Retreat time!

So last week and weekend, Jason and I had our annual diaconate retreat. This year was a little different, though...we had to be apart. He actually left on Tuesday night and I started Friday night and we didn't see each other until Sunday morning. It was different and difficult but I know the retreat for me what much needed.

On Saturday, I took the time to enjoy the silence of the campus of St. Ben's in St. Joseph. (The men were at St. John's just a few miles away.) During that time, I went on a walk in a small labyrinth that the Sisters had mowed into a space in their yard/garden. Anticipating a spiritual openness to God, I learned much more about life and how I approach it, just by taking this short winding walk.

First of all, I struggled to find the beginning of the path, only to find out that it was easily marked by two giant pots of flowers. How many times in life do we try on our own to get on the path to God, wandering around, and come to realize He's set it right before us so simply but we tend to walk right past it trying to jump ahead?

As I walked, I found myself trying to center my thoughts around being open to hearing God but I also realized that I focused somewhat heavily on the path, for I did not know how it was going to wind about, and how long this was going to take me. Not to mention, I was distracted by an "obstacle" of an overhanging tree branch...should I go under it or step off the path to go around it? Again, a lesson on life and how my attention focused on the condition of the path and the obstacles in my way rather than focusing on the Lord and allowing Him to be the center of my journey. "How am I going to do this and how quickly can I do it to reach my goal?" is the thought of how I sometimes approach these trials in my life.

Upon nearing what I thought was the center, which I envisioned as growing closer to God, the path weaved back towards the outside rather than toward the center. I found myself stopping to re-evaluate the path wondering if I had done something wrong or if it actually went to the center. Here's where the life lesson of trusting God comes in. Do I trust Him enough to keep walking the path towards Him, or do I doubt and stop to look for a way that gets me there quicker or doubt that it even leads there at all? Rather than continue on in life, do I let myself get frustrated that it's not "going my way"?

When I realized that I was being silly for not trusting that the path would lead me in, I continued and meditated on what I had learned about myself and life in such a short, winding walk. When I reached the bench in the center, I set my focus on the Heavenly Father, thanking Him for the lesson and for being there with me and allowed myself to take it all in. I slowed down and opened my heart and mind with what He wanted to tell me, but aware that He had already told me so much.

As I meandered my way back out of the labyrinth, I allowed myself to enjoy the stroll back around the path & I smiled at all I had learned without really trying. All I had to do was to be open to what God had to say to me that day. I just had to take the time to take the walk along the path to Him and He was there with me. A great peace came over me & I was able to look at my decisions in life and how they mirrored my trip around the maze. What I learned most is that I need to take the time to seek His path, take the walk and listen, trust where it leads and take joy in what it has in store for me. (Also, that it really helps to be on a retreat for me to figure that out.)

Is this what it takes?

After almost 3 months of summer, I witnessed something I had yet to see since the kids have been all home together. This morning I decided I was going to take the kids into Marshall to get new school shoes. So as I'm getting ready, they all come in whining and asking to play over at the neighbor's house (which is where they try to be most of the time anyway). Even though the weather is absolutely beautiful, they choose to want to be inside, so I have to keep kicking them out and reminding them to stay out of the poor neighbor's house. Give her a break!

So, back to the story...as they all come in, I tell them we're going to go shoe shopping. The girls immediately turn to each other and squeal, "Shoe shopping?!" and then go on to hug one another and jump around in each other's arms in spontaneous excitement of the news of getting new shoes. After all of these months, I guess those are the magic words to get the kids to show some love. It was an entertaining moment. I can only imagine what it will be like when they get older.

Grow your own butterflies!

One of our highlights this summer was a gift from Grandma Johnson that came in the mail...a package containing all you need to grow and care for butterflies. We received 4 containers with 5 tiny caterpillars in each & all they needed was time and a nice steady temperature to grow in. And they did! It took about 10-14 days in each stage - caterpillar and then chrysalis to witness the beautiful Painted Lady butterflies emerge.

We had 16 out of 20 make it to live butterfly stage & just before we left for vacation, we set them free in Grandma Myhre's garden where there are more than enough flowers to keep butterflies happy. One of the kids' biggest hopes was that they would be able to hold them & they finally had their chance when we set them free. (I didn't dare try it in the house just for the fact that SuzyCat went crazy trying to get at them just while they fluttered in their cages! Imagine the casulties if they were free in the house!) Ian wasn't able to get one onto his finger, but he enjoyed watching them fly away.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday (yesterday) to my wonderful, fun-loving hubby! Here are some pictures of him this summer.

