Each year, I try to come up with some new ideas of things to do during Lent. I try my best to honor the thing(s) I pick, but sometimes (ok, more often than I would like to admit) I forget & then say, "Well, I already fell off the wagon, so what's the point of continuing?" But this year, I am not allowing myself that conversation. Even if I get busy & forget for a week, I will still continue as best I can through the end of Lent.
By our very nature, mothers are constantly sacrificing for our husband & children. And it is important to feel that we are sacrificing during this very holy time in the Church. After all, we are preparing ourselves to celebrate the beauty of Jesus' sacrifice...the ultimate sacrifice. My list of Lenten ideas includes some new ways to sacrifice for others, but also strongly focuses on ways to enrich your spirituality during this time. Pick one or two to do this Lent. I hope you will join me on this journey & I look forward to hearing about your Lenten journey.
1. Get up 30 min before your alarm & spend that time in prayer. If you need a good reflection book, I recommend A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms.
2. If you use a dishwasher, wash the dishes from one of your meals each day by hand. Use the time to pray.
3. Donate your time to a shelter for abused women & children.
4. Fast in between meals. Offer it up for the souls lost to abortion & miscarriage.
5. Compliment a fellow family on how great it is to see them bring young children to Mass.
6. Listen to Catholic Radio. We recently got EWTN Radio in our area...it is changing my life! If it isn't broadcast in your area, you can listen to it at iHeartRadio.
7. Find someone to watch the kids so you can go to confession. This can be a tough one for moms because if your kids are little like mine, you can't bring them into the confessional, but you can't leave them unattended in a pew.
8. Take the money you would spend on your Starbucks habit (or whatever other spending vice you have) & donate it to the CRS Rice Bowl initiative.
9. Send a handwritten note to another mom friend. We all know the joy of getting something heartfelt & unexpected in the mail.
10. At bedtime, recite the Hail Mary with your children. If they don't know it, they will by the end of Lent. If they learn that, add another prayer each evening. We are working on learning the St. Michael prayer right now.
11. Invite your priest to dinner at your house. They appreciate the fellowship!
12. Start a weekly family prayer night. Use the Live IT Gathering Guide & weekly videos to open dialogue & prayerfully prepare for the coming week's Gospel reading.
13. When you see your husband doing a habit that drives you crazy, offer it up rather than bugging him about it.
14. Give your husband a kiss before you go your separate ways for the day. Likewise, give him a kiss goodnight.
15. Offer authentic, kind smiles to other moms you see. Sometimes we are too quick to judge each other.
16. Pray with your kids in the car on the way to school. Ask them who they want to pray for. Appreciate the beauty & simplicity of their prayers.
17. Sign up for the Best Lent Ever from Dynamic Catholic. You will receive a daily email/video to help focus your day & challenge you to change your habits. I signed up today & I'm BEYOND excited about it!
18.Pray the Litany of Humility every day.
19. Join the 50 Shades of Grace novena. Let's pray for the end of such a violent pornographic film. You can also join the "50 Bucks not 50 Shades" campaign & donate $50 to a domestic violence shelter or pregnancy crisis center.
20. Dedicate 6 minutes every day of Lent to read the Little Black Book. The book was distributed by our local parish; Jesse & I are both planning to use it this year. You can order one online for $4. They are compact & convenient while guiding you through the Passion story. It only takes a few minutes to read. Put it in your car & read it while waiting to pick up your kids from school or practice.
Showing posts with label Everyday Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everyday Life. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Small Success Thursday: Contentment
From the outside, nothing about the past week would seem different from any other week. We had the usual activities: work, school, college course I'm teaching, dentist appointments, trip to the mechanic, etc. Yet, there was something different about it. It's difficult to describe, but for the longest time, I felt like I was just flying through the various events of the day & fighting an uphill battle to survive all the frustrations that our tiny rental house brought with it. But, since we've moved & settled, I feel like there is so much less that I have to contend with. I actually feel & am enjoying (dare I say it?!) being content & present in the moment.
Now, I realize that life has a way of throwing things at you when you least expect it, so I'm going to enjoy the present moment while I have it. With that in mind, all of my successes this week involve
- I played with my kids. I realize this might not seem that momentous, but these are small successes after all! It had been a while since I actually got down on the floor & played. And we had so much fun!
- I spent some time adequately preparing for religious ed class, instead of waiting until the last minute to throw something together. It was a success! The kids enjoyed it, I enjoyed it. I have one student this year who has been particularly challenging to keep focused. I assigned my helper to sit with him during class to keep him focused, & it worked great. He even came up to me at the end of class & asked me to tell his mom the good news about his behavior!
- I was able to continue unpacking a few more boxes. The storage room with all the kids' clothes is organized & all the plastic containers have been appropriately marked. I reorganized our movies & posted an entertainment system cabinet for sale that we can't use. Feels like we're settling in! Now, I have to get to organizing my spaces (make-up table, closet, books).
- I love listening to TED & TEDx talks at work. They are extremely motivating, encouraging & exciting. I encourage you to check out the YouTube channel.
You can read more SST posts at Catholic Mom. One additional comment since today is the March for Life in DC. I can't believe it has been a decade since Jesse & I went to our first march together. The pro-life movement is so important to me as a mom, but also a human being. It is so important that we do whatever we can to keep being a voice for the voiceless!
