Chaos Reigns

Like the calm before the storm, last week's beautiful days only led to chaos.

It seems that the oldest one's stuffy nose has led to a fever and a bad cold. The youngest one contracted it as well and has had a sudden aversion to sleeping. This has not helped anyone in the house. He saw the doctor and, as usual, there is nothing that they can do for a low-grade fever and an runny nose. And to top it all off, the mama bird has contracted it, too. Yes, I also have a fever and all the cold symptoms.

So the book discussion group will be, yet again, postponed. It will be even better when I'm off the Tylenol.

Beautiful Days

So, who ordered the beautiful weather?

It's gorgeous around here today, and after the winter that we have had, we could sure use some more days like today. And right on schedule the oldest one is not feeling well. It's probably the beginning of seasonal allergies for her, but until we know for sure, she is on the couch resting with Benadryl.

Today is also Confirmation for our young men and women in our parish. Too long of a mass for me to bring the gang, so we stick around the nest. Confirmation always makes me cry anyway. It's probably just me, but I think that confirmation is such a joyful event that before I know it, buckets of tears are streaming down my face.

The youngest has kept me moving with the joys of never-ending teething, so this week's installment of the book discussion on Bug Russ & Me will be postponed till tomorrow.

Pray that an unfortunate accident does not befall one of the numerous ATV riders that keep driving their toys up and down our road while I toil at the hope that sleep will overcome a teething 9 month old.

Mommy Meltdown

And now for the positive:

1. The oldest has taken numerous outings in underwear and is really potty training.

2. Organized a fun family dinner party with an old friend.

3. Made chocolate chip cookies for the oldest one's class at school.

And now for the not-so-positive:

Alright, so I admit it. I had a mommy meltdown yesterday. Considering that I only have one or two of these a year, it's a big deal. And it all started with a small, but suprising oven fire. I forgot to put away left over chicken and then started the broiler. Lots of smoke, slightly scared older one, and one very stressed mommy.

Sometimes we just have to admit that there has to be a family restructuring before we can move on. It was obvious to me that I had so many things on my mind that I was forgetting things. Forgetting the chicken probably doesn't seem like that big of deal, but it was just the straw that broke mommy camel's back.

As "Sacrament Season" appraches, the hubby is under strict instruction to pull a bit more weight around the house. The oldest must help with her responsibilities. And the littlest one needs to slow down the teething. Seven teeth at nine months.

Dr. Mom's Prescription: More rest, more praying, more quiet time, and more mommy time.

Earth Day

Earth day. A day designed to encourage people to care for the planet. We are asked to nurture and care for others and everything that God has provided. It is always a step in the right direction when we listen and respond to the needs of others: person or planet.

In our home, we recycle, use reusable bags when we shop, we installed CFL's and have fuel efficient cars. We buy local foods and use reusable bottles for our water on trips. We do as much as we are able, but it still seems to me like the news is getting this false impression that people are still not doing enough. Millions recycle and have been since the early '90's. CFL's were economic long before the Green movement took hold.

The real solutions to these global issues lie in the hands of lawmakers. People want to see more done. Progress, please. Do not wait till gas is $4.00 a gallon before you make a fuel efficient family car that can handle a real winter. I cannot put a wind turbine in my backyard, nor can I afford solar panels. Until a music director can make zillions of dollars, this is it. I pray that someday this issue will be a distant memory and all people will care for what God has provided.

What do you and your family do for Earth Day?

Celebrating Easter

After coming off a 40 day season like Lent, which can be emotionally exhausting, who wants to dive into a 50 day season filled with its own high's and low's? Not me. At least, that is what I used to say.

The husband and the whole family go through so much stress during Lent and now it's spring. There's so much spring cleaning to get done, the kid's want to get out, and who could forget having some fun after all the craziness. But I did not anticipate the oldest child.

She loved the Lenten Links that we did as a family. She wanted to know what season was next and what we were going to do for it. The mother's internal dialogue went something like this, "You have got to be kidding me! I guess the Links worked...oh dear, she makes a point...what should we do for the next season?"

Thank goodness for Celebrate Easter's 50 Days by The Word Among Us. There are some really great ideas and suggestions on how to celebrate the Easter season without a great deal of stress or preparation. Check it out and if your family has a special way of celebrating the Easter season please share.

Being Bookish

As children, it can be difficult to truly appreciate and understand the life of a parent. And that's okay. Ideally God did not design children to be weighed down with the pressures of adulthood. The hope and joy is when children grow into adults, and have children of their own, that they begin to unfold the love and mystery of parenthood. The late Tim Russert makes a valiant effort to understand and appreciate the life that his father, Big Russ, lived, and provided, for his children in Big Russ & Me, Father and Son: Lessons of Life. A wonderful collection of thoughts, feelings, and lessons for parents and children.

In the first seven chapters there are many themes: food, respect, faith, and many more. Russert seems to allow his feelings to flow easily from page to page, but as we learn, it was not easy for Big Russ to communicate his feelings. Do we make the effort to communicate our feelings to others and especially God? Do we take the time to listen? How do you and your family communicate feelings?

