on the subject of saints...

A friend of mine has something to share...what a beautiful story indeed. Check out her Little Saint

a saint, or no??

My mom and I had an interesting conversation this morning, about the "sainthood" of St. Christopher. She suggested that he was in fact not a saint. What?! How could this be. My dad and brothers (all military) have always worn a St. Christopher medal...the patron of travelers. I think John even has a St. Christopher medal in his truck. How could he not be a saint. What's a person to do?! I googled him. And according to one site I found (Catholic encyclopedia, I think) St. Chris, along with many other early saints, was found to be perhaps more legend than real person. So his feast day was removed from the official calendar. His cult was not suppressed as in the case of some saints (like St. Ursula), so in some local parishes and diocese, his feast day is still celebrated. So, is he a saint, or no? Does this mean, if he was proven to exist he would be saintworthy, but since he's a myth, it's been revoked?
Anyone care to shed some light on this? I feel swindled. Dad gave me a St. Christopher medal for Christmas one year (or maybe he talked John into getting me one.) Either way, I always thought it was a nice connection with my dad and brothers who always wore theirs. Now what?
I'm also interested in knowing which other popular saints may have been "mythed."

G.N.O.

Tonight it was a girls night out. And unlike last night's g.n.o. which involved 5 young girls and their mom getting groceries at Walmart. Tonight's g.n.o. was adults only. My mom and one of her sisters, my cousin, and myself went out for dinner and toured a few of the fine establishments surrounding the beautiful Indian Lake. It is so good to just laugh...and eating, and cold beverages are good too. But laughing...you know, belly-laughing is good for the soul!
Each year a handful of the women in my mom's family take a summer trip together. For a few years it was a houseboat at Norris Lake in Tennessee. Then it was a floating house, and next year, the plan is to find something much closer to home. I've only been on a couple of the trips. As our family has grown it's been too difficult to get away. Maybe next year. So, tonight (in the name of research) we went touring the area of Indian Lake. Our plan was to scope out some rentals we'd seen online. Turns out we found a nice one right off, so were able to celebrate the "good hunt" by checking out the local nightlife. Very fun. Not to worry, I was in by 10 (and still managed to see most of the kids off to bed.) I'm so grateful for John being a good sport about it. I look forward to times when it's easier for the two of us to get out alone. It will come....

kickin' up our heels

Okay, I thought I was lookin' all cute in my little hot pink sandals today, so I left them on in the house (usually the shoes are off while at home.) Charlie followed me through the kitchen...clomping behind me with his oversized cowboy boots. "Mom, why do you have your shoes on?" (I'm sure he was assuming I was getting ready to leave.) "Because I look so cute in them!" I said (so modest, I know.) "Me too mom!" So we danced around the kitchen table a bit in our fashionable footwear. Hey, when ya got it, ya got it!

sleepless nights.

Okay, one lousy night of sleep...I don't have much to complain about, I know. So instead, I'm going to find the silver lining. For the most part, this family has been blessed with great sleepers. Oh, we have our occasional sleep-walkers, middle of the night bathroom visits, and once in awhile I find myself rooting around under Lucy's crib for a lost pacifier. But overall, its good. All 10 are in bed by 9 on a school night, and don't hear from them again till 7. Last night though, Lucy needed some Mom-time. She's cutting two big teeth, and those swollen gums were keeping her from getting any rest. I tried soothing her from the sidelines a few times, but finally had to just bite the bullet and rock with her for awhile. It's funny, I groan and complain thinking about it, but in all honesty, I love those hours snuggling in the rocker, just her and I. She never did fall asleep in my arms, but she was certainly content there, and we both enjoyed just gazing at each other in the dark. Those moments are hard to come by during daylight hours, and these times won't last forever. So for now, I'm grateful for this beautiful baby I hold in my arms...a precious miracle from God, indeed. How much better to be awake holding this little one, as opposed to awake, waiting and wondering when I'll hear her coming thru the door in the wee hours of the night. Oh, if they could only stay little forever!

a simple thought for the day.

(borrowed)

Prayer doesn't change God, but it changes those who pray.

from the sidelines...

A good friend e-mailed recently and shared her thoughts about an earlier post I did on high school football
Her thoughts helped me to rethink the love some men have for the sport, and maybe to even understand the goosebumps that go along with it. (I'm trying to get it.)

