prayer request

(I thought this posted on Monday...but Blogger had other intentions.  Sorry for the late notice.)

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
~Matthew 18: 19-20


It's been a long time ago (can you say, 21 years), but I'm pretty certain that there were a lot of things racing through my mind as I was handed my high-school diploma.  I'm certain I wanted to look good on stage...and not trip.  It was blistering hot that day...and I KNOW I thought about whether my gown would be stuck to my hiney as I stood up to get my diploma.  (Please Lord, spare me that humiliation!) That was probably at the forefront of my simple thoughts.  I bet I was hoping my aunts and uncles wouldn't hang around just too long after the cake was cut so I could "book it" to the long list of great parties that my classmates had planned.  Oh...the scholarship I was awarded probably gave me a few nervous thoughts about college that was just a few months away.  But nowhere in my wildest dreams would I or any other senior-on-his/her-way-out-into-the-world be thinking about Cancer.

Unfortunately, a recent grad in our community is facing just that.  His college start is on hold as he focuses instead on surgery and treatment for the tumor on his brain.  

Please join his family and friends, and parish community (and surrounding) for a day of prayer, whether you might know Austin K., or not.  Lift him, and his family and his doctors up in prayers as he undergoes his first surgery tomorrow.

There is a prayer vigil scheduled at St. Augustine Catholic Church here in Minster on Tuesday, September 18th from 8am (mass) till 8pm.  If you can't make it to church, pray anyways...it is the most powerful thing we can offer.

Thanks!

 

gifts

Alice and Emma are really enjoying their sports seasons this fall.  As seventh graders, it's their first real full-time commitment to a team...practicing 5 days a week and really pouring their heart into it.
WIth all that commitment comes a new set of challenges as well.  It's been intersting to watch them as they settle in to their places on the team.  Or maybe...not settling...is more accurate.

Alice loves Volleyball.  She started playing last spring on a club team, and really took to the game.  She is a strong server, likes to dig, and has a great attititude.  That last part has really been put to the test as their team is struggling to make marks in the "win column" this year.  It's been tough. 

Emma on the other hand, chose running.  She's passionate about Cross Country, and really seems to be finding her groove.  Her struggles come from a different place...the exact opposite place really.  Her team has won every meet.  There are 14 junior high runners and they are all incredible.  It's a challenge to be a part of such a well-oiled machine, and still stand out as an individual.  She's feeling "stuck."

Yesterday as I prayed about their unique challenges, I came across this bible verse, and had some time to talk with each of them this morning, before they headed out on their respective buses.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us; let us use them.   ~Romans 12:6

To Alice:  Do not let fear of what others think,  keep you from being a positive leader, a role model for grace and humility and kindness even when the score is not in your favor.  Winning will come, let your actions show that you're a true winner, regardless of the game's outcome.  Lead your team to a personal victory each and every time you're on the court.  Your God-given gifts include your ability, you are a calm leader, you have a positive attitude, and you have a kind heart. Use them.  I am proud of you, and I love you.

To Emma:  Do not allow yourself to "fit" into any one mold.  You are full of surprises and you are capable of amazing things.  Do your best, take chances, push past comfortable.  Allow your mind to believe what God has created your body to be capable of.  Your gifts include your ability, your determination, your desire to be the best you can be.  Use them.
I am proud of you, and I love you.


Right now, Anne's gift seems to be playing in water.  She just soaked herself as she discovered the buttons on the fridge water dispenser.  I must go.  PEACE.

The weather is cooler, coffee is warm and the floury bread dough under my nails reminds me how blessed I truly am.  Something about fall weather, maybe the idea of harvests or maybe just the fact that gray skies force me into a feeling of slowing down a bit...but something about it brings about a deeper sense of gratitude for how God takes care, and provides.

It also inspires me and helps me to recognize the things I do throughout the day are also a loving way to provide for my family here.  I am not a bread-winner, by any means.  But I can feather the nest, I can turn a few humble ingredients into something good and nourishing, I can keep things running smoothly here.  I've even come to a place in my life where laundry doesn't horrify me like it used to.  These are the my contributions, my means of providing for my loves.

Proverbs 31 comes to mind today.  In particular, verses 10-31.  And I'm feelin' all that.

God has blessed me, and blessed my family through the work of my hands.  Not to toot our own horns, but it's quite a fulfilling job we women have...don't ya think.

Toot. Toot.

granola bar update.

I've heard that many of you are trying the granola bar recipe...and loving it.  So glad.

I've also heard that several of you have tried it and had trouble with them falling apart like crazy.  I know where you're coming from.  My suggestion for this (cause it happened to me with one batch) is to press them well, and definitely wait at LEAST 30 minutes before trying to cut them...an hour is better if you can stand it.  They are worth the wait.   Seriously, the longer they're in the fridge, the easier they are to cut without crumbling everywhere.

