Spring Break Snapshots

Last week was Spring Break for our boys. Even though the weather wasn't exactly "Springy" we had a great time. The week began with the Spring 40 Days for Life Campaign Kick-Off event, which was a huge success. I am blessed (and sometimes stressed) to be one of the leaders of our local campaign, so I was very busy these past few weeks preparing for the Kick-Off and was so filled with hope and enthusiasm by the end of the evening. Over 100 people were in attendance, and many people signed up to pray at our local Planned Parenthood for an hour or more each week for the next 40 days. It's been less than a week since the campaign began and already 35 babies have been saved nationally, and over 3600 babies have been saved since 40 Days for Life started only 4 short years ago! God is certainly at work and blessing the efforts of this peaceful, prayerful campaign. To see if your town is hosting a 40 Days for Life campaign, visit http://www.40daysforlife.com/ and click on the word "Locations." I love the peaceful and prayerful approach that 40 Days for Life uses...it allows me to put my pro-life beliefs into loving action!

The day after the 40 Days for Life Kick-Off we headed out of town for some much needed R-n-R. We went to a nearby hot springs resort, which was absolutely heavenly! Even Nathanael got to enjoy the blissfully warm waters while his daddy and older brothers enjoyed the huge water slide. The following day the boys had a blast at a ski hill less than a half an hour from the hot springs resort. Dominic took lessons and was a little pro by the end of the day (I'm sure he's already exceeded the skills of his mother who has only skied twice).

Another exciting event during Spring Break was the Boy Scout Pinewood Derby Race. Neither Joseph nor Michael earned a trophy, but each of their cars were the "Best in Show" in my book :) Joseph's car was designed to look like an F4-A Phantom military jet; if there was an "Attention to Detail" trophy, Joseph would have won it hands-down :) Michael simply wanted to make his car as unique as he is; he's our creative child who likes to march to the beat of his own drum :) I like to call his car "The Holy Wedge," because he wanted it cut like a wedge design to be aerodynamic, and then he wanted to paint a gold cross on it in hopes that Jesus would give it some supernatural speed :) I'm sure his car made Jesus smile, and that's better than any trophy or medal in the world!

May your Spring be filled with many new blessings too!

Our leadership team for 40 Days for Life: Rachel, Margaret, Ben, Matthew, and Maria

Nathanael enraptured by the warm waters at Fairmont Hot Springs.

Dominic, our fearless dare-devil, brave enough to face huge water slides and ski hills without hesitation!

Joseph and Michael, our silly scouts, proudly showing off their Pinewood Derby cars!

Real Men Ski in Sub-Zero Weather

Criminy it's cold here in Montana! But did that stop my boys from freezing their tooshes on the slopes...heck no! The cold weather only made it more of an adventure, something to conquer, something to brag about and put hair on your chest (that last point, by the way, is why I chose not to ski, but rather to stay warm and cozy in the lodge sipping on hot cocoa). Despite the sub-zero temperature, the sun was beautifully shining on the slopes, with no wind whatsoever, so my brave skiing boys claim that "it wasn't even cold at all" (I just took them at their word and stayed inside and ordered some hot nachos to go nicely with the hot cocoa). Seriously, Joseph and Michael were in snow-covered heaven. They stuck together and skied pretty much non-stop and would have stayed until closing time if we let them. Paul stayed with Dominic to teach him how to ski. Dominic was so proud of himself on the bunny hill, finally learning (but not quite conquering) how to make "pizzas" and "french fries" with his skis. He was in his glory when Daddy agreed to take him on "the big lift" after his lesson on the bunny hill. Dominic loved the lift and doing a real "run", but Daddy said once was definitely enough (in other words...Dominic still needs some serious time on the bunny hill before trying that again!) I was so proud of all my brave boys. Someday I really hope to join them on the slopes...someday when I'm not either pregnant or nursing...sometimes I wonder if someday will ever come... Until then, I'll just be content lounging in the lodge with my cocoa, nachos, Nathanael, and a good book :)

Here's Dominic, covered in snow from falling, nearly frost-bitten cheeks, but delighted nonetheless!

Here's Michael, embracing skiing no matter the degrees!

Here's Joseph, proudly posing, perfectly "cool" even in the cold!

Here's Mommy and Nathanael braving the weather just long enough to get a few shots for my blog!

Here's Dominic proud of his "pizza"!

Here's me, perfectly content with a good book and a very good baby!

Rainclouds and Umbrellas

Last week was one of those grumpy bear, raincloud following me weeks. Not sure why. Perhaps because it's been a long winter and I'm suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Perhaps because my husband was gone on a long work trip and I was feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Perhaps because I'm a bit sleep deprived from nursing nearly every 3 hours around the clock. Perhaps because my older boys were showing some not-so-virtuous qualities which caused me to feel a mixture of guilt (for apparently not parenting better) and sadness (for realizing that no matter how good I parent, they might still make poor choices). I know that all sounds heavy and dramatic. That's just the way I am (just ask my mother!). I have one of those Anne of Green Gables personalities---which is to say that when I'm happy, I'm floating in the clouds, and when I'm not, I'm wallowing in the depths of despair :) Unfortunately (for myself and those who are forced to live with me), I seldom find myself in between those two extremes :} Perhaps I'm being over dramatic, which is likely, because I also have the annoying tendency to exaggerate things a wee bit (just ask my husband!) :)

Anyway, in case you were worried, I am better this week. Each of my boys made up for last week's below-average behavior by reminding me in a number of ways that they are indeed better-than-average boys---actually they are quite exceptional most of the time. Joseph and Michael won me over again with these beautiful drawings that warmed this Catholic-to-the-core mother's heart...

