Footprints on the Fridge

Simply Lovely Rosaries

Do check out the Simply Lovely Rosary Fair over at Sarah's place today.  It is a truly inspiring read for the month of May.

My Heavenly Mother-in-Law

Recently a friend and I were talking over some things we needed to find a way to communicate to our husbands.  We both agreed there was just no way we would be able to reach his heart the way and be heard the way we needed to be heard, the discussion would center on the wrong thing, go the wrong direction, and inevitably end up in misunderstanding.  I confessed that all we could was pray that our husbands' hearts would hear what needed to be said from a heavenly voice.

Besides these tough conversations that inevitably arise in marriage, there are also the requests, the needs that continually present themselves.  These men we call husbands are beloved.  We desire their happiness.  We are bothered when their burden is heavy and worried when they are tired or sick.  Sometimes we have no way to assuage the difficulties they face.  A warm meal and a sincere prayer is all that we can offer--and it is enough.

And then there are the moments of sheer joy, when love for that man overwhelms you and gratitude springs up like a fountain.  You want to rise up at the city gates and praise him.  Your house full of toddlers and preschoolers are happy to chant "Daddy" for a while, but they don't quite share in the outpouring of emotion you do.  So you pray in Thanksgiving.

Recently, I have smiled at a new notion of my relationship with my Blessed Mother.  I do not feel like I love the Blessed Mother from afar.  I feel like I really know her--that I have buried my head her shoulder and run to her embrace many, many times.  I know the feel of her mantle and the sound of her voice.  I feel the pain of her disappointed glances and the sweet joy of pleasing her.  We are mother and daughter.

And now I realize that it is the same for Greg.  See that little boy she's holding?  It's Jesus.  But it could just as easily be my husband or yours.  And she loves him the way she loves me: tenderly, with intimacy and maternal care.  I not only have a heavenly Mother, I have a heavenly Mother-in-Law!  She wants for her little boy even more grace than I do.  That heavenly voice I desire him to hear?  It's hers, and she wants to tell him what he needs to know.  That overflow of love I want to express, hers is a floodgate.  And so I have begun to give him to her, over and over again, every day, many times a day.  I give her his needs, his desires, his cares.  I give her our disagreements and our joys.  I give her his work and his play.  I let her be his mother, so that I can be his wife.

The Bible tells us that "a man shall leave his mother and cleave to his wife."  In order to take up headship in our families, our husbands let go of the comfort of their earthly mothers and trust us to fill in the gaps.  We are human and imperfect and bound to disappoint on occasion.  But his Heavenly Mother will never disappoint him, and we can fill up what is lacking in our own efforts with the grace she so readily disperses.

I have always loved to pray the rosary for the peace the repetition brings me.  It clears my head when my hands and mouth are busy and my thoughts are focused on Jesus.  I want to be better at praying the rosary every day, the way the Lovely Lady has asked so many times.  And now I have a new focus.  It my time to chat with my husband's Mother, to compare notes, share fears, concerns, joys, to get feedback, and background from someone whose known him longer than me.  My rosary is like tea-time with my Heavenly Mother-in-Law.

She shows me the life of her Son and I give her this son whom I love.  She takes him in her lap too, cuddles him close to his Saviour and does far more for him than I can do alone.  I am so grateful for that. 

On Being Intentional: Routine

This week's loveliness fair is being hosted by Paula and our theme is windows.  As I walked through the house this morning to start my day, I was mulling this post around in my mind.  I love my windows.  I love curtains, I love the views from windows, there is so much I could say.  But as the day began, I realized that my windows have changed in their purpose and meaning since I have stepped up my efforts to be intentional about housekeeping. 

Windows are quite lovely in of themselves for the view they provide to nature's gifts.  The fact that we get to dress them to suit our tastes lends another lovely attribute to them (for some wonderful inspiration, check out Lady Lydia's advice at Home Living), but what I have come most to appreciate about my windows is how they've come to reflect my intention in the pursuit of a daily routine and rhythm.

