Happy Mother's Day
Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother."
-- Lin Yutang
This picture is sooo Kamaan!
Today is ds#2's 14th birthday. He has been counting down the days for . . . oh . . about a month now! For the last week he has been writing the date on the dry erase board and writing how many days left underneath it. Do you think he is excited for his birthday? No. Ask him why. His answer - because I will be 14. And what can you do at 14 that you can't do at 13? Nothing. It's just boring being the same age for a long time. ok, what teenager thinks about an age as being boring? Leave it to my Kamaan (or Isaac's Kamaan I should say
He was such a good sport about his birthday today, considering he hasn't yet gotten the gift he is saving for - a 120 watt guitar amp. And no that is not a typo. I don't know where he thinks he is going to play it, but he wants few things and has earned or gotten almost all of the money himself, so Sunday we will be going to the best store in the world(according to ds) - Guitar Center.
I am so proud of the son that Kamaan is turning into. Wen he was younger, Kamaan and I really butted heads. He was disorganized, I am organized. He was a slob, I am neat. He was lazy and procrastinated ALL the time, I don't usually prcrastinate. We were such opposites that he drove me nuts. Over the years he has really come into his own. He is still not very neat, but he procrastinates less and can be a really hard woker.
He talks to me ALOT and we have many intellectual discussions. He is very sure of himself and does not really care what others think of him. He is not the knd of child that I will have to worry about going with the flow. He has definite ideas about what is morraly wrong. He will almost always bewilling to work alongside myself or my dh in a project around the house. He is very mature.
The day he got his first guitar.
I am very proud of him and of his wonderful musical ability. When he asked for a guitar two years ago . . . has it really only been two years? . . . I thought it would be a waste of money but went ahead and bought him one anyway. It was the best investment I have ever made. He now owns three guitars, 1 bass, and much equipment. Not to mention the overflowing box of guitar music - that's where all my printer ink goes!
He is the kind of guy that looks tough and unemotional on the outside, but on the inside he is very emotional, spiritual and sensitive. I have a brother just like him.
I am looking forward to few years that I have left with him and pray that he will find a path that will allow him to use his musical talent for the glory of God.
Happy Birthday dear Kamaan.
I have been doig a lot of soul searching lately in light of my journey through Fair Trade and Earth Day. I have begun to see that it is not enough to just recycle and try to reuse things for crafts, etc... We have been doing that for years - and I have the boxes of cans, jars, cereal boxes, etc to prove it. And yet, using them for crafts, while a good thing, they still usually end up in the trash sooner or later. I have begun to understand that we must begin to see how to reuse them in a more permanent way. For those of you who are not imaginative on your own, never fear, there are all kinds of websites with ideas and inspiration. I will be the first one to tell you that I am not opposed to "stealing" someone elses good idea. After all, why reinvent the wheel?
I have also been introduced to the concept of "precycle". This simply means that you think about purchases before they are made and determine the impact of them on the environment before you purchase them. This can often lead to not purchasing them. I have really been thinking about this as this weekend approaches with Birthdays, First Communion, and Mother's Day. I was determined that I was going to get a new outfit for the First Commuion. After all I rarely get new clothes and am in need of some church clothes. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized that I do not need a new outfit, I just want one because what must people think when they see me in the same outfit for that one hour each week. I have decided that I don't care (well, maybe a little - who wouldn't) what they think, I don't need more clothes so I am not buying a new outfit this weekend.
I am also really struggling with what to ask for for Mother's Day because there are many things that we truly need for the house, but I want so many other things. As I contemplate what I want, I am discovering that it is truly a want and not a need. Of course this has helped me narrow down my list! Right now I am leaning towards some flowers and plants to finish the landscaping and begin a Mary Garden (thanks Tammy) around my deck in the back yard. This would be a good thing for the environment, would attrat birds and insects, and have little negative impact (if I can manage to get local flowers and I already do not use fertilizers) on the environment. Now I just have to convince my dh to give them to me early so that I can landscape before the first communion reception. Of course, I don't need to do that, but I would like to. Consider that my Mother's Day gift - the joy of landscaping in order to be happy with a beautiful setting for my son's big day.
