tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325864922024-03-13T22:05:23.090-05:00Minnesota MomMargaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.comBlogger2369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-19886542230160682972015-07-28T11:46:00.000-05:002015-07-28T11:56:09.943-05:00Alive not Dead: an Adventure through Life <b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">s sponsored by Netflix.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>(Kudos to them for this post.)</i></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRp_f5eUO3E/VbeakvXNgUI/AAAAAAAAJgk/Ww4PnvEODS0/s1600/StreamTeam%2BReview%2BCake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRp_f5eUO3E/VbeakvXNgUI/AAAAAAAAJgk/Ww4PnvEODS0/s640/StreamTeam%2BReview%2BCake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">L</span><b>ast night it happened yet again. I hit bottom, my weekly date with despair!</b><br />
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(What? I am nothing if not an Honest Blogger. Thus the label on this post.)<br />
<br />
(In last night's case, I broke down and called myself a "crap mom." My husband, exasperated, walked out of the room.)<br />
<br />
Look, when did I ever say that losing my oldest would be easy? I didn't, you know, and his turning eighteen in two weeks may <i>kill </i>me. For example...<br />
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"What do you want to do for your birthday?" I asked, thinking, <i>"a red velvet cake...maybe a mother/son movie..."</i><br />
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"Get a tattoo," he replied with a grin.<br />
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(He's serious, too! What can I say? I <i>have </i>one!)<br />
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That's the thing. I know what *I* did when I was his age, and heaven forbid that he venture down that path. Heaven <i>does </i>forbid it, for what it's worth, but then there's that Free Will Thing that comes into play.<br />
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Not that getting a tattoo is sinful. I happen to like them if they're artfully done and tastefully placed, even though it means being a wrinkled old coot covered in ink. It's more...<i>the other stuff</i> that worries my mother's heart. The drinking...the drug abuse...the premarital sex...the...<br />
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<i>Everything</i>.<br />
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It's hard not to worry about all the Everything.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">C</span><b>onsequently I hold him close and (not surprisingly), he's pushing back.</b> He is ready, so ready, to stretch his wings, and here's me with a scissors thinking "snip! snip! snip!" This is hard business, this letting go. I am fighting such dark dark feelings of fear and rejection that the pressure I'm putting on him is incredible. It's no fun for him and it's no fun being me--at least, not the me that's been playing the guilt card daily. ("Did you say your blessing? How's your prayer life? Where are you going/with whom/and Why?!") I have to make peace with the great unknown; I have to (quite simply) let him go.<br />
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Enter the escape of a really good movie!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyjmb4EDgqw/VbemZTRP0uI/AAAAAAAAJg8/5_mzbBCoYhE/s1600/Terms%2Bof%2BEndearment%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyjmb4EDgqw/VbemZTRP0uI/AAAAAAAAJg8/5_mzbBCoYhE/s640/Terms%2Bof%2BEndearment%2BII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's Netflix to the rescue when my emotional chips are down.<br />
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I'm not one to like those fluffy films, preferring instead a shot of <b><a href="http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/True-Grit/70142543" target="_blank">true grit</a></b>. (That's a great movie, by the way, though not currently available to stream.) What <i>is </i>available, I was thrilled to find, is one of my all-time favorites, <i><b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/watch/60004508?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%252C0%252C9fb810e6-868c-4311-a13a-e8423e93cc0f-724163" target="_blank">Terms of Endearment</a></b>.</i><br />
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You've seen it, right? Time to see it again, now that you've lived through most of what you're watching: the ins and outs of a troubled marriage, an overbearing mom, (ahem), the pain of watching a loved one die.<br />
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Yes, there's drug abuse, yes, there's sex, but it's real people making real mistakes...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oyh03If278k/Vbel4Hbh5wI/AAAAAAAAJg4/x_-MqDX87js/s1600/Terms%2Bof%2BEndearment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oyh03If278k/Vbel4Hbh5wI/AAAAAAAAJg4/x_-MqDX87js/s640/Terms%2Bof%2BEndearment.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
...and coming out okay in the end.<br />
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This type of movie resonates with me. I feel more alive when I'm done watching them, not sluggish or like I've mentally checked out for two hours. It's a movie that makes me reevaluate life, which is why I also fell in love with <b><i><a href="http://www.netflix.com/watch/80017263?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%252C0%252C31e6ca2ee91af66d4cd26d988ae52b930fde82e6%253Afc3b2ed4eec455329b076d570a45961a464de7cb" target="_blank">Cake</a></i></b>. Again, there's some sex and quite a bit of language, but the lead character's spirit stole my heart. (It's Jennifer Anniston in an <i>amazing </i>role.) <b><a href="http://patentsgirl.blogspot.com/2008/09/o-happy-fault.html" target="_blank">Having gone down that road of substance abuse</a></b>...and having seen the light of mercy at the end of the tunnel...<br />
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Well, there you go and here we go.<br />
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I want to be alive, not dead, on this journey called life and <i>yikes</i>, that means embracing the pain. It means loving hard and then letting go. It means looking up with trust and not forward (or back) with fear.<br />
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Thank you, God, and thank you, Netflix.<br />
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A good movie's a gift when life gets hard.<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-36553587540058115492015-07-27T13:34:00.000-05:002015-07-27T13:40:29.433-05:00In His Hand <b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>aka</i> This Pilgrim's Progress </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>ne of the problems I have with blogging is that I have quite literally hundreds of things to say. Right now (and thankfully for <i>YOU</i>), I'll focus on just a few of them. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sadys1skHyc/VbZhm-DO5qI/AAAAAAAAJfg/eVdPjbFG6NA/s1600/In%2BHis%2BHand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sadys1skHyc/VbZhm-DO5qI/AAAAAAAAJfg/eVdPjbFG6NA/s640/In%2BHis%2BHand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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First, no matter where we're at right now, <i>God's got this</i>. He's holding us close in the palm of His hand.<br />
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He loves us and wants nothing more than our <i>trust</i>. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5r-RHSEm_a0/VbZjI2baQaI/AAAAAAAAJfs/HWD8AesdLMs/s1600/In%2BHis%2BHand%2BIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5r-RHSEm_a0/VbZjI2baQaI/AAAAAAAAJfs/HWD8AesdLMs/s640/In%2BHis%2BHand%2BIII.jpg" /></a></div>
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Aren't we cute? He has numbered the very <strike>hairs on our head</strike> warts on our back. <br />
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Second, my computer's hard drive has gone <i>kaput</i>. I'm writing this post on the kids' computer and it feels weird, like I'm invading their space. (Also? Who the heck spilled their DQ Blizzard on the desk? And then just <i>left </i>it? That's gross! I mean really!)<br />
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The irony isn't lost on me, that I've posed the question "What is God's will for my blogging?" and then, justlikethat, my computer goes down.<br />
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Where there's a will there's a way, however! I did want to check in with you and say thank you for taking the time to comment. I had to smile (and wince) when I read <b><a href="http://cooperfamilyfarm.com/" target="_blank">Jennie C's</a></b> comment:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">Margaret, you ask this question so often, that I think you already know the answer. We love you, to be sure, but maybe it's time to step back </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">without guilt</i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;"> for a season. Your kids are growing older, and older children are more demanding of our time. Something has to give, and this is probably it. Don't quit blogging if it gives you any measure of joy. Do quit blogging if it's one more thing on your to-do list. Or - best of both worlds here - write what you want when you want without worrying about what a bunch of people on the internet think. And clean your house anyway. It's easier to write in a tidy space."</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px;">I posted her comment in full because I just love Jennie C. She is not one to mince words, <i>ever, </i>and I wish I were just a bit more like her--<i>confident, forthright, okay in my own skin. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px;">(In other words, insecurity is my middle name.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px;">(Thanks a lot, Mom and Dad! Why'd you name me that?!) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6000003814697px;">* * *</span></span></div>
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In other news, I have a ton of pictures that I can't wait to post. We had our Catholic Vacation Bible School last week and it was as awesome/fun/overwhelming as always. I was in the art room (after years and years of being in charge of the nursery) and I loved it! I loved that the director of CVBS (<b><a href="http://ontheroadtobecomingascholar.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hi, Cathie B</a></b>!) had such wonderful and well-laid-out daily crafts, and I loved working one-on-one with the kids and my teen helpers.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aot0oxlq-hQ/VbZ4fh9cnDI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/987vS9Zm_9Y/s1600/CVBS%2BI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aot0oxlq-hQ/VbZ4fh9cnDI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/987vS9Zm_9Y/s640/CVBS%2BI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was worth every second invested. Our Lady of the World, please pray for us! </div>
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Also, I went to a going-away party (sigh) for <b><a href="http://makemeasaint.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jamie</a></b> last week and have some wonderful pictures from <i>that</i> event. <b><a href="http://wwwendlessways.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christine</a>, </b>our host, has a beautiful log home in the country! If only she'd invited me to spend the <i>week</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd_-c0TC3kE/VbZ32YuRybI/AAAAAAAAJgI/7Ov9bSGsyCw/s1600/Christine%2Band%2BJamie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd_-c0TC3kE/VbZ32YuRybI/AAAAAAAAJgI/7Ov9bSGsyCw/s640/Christine%2Band%2BJamie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Why I Blog</i></span></td></tr>
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I would have gone right out and bought a toothbrush. </div>
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Finally, <i>books</i>. Have you and the kids been reading aloud this summer?! </div>
