In Bloom

Last year, around Christmas time, friends and family members were serving our family by preparing and delivering meals. Our twins had just been born, and it was their way of helping—tremendously helping—us.

One kind woman gave us a Christmas Cactus along with her meal. Now, I do not have a green thumb, but I also couldn't just throw the plant away after so long. So, I decided to transplant it into a flower pot and see what would happen.

I placed it next to my kitchen window and gave it water when I thought it needed it. A few times, I noticed it didn't look too good, but it always perked back up.

A year later, a short time after this Christmas, it started growing small pink buds at the ends of the leaves. Today, the first bloom truly blossomed! I can't really explain how it happened, but it did! And it is so pretty!

I moved it from the kitchen window to our kitchen table, which still gets quite a bit of afternoon sunlight, along with our Holy Family statue. Kind of a centerpiece, I guess, on top of a wintery place mat.

Baskets and Books

I love using baskets to corral books and toys and other collections. It seems like an easy—yet pretty—way to organize. But I never thought of using a basket to contain my twins! They thought of it for me ... Girl twin loves to climb into anything, but today Boy beat her to it, and so she had to do what she could to get in on the fun. One day, they will be so big not even one of them will be able to fit into this basket (which usually contains Little People toys), so I had to capture the moment when both twins can fit into one basket!

Speaking of baskets, here are a few of our current reads from our library-book basket. We are enjoying old-fashioned fairy tales, especially Snow White and Rose Red. And we love Tomie de Paola; we have checked out about six of his books! Due to the insanely cold weather here, we have been spending A LOT of time curled up on the couch, cuddled under a blanket, reading books. But it isn't too bad. Because of this forced indoor time, we have discovered some wonderful books that are quickly becoming favorites.

Tickled Pink

Last night, when my husband came home from work, there was a lot of commotion near the coat closet. I was in the kitchen making dinner, and all I could hear from him and my trio were whispers and shhhes.

"What is going on?" I wondered.

My oldest came into the kitchen, followed by her younger sisters, and asked me if I was tired.

"Tired? Of course I'm tired," I thought to myself. "I'm a mom of five young kids!"

She continued to ask me if I wanted to go upstairs and take a break. Strange.

Then, I noticed that the trio had these little, mischievous smiles on their faces, and they were trying to hold back giggles.

Then, they told me Dad had brought home a surprise for me, and they started giving me (obvious) clues to get me to go upstairs. They are young, so their clues (you stick this in your ears and you listen with it) were way too obvious and their secret-keeping skills were lacking, as Dad quickly discovered as he came into the kitchen.

But, being a mom, I obliged, and told them that maybe I was tired and that I would go upstairs.

Clearly, they didn't really want me to go upstairs to relax, as they were following right behind me, still giggling and actually trying to beat me to my room by passing me on the stairs.

"What are you up to?" I asked everyone. I had put the clues together, but I really couldn't believe what I thought I would find upstairs.

The trio told me to look under my pillow, as they jumped up and down laughing. I did, and to my sincere surprise, I found my very own pink iPod nano! I was just so shocked. I never expected it, or even asked for it. Christmas was over. My birthday is a couple months away. Valentine's Day is even a few weeks off, but we don't make it a HUGE deal around here (just little tokens of affection, and it involves the whole family). No, it was an ordinary Wednesday, and I was receiving an extraordinary gift from my wonderful husband.

When I asked him why, what was the occasion, he simply said "because you work so hard around here."

I had been borrowing his old iPod shuffle to listen to while I knit. I even used it once while I cleaned, and the time flew by! Other people had borrowed his shuffle, too, though, so sometimes it was a bit quirky. I sort of thought that one day I would upgrade, but I didn't voice that hope at all, as I was just content with what I had.

My husband is good like that. He listens and thinks. He surprises me. He honors me through his words. Not only am I grateful for how he loves me, I am grateful for how his ways are teaching our kids how husbands should love their wives. They are learning profound lessons through his actions. No, he doesn't need to buy me expensive presents to show his love or teach our kids. This was a rare treat indeed! No, I have been touched numerous times by little and big ways he has expressed his love, care and concern for me. And I think, "Wow! Do I feel special!" And I also think, "Wow! Am I grateful our kids are witness to this!" I am so blessed. Yes, I am tickled pink!

Feast of St. Thomas Aqunias

I am on a daily Eucharist e-mail list, which includes a quote from a saint, book or other inspiring sources as well as an image. Today's e-mail included a beautiful quote on the Eucharist from St. Thomas Aqunias. On his feast day, I thought I'd share it with you.

He keeps nothing back.

He places all the riches of His love

into the sacramental gift.