I start my mornings in the kitchen, where I brew the coffee, start a load of laundry and unload the dishwasher from the evening before.  The space between my kitchen sink and my island stove top is the place where I spend the "pegs" of my day, the times that mark the important points in our daily routine.  It has become my special little space:

This little vase was placed there to hold the handfuls of wild flowers the boys bring me on a regular basis these spring days.  As summer approaches, it will be home to roses and marigold from the garden (I hope).  The candle is the one I spoke about here--I light when I'm working in the kitchen, washing dishes at the sink or doing meal prep on the counters, to remind me to sanctify the moment, to find my holiness in this everyday service.  This is where I start the work of my day, it is the place I return to for important work throughout the day, and the last place I finish the work of the day most evenings.  It  is a lovely place to work, filled with the presence of little reminders that my work is holy, that my return to this spot throughout the day is my calling, that intent translated into action is virtuous.   

This sweet little St. Pio statue holds my wedding ring for me when I am involved in the kitchen.  I like to try to remember this quote from him as I work:  "Do not be so given to the activity of Martha as to forget the silence of Mary. May the Virgin who so well reconciled the one with the other be your sweet model and inspiration."

I think the gentle rhythm of a day followed with intent and purpose allows me to find that balance.

Shortly after I begin my morning at the kitchen window, a little voice beckons from another room.  Kolbe, my early riser, clamors for his "Mommy morning time."  The coffee is ready, I fill my cup and head to his room: 

Each evening when I put him to bed, we sing and untie his curtains to signal evening's rest.  When I pick him up in the mornings, we sing to greet the day and as I lay him on the changing table, we tie those curtains back to greet the day's sun once again.

This spot is one I return to again and again throughout the day as well.  With two babies in diapers, there are lots of changes, and with Kolbe still napping twice most days, his bed gets lots of use.  The light shining through those tied curtains in another reminder to me that the day's work creates a rhythm that benefits all of us, and that the little ones in our midst need the careful attention to detail that intentional  routines create.

Our day is punctuated by the routine work keeping a house requires of us, but its text is the praying, growing, and learning we do together each day.  Our dining room window marks the seasons and showcases these aspects of our lives:

Right now, we are adding weekly items that reflect the season of spring and coordinate with our alphabet activities. 

After breakfast, morning prayer and chores, this window greets us as we sit for academic work in areas like math and reading.  We return in the afternoons for tea and a craft to celebrate the seasons of our faith, like these spring crosses that last week reminded us that we were still rejoicing in Easter's joy: 

And to work together as a family on the plans at Serendipity, including our geography postcards:

When this part of our day is done, the routine takes me back to my starting point, the kitchen window, for dinner prep and clean up, and then on to bed time, where we draw those curtains in the little boy's room and settle into evening's lulling rhythm.

Housekeeping is essentially about routine.  Marking our days with joy and beauty makes becomes easier when there is a reliable rhythm to our days.  We must be intentional in our pursuit of it.  And if we are, we may just find there is lots of simple loveliness awaiting us each day, in familiar spots that reflect who we are and why we do what we do.   

Wordless Wednesday: Simply Lovely Flowerpots

 

A Lovely Little Reminder

The second Loveliness Fair of the spring will be hosted at Susan's place this Wednesday.  Our theme is flower pots. Word-y and Word-less posts welcome.  Don't disappoint me ladies.   I picked this fair for this day because I wanted lots of flowers fo my birthday! I'm counting on you.  Send Susan some flower pot love today (or tomorrow)!

Simply Lovely Laundry

Okay, now I know you all chuckled just a little when you read the spring fair schedule and saw that laundry was the first topic.  But the volume and variety of submissions proves what we hoped it would: women engaged in their work with a heart for service to the ones they love are in fact simply lovely.

Now before you read any further, where is your laundry? Do you need to start  a load, switch a load, or fold a load? Do it now.  Then come back.  Don't let your laundry mock you while you read.

Well, we ladies certainly have different ways of looking at laundry, about as motley as the items we find inside our baskets on laundry day.  Let's hang them on the line and have a look.

Well now, this sweet bonnet must belong to Mary, whose given us a fun lesson on the history of laundry and shared her appreciation for our modern laundry conveniences.

Now these sheets must belong to Elizabeth who shares how she's getting it all done when it comes to laundry, from her favorite linens to those pesky hampers of clothing.

And these wool socks must be Susan's.  Wears 'em with her hiking boots.  She's the adventurous type.  Climbed Mount Laundrymanjaro last year.  Wonder what she's planning on tackling next.

Oh, look.  A rosary in the laundry basket.  This must be Sarah's.  She likes to say it while she hangs the laundry on warm spring days.  She certainly has a sweet way of looking at things.

