a funny thing happened on the way to the convent

When we were in Nashville for my friend's profession of vows we did not have directions to get from the Cathedral, where the Mass was, to the convent, where the reception was.  I planned on following our friends but that idea was quickly shown to be a bad one when we lost them as people filtered onto the road from three different parking lots.  Factor in a traffic light and we were on our own.

And then we spotted a car with a couple of nuns.  Hallelujah!  They were clearly Nashville Dominicans, they were two cars ahead of us, and so we felt safe following them back to the convent. 

When they turned where all the other cars from the cathedral went straight we wondered if they were taking a short cut or going somewhere else but we stuck with them.  And then they made a quick turn - clearly a last minute decision - leaving us to wait for traffic.  A red light meant we were able to catch up with them and a couple of blocks later, at another red light, we decided we needed to talk with the nuns.

I jumped out of the van, ran up to the passenger window and knocked on it.

The sisters were startled and I had to gesture and ask them to roll down the window because they were just staring at me.

"Are you going to the convent?" I asked.

"Yes!  Do you want to follow us?"

"Yes!  We have been.  So no more quick turning!" I said in a slightly scolding tone while making a turning gesture that was more like a flail of my arm.  I was feeling a little bit of pressure since I was barefooted on the streets of downtown Nashville, hoping the light wouldn't change.

The sisters laughed and laughed as I ran back to the van and hopped in.  They turned and waved, still laughing at me. 

I forgot to tell Sr. Marie Noelle the story and on the way home to Illinois Travis and I wondered if the sisters in the car told the story but no one knew who the crazy lady was.  It was me.

7 quick takes

1 - So maybe I'm on a Walk the Moon kick right now.  I need music that will get me movin', ya know.  I got dishes to do, pancakes to flip, a Thomas train track to build in a figure 8 so that it has to include a bridge and tunnel, a baby to nurse, and a miracle boy to read From Head to Toe to for the 80 billionth time.  I'm busy, people!  I need some pep in my step.

Can you do it?  I can do it!

2 - My newest article at Ignitum Today is up.  It's called "The story of a house: one person's redemptive suffering is another's second chance."  So I broke the rule about short titles. *shrug*  Go read it!  Share it with your friends and your grandma!  She'll love it!

3 - The article is about my friends Alisha and Jude and this amazing thing that happened to them when they sold their house.  I even did an interview with Alisha for the post, which was a lot of fun, really long, and had many fun tangents - including one about gravy.

4 - I still have a cough and a sore throat from my stupid sickness.  Last week was horrible and when I went to the doctor he looked at my throat and said, "Ah, that's gross!"  Then he laughed and gave me a prescription.  I feel better in every other way but I still have this dumb cough.

5 - Travis and I love our family practitioner.  Who may or may not read this blog... I'm not sure.  (Hey, Mark, if you're reading.)  I asked him if I'd be well enough to go to my family reunion, which was last Sunday.  He said yes but that if I didn't want to go he'd write me a note.

6 - While at the family reunion I was holding Bennet when one of my great aunts approached.  "Is this your son?" she asked me.  "Yes.  This is Bennet," I said proudly.  She looked disappointed and confused and then  told me she wanted to see the miracle baby she was reading about in the papers.  Poor Bennet - she doesn't know what she was missing out on!

7 - This past week I've continued to keep a fairly low profile, mostly because of the dang cough.  The kids and I have walked to the park, had home-made pancakes for breakfast, and even done crafts. (!)  The days have been pretty smooth and I have realized that the thing that makes this possible is if I do not shower until quiet time.  Me in my pajamas until 2pm = everyone's happy.  I'm glad to know how to make it work, but I think that it's not too practical.

When your bff becomes a nun

Danielle and I met at Eureka College.  She was short, beautiful, kind, and a lot of fun to be around.  As our involvement at the Salve Regina Newman Center grew so did our friendship, and by our senior year at EC we were best friends.  My friendship with Danielle was very special to me because she was the first best friend I had who was Catholic like I was Catholic.  Daily Mass, frequent confession, adoration - these things were part of what we did together just like going for ice cream, watching movies, and talking about our futures.  

The Motherhouse

Our junior year Danielle, a cradle Catholic, was confirmed.  Our senior year we visited the Nashville Dominicans several times as she discerned her vocation.  And while most of our classmates applied to grad school or for the job of their dreams, Danielle applied to the convent.  The summer after we graduated we sewed labels on her socks and she gave me her blow dryer, which she would no longer need.  

The altar in the sisters' chapel.

I cried when she left.  I mourned her like she had died.  It was hard to be supportive while feeling so alone.

Top and center in the program

When Danielle, now known as Sr. Marie Noelle,  professed first vows my then-fiance and I went to watch and eat wedding cake.  It was beautiful and I was so happy for her.  And then we waited five more years and finally - finally! - I got the letter that she was to profess final vows with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tennessee.  

