a gypsy caravan

update on kim

I have been meaning to update you on Kim's condition.  She is still hospitalized and has a long road ahead. She has a cyst that is enveloping the pancreas which has caused permanent damage to the organ.  I am praying that damage will be miraculously healed.  She has not eaten since entering the hospital ten days ago as the bowel needs total rest when dealing with this type of infection.  She is receiving nurtrients and fluids through IV and will be attempting liquids and soft foods in the upcoming days.  She is still in quite a bit of pain as pancreatic pain is known to be some of the worst. All that being said, Kim is doing much better today than she was a couple of days ago. I know she appreciates your prayers so much. 

Thanks to those of you who have commented and written with your love, support and prayers.  xoxoxo Rebecca

prayers, candles and soup

I can count my close friends on one hand, the people I can rely on, who pray for me and who I can pick up with even after not speaking during a busy time.  All of them live within an hour of me except for my dear friend Kim. Kim lives across the sea.  We have been friends for several years now, meeting online and later in person. We email daily and speak on the phone often.  She knows my ins and outs.  I trust her and love her dearly. 

Kim is very sick right now, in the hospital with a very bad infection of the pancreas.  She has been moved from the ICU to a regular room but is not out of the woods.  And she is still in a lot of pain.  I've been offering prayers for her throughout these days.  I've lit about a dozen candles in my home so everywhere I am reminded to pray. 

I feel sort of helpless because I can't do anything more tangible due to our distance apart.  My motherly instincts tell me to make soup and bread and deliver it to the family, to help keep her littles happy and content, to help with her housework and cooking. The day I heard Kim was in the hospital, I made a pot of soup though I knew I could not deliver it. Today I am making another.  Silly I know. But as I chop, season and stir I am thinking of, her, praying for her and wishing she were here.

Will you say a prayer for my friend? I would so appreciate it.  And I know she would as well. 

a day of blessings

We recently had the pleasure of visiting some good friends that we hadn't seen in quite some time.  They have a lovely farm full of awardwinning critters and a houseful of delightful children--eight to be exact.  The kids spent the day playing together and eating delicious homemade pizza and cookies.  The older folks knitted, nursed babies and drank some very tasty hot tea (oh,  and ate the aforementioned delicious pizza and cookies :)  It was a wonderful afternoon! On the way home, Annie asked if she her "yiddle fwend Bridgie" could come for a visit soon.  So please come and visit us soon Bridgie, and bring your whole family. :)

thank you...

...to those of you who sent up prayers for our friend Packy over the last few months.  Packy passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon.  We will miss him very much.

Safe home, dear friend.

a giant slumber party

When Kim's family pulled in the drive and all of those smiling faces slid out of the van, I knew within minutes that our visit would be a happy, downright comfortable one.  Kim and I have been friends and kept in touch, via email and phone, for a few years now and we recently had our first opportunity to meet in person.  She coined our visit perfectly when she said it was like a giant slumber party.  We spent several days (and late nights!) talking, sitting together and drinking endless cups of tea and coffee.  Kim is as real as they get and I am blessed to call her my friend.  Here are some photos from our visit...

Annie and Kim's Tess

 

Mary

 

Snacktime on the beach

 

Kim's Moira

 

Ben and Tess taken by Moira

 

Kim and that kissable little Abbie :)

Come back soon!  We miss you!

On Friendship

Lately, I have been giving much thought to what a healthy friendship entails.  I am not a very needy person so the back and forth conversations of friendship do not always come naturally to me.  I am an only child, raised by older parents.  I am comfortable in my own skin and crave time alone on a daily basis.  You would think that a person with those personality traits would not have a friend in sight.  

However, I have been thinking lately about how blessed I am to have a few good friends with whom to share my life.  Some have been my friends for twenty five years, some for only a few.  The number of years do not matter as years do not determine the depth of love. These few women come from all walks of life and most do not know one another.  They have patiently set aside my many faults and forgiven me for my absentmindedness, my failure to remember birthdays, my often blunt and misguided speech.   They bear with my lifelong quest for a good hairstyle or the perfect perennial garden.  They bounce babies while I paint my kitchen yet another color and have heard the story of my father in a waterspout on Lake Erie more times that they care to remember.  They ignore me when I use incorrect English when I am excited.  They comfort me when I am sad and pray for me regularly. 