Not only have I been thinking alot about these things, I have decided to simplify. Yesterday, I went through all of my kitchen cabinets (I don't have too many) and cleaned them out. I only kept 1 plate, bowl, coffe cup and glass for each person in our family. The rest I put away in the closet for when company comes. I can not tell you the joy I feel in knowing that the most dishes I will ever have to wash is 7 of each thing. Gone are the days ofevery dish in the house being dirty (that is service for 12, large plates, small plates, ....you get the picture) It also emptied a WHOLE cabinet. I was able to spread out my kitchen equipment so that everything is not jammed into one small space. Oh the freedom - you should try it.
It is amazing the transformation that your mind takes when you begin to think about these things and actually do them. I am beginning to have a hard time purchasing anything -especially new. My son needs a suit for this weekend and I am all over the thrift store. I just can not see spending $30 or more for a piece of clothing that is worn twice a year. My husband is not as thrilled and is insisting on going to Burlington Coat Factory. We will have to see how I can change his mind - maybe if I get him to look over the budget for the week first - that should shock him into my suggestion. Of course I am just kidding.
It is a freeing feeling not wanting to go buy things or really even desiring things. It is actually fun to see what we can reuse in a permanent way. It is very difficult to not want new things in our society, even for people who do not often buy many new things (lilke us). Of course I m a LONG way from feeling like this ALL the time, but that is my goal.
I challenge all of you to begin simplifying your life. Start with something small, like those boxes of STUFF that have not been opened in years. Unless you know that there are keepsakes in them, don't even open them, just get rid of them. If you open them and begin to sort through it, you will end up become nostalgic and keeping much of it. If you have not used it in years, what could you possibly need it for? Another good place to start is your closet. If you have not worn it in 6 months-1 year (unless it is seasonal) give it away. If you buy a piece of clothing, get rid of one in your closet. These are simple ways to simplify and begin to let possesions take a back seat to life. The less you have, the less you hae to worry about.
We live in a culture that says the more you have the happier you will be. The opposite is the real truth. The less you have the happier you will be.
Try it, you just might like it.
Some of you will remember my post about a month ago about all of the caterpillars that were on our tree. They were tent caterpillars. Well, a few weeks ago, we decided to see if we could find one to catch and watch it become a moth. We finally found one and put it in a jar. The very next day it began o spin its coccoon. It was so cool to watch it get thicker and thicker until we could no longer see the caterpillar. My ds13 said he could not see how it could spin a coccoon from the inside. That it would be like him wrappig a sheet around himself and then trying to wrap another one around himself, but inside of the first one. I had to remind him that God did not design him to make coccoons. He was fascinated with that process. Well, the caterpillar went into the coccoon and stayed there for about a week or two. One day we saw that the end of the coccoon looked open. We were so excited. A little bit later that day, we saw the moth in the jar. We were all so excited! We took it outside and let it go.
It was amazing to be able to see the whole process happen.
This may be a just another saying, but I have come to realize the truth in it. For those people who don't, for whatever reasons, educate themselves, inform themselves, search out truths, life can be much more peaceful. I say this because I am the type of person who is very interested in Social Justice, Fairness, and the interest of all people. As I have journey along this path, especially in the last few years, I have found that the world is a very deceptive place. Unless you are willing to invest the time, energy, and mental anguish in researching nearly every aspect of our world, you will come to think that things are relatively decent. Things aren't as bad as people make them seem. Those people living "off grid", stockpiling food are crazy.
And the sad thing is that the mental anguish is the toughest part of it. Yes, it takes time and energy to do research, but the anguish over situations and your inability to REALLY change things is what stays with you long after you have read your last article or watched your last documentary.
After finding out some not so good information yesterday about the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and their negative effects on developing countries, I had a long discussion with my dh. We have come to the conclusion that the people who can most make a difference are those that are too far removed from the situation and are not "moved" in their heart enough to initiate the change needed. Those most vocal and advocative in their hearts and minds are those that do not have the financial means to make a big impact.
