Friday, February 28, 2014

You Have Enough {7QTs} {7 in 7}

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about how much an average person perceives is necessary in terms of financial resources to have additional children.  *Hint: you don't need as much as you think*

Of course, we are called to be prudent, but there is a delicate tension in that we are also called to trust.  Holding the tension of these two opposing forces and discerning God's will for your family - that's where we need to live.

I have two children, not by choice.  By choice, I would have at least three or four more....even if it meant I had five or six kids in this tiny little house of mine (2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 800 sq ft with an additional 400 sq ft in a semi-finished basement rec room I made myself this winter).  I'm working on my fertility challenges, even in this humble abode.

Here, 7 reasons you should stop looking at your checkbook and start looking to God's will:

{1}  You Don't Have to Pay for College, Seriously

I know many parents worry about the ever-increasing college expenses.  How will they ever pay for X number of tuitions?  You won't.  You don't have to.  It's not your job to only have as few children as you can set aside an extra $100,000 for. 

Now, I'm saying this as the third of nine children who paid for her own education....both a bachelor's and a master's.  I'm not horribly in debt.  In fact, I started my master's a couple years after I finished my bachelor's.  The month I started was also my last payment on my bachelor's student loan.  I have about $4500 left on my master's that I earned in 2010.  I could pay it off faster, but it's tax deductible.

Raise children who are hard workers, who are diligent, who are enterprising.  Send them to community college first.  Help them find scholarships.  Set aside whatever you can now, even if it's not going to be much more than books and fees for them someday.  Offer what assistance you can when they get there.  Or maybe they're actually called to be a plumber, mechanic, hair stylist, or some other profession that supports our world, but doesn't require a gazillion dollars in training. 

{2}  Your Kids Will Get Enough

I didn't ever have all the latest and greatest technology and toys as a kid, but you know what?  I had people to play with.  And I remember vividly the Christmas my parents ordered my brother the very first Nintendo.  We got stuff, not all of it, but enough for a magical, fun childhood.

{3}  You Don't Have to Have All the Patience

Patience is a muscle, it needs frequent practice.  Can't imagine yourself with X kids?  Well, so long as you aren't expecting multiples, it's a safe bet you've got some time to work up to it.  God doesn't seem to give me much extra of any virtue....I have to learn it through slow, painful lessons.  Patience takes time, but so does pregnancy (or adoption).

{4}  You Don't Need a Mansion

More space is helpful, but it's not a necessity (in most cases).  You are creative and a problem-solver.  You can do it....and there's a ton of other families who have laid out roadmaps if you need them.

{5)  Your Kids Would Rather Have a Sibling Than a Pony

They just might not realize it until they're adults.  But seriously, I have eight siblings and more than half are married.  I have almost 30 immediate family members.  Most of my siblings live within a short drive (less than 1 hour, most less than 20 minutes) of me.  Two of those siblings moved back from across the country just to be closer to family.  Sunday dinners are awesome in these parts.

{6}  Your Nursing Home Odds Go Way Down

Okay, maybe you'd like to live in a place of peace and quiet without people bothering you.  But that's just because right now you haven't had a solitary bathroom break in six years.  Someday, all those people will make sure you're well cared for....and even if that care means a nursing home is your best option, you'll have way more visitors to break up the monotony of jello.

{7}  Your Kids Are Pretty Awesome

Admit it, you make amazing people.  This goes for the ones you've adopted too....nurture versus nature?  Both and.  Who you are will make the people you nurture awesome.  And the world needs more awesome. 

Stop by Jen's for more 7 Quick Takes.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

{Theme Thursday} Fences {7 in 7}

Continuing with the week where it's hard to blog because there's just so much great to read with 7 blog posts in 7 days....pretty sure all my library books will be due before I've even opened them at this rate.  There are THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY bloggers participating.  Just the 30 I know it's nearly impossible to know what the heck is going on.

Last week, it was a balmy 32 degrees (the wind chill is back down to -22 today) so, linking up with Theme Thursday for a look at fences, with some snow play mixed in:

Sweet Pea looks innocent, but that snow ball has Little Bean's name on it!

Get to work baby!

