In her own little corner...

Uncle Jacob built this little step stool for me, due to my smallness, but my daughter has made it into her own work space. For her "spooning" work she decided to wear a pretty dress over her jammies...I think it was meant to be her apron. She was concentrating so hard.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's Reading

Please read this from today's first reading. Beautiful!

Wis 7:22b–8:1

Rambling

I have been reading a lot recently (many of you may know, that this is equivalent to saying, "I have been waking up in the morning and going to bed at night"... a rather common occurance for Jessica.) Be that as it may, I have been reading children's literature. I will always be a firm believer that true children's authors have spoken truths more profoundly than most adult literature will ever do.

I have read the first two books in the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling. They are wonderful adventure stories. I fully intend to finish the series. So far, I have found them enjoyable, exciting, tantalizing, humorous and clever for sure. I was surprised to find clear lines drawn between good and evil, and I was grateful to find them there.

Then, I am embarrassed to say that I have finished, "The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald for ONLY the first time. Beauty was found with the turn of every page. The truth was stated firmly, but gently. Political correctness was gratefully abandoned, so that pure love and sincerity were seen in their truest forms.

As a young mother, who seeks to instill true desire for the good in the heart of her little ones, "The Princess and the Goblin" surely shone out as a guide. I will continue to finish the Harry Potter series and probably find them enjoyable, and yes, I will allow my children to read them when they are older (but under much guidance and direction!) But I am sad for Ms. Rowling, that she felt the need to be careful with the truth. I felt as if she wrote to modern childhood, as opposed to writing to the heart of childhood itself. She fails to capture the wonder that is found in the work of George MacDonald. In light of George MacDonald's work, I am ashamed that Ms. Rowling felt obligated to announce that one of her good characters lives in deep mortal sin. Fiction is no place for that kind of moral confusion. As great fiction writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald and so many others would be profoundly disgusted with her misrepresentation of true fiction.

She's Back

Just had to let you all know, my happy daughter has been returned to me! Today was full of the sunshine, happiness, laughter, giggles, hugs, kisses, patty-cakes, and Itsy-Bitsy Spider that I so love! I missed her while she was sick.

One of those days

She woke up on the wrong side of the crib. That was the beginning. Then, her nose would not stop running, she couldn't put her pink elephant back in the crib by herself, Mommy didn't make her favorite breakfast, her nose had to be wiped one too many times, she tripped in the middle of her twirl, she wasn't allowed to throw her food on the floor even though she was sick etc. etc. etc.!!!! I gave myself the "Worst Mommy of the Year Award," because I simply could not appease her. The world was her enemy, and I was included in that. And then it happened...as I held her by the crib whispering her prayers in her ears, she wrapped her little arms around my neck and then patted me lovingly on the back, while her head rested against my shoulder. We stayed like that until she began to fall asleep. I guess, the day wasn't that bad after all.

About Princesses

"Very well, then every little girl is a princess, and there would be no need to say anything about it, except that she is always in danger of forgetting her rank, and behaving as if she had grown out of the mud. I have seen little princesses behave like the children of thieves and lying beggars, and that is why they need to be told they are princesses."

- George MacDonald: The Princess and the Goblin

A Puppy!

First, of all Happy Feast of All Saints (a little late!) I hope everyone had a wonderful feast day.

I just wanted to share these pictures of Rose Marie in her costume. Her Grandma Meza bought it for her and then joined us for an afternoon of fun. We went to visit Aunt Candice and then walked to a few stores that were giving out little gifts. Rose Marie had a blast, and so did the rest of us! She loves her costume and has worn it everyday this week. She follows me around the house barking at me. At least we know that she will get plenty of use out of the costume :)