We finally got some new pictures up in the gallery. You’ll see our vacation pictures to New Orlean (pre-flood), Pensacola, and Hanceville and Irondale.
We also have some pictures of our trip to Fiesta Texas.
Nothing too exciting has been going on. Fall finally hit for 24 hours yesterday…the weather was beautiful! Mid-70s and cloudy…great breeze. Then summer hit again today. Oh well, that’s part of living in Texas I suppose!
It’s not too amazing that parents should have profound revelations about our relationship with God and how we represent Him to our children.
My latest revelation was a few weeks ago. Therese and I were in the house and I’m sure I left something on the table that I really wouldn’t want her to have. When I saw her with it…of course I’m sure I said “no,” or “mommy doesn’t want you to have that,” or “that’s not for Therese to play with.” But I remember sitting back thinking…”well, duh! I left it on the table for her to be tempted by it.”
So even though she wrote on my natural wood colored desk with a pencil (that I left out)…and wrote on the coffee table with crayons (that I did not supervise). None of that was really her fault. In fact, I led her into the temptation of doing it by not being more mindful of what I leave out and where she’s taking things. Of course I tell her, we only color in the coloring book or write on paper. But I still have a crucial part to play.
I realize the importance of praying the “Our Father.” We ask God that we may not be tempted by the evil one (“…and lead us not into temptation”). But even more, my children, whether they can verbalize it or not, need that same guidance. The guidacne that we as parents may not lead them into a situation that would tempt them to sin and later we would repremand them for.
I guess that’s where the whole philosphy of “redirection” comes in.
It was on Our Lady’s birthday, September 7, 2005, that my sister entered the religious order The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. This big brother couldn’t be any more proud.
Here is a little something I picked up in a book I found before adoration last week. If I were to ask you to name the opposite of each item in the following list, what would be your response?
Cat, Black, God.
If you had said Dog and White to the first two items respectively, those would generally be considered acceptable. If, however, you said Satan (or any other of his titles), you would be wrong. God has no opposite. There is none greater or even in comparison to the Creator. If you were to name an opposite for Satan and his minions, St. Michael and his angels would be more appropriate. The archangel’s name even brings greater weight to this facts for it means “Who is like God?”.
This little tidbit certainly helped me to put my spirituality into a brighter focus when I have been threatened by the evil one. May God give us strength and St. Michael come to our aid in the hour of battle. Amen.
Today is one of my very favorite holidays of the year. Sharon even laughed when I walked into the kitchen with the question “What grub ye be cookin’ us up lass?”
The ONLY time I ever get to indulge in cravings is when I am pregnant…or rather the only time ADAM allows me to indulge in cravings is when I am pregnant. We want a large family…so I’ll take it! 
So last night we finished up with a potluck at church to which NO ONE brought dessert…I turned to Adam and said, “I sure could use some Boston Cream Pie right now.” Never in the almost three years we’ve been married have I ever said that… Luckly for me my hubby quite likes sweets.
We stopped by Marie Calendars on the way home. I went in and asked how much two slices of BCP would cost…$4.93 each! The whole thing cost $12.99. Being the math major that I am and not wanting to get my eyes poked…I bought the whole “Sky High” Boston Cream Pie!
The guy behind me in line was picking up an order. He mention it was a craving for his pregnant wife as well. I asked what it was…”Salad and mashed potatoes.” SALAD!! Can you believe that??? IF you’re going to send your husband out for a craving at least make it a little more fun than SALAD!
I just saw that I haven’t written since last Friday… And thinking back on the weekend and the last couple of days, I must say, I don’t have much to say.
The most exciting thing I’ve done is FINALLY get a steam cleaner out to our house to clean our carpet on the first floor. I’m sure I got my eyes poked when they started talking about putting scotch guard on the carpet and charging $2 a square foot to clean our cheap-o area rugs. But of course, they “cut me a deal.” Then they are trying to sell me the “you should have your carpets cleaned every 6 months” line. I don’t EVER remember my parents cleaning our carpet in the 15 years I live with them! We turned out just fine…but they did replace it once. Of course I don’t necessarily let MY munchkin crawl all over it!
By the way, this means ABSOLUTELY NO ONE can walk on our carpet with shoes EVER again–unless you’re a priest! After having written this, I’m almost positive that Therese–or even better I–will spill something quite colorful on the carpet tomorrow.
A couple of weeks ago, I found a great deal on a double stroller on Craigs List . The Schwinn Safari–TT 90S double jogging stroller was more or less what we were looking for in our price range. Specifically we were looking for a swivel wheel in front. We knew we wouldn’t find one with a better canopy for less than $400 so we’ll make do with what we have. And NO, I’m not a runner, at least not anymore. But since we walk the neighborhood 5-6 times per week, we figured this would be a good investment.
Anyway, so Therese and I took it out for stroll today. I put her on one side and filled the other with some of her favorite books, toys and snacks. Boy did the Schwinn put our single stroller to shame. The thing is so lite, I could push it with two fingers. And the front swivel wheel made all those annoying bumps in the side walk easier to get over. I’m in LOVE!
I have been feeling kind of poopie most of the week…tired, achy, and like I gained 20 pounds overnight! I’ve been getting a cramp on my side similar to runner’s cramp during my walks. But today, it was manageable. And YES, I stretch before and after. I could probably stretch a little better…but we’ll take it one day at a time.
Happy Birthday Mary! Our Blessed Mother and Jesus’ mother, Mary, turned another birthday yesterday! I hope I still look that good when I turn her age…some 2000+ years old!
We dropped the ball on going to mass unfortunately…we got the time wrong. We’ll hope that at least the thought counts for a small prayer from her.
I made a chocolate birthday cake, lit a candle on top, and we sang Mary “happy birthday” after dinner. We even let Therese have a piece of cake…her real full fledge piece of sugary goodness. She quite liked it.
Well, this week I learned you can’t fit three car seats in the back of a Corolla, but there is enough room to birth a baby on the way to the hospital!
With joyful hearts we welcome little Clare Maria C. at 9 lbs 4 oz and marvel, with her parents, at the best birth story we’ve heard all year! I visited their family this afternoon at the hospital and they could put most new parents to shame with how fabulous they look! God gets all the glory and praise of course. They get the joy and blessing of another daughter! Dad gets a nice pat on the back for staying calm and collected…and Mom gets a gold star for training so well for this ‘marathon.’
Adam and I decided we won’t be trying to top this one. My only hope is that all this walking I’m doing will pay off in December and we too will cut our labor time in half and not feel a whole lot of discomfort until the last 1 or 2 hours!
