Reclaiming my house, reexamining my role

There are 4 little bodies in this house. 4 bodies who have clothes, toys, stuff, hands that touch, feet that shed socks. Oy! I'm in constant "put that away" mode. If we let one day go without tidying up at the end of it, we have trouble. We have big trouble, a grouchy mommy, and unhelpful children.

I could complain about all this work, about having to constantly remind the kids to pick up after themselves, to finish the jobs they were given, to work joyfully. I could whine and say how my life is so hard, how I don't ever get a break, how I just want everyone to leave me alone!!! But, I won't. I won't because I've done that, and it doesn't do a bit of good.

Last week was "one of those weeks". If you are a mom of young kids you know exactly what I'm talking about. I was constantly harping on the kids to do their work, constantly whining about everything I had to do, constantly being a big grouch. Wow! That week was long. Really long.

After I had a few moments to think about the tone in our home and the tone that I desire our home to have, I came to one conclusion. It starts with me. I can't expect the children to do their work joyfully if I'm complaining about my own. I can't expect the kids to speak to each other with love and kindness if I'm snapping at them about...well...everything. How can I expect such behavior from my children if I'm not exhibiting it myself?

Fast forward to this week. I've been purposeful in my actions this week. I finished that "last" load of laundry, all of the way. I picked up the lunch dishes and straightened the living room while the kids were nearby working on other things. I spent time with the Lord instead of checking what my "friends" had to say. I've kept my cool even though the kids were unruly, I smiled at my children more and criticized them less. We've had great conversations about God's love and how to reflect that in our lives. We've laughed together, read together, enjoyed one another. What a difference!

There has been peace in this house. A real and true peace. Despite the fact that the kids were sick and I still had to cook 3 meals a day and do two loads of laundry a day, despite the fact that no one in this house is perfect, we had peace. Peace that only comes in knowing and accepting one's true vocation for life, and knowing and accepting the One who has made the call to that vocation.

A Back Home Again Daybook

For Today...January 25, 2010

Outside my window...It looks more like spring with the sloshy roads and wet, wet snow.

I am thinking...I don't want to fly again anytime soon. Most of the flights were fine, but we had an extremely rough and scary landing last night. I'm sure it was fine and the pilot was probably not concerned, but it was not fun for this passenger.

I am thankful for...A super, duper, wonderful weekend back "home" with my family for my dad's 60th birthday party. I'm thankful that he had a 60th birthday, and I'm thankful that my husband was so willing to hold down the fort with the three oldest kids so I could take the baby and celebrate my dad's life with them!!!!!

The learning room....sits vacant today. I called a "school day" to let us all reconnect and rest. Back to the grindstone tomorrow.

From the kitchen...We will warm up pizza and make peanut butter rice cakes for lunch. Dinner has been thought about, but no prep work has been done. Something warm and comfort-like.

I am wearing...my pajamas. A grey top with bright-colored striped fleece pants, and Christmas socks. My glasses are on, and I'm not sure I'll look much different for the rest of the day.

I am creating...an orderly house. Or at least I will after I take a nap.

I am going...nowhere. I'm not sure when I became such a "home body", but I'm good for awhile just staying put.

I am reading..."Anne of Green Gables" to the kids. It must have sunk in a bit before I left because when I talked to Emma on the phone while I was away she said, "Oh Mother, I miss you terribly!"


I am hoping and praying for...that same dear friend who got to see her precious growing baby last week, and for several of my expectant friends, and for a nation to realize that all life is precious. Also for a little boy and his battle with Leukemia.

I am hearing...Emma reading to Gianna and the heat blowing.

Around the house...there is a stillness that only comes with reading children. I'm going to focus on that for now, and not on the fact that while I was away not a lot was done to keep order.

One of my favorite things...is snow! We haven't seen a lot of it this year. I don't think we're going to get the snow that we were supposed to today and tonight, but I'll take what I can get.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I'm planning on not getting this cold that is threatening me. I plan on getting the house back in order. I'm planning on using what we have in the house to make meals. The week might have different plans for me.

Today

Today is the day that the March for Life is going on. It is a peaceful demonstration to show the nation that every life is precious. That abortion is not acceptable. That we are missing precious people on this earth because of "choice".

Today is the day that I am cherishing my precious kiddos and after we finished school have no agenda for the rest of the day, except....

Today is the day that I leave to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday. I'm taking the baby and we will be back in a couple of days.

Today is the 1st day that I will be away from my family for an extended period of time, ever. Prayers appreciated.

My Co-Sleeping Post

I don't often let things that other people say get to me. I've found that you can use up a lot of time agonizing over every little thing some body may say or write. However, one day someone I know slammed co-sleeping. It just didn't sit well with me. I didn't say anything at the time, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't upset by it.

I'm not sure when it happened. Somewhere between Aidan sleeping on Brett's chest the first night after he was born, and struggling for 10 mos. to get him (Aidan, not Brett) to sleep "on his own", we became a co-sleeping family. We always were I suppose, but didn't admit it until it was a conscience decision to "allow" our babies in bed with us. I finally admitted that we liked having our children in our bed, it wasn't just a "last resort".

