little boat..

A beautiful day...

2012-02-15T09:50:00.000-06:00

Today, Feb 15th, is the feast day of St Claude Le Colombiere who was the spiritual father of St Margaret Mary Alacoque...she of course was who Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart to.

It is also the feast day of this holy priest and spiritual director...Bl. Michael Sopocko. For those who have read St Faustina's Diary, Divine Mercy in my Soul, he will surely be familiar. He was St Faustina's spiritual director and continued the work of Divine Mercy the Lord requested through St Faustina, after he death.

anyone for a parachute?

2012-02-12T17:05:00.001-06:00

Head on over to the Live Greater blog(click the logo) and read this week's post by Fr M. You may want to grab a parachute...

must try...

2012-02-12T16:57:00.000-06:00

Because I am slightly addicted to Pintrest..ahem... and because it's Sunday, the Lord's Day...because it's winter and cold out side...because i LOVE chocolate...because Lent begins next week... because because because....well I wanted to :) Today I made this...

This is not my picture but the one off of Pinterest...mine was gone too fast to photograph ;) Man was this amazingly easy, good and the fulfillment of all my Sunday afternoon, relaxing, napping, movie watching, computer junking...savoring the Lord's Day attitude.(Click on the photo for the recipe)

back at it...

2012-02-11T16:28:00.001-06:00

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes... many prayers today for those in my family and my fiends who are in need of healing. O' Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

I also have noticed that in the crazy busy that has been our life these past few weeks, I haven't sat down to blog or even just post a picture here and there...heaven knows we have been busy and have taken at least a picture or two of the goings-on...

Oh well, such is life and such is blogging... Hopefully I will be back at it now that there is a clam.. or maybe it's just the calm before the storm... but I'm determined to try and keep up more here.

fashion show..

2012-01-18T15:03:00.000-06:00

My Lindsay had her bff over yesterday (yes, during school because that's how we homeschoolers do it!) and they ended up somewhere between Marie Antoinette and a Medieval Peasant...Emma was just along for the ride, as usual. After a while I decided to take pictures (with my phone, excuse the quality) because why not?!? I took them all in successive shots... way too funny... enjoy!

this is my Lindsay...notice the beauty mark..hilarious!

it's about here that she really starts to work it for the camera..

Up next is Miss A her bff... she's a bit more subdued. Probably why they are such great friends.

Emma at her finest

yah...pretty much!

2012-01-18T09:43:00.002-06:00

This pretty much sums it all up :)

new year...new design

2012-01-11T13:08:00.002-06:00

I had a lot of fun helping to redesign the Live Greater blog that I mentioned below and that inspired me to update and freshen up my own for the new year.

naturally...

2012-01-11T11:52:00.000-06:00

On Monday we began our second semester after a long Christmas break. Emma for the most part, just played around the house and left little pockets of play here and there. I came across this one mid-morning and it made me stop and think...and take a picture of course. I thought of Jesus saying "Unless you become like a little child..." Emma, in her simple childlike way, has not a thought about playing with Our Lady right along side of her princess. It was as natural to her as anything. What made me stop and think was if I would be that simple too. Often I can get stuck in thinking that my faith, my prayers, my devotions should be in the form of set prayers or pious actions. Perhaps being more simple in this new year about holiness, and what it means, is more where I should be heading. Is Our Lord a part of my day...in it's mundane and ordinary goings on? As I set out to be about my tasks do I naturally place Mary, the saints, Our Lord right next to the dishes, the laundry, teaching school, cooking dinner, talking with friends, reading, driving kids here and there, in short everything...just as Emma placed Our Lady right along side of her princess, right along with her play. I think the key here for me, as it was represented to me by Emma, is that it becomes natural...not forced, not intentional but rather like breathing.

new blog...

2012-01-08T17:45:00.001-06:00

Well it's sort of new... Blog started by a good friend Fr Scott Courtney... followed up with a partnership by my husband who hosts a radio show with Fr Courtney... now postings from a dear friend Fr Peter Mitchell. Confusing but great!! Stop by and read up. posts will be more frequent. My side bar has a link.

For the new year

2012-01-02T16:59:00.001-06:00

"Welcome to you, New Year, in the course of which my perfection will be accomplished. Thank You in advance, O Lord, for everything Your goodness will send me. Thank You for the cup of suffering from which I shall daily drink. Do not diminish its bitterness, O Lord, but strengthen my lips that, while drinking of this bitterness, they may know how to smile for love of You, my Master. I thank You for Your countless comforts and graces that flow down upon me each day like the morning dew, silently, imperceptibly, which no curious eye may notice, and which are known only to You and me, O Lord. For all this, I thank You as of today because, at the moment when You hand me the cup, my heart may not be capable of giving thanks. So today I submit myself completely and with loving consent to Your holy will, O Lord, and to Your most wise decrees, which are always full of clemency and mercy for me, though at times I can neither understand nor fathom them. O my Master, I surrender myself completely to You, who are the rudder of my soul; steer it Yourself according to Your divine wishes. I enclose myself in Your most compassionate Heart, which is a sea of unfathomable mercy."

(--St. Faustina paragraphs: 1449-50)

Come Lord Jesus...

2011-12-17T19:35:00.001-06:00

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,

the Desire of all nations, and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

O Emmanuel

O come, O come, and be our God-with-us

O long-sought With-ness for a world without,

O secret seed, O hidden spring of light.

Come to us, Wisdom, come unspoken Name

Come Root, and Key, and King, and holy Flame,

O quickened little wick so tightly curled,

Be folded with us into time and place,

Unfold for us the mystery of grace

And make a womb of all this wounded world.

O heart of heaven beating in the earth,

O tiny hope within our hopelessness

Come to be born, to bear us to our birth,

To touch a dying world with new-made hands

And make these rags of time our swaddling bands.

--Malcolm Guite

to myself...

2011-12-14T09:37:00.002-06:00

mother...

2011-12-12T14:43:00.002-06:00

“Hear me and understand well... that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear.... Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything." --Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego

winter change...

2011-12-12T14:38:00.004-06:00

changing up the blog for the winter. there is nothing particular about these flowers that evoke the chilly winter days, night and all the spaces in between. personally I don't want to be reminded of snow and cold when i sit down to blog :) But the dark, rich colors do remind me of the homeyness and cozy nights of the winter months.

2011-12-04T16:48:00.001-06:00

"Advent is here. What a marvellous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come — for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. The Church encourages us: Ecce veniet! — He is about to arrive!"(St Josemaria Escriva -The Forge, 548) After Mass today we came home and began our tradition of slowing bringing out the Christmas decorations...with this hope in mind that St. Josemaira Escriva reminds us "He is about to arrive!" I have a lot of friends who are able to hold off until the week of Christmas or even Christmas Eve until they trim the tree and decorate for the season. I have tried many time but there is something, for me and my family, about preparing just a little bit each week. First week is always Advent wreath... then this week was Nativity Scene (minus baby Jesus of course) next Sunday will be the tree and then we are at Christmas. We also love to celebrate the feasts sprinkled during Advent... St Andrew's feast of course for my Andrew, St Nicholas, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St Lucy (we make our treats this day..yummo!) and the O'Antiphons. Usually I make a retreat during Advent but this year Tony gets the treat. Finally my oldest three are in a production at the Community Play house over the next two weekends.
I look forward to these weeks of preparation, quiet in front of the Nativity waiting, prayerful reading (I am reading a great Advent book by Sr Maria Boulding, The Coming of God....I would recommend it highly) and time with my family and friends enjoying the wait and looking forward to the coming! Come Lord Jesus...

waiting...

2011-11-28T16:07:00.001-06:00

"That God became a mother's son; that there could be a woman walking the earth whose womb was consecrated to be the holy temple and tabernacle of God - that is actually earth's perfection and the fulfillment of its expectations.

So many kinds of Advent consolation stream from the mysterious figure of the blessed, expectant Mary. The gray horizons must grow light. It is only the immediate scene that shouts so loudly and insistently. Beyond these things is a different realm, one that is now in our midst. The woman has conceived the child, sheltered it beneath her heart, and given birth to the Son. The world has come under a different law. We are not speaking of only historical events that happened once, on which our salvation rests. Advent is the promise denoting the new order of things, of life, of our existence.

We must remember today with courage that the blessed woman of Nazareth foreshadows the light in our midst today. Deeper down in our being, our days and our destinies, too, bear the blessing and mystery of God. The blessed woman waits, and we must wait too until her hour has come. "(Fr Alfred Delp)

colorado

2011-11-25T10:44:00.001-06:00

last week we took a pre-thanksgiving trip out to Colorado. My mother lives there, as does my brother and his family. I haven't been back for 5+ years and never had met my youngest niece Reese. It was a good time and living far apart makes us appreciate this time that we do get to see each other to play, catch up and see how we have all changed...

My girls has fun wit their new cameras from Grandma and being in hote..

There was lots of hiking...

The weather was nice..I didn't go because it was my mother's birthday so we shopped.

Plenty of cousin time...

and creativity... Funny how they are all alike!

My brother and me...

My brother and my fab 5!

My brother spicing up some antelope he shot a few weeks ago... he put it in his smoker.. we had never had antelope before...

