Let's talk some takes...

(one)

Last Friday, Big Aaron said, 'I'm leaving at four, have the kids shoes on and let's go for a drive"- it was pretty much the best message ever.  I'm all about family adventures.  We went to an art fair and ate corn dogs and looked at pretty things like beer candles (who knew that was a thing?).  Spontaneous adventures are where it's at for me, I was just so darn happy I could have been walking on a cloud.

Corn Dogs make my boys VERY happy.

(two)
Speaking of adventures, I have been trying to convince Aaron to take one this weekend.  It's about the last weekend where we have zero necessary plans until the baby gets here, and honestly, despite what Big A thinks, there is a LOT to do before the baby gets here, so I'll be filling our weekends with house projects through the month of August.  Anyway, that's why I've been trying to convince Aaron to go on an adventure this weekend. I was thinking Chicago, but then, my good friend Erin was like, 'um, it's suppose to be 90' in Chicago' and ain't no 3rd trimester got time for that.  So... my newest angle is gonna be Niagra Falls- which I KNOW Big A is gonna reject, so feel free to post your approval on his facebook wall.  It's only four hours away.  We can be there by 9 or 10 tomorrow morning, do all the cheesy tourist stuff and be back by a reasonable time on Sunday.  The boys would love it, I would love it and Aaron (who doesn't LOVE adventures as much as me) could love the fact that we loved it so much.  WINNING!

(three)

Joey's third birthday was last Sunday and his party was Saturday.  By party it is meant that (little Baltimore catechism phrasing for my old school Catholic homies) I remembered a week before we hadn't put anything on the calender so we invited our parents and our cousin Judy and I made a cake.  I've talked to the ol' blog about my sensitive child Joey- life is just really hard for him sometimes in general... he's special that way.  But man, watching him light up with having the weekend be all about him was so cool.  He was in construction truck and super hero heaven.  I loved seeing the glow of his smile and him stretching his fingers to show he is three.  That boy is just the best, I am so glad God saw fit to give us him.

I'm pretty much a profesh cake decorator

(four)

One of Joey's gift was a 'Paw Patrol' board game.  The thing about me is I don't do a lot of games, or puzzles, or coloring, or pretty much anything that has pieces and can make my already cluttered house more cluttered.. BUT, they LOVE this game.  However, because we don't do games a lot around here, lil' A is having a hard time with the fact that he can't win every single time.  Yesterday he had a mini-breakdown when Joey 'won' for the third time.  Completely melting down because it was 'his turn' to win, but it's a chance game like 'candyland' so Joey was just lucky.  Anyway, all of this is to ask you a question.  How do you teach your growing children the value of being a good winner and a good loser?  What is some language you use that's helpful?  I mean, this kid was legit heartbroken that he wasn't winning. 

(five)

I'm working my way through the 3rd trimester and workin' is what it feels like.  The irons off again, gestational diabetes is our reality once again, the ol' back is feeling like 'whoa' occasionally (but nowhere NEAR what it was with John Paul) and I am blessed with nausea again... I wouldn't mind some prayers if you got some.  

(six)

So, the Edel Conference got me jealous and it got me thinking...
 I think married women's ministry/young moms ministry might be the most extremely lacking ministry in the Church, at least in the AoD. I've been thinking it for awhile.  There's this great married women's retreat, many of you may have heard of, put on by the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, in December and it sells out in like, three seconds.  Why?  Because, in my opinion, married women/women with children are desperate for a break with Jesus.  This retreat is the only one I know of in the area, and like I said, it can't serve as many people as would like to be served.  So, after praying about it quietly for a few months... I decided to just go ahead and with the help of some good friends/sisters and the direction of Holy Spirit.... plan an overnight one at a local parish. I am excited. It won't be till 2016, Aaron thinks I am CRAZY (our lives are not what one would call, calm, during this season), but you are invited and I think it will be great.

(seven)

Cute huh?

