2021 Year End Daybook: Surgery Edition

Outside on our Turkey Ranch... I'm writing this from my mom's house in Ft. Worth, where Cate and I are waiting out her critical recovery period and follow-up appointments in closer vicinity to her pedi hospital. Back home we are in Stage 1 Drought Conditions in our county. Our pond is the lowest I've seen it. Cate & I haven't been on our regular walks around it because of my bad knee but it appears relatively lifeless. Knee replacement for me at the end of this month; then, we can walk it again daily. Mark built an impressive fort on the far west side of the pond this fall. We also had concrete ramps poured for Cate at our front and back doors so she can drive in and out in her power chair- all the younger kids are enjoying them. 

From the bookshelves... Lots of reading silly Frozen and Fancy Nancy books, as well as a few more classic ones I choose but that she doesn't enjoy as much, with Cate post-surgery this week. It's been fun watching her enjoy all things Frozen during another winter, including getting wide-eyed at our "Frozen" hospital room. Mary and I have been reading the second in her Alex and Eliza (Hamilton) series when we have time. Both girls always enjoy our Christmas book basket. We're all especially enjoying a new Jesse Tree during this Advent: Ann Voskamp's Greatest Gift book version. Such a beautiful and ingenious design! I love how the tree unfolds and the vibrant colors of the small, tucked-away ornaments.

                            

With our hands... Cate made a sweet Christmas tree tea towel at therapy (OT/VII). Mary has been doing the family Christmas baking and decorating with amazing friends who've wanted to help us get it in despite Cate's surgery less than two weeks before Christmas.  Jesse has been coordinating kids' schedule and doing the driving while I'm gone, with plenty of help from JP. I am busy learning to run and clean Cate's G-Tube pump and bags/tubes/syringes. 

In my head... Cate! Her needs and new schedules. She really is amazing- tackled her procedures and is adjusting to her new normal very well. She has been her usual cheerful self since Day 3. She had multiple procedures- a scope & tonsils/adenoids out and a G-Tube put in. She wants to scoot around on the floor and is sleeping on her tummy already. She doesn't want to eat much, even ice cream, so I am glad we have the tube for her liquid meals. I am a little worried about caring for her when I get my new knee but I know I will have help!

On my heart... All the kids are on my heart as we tackle this transition together. I've missed a lot of basketball games and academic/UIL awards with JP and Mark this past week and will be missing down time with all the boys before Christmas. Jude stopped here overnight to see Cate on his way home from A&M which was fun. Jesse will bring Mary to be with Cate & I this weekend and next week. Despite missing some of the boys' activities, I caught Mary's Christmas program and will get to celebrate my brother's birthday with him while we are here and had a good visit with my sister earlier tonight over a couple glasses of wine.

Most recent road trip was... to Our Lady of Clear Creek Monastery in eastern Oklahoma with Jesse for a marriage retreat weekend for our 20th anniversary. So beautiful and peaceful, like stepping outside of time. We really enjoyed the Benedictine atmosphere and Latin Liturgy of the Hours and Mass, also the Ignatian Discernment of Spirits in Marriage material in the retreat sessions. The property was once a family ranch and remains a working farm. The couples guesthouse is the family's fabulous log cabin still on the property. We brought home delicious cheese and coffee, not to mention some great books from the monks' gift shop.

Spring 2020 Daybook: Hiking & Books! Also COVID-19

Outside on our Turkey Ranch...

the Bradford Pear blossoms and tulips have already blown away but the Indian Blanket & irises appeared this week. We also have a mobility van for #catethegreat now parked on the driveway.

From the bookshelves...

I read two books this past winter that really spoke to my heart, Undone and Be Brave in the Scared. Both memoirs of moms with children with special needs. The grace-given yet hard-fought honest insights they each shared were really a balm to my momma heart.  And I also always enjoy anything of Christopher West's.

I’m currently reading a couple good books with the middle kids. One of the blessings of more family time during the Quarantine.

With our hands...

I prepared a web page concept for my consulting project with CCL/Live the Love, FAB Coaching. So excited- we did a soft launch of our fertility awareness coaching pilot program in the last couple weeks! In the kitchen, soup dinners have transitioned to grilling this early spring for my hungry brood.

