Sonlight Garden

Prayer At The Sink

Pulling together the children's mini altars and wanting a quiet place for them to lift their hearts to God. I started thinking about where I do a lot of my praying and reflecting. It certainly is not a quiet place. It is in the heart of my home, my kitchen. My little "sacred space" evolved over time. I spend a lot of time at my kitchen sink so this is really the only logical place ;0) I added little prayers or Holy Cards that I liked in the window sills. Over time statues have been added and candles have been lit for different novenas and intentions.

This is an old statue I bought of "Mary in the Temple" I look at that statue and I am reminded of Mary's humble obedience to God. I send up a prayer asking to be humble, obedient, gentle, loving, and patient as I take care of my family. Just like the Blessed Mother did.

Ahhh, and of course St. Joseph. Every time I look at that statue I send up a prayer for my husband who works so hard for his family. I ask God to protect him and make him strong, patient, loving, and courageous. Just as St. Joseph was. 

This is not our family altar, that is in our living room. This is my little place, my sacred spot, the prayers of my daily life as wife, mom, teacher. The heart of my home!

Simply Lovely One on One

Be sure to pop on over and visit Marianne at Learning2Love. She is hosting Simply Lovely One on One. How to make special moments with your each of your children. I personally can't wait to read all of the different ideas.

Special Time

  Each one of my children are very well loved. One of the benefits of growing up in a big family are the relationships. Big sisters smooching on the little ones, the little ones smooching back. Big brother helping little brother build Lego's. There are make believe games of "Little House on the Prairie" outside. There is always interaction. Most of the time it is good. Sometimes bad. There is quarreling, but that allows for forgiveness and more love.

I know that my children are growing up in a wonderful healthy home. I know that they live in a home where their Mommy and Daddy love each other. And I do know that they know they are loved very much by their parents and their Creator. But sometimes I will lay in bed at night and think that one of my children got lost in the shuffle?  It breaks my heart when this happens. The mommy in me will feel that separation. And I want to kick myself because a day went by when I just became so busy with everything going on that each child did not receive that focused attention from mommy. When this happens I vow that tomorrow will be different, and it is. Thank God. But every once in a while it will creep back in. I then realize I need to refocus. I refocus my attention from the outside world and turn inward to my home, my family, my children, my vocation.

When thinking about how each child gets that one on one time with mom, that focused attention from me. I look at my day and pull in each child. These are some of the things that I do or have done

• Assigned "Dinner Helper" Each child has a different night of the week. They are in the kitchen with me helping me make dinner. We talk and laugh. They are also learning kitchen skills! A big bonus.
• I usually take my earliest riser out with me to do our outside morning chores. (This is usually with my Patrick.) This is my favorite time because the new day is starting and it is quiet.
• Another one of my favorite times are with my girls. I started this this year. Daddy will take the boys to scouts and that is when the girls and I will do some handicrafts. We have yummy snacks and pick out something to make. The key to making this time special is that I myself do not make anything. I am not focused on my own craft so I am available to help them.

• If I have the opportunity to go to the store by myself, I usually don't. I will grab a child to go with me. Just recently, I had gotten a babysitter to go to an antique festival nearby. I ended up bringing my oldest, Joseph, with me. We had blast!! I had more fun with him than when I had gone by myself in the past.
• Homeschooling in general lends lots of opportunity to have one on one time. Lessons that need extra explaining. Hearing each child read. Making time for read-alouds for the younger ones.
• And of course at bed time. Each child gets that special hug and kiss. Prayers are said. A special blessing is given. They are loved. This is natural and unplanned and special.

One thing I have noticed is that when I make myself totally available to my children, when I am not distracted by the telephone and the computer and the outside world, they receive what they need. There is no thought involved in how they get their one on one time whatsoever. It is how it should be. I am there for them and they for me. Those are the best days!

Simply Lovely Fair

   Be sure to visit Sarah at Plainsong on January 16 for the Simply Lovely Fair. The topic is Simply Lovely Plans. Enjoy!