This dunk tank was at our school fundraiser, the Summer Sizzler. Jason had just been hired as the new principal and the Board thought it would be a good idea to get him in the tank.

The line did get pretty long...

The teachers and Fr. Jeremy enjoyed "posing" for this one.

He always serves well as a back rest!



It's always fun to dress like someone you love & look up to so much!

Happy (belated) Birthday, AJ!

We were so busy on the 5th, (even though I blogged that day), that I completely forgot to let you know that our first baby turned 9 years old that day! Somedays I think the time went by fast, and there are days when I wait until he could just run around without me constantly wondering what he's up to...oh wait, I still do that a little.

He's become quite independent this summer, and maybe a little too independent for what we're comfortable with yet. He'll say he's going out to play & then when we go out looking for him, he's blocks away. Not a problem if he actually lets us know...we're still working really hard on that. He is a social bug and loves to be constantly doing something (remind you of anyone??) so it's not a surprise that he's one that doesn't like to stick around to find out what I will ask of him next. He did offer to help with supper and dishes tonight, as well as make popcorn for "movie night", not to mention let his baby brother lay on his lap during the movie.

Is it time?

Today I had my ultrasound & we thought it would be a neat thing for the kids to see their baby sibling for the first time. 3 of them only lasted about 15 minutes but Laney stuck with me for the entire hour.

When we were trying to get everyone out the door to leave for the clinic this morning, I was telling Faith that we had to go get in the car because it was time to go and see the baby in Mommy's tummy. She quickly responded, "Why, is the baby coming out today?"

New Adventure!

There's never a dull moment in my life since Jason came into it over 16 years ago, and if there is, it's because I put it there. He's never been afraid to go after his dreams or do what he desires to do. At first it was hard for me to adjust to the constant change of jobs, hobbies or where we're living, but now it's become something that I almost expect or foresee coming.

Since I've met Jason, I've been a veterinary technician (or doing something working with animals) and a mom. Granted, I have done a few other things that keep me busy, but nothing that I would claim as a career or hobby. That's it. Keeping up with him has kept me plenty occupied!

Different story with my hubby. Since we've met, he's worked in a pizza place, worked at a Blimpie subs and been a bartender. (All great jobs for hungry college students who save their money to consume adult beverages!) Then he did the rodeo cowboy thing for about 5 years, and although I would say it was an expensive hobby, he always insisted it was how he wanted to make his living. He supported us by going to school to become a farrier (a horseshoer) and did very well during the summer, but Minnesota winters don't really support horseback riding, and that's when we started following the pattern of the snowbirds. With that came many adventures and situations I would rather never be in again, but they are experiences that I will never forget.

Oh, around the time he was cowboying and when we were first married, he tried insurance sales, (which also required classes), tractor sales, (door-to-door I might add), and finally succombing to working in the pig barns. He grew up doing that & had experience & the money was good.

For the past 5 years, he has been a sales rep for Zep Inc. after he took over his grandpa's territory that he covered for 40 years. It has been a blessing and a wonderful job, but with his history of new adventures, I was beginning to wonder when he would start to feel it was time for something new. As the sole provider for our family, he was willing to stick it out, but his heart was just not in it & I could tell. Playing baseball again after a 15-year hiatus somewhat distracted him I think from the everyday workings of his job, but when an opportunity to teach high school religion passed his way, it started a wave of ambition to once again follow his heart.

When that situation didn't work for a number of reasons, I assured him that God would open a door for him and that we should wait for it rather than smash through walls as we have done in the past to achieve our aspirations. That next week came news of a future possibility, but that also meant continued patience and waiting. Then a week or two later, his opportunity arose. The current principal at St. Edward's School, where our kids go to school, was leaving to teach in her hometown, and opened up the door to a new and exciting adventure for him and our family.

So as of August 1st, he will be working as the principal and will be able to walk across the street to work and see our kids everyday while they are at school. He can enjoy lunch with them or come home to have lunch with me and Ian (and the new baby in November). As the case with many of his job opportunities, comes the privelege of more school. He will be required to obtain a Masters degree, but it is something he will be able to do while working. It's a 2-year program, but he has up to 5 years to complete it.

Not to mention that he's still going to school to become a deacon, and God-willing, will be ordained in April 2012. He will have one month of school left after that, so hopefully the load will not be too much until that time.

We are thrilled as a family for this new career path for him & know that he will be great with all of the kids, teachers & staff. We look forward to sharing in his excitement as he embarks on a new journey, especially one so close to his heart. (So, if you need anything from Zep, you better order it from him this month!)