A Simple Twist of Faith

Life is A Journey

Today, I have the honor of writing  at Mom to the Screaming Masses.  Recently, Carmen wrote about the different paths she had taken in her life, and the roads less traveled .  I definitely could relate to this post.  Life is a journey and I have traveled many paths in my 47 years.

To read more, click here 

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%!

What is Wisdom?

This morning, I read the following reflection on Psalm 37 in Give Us This Day  and thought I would like to share it with you, my friends:

"What then is wisdom?  It is concerned that life should have meaning, have a part in what endures.  Wisdom takes care that in the end a man should not stand empty-handed.  It is based upon the gift of distinguishing what is valuable and what is cheap, what endures and what passes, what is genuine and what is specious...

    But if we ask, "What then shall I do?  Wisdom, counsel me!" then wisdom replies, " You must learn to dstinguish.  You must bring into your life things that are of divine character, things that do not merely pile up or excite, but have value."

    And what has value? Wisdom replies, "the good!" When we have a duty, even though it is unpleasant, the situation changes, the action is past, but something remains: the good has been done.  This has divine character.

    Or if I act kindly towards a person, whom perhaps I do not like, try to understand him, help him-in this fulfillment of the divine command something takes place which remains...

    So we might speak of many things-also of this-ad it would not be unimportant-that it is a part of wisdom to be careful of one's own wisdom.  It is a virtue which is easily spoiled. If one is too conscious of it, or emphasizes it, then wisdom itself becomes folly, and a greater than that which it sought to overcome. "

Fr. Romano Guardini, The Wisdom of the Psalms

NaBloPoMo???

This month is National Blog Posting Month better known as NaBloPoMo.  Sponsored by BlogHer, the challenge is to write a post EVERY DAY for the month of November.  I have been slacking when it comes to blogging, so I thought this might  just jump start my writing.

Thank you to Headless Mom for the link to sign up in the blogroll.  There are chances to win prizes, and get some exposure, or maybe just motivation to set aside the time to write.

Right now, I just put my four year old down for a nap, and I have the groceries spread across my kitchen counters waiting to be put up.  I have exactly one hour before I have to pick up kids from school, so I am going to have to make this fast.  Ha-ha!  For those of you who have known me for any length of time, you know I do NOT do anything fast. 

A post a day is a big challenge for me!  So, I need a little help from you, my readers.

Do you have any questions for me? 

What would you like me to write about?  

Be a dear, and leave your suggestions in the comment section. 

Today I am thankful for you. My dear friends, you have been loyal, encouraging and inspiring to me as I have spent the past 18 months chronicling my transition from the corporate world to the world of full-time motherhood.

Tackle It Tuesday #13: A Breath of Fresh Air

What's on your list this week? 

I am joining force with the ladies at 5 Minutes for Moms for Tackle It Tuesday.  Head over to their site, they have a great idea for an art and homework corner. 

As for me, my "to do" list this fall is much more selfish.  I am taking time to take care of myself, and today was a biggie, going on the doctor's office for that annual appointment,  which I have been neglecting for the past three years.  Most women hate this appointment, and I am no different except, thanks to the recommendation of two good friends, I now have  new OB/GYN.  Actually, she is a mid-wife and she is like a breath of fresh air.  This gal is awesome.  

Tackle It Tuesday #11: The Fall Edition, Creating the List

Hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.com

This week I challenged myself to create a To-Do List which including "stuff" I had been neglecting, and the list had one common denominator, it was all "stuff" I needed to do for me.

The realization that I needed this list all started with a headache that lasted over ten days, and when I wrote about it, many of you suggested, requested, or demanded that I go see a doctor.  Which got me thinking when was the last time I went to the doctor for a check-up?  I looked back and realized it was when I HAD to go for a physical examination as part of the adoption process for Bumblebee.  My record for the OB/GYN and mammogram was even worse, when I went to schedule an appointment, I found out my doctor had left town in 2009. Given my family history with breast cancer, this is just crazy of me not to keep up with, if not for myself, for the sake of my children.

So, last week, I have scheduled an OB/GYN appointment, with a new doctor.  But it got me thinking, I really need to pay more attention to my own personal health.  It is not only about doctor's appointments, but eating right, getting enough exercise, and sleep, and finding ways to relax.

So for the fall edition of "Tackle It Tuesdays" I will be working on:

 

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?

The Big Decision

How can I express myself in a coherent way about my thought process in making one of the  most difficult decisions I have ever made? I will say I have praying a lot over this decision and asking the Lord to show me the way.

 

I have a big announcement, one that may shock you, one that may have you shaking your head in bewilderment.  I have decided to enroll my six year old in public school for first grade this fall. 

Yes, I have bought all the home schooling books, yes I have send the letter of intent to our local school district, yes I have painstakingly constructed her curriculum, and even designed daily lesson plans.

Several things have happened over the past few weeks which have caused me to change our educational plans for Ladybug.

I have been offered two options to earn money.  Since January, we have been without dental and vision insurance.  At the time, our health insurance coverage changed, and we no longer had access to employer sponsored insurance. Please note we follow a strict budget and do not use credit anymore.  This gap in our coverage has been keeping me up at night, and I have been praying that God would show me a way on how to afford this insurance on our monthly budget. With Bumblebee needing eye glasses, and Ladybug on the verge of getting her adult teeth, I feel God offered me solution that would pay for these two additional bills.  However, there is a catch, and of course, it is time, but not only time but energy.  Both of these options wonderful opportunities, and I am very excited about them.  But I was left wondering how I would be able to juggle these new responsibilities while home schooling my two daughters.

A Sane Woman

I have been reading a variety of books this summer. Several of my friends have given me books to borrow including The Robe, Breakfast with the Pope, the Outlander series, and the book I would like to talk about today, A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family by Mary Ostyn.

One day I must have looked especially harried, because my friend, Carmen, recommended this book and let me borrow it.  Thank you Carmen!   Now, I know I am not raising a large family, only two very precocious girls, ages six and almost four.  However, I could identify with many aspects of this book.      

First, some background on the author, Mary Ostyn, is a mother of ten children, six who came to her family through adoption.  She home schools her children, and written many articles on parenting and adoption.  She als had written a cookbook and shopping list entitled Family Feast for $75 a week. She blogs about her adventures at Owlhaven where she shares her stories, her recipes, and her beautiful photos.  

To me, women like her are rock stars.  How she can keep it all together is amazing to me.  I hoped by reading her book I might gleam some insight and pick up some tips.