My Songs of Joy!

My Songs of Joy!
Do Re Mi Fa Sol!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Day 7 of "Grace in Small Things"


Today, Holy Saturday, I found Grace in...

-My husband, my children, and my family
-A beautiful Easter Vigil Mass with my family
-A sleeping child during most of the Easter Vigil Mass!!
-My heart welling up with gratefulness and pride (the good kind!) as my family walked hand in hand together into Mass
-Singing the Gloria during Mass, with the handbells ringing- it sent chills through me, as I thought of (and tasted just a teeny ounce of) the fanfare and celebration in Heaven when Christ broke the chains of death almost 2000 years ago for me, for us! Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Jesus is Risen! Alleluia!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Day 6 of "Grace in Small Things"


Today, Good Friday, I found Grace in...

-My husband, my children, and my family
-Participating in the Stations of the Cross outside the Abortion Mill
-Spending time with dear friends- how grateful I am for this blessing!
-Kissing the cross with my daughter, thinking of what He suffered for me
-Hearing my daughter say, "I'm so happy it's Good Friday today, Mama!" ("Why?") "Because today is the day Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and it's sad, but it's also good because then my sins can be forgiven!" Aaaah. Nothing like hearing Truth spoken from a precious child.
-Little sacrifices

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Day 5 of "Grace in Small Things"


Today, Holy Thursday, I found Grace in...

-My husband, my children, and my family
-Watching my husband participate in the foot washing by Father on the altar at Mass tonight
-The refreshing evening air, after a bit of a long and trying time at Mass with my three little ones, who were being stretched past their usual bedtime with no naps today!
-The quiet of night, with everyone in bed, lights out, and an opportunity to pray in solitude!
-Meditating on the Wounds of Christ... even if I fell asleep way before I wanted to, during my reflection time!!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Day 4 of "Grace in Small Things"

Today I found Grace in...

-My husband, my children, and my family
-Homemade Coconut Mango Pancakes (thanks Rachel and Tree Mike!)
-C's infectious laugh
-Savoring an evening rosary, all by myself (in my car!)
-The endearing and incomparable feeling of holding hands with my little ones
-Secretly observing Big Sister "taking care" of Little Brother when we thought he might be sick this morning (She got out her doctor kit and gave him a checkup, declaring that he has a fever and needed medicine! Upon discussing it with Mama, she agreed that vitamins would suffice...as long as she could have some, too!!!)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

WHY?!?!


As our dear son quickly approaches his 3rd birthday (Apr 29), I find myself having more frequent moments of contemplating how incredibly fast time goes by, how very little time we actually have here, how precious of a gift our lives are, etc. I am overwhelmed with joy at how blessed I am to have been given such Treasures from God, these precious Souls that put everything into perspective for me. My little guy never ceases to bring a tender smile to my face on a daily basis, whether from his silly expressions, his goofy antics, or his precious comments. This morning, for example...

L: Mama, I not like that Jesus died.
Mama: You don't?
L: No. Dats sad. I not like that Jesus died.
Mama: Yes it is, buddy.
L: But ya know, I'll get him. I'll lasso him and save him!!
Mama: Oh! Really?
L: Yeah, I'll save him. But, Mama, why does Jesus die?
Mama: Well, Sweetie- he died because he loves us so much and wants us to be able to live with him in Heaven someday.
L: Oh. Buy why, Mama?
Mama: Because that's what he came to earth to do- to die for you and for me and for all of us.
L: Otay....but WHY?

Ah, yes. The wonderful "Why" phase! WHY do I forgot about this phase?! Someone once told me she learned a great way to handle this phase: When asked "Why..." over and over again with no real desire to really hear an answer to the "Why?", try answering "Why not?" or "Why do you think....?" Sometimes that seems to suffice my little 4 year old philosopher, but somehow they get around those "answers", too!!

Mama: L, why have you started wetting your diapers in the morning again? (Note: We put a diaper on the kiddo at night, because lately he's been wetting in the early morning right before he wakes up, and well, frankly, we covet those last 15 minutes of sleep every morning nowadays a little too much to discipline ourselves to get up and take him before he goes! Shame on us! Anyway...back to this morning's discussion...).
L: What? No, no, no!
Mama: No, no, no? What do you mean?
L: No, no, no! You not s'pposed to say "Why?"
Mama: Oh... I'm not?
L: No! I'm s'pposed to say "Why?"
Mama: Uh... okay...
L: Mama?
Mama: Yes?
L: Um, why I wet my diapers in the morning again?
Mama: You're a stinker!!
L: (smirk)

You'd think they're given lessons on how to pull a Mama's heartstrings, eh?!

Day 3 of "Grace in Small Things"

Today I found Grace in...

-My husband, my children, and my family
-Mass
-Family MealTime
-Numerous opportunities to practice patience!!
-Snuggle Time with my little ones!
-Sunday Sabbath Siesta!