Celebrating the Birth of Christ

Advent and Christmas was a very busy and blessed time in our family this year, as I pray it was in yours! As the hustle and bustle and worry that we parents put ourselves through each season, it becomes hard to keep a calm home atmosphere, and a focus on Jesus through the season. Here is how our family celebrated; hopefully this will give you some ideas on how to keep your season focused on Christ, also!

Remember that it is the little things that kids remember the most. Think back to your own memories of Christmas, what is it that you remember the most? The big expensive presents, or the smell of the Christmas tree, or setting out the cookies for Santa? At the start of Advent, think about what memories you want your children to have as adults, and let this guide your decisions on what to include and what not to include in your celebrations.

1. We have an Advent wreath that we use as a centerpeice on our table, and we light the candles on Sunday nights at dinner.
2. Buy Jesus birthday presents first. Each year at Christmas Eve mass, the kids bring "Jesus" presents to donate to the local shelter or charity. I admit that this sometimes overlooked as my kids start their wish lists back closer to Halloween! But a goal!
3. Do a Jesse Tree instead of a traditional Advent Calendar. We made our out of construction paper and hung it on the wall when we took down our Thankfulness Tree. Here is a link to free coloring pages of the ornaments.
4. Don't put baby Jesus' statue in the Nativity set until Christmas Eve.
5. Let the 3 Wise men "travel" the house till Epiphany on their way to our Lord. I recommend using a cheaper Nativity set, as our good ones have lost fingers and fringes off their cloaks, from their travels. The kids love this! Every day the Wise men appear in different places throughout the house, and "arrive" at the Nativity set on Epiphany!
6. Celebrate St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. This year we celebrated by watching Veggie Tales St. Nicholas episode, and coloring pages of St. Nick dressed with mitre.
7. In honor of Jesus recieving three presents for Christmas, the kids also, each get three presents for Christmas. Plus Santa's present, plus grandparents, godparents, aunts & uncles, etc. It really cuts down on the greediness of the I want this, and I want this, and ooohh.. look at this! And makes them really look and contemplate what they truly want!
8. Have the kids help clean out the house, closets, toys, cabinets, and make a big donation to charity. This also helps prepare the house and their rooms for all their new presents!
9. Always carry change for the Salvation Army bell ringers when you go out.
10. Send a care package to a random soldier stationed oversees for the holidays. Here is a site that gives out addresses: AnySoldier 
11. Bake sugar cookies together as a family with Christmas music playing in the background. I must say, my husband really gets into this one! Even Frog can roll out dough with help and cut and sprinkle cookies, make it fun!
12. Participate in the Christmas celebration at your Parish.
13. Don't forget to write Thank you notes for the presents!

Time For A Change

Well.. it has been a long time since I last posted. Things have been pretty crazy, and I have been going through a small dark night of the soul! Losing our way for awhile is sometimes just what God uses to help us get stronger in the end. And also trying to keep up with a blog that seems so item and research specific with lots of children running around was taking its toll. So now my blog will be more about our family, traditions, and everyday life.. more musings, and more of me!

So things are lightening up around here. We made a major change in our home. Every weekend we would spend at least one whole day fighting and arguing about cleaning the kids rooms. Not that I have or want some grand model home to run our lives, but the fire hazard of the kids literally having to climb their way to their beds through all the toys and stuff week after week for the past eight years just got the better of me. During a conversation with my mom she said "You have lived this way how long? And every week you do this same thing, why do think things will just change?" So we changed the way we did things! All those years of threatening to throw all their toys away, we finally did! We grabbed black trash bags and boxes and loaded everything up and hauled it to the basement!

The kids were left their clothes and their books, with the opportunity to earn things back. Everyday they have the chance to earn back at least 4 items. Make their beds, pick up their clothes, close their dresser drawers and do their homework without complaint. The other chances they have, is to do a good deed for someone else. This one has been the big one. It is opening their eyes to the people around them, and they are searching for ways that can help! In one day Turtle had five good deeds!

