I spent most of the weekend cleaning, organizing, and working on projects because that is exactly what I wanted to do. There is always some major renovation project going on around here, but sometimes I need to have a couple days to immerse myself in my own smaller tasks. All the work gave me a tremendous feeling of accomplishment, and that’s what I needed.
Our air conditioning is out of order and it’s been on the hot side. I’m drinking tons of water, but also a lot of my favorite drink (I make a big batch): four cups boiling water + two Tulsi tea bags, juice of one grapefruit and one lemon + honey to taste. The recipe is from The Oh She Glows Cookbook
I spent Mother’s Day morning in bed, finishing up Something Other Than God while Job did his best to grab it away from me. I’ve been a fan of Jen’s ever since she and I discovered each other’s blogs about seven(?) years ago. Back then, my blog was called “Musings of an Ex Punk Catholic Homeschooling Mom” and hers was “Et -Tu?” My blog title has gotten much shorter (thank goodness) and hers a little longer since then. Over the last five or so of those seven years she was writing a book, the story of her conversion from atheism to Christianity. Jen is clever and she’s honest (and funny!) and her memoir makes that all the more apparent. I’m so proud of Jen, and I loved her book so much that I want to buy a copy for one of you. If you’re interested, mention it in your comment and I will randomly choose a winner later this week. The winner(s) have been selected and notified. (I am sending out more than one copy!) Thanks! (U.S. winner would receive the hardback book, outside the U.S. I could do the Kindle or Nook version)
While I was in bed reading, Jonny, dearest man of the last minute, was out shopping with the kids. Gabe bought me flowers with his own money without being prompted. I’m predicting a great future for him. (The other boys made me cards, one of them just past the stroke of midnight last night. No comment on his future. Ha!) The girls got started early, and in fact Beatrix made me a card on Saturday and couldn’t wait to show me the “perfect M’s” she had drawn all over it. So, I got a little sneak peek before she gave it to me “for real” on Sunday. But the most adorable thing ever: At the gift shop Jonny carried the kids to, the girls picked out little painted eggs for me, each purchasing one to go with their cards. Silas wanted to get one for me too, so Jonny bought it, had it wrapped up in tissue paper and bagged separately so that Silas could give it to me. Of course, I didn’t know any of the details when they arrived home shouting excitedly about my gifts. Silas’ loud sobbing quickly became the dominating sound and I wondered what had happened. He eventually made it upstairs and I saw that he was holding a wad of tissue paper. I tried to comfort him, not understanding why he was upset. With great difficulty he handed me the wad, but then the sobs began again and he snatched it away before I could unwrap whatever was inside. This went on for some time, Silas making very brave attempts to give me that wad of tissue paper before changing his mind and taking it back. I realized that he had a gift for me, one that he wanted to keep for himself. The girls were becoming impatient and couldn’t wait any longer, so I unwrapped my gifts from them one at at time: a pretty little egg from each. Silas perked up seeing my happiness over the two eggs and deeming that two was obviously plenty for me, said something along the lines of “You can keep those, and I’ll have this one!” Best Mother’s Day gift drama EVER.
Happy belated mother’s day! I’d love a change to win Jennifer’s book. I too occasionally read her blog!
I would love to read her book – it’s on my wishlist 🙂
And speak to me of Tulsi tea – can you recommend a source? I’m trying the whole decaf coffee thing but alas, I’m thinking Tulsi would still be healthier.
They have it at my local grocery store. I buy the original/unflavored–don’t like it much by itself-just kind of bland, but it’s great with the grapefruit and lemon!
This is just the book I need. I am a wife, mother of 3 teenage girls, and a full time kindergarten teacher at a Catholic school. This would be a retreat. Thanks!
I read Jen’s book in less than 24 hours. Two of my children now think it’s my favorite book! I know because they answered it on some little Mother’s Day questionnaires we made. 🙂
I love the story about Silas. So, so cute.
Yes, I’d love to win the book!! But even if I don’t, I’m happy to say how much I enjoy looking at your photographs and reading about your family! Lovely!
hi ginny…….thanks for sharing your wonderful blog with us. i’d love the chance to win a copy of the book. i checked it out on amazon and it received all 5 star ratings!
Hi Ginny,
Hope you had a great Mother’s Day.
The book sounds great, and am interested.
Gail
Hi Ginny,
Happy Mother’s Day. The book sounds great, and am interested.
What sweet children you have! Happy Mother’s Day Ginny, and thanks for the book giveaway :-).
I would love to win the book…it’s not in the budget right now but I’m hearing about it all over the Catholic blogosphere and would love to be a part of it!
And thank you! Happy mothers’ day, Ginny 🙂
cute story, i would love a copy of the book. Happy Mother’s Day!
Such sweet moments! I just recently found out about Jennifer’s newest book and would LOVE to have a copy.
Cute story, Ginny. Your kids are hilarious.
I’ll hold out and see if I win before I order the book for myself 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway.
