Be a Mother to me now.

Happy Mother's Day, to all you mamas out there, both physical and spiritual! Pray that your day is filled with lots of love and joy!

Joining another round of Answer Me This! Enjoy!

1. What's for dinner?

Sushi! Hopefully. For Mother's Day it's my pick since I'm the mama in this household. My pick usually is a fun brunch place or sushi! Hoping it's sushi, today!

Since having the boys we don't get out to sushi as often as my tastebuds would like, so it seems we've started going on special occasions. Something I am happy about and will take! Special occasion sushi is way better than no sushi.

***
Ok, just got back from dinner and we did not end up at my new favorite sushi place. Instead we went to an incredibly yummy burger place. So glad my husband reminded me I've been wanting a burger! This place came recommended by friends and it definitely lived up to it's reputation. It's called Shady's and has a fun open/outside set up to it. I had a burger with grilled onion and jalepeno, swiss cheese and fries. All that goodness was topped off with a perfectly made margarita. Good times were had, friends! And, I'm thankful!


2. What's the last thing you borrowed from someone?
Hm. I have to think about this one.

Ah, yes! I recently borrowed a garlic mincer from a friend who came over for dinner. We were hosting them for a fun Saturday evening dinner and seeing how I only recently discovered the magic and glory of a mincer but have yet to buy my own, asked if she would bring hers over.

Speaking of which, I need to get it back to her!


3. What is your favorite prayer?

Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.

It's a simple prayer that I hold dear to my heart. Ever since becoming a mama I pray these words during the tough days and the good days. It's comforting to know that the Mother of Our Lord is praying for me. I know she brings me to her Son when I call on her. And, I know she knows what to say to Him better than I ever could in the mama prayer department. Especially when I'm having one of those challenging mama days.

The prayer is one that I know Blessed Mother Theresa would encourage those she spoke with to pray. I met with the Sisters of Charity while I was in DC and one of the cards that Sister Theresa gave me had these words printed on the back (Not Blessed Mother Teresa, but a Sister that knew her and worked with her for awhile in India before moving to DC.). Special and beautiful and all things lovely.


4. What is the oldest thing in your house?
Does the house itself count? It was built in 1967. And, I honestly don't think we own anything that was made or purchased prior to that. I do have a ring-holder that was my maternal-grandmother's but I'm not sure how old it is. I also have a tray that belonged to her.

So, the answer to this question lies somewhere a midst the three things I just mentioned. Unless I'm completely missing something that's really old, but either way it's not on my radar right now, so I'm sticking to somewhere in the three mentioned.


5. What's the best concert you ever attended?
I've never been one for concerts. I did go to a Lifehouse concert while in graduate school that was standing room only in a warehouse type venue. That was fun. Aside from that, I'm a huge fan of anything jazzy, comfy, and cozy. Take me to a Jazz bar or restaurant with some good jazzy classics and I am one happy woman.


6. Do you have a nickname?

Never been one to be called anything other than Amanda for the most part. I suppose some people call me Manda, but I don't think that counts. I'm definitely not a Mandy nor have I ever been.

When I was little my mom, dad, and brother would call me Nana. My brother had trouble saying my whole name and so Nana it was. They still call me that every once in awhile, but once he started saying my whole name, that's what it was - Amanda.

