I think I’ve ALMOST recovered from the Edel Gathering and now we’re off to a family reunion. Remember when preparing for a trip mostly involved making mix CDs for the drive and remembering to pack your toothbrush? Yeah….we’re not in Kansas anymore. Packing for five is no joke. Well…four. Daniel is skilled at packing his own stuff.
To tell the truth, anything I have to say today sounds silly in the face of the atrocities facing religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq who are being systematically murdered by ISIS. I feel overwhelmed and heartbroken. And angry for our country’s culpability in the situation. We destabilized a country, left, and sat silently by while my Christian brothers and sisters were forced from their homes, raped, and murdered. Ancient churches burned. Centuries-old communities destroyed. And they’re not the only minority being targeted. Of course it’s all more complicated than that. And I don’t know the answers to how to stop this, but I’m pretty sure it’s not just inaction. What can I do but watch in horror and pray while I keep living my silly little life? I feel helpless.
After signing a few petitions, I just go back to packing, herding the children around, and grocery shopping.
Pray for Iraq. Pray for the families displaced, the men, women, and children murdered, the suffering, the abandoned churches and communities. That is all I know to do. The situation is finally getting more attention and things are beginning to move.
I’m not trying to ruin your day, but I just couldn’t write today without saying something. Ok. Back to the usual programming…
Baby Gwen is seeming less like a baby everyday. My heart can’t take it.
She is so fun and full of new words everyday. It must be cool to realize you can communicate with other humans with your words. Her favorite word is “Buppa” for Benjamin/Bubba. And if he’s at grandma’s house, she fusses and cries for him because girl loves her big brother.
And he IS rather splendid. I mean, just check out how he wrestles this sea monster.
And I know I’m going overboard on the kiddo pics, but I can’t help myself. Just look at that mischievous face. She slays me.
The Quotable Lucy:
“Wook, Mama! I made da Two Towers! Just wike in Word of da Wings!”
Just like it, Lucy. Just like it.
About once every two months we’ll go out for pizza for dinner. But we rarely go out to breakfast. So I surprised the kids with breakfast out at our favorite cafe and you’d have thought I handed them the moon. Benjamin was wild with delight (but not wild enough with delight to agree to be photographed. Fair enough. It’s your face, kid. You got the rights to it.)
And the kind folks at Grace Hill Media sent us a review copy of the new VeggieTales Celery Night Fever that the kids were really excited about. Baby Gwen did some head bopping to the music which was, admittedly, quite catchy. Benjamin told me that he does NOT like disco ball music but that the movie overall was good. So there you have it!
News:
I just joined the team of contributing writers over at one of my favorite blogs, Kitchen Stewardship by Katie Kimball. She’s an awesome Catholic mama with a passion for healthy living and good food. I’m thrilled to be part of her team! I’ll be writing once a month over there and I’ll share the links here so you can check out the posts.
Links for your weekend…
The Devout Objectification of Children: Cari Donaldson for Aleteia
Where the Wild Things Play: NPR
Loving Me, Post Partum Jiggles et al: Whole Family Parenting
J.K. Rowling Sends a Letter from Dumbledore, Wand, and Hogwarts Acceptance to Girl Who Survived Texas Shooting: The Mary Sue
Be a Confident Breastfeeding Mama: Team Whitaker
The Six Stages of Seeing a Pope Francis News Headline: Mary Is My Homegirl
How to Start a Little Flowers Girls’ Club: Catholic All Year
Sarah and the Saints: Mama Needs Coffee
On what depression steals, parenting, and life in the river: K. Elizabeth Fleck
And to remember that there are hearts full of love and joy for life even when tragedies are occurring all over the world…check out the news Kelly has to share about the fundraiser Bonnie started for the Mantoan’s son, Fulton to purchase a beach wheelchair. I am so happy for them! An awesome little boy is going to be so thrilled. And the really amazing thing is that in 24 hours, folks had donated above and beyond the goal for sweet Fulton! Including some of you. So thank you! Hooray for generous hearts.
Be sure to give some love to my other friends and sponsors! They keep the lights on around here And give a warm welcome to new sponsor To the Heights!
