Image of a modern childhood

Joseph recognized the earbud hanging out of my coat pocket while I stood at the kitchen counter eating a pre-run snack and reading the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum calendar absorbedly.  He immediately put it in his ear and tapped on my leg until I looked down to see him indicate that he wanted me to turn it on.  When next I looked, he and Thomas were eye to eye, enjoying the music together. 

Maria's Birthday

Maria does not eat birthday cake.  It just doesn't appeal to her.  Even at her first birthday, there are pictures of her crying because we had given her cake.  God bless her.  I am relieved of any pastry chef cake-master stress and we all get to enjoy some other scrumptious dessert.  This year she chose California style cheese cake.

For her birthday she got a Rip-stick which, as she recently told me with pride, she can ride around the the basement 104 times.  Her doll received a few pretty outfits and we gave her some books, including Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. 

Grrrr, blogging

Yes, I know that the layout in the Christmas post is all messed up.  And I know that it is nearly a month late.  And I know that a child has had a birthday since then.  And there is no banner photo.

These frustrations are not what led me to change the background to black however.  I like the contrast against the photos.

And I'm not going to fix anything right now.  I'm going running.  However, later when my little people are snoozing quietly and my husband is writing a history paper, I plan to sneak upstairs to the computer with the keyboard that works and all the pictures on the harddrive and I hope to staighten everything out.

Christmas

Christmas eve morning shone bright and clear as we drove into downtown Leavenworth for Mass. It was our first visit to St. Joseph's, the first Carmelite parish in America and a distractingly beautiful church. The ceiling is painted a rich blue with silver stars so you feel wrapped in Our Lady's mantle the whole time you are there. Fr. Chris had a funny homily reflecting on Charlie Brown Christmas and the Nativity, and the kids all retold it many times.

In the afternoon, an icy snow was beginning to fall during our drive to the Nativity play at the post chapel. The kids all enjoyed their roles as shepherds, angels and a wise man (Thomas) and boomed out the carols with the rest of the congregation.

On Christmas morning I understood for the first time the excellent description "blanket of snow."  When I peered out into the front yard, I could not tell the difference between yards and roads and sidewalks, and even some cars were up covered to the tops of their tires.  In inches it was only a modest 6, but the Kansas wind made deep drifts in many places. 

With the help of a neighbor with a truck and snow-blade, Bill dug us out it time to make it to Mass.  There were about 30 brave souls, most of whom--like us--had people scheduled to help in some ministry that morning.  It was a quiet, anti-climactic experience compared to other years, but I reflected that the first Christmas was probably pretty similar until the angel choirs arrived. :)

The kids had opened their presents before Mass, so when we got home and back into pjs there was Ripstiking and scootering and generally merriment around the basement and board games once people were worn out.   We had some friends over for dessert and cheer in the evening before we all fell gratefully into bed.

Quote of the Day:  Everybody stop micromanging him!  --Anthony, frustrated with all the help Joseph was getting opening his gifts.

Rest in Peace Grandfather Abbot

If you know my brother Chrysostom or of him, please take a moment to pray for his community and the respose of the soul of abbot emeritus Fr. Parker who died on Jan 3.  When I first came to know the Norbertines, St. Michael's was only a priory and Fr. Abbot Parker was the abbot.  I remember him as a strong and quiet man in person and as an orator with a strong voice and a firm purpose at Mass.  When he retired, we sometimes jokingly referred to him as "Grandfather Abbot" which I just loved because of the affection that inspired it.  Here is a link to the story about his passing and there is a more complete one on  EWTN.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord...