7 Quick Takes: Family Update: Christmas Letter Style

                        

--- 1 ---

 Pumpkin is in Kindergarten and LOVING every, single day of it.  She is 6 1/2 years old (you all know how important that 1/2 year is at this age!).  Her favorite days are when she is the helper at school and can bring a treat to share with her class.  She likes to draw, color, jump rope and take coffee breaks (with a sweet treat, of course!).   She is learning how to read, which is opening up a whole new level of independence for her.   Pumpkin exudes happiness (and a bit of bossiness) and loves being the youngest!

--- 2 ---

Sweet Pea is 7 years old and in 2nd grade.  She will be making her First Reconciliation in two days, which she shared with me yesterday, "I want to be closer to Jesus."  Bless her!  She'll be making her First Communion in April. Sweet Pea loves to draw, color (especially in her new adult coloring book she received at Christmas) and craft.  She is not much of a TV watcher, so she likes to be very active.She is in her first year of taking piano lessons and doing well. She still struggles with the loss of my Mom, but each day we try to work through that, sometimes with tears, but always with a prayer in our hearts.  She still remains one of my best helpers around the house - always asking if she can lend a hand!

--- 3 ---

Cucumber is 9 and is in 3rd grade.  She takes both piano and bass guitar lessons, which she greatly enjoys both.  She loves clothes (I'm blaming her God Mother for that!) and likes to play "fashion show" with her sisters, where she dresses them, helps them with hair and lip balm make-up. She makes friends easily and in the summer, can often be found playing football with the neighborhood boys. Cucumber remains our comic relief and is quite witty (we are working with her on when and where to appropriately use her wittiness!).

--- 4 ---

Gummi Bear is in 5th grade and is 10 years old.  She ran Cross Country last fall and is currently playing basketball.  She takes piano lessons and chose to play flute in the 5th grade band, which she absolutely loves.  We have to actually tell her to stop practicing the flute some days, just so she can accomplish other tasks.  She altar serves at church and is a school crossing guard. Gummi enjoys crafting, especially sewing, knitting and sketching.  She is growing up fast, teetering on being a little girl and becoming a young lady (it's making her dad a little uncomfortable!).  She is still a gentle and kind-hearted soul, who desires to help others.

--- 5 ---

Honey Bunches of Oats is 11 years old and in 6th grade.  He plays both guitar and saxophone.  Last summer he placed first in his age group at our local county fair talent competition, singing and playing guitar.  He went on to compete at the Minnesota State Fair.  He didn't place, but he loved the experience.  Honey Bunches also ran Cross Country this past fall and is currently playing basketball, which has become yet another passion for him.

--- 6 ---

Sweet Potato is a teenager.  Yikes!  He's 13, in 7th grade, and loves to be involved with just about everything.  He plays basketball, is a Student Council member, participated in Knowledge Bowl, placed in the school Geography Bee, altar serves, takes piano lessons, plays the trumpet and attended our diocesan Boys Discipleship Camp.  He's passionate about sports and statistics.  Despite being outgoing, his favorite activity remains being at home on a Sunday, watching football and being surrounded by his family, good food, and hanging out with his cousins.

--- 7 ---

Life is busy with six, active Love Bugs.  I have realized, however, that when we keep our priorities in check (God, family, work/school), racing around with the kids isn't so daunting of a task, nor is it something I resent.  With that being said, we also rely on much help from others.  If it weren't for family or teammates parents who are ever so willing to open up their homes or provide a ride when needed, we wouldn't be able to do all that we do. We are ever so grateful and extremely blessed for the many helping hands.

                "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."         Psalm 33:5

                                                                                       

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Traditions

The lights on the Christmas tree twinkle through the dozens of small, glitter-filled ornaments, each in their own way representing something special to someone. We were going to be selective in which ones we chose to hang this year, because of the sheer volume of ornaments each Love Bug claims.  But when the time came to decorate, out flowed memories, stories and love that it was just too difficult to be selective.  Thus many of the branches are burdened by multiple ornaments.  As I gaze upon this tree which the Love Bugs have declared is "the most beautiful tree we have ever had" (it is the same artificial tree we have put up for the last 10 years), it is representative of what is swirling around in my head and heart, made evident especially during this time of year.  As we attempt to live and celebrate within the absence of our Loved ones, we still cling to the ways in which we know - our traditions.  They unite us to our past and draw us close within the present.  They are often the foundation of the stories that get re-told over time, and no matter how often one hears them, we never tire of them.  

