Summer Birthdays

This happens every year. The end of summer rolls around and I've missed blogging about our summer birthdays, so here they are.

Zipporah - June - 4 yrs

* Zipporah is figuring things out. She loves to comment on EVERYTHING. I can almost see the wheels in her brain spinning.

* She has a sensitive side. She can be shy when we go places she has not been or meets new people. And she absolutely despises strange restrooms and automatic flush toilets.

* Zipporah is very "girly." She likes to wear skirts and dresses. She pays a lot of attention to clothing and shoes.

* She is probably one of my least picky eaters. She still asks for peppers, onions, and tomatoes from my plate (a taste her older siblings seem to have outgrown).

* Zipporah can be incredibly strong willed. And in a battle of stubbornness, you will not beat her. But she can also be kind and compassionate. I never quite know when she will switch from defiant to sweet, but it can happen.

* She loves to color and draw. Her writing skills (pencil grasp and such) are phenomenal.

Dear God, thank you for our spunky Zipporah. Please keep her heart on fire for your will to be done in all things. I ask this in Jesus' name. -Amen.

Rebekah - July - 13 yrs

* Rebekah likes to craft and sew. She is always up for making creative gifts from scratch.

* She is a bookworm and reads books faster than some people breathe. Her favorite series right now is Ranger's Apprentice. And she'd like to travel to Australia and meet the author. But she better hurry, I believe he's in his 70's now!

* Rebekah told she is interested in learning how to fix cars and write code (just like her daddy).

* She loves to collect things, like shells or pretty rocks -- really almost anything. She is currently building a small shed to keep her "pretties" in.

* Rebekah is dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. She always gets the job done. And she is an amazing blessing to our family. 

May God continue to bless you, dear Rebekah, as you grow into a young lady of wisdom and grace. -- Amen.

Jacob - August - 10 yrs

* Jacob is a gentle giant. He does not like conflict, though he does like to be playful. Unfortunately with his size, play often turns rough. But he has a heart of gold.

* He is almost taller than his almost two year older brother (Samuel) and his feet have been bigger than Samuel's for a couple years now.

* Jacob also loves to read. He is content to sit with his books for hours. Which is most entertaining because back when he was learning to read, he told us he didn't want to learn. We told him he would love it once he knew how. He said, fine, he would learn, just to prove us wrong. He actually took back his words about proving us wrong and thanked us for teaching him to read! (Yes, we love to tell this story, you've probably heard it before.)

* He is smart, but not motivated. Mom often has to bribe, bargain, threaten, or take away toys/privileges to get him to complete his schoolwork in a timely manner.

* Jacob still has a thing for turtles. Not sure where that started, but they are an animal he loves, be it stuffed, real, or artwork. Turtles are his jam.

Dear God, thank you for Jacob and his gentle but immense presence in our lives. Please keep him ever close to your heart. -- Amen

Happy Late Birthday, Rebekah!

Rebekah turned 11-years-old in July and I, her dear mother, failed to document it here on my blog. Dearest daughter, I apologize!!  Your milestones are not to be overlooked (for too long). Thus, here is your post.

* Rebekah loves nature. I often find her outside, walking in the dirt, making crowns of flowers, or climbing trees.

* She is very smart, but like her daddy, Rebekah often loses her focus when doing typical "school work." She will, however, read a novel from start to finish in a matter of hours if left to her own devices. (This is probably why we had to work well into the summer to finish "school" our first year of homeschooling through Lawrence Virtual School.)

* Rebekah enjoys drawing and painting. She really likes to draw animals and cartoons, but not necessarily cartoony animals.

* She has a sweet tooth, like her mom, and is always begging for left-over treats in the kitchen. (And often if there is only one or two of something left, like cupcakes, I will let her have them since there's not enough to split for all the other kids.)

* Rebekah loves to listen. Some might call it eavesdropping, but I think it is still done in innocence. She is super curious about EVERYTHING so she sits quietly just out of line-of-sight and takes it all in.

* In conjunction with her listening skill, Rebekah is a mad ninja. Seriously, she can be SO QUIET. I have no idea how she does it as she's not exactly tiny, but she has this skill and it is so awesome.

* Rebekah enjoys her siblings. Being the oldest, I often ask for her help in caring for her younger siblings. But the cool part is that Rebekah really seems to enjoy playing with them and being what I call "a good big sister." It always melts my heart the way she patiently cares for them and plays or reads with them. Many times she has told me that if she does not end up getting married and having kids, she would like to at least have a daycare or something like that because she loves kids.

