Garden power!

30. June 2010 · 6 comments · Categories: Around the House · Tags: , , , , ,

It’s amazing how plants can grow in just a short amount of time. Here’s our cucumber and zucchini plants on June 16:

And here they are today:

I’d say our cucumbers are definitely doing much better than last year! I haven’t done any reading about them, I’m wondering if I’m supposed to stake them?

Unfortunetly the weeds tend to grow just as fast. :( This was supposed to be a flower garden box but since I never got around to it the weeds decided to fill the space for me. Blah.  I did get some major weeding done today in other parts of the yard though!

And the 6 and 3 year old ‘helped’ me water and had their own fun:

 And where was the baby?  Why attached to my hip, where else?


on life and death

28. June 2010 · 4 comments · Categories: faith · Tags: , ,

This past week my mother-in-law’s twin sister passed away unexpectedly, peacefully in her sleep. My husband and I are filled with sorrow over it but are thankful that we were able to be with the family during this time. It was healing and strengthening. If she was able to see us all together, I’m sure she would have been very pleased to see so many of her friends and family together like that.

My husband summed it up best by saying: She was a gentle, kind-hearted woman. She cared very much about her children and grandchildren and for all her family.  Though she had a lot of pain in her life, she was always generous and giving. She never stopped giving.

Death is hard and sad but it’s important to remember that it is real and to contemplate it every now and then and let it remind us of why we are really here. Here are some thoughts I felt like sharing:

(June 24, 2010)

We saw her body today.

It looked like her.

But she wasn’t in there (her body)

anymore.

Death, like life, is real.

We are alive, and then

One day, our life here will just

end.

Before babies are born.

they alive but we

begin their life officially

on the day they are born.

After a person dies, they

are alive also. In a

different, invisible way.

I am convinced that there must be some life after this one.

We couldn’t just go through all this for it to just be over when we die.

For nothing.

It has to be for something greater,

or all this would be pointless.

I am also more and more convinced

that heaven, the Kingdom of God

must have some physical existence.

We know it’s not in the sky

or on the moon.

But it is somewhere…

I feel alive, I look alive; I am alive.

One day, I’ll be dead.

People will come and look at my dead body.

but I won’t be there anymore.

I don’t know exactly where I’ll be. 

My soul belongs to God. He gave it to me but I want it to belong to Him.

When I die, I hope my soul will be with God.

I know people left here will be sad

because they will miss my physical presence here.

I’m sure I might miss their physical interaction as well.

But I would be so sad

if people used my death as an excuse to betray

themselves or God.

 If they turned their backs on Him

just because He took me to Him, whom I belong to,

my life would have been a waste.

I hope that my life will point others to God,

 never away.

If I’ve ever done that (turned them away) by my actions or words;

I am truly, truly sorry.

After a time of grieving

 – a good and healthy one-

I would hope my friends and family would continue

living each day to the fullest.

Even an ordinary day, lived for God and with love,

can be extraordinary.

Simple things can be done to the fullest.

Still, I must confess that death frightens me.

And rightly so…

it scares the hell out of me.

It is bigger than me.

It will probably hurt in some way.

It is the most unknown mystery ever.

There’ so much more I’d like to do and see

so much I’d like to show my children

so much more I’d like to share

with my husband and family and friends

I love this life; my family, husband, children…

I am so frightened of being separated from them,

of me losing one of them, or them me.

It would be enough to break hearts.

When we allow God to break us,

He can put us back together

and make us stronger.

I think death will probably be a lot like labor and birth,

except it will be my soul that is being expelled from this body

 into a whole new world.

In a way, I hope (and almost know) my husband will be there,

just like he’s been there for each of our children’s births.

Whether he’ll be on this side, or that, I know he’ll be there.

Helping me relax and stay calm, strong

…let go.

I know that this past week is only the beginning from here on out for funerals.

Life will also be full of weddings, baptisms, laughter but I know it will also

be full of death as grandparents, aunts and uncles…parents…

get older.

I love my family.

 Sometimes, like all families, they drive me a little crazy.

But then one day they’ll just be gone.

And I’ll miss them and want them

to drive me crazy again.

Losing friends will be difficult too…

losing my husband or a child…

that would be the worst to bury a child of mine before me.

Death is scary and sad and devastating; depressing.  

But we cannot let it take us over and fill us with desperation.

God is bigger than death.

Yet death, In Christ, is the only way

to real life forever with Him

So we must trust in Him,

even in the wake of death,

even if the pain is too strong.


Little House books!

19. June 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Learning Together · Tags:

A few year ago my daughter and I fell in love with Laura and Mary and all their pioneer-day adventures. I bought her the first book, Little House in the Big Woods a couple years ago and hoped to eventually have the whole collection. Yesterday our neighborhood was full of garage sales but a book shelf full of books especially caught my eye as I drove by one. I hit the jackpot big time in the way of great books! Apparently the owner was a retired English teacher so I found some great classics and all these Little House books for only $.50! It makes me happy in a nerdy way to see them all stacked up together. I can’t wait till the collection is complete! I love watching our read-a-loud book collection grow!

 


Small Successes Thursday, June 17

17. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Small Successes · Tags: , , , , ,

This past week has had its ups and downs but has been particulary succesful in the way of shopping finds so for this Thursday I’m just going to let the pictures do most of the talking.

1. Finally some shoes that won’t fall of my kids narrow feet or give them horrible blisters!

these are borrowed not ‘new’ but couldn’t leave the baby out:

 

2. A modest and practical swimming suit for a busy mom

I never really understood why it was ok to walk around in water-proof panties and tops that came down to the belly button.

I’m really excited I found these board shorts. I won’t have to worry about wet swim suit wedgies or have to be as self-conscious about my mommy warrior legs (a.k.a  dimply & veiny)

3.  A fun new bunk bed for daughter & son for only 10 bucks!

 I don’t like that it doesn’t match the room deco and colors but it’s fun, sturdy, and the kids really like it

 


Whiney Wednesday indeed!

16. June 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Whiney Wednesday · Tags: , ,

Well it’s Whiney Wednesday again and just when I thought I’d have nothing to whine about my kids proved me otherwise.  (Warning: This list may cause you to be concerned but do not worry, I really do love my children and know they are good kids. )

  1. Even though I went out my way to make an extra special fun trip to the park with some friends, when the park time was over, I had to go to post office and mail something pretty important so I was dishing out all sorts of bribes in exchange for good behavior.  I guess they thought since their fun at the park was over, they didn’t have to be good.
  2. I hate to admit this but I was embarrassed by my own children and their disobedience in front of the clerks, who I should still say were extremely patient and understanding.  
  3. My biggest whine though is that even after a stern raised-voice discussion about the events and my angry feelings towards them and warning to listen and obey me the rest of the day and stay in their beds and go to sleep for a bit, my son still got out of his bed repeatedly and played and then bonked his sleeping sister on her nose and still smiled at me when I came in to check what was going on.

In case you’re wondering just how bad it really was:

The baby had blessedly fallen asleep in the car and so it looked like it would be a smooth in and out.  I asked the kids to stay quiet while I gathered everything together. Did they hear me? Yes. Did they listen? Nope. The 3 year old made a very loud singing noise and guess who woke up crying and scared? Yup; the previously peacefully sleeping baby.  Once inside, there was an automatic sliding door that my son kept playing by and I, and the clerks, repeatedly asked him to stay away lest he get stuck in the doors or pinch his fingers.  There were 2 chairs I asked him and the 6 year old to sit in until I was done.  It was a pretty easy request but could they sit there for just a few moments while I got my packages sent? Nope. I even wedged my son between my legs while holding the baby (who was crying) while I wrote out my address on the mailing form. Did he stay? Nope.  Then the 6 year old tried to help and held the baby for me. Suddenly the clerk asked-is it ok that your kids are outside? Uh, no. I almost cried and knew the clerks were wondering what type of a mother I was.  I wanted to explain to them that I love my children, this was pretty unusual behavior even for them, but their disregard to my authority most especially in public places and stores was driving me absolutely batty!!  Then I felt bad about how angry I got and then got angry because I should be allowed to feel angry with my kids every now and then right?

The other day we were shopping at a different store and I witnessed a mother griping at her children for similar offenses but she wasn’t all that nice about it and used some pretty nasty language. Today, I felt like that mother and I wanted to say some of the same things. I didn’t, at least not out loud. There were other things I felt like doing to my children that would have been gossiped about later on the evening news. But alas, I love them too darn much and I guess I just have to forgive them.  Grrr.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Funny thing: as I was writing this an old acquaintance I haven’t talked to in about 4 years called randomly. Last time we spoke she was having a hard time conceiving and so it was so great to hear her 3 year old son calling to her in the background. As we talked she said that becoming a mother was the best thing to happen to her and it is the best thing in the whole world.  I agreed and added even when they drive us crazy.  She said she figures that’s just part of it and we just gotta love them anyway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Swiss Mushroom Burger Meatloaf

15. June 2010 · 3 comments · Categories: Food · Tags: , ,

My husband loves swiss mushroom burgers. I wanted to make a cheesburger meatloaf but didn’t have the recipe. So when I was looking around for one another idea struck me. It was incredibly delicious and so I had to share it.

