Just in Case She was Reading My Blog.. ;)

I am really glad Sarah Palin didn't agree with my feelings about Opportunity knocking!

Our Colorado Vacation

Yesterday a boy on Josh's soccer team was telling us of all the fun places he traveled to this summer. Josh said we paid for braces instead of going on a big trip. I guess they are listening sometimes.

Opportunity Knocks

This is the time of year when our friend, Opportunity, comes knocking. There are so many wonderful, helpful, worthwhile, good, and fun ways to get involved with school, neighbors, church, and sports. It never fails to amaze me at all the boxes I long to check on the PTA sign up form. Yes, I want to tutor kids! Yes, I want to teach ESL! Yes, I want to do Thursday Folders! Yes, I want to be homeroom mom! Yes, I'll cut out stuff at home! Yes, I'll work at the fall festival! Yes, I'll make cookies for teachers!

Then, I come back to earth.

Just because Opportunity is knocking, doesn't mean I should let her in. As soon as I offer her a seat and something to drink, she will have my calendar and my mind filled up with every good and worthwhile activity she can tell me about.

I will be happy at first to have a full calendar with not a spare empty moment. I will feel good about myself that I am a giver, not a taker. I will love the fact that I, as well as all of my little social butterflies, have plenty of places to be.

But, it won't take long before all those good opportunities will start to turn on me. I will tell myself, stay up later, get up earlier, get more organized. I will remind myself of everything that every other mom is doing. I will feel like if I don't do a lot of stuff, I am being lazy. I will press on with bleary eyes and a somewhat fake smile until even that fades at home. How many times have I been working on something for my kid's class only to be burning with frustration because that child keeps interrupting me. Seems like I might be missing the point.

I am not saying that I won't say yes to some things, it is my duty to help somewhere; however, I have to be really slow with the yes's. I have to turn off the guilt that wells up when I say no to something that I know I could do (in another life) and that I'd even LIKE to do, if my plate is already full with what I can handle. I can't compare myself with the other mom who can do it. I have to see my own limitaions.

I once read that Jackie Kennedy said, "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much. "

So, this year when Opportunity knocks, I may crack the door, but I am not letting her in.

Salt and Light

"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:13-14

Busy Signal

When I was calling my house from HEB, I wondered why no one was answering. The problem was solved when I was getting ready for bed that night...

One More Anny Post

Too bad the dress doesn't still fit too!

The Last Few Moments of Summer

Now I know how to get her to nap.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.

Our neighbors love to hear us outside screaming for ice cream!

Sophia the Theologian

Sophia as we are listening to an old VBS tape in the car: Why is that song saying God is big?

Me: Well, because He is big. He is huge.

Soph: Why they not say Jesus is big?

Me: Jesus is big too, He is God.

Soph: Is Jofus big? (That would be Joseph)

Me: Not as big as Jesus.

Soph: Mary is BIG!

Me: Jesus is the biggest.

Soph in a baby voice: Baby Jesus is big.

Me: Yes.

Soph: Baby Jesus loves His mama.

Me: Yes.

Soph: Why is Baby Jesus sleeping?

Me: I guess He is tired. (And I would guess He is also smiling at this sweet little baby's questions about her Savior.)

$17

That's how much we paid to see a movie last night. It has been at least 3 years since just the two of us went to see a movie together. Sophia has not been one of those babies that can be left easily. She nursed 24/7 for the first 21 months of her life and she wasn't a quiet and happy nursing baby. And Omar jokes that she has been slow to realize that the umbilical cord is not still attached, so movies haven't really an option for us. Not to mention, when we have more recently had a chance to go out, there has been nothing that I am willing to pay $17 to see.

I am so happy to say, this movie was worth it! We saw, "Henry Poole is Here." A really great movie about faith and hope and generosity. It reminded me that even when it is uncomfortable, I need to step out of my comfort zone to offer a little understanding to someone who may need it. If you get a chance, and you have $17, and you want to be uplifted, check it out!

Our Day

Happy 14th Anniversary to my best friend and the love of my life.
Thanks for always listening to me and trying to understand me.
I love you!

