Monday, May 10, 2004
Intoxicating!
The smell of the oil of chrism used during Baptism. Yesterday, dsN was baptized....a new creation! Born again! What a joyous day! And a day that brings me back to that awesome responsibilities of being a parent and god-parent. (We have three little god-children).
By speaking for dsN, on his behalf, we essentially have to raise him in such a way that he, when old enough, will be able to affirm what we said for him...Believe in God the Trinity, reject sin and Satan, etc. He can only do that if we live our Baptismal promises in his sight, and guide him to ever more live those promises. If we fail him, his behavior will show our words to be false, and in some ways, he will be crippled in his ability to choose God, and choose Right. Big sigh....A daunting task....but on the other hand...
Thank you Lord! It is amazing that I have been chosen, trusted enough to bring these little ones to Christ. With His help, and through His Grace, which he pours out to us through the Sacraments--Eucharist (which I try partake in at least a few times a week) and Reconciliation (which I try to do once every month or two, whether I "need it or not!---tee-hee!) it is possible. But perhaps more than that, through the Sacrament of Marriage. The very nature of this Sacrament makes is so much more possible to raise godly children. It's harder to get a grasp on what "frequent reception" of this Sacrament amounts to. Cause you only get married once....but simply remembering that our Marriage is a Sacrament is a big part of it, I think! Inviting God into our marriage, through prayer and obedience. Thanking God for His presence in our marriage, and in my husband. And renewing our wedding vows physically in a way that is open to life (and lays down ones life) is another huge way we tap into the grace available in this sacrament.
Whoa. I didn't think I'd get this deep with this post!
So, I bathed dsN last night, because it has become a good way for him to wind down before I put him down for his first "stretch of sleep". But only from the neck down....His hair still smells of his Baptism.
Well, after about a month off from homeschooling because of dsN's birth, "School" time is back on the schedule for today...so I'd better go clean up the lunch dishes, and get to it.
Peace
The smell of the oil of chrism used during Baptism. Yesterday, dsN was baptized....a new creation! Born again! What a joyous day! And a day that brings me back to that awesome responsibilities of being a parent and god-parent. (We have three little god-children).
By speaking for dsN, on his behalf, we essentially have to raise him in such a way that he, when old enough, will be able to affirm what we said for him...Believe in God the Trinity, reject sin and Satan, etc. He can only do that if we live our Baptismal promises in his sight, and guide him to ever more live those promises. If we fail him, his behavior will show our words to be false, and in some ways, he will be crippled in his ability to choose God, and choose Right. Big sigh....A daunting task....but on the other hand...
Thank you Lord! It is amazing that I have been chosen, trusted enough to bring these little ones to Christ. With His help, and through His Grace, which he pours out to us through the Sacraments--Eucharist (which I try partake in at least a few times a week) and Reconciliation (which I try to do once every month or two, whether I "need it or not!---tee-hee!) it is possible. But perhaps more than that, through the Sacrament of Marriage. The very nature of this Sacrament makes is so much more possible to raise godly children. It's harder to get a grasp on what "frequent reception" of this Sacrament amounts to. Cause you only get married once....but simply remembering that our Marriage is a Sacrament is a big part of it, I think! Inviting God into our marriage, through prayer and obedience. Thanking God for His presence in our marriage, and in my husband. And renewing our wedding vows physically in a way that is open to life (and lays down ones life) is another huge way we tap into the grace available in this sacrament.
Whoa. I didn't think I'd get this deep with this post!
So, I bathed dsN last night, because it has become a good way for him to wind down before I put him down for his first "stretch of sleep". But only from the neck down....His hair still smells of his Baptism.
Well, after about a month off from homeschooling because of dsN's birth, "School" time is back on the schedule for today...so I'd better go clean up the lunch dishes, and get to it.
Peace
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Cheaper by the Dozen
Because dhP and I aren't sleep deprived enough, we decided to watch the new Cheaper by the Dozen last night. We put the kids to bed, including youngest dsN at 9:00pm, and after the movie, climbed in bed at 11:00pm. I got a whopping 38 minutes of sleep before dsN needed his midnight snack. Again, the title of my blog becomes obvious.
At any rate, we thought the movie was great! I was so sleepy at the beginning of the movie, that I almost would have preferred to try another night (yeah, right....like when I'm NOT tired???). It was great!
The movie was real. The exasperation Dad and Mom expressed after the frog-in-the eggs scene--well, of course if breakfast was ruined and mom's favorite breakables were destroyed, they'd be a little upset! The calm, one-crisis-at-a-time handling of the blood and the puke. What else ya gonna do? It was also real in the sense that no, Dad can't replace Mom, and Mom can't replace Dad! Guess what?! It takes two parents to make it work! And it isn't scandalous for one person to sacrifice for the other, or for a parent to place the needs of the kids ahead of the personal desire. So much of this movie was a gentle slap in the face of "conventional wisdom". The saddest part of the movie for me was when the neighbor kid Dylan asked his parents why they didn't have more kids. His mom stated they just wanted "one perfect kid". YIKES! That essentially says to that poor kid, "We don't like kids (hmm, do they like me?!)" and "Here's a little pressure--you have to be Perfect!".