This was a week and a half ago this happened. Before the week was out, the Cat made the comment that the family was so much better now! Her exact words were "everyone is so much nicer and calmer, and there is more time to play." Don't think they haven't been playing either, they have been playing harder, and together! For one, there is room TO play, they can FIND what they are looking for, and there are fewer chores with so much less to look after!

This last weekend, with a clean house, we turned our attention outside, and did the garage! It has been raining for two days and the kids' bikes, and dump trucks actually fit inside! Maybe we can make it through a summer without having to replace rusted chains and broken toys that were left in the yard for the dogs!

With company coming in a few weeks, 2 birthday's, Easter, a Confirmation and a 1st Communion all by April 15th.. I am looking forward to this year's Holiday Season!

Taking Part in the Education of Our Children Part 1

As a parent our priority, after food, clothing, and shelter, is the education of our children. It is our responsibility to educate them, and form them into self-confident, self-reliable, virtuous adults who can take care of themselves, others, and the world.

For those of us who chose not to home school our kids, it can be easy to get into the habit of taking a backseat to their education, letting the teachers take the main role. This can be very detrimental. Teachers are very influential, as much if not more than their peers. What if their teacher one year has opposite priorities and beliefs as you?

The trick is to start early, even before they can walk and talk, they are influenced and affected by your actions, priorities and beliefs. You are their primary example by your actions. I will talk more of this in Part 2; for this part I will focus on academics and the school.

If you are in the habit of just making sure your 5th graders homework is done, it is not too late!

Start with the easy things:

1.  Talk around the dinner table about what your kids are learning in school, not just about their day. What subject are they studying in history, what concept are they working on in math, what book are they reading as a class. Asking more direct questions makes your child recall more about their day, and lessons the teacher taught then the open ended.. what did you do today? Usually this just gives you who did what at recess! This helps build self confidence that what they do matters to their parents, they are important. It also helps build memory and the ability to recall information. 
2. A second big thing you can do is make homework and grades a priority. Set expectations. For example in our house, we expect at least an 85 or higher in each subject on their report cards. Reward your child for their grades. My kids get a dollar for each A on a report card, each 100 on a test, and for any paper I determine has beautiful handwriting with no misspelled words. This gives them incentive to take things seriously, and to put in more effort on their own, building self-confidence, self-reliance, and a work ethic.
3. Talk with your child's teacher once a month. Just a moment conversation while picking your kid up, a phone call, or after the PTA meeting will suffice. This does not need to be a full sit down parent teacher conversation. Simply ask three questions. How is my child doing with their work? Is there anything they are doing especially well, or anything they may need some extra help with? How is my kid getting along with the others? This also lets your kids know that their school lives, and education are important to you, and that you are willing to do what it takes to help them succeed. This also helps put your kid foremost in the teachers mind. Knowing that you are a parent that checks in, they pay more attention to what your kid is and is not doing, making your kid a priority to them. This is especially important when they are in larger classes and schools! (Taking Control of Your Child's Eduction; I don't recall who wrote it and what year, I just remember reading it!)
4. Help your kid make a homework schedule. Get them a planner and show them how to fill it out, the more organized they are, the less late or last minute crises occur. Help make them a homework schedule. For example, if they have a spelling test every Friday, then the schedule could be write your words three times a piece Monday-Wednesday nights, and on Thursday night, give them a pre-test, and have them write the ones they missed three times a piece. Remember to include all subjects, and outside activities. They follow a schedule during the school day, so the habit of following a homework schedule comes easily to them. This also builds self-reliance and organizational skills.
5. Make sure they have a good place to study. A clear kitchen table with a pencil box, or a full desk in their rooms. At our house each kid has their own drawer in a plastic storage cabinet to keep all their completed assignments, flashcards, and notebooks, etc.