Mommy's Little Helper

Mom: SOHPIA, what are you doing?

Sophia: I am organizing this real quick.

What's In Your Camera?

This image was in mine.

Choose your weapon wisely!

Our Song

What was it that made me cry?

Was it that he remembered our song?
Was it that he actually downloaded it to his ipod?
Was it that he told me to sit down and listen?
Was it the sweet words of the song?
Was it that the song means so much more to me now 14 years later?
Was it that I was listening to the headphones, lost in memories of the past, mixed with the reality of the present, and the hope of the future, all the while with kids running around asking me,"Mom what are you listening to? Can I listen? Why are you crying? Can I have some juice?"

Whatever it was, it was lovely.

Sweet Moments

One thing I've learned is that time moves quickly. When I was a new mom and scared to death, my mother-in-law sent me an encouraging card that said "this too shall pass." The bitter sweet reality is the sweet, happy moments pass away just as quickly as the harder ones. So we really try to take a breath and soak in those wonderful moments, because we see how quickly they pass.

Last night I went out front to see what the older kids were doing. At first I noticed Luke had a Kleenex hanging out of the waistband of his shorts and I thought that was wierd. Then I noticed all of the 4 kids had Kleenex hanging, and I wondered, "What are they doing?" I was thinking I should get out the allergy meds if everyone's noses are bothering them that badly.

Then it dawned on me that the Kleenex were the flags for the game of flag football they were starting. How hilarious is that?

So then I watched the 2 teams of 1 boy and 1 girl laugh and run and yell at each other and try to steal each others Kleenex (which usually meant only part of it because they tore easily) and I was filled with a great sense of thankfulness. It was a sweet moment of family life and I will treasure it.

Wouldn't THAT be Fun?

Josh and I made a 9:30 run to Target last night to try to tie up the loose ends of school supply shopping! We still need 12X24 manilla paper...I am determined, it will be found!

But that is another blogging topic, the point of this is...The teenager checking me out starting chatting about how when she was growing up, her mom did the school supply shopping without the her brothers and her. I said, oh, well my kids think it is fun, so we do it together. The younger kids get their's through school anyway. So how many kids are in your family, I ask.

Well there were 3 brothers and me. I just graduated. About two years ago my mom thought she was really sick and her stomach was feeling flittery. She went to see what kind of a virus she had and the doctors said the male kind!

The cute little Target cashier said, yea, our Christmas pictures look really funny! I thought, yea, hilarious.

So, just a reminder...it ain't over till it's over.

(Seriously, I say that with joy in my heart, really, what a blessing! You would know that God really wasn't finished yet, and that He had a great plan for this little soul. You would realize all of that after they resuscitated your heart, I can only imagine! )

Misfortune

Hannah posted this last week.


Luke followed by posting this.

It is so sad, those are the ONLY two stuffed animals we have.

(Update...Diva Dog and Cotton Candy Bear have been found. They had NOT been put in the garage sale pile as suspected. Dad is a lucky man!)

Here's to 38 More...At Least!

Happy Birthday, Omar! We love you! God bless you now and always!

(Did you know they think you hung the moon?)

Amazing Grace

This morning I saw an interview with the Steven Curtis Chapman Family on Good Morning America. For those of you who don't know, he is a wonderfully talented Christian artist, who has been around for years. He and his wife had a daughter and 2 sons and then adopted 3 daughters from China.

Recently his family suffered a living nightmare. Back in May, their youngest daughter, Maria Sue, was accidentally hit by a car at their home. She died. One of their sons, Will Franklin, was the driver of the car. As he was pulling in, his little sister was excitedly running to see him, and the accident happened.

When I first heard this, I was so heartbroken for them. There are so many terrible things about this situation. My heart ached and tears flowed for all the terribleness. Today as I watched their interview, my heart broke all over again, but I was also filled with awe and hope at the mercy of Christ. They are a family suffering. They are a family grieving. They are a family remaining hopeful and full of faith. They are a family who have opened themselves up to the Grace of God.

I'd like to share with you a few of the life building moments from this interview.

