Stations, MDA Walk, Veggies, and Nuns

Prepare yourself, an entire post about nothin'!!! Well, some things.  Just a little all over the place.  You ready? K!

With help from a dear friend, I was able to purchase the reading and writing curriculum slightly used.  Pretty decent savings 'round here, y'all!  Stoked!  I told Owen that kindergarten came in the box.  He was excited to crack it open, but stopped that from happening, because I would like to use it a few times before it's completely destroyed.

The family and I have been going to Stations of the Cross every Friday.  Owen prefers to go to Stations rather than mass.  His friends are usually there and food is served afterwards, plus it only takes about 30 minutes.  His friends are usually at mass too, but everyone is usually getting out the door quickly.  But I think he is really driven by food.

Speaking of food, Simon has been devouring our salads.  He is the first kid to really enjoy a salad.  Smart kid.  I think I may try Kendra's idea to get our family to eat more veggies.  If I remember I will let know know how it goes for us.

The drumline

The kids

Team Zachary

The fam did the Muscular Dystrophy Association Muscle walk to day for our little buddy Zachary.  The kids had fun, and Owen kept talking about how we were walking to help people.  I hope that we planting the seeds for our children's charitable future.  It was great, lots of smile everywhere.  During the walk there was a drumline that we walked in front of the whole time.  Owen and Amelia covered their ears during the walk, while Simon looked over Chris's shoulder in awe at drumline.  Chris and I were in the marching band in high school.  Chris was in the drumline.  I wonder if Simon will want to play percussion also.  Simon loves our instruments especially the percussion ones, and he can find a beat.  Maybe.  Anyway, Team Zachary reached their goal for raising donations, but our family was just a little short.  I think you can still make a donation, if you can.  Every dollar counts!  You can donate here.

Ok, I have watched two videos recently of joyful, JOYFUL nuns.  I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy or their overflowing love and joy of Christ, but I just well up!  I'm not much of a happy crier.  I tend to just laugh uncontrollably.  But man, these awesome women! Awesome-sauce to the MAX y'all!!!  (Click the cc in the first video so you can see what the judges had to say!)

Um, did you know I veil?

Some of you may or may not know that I started veiling while at Mass nearly two years ago.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, some ladies cover their heads while in Mass and when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.  Often times it is lace, but I have used my infinity scarf (mainly because it stays no my head easier). 

Anyway, before I started veiling I really had no idea why some women did.  Honestly, I didn't give it much thought, until I did.  I'm not really sure when I thought about it, but I eventually did and quickly pushed it to the side.  For a long time (well over a year at least) the thought of veiling would come and go, but that was it.

Then the thought didn't pass so quickly, and the thoughts came more regularly.  Eventually I was at a Spanish Mass with on of my aunts; a lady came in wearing her mantilla veil with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Several of the ladies wore veils, but that one definitely caught my attention.  I had never seen a veil so long and with so many colors, and I asked my aunt if she knew why some ladies wore a veil.  She said something along the lines of showing reverence.

Veiling was revealing itself more and more.  Some friends would mention it from time to time and it caught my attention.  I noticed a parishioner that I didn't know at the time, but later she became a good friend veiled.  Occasionally a Facebook post would be in my feed.  My mom and sister and I had some conversations about it.  I would make comments about being insecure or self-conscious about wearing a veil.  And eventually my sister started veiling.  I was CLEARLY ignoring a call.

I began to do some research and found a small blog post containing reasons she veils.  I can't find that post now.  I also asked the only friend I knew who veiled why she did.  Ultimately, most were feeling called.  I wasn't able find anything that said women must veil, but lots of supporting reasons why they should.  There is scripture supporting this tradition in First Corinthians.  My friend told me she wanted to connect with the woman of Jesus' era.  Also, form of reverence or reminder of the sacrifice that is happening on the alter during mass.

For lent in 2012 decided I would get over my own vanity and begin veiling.  I was insecure about it.  Actually, I still have moments of self-consciousness (which if I think about is a little arrogant, people are at church for God why would they care what's on my head?).  I chose respond to this call rather than personal conviction. Does that make sense?  During my "research"  I couldn't find any reason not to veil so I began veiling.  Jen at Conversion Diary is much more eloquent about veiling.

Recently a friend posted THIS about wearing a mantilla at church.  It is worth the read!!!  It brought to light some things I haven't considered.  (It's extremely humbling that sacred things are covered.)

I'm not really sure what my point was for this post.  I love authentic feminism.  I love the Church.  I love big T and little t traditions.  My love for these things grow everyday.

Happy New Year: 10...11 days late.

Oh my goodness, it is 2014!  How did we get here?  I went nearly two months since my last post.  Nothing new around here.  We all know my posts come in waves.  But I am feeling the need to blog.  It's cathartic.

