What does a shy two year old do…

…when faced within a three week period with the following;

A tour of the local YMCA which included a visit to the nursery and all its cool toys, play ground equipment and lots of strangers.

Begin attending daily Mass with lots of strangers.

Meeting a new family with eight kids and their six cousins…. then has breakfast at the home of the eight kids.

Whilst visiting the above mentioned family you discover they have a ten month old puppy… that is the same height as a two year old.

Join a new home schooling co-op… filled with more strangers.

Begin attending Friday Classes and hang out with a bunch of other preschoolers we no longer remember from last year.

Attend a Eucharistic Congress with Mummy and Daddy and a HUGE amount of strangers.

So how does a shy two year old deal with this?

Why she behaves like a typical two year old while in public but then comes home and has a complete melt down, refusing to leave Mummy’s side for more than a moment. Wakes frequently at night and is in such tune with Mummy’s movements that she even sits up from a sound sleep if said Mummy leaves the bed for a call of nature. She naps in Mummy’s arms… and eats her meals on Mummy’s lap. But hey, she is at least carrying on in a normal fashion while in public.

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hmmm...

I am staring at my computer screen - left eye brow arched... as I wonder how it is possible that one can purchase a new, never written in textbook from the publisher for 16 dollars whilst several people are attempting to sell used copies of same text, same edition and yes, also soft bound for a mere EIGHT FIVE DOLLARS.... But then the majority of the used texts are going for about 24 dollars... Am I missing something here. Aren't used texts typically sold for less than the new price?

Perhaps these books were used by a movie star who signed it? Or they were the personal property of Prince Harry?? Or.. maybe these people just are out of touch with reality and hoping someone else, even more out of touch, will buy their used text book for e i g h t y - f i v e dollars!!! Read more!

Hungry Daddy

Anyone who has had a tooth pulled, or suffered the agonies of the extraction of wisdom teeth knows the challenge of finding food soft enough to eat and still be filling. Make it eight teeth removed surgically and it becomes an even larger challenge.

These days the children often hear their dad suggest a menu idea only to remember he can't partake of that particular item. So when I catch them wistfully glancing at a chocolate pudding cup or a tub of yogurt, I need only say, 'it's Daddy's' and they immediately turn away without a word or a sigh.

Now Hugo has discovered that he can actually get a piece of soft cheese pizza down if he is careful enough. So tonight Emma, noting that I had reminded the children several times to make sure that a soft piece of the cheese pizza be saved for Daddy decided to make sure herself that one was put aside. She took a piece of the pizza, found a bowl, squeezed the piece of pizza into it and then stood guard over it. Whilst standing guard over the pizza, she also manned the front door with a watchful eye for Daddy's return from work.

The moment she spied him, she grabbed the bowl and raced to and out the front door clutching the bowl to her chest calling:

"Daddy, Daddy, I saved you a piece of the pizza! HERE!!"

Truly there is nothing so sweet as the love of a little princess for her Daddy! Read more!

Round and round the mulberry bush...

Tonight as I was gathering Emma and Elsa up to take upstairs to bed, Emma discovered that 2 year old Elsa was decorated with the beautiful locket that Anna had recently given Emma on her fifth birthday. Needless to day Emma was not terribly pleased. Not only is the locket pretty - it is a very fresh possession and, as such, still very highly prized!

She made to snatch it from Elsa and Elsa ,seeing the hand forthcoming, danced out of reach singing; "Mine!" Instinctively she knew what Emma was after. I saw a disaster about to unfold. Should Emma make contact with the necklace and Elsa manage to shimmy away at that moment - the locket would break and two hearts with it.

Quickly I whispered to Emma: "Its your locket! Don't worry. I know it is your locket. Just let Elsa borrow it and in a while she will give it back." I held my breath...

Emma's lips were formed to call "Mine." but the word died away and she glanced at me quickly and then smiled.

She pranced away and tucked her hand in mine and we turned towards the stairs. She called over her shoulder to Elsa; "Okay Elsa, it's mine but you can borrow it."

Elsa's face lit up as she made to follow us. "Thank you Emma, for letting me to wear it on mine neck!"

'You're welcome!" called Emma in return.

And all was peaceful... until we got to the bathroom...

"Mine", they called in unison reaching for the same pink tooth brush.

(Still, I was right about one thing... Elsa cheerfully gave the locket back shortly after the last tussle over tooth brushes!) Read more!

