Happy Mother's Day!

To our mothers, and all mothers out there-present and future, I hope that you had a wonderful Mother's Day! The weather here was so beautiful both Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, I got hit with a bad cold and spent most of the weekend laid up. John took care of Little Man for me on Saturday and when the baby took a nap, I did, too.

On Sunday, John made me a cappuccino, and we went to 8:15am Mass. He also took the Little Man out of Mass when he started getting loud--for 40 minutes. It was nice to be able to stand with the mothers for the blessing given by Fr. Lappe. I got calls from my sisters and goddaughter, Lili, a Novena from Ellen, a Novena of Masses from my parents-in-law, Jim and Sue, and a lovely card and tulips from Jeff and Christina and their kids. The tulips will be planted around the statue of Our Lady in the backyard in honor of the Best Mom. Oh, I also got a card from Jill and Little Man written in orange crayon and some backwards letters. Will have to post that card--hilarious.

In the afternoon, we went to Jeff and Christina's house for a bbq. The guys provided the food and drinks, and the kids put on a really neat play for the moms.

Thank you Mom and Mom C. for being open to life. Thank you to my sisters and sisters-in-law for being open to children and wanting to be moms, whether they are right now or are pursuing motherhood. Happy Mother's Day in particular to Mary Dolan Mahler, Sue Dion Campbell, Kate Mahler Allemand, Mary Mahler O'Kray, Sayeda Ismail Mahler, Ellen Campbell Smith and Christina Sauer Campbell and to my close friends. Thanks for your example of mothering hearts.

I love you.

Happy Friday!

Another week with the bub has passed, #2. He had a happy visit with his mama last night and again was a trooper even though we didn't get home till 8pm last night. On the drive home, we sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" several times. He asks for it by touching the fingers of both hands together and saying, "Spi-ey?"

During the two hour visit, I started reading "Born to Run" which is hard to put down. Hope to get a lot more read over the next 2 days. Because of this book and learning more about barefoot running, on Saturday, we will go as a family to Seattle so that I can try on these shoes which I hope to start running in next week.

The Creative "No"

During one of my Literary Traditions classes (or Lit Trad as it was commonly known) at UD with Fr. Robert Maguire, we read Madame Bovary. To those who have not read this book, I highly recommend it. It tells the sad tale of a woman who is so out of touch with the blessings that she has in her life that she sacrifices her marriage, baby girl, and life for romantic dreams and affairs that lead to her demise. As a young college student, this book deeply touched me, especially because Fr. Maguire gave a great lecture on women, especially mothers, and the creative “No.”

Many times, women will take on too much, thinking that they have to get everything done, be involved in so many activities with their children, and/or answer yes to every request that comes to them. Father said that by saying yes to everything, women can end up being so drained that they further feel like they’re not doing any one thing well. By saying “No” to some things, this frees her to focus on and concentrate on what takes priority in her life—marriage and her family. Because I do not have children, I have not had to say no to much except when we had things planned or when it interfered with my job which for our family takes priority right now.

Now that we have a little boy living with us and forms part of our family, albeit it temporary, I have had the chance to back out of things that normally I would say yes to in a minute. The twice weekly trips to Tacoma from Poulsbo for the little one take up a lot of time and energy for both him and me. Trying to keep the house clean, get dinner on the table, keep myself organized at work and at home has kept me on my toes. Most of my friends and sisters have been doing this for years. I’m just new to the game, so it has been a challenge.

My point is, though, that the Creative ‘No’ is necessary in every woman’s life. If we try to take on everything without replenishing ourselves with rest, prayer, spending time with children and especially our spouses, then we are running on empty and doing much less than a stellar job.

I think I’ll try to find those class notes from Fr. Maguire’s lecture. Maybe I’ll read Madame Bovary again, too. Life, in its seemingly mundane routine, is quite beautiful. Madame Bovary would have been a happy woman had she realized this.

