We're exploring weather today - watching the Weather Channel, learning about hurricanes, writing a special "storm update" of the Rocco Gazette, watching maps (if you haven't seen it, check it out Wind Map , definitely cool) and thinking about time and temperature.
Mainly we're praying for our friends and family to the East. Stay safe everyone!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
pray for us!
What a beautiful day to take a nature walk (and practically in our back yard- who knew?) with some friends to celebrate the canonization of one of America's newest Saints.
What a beautiful day to take a nature walk (and practically in our back yard- who knew?) with some friends to celebrate the canonization of one of America's newest Saints.
The stick-cross building was especially fun ;0)
Don't they look like little missionaries?
Nap time!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Why can't we learn from all we've been through...
after two thousand years? - Billy Joel
It would seem he was tired of the political arena as well. That's my comment for the day. After following a long and exhausting string on another group, I'm done with the election right now. More on that another day.
I suppose the lyric does pertain to today as well, if you change "two thousand" to "seven". Sometimes I look at the parents in this household and I think they need a good spanking. Completely elevated expectations - on themselves and the short people. But, I digress.
Guess what? I just finished a 5K. Yes, I did. In my basement. On the treadmill (grrr). Again, too many expectations. Still, after having put it off the entire day, then reading the back of my t-shirt,
how could I not run? It was a virtual 5K and I ran jogged the first 2+ miles and walked the rest. I only finished about 3 minutes slower than my last (and only other) 5k. That was run when I was "training" by the way so, wow, how terrible was I then since I stopped running the next day (and went in today with nothing)? Anyway, it's done and I'm glad. I feel good that, virtually at least, I did something for someone else today.
Backing up a few hours, DH and I took all the kids grocery shopping late this afternoon. It was better than I had expected but, really, more than needed to be added today since this morning was...
PICTURE DAY!!!
This was the "before" picture - the actual ones turned out really well (except that chub doesn't have such a cute smile - he was totally over it after 2 minutes).
The plus of today is that all I have to do is upload the pictures (yes, I bought the whole CD - they are so cute - and it was half off with my groupon!) and our Christmas cards are made. I like to get that done early (although it's never been quite this early).
The drawback, of course, is that you can't push little people (who think for some reason that they are too big to nap) all day and not end up with short tempers on both ends. I know people do it all the time. They have magical children who are better behaved than I. It never works for us.
So, thankfully, only a few tears and everyone is asleep. Except me, of course...I'm still waiting for the sweating to stop and my stew to finish so that I can pack it up. (Yes, we're taking a meal to a new mom after church and the 40 days vigil tomorrow). Like I said, I have learned nothing.
Perhaps that's why I always have Enya playing in my head...
Have a blessed Sunday everyone and a very happy week! (which, thankfully, is Weird Kratts week!!! - if you're not a 5-yo boy, you have no idea. It's OK)
It would seem he was tired of the political arena as well. That's my comment for the day. After following a long and exhausting string on another group, I'm done with the election right now. More on that another day.
I suppose the lyric does pertain to today as well, if you change "two thousand" to "seven". Sometimes I look at the parents in this household and I think they need a good spanking. Completely elevated expectations - on themselves and the short people. But, I digress.
Guess what? I just finished a 5K. Yes, I did. In my basement. On the treadmill (grrr). Again, too many expectations. Still, after having put it off the entire day, then reading the back of my t-shirt,
Backing up a few hours, DH and I took all the kids grocery shopping late this afternoon. It was better than I had expected but, really, more than needed to be added today since this morning was...
PICTURE DAY!!!
The plus of today is that all I have to do is upload the pictures (yes, I bought the whole CD - they are so cute - and it was half off with my groupon!) and our Christmas cards are made. I like to get that done early (although it's never been quite this early).
The drawback, of course, is that you can't push little people (who think for some reason that they are too big to nap) all day and not end up with short tempers on both ends. I know people do it all the time. They have magical children who are better behaved than I. It never works for us.
So, thankfully, only a few tears and everyone is asleep. Except me, of course...I'm still waiting for the sweating to stop and my stew to finish so that I can pack it up. (Yes, we're taking a meal to a new mom after church and the 40 days vigil tomorrow). Like I said, I have learned nothing.
Perhaps that's why I always have Enya playing in my head...
What a day
what a day to take to
what a way
what a way
to make it through
what a day
what a day to make you
a wild child
what a day to take to
what a way
what a way
to make it through
what a day
what a day to make you
a wild child
Have a blessed Sunday everyone and a very happy week! (which, thankfully, is Weird Kratts week!!! - if you're not a 5-yo boy, you have no idea. It's OK)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Catholics with conviction
Check out this wonderful homily from a local parish. I am SO pleased to see some priests taking the opportunity to use the pulpit to speak the truth. Hooray! Let us pray that more members of the clergy find the strength to do the same.
October 13 homily
October 13 homily
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Choosing Life
Today, October 16th, is the feast of St. Gerard Majella, my Patron. I wear his medal and I often invoke him for myself (no, not currently ;0( ) or other women I know. He has certainly worked a few miracles in this household and I trust in his intercession. For those of you who don't know, he is the Patron Saint of expectant mothers and childbirth.