For example - I have come to the conclusion that globalization has done more harm than good, not only for our country, but most definitely for those countries that are still developing. One of the only ways to combat this from a consumer standpoint is to use the almighty $$$ to voice our concern. Unfortunately, I don't have the kind of capital to be able to do that. I can buy locally grown, organic, USA made some of the time, but not nearly to the degree that is both desirable and neccessary to make a difference. On the other hand, I know people who I have tried to inform and who have appeared moved at that time, but who do not change their spending habits. They are the people who must be moved to change. I have to take a position of advocate and educator rather than impactor, because that is all I have to offer. I do not have the finances to economically make much difference.
As I sit here talking with my husband about these issues, we marvel at the fact that two lowely people such as ourselves can see the damage, the negative, the control that is desired, the selfishness, the greed in all of our US and global policies, and yet those who travel the world, see face to face the impact of their policies, and have the money and position to make a real difference, can not see it.
Is it that we are too cynical?
Is it that we are too optimistic?
Is it that we just complain too much?
Or is it something different in our hearts?
I think that is where the ultimate change must come from.
The question is - How to bring about that change?
ds8yo: "Mom, can I have one of these crosses?"
Me: "I don't know. We will see"
ds8yo: "Noone is going to make me anything."
Me: "You mean other people that are coming to your First Communion?"
ds8yo: "Yeah"
Me: "Jyaire, I don't think anyone is going to make anything for anyone except for me."
ds8yo: "That's because you're the best mom.
Now that is just what I needed to hear, feeling kind of "cheap" that I was making people gifts. I know that many people do not appreciate the thought of a handmade gift, BUT I am glad that my 8 yo son can see that value. I only hope that he doesn't lose it along the way.
With First Communions and Quincenieras coming up this month, we have been hard hit for presents. We have one of each this weekend and three First Communions next weekend, my ds's included. With finances already stretched thin this month (we have ds's 14th birthday, First Communions, Mother's Day all in one weekend - meaning from one paycheck too) my dh was not too thrilled when I told him that we needed to buy 5 gifts.
So, I set out to find a way to ease that burden. I came across a beautiful mirrored cross that I thought would be perfect for all of the gifts. I even had an unused mirror lying around and a good friend with glass cutting materials. So, I printed out the picture and set to work. Of course, as is my normal luck, things did not go quite as easy as planned. After many hours of cutting, and breaking, of mirror, I had all the pieces for two crosses. They were a bit uneven, but no fear, my dear friend also has a glass grinder. So off I go to borrow that an spend the next day grinding glass. Well, little did either of us know that the grinder just proceeded to chip off the mirrored backing which left very ugly mirror. So, I googled the problem and settled on fine sand paper. Well, that worked fine for the areas that just needed a little touch up, but not for the spots that needed a hefty chunk ground off. Well, by now you can assume that I was very frustrated at my wasted time and efforts. I told my husband that indeed the project was not working and we would have to break down and buy gifts.
In the process of this, my ds that will be making his First Communion saw the crosses and thought that they were soo cool. He asked if he could have one. I told him I didn't know if I would have enough mirror, so we would see. Well, later that night I decided that I would have enough to make ds one well enough for our house, but not good enough to give as a gift to someone. So, little does he know that he is getting the one and only mirrored cross that I was able to make. Here it is in all its imperfections that only we will know about. It will look beautiful hanging on his wall and he will be soo happy - and surprised.
Well, I still could not bring myself to go spend all that money on gifts, so I set out on a different route. And actually succeeded this time. I made an initial necklace and paperbead rosary bracelet for the Quinceniera.
And boyish cross necklaces for all the boys making First Communion.
I even made these adorable gift pouches, personalized for each person. I absolutely love them and they were so easy to make.
For all of these projects I purchased only a minimal amount of supplies (the crosses and the chain) All of the rest of the materials are recycled from other things.
Most of all I am proud that I was able to be a good steward of our finances that my dh works very hard for. And I did not have to contribute to the globalized, oversees economy that we now have.
Do not wash red rugs with any other rugs.
