I'm scared!!

Tonight, from around the corner, I got to hear this from The Buddies, who were sleeping together in M’s room:
L: M- I’m scared!!!
M: L, just say a prayer!
L: I’m scared, M!
M: Here, do you want me to help you? Let’s pray to our Guardian Angels, okay?
L: O-tay.
M: Okay, say it after me….
Angel of God…my guardian dear….to protect God’s love…commit me here….ever this night…be at my side…Amen.
Okay, there. Good boy. Now you don’t have to be scared, okay?
L: (still crying) O-tay………but I’m scared!
M: Ahhh! L, stop it! Stop crying! You’re too loud! I’m tired and we need to go to sleep. Quiet!! Mama!
-2 minute pause
L: (crying begins again, a bit harder) I’m scared!
M: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
L: Mama!!!
Me: Yes, buddy?
L: Mama, can you sweep wif us, pweeze?

How can a mother refuse such a request?

Down and Dirty

Today I went to an Organic Gardening Workshop- something I have been eagerly anticipating since I heard about it several months ago. As I was getting ready to go, M interrogated me about where I was going, what I’d be doing, and- most importantly- why she wasn’t coming along with me. After informing her that it was going to be a workshop, where there might be a lot of talking and sitting around, she asked what the talking was going to be about. I paused, knowing this was a losing battle.
Me: Um, gardening.
M: Gardening??!! You know I want to garden, too! Please, please, please, can I come with you? I really really want to learn about gardening, too, so I can help you in our garden!
How could I argue with that? (or with the big, pleading doe eyes she fluttered up at me!)

So off we went, ready to fill our minds with information and spend our Saturday morning/afternoon getting a little dirty! The first couple hours were mainly talking, learning more about the reasons to grow/eat organic, how to do it, what to use, etc. Then we were served a delectable, fresh lunch made with food right out of the garden-beans, snap peas, peppers, greens, sprouts, tomatoes, mmmmmm! So fresh, you could taste the sunshine!! Then, the moment M had been waiting for: time in the garden! We actually got to prep/dig up a raised garden bed and plant the seeds. We were amidst a group of about a dozen people, and my little M was right there next to the workshop leader, Joy, following her around and offering help every step of the way! She wanted to get her hands dirty and take part in making this garden ‘come to life’! I was truly proud of her ambitious determination and excitement. I stood back and snapped a few pictures, knowing without a doubt that we must have our own garden! What an incomparable form of education!! M was learning by doing, in the truest sense of the word- and she was loving it! We moved from the garden bed to the container gardens, and M jumped right in again, planting a tomato plant surrounded by lettuce. She insisted that we bring home ‘her’ plant, of course! Some of the other folks there at the workshop were quite amused by this little miniature gardener. One asked me, "Is she always this focused and careful? Look how intently she does everything!" Yes, this Mama was a little proud, to say the least. I know I would have enjoyed the workshop if I'd gone by myself (well, with C, of course), but am I sure glad I brought M with me- how much I enjoyed watching her have this experience and find a new little passion of her own!
I took away an immense amount of information from the workshop, but most of all the desire to give my children the gift of cultivating and nurturing a garden together in our yard. Before today’s workshop, I had the desire but not a great deal of ‘know how’, and it seemed a bit daunting. But now, I’d love to run outside and start digging and planting without hesitation! But like everything, some planning ahead will benefit us, and we need to confer with Papa about the whereabouts of this endeavor in our yard. Until then (though, hopefully not too long!), we will be tending to our baby tomato and lettuce container plants, psyching ourselves up to move on to ‘bigger and better things’ outside!

Admit One + Guest

Our Little Man is almost going to be 3 years old!!! Papa came up with an awesome idea for a way to celebrate L’s birthday as a family…
We borrowed a projector from a friend of ours and Papa figured out how to set it up and hook it up to our Bose speakers; then he set up our family room like a movie theatre. All day long, M tried her darndest to figure out what "the big secret" was going to be, asking for clues and hints....but Mama and Papa wouldn't budge! While Papa set things up in the family room, Mama herded everyone out onto the porch and played a game, so the surprise wouldn't be spoiled in advance. (Thought it would be a fun time for a little sibling picture, of course, too!)



