The toddler has taken a recent interest in full names.
During the latest recital of the first-middle-last name litany, i became Mommy Lynn Schmiesing.
My instincts drove me to correct this innocent mistake so as to ensure that he'd make it back to me should he ever get lost in WalMart. But then wonderment at childrens' childlike understanding of what a person is took over and kept me from speaking up.
Mommy Lynn Schmiesing - that is what i am to him. That's who i am to him.
And that is my name.
I am honored, and i am blessed.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
how to stay holy while doing Christmas shopping
First of all, never EVER shop on Black Friday, unless you generally enjoy shopping and can go without the kids. If you are me, always obey this rule.
Secondly, never leave the comfort of your home. Shop only on the internet, while the husband is at work and kids are napping or eating and you're drinking a fresh cup of coffee or indulging in the gourmet chocolate your husband gave you for your birthday. (Yes, he is the greatest.) Order all presents from the sea of online retailers, who (surprise surprise) often grant the same mark-downs to online shoppers as they do to walk-in cutomers.
While you're at it, make someone who is already getting paid to deliver things in the icy cold weather bring you the items you paid them for. You might spend a few extra dollars on shipping and handling - but you can justify this if you live in the country, since every trip into town costs you circa $3, not counting the emotional cost car rides have on babies who hate carseats.
That's how I've done all of my Christmas shopping this year.
Doing so has kept me from turning shopping into an occassion of sin - which often happens, and for a variety of reasons which i'll discuss much much later, of course.
And since the gifts i'm buying are given in order to honor the birth of Christ, it's immensely important that i stay holy while doing all the Christmas prep work.
Secondly, never leave the comfort of your home. Shop only on the internet, while the husband is at work and kids are napping or eating and you're drinking a fresh cup of coffee or indulging in the gourmet chocolate your husband gave you for your birthday. (Yes, he is the greatest.) Order all presents from the sea of online retailers, who (surprise surprise) often grant the same mark-downs to online shoppers as they do to walk-in cutomers.
While you're at it, make someone who is already getting paid to deliver things in the icy cold weather bring you the items you paid them for. You might spend a few extra dollars on shipping and handling - but you can justify this if you live in the country, since every trip into town costs you circa $3, not counting the emotional cost car rides have on babies who hate carseats.
That's how I've done all of my Christmas shopping this year.
Doing so has kept me from turning shopping into an occassion of sin - which often happens, and for a variety of reasons which i'll discuss much much later, of course.
And since the gifts i'm buying are given in order to honor the birth of Christ, it's immensely important that i stay holy while doing all the Christmas prep work.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
apologies
to those faithful bloggers who visit this poor little page day in and day out, hoping to find something new and interesting to read.
It's been one crrrrazy week.
I have some great ones coming:
about 7 month old opposum babies who cheat death (no, not the animal),
our latest mouse adventures and how brave my kitchen broom makes me feel,
posts on my husband's stealthy sweetness,
my reaction to some of Grimm's fairy tales,
initiation into the club of parents-of-kids-who-get-hurt-at-holiday-gatherings,
the infamous "Black Friday" and how i managed to escape its allure,
our Eve of Christ the King weenie roast,
and the list goes on.
Oh, and a happy belated Thanksgiving!
It's been one crrrrazy week.
I have some great ones coming:
about 7 month old opposum babies who cheat death (no, not the animal),
our latest mouse adventures and how brave my kitchen broom makes me feel,
posts on my husband's stealthy sweetness,
my reaction to some of Grimm's fairy tales,
initiation into the club of parents-of-kids-who-get-hurt-at-holiday-gatherings,
the infamous "Black Friday" and how i managed to escape its allure,
our Eve of Christ the King weenie roast,
and the list goes on.
Oh, and a happy belated Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
If my life were rated
it would be labeled with a big and fat
PG
FOR MILD RUDE HUMOR
AND SOME PERIL
Hard for me to avoid when i have a mature husband, a crazy, not-yet-in-full-command-of-his-ability-to-discern-between-safety-and-danger toddler, and an infant who is determined to choke on at least 4 dangerous objects per day living under one roof.
PG
FOR MILD RUDE HUMOR
AND SOME PERIL
Hard for me to avoid when i have a mature husband, a crazy, not-yet-in-full-command-of-his-ability-to-discern-between-safety-and-danger toddler, and an infant who is determined to choke on at least 4 dangerous objects per day living under one roof.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
For my friend, Heidi
and for anyone else who might be interested in the most delicious recipe of the century.
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies (from Faith and Family Magazine)
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
2 medium ripe bananas
12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
mix ingredients, and spread in a greased 13x9inch baking pan. Bake 350 fir 25-30minutes or until golden brown and top is firm to the touch. Cool and cut into bars. Devour by yourself (unless you're not pregnant, in which case you should probably share one or maybe two if you're a really big sinner and need to fit in some extra works of charity and self denial).