All four big kids kids helped Jesse construct a room in our horse barn (that he is now living in to protect catethegreat, more on that later) and have started some woodworking projects of their own.  MI has been adding to his origami animal collection and MC has continued cross-stitching, moving on to patterns of saints.

In my head...

the life of Catherine of Siena as imagined by Louis de Wohl, in Lay Siege to Heaven which I just finished.  Also Life from Our Land, perfect for spring, and how to keep myself/us slowed down and outside on our land like we have been so much.

On my heart...

union with God and all I'm learning from some people in my life about that and from a book about St. Therese’s middle sister, called Leonie: A Difficult Life.  I read it with the pair above about special needs families. It fit there well as she was a difficult child emotionally. So, so real. A breath of fresh air when it comes to biographical writing about saintly lives and especially that family out of history.  God's faithfulness does not depend on our good or even best behavior.

Most recent road trip was...

finally back to the Wichita Mountains for an afternoon of hiking in gorgeous weather during the first week of this extended Spring Break!  And Cate’s first time to go! So beautiful- I had missed that geography so much.  We hope to get back there soon and more regularly.

Of holidays & holy days... 

Lent has been an exceptional one this year, hasn't it?  Much given up but much received in its place.  I have realized anew how distracted I can get, how hard it is to embrace the moments and savor them when we are always rushing on to the next thing.  But case in point- these photos from winter holidays & holy days I've never shared here or on Instagram.

Cate enjoying her work at PT in her birthday crown.

 Cate's first snow!  Several days off school that seem like ages ago and 

that haven't kept us from a good break for the Holy Triduum.

Sissy and Daddy headed to the annual Father-Daughter Dance in their Valentine Best.

 We had potato soup on St. Paddy’s Day and baked little loaves of bread on the Feast of St. Joe, the Holy Family’s “breadwinner.” It was our first attempt at gluten free from scratch and while they looked good... 

Made a baked oatmeal pan cake and waffles (here) for beloved 16 yr old healthiest-son’s b-day.

A Prayer...

from the priest and preacher to the papal household during the pontificate of JPII and on, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa:

Come, Holy Spirit.

Come now.

Come as You wish.

Fall 2019 Daybook- Marriage & NFP Edition

It’s ...

been cold already, with some rain, and windy during the past weeks but beautiful the last few weekends.  These pics below are of our last summer hurrah- Labor Day Weekend at Port A on the Gulf Coast of TX.  Fall is here now.

Cate's first time seeing and feeling the ocean (Gulf).

She loved playing in the water.

We went on an island hike.  Saw lots of nature.  Kids felt tortured.

Outside on our Turkey Ranch...

The ground is parched with dry grass and leaves blowing everywhere this fall. Our stock pond is the smallest (driest) I've ever seen it but I still love my frequent walks around it.  My husband is working to train our newest horse, a pony for Mary that she named S’mores.  I have such a love/hate relationship with the horses...  

From the bookshelves...

Marilyn Shannon’s Fertility, Cycles, & Nutrition.

I love this book and use it a lot personally and with students (because it’s practical yet thoroughly researched), recently gave one to a student couple as a wedding gift. Trouble shooting for irregular or erratic cycles. Time-tested and research-based nutrition advice, including a basic bread (machine) recipe.

With my hands...
Several loaves of my own (Cycle) Healthy Zucchini Bread made with half wheat flour, half sugar & local honey to sweeten, lots of fresh zucchini, half the oil, protein from yogurt & pecans, and ground flax. And it’s still moist and delicious. A favorite of my older boys- don’t tell them the full name.

In my head...
Our monthly Married Couples Group has been meeting for over a year and we are so grateful for that group of friends. We’re on our second good book- Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love by Edward Sri. Started with Forever by Jackie & Angel Francois.  Such a fun read with your spouse and to talk over with friends- one chapter had us all share our meeting/dating/engagement stories.  

On my heart...
Our NFP student couples, from our previous and current class series. Their openness and hard work has been inspiring.  Also, the "Ask Christopher West" podcast. I love the dynamic between the Wests.  Wendy West's gentle wisdom and love washes over me when I listen.  

