Merry Christmas Pi Team! Hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Many Blessings,
The Omicron Ladies
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A Dance WIth The Sunlight
I looked out the window this morning and saw a beautiful palette of creams, pinks, lavendars and icy blues. As cold as it is outside, I've been a little irritated with mother nature, but this morning's display made up for it. And then, lo and behold, Earl The Squirrel decided to give me a show. I think he must have seen me at the window, for he was performing the most curious little dance. He was in a tree in my back yard, and he would give me a little peek with his head, then hide behind a limb, only to start the movement all over again.
He moved up and down the tree branch, fluffing his little tail, and I kept thinking, "That poor little thing. It's so cold, how does he stop from freezing to death?" But he was just a happy little camper ... twittering and twitching, dancing and hopping. And of course, Earl The Squirrel got me thinking.
Even during the harshest of times, whether it's the cold weather, whether it's friends or relatives in the throes of a terminal illness, whether it's sick children, a demanding job, the stresses of the holidays or the endless lists of things to do, we all somehow get through it. And if we're lucky, we find those moments when we want to dance a little jig, soak in the joys of minor moments in time filled with a child's smile, a beautiful sunrise, a loved one's kind words. We're built to last, to endure, to thrive and even conquer. I truly believe that it is those small moments in time that we're hear to cherish, to take in the palm of our hands and hold onto like a precious shell found in the sands of a rugged beach. Enjoy those small minutes or seconds of the day. They keep us going.
He moved up and down the tree branch, fluffing his little tail, and I kept thinking, "That poor little thing. It's so cold, how does he stop from freezing to death?" But he was just a happy little camper ... twittering and twitching, dancing and hopping. And of course, Earl The Squirrel got me thinking.
Even during the harshest of times, whether it's the cold weather, whether it's friends or relatives in the throes of a terminal illness, whether it's sick children, a demanding job, the stresses of the holidays or the endless lists of things to do, we all somehow get through it. And if we're lucky, we find those moments when we want to dance a little jig, soak in the joys of minor moments in time filled with a child's smile, a beautiful sunrise, a loved one's kind words. We're built to last, to endure, to thrive and even conquer. I truly believe that it is those small moments in time that we're hear to cherish, to take in the palm of our hands and hold onto like a precious shell found in the sands of a rugged beach. Enjoy those small minutes or seconds of the day. They keep us going.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
In Sickness And In Health ...
I'm writing today not about my marriage, contrary to the headline, but about my son. For it seems like there's nothing like a family member's problems to put things in perspective (see my last blog about Earl the Squirrel). After I moaned last week about the Christmas stress that comes with wish lists and party obligations, I got smacked upside the had (AKITA??) as my son came down with one of his horrible episodal migraines. It put my world back on its axis.
Sam gets these horrible migraine episodes that involve less headache and more dizziness, which the doctors call his "aura." He's been having these episodes since he was two, although at the time we didn't know what they were. Without going into too much detail, it involves three to four days of watching my son so dizzy that he can't function. I have to carry him into the bathroom, he needs to be carried down the stairs in the morning, and I have to cover the windows with heavy sheets and just wait it out. For those who have had sick children, you know there is nothing more horrible than watching your little one suffer. Whether it's a trip to the emergency room, sleepless nights monitoring rattled breath and spiking fevers, the moments that your child is hurting cause anxiety and stress that compares to nothing else.
So I'm back in the right frame of mind when it comes to the holidays. I haven't step foot in a store in three days and the earth hasn't stopped rotating. As far as I know, businesses haven't closed down, and I'm pretty sure that life has gone on without me. Which leads me to the much needed realization that I just don't need to get worked up about all these external things that have bothered me. I just want a healthy family, time with my friends, and maybe a sip of champagne on New Year's Day. And another meeting with my CRHP sisters .... I missed you last night. Have a great week, my dear friends!
