A New Springtime

What am I seeking?

 So much has been going on mentally, physically and spiritually. Even though I am not by nature a routine-oriented  type of person, lately I have been thanking God for that part of my life. I think it is my saving grace in the midst of a somewhat hectic time. Managing a nursing, teething baby, homeschooling four different kids, entertaining an almost 4 yr. old, and helping a 23 yr.old son who is back at home can be challenging to say the least.

 Everyday, Mon. through Fri. we do our hygiene, homeschool and housework duties. I feel like I have to bark out way to many orders lately o I am going to go back to written chore lists. Some of the things that should be  done by the kids automatically, I am having to remind them. This can be very frustrating and taxing but as usually it is an opportunity to readjust once again.

 We have been persevering  each day with our homeschool studies. Right now the boys are studying WW II. We are using a this thematic unit and have read this book below.

We also read, "Sadako and The One Thousand Paper Cranes", it was a very sad story and touching story and we were all moved by it. Today, I found a tutorial for an orgami paper craneand made one. Tomorrow,I will have the kids try it.

 Tuesday,was butterfly day, when the kids took a nature walk they witnessed several different kinds of butterflies so they wanted to do a bit of research on them. Hannah got out her field guide, Abbey got out her poster and I printed of a trivia sheet, a wordsearch and a butterfly to label.

We got some watercolors last week so we put them to good use.

These are some the kids did and after they went to bed that night, I had a bit of creative fun.

Spring brings so many opportunities and ideas for art work. Eliana, who is three, has been using, " Eating the Alphabet" by Louis Elhert  to paint bright, colorful pictures of fruits and veggies.

While DH focuses on planting the garden, some of the kids have been learning about where certain plants grow, above or below the ground.

This was the worksheet with the different fruits and vegetables on it. They had to color and cut them out and place them in the right catagories.

Having children who are various different ages leads to a variety of interest. My ten year old daughter has read 39 of these "Rainbow Magic Fairy Books". There must be hundreds of these books I think she may try to read them all.

Having a family with eight kids, there is never a dull moment to say the least. There are always many things going on. Painting, reading, studying, cooking, cleaning, laughing, crying, hugging, fighting, yelling, loving and the list goes on and on.  It can get very challenging at times to keep the peace and the choas at bay. It can be scary but also rewarding. Working through each day, praying to God for the strength to make it to tomorrow and to see the beauty in it all is what I am seeking.

 

 

He loves His Wash Pod

 I had been wanting to try this new style bath tub ever since I heard about it over at the "Sew Liberated" blog. I was pricing them and viewing them on the internet but not quite sure if they were a gimmick or if Malcolm would even like it. Since I had always used a lay down type tub I wasn't real sure about it. 

 I had looked in a bunch of different stores and couldn't even find one, then one day when the girls and I were shopping at Home Goods hannah spotted one. I looked at the price and it was less than half of what I had seen them for. I was thrilled and decided to try it out.

 
I am so glad I did, baby boy truly enjoys his wash pod, as it is called. He just splishes, splashes and smiles the whole time. I can't wait to see his expressions every night!

 

The pod is supposed to mimic the womb with the water surrounding the baby.  When malcolm  is in it he brings his legs and feet straight up in front of him and it looks like  he is in a prenatal position. I just love seeing him so excited. I do have to have a firm hold on him because he is a bit wobbly and he slides around a lot. I only put a very small amount of water in it because if it is filled up too much the water is too close to his mouth and chin. Safety first as with any baby bath tub but this has been a joy and he really has a blast in it!

 

 

 

Down Syndrome and the Not So Moody Blues

God gives a peace that surpasses all understanding. Sometimes things aren't perfect or they do not turn out  the way I think they are supposed to but lately I am able to experience joy in these events.

 
Having a child with Down Syndrome is nothing like I ever expected it would be. I am just so absorbed in all of the love and blessings that have been poured out upon our family from the gift of this precious little one. His siblings feel the same way and are always entertaining him with toys, hugs and even music.