In general, nothing new has been going around these parts.  And since my entire blog audience is Facebook family and friends I'm sure you have an idea of what has been going down here in the Land of Lockhart.  I'll provide a small list of highlights anyway.

Here we go, 2013 round up:

• We went to NC for Thanksgiving.
• Simon and Duncan were baptized. 
• Simon is officially a walker.
• Disney on Ice.
• Caught a cold
• We survived an ice storm.
• Christmas was wonderful and over too quickly as it is every year.
•  2014 arrived.

Really there are some wonderful detail that happened the last month and a half of 2013, but really I can't remember now that I'm trying to document them. Sorry.

But here we are 2014, a year of possibilities. The past several years I always have this overly optimistic idea that "this year is going to be 'Our year'".  You know that life altering year that will put us exactly where we are meant to be.  The year that is going to make every other crap-tastic year worth it.  I don't have that feeling this year, and it is probably for the better.  I am sure we are where we are suppose to be, all the crap and all the joys included.

I like New Year's though.  I like the idea of starting fresh.  I recently discovered people like to chose a word of the year as opposed to a resolution.  That idea is appealing to me.  Some of the blogs I follow have chosen a word and how that word will inspire them to make changes over the next 12 months. 

For me there are so many things I wish I wasn't and or was.  I sometimes wish I was someone else.  There are lots of things that I desperately want to change about myself.  (And to be completely honest, it's to the point of sinfulness.  I'm sure I am disregarding gifts that God has given me.)  I think choosing a word is a broader approach to the new year than a list of resolutions.  With resolutions I am likely to become extremely self-deprecating. So after several weeks of thinking and praying, my word is:

Purge.

The most obvious thing is ridding my life of stuff.  YES, that will be taking place over the 12 months.  In the shower on Christmas I was hit over the head by the Holy Spirit.  Seriously, I have never experience anything like that.  It had to be Divine. I was completely overwhelmed with what I must sacrifice for Lent.  I know we had JUST finished Advent, but I was being told anyway.  Over the 40 days of lent I will be removing 10 things from my home every day.  I will not buy anything.  I will keep my grocery shopping to a minimum, but that is all I will buy.  Every Saturday I will take my 60 items to the Salvation Army or give them to someone who wants or needs them.  I have hoarder tendencies...seriously.  This is going to be very, VERY hard.  I am sure that shower was my first hint as to what my word for this year should be.  Even though I didn't even know I was going to be choosing a word.

But I have other things too purge as well.  I'm obsessive. I have got to let things go and let them just be.  I have lots of mental baggage that I need to get rid of so that I can be a more authentic version of myself.  I am sure frequenting the confessional more than my yearly obligation is necessary.  Purging sin is probably a good start.  Comparisons, doubt, and ideas of what I should be need to go.  So I have the ability to embrace my talents and gifts, so I can be the woman that God created me to be.  I can't do this alone.  I have to ask for God's graces, and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit wouldn't hurt either...along with the Blessed Mother and the saints interceding on my behalf. 

To tell you guys the truth, I am not thrilled with the word, but I do think this word was given to me.  And in 12 months I hope that my life is lighter and more simplistic because of it.  I am sure that 2014 is going to be crap-tastic like every other year, because life is full of crap y'all.  But that is ok.  I can accept the crap I'm given, let it go, and let God do the rest.

Here are a few pictures for the end of the year.

Simon's baptizim on Dec 1st

Trying to get a Christmas picture.

All five cousins and Muma!

Making Santa cookies.

After Mass on Christmas Eve.

Opening gifts.  Notice the Happy Birthday sign!?!

Still opening.

Ramblings: Confession

So, I went to confession yesterday.  Yeah...  I'm not sure if I'm allowed to pick favorites when it come to the Holy Sacraments, but I do.  And confession is not my favorite.  Actually, it could very well be my least favorite.  Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick are two that I have not received.  Holy Orders I will never receive since I'm not a man and all.  And, Anointing of the Sick...I will ask for it when I need it.  I don't want to get sick, but it's likely I will need it someday.  So I guess I'm not looking forward to that Sacrament like I am looking forward to Simon's Baptism.

Anyway, Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage are wonderful celebrations.  I am no theologian.  Nor am a I a strong voice for my faith.  I don't have eloquent words or profound insight to give you as to why these Sacraments are so amazing and so, so necessary for all of us.   But I love them.  Confession on the other hand. not so much love.  Though, I understand the purpose and the need for regular Reconciliation.

This was the first time I truly examined my conscience.  In the past I would wing it in the confessional.  Maybe a little mental prep as I stood in line during the Lenten Reconciliation service, but not a true examination.  This was the first time I really used the 10 Commandments and examined myself.  It was revealing.  I knew I was a sinner...But man am I a SINNER.  I had to write them down....pages!  Yea...that "Catholic Guilt" thang. 

