How silly we are. The Lord gives us so many good things. Our friends and family are important, yes, but the MOST important is that He gives us Himself. Why should we complain if He takes His gifts away for a time? So long as He doesn't take Himself from us, we have all that we need!
The above was a posting from a friend on Facebook- and something I desperately needed to hear.
Fiat...even though I don't know what comes next...fiat!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Brain Change
Maybe it's just me- but I'm convinced the way I interpret and think
about things has changed since I've become a wife and mama.
For example:
5:00 AM Before Children (BC):
"Time to work out!"
5:00 AM After Children (AC):
"Joseph is crying- isn't Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on yet?!"
BC: Poop? Gross!
AC: Poop? What color is it? How often has he gone? He HASN'T gone?!
(This also includes praying that baby poops and is not constipated.*)
*Anecdote to follow.
BC: Isn't Charlie (the cat) adorable? He meows in response when I talk to him!
AC: WHY WON'T CHARLIE BE QUIET?!?! The baby is sleeping!!!
BC: Cool equaled: Being able to read Crime and Punishment.
AC: Cool equals: Cuddling up with Goodnight Moon.
I'll have to continue this list later...believe me...it's long!
about things has changed since I've become a wife and mama.
For example:
5:00 AM Before Children (BC):
"Time to work out!"
5:00 AM After Children (AC):
"Joseph is crying- isn't Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on yet?!"
BC: Poop? Gross!
AC: Poop? What color is it? How often has he gone? He HASN'T gone?!
(This also includes praying that baby poops and is not constipated.*)
*Anecdote to follow.
BC: Isn't Charlie (the cat) adorable? He meows in response when I talk to him!
AC: WHY WON'T CHARLIE BE QUIET?!?! The baby is sleeping!!!
BC: Cool equaled: Being able to read Crime and Punishment.
AC: Cool equals: Cuddling up with Goodnight Moon.
I'll have to continue this list later...believe me...it's long!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Jeremiah 29:11..
David and Joe-Joe are finally both sleeping for a few precious minutes, so I thought I would sit down and type an update...and then perhaps take a nap. It is raining and I have my French Vanilla tea- and the combination is making me sleepy!
It has been very busy up this way- the boys have kept me very occupied. My DH has gotten a new job, which is wonderful! However, he does work very unpredictable overtime hours and his shifts are not yet regular- and so for the most part, it has been just me taking care of the babies.
We are still living with my parents, but I'm hoping that within the next month or so, we will be out of the house and into an apartment. Grant it, it's not what we had hoped for. We had hoped at this point to be able to put a down payment on a house, but it's something. We are going through state-subsidized housing, and our application is just about complete. We are currently working on getting letters of reference, and then we should know in about two weeks whether or not there are any openings.
I'm disappointed that we don't have a house lined up (especially with two little ones)- but VERY happy to be making the transition to being a separate family unit again. It will be a blessing to have our own space.
I have the sinking feeling that I will need to go back to work. I'm beginning to look at daycare options- and I've started to put out my "feelers" for other jobs that have benefits. We really need to get back on our feet. I'm wondering if there are any businesses I can work from home that are reliable and that I would be able to keep up with.
I've also been looking at going back to school to obtain a teaching license. I've been teaching ever since I graduated from college, but I taught at private Catholic institutions and a license was not required. Where I'm living now, even the Diocesan schools require teachers to be licensed. I think if I take this route, even though I LOVED teaching high schoolers, I would opt for an elementary classroom. It's still the same amount of work, but the work is different, and I think the work load for me would be more managable with two little ones if I taught elementary school. Going this route would probably help us the most- and a job like this, especially if I decided to teach in a public school, would help with benefits.
After being a DRE and working with public school kids, I do feel that I could do a lot of good in that type of environment.
I've also thought about nursing school- but I think that the schooling would take too much time away from my family.
I'm praying that God will open my eyes as to what He wants for our family. I've been so conflicted about returning to work. If we get the apartment, we would have to move 40 miles away from my current job. And, although I feel that the current job is important and needs a young DRE, at what point to I start "working for" my own domestic church and make sure we are financially secure? Decisions, decisions! Please pray for our discernment.