Most recent road trip adventure...
the Fall Silobration in Waco with my mom and Cate.  Finally, Magnolia!  Fun but also very... sterile?...feeling to me.

I love, love, love this pic of catethegreat.

Of holidays and holy days... 

Mark's 11th birthday pool party.

And the big eleven year old as St. Augustine on All Saint's Day at school.  The Fifth Grade puts together a presentation for the entire school.

A Prayer for this Fall...
St. Therese's feast day is in the fall, Oct. 1.  As is John Paul the Great's, Oct. 22.

Merciful Father, in the name of our lovable Jesus, my Mother Mary, and all the Saints, I ask you to set me on fire with Your Spirit of Love and to grant me the grace of making you deeply loved.

~St. Therese

Summer Highlights Daybook

It’s ...
triple-digit hot outside but I am on our shaded front porch because even when I oversleep the morning cool, I still need to get outside. #catethegreat is napping in her crib in our room.
Also outside...
Dragonflies are abundant this summer and I’m seeing so many of their beautiful double-winged bodies on our property in the blue & green variety.

From the bookshelves...
Mary & I recently finished Hellen Keller from the Childhood of Famous Americans series.  I remember enjoying Florence Nightingale in that series myself and we enjoyed reading this one and talking about our Cate so much.
With my hands...
I’m sipping iced coffee and typing, resisting the urge for another Chessmen with it. I’ve baked a lot of chocolate chip cookie bars lately for our school faculty, Mary’s class for her recent birthday, and the football team but Chessmen are my good & easy go-to for afternoon coffee time cookie, “biscuit” as it would be called on the Great British Baking Show. :)  

Since I'm thinking about food, here's a pic of this summer's seafood feast with My Cowboy.

In my head...
I’m musing on a podcast I recently discovered: Emily P. Freeman’s “The Next Right Thing.” So. Good. Leaves me feeling peaceful and inspired. And empowered. A new favorite of mine, to add to Danielle Bean’s weekly “Girlfriends” and Leah Darrrow’s less frequent “Do Something Beautiful.” (Such a good one recently on integrating faith & psychology! Need to remind My Cowboy to listen to it.)  I’m adding all Emily’s books to my reading list.
On my heart...
Lately? Constantly. How to love Cate and everyone else, beginning with myself, better.  More truly, more resiliently. More humanly. I know with God’s grace that love expands and multiplies to meet the needs. My downfall is still in not trusting enough to slow down and recognize my own needs before I feel desperately overstretched.
Clinging to Christ by the “Little Way” of Cate’s middle-name patroness Therese has become a source of insight and grace in my days again. More on that another time.
#catethegreat update...
She has finally been fitted for her wheelchair seat and back! It was an impressive process involving measurements then vacuum-packing her in two beanbag-type pillows which were 3-D scanned and uploaded right in front of us. A 3-D model will be made from images and her seat/back supports from the model. Her first wheelchair, a manual one, should be ready in about a month. I’m trusting we’ll be ready for it ourselves by then.  

Below is the Montessori space I set up for her this summer, an IKEA trip and my project while M&M were at The Pines.

Recent road trip adventure...
We went to OK City one Sunday this month. It was too hot.  Kids were grumpy.  Parents got that way too.  We visited the cemetery where Bl. Stanley Rother is currently buried- all but his heart which remains in Guatemala.  We prayed there for Cate's healing.  We saw JP’s (and all of ours!) good friend who recently relocated for lunch at his job. We bought a new set of steak knives at a popular kitchen goods store we don’t have at home.

Outside the chapel where Bl. Stanley Rother is interred.  Lake Nocona pic above was our early summer weekend adventure thanks to some friends' sharing their lake house.  Port A vacation still to come this Labor Day weekend...

Quote of the month:
From James Bryan Smith, interviewed on “The Next Right Thing” podcast-
“I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. I live in the strong and unshakable Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is not in trouble and neither am I.”
It reminds me of St. Teresa of Avila's-
“And all will be well...”. I recently read that her deeper conversion happened at 39! I’m only 42- there’s hope for me yet!!