A few more time consuming things to do:

1. Check over your child's homework papers each night. Do they need to re-check a math problem, or do they have a misspelled word or bad punctuation on an essay. Be sure you are just a pre-grader, or editor, and you are not doing the work yourself. You don't need to know all the answers, though if you help enough, you'll catch on as well. I have even been known to make a kid re-write an entire assignments because the handwriting is so bad. If the teacher can't read it, they'll count it wrong!
2. Help your child study for their upcoming test. Help them make flash cards, help them look up answers to study questions, drill them on their spelling words, help come up with mnemonic devices. Teachers always give at least a weekends notice to all tests. This is where the planner comes in real handy as well.. a little bit each night is better then cramming two hours the night before.
3. Have your child read to you for at least 20 minutes a night. Either out of a textbook or another book they are reading. If your child can't read yet, read them at least three books a day. Also, let them see you reading for fun. Talk to your kids about the books they are reading, have them recap the story, ask them the main characters, who is their favorite character. Challenge them to read a non-fiction book each grading period.
4. Attend all their events, and/or help out in their classrooms as room mothers, go on their field trips, attend all PTA meetings, volunteer at school events. This not only reinforces the fact to your child that their education is important, but it also makes you and your child stand out in the school. You become known as an involved parent to the other teachers as well. This also gives you insight into your child's school dynamic, and you get to know the other students as well. It is tradition that I volunteer for field day. It is so exciting to see all the other children's faces light up as you cheer for them, along with your own child.
5. Nurture their interests and hobbies. Let them take those piano lessons or be on the soccer team. Cheer for them, help them practice; and when the going gets tough don't let them quit right away. Set a time that they must at least try their best. Make them finish the season, and just not play the next if it turns out to not be their thing. This lets them see first hand that quitters never succeed, and sometimes sticking it out, they will get better and not want to quit.

These things wont necessarily make your child a star A student, but it will cut down on the bad grades, and you will be able to see more clearly your kids strengths and weaknesses. It will be important not to condone the bad grades that do come home. You will have first hand knowledge that they put in the time and effort. It is an opportunity for your child to learn how to accept failure, and that they wont always be good at everything; in an environment that is out of the public eye, and loving and understanding. Making it easier to fail in more of a public way such as at a sports game or job, and still be able to carry on. Doing these things now will also help your child be more independent as they get into high school when you can take a step back and watch them continue on their own. They will also be more prepared to stand on their own at college.

This also goes for their religious education. Look at their CCD or Sunday School projects and papers, be a volunteer for them, volunteer to teach a class, look for ways to point out in everyday events what they are learning in Religion. Say their prayers with them. All holidays are religious, and have just become secularized. Bring back the religion in your home. Make a Happy Birthday Jesus banner instead of a Merry Christmas one, give lambs instead of rabbits for Easter, allow them to do advent calendars, and nativity sets. Take the time to look up the religious background to other holidays such as St. Patrick's Day, and Valentine's Day, and even Halloween. Help them make craft projects, print out coloring pages, read stories, make special traditions that go along with the religion behind the holiday.

What I have been doing..

Since I last blogged..
 
My oldest daughter started 5th grade, and also started song leading at church.
My younger daughter started 2nd grade
My oldest son started Bridging.. Pre-K AM, Kindergarten Afternoons.. he just wasn't quite ready for K!
My youngest son got potty trained!

We got a new puppy, GiGi, who is a Scottish Terrier/Schnauzer mix... NOT potty trained yet :)

We started Frontier Girls Troop #146, and actually have our first official meeting this afternoon, we had an informational meeting, and walked in the local parade, and ran a free-throw shot booth at a carnival as a fundraiser. I am so excited, this is a wonderful organization with badges like self-control, patience, etiquette! I am in the process of creating a blog for them as well.

I beacame the 4th grade CCD teacher at our Parish. We are learning the Act of Love, the 10 Commandments, and the Beatitudes. They are a lively bunch, who spark wonderful discussions! We are slowly making lapbooks titled God's Rules 4 Life with the beatitudes and commandments and examples of how to live each one; with the Act of Love, and the Great Commandment also.

We had a massive hail storm and were without power for three days, the insurance totalled both our vehicles, so I had to go van shopping, and now we are in the process of getting bids to re-roof the house, new air conditioner, and new siding, front door and screens. And the back mudroom was damaged from the roof leaking. The good that came out of it is I love my new van, we got to sleep at a hotel and go swimming, and we are getting rid of propane and getting an electric furnace! And I get to pick a new color for the house, and a pretty new front door. Thank God for insurance!