Even though they are old enough not to blead, all the rug fuzz still comes off on the other rugs. I spent 20 minutes today with a roll of tape, taking that red fuzz off my green rugs.
A dear friend of mine sent me a link for an area fundraiser a few weeks ago. I hastily read it and thought oh cool, will come back to that later. Well, I went back and read it this past weekend and really want to go. In fact, I have invited a few close friends who I think would also enjoy it and we are going!
It is called Empty Bowls Houston and is a fundraiser for the homeless. For $25 you get a simple lunch of a bowl of soup,bread and a bottle of water (what many people only eat in a day). The cool part is that you get to pick out a bowl to take home with you from the hundreds that have been donated by artisans all over the city! Bowls can be functional or decorative.
I am so excited that, not only am I going to the fundraiser, but I am going to donate a bowl. And the bowl idea even landed right in my lap. All this while I was lying in bed with a migraine all weekend (It is strange how I get such clear ideas at those times, hmmm)
Needless to say, I made my bowl today. It is made from an old ceramic bowl from a long gone dish set. I decoupaged old postage stamps from all over the world onto it. In black letters, I wrote "Stamp out Hunger" around the rim. I think it looks great and hopefully others will too.
Our first batch of paper has been completed and already used. I think it turned out ok for our first try. If we had more time, it probably would have been flatter, but I was trying to get it done in time to do ds's First Communion invitations. So we didn't take as much time on the flattening part of it. Here are a few pictures of the completed invites. They are blurry, but hopefully will give you some idea of how the paper turned out.
front of invite
inside of invite (I was able to run it through the printer)
Here is what my clothes line looked like yesterday
Here is what it looked like today
I think I prefer the line today
I have always wanted to try my hand at paper making, so today we braved it. The weather was perfectly windy for drying on the line.
We started by boiling small pieces of scrap computer paper. This was horribly tedious to cut up, so I called dh to see if he could shred some paper at work for us. He said he would, so next time we will have that time consuming step eliminated. We boiled the paper for about an hour.
We then poured the pulp, some water, and a little glue into the blender and blended that for two minutes. Then we added some food coloring and grass for texture.
Then we poured the pulp into a large bucket with some more water in it.
Then we took our screen frame and filled it with pulp.
After taking it out of the water,we put a clear transparency paper over the pulp, turned the screen over onto a hard surface, and squeezed all of the water out of it. We then peeled the pulp and transparency off the screen frame, put another transparency on top of the pulp and squished it again.
We then hung it on the line to partially dry.
They are now nestled between a huge stack of books, to be turned in a few hours. Tomorrow, we will rehang them to finish drying and hopefully take of the transparency.
Voila, we will have paper.
And the best thing is that it is 100% recycled paper!
I have decided that our husehold has become too lax in schooling, choring, and loving. (Can you tell I did not have a good day
) I have decided that my children have forgotten that they actually go to school. They have forgotten that they have chores that contribute to the family. I can nt blame them completely, I myself have become lax because I am tired of fighting with them. I sleep too late in the morning, do not spend enough quality of time with any of them, and spend too much time on things that I think they will enjoy and then they don't. They ge up in the morning and actas if it is the weekend. Getting them to sit for school, and stay sitting and working is nothing short of an all out war. I am ready to can it for this year and start fresh next year - but I know that I can't, especially with one that will be going to high school next year.
Come Monday morning, thing are going to be different around here. I am going to havemydear hubby wake them up before he leaves for work. They are going to get dressed, make beds, go to the bathroom and go immediately to the table where they will work for 1 hour. That till give me time to shower and get breakfast, check mail, etc. They will eat, brush teeth, feed the pets, go to the bathroom and sit back down to work. They willnot be allowed to get up again for 2 hours. During that time I will work with the yongest and help the others as needed. After that time is up they will break for chores. Then we will sit downt o do history reading together. After that they will finish their independent work while I make lunch. After lunch the will clen up, do the dishes and go to quiet reading time. I will read to the youngest and put her for a nap. Then I will be free to spend some time each day with each of the other children for a few hours. At 3, I am done. They can go play on their own or together while I get dinner, work on preparations for the next day, grade work, etc.
