Blessings of the Week - vol. 10

The man-its-almost-too-hot-to-move version of weekly blessings:

-1-

I survived this week. Ok, maybe that's cheating just a bit, but this week was nuts. Every single day had 5 or more commitments, most of which included me watching other people's kids. I practically needed a Ph.D. to interpret the carpool arrangements for fishing camp, and still things got screwed up there. But I made it through... and without getting too overwhelmed or frustrated.

-2-

Three successful dental visits. Hooray! We are good for another six months. Everyone cooperated. No one had cavities. And I survived the hour and fifteen minutes in the 4' x 3' waiting room with 2 children at any given time. Now that's a blessing.

-3-

Volunteering at the Food Pantry. My once-a-month evening at the food pantry pushes me out of my comfort zone again and again. Every single time, I come away moved or changed... and still it takes all that is in me to go back again the next month. This week, I was blessed twice: first, by my inclusion in an IT meeting with several volunteers and the pantry director. It's been 7 years since I left IT. Most places would have written me off. But they listened to my thoughts and opinions, and reminded me why I loved IT so much back then.

Second, I assisted a client who told me about his wife, who had gall bladder surgery a week ago. They have no health insurance, and she was having post-surgical complications. She was treated in the ER earlier that day and was then sent home. He hurried through his shopping to get home to her... he was worried about her and hated to be away from her. Over and over, I am touched by the trust that the clients place in us. I promised him that I would keep his wife, Karen, in my prayers. Would you please do the same?

*****

And you... even amidst the heat wave, surely God's hand can be seen?

"I Bet Your Mom Can't Do That"

This week, BigBro is attending a Cub Scout fishing camp. Last night, he came home bursting with joy about the three fish he caught, but disappointed that his new rod wasn't working anymore. With promises to dig out the receipt and get a replacement today, I sent him off to a shower and bed.

This morning, I took the reel apart and examined it closer. I found a knotted tangle, and with some patience and experimentation, I was able to get the reel working once again. When I walked into the mudroom to keep it safe until camp, I saw BigBro's old rod abandoned in the corner. His Uncle had bought him that rod a few years ago, but it also had stopped working, and we'd never been able to figure out what was wrong. It wasn't an expensive rod, so it made more sense to replace it this summer

Armed with my new understanding of the internal workings of the reel, I decided I couldn't make it any worse. Fifteen minutes later, BigBro now has two working rods to take to camp tonight.

As I stored this rod next to the other in the mudroom, I overheard him telling his friend, "My mom fixed two fishing rods today. I bet your mom can't do that."

I glowed. Such praise... wow!

Friend quickly replied, "No, but my Dad could."

Ahhh... the little dose of humility my pride was needing.

Corporate Heart

Because there are way too many examples (globally and locally) of companies that exhibit absolutely NO heart... that are just greed-driven and out for their bottom line at all costs, Pixar deserves acknowledgment for this generous action.

I loved Up when I took the kids to see it a few weeks ago... I laughed, cried, and came away with a different perspective (which is not my typical reaction to animated flicks). I highly recommend the film... this is one family film where the "adult stuff" isn't a bunch of pop culture references and hidden crudeness.

On Cardinals and Redbirds

I mentioned that we have some cardinals living in our neighbor's tree, and spending a great deal of their time in our backyard. Because we live in St. Louis (and are a family of Cardinals fans), we've named the male cardinal Albert Pujols.

We have a lot of fun with that. It always gets a giggle when one of us points out Albert Pujols walking across the driveway, or resting on the side of the pool.

This afternoon, one of Princess' friends was visiting us. Albert Pujols flew overhead, and we introduced the little friend to Albert Pujols.

She immediately said, "No. That's not Albert Pujols. I met Albert Pujols." (She did. She was in a commercial with him a few months ago).

I laughed, and started to explain our little family joke. Before I got any further, she stopped me.

"Jen, that's not Albert Pujols. That's Rick Ankiel."

You Know You've Got Sons When...

