Date nights

Do you have them with your spouse? 

I'm talking the marriage date nights, not the single/dating kind of date nights :)
Oh boy, are we in need of them...big time!!!

It is a mix of reasons why....mostly money and finding the right babysitter that can sit for our bunch of kidos and what can work for both of us.

But, really...if it is not focus on it, it will probably not happen.

If we only wait for the perfect timing, it may not happen.

I know of a couple that picked a night long time ago, early on in their marriage, and really focused on that night as their date night dinner night together at home.  They would watch a movie or play a game or even have a bottle of wine together.  It was scheduled and that was that.  The kids knew it and they knew it and it happened.  They gave the kids some lame dinner but something that the kids loved, they were all happy!  But, that time was the time blocked out for the couple and nothing came in the way.

Woohoo!   What a great idea!!!

A few years ago---maybe just 3 or 4 years ago, that we made it a point to do something and go out as a couple almost weekly that turned into biweekly.  It was wonderful!   But now... it is just awful.  We really want to put our marriage first and go out but instead, we have fallen into the craziness of putting the kids first too many times.  Since we do not have a built in babysitter b/c our oldest is not quite ready and old enough yet, it costs some serious $!  Some months are okay and we can do it, but some are just a tough time and so we need to hold off of the date night.  It's been a long time since we went out and we are soooo due that date night!   We try to get the kids down to bed early enough every night and if we are blessed to actually be awake, then we do try to talk and focus on each other.  That, in its self, as easy as it is, has been a true blessing.  We have had some great talking.  We also have woken up early to talk and pray together.  Again, a blessing.

As a couple, we need to remember that we are unified in this beautiful marriage sacrament and a team so that our children can see and depend on us.

So, right now, we are in the midst of realizing we are in desperate need of serious out date nights and trying to make it happen.

What about you?  Are you lucky enough to get out and about with your hubby for date nights?  How do you do it?   Please tell me and anyone else who may actually read my blog !(haaa haaa)

God bless,
Mary @ Cheerios

Love is...

a call from my wonderful husband to tell me he made it into work OK. 

God knows.

I know.

It's the little things.

Thank You, heavenly Father for the gift of my husband.  May I never take him for granted.

God bless your day!
Mary

It's not BAD if things are hard

Over these past few weeks I was convinced in a deeper loving manner of how when life is hard, it does not mean it is bad.  When things in life may be difficult, it does not mean that it is not worth it.

I have been bombarded by others trying to escape the hardships of their life.  For me, instead I am trying deeply to embrace my hardships, as they are very different from theirs... albeit still hardships.  Knowing that it is God's Will for He either is making them happen or is allowing them to happen.  Either way, there is peace.  Believing that in all things, there is a greater good, even if we do not know what it is at that moment or may never know or may never understand the why's of it all.

The most difficult things in life are usually the ones most worth it.

Our world is craving the easy life.  The life that everything goes smoothly and 'their way'.  Of course, if asked if I'd rather have it easy or harder, my human side most definitely says the easy way.

But, in life, in reality, there is not many easy ways around things.  Life is not easy.  There is no easy way out.

Jesus reminds us of that cross that we must pick up to follow Him.  He has the perfect cross for us, no matter what we may think of it. 

And just because I may be upset that life in a big family and being a mother of many young children is difficult....  Well, of course it is.  But that does not mean that it is not worth it.  


Just as someone who trains for a marathon does not enjoy the pain and suffering accustomed to training long and grueling hours.  The outcome is really good.  Passing that finish line in that marathon is certainly worth it.  Worth it so much, that sometimes that runner may even start dreaming of the next marathon.  Much like the mother who just goes through a hard labor and birth may start dreaming of the fruit of their marital love, their next baby. 

Staying married to the love of my life, my husband, is worth it.

Parenting a big family is worth it. 

Homeschooling is worth it.

Our Catholic Faith is worth it.

The end product, our goal, Heaven, is totally worth it.

Period. 

God bless,
Mary

What do you think he said?

This morning, I had an early run to the food market to buy one of my little big people who is becoming a bigger person tomorrow items for his requested birthday cake...my oldest is turning 11! (wow...how'd that happen?!?!)

A special part of my kids' birthdays is that they get to request any birthday cake they want.  This year, my 'going to be 11' year old son has requested a really really chocolate-y mousse cake.  This is the first for this Momma.  Usually they ask for a train or a bear or the like.  The young man that he is turning into is requesting MOUSSE!  (Just like his Daddy-loves mousse!)

I never ever made mousse before but got a recipe...hopefully an EASY recipe....off the Internet.  I did not have the ingredients so off I went shopping.

At the checkout line, a man that works there, who has a speech impediment with big metal front teeth, apparently thought I was someone else and said to me:

"I watched you walk in and I thought 'Wow!  Now, that is MY merchandise!"

At least that is what I thought he said but thinking that was a bit odd, I asked him again what he said and he said the same thing.  Then he went over to the cashier and told her that too.  He smiled, she smiled and both laughed a little and that was that.

I think I was hit on.  HA!  Don't you?  That sure is a lousy way to hit on someone if he was.  Then again, he could have told me something completely different but I swear that is what he said! ha ha!

I mean, c'mon-here I am :  sleepless, coffee breath, without any of my 7 children, wearing my wedding and engagement rings, (mind you...but then again I guess that does not matter to many people anymore...sad but true, huh?), wearing the best of junk clothes-jeans and sweatshirt, hair pulled back and.... whoops, dare I say again..coffee breath, yeah...I forgot to brush my teeth!