Our Jesse Tree

About 4 years ago, we decided to incorporate a Jesse Tree into our family prayer during the season of Advent.  The symbol of the Jesse Tree comes from Isaiah 11: "The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David's descendants."  The tree is named after Jesse, the father of the great King David. Beginning with the Creation story, and each night thereafter, we read from scripture and hung an ornament which represents a person or event in salvation history. By reflecting on salvation history, we see how God prepared the world for the coming of His Son.

In addition to our Jesse Tree, we also lit our Advent Wreath during meal time and continued with adding straw to Jesus' manger for good works completed each day.  I thought maybe the older kids would have found the straw activity to be a bit "young", but they looked forward to adding their straw each day, helping to prepare a bed for the Baby Jesus.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I love Advent.  I love that the Church has this time of preparation and reflection.  I love how our faith teaches us that Christmas has little to do with decorations and holiday prepping, and everything to do with preparing our hearts.  In this ridiculously fasted paced, secularized world we live in, we need more of the latter.  

As the world around us was asking, "are you ready for Christmas?", really inquiring if our tree was erected, cookies baked and cards sent, my answer, truthfully, was twofold.  No, according to the world, we were not ready for Christmas.  Liturgically, however, we were a work in progress.  Our family focused on reflecting on salvation history and trying to do more good works.  We celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We celebrated each Sunday of Advent, especially Gaudette Sunday with great joy.  We didn't skip Advent, we tried to live it.  Trust me, it wasn't always easy.

Our Christmas Tradition

The Christmas season began on Christmas Eve and will continue through the Baptism of our Lord - the first Sunday after Epiphany.   We put our tree up and decorated it on Christmas Eve morning.  It will stay up the duration of the season, as will our Jesse Tree, a reminder of where we have come from, pointing us in the direction of where we hope to go.  Now that Jesus has come, our lives will hopefully be a reflection of who He is:  Wisdom, Lord of Israel, Flower of Jesse, Key of David, Radiant Dawn, King of the Gentiles, Emmanuel - God with us.  It is not enough to just celebrate these traditions, but to embrace and live them, not only during the Christmas season, but throughout all time.

May this season be one filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  Merry Christmas! 

Storytelling

Today marks the last day of summer 2015.  Our family had a great summer.  Actually, not just great, but I would dare to say exceptional.  So many times I considered sitting down and recording our experiences, but I wanted to hold these memories close - just keep them for myself.  I considered that by sharing our happenings, they would somehow be tarnished.  I'm not sure why I felt that way, but I was intentional in choosing not to post these last three months.

And then this conversation happened.

My girls and I were sitting in our living room one afternoon.  Cucumber asked, "Do you remember when Grandma Char use to make us buttered toast and hot chocolate?"  Gummi Bear added, "Grandma said it tasted best when it was white bread, dunked in the hot chocolate."  Sweet Pea shared, "She would give that to us on really cold days.  I miss her."

At this point, Pumpkin began to cry.  I held her on my lap and asked what was wrong.  She said, "I'm forgetting Grandma and all the stuff she teached me."

These words hurt and my heart broke.

When I began this blog back in 2011, I was very uncertain of the direction it would take.  I had just resigned from working in parish ministry and was deeply searching for a creative outlet.  Writing about my family and sharing adventures proved to be very satisfying to me.  Pretty soon the stories were coupled with a little advice and many lessons learned.  I began to look at this blog as a letter to my children; something that they could later in life read as a journal and hopefully discover the "good" intentions of their mom and dad to raise them with integrity and morality. And now, in this place, at this moment, I am reaffirmed to continue to tell the stories of our life, characterized by the ones who raised us and passed on their legacy. I want my children to know and love their Grandparents and all those loved ones who have passed from this earth, if only through the telling of their stories. It is these stories that connect us through generations and across miles.  The ones that unite us as family.

