You Don't Say!

By 8:30 this morning, I had

-slept 10 hours

- made Dean's lunch

-made our bed (which rarely happens)

-brushed my teeth, gotten dressed and had my (1st) cup of coffee  

(all which rarely happen before noon)

-put a load of laundry to wash

-chatted with Dad upon his arrival

By 9:30, I had

-breastfed baby #2

-made (to include cutting up 5 different fruit types) & eaten (as is chewed and absolutely enjoyed every bite, as opposed to inhaling) my gourmet breakfast:

-cleaned the kitchen

-picked up the living room

-folded a load of laundry

 By 11:00am, I had

-ran an errand over 35 miles round-trip,

-had a small photo shoot

-exercised and stretched

and By 1pm, I had
-painted the house (ok just the hallway)
but such was my day...I wondered how I was able to get so much done and wasn't sure what to do with this rested, refreshed self?!?!?!?!?!

Oh, did I forget to mention Spicy was at Mimi's house enjoying a special day together after spending the night?

  ;) ;)

So I realized something today after fighting an internal battle all day long of taking such pleasure in this superficial and false sense of productivity, freedom, control and confidence (and the guilt that came with that feeling of enjoyment...)

Alizea (& both of my children, for that matter) challenges the very core of my being. Being their mother and taking care of them 24/7 is a constant mirror in my face and to my soul of my weaknesses and wretchedness and my need for His mercy. I have already written how humbling it is fulfilling my motherly vocation. Humbling, not only in the ways of feeling so thankful, grateful and undeserving of such precious, perfect gifts from Heaven but also humbling, as in, getting on my knees (figuratively) several times a day, realizing my weaknesses, my limitations, my wretchedness, repenting for my selfishness, my complaining, my lack of patience and love, for ignoring his commandments and asking for forgiveness and for assistance.  

In His ironic sense of humor, I can just envision God smiling and can hear him joking with me all too often, "Who's the baby, the whiny toddler now???" 

I understood today, in my day of respite, a deeper and extremely practical meaning of the following:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 
Matt 16:24

How I love my children (& hubby for that matter) for giving me so many opportunities to practice and try and struggle at this daily. 

Ok, so here is the fun I had with my special time with Genevieve today. 

Who said a chic can't do construction? No wimpy girls live here!

Her 1st taste of some good 'ole cement! A little roughage for those clogged bowels

Bapa was so proud of his little helper:

 

In the evening we went to HB for a bonfire with Bapa's mens group and their families. It was so neat and special to finally meet these men, to put faces and personalities with the stories I had heard from Dad. To be able to give a thankful hug and smile to the men, the friends, the wonderful influences in my dad's life who have encouraged him in his spiritual journey, in seeking the truth, in becoming more holy. Individually, these guys may not think they are too special but together, united in prayer and faith, The Lord sure is doing amazing things in and through each and every one of them! What a truly special group of holy Catholic men!

From left to right: Mark, John, Mike, Chuck, Phil, Gabe, Al

This is Anessa and Lilianna. 2 of Andrea and Phil's 5 beautiful children. I was so impressed by these kids, their maturity and how much they loved baby G.

Having fun with Sweets

 

Meanwhile, Spicy and Daddy were off to build castles in the sand!

And then, it was time for

 

What a wonderful, beautiful, insightful day!