7 blog posts in 7 days...Day 1.

Well, I have decided to do something crazy and link up with Jen at Conversion Diary.  The goal is simple...write seven posts in seven days.  And, I'm excited to take on the challenge!  If you get sick of reading me each day, fear not...no one is making you click on the link (ohhh...snap, someone's feeling a bit sassy this morning!).

Today, I want to tell you about something that has been rumbling around in my head since last night. Yesterday, I had the joy of presenting my social media talk at St. Mary's Student Parish in Ann Arbor.  Because the presentation backed right up against the 5:00 pm Mass time, I decided to attend.  OM lowercase g my friends, the priest, Father Ben (I think) gave a fantastic homily. I'm gonna tell you a little about it. Then, I'm gonna go all  Church nerd on you, and then I am going to speculate why a lot of people might hate Catholics. Ready?

During the homily, Father Ben was talking about rules and how they are made for the community.  He compared it to driving and how if we choose to break the 'rules' it might seem okay for us, but it creates danger for others.  He said rules are important.  But that wasn't the part that left me thinkin'.  The part that left me thinking was a quote he shared from the then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio. Of course, I can't find the quote, but the gist of it was this...The Church (Bishops in their teaching authority) tell you WHAT to believe, but the people show you HOW to believe it.   Cardinal Jorge went on to talk about the Blessed Mother, the Church provides us with dogmas and doctrine on her...but the people show you how to love her.  And then, I got to pondering...how are we showing people what we believe?

Witness is essential in our faith, we know this.  I'm about go all Church nerd on you...but one of the most significant line from any Church document to me personally is from Evangelli Nuntiandi...it says
 'Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is only because they are witnesses".  
My question is, how's that working for us?

When people see us, do they see people of joy?  When people look at our families, do they see the warmth and love lived out as it should be?  When people see our relationship with Christ, do they see it as personal and profound, or stale and rigorous? ( I took a risk using a big word there, you can let me know if it worked out).

You see friends I can tell you pretty quickly what the Church teaches and WHY She teaches it. I'm kind of good at that part.  But, that's the easy part.  The part I'm not so good at?  Living it with the fullness that I am called to.  Living it in a way that attracts others.
LIVING IT!
The 'HOW'.
The part is so essential, I often drop the ball with, and I am guessing I am not the only one.
This morning I woke up and saw this meme shared on many of my facebook friend's walls...

You know, I have always read this quote and thought, 'yeah, people should really learn what we actually teach'.  Or 'yeah, the media's narrative of the Catholic faith is so far from the truth'.  And  that might have some truth to it.  But, this morning I read it a bit differently.  This morning, I wondered if maybe we, through our witness, provide an awful example of our faith and that leads people to mistaken what we are about. This morning, I thought more about HOW I'm living it and the consequences that follow.

So my friends- I'm gonna try harder. I am going to try harder to be joyful. I am going to try harder to be less judgmental of people (ugh, I hate that part!). I am going to try harder to LISTEN rather than always speak. I am going to work to be a bridge builder, to invite others through openness to the love and freedom that Christ wants to offer.

And I think if we all did that- if we all stopped shaking our fists at others and instead looked inward, life will be a bit better. Don't believe me?  Just look at this guy named Pope Francis (or Cardinal Jorge) and the impact he is having.  I think maybe he's showing us all HOW to do it.

Thank God our Church is made for people who are works in progress, otherwise I'd be screwed!

See you tomorrow :)

7 Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

So, fellow bloggers, do you ever have things you want to blog about, but you can't, because you know it would get you in trouble with friends/family?  Or, better yet, do you ever think to yourself, 'um, I can't believe that blogger just wrote that about his/her family member...he/she knows they can see this right?'. Yeah, me too.

--- 2 ---

So, I always think it's funny when my status as a mixed family gets me street cred with my progressive friends. I suppose it is human nature, but it is like, so racist.  

--- 3 ---

This week has been not as awesome as others.  The van got broke and Big A got a ticket in a totally unjust situation, it's five days later and I am still bitter- don't worry, I am trying to let it go.  The flu also circled through our family beginning on Monday and hopefully ending this morning.  I was SO SICK yesterday, and in so much pain.  Thank goodness I feel better this morning, here's hoping I continue to feel well. Tonight is 'girl's night' and man, do I need to have some adult beverages to celebrate Friday. Also, as a side-note, it is AMAZING what a 2.5 year old is capable taking care of while mom is laid out on the couch.  Lil' A was a rockstar yesterday.  