Life is just so darn busy

...and my brain is just so darn empty these days that I have not been online much. Add to that the fact that typing has been somewhat painful given the injured tendons on my right hand that I have been somewhat judicious about just what I will use that hand for. Given that just lifting Elsa was painful and she was particularly clingy last week... she got the bigger share of my time. It seems that I not only injured my hand but stirred up some old injuries as well, so my back and neck have been complaining. A lot!

Now, I can take a couple of Advils to help relieve the inflammation, and I can rest to help the whiplash headaches, but I have not yet found a solution for the empty brain despite Emma's playful offer to lend me hers.

While preparing supper, a few nights ago, and continuously forgetting why I was standing in front of the fridge, I suddenly called out: "Could someone bring me a brain?", in much the same tone as if I were asking if someone could take out the garbage. Emma was the only one to respond to my bizarre request with a generous offer to lend me hers. I thanked her and went on attempting to prepare the meal despite the lack of co-operation from my brain cells and she stood there watching me with a little smile on her face. Then she looked at me very seriously and said; "Hey Mummy, I'm still THINKING with my brain!" She then giggled and left the room.

Well, at least she can say she is thinking... I'm not sure I can say the same! Read more!

A nomination from a fellow blogger

Mum2twelve for her complete faith in God's providence during struggles in her daily life. Her posts are funny, warm and lovely.

Thank you Child of Mary for this lovely nomination. Here is the definition of this award:

Mathetes is greek for disciple and the role of the disciple to make more disciples by spreading the Good News. Winners of the Mathetes Award should choose five other bloggers who exemplify 'disciple' in their own way. As you bestow this award you should:

1. Mention and provide links for this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God).
2. the person who awarded it to you and,
3. name and sites of the five that you find are living the role as a disciple of Christ.

Hmmm...

Well, first off, I would have to say that Danielle is certainly helping others live the life of Christ through her example, as is Holly Pierlot with her book and its supportive blog. Sadly a few of the blogs I would have liked to nominate have closed their blogs to the public so as to avoid negative comments.

But here are some great blogs where the writers are indeed good examples of following Christ and so... leading others into being disciples of Christ. One is a British blogger and she is: Catholic Mom of Ten. (Blush, it has been a little while since I have visited her site and apparently she has already been awarded this... well, now she has been awarded it twice!) And I am going to also nominate my own daughter. (Another blush) But truly her blog is filled with her faith.

Oh my, there are so many wonderful God Filled writers out there, how to choose. I guess I will add Regina Doman. I simply love the simplicity of her site and the way she shares how to spread God's peace in your home. We truly do need order in our lives so that we can experience and share God's peace.

Thank you again Child of Mary for such a humbling nomination. I often struggle with how much to share about our difficulties. Sometimes I worry that sharing too much of the difficult times will turn people away. Largely it is my hope that it is helpful because so many others suffer and have difficult times and it can be so depressing to read over and over how perfect someone's life appears - through a blog... And then we begin to wonder what is wrong with our life, that this week we could not pay the hydro bill on time, or a child broke his arm for the third time and the Doctor is starting to look at you in a funny way... (BTW, not our situation!) So I am glad to know that some people are drawing strength from our life examples, the good and the bad! Read more!

ANNOUNCING...

... the completion of a project that went underway back in March of this year. I hinted at this project a few weeks ago and it gives me great pleasure to announce Holly Pierlot's workshop that is a supplement to her book; A Mother's Rule of Life. (Her book can be purchased here. )

To see the Table of Contents of the workshop - click here. If you think you might find it useful you can click here to go to the link where you can buy it.

I enjoyed this challenge of helping Holly to convert her workbook to an e-book and I have to thank my husband who often stopped what he was doing to answer what must have been to him such simple questions, but were for me difficult obstacles!!! Thank you Hugo, without you... I would be still struggling to figure out how to create a URL that takes one to where you want to be. Totally amazing!

Slowly, but surely I am building up a lovely little repertoire of paid writing jobs. Thanks be to God. I already have another project on the go and I am looking forward to visiting Raleigh where I am being sent to do my research.

I also believe enough time has passed since my last paid article was published so I will share that article later this week with you.

Our family has also been featured recently in another magazine. I was not the author of this article, but rather one of the senior editors, Susie Loyd, of Faith and Family wrote it. I am suppose to get a copy of this article shortly. However, I do not have the rights to share this article with you so those who wish to read it will have to subscribe to the magazine. I will let you know exactly which issue it is/was in when I receive my copy.