"Mommy, can you fix this worm? It's dead."

To make his point more clear, LilBro then drops the dead, dried-out worm in my lap.

Book Review: The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary

Several years ago during Advent, I found a Catholic blog that was well-written, interesting, and full of practical ideas for incorporating our faith into our daily lives. I quickly became a regular reader of Karen Edmisten.

When she shared with her readers that she had written a book, I thought, "I really should read that book. I'm sure it's full of really helpful information." Like so many people, I struggle with the Rosary. I go through periods when I pray a Rosary every day, and then months go by and I do little more than glance at the Rosary beads hanging on the hook in my bedroom.

Karen has been able, through her blog, to help me make Advent and Lent more meaningful for my family. I was sure that her book would help me to better understand and pray the Rosary as well. I was thrilled to learn that I could get a copy through the Catholic Company's Reviewer program!

The book arrived in the mail, and I jumped right into it. Karen writes in a friendly, easy-going manner. This book is a quick read, but filled with tons of information, explanations, and jumping-off points.

I have always struggled with meditating on the mysteries. Karen provides concrete examples:

"You want to pray the Joyful Mysteries. You think about the Annunciation,
the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she's been chosen to be the mother
of our Lord. As you begin an Our Father and ten Hail Mary's, focus your thoughts
only on that scene. Perhaps you wonder what it would feel like to have an angel
appear before you. Would you be terrified? Would you doubt, faint, or scoff?
What did Mary think?

Or you might focus on the fact that Mary said yes to God. This gets you
thinking about the ways in which you respond to God every day. Are you
saying yes, or are you holding out? In what ways are you not giving yourself
completely to him?" (p. 60)

This little gem of a book is full of such practical, useful tips. I particularly loved chapter nine, "Making It Work." Beginning by admitting that prayer is hard, Karen provides the motivation to incorporate more prayer into our days. Several pages list dozens of different ways to improve our prayer lives. (She even suggests praying the Rosary in the shower... that's one I never would have thought of!)

The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary has a new place of honor on the top of my nightstand. It is a book that I have already read twice, and one I know that I will turn to often... for the gentle support and wise encouragement as I continue to plod my way ever closer to the Kingdom.

Blessings of the Week, vol. 9

-1-

CAMP. This week, all three kids attended summer camps. They had a lot of fun, learning and playing with other kids, and I had hours to myself every single day. I was able to grocery shop alone during the day, take a 2-hour nap one day, enjoy an extended Spiritual Direction meeting, and generally tend to household and personal duties in complete and total peace and quiet. It was an absolute gift and a true blessing.

And I can't wait til next week, when we can get back to sleeping in, making lunches at noon, and enjoying my kids all day long again!

-2-

AIR CONDITIONING. This week started out cool and monsoon-y. Wednesday, when the rains finally stopped, the temperature shot into the 90s, and has camped out there ever since. For the first time this year, I turned on the A/C, and I am -- once again -- so very grateful to live in an age (and an income bracket) that includes central air conditioning. I didn't grow up with central A/C. I grew up sweating, tossing and turning all night long in front of the tiny fan in my bedroom. DH is an A/C junkie, and it took some measure of compromise early in our marriage to determine the when and hows of A/C. But when the temps are in the 90s, there is no compromise needed... A/C is a luxurious necessity.

-3-

COMPASSIONATE COUNSEL. This week included several extended painful conversations with some people close to me. There's a lot of muck that I am working through internally right now. I am deeply grateful for the blessings of compassion, truth, wisdom, and experience that I have received (and that I will continue to receive) as I fight the good fight with these internal demons. To all of you wise ones out there, thank you. God bless you.

*****

And you... how has God blessed you this week?

Heaven's Hierarchy

This morning, DH and I were talking about the saints as we made breakfasts and packed lunches. I told him that the second thing I am going to do if I ever make it to Heaven (after standing around in absolute awe, of course) is seek out St. Anthony and give him a big hug.

