Thursday, September 30, 2010

Need: Real Rocket Scientist

Kid #1 says to me as he is loading up the dishwasher right now...

"Ya know, Mom.  I really need a rocket scientist to talk to me."

"Why?"
  I respond quizzically.

"Because I talk so much and I need a rocket scientist to talk things over with.  Lots of what I think about is just so...complicated."

If you know of a rocket scientist to talk to my almost 10 yr old son, please do let me know!!!;) 

Ha Ha!!!  Love this kid!

God bless,
Mary

Boys and new found respect

Oh boy.

And I mean OH BOY, or should I say OH BOYS!

I have been experiencing a whole new way of parenting of boys.

I have never had 2 boys in a row-wtih all our 6 children, it has always alternated...until the last 2.

Just imagine, if you do not have boys or do not have 2 BOYS in a close age relations...

Just imagine 2 young boisterious boys (is that spelled right? haaa!) that are 3 1/2 and just turned 2.  WOWEEE!!! I mean, wow.  I surely did not expect this, nor was I warned!  yikes.  I know boys are hyper and loud and their super high energy levels never cease.  I have 4 (at least right now...who knows what is next) so I thought I knew but noway did I know.  With every boy we have been blessed with (let me tell you...they are such a blessing-boys are great....and wild!) there has always been a girl to follow to interupt the constant flow of boys.    I know boys love to wrestle, to tease, to do tons of handstands and flips and whatever else to show off their 'testosterone stuff' to either their sibling or just to themselves.  I know boys are into competition-in just about EVERYTHING.  I know there will be tons of pirate stuff, cars, trucks, mud, dirt, ripped up books, and many broken items.  I know this is normal.  I know this is simply how boys are made and made to be.  I don't want to supress this, but I do ask God daily how to deal with it!!!  I know this all about boys. 

But what I did not know is times it by 2 and watch out!  wow. 

I guess this is my little explanation for yesterdays' post.

I know of a number of moms out there in person and on blogs that have boys in a row-even more than 2 boys in a row.  You are my heroes.  Seriously.  And if you have a minute, please do share any advice that you think would be helpful to this momma.  Thanks a bunch!!!

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

My feelings in Silly pics


Ya know, one of THESE DAYS, well, MANY of these days:




But then I remember...


and that with this vocation, I am considered a....
even though I feel a lot like this...

So, I must do this:

and remember to...

and that no matter what, it is all worth it.  Worth my every effort, my every intention, my every tear and my every smile.


And in the end, we are closer as a family, and hopefully closer to getting to Heaven...

Because many times I am reminded that homeschool is so much more about HOME than SCHOOL.

God, grant me the graces that I need today to be the example that you need me to be to my children.  Help us to grow in grace and holiness as we travel on this voyage of homeschooling.  It may not be perfect, but help us to keep trying.

God bless,
Mary

Monday, September 27, 2010

2nd Birthday Pics!


Happy 2nd Birthday to my little "baby"!!!

You are 2 and you do not have a little sibling out of Momma's tummy...yet!  This is the first for any of our children.  You are so special, you add so much to our family ;)

You love baseball....
You love to hit baseballs....
...and watch football w/Daddy....
...and cheer on your brothers and sisters as they play soccer!

As if you have not noticed, this lil guy LOVES any sport that has to do with BALLS!  Of course what did we get him?  A bucket full of balls-all kinds of balls and a new bat and he loved it as does his siblings playing along!

That is your baseball birthday cake-I tried so hard to make that pink into red but it was not turning red so I'm sorry lil guy but I guess that's what happens being baby #6!!!

God bless you, lil guy, we love you so!

May you always stay close to God and our Blessed Mother!

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

St. Isidore of Seville, patron Saint of the Internet, pray for us.




Almighty and eternal God

who has created us in Thy image

and hast bidden us to seek after

all that is good, true and beautiful,

especially in the divine person of

Thy only-begotten Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ,

grant we beseech Thee that,

through the intercession of

Saint Isidore, bishop and doctor,

during our journeys through the internet

we will direct our hands and eyes

only to that which is pleasing to Thee

and treat with charity and patience

all those souls whom we encounter.