Sam gets these horrible migraine episodes that involve less headache and more dizziness, which the doctors call his "aura." He's been having these episodes since he was two, although at the time we didn't know what they were. Without going into too much detail, it involves three to four days of watching my son so dizzy that he can't function. I have to carry him into the bathroom, he needs to be carried down the stairs in the morning, and I have to cover the windows with heavy sheets and just wait it out. For those who have had sick children, you know there is nothing more horrible than watching your little one suffer. Whether it's a trip to the emergency room, sleepless nights monitoring rattled breath and spiking fevers, the moments that your child is hurting cause anxiety and stress that compares to nothing else.
So I'm back in the right frame of mind when it comes to the holidays. I haven't step foot in a store in three days and the earth hasn't stopped rotating. As far as I know, businesses haven't closed down, and I'm pretty sure that life has gone on without me. Which leads me to the much needed realization that I just don't need to get worked up about all these external things that have bothered me. I just want a healthy family, time with my friends, and maybe a sip of champagne on New Year's Day. And another meeting with my CRHP sisters .... I missed you last night. Have a great week, my dear friends!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Earl the Squirrel In Hiding
I have been hanging out at my laptop this morning, catching up on some of my work. I've glimpsed fairly regularly out my window, keeping an eye out for Earl, my favorite squirrel. He just isn't any where to be found. I think he must be like me ... chilled to the bone and wanting to just hunker down inside with my sweats on. Do you think Earl is sitting inside a tree somewhere with his Notre Dame sweatshirt on and a pair of fleece slippers?
So I've found myself already in a pre-holiday stress mode. And I swore that this would not be the case. I received my first Christmas cards in the mail yesterday, which prompted me to think, "Oh no, I haven't even THOUGHT about addressing mine." I casually strode down the aisles of Meijer's yesterday, wanting to see how much Bakugan's were for my son (a toy that I had never heard of until this year), and realized they are completely picked over. When I inquired about another shipment coming in, the saleslady just snickered and said, "Good luck with finding them in this town!" So now I'm stressed about finding the right gifts.
I look around my house at the clean clothes that need to be put away, at the layer of dust on my window sill, and the stacks of paperwork handcrafted by my children that I must secretly recycle one day, and I feel overwhelmed and underperforming as a wife and mother. And unless the magical cleaning fairy comes to pay me a visit, I'm thinking that I need a miracle in order to get my house in a presentable fashion.
So the yearly question during this time of year is: What is important? And even though I know the answer to that question, why is it so hard to breathe and stay focused on that thought? Aren't we supposed to be enjoying the season? Aren't we supposed to be relaxed, smiling and soaking in the warmth and love that surrounds us this time of year? Why is it so easy to get rattled, to get worked up, and to obsess about decorations that need hanging, presents that need wrapping, and cards that need signing?
I don't have a good answer. But I do know that staying connected to the church, that having our community around us, that staying in touch with friends and allowing ourselves the time to reflect, helps keep us focused on the bigger picture. Christmas is a time of rejoicing, of celebration, of sharing love and recognizing the greatest gift of all: Our Father.
Do you think Earl the Squirrel would understand? If I see him, I'll be sure to ask.
So I've found myself already in a pre-holiday stress mode. And I swore that this would not be the case. I received my first Christmas cards in the mail yesterday, which prompted me to think, "Oh no, I haven't even THOUGHT about addressing mine." I casually strode down the aisles of Meijer's yesterday, wanting to see how much Bakugan's were for my son (a toy that I had never heard of until this year), and realized they are completely picked over. When I inquired about another shipment coming in, the saleslady just snickered and said, "Good luck with finding them in this town!" So now I'm stressed about finding the right gifts.
I look around my house at the clean clothes that need to be put away, at the layer of dust on my window sill, and the stacks of paperwork handcrafted by my children that I must secretly recycle one day, and I feel overwhelmed and underperforming as a wife and mother. And unless the magical cleaning fairy comes to pay me a visit, I'm thinking that I need a miracle in order to get my house in a presentable fashion.