Big Russ seems to have made a strong impression on young Russ in the way he taught young Russ to respect others, an important concept that is often lost in modern parenting. Respecting your family by thinking progressively, being grateful, and caring for one another. Respecting others by giving strong first impressions, being honest and hardworking, and treating others as you would want to be treated. How do we model respect? Do we take care of our aging parents? Do we look others in the eye when they speak to us?

Faith played a large role in Russet's life and he spoke candidly about being an altar boy and going to Catholic school. Many changes were instituted after Vacatian II and Russert talks about the adjustments in his life. Faith was everywhere for him, at home, school, and at church. How do we already show our faith? How can we model our faith even more?

Family. It's a challenge, but one worth undertaking. Russert talked openly about the importance of sharing meals together, doing homework at the kitchen table, going to baseball games, and spending time with each other. We all try to do this in different ways. Share how your family loves to spend their time together.

I hope everyone keeps reading the book and if you haven't, borrow a copy soon. Please feel free to comment even if you haven't read the book. It's worth the journey.

The Ring of Fire

Ever have that kind of a week where the climate of your household changes at the drop of a hat? One minute things are going well, and the next well, let's just say it's similar to a volcano eruption.

The littlest one is the proud owner of five teeth and is in the vigorous process of acquiring more. The oldest is in the process of mastering potty training and is prone to emotional upheavals if things do not "go" as planned. Staying calm in the face of adversity is the ultimate test of patience of which this week I have failed on occasion. Needless to say, I have had a great deal of "Lord, give me strength" moments. It's a domino effect. One thing starts to go wrong and the next thing you know, you are standing in a ring of fire with explosions all around you.

I think this deserves a pint of chocolate ice cream, my favorite pajamas, and a foot rub. Oh,husband, where for art thou husband?

Big Russ & Me

Okay everyone, let's get started on the first book of the year in the Being Bookish online bookclub.

The first book is the ever popular Big Russ & Me by the late Tim Russert. When Being Bookish was first started my husband had just finished Big Russ & Me after having it sit on the shelf for a couple of years. We both raved about it and I thought it would make a great start to Being Bookish. But nearly a year ago, Tim Russert suddenly passed on to God, making it even more important that we examine the work left behind by this wonderful man, father, and Catholic. So pick up a copy and join the discussion.

Here is a list of when the discussions will take place:

April 18: The first discussion questions will be posted on chapters 1-7
April 25: The second set of questions on 8-14
May 2: The last set of questions on 15-the Epilogue

There will be posted questions and discussions right on this blog so no navigation issues will occur. Let's get started.

'Tis the Season

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Has anyone else noticed how much easier it is to put together a boy's Easter outfit than a girls Easter outfit?

Oh, my heavens! The hair clips, the tights, the shoes, the dress coat, the sweater to wear under the dress coat because Easter can be anywhere between 20-60 degrees here in the great Northeast, the undergarments, and the most important element: the dress.

There is always much discussion over the dress. Her father picks one, I pick one, and she points out a couple she likes. We decide which three are acceptable and she gets to choose. It is almost never one that her father or I picked. In our house there is a more comfortable back-up dress because one cannot hunt for eggs, eat shrimp, and open Easter baskets in such a beautiful yet uncomfortable garment as an Easter dress. But she insists that the idea of a dress must stay firm or else it might just not be a holiday.

The boy: shirt, pants, sweater vest, jacket, socks, shoes (and a diaper). Oh, they were both beautiful, as God intended. Proud mommy moment.

I'm geared up and ready for a joyfilled Easter season. The intensity of Lent is always inspiring at the start and challenging toward the end. Now, during the Easter season, we celebrate life. How do you celebrate life and the Easter season in your home?

Delegate!

I have made a decision.

There will be more teamwork around the house!

My husband is busier than a cat scratchin', and in the past I have been delibrate in assigning daily household chores for him to accomplish that wouldn't be overwhelming. The oldest child was still pretty small so I would assign her age appropriate tasks so that she could feel satisfied.

But now the oldest isn't too small for most chores with parental assistance and the husband needs to set an example of teamwork. Now, I assign tasks that daddy and the oldest can do together in addition to the daily grind.

My plan is simple. If we all live in the house, and enjoy the comforts of the house, then we all help with the house. Everyone learns responsibility, a bit of appreciation (which can go a long way), and share in an experience that usually results in a stronger family bond. We are not talking about re-grouting the bathroom (which does need to be done), more like setting the table.

If I was sick or had to leave the house for an emergency who would know how this household keeps afloat? By creating opportunities for the children and my husband to learn I create a set of living "sub-plans." And it takes a bit of stress from my life.

So far the oldest generally feels like she is contributing in a more obvious way. The husband is taking the helm of certain household chores and I have 5 minutes to write a blog as I brace for Holy Week.

Ah, Spring!

It's Spring at our house.

Yes, it's still not much above 45 outside and there is still frost on the car windshield in the morning, but we have declared spring!

The snow suits are put away. We have outgrown our snow boots and we have embraced the mud.

Ah, Spring!