I understand co-sleeping isn't for everyone. I know, for a variety of reasons, that not all families could or would enjoy co-sleeping and I respect that. I just ask for some respect for those of us who do choose to have our babes in our beds. Somehow co-sleeping families are seen as "weak" and "pushovers". We just "give in" to our children's whines and complaints. That's not it at all. We enjoy the closeness, the bonding, the sleep! I wish talk-show hosts and so-called professionals would understand the true benefits of co-sleeping and not discount it as a parental problem to be solved.

Our doctor fully supports our co-sleeping. He knows it helps establish a healthy breathing pattern for the baby, consistent heartbeat, helps maintain good temperature, not to mention the great benefits it has for the parents, moms specifically. I wish others would educate themselves on the matter before proclaiming to the world how horrible this style of sleeping is. Naturally I have more to say on this topic, but for now I'll stop and leave you with the #1 reason why we co-sleep.

She's soft, she's squishy, she's sweet, she's mine!

(for the record: This is in the morning and I had just gotten out of bed and covered Veronica up. She's usually a back-sleeper, she just happened to roll over when I moved, she never sleeps on the pillows, and she is as soft and warm as she looks.)

Waking up to that sweet face is delightful. I only wish I had gotten a better picture of her delicious "baby bedhead".

Choosing Joy Today

1. I do not live in Haiti and the doctor who works at my mom's office who is in Haiti is fine along with the rest of his medical mission team.

2. My husband loves me and my children more than I'll ever know or understand.

3. The sun exists even though I can't see it. Same with the Son!

4. All of my children genuinely love one another and play with each other as friends, all the time.

5. My floors are scrubbed, the sheets are changed, and I've stayed on task with my laundry.

Not feeling particularly joyful today so I thought I would force myself to examine the "now" in an effort to choose joy despite not "feelin' it".

~The Simple Woman's Daybook

~The Simple Woman's Daybook~
FOR TODAY
January 11, 2010...

Outside my window...The sun is shining and it's not below zero which is a rare combination up here in the winter.

I am thinking... Christmas break went way too fast and I should have spent more time planning our next semester of school.

I am thankful for... Children who wake up and do the tasks they are supposed to do upon awakening. It's been a long journey to get to this point.

From the learning rooms...We began our first day back after the break. The children are ready to begin again and are excited to start new things. I haven't broken it to them that I didn't plan much for this week.

From the kitchen... A roast is in the crockpot and the carrots and potatoes are cut up and ready to be put it a little later. I love it when I prepare dinner in the morning. Such a freeing feeling.

I am wearing... A long jean skirt with long johns to keep my legs warm, a black turtleneck sweater, and Christmas socks.

I am creating... My first "daybook" post. I've been meaning to do one for a long time.

I am going... To finish my daily chores, and work on being more joyful to my family and towards my work.

I am reading... "In Conversation With God: Ordinary Time Weeks 1-12", "The Soul of the Apostolate", "Day of War" (a book a friend of mine wrote which will be turned into a major motion picture soon)

I am hoping and praying... For a dear friend who is expecting, that she gets to welcome this child into her family here on earth instead of joining his/her 4 siblings in heavem.

I am hearing... A sleeping baby breathing while "finishing" her nap, and Gigi yelling at someone about something. Unfortunately the latter is not and unusual sound.

Around the house... Our house is feeling more and more like home especially now that we completed some projects that we had wanted to do since we moved in 2 1/2 years ago.

One of my favorite things... A fresh dusting of snow.

A few plans for the rest of the week: This week will be business as usual. Brett is back at work, but without students so hopefully we will ease into this semester. Our school routine is not demanding, but we will focus on sticking to it. I'm introducing a new history program this semester and we will begin that this week. Aidan also really wants to continue his science which was lost in the shuffle this first semester. Karate is back up and running. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this week so I hope to get out a bit.
picture here)

Sweet Moments

Old Card

I found an old picture card. I think it's the one that came with this camera so is probably from the first winter we lived here. I can't believe how big the kids have gotten.

My Secret Love

I'm not sure when it happened. High school probably. Sometime, longer ago than I would like to think, I fell in love with Dr.Pepper and Cherry Coke. I have no will power when the stuff is in my house. None whatsoever. The irony in all of this? I'm a label reader. I try with all of my might to avoid high fructose corn syrup. I feed my family (mostly) good wholesome foods. I shop the perimeter of the store (you know where all of the "good" stuff is). I do it all right. But, then that sparkly sweet goodness calls my name and I can't resist! Pathetic I know.

Pathetic no more! I have had my last! I've made the decision to not drink the stuff again. Really, truly. Why do I go to such extremes to avoid HFCS in my food and yet in one quick swig I ingest enough of the stuff for a lifetime, not to mention all of the other stuff in sodas? Sort of like the women who eat organic everything and don't want any hormones in their milk, but will have no scruples when it comes to putting hormones directly into their blood stream for the sake of "planning". Oh, but boy is that a post for another day! :-)

Anyway, if you see me shaking or biting my nails, don't fret. It's just withdrawl. I will get through. I will conquer this ridiculous obsession!