Anthony of Padua is easily the saint I talk to most often. Never more than a few days goes by without me needing his intercession to find something... library books, video game cartridges, keys. Last night, it was a lost t-ball team shirt, thirty minutes before we are supposed to be at the field for team pictures. Tony never lets me down. He comes through every. single. time.

So, as soon as I am done soaking in the awesomeness of the Beatific Vision, I'm looking for Tony.

Can you imagine, though, spending all of eternity helping people find their lost stuff? How frustrating would that be? How annoying? I mean, really. Wouldn't you just want to say, "Darn it, Jen, put your keys on the hook when you come home so I don't have to drop everything to help you look for them again and again!"

DH figures that Anthony delegates a lot of his duties to those not yet saints... all those "Blesseds" out there. Imagine John Paul II prayerfully bowing before God, enjoying the fruits of his life of service and love. "Yo, JP... get over here. Someone in Boise is missing their kid's homework again." "John XXIII, three lost library books in Racine." "Terri... stop praying for the dying in Calcutta and get moving... Johnny can't find his puppy."

That day of Canonization would really mean something... finally equal footing with St. Anthony and the ability to tell him to stuff it. Let some other not-yet-saint look for the missing checkbook; I'm having dinner with the Big Guy.

Mom-solete?

I have been looking forward to today for the past three months. All three of the kids are in camp this week, and I have a glorious 3.5 hours to myself every day, for five days in a row!

BigBro is doing a week of art and music camp with several friends. He's a camp-junkie. This is the fourth summer he's had opportunities to go to camp, and he's got 4 different camps this summer.

Princess and LilBro are in camp at our parish school. They have a preschool-enrichment camp for kids age 3-6. I know the director of the preschool camp; her daughter played soccer with Princess last fall. Princess went to art camp and Bible camp last summer, so this was just another fun new thing for her.

But, for LilBro, this was the first time he was going to be away from me in a school-type environment for such a long period of time. And he is younger than his brother and sister were when they started camp. After all, he won't be 3 1/2 until the end of this month... and in many ways, he is a young 3 1/2.

We've spent the past few weeks talking about camp, preparing LilBro for the experience. He's gone back and forth between nervous and excited. Yesterday morning, he told me that he was scared. Last night, I thought we might have some bedtime issues, but he was so worn out from our busy weekend that he conked out as soon as his head hit the pillow. This morning, I woke him, whispering that it was time for camp, and he bounded out of bed and into his clothes. He could not wait to leave the house.

We got over to the school and the director was standing at the door. When she saw Princess and LilBro, she gave them each a big hug and told them how happy she was they were there. Both of my kids ran off to the classroom, not even looking back to wave good-bye to me. The Director told me not to worry, that they would have a great time... and I burst into tears.

I was completely taken aback by this reaction. But then, I've never had that "first day of kindergarten" that most of my friends have had: the big "leaving the nest for the first time" moment.

I am totally grateful that I get to stay home with my kids, to homeschool them and watch them grow and learn. I am so very happy that I am the person teaching them to read, to add, to figure their way in the world.

And I am grateful for this week... for the chance to take a break, to step back and give them a different experience, to give myself a different look at our life.

So, while it was hard to leave them, especially without a hug and one last tussle of their hair, I am very happy that they can leave me so easily. As hard as it can be to think about, the whole point of this parenting thing is to make myself obsolete ... eventually, of course. If things work out as we pray they will, in about a decade and a half, our three small children will have been replaced with three responsible, self-sufficient, caring, and independent young adults.

Parenting well is a series of good-byes... good-bye to the helpless infant, good-bye to the wobbly toddler, good-bye to diapers, good-bye to the baby teeth, and so on. This morning was just one more little good-bye in my mothering journey, my path to becoming mom-solete.

