The value of small steps is that one sees what success looks like!

I have long wanted to have a blog--it is a pathway to reach into the heart and mind of myself to others: A communion, a friendship, a shared growth.

I have fallen short:  expecting to make no difference
Are you expecting to fall short of your goal?

Do you somehow expect to lose interest and quit?

Has this happened to you before?

More on that in the next blog.

I have set my goal to be myself--to face what is keeping me from others.

I have insights, passions, concerns, abilities, and pizzazz!  Yet without addressing my mental roadblocks, that all presence does not shine for others.

FortunatAnswers are coming at me from all sides!

IF YOU THINK … YOU CAN!

If you think you’re beaten, you are,

   If you think you dare not, you don’t.

If you’d like to run, but think you can’t,

   It’s almost for sure you won’t.

If you think you’re losing, you’ve lost.

  For out in the world we find –

SUCCESS begins with a person’s will.

   It’s all in the state of mind.

If you  think you’re outclassed, you are,

   You’ve got to think high to rise.

You have to stay with it,

   In order to win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go,

   To the one with the better plan,

For more often than not, you will win,

   If only you think you can.

Become Who You Are! -- New Year's Resolution: grow in Him and Her

So, I am thinking about how I need to grow.

I want to grow!  

It is not about "growing up"--but that is a part of my motivation.  I am in the midst of living in my children's growing-up-years.  What I do and believe has an impact on them.

It is growing to be who I am.

I am here for others. I am called to grow specifically by being there for others.

A priest once told me "become who you are!" 

Today I break that down into daughter of the King, daughter of Our Lady, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and apostolate worker for bestcatholicposters.com.  Each role draws me into people's lives.

When my future  husband purpose to me, something in me clicked--"I do not want to sin; that would affect him." It was a realization that what I did reached out with consequences to those around me. 

Intellectually, we know that is what the Communion of Saints is about: our sin and our prayers reach out into the world far beyond us for good or ill.

Rejoicing in marriage, I had an ah-ha moment that I was not really seeing the bliss in all this.

Marriage has led me to growth, I can see, upon reflection!  Love allows me to grow beyond myself! Just as it impels me to reach beyond this family to reach others.  Love makes a home, and that home can even be in the shelter of a smile.

That is my call.

What change has nourishing love led YOU to?

I am facing that famous New Year's Resolution fork in the road. 

Do I grow by changing what is not working or do I fear what new life will bring? 

If I really want to do something, I can find a way through and beyond the fear--there is excitement and life and others beckoning me on!  If I doubt that deep down, I will find an excuse to keep on the course I have been on, not writing, not growing.

It is the process of moving toward success (a goal) that can motivate and move one to grow!  Growth leads me to my true goal:  sharing the Life He has given me.

Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."

Others are here with encouragement for me! 

And I am here to give encouragement!

I can give what I have in His Name. Today.  Prayers for you becoming who you are!

My bags are packed for the journey of this year, and I am here!

Encouragement makes the world of difference! It gets us from that place of fear to that place of growth :)

What change do you long for encouragement with?  What are use jumping over or into?

He is the one my mother painted

This image brings a lot of memories back to me: I was a teenager and longed to see Jesus as more than just a law giver; I wanted a friend. I wanted a smiling Jesus, not a stern one. And this is Whom I found! --------------There was a stencil with a simplified version of with this image that my mother had and would use to paint many variations, all with that smile of His and those eyes! ---------------I look back at my memory--I know we all see Him in different ways--amazed at the usefulness of a stencil. It is a way, a simplified way fixed for us to be able to "paint" better than we could without.-------- We could learn a lesson from stencils: as long as the stencil (the Truth) is used, the variations are different angles of the same Person. It is when we go off and "invent" Him that we end up with distortion. --------------The stencil is helpful, necessary to getting it right each time. Boundaries are limits that keep the original intent in mind. "This is what I want to accomplish. If I go beyond that, I am doing something else. I can, but then I need to acknowledge that I am going somewhere else. My boundary shows me--shows others--what I am aiming for." ------------I want to use stencils.