That's it for me.  Check out more Quick Takes at http://thisaintthelyceum.org/

Peace!

I know what Jesus would do!

... just kidding, I don't.

I've read a lot about how Jesus would respond to the cultural issues of our time- Whenever the traditional understanding of sexual ethics is discussed, particularly when popular culture decides to have a moment, inevitably someone decides to offer an opinion of exactly what Jesus would do. 

How would Jesus respond to Jenner?  I read an article the other day that claimed Jesus would invite Caitlyn over for dinner, calling her by her name and making sure she felt loved.

Would Jesus bake a cake for a gay couple to celebrate their marriage? 

Would Jesus allow for a deeper discussion about how more fully we can invite those with irregular marriages to the Eucharistic Table? 

I've read very certain blogs claiming one ‘side’ or the other. 

“Of course Jesus would sit down with Caitlyn, of course He would call her by her preferred name!”
“Of course Jesus would love Bruce Jenner, even in his gender confusion, but He would certainly not participate in the delusion of pretending he is a she”

“For sure Jesus would bake a couple for a gay couple to celebrate their wedding.  He said He doesn't judge, did he stutter?” (shout out to the meme)

“For sure Jesus would not bake a cake for a gay couple, marriage is reserved between a man and a woman, to participate in the celebration would be to affirm the union”

You know the drill, you've seen the blogs, you've read the opinions...

People, lots of people are very convinced they know exactly what Jesus would do.  And gosh the thing is, I don’t.  I find the times we are living in to be really challenging.  REALLY REALLY challenging.  

I am not confused by what I believe, I know what I believe and, I know it to be True.  That’s the easy part.  I have said before I 100% believe the Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the easiest path to truth, happiness and freedom.  I’m not confused by that, I don’t have doubt. I wouldn't be Catholic if I was confused on it, or doubtful if this religion was for me.

But when it comes to how best to share those teachings with others, how best to invite people to a relationship with Christ, how best to tell the world, ‘There’s something so much better for you!’- I don’t know how to do that.  I don’t know how Christ would do that in today’s culture.  And, as I said the other day, I am cautious in agreeing with anyone that seems too certain of how Christ would respond to people, in this historical moment.  We are at a place where relative truth has so affected the general mindset, we aren't even working with common definitions.  When I say love, it means something so very different than when others use the same word.  When I say marriage, it means something so very different than when others use the same word. 

I've even learned that I don't have the same understanding of the word "happiness" that others do. What it mean and how to get there.

The other week, on ‘thefacebook’ I had a back and forth with someone regarding an article shared claiming we are surely on the verge of another great schism.  The conversation was fascinating for so many reasons, but one of the most fascinating parts is when a priest suggested that talking so much about all this ‘welcoming stuff’ was clearly a ‘sales gimmick’.  Right then and there I decided not to continue in discussion with him, because I understood that we must have such different definitions of the word ‘welcome’ a fruitful discussion could not be had. 

I’m not saying Jesus wouldn't know what to do.  I know Jesus would be able to respond to all these current situations perfectly. I know he would figure out a way to eloquently weave deep love and stern teaching into a ‘teachable moment’.  I know it because I watch him do it, particularly in the parables all.the.time.  I know he’d be able to, like with the woman at the well, find a way to be so insanely loving, but so purposefully direct, that people would want to respond to Him.  But I also know a lot of people rejected Christ.  Maybe we could even say the majority of people rejected Him for His message… so maybe it’s not as simple as saying the things people want to hear?

So, anyway, I guess what I'm getting at is what would Jesus do in these situations?  How would Jesus respond?  I don’t know.  And, to be honest, I don’t think you know either.  What I do know is the closer I come to the person of Christ, the more I unite my heart, mind and soul to Him, the better I’ll be at answering those questions.  