Sr. Marie Noelle is on the far left.

I spent my 31st birthday, the feast of St. James the Greater, watching my short, beautiful, kind, fun friend prostrate herself on the marble floor of the Cathedral.  I heard her choke up while she vowed to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience for the rest of her life.  And I cried because I am so happy for her and I feel so blessed to have been able to tag along for parts of the journey. 

Professing her vows.

Life is filled with joy.  Our faith is so beautiful.  God is good.

We're both so happily married.

You might also like this piece, Mother Mary, where I talk about my friendship with Sr. Marie Noelle, another nun I'm friends with, and our blessed mother.

7 quick takes

1 - Once again, I thank the Mumford & Sons Pandora station for introducing me to more good music.

2 - I recently found the blog The Recovered Catholic and I've been enjoying it.  Christina is another small town Illinois girl and (I emailed her and asked because I'm noisy) she only lives an hour and a half away from me.  Oh internet, look at you bringing people together.  Sorta.

3 -I've been trying some Pinterest recipes lately.  The chicken fried chicken; lemon scones; and  black bean, avocado, and cucumber salad recipes are all great.  Today I also made the Pioneer Woman's restaurant salsa recipe with tomatoes from my garden and it was fantastic!  You can check out these recipes by checking out my "Food I Gotta Make" board.

4 - This morning my husband let me sleep until 8:35.  This is easily an extra hour and a half, and had Teresa not been hungry I would have slept longer.  The past few nights have been pretty rough around here because of the older two which means I've been becoming over-tired which means my patience has been decreasing. I'm so grateful for the extra sleep.  (And I'd love it if you could say a little prayer for me and my kids.)

5 - Also, I hope you're praying that the Landrys sell their stupid house!  We've all been asking for St. Jude's intercession and since he's the patron of impossible causes we may need his help.  Even if you whisper a "please, God" on their behalf everyone who loves them would really appreciate your prayer.

6 - Have any of you read a book that tells a story similar to James'?  I'd love suggestions of books about miracles, NICU babies, anything similar.  And if you want to give me a mini review of the book, too, that would be great.  Please leave a comment!

7 - Time to clean the kitchen!  God bless!

7 quick takes

1 - This song is a part of the soundtrack to my childhood.  My mom had the 45 record and we'd listen to it over and over again.  I still love this song.  Do you remember it?

2 - I have a new post up at Ignitum Today called "The Kitchen Is My Mission Field".  Here's a little sample:
It’s true that there are some pretty shallow reasons why I have never gone on a mission trip.  First of all, they usually take place somewhere hot and sunny.  I hate being hot and I hate the sun.  I’m paler than Jim Gaffigan and so there’s no way I’m going to have my skin burn because I sweat off all my sunblock.  Secondly, while I have a basic knowledge of how to use power tools that does not mean I should be building anyone a home.  I can barely assemble a bookshelf from Target let alone a roof.  Lastly, I’m lazy.

Please head on over to Ignitum Today to read the rest!

3 - If you missed my interview on the Drew Mariani show you can listen to it by going to their archives here.  I was interviewed during the 3 o'clock hour on Friday, July 13.  My part starts around 3:30.  It was a lot of fun to do the interview, although as I sat and waited for them to call me I was so nervous I almost began to cry.  Some prayers to the Holy Spirit definitely helped although it still took me the first 10 minutes to work all the "um"s out. 

4 - Speaking of me sharing James' story, I have gotten a few more invites to speak at parishes and other events.  I'm really excited about this opportunity and if you are also interested please feel free to email me.  You can find my email address and some basic information on my presentation under the top right tab.

5 - We have two awesome events coming up.  The first is an annual party that reunites our friends from the St. Francis Newman Center where Travis and I met.  The second is Sr. Marie Noelle's profession of final vows with the Nashville Dominicans.  Sister and I were close friends in college but I haven't seen her since she professed first vows six years ago.  I just had to share the good news because I'm so happy to be able to do these things.  God is so good.

6 - I am not taking James to Nashville and I feel a little worried that the nuns may be disappointed that the "miracle baby" did not come to them.  I do not want to disappoint a nun but the fear of a miserable trip courtesy of my 22 month old son is more powerful.

7 - My heart goes out to the people who were killed or injured at the shooting at the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado.  Many prayers are being offered!

a sad day for central Illinois

Today there are a lot of people who are very sad here in central Illinois.

Today my friend Lisa and her family are moving back to Colorado. 

Personally, my sadness is mixed with regret.  Lisa lived 25 minutes away, which isn't very far really, and so I should have seen her more.  My Lydia loves her Ellie and I love her sense of humor, devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, honesty, and homemade salsa. 

Lisa, there is always text messages and Facebook, but they will not suffice I am sure.  I will still miss you and the way you look at people with true compassion when they are sharing their pain and the way you look at me like I'm crazy and you're not sure what to do with me.