We have four kids. Our youngest is one month old. We remain open to life, practicing NFP when the dictates of responsible parenthood indicate the need to postpone a pregnancy. Watching this movie helped me to look forward to the chaos, even more than we have now, that more kids might bring to our family.
Lots of morbidly curious, outspoken, (and depending on my mood), RUDE people have asked "how many you gonna have?!", or "you have your hands full" (usually when I'm shopping, to which I respond "And my cart, too, even before I shop!"), and "I hope you're done now!" after only four kids. When asked if we are done having kids, since dsN's birth a month ago, I can--for the first time--peacefully and honestly say "I hope not". It's a real conversation stopper, as they stare at a woman (don't' forget sleep deprived!) who's so recently given birth, ready to entertain the idea of another baby someday!
And though conversations like this one confuse the questioner, I hope it makes them think! I've also been asked "How many you gonna have?" I usually respond with "Hopefully one at a time" as I glance prayerfully and desperately heavenward, or by saying that I will no longer state a number. If I state a high number, I'm committed, and if I state a low number, we'll just look silly when we bypass that number!
Well, I was smart enough to serve breakfast before I started blogging, but now I'm getting the "Mom, I need clothes to go outside" bit. So, more later!
L
Because dhP and I aren't sleep deprived enough, we decided to watch the new Cheaper by the Dozen last night. We put the kids to bed, including youngest dsN at 9:00pm, and after the movie, climbed in bed at 11:00pm. I got a whopping 38 minutes of sleep before dsN needed his midnight snack. Again, the title of my blog becomes obvious.
At any rate, we thought the movie was great! I was so sleepy at the beginning of the movie, that I almost would have preferred to try another night (yeah, right....like when I'm NOT tired???). It was great!
The movie was real. The exasperation Dad and Mom expressed after the frog-in-the eggs scene--well, of course if breakfast was ruined and mom's favorite breakables were destroyed, they'd be a little upset! The calm, one-crisis-at-a-time handling of the blood and the puke. What else ya gonna do? It was also real in the sense that no, Dad can't replace Mom, and Mom can't replace Dad! Guess what?! It takes two parents to make it work! And it isn't scandalous for one person to sacrifice for the other, or for a parent to place the needs of the kids ahead of the personal desire. So much of this movie was a gentle slap in the face of "conventional wisdom". The saddest part of the movie for me was when the neighbor kid Dylan asked his parents why they didn't have more kids. His mom stated they just wanted "one perfect kid". YIKES! That essentially says to that poor kid, "We don't like kids (hmm, do they like me?!)" and "Here's a little pressure--you have to be Perfect!".
We have four kids. Our youngest is one month old. We remain open to life, practicing NFP when the dictates of responsible parenthood indicate the need to postpone a pregnancy. Watching this movie helped me to look forward to the chaos, even more than we have now, that more kids might bring to our family.
Lots of morbidly curious, outspoken, (and depending on my mood), RUDE people have asked "how many you gonna have?!", or "you have your hands full" (usually when I'm shopping, to which I respond "And my cart, too, even before I shop!"), and "I hope you're done now!" after only four kids. When asked if we are done having kids, since dsN's birth a month ago, I can--for the first time--peacefully and honestly say "I hope not". It's a real conversation stopper, as they stare at a woman (don't' forget sleep deprived!) who's so recently given birth, ready to entertain the idea of another baby someday!
And though conversations like this one confuse the questioner, I hope it makes them think! I've also been asked "How many you gonna have?" I usually respond with "Hopefully one at a time" as I glance prayerfully and desperately heavenward, or by saying that I will no longer state a number. If I state a high number, I'm committed, and if I state a low number, we'll just look silly when we bypass that number!
Well, I was smart enough to serve breakfast before I started blogging, but now I'm getting the "Mom, I need clothes to go outside" bit. So, more later!
L
Friday, May 07, 2004
Good morning!
Last night we spent a very nice time with L and G, dh's sister and brother in law, who happen to be dsN's Godparents, and our parish priest. The meeting was to prepare for dsN's baptism this Sunday. It was a great review of the sacraments! You know, I've learned and relearned all the sacramental stuff before (let's see, with First Communion, Confirmation, and the baptism of my three older kids at the least), but I was just struck by the incredible depth of beauty and richness of symbolism that surround our Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Highlights for me....
1. The anointing during Baptism--brings that child in to the roles of "priest, prophet and king" just like kings were anointed in the old testament
2. Though only a few of us are part of the "Ministerial priesthood" (those who have had Holy Orders), we are all part of the universal priesthood, and exercise that priesthood each time we participate in the Mass. Side Note: The new Liturgical norms that has the faithful stand _with_the priest as he says "Pray my brothers and sisters that this sacrifice....." demonstrates this! Lots of folks are upset in the US about the new Liturgical norms, but I am so pleased with the new focus and opportunity to glean additional truth that the new norms foster.