Not necessarily literally. I mean figuratively. ----------------My best explanation of Mary is that She is God's model of what He offers to each of us: He calls us each by name, each with a mission, each supported at every moment to live that life, each with the ability at every moment to say "yes" or "no" to it. ----------------If we want to follow Jesus, the best way is the one He gave us... having a Mother--a stencil--John 19:26. "He directs her to look upon John as her son: "Behold him as thy son, who stands there by you, and be as a mother to him." We also know from Scripture that we are called to see ourselves in it; in this case, to see Mary at the foot of the Cross being asked to be our mother and mentor. We are called there to take care of Her. For He is entrusting Her to us. ------I am to be Her daughter. She is to be my mother. He made it so. I can say "yes" or "no." --------------It was my mother who taught me this. With words, actions, and painting... Gracias, Mama!

The Passive Way

I like silence. I can think in it. I do not like feeling alone. It makes me feel stuck. -----I like to be passive. I must. Since I do it a lot. Wait... it makes me feel stuck too! --------------------------------How about being active! That would be a whole journey, day by day... And that is how I can do what I say I want to do--to stop approaching my passions in a passive way. ------------------I have been drawn to cake/cupcake decoration. I got some info on it, some tools to do it. And I have not done it!

So, I am just waiting. Waiting for inspiration, time, motivation, someone else to encourage me, push me, join me. ----------------Today, I will imagine you are encouraging me and joining me. It is Halloween! We can make cupcakes, cakes, make time for some passion. ----------I encourage you! I join you! ----For in the end, it will be tomorrow. And you want to do today what you expect of yourself tomorrow ;) (Hint: to be a writer, to be happy, to reach out, to be a saint) --------------------------Blessed Saint's Day a bit prematurely :)

Stand beside her and guide her

Post by Bea Quindlen.

God bless America and help us with each step we need to take to live as He asks.

I keep to the shore!

It takes a lot for me to put into the deep. Help me out!

All is well with my soul!

Looking out into the deep... in retrospect, with new challenges arising for the Kellmeyers, the Summer of 2013 looks quite idyllic. Yet I also realize that God is always preparing us for the moment, healing us of the past, planning for our future--it all works for the good of those who trust God. _____________________________________________________________ That is why looking out into the deep is so helpful. It allows us to connect issues in our lives. It is not that one can make it all out and understand it all, but it is a time to reflect and strive for balance and purpose. In looking out we find we need to look around... for Him! ______________________________________________________________ "The Deep" is the area where we realize we need to lean on Him... and, in time, seeking, we then find Him! In the bright light of day, we can think all is fine, so great we "gotta wear shades!" We can forget to go to God then. We go to Him... when it is too deep for us. When we need to see the Big Picture. This photo reminds me to take my cares to Him for He loves me! ______________________________________________________________ Looking out into the Deep is when we can cling to God our Father with such love, abandon, trust, and joy! We are with Him and all will follow from that! And we all have those "deep moments"! I turn to Him. He is there.

For my Daughter

I can write, but I have not done it. I needed to find the impetus for it! I have found it :) ______________________________________________ I want to share things! I begin with my daughter: I want to know my daughter. At a homeschooling conference back when she was small, I heard a talk on how on can get to know one’s child by asking them about something. When they cannot write on their own yet (and are more in the copying stage of writing), they are already in the formulating ideas stage. Write down what the ideas are. So, for now, I will begin with that old bit of advice: write down what ideas I have. I want to get to know my daughter better; I want her to get to know me better. ________________________________________ Writing can help accomplish this. She too has much inside her that will come out if she writes. We can encourage each other :) And, my friends, that is the impetus to stopping the regular activities of my day to write. It is not a luxury. It is a necessity. One that I have been missing and feeling its lack quite acutely._____________________________________________ Without the communication, our relationship is like a Christmas tree, unadorned. Each conversation adds on an ornament of shared time together! And then, over time, one ends up with a tree full of moments that are so priceless and hold family moments in a special way.

