St. Luke...Pray for Us!

It's become a tradition to dust off the baptismal candle and celebrate with our children the feast day of their patron saint.  St. Luke's feast day is on October 18th.  For 2013 we were able to celebrate on the actual day and went with the Thank Goodness It's FRY-day theme.  We tried making our own potato chips and bloomin' onions, threw some tots and mozzarella sticks into the fry daddy as well and popped some corn dogs in the oven.  We topped the feast off with DIRT- that delectable dessert that every child loves...well, the gummy worms at least.  We were practically asking for a heart attack- but hey, at least St Luke is the patron saint of physicians that should give us  little help right?!?!!  Luckily only one injury was sustained... that day anyway.

Sliced his thumb while operating the mandolin to perfect the thickness of the chips

Helping with the DIRT

Finishing touches

Schafer Boys-Fun times with cousins

A teaching gift- doctor set with various implements

His "periscope"

A few weeks later, Luke suffered his first "real" injury.  Being the wonderful mom that I am I did not rush him to the doctor.  In fact, the injury happened on a Wednesday minutes before we were supposed to leave for our first play/prayer date with a group of moms and kids.  While standing on the chair and teasing Augustine who was in his high chair, Luke found it fun to give Augustine a few shoves to send him rolling.  Leaning in a bit too far, Luke's perch tipped.  He held on tight crushing his finger between the chair and the floor.   After a visit to STATCare, we wrapped his fractured left ring finger with the metal brace and tape for 6 weeks.  Of course this didn't slow him down.  It took him a few days after removing the brace to regain his full range of motion.

Augustine recently took a similar spill when he was "helping" me make cinnamon rolls and sampling the brown sugar.  I whisked the bag away before he could over indulge which resulted in a fit.  In the two seconds it took me to turn from the table to the counter he tumbled with the chair.  Once again I felt horrible as some blood trickled from his busted lip and bonked nose, not to mention the wailing and stream of tears :-(   After calming us both down and a thorough physical exam to assess the damages I proceeded with the test of "tricks" adapting the "how many fingers am I holding up?" to "Can you find the ball?", "Come on Augustine...let's dance. Dance! Dance!",  "Do you want some milk?", "Say Please."  " Where's your spider?  Itsy, bitsy spider went up the water spout..."  Augustine's performance was top notch complete with verbal responses and hand motions dispelling much of my worries.

I suspect we'll have other injuries and worries to deal with throughout their childhood, but hopefully they'll be minor, few, and far between.  St. Luke, pray for us!

Tea Time

 On January 6th we celebrated my Grandma Francis's 80th birthday.  Even though I had plenty of work to tend to before returning to Walsh for my second semester as a professional advisor I could not, and would not, pass up the opportunity to get together with the family.  Despite having gathered with the big Francis gang numerous times in a few short weeks for my newest cousin Marcos's baptism on Dec. 23rd, our Christmas gathering on the 25th, and my cousin Jessica's baby shower on the 28th we were ready to bust out the party hats again to sing the classic "Happy Birthday" tune two times over for the matriarch.  There was a decent showing and always a fun challenge to see how many people we can fit into a single room.

The picture really only captures about one third of the audience I would guess but it definitely includes the woman of the hour.  My grandparents live in the same house that they built and raised ten children in.  It's a ranch that originally had  three bedrooms and one bathroom.  Although they eventually made bedroom additions there really was only one  full bathroom that 12 people shared for until all the kids were grown and out of the house.  My dad, the oldest boy, had apparently enclosed a more substantial shower in the basement during his high school years to alleviate traffic jams.  Needless to say, all my aunts and uncles survived and are a pretty fun crowd to be around.  The family is pretty dynamic with the original crew, their spouses, their children, and now their children's children  (Luke and Augustine would fall in this category). My two youngest aunts are really only a few years older than me and my older sister Kate who is the second oldest grandchild.  Consequently, I have cousins that are close in age to my children and, Marcos, the newest addition is the youngest grandchild with a handful of great grandchildren that are actually older.  It might seem a little crazy, but mostly it's just CRAZY FUN!

If that's not enough family to make your head spin...I'll just briefly mention that my mom is also 1 of 10 kids.  Imagine marrying in to that!

As a secondary celebration to the gift of Grandma Francis I took the opportunity to share some memories and fun times with my boys.  I took out the miniature tea set that Grandma had got each of us girls one year and made up a tiny feast of our own.  It was as fun as I remember when I was little and the boys enjoyed it too.

The Spread

Honorary Guests

Elegant Pour

The Service.

Let me do it!

Hmmm....I'll try one of these.

Pinky out.

Here I am Lord

1. Water supply pipe corroded and burst at Lakota (our rental house) last night around 11pm.
2. Electricity at our Spangler homestead is on the fritz.
3. I just opened the mail and have been summoned for jury duty.