Blessings of the Week - vol. 8

This "first real week of summer" edition:

-1-

Getting the pool ... finally ... open! This year, trying to get the pool open has been an exercise in patience and the magic of chemicals. First, the winter winds ripped our cover to shreds, leaving us with a pond where our pool used to be. Then, I got sick -- very sick -- the weekend that we were planning to hook up the filter and get things going with the pool. Finally, the rain and cool weather have just not cooperated. Until this week... when I finally got the right mix of chemicals to bring the pool water to crystal clear and the weather warmed enough for me to get in and vacuum.

We've been celebrating with loads and loads of swimming every single day (even though it's still on the cool side).

-2-

Getting to attend the Archbishop's Installation Mass. This was something I had been looking forward to for about a month, and lots of little blessings conspired to make the afternoon one I will never forget. Truly, one of the highlights of this week!

-3-

Our Family Day at the Cardinals Game. Last Sunday, all five of us went to see the St. Louis Cardinals play the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium. It was the first time we've taken the younger two kids to a professional game. They are still a little young to sit through all nine innings, but it was a great family day all the same. We even ran into Fredbird as we were exploring the stadium, and the kids were able to pose for a quick picture with him! Score!

*****

I hope your week has been as filled with blessings as mine has!

Tugging at My Heartstrings

Last night, a round of wicked thunderstorms blew through our area, starting about 8:30 pm. Within minutes, LilBro and Princess were downstairs, quivering and whimpering in fear. We checked the radar online, saw that the storms were fast-moving, and invited the kids to curl up on the couch with us. DH put on one of their favorite cartoons. BigBro heard the commotion and came to join us.


About 45 minutes later, things were settling down enough that we sent all the kids back up to bed. Our peace was relatively short, however. Just before 10pm, a loud crack of thunder startled us from our evening complacency. And within seconds, we heard LilBro's fearful whimpering growing louder.


DH stood up and collected LilBro from the top of the steps. Cuddling him close, he walked back into the family room, whispering to him, "It's ok. There's nothing to be afraid of. Daddy's here. You're safe with Daddy."


My heart melted.


LilBro snuggled in on DH's lap, and laid his head on DH's shoulder. In less than a minute, he was in a deep, gentle sleep.


I sat looking at the two of them for a few minutes. DH's face was filled with tenderness; LilBro's with contentment. DH caught my eye, and said, "Sometimes I just can't believe that we made this little guy. He wouldn't exist if it weren't for us. It's amazing... you know, that we are able to do that... to create another person."


I smiled at him. This is one of the things I love most about the Catholic teaching on human sexuality. The Church teaches us that sex is sacred because it is the one way that we are allowed to join God in the act of creation.

And DH is right... it is amazing that we have been given this gift... this chance to cooperate with God in creating life.

Unforgettable: The Archbishop's Installation Mass

Today, I picked up the sitters at noon, dropped them and the kids back at the house, and headed to the Cathedral Basilica for the Installation Mass of our new Archbishop, Robert Carlson. I've never been to an Installation mass before, and I put this date on my calendar when it was scheduled in the beginning of May.

I had every intention of parking in the garage three blocks from the Cathedral, but when I arrived there, only those with Archdiocesan passes were being admitted. Hmmm... not looking so good. Street parking is limited, and mostly meters with 2-hour limits, which would not work for this event... promised to be about 3-3.5 hours. I knew that if I were lucky enough to grab a seat, I wouldn't be able to leave to plug a meter.

Resigning myself to the fact that it just might not work out for me, I drove over closer to the Cathedral. Stopped at a traffic light, I said a quick prayer, "Lord, if I am supposed to be here today, please help me find a parking space." Right in front of me, a woman crossed the street, got into her car and pulled out of the space. I was one block from the Cathedral, on a side-street with free parking. Score!

I parked and headed up the Cathedral steps. To my great surprise, I ran into several people I knew from the parish. Unfortunately, there was very little seating that wasn't reserved... and it was all taken. I finally found some folding chairs set up off to one side, in front of a projector and screen. Worked for me... I would be able to see and would still be physically present. About 10 minutes later, after all the chairs were filled, an usher came by to tell us that, regrettably, those chairs were all reserved for the Knights of Columbus. We would need to vacate.