Not only Rachel gave it a thumbs up but we all did! It was delicious!! We brought some back with us..yippee!

We spent a whole day at my brothers in-law's ranch. There is something so appealing to me about this setting... the mountains in the background.. the animals (though i am not a real animal lover) the outdoor activities...like bulls, horses, and these things:

Notice how my brother hauls with one hand and Andrew...well needs both :)

My brother giving Andrew his first driving lesson in his truck... if you can see it closer you will see Andrew has a HUGE smile on his face.

Rachel shooting a gun.. not her first time..

Sam did shoot for his first time.. We all ended up shooting but if i posted all those pictures we might look a little militia :)

It was a freezing down out on the ranch and so most of the kids ended up piled up in Uncle Jimmy/daddy's truck for warmth.

We ended the day with some more crazy cousin time

antics from Sam

and swing dancin' in the living room!

All in all we had a great trip to Colorado and next time everyone can come and visit us!

for a friend...

2011-11-14T18:52:00.001-06:00

(images from http://afieldjournal.blogspot.com/)

I saw these today and thought of a good friend who might need a cheering up... she knows who she is:)

the first snow

2011-11-03T14:45:00.000-05:00

yesterday we had our first snow! I am determined to face this winter with a positive attitude and outlook...trying to capture the beauty of the quiet, slower months in my camera lens...

The trees across the road from us...

Emma on the deck catching snowflakes on her tongue.. precious!

She couldn't keep her hands indoors while it was snowing...every time I turned around she had her hand or head out the back door. She was so pleased yesterday. I am determined to have this childlike joy this winter..period! And I will have here there to remind me :)

some days

2011-11-03T14:35:00.002-05:00

Some days I walk through my house and see scenes like these...

and I know that I am truly blessed to have my kiddos at home learning, living and loving. My oldest three just made the cast at the Community Playhouse in the play "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" to show this December. My fab 5 are not always perfect, I know this all too well, but they are blessings always!

poor souls...

2011-11-02T13:35:00.002-05:00

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord!

for all the saints...

2011-11-01T09:58:00.002-05:00

A few of the saints...on this the feast of All Saints...that I have a particular devotion to...

St Teresa of Avila pray for us... I have only just gotten to know of her life as I have been reading her auto-biography. So far I am encouraged and blessed by the Doctor of the Church!

St Padre Pio pray for us... I have had a particular devotion to Padre Pio since I first heard of him many many years ago now. His suffering life and devotion to the Poor Souls of Purgatory have been an inspiration.

St Catherine Laboure pray for us... I took St Catherine as my patron many years ago when I converted and entered the Church. I wear my miraculous medal (which Our Lady gave to her to give to all of us) and she encourages me often as she was dutiful to her daily tasks and does so with great love.

St Faustina pray for us... If you have not read the Diary of St Faustina indeed you must! St Faustina and I have a sort of up and down, sisterly, friendship :) But she is always there interceding and teaching me to trust in the Lord's unfathomable mercy!

St Therese of the Child Jesus pray for us... ahhhh St Therese... she knows all things of my heart and she is working hard by her prayers to bring me to know the love of the Father. She is beautiful.

All Holy Saints pray for us!

“After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands....One of the elders said to me, ‘These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9,14).

crazy...

2011-10-25T20:24:00.000-05:00

Phew! That's all I can say of our past week... I will leave it to the pictures...

Zach, as Malcome Muggeridge and my Andrew as his friend Alec Vidler (Anglican priest). Great chemistry, as usual, between these two best friends

Anne P, as Kitty Muggeridge (his wife) setting 1930's

My Rachel as Kitty's Aunt Beatrice Webb (Aunt Bo for short). A staunch communist and atheist.. wealthy as well. Setting 1930's and she LOVED these costumes(thanks Mrs T!!) You can also see Matt P. as her husband off to the side.

My Lindsay as Kitty's friend Lucy talking to Kate P who played Sr Nirmala. Setting 1960's

Grace P, as Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta carrying my Emma as a sick and dying child. Setting 1960's interview with Malcolm Muggeridge in Calcutta.

I love this picture of Andrew as Alec Vidler now in the 1960's.

Here is Dorothy U who played the role of Evette the makeup artist..1960's of course! She was great in this role. Along side is Nathaniel B who was a producer of the BBC program. Not pictured is Dominic B. he was top producer of the BBC show and I don't have a single picture. The play was Malcolm and Teresa by play-write Cathal Gallagher. It chronicled Malcolm's conversion from communism and atheism--and the part the Bl Mother Theresa played in his life. It's worth a google to get the whole story.

Then Sam turned 8! Family party...

Then Lindsay was confirmed...here is Emma praying so ardently for her...um ya right but it was a good picture:)

The moment for Lindsay with Aunt Bridgett as sponsor...beautiful...come Holy Spirit!

Andrew was privileged to serve fr our good Bishop.

and to round it out LIndsay got to share this night with her bff Adelade L who was also confirmed.

These next pictures are from the Ojeda family weekend trip to Ponca State Park. Lot's of fun, lots of cousin time and hiking with bonfires...

Can I say that I LOVE this picture of my fab 5!!!

And we ended the weekend back at home with a bonfire and hayrack ride with friends...

I will say it again..Phew! We are in the slow lane for a while now. But a long weekend trip to Colorado in November and the Holidays are right around the corner. I will keep my camera handy!

true and beautiful...

2011-10-18T10:00:00.001-05:00

fall is coming...

2011-10-17T09:29:00.003-05:00

Saw this the other day... thought I'd share for all those out there who are scarf impaired like me but love to wear them. Fall is in the air...grab a scarf and stay bundled. This video is fun!!!

cleaning out the camera...

2011-10-13T07:10:00.002-05:00

Every now and then I realize that I haven't uploaded pictures from my camera in months. So when I do I am reminded of fun times and fond memories, ~~just how stinkin' busy we are~~. Enjoy...

August 29th was Emma's 4th birthday!

In September my youngest sister got married and so my oldest sister and her family came out. Pictures with cousins are precious.

As well as playing pioneer

and jumpin' on hay-bales! This is little Mina... she had help of course but I love this picture!

My recipe "exchange"group started up again in September. This was my feta cheese and tomato tart with basil crust. I say crust loosely, I still cannot ever make a good pie crust. I also say exchange very loosely because let's face it...we rarely exchange the recipes. It's really lets come get together once a month and eat themed based food. Whatever it is..who cares! It's a blast! And I love the group of women who come...this month is Nursery Rhymes. Should be interesting..stay tuned.

This month we made it out to the Pumpkin Patch..these times when we are all together become more and more cherished as Rachel and Andrew grow. I'm blessed that they are still more than thrilled to come along and also in the joy that they take in watching their younger sibs!

Um, did I say joy, peace and happiness??? Well this is Rachel I believe sitting on and driving to the ground Lindsay... and Andrew wrestling Sam and Emma... ahhhhh sibling love.

But in the end I love them...so much that I let them burry me in corn...that thousands of little kids have crawled in...with who knows what germs etc...ahhhh a mother's heart. (yuck!!! for the record) There is plenty more to come these following days...the kids annual neighborhood play...Sam's 8th bday...Lindsay's Confirmation...Ojeda family fall weekend to Ponca State park... all of that in just the next week...phew! I hope I can keep up..and my camera too!

a thought for Monday and a new week...

2011-10-10T07:46:00.002-05:00

our dear mother...

2011-10-07T10:19:00.002-05:00

"The Rosary is the best therapy for these distraught, unhappy, fearful, and frustrated souls, precisely because it involves the simultaneous use of three powers: the physical, the vocal, and the spiritual, and in that order. " - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

St Faustina, pray for us...

2011-10-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

"I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearences, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my nieghbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me

O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself , for you can do all things." (Diary #163)

check it off...

2011-10-04T13:33:00.003-05:00

(source: thehighheeledhostess.com)

random...

2011-09-28T19:36:00.001-05:00

Just to be funny... and weird ;)

congrats!

2011-09-27T10:58:00.002-05:00

The last of my sisters got married this past weekend. I forgot my camera and so this is from my other sister J and her blog. But just wanted to say congrats Karissa and Jordan it was a beautiful day!!

falling for autumn...

2011-09-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

(Autumn but Penelope Dullaghan)

I saw this graphic online this weekend and it is just what I love about fall weather, the feeling of the change in season, having school underway, and the love of a good book and time to oneself. This is just where i would be every afternoon, every day, of every month if I had my way. But I don't...and so.. i will grab the moments like these when ever I can... hope you do too!

Triumph of the Hoy Cross feast today...

2011-09-14T08:13:00.002-05:00

“We should glory in the cross of our lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through him we are saved and made free.” (Galatians 6:14)

what's in a name...

2011-09-12T09:20:00.003-05:00

The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary(today Sept 12th) was established by Pope Innocent XI upon the victory of Christian forces against the Moslems beseiging Vienna in 1683.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, have mercy on us. Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse, have mercy on us.

Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid, have mercy on us.
Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us
Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal, pray for us
Mary, our light, pray for us
Mary, our sister, pray for us
Mary, flower of Jesse, pray for us
Mary, issue of kings, pray for us
Mary, chief work of God, pray for us
Mary, the beloved of God, pray for us
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us
Mary, all fair, pray for us
Mary, light in darkness, pray for us
Mary, our sure rest, pray for us
Mary, house of God, pray for us
Mary, sanctuary of the Lord, pray for us
Mary, altar of the Divinity, pray for us
Mary, Virgin Mother, pray for us
Mary, embracing your Infant God, pray for us
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom, pray for us
Mary, ocean of bitterness, pray for us
Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us
Mary, suffering with your only Son, pray for us
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow, pray for us
Mary, torn with a cruel wound, pray for us
Mary, sorrowful even unto death, pray for us
Mary, bereft of all consolation, pray for us
Mary, submissive to the law of God, pray for us
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady, pray for us
Mary, Our Queen, pray for us
Mary, Queen of glory, pray for us
Mary glory of the Church Triumphant, pray for us
Mary, Blessed Queen, pray for us
Mary, advocate of the Church Militant, pray for us
Mary, Queen of Mercy, pray for us
Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering, pray for us
Mary, exalted above the angels,
Mary, crowned with twelve stars, pray for us
Mary, fair as the moon, pray for us
Mary, bright as the sun, pray for us
Mary, distinguished above all, pray for us
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus, pray for us
Mary, our hope, pray for us
Mary, our sweetness, pray for us
Mary, glory of Jerusalem, pray for us
Mary, joy of Israel, pray for us
Mary, honor of our people, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, pray for us
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, pray for us

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.

I will declare your name unto my brethren. I will praise you in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Us Pray, O Almighty God, Who beholds Thy servants earnestly desiring to place themselves under the shadow of the name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, grant, we beseech You, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. (source Catholic Culture)

work and play...

2011-09-12T09:05:00.003-05:00

Our family was at the Blue Angles Air Show in some way, shape or fashion all this past weekend. It made for a lot of work...a lot of fun.. and hopefully in the end will be put to help those in need.

Rachel and Andrew's youth group is working hard to raise funds for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic hopefully next summer. They manned a concession stand.. or two... all weekend and we think it was a great fundraiser...

Thanks to all of those who came out to help and to the dads and seminarians, especially, for working and managing the whole deal!!

Of course the three younger ones and I had to go out on Sunday and share inspirit the work...but really we had a fun time playing and watching the show....

inside a HUGE refueling plane

Sam and Lindsay havin' some fun

I LOVE the expresion on Emma's little face...

Honoring those who perished in the tragedy of 9/11 and our brave men and women fighting for our freedom! God Bless America!!!

2011-09-06T07:44:00.001-05:00

Today we are back at it...starting year 11 of having my fab five home...all day..every day...playing, learning, growing physically and emotionally right before my eyes...never missing a day of seeing them learn about the world God created for them and them learning that He is because He loved them each. I think I see it most with my Rachel. Truth be told she did go to school one year... kindergarden... and half way through that year Tony and I knew she wouldn't go back. It's amazing sometimes how God places something so deeply within your heart that you cannot even think about saying no. Oh, we have tried over the years to see if this was the year they would go to regular school... one , some or all... yes I have tried believe me :) but in the end situations always show us that home is where God has placed our kids. Educating them at home is a HUGE challenge and so I firmly believe that the Lord has asked us to this way of life to humble me and to form me... daily. I love my fab five dearly and the road ahead of us as we start this new year...and away we go

beautiful...

2011-09-05T12:03:00.002-05:00

Today is the feast day of a beautiful saint. Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta has been a saint that I have had a devotion to for some time now and recently I was blessed to be part of a mission trip that my oldest 2 went on with their youth group. Outside of the amazing work that they do to feed the homeless and poor, I was most struck by the immense JOY that these sisters radiate! It isn't just a happy little smile and nod as they go about their work...it isn't even that they are always chipper, giggly and say the right thing. It is that in the midst of they everything they are full of joy... it is the essence of what they do, filled with the love of Christ. They may be serving that person in the soup kitchen who is extra difficult that day but they remain firm but with joy in their eyes. It is the eyes that say it all!! It might be walking the streets to hand out food to the homeless... with the smell and feel of homelessness all around.. and yet they reach out in total joy to the poorest of the poor with LOVE! Having read many books on Bl. Mother Teresa and her order I wasn't sure that I would be as amazed by working with them as I was. It is a love and a joy that a person has to experience to believe it. Do they tire? yes. Do they struggle? I am sure. As did their founder who's feast is today...such a spiritual darkness endured through her life time...but with joy! Are they perfect? no. But I can say that what the do is hard, yes, but "beautiful" as one Sr Krista said over and over "yes, yes, it is hard but it is so beautiful." I think that is a lesson for me to think upon for a long time.. a lifetime maybe.
My Lindsay is also taking Bl. Mother Teresa as her patron and confirmation name this coming October.
Bl Mother Teresa pray for us!

the group in front of the convent

the 5 Musketeers?? working in the soup kitchen

Mother Superior trying the habit on my Rachel :)

school daze....

2011-08-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year...windows start to be open again, the locust are buzzing in the trees, my garden (what there was of it this year) is down to the last little cherry tomatoes, the UPS man arrives nearly every day...ahhhhhh...all sure signs that school is on the horizon. This year we are actually starting later than usual due to a trip to Chicago with my two oldest but none-the-less boxes arrive via mail or UPS man to be greeted by my anxious kids. I always wonder if they are anxious to start, anxious for the routine, or anxious to see what new thing we studying this year. I like to think it's a little bit of both. :) Rachel is a junior this year..wow.. and she really wanted an in depth study of the Middle-Ages and to tackle literature that was a bit harder. I'm looking at the new arrival on my dest of Crime and Punishment, Les Miserables and a few others. Why can't she still be reading Little House??? She is getting so much older. Andrew asked for Ancients this year and most of his things will center around that. He is a freshman. Two high schoolers still at home...by their choice... I never thought I'd see this day but I am joyful that I am! Lindsay is seeing 6th grade and Westward Expansion. She is also finally caught up in math and so that is a huge thing for us going into this year. She continues with Latin and will also begin art classes with a local artist and 4 good friends this fall. Sam hits 3rd grade at full speed and also picked Ancients. He says, when I asked what part of history did he want to study, "Let's just go from the beginning so I don't miss anything". Funny! Emma is still along for the ride and loving it. Puzzles, letters, numbers, etc...all the good stuff that keeps it real and fun to have them all at home growing, learning, loving one another and the Lord...thanks be to God and all the glory is His. The image is the cover for this months Magnificat... Madonna in Blooming Garden -Maurice Denis. I just love it and so I share it here asking her intercession for this school year +JMJ+

what else...

2011-07-24T16:33:00.001-05:00

What do you get when you cross early mornings with teenagers..add in some corn and mud??

Detassling season is upon us. This is Rachel's third year and Andrew's first. They are loving it..what?!?!?! That part always boggles my mind. Early mornings..leave the house a little before 5am!..long hot days in the corn picking tassels. They say to me when i looked dumbfounded.."Mom what's not to love?!?" Actually it isn't the work they love (honestly who would?) Rather it is the friendships they forge and the silly-ness they enjoy... Rachel says, after retelling me a "hilarious" story from the day "Well Mom it's funny in the corn! Everything is funnier in the corn." Really though I am glad for this summer job they have. It teaches the value of hard work..teamwork.. perseverance.. joy in the midst of adversity... and sticking with it when the road (or row of corn) seems endless. These life lessons just cannot be taught by words from parents. And I as a patent, will take all the help I can get! They have to be lived, they have to be "earned" as it were in the thick of life (in the thick of the corn in this case) and then the visual application..the tangible-ness of these things like perseverance and such stay with them and become a place they can go to relate to "outside" the corn as it were... when life gets messy and hard...as it does, as it well..as it already has in their own teenage ways. Of course Tony and I remind them of what they can take away form this work..they are not always so quick to pickup on it, they are teens after all :) but it has lead to great conversations and teachable moments! The only draw back.... sweet corn on the dinner table is protested for many weeks... sigh................ :)

we got a what??

2011-07-24T16:19:00.000-05:00

Since, as I noted below, we have had baseball on the mind around here... I neglected to post that we got a..gulp!...dog. Actually we got the dog before the summer... before baseball...before busy... in all honesty I think I just couldn't believe it...I have sworn no dogs...EVER. I caved...what can i say?!? A mother's heart...

His name is Trigger...he's loved by all the kids and Tony..he's growing on me... slowly...mainly because, well..he's so stinkin' cute! and he can get that basketball up on him muzzle and toss it to you.. who knew?!

just like that...

