Lazy Christmas thoughts, blessings, and links...

Singing happy birthday to Jesus.

We are still lazily sifting through the Christmas trappings and wrappings and leftovers and enjoying the joyful respite of the season. We all have colds which is fine since it's not the worst cold ever... and we have the time to have a cold. Let's see... what else?

*Button lost her first tooth on Christmas Day. Actually, Chief pulled it out because it was in the obnoxiously loose stage and Button couldn't eat her Christmas beef.

Several pounds of circus peanuts
in a handy carrying case.

*Crash received the hilarious gift of several pounds of Circus Peanuts from a devoted uncle who takes childish wish lists quite seriously.

*A fire is roaring in our wood stove 24/7.

*New glass block installed in our basement windows yesterday. (So glad the bad guys never discovered that our old windows could be removed simply by giving a gentle shove. I can sleep again.)

*It's time to begin post-partum fitness. I tried to take a jog on the treadmill last week, managed to walk for 20 minutes and run for... 56 seconds. All I could feel was my joints. I'm pretty sure I no longer have any muscles. So, it is definitely time to get stronger and healthier.

*Related to the above... the Chief's Christmas gift to me was the promise of a home fitness DVD series I've been eyeing. It's pricey though so he sold a box of old texts to Amazon to cover the purchase. Yesterday, we checked Craig's List and an hour later Chief was meeting a youngster at the corner gas station to make a deal. Why was he selling? My mom bought it for me for Christmas but I already bought it for myself so now I have two. Have you been using it? Well...it's hard. Brand new in shrink wrap. Half price. 

*Looking forward to getting into my smaller wardrobe. I've been wearing black (the only color that seems to fit me right now) perpetually and would very much like a change.

*I am eating all the junk food in the house as quickly as I can so that we can start to eat a bit healthier.

*Hilarious post by Father V here on the Evils of Poor Penmanship.

*Something to consider over at I'm a Lazy Mom. If any of you out there know what I mean when I use the term sock basket, then you might want to check it out. I trust there is a light at the end of the sock basket tunnel... could this be it?

*Thanks so much to the ingenious grandparents who gave this item for Christmas. I did not know it was possible to keep an energetic 3-year old occupied with the same activity in the same location for so long. I thought I'd used up all available tricks. Yesterday, she circled around our unfinished family room for 2 hours until I stopped her. I have no idea why I stopped her. It just felt like the responsible thing to do. She dutifully got off the thing and immediately went and spilled something in the kitchen. Funny thing.... it's not even her toy. I had to bribe the 6-year old with many cookies and chocolate to share her EzyRoller (the character of my mothering revealed).

*Baby Boy is now 8 weeks old and smiles and laughs regularly. He thinks I am the most wonderful thing in life... and I am remembering to enjoy it.

Gifts for the Christ Child

The little ones are preparing their gifts to present to the baby Jesus tomorrow night at church. They'll tuck them in the hay near his Christmas crib after mass.

"Mommy, do you think that Jesus comes and gets his gifts or do you think the priests just take them?"

"Jesus can do anything He wants to do. If He wants to take your present, He will. And if the fathers take your gifts,  they do it because they are His hands and feet on earth. Either way, Jesus receives your gift."

I don't really know what happens to their gifts every year. I have never asked permission because I don't want anyone to tell us we can't do it (you see my true character revealing itself here). Maybe the janitor throws them away. It doesn't really matter as long as the children get to give them.

The older kids don't put things at the manger anymore. They still give Jesus gifts but they are a more interior kind. Private... just between the child and their Lord, unless they want to share with me.

I was informed by one of them this year of their certainty that either the cleaning crew or the priests must take the little ones' gifts. I said, "Probably. But Jesus isn't just a nicer version of Santa. If He wants to take those gifts with His own two hands, he will." The child looked thoughtful, as if needing a moment to process that information, until finally deciding I was correct. "Yes, mom, you're right...it's not like He's Santa or something."

Isn't it funny and sad how quickly we lose our sense of wonder and belief? We have never done Santa and have always taken great care to convey the reality and truth of the Incarnation. And yet there remains that little doubt...

Oh, yeah... I almost forgot that God is that big and that real that He can step into our lives in any fashion He chooses. 