I stood up and wandered back over toward the center sections. I leaned against a column, and chatted with a woman who looked familiar. (Turns out we'd both attended the same lecture a month ago). At least I could see better from here.

About 15 minutes later, a young man sitting in the pew next to me looked up and offered me his seat. I don't usually take those offers (at least, not when I'm not pregnant), but this time I did. It was a generous offer, and very much appreciated by me. I sat down, closed my eyes and began to pray in thanksgiving for all the blessings coming my way today. Within a minute, everyone stood and the procession began. It went on for about 30 minutes. Hundreds of Deacons, Priests, Religious. Absolutely impressive. I saw some familiar faces... our deacons, our priests, some other priests I know. Finally, Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop Burke, and Archbishop-elect Carlson entered and the mass began.

The mass was everything I love most about being Catholic: pagentry, ritual, incense. The mass went on for 2 hours, following the 30 minute procession, and it felt like 45 minutes tops. Archbishop Carlson's homily was unitive and uplifting. I have been praying for our new Shepherd to be the unifying Pastor we so desperately need; my initial impressions are positive, and I will continue to pray that he will be guided by the Holy Spirit in carrying out this office.

One of the absolutely most amazing moments for me was the Consecration. The entire middle section of the Cathedral was priests. During the Consecration, as the rest of us knelt, the priests remained standing... hundreds of them... and recited together, hands raised. I was overwhelmed. It is a moment I will keep in my heart forever.

The mass ended right at 4:00, and I needed to scoot out of there, to make it home by the time I promised my sitters. I was floating the rest of the afternoon, and couldn't wait to get home and fill DH in on all the details. I feel so blessed to have had the chance to attend the mass today. In telling the kids about it, I was brimming over with excitment. So much so that Princess asked if I would take her with me next time. I promised that I would... but we would need to get there a lot earlier if we are all going to get seats. I pray, however, that Archbishop Carlson will have a long and Spirit-filled run as our Shepherd, and it will be quite some time before I have to make good on that promise.

image source

My Little Kitty

LilBro is deep in the imaginative stage of age three. When BigBro was three, he insisted on being called "Sportacus" by everyone, at every opportunity. When Princess was three, she required us to include her imaginary friend, Leelee, in every family meal, outing and activity.

LilBro is a kitty. He crawls on all fours, meows, and curls up on our laps just like our two actual cats do. It's cute and sweet... most of the time. There are times when he uses this phase as an attempt to escape chores or meals he doesn't like. But, his folks are wiser than he is... and that little ploy doesn't actually work.

Yesterday morning, we had a visiting priest for 10:30 mass. He is a theologian, who teaches at the local seminary. While he celebrated mass faithfully, his homily was way too deep and involved for our ordinary little parish. He went on and on... for nearly 20 minutes... in a deep, theological explanation of the mystery of the Holy Trinity. He quoted theologians. He spoke about mysteries of the faith. LilBro squirmed. He climbed over me again and again. I couldn't follow the homily to begin with, and my squirmy lap-mate didn't help my understanding.

Finally, the homily was over and mass continued. LilBro settled down a bit, into the reliable routine of the Liturgy. Again, however, this priest was different. His pacing was much slower, more methodical, than we are used to. By the time we reached the Sign of Peace, LilBro was done... mass had gone an hour already, and he was ready to escape. I whispered some encouragement into his ears, hoping to forestall the inevitable. We got through communion. When we stood for the final prayers, I picked LilBro up, whispered again that we were almost done, and he'd done a great job. He meowed.

I knew then that I'd lost him, and that the best I could hope for was to keep the meowing to a minimum.

When we got out to the car, I asked DH if he'd heard the meows at his end of the pew. Unfortunately, yes, he had. Which means that, likely, so did the priest. (We always sit in the front of the church). I suppose it's the first time he's been meowed at during mass.

