Life and Flowers.

Music videos from Danielle Rose are sprinkled throughout this little blog because I find that she has a gift that is so very beautiful and so very inspiring. A voice of beauty that blesses any and all ears it falls upon. Thanks be to God!

This blog also is sprinkled with wisdom from Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, because wisdom, love, goodness, and so much more.

Danielle has released a new music video today sharing about God's love, the gift of life, trusting in Him, the Body of Christ, and so much more. It's beautiful. It's moving. It's filled with love and goodness and hope.

"How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers."

-Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta 

Danielle's new song brings beauty and life to words that Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta shared years ago. In her new song Little Flower from her Culture of Life album, Danielle Rose blends Blessed Mother Teresa's wisdom, God's love, and the joy of life. The project that inspired this song is called the Little Flower Project based out of China serving numerous areas to protect, love, and serve these beautiful little flowers that God planted in His Garden here on earth.

Take some time. Listen to the song. It will stir your heart. Share it with friends and family so that we can continue to spread the message of love and hope. To share the message that each child is good, worthy, and of value. Children around the world and those in our home each have a beautiful dignity that we will only be able to fully grasp when in Heaven. Thankfully we get sweet reminders to be more intentional about nourishing these precious little lives, near and far, by blessed artists such as Danielle.

Thanks for stopping by and thank you for sharing! And if you feel so inspired to make a difference for these sweet children in the video go here.

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Check out this beautiful and fun behind the scenes video!

And, you can find the lyrics to this song here. Take the time to read through them. So much beauty in the detail!

the present moment // the sickies update

Thinking about // My boys. Linus had a mystery fever that revealed itself on Monday to be Hand, Foot, Mouth disease. And now, Bigfoot has followed suit. They are struggling through Hand Foot Mouth, which is just such a terrible virus! Linus was hit first with fever, which we at first chalked up to a random teething fever that would pass. Come Monday we saw little blisters presenting themselves on his little hands, feet, and mouth. Poor baby. The blisters are so uncomfortable and now with Bigfoot following closely in his little blistered footsteps we have shut down our little household for a few weeks of quarantine. 

HFM has rocked sleep for Linus these last few nights which has made dealing with fussiness during the day from the discomfort of this virus challenging for me. As I mentioned in my last post, my husband has been amazing, which has been so helpful. Coffee has been there for me too! *fist bump to my java* I've been better since Monday evening, but definitely did struggle that first evening of no sleep and the morning after that. Fortunately, they are still pretty stinking cute in between all the mess that the sickies bring about.

Admittedly, I was dreading waking up this morning because I know blisters are in Bigfoot's near future. But, thankfully, I woke up to something I have kept close to me all day. Gina over at Someday Saints commented on my last post sharing that in times of sick kiddos she relies heavily on Blessed Mother Teresa's prayers and example to get her through with more patience and love. Gina, thank you so much for that tidbit of mama wisdom! Since I read your comment I looked up some Blessed Mother Teresa wisdom and have been thinking about it ever since, keeping it close to my heart and praying it infiltrate my actions for the boys today.

I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?

-Blessed Mother Teresa

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

-Blessed Mother Teresa

It is a beautiful experience to embrace our little ones in their sickness no matter how challenging it may be on us physically, mentally, or emotionally. At the end of the day, these little ones look to us for love and comfort. I've been focusing on just tending to my two little ones - because Lord knows I'd be in trouble if there were hundreds ;) - and trying to find the beauty in the snuggles, gift of modern medicine, and the gift of motherhood which sanctifies me daily.

Thankful for // So many things!

I'm thankful for the time we got to spend with family from San Antonio over the weekend. We were able to share our new home with them and enjoy so many fun new memories.

I'm thankful for my mom. Her birthday was a few days ago. Her birthday always reminds me of the gift I have in her. In her life. The life that she has lead and all the goodness she has always striven for. Thankful for the love that she shared with our little family growing up and the love that she continues to share with my little family. Thankful for another year of her wonderful self. Thankful.

