Sometimes, It's Just Not About Me

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Sometimes, there's a role reversal in our home. Just when I think, hey, I've got the hang of this, one of my kids will pull me right out of my Pride, and slam me right into the reality of humility. It's these moments that I truly see the great fruit in the decision to be at home with them. As much as I might teach them, they teach me, and they don't even know it. They have an innocence and simplicity that, I suppose, adults lose after years of being jaded, of knowing too much or trusting too little.

Here's our morning van ride to school:

Entertainer: Mom! We forgot to say the decade!
Mom: Oh, Ok, Let's say our intentions, and three Hail Mary's, and trust God will take care of the rest for us.
Thinker: For my tests this week.
Carefree: My God-father.
Entertainer singing: For my dolly, Mom, Dad and my God-mother
Babe: (Untranslatable)

Serious feeling rushed: Hummmm, I don't know.....hummm....Ok, for anyone who needs my prayers today.

Mom: You can't think of anyone?
Serious: No, I'll let God decide.

It seemed that a light bulb, literally turned on above my head.

What an example of simple trust, letting God decide who or what needed her prayers the most. I love that. It shows such a freedom, that Serious isn't bogged down with details....she, in her innocence, can see a bigger picture, that sometimes it's just not about us, or what we want, or what we think is important. She allowed God this morning, to be God.

I think of her future, and hope that she keeps this trust in God at the fore front of her life. For me, it's more difficult, I want to tell God where to direct my prayer. I want to tell God, this is who needs my prayers today. I want to make those decisions. My little girl, 6 years old, my little Serious, taught me a valuable lesson today. Sometimes, it's just not about me.

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Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize. It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over. Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection. But that's not all. It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on. Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right. With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well.

Words Can Hurt

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,

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick. Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass. For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving. He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me. I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom

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

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