HA!  But still....I think I was sorta kinda hit on!  Funny.  Very funny. 
Smiling is good therapy.

God bless your weekend,
Mary
p.s  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

11 years

14 years of togetherness

2 years dated

1 year engaged

11 years married

and...

7 kids later...

WOWEE!!!

It's been one wild rollercoaster with you~!

And I am so glad that we are buckled in by our Faith,

next to each other.

There's no one else I'd rather be on this ride with than you!!!

I love you so much! (smooooch!:))

 

Can't wait to go OUT on a DATE with you tonight!!!

Fancy restaurant, a glass of wine and time alone... here we come! :)

God bless,

M

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

WOOO-HOOO!!!

I absolutely love community service. I am a big advocate of it. AND as of today, I love being the recipient of it too!!!

In just one measly hour, a friends' 14 year old daughter came over...she folded AND put away my 6 loads of laundry and cleaned 1/2 of my windows!!!

I cannot remember the last time I was completely caught up with my laundry. I am NOT kidding!!! This is a great feeling :) Now I have time tonight to read a book, take a hot bath, or watch a movie with my hubby...or do all 3!

What a change in my attitude in only an hour, knowing those heaps of laundry are no more... until tomorrow. But for now, I am relishing in this happiness ;) ...For tomorrow, there are enough worries of its' own....

God bless,
Mary

Ray & Kid-Bits

Do you know of Dr. Ray?

HERE is the link to the archived radio shows of his "The Doctor is In". I have found his advice out of experience (since he is the dad of 11!) a great source of help and laughter! So, I thought you would too! He is on that radio channel via the internet link every day form 1-2pm.

HERE is the link to his 1-2 minute Kid-Bits- short, sweet and to the point. Just what I can listen to, here and there, when I find those few minutes of 'Momma free time'!

God bless,
Mary

To be loved and forgiven...is a wonderful thing!

My 2 year old, lately, has been well...a 2 year old.

With that age comes quite a lot. Some kids fly through this stage; others have a very hard time. I think that this stage lasts till at least 4 1/2 (but that's just what I think ;). My 2 year old is currently pretty high at the ranks of his outbursts, outrages and tantrums. I always say it's a real good thing he is so cute when he has his moments! We all are trying to use our patience but even that at many times, is lost b/c of a 2 year old! How do they do it?

They drive us totally loony and before you know it, they are the sweetest things on the face of the earth. There are not many things that are as sweet as a 2 year old apologizing, right? The sweet face, those sweet words, the little body that is yearning for the touch and words of forgiveness and reconciliation. My heart melts. Hugs abound. Forgiveness granted.

Then...
He's at it again.
And this love cycle continues.

The love that Jesus lived and died for is wrapped up in spending a good few days with a 2 year old, I believe.

Some of the joy that I see in all this is watching how my other children react to this particular 2 year old. Get this-they do the same thing. They loose their patience with him and react to him, sometimes (well, a lot of times!) with not such nice actions or words. But they are buttered up quickly by his warm attitude of his desire to be loved and forgiven.

Amazing that this relates so much to us, as adults, as children of God. So many times we get out of whack and have an adult tantrum or a flip out or some "Why me?" moments. We drift away from God, thinking that there will be some peace and happiness away from Him. Hopefully that time away is not long and we return to Him.

Thanks be to God for confession.

Thanks be to God for His forgiveness as we have that same desire to be loved and forgiven again and again.

Can you tell I've been to confession today?! ;) Have you? If not for a while, I recommend you get there:) What do you have to LOOSE? That's right, nothing. So, get in there. I promise you will not regret it.

HERE is a brief answer to: WHY GO TO CONFESSION?

God bless and have a great weekend!!!
Mary

Sound advice from an 8 yr old

My 7 yr old daughter and 5 yr old son got married this morning. (On kids terms, relax!)

About 10 minutes later, I overheard my 5 yr old son declare that he wanted to marry someone else.

Then came 8 yr old wisdom:

"You can't change now. You are already married. You can't marry 2 times. Once you're married, that's it."

Wish we all understood this simple fact.

God bless,
Mary

The big 1-0

My husband and I are getting somewhat close to our 10 year Wedding Anniversary. What an awesome celebration our marriage and party afterwards was!!! (People still talk about it! I'm not kiddin'!) It really does feel just like yesterday! Then again, what an awesoem 10 years we've had-6 kids, lots of fun, lots of trials and we made it through them all. What a gift our marriage is-thank You, Lord for my husband :)

I would really like to celebrate our anniversary in style-big time.
Anyone have any ideas out there? It may have to be with our children since babysitting is scarce these days... but that's okay!

Any ideas? I'd love to hear them!

God bless,
Mary

Opposites Attract

I phoned my hubby at work to see how he was doing and if he was awake.

You see, last night was one of those nights. I think 3 of my kids have strep throat (and who know how many more as the week goes on) so you can imagine what my night was. Then times it by 10. It was that bad. Really.

I was able (THANK YOU GOD! really-- THANK YOU GOD!) to take a nap this afternoon so I feel refreshed and awake but I was wondering how my hubby was doing.

He answered his phone cheerfully and well, very awake.

I said "Did you take a nap in your car at lunch or something?"

"No," he said "I ran! Those endorphins are great!"

Once again...opposites attract!
ha ha! LOL!

God bless,
Mary