Why nothing is getting done around here...

Song for a Fifth Child



 Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't her his eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.


by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

My little fifth child is just out of the hospital after getting aspiration pneumonia following surgery.  We're just hangin' and I'm good with that.

Unexcused Absence

Renamed - Unexcused Absence.
I apologize for my absence.  Life has, I'm afraid, caught up with me.  After my surgery in August, complications that followed, school starting and me, not feeling better, blogging has fallen to the back burner.  I must admit that I really haven't had the gumption.  Want to know something?  I'm behind on everything:  school, reading, writing, teaching.  Everything including email.  Before surgery, I had a few unread emails in my inbox.  Right now there are 789. Yup.  789.  And, since I'm not still not feeling quite up to par, consider this my notice that I will be only blogging over at my other blog only for a while.  I'll try to shoot back here around Advent.

Take care!

Remembering John

Last night, we drove to Wisconsin to celebrate.  We were celebrating the short, but beautiful life of my brother-in-law, John, who passed away on April 6, 2011 at the age of 45 as a result of complications of Type 1 Diabetes.  Yesterday, my sister hosted a memorial walk/run to raise money for Type 1 Diabetes research.  It was a hot, but beautiful event.

Two of my kids are not present because they ran, instead of walking, and placed in their age category!

Here are the details of the race:

The family and friends of John Brunstad invite you to join them for the John Brunstad Memorial run  on Saturday, July 14th at 6:00 p.m.  along the beautiful Red Cedar State Trail in Menomonie, WI.   John was an avid runner whose runs often included part of the Red Cedar Trail.  He took up running in his twenties because he knew it would benefit him in many ways.  One of the most important was to better manage his Type 1 Diabetes.   John was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in 1980 at the age of 14.  He chose to control the disease and not let the it control him.  He took good care of himself managing his T1D very well for over 30 years.  This care included testing his blood glucose multiple times a day, using an insulin pump, eating well and exercising regularly.  However, it was this disease that caused his life here with us to be too short.  John passed away in his sleep on April 6, 2011 due to severe hypoglycemia.  Hypoglycemia is the sudden drop of glucose in a person’s blood because too much insulin is present in the body.  When glucose is too low for too long the brain cannot function.

John was a wonderful, loving husband to Beth and father to Rachel, Becca, Nick, Abbie and Phil, son to Loyd & Fern and brother to Barb, Debi, Sandi, Tammy, Jim & Laura.   He had a great sense of humor, loved running, gardening and spending time with family and friends.  He is dearly loved and deeply missed by many.  It is our hope this will be an annual event that will benefit worthy causes.  Proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Stepping Stones of Dunn County and Friends of the Red Cedar Trail.   The John Brunstad Memorial Run fund has been established at the Community Foundation of Dunn County and is owned and managed by the Comunity Foundation of Dunn County.  All gifts to the fund will be distributed from the John Brunstad Memorial Run Fund in accordance with policies of the Community Foundation of Dunn County.

The Races

Starting at the head of the Red Cedar State Trail, you’ll enjoy  the flat, fast  crushed rock coarse.  The  rail parallels the Red Cedar River.  Participants enjoy some of the beautiful features of the trail including limestone rock formations, wildlife (possibly a bald eagle)  and lush woodlands. 

10K—This out and back race will take participants south to Irvington where they will go past the 3 mile marker, turn around and return. Enjoy the lush woods and interesting geological features.

2 Mile Walk/Run—This out and back walk/run will take you to the 1 Mile marker on the beautiful Red Cedar State trail.  Enjoy the views of  Gilbert Creek and the Red Cedar River as you enjoy this section of the trail.

Perhaps next year I will have the where-with-all to post this before the event in case you would like to attend.  It was a beautiful event.

Being Comfortable With your Calling

I'm a personality test junkie.  Since I took my first Myers-Briggs personality test back in 1989, I've been hooked.  I love learning about myself, helping to explain my idiosyncrasies, and learning more about others so that I can better understand how to relate to them.

By far, my favorite personality test is called Strengthfinders.  My husband introduced me to it when, as a manager at a corporate retail company, he was required to take the test along with reading the book Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham.  Since then, I have read several books on using our strengths for success.

I found this book while doing a Google search.  It's Living Your Strengths - Catholic Edition.  It was just the book I needed to read this summer.