One of my very favorite books to read to the children is The Clown of God by Tomie Depaola. There is one scene in the book that depicts people processing into the Church on Christmas Eve to present their gifts to the Christ Child. Not just their prayers or sacrifices but actual objects to lay at his feet. The juggler (the clown of God) sees this procession and wants to give to Jesus, too. But he is poor and old and homeless and has nothing to give...except his juggling. He pours himself out juggling for the image of the Child and collapses, dead from the exertion of this final gift of love. "For you, sweet child! for you!" he cries. I have read that book many, many times over the years and I can never get through it without choking on those words.

I've always thought it would be wonderful to do that as adults; I mean to physically approach the image of the Christ Child carrying our very best, whatever that might be. I think it would tell us a lot about how we love Him on a regular basis. Would be cheap with our materials because "it just goes to the priests"? Would we take less time to complete our work because we're a little busy with holiday happenings? Would we write a shorter story, bake a smaller batch, or sew a simpler garment?

Or would we give our best, pouring ourselves out, not because we will be noticed or useful in any way...  but just because we love Him?

"What will happen to the scarf I made Jesus, Mommy?"

It is in Jesus' hands. He will never overlook your gift. Make sure it is your very best.

I'm allowed to embarrass him today...

This is what happens when it snows for the first time of the season and the Professor discovers that he has outgrown all of his cold weather gear. Scarcity breeds ingenuity!

This is what happens when the Professor discovers that his mom has posted a photo of his super gear on her public blog...

*Well, we don't exactly know what happens yet but I'm watching my back...he's a great shot with a snowball. *

He's also officially a teenager today and I'm as proud as a mama can be of a son. I love this kid. My firstborn. I love all of our wonderful conversations and listening to his dreams and plans. I love it when he explains mathematical problems and complicated game instructions to me with his characteristic enthusiasm. I love how he asks for his own copy of The Code of Canon Law one minute and cuddles with the baby the next. And corrects my grammatical mistakes. And organizes games and paper plane making for his siblings and cousins. And still likes to give me hugs.

Thirteen is an awfully big deal for me. It came so quickly. For the first time, I can clearly envision the day when he will no longer be waking up in my home. And I realize how much I enjoy his company and what a great treasure our relationship is to me.

I hold my newest baby boy and remember when I held this big kid the same way. And then I see them together... tissue please...

Happy Birthday, Son. You cannot know the joy that your life brings to mine. I am sorry for all the times that I have failed to love you well and beg the Lord to continue to carry you in his grace. He must love me an awful lot to allow me the privilege of raising such a child.

Too funny...Professor just walked in and asked if I 'd been reading blogs again since my eyes are all misty. :)

The Procedure

A new pro-life short film up on YouTube. Jill Stanek gives it four stars. It's not graphic but makes an impact. It's a good reminder during this festive season...of the hidden grief and the walking wounded. And the little ones who won't live to see Christmas. Pass it on. Maybe someone who needs it will see it. Maybe we will be stirred to remember them and love them...and be a voice for those little ones who cannot speak and their mothers and fathers who are grieving in silence.

Last Minute Gifts for Kids (or anyone) to Give...

I discovered these printable gift coupon printables today at the Just Something I Made blog. I made the  printable play checkbook that she shared last year and know this project is easy.  The kids have been busy making gifts for people but I know there are some gaps they wish they could fill without my assistance. This fits the bill nicely. I'd certainly love to find a few of these in my stocking this year filled out to say things like...

"Good for one house cleaning from top to bottom including behind the toilets and in between the blinds and those awful spots in the corner of the shower door."

*hint*hint*

The Cure for the Christmas Blues

Most of us have suffered from this condition at one time or another. I have briefly written about my own experience at CatholicMom.com.

Keeping the home fires burning...

The O Antiphons begin today! We are in the final stretch! This Advent has been so sweet for me as I stick close to home with my family and joyful little baby. New motherhood is always a blessing but particularly right now for me...his tiny person is keeping me more present to the delicate miracle of a day and the reality of the Incarnation.

An early Christmas present...

