Only Real Blackberries, Please
/Are you feeling a bit tethered to technology? Me too! Read my latest column here. Please?
I Love Him Forever
/I Love You Forever is a perennial favorite in this house. We have a copy my aunt gave to Michael when he was born and then we have another hardbound copy that has held up to the last 20 years of bedtimes. My children love the book. I've never really liked it. I'm not crazy about the art, but mostly, I'm sort of creeped out by the old mama who climbs into her grown son's bedroom and rocks him while he sleeps. Kinda weird, you know?
Lately, though, I think I understand her. As that baby grew into a boy and then into a man, he met the world. He made mistakes and he was hurt. He learned about what's out there, and he was hurt. He met many, many people and some of them hurt him. Nothing was ever so simple as it was when he was a baby in his mother's arms. I understand now--much better than when I was reading the book to three blond boys at bedtime--how that mother felt as her little boys grew. It's not so much that I want them to be little again. To want that would be to wish away the beautiful people they are right now, to wish away years of loving and living together. No, instead, I want to be that mama again. I want the power to gather them in my arms and soothe them as I rock. I want to shelter and protect and to be their whole world. I want to be able to ensure that their days are happy and healthy and holy. I want to love them with all my heart. And I want that to be enough.
But it's not. And I was right all along: it's utterly ridiculous to think about a mother lifting her grown child out of bed and rocking into the dark of night. We can't be their whole world forever.
We're left instead to tousle a head, to share a well-timed hug, and to listen long into the evening. We're left instead to storm heaven on their behalf and to thank the Lord for the gift they are. We're left to grow old as they grow up. We're left to love them forever and to trust that that is enough.
She cracks me up!
/My little girls have a friend who lives behind us. Her name is Mallory. Yesterday she said to me, "Whenever my mom is mad at me, she calls me both my names. She says, 'MalloryDanielle!' That's how I know she's mad, because 'Danielle' has the 'yell' in it."
Daybook--Short and Sweet
/***
Outside My Window ...
it's hot, hazy, and humid.
it's hot, hazy, and humid.
***
I am listening to...
a wheezing baby sort of sleeping.
***
a wheezing baby sort of sleeping.
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To Live the Liturgy...
something with caramel? is that too much of a stretch?
something with caramel? is that too much of a stretch?
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To Fit and Happy...
Mike's left leg has atrophied quite a bit since his back injury. So, now I have a renewed purpose in exercising: got to get out there and rehab him.
***
I am thankful for...
good friends who tell me in sweet, Southern accents that they understand and knowing, deep down, that indeed they do.
***
I am pondering this quote...
Consider seriously how quickly people change, and how little trust is to be had in them; and hold fast to God, who does not change.-- St. Teresa of Avila
good friends who tell me in sweet, Southern accents that they understand and knowing, deep down, that indeed they do.
***
I am pondering this quote...
Consider seriously how quickly people change, and how little trust is to be had in them; and hold fast to God, who does not change.-- St. Teresa of Avila
***
From the kitchen ...
it's Caprese salad every day.
it's Caprese salad every day.
***
I am wearing ...
a T-shirt and capris. Again.
a T-shirt and capris. Again.
***
I am creating ...
lesson plans.
***
On my iPod...
Brad Paisley's new album. I was amazed at how easy it is to download Amazon's MP3's
***
Towards a real education ...
filling in those planners in a big way.
***
I am thinking...
someone in my house has had a fever every day since June 6. Even my pediatrician thought that an impressive statistic this morning.
***
lesson plans.
***
On my iPod...
Brad Paisley's new album. I was amazed at how easy it is to download Amazon's MP3's
***
Towards a real education ...
filling in those planners in a big way.
***
I am thinking...
someone in my house has had a fever every day since June 6. Even my pediatrician thought that an impressive statistic this morning.
***
In the Garden...
the petunias are perking up. The tomatoes look terrible. Need to research early blight. The basil is finally looking like it knows what it's supposed to be doing.
***
Sarah Anne this week...
She waved goodbye to Christian yesterday. He'd already left the room. But still.
the petunias are perking up. The tomatoes look terrible. Need to research early blight. The basil is finally looking like it knows what it's supposed to be doing.
***
Sarah Anne this week...
She waved goodbye to Christian yesterday. He'd already left the room. But still.
***
I am reading ...
Morning by Morning, upon Kim's recommendation.
Morning by Morning, upon Kim's recommendation.
***
I am hoping and praying ...
for peace of heart.
for peace of heart.
***
On Keeping Home ...
the de-cluttering continues. Incessantly.
the de-cluttering continues. Incessantly.
***
One of my favorite things ...
when the entire family goes to Mass on a Sunday and we fill a whole pew perfectly.
***
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
I've stopped making plans.
I've stopped making plans.
***
Picture thoughts
I was never promised a rose garden. This is a nice surprise.
I was never promised a rose garden. This is a nice surprise.
Dear Tracy,
/I am so blessed by you! These plans are beautiful. I have all the books. You've inspired me, and encouraged me, and made me smile. No small task these days. Thank you so very much.