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(<b><a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/read-aloud-revival-the-podcast/" target="_blank">My friend Sarah</a></b> would want me to ask. ; )</div>
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I would be remiss if I didn't share one or two titles with you, so here are a few from this summer's list: First, <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Penderwicks-Spring-Jeanne-Birdsall/dp/0375870776" target="_blank"><i>The Penderwicks in Spring</i></a></b> is our current read-aloud, along with three really wonderful audio books in the van: <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sign-Beaver-Elizabeth-George-Speare/dp/0547577117" target="_blank"><i>The Sign of the Beaver</i></a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gone-Away-Lake-Books/dp/0152022724" target="_blank"><i>Gone-Away Lake</i></a></b>, and <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Magicians-Nephew-Chronicles-Narnia/dp/0064471101" target="_blank">The Magician's Nephew</a></b></i> (which I had never read, what was I <i>thinking</i>?!). </div>
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So yeah, two thumbs' up to all those books...and two thumbs' up to all of <i>you</i>. </div>
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I mean it. You're great. </div>
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I thank God for you. ♥</div>
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<i>See you soonish!</i> <i>It's a hard drive thing.</i> </div>
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-88517772330069955972015-07-22T06:23:00.002-05:002015-07-22T06:23:32.997-05:00Please Read This <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span><span style="font-size: large;">hy? </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ysLfv_Lo0/Va92FnoqC2I/AAAAAAAAJfA/GL4KarwrM10/s1600/Thinking%2BOut%2BLoud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ysLfv_Lo0/Va92FnoqC2I/AAAAAAAAJfA/GL4KarwrM10/s640/Thinking%2BOut%2BLoud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why <i>should </i>you read this? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's what I'm trying to figure out, and I'm trying really hard not to be a pill about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"You just did a survey! What more do you want?!"</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's a good question. Here are the facts: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My blog is about to change a bit, because I'm (finally) making the jump the WordPress. More on that later.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I need to decide if I'm going to have sponsors. <b>Would it bug you if I did?</b> Be honest, because we are not in a good place financially and that's the main reason that I'm considering sponsors. </span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most of all, I'm discerning how to make the best use of my time, because my time is your time and in the end, it's all His. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other words, <b>does God want me to be a blogger?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or should I focus my efforts on, say, cleaning my home? 'Cause I could no doubt have an <i>amazing </i>yard sale, if only I'd label and table all that extra <i>stuff</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Sounds pretty daunting.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(I think I'd rather blog.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So these are my thoughts, tossed (in humility) toward you. Please leave a comment or, if you prefer, send an email: mom4life[at]comcast[dot]net. </span><br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-79317147948435827142015-07-17T10:32:00.002-05:002015-07-17T12:14:08.532-05:00Life Hacks vs. Life-Robbing<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>(along with a smattering of this and that)</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>he back-to-school ads are starting back up already. Like seeing Christmas displays on the heels on Halloween discounts, I'm feeling pushed in a direction I'm not ready to go. <br />
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Please just let me go to the park in peace!<br />
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We have two full weeks left of July! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk3fZ7pl2LM/Vaj-WGQIm5I/AAAAAAAAJcs/XsECpRBA0kg/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BIV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk3fZ7pl2LM/Vaj-WGQIm5I/AAAAAAAAJcs/XsECpRBA0kg/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BIV.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">La la la...I can't hear you, Target ads! </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>n other news (and subsets of my mind), the votes are in and you've decided.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0AtDE3EA0g/Vaj3AZgINsI/AAAAAAAAJcc/oMwws0HHkAQ/s1600/Blog%2BPoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0AtDE3EA0g/Vaj3AZgINsI/AAAAAAAAJcc/oMwws0HHkAQ/s640/Blog%2BPoll.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tidying Up: the Process</i> wins! </span></div>
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You do know that this series will be deeply humbling for me, right? I'm serious. If you're my sister Yvonne, click away right now!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLXcMKf2E60/VakAXQxxSKI/AAAAAAAAJc4/s7D54dEk4CI/s1600/Tidying%2BIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLXcMKf2E60/VakAXQxxSKI/AAAAAAAAJc4/s7D54dEk4CI/s640/Tidying%2BIII.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The view, more or less, from my computer right now.</i></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Let's just say I've got my work cut out, but still I am extremely excited. Already I'm seeing big improvements, in other less visually-scandalous areas.<br />
<br />
More on that come <strike>Monday</strike> soonish, in Part I of this (deeply humbling) series.<br />
<br />
(I am nothing if not honest about my limited time for blogging lately.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">L</span>ast but not least...<br />
<br />
I'd like to leave you in peace. <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPAlvgZzCp4/VakZP-WIpFI/AAAAAAAAJec/puqFphATlB8/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPAlvgZzCp4/VakZP-WIpFI/AAAAAAAAJec/puqFphATlB8/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXV.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
<br />
That's one of the biggest goals I have for this blog—that of giving my readers a sense of peace—because there is so much disturbing news out there.<br />
<br />
Always and always there's disturbing news!<br />
<br />
Plus there's so many <i>real </i>demands on a busy mom's time, that I really don't want to be wasting yours. Personally, I've had to be merciless in filling out my schedule. I have to pick and choose the very <i>best </i>options, because otherwise (and unfortunately this is the default setting) I end up with troubled thoughts and a crowded heart.<br />
<br />
I <strike>don't</strike> <i>can't </i>watch the news on TV. Instead, I glance at all the headlines and then take my concerns to Our Lady in prayer.<br />
<br />
And <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=facecrack" target="_blank"><b>Facecrack</b></a>? Egads, I love and I <i>hate </i>it. On the one hand, it's great for staying in touch and for finding support from like-minded friends. On the other hand, though, it takes its toll on my inner peace! I am at the mercy of what people choose to post and too often, all that scrolling leaves me drained.<br />
<br />
That said... <br />
<br />
Here are some of the activities bring me <i>joy</i>. It's by no means an exhaustive list, but that's good because I don't wish to exhaust you! <br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPMA0VXZQec/VakNMj1rX6I/AAAAAAAAJdI/3g0lWvpCfl8/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPMA0VXZQec/VakNMj1rX6I/AAAAAAAAJdI/3g0lWvpCfl8/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BV.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>1. Spend quality time hanging out with your spouse. </b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nzG0kbdnVA/VakNMtw3m5I/AAAAAAAAJdM/S3VbH1AtZiE/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BVI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nzG0kbdnVA/VakNMtw3m5I/AAAAAAAAJdM/S3VbH1AtZiE/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BVI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Frantic calls to the fire marshall notwithstanding.)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MwGhOHbU20/VakNMyvttvI/AAAAAAAAJdQ/HkIPje6fRMc/s1600/Love%2Bthese%2BKids%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MwGhOHbU20/VakNMyvttvI/AAAAAAAAJdQ/HkIPje6fRMc/s640/Love%2Bthese%2BKids%2BII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>2. Spend time with your teens; they're really great people.</b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QtAMAh2i-c/VakZQLSDVmI/AAAAAAAAJeg/J3ixd7XaUaM/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXIV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QtAMAh2i-c/VakZQLSDVmI/AAAAAAAAJeg/J3ixd7XaUaM/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXIV.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>3. Pet a puppy.</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKhf7MX_QOI/VakWQc3Y9LI/AAAAAAAAJd0/FKjcFsY-1KQ/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKhf7MX_QOI/VakWQc3Y9LI/AAAAAAAAJd0/FKjcFsY-1KQ/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXI.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l82PJK_w918/VakWQeuP62I/AAAAAAAAJd4/g-5xQVyR95A/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BVIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l82PJK_w918/VakWQeuP62I/AAAAAAAAJd4/g-5xQVyR95A/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BVIII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>4. Find your creative spark.</b><br />
<br />
(Besides taking pictures, I like to listen to music and read <a href="http://www.wellreadmom.com/" target="_blank"><b>really good books</b></a>.) <br />
<br />
And finally...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQkRt8NKyBQ/VakWRXjekwI/AAAAAAAAJeM/DkDAd1JJ8dU/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQkRt8NKyBQ/VakWRXjekwI/AAAAAAAAJeM/DkDAd1JJ8dU/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecvu2eG2FV0/VakWRj56KnI/AAAAAAAAJeI/y-uBb_TcHLs/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecvu2eG2FV0/VakWRj56KnI/AAAAAAAAJeI/y-uBb_TcHLs/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BXIII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BL_6xgBi0TE/VakNNu-UqeI/AAAAAAAAJdg/d2YgRze5XJ4/s1600/Whitewater%2B2015%2BVII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BL_6xgBi0TE/VakNNu-UqeI/AAAAAAAAJdg/d2YgRze5XJ4/s640/Whitewater%2B2015%2BVII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>5. Spend quality time with little people.</b> They'll give you peace (and exercise), guaranteed!<br />
<br />
It's an innocence thing.<br />
<br />
It's what works for me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-91974441561843767372015-07-10T09:03:00.000-05:002015-07-10T12:25:06.472-05:00Coming Attractions!<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Or,</i> Checking in with a Poll to Choose my Posts</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>y summer schedule is tricky to maintain, I'm finding. Everyone's here and they all have needs, most of which (but not all) are valid.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYjI_7fIiIc/VZ_V11djeMI/AAAAAAAAJcA/R_zGPTzGp0o/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B186%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYjI_7fIiIc/VZ_V11djeMI/AAAAAAAAJcA/R_zGPTzGp0o/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B186%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">What will she be posting next?! </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
Which begs the question...<br />
<br />