How funny! I guess generosity is something that has to be learned, for some. What a cute little guy Silas is! Job is growing like crazy, I almost thought it was Si on the bed reading with you! I will have to look into that book, learning about someone’s spirituality is always fascinating to me. Take it easy with yourself….that mid afternoon tea and toast is what helps the world go round. Unless there’s a big health reason to cut out caffiene, I say take help wherever you can get it, mama! Love to you and yours, Kate Talley
Oh I just love sweet cards from the kids on Mother’s Day! I love hearing about your days and it was because of you that we started keeping bees this year! Thanks for this space and the chance to read a good books!
School and birthday books are only in the budget right now, so, yes, I’m interested! (I was figuring I’d wait a few years to pick up one used. That’s me – always a few years behind current trends).
I’m giggling over your old blog title…. I had no idea. So funny…. I thought I had been around awhile too! lol
Happy Mama’s day!
Lovely mother’s day! It’s funny how having time to “indulge” in the simplest things can mean so much. For me that was cleaning, gardening, a trip to the nearby fabric store, and some sewing – and lots of special moments with the kids.
I’d love to get my “hands” on a digital copy of Something Other than God! Thank you!
I absolutely adored that post about the “gift drama”, so cute! Yes, yes, I’d love to have the book.
: )
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Jen’s book. It looks like a great read!
Cute story! I’d love to read the book.
That book is on my reading list. It looks like such a good read. I’ll need to check out her blog.
I would love to own and read the book.
The book sounds wonderful!
I do love reading about the personalities and fun stories about your little ones–children make every day interesting, that’s for sure!
Been reading up about Something Other Than God. Would love a copy. Thank you for the giveaway!
Definitely interested in the book!
Such a sweet story about Silas! Being generous is so hard at that age.
would love to read the book
Would love to read this book!
That is such a sweet story. Your friends book sounds very interesting. I would love to read it.
What a wonderful Mother’s Day! The book sounds great!
I’d love to read your friend’s book!
I’m sorry- who is that kid with the short hair? blue striped shirt? Reading a book with Bea? 🙂
Hmm, I’m sort of interested in the book. I’m a Sunday-school going child turned atheist turned Buddhist with a Jesus experience at a retreat turned closet seeker like Jen turned firm believer in what Jesus was teaching except that few people see it the way my teachers (including a Franciscan monk) and I see it turned I just cannot cannot (I could say that again — and maybe even again) support the Catholic Church no matter how I frame it so now I’ve hit the famous brick wall except that I still talk to God and Jesus. 🙂
Happy Mother’s Day!
Awwww I need a good book!! Our two newest are home and some distraction would be NICE since we are in the thick of it. 🙂
That’s the cutest story. I’m glad you’re writing these things down. I’d love the book and would donate it to the parish library after reading!
Having just gone through RCIA and joining the Church this Easter, I would love to read that book! It sounds very interesting. Thank you for your generousity!
I love your mother’s day! I can’t wait for my boys to be handy enough with their writing utensils to make homemade cards 🙂
And I would love to win a copy of the book! I’ve been on a bit of a homeschooling book shopping bender and I think I’m about to have my access to our amazon account cut off by my husband sooo SOTG has been bumped to next month at least 🙂
Oh, Silas! Such a sweet story and a wonderful example of the nature of toddlerhood. I would love to read Jen’s book.
loving the avett brothers t-shirt!
Oh, I needed a good laugh this morning! Would love the book as well. Thank you.
That story of Silas is the best!
I have seen that book everywhere on the internet. I am strongly considering buying it.
Happy belated Mother’s Day Ginny.
I love the story about Silas. So glad he got to keep his egg. I remember that buying birthday presents for parties was always tough because my kids often hated to give the gift because they wanted one too!
Job is growing fast and is so adorable. Thanks for sharing, love the presents. Would love to win a copy of the book it sounds really interesting.
such sweet boys, all of them.
I’d love to wina copy of her book. having been raised Catholic, and now identifying as a pagan (for lack of a better word), i often feel a pull back. her story would be a good read I’m sure.
that is just lovely!!! I read the book SOTG so I will pass on the give-away this once 🙂 🙂 but I did email a blog friend your link in case she wanted to enter! It’s a really engrossing book. How funny about your blog title in early days and her’s… my blogs been the same name but has of course changed and grown as I have … by this time DV next year my blog will be 10 years old; wow.
I loved the Mother’s Day drama; that is just so cute; so glad you got to organize things!!! we are in the midst of moving and I can’t wait until the packing is done and the unpacking is well, also done! 🙂 Mess, it’s no fun. I know you understand this (loved your story about the skateboarder picture on the mirror you mentioned a ways back). God bless you this day! I hope the sun is shining but that you stay well hydrated and cool; the coffee struggle, I don’t have that (never had coffee, can you believe it?) but desserts, well, I figure I am doing well if I have only one a day. I told that to a woman at coffee hour and she said, hmm, I like that! 😉
Yes, I’d love to read that book. Maybe if I don’t win, you can lend me your copy? I love that story of Silas!
Ha! This post made ma laugh. What a sweetie!
You always seem to capture such precious moments with your children. I would love to read Jen’s book. All my husband and I have been reading lately is about beekeeping. 🙂
Awesome story about Silas and the egg. I wanted nothing more on mother’s day than to clean up around the house.
That book sounds really interesting, I would love to read!