Friday, May 31, 2013

The Husband and Father


Roman is a volunteer firefighter/EMT and I am so proud of him for that pursuit. When the page goes out in the middle of the night, during a meal, or while we are on the road he is ready to answer. I am so glad that this is the example of selflessness being set before my children, and hope they always look up to him as their personal hero.

Daddy will always catch him

Future Volunteer



Thursday, May 30, 2013

We Are On Vacation...


I am writing two weeks of posts ahead of time while our little family goes on an extended vacation. Then I simply can check each day to see something that once inspired me. Sometimes the thought will strike me as,
"Oh yeah, I remember that being so amazing!"
Other times I am surprised by what I have bookmarked, underlined, or pinned on Pinterest. There are times I can see how much I have grown and changed, while other occasions still give the same delight as the original. Whatever the case, starting this little blog is showing me a great many little things about myself that I never knew before.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Traveling

Down the road and off we go
Through field or forest, rain or snow.
We're set to leave and by-n-by
We will take off on wings to fly.
The wind may blow, the sun may shine
We will neither complain nor whine.
There's a world to explore and places to see
And a home to come back to when done we be.
Let us go forward embracing the challenge
To enjoy all the places we could not imagine.

~Caitlin Mallery

By the time you read this we will have arrived in my birth state, sunny California. I can't wait to take my kids to the zoo, and other fun places from my childhood. Look out California, here come the Mallerys of Montana!


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

From Luther

God makes things out of nothing. He cannot make something of one who has not become nothing.
 ~ Martin Luther

If God is kindly disposed to a man and gives him success, he can often accomplish more in one hour without care and anxiety than another man in four whole days with great care and anxiety.
~Martin Luther

How pleasant the trees are! How delightfully green everything's beginning to be! It's like a charming day in May....Ah, would that we could trust God! If God can take such delight in our earthly sojourn, what must it be like in the life to com?
~Martin Luther

Martin Luther is our family hero of the faith. Roman has memorized some of his speeches and I have greatly 
admired him for years. It was one of the first points of common interest between us.


Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Should Be Honored

My husband has a great admiration for the military and men who have fought for noble and true causes. Roman especially admires the men of WW2; Major Richard Winters is one of his heroes. We hope someday to visit the cemeteries in Washington D.C. and France. In the meantime here is a poem which truly honors the history of war.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
    In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
   In Flanders fields.

~John McCrae


Sunday, May 26, 2013

To Walk With the Redeemer

"Come follow me." The Lord Christ said,
It means leave all behind.
You cannot take the world with you
And hope to gain success divine.

In isolation He often walked
His closest friends did fail.
You will never loose His presence
Though all other men will bail.

Recognition never was His goal
Rather to the truth His ways.
You must go forward in that truth
Not be mired down by lies.

The way He walked with faithfulness
His pattern does not change
You shall old habits now forsake
And overcoming power gain.

The Saviors words are strong and true
His commands are those of love
You will uproot your foolish self
For His wisdom from above.

To walk with the Redeemer
Is a high and noble call
Despise the world and conquer sin
For Him who saves you, Lord of all.

~Caitlin Mallery

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Happiness

To read, to think, to love, to hope, to pray - these are the things which make men happy.
~John Ruskin



Thursday, May 23, 2013

My Son's Favorite Stories

I love introducing my children to books, and they both seem to enjoy being read to. I have listed some of Ethans especial favorites below. I can't wait to share other books with him as he gets older.
He loves it when the bear sneezes and all the animals scatter.


Curious George is a regular read

Mamas, mamas everywhere


Dogs and cars the best combination ever!!


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Decide


My father is very much an admirer of Tolkiens work, and finds the wisdom of Gandalf and Samwise Gamgee   particularly applicable.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

From My Reading List

I am always trying to read something, and the list of books I want to read is constantly growing. I have a stack on my nightstand that includes C.S. Lewis's Til We Have Faces, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, a couple of parenting books, and a few Christian living books. Some of these books are borrowed, some were gifts, and then there is the one I got from the library last week that I hope to finish while I am on vacation (we will see how that goes).

Anyway, one of the books I am reading is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Here are a few thoughts that I have marked from her book.

The holy grail of joy is not in some exotic location or some emotional mountain peak experience. The joy wonder could be here! Here, in the messy, piercing ache of now, joy might be - unbelievably- possible! The only place we need see before we die is this place of seeing God, here and now.

We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks.

How does it save the world to reject unabashed joy when it is joy that saves us?

If you care to read more from Ann visit: A Holy Experience

Monday, May 20, 2013

A Worthwhile Read

I am slowly working through the massive Les Miserables and am continually impressed by the truth and insight into human nature that Victor Hugo seems to have. I hope to finish it before the year is out, but from the sliver I have read these insights have stood out to me.

One can no more pray too much than one can love too much.

He did not study God; he was dazzled by Him.

His universal suavity was less an instinct of nature than the result of a grand conviction which had filtered into his heart through the medium of life, and had trickled there slowly, thought by thought; for, in a character, as in a rock, there may exist apertures made by drops of water.