--- 4 ---

My SIL wrote her 7 Quick Takes last week on how she/my brother raise and discipline their kids.  Their kids are like weirdly awesome, so it was fascinating reading.  One of her points was about social/media/gadgets and how they do not allow their kids to use them.  I know a lot of people in the Catholic world/blogging world feel very similar.  While acknowledging that it definitely works for them, I have very different views on it. I am excited to blog about it next week :) SPOILER ALERT- my 2.5 year old kid is sitting next to me right now with his, 'ipad time', whilst I type this!  

--- 5 ---

So, I am into theme'd projects this week. On Wednesday, with my sickos, we made caterpillars, then read 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar", then made butterflies and then watched a netflix recording of the book.  Awesome.  And then, yesterday, when I was so sick, we made fish out of construction paper and watched 'Little Nemo'.  You see, the tiny projects justify the screen time! :)

John Paul was captivated by our butterflies 

nemo shaped apple slices- I know right?!?!

Our fish, that we put on sticks, so we could take them 'swimming' SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

Little Nemo Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for lunch.  As they say, 'Boom, drop the mic'

--- 6 ---

There's this guy named Bryan who I went to college with.  We weren't necessarily 'friends' in college, more like smoking acquaintances.  Anyway, we connect from time to time on social media and share thoughts.  I really wished we lived near each other so we could have a drink or a coffee and solve the world's problems. I think we'd be besties.  It makes me feel thankful for the connections we can make through social media.

--- 7 ---

Sometimes, I want to write my quick takes about my bravo-lebrities....but then, I realize the vast majority of you will have no idea what I am talking about, therefore you will be bored.  OR, if you DO know what I am talking about, you will throw large (deserved) stones at my head.  So, I will make this brief.  I am glad Bethenny's Show was canceled, because I am still not over her leaving Jason. 

Whew, I am glad I got that off my chest. 

Happy Friday!  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Here's the thing...

Here's the thing.
I am a REALLY selfish person (most of you know that).  Wanna know how bad it is? The ol' husband is home sick today.  AND, the kids have had the flu/low fevers the past couple of days.  So, I know it's just a matter of time before I get sick.  But you know what drives me crazy? When I'm sick...no one's there to take care of me, and I have to still take care of the three boys. WWWAAAAAAAAA.  Here's why I'm selfish though, it actually effects the way I care for my husband, because I do it with a twinge of resentment.  AND, I recognize that as a really bad thing.  But YOU GUYS, I just find it so very difficult to not be selfish.
Work in progress.

Here's the thing.
I really like expectations and consequences for not fulfilling them.  A LOT.  I think a great many things in today's culture could be handled if people were raised with expectations and consequences.  But man, it's so much easier with my kids to give expectations, but not consequences.
Work in progress

Here's the thing.
I get REAL upset over certain things. A young adult from my old youth program was just intentionally given Margaret Sanger for a project in her woman's studies class.  The professor said the following...
You are playing Margaret Higgins Sanger, a nurse and supporter of progressive causes who was a tireless activist for women’s control of their own fertility and eventually founded an organization that became Planned Parenthood. I’m attaching your role sheet and some of the primary documents that are important for your character. Read through it carefully and start thinking about how to make this person a part of you."
The professor assigned this role-playing character to the young adult because the student is pro-life, which clearly makes her anti-woman.  I got so worked up, that I couldn't sleep.  I typically fly off the handle with things like this, and immediately started thinking about how this student could refuse the assignment and contact the St. Thomas Moore Law Group and get them involved. I tend to get a wee passionate about things like this.
Work in Progress.

Here's the thing.
THIS ARTICLE by Matt Walsh regarding the dishonest narrative told by Gay Rights Activists has been on my mind all week. I'd like to hear your thoughts (respectfully, of course). Particularly those that might not share my world view of sexuality.  Because, although I don't like Mr. Walsh's tone, I was blown away by the article.  Particularly the Matthew Shepard part.  Blown away.  And I have a hard time discerning truth in the 'cultural wars' because, I am...you guessed it!
A work in progress

And finally, here's thing thing.
My sister, Theresa, said she wants to write a book titled, 'How to Get People to Heaven Without Being an A## hole'. I would buy that book and I would benefit from reading it. BUT, I can point out a LOT of people who should buy that book that I KNOW would benefit from reading it ;)  That is all.
Work in progress

7 Quick Takes. Too many words, too little pictures.

--- 1 ---

So, my good buddy Michael VW suggested that maybe my number 1 on LAST WEEK’S SEVEN QUICK TAKES was lame.  But here’s the thing. I meant the takes to be a lot sassier than they ended up being BECAUSE Pope Francis told me that I have to be charitable when posting, so I am working on it.  Anyway, Michael, I hope this take is better.