My dear friend Mary gave me "The Storyteller; Singing Mother" from her travels to the Southwest.  She said she thought of me when she found it, as there are six babies in her arms and on her lap.

We have some wonderful storytellers in our family.  My brother has a gift for telling stories, especially from what he refers to as "the good ole days."  He recalls growing up on the farm, all the hard work involved and memories of neighbors that would pull together as family in any number of situations.

The Love Bugs enjoy listening to Monkey's side of the family, especially the uncles, tell stories of growing up in a large family and being raised in a small house.  One can't help but smile at the enthusiasm for which these memories are told.

Storytelling: an integral part of life and rich in tradition.  It is a way of passing on life's wisdom, from generation to generation.

Tonight, turn off the screens, sit together and share stories.  Let's reconnect with who we are. Blessings to you all!

Gummi Bear's Birthday

Gummi Bear's Stats

Birthday:  May 16

Age:  10

Birth Order:  Third

Grade:  4

Favorites

Color:  Pink

Food:  Ice Cream

Subject:  Art

Book:  Winne Dixie

Game:  Uno

Holiday:  Easter

Season:  Summer

Past Time:  Reading

Singer:  Toby Mac

Prayer:  Prayer to St. Michael

What she wants to be when she grows up:  A Ballerina

A Note to Gummi Bear

Written by Sweet Pea

Gummi, you are my sister and I like you because you jump rope with me and because you do my hair.  I will love you forever because you are my sister.

Chicken Enchiladas and Rice was Gummi's dinner of choice on her actual birthday.

S'mores Ice Cream Sandwiches for dessert

Heading out for their Dad/Daughter Date.

Dinner at Applebees

The Paint Factory

Sparkling Sea Turtles

Home for Ice-cream cake with family

Gummi received French Toast Cereal, Widgets, her name to paint/decorate, modeling clay, pens, headbands, an ITunes gift card, and cash.  She also had two shopping outings with two different aunts, and another aunt who brought her to see Mary Poppins at a dinner theater.

Gummi is a sweet child.  She is at an interesting place in life; still a little girl, but teetering at a point of more independence.  She loves crafts and desires to learn how to sew, knit, cross-stitch, and crochet (unfortunately I do not possess these skills).  She enjoys being outdoors, riding her bike, playing jump rope, and going to the park.  Gummi has a heart of compassion and likes to help others. She enjoys school and considers all of her classmates friends.  She loves Jesus and often asks for us to pray for those in need.  She is a take-charge person at home, and I know I can depend on her to run things when I need help.  Gummi is beautiful, inside and out.

I love you Gummi!  I am proud to be your Mom.  Happy Birthday.  Love you always!

A Toilet Paper Love Story

Today, Monkey and I celebrate 14 years of marriage.

A few weeks ago, some friends and I were gathered for coffee.  We began to share how we met our husbands and of our marriage proposals.  As I was telling my story, one of my friends commented on how she was surprised that Monkey and I had so many ups and downs in the beginning of our relationship.  Truth be told, Monkey and I do not have one of those love stories that can be wrapped up neatly and tied with a pretty bow. It wasn't a "love at first sight" type of tale to tell.  It wasn't a "at the end of our first date we knew we were going to be together forever" story.  The early part of our relationship wasn't pretty.  It is a story of two young, immature kids who really liked to spend time together, but really stunk at dating.  It was a 10 year period from when we went on our first date until the day we were married.  Yes, we have been a couple, for more or less, 24 years.

The year was 2000 and I was renting an apartment by myself in the Twin Cities.  I had invited Monkey over for dinner one evening.  Before he came, he called to see if I needed anything.  I was out of toilet paper, so I asked if he could pick some up.  When he arrived, he had two big packages of toilet paper tucked under each arm.  Without having to ask, he purchased the brand that I liked.  I remember making the comment, "you even bought the kind that I use," to which he replied, "Of course I did.  I pay attention."

It might be hard to believe, but at that moment, I knew we had a future together.

