6 days w/ sick baby +
fussy tired baby+
three days working late +
numerous sleepless nights +
blizzard outside +
one diet coke per day because of Lent +
sick and tired momma=
One cranky house.
Is it summer yet?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Quotes
This is listed a favorite quote for a countless number of Facebook friends. It's becoming my favorite as well. I hope that you find it as inspiring as I have.
“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” -JPII, World Youth Day 2000
“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” -JPII, World Youth Day 2000
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Informer
Here is a thought-provoking editorial. The pro-life movement is losing momentum with the same arguments. The Culture of Death had once purported that an unborn baby was not human until born, with science overcoming that misperception. Pro-abortion leaders are now clinging to, and winning the culture war that regardless of the personhood of the fetus (or newborn baby), that it is now acceptable based on principle. It's frightening.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Shower of Roses
The parents of St. Therese of Lisieux are to be Beatified--another step towards Canonization! You can read the article here. There are many books and articles about this holy family, but briefly, the parents of five daughters were very pious people and raised five incredible daughters, each of them joining religious life. Their imminent Canonization will spread their ideal of household spirituality to many others.
Grace Under Fire
I don't imagine that these kinds of things only happen to me, but in the moment it can certainly feel like it.
Last night I got home from work at 11:30pm. After winding down a little I went down to bed only to hear Luke crying in the monitor. Luke was sick. Sickness has been the word of the winter. Mark and I have never had so many colds or felt so exhausted from the constant battling of illnesses. Sparing you the details, both Mark and I were up late calming, cleaning, changing, and consoling the baby. Today was a mess of Motrin, Ginger Ale, and Popsicles. It's not yet 9:00pm, and I think I would be smart to go to bed now in anticipation for another crazy night.
Today was also the fixing of my hair faux pas. In the middle of my toner drying I get a call from Mark. Mark started a fire. A grease fire. His exact words, "Mallory, what do you do when vegetable oil is on fire on the stove?" My reaction, "Um, there's a fire in the kitchen? Why are you calling me?" Although I wasn't a witness, the picture painted in my mind is quite amusing. Mark had a frying pan of oil on the stove to heat. He forgot about it until the smoke detectors went off. He found the kitchen in a fog of white smoke. Not knowing what to do with a grease fire (let's say it together "baking soda! baking soda! baking soda!), he grabbed the frying pan, ran outside (in his pajamas, bare feet, and t-shirt), and threw the pan into a pile of snow. The frying pan is still out in the snow. The frying pan is on the naughty bench. I think this is the funniest story I've ever heard. Even though my head hurts from the fumes hours later, I'm still laughing thinking it's hilarious.
I'd say it's been a pretty exciting day ;)
Last night I got home from work at 11:30pm. After winding down a little I went down to bed only to hear Luke crying in the monitor. Luke was sick. Sickness has been the word of the winter. Mark and I have never had so many colds or felt so exhausted from the constant battling of illnesses. Sparing you the details, both Mark and I were up late calming, cleaning, changing, and consoling the baby. Today was a mess of Motrin, Ginger Ale, and Popsicles. It's not yet 9:00pm, and I think I would be smart to go to bed now in anticipation for another crazy night.
Today was also the fixing of my hair faux pas. In the middle of my toner drying I get a call from Mark. Mark started a fire. A grease fire. His exact words, "Mallory, what do you do when vegetable oil is on fire on the stove?" My reaction, "Um, there's a fire in the kitchen? Why are you calling me?" Although I wasn't a witness, the picture painted in my mind is quite amusing. Mark had a frying pan of oil on the stove to heat. He forgot about it until the smoke detectors went off. He found the kitchen in a fog of white smoke. Not knowing what to do with a grease fire (let's say it together "baking soda! baking soda! baking soda!), he grabbed the frying pan, ran outside (in his pajamas, bare feet, and t-shirt), and threw the pan into a pile of snow. The frying pan is still out in the snow. The frying pan is on the naughty bench. I think this is the funniest story I've ever heard. Even though my head hurts from the fumes hours later, I'm still laughing thinking it's hilarious.
I'd say it's been a pretty exciting day ;)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Mother Love
Courtesy of Mark Severson:
"Mal could you post about this... it suggests that mothers choose to abort out of a motherly concern for the children they already have... Are these mothers taking the childrens' best interest or their own interest into account? They seem to think that because they won't be able to give the new child everything that it somehow makes them unfit for parenting. I wonder if a child would give up a nice wardrobe or their own bedroom for another brother or sister? We really need to work on changing the paradigm these mothers have. Moms like you need to find and locate moms like this and wake them up, build connections with them and reach the deeper truth together. Then, both types of moms can help build a civilization of love. Mark"
My addition, "mothers like us," "women like us," "men and women like us who desire to have children loved and welcomed" need to help build a civilization of love. It's a lofty task, but as always, "My burden is easy, my yoke light."
