Omar's Movie Pick

I am starting to think maybe you should let 13 year old boys watch ridiculous, inappropriate movies so that maybe they will get them out of their systems. Otherwise, you might have faithful, hard working, loving, totally responsible late-30's men saying one of their favorite movies is "Dodgeball."

Now She is a Moderate

I am sorry to keep posting about Sarah Palin, but Sophia keeps cracking me up with references to her.

The other night, out of the blue, she told the other kids her baby doll's name was Sarah Palin. They cracked up and Josh asked her who Sarah Palin's friend was. She said "Obama."

Richly Blessed

This morning at prayer time in the car, Sophia said, "Mommy, thank you for staying home with me."

I am so grateful that I've been able to spend these 13 1/2 years at home with my kids. God has richly blessed us, and my husband has sacrificed a lot to make it possible. When I say richly blessed us, He has not blessed us with riches, but with clarity that we were doing His will for our lives. I drive an old, squeaky van, and I pick up my kids in my old jeans and old tennis shoes, but I am rich in other ways. I love being able to bring them their homework when they forget it, and being there to pick them up after school to hear all about their days and who said what to whom. I enjoy taking care of my family and making a home that is a resting place for them. Even though I gripe about it, I take pride in a clean, cozy house, and I love making lunches and folding clothes for my beloved family.

Being a mom will always be my number one job, but I think change might be on our horizon. I think the end is near for the chapter in my life called, "Thirteen years, Five kids, One Income." As I ponder the next chapter, which will hopefully be called, "Owning a Car That Has Less Than 140,000 Miles," or "Actually Being Able to Afford the Braces We Are Putting On Our Children's' Teeth," I am struck with fear and guilt, and a hint of excitement. Change is always scary for me, but it can be good, even great, if it is the will of God. I am most worried about my kids and how this change will affect them. Especially my little Sophia who would have to attend a full 5 day a week pre-school/day care program if I get a full time job. I am thinking of getting my Teacher's Certification for a few reasons. I really love kids, all kids, and I love the idea of getting to share some of the lessons I have learned as I've raised my little ones. I also think, if it is time for me to work, teaching is the best job because it is not year round. In a dream world, I could even work at the school that some of my children attend. We will see how God works it all out, but I just thought it was ironic that I have been contemplating this change all semester and this morning Sophia told me, "Thanks for staying home with me." I could interpret this a million ways. Instead, I think I will just take it at face value and I will just be grateful for what I have been given.

I know that God will lead us. I know that He will see us through. I know He loves my kids even more than I do and wants what is best for them even more than I do. I know that He doesn't want me to be afraid or full of guilt. He wants me to rejoice and trust. "For this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Swimming Against the Current

In our school district, right now, there is a battle being fought over a book that the school district has deemed appropriate for middle school children. The book is appalling to put it mildly. At least 2000 parents disagree with the school district and are trying to come up with some safeguards for their children. We all know that we are living in a culture that seems to want children to grow up way too soon, and maybe even in an unhealthy, certainly less than holy way.

Thankfully, there are some creative and faithful people trying to swim against this current! Recently, Josh and I were lucky enough to get a copy of Catholic, Reluctantly by Christian M. Frank from The Catholic Company Reviewer Program. The book focuses on a group of 7 high school kids who are a part of a newly formed Catholic High School. The authors (Christian M. Frank is not one person, but a group of young adults) write a clever, complex, and captivating novel about these young people and their journey of faith. It is not a rose colored, sappy novel, but one that is intriguing and interesting. Each character is developed realistically and sincerely. Josh (13) and I both enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series. (It may not be appropriate for all 13 year olds, I suggest parental guidance...as always.)


This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Catholic, Reluctantly.

How You Know Your Husband Talks About Politics Too Much

You know your husband talks about politics too much when your 3 year old walks into the room while you are watching a FOX news interview and says, "Oh, it's Sarah Palin. What is her friend's name?"

(The friend she was referring to was John McCain, of course.)