Well, that sounds great all written out. Now to implement it and stick to it because that means that I have to start getting up early again. I am usually able to do that for awhile,but then fall back into sleeping late. I do need my sleep.
Well, what we are doing right now isn't working and noone is having any fun, so it is worth a try. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
The Incorruptibles: A Study of the Incorruption of the Bodies of Various Catholic Saints and Beati by Joan CArroll Cruz
Ice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor - I am prereading this for my teens
Speaking of reading - teenage boys are very difficult to find suitable reading material for. My boys read vorociously. I can not possible preread everything for them. The have read every WWII book in the library. They have read almost all of the Luis LaMoore books. They have read most of the classics that are not filled with nudity, sex, and foul language (makes me wonder why they are considered classics sometimes)
Not to mention that any book that MOM picks can not possible be any good. That from the son who, since last week has already read the two books I got from the library that did not have to be preread and the ONE that I have managed to preread. I picked them all out and he actually liked them all. I don't even know why they argue with me because they know that they have to read them and that they amost always end up liking them. I guess they just have to assert their teenage attitudes.
At least I know that someday they will thank me. I can wait
I have always felt extremely blessed to have 5 healthy children. Every time I would read a book or see a movie, or hear about a child or family with physical or mental disabilities, I would feel blessed even more. My sister has worked with Autistic children for years and we always talk about how blessed I am and how difficult it would be to raise a child like that.
I have had the opportunity over the past few months to explore that first hand in a small way. And I do mean small. A friend of mine has an 5th grade autistic son whom she has pulled out of public school, at least temporarily. She has brought him to a few of the classes I teach at my home. She has also asked me to watch him on a number of occasions because she says that it is the first time that he has not cried or complained to go stay with someone.
Today she had an ARD at his school, which ended up lasting ALL day long. But he had a major breakthrough while he was here. In the past, he would not go into the bathroom by himself because of an incident with a self-flushing toilet in a public restroom. I would have to stand in the doorway with my back to him. Mind you, my discovery of this was at a time that he was here without his mother and I had no idea why he wouldn't go in by himself. Well, today he not only went in by himself, he went to the restroom THREE times completely by himself. He also walked around parts of the house that he had not previously ventured. I would say that was a good day for him. I was so happy for him to have found the security to gain that indepedence.
For the first time, he also interacted with me and my daughter for an extended period of time. We played Go Fish. He seemed to enjoy it.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of his life, as I am sure he can teach me alot about life. His mother just brought him by to bring me a thank you gift, on which he wrote my name by himself. I do not know if he will end up back in public school, in private school, or at home, but it is for sure that he has found a place that he can be as safe as any special needs child can feel away from home.
I do not know where this will go as far as my involvement with him, but I also never would I have imagined him in my life. Just goes to show you that you never know what God has in store for you.
Today is Wednesday and I did not cut the boys' hair last week so Kamaan was sure to remind me last night that I had to cut hair today. He has become very particular about getting his hair cut. In the beginning of the school year I had said that I would cut it every other week on Wecnesday. He is very prompt about reminding me.
After cutting hair and eating breakfast, they sat down to do their independent work. After about 1/2 hour, I decided to put in a documentary on Antarctica for the boy I was babysitting (He is autistic) as he was getting kind of antsy. We decided to all sit down and watch it. After that it was back to the books. In between helping the older 3, I was able to help the youngest color, copy words and staple together a little book for Earth Day. Yesterday, she saw the lapbook sample that I had put together to show at book club and she asked me to do one too. So we are going to work on a lapbook for Earth Day on the 22nd. We should be done it by then
, although you know how 5 year old girls can be - picky.
After that it was lunch time. Then we read our history for the day. After history, the boy I was watching got picked up and I got left with some paperwork to fill out. I went to lay down for a few minutes and read.
Dinner is in, laundry has been going all day, so it should be done tonight. After dinner, we will take the teens to church for youth group and run one errand. After that it will be to bed for the little ones and some prep for tomorrow for me and possibly some husband time before he has to go back to pick up the boys.