Now, I realize that life has a way of throwing things at you when you least expect it, so I'm going to enjoy the present moment while I have it. With that in mind, all of my successes this week involve
- I played with my kids. I realize this might not seem that momentous, but these are small successes after all! It had been a while since I actually got down on the floor & played. And we had so much fun!
- I spent some time adequately preparing for religious ed class, instead of waiting until the last minute to throw something together. It was a success! The kids enjoyed it, I enjoyed it. I have one student this year who has been particularly challenging to keep focused. I assigned my helper to sit with him during class to keep him focused, & it worked great. He even came up to me at the end of class & asked me to tell his mom the good news about his behavior!
- I was able to continue unpacking a few more boxes. The storage room with all the kids' clothes is organized & all the plastic containers have been appropriately marked. I reorganized our movies & posted an entertainment system cabinet for sale that we can't use. Feels like we're settling in! Now, I have to get to organizing my spaces (make-up table, closet, books).
- I love listening to TED & TEDx talks at work. They are extremely motivating, encouraging & exciting. I encourage you to check out the YouTube channel.
You can read more SST posts at Catholic Mom. One additional comment since today is the March for Life in DC. I can't believe it has been a decade since Jesse & I went to our first march together. The pro-life movement is so important to me as a mom, but also a human being. It is so important that we do whatever we can to keep being a voice for the voiceless!
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Small Success Thursday: Thank You
I have some people to thank on this Small Success Thursday...
Thank you to the author of this post. It's like she wrote it for me. Those are the emotions I feel, the highs & lows of being in ministry. It's the reason I wanted to start this blog, in the hopes of connecting with other youth ministry wives. It feels nice to know that others have seen our struggle & appreciate what we do behind the scenes.
Thank you to my husband for really shifting the balance in housework since we purchased our home. I have hours (literally hours) back to myself now that we have a dishwasher. And, he has made a huge effort to be home on a more routine basis.
Thank you to all the dinner guests we've entertained in the last two weeks. You have no idea how fortunate I feel that we have such good friends & now finally have a space to accommodate having you over for dinner & conversation.
Thank you to my children for our Tuesday family prayer nights. This is the thing I most look forward to each week. And sometimes it is the only thing that gets me through the week.
Thank you to the faculty member that invited me to begin teaching a college course this semester. It has been one of my life long dreams to teach in higher education & I am treasuring every moment. It breaks up the routine that I have followed for the last seven years. I pray that it may someday turn into something more permanent.
Thank you to local Catholic radio station that is now playing in our area. It gives me great joy to listen to stimulating faith conversation as well as prayerful moments throughout my day.
Thank you to the author of this post. It's like she wrote it for me. Those are the emotions I feel, the highs & lows of being in ministry. It's the reason I wanted to start this blog, in the hopes of connecting with other youth ministry wives. It feels nice to know that others have seen our struggle & appreciate what we do behind the scenes.
Thank you to my husband for really shifting the balance in housework since we purchased our home. I have hours (literally hours) back to myself now that we have a dishwasher. And, he has made a huge effort to be home on a more routine basis.
Thank you to all the dinner guests we've entertained in the last two weeks. You have no idea how fortunate I feel that we have such good friends & now finally have a space to accommodate having you over for dinner & conversation.
Thank you to my children for our Tuesday family prayer nights. This is the thing I most look forward to each week. And sometimes it is the only thing that gets me through the week.
Thank you to the faculty member that invited me to begin teaching a college course this semester. It has been one of my life long dreams to teach in higher education & I am treasuring every moment. It breaks up the routine that I have followed for the last seven years. I pray that it may someday turn into something more permanent.
Thank you to local Catholic radio station that is now playing in our area. It gives me great joy to listen to stimulating faith conversation as well as prayerful moments throughout my day.
Monday, November 17, 2014
The Planner to End All Planners!
Last month, I attended a mom's night event at the girls' school where the topic was, "Time Management: How to Find the 25th Hour." We watched a really great time management instructional video. The techniques were great, incorporating your long-term goals with a daily agenda & your to-do list. The strategy was to think of organizing time in the same manner that you would organize a closet. Pretty insightful, I think.
I am a tactile learner, so although I've tried my best to use my phone, tablet, email or other software to manage all these things, it never stuck. I would use it for a little bit, but then found it too cumbersome & quickly lost interest. To combat this, I decided to embrace my love of writing down to-do lists & bought a simple composition notebook. I filled in three days on each page & added enough dates to get to the end of November.
Overall, I've been pleased with using this method. I benefit from the ability to write things down & keep to-do items in the same locale as bigger picture goals. I knew I wanted to get a true-blue planner for 2015. Although I liked the one offered by the time management expert from the video, it was a bit pricey & I wasn't sure if I totally loved it (and would use it). So, I decided to start looking at planners when I go to Target, WalMart, etc.
Then, last week, a friend of mine posted a Kickstarter video for the Passion Planner. I couldn't help but fall in love with the simplicity & beauty of it! It encompasses everything I want in my new planner, the option to combine personal & professional goals with a daily agenda. This is exactly the type of planner I would design if I had to build one from scratch for myself. I have already supported the Kickstarter for their compact version & will be getting two compact versions in their next shipment (I ordered Jesse one since I want him to get organized in the new year).
