The Big Picture Archives | Page 43 of 46 |

Secret Rosaries in the Dark

June 28, 2008 By Laura 1 Comment

Life has continued to be as eventful and busy as ever around here, with all kinds of fun, activities, learning, and work. Our heavier business work loads, that come with this season for us, has continued to use up our blogging time. But we give thanks to God for His ways in providing for our needs, and know you all understand the less frequent postings lately.

This morning, I wanted to take the time to share a humbling moment I experienced as a mother, one night last week. The little ones had been put to bed awhile before, and they weren’t seeming to settle in fast enough for me. I usually don’t mind them talking quietly for a little bit before drifting off to sleep, but I was attempting to get some work done, and was feeling quite distracted by the inaudible rumblings I could still hear coming from their bedroom nearby. Perhaps I was low on patience that night, because I was beyond annoyed as stomped towards their bedroom on a mission, ready to tell them once and for all, to “please ‘shush it’ and go-to-sleep!” But what I heard so clearly now, as I was about to put my hand on that doorknob, was 3 sweet little voices in perfect sync, and it stopped me in my tracks; “.…..Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. <Pause.> Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee….” Tears welled up in my eyes, as did the jumbled feelings of guilt, shame, and happiness, as I realized they were saying the rosary together, in the dark, and using their fingers to do so. As I took a deep breath, I decided I wouldn’t ask them to ‘shush it’ once and for all, after all, and just stood there and listened for awhile

Mind you, I have heard them pray together in the dark many, many times before. But never the rosary. Where did this come from? I’d love to say from me, or their father, but that wouldn’t be the truth, as too young as I mistakenly thought they were. I think likely they picked up the basics from the Catholic TV channel they watch a bit of every day, and their IRL friend on those shows, Fr. Bob. It just occurred to me now to ask them if they saw that on TV. I don’t really monitor what they are watching exactly, because they pretty much are only allowed to watch that channel, and after all, Fr. Bob is there! : ) It’s often his show! But I am sure at some point we at least taught them about rosary beads, what they are for, and generally how you use them, when they received some as gifts.

The next day they asked for those beads they had received before, and the day after that as well. They all sit lined up, and begin the rosary together. They’ve actually been all the way through it on their own! Other times it’s just a few decades, which is more than I’ve done in quite a while. Their big sister lent them a book that has 2 prayers in the rosary they do not know by heart yet: The Apostles Creed, and Hail Holy Queen. How convenient they can read so well. I was rather impressed with their discipline and dedication, and felt like I was witnessing a lesson meant just for me.

While we usually have daily family prayer together, we hadn’t yet attempted the rosary together. I assumed it was rather long for little ones, and maybe not so easy at their age, to mediate on the mysteries. Honestly, even I struggle deeply with an attention span like that. But perhaps we should begin to add the rosary to our family prayer life here and there. Maybe a daily decade would work, as we incorporate and teach the mysteries we are meant to meditate on while we recite the prayers (which would admittedly be an opportunity for us parents, to brush up on our rosary skills). No doubt it would be a spiritually fulfilling experience, and one it appears my little ones are indeed ready for, while the rest of us are long over-due.

Baltimore Oriole Bribery…

June 6, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

Once I really saw the Baltimore Orioles this year, I got my heart set on wanting them to nest in OUR yard. But I think I learned the tricks of the trade a little too late this year. I know I did. Surely they were already building nests, if not settled in already, by the time I heard about using Baltimore Oriole bribery, of leaving string and such to help them along in building their nests. They’d been around for a couple of weeks by then. The Baltimore Orioles do come to visit in our yard quite a bit throughout the day, though. I think they realize by now, by the abundance of other birds and critters who hang out here, that our yard is the place to be! But the Orioles do seem to be nesting in neighboring yards, and frankly, I’m jealous!

Nonetheless, I’m still desperate enough to hope that, like people, the Orioles might decide to move! To our yard, of course. At the very least, I am showing them that this is where all of the GOOD STUFF is, and maybe they’ll remember that next year, when they fly in from South America. I’ll be ready for them, and on time. Meanwhile, this year they are welcome to come over and perch, sing, play and feast, anytime they’d like.

What Kids Don’t Love (P)Inchworms?

June 3, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

I’m not sure what you and your kids call them. Most probably refer to them as inchworms, some may call them ‘loopers’, but technically, they are ‘cankerworms‘, which probably explains why their name has been changed by so many to something more fun, and seemingly more fitting. In our family, they have come to be known as ‘pinchworms’. This term came from our youngest daughter {O}, when she was really little and mistaken about their name- and it stuck.

So I ask you, are there any kids out there who DO NOT love these inchworms? Because if statistics are any indication, on a very small scale, 4/4 love them at our house. Our kids just hold them and play with them for the longest time.

Recently, they gathered a whole bunch, and created this little ‘playground’ for them, in the base dish of a plant pot. Of course, they spent a of time keeping any of them from escaping. Those little buggers may be small, but they’re pretty quick!

My husband doesn’t mind them much, but I’m not all THAT fond of them. They are on the cute side, but I don’t appreciate their little games of dropping out of nowhere unexpectedly, on their little silk swings, right in front of my face, or worse, on me. Because what I don’t like most about them, is that they smoosh, accidentally. I don’t know about you, but when I feel something suddenly creeping on me, my initial reflex is to swat off the creepy-crawly area before I even look. That has gotten messy with surprise (p) inchworms who just drop by on me without calling first. What I really detest even more though, again because of their smoosh-factor on a grander scale, are gypsy moth caterpillars. Ugh. I hope we don’t get invaded with those things in large quantities as we have some years. The kids love to play with the species that have a turquoise back with chestnut brown spots. They avoid holding or playing with the ones with the red and blue bumps, because when they poop on you, you get a rash. (Sorry if that’s TMI. lol) Personally, I don’t care for any of them doing their business on me, rash-risky or not.