Unfortunately, like so many of you, my time is spent wondering or guessing how Jesus would respond to these situations instead of GETTING TO KNOW WHO JESUS IS.  I’m gonna work more on the latter.  Getting to know HIM, because hopefully, it will help me learn better how to be like Him.  And the more I learn how to be like Him, the more I will know how to best LOVE like Him.

So We Went to Disney World...

20 things about going to Disney with a 4 year old, almost 3 year old, almost 2 year old and pregnant

These are the things we did that made our trip awesome.  They might not work for you but maybe one or two tips will be helpful to someone.  This was one of the better trips/vacations I have ever taken, and that’s saying a lot because I have kind of been all over the world J

-1-

GO-If you can

So many people tried to convince us not to go.  Certain we’d have a miserable time because our kids are ‘too young to enjoy the experience’.  FALSE!  They are at the perfect age to be totally taken aback by the magic of the place.  To them, it’s all real.  It’s all so fun.  I am so glad we went ahead despite people’s best intended suggestions not to.  Thankful for all those people who encouraged us to DO IT!!!!

US on the morning we left

-2-

SAVE LONGER, STAY SHORTER AND MAKE IT EASY

I have read all the blogs on budget Disney.  I don’t think it’s a bad idea to do it that way. BUT, I will say, I am certain I can count this vacation as one of the best vacations I have ever been on (and it truly was a vacation) BECAUSE we made it as easy on ourselves as possible.  But, as you’ll see in the rest of the 20 things, some of that easy came with a big ol’ price-tag. 

Can easy and this be used in the same sentence?!?!

-3- 

FLY

We decided when we first put this trip on the table that we would be flying.  Driving with all them babies and a pregnant mama would have really been a bummer.  Getting on a plane and being in Orlando from Detroit In two hours and some change was awesome.  The kids did great on the plane (air-high five to the person who suggested playdough) and we saved 4 days of travel (because let’s not lie, there is no way in hizzo we’d do that drive with the whole crew in one day).  Yes, it was expensive to fly (though we used spirit and only brought one suitcase)- see #2 for thoughts on that.

Play dough, whoever suggested that one gets a gold star!

-4-

STAY ON THE PROPERTY

Again, for us, we saved longer and stayed shorter to be able to stay on the property. It was so essential to our awesome time that we could roll back to the hotel when needed (to escape the heat, nap, take cranky mama home- more on that later).  Next time we go we will be renting a condo, but staying on the property was so awesome.

Le sigh... it only goes downhill from here :)

-5-

STAY ON THE MONORAIL

This one is a tough one because it is very expensive.  There are three hotels on the monorail and none of them are cheap.  All of them are more than I have ever paid for a hotel in my life.  BUT, the extra hundreds of dollars (yes, that expensive) were WELL worth it to us.  We have an insanely big stroller and jumping on/off the bus was as much of a pain as people said it would be the few times we’d have to do it (even though I thought people were crazy #firstworldproblems when they said it).  And yes, it is a crazy #firstworldproblem but being able to roll right on the monorail and show up at the door of magic kingdom was AWESOME. 

The Aarons on the Monorail

-6-

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS

The first morning I almost ruined our entire Disney trip.  We entered Magic Kingdom and I had a plan.  That plan was to see certain things.  But it was hot, and there were crowds, and we have three small children, and I threw up (#pregnancy) so by noon I was PISSED OFF.  Aaron was walking too slow, I didn't understand the map (I am slow on map reading), everyone was hungry and I became that crazy person.  The crazy person screaming at her children in Magic Kingdom “YOU BETTER SMILE, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY CHILDREN WANT TO BE HERE?!?!?!” (and there may have been a bit of swearing at the ol’ husband).  Thankfully after lunch and a rest at the hotel, Big Aaron gently pointed out my crazy, “Do you realize you yelled at me for walking too slow at Disney?”- Right then and there I decided to calm my crazy, I put Big Aaron in charge of all major decisions and decided to manage my expectations.  The next 2 days were awesome, but it was because I let go of control

