Memory eternal, Father Schleicher!

I still hear Father singing:

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in his shadow for life, say to the Lord: "My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear: under his wings your refuge, his faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.
For to His angels He's given a command to guard you in all of your ways; upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.

I have started this reflection in my mind a dozen times since the New Year. Evidence that Father is a fighter, evidence that God still had plans for him on Earth. Father's doctor said he was more than a cat- lived more than 9 lives. He kept defying the odds. But today, his journey on Earth ended. Today we pray for the soul of God's faithful servant, James Schleicher. To God I am thankful to for having known Father Schleicher. Words will never be able to express how much he means to me.

Into thy hands, 0 Lord, I commend the soul of thy servant Father Schleicher and beseech thee to grant him rest in the place of thy rest, where all thy blessed Saints repose, and where the light of thy countenance shineth forever. And I beseech thee also to grant that our present lives may be godly, sober, and blame-less, that, we too may be made worthy to enter into thy heavenly Kingdom with those we love but see no longer: for thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servant, 0 Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Memory eternal!

I wish I had my childhood photo album to look at some pictures of him from years ago. There are too many memories of Father to recall- all happy, blessed memories. He served God and His Church. He served the poor, the sick, the weak, the mourning, the discouraged, the joyful...in his last years he was on kidney dialysis, he turned his time at the clinic into time to pray for members of his church, his family and his friends.

My father-in-law asked me, "how long have you known Father?" Since I can remember. Since I was Samantha's age. He was like a bonus grandfather to me. We were preparing for marriage, he was the person my husband wrote a thank you note -- a person David felt had helped shape who I had become.

"Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light. The Lord of our longing has conquered the night. Let us build the City of God. May your tears be turned into dancing. May the Lord, our light and our love, turn the night into day."

In desperate need of dress-up clothes...

We are in desperate need of dress up clothes at our house. (Yes, this could be a metaphor for my life as a research scientist, but it isn't intended to be. I am too literal for that. And, yes, I should be working on my grant but sometimes its more important to reflect on those most important to you.)

AJ wants to be a princess. There I said it. He doesn't actually get dressed up in Samantha's princess clothes because she won't let him, but he does ask (and then throws a fit). Samantha is so sweet to think we could dress him up as Prince Eric, but that doesn't go over so well when he is getting 'dressed up' in what he thinks of as his church clothes. So, we are in desperate need of dress-up clothes. If you see a fireman's outfit, a police officer, a king's outfit, that might work well. The 'jerseys' just aren't cutting it for AJ anymore. He wants COLOR. He picks out his clothes in the morning - usually piling on 3 shirts! I give up on him matching its not a battle I am going to pick right now. I don't think he is color blind like Daddy though and I am grateful.

Maybe dress-up clothes could be an excuse for teaching manners? Oh, how my children need to learn the art of communication! Not that I am an expert but they fight over who gets to talk to me ALL the time. They fight over who gets to sing to me ALL the time. So we are 'taking turns' but as with all 'sharing' its never easy. While this is a struggle, everyday these two get closer. Samantha is determined to teach AJ how to do things, but she also gets him into some mischief (and yes, she blames him for everything) and she loves to discipline him. We are working on roles in this house...again, excuse for dress-up and role playing...When I pick AJ up at daycare the first thing he wants to do is find Samantha and give her a hug!!

This week I am grateful for the meals I froze before Lent began, for so many friends offering to help me out with this major grant deadline popping up so quickly, for the laughter of my children to remind me that I will NEVER put my work before them and their happiness, and for God's mercy as struggle with patience and virtue.

Who Dat?! Part II

So, I couldn't get back to preparing for lab meeting this evening without sharing this.

Last night David watched the game with some friends from work, and when he was leaving the house, he said "Who dat?". Samantha replied with a big grin, "Who dat!" Then he repeated it looking at AJ. AJ said, "AJ". David looked at him and said, "No, who dat!". AJ repeated "AJ"! AJ's mind: but of course, "Who is that?" "I'm AJ".

The game went on and Samantha wanted to root for the BLUE team. What? Samantha, you cannot do that! But, she was insistent, so I let her go. She couldn't remember their name, and she kept asking, "what are they called again?" "oh yeah, GO COLTS." (me cringing) But AJ, there was no mistaking it, "GO SAINTS" about every 2 minutes. I kept saying, "Who Dat think they're gonna beat them Saints?"....Night went on. Kids went to bed about the third quarter. They got up this morning and AJ ran to Daddy, "GO SAINTS". After work, David came home and looked at Samantha and said, "Who Dat!" and Samantha replied, "Who dat, thinkin' they were gonna beat them Saints?" They laughed together.

Who Dat?!

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints! I am pretty sure David is beside himself right now as he enjoys this moment. Seeing Drew Brees(in tears) with his son after the game brought tears to my eyes. Hearing all the stories of the people of New Orleans seeing their team win as "medicine" (happy moments) as they strive to rebuild their city brought tears to my eyes. Listening to Carrie Underwood sing the national anthem brought tears to my eyes. Am I an emotional mess right now?! No, I don't think so, but I am trying to see what is before me and focus better. This next month seems like its going to be a world-wind. I have grants to work on, presentations to give and a few big, long term experiments that seem to make me nervous...but I will be striving to sing hymns and focus on God's path through it all. (This is something I often fail to do). Glory be to God for all things.

Samantha is a wonder. A challenging, bright young girl. Me, "Samantha, did you hear me?" "Yes". Me, "What did I say?" "I don't know". Me, "Then you didn't hear me say...." "Oh, I heard you say that!" ERR! Seriously though, I cannot paraphrase a book anymore, she corrects me. She wants to know how to spell everything (even though her handwriting isn't very good). Its actually fun doing phonics exercises in the car with her. We have taken AJ's letter of the week and turned it into exercises in phonics for her too! She is spelling some words by heart now (wish it was by sound, but I am pretty sure she has just memorized the letters). I think she is going to be a teacher. There I said it. Maybe part of me wishes she would be, since I still long to teach myself (I miss the days of teaching community college, I really do!). She interacts with AJ like a teacher (or maybe its a bossy big sister), and he listens to her. Yes, they fight, but more and more, if I leave them be, they work it out. There is always the occasional, "Mommy, Samantha pushed me. Kiss it.", but then they go back to doing their thing....whats their thing? Lately, its been playing kitchen, setting up picnics, sharing Samantha's nature cards or just listening to CDs.

A friend mine said to me this morning, "when did AJ get so big?" and "He is brillant!" She has a 4 month old and in the last 4 months, Andrew has changed alot. He talks very well. He is becoming Mr. Independent. He picks out his clothes in the morning. He brushes his teeth. He wants to walk everywhere (unless its icy), and he even wants to stand during prayer. He is also adjusted to his twin bed for the most part (at nighttime). During naptime, we often have to resort to the pack'n'play because he won't stop to rest. He has a good handle on his colors now, and we are starting on letters. He is also starting to memorize books. He has Go, Dog, Go down really well. We have started sit and watch with him when he acts up or is having a pitty party and it works pretty well.

Lent is just around the corner and we are going to do nightly readings using the Lenten Calendar from Paidea Classics. In addition, we are going to try to do an 'egg calendar' for the kids where every day they pick and egg that gives them a task. It might be to read a Bible story or give someone a hug. I have a template for this but I think I might make some of the tasks up myself, the template I have is not always fitting for my children's age...just a week to get it all together.