Once I have cultivated a friendship, I have an inability to be a lukewarm friend.  I love fiercely.  I do not spend time on friendships that I hope will end some day.  Instead, I pour my entire heart into a person and am loyal to a fault.   However, over the years, sadly, some of my friendships have faded away.  I continue to love those who have drifted down another stream though I will stay my course.   If a friendship fades away I continue to pray for that person each day and wish them nothing but the best in life.   I have felt the sadness and sting of friendship that has faded.  However,  I am reminded of the words of St. Jerome-- "The friendship that can cease has never been real."    

I am a frank woman and seek that in the people I befriend.  I trust people until they prove themselves untrustworthy, and even then I linger in hopes that I have misread them.  I hope that my friends will do the same for me.   As a teenager, I was an attention seeker, always creating drama where none existed, to draw attention to myself so that my needs would be met.  When I was younger, I thought that being in a friendship meant having people cater to me and pamper me.  It was an immature view of friendship, I know.  I also used to think that a friend would never disagree with me, would never put me in my place, even if I was wrong.  Today, I am grateful for those friends who gently remind me that I am often wrong, who push me towards my Heavenly Father, even if it is painful to me.  

"In giving advice, seek to help, not please, your friend." 

Solon 638-559 BC

My friends give me the benefit of the doubt when potential conflict looms on the horizon.  They assume the best in me and are very forgiving.  They laugh when I take myself too seriously and teach me to do the same.  They tell me when I am out of line and for that I am grateful.  I am not above reproach and feel more grateful for someone who can correct me in love than for someone who tries never to upset the apple cart. 

At this, the end of the year 2008, I am ever so thankful for the women with which God has blessed me and for whom He has used to help me grow.  If you are one of those women, I love you and I thank you for caring about me. 

 

Love,

Rebecca

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Yesterday, our family had a celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe.  We have had a party for her almost every every year since Ben was a toddler.  Usually we have enchiladas, spanish rice and punch, sometimes carry out tacos if time is short or there is a new baby.  Often we play pin the tail on the donkey, do the mexican hat dance.  One year we had a pinata.  This year, we used the lovely ideas by Alice Gunther who so generously shares her creative Liturgical Teas at her blog Cottage Blessings.  Last winter some ladies from our homeschooling group got together and used Alice's plans in a group setting.  I vowed this year I would do them at home with my entire family.   My mother came over and helped prepare the food.  I wish I had photos of the food to share with you but I was so caught up in the festivities that I did not take any.  Every thing on the menu was delicious, lovely and meaningful.  

I placed a small potted rose plant next to Our Lady's picture on the table alongside our perpetual candle lit in her honor.  The children behaved well and were attentive, the food was done on time and everyone had a wonderful evening.  That doesn't all happen very often, where everything just seems to fall into place.  In fact, earlier in the day everyone was upset and grumpy.  It did not seem that our party was going to get off the ground.  Children were irritable and our family was sad.  Our dear friend has had some setbacks in his health, on the eve of the day we had hoped for a miracle.  He had to postpone his trip to Mexico City.  So we continue to pray on his behalf and are grateful to those of you who are praying along with us.

When the table was spread and the story of Our Lady was being read, everyone forgot their grumpiness and became quite grateful. Grateful for a home in which to live, for a plot of land on which to romp, for a family who loves them, for the friendship of those who truly care about our family.  All of these things we recognize as having come from God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of our family.  

Prayers for Packy

There is a beautiful man named Packy who has spent his years on earth living out the Corporal Works of Mercy.  He feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, gives shelter to the homeless and in addition, is a strong advocate for the unborn.  This man puts compassion into action, living out his faith by helping others on a daily basis.  He is a father, a grandfather and a friend to many. 

Many years ago, Packy obtained a life changing favor after imploring Our Lady of Guadalupe's intercession.  He has since made pilgrimages each year to Mexico City in gratitude, bearing with him a box of prayer requests from neighbors and friends in need.  This is how our family met Packy.  We had recently finished a novena to Mother Mary that ended prior to Our Lady's feast.   A friend of ours was taking her prayer requests to his house prior to his pilgrimage to Mexico.  She was to include a request for our family (as we were going through a very difficult time back then) but she forgot to include it in her envelope.   As she was leaving, she remembered our request.  She began to write it on the outside of the envelope when Packy asked her what she was writing.  She explained our situation and Packy, not knowing us from Adam, told her he was going to help us as best he could.  That is the kind of man he is.