whew she recovered and became sane

-7-

DISNEY MEAL PLAN

We decided once we knew we were staying on property that we would be choosing to participate in a meal plan.  It was an awesome decision.  We went for the deluxe version, which is an insane amount of food, but only lil’ A was covered under it.  Each meal we’d get an appetizer, meal and dessert, plus 2 snacks a day (water bottles counted for snacks).  We had to share off our plates with Joey and John Paul (who are both boys with hearty appetites).  Though the ‘dessert’ part of the meal plan was too much, we often were able to substitute it for things like ‘fresh fruit’ or a snack to bring back to our hotel.  The good thing about the meal plan was it had healthy/healthier options.  We didn't want our boys eating like crud for three days because their attitudes would stink and they’d get sick.  We were able to have fruit each meal and veggies lots of the time.  The meal plan was SO convenient, we’d do it again in a heartbeat.

-8-

MAKE RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS YOU BOOK

If you are using the meal plan or plan on eating at restaurants it is so essential to book reservations right away.  I thought this was crazy talk prior to going, it’s not crazy talk- it’s necessary.  We got into every place we wanted to eat at- and were so thankful for the MYDISNEY app to switch things around last minute.

-9-

EAT A BIG BREAKFAST

That bad morning I told you about, part of the problem is that all of us had something ‘quick’ for breakfast (bagel, croissant, ½ an apple) really early, so by 11:00 we were really hungry.  In the heat and walking around, a big breakfast was key (as we discovered the next two days) to keeping our energy up in the heat!  The buffet at 1900 Way right in our hotel was the best! We filled our tummies and it showed by the moods we were in the rest of the day.

Look at them big ol' smiles after full bellies

-10-

CHARACTER BREAKFASTS

Um- they are awesome. So cool how the characters came right up to the table. For my Joey, he just knew these guys were his best friend. He gave a Winnie the Pooh a hug that just would not stop.  It was so magical.  He still keeps talking about the mad hatter.

Joey couldn't let him go

-11-

MAGIC KINGDOM RIDES

Quick rundown of what we rode (you will see we didn’t ride too many for two days, but again, we kept our expectations realistic).  Merry Go Round, Small World, Aladdin’s Carpet, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean, Carousal of Progress (weirdly one of my favorites), Peter Pan, Dumbo (so freaking scary for me, kids loved it, waiting area was as awesome as they say) and the train.   I think that’s it!  Good stuff

Dumbo, I still had a smile because I didn't realize how terrifying it would be

-12-

MAGIC KINGDOM SHOWS

This part was so cool.  We saw ladies with umbrellas dance, a huge dance party in the town square with all the main characters (total joy), the castle show during the day, Monsters Inc (Big Aaron got to be a character), and Mickey’s Musical Orchestra (none of us liked this).  The show at the castle was awesome, but I’m not gonna lie, it was hard free standing in the sun on such a hot day.  Would you believe we didn’t do any of the major parades or fireworks? As I said, we kept our expectations small.  One night, I almost woke the boys up for the fireworks, but I realized we will be there in future years where it will make more sense to keep our kids up that late- so I resisted the temptation. 

Poor children going to bed with no fireworks

-13-

ANIMAL KINGDOM

We saw VERY little of this park. It was our day to fly out to come back home.  Man, though, the things we did see were awesome.  We went on the safari.  The boys and I love it, but full disclosure, it got Big Aaron a little sick.  The jerking of the truck didn't work for the old man.  Then, we saw the “Festival of the Lion King”- which was a highlight of the entire trip for me.  SO awesome.  Such wonder for our eyes.  I cried. A lot. 

The boys on the safari they are still talking about

-13-

WATER

Drink it- lots of it. Always.  We ended up filling our meal plan cups with ice in the morning and just filling them with water throughout the day at the parks. Totally worked out.