Through our Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Recipe to share....*Update*

I have yet to make this.  I am thinking of making it tonight, though.  I have all these ingredients  and there are not so many...so I figured I would try it.  I just have to soak those lentils first.

Here is the recipe:

•1 cup cooked lentils
•1/2 cup raw carrots sliced
•1/3 cup of dry rice (white or brown)
•1 chicken bullion cube



Fill a medium pot with water and add the carrots, rice and bullion cube. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook at medium high heat until the carrots and rice are tender. Depending on the type of rice you use and how thick or thin you slice your carrots this will take from 10 to 20 minutes. Mine took about 20 minutes.



Add the cooked lentils to the mix, heat through and check for seasoning. If the soup tastes a little week you may want to add another buillion cube. Otherwise just add salt and pepper to taste.



I'll let you know if my kids actually eat it or not!!! haa haaaa!!!

*Update*:
I did end up making it that night...I found out that the lentils did NOT need to be soaked first, which made it that much easier.  I also added in potatoes that I boiled first and added in extra salt and pepper for taste.  About 1/2 my kids liked it and my hubby raved about it esp. of how it tasted for lunch the following 2 days.  He really liked it!  All my kids loved the potatoes in it so those that did not like the lentils and such just ate the potatoes and I did not need to make any other substitute for them.  So, I guess I would grade it: B.  Yup, I'd make it again ;)
God bless,
Mary

Monday, September 20, 2010

So, where was I?

you ask?

Even if you didn't, I'm still going to tell you! So, ha!

Sort of a "Quick Takes" for Monday.

...

I have been dealing with a  3 1/2 yr old who is pretty interested in using the potty (finally!).  Not sure if this is the real deal or what.  For what it's worth, it is great if it is really truly going to happen.

I have been trying to open up my linen closet that somehow is jammed shut.  This closet holds our bandaids.  Do you know how many bandaids we go through in a day, in a week?  Let's just say they are on my weekly shopping list.

I have been trying new ways of parenting going solo.  But, thankfully, just for this past weekend.  I love how much an impact my husband has on these little offsprings.

I went to dinner by myself last night after a 3 day parenting solo weekend.  Not the drive through dinner, oh no.  This was the sit down, be waited on, type of dinner.  ALL BY MYSELF.  And I truly loved it.  Know were I went?  Of course you don't.  I went HERE.  It was loud and it was messy.  I ordered a 1/2 rack of ribs and could only eat 3!  My hubby made out with his generous offer of sending me off to dinner by myself by me bringing him home dinner.  He loved it too!  Now, if only we can go there together.  Ya know, on a date.  Yeah, one of those things we have not been on in ages. 

I have been watching my kids daily dress up in suits and jackets and playing "Secret Agents". 

I have been trying to discipline my sweet *almost 2! (on Thursday 9/23!!!) year old.  He has been pushing my buttons and pushing limits lately.  

I have been trying to figure out a way to rotate our toys so they seem *new* to them.

Last week, we got all our school work done from Mon-Thurs and had Friday OFF.  That was much needed and I hope that we can do it every week.  We had some family visitors from out of state and it was great to go to a museum with extra hands to help out. 
God bless,
Mary

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mother of Sorrows craft activity

Fun for boys b/c of the swords and fun for girls b/c of Mary!
I thought they came out grrrrrrrrreat!  Here they are:



And b/c my boys always want me to take pics of their lego creations, here is what they worked on yesterday:
I must have tons and tons of pics of legos!  Maybe one of these days I'll actually get to a post all about them.   Who knows....

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.

To honor Mary, on this special day, we are having our official day of consecration to Jesus through Mary!  According to St. Louis de Montfort---click HERE.

(I was actually going to start by saying that by honoring Mary, on this sorrowful day, I have had my fair share of sorrows already!!! What a sleepless night and a horrendous morning we've had and it's only 8:40am.  But, I don't want to whine too much or complain too much, esp. on this day.  I pray that I will trust that God will give me enough courage to face today with much fortitude to endure whatever God wills for me this day.  Mary, mother of sorrows be with me and help me be pleasing to your precious Son.)