A fruity birthday cake. Her favorite kind.

Dear God, thank you for the blessing of Rebekah!!  She is a remarkable young lady! Please keep her ever close to your heart.  - Amen.

7 Quick Takes - Things to Remember

1) Rebekah has been saying the word "tarnation" when she is frustrated or forgets something, etc.  I find it odd but entertaining and I have no idea where she picked it up from.

Rebekah LOVES to hold Peter.  She often snuggles him in her lap and enjoys reading or coloring.

2) Peter is a unique baby - compared to his siblings.  He prefers to sleep nestled in someone's arms and will rarely sleep more than a half hour left on his own.  When he is awake though, he will look all around and likes to wiggle.  He is not a sit-and-cuddle type of baby, unless he happens to be asleep, of course.

Here is Peter all snuggled up on Mom.  He does not mind being "worn" this way and it allows Mom to get a few things done!

3) Zipporah is quite possibly the happiest almost-two-year-old I have ever met.  She spends most of her day dancing, giggling, and smiling so hard it must make her cheeks hurt.  She definitely finds all day every day in this family to be one big party.

Zipporah, enjoying pizza.  Yes, that is red marker all over her arms.

4) Miriam is in love with Peter.  When I ask Rebekah to hold him, she always wants to hold him, too.  Likewise, she is almost constantly asking if she can "pet Peter."

Miriam, holding Peter.

5) We came into an excess of cameras.  I had one I was not overly fond of but still works, bought another, and then my parents gave me theirs because they just use their cell phones now.  (Yes, I am the only person left on the planet that does not own a cell phone that takes pictures.)  Anyhow, Rebekah asked if she could "have" one of the cameras.  I told her yes, but did not realize just what that would mean.  Now she takes pictures of EVERYTHING.  She always has that camera.  I find it entertaining, but the hubby gets a little annoyed sometimes.  Oh well.  It is not hurting anything and thankfully digital pictures can just be erased at the click of a button.  No harm, no foul.

I'm not sure if you can see it, but the cord around her neck is the strap for her camera.

6) Now that the novelty of a newborn is wearing off, I'm waiting for my super-powers to show up.  Thankfully, God has blessed me with some amazing and helpful kids so they are definitely helping out as Peter keeps me from getting much sleep these days.  But I'm hopeful that soon I'm just going to turn into "pure awesome" and be able to do everything like I have in the past.

Here is Rebekah, putting Peter to sleep for me (accidentally, but I will take it :)

7) Peter is one-month-old today.  And although his brothers, Samuel, Jacob, and Paul are quite amiable toward him, I am pretty-sure they are going to find him loads more entertaining once he can do more than wiggle and cry.

Starting the School Year 2015-2016

Here the kids are after daily Mass this morning, ready to get into the school routine.

(And the kids were actually really well-behaved at church today!  Praise God!!  :)

Without further ado, here is our line-up for this year.

Miriam refused to leave Rebekah's side.  We had to bribe her out of the picture for the next shot.

Silly Miriam again!  She wanted to be in ALL the pictures :)

Pfew, getting these pictures was tough!  Big thanks to Rebekah for helping find the blocks we needed and wrangling the little ones.  Here is to a great school year of loving and learning and learning to love and loving to learn.  God bless us all!

Happy Birth Month, Rebekah!!

My oldest daughter is TEN YEARS-OLD now!!  Excuse me while I have a moment.  It definitely feels like she has been around that long, but at the same time, it sounds so old when I write it or talk about it.  Someone was so kind to point out that we are over half-way through her time with us (as parents - not that she will ever not be our child, but the main influential part where she has to live and home and mostly do what we say) and that really gave me pause to think.  In any case, it is what it is.  And every time I think about my dear Rebekah, it only makes me love and appreciate her all the more.

*Rebekah LOVES to read.  This past year she had trouble completing her school work because she would spend all day reading books, everything from her brothers' literature books to the dictionary.  If it looked interesting I would find her nose in it.

*She is very into nature.  She loves to collect leaves, twigs, dirt, etc and put them together in artsy creations (or just fill the house with them to drive her mother nuts. . .I think).  She also gets personally upset when I mow the lawn (as she likes the grass and weeds tall) and refuses to help by sweeping up loose grass or moving toys off the lawn.