In the time since that day, Packy has become a father figure to me, offering prayers and help for our difficult circumstance.  He, together with his sweet wife,  gave us new hope and has shown our family much love and generosity. 

A few weeks ago, Packy was diagnosed with a terminal heart disease with a very short life expectancy.   He is praying for a miracle to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who has interceded on his behalf many times.  Although he is in a very weakened state, he and his wife are planning to go on their annual pilgrimage to Mexico City for Our Lady's feast to beg a miracle that he might recover from this disease.  Our family is begging a miracle as well to Our Lady of Guadalupe on his behalf.  Won't you consider praying or fasting for this good man for the next nine days?  If we start today, we will end on the eve of Our Lady's feast.  If you are willing and able, the following novena can be recited each day. I will post it each day as a reminder to those who can pray it. For those who cannot pray the novena, any prayers uttered, even a single Ave are so appreciated.  Our family is grateful for each and every one you would offer up for our dear friend.

Much love,

Rebecca

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Day One

Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to THY message in Mexico I venerate THEE as the Virgin Mother of the true God for whom we live, the Creator of all the world, Maker of heaven and earth. In spirit I kneel before thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:

[Mention your request]

Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout client: "I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings." I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.

Recite "Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us" and Hail Mary three times.

If you are online this Sunday morning...

...and can offer up some prayers for my dear friend Kim, it seems today might just be the day that the newest Starry Sky baby is born!  Please pray for a happy, peaceful delivery and birth for Kim and her little one.   I will post any updates I receive from Kim. 

************************************************

Prayer to the Infant of Prague

O Jesus, Who hast said,
ask and you shall receive,
seek and you shall find,
knock and it shall be opened to you,
through the intercession of Mary,
Thy Most Holy Mother,
I knock, I seek,
I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who hast said,
all that you ask of the Father in My Name,
He will grant you.
Through the intercession of Mary,
Thy most Holy Mother,
I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father
in Thy Name that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who hast said,
"Heaven and earth shall pass away
but My word shall not pass",
through the intercession of Mary,
Thy Most Holy Mother,
I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

*******************************************************

Annie and Bridget

Annie is just so happy that Bridgie has come to play today!  Bridget's mom, Ann Marie,  is ready to deliver her seventh baby.  She is a week overdue today.  Won't you say a prayer for her?   :)

UPDATE: Ann Marie gave birth to her newest little fellow, Joseph Anthony on March 15th.  Thank you for your prayers!!

Kissing Their Hands

Have you read this beautiful idea from Kristen at Small Treasures?   She recommends a small act of love and humility to overcome impatience with our children. Thank you, Kristen.

Snow Adventures, subtitled “I am Insane”

Well, after days and days of asking, nagging, prodding, heavy hinting and everything else short of lying on the floor and kicking their feet, the kids convinced me that it was a GREAT idea to go sledding.  I knew better and was quite toasty in the warm house, thankyouverymuch.  But deep down inside, I really wanted to be Fun and Hip Mommy.  (I think, however, the very fact that I am using the word "hip" means that I am not.)  So, I finally threw up my hands in desperation and yelled, "Alright, alright!  One hour of sledding!  Get your stuff!"   

The older kids threw the sleds and snowboards in the van and got their sisters bundled in multiple layers of mismatched woolens.  We took a ride to the hill where the boys tried their hand at snowboarding, as did their mother, in a fit of complete insanity.   I should have read the signs but alas, I did not.

After an embarrassing attempt to recreate my slalom water skiing days on snow, I proceeded to pick the ice from my teeth and slow the pace a bit.  Rather than risk my neck on the slopes, I would pull the baby around in the little sled.  Here are some photos of Her Royal Cuteness.

And here is Mary who, at first, would not even sit on the sled but later was screaming happily and coasting downhill with her hair flying in the wind.

Christopher made a nice attempt at the snowboard as well.  It is new to him this season.   I have to admit that he looked more at home on it than I did.