I printed up a beautiful coloring page of Mary, Mother of Sorrows from HERE.

Did you know what the Seven Sorrows of Mary are? 
Check these out:


1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)

4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)

5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)

6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)

7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)


I find such compassion on the Mother of Sorrows.  She cries for what her son went through.  She cries for you and me, for all of us.  She cries with a tender mother's love.  She wants us to be close to Jesus and sees us far away.  She knows what we need, as do most mothers!!!  Mothers truly feel what their children feel.  She sees us striving to be holy.  She knows our intentions.  She knows we need Jesus in this hectic world.  She knows that He is the peace we need.


TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.
 
May Mary, especially on this day-the feast of Mother of Sorrows, draw you ever closer to her Divine Son.  May you find refuge and healing under her sweet compassionate mantle as she holds our hands drawing us closer to Jesus.    AMEN.
 
God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Father knows best

Before I start our day and get into the grove of schooling, I have to post on something.

Something important.

So important, that if I do not post on it, it will bother me and make me think about it all day long...

Yesterday my hubby said that it would be a great idea that we both get to confession before our big 'consecration day' (see HERE) on Wednesday.  First, I thought it was great idea too till I realized that he meant that we ALL should go.   You know, as a family.  You know, as in bringing ALL the kids along too.  Then my attitude changed drastically to 'noway will that work out' attitude.  We tried it before and it did not work out.  We tried and got disappointed.  I was discouraged.  I did not want to get 'in the mood' to go to confession just to be frustrated and upset that it did not work out.   (psssst...do you blame me?!)

Well, my hubby put me IN MY PLACE.  He persisted in thinking it was a great idea and that we needed to do it to get totally ready for our special day, especially. 

Not that I did not want to go, mind you. 

I sure have sins that need a good wash away. 

But I did not agree till he stated "Trust me, will you?   You just have to trust me with this.  We NEED to do this."

With every bit of courage I could muster up, I agreed.

We all got to the church and no one was there.  No cars, no lights on. 

Just as I suspected, I thought.  Another mess up.

But the church doors were open.  So I decided to give it a try and go in.  I told my sweet and endearing husband that if I do not come out in 1-2 mins then there were confessions going on.

I went to the darkened chapel and sat there in complete silence.  Oh, that felt terrific.  It was wonderful.  Jsut as I was about to totally convince myself that no priest was there, and no confessions were to be heard tonight, the lights went on.  The priest walked in.  Into the confessional he went and the door stood open for me, alone.  No one else was there.  Just yet.  It was just me.

Was this meant to be?  You betcha.  I cannot disagree that my husband was totally RIGHT ON with this! 

I trusted him and went along with the actions of my will, not with my feelings (which were not in agreement with him). 

Confession.   It was so healing.   So needed.

Once I came out, I saw a line of 9 people waiting.  I guess that is my penance now...to wait with the kids while my hubby and oldest son waited inline for confession.

Good thing for my husbands' love.
Good thing for my husbands' leadership.
Good thing for our Faith.

Thank you God for my husband. You know how much I need him. 

God bless,
Mary

Monday, September 13, 2010

Quote of the Day

"Keep your eye on the crucifix,
for Jesus without the cross is a man without a mission;
and the cross without Jesus is a burden without a reliever."

-----Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The 1st Week Captured

1st day of school
Tuesday
That type of day.  I won't show you the freak out pics! haa haaa




THEN....
Wednesday...a much better day.
Book Club for my kids-2 groups- one is K-3rd grade and the other is 4th grade to 8th grade.
We all enjoyed that very much.
I hope some of my younger kids will get some good positive peer pressure to get on the band wagon and start reading more!!!
AND it was also... 
Mary's Bday

Remember that grand idea of making a 'white cake w/blue frosting and 10 blue candles'? 
Not quite, huh?! haaa haaa. 
Actually we made  what we thought would turn out to be blue cake for Mary's bday but  the only cake we had was yellow and well...you know, yellow and blue do not make blue cake~!  I guess it was a great lesson in planning on my part and a great lesson in primary colors for my kids! lol!
Do you like those red dollops? 
They are supposed to be red roses for Mary and my kido #4 made 10 of them so we actually did get around to saying a decade of the Rosary for Mary-all were happy ;)