Be lucky and you will have all the rest; be happy, and people will think you great.

Is there not in every human soul a first spark, a divine element, incorruptible in this world, immortal in the other, which good can develop, fan, ignite, and make to glow with splendor, and which evil can never wholly extinguish?

Put this book on your reading list, and read it one page at a time. Do not rush through it and keep a pencil nearby to note the thoughts that you find intriguing. The movie is good, the story is great, the book is best.


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Psalm 23

The sheep-keepin o' the Lord's kind an' canny,
wi' a braw howff at long last;
David keeps his sheep; the Lord keeps David.
A heigh-lilt o' David's.

The Lord is my herd, nae want sal fa' me:
He luts me till lie amang green howes; he airts me 
 atowre by the lown watirs:
He waukens my wa'-gen saul; he weises me roun,
for his ain names sake, intil right roddins.
Na!, tho' I gang thro' the dead-mirk-dail; e'en thar, 
sal I dread ane skaithin:
for yersel are nar-by me; yer stok an' yer stay haud
me baith fu' cheerie.
My buird ye hae hansell'd in the face o' my faes;
ye hae drookit my head wi' oyle;
my bicker is fu' an' skailin.
E'en sae, sal gude-guidin' an' gude-gree gang wi; me,
ilk day o' my livin;
an' evir mair syne, i' the Lord's ain howff,
at lang last, sal I mak bydan.

~Scottish Translation by P. Hately Waddell (1817-1891)

Read this out loud to hear the beauty of this much loved Psalm.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Which Apron?

This is a day and age when women must be strong
To fight the spiritual battle the world does send along.
To a worldly woman the apron symbolizes
Slavery to home, drudgery, unwilling sacrifices;
This woman longs to glory in wealth and fame and power
And feels her family is a hindrance to her hour.
To a godly woman the apron symbolizes
The freedom she has gained through loving sacrifices;
This woman here does glory in forming heavenly treasure
Raising children for the Lord is her delight and pleasure.
So many battles fought on so many different fronts
There is no task too hard, her courage will not daunt.
How will you wear your apron? Will it be with shame?
Or will it be with pride as woman once again?

~ Caitlin Mallery

I wrote this poem some years ago for Roman's grandmother Mary Bauer, a remarkable women from whom Saoirse inherits her red hair. This was long before I had any connections beyond friendship, and now she is a part of my children's godly heritage. I am grateful for the inspiration she has provided for our little family.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Good and Perfect Gifts

All together

Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

Enjoy the gifts of God - whatever portion of them be allotted to thee, as the stream from the fountain of His special interest in thee. ~ Charles Bridges.

My perfect gifts

My good gift



Thursday, May 16, 2013

A Reminder

Roman must continually remind me of this, because I like things to go according to plan.




Wednesday, May 15, 2013

My Cup Runneth Over

Jesus, I fain would sing a sweeter song
Than my glad heart has ever sung before;
For Thou, who has been bountiful to me,
Has filled my cup till it is running o'er.

Why hast Thou thus revealed Thyself to me?
Why has Thy secret unto me made known?
Why singled me from many loving hearts,
Whispering these mysteries to me alone?

Thou art too good, too great, too wise, too kind;
And even while to see Thee I entreat,
My weakness puts Thee from me, and I cry           
This is too great a joy, a bliss too sweet.

Oh stay Thine hand! I cannot, cannot bear
This weight of glory; cannot live, and see
The face that Thou in tender grace hast turned
On me, a sinful creature, even me.

Yes, I can bear Thy strokes, but not Thy love;
I can endure Thy frowns, but not Thy smile;
Frowns I deserve, and stripes I sorely need,
And Thine own choice has given them erewhile.

And yet amid my tears, my heart rings out
A richer song than songs it sang before;
For Thou who hast been bountiful to me,
Has given a cup today that runneth o'er!

~Elizabeth Payson Prentiss
Author of "Stepping Heavenward"


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tongue and Ears

If you would keep your lips from slips
Five things observe with care;
To whom you speak, Of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.
~William Edward Norris

I learned the above poem as a child and it is some thing I still remember to this day. How useful little poems are for teaching and remembering valuable lessons.


Monday, May 13, 2013

How...


How...
      ...do you determine what gets done in your day?
      ...can you feel accomplished if you do not have even the smallest passion for your life?
      ...will let go of the what you do not need?

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mother's Day; The Role Model

This marks the second year where I may celebrate Mother's Day as a mother. Several years ago I wrote a special poem for my mother on this day. Then it was to the woman whom I admire in so many ways. I still greatly value her opinion above anyone else. And now this poem serves as a challenge to raise my daughter well.

The Role Model

Four little girls there were
Who sought a model role
That they might have a pattern
On which their lives to mold.

The first ones eyes lit up
As Glamour stepped on stage.
She minced in her high heels
And imitated her ways.

The stance of little two grew proud
As Feminist took the platform.
She glared down at "weakling men"
And other paths did scorn.

The thirds hands were busy
As Activity filled the floor.
She's doing her good deeds
And has family time no more.