It has been very busy up this way- the boys have kept me very occupied. My DH has gotten a new job, which is wonderful! However, he does work very unpredictable overtime hours and his shifts are not yet regular- and so for the most part, it has been just me taking care of the babies.
We are still living with my parents, but I'm hoping that within the next month or so, we will be out of the house and into an apartment. Grant it, it's not what we had hoped for. We had hoped at this point to be able to put a down payment on a house, but it's something. We are going through state-subsidized housing, and our application is just about complete. We are currently working on getting letters of reference, and then we should know in about two weeks whether or not there are any openings.
I'm disappointed that we don't have a house lined up (especially with two little ones)- but VERY happy to be making the transition to being a separate family unit again. It will be a blessing to have our own space.
I have the sinking feeling that I will need to go back to work. I'm beginning to look at daycare options- and I've started to put out my "feelers" for other jobs that have benefits. We really need to get back on our feet. I'm wondering if there are any businesses I can work from home that are reliable and that I would be able to keep up with.
I've also been looking at going back to school to obtain a teaching license. I've been teaching ever since I graduated from college, but I taught at private Catholic institutions and a license was not required. Where I'm living now, even the Diocesan schools require teachers to be licensed. I think if I take this route, even though I LOVED teaching high schoolers, I would opt for an elementary classroom. It's still the same amount of work, but the work is different, and I think the work load for me would be more managable with two little ones if I taught elementary school. Going this route would probably help us the most- and a job like this, especially if I decided to teach in a public school, would help with benefits.
After being a DRE and working with public school kids, I do feel that I could do a lot of good in that type of environment.
I've also thought about nursing school- but I think that the schooling would take too much time away from my family.
I'm praying that God will open my eyes as to what He wants for our family. I've been so conflicted about returning to work. If we get the apartment, we would have to move 40 miles away from my current job. And, although I feel that the current job is important and needs a young DRE, at what point to I start "working for" my own domestic church and make sure we are financially secure? Decisions, decisions! Please pray for our discernment.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sacred Hours Revisited
In the past two weeks I've had plenty of time to reflect on my reasons for naming this blog "Sacred Hours."
David has been waking several times a night for feedings- and sometimes just to be held. As always, the first night back from the hospital was the most difficult. He was waking up every half hour, and my husband had to go to the academy early the next morning, so I was getting up with him on my own. I sent Fred to another room so he could get some sleep and eventually enlisted my mother's help, which seemed to work out well.
Now, David is only getting up three to four times a night- and I'm finding that (besides the sleep deprivation) it is such a joy to be up and feeding him- to be able to hold him close and make eye contact during the feedings- and to have silence. It's nice that no one else is awake- and then rubbing his back to lull him back to sleep is priceless.
Joseph is having a difficult time adjusting to being the big brother and is doing everything he can to get attention. This covers the spectrum of being sweet and good (helping me change David's diaper, bringing him a bottle and giving us kisses) to downright mischievous (climbing to the top of the sofa and catapulting himself down, chasing the dog and taking the keys off of his aunt's open computer.) I feel so bad for him because he's too young to understand what's going on- and I'm trying to give him as much "special time" as possible.
Charlie (the infamous cat) is driving me crazy. I could probably write a novel about all of his escapades for the past few weeks. I should start a blogging series just about him!
My husband's academy is just about over, for which I am very grateful! He graduates on Thursday and I am SO proud of him. He left this morning at 5:30 for the week, and I'm always sad when he has to go. I was happy to be up this morning to see him in uniform (what can I say...I'm a sucker for a handsome man- i.e. my husband- in uniform!) and to be able to give him a kiss goodbye.
With his absence, I've come to realize how much of a "pillar" a husband and father is to his family, and while I can "hold down the fort" and be the best mother that I can, there is no substitute for him- and it makes me miss and appreciate him even more.
I feel so blessed to have wonderful "men" in my life- my husband and my two boys- who make me feel like everything we're going through is worth it.
