Winter-time Seven Quick Takes

1.

 

Winter - at least it can be pretty and there's hot tea

 

 

 

A little late posting this week...I'm not being a very faithful blogger as of yet, I'm afraid. 

 January has been so bitterly cold this year but we've felt the warmth of blessings and minor miracles.  Wednesday, the 22nd, we awoke to frosty windows painting lace etched designs with soft strains of morning sun shimmering through.  It was enough to remind me of God's presence for a brief, quiet moment.  Before "mom this or mom that".  Our morning went as usual - hustle and bustle of breakfast, teeth brushing, gathering backpacks and quick morning prayers. Before long we were dressed, bundled up in wools, scarves, gloves and ready to leave for our day.  We discussed the March for life and how much colder the marchers must be!  We decided to try to make some form of participation with our brothers and sisters in DC (as well as our own state capital gatherers).  Prayers were offered for the pro-life warriors and we began thinking of a sacrifice we could make to offer for the intention of protection of these littlest lives.  The following video is stirring and will make you feel so proud of our Christian brothers and sisters fighting the good fight!

 

This was one of our 9 buses that went from our diocese

 

2.

 

When I remember to thank God again

 

When evening fell and we were all gathered back at home we decided to try to pull up some of the coverage on the internet.  So after dinner and dishes we went to you-tube and found that a big theme this year was adoption.  It was an  eye-misting-surprising- lump in the throat moment when MT says "our whole family is here because of adoption!"  As if she had just then realized that ;).

It's true, all four of these children of mine were inside an abortion clinic at one point or another in-utero before being saved by compassionate, praying people who helped the birth mothers see that there was another solution.  I still try to remember to pray often for their birth mothers.

 

 

3.

 

They do grow fast - live every moment

 

My twins, MT and JP, turned 9 last Friday.  They are the "babies" of the family.  I am now realizing that my mother definitely knew what she was saying when she kept telling me how fast it would all go once all of them were past 5.  We had such a fun birthday night out for them - the whole family.  It will always be a special memory!

I love this quote about motherhood... so true

 

(found on Pinterest)

 

 

  

 

4.

 

A Latin Mass

 

My dad had his 73rd birthday earlier this month.  He wanted nothing as far as gifts go.  He simply requested his favorite dinner (mom's famous enchilada dinner - special recipe passed down from my beautiful Gram).  He also asked if someone or anyone would attend a traditional latin Mass with him at the one parish that offers this on Sundays.  I told him I would attend with him as my gift to him.  Last Sunday dawned cold but bright and sunny and we made the little trek over to St. Anthony's parish in the downtown area.

Wow.  It was a longer Mass than usual but how beautiful!  I felt the majesty and transcendence of Jesus sacrifice on Calvary very powerfully.  I got a little emotional a time or two.  I was lost, yes, in trying to follow the missal, but I found that I was okay with that. 

 

5. 

 

Intercessory Prayer

 

.It's difficult at times, but worth it, this daily intercession. I don't doubt the power of prayer too often anymore.  I, like every mother, have my hands completely full but daily prayer for my family is like oxygen.  Totally necessary.  And how efficacious.  Help is at the ready and Heaven is near. We are all loved beyond our ability to comprehend.  Believe me on this.  I will relate experiences at a later time.

 

6.

 

Family Dinner

 

 

 

These are not my Gram's (or Mom's) enchiladas, nor her special sauce, but these are very easy and good for a warm, ready dinner straight from the slow cooker:  layer in chicken breasts, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, a bit of water, shredded cheese, green onions, and a little cilantro.  I cook it on low 7 hours, fork shred the chicken, and serve it with soft tortillas, and either chopped avocados on the side or Spanish rice.  Pinterest inspiration.  I love that time-wasting site too much.

 

7.

 

Maintaining Peace of Heart - a crucial daily battle

 

This is a quote from the book entitled Searching For and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Phillipe...

 

"Very frequently, spiritual combat consists precisely in this: defending one's peace of heart against the enemy who attempts to steal it from us."

 

Have you ever noticed how many things come at you in one day?  How many poisonous thoughts, unkind people perhaps.  How many situations seem to become ridiculously / unnecessarily  complicated and stressful?

 

Take a deep breath and don't let yourself get sucked in.  If you do, when you realize it, look up and out, and say a quiet prayer.

 

My particular favorite is "Mary, Take Over". 

 

 

Cover yourself and your family everyday with prayer.  They are worth it.  Don't let red-legs have your inner peace.

 

God Bless.

