Power

Our two Jack-o-lanterns (Gianna lost four teeth recently, so she was the model for our pumpkin!)

Yesterday was a mighty display of God's power. The eye of Hurricane Sandy was right over Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the early evening. Besides losing some siding (a bummer because we just sold this house and now we have to pay a lot of money to fix it!!), we are all okay. 

God's power did not knock out our electrical power, and I am extremely grateful. I was in a bit of a panic the night before the storm (ask my husband!). Not because I was afraid of a natural disaster (although I did pray for no loss of life and for those who have already been affected, of course), but because I was afraid of being stuck in a cold, dark house with all my children for an unlimited amount of time. 

This even sounds silly to me as I type it...why would a mother be afraid to be home with her children...but, I know that even our "normal" days require "extraordinary" graces. I fear that anything abnormal (like an extended power outage) might put me right over the edge :). I do trust that God will always provide the graces that I need, but I'm grateful to be spared the test...THIS TIME!

I woke up the morning of the storm saying prayers for a safe and happy day. School was cancelled, but work was also cancelled for Daddy...a huge help! We passed a long day inside by carving our jack-o-lantern (my children were delighted to learn that Halloween has not passed, in fact....see last post!). I also baked a delicious apple caramel cake. It is killing my diet, but man, it makes me very happy. And, as we did not lose power, I could still make my beloved coffee...which always seems to cheer me! The children did remarkably well...minimal meltdowns, tantrums, and quarrels! Thank you God (and Mary and patron saints and guardian angels...my powerful intercessors!)

Today is day two of being home. The hurricane is gone, but the skies are very gray and it has turned very cold. As I do every afternoon, I just turned off the TV after break time and sent them outside. I expected them to fight me on this. However, the dreary day isn't bothering them much...I just snapped this picture of my daughters playing...all smiles. Gianna even commented that the missing siding on our house "looks cool!"

Once again I reflect on how children are often unaffected by things that can really tend to bother adults...this is a lesson and gift that children can share with us! 

Although I cannot control the weather (or many parts of my day since I have unpredictable young children), it is always in my power to turn to God and to rely on His power to get me through! That I may always be receptive to God working in my life, I pray. Amen!

Why Not!?

Here's how the first Halloween picture turned out! Good thing we tried again...

That's a little better...at least Justin joined us this time!

On Thursday night, we trick-or-treated. I know this is weird. I grew up in Boston where trick-or-treat was ALWAYS on October 31st...cloudy, rainy, snowy, weekday/weekend...it didn't matter.

Here in Central Pennsylvania, however, trick-or-treat is the Thursday before Halloween. Very strange...and very confusing for young children who think Halloween is now past...although it is still four days away!!!

Regardless, the children LOVED trick-or-treating. Now that Gianna is 6 and Joseph is almost 5, they led the pack...which means that we stayed out much longer than usual and went much farther. The younger kids hung in there, and even the baby seemed to enjoy herself.

The result: I have never seen so much candy in one place! The children will soon forget to ask for it (out of sight, out of mind). Unfortunately, I will not forget about it :).

On Friday night after an early dinner, Cecilia asked if it was almost time. For what, I thought?! Bed? Why yes!!!

But, she meant trick-or-treating again. "WHY NOT?" her response...my answer about once a year obviously did not suffice.

I thought about it from her point of view. On Thursday night, she got into her costume (she loves to dress up) and went on a fascinating walk where everyone she met was smiling and giving her candy...no wonder she wanted to do it again...how magical...the very essence of childhood!

For sure, I loved seeing my children so happy. I also really enjoyed seeing my neighbors. I wave to them when I drive by and they occasionally mention how big the kids have gotten, but that's about it. On trick-or-treat night, their doors are wide open and we are warmly received. Kind of nice, even if it's only once a year. I wonder if this is what it was like in past days when people actually knew their neighbors (that's rare today...at least in my neighborhood!).

As Gianna goes to a Catholic School, she will celebrate the REAL meaning of Halloween on Wednesday. There is a saint parade in anticipation of All Saints Day on November 1st, and she will dress up as a doctor to honor her patron saint, Saint Gianna. I am so grateful that she will see in a memorable way that Halloween is more than costumes and candy! All you saints, please pray for us.

As for Cecilia, she has been pretending to trick-or-treat with her baby dolls...that and an occasional piece of candy will have to do until the next Thursday before Halloween!

