I first read this prayer years ago but it has since become a favorite. š
Dear God,
So far today, I’ve done all right! I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper,
I haven’t cheated, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or
overindulgent. I am thankful for that. But, in a few minutes Lord, I’m going to
get out of bed…and from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot more help!
Amen.
Okay, okay, just one more quick post since I’ve got to get packing. (I’m leaving early tomorrow morning to visit my family in So Calif while Brian is away on a men’s retreat for 3 days. Please keep us both in prayer!) Here’s a little story from a homeschooling mom about the simple wisdom of children. She wrote:
My son and I were finishing up our religion time, just the 2 of us, by discussing the Catechism questions. The topic was Sanctifying Grace. I was telling him that although Baptism gives us the Mark of Christ, after removing original sin, and allows us to go to heaven, it’s no “free ticket”. We have to work on knowing, loving and serving God every day.
He looked real serious for a moment. Then he said, “Mom, it’s kinda like playing Chutes and Ladders, isn’t it?” I sat there like one electrified.
“Yes, CJ, it is. Most days we move forward a space or two. Sometimes we even get caught on that spot were you have to roll double to get to move again. BUT, eventually the day will come… when you will slide down a chute or ascend the ladder. And, if you’re REALLY lucky, you’ll get to go up one of the BIG ones and your life will never be the same again.”
Next time you wanna illustrate “getting to heaven” for your little ones, pull out your Chutes and Ladders game. Come to think of it, I CAN’T think of a better analogy. Outta the mouths of babes.
Yeah, the kids will really teach us. I’ve been working with Bella on making the sign of the cross and saying her simple prayers throughout the day. The other day I was in a hurry and gave her her lunch and walked back into the kitchen. She then said to me, “Wait Mama, you forgot da pwayers” (the prayers). I apologized to her and we said our grace. After she made the sign of the cross she smiled and said, “Now Jesus happy.” Yes, I’m sure He is.
Hello! It’s been a long time! Thanks for being so patient with us and for the emails of well wishes! We are finally in our new home and getting settled. I forgot just how much work it is to move! Packing is not so bad compared to unpacking and finding a place for everything! All I know is that we have a huge pile of things going to the local charity center. It’s amazing how much stuff one can accumulate in a few short years! Anyway, we hope to soon be back online posting and updating the website. (And I have weeks of unread st. blogs to peruse!) Thanks for being so patient! Love, b.
This whole house ordeal has been pretty stressful the last few weeks but things are finally falling into place! As you may know, we are moving into the home of Brian’s grandma (who passed away a few years ago.) Currently his Aunt L lives there but she has been trying to move into a local senior citizen community. However, the waiting list is incredibly long and the wait takes years. Last month we finally thought there was an opening but it fell through at the last minute. Things didn’t look good and Aunt L was really bummed.
Two weeks ago Brian and I made a novena to Saints Ann and Joachim to end on their feast day (July 26). We had two intentions in mind – namely that we’d be blessed with another child and as a secondary prayer, that everything with the house would work out as God wills. The last day of the novena we received the call that there was a surprise vacancy and Aunt L was next on the list but she had to move in immediately. Thank you, St Ann & St Joachim! (Now we’re just waiting for our bambino!)
This week I’ve been packing/reducing 30+ years worth of Aunt L’s stuff and we’ll have her moved in completely by Saturday. I must say that I checked out her new place the other day and it is so beautiful. There are so many activities for them on the site there’s no chance of Aunt L being bored or lonely! She is really happy – something I was worried about. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable in our new place unless I knew Aunt L was happy in her new home. So hopefully we will have her settled in by the end of this week then we can start work on making repairs on the house before we move in. Needless to say, this will keep us very busy so I may be more absent than usual! I’ll pop in when I get tired of boxes and cleaning and need a quick break! Take care and have a blessed week. b.
Hey guys. Hope you are all doing well. I should have slept in this morning because I got to bed late and am tired, but I woke at 6:30 am and was wide awake so I figured I’d let Bella sleep in and I’d get some work done. It’s been a busy week although yesterday was fun since I went to the beach with some other moms and their kids. We had a great time although my face is a little burnt – I don’t think I put enough sun screen. ugh.
Bella had fun too and it was a nice little lesson for her to learn to share her sand toys with the other kids and get along with others. Being an only child at the moment she is still learning the finer points of “the world doesn’t revolve around me.” She’s not mean about it but just needs gentle coaxing and reminding that she has 2 shovels and can certainly share one of them or that baby Joe can sit in her beach chair for awhile.
Although there was one moment when one of the sweet 7 yr old boys “John” was playing around with Bella and sort of tickling her. She thought it was funny at first but after a minute or two wanted him to stop and pushed his hands away. He kept on, but before I could say something to him, she bit his finger as he poked her. I had her say “sorry” and asked John not to tickle her anymore. There was no harm done and they were soon laughing and playing again.
However, I have to confess that later I was inwardly proud of my baby girl for defending herself against unwanted “attention” and hoped she’d remember that 10 – 15 years from now. Not saying she should bite a guy, mind you, but have her limits and know how to defend them. I, in the meantime, will be on closer watch!