Oh, isn't this t-shirt lovely? Perfectly folded and a heart right in the center. Must be Lisa's.  She admits her heart's in the laundry basket. She got that from her grandmother.  Stick around to admire the lovely art, learn some great tips, and share a laugh too.

What a lovely yellow cardigan!  It must be Dawn's, you know how she loves them.  She too learned from her grandma how lovely laundry can be.  Oops, she's left her list in her pocket!  Well, she can pick it up when she stops by later.

Hey, is that your dryer buzzing?  Go switch your loads.  I'll wait for you.  Oh, you're back!  I found another list in the basket while you were gone.  It belongs to Darcee.  She's thinking at all through and putting it on paper over at her place.

Look at these sweet litle girl things!  This must be Pam's.  She likes washing for one at a time.

Oh, this hanger must belong to Barbara.  She does her laundry in the closet after all!  Sometimes all it takes to make a task lovely is thinking outside the box!

Even Maryan can be convinced of laundry's loveliness when she brings her favorite guys along on the date.  This adorable hat must belong to her little companion.

Oh, cloth diapers!  And a lot of them too.  These have got to be Annie's.  She's washing and hanging for two in diapers, you know!  And finding the joy in it, even when her appliances are revolting.  Well, she's safe at those drying racks anyhow.

Hhhm, look at all these socks!  They're just the same.  They must belong to Sarah.  She's been thinking long and working hard on getting a handle on her family's laundry.  She may join us soon.  She loves a clothes line in the spring too.

What's that?  This one smell like roses?  It must belong to Jessica.  She's got some great ideas for lightening your load.  And a lighter laundry load is definitely a lovelier one!

And this one, smells just like the ocean.  It's got to be Jennifer's.  I sure wish I could sit with her at her folding table some time soon.

Well, we're at the bottom of our basket.  What's that flashlight, you say?  Oh, dear, that's mine.  But I don't need it any more.  I'm over my fear of the laundry monster in the closet.

My laundry basket? Oh, I saw it over at Matilda's place.  Couldn't resist it.  Isn't it just lovely.  Check out the neat things she's found as she was making over her laundry room.

Looks like we're all  done here.  Would you like to come in for a cup of tea? You say you've got ironing to to do? Yeah, me too.  Well, it was a simply lovely time.  Thanks for joining me.

Lovely but Late Laundry

I'm going to hold off on posting the Simply Lovely Laundry fair until Friday.  Some ladies wanted to participate but needed a little extra time.  There are some great posts so far, so please come back Friday.  It's going to be good.

Simply Lovely Spring 2008: The Splendor of Spring

At the beginning of the year, we made it our goal to seek simple ways to bring loveliness into our domestic churches this year.  It is hard to believe that the year's newness is well behind us and we already find ourselves in the midst of Easter's joy and spring's warmth.   

We want to focus our pursuit of loveliness this spring on bringing that warmth and joy into our homes, on creating havens for our families to retreat to together in the bustle of busy days.

This goal can take many forms, from finding routines that keep our havens orderly and well-run to filling those havens with touches of nature's spring splendor.

We must, however, remain mindful of our purpose.  It is not our goal to create to the perfect home.  We have one perfect home, heaven.  Ours is the pursuit of a life that will lead us there.  As the hearts of our domestic churches, we find ourselves endowed with the responsibility of making our homes places where our families can be nourished and nurtured on the journey to heaven and where we can welcome friend or stranger alike into the subtle, sweet presence of God.

There is nothing quite like the joy of sharing a job well done with a sister who cares about it as much as you do.  And it is a great relief to know that there are companions who are traveling the road to heaven with caravans both large and small, who are seeking the best ways to carry the load and enjoy the journey at the same time. 

I can't help but imagine the Holy Family on the journey to the temple in Jerusalem.  This was probably a journey they took with some regularity, and one which they did not take alone.  There was a caravan of families, all traveling together in a sincere and humble celebration of their faith.  I imagine the families stopping to eat and rest, gathering on cloths laid out by the women or reclining on large stones.  I think of the quiet conversations that took place as they walked side by side.  I imagine the chatter of children weaving in and out of the crowd and the quiet that settled as each mother gathered her own family and fed them, washed them, and created a place for them to rest.  Think of the collective concern they must have felt when Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus and the great relief when word reached them that He was safe.

Let us seek loveliness together with the same mindset.  We are the wives and mothers of that holy caravan, making our way to the Heavenly Temple together, sometimes with moments to share and visit with one another and sometimes wholly absorbed in the task of caring for our family on the journey, but all the while together, wholehearted in the pursuit of a common destination.