 
I am learning to give thanks to God even when things do not go my way. By no merit of my own, only by His grace I have come to understand His love in the " less than perfect situations" in my life. When things look bad there is always something beautiful that God brings forth from it.  I am becoming enlightened to think even more in the opposite direction of what the world says.

 
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all things shall be added unto thee."   Down Syndrome has no power over God and I am seeing so much beauty in imperfection. 

 
So as my ears  hear the harmonica play I am savoring the tunes of the not so moody blues. The melody is sweet and the tunes are up beat even when times are a bit out of sync.  Play that song  baby and praise God in all things!!

It's A Pleasure

 
Today is my son Joseph's 18th birthday and is a pleasure to be his mom! He is an exceptional athlete but more than that he is a wonderful person who has helped me over the years.

 
He has assisted with all of the children from infancy on up and rarely complained of doing the many jobs I have given to him.

 
He can definetly be a clown, he dishes out a lot of teasing but he can also handle being razzed as well. so I know he won't mindme sharing this picture (lol).

 
He has grown into a fine young man and I want to wish him a blessed and happy birthday!!

Happy Birthday Joe Joe!

Living In the Moment

The other day we were reading about living in the present moment and how important this is to keep peace in our lives. There are so many things that could overwhelm us if we tried to figure out what might happen next.  

 
These are the moments I want to focus on. I just love seeing the kids interact together. If I was thinking about the future I would miss out on this.

 
I enjoyed a cup of coffee and the new edition of Faith & Family. It was a great issue focusing on the Culure of Life, a beautiful little boy with Down Syndrome was on the cover.

 
Doing our homeschooling keeps our focus where it should be, this is how we serve God each day. I have a saying to remind the kids of the order of things: "Hygiene, Housework & Homeschool. I like to follow a routine most days to avoid utter chaos.

 
Hannah is so good at getting all of her morning school done. I rarely have to keep her on track. She is a self-motivated learner, it is a pleasure to watch and see her engaged in her subjects.

The days are definetly full of there own concerns and the future hasn't been revealed yet; thank God for that because I don't think I could handle much more than I already have. I am grateful for the present moment and all it has to offer.

 

Contentment

It is always so awesome how God confirms things. I was just taking some pictures of our ordinary day and thinking about how much I was enjoying the beauty of the simplicity of our day. I have been spending some time on the couch nursing  baby and hugging toddler. I am blessed with so much love.

 

 

 
Earlier in the day, we finally made a long over due trip to the library and  late afternoon  the kids took some time out for quiet reading.

 

 
I love to watch the kids when they are into a book; they are in their own world.

 
We have been spending some time in the living room together, some watchin' tv, some reading, some holdin' baby but most of all just being together and lovin' every minute of it!

 

 
I am finally allowing myself some time to be a Mary in a Martha world. I still like a clean house and supper still has to be cooked but there are certain times in between when I can  spend time just being content and looking at the funny and cute lil' faces that surround me.

 

 

While I was taking some R&R, the girls set the table. This occurs everyday around 4:30, a ritual  that always brings me a feeling of peace, a small accomplishment that let's me know our family meal time will happen soon and we will all gather together.

Beauty Of Life, God's Gift to Me

 I can be tempted to think of myself as a failure. Because I am a stay-at-home mom who doesn't fit into the status quo. I find myself doubting my usefulness but God in His love and mercy always shows me that I am so wonderfully made and that my vocation as wife, mother and home schooler are what pleases Him. My children are the best gift to me from God and I am glad they are here today.

(Spared from abortion)

 My life was spared from abortion when my mother said Yes to God's will. She was a white 16 year old in a rather wealthy Connecticut neighborhood. She met an Arab classmate who was much older than his supposed high school age. He had enrolled himself into high school to meet young vulnerable girls. My mother was his victim. She became pregnant and was told she had to get an abortion or get married. She had to move out no matter what. Some in her family didn't want a bi-racial child in their midst.

