God Moments

How many times do we go through our day and not know if we have touched someone's life?  I'm talking about the "big" touches.  You know the ones.  I'd like to think of them as God moments.  Those times in our lives when God puts just the right thoughts, words, body language and pours a bit of the Holy Spirit in there and then...wah la!  It's a God moment.  A moment you didn't plan or create, but were a part of and may not even know it.

I've had a couple of those this week. 

Nope, God was not putting those beautiful words in my mouth.  I was on the receiving end.

As a mother, caretaker, educator, wife, taxi driver, housekeeper, maid, and slave laborer (did I say that??)  :-)  among a few of my job descriptions, I many times feel alone.  Shocking, right?  I'm surrounded by children all day, but I feel utterly and entirely alone.  I feel lost and scared.  I worry that I'm not doing enough.  Sometimes I worry that I'm doing too much and I'll start having seizures again.  And, honestly, sometimes I just worry.  I feel lost and did I mention alone??  sigh

However, this week two people that read my blog (seriously, I didn't know anyone still did), called or spoke to me in person and touched me.  It made me think of a song that I learned growing up, "This Little Light of Mine."  I could really see the light of Christ in them.  They touched me.  They reminded me I wasn't alone.  I'm doing okay.  I'm on the right path.

So, today or tomorrow or even next week if you feel the urge to say something (nice or constructive) to someone...listen to your heart.  Listen to God.   Share the light of Christ with others. 

You have no idea what your actions today might spark in someone tomorrow.

Peace and Happiness,
Sara

Floating

It's been one of those days.  We've all had them.  It started off as a decent sunshiny day and morphed into something else. 

Let's just say I felt the need to text a friend for a boost.  My foot went through my porch (because it's rotten and needs to be replaced...I was really thinking, until said foot went through, that it just needed to be repainted...sigh).  While doing the laundry, I found my son's blessed magnet cross in the dryer...in pieces.  I took the children to a Catholic school to check it out (I felt like a total failure when I left).  And, I still feel like we are in limbo with the fostering thing.  You know there is really no reason to go on at this point.  It was one of those days.

I felt overwhelmed and alone by the end of the day.  As I sit here fighting the tears, I feel a bit stressed and I'm trying to remember that I should be giving this up, right?? 

Then, I sit and think about all of the people who don't have a porch to put their foot through.  They don't have a laundry machine that works to do the laundry...or they don't have enough clothes to wash.  What about those who don't have the chance to be home with their children and watch them learn?  And, what about those foster children who feel lost and alone??

Oh, that's right.  I'm lucky.  I'm blessed.  I'm not alone.

So, as I ride along in my boat in the big ocean we call life.  May God be my captain and may I no longer float along, but ride with the wind in my hair and the sun in my face (even if it burns) because He has a plan for me!!

Peace and happiness,
Sara 

Stillness

There are moments, late at night, when everything is still in my home.  I enjoy this quiet and peaceful time.  I am able to collect my thoughts and be prayerful.  However, there are occasions where I find myself thinking about my future.  Unfortunately, I think too much sometimes.

I tend to think past the rapidly approaching sacraments for my youngest and oldest child.  I zoom right past summer fun.  I fly past things like family vacation and other wonderful and joyous things that we plan to do in the near future. 

For me, the trip in my mind takes me so far in the future that I imagine myself in my home late at night with the stillness surrounding me...knowing my children are in their own homes embracing their own peaceful time.

May God's Peace be with all of you!

I'm Back

Here I sit staring at a blank screen.  I'm really not sure where to start.  It's been just over 2 months since my last post.  And as a homeschooling mom who constantly harps on "just write something"...I find myself sitting here just typing into the great unknown. 

If you write it...what...if I write it, then what.  Some amazing thing will occur??  Hmmm.

Well, no, not exactly.  However, as my children can eventually attest, just writing is good.  It helps you get your thoughts and ideas out there.  Does it matter if no one else is listening or reading what I write?  No, not today.  Today is for me.  Today is a new beginning.  Today...I'm kicking my tires, scraping off the ice and telling everyone around that I'm ready to get started again!

I've had a good last couple of months.  Life has been crazy, but then again isn't it always?  We have two new family members...cats...lol.  They are just like having babies.  My house is getting cleaned up, but it's still a mess.  I always feel like we're broke...oh, wait...sometimes we are.  My husband and kids are wonderful...except when I'm a raving lunatic.  Homeschooling is amazing...except when I feel completely inadequate.  I'm getting out and making new friends...who are just my friends because they feel sorry for me (insert old issues here).  I've started exercising again...you know I'm just not going to say anything here, you can insert your own nasty comment.

See, overall life is absolutely amazing!! 

God Bless!

