a parent's prayer

Today was one of those days, the kind where my children have pushed every button and I have failed in countless ways. This humbling kind of day is good, though - it reminds me of how much I stink at life when I try to do it on my own. This day led me back to this prayer, which I needed and will add to my morning prayers. And that is a good thing.

O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent.

Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.

Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me.

May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.

Let me not tempt my children to lie or steal.

And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all that I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I'm out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.

May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgement of adults.

Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.

Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.

Make me fair and just and kind and fit, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children. Amen.

-from "Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home"

just a day at home

Nana is in town for the week but none of us were feeling super great so we stuck around the house today. We were lucky to have a visit from Aunt Jac and the indomitable Robert Gordon this morning - I have never seen a kid go down the slide like that one does.

"Quiet Resting Time" was a disaster - sisters were screaming, threats were made, tears were shed. You would have thought the world was ending (it sort of felt like it was for a minute there). I find it happens like this so often - when I feel desperate for a rest my children refuse to work within my own will and instead insist upon exerting their own. Which usually does not involve resting. This always presents me with the question - am I humble enough to surrender my own desires and attend to that which God has given me? With His grace - and a thousand whispers of "Lord, have mercy" - sometimes I am.

So we were out of bed and treading that ever-so-thin line between boredom and peace. Working to find our rhythm, we did find peace - in a glance at rain showers, in candles and tea, in building and watching fall, building and watching fall, building and watching fall. We snuggled up to some Veggie Tales silly songs on Nana's computer and to lots of books. We tickled and kissed and cooked. We painted and played and pretended. I prayed, seeking wisdom and patience, offering gratitude and thanks for these precious days at home.

us these days: Part 2

Now for some thoughts on my sweet Aida Elizabeth.

Around here, she is most commonly referred to as Tomata (as in "tomato") Aida. Sometimes we shorten it to Tomay. She is also known as Aida E-yiz-a-beff. And her daddy calls her Adelaida.

This girl is a hoot. She often has wild and crazy hair, but she is a serious one. And I seriously love her. Aida has always been an organizer and her favorite thing to do is set her toys up in little neat rows all over the house.

All. over. the. house.

Each day she grows just a bit braver and a little more independent. She still loves to snuggle (thank goodness!) but not for too long. She appreciates her own space...as long as she knows where everyone else is. You know, just in case.

Aida has the funniest little voice. It cracks me up and she keeps me entertained all day long with her invented songs. She and her sister often team up for some lovely duets.

She loves doing "Superman" on the swings. She is hugely into babies right now. She gets super messy when she eats. And she can throw quite a tantrum. Luckily, she chooses to do so sparingly.

And my little Aida - she has the best smile. Doesn't it just make your day?

(with her Uncle Gary)

us these days: Part 1

I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed on what we're all like these days - especially since the girls change so darn fast. So, beginning with our youngest, I bring you the first installment of a 4-part series: the one and only Sophia Jane.

(Also known around these parts as Sophie, Sodie {when Aida wants to upset her}, Sofa Jofa, or Little J.)

I love this girl. She is hilarious. Today, she told her first joke. It went like this: "Red means go and green means stop."

Sophie is still shy and becomes my extra appendage when we are in public, but at home she runs wild and talks non-stop and has just a little streak of mischief in her.

She likes to be in the kitchen and spends most evenings perched on the counter while I'm making dinner, helping (read: stirring and snitching). I love having a little companion while I cook.

Sophie is a comforter. She hates to see people crying and will try to pat your arm or kiss your cheek if she sees that you are upset. If that doesn't work, she will add her own tears to yours. Which makes for a very noisy house around these parts at times.

(with her Aunt Ginny)

She is a great snuggler. She is a goofball. She has definitely mastered the drama cry over the course of the past month. And she loves, loves, loves those sunglasses.

And I love, love, love her.

in which I explain myself

Well, dear ones, I am here to try again. After abandoning our other blog at the beginning of 2010, I finally decided to jump back on that wagon. But after some thought, I decided to create a whole new wagon. My hope is that this blog will, on a (somewhat) day-to-day basis, chronicle the small joys of our little life as a family.

My inspiration came from 3 places:

1. We had the chance to visit with some dear family friends during our summer trip to California. At the time, he was dying of cancer. As I sat in my parents' house that day and watched him with his wife, I thought about the strength of their love, tried and tested. I thought about their children, boys who would be losing a father much too early. I thought about my own hurts and heartaches, and how sometimes they seem to overshadow everything else. And then I watched as she deliberately chose to sit next to him on the couch, his arm around her, her hand on his knee. I thought about expressing love in little moments like this, about treasuring the good that God has given us - living life with the belief that each day is precious. Since then, he has passed away. May his memory be eternal.

2. Our priest here has given me some advice. He has reminded me (more than once) that the antidote to despair, to jealousy, to selfishness and self-centeredness and greed and pretty much all of the things I find myself battling in some form or another, is gratitude. So I plan to be grateful for the small joys and minor triumphs. I want to record some of them here. Which leads to my final inspiration...

3. I want to create a record - for my family and friends both far and near, for myself and for my children - of the joys of our days and the gifts that God has given us. Simple as that.

Oh, I have been given so much. And I am grateful.

P.S. If you've made it this far...I promise not to be so wordy on a regular basis. Tune in on Monday for something much shorter and sweeter.