--- 2 ---

My friend SHAUNA posted an article this week about things you swore you wouldn’t do as a parent, that you now do (or something like that) or things you said pre-kids that are now ridiculous.  Well, I could do my own post on that.   I used to get so mad when I would watch little kids give their parents sass, and the parents would laugh. I thought it was just the most inconsistent thing in the world, and really bad for raising well-behaved children.  Now, here’s the thing.  I still think it is a really bad thing to do, and toddler sass should be met with sternness and re-direction.  BUT, I am now realizing how freaking hard it is not to bust up laughing on the spot.  When lil’ A get’s mad, he will do the craziest things. He will say, ‘I’m MAD OKAY? OKAAAY?’ really loud.  It’s HIGH-larious.  Then, he will sometimes  roll his eyes, but he doesn’t know how to roll his eyes, so he just kind of squints.  It is so hard not to bust up laughing on the spot.

--- 3 ---

I haven’t written about my fancy gym in awhile, so I am going to.  It has been SO cold and SO snowy, it’s been really hard to get to the gym. If it’s under 10 degrees, I feel weird about taking the kids out, so I was just going to the gym myself a few weeks back.  But, the gym is really expensive, so I felt weird about spending that kind of money and not even using the daycare.  Then, the last couple of weeks, it's been a fiasco it is to leave the house. It takes so long by the time the kids get in their winter gear, three trips to the car (big boys, baby, stuff) all while fitting in this trip between naps and feedings. I was quite discouraged.  BUT, this week I was determined to go each day I was able!  And, this week, you guys, was awesome. As per usual, it was a total fiasco to get there. TOTAL FIASCO.  But, when I dropped off the boys, I decided to switch it up and swim instead of hitting up the cardio machines.  I swam.  But then after, I went and sat in the hot tub- I actually took the time to pray in total silence! It was fantastic.  Wait! It gets better- then I went into the steam room and relaxed for a few minutes and then ladies and gentleman…I got to take a shower, complete with blow drying my hair.  And there was no rush to quickly shower so the kids won’t kill each other.  And there was no having to be super quiet so as to not wake the kids up from nap. Nope, a nice long shower and blow dry after.  Turns out, it’s totally worth the fiasco to get there.

--- 4 ---

Yesterday morning, I heard a thud. I knew just what it was.  Joey climbed right out of the crib and tumbled to the floor.  It’s funny, lil’ A never even attempted to get out of his crib.  I’m trying to decide how this is going to affect our breakdown of bedrooms. Think we might be switching things up this weekend (did you hear that dear?).

--- 5 ---

Let me tell you about my Monday.  The afternoon was CRAZINESS.  I had a meeting set up with an auxiliary Bishop here in the AoD with my ministry partner Mike (we are trying to discern which way God might be calling us).  Anyway- so afternoon hits and I am changing dirty diaper after dirty diaper.  The sitter came, I ran out of the house (already running a bit late).  Of course, there was an accident on one of the expressways.  THEN, to make matter worse, the location I chose for the meeting didn't exist (true story)- and I was 12 minutes late.   Thankfully, he is a pretty gracious Bishop, but my goodness- sometimes my life is surreal.

--- 6 ---

Life news has been bumming me out lately.  In Belgium, kids can now decide legally that life isn't worth it (as long as they are suffering and death seems inevitable). In Texas a man sued for the right to kill his unborn child growing within the womb of his brain dead wife.  I try not to get all, ‘holy geez, things are terrible in the world’…but this week, it all just seems so bleak.  It seems like we are living in the 'Twilight Zone' or a science fiction movie, but we are not. It’s our reality.  Thank God we are called to be people of joy and people of hope, otherwise I might just choose to be the opposite.