THEN....
Friday

We had a kick off of the homeschool year Mass with my parishs' homeschool group.  There are a total of 77 families involved from about 3-4 parishes!  It is awesome! 
We then all went to a park to celebrate Blessed Virgin Mary's Bday and had a procession of Our Lady of Lourdes outside.  It was beautiful and my kid #1 was chosen to be one of the 4 bearers of statue on its' wooden thingy majiggy(brain freeze here).  He was so proud!  I wish I took my camera w/me!
After the Rosary procession, all the children and moms got to have one of the Rosary cupcakes.  It was so special to be a part of.

THEN....
Saturday (Today!!!)
Remembering 9-11~~~  May the souls of the departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.
We will not forget....

We started with soccer this morning-it was great-it is a homeschooling soccer league.  Can you believe they actually have them?!  Me either!!!  We were so thrilled b/c 1-the kids are all homeschooled and 2-the price was unbeatable and 3-they all play at the same time on the fields so it is only 1 day/week and we can all go together.  It was a perfect match for our family! :)

Then, we decided to commerate this day 9-11, if you will...  to spend w/our family, our loved ones.  We went on a 1 1/2-2 mile family HIKE.  We LOVE to hike so this was perfect.
Perfect weather, perfect company. 
I thank God for this day.
A gift.













Do you notice in my kids' hands were papers?  I couldn't let a chance to learn some science and have fun pass by, would you?  I made scavenger hunt lists.  Pictures of what to find for the little kids and a list of tons of things for the big kid.
The list was this for the young crowd:


1) Pinecone
2) Moss
3) Clover Leaf
4) Feather
5) Wild Flower
6) Pebble-size of your thumb
This was the super list for the bigger kids:
Hiking Scavenger Hunt List:


__Wild Flowers
__Dead tree
__Pine cone
__Berries
__Vine
__Poison ivy
__Stream or creek
__Blade of grass
__Clover leaf
__Moss
__Pine tree
 _Seeds or seed pod
_Eroded soil
__Smooth/shiny rock
_Mud
__Grain of sand
__Fern
__Y-shaped twig
__Trash
__Pine needles
__Acorn or other nuts
__Tree with blossoms
__Hole in a tree
__ creek
__Dark or light green leaf
__Small pebble
__Unusual shaped leaf
__Rocks with many colors
__Different shades of green or brown
__Dew on a flower or leaf
__Fungus on a tree
__Shows next season is coming
__Animal tracks
__Worm
__Caterpillar
__Squirrel
__Bird
__Ant
__Butterfly or moth
__Snail
__Beetle
__Feather
__Lizard
__Ladybug
__Spider web
__Birds nest
__Insects on a tree
__Deer tracks
__Animal hole in the ground
__Deer
__Frog
__Leaf with insect holes
__Evidence of the presence of animals
__Evidence of the presence of people

Now that I look at that list, I guess it was pretty lengthy!!! But how fun it was!!! I think it'd be fun for adults to bring along a list like this while out hiking.  Why not, right?!   
Go ahead, copy it and print it off for your use-it was really fun to find these things!

It is late now...for me, at least.  I need some sleep so good night!
And, God bless,
Mary





Thursday, September 9, 2010

Clarification

Me:  "When Daddy is not home, I am the leader, not you buddy."

Little boy:  "No you're not, Mom."

Me:  "Oh really?"  with a twist of my eyebrow...

Little boy:  "Yeah, you're not the leader, you're the boss!"


Thanks for clarifying this, little man.
ha!
God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Let myself explain myself

Okay.  So I kind of alluded to the idea that I had some type of freak out yesterday.  Did you see that post I quickly put up mid-way through my freak out?  Yeah, I guess we all had them.

And I sure had mine.  It stinks being the first day and all and here is me, the Momma, freaking out.  Not a good day.  Thank God for His forgiveness and that today is another day to start again.

Freak out.
Freak out.
Freak out.

I started yesterday with 'my schedule' of the day.  What I wanted to accomplish.  But as we all know, our plans are not always His plans.  Boy do I have a hard time adjusting and being flexible.   

One thing I noticed is how much my kids play TOGETHER!  I mean, really play together.  Usually it all 6 of them playing dress up or a play or blocks or cars or riding bikes or just using their imaginations.  To my deilght, they involve all, even to my littlest making him some type of character and an integral part of their playing.  Most of the time, if you are looking for one child, they will inevitably be with the rest or at least the rest will surely know where that one hid or ran to.  This is a big pleaser to me, as you can imagine.  I love to see them all play together.

But what I did NOT anticipate was that when we started school, as we did yesterday, that my 2 litttle ones were completely lost.  Totally and completely LOST without their big siblings!  They did not know what to play or how to play together.  They wanted their big sisters and big brothers to play with.   Period.  The interruptions ran into about 25 times for the morning.  Eggs were broken.  Books were torn up.  Big wooden blocks were thrown.  Brusises were born.  Tears were shed.  Lots of tears.   

Trying to go over school stuff, introducing them to their new subjects and books for the year and even teach a thing or 2, was close to impossible.

So I freaked out.

And the kids knew it.  They felt it.  Their looks and reactions told me "Stay away from Mom today".

Do you blame me?

You don't need to but it'd make me feel much much better...I am feeling quite horrible about yesterday.

So today, I declare, will be different.

Today will be School day #2 but way different.

For instance, yesterday I was all dressed and revved up ready to go at this time.  And today, I am not yet out of my pajamas.

Yesterday I had all my kids geared up and focused on their chores, getting them done before 8am.  And today, I am letting them play a little longer before chores.

Yesterday, we tried hard to stay within our time frame for certain subjects; potty breaks and water breaks at certain times; recess and snacks under the pretense of staying focus to get back into the subject we just left off of.  And today, we are going to the library for our first Book Club meeting.

There is stress with homeschooling.  There is doubt. 

But there is hope.  

JOHN 15:4-5


"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Lord, help me.

God bless,
Mary

Happy Birthday Mary!!!

....Blessed Mother Mary, that is!

Along with everything else that I want to check off my long, never-ending checklist, I am going to add in making a cake for Mary's Birthday Feast day today.  I hope we can get to it!  I know my kids will be asking why we did not make one, if we don't get to it!

In hopes that we make one, my idea is to have white icing/frosting to symbolize purity and blue candles or icing flowers with this little statue of Mary that we have to be placed right in the middle.  I hope we have 10 candles b/c how fun it would be to say a Hail Mary for each candle....a decade of the Rosary!!!

And, I bet my child #3 will not forget to bring Mary some fresh flowers to place near her!
We'll be coloring some pics of Mary today too:
CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

Blessed Mother, Pray for us and Happy Birthday!

God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Read and don't freak

Reading THIS and reading THIS is totally getting me through my freak out day today too!!!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Francis, pray for us.

God bless,
Mary

Monday, September 6, 2010

So...here we go!!!

And...we're off!

Off on a wild ride!

Onto our new school year,  that is.  Starting officially tomorrow, Tues. Sept. 7th! 


MATTHEW 11:28-30:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

I bought each of the kids some new stuff for school as a surprise.  My hopes are high for this year but also very realistic! 

Please say a prayer for us all as we enter into a new school year.  Thanks!

May all we do, all we say, all we are bring all the Glory to God!!!

Into Your Hands, dear Lord, we place our school year. 

To Jesus through Mary!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Francis,
patron saints of our home school year 2010-2011,
PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!

God bless,
Mary

Friday, September 3, 2010

Morning Routines or lack there of

It has been a few days since I have posted anything.  Sorry about that!  We are still doing our family consecration, which has been very enlightening and we can see the fruits of our endeavors very much.  For one big thing, we are up to 4 decades of the famiy Holy Rosary.  every. single.  night.!!!  I am extremely grateful for this, since for years, I have wanted and wanted to encorporate the Rosary into our nightly prayers but could not figure out a way with all our little ones.  Granted, it is not easy.  Many nights, we are reminding them, (ever so gently and mercifully!!)! to be quiet and to focus and not lay down.  It is a struggle but one that we know is worth our every effort. 

