7 Quick Takes: The Mother's Day Edition

1.  

I may have had a meltdown on Mother's Day and I might have yelled something like this:

"Forget the card!  Forget the flowers!  You all want to serve me today?  How about someone pick up a broom!  Fold some laundry!  That's my idea of of a Mother's Day present!"

2.  

I may have instantly regretted the meltdown because my family was trying really hard to make the day special.  The kids gave me hand-made cards and John ordered me a special gift.

3. 

The Monaco Picnic Chair:  

He wracked his brain to think of something practical I could use this summer because I love practical. 

"You'll be at the pool every day with all the kids and it will be hot and you'll be uncomfortable, so I figured I'd get you a nice pool chair.  You can keep it in the back of the van and it's lightweight and folds up very easily."

It was obvious he had put a lot of time and energy thinking of the gift, so I felt like a real jerk for throwing a tantrum.

Motherhood Isn't Indentured Servitutde--We Make It That Way

To All The Moms Struggling With Self-Care:

During a recent trip to the park,  I noticed a book in one of my Catholic mom friend's bags.  I am a self-acclaimed bibliophile, so I asked her what she was reading when another Catholic mother--whom I've never met--leaned over and proclaimed, "Wish I had time to read."

"We make time for the things we like.  Perhaps you don't like to read.  What is it you like to do?" I asked.

She didn't answer.  She'd made her point, maybe unintentionally, but one which communicated she, a martyr in her family's cause, had no time for self-indulgent frivolities like reading or any other enjoyable activity. 

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes but the convesation left me wondering:  when did the warped Puritan work ethic seep into Catholicism?  When did Catholics--and women in particular-- accept the idea that we must slave away in life in order to earn our salvation?  It's like we've bought and played some distorted tape recording that says:

"Have lots of kids, cook, clean, and labor and by God--don't have any fun while you're doing it!  Don't enjoy your life.  The true and good example of an honest to goodness Catholic is one who toils, sweats, and sheds lots of tears."

Puh-lease!

7 Quick Takes Edition: More From The Funny Things They Say File

1.   

Me:  Camille, do you want a girl baby or a boy baby?

Camille:  I want a cute baby.

2.  

Christopher:  Since we have a new baby coming, we're gonna have to get rid of Camille.

    

3. 

Upon hearing I was pregnant again, one of John's coworkers said: 

"Man, you have got to quit negotiating with a naked woman."

Wednesday Wanderings: Celebrate The Normal

It's no mistake I've read multiple articles about the Pope's advice to quit whining.  (Seriously, I know Benedict was a straight shooter but Pope Francis?  He's no softie, either)

I think his words struck me because I've been in a never ending vortex of spewed complaints lately.
 You know the type--

"I don't feel good."

"The house is a mess."

"My kids are wild."

"School needs to be o-ver."

"Where's the toilet?  I have to throw up."

The Buisness Of Wiping Bottoms: Thoughts On The "Dirty" Aspects Of Motherhood

I gave birth to Patrick at 7 pm on a Sunday evening and at 2 am, a nurse entered my room to tell me I needed to use the toilet.  I was basking in the miracle of birthing a child into this world and because I was feeling rather "I am woman, hear me roarish", I refused her request.

"Honey, it's been awhile since you've urinated, you need to get out of bed and try to go on the toilet," she encouraged me.

"No, no I don't, what I really need to do is take a bath," I replied.

She shook her head.

"You can't have a bath unless you use the toilet," she said.

"But I don't have to go to the toilet," I responded, this time more aggressively.

"How 'bout this?  You use the toilet and I'll let you take a bath all by yourself.  Deal?"

I thought about her proposition and realized my desire for a bath trumped my reluctance to obey this pesky nurse.

7 Quick Takes: Why 6 Is The Perfect Number Edition

Six is a great number, a balanced number.  Below are a few (ok 15) items that come in 6's:

1.  eggs in an eggbox

2.  legs on an insect

3.   feet in a fathom

4.  days to create the world in Genesis

5.  feet under when you're buried

6.  sides on a die or cube

7 Quick Takes on Tuesday: The Challenges Of Motherhood Edition

Subtitled:  Because whining is going to help, I just know it.

-1-

Next year, the kids are going to school two days a week.  When we were discerning whether or not to send them, we decided to let them attend a full day of classes to see how they liked it. While the kids were in class, John and I had to meet with the Director of the program, Catherine, for an interview.   One question Catherine asked was whether or not we were concerned about any potential learning difficulties with any of our children.

"Ummmm, I sometimes wonder about Mary Bernadette," I said.   "I've often thought about having her tested for some kind of disability because she has some sensory issues and a little hyperactivity, though both of these things have greatly improved.  Maybe she's just young and a little immature?  I don't know, but I do worry about her."

"What else concerns you about her?"  Catherine asked.

I looked at John, imploring his help.

"Well, I know she's smart, but she learns in a totally different way than Patrick and Meaghan.  Patrick and Meaghan are traditional learners.  You give them a book, they read the information, and they can regurgitate it on a test.

Mary Bernadette is not like that...I don't know how to explain it.  She'd rather be digging for worms in my garden and running around outside than reviewing phonics and mathematics.  It's a challenge to teach her and sometimes I wonder if she's actually learning anything."