Thoughts on an Easter Monday

Breakfast

Jerzy munched on an egg-full of M-M's and Marcel sucked on a ring-pop before breakfast was officially "served".  I reminded myself that today is Easter Monday and the celebrating could continue...a bit longer.  After all, I am sure the disciples were certainly celebrating the day after they discovered Jesus had resurrected.  Although their celebrating probably did not included candy-coated chocolate pieces or suckers that could double as jewelry.

Post-Breakfast

Marcel had the guts to request playing with Play-Doh as soon as he finished his "proper" breakfast.  Either he is the most courageous 4-year-old I know, or he simply hasn't looked around at the rest of the house to discover that every room looks as though a tornado had passed through in the night.  I was about to deny his request when I realized, his occupation with the Play-Doh may afford me the ability to get the counters cleared off.  Maybe.

On the iPod

Nate's Easter gift is helping me to cope on this morning after as I survey the damage--Alison Krauss and Union Station's new album, Paper Airplane.  Her sweet-grass tunes and vocals are giving me the courage to at least stare down the mess.  Now, to begin...

On the Agenda

I've dropped a few subtle hints that I'll be cleaning up a bit this morning.  And, this afternoon, we're going to look at a car for Nate.  Hopefully, it work out!  Have a great Easter Monday!  He is risen!

Band - Aid

Sometimes, a boy needs to take matters into his own hands.

Mommy kept asking him not to irritate a scratch he had on his head.  Hearing this, he quickly disappeared upstairs.  Minutes later, he came back to the kitchen to show off his remedy.  I have to give him credit, it did the job.

7 Quick Takes

[ 1 ]

Big news!  75% of my children can now get themselves dressed in the morning.  This is a big deal!  Morning stress is reduced when simply laying out a child's clothes guarantees they'll come downstairs set and ready to go.  Most days, they match, and the days they don't, if we're not leaving the house, I don't make a fuss about it.  I am just enjoying this moment!

[ 2 ]

My boys have had an awesome Lent.  I am saying this purely from the physical side.  As a family we've made a few changes for Lent, and the only one that we've stuck to (for various reasons) is giving up chocolate.  There have been many times during the last few weeks that chocolate has been offered to them.  When possible, they have politely declined.  When, not possible (because it would be rude) they have accepted the chocolate and then told me about it later, explaining the situation and why they accepted the treat.  I am really proud of them for being so committed.  If only their Mom had that kind of resolve...

[ 3 ]

Jozef turns "6" next week.  He has been waiting for his birthday to come since just after Christmas.  He drew a picture of the items he wanted for his birthday back in February.  Each day, he asks, "How many more days 'till my birthday?"  It's hard to believe just how much he's looking forward to it.  We'll travel to Sioux Falls with some friends to one of those indoor inflatable entertainment centers and then go out for pasta afterward.  And, he can have chocolate, since we're celebrating his birthday on Palm Sunday.

Jozef's birthday list.

[ 4 ]

Jozef was enamored with all of the plans to celebrate his big day except for the fact that we're celebrating it on a Sunday.  "Sunday" means "mass".  And "mass" for him, is not the most exciting hour of the week.  He threw a bit of a fit upon realizing that he had to go to mass on the day we were celebrating his birthday.  Ah, the emotional roller coaster that is a young boy.

[ 5 ]

Nate hit a deer over a week ago (when we were in the U.P.) and wrecked our mini-van.  I was not upset when he told me and was truly happy that he wasn't hurt.  After discussing the accident with him the reality of car shopping set in.  Since our very first days as a married couple, making major purchases has been difficult to navigate.  We each approach a purchase from different angles.  Allow me to illustrate:

Her :  I want you to find the right car for your needs as well as one that we can count on.  It needs to be safe, good in the snow, and in good condition.  You are special to me, let's find a great car for you, my love.

Him:  Let's find a car that gets down the road.

So, we're looking for something between Mater and Lightening McQueen.  That shouldn't be too difficult.

[ 6 ]

Often, people ask me where we get the inspiration for the names of our children.  While each of them is named after a Saint, I also wanted as many of their names to be of modern Saints.  Why?  Well, often, we have pictures of these Saints and more of their life story, simply because of the advent of cameras, letter writing, diaries, etc.  Also, their relatives and friends may be available to the Vatican to give many first-hand accounts regarding their lives.  That way, the boys (and our future daughter) can have a picture of their Saints on their walls as well as really learn about them and, hopefully, become friends with them.  One source that I keep going back to is a series of books by Ann Ball.  I found Jerzy's name in there as well as the name we're planning to name our baby girl: Gemma.  In fact, St. Gemma is on one of the covers!

Modern Saints: Their Lives and Faces, Book 1

Modern Saints: Their Lives and Faces, Book 2

[ 7 ]

Here's what 30-weeks is looking like these days:

Jerzy now knows that there is a baby in Mommy's belly.  For the last few days, he's periodically come up to me and asked, "Your baby come out yet?"  To which I answer, "Not yet." I thought 10 more weeks was a long wait for me, but it seems he's just as anxious!

Have a great weekend!

Hiatus

The boys and I spent the last two weeks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  My Mom had surgery and it was a great way to spend time with our extended family and serve her.  Honestly, the boys loved their time there so much, they never once asked, "When are we going home?"

Nate and I would like nothing better than to live in the U.P., though it's tough to see a path that will get us there.  As far as Nate's field (construction) there is not that much activity there and it would require that he travel throughout Michigan and Wisconsin to work on projects--and be away from us for extended periods of time.

I sometimes wonder if we'll always wish to be there, but never get there.  Often, the lives of the Saints are filled with unfulfilled desires.  St. Gianna, for instance, wanted to be a missionary in South America.  She prayed about it for years until she realized that God was calling her to marriage.  St. Gemma (who we're planning to name our baby girl after) desired to become a religious for many years.  However, poor health made that an unfulfilled dream for her.

Both of these women continued to love and serve the Lord where they were at, but also had a desire for something different.  That may be the same place we're in.  We may always desire to be closer to our families,  but that might not be what God has planned for us.

So, for two weeks, the boys and I got to live our dream of visiting, sharing and living with our family.  And, we were thankful to God and to Nate (who spent over a week alone) for the opportunity.