Who Will Help Me?

"I will!," said Anna...

Shortly after we got Penny, our dairy cow, Travis and I went on a 'date,' leaving Ben and John Paul to milk her. Well, the milking did not go well. Ben is a bit skittish of large animals, and I guess Penny could sense that. When Ben went over to milk her, she freaked out (for lack of a better expression) and began pushing Ben up against the stall. She ended up breaking out of the headlock and did not get milked until Travis and I got home that night. No one was hurt, including the cow, but Ben was left with a less than healthy fear of Penny.
We have stopped milking Penny until her calf is born in early April, but she still has to be fed twice a day. Usually Ben does the morning feeding/watering, and John Paul or Will does the night feeding. Today times got reversed, and Ben was stuck with the night feeding.
He said, "Mom I'm not going into the barn alone,at night, with the cow and those roosters in the rafter." I told him I was too busy cleaning the kitchen, but if he wanted to help me we could go feed her together later. He opted out. He asked Travis, but he was busy doing something or other, and so on, until he was left to go down alone (or so I thought).
"Anna, will you come help me milk the cow?" I heard Ben ask our two year old. "Yeah!! I'll help you!," she responded with great enthusiasm. I didn't think Ben was serious, but he bundled Anna up, put her shoes on, and down they went in the black of night to brave the cow together.
Anna returned, bursting with excitement, telling everyone how she "fed the cow," and "saw rooster...up there!" How happy it made me to have her really "help" her big brother. How delighted I am to see Ben turn to his youngest sister for companionship. I am Grateful for the opportunity to forge the bonds of friendship between siblings.

Blessings

This has been a week of homecomings! Oliver came home from the hospital last night with instructions to return if he gets sick during the weekend. We still don't know what is going on with his kidneys, but are hopeful for a complete recovery. Admittedly, the last few days have had worried moments. Despite the concern and uncertainty we have experienced many blessings!
Yesterday a dear friend came to our house with our parish priest, bearing Lentil soup and homemade Macaroni and cheese.The day was blustery and cold,making the twenty-five miles out here seem like a pilgrimage, I am sure! Father Burt held a beautiful Communion service right at our dining room table. He lit a candle and placed the crucifix on the table with a small cloth. He then said some prayers and distributed holy Communion to all of us. It was just what I needed to bring peace and assurance to my aching heart.
Today Oliver woke up and requested waffles. For lunch I made him a German Pancake, and for dinner we had homemade chicken pie. He ate heartily, and it felt so satisfying to see him eat. He played poker with Ben and John Paul, and I've never heard him laugh so long and hard-just so happy to be home and with his family.
The outpouring of prayers and blessings has been so amazing! Even Will's friend from school called to check on Oliver. Rosaries, Masses, and well-wishes are abounding for this little boy! Thank you, everyone. You are wonderful!

No matter what the weather is like outside, the sun is always shining in my kitchen! Today I was doing a little much-needed dusting and was delighted all over again by one of my most cherished possessions. When I graduated from high school over twenty years ago, my sister, Maureen made this smiling sunshine to bring with me to college. This sun has been with me in every dwelling I have lived in since I was a teenager! As I get older, I realize how precious it was that my sister took the time to make such a special gift for me.

Here is another item I dusted today: a painting Will did for us when he was about twelve, and his grandfather lovingly framed.(Sorry I didn't get the frame in the picture!)

The children had a great time playing "Don't Wake Daddy," a thrift store find for Sam's birthday:

On another note.....

I was feeling at times today like the expression on Mary Margaret's face- pensive, a little worried. Oliver had to be admitted to the hospital for severe dehydration and possible kidney complications. Thank you so much in advance for your continued prayers!! Travis is with him in the hospital and we are hopeful for an easy diagnosis and recovery. What a crazy welcome home for Travis. I am just so thankful he is here.
I remember reading once that Jewish people mix bitter and sweet foods during certain celebrations to signify the bitter-sweet aspect of life. How wise. We can't wait for life to "settle down" to find joy. It has to happen in the midst of struggles. Thank you, dear reader, for giving me a chance to share these feelings with you. it is such a blessing.

And here is something from Jose Marie Escriva:
It is always the same: it all depends on your point of view. 'Laeteur cor quaerentium Dominum!'- when you seek the Lord, your heart always overflows with happiness...all the things that are now worrying you can be put into a smile which shows your love of God.
Here is Oliver and his beautiful smile:

Daddy Is Home!!!

Daddy is home!!! He had a welcoming committee to rival that of any movie star!!! I think this picture captures the feel of the moment. So excited to be home, yet bracing himself...



Anna missed snuggles with Daddy!

And back to the favorite reading chair, where Daddy reads and reads to the children:

What a happy homecoming! Will and John Paul went to pick Travis up in Charlottesville for me, so I could stay home with the other children. Poor Oliver is Very sick with a bug that has been making the rounds. He perked up this afternoon when we made some "real" fresh-squeezed lemonade, but this evening he is droopy again. Please pray for him! He has been sick since Sunday.
On a final note, Emily was a tremendous help to me by watching the little ones so Ben and I could clean up for the big homecoming. Click on the link to see some of the fun she had with the girls : The Merry Hoppers.

How Children Learn~Part 3~Making Connections

Last year I wrote a post on a neat connection we made while driving into town. I also wrote about a day when Mary Margaret was busy making connections. Ever since then I have been mindful of how much we learn by making connections.Learning does not happen in isolation; meaning, everything we learn is connected to something else we have learned. It is fun to see all the ways we connect topics on a day to day basis. Here are a few of our 'recent connections' :




Sam and I were discussing the large icicles hanging from the windows. I mentioned to him how they are like stalactites and stalagmites in a cave. This launched us into an on-line search for pictures of caves.



Oliver made this really cool snowflake, making the connection between the shapes of trees and a snowflake pattern. This was his own idea!!!


And most exciting...today- after Sam mastering the art of pancake making, we found out through a friend that this week is "National Pancake Week," and IHOP was celebrating National Pancake Day with free pancakes. We then looked up the origins of Pancake week, and found out that it is a "Fat Tuesday" tradition (I guess it got displaced on our calendar!)
A while back I read a neat book on connection making. Outside Lies Magic, by John Stilgoe, opens the reader's eyes to the possibilities of connection making in the world around us. Just the introduction to the book was motivating and captivating. I encourage you to check it out of your local library, if possible.
Well, I have a sick child who needs me now, so I will leave you to your connection making! Enjoy the ride!