celebration without her getting sick.  A prayer answered. 

This morning saying goodbye again was tearful for me. 

We then left for pottery class.  Pottery class with 4 kids--all glazing different little projects . . . a little loud and very chaotic. 

Then off to Target to get a birthday gift for Charlotte's friend and then dropped Charlotte off at the movie theater.  She has only been to one movie in her life and she was only 2.  I hope that goes well.  She anticipated drama so she took her favorite stuffed animal puppy.

Back home for a while to paint the office and then leave for Joseph's soccer game and then go pick up Charlotte again.

I will be completely done for the day right after dinner. 

It is snowing today.  Windy with heavy snow.  We will all stay home tomorrow and play in the snow and drink hot chocolate. 

St. Theresa's Prayer:
May today there be peace within.  May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.  May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given t you.  May you be content knowing you are a child of God.  Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.  It is there for each and everyone of us.

I have had this prayer on the cupboard above my coffee pot for a couple of years now.  In getting the house ready I had to take it down.  I thought I would share it. 

Saturday, December 11, 2010

There is a season

I have a sister in law that is always talking about the Seasons of your life.  I think that she read a book by Charles Swindoll of similiar title and I have it at the cabin.  I pick it up when I am there and read a page or two.  So my sister in law is a wonderfully wise and can be a compassionate person on a faith journey that is completely out of sync with my own.  We are only 9 years apart in age, but in our lives we have never been in the same Season.  So until the our appoitned time I will be happy just knowing that she is always there for me in spirit.  Thank you God for my sister in law who is loving and supportive and has planted many, many seeds in my heart. 

 
There is an appointed time for everything and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh. a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace.

We are moving to Chicago.  When my husband and I talked about him changing jobs so that we could spend more time together as a family, I had no idea what I was saying yes too.  My prayer was that God would show me exactly what his will is and I would faithfully follow.  I asked him to bless my husband with the grace to make wise decisions.  I knew that I could serve God no matter where we call home.

I must admit I'm not always the best bible reader.  Well, not just the bible--I tend not to read. I'm not a big reader--in order to read it requires sitting still and that is hard for me. 

But, as I began this process of moving my mind kept going back to Ecclesiastes 3 and my sister in laws words of wisdom about the Seasons of your life. 

Specifically a time to keep and a time to cast away.

I think that we have sent 25% of our house to Salvation Army.  It sort of does feel good to leave my mothers things, baby clothes, clothes that are too big or two small, maternity clothes, clothes with stains, if it does not make me feel great when I put it on I gave it away.  It didn't matter how much it cost to buy the cost of keeping it was far greater.  Without exaggeration we had about 30 huge black garbage bags of soft stuff.  We had many truck loads of other treasures that went out of our house.  The garage still has furniture waiting to be taken away. 

I sort of like having only a few outfits to chose from. 

How did it get to be so much?

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Peace comes from within.

Every year our family vacations with my husband family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  We stay at a place called Rock River and the nearest big towns are Munising and Marquette.  This year I was able to sneak off to Marquette one morning and go to Adoration and run errands by myself. 

When left alone to my own devices I will almost always find a jewelry store or a knitting store and coffee.  On this particular trip I hit all three!  At the jewelry shop I found a bracelet that has "peace comes from within" engraved on it and those words sang in my heart. 

Ever since that day I have worn that bracelet.  I have found that having it reminds me that my grace and peace comes from Christ that dwells within me.  On good days and on bad days--when I am anything but Christ-like--the words give me enough of a pause to get it back together.

Thank you God for the gift of my husband who suggested that I go and take a couple of hours to myself.  Thank you for giving me the grace to stop and listen to you.