And my two daughters started piano lessons, so there is lively music in the house!

Thanks for reading, and I will try to post every Monday, unless I get into another project and need to post more :)

The Writing of a Rule of Life

I have been working more on our family's Rule of Life. The first part of the Rule should contain a Mission Statement. The why behind all that you do, and behind how you make your decisions, and structure your time and activities. We titled our Mission Statement:

Our Family Promise

 We are a family, and covenant community, brought together by God, for God. We will live by His commandments, and strive to allow ourselves to be perfected by Him, for Him. God wants us to be loving, kind, helpful, obedient, thoughtful, and wise in His ways. Accepting this, we have responsibilities towards each other to love one another, respect and encourage, forgive one another our faults, and to help each other to learn about, grow closer to, and learn to obey God.

 This is our priority as a family. To live this way we must be disciplined in our actions and thoughts, we must determine and energize ourselves to work together towards this goal set of values and virtues.

 We will show God love by putting Him first, and respecting Him. We will become wise through learning about our faith and Church, reading good books, watching good shows, and working on good community projects. We will accomplish this by obeying each other. When someone asks you to do something, picture Jesus asking you to do it for him. We will also pray together as a family, and if you can, individually. We will learn to be thoughtful, helpful and kind by working together and individually on chores, doing good deeds for each other, and others in the community. 

Then we go on to list our individual responsibilities.

Daddy: Is the spiritual leader, having final say in all religious matters, financial matters, and community activities. He will also work his job to the best of his ability, to financially support us, and our endeavors. He is also in charge of the outside chores, and major home repairs.

Mommy: Is the planner and organizer. She will cook meals, keep the house clean, organized, and laundry; do the shopping, and scheduling; and also keep track of the finances, all to the best of her abilities.

Kids:Will obey Dad and Mom in all their decisions, will maintain their belongings in an organized way, and do their schoolwork to the best of their ability.

I pray that by reading our statement, you will be inspired to work on your own.

Building a Rule of Life

Thinking about Mother Teresa's schedule with only 4 items, I quickly noticed that I had four priorities as well.. God, family, food, and rest. From here, I delved into the practical, monotonous, day by day of these priorities.

The first thing I did was set my wake up and bedtimes, this gave the day structure; not definition, but structure. Then we split the times into half hours from rising to bedtime.
Second I made a list of the prayers that I would like to say everyday, including scripture reading, and Bible reading, then I wrote those prayers at the times I would like to say them. Such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00pm. Then I marked a one hour period for breakfast, another for lunch, and a two hour slot for dinner. To include prepare, eat, and clean up.

Then I made a list of what it means to care for my husband and kids on a daily basis. This I am labeling as my work towards my vocation. Taking the hint from Mother Teresa who has two separate times of day for her work, I split mine into household chores, and nurturing. Now to show my real perfectionist personality! I made a list of all the cleaning chores, from doing the dishes to planting the vegetable garden, and you will be surprised to know it fit on one page! Then I split these into daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly. I then generously estimated the time I thought it would take to do each of these items, though some were labeled 1 day, others, like cleaning the litter box, were labeled 1 minute. I found to my surprise that the Daily ones add up to one hour, and the weekly ones were 5 hours, thereby allowing for 2 hours of cleaning 5 days a week, I can keep my home organized and sanitary! I put 2 1/2 just to give myself the leeway of interruptions and unforeseen circumstances. I decided to add this to my mornings, to get them out of the way!


Then I made a list of the nurturing to be done. Reading with the kids, helping with homework, making after school snacks, playing outside, taking them to their events. This makes the rest of my day, which I saw to my amazement was an hour before lunch, and all afternoon.

So I decided to schedule in some Mom computer time!

Wakie, Wakie! Time to get up!