In this Gift He presents to us

all the love of His Incarnation,

all the merits of His life and His works,

the entire price of Redemption.

—

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!

(Apotheosis of Thomas Aquinas by Francisco De Zurbaran, 1631)

Knitting 101

The two things I remember most about my grandma are that she had a beautiful devotion to the Rosary and she spent a great deal of time knitting. She probably did both of them at the same time! Her knitting was really a ministry of sorts. She made sweaters, hats, mittens and more all year long, and then donated them to the missions. She gave most of what she made away. How beautiful!

I remember asking her once to teach me how to knit. I was probably only eight or nine years old, and well, let's just say that my lesson didn't last long. I'm not sure if it was she or I that didn't have the patience—or maybe it was both of us! Nevertheless, I always admired her skill and talent, and loved just sitting with her, watching her work and chatting away about all sorts of things.

As a custom, Grandma knitted an afghan for each of her grandchildren's high school graduation present. I remember going to the store with her to pick out yarn colors, even though my graduation was some years away. My grandma died before she finished my afghan, so my cousin was kind enough to finish it for her. It is one of my favorite possessions, because her hands touched it, blessed it.

Even though it has been almost 20 years since Grandma passed away, I miss her deeply and think about her a lot. I wish I had more adult years with her, and so I often ask her to intercede for me and my family.

About a year ago, I had an urge to give knitting a try again. It wasn't the right time, however, because I was in the midst of that (crazy) first year with twins.

A few weeks ago, my friend Anna was kind enough to give me my first knitting lesson. My six year old was with me when I picked out yarn, which is why it's pink. I was intending for my first project to be a scarf for her, but I think my first project will have to just be a practice piece. It's not great, but it's all mine!

I am really enjoying the beginning of this new pastime. It's fun and relaxing with my iPod and tea! And I am hopeful that in time (lots of time) I will improve and be able to make things for my kids and as gifts. But also, I am feeling a new connection with my grandma. I think she would be pleased that hobbies like knitting are so popular again. It's like a link to the past; a way to preserve it.

Following in my grandma's footsteps, if only I could cultivate that beautiful Rosary devotion, too ... In time, right?

The Bread That Unites and Preserves

A friend of mine sent me this beautiful quote, prayer and image today. I thought I'd share it with you ...

In the Bread which came down from heaven, the family will be able to find the support that will keep it united in the face of today's threats and will preserve it as a bastion of life, steadfast against the culture of death.

—Pope John Paul II, Message to Archbishop of Seville, June 5, 1995

Prayer for Life

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God and Son of Mary, we praise and thank You for the precious gift of life, Divine Life and human life. We commit ourselves to adoring and proclaiming Your Personal Presence in the Most Holy Eucharist, for in you alone is the victory of life. We dedicate our lives to protecting and defending all human life: the unborn babies, the sick, the elderly, the poor, and all victims of violence. We implore Your Love and Mercy upon the whole world, for You are the true source of all peace and all hope. By the Life-Giving power of Your Precious Body and Blood, please strengthen and guide us to proclaim, protect, and defend the dignity and sanctity of life. Transform us by Your Merciful Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, that we may all be one with You, and the Father and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Beautiful Order

Last week, the real temperature was well below zero here in Minnesota. My Kindergartener even had school cancelled; it was that cold! So, I hunkered down with my five children to make the most of a shut-in day.

After the twins went down for their morning nap, the trio and I decided it was finally the right time to reorganize their bedroom and the play area in order to find homes for their new favorite treasures of Christmas.

We started with the desk area in the play room, which needs to be shared among them but wasn't being done so very well. We divided and conquered and even made it pretty, much to their delight. We categorized more play-room items, and found empty bins, boxes and baskets around the house that could house their various collections. We even were able to pack up two boxes for charity, as well as throw out odds and ends that tend to accumulate with time. Here are the results of the desk and play area:

After the playroom, we moved into their shared bedroom. It is not big, and they have very little space to call their very own—their bed and one-third of a shelving unit. But what's theirs is theirs, and our rule is that everyone must respect each other's special area. (If it's on your sister's shelf, you can't play with it without asking first.) The things in their room are really their very special, most prized possessions, so it is necessary to make room for them, as well as try to make it pretty.

We had to sort again, making room for new favorites and deciding where to house old favorites. For example, a special new book may be added to the shelf, but an old standby may now go into the book basket that everyone shares. Here is the result. The girls were thrilled!

Now, let's face it; the beauty of this organizational accomplishment didn't last long. No, after we finished, the twins woke up from their nap, we ate lunch, played a little, and much to my dismay, my little guy had every book pulled down within a few minutes.

