Published Again!

Buckle Up!
Tips to keep kids safe on the roads

Car seats can be a real blessing and a real burden for today’s moms. The politics of car seat regulations aside, we can all acknowledge that car safety seats for children have saved many lives. Car accidents are the #1 cause of death in children ages 1-14, so car seats truly are a necessary “burden” in today’s society. I say burden for all those moms with a screaming infant buckled in a car seat who wants only mother’s milk, for those who’ve lugged heavy car seats through a crowded airport with several kids in-tow, and for all those mothers and fathers who have braved the experience of taking apart and scrubbing a car seat....
Read more here

What a day.

Today has been another long one.

Woke up at 12:30am to check the one on the floor mattress beside me. Wet again. Take off wet clothes and put wet blankets in the wash. Read some emails and write a blog post. Wander back to bed and sleep a few more hours. Then husband needs me. Help finding clothes, looking things up online. A few more minutes and he's gone to work and I'm back in bed, struggling to find slumber once again.

It was a calm morning. The children happily awaken and make their own cinnamon toast. I prepare the lessons, Q is for Quilt. They are excited to make their own quilt weaving papers, and color the Queen of Heaven. Music plays, they dance and sing. They prepare for a mass in the living room. Our friend will be the priest, the books and candles are all laid out. After "mass", everyone gobbles up their quesadillas and devours some popcorn for dessert. Ahhh, I sigh in thankfulness that the day is going well.

But I sigh too soon. Before long I have screamers refusing to do schoolwork, castle-wreckers, face-slappers, with bats and golf clubs chasing through the house. Dolls are put up high, cars are hidden, Time outs are completed, chores are given. Time to clean up the tornado which has ensued.

"He's coloring on the furniture!" Ah, to top it off. We are nearly done tidying up and baby doesn't understand. He screams to get the marker back; I just hope it is washable! I run for the wet wipes. One quick swipe and the damage is undone. Oh, where is the wet wipe for my home? The wet wipe for my discipline issues? The wet wipe for my anxiety and fears? Can I wipe away the ugly voices I made earlier today? Can't I wipe away the nightmares which have faced my friends in past months? One quick swoop and the house is clean?

I long to start anew. A fresh day with new attitudes, new joys. To dream new dreams and hope new hopes. I remember that sacrament that first wipes the sin away, and the other that continually washes us, offers us another chance to start again. How we are blessed in those experiences of God's grace both in the sacraments, and in the little daily opportunities to love and learn....

After our tidying duties were complete, furniture marks were wiped away, but cabin-fevered children decided to start karate-kicking each other, using sofas as diving boards, and soon began a parade with tupperware on their heads and pitchers as shoes. After our little friend went home, I gathered up the children, finding missing socks and warm coats. I ushered them out to the van so we could finally run some errands, fill the fridge, get some dinner.

The van was dead. And Daddy was not coming home tonight. I'm sure many of you have felt that helpless feeling that comes with being stuck at home car-less, but for me it was just too much for this day. I locked myself in my room for a pep talk with Daddy, and came out ready to order pizza and give some baths. But when the pizza place claimed 1 1/2 hours as the delivery time, I rolled up my sleeves and spent an hour over the stove making dinner.

It took all that was in me to keep my eyes open long enough for all the children to fall asleep. What a day. But tomorrow is a new one, a fresh slate. New opportunities to love, new chances for grace. It couldn't possibly be worse than today, right? Help me remember, Lord, to start in prayer, to be patient, to be present, to be the best mom I can be...only with your help.

Santiago Jose, Child of God!

Memories from our Godson's Baptism, February 6th, 2010
St. Mary's Catholic Church, College Station, Texas

With his Mommy and Daddy


Big brothers looking on


Baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!


Lighting baptismal candle from the Easter candle


May your light always shine bright with Christ's love, Santiago!


Family with Fr. David


Godparents with Fr. David and the newly baptized


with Godmommy


awake baby


The Godfamily


Our good friend Marie visiting from Argentina with her beautiful cherubs, Juan Pablo and Clara Lucia


Isn't he just utterly delicious?