All in all it was a productive day.
My sister and I decided that we were born in the wrong era. What do you mean? Well, Saturday was a beautiful day and we decided to take my youngest three children to the folk festival. It was beautiful! Surrounded by beautiful trees - that's rare for our city of Houston. There were beekeepers, cheese makers, weavers, corn husk doll making, horseshoeing, homing pigeons, need I go on? It was PIONEER time!! We both absolutely love that kind of thing. We were talking about how it is so awesome to see people still practicing those crafts from so long ago.
Our favorite demonstrations were the homing pigeons, one of which my animal lover daughter got to hold and release. The lady there has 200 - no that is not a typo - homing pigeons living at her house. She has named them all and takes roll every night. And you thought you hd it bad trying to keep the names of your 5 or 6 children straight She new everything about the use of homing pigeons in all of the wars too. It was very educational. And the birds were grgeous and so clean! Not your run of the mill street pigeon, that's for sure.
We also watched a horse being shoed. While we knew quite a bit about it, it was cool to see the complete process.
Dulcimer playing was cool too. Much like a guitar, but smaller. You hold it in your lap. We got to see and hear the Dulcimer players which consisted of a few dulcimers, a banjo, a upright bass, a standing dulcimer, and a regular guitar. They sounded so neat. It had a distinct sound to it, different, but awesome.
We also got to hold a baby chick, and baby gosling. Of course the animals were the greatest hit for my animal lover children.
The kids got to try their hand at tin punching, gourd painting, corn grinding, lasooing, dulcimer playing, and many other pioneer activities.
We spent about 4 hours there and on the way out stopped to watch the Indian dances. We were also luck enough to get to see the Indian Ladies do Indian sign language to God Bless the USA. It was nice and the girl in front of us was an Indian Princess!
It was a lovely day and a great way to end my sister's vacation here with us - more on that later.
I sit here at 11:14 pm pondering the unchristian post that was made to my blog today. Many thoughts have crossed my mind. Friends and strangers alike have left many comments in my support. I know that this is not a case of misreading or misinterpreting on my part. So, while my dear friend at Pathway to Heaven did a wonderful job defending me, here are my thoughts on the matter.
First I was shocked to see the comment, as my post was not controversial in ANY way.
Then I laughed at the fact that they posted anonymously - how cowardly.
Then I got angry that someone was so bold as to criticize me on my own blog. If I can not express my opinion on my own blog,then where can I express it?
In thinking further tonight, I have come to the conclusion that people who lash out at others' beliefs, religious or otherwise, must be insecure in their own. If one is truly trying to walk in the footsteps of Jesus they must embrace something called TOLERANCE. According to Webster's dictionary this means openmindedness, compassion, understanding, sensitivity, charity, patience, and good-will, among others. This does not mean that you have to agree with everyone on everything, but be sensitive to others' beliefs and speak in the spirit of good-will. When people do not do this, I think that they must feel threatened by someone elses beliefs. Why else would they lash out?
This person that posted anonymously spoke against my religion, not based on anything that I posted, but on the simple fact that I am of that said religion. She took all of her biased (since she converted, her opinion is obvously biased against mine) experiences and information and condemned me as one of them. That is akin to hating EVERY person of one race, religion, etc for the actions of a few.
I have no hard feelings towards the poster, just prayers that she will come to peace with her own issues and develop tolerance for others. I leave you with a message from Jesus that seems fitting in this situation, yes, the same Jesus that all other Christians honor and adore. After all, Catholics are Christians too.
"Let the man among you who has no sin be the first to cast a stone..." John 8:7
As the season of Lent closes and the glorious season of Easter is upon us (a season which lasts 50 days - until Pentecost) it is all to easy to slowly cast aside the spirituality and extra effort that we have spent throughout the sacrificial days of Lent. It can be kind of like our New Year's Resolutions that fall by the wayside only weeks or months later. In order to retain all that we have learned through our Operation Rice Bowl reflection, through our prayers for those less fortunate, through our Lenten sacrifices, and our almsgiving, we closed our ORB class last week with a spiritual examination and promise to God. I encourage you all to reflect on these questions and make a livesimply promise to God in order to better both your life and that of others around the world.