If you are in the market for a new planner or are looking for a better way to accomplish your personal goals, consider getting a Passion Planner. If you don't have the financial means to buy the planner, you can download the pdf of the weekly layout. Also, between now & December 3rd, if you share their Kickstarter video, they will send you the pdf of the 2015 layout for free! I can't wait to get my planner & start using it. I'll be sure to post a review of my Passion Planner in 2015 once I've been routinely using it for a while. Happy planning!
I am a tactile learner, so although I've tried my best to use my phone, tablet, email or other software to manage all these things, it never stuck. I would use it for a little bit, but then found it too cumbersome & quickly lost interest. To combat this, I decided to embrace my love of writing down to-do lists & bought a simple composition notebook. I filled in three days on each page & added enough dates to get to the end of November.
Overall, I've been pleased with using this method. I benefit from the ability to write things down & keep to-do items in the same locale as bigger picture goals. I knew I wanted to get a true-blue planner for 2015. Although I liked the one offered by the time management expert from the video, it was a bit pricey & I wasn't sure if I totally loved it (and would use it). So, I decided to start looking at planners when I go to Target, WalMart, etc.
Then, last week, a friend of mine posted a Kickstarter video for the Passion Planner. I couldn't help but fall in love with the simplicity & beauty of it! It encompasses everything I want in my new planner, the option to combine personal & professional goals with a daily agenda. This is exactly the type of planner I would design if I had to build one from scratch for myself. I have already supported the Kickstarter for their compact version & will be getting two compact versions in their next shipment (I ordered Jesse one since I want him to get organized in the new year).
If you are in the market for a new planner or are looking for a better way to accomplish your personal goals, consider getting a Passion Planner. If you don't have the financial means to buy the planner, you can download the pdf of the weekly layout. Also, between now & December 3rd, if you share their Kickstarter video, they will send you the pdf of the 2015 layout for free! I can't wait to get my planner & start using it. I'll be sure to post a review of my Passion Planner in 2015 once I've been routinely using it for a while. Happy planning!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Small Success Thursday: Little Engine That Could
Lately, I've been reminding myself of the Little Engine that could. You know...the one who keeps repeating, "I think I can, I think I can." It's a mantra I keep saying over & over this week. But, despite all of the hectic things going on, I have quite a few things to celebrate...
This week, I blogged every single day! That's more than I had in the last three months. I've realized that even if no one reads this, it gives me a place to jot down my thoughts. Someday, I might even be able to show it to my kids so they get a glimpse of what life was like when they were little.
My husband & I wrote a really awesome bulletin article for our parish. I wish we were able to do more of that. I'm praying God will allow us further opportunities to work in ministry together.
We are four weeks strong on our Tuesday night family nights! It draws us closer as a couple & gives us time to teach our children about the gospel. Tuesdays have become the highlight of my week! Be prepared for an entire post (or several) about it!
I found the planner of my dreams. I recently watched an excellent video about time management & began implementing some of the strategies. After our move, I really think this is going to be a huge lifesaver for me. Out of blue, I saw a planner that fits exactly what I need. Tune in tomorrow for details on the planner & how you can try it out for free.
The coming week brings a lot of craziness, but I'm hoping to not only survive it, but feel accomplished. I'll just keep praying & reminding myself, "I think I can, I think I can!"
This week, I blogged every single day! That's more than I had in the last three months. I've realized that even if no one reads this, it gives me a place to jot down my thoughts. Someday, I might even be able to show it to my kids so they get a glimpse of what life was like when they were little.
My husband & I wrote a really awesome bulletin article for our parish. I wish we were able to do more of that. I'm praying God will allow us further opportunities to work in ministry together.
We are four weeks strong on our Tuesday night family nights! It draws us closer as a couple & gives us time to teach our children about the gospel. Tuesdays have become the highlight of my week! Be prepared for an entire post (or several) about it!
I found the planner of my dreams. I recently watched an excellent video about time management & began implementing some of the strategies. After our move, I really think this is going to be a huge lifesaver for me. Out of blue, I saw a planner that fits exactly what I need. Tune in tomorrow for details on the planner & how you can try it out for free.
The coming week brings a lot of craziness, but I'm hoping to not only survive it, but feel accomplished. I'll just keep praying & reminding myself, "I think I can, I think I can!"
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
House Hunting
Over the spring/summer, I really didn't blog as much as I intended. One of the obvious reasons was Francis' arrival. However, we were spending a significant amount of time looking at houses. One of my goals for 2014 was to begin house hunting. And what a hunt it has been. Since the beginning of the year, we've probably visited more than 50 homes. We put offers in on three of them, which for one reason or another did not pan out. So, to say it's been a bit stressful & time consuming is an understatement!
But, the search came to a halt when we laid our eyes on this beautiful brick home.
Although it was a bit cluttered & had way too much furniture, it was obvious that this house had ample space & storage for our large family. By this point (this being our fourth offer on a home), I was not allowing my heart to get invested in any further properties. There were three homes before this that I really liked & had started getting excited about when negotiations ended. So, it was hard for me to judge if I really loved this home at all because I was not emotionally hanging on to it, in case this one also fell through. After praying & considering our options, we put an offer in on this home.