Thank You to All the Holy Angels and Saints who kept us going through the trials and tribulations that we went through to achieve the accomplishment of publishing of this eBook. I think it is no small co-incidence that everything fell in place on the feast day of the arch angels. Read more!

What do you do...

...when it is your daughter's fifth birthday and you stop at the local Wal-mart to pick up a small gift to add the pile hidden at home and you slip in a little puddle of water and fall and wreck your right hand?

You know, the one that you need to fashion the eatable flowers for the cake you were going to bake when you got home. The same hand you needed to stir the batter with, that hand you need to cut the hair of three handsome young men whose eyes are disappearing under their bangs....

So what do you do?

You call your 23 year old daughter and ask if she might be willing to cut your boys' hair and when she hears why you need her to do this; not only does she say yes, but she also tells you that she will bake and decorate the cake and asks if you would like to come to her place for the party so you can relax a little....

And you realize what a great daughter you have and thank God for His wonderful blessings. Read more!

FEAR...

... can entrap us all. It can be a sly enemy that creeps up and slowly envelopes you so that you become like a fly trapped in a spider's web. Today I realized that fear often trips me up and keeps me from doing things I know I can do but am afraid to try; because maybe... I ... will... fail.

Now after thinking about just that... I came across this post that was sent to me through Sister Pat's Joy Notes. Timing is everything, eh?

And speaking of timing, I am up WAY too late working on a project that Holly Pierlot and I hope to launch on her website this week. But as I was preparing to sign out of my gmail account I saw the Joy Notes and just had to peek and then I just had to read a little and then I just had to share the post that connected so well with my earlier thoughts....

And tomorrow when 6 am rolls around and I am lying in bed wondering where to grab the energy to push all the kids out of their beds, plus a few into the tub because they fell asleep at the table before I could bath them... well - I will be just right pleased with myself - won't I?

Tomorrow, if there is time, I hope to share a beautiful novena a friend sent to me.
Until then... sleep well and GOD Bless!!! Read more!

Note to self

You know you have been IM'ing too much when you are typing an email and find yourself hitting the enter key after a sentence, and then sitting around for a few seconds waiting for a response.... Read more!

I see the light.... and want it OFF!!

It had been around 2 am when I realized that Elsa had been tucked into bed sans diapers and still in her big girl panties and I was too tired to grab around in the dark for a spare, so I just crossed my fingers and prayed. When she awoke, it was still dark but I whisked her into the bathroom regardless. I sat her down on the toilet, relieved I had not awakened in a puddle.

Obviously feeling a bit testy, Elsa grumbled at me:
"Turwn on de light!"

I ignored this slightly rude request and made to sit down on the side of the tub to wait; but before I could Elsa yelled again, a little louder than before.

"Turwn on de light!! Turwn it ON!!

Not wanting her to wake the others, I turned on the light....

Her eyes immeadiatly screwed themselves shut as she screeched:
"Tuwrn it off !! Tuwrn it off!! Turwn it off!!"

For some reason on our more recent pre dawn bathroom runs - she has not asked for the light to be 'turwned' on again. Read more!

Praise be to God!

I engaged in a spiritual excercise of trust today. Yesterday we learned that 450 dollars had been taken out of our account twice, when it was only suppose to be taken out once. So suddenly there was 900 dollars gone - leaving us without our rent money.



I felt very depressed about it. Especially because the online bank responsible for this error does not easily correct these kinds of errors. As if this was not bad enough, they did not apply any of the 900 dollars against the 450 dollar invoice this money was to be applied against....



With my husband's encouragement to trust God and to have a positive day regardless, I decided to place the whole mess in God's capable hands for a whole twenty four hours before trying to remedy it myself. Yesterday, when we first learned of this problem I was tempted to give into my depression, but agai, my husband encouraged me to be of good cheer. And I thought to myself at that time, I might was well try to be happy as being depressed about it WON'T FIX IT. A no brainer but felt like a light bulb moment.



To be honest, it was not easy but I did try to enjoy the joys of the day and some the more rediculous moments that having a family of twelve brings with it.