Recipe:
2 lbs Ground Beef
3/4 cup Bread Crumbs
2 TB powder onion
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp pepper (or to taste)
Worchestire sauce to taste
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
sliced bella mushrooms

1. Saute mushrooms in oil in a skillet.
2. Mix everything but the cheese together.
3. Spread beef mixture over some wax or parchment paper into a big rectangle.
4. Lay the sauteed mushrooms in the middle of the rectangle and sprinkle with about 2 cups shredded swiss cheese.
5. Using another wax paper (or parch. ppr) roll the beef rectangle into a roll. Sprinkle the top with the remainder of the cheese.
6. Bake in the oven on a baking sheet with the parch. paper at 350 for about 60 minutes.

What are others making this tasty day?


some very picky pants

13. June 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Create, knitting · Tags: , , ,

I’ve been working on the LTK picky pants and keep running into problems.  I thought i was finally getting somewhere but wasn’t paying enough attention I guess….now i get to learn how to unbind


Jesus. Mary. Peace.

12. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: faith · Tags: , , , ,

Immaculate Mary your praises we sing! 

Yesterday, the Church focused in a special way on the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Today we reflect on the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  In these hearts, I have found refuge, consolation, and peace.  My own heart bursts with love for them. 

As a woman, a wife, and a mother, I relate to Mary in a different way than when I was younger.  In the same way that I used to look at my own mom as just that – my mom – so I also looked at Mary as my mother but also just as the mother of Jesus. That is what sets her apart from all women but still she is even more than just a mother.  And in everything she did, she did it with love; pure, beautiful love.

“And she kept all these things in her heart.”

Under her own heart the heart of the Son of God – Jesus – beat along with hers.

She brought Jesus to Elizabeth and John, making her the first person, a woman, to bring Jesus to the world; the first disciple.

With Joseph, she brought him out from under her heart and out for others hearts to be filled with joy at his sight.

In the midst of fear and hiding in Egypt, the baby Jesus brought joy and comfort to Mary’s heart.

At the wedding at Cana, Mary’s motherly heart encouraged her son’s and He transformed the water into wine and we received our first orders: “Do whatever He tells you.”

Then, her heart had to let her son go, out into the world, amongst those who did not understand Him. She watched Him bring love to the world through His own heart of love.  She watched as others came to love Him and she watched as others came to hate Him. 

Then, when everyone else abandoned Him, even those who had pledged to the contrary, her heart broke with His as He gave Himself up to those who hated Him, alone though He was in His suffering, He still knew that there, with Him, was His mother. 

Just three days later, that same heart that had endured so much pain was brought back to life by the resurrection of her Son and her Lord. 

Once He was gone, to His place with His Father, Mary’s heart was there to comfort the ones who were left to wander and hide.  And when it was time, she was there, with the men God had chosen, to share in their ecstasy when the Spirit filled their hearts as He had filled hers.

And from that day onwards, her heart has remained one for us all to turn to for love, comfort, and understanding.  When even those who were chosen to lead in His name abandoned Jesus, Mary’s heart was there; always true. Always pure.

 My own heart has pondered on all of these things. My faith was given to me as a baby and I grew up learning and hearing about it most of my life. The Church that Jesus founded through St. Peter has been a guide and an image of God’s love for me. Like a child, I’ve depended on the Church in this way.  But even Jesus knew that the ones that He chose to lead on after Him were not perfect. And so as I grow in my faith, I realize that it’s not just about the Church. If Her members and leaders fail or abandon me, as sometimes they do, it’s not about them. 

It’s Jesus.

And I wouldn’t know and love Him the way that I do without the Immaculate Heart of Mary.


Whiney Wednesday June 9

09. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Whiney Wednesday · Tags: , , ,


1. I spent about 3 hours today shoe shopping for my kids again.

2. I have a huge pile of mail on my desk to go through and our shredder broke.  (No I do not want another credit card, I’m happy with our dentist, and how the heck do some of these people get my address anyway?)

3. bills.  apparently I forgot to update an auto-bill payment when I changed bank accountsand and so it  did not get paid for 2 months .


A funny story about poop and a loose tooth

08. June 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Totally Random · Tags: ,

yup, I said poop.

So as my side quote of day says, the other day we ate lunch at the art museum and I asked her while we were there if she still had her loose tooth in and she said yes. Then we were walking quietly in the art museum when suddenly she practically yells out, “Where is my tooth?! I can’t find it!” After I calmed her down a bit we started retracing our steps to see if maybe it had fallen out on the floor somewhere. We even got one of the security guards in on the search for the missing treasure. After a while it was decided that she must have swallowed her tooth at lunch without knowing it and so it was probably somewhere in her tummy.

A few days later…somehow we got on the topic of…ahem, digestion. And how what goes in can sometimes be seen when it comes out…and somehow she connected this new knowledge with her tooth that she believed was swimming around in her tummy still.

So she went to the bathroom today and she came out and said, “Well I guess my tooth wasn’t in my tummy afterall!”

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