Don't give up on this one!

I did try a batch the other day with craisins, almonds and (crushed) yogurt covered pretzels in place of the rice cereal and crushed plain pretzels.  It was the BOMB, and did not require any melted coating on top.  YUM!

friday funny.

Lucy's comment on Justin Bieber:

"Mom, I think he's HOT...(pause, and my eyebrows raise in wonder.)...underneath all that hair."

haha!

Better than the "the real ones."

I try to make homemade versions of lots of different snacks/treats.  And usually I hear the same response...it's not as good as the "real ones."

That is until I tried this new recipe for homemade, no-bake granola bars. 

You see, a single box of granola bars (the Quaker Oats Chewy variety) doesn't make it's way around the snack table once.  Only 8 or is it 10 in box?  That just won't do.  After-school snacks can kill a budget.  And so granola bars and things of the like have become rare grocery splurges. 

I have made this recipe at least 4 times now.  (A double batch makes approx 3 dozen bars...cut to the same size as the Quaker kind.)  My kids say they are the "Bomb."  Even "better than the real ones."

I've played with the recipe (based on what I had in the pantry) each time, and each time was better than the next. (Once I substitued Molasses for the honey (good, but slightly bitter), once I used crushed peanuts to replace the pretzels I ran short on, another time I used a few packets of instant oatmeal to make up for my shortage of quick oats.  Early on, we realized that pressing the mini chocolate chips into the bars just didn't work, so I now melt a little chocolate and drizzle it on top so it stays put.  I've used crunchy peanut butter, and even tried the Jif Chocolate peanut butter once...just to see.  I can't wait to experiment with craisins and almonds covered in white chocolate drizzle.  Yumm.)

Enjoy!!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

(a double batch fills both a 9x13 and an 8x8 pan perfectly, and yields about 36 bars.)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chopped pretzels
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Cut out an 8 x 8 inch square of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan.  My note:make your paper larger than the bottom of the pan!  The bars are so much easier to cut if you can lift the whole block right out of the pan with the edges of the paper, and cut them on your countertop/cutting board.

2. In a large sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Stir in the oats, crispy cereal, and pretzels. Stir until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press into the granola bars with your hands.  Seriously:  skip the pressing, and just drizzle (less than it calls for) melted chocolate lightly over the top.

4. Place the bars in the refrigerator and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve.

Note-I store the bars in the refrigerator. I've kept them in the fridge for up to a week and they are still tasty!

Adapted from Rachael Ray

finger-dippin' goodness.

I busted little Annie making her way over to the holy water font in our kitchen the other day. Too Darn Cute! She was dripping in blessings by the time she was done...

 

God Bless Anne in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

high hopes

Can you believe that most of the kids in my seventh grade parish religion class had never heard of Jiminy Cricket?!  Or maybe they just didn't want me to make them sing along...that might be more true. 

(completely off-subject; sorry about that.)

Anyways, like Jiminy Cricket, I had "high hopes" with the start of this school year that by now my house would be immaculately clean, laundry piles tamed, closets and drawers organized and so on.

Hasn't happened. 

Not.even.close!

I also thought that I'd be kickin' blog hiney, and typing out my feelings like it's nobody's business.  You can see for yourself how I'm doing on that one.

In all actuality, I'm still enjoying another week of "summer" with little Lucy until she begins preschool next week.  The two of us have become quite the dynamic duo while little Annie naps her afternoons away.  We've crafted and colored and stickered.  We've done makeovers and fingernails and curlers...even played "Toddlers and Tiaras" one afternoon.  She won the big crown.  It helps when your mama is running the pageant.  (Yes, I should be ashamed that I've seen that show.  My girls LOVE it.  Even more ashamed that we "played" it.  But it was FUN.)  We've cooked dinners, baked treats, folded laundry, and sometimes just collapsed on the couch and dozed off to some snuggly good books. 

I have been snappin  a ton of silly pics, and collected a pile of random thoughts that I have "high hopes" of sharing with you all real soon.  I'm hangin in there...hope you will too.

peace.

St. Monica, pray for us.

This mama knew a thing or two about dealing with a rebelious child...and how prayer is the key to conversion.  I'm guessing her son (St. Augie) gave her a gray hair or two, being the "free spirit" that he was...right up until his conversion on her deathbed.

Prayer for the Return of a Loved One to the Church.
Lord Jesus, I know that you give everyone the grace to seek and to find you in their lives; so I want to pray for someone who is very dear to me, someone who was in the church but who has turned away.
Grant your grace to this person, Lord that he (she) may come back to full union with you in the church. Grant him (her) the eyes of faith to see that only in your true church the fullness of life can be found.
Let my life and the lives of all the faithful be so truly Christian that they may be a sign and an invitation to reconversion for this person and for all who may have fallen away. I ask this, Lord in you name and through the intercession of Mary Immacualte, Mother of the Church. Amen.

coffee chat

All the kids are still in bed this morning, save two.  Emma, whom I just delivered to catch the bus for her first Jr. High Cross Country meet and Anne, who's moving furniture as I type.  I'll be brief.