2011-07-24T16:04:00.002-05:00

I have had so much fun watching Andrew play baseball these past 7 years. Yesterday this part of his life ended..as far as we can see this far. Who knows what God will do next year. There is talk here and there to his dad but all of that will just remain to be seen until next summer. For now we are just enjoying the memories and growth that he has had from these past years playing mainly on out local Quad-county League. His last games were this past week as the team played in their tournament. The team ended up as Runner-ups and I was so proud of them as a team. Many of the boys have played many years together and this was the last time ever they will play together. I paused for a second to be sad but then returned to the joyful feeling of seeing them all come so far not just as baseball players but mostly as they have grown up. Tony has coached this team for the years they have played. He is not any kind of official baseball coach..he knows that... and he knows he wasn't perfect. He never set out to be. He only set out to have fun, be encouraging, spend time with his son, and hopefully win some games along the way. I am so happy that he gave his time to this and can see how he too has grown through the years. It wasn't always easy on him (or the players i am sure...as i said he isn't perfect:) but he has fun and Andrew has already shown him his gratitude..heart warming to a mother. Andrew also played on a Jr Saltdog Team in town the last three years. He had fun doing that as well and really grew to like his coach and the players on those teams. They played their final two games yesterday and then it was all over...just like that. Almost like watching a pick-play that the boys got so good at... just so quickly and it was all over. Moving on can be hard sometimes but fortunately Andrew seems to have a big-picture perspective. He knows that God was a plan waiting around the corner..with new people, new experiences and new graces. He will grow and mature... he will become stronger and humbler... He is a lot like his father in that he too knows well that he is not perfect. As a mother I am most happy at this... this will take a person far in life. And I am excited to see where that will be and to share in that joy with him!!

The smiles say it all.. Tony and Andrew next to each other so happy with what just ended and looking forward to what God has to come....Sam on the other hand whispers to Tony as we all went out for dinner last night after the game "Dad, I just need three more games...I'm just not ready for baseball to be over." I love the childlike joy that fills his heart, that still fills Andrew's even as he grows into life, and in Tony's..even as he has lived life. Thank you Jesus for good men in my life..big and small!

random summer in pictures...

2011-07-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

Summer around here is full and a lot of fun. Sometimes I have my camera handy and other times not so much....but we are having a great time. We can be seen at the pool with cousins and friends...

We also are known to have a visitor or two...or three. My oldest sister and her two girls from California paid us a visit...we went to the zoo, Adventureland, we gave a shower fro our youngest sister to be married in August, and just hung around...

Then there was Father's day which included lunch with our best friends and their kids, and trip to the CWS

Marian Sister's camp cruised in there for Lindsay as a camper and Rachel as a counselor. Tony went down to help out a bit...

And then I just love these pictures of Emma... watch the progression of the marshmallow and then her dancing around after... lazy summer nights are so beautiful!

baseball pictures...

2011-06-23T08:24:00.000-05:00

Sam sure loves this game. He's in his tournament right now and lost his first game last night...tears were there. No matter what, thankfully, baseball can't take that little boy out of him! Fingers crossed for the next game...

Andrew is always there to encourage him on..when he doesn't have a game himself.

Some of his fans...

team-mates and friends...

life saver and bff

2011-06-03T12:01:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh.... I am so thankful for my bff Mrs L. Not only is she laugh out loud hilarious, totally stylish, can make a to-die-for cake..she is a gear head. I have been having some bumper/underbody thingy problem. I was lamenting about it after Mass this morning and she says "Just take it off"... in her not so subtle, are you really that dumb tone. I tried later to do it...and had to call and ask for her help. I drove up the road to her sweet little yellow farm house and voila! she fixed it. Here is a picture I snapped while she was working...notice that I was watching and not doing much of anything. Let's just say my strengths are not in the auto-matience area ;). Gotta love friends like these!!!

a little heart to heart...

2011-06-01T22:28:00.000-05:00

June is the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus...

Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart

O Lord, Jesus Christ, to Your Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention...

Only look upon me, then do what Your Heart inspires...Let Your Sacred Heart decide...I count on You...I trust in You...I throw myself on Your mercy...

Lord Jesus! You will not fail me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus. Your Kingdom Come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your Sacred Heart. When the Eternal Father sees it covered with Your Precious Blood, He will not refuse it. It will be no longer my prayer but Yours, O Jesus. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You. Let me never be confounded. Amen.

don't bug me...

2011-05-24T09:13:00.002-05:00

You might think... walking in to our house lately...that Tony had picked up quiet a panache for cigars...

These boxes are laying around on out counter tops...stairs...front porch... back deck... in the cars. But no, Tony hasn't picked up the habit.. all one has to do is looking inside...this is what you will find:

Bug and nature club have started again...thanks Mrs W! Andrew, Sam and Lindsay are finding a lot of time to run around with bug nets, plastic cups, empty pill bottles, masking tape and pins.. not to mention cigar boxes.. catching and pinning all kinds of bugs. The bottom moth was Andrew's find last night... at baseball practice of course..where else is he these days? He went into the dug out and saw it. One kid went to shoo it away and Andrew told him he was crazy.. got a glass cup from Tony's car and captured it using it and his mitt...funny! Even funnier is how much my deep freeze looks like a bug graveyard...from some si-fi bug science experiment. It's fun and it has just begun...stay tuned

YG+BBQ=...

2011-05-18T13:45:00.001-05:00

Put some seminarians, a priest in sweats, a magic act and a bunch of teens and food together and this is what you get...

some firsts...

2011-05-18T13:35:00.001-05:00

Sam's first confession with a thumbs-up and a prayer. Sam's first Holy Communion...sweet graces!

Rachel's first formal.. with dear friends..Rachel on the left, then: Rosie, Haley, Anne and Cambria...beautiful young ladies.

Andrew and Rachel's first bid to NCFCA Nationals in Boston, MA. Here they are pictured at the Regional tournament. Rachel made in all three of her speeches and Andrew in one. Very proud of them each and of their club. Sadly, timing wasn't on their side this year and we cannot make it out to Boston for them to compete at this level but next year I am sure ;)

this is good...

2011-05-18T13:19:00.000-05:00

This is the year...

This is the team...

This is the man...(oops...i mean boy)

This is the first game...

This is his biggest fan...

This is his love...

This is...just how I want to keep his life...simple, sweet, innocent...fun!

10 years...

2011-05-18T10:45:00.002-05:00

Wow... I sit here a 10 year veteran of homeschooling. What?!?!?!?!? Today is our official last day for this school year. It's not a sunny day... it's rainy actually but there is something about that last day that makes everything in a brighter perspective. Rachel is wrapping up her sophomore year and it was an amazing year for her. She hit a groove early one and never looked back. Very proud of her accomplishments this year in academics, with friends, in her faith and personal goals. Andrew will start high school next year and he too has had an amazing year. Sometimes I am really amazed at what he does. He is quiet and laid back but works hard and put an effort into all that he does so that he will have fun doing it. His big accomplishment this year academically was his math class and he ended the year with a very good grade. He is proud of sticking it out and the lesson learned in perseverance. I think that is the fruit that has come out the most in this year of school for our family.... perseverance. Many situations and subjects for both the kids as well as for Tony and myself have carved out our need for perseverance more than before... or maybe in just a different way. That is part of the beauty of homeschooling, for me at least. Each year.. each day actually.. virtues are singled out, challenged and refined if even just a little bit. And instead of them happening on an individual basis only.. it happens each moment within the context of our family. There is no hiding form one another and even if you try in the end you have to come out and have lunch or dinner or do chores. Brothers and sisters..moms and dads.. are right there to guide, challenge, encourage (and maybe rib you a little) to get through what ever virtue is being challenged that day. No, I do not wake up with this perspective... ever! It's only reflecting back that I can see it. Daily it's a grind and we are tired from the night before... we have busy schedules and weakness that we fight. It is a grace to look back and see on the other side of the year where we have been and look forward to the summer, yes.. but also next year. Moving on though.. Lindsay finishes 5th grade. She's young for her grade, that happens a lot in a homeschool but she really pulled it out this year. Her big thing was studying for and taking the National Exploratory Latin Exam (I may be off a bit in that title but I don't have it in front of me)...she passed Magnum Cum Laude and I was very proud of her. Sam is done with 2nd. Just getting him to slow down in his work was an accomplishment for us. He went through 2 math books this year...what?!?!? crazy! and reads, spells and all that too well. Humility is his virtue :) Maybe next year will be more 4th grade than 3rd and that will hone that in a little bit. In all honesty though, Sam is great and he injects a lot of laughter and joy into the day. So what if he's done by 10 in the morning? right?!?!? Emma is along for the crazy ride and loves it. Maybe preschool for her next year..at home of course..she seems to be following in Sam's path... fun :) I am thankful for each of my kids, each year of homeschooling and what it has taught me about them and myself. We are blessed to be able to have this as part of out life journey and we will see where the Lord takes us next....We close out this year entrusting it to Our Lady's care and ask her care in the summer months.

love it!!

2011-05-07T07:38:00.000-05:00

I love this new background I saw for the summer.... it's bright, beautiful, inviting and fun. Just how I hope my summer is from start to finish!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my mothers, my sisters, my friends and to all!!!

so fun...

2011-05-02T09:42:00.001-05:00

Ok, so this fall I started a "recipe exchange" meeting of ladies. I got the idea from my sister in California. We meet once a month, the last Thursday, and bring some dish that relates to a given theme. Theoretically we are supposed to exchange recipes...and we do..sometimes... when the ladies get them to me. :) But really, mostly, and more importantly, we just gather to share some time away, laugh a ton, enjoy friendships and make new ones. This is a little photo of our April gathering. We are missing a few ladies... Mrs W, Mrs C, Mrs T... Mrs U was there but escaped the picture. We usually have about 11 ladies from different parishes, different schooling (some homeschool..some don't) and that's just how I like it! It's great to come together, relax, drink some wine (here we had apple martinis) laugh, share ideas, book finds, swap kid stories, and eat really really good food. We aren't "foodies" by any stretch of the imagination but we do all like food and the challenge to come up with something according to the theme. April was "Dinner and a Movie". We had to make a dish inspired by a favorite movie. This night everything from James Bond to My Big Fat Greek Wedding was represented. Next month is Picnic food. We have done a pre-lenten "Naughty and Nice" theme and more simple ones like your best "go-to" recipe.. that good ol' standby that is great and easy. I am excited to keep this going, have new ladies join us and share friendships.

blog-o-rama!!