Confession is hard.  It is hard to examine my conscience.  It is hard to realize how often I sin.  It is hard to not be overly scrupulous.  It is hard to take ownership of those sins.  It it hard to ask for forgiveness.  It is hard to try not to do it again.  It is sometimes hard to be forgiven, and yet it is so easy for God to forgive.  I just have to ask for His forgiveness.

I know being absolved of my sins regularly makes the celebrations of the other Holy Sacraments, like the Holy Eucharist, so much better and fulfilling and the celebration that much richer.  And being cleansed of my sins lightens my mental/emotional/physical load so I can nurture my relationship with God, my husband, and my children.  I know how great it feels when that load has been divinely lifted.  I even know that I will not be judged or ridiculed or mocked for my many, many, many, short comings, but I still find confession hard. 

I'm not sure what my point is.  I never really have a point, do I?  I'm glad I went.  I am going to try to go more regularly.  And hopefully, I can develop a deep love for this precious Sacrament that God has given us.

7 quick take - #5

--- 1 ---

I am pretty sure I say this each week BUUUUTTT...I can't believe it is Friday, already.  Not only is it Friday, but it's now August too.  I have this thing each year where I kinda wish away August.  I don't know if it's two months with 31 days back to back is just more than I can handle, or I am ready for summer to end and fall to begin.  I think it's the latter.  I love fall.  I love the cool crisp air.  The food.  The clothes.  The holiday season.  Well here in the northern NY it has not been too hot.  Most day don't every leave the 80s.  Some stay in the 70s.  And we EVEN had a couple that were in the high 60s.  So, I don't have this overwhelming urge to kick August to the curb, yet.  

--- 2 ---

Every time we say the blessing before meals Simon squawks the entire time.  From the sign of the cross to the sign of the cross he squawks.  I'm hoping one of my kids, God willing, is a priest.  Maybe it's him ;)

--- 3 ---

Tomorrow is the first weekend of yard sales on post.  There are 4 different housing communities and our community is next weekend.  So tomorrow we are hitting the pavement to see what we can find.  I am on the prowl for a bike trailer so we can pull Simon on bike rides.  I also would like to find a nice kitchen play set.  If you saw my Facebook post you saw that I found one for $2.  And I did.  It's really small.  I think it is more for an 18 month old.  It is fine and Amelia will play with it, but I would like one that is a bit more her size.  We have been trolling the thrift stores and Craigslist to see what we can find.  Christmas shopping!  We have several decent gifts that our kids will love for less than half the original cost.  And the kids will be still be happy. 

--- 4 ---

I want this! I have been veiling for over a year now.  I was given a black one and a white one.  The black is my favorite and I can't find it.  First of all this one is like a third of the price of other ones I have seen online.  And I LOVE the lace pattern of this one.  Second they will sew in a comb for an extra $4...Simon as started pulling on my veil at church...and third, free shipping!

--- 5 ---

I think I have been mentioned here and there that we are considering homeschooling Owen when he begins kindergarten.  I have been reading up a storm about what it takes from curriculum to laws to conferences.  It is a bit overwhelming.  I have a year until Owen begins kindergarten so I have time.  But with some programs you can get discounts by ordering early.  Plus, I want to have plenty of time to get organized, since we all know how organized I am.   My biggest fear is the fact that order, schedules, chores, routine, ect are not skills that I have, duh. And I know the kids will thrive if we have that in place, again duh. I really don't know where to start or how to make it happen. So,I think using something like Seton that gives you a curriculum and daily lesson plans would be a good place for me to start, if we choose to homeschool. Then maybe break off and start making my own lessons once I feel comfortable. But structure is what I lack. And I don't want to be screaming at my kids every day because they don't know what to do during the day, because I haven't established what comes next.  But I also really want my kids to have a solid foundation of doctrine, saints, prayers, Traditions, theology ect. I know I don't have it to teach them. But I can learn with them by using Catholic based home study.  We will see what is in store for our family soon enough.  Prayers are welcome :)

--- 6 ---

Gracey is out of town and left us with WODs to do on our own.  Yea, I need to get on that.  

--- 7 ---

I'm keeping it short and sweet this week.  I hope you have a stellar weekend and week to follow!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Day 7 and I'm out!

Goodness me, like I said yesterday the 7 Day 7 Post challenge was kinda tough.  Check out the Archives to the right if you missed the posts earlier this week.  But after today, I think I will give you guys a break for a few days.  I am going to put some of my attention back into Clitherow's for a little bit and work on the birth stories for Amelia and Simon.

On to today's shenanigans!

