squeeze them closed!

Hi friends! I hope those of you in the states had a marvelous Thanksgiving Feast yesterday. We were welcomed to share it with a friend's family since we couldn't make it back to DC. :)

All week long, I've been getting emails about sales SALES SALES!! It's in my face everywhere and disturbs my peace momentarily until I close out of my account. Instead, my husband and I have been fielding all sorts of mini fires with the kids pulling beds apart and the puppy AND deciding what traditions we want to really start living as a family, starting with this weekend.

What do we want our Christmas to be like? How do we begin the season of Advent ( a season of penance and waiting symbolized by the color purple on the Advent wreath with a little rose candle thrown in on the 15th to celebrate that Jesus is really coming soon, both at Christmas and at the end times.. a cause of joy. Sorry for the details, but it is a big part of my life that some of you may not celebrate so I can't throw the word out there without explaining it a little!)? With a big bang jumping right into decorating everything? Or quietly with no decorations at all until we get a little closer?

We've tried various approaches in the past. And with the firm belief that what we are surrounded by affects our internalization of life's events, we have come up with a bit of a mixed bag. We are going shopping for the kids whose parents' are in prison that our parish supports today. Our tree is up and lit, but not decorated. We'll have the nativity up without baby Jesus so the kids can "play/pray," a very montessori approach. I need to get a new Advent wreath so that we count down to Christmas each Sunday. And of course we have our Calendar count down made by Grandma. :) We'll do our full-fledged decorating on the 15th (rose candle Sunday).

Enjoy the season and I hope it gets you ready for the coming of Jesus- in our world, homes, and most especially, in our hearts.
image:allposters.com

welcome

I don't like to pick up around the house. It shows. Don't judge ;). And I've given myself plenty of reasons not to lately! But as I look at my kids' rooms, I see that they are indeed learning from me. It's just not what I want them to be learning. :) As I think about my weekend and wanting friends to stop by, I cringe looking around the house after a week of projects coming and going and a very full life and schedule. So I set to work.

And I was inspired to write.

One of the things I want is for people to walk into my house and know they are welcome in tangible and intangible ways. Some people have that way about them and you can just feel it. It takes a good measure of work to keep things up, graciousness in serving, and ease about the things you own (which can be hard when we have little kids who can break anything at any minute). It's not probable to have all of these talents naturally combined into one person unless one grows up in this kind of culture. But it can be done as I've been so fortunate to have experienced. So as I thought again about my home, I thought about my kids and husband who will come home and who might come over. This (above) tells anyone walking in that I'm ready for you. I can't think of a better thing to have on my table on a daily basis. If that alone inspires me to pick up, it is enough!

Have a wonderful weekend!

babyface

How is the mission seeking, my friends? I have gone missing! Not really, but we are expecting #4 sometime next summer! And I haven't been feeling good.

But how do I feel about it? GREAT, of course. Because we all know that in this age and culture, you don't go for four unless you want to. I see this child as nothing less than a blessing, making our home even more full of life, love and laughter. With the characters we have around here, this picture I found seemed appropriate!
(image: baby-connect.com)

So more to add to my blog topics: baby fun! Have a wonderful Sunday.

your mission

You know, the one that you feel compelled to do. The one that you and you alone can accomplish.
Do you know what it is? Because you have one.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I ( hesitatingly on my part, I'll admit) went to hear Alexandre Havard on what he has coined Virtuous Leadership and is in fact, the title of his book. I've seen him at a cocktail party thrown in his honor and very much enjoyed what he had to say. But I thought I had the jist and didn't need to hear more. ;)

We left that evening with some profound hope and questions. And here is what he had to impart which lead us to these:
Magnanimity is the virtue of a big heart, a great heart. It is the one great men and women have. It requires the other human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance ( see Pieper's The Four Cardinal Virtues ), but in a sense, it is bigger than these. Because it is what drives a person in their life to be prudent, just, fortuitous (brave and enduring) and temperate with joy. It requires that one know their God-given talents which are personal and seeing the needs of our time. These of course take time, reflection, practice and feedback. When these collide, a mission is born that drives one the rest of your life in bringing your contribution to humanity. One is in a sense, doing what one was born to do.
Happy Mission, my friends!
image- dcbarroco.wordpress.com

hero

Her husband drops her off early in the morning. She has full make-up on, and a ready smile if she sees me. We meet each other throughout our day here and there; at the park, on the sidewalks, in the elevators, me with my kids, she with the kids she cares for. She always smiles, finds what you are doing interesting, has watchful eyes and takes loving care of the kids she watches. She leaves in the evening, a bit worn, but the freshly lipsticked smile hides it well to the undiscerning eye. I wish she wouldn't call me "Senora."

I have no doubt that this woman doesn't go straight to bed when she gets home. She has something funny to share with her family, she takes joy in the "rest" that the evening brings. And yet she has her own work to do in her own home, and her own family to feed.

She is my hero. I just hope that my Spanish gets good enough one day to convey the depths of my gratitude to one who lives her life so simply well, and very much under the radar unless you care to notice.
(image:cpga.com)

you're trusted

It's so easy to get discouraged. There are so many things each of us is responsible for. Even children have many obligations on them, and not just from school. They are a sibling to someone, either big or little. Part of their character is formed by mere fact of where they are placed within the family. But it is all meant to be that way. And it is good.

We are where we are because God knows we can do it. He trusts each of us to be the parents our specific children need us to be. And he trusts our children in their roles and responsibilities. Isn't it a breath of fresh air to see life as a trusted opportunity rather than a rat race?

And we can count on His help... have a great day...