Lisa, Paul, E, M, and Q - the Engstroms will miss you A LOT.  We wish you safe travels, fun adventures, financial security, good schools, a wonderful parish, lots of new friends, health, and all of God's blessings.

Love, Bonnie, Travis, L, B, J, and T

7 quick takes

1 - This song makes me happy.  :)

2 - Right now there's not a lot of talking going on about the Legionaries of Christ but I'm very interested in the progress they are hopefully making.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, a couple of years ago the Vatican asked for a major clean-up of the organization when some very scandalous, sad facts were learned about the Legion and its founder.  My bishop has asked that no one join them until their house is in order, and I'm not interested in doing so, but I do have friends who are involved and so I am hoping for the best for the sake of my friends. 

Anyways I saw this article in the Washington Post and wanted to share in case anyone else was wondering what's going on with the Legionaries: "Vatican says disgraced Legion of Christ needs a new identity".

3 - When we had Lydia my mom told me we had a difficult baby.  She cried all the time and she did not sleep.  When we had Bennet he was a lot easier.  Sometimes he fussed but for the most part making him happy was pretty easy.  James had a special set of difficulties but when it came to his personality he was pretty laid back and easy to deal with.  He was easier than Bennet but only by a little bit.  Now that we have Teresa I must say that I thought I knew what an easy baby was but I had NO idea.  I am finally experiencing the "babymoon" that I've heard so many moms talk about!  It's amazing and wonderful!  She smiles, she coos, she naps, she naps in the swing, she falls asleep on her own in the crib, she doesn't seem to have food allergies, she nurses well, she sleeps for 10 hours straight!  Please do not hate me, I think that after everything we went through with Lydia and James we deserved a reward for being open to life.

4 - Speaking of all my kids... Two friends stopped by to visit our family last Sunday.  The guys, Brian and Ben, are single and in their early-mid twenties.  They were present for bedtime and things were a little rough so I jokingly said to them, "This is how priests are made."  Brian, who was in seminary for awhile, then told us that in seminary they called such situations "cele-boosters". 
Now that's funny.

4.5 - Brian is a musician up in Minnesota.  Check him out and Like him on Facebook.  It was really loud when he was telling me about his budding music career but it's something like someone is interested in working with him in the studio but they want to see if people will listen to his music... or something.  Brian, correct me in the combox.  But everyone else go Like Brian K. on FB.
 
5 - At 3:30 central time today I will be doing a live (EEEK!) radio interview with Drew Mariani on Relevent Radio.  You can listen live online here.  Please pray for me and that my nerves don't have me making up words, stumbling to answer questions, and using poor grammar.  Thank you!

6 - Also, my husband and I were recently told of a boy who is suffering from a very, very rare and horrible condition.  Please pray for this boy, M, and his parents. 

7 - Lastly, I'm joining my friend Larry in honoring his late wife by collecting school supplies to donate to children in need.  I'll be posting more information about Diane's Garden next week but in the meantime, grab an extra set of pencils, crayons, or notebooks while you're out shopping for your own kids.

a beautiful little adoption post

My friend Margaret and her husband have been on a very long road to being parents and their journey is almost over.  They were blessed bring home a cute little baby boy six months ago and all the paperwork is nearly done.  When I read her post "the end is nigh" I teared up a little bit.  They are wonderful parents and I am so grateful to the birthmother who courageously chose life in so many ways.

Please check out Margaret's post and say a little prayer that all goes well in these last steps of the adoption process.

7 quick takes

1 - My friend Alisha recommended this song to me saying, "I just found your next quick takes song."  She was right. 

2 - People asked how I find the songs I use in my quick takes posts and recommendations from friends is a great way.  My top suggestions for finding "new" music are:
- Friends. Check out the music your friends post on Facebook, listen to in their cars, or are downloading.  I've noticed that my friends who dress and decorate their homes in ways I really like also tend to listen to music I really like.
- Pandora.  I plug in an artist I like and then they play other artists with a similar style.  I take note of the ones I like, write down the names of the bands and songs and look them up on YouTube later.
- YouTube.  When a video ends YouTube suggests other songs by the same or similar artists.  Listen to those songs and see if you can find something new. 
- Watch the music channels.  We don't have cable but our local Fox station has substations, 43-2 and 43-3.  Those stations are how I saw Brooke Fraser and The Lumineers. 

3 - I am so stupid when it comes to Word Press and cannot upload a picture of Teresa Marie for this week's column over at Ignitum Today.  Therefore I am sending people to this blog if they want to see a picture of my baby girl.  Isn't that embarrassing and lame?  I think so.

4 - Speaking of Ignitum Today, here's the post I wrote for this week: Teresa, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

5 - Congratulations to Dwija and her entire family on the birth of #babyunseen Mary Isabel!  So happy for you all and I can't wait to read the birth story!