Tasks to do while my husband is away:
Research apartments and townhouses
Pray for special intentions
Open David's savings account
Take DH's extra uniforms to the seamstress
Clean
Get David to the doctor to have his weight monitored (my little guy is a peanut!)
Pay bills
NOT think about work
Secure a new baby carrier that will be small enough for the little guy
Secure a new stroller (my Dad ran over ours when he was trying to back the car up into the garage...yikes!)
David has been waking several times a night for feedings- and sometimes just to be held. As always, the first night back from the hospital was the most difficult. He was waking up every half hour, and my husband had to go to the academy early the next morning, so I was getting up with him on my own. I sent Fred to another room so he could get some sleep and eventually enlisted my mother's help, which seemed to work out well.
Now, David is only getting up three to four times a night- and I'm finding that (besides the sleep deprivation) it is such a joy to be up and feeding him- to be able to hold him close and make eye contact during the feedings- and to have silence. It's nice that no one else is awake- and then rubbing his back to lull him back to sleep is priceless.
Joseph is having a difficult time adjusting to being the big brother and is doing everything he can to get attention. This covers the spectrum of being sweet and good (helping me change David's diaper, bringing him a bottle and giving us kisses) to downright mischievous (climbing to the top of the sofa and catapulting himself down, chasing the dog and taking the keys off of his aunt's open computer.) I feel so bad for him because he's too young to understand what's going on- and I'm trying to give him as much "special time" as possible.
Charlie (the infamous cat) is driving me crazy. I could probably write a novel about all of his escapades for the past few weeks. I should start a blogging series just about him!
My husband's academy is just about over, for which I am very grateful! He graduates on Thursday and I am SO proud of him. He left this morning at 5:30 for the week, and I'm always sad when he has to go. I was happy to be up this morning to see him in uniform (what can I say...I'm a sucker for a handsome man- i.e. my husband- in uniform!) and to be able to give him a kiss goodbye.
With his absence, I've come to realize how much of a "pillar" a husband and father is to his family, and while I can "hold down the fort" and be the best mother that I can, there is no substitute for him- and it makes me miss and appreciate him even more.
I feel so blessed to have wonderful "men" in my life- my husband and my two boys- who make me feel like everything we're going through is worth it.
Tasks to do while my husband is away:
Research apartments and townhouses
Pray for special intentions
Open David's savings account
Take DH's extra uniforms to the seamstress
Clean
Get David to the doctor to have his weight monitored (my little guy is a peanut!)
Pay bills
NOT think about work
Secure a new baby carrier that will be small enough for the little guy
Secure a new stroller (my Dad ran over ours when he was trying to back the car up into the garage...yikes!)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Two Under Two
We're very happy that my second son, David Matthias, was born on August 6th- the Feast of the Transfiguration! It seems like a lifetime of events has occurred in about a week,(my husband is at an academy for law enforcement, I'm transitioning into a stay at home mom of a toddler and newborn, jaundice, bilirubins, nurses, nursing...etc., etc....) and so I haven't had much time to rest- (or to write.) Hoping for some time soon.
Until then...
Jezu Ufam Tobie!
Please keep us in your prayers!
Until then...
Jezu Ufam Tobie!
Please keep us in your prayers!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Thankfulness List and a Toddlerese Translation
I don't have too much time to blog right now, but I DID want to include a list of things I'm thankful for:
1. My husband got a job! YAY! I'm happy for him, and I feel like a weight has been lifted, especially since I am now on (unpaid) maternity leave.
2. Even though he is at the Academy, his instructors will let him be with me when I'm in labor.
3. I'm on maternity leave- I've found two people to act as my replacements during leave, and I found my entire Catechetical staff or the upcoming year, except for one teacher. I'm praying for this.
4. Even though I had a "false alarm" on Sunday morning which ended with the doctor hinting that I might want to consider induction (?!?) I am relieved to know that the hospital has such a nice staff. The English nurse that came in to tend to me was particularly gracious to me and to my husband.