Oh goody...

Every afternoon I escape to my bedroom for a little bit. I have found that it is in every one's best interest if I get a break! I usually put a movie on for the older kids (while the nappers nap), and I sneak away with a cup of coffee. Before I go upstairs, I make sure that there is a snack and drink available and that all needs are met for the foreseeable future (a lot of planning for a 1/2 hour break!).

Joseph (4-1/2) knows the drill: Leave Mommy alone! Gianna knows this too when she is off from school. At age 3, Cecilia ignores the drill and checks in with me at least every 10 minutes. It's usually to change her clothes (again), but she comes up with tons of creative demands and requests. Needless to say, my break is not very relaxing!

Yesterday was different, however. Cecilia did not come upstairs. I could hear her downstairs so I knew she was hard at work. On what, I did not know. And, since our house is pretty childproof, I let it go. I was afraid the sight of me would distract her and my peace would be over :).

Boy...I was in for a treat. When I heard the TV show end, I headed downstairs. I was greeted by Cecilia with a HUGE grin. "Mommy, I made GOODY BAGS."

Huh?!?

And then I saw them.

An entire new package of Ziploc bags (the sandwich kind that I had just bought for my older daughter's lunchbox) emptied, each bag filled with "treasures" (i.e. 1-2 Legos or Little People). She had lined them up in a row and they stretched from door-to-door (through the living room into the dining room). To be exact, there were 125 bags in the box (well, she didn't fill all 125...probably only about 30 or so because she's only 3 and I wasn't gone that long...but it looked/felt like 125 to me!).

My first reaction was, "OH NO she didn't!" Heart racing, palms sweating. This is going to take me forever to put it all back!!!!!

But, I looked at her proud face, and I was able to stop myself from exploding (if only I always had this grace!!!!)...must have been my break!

After I snapped this picture, I started the cleanup. Cecilia was much less excited about putting everything away (after bag #5, I left her off the hook).

As I cleaned, I thought that Jesus must have loved watching Cecilia. After all, she had created a masterpiece with all her God-given talents. This project was creative and thoughtful, and it took an awful lot of determination and perseverance for a 3-year-old to follow this project to its completion.  Thank you God for my healthy, imaginative child.

I reminded myself that she did not do this to annoy me. Actually, she had done something to entertain herself...which was exactly what I wanted!

So...creating goody bags is now on the list of unacceptable activities during break time (along with play dough and painting...other projects that shoot my blood pressure up instantly when I see the clean-up involved!). I will also do a sneak peek if Cecilia is quiet for too long.

But, at the end of the day, 125 bags were back in the package (haven't decided if I'll use them or not!), and I was a refreshed grace-filled mama because I got an uninterrupted break...oh goody!

Right Here...

I love baby feet. Last night I couldn't get enough of Lucy's cute piggies. Gianna (6) was "helping" me get Lucy ready for bed. I was telling Gianna that her feet used to be just as cute. After assuring her that her feet are still cute, she asked just why I love baby feet so much.

I told her that they are adorable, ticklish, kissable, and...not stinky. This last reason gave Gianna a new mission. I put Lucy down on the floor and started to get the next child ready for bed (a much squirmier toddler!). Gianna started to smell each one of Lucy's toes...to prove me wrong, I guessed! Not finding any smell, she moved on to the rest of the foot.

"MOM! Come quick! Right here....Lucy's feet are stinky right here!" After laughing, I went down to take a whiff. Sure enough, there was a teeny tiny patch of odor on the world's cutest feet. They must have gotten a little bit sweaty in the pink Robeez (that are being worn by the 3rd girl!) that she sported all day.

For some weird (well, not so weird because this happens to me a lot!) reason, I started to think about Gianna's actions as I went through the motions of the bedtime routine. My children are always teaching me...if I am receptive.

How often do I look for or focus on the "one stinky spot?"

For instance, I may have had a great day...but at the end of the day, I am still bothered by the few things that did not go as planned.

Or, instead of focusing on all of God's tremendous blessings, my mind will zoom in on something that I don't have.

Forgive me God, and help me to remember that you see the big picture...stinky spots and all!

Gianna looked so proud of herself. "Even though they stink a little, they are still very cute!" she said. Agreed.

All aboard...