All in a Day's School Work

So, this morning I got up and found myself faced with a tickle in my throat.  Ugh!  I'm not at all excited by this.  AT ALL!!  Anyway, I got up and made the butter braids my sister had out on the counter rising.  These things are so yummy.  Really, if you've never tried them...you must!  I made cream cheese and apple.  Mmmmm.  We did a few loads of laundry, which I'm happy to say my kids were great about helping me.  Yeah, go kids!!

After breakfast, the kids and I sat down and began our school for the day.  I checked in with each of the children's instructional supervisors.  (This year we are doing online school, so there is someone we answer to...it takes some getting used to for me...I like to be in control.)  The ladies are lovely.  They have been very helpful and are always eager to do what I need.  There are just things that I don't always like or want.  School work was a huge success today.  I am always so much in awe of my children.  I am so happy for them and so proud of them.

Much to my little guys dismay today he drew pictures and had to do copy work about his drawings.  He does not like to draw or color, so we try to do this every week.  It's very painful for everyone involved.  He also did spelling, reading and math.  Of course, since we tend to do our work around the kitchen table, he also studies whatever subjects the girls are studying.  He listens and answers questions.  Even if he's playing with his toys at the table while they are doing their work, he's getting more.  :)

My middle daughter began working on spelling today.  We reviewed her words and she took spelling tests.  She also wrote a letter.  Mythology was the next subject for her.  She LOVES mythology.  Next, she worked on her multiplication.  We had a light bulb moment there...so exciting!  Then, it was off to reading and she rounded the day off with science...whew...that girl was crazy today!

My eldest was equally amazing today.  She flew through her history today.  She did so many lessons I can't even count.  I am always excited by the amount of information she retains when she reads.  I am also excited that she enjoys working on this subject on her own with just a review from me.  (I loathe history...really, I do.)  This has been both a good and bad thing about the online schooling.  She has more independence and can move at her own pace; however, sometimes I don't have a clue what she's talking about when she's got a question...I have to look through the book and her lessons, etc.  grrr...  Although, the questions are fairly few and far between....which leads to the other bad thing...I miss the one on one time with the school work.  I like teaching.

So, school is good!  My kids are great!  And, I am the luckiest mom in the world...that is until tomorrow when everything falls apart and the tickle in my throat becomes something worse and nothing goes right with school and the ice hits and ....and...and...Okay, maybe I'll stick with it's all good!

God Bless!

The Road is Filled with Good Intentions.

You set your goals, you decide what you're going to do...then, bam, all of a sudden, out of no where, life throws you a curve ball.  Personally, most of the time, it smacks me right in the face.  (I'm really not a very good ball player.  Just ask my son...oh, hence the previous post where I mentioned not a good idea for us to play catch in the house.)

So, what happens when your intentions are good, but due to circumstances beyond your control your follow through is less that 100%?

I often think about those who are truly succeeding in life.  Those who are CEO's, they've created things, they are making their dreams come true, or they are happily living debt free, etc.  Whatever the "success" is, how do they achieve it?

I think success is taking the ice off your face (from the curve ball), giving the "good intentions" a dirty look (you know the one your kids give you when they don't want to do something, and just pushing through....perseverance.  That is my motto for today.  Perseverance.

May you be able to persevere through whatever trials you have today.

God Bless!

5 Little Things and Goal Setting

During the last month I've been talking a great deal about 5 things and making lists.  It really was working quite well.  I've taken a bit of time off and come to my sisters.  While here I haven't been able to "purge" things from my home; however my main objective was just making it through the days...yeah, I did that!!.  That pretty much was my entire goal.  Huge for me, right?  You also know that I love to make lists, but really these last few days have just been about going through the motions and picking up the pieces and making sure everyone was still there at the end of the day.

Now, we are onto tomorrow.  First things first, I need to get rid of some things.  I think that I need to go to confession somewhere before the ice storm hits here.  I could totally "purge" my soul of some things...I'm sure I have at least 5 things there!!  My children need to learn about my 5 little things idea.  I'd like to share it with them.  I really have enjoyed it so much.  I think they will also.

Then, I'm thinking that I need to look into both some short and long term goals.  I could "purge" my body this week of unwanted and unneeded calories this week!!  That could be a short term goal which could lead to the long term goal of taking better care of myself.  I could get back to writing my blog and sharing of myself.  It makes me feel so much better.  I just feel such a release.  Ahhhhhh!

You know writing all of these things down and looking over them again...I think I need to go on a spiritual retreat.  Anyone else feel the same way?  Anyone feel like they just need a soul cleaning, quick start on their journey?

I believe that it's the little things we do that make a big difference in the end.  And, I think it's the little things that I do today that will make a difference for myself and my family tomorrow!

God Bless!