"Mal could you post about this... it suggests that mothers choose to abort out of a motherly concern for the children they already have... Are these mothers taking the childrens' best interest or their own interest into account? They seem to think that because they won't be able to give the new child everything that it somehow makes them unfit for parenting. I wonder if a child would give up a nice wardrobe or their own bedroom for another brother or sister? We really need to work on changing the paradigm these mothers have. Moms like you need to find and locate moms like this and wake them up, build connections with them and reach the deeper truth together. Then, both types of moms can help build a civilization of love. Mark"
My addition, "mothers like us," "women like us," "men and women like us who desire to have children loved and welcomed" need to help build a civilization of love. It's a lofty task, but as always, "My burden is easy, my yoke light."
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mistake
Last night I highlighted my hair. It looks terrible. I want to shave my head. Won't someone stop me from these self-destructive behaviors? I have to wait until Saturday afternoon to get it fixed. I guess it's good for Lent, a great opportunity for humility.
In other news, “Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world, can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.” - Michael Scott. My current Wikipedia quest is getting up to speed about Richard I and the Third Crusade. Most likely this has no relevance to your life whatsoever, but, because my knowledge of history is so lousy, I have to do research just to read fiction.
Luke is now playing with Mark's highlighters. This will no doubt make for a very interesting post later in the day.
In other news, “Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world, can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.” - Michael Scott. My current Wikipedia quest is getting up to speed about Richard I and the Third Crusade. Most likely this has no relevance to your life whatsoever, but, because my knowledge of history is so lousy, I have to do research just to read fiction.
Luke is now playing with Mark's highlighters. This will no doubt make for a very interesting post later in the day.
Monday, February 18, 2008
You've gotta see this!!
Leave it to the students at Franciscan University to protest a Bill Clinton rally for Hillary in Steubenville, Ohio. You have to see this clip! Clinton lashes out at students saying that if we were really pro-life that we would want to criminalize every woman and their doctors, among other colorful things. What Clinton fails to recognize is that the vast majoroty of doctors do not perform abortions, which is why you have to go to a back alley money-mill to get one.
Ah, Bill and Hillary. The gift that keeps on giving.
Ah, Bill and Hillary. The gift that keeps on giving.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Media Detox: 2
My quest continues to rid television out our life and out of our family in pursuit of more nourshing means of entertainment. Books I'd read of late that might be interesting to fellow bloggers...
The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett. Straight out of Oprah's Book Club, this is a very entertaining book! It's long, long, long, and toward the end I was begging the story to be over, but the first 800+ pages are a great story with lots of twists and turns.
The Concubine, by Norah Lofts. This might be out of print, but the story itself is highly circulated. It's the story of Ann Boylen. It's not easy reading because of the biographal format, but very interesting. After reading it you, like me, will want to know more about Henry VIII and his many wives. Right now I'm slowly going through a book called The Wives of Henry VII. There are many accounts out there as the story is as fascinating as unbelievable.
After returning The Concubine to my mom's shelf I grabbed Rebecca, by Daphe du Maurier. I'm only 100 pages in, but I'm both hooked and appalled that I've never read it before. But, if you're stuck in the snow or cold, I'd start with Pillars, it'll keep you busy, at least for the weekend.
I have to get my butt to work now :)
The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett. Straight out of Oprah's Book Club, this is a very entertaining book! It's long, long, long, and toward the end I was begging the story to be over, but the first 800+ pages are a great story with lots of twists and turns.
The Concubine, by Norah Lofts. This might be out of print, but the story itself is highly circulated. It's the story of Ann Boylen. It's not easy reading because of the biographal format, but very interesting. After reading it you, like me, will want to know more about Henry VIII and his many wives. Right now I'm slowly going through a book called The Wives of Henry VII. There are many accounts out there as the story is as fascinating as unbelievable.
After returning The Concubine to my mom's shelf I grabbed Rebecca, by Daphe du Maurier. I'm only 100 pages in, but I'm both hooked and appalled that I've never read it before. But, if you're stuck in the snow or cold, I'd start with Pillars, it'll keep you busy, at least for the weekend.
I have to get my butt to work now :)
Informer
It seems that there is a lot of serious sickness going around the entire country. Everyday I get an email or hear of a friend or family member who needs prayers of healing for sickness. Without causing alarm, if you or your children have respiratory illnesses, please don't hesitate to see a doctor or go to the ER. It may only seem like a cough or mild form of croup, but can escalate to a life-threatening degree very quickly.
Happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Vote Chooser
This is an interesting quiz. After ten questions, itdetermines your ideal presidential candidate. Your results will surprise you. Having said that, each question is weighed on the same scale, meaning that life issues carry as much weight as the war, economy, etc. While pro-life issues are more important to me than some issues, the quiz does not take that into account, so...Hillary Clinton is still not my ideal candidate.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Apologies
Last night Mark told me that the post "I kid you not" was pretty disgusting. I admit that it's not in the best taste. So, I'm sorry if I grossed anyone out. My only defense is that the reality of motherhood is gross sometimes. Even if you supervise your child in the bathroom better than I I do, gross situations are unpreventable. Some days you laugh at it, some you cry, other days you ignore the problem thinking that eventually someone else will take care of it. However, the buck stops with you, and there's no rule that you have to be happy about it...all the time.
I laugh most of the time though ;)
I laugh most of the time though ;)
Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day! I'm not much for the overcommercialized holiday, but it's still fun to wear pink, and store shoppers are a little more willing to smile back at you today.
I won't go on and on about Idol, I'll give one positive and one negative. First, I love Brooke White. I was sold when she sang Carole King last night. Unfortunately, I agree with Simon about Kyle from Kentucky. There's was something charming about his shirt and tie, and he was just fun to watch.
Now it's time to drink coffee and get moving for the day. Because our lease ends so soon we have inspectors coming to our apartment today to assess the damage we've done in a year. Then I have to start unpacking our bags from last week and packing then again for our drive to Deerwood tomorrow morning. I know that someday I won't pack our bags every weekend, and that day won't come soon enough!
I won't go on and on about Idol, I'll give one positive and one negative. First, I love Brooke White. I was sold when she sang Carole King last night. Unfortunately, I agree with Simon about Kyle from Kentucky. There's was something charming about his shirt and tie, and he was just fun to watch.
Now it's time to drink coffee and get moving for the day. Because our lease ends so soon we have inspectors coming to our apartment today to assess the damage we've done in a year. Then I have to start unpacking our bags from last week and packing then again for our drive to Deerwood tomorrow morning. I know that someday I won't pack our bags every weekend, and that day won't come soon enough!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
I kid you not.
This morning I fished maxi pads out of the toilet.
Tonight I dug poop out of the tub drain.
There's nothing else to report. That's pretty much my day in a nutshell.
Tonight I dug poop out of the tub drain.
There's nothing else to report. That's pretty much my day in a nutshell.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Update
1. Working all weekend and having my computer broken makes for less time to blog! We're back in St. Paul for a couple days before we're off again at the end of the week. Work for me, meetings for Mark, time with Grandparents for Luke.
2. The day after Ash Wednesday I dreamed about chocolate. I was in chocolate heaven with a chocolate fountain, eating never-ending chocolate. It was only the second day of Lent. Imagine how I'm feeling today!
3. My sister-in-law, Kristin, called me at work with a fun surprise, she's expecting her fourth baby! Hold on a minute while I count the number of nieces and nephews I have now...15!!!! Exciting, so exciting!
4. Luke's ear problems are far from solved. After tubes 7 months ago I thought we'd be done with ear infections, but this last week has proved otherwise. A trip to Urgent Care, the Clinic, three calls to the triage nurse, and two prescriptions later I'm back at square one. He'll see the specialist on Wednesday.
5. I need a haircut, and I still love White Chococlate Mochas, which I still drink during Lent.
6. American Idol is NOT on Monday
Have a great week!!
2. The day after Ash Wednesday I dreamed about chocolate. I was in chocolate heaven with a chocolate fountain, eating never-ending chocolate. It was only the second day of Lent. Imagine how I'm feeling today!
3. My sister-in-law, Kristin, called me at work with a fun surprise, she's expecting her fourth baby! Hold on a minute while I count the number of nieces and nephews I have now...15!!!! Exciting, so exciting!
4. Luke's ear problems are far from solved. After tubes 7 months ago I thought we'd be done with ear infections, but this last week has proved otherwise. A trip to Urgent Care, the Clinic, three calls to the triage nurse, and two prescriptions later I'm back at square one. He'll see the specialist on Wednesday.
5. I need a haircut, and I still love White Chococlate Mochas, which I still drink during Lent.
6. American Idol is NOT on Monday
Have a great week!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Disappoinment
Mitt Romney has dropped out of the race, two days after winning Minnesota and many other states. But, it wasn't enough. I'm disappointed, and like many who claim they are "conservative" rather than Republican, I'm faced with many difficult decisions. For what it's worth, feels like Romney stepping down is a clear handoff to Hillary for President.
James Dobson of Focus on the Family has said that he cannot vote for McCain as a matter of conscience. The conservative with the most national influence, Rush Limbaugh, has flat out denied McCain's association with conservatism. I'm disappointed. After Huckabee fizzles out, will our only option be a write-in vote for Ron Paul as a symbolic defeat? In four years with Hillary as President will the Reupbulic Party finally understand that far from the label of "Republilcan", many who vote Republican are much more associated with the conservative cause?