As we all may know, with every part of spiritual growth, there is going to be attack by the evil one.  How is he doing this, you may ask?  I think in many ways!  But one is very apparent to me.  This nasty one is disturbing my early morning sleep and rising. 

I set my alarm to wake up around 5:30am.  I am not a morning person, let me tell you.   It takes every effort and action of my will, to actually sit up and then get out of bed.  If I lay down, I will surely fall back to sleep.  I get up early to get my prayers, meditation and the consecration prayer in.  Usually my hubby is kissing me goodbye as he is a morning person!!!  He wakes up usually without! an alarm, showers and is out the door by 5:30am.  It still shocks me how different we are.   I guess opposites do attract!!! 

And then, I focus on one thing alone.  My coffee to start brewing.   I cannot forget my coffee! 


Once out of bed, I painstakingly walk down the hall, close the children's doors and then get my coffee going.  All the while, being very very quiet.  I know, as any mother does, if I step on the wrong part of the floor to make that extra loud squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak, that inevitably one of my little ones will wake up. 
WHy is it a shocker to me that there will be at least one child up within 5 minutes of my waking?!?!  But it does and I am not happy about it.  I am really not happy when they whine or complain about me reacting to them being up so early.  

My lil baby who is almost 2 wants to play baseball and I cannot even open my eyes!  I know I will want these early mornings when they are grown. I know I should cherish them now.  I know time flies.  I know life goes by in a blink.  I know these things, but yet...I growl.

How can these little ones do that? 

It is totally pitch dark at that hour of the morning!   Why would they want to get up?  I guess that maybe some of my kids have my husband's genes of early morning risers.  One child, is for sure, my first one.  At even 2 yrs old, he would rise at 4:30-5am.  I am not kidding!!!  It was a hard thing to learn being a first time mom.  At least at this age, he 'sleeps in' a little more than 5am but he just does not need lots of sleep.  It does not matter what time he goes to sleep, he still rises very very early.  Now my baby who will be 2 (at the end of THIS month!!!)  is waking up early and whining and yelling my name at that nasty early hour right after I rise. 

And I am here to deal with it.  Not my hubby who is the morning person... but me. 

This has gotten harder for me since we started our consecration and I just know who and what is behind all this.  WHat a hard thing to listen to when I have not even had a sip of my coffee yet!  argh.  That evil one knows my weak points, he knows how tough it is for me and he tries to get me first thing in the morning.   Precisely the time I want and need to spend with our Lord Jesus Christ!!!  The evil knows the graces I need and desire. 

I know that there is such good to come out of our family consecration b/c the nasty one is trying hard to sway us, tempt us, make us loose our peace.  But I'll have nothing to do with it.  I keep trugging along and repeat to myself and to Our Lord and to Mary that nothing will tear us apart.  Not the constant early wake ups that drive me nuts.   Yes, I fall and I get upset and visually not very appealing.  Good thing for CONFESSION!!!

So, why am I telling you all this?
Why am I rambling on and on about this? 

I am not sure!   Haa haa!  It is so early and I have been up with my coffee and 4 kids for a while and it is ONLY 6:15am!  I gess I needed to vent a little bit!

This constant waking up early for my kids is a real struggle for me.   I see it as my cross and it is a hard one to accept but nonetheless, I accept it.  (Pssst.  And I do know that if I set my alarm for 5am that the same thing would happen, just earlier.  Believe me!  I have tried it already!!!)

Do you know what I am talknig about or do you have children that actually SLEEP IN!?!?!?

Since my almost 2 yr old is whining and crying next to me right now "Want snack" which means breakfast, I have to go.

I have to fulfill God's Will.

I have to tend to my little ones.

I have to fulfill the responsibilities that were handed to me.

I have to trust and have faith and confidence that God will not give me anything that Him and I cannot handle together.

I have to pick up my cross and follow Him.  NOW.

(With my coffee in hand, of course.)

GOd bless,
Mary