 

 

Linked with Jennifer at www.conversiondiary.com

 

 

7 Quick Takes

1.  

 

The January blahs have settled into some of the hearts in this family, as expected, but it isn't the children.  It has been me this week.  I'm urging myself on to taking cues from them as to how to keep seeing each cold, sunless, day as a day filled with life and potential - anyway.  In that effort, I've made a list each morning this week of all the things I love during morning prayer/quiet time (the Magnificat is a beautiful prayer booklet). I've tried more to allow the nice moments to sink in rather than rushing ahead thinking of the next minutes or hours or days. 

 

But I do love to plan the day in that early morning hour also, so there was compromise there.  I love watching the dawn creep in each morning, sun or no sun, while sipping that first cup of hot coffee ( w/ vanilla creamer).   I also really love the fresh hope of a new year. 

2. 

After morning Mass with the kids' school at our parish yesterday morning, I was on my way back out to the van when a nice woman put her arm around my shoulders and asked how our Christmas was.  I replied in the affirmative and she said how she always prays for me and my beautiful children.  I don't know her really at all except we are somehow connected because of our attendance at morning Mass and our parish family activities.  I was grateful all over again for the Church.  The rest of my day carried that blessing.

 

3.

The same morning as I arrived at my school, less than 1/4 of a mile down the road from our parish and my children's catholic school, I was unlocking the door to go in and get ready for the students.  But I stopped in my tracks and had to pause to listen to the gorgeous bells from the church playing a sublime hymn.  It was ringing out over the valley, across the field, through a neighborhood, and right up through our school playground to the entrance doors.  It was a moment to savor.  Again, I was so thankful for faith, life, and the Church.

 

4.

This gem has been my meditation these early mornings this first week back into the bustle after the peaceful Christmas holiday...

 

(pinterest photo)

 

5.

 

I heard Fr. W. say today that Christmas goes on through Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord.  Perfect, because I still don't have our tree taken down or the ornaments packed away.  I'm not behind at all. 

Speaking of keeping up, my January project - the closet/mudroom - is coming along well.  I can already breathe better just imagining an end to that closet chaos.

 

6.

I love Disney movie soundtracks way too much - ridiculous really.  But so much fun to sing along with while cleaning or puttering around the house.  I think it goes back to my high school/college days when I did show choir musicals.

 

This is from "Frozen"  (which the girls loved and the boys tolerated).  My little niece (Goddaughter) kept calling it "Freezing".  

 

 

I don't know, when she sings "open up the gates!", I just want to put my face to the sun and throw up my arms :)

 

7.

Chin up

 

God bless you and keep you in 2014.

 

This is linked to the 7 Quick Takes at www.conversiondiary.com



Thawing from the Arctic Blast...body and heart

It has been a bit chilly this week.  Chilly as in -2 wind chill factors!

 

 

The kind of cold that not even the kids enjoy.  It was too cold to even breathe without the breath turning to frost on your lips.

 

But the frosted trees and ice formations really were beautiful.  Also, there's the fact that any excuse for big mugs of hot chocolate is always welcome around here.  Hibernation tendencies set in, I think, because last night the entire house was quiet with slumber by 8:45!

So, like in life, nothing is ever all bad.  Right  ;)

 

The 30 degree weather today has felt like a big thaw.

 

Sometimes, it's a heart that we are praying will thaw.  Sometimes those  prayers seem endlessly unanswered.

The listless discouragement that can set in can be a heavy, dull weight on the soul.  This is a big part of my life's work right now, however.

 

Questions niggle at my mind... "is this even logical?"  According to the world, no.

But God's word says that nothing is impossible with God. 

"Are these prayers even making any difference at all?"

It would seem not likely.

 

 

 

And then God sends signs:  a dream that astonishes and powerfully sets a new path before you ( I hope to share eventually);

 

A sudden and unexpected word from a most unlikely relative;

 

Even an article that I ran across just today which resonated deeply and granted new courage to continue on doing the inexplicable and counter-cultural thing of standing in prayer for my family when all odds look to be against it.

 

Life is very interesting on all levels and never dull for a minute.

 

I will sign off this evening with a very easy and warming winter supper recipe.  This was our bowl of cheer this evening :)

 

 

White Chicken Chili - Crockpot

 (I double this for boy appetites)

 

2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, frozen

1 can rotel

1 can corn, don't drain

1 can black beans, drained/rinsed or
1 1/2 c. white, northern beans (presoaked)

Seasonings to taste: cumin, chili powder, onion powder

1 packet of Ranch dressing mix

1 c. water or chicken broth

8 oz. cream cheese

 

Put the chicken breasts in first on the bottom (they can be frozen), put all other ingredients in with the cream cheese on the very top.  Put the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours.