We ultimately came to an agreeable contract & set a date for closing. But even then, I would not allow myself to get my hopes up...just in case. Each time I visited the house or flipped through the pictures I took, I could feel myself getting more & more excited. It was hard to believe the entire thing was actually happening. Then, the closing date came & everything actually happened as planned. We signed on the dotted line (actually lots & lots of signing), agreed to a mortgage & became homeowners!
As part of the agreement, we agreed to wait two weeks after the close to take possession, allowing the previous owners time to move into their new home. That's the time period we're in now...waiting (anxiously!) until next week when we finally get keys! We've been packing like squirrels readying for winter & trying to get as much done ahead of the big move. But, as the days count down, I still can't believe it's really happening. We actually own this beautiful home! Looking back now, I realize we are exactly where God wanted us to be, but in order to get here, we had to go through the process of all those other homes & offers.
I will try to blog about the move as much as I can, but we're getting ready to head into a couple of crazy weeks, so I'm not sure how much free time I'll have. But, rest assured, I have some great posts planned & also want to try sharing some decorating posts as we get settled in our new digs.
But, the search came to a halt when we laid our eyes on this beautiful brick home.
Although it was a bit cluttered & had way too much furniture, it was obvious that this house had ample space & storage for our large family. By this point (this being our fourth offer on a home), I was not allowing my heart to get invested in any further properties. There were three homes before this that I really liked & had started getting excited about when negotiations ended. So, it was hard for me to judge if I really loved this home at all because I was not emotionally hanging on to it, in case this one also fell through. After praying & considering our options, we put an offer in on this home.
We ultimately came to an agreeable contract & set a date for closing. But even then, I would not allow myself to get my hopes up...just in case. Each time I visited the house or flipped through the pictures I took, I could feel myself getting more & more excited. It was hard to believe the entire thing was actually happening. Then, the closing date came & everything actually happened as planned. We signed on the dotted line (actually lots & lots of signing), agreed to a mortgage & became homeowners!
As part of the agreement, we agreed to wait two weeks after the close to take possession, allowing the previous owners time to move into their new home. That's the time period we're in now...waiting (anxiously!) until next week when we finally get keys! We've been packing like squirrels readying for winter & trying to get as much done ahead of the big move. But, as the days count down, I still can't believe it's really happening. We actually own this beautiful home! Looking back now, I realize we are exactly where God wanted us to be, but in order to get here, we had to go through the process of all those other homes & offers.
I will try to blog about the move as much as I can, but we're getting ready to head into a couple of crazy weeks, so I'm not sure how much free time I'll have. But, rest assured, I have some great posts planned & also want to try sharing some decorating posts as we get settled in our new digs.
As for me & my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
STOP - in the name of Love!
I had a lot of things I wanted to get done yesterday. School supply shopping, returning library books, baking a few sweets, exchanging some baby clothes for bigger sizes, going to the bank, writing baby shower thank you notes, sending a few emails...the list could be endless. Since this is my last week home on maternity leave, I started the morning out with lots of motivation & determination. Jesse was on a confirmation retreat all day, Sophie & Bella are camping with my parents, so I only had two kiddos to drag around on all these errands.
I figured the best way to tackle all of the running around errands would be to take two trips; one in the morning & then one after nap time. Very doable, right? I couldn't have been more wrong!
The morning started out fine & we successfully made it to the bank, library & Target. Maddie fell asleep on the way home & was incredibly grumpy when we got home. Francis wet through his outfit & onto my shorts (outfit change #1). Then, I tried compiling a school supply list while Maddie played quietly for a few minutes before nap time. This is where it all went downhill. Maddie was overly tired & so I spent the next two hours putting her in bed, hearing her get up & come down the stairs, then picking her up & placing her back in her bed. Repeat. For two hours. Finally, I gave up & decided if she just stayed awake that she would go to bed earlier.
Francis woke up a couple times during this nap time fiasco & after feeding him, he showed his appreciation by spitting up all over me (outfit change #2). Since we were going stir crazy in the house by this point, I took them outside for a walk. On our way back, Francis wet through his diaper & since I was carrying him in a front pack, he tinkled all down my leg (outfit change #3). Maddie was throwing a big fit that we had to go back in the house so I could change. It was at this point that I recited my favorite, albeit simple, prayer. "Mary, Mother of God, please give me patience."
Once in the house with everyone melting down, I realized that I needed to give up on my wish list of items to accomplish & just stop. Stop & pay attention. Stop in the name of love & do what my kids needed. So, I took both kids upstairs & sat with them in the rocking chair. I hummed a few tunes & within a couple of minutes, Maddie, the child who had been fighting nap time for hours, suddenly gave up the battle & cuddled on my lap, sleeping soundly.
As I sat rocking my babies, part of me wanted to just lay them down & resume my to do list projects. But then another part of me realized I was accomplishing things...they just weren't items on my list. And, I was exactly where I needed to be in that moment. This might not seem earth-shattering, but it really was an eye opening moment for me. How often in our lives do we just do what we need to do for ourselves, but never stop to just listen to God's whisper in our ear? Are we truly doing God's work if we don't stop to listen to our Father? Or if we are listening, do we not give Him our full time & attention but rather try to rush through it to get on to other things? My personal goal for the week is to take time out, not only for my kids, but my husband & my God. Can you do the same?
