Small Successes

1) Daily Mass this morning with all the kids. (Rebekah was supposed to go with her class but there was a mix up). In any case we all survived.

2) Came to the conclusion that I really don't like heavily processed food - and would choose my own cooking creations (for everything from meals to snacks and desserts) over all else. (Seems like a small thing but I never really thought this day would come.)

3) Avoided a melt-down with my son by taking the time to calmly answer him (for the 5,763 time - same question mind you), rather than getting angry.

Join the Small Success fun at the Faith and Family website.

Whiney Wednesday

1) Flys - What are you still doing in my house? It is cold and you all should have died out by now. Why must you keep landing on my head, over and over and over?!?! Ok, so I used fruity shampoo this morning, couldn't you have figured out after the first 6 tries that MY HAIR IS NOT FRUIT SO MOVE ON!! Sheesh (oh and the baby is not fly food so quit bothering him - he is miserable enough - see next whine)

2) The baby - Captain Fussy Pants is what I have been referring to him as because he is just miserable. He does not want to be laid on his back or his side or his tummy. He does not want in his jumper or his bumbo seat. He does not want in his high chair or the stroller or the carseat. He does not have gas or want his legs run. The only thing that seems to calm him is carrying him around (no, not in a carrier or sling - he arches and wiggles) in my arms. Nursing helps a little, but even while nursing he fusses and pulls off and wants back on and arches his back and cries. His poor little lips are getting chapped and red (and I really don't know why - he has not been outside much lately). On top of him being miserable is me getting concerned that if he does not get some tummy time/floor time, he will never be able to sit up or roll over properly "on schedule" and then of course, he will walk way too late, and only after my doctor and everyone else has thoroughly chastised me for not taking the proper precautions to be sure my son developed at the "appropriate rate." - Stupid fly again - grrrr. . .

3) My foot hurts. The top of it hurts. It hurts enough to be annoying and interrupt my work-out but not enough to try and get a doctor's appointment. It has hurt for several weeks (ok maybe just three or so) and I am FRUSTRATED with it. You see, I NEED to work-out or I get a little crazy (well, a little MORE crazy I guess) and this silly foot is really getting in the way. I have tried rest, ice, and to diagnose my problem via the internet (which really was fruitless gesture - it could be a million different problems!!) In any case, it needs to get itself figured out because I'm tired of not being able to push myself in my work-out (or not working out at all more days than I like) and worst of all it is making me feel old.

This, too, shall pass. . . I hope. . .

If you want to join in the whining fun, click here for the rules.

Just some pics

Nana reading to her boys.

Rebekah at the park

Jacob at the park

Paul at the park

Rebekah pushing Paul

Enjoying snowballs after the park - it WAS Sunday and I only gave them about a fourth of a cup each - sheesh stop making me feel guilty! :)

I love you!

My 2-year-old, Jacob, does not have a lot of words yet. He is a little behind for his age, however, his expressive language is growing.

Here is a cute video of him talking this morning. Daddy had just left for work and I had told him to tell Daddy, "I love you."

P.S. Paul is in the video, too - acting all adorable :)

S'mores :)

The kids were rather unsure about this whole event. Rebekah and Samuel have roasted marshmallows one other time at Grandma and Grandpa's but this is such a different setting, I'm not sure if they would consider the two events to be all that similar. This was the first time for Jacob and he was most puzzled, to say the least.

I finally gave up trying to nurse Paul to sleep (as it was past his bedtime) and let him sit and enjoy the family fun. Surprisingly he seemed rather interested and did not fuss much. . . until his blanket started falling off.

Mmmmm. . . .marshmallows. . .

Jacob is not so sure. I was not quick enough to capture the really good faces he was making (I was trying to hold Paul at this point and still take pictures) but he cautiously took the treat of absolute yumminess. . .

Here Jacob just got some marshmallow goo on his fingers and he looks at us as if to say, "Are you sure about this?" And I'm thinking, "You revel in making a mess of your dinner but you are sticking your nose in the air over a teeny-weeny bit of marshmallow gooey deliciousness?"

Jacob finally tried it. . . and it was very good!

Samuel only wanted the marshmallows - not the chocolate or crackers - No, I don't know whose kid he really is.

Rebekah - mmmmmmmm :)

Blessings for Today

So, I just have to make a list of good things that have happened lately. I realize they should go on the small successes bit at the end of the week, but I don't necessarily consider these successes - just blessings! It all started as I was trying to determine what my three main whines were. . . and each thing that came to mind started as a whine, but seemed to have a good ending. Read on to be as shocked as me - I guess this day has not been so bad after all!

1) I was as tired this morning - slept in too late - but still managed to get my work-out in and get the kids to school EARLY (mostly because the baby slept in so I left him home with Daddy). Thank you for the blessing of Paul sleeping in.