This morning, LilBro curled up on my lap again, meowing and allowing me to pet his hair. He had a look of peace, of deep contentment on his face. Three really is a pretty neat age. I admire the honesty of it. When he is happy, you know it. When he is angry, you know it. When he is tired, you know it. And when he is bored out of his mind, you know it.

Lord knows there are times and places where I would just love to meow, when I would love to escape reality and let my imaginary persona express my boredom, my annoyance, my frustration. Alas, life as a reasonably sane adult in 21st century America doesn't allow for such things. I guess I'll have to settle for letting my three-year-old do the meowing for me.

Blessings of the Week - vol. 7

This was a week of illness and recovery, antibiotics, naps, no posts, and ultimately, learning to submit to the needs of my body over the desires of my mind.

Still, the blessings abounded:

-1-

Antibiotics. I think that too often I take for granted the amazing blessing of living in the United States of America, in the 21st century, with health insurance. I was so sick on Monday morning that I had to force myself to swallow every few minutes, and the subsequent swallowing brought on intense, tear-filled pain. A few hours later, in the doctor's office, I received an injection of antibiotics. Forty minutes later, I took another round of antibiotics in pill form. Twenty-four hours later, I could swallow without giving it any thought at all.

DH made the comment that without antibiotics, in a different country and/or a different century, I very well could have died. I don't think he was being melodramatic.

-2-

My kids. This week, they had to endure a 2 hour doctor's office visit (most of which was spent waiting... in the waiting room, in the miniscule examination room, in the waiting room again), followed by three days of being cooped up in the house while I let the antibiotics do their job.

For the most part, they've been cooperative, helpful, and have done a great job keeping themselves entertained while not trashing the house in the process.

-3-

Friends. Friends helped out a lot this week... playdate for all three kids yesterday, so I could get some groceries solo, playdate for Princess today. As always, I'm reminded that the help is there. All I need to do is reach out and ask for it.

*****

Where have you seen God's Hand this week?

Another Reason I LOVE Homeschooling

We've been on "summer break" for about 2 weeks. In that time, we've done numerous field trips, some crafts, lots of outdoors time. In other words, even though the books have gathered a slight glaze of dust on them, I've still been logging several hours of "education" every day.

This morning, I am sitting on the couch, waiting for the clock to tick its way to the time for me to leave for a doctor appointment. I have some sort of nasty illness that has knocked me for a loop, and I am desperate for something stronger than OTC meds to help me get back to being "me."

But I am not alone here on the couch. BigBro pulled out his recorder, dusted off the songbook, and spent nearly 40 minutes playing me one song after another. Then Princess went to find her recorder. BigBro showed her the fingerings for a few simple notes, and she wrote a little song using those notes. She brought her "sheet music" over to show me, and told me not to listen while she practiced in the other room. She was planning a show for me in a few minutes. LilBro is tucked over on the other side of the couch, creating complex worlds populated by cars with their own names and very distinct personalities (is a career at Pixar in his future?). Much entertaining talk, different voices, and giggling is emanating from him.

I see how incredibly creative my kids are, how good they are at entertaining themselves, how well they work together and encourage each other, and I offer up a short prayer of thanksgiving. What a blessing they are!

We are far from a perfect family, and I am very far from a perfect mother. I used to worry a lot that I was screwing them up with this homeschooling choice we'd made. But now I think, maybe not. I see three polite, confident kids, who can entertain themselves without electronics, without adult intervention, without organized camps and activities. In fact, they remind me a lot of myself as a kid. This was what summer was... long, lazy days, goofing around and creating new worlds with my sisters, my friends, my imagination, whatever was handy.

So, here it is... another reason I love homeschooling: my kids get to direct their learning. Now, I am not an unschooler. It goes against my nature to unschool. That requires way more faith and trust than I have. But we live a fairly balanced homeschool life... some areas are parent-directed, some child-directed. And for a few months each summer, nearly everything is child-directed.

Somehow, the learning keeps happening all the same.

Time to go... "La Concerta" is about to start... complete with a program listing the 5 songs I am about to hear.