Water- drink it, play in it, but stay near it

-14-

AFTERNOON BREAKS

I loved our afternoon breaks. Remember, we have very small children.  We would go back to the hotel after lunch, nap and play in the pools during the hottest time of the day. Honestly, as much as I loved the parks, the resort was a huge part of our fun as well. The Grand Floridian was so beautiful and the pools were so fun. I am a secret fancy girl who loves fancy things, and the fanciness of this hotel was just awesome for my 35th birthday. It’s funny, the ol’ husband doesn't like swimming and I love it.  As a birthday present, we got to do a family swim.  Swoon….

The water play at The Grand Floridian was AWESOME!!!

-15-

TRAVEL OFF SEASON

It is so awesome to take advantage of not having to travel with school breaks.  Awesome enough that we might do it anyway when kids are in school and just be THOSE parents. 

-16- 

RESTAURANTS

Here’s where we went. 

TREX- Good, scary, perfect for little boys

GRAND FLORIDIAN CAFE- awesome from breakfast and diner

TONY'S TOWN SQUARE- very much okay

1900 WAY- perfection in a restaurant

NARCOOSSEE- fancy and only happened because the meal plan, but the perfect birthday dinner

RAIN FOREST CAFE- don't judge, our kids ages dictated that one

Our super fancy dinner night at Narcoossee

-17-

PACKING LIGHT

We packed one suitcase, one carry on and four backpacks.  It was perfect.  We didn’t overpack but we left room for two puddle jumpers. Staying at the Disney Resort, you can check your bags off at your home airport (Detroit) and they get delivered right to your room.  I KNOW RIGHT?!?!!?

Lil A was very proud of his backpack 

-18-

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

I made sure to catch the awesome of what we were doing by being present in every moment.  To me, this whole trip was such a cool thing, I couldn’t believe we were actually doing it.  I tried to be present to the kids wonder and joy. 

-19-
TAKE YOUR OWN PICTURES

We took our own pictures.  For us, this really worked out.  We actually didn't see too many picture taking people.  Yes, the bummer is we didn't get very many good family shots, but Aaron and I both said we were glad we didn't do the picture package when we saw the lack of Disney Photographers.  We really didn't see any around.  That would have been annoying after paying.

The only decent family photo we got :)

-20-

GOING AGAIN

We are already planning for next year’s trip which will be totally different (staying in a condo with some friends off site).  So apparently we have become ‘THOSE DISNEY PEOPLE’.  It’s okay, I don’t mind J

The Thing About that Bruce Jenner Interview...

So, if you live under a rock, lemme fill you in on something.  On Friday, Bruce Jenner gave an interview to Diane Sawyer.  After, he was praised by the press, celebrated by celebrities, and cheered on by my facebook newsfeed.  His courageous move?  He declared to the world although he is a man in the physical sense of the word, he has always kind of felt like a woman 'in his soul'.  And, in a move pop culture is embracing, he has decided to begin transitioning so his soul matches his body, this would be his last interview under the name of ‘Bruce Jenner’.

A lot of people tuned in.  Because he is a reality star, some of us have watched Bruce Jenner as a husband, a father, a so called, 'fame whore’ on the show ‘Keeping up the Kardashians’.  Those a bit older than me will remember him as a gold medalist in the decathlon for the1976 Olympics.  This celebrity who so many of us related to as male, gave an interview to say to the world, ‘you might see me as male, but my truth is I am female- and to say so brings freedom’. 

At first I wasn't going to watch it.  To tell you the truth, I kind of rolled my eyes at the build up to the story.  I often get stuck in the muck that is the cultural wars and things like men ‘becoming’ women and celebrating it on national television?  Well to be honest, things like that, to a person like me, kind of flag why our world is so screwed up.  Things like that scare me.  And so I wasn't going to watch.  Why engage in the insanity that is our world/current culture?

