Apr 27, 2019

Divine Mercy message for Moms


This past week is the time set aside by the Church for the Divine Mercy novena, beginning on Good Friday and concluding on the Sunday after Easter, called Divine Mercy Sunday.

On day 6 of the meditations, Christ asks us to bring the children and the meek to His mercy.


Without realizing the connection, during my run on the same day, I was moved to contemplate how each of our children is a source of mercy.  Each one shines with strengths that give joy and struggle with weaknesses that challenge my own soul to rise above and seek God’s grace to nurture

Also that same day, a poor soul told a of few of my kids at Costco “that if he was their mother he would kick their a**!”  We don’t know his story, but my deep struggle to control my anger as a mother is window of grace.  And when I fail, there mercy to scoop me up and I continue to fight the good fight.  Children are not a burden - not easy or light at times- but God’s beautiful gift to help me grow in humility and challenge to surrender to God all details.

 
 

++Thank you God for each one of my children. Thank you for the grace and mercy you supply to be their mother, and I surrender each one into the ocean of your infinite mercy!!++




Sep 17, 2018

Parents Are Experts Of Their Children


We all need to hear positive encouragement, no matter what stage in life we are with our kiddos.  Home schooling presents, in particular, need to share encouragement.  There are stories of successes and failures, just like any other educational system.  Unfortunately, people make judgments without being fully informed.  If we parents make the decision to home school, we really need to know why so we can withstand the criticisms of others.

My husband and I home schooled for 12 years.  We started with my then 14 year old going into high school.  Then we included our next son for junior high and our fourth son, homeschooling part time in elementary school and junior high.  We have two boys with autism.  I've experienced home schooling and regular schooling, and I've heard from principals, psychologists, counselors, teachers, and other parents.  I've heard both good and bad about home schooling.

The first lesson I learned by being a parent of any kid, let alone a special needs kid, is that I, the parent, am the expert of my child.  No teacher, no psychologist, no doctor, no therapist, nobody else knows my son better than me.  I am the person he will seek help, advice, and consolation.  I recognize when my son needs to be redirected, pushed, enlightened, and encouraged.  I also know when he needs a break or recognition.  These just a name a few examples of such personal knowledge of my child.

I pass this concept to other parents:  You are the expert of your child.  You don't need a degree of any sort to hold this title.  This is a reality.  You are privileged AND are responsible to hold this position with authority and love.  It is God-given.  And expected. Many outside your home (or even inside your home) may challenge you on several levels, so it is critical that you KNOW that you matter a great deal, as the expert of your child.  I even had to say this to a "disability professional" who was trying to tell my child what he could do and couldn't do.  I had to step in and say, "You may be 'THE disability professional', but I am the EXPERT of my son.  We need to find out IF he can to this or not. We need to see what he can do.  Don't assume."  That person did not like it, but she could not refute what I said.

We, as mothers, spend more time with our kids than anyone else. We know what they are ready to learn, and we can change the course, if necessary. So please have faith in yourselves.  Pray too.  Motherhood is underrated in our society, but not in God's eyes.  As parents, we are the primary educators in our childrens' lives.  We can't be deterred by someone's opinion.


Dec 18, 2017

A Family Christmas Tradition


One of our favorite family traditions is a simple gift exchange, dressed up with friendly, family competition, and focusing on the recipient.  This is one of the easiest ways we taught our autistic sons about giving.

Drawing names of family members is an event in itself.  We usually serve sparking apple cider or some kid friendly beverage that is special.  We write our names on a square piece of paper, fold, and put in the hat.  Going from oldest to youngest, or youngest to oldest, or some predetermined order, we draw the names.  We keep it secret for about 30 seconds.  The mystery is part of the fun.

Then we reveal who we drew and try to determine who will go shopping with whom.  We go in teams.  Mom and Dad "captain a team" and each take two boys shopping. The first team to purchase gifts, return home, AND gift wrap said presents and put them under the tree won. The prize is usually the losing team makes hot chocolate for the winning team.

After dinner on the 24th, we open our family gifts. We open the gifts in the opposite order of how we drew names. It is simple fun for just the immediate family.

So we think about the other person.  The boys have tried to buy what they wanted, but we ensured they purchased what the recipient wanted by having a list of what each boy wanted ahead of time.  As the years have progressed, the boys initiate the process now.  Some of the boys have moved out, but they return to continue the tradition.  That is the best present of all.

P.S.  A red bow on a shopping bag counted as wrapped.


Sep 18, 2017

Monday Meme: Positive Attitudes



Dear MOMS,

We may be stressed.  Just thinking of what needs to be done today can be overwhelming.  Sigh.

I have to do this…
I need to do that…

Change that thought!

I want to do this…
I get to do that…

Smile!  ðŸ˜€

Positive attitude can influence so much.


Jul 14, 2017

Instant Pot Recipes



This week, the 8 quart Instant Pot was on sale through the Amazon Prime Day ($40 off!!).  With so many friends (including myself!) taking advantage of this awesome deal, I thought I'd share our Cuppa Catholic Instant Pot recipes (to date) all in one handy dandy post.  Just click on the name of the recipe, and it'll take you to the post that one of our awesome Cuppa Catholic moms shared.



Enjoy and Bon Appetit!!  


Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes and Bacon

Tuscan Chicken Stew

BBQ chicken sandwiches

Baked Potato Soup

Family Favorite Rice Pudding

Tuscan Chicken

Turkey Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots

Chicken Fun Bowl 

Potato and Summer Squash Soup

Mexican Beef

Spaghetti


These next four recipes weren't written as Instant Pot recipes, but follow the ingredient list and choose the "slow cooker" setting and these will work great too... (I'm a little bit of a fwaidy cat and more liquidy things like the ones listed below, I would not choose the pressure setting - only the slow cooker setting)

Easy Black Bean Chili

“Not My Family's” Spiced Cider

Easy Taco Soup

Minestrone

And, just in case you are like me and you haven't taken the plunge to try desserts in your Instant Pot, here is THE best cookie recipe.  Kim was totally right - it's "a personal thing"!  And she has hit the jackpot with the best recipe I have found.  So, crank up your oven, mix these up and bake away.  Enjoy the deliciousness!!

Please do share and comment what YOUR favorite Instant Pot recipe is!!