Friday Photo Favorites

Beginning of Co-op and the End of Co-op.

Questions

Avery has always had a way with words and lately he has been asking some really thoughtful questions.

"Mommy, if someone gave you a compliment, which one would you be the most proud of?"

"Mommy when you were little what was the hardest rule to follow?"

"Mommy, if you could make up five new laws what would they be?"

Options

Recently Philip and I were talking about schooling options as our children mature. There are so many great options around here! There are great catholic schools and great catholic hybrid schools all with pros and cons. As we discussed tutions and what that money could pay for outside of a school setting, we talked about just hiring a private tutor for certain subjects as well.

Annie piped in, "A private tooter...that be yucky!"

Friday Photo Favorites

First picture of all seven.

We welcomed Benedict 'Bennett' Philip on Sunday. 

Contrary to the picture Annie really is thrilled to have Bennett here and was the first to hold him. The hospital was just a bit overwhelming and seeing her Momma in an atypical state really caught the littles off guard. 

We are enjoying Bennett and the joy he brings.

Etched on the Heart

Written back on March 1

Today, I pray that Our Lord can make something manageable out of the mess I made.

This morning we gathered for morning prayers and memory work which is something I require of the oldest four and is the extent of George's formal teaching at the moment. After we finished I told the three oldest their assignments and who I would be working with first. We settled into the classroom and cracked open our books. The door hurriedly opened and the most precious soon-to-be-five-year-old swept in with determination, asked eagerly if he could be on "Baby Duty."  I replied, "of course" and warmed at his transition from "little" to "big". A few minutes later, I left the classroom to retrieve an item and saw four little ones, some on the table others in chairs with stacks of crackers and mountains of crumbles all over the floor happily enjoying yet another morning snack. George had risen to his duty and supplied everyone with unauthorized snacks.

I snapped because I actually didn't see the scene as I just described it. I saw rules being broken and a floor, that not fifteen minutes ago I had swept up, being desecrated again. I saw more time taken away from a daily schedule that is up to only me to keep. I saw another interruption into my perfectly planned day. I got upset and reacted poorly and stole the new found "bigness" away from my almost five year old. The word 'crestfallen' doesn't come close to describing how he looked. Broken. Confused. Pained. Slapped in the face with the reality of what happened and the reality that I could not undo what I had just done, I sobbed. I scooped up my beautiful boy and held him and apologized and told him that he did a wonderful job being on "Baby Duty" and rocked him and kissed him and ached for him and for our relationship that is now forever altered. 

I begged God to not let this happen again, but it will. I am a fallen human in fallen world. I begged God to help me take a moment longer to survey a scene before reacting. Please God, let me sort out the 'Urgent' from the 'Important' and react appropriately. Please do not let me crush these beautiful souls anymore with my self-centeredness. Let me teach them to serve by serving them. 

There's is nothing I wouldn't do to give my children unconditional, pure love and take away all past failures. Yes, I would give my life if the exchange existed. It doesn't. Not by me anyway. In a world with sin, it is what Christ, and only He, gave us.

So tonight I will beg forgiveness and beg for the ability to love my children better tomorrow, like we mothers do every night. And I will trust that God will be their All-in-All.

Friday Photo Favorites

Oh my beautiful, heartbreaking, silly cute, funny, goofy, always ready for an adventure big little girl, I love you so very much.