Mary Clare, the big Godsister!


going wild on the big boys' fort bunk bed!


trying to calm the kids down with Snow White, while the dads enjoy some kind of internet video


Kids having fun in the schoolroom


worn out from such a big day!


My poem for Santiago Jose...

A newborn little baby,

Who we are so blessed to know,

And we’re proud to be your godparents,

To pray and watch you grow.

You were made in God’s own image,

Grew quite close to mother’s heart,

Now you’re here for us to meet you,

His newest work of art.

After two whole weeks of living,

Now it’s time to bless your soul,

Here on February 6^th,

You now will make this greatest goal.

You’ll be baptized in the water,

Be anointed with His love,

You’ll be prayed for and be blessed,

By our Creator from above.

You will grow up in the knowledge,

That you’re a child of the King,

You’ll know God loves you deeply,

It’s by far the greatest thing!

And you’re loved by your own family,

By your godparents you see,

That we’re always going to pray for you,

To grow up so to be

A child full of love and laughter,

A teen who knows God’s only Son,

A man that’s passionate, creative,

A saint who learns just how to run…

Run into God’s arms to meet him,

Every day and every night,

Knowing he’s the one who shows you,

Every wrong from every right.

And until our lives are over,

And our work on earth is through,

Oh little Santiago,

We are always here for you!

First Friday and Valentine Party

Must start with a photo of the adorable Valentines my mom made for the kids (which I'm stealing from their website because I forgot to photograph the fantastic creations). They were all unique and special. Here are Steven Joseph's...


We enjoy making our Valentine boxes, and this year got to add Steven Joseph's. He was so excited to join in the Valentine fun! We also made a box for one of the siblings of little Augustine. Our group came together to make some wonderful Valentine gifts for this grieving family.


I think SJ has more fun than the "real" preschoolers at Pray & Play! Here he is stamping


Making a Valentine for Daddy!


Ellie working hard...


Now to the party at the park! And if you're wondering, no my kids weren't eating the healthy sandwiches. We enjoyed the 50 nugget Superbowl Special from McDonald's. The kids were a bit overwhelmed by that big a box of nuggets, which were all eaten by the end of the day!


SJ admiring all the other boxes before he got his own back, filled with treats!


The highlight of his day....





"Mommy! Wet! Clothes off!"
I had to strip him down and cover him in the stroller. Then he fell fast asleep :-)

Mary Clare is ready for her turn to pass out Valentines!


With her girlfriends


MC and lots of her 1st grade friends!


The Valentine boxes for the S family. I hope they brighten their day a little...


It was a beautiful Friday followed by a beautiful weekend. More photos to come!

Life begins. Life ends.

Tomorrow morning our friends and their 11 remaining children will bury their little 2 year-old, Augustine. At the same time, a few hours away, we will be welcoming a new member to the Catholic Church through baptism, Santiago Jose. We are honored to serve as the godparents of this precious baby and will take on the serious responsibility of praying for him and encouraging him in his Catholic life.

As our friends travel south to the funeral mass and burial, we will be traveling north to our college town where little Santiago will be baptized at the vibrant church where we were married. Both these holy Catholic mothers will entrust their sons to God. One will never see her son again this side of heaven. The other is beginning a journey as mother to 4 little sons who are being raised and formed in one of the most disciplined, simple, holy families I have encountered.

One mother says goodbye, while another says welcome. But these two mothers have so much in common. They take their duty to their children seriously, homeschooling them and educating them in the Faith and in the study of the beautiful world our Creator has given us. They both have welcomed many children in a short amount of time, and exhibit a true peace and confidence in their vocation to motherhood. Such holy families who I have so much to learn from!

Augustine's mother has been a real example to me as a young mom, she came to visit me in the hospital soon after I had Steven Joseph, even though we hardly knew each other. She had little 6 month-old Gus and several of his older sisters with her. I was struggling after the doctor had seemed discouraging about our hopes for several more children with my history of c-sections. When she arrived during this difficult time, it meant so much to me, especially since she herself had delivered 7 children (now 8) by cesarean section. She gave me the hope that I needed at that moment and for that I am truly grateful.