6 - I will now confess that knowing that Dwija had a homebirth makes me a little sad that I did not.  I know that it was very, very good that we were at the hospital with Teresa.  I cannot imagine how scary it would have been to deliver such a big baby at home and it would have been terrifying to see them give her oxygen if we were at home.  But I still miss the experience.

7 - It's time to wrap this all up.  I've been at McDonald's, using their free internet for almost 2 hours.  Teresa has been napping, James has been mostly happy, and I'm sure I'm running out of time.  Plus I need to go home and eat lunch before I'm tempted to buy a cheeseburger! 

Have a good week!  Thanks, Jen for hosting!

7 quick takes

1 - This song is just delish.  I hope you enjoy it.

2 - Here's something else I love:  Lisa and Joel Schmidt's blog The Practicing Catholic.  They have all kinds of great content, they update frequently, and they're just plain wonderful.  Seriously, you can read the fluff I write, or you can read something interesting.  Or, you know, you could do both.  And ps - Lisa was one of our bloggers at the 2012 Behold Conference.  Pretty blonde with a baby.

3 - Also have a new found love for Kathryn Whitaker's blog and tweeting.  Check out Team Whitaker.  I especially appreciate what I've read under her Motherhood and The Preemie tabs.

4 - Lastly, Karen Edmisten has a great blog and a new book that I really, really, really want to read. 

I have a lot of respect for Karen and I'm so, so grateful that she's written a book about miscarriage.  I wish I would have had a good Catholic book on miscarriage when I was going through the loss of Peter, and I think it would probably still be helpful five years later. 

5 - I'll be honest, the internet sometimes makes me feel like I'm a freshman in high school looking across the cafeteria to the upperclass cool kids table.  (Doesn't that just sound so dorky?  But it's how I think.  Dork.)  Don't get me wrong, I have a very full, fun table myself and I love the friends I have. Sometimes I wish I knew - in real life - women like Lisa, Kathryn, Karen, Grace, Hallie, Dwija, Katie, the Bright Maidens, Sarah.  They seem to be just as fabulous as my friends who I share playdates and texted prayer requests with.  And if you don't know them yet I strongly encourage you to check out their blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter feeds.  They're funny, kind-hearted, and Catholic.

6 - Back to things I love.  This picture:

This print was done by the awesomely talented Jude Landry.  His wife Alisha and I met at a local Catholic moms' group and then they moved back to the South from whence they had come.  I don't think there was a direct connection between the timing of our meeting and their moving.  If you want to buy this print or something else similarly great check out Jude's store.

7 - And lastly, I love the tulips my loving husband brought home yesterday because tulips are my favorite flowers and I am overdue.  What a good man.

Have a good weekend, lovely people!  And check out more Quick Takes over at Jen's blog!

7 quick takes

1 - Before you get too far into this song please be warned that a major f bomb is dropped in this one.  I'm pretty much sick of their single, which I posted a few weeks ago.  I can no longer listen to it.  Top 40 radio, you have overplayed and therefore killed another good song, for me anyways.  This song, though was recommended to me by my husband who had a student play it for him earlier this week.

2 - Honestly, I had no idea what song to post here this week.  I've been listening to the Maccabeats a lot lately, especially their cover of Matisyahu's Miracle.  It's how I'm prepping for the birth, weirdly.

If you're in the mood for a Hannukah song, and not a song that sounds a little like The Lion King, then you can watch this one:



3 - And yes, I'm still pregnant.  Last night I had some pretty strong, long contractions but whenever I'd sit and rest they'd stop.  I was tempted to go for a walk or scrub my tubs or something but overall I'm just too tired to do a bunch of work for something that would end once I sat down.

4 - Today I will have my first one of these since last fall.

Aaahhhh!  Pioneer Woman's iced coffee.  I bought Bailey's creamer just to go with it.  I am excited.

5 - For Mother's Day I'm doing this awesome thing:  hanging out with my mom without the kids.  Maybe it's bad that on the day that celebrates my motherhood the one thing I want is to be by myself with another adult.  No diapers, holding, correcting, wiping, feeding, buckling in, buckling out... 

6 - Today we have a playdate and since I am not in labor we will be there!  Yay for playdates!

7 - Courtesy of Netflix my kids are now fans of three staples from my childhood:  Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, and My Little Ponies.  The Ponies and Shortcake and updated, ya know, but I still like that Lydia loves what I loved as a little girl. 

Hallie's hosting Quick Takes this week.  Please pray for Jennifer, the soul of the man who was in the motorcycle accident she witnessed, and his loved ones.  Thanks.

7 quick takes

1 - The Boat Song!  Parents who love Margaret Wise Brown, and I'm lookin' at you, Laura Beth, I think you would like this song.  It was inspired by The Runaway Bunny and it features the bird wallpaper LB has in her kitchen and hallway.  Everyone else, it's such a cute song, I really think you should listen to it.  And then love it.

