Defeating the Dark Side

A snapshot of our day:

 Garrett (aka Darth Vadar) and his friend Xander (Anakin) in a Jedi battle of the ages.   Of course, Anakin could never really battle Darth Vadar since they are the same person, but that did not stop these two. :)

As the boys invoked the strength of The Force (a binding, metaphysical and ubiquitous power) I thought what a great reminder and teaching tool it is when it comes to spiritual warfare.   Ephesians 6:12:

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"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

    

Of all the "weapons" in my arsenal, this latest one surely must be as powerful as a light saber on the spiritual battlefield.   My mom shared with me that this book has been her own secret weapon for years and she allowed me to borrow it.    The New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book is an absolute treasury!    I love everything about it.  It's loaded with prayers for every occasion, and also common scriptures, psalms, etc.  It's timeless.    It has been especially great in the few minutes I get while nursing Gus, or drinking my morning coffee.  I realized I cannot give her the book back without ordering my own first.  Thankfully Amazon carries it for about $10.  

Another good one that I'm reading is  "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom.  I've had her on my list to read for a while, but never got around to it.   After our Mom Squad speaker Linda Isaiah referenced her, I knew I had to make it a priority to read The Hiding Place.    This book is a true story about Corrie Ten Boom's family and their experience as Dutch Christians during World War II, how they helped (and hid) Jews, and how her faith sustained her while she was in a concentration camp.  Another fitting book for the topic of defeating the dark side.  And the importance of what St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians: "Pray Without Ceasing."

  

The Sacred Sink

Adjusting to life with 5 children continues to be a daily juggling act.  Some days are easier than others, usually based on Augustine's level of colic. There are some areas I seem to be handling well, while others have completely slipped away from me.    Laundry, being one of them.   I didn't think we had that many clothes, but evidently when you have a family of 7, including a self-feeding toddler and newborn with frequent blowouts, the laundry mounts exponentially. :)


 The other is the kitchen,  where I have noticed my TST (time spend tidying) has seemed to have doubled.  Take today for example.  I  did not get out of the kitchen from making breakfast, serving and cleaning up until it was nearly lunch time.  Then, the cycle began all over again.   The funny thing is, I'm not slaving over homemade bread recipes, or making pasta from scratch.  These are just the run-of-the-mill oatmeal and banana breakfasts, sandwich lunches and pot roast dinners. 
It's been this way since Gus was born.  Everything just takes longer when I have to stop, nurse a newborn, get Karolina squared away in her high chair and clean up afterwards. 


 Seeing that I have been tethered to the kitchen for the balance of my days, Jim was sweet enough to get me a Christmas present that I requested as my new "domestic uniform."   I am sure this is not pleasing to the feminists, but wearing this actually makes me feel empowered.   When I've got my apron on I feel like I'm on a mission, and puttering around the kitchen preparing and cleaning seems to take on a superhero-like purpose.  It's my mom-cape, if you will. :)    He found this one on Etsy and I love that it's homemade and was also very affordable.

Although the newborn transition has been tough this time around, and my body and mind are utterly exhausted by 9:00 every evening, there are always blessings tucked inside of every day.   Even in the kitchen.  I ran across a prayer that reminded me how special, how holy  dishwashing and housecleaning can really be.  If it's united to God in prayer, even the sweeping can be sacred if it's used to praise God for our gifts, and petition Him with our hopes....   

From "Great Women of the Bible -- Martha"

Lord of all pots and pans and things,

Since I've no time to be A saint by doing lovely things or Watching late with thee, Or dreaming in the twilight or Storming heaven's gates. Make me a saint by getting meals or Washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha's hands,

I have Mary's mind, and, When I black the boots and shoes Thy sandals, Lord, I find. 

I think of how they trod the earth What time I scrub the floor, 

Accept this meditation, Lord, I haven't time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with thy love,

And light it with thy peace, Forgive me all my worrying And make all grumbling cease. 

Thou who didst love to give men food In room or by the sea Accept this service that I do I do it unto thee.

It's a Wonderful Life

Merriest Christmas to you!   Happy last week of 2011!   Things have gotten so busy since going back to work, I skipped over some life events I had hoped to post (like Gus' baptism),  but I'm off this week and hoping to catch up a bit.

Hope your Christmas was happy, and the sacred mystery of God becoming flesh was the center of your celebration.  We had a banner weekend.  Christmas Eve the weather was mild enough to go for a winter hike.  It was our first outdoor trek as a family of 7!   It went well, I must say.  The fresh air and family time was the perfect way to start Christmas Eve:

Christmas Day was the stuff dreams are made of.  A warm roof over our heads, a healthy family, including 2 babies added in one year, and a few gifts under the tree to top it off.    Nothing fancy, just the important stuff,  God and each other.    Some of the highlights include...
Garrett's Yoda-like patience and wisdom as he taught Karolina how to operate a light saber:

 A princess kitchen for Karolina!

Uncle Matt's gift to the boys.   Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifles

  You knew this was coming.....

For Jim, the kids and I gave him a few little things (cell phone case, outdoor gear).  His highlight came today when we scored some great deals at the Bear Grylls online store.


My highlight was registration into the 2012 Canton Marathon!   