(  Spared from abortion)

 

 There was a no question in my mother's mind, she would not abort her child within. She was 16 and she got married and began to work at a nursing home as an aid. She had taken care of her elderly sick grandmother at home and used that as experience to begin to support herself. Her mother kept on harassing her to get an abortion for the duration of her pregnancy. This was tormenting to my mother but she hung in there and was a hero for the life she was carrying.

(Spared from abortion)

 My mother was spit on in a public restaurant and called a n..... lover because she was showing (late in her pregnancy)  and was with my father but she didn't cave in. She was a true warrior and protected her baby within.

( Spared from abortion)

 Today both my mother and I have been converted into the Catholic Church and have been given a love of life. She runs a Crisis Pregnancy Center and I have become a wife, and mother of 11 children, 7 are living and 4 I miscarried. But I am confident I will see them in Heaven some day!

 

( Spared from abortion)

I know why I am tempted to think I am useless. It is  because I have one of the best and most beautiful vocations on this earth. A life giver a pro-creator with God.

 ( Spared from Abortion)
 

 Life is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving and God is a contradiction to what the world says.  Anyone who gives life and  gives it abundantly and gives it selflessly is a contradiction to the world.  

( Spared from Abortion)

 This is Ezekiel's coffin. I was 12 weeks pregnant when he died and his life was just as real and important to me as any of my other children. God allowed him to be a witness at 12 weeks gestation to all of the doctor's and office staff who couldn't understand why we wanted him to be buried.   His life is significant to God, to us and to all. We say his heartbeat at 1 month gestation on ultrasound and we saw his body after he died on ultrasound. We would not deny his life inside the womb or outside. 

 No, I am not useless and As I now pray to Our Lady of Confidence, to intercede for me and to give me confidence and trust God's will as she did and not worry about the ways of the world. Money, college, cars, boats, fancy house, a career and all of the other things could never compare to the gift of life that I have been given and that my children have been given. 

I want to dedicate this to Ryan who inspired me with his story of his wonderful life. This gave me the confidence to tell my story in a more personal way. All of us have escaped the grips of abortion since Roe vs Wade. What a witness to life we all can be. We are survivors. Thanks be to God!!
 
 

Book Baskets

                                         

 I have an idea  and I would like some input on it please. I would really like to start my own business selling gift baskets that contain books and stuffed animals or small toys that go with the book themes . I always go to second hand stores and find great deals on books. I could pass them on at a fraction of the cost  that they sell for in the stores.  This basket above contains 2 Jim Arnosky books (All About Rattlesnakes and All about Turtles), An Usborne Pocket Scientist Book, Dk Pocket Scientist Reptiles, 2 beanies(a chameleon and a snake), a three hundred piece leopard puzzle, it is all wrapped in a basket tied off with ribbon and a pack of gum. Would anyone pay $20.00 + $5.00 s&h. Please leave me your comments.

Comfy & Cozy

 

                                     

 I love snuggling with my lil' snuggle bug!  Last year, my neighbor made me this wonderful shawl. I hadn't really used it much until now. It is so soft and warm and perfect for me when nursing. I usually do my blogging with baby nursing on my lap on the boppy. These pillows are the best and they save your back. I am really enjoying this time of my life as a mother, being older I have more of an appreciation for baby love. Having a baby can bring that serenity we all long for. I want to experience that more with the older children,too. 

   I am trying to focus more on loving and praising. I yell a lot and this is something I am trying to give to God. I know that this rubs off on the kiddos. Some of the other blogging mothers have expressed wanting to have a quiet and gentle spirit, I can relate.

  Sometimes it can get very hectic when there are so many egos trying to live in one house. It would be impossible if not for the grace of God. I often find myself feeling like a referee or awarden. I think the key is to set the rules and give consequences without getting myself all worked up. Say it once and follow through on the consequence. I usually say something two or more times and by the third time I am totally frustrated.

  I think this will be a great focus for lent, giving up the bad habit of nagging and slothful discipline. Making my home more of a comfy and cozy and overall peaceful dwelling, cause if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy. I hope you enjoy some snugly moments with your children on these winter days.