Watch

Last night, towards the end of Mass, Patrick stood on the pew, placed one hand on my shoulder and the other on the pew. Then he whispered, "Watch!"

I envisioned Patrick jumping off of the pew and so I responded, "Patrick, get down."

He repeated, "Watch!"

I envisioned Patrick cutting his lip or biting his tongue and I responded, "Get down. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Patrick said, "Watch! He's going to drink it."

Suddenly, a light went on in my brain and I focused my attention where it should be. Patrick had assumed my role. Whenever we are at Mass and I notice Patrick's attention waning, I whisper to him to watch and I explain quietly what our pastor is doing. Yesterday, after refocusing my attention, Patrick quietly told me what our priest was doing.

"Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
~ Matthew 18:3

Poetry Friday

The Lamb
by William Blake

Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little lamb, I'll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!

*Painting: L'Innocence by Bouguereau

Boys Can Say the Sweetest Things

As I paid for some groceries at Safeway today, Patrick climbed out of the car cart, came up to me, hugged my leg, and said, "I love you, Mommy!"

During dinner, I went around the table and told each child that I loved them. When I was finished, Patrick said, "And Daddy, too!" I responded, "Yes, Patrick, I love Daddy, too!"

Days on the Farm

Yesterday, we went to Barnes and Noble to buy Suzanne's recommendation. As we perused the bookshelves, Brendan spied Days on the Farm by Kim Lewis. Ever since my oldest was three, we have been checking Kim Lewis' books out at the library. I happily took the book off the shelf. When I saw the stories that are included in this anthology and the price, I knew that we would be buying it. What I did not know was how well this book would be received by my children.

Last night, before bed, I read the following stories twice to four of my little ones: Floss, Friends, The Shepherd Boy, One Summer Day, and Emma's Lamb. They enjoyed listening to these simple stories that depict farm life in Northumberland, England. They also enjoyed looking at the pictures of the "shepherd dogs" (as Patrick calls them), the sheep, the chickens, etc.

I liked The Shepherd Boy. With gentle pictures and a loving story line, Kim Lewis depicts a young boy's desire to be a shepherd like his father. Patrick liked it, too. As I write, he is standing next to me turning the pages of the book and telling me the story of the "shepherd boy". Perhaps, a dog will be my boys' best friend one day.

These are a Few of My Favorite Words

As I left the Mother Baby unit of the hospital, after Finnian's birth, one of the nurses said, "We hope to see you back here in a year or two!" I couldn't have heard nicer words. These words echo in my head on good days and bad days. My response to these words is always the same, "I hope to have another baby in a year or two."

ALL

We received a wonderful surprise gift from American Life League, yesterday. The gift was a mug with the photo of two babies and part of a great quote. Thank you!

Ecce Ancilla

The AnnunciationFra Angelico

On this wonderful day, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, two beautiful prayers must be shared:

The Magnificat

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; for behold henceforth all generations will call me blessed because He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name; and His Mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear Him. He has shown might with His Arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy - even as He Spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

The Nine Month Impossible Novena can be found at Studeo.

Finally, it is also a great day to read The Magnificat: Mary's Own Prayer by Fr. Hardon.

May we always say, "Yes" to God and do His will.

I Remember Mama

Last night, my husband and I watched I Remember Mama Made in 1948, this movie is about a family living in San Francisco. Mama and Papa are from Norway and provide a rich family life for their children. Mama and Papa's banking system, the manner in which Uncle Chris spent all of his money, and Mama's determination really struck me. I can't wait to watch this again with our children. I wish those in Hollywood still made movies like this.

Like a What?

This morning, Patrick poured shredded cheese all over the kitchen floor. When I told him to please pick it all up, he responded, "No, I will eat it like a dog." He promptly got down on the floor and started to lick the cheese up. Oh, my little boy is always throwing me a curve ball. May God bless him!

New Washing Machine, Now What?

Thank you to the little bird, who shared the great deal that she got on her washing machine. Thank you to my husband, who looked at washing machines and settled on the one mentioned by the little bird. Yesterday, our new washing machine arrived. I have washed 4 loads of laundry, so far (no, they are not all folded). For the first time in almost seven years, our clothes are coming out of the washing machine smelling clean. For the first time in almost a month, I don't have to worry about seeing rust all over our white laundry when I open the washing machine lid. For the first time in my married life, I own a machine that was manufactured by the same company who manufactured my parents' washing machine. Based on the price, my husband and I will be happy if this machine lasts almost seven years (like our previous machine); we will be ecstatic if it lasts longer.

Now that our washing machine has been replaced, our children are wondering what we will need to purchase next. Since last April, we have bought a new dishwasher, had our dryer fixed, and replaced our hot water heater. The children are sure that the oven and refrigerator will need replacing in the near future and they are trying to guess which one will stop working first.

The Solemnity of St. Joseph

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen

The above is my favorite prayer to St. Joseph. I don't remember whether I learned it as a baby, or when my family moved from the country of my birth to Switzerland, Canada, and eventually the United States. I do remember praying "O St. Joseph..." after each Rosary that my family prayed. Since we prayed the Rosary whenever we drove anywhere and every night, this means that we usually prayed "O St. Joseph..." at least twice a day. I believe that it was through this prayer that my love for St. Joseph grew.