Doldrums and Sarcasm

You know 10:30 PM is really too late to start typing a post, but there are so many words floating around in my brain. Life sure has kept me from my therapy, i.e. blogging, recently. One of the crazy things I've been doing is trying to find out more info on saving money on groceries. Apparently it is a science. If any of you have any secrets about coupon sites, gathering points, or how to get something for nothing, please share. I have spent so much time filling out surveys, so that I can get their extra special coupons, only to be disappointed because I don't have the tenacity or patience to hang on to the very end. Usually I just waste time and give out way too much information.

We also decided, since we had 1 extra hour this past weekend in between soccer games, to rearrange 3 different rooms for the umpteenth time. You know, I am not actually a huge fan of change. My husband, on the other hand, comes from a family with 5 kids, and and he is a pro making things fit. He has been trying to teach me the value of opening my mind to this art form for 13 years. In the end, after the heated discussions, it is almost always better. (Except for the time I was pregnant with my fifth child and living in a two bedroom apartment with the other 4 kids while our new house was being built, and he rearragned things while I was at a mom's day retreat. Not that I hold onto past issues or anything.) It usually drives me mad as we think about every single possible arrangement, then we start to make progress, and then usually have to stop for 5 days until we can get back to it.

Then there is the tired issue. By the time the last child is in bed, I tend to collapse onto the couch, saying I'm just going to sit down "for a minute." Every day I have these ideas about going to sleep at 9. It never happens. I miss the days of lights out for everyone at 8:30. In my fantasy world, I would be disciplined enough to go to bed on time, wake up early so I can have a few moments to gather my thoughts, maybe even pray, imagine that, before everyone is up and at me. Maybe some day I will become the person I want to be. Instead I find myself having a little late night chocolate and/or caffeine snack for one extra energy push, then waking up the next morning after my over achieving daughters are up, only feeling like I am trying to catch up all day. I guess I am going to just keep trying. There is a place in scripture, somewhere in the Old Testament, that says the just man falls 7 times, but keeps getting up and trying. Lord help me to keep getting up...I think I am way past 7 times.

Hope, Even in the Midst of Being Baffled

So, I was disappointed by the outcome of Tuesday's elections. I honestly don't get it. I in no way mean this post to be mean spirited, I just sincerely have questions about why an overwhelming majority of Americans voted for Obama. Our freedom of speech and our freedom to disagree are some of the most sacred rights we are blessed to have in this beloved country. I even think the ebb and flow of power between parties over the years is probably very necessary. But how in the world does a man with his history and his convictions get elected President of the Free World. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, especially when it comes to politics, but I do listen to the facts being presented.

Hands down Obama is much more captivating to watch and listen to. His speeches are inspirational and encouraging. He is young, attractive and vivacious. He is intelligent and charismatic. Yes, he would make a great prom king, but this isn't high school.

1. He has a position about life that I strongly disagree with. He is not a friend to the unborn baby. I could go on and on about this topic alone, as the plight of the unborn child is closer to my heart than any other "issue." Will God continue to bless a nation that hit its "low" number of 1.2 million abortions in 2005? We allow over 3000 babies to be destroyed, quite horrendously, within their mothers' wombs everyday. How is this not another holocaust? Yet, it is legal in our country and supported by our new president. And will he be there saying "Yes, we can," to the young woman that mourns her child and has to spend the rest of her life dealing with her decision?

2. He has no apologies about being a member of a church who's pastor screams hate speech to his congregation.

3. He talks about taking money from the "rich" and spreading it around and will not discuss how this is different from socialism.

4. His grandma from Kenya had a slip of the tongue and said that he was born in Kenya, which if true, would make him ineligible to be the POTUS. He has failed to show his birth certificate, even if it is just to make us feel better.

5. He has had close associations with a terrorist.

My husband could list many more concerns, but these are the few big ones that came to my mind.

So, I'll say it again...I don't get it. But, I will have hope in God. I trust that He can take a bad situation and bring good out of it. I will respect the office of President of the United States and I will respect my new President. Our family will continue to pray for the soldiers, our enemies, the President and an end to abortion as we do every night. I will also use this as a wake up call to stop being so quiet about how I feel about abortion.

May God bless our beloved America.

Spooky

Here are my scary monsters...

Sophia admiring her stash!