<b>Where do I fit in blogging, I wonder?</b> I mean, I love to do it but it must have <i>merit</i>. Otherwise, really, what's the point?<br />
<br />
(Sorry. Didn't mean to get all metaphysical.) <br />
<br />
To that end, I'm posting a fun little survey. A poll, as it were! So you can help me pick.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="title">
What would you like MOST to read?</h2>
<div class="widget-content" id="widget-content">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="240" name="poll-widget-9125481992971496334" src="http://www.google.com/reviews/polls/display/-9125481992971496334/blogger_template/run_app?txtclr=%23000000&lnkclr=%232288bb&chrtclr=%232288bb&font=normal+normal+14px+Droid+Serif&hideq=true&purl=http://patentsgirl.blogspot.com/" style="border: none; width: 100%;"></iframe><br />
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<br />
Note: You can vote for more than one subject, though voting for <i>all </i>of them won't really help me. ; ) <br />
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Thank you in advance for voting!<br />
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<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></div>
Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-14677269565045961492015-07-03T10:22:00.002-05:002015-07-03T10:33:48.350-05:00What it Means to be Free<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">My June in Review Netflix #StreamTeam Post</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(The Much-Abbreviated, <i>For Cryin' Out Loud It's a Holiday Weekend</i>! Version) </span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/search/on%2520the%2520way%2520to%2520school?jbv=80031302&jbp=0&jbr=0" target="_blank">This movie.</a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmNCNHHfuN4/VZanW6PhI9I/AAAAAAAAJbk/aq0bi12IIak/s1600/On%2BThe%2BWay%2BTo%2BSchool%2Bposter%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmNCNHHfuN4/VZanW6PhI9I/AAAAAAAAJbk/aq0bi12IIak/s640/On%2BThe%2BWay%2BTo%2BSchool%2Bposter%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Watched sometime over the 4th of July weekend, but with your family, definitely WITH your family...<br />
<br />
And you will see, at least I <i>hope </i>you see...<br />
<br />
What it means to be truly free.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Independence Day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-78248694252390207592015-07-01T07:45:00.006-05:002015-07-01T08:25:06.188-05:00An Apple a Day {Eaten Mindfully}<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Or: On Taking <a href="http://tidyingup.com/" target="_blank">the KonMari Approach</a> to my 2nd Whole30 </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Why's, the How's, the Care to Join me? </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>irst, I've already explained the Whole30 program here: <a href="http://patentsgirl.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-first-whole30.html" target="_blank"><b>My First Whole30</b></a>. Start with that post and then come back to this one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>I'll wait...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi again! So if you read (or re-read) my last post, (not to be presumptuous, of course), you know why I think a Whole30's beneficial. What you don't know is what I hope to accomplish this time, along with one teeny-tiny dairy detail:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EMSHyybxMc/VZMGI7sH5OI/AAAAAAAAJas/_zTzcabhb04/s1600/Whole30%2BReboot%2BI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EMSHyybxMc/VZMGI7sH5OI/AAAAAAAAJas/_zTzcabhb04/s640/Whole30%2BReboot%2BI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I won't be cheating with cream in my coffee this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{fingers crossed}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{#noguarantees}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And yet...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's a great big preemptive AND YET...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>y attitude about my appearance has changed since last summer. It is no longer just about "looking good" or "losing weight"; rather, I'm looking to reboot my life.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLKWgAuC98/VZPbrgkjrLI/AAAAAAAAJbA/N1dFcCf_0Ic/s1600/Whole30%2BReboot%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLKWgAuC98/VZPbrgkjrLI/AAAAAAAAJbA/N1dFcCf_0Ic/s640/Whole30%2BReboot%2BII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To that end, I've purchased the book that is taking the home organization websites by storm: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607747308/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1607747308&linkCode=as2&tag=minnmom-20&linkId=J5RKIRKJSPAKRBX7">The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=minnmom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1607747308" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607747308/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1607747308&linkCode=as2&tag=minnmom-20&linkId=4DA3G2GUHC4NMPBT" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1607747308&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=minnmom-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=minnmom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1607747308" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am reading it cover-to-cover <u>before</u> I begin, (the decluttering, that is--I start my Whole30 today), which is extremely difficult for a dip-in-and-go self-help reader like myself. I'm taking the time to read, think and envision, and I'm chomping at the bit to tidy up my life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seriously, friends, this method does indeed seem life-transforming. I am so...well...<i>INSPIRED </i>by the thought that even <i>I</i> could change! Me, a notorious leave-things-out-until-I-can-put-them-away-perfectly type, the perennial dreamer and distracted mom known (affectionately) by her husband as "Maggie of the Many Piles." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to get to the very heart of it all--the "why" I want to clean up my eating, (Um, because I'm twenty pounds overweight?), the "how" I could possibly keep my kitchen (and home) clean, the "What's the point of it all?" and "It's so much more than just vanity." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to eat to live and not live to clean. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to...slowly...eat an apple a day (or a peach) (or a kiwi), giving thanks to Him from all goodness flows. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So we'll see and I hope to keep you posted. Meanwhile, do you want to join me in any or all of these adventures? Leave a comment here or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/patentsgirl" target="_blank"><b>my Facebook page</b></a>, and let's make today the first day of forever.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love you! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-6093538078254311472015-06-29T05:49:00.000-05:002015-06-29T07:34:58.371-05:00From Depression to Hope: the Rainbow Connection<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>here to even begin? <br />
<br />
How about with the Pixar movie <a href="http://movies.disney.com/inside-out/" target="_blank"><i><b>Inside Out</b></i></a>? The girls and I went to see it last night and it. Is. <b>FABULOUS</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://movies.disney.com/inside-out/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vu-1jVWvuHI/VZESU8qdmpI/AAAAAAAAJZs/nYeVFJR6kA4/s640/Pixar%2527s%2BInside%2BOut.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Life</i>-changing, really, in terms of what I hope to accomplish with my life. <br />
<br />
Have you seen it? Without wanting to give away too much, I'll say simply that the idea of "making memories" really affected me. I wept and my kids were like, <i>"Why are you crying?"</i><br />
<br />
(For any long-time readers of this blog, you're well aware that I cry a lot.) <br />
<br />
(<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoxetine" target="_blank"><b>My little blue happy pill</b></a> helps<b> </b>find my joy.) <br />
<br />
Think about it, though. You have the power, basically, to invent the life you want to have.You can shift your perspective and adjust the viewfinder. You can refine your focus so that you see...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm9MKxtZI_g/VZEYyIr96dI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/Xnaa_fI4gMM/s1600/Project%2B365%2B%2528Day%2B179%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm9MKxtZI_g/VZEYyIr96dI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/Xnaa_fI4gMM/s640/Project%2B365%2B%2528Day%2B179%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
...God is good. <br />
<br />
God is always, <i>always </i>good. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>hich brings me to the recent Supreme Court decision and the fears that I felt when I first heard it. Yes, I <i>cried</i>, initially. I worry about my rights as a Christian. And how will this ruling impact the Catholic Church? <br />
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(Note: There are a handful of Catholics that are pro-Gay Marriage but they are the exception to the rule. They are not being faithful to the Magisterium. They are forging a path that will not take them to Rome.)<br />
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(Additional note to my pro-Gay Marriage family members: <i>I love you!</i> This is not about fighting or choosing sides. It's about seeking the Truth—God's Truth—in love. We can agree to disagree. Let's just not hate each in the process.) <br />
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So where does that leave me? With my hope and trust firmly entrenched in the Lord! I know that discouragement is not from God—this was the subject of our pastor's homily yesterday, and I know from experience that Father Johnson is right. Discouragement (and depression) are never NEVER from God. We must be a people of faith and hope. We must grasp at the hem of Jesus' robe even as we feel the crowds pressing in upon us.<br />
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I can't get mad or upset when I see all those rainbows.<br />
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God <i>made</i> the rainbow.<br />
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His love will win. <br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-63296924193779655222015-06-25T06:12:00.002-05:002015-06-25T06:13:07.762-05:00Turning Grief Inside Out<i>The following is a guest blog post. Having had four miscarriages, I can relate to the pain of Christine's loss. Having never delivered a child that was stillborn, however, my heart goes out to her (and to everyone!) who has suffered such an unthinkable heartbreak. </i><br />
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<i>This is just a part of Christine's story—her story, and that of her blessed and beautiful Baby Jacob. </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>he excitement, the anticipation, morning sickness, ob appointments, seeing the first heart beat, feeling the kicks of the little one, watching your belly grow, the excitement building, finding out if you are to have a boy or a girl, and then...<i>planning the funeral.</i> <br />
<br />
What?<br />
<br />
<b>When a mother finds out that the baby she has been carrying in her womb has died or is terminally ill it is one of the hardest things for a pregnant mother to experience.</b><br />
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You feel so alone. Your husband loves you and the baby, but he hasn't felt the baby every day for the last several months--only you have. He didn't have the morning sickness. Your milk comes in, but there is no baby to feed your precious milk to. <br />