Speaking of my mom, I'm thankful for her new work that will be bringing her up here for a little more than a day next week! Yay, us! And, again in a few more weeks time! So very thankful for that! 

Thankful for my husband and how amazing he has been since the boys have come down with this as well as in helping me get healing for my lower back problems. He's been so supportive and all things wonderful.

Thankful for Sister Kathleen. I got a letter from her last week. She shared that she has been improving and is beginning to walk again. Praise God! But, oh, how I miss her! 

Thankful for our home, our family, our friends. Thankful for community and support that I find through blogging. Thankful for my little life. 

Oh, and thankful for this fun buy from Francesca's over the weekend. I love it! It's so comfy, flowy, fun, and was on major sale (click on the image to go check it out!)! 

Capsule worthy, Jenna?

Loving // Life at home. We were home the month of August and it was wonderful. We found a beautiful rhythm that seems to be working for us on the weekends. We've been able to tackle more home projects, organizational projects, and fun than we have in all our months living here combined. It's been nice having that consistency and it's been nice seeing our little home improvements come to fruition. 

I also am quite in love with my Mr. Handyman of a husband. Quite a lot in love with this man-side of him. 

Listening to // We've been enjoying the classical station on Pandora. Still keeping true to my Ella Fitzgerald station as well during mama chores too.

The boys continue to enjoy our Matt Mahar - Lord, I need you station on Youtube and I've enjoyed these two new video/songs a lot. You have to mix it up sometimes and dance a little and these two songs get me moving in a way that makes me smile. Haha, enjoy!

Cheers to Shaking off the sickies and having fun all about that bass dance parties while the boys nap!

Have any of your littles ever experienced Hand Foot Mouth before? What got you all through?

Linking-up with beautiful Jenna over at A Mama Collective for Currently.

Embrace the Ordinary {1}

When I think about what it means to truly embrace the ordinary I think of how my life has flopped since becoming a mama. I never knew how incredibly ordinary and yet completely foreign my days would be.

I never knew that a simple trip to the store would be everything but simple, and yet still something I would be called to embrace. Called to embrace the little tidbits of fun in the form of smiles and giggles that my kids would offer throughout our errand. Or, called to embrace the tears and tantrums because they're having a hard time and need their mama for whatever toddler reason they decided on at that time.

Gina over at Someday Saints started a new link-up which I'm excited about. It's called Embrace the Ordinary.

You see, Gina's right! Our sweetly simple, day-to-day, ordinary trip to the store is where I was called at that time and wherever I am called is where I am meant to be. And, wherever I am meant to be is where I can learn and know Him who loves me more than ever. My daily ordinary is where I can find His Beautiful Face if I choose to seek Him.

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. 

-Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I never knew that vacations or trips back home, something we've done for years, would look so very very very different. I never knew a sweet trip to the beach would be as exhausting as it would be relaxing. Or, as despairing (at times) as it would be filled with a joy I've never known before.

I never knew my sleep would not be my own. That I would yearn for a complete 8 hours of sleep (uninterrupted) as if I had been starved for a whole year. But still, in my exhaustion, experience the sweetest snuggles filled with the sweetest love I've ever known.

I never knew waking up in the morning to begin a day of service and self-giving would bring me so much personal struggle and personal growth. The kind of growth I've prayed for since before I can remember.

Use me, Lord.

Help me to share Your Love. 

Help me to know You more. 

I want to serve You. Show me how.

I never knew that in this place I would find answered prayers from long ago. Answered prayers that I sometimes embrace joyfully and other times, not so much.

My list of I-never-knews can go on forever. And, I'm thankful for that in this moment. The list can go on forever because there is so much ordinary in my day-to-day. And, it is good. So very good. Even on our worst days.

So, with that, I'm thankful for this link-up that will help encourage me to continue to seek to embrace my daily ordinary with a joyful heart. A thankful heart. So that God has room to work in and through me.

At the end of each of these ordinary days, my sin is what keeps me from sharing the true and beautiful desires of my heart: To make a beautiful home filled with love and goodness for my husband and my boys.

