New daily grind

In less than a week, we will begin the process of sending our kids off to school. I think they will transition well, since they have been still getting up EARLY, which means they go to bed early.

This year, we will have 2 in school full-time & one in preschool 2 mornings a week. So for a few hours a couple days a week, I will have gone from 4 kids to 1 little baby. I AM EXCITED! I know, I know...I need to cherish these times when they are little, but with them all fairly close together, it's been a lot to do the last 6 years & I am looking forward to a little "break" & to actually have some time to miss them & appreciate them a little more.

Although I will be down a few, I still have not become overzealous on my to-do list simply for the fact that baby is now rolling all over & getting upset when he gets stuck somewhere. Soon enough he will be crawling & into many things & I will have to tackle the job of baby-proofing the new house & all the smaller toys that have accumulated as the kids got older. It's just too hard to expect them to keep those things away from him & he's also learning about tantrums & frustration when something gets removed from his possession, so we are going to try to cut down on those situations.

The kids are excited about going to games & getting back to school to see their friends. It will be fun to see how this year goes living in town & we are all looking forward to it!

Deep thoughts...interuppted

The scene: Three adults - Jason, Fr. Jeremy & I, sitting in the living room. Baby Ian has just arised from a catnap after nursing himself to sleep. As he intently sits forward, he gazes into the faces of those before him.

Fr. Jeremy: I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, Little One. I hope that I live long enough to see you grow into a man. You're not much for words, are you, Wujek? You just remind me of JPII. Maybe you'll preside at my funeral...Or maybe you'll be a doctor or something like that.

Jason: As long as God's a part of it, he can do whatever he wants.

Ian looks happily and deeply into their eyes while doing his usual baby jerky movements.

Tina: He's watching you so intently! I love how he looks at you when you look at him & it's like he knows what you're thinking! It's just so calming and you just wonder what he's thinking...

Baby sits up straight for a second, then...*Bleaaakk!* *Splat!* As baby vomits, Tina realizes that not only did he tag himself, but it's now running down her leg. As everyone erupts into laughter...

Fr. Jeremy: (laughing) Classic baby! We're all deep into thought, and then...way to go, Ian!

Baby Ian continues to look intently as before, but now with a slight grin and that adorable wide-eyed expression on his face as if he hasn't a clue what just happened and what we're laughing at. He is just loving that it's directed at him. All continue to laugh at this moment. When in all seriousness, the mood is interrupted by none else, than baby puke.

Fr. Jeremy: (still laughing) That HAS to go on the blog!!

I hope I did it justice...Here's the look that I tried to describe...

Virtuous training

It is my belief that the Lord blesses us with children, (and relatives for that matter), as a way to push us towards a more holy life, (or over the edge). Case in point: When I began praying for the virtue of patience, for some reason I actually believed that I might just *poof* get it. But God in His infinite wisdom & grace (and sense of humor) shows us that it just doesn't work that way. Nooooo! We actually have to WORK for it! So, when I prayed for patience, little did I know that I would get many an opportunity to develop that. (Look back to post on aversions.)

So the next time I prayed, I said, "I get it! I will no longer pray for patience!" How about strength or courage then?? Well, with that comes a whole variety of lessons. Opportunities to step out of your comfort zone, trials in life, and people who cross your path to make things difficult.

Wait! Maybe I need to add wisdom to that prayer...well, that's a little better, a desire to learn more. But then it's put to the test if I can actually spit it out once it's in my head.

Let's see, what else can I pray for? How about trusting in His will? Yeah, that's perfect! That way, I know that I'm not praying for myself, but for Him to work His will through my open and loving heart. What? You mean I need to wait for things to happen in HIS time?!? No really, Lord, I do trust you, but could you just move things along a little quicker?

So, I joke, but as I continue to live & pray for these traits, it becomes more evident that I will have my prayers granted and many times through situations provided by my kids. Many a times I have just thrown my hands into the air & exclaim that it's all part of my virtuous training. But I have learned to realize that we're not meant to do it all on our own, and that may be an answer to a prayer for humility.

Retreat!

Last weekend, Jason & I travelled to our much anticipated annual diaconate retreat, held at Christ the King's Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN. It's a beautiful facility located on the shore of the lake & all that's needed for a weekend away from the kids. We had a room with a view, 3 wonderful meals a day and snacks galore, not to mention a coffee/hot chocolate machine that makes a cup of joe at the push of a button.

We had the pleasure of the company of Bishop LeVoir, Monsignor Lozinski & Ann Pryzbilla, all from the New Ulm Diocese, to teach us a few things...(it can't be all vacation!) With all of that, I think we enjoy the social time the most. Being able to visit with our classmates and now dear friends that we trust and love, and laughing until our faces hurt.

Prayer time is pretty darn awesome, too! Along with daily Masses, morning and evening prayer, we had Adoration (Holy hour in the presence of Christ) and prayed a rosary by the Crucifix overlooking the lake (it's hard to see in the picture).

Ian enjoyed his time there, as well. He was actually with us last year, too, as we were reminded that we announced that we were expecting last year at this time. But this was our first time with him away from the rest of the kids for a weekend & he enjoyed his time in the spotlight. I know he missed them, though...Sunday he was restless until he saw them & he couldn't stop smiling & babbling at them.

A thousand words...

VBS: by Ian

Well, after months of preparation & one crazy but fun, faith-filled week, our Vacation Bible School is over until next year. I had a blast watching the kids dance around & sing. My brother & sisters were there and even some other family members. My great-grandma Corky helped with snacks. My cousin Brooke helped with the preschoolers. My aunt Teresa taught the station called the Swamp Stomp Sing & Play station, but I just called it song time that started the day off. There was a guy there that showed up during her time that everyone kept calling "Skeeter", but he sure looked and sounded like Daddy. He did some funny things like catching fireflies with his eyes closed, juggling crocodile eggs with his eyes closed, and other things...you guessed it, with his eyes closed.


We had fun, but it's also tough work to keep track of 42 kids and 20 plus volunteers without getting a little worn out. I do love the constant attention though! Here's me (on the floor) and my cousin Sammy at the end of our VBS day.

Sisters

I never grew up with a sister or any girl cousins. The first girl cousin on my side of the family came when I was 13. When I was in high school & college, my best friends were mostly boys. So when I had Faith, the thought of 2 girls under my roof was a little scary for me. Little did I know how fun it would be to watch sisters do the things sisters do to laugh & be silly.
Where do they come up with these things?

Along with the blessing of these two, I thank God that they were born between 2 boys to keep them in line & watch over them when the boys start chasing them...Daddy can only do so much!