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

Young Living Essential Oils knocked coughing out!

Two of the boys had coughs that now had that rattling sound... 

Last year when that had happened to the youngest, we had taken him to get checked out by the doctor.  What else can one do when it is something as deep inside a person as the lungs?  Vital things, those lungs!

This year, I found that using therapeutic grade essential oils (my preference is Young Living) made a difference over the course of two nights.  It reaches in to the cells of the lungs!  

Three days later, the two said that they were better.  The cough no longer had the rattle and the boys hardly coughed.  Thankfully, the middle one is remembering to ask for the oils.

Some info on the science behind it:

Last month, whenever I would sense a scratchy throat or mucous in my sinus, I would just put 1 drop of Thieves on my tongue and those cold symptoms would be immediately gone.

I am so thankful for the Thieves oil and the RC (which I forgot to mention...I also put the RC on the soles of my feet and my throat when I have cold symptoms.) I am so grateful to the Young Living Essential oils. I am determined to make 2008 a healthy year for me. These oils are a gift from God and I am most grateful to have my good health restored to me.

Thank you, Young Living! Cheryl Scott RN, PhD 

R.C. Blend - Ingredients: INCI Ingredient Names: Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, myrtus communis oil, pinus sylvestris (pine) leaf oil, origanum majorana (marjoram) leaf oil, eucalyptus radiata leaf oil, eucalyptus citriodora leaf oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, cupressus sempervirens oil, tsuga canadensis leaf oil, and mentha piperita (peppermint) oil.

RC™ Essential Oil Blend

Therapeutic grade RC essential oil, which is short for respiratory congestion, has a frequency of 75 MHz and is yet another oil that you will not find me without, especially during the winter months.

This antiviral oil is a must have for anyone who suffers from bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma and any other form of respiratory issue. It decongests sinus passages, combats lung infections, and gives relief from colds, allergies and sore throats.

I used to get the flu once a year that heads straight for my chest, but since I've been using oils like Thieves and RC and taking my daily "shots" ofNingXia Red, the flu has nothing on me! 

Ingredients

With ten powerful single essential oils that make up the blend of RC, it is easy to see why it is so powerful. The ingredients are as follows:

Eucalyptus Globulus

Eucalyptus globulus has been shown to be a powerful antimicrobial and germ-killer. It is expectorant, mucolytic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic. It reduces infections in the throat and lungs, such as rhinopharyngitis, laryngitis, flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Eucalyptus Radiata

Eucalyptus radiata is anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiviral, an expectorant, and anti-inflammatory. It has strong action against bronchitis and sinusitis.

Eucalyptus Citriodora

Eucalyptus citriodora decongests and disinfects the sinuses and lungs. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and antispasmodic.

Myrtle (Myrtus commuis)

Myrtle supports the respiratory system and helps treat chronic coughs and tuberculosis. It is suitable to use for coughs and chest complaints with children. Sinus decongestant and alleviates throat infections.

Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Pine opens and disinfects the respiratory system, particularly the bronchial tract. It has been used since the time of Hippocrates to support respiratory function and fight infection. According to Daniel Penoel, M.D., pine is one of the best oils for bronchitis and pneumonia.

Spruce (Picea mariana)

Spruce helps the respiratory and nervous systems. It is anti-infectious, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Marjoram supports the respiratory system and reduces spasms. It is anti-infectious, antibacterial, and antiseptic.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is antispasmodic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. It is relaxing and grounding.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Cypress promotes blood circulation and lymph flow. It is anti-infectious, antibacterial, antimicrobial, mucolytic, antiseptic, refreshing, and relaxing.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint is a powerful nasal and lung decongestant with antiseptic properties. It opens nasal passages, reduces cough, improves airflow to the lungs, and kills airborne bacteria, fungi and viruses. A 1994 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study at the University of Kiel in Germany found that peppermint oil exerted a significant analgesic effect (Gobel et al., 1994).