Prayers for Sew

Prayers and congratulations are in order for my new blogging friend and future foster mom, Sew. She is pregnant! We will pray for a healthy pregnancy and protection for this child.

You can follow her journey through infertility, thyroid cancer, and more right here.

St. Gianna and St. Gerard, pray for us.

Sleepy

We're all sleepy here. John's got a midterm tomorrow and has been studying most of the day and evening. He heads to Seattle tomorrow morning for it. Little man had a good but long week and has a very busy week coming up. Please pray for him. I've got a lot of work and an audit to prepare for and will be driving with Little Man to his appointments next week.

If you could say a prayer for the three of us, that would be great.

Good night!

Skoal

Today is the fifth day we’ve had Little Man. He started day care at a center just a mile from my office. On the way there, I said, “We’re going to school today!” He replied, “Skoal.” Although he was a little shy at first and clingy, he made his way over to a table with toys and got interested in those. When I was walking out, I saw him look for me, but he didn’t cry. Just went back to playing. Hopefully, he’ll enjoy it there for the remainder of the time, and I can get caught up at work.

His teacher, Chelsea, told me that he went down for a nap easily, and had a really good day and had 3 BMs....bingo. Now, I don't want to be one of those people who talks about their (foster)kids mundane bodily functions. However, I must needs give props to the oft mocked prune. Little Man can tend not to process foods too quickly, and was prescribed a laxative a while ago when he came for respite with us a couple of months ago. Thirteen dollars and several doses later, I'm guessing he had success. But why not try something natural first rather than not?

So the other day, when I noticed that he hadn't done his business in a day, I bought a quarter pound of dried plums from the bulk section at Fred Meyer. He got 2 chopped prunes for dessert that night, which he loved. I told John about it and John said, "Hopefully, they'll kick in at daycare." You got that right, brother. Chelsea was so cheerful about the 3 stinking diapers, and I was cheerful that the prunes worked while I was at work. :) Needless to say, I'm happy that his little tummy and pipes are doing the job now, and he's feeling better.

Do you remember that scene in "Dumb and Dumber" where Jim Carrey's character says, "Hey, you want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?" Well, Little Man likes to do this....a lot. If he doesn't get his sippy cup. If dinner isn't ready when he wants it. If he doesn't get his "Teta" which means food or snack to him. It's loud, piercing and in two second intervals. So, tomorrow, when the vulture scream starts, I'll picture Jim Carrey behind me in the carseat.

And believe me, I don't think the sound is annoying when I think that someday all too soon, we won't hear it again. Scream anytime, Little Man.

Changes

Today was an education in the system. While I can't say anything about why we have Little Man, and what's going on (and please don't be offended if you ask and I say, "I'm so sorry, but I can't talk about that") I can say that we are doing what we are called to do: be a safe harbor for a child.

It is a little stressful now, just because I do work full-time and need to have child care lined up by tomorrow. God bless my sister-in-law, Aunty M for watching little man for a couple of hours tomorrow while I go to work and (hopefully) enroll him in childcare which is only one mile from my office.

Little man and I were in the car for over 100 miles today, and let me tell you that he was a major trooper. He's had so many changes in his life the last few days. We love him, and we love even when he throws a legendary tantrum.

I love that I have a husband who is the "Child Whisperer." He is referred to as "Papa John." Each day is day by day because we don't know what tomorrow will bring for us and Little Man. At first glance, I can see that it would be hard to give your heart to a child who may leave soon and whom we may never see again. That is heartbreaking and I can't go down that road right now. However, we would rather love without worrying because people need love now...not just if everything will turn out ok. That is why day-by-day is a God-send. It is a lesson in baby steps and leaning on Him.

It has been 3 days since we have had Little Man, and it has been nice. His bedtime routine is my favorite---not because there's finally quiet time, but because we get to hold him and read to him and say night-night to Jesus, and tell him that we love him very much.

Little Man, te quiero mucho.