the present moment // picnics, bowling, and some funk

lately // I lay in bed, take in some snuggles, and slowly mosey my way to the kitchen to feed my little guys. Windows get opened on my way to the kitchen. There's a path. I take it daily. Sometimes my oldest helps with the let's-let-some-light-in path and sometimes I get the pleasure. Both make me happy.

One foot in front of the other.

Toaster waffles. Juice. Eggs with some Louisiana hot sauce and avocado for mama. Bacon on days where time is our friend. We sit. We eat. They're silly and I soak it up.

There's grace in each step.

I know there is. Because even though I feel a slowness in my soul, there is a Presence that briskly helps us find our rhythm. We fall into it. As often as we can because there's a good peace there. The one you want to swim in. 

We leave the breakfast nook. They turn to play (on good days this involves minimal fighting and lots of cooperative togetherness). I heart the latter but see the fruit in the former.

I call them to the table. We do school. Slowly and sweetly. Often with little resistance. They're at that age. Everything new is exciting and time together is good time.

One foot in front of the other.

Play clothes and toys for outdoor time follow quickly and naturally. 

These days have been cool. They've been filled with sunshine and sweet temperatures. Breezes and falling leaves. A welcome change here in Texas. We each soak it up as much as possible because it truly helps us experience Him. Whether we are cognizant of it all or not. 

They play. I watch. I read. I check my Insta-feed or read an article. Off they go, running and exploring. Off they go, bickering and fussing. It just depends on the day.

One foot in front of the other.

Hands are washed. Lunch is served. Prayers are said and tummies are filled. Onto reading time before naps.

Favorites are read. Eyes are heavy. They make their last scramble and off they go. 

One foot in front of the other.

Any given day that we are home, this little rhythm of ours can be found. Sometimes in this exact order and sometimes not. Some days there is just a need to mix it up. But lately there's been a heaviness in me that I've felt before.

But on I go - one foot in front of the other.

This mama has been feeling pretty weary. Life is catching up. I'm trying to stand still but it just keeps on spinning on. All day. Every day. Spinning. Spinning. Spinning. 

I try to quiet my little soul and more often than not fail miserably. It's a sweet place that I stay away from longer than I care for. The little place where I know I can find Him. In that stillness of mind, heart, and soul. In His Words or in His Presence. That little place. 

I know in time, things will calm. I know they will because they always do. Maybe not entirely, which is okay. But calm always comes. 

Till that time, I'll try to be present to my place of weariness. Of struggle. Because it's always in this place, as time keeps spinning on, that I can look back and see how far I've come. See how much I've grown. See how much I've learned. It's always in these times that He somehow meets me, whether I know it or not. Whether I actively seek Him or not. It's always here.

One foot in front of the other.

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 

― Francis of Assisi

today // We threw in a picnic to change things up a bit. We've stayed indoors today to make sure our youngest is feeling better after having some tummy troubles last night.

Also, since this is taken from different angles, I'll share it with Micaela over at California to Korea. She's hosting Theme Thursday's now and this week's theme is same photo, different angle.

in the kitchen // A super amazing neighbor shared a meal with us yesterday. I couldn't be more thankful! I ended up adding some crockpot shredded chicken to her Curry Chili and we all agreed it was absolutely delicious!

Today, we'll be eating turkey burgers with some fixings (avocado, pickles, tomatoes, etc), sweet potato fries, a salad, and maybe the little chili we have leftover will get poured onto our burgers for fun.

looking forward to // All Saint's day! I know the boys are so excited about it this year. They both want to be St. George and we found some fun stuff for them to enjoy. 

At first all my heart wanted to do was sew all the things, but time and energy just have not been on my side! I still have yet to make these boys their much wanted blankets! Si Dios quiere, with time and energy, the fun will happen.

precious p update // this sweet little one is becoming quite the little soccer player. I mean...Ow! But, I'll take it. I love the reminder of the sweet little life within. 

Also, what's made my heart absolutely swell today is Precious P had his/her first round of hiccups. There's something about the hiccups that I just adore. I've felt hiccups twice today and made sure to stop everything and just enjoy my little one developing his/her lungs.