3. The Eucharist--oof dah! Fr. asked what the Eucharist is and why we celebrate it as a sacrament. Let me just recommend a few sources--1 Corinthians 11, Malachi 1:11, Scott Hahn's The Lamb's Supper, Catholicity.com's CD (free btw--just go to the site and request it) by Christopher West Marriage and the Eucharist.
You know, this blogging thing is kinda cool. Maybe no one will every read it but me. But it's nice to do that "Brain dump" thing...so no, if anyone is reading this, I'm not going to be into spell-check or grammar.
The "breakfast" alarm is sounding, and I don't think she can wait much longer....later!
L
Last night we spent a very nice time with L and G, dh's sister and brother in law, who happen to be dsN's Godparents, and our parish priest. The meeting was to prepare for dsN's baptism this Sunday. It was a great review of the sacraments! You know, I've learned and relearned all the sacramental stuff before (let's see, with First Communion, Confirmation, and the baptism of my three older kids at the least), but I was just struck by the incredible depth of beauty and richness of symbolism that surround our Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Highlights for me....
1. The anointing during Baptism--brings that child in to the roles of "priest, prophet and king" just like kings were anointed in the old testament
2. Though only a few of us are part of the "Ministerial priesthood" (those who have had Holy Orders), we are all part of the universal priesthood, and exercise that priesthood each time we participate in the Mass. Side Note: The new Liturgical norms that has the faithful stand _with_the priest as he says "Pray my brothers and sisters that this sacrifice....." demonstrates this! Lots of folks are upset in the US about the new Liturgical norms, but I am so pleased with the new focus and opportunity to glean additional truth that the new norms foster.
3. The Eucharist--oof dah! Fr. asked what the Eucharist is and why we celebrate it as a sacrament. Let me just recommend a few sources--1 Corinthians 11, Malachi 1:11, Scott Hahn's The Lamb's Supper, Catholicity.com's CD (free btw--just go to the site and request it) by Christopher West Marriage and the Eucharist.
You know, this blogging thing is kinda cool. Maybe no one will every read it but me. But it's nice to do that "Brain dump" thing...so no, if anyone is reading this, I'm not going to be into spell-check or grammar.
The "breakfast" alarm is sounding, and I don't think she can wait much longer....later!
L
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Wow...I've been recently intrigued by the thought of blogging...so I take the leap, and set up a blog for myself. Now what??! What the heck should I write about? uhhh.....uhhh...I've never been a "journaler" or keeper of a diary, so this may end up to be a collosal waste of effort. But, my mom has said that my wit and sense of humor remind her of a writer/mom of twins in one of her magazines, and I have to admit, I have my witty moments. And, being a stay at home, homeschooling mom of four kids 6 and under, I rarely have an adult available to impress with my wit! My friend A. (initials will be used to protect the innocent) is usually available by phone, but sometimes I can't find the phone!
OK, so one of my favorite, unwitnessed witty moments (I really impressed myself with this one)....My 4yo ddR (again, initials) placed all her dollhouse dollies in a backpack, and took it to some other part of the house. So I'm in her room, picking up, and noted to myself that all the people were gone...all the other trappings of the dollhouse were there--the beds, the tables, even some of the clothes--"Hmm, I thought to myself.....all the dollies have been raptured!" OK, so I'm a devout, orthodox, Magesterium-loving Roman Catholic...and we don't believe in the Rapture....no offense to those who do.
Most of my posts will be cut short by some little one saying "Mama, I want breakfast now"...sometimes for the fourth or fifth time (it's 2 yo ddE asking right now), but now that I've finished my first blog entry, I think this might be kinda fun!
Oh yeah, the "Sleep Deprived" part of the title of the blog comes from the fact that our youngest dsN turned one month yesterday....yawn...
Ok, that's enough for now.
L
OK, so one of my favorite, unwitnessed witty moments (I really impressed myself with this one)....My 4yo ddR (again, initials) placed all her dollhouse dollies in a backpack, and took it to some other part of the house. So I'm in her room, picking up, and noted to myself that all the people were gone...all the other trappings of the dollhouse were there--the beds, the tables, even some of the clothes--"Hmm, I thought to myself.....all the dollies have been raptured!" OK, so I'm a devout, orthodox, Magesterium-loving Roman Catholic...and we don't believe in the Rapture....no offense to those who do.
Most of my posts will be cut short by some little one saying "Mama, I want breakfast now"...sometimes for the fourth or fifth time (it's 2 yo ddE asking right now), but now that I've finished my first blog entry, I think this might be kinda fun!
Oh yeah, the "Sleep Deprived" part of the title of the blog comes from the fact that our youngest dsN turned one month yesterday....yawn...
Ok, that's enough for now.
L