You see, I began to reflect on all the times Monkey had paid attention.  Like when we were talking about our favorite childhood toys.  I shared that I had always wanted Lego's when I was kid, but I was never given them. Weeks later, a small package arrived in my mailbox from Monkey, containing a Lego's set.  Or the time he overheard a conversation I was having with a friend about how I like to sit through all of the credits at the end of a movie.  He has never rushed me out of a theater since.   Then there was the time I had complained about never receiving any "fun" mail (you know, that time before e-mail and the Internet), and then for 7 days in a row, I received a hand written letter from Monkey.  The most meaningful gift he has ever given me (but it has never been mine to claim), was when I told him that I could only marry a man who knew and loved Jesus, and could share my faith with me.  In 2000, Monkey was welcomed into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil.  He, nor us, have ever been the same since that night.

In our married life, he has learned that a piece of chocolate can remedy almost any woe of mine.  He knows my favorite wine, my favorite candy bar, my favorite movie, and when I just need a few hours to myself he graciously takes the kids for an afternoon.  He understands that there are times when I just need to hang out with my sisters.  He has accepted and never complained about my "I do not cook on Sundays" rule.

If there is any wisdom I can impart to my children from our love saga, it is that God's timing is not always our timing.  When we are open to His will and guidance in our lives, things have a beautiful way of working out.  I recently read the quote, "when things seem to be falling apart, they may just be falling into place." And so it was with Monkey and I.  In God's time, we found our partner for life in each other.  In God's time, our relationship became a blessed experience.  In God's time, our story made sense.  In God's time, we said our vows to one another; "I take you to be my spouse.  I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.  I will love you, and I will honor you, all the days of my life."  "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity."  In God's time, we found us.

So does Monkey have me all figured out?  Naw.  I don't even have myself figured out.  But he continues to learn and to try.  Years ago, I learned from a priest that true love in a marriage is to help your spouse get to Heaven.  The path is not always easy, but I am thankful and blessed that I have Monkey to walk this journey with me.

Happy Anniversary Monkey!  I love you!

Dating

The night we announced our engagement.

May 12, 2001

Adventure in Chicago

Monkey's Class Reunion

Tribute

                            

To the women who have raised me, loved me, influenced me and greatly inspired me; to the women whom I have been honored to call Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma; for the love, joy and faith you have shared with me; I love you and I thank you.            

                            

Grandma Frances

                           

Grandma Elodie

Great Grandma Isabel

Monkey Toe's Mom

My Mom

Cucumber's First Communion

On April 19, 2015, Monkey Toes and I brought our fourth child, Cucumber, to the Table of the Lord.  It was here that Cucumber welcomed Jesus into her heart and received Him for the first time in the Eucharist. It was the first of a life-time of opportunities that she will renew her commitment and love for Jesus each and every time she participates in the Liturgy.  It is the greatest gift in our faith, and in our life, that we can offer her.

First Eucharist Rehearsal and Scapular Investiture

Receive this Scapular. 

Full of faith in the love of such a great Mother, 

dedicate yourself to imitating her and to a special relationship with her.

Wear this sign as a reminder of the presence of Mary in your daily commitment to be clothed in Jesus Christ and to manifest him in your life for the good of the Church and the whole of humanity, 

and to the glory of the Most Blessed Trinity.   Amen.

Reception Preparation

First Communion Sunday

Cucumber's Godparents

First Communion is such a glorious and significant celebration in our faith life and in our family.  There is great anticipation as each of our children have begun their preparation to receive this sacrament.  The Mass was nothing short than beautiful.  With the first note sung in the Liturgy, I had tears welling up in my eyes. There was a radiance within each Communicant that was visible to all.

As Monkey Toes, Cucumber's Godparents and I surrounded her as she received the Eucharist, I think it is safe to say that we were all overcome with emotion.  I held it together until we made our way back to the pew, then Cucumber wrapped her arms around my waist and whispered in my ear, "I am so happy."  

And then the tears fell and I could not stop them.

We returned home to a houseful of friends and family who celebrated late into the evening with us.  It was a joyous occasion; one that Cucumber will hold in her heart forever.

  

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O Good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds hide me.

Permit me not to be separated from you.

From the wicked foe, defend me.

At the hour of my death, call me

and bid me come to you

That with your saints I may praise you

For ever and ever. Amen.