Good Samaritans

I just wanted to share a story of something that happened to me the other day.  It was a cold, rainy day, and the last thing I felt like doing was going out with the two boys but I had a laundry list of things that needed to be done and couldn't wait any longer.  So I mustered up the energy, packed my diaper bag, loaded the car with the kiddos and headed out.

It was just one of those days that nothing that you go out to get accomplished gets done.  None of the stores I stopped at had what I needed.  I forgot one of the checks I needed to deposit.  William was in desperate need of a nap.  I was "hangry," exhausted from another restless night with little sleep, and melting down.  I had one more stop at the post office and as I parked next to it, I sat there wondering how I could muster up the energy to once again unbuckle William, try to hold onto his hand to keep him from wandering into the street, while I tried to juggle the diaper back and get the car seat out of the car and lug both of them into the post office.  I made it in and was relieved to see no line.  Good.  One thing was going right.  As I started filling out the needed paperwork to send my package, people began filing in.  I frantically tried to finish up as I had to keep stopping to tell William to stop touching things.

"William, don't touch the packages."

"William, get out of the trash bucket."

"William...William?"  I looked around frantically until I noticed he had climbed behind things under the counter I am filling paperwork out on.

"William come back here."

"William, stop touching that ladies purse. No, don't touch the garland.  Yes, that's a bow.  No, don't touch it.  No, NO!" *marches over to hang bow back up*

By the end of this fiasco, a massive line of at least fifteen people, each with an array of boxes and packages to be mailed, had formed.  I looked with despair at the long line, knowing how long it would take to mail the one package I had, and walked to the end of the line, praying Marcellus would stay sleeping.

William, in the meantime, was working the crowds and loving the attention that he was getting from the ladies.  People in line began small talk, reminiscing about when their kids were that small and sharing stories.  Marcellus began to fuss a bit and one woman asked his name, noting how cute the boys were.  Then she asked if I'd like to cut her in line as she was near the front.  I thanked her and told her that was ok, I was fine (I'm sure I did NOT look fine).  Another woman said that she wouldn't mind either and one by one everyone agreed that I should cut the line.

I stood there for a second while I realized that all these people genuinely wanted to help out, probably remembering at one time being in that position themselves.  I thanked them and took them up on their offer.  They all began sharing stories about times when other people had helped them when they had little ones or when they had stepped up to help someone else in need.  And as I looked into their faces, instead of the annoyed expressions I expected to see after having to listen to me constantly reprimand a toddler and an unhappy infant ready to eat, I saw gentle and understanding expressions.

After finishing my transaction, I headed out and with the help of one of the men in line was able to get them both out the door and to the car. It was just what I needed to brighten my day; a reminder of the goodness of mankind. It may seem like a small thing, but to me, in that "frantic mom moment," it meant the world. I don't think people realize how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone, especially at this time of year when people get caught up in the holiday rush and can't even stop for two seconds to give you the time of day. In a world that is so anti-family, I often wonder how many people look with annoyance at children, rather than seeing the beauty of their innocence. These good Samaritans helped me realize that there are people out there that do recognize that; good people.

Anyway, that's my story. :) And here we are in the last week of Advent with Christmas soon upon us.

This week garland and lights were added to our manger scene

Despite the warm temperatures, its starting to feel a bit more "Christmas-y" around here. I have my holiday scented Yankee Candles burning and with the lights up on the manger, I'm definitely getting into the Christmas spirit more.

Here are some pictures of my boys from tonight.

I'll end it here with a few recent videos.

~Lindsay

"O Come O Come Emmanuel..."

I can't believe we are already past the Second Sunday of Advent!  I was a little late in getting things going around here for Advent but I finally managed to dig out both the Advent wreath and the Manger scene.

We plan on adding new pieces every Sunday in Advent, and then adding lights, garland and the Holy Family on Christmas Eve.

St. Nicholas paid us a visit on his Feast Day, Sunday.  He left the boys goodies, along with a "progress report" for William to let him know how his behavior has been.  Each year, we plan on carrying out this new tradition of St. Nicholas letting our children know how they are doing.  He will take note of good behaviors and commend them on it, as well as point out areas in need of improvement before Christmas, otherwise they may find coal under the tree instead of gifts. ;)

It was so cute seeing his reaction to finding his shoe!  I just love this age with him understanding more.

Our focus during Advent this year, as always, is to prepare.  As difficult as it is to stay away from the festivities that this time of year brings, I find it too distracting from the real purpose of this season, which is to prepare our souls for the coming of Christ.  What better way to do that than to practice the truest form of love, which is self-sacrificing.  This can be done in a number of ways, from giving up things that you like to eat, to adding in more prayer or spiritual reading time; anything to help cleanse your soul of the spirit of the world in order to receive into it the Spirit of God.  How can we receive Christ at Christmas if there is no room for Him within ourselves because we have been wasting our time with lights, holiday shopping, Christmas music, Santa and so on instead of preparing ourselves for Him?  Just as with the first Christmas when He found Himself shut out of every inn, He will once again find Himself turned away from many souls at Christmas, who, though they are celebrating His birthday, have no room for Him among the festivities and will cast Him no more than a passing thought.  