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<i>Why me? </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>riends don't know what to say so they don't say anything at all. They don't know what to do for you, so they don't do anything--or maybe just drop a meal off and then disappear before having to talk.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately this is the plight of many woman who have a still birth. And unfortunately, the number of still births is actually higher than most people realize--It is just not talked about in every day conversation.<br />
<br />
My name is Christine Henderson. I am the mother of six living children and five in heaven. Two of those five were still births, the other three miscarriages. Many of the feelings a woman goes through for a miscarriage are the same as with a still birth. However, the intensity of the feelings of a mother who has had a still birth are much more intense. She has carried the baby for as many as nine months and then has had her precious little one die.<br />
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<b>How does a grieving mother cope? What things can she do to validate that she is a mother even though her baby is in heaven? What can you do as a friend, relative or spouse to support this mother?</b><br />
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I have put together a presentation called "Turning Grief Inside Out". In this talk I share my experiences as a pregnant mother of a terminally ill baby (found out at 24 weeks she was terminally ill and she died inutero at 27 weeks) and also of a surprise still birth of my son at 32 weeks. I share what things I learned so that I could continue to function even though it was almost too hard to breathe.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHt5Fw2wpb8/VYvgNx9buFI/AAAAAAAAJZI/7QiErinaFZM/s1600/Baby%2BJacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHt5Fw2wpb8/VYvgNx9buFI/AAAAAAAAJZI/7QiErinaFZM/s640/Baby%2BJacob.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><b> am not a therapist or a doctor, just a mother who has been through this terrible experience twice.</b> I know what it feels like to watch all your dreams disappear. I know what it's like to have to take those baby clothes out of the dresser and put them back up in the attic that just a few weeks before you washed and got ready for your new baby.<br />
<br />
Instead of picking out the going home from the hospital outfit, you are picking out your child's burial outfit.<br />
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I know what things that were done by friends, family and my husband that were supportive. What things I wish others knew. How my faith was able to carry me through these two crisis. This is an important talk because one NEVER knows when she may be faced with carrying this cross herself or when someone close to you may have to carry it. It is so important that people learn how to comfort a grieving mother and yet this is a topic rarely talked about.<br />
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This presentation usually lasts about an hour, but can go much longer. My actual talk is about thirty minutes. But afterwards I open it up for discussion and this is so important. Women attending this talk are given the chance to tell their stories, ask questions, and support each other. Husbands that attend learn how to help their wife or family member who is grieving and can share their experiences also. The husband grieves too when their baby dies.<br />
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I do NOT charge for this presentation and I will travel to give it. All I ask is for my expenses to be covered (travel/food/lodging and I am happy to stay in someone's home too). If possible, I would ask for a free will donation and the opportunity to sell my rag dolls and books before/after the presentation. (To see my stuff go to my website www.JacobsToyBoxandBooks.com)<br />
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If you belong to a mother's group, or are having a conference, please consider me as a presenter. You may contact me to schedule a date or to ask further questions @<br />
<i> JacobsToyBoxandBooks@gmail.com</i><br />
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Thank you,<br />
<br />
<i>Christine Henderson </i><br />
<br />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-39246787882987785472015-06-23T12:55:00.000-05:002015-06-23T12:55:01.055-05:00A Glass Half Full Kinda Amputee<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDp4Z4WG0Ik/VYmVmdIo6TI/AAAAAAAAJYc/Oh3zwvIP6KY/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B173%2529%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDp4Z4WG0Ik/VYmVmdIo6TI/AAAAAAAAJYc/Oh3zwvIP6KY/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B173%2529%2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I</span>f my left leg was cut off, I'd be thankful that it wasn't my right leg 'cause I can hop really well on my right leg."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> * * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>n other news, I miss this space! Do you miss me back? 'Cause I'm trying--trying!--to find the time to spend blogging, but I'd love a little online hug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{hint hint} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have so many posts lined up for you! Our grad party (a long and hopefully helpful post), my June Netflix review, a heart-breakingly beautiful guest post about still birth, and stories! There are always those slice-of-life stories, the ones that make up our full-to-bursting life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You know the life I'm talking about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's a gift, ain't it? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One-legged sons and all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-64581150760755866522015-06-19T09:22:00.000-05:002015-06-19T09:43:27.740-05:00Whereupon God knocks me out of Bed and I stop...<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>...seeking my happiness in external signs of accomplishment. </b></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vau-vOAdNOk/VYQYRkO_gBI/AAAAAAAAJXw/Sx3_gqs85uE/s1600/Random%2BStreet%2BShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vau-vOAdNOk/VYQYRkO_gBI/AAAAAAAAJXw/Sx3_gqs85uE/s640/Random%2BStreet%2BShot.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Mom," my son said. "Stop being creepy." "I'm not!" I replied, taking a photo at the stoplight.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span>OOM! That was the sound of God turning my world completely upside down. <br />
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(Not really.)<br />
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(Actually, I just fell out of bed.) <br />
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(Seriously, though? How many grown women fall out of bed?!)<br />
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I could look at it as a metaphor, my falling KABOOM right onto the floor. "Maggie?" My husband, bleary-eyed, leaned over the side of the bed.<br />
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"Well, that's a first!" I chirped, completely embarrassed. I crawled back in, pulled the covers to my chin.<br />
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For crying out loud, who <i>does </i>that? <br />
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* * * </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>hat said, I have so much I <i>want </i>to be doing right now--an enormous blog post about our fab grad party (I had a lot a lot of help) and lives (my graduate) that I want to transform. Instead, you know what? I'm breaking up fights. I'm cleaning up lemonade spills and finding smooshed grapes on the floor.<br />
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Everything and nothing is going right.<br />
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God is saying...<i>what?</i> Put your treasures in heaven. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlhnGf-GUuw/VYQdbrE-FqI/AAAAAAAAJYA/ODs27B6fpNQ/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B169%2529%2B%25282%2529%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlhnGf-GUuw/VYQdbrE-FqI/AAAAAAAAJYA/ODs27B6fpNQ/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B169%2529%2B%25282%2529%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That same son nearly died of embarrassment when I asked this young man to take his picture. "I've got this Photo-a-Day project, you see?" I told him, and he replied, "That's fine." My son, meanwhile, was thinking </i><i>OMGosh, Mom, really?!</i><b> </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>hat I <i>am </i>getting done (I have to hope) is His work in building up His kingdom, one sticky stepping stone at a time. I'm driving driving driving driving--and that's a metaphor too, I'm driving my family crazy!--but for all that driving, I feel like I'm standing still.<br />
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I don't think I am.<br />
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I trust that I'm not.<br />
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The laundry, the stomach flu, the (needs to be painted) (but got cleaned!) garage...<br />
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This is this life.<br />
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This onward, upward life. <br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-78998403612019055432015-06-08T10:36:00.000-05:002015-06-08T19:31:51.105-05:00Armed & Ready: My Firstborn's High School Graduation<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>n heading into this last week before our grad party...</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18596208102" title="Armed and Ready by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Armed and Ready" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/483/18596208102_62da493e62_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish I could say I was as confident as this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish I had the unabashed strength of a two-year-old—a strength in <i>spirit </i>if nothing else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish I felt ready to host a hundred people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish my garage were already clean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Would you just trust me?"</i> My husband is used to my endless fretting but one would think that the crocodile tears get old. "I'll get the garage done. This is not your problem." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seriously? For the first-time mom of a high school graduate, EVERYTHING is my problem!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Or so my OCD nature would have me think.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>n a happier note, here are some photos from John Michael's graduation this past weekend. First, the Grad Dinner on Friday night, whereupon the moms & dads got all gussied up. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18596439762" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grad Dinner I by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Grad Dinner I" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8856/18596439762_d62fec60d9_z.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Felicity, who's thinking, "This means that I have to babysit, right?" </span></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18413283650" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grad Dinner Endris by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Grad Dinner Endris" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/506/18413283650_a7ff62db2a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is my chiropractor and his wife. It's their first graduation, as well, which makes him an ally both of the spine <u>and</u> spirit. </span></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/17980316363" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grad Dinner Catanos by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Grad Dinner Catanos" height="435" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/336/17980316363_909b27a553_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is Angelica and Jorge, who are originally from Columbia and who, given our mutual love for really good coffee, were the PERFECT table companions. </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We were treated to a fabulous dinner, then the teachers honored all the students with speeches that captured each and every unique soul. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/17980302233" title="Grad Dinner Elizabeth by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Grad Dinner Elizabeth" height="434" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8873/17980302233_354564a91e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18600951905" title="Grad Dinner JMB by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Grad Dinner JMB" height="435" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8859/18600951905_f2b223c881_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was <i>wonderful</i>, just what I needed headed into the next day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Which was...</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18603077921" title="JMB Grad XV by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad XV" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8892/18603077921_4c880c2e34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>. : Graduation! : .</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The ceremony took place on Saturday at my son's school and was wonderful, perfect, encouraging and fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Note: I don't know that my 2-year-old found it fun at <i>all</i>, which would be why he spent most of it outside with Cate.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The valedictorian gave a beautifully poised and culturally uplifting speech. I'm including the commencement video at the end of this post; her speech begins at 8:26:00. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18414784369" title="JMB Grad VI by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad VI" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/319/18414784369_f3701fa042_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The commencement address was given by Monsignor James Patrick Shea, the president of University of Mary at Bismarck. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18600951005" title="JMB Grad II by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad II" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8866/18600951005_57669734ca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You <i>have </i>to listen to his speech, especially his three "snapshots" of magnanimity. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Really and truly, he knocked it out of the park with this one.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Again, see video below. His speech starts at 25:40:00.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are some more photos. They are random candids, as it were, but hidden within them is so much more. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18413195318" title="JMB Grad VIII by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad VIII" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/346/18413195318_279eee06cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18607099781" title="JMB Grad IV by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad IV" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8865/18607099781_444931115e_z.jpg" width="434" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18413271880" title="JMB Grad XVI by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad XVI" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8867/18413271880_96c1d96aa6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18418729859" title="JMB Grad XIV by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad XIV" height="508" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/280/18418729859_31cd04cfae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18414787069" title="JMB Grad I by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad I" height="438" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/411/18414787069_a6799119ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18574568976" title="JMB Grad X by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad X" height="434" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/478/18574568976_9ed6a0ce65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18603083951" title="JMB Grad IX by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad IX" height="436" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/509/18603083951_5f24fc21d5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18596432162" title="JMB Grad XI by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad XI" height="434" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8880/18596432162_dc87c2bc3b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18414779329" title="JMB Grad XIX by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad XIX" height="434" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/521/18414779329_84da59ee40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18596426132" title="JMB Grad XVII by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="JMB Grad XVII" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8860/18596426132_c86c4735b0_z.jpg" width="436" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{Sigh}</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{And <i>sigh</i>} </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> You get it, I know. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here, as promised, is the YouTube video from the ceremony. Again, I <i>highly </i>recommended listening to the speeches. I didn't cry until the speeches started, and then I couldn't seem to stop. </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ViVg1onBEg" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And finally, one last link for any mom (or dad) going through the parenting challenge called Graduating your Child. It isn't easy to let go, but this article <i>gets </i>that and it really helped me to read it: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://grownandflown.com/adolescence-18/" target="_blank"><b>This is Adolescence: 18.</b></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Off to make table toppers! If you could spare a prayer (or three) for my inner peace, I would be profoundly grateful. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-84137896249895115102015-06-04T07:22:00.000-05:002015-06-04T10:18:19.624-05:00Bloom Where You're Planted<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>his will be just a brief meditation because I have <i>got </i>to start cleaning the garage. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3w2StO9MrjA/VXA-OxN7AMI/AAAAAAAAJW4/yqQYJOn8smg/s1600/Garage%2BShot%2BI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3w2StO9MrjA/VXA-OxN7AMI/AAAAAAAAJW4/yqQYJOn8smg/s640/Garage%2BShot%2BI.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
See? It's dusty. It's cluttered. It's crowded. It scares me.<br />
<br />
How on earth will I be ready for a grad party? It's only {gasp} ten days away! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glGQaQh44n0/VXA-djfNQnI/AAAAAAAAJXA/3WIATsWO8to/s1600/Garage%2BShot%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glGQaQh44n0/VXA-djfNQnI/AAAAAAAAJXA/3WIATsWO8to/s640/Garage%2BShot%2BII.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>"I'll show you, Mama! You get the work done by playing Monopoly with me!"</i></div>
<br />
<br />
That's what HE thinks, anyway.<br />
<br />
My six-year-old's so not on a schedule, and neither is this kid...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbv944xWtaI/VXA_oZZj4lI/AAAAAAAAJXM/s5QkZ_7D1jU/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B148%2529%2B%25282%2529%2B%2528watermark%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbv944xWtaI/VXA_oZZj4lI/AAAAAAAAJXM/s5QkZ_7D1jU/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B148%2529%2B%25282%2529%2B%2528watermark%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
...who is every bit as tyrannical as this picture suggests.<br />
<br />
<br />
{Me, sitting at the computer checking <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/margaretberns/grad-party-ideas-galore/" target="_blank"><b>my "Grad Party Ideas Galore" Pinterest board</b></a>}<br />
<br />
{Francis, tugging frantically at my shirt} <br />
<br />
{Me, coming down the stairs with <a href="http://motherrimmy.com/spicy-mexican-pasta-salad-crowd/" target="_blank"><b>a Mexican Pasta Salad recipe</b></a> in hand}<br />
<br />
{Francis: <i>"Mom! Put the paper DOWN!"</i>}<br />
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<br />
He's a Lion <strike>King</strike> Prince with a demanding roar, and without my three capable girls to help me, (they're <a href="http://schoenstattmn.com/" target="_blank"><b>at camp</b></a> this week and won't be<b> </b>back 'til tonight), well, let's just say I've needed my 16-year-old.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LWxLW9h-lM/VXA8MVFfpDI/AAAAAAAAJWo/iXaIwcNKGkw/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B151%2529%2B%2528watermark%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LWxLW9h-lM/VXA8MVFfpDI/AAAAAAAAJWo/iXaIwcNKGkw/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B151%2529%2B%2528watermark%2529.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Sixteen</i>! Jem turned <i>16 </i>last Sunday!<br />
<br />
I still haven't made his birthday cake, thinking maybe I can postpone his growing up.<br />
<br />
All this to say...<br />
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<br />
I'm trying hard to not be overwhelmed these days. I think--no, I <i>know </i>that you can relate, though certainly your circumstances are unique to you. Let's be the mom (or dad) (or sister) (or friend) that we want people to MOST remember. You may not get to everything on your list today; I know *I* won't, but it'll be okay. <br />
<br />
Get 'er done is just not as important as...<br />
<br />
<i>Love 'em up..</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>Breathe...</i><br />
<br />
<i>And give it all to God.</i> It's true it's true it's totally true! Give it to Him and He'll give it back to you, beautifully pressed and overflowing in great measure.<br />
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<br />
Happy Thursday! You got this! And so does God. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-26540947612173413582015-06-03T09:16:00.002-05:002015-06-03T09:16:35.833-05:00Would you could you like my Facebook page? <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/12409883084" title="Chesterton Gala II by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Chesterton Gala II" height="436" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5530/12409883084_bf5d5e4095_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span>ecause it only took me, like, nine <i>years </i>to create one.<br />
<br />
Thank you! I love you! You can do so <a href="https://www.facebook.com/patentsgirl" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.<br />
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<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-52235481247185279532015-06-02T08:01:00.002-05:002015-06-02T21:52:32.561-05:00A Grad Gift You Don't Want to Miss: To Know the Savior by Michelle Gelineau<b><br />
</b> <b>[Post Number I from the <a href="http://www.mnconference.org/index.html" target="_blank">Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference</a>]</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>[There will be more. Be warned.]</b><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>veryone, I'd like you to meet Michelle.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18354162362" title="Conference IV by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Conference IV" height="436" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7791/18354162362_43dee4709c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i>Hi Michelle!</i><br />
<br />