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies (from Faith and Family Magazine)
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
2 medium ripe bananas
12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
mix ingredients, and spread in a greased 13x9inch baking pan. Bake 350 fir 25-30minutes or until golden brown and top is firm to the touch. Cool and cut into bars. Devour by yourself (unless you're not pregnant, in which case you should probably share one or maybe two if you're a really big sinner and need to fit in some extra works of charity and self denial).
Monday, November 12, 2007
Argument for Divine Providence of Religion
I'm by no means being original when i say this, as i know St. Thomas Aquinas has already tackled the topic quite successfully, but here goes anyway:
In a world where EVERYTHING has order and system,
the structure of atoms,
the way a child forms in the womb and is birthed,
the way our hair grows,
the ocean tide,
the petrification of a tree,
the organization of the solar system,
the passage of time,
mathematics, language, and music - all disciplines learned systematically,
why are we so arrogant to say that the Creator of humanity fails, neglects, or cares not to give us one ordered and systematic way to relate to Him and know Him, to love Him and serve Him?
In a world of intellectual pride, where each man pretends to understand human nature more than God Himself does, of course we see religious apathy, multiplicity, or void.
In a world where EVERYTHING has order and system,
the structure of atoms,
the way a child forms in the womb and is birthed,
the way our hair grows,
the ocean tide,
the petrification of a tree,
the organization of the solar system,
the passage of time,
mathematics, language, and music - all disciplines learned systematically,
why are we so arrogant to say that the Creator of humanity fails, neglects, or cares not to give us one ordered and systematic way to relate to Him and know Him, to love Him and serve Him?
In a world of intellectual pride, where each man pretends to understand human nature more than God Himself does, of course we see religious apathy, multiplicity, or void.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
What we've been reading
A simple list meant to pique the interest of those looking for a good read for themselves or the kiddos:
Children's Books:
The Christopher Robin Story Book (a collection of stories from When We Were Very YOung, Now We Are Six, Winnie-The-Pooh, and The House at Pooh Corner) by A.A. Milne
(Our copy is a hardback 1929 edition that has illustrations. Reading these stories and poems aloud has helped me appreciate a whole new dimension of Pooh. He's actually much deeper than his honey pot!)
A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
(No doubt a common title in houses with little ones.)
Wonderous Rhymes and Prayer Times: The Land of Milk & Honey
(Nursery school meets the Medieval Period)
Mater Anserina: Poems in Latin for Children by Milena Minkova and Terence Tunberg
(This one comes with a cd so the little ones can hear Twinkle Twinkle LIttle Star sung in latin. Excellent! Thanks, Aunt Chrissy, for sending this one to us!)
Saints and Angels by Claire Llewellyn
(Superb full page pictures of the saints, along with feast day and patron info)
For the Adults:
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
(Historical fiction about the evangelization of the Southwest by French priests. A work of art - absolutely life changing.)
Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
(I just started this one on my husband's recommendation, and it's proving to be quite excellent! To be expected from G.K.)
Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
(1161 pages, i didnt want to skip a single sentence. This novel aided my own sanctification in its masterful examination of sin and redemption. Set in the 14th century, it's also an amazing expositon of history and Christendom. I'm holding out for The Master of Hestviken.... if i can get my hands on a copy that costs less than $30. And yes, i MUST own it. It's just that great.)
Children's Books:
The Christopher Robin Story Book (a collection of stories from When We Were Very YOung, Now We Are Six, Winnie-The-Pooh, and The House at Pooh Corner) by A.A. Milne
(Our copy is a hardback 1929 edition that has illustrations. Reading these stories and poems aloud has helped me appreciate a whole new dimension of Pooh. He's actually much deeper than his honey pot!)
A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
(No doubt a common title in houses with little ones.)
Wonderous Rhymes and Prayer Times: The Land of Milk & Honey
(Nursery school meets the Medieval Period)
Mater Anserina: Poems in Latin for Children by Milena Minkova and Terence Tunberg
(This one comes with a cd so the little ones can hear Twinkle Twinkle LIttle Star sung in latin. Excellent! Thanks, Aunt Chrissy, for sending this one to us!)
Saints and Angels by Claire Llewellyn
(Superb full page pictures of the saints, along with feast day and patron info)
For the Adults:
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
(Historical fiction about the evangelization of the Southwest by French priests. A work of art - absolutely life changing.)
Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
(I just started this one on my husband's recommendation, and it's proving to be quite excellent! To be expected from G.K.)
Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
(1161 pages, i didnt want to skip a single sentence. This novel aided my own sanctification in its masterful examination of sin and redemption. Set in the 14th century, it's also an amazing expositon of history and Christendom. I'm holding out for The Master of Hestviken.... if i can get my hands on a copy that costs less than $30. And yes, i MUST own it. It's just that great.)
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