I shall accommodate myself to them as far as I can, and as long as I live I shall serve God in them in unfeigned love. 

-St. Bernard

The hard thing is my struggle not only hurts me but my family too. This is such a challenging reality that I have yet to reconcile. I'm not good at putting others before me. It does not come naturally to me. I just pray that while I'm working through this, trying to be the mother and wife I know I desire to be and, with God's grace, can be; my family will still feel loved more than they know. Because the truth of it all is that I love them more than they'll ever know. Each one of them. I just have my struggles at embracing my little place in life (especially on no sleep with a dose of major back pain). My little place that is truly good and beautiful is just that. And, with God's grace, I pray that I embrace it - with more smiles and joy than grouchiness and short-tempers!

Here's my new little prayer that has been helping during my difficult times:

Come Holy Spirit. It is good that I am here. Amen.

After the Edel Gathering, I came back refreshed, yes, but also knowing that what we do is tough. Which is why, when Haley shared some wisdom from Lewis, I felt encouraged, solidarity, and like I need to stop resisting my little path to Home.

The more we get what we now call ourselves out of the way and let Him take us over, the more truly ourselves we become. 

-CS Lewis

I know it's a lengthy, Embrace the Ordinary, but thanks for hanging around! Promise the next one will be a little more to the point. Till then, here are a few photos of my recent ordinary:

The boys love emptying toy bins and running around with them over their heads blindly or scrunching themselves up inside. The best is when daddy uses his muscles to lift them. Homemade roller-coaster.

Drums and cars are on the daily lately. Lots of zooming around and banging on anything and everything.

This little boy *loves to drum. All day. Every day. My ears will thank him when he learns the art good of music.

This boy loves to snuggle. I love him for it too, because I am all about the snuggles!

Days with no-naps usually have afternoons that look like this. Not too terrible. This time of day is when I really need to learn to get out of myself. 

Our snuggler has been getting out of bed (nightly) lately to come sneak into ours. I or my husband wake up with him smashed up against us. Because - snuggles. I know he won't want to do this forever. So, for now, pray I can embrace the sweetness as well as continue to encourage the return to his own room to snuggle with Curious George.

This teething toddler has wreaked some major havoc on my sleep. But the way he needs/wants me is sweet and truly filled with a good love.

Ah, yes. Beer is good. Especially with my love. I love these nights together, babe. I really do.

They're good together - these brothers. And, I love them so much for it. I love them so much for this and more.

Edel: How Wonderful and Beautiful!

This past weekend I was blessed to attend the Edel Gathering. I still feel like I'm a stumbling ball of nerves even as I try to put together all that I experienced throughout the weekend. So, bear with me and know that this may get a little jumbled.

Let us throw ourselves into the ocean of His goodness, where every failing will be canceled and anxiety turned into love. 

-St. Paul of the Cross

You see, my incredibly amazing blessing of a husband surprised me with tickets to Edel. When I first heard about the conference, I made it a point to tell him about how much I would love to go, but a big part of me never really thought I would attend. Little old me? Baby blogger. Commenter to all the wonderful Rockstar bloggers that would make up the majority of this wonderful event? What was I thinking to begin with??!! Attend an event where I had yet to meet anyone in person? Haha. Silly, Amanda! Trying to play an extrovert when your little introvert heart would prefer to continue to share on your baby blog the tidbits of your life from the safety of your sweet home. But, at the end of it all, I'm so glad that His Will is so much greater than mine ever will be. This gathering truly was my ocean of goodness where all my anxieties were met with a beautiful love.

From the start, I was met with warm smiles and open hearts. The dancing, the drinks, the hugs, and all the fun on Friday were filled with a love that I could never have anticipated. A love that seamlessly continued throughout the weekend.

Everything comes from love,
all is ordained for the salvation of man,
God does nothing without this goal in mind. 