- Ignatius Press
- To the Heights
- Mama’s Notebooks
- Once a Month Meals
- Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakeable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
You can find out about sponsoring a giveaway or advertising with me on my advertising page or contacting me at haley.s.stewart@gmail.com
Lots of love,
Haley
P.S. You can follow me…
…on Bloglovin’, Feedly, or subscribe via email, or subscribe to my newsletter with the buttons on the right sidebar. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter (@haleycarrots), Pinterest (haleyofcarrots), and Instagram (haleycarrots).
Rachel @ Efficient Momma says
Your kids are so stinking cute! I don’t mind the sharing of pictures at all 😉
Haley says
Aw, thanks, Rachel!
Kathryn says
Thanks for the link, Haley, and especially for all the others. I hadn’t heard about JK Rowling’s gesture. Yet another reason to love HP. That’s awesome.
Haley says
Loved your post, Kathryn!
Emmie says
I have been so heartsick over the situation in Iraq. Was so glad that the Pope is sending an emissary to stand with the believers there. I found this organization that exists for the purpose of helping Iraqi Christians. Don’t know much about it, but they are volunteer run, seem very solid, and I donated. Thank you for taking the time to write about it. Blessings! http://www.iraqichristianrelief.org/
Haley says
Thanks for sharing that info, Emmie!
Christina says
Have you heard of praymorenovenas.com ? They send out daily novena prayers to help you keep us with various novenas they choose every few weeks. We are on day 7 of one for those being persecuted in Iraq. Good little website. One of the reasons I started following blogs like yours was because I needed some encouragement being a catholic momma in this crazy world. It can be daunting bringing little ones on to this earth (only have one right now and one is on the way) It is good to know there are other families like mine out there, because it can feel kinda lonely being a catholic family who’s views don’t necessarily follow what is now the norm….but still doesn’t necessarily want to wear prairie dresses and live under a rock! (; I told one of my friends you were like a hipster Catholic- ha! Your family is adorable!
Haley says
I have! They really help me out because I’m bad at remembering to pray a novena for each of the days and the emails help! Great idea. 🙂
Amanda says
I feel the same way about Iraq/ISIS and all the other tragedies I see everytime I read or watch the news. There is nothing more I can do but pray, but I hear you about feeling silly going about my daily life in the midst of all of this.
But, go on we must.
So, you post all the kiddo pictures you can, they are so wonderful and precious.
Baby Gwen is no more a baby. Time for another? haha
I LOVE that Benjamin says he “does NOT like disco ball music “, you are raising him to have great discernment for music. haha
Haley says
I KNOW. Baby Gwen is a big girl and I totally have baby fever.
MaryP says
I just sat in my sweet little girls room the other night crying and holding her praying we/she will never have to experience anything like what is going on in Iraq right now. I’ve been praying to those martyred for their intercession for the Church that we will all have a deep conversion of heart due to what is going on. All we can do is pray pray pray for these people that they have strength to face whatever comes, I just wish we could do more!
Haley says
Yes, exactly.
Michelle says
Hi Haley! Your comments on Iraq and ISIS are how I feel as well. In fact, minutes before reading this post, I had just read an article on what was happening over there now and cried. I’ve donated to this site: http://crs.org/iraq/ at the recommendation of Father Robert Barron via Facebook. Anything from Fr. Barron is legit in my books!
Haley says
I’m a big Fr. Barron fan, too 🙂
Laura Smeby says
Haley, I know this wasn’t part of your post, but I wanted to say that I listened to your Edel talk over at conversion diary…and I loved it!! You are so stinking hilarious!! I was laughing and crying. I sent the link to my sisters so they too could have some fun and inspiration in their day:)
Laura Smeby says
“….because how can you have tacos without sour cream??”
Nicola says
Haley, one of the things I love about your blog and book is that you bring attention and awareness to Christians being persecuted around the world right now and throughout history. I have to sheepishly admit that I was very ignorant of how many “non-western” saints and martyrs there are and how extensive the persecution of Christians continues to be. It might not seem like much but if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have a search tab open now looking for charities that provide aid. Even readers unable to give to charities right now are probably saying a prayer for those that are suffering, and prayer is powerful. Take heart, you never know how far your good intentions will reach!
Nell @ Whole Parenting Family says
You are so sweet to share my article about jiggles!! XOXO