The race is in June, which gives me plenty of time to train, even WITH our expanded brood and limited free time.   I had been dropping hints about this for months, so I was giddy to see Jim signed me up and it's officially on!   


The best gifts of course. are those you cannot place a monetary value on.  My dad being here cancer-free,  celebrating,  and feeling better than he has in months.  Our daughter Karolina Elizabeth, HOME with the family and knowing she will never again be alone for Christmas.  As we begin family traditions that now include pink ornaments and dolls under the tree. :)   Augustine, our child whom we prayed for year after long year, finally a reality in our lives.   His toothless smile is a precious present every day.  It really is a wonderful life.  


I wish you joy and God's peace as you soak up the last days of 2011.  Merry Christmas!  

Merry Christmas!

Nativity Prayer of St. Augustine

Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

Merry Christmas!   

The Reason for the Season

This was our opening video this year at the Mom Squad Christmas celebration.  A good reminder as we enter into the final days before Christmas.  Emmanuel-God With Us,  is the reason we are here, why we celebrate and where our focus should be. Glory to the newborn King!   

In a 2-for-1 inspiring video day, also check out "Christmas in 50 Words" from Igniter Media.  Beautiful! :)

Vita II...Thank You!

The 95.5 The Fish Mom Squad Christmas Luncheon and Dinner was held over the weekend and it was another wonderful event!  Thanks to the 500+ ladies who came out to share food, fellowship, laughter and some tears.   I know it's several days after the fact, but I will post a photo recap, hopefully before 2012!:)   This is my first full week back at work, so it's been extra busy, but I'm determined to just "keep swimming, even if I'm paddling upstream right now. :)   


On the bright side, the delay in the slide show actually gives me a chance to thank a sponsor that provided this old sweat-pant wearing mom a special gift.   Vita II is a ladies boutique with high-end fashion clothing located in Hartville Marketplace.  A week before the event, Beth (the owner) and her staff invited me to the store to select an outfit to wear for our Mom Squad event.   When I got the news it was all I could do to not squeal like a teenager!   I'm still not in my regular clothes yet, and had been trying to bite my tongue and not make the predictable "I have nothing to wear" comment to Jim.  However,  I had seriously considered bedazzling my sweat pants before Vita II came in and saved the day. :)   Appearance is not what is important, but being on stage can make a lady a little self-conscious, so this was a tremendous blessing.  My mom went with me, and it was a very special girl's-afternoon out.  Here is a little recap of our experience and what Vita has to offer:

 Vita II has some of the most original, beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry I have seen!

  

Mom, modeling a belt.  Looking good in your Christmas sweater mom!:)

 Ta da!   It's hard to see it here, but I was wearing a blazer and cami with some sparkles to add some "pop."  Here is a photo with my fantastic friends and co-workers:  Gina Hart, Mark Rein and Kristine Rothacker

 Lovely ladies that I am blessed to know!:)  

Tiptoes and Teeth

 December is officially off and running!  That means our buddy Christopher Pop-In-Kins is in the house and on the lookout:

Christopher is an elf who was given a special job by Santa to "spy" on the boys every day until Christmas.  Every night he sneaks into a different spot and hides.  It's a cute idea and the boys enjoy hunting for him every morning.  The deal is, he has to hide in a high place, and if he's touched, he loses his magic and must go back to the North Pole to be restored.  No one will get old' Chris up here!


He's defintley moving tonight though, he has a bird's eye view of my chocolate stash and can see when I'm sneaking a piece.   It's freaking me out.  Ha.

Sunday is Jim's birthday and we are all looking forward to celebrating our favorite bearded man.  :)   It's amazing how quickly the month fills up with parties, school functions, church activities and just general things that need to get done before Christmas.   One event I look forward to every year is our 95.5 The Fish Mom Squad Christmas celebration.   It's coming up next Saturday!   It's especially sweet for me since I've been on maternity leave and haven't been out since baby Gus was born.  I can't wait to see everyone!


This is also an extremely special time because we are experiencing lots of "firsts" with our sweet Karolina. I was excited to buy her very first Christmas dress.  I can't wait to see her beautiful curls and pretty smile wearing this:

She is also getting closer to walking!   Here she is standing big and tall, on her tiptoes getting into trouble reaching for an ornament:

Caught ya!:)

She often stands on her tiptoes (a future ballerina)?   So although she has all the mechanics of walking down, she isn't quite sturdy enough to take her first steps.   However, as you can see, that certainly doesn't stop her from getting in to everything!

When it comes to teeth, we've got them coming and going and getting corrected in our home these days!   Karolina seems to get a new tooth every week!   Gabe has an orthodontist appointment this week to discuss braces, and Garrett has his first loose tooth!

We are betting his loosey will be gone by Christmas!  This year it's not Sugarplum Fairies, but the Tooth Fairy he'll be dreaming of.  

 This is also my last week of maternity leave.  It went by so fast.   I am sad, but I'm also looking forward to getting back into a structured routine.  As my friend Jennifer said, there is something very comforting about a regular schedule.   Augustine is still not sleeping through the night, so I fully expected to struggle with fatigue,  but I have gotten used to that over the years.   It's just the way it goes when you alarm rings at 2:50am.   I will miss being home, but I am grateful to have a job I truly love (and don't deserve) so I am grateful to return to see friends and reconnect with listeners.