Today I was awakened to the sound of a chimney sweep vacuuming out 2 years worth of debris collected since we have been here. That includes little nests of the chimney swifts who visit every Summer and depart in the Autumn. They are amazing birds but I can't say I will miss their almost constant racket in our family room. Our new chimney cap will also keep stray woodpeckers from our interior as well!

Then the sound of hammering and drilling as new piping went in...and then our new wood stove. I have never had a fireplace and my allergies have made it impossible for us to use the one we have now. But today we will have our first fire in our airtight wood stove. Even with the patched drywall and concrete floor surrounding me, I do feel like a queen in her palace!

Installing the firebox 

Finished!

This is not actually a photo our stove but a photo from the company catalog. We don't have a picture of ours yet (due to battery failure) but that's pretty much what it looks like!

When St. Dominic Laughs...

"We have made a commitment to try and spread the Gospel using the modern media..."


The Dominicans of the Irish Province of the Order of Preachers spread a little joy...and a little powder! (Thanks to the Dominican sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary for the link!)

Revisiting Santa...

Father Daren entered the Santa debate this year by posting an excerpt from an archbishop's homily on the subject and subsequent commentary from another priest. I don't believe I have ever heard a priest speak on this subject and here I find two!

In a follow-up post, he uses a quote from a post I wrote last year on the subject (thanks, Padre!) and stirs up the pot a little more.

This is a sensitive subject for many people because it touches directly on our parenting. I know I have been accused of being a bad parent for telling my kids the truth about Santa. And I know that others have felt judged when I have expressed my opinion on the matter. Emotions can rule the day if we're not careful.

Father clearly isn't trying to be contentious or judgmental, only to provoke thought...and I hope his readers recognize the purity of his intention instead of viewing it as a personal attack.

My husband and I are one of the small minority of Americans who do not teach the kids to believe in the existence of Santa. I'm okay with that. It's still nice to have some company once in a while!

Please hold your little ones tight today...and pray

Dana at Roscommon Acres has lost her son to a tragic accident in their home. His funeral is today. Please pray for Dana and her family.

Last Minute Catholic gifts...

Just browsing around the Catholic selections on Etsy...found some items that would make lovely Christmas gifts...

Sacred Heart of Jesus Men's t-shirt from Lady in Blue Shop

Lego Rosary from Memento Moose ($20)

Pure Beeswax Tapers from Saintly Soaps ($8)

St. Anne Lace Medal in Sterling from Rosa Mystica

Jesus, Mary and Joseph ornaments from Studio St. Luke

A Blogging Prayer...Upside Down Bloggers

I have been following the writings of Ann Voskamp for a while now on her blog A Holy Experience. The first time I ever read her words I broke down and wept, because this woman had somehow traveled to the depths of my soul...and exposed what she found there on the front page of her blog. Of course, she doesn't even know me. She was writing about herself. But there it was...and there were my tears all over the desk and my heart bleeding freely along with them.


I often deliberately avoid her posts. I see them come into my box and fuzz up my eyes a bit as I skim.  A majority of the time I simply don't want to go that deep. My wounds can only take so much reopening.


Then there are days, like today, when I am brave enough to look and I realize that I'm hiding those wounds again from the only One Who can heal them...and Ann is doing me a favor by exposing me.

"Every great victory begins on the knees.

Upside Down blogging, with Jesus increasing and us decreasing,

begins with us bowed in prayer over a keyboard...so we begin in prayer..."

I read Ann's "A Blogger's Prayer" a couple of days ago and immediately felt that discomfort that comes with the call to renewal. It was only mild discomfort though because I just skimmed. I returned today to face it and own it and my discomfort level increased significantly. If you blog, go pray this prayer now, and you will begin to be uncomfortable and discover the areas that you haven't completely given to Him.

I saw this badge above the prayer and was intrigued. "I don't know what it is but I think I want to be one." I followed the link and discovered three articles (actually, they are transcripts from a series of presentations)....


1. Why Blog? What does it mean to be an Upside Down Blogger?
2. What does it take to really have blogging Success?
3. Six things every Christian blogger needs to know


I admit that I only skimmed them. I started to really read but I felt that uncomfortable tug and tightness in my throat. I knew she was going to hammer me with the truth and I decided to "come back later" when I had more time to read prayerfully. It was clear from what I saw that this is an opportunity of grace...another call to conversion. 