Michelle is a beautiful, faith-filled sister-of-the-heart that I met at the MCHEC last year. At that time, she gave me one of her "Give Him Five" coffee mugs, which became a wonderful focal point during my prayer time. <br />
<br />
This year, though, she has <a href="http://www.givehim5.net/store/p13/Book%3A_To_Know_The_Savior.html" target="_blank"><b>a book</b></a>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-C5Sfi_v0w/VW2j_s_qWXI/AAAAAAAAJWE/LCeRFR638i8/s1600/Author%2BMichelle%2BGelineau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-C5Sfi_v0w/VW2j_s_qWXI/AAAAAAAAJWE/LCeRFR638i8/s640/Author%2BMichelle%2BGelineau.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
...and I am falling in love with Our Lord all over again, in a wonderfully beautiful brand NEW way. <br />
<br />
This book is perfect for the adoration chapel, or for your thanksgiving after receiving the Eucharist, or for taking a quiet {5-minute} moment locked in your bedroom.<br />
<br />
This book is perfect for high school grads and confirmands, for your teens and tweens and godchildren, and for YOU, my friend of the heart. <br />
<br />
This book is truly perfect for <i>you</i>.<br />
<br />
First, I love its spiral-bound simplicity and that there are sections for journaling during prayer. It's broken down into 17 chapters, each with a different theme for that moment's prayer. These themes include: "When there is a busy day ahead," "When I'm struggling to forgive" and "When I'm too exhausted to pray." Best of all, every chapter takes the Give Him Five "FAITH" approach, (that I <i>love</i>), which is:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>F for Focus (Find a Quiet Place)</li>
<li>A for Asking (Ask Our Lord to be with You)</li>
<li>I for Important (Share what's Important)</li>
<li>T for Thanksgiving (Thank Him every day) </li>
<li>H for Help (Life is difficult. Ask Our Lord for the graces you need.) </li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> <b>can't recommend this book enough</b>, and it's not just because I love Michelle. That is a part of it, of course--she's walking the walk and I want to, too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * </div><br />
To find out more about the <i>Give Him Five</i> ministry, click on <a href="http://www.givehim5.net/" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a>.<br />
<br />
To order your own copy of <i>To Know the Savior</i>, click <b><a href="http://www.givehim5.net/store/p13/Book%3A_To_Know_The_Savior.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-7949190366415121832015-05-31T06:32:00.001-05:002015-05-31T06:33:49.704-05:00Up and Coming on the Blog: Highlights from the Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference and Stress-Free Grad Party Planning<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>kay, so I'm totally fibbing about stress-free grad party planning but I got your attention, didn't I? <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotamom/18112883618" title="Conference I by Margaret in Minnesota, on Flickr"><img alt="Conference I" height="435" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/459/18112883618_0aef794149_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The truth is, this past weekend was so blessed & beautiful & <i>crazy </i>busy that when I smacked the snooze button on my alarm this morning, I did it with such style and ferocity that it didn't ring again. Not in five minutes. Not at <i>all</i>. <br />
<br />
I woke up in a panic and realized, <i>sigh</i>, I'd overslept and missed my holy hour. <br />
<br />
Well, thank the good Lord for my good friend Mike, who has had the slot right before me since I signed on in '00, and who is infinitely patient with my countless blunders. <i>"Darn snooze button!"</i> I texted him, and then, in my overtaxed hubris added, "Will you pray for my son John Michael while you're there? He graduates in a week."<br />
<br />
"I'm way too familiar with that snooze button," he responded. "No worries. I've got you covered and will pray for your son."<br />
<br />
God is good, isn't He? He always provides and that's how I know I WILL survive the next two weeks. The fun (and dangerous) part will be blogging my way through it, because I'll tell you RIGHT NOW that I vastly prefer blogging to cleaning out the garage, which is where we'll be hosting our 100+ guests.<br />
<br />
I've got lots and lots of pix from <a href="http://www.mnconference.org/index.html" target="_blank"><b>the conference</b></a>, too--of <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/" target="_blank"><b>Auntie Leila</b></a> and <a href="http://iew.com/" target="_blank"><b>Andrew Pudewa</b></a>, of my sweet friend <a href="http://joybeyondthecross.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Marie </b></a>and my bosom chum <a href="http://frozenjonesfam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Meghan</b></a>, and of many (many!) beautiful homeschooling mamas, all of whom served as a beautiful reminder of how we're all in this crazy, busy boat together.<br />
<br />
You and me.<br />
<br />
Us and God.<br />
<br />
All of us.<br />
<br />
United. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>More later, fingers crossed and God willing! Happy feast of the Most Holy Trinity! </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: medium none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-64538471744527426942015-05-28T08:44:00.002-05:002015-05-28T08:48:40.995-05:00Love is in the Little Things<span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>ne of the best parts of my day is that first cup of coffee along with my morning offering. I subscribe to emails from <a href="http://www.catholiccompany.com/subscribe-morning-offering.tr?aid=3400&new=yes&engine=email&trk_msg=LUDF201AD2949AM4ELB7LCNQV4&trk_contact=R8C5RMUUD6NSADFCS62A0O9VLK&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.catholiccompany.com%2fsubscribe-morning-offering.tr%3faid%3d3400%26new%3dyes%26engine%3demail&utm_campaign=MORNING_OFFERING_A" target="_blank"><b><i>The Catholic Company</i></b></a>, (you can subscribe <a href="http://www.catholiccompany.com/subscribe-morning-offering.tr?aid=3400&new=yes&engine=email&trk_msg=LUDF201AD2949AM4ELB7LCNQV4&trk_contact=R8C5RMUUD6NSADFCS62A0O9VLK&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.catholiccompany.com%2fsubscribe-morning-offering.tr%3faid%3d3400%26new%3dyes%26engine%3demail&utm_campaign=MORNING_OFFERING_A" target="_blank"><b>here </b></a>if you wish), so once my mug of dark roast is brewed, I settle in with the words that come from God to me. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5FjijfzXvvw/VWcU_taZu6I/AAAAAAAAJVc/7K6opW9PKvg/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B144%2529%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5FjijfzXvvw/VWcU_taZu6I/AAAAAAAAJVc/7K6opW9PKvg/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B144%2529%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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God can take the very same email—or the very same verse, or gesture, or smile—and use it to speak directly to our hearts. The important thing is, we must be receptive. <br />
<br />
(I'm not trying to be preachy here but it's the truth. If we're too distracted, we won't hear God's words) <br />
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(And believe me, I know a LOT about being distracted.) <br />
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So my advice to you on this late-ish spring day...my <i>counsel </i>(to use a word more in line with the Spirit)...is to be open to all that God sends you today. My family is busy—so BUSY!—right now with planning a grad party and getting our oldest ready for college, but there are always all those little moments that God will send to help me grow. <br />
<br />
Like saying "I'm sorry" to your teenage daughter for speaking to her harshly and sarcastically. The hug that followed was so very needed! It lasted for maybe a good half minute and I won't be forgetting it any time soon. <br />
<br />
Or how about smiling at people who don't smile back? That woman at Lowe's looked mad and unhappy, but I smiled at her anyway and lifted her up in my heart. <br />
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It's recognizing the moments of grace that God sends. Yours are different than mine, of course, but your day will be full of them, that's for sure. I promise! <br />
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<i>"Little things done with great love,"</i> said St. Therese.<br />
<br />
It's how we grow in holiness even though we're busy. <br />
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<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-68509208926608430962015-05-25T08:49:00.001-05:002015-05-25T09:32:25.151-05:00On Truth, Beauty, and Being Free <b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Or</i>, Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean that You <i>Should</i></span> </b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vM8kC57B1Qg/VWMDrpAR8wI/AAAAAAAAJTA/kfCIgg-v_LA/s1600/Veterans%2BMemorial%2Bwith%2BGrandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vM8kC57B1Qg/VWMDrpAR8wI/AAAAAAAAJTA/kfCIgg-v_LA/s640/Veterans%2BMemorial%2Bwith%2BGrandpa.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>My #StreamTeam Musings on #MemorialDay</b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFmqprAnpC4/VWMIR1GZEvI/AAAAAAAAJTM/FgJIKsVHhyc/s1600/Netflix%2BStream%2BTeam.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFmqprAnpC4/VWMIR1GZEvI/AAAAAAAAJTM/FgJIKsVHhyc/s200/Netflix%2BStream%2BTeam.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>ere's the truth: I don't know where I'm headed with this post. On the one hand, I don't want to offend the good folks at Netflix. On the other, I don't know that I <i>can't</i> offend them...at least in part...because I don't always agree with what they want me to watch.<br />
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That's the beauty of being free, isn't it?<br />
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Being free to disagree.<br />
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Being free to be...<i>you and me</i>.<br />
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So here goes.<br />
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It used to be, I didn't watch TV at all. In college, I didn't own one, and whenever I'd go to a friend's who did, I would often be shocked by the stuff that was broadcast. I suppose I was scrupulous and to an extent, I still am.<br />
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For example, I still can't watch sex scenes without it feeling weird. Why? Because I'm a conservative Catholic, yes, but also because <i>I wasn't always</i> and know from personal experience where sexual freedom got me. To me, sex is private. Sex is 100% committed. Sex is the ultimate expression of married love, a love between one man and one woman and if it's not...<br />
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Well, I'm convinced that it is wrong.<br />
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Why? Because sexual "freedom" ultimately leads to bondage, and I don't mean that in a <i>Shades of Grey</i> way. If you don't believe me, ask a man who's struggling with an addiction to porn or a woman who deeply regrets having aborted her child. Ask a boy who can't stop masturbating or a girl whose heart's been broken by a guy she loved.<br />
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Ask the two young sisters at a friend's girl scout meeting last week whose lives had recently been turned upside down. Their parents have divorced, you see, because their dad decided to become a woman. <br />
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In my way of thinking--and yes, it's <i>Catholic</i>--there is a plan for our sexuality. There's a purpose. There is Truth. <br />