"God calls us to look hard at our lifestyles and to choose to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people who are poor. In this way we can help create a world in which human dignity is respected and everyone can reach their full potential. This would be true progress, worth much more than economic growth alone."
*what is good about my life at the moment? What do I enjoy the most?
*What areas of my life woud I like to change?
*what do I spend most of my time doing? Is this the right priority for me at the moment?
*What do I spend most of my money on? Is this the right priority for me at the moment?
*How did I decide my priorities, when thinking about questions 3&4? Is my faith part of my decision making? Is my relationship with my local or global neighbor an important part of my decision making?
*Have I got too much of anything? Or just enough? How do I decide how much is enough?
*If I decided to live more simply, would I be in a position to share more of what I have? Is there one thing I could share more of -money, time, skill?
*Am I living sustainably? Will future generations be pleased about the way I took care of the earth? How much of the earth's resources am I using every day? How much of that is essential?
*what sort of person would I be if I reached the full human potential God wants for me? Would I like to become that person? If so, what steps would I take?
*What sort of world do I want to live in, and to help create?
*To help create that world, what changes am I ready to make to my life? Are there any changes different from the ones I listed in answer to question 2? What changes do I really want?
I, ____________________________, promise to ____________________
___________________________________________________________
Passover Seder Meal
Every year our church celebrates the passover and flight out of Egypt with a traditional Seder Meal. This requires a chosen family to read the story and the blessings . . some in Hebrew . . . We were chosen to be the family about 4 years ago. It was fun, but nervewracking with the Hebrew and all.
Anyway, it has been about 4 years since we have been able to attend. This year our oldest two boys were asked to play the music for it. After a rediculously time consuming, pain in the butt time trying to get the music for it (that is definitely a story for another day) they finally got all of the music. . . Sunday morning. Yep, the Sunday of the event!
They went up to the church to practice with the drummer about 1 pm for a 3 pm performance. I was very worried that they would not be able to pull it all together so quickly, but they proved me wrong. Even the Deacon, who is very hard to impress, was thoroughly impressed. This was their first public performance also. Needless to say, I was very proud of them. They sounded GREAT and everyone really enjoyed them. Especially since their was no music last year. Even they had a good time. Unfortunately, I did not think to bring my camera so I have no pictures of them.
The deacon named them the "Passover Posse". The name seems to have stuck and they have been put on reserve for next year.
Well, at least we will already have the music for it
Well, it is spring break and the weather has been quite balmy. I decided to start off our vacation by soing some heavy duty spring cleaning. Yeasterday was the perfect day for it. I started with the little kiddos beadrooms as they have been driving me crazy. I washed all the bedding, pillows included, and hung them on the line to dry. It was so windy, however, that the line broke and my nice clean white sheets were lying in the dirt (because we have no grass in our backyard) Needless to say, I had to rewash all the sheets.
Then it was off to ds#3's room. Let me tell you, a parents most hated toy has to be LEGOS. They are constantly underfoot. And they hurt when you step on them too!! So we took a bookcase that dh brought home from work (because it can't fit in his new office) and decided to make that the lego station. We sorted EVERY single LEGO he owns - and that is alot. they now reside in bins organized by color. hopefully this will prevent them from dumping them ALL out in search of that one piece that htey must have. If this doesn't work . . well, I prefer not to think of that right now. For now I have three imacculate bedrooms(ds#2 deap cleaned his room too).
Now for the rest of the house. I think that will have to wait a few more days. I did succeed in washing my bedding and the living room curtains. But hten I had to hit the oudoors. It is not sunny, but nice and breazy. I planted a few new plants around our deck and got the hairbrained idea thatI needed to rake the front yard! I now have two blisters to show for that - and a nice neat lawn The older boys are bagging the leaves as I type this. I think I am done for today. I have a Work of Human Hands party to prepare for tomorrow and a St. Patrick's movie to watch.
Enjoy the spring weather.