Ann opens up her third talk by saying...

"...The stories of my intensely painful mothering failures, and how I have damaged my kids, stories of my selfishness that has wounded my husband. 

And I have lived bare on a screen and it has hurt and it has been terrifying and blogging the upside down kingdom is not about you and glory - but about sacrifice and come lay down and die.

How is your blog not about you, but taking you lower? How is your blog not about you, and making you humble? How is your blog not about you but about Christ?

Because the only platform we as Christians can mount is an altar where we lie down as a sacrifice."

I am not Ann Vaskomp. I do not write like her. But God has worked through her many times to tear the scales from my eyes.  He is asking me to go deeper but it will not look the same as her journey. 


I will go back and pray that prayer and read her words...carefully enough to feel it in my gut...and then I will begin (again) the journey of discernment. 


Like everything else in life, I have brought my weaknesses to blogging. I do not mean that I have exposed them or used them to help me to grow in humility; I mean that I have allowed them to reign in my heart. The reason for that is because I do not want to ask the difficult questions. I say it's all about Him but I really want to be the one running the show. 


Will my blog look any different as a result of this exercise? I don't expect it to. I don't really know. But I know that what matters is purity of heart and intention...and that is where the wounds must be opened.


Ann writes:

"The Word God wastes nothing and He heals two broken hearts with one story – the reader 

Us who are fighting for joy from behind the laundry heap and in the trenches with the crying kids and with the bruised marriages and the crushing debts and the battered , frayed dreams, and we. Don’t. want. To. Get. Out. Of. Bed — we need your messy, real, authentic, unmasked stories. And you who are fallen and broken and scraped–  you need your messy, real, ugly stories.  Because in the hands of the Spirit, story becomes a salve to the skinned souls.

The first person that any words ever heal — is the writer of those words."

Ah, yes. That is why she writes. Her words have many, many times been "salve" to my "skinned soul." I don't intend to open my wounds to the world as she does but why do I blog? If we give our writing over to Him completely, how will He use us? We may never know but we will be content to be working and resting in the heart of the Beloved. If it's not for Him first, then it isn't worth doing at all.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Links and Activities

When our oldest children were very young, my husband and I placed our family under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe. One of the first big anniversary gifts he purchased for me was a large framed print of the basilica image of Juan Diego's cloak Like the one pictured above. It hung in a place of prominence in our previous home and I eagerly await the day when it will do so in our current home. 

The miracle of the roses, her simple yet powerful message to Juan Diego, the millions of conversions in Mexico, and subsequent end of the mass sacrifice of babies to the pagan gods...these things, and so many more beautiful and touching details of the Lady of Guadalupe, had inspired us to adopt a special devotion to Mary under this title.

Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego the morning after the great feast of her Immaculate Conception and the Mexican people continued to refer to her as "The Immaculate Conception" until a later time when she was given the title of Guadalupe. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception has been chosen as the patroness of the United States. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of not just Mexico but of all of the Americas. Two titles but the same loving mother...gently embracing us and presenting our cares to her Son.

She once inspired a nation to conversion and to end the horrific practice of infant sacrifice. Let us recognize our patroness, place our lives in her trust and beg her to, once again, intercede for the unborn babies of the Americas. 

Feast Day Link Up and Tons of Goodies

I was really excited to find that Homeschool Goodies is hosting an Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Link up this year! I don't have a whole lot to add to it (since I don't know yet how we are celebrating!) but I wanted to share it in time for readers to explore the wonderful ideas being posted there.

Another fantastic collection of resources can be found at JOYfilled Family.

A feast day giveaway at Catholic Icing.

And for those of you expecting a baby or with a brand new little one in arms...below is a beautiful prayer of dedication to Blessed Mother under this title from Catholic.org.

Dedication of a Child to Our Lady of Guadalupe


Dear Mary, 
Your Message of love and care on Tepeyac Hill
floated like a lilting lullaby
into the fresh golden dawn.
Softly you called to Juan Diego,
"least of your sons,"
a man of middle years,
but guileless and childlike in spirit.

Through him you invited all your children to come to you,
the ever-virgin Mother of God,
to look to you as a mother
who wanted only to show a mother’s love.
You would give them whatever they needed,
help and protection,
strength and comfort.
As a lasting proof you left us
your own marvelous picture,
unpainted by any human hand.