11am Mass should not be such a challenge to get out the door.  But Chris and I always stay up a little to late or a kid or two will keep us up...*cough, Simon, cough*.  So at 10:30 Everyone still in their jammies we opted for 5:15 mass out in town.  Though I like the later time, the kids seem to behave so much better in the morning.  We have raised our exception of good behavior at church based on this post by CatholicMom.com .   The big kids are have their good days and bad days, but we can see an overall improvement.  The biggest thing is we expect them not only to be quiet but sit properly and or participate.  I know it's hard on my big kids right now since we didn't establish these expectations from the beginning, but we are proud of their progress over the past two months. So those days when they wallow around in the pew, we are often stopped by a parishioner that reassures us that our kids are well behaved. It makes me wonder if we (Chris and I) are a bigger distraction that the kids.  As the big kids have more practice and begin to set the example for any younger siblings they may have I think Mass will become easier.  Or at least I hope.  In the mean time, I think I may make the ring of cards suggested on Catholic Mom.

Today, before Mass we took a turn at the thrift shop.  We got Megablocs, 10 kids books, a bucket of play kitchen accessories, Little Tikes piano, Pampered Chef pineapple core, a mirror for Simon's car seat, Dinosaur Train board game, kids hat rack, a Weeble Wobble crank toy, an action figure, and a small toy keyboard all for $14.56.  Most of these are Christmas gifts.  Though I'm hoping Owen won't remember.  We will have to see.  I was pretty happy with their toy selection today.

Well here are some funny quotes from my kids today.  Maybe you needed to be there, but they keep me laughing.

Owen: "I want to show you my moves, Daddy."
Wearing nothing but a helmet, roller skates, and his Mass Kit that looks like a man bag,  Owen attempts a grand leap!

Amelia: "We're going to the 'whore's' house."
Talking about the fifty cent riding horse at KMart.

After 'peace be with you' at Mass quite loud.
Amelia: "We done now?"

Thanks for joining me this past week.  I hope my ramblings weren't to painful ;)

Until next time peeps!

Cry rooms, not a fan.

One of my all time favorite blogs is Catholic All Year.  Seriously, check it!  Kendra (the author of Catholic All Year) would like to fill all church cry rooms with cement so she has created a link up on this topic to gather opinions.  Since Jennifer at Conversion Diary (another all time fave. Better check it too!) is doing the 7 day 7 post challenge Kendra's link up would help knock out one of my daily posts.

Ok, let me begin with some personal experiences with cry rooms (and nurseries).

Simon almost 4 weeks old.

Back home in North Carolina, there are 3 churches that we hop around.  2 of the churches have a separate entrance for the cry room.  The alternative entrance gets many late arrivals who sometimes don't even have kids (no judging, we are guilty of being late).  So the room is often filled with lots of adults and very few kids.  The kids that were there were usually very young and most everyone followed mass.  The third cry room is more like what Kendra describes.  Lots of playing and parents talking.  I would get so agitated in that particular cry room because the volume would be turned down and I couldn't hear the mass over the conversations that were being had.  Even at that church if felt like there were more adults than children. 

Most of my experience in North Carolina was only with Owen as a baby and I had this preconceived notion that I should be in there with my babbling baby. 

We were/are stationed at Fort Drum.  We moved here when Owen was 9 months old. The on post chapel doesn't have a cry room, but it does have a nursery (or watch-care as they like to call it).  We were unaware of watch-care until the first time I attended mass without Chris, because he had duty, or training or something.  A lady informed me after mass that there was a nursery.  I remember feeling a little insecure about her approach.  I wasn't sure if she was letting me know because I looked new or if she was letting me know because she was bothered by my infant's babbles.  We later began taking Owen to watch-care.  Two babies later, Owen (4), Amelia (2), and Simon (9m) we have dropped watch-care even though all three are within the age limits to use the facility.  We choose to bring our children to mass.  Children belong at mass.  I know the nursery is not a cry room, but I think Kendra's points still apply.  The segregation of children and mass is striping them of graces that can be recieved and a foundation for their Catholic faith.

*I would like to note, that with spouses being deployed or training or extra duty it isn't always possible for families to attend mass as a whole.  Though we have been fortunate for the past year if Chris wouldn't be able to attend I would possibly put Simon in watch-care so I could have my hands free. We are still trying to establish our exception for church behavior with the older two....Then again maybe not...I really just don't know* 

I am still sorting out my vocation as a wife and mother.  I know what I want for my kids.  I just don't know how to give it to them.  I do know the best place to start is mass.  And after reading different blogs and talking to other mothers we have started implementing ways to get good behavior from our three small children.  And in less than two months we already have seen a HUGE improvement.  This past Sunday has been the best yet!

I feel that I have drifted from my opinion on cry rooms.  Back to the point!  I like the idea of cry room, but in the end it makes it very easy to become detracted to the point of not listening or even participating.  The wall literally is a spiritual barrier for some people.  Without them there would be less temptation for adults to misbehave at mass.  So I understand and agree with Kendra's sentiment and her want to fill these rooms with cement!  If cement is too much at the very least can't we just knock out the wall or break the glass?