S.tay A.t H.ome M.om at Work

Obviously a good thing, Jesus states about Nathaniel, that there is no duplicity in him.  For many days now, this quote from Christ has occupied my thoughts and meditations. (Gospel of John). For some reason, I am meant to concentrate on it....and so this is what I've got. What is duplicity?  Thanks to dictionary.com we have this: 'speaking or acting in two different ways concerning the same matter with intent to deceive'. Sounds like inauthenticity, false, shady, double dealing,....politics!  How often are we engaged in conversation with someone, trusting them with discretion, for that trust to be violated.  How often are we representing ourselves as something we know full well we are not.  How often do we work to hide our imperfections, our faults to gain the admiration of others?  What's interesting about this quote, is just after it, Nathaniel asks Jesus, "How do you know me?"  Christ knows Nathaniel, yes, because He is God, ...

A few years back, I remember a distinctly aggressive argument in our household about what is a sincere apology. Many a time, apologies in our home were 'If....Then statements'. Example: 'If I stepped on your toe, then I am sorry.' Well you did step on my toe. 'If I did, sorry.' What wiggle room! That ridiculous 'IF' gives a measure of doubt, like perhaps I didn't really step on your toe, even though I can clearly see your toe red, hurting, and the fact that you yelped out in pain upon my foot on top of yours. What reluctance to accept responsibility! Doesn't that ring so true in today's climate....It's not my fault, there's a chance I didn't do it, I'll find the wiggle room to escape punishment, don't blame me etc etc. Truth be told, we all make mistakes, and the true character of someone shows when they can accept responsibility for the action, and sincerely apologize. Not 'if' statements, but 'I did it' s...

Get Out The Vote for IL Governor Adam for Illinois

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word, ...

9 year old: 'Mom, will you sell one of the children if we run out of money for food?' Mom: 'Of course not.' 9 year old: 'Even if you had to die of starvation?' Mom: 'Yes, I'd rather die than lose one of the children.' surprised 9 year old: 'Really?' Mom: 'I would never sell any of you children. Never. Never. Never.' Dramatic 9 year old: 'You'd DIE for us?' Mom: 'Yes. I would.' Curious 9 year old: 'Why?' Mom: 'Because I love you more than anything, and God showed us how to love. He shows us on the cross.' Quiet 9 year old: 'wow.' Mom: 'I really don't think we'll have to worry about this though, ok? No one will starve. God will always take care of us.' 9 year old: 'Okay, Mom, just so you know, I can eat less.' Prized Moment for a Random Wednesday.

As more and more news outlets cover the tragedy happening in Haiti right now, our thoughts and prayers are constant for the people of Haiti. About 9 or so years ago, my HH and I were contemplating a mission trip Haiti. Members of our parish were organizing a week or two week long trip to this country to help in area schools, building homes, as well as establishing adequate food and water. We had been married for about two years, and while waiting for God to bless us with a child, we had been attracted to doing a Mission trip, as we felt God leading us to serve others. We attended several informational meetings about this trip as well as receiving the long list of immunizations we would need to get in order to make the journey. I had informed my own parents of our intentions, and I remember my mother wasn't pleased. We were newly married and I am sure she thought children would quickly follow. She didn't think a trip to a poverty stricken country, where we'd be digging d...

This morning I was jolted into the belief once again that TIMING is everything. Up at our usual time, we began the typical tasks of a Tuesday morning: making breakfast, packing lunches, fixing hair bows and quizzing my 9 year old for her Spanish quiz today. All the children were ready, coats on, hair done and then for whatever reason you might think, my 9 year old and I got into a discussion in our bathroom once I was done with her hair. The topic wasn't as important as the time she needed with her mom. I sighed heavily thinking, 'Oh geez , this topic will make us late for school.' Ultimately I did give her the 5 minutes she was needing, and quickly summed up my guidance for her hoping that she'll retain whatever wisdom I happened to spurt out in those few moments. As I looked at my watch, I shouted, 'Time To Go! Everyone in the car!" Indeed we were running that precious 5 minutes late. Everyone hopped in the car, and we were off, shivering as the van warmed u...

Going Rogue: An American Life I have just finished Sarah Palin's new book, " Going Rogue ". Santa brought the book, and somehow I actually managed to read it, one of the few books I didn't just skim through. I really liked it. I especially liked her take on bringing motherhood into her professional life, as it is a part of any woman, and shouldn't be discarded simply because she works. I like that. Today, it seems to work outside the home you must abandon the idea that you are a mother. It's so contrary to our nature. We can't divide the woman from the mother, or vice versa. We encompass both even if we are away from our children. Many times, Palin remarks that her time managing a family prepared her for a particular moment in her career, where her decisions came from a place of past experience of running a home. That was interesting to me. How often are we molding our children in the virtues of justice, honestly, integrity and industriousness. From wha...

I'm no fan of Michael Jackson, but you got to admit, these boys got talent.....all TWO of them!

Santa brought to one of my children a Monopoly game...actually it's called Horse-opoly , but same basic concept. She loves horses and I know Santa thought she'd just love it: and she does. These last days of Christmas break have included some intense Horse-opoly games in our home, with laughs, and yes a few tears as well. It's difficult to learn life lessons about real estate, negotiations, mortgages, bales of straw, barns and the like at the tender ages of nine and seven. I admit they've done well, trying to make smart financial decisions in light of looming debt and/or a real estate crisis...sound familiar? Wow, games can certainly imitate life at times, as we all watch in anticipation for our economy to rebound. As a stay at home mom, it's hard at times to understand all the economic pressure some are under, especially if the hubbie is still working, which gratefully we still enjoy the luxury of a job for HH. Yet, there is still the struggle to make ends meet...