Now, let me tell you about how this whole Strengthfinders test works.  You answer a series of questions (so this is self-reported) in an on-line test.  What is revealed to you are your "Signature Themes."  Donald Clifton PH.d. , who created the test, had a very optimistic philosophy.  Instead of working really hard at correcting our weaknesses, we better serve God and humanity by using our strengths (or talents).  There are 34 signature themes.  Statistically, the chances of meeting someone with your exact themes is 1 in about 275,000.  The chances of meeting someone with your exact themes in exactly the same order is about 1 in 33,000,000.  So, while God made us in His likeness and image, He gave us a wide variety of strengths with which to work.

At a used book sale this summer, I also picked up another Strengths-based book, StrengthsQuest, which is for students.  It takes the 34 signature themes and shows how they apply to working in school and determining a career that would best match your strengths.  I bought this because I think our kids are failed by our schools (and us, too, sometimes) in career guidance.  Just because someone is interested in something does not mean it would be a good career for them.  As my eldest approaches high-school, I hope to use it to help him find his strengths and use them for the greater glory of God.

Here's a personal confession:  I am not always comfortable in my own skin.  Strangely enough, I am most uncomfortable with my strongest strength.  Actually, I think it might be fairer to say most people are uncomfortable with my strongest strength upon which I become uncomfortable.  People become uncomfortable with my busy-ness. 

So, I will just lay out my signature themes in rank order, just in case you want to understand me just a little better:

Achiever
People especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.

Communication
People especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.

Ideation
People especially talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.

Strategic
People especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Input
People especially talented in the Input theme have a need to collect and archive. They make collect information, ideas, history, or even relationships.

Perhaps, for me, one of the biggest realizations I had in learning these things about myself, was that discontent is the norm.  The other big ah-ha moment I had was realizing that because Achiever is my top theme, I put work before everything.  Things need to get done, in my book.  So much so, that I often add things to my to-do list that I have completed, that weren't there so I can cross them off, giving me a sense of "achieving."  Here's the wierd thing...that theme is my theme, not one I necessarily expect of my kids or husband.  Anyone who has seen my house can attest to the fact that I also do not apply "achiever" to my homemaking skills!

There are so many beautiful nuggets I could share with you from the Catholic Edition of Living Your Strengths but I just don't have the room or time.  But, I will leave you with two things.  If the statistics  gave you weren't enough, here's what St. Paul had to say about it in Romans 12:6-8 (from the USCCB website):

6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; 7if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; 8if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 

 And second, the parable from Matthew 25:14-29 (which I won't quote here for brevity) that Jesus told his disciples before his passion, death and resurrection about the master who entrusted "talents" to his servants while he was away.  Of course the word "talents" here represents money, but because this is a parable, you can think talents.  The point of the parable, which some people find harsh, wasn't about investing huge sums of money but rather about using the talents God places within each one of us.  God expects us to develop those talents and use them wisely.  In the parable, not every slave was given the same amount of "talents"; each was given "according to his ability."  So, it is with God and the distribution of talents and gifts among individuals.  In the parable, the master was furious with the servant who did nothing with their talents.  The master wanted the servant to take a risk and grow their talents.

Developing our talents into strengths requires risk.  We must step out, try new things or take a chance by doing something we may fail at, at first.  But if we do not take some risks, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, we will never grow.  God expects no less from us.  So, get out there and serve the Lord.

Overheard during bedtime stories...

We are working the way through all the Winnie-the-Pooh stories with my toddler and preschooler before bed.  Our bedtime ritual is: jammies, toothbrushing, allergy meds, family prayers, bedtime stories.  Although at our house bedtime stories are called "bednight stories" and "Pooh stories."

Last night I was reading Chapter 4 in The House at Pooh Corner where Pooh is trying decided where to go next.  He thinks about going to Rabbits because Rabbit always offers "a little bit of something" and then Pooh said, "I'm not getting any fatter, but perhaps the hole at Rabbits is growing smaller." 

I hear off in the distance, a whisper.  It's my husband to my eldest daughter, "That sounds like my pants."  Since none of us could keep our composure at that point, Pooh stories were done for the night. 

This morning, my eldest daughter asked her dad, "Are your pants growing smaller?"  He deserved that one.

The Death of Pretty

I'm extremely conservative, especially when it comes to fashion.  I also mourn The Death of Pretty. 

I understand it though, and see society's affects even on the Catholic Homeschool Girl.  Not mine, mind you.  She hasn't hit that milestone yet. 