5. Joseph has had a Verbal Explosion! All of the sudden, he has begun to try and talk. Some of his words are:
Dada
Mama
Gaga (for Grandma and Grandpa)
Joo (juice)
NO*
Mil (milk)
Botta (bottle)
Poo (self-explanatory)
Mow (rhymes with cow- this is for Mickey Mouse)
Yo-Ho (when he watches Jake and the Neverland Pirates)
Shew (shoe)
Ha (hat)
Hewo (hello)
Idunno (I don't know)
Wadidudo (What did you do?)
GO!
Ca (Car)
JeeJee (Jesus)
Peas (Please)
Gedow (Get down!)
Bebe (baby)
La (light)
It seems like he has just begun to chatter overnight! In regards to No- he began to say that about three weeks ago (and includes vigorous head shaking or whining while doing so). The first time he said it, I had asked him: "Joseph, where's the baby?" to we he began whimpering and said, "NO!" I hope this is not a foreshadowing of things to come! But in any case, deciphering "toddlerese" is very challenging- and he gets frustrated when he's not understood. Poor JoeJoe!
6. Finally, I'm SO thankful that with each of my pregnancies, I've had access to a swimming pool- it's a GLORIOUS feeling to feel weightless when you're nine months pregnant!
1. My husband got a job! YAY! I'm happy for him, and I feel like a weight has been lifted, especially since I am now on (unpaid) maternity leave.
2. Even though he is at the Academy, his instructors will let him be with me when I'm in labor.
3. I'm on maternity leave- I've found two people to act as my replacements during leave, and I found my entire Catechetical staff or the upcoming year, except for one teacher. I'm praying for this.
4. Even though I had a "false alarm" on Sunday morning which ended with the doctor hinting that I might want to consider induction (?!?) I am relieved to know that the hospital has such a nice staff. The English nurse that came in to tend to me was particularly gracious to me and to my husband.
5. Joseph has had a Verbal Explosion! All of the sudden, he has begun to try and talk. Some of his words are:
Dada
Mama
Gaga (for Grandma and Grandpa)
Joo (juice)
NO*
Mil (milk)
Botta (bottle)
Poo (self-explanatory)
Mow (rhymes with cow- this is for Mickey Mouse)
Yo-Ho (when he watches Jake and the Neverland Pirates)
Shew (shoe)
Ha (hat)
Hewo (hello)
Idunno (I don't know)
Wadidudo (What did you do?)
GO!
Ca (Car)
JeeJee (Jesus)
Peas (Please)
Gedow (Get down!)
Bebe (baby)
La (light)
It seems like he has just begun to chatter overnight! In regards to No- he began to say that about three weeks ago (and includes vigorous head shaking or whining while doing so). The first time he said it, I had asked him: "Joseph, where's the baby?" to we he began whimpering and said, "NO!" I hope this is not a foreshadowing of things to come! But in any case, deciphering "toddlerese" is very challenging- and he gets frustrated when he's not understood. Poor JoeJoe!
6. Finally, I'm SO thankful that with each of my pregnancies, I've had access to a swimming pool- it's a GLORIOUS feeling to feel weightless when you're nine months pregnant!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Letting Go of Martha
I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist. Up until this past year, I was the type who didn't want to work on a project unless I knew I could do it correctly. I wouldn't let Joseph wear mismatched socks. I would proofread and edit my e-mails at least three times...once for spelling, once for grammar, and once for content...and then again if I didn't feel that was sufficient.
Even the pajamas I went to sleep in had to match.
Well, I think that this phase of being a perfectionist is rapidly coming to an end. As I am slowly learning: Motherhood is NOT compatible with perfectionism. (Nor is being a wife, or a DRE for that matter.)
Of course, this does not mean that moms shouldn't try to perfect (as in modeling their virtues after Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother)...but it does mean not getting stressed out when things don't go as planned. It does mean taking a break from polishing that report and spending time with family instead. It does mean being able to go outside without hair that is perfectly coiffed or lipstick that is perfectly applied.
