I do it for LIFE!!! ( Here it is the post from the past)

One afternoon, while I was sitting outside watching my last brain cell fly away hand in hand with my last nerve call, my neighbor came by. She sat beside me and asked me the most-asked question of the century. She asked me why I don't send my kids to school. Well, with no brain cells left it was a hard thing to deal with. So I began to tell her my recorded speech. "We like the time we have together...they learn better...we have a wonderful support group." Satisfied, my neighbor then asked the second most common question: "Why do you have so many children? Don't you know how to prevent it?" Sadly, the second question is posed by many well-meaning NFP catholics. So she asked me why I do everything that I do...what a deep question for a mother of four little ones with another on the way. Here I want to introduce the daily life of our family of little ones. Please do not sue me if you experience any trauma after reading this.

I start the day half asleep, half awake. I don't believe I have slept an entire night in 7 1/2 years. Anyway, early in the morning I am awakened by the inhumane screeching sounds made by my two beautiful sons. They have found something to fight about even before they fully awaken...that is genious! I, their loving mom, fly out of bed, glamorous as always and in a loving tone of voice explain to them that I have a personal connection with the Gypsies. At that point the boys decide that they enjoy their company far better than the Gypsies' and they go downstairs haunted by my beautiful visage. By the time I get my teeth brushed, my youngest is in frantic search of his human bottle. I scoop him on my lap to nurse, and after a few grunts he is satisfied.

Soon I hear tiny steps up, followed by whispers and warnings of this sort: "Thomas, be careful! She'll hear you!" Or "Peter, come with me. I'm scared she'll look at me!" My boys have ventured up in front of me. The fear of the Gypsies had given in to a basic human need - hunger. I set the table in a manner befitting an "I Love Lucy" episode. After all, I am still trying to catch some sleep. Somewhere in between, my precious daughter has gotten up and is now informing me that if she was a fairy she wouldn't have to do schoolwork. Love of learning is a force that drives my fairy to tears. The table is cleaned, the boys are playing and fighting at the same time, the baby is walking around with a huge blob of oatmeal on his head. (I figure that if oatmeal is good for your skin then it mush also be good for your hair.) Left to beautify himself, the baby wanders off to somewhere in his sister's room. Where I am afraid to say because we have lost a kid or two in that ever engulfing mess!

I give my daughter her school instructions and just in time, because now I have a fight to stop. I put the pasta drainer (helmet) on my head, pick up my biggest pot lid (shield) and a wooden spoon (sword), and go after the two gladiators. To all of you out there, I can survive a fight between a Spartan and a Persian better than one between two boys before the age of reason. While I am washing the baby and now lecturing the boys in a loud voice, my daughter is having major bodily function failure. Her eyes are rolling back, her hair is standing up, her body is convulsing, all from the pain of writing the letter "P". See, if I was a fairy mom I would just have to put some fairy dust on her. But being a Catholic mom I run for the Holy water. I think I might need a priest. Or maybe I could just send her to an old-fashioned Mennonite school to put the fear of God in her. Unfortunately, at this time I am interrupted by the doorbell. A lady from St. Louis is here to offer me some magazines. I change my cave woman look on my face (reserved solely for my kids) to a nice smile. I asked if she had any titles like "How to Sell Your Children to the Gypsies" or "Did Fairies Go to School?" or "How to Sleep While Awake." But unfortunately after seeing all my blessings behind my back, she runs off.

Now is lunchtime and I just found out that Marco Polo is so boring and Nicolas needs a new diaper. While I change his diaper (which could be used as a lethal weapon in war), I try to explain that Marco Polo isn't boring and that learning is always fun. The boys are starving already, Maria's eyes are permanently stuck in the back of her head, and I am cooking mac & cheese with a baby attached to my hip. Lunch flies by quickly and I mean that literally. There is macaroni stuck on my ceiling and by now the baby is wearing his lunch on his lap as a kilt. The boys are done fighting over who can eat faster, and I am told for the 100th time that Marco Polo is just no fun. As I try to clear the table, Nicolas is ready for a nap. With a loving voice I tell the children that if they wake him up I will lovingly give all their toys away and then I go lie down to nurse Nicolas.

And so goes my life until my husband comes home from work. He opens the door cautiously. After all, he knows the dangers that lie behind it. Lego pieces, blocks, paper, shoes, and toys are all weapons, lurking everywhere trying to trip us. I then serve the grand dinner - hot dogs! Now my daughter falls into a seizure because we are starving her. She doesn't like hot dogs...at least not today! While we ignore our starving child, my husband and I scarf down our first meal of the day. Let me tell you, we are both very fast eaters! Before the boys' or the baby's tantrum (or whatever), which is usually about 10 minutes into dinner, we are both done. Knowing my Balkan blood, my husband quickly removes the kids to the nearest outside yard or bathtub. I can't talk, I am exhausted, and I don't remember what I did that day. Did I feed them? School? By all the chaos lying around it's evident that I did a lot, and yet nothing at the same time.