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So when the #StreamTeam newsletter arrived this month, I was dismayed to see that it featured <b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank"><i>"Grace and Frankie,"</i></a></b> a brand new series about two men leaving their wives for each other. It's a comedy! Because leaving one's wife is super funny!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSUm2KSM3w/VWMVVM52E0I/AAAAAAAAJTc/4tM32FimLnw/s1600/Grace%2Band%2BFrankie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSUm2KSM3w/VWMVVM52E0I/AAAAAAAAJTc/4tM32FimLnw/s640/Grace%2Band%2BFrankie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Martin Sheen, how could you? After <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441912/" target="_blank"><b><i>The Way</i></b></a>? You're Catholic!<br />
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Clearly, many Catholics disagree with the Church's teaching on homosexuality. I am not one of them, but it's not because I'm any holier than them. It's because I believe in a universal truth--a truth that, in the words of St. John Paul the Great, is not always the same as the majority decision.<br />
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In other words, and to put it bluntly, men were not made to have sex with each other.<br />
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Biologically speaking, it's not God's plan.<br />
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In other words, Ireland, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32858501" target="_blank"><b>I disagree</b></a>. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o where does that leave me with my Netflix subscription? Thankfully, it leaves me with plenty of other options and I'm never at a loss for good shows to watch.<br />
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<i>Whew</i>, right?! I am more than happy to change the tone of this post. <br />
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The kids and I have discovered <a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/80006161?strkid=2120624488_0_0&trkid=222336&fcld=true&movieid=80006161" target="_blank"><i><b>Cutthroat Kitchen</b></i></a> and have been devouring the episodes one by one. Have you seen it? Four cooks compete in a death-by-elimination showdown, with the option to purchase various culinary sabotages. Could you make a "dessert" macaroni and cheese? Could you make a delectable sauce using processed cheese and chips? <br />
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These chefs can and they do, with often hilarious results. <br />
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There's a bonus for me personally. Watching<i> Cutthroat Kitchen</i> has spilled over into my real-life kitchen in an unexpected and exhilarating way, in that I tried my hand at baking without a recipe. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toXzM7E6fY0/VWMdoQTbhCI/AAAAAAAAJT4/onC7r6naxfM/s1600/365%2B%2528Day%2B140%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toXzM7E6fY0/VWMdoQTbhCI/AAAAAAAAJT4/onC7r6naxfM/s640/365%2B%2528Day%2B140%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Muffins: Made from Scratch without a Recipe</span></i></td></tr>
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This is huge for an OCD chef like me! This is extremely liberating.<br />
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(The muffins, I might add, were delicious. If only I could remember what I did. ; )<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o there is freedom and there is Freedom.<br />
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On this Memorial Day, I am thankful for <i>both</i>.<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-12838360949176322832015-05-24T09:20:00.001-05:002015-05-24T17:29:55.926-05:00The Gift{s} of Pentecost<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">G</span>ift<u>s</u>. <i>Plural</i>. There are thousands of them that I could be requesting today, and also thousands of things for which I'm thankful. <br />
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Like this little guy:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wzdROAlAYs/VWG3iqltJsI/AAAAAAAAJSc/T7veaK0qKbg/s1600/Nini%2BIV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wzdROAlAYs/VWG3iqltJsI/AAAAAAAAJSc/T7veaK0qKbg/s640/Nini%2BIV.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...who turns six today!<br />
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This year, he shares his birthday with the Church. : )<br />
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You may remember that George is our miracle boy, a gift (<i>there's that word!</i>) from God <a href="http://patentsgirl.blogspot.com/2008/04/miscarriage-how-to-make-bad-thing.html" target="_blank"><b>after four consecutive miscarriages</b></a> and at the "advanced maternal age" of 42.<br />
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All things are possible, truly, with God.<br />
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I thank Him for the gift of my six-year-old.<br />
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I'm also thankful for your prayer intentions, shared so beautifully and humbly. I took them with me to my holy hour this morning, and I will be offering them up at Mass later on. Some of these intentions concern unthinkably difficult situations--job loss, cancer, the death of a son by suicide. I wish I were able to personally console the mourners; I wish we could share a cup of tea and an embrace. </div>
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More than anything, I wish I could help you make sense of these hardships. </div>
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I <i>can't</i>, but the Holy Spirit can. </div>
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His gifts are ours for the asking today--the gifts of wisdom, understanding and fortitude; of knowledge, counsel, fear of the Lord and piety. </div>
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And then there are all those beautiful fruits! The fruits of the Holy Spirit that are so rich and necessary, like kindness, patience, faithfulness and love.</div>
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One day, I pray, we will be one in this love.<br />
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Until then, let's just keep on trying. <br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-31711481334617965852015-05-21T08:04:00.003-05:002015-05-21T08:04:36.440-05:00A Prayer Request<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJk7noqf2bc/VV3XsPRIi0I/AAAAAAAAJQw/Msct8g2jPM0/s1600/Candles%2BBurning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJk7noqf2bc/VV3XsPRIi0I/AAAAAAAAJQw/Msct8g2jPM0/s400/Candles%2BBurning.jpg" width="301" /></a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Y</span>ours. </i><br />
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Is there anything you'd like me to pray for today? <br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-48723053199941878172015-05-20T09:39:00.003-05:002015-05-20T09:49:02.787-05:00If I were an Astronaut...<br />
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<b>{A Wordless Wednesday Submission}</b><br />
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Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-89400610094738953772015-05-19T04:51:00.001-05:002015-05-19T04:52:09.686-05:00Homeschooling Here at Minnesota Mom: Why We Do What We Do <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlYyiJLoR8A/VVsBr5yPQoI/AAAAAAAAJP4/ealT2loIYEU/s1600/Arch%2BIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlYyiJLoR8A/VVsBr5yPQoI/AAAAAAAAJP4/ealT2loIYEU/s400/Arch%2BIII.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>f ever you've wondered how—and <i>why</i>—we homeschool, I'm giving the lowdown over at <i>Ed Snapshots.</i><br />
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Pam and her blog are <i>wonderful</i>. She offers a treasure trove of resources! I had a lot of fun talking with Pam as part of her <a href="http://edsnapshots.com/guide-to-homeschool-methods/" target="_blank"><b><i>Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling series</i></b></a>. (I'm the voice of School-in-a-Box, aka <a href="http://www.setonhome.org/" target="_blank"><b>Seton Homeschooling Curriculum</b></a>.) <br />
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Here is the link to the interview: <br />
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<b><a href="http://edsnapshots.com/school-at-home/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Methods: Do you do school-at-home? </a></b><br />
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Check it out and let me know what you think! You'll get to hear my Minnesota accent. <b>;</b> )<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://edsnapshots.com/school-at-home/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoHtjGI2jjs/VVsEwvuBTsI/AAAAAAAAJQE/qjVoEwIZHeg/s640/Ultimate%2BGuide%2Bto%2BHomeschool%2BMethods.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-69174485621716244812015-05-17T12:51:00.001-05:002015-05-18T08:13:08.947-05:00On being the Bipolar Mom of Double Bookend Boys<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>[Including, but not limited to, a son who will be graduating from high school in three short weeks]</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> appear to be at a point in my life where either I blog it all or not at all. I was surprised to click over here yesterday and see that I haven't posted anything since the start of May. "How can this be?" I asked myself, "When life is full full full and there's so much to share?" <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was a joke. We left it laying around for him to find. </i></td></tr>
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That's <i>exactly </i>how it came to be.<br />
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Life is very full. You get this.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>wo things</b>: first, I've gone ahead and let you know "Joe's" real name. Why not? He's nearly 18 and can handle it, I think.<br />
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Second, I am a mom who needs to be in the picture.<br />
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Clearly. <br />
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The three fancy pix are from spring formal, which took place two weeks ago on a river boat. The costumed pix are from this weekend, whereupon John Michael was Edward in <i>Sense & Sensibility</i> and I was the woman in third row with a camera.<br />
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(Except for that last picture, whereupon I was--<i>who?</i> A Napoleon Bonaparte wannabe?)<br />
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(I crown myself empress! Ruler of home and van!) <br />
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And then there are these two: <br />
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Jem, (not his real name), will be stepping up to the plate when John Michael leaves. He will do well in the role of oldest son-at-home because he's an overprotective sheepdog.<i> "Is anyone going to get the baby?"</i> he demanded one night, as Francis screamed angrily from his crib and my husband and I snuggled on our bed, oblivious.<br />
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"Why? Is he crying?" my husband replied, one arm curled loosely around my shoulder.<br />
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Jem stomped off (also angrily) and eventually I retrieved the two-year-old, who'd been banished--it's true--for having a wrong-flavor-toothpaste meltdown. When I told Jem <i>why </i>his little brother had been screaming, he looked at Francis and remarked, "You're spoiled." <br />
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Which is as it should be, I guess. He's the baby.<br />
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(*I* was the baby. I <i>get </i>the temperament.) <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>e did get a cute little haircut, though!<br />
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Now he looks like Hayley Mills. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span>eing the bipolar mom of double bookend boys, I can never <i>ever </i>decide what I want. For example, my 5-year-old talks nonstop and my 15-year-old doesn't talk enough. Which is better? Which is worse? <br />
