Holy Week

No, I have not forgotten you.

I have been struggling with what to write these past few days.  Of course, it is the holiest of weeks right now which has provided a bit of a mental block for blogging.  Not that I am complaining, though.  It seems very appropriate for this time of the year.  So, I am going with the Holy Spirit's inspirations and am keeping pretty low with the blogging deal. 

What I do wish to mention is this awesome idea from a priest at Mass this past Saturday morning.  He encouraged us all to pray a decade of the day for the week.  Not only pray it but live it and absorb it and let it seep in.  For example, yesterday, Monday, we focused it totally on the Agony in the Garden. 

For today, Tuesday, we are focusing totally on the Scourging of the pillar. 

Get the idea?  So on Friday, we can focus on the Crucifixion.  Easy and focused.  My cup of tea.

Another reason I have not blogged lately is b/c of this book:

What?  You have not heard of it?  You HAVE to read this book!  Got it?  Fork out the $ and buy it.  It will be on your most read and returning to read over and over and over again.  I promise.

I won't be too hard on you, since I, too, did not read it until a friend sent it to me in the mail.  (Thanks S!).  I was way too lazy and once I started reading it, I wished I was not so lazy!  What was I waiting for?  There are some things worth the wait.  This, my friends, is NOT.  Go get the book...as in...now.

And here is my wish for you, this week...

I am wishing you a happy and holy HOLY WEEK.  May God give you strength and courage to follow Him and accompany Him as he breaks the bread, carries the cross, and is crucified.  May God give you the ability to see all you have as gifts from Him.  May you be open to Him to allow His workings in your busy and chaotic life.  May you seek Him in everyone you know, you encounter, you love.  May you share your life and witness the light of Christ in this darkness of the world.  May you have a wonderful holy week.  May you rise ever closer to Him on Easter Sunday.

God bless,
Mary

Book on Boys!!!

This is the book that I am reading right now.  Have you read it?

It is called Boys Should be Boys by Meg Meeker, M.D.

Not that I have real *time* to read (haa haa) but I am up a whole lot many nights with one very special little baby girl.  Since my boys are ever growing up and challenging me to figure them out (they are not too hard to figure out but every bit helps!), this book is a 'must have on hand' book for any Mom!  I bought it a number of years ago and it is a book that I take down to reference to a lot, when I question something or need a little hlep in understanding why this or that.  I find it very helpful, even if I just read one chapter or a paragraph.

One line that I read last night that sticks out is..

"Moms need to love and love to be needed."

How very true is this!  Esp. now as I am ever needed to my sweet newborn and having many demands with all my other children as well.

P.S.  And, no I am not getting anything (although I would not turn it away if I was offered! :)) from putting a plug in for this book.  I just thought someone else could benefit from this great book as much as I have.

God bless, M

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

I'm reading a book!

Between wet laundry that I keep forgetting to put into the dryer and keep putting that laundry back through another cycle....to....loads of clean laundry that are adorning my living room couches....but for some odd reason I have found time to squeeze in a little reading. Imagine that!  Reading a book!

So, what am I reading, you ask?

"Stay Home, Stay Happy--10 secrets to loving at-home motherhood" by Rachel Campos-Duffy. 

Thanks to my mother in law that saw her featured on EWTN a while back, she and my father in law bought me this book for my bday yesterday.  (Thanks T and S!!!)  It is an easy read which fits my life right now! haaaa haaaa ;)

There is one thing that she pointed out and reminded me in this book that I am focusing on:

"Whenever I feel overwhelmed or down, I remind myself that this is, indeed, my choice. 

Unlike women of earlier generations, most of us have made a choice to be at-home mothers.  There is real power in exercising choice." (Pg 25).

.....And I'll leave it at that.

God bless,
Mary