Moving into Advent

We had a blessed Thanksgiving, with a great trip to Tennessee and visit with Clint's family, and yet another picture with the kids' great-grandmother. I'm always thankful for every year that they have her and get a chance to visit with her.
Right after Thanksgiving was Eric's birthday, my first baby boy is now NINE YEARS OLD! Robots & Legos ruled the day, and cake, of course!
On the way home we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent with our friends, the Christiansens. It was wonderful to see them, and we were glad to break up the drive for Gabe's sake.
After we arrived home, it was time to prepare for Katie's birthday, and her Very Special Surprise--A visit from Grandma! She was shocked and thrilled, and we all had a weekend to remember with my Mom. The visit was followed immediately by Katie & Eric's piano recital, which I was prevented from attending by my friend, Mr. Migraine. It received rave reviews from Clint, though, so I am proud of my budding musicians.
Tomorrow we'll be putting off the daily grind one more day with the Feast of Saint Nicholas. Whew, I got tired just typing all our business up, let alone living it. Look for pictures soon.

What happened to 2008-2009?

Maybe you've noticed that there is only one post in 2008 and NONE for 2009. Let me explain. In 2008, at the ripe old age of not-quite-forty, we conceived Gabe(the little guy in the picture). We had pretty much surrendered to the idea that three kids were it for us, but God, with the assistance of a great doctor, had other plans. So, most of 2008 I was nauseous or exhausted, and not up to blogging because pregnancy had become very scary to me due to our losses in this area. So, after teaching my kids less than I should have and taking a nap and choking down a little food, I was done.
In 2009, Gabe was born. That's enough to keep anyone busy, but my busy-ness didn't agree with Gabe, so he was diagnosed as "failure to thrive" and caring for him became an all-consuming job. After we got him back on the road to healthy & thriving, it was time to begin school and start planning on how we would manage to sell our house, as we'd outgrown it. That and the holidays polished the year off for us, and here we are. All the kids are fine, and we've just celebrated 5 months in our new home.
I know a lot more happened in those years, but that's all I can write for now.

The battle of the mommy bulge

I'm back at Weight Watchers and learning as I go. Apparently, I can have a few drinks a week AND go out to dinner once and if I do some tracking, still lose weight. I hate this battle, though. It just drags on and on and on, and the end is so far in the distance I can't even imagine it. My big fear is that this is how my kids will remember me: "Mom was always on a diet."

Anyway, I guess like the spiritual life, I just need to persevere, and focus on the here & now, which is the only time I really have, isn't it?

Busy Time

Is there ever a time of year that I won't be busy, I wonder? The onslaught of what needs to be done right now seems neverending. I just opened my calendar to November, and it's strangely blank. I'm pretty sure I've avoided filling in the things that have come up because I don't want to see how overwhelming my schedule is becoming. This year we've really tried to keep the focus on the kids' schooling, so I haven't volunteered to be in charge of anything, and I've kept my daytime commitments down to almost zero. The kids have been making steady progress, but I've not seen the expected decrease in whining. Well, I guess that's the next thing to work on, then, isn't it?

We did make time for Halloween, here's the crew before setting off for trick-or-treating.
From left to right, we have a Medieval assassin, cowgirl, cowboy, and King of the Nine riders from Lord of the Rings. They had a great time!

School begins!

We're back at homeschooling again. I didn't think we'd still be at it, but God is good, and here we are. Day one was short(the teacher was sickly), today went better. The kids have mixed attitudes. Katie's thrilled to be back, and looking forward to staying on track. Eric won't admit it, but enjoys having a more structured day and something productive to do. Philip is looking forward to reading and trying not to get discouraged when things don't turn out perfectly. Gabe is happier today since we gave him his own "desk." I'm proud of all of them, and so thankful for our new schoolroom(we moved). So, here goes!

One-Year renewable contract

In my profile, I mention homeschooling. This was a difficult decision to make, and every year when I wonder "is it really worth it?" Something happens to remind me that it is. This year, it was my dear darling children asking if we will, indeed, be homeschooling again next year. They looked so hopeful that I just had to renew my contract. So Birdiegirl, Honey, and CutiePie will gather around the table(and in the van, and around the parks and neighborhood) for another year-long adventure in homeschooling. I will endeavor to not look too longingly at the big yellow bus every time it rolls past my house, and focus my attention on the three eager faces right in front of me.

To Do List

I was looking at my "To Do" list, and at my resolutions for the month. There's a slight conflict. Tomorrow's big task is paying bills, and my top resolution is to speak calmly to the children.
Hmmm.
Suz

The Real Test

So far, this tidiness thing hasn't been too hard. This week will be the clincher, for now. My sweetheart is on his way to Houston(plane to DFW, car the rest of the way due to weather, not sure when he'll arrive) and will be there the whole week. In the past, we've been fortunate to still have a house upon his return. This time, will I be able to welcome him home to order? Stay tuned. Oh, this is the first time he's travelled since the kids that I finished the dishes BEFORE they went to bed and was able to really relax after they were all tucked in. I could get used to this!
Suz

It's a new year!