 

 

Stay warm everyone and look for the beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

7 Quick Takes

Hello blog world.

Here are 7 quick takes 2 cents worth from my corner...

 

1.  We are slowly beginning the return to daily life and duties.  I am trying to maintain our Christmas peace and the great enjoyment we had reveling in our holiday break.  It's all good.  Christmas was wonderful with all our extended family, the festive food, the extra time to read, watch movies, and just hang out, but alas life calls.  School starts back on Monday.

 

2.  I've already begun the 1st project of the new year, driven by a sense of desperation.  I took some Christmas money and purchased some double pronged wall hooks, some attractive storage bins, and a large basket to turn our hall closet into a "mudroom".  Here's to hoping this will tame our crazy jumble of coats, gloves, shoes, etc.  Here is a picture of my inspiration...

from the blog planningonit.BlogSpot.com

 

3.  Also on this same blog is a beautiful, free, and downloadable 2014  planner/calendar!  I love new calendars :)

 

4.  St. Albert the Great is our family's saint for this year.  Already he has been so active in our home!  I think we scored big this year!  The kids weren't too enthusiastic about him at first, but now they are curious to learn more about him and hopefully see beyond what, to them, appeared as a somewhat boring man. 

 

5.  For New Years Day I made black eyed peas a new way since they've never been popular before in this household.  I simply sautéed some onions, peppers, and garlic and made a ham and bean soup with them.  Amazingly, we all loved it and got in our quota of "good luck black eyed peas"  for the new year.  My Grandma always said jokingly, but consistently..."no beans, no blessings."

 

6.  I heard about some scientific studies that had been done concerning the benefits to mind, body, and spirit from listening to Gregorian chant music.  It has even been shown to increase brain activity between the right and left brains, thereby increasing brain function, slow the heart rate, and calm the breathing, etc.   I have my own non-scientific, but very convincing, study on this beautiful music.  Years ago, when my oldest boy, SJ (now 15) was a baby, one of his autistic tendencies was that he absolutely hated his car seat.  He would begin crying the minute I put him in it no matter how comfortable I tried to make it.  One day in an attempt to soothe him I put in a cd of John Michael Talbo'ts chant. Within 30 seconds he quieted down and was content the rest of the ride.  After that I tried it again.  Magic.  I continued to play it every time we got in the car after that.  Everytime, upon the first note playing, the cries would immediately stop and would he would remain peaceful.  It was also effective at his bedtime.  He rolls his eyes now at the music when I play it and says it's "odd"  but I notice it still calms him, and all of us.  Below are pictures of the JMT cd we listened to and a our current favorite by the Benedictine nuns.

 

 

 

7.  My wish for you and yours this year... and for me and mine

"The Lord bless you and keep you!  The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!"

Numbers 6:24-26

This will be linked at Conversiondiary.com

Welcome 2014 - and a name for this year

 

I was intrigued by this idea of a name for the new year.

So I played around with the thoughts and words that came to me.  They were words like wholeness, happiness, new, and fresh that just kept jumping around in my mind.  I liked the themes I was gravitating toward.

 

Then a dream I had on the night of the 28th changed things.  I am not normally a vivid dreamer and I rarely remember my dreams.  It was vivid, positive in tone, and surprising to me in it's message.  Maybe later in the year as I continue to get my blogging feet wet again I will tell about my dream.  It's a story.

 

But my name for 2014 is going to be...

 

 

Rebirth

 

 

I really love this word.  It's so packed with potential and life.

 

Of course we will live out the rebirth of Spring when it gets here.

There will be rebirth spiritually during Lent.

Easter will bring rebirth with new graces and blessings.

My youngest, the twins, will experience rebirth in their souls with their first Holy Communion in the Spring.

New life will be born when my twin nephew and niece arrive in March.

 

 

And... should I even say it out loud?  I believe somehow that there will be rebirth in some form or fashion for this family of mine. We've weathered the tempest and are alive to tell the tale.  

 

I think I see the shoreline.   :)

 

 



Happy New Year ... and New Start for blog

For Auld Lang Syne...

 

May all the efforts and the forward impetus from last year continue on and bear even more fruit.

 

May all the sorrows from this last year be layed to rest as fertile soil for tomorrow's joys.

 

May all the grievances and grudges give way to forgiveness and compassion.

We're all human after all, and as the saying goes, all are fighting some kind of battle.