2 - For those of you who do not know my friend Laura, let me show you a picture of her arm.

Now do you understand why I think she'll like a song that was inspired by The Runaway Bunny?  You can barely see it, but there's two bunny birds, one for each of her sons.  Also, I don't really like tattoos but this is seriously the most amazing thing I've ever seen on someones body and I really appreciate the craftsmanship of this tat.

3 - Did I pull that off - calling it a "tat"?  Do people even call them "tats" any more?  It's tragic how unhip I am.  Wait....

4 - Lydia Anne turned 4 yesterday!  Four!  Her Strawberry Shortcake themed party is tomorrow and she is so excited.  What a cutie.  What a joy.  What a bundle of energy.

5 - Tonight Travis and I are going on a dinner and a movie date.  We're going to see the new Avengers movie and I think Travis is half-hoping I'll go into labor the way I did as I watched Iron Man 4 years ago.  We'll see! 

I'm excited about our date night but I do think I should probably tidy up the house a bit.  Our babysitters will be a couple of his students and I feel pressure to have the house clean.  I should have thought of this yesterday when all I did during quiet time was sit on my butt and surf the internet, telling myself that 9 month pregnant women with occasional contractions should keep their feet up so they don't get too swollen.  But now it's 9:30am and I've napped once already today, haven't showered, and need to clean and bake Lydia's birthday cake for tomorrow's party.  We'll see how all this goes.

6 - Bennet does this absolutely adorable thing where he sits on the back of the sofa, recites the first half of Humpty Dumpty, falls back onto the sofa, and recites the second half of the nursery rhyme.  I love it.

7 - Bennet wants a picture of himself on the blog so I will post one.  Happy Friday, everyone!

So we're all in this together

A quick follow-up to my No Sex for Months post.  Once again this may be too much information for some.  Deb, my dear mother-in-law, Grandma Joan, and Mom, you have been warned.

First: Thanks to everyone for all the feedback. Based on what I know about my body and the snippets I got from people via email, facebook, and the combox there is no way in the world that I am going to use my mucus to judge when I'm fertile or not. I don't care what Creighton people say, I am already convinced that Travis and I are two of the most fertile people ever and I am leaving no room for human error. So maybe we'll go with the ClearBlueEasy stick but probably we will do the only sure thing, which is not have sex for a long time.

Second:  Do you know how mortified my husband is about me blogging all of this?  He has not forbidden me to write about it, though, because I think he sees it as useful or something else that is good.  Which is good because I'm not doing this to be scandalous or shocking, I'm doing this because nfp is hard and I need help and it's a good thing to build up support and empathy - even if it is with people I only know via the internet.

Third:  I am actually amazed at how many of my friends, after reading my post, confided in me that postpartum they too went 4, 5, 6 or more months without having sex. Why have we never complained together about how much that sucks? And why have I never read about chastity in that part of marriage? Maybe because it's a little too personal for most people?

Fourth:  The other response that surprised me to the "no sex" post was how many people promoted Creighton to me. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for Dr. Hilgers, the Pope Paul VI Institute, NaProTechnology, etc. but personally I have had some really unfortunate conversations with Creighton people in my area.  The comments they've made to me - some more offensive and hurtful than what I've gotten from pro-contraception/small family people - have really turned me off from ever wanting to learn their method of nfp. It was refreshing to have people recommend Creighton to me in a way that didn't insult my intelligence, mock my marriage bed, or belittle my children's existences. So thank you for that!

7 quick takes

1 - Aaahhh... boy bands...  I love this song, though I'll probably hate it by summer.  These boys are so little, like 13 year olds.  Is it silly of me that I wish NKOTB was singing this song?  Probably.  I also wish all men wore pants with the crotch in the crotch.  Ugh.

2 - Today I had a playdate with two friends whom I know from my college Newman Center days.  I hope that wherever you are you have friends like I have.  Friends who are funny, honest, thoughtful, and supportive.  Friends who love God and His Church and beer and $1 McDonald's ice cream cone bribes for good behavior.  It was a beautiful day, perfect weather at a park, a picnic lunch, 10 kids age 7 and under, and lots of good conversation.  So what if the conversations were always interrupted by a crying/whining/disobeying/tattling child?  It was perfect.

3 - I wrote a review of Hallie Lord's book Style, Sex & Substance over at IGNITUM TODAY.  Go check it out and share your opinion of the book in the combox! 

4 - Have you heard the good news about iusenfp.com?  Blogger friends Katie and Kayla are building a website filled with information on natural family planning.  It doesn't matter if you practice or are interested in nfp because of your religion, because of how "green" it is, because of infertility issues - there will be helpful resources and support.  They will include sympto-thermal, Creighton, NaPro Technology info, etc.  I encourage you to check them out, like them on Facebook, and snag yourself a button.

