Building Cathedrals
What am I cooking for dinner tonight?
Skillet sage and thyme chicken thighs, brown rice, and a green salad. This is simple and easy, a recipe I adapted from several on the internet. Rub chicken with salt and pepper then dredge it in a mixture of flour (1/2C.), salt (1/2 t.), sage (1/2 t.) and thyme (1/2 t.) Heat ~1/4C. olive oil in a pan and fry the chicken until done. Serve over rice with drippings. Yum! My whole family loves it–even the baby. Chicken thighs are so moist and tasty–we don’t indulge in this fried delight too often, but when we do we enjoy it. We appreciate the chance to put some meat on our kids’ bones!
What are my weekend plans?
Tomorrow night I have a date night scheduled with GG and friends from church to see Jim Gaffigan, a Catholic comedian mentioned here before. We have been planning this for awhile and are looking forward to a night out with good friends. Saturday morning starts our spring soccer season. My husband is coaching my middle son’s team, which adds another layer of responsibility. Also, our third son’s team doesn’t yet have a coach, so we’ll be volunteering on and off there as well. Trying to manage three Saturday morning games is tricky enough, especially with a napping infant and busy 2yo! While I love spring soccer Saturdays, I admit there is part of me still aching for more of our lazy winter weekends.
Saturday evening we’ll head to Mass and afterward to our church’s annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner, put on by the Knights of Columbus (hubby included). I learned my lesson last year–come prepared with ample baby toys, baby chair, and low expectations for the quality and quantity of food my children will consume. There is inevitably one child who goes on a food strike and will eat nothing for dinner. Alas, what’s a mama to do? Let ’em go hungry, I guess!
What are my prayer intentions for the day?
I am praying today for our new pope, Francis I, installed yesterday as many of you watched. What an exciting event!! My boys were just arriving home from school when we saw the white smoke. I hollered out the door (while talking to Kellie “Red” on the phone) “Boys! There’s white smoke!” They came running, the 6yo falling on the neighbor’s driveway in all the excitement. We watched afterward in anticipation. It was a really special event to share with my kids. I was especially moved by the enthusiasm of the people in St. Peter’s square. Catholics are 1.2 billion strong and proud of it!! God bless Pope Francis!
Other prayers on my heart today are for this family, who is always in need of prayer, but even more so this week as my friend (the mama) had to have kidney stones surgically removed while the rest of the family is battling the flu. Lord, have mercy! Will you join me in praying for them? They need extra grace in the coming days.
What can my children do instead of watching T.V.?
How about play chess? My 6yo has taken to the game and now wants to play anyone and everyone. His love for chess saved me the other day as he took our 4yo and his friend under his wing and taught them how to play. It was so sweet to watch the two 4yo’s battle it out with T (6) and M (8) coaching them on. M was supposed to be doing homework, but got lured in by the fun. Next pupil will have to be… Me! T promised to teach me in the coming days. My kids join the ranks of other Builder children who play. If you’re looking to get your kids started, I recommend any chess teacher set with the moves of each piece printed directly on. It has been a great place to start for us!
What have I done for my marriage this week?
Or what has my husband done for me? He’s supported me going out two nights out this week, which is very generous of him. The first one I substituted at my friend’s Bunco group and the second was for an informal baby shower out. He was really gracious both times and handled bedtime for the four oldest. He even had the kitchen cleaned last night when I returned home. Such a gem. Thanks babe!
What am I reading?
At the moment, nada. I struggle finding time to sit down with a book, especially when I like to devour books in large chunks. Reading a page or two here and there is not my idea of good reading. I need a bigger time allowance to get a book done in one or two sittings or I lose track of details, plots, etc. I know, I’m a high maintenance reader! My book club has just chosen its next book, so I guess I should get going…
What is one product that is making my life easier?
We just invested in a new mini van, saying goodbye to our 15yo dinosaur. It was sad to move on, but I have to tell you, automatic doors on a van are just about the most amazing convenience for a mother! Add onto that an automatic tailgate and I’m about as spoiled as a kid in a candy shop.
What is challenging me lately?
Our 2yo and her behavior. She is ornery and stubborn and then so cute and enjoyable minutes later. I find my patience running very thin with her lately and am trying to take deep breaths. A friend recently challenged me to a no yelling policy. She had been struggling as a mother with losing control and a psychologist friend encouraged her to stop. Dead in her tracks. Yelling was no longer a tool in her motherly arsenal. She inspired me to take the same approach–how often do I resort to yelling as a last measure to produce results? Doesn’t it always backfire? The result is usually less compliance and more sadness, where I’m having to apologize for “mommy losing my temper” and stop kids from crying. Oy vey! The cycle had to stop and I’m happy to report, I haven’t done it since. Two weeks and counting. I am under control even in chaotic moments and we are all better for it. This is definitely a work-in-progress, but I’m really amazed at how easy it was to go cold turkey. I encourage you to give it a shot–it’s worth it!
God bless on this beautiful, God-given Thursday!
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