They say it happens in strings of three.  Needless to say I classify these as a series of unfortunate events.  Ironically, I was reflecting with Pete earlier this week about the readings and homily from Mass on Holy Family Sunday.   Of course, not all that long before...Angel says, 'Yo Mary- you're having a baby boy.  He's God's son. Name him Jesus.' More recently, Matthew's gospel recounts the unstable life of the holy family as they are forced into exile. Angel says, 'Zup Joseph?- Take your wife and newborn child and go to Egypt so Herod won't destroy him'.  After a bit Angel says, 'Hola Joseph, Herod's dead.  Go to Israel.'  Intuitively and forewarned in another dream Joseph leads the family to Galilee rather than Judea to ensure safety.  Of course, the holy family, more specifically the new parents of Holy, Holy, Holy heed the commands/requests without hesitation or delay.  I don't know about you, but as a newer parent myself I find these sort of unexpected announcements and urgent requests to be harder to swallow.  But, hey, that's life.

In the midst of Christmas and all the joyous celebration of our Savior's birth I had never really stopped to reflect on all the added challenges and inevitable hardships that the Holy family was bound to face.  Just like I can easily forget, amongst all the hustle and bustle of preparing for our own holiday parties getting grumpy because Luke is whining about wearing his light up shoes rather than his black dress shoes, that there are people out there that have a single pair of shoes riddled with holes and soles worn thin as they walk around town searching for gainful employment.  Then of course, there is my aggravation over the static electricity in the air that makes me fear a hug from my child or a kiss from my husband as a charged ZAP! stings my lips or cheek because the furnace is working overtime to keep the environment warm and dry, dry, dry. Oh, but wait-... I'm complaining because I have warm and dry shelter? or people that want to be around me and  share their affection?!?!!?

I guess I've been a little on edge lately wondering what exactly God has in store for me and our family.  Where we'll be? Where we'll work?  If we should work? WHEN? I'm overwrought with wonder.   As natural as I feel it is to ask questions, I wonder that Mary and Joseph ever wondered?  How do I transform, or faithfully let go, so that all the wondering turns into pondering.

 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ~Luke 2:18-19

Could you do it?

One of our less favorable tasks this summer included going through the phone "upgrade" process.  We are simple people and don't care for all the bells and whistles of technology particularly that which we don't think is necessary (data package, or camera on our phone for example).  We use our cell phones to- what do you know!?!??- make phonecalls! 

Consequently this severely limits the choices we have in selecting a phone- which we welcome.  Unfortunately, the process also includes hours-yes I mean hours- of dealing with rude, inconsistent, uninformed customer service representatives.  Before I go into a rant, I'm going to pose a few questions that welcome response or opinions.


-Could YOU survive-living a comfortable and fulfilling life without a cell phone, internet, or cable/television?

- Can you raise competent, well-educated children with little or no access to these "necessities"?

- Would upsetting these social "norms" or "going against the grain" lean more on the side of courage or cowardice? Ignorance or bliss?

- Do you think social communication skills are enhanced or diminished by the regular technology user habits of children? of adults?

Could YOU do it? No phone, internet or cable/television for an hour? a day? a week? a month?

Still growing

Schafer, Schafer fan of 'taters
How does your garden grow?
With hots and bells for salsa smells
And zucchini squash not in rows.

Truth be told I didn't make any homemade salsa this year.  We actually didn't get that overwhelming explosion of tomatoes and our jalapenos didn't do well until the end of the summer.  Regardless, we enjoyed the family project and most certainly the yummy goodness that the God's great earth produced!

Humble Beginnings

First fruits

A little later in the season.

Lovely Golden Acre Cabbage we used for Cabbage and noodles one night.  One of Pete's and my dad's favorites.

Broc-o-lock-a lock-o-li

yumm...sun gold

 My sister Kate started a variety of tomato plants from seed in Philadelphia and shared the seedlings.  They took a little longer to ripen up because they were heirloom seeds but they were worth the wait.  I would tease Pete because upon his arrival home he would stay outside and inspect the blushing skin of the fruit for done-ness before greeting me with his usual "Honey, I'm home!".  Even though I would give him a hard time, deep down I was smiling seeing that he enjoyed gardening as much, if not more, than I.  While we were dating he had come over to my house to help till and plant.  It seemed to foreshadow some of what God had in store for us- plenty of hard work and "dirt", sprinkles of living water to nourish the seeds of faith, hope, and love and nourish the beginnings of a life together, that continues to produce fruits.  Like gardening, marriage requires time,effort, care and  ongoing learning and growth (of course).

First batch of beans

 We tried a new strategy this year and did a second planting of beans mid summer after pulling out the first batch of plants in order to increase our production despite our limited space.  Pete learned of this practice after working at the Interval Brotherhood Home garden in the Akron area for the Hoban High School service week.  This will probably become a consistent habit for us considering our liking for this humble legume Pete's mom dubs "God's candy".

Last major harvest in early October.

It's about that time (Not to be greedy but if you were looking for some ideas or inspiration) Wishlist Revised!

Well, it wasn't even officially Halloween and they were already decking the aisles with fiber optics and glitter and "ho, ho, ho's"

I was hesitant to post a wish list last year but it turned out to be a valuable tool.  And now looking back at it I have a moment to reflect on how truly blessed we are!

#1 New Couch Arrived shortly after Augustine was born and has held up pretty well considering the variety of tasks it is employed for by our 2.5 year old's imagination.

