The pages of our virtual scrapbook here are filled with adventure.  Our family has been blessed with many opportunities I could never have imagined.  Never think for a minute though, that they come without sacrifices or compromises.  That can be difficult.  For every wonderful project I say yes to there are a dozen others that must be set aside.  Sometimes it can be difficult to know for sure if the right choices are being made.  If the tradeoffs are worthwhile.  Sometimes saying no is exceptionally difficult, especially when it is saying no to something more pleasant or with more accolades attached. Sometimes even after screening out any extra thing there is still list longer than hours in the day.  

But then again, often when I get stuck there is a timely reminder of just how to order things.  That happened this weekend.  My planner is at large (no, that irony is not lost on me either) so I have been writing notes to myself so I don't forget things I need to do. When I walked into my bathroom last night I saw one of those to do notes on the sink had been carefully cut into a mom love note.  I have the best kids in the world and even when one or more is driving me absolutely nuts – and they definitely do at times – they are also continually doing things like this which quickly ground me again. 

It did not escape me that my little artist used my to-do list.  Carved into my schedule of chores and commitments and opportunities passed over, is this reminder.  THIS is my priority.  Other plates may occasionally stop spinning.  (fall, crash, shatter…)

I have this awesome day job though.   I am ok. 

Two exerpts from my reading found their way into my journal today.  The first was from the gospel reading of the resurrection of Lazarus.  We get a glimpse of Jesus' deliberate pause in the face of urgent prayers for rescue. The story also provides valuable insight to the mind of God:

"Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus.  When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He still remained in the same place two days."

The evangelist makes certain we understand that it was no lack of affection, no ignoring of the pleas.  Jesus knew.  He cared. He cared so deeply that upon seeing Mary's distress "He groaned," from His heart and wept with her.  It wasn't indifference that caused Him to tarry.  It was love.  He loved them therefore He still remained.  

The two sisters once more have different responses to their circumstances, as we all do at different times and places.  Martha has resigned herself to the will of God and presumed He willed her brother's death.  Mary cries out to God in frustration for not coming sooner when He could have helped. Both of them have great faith yet, both miss the mark a bit.  There was a plan but they misinterpreted what that was and when/how it should have unfolded - as we all do at different times and places.  

Patience. We tend to think of it as a passive, helpless stance on our part. Reverend O'Reilly explains it differently especially when it concerns God's delay in answering our prayers for those dear to us.  The hard cases. It may be a wayward child, a spouse, a close friend.  He tells us to be patient:

"Not only when you are suffering from aching limbs and heart, but WHEN YOU DO NOT SUCCEED in making your dear ones all that you would wish. There are certain dispositions and characters which seem naturally to defy all control or teaching or improvement.  They will learn more than you think, much more than you can see, by your lessons and especially by your example. 

Even should a son or daughter of yours turn out to be everything but what you trained them to be,  the memory of their gentle, patient, loving mother will remain in their souls to their dying day, like a silent voice from the past bidding them to return to God and the paths of their childhood."

Sometimes the answer to our prayers is: Hold Fast.  God does not always act within our preferred timetable but He is always active in response to our needs. He will not ignore our pleas, but He may well tarry, even long past the time any natural solution seems possible – because of love.  He may choose us to demonstrate steadfastness and patient intercession, to be the face of Christ to those who hold such a dear place in our hearts.  

If your momma heart is breaking, or your prayers seem to fall on deaf ears, take courage.  You may never know what impact your faithfulness has this side of heaven, but be assured it is tremendous. 

St Patrick's day arrived with few plans this year.  I did sit a while and read his autobiography this morning during my quiet time and have been scribbling down bits of it into my notebook.   What especially strikes me this time around is his deep regret over wasted time, idle words, and lost opportunity.  With the midcentury mark looming I find myself sharing those regrets.  It is an embarassment of riches, these many years I've been given, and yet have I made the most of them? Has my speech been edifying?  My hours fruitful? My way steady and focused?  And if not, how can those regrets be channeled into new resolve?

He also tells us to be amazed by what God can do with our imperfect efforts:

With him "I pray God that he gives me the gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing."

A round up of ideas for you from previous years:

random good stuff 

trinity shamrocks

Drawing for kids here and here and here

Crafts here and here

Reading and Eating

Listening to the rain fall and watching the snow melt. 