So this spring, let's seek the splendor in the simple with these topics:

Simply Lovely Laundry (April 9th): Let's share wisdom, thoughts, ideas and systems for keeping families warm and clothed on the journey.  This one will be hosted here at Footprints of the Fridge.  Leave your links in the combox.

Simply Lovely Flower Pots (April 16): Sweet, lovely, and simple--the pot themselves are half the joy, and the life growing inside them is ever a reminder of Heaven's splendor and our Father's love.  Let's share their sweet joy with our families and one another.  To volunteer to hostess, leave a comment.  Susan will be your hostess.

Simply Lovely Windows (April 30): Sunshine warms our bodies and our souls and windows let it into our homes.  Windows are one of churches' most beautiful attributes.  Each is lovely in itself, and each tells part of a story and contributes to an overall atmosphere.  How can we use the windows of our domestic churches to do the same?  Paula will be your hostess.

Simply Lovely Rosaries (May 14): Praying the rosary is that moment when we encounter our Sweet Mother on the journey and share a quiet conversation with her.  In the month of Our Lady, let's share our stories of her rosary and how it has shaped and formed us on our journey.  And let's share the simple loveliness of rosaries themselves.  Sarah.

Simply Lovely Picnics (May 28):  As the days lengthen and the air warms, let's spread our blankets and gather our families around them for the sweetest kind of simple nourishment, a picnic.  What's in your basket? Who's on your blanket, and where are you gathering? Darcee will be your hostess.

So gather yourself and your traveling party and join the caravan, because we're headed to heaven and the journey is going to be simply lovely.   

The Rhythm of Connection

This week's Loveliness Fair over at Sarah's place  has "Connection" for a theme.  In the announcement post, I asked:

"How do we moms find time to stay connected to the ones we love?  What are some simple ways we can nurture the vocation of marriage and connect with our spouse on a regular basis?  Let's share how we create lovely moments in a typical day to connect with our spouses."

Let's face it.  At the foundation of these bustling, busy lives we write about is a vocation and a sacrament.  If we are not nurturing that, the rest of it is crumbling, however slowly.

The first reading at our wedding was from the book of Ecclesiastes.  It ends "A three-ply cord is not easily broken."  This is engraved inside our wedding bands.  And the way Greg and I connect each day is through that third element in our cord, God.

I don't think a day has passed in our almost eleven year-old marriage that we have not prayed together.  Our normal daily rhythm includes waking before the kids and praying together with the Liturgy of the Hours or with scripture.  We always share our thoughts on what we have read and pray for our intentions.  This prayer gives us a glimpse of one another's hearts more quickly than an ordinary conversation can.  When we mull the Word of God over together, we can see the depths and facets of each other's minds and souls and we can see the work God is doing in one another.  We can discuss what God desires for our family and how He is speaking to us as parents.  More decisions about how to parent come out of this time of day than any other.  When we share our intentions with one another, we really get to glimpse the other's heart.  I know what matters to Greg today and he knows what matters to me.  And we can stay connected all day by praying for those intentions throughout the day.

We also usually pray together in the late afternoon and again in the evening.  We have the benefit of being home together throughout most days (Greg works from home), so it is a natural part of the rhythm of the day. 

But even on days when that rhythm is interrupted, prayer is not.  We have prayed over the phone from separate countries, in hospital beds before and after the births of babies, in the car on road trips.  Greg rarely leaves the home without a Bible and a rosary.  That makes it easy to pray when the day beckons us away from the rhythm of home.  I have to tell you that left to my own temperament, there would be many days that I would be well into my to-do list without taking this time together or road trips where the Bible was forgotten but everyone had extra socks.  But God, in His infinite kindness, answered my young heart's prayer for a holy, prayerful husband and wed me to one of His most faithful, stalwart prayer warriors.  This prayer routine was ingrained in Greg from the earliest days of our dating.  He has always made it a part of our lives together and I can't imagine it any other way. 

The question above asked how we (meaning the wives I guess) create moments of connection in our busy days.  For me, I must admit, the task is pretty easy.  When I'm called for prayer, I come.  And for that, I am simply grateful.

A Lovely Little Reminder

Are We There Yet? has your reminder and description of the next edition of the Simply Lovely Fairs, due out Wednesday, March 12.  The theme is Simply Lovely Sacred Spaces.  Please send in your submissions some time this week.