I bloomed it!

So, am I the only one who has never bloomed an amaryllis before?

I tried once about a decade ago, but I had to leave my home for Christmas travels before it bloomed, and it died before I returned.  I always regretted not seeing my amaryllis bloom.  I never really saw an amaryllis that I knew of.  And I'm a very curious person.  And I get kind of attached to my plants.  

"Phyllis" is just so cheerful on the kitchen table! (Yes, I do name my plants. Don't you?)

photo credit: Arwen

 This little lady just came from a kit at Target. I opened the box, added water to the block of dirt, and planted the bulb.  I think it took about three weeks for her to bloom.

photo credit: Arwen

So pretty! And it's not even Spring yet!

Just for My Sis

Ok, B--I'm giving this a whirl, but it'll probably be a lame attempt!  Still, I love you, and you inspire me, so I'll see if I can make it good!:)  (And then you can pin me! ha ha)

HOW I "DO IT" (i.e. How To Be a Mother To 8 Children and Be Happy Too)

Well, the first presupposition, that a woman wouldn't naturally be happy with a large quantity of children in tow, just needs to go.  Children are the joy.  So let's just get that clear right from the start: your children are your great blessing.  True riches. And unlike just about everything else in this world, they get to go with you into eternity.

If you're with me so far, that's tip #1: If you're going to have a bunch of kids, you'd better realize the glory of the human race.  Then you'll realize the dignity of your calling--yes, you!, with the spit up on your shoe and the baby diaper leaking on your white shirt (what? That one didn't happen to you? Lucky you.)  We're raising immortal souls here ladies.  Quite honestly, I don't care when you last showered! (But do, (shower) because you'll feel so much better!)

2)  Your husband is your best friend.  If he isn't, work and pray really hard until you can make that a true statement.  He'll keep you sane and make your kids listen to you.  What else do you need?

3) Make your home your sanctuary.  It's not a prison or a cage (as feminists have worked so hard to have us think).  You like to "get out" or you "go crazy"? That doesn't mean that your home isn't your happy place.  Go ahead--hit the pavement, find a friend at the park or grab coffee…but your home needs to be beautiful and comfortable and full of food and clothing for your children, husband and self.  (Food, clothing and shelter. Yep, we're talking real basics here).  We all need a place to be provided for, nourished, and loved.  It all happens here.  With 8 kids in tow, do you really want to make it happen somewhere else? (Think: "table for ten", how many hotel rooms?).

3a) about that beauty: "Clean" is actually your first step towards beauty.  I know because I've bought some lovely items in my day, and if they are scribbled on in Sharpie, well, it takes the edge off.  So do the dishes and your kitchen, no matter how un-updated, will be a pleasant place to put on a pot of tea.  Pick up the piles of toys and books and find shelves or baskets for them.  A clear surface is really good for your chi. I heard that once. I'm not really sure what chi is. I think it's something I'm morally opposed to, but I must say, a clear surface really reduces my stress levels!

3b) about the food: simple, basic, and plentiful.  Wanna know what I buy? Milk, eggs, butter. (Half and half and coffee because I'm an addict). Bread. PBJ. Oatmeal. Pancake mix.  Deli turkey if I send my husband because I have no patience at our SLOW deli.  Chicken. Ground beef or turkey.  Pasta. Rice. Bananas. Apples/grapes/oranges--whatever's in season.  And then I try to throw in as many veggies as I can on top of all of that.  So, broccoli and stuff for salad (spinach or romain), baby carrots…stuff my kids will eat.   And we do a bunch of kefir and yogurt.

That, my friends, is what you call food. What do I make with it? I don't know. Whatever inspires. With BBQ sauce or Ketchup you can make the above into meatballs or meatloaf (add breadcrumbs to the list).  Any random pasta/chicken/veggie dinner (maybe add pasta sauce to your list).  Chicken salad (add mayo to list), which reminds me to throw tuna onto your list and you've got friday covered.  Maybe some taco shells/tortilla shells because tacos are easy and good (add black olives to list).

I'm telling you. That is ALL I buy! (ok, chips and salsa in moments of weakness).  My kids do drink almond milk and juice in somewhat random and theoretically limited quantities.

3c) clothing.  This is my weak spot. I hate shopping.  My advice: try to buy less, try to buy quality, and if you have good sale/thrifting strategies employ those! Then, get more underwear and socks than you could imagine an army needing. Don't listen to me--I got that one from Auntie Leila. And she's always right!