Best button ever.

5 - Lydia's birthday is coming up in early May.  She wants a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party which means I've been pinning things.  The funny thing is that there are four versions of Strawberry Shortcake. 

The one on the left, who I loved as a little girl, Lydia doesn't love. The one on the far right Lydia does not love, and I'm glad about that because she's a little too mature for me - not as sweet,cute, and little for my almost 4 year old.  The Strawberry in the middle was revamped with longer hair and uglier clothes before she morphed into the one on the right.  It's the Strawberry in the middle that Lydia loves - she's all about "working together" and "friendship".  I can live with that. 

6 - Speaking of Pinterest:

Why does everyone seem to want to put everything in a mason jar?  I wonder if this mostly appeals to people who don't otherwise eat food out of mason jars.  But since my mom has canned food and grape juice my whole life, and taught me once though I haven't tried it again, it's not cute and novel for me to eat food from one.  In fact, I always look at these things and think about what a pain in the butt it would be to prep the jar, bake the food in the jar, eat out of the jar, and then wash the jar again.  But maybe I'm just lazy. 

7 - Actually, I am lazy.  There's no way I would dye my cake batter 5 different colors and take the time to pour a little of each into a kabillion jars.  Or even one cake pan. 

Tag - I'm it!

Here's a bunch of gibberish all about me.  I was tagged in this fun little blogging game and I'm going to play along because after a week of recouping I finally feel social again. 

The rules:

1. The first rule is to post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself then write 11 things about you/your life.
3. Answer the questions for you set in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter to tell them you have tagged them.

I'm the one on the right with a large mouth and glasses.  This was at a FOCUS conference back in my campus ministry days.  I wonder if I still have that watch somewhere.  I loved that watch.

Eleven things about myself:
1 - I'm conflicted about Kanye West.  He's a great rapper but man-o-man is he ever inappropriate.
2 - I really suck at Lent this year. 
3 - I used to think of myself as funny but I don't any more.  The only thing that's changed is that before I was fat and needed to be funny.  Now I'm fat and I've decided to put effort into being kind rather than being clever.  I hope it's working.
4 - My Christmas lights are still up outside.  It would take 5 minutes to unwrap them from the banister but it still hasn't happened.
5 - My husband and I honeymooned in Scotland because #1 I love Braveheart #2 I didn't want to go anywhere hot - especially a beach.  Instead of a bunch of pictures of me in a bathing suit laying around (a thing no one wants to see - even from my thin days) I have all these awesome pictures of me looking cute in jeans and turtlenecks exploring castles. 
6 - I was first runner up in a beauty pageant once upon a time.
7 - I really dislike New York City and Chicago.  They're big and smelly.
8 - I dislike dogs and cats.  We had a dog and a cat when I was growing up but I never had an emotional bond with either.  I had typed out a whole list of things that drive me crazy about dogs, cats, and pet owners but it's better that I deleted it.  I will say, though, a house is never clean if you have small children or pets.  And in my experience it's far worse with pets.
9 - I think New Girl is hilarious.  There's too much sex, of course, but I feel like the jokes were written exactly for my sense of humor. I actually laugh out loud while watching it, which I cannot say for most shows and movies I watch.
10 - I have two brothers and I'm very glad I have them.  But I also wish I had a sister. 
11 - My son Bennet is adorable.  Sometimes it's hard for me to discipline him because of how stinkin' cute he is.

Cynthia's Questions:

1. Mini-van or other?   Mini-van.  It was a hard pill to swallow but now I love it.
2. Favorite clothing item?   Right now it's maternity dresses / skirts.  I've given up on pants at this point in the pregnancy.
3. Best friend in the whole wide world? Why? Travis is my best friend, but when it comes to girlfriends I would probably say Sr. Miriam Caritas is tied with Katie B.  This is a hard question to answer, though.  Friendship as an adult is so different than when I was a child or teen.
4. Favorite movie? For a long time it was a tie between Sense & Sensibility and Braveheart.  Now I'd probably say 3:10 to Yuma.
5. Your favorite trait about yourself? I take excellent naps.
6. Best concert you've ever been to? NKOTBSB.
7. Most difficult decision you've ever had to make? too personal to share here.
8. What did you want to be when you were little? President of the USA.  This is because all my teachers  would talk about how we could be anything when we grew up - even the first female president of the United States.  Now there's no way I would want that job.  God bless the men and women who run our country.
9. Favorite quote? "In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:78-79
10. Most expensive item [at the grocery store] that you have ever purchased?? formula, probably
11. Best television series you have ever watched? Lost.  But we'll see how Downton Abbey turns out - it might just tie or beat out Lost.

Okay, so now I'm going to break the last two rules because I am still exhausted.  It honestly took me four days just to answer those questions.  I can't think any more.