I just wanted to try to spill out quickly how proud I am of Emma and her efforts/hard work these last months.  She's literally run the souls off of a pair of running shoes since June.  All this training...distance running, sprints, core exercises, and stuff I don't even know... boiling down to a two mile race on a foreign course against girls who want to win it just as much as the next one.  She was frustrated to wake up with a runny nose/sore throat...variables she couldn't have factored into her training regimine.  Life does that, doesn't it.  We can do all the right things, but in the end most of it's out of our control so we just do our best.

Her team "locker buddy" left her a note of inspiration yesterday...typical for their age group..."Go get 'em!  You can do it" stuff.  But at the end of her note she added,  "When you start your race......GIVE IT ALL TO GOD!"   How cool is that.  You can run all the miles in the world, eat all the right foods, hydrate all you want...but it is God who gives us strength and truly nourishes.  All glory to Him, our living bread.

With friends/teammates like that, I think she's already won.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set out before us   Hebrews  12:1

Go get 'em Emma!!

(she doesn't actually run till closer to noon, so we'll be loading up the fan club and heading out to cheer her on later this morning.  This is new to us as well, our first of many more meets to come.  I don't think we'll paint our faces for the first one...maybe lay low and feel the vibe.)

Here's your sign.

Our pile of junk mail today included an offer from Highlights magazine...a sales pitch for kids magazines/fun pages that attmepts to real us in with free stickers!

While I will not be subscribing (as usual.) I will be graciously accepting this token gift of stickers as a SIGN FROM GOD...a direct order if you will, that today is a day to chill out. While Anne is napping away, Lucy and I will snuggle, color, stick stickers, read a book or two...and just hang out.

Operation: Clean & Organize This Crazy House is on hold.   It's been replaced by Mission:  Stop And Smell The Roses.  For now, junk drawers and clutter, dustbunny lairs, hard water stains in the shower, and lost Lego dudes looking for Barbie shoes in foreign places can wait.
We've got more important things to take care of.

Thank you Lord, for your subtle reminder of what is most important.

2 more out

Frank and Rose heading out for their first afternoon of kindergarden.

The nest is growing quieter, seeming larger/emptier by the minute. Oh my.

after the tears...

...reality sets in.

 1st day of school!!!

Little Rosie caught me celebrating...hee, hee.

(never mind my pale belly flab peeking out...I think I've earned it.)

Sent 7 of my babies out the door this morning for their first day of school.  Two more will be joining them later for afternoon kindergarden. 

9 kids in school.

Lucy will start preschool next month...just a few afternoons a week. 

That will leave Anne and me. 

(sigh.)

I cried as I read this post on facebook...not sure how far it's already traveled, or who originally posted it.  I had to share.

"Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full. And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom still has to ask. Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it? Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away? Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them? Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and even more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts? Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them? Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can? Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care. Amen."
 

Crying again as I repost it.
Blessings to you and your families as we roll with the changes another school year brings.

Alice & Emma- 7th grade, Sam- 6th grade, Grace- 4th grade, Mary & John- 3rd grade, Charlie- 1st grade.

 

eggs and JAM

(far from silent.)

I'm gonna miss mornings like this when school starts...breakfasts that last much longer than they should. 

Music.  Magic.  Memories to last.

 It started with Alice, rehearsing for her upcoming "Chatterbox" performance...she's working on "moving" and working the stage.  She had instant groupies!

 Little Anne did the mic check...too bad mom's terrible with the camera.

Even the boys joined in with percussion...crayola markers for make-shift drumsticks, Mary working her tambourine, Rose and Lucy joining in on strings...and Emma helping to keep the younger ones content by fixing broken strings/setting up "drum sets" etc. 

My coffee cup runneth over...(sigh.) 

Thank you Lord, for the start of another beautiful day.

the latest nudge.

Let us be silent,
so that we may hear
the whisper of God.
          ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

# 7

My seventh is seven today.  SEVEN!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

I remember well, my nervous (read: anxiety-ridden) anticipation of your arrival.  Our Christmas letter that first year summed it up well I think.  After sharing the various gifts that each of our children bring to our home, I added....

"...and NEXT comes Charlie, who's gift is that he keeps us from wanting to say LAST (no, we're not expecting as of yet.)  Before he made his debut in July, we certainly tried to prepare ourselves and the kids for the chaos and stress that were sure to come.  But the truth is, Charlie has brought the exact opposite.  He is such a joy!!!  We just feel that he's brought such a sense of peace to our home.  He's a little bit of heaven, sent to remind us to be grateful and to recognize all the graces that come with following God's lead.  How blessed we truly are!"