But right before the interview on Friday night. I felt called to hit record.  I felt like the Lord was whispering into my heart that Bruce Jenner’s story is important.  That listening is important.  That walking with the pain, hurt, confusion, and suffocation of other’s stories is important. 

You should know, I believe in a few things.  I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church.  I believe that God created man out of love, male and female, He created them. I believe freedom offered through the sexual teachings of the Church is desperately needed in today’s culture.  I believe the world would be better off if people listened to the teachings of the Church, and I believe moving away from traditional sexual ethics has a devastating effect on society.

And, I also believe Bruce.

People are complicated.  We have hurts and wounds that are sometimes gaping.  We have within ourselves the ability to be saints, and the ability to be sinners.  The ability to be Peter, and the ability to be Judas.  We have a history and emotions that are unique to only us, and understood fully, only by God. 

I don’t know what to do with Bruce Jenner’s experience, or the thousands of people, young and old who related to it.  I’m not sure the best way to go about ministry with people who have those kind of hurts. I’m not sure the best way to respond in our culture... those questions are hard.  I wish both ‘sides’ of the cultural war would admit how very hard this is. 

There’s so much I don’t know, but one thing I can say with certainty... when it comes to spreading the message of love and freedom which flows from having a relationship with Christ, we must first LISTEN. Listening comes before talking.  Seeking to understand is far more valuable than screaming to be understood. 

“We must lend our ears to the beat of this era and detect the scent of people today, so as to be permeated by their joys and hopes, by their sadness and distress, at which time we will know how to propose the good news of the family with credibility” – Pope Francis

And so I recorded the Bruce Jenner interview. I watched it grounded in what I know to be True about the sexual teachings of the Church, but with a compassionate heart.  One willing to learn from the experience of others.  And I wonder sometimes, if that disposition might be a bit more helpful to us as we seek to introduce people to the goodness and mercy of Christ. I wonder if it might behoove us to follow Christ’s example and be willing to ‘sit at the well’.  Even if it makes us uncomfortable, even if it’s a world we do not know. 

(PS- Ain’t it just like God to move our hearts to do somethin’ right after we declared we wouldn’t be doing somethin’ for awhile…I’m still planning that hiatus, but this one kept stirring, so I wrote it)

The Mellow Dramatic Why I Haven't Been Blogging...

So, I mean, I haven't been blogging.
It's not because I don't have things to say.
And it's not because I don't like blogging.

Truth be told, I think when people make a big 'Hey, I'm on a bloggin hiatus' announcement... it's kind of annoying.

But I'm doing it anyway.

Hey, I'm on a blogging hiatus.  I know it's not like I am the biggest thing on the internets (but I am pretty darn close right?!?!),.. but I figure sometimes people read this, and I haven't posted regularly in a few months, so I 'owed' it to those people to say something'.

And the somethin' is this.

We are having our fourth kid in five years! How fun is that (answer? super fun), but how rough is pregnancy for me (answer? super rough).  Paul passed away in January, and I feel like I'm still moving through that to be honest.  So though I have lots of thoughts, I am having a really rough time stringing them together.  I've tried, I promise, lots of times...to write all the thoughts.  But, they aren't coming out and I am being patient with that.

Do I think I'll blog again?  Gee, I sure hope so. I love having a family record, and I like sharing with a community of people.  But for now, it's just not coming...

When it does, you'll be the first to know! (ha! If I show up in your feeders or whatever fancy people call them).

Till then, things are good, blessings abound, and life continues to roll.

Oh, and don't be afraid to say a prayer for me :)

Blessings on your weekend!