She says: "...regarding the game of football. Just like you said, I don't get it either.....why boys want to play that game, I have no idea. But let me tell you, when you see how hard they work at practices and then when you see your son out on the field and the team huddles in and they raise their helmets together in the center, it really hits the heart. You see them come home day after day beaten and exhausted, and you wondering to yourself why? Is it really worth it? They have a desire and dedication to something I will never understand. I have found that it makes them stronger from the inside out. It makes them part of a team that works so hard day in and day out for a true love of the game. I only hope my boys will remain that strong and dedicated to their faith in the years to come. So here's to you......mother of those one day boys out on the football field. I promise it will touch your heart and you will be a proud momma!!"

Thanks Deb. I look forward to it.

guilty as charged...

After further analysis of the evidence, and extensive crime scene investigation, it has been determined that the aforementioned "victim" of artistic malfeasance is in fact guilty as charged. By determining the angle of trajectory of the said markers involved, it could only have been self-inflicted...especially, the marks left inside the "victim's" ears. Nobody else could have done it so carefully, and so recklessly all at the same time. Although, I do believe there may have been an accomplice with regards to the markings on the posterior legs. Frank and Charlie have been taken in for questioning...but without fruit snacks, they're not talkin'!

On the Birthday of our Blessed Mother...

Just as we celebrate birthdays of our loved ones here on earth, it should only seem fitting to also then celebrate the birth of our Heavenly Mother, Mary. Happy Birthday Mary!

May we all be inspired by her humble "yes" to our Lord, that we too may say yes to His will in our lives.

a prayer of praise:

It is truly fitting, Mary, that we should honor you. For God chose to honor you by making you His mother. The prophets of old spoke of you with their fairest praises, the glory of Israel and all of womankind. The angel bowed in reverence as he addressed you who were chosen to be God's mother. And all generations have called you blessed. So joyfully, Mary, we praise you: We praise you in your purity, far more radiant than that of the brightest seraphim and cherubim. We praise you in your maternity, in which you were privileged to nourish your God and Creator at your breast. We praise you in your virginity, which you kept so preciously together with you holy maternity. We praise you in the honor which through you has been given to holy motherhood throughout the ages. We praise you in the courage your pure and holy example has given to Christian mothers in a sinful world. We praise you, too, in your motherhood, which by God's decree has made you our mother and us your children. Yes, always and at all times and in all places will we praise and honor and bless you, as it is proper to do, holy Mother of God, ever-blessed virgin, mother of fair love! Amen.

~from a Mothers' Manual by A. Francis Coomes, S.J.

someone is so in trouble...

This is why markers and other craft supplies are usually under lock and key in this home! And, just how am I to be angry when she looks at me like this?! (she's obviously the victim here, right?)

because He asked me to, that's why.

Jesus says "Let the children come to me" and so I do. When the kids turn 3, I consider them old enough to go to church, and expect them to remain seated (or kneeling/standing) as appropriate. I don't allow layng/climbing in the pew, or toys, or snacks. It's other people's business if they do...but these are my expectations for my kids. Afterall, with John working weekends, I'm the only parent in the pew, so we need to be clear about how to behave. The first 6 children fit into this little "mold" I'd created, just beautifully. But, I'm coming to realize that God has a sense of humor, and so there is Charlie. He's not loud, or terribly disruptive, he just can't keep his hands or feet "inside the car." He's constantly touching his brothers and sisters, reaching over the pew in front of us, trying to shake hands with everyone (future Walmart greeter?), and last week he told me after mass that he was trying "to start a campfire on the kneeler." What?! Where does he come up with this stuff. Like I said, he's not loud. So I'm grateful for that. Today a husband and wife behind me smiled knowingly. They have a couple boys of college age now, and seemed to remember quite well, wrestling their own active one in the pew from time to time. At one point the dad even asked as I held Charlie tightly on my lap, if I "had him in the penalty box." "Yes," I said, "for high-sticking."
I'm ever optimistic though, that next week will be better than the last, and that hopefully, he'll be outgrown of this before next summer when Frank and Rose turn 3. (Lord, please!)

Soccer saturdays

8am...up and at 'em
cereal and juice all the way around
kids dressed
baby nursed
teeth brushed?
mom showered
shoes for everyone
need help tying!
condensed version of saturday:cleaning day
baby napped
snacks and water bottles packed
missing shin guards found
stroller (check)
picnic blanket (as if they'll actually sit)
loading into the van
coffee...I need coffee!!!
and we're off to the soccer field.
(okay soccer mom...where's your lipstick?)

gotta love "soccer saturdays"

Oi, I'm getting older.