2011-04-30T08:53:00.001-05:00

What hasn't my family been doing???? I sat down to upload my camera and wow have we been active...

Visiting the Carmelites on St Joseph's Feast day...to attend Mass, give food and things to the sisters (along with lots of prayer intentions). Here they are with friends at the turnstile trying to listen closely for sister.

Speech and debate season came to a close...here are Sam and Lindsay with their partners for the Jr side of Speech and Debate.

Rachel and Andrew receiving awards for a speech event at out local Spring Classic Tournament. I wasn't there at awards and so not too many good pictures...but need-less to say... Rachel is headed to Regionals with her Duo Interp Speech, Humorous Speech and her Illustrated Oratory. Andrew heads out to compete at Regionals with he partner in Team Policy Debate (Russian policy is the resolution this year) and also his Duo Interp and Humorous speeches. Congrats to them both, to their partners, their coaches and the entire Cornerstone club. Regionals begins tomorrow so I am praying that they travel safely, enjoy their time and give glory to God with their talents!

Rachel turned 16 at the end of March...for some reason I cannot find the pictures of the surprise party we gave her...Aunt Brig took a ton. It was a great time with many of her close friends. I did find the picture of her cake though..thanks Mrs L. It's crazy to have her growing up so fast, driving soon, two years left of school and everything else that goes along with that... wow!

The day after Rachel's birhtday Tony and I went to Washington DC. Nether of us had been and though it was rainy and chilly the entire time, it was a good trip. I am not one for touristy pictures and so I took very little.. but Tony loves them as you can see by this stellar shot of him :)

Baseball has begun as well...practices only so far. The new thing this year is that this is Sam's first year on a team and the excitement for that first game is thick in the air..stay tuned

And then we have just has a bunch of family, friend, cousin, play time... bring on summer!!!

a thought....

2011-04-27T09:32:00.001-05:00

This is Emma. Somedays she is pure grace. This was on Easter Monday. It was cloudy, drizzly and not what I would call a great day. Lots of running around and not the relaxing day I had hoped for as we started our Easter break. In this picture (taken by my phone, stopped at a red light) Emma had crashed as we drove to pick up Andrew and take him to friends for a movie. You notice that she is wearing her sunglasses. She got then in her Easter basket. She loves them. In the morning she put them on. I told her "Honey it's not sunny today." She said "Hold on mom!" She proceeded to go outside. She came back in and said "Ok mom. It's not sunny right now. But I will wear them all day because it will get sunny and better outside." I smiled and said ok. She literally wore them all that day...even after she woke up from this little nap. She insisted that it was going to be sunny. She fully anticipated it and was ready for it. I was struck by this as I looked back and took this picture. The pure grace part of her is that she reminds me so often to enjoy each day as it comes and expect good things to come your way. She didn't look outside and frown because we were having yet another rainy Spring day (yep! that's what I do) but she embraced it. I was thinking, as I drove off from the stop light, that she was prepared from the beginning to the end for what she was sure was to be a good day...enjoying she new shades, smiling and waiting for what God brought her. Is this what Jesus meant when he said in Matthew's Gospel "Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3-4). How much more can I just be humble and accept...and trust!!... what the Lord sends in my day as just that.. things from him. How much more do I need to be prepared, like Emma here, sure that in His Love he will send good things. How much more do I need to trust that He is enough for my happiness and that things such as the weather and the day's unexpected events cannot replace my trust in Him. That those things of the world are passing and matter little when doing His will in that moment. That faith is like these sunglasses...giving joy, hope, expectation, trust, love, humility, grace...that looking through the day in the eyes of faith changes perspective on everything. How much more do I need to learn to be a little child of God... joyfull with expectation, trust and hope..resting in Him when at days end it seems everything didn't come as I had thought but realizing that His mercies are new each day.. and He and I will start all over tomorrow.

Blessed Easter...

2011-04-24T21:22:00.000-05:00

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song."
Pope John Paul II

spring cleaning...

2011-04-18T08:26:00.000-05:00

It's Holy Week, and other than finishing out strong with our Lenten observances, it is also our annual Spring CLeaning week. We work pretty hard from today until Mass on Holy Thursday. Good Friday has typically been the day left for the garage of weather permits. I usually break it up into zones.. today is our upstairs..bathrooms, school room, bedrooms, walls, stairs, and the like. It's a dreary day today so that is no fun but helps us keep our minds inside and not wanting to play outdoors. Tomorrow we tackle dentist appointments in the morning then onto the back bedroom/play room, laundry room and mudroom/bathroom. These rooms are kind of out "catch-all" rooms where things pile up, get shoved here and there and dust collects in the most strangest of places. Wednesday we will hit the living areas and the yard. Thursday is saved for the one room that takes the absolute longest...the kitchen! It's a beast to spring clean but it's so great when we are all finished. Truth be told the deep clean lasts not too long around here, in terms of staying power. Next week I am sure there will be signs of being lazy in keeping it up but that's life in a family where we are all home all the time. I wouldn't trade it for anything. What we really like is that come Holy Saturday we can really appreciate the clean as we do a little decorating for Easter and the week we take off from everything during Easter Week. Our spring clean doesn't usually end up running as smoothly as I set out hoping it will but the effort is always good. Here we go.... oh, and maybe I will get around to spring cleaning our camera and post what we have been up to on the fun side of life as well.

impossible...

2011-04-12T11:42:00.000-05:00

I find it totally impossible to blog when I don't have my camera!! I have so many pictures to upload... hopefully i will buy a battery soon (they are so expensive) and update everyone who keeps asking me!! :) We've been up to a lot and spring has sprung. I hope everyone is finishing strong in their Lenten preparation for Easter... now just over a week away!

wounds...

2011-03-22T14:42:00.002-05:00

This poem came across my inbox today from a blog I visited once, by chance, and haven't really visited again... maybe I will now (http://www.aholyexperience.com/)... it touched a deep place within me that has been stirred up these past days...maybe it will you too.

Jesus of the Scars

by Edward Shillito

If we have never sought you, we seek you now;

Your eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-marks on your brow,

We must have you, O Jesus of the scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;

In all the universe we have no place.

Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?

Lord Jesus, by your scars we know your grace.

If, when the doors are shut, you then draw near,

Only reveal those bloodied feet and hands

We know today what wounds are, have no fear;

Show us your scars, we know you understand

The other gods were strong; but you were weak;

They rode, but Jesus stumbled to a throne;

But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,

And not a god has wounds, but You alone

projects and my girls...

2011-03-16T19:27:00.000-05:00

My girls have been working on, finishing up, starting new, and being recognized for a lt of projects these days... or so it seems. And the best part is that they get to stretch themselves (that's a little inside joke to the Little Flowers mother) get to spend quality time with some bff's and me!!! :) Here is what the camera came up with...

Lindsay and her Little Flower group worked on and earned a "Girls Religious Medal" given out by our diocese and bestowed by our good Bishop.

Rachel has been franticly finishing up her boards for her Illustrated Oratory speech... on dreams as you can see...for the Spring Qualifier Speech and Debate tournament next week. She's adding this one to her 2 other ones this year. Nothing like the last minute...As a side note, Lindsay is also working on her Duo speech with long time partner :) Dorts. I think this is their 3rd year whipping one together. Sam is working on one with first time partner Kevin. Wow should be interesting there. And Andrew is adding a Dramatic Interp to his for next week.

Finally, Lindsay worked on and finished up her first sewing project. She and some of the girls from her 4H group did the "Pillow Party" last weekend. Here they are with their finished products. County Fair here we come.... good job A, Lindsay and Dorts!

Lent finally here...

2011-03-09T09:25:00.003-06:00

Ash Wednesday: Pope explains Lent during the General Audience

"God is love and it is only if one opens oneself to this love, totally and with trust, and lets it become one's sole guide in life, that all things are transfigured, true peace and true joy found and one is able to radiate it."

- Pope Benedict XVI

strong faith...

2011-03-07T10:09:00.001-06:00

I have a good friend Mrs T who has a strong devotion to today's saints. Sts. Felicity and Perpetua are not ones I know a great deal about. Mainly that they were two of the early Christian martyrs... but I did some reading today and find that their faith was most beautiful...and that both of them were mothers. St Felicity giving birth while jailed awaiting her execution. I came across this brief but good account (loyola press):

"St. Perpetua kept a diary during her last days, while she awaited her execution. Her diary, along with an eyewitness's account of her death, is one of the oldest, most reliable histories of a martyr's sufferings. This account was passed down to encourage other Christians to witness to the world with their lives—to teach others that greater than life itself is knowing Jesus and being loyal to him.