When I was first married, I had dreams of living in California, perhaps by the beach, and having a dream job teaching. I imagined a clean house, folded laundry, perfectly cooked and seasoned food, and four kids.
As DH and I rapidly approach our five year wedding anniversary, I've realized that dreams change.
I recently read a book that spoke at great length about perfectionism and what it DOES to people. To summarize, the author spoke about how trying to live up to others' ideas of what is perfect causes nothing but stress. (Imagine that!) There aren't any awards for who has the cleanest house or who can bake something that is absolutely delectable from scratch. There are no awards for who can dress the best or who goes to sleep with matching pajamas...(at least none that I've found!)
The book spoke about redefining perfectionism as completing a task to the point where it makes YOU happy. This advice is all well and good, but what if you are the one who is never happy and sets unachievable and unrealistic standards for yourself?
It's time to re-evaluate what should really bring happiness to your life. I came across a quote from Voltaire that states, "Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good." I wish that I had read that quote in context- but reading it by itself, I would imagine it to mean, "do not let perfectionism be the enemy of what is good." Meaning- that striving to be perfect for the sake of being perfect, is an enemy to what is good- striving for perfection in order to emulate the GREATEST good, God.
When Our Lord was visiting Martha and Mary, Martha was bustling around in the kitchen, trying to get everything ready for dinner. If Martha was anything like me, she probably had gone over what she wanted to feed her guest 50 times, had scoured over her kitchen for hours, and was praying for the food not to burn, all the while getting annoyed that her sister was just sitting around instead of helping her play the perfect hostess.
When Martha asks Jesus to send Mary to help her, he says:
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
Wow!
There's so much more I could write in this post, but it's been sitting in my drafts since July 4! I guess I'm also losing my habit of getting things done in one sitting and "on time." :)
Even the pajamas I went to sleep in had to match.
Well, I think that this phase of being a perfectionist is rapidly coming to an end. As I am slowly learning: Motherhood is NOT compatible with perfectionism. (Nor is being a wife, or a DRE for that matter.)
Of course, this does not mean that moms shouldn't try to perfect (as in modeling their virtues after Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother)...but it does mean not getting stressed out when things don't go as planned. It does mean taking a break from polishing that report and spending time with family instead. It does mean being able to go outside without hair that is perfectly coiffed or lipstick that is perfectly applied.
When I was first married, I had dreams of living in California, perhaps by the beach, and having a dream job teaching. I imagined a clean house, folded laundry, perfectly cooked and seasoned food, and four kids.
As DH and I rapidly approach our five year wedding anniversary, I've realized that dreams change.
I recently read a book that spoke at great length about perfectionism and what it DOES to people. To summarize, the author spoke about how trying to live up to others' ideas of what is perfect causes nothing but stress. (Imagine that!) There aren't any awards for who has the cleanest house or who can bake something that is absolutely delectable from scratch. There are no awards for who can dress the best or who goes to sleep with matching pajamas...(at least none that I've found!)
The book spoke about redefining perfectionism as completing a task to the point where it makes YOU happy. This advice is all well and good, but what if you are the one who is never happy and sets unachievable and unrealistic standards for yourself?
It's time to re-evaluate what should really bring happiness to your life. I came across a quote from Voltaire that states, "Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good." I wish that I had read that quote in context- but reading it by itself, I would imagine it to mean, "do not let perfectionism be the enemy of what is good." Meaning- that striving to be perfect for the sake of being perfect, is an enemy to what is good- striving for perfection in order to emulate the GREATEST good, God.
When Our Lord was visiting Martha and Mary, Martha was bustling around in the kitchen, trying to get everything ready for dinner. If Martha was anything like me, she probably had gone over what she wanted to feed her guest 50 times, had scoured over her kitchen for hours, and was praying for the food not to burn, all the while getting annoyed that her sister was just sitting around instead of helping her play the perfect hostess.
When Martha asks Jesus to send Mary to help her, he says:
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
Wow!
There's so much more I could write in this post, but it's been sitting in my drafts since July 4! I guess I'm also losing my habit of getting things done in one sitting and "on time." :)
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