Guess who's back, back again, 7 Quicks

(one)

So, it's been awhile.  Truth be told, I've been kind of off the radar for a couple months.  When people say, how did your Lent go?  My response is "I really lived it".  When people ask "how was your Holy Week?"  Well, it started with me in a ball texting my sisters, begging for prayers, telling them I "hate my life"  (never one for the dramatics).  And, if you are wondering how my Easter is going!?!?!  AWESOME.  Six Iron infusions later, I am living a spirit of Resurrection. No joke.  Which is also making me realize just how very bad the last few months were physically.  At one point I was laying in bed, no energy, constant pain and wondering if maybe it was all in my head?  Maybe I was just experiencing a time of depression?  I have never felt so terrible in my entire life- I didn't know what to do with it, and how long it lasted (Since January).  But, turns out, not having any iron in your blood really does effect how one does life.  And now that the iron has been restored (my numbers are higher than they have ever been for a pregnancy) I am honestly on cloud nine!  We are all STILL sick around here with head colds, but I barely care- I can leave my house without the threat of collapsing. It's so awesome.

(two)

Confession, and this is gonna make some of you wanna throw rotten tomatoes at me.  Until two weeks ago, I kind of didn't even have respect for natural births (drug free).  To be honest, I think waaay too often it's kind of romanticized by "natural birth advocates"- and I'm always like, "oh, or you can just take drugs and be just fine".  Anyway, it's just how I felt.  Plus, I mean, let's just be real, I have been through THREE c-section recoveries, so I'm pretty into thinking pain is kind of overrated.  So, when I got the call my youngest sister, who wanted to go naturally (eye roll) was at the hospital the same time as me (iron treatment) I was anxious to get up to her room to help be a birth coach (I mean, who wouldn't want me as a natural birth coach right?!?!).  Anyway, I'm just gonna lay it out there.  Watching her go through a six hour labor, with no drugs, and the strength it took for her to meet her baby, was honestly pretty much the most awe-inspiring thing I have ever seen in my whole life.  For real, even the next day I kept saying to my husband "you should have seen it! I have never seen anything like it".  It was so beautiful, so 'right'. I, for the first time in my almost 35 years understand the beauty of drug free birthing.  I mean, not that I'd ever attempt it, but it was really something.  OH, and the fact that like three minutes after everything my sister was literally GLOWING and acting like the last six hour of utter intensity and exhaustion had not even happened was beyond my understanding.  So cool.  And welcome to the world my sweet little godson Milo Nixon. 

Sassy post to follow- because you missed all the sass 

(three)

I cannot believe, that seemingly the majority of people I know, think that one should have to bake a wedding cake for a couple who's wedding goes against the core beliefs of the baker.  It is INSANITY that we are living in that kind of world.  And, by the way, as I have said a couple times, I am DEF. a part of the group who wouldn't see the cake baking to be an issue if I was asked... but dang, if people do...we really think the LAW should force them to make a cake?!!?!?!  I am telling you, this world has gone bat Sh#$ crazy and I am so afraid of the consequences.  This is maybe a little creepy facebook stalkerish, but you know how sometimes things show up on your newsfeed?  Well Jenny from mama needs coffee  said something like (not an exact quote) 'I think we are going to be really surprised in 10-20 years when we see what happens with religious liberties and our ability to practice freely and evangelize' ... clearly, it's stuck with me.  And yea, I think we are.  My poor kids...

(four)

John Paul, my youngest, can now crawl out of his crib.  Not 'fall' out of his crib, but intentionally and quietly crawl out of his crib. I discovered this yesterday when making lunch when he started knocking on his door and calling, 'mommeeeeeee'.  Yikes! none of my other kids even kind of attempted to get out of their cribs.  Time for the triple bunk bed eh?

(five)

I had a dream about my dear friend Paul at the beginning of the week. I know this is silliness, but ever since he has passed, like so many of us do I am sure, I asked God if I could maybe talk to him in a dream.  How childlike right? Anyway, on Monday I think, I had a dream we were all at a memorial for him.  And it was sooooooooooo sad.  My heart was so heavy.  But, after there was a reception, and he was there.  In the dream, because of how dreams go, it was very normal for him to be hanging around.  Then, he came up to me and asked me to come with him to look at some baby pictures of him.  In the dream, I didn't realize the significance, so I took his hand and went with him.  He showed me a scrap book of all kinds of baby pictures of him (Which, if you know paul, pictures aren't exactly something he even kind of cares about) and then, there was a huge light that just kind of encompassed us, and then I woke up.  When I woke up is when I realized how cool it was that I just got to spend time with me friend.  And I take great comfort in that dream.  That is all.

