Mary
Live Simply* Care Deeply* Love Generously* ***Keeping up and flying with my big ol' Catholic family!!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Gettin' Ready
Mary
Friday, January 30, 2009
Raw Chicken Alert!
It totally grosses me out.
I am a die hard "RAW CHICKEN ALERT!!! Mommy" in this house. What does that mean, you ask? I am so disgusted by the thought of how raw chicken can contaminate anything we touch after we touch that nasty "bawk bawk" chicken. I am not at all against meat. I thouroughly enjoy a good meal including chicken. I know what good protein it provides for my family and I. But once it is out of the bag, watch out! I disinfect everything! I make sure that everyone under this roof knows there was RAW CHICKEN in the sink! Okay, so a bit of a fanatic. I know. I know. But there has been way too many stories of other people (including family and friends) having a reaction b/c of touching it or it touching somewhere in their kitchen that they did not clean properly. I, for one, do not want to end up in any ER anytime soon.
So go ahead and think I am a crazy woman afraid of a little RAW chicken. And I'll prove to you that in this house, we keep our food inside! Yes-sir-ee.
And I'll prove to you that I can make a mean chicken casserole.
(But maybe not on a Friday---that fasting thing, ya know....!)
Enjoy the day!
God bless,
Mary
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Simon Cowell-the other side
I am in awe-so impressed! Good job Connie!!! God has blessed her with such an incredible voice- may she use it to glorify God!
It's nice to see American Idol's Simon actually saying nice compliments and meaning what he says too! I think his heart was softened by seeing and hearing her :)
(Now I need to get some sleep!!! Off to bed I go-it is so late for me-that yummy coffee I have been bragging about? Well, I think I drank it a little too late! whoops!)
God bless,
Mary
Small Successes- It's Thursday!
One of those days
Mary
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Happy feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas!
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas:
Grant me, O Lord my God,
St. Thomas Aquinas pray for us!
God bless,
Mary
O Snow!
Did you think I'd be that happy about s-n-o-w ...again! You betcha b/c my hubby has off today-his office is CLOSED!!! Yippee! Yahoo!
Even though he still has meetings online and via the phone, he is here. He is home.
I am so happy!
I am so awake!
Can you tell? Could it be that my hubby let me sleep in today and I am drinking that great coffee again?!
Oh yeah.
God bless,
Mary
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
She Loves Cleaning
"I love to clean! Yes! I love cleaning!"
Can it get any better than that?!
She is a true love after my own heart. (And I hope her love for cleaning never waivers!!) Keep it up sweetie- we need your cleaning skills in our family!
BTW- I've even been asked by a friend if she could come to help her family clean their house.- no joke! How about that for employment?
God bless,
Mary
Monday, Monday (...again...)
That's my family :)
With a weekend where we feel we are FBI Investigators to try to figure out what happened to our 95 year old grandmother, it can takes a great toll on us all mentally! And it did. I am very grateful to have been there for my family- living only a few hours away is such a blessing. I am thankful to have seen my grandmother and be with her, and with my other family members. Now it is Monday, and hubby is at work. Now all I can do is pray for her.
Will you pray for her too? Thank you.
So, then we have a few sleepless nights of 2 hour feedings- my gosh! What is going on? It must be a growth spurt for my baby of 4 months- I can't believe he is 4 months already!!!
I cringe when asked that question: "Is he sleeping through the night, yet?"
Well, let me tell you something....we do not produce good sleepers here in this cheerio family. Never did. Never. My expectations have lowered w/ each child. I wish they slept (don't we all?!) and we do all we can to make that happen. It amazes me how when I do sleep how much of a more patient Mommy I can be.
But as for today, it is Monday ...again.
And it is my coffee and me... again.
But this time, the flavor is Royal Rum Pecan.
I think I am in love.
I do hope you have a better and more awake Monday morning than me!!!
God bless,
Mary
Friday, January 23, 2009
Love is...
Mary
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Small Successes- It's Thursday!
Every Thursday, we make a note of our accomplishes...yes, they may be small but it's fun and very edifying to see even these small things we do add up!
Thanks Faith and Family Live!
1. Dropped off bags of clothes at local goodwill container. Seriously. I had about 8 garbage bags full. What relief!
2. Made and stuck to a meal plan for the week- yippee for me!
3. Was not afraid to ask for prayers for a family member from those who it may feel a bit 'wierd' to ask it of! (Thanks Holy Spirit!)
God bless,
Mary
Be happy -your Mom chose life
It is well worth your time! Let me know what you think too.