The first thing I noticed about Mother Teresa's schedule was the WAY early rise time! I usually hit snooze from 5:30 to 6:30, the absolute last minute that I can get up and still get the kids on the bus on time! So why is my alarm set an hour early you ask? Simply to have a pray and scripture time before I start the chaos of the day! No wonder things are so chaotic all day. First thing in the morning, I am neglecting my first priority! So.. I spent most of the day trying to come up with ways that I can get myself out of bed on time! (5:30, not 6:30). Since my husband is out the door to work by 4AM, having him wake me, is not an option, though it would be nice to talk to him in the mornings!

I started by asking myself what is different about the days that I do just jump right up and get going.

1. is days that I have something fun to do, or the kids have a soccer game, or we are going on a trip.
2. is days that I have a large to do list because we are having company
3. when I am staying somewhere else, my mom's, camping, hotel

"But" I told myself over some pots I was scrubbing, "in the morning, I get to have a conversation with God!" How much more important and exciting is that!! Perspective!  Let's hope that helps, especially now that I have it in writing! I was up at 6:40, this morning; had a kid in bed with me.

The second thing I noticed was how simple it was; wash, eat, pray, work. 4 items.. that's all.. not a page long to do list with each 15 minute period filled. 4 items. This is what it means to live the simple life. Notice also they pray, and receive Jesus before they start their day, and pray in the middle, and pray to end their day.. just like eating, you pray..

Let us all take some time today to sit down with our To Do Lists, and simplify, can you get yours down to 4 items? And maybe after I in the groove of a 5:30 rise time, I can then get up even earlier to see my husband before he leaves!

Springtime

What a spring we are having! One of my favorite times of the year. Everything is warming and growing, and the senses are filled and renewed. The trees are budding, the bulbs are sprouting, and sun is shinning, and the kids are getting awnry! Springtime is such a renewal of the earth, and of the heart and soul towards God. It is so appropriate that Lent always falls during Spring!


I have been dwelling lately on my life, and the way that it is being led. One thing is for sure.. I am NOT okay with the thought that this is the life I am prepared to stand before God with. Things will change. With each new child I have screamed louder and harder about not being able to keep up with the daily/weekly/yearly household chores, having time to pray/read scripture, and teaching the kids the virtues that I want them to have as adults. I attempted a few years ago after reading Holly Pierot's  A Mother's Rule of Life to create a Rule. Though it has failed miserably, even after trying ever since to keep it. I went into it, wanting to make a schedule that I could keep, force on my family, and keep me happy and peaceful. I have not been happy or peaceful for years.


Last night we watched the old sixties movie of St. Francis, and saw him develop and defending his Rule has re inspired me not to give up on my Rule, but to restart with the right intentions. I have been doing research on the internet this morning, and have found lots of resources, guides, blogs on the subject. Good to see that I am not the only one who struggles with this concept of living life wisely, and well! Over the next few days I will be praying and developing my Rule, and shall share it with you. Hopefully my journey of Rule development, will help you with developing one for you.

Today I shall share with you part of the reflections of  St. Francis of Assisi's in developing his Rule.

The Way to Serve and Work
This is the chapter which is dedicated to Minority or Humility. It is expressed in our way of life and moving through the world. Therefore, any Service or Work should reflect our Franciscan spirit and identify us. To "live in conversion" not only supposes service to God but also to serve as "minors" in working for a better world.
  Francis based his idea of minority on the person of Jesus:

• who came to serve and not to be served.
• who chose to announce the Good News and peace to the poor.
• who adopted an attitude of humility and meekness..

This chapter gathers together the views of Francis about work and its purpose:

• to work so as to give an example.
• to avoid idleness.
• to provide for the needs of the Fraternity.
• to share the situation of ordinary people.
• to serve others.