Little Augustine was also close to my heart, because he was born just a few months after I had miscarried a baby whom we named Augustine. I know he was so precious and loved as each of his 11 siblings are, and I know the loss must be terribly profound, horribly deep, and so, so difficult for all in their family.

And so tomorrow while we watch little Santiago as he is anointed, as he is blessed, as his soul becomes pure and white and beautiful, I will remember. I will remember that life is short. I will remember that baptism is the greatest gift we can give our child. I will remember that our children are on loan to us from God. I will remember to treasure every moment. I will remember to try harder each day to be a better mother.

I pray I can do as good a job as these beautiful mothers. Raising children to be saints, to love to know to serve God, and to spend eternity with him in Heaven...that is what this short life is about. May we all find solace in that Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice that we might attain this goal. And may we find HOPE in eternity, even when that eternity calls our loved ones so soon. Please keep both these families in prayer tomorrow. Thank you.

"May the angels lead you into paradise: may the martyrs receive you at your coming, and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem..."

7 Quick Takes Friday

7 Quick Takes from my week...the science museum and my birthday!

~~1~~
We attended the Free Afternoon at the Museum of Natural Science
(every Tuesday after 2pm!). Ellie was not so thrilled about the dinosaurs. She was sucking her two fingers most of the visit. Not sure if she was tired or scared, probably both.


~~2~~
Mary Clare loved it.
The exhibits were closer to her level, and of course she enjoyed spending time with her friends too. She and Ellie are watching a giant pendulum in the 2nd photo.


~~3~~
Steven Joseph was fairly content in the stroller for most of the visit,
thankfully...since our little friend C was with us, as well as 7 other children under 7! Here he is by the dinosaurs and the African animals.


~~4~~
Today (Thursday) was my birthday!
I'd been craving this special bakery cake. Someone bought one for Kelly's baptism and she asked that they serve it at her funeral reception. In her honor, I indulged today! Buttercream frosting, yum!

My mom also made some special mini-cupcakes, not knowing my cake obsession would also need to be fulfilled. Thank you, Mom!

~~5~~
Me with my favorite little people!


~~6~~
Oh how I love kid gifts!
Here is a homemade card and old Christmas card (from '05) that MC made a frame for, with some scrapbooking supplies she got for her birthday.

Mary Clare had been saving this jewelry box and ring holder for several weeks in her room. It belonged to my grandmother. Inside the jewelry box were coins from her piggybank to help buy my cake.

Ellie gave me a Miraculous Medal necklace (which came with a donation petition in the mail last week :). She wrapped it in tissue paper with a sparkly "B" painted on the top in glitter glue.

My parents gave me a generous Apple gift card, which I'll be able to use in a few weeks when my cell phone plan runs out and I get an iPHONE!!!!


~~7~~
All of us were "off" today but Steven Joseph gave quite a performance
running around the barbecue restaurant. Twice he made a dirty diaper, and he even got lost once. Here's where he wanted to spend his time...


Hubby then came home tonight with a gorgeous bouquet and grilled a wonderful dinner for us, followed by some more RJ Goodies cake. What more could I ask for?

I am one blessed mama!
Read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary!

A Heavy Heart

Our homeschool group has experienced yet another profound loss. One of the families in our group lost their 2 year-old son in an accidental drowning in their backyard pool yesterday. Please keep this precious family in prayer as they deal with this terrible tragedy :***(

Mini Me

Blair in 1st grade~~~~~~~~~~Mary Clare in 1st grade

Homemade Playdough

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 4 teaspoons cream of tartar (I only had about 1 tsp, but it worked fine)
  
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon of food coloring

Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over a very low heat until it turns into a dough--it’ll take just a few minutes. Knead the dough on a floured surface until cool enough for kids to touch. Have fun! (You could also wait until the kneading stage to separate and add the food coloring).