-St. Catherine of Siena

To start off our amazing time together, the incredibly sweet and wonderful Hallie said that when she prayed she felt God calling her to share: It is good you are here. Through her prayerful mama heart, God hugged and loved each one of us women there. He wanted to make sure that we knew that not only is it good that we were all at Edel, but that it is good that we are where we are in our vocation. How affirming, beautiful, and needed. Because, at the end of every day, it is so very good we are where we are! This phrase, I will now forever keep with me as a little prayer. When I feel overwhelmed or tired, cranky or happy: It is good that I am are here. Come Holy Spirit. Amen.  (Because we all know that if it's the tired and cranky me, that extra request for help from Our Advocate will be needed!).

Beautiful Marion continued the amazing tone of warmth and goodness when she shared a beautiful part of herself with all of us. In encouraging us to embrace the gift we have in His Truth and the amazing Freedom that comes with His Perfect Will for us and where we are in our vocation could not have spoken more to my little mama heart. It is good that I am me. Wife and mother to my little family. And, not only is this truth good, but that there are so many other wonderful Catholic women living out their vocation too. I am not alone. It's so easy to feel lost in today's culture, especially being a mama trying to build up our own little cathedrals in our domestic monastery.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. 

-Blessed Mother Teresa

I thought of this quote during Marion's talk. Her message and this weekend truly brought together the hugest of huge messages that we are not alone. Not only are we not alone, but we are filled to the brim with the Body of Christ that is alive and well and oh-so-good! I love what Blessed Mother Teresa says above. She's so right! It is so easy to feel like just a drop in the ocean, but God knows that our work is good and matters so very much. And, the beauty of our faith is that we find Him on the Cross and we find Him in His Glory. In our struggle or in our joy, we have each other, we have Him who holds us, and the ocean would be less if any one of us were missing.

Then there was Haley. Amazing Haley! Let motherhood change me. Do not be afraid! Oh, goodness! How many times have I wondered where the me pre-marriage and baby has gone! Listening to her share how incredibly good it is that we are embracing our path to sanctity just filled me. It filled me with the peace that Yes, being a wife and mama has changed me and this is exactly what He wants for me. Which is not only good, but absolutely amazing! Because at the end of it, I am no longer a practicing therapist. Nor am I an interpreter. My licences have been put to rest because I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit calling me to mother my family from home. These nudges are good. They are beautiful. And, they are guiding me in His Will for me. Do not be afraid.

And last, there was Jen. Wonderful, wonderful Jen! Not only are we not doing this alone, but we have the amazing Body of Christ well and alive ready to joyfully walk along with us. We are building small cathedrals in the quiet (or the crazy) of our little homes. But, the doors to our domestic monastery do not have to be closed. Edel, for many of us, is where the doors burst open. We, women and mothers, welcomed each other into our little spaces to say that we can do this together through sharing, fellowship, and prayers. And, I pray that I have the grace to share the amazing joy that I experienced this weekend enjoying, embracing, and partying along side the beautiful Body of Christ with women I know at home.

Now that I'm here. The Monday after this glorious conference. I can say, the ocean of goodness that I experienced this past weekend at the Edel Gathering truly did cancel so much anxiety and convert it to amazing love, peace, and goodness. Holy Spirit was truly kind and sweet, nourishing and loving little me the entire weekend through so many faithful and beautiful women. Beautiful women who met me with smiles and warm hearts. There was an openness here that I've never seen before. I met so many wonderful women, and I'm so very grateful for that. Not only am I grateful for meeting all of you, but I'm also grateful for the Fiat that you all had to say for this conference to truly transpire.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 

-Romans 8:28 

Now, here's where I go off on a little tangent. While at Edel, I started thinking about sweet Sister Kathleen who I have mentioned time and time again on this blog. All I could think of was her beautiful presence and what made her so incredibly beautiful and Christ-like (which makes sense that I would start thinking of sweet Sister because there was such a presence of Christ throughout the conference.).The verse above is one that she would often bring me back to. Along with Romans 8:28, (which I had actually hashtaged on an instagram photo prior to seeing that Romans 8:28 was part of Mass Readings on Sunday! Hello, Holy Spirit! Again! Thank ya very much!), gratitude, wonder, and awe were always focused on during our time together.

