Out of the billions of parents in the world, God gave you to us...

Last night Caeli was lavishing kisses on Marian and she said that she was so beautiful she loved her more than any other baby in the world. I explained to Caeli that we would love her that much even if she were the ugliest baby in the world. I told her that we loved all our children, because God gave them to us--"out of all the billions of parents in the world, God gave you to us!"
Caeli, who seeks understanding in all things, said, "God gave us to you guys because He knew we would be best for you!"
There are two ways to read that, but either way, she's got a point!

Happy Parenting!

True Love...

Yesterday I headed down the driveway for an afternoon walk and 4 y.o. McG came running after me. I slowed to allow him to catch up and he skipped along side me a few steps. "I don't like walking," he said.

"You don't! Then why are you coming with me?"

"Well," he thought aloud, "because...I like...being with you!"

James Taylor lyrics filled my head, "How sweet it is to be loved by you..."

I think today I might have to play Cowboys and Indians...

More from our little St. Teresa d'Avila...

"The priest is married to the Church. That's why he kisses the altar every time he says Mass!"

She's about to make her First Holy Communion. We've covered the basic catechism questions (for her age) and I know she's paying attention at Mass. I think she'll be teaching me catechism before long.

Justin and the Rich Man

The other day I was running errands with my two younger boys and the youngest said, "When I grow up I want to be Bill Gates." I quickly admonished him that he should not want to be Bill Gates because Bill Gates is not a good man. He revised his statement, "No, no, I want to be Bill Gates but I won't like 'avortions.' I meeaan I want to have as much money as Bill Gates!" I then proceeded to tell both of them the story about it being easier for a camel to fit through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven. I told them that Jesus said if you want to go to Heaven then you have to sell all that you have, giving the money to the poor, and follow Him.



The older of the two, the one who hopes and prayers he's going to be a priest when he grows up, got a very serious expression on his face and asked, "We're not rich, are we? We're poor right?" I think his prayer might be answered as he hopes.

Ki'sdom

When our third child was about 2 I caught her in the act of disobeying one of our standing rules. I scooped her up and we sat down at the dining room table to try to get to the bottom of the problem. I began to explain to her the sinfulness of disobedience and the three sources of tempation: the devil, the flesh and the world. I tried to impress upon her the need for prayer in overcoming temptation and growing stronger in grace and virtue. I assured her that God had given her a mommy and a daddy to help her get to heaven and that when she was having a hard time resisting a temptation she should run to one of us and we would pray together for the strength to resist the temptation to sin.

She sat very quietly, her rosy little cheek resting on her chubby little hand. She seemed to be thinking very hard about what I was saying, so I began to reiterate, in different words, what I had said, hoping she would eventually understand perfectly.

After I'd talked a little more she finally spoke:

"I think the devoo's tempting me wight now."

"He is? What is he tempting you to do? Tell mommy and we'll pray together to resist this temptation," I responded enthusiastically, encouraged that she had truly understood my admonitions.

She responded without hesitation, "He's tempting me to tell you to shut up."

For some reason St. Paul's words came to my mind, "Let women keep silence..."

Another needed dose of humility.

Happy Parenting,

Ki'sdom (Kid Wisdom)

My seven year old daughter told me the other evening, at the dinner table, after contempating the religious life for a few minutes:

"If I grow up to be a nun, that means Jesus will be your son-in-law!"



I wonder if St. Thomas ever thought of that...