(six)

Franciscan University is so dumb.  I hate when I look back at my University and have to acknowledge the dumb things about it.  Poor Eve Tushnet, that's all I gotta say. I can't imagine the type of martyrdom she has to face- it's such a bummer that an academic institution would be so dumb.    

(seven)

Um, so yeah.  Disney is happening.  I am like a little kid, barely able to stand my excitement.  I'll tell you all about it when I tell you all about it :)

That's it for me.  Check out more Quick Takes at http://thisaintthelyceum.org/

Peace!

7 things about life around here

(one)

This week, I spoke at a Theology on Tap on doubt and it's correlation to faith.  I also was able to speak at a young adult Lenten retreat over the weekend.  It was so fun.  I gotta admit, the young adult crew might be becoming my new favorite.  It's got me a little more than a little excited to emcee the Michigan Catholic Young Adult Conference in a few weeks.  Maybe I'll see you there (if you are from Michigan and a young adult!).

(two)

I went to Confession on Saturday.  I told the priest that I am pretty much miserable and because I am miserable I am pretty much always yelling at my husband and children.  He said, 'Why don't you try yelling at God and leaving everyone else alone"- I laughed out loud.

(three)

Aaron and I went to a Brazilian Steakhouse this week. Have you ever been to a Brazilian Steakhouse?   Here's the thing, I'm not really a huge red eat meat-er (much to my iron count's sadness) but if I was, this would have been the shiznatch.  I mean, so much meat it was insane.  We had a good talk about our future and where we are headed and what we'd like to be able to do.  It was good. It's fun to project ahead and look at what our future will hold, while being aware that nothing is guaranteed.   

(four)

Still Alice.  Wow.  Now that was a beautifully heartbreaking movie.  Go see it if you can.

(five)

Grief is pretty amazing isn't it.  As I continue to process that this earthly life no longer has my friend Paul in it, there are ups and there are downs.  Sometimes I listen to 2 pac's "Life Goes On" (don't even try it unedited) and I feel better.  Then, I think of Paul watching me listen to 2 pac whilst grieving him...and I imagine him laughing.  Hard.  

(six)

My parents took my boys overnight this week. I was kind of bold- they offered to take them overnight on the weekend and I was like, "oh, that'd be great, but maybe you could take them on a weekday". The weekdays are so hard, which I know you guys know.  So anyway, they said yes.  I had the best of intentions to get my house in order, but then I threw up all day.  Wait!  Before you are overwhelmed by tragedy, during the day my dad text and was all like. "want us to keep them another night?"  and I, of course responded, "no, no, I'll be fine".  Then my mom text a couple hours later and asked if I'd like them to stay an extra night...I had just finished getting sick for like the four hundreth time, so I responded, "heck yes! I do".  And they did. I kind of felt bad, because I think they were just offering to be polite, but- you know, I needed the break.  This is turning into a long story...you know what I find fascinating about when my kids are gone?  I miss them so darn much, even if they are only 20 minutes away.  But when they are here, sometimes I am like, "I DESPERATELY NEED A BREAK!!!!"  Being a mom is fascinating stuff.

(seven)

I've been making some big decisions lately, to step down from some big things and loosen up on the things I am obligated to (even though I'm not obligated to a lot).  It has caused me to spend a LOT of time in prayer about this season of my life and finding contentment in my calling as wife and mother.  I'll tell you more about that later, but in the meantime, I just wanted to let you know.

That's it for me.  Check out more Quick Takes at http://thisaintthelyceum.org/  

Peace!