While I was at Edel, gratitude, wonder, and awe were all permeating in the eyes, souls, and sweet smiles of all the wonderful women embracing each other in love all weekend. The gratitude we all were feeling gave way for Our Lord to allow the greatness of wonder and awe to work in us. The tears of someone opening their heart to listen to the Holy Spirit work through all the amazing speakers and encounters that we had with each other were just the beginning. All the tears, for me, represented the goodness of wonder and awe. But, not only wonder and awe for the event and all that transpired, but wonder and awe for the One who loves us more than we'll ever know. Wonder and awe for how He pursues us with such a strength! Us mothers. Us women. In our homes. In our families. In our work. And, in our play. How could we not cry in all those moments that He was seeking to love us? Through every talk, through every comfort, through every new friend, He was yelling from the rooftops that He loves us. And it was overwhelming in such a good and amazing way.

Continuing on my Sister Kathleen tangent, every time I went to meet with her for spiritual direction, wonder and awe, mixed with a lot of joyful gasps is usually whet I was met with. And, I'll always remember when I spoke to her of spiritual dryness or the distance I felt with my Lord. She responded with a *joyful gasp* and followed it with, "How wonderful it is to be loved by Him so much that he would give you the grace to see the distance!", and how in that mere grace, "You should behold how much he truly loves you and is fiercely pursuing you in your dryness. How wonderful and beautiful!"

Oh, sweet Sister. Only you would see the goodness of my dryness! But, I guess my point in sharing this is that in my attending Edel this past weekend, through the Holy Spirit working through so many amazing women open to His Goodness, I was able to see my God not only see little me, but also to see how incredibly true it is that He is always pursuing me with a love that I will only truly be able to fathom when in Heaven.

With that, I say, thank you. Thank you so very much, to all the women I met and did not meet (I really am much more shy and introverted than I realize! Ha.). Thank you to Jen and Hallie for your amazing courage and goodness! You said Yes to Him. And, even if it felt overwhelming. You said your Fiat in a way that built Edel on a foundation of amazing love! That foundation opened the doors for us all. So, thank you! And to all the women present (all who helped from behind the scenes, with emceeing, attended, and who did not attend but were with us in spirit), thank you for your openness to His love for you! Because of your courage to say Yes to Him and the Holy Spirit, I have been able to see my sweet Lord love little me in such a sweet way. A love that said He sees me still and that He will never stop pursuing little old me with a great great love. That it is wonderful that I am me. It is wonderful that I am here. In my vocation. In my motherhood. And, that I should not be afraid, but that I should continue to boldly walk where He takes me. Because where ever that will be, it will be good that I am there.

I also want to say thank you to my husband. Through your desire to help me know the love of Christ and because of your obedience to the nudge you got from the Holy Spirit to purchase me a ticket to Edel, I was able to experience an overwhelming amount of love and goodness. My heart and soul were beautifully filled. Thank you for being such a vessel of His love for me. xoxo!

So with all of that, FORWARD and ONWARD to building our little cathedrals! And, again, Thank you for blessing me so abundantly and helping my Savior to let my little mama heart know that it is good that I am here. Here in my marriage. Here in my motherhood. Here in my vocation that He has called me to. It is good.

We should realize that those things which run counter to our own plans and likings are graces one and all. The Will of God permits them for us; they represent His persistent following of us. We should embrace them, make the most of them, pay the little price that they entail. His Will must always over-ride ours. Little sacrifices are all we are able to bear; let us be faithful in accepting them gladly with our Mother's help. We have only this life, and perhaps only a short one, in which to prove our love. If we make the effort, Jesus and Mary will help us to carry it through. If one saw things truly, how one should be grateful and rejoice at every physical weakness, tiredness... These are our slight share of Christ's sufferings and graces.