The first moment was when the interviewer asked him what he said to his son after the accident. (He only remembers this because his older boy recounted it to him.) As Chapman was about to drive off with his broken daughter in his arms, he rolled down the window and told his son, "Will Franklin, your father loves you." Chapman said he had enough wits about him to know that he was going to lose one child, and there was a chance he could lose two. He, in his fear, shock, terror, and agony opened his heart up to the Grace of God and told the driver of the car that killed his baby, I love you. Both of his children needed him at that very moment. Both were dying. One was on her way to meet her Savior in Paradise, one could have spent a life in torment, were it not for the unconditional love that was shown by his father.

The second was by Maria's mother, Mary Beth. She said that there have been times when she bitterly said that she doesn't care if she is helping other people with her story. This mother just wants her Maria Sue back. But...she knows that her 5 other children need her and so she goes on. Her oldest daughter is about to get married and needs her mom. Her "baby boy", 17 year old Will Franklin, needs her to help him carry this burden. She also has no doubt that she will see her blessed baby girl again. She has no doubt that she will smell her sweet head again and hold her tight. Faith is believing in things unseen. Her worst fear has come to pass, and she chooses to cooperate with the Grace offered to her, and she keeps going and tending to those entrusted to her care.

Finally, the 3 oldest siblings were interviewed together. Will Franklin said that after it happened, he just started running as fast as he could. He said that his older brother ran after him and tackled him and held him. His younger sister caught up with him and held on too. His older brother said that he wishes he could take away the suffering his younger brother is enduring, he wishes he could carry it for him.

As I write this, I am filled with awe and sadness and inspiration. I pray to God that we can raise a family that will honor Him the way that this family does. Please join me in praying for this family as well as all families that suffer such tragedies.

If you would like to see the interview, please visit http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Why O Why

Why O Why won't my 2 year old nap?

Her eyes are droopy, but she doesn't care.
By 5 o'clock she will turn into a bear.

I tickle her back, I cuddle, I read.
Then I leave her alone, and inwardly plead.

Please fall into a much needed slumber.

I am tired, there is much to be done,
But no, here she is, won't the evening be fun...

(Good luck to my friend that has volunteered to baby sit tonight!)

A Great Tool

Recently, I had the opportunity to sign on with the The Catholic Company Reviewer program. I read about the program at Danielle Bean's website. Once a month or so, we will receive a Catholic book, and we will be able to write a review on our blogs. How fun is that?! I really don't make enough time to read or pray, so I thought this seemed like a great blessing!

My first choice of books was A Pocket Guide to the Bible, by Scott Hahn. I have read some of his and his wife's books and have been to a few of his talks. They are coverts to the Catholic Faith and have amazing testimonies, as well as a great understanding of the Bible and Catholicism. (I also loved the idea that it was a Pocket Guide, so I figured it would be short!)

This little book was everything I hoped it would be, and more! In 79 little pages, A Pocket Guide to the Bible offers a concise and thorough explanation of everything you need to get started reading the Bible, or to further understand how it all goes together. He explains where the Bible came from, how and why Catholic and Protestant Bibles are different, how the Old and New Testaments fit together, and a brief description of each book of the Bible. My absolute favorite section is his "Where to Find..." chapter, in which he gives the reference for all the Bible Stories that I've heard, but don't know where to find, PLUS where so many of the Prayers at Mass can be found in Scripture!

I look forward to keeping it alongside my Bible as I renew my commitment to grow closer to Jesus through His Word.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on A Pocket Guide to the Bible.

Fashionista

At the beginning of the summer, I bought a cute little sun hat. I am no trend setter, but I am a freckle face, and I thought it'd do my face some good to stay shaded. I was a little unsure about wearing something so Hollywood, I usually wear a $2 sun visor from Target. I thought, be brave, it is cute.

In pure 6 year old boy mode, Luke thought it'd be so fun to pour a whole cup of chlorinated water on my hat covered head.

The hat didn't fare so well. My reality is, if it isn't practical, it really doesn't belong in my life. Oh well, it looks cuter on Sophia anyway!

Too cute...I may be Biased

Sophia calls this hairdo, her "tony pails!"