--- 7 ---

Happy St. Valentine's Day!  What are you doing with your beloved tonight?  I am working tonight, presenting very far away at a 'couples dinner'. In theory, our spouses were suppose to come with us, but theory failed- so Mike and I are heading out solo.  I'll celebrate with Aaron tomorrow. I have a really neat surprise for him, cause I rock.  But I can't tell you about it, or it won't be a surprise.  

Don't get scared accountability partners!  This week, I actually turned down a talk because it would break my quota of five talks a month :)   SO, balance is slowly being achieved.  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Five Favorites

Today, I am linking up with Hallie at MoxieWife to discuss my five favorites of this week :)

(1)

Big Boy Beds. I love that lil' A is in a big boy bed.  Why? Because each night, after he calms down and watches a show, I crawl into bed with him. I ask him his favorite part of the day, and his least favorite part of the day.  And then, I tell him that I love being his mom.  Snuggling is the best.  

(2)

The Walking Dead.

It's back. And I am re-watching from the beginning.

'nough said

(3) 

Joey's smile.

I know you guys get sick of me saying it. But his smile lights up my soul, really and truly.  There's nothing quite like it.

(4) 

John Paul's Laugh

He laughs. so.much. 

(5)

Finished basements. 

We are almost there.  I cannot wait!

Have a Happy Wednesday.

This is a grumpy post...

...
I was going to comment on THIS ARTICLE, or write a 'letter to the editor'.  BUT, I decided to take my rage to my blog (fancy eh?).  Now check it, there is a good chance I may say a thing or two that might sit uncomfortably with you, the reader.  So, if you are easily offended...skip this one and come back for quick takes.

Here's the scoop.  There's a teen night club in Canton (my home town and where I worked).  The club is awful, and irresponsible and should disgust every adult.  I actually agreed with much of the article, even wrote some of the same things on my fancy facebook wall.  BUT then, I read the following two paragraphs and lemme tell you, it actually took my breath away.

"Why do they even need these “professional security” people anyway? This is Canton Township for gosh sakes? I've never met a kid in Canton that I was even remotely afraid of. There isn't much crime to speak of in Canton, most certainly not violent crime.
These are not all Canton kids. Or Plymouth kids. Not even close. I have been told that the majority of the kids that come to this place are from other areas. From Ypsilanti, Belleville, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. I understand that I am entering a sensitive area here, but the story needs to be told, and I am told that upwards of 70% of the kids that attend these Hip Hop dance parties are from communities that have a much higher crime rate. There is no other nice way to put it. If it wasn't so, why the need for all the bouncers?"

This article (blog) was written in the Plymouth-Canton Patch.  And the author, editors and anyone associated with the Patch should be ashamed.

The author has never met a Canton kid who he was remotely afraid of? Lemme tell you, I was a Canton kid, and I worked with Canton kids for 10 years...and I have met PLENTY of Canton Kids I have been afraid of.

The author is concerned, 'the majority of kids that come to this place are from other areas'!!!  You know, SCARY places, like Ypsilanti, Belleville, Ann Arbor and, thank God he had the guts to say it... DETROIT!  Can you imagine, these scary kids, from other cities, creeping on such a sacred city as Canton, Michigan?  The SHOCK! the HORROR!

Then, THEN, he has the audacity to say, '70 % of the kids that attend these hip hop dance parities are from communities that have a much higher crime rate'.  And right there, without a doubt, I was clear on what he meant.

Where the hizz would he get a number like 70%?  The reality is, he couldn't possibly know that.  Not looking too far beneath the lines, it's obvious what he meant was 'kids that are poorer than our well to do, well behaved, CANTON kids'.   And I don't think it's too far of a stretch to say, what he meant was black kids.

If you know me, you know that I try very very hard not to cry, 'racism'.  I think it's a term that is used far too often to describe things that might have nothing to do with race.  However, it's hard not to throw out that word right now.

You know, I am blessed to be married to a pretty exceptional guy, who makes a really good living.  When we were getting married, our options were wide open as to where we would live.  Where we would raise our family.  And one thing I said, with certainty, is that I did not want to raise our little mixed family in the Plymouth/Canton Community.  My reasons were intentional and specific.  My reasons were once again affirmed in this article, the editors who allowed it, and the people who commented with statements of support.

We chose Redford for very intentional and specific reasons as well. And some of those reasons, as time went on, I realize were 'idealistic'.  Now that we live here, I do worry about the school system. I do worry about my kids being exposed to a 'rougher' (for lack of better word) crowd. I worry about the friends they will choose, and the things they might be exposed to.    But here's the thing, all of those concerns didn't measure up against my concerns with raising our children in communities like Plymouth/Canton.

