Catholic Family Vignettes

I'm back! Has your Advent-ure been a joyous one, thus far?

Have a cookie and a cup of tea...

As promised, here are a few "snaps" of the happenings at home:

The feast of St. Lucy was celebrated with such sweetness by the two little ones...how happily St. Lucy donned the newly crafted crown (thanks Jen for the inspiration!) Accompanied by her heavenly helper, sporting a nifty crown of scattered stars (her idea):


The tree is decorated and the children are anxiously awaiting the coming of the Christ Child! How fresh and green...decked with red and gold. Truly splendid. It has taken a bit of getting used to, this smaller tree. Last year's tree was an amazing sight: no less than 12 feet tall. My dear husband actually had to use the chainsaw--IN THE LIVING ROOM--in order to make it fit. This year's tree: quite sweet and short--hubby carried it in, slung over one shoulder and set it up in less than five minutes. Here's the decorating crew:




Last year:


This year:




Nightly Advent readings continue...we prepare to light candle #4! Here's a moment of silliness captured by Dad:



A busy week...here's what's left:

Christmas shopping tally: 2 gifts purchased.

Laundry: EEEEK!

Baking: Tomorrow. Hopefully.

Knitting: Three crowns to go. And a hat. Sigh...
Read more!

Six children + one distracted mom + a rolling cart full of books = at least one book you would never have allowed your six year old to check out:



Different Like Coco, is on the surface, a children's book (for ages four to eight, according to Amazon) about Coco Chanel, the French Fashion diva/designer, of days gone by. I certainly have no intention to dive into the rather pathetic life of Coco Chanel; tragedy, feminism, abandonment of societal conventions: all in all, interesting "soap opera fodder."

As I opened this book to read to my two littles ones (I didn't even make the connection that "Coco" was "Coco Chanel"), I was greeted with the adorable line drawing of a thin little girl, gleefully stuffing the bodice of her white slip with toilet paper. I closed the book quickly before the inevitable questions, ensued.

Having dismissed the girls, a thorough perusal was in order. Here are a few tidbits for the four to eight year old girl to consider:

*Coco lied about everything, even her confessions because she liked to tell stories (nice little drawing of Coco in the confessional, complete with shocked expression on the face of the priest).

*The nuns at Notre Dame mistreated the poor children. Feeding them second class food and separating them from the "paying" students.

*Coco had, ahem, a "friend", whom she loved and never married. He did, nonetheless, purchase her first shop.

*Extremely unflattering depictions of over-weight women who simply didn't measure up to the Coco Chanel ideal.

And so on...

The moral of this story: when rounding up six children and checking out thirty library books, it's a good idea to take a peek inside the cover of your toddler's books before you "scan and stack."

Read more!

Un-cool. A play on words. Uncle/un-cool. Several years ago, this was my dear daughter Meredith's pet name for her Uncle.

He is everything BUT un-cool. Incredibly intelligent, articulate and handsome. Rapier wit and artistic as well. A computer genius (he just rescued 7 GB of data trapped in an old computer for five years...all of my youngest daughter's baby pictures.) And I love him dearly.

This weekend, he took time out from his extremely busy schedule to visit with his nieces and nephews, showering them with so many gifts. The most precious gift amongst the toys and trinkets...him. His time.

The visit, though short, so clearly reveals how tight the ties that bind a family together. Each child vied for his attention. Wanted to sit beside him, hold his hand.

Racing to the woods...what fun! He did everything he could to make each child aware of his loving regard for them as individuals. With much sorrow, we said goodbye.

The miles between us are not so very many. Like most people who love one another, what separates us is not space, but time. The promises to "stay in touch" and spend more time together--these good intentions are often only that...intentions. I've not done my part as often as I should to tell him how much I love him. To call him. To email him.

I'm going to change that.

I have one brother. Just one. No sisters. It is my hope that my children will take note, my desire to maintain these ties. That by loving my brother better; they will do the same.

Brothers and sisters...love one another. Stick together.

I love you, brother!

BTW...thanks for the absolutely rocking computer! A 25 in. monitor! The bells! The whistles! It is truly sweeet! But not as sweet as you ;-D! Read more!

Our days are so very full...how quickly the week is passing! Each day is full of adventure and discovery.

Granddad took the boys on an "archaeological expedition" into the woods beyond our home. Armed with shovels and determination, our explorers trekked into the wilds, only to be thwarted by a tremendous amount of poison ivy. Arthur is so horribly allergic, that not one of the troop was willing to expose him to even the slightest danger...God bless them! They returned, sad but hopeful that another opportunity will present itself when the poison ivy is not quite so rampant.

Wednesday the entire family spent the day at the Columbus Zoo. Grandma Carole is an absolute trooper...she may be 84, but she has no difficulty in keeping up with the rest of the group. The children are so solicitous of her comfort, slowing down when they felt she needed a break and delighting in showing her all of their favorite animals and exhibits. It was a truly lovely day, though a bit hot at times. The children cooled off later that afternoon in the small pool in the backyard. The evening was spent roasting marshmallows and making s'mores...such fun!