I figured the best way to tackle all of the running around errands would be to take two trips; one in the morning & then one after nap time. Very doable, right? I couldn't have been more wrong!
The morning started out fine & we successfully made it to the bank, library & Target. Maddie fell asleep on the way home & was incredibly grumpy when we got home. Francis wet through his outfit & onto my shorts (outfit change #1). Then, I tried compiling a school supply list while Maddie played quietly for a few minutes before nap time. This is where it all went downhill. Maddie was overly tired & so I spent the next two hours putting her in bed, hearing her get up & come down the stairs, then picking her up & placing her back in her bed. Repeat. For two hours. Finally, I gave up & decided if she just stayed awake that she would go to bed earlier.
Francis woke up a couple times during this nap time fiasco & after feeding him, he showed his appreciation by spitting up all over me (outfit change #2). Since we were going stir crazy in the house by this point, I took them outside for a walk. On our way back, Francis wet through his diaper & since I was carrying him in a front pack, he tinkled all down my leg (outfit change #3). Maddie was throwing a big fit that we had to go back in the house so I could change. It was at this point that I recited my favorite, albeit simple, prayer. "Mary, Mother of God, please give me patience."
Once in the house with everyone melting down, I realized that I needed to give up on my wish list of items to accomplish & just stop. Stop & pay attention. Stop in the name of love & do what my kids needed. So, I took both kids upstairs & sat with them in the rocking chair. I hummed a few tunes & within a couple of minutes, Maddie, the child who had been fighting nap time for hours, suddenly gave up the battle & cuddled on my lap, sleeping soundly.
As I sat rocking my babies, part of me wanted to just lay them down & resume my to do list projects. But then another part of me realized I was accomplishing things...they just weren't items on my list. And, I was exactly where I needed to be in that moment. This might not seem earth-shattering, but it really was an eye opening moment for me. How often in our lives do we just do what we need to do for ourselves, but never stop to just listen to God's whisper in our ear? Are we truly doing God's work if we don't stop to listen to our Father? Or if we are listening, do we not give Him our full time & attention but rather try to rush through it to get on to other things? My personal goal for the week is to take time out, not only for my kids, but my husband & my God. Can you do the same?
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The "Grass is Always Greener" Effect: Why I Can't Read Other Mommy Blogs
I decided to start a blog last year because I was hoping to find a community. Perhaps some other working moms, youth ministers' wives, whatever it was. I spend my time either at work or with my kids & hubby. I don't go out much. I can count on one hand since I've had kids how many times I leave everybody at home & just go out by myself to do something I enjoy. So, the fact that this blog has been completely unsuccessful in that one goal is very disheartening & is often the reason I sit at my computer wondering whether I should even post the various draft blogs I have written.
Lately, I've really been feeling the panic that sometimes comes along with losing yourself to all the job titles that we as mothers have. I am Jesse's wife; Sophie, Bella & Maddie's mom; I am someone's employee; I am the caregiver, housekeeper, dishwasher, laundry do-er, bill payer, kisser of boo-boos, planner of family events...the list is never ending. But somewhere in that list, I've forgotten to include myself or anything that I enjoy doing for me. I realize it is a big part of my unhappiness, but I can't seem to find anything that I'm passionate about just for me. My parents love the movie, "The Bridges of Madison County." It's not one of my personal favorites, but there is a quote from that movie that keeps playing in my mind...
"When a woman makes the choice to marry, to have children, in one way her life begins but in another way it stops. You build a life of details. You become a mother, a wife and you stop and stay steady so that your children can move. And when they leave they take your life of details with them. And then you're expected to move again only you don't remember what moves you because no one has asked in so long. Not even yourself."
I can't speak to the part about children moving away yet, but I can certainly relate to not remembering what moves me because I have become so identifiable with my family & their needs. This feeling is only perpetuated when I read other people's blogs. In particular, I find myself angry when I read about the stay at home mom who takes online courses or the posts about cute, simple recipes or adorable house decorations. I suppose I should be encouraged, inspired or at the very least, indifferent to the happenings in the lives of other mommies. However, most of the time the only thing I feel is frustration in being unable to live up to those standards & wishing I had the circumstances they have. I find myself comparing myself to these other moms & feeling constantly inadequate. It's not a personal thing against any of the moms writing these blogs, it's more in finding fault with my lack of motivation or ability to take on such things in my own life.
It's getting to the point where I'm not sure I should read those blogs at all anymore. And, it is forcing me to take a long hard look at myself, the things that are most important to me in raising our kids, and what things in my life cause my unhappiness/lack of motivation. The frustration lies in knowing what things I want to change, but having circumstances beyond my control keeping me from changing them. Jesse has long said that I have to find things to do for myself so I have something to look forward to. Although I agree with him, I'm not sure where to start. I think turning to prayer needs to be more prominent so I can find some answers or at least peace with where I'm at. After that, who knows. But hopefully there will be some revelations in my life.
