#mondaymotivation

the sound of rushing water off in the distance

the view of newly naked trees and exposed nests built with mastery

the intense reds, yellows, orange - even brown

***

Monday mornings I have a gift of free mornings. It's quite a challenge to keep the mornings free. In my mind it's an extra 4 hours that are easily filled up with the "need to do" things. 

But the last few Mondays I have held firm. Free to be - alone in the woods with my dog. I take deep breaths of fresh air; I listen to the singing birds, the krinkle of fallen leaves beneath my feet, the rushing water.  I think, I pray, I ponder. I hug my dog. 

As I type this, there is a twinge of guilt. It feels so luxurious to take an hour or two once a week of freedom. Then there is the other side of the coin of guilt - there are so many things I should be doing. 

Stop.

What does God want for me?

God wants my time. God wants my heart. God wants my happiness.

Two hours a week of time devoted to just be with him in His creation - there should not be and will not be any guilt. 

This is not a commitment to myself. This is a commitment to Jesus. I will be with you for two hours on Mondays - free unstructured time.  

This is my #mondaymotivation. What is yours?

Because baptism...

"Mom, if you could go back and choose to live in any time in history, what time would you choose?"

Me: Hmmm... I don't know, I have never thought about it

I would go back to Jesus' time.

This was another car conversation. It was brief. This is an observation of Gracie's desire to grow in understanding. 

***

Last week marked two of my most favorite feast days. I am a person of superlatives, so that means, there are many feast days that are of great import to me. October 28, was our family's celebration of the 11 year anniversary of Gracie's adoption into the Body of Christ through Baptism. We typically mark this celebration by attending a one of the many beautiful historic churches in our Chicagoland area. 

The last few years Gracie has been very adamant that to mark this special day we go to Old St. Pat's downtown Chicago. It was a full weekend! She was away at camp for dance. Thank goodness Old St Pat's has an 8pm Sunday evening mass! 

***

November 1: Feast of All Saints

Beloved:See what love the Father has bestowed on usthat we may be called the children of God.

1 John 3: 1

***

At Mass for the Feast of All Saints, I was completely overcome. 

Gratitude

All of our Holy ancestors that have gone before us, laying the foundation, a road of holiness...

They answered their baptismal call to holiness, living a life set apart for Jesus.

*** 

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the lives of the Saints.  They are such extraordinary humans! Their holiness is unattainable!

In reality, a life of holiness is a response. We respond daily. Many times not even intentionally. The response to this love freely given to us - that we may be called Children of God - is one of acceptance and action. I accept that Jesus loves me beyond my wildest dreams. I act out of that love. 

***

 Gracie's Baptism Day

October 28, 2007

Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Indiana

 Fr. Pat Gaffney and a naked baby... She was so mad!

She finally calmed down when given the Light of Christ

Gracie had quite a welcoming committee into the Body of Christ

Your Cosmic Task = The Body of Christ

"The laws governing the universe can be made interesting and wonderful to the child, more interesting even that things in themselves, and he begins to ask: What am I? What is the task of man in this wonderful universe? Do we merely live here for ourselves, or is there something more for us to do? Why do we struggle and fight? What is good and evil? Where will it all end?"

Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential

A few weeks ago the Joliet Montessori Elementary & Adolescent communities held it's annual field study field trip. The students spend the day at a local forest preserve engaging in quadrant studies. This year in the afternoon the students were divided up into groups and given the task of building different kinds of shelters. This was a lesson in the Fundamental Needs of Humans. They were given a few guidelines: the shelter needs to be near fresh water and out of the way of the elements.

When I arrived to join for an evening potluck and bonfire I was met with a very excited Gracie: "Come and see our shelter! I want you to take a picture of it!"

So away we went tromping through the woods. 

 

I was completely impressed by the structure Gracie and her group built. Not only was it a super enticing hideout. (I wanted to bring my tarp, sleeping bag, and a book and snuggle in) But knowing that these students worked joyfully in chilly and damp conditions all day was admirable.

I asked Gracie, "tell me about your group."

She began rattling off names and telling me what each member of her group was good at. Then she interrupted herself, "you know? It was great! We were all good at different things! That's why we were able to accomplish so much."

"Wow! Gracie! That's an amazing discovery. That's how the Body of Christ works!"

With a big fat smile, she responds, "yep!"

Enamored by Life

I was walking a few steps behind my daughter and niece in Muir Woods National Monument and we were coming up on Cathedral Grove. There was a sign asking for a respectful silence when walking through. I heard Gracie, "shhhh. let's listen to the forest." Both girls paused and looked up. Ellia whispers, "wow, so big"

***

We had to wake up at 6 am to observe the tide pools. It was an early morning and not everyone in our party was excited about it. We treked down to the ocean at low tide, the reason for our early morning excursion. There we found an exposed reef were we could observe amazing sealife. At every turn Gracie and Peyton oohed and aaahed...

***

Justin, Gracie and I just got home from a 10 day jaunt in the San Francisco Bay area. We have a Wozniak Family tradition of annual family vacations. This year it was 7 adults and 5 children (ages 1-11.)

The theme for this year's family vacation: full.