*Rebekah enjoys walking with me and doing other restorative exercise stuff - like stretches, etc.  She also is encouraging of me doing crazy things like lowering our table, sitting on the floor, and putting rings in the living room.

*Although she will wear a dress to Mass, she is EAGER to get on her "play clothes" and get dirty every day - a true tomboy in many ways.

*One of Rebekah's FAVORITE pastimes is to climb trees.  She is often sad when I ask her not to (as when it might damage the landscaping or set a bad example for her siblings).

Here she is up a tree with her sister Miriam (in front) and our neighbor (back left).

*I realize now, as some of my friends have several children, so I have a group to compare to, that God gave us an absolute treasure in making Rebekah our oldest child.  She is kind, patient, and willing to take time to care for siblings (even if I have to ask - she does not balk, she is obedient).  She also has a good sense of authority with them (they listen to her) and is quite responsible, with a good moral compass, as well.  She is at true gift to have as an oldest child.

Side Note:  The other day Rebekah was "watching" the kids while I was working out in the garage to prepare for a party and I asked her if she had any trouble (as I had just put the little kids to bed).  She said Miriam and Paul were unsettled so she read them another book and tucked them back in.  Then she told me Jacob "sneaked" upstairs, but she told him, "It is a disgrace to use sneaking to disobey your parents."  ---See what I'm saying??  She is such a blessing!

Dear God, thank you for the gift of our amazing daughter, Rebekah!  Please walk with her always and draw her ever closer to you, growing more virtuous and charitable all her days.  - Amen

7 Quick Takes - I try to do things as complicated as possible :)

1) I made a new chore chart.

It looked really simple and easy.  But once I got all the kids on it (I cannot make each kid their own and hang it on the doorknob to their bedroom because they all sleep in the same bedroom! - ok, two bedrooms for the lot, but still.) it got really "busy" and is not as cool as I had hoped.  I might need to "break it down more" but I am REALLY TRYING here as I know learning to pick up and do chores is important.

Each kid gets their own color on the end - some chores are every other day for the same chore (they rotate, one one day and one the next) so that has two colors.  Psychotically complicated, but the kids would forget their own names before they would forget to do the calendar.

2) I made a new rewards chart. 

The kids are constantly asking what they "get" for doing their chores.  And although in the past I may have tried the answer "you GET to be a member of the family, blah, blah, blah," let's be honest.  That does NOT motivate the kids to do what they are supposed to do!  So, I made this little beauty and figure after 10 days of doing their chores I will "reward them" in some way.  Right now I am sitting on a well-stocked "prize bucket" from encouraging Jacob to read this past year, so there is that, or I figure I will barter with them - staying up late, special dessert, getting to pick a movie, or what we have for dinner.  I will just "spoil them" a little is what I figure.  I am CONSTANTLY trying to "toughen them up" (especially in the summer when they seem so lazy) so this is an opportunity to for "Mom to be nice" I figure (which is what I REALLY WANT to do all the time, but I DON'T DO because I really love them MORE and want WHAT IS BEST - which I know won't come from being nice all the time).

There are 10 beads to move - doing all your chores by the end of dinner (as cleaning up after dinner is part of chores) will allow a bead to be moved.  Once all move, the "reward" is negotiable.

3) I just signed my kids up for Lego Club Magazine.

I figure this one does not need much explanation.  Funny it took me so long.

4) The end of our school work is definitely in sight.

Rebekah put forth a VALIANT effort to finish her school work by her birthday.  In any case, she should be done by the end of this week - or next if she drags it out and her brother, too (as he has all of one assignment left - a presentation - he is half-ready to give - but my heart is not in helping him at the moment as he is in 2nd grade!! - A presentation, REALLY?!?! - once I find his notecards again we will finish it up, really. . . )  Either way, I am grateful to finally have it not hanging over our heads and to be able to be bums or do some of the fun "extra curricular" stuff I had "planned" to do over the summer.  

5) Marriage is the topic lately.

In the Catholic circles especially the topic of marriage, what it really means, etc, is on fire right now and I just had a talk with my daughter about it today.  We did a "walk and talk" - where we go for a short walk and chat - and I decided I needed to bring it up.  We discussed the true definition of marriage and I explained what was going on legally and what we felt about it as Catholics.  I felt it was important for my daughter to know so she would not be caught off-guard.  She took it well.  She is still so form-able - even at age 10 - but it makes me happy to hear her answer back exactly what I told her with pride.  She heard me, let's pray it sinks in and sticks for when she really needs it.