7 Quick Takes a little late

1 - This is a bit of an odd song, but one that I've loved for a long time.  I hope you like it, too.

2 - In case you missed Rose and my live television interview here is the link for CatholicTV's This Is the Day.  We begin around 8:10.  We were supposed to Skype in so I actually used the blow dryer.  Bennet had to ask what it was, that's how infrequently it is used.  And then no one saw my nice hair.  Oh well.

3 - A little while ago I asked to borrow a maternity dress for the Behold Conference.  I put the request up on Facebook and about a week later I had about 9 new-to-me dresses and several tunics/shirts to wear for the rest of the pregnancy.  Facebook - I love you!  (When I don't hate you and the way you suck the life out of me.)

4 - I have this sorta cheesy book - The One Hundred Greatest Poems.  I got it when I was in college and loved it then.  But after college I was so tired of reading that I barely read for, well, for years.  But recently I picked it back up because it would be simple and a no-commitment read.  But instead I've fallen back in love with a lot of the poems and I am hungry to read more.  I like how they demand to be read slowly, weighing the significance of each word.  It's very different from the majority of the articles, blogs, and simple books I've been reading the last few years.

5 - My favorite, I think, is Dulce Et Decorum Est.  Maybe you read it years ago in some Brit Lit class.  Read it.  The end is the best.

6 - All of yesterday and today I've been praying for my friends R and N.  R was induced today and I keep checking to see if she's had their baby yet.  Please say a prayer for them, too, please.  It's been a long, hard, emotional journey for them.

7 - The registration deadline for the Behold Conference is coming up, ladies - March 1st!  Make sure you register - scholarships are still available if money is making you hesitate.  The day is going to be so phenomenal - I sincerely hope you can be a part of it.  And, if any of you bloggity people out there come please introduce yourself!  I'd love to meet some of my blogosphere friends!

a song for Valentine's Day

This morning I told my husband he was the best husband in the world.  He told me that was true only as far as I was concerned.  But here's hoping all of you feel that way about your spouse - either today or someday - that he is the best in the world.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day filled with love.  Love of friends and family and our good God.  I hope you all get treated to something special and something fun.  If nothing else, consider this your valentine. 

Many thanks to my lovely friend Alisha for introducing me to this song.

And yes, those are jelly beans.

7 quick takes

1 - I like David Crowder's voice.  A little raspy.  And then I like even more that it comes out of this thin little man with ridiculous hair.  There's been some buzz about DCB's newest album, mostly because the Protestant band's latest album is called Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C - The Happiest of All Keys).  I don't know why people are so upset about them calling C the happiest of keys... 
 
Oh, or maybe because people are afraid he's going the way Rich Mullens and Audrey Assad went - to Rome.  Shoot.

2 - Do you listen to Relevant Radio?  Usually I don't - especially in the mornings.  But when I get a tip on a good show I like to dig around in the archives.  Today's Morning Air is one show I dug around for.  The second hour features Msgr Deptula from my Diocese talking about Archbishop Sheen.  The third hour features Kate Wicker talking about glorifying God with our bodies.  She also mentions the Behold Conference several times which is cool.  You can find the links here.

3 - Speaking again of the Behold Conference - let me just say it's amazing all the things that are coming together so wonderfully.  God's Hand is definitely guiding all of us through this process and it's such a blessing to be a part of it.  I sincerely hope you can join us.

4 - This picture is a little old but I wanted to share it with you.  Usually St. Nick only comes to our house on his feast day but this year, well, you can read for yourself:

In case you're wondering, St. Nicholas brought Lydia this letter, some dress-up shoes, and some more gold coin chocolates. 

5 - In a related "parenting success" story, James was wearing some pajamas that were a little too long.  As he walked around the living room Lydia, who is 3 and 1/2, started singing, "Pants on the Ground."  I asked; she learned the song from me.  So proud.  *tear*

6 - Last night I slept for ten hours, having gone to bed at 8:30pm.  By 9:30am I was so tired I had to lay down.  I napped this afternoon.  And I'm still super tired.  I also have a cough.  Ugh.

7 - Lastly, I want to warmly welcome to the world Lucy Anne, who was born to our friends Michael and Susan on Wednesday and Elijah Nathan, born to our friends Margaret and Nathan.  I am so happy for our wonderful friends who have all just entered the lovely, crazy, beautiful world of parenthood!  Please join me in thanking God for Lucy and Elijah.

what to do on a Monday night

Travis is on a bromance man date with his best friend, at a bar watching the Bears game. 

The kids are asleep (finally!  nap time was horrible today!) and my headache has finally gone away (maybe it was all the water I drank?).

So now I can finally post a picture of my kids on Halloween.

A knight, a princess, and a lion.  roar!

Wow those kids are cute!  How 'bout we look at some more pictures of them?