I also caught the boys doing many kind deeds for each other this week, which made up for the not-so-kind deeds I caught them doing last week :) And Dominic brightened my week with countless quips in the car that make it impossible for me to stay grumpy for long, such as: "Mom, did you know that after I become a priest, I'm going to become a cowboy!" :) Totally random, totally made me laugh out loud. My, how I love how his little mind works! :)

Anyway, I just felt like sharing these thoughts for any of you mothers out there who feel like a raincloud is following them like the one that hovered above my head last week. Blogs usually seem to be filled with only the "happy thoughts," the "scrapbook perfect moments." But that's not real life. Life has rainclouds. Reading other blogs that only show seemingly Utopian lives frankly depresses me. I avoid them because they only succeed in making me feel like a failure. So, just in case my blog is guilty of giving the illussion that my life is all rainbows with no rain, I thought I better clear up that complete misconception :) May it encourage each of you kind readers to know that my life is far from perfect. Just ask my friend Jenny who gets an earful of all my rainclouds nearly every morning on the phone. She's the sister I always wished I had...the glimpse of sunshine on my cloudy days!



I think Jenny and I are such good friends because we share our imperfections, while at the same time encourage each other to keep our eyes focused on Him Who is perfect. She has been the perfect friend for the past 10 years. While our husbands were stationed together at the same Navy base, Jenny and I stationed ourselves at each other's houses almost daily because God was kind enough to make us next door neighbors (and I'm so glad He did!) Many children and many duty stations later, we're still kindred spirits :) How I hope everyone has a Jenny in their lives! :) A true friend is like a trusty umbrella when rainclouds come our way!

Our Bloomin' Boy!

Nathanael turned 3 months last week, and I am awed by how quickly he is growing before my eyes. I almost feel like I'm watching one of those fast-speed, time-lapsed clips like you see on TV with a flower unfolding its petals, beautifully blooming at warp speed, or a tree full of vibrant green leaves quickly changing hues, then losing its autumn leaves, only to have its barren branches quickly covered in icy frost, and just as quickly budding again in the spring. Part of me wants to click "Pause" or even "Rewind" because this sweet little boy just seems to be blooming too fast, but at the same time it is such a blessing to behold. I guess I will simply try to enjoy and embrace each season as it time-lapses by!

The First Taste of Mercy is Sweet

Age 7 has been a sweet coming of age experience for Michael with many important "firsts." Last week he celebrated his First Reconciliation, and in a couple of months he will receive his First Holy Communion. The anticipation of each of those events is heightened by that fact that he had to watch his older brother accomplish each one before him and then wait longingly for his turn to shine. And oh how he did shine on the night of his First Reconciliation!

It was beautiful to watch his eyes sparkle as we jumped in the car to head to the Cathedral. He was absolutely giddy with joy as he waited in the confession line and clung to his special note book in which he had carefully written his examination of conscience. It was fun for me to watch the varied expressions and behaviors of the other children waiting in line...some were silly with nervous energy, some were serious as they rehearsed their sins over and over in their head, some casually focused on reading their Act of Contrition cards to pass the time, and some had the terrified deer-in-the-headlights-look as they agonized over forgetting the formalities of what to say once they were face to face with the priest. Michael fell into the category of those children who were glowing with nervous excitement, somehow knowing despite their young age that the Sacrament they are about to receive is both serious and wonderful and will change their lives forever if they let it.

Michael did have one brief moment of concern when he asked me to remind him what words he should say to start his confession. I gently whispered, "Father, forgive me for I have sinned." He asked me if I had a pen so he could jot that down quickly in his notebook. "Sure," I said, and handed him my pen. He scribbled the line down and passed the pen back to me with a look of relief. From that moment on it was all joy and anticipation.

I was so proud of him and I will treasure the look on his face the moment he walked out of the confessional all my days...he basically skipped out with a look of such sweet joy, feeling light as a feather with the first sweet taste of God's goodness and mercy in his heart. How I wish all the world could taste the sweetness of giving their sins to the Lord in this special Sacrament and feeling His merciful love wash them white as snow every time! To remind Michael of how sweet it is to confess his sins and cleanse his soul, we celebrated afterwards with a trip to Dairy Queen. He ordered a Strawberry Cheesequake Blizzard :) Yes, God's mercy is sweet indeed!


Michael casually counting how many more kids until it's his turn. The two girls behind him have the nervous sillies, and the girl wearing black is intently rehearsing the Act of Contrition :)

Perhaps Michael is making one last examination of conscience before it's his turn, or perhaps he's just wondering when his crazy mother will stop snapping pictures :) Sheesh...mothers can be so embarrassing!

Michael taking another peek at the line, while holding on tight to his special notebook

His Irish eyes are smiling even in the confessional line! :) I wish I had that much faith and courage!!

His turn is next...

He's ready with his Act of Contrition prayer card in hand... Mom better get one last shot before the big moment...


All done...all smiles!


Michael lighting a white candle to symbolize his cleansed soul and that the light of God's love shines brighter than ever now that the darkness of sin has been removed

Look at all the shining souls who made their first confession today. A beautiful sight!

Gems

Ever since I was a young girl, admiring my mother's beautiful Mother's Ring with the sparkling birthstones representing my brothers and me, I dreamed of wearing one of my own. This Christmas, my wonderful husband made that dream come true...

...with 4 precious gems: Sapphire for Joseph, Diamond for Michael, Ruby for Dominic, and Topaz for Nathanael...

...I need to remember not to lose focus on who the real gems in my life are...

These precious boys are my true gems, my true joys! I am so blessed!!!

Two-Front-Teeth-Less Tuesday

Oh how I love this little boy with the big gaping gap. Each permanent tooth that breaks through is bittersweet for this mommy who knows that it is proof that his childhood years are not permanent---they seem to be flying by at the speed of sound.