Comments open!
God bless,
Mary
March for Life 2009
A BABY.
Let us pray for all doctors and nurses that conduct the "procedure" that their hearts will be softened to know the Truth.
Mary
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Never stop learning
1. If you find very hard and old spaghetti in the foyer coat closet, confidently assume that someone little has eaten his dinner in there OR had his/her parents think they ate all their food at the table to receive a dessert.
2. If your cheerio child (#4) is the only one to ask to go outside in 22 degree weather, you bundle her up and with a great big grin, she goes out and states "Now no one will tease me out here!" You can confidently assume that there will be a lesson in 'no teasing' after lunch today.
God bless~!
Mary
Wednesday's Why
Beware! This is what can happen when a mom is so happy not being disturbed and hearing her children playing together so nicely and with such joy for over an hour in an adjacent room...
I know...I should have checked up on them way earlier! Can you believe that? I mean, it is not like we do not have any toys or anything! Go figure- its the non-toys that are the most fun. So, before you spend money on those name brand, expensive, the "Mom, I just have to have it" toys (yadda yadda yadda)- pull out those cardboard boxes or let them use the pots and pans. Let their imaginations go wild! But, remember to keep an eye on them...at least every few minutes or you'll end up having one of these to display with your next garbage pickup!!! Our trashman just loves our family! I swear we must have one broken item a week! It's the new neighborhood style...they all wish they could be just like us. Ha ha :)
Best go now! Have a great day!
God bless,
Mary
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
In the spirit of some great Saints
"Mom, where is my hair shirt?"
Talk about an act of penance! ha ha! (esp. today I might add)
God bless,
Mary
Speechless
Basically, I am speechless.
I may be able to compile my thoughts as the day goes on but for right now...it is in about 45 minutes until the big moment that he takes his 'oath'.
Dear Lord, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
May God bless the USA today and always.
God bless,
Mary
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cookin'-n-Singin'
What did you say?
Are you talking to me?
Are my kids screaming?
What is that you say?
Oh, I am sorry. I could not hear you above my music...So, don't worry, be happy!
God bless,
Mary
Happy MLK day!
We had quite the discussion about the Civil Rights Movement, segregation and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I found it amazing at the look of horror when they found out how our country was (and hopefully will never be again!). Goes to show you how much the young and pure can teach us.
We will be working on a craft to symbolize what this day means to the children and I hope to post it too- God willing :)
Happy Martin Luther King day!
So, how are you going to celebrate?
God bless,
Mary
Monday, Monday
Maybe it is the lack of energy release due to the frigid cold but for some reason, my kids were up SO much last night. Crying here, nursing there...finding kid #1 in the den wide awake with the lights on at 2:57am. Yes, at 2:57am...he thought since Kid #5 was not in his crib (the clue its okay to come out in the morning) that it was time to wake up. No wonder...he did not realize that this Mommy was sleeping with him on the couch! Hopefully this will not become a habit. I am not fond of middle of the night wake-ups and sleep-on-the-couch routine...then again, I don't think many parents are! :)
I am off to make this Monday a good one. Pray for me and pray that my morning coffee cup #2 takes effect!
Thanks!
God bless,
Mary
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thank you Angels!
(This is one major way of "how we do it"!- by asking and praying for others to help us out!)
So for instance, yesterday and last night was just one of those nights. No ER visit. No date night. It was just this - a 2 day long struggle to get organized having an 'almost 2 year old' around. Really around if you get my drift. There was only so much I could take. So I did it. I called one of our angels that Kid #5 adores. I mean, loves loves loves ...and begged her (well, not really!). I asked her if she could take him for a wee bit. What love! Both of them were thrilled to spend a few hours together and we got organized! We invested in a 'bin-rack' to hold all our different toys in our den/playroom/school room. I think there are about 56 bins- it is awesome! I even got to organize my school closet and make a nice Mexican taco dinner- which we all enjoyed. Then we had a 1/2 movie family movie night (it got too late to watch the whole thing). Of course we missed Kid #5- it was way too quiet at the dinner table and way too clean! But, things needed to be done and we are so very thankful for our angels!
Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God,my guardian dear,
To whom God's love commits me here,
Ever this day,be at my side,
To light and guard,Rule and guide.
Amen.
Happy Sunday!
God bless,
Mary
Amen.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
You're cool, dude
"Mom, wouldn't it be cool if I burped throughout an entire song?"
I reply "Uh, yeah...sure, honey" and I think "You are such a boy!!!"