And then of course is the fact that (p)inchworms and caterpillars alike, eat the leaves on the trees everywhere! As I am sure so many of you have noticed, a large posse can really destroy a tree. It’s so sad to see otherwise healthy trees, loaded with leaves so tattered with holes. I suppose they need to eat something but….

I know God has purpose for every creature, big and small, (yes even those nasty Black Racer snakes, Kate). It really is amazing how in the big picture, everyone has a job that keeps nature and all of Creation, in balance. I don’t always really need to know all of the details of who eats who and what-not, but I can appreciate how it all works together for the good of Creation, in a more general way.

I suppose pinchworms are food for birds, and perhaps have some other impressive purpose. At the very least (and I can tell you it is the very least…lol), I can be grateful for the fact that their existence gives my children hours of enjoyment.

Awful Awful Milkshakes!

May 23, 2008 By Laura 4 Comments

Today was a busy day, and not all full of fun. Lots of school work to be done, 2 boats to letter (work), and TWO allergy appointments. Now, if you knew how long it takes to go through just ONE of these appointments…..

So every time we go by this place (see photo below) in the area of all of our pitstops today, the kids ask to stop to have an ‘Awful, Awful Milkshake”. We went here with {A} when she was 3 or 4, and took her mini golfing next door to this stand, as well. So she’s the told the little ones all about this memory of when she was little, and naturally she made the milkshake sound like Heaven in a paper cup. {J}, {O}, and {S} have wanted to go ever since (and {A} has wanted to go back!), and really, there’s never any sneaking by it, if you take a look at the place. You can spot it a mile away! It’s just never been a good day or time to stop. So today, we thought we deserved the treat…..and stopped to have that ‘Awful, Awful Milkshake.” Right before dinner time. <gasp!>

In their ads, their shakes are described as “awfully thick, awfully good”. On their menu, they are listed as “Awfully Big Milkshake”. But we’ve always referred to them as we do.

As we ordered them, the server asked me what flavor we wanted them in. Now, I think it says something about me to realize, the question stumped and confused me. I think there was 10 seconds of silence as just I stood there staring at her, completely puzzled. What did she mean? CHOCOLATE of course! Were there other flavors? And if so….do people order them? I couldn’t imagine.

The shakes were indeed ‘awfully big’, and so we split them up into smaller cups. The kids enjoyed them to the very last drop, and so did we. I had my camera with me, and was all about getting a couple of shots of this moment they have waited for, for so long. One very interesting thing we learned today; it’s not easy to suck and smile at the same time! : ) There’s an experiment for you! Try it!

Everyone agreed the milkshakes were awfully, awfully good. No doubt we’ll be back again this summer, and next time we’ll probably play a game of mini-golf as well! Hopefully, we won’t suck there, too.

Kids FUN Plant Makeover, with Buttons! – Kids Craft

May 15, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

Be fore-warned. There are LOTS of photos in this post. And the reason is simple: Me and my camera were having way-too-much-fun, taking photos of the kids doing this fun plant makeover, with buttons!

This is the other craft I bought supplies for weeks ago. I saw this neat idea in Family Fun Magazine called Bloomin’ Buttons, and if you happened to read this post, then you know how I feel about buttons. So….one way or another I was doing this. It’s not not only a fun project for the kids, but it’s really great for their fine motor skill development.

I just happened to have this lovely Cyclamen plant (see photo below) that my father and brother brought me for Christmas. (Wasn’t that sweet?) Yes, it’s still alive. A little research described this plant as ‘a flowering house plant that requires very little care’, so I’m not too proud of myself. Mine flowers white and scarlet flowers. I just love it. It lives on the ledge between our kitchen and school room, where it gets just the right amount of light, and maximum enjoyment.

But…the basket was looking a little….Christmasy. Especially now that it’s spring. So I had planned on spraying the basket a solid color anyway. But now I had this whole new make-over idea that I was way too excited about, for my age.

So yesterday, while Michael and {A} were out on a job, I asked my little helpers {J}, {O} and {S} (5 year old triplets) if they wanted to help me with a craft. (And then covered my ears to protect them from the inevitable piercing cheers). Of COURSE they did! So I sprayed the basket outside, and left it out there to dry. Then we got out all we needed ( just buttons, wire and wire cutters), plopped down on the floor, and got to work.

First we sorted through the buttons to find the colors we wanted (mainly primary) and the sizes we needed, to work together.

Then we got to threading them with 26 gauge green florist’s wire. It had to go up through and back down through, making a few good twists right below the buttons.

The kids loved making differing color combinations, and doing something different each time. We must have sat in a circle, just chatting, giggling and working (perhaps like quilters! lol) for over an hour. About the time it was time to put our little button bouquets into the plant soil, their show was on. That worked out good, because it wasn’t easy putting them in even for me. What a mess I made. But look how CUTE it came out!! …….

4_button-plant-kids-craft

Now that I had sprayed the basket all white, I decided it needed a little something at the bottom. So I added some tiny colored cord, because it was all I had. But I may pick up some colorful thin ribbon that might look better. Still….I love it as it is. It is so…..qUiRky, and FuN! Like me! (Well….some do think so.)

So I know you really get the idea by now, but just because I didn’t want the fun to end, I kept taking photos. I love detail shots. Indulge me………..

It’s like a Button Garden!….

With unique little button buds……

Now I’ve seen those ‘room make-over’ shows, so I know a nice way to end these things is to show a split screen of before and after.
So here it is……..What do you think??

Now I think it’s time for ME to have a makeover.

The next couple of days are on the busy side for us, so not sure we’ll have much time to blog. But you never know! Thanks for stopping by today!

Amazon Affiliates