4) "Sleep, prayer, and exercise."  Some other mother of a large family said these are the three things necessary for a happy mom.  The friend who shared this with me (another mother of eight) said to this she'd add "a good book".  I think they're right.  I hate this one.

a)Sleep is soooo annoying!! Who has time for it?! What a frustration--trying to sleep while nursing, for instance.  Alas, here's my take: go to bed early and hope for the best.  The more hours you can get in before midnight the better off you'll be, and that's a good thing--because you may not get many in after. (Just saying).

b)Exercise.  If I don't like sleep, I REALLY don't like exercise.  Who has time for this?!! (Did i just say that?)  My advice (that I struggle to live out): lift heavier weights than you thought you could.  Pumping heavier iron (for me, this is like 15 pounds) gets you sweating fast. Do a hundred crunches and hop on something for cardio until the kids make you stop (somewhere between 5 and 30 minutes--ha!-if you're lucky!)

c) prayer.  mmmmmm.  Do I need to speak on this one? It's just a way of life. Your life-line.  Don't stop. Ever.  ("Pray constantly" 1 Thess 5:17) St. Paul's got the idea.

d) the good book is a bonus.


I'm just going to stop here.   That's my list. The basics are covered so you can maximize your time loving your children in peace and not chaos.

Brainstorming

Look, I know we've all just blown our pocket books coming through Christmas and I know we can't just keep on buying...but...we've got this second semester of school and long winter months and sometimes it's just inspiring to infuse the school room with some colorful new tangibles to keep little hands occupied and interested.  Anyway, I've purchased none of these things, but I do have some spring birthdays coming up...  And just because it's fun to browse together, I thought I'd post a few things I've been looking at.;)

I wonder if my kids would love these, or if I'd just get really, really sick of picking them up! ("Gears"):

Why are these things so darn expensive??!!! (Magnatiles)  Because I think they'd be a ton of fun!


These Plan Toys "gears" are less expensive….hmmmm.
Plan Toys.  I may be obsessed.

Very Montessori, n'est-ce pas?
Nice and pretty little princess blocks…I should see if they have a boy version too.

Oh--and there's a tea set! Where is it?
Here it is!

And I really do love this shape sorter--I've had one, but I'm terrible at keeping things with lots of pieces for many years.  I think it's time for a new one for Legolas and Eowyn.

I could go on an on!

But, let's just remember, cute toys don't make us good mothers.  Love makes us good mothers.
Love.  I'm going to repeat that to myself and make sure I stop browsing Amazon in my spare time.;)

The Epiphany

There's this little tradition, that is age-old and world-wide.  Actually, way older and more universal than our modern day Santa Claus.  The idea is that the Three Kings bring gifts to all of the children.  In some places, it's the "Epiphany Camel" that brings the gifts.  I think I am correct in my understanding that it is actually the more usual way to celebrate gift-giving in Europe and South American countries, rather than giving gifts on Christmas itself.

Can I just say that I would LOVE to get the presents off of Christmas?! But, then of course the kids would be all excited for the Epiphany.  I'd hate for Christmas to come in as second-best. I think I just wish it could all be EASIER, but celebrating with food and gifts is never simple with a big group of kiddos and extended family to boot! So, enough bah humbug out of me and back to the point!

The Epiphany, the visitation of the Three Wise men from the East who followed the Star to Bethlehem.  This feast is January 6th, but it is moved to the preceding Sunday in my diocese.  So...tomorrow!

If you've stayed with me this far, I get to the fun part here: you know all of that straw your kids put into the crib to prepare for baby Jesus? The pieces of paper or string that formed his soft bed with each sacrifice or good act throughout Advent?  Well, you don't have to throw them away! No!

The Epiphany Camels must be fed!!

So, have the children put some of that hay from the manger into their shoes to feed the Camels as the Wise Men pass on their way to Bethlehem...and see what gifts the Wise Men leave in token of appreciation!

I know we've just come through St. Nick's and Christmas and everyone is feeling sick of sugary treats.  Although, one last little candy cane would probably be cherished at this point if you are like me and started tossing cookies the day after Christmas because we just. couldn't. go. on!!  But I'd also recommend something to enjoy as the school year is about to commence and the winter looms large ahead.  A new box of crayons?  Water color paints? Adding splashes of color, new art supplies remind us all of the fun side of education, get us excited to get back to some of those workbooks as well as provide creative outlets on long cold afternoons.  On the other hand, as my husband said, "we could just get them a candy bar: it's what they want anyway".

Either way:).