That surely would be some song!
God bless,
Mary
Social Awareness
For me, I realized that trying to stay committed to something just for yourself to help you grow spiritually and intellectually is great- a group that sews/knits together, or exercise- volleyball or a walk with a friend, or a mom's night out weekly (that would be great!) or Bible study...whatever I can get to often helps out a lot.
Besides my weekly Bible Study that I get to only 2 x/month, today I went to my first art class - watercolor class-how about that? I am psyched about it! It was so much fun and so very uhm....quiet...really- we had to stay focused on painting so it was just so very nice and quiet. It has been a very long time since I signed up for a class- figured it is good for me and I can pass on that knowledge to my kids too! It gives me something to look forward to on a weekly basis as my little "artistic out". Funny, even though it was so quiet and we did not talk much at all (which is so not me with my type personality) but I was pleased to be in a room with 8 other ADULTS and did I mention it was rather quiet?
Gosh, I love my husband! Is he not totally awesome to watch the kids so I can do this?!
I can't wait to post some pics that I have drawn...that is if you're interested...???
Have a great Saturday and stay warm :)
God bless, Mary
Friday, January 16, 2009
What is going on right now...
Hum...I think this "work" from home may not really "work" for us, huh? ha ha!
God bless,
Mary
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pics I can't resist to post
Innocence
“Why is it that every song is about a mommy and a daddy? I mean, they all say “baby” and “I love you” like all the time? Why Mom?"
My little baby is getting big so quickly and I, too, wish songs were all about Mom's and Dad's and not ANYONE ELSE!
Oh, how I wish and pray that you always stay this innocent, my love!
God bless,
Mary
Not again...Please Pray Now!
Much thanks.
God bless,
Mary
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sensitivity Testing
So while making lunch...Kid #1 says:
“I’m glad you did not put any onions in my tuna sandwich. B/c I am really sensitive and when I eat onions, they make me cry.”
Just gotta love these moments! I could not help but smile...inside and out :)
God bless,
Mary
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Confusion
No, me either.
Until they re-named him....Rose.
Like the name. But not for a boy!
Oh, and he is actually having fun with this "game" too.
Oh my.
Pictures were taken. Not sure if I have the gutso to post those!!! If he stays on my good side today, then no pics posted, I promise my dear. BUT...if tornado and hurricane re-appear, stay tuned!
God bless,
Mary
More memory pleeeease!
Mary
Monday, January 12, 2009
Please Pray NOW! Urgent!
"Earlier this evening I had my last conversation with this young lady and her parents. Despite their apparent regret, they will be going through with the abortion tomorrow morning, January 12 at 8.00am (ET)--some of you may already have read this message after that time. It will be a chemical abortion so she will just take a pill at home that her “provider” already made already available to her. I was able to talk to Eduardo Verástegui this afternoon and he offered to talk to her. She wouldn’t talk to him nor anyone else about her decision. Let’s pray for her conversion in a very special way."
Thank you.
God bless,
Mary
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Update
Reward: Ice cream for me!!! :)
God bless and good night,
Mary
Move over, scented orange cleaners, I have a better idea.
You cannot find either one of your 2 pairs of slippers (you have 2 b/c you know one will inevatibly get taken by little hands and lost). So you put on your socks-white socks- your feet are cold. You try not to complain after offering lots of rewards for whoever finds at least ONE pair of slippers first. No finders. No rewards.
After stepping in a pond of orange juice spilt on the floor with your right foot, you go into denial. ‘No, there is not much on my sock. I do not have time to take it off to put on another pair of socks. I have to get my cranky crying child down for a quiet time rest in his crib. I have to do it now. So, nah, that OJ on my foot is not too bad.'
After 10 minutes, you actually forget that your sock in soaked and you are wondering why there is a nice orange aroma coming from each of the rooms you enter into…until…you are in shock that now your right foot is soaked.
Why is it that it’s not until both socks and feet are wet that you conclude the socks need to come off?
Is it just me? I doubt it.
Happy Sunday!
Enjoy your OJ this morning and God bless,
Mary
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Jesus' Baptism Reflections
These awesome sacraments also give us much power and strength to resist nasty satan. Lord, help us to never think that these sacraments cannot help us and sustain us. Help us to believe in the power of the sacraments, Lord Jesus.
I am meditating on a book called The Better Part- its a great resource for Christian prayer and in it, it highlights that in this passage that Jesus was his Father's "beloved Son" on whom the Father's "favor rests".
