Monday Musings: Celebrations

Joining in with Nadja at Patch o' Dirt Farm for Monday Musings!

Right now...I'm waiting for the baby to wake up. We just got word that the buses are cancelled due to freezing rain, so Jude is pretty pleased! Robin just came in from scraping off his car and tells me he could see Jude up in his room, wearing a pirate mask and fighting with his reflection in his bedroom window! We've already broken up a screaming fight between Violet and Margot. The kettle has boiled so I'm thinking it's time to make tea, although it feels like a coffee kind of morning!

This weekend...was full! On Saturday, Violet went to the National Arts Centre for a production called "Green Eggs and Hamadeus", part of a series of family concerts. She was so cute in her excitement, all dressed up for a date with her little buddy. I sent a small camera with her and loved seeing the photos she took. 

On Saturday night, we went out with my sisters, our husbands, and our parents to celebrate mom and dad's 45th wedding anniversary! Wine, steak, and a beautiful gluten-free dessert, with generous sprinklings of Norah-adoration made it a lovely evening. We are so blessed!

On Sunday, I lost ten years of my life getting the kids out the door to Mass. Jude will be making his first Communion this year, so we were invited to a Commitment Ceremony to renew the promises we made to him at his Baptism. Another ten years were lost in keeping Margot quiet and relatively still throughout the Mass. I realised that the pressure I feel for my children to behave in church has more to do with my own worries about others will think of us than with others' expectations. A friend and colleague approached me afterwards and reminded me of the blessing it is to see Margot so active and joyous, when a few years ago we were all praying that her heart surgery would be successful. I needed that bit of encouragement and perspective, and saw the experience in a whole new light. I've renewed my vow to get to Mass more often with my children, remembering that I am not always being judged as I fear I am.

When we got home I made some sushi, something I haven't done in a long time. I really enjoy making it, and cut up one roll for my family to sample. Jude and Violet used to love it when they were the only kids in the family (back when I had time to make things like that!) and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they still do!

The sushi was for a gathering at a friend's house to celebrate two birthdays (one is mine!). Guitars and singing, lots of drumming, and some divine potluck offerings, warm sunshine and a comfy chair, cats that love attention, and so much love and hugs poured out to one another...my soul was refreshed as it always is after spending time with these women (and one man)!

THEN upon my return, we celebrated my birthday with my parents. The girls were in party dresses and vibrating with excitement...they'd helped clean the whole house, tied helium balloons to my chair, and helped daddy make a cake while I was out with Norah! The kids gave me a microwave for my birthday because I'm always complaining that my coffee gets cold before I have time to drink it! When our old one broke I felt we could live without it...until we had another baby and I depend on warming leftovers etc.! 

Other gifts included seed bells for the birds, a bag of potting soil to grow some wheatgrass, and gift cards for a massage, pedicure, and facial! I'm thrilled. Self-care is at the bottom of the list these days, so my husband and parents chose well!

Some plans for this week: I'm hoping to gather with some other close girlfriends for a birthday celebration, and will be heading out to spend time with a friend who just added her fifth baby to her brood. Today I'll be making meals to bring, and hopefully my little one will let me hold HER little one so she can rest. My housework goals are getting the laundry sorted and starting to gather the odd boxes and bags of toys into one space to begin the great Toy Purge!

If I find some time for myself, I would like to...Haha...that's a good one. IF a moment presents itself these days, I like to just sit down for a moment. If I can read a few pages or knit a few stitches, it's a good day!

I am grateful for...The wood fire that continues to warm us through the late winter. Seed catalogues on the kitchen table. The voices of my children playing upstairs. This healthy baby that continues to delight everyone with her smiles and beautiful spirit. The willingness of my husband to continue growing with me in our marriage. The love and dedication of my children's teachers in all they do.

Some special prayer intentions for this week:  For two friends, one who is grieving the loss of her mother in the fall while caring for her large family, and the other who is adjusting to her new life as a mother of five.

Something that makes me smile: The image of  Jude sword-fighting his reflection in the window. Meeting my husband as he came up the stairs and I came down and enjoying a long hug until my milk started letting down and I bolted for the washroom so my shirt wouldn't get soaked! Plans for the day...putting out food for the birds and planting some seeds in the depths of winter.