As I read the article, I realized the author, Mr. Bryan Bentley was referring to MY KIDS.  Mr. Bentley wouldn't want my kids, 1/2 black 1/2 white, creeping up on his safe and protected Canton, Michigan.  Mr. Bentley wouldn't want kids from 'other areas', with higher crime rates to infect the good/sweet children of Canton, Michigan.  And Mr. Bentley should be ashamed of himself.  He didn't say the club attracts thugs (which it does- from EVERY city), he didn't say we have to help kids make good decisions, what he said was kids like MY KIDS should stay away.

And, I gotta say, in 2014- I am disgusted that Mr. Bentley feels that way.

SIDENOTE:
I realize the majority of people who might read this blog are from Plymouth/Canton. I was raised there, I don't hate the cities and I get why people live there.  So, you needn't blow up comments defending those cities or telling me why they are great.

THE.END.

7 Quick Takes- less sassy than I thought it'd be. :)

--- 1 ---

okay. buckle up, or stop reading...this is your warning.

--- 2 ---

So you know how sometimes in the blogging world, you will run into the occasional post talking about how having 'two kids is easier than one'.  OR, 'the hardest thing I ever did was parent my first child'.  I read those posts when I had just one, and, honestly, they brought me a lot of comfort.  BUT, now that I have three...MAY.I.JUST.SAY. having one was a freaking piece of freaking cake and I don't understand why I thought differently. Having three, four, five, six...that's when sh-- gets real.

--- 3 ---

Also, btw...Downton Abby.  People are all like, 'I don't like what they are doing with my sweet Downton Abby this season'.  And I don't get it.  Well, I kind of do. I am sure people use the show as some kind of escape, so watching a story line that has to do with sexual violence is probably a bit disconcerting...but for me, it gives me a deeper compassion for women who have been abused in any way.  I think they are playing it out in a classy way- and I appreciate the way they are handling the story. I think everyone else should too. So if you don't, please start okay??>

--- 4 ---

And since I am ornery. the cheerio commercial.  I liked MATT WALSH's Take.  I don't think people were really offended by the commercial. I think a very small amount (like, a handful) of unintelligent people troll places like youtube to write awful things.  Don't get me wrong, reading the awful things really sucks when you are a person who they are being awful to.  But, I just don't think it's as big of a deal as people think it is.  A friend sent me this video yesterday. I think the way the kids reacted is the way most people felt about the commercial (and the Pepsi one for that matter).  Aaron and I have been together for almost five years.  In that time, we have experienced weirdness because of our 'interracial status' maybe twice.  We both feel much more negativity from our status as Catholics than we do from our status as a mixed couple.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, our children will identify (hopefully) first as people of faith...that kind of blurs the color lines.  Oh, but when it is time to talk to our kids about race?  We will be playing them THIS SONG (WARNING- It uses a bad word :(  The worst bad word too.  AND, I always mute it, but I can't mute it on here, so you can must it at exactly 1:37-1:40 minutes).

--- 5 ---

I don't iron. ever. I do not think I have ever ironed one piece of clothing since I have been married. I wash/dry and hang up immediately. I have always thought that's okay. BUT, what if people think, 'geez, their clothes are never ironed'.  I don't think about the fact that I don't iron until someone mentions they iron...then, I feel weird.

--- 6 ---

I punched myself in the face this morning. It hurt. I didn't even know you could punch yourself in the face, but you can.  and I did.

--- 7 ---

BOLD MINISTRIES  has been keeping us busy.  I love it!  BUT, I REALLY need to get better at accepting 4 things MAX per month.  Hey, make sure to keep me accountable to that okay?  I remember when I first started in Youth Ministry, I had a parent who would always check with me to make sure I was taking my day off once a week (thanks Vicki). I credit her in a lot of ways for the fact that I was able to stay in Youth Ministry at a parish for close to 10 years (that is a LOOOONG time in parish life).  Breaks and Balance are important, especially for this complicated extrovert.  

Oh, and since this is about to link you to Jen at Conversion Diary, I must add...my heart is broken that I can't attend the fancy Catholic Women Blogger's Conference.  Because of that, would EVERYONE be so kind as to not mention it from here on in?  That way I do not have to deal with jealousy.  Good? Okay!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!