Mama had made ‘movie tickets’ earlier that day ("Admit One plus a Guest"... M chose Papa and L chose Mama as their guests- C was already asleep by now!), and right before the big event we handed out the tickets to M and L (who had been trying to guess all day long what our Friday night preBirthday family surprise was going to be).



The best moment of the evening: sitting all together in darkness on the couch, facing the vast white wall in front of us with ice cream and popcorn in hand, and suddenly hearing the first unmistakable notes to the Star Wars theme song fill the room and seeing the introduction scene scroll upward in huge letters right before our eyes, like a giant movie screen in our own home!! The kids squealed with glee at that first note, so surprised at what (and how!) they were seeing! L was beside himself, as this is so far his absolute favorite set of movies.



The most humorous part of the evening: Thirty minutes into the movie, looking down to see both M and L completely zonked out!!!! Oh well- looks like we’ll have to have perhaps another showing tomorrow night!!
It was a great prelude to celebrating CrazyMan’s 3rd birthday as a family. (More to come on the actual Big Day- Apr.29th).
You can get a vague idea of the evening set up from the picture below, though it does no justice at all to the actual experience. Papa and his boy also leave you with a special father-son portrait, showing just how big our 'little man' is getting!

C's Limelight

It has been brought to my attention that poor little C does not get enough ‘limelight time’ on our blog!!! So, per her GodMama’s request, this post is dedicated to our Sunshine, Little Miss C. Quick little C update: She remains are precious, ever-smiling Joy, completely and utterly intrigued by her older siblings (who isn’t!?); She crawls faster than most of us can walk, and she’s been standing by herself for quite awhile… but hasn’t seem to yet figure out that she could walk if she tried! We keep saying “Any day now….” (M & L both walked before 10 months), but…. We’re still saying it! She’s our petite and long little dolly- built very differently than her big bro and sis were at this age. We’re working on sign language nowadays, and she mumbles in various languages on any given day. I promise that she will receive more ‘center stage attention’ than I’ve given her thus far! It’s just amazing, though, how true it is- things change a lot with each additional child! Don’t ask me if I’ve recorded any landmarks for my third child…… I swore I wouldn’t be like ‘every other mother’ and do such a thing! But…. guilty. Sorry, C. You’re not loved any less!!!

Papa's Apprentice

A few days ago, M and I were talking about what Papa did at work, and I suggested that maybe someday she could go to work with Papa and see for herself what he actually does. Well, ‘twas no surprise, when Papa got home from work, M immediately asked if she could go to work with him tomorrow. Papa looked at his schedule and decided that Wed would actually be a great day to bring her to work. M was ecstatic! Wed morning arrived, and Papa quietly asked M if she still wanted to get up and get ready to go to work with him (it was a little earlier than she’s used to getting up!) I’ve never seen the girl pop up and jump out of bed so fast in all her life! She ran to her room to get dressed and came back to show me the dress she picked out for her special day, asking me to do her hair very special “because I’m going to work with Papa today!” We took a few pictures, and off they headed for the Big Day! M called me once during the morning to say ‘Hi, Mama! We’re working hard! Gotta go!” In the meantime, I took this rare opportunity to spend some extra special time with my boy (and Baby C, of course!). We had fun reading, talking about being special and loved by Jesus, and then we traced an outline of his whole body and had a blast coloring it. Papa and his little Worker came home early in the afternoon (after a special lunch date), since it was a light day at work for Papa. M took great pride in telling me about how she “helped people get legs” with her Papa, and then showed me some artwork that she made when she wasn’t busily assisting him. She informed me that she “might need to take a nap, because it was a hard day’s work!” Papa thoroughly enjoyed his sweet lil’ apprentice!

Just didn't seem to register...