The only other nickname that I would say stuck with one side of my family is Manny. I had an aunt that would babysit me often when younger and she would call me Manny. She still does to this day and so do some of my cousins and aunts on that side of my family. But, the nickname never escaped that side of my family.

~~~

That's all for Answer Me This with Kendra at Catholic All Year. Thanks for the fun content to blog about, Kendra! 

Also, tagging on What I Wore last Sunday. I got a picture but never got around to posting it. So, this will be me linking-up this week with what I wore last week for Mass. As well as a couple random photos of the boys at a park downtown. Random and fun times were had. 

Jewelry: James Avery

Cardi: Target

Dress: Online (can't remember the name)

Shoes: Nine West

All you amazing selfie takers for WIWS need to teach me your ways. I have no idea what I'm doing and would love some tips!!

Love him in this picture. Is it just me or is it so incredibly hard to get face forward pictures of toddlers??

Mr. Serious Linus on the Merry-Go-Round. He was a fan. But, I think he was more a fan of holding onto the ball he brought.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Going to leave you with a favorite quote from G.K. Chesterton on motherhood that the lovely Sarah also shared today.

How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe?

How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? 

No. A woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness.

-G.K.Chesterton

Weekends with Chesterton: Daybreak

Source: Unfortunately I cannot find the source on my Facebook feed anymore, nor the web.

Back for some Chesterton love! I found this circulating on Facebook and decided that I would love to own this mug. This is a great mug. One, that I would love to drink coffee out of on the daily.

I've never been much of a morning person. Ever. But, this words from Chesterton speak volumes to me. I do love the crispness and golden glory of mornings. They are fresh. Crisp. Gold. Sweet. And, all things new and lovely.

But, my bed has it's bit of glory characteristics as well! It's soft. Crisp (when sheets are new and fresh). Cozy. Comfy. A tranquility and warmth that invites us to linger and rest.

In the end, I do feel daybreak wins. I used to work at a coffee shop while in college. I took the morning shifts intentionally. I wanted to be forced out of bed. I wanted to greet all the fun morning people with their cup o' joe and to see the day break. I would be setting up the coffee shop for customers inside and out and would always make sure I would catch the sun coming up. It was one of my favorite times.

I wish I could have that same persistence on little sleep with my little ones and their tendency to invite me to their after-hour parties. The middle of the night parties that interrupt my sweet and precious sleep.

Linus has been doing pretty well these past few weeks, with some definite hiccups that involve at least two teeth trying to make their debut. While, Bigfoot has been struggling with sleep regression that involves us staying with him till he fully drifts to dreamland to our voice singing Hail Mary, Gentle Woman, "Haay May-wee, Mama...Hayy May-we..."

Praying that I can find the daybreak glory in staying with my toddler during this phase (please say it's a phase!). I know his sweet self won't always want me next to his bed singing to him into the night. And, I know my sweet Linus won't always want to snuggle with me nor nurse all the days of his life. Praying for grace to enjoy their little sweetness and their need for mama. This time is short. And, I love them. All of them. So, praying for the grace to meet them where they are as I know my God does on the daily with me.

Linking up with Sarah for Weekends with Chesterton.

Weekends with Chesterton: Skirts

Linking up with Fine Linens and Purple today for What I Wore Sunday - a link-up I always think to do but never get around to getting the pictures!

Also, sharing some Chesterton goodness on skirts and dignity for Sarah's Weekends with Chesterton link-up.

Haha, every weekend Chesterton wins me over again and again! His gift for words are just magic!

I was able to snap a shot of what I wore today for Mass with my iPhone (not the fancy cam yet, as it just finished charging hours ago), and decided I would seek out some Chesterton words on women's clothing.

Off I went to Google Search and entered "Chesterton" and "Women's clothing" and this tidbit of fun came up. It made me smile. It made me happy. It made me think of the months last year that I decided I would wear skirts and/or dresses everyday for as long as I could. I was intentional and diligent up until October came around and life around here started getting cold. Being a Southern Texas girl who now lives in North Texas, my wardrobe isn't very lending. Even though I've been here for four years now, I haven't expanded my winter wear as much as I'd like. All this to say, I didn't know how to make skirts and dresses work when it started getting cold!

At the end of it all, I have to say, wearing dresses everyday was wonderful! I felt beautiful. I felt feminine in a more intentional way. Obviously, I am naturally feminine because I am a woman but the flow and twirl, the gentleness and softness were just lovely! It was fun and easy too! My boys love to play hard all day and wearing the long dresses or skirts was more fluid than I anticipated for our daily fun. I honestly have yet to really unpack all that being more intentional in my beautiful gift of femininity that God has blessed me with, but I do know that Chesterton was onto something when he said that the skirt means female dignity (Just think of all the wonderful Theology of the Body correlations this quote has!!).