For the most part, all complications have passed. New little things have popped up here or there, but all seem manageable come our cesarean, which is better than anything being immediate or urgent. We'll be meeting with the fetal specialist on Friday and I suspect the follow-up will be good. 

praying // Feels like not enough but there are certain intentions that are always on my heart. I see so much going on in the world  and around me that I'm always quick to say a Hail Mary or Glory be, depending on what I see.

Little aspirations escape my breath all throughout the day. 

Family often comes to my heart - near and far. Friends and their intentions. The bigger and littler things that happen on the daily. 

And for grace. Always grace. For His Peace. For His Strength. For His Good and Holy Will.

Last, the Litany of Humility just isn't said in full enough. I really want it to become part of my daily morning routine. I know my days would look differently. So we'll chalk this one up to my I'm-working-on-it department.

captured // My little guys having their first bowl! A dear friend had us join their family to celebrate their son's birthday. The boys were absolutely thrilled even if they sported their deer-in-headlight faces for the first 15 minutes.

favorite scripture from today's readings //

"Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Ephesians 2: 19-22

thankful for //  All who have been journeying along this little life of mine, with me. Thankful for this very beautiful Mystical Body of Christ that is always reminding me of His good and perfect Love and showing me His lovely and kind Face.

all in all // We're good. Moving forward and onward, slowly but surely. Life has caught up to me, but I know there is some goodness amidst this funk. Especially on days like today. On days like today, there really is such evidence of His Grace and Goodness sharing with us a little light that gives such a warmth, I know all will be well.

childhood // bigfoot turned four

This little face turned four over the summer. My heart and mama-brain are still trying to wrap around the reality of this incredible little soul we are blessed and honored to call our son.

He came into the world with the sweetest temperament and it's been such a gift to be able to see his little light grow and change over these last years. Seeing the love that he is capable of is inspiring.

This little guy loves hard. 

He cares.

He is such a good brother. And even though they get into little tifts here and there, he really does cherish his younger sibling. A ton!

I love their love and brotherhood. It's one of the most beautiful things I've been privileged to see as their mother. The way they look for each other and miss each other when they're apart is the sweetest and as much as their rambunctiousness can get them hurt or in trouble on the regular, the fun, silliness, and laughter that always is being had is always worth it.

He also couldn't be more excited about our newest addition who will be here in January!

Is she here yet, mama? She's taking so long! Why?

(While at his homeschooling academy morning prayer) Pray for my baby sister in my mama's tummy.

He is sure that our newest little sweet is a sister. We'll see if this little desire of his comes to fruition come winter.

He loves the ocean. So much.

And music. 

Guitars, drums, and singing happen on the daily with this little guy. Whether he's in the bathroom making up random songs with his random thoughts or he's in the playroom trying to play along to whatever music we have playing, music fills him.

 As does dancing.

 And making up little stories for pretend or storytelling time.

 Oh! and, our pup! Boy does he adore our little pup! So so so so so so so so very much!

He adores his family, both immediate and extended. His favorite times are trips to grandparents houses, to the ocean, and trips made with dear friends.

His friends...he loves them beautifully too. He tells me so often.

Hey mama, you know so-and-so, I love them. They are my friends and I love them.

His daddy. Goodness does he love his daddy.

Where's daddy? Can we go see daddy? Will daddy come for lunch today? Mama, daddy works very hard. I love him.

This boy - he adores his father.

Adventure lights up his little heart and his beautiful brown eyes.

Playing hard is all he knows. It gets him in trouble often, but I also know it is a strength of his that will blossom in amazing ways come with age.

Sports are his happy place. All the sports. There isn't one that he hasn't taken interest in. There isn't one he hasn't claimed to someday play professionally.

In fact, we took him to a baseball game for his birthday.

Mama, this is the best day of my lifffeeeee EVER!

He knows professional players by name. He gets excited over everything during football games, baseball games, tennis matches, and more.

Did you see that play??!! He hit it out of the park! He did! He did it!!!!

He got a wooden bat and helmet that he can handle as if he were an 8 year old. It's pretty insane. His natural inclination and talent for these games are exciting only because we can see how much they excite his little heart.