Let's pray 'till November.
James Dobson of Focus on the Family has said that he cannot vote for McCain as a matter of conscience. The conservative with the most national influence, Rush Limbaugh, has flat out denied McCain's association with conservatism. I'm disappointed. After Huckabee fizzles out, will our only option be a write-in vote for Ron Paul as a symbolic defeat? In four years with Hillary as President will the Reupbulic Party finally understand that far from the label of "Republilcan", many who vote Republican are much more associated with the conservative cause?
Let's pray 'till November.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Wednesday
Sadly, I missed American Idol last night. The decision was heavily weighed. One side had American Idol, on the other I had American Citizen. I went to caucus last night to cast my pro-life, pro-family vote.
Today's dilemma: The washing machine in the basement of our apartment is broken. That is, it won't accept quarters and is instead offering free cycle after cycle. I've gone nuts washing everything that I can. Here's the dilemma. I hang dry all our clothes, and the places to dry clothes in our apartment cannot keep up with the pace of the washer. I have underpants hanging from nails on the wall, and dress shirts hanging from the fan. We just got a call that our landlord will be showing our apartment this afternoon. What the heck am I going to do with all this laundry?
Today's dilemma: The washing machine in the basement of our apartment is broken. That is, it won't accept quarters and is instead offering free cycle after cycle. I've gone nuts washing everything that I can. Here's the dilemma. I hang dry all our clothes, and the places to dry clothes in our apartment cannot keep up with the pace of the washer. I have underpants hanging from nails on the wall, and dress shirts hanging from the fan. We just got a call that our landlord will be showing our apartment this afternoon. What the heck am I going to do with all this laundry?
Monday, February 4, 2008
American Idol
I admit, I love American Idol. I especially love the "Hollywood" process where a few shining stars stick out from the rest. After a crazy Super Bowl day and night, I woke up this morning and looked forward to an evening of undiscovered talent.
Mark got home and turned on the Timberwolves game. No Mark, Idol is on, we have to watch Idol. No Mal, Idol isn't on tonight.
Whoops. I settled for Bill O'Reilly, but I'm not happy about it.
Mark got home and turned on the Timberwolves game. No Mark, Idol is on, we have to watch Idol. No Mal, Idol isn't on tonight.
Whoops. I settled for Bill O'Reilly, but I'm not happy about it.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
New Book
Those of you who have read A Women's Ordeal, by Steve Mosher might be interested in a book that looks similar. Below is a link to the synopsis of the book by Lifesite. The book looks gruesome. Friends from Franciscan, I think you'll recognize the author's name as a favorite professor of Mariology.
The Seven Sorrows China
The Seven Sorrows China
Friday, February 1, 2008
Rock-A-Bye Baby
Last night I was awoken by a crying baby. Fumbling my way out of the bedroom I glanced at the microwave clock- 1:40am. It's been awhile since Luke last woke in the night. He cried as if frightened and I found him standing in the crib reaching out for me.
Half asleep I put him in bed with us. This faithfully never works. He became more upset, so I scooped him up and paced the hallway trying to calm and determine if he had a fever, or perhaps was uncomfortable from his jammies. The poor child wouldn't calm down, and I was beginning to worry about our neighbors at every angle.
The glider rocker in our bedroom hasn't been used for rocking since the summer. Lately the only purpose it serves is an excuse not to hang clothes in the closet. With baby in tow and in the complete darkess I threw the clothes from last week on the floor and cradled the big boy on my shoulder. He quickly calmed as I whispered I loved him and rocked slowly. He fell asleep and we were soon back in our own beds.
This has to be at least my fifth post pouting about how big my little baby is getting. I would like to think that all little boys need to rock-a-bye with mommy every once in awhile. I'll take it, even if it means getting up in the middle of the night to do it.
Half asleep I put him in bed with us. This faithfully never works. He became more upset, so I scooped him up and paced the hallway trying to calm and determine if he had a fever, or perhaps was uncomfortable from his jammies. The poor child wouldn't calm down, and I was beginning to worry about our neighbors at every angle.
The glider rocker in our bedroom hasn't been used for rocking since the summer. Lately the only purpose it serves is an excuse not to hang clothes in the closet. With baby in tow and in the complete darkess I threw the clothes from last week on the floor and cradled the big boy on my shoulder. He quickly calmed as I whispered I loved him and rocked slowly. He fell asleep and we were soon back in our own beds.
This has to be at least my fifth post pouting about how big my little baby is getting. I would like to think that all little boys need to rock-a-bye with mommy every once in awhile. I'll take it, even if it means getting up in the middle of the night to do it.
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