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!

What's that smell???

I truly think my 4 year old has suddenly developed an acute 'sense of smell' over this past year. She is constantly- and I do mean several times a day- asking me, "Mama, what's that smell??" From the outdoors-a distant smell from a jasmine tree or an awful stench from a skunk; to the indoors- something cooking in the kitchen, a yet undiscovered poopy diaper nearby, or an anonymous infiltration of, ahem, a 'toot' (as we so politely call it in our household)... M picks up on every smell, poignant or subtle and insists on knowing where it's coming from! She will even be playing far away from the kitchen, unaware of what I'm doing even, and suddenly she'll come from the other room with her little nose up in the air, making little 'sniff, sniff's, asing "What's that smell, Mama?" Tonight, though, took the cake (or I should say, the 'brownies')....

M: Mama, what's that smell? (as though she didn't know, after helping me pour the brownies into their pans and graciously offering (!) to lick the bowl and spatula for me!!)
Mama: Um, you mean the brownies?
M: Oh! Mmmmmmmmmm. Oh my gosh, mmmmmmmm!
Mama: Yep- but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to eat one.
M: I know, I know.

Bedtime rolled around tonight, and Papa laid down with M and L, while I nursed C to sleep in the other room. After all the rugrats were asleep, Papa came out and informed me that M had a hard time falling asleep.

Me: Why?
Papa: She kept saying, "Oh Papa, I just don't know if I can go to sleep with that smell! I just don't know if I can sleep!"
Me: What smell was she talking about?!?!
Papa: The brownies in the kitchen.

God love her.