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The 17-year-old spends too much time on his phone and the two-year-old, too much time on <i>me</i>.<br />
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In terms of what I do NOT want, the skirt pulling's way up there.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o yeah, bottom line: I'd love to be writing about my life every day, but most days I'm too busy living it. I scrubbed the kitchen floor yesterday for the first time in I'mnotgoingtosay, and this made me ridiculously happy. A clean kitchen makes me happy <i>period</i>, (this in addition to my happy pills), so this is an area of focus that needs to be high on my list. <br />
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The worrying needs to go away. The oldest son will leave and go to college. The clingy toddler will grow up and not need me so much.<br />
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It's okay. It'll be okay. <br />
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Last night was the closing performance of the play, and after striking the set and grabbing McDonalds, my son came home with a couple of friends. They were just going to bed when I left for my holy hour at three-thirty, but we got to visit a bit about the play. Nice, nice kids.<br />
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Later, I woke to the sound of the blender and the smell of fried eggs. The boys were sitting around the table, sipping smoothies and laughing and talking about finals.<br />
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"How was your holy hour?" one of them asked.<br />
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It was good. Life is good.<br />
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God's got this. It will be okay. <br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-40001237961457765022015-04-30T12:19:00.000-05:002015-04-30T12:19:09.935-05:00The Face of Five & the Wonderful, Terrible, Terrifically Challenging Two's <br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>y 5-year-old takes me on flights of fancy. <br />
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"How you make wood, Mama," he said, whittling away, "is you carve little bits like this. I have to make little wood pieces. I have to wait a couple minutes or hours for it to dry out because did you know that wood from a stick is wet? I'm making a house. Do you see all the progress I've made?"<br />
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Later, on a completely random and unrelated note, he remarked, "If my belly button were cut off, a bunch of food would come out." <br />
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My two-year-old, on the other hand, takes me down paths of pandemonium. <br />
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<i>Notez bien</i> the look in those eyes. <br />
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The kid is cute but TROUBLE.<br />
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His latest "thing" is sneaking out of house, usually wearing only a diaper. We need to keep the doors locked but who remembers to do that? He also talks nonstop but to his credit, a good 50% of his speech is coherent.<br />
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Yesterday, we were running an errand and he was insistently sharing an observation. <br />
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"Dey Wots da Kozz."<br />
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"That's right," I said cheerfully, having NO CLUE.<br />
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"Dey Wots da Kozz!"<br />
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"Mmm-hmm," I said, gripping the steering wheel more tightly. <br />
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"DEY WOTS DA KOZZ!" <br />
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Fast approaching the brink of total cranial explosion, I wracked my brains for an adequate translation. "There are lots of cars?" I asked, ever hopeful. <br />
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"Yeah," he responded and I exhaled, relieved. <br />
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At the very least, the rest of his body was contained. <br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32586492.post-21905155236339081532015-04-29T07:56:00.000-05:002015-04-29T08:47:19.754-05:00It's either lie or be eaten, Mama! <span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Another (Harrowing) #StreamTeam Review</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>s it ever okay to lie?<br />
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If you're like me, at first glance, you say no.<br />
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And then you surprise yourself by lying.<br />
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The April #StreamTeam theme was "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire." This annoyed me at first because <i>"Really? They want me to watch movies about lying?" </i>But then, after thinking about it, I realized that we are <i>all </i> liars to some degree.<br />
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(Usually, though, we just don't admit it.)<br />
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First the movies and then my thoughts.<br />
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<b>For your Little Kids:</b><br />
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1. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70197201?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">The Gruffalo</a></b><br />
2. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70287604?trkid=13481197" target="_blank">Care Bears: Season 1, Episode 8, Untruths and Consequences</a></b><br />
3. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/80011539?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">Veggie Tales in the House: Season 1, Episode 9, Lie-monade</a></b><br />
4. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70254353?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">Little Princess: Season 1, Episode 9, I Didn't Do It </a></b><br />
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<b>For your Big Kids:</b><br />
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</b> <br />
1. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/80026692" target="_blank">Totally Spies!</a></b><br />
2. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70181588" target="_blank">A.N.T. Farm: Season 3, Episode 9, Pants on Fire</a></b><br />
3. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70106286?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">Spy School</a></b><br />
4.<b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70106286?trkid=13752289" target="_blank"> Jessie: Season 1, Episode 14, World Wide Web of Lies</a></b><br />
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<b>For Teens and Adults:</b><br />
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</b> <br />
1. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/80010655?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">Bloodline</a></b><br />
2. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70197037" target="_blank">Revenge</a></b><br />
3. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70235174?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">The Bling Ring</a></b><br />
4. <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70180057?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">Pretty Little Liars</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><b>re you a fan of any of these shows?</b> Before I received the monthly prompt from Netflix, I had only seen the Veggie Tales episode. Clearly I need to get out more! Or in this case...um...I need to stay in?<br />
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Now, though, I can tell you in all honesty (and caps): <b>WATCH <i><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/70197201?trkid=13752289" target="_blank">THE GRUFFALO</a></i></b> and then watch it again.<br />
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This movie (and <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/80005737?sod=search-autocomplete" target="_blank">its sequel</a></b>) are magic.<br />
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Two of the best animated films I've ever seen. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><b>his month's theme prompted some great discussion around here</b>. First, we were like, "Dude. There are a ton of shows that we don't watch!" There's a reason for this—several, actually—but at the top of the list are time and the twaddle factor. There are only so many hours in a day, you know?<br />
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Plus <b><a href="http://www.howtoteachyourchildrenshakespeare.com/" target="_blank">we're learning Shakespeare</a></b> so there must be time for that. <br />
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So we didn't watch all the movies on this list, but we did watch <i>The Gruffalo</i> and love love LOVED it. We watched part of the Care Bears episode and part of Little Princess, then talked about the kinds of lying that exist.<br />
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Lying to not get eaten is on the extreme side of the spectrum.<br />
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Lying to stay out of trouble? Not so much.<br />
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When I asked the kids if they've ever lied, their eyes got big, like, "Do we tell the truth?" Because the truth is, we <i>know </i>it's a sin to lie and yet...sometimes...we get backed into a corner like this little mouse and we lie for some false idea of safety. We lie to protect our fragile heart.<br />
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"It's either lie or be eaten, Mama!" Angela exclaimed during <i>The Gruffalo</i>, and I thought, my fears are often what eat me up.<br />
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And so I look in the mirror and lie about who I am—an imperfect person, a screw-up, a sinner. My priest gave a sermon a couple weeks back where he posed the question, "Who among you has never been wrong?" Yet, in my pride, I don't like to <i>admit </i>it—it irks me, you know, to be told I'm wrong—and bottom line, this is a form of lying.<br />
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The truth is, I am <i>always</i> in need of God's saving grace and yet I forget this, time and again.<br />
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"It's a sin to lie," I tell the kids, and then a salesman came to the door. (True story! This happened just last week.) I opened the door and was afraid of...<i>what</i>? His wasting my time? The fact that he was a stranger? And so I cut off his sales pitch, saying, "My husband's out of work."<br />
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This was a lie. My husband <i>has </i>work.<br />
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Not enough, but he does have work.<br />
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That lie ate away at me for the rest of the day, and I told the kids, "That was wrong of me." It wasn't just my little "white" lie; it was the way that I treated that young man in thinking my time was more important than him.<br />
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That was a bigger lie than my husband's unemployment.<br />
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So live and learn and constantly seek God's grace. This was my take-away from this month's theme—that lying is not just "I did" or "I didn't" or "I'm afraid." It's also "I'm better..." and "I''m never wrong."<br />
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What do you think? Do you agree?<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/229/F0D331123C63A9FABAD915BD2C9C3542.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Margaret in Minnesotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15603439076606550856noreply@blogger.com1