(Note: This picture was taken on her 4th bday, last August, when she first received the doll sling.... playing double duty here: M the 'family practice doctor' and the Mama)

Today we had some errands to run and M decided to bring her favorite dolly and a sling to carry her in (oh, yes, makes a baby-wearing Mama proud to see the subtle influences in her children!). She is truly a little Mama at heart- we got in the car and she insisted on buckling her 'baby' in with her "in case we get in an accident, so she's safe"; then we got to the store and she insisted that her baby "doesn't need a nap right now, and I want her to be right with me, so she doesn't get sad from being alone in the car." I told her it would be fine to wear her baby in the sling when we went inside the store, but under one condition: she must hold her dolly the whole time, and never ask me to carry the doll. "Oh yes, of course, Mama, of course. I'm a good mama, and I'll take really good care of her." (demonstrating her compassion with a dramatic closed-eye hug)
In we went, and within seconds L had to go potty. So, we skedaddled (oh yes, I've learned the urgency of these moments the hard way!) to the restroom and made a 'potty party' out of the bathroom trip (i.e. everyone went potty so we only had to make one trip and everyone was taken care of! Another survival trick this Mama of three learned quickly long ago!)
As M finished going potty (with her baby still on her in the mini sling) she remarked,

M: Gosh, this is hard work!
Mama: What is?
M: Doing everything and going everywhere with my baby!
(I knew what she was doing...though I wondered how long before she'd get to the point)
Mama: Yes, Sweetie, it is. Just think of Mama- I do it every single day!
M: Do what?
Mama: Nevermind, Babe. (So much for teachable moments, eh?!)
Pause...
M: Um, Mama?
Mama: Yes?
M: My baby's getting kind of heavy..... would you... maybe... (sheepishly fluttering her eyes at me) hold her for a minute?

Let's just say not only did that 'teachable moment' not happen, but little Dolly spent the rest of our shopping trip inside the shopping cart, under 2 pounds of almonds, probably wondering why she couldn't have been left 'all alone' in the quiet and comfort of the car!

Jesus, I Trust in You

Our Lord's Divine Mercy-
This was the first year I was 'on top of things' and remembered to participate in the Divine Mercy Novena, which begins on Good Friday, and ends the following Saturday night/Sunday. And let me say- it was so exciting to be engaged in this Novena! For any nonCatholics that may follow our blog, a brief little explanation: a Novena (from the Latin word 'novem', meaning nine), is basically a personal devotion of prayers/a prayer prayed in succession for 9 consecutive days or once a week for 9 consecutive weeks, asking God for special graces. These prayers are often for a particular intention.
"As Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, he told the apostles to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the
Holy Spirit. While waiting (for nine days), they devoted themselves to prayer." (Acts 1:14-the inserted parenthesis is my note) )

If you're interested in learning more about novenas in general, here's one website to check out: http://www.fisheaters.com/novenas.html

The message and devotion to Jesus as our Divine Mercy began to spread in the 1930's, based on the writings and messages given to a polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska. "Devotion to The Divine Mercy involves a total commitment to God as Mercy. It is a decision to trust completely in Him, to accept His mercy with thanksgiving, and to be merciful as He is merciful." - quote taken from: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm


This is a beautifully rich novena, and as I prayed this novena each day I found myself particularly struck by my need and our world's need for Christ's Divine Mercy. The simple, yet so profound, message that permeates this devotion is written at the bottom of any Divine Mercy icon: Jesus, I Trust in You. The messages/themes for each day of this novena were so powerful, and I want to share the one that moved me the most:

****************
Sixth Day
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
***************



Mmmmm. I look at my children and now think of this message from the sixth day of the novena often. My children are a 'sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God!' And they 'bear the closest resemblance' to Christ Jesus. Wow. What a gift I have been given, what an honor.... what an overwhelming, frightening responsibility and charge! May the Holy Spirit remind me of this message when I have moments of great frustration in my vocation as a mother! How unworthy I am- and yet, He has given me these Treasures of His to love, to raise, to train up in His ways. Do I ever need His Divine Mercy!!! I am hoping to implement a daily Divine Mercy chaplet with my children at the divine hour (3 o'clock)... just one small way I can invite Christ into another part of our day and hopefully continue to instill a love and trust for Christ and His Divine Mercy in our family.
St. Faustina, please pray for us!