But, I'm bothered when I see Catholic Homeschooled Girls as they pass puberty pitching pretty in favor of Hot.   I remember seeing one girl in particular, who the year before was this very pretty preteen.  Somewhere, she blossomed if you know what I mean.  She turned up in a tight pair of jeggings, knee-high, black high-heeled boots with a snug fitting v-neck sweater.  She had on eyeliner, blush, eyeshadow, mascara and lipstick (or deeply colored lip gloss).  She looked like a model out of Victoria Secrets.  While stunning, what hit me was she was no long pretty.  She was hot.  I was thankful that my sons were not there.

I see it with other girls, too.  I know this isn't coming from their moms.  I know their moms and some of them are great friends of mine who have shared the same concerns.  So, all I can guess is that it is society.  And, listen up Feminists.  It's not men's fault.  Here's what hit me over the head the hardest in the article:

Of course men play a role in this as well, but women should know better and they once did.  Once upon a time you would hear girls talk about kind of women men date and the kind they marry.  You don’t hear things like that anymore.
But here is the real truth.  Most men prefer pretty over hot.  Even back in 6th grade I hated the “hot” Olivia Newton John and felt sorry for her that she had to debase herself in such a way.  Still do.
Our problem is that society doesn’t value innocence anymore, real or imagined.  Nobody aspires to innocence anymore.  Nobody wants to be thought of as innocent, the good girl.  They want to be hot, not pretty.
I still hope that pretty comes back, although I think it not likely any time soon.  For every Taylor Swift, there are a hundred Megan Foxs, or Lindsay Lohans, or Miley Cyruses etc.
Girls, please, bring back the pretty.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-death-of-pretty#ixzz1iElPiZQS

Here is a modesty video that discusses the Catholic Church's stance on modesty:

Here’s a survey of young men, rating how women’s dress affects them.

Cooking should take my mind off it, right?

Meet Mr. Wonderful, my amazing 4 year old son.

We're back from Mr. Wonderful's colonoscopy and endoscopy.  More on that in a bit.

Are you like me?  Does the act of cooking, the creative act of throwing this and that together to make something delicious, takes you to another place?  This is the time of year I HAVE to bake.  Baking is not only one of my families most important traditions, it has the wonderful side effect providing nutrition (come on, even cookies have SOME nutrition).  I bake when I need to process.  So, that's on my agenda today.

Here's the list of things we're making this Christmas season:
UPDATE:  Those things that are finished have an X by them (12/20/2011)
X Artisan Bread (gifts for my hubby's bosses and co-workers and our neighbors)
x Schoenstatt Sugar Cookie Shrines
X Rice Krispie ornaments
X Sunbutter Cups (think Reese's without the peanut butter...using sunbutter instead)
Krumkake
GF/Dairy Free/Egg Free Pepperment Meltaway cookies
X  Corn Flake wreaths
X Church windows
X Graham Cracker Houses (see pictures here)
X GF Gingerbread Cookies
Date Filled Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

This is a really ambitious list, but it's the one time of year I'm guaranteed to bake, I need to process and my kids need the time with me.  The girls help and the boys linger, looking for beaters to lick and scraps to taste. So that's not bad, at all.

But mostly I need to process.  During Mr. Wonderful's colonoscopy, I slipped into the bathroom.  When I came out, the Dr. was waiting for me.  I didn't like the look in his eyes.  He HAD found some areas of concern that would explain failure to thrive.  I'm waiting for more lab results and a consultation on Thursday.  He was adamant we come in this week.  In the mean time, Mr. Wonderful was the model patient and he won over the nurses with his charming smile and big blue eyes. He won me over day one with those, so it's no surprise he's won more hearts.

So I'm processing the possibilities of a diagnosis I didn't want to get.  I'm processing the fact he inherited the possible condition from me.  I'm processing life with more changes.  Excuse me while I go cook.

This is Dottie Mae

Excuse me while I wipe away my tears...

The mother of this baby made the ultimate sacrifice.  Yes, she was a single mom.  Yes, she probably made some bad choices, but ultimately, she made a wonderful choice.  Instead of seeking treatment for a brain tumor, she chose LIFE.  She only got to hold her baby once.  She died three days later.
I can't write anymore. You can read it here.   Video starts automatically, so if you are working or don't want to disturb anyone, hit the pause button while it loads and read the text.


I want to thank my husband for always being pro-life and respecting that precious being inside of me when I've been pregnant, even though there have been risks and complications.   And, when they were unexpected (but never a surprise.)  This mom wasn't so lucky.  She didn't have a supportive spouse.  She did, however have a great brother.  God bless them.