Along with prayers for all the women I know who are currently awaiting their newest blessings, today I will be praying for those moms who find themselves with such a blessing but who may not see it as such, at least right now. This is especially pertinent because we have been spending some of our free time praying with the 40 Days for Life Pittsburgh vigil at Planned Parenthood. The vigil is held twice a year and is a peaceful, prayerful presence to support and lift up women who may be considering or who have already had an abortion, along with their families and unborn children.
It's not always an easy thing to do but I know that if we don't speak out, so many more precious souls will be lost to this horrific process. I am especially happy that we are able to take the kids (on quiet Sundays) to pray and talk about the sanctity of life. I want them to know that it is their responsibility to love and pray for the unborn and their families.
Finally, we celebrated Mr. G's 6 month birthday on Saturday, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. It's hard to believe that this little guy has been with us that long. How blessed we are with this wonderful boy.
St. Gerard, Pray for Us!
Along with prayers for all the women I know who are currently awaiting their newest blessings, today I will be praying for those moms who find themselves with such a blessing but who may not see it as such, at least right now. This is especially pertinent because we have been spending some of our free time praying with the 40 Days for Life Pittsburgh vigil at Planned Parenthood. The vigil is held twice a year and is a peaceful, prayerful presence to support and lift up women who may be considering or who have already had an abortion, along with their families and unborn children.
It's not always an easy thing to do but I know that if we don't speak out, so many more precious souls will be lost to this horrific process. I am especially happy that we are able to take the kids (on quiet Sundays) to pray and talk about the sanctity of life. I want them to know that it is their responsibility to love and pray for the unborn and their families.
Finally, we celebrated Mr. G's 6 month birthday on Saturday, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. It's hard to believe that this little guy has been with us that long. How blessed we are with this wonderful boy.
St. Gerard, Pray for Us!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Welcome to the Year of Faith!
If you would like to learn more about the teachings of our faith, join me this year.
Go HERE and sign up. Each day you will receive a small section of the Catechism to read and by the end of the year, you will have read it all!
Now, isn't that a wise use of your time?
God bless :0)
Go HERE and sign up. Each day you will receive a small section of the Catechism to read and by the end of the year, you will have read it all!
Now, isn't that a wise use of your time?
God bless :0)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Happy Columbus Day!
We were lucky enough to see (and board) the replicas of the Nina and Pinta (of Columbus fame)! We went with our homeschool group and had a great time.
The Pinta (the larger of the two)
Happy sailors ;0)
A view from the Nina
The First Mate...Dom was fascinated with this guy
Above the Captain's Quarters - definitely tight
Of course all the boys found the cannon
The crew ate, lived and slept on the deck. Uh, no, not a life for me.
Beautiful ships on a foggy morning
So, despite the video we watched about Columbus Day (which said, basically, that it shouldn't be celebrated because Columbus was so mean to the native peoples) we are happy that he was such a brave man and thankful for our home in the "New World". Frankly, if it were me on that ship for two months, we'd still be in Italy.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Play Date!
Today we had a Catholic Moms Group play date centering on Our Lady of the Rosary, who's feast will be celebrated on Sunday, October 7th.
What a lovely morning we had! Six moms, 16 kids (three were above 5 and the rest were not ;0) ). I love these ladies and their kids. I think my house loves the thought of having so many little ones running around. I'm sure that has been its history...it feels like that kind of place. I am doubly sure that The Blessed Mother loved the sight of all these little ones learning about and saying the Rosary. What a blessed day!
Because I feel like playing isn't enough (although I know, at these little people's ages, it is!) I had to have a takeaway "gift". I tried my best to copy this Rosary Book from Catholic Icing. Actually I made the basic form and let them take it home to personalize. Here are some photos of our family book...It came out better than I had hoped! Great idea to teach the little ones all about this wonderful gift from Our Lady.
What a lovely morning we had! Six moms, 16 kids (three were above 5 and the rest were not ;0) ). I love these ladies and their kids. I think my house loves the thought of having so many little ones running around. I'm sure that has been its history...it feels like that kind of place. I am doubly sure that The Blessed Mother loved the sight of all these little ones learning about and saying the Rosary. What a blessed day!
Because I feel like playing isn't enough (although I know, at these little people's ages, it is!) I had to have a takeaway "gift". I tried my best to copy this Rosary Book from Catholic Icing. Actually I made the basic form and let them take it home to personalize. Here are some photos of our family book...It came out better than I had hoped! Great idea to teach the little ones all about this wonderful gift from Our Lady.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Happy Feast of the Guardian Angels!
How lucky are we that we have our own personal angel to work for and guide us?
From a little book called The Guardian Angels...Our Heavenly Companions by Tan Books:
"When the light of earth fades away and the brightness of eternity bursts upon you, your Guardian Angel will present your soul before the tribunal of God and faithfully plead your cause. What is more, if you require purification in the flames of Purgatory, your holy Angel will visit and console you. He will bring before God's throne the good works that are performed for you on earth, and he himself will intercede for you. (Thank you, Angel!!) Finally, when your time of purgation is ended, he will joyfully bring you word of your release from the flames of Purgatory and will lead you to the blissful kingdom of Heaven. But to benefit by the presence of this heavenly companion, you must be docile to his inspirations and never turn away from this holy angel who is your guide and your protector."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)