Today we bring to you
our child ( I bring __________ my) (as yet Unborn).
May this little one always know
and love you as holy Mary,
Mother of the true God
in whom we live and have our being.
May this new soul,
fresh breathed forth from the creator,
giving life to the body,
be like the soul of Juan Diego,
simple, pure and good.

Dear Lady of Guadulupe,
touch this petal of our hearts
with the wintry roses of Tepeyac,
so that a fragrant joy and peace
may spread along its path of earthly life,
reminding men of you
and sweetly drawing them to your waiting heart.

Take this child as your own.
Lady lovely and demure,
enfolded in the mantle of your care,
until the day when in a new land,
all your children join with you,
their merciful mother,
endlessly giving praise and thanks
to God the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. 

Anguish forgotten...

"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." 

-- John 16:21

Remember all of my anxiety about labor? I can hardly recall it. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

--Psalm 130:1-5

I'll Pass on Narnia...

Image from Buena Vista Pictures

This article from the Circe Institute pretty much sums up why we have kept the new Narnia movies at arms length. I know...many people will likely think I'm being a bit uptight. Here's the deal. We are huge Narnia fans. My children practically have the books memorized and regularly enjoy the wonderfully accurate audio version from Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre. We don't need Hollywood to convince us to like the Chronicles of Narnia from a sensory perspective. More significantly, we don't need it to interfere with a proper understanding of the allegory, which is so powerful. (The article states it well...read it here.)

The Narnia series is not a complicated or lengthy story. There aren't that many words involved and each one was carefully chosen by Lewis for a purpose. There are simply some works of literature that don't translate well into movies...particularly when those movies are produced by a secular source that has revenue as it's primary goal.

Incidentally (not that you asked), I think they messed up Lord of the Rings as well. The cinematography was marvelous but the substance was a flop. My husband and I stayed up late one night to watch it, decided it wasn't worth losing sleep over and shut it off. I know the story so well that I was bored without the abundant and important details of the book and annoyed by the inevitable liberties taken by the movie writers. They got the bones of it right but left out the heart.

Perhaps I'm coming across as a bit of a book snob, but unless a great work of literature begins as a screenplay, I suggest that it's probably better off left in print.

Real Live Baby Doll...

Kids stage a photo shoot of baby while mom is showering. Mom discovers the pics on iphoto along with video footage of siblings entertaining their littlest brother...and teenage son saying things like "Who's a widdle tweety pie?" Mom thanks God (again) for all of her treasured children.

Advent Quote

God walks into your soul with silent step.

  God comes to you more than you go to Him.

Never will his coming be what you expect,

  and yet never will it disappoint.

The more you respond to his gentle pressure,

  the greater will be your freedom.

--Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Help Wanted... Looking for Big Shoes to Fill

Lovely 'Cookie' standing
next to a girl of the same age
at a costume tea party

I am looking for a pair of affordable dress shoes (for Christmas Mass) in size 12 wide for a reasonable price.

I have a beautiful young lady in my household who has surpassed (by quite a bit) almost the entirety of her peer group in stature. She can still eat from the kids' menus in restaurants (with suspicious looks from the wait staff) but can pick up and carry her mother around.

She also has a size 11-12 shoe...wide...which is presenting a considerable challenge for us as parents.

Most shoe manufacturers do not sell shoes above a size 11. Many of those size 11 shoes which they do sell still do not fit my daughter because they are cheap and ill-fitting or too narrow. There also does not appear to be a size 11.5 so we're bumped up to a 12 in most cases. It is difficult enough to find a lovely pair of shoes for an average-footed preteen but I am tearing my hair out with this challenge.

Big sizes do exist but they are generally extremely expensive. I did find large sizes at Payless.com but the selection is horrible and not particularly youthful. By the way, she cannot wear tapered-toe flats because the front of her foot is too wide.

Her current pair of church shoes (a darling pair of Mary Jane's with a wider than average toe box) cost me $76 on sale. What is a mother to do?

I'm looking for suggestions from those of you who have larger than average feet and have found a shopping solution. We need dress shoes, Winter boots, and everyday tennis shoes. Any help? Please?