Unfortunately, as temperatures decreased my wardrobe that could support this endeavor did too. I threw in the towel and started wearing my jeans and pants again along with skirts when I could manage it. I think they all have their place, but I will say that it was a special time when I was "skirting up" (as Feminine Genius, Inc. likes to call it) and fun!

Not sure if or when I'll skirt up again, but for now I'll keep on keeping on skirting up for Mass. Here below is what I wore today (Sorry about the blur!).

Dress: Gift from my Mama - Macy's 2013

Leggings: Target?

Boots: Mikarose

Thanks for stopping by and look forward to seeing more on Chesterton and what everyone else wore!

the present moment: Why Monday, Why?

Oh, Monday! What have I done to you??

These are the days that I wrote my Lenten post for. This day when everything seems to not want to go "right".

Or whatever right there can be with two littles, two and under.

Either way, I started this Moments of Grace yesterday only for it to be posted today. Better late than never, huh? I've also had my Chesterton quote to share since last week only to squeeze it into this daybook post.

Haha. But, that's alright. It's just where I am right now. We are forever in move mode. Not fully here but not fully there either. Both places quite the mess, which means my brain just must follow suit.

On that note, here we go with my Moments of Grace: Online Daybook, a day late.


Thanking God for...
:: love.
:: my husband and our boys.
:: His lessons.
:: His graces.
:: family and friends.
:: moments of grace.

Praying for...
:: my husband. I'm starting the St. Joseph Novena today. He and all husbands will be my intentions. Joining my prayers with Mary at Better than Edan and all women praying for their husbands with this novena.
:: my boys.
:: grace in my vocation.
:: family members near and far.
:: all who I have offered to pray for.
:: thanksgiving.

Pondering...

Linking this up with Sarah and all the other fun Chesterton wisdom that can be found at her site. This quote is so commonly found but always so profound. I especially appreciated him talking about the great ideals not being lived enough. What a challenge!

Praying that I be able to live my ideals enough. To the point that others will see that there is nothing left wanting when they truly embrace the fullness of His truth.

Listening to...

)

I discovered this fun on Monday. The boys and I have been joining in on the dancing and have been loving it. Oh, how I love to dance!

Reading...
Scripture
Mama blogs for day-to-day encouragement during this Lenten journey.
Catholic Education: Homeward Bound By Kimberly Hahn & Mary Hasson
What's Wrong with the World by G.K. Chesterton
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

In the Kitchen...
Making a simple pasta with apple chicken sausage. Cook sausage ground style, add a can of red beans, add cooked cauliflour, mix in cooked noodles with italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powder and Viola!

Captured...
Not as much as I would like, meaning nada, on my fancy cam. But, I've been getting some snapshots for the Lentstagram Photo A Day Challenge that I'll share here.

Hoping to charge my fancy cam battery (finally!) and get to practicing my mamatography skills soon!

Humbled: Can't wait to enjoy the fruits of the blessing we have in our new home, everyday!

What packing looks like.

Also, what packing looks like when you have a teething one year old.

We love our new backyard playground! Our full move-in can't happen soon enough! Praying the carpet gets put in sooner than later!!!

Thanks for stopping by! Linking up with Jenny and all the other Lovely's over at Plain Grace.

{7i7} Weekends with Chesterton: A Proposal

Hi again, Chesterton friends. So, my husband and I were talking a little about Chesterton last weekend. While we were chatting, he started looking around for Chesterton gems and stumbled across Chesterton's proposal to Frances. It made me smile. It made me laugh. I could feel his love for his fiance. You see how he treasured her and how he was quite the funny man. Definitely encourage all of you to head over to this site to read the whole thing. It's kind of wonderful and fun. And, it doesn't hurt  that it gave me a reason to draw from the old archives of my bridals to find a picture to put to fun use. Those pictures are all on our external drive just hanging out with all of our other wedding and engagement pictures. So, when I find a random reason to use one, be sure I will!

I'm trying to be fun and creative with quotes I find but have yet to master the skill of typography; so here's the quote in the photo in plain text in case the one in the picture is hard to read:

‘Hast thou sent the Rain upon the Earth?’ should be inscribed on the Umbrella-Stand: perhaps on the Umbrella. ‘Even the Hairs of your Head are all numbered’ would give a tremendous significance to one’s hairbrushes: the words about ‘living water’ would reveal the music and sanctity of the sink: while ‘Our God is a consuming Fire’ might be written over the kitchen-grate, to assist the mystic musings of the cook – Shall we ever try that experiment, dearest. Perhaps not, for no words would be golden enough for the tools you had to touch: you would be beauty enough for one house…”

-G.K. Chesterton

Also, I'll be linking up with Jen this week for 7 posts in 7 days! A fun and crazy task all at once. See, we closed on our home this past week and are absolutely over the moon about it! Only thing is we will be slowly but surely moving in over this coming month. Thankfully we have time to do so, but will appreciate any prayers that our transition be a smooth one.

Thanks for stopping by!

Weekends with Chesterton: A Simple Kind of Love