6) Since you are so nosy, here is mostly what I said to her. . . 

*Marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.  (Which she knew - I asked her who could get married - after a bit of defining what I was looking for, she got it.)

*The Sacrament of Marriage is conferred jointly - as each spouse confers it on the other - it is witnessed, usually by a priest, and often during the Mass.  (I felt it was important for her to understand this sacrament is administered by the laity.  And I wanted to emphasize that OUR marriage is religious - but people can be married and not be religious, it is the same "marriage" - we get grace from God through our sacrament, basically because we ask for it - others who are not sacramentally married do not receive that grace, namely because God will not force himself upon anyone.)

*I borrowed Trent Horn's definition of marriage as the comprehensive union (mind/body) of one man and one woman.  And went on to point out that there is no other relationship like it.  The man and the woman are incomplete on their own and they complete each other and work together toward a common good - having children.

*That is why marriage is recognized by the State because it is in the State's best interest for future citizens to be created and protected.

*Then I told her our government has made it "legal" for people of the same gender to marry, but she immediately caught on and said, "but it is not REALLY a marriage."  (Smart girl.)  And we discussed why.

*I explained I just wanted her to be prepared for what was out there and to be able to understand why we believe what we believe.

*Finally I cautioned her in addressing the matter directly with those behaving openly in a fashion we do not uphold as although we are called to speak the truth in love, we should do so with a tender grace and mercy, with true compassion and understanding - never in fear, anger, or just to be mean.  And even if she did not intend such things, this is an emotionally charged issue that could easily offend others or be misunderstood.

***I probably did a bang-up job of explaining all this, but this was the first of many talks we will most likely have on this topic and many others.  And I will explain it to the rest of the kids, too - but I started with Rebekah because it helps that she already knows many details about what Christopher West calls "the one flesh union."

7) Rebekah requested fruit pizza for her birthday last week.

It was DELICIOUS :)

7 Quick Takes - A random look in my head/world

1) I rearranged the boys'/Miram's room.

Paul kept telling me it needed to be rearranged (probably because with the current set-up he was stuck back in the corner).  Now, for the four weeks since doing this, EVERY TIME Miriam walks in the room with me she proclaims, "You moved my bed, Mom!!"

The Thomas bed is Miriam's.  I did not bother waiting for it to be "tidy" as it never seems to get that way, or stay there long.

2) I put a bucket of books in the boys'/Miriam's bedroom and it has been a hit!

We are currently SATURATED with books and I am grateful.  Reading is important.  But with three rooms upstairs (the study, the tv room, and the front room) all overflowing with bookshelves full of books I concluded that some of the board books (which I feel get neglected being put on a typical bookshelf anyhow as those young enough to benefit from this type of book have trouble getting them off to look at) needed a new home.  Typically we just have beds and dressers in our bedrooms but I put a tub of board books in there mostly so it would have a place to go.  Now all the kids pull from it and read/look at a book or two once they get their pjs on and are waiting to say prayers and be tucked in.

3) I am changing.

For whatever reason I have recently been able to get rid of things - lots of things, things I have carried around since I was a kid and some things I have acquired more recently and thought I could never live without.  And let me say it feels GOOD to get rid of stuff, and I wish I had a week with no children to care for or other responsibilities so I could go through the whole house and do a great purge.  But as it is, I am trying to do a few bits here and there as I am able.  The funny thing is that I realize as much as I get rid of, I will never be able to STOP getting rid of stuff.  That, my friends, is the wisdom that comes with age, I believe.

4) Zipporah loves to eat!

I thought I was all smart, telling everyone after my third, or maybe fourth kid, that baby food was silly and I figured babies do well to just nurse until they are ready for table food at about a year (maybe 10 or 11 months).  But Zipporah has shown me that she LOVES food - at 8.5 months, nonetheless.  Eat up kid.  Way to remind me that every kid is different.  THAT is the real truth to be learned.

The "sly" look from the camera that takes forever to actually take the picture!!

5) My oldest daughter will probably create her own line of clothes some day.

I think all girls feel the need to "express themselves" in their clothing choices.  A lot of what Rebekah wears are hand-me-downs from friends and I imagine that could crimp a style, but she is clearly unhindered.  The "scarf" she is wearing in the picture below is often found tied around her in this position (she even wore it to church the other day, which I probably would have stopped if I had noticed it before we rushed out the door in our usual chaos).