The fourth girls' face was cheerful
As Mother walked up front.
She mimics every move,
Like her to be, she wants.

I watched as little Glamour
Became the woman Grieved,
And saw proud Feminist turn
Into Fettered and Deceived.

Activity has her charities,
Yet her family is in ruins;
While the little Mommy mimic
Has a little one of her own.

O daughter, wisely choose
Who is to be your model,
For there is only one path
Whose end is without trouble.

~Caitlin Mallery

I have no regrets that I am now the Mummy of two wee bairns. Sure, there are moments when I would really like to lock them in their room so I can accomplish something. There are also moments where I feel so triumphant because of the little accomplishments that they have made. There will always be some give and take in life. And I would glad give my children all the energy of a young and happy Mum, and take time for myself when they go to bed!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Be A Lady


One of my favorite lady blogs is:
She has so many wonderful things say about being true lady in the modern world. Spend some time browsing her blog. You will find it very interesting.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Little Helpers

Last year Ethan was crawling finding all the dirt and sticks in the little cabin we were living in. This May he has started 'helping' me with the dishes. He rinses and helps put some away. He loves playing in the bubbles and telling me when the water is too "Haw" (hot) or "Col" (cold).

He is also very generous about leaving crumbs for Saoirse to find. Now that she is crawling the floor seems so much dirtier. She is a little chatterbox, and also likes to whisper. Sweet sounds to my ear!



The bounties of spring that my Roman brings home, some from his mothers gorgeous flower beds.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

My Favorite Book

Okay, I have a lot of favorite books, but there are different kinds of favorites. There is one book that always seems new every time I read it. 'The Blue Castle' by Lucy Maud Montgomery of 'Anne of Green Gables' fame, never becomes boring to me.



When the heroine finds her man the tale goes:

'She was no longer unimportant, little old maid Valancy Stirling. She was a woman, full of love and therefore rich and significant - justified to herself. Life was no longer empty and futile, and death could cheat her of nothing. Love had cast out her last fear.

Love! What a searing, torturing, intolerably sweet thing it was - this possession of body, soul, and mind! With something at its core as fine and remote and purely spiritual as the tiny blue spark in the heart of the unbreakable diamond. No dream had ever been like this. She was no longer solitary. She was one of a vast sisterhood - all the women who had ever loved in the world.'

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Welcome

Ah, how my winter-wearyed eyes
Rejoice the spring to see,
The gentle greens on brambled browns.
Fragrant blossoms by the road-side,
Trees in flower, fruit-preparing
The feast my eyes does light.
As I inhale the fragrant air
Warm breezes brush my face.
"There's sunshine in my soul today!"
My heart enthralled does sing.
The birds sweet songs in rapture give
All praises to their Creators hand.
And my soul will join in their thanksgiving
As winter gives way to His promise of spring.

~Caitlin Mallery

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

True Happiness

The godly union [in marriage] of souls in mutual forbearance with each others infirmities and mutual stimulating each others graces, this is surely a fragment of true happiness.

~Charles Bridges


Monday, May 6, 2013

An Ancient Prayer

Give me a good digestion, Lord, and also something to digest;
Give me a healthy body, Lord, and sense to keep it at its best.
Give me a healthy mind, good Lord, to keep the good and pure in sight;
Which, seeing sin, is not appalled, but finds a way to set it right.

Give me a mind that is not bound, that does not whimper, whine or sigh.
Don't let me worry overmuch about the fussy thing called I.
Give me a sense of humor, Lord; give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some happiness from life and pass it on to other folk.

~Thomas H. B. Webb


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Confessions of St. Augustines

The modesty of a heart that confesses its weakness is more lovely than all the things I was so eager to know.

You{God} stir us up to take delight in your praise; for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless till it finds its rest in you.

My faith, O Lord, calls upon you; the faith that is your gift to me, which you have inspired through the humanity of your Son, and the ministry of him who proclaimed you.

Let me have a mighty love for you; in my inmost being let me hold tight to your hand, so that you may deliver me from every temptation to the very end. For you, O Lord, are my King and my God.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

From The Book I Am Reading

"Everything is as good or as bad as our opinion makes it."

C.S. Lewis
Till We Have Faces

A walk with  Hayley

Friday, May 3, 2013

Finicky Weather

The spring weather is very unpredictable lately and if Ethan doesn't like it he wrings his hands and says,"Col, col?" Then he brings a sweater to me saying,"Button."
Nice and warm with two shirts and a sweater

A freak hailstorm

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Wholly Thine

May my heart be wholly Thine Lord,
May I always ever cleave
To the cross which Thou did die on
From death to rescue me.

May my mind be wholly Thine Lord,
May its focus always be
On the life which Thou didst live
That I might be like Thee.

May my hands be wholly Thine Lord,
May they always ready be
To serve the needs of others
With greatest efficiency.

May my speech be wholly Thine Lord,
May it ever seek to show
Th love that Christ doth give
To the humbled heart below.

May my life be wholly Thine Lord,
May it be a constant light
To the world of Thy redeeming power
Against the rule of night.

~ Caitlin Mallery

Wednesday, May 1, 2013