#2 Plain Stone Statue of Blessed Mother (24-36")
#3 Stone Statue of St. Francis (24-36") Thank you Grandma Angie- we had a recent incident where St. Francis seemed to migrate across the flowerbed.  I accused my mother and father but apparently it was Luke.  What can I say?  He comes by his orneriness honestly.

#4 Subscription to Magnificat
#5 Cricut Cartridges (specifics to come)- I've added to my collection, I suppose this is my new vice sort of like CDs used to be in my teen years.  There's always more to get!  I updated the "Cricut Collection" blog to give specifics.
#6 Cookie Press
#7 Pastry bag and other frosting piping equipment I took a crash course in cake decorating just before Luke turned 2.  More tips and spatulas, Wilton dye colors would be helpful (tips # 3, 16, 18 especially ) but I've got a good base.
#8 Cheesecloth #9 New kitchen (this one will require plenty of patience and prayers and not expected in the near future :-))
#10 Carcassonne extension pack (princesses and dragons or towers and something...there are many options)- Thanks Tess and Adam for Inns and Cathedrals!
#11 Tea Kettle- Much appreciated Uncle Joe, Aunt Missy and family!

And now to add to the list...

A.)Fiestaware gravy boat, sugar bowl, or other accessories
B.) Anything Burt's Bees
C.) Toaster Oven
D.) Microwave
E.) Non-stick frying pan
F.) Cloth Napkins
G.) Yard Games (Corn-hole, yard golf, etc. Note:we already have Bocce)
H.) A Sturdy Chess/Checkers set

We've been stationed back in Ohio now for approximately 1.33333 years and there's no saying what the Lord has in store for us next but we are most truly grateful for the love and support of family and friends near and far!

World of Our Imagination

Our world has limits.  But those limits can be pushed.  It is my two year old that reminds me of this practically everyday.   I most definitely wanted to complete this post during the Easter season.  It just didn't happen.  Still, it seems rather appropriate as we recall the Resurrection of Christ  and how even with Jesus right before their eyes three days after his death the apostles still doubt.  Like Thomas so many of us today need to touch and see in order to believe.  A child, on the other hand, has the innocence and freedom to transport themselves outside of reality.  Most of these pictures are from months ago (January/February of 2013).  Regardless of how much time has passed and how much our Luke has grown up we hope that he always has faith.  That he understands that believing does not always require seeing and that he builds a relationship with our wondrous, magnificent God that loves him, Luke Francis Schafer, beyond measure.

Now follow along, if you dare, as we take you on a little journey to another dimension.  A realm where things aren't always what they seem.

I graciously accepted an invitation to dine at this fine table set meticulously by Luke.  He intermittently paused to describe the menu.

Light pink candle (upper right)= water
rust colored candle = toffee (aka coffee)
whiffle ball= apple
pencil = tarrot
different colored rings= spa-detti
dog with hydrant figurine= shate tease (aka shake cheese)
cheese crackers= well, cheese crackers

Quite the balanced diet.

I suppose Luke gets some of his material from the various books we read.  He has always been a patient and intent listener when it comes to books.  Augustine is a totally different story.  Nonetheless, we escape to a variety of locations amongst the turned pages meeting characters old and new and some downright silly.  Some titles are more educational than others.  Some of my favorite most recent loaners include Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco, We All Go Travelling By  by Sheena Roberts,  and  These Hands by Margaret H. Mason.  We time-warped back to Pete's childhood with our request for, The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, one of his favorites.  It indeed won the honor of requests for repetition.  With this current batch of books, Luke is hooked on The Growing Story by Ruth Krauss and  The Butter Battle Book  by Dr. Seuss.  I'm not too sure how I feel about this one despite my general support for the rhythmic doctor.  It's politically charged and includes too many firearms and weaponry for childrens' literature for my taste. 

Nonetheless, I liked this photo of Pete and Luke exploring.  Mostly, I liked Luke's hair ;-)

Planes, trains, and automobiles. Typical boy stuff. Let me introduce you to our little bus driver.  He built it by himself, recruited passengers, and took his post with confidence. 

We were all invited to join him on his special motorcycle after dinner one evening.  It was a great night for a ride!

More typically nowadays we are ushered into his trut! (truck, of course) which has a frame strikingly similar to our amoeba couch.  The interior is decked out with the newest amenities, so new, in fact, you are hesitant to sit in it (really because you are sure that the pile of miscellaneous toys is bound to leave a mark or make for an uncomfortable cruise).  We do our best to oblige, though, and situate ourselves gingerly amidst the clutter as Luke hurriedly lifts our feet from the floor insisting that all limbs are kept safely inside the moving vehicle.  This is an upgrade from our old game of darbage trut, which as you can guess, was slightly more messy.

Just being a couple of silly monkeys!

And the mini maestro getting in a little practice.

One day we'll work on being superheroes and use the clothespins to secure the beach towels around our necks as capes like I remember doing in my childhood but for now we have the homemade Valentine bag from Grandma Schafer to keep the dream alive.

And, now, back to reality.