Our new traction cleats have been a huge success. The maiden climb was to the top of Waterfall Canyon to see the frozen falls. I don't know why it didnt occur to me that you could do such a thing.   So far we considered hiking a warmer weather activity.  This was just magical though and has opened all sorts of new doors for us. 

The little girls both got point and shoot cameras for Christmas so I borrowed one of theirs for the hike:

You can see who got a Mom and Dad date this time. : )   It's so much fun to spend special activity time with one or two and it is also super fun to for the others to spend fun time doing something with an older sibling at home.  They are all individuals.  

Here it is up close!  It was well below freezing this day so no worries just yet but I wouldn't want to hike this closer to spring thaw.  

We were told the easiest way down is um….. seated.  Brendan was all in for that idea and slid as long and far as he could.  

I hope midwinter is as bright and shining and full of new ideas for you! 

“Our favourite amusement during that winter was tobogganing. In places the shore of the lake rises abruptly from the water's edge. Down these steep slopes we used to coast. We would get on our toboggan, a boy would give us a shove, and off we went! Plunging through drifts, leaping hollows, swooping down upon the lake, we would shoot across its gleaming surface to the opposite bank. What joy! What exhilarating madness! For one wild, glad moment we snapped the chain that binds us to earth, and joining hands with the winds we felt ourselves divine!”  - Helen Keller

On Dad's day after Christmas holiday we got it into our heads that we should find the best sledding hill nearby. It was cold but the sun was shining and so were their faces before it was through.  They trekked up and down the hills for a good long time.  Then we loaded up three very wet and happy kids for some hot baths and hot chocolate. 

From where I sit I'm looking out onto miles and miles of snow covered pines and rooftops.  We were snowed in for Christmas which has its perks.  The day was necessarily spent at home together and a great deal of video chatting happened making our far away family seem not as far.  The little ones got to show their big siblings what Santa brought and we were even able to send delivery dinner to our bachelor sons in Denver.  This is not always the case but, on this day, technology came down firmly on the side of blessing. 

The grainfree thumbprint cookies I mentioned before – here.  I told Alannah she could make me these for every major event FOREVER.  So good.  All gone.  I did not share a single one.  

Our boys love their theme socks lol!

Lots of shoveling.  We need to break down and get that snow blower. Meantime – LOTS of shoveling. 

We had beautiful pink snow at sunset. Then we said our prayers, loaded up on cookies, and watched Christmas in Connecticut. I hope your day was magical.  

We made it!  It's been a busy but prayerful advent and here we are already at the end, putting finishing touches on gifts and wrapping up cookies. We've had our issues with "little foxes" here lately, which my friend Ella reminded me can sneak in and wreck up the most wonderful time of the year.  The best way to brighten your own mood is often to look for little ways to brighten others'.  The children have been SO fired about doing just that this week, they have been contagious and effective redirectors.  

We started with blessing the delivery drivers whom we procrastinating shoppers were ever so dependent upon and grateful for. My friends Ruth and Mary Ellen had shared the idea and it was something the kids could pull together easily.  Shortly after we stuck the bucket outside we had our first UPS visit.  We heard a knock and a "THANK YOU!" through the door.  When I went to get the boxes a few minutes later the driver was jogging back to the door.  "Did you forget something?" I asked.  "No," he said, " I've only had this happen to me one other time and I wanted to get a picture!"  So easy.  So much fun.  (Yes, it's December and yes it is cold here. The shorts never get put away.  Don't ask me why.)

We chose Grinch popcorn mix for the neighbor gifts.  It's messy.  Not gonna lie.  There's nothing like a solid Pinterest project to perk a girl up though and our Abbie is ALL about Pinterest.  Wonder where she gets this from? 

The elves packaged and went door to door tonight.  

I made a pie but then moved into present wrapping mode while Alannah did most of the rest of the treat baking.  

With some help.  

The gifts were wrapped and stockings stuffed before 9pm.  It might be a Christmas record for us.  

It's been prayers and stories and movies since, because this is the house that never sleeps and Christmas Eve does not look like it will be the exception.  

But I will be heading with or without them, as soon as I get some of the grain-free thumbprint cookies my girl made for me. 

"Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son:
let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you.
Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance.
Also, do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.
Am I not here who am your mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not your fountain of life?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?
Is there anything else that you need?"

– Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego

“Why did she make things? Well…She enjoyed it of course; but it also somehow helped her remember who she was and where she came from.”  - Anonymous