My time's up.  Get creative, and have one last day of festivity and gifts.  Celebrate the Epiphany in small or full-fledged manner. (You can celebrate tonight or any time through the morning of the

7th).  Your kids won't complain!  Let the Christmas season play out in full.  Stay with the Baby in the Manger, linger near His Mother, and meditate upon the homage paid to the baby King.  He would not die in like manner.

Afterglow

Thank heavens for the octave of Christmas!  If you read my previous post, you know that my Christmas (day) was not one of quiet reflection on the gift of the Incarnation.

 If I had better planning, or if we didn't have 8 kids, or if I hadn't offered to host my large extended family, it could have been different.  But it wasn't…and that's ok.  It's ok, because I didn't miss it.  It took a few days to come down off of the rush and crush that was our large family Christmas, but I have a few days.  More than a few: an Octave!

 And as I try to sweep up the crumbs of the last cookies and pull furniture back into place, I am trying to notice, too, the Chirstmas afterglow:

 the peaceful spots of beauty that rest in the corners of my home.

   I just want to appreciate them and let them sink in--because whisking them away and getting excited about a fresh new year and a new Spring Semester of homeschooling is also a big temptation. [ And there will be time for that. ]

But this time is the baby moon.  I don't want to miss it, because newborns don't keep very long.  We do want to get back to the normal rhythm of life, but not before we drink in the precious moments with the Baby, breathing in his sweet breath.  Listening to the rhythm of His breathing.  Drinking in His Spirit.

And celebrating His Mother, the Mother of God, on the first day of the new year.

The manger, Christmas, Mother and Child.  Welcome 2015!

Happy New Years!

Be Ready For Christmas List

I know it's too late to apply this year, but I like to try to track my method in getting ready for the holiday parties.  I am sure that not everyone has 8 children under the age of 13, all of whom are home schooled.  And I am sure that most of you are better at housekeeping than I, so my house is probably far worse than yours on any given day.  You can take that into account and cut out the tasks that do not apply.
I just whipped this list up off of the top of my head, I think it's roughly the path I followed today and yesterday.


Phase One (that is, going into the holiday)

1) Do laundry.

Because it is all too tempting to let the hidden daily chores sit while you are busy baking and decking halls and shopping.  When the laundry backs up, panic strikes the heart of the large-family Mother.  So for heaven's sake keep the laundry going!

2) Keep doing dishes.

This one you will probably have less choice on.  Baking cookies and candies and serving ten people three meals a day will pretty much force you to do dishes on a constant basis.  Still, I say do them.  Because I am the first one to know about those stray pots and pans…or that stew that's still sitting in the crock pot…ew.  Just do the dishes.

3) Vacuum.  Or tell a kid to.  Because it sucks dirt and things off of your floor, it raises the base-line before you begin.  Especially because there is usually some picking-up that has to be done in order to vacuum, so, more progress by one simple request.

Phase Two

This is when the work gets a bit harder, but you can bring in the kids to help on this phase.

1)  They're excited about the influx of presents that is about to happen.  Capitalize upon that and tell them that if they want to get new toys, they need to make room for them.  (Advent and Lent are great times for purging the home of old toys, but this list is focusing more on the last-minute efforts).  All stray toys in bedrooms and main floor areas are to be gathered and banished to basements or toy rooms or personal storage bins/shelves/closets.  The main living area needs to be TOY FREE! (Other than a possible small basket for a)the baby and b)as a catch-all for stray toys that are discovered as you clean…which comes next).

2)  Throw in slip covers or throw pillow covers if this applies to you.  My children are like herding cats when it comes to PB&J covered hands or leaky juice cups.  I know there are supposed to be rules about these things…I do try.  But look, if your couches look like mine, you don't want company having to sit on them.  Either spot clean them or throw the covers in the wash. It's work, but Christmas only comes once a year (thank Heavens!).  Now get out your vacuum and since the couch is torn apart, vacuum it out.
[We're morphing into phase three here, which is the deep clean, but go ahead and get the couch done while you're at it.]

3)  Make everyone put everything away.  Dirty clothes down laundry chute (and make someone keep the loads rolling), clean clothes away, stray hats/socks/baseball mitts--away!!  This part can be the worst, but if you tell the kids that anything you find you have the right to throw away, it is very motivating to the children to help put things in the right place.

Phase Three

Ok, now you absolutely must have help, because time's a ticking and there's SO MUCH to do!