Do you know what today is? Today marks the SECOND week that our family has kept our living areas clean and picked up. We might actually be getting the hang of this. I enjoy staying home now--people could even drop in, and I wouldn't be mortified. Usually I'd make a crack about "it's the little things" when talking about household stuff, but this particular thing isn't little, it's huge--practically a conversion. Really, I'm a clutterholic by nature, but I'm enjoying my tidy new lifestyle. I'm praying for perseverance in this area because a peaceful home is a pleasant place to live out my vocation which can present its own unpleasant moments. I'd better run, I need to put away my books before I turn in.

Suz

Break's over

Did I mention that I was bad at this? It's been a busy couple of months. Quite a bit has been accomplished. Philip is out of diapers, and our stockpile has been washed, boxed, and put away. Not thrown away, but I have my doubts. Eric is on the road to reading. The only thing he gets more excited about is weaponry. That is not a typo. Katie is loving school and learning and gave her very first poetry recitation yesterday. She is also knitting her first project, a scarf for Philip. It's an Epiphany gift. Clint and I are muddling along. Okay, I'm muddling, he's knocking my socks off with his supportiveness of my half-baked endeavors. I'm getting by on a little prayer, a little sleep, and too much caffeine and sugar. If I can increase the first item and decrease the last, I'll have a great 2007.
Suz

What's in a name?

I love names, I really love thinking up baby names, baby or no. Sometimes I think it's easier to choose a name if you've narrowed the field. This is a bad idea for me, as the last time I compiled a list like this(my list of states I won't live in) I really had to eat my words. I'm living in one of those states right now.
Be that as it may, I still have a list of names I won't call my child. Let's start with the bad Biblical names. Cain, Delilah, Jezebel, Goliath, Zerubabbel, Judas, and Dorcas. I really think I don't have to explain any of those. I don't have anything against Dorcas, personally, but I'd prefer the other version of her name, Tabitha. Then there are the bad literary names. This list would be REALLY long, as there are many, many bad literary characters that one could name their children after. Let's just choose one that someone I knew used. Guinevere. It's a beautiful name, but the character was positively faithless.
And I won't be inventing any names of my own, nor using strange spellings of names already in use. And, for some reason, I just can't name any of my kids after cities in Texas(that knocks out Lubbock, Marshall, and Paris) or American mountain ranges(sorry little Pocono and Rocky). I'll try to avoid last names as first names, but since we have a last name that's almost a first name, I make no promises.
I won't do virtues as first names, too much pressure. Besides, if you're an impatient Patience, how can you feel like the name is really yours? My name wasn't so bad until I found out it means "graceful lily." Stop laughing, it's not THAT funny. Virtues and positive attributes make nice middle names, something to which one can aspire.
Oh, I forgot the most important rule of all: absolutely no names that were used for family pets going back a minimum of three generations. Otherwise, arguments between your kids will sound like this: "Yeah? Well YOU were named after Grandma's DOG!" Nice picture. Don't think it can't happen to you, even good kids come up with stuff like this when they get too old for babysitters and they're caught up with their homework. We had a field day with the copy of my sister's birth certificate that had the Male box checked accidentally. I think we had her believing she really might be a boy until Mom & Dad got home.
And while it may simplify things, I don't think naming your child with your last name as their first name is very nice, either. My uncle, Emery Emery(I am NOT making this up) would attest to that.

Looking for grace

I will think before I volunteer. I will think before I volunteer. I will.....
I am in the throes of volunteer's remorse, kind of like buyer's remorse, except I don't have a new car (or house, or anything) to show for it. If there is Vacation Bible School at my parish and if it is even a little bit organized, fun, or educational, it will be by the grace of the Almighty because I am WAAAAAAYYYYYYY over my head.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
I'm taking Him at His word.

Suz

The Blessed Event

On Sunday, April 23, Divine Mercy Sunday, Katie received the Eucharist for the very first time. It was a wonderful day. Back in the pew, after receiving our Blessed Lord, she turned to me, eyes shining, and said, "Now I can receive Jesus every time!" Yes, you can. That look on her face is enough to inspire me to pray for more vocations--everyone should be able to receive Jesus every week, if not every day. And it is my prayer that the joy of receiving Christ never leaves her. God is forever teaching me through the blessings of my children. I can never thank him enough.

Reality Check

It's Friday, and we didn't make it to Stations. So after the kids went to bed, I watched The Passion of the Christ.
My attitude has been properly adjusted.