Notice that lovely gap in the fence?  Yeah, we had a tree taken out over a year ago and haven't put the fence panels back up yet......I hear the frost line is 40 feet down in these parts, so it's going to be a while longer!

Trying to protect herself from the baby bully

Why, yes, that fence does stop abruptly at this end too!

Working together to build a snow fort

And, the piece de resistance!

My little snow princess on her throne....and the fence has not been photo shopped out - just for today's theme!

Kelly was also awesome (every day, but today especially) to bring back Third Person Thursday.  So linking up with her!

"Hell is frozen", she thought.  "It must be cold there, I can't imagine heat being a punishment".  All around the house, the wind whistled.  Gusts tested the strength of every window and door.  

Ceiling fans lay dormant, a remnant of a forgotten time.  The glistening white of past snows had faded to a dirty gray.  All around the ugliness of nature in collision with man showed its filth.  

"This winter will not end.  We are entering a new age.  This is how we live now." she mumbled to herself while scraping the frost from inside the car window.  Pictures of apocalyptic freezes flashed through her mind.  

Annery's skin ached from the cold, the wicked wind biting into her as she navigated the ice field of her sidewalk.  In a final cruel trick, the sun returned to melt the piles of snow, just enough to create a hazard at every step as the melt froze solid each night.

The car started slowly, resisting the call to action, until finally giving way with a sigh.  The engine began its slow, unending battle with the world, fighting to maintain fluids in a liquid state.  Finally, the air blew lukewarm and movement was possible.  

Creeping from its spot, the car struggled through the icy spots of leftover snow.  Annery turned the wheel wide, all thought to lanes of traffic ignored in an effort to get around the banks of snow left in the street by 'clean-up' crews.  

The gauge on the car showed a dreaded state; gas was needed.  Annery grudgingly pulled into the station.  It was not the price she cared about, but the act of standing outside the vehicle.  In front of the sign reading that it was a state law to stay outside while the gas was being dispensed, Annery began to ponder the punishment for breaking this particular law.  "Maybe they keep the prisons warmer than my house", she thought.  "I could probably get a lot of reading done."

With temperatures 60 degrees below normal, Annery decides the punishment might be worth it, just to get out of the wind.  Luckily, the tank is full as she contemplates criminal behavior and she is saved the choice of freedom or warmth.  

Climbing back in the car, she thinks through the list of places she must go that day, and changes her mind.  Nothing needs to happen in this weather.  Perhaps she will never do anything again.  Annery cannot remember sunshine, her backyard seems a useless waste of space.  This is it, the beginning of the new ice age.   Archaeologists someday will look back on this time with fascination, meanwhile Annery's hopes fade like the Matchstick Girl's.

I did get my errands done, but it is truly a brutal winter we're having.  I do have a couple matches in my book, but I'm close to the end of my rope with this winter that's been going since the middle of October 2013.  I know I live in a climate with seasons, but last time I checked, there were four, not one.

Next week is read-all-the-posts-you-missed week, yes?

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A Belated Purse Dump and {WWRW} {7 in 7}

I'm late to the purse dump party with Kendra (who I get to meet this weekend at Behold!!!), but here goes:

I had to change over purses Sunday to travel for business Monday/Tuesday, but before I cleaned it out, I took a picture:



It's my favorite:  Cell phone....in fact, our relationship might be too close

Wow, I really have a lot of these:  Lip balms/glosses

I've been looking for those:  I know this rosary is in my purse, but it is always hard to find when I'm looking for it.  Maybe I should use a caribener hook to keep it handy like I do for my keys.

Huh.  That shouldn't be in there:  Should I pretend I don't use that bag of candy in there for bribery?  No, I know what that's in there.  I think probably the polar bear....do I really need one random toy just in case?

Most of this mess has now been transferred to a new purse.  Give it a few days and it'll look even worse.

Now - on to What We're Reading Wednesday!  Linking up with Jessica over at Housewifespice. 



This week, I'm re-reading a classic for a mom's book club next month.  Jane Eyre is the story of an orphan, told in the first person.

The story opens when Jane is about 10 years old.  Jane is abused by an aunt and cousins, and is eventually sent away.  She is sent to a charity school where events of cruelty and near-starvation are rampant. 