"Up to thispoint of baptism, Jesus had done nothing extraordinary- no miracles, no great speeches, no massive conversions. He had spent 30 years living in a hut in Nazareth, helping his foster-dad in the carpentry shop and doing chores and errands for his mother. And yes, the Father's favor rests on him; the father is well pleased with Him. Why? Because Jesus has been doing what God asked him to do, and he has been doing it with love" (page 344).
This really struick me in a new way b/c at times I can (proudly unfortunatly) say that I am doing God's will. Hey, I am home with the children. I am loving my husband. I am teaching our children at home. I am raising them. I am doing the duties of a housewife, a mother and caring for my children. But, am I doing it all with LOVE?
I thought of song by Marie Bellett- www.mariebellet.com. She is a singer song writer and mom of many boys-8 and 1 girl; and uses her songs to sing about motherhood! There is one specific song of hers that I listen to so much my children sing along with me... Ay Yi Yi. I cannot find the lyrics of it right now but it is an awesome reminder to do all things with great LOVE.
Lord, teach me to love You, love those You gave me, love who I am (imperfections and all), and put Your Great LOVE into all I do. All I do is for You, Lord. I am Your instrument.
God bless,
Mary
Friday, January 9, 2009
Take it or leave it
I am starting a homeschool neighborhood- anyone want to move here and join in?!
Yes, I know it is only January. We have not even hit the worst of them all- February!
Boy, I cannot wait till Springtime!
God bless,
Mary
O.M. Gosh.
Kid #5 is just so almost 2 years old.
How can someone so very little make such a huge mess?
He has only been up for an hour and a half and we had Mister tornado and hurricane hit us already.
Guess my plans for today is official.
Where's the broom, vacuum and mop? Any maids want work today?
It's a good thing you are so very cute and cuddly, Mister cheerio child #5.
God bless,
Mary
Thursday, January 8, 2009
On my mind
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wednesday's Why
Did those army cargo pants throw you off? I thought not.
Where have I been?
Does having surgery to take one's gall bladder out count?
How about finding out there was 30-40 stones in that stinker?!
Or how about seeing this
doing some of this and this
Happy 5th Birthday Kid #3!!! We love you! You have such a talent of building and hope you enjoy your REAL tools- just like Dad! So, go ahead and make that bed you've been talking about, like forever! You sure are ONE OF A KIND! God bless you!
and lots of this and more of this
and this (how adorable, huh? The sweet girl, not the doll, but she's okay, I guess.)
What? You have yet to meet "Baby Kelly"??? She is Kid #4's right hand dollie. Attached at the hip. Totally. And totally cute too. Amazing how those instincts kick in so young. You're gonna be one good momma, Kid #4! :)
God bless,
Mary
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year 2009!
Happy New year 2009!
I can't help but be like everyone else who takes the New Year seriously. That means looking back at 2008-and asking many questions...What did I do? What is my best accomplishment? What is my biggest disappointment? What could I have done better?
And to look ahead at the ever popular...What is my resolution for 2009?
I don't know about you but I do tend to shudder at these questions. When I can get some time to actually think without being interrupted is a great way to start, wouldn't you say?! But, even though I do not have this solitude that I often crave, I have to admit, these questions linger in my mind.
So, what is your resolution for 2009? Is it tangible, real or an ideal, far out there that you may not reach? Over the years, I have learned to be real with what I can and cannot do. Not that I am any good at this...yet...but I said that I am learning!
My resolution list (yes, a list- I am a big 'to do list' person) may consist in what the rest of the world has too- watching what I eat, loose weight, blah blah blah. But, I am also going to try my best to stick with my prayer life daily but be flexible and to be okay with that too! To see my day, my whole day, as a potential prayer. To see that it is not just a quick prayer to start my day and boom- I am done. But to extend it to different prayers throughout the day- The Anima Christi, The Angelus, and a Prayer for Vocations, the Rosary etc... Also, I am going to try my best at getting to daily mass more often during the week. I thank God that we have an early 7am mass in town, which is very helpful- as long as my little ones cooperate for Mommy to get out to that mass :) Thirdly, I am going to try to be more attentive to each of my 6 little blessings and especially to my biggest blessing-my husband, and to be thankful for each and every day with them. Life is hard, life is busy, life is chaotic. We need to remember to make it a point to appreciate and learn to love deeply those closest to us, those precious souls God placed in our lives is for a reason.
I am sure there is more to come as I keep thinking about 2009! In the mean time, GOD BLESS THE USA and may God bless you,
Mary