It's official. I'm getting older and turning into my parents. Last night as I was getting ready for bed I noticed the motion activated lights out by the alley had come on. I glanced out and noticed an unfamiliar vehicle parked in our drive back there. Hmm. Strange. I glanced around a little more (it's not unusual for our neighbor teens to have parties, so I thought maybe "overflow" parking). All the neighboring houses were dark too. Hmmm strange. I just watched for a few minutes, and noticed a couple people back by our shed. It sounded as if they were on cell phones, looking for directions or something. Sounded like teen boys, so at this point I felt they were harmless. So I told John (who had just gone to bed) what I was up to, and ventured out. As I approached the alley, I realized the boys were gone. I looked down a few houses and saw them wandering around so I hollered out. "Hey is this your car?" (pause) "Umm. Yeah." "Well I think you parked it in the wrong spot...you might want to move it." (another pause, and they're still not coming towards me) "Umm, sorry 'bout that, we're looking for *Jones' house...is this it?" "Nope, they live over there." "Oh, okay, we're just looking for *Jim, sorry."
Those turds never did move their car!
And then I started to worry that maybe they were going to pull some shananigans at the Jones' house. I mean, everybody knows everybody in this town, and how good of friends could they be if they park in the back and don't know which house it is?! I started to worry a bit, and hesitated about calling the police (just to do a drive by and keep an eye out.) It made me feel so old, and unhip to be worrying all because a couple teens parked in the wrong yard, and wouldn't move their car. It angered me to think back that when I was a teen if someone older had approached me at midnight in the alley for something so simple..I'd not only have moved it, but I'd probably have driven straight home, praying my dad didn't find out about it. Silly, I know. But I feared my parents (esp. Dad) and while I did my share of stupid stuff, I knew full well, that if and when I got caught, I was going to pay the price...at home. Is it "old" of me to say that I sometimes think kids nowadays are lacking respect and a little fear of consequences.
Anyhow, after stewing around about it for awhile, and finally just going to bed, I heard the boys hop in their car (with *Jim Jones) and head on out for the night. All that hype for nothin. Figures. Perhaps this was just one of many readiness-exercises God's sending my way to begin preparation for when I have 9 teens of my own at one time. God help me...I'll be too old for sure!

friday night football

We're fortunate to live near enough to the school (and the football stadium) to walk to the games. Most of the time we don't buy tickets...seems wateful when we're pretty certain that at least 6 of the kids would be ready to leave by then end of the first quarter. But John gets Friday night football fever. He says the hair on his arms raise up when the players come out of their locker rooms. Despite 20 years out of high school now, he still "has it in his blood." I don't get it. But, I play along. The kids get all decked out in their orange and black, and of course every year he digs his old jerseys out of the hall closet. The kids love this, and fight over who's turn it is to wear them. We load up the wagons and strollers, and walk down for kickoff. We stand outside the fence where the kids can run and play, and pass a football of their own. Of course the marching band is a highlight for the little ones. Tonight we made it to half-time before the older ones were bored and the younger ones were in tears. Not bad.
Okay, I do enjoy the game, but I think more, I like that it means cooler weather and pumpkins, Oktobetfest, and all the goodness that fall brings. Definitely no hair sticking up on my arms though. Guess ya had to play the game. Maybe someday when one of my boys takes the field, I'll get the goosebumps, but for now...not so much.

(nearly) empty nest

I had 4 children napping and 6 at school this afternoon...and nearly 30 minutes all to myself. I didn't quite know how to act. I hated to waste it on tv, and I can fold laundry when they're all in bed at night, for some reason this time seamed special, sacred almost. It was incredibly strange, to say the least. I checked e-mail, loaded the dishwasher with lunch dishes, and for 10 minutes...I sat down on the couch in complete silence. Because I could. I hate to admit it, but I was a little sad, imagining a time when the kids are all out of the house. Of course then, I may be back to working more hours as a nurse again. But still, my heart was heavy, and I was glad when Mary and John were dropped off in the driveway anxious to show me the dinosaurs they colored at preschool today. Together the three of us waited on the front porch for the older kids to come walking down the street from the elementary. Soon the house was abuzz again...popsicles to distribute, school papers to check and sign, nappers waking up, supper to fix. This is what I know and love. This is my blessed life.

today's cheap entertainment brief:

There's always something cooky going on around here...you can count on it. Tonight was no disappointment. The kids (all 10 of them...Little Lucy hangin out in her exersaucer) had convened in the front yard this evening along with about 6 or 7 neighbor kids. Mission: swatting at dragonflys. What?! For some reason there was a swarm of dragonflys circling and dive-bombing over our front yard. Nobody else's yard...just ours. They were flying very low to the ground to avoid the swarm of 20-30 swallows that were circling higher in the sky above them, waiting to prey on them. It was the most bizarre sight...all these circling swarming things. It inspired the kids to come out with tennis rackets, badminton rackets and whatever else they could find to swat at all the flying targets. Needless to say to unsuspecting folks driving by, the kids must have looked like a bunch of looney birds dancing around swatting into the air (and hitting nothing.) It was hilarious. John and I took our usual places on the front porch, just taking it all in. The dance seemed to last a good 15-20 minutes, and when the big kids were tired out, the little kids took over. Rose would just make the sound "hay-yah!" and jump, never actually swinging the racket which was twice her size. When the dragonflys and swallows drifted away (had their fill of laughs, I guess.) the kids moved on to scooters and bicycles, and had their own little parade down the sidewalk, waving little American flags all the way...too cute.
I'm tellin' ya, I can't imagine life without all these crazy kids. What on earth did we ever do for entertainment?!

what gives him away?

John pointed and mumbled to me "You can tell he's from a big family." I turned in time to catch Charlie sitting at the table with his other siblings enjoying a snack. He was hunched with his chin on the table, and hands cupped tightly over his pile of crackers. There was a tiny peephole between his thumbs just big enough for him to keep constant count of the little treasure inside. There was absolutely no way someone was going to pillage his goodies today!

Somethin's up with Charlie...

Something's definitely going on with Charlie lately, and I just can't quite put my finger on it. I thought at first maybe he wasn't feeling well, but no, that's not it. The look in his eyes seems "softer." Gone is the "terrible" two-year-old, replaced with thoughtful three. I'm realizing he might just be moving towards a "kinder, gentler Charlie." Oh, don't get me wrong. He'll just as happily throw you from the swing as to kindly ask you to move...but somehow he's changing...becoming more considerate perhaps? Oh, let me just give you a for instance. As I was making supper the other night, he gently tugged at my leg (and in that soft tone of voice) asked "Mom, whatcha makin' tonight?" "Pancakes," I replied. "Oh" in a disappointed and yet consoling tone "it's okay, I like mine black" and away he walked...with my heart. I hadn't even burnt them (yet) and already he was making me feel okay about it. God love him! I'll have you know I made every one to perfection that night...just for him! Oh, and then the other morning (Saturday I think) when I was speaking loudly (yelling!) to the girls about something, he gently interrupted with an "I love you mom," again in the quiet, consoling thoughtful tone. Boy, he's gooood! There have been a handful of other litte instances just like these, that escape me at the moment. I'm gonna have to keep my eyes on him. Somehow, he's managed to wrap me very tightly around that chubby, dirt-stained little finger of his. My question...can someone barely potty trained be too young to begin discerning a vocation?

Another blessed day...

Today we packed the kids into the van for a picnic and hike at Bruckner Nature Center (just south of Troy, OH). This was one of the last items to cross-off of our summer to-do list, and what a beautiful way to end the summer, indeed. We had a perfect little lunch of everyone's favorites...PB&J, chips, and ripe canteloupe, with bottled water on the side. Everyone ate well, and seemed happy to trek off into the woods and submerge themselves in the beautiful handiwork of our Lord. I love discovering new life, and new beauty around each turn, and the reactions of the kids makes it even more amazing. For fallen trees to climb over, creeks full of tadpoles and other tiny creatures to splash at, an abundance of stones for skimming across the pond and the eyes of children to help me appreciate it's beauty even more, I am grateful!

Never saw a sign like this before...

But you must believe it when it says...

...the road looked like this...

In the middle of this awesome hill, you must turn 180 degrees and head in the opposite direction. (and it happens a second time, which isn't quite as severe).

John being the good sport that he is, turned around and repeated the process not once, but twice, for all of us kids to enjoy!! (we are easy to entertain!)

As a note, our 15 passenger van is probably the largest vehicle you'd want to attempt this with...our first pass, we had to stop and back up to complete the turn...good thing no traffic was coming, and thank God for good brakes.