Perpetua's account records the events that took place in Carthage, Africa, in the year 202, when the Emperor Severus issued an anti-Christian law forbidding anyone to be baptized and become a Christian. At that time twenty-two-year-old Perpetua was a catechumen, studying to become a Christian. She was also the mother of an infant son. Perpetua was arrested along with four other catechumens, including Felicity, her slave woman, who was about to give birth to a child. All were tried and sentenced to be thrown to the wild beasts in the amphitheater during a national holiday. Their deaths would be scheduled along with sports events and various games.

During the days before their execution, their teacher Saturus voluntarily joined the catechumens so that he might die for Christ with them. Perpetua's father, a wealthy pagan, pleaded with her to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods so she could be free, but she refused. She said, “Father do you see this water jar, or whatever it is, standing here? Could one call it by any other name than what it is? Well, in the same way I cannot be called by any other name than what I am—a Christian.”

While they were awaiting death, Perpetua and her companions were baptized. Shortly before the scheduled execution, Felicity gave birth to a baby girl. During childbirth, she had cried out in pain. Someone hearing her asked her how she would ever endure the suffering of martyrdom. She replied, “Now it is I who suffer what I am suffering; then, there will be another in me who will suffer for me, because I will be suffering for him.”

On the day of their execution, the martyrs left their prison “joyfully as though they were on their way to heaven” and entered the arena, where they were killed before the cheering crowd. Perpetua and Felicity were beheaded; the others were killed by wild beasts. Today these women are mentioned in the first Eucharistic Prayer."

There is a wonderful Catholic artist where I live, Sue Kouma Johnson. I love her art. She has this image of Sts Felicity and Perpetua... (http://www.suekoumajohnson.com/index.html)

candle...

2011-02-28T09:32:00.002-06:00

There is the really beautiful little blog that I enjoy going to every now and again. She is an Orthodox Christian, homeschooling mother. Her writing is beautiful, inspiring and her blog is visually calming and beautiful. (http://evlogiaonline.com) Today I read this wonderful quote on her blog post Just Burn...

"The act of lighting a candle is a powerful and spiritual gesture. Light is life, and whenever we bring light into darkness, we are reminded of God. The candle, of course, just burns. It does not start doing something else or wondering if it should be somewhere else. That is how we should be."
(-Archimandrite Meletios Webber)

I was so struck by this image and what that can mean in my own life, especially as Lent is coming upon us here so soon. Amazing how the Lord uses something so simple to teach us who often think we are above the simple and ordinary things of life and living. So much more to think about on this...

update...

2011-02-22T10:11:00.000-06:00

Changing the blog around a bit... because the winter background had to go...we are thinking spring around here. We are also thinking Lent is coming soon hence the purple. Thanks as always for comin'!

steppin' out...

2011-02-21T10:43:00.001-06:00

Recently Tony and I went to what my "bff" Mrs L affectionately referred to as adult prom... So we went dress shopping, closet shopping at my sister-in-law's Mrs O and finally I got all dressed up. It was way too much fun.. thanks to Mrs L for finding the dress (i don't shop for or wear dresses as a rule) and for having fun all around with this whole event.. thanks to Mrs O for the closet shop.. the 3 inch heals (what?!?!?! did I really wear those?) the purse and taking some pictures.. thanks to Mrs T for praying that I wouldn't fall flat on my face :)

bathtub reflections...

2011-02-20T09:49:00.001-06:00

I was struck the other night by something very simple and yet it hit me so profoundly.... One of my little indulgences is after dinner is finished and while the clean up is happening... I sneak away (well not really sneaking as everyone knows where I am headed) and I run a very full, hot, quiet bath. Not every night but pretty much.. especially in the winter. I look so forward to these minutes where everyone is downstairs with Tony... cleaning up, playing a game or running around. I escape to have some time alone and relax a little before the bedtime routine. After a full day... full of all my kids, full of teaching these fab five, full of household duties, full of running around on errands and kids activities... I get to just be empty for a while and breath a little. I don't have to give anything in these minutes and no one comes banging on the door even asking... Tony is so good at making sure of this. So as I crawled into my bathtub one night this past week I noticed that I was being watched...

I actually laughed out loud to myself. Why not? No one's around...right?!?!?! I was so struck by this simple reminder that I am always a mother.. no escaping. Not that I want to mind you but just that in the midst of my own little time of alone I was reminded that my children are always with me.. in every little nook and cranny.. or bathtub as it were. These are Emma's little play things that she left out to obviously keep me company. Please don't miss how Polly is stranded..or captured..or running away from Pirates Pete and Paul :). I had a good time making up little vignettes... I admit that my inner child came out. But seriously, it did cause me to pause and reflect on the quiet ways we mothers are reminded of our vocations, of our apostolates as mothers. Reminded of our paths to holiness right smack dab in the middle of regular, ordinary life.. even in the tub!! So as I was "escaping" the fullness of the day the Lord said "don't get to lost from the real point of your daily fullness. yes, regroup but remember that your children are my way of making you holy...my way of teaching you, my way or stretching you and molding you. Become as a little child... and trust me in all of this.. in all or your full days and even in your quiet moments.. I am here." If you read my blog then you know that I really like St Josemaria Escriva.. actually he is a family favorite all around. All of this is just want his mission was to teach the laity. That holiness is to be found right in the center of your day in and day out lives. Here are a few of my favorite reminders from him that I think sum up my "bathtub reflections"....

"You should be full of wonder at the goodness of our Father God. Are you not filled with joy to know that your home, your family, your country, which you love so much, are the raw material which you must sanctify?"(698 The Forge)

"My daughter, you have set up a home. I like to remind you that you women — as you well know — have a great strength, which you know how to enfold within a special gentleness, so that it is not noticed. With that strength, you can make your husband and children instruments of God, or demons.You will always make them instruments of God: he is counting on your help."(690 The Forge)

"In conversations I have had with so many married couples, I tell them often that while both they and their children are alive, they should help them to be saints, while being well aware that none of us will be a saint on earth. All we will do is struggle, struggle, struggle.
—And I also tell them: you Christian mothers and fathers are a great spiritual motor, sending the strength of God to your own ones, strength for that struggle, strength to win, strength to be saints. Don’t let them down!"(692 The Forge)

love for love...

2011-02-18T09:01:00.001-06:00

"Jesus on the cross, with his heart overflowing with love for men, is such an eloquent commentary on the value of people and things that words only get in the way. Men, their happiness and their life, are so important that the very Son of God gave himself to redeem and cleanse and raise them up. "Who will not love this heart so wounded?" a contemplative asks in this connection. "Who will not return love for love? Who will not embrace a heart so pure? We, who are made of flesh, will repay love with love. We will embrace our wounded one, whose hands and feet ungodly men have nailed; we will cling to his side and to his heart. Let us pray that we be worthy of linking our heart with his love and of wounding it with a lance, for it is still hard and impenitent." (St Bonaventure)" (St Josemaria Escriva, homily on the Sacred Heart)

princesses...

2011-02-15T17:38:00.000-06:00

My girls played with my camera this afternoon..while me the boys were out... much to my surprise. My camera is off limits but who could be upset with these great results...

Aren't they sweet little princesses....well almost....

wow I am so blessed to have three daughters that are great friends and who love to spend a beautiful afternoon together spearheaded by my almost 16yr old who still cherishes her time at home and her family... I couldn't ask for more. I love these little darlings to pieces!

love...

2011-02-14T08:38:00.001-06:00

"Love is a mystery that transforms everything it touches into things beautiful and pleasing to God. The love of God makes a soul free."

(St Faustina Diary #890)

Happy St Valentine's Day!!

oh well...

2011-02-07T08:49:00.006-06:00

I tried to be diligent blogging BUT.... alas I couldn't make my two a week resolution. I find that having my camera without battery and the business that keeps us moving through the winter is just a blog killer. Hopefully this week will change that but I am not holding my breath. I would have had great pictures from Lost in Fun with my sister Jenn and her kiddos... and also from a night out at the Heart Ball with my hubby...and a big super bowl party we hosted last night with about 10 families... and too may cute things with the kids so please use your imagination :) and let's start the week with Mary, Our Mother...

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly to thee, Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O, Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen

progress...

2011-01-22T09:18:00.001-06:00

I love love love watching my kids progress in all ways but since we homeschool I guess watching them progress in all things academic is especially endearing... and this little princess is so stinkin' cute that it makes it even better...

Emma beginning the school year just able to make circular squiggles...

Emma mid-fall attempting the "name game".. My example at the top and her E's all over the paper...

Emma last week making, what she calls her "perfect E"... and she exclaims to everyone "look I made humps and bumps M". She's getting it slowly and surely. I think we need to work on that pencil grip but in the meantime I could just eat this up all day. I guess that's why I do what I do... a good reminder!

baby it's cold outside...

2011-01-19T19:21:00.000-06:00

Right now there is a very beautiful snow happening out my window... I peeked in my camera from the last couple of weeks and it looks like I have had snow on my mind (and in my mud room) for all all of these past few days.... kids are great to show us the beauty of the snow and the cold... even if it is to go out just to take a picture or two...

i think i can...i think i can...

2011-01-17T11:37:00.000-06:00

I am making a resolution to blog at least twice a week... it isn't that i don't like to blog but that every time i sit down to my computer i get sucked into something else...someone else's blog...or something to do with schooling these fab five of mine. I need to "clean out" the camera again as well. Stay tuned...

sick...