2) I decided to walk to see Great Grandma today (about 25 min walk from my house) and neither of the kids cried (well, Paul whimpered a little) even though it was a long walk in the not-as-comfy-as-the-others stroller (only duo stroller we have - but it is definitely humble). Paul even fell asleep on the way home! Thank you for the blessing of the baby not crying and then sleeping.

3) Although it was frigid on the way to take Samuel to school, but the time Jacob, Paul, and I were ready to go to Grandma's, the weather was AMAZING (not too hot and not too cold). Thank you for such beautiful weather and a chance to be out in it.

4) Even though we got a later start for Great Grandma's than I wanted, she seemed to enjoy our visit. Thank you for for blessing us with such an amazing Great Grandma who takes what she gets and is happy to have it.

5) Even though I was dying of thirst and getting very hungry (pushing my two heavy-weights in the stroller really takes it out of me), we got to stop on our walk home after picking up Samuel and watch a guy in a bucket cut several limbs off a tall tree - way up high. Fortunately, Paul was sleeping so he did not mind waiting and Samuel and Jacob were absolutely mesmerized. Thank you for letting us stumble upon this rare event that the children enjoyed so much.

6) I was worried that Paul would cry while I tried to grab something quick for lunch, but not only was a I able to get lunch all ready with no fuss, Paul was able to entertain himself for 10 minutes more (with only minimal whimpering) so I was able to actually eat lunch at the table with the boys. Thank you for the baby being ok to sit for a minute so I could eat lunch at the table instead of while nursing him in the easy chair.

7) After such a crazy morning, I expected a fussy baby that would need the attention he had been missing in the stroller an during lunch but he is now sleeping. . . in his own crib. Who knows for how long - but at least it has been long enough for me to share so many blessings and to realize (in an incredibly redundant way :) that I AM SO BLESSED TODAY! (And probably every day if I take a moment to realize it.)

Whiney Wednesday

Well, after some thought I guess I only have one whine to share.

1) I am hungry. . . but I'm trying to not eat so much. It seems simple but that is definitely my pebble for today. . . or at least for this moment.

To participate in Whiney Wednesday, check out the rules here.

This seemed right on the money today

I am currently reading the book Father Elija by Michael D. O'Brien. And a passage (p.122) I came across this morning really struck me.

"You want to be a saint, Billy. But you want to be a saint on your own terms. You want glorious victories with your sword; most of all, you want victories over your personal weaknesses and faults."

"What's wrong with that?"

"It is a good desire, but it can also be a kind of idealism masking pride."

"Who is the saint? The one who obeys God in his weakness, the one who demands every admirable quality before he sets forth on his quest?"

"Put that way, it's obvious."

"You accused me of romanticism a few days ago. Aren't all of us romantics who want our armor to shine and our swords to flash and our bella figura to draw many admiring glances as we make battle for God?"

It is not really necessary to understand the external parts of this passage. Two men are talking and this is what they say and oh how I find it so true about myself! I keep telling God I will do His will as soon as I get my own act cleaned up. Once I have my house finally organized and clean, once my kids learn their manners and their catechism, once I am able to restrain myself at table and in the store, once I lose another 20lbs, get my hair cut, and finally get my nails done. THEN, I will look good enough and be ready to do what God wants. Until then. . . well, I guess He'll just have to wait or help with MY list.

And God says - "hahahahahaha - If you would just let go of all these things that YOU think are important (however noble they may be - and however true it may be that you need to improve in these areas) and let ME tell you what I want right now. Let ME use you in your weakness, that My power may be made perfect and all these THINGS you think are so important (which are actually weighing you down as you try to conquer them alone) I can take from you, giving you instead peace and a task that is easy for you to bear.

As Saint Paul says, "for whenever I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

And as Jesus says, "Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

And again, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (John 14:27)

I surrender

I just thought I'd share what has been going through my head today as I try to offer up my struggles. . . "I surrender." I've said it a million times. I've probably sang it many more than that. I've used this word for YEARS but suddenly it just means so much more to me and I'm not sure why, but I'm glad. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still trying to do things my way and do the things I think are important, but I've just tried today to stay a little more focused and every time I have gotten frustrated I pull myself back (mentally) and think, "God, I surrender this. What do you want here?"

So, this is me sharing. How about you? What has been your watch-phrase lately?

My latest inspiration

Paul is beginning the stage of using a baby gym. He is just starting to reach up and grab toys haning in front of him and kick his legs at them. Unfortunately our baby gym is beginning to show its age. And those things are so cheaply made anyhow. Instead I have come up with a brilliant plan, using toys and items WE ALREAY HAVE!! I just took a couple of bungee cords and put them across the top of the playpen, snapped on some learning links, and hooked up a few of his favorite toys. Paul LOVES it and I love that I get playpen and baby gym all-in-one (can't have the baby taking over all the living space with his toys and contraptions). Here he is enjoying the new set-up.