It's getting to the point where I'm not sure I should read those blogs at all anymore. And, it is forcing me to take a long hard look at myself, the things that are most important to me in raising our kids, and what things in my life cause my unhappiness/lack of motivation. The frustration lies in knowing what things I want to change, but having circumstances beyond my control keeping me from changing them. Jesse has long said that I have to find things to do for myself so I have something to look forward to. Although I agree with him, I'm not sure where to start. I think turning to prayer needs to be more prominent so I can find some answers or at least peace with where I'm at. After that, who knows. But hopefully there will be some revelations in my life.
Monday, February 10, 2014
You know you're a YM Wife when...
I started this blog with the hope of finding other youth ministers' wives. It is a unique situation that we spouses find ourselves in & I think there is a lot to be gained from sharing our experiences. In seven years of being a youth minister's wife, I have made some observations of the ways that ministry work is more unusual than your typical 9 to 5 job. This is not to say that other occupations don't have their own nuances, but I am speaking specifically to my situation here. So, without further ado, here are (some of) my reflections on what it means to be a youth minister's wife...
- When your small children know all the top 40 songs, not because of your radio station selection, but because of the influence of the youth group.
- Most students at the parish school know your kids because they spend so much time there, even though they aren't old enough to be students yet!
- When you have a serious conversation with your husband about buying the 12 passenger church van when the priest sells it & surprise yourself by realizing how practical it actually would be to own that vehicle...
- When your husband misses your daughter's 1st & 2nd birthdays because he's at Creation for the week with the youth group.
- You rarely go to mass together & if it weren't for being known as the youth minister's wife, you worry people would think you are a single mother.
- When you do go to mass together, you rarely go in the same vehicle.
- Your kids refer to your church as "Daddy's office."
- You end up driving the 12 passenger church van to work a couple days a week because your husband was too tired after taking kids home to go back to church & pick up your vehicle.
- You have eaten more leftover pizza then you care to think about.
- You find it totally normal to drive the 12 passenger van (sometimes with the trailer attached) even though you are the only person in the vehicle.
- Your husband's laundry consists of t-shirts from youth events, funny quips & sweatpants. Are you living with a college student?
- Date night consists of going to his guest speaking arrangements.
- Lots of kids call you "Mom" that aren't your biological kids & you're ok with that.
- When your small children know all the top 40 songs, not because of your radio station selection, but because of the influence of the youth group.
- Most students at the parish school know your kids because they spend so much time there, even though they aren't old enough to be students yet!
- When you have a serious conversation with your husband about buying the 12 passenger church van when the priest sells it & surprise yourself by realizing how practical it actually would be to own that vehicle...
- When your husband misses your daughter's 1st & 2nd birthdays because he's at Creation for the week with the youth group.
- You rarely go to mass together & if it weren't for being known as the youth minister's wife, you worry people would think you are a single mother.
- When you do go to mass together, you rarely go in the same vehicle.
- Your kids refer to your church as "Daddy's office."
- You end up driving the 12 passenger church van to work a couple days a week because your husband was too tired after taking kids home to go back to church & pick up your vehicle.
- You have eaten more leftover pizza then you care to think about.
- You find it totally normal to drive the 12 passenger van (sometimes with the trailer attached) even though you are the only person in the vehicle.
- Your husband's laundry consists of t-shirts from youth events, funny quips & sweatpants. Are you living with a college student?
- Date night consists of going to his guest speaking arrangements.
- Lots of kids call you "Mom" that aren't your biological kids & you're ok with that.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Chicken Soup Visit
So, the illness that has been making me miserable for nearly three weeks seems to finally be loosening its grip on my sinuses, though I do still get an annoying cough & some congestion from time to time. Though I love being pregnant, there is nothing worse than feeling terrible & being able to take nothing but Tylenol...which basically does nothing to help. So, I had to tough it out & try my best with the homeopathic treatments as well as lots & lots of rest!
Knowing how under the weather I've been, my mom planned a visit for this past weekend. It was originally intended as a trip to make me chicken soup & let me lay in bed all weekend resting. But, because I was (finally!) starting to feel better, it turned into a restful but also very productive weekend. I was able to sleep in...words can't describe how wonderful that felt! But more than that, I love having my mom come for visits like this because she has the ability to kick me into gear on some projects I might otherwise be finding excuses not to complete.
For starters, we took down all the Christmas decorations. I had already taken down the tree, but all the other signs of Christmas still remained. And with the arctic cold temperatures that we've been experiencing this winter, I didn't really appreciate the reminder of how long winter is likely to remain. So, I packed everything up & we did a quick clean of every room. Then, I brought up what few Valentine's Day decorations I have & put them up. The girls enjoyed helping put up the window clings, but I also got a little crafty & made a couple really simple decorations. I'm so proud of them & think they look super cute!
One of the unexpected things that I finished (and that gets me on track with the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year) was to complete our pre-approval application so we can finally start house shopping. It is painfully obvious that we are outgrowing our current rental house. In addition to needing more space, I am greatly looking forward to getting a dishwasher. I can't even describe how exciting that will be!
Overall, I owe my mom a huge thank you for helping me feel better, making me chicken soup, letting me sleep in & kicking me into gear on a few projects to start off the new year right! I've been trying to continue this attitude & move forward with some other things that need done around the house. So far I've been fairly successful, but it's only been a couple of days, so we'll see what happens over time! I'm very blessed to have her as a close friend who always has a willing ear & open heart to help me out. I hope someday to be able to provide the same loving care for my daughters as adults as my mom does for me.