Today we spent our early morning and afternoon in the shade of beautiful Darby Creek Park. The children and adults all enjoyed a bit of a "splash" in the creek. Crayfish, minnows and a variety of aquatic life kept the children entranced for several hours. Five year old Charlotte caught a baby painted turtle and proudly shared her discovery with her siblings as well as a couple of new found friends. We were all so very proud of Grandma Carole. She managed to hike the trails, climbed up and down stairs and the children had great fun showing her all of their discoveries.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all that remain of their time with us. It is passing quickly, yet joyfully. The memories that are being created together will last a life time and I'm so thankful for the great gift the grandparents and the "great" are giving us...the gift of their time. Read more!

Frustration. That is what I felt this morning when my 17 yr. old daughter informed me that she had to go into work early. For those of you with older children, I'm sure you recognize the feeling...elation at their growing independence and confidence, frustration at their lack of availability for household responsibilities.

Incredibly, with Meredith's growing independence, I have discovered that there are a few other children in this house who are more than capable of picking up the slack!

Today, quite unexpectedly, the four boys (ages 13, 10, 9 and 7) "stepped up to the plate". I had to take Meredith to work before we had all finished putting away the groceries, and was quite pressed for time. Zachary steps in and says: "Don't worry, Mom, we'll take care of these." I had known they would, but it was nice to have him stop me and assure me that he was "in charge". I took the two little girls with me, as I always do and left the "men" to their work...

Forty minutes later I returned home and nearly had heart failure! Of course, they had put the groceries away...but they had also cleaned the kitchen, wiped down the counters, mopped the floor, taken out the trash, vacuumed the entire downstairs, cleaned the living room and dining room. Zachary even had classical music playing when I entered the house. Amazing! They have always been great helpers and will do whatever I ask (sometimes willingly, sometimes begrudgingly) but their realm has been primarily outside the house. This was such a spontaneous, loving and gentlemanly act requiring no hints or coercion of any kind. It was a lovely surprise!

Once again, I am astonished that all our teaching is taking root. That the next "team" is ready to play its part. That my girls and boys want to serve their family, as they themselves have been served...lovingly and without reservation. Read more!

Here are a few cherished family photos...just a brief introduction to my beautiful family.

Read more!

In 1992, the Wasson Family adopted its newest member, Sister Martha Conrad…but she is not Sr. Martha to us; she is simply Grandma Marty.

How does a Roman Catholic Nun become a grandmother of nine living children?
By God’s great mercy and through His infinite love.

Sr. Marty (as she is affectionately known) had been a religious sister for many years. I will not share her fascinating story at present, it alone would make for compelling reading. Instead, I will share with you a few of her thoughts regarding her vocation and the unbelievable way that our Lord gave her a most beautiful reward for her years of faithful service.
Sr. Marty received the call to enter religious life when she was very young, and though she always felt she would have many children, she never repined her decision to enter a life of poverty, chastity and obedience. For many years she faithfully served our Lord in many capacities : teaching in earlier years and heading a very large and effective outreach ministry in southeastern Kentucky for the last couple of decades. During all this time, Sr. Marty watched her many friends marry and have children. She participated with great love and fervor in the lives of her many nieces and nephews, as well. She observed the joys and sorrows associated with raising a family and still never regretted her vocation.

Years went by and Sr. Marty now observed a change. Her friends had shifted roles from parents to grandparents. As she observed the sheer joy in the lives of her “grand parenting” friends, her heart was stirred by a longing she had never felt before. In longing, she spoke out loud “Lord, I don’t have any grandchildren…I want grandchildren!” Sr. Marty has stated that she spoke these words without awareness…they just came out. There was a real confidence within her that our Lord could truly make this happen, yet she put it out of her mind.

One beautiful spring morning in 1992, a sweet seven year-old girl saw a lovely lady across the crowded school gym where we spent our fellowship time after Mass. Caitlin was drawn to the lovely lady and falling down on one knee while grasping both work-worn hands in her own she piped in her lovely, little voice: “You look like you would be a great grandmother…would you be my grandmother?” Sr. Marty was stunned! Had this precious child actually uttered these words? She had! Sr. Marty declared her emphatic “Yes!” with all her heart and asked Caitlin to point out her parents.

A few days later, a very surprised mother receives a call from this sweet soul. I was not the least surprised that Caitlin had done this, her heart was so full of love and affection. From that point on Grandma Marty has been a part of our family. I can’t imagine not having her and it seems as if she has always been here. Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion…you name the sacrament; she has been there! Christmas, Easter, St. Valentine’s Day, birthdays…name the holiday; we’ve shared it with her in so many joyful ways.

Grandma Marty will tell you that our family has been the most perfect answer to her prayer, but, the truth is…she is the answer to OUR prayer. A prayer we had not yet uttered and yet God in His infinite wisdom answered in the most incredible way possible.
We have moved to another state and Grandma Marty is still in Kentucky. We miss the impromptu visits, breakfast after Mass, coloring Easter eggs and just the simple knowledge that she was so close by. God be praised for His wisdom in putting us together as “family”.

A nun who had never married or had children became a grandmother…”with God all things are possible.”


Read more!

Read more!