6) On the topic of clothing, check out my handsome son in his new clothes for his upcoming First Communion!

Please pardon the spots on the camera lens and the red eyes.  I hate this camera, but I recently broke my good one :(

He refused to smile for me.  I guess he is preparing for this SOMBER celebration or something :)

7) Finding 7 things to comment on is a stretch today!

Some days I feel I could talk forever and today. . . I got nothing.  So I'm wrapping this up and moving on with my crazy day here.

7 Quick Takes - Daily Grind 2015

1. Putting the Christmas tree away means it is time to rearrange the furniture, right?

The top photo is actually from Christmas 2013, but our set-up this past year (2014) was similar, minus the desk and the chair (instead we had a small half-dresser near the door).  It has been YEARS since I did anything different with our couches.  We shall see if this "sticks."

2. Sight Word Brilliance

My son Jacob's brain works differently than the other children.  The "momma" in me says this is because he is a genius (which he very well might be) but the "reality" in me says that means some things are going to be a struggle.  School work is a struggle for him - not because he cannot do it, but because HE SEES NO POINT IN DOING IT!!  Anyhow, he was fighting me tooth and nail to learn his sight words (which is tremendously slowing down his reading right now) and yesterday it hit me to have him spell them out with letters.  He called it "fun"!!!  We have  winner :)

3. Movement helps the blood flow and that helps the brain work.

This is quite possibly the worst picture ever, but consider it like a "Where's Waldo."  Do you see two ropes (each braided) hanging from a giant climbing-strength carabiner?

I have been wanting to put some rings or a trapeeze bar in my living room for the kids to swing on, but we only have one hook right now and my dear husband already thinks I am crazy (and has a list of "honey do" items a mile long as it is).  So I found a strong clamp and a couple of ropes.  Now the kids pull, swing, and climb.  It has been helpful for me to have them (especially Jacob) answer a question and then swing once on the ropes, only to come back and answer the next question.  

Plus the ropes help keep them in the same room.  Jacob was pacing from room to room as I read him a story yesterday and I broke down at one point exclaiming, "Jacob, would you just STAY IN THIS ROOM, PLEASE!!"  Once I made it clear it was ok for him to pace, but I just wanted him close enough to hear he happily walked in circles around the table and from door to door while listening.

4. Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman is seriously BLOWING MY MIND!!

I know I have already posted about two other books she has written (well, they were really parts of her blog turned into books - this is her first "real" book, written as a book), but this one really takes the cake!!  Katy is a biomechanist that is basically looking at humans from an historical perspective of how we used to behave as hunter-gatherers.  She goes back to this point because she says that time/activity is how our bodies performed optimally and she says a lot (most) of our troubles today are from poor alignment/lack of movement as we do not move as we used to because of modern convenience.  I think my reaction to this book might be its own post soon.

5. Paul says the cutest stuff sometimes.

We had to upgrade our van last year before having Zipporah.  We ended up selling our mini-van to my parents.  When they come visit, Paul always refers to their vehicle as "the money-van."  

6. Samuel spoke up at Mass today.

This picture only kind-of goes with this number.  After Mass this morning there were many poinsettias looking for homes.  This one found its way to ours.  We shall see how long it lasts.

We try to go to daily Mass with our local Catholic school, at least once a week.  The priests regularly ask the kids questions during the homily and I often feel bad as I know Rebekah would LOVE to answer but they never venture further than the main aisle where all the school kids sit.  Today, however, Father Earl came over to our section as a few of the older school kids in front of us answered some questions.  And then, before I knew it, Father had called on Samuel!  Just like his momma, when he feels the need to say something he is not shy.  

Father was asking where we might find synagogues today.  Samuel answered, ITALY!!  Which, in his defense is quite wise of him.  We have been studying a lot about the Roman Empire in history right now and they just recently (in our studies) took over Judea and Jesus was born.  Since the Roman Empire first came from Italy, it makes sense he would say that.  Father got a good chuckle from it and agreed that there probably were some synagogues in Italy.

7. I took my two oldest children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday.

I only took those two because they are the only ones old enough to receive.  (This was Samuel's second time to receive this sacrament.)  It was a great experience.  I love sharing the faith with my children.

Zipporah (almost seven-months-old here) is very happy I am done blogging so I can play with her again.