-Venerable Edel Quinn 

Venerable Edel Quinn, pray for us. 

(Also, seeing how I am not the extrovert I wish I could be in big crowds, I failed to take any selfies with any of the wonderful women I had never met before. I am now kicking myself for this! But, I guess this just means I have to make sure to attend Edel 15 so I can have a do-over in this little hiccup. *wink-wink*, husband. <3 i="">

Ocean of Goodness and Love

It's one of those days where I have zero clue as to the actual day. I was swearing to my husband that it was Monday, which gave him one of those please-let-her-be-wrong-it-couldn't-possibly-be-Monday looks. Fortunately, I was wrong. But, gee-whiz, if that's any sign that I/we could use a break I don't know what is!

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

-Blessed Mother Teresa

With late work nights, scattered with holidays, and life responsibilities, I feel like my head is just above water. Peeking out. Trying to find land. I know it's there. Just a few more strokes till my feet can touch the ground so that I can find my bearings and hopefully trudge my way to dry land. It's there. Dry land. Sunshine. Salty breezes. And, warmth.

The soft sand that squishes beneath your toes. The landing place that lets you sit back and enjoy the sounds of the ocean instead of forcing yourself to fight the current. Where you can just enjoy the salty air. Breathe it in. Feel it on your skin. Enjoy.

I know it's there. But, when you're out, treading past wave after wave, it's hard to really know. All you see is the next wave coming your way. You pray that you can get over this next one - just this next one. Because that's the only energy you can muster up for that moment. Enough energy for the next one.

And, sometimes that's okay. Sometimes that's just the season. We've been up to our ears in that season these last few weeks, but thankfully, the water is getting to a place of calm. And, thankfully I can swim. Even if it looks rough. Even if it's not entirely efficient. I'm just thankful I can tread. Thankful.

Long work hours are tough days/weeks/months for everyone. Limits get tested both physically and mentally. Throw a teething baby into the mix - the one who likes to arch his back and not be consoled - and you have a mix for the potential to drown.

But, I'm not drowning. I'm not going to drown. Grace abounds. And, this is good.

Let us throw ourselves into the ocean of His goodness, where every failing will be canceled and anxiety turned into love.
-St. Paul of the Cross

The passion of Jesus is a sea of sorrows, but it is also an ocean of love. Ask the Lord to teach you to fish in this ocean. Dive into its depths. No matter how deep you go, you will never reach the bottom.
St. Paul of the Cross

  

The words of the saints hold me during these times. They remind me that every little bit counts and the fact that I am treading water is okay. They remind me that even though my little ocean exhausts me from time to time, I am forever thankful for every part of it.  The two toddlers and wonderful husband make up my little ocean of goodness. It's the same ocean where His Love can always be found whether it be on the sandy beach or deep in the crashing waves.

Every time I respond with love and tenderness, His Goodness and Love meets my children and husband. The saints remind me that His Love abounds and somehow my failings can be transformed with His Grace. They remind me that I've been taught to love and therefore am capable to share it - daily and to the best of my sleepy-mama ability.

As much as I struggle, I know I love them with all that I am. And, because of that truth I know that at the end of my days I have erred on the side of Love as much as my little mama self can. So, the challenge for me is to find Him and His Love in my crashing waves and in the sunshine. To know that this is a season. That it will pass. And, with His Grace, embrace the ups and downs of my vocation with joy.


The saints are always so great about encouraging perspective in me that calms my soul during these tough times. What brings you to a place of peace during the crazy that inevitably ensues with littles under your roof?

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

CWA3: Fall

Thanking God for:
:: For His Grace, Mercy, and constant Love. I've been a mess this past week and there's nothing like a Father who just wants me to know that I am loved despite my craziness.

::For His Mother, our Lady.
::My Husband. He is kind and patient and constantly showing me that I am loved - despite my craziness. He reminds me that I need to get some sleep and that my craziness is for lack of sleep which helps me feel slightly less crazy. He listens to me and holds me. He sits with me and knows me. These are all good things.
::For two beautiful boys. They teach me about Joy, Wonder, and Awe on a daily basis.
::For new days. Today is a new day. A new start. A new beginning.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today.     Let us begin.”