I was cranky tonight. Daddy came home for a quick dinner and then he had to go back to work. While I appreciate the coming home for dinner part, it makes the rest of the evening seem extra hard sometimes. I had a taste of help...another adult to kiss boo-boos, break up sibling quarrels, and fill sippy cups...and then it was gone! All that was left was a tired, cranky mama!

The good thing was that the mild weather allowed the kids to play outside while I got the dinner dishes done. And then, I snuck in a cup of coffee when they came in and  played with every.single.toy...again. Cleaning up the toys is no one's favorite part of the day...and it goes extra slow without Daddy's voice of encouragement!

After clean-up and the taking of the vitamins (a real project to make sure the right child gets the right combination!), the kids got really silly. This often happens during the 7 o'clock hour. Everyone is so tired that they get "giddy". I remember being giddy with my siblings (although I had no idea how crazy I was probably driving my parents...sorry Mom and Dad!).

The giddiness can take many forms...not all good! But tonight, for whatever reason, the children organized themselves in a train that choo-chooed all around the house (see above). I waited for the tears...but they didn't come. All I saw were happy faces as Gianna led the pack round-and-round our small house. I felt great peace and happiness. I know these are the moments that I will miss the most.

I remembered my silent prayer while doing the dishes. I asked for extra graces to help me do all the things that must be done before bedtime. I asked for help to be kind and compassionate (as we all know, overtired children can be especially difficult and whiny...thus needing extra love and patience!), and to not feel so overwhelmed and abandoned.

I not only received these graces (everyone tucked safely in bed now...and I'm still sane!), but also a train to warm my heart. Thanks, God!

I know this night can never be repeated...the train will most likely not be fun tomorrow. But, I snapped this picture and will remember this night fondly. Can't ask for more than that! Choo-choo (now I'm giddy!).

Splendid...

This morning Joseph (4-1/2) made me laugh over breakfast. He told me that Thomas is his favorite train because of his "splendid" blue paint. I love it! Splendid. I know this adjective is common in other cultures (hence Joseph hears it often in his well-loved Thomas the Tank Engine movies). But, I rarely hear the word. It instantly made me think of wildflowers. I don't know about splendid paint, but surely, wildflowers are splendid!

Then I thought about Luke's Gospel (well, I couldn't remember what Gospel it was from, but I looked it up!):

"Notice how the flowers grow.  They do not toil or spin.  But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them.  If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?" (Luke 12:27-28)

This quote comforted me. We have sold our home (as I wrote about last post), but we do not know where we are going. I know my prayers are heard, but the answer to them isn't clear yet (in this instance). The reminder that God will provide for us is a good thought that is carrying me through this day. Praise be to God.

As I was walking Gianna to the bus this morning, she pointed out the gorgeous fall foliage. "Aren't the trees beautiful, Mommy?" Splendid!

SALE PENDING

We sold our house this week. I must go dust off St. Joseph to honor him in a more prominent place (my husband almost threw him away a couple of times when he was planting new flowers by the mailbox!). I think he'll be glad to be back in the house!

I have been perseverant in my prayers that we would get a good offer on our house...and we did! And, it happened in only three short months. Who am I kidding? It felt like it took forever! I knew my prayers were being heard, but being patient is so hard, as we all know.

Thank you so much to Jesus, Mary, and the many saints who have interceded (I thought St. Joseph might need some backup...HA!).

To celebrate no more showings, we brought Joseph's HUGE train track back into the living room (it's not the type of toy that can be put away in a moment's notice!). He is in his glory today. He actually ran off the soccer field today to tell Daddy that he wanted to go home and play with his trains! After a pep talk from his coach about how much his team needed his head in the game, he went on to score the next goal (so no harm done!). I'm so glad he still delights in his trains (that was an expensive purchase for Santa!).

My girls just requested this picture. As I took it, I thought of all the pictures that I have taken on this green couch in our living room. Our home. As excited as I am to find our new house (the next round of prayers commenced during sleepless hours last night!), leaving walls of such amazing blessings causes me to pause and reflect. When we bought this house, we were two. We are seven now...praise God! While the couch will come with us whenever we land (we can't afford a new house AND new furniture!), this chapter of our lives is coming to an end.

Please God, bless this "pending" period and guide us to our next home. I pray that God's will be my will (easier said than done when I look at all the nice homes that we can't afford!). Please help us to land safely at our next destination...two adults, five children, and a well-loved green couch!