18. Therefore, in deciding to say "yes" to a work or occupation, we see being able to work is a gift of God, to be done with fidelity and devotion, as a way of avoiding idleness and providing a service and a means of expressing our condition as poor people.
We are to refuse any work which smothers the spirit of prayer and devotion by not allowing space for prayer, which ends up in activism, and which does not reflect spiritual values or which is not in accord with our status as poor brothers and sisters.
19. We reflect and "preach" the value of minority or humility:

• in humbly accepting wages for the work done.
• in being satisfied with having the necessities of life.
• in remembering that we are servants of God and followers of holy poverty.
• in sharing with the poor what is not needed.
• in seeking to avoid power and authority and prosperity.
• in being servants ( repeated 5X in nos. 18 & 19 ).
• in being submissive to every human creature for the sake of God.

This vision of Francis agrees very well with the criteria expressed in Perfectae Caritatis 13 and in the new Code of Canon Law.
20. This article begins with a list of qualities, attitudes and behavior which makes those who practice them living witnesses of humility and thus believable witnesses of Franciscan peace. Francis wants his followers to be meek, modest and humble and proposes that they speak to all respectfully and speak whatever may seem useful. Wherever they go they are to avoid arguments, involvement in litigations, or in judging others.



I shall meditate on this passage as I do my dishes, laundry, and cleaning the kids rooms. To meditate as you work, you need to keep the music off, so you can hear yourself, and God.

Back Up and Running

Our computer bit the dust a few weeks back, and we are finally up and running again! I was excited to see and hear about having other people who actually read this blog! Thanks Aunts! Now I will try to be more faithful to it. Been trying to get my house deep cleaned and organized for the start of the new school year. One more week! It is going well, and I am looking forward to some quieter mornings.

We have had some challenges the last couple of weeks, computer breaking, water pump out of Kevin's car, a couple other unexpected bills, and Kevin's Godfather passed away suddenly. It is harder in these times, it seems, to be faithful to God's will, and keeping him first when you have all these matters pressing in on you from all sides that seem to need to take a priority in your day. You can't let yourself slip from God as your center. He is your most important allie, and He gives us these challenges in hopes of drawing us closer to Him, and building our character. Like parents everywhere say "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!" Sufferings, even everyday ones, are graces from God. He only lets His closest friends suffer. How you choose to handle these sufferings, is the test. Will you give up and turn away into depression, or will you persevere, continue the fight and make God proud.

Making Decisions for the Greater Good

Sometimes in life you have a moment happen, almost without you realizing what is happening till it has happened. I am talking about the kind of moments that shock you down to your core and make you stop in your tracks realizing how far from your goals and morals and ethics you have just unknowingly strayed. These moments create an atmosphere to make what most would proclaim as a very hard decision, a very easy one to make after all! My husband and I had a moment as we were watching TV, a favorite show of ours, and heard one of the main people, someone we both looked to for encouragement and direction, say something so far from what it not only means to be a Catholic, but a Christian in general. And then to realize that our 9, 6, and 4 year old just heard it also. We reflected and discussed later the impact this statement may have on our kids, and the Bible verse came to my mind where Jesus is telling the people "If your eye causes you to sin, then gouge it out, of your right arm causes you to sin, then it is better to cut it off". We took a long hard look at the shows we were watching on TV, and what the kids were watching. Not they were all bad, as EWTN is the main channel our TV tuns into. I had already previously banned shows after reviewing with my daughters (ages 9 and 6) about how the characters behave and dress, and how they are with or against how God wants us to. So Hannah Montana and the like were quickly agreed all around to go, long before this incident. How easy it is to see someone else's habits as wrong before we see them in ourselves. My husband and I agreed to simply turn off our TV subscription. It has been a month, and not to worry, we are all okay! We are all reading more, playing together more, getting along easier, and getting chores done more quickly. The "I wants" are getting fewer also with the subtraction of all those commercials! I am not saying that everyone has to turn off their TV's, but I am saying you may want to evaluate what you are watching, and ask yourself, is this in accordance with the 10 commandments and, what deadly sins are these characters committing, and how are these shows forming my personality and idea of how I should be living my life!

Pray this next week, and following weeks; for graces and guidance in determining you and your family's TV viewing habits, and critically evaluate what is and is not bringing you closer to God, and to each other. Then pray for the grace and determination to make the changes.

