7 Quick Takes Friday

--- 1 ---

Jen over at Conversion Diary shared this personality test today. I took it, and I am an....

--- 2 ---

...INFJ (introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging) personality. When I read the explanation of the results I was astounded at how accurate the test proved to be. Sean took the test and he's ENFP (extraverted, intutitive, feeling, perceiving). Essentially the opposite of my results -- which actually, according to the test, isn't a bad thing in romantic relationships. (Each of our types are the preferred partners for the other.) Complementarity and all.

--- 3 ---

It's been so long since I've written I don't know if I shared that we decided to homeschool. We're really excited about it! Fellow homeschoolers, any sage advice as we begin? I ask, because we haven't even started yet (officially) and lately this applies to our household:

--- 4 ---

I've been reading a lot lately (hello introvert) and I'm going through a bunch of Vince Flynn's books. He's an excellent writer and his books are just the right mix of reality and fiction. If you like political/social thrillers, check him out. (Did you get that pun there? Yes, I'm a dork.)

--- 5 ---

I'm really struggling lately with forgiving. There are some people who have been very unkind, and it seems they don't even realize it! Or maybe they do but they just don't care, I'm not sure. (The INFJ description deals with this too, it's so accurate!) Either way, I am trying to remember this, but it is so difficult:

Jesus, help me be like You.

--- 6 ---

I had an inquiry the other day from a case worker at an adoption agency. She's helping a 20-year-old who is pregnant. The young woman is keeping the pregnancy a secret from her family and placing the baby for adoption after the birth. I'm so grateful that she didn't abort her child! They think it would be wise to have the support of a doula since the case worker may not be able to get to her in time for the birth. I want to say yes but she is due in five weeks, and I'm not sure when we'll be moving. Please pray for this young woman, give thanks that she did not kill her child, and ask for strength as she goes through this situation that is no doubt difficult without loving support of those who know her.

--- 7 ---

Why do my children have only one volume when they speak, and it's not a quiet one? Good thing they're so cute.

Oh. My. Goodness. Thank you God, for this cutie-pie!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Keeping Up

I often wonder how other women with young children seem to put together. They seem to have everyone in non-stained clothes, everyone always makes it to the bathroom in time, their houses are not only neat and orderly but are also magazine-worthy in their design and decor, and these mothers never seem tired.

I guess the optimal word here is seem.

We all put our best out there right? I mean, no one wants to admit that they can't keep up with the housework and the laundry. We all like to seem bright-eyed and ready for a full day of whatever....when that's probably not how we're feeling at all. 

I can't keep up. I'm not going to try anymore (ha ha). Well, I'm going to try not to try anymore. I generally don't sleep great and I'm tired and my house is messy. My children are so beautiful and wonderful and tiring and that's that.

Note to self: Comparison is the thief of joy.




 

Wise Words Wednesday

A brief explanation of Wise Words Wednesday can be found here, but it's really pretty simple: just share wise words!

 "I'm not afraid to fail....I'm scared to death of dying and having
the Lord say to me, 'Angelica, this is what you might have done
had you trusted more.'"
~Mother Angelica
Founder of EWTN

     

  Lord, help me to truly mean it when I say Jesus, I trust in You!

     

***If anyone is actually reading this: I can't get the link up to work. I'm trying to get it fixed, but in the meantime just share in the comments.***

   

Wise Words Wednesday

A brief explanation of Wise Words Wednesday can be found here, but it's really pretty simple: just share wise words! 

I've been struggling with some things lately and when I read this, I knew the timing was perfect:

 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness."

~Proverbs 31:25-27

         

***I can't get the link up to work. I'm trying to get it fixed, but in the meantime just share in the comments.***

   

7 Quick Takes Friday

--- 1 ---

Yesterday it was 85 and muggy. This morning it is 43 and raining. Ah, Central New York living.
 

--- 2 ---

Next week will be five years since my grandfather died. It is so fitting that this Memorial Day, he and other veterans from my hometown are being memorialized by the Cairo Historical Society. Banners featuring 107 hometown heroes now line the streets. Here's the one of my grandfather: 

My wonderful grandfather (holding my uncle).

--- 3 ---

I really wish I could be there for the Memorial Day parade this year. I marched in it for many years as a member of the high school marching band, but I didn't have the appreciation for our veterans then that I do now (I wasn't uncaring, I was just a teenager). My brother will march with the volunteer fire department as usual and seeing the banners of our hometown heroes during the parade will make it extra special. 

From the town's website:

Our Heroes...