I caught Lydia "reading" the Bible.  She was actually saying the words to the Guardian Angel prayer.  (Do you know that prayer? So good:  Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here.  Ever this day be at my side to light, to rule, to guard, to guide.  It's a great prayer to start the day, at bedtime, when you've got the heebie jeebies, or when you're about to blow your top.)

Also, Lydia's been practically living in her Rapunzel dress since mid October.  She's so cute.

James, greeting me at the door.  Did you know he's walking now?  He's walking now.

Bennet, super happy about his gigantic, warm from the oven, made from scratch chocolate chip cookie.

Do you remember awhile ago when I was on a serious hunt for the. best. chocolate. chip. cookie. recipe. EVAH!?  I found it.  That's what one looks like.

It is possible that Bennet may not be wearing pants or a diaper in this picture.

This was gearing-up-for-quiet-time time.  (Yes, I know it's lame that I do that but sometimes it's needed.)  Put on a PBS Kids show from Netflix to occupy L and B while I lay James down and then send the other two upstairs. 

Notice how spread out Lydia is?  I had just painted her toenails and fingernails and she's letting them dry. 

Need something a little different to read?  My dear, dear friend, Crafty Katie, has started a blog to chronicle her year on sabatical.  She turned down a teaching position and is living off savings and a small income from working as DRE at her church.  Already her blog is great.  God check it out: 

Look to Him and Be Radiant

Lastly, if you don't like country music or you didn't got to MTHS don't click on the following link.  But if you do like country, went to my high school, or want to see my high school crush is up to these days then check out Jake Maurer. 

I had a serious, mad crush on that man some 12 years ago.  Whew!  It's almost embarrassing to think about it now.

The crazy thing is that last night I spent the first half of my sleeping dreaming about Jacob and the Black Smoke Monster (does he have a name?  I never caught it.)  And the second half of the night I was dreaming that I was back in high school, dating Jake.  So it was interesting when I saw the link to his updated website on Facebook today. 

And I know what you're thinking.  But I was not stalking him - I saw it in my newsfeed.

Good night!

Mother Mary

Abigail's Alcove is encouraging people to share stories of when Mary has "intervened" in our lives.  I immediately thought of the following story and wanted to share it as a way to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.  (Happy Feast Day!)

Throughout my life I have been blessed with many good friends, but my senior year of college was when I found a true kindred spirit in my classmate Danielle.  She was funny, energetic, caring, talented, and passionately pursuing God.  I had never had such a good friend who was such a good Catholic and I enjoyed every moment with her.  We quickly became best friends and our love for one another was deep and solidly founded on Christ.

And then she became a nun.  I mourned the loss of her like she had died.  It was really, really hard. 

But through her loss and my new job at a Catholic student center I became much better friends with my former campus minister, Beth.  Beth and Danielle had always been close but now I was hurting in a way few could understand and I was in need of a mentor.  Beth opened her heart and (on several tear-filled nights) her home to me, and through phone calls, dinners, holy hours, and road trips our friendship grew into something quite extraordinary.  God had blessed me with a woman who was a perfect combination of older sister and best friend. 

And then she became a nun.  Another loss to mourn. Despite all my joy for my friends' beautiful vocations, I was incredibly sad.

The Fall of 2005 was a very lonely time for me.  No one wanted the title "Bonnie's Best Friend" out of fear they'd end up in a convent.  Also, God revealed to me that the next person I'd describe as my best friend would be the man I'd marry, which gave me long term relief but made me a little more sad in the meantime. 

Then one day I got a letter from Danielle, who had a new nun name by this time.  I went into the chapel of the Newman Center I worked at, sitting in the pew in front of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I read the letter.  In it she said that we were both wrapped in Mary's mantel.  I closed my eyes, leaned back against the pew, and imagined Mary sitting in between Danielle and I, her robe wrapped around all three of us, keeping us warm. 

It may seem silly, or sensational, or cheesy, or crazy, but I truly did sense Mary at that moment.  It felt like she was sitting right next to me.  And I felt certain that down in Nashville Danielle was sitting in her chapel, right next to Mary, wrapped in her robes.  Just on the other side of me.

I felt so close to my friend in that moment.  It was a precious gift, and it happened more than once.  I used that imagery repeatedly and it helped me feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually close to both Danielle and Beth, often at times when I was quite lonely or scared or unsure of myself.  Mother Mary gave me the gift of sitting in the presence of friends who knew me quite well but loved me nonetheless.  She gave me the gift of the joyful peace of true friendship. 

While Mary wrapped us in her mantel she was showing me her love, treating me to something special, helping me feel encouraged - exactly like a mother would! 

But it's easy to understand why she would do that:  My best friends were nuns - talk about running with the right crowd!  There was no way I was gonna get in any trouble with a couple of nuns by my side!

What about you?  Do you have a great story about Mother Mary?