So why do I do it? For the evenings when I can snuggle my children, see them, hug them, and realize that I am the richest most blessed woman in the world. I do it for their smiles and their sleepy eyes. I do it for life. That is it. That is the answer to all of my neighbor's questions. Life. Choose life...that you may live!

Homeschooling and extracurricular activities in large families

I have to tell you the more kids I have the more I like Seton.  We used packaged, shrink wrapped, program that comes with books, lesson plans, down to the rosary!!!  Here I will let all the moms who are classically enlighten to : gasp, roll their eyes, and if interested continue to read.  It is what works for me with all my blessings that God sends in a very generous way!!!
 Our day starts with me nursing a wee one, while feeding the other little "thank gods", all that while levitating in prayer in the kitchen amongst the pots and pans.  Since I am in the holy state of practicing prayer and doing corporal works of Mercy, my oldest children can start their sit down school work without me.   They know where the left last and go on from there.  What is even better I have teacher aids.  The oldest ones who have been trough the "horrible", "dry", " soul Killing" books that Seton produces from the bosom of the Middle ages, now can have an inquisition party of their own.  They can now help and show the younger ones all the ills and pain of the textbook learning.  ( By the way the quotes and description of  Seton, is not my own is what i gather from other moms.  There is no middle ground with this curriculum provider there are two camps; Atila the haters and Charlemagne the defenders!!!  Really just lighten up a bit!!!)

However for us the real learning happens after school hours.  I know right, you thought Seton moms perpetually homeschool.  Yes, we a re known as the slaves of the perpetual curriculum!!  Not.   After our textbook learning, we dive in our extracurricular activities.  If you know me you know that I am a living opposite of the Modern ADHD mom.  See the new model is fast and all over the place.  Her van is running all over town thus supporting every gas station in her area and a small village in Saudi Arabia.  Her kids are in the van soaking Socrates in her original language, while the baby in the car seat is soaking her diaper.  The stops are many, there is competitive sports all different for each of her 6 kids.  There is music lesson for the baby up to the oldest.  Art lesson, fencing, golfing, swimming and if there is time left there will be a family living.  Lets not forget dancing  and my head is spinning.  The van pulls in at the house the baby is already asleep, the kids are all well educated and rounded and dad just came home from his second job.  See, I admire those moms and I wish they can bottle up their energy and sell it to me.  Here is the description of me the Slow and Medieval.  Again, readers chill!!  You have already seen my morning routine, now let me tell you about our extra activities here in our kingdom.  Lets start with the competitive sports.  Here is a list of them and all my kids thake part in them:
 1. Competitive eating .
If you are a member of large  family you know what that means.  And the trainning start early as soon as you start eating table food.
2.  Showering.
See, our hot water supply goes away fast.  So getting a hot shower is an art and getting their first is a sport.
3. Fencing and Sword fight.
My kids are so good at this.    They have each other to practice with.  After all we also read books.  Greek mythology, middle ages, knights and all kinds of other historical adventures.  My 2 year old daughter runs around with her wooden sword yelling: " Achilles!!!"  After all voice lessons are part of our extra curricular activities. 
4. Soccer and baseball
We have a yard that we do use.  Soccer balls are really not that expensive when that is all you need for 5 kids.  The baby is at competitive nursing class at this time.  It is lovely to be in my kingdom under a tree, holding a baby and watching your very own soccer start running around a ball.  It is priceless.
5.  Foreign languages and Latin( the ingredient that according to some you need to become genius)
We attend a Ukrainian byzantine church on Sundays and every now and then Latin Rite Mass.   So my kids are getting free language lessons and religion all at once for the price of one trip to Church on Sunday!!
6.  Dancing and running
Well, really that one is an easy one.  And we do it right in our Ball room( kitchen).  It is grand and jolly old fun!!!  I have seen my kids running in fear for their life.  After all the old " Tease you sibling and run" tournaments was invented by large families.
7.  Classical thinking.
In our house we have some rules and one of them does not allow tatelinng.   So my kids have to spend a lot of time thinking and delving in the Old school of tought and ancient philosophers to go around this one.  For excample:
  Maria comes and says:  " Mom, our bones are not rubbery and bouncy, right?"
Mommy:  " No, honey, they are not!!"
Maria:  "  well, then Thomas willnot bounce up if he jumps down from the silo as he is planning on doing?"
Mommy:  No words.  i am doing competitive nursing, while running and yodeling looking for Thomas.  You see you can have it all and in your very own castle too!!
8. Music and voice lessons.
Lets begin with voice lessons.  I believe with should start with the very beginning.  Primitive music.  It has 3 levels: 1. Ouch!! 2.  Whine. 3. Cry.  4. Scream.  If you have many little ones you know the stages by heart and your head and ears do suffer greatly.  Offer it up!!  In all seriousness, chanting the liturgy is hard and a very good way to practice your singing in front and amongst people.  God bless, Father K!!
Music lessons.  We do have a free piano we acquired from Craigslist.  In very educational manner we found a piano book that is an amazing way to teach your kids how to play it.  It is very easy on your budget as well.