So, what's the point, you or I may ask? Well, there is a point in organizing our homes, in teaching our children about order and trying to make our homes beautiful. These things teach our children, and remind ourselves, that God created the world and all things in it in an orderly fashion, and He continues to create things of pure beauty all around us. We can honor and glorify Him by creating and ordering in our homes, which He has given us to care for. These lessons give us hope and encouragement during those times when everything is a mess and we slowly begin to bring order out of the chaos. These lessons will bless our children not only now but in their future vocations, whatever they may be. For these lessons will help them grow in understanding and appreciation for God's desire for order and beauty, and their mom's steadfast quest to follow His will.

Fairy Tale Novels

I just completed an amazing trilogy that I thought I'd share about. The trilogy consists of the first three books of the Fairy Tale Novels by Regina Doman.

The trilogy begins with The Shadow of the Bear, the retelling of the classic fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red. It is set in modern-day New York City. Blanche and Rose are sisters in high school, and they meet a young man named Bear, who rescues their mom from a swerving car. He looks to be poor and even a bit shady, but they soon discover there is goodness hidden beneath his dirty clothes and matted dreadlocks. He continues to visit them frequently and friendship blossoms.

As the story progresses, mystery unfolds that I won't spoil for you. There is action, adventure, a pure and tastefully-written romance, good vs. evil, and other real but beautiful human experiences on every page.

The book leads into the second installation of the trilogy Black as Night. Again, it is the retelling of a classic fairy tale. This time Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Black as Night is very much the story of the relationship between Blanche and Bear. Some time has gone by between the first and second books, but the author does a nice job of providing "flashbacks" that fill in the gaps.

The book starts out with the two main characters being apart from one another. Blanche is in New York City working over the summer, and Bear is in Europe traveling around with his brother Fish, who we meet briefly in The Shadow of the Bear. Something evil is following Blanche, and she senses it but can't quite figure out what it is. While seeking refuge within the walls of a familiar church, she encounters a group of friars who recently have taken over the once-abandoned building. They befriend her, and slowly her story unfolds for them but parts remain hidden. Nonetheless they do what they can to help her, going above and beyond the call of duty. Or perhaps not, they are friars after all!

Meanwhile, Bear has an overwhelming determination to return to New York when he can't get a hold of Blanche. When she still seems missing upon his return, he senses the evil as well. He and Fish, along with Rose and a couple other returning characters, scour the city in search of her.

Again, a mystery needs to be solved. Clues are discovered by both Blanche and Bear. Puzzle pieces start fitting together. The storyline is extremely intense at times, and often I found my heart racing, and my eyes not able to read the words fast enough to find out what happens next.

After reading these first two books, I was eager to begin Waking Rose. However, I had grown to like the characters of Bear and Blanche so much, I secretly wanted it to be more about them. I was a little sad about this fact, as I started reading it, even though I was looking forward to it at the same time. (BTW, they are in this novel, just with smaller roles :-) Anyway, whatever slight disappointment I started out with, quickly disappeared as I instantly was hooked into the story of Fish and Rose. This time the retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Ever since they met one another in The Shadow of the Bear, Rose has had an attraction to Fish. However, Fish has been very reserved in wanting to keep his distance due to issues that are revealed within the plot of the book. They remain friends, and the first part of the novel displays the deepening of Rose and Fish's relationship, giving his and her perspectives. First with Rose wanting more than friendship from Fish, and Fish resisting. Then, after Fish turns to Rose as a confidant, we see his heart opening up more to the possibility of a deeper relationship with Rose—which even surprises him. (The various dialogues between these two characters are fantastic!) Actually, the transformation Fish undergoes during the storyline is quite remarkable, and I was deeply moved by it, including his developing friendships with Rose's college friends. If you read it, you will see what I mean!

Of course, what fairy tale would be complete without a mystery to be solved, good conquering evil and sacrificial love? Again, Ms. Doman had me on the edge of my seat all the way until the end.

These novels are geared toward teens (14+), but I thoroughly enjoyed them. They were a meaningful distraction during my hectic days as a wife and mother. What I loved about them? They are simply excellent stories with excellent character development. The characters are real—ordinary people embracing extraordinary circumstances—in genuine, caring relationships. You wouldn't mind knowing them in real life, or having your children know them. Ms. Doman does a beautiful job of weaving the Catholic faith into her stories, eloquently, without being preachy; the characters live their faith in real, everyday ways. The handling of various issues, even sensitive ones, is done very honestly yet discreetly.

If you have a teen in your life, I highly recommend giving these books to them. And if you're looking for a good fiction to enjoy yourself, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Fairy Tale Novels.