2011-01-06T16:07:00.000-06:00

Not the greatest way to ring in the new year...our Andrew has been very sick. Finally today he is on the mend and the fever has broken. Monday he called to have me pick him up early from his Co-Op classes. He got chewed out because his father and I were sure he was merely tired and faking...first day back from Christmas break and all. Boy did we feel terrible when his fever reaches 103.5 later than night and stayed high for the next few days. Let's hope that this takes care of it for the year?!?!?

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T14:53:00.002-06:00

Create your own free digital slideshow

he has come!!

2010-12-27T08:10:00.003-06:00

Just a reminder to us all that Christmas isn't over the next day...we enjoy doing little things with friends and family during these 12 days...hope you do too!

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

he is coming...

2010-12-16T11:36:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow the "O" Antiphons begin...and it's a constant remembrance that He is coming soon! The liturgy is so good to us in that way... marking our season with anticipation for the coming of the Savior. Each "O" Antiphon highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Each one also refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. We have a good friend that made us some pretty cool "O" Antiphon cards that we begin to display, one each day, that corresponds with that day. The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited before the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec 24th being Christmas Eve. I am not so smart as to post all this information on my own but a search online will give you lots of information, just as it did for me :) Take a look around and start some traditions of your own to mark these days of preparation.

candy + counsin=fun!

2010-12-14T11:46:00.000-06:00

Gingerbread houses with Jadeon and Gianna, Aunt Jenn and all the fixins! So much fun and so much candy...wow!

a great weekend...

2010-12-12T17:06:00.000-06:00

as befits the weekend of the third Sunday in Advent-- marked with rose for joy-- and also in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast...we really had a great weekend.

Juders kicked it off..Friday night and Emma loved to read to him a favorite...so cute!

Then on Saturday Lindsay and I spent the afternoon at Mrs T's house

Mrs T is a great host and a dear friend. She always finds a way to encourage, treat, and compliment everyone. She has that special knack in finding and pointing out something great about everyone. That is such a gift and one that I so appreciate in her. She also makes me smile and I have the best times at her home. She hosted 19 little girls and their moms at her beautiful home to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. WE all brought food items to share and the girls had fun making gingerbread houses and just being girls... this is a speciality of Mrs T...letting little girls be girls!!! Emma came along as well.

Later that night it was great to see everyone playing chess and enjoying the first really cold, snowy, blustery day we have had...

Then today we spent the morning and all afternoon with our dear friend Fr C. Mass was beautiful and the afternoon in his home was fun and such a blessing...thanks FC!

And now.. Tony and I are off to take princesses #'s 1 and 2 to this....

Thank you Lord for a joy-filled weekend.... come Lord Jesus!!

'tis the season...

2010-12-11T21:58:00.002-06:00

...sprucing up the blog look to match what is outside my frosty window... and will be for a long time I think. Oh well 'tis the season of winter... it's upon us like it or not! I do like it... winter that is... until about mid-January. It's about then that I have had plenty cold and wind and snow. But since I have no say in the matter it is key, I have found out, to just make the best of it with good books, lots of little goodies hiding around the house to munch on and a good spirit within.

expectation...

2010-12-07T10:23:00.002-06:00

So....I've been MIA from blogging these past weeks... family, friends, school and the like have taken my attentions elsewhere but I am back and ready as ever..just as Advent is mid-way and feast days are lining up with the expectation of the coming of the Christ Child.
Advent in our home looks a little different every year but the theme is always the same...waiting, expectation, dotted with festive days of celebrations with the saints and Our Lady. We always have a countdown of some sorts, some years it's one of our three Jesse Tree sets..sometimes it's a manger with straw for good-deeds..it's been paper chains and simple count down calendars. This year I made a garland out of the days...each marked with the particular feast day, if any, and toward the end the O'Antiphons... take a look...

St Nicholas' Day has always been a big morning in our house. Shoes set out the night before and one of our kiddos woke of at 4:15 to sneak down to peek at what was left in them. Little Emma was bright on the action this year and came in to wake me at 6:30 exclaiming "mom! you gotta see this! someone left chocolate in my shoe! mom you gotta see this!" It was pretty cute. We then spent the morning making St Nicholas crafts and going to the local Catholic food pantry to donate food to the poor...

On the theme of expectation... winter is definitely setting upon us. The wintery weather and the cold have never been a favorite of mine. It has a tendency to bring me some gloomy days and a longing for the far off days of summer that are to come. So far this winter has been way better than last years. The sunny days make up for the cold air outside. A little sun goes a long way! I was out the other morning, before school started, running some errands. When I returned I found this to greet me on the door inside the garage...

My Lindsay, the resident artist, drew it and placed it here for me. I have decided to leave it here for the duration of the winter. It makes me smile at the thought of it and reminds me that winter is full of expectation of what is to come... Just like the season of Advent that is upon us now. A dear friend reminded me the other day that all of life is an Advent. All of our days are a waiting really... this life and this world are not what we are to turn our eyes and hearts to.. but it is the small child in a poor, humble manger that draws our hearts in these days and for the whole of our life...draws us into the expectation and hope of eternity.

preparing...

2010-11-22T08:49:00.003-06:00

We are hosting my side of the family this year for Thanksgiving... I think I can only recall one other time that we have hosted my family. Lots to do and get ready for. I anticipate that all will go well and hopefully people will have fun, be relaxed and enjoy some great food while enjoying family... keeping fingers crossed and praying many Hail Mary's :).

a good reminder...

2010-11-15T09:52:00.000-06:00

"At the foot of the Cross, Jesus gave Mary to John. Jesus said, "This is your Mother, this is your son." From then on, John took Mary into his care. Have you taken Mary into your care? What place has Mary in my life? Do I entrust everything to her? Take her into your care, she will teach you how to go to Jesus." (--Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

where i have been...

2010-11-03T17:48:00.000-05:00

I've been to the ocean and back again...
my sweet Lindsay turned 10 and we flew away to San Diego for a time of relaxation, family, celebration, fun and memories...

that's a wrap!

2010-10-19T10:56:00.000-05:00

Blessed Miguel Pro was a Mexican priest who was martyred, in Mexico, during the grave religious persecutions of the Mexican government in the 1920's. He was executed in 1927 and it was photographed for all the world to see and it was also a turing point, thankfully, in halting much of the religious persecutions at that time.

He has truly served as an inspiration to our kids here in the neighborhood that I live in. Each year, for the past 7 years, we have put on a play. They have varied from adaptations of children's books to lengthy plays on the lives of St Paul, St Margaret ****herow, St Clare, St Bernadette and a few others. This years play was "Viva Christo Rey!" written by playwright Cathal Gallagher. It was such an honor to put this on for three performances and about 200 people. Out kids (and a few dads) worked hard with Mrs. U the past 2 months. Last night I snapped a few pictures...

My princesses #'s 1 and 2 Rachel and Linsday played two Mexican women Martha and Magdalena.

My boys played evil President Calles (Tony), Miguel Pro (Andrew) and a young Mexican boy (Sam)

He a shot of the whole cast...

count down...

2010-10-13T08:36:00.000-05:00

12 days and counting down.. to this...

and this...

and this..

and this...

Lindsay turns 10 on November 2 and it is our family tradition to take their first plane trip for making it to double digits! Rachel and I went to San Francisco... Tony and Andrew took in New York and the Yankees (Go Yanks!) Lindsay and I are headed to a beach house in San Diego with my older sister Vicki and her two adorable munchkins Mathilde and Mina and my younger sister Jenn with her two precious little squirts Jadeon and Gianna. I cannot wait! It's a total surprise for Lindsay.. we are not telling her until we arrive curbside at the airport.. Good stuff!!!

open wide....

2010-10-12T18:18:00.002-05:00

Today little princess #3 had her first dentist appointment...pictures say it all...

LOVE IT!!!

so happy for her...

2010-10-11T10:29:00.002-05:00

My youngest sister Karissa got engaged to long time love Jordan.. Congrats little sis! So happy for them and excited for what is ahead for them! Here she is pictured with my other little sis Jenn who is the blonde with the her sweet baby Gianna...

communion...

2010-10-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

"This morning I received Jesus in Holy Communion, do you think of that during the day? Do I turn to Jesus within me? It it the same Jesus that comes to us---that Jesus about whome we read in the Gospels. That woman just wanted to touch the fringe of his garment, and she knew that she would be made well. The centurion said "I do not need to see you--Speak but the word and my servant will be healed. I am not worthy to have you come to me." This is the same Jesus who comes to us in Holy Communion. Do I believe it?" (Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

phew!

