Living the Way of the Cross

So on this blog, I have been MIA - yes - it happens to all of us. I can briefly state that while we've been busy, who isn't anyway, but that I have been hammering out ways to live Lent in new ways.

Got to get this done, check that off the list, ready for that tradition and somewhere find those pair of white shoes that matches this dress just perfect, and oh geez, will Carefree wear this Easter shirt, this light teal color with little complaint? All these questions and many more.

However, so many of the things that we mothers do, in preparation for Easter are all so important, making this season really come alive for each member of the family. The living and breathing of Jesus' sacrifice for us, and many times, we, the moms, don't have to look far for ways to put others first. We do it all the time.

We plan the tradition, the food, the clothes, driving them here to tutoring, there to church choir practice. And in our free moments, we wrack our brains, have we done enough, did we teach the true meaning, of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord?

I thank God that we get the chance each and every year to try again. Even should I lack one year or the next - if I keep working, moving and trying my best, the kids will absorb a whole childhood of living liturgical seasons. The life and breath of our Faith....and it takes a life time to let it all in.

They won't get it all right now. I have to accept that. I know as a 38 year old, I don't have it all. Bits and pieces, is what we all have at certain times in our lives, pieces of the grand puzzle that is the truth of our lives. These children remind me at times, by their own questions, what we are missing, what we haven't uncovered yet. And I love that. I love that they ask questions, and I love being there to answer them.

And if we have a lifetime of that, it's enough. One day, they will have questions that are beyond me....that only God will know. So for now, I cherish these times, when the simplest answer, the "Yes, honey He did die for us. He died for you and for me. Isn't that super special?" - is enough to have my little Babe hug and kiss me, as if I had done the suffering, as if I had done the dying. It's his way to show love.

And I smile inside, as should all mothers who give their time and energy, when we think we have nothing more to give - we get up again, we do suffer, we do die to our own wants and desires. How do we live Lent? All year long. It's our calling, it's our vocation. Motherhood - Another way to live the Way of the Cross.

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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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