So the yearly question during this time of year is: What is important? And even though I know the answer to that question, why is it so hard to breathe and stay focused on that thought? Aren't we supposed to be enjoying the season? Aren't we supposed to be relaxed, smiling and soaking in the warmth and love that surrounds us this time of year? Why is it so easy to get rattled, to get worked up, and to obsess about decorations that need hanging, presents that need wrapping, and cards that need signing?
I don't have a good answer. But I do know that staying connected to the church, that having our community around us, that staying in touch with friends and allowing ourselves the time to reflect, helps keep us focused on the bigger picture. Christmas is a time of rejoicing, of celebration, of sharing love and recognizing the greatest gift of all: Our Father.
Do you think Earl the Squirrel would understand? If I see him, I'll be sure to ask.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Formation Calendar 2008/2009 (updated 12/1/08)
Date | Time | Location | Meeting Topic | Reflection By… | Witness Review | Witness | Notes |
09/18/08 | 7:00pm | PLC | Evening of Discipleship | ||||
09/22/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | HG & FS | Dan & Heidi | |||
09/29/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | HG & FS | Kate & Michelle | |||
10/06/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | HG & FS | Deana & Diana | |||
10/13/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | HG & FS | Jill & Terry | |||
10/20/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | HG & FS | Stephanie & Tammy | |||
10/25/08 | 5:30pm | SEAS | CRHP Mass & Hog Roast | Kids are invited to Hog Roast!!!!! | |||
10/27/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | HG & FS | Jackie | |||
11/03/08 | 7:15pm | DC | Evening of Discernment | ||||
11/10/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | Review of Ministries | Katie & Dan | (Cindy & Barb will be at Continuation Meet.) | ||
11/17/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | #1: Commitment | ||||
11/24/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | #2: Shared Ministry | ||||
12/01/08 | 7:30pm | PLC | #3: Evangelization | Renewal | Kate Lustig | ||
12/08/08 | 7:00pm | PLC | #4: New Life in Christ | New Life in Christ | TBD | ||
12/15/08 | 7:00pm | Cnf. Rm. | #5: Prayer | Spirituality | Jill Ehnes | ||
12/22/08 | Flex Week (No meeting?) | ||||||
12/29/08 | Flex Week (No meeting?) | ||||||
01/05/09 | 7:00pm | Conf. | #6: Parish | Cx. Community | Terry Mohr | ||
01/12/09 | 7:00pm | PLC | #7: Gospel Values | Cx. Awareness | Diana Arnold | ||
01/19/08 | Moved to 2/16 | #8: Reconciliation | Fr. Brendan | (witness review make-up date) | |||
01/26/08 | 7 p.m. | Conf. | #9: Eucharist | Fr. Ted | Walk-Through Mass? | ||
2/2/2009 | 7:00pm | Conf. | #10: Scripture | Scripture | Tammy Moskal | ||
02/09/09 | 7:00pm | PLC | #11: Prayer | Father.Love.Care | Stephanie Meier | ||
02/16/09 | Conf. | Flex Week: President's Day (No meeting?) | |||||
02/23/09 | 7:00pm | Conf. | #12: Spiritual Growth | Discipleship | Michelle Momper | ||
03/02/09 | 7:00pm | Conf. | Weekend Preview & Finalize plans for Men's Dinner | ||||
03/06/09 | CRHP-Family Prayer Service | ||||||
03/07/09 | 4:00pm | SH | Pi Women serve dinner to Xi/Omicron Men for retreat. | ||||
03/09/09 | 7:00pm | PLC | (Fr. Brendan: Reconciliation Make-up date) | Eucharist | <Teen Witness> | ||
03/11/09 | 7:15pm | BSC | Team Reconciliation followed by Adoration/Benediction in Day Chapel | ||||
03/16/09 | 7:00pm | Conf. | Flex Week | Alternate Date for Walk-Through Mass | |||
03/20/09 | 3:00pm | URm. | Set-up meeting, team prayer service, dinner | ||||
3/21-3/22 | The BIG WEEKEND! | ||||||
03/25/09 | 7:00pm | ?? | Rho Women Evening of Discipleship | ||||
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