letlovebesincere: 7QT we made it through March edition

I'm linking up with Kelly at This Ain't The Lyceum to give you this week's quick takes. Are you ready?

(one)

You guys!
We made it through March. This month was SO BUSY, I've kind of been worried about it for awhile. But, as with most things, the worry was silly because everything went fine.
Ministry was amazing.
2 School retreats
7 Confirmation Retreats
2 Lenten Evenings of Reflections
A very fruitful month where the Spirit of the Lord was so present. I feel thankful to be able to do what I do, and for the most part stay home with my kids. But man, I am excited to have a weekend with just the crew...next weekend...

Confirmation Retreat for Dayzzzz

(two)

\
....because this weekend is the Michigan Young Adult Conference where yours truly has a keynote. Let's pray it goes well and I don't
...make up facts about Jesus that aren't true (sometimes I do that on accident)
...or forget basic theology (sometimes I do that too)
... or begin quoting a document from the Church and forget the actual quote without having it written down (that's happened)
:)

(three)

Controversial Catholic Cry Room Opinion Ahead.

Did you guys see Kendra at Catholic All Year's Post about cry rooms?

It was good.

It basically said that cry rooms should be for adults who insist on total quiet in the sanctuary and the sanctuary should be for people who don't mind the noise of young Catholics (babies/toddlers).

But some of the comments were annoying. Two things in particular...

ONE

The 'Places of worship should not have cry rooms, babies belong in Church' argument. I get the theory, I really do. But the thing is, cry rooms are an absolute save for people like me, or people who were like I was. After John Paul, I had three kids under the age of 3. I needed cry rooms during a particular season in my life, especially if I had to go to Mass alone. And when kids are melting down and screaming, cry rooms are a great place to go. Cry rooms are sometimes necessary just for the sheer containment aspect. We actually don't love worshiping in spaces without cry rooms, because one of us generally has to leave with a screaming kid and the other has to manage the rest. I get the idealistic, 'Children belong in Church' but I like to take out my screaming kid.

TWO

Ugh, you guys with the self-righteousness. I would NEVER go to a cry room. I HATE cry rooms. CRY rooms are for parents who don't care about their kids and let them have SNACKS! And TOYS! and CRAYONS! and RUN AROUND.

STAAAAAAAAP.

Staaaaap with your self-righteous judging.

Here's the thing.

I've been evil eye'd in the cry room with by the woman sitting with her quiet baby on her lap. It sucks.

I've had to manage my kids in the cry room when a parent is choosing to let their 7 year old play with cars and starwars action figures and it sucks.

But the "I would NEVER" or "we don't use the cry room because..."

I roll my eyes at you.

(four)
I'm pretty sure I have a quick take that is word for word exactly what I am going to write, but I am going to write it nonetheless.
I cannot believe what I get accomplished in my home by 7:30 am.
The changing, the feeding breakfasts, the emptying/loading of the dishwasher, the bottles clean, the packing of backpacks and snacks and lunches, the getting all the kids in clothes, etc...
It's amazing.
And at 7:45 am, after the tornado of activity in our home, when I am left with just two kids... I take a long, deep breath.

(five)
We aren't going to Disney.
We aren't going to Grand Rapids.
We are going to Niagara Falls!!!! With our whole crew. In a SUUUUPER fancy hotel overlooking the falls.
And I am going to get a manicure and pedicure at the spa in the hotel while everyone takes a nap.
I'm also going to bring wine/cheese and crackers to munch on with my husband quietly while the children sleep at night.
AND
There's a huge tub where I plan on soaking and reading a book each night.
I actually don't think we are going to leave the hotel.

(six)
Every Friday night we have pizza.
We call it pizza Friday. The kids eat the pizza and we watch a show together usually.
Every Friday morning I wake up thankful that I won't have to think about dinner.
Feeding kids is hard.
Harder than laundry.

(seven)

If you don't have one, get you a girlfriend you can meet at 10:00 am in Detroit to attend the Sacrament of Confession while you trade babysitting the kids.

So thankful for girlfriends of faith and receiving the shower of grace that comes from the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

If you haven't been this Lent, get on it. It feels awesome.

SHOOT. I just remember I never did my penance.

These are the things that happen when you have many children and attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I'll get on that right away :)