Her Favorite Place to Climb ... and Sleep!

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Brotherly Love

I know the big guys missed me, but they really missed John.

Small Successes

Danielle Bean encourages mothers to encourage each other. What great or small successes have you had this week? Here are mine:

1. I am flying solo with the two babies to see my mother for Mother's Day. Exercising great hope and faith, I'm calling this a success in advance.

2. I had a 45 minute window during which both babies were sleeping. I planted two flower borders in record time. In another life this would have taken me two weeks. Seriously.

3. I attended an ultra-couponing class. The bad news is that I now have irrefutable evidence that I am grossly overspending. The good news is that I came away with several easy money saving techniques that I can implement right away.

I Look Like a Movie Star

I know it's true because a little old lady at church told me.

Mrs. M is a sweet women. She's the devout sort who attends the early Mass and arrives all decked out - the suit, the hat, the purse, the gloves.

The last time I saw her, she raved about the baby and, really, about all the kids.

"You have the most beautiful family," she gushed to Dave. "That baby, those boys!"

"And your wife, " Mrs. M continued. "Well, she looks just like a movie star. That's why you married her, isn't it?"

This was a first for me. No one - I mean no one - has ever said that I look like a movie star. Mostly because I don't. But this didn't stop Mrs. M. She kept right on talking.

"What's the name of that actress? Oh, oh, yes, Sally Field. She looks just like Sally Field!"

Sally Field.

Yes, I look just like Sally Field. Gidget. The Flying Nun.

"Don't forget Sybil!" Dave added helpfully.

I think I'll call my Mary Kay lady. Or Google botox?

Where Did You Get Your Eyes So Blue?

God gave them to me when I was coming through.

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought about you, and so I am here.

Excerpted from "Baby" by George MacDonald

First Communikid

Six years ago I spent weeks and weeks preparing for Tim’s First Communion. I had him pick out the tablecloths. I labored over the menu. I gathered a dozen of my favorite photos of Tim to decorate the tables.

Then came the actual week of First Communion. Things began to go south quickly. I was eight weeks pregnant and scheduled for an ultrasound.

“Well, your dates may be a little off,” the sonographer began. And I knew it was all over. This was my fourth or fifth miscarriage, and I had heard the line about the dates too many times before. Despite the inauspicious report, I continued on progesterone which left me bloated, moody, and unable to sleep.

So this was the backdrop to a momentous sacrament of initiation. Despite the bleak circumstances, Tim still received the Eucharist.

Loads of family travelled to celebrate with us. Some arrived late, some arrived early, and I hardly slept in between. Despite my fatigue and irritability, Tim received the Eucharist.

I planned a dinner at a homey restaurant known for its excellent food. I had not eaten there for five years or so. In the interim homey had devolved into run-down with a similar decline in the quality of food. I was mortified. But Tim still received the Eucharist.

At the reception guests began to arrive an hour early. I was frantic. Rain stymied our plans to celebrate outside. I sent Dave to pick up some flowers, and he returned with the gaudiest bunch I have ever seen. The ribs were burned. I left the macaroni and cheese in the refrigerator. I neglected to buy enough drinks.

And Tim still received the Eucharist.

In an education course eons ago, I studied a technique known as “concept attainment.” Teachers present multiple lessons using different modes of learning all aimed at mastering a single concept.

God was clearly employing this tactic with me.

At the end of the day, it's not about tablecloths, flowers or even the beautiful white dress (as fun as that's going to be!).

It's about about receiving the Bread of Life.

We celebrated Kolbe's First Communion yesterday. It was a beautiful, solemn event followed by a simple party at the lake.

Compared to Tim's, the glitches were minor. Kolbe forgot his belt. One family hogged three double pews! Everyone dashed before I could snap a picture of four kids with decent haircuts and ironed clothing. John got into the cake.

Still the graces of today - and six years ago and a thousand years ago - were abundant and unchanging.

When we arrived at the lake, Kolbe announced, "I'm the First Communikid!"

Yes, you are, my sweet sunshine.

She Stands!

The bad news? She's becoming well acquainted with the concept of gravity.

Hold on to that aircraft carrier!