Promises to Keep

I tend not to make resolutions for the new year. I'm crap at keeping them and I know it, so I save myself the guilt and agony and just don't make any.

Having said that, I tend to keep promises, so here are the ones I'd like to keep in 2011 and beyond:

1. Yell less, giggle more.
2. Facebook less, read more.
3. Run a half marathon in November
4. Make exercise and proper eating a priority. (See: 3)
5. Dream less, write more.
6. Learn to knit.
7. Come Spring, plant a garden.
8. Take my Mum for an overnight "Mother-Daughter" getaway.
9. Put laundry away, which is another way to tell my husband that I love him.
10. Attend Mass at least once a month.

I am not overly sentimental as each year becomes another. Not usually, anyway. But this year, I appreciate the "new beginning" for many reasons - some of which surprise me. I'm excited to see what 2011 will bring.

Praying for peace, love and magic for everyone.

Blessed be, all.

Love,
Bellymonster

Letters to God...

Matthew: Mummy, after we die, do we get to be someone else?
Me: I don't know, Matthew. What do you think?
Matthew: I think I'll come back as someone else after I die. Just once more, though. Will you be my Mummy?
Me: I would LOVE to be your Mummy again. Do you think we get to choose?
Matthew: I don't know. Let's ask God. If we ask nicely, I bet He'll say yes.

Dear God,
Please let me be Matthew's Mummy next time, too. I promise that there will be less yelling. I have so much to learn and he has so much to teach me - I think we're gonna need another lifetime together.
Love,
Mummy

Every day, this  incredible little boy forgives me for all the things that I am not. And every day - every, single day - he shows me who I want to be.

Thank you, Matthew, for choosing me.

Twice.

Letters to Santa 2010

From Matthew:

Dear Santa,

Okay. I want a bowling set...hmm...let me think what else...two walkie-talkies for me and Luke when we play Batman and Robin. And a new toy sword and a toy cell-phone. I already got a toy phone, but I don't have a toy CELL-phone. A Batman costume, please.

I would like a new Christmas decoration for me. One to hang on the tree. Let me see here...a ladder to climb, to go with my fixing stuff. And I don't know what else. Mummy might know.

Okay. Where do you put your sleigh? Be safe on Christmas Eve on your sleigh.

Love,
Matthew


When Luke was asked if he'd like to write a letter to Santa, this was his reply:


Noooooooooooooo!! I want Daddy! I want to sit with Daddy and eat pizza.

Moments of Grace

Watched "Evan Almighty" last night - by accident. Both Mark and I got sucked in, the way it often happens when we're already tucked into the couch and it's so warm and cozy there...

In any case, it was a good movie and a timely one. Especially this one quote from God (Morgan Freeman. Whoever cast him as God is a genius - I absolutely believed.)

God: "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prays for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prays for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

So, three weeks before Christmas, lost in the hustle and bustle and the giant commercialization of a Blessed Event, we stumbled across a timeless truth and wonderful wisdom.

A moment of hope.

God's grace.