-Blessed Mother Teresa

I am praying:
:The St. Therese of Liseuxe Novena. We're on Day 2. Such a sweet Saint that encouraged all to find love in little places. Little to-do's. Little ways. She is so dear to my mama heart because all the things that I do seem so little in the grand scheme of it all. We mama's do so many little things everyday. Join in the Novena here!

Jesus does not so much look at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.

-St. Therese of Liseuix

::For a special intention.

::For Grace & Love.

::For my family.

::For my Uncle who lost his brother.

::For Wisdom.


I am pondering:
::The gift of woman. Typically when I start to struggle with something, I seek out the root - or try to - of who I am in the eyes of my Lord. All of this pondering has brought me to pondering the gift of woman, the gift of us in our femininity. Of motherhood, both spiritual and physical. How irreplaceable we are in a society that seems to think we are replaceable or not set apart from our male counterparts. A society that tells us in order to be considered successful we must do so in terms of men and what success looks like on them. We have our own feminine genius and it is beautiful.

I am reading:
::Scripture

::Meditations for Mothers By Fr. John Bartunek, LC


I am creating:
::A loving home as best I can.


I'm learning:
::a lot. Everyday. Slowly but surely. He is honing me. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to fight Him on it. To say my Fiat and to say it Joyfully.


In the Kitchen:
We're having this Balsamic Crockpot Chicken tonight on whole wheat tortillas and salad with some ranch dressing. Also, having a veggie along with these yummy potatoes from Pioneer Woman (note: the potatoes are amazing!!!). My tastebuds are thrilled.


I'm wearing:
A dress I got from Target a few years ago. So comfy and nurse friendly.


Look what I found:
::I found this fun Scarf Swap idea from my friend Britt. Britt blogged about it here. Hope to join next year!
::Katrina over at Cedars and Tiny Flowers wrote a post that I could have written today or everyday these past few weeks. Finding new blogs to follow is so fun. I'm still learning the ins and outs of the blogging community but there are just so many wonderful women sharing their faith, lives, and families out there! It's a community that definitely is nourishing for this mama's heart.

::This beautiful post about Love coming first. 

::This post about loving your post-partum body. Baby steps in that realm going on over here.

::And this incredibly beautiful post about having it all. Here words were whimsical and beautiful and oh-so-very-true. In fact, after this post I'm going to make sure I read it again.


I'm looking forward to:
::Fall. Fall weather. Fall clothes. Fall colors. Fall foods. Fall holidays. Fall feast days. Fall Smells! Fall everything!


Favorite quote of the day:

Woman,
the crown of creation, and in a certain sense its masterpiece;
woman,
that gentle creature to whose delicate hands God seems to have entrusted
the future of the world to such an extent,
in so far as she is man's help;
woman,
the expression of all that is best, kindest, most lovable here below...
Pope Pius XII

One of my favorite things:
::Everything that comes out of Bigfoot's mouth. 

::& that Linus has been saying Mama with more intentionality since yesterday.


The week ahead:
::I'm breathing in and breathing out. I'm going to try and be beautiful and lovely and all things feminine. I'm going to try and be diligent, encouraging, and supportive. I'm going to enjoy my boys and love their father. I'm going to stick to the basics till I start getting a better hang of sleep (I think we're getting there, which is exciting!).


Captured:

My heart. This was a few nights ago. I love these three!

Sweet one, meet Family

Eli, my Sweet P, welcome to our family. Our family loves to love. So, be excited my sweet, you're in for tons of kisses, snuggles, OoOos and Aaaas, kind words, loving acts of service, and with God's grace, so many more ways of loves sweet expressions. All your grandparents, Auntie, and Uncles were ready to meet you when you were born. Everyone was excited and filled with Joy upon meeting you, as they were with your older brother (who, by the way, wanted to hold you the moment he saw you). Here are some photos of those precious moments.