Daddy, can we play with my wooden bat and ball tonight? Can we? I'll show you some solid hits! Remember that time I hit it so hard it went straight at you and far!? Remember, daddy? I can do it again!

Energy for days does this boy have. Outside twice a day sometimes three times doesn't come near exhausting him.

He has a grateful heart in a little four year old kinda way. 

{Out of no where and regularly} Mama, I love you. 

Hey Linus, I love you.

Daddy, let's play MouseTrap!? Can we?

Did you pray for baby?? Don't forget to pray for baby!

Togetherness and closeness is his love language. He's been a snuggler from the beginning and I love seeing how it has transformed into his love for togetherness, family, and friendship over the years.

Donut cakes are his thing and may continue to be for years to come. This mama is a fan because these donut cakes are something simple and delicious!

Me. He loves me something fierce. I see it in his eyes. I feel it in his snuggles, hugs, and kisses. And I hear it in his sweet little thoughts and words.

Mama, I love you.

Mama, do you need to rest. Are you okay?

Mama, I'm sorry for not listening. Can I tell you sorry and give you a kiss?

(During family prayer) I'm thankful for time with Mama today. 

He has a smile that lights you up. It's full of genuine goodness and can warm anyone's heart - even if he's being on the mischievous side.

He loves being loved. I us, the children of Our Lord, in this part of him. His little heart just looks for all the love to be had and obviously and outwardly just wants to soak it all up. It's a beautiful thing to see the goodness and simplicity of it.

This little guy is smart. I know all parent's think their kiddos are smart, so just toss me into that pool. I especially love discovering the tidbits of information his brain absorbs that I thought it surely had missed.

He's managed to learn at least three new poems this first year of homeschooling as well as memorize oodles of fun songs. It's lovely, beautiful, and good. It also makes me more excited for all the fun that is to come in this department.

His nickname on the blog has always been Bigfoot for good reason. This little-big guy has lived up to it in heart, mind, body, and soul these last four years. He has a heart so much bigger than I could have imagined, his little mind is always on the scurry to grow bigger so that it can take in as much knowledge as he can about this great big world that he is in, he somehow has managed to be the youngest in his homeschooling co-op but also one of the tallest, and his big and beautiful soul teaches me more and more how to be better and good for our little family and others. 

Despite, his stretching, energy for days, and new-found testing abilities that may drive me nut-so sometimes, this boy is good to the core and it's such a gift to be able to know, love, and serve him in our little family.

Happiest of (belated) birthdays, Bigfoot! You are very very very very very loved by your mama, daddy, brother, and soon to be new little sibling. Thank you for the gift of you, sweet love!

guest post // patron saint series: St. John the Beloved for boys

My heart grew for the saints while I was in college. I was soaking up as much as I could about this faith that I was raised in. I loved it! Reading, reading, and reading some more as well as joining Catholic groups and ministries through our vibrant parish.

During my freshman year, I joined the on-campus bible study. It was such a gift! We were reading the gospel of John and I fell in love. Not only did I fall in love with his quiet but beautiful spirit and stunning way with words and storytelling, but I fell in love even more with my Savior through the eyes of His Beloved Apostle.

Because of St. John's beautiful fidelity and love for Our Lord, my heart stirred. He pointed to Christ in such a way I could feel the warmth and love my Savior had for me in a new way. It was all kinds of fantastic and romantic!

...

Read the rest over at Gina's from Someday Saints and find out how this beloved saint made his way back into my heart and into our little family!

childhood // apple farm

We went to an Apple Orchard the other day and had a lovely time with our homeschool academy. The boys loved it and I loved that we didn't have to walk miles because this mama-body would not have been a fan!

The sweetness of these two brothers and the beauty God shares with us as I could snap it are all below!

{Happy}

{Pretty}

{Funny}

{Real}

Senses overwhelmed. Love grown with each step - both, within my little heart, and the heart of these brothers for their friends and each other. Sun-kissed. Breezes through our hair. All the smells. All the tastes. All the feels.

So much goodness!

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being."

- Job 12: 7-10

PHFR