So since giving the problem to God, I have baked three loaves of bread, one banana and two pineapple. Watched some History of Britain (while baking). Had a lovely cuddle with Elsa, who insisted on then helping with the baking.... listened to numerous conversations and when not watching the history Dvd, listened to EWTN through the internet. I now plan on baking a few more loaves, including the pumpkin loaf I shared with you earlier. But after a luncheon break that included some pizza bread baked by Anna this morning, I decided to check the bank account.



The



problem



was



FIXED!!!

PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!

Read more!

Pizza Dough Bread

I found this recipe years and years ago... while in University. (Read 25 years ago!) It was in a magazine and actually was meant to be used as pizza pockets. They were delicious but over the years I developed many other ways of using it. One of them is as pizza bread. It makes an incredible addition to a hot soup, or a side to a salad; and helps to extend a meal in a very inexpensive but delicious manner.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons dry yeast
2 teaspoon sugar

5 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons oil

DIRECTIONS:

In a small bowl dissolve the 2 tsps sugar, then add the yeast by sprinkling the yeast over it. Put it aside to rise.

In a large bowl, mix the flour oil and salt. Add the yeast once it has risen. Add more flour as necessary until the dough pulls way from the bowl. Remove the dough to an oiled bowl and cover with tin foil or a moistened tea towel.

Let rise for approximately 30 minutes.

Prepare two cookie sheets and once the dough has risen to almost twice its height; punch down, break into two equal portions and then stretch them out on the sheets until they are almost completely covered. Brush dough lightly with olive oil and freshly ground sea salt. (Regular salt works well too.) You can also exchange the salt for some spices of your own choice.

Sometimes we lightly brush the dough lightly with a tomato paste spread and some spices.

Bake at 450 (f) for 10 - 15 minutes. Break into pieces and serve with your meal or enjoy with a cold glass of juice for a snack. Read more!

Fortuitous

I received an anonymous comment that I was using fortuitous incorrectly. Feeling slightly embarrassed I looked up the word as the anonymous writer suggested. From what I understand from the second meaning of the word, I think I used it correctly, but would be happy for input from others. To facilitate the search for the meaning I have added this link. Read more!

Fortuitous Question...

Just before Mass began we had the inevitable slew of bathroom requests. I ushered Emma into the only empty stall noting a pair feet in the other one. As I leaned against the door so that she would not have to bother with the lock, I called to her:

"Let me know if you need help, ok?"

From behind the door beside us came a little voice:

"I need some help!!"

Surprised, I glanced down and sure enough those were very little feet behind the door. Worried perhaps someone's small daughter had locked herself in I asked can you unlock the door. She replied in the affirmative and so let me in. She simply had a rather difficult snap that needed done up so I swiftly snapped it for her and she was off without another word.

I guess it was lucky for her that I just happened to ask if someone needed help at the moment she needed it. As I watched her head out the door I felt gratitude for this small moment of service to someone else's child, whom I did not even know and it reminded me of how we are all one family under one God - and we should always be mindful of the opportunity to serve one another. Read more!

Recalls

Do you have anything from this list in your child's toy box, or recently purchased and hidden away as a gift. To see if you do click here. Thanks Joanna for this link. Read more!

Lest we forget...

Image credit Read more!

Shame on you Danielle!!

Stop! Stop already with all the temping dark chocolate posts. I need so little temptation as it is... I don't need to hear how dark chocolate with lower my whatever. I stopped reading almost immediately as there is a bag of DARK chocolate chips sitting open in the cupboard... calling to me, beckoning, whispering; "Come on! A few chocolate chips won't hurt! Just a small handful!"

What I need, is to lose at least 10 more pounds. Shh!! Someone, quick, close that cupboard door! I can hear those chocolate chips chanting my name..... Read more!

To Jonah, who asked...

" I don't understand why you are so pro-military. It doesn't seem to mesh with the other things you hold dear. "

You can view my answer on the side board where I have added a tribute to the volunteer army that at least one of my sons hope to join one day.

I know I have a number of readers who are Quaker and pacifists. My eldest daughter is a Quaker. It is because there are young men and women who are willing to fight for our freedom that we are able to be:

Christian, whether Catholic or Protestant
Muslim,
Jewish,
Quaker,
Atheist...

I think, even if we disagree with war, these young people deserve our support. I don't think that I need say more as these pictures say it all.

God Bless America and may she continue to love God! Read more!

Mary's birthday...

Today the church is celebrating the anniversary of Mary's birthday. I can not think of any better way of marking it other than by posting this pro life story. To read about Aaliyah's story - click here.

Read more!