My parents fostered this love for St. Joseph by visiting the Oratory of St. Joseph in Canada, before coming to the United States (perhaps this was when we added the above prayer to our after the Rosary prayers and my love really began). Regardless of when I started loving St. Joseph, I know that he has played an important role in my life. When my mom was ill, I prayed to St. Joseph for her and I honestly believed that she would die on March 19. She died exactly one month prior. When my dad was diagnosed with Cancer, I implored St. Joseph to not let him die until such time as he merits Heaven.

When I got my first car, my uncle gave me a medal of St. Joseph to put on my key ring. He told me that it was to keep me safe. In 2002, that medal fell off of my key chain and I thought that it was lost forever. On November 10, 2003, I learned that the baby in my womb had died. That same day, my eldest daughter came running into our house and said, "Mommy, guess what I found on the street?" I couldn't guess. She showed me my St. Joseph medal that I had lost approximately one year prior. I immediately placed the medal around my neck.

When we moved to our current house, our first parish was St. Joseph and we joined St. Joseph Homeschool Group. I knew that this was where God wanted us to be. Thanks to the name of our homeschool group, I probably have more pictures of St. Joseph than of anyone else saved on our hard drives. My love for Good St. Joseph just keeps growing.

My parents placed our family under St. Joseph's protection and St. Joseph took care of us. He continues to take care of us today!

Dear St. Joseph, please help my husband and all husbands to be more like you!

Dear God, please help my children to love St. Joseph as much as, or more than, I do!

Don't miss Kristen's beautiful post on St. Joseph.

Faith and Begorra

It's St. Patrick's Day and I just couldn't let it pass without popping in to say Happy St. Patrick's Day! We have been a little under the weather, but we are all feeling a wee bit better.

I served our family's traditional St. Patrick's Day meal tonight (not traditional in Ireland) and I learned that my husband really does have the luck of the Irish. During dinner, he told the children that he was going to make something special for all of us after dinner. He made and served green milkshakes. After drinking her milkshake, Catherine commented, "You're the best Daddy in the whole world!" Hmm, my Irish husband spent approximately 10 minutes making milkshake and receives that compliment. I spent I don't know how long preparing dinner and not a thing was said. :)

We have been enjoying these books (also listed in my sidebar):

Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill, by Tomie de Paola
A Fine St. Patrick's Day, by Susan Wojciechowski
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato,by Tomie de Paola
Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka, by Tomie de Paola

Katie's Wish, by Barbara Shook Hazen
St. Patrick's Day in the Morning, by Eve Bunting

A Week In the Life of Patrick

Now that I have a baby brother, I need to figure out how to get more attention.

Oh look, there are scissors on the end table. Yesterday, I saw Brendan cutting the brown leaves off of a plant with scissors. I will cut the green leaves off of the plant.

Hmmm, Mommy threw away all of my green leaves and there are no scissors in sight. What can I do today? I know, let me take the soil out of the plant pot and put it in some toys and on the carpet.

Maybe that wasn't the best idea. Mommy, vacuumed the soil. I don't think the vacuum works in the refrigerator, but we will see. Today, I will empty the white stuff, Mommy calls baking soda, in the refrigerator. Foiled again! Mommy vacuumed the baking soda.

I know what I can do! Let me take my diaper off and empty the contents on the living room floor. Oh no, Mommy won't let me help her clean it. I will try a different tactic next time I go..."Mommy look. Look, Mommy, a meatball."

Oh, she's nursing the baby. I know what I can do, but I better be quiet about it. I only want Mommy to see my art work once I am finished. First, I need to remove all of my clothes. Now, it's time to get busy. I know I like to eat this and I like how shiny it makes things. It's nice and slippery. Aaah, I am finally finished. It is time to show Mommy what I have done. "Mommy, Mommy, butter, butter!" She didn't even take a photo of me covered from head to toe in butter and by the time she took me out of the bath Daddy had cleaned all the butter on the kitchen floor and everything else.

Mommy, got me dressed so nicely before I went outside to play. However, I don't think she will mind if I take my boots, my pants and my diaper off. Oh dear, she is calling me already. Let me quickly put one boot on and see if I can fool her. "Mommy, something's in my boot."

Stay tuned, I might be even more creative next week.

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HT: Alicia

Poetry Friday

Mother Doesn't Want a Dog
by Judith Viorst

Mother doesn't want a dog.
Mother says they smell,
And never sit when you say sit,
Or even when you yell.
And when you come home late at night
And there is ice and snow,
You have to go back out because
The dumb dog has to go.
Mother doesn't want a dog.
Mother says they shed,
And always let the strangers in
And bark at friends instead,
And do disgraceful things on rugs,
And track mud on the floor,
And flop upon your bed at night
And snore their doggy snore.
Mother doesn't want a dog.
She's making a mistake.
Because, more than a dog, I think
She will not want this snake.

A couple of years ago, my children discovered the above poem in Eric Carle's Animals, Animals. Shortly thereafter, they started reciting it to me on occasion. We still don't have a dog, but we might if my children presented me with a snake.