While the plot of the story is well-known by most, I'll still avoid the spoilers.....other than to say, Jane has a hard life, but in the end, I was at peace with her story.  Even though it was full of hardship, I felt she was happy in the end, and that made the tragedies of her earlier life not so great that they overcame the ending.

Lately, I've been reading a lot of modern literature.  Contemporary authors, with life stories or helpful tidbits about balancing the demands of motherhood have been the common fare of late.

Reading Jane Eyre reminded me what great literature is; how some books rise to the level of classic.  I have loved my more modern reads, but in a sense, reading such a great work re-calibrates the literary palate.  Like a fine wine or a decadent sweet, it won't be my every day meal, but every now and then, it's nice to step out of the stories that help me survive (all those how-to's and inspirational stories are definitely a necessary part of my survival!) and turn to something that is simply for itself.

You can get this work free on Kindle, so it's definitely worth a read, especially if the last time you picked it up was as an angst-y teen....you'll read a little deeper this time, I think.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

{7 in 7} {Five Favorites} Business Trip Pictures

Linking up with Jen over at Conversion Diary for 7 in 7 and Moxie Wife for Five Favorites.

I'm out of town on business yesterday and today.  Here are five pics, complete with his captions, that Hubby sent me last night.

{1}

Donuts!!!


{2}

Future auto mechanic



{3}


Working conditions in this sweat shop are appalling.  Curse you IK#@!

{4}


Totem spirit {Sweet Pea}

{5}

Weee!!!


{Bonus}

See, I'm not the only one that falls asleep watching My Little Pony

Friday, February 21, 2014

{7QTs} Plopping, Sleeping, and More

Linking up with Jen over at Conversion Diary!

7 quick takes sm1 7 Quick Takes about cool book moments, bestseller bling, overcommitting myself (again), and doing a 5K in a palanquin

 {1}  I'm trying out plopping after Jenna shared a post on Fine Linen and Purple about it.

Those hairs I didn't tuck in all the way are probably going to look weird

It's been in about 15 minutes and I'm going to take it out for the last take, because, really, if it takes any longer than that, it's not something I'll do regularly.  I'm a wash and wear kind of gal...I've surrendered to a wilder-than-usual mane and made my piece (mostly) with it.

{2}  I took about six photos before I got one I was willing to post.  Why?  They don't look that much different, they're all still me.  Maybe those Amish have something to it with the no pictures, just one more way to make ourselves a little crazier.  For instance, I'm now wondering if perhaps my left eye (right in pic) isn't bigger than my right....and someone remind me of this picture the next time I'm considering a new hair cut and can't figure out what face shape I have!

{3}  I'm a world class sleeper.  Time was, I probably could have medaled in it.  But, the last couple months, I CANNOT sleep.  I don't drink caffeine all day, I avoid naps so I'm tired, I exercise, I eat pretty well, but still, I go to bed exhausted and I'm up several times a night, just up, looking around, not to go to the bathroom or anything, just laying there in bed, staring at the walls.

My only thought is perhaps it's to do with the loss of Sweet Baby.  Did anyone else experience insomnia with a loss?  Or am I going crazy?  Or are my sleeping days over? 

{4} My Creighton book says something about insomnia as PMS symptom, but mine is a little more constant.  And speaking of Creighton, I'm going to schedule an appointment to see the Creighton Fertility specialists.  After charting and reading, I think there is something going on that might have a solution.  I'm anxious about making the appointment, going to the appointment, and what we'll uncover, so please keep me in your prayers.

{5}  As a result of learning the Creighton model, I bought Simcha's book and loved it.  So much so, I'm thinking of giving away a copy in celebration when I finally hit my first 100 "likes" on my Facebook page (small accomplishments are still accomplishments!).  I'm only 10 away....it could happen :)  What do you think, would people be interested in such a prize?  Or has everyone already purchased their amazing copy?

{6}  Speaking of giveaways, I'm having one right now (ends Wednesday, Feb 26th) for a CD with a talk by Dr. Allen Hunt.