2010-10-09T08:13:00.001-05:00

One of the challenges of having kids home all day every day is a clean house. Facts are that schooling comes before a tidy house most days.. until the afternoon that is.. when we usually do a surface clean up so that our night is a little more peaceful. But the deep down cleaning rarely happens on a weekly basis. So around here, usually once a quarter, I stop everything and clean clean clean. That was yesterday. The top 4 of my "fab-five" were taken out of the house with play practice, speech/debate, ballet and other activities. This left me with just little Emma who can play like no one's around all day. Cleaning commenced at about 8:30 am and I did not stop until 5! Main floor is looking sparkly clean... laundry, guest bath, kitchen, wood floors, mud room, guest bedroom/toy room, 8 loads of laundry done.. upstairs: master bedroom cleaned totally, did my hubbys bathroom chores for him, hallway done, kids rooms....well that is their job!.. got as far as the school room and paid Lindsay to clean it...I was exhausted. I am satisfied as I look around this morning... a great feeling... but a looming sense that after the weekend it won't look the same. Why? I used to get all upset because the clean never lasted. But as I was going from room to room, floor to floor, wall to wall I realized that our house has to be able to be lived in. I don't want quiet perfect little kids who are afraid to have fun, to love, to play, to live, to enjoy life and family. We have rules and chores and that suffices for the day to day running of the house but deep down our house is a place of love and happiness and it shows :) I will take the one day a quarter or so, over the daily pressure of keeping a picture perfect house with a place for everything and everything in its place, as my grandmother used to say. And then the day was made even better when I texted a great friend that morning at about 10:30 to say "phew! it took me 2 hours to clean this tiny section of my house! can you believe it?!?" She replied that she too was playing catch up that day with the house. Big challenges are always best faced with a good friend at our side..even if it's via technology. We checked in with each other throughout the day to say, hi. how's it going for you and with encouragement. Good stuff!!!

field trip...

2010-10-06T11:31:00.000-05:00

Guess where we went?? Prairieland Dairy!! A locally owned and operated dairy farm near where we live. It really is a great story of how 4 farm families came together 10 years ago and combined to form a large 1500 head dairy farm. They treat their cows well and do not give them either growth hormones or steroids. It was a really great tour and educational...

After the tour all 60 of us (!!!) went to the small town park near by and picnicked and played in the beautiful fall weather all afternoon....

fall party year 7!

2010-10-06T10:16:00.000-05:00

The past 7 years we have hosted a fall party at our home. this year was one of the best I think.. we had a soup contest, pie eating contest, other games and a hayrack ride. About 100 people came out and stayed well into the night. We enjoyed each minute and each friend...

feast day...

2010-10-05T04:07:00.004-05:00

Today is the feast day of St Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament...
"The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous;
the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These
two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at
that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the
Cross....Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for
the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."(Our Lord to St Faustina)

beautiful fall...

2010-09-29T10:59:00.001-05:00

It has been so lovely this week... the weather perfect fall sun and warmth... wrapped up in a little breeze that just makes everyone smile around here. All of us have been giving into the urge to just be outside while these days last... warding off the thoughts that soon it will be chilly winter. So we are just enjoying a little school outside..

And a little bit of play and reading with emma....

And I took a stroll around our property and snapped a few of the beautiful flowers we get in the fall..not by my hand, as most people know i am not a "green-thumb" but simply by a loving God...

And the other night we spent some time with great friends as kids played and we enjoyed a beautiful fall night with a bon-fire...

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Michael..Gabriel..Raphael...

2010-09-29T07:45:00.000-05:00

"We speak of nine orders of Angels, because we know, by the testimony of Holy Scripture, that there are the following: Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim. It must be realized that "Angel" is the name of their office, not of their nature. For the holy Spirits of the heavenly homeland are always Spirits, but they cannot always be called Angels; they are Angels only when they are announcing something. Those who announce less important things are called Angels, and those who announce the highest things are called Archangels. And so not any Angel but the Archangel Gabriel was sent to Mary; for this ministry, it was fitting to have the highest Angel, since he was to announce the greatest news of all. These Archangels are also given special names to describe their particular virtue. For Michael means "Who is like to God?" Gabriel means "Strength of God," and Raphael "Medicine of God." Whenever something is to be done needing great power, Michael is sent forth so that from his action and his name we may understand that no one can do what God can do. Hence that old enemy who through pride desired to be like God is shown at the end of the world, left to his own strength and about to undergo the final punishment, as destined to fight with Michael the Archangel, as John says, "There was a battle with Michael the Archangel." Similarly, Gabriel was sent to Mary; he who is called "Strength of God" came to announce Him who deigned to appear in humility to conquer the powers of the air. And Raphael is interpreted, as we said, "Medicine of God," for when he touched the eyes of Tobias to do the work of healing, he dispelled the "night of his blindness." (from a sermon of Pope Saint Gregory on the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel)

crazy week...

2010-09-27T09:33:00.001-05:00

It is going to be a crazy week around here...so I'm taking a minute to blog a bit so I can think about all we have to do. We have many play practices to fit in...(kids have an upcoming play on Bl. Miguel Pro-- Mexican Martyr -- in three weeks). Then we will be busy busy preparing for out Annual Fall Party this Saturday.... we think this is out 6th year (we tend to loose track)...we so enjoy having many friends and their families out for soup, fall weather and games, hayrack rides.. a pie eating contest this year, and prizes!! Usually about 50-75 people so lots to do! In between those two things I am hosting the monthy recipe exchange night (really this is just code for mom's night to sit and relax, laugh, eat and enjoy time away..but we do exchange recipes too). I find that I so look forward to this and the theme this month is "apples, pumpkins, squash" yum!!! Plus we have to of course fit in regular school schedule and activities. Come Sunday, um after our parish lunch..., we will all be exhausted I'm sure. Stay tuned for lots of pictures.....

resolved!....

2010-09-23T13:52:00.001-05:00

Here we go again... debate season underway. Resolution? "Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly reform its policy toward Russia." Andrew is our only Team Policy debater in the house this year. He is busy crunching time and researching. It's great to see him learn more about the Cold War and thing like the High North and it's oil reserves and when that means between Russia and the US. He has also been looking into our current VISA policy with Russia. Exciting times to see his brain put these difficult concepts together but even more exciting to see what the Lord will do with it all. Rachel has decided to take a year off from debate. Both however are competing in 3 speech events. Stay tuned...

the "one"...

2010-09-23T08:29:00.000-05:00

you know... everyone has one....

betty and emma...

the "one" that makes you smile, laugh, be yourself...

the one that you cannot be separated from... like Linds and A...

Thankfully we girls get the rare times when we have more than one...

As you get older and more people come into your life it's a good thing to have the friend(s) who have been around since you were little...

Rachel with Anne and Grace.

It's good to grow older with a constant friend at your side

But lest anyone think it's for girls only...

Boys have their own kind of friends... talk a little, just hang out a lot, but they share the laughter and as they too grow older help one another out. Mostly though they just are... it's definitely a "boy thing".

Here are my boys.. Sam with Si. They have been each others "one" since birth. Andrew is here with Paul after the "big game".

And then there is mine..
I have two "ones"... My little sis Jenn..she's such a beautiful momma! She is such a joy in my life. We are so alike and yet so so different. She is "Type-A" and I am, well, "Type-far from A". But we laugh at the world in the same way, and for the same reasons.. and we share similar struggles and crosses. Her smile is huge and her heart even bigger. I so enjoy the times we spend together, always as sisters, but more like friends... you know "the one"... one minute we are planning crazy things..like our trip to San Diego in a few weeks and then the next we are venting... then we just laugh and have a dessert...such a good thing!!!

Then there is this "one" ...Trish... she is my go-to gal pal. Love her to pieces. Just the other day i stopped by to gather hand-me-downs.. a 10min stop at the most.. her dinner was on the stove.. About 45 min later her hubby finds us hunkered in the basement, sittin' on tubs-'o-clothes chatting the time away. We take the moments we can... and take and take and take. She is a riot on my worst days and a balance when I need a reality check! I would be lost without her....

Everybody's got one....

Padre Pio...

2010-09-23T08:17:00.003-05:00

"Don't try, excessively, to heal your heart, as your efforts would only make it more infirm. Don't make too great an effort to overcome your temptations, as this violence would only make them stronger. Despise them and don't dwell on them too much."

"Be good Christians, or your journey will serve you no good purpose. Only by good example can you change the world"

"The most beautiful Credo is the one we pronounce in our Hour of darkness."

"Peace is simplicity of heart, serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, the bond of love. Peace means order, harmony in our whole being: it means continual contentment springing from the knowledge of a good conscience; it is the holy joy of a heart in which God reigns. Peace is the way to perfection, indeed in peace is perfection to be found."

"Jesus likes to give Himself to simple souls; we must make an effort to acquire this beautiful virtue of simplicity and to hold it in great esteem. Jesus said: Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. But before He taught us this by His words he had already put it into practice. He became a child and gave us the example of that simplicity he was to teach us later also by his words. Let us empty our hearts and keep far from us all human prudence. We must try to keep our thoughts pure, our ideas upright and honest and our intentions holy." (--all from St Padre Pio)

duh....

2010-09-20T18:22:00.000-05:00

In the van today, on the way to pick up kids, we were listening to Catholic Answers Live. It was an open-line show dedicated to non-Catholic callers. One man called asking how it is that Christians can believe in the Trinity. What ensued was a lengthy back and forth between this caller and the Catholic apologist. Over and over the man asked the same questions..totally in disbelief that there could be three persons in one God. Again and again the apologist answered his questions, very astutely I might add. Then from somewhere in the back of the van Sam-the-man chimes in "geez mom, why can't this guy just get it?!?!?! Like it's the Trinity!" Such simple faith... i love it!!