Burning the Candle at Both Ends

small successes

I stumbled across the idea of "small successes" on Danielle Bean's blog and thought it was just what I needed to maintain a bit of motivation during the week.  Each week participants write a short blog post citing three small successes they've had recently. Anyone who has ever stayed home raising children knows that it can become very discouraging at times. There are days when we feel "'nothing gets done".  This of course is not true and the concept of small successes proves that. Even on the worst of days we can always find a sense of accomplishment in something. Some days, for me that sense of accomplishment comes from merely keeping my head above water while juggling the various obligations I've undertaken. On the really great days, I awaken, ready to tackle the world and feel as though I have at the end of the day. Most days are somewhere in between.

I have been taking part in the Simple Woman's Daybook for a while now and I find that it is a wonderful way to gather myself at the beginning of the week. And now, on Thursdays, I can take stock and see how I"m doing.

So here it goes, in no particular order... my three small successes for this week:

1)  We stuck to Thomas' schedule with school this week and I have implemented some ideas on keeping him focused.  First and foremost is keeping myself focused. And I did!!!!

2)  I made a list this morning and crossed everything off of it except for two things which I am going to tend to right after I post this!

3) I never formed the habit of writng thank you notes in a timely fashion, if at all. Today, in an effort to form this habit, I acknowledged a kind gesture with a note and mailed it out. All in the same day!

Hmmm.... Very interesting!

Wow! A mainstream article acknowledging that demographically, the one child family doesn't work for society!  Read about it  here! 

Blog Friends

Thanks to Nancy  for thinking of me when giving out this award. It amazes me that I can consider people "friends " whom I've never met in person! But that is the beauty of the internet and blogging. Keeping this blog is something I never would have pursued on my own, but through the encouragement of Mary Ellen , I have found a truly fun hobby! In additon to Mary Ellen, I would nominate Heather , another Heather , Michelle  , and Bridget .

Enjoy taking a look at these blogs... all these women are ones I could imagine sitting at my table chatting over a cup of coffee (or perhaps a glass of chardonnay, anyone?)

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

He's a looker!

Mary Ellen has finally posted a picture  of her handsome little guy. Check out the blonde locks!

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY January 26, 2009

 Outside My Window...  I must be getting a late start today because the sun is just coming up. It is a balmy 18 degrees outside, but a toasty 69 degrees in the kitchen thanks to my trusty Vermont Castings stove.

I am thinking... of what a wonderful weekend I had thanks to my dearest friend Mary Ellen bringing a new soul onto the world.

I am thankful for...  the new Barrett baby, Brendan Michael,  and the outpouring of support from the online world as well as our community here for Mary Ellen.

From the kitchen… I guess I should get working on those plans, huh?  Tonight looks like a chicken night to me, though.

   I am wearing... this morning calls for the big fuzzy blue robe. It’s not my favorite, but sometimes it is necessary.

I am creating...   a menu and plans for when we meet our daughter’s future in-laws over Valentine’s weekend. I’m thinking of some kind of Valentines treat for her future nephews who will be joining us then.

I am going... to the usual places this week… basketball, ballet, pre-cana, ice skating, creative writing workshop.

 I am reading...  pretty much the same things as last week.  Not much time for reading in the past week.

I am hoping...  that the music class/choral group that I have organized is successful. We start Friday morning and it should be fun!

I am hearing… hissing and crackling of the fire

Around the house... my lack of organization in a few areas is definitely haunting me, so I hope to get a handle on those things.

One of my favorite things...  I was going to say newborn babies sleeping in the nursery, but my MOST favorite thing would have to be holding a sleeping newborn, not just watching them through a glass!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  still didn’t get that haircut I was hoping for last week. 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...  that's right, Thomas is not wearing a coat. We did, however, convince him that boots were non-negotiable! THe child marches to the beat of a different drummer!

The Bonny Blue House Gets "Blue-er"...

With the arrival of:

Brendan Michael

9lb. 2oz.

21- 1/2 "

Dad says he "looks great" and has curly blonde hair.

Mother is still in recovery and all is well.

Praise God! And Welcome to Brendan.

Congratulations Mary Ellen and Dave!

Also, I ask your prayers of thanksgiving for the wisdom bestowed upon  Mary Ellen's Dr., the only pro-life OB on Long Island. His prudent judgement and compassion for Mary Ellen throughout her pregnancy have been amazing. May God continue to bless Dr. Scanlon in his pro-life work and in his medical practice!

Updates From The Bonny Blue House

I just received the first call from Mary Ellen. Her doctor has decided that it will be safest for Mary Ellen, due to her medical history and the high position of the baby to deliver the baby by c -section.  She is scheduled to go in one hour. I just spoke with her and she sounds wonderful and excited to be holding her baby in just a short while. She appreciates all your prayers and asks for you to continue praying.

Since Mary Ellen is a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, I thought this prayer from their handbook , Mother Love , was in order. Please join all her online friends in praying for her right now.

A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.  O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers.   Preserve Mary Ellen from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which she now carries, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

I will post an update when I get the next call from Dave.

Have a blessed day!

Obama, are you listening?

We made it down to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life yesterday. The turnout was great, the weather was perfect, and we came home energized in knowing that no matter how the media and the powers that be want to ignore this movement, we are a nation moving towards the promise of the "Right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for ALL"

 Most of the marchers seem to be made up of young families, high school students, college students, and my favorite. ..priests and seminarians who look to be about eighteen to twenty years old! (now my age is showing!) The right to life movement is getting younger and this energy will carry the movement through these dark days we are in and I truly feel we will come out the other side with victory for the babies!

Here are some of my pictures from the day.  There were many signs (respectfully) directed toward Obama and I tried to get pictures of all of them. I did get a few. If only he was watching!(maybe he reads this blog!)  Unfortunately, the march doesnt' passs the White House, so who knows if he was even aware of our presence. 

   

 

    

 

 

 

So today we take it slow. These old bones and joints had alot of demand placed on them yesterday! I will be offering up my aches and pains for the souls of the unborn and their moms. Please continue to pray, too. The road ahead in the next four years won't be easy.

Almost Wordless Wednesday (pt.2)

When walking out my door over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice the snowflakes on my sleeve Each one was unique in its own beauty. It brought to mind something I loved doing as a child... capturing the small wonders on black paper so I could examine them more closely. My thoughts would always wander, as they still do, to ponder God's limitless creativity in forming each flake, different from all others before it, or yet to come. 

If God is so thoughful in the creation of small things, like these snowflakes, how much love and care goes into the creation of each and every one of us.

 

And all these small flakes together play individual role in the big picture. Just as we do!

 

May we all come to know Gods limitless love for us and may we all seek to find his unique purpose for the most precious gift He gives... life!

Inauguration Day

There is an excellent article today on Catholic Exchange  which pretty much sums up my feelings today. I could not have said it better, so please go read for yourself.

Isn't it coincidental that the first Psalm in today's Liturgy of the Hours is this one:

Psalm 42 (43)

Vindicate me, Lord:
judge my case against an unholy nation,
rescue me from betrayers, from the wicked.
For you are the God of my refuge;
why have you rejected me?
why must I suffer while my enemies torment me?

Send forth your light and your truth;
let them lead me away,
let them lead me up your holy mountain,
up to your sanctuary.
I shall go in to the altar of God,
to the God of my gladness and joy.
I will sing out to you on the lyre,
O God, my God.

Why are you so sad, my soul,
and anxious within me?
Put your hope in the Lord, I will praise him still,
my saviour and my God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

I pray for a nation who has put their hope in a man, namely Barack Obama, rather than in our Lord! And I pray for the new leadership taking office this day.