Suz

The Library

I was at a meeting in a Catholic school library the other evening. We finished pretty early, so when the room cleared out I walked around and perused the titles on the shelves. It was pretty shocking. It's not that I expected all the books to be holy books about lives of saints, or even to teach virtue. There is merit in reading and studying things that are simply and beautifully written because beauty and creativity themselves can give us glimpses into the mind of God. However, I did not expect to see what I did, books that clutter the mind with drivel and openly promote vice. Granted, some of these books have won awards, but I don't believe that every book that wins a secular award should automatically be included in a Catholic library, just as I don't think every academy-award winning movie belongs in every home library(think Million Dollar Baby). I truly believe that it's just another example of lowered expectations in the form of "well, at least they're reading." I've just never been a fan of that viewpoint because if you follow that line to its logical conclusion then you can excuse your children for reading pornographic literature. Vigilance is the domain of all parents, not just those of us crazy enough to homeschool. We should know our children and monitor their interests that we may better "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Reminder

A friend from Pennsylvania called me on Friday. We call each other when we can to catch up and encourage each other. I was still feeling a little sorry for myself as Clint had just returned from a business trip the night before and would be leaving again on Monday. So, when she asked me what was new I told her Clint had just gotten home for the weekend. She said, "Suzanne, you are so BLESSED to have such a faithful, loving husband who travels. You never have to worry when he's gone."
I think someone's getting an afternoon out for golf tomorrow, and a big hug right now.

Suz

That's where she gets it!

I have this funny story about Katie when from when she was four, I think. Anyway, we were at a friend's house for this little co-op preschool. It was Lent and my friend, Cathy, was telling the kids about the Crucifixion. When she got to the part about the two thieves crucified with Jesus and how "the good thief" believed in Jesus, Katie (who was full of questions) interrupted and asked, "What did the good thief steal?" I've always scratched my head and wondered, who asks that? Now, I know. I was just telling my mother-in-law(Barbara) that Katie is reading about Betsy Ross. Barbara told me that when Clint was about three, his grandfather asked him if he knew what Betsy Ross did. Clint didn't, so his grandfather said, "Well, she made the first American flag." Clint looked at him and asked, "But who made the last one?"
Mystery solved.

Suz

Family Un-planning and Naptime

Our children are 7, 4, and almost 2. We didn't space them that way, God did. It took me awhile to figure out why. I nursed each of my children to sleep at naptime and bedtime from birth. Most of the magazines told me that was a bad idea. I tried their way once when Katie was a baby. She cried for 45 minutes, even with the checking and comforting--which wasn't comforting to her, apparently. And it felt so WRONG. After she weaned, I sang her to sleep until she was ready to go to sleep on her own. Eric went from nursing to reading. Philip is now weaned and prefers just being held until he's asleep. I thought everyone did these things. But, I have friends and family members who just lay their kids down when they're tired and they just quietly fall asleep. That's it. No tears, no yelling "MOMMY!" at the top of their lungs, nothing. Some of these friends have their kids spaced quite close together. So I thought, maybe our kids are so 2+ years apart so I don't have to help two of them to sleep at the same time. God truly knows my abilities, and gave me my gifts accordingly. It's comforting to know that Someone knows what He's doing. I, on the other hand, still have plenty to learn. For instance, I tried putting Philip down in the play yard with a blanket and a bottle of water half an hour ago. He's been alternating calling my name(not crying, just with an air of, yoo-hoo, I'm still here) with singing and jabbering. That's why we don't have a crib. I'd better take him down to our napping place.
Suz

The title of my book

I think I'll name my book, The Healing Power of Candy. Now, I know that candy has never really healed anyone, but think about all the kids who've gotten well because they've taken their medicine because it was flavored like candy. Then, look at Philip. He has an ear infection, again. The P.A. at the doctor's office said he doesn't need antibiotics unless he gets worse, just treat the pain. So, we did, for over a week. He's not worse, but he's not much better, either. I'm still reluctant to give antibiotics to my sweetie since he has a sensitive stomach. Time for a natural remedy--olive oil with garlic.

Have you ever tried to put anything in a toddler's ear when he's awake? Not pleasant. Here's where the candy comes in. For a gumdrop, he let me put drops in both ears AND he hasn't pulled the cotton out. THAT's the healing power of candy.
"Then I ate it; and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey." Ezekiel 3:3

Recess

I've heard from my fellow homeschoolers that February is the hardest month. There are lots of reasons, here in the midwest the weather is one of them. The mildness of this winter has almost made it worse. Whether or not the kids can play outside has varied not just week to week, but often day to day. It's really broken the routine of our days. I guess what I mean is that I've let it disrupt our days. I really like to use recess to get things done, and when we don't have it, I feel frustrated, worn down, and harrassed by my precious children. Sometimes I need to be reminded that they aren't my obstacles to holiness, they are my path. I received just such a reminder at a recent women's conference where we focused on the "delicate balance" that our vocation requires. The balance is easier when our priorities are properly ordered. Sometimes, reading stories needs to come before loading the dishwasher. And the best quote of the conference, "Multitasking is not a virtue." Amen.