Body Systems

Although RC essential oil can positively affect many areas of the body, its primary affect is on the following:

• Digestive system
• Emotional balance
• Immune system
• Skin/Hair

Uses

Below are some of the many ailments that you can use RC for:

Acne Allergies Asthma Bronchitis Colds Flu Infectious disease Laryngitis Lung infections Pneumonia Sinusitis Sore Throats

How To Use

It is recommended to dilute 1 part essential oil with 1 part carrier oil and then: 

• Apply2-4 drops on chest, neck, throat or over sinus area
• Dilute 1:15 to V-6 vegetable oil complex for a body massage
• Directly inhale
• Diffuse
• Use as a hot compress 

TO COMBAT SINUS/LUNG CONGESTION: Add RC, Raven or Wintergreen to a bowl of hot, steaming water. Place a towel over your head and water/oil mixture and inhale the steam. Combine with Raven (alternating morning and night) and Thieves to enhance effects.

Learn more about the many uses for essential oils 

http://www.essential-oils-4-healing.com/rc-essential-oil.html

Breathe Again has four different eucalyptus oils with several other oils and is like R.C blend “supercharged”. Breathe Again™ Essential Oil Roll-On is a proprietary blend of oils specially formulated to support respiratory health. Breathe Again contains four powerful eucalyptus oils: Eucalyptus staigeriana, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, and Young Living’s original Ecuador single, Eucalyptus blue. Eucalyptus oils contain high amounts of cineole, which has been studied for its potential to support healthy lung function. The essential oils peppermint, myrtle, and copaiba also play an integral part in this blend. Breathe Again is available in a portable roll-on applicator, making natural relief available anywhere.  

And so, I am glad to say there were no antibiotics or doctor visit needed this time.  I signed up for the discount, making it a bit over $20 (with 50 plus applications) for the 15ml bottle.

I can say it has paid for itself!  And now I tell others about it (and how to get 24% discount). I am hoping to get Breathe Again soon...  ask how it goes :)
  

Birthday next month

His smile is so engaging!

Enjoying the moments.

The Father Day 2012 gift

I was a privileged--and surprised one--who received the flower delivery.  That meant I could deliver some other daughter's gift and rejoice in the kindness.
It was a day I was with him--a gift in itself, as it happened because I had agreed to extend my visit.
It was a day to think on God the Father from whom all fatherhood comes (Ephesians 3:15).  And how I can acknowledge what He has done and be grateful.

Working with SLK

KMK and I have been talking about different styles.  I like things streamlined and clear cut.  Beautiful, of course. SLK often asks what he can do to make his work more user friendly, better. We worked on this together.

Christmas Village

The Christmas lights have not all gone down.  I will post some later just for a feel for them.  Light in the ddarkness and colorful, at that!

KMK drawings

KMK and I were looking at blogs.  She is into the blogs that homeschooling mothers write.  And I have wanted a beautiful blog for a long time.  I had begun this.  The Mommy Things that are done Late at Night during Mommy Time!  (She said it is all unbeknownst to her, quite a surprise!)

I must say that I am surprised by all the writing and drawings that she does, so how about if I do some blogging and we both learn about each other, KMK?

Love you lots,
VMK Mommy

Confirmation for Katherine Marie Therese

Katherine was confirmed around Pentecost. I didn't do much then to put up photos.

Snowy backyard

The backyard was just white. It was too powdery to make snowballs. It wasn't until this Sunday February 6th that the sun had melted it enough so that snowballs could be formed. How the children had waited for that!

And invited their father outside after they had a stockpile of snowballs :)

The Great February 2011 Snowfall

It was right before the Superbowl that Arlington is hosting. A record for the last fifteen years.

Christmastide beginning...

Christmas Day with the children