It's Chesterton time! As much as I love him for his amazing gift with words, insight, intellect, and so much more, I find that when I try to write a post on one quote my mind wanders to the oodles of different ways the one line can be expanded on or applied. When I try to write my Chesterton posts, I feel as if I've put together the most discombobulated string of paragraphs because I have such a hard time honing in on just one avenue of thought. So, bear with me while I try to share some tidbits from the various avenues this line sent me to.

Men rush towards complexity;
but they yearn for simplicity.
-G.K.Chesterton

One thing I've always known about my husband is that he yearns for simplicity. It's something that I loved and still love about him. He would always encourage us to live within our means. To be as smart as we can with our money going forward. To not spend it on a bunch of wants but to discern our needs and go from there. To love each other, our boys, and others simply. A simple kind of love that focuses on the gift of ourselves to each other. Sometimes I'm good at it, but others I'm the one rushing toward the complex. 

Since being married, we've seen how easy it can be to get caught up in the complexities of life. From career to family life and everything in between, complexities can be found. Chesterton was right when he said men rush towards complexity. Complexity is something that just seems to happen when you don't have the time. Or, when you don't give the time deserved to situations, important decisions, or items purchased. It seems through proper discernment are we really able to find the simplicity we yearn for. But how challenging is discernment for the simpler things or simpler answers in a culture that is all about the now, and what's new, and immediate gratification at any cost.

Now with our children, we see how there is just so much going on in the world around them. Not only in our culture but in all the things that they should and shouldn't have. All the latest fads. All the latest toys. All the latest parenting advice. And so much more. Racking our brains into the complex.

I chose this picture because for our boys it is about the simpler things. And they run towards it! Through their innocence we see how they yearn for interaction, fun, and creative play. The outdoors, filled with fresh air and sticks to no abound. Hugs and smiles from the faces and arms of the ones they love (and who love them!). Pick-a-boo and tickle fingers. Eye contact and conversation. Empty boxes and long sheets or blankets. All of God's beautiful and simple gifts that overflow at every corner, at every step, at every sight, with every breath, and more. All to our delight! He meets us. To show us how simply He loves us. And we yearn for that. That simple kind of love.

Now, here's where Chesterton takes me down a different avenue. This quote also takes me back when I was in graduate school, I remember going on a day retreat. We went out to a Benedictine Monastery in Virginia and the grounds were beautiful! Our schedule was very nice. We could wander and spend the day in prayer, decided to meet for Mass midway, and then have a silent meal prior to being on our way.

While wandering, all I wanted to do was find a flower garden. The grounds were all so lush I had such visions of what their flower garden would be like! I crossed paths with a priest and asked him if he knew of where I could find one. He simply told me, "Look around you now!...There are flowers everywhere!" And proceeded to walk past me with a smile.

Ha. Feeling a little sheepish I found the nearest bench and pulled out my journal to sit and pray. I looked around. And, to my delight he was right. There were such beautiful flowers everywhere. And, I forget what month we were in (maybe May?), but the wind started to pick up and brought a shower of dandelions floating through the air. It was so magical! I've never been surrounded by so many little dandelions floating and dancing around me! It was beautiful. I felt so held. So loved in such a kind and simple way. Had I not left this complicated little journey I created for myself to find the most beautiful flower garden, I would never have seen Him in all the little and simple places that surrounded me. I would never have been held the way I was on that bench. I would have been seeking and searching for something that may not have even existed. All the while, He would have continued beckoning me, simply to sit and be still. I left that retreat always trying to remember to look around for the flowers that are everywhere. For the simpler things that are right in front of my nose!

So, I'm glad I stumbled across this quote because it brought me back to such a sweet time and helped me see a little more how sweetly simple our boys are. To see how it is a gift that my husband yearns for it and encourages it in our little family. It also helped me remember the beautiful world that they are trying to bring their complex mama into. The beautiful one that Our God made. The one that abounds with simplicity that we all yearn for.  

Head over to Sarah's for more Chesterton!

Weekends with Chesterton: Monotony

Sarah, we must be on the same wavelength! These words from Chesterton make my heart and soul happy!

His words are so jam-packed with so much goodness and so much challenge it's hard to decide on what to touch on. Strength. Us not being strong enough. The vitality of little ones. God's strength. The morning, evenings, daisies, beauty and a Father who is younger than we. 

Love, love, love!

What I mainly bring away from it all at this moment is hope. There is hope in the child's fierce spirit. There is hope in that my God is strong enough to not only partake in monotony, but to exult in it. Lord knows I try Him! There's a sweet and joyful hope that God our Father is younger than we and has the eternal appetite of infancy. This hope is so very encouraging. This hope makes me feel held, even at my worst.

Praying that I be able to joyfully embrace the blessed monotony that is mine.

