A Simple Twist of Faith

A+B=C?

I have a friend who is older than me, and very wise.  I don't get to see her often but when I do she always gives me food for thought.

"Do you miss working?" she asked me straight out the last time I saw her.  I paused and thought, and said, "Yes, I do. But it is not for the reasons, I thought I would.   Money is tight, there is no doubt about that, but we have managed to live simpler and not go into debt.  I do miss my friends at work, but frankly my energy is now taken up with my children.  I love teaching my youngest to read and write, it gives me much joy to see her learn.  At first, I was starved for 'alone time', but I have grown use to the chaos, the unceasing chatter, and it seems too quiet when my girls are not here.  The one thing I miss is recognition for a job well done."

 

Let your Sham Rock

It's Saturday morning, and I am still in my pajamas and robe.   One week ago at this time, I was running the Shamrock 8K with my husband.  We ran most of the race together, but the last mile he sprinted and I just could not do it.  Still, I achieved my goal.  I finished the race in 48 minutes, my pace was less than a ten minute mile.  I placed 90th out of 536 in my age group.    

I am especially proud of Rick.  In the 17 years I have known him, he has NEVER run or expressed any interest in doing so.  Last October, he began a program he found on-line, Couch to 5K.  He followed the training schedule, and now he is running about 20 miles a week.

So guess, what he wants us to do next Saint Patrick's Day...run the half marathon!  

 

Rejoice Always

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to “Rejoice Always.”  (II Thessalonians 5: 16)  During the Christmas season, as I was rushing all over town in my mini-van, I hear a segment on the radio that has stuck with me.  The interview was on happiness.  In the conversation, the guest asserted that 50% of happiness comes from hereditary sources.  One is born with a sanguine or melancholy disposition.  10% of happiness comes from life circumstances. One’s finances, social, economic, and physical well being are included in this percentage.  That leaves 40% of happiness based on a choice, choosing to be happy.  40%!

Mommy, can we relax today?

Being All Souls Day, I thinking of my Mom and my Dad, who are both deceased.  My most fond memories of my Mom are not the gifts she bought me, or the activities she took me to, but the warm, comfort of her lap.  I remember the pale blue quilted robe she wore, the smell of White Shoulders, and the softness of her hands.  I loved her reading to me, especially fairy tales.

Do Princesses Wear Glasses, Mommy?

My four year old asked me last night as she readied herself for bed.  She had already shed her Cinderella costume, and clothed in her purple Curious George PJS, was dutifully setting her purple frames on our buffet in the dining area.  

Today was the follow-up check of Bumblebee at the optometrist office.  Four weeks ago, she received her eye glasses to correct a very weak left eye.  Prior to the glasses, she could only make out the first two lines on the eye chart.  A month ago, her vision in her left eye with the glasseswas 20/60 up close, and 20/80 for distance.  The optometrist was warning there maybe an eye patch, or dilation for the right eye in order to strengthen the left one.      

The beauty of a fall morning

Holy Cow!  This has been a busy week.  I haven't been on the computer much, because the weather has been absolutely gorgeous.  Our windows are open, there is a slight crispness in th air in the morning, and the days have been in the 70s.  I love this brief time of year, it reminds me of the mild weather I grew up with and took for granted in Central Coast California.

On Tuesday, my daughter had early dismissal so we met friends at the zoo and had a great time.  How appropriate since it was the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

This morning I am enjoying a quiet cup of coffee listening to the birds sing.  Today, we have the PTA Pumpkin Patch, a play date, and our niece is visiting with her newborn.  All good things, but right now, it is nice to just be...

I just heard a door open down the hallway, so I will say good-bye for now, my friends.  I hope you have a great weekend whether it is decorating your house for Halloween, picking pumpkins, or just enjoying the change of seasons. God is good!

What's your favorite fall activity?

Incorporating Faith into your childrens' lives

As many of you know, this fall we made the big, and  rough decision of sending our oldest daughter to first grade at our local public elementary school.  One of my chief concerns was the lack of Christian formation in a secular environment.  Here are seven very simple ways I am trying to incorporate scripture and prayer into my children daily routine.

1. Morning Prayer:

On our walk to the bus stop, we have been praying our traditional Catholic prayers, "Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be."  We have also been singing the Guardian Angel prayer.

 2. Thanksgiving:

When I pack Ladybug's lunch every night, I add a little note with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.  Sometimes, I write the traditional Catholic prayer:

Grace Before Meals

Bless us our Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Today, I wrote her favorite mealtime prayer song.

The Fine Art of Saying No

“No, I can’t do it”, is a very hard sentence for me to say.  When I worked in the corporate world, I felt it was a sign of weakness, a sign of a bad attitude, a sign of NOT being a team player.  Because of that, I frequently took work home; I scheduled conference calls when my child was sick, and I “got the job done.”  Yes, I rarely said no at work, however when it came to my family that was an entire different story. 

I always said yes, no matter how difficult the task and my family paid the price.  Many times, my husband picked up our girls from daycare because of a pressing assignment to work. 

Please note my boss did not tell me to stay, I stayed because of my own pride.

My family always took a back seat to my job.

Fast forward eighteen months, and although I have traded in my crisp white blouse, pencil skirt, and pumps for a t-shirt, khaki skirt, and flip flops, and corporate culture for full-time motherhood, I am still putting other “things” before my family. 

Made Perfect by Weakness

Today, a dear friend came up to me after Mass and asked, “Are you okay?  You haven’t blogging in two weeks.”  I answered truthfully, “No, I am not.  I have had a migraine headache going on ten days.  But frankly, it’s more than that I am in hormonal hell.” 

Avoid the near occasion of sin?

This week as part of our at-home catechism, my six year old is learning the Act of Contrition.  For my readers who are not Catholic, this is a prayer of reconciliation where you ask the Lord for pardon of your sins.

Here is the prayer she is learning:

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You,

and I detest all my sins, because of your just punishments,

but most of all because they offend You, my God,

Who are all-good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace,

to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin."

Amen.

Last night, she asked me,"Mommy, what is avoid the near occasion of sin?"

Good question.