 

May all wounds heal and be today's new strengths.

 

May the good things left undone be gently accepted, humbly confessed, and become new motivation to try again to make each day count for God and for our fellow man.

 

Here's to 2014.  May it be a good one for all.

 



Weekly Resolution - And Summer's rhythym

~~  I am continuing my resolution from last week concerning...

 

 1.  watching over and praying over my  thoughts because it was beneficial.  I think it's a certain negative person I know that is the source.  Maybe I need to stay back and pray for them.

 

And also adding...

 

2.  Send a thank you note to that someone who was so helpful in customer service the other day.  Really, beyond her job description, and ended up saving me a lot of money by her knowledge.  The impression I got from her was that she would do this for anyone because she is a genuinely caring person and she sees people as human beings and treats them as she would like to be treated.

 

3.  Which reminds me to send another thank you note to someone else who has been a blessing.

 

 

~~  The power of thoughts in my life...  this is very true for me (and I believe everyone).  Good, positive, forgiving, understanding thoughts =  a productive, calm, good day 99% of the time.  The more my mind is occupied with good, productive, and positive information, material, and environment the happier I am and the more I get accomplished.  Win-win situation.  When I begin to fret, worry, dwell on frustration, anger, or criticism, down the spiral begins which = a day that is less productive, less happy, and less balanced.  I can't find good solutions or think clearly because I am thinking wrongly.  Peace flies out the window.  Not helpful at all because when peace goes, there goes patience, fairness, and positive attitude.  These are the times when I feel fatigue overcome me.  Also, I usually have to find time to squeeze in an extra confession because of the complaining, criticizing, and negativity.

 

~~  I try to check certain measures in my life when negative thinking is taking over to see where I've allowed my filter to get weak:  * What am I listening to - nerve rattling talk radio or too much news?  meaningless music with meaningless messages? negative people? 

* Am I praying the day or just going through the day?  It's amazing how I fall into a pattern - morning Mass and a morning check in with God are enough.  When really, time and time again, I've seen the benefits of including God in on the whole, entire day.  Although I have to say, God does graciously hold most of my days together very well due to that morning check in and Mass.

*Is tv or a movie causing my thinking to go haywire?  We don't watch a lot of tv so I know it's usually not a bad show, but I've noticed anymore that even "innocent" tv has unhealthy vibes sometimes.  At least for me - I am very sensitive in this area, it seems, so I have to watch it here.

* Am I watering seeds of discouragement or discontent?

* Am I talking too much about negativity or my complaints?  This is usually where my thoughts go from negativity into sin I need to confess.

* Have I fallen into the 'keeping up with the Jones' mentality lately?

* Have I been grateful?

* Have I though about the things of God at least as much as I've thought about the things of the world?

 

~~  Yesterday, my 11 year old daughter and I set out on our day of travel to take her to camp.  First time.  We thought we were ready for this, but then, not so much.  It was hard to say goodbye.  I lingered and hemmed and hawed.  Finally, one of the camp team leaders came and whisked her off to her activities. She shot me a sad look over her shoulder and I saw her chin quiver just a bit.  This from my very outgoing, social girl.  I felt deflated.  And a little humiliated because I was being "that mom".   I honestly felt like crying.  I ended up thanking God for that little walmart  trac phone I had purchased to send with her because when she called me (at 11 pm finally) she was in high spirits and all was well.  They had just come from night adoration and were settling in for bed.  Sigh. of. relief.  We'll see if she makes it all week.  Or if I do.

 

~~  Our drive yesterday through the Flint Hills of Kansas was gorgeous!  Everything was lush and green and the sun was brilliant.  Wildlife was visible everywhere. The temperatures were in the 70's and it felt like heaven.  A perfect travel day.

 

~~  I treasure having summers off .  I get to spend these days with my children which is gold to me.  Even on the days I begin to feel stir crazy from the "I'm bored's"  or the fighting "she is chewing with those sounds again!"  I am happy we get to have this vacation time together.  I absolutely love the rhythm of our days together in the summer.  Morning work and chores, slower mornings, eat lunch and then we go out for the afternoon to the library, the Y, or to the swimming pool.  Home in the late afternoon and we have reading time, a little bit of math time, drawing.  Then simple dinners, playing outside usually till dark and then a slow trod to bed, Family prayer, and lights out.  Next week, they will have their week of Totus Tuus (our diocesan catechetical program for all youth) which they have so much fun at each year.  We will then begin planning our trip to Colorado to see uncle R and aunt M in July. 
We are Blessed.

 

Goodnight and God Bless.