(okay...so not always peaceful.  But definitely a constant reminder of God's grace.  He's never short on hugs and kisses, never too big for a snuggle.)

July 27, 2005

and today...July 27, 2012 (dad's busy puttin' bread on the table.)

Love you Chaz-mo.

more from the Frank-ster.

Haven't had any little Frank tid-bits on the blog lately.  Despite his constant grumpiness, and "worst days ever!"  that kid cracks me up.  He is the cynic, the critic, the glass-half-empty kinda guy.  And despite his best efforts to drag me into his mood-of-doom, I just want to squeeze his cheeks and love on him that much more.

Here's his latest and greatest...

He and Sam got into an argument.  More like Frank drove Sam absolutely over the edge repeating the same 3 or 4 words over and over again, until Sam snapped, yelled at him and sent him out of the room, banished from the table of Lego's they'd been sharing.  Frank (annoying as he'd been a few moments ago) was now heartbroken, in tears, and wanting to write Sam a note to apologize.  He sat down at the bar as I was fixing lunch and sounded out the note as best he could...asking me a couple times how to spell certain words.  In the end...his simple apology, and peace offering totally cracked me up, and melted me like butter (or cheese!)

"From Frank, To Sam:  I am sorry, but do you want cheese or not?"

When I asked him what the heck he meant by the cheese part, he replied with a shrug, "In case he's hungry!"   (naturally.)

(sigh).  Love that little dude.

movin right along

Thank you for all the incredibly kind comments. 
I really wasn't fishing...but you're all so encouraging.  Thank you!

I think one anonymous commenter really hit the nail on the head (and made me scratch my noggin) when she mentioned that even when I don't write and share with you...knowing that I should be writing and sharing has made me much more aware, and contemplative about all the goodness God brings into our lives.  And for that, I feel truly blessed.   Awareness is a wonderful gift.  And share-ness is the step I'm working on now.

So...enough of all the compliments and kindness and mushy stuff.  My head's getting a little big for my shoulders.

Back to reality.  The perfectly imperfect me.  Moving forward.  One baby step at a time through the laundry, and housework, and weird sticky stuff on the side of the fridge...through the morning sleeping-in snuggles, to the end of the day "Angel of God's" and everything in between.  Remembering that God's hand is guiding us through it all, and hoping that I'm not giving him too many callouses in the process. 

Happy Weekend everyone!  God is good!

(I have some random thoughts/ideas for posts in my head...hoping to answer some of the questions I've been asked when speaking in large groups.  There have been some doozies, and would love to elaborate here.  Questions like "I have twin toddlers, when will life get back to normal?"  and "How do you discipline your children?"  among others.

Do you have any topics or thoughts/questions you'd like me address.  (I'm not saying I'll have the right answers...but it might strike up some great conversations in the comment box!)

Peace out.

The First Steps

The First Steps, by Vincent Van Gogh
(Deacon John referred to this painting in his homily on Sunday)

Almost every day, I find time to open up my computer, check e-mail, peek at a blog or two that I follow, and sometimes even check in here.  Random thoughts roll around in my head about things I've been meaning to share, but most days I feel like I don't have the time to develop those thoughts into words, and so I close the computer back up, and hope for more time "later."

I'd be dishonest if I didn't share that lately, I want to just call it quits.  (with the blog, that is.)  As I go through "dry spells" in my faith life, when nothing seems especially enlightening or overtly worth mentioning/celebrating...I'm just trusting, and hanging in there...I feel as though I'm stringing you along through the mundane.  And if I'm feeling "blah" about things, I must certainly leave that impression with you too.  So my mind toys with the idea of just packing it in...pretending there was never a blog, and feeling assured that none of you will miss it when I've gone.  (Certainly there's another on your list of favorites that will fill the bill.)

Seriously.  Who am I?

And then, we go to Mass.  (And Little Miss Anne does not...she stays with Grandma.)  And I get a good swift kick in the butt thanks again to beautiful music (we sang "The Summons" again,) and great readings, and a homily that felt like it was written specifically for me.  ME.  (Because to answer my own question,  I am HIS!)  And even when I seem to be only "going through the motions," He reminds me to continue to trust.  And as we take those first steps towards something new, even first steps toward starting over He is there...providing us with the people and the tools we need for take off...to encourage us, and even to catch us should we stumble.  (Lord knows, I feel like I've been stumbling lately.) 

And so, if you're willing to keep checking in...I'm going to try to keep taking baby steps, attempting to put all these thoughts and inspirations into words.  Hoping that by writing them out, my thoughts will become actions...a lived faith, and trust in God's perfect plan...a way to bring our family into a deeper relationship with Him, and in turn, your family too.

Peace & God Bless


but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
~2 Corinthians 12:9