Can you imagine how anxiously the Jews awaited the Savior?  Those who had prayed and sacrificed in order to prepare themselves for the coming of the Christ were the ones who recognized Him as the Savior and were able to receive Him into their hearts.  During this Advent season, let us recall that feeling of anticipation and spirit of preparation as we, as so many others did before the first Christmas a long time ago, await the coming of the Savior. 

Today we also honor Our Lady, the Mother of God, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  We celebrate the day She was conceived without the stain of original sin in order that She, as the New Eve, might fulfill the words of God in the Garden of Eden and crush the head of Satan by bringing forth the Savior who will free Mankind from the bonds of sin.

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

~Lindsay

Snapshot of Marcellus

Very proud and helpful big brother

All is well at the ol' homestead.  Marcellus is already growing out of his newborn clothes and into 0-3 month.  He eats well and sleeps pretty well and although he's a little fussier than his big brother, he's not too bad.  He doesn't like being put down while awake so I've been doing a lot of baby wearing around the house.  

William has adjusted beautifully to being a big brother and is attentive yet gentle with Marcellus.  He loves to help Mommy and Daddy around the house, vacuuming, putting things away or in the trash when asked, and picking up his toys after himself.  

We had the cord blood tested for Lyme when Marcellus was born since I have it and had it while carrying him.  I got a call from the doctor who is treating me for it with the results and regret to say it came back positive.  I was really surprised to hear that as I just didn't expect it to pass to him.  We see his pediatrician tomorrow and we'll see if he will treat it.  If not, my ND is willing to treat it.  We don't want to let this go since it can get much worse if left untreated.  Thank God we know and can get something done now since it's much easier to treat it now before it wrecks havoc in his little body and he becomes symptomatic.  Makes me a little concerned for William since I'm pretty sure I had it while carrying him, but he has no symptoms whatsoever and my Lyme didn't seem as active until after I had him so the chances seem slim.  I'll just keep my eye on him for now.

I feel ok.  I feel almost completely recovered from the delivery and have bounced back really well from that.  My Lyme symptoms on the other hand have flared up again; lots of joint pain, digestive problems, worsening headaches, and foggy brain.  My head feels like it's in the clouds most days and I'm so forgetful, especially in the kitchen.  I'm giving up on making yogurt because I've already forgotten it twice and ruined two batches.  This is something I've been doing weekly for over a year and all of the sudden I'm having issues remembering things on the stove and in the oven, even with timers to remind me!  Conversation is a struggle sometimes as I often go blank or I can't put my thoughts into words.  I meet with a new Lyme Literate Doctor in a couple weeks so hopefully we can figure out a plan for treatment and get started soon.

Happy hump day!

~Lindsay

A Day at the Beach

Yesterday, since Zenith was off work, he suggested we take a family outing to the beach.  It was fairly mild (for November) so we figured we'd skirt the shopping crowds and make our way to the ocean for a nice stroll.  We're only a 20 minute drive away, and now with the crowds gone it's pretty easy to get there.  It turned out to be really fun!  William loved it and there's nothing quite like the sound of the waves and smell of the salt water to refresh you.

A hut someone had made on the beach

Giving Mommy seashells

Marcellus as usual was sacked out :)

 They had a playground there that William had a ball at!  He ran around with Daddy and had lots of fun while Mommy fed Marcel.

He loved the slide!  It was dusk so the lighting is really poor, thus the bad picture quality.

We finished off our day at Noodles, a really good "fast food" restaurant that actually offers real food with fresh ingredients and plenty of meatless and gluten-free options.  It was a really fun day and nice to take advantage of the warmer weather before we're stuck inside for the winter.

Happy Saturday!

~Lindsay

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Yesterday we enjoyed a very nice day at Mom and Dad's with my sister Chrissy and her family.  Mom had the house decked out for Thanksgiving and made a delicious Paleo feast! 

Appetizer table

Homemade meatballs and bacon wrapped dates

Can forget about the apple pie!  Mom also had a Paleo Pumpkin Pie

All the activity was too much for this little guy. ;)

Zenith has today off as well, so it'll be a nice long weekend.  Here are some more pictures I hadn't uploaded yet.

Daddy and Marcel a couple days after he was born

Family outing to a cafe down the road...Marcel was about a week old

William climbed into this chair with his Mass book from Aunty Miriam and was practicing the sign of the cross.  There's a picture in there of a boy blessing himself which he loves to copy.

Diligently studying

Happy boy in the morning!

This kid is finally starting to smile more!

William having breakfast this morning

...and then helped Daddy vacuum afterwards :)

We'll upload some more pictures and videos of Marcellus soon.  Not much else for news here.  I plan on giving my blog a makeover one of these days, once I finally get around to it (if I ever get around to it! :P).

Hope you all enjoy your weekends!

~Lindsay