Knowing how under the weather I've been, my mom planned a visit for this past weekend. It was originally intended as a trip to make me chicken soup & let me lay in bed all weekend resting. But, because I was (finally!) starting to feel better, it turned into a restful but also very productive weekend. I was able to sleep in...words can't describe how wonderful that felt! But more than that, I love having my mom come for visits like this because she has the ability to kick me into gear on some projects I might otherwise be finding excuses not to complete.
For starters, we took down all the Christmas decorations. I had already taken down the tree, but all the other signs of Christmas still remained. And with the arctic cold temperatures that we've been experiencing this winter, I didn't really appreciate the reminder of how long winter is likely to remain. So, I packed everything up & we did a quick clean of every room. Then, I brought up what few Valentine's Day decorations I have & put them up. The girls enjoyed helping put up the window clings, but I also got a little crafty & made a couple really simple decorations. I'm so proud of them & think they look super cute!
One of the unexpected things that I finished (and that gets me on track with the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year) was to complete our pre-approval application so we can finally start house shopping. It is painfully obvious that we are outgrowing our current rental house. In addition to needing more space, I am greatly looking forward to getting a dishwasher. I can't even describe how exciting that will be!
Overall, I owe my mom a huge thank you for helping me feel better, making me chicken soup, letting me sleep in & kicking me into gear on a few projects to start off the new year right! I've been trying to continue this attitude & move forward with some other things that need done around the house. So far I've been fairly successful, but it's only been a couple of days, so we'll see what happens over time! I'm very blessed to have her as a close friend who always has a willing ear & open heart to help me out. I hope someday to be able to provide the same loving care for my daughters as adults as my mom does for me.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Small Success Thursday: Small Graces
This week I'm once again linking up with Catholic Mom to reflect & share three small successes from the past week. Although this is only the second post of this series, I'm starting to realize that I don't spend enough time in reflection & thanking God for all of the small graces that occur in my everyday life. I often find myself so bogged down by the hectic nature of my days that I don't fully appreciate all the beautiful little moments going on around me. So, this week, my three small successes all center around small graces...
1) My religious ed students had to complete a worksheet about last Sunday's gospel, the parable of the judge & the widow. At the bottom of the worksheet, they had a free space to write their own prayers to God. One little boy wrote, "Dear God, I pray that my enemy will become my friend so that my life gets better." Evidently my lesson seems to be sinking in.
2) I had the opportunity to attend a talk given by Fr. Thomas Rosica. It was a blessing to be present & hear his message. I will be posting more about this talk later, but one of the highlights was his recollection of World Youth Day 2002. I was fortunate enough to be at the closing mass in Toronto with Blessed John Paul II. It's been nice to think back on the beauty of that mass & remember the sending forth message given to all of us there.
3) I've decorated for fall...mostly...ok, so the fall decoration bin still hasn't been returned to the basement (does it still count, I think so!). I did drag my feet on this one because I love summer so much & hate having to say goodbye for a long 8+ months. I'm still not ready for the snow that is sure to come our way soon, but I will try to enjoy this fall season for what it is in & of itself.
1) My religious ed students had to complete a worksheet about last Sunday's gospel, the parable of the judge & the widow. At the bottom of the worksheet, they had a free space to write their own prayers to God. One little boy wrote, "Dear God, I pray that my enemy will become my friend so that my life gets better." Evidently my lesson seems to be sinking in.
2) I had the opportunity to attend a talk given by Fr. Thomas Rosica. It was a blessing to be present & hear his message. I will be posting more about this talk later, but one of the highlights was his recollection of World Youth Day 2002. I was fortunate enough to be at the closing mass in Toronto with Blessed John Paul II. It's been nice to think back on the beauty of that mass & remember the sending forth message given to all of us there.
3) I've decorated for fall...mostly...ok, so the fall decoration bin still hasn't been returned to the basement (does it still count, I think so!). I did drag my feet on this one because I love summer so much & hate having to say goodbye for a long 8+ months. I'm still not ready for the snow that is sure to come our way soon, but I will try to enjoy this fall season for what it is in & of itself.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Small Success Thursday: 1st Edition
I'm linking up with Catholic Mom this week to participate in their "Small Success Thursday" event. I've had a particularly challenging week & today was one of those days that was just a struggle to get through. So, while trying to unwind tonight, I perused my usual blog sites for inspiration. I came across the Small Success post & thought it would be worth a shot. Perhaps thinking through my blessings will help me feel more inspired. Here goes nothing...
This week, I feel most blessed to have:
1) Taken Monday night to have a true-blue, honest-to-goodness family night. After I got home from work, Jesse & I prepared dinner together, the girls set the table & we all sat around talking & laughing. The tv stayed off & we went upstairs together with our girls. Jesse & I took turns reading story after story. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
2) Been able to share a hug with a dear friend & fellow mom. She's having some frustrating times with her little boy. As she told me about these issues, I could see her hurting, so I just reached out & gave her a hug. She's always been supportive of me & I'm so glad I can return the favor.