Big brother just wanting to hold and hug you.

Uncle Aaron and Rebekah.

You with Papa, Yaya, and Auntie Hailey.

Here your mama is with your Uncle Mychael and you.

Papa Ram and Nana.

Papa Wooley and Nonna.

And here you are, my precious. Love you tons!

Thank you for blessing us all with the gift of you and giving us the opportunity to learn more about love.

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy. -Blessed Mother Teresa

God does not command that we do great things, only little things with great love. -Blessed Mother Teresa

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

"Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other." -Blessed Mother Teresa

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." -Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Givelove to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next doorneighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better andhappier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in yourface, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. -Blessed Mother Teresa

We are at Jesus’ disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if hewants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to cleanthe toilets all day, that’s all right, everything is all right. We mustsay, “I belong to you. You can do whatever you like.” And this is ourstrength. This is the joy of the Lord. -Blessed Mother Teresa

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

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.)

Joy is the surest sign of God’s presence in the soul. -Blessed Mother Theresa

Singing & Dancing

Happy feast day of St. Francis of Assisi!

St. Francis of Assisi is well known by many, including our little family. His prayer has helped me, throughout my years, to keep focused. To not become so self absorbed. It has kept me from forgetting where true Joy and Peace comes from. Not by focusing on how others can be instruments for me but to remember that I am here to be an instrument to others; first and foremost, in this recent year, to GeekMan and Bigfoot.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

I love how when St. Francis had his major conversion of heart, he sought solitude. Something our society is definitely not comfortable with anymore. And yet, solitude can be such a beautiful thing. It’s where everything becomes quiet again. Where you can hear everything that stirs, even that within your soul. Solitude is where God can meet us; meet us in a beautiful silence.

Being a stay at home mama, solitude has taken on a new meaning and experience. My times of silence are few and far between, because I fill it it with anything and everything. There was a time, while I was in college, I sought solitude and silence. I had so much peace during this time. That time was such a gift for my soul and heart. And now, I do feel peace, but not the same as before. I think that’s because I’m in an entirely different place now. So my peace now is going to be and feel different than before. I think I just need to take some time to figure out how I can still get that time in.

The fruit of silence is prayer,

the fruit of prayer is faith,

the fruit of faith is love,

the fruit of love is service,

the fruit of service is peace.

-Blessed Mother Teresa

 Getting back to silence, one fruit from above at a time, my hope is to let silence fill our home in the beautiful way that it can with a three and a half month old. haha. I suppose my silent times will be different. But, i’m grateful for that. The silent times will be filled with Bigfoot’s oohs and ahhs, coos, squeals, and laughter, which is good. But, I need to remind myself that they don’t have to be filled with every random TV show or constant random music. Of course, there’s  a time and place for these to-dos, but they don’t have to be as constant as they have been lately.

 So, thank you for reminding me again, dear St. Francis of Assisi, to embrace solitude and to meet God in the silent times of our home. Thank you God for the gift that you gave me during college in allowing me to spend such sweet time with you in solitude.

Oh! One more thing about St. Francis of Assisi. Prior to his conversion he enjoyed parties, lived a life of wealth before his life of poverty and of complete abandonment to God, and he enjoyed singing. After his conversion, he was known for dancing for Joy and Praise to our Lord, and for singing praises. So, in honor of dear St. Francis of Assisi, GeekMan, Bigfoot, and I will be sure to have a dance party with sweet music.

A time for silence and a time for music. A time for solitude and a time for dancing. There’s a time for so many different things and I’m grateful for that.

St. Francis of Assisi, please pray for us.

It’s always about the little things

Baby boy just turned over from back to tummy! Woohoo!! So proud!

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. -Blessed Mother Teresa

I love seeing his determination that keeps him moving towards all these baby milestones! Now I just need to try and capture the mad turnover skill on video!

Seeing all the effort/small steps that go in to all of his big to-dos is inspiring. I can definitely learn so much from our sweet Bigfoot!