Reflections from Downtown

Yesterday, the kids and I headed out on the Blue Line and went to downtown LA. They had a blast on the light rail train. We arrived downtown underground just like a subway in New York. The kids thought that was cool. I was secretly praying that there wouldn't be an earthquake.

Once out in the open air, we were caught in the frenzied lunch rush from all the office workers leaving their high rise buildings. We decided we were hungry too, so we walked across the street right to a little outdoor mall. Lots of eateries. Chinese food sounded good so we ate at Panda Express. We were lucky enough to find a place to sit down.

That's when the thoughts invaded my head. Everywhere you looked were what seemed to be high powered men and women. Nice clothes, nice shoes, nice everything. Taking a break from their high powered jobs for a bite to eat. I wondered about them. What were their lives like? Did they have a happy home life? Did these men have a wife at home caring for their children? Or did their wives also have a nice career? Did these women have a family or were they focused and driven in their careers? Did they go to far away cities on business, go to dinner parties?

For a brief moment, I envied them. For a brief moment I wished I had a career with a high salary. I wished that I could yak it up with the rest of them out there in an adult conversation.

But then I looked at the faces of my beautiful children sitting right in front of me. How privileged I was to be able to sit with them and listen to what was in their hearts, even if it was silly. How could I wish for something different? I love the life I am living. How thankful to God I am, that at this time, this moment, I can be here for them. I can be a stay at home mom. Financially, it is hard. There may come the time, that I will have to go back to work outside the home.

We finished our lunch, took a little walk to look around at all the unique buildings, then took the train back to our car. We went home to our normal life. The place we like the best. We waited for dad to come home to tell him all about our trip.

I thank God that He has placed me where I am right now.

Monday

Today was not a productive day. And it just goes to show that when I mess up and am not disciplined to do what I'm supposed to do, things kind of stay a mess. It seems I go in spurts. Last week, I was very productive in my work. I was focused and things got done. Some areas of the house actually looked presentable. So with that, it usually follows that with all that work, I tend to slack off a little afterwards.

Today was one of those days. I started out fine. Did some of my morning routine, then realized I really needed to get some necessary items from Target. Did that, but then I thought I would rest a little before picking up Kathryn & Ryan from school. I kind of got the knitting bug so I did a little of that. I saw how much progress I was making on Ryan's hat, that I continued with that. Needless to say, I never got back in the work groove. So I'm a little frazzled now because I'm playing catch up with kitchen clean-up, laundry sorting and general getting stuff ready for tomorrow. But at least I have an almost completed knitted hat to show for it! And I have to say that I did enjoy that! :)

Tomorrow we're going to have breakfast at school. They are having a Fat Tuesday Pancake Breakfast and we are looking forward to it. We have to leave even earlier than usual to make it, at least by 7:00 AM!

Lately, I've been having such a precious time with little Emily. She's been my little helper when I unload the dishwasher. Her favorite task is cleaning the bathroom, believe it or not. I don't give her any yucky stuff to do, just things like straighten things out on the counter. She does like to swish the toilet with the brush, but I make sure that I've done the main cleaning. And of course, we both thoroughly wash our hands! She loves to come up to me and say, "Hug and kiss!" Then she'll reach for me, give me a kiss, then rub her little face against my cheek. That's her hug! I just love those! I thank God that I've been able to be at home to experience all this. These are such precious times that will be over before I realize it. I want to truly savor these moments.
Thank you, Lord!

My Patron for 2008

St. Gerard Majella

St. Gerard Majella is the patron saint of motherhood! I look forward to reading more about him as he intercedes for me in my motherhood journey and my journey towards a deeper relationship with Jesus!

Go see Angela Messenger if you would like a patron saint for the coming year! Thank you, Angela!

Mother's Day

I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful day. I had a nice one. It started yesterday morning with breakfast at IHOP. I don't particularly like the wait for breakfast on Mother's Day so we went on Saturday!
This morning, the kids gave me their present ( a gift card to Macy's - yea!). After church, we went to grab my mom and took her to Ruby's - another yea! All together, a nice weekend.

Today, I thank God for another year with my mother. She is the sweetest mother anyone could ever have. She has taught me so much about being a mother, not necessarily by words but by example. She has taught me all about self giving and sacrifice. She would do anything for her three children. She gives of her time to her friends, family, and church. I would say she truly lives for the service of others. I hope that I can be a giving person as she is. I have a long way to go in that department.

Today, I also thank God for my vocation of being a mother. He has blessed me with three beautiful children. He has chosen me to help lead them to Him. I hope I do not fail! Today, I again accept His call and pray for His strength and the graces necessary to do what He asks me to do.