Proudly, the Cairo Historical Society will launch a new program on Memorial Day after the Memorial Day Parade, May 27th at 11am, at the Town Park immediately following the Memorial Day Ceremony: "Town of Cairo Hometown Heroes Banners Program".  It's a living tribute to the servicemen and women from the Town of Cairo who served our country from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Each banner will honor a specific Town of Cairo former or present serviceman or woman and will include their picture, branch of service, and military conflict in which they served. The banners will be displayed for approximately 2 months from May to July. The banners will be hung on lampposts that line Main St., Cairo and Mountain Ave. into Purling. At this time, the Cairo Historical Society has received 107 applications. 
The following Conflicts/Wars and Branches of Service are represented:

Revolutionary War (1), War of 1812 (1), Civil War (3), Spanish American War (1), WW1 (14), WW2 (58), Korea (10), Vietnam (7), Grenada/Panama (1), Persian Gulf (2), Iraq (3), Afghanistan (2), Peacetime (4); Army (63), Navy (15), Coast Guard (1), Marine (11), Air Force (5), Army Air Corps (11), Army Air Service (1).

The banners line Main St, Railroad Ave, VanBuren Ln, Mountain Ave, and are also behind Town Hall & in front of the Cairo Library. God Bless our servicemen and women and their families!

  

Thank you to all who worked on this project! If you live in a small town, maybe this is something you can do for your community. It means so much to the family members of those who have sacrificed for our benefit, and I think it's an excellent teaching tool for young people -- it makes it real. May God bless our veterans and active duty military and their families. 

--- 4 ---

I posted on Facebook last night that I'm in a cooking rut. Cooking is not my strongest area of homemaking. If I'm making a big meal for a holiday or having people over then I enjoy it more, but the day-to-day cooking just feels blah to me. Share some of your favorite recipes, please! (Keep in mind I have three kids, so if it takes all day to prepare and make, I probably won't even try it.) 
 

--- 5 ---

Lately, it different circles of my life, it seems I cannot escape drama. The high school type of drama that I thought I left....well, back in high school. It's so weird to me that grown women feel the need to constantly gossip. I really try to stay away from it, but it's hard! God, help me to remember YOUR words: 

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, 

sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 

~Proverbs 16:24

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such 

as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give 

grace to those who hear. 

~Ephesians 4:29

--- 6 ---

So instead of gossip, let's share inspiring words! Wise Words Wednesday is something I want to do each week. I tried setting up a link-up thing but it won't work. Can someone give me some help?  
 

--- 7 ---

Now begins my month of waiting. I have two doula clients due in the next four weeks, and I'm so excited for them! 

--- 8 ---

Bonus quick take to complain: Blogger formatting really stinks. Notice how the font changes throughout this post? I've spent more time trying to fix the formatting than actually writing. Ugh! I give up! 

  

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary! (I'm looking forward to reading her book!)

Wise Words Wednesday

When I actually blog, I often participate in some popular blog carnivals. I think it's a great way to find great writers, learn new things, discuss important topics, and maybe even meet new people! With that in mind I wanted to start something similar. I won't call it a carnival since it will no doubt be very small, so let's call it a nice little cocktail hour on the back porch amongst friends.  

Wise Words Wednesday is pretty easy to figure out -- just share some wise words! Ever since I can remember I've loved the inspiration and gravity that can be found in the musings of others. My college dorm room walls were covered in colorful pieces of paper with words of encouragement. 

So share words that inspires you, that touch you, that make you laugh, that help you to be strong. I'll start:

    "Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop  similar habits, so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the  Blessed Virgin, by meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living  the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent  of our lowliness, similar to them."  ~Blessed Bartolo Longo      

***Sorry, the link thing isn't working. Anyone have any advice on getting it to work?***

   

Monday Minutes

Kim over at Bear Wrongs Patiently does Monday Minutes each week and I thought I'd join her. :) I don't know if she links up somewhere or not, I'll have to figure that out.

Around the house: Laundry. Constant laundry that I can't keep up with. Plus I decided to try to sell a bunch of baby/toddler clothes at a consignment sale this weekend and haven't started tagging anything yet. (Yes, I'm a little crazy, but we need the money!)

Homeschooling: Nothing specific yet, just living life and the natural teaching that happens with little ones. Pondering and planning here and there. I entered the giveaway at Sanctus Simplicitus because I really want to get one of their planners for helping me organize everything!

Living the Liturgical Year: Praying the rosary. I try to do this daily, and it's so wonderful. I've been off track for a few days but hopefully can get back with it today since today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Menu: crispy chicken with creamy herb sauce and pasta tonight. I haven't figured out the rest of the week yet!

Reading: this and that. I have a bad habit of starting more than one book at a time (because there are so many I want to read!) and then I get stuck not finishing any of them. Lately I've been playing lots of Sudoku instead of reading because with Sudoku you don't have to think much about anything except what's right in front of you. Plus, I figure maybe it will help ward off the Alzheimer's I'm probably going to get one day.

Pondering: how to trust God when it feels like so much is falling apart around me.

This week's plans: getting back on track with going to the gym, watching a friend's kids, mom's group end of the year breakfast, tagging items for the consignment sale, making a meal plan and sticking to planning each week, being more deliberate in playing with the kids and having fun.

Listening to: Sesame Street.

Praying for: discernment about our future and peace for whatever conclusion we find.