3) Started cleaning off my hutch, which has accumulated an embarrassing amount of school papers, religious education papers, mail, bills, magazines, etc. It's the first thing you see when you walk in my house (which only makes the problem worse). Although it's not complete yet, I feel encouraged by the inroad I made the other night. Now if I can only keep focused to complete the project & tackle the papers.
Well, I suppose I am feeling a bit better after having reviewed some of the highlights of my week. I'm looking forward to linking up to this event in the future. Hopefully this reflection will ease my anxieties about all the things I feel I can't accomplish due to a lack of time, money, effort, etc. Have you been able to reflect on your blessings this week? Please share below.
This week, I feel most blessed to have:
1) Taken Monday night to have a true-blue, honest-to-goodness family night. After I got home from work, Jesse & I prepared dinner together, the girls set the table & we all sat around talking & laughing. The tv stayed off & we went upstairs together with our girls. Jesse & I took turns reading story after story. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
2) Been able to share a hug with a dear friend & fellow mom. She's having some frustrating times with her little boy. As she told me about these issues, I could see her hurting, so I just reached out & gave her a hug. She's always been supportive of me & I'm so glad I can return the favor.
3) Started cleaning off my hutch, which has accumulated an embarrassing amount of school papers, religious education papers, mail, bills, magazines, etc. It's the first thing you see when you walk in my house (which only makes the problem worse). Although it's not complete yet, I feel encouraged by the inroad I made the other night. Now if I can only keep focused to complete the project & tackle the papers.
Well, I suppose I am feeling a bit better after having reviewed some of the highlights of my week. I'm looking forward to linking up to this event in the future. Hopefully this reflection will ease my anxieties about all the things I feel I can't accomplish due to a lack of time, money, effort, etc. Have you been able to reflect on your blessings this week? Please share below.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Frustrations!
Maybe it's because I work full-time. Perhaps it's because I have three children ages 1, 3 & 5. Or that my husband & I are ships passing in the night when it comes to time spent together. Whatever it is, lately I can't help but feel like I can't keep up...
My house looks like a mess...all day...every day. I will never be featured in a lovely Pinterest picture or capture my latest home organizing project in a post here. I'm just trying to stay on top of the daily stuff (and failing miserably).
The dishes are never-ending & did I mention the only dishwasher I own is currently typing this blog?!
I'm drowning - in laundry, piles of bills/mail, papers/handouts from school & overall clutter.
I live in 1,000 sq ft. That's it. For three children, two adults, one cat & all of our clothes/food/toys/memories/etc. It's not nearly enough. Not by a long shot.
I write a blog (when I find the time & feel inspired) but I don't think anyone actually reads it except for my husband. "Hello, is anybody out there?"
I make to-do lists & feel accomplished if I can check off one thing.
I feel like I'm buried so deep in a hole that I can't even see the daylight. I'd love to figure out a better way to conquer some of these items, but I have to find some motivation first. Living with all of these things day in & day out for years makes it difficult to get excited about change.
My house looks like a mess...all day...every day. I will never be featured in a lovely Pinterest picture or capture my latest home organizing project in a post here. I'm just trying to stay on top of the daily stuff (and failing miserably).
The dishes are never-ending & did I mention the only dishwasher I own is currently typing this blog?!
I'm drowning - in laundry, piles of bills/mail, papers/handouts from school & overall clutter.
I live in 1,000 sq ft. That's it. For three children, two adults, one cat & all of our clothes/food/toys/memories/etc. It's not nearly enough. Not by a long shot.
I write a blog (when I find the time & feel inspired) but I don't think anyone actually reads it except for my husband. "Hello, is anybody out there?"
I make to-do lists & feel accomplished if I can check off one thing.
I feel like I'm buried so deep in a hole that I can't even see the daylight. I'd love to figure out a better way to conquer some of these items, but I have to find some motivation first. Living with all of these things day in & day out for years makes it difficult to get excited about change.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
When Anxiety Attacks...
The last few weeks (or months depending on when you start counting) have been a whirlwind of craziness. Granted, I know our everyday routine isn't exactly simple. However I can't help but feeling like things have been extra crazy as of late. I have spent all summer just going & going & going. My to-do lists have been growing & I see no sign of an end. I've had a few bouts of insomnia even though I'm exhausted most of the time. I'm just running from one fire to the next, trying to put them out.
I have come to realize that this is no way to live. I miss having some quiet time for myself, time to sleep, read/blog, or just to play with the girls. I've recently had Philippians 4:6 come into my path several times. I think it's a not-so-subtle message from the Almighty that I need to make a part of my daily recitation.
So, I'm going to try my hardest to present all my anxieties to God, knowing that He will take care of them. Certainly this approach can be challenging because it requires surrender. But I think we all could use a life jacket when we feel like we're drowning. And God's love provides the best life jacket available!
I have come to realize that this is no way to live. I miss having some quiet time for myself, time to sleep, read/blog, or just to play with the girls. I've recently had Philippians 4:6 come into my path several times. I think it's a not-so-subtle message from the Almighty that I need to make a part of my daily recitation.
So, I'm going to try my hardest to present all my anxieties to God, knowing that He will take care of them. Certainly this approach can be challenging because it requires surrender. But I think we all could use a life jacket when we feel like we're drowning. And God's love provides the best life jacket available!
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