1) send someone to the play room if you have one and tell them to organize it.   If this is just their bedrooms again, have them make them bomb-proof from little cousins who may be visiting (that, too, can be motivating).  Now realize, these are children you are using to help you, so you'll probably have to glance at their efforts to make sure the job is acceptable.  I prefer to send my husband, because if I get started on the toy room, I may never leave.  If he's able to vacuum while he's down there, he earns extra bonus points.  (I don't know what the reward is?!  But he totally gets the points).

2) Put the slip covers/ pillow cases back on the couches as they come out of the wash.  And tell someone to do more laundry (here's looking at you, Miss 13 year old!);)

3) Move all couches (if you have time, if the company is due in just hours, skip this part and do more surface efforts) and vacuum or sweep (if you have hard wood floors--and if you're really ambitious, mop!) under them all, grabbing a wet rag for the window sills to hit the winter dust/cobwebs and possibly some window cleaner if you have windows that are hard to reach while the couches are in place.  Yes, now you're multi-tasking, so focus, because you're getting back to the floors after this.

*You can get help on ALL windows at this point (thank you, 11-year-old-Son), but at least hit the front door if there's a glass storm door on.

**While you're getting help, send someone out with a stiff broom to blast the winter mud/grime off of the front stoop and door mat.  Tell them to make it nice for the guests as they arrive.

4) Keep vacuuming/cleaning the floors if you have hard wood and feel like actually washing them, picking up as you go, moving away from the couches and out of the corners of the room, because there are always things on the floor and now you're moving the coffee tables too, and vacuuming under them as well, and clearing out any detritus that has accumulated.

4) Now dust all flat surfaces, clearing off everything that has piled on every table, desk and counter.  Oh it can be terrible! Err on the side of TOSSING odds and ends if you can.  You can do without a stray rubber band or broken crayon.  This is not time to be a perfectionist.  If you're as late on this part as I am, you'll start shoving things randomly in drawers, and that's OK!! Because Spring cleaning is just around the corner and you'll get to those drawers then.  Right now we need to move on!

5) Make someone else scour the bathrooms, you're doing the kitchen last.  Tell them to make sure the mirror and sink is shining and there are hand towels and bathroom tissues aplenty!

While you're asking for help, shout at some dear soul to haul out the trash that is accumulating from all of this. (And thank them kindly).

6) Start that final load of dishes.  Hand wash whatever doesn't fit and put it away.  Scrub the counters (after clearing them as completely as possible)  and stove.  Clear off the table and wipe it down.  Sweep and mop the floor.

8) Set the tables.

You're ready!

Oh, are you in charge of cooking?  Ok, that's something I did NOT have to do this year since my Mom brought the dinner.

In that case, you must do the bulk of this in days prior to Christmas.  I, on the other hand, was sweating and in my sweats as my sister arrived.  I dashed upstairs, changed, and joined in the party. (Told you I was late).

How long did this take me?   7 hours of non-stop, hard, fast labor, with my husband and about 4 able-bodied children assisting (my big girls were out for a few hours).

Christmas was awesome.  I. am. tired.  Tired, and very happy.  So worth it.

O Christmas Tree!

 Taking 8 children to pick out a Christmas tree is a delightful prospect in theory.

The day was clear and cold.  We arrived at the lot and piled out of our 12 passenger van with high spirits.  Within moments we were surveying rows of green trees, all of them quite lovely.  My husband pointed at the closest tree on the end of the closest row: "how about this one?"  Oh how I wish I had said "yes!", grabbed the tree, and run!  But no, I had to dash off down a row to see if I liked anything better.  Unfortunately, my 8 children followed my example.  Well, I held the baby, and my husband had Legolas, so only 6 children ran hither and yon, pointing here, shouting there.

At one point I had three girls hugging a tree. I turned to see my three sons looking somewhere between unamused and nauseated.  They wanted a big one.  Galadriel burst into tears at their choice.  Arwen was heavily in favor of a compromise tree, a compromise which the others were unwilling to accept.

Did I mention it was cold?  Pain set into my ears.  The baby grew unhappy.  The man working at the lot was…watching.  We picked one.  The kids dashed off to the store to pay.  Arwen had tears rolling down her face.  Thinking quickly, I promised her that she, and only she, could pick out a new tree skirt (I have NO idea where our old one vanished to!).  Satisfied, we came home, strung lights and let the kids hang the ornaments.  The children were ready to celebrate. I breathed a sigh of relief!  Here's how I found poor Eowyn moments after setting her down upon arrival home--I think that says it all!

the "new tree skirt"

anyone surprised that it has "bling"? (Arwen did just turn 13);)