At the end of the day we all gather together in our living room.  We have all gone trough another day of schooling, living and playing right at the heart of our home!!   And the feeling is sweet.  Being a part of a family, building life together as best friends and connecting to each other happens slowly and steady in days at home and with each other.  Running to and fro and cutting the family a pieces for the sake of  classes and progress is wrong in my kingdom.  We all need to build our families first before we can build society.  And as you grow and form bonds with your family you also learn how to serve your Church, your community and your country as a family.  Remember that God is a Holy trinity , a family of love!!

I won!!!!

I won!!!  I am so happy, I have never won anything in my life!!!!  It is also providential that in the last few day I have struggled with certain issue and 2 years ago while lying all tied up for a c-section it was to this blessed man that I prayed.   And here again dealing with the same problem he finds me again with his words of wisdom and love.  Thank you Ceci, for the giveaway!!

To cute to miss this...

My friend who I admire for her talents and for her love for people and her faith is having another giveaway!!!  I do want to say she is my daughter's godmother so hopefully some of her greatness will rub off on my baby!!!  If you have not seen her handy work you must hurry over to her blog and enter for the great gift you will have the opportunity to win. Thank you for your generosity!!!

And the world watched....

The world watched as they said their vows.  And I think every woman and girl  out there had a tear in their eyes.  I also think that every real man had tears in their eyes as well.  Watching a man loving his bride, reminding him of his love for his wife.   And why not a man loves a woman and takes her for his wife to have and to hold, and as his vows said to honor her with his body.   I never dreamed I was a princess or marrying a prince but I always dreamed of a man who will love me and protect me and lay his life for me.  The love between a man and woman build one of the most holy things on this earth: marriage and family.  I did say one because there is no way to separate these two.  Love creates, grows and builds.  In my mind every man is a prince as long as he has a godly character, faith to follow his God and obey His commandments, love to build up his wife and home and the strength too lay down his life for her.  All this is beautiful and holy and makes marriage a piece of Heaven here on earth.

 I do hope that as the world watched it touched men , women and girls deep in their hearts and turn their eyes to real beauty.  I hope men would discover a desire to be all princes full of love and honor.  Women, I hope that you renew your vision and see the beauty of modesty, gentleness and motherhood as it is part of becoming a true lady.  Young girls, looking and searching for the prince that will carry them into the land of love and happiness, I hope you know that what makes him a prince is his character.  I also want you to keep dreaming for him and prepare accordingly by keeping yourself pure and developing your talents that will help you be his future princess!!

This Advent I pray for HOPE!!!

This Advent, as the previous ones is full of noise all around me.  In this age of shamless tehnology we can not escape this dreadful guest.  He has made himself part of our family and daily life.  Every where around me there are news, tons of information and bad things happening all the time.  I feel like I can't escape the news( which served in a televised fashion have robbed us from our peace and our capability to feel empathy) and it is not realistic to think I can do such thing.  There is war, hunger, poverty and sickness  and all this is not something new to this world.  The new part is for one human being to be able to hear and see all this and continue to grow in his humanity and virtue.  To be able to guard the joy and gratitude for life in the midst of dark and horrible pictures!!!  So this Advent , I am going to meditate on Christ as Emmanuel.  God with us!!  I need this for the sake of gaining hope. I will not look at any news, tv and other such time killing devices and I will pray.  I do not need the tv and news agency to know that there is hunger, that somwhere ther is a child crying in the night from fear.  I do not need the internet to inform me about another terrorist attack, I knew that there are people who do not value life.  I do not need fancy reporter to convince me that someone is hurt, alone and cold to bring tears to my eyes.  The tears are there they are part of the journey to Christ and part of growing up in a messed up world.  What I do need to know and see is Emmanuel!!  I need Him as I need the daylight in the  Winter.  I seek Him to comfort me as I seek a blanket on a chili night.  I call for Him as a child calls out to his mommy in the middle of the night.  There is fear all around us these days and I need to find God here, around me so I can preserve the peace and love in my heart and my home.  I need too look for Him even in the smallest acts or places, for they are the one that can turn a heart of ice and vice into a heart full of lght and virtue.  In the pain and tears, the fears and the vanity of this world He is here.  The world was full of all of these back on that silent night when Christ was born, but He chose to come right here in the mud with us!!!  So Emmanuel is here with me amidst the pain, the fear and the prayers of all of His children, I just need to turn off the noise and pray.  I will pray for Christ to make himself present to me and to gift me with his presence of peace, joy and love.   And I will pray that people will be able to be comfoted by Him as well.  I will pray for the poor to feel His love by trying to feed one person or donating to a food pantry.  By being fed they will feel Emmanuel is truly with them.  I will pray for the lonely by writting a letter or calling a friend who I know needs someone to talk to.  This Advent I will seek and I will pray that I feel Emmanuel!!!

"Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope.…
It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."
(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Seek That Which Is Above,1986)

Advent traditions and Saint Lucy's day crowns!!!

Just love...

ATC Saints swap!!!

If you missed the Mary cards swap here is your chance to be a part of All Saints card swap!!!

We love you, Little Flower!!!

Here they are!!!  Shower of roses from Heaven!!!