Spiritual Reading

I have started a new book I got while on vacation, and it is one of those awe-inspiring "Duh!" books that I wish I would have had ten years ago! Graced and Gifted by Kimberly Hahn. I love all of Scott Hahn's writings, so I should not have been surprised that his wife would be any less off key! The book contains Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart. I am highly recommending it, and I am only half-way through it. There are phrases in here that stop you in your tracks!

The kids are out of school for the summer, and we went on a weeks vacation. We are finally getting into a summer routine that is healthy and nurturing. We have set goals and used those goals to created a guide for our days, and then make to-do lists on a daily basis. I find doing this, instead of a complete schedule works best for us. Some people need that strict guideline for their day, but I find life gets in the way too often; though during the school year I am more apt to follow a stricter schedule. One thing that I struggle with is getting up with the alarm clock. I like to negotiate and justify hitting snooze several times. In the book Mrs. Hahn quotes Saint Josemaria Escriva "Conquer yourself each day from the very first moment, getting up on the dot, at a set time, without granting a single minute to laziness. If, with the help of God, you conquer yourself in that moment, you'll have accomplished a great deal for the rest of the day." This really struck home for me, and I am seeing that alarm clock, set for 6am, in a whole new light. It is set at 6 so that I might have an hour and a half to 2 hours in the morning to myself before the children rise for some personal time with God and to start my day off calmly, and be able to collect my bearings, before chaos hits the house.Giving to God the first moments of our day, and giving Him our day, helps to align our days with His will for our day! Allow your spouse also, to have quiet time in the morning before they must leave for the chaos and trials of the world. It will strengthen them in God's will for them, and they will seek home as a sanctuary.

Use these moments, whether they are 10 minutes or an hour to pray silently to God, and also to listen to Him, and know His will for your day. Also use this time for Bible reading, study, or other spiritual reading. Reading and re-reading the Bible grows us closer to God, and reveals to us Jesus, and the Church, and the ways we should live. Spiritual reading of Catholic apologetics, lives of the Saints, and other religious guides such as Mr. and Mrs. Hahn's books, help us on this journey of our lives. We should also encourage our children to take time for prayer and spiritual reading as they grow, so that they have a firm grounding in how to maintain and care for themselves spiritually, not just physically before they leave us for the world as young adults.

I have been neglecting my blog and my prayers the past couple of weeks. I can easily blame it on the hectic year end schedule and all the chaos of extra and unexpected bills, and I have just been completely exhausted the past couple of weeks, and haven't been sleeping well. The sad part is that instead of sitting in front of facebook games, I should have been praying more and opening up on this blog more.

 Jesus told me I need to start making it more personable, instead of just trying to get pages researched and written. This blog should be more about life, real life, real problems, chaos and real talk with solutions. So here goes!

When you feel yourself pulling away from God when things start getting too real, the easiest thing to do is to walk around in a fog, whining about your failures. It takes trust and discipline to keep praying and trusting in God. To keep Hope. When you feel this happening in your life, stop and say a short prayer acknowledging these feelings and asking for the grace to see past them, and to keep your eyes on Him. This is also when it is good to know some saints that can help you. Something that you should do is choose a Patron Saint for your marriage and family. Ours is St. Michael the Archangel, the great defender, and he has never failed us! Pray and ask Jesus which saint is best for you and your family. He will guide you to the one that is best for your life.

It is shameful that when things start going against plan or schedule the first thing we neglect is God, when in reality this should be the time that we turn to him more. He wants to talk with us about our concerns and worries and problems just as much as being praised for all the good things, times, and graces that He gives us! It is also wrong that when things get stressful in life, it is your spouse that you neglect second. The other morning I awoke to see my husband sitting on the couch praying. I knew he was praying for me and for us, and it really opened my eyes to what I have been neglecting, and I thank God that I have been given such a wonderful husband who is trying his hardest to be the man and husband that God intends him to be. Husbands remember that it is you that sets the tone of your home and family, the stronger you are spiritually, the stronger your wife and children will become.


It is okay to fail, but it is not okay to just lie there wallering in your own misery. You must get up, apologize, pray, brush yourself off and try again!