On this vacation I found myself taking pause and catching my breath. There were so many moments of awe and wonder. Whether it be two children gasping in awe at entering the Cathedral of the Assumption in San Francisco, two children so excited to be holding a piece of the Golden Gate Bridge, 3 uncles joyfully kicking around the soccer ball with a rowdy bunch of kiddos, Grandma sharing her love of biology and eco-systems with her beloved grandchildren, laughter of playing cousins while we prepare dinner, the sense of smallness at observing 1000 year old trees...

The list goes on and on.

With a group of children ages 1-11 there were also many moments of chaotic hysteria. It's only natural. That is family life. We take it all. We make the most of it. We cherish the whole package.

I know these are graced moments.

***

We must practice being enamored by life.  It is imperative if we are to make it through the tough times.

Mesmerized by Fireflies

The smell of fresh cut hay.

A doe sneaks out into the meadow.

The horizon is ablaze with a kaleidoscope of color.

My way is illumined by the flicker of fireflies.

***

A few weeks ago I was gifted with the time for 5 straight days to take a 30 minute walk each day. Talk about gift! These 30 minute days were times of pondering life and all its wonders; in particular I was pondering lifestyle choices.

I have been pondering why we have chosen this lifestyle and what goes into the decision making process of lifestyle choices. 

The choices that I have made make it such that a walk down my street at dusk means sights of a typical country lane. My choices have also made it such that 30 minutes of alone time in one lump sum is a rare gift,  nevermind 5 days in a row. 

***

For God formed man to be imperishable;the image of his own nature he made him.

Wisdom 1: 13-15

This was the first reading for Sunday's Mass back on July 1. It's never a coincidence that the daily readings coincide with what God has put on my heart. These words from the book of Wisdom read beautiful, harsh, whimsical, and challenging.

When reading and re-reading I wonder, why do more people not live as if these words are true?

I am a spitting image of God. So are you. So is your child, your neighbor, the person who honked at you on the commute, the coworker that drives you batty, etc. 

We are all bearers of God. 

Does my lifestyle truly exhibit this fact?

Summer Goals

Summer: Week 1

At the beginning of summer I made a promise to myself that I was going to be more creative this summer. To help me along in this goal I purchased a few new shiny items: watercolors, art markers, a sketch pad and a pack of watercolor paper. I vowed that I would use up these items by the end of the summer.

The first week went very well. I created many different watercolor paintings and got underway on my art sketch journal.

As with many things that start with a mad flurry of activity, week 3 of summer the creating came to a dead halt.

***

10 days ago something new happened. I had a small accident of falling out of a pool. I have discovered that it takes real talent to fall out  of a pool rather than in. The fall resulted in a concussion.

I have learned so much over the last 10 days. I learned way more about concussions than ever. When you have a concussion any screen time at all strains your brain. I could actually feel the strain and I would fatigue almost instantly. I also learned that I am not an easy person to slow down. I know it's not a big surprise. A good friend of mine was recounting a story of struggle; she talked about how important struggle is in life because it helps us be more compassionate and empathetic. This last week has definitely helped me grow more in those areas.

So what is a person to do when screen time and reading books is a brain drain? Create! Little did I know that a week of brain recovery would lead to aiding in completing my summer goal. I spent two entire days just painting. And one of those days Gracie spent the entire day with me. And the real kicker? It was all out on my patio, under the umbrella, with Izzy warming my feet and a herd of goats and flock of chickens looking on.

inspiration ready

practicing faces

Mary is always close by

The Mary Garden, Milkweed, and a Precious Visitor

Gracie's Orange

Gracie's Color Study

A moth

A swallowtail

I Chose Marriage

June 14, 2018 marks 15 years of marriage for Justin and I.

Many emotions swirl around this heart of mine as I reflect on the last 15 years of marriage, 18 years together. The tears that well up in my eyes when looking over pictures from the last years are heavy with joy, love, hardship, blessing, fear, accomplishment, celebration. 

I chose marriage. No, not really. It chose me. And I fought it with my whole being. I was terrified. Some days I still am. Marriage is a crazy adventure. Marriage is hard hard work. Marriage is an act of faith in the Holy Trinity (more than one Holy Trinity if you get my drift.)

At some point about half way through these 15 years, I stopped fighting it. I can't put my finger on when that was. It was gradual but I began to revel in the plan that God has for Justin and I.  Trusting in God's plan has proved to be way better than I could have ever imagined.

***

When I was in grad school, my sacraments professor was clear as a bell: in the Sacrament of Marriage spouses draw each other closer to Christ. You must regularly partake of the Eucharist to nourish the bonds of marriage.

Just Do It

***

Justin is the best adventurer partner for me. When I reflect on the man that God chose for me, I am struck with wonder and awe. Justin is an example of how God's plans for us are so much bigger and better than we could ever imagine. Justin, putting it pure and simple, is a man of deep faith. All that he is as husband and father are drawn from the well of faith. 

Thank you, Jesus!

Flag Day, 2003.

The beginning of the Parenting Adventure! 11 years ago!

August 1, 2017.

Our first Camping Trip!

***

Year 14 has been a great year!

Starved Rock for Gracie's 10th Birthday

Smokey Mountain National Park

Happy 40th Justin!

Christmas at the Art Institute

Ah! Roma!

Atop St. Peters Basilica

Happy 40th Birthday to Me!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Space Center Houston

Graue Mill for Mothers Day