Visit Sarah's for more Weekends with Chesterton.

Moments of Grace and Chesterton

Thanking God...

::for His Will.

::for His Grace and Patience.

::for His Love and Mercy.

::for our little family.

::for time with our family that are not near.

::for my vocation of mother and wife.

::for my husband - our rock.

::for new days.

Praying...

::for our little family.

::for family that aren't near us but are always near our hearts.

::for grace in my vocation.

::for a special intention.

::for Bobbi and her family.

::for a dear friend.

::for patience and love.

::for a thankful and joyful heart.

Pondering...

My boys see such joy so easily in our day to day. They see adventure in jumping from low stools and running into a pile of pillows and blankets. They see a cave to climb through when under the kitchen table and are so curious about whats behind every closed door. Around every corner is adventure. Praying that I be able to see more of the incalculable wonders that exist within our own little family. Praying that I take more moments to explore the pile of blankets and empty boxes. Praying that I don't steal their present and day-to-day fairy-tale with my own selfishness, unwillingness, and stubbornness. Praying I see more of the adventure we were all born into.

Loving this quote...

From the Kitchen...

::making spaghetti tonight. I make the sauce from scratch so it's always a little different every time. Depends on my mood. More basil? More garlic? Mushrooms? Onions? etc etc It helps that both boys chow down every time I make it.

Captured...

Not much. Not only did I take a blogging haitus but I also have not touched my camera since we got home from Christmas travels. The day after we got home we all tested positive for the flu with the toddler tacking on an ear infection of his own. Since then I've just been trying to find my groove again.  We passed on a house during that time (our second one) which was disheartening. I feel like January has been the month to try and get out of feeling in slump.

Hopefully, I'll be able to bust out my super mama cape and have a wonderful February. This North Texas January weather has not been fun either. At. All.

***

Head on over to Jenny's and Sarah's for more Moments and Chesterton :)

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." –G.K. Chesterton

Weekinds with Chesterton: Free love

Linking up this old post to the new Weekends with Chesterton over at Amongst Lovely Things. Looking forward to diving more into his readings! Hope y'all enjoy this oldie but goodie! I promise there won't be another re-post next weekend! 

 

The revolt against vows has been carried in our day even to the extent of a revolt against the typical vow of marriage. It is most amusing to listen to the opponents of marriage on this subject. They appear to imagine that the ideal of constancy was a yoke mysteriously imposed on mankind by the devil, instead of being as it is, a yoke consistently imposed by all lovers on themselves. They have invented a phrase, a phrase that is a black and white contradiction in two words-‘free-love’-as if a lover ever had been, or ever could be, free. It is the nature of love to bind itself, and the institution of marriage merely paid the average man the compliment of taking him at his word. 

-G.K. Chesterton

Chesterton says it so clearly. Our society says it’s okay to divorce, encourages cohabitation, says you should sleep around till you find the “right” person, seek pleasure for self, find the quick fixes, seek immediate gratification, and more, all in the name of freedom. This makes me sad. I see the pain. The indifference. The maltreatment. The objectification. The numbing and all else that comes with the do what feels right for you right now. Honestly, my love for my husband has never felt so free until the day we said “I do”. And now being able to see how the vow continues to naturally further bind us through the gift of our little Bigfoot. Love binds and it is beautiful…if we let it be.

The thing is, people now adays trick themselves into thinking that they aren’t saying “I do” to anything, but in reality every time they are physically or emotionally intimate with another person there is a an automatic physical and emotional “I do” that takes place and penetrates the very soul; which is how God intended it to be - a beautiful and transcendent experience of His Love. Chesterton was right, it is a “contradiction” to try and live out love as society thinks it should be lived.

So, with that,  I’m grateful for the Church's teachings of what it means to make a vow and for the respect that His Church has and always will give to the act and meaning of a vow. I’m grateful for the respect that His Church gives to us in trusting us to be open to the grace that flows from such a high calling in all the various vocations. And, I’m grateful for His Church standing firm these past 2000+ years.

There is a revolt on vows. For this very reason I am grateful for all who strive to live out their vow. Yes, some days can be scary, difficult, and trying; but it is in those times that we are most called to pick up our cross, to be committed, and to stand by what we believe in rather than flee in the face of fear.

It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start. -Blessed Mother Teresa

“Do not be afraid” He tells us. He knew we would experience fear. He knew that we would be tried and challenged, and that it wouldn’t be easy. And so, He told us, “Do not be afraid”.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:5

And, during reflections like this, I’m thankful for the gift I have in GeekMan who understands the goodness of the vows we took. And thankful for my God who is always with us sharing His Grace in the good times and bad.

(updated in the beginning with an image and slight intro for link-up purposes.)