Wow! Loud!

The girls watch in surprise as a jet screams overhead!!!

Airshow picture

The fav! The red baron!

drama

I know life is full of it (drama, that is), and I know that hard things are going to happen in it (life, that is).  I know in my heart that I can't do it all.  I even know that my reward is not on this earth, and not long in coming to me.  Our lives are just a drop in the bucket, really, only an average of, like, 70 years, or something.  I know I have a greater purpose than the one I only think I'm aware of.  I know that He works in mysterious ways...

I don't know why, though, I feel sad and mad when I can't have things my way!  Actually, I do know that I feel that way because I'm human... no excuses, though... How I feel and what I do with those feelings is my responsibility (helloooo, therapy).

My Danielle is crying as I type.  Things, apparently, have gone really bad this week:  I snap too much (what!!?? me?!! how can you say that!!??).  Her friend is switching ballet studios (they don't have any classes together, but this is a terrible development).  Her other friend lives 3000+ miles away (you know who you are).  Her favorite new class (drama/music) at the dance studio has been cancelled.  I hold Katie at church (a problem, since Katie is now 7 years old-- forget that if I don't hold Katie, she wiggles and bounces and I can't pay attention).  What else?  The moon was full this week.  It's autumn, now.  It's going to rain for two days.

The point is... I can't have it all my way, and I can't make it so that my daughter has it all her way.  It isn't supposed to be that way.  Life is hard.  It shapes us.  She is only 9, but even this (right now) is part of what is going to make her who she is.  I want to make it so that my daughter (indeed, all my children, and my husband, for that matter) can have things the way they want them, but I can't.  And even then, where do I fit in?  I think I should be living mindfully, joyfully, and for God.  That is where our purpose is.  That is where our focus should be; not on the stuff of life, not on what we don't have or what didn't go our way...  It isn't about us.  I want to teach that to my kids (and my husband, for that matter).  I'm struggling, though, right now.  I am feeling kind of like I just can't get it right (and, actually, that is part of the answer, because I can't do any of it without the grace of God, and the love of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit).  I'd love, though, to write about how I've reached this great epiphany about how it is all going to be so much better, but the truth of the matter is that I don't have all the answers, although I know the Bible is a good place to start. 

But,  I just don't know exactly how to help my daughter feel better right now (even snuggling and tickling didn't help).  That being said, it is ten o'clock at night and tomorrow is another day (and maybe I can talk the studio-owner into continuing the drama/music class, because that's exactly what I need, more drama, right?).

Pray, Love, Laugh, Pray some more.

Thank you, Military!

We went to the airshow in Virginia Beach last weekend, and had a really great time.  The weather was perfect; we actually all got a late-summer tan.  The jets are way cool!  The noise was phenomenal.  So, I think this is a picture of the FA-18 screaming over our heads! 

Thank you to all our soldiers and their families!  God Bless America!

remember, listen, pray

Well, it is just a beautiful day.  The weather is fantastic, and it's Saturday.  It isn't really humid at all, and I've ordered the children outside.  I wish we could have this type of day all the time.  You know, a little cooler in the morning so you feel motivated enough to exercise (because you aren't going to melt into the sidewalk fried-egg style OR freeze your tushie off and slip on some ice), warm enough in the late morning to mid-afternoon so you don't feel guilty about ordering the children outside in 110 degree heat or 32 degree winter, and then cool enough in the evening to roast marshmallows (love, love, love those marshmallows), and maybe make smores (and not have to shower again because you've completely melted into the patio or deck or whatever the grill is sitting upon).  Anyway, I love this 70-80 degree/type weather.  It's perfect.  Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with a blue, clear sky.  Thanks for removing the humidity. Thanks for a nice breeze.  You know... Thanks for it all!

So... then why is it that I could feel sad on a day like today?  One obvious answer is the 9-11 anniversary, and too many people just don't remember it.  We have a picture on our wall that reminds us every day that freedom is precious, that life is precious, that this country is precious.  I pray for peace for the families who were affected by the events of 9-11.  I really hope for less hatred, less fear, and more understanding.  I know that remembering is important. 

Lady Liberty at the Marine Corps Museum

Other reasons for sadness... well... just pray for good decisions, and peace.  I really feel a bit confused about some things going on in my life.  I'm trying to listen to what the Lord wants from me, and to tune out what I think is very, very wrong.  So, lets just all pray for each other, together, this week.  Pray for family strength, for peaceful solutions, for LOVE.

Happy Patriot Day!

Danielle's quilt!

She finished her second quilt, and I'm so proud of her. I, myself,
don't think I have the patience for such an endeavour!

fungi

 I know it is a little weird, but I am fascinated by mushrooms!  We went on a hike last week to Prince William Forest Park, and we saw tons of mushrooms, of all different variety.  The whole forest even smelled strongly of mushrooms.  Did you know that the tops are only a small part of the fungi life system?  The 'mushroom' part is only the "tip of the ice -burg" (so to speak);  the part that is underground is huge!

And of course it is fun to imagine little fairies and gnomes living in this little community!

hope

I haven't posted in over a week.  I know because my daughter is gleefully reminding me that she posted more recently than me.  I've been a bit under the weather with headaches that want to cluster together.  I've started our school year.  I've had that pesky situation lately where no one wants to compromise (not the eldest, not the middle, not the youngest, and not the husband)... so I've been tired.  I know... a lot of "I's".

I have faith, and I have Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.  I have the saints and the Rosary.  I have a lot of wonderful books, and I have my Bible. 

But, I'm still a bit tired.  So, my prayer warriors and my sweet, sweet friends: pray with me!  I pray for strength and wisdom.  I pray for all the marriages I know.  I pray for all the mothers I know.  These times are trying (hurricanes, earthquakes, smoking babies (?!), economy, Breaking Dawn doesn't come out until 2011) - but have hope, and faith, and a smile! 

God does not give us a heart of fear... And all He does is for good and not evil...

We are enjoying the Labor Day weekend at Wintergreen!  The mountains and fresh air are so nice.  Nature is amazing and wondrous (and a bit buggy). It should be a fun weekend filled with swimming, hiking and the best kettle corn around!

May everyone have a super weekend!