There are no photos of Benjamin who is sorely disappointed over that fact.   I think it is alright that I do not have a photo of him from that day because I have about 500 more of him than I have of all the other children since him.

Here are Mary and I taken by Ben   

   

A few days later, we hit the slopes again with our friends the McDonnells and the Cunninghams. My friend Marie (who is very Fun and Hip) slid the slopes with the best of them.  I could not be outdone so I took my chances on the little saucer sled that you see in the photo of Mary above.

I positioned myself at the top of the very tall hill, made sure the coast was clear and got myself psyched up for the steep slide to the bottom.  While I psyched myself, Benjamin snuck up from behind and proceeded to shove me down the hill.  I spun like a top the entire length of the hill, hitting all the bumps on the way down.  I landed in a snowy heap at the base of the hill while my children cheered for their "very Fun and Hip" lunatic mother.

I guess sledding after the age of 35 ranks right up there with trying to do a cartwheel or a somersault.  It certainly looks a lot easier than it is.  Trust me, I know.

A Pink and Perfect Party

I can not resist showing you what fun Mary had at her friend Amy's ballerina birthday party a while back. Amy turned four years old and she held a wonderfully fun birthday party at a dance studio where the young guests were given a 45 minute dance lesson, complete with little tutus and yummy pink cupcakes. 

Mary had such fun that she now wants to take ballet lessons.  I think that might be a fun thing to start this summer when her brothers are living and breathing baseball.  Sometimes she gets swept under the rug when the warm months come along, being dragged to game after game every day.   (Did I mention that Mary cut her bangs and we are growing them out? :)

The girls danced with hoops, walked the balance beam and generally danced about like little princesses.  Any time that I set Annie down on the floor, she crawled quickly over to the older girls, wanting to be part of the festivities.

Amy's mom, my good friend Shelly, was kind enough to give Bella a tutu of her own and a hoop to play with.

They had such a fun time!  Many thanks to the Amy and family for the lovely day!

Here I Sit, Sipping and Stalling

I am having a delicious cup of tea, sent to me by a dear friend (you know who you are!) as a Christmas gift.  I am, normally, a teabag kind of girl but this tea came in the loose form, which strikes me as much more elegant, old fashioned and romantic.  It is also so fun for me to finally get a glimpse of the elusive tea leaf itself.  I have never really paid much attention to what was inside those little bags but now the entire tea making process has come to life and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I am not certain how much to use for each cup or pot.  A teaspoon?  A tablespoon?  Several?  I have experimented here and there and every cup turns out delightfully different and equally delicious in its own way.  Anyone with suggestions on how much loose tea to brew can help me out in the comment section.   

Tonight, I went to Target and bought myself a new tea kettle as well as one of those modern glass tea "pots" with the glass infuser inside.  It really looks more like a little glass pitcher.  I needed a new kettle to heat the water and I have grown tired of my father's hand-me-down Corningware 1970's tea kettle which is far too old to google and far too ugly to link even if I were able to locate a photo. I bought this one with a Christmas gift card that a thoughtful relative gave to me.

Anyhow, I am supposed to be taking down my Christmas tree this evening.  I have about three quarters of the ornaments off but all of lights are still twinkling.  The needles are poking me and falling all over the floor as I take down the ornaments.  Tomorrow is trash day so I am up against that deadline.  I know, I know, it is not Epiphany yet.  I really should leave the tree up until then.  But this year, I am taking it down early because I would like to start back to lessons on Monday and I still have my closets to finish.  Yes, you read that right, closet"s". The singular closet has turned into plural. 

Have you ever started a project only to find that it is contingent upon another project and another and yet another?  That is where I am at right now-- in the middle of the gnarled up ball of yarn that is my household closet system.  We are purging and we are organizing and we are installing lower bars for the kiddos.  We are adding bins and shelves and making a grand old mess all in the name of organization. We are stepping over wooden blocks and books and Lincoln Logs that are all in the hallway now that the clothes are in the closets.  Somewhere, down the road a few days, it will all fall into place but right now it feels like the "storm before the calm".  Everything must get messy in order to get tidy.  Maybe you know that feeling. 

But rather than clean up my closets and take down my balding tree, I am thinking of how blessed I am to have real, honest to goodness friends.  I am sitting.  And sipping.  And savoring.  And stalling...and smiling.