{7}  Okay, taking off my weird turban-esque do to see what happened (to the credit of my 8 y/o, she walked out of the bathroom to see me sporting my shirt on my head and said not one word....we're cultivating personal style/creativity in these parts!)

Here's the first picture I took:



Then I noticed that my husband's dresser was piled with all the folded clothes that have yet to be put away.  So I took six more, of course, and here's what I got:



The verdict?  My hair looks like this when it air dries.  After the shower, I squeeze out excess water and add mousse, crunch it up and leave it alone...then this happens.  (Thanks for the genes Mom and Dad!)  After I removed my turban, I flipped my hair upside down, scrunched it and then took a picture....or seven.  I might try this a couple more times to see if wrapping it differently helps, or maybe the point is for it to dry faster?  I think this might be great for someone with thick/heavy wavy/curly hair.  The tutorial says something about the negative effects of gravity on the curls.  Since I've had children, I have very fine, fine hair (which is unusual for redheads, usually we have fewer, but thicker hairs) so I'm not really fighting gravity more than my mousse can manage.  I do like however, that my hair was out of the way while drying and it seems to have dried faster.

Try it and let me know what happens to you!  I'm about to go out in a wind storm to take my kids to the museum, so this is the last it won't look like a rat's nest!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

{Five Favorites} {WWRW} Dr. Allen Hunt

This weekend, Hubby and I were blessed to have an opportunity to step outside the normal routine and attend a retreat focused on marriage.  It was hosted by Dynamic Catholic.  If you haven't heard about this group and the wonderful things they're doing in the Church, click on the link. right. now.  Evangelism is alive in the Church and the Holy Spirit is setting people on fire through their work.

We attended Passion and Purpose for Marriage with Dr. Allen Hunt.  He gave a series of three talks.  From my favorite talk, here are the 5 Things Women Need to Know about Men:

{1}  

Men need respect more than love.

{2}  

Men need to provide.

{3}  

Men need sexual intimacy (this, my friends, is the point that will make your husband feel like it was a day well spent!)

{4}  

Men do love, even when the don't communicate it well.

{5}  

Men do know the most beautiful word (love).

On the way home from the talk, I read Everybody Need to Forgive Somebody, about book by Dr. Allen Hunt. The link will take you to a free copy (+$5.95 shipping) from Dynamic Catholic.  While you're there, browse the site, there's some great content.

In, Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody, you read the stories of 11 real people who have experienced the grace of forgiving or being forgiven in their lives.  Each chapter ends with discussion questions, as well as concrete ways you can implement forgiveness in your life.  For example, one way you can be an instrument of forgiveness is to carry a crucifix in your pocket to remind you of the forgiveness coming down on you.

One of the most moving stories (they're all pretty moving!) is the story of a woman who leaves her husband and has an affair.  Her husband actively loves and forgives her even through this time, so that after about a year, she wakes up one day and realizes the grave error she's made.  Her husband welcomes her back into the family and they pick up their lives again.  He offers her immediate forgiveness and never brought the matter up again.

This story truly stunned me that someone could be so loving, so forgiving, especially in a society that so easily discards the hard or uncomfortable.

For more book reviews, check out Jessica's place.

For more Five Favorites, stop by Fountains of Home this week.

For a chance to listen to the talks I heard this weekend, consider purchasing the talks through Dynamic Catholic - here. 

To win 5 Things Women Need to Know (the first talk) - enter here!  Giveaway ends February 26th.


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Thursday, February 13, 2014

{Theme Thursday} Hearts

Have you heard about #WhatWomenNeed?  It's been suggested by a large provider of contraceptives and abortions that perhaps we need abortions and contraceptives for Valentine's Day.  No, thanks, I'm good.  And should any pro-choicer exclaim - well are you going to raise this baby?  Yep, just send me a line, I'll be right over to pick him/her up.  And, if you'd like to know a little bit about how this week has been going for me, stop over to check out Goodbye Again Sweet Baby.

The pro-life response to this message has been pouring love and happy faces through my Instagram account.

Check out some of the pictures at Upstate NY Prolife Advocates. 

Here's me, speaking my heart, with a picture of my baby in hearts with #WhatWomenNeed.



Stop by Cari's place for more Heart themes on this St. Valentine's Day week :)