Just sayin...

Some days

I feel a lot like this guy.

Today, for instance.

Wonder...

I've been blessed with the ability to homeschool this year. It's been added to my already huge blessing of staying home and watching my kids grow. I am so thankful that I get to watch these processes up close. I never tire of the wonder of a child and the miracle of development.

Just this morning, tiny man awoke and POP...two new teeth. Just like that. (Not really. It's been a few days of struggle. I'm happy they are through).

So, we now have the top right front and top left canine...why? God has his plan. Maybe He thought G would look extra cute if he matched his big brother, who is losing teeth at much the same rate.

Next we have little girl. I think back to about a year ago when we were all in heightened alarm because she wasn't saying any meaningful words. Now, she tells knock-knock jokes! How rushed and worried we are...it would be so nice if we could just relax and enjoy the process.

Sorry I can't get it upright...

it's "knock knock, who's there, Pluto feet. Pluto feet who? Why don't you answer the door Pluto feet?"

No idea what it means but it cracks everyone up!

Finally...on a cold Fall morning, everyone just beginning to wake, what could be greater than a soft white gift from Heaven? I adore the joy that comes from the first snowfall...even if it melts by noon.

 



 

 

Wishing you a day filled with joy and wonder.

Things I'm grateful for...

it's Thanksgiving week so you know the drill!

1. I am, again, thankful for the ability to host a Thanksgiving free from people with high expectations. Yep, I cook like my mom and that's just fine by us ;0)

2. My kids. This morning as we prepared breakfast:

C: "would like a nana"
N:"no, that's BAnana...say it with me. 'ba'"
C: "ba"
N: "nan"
C: "nan"
N: "ah"
C: "ah"
N: "yes, 'banana'"
C: "ba-orange"
N: "Gaaah"

Welcome to my world, little man.

3. My husband who, at the moment, is bathing two kids, entertaining two more, and guessing Christmas carols as they are played on the cello upstairs. He is my hero!

4. Homeschooling. I didn't think that would be the case at this point but, wow, what a blessing. Today's schedule was making "sedimentary rock" at home:

First, the stones and pebbles (graham crackers and raisins)

Then, the silt and sand (powdered sugar and cocoa powder)

A butter and water river runs through it...

Mix it up, mash it down, chill and you have very, very sweet rock

(which Blondie refused to eat - "no eat rocks...yucky")

Then we headed to the Science Center to learn about eating the rainbow and freezing stuff with liquid nitrogen.

DD (in green) eating a frozen marshmallow.

Being with these five little people (almost) all day, (almost) every day is an amazing adventure. I love my job :0)

5. Plungerhead old vine zinfandel. Truly the greatest find to date.

6. The Thanksgiving parade...even though Mass cuts out half most years. It is one of the great traditions of the day.

7. My mother's helper. She's gone for two weeks and while I'm enjoying the extra time with the kids and glad that she's enjoying time with her family...whew...it makes for a long day!

There are many other things but I'll stop there. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please take some time tomorrow (and every day) to remember how truly blessed you are.

And so it begins...

Judge: Hobby Lobby Must Offer Morning-after Pill

Teaching to give

Our project for the past week has been learning to be more self-less (yes, I know it takes more than a week but you have to start somewhere). I've found it extremely necessary since the catalogues are pouring into the mailbox and, for whatever reason, our first two children seem to have noticed them more (A LOT more) this year. The "I'd like this" or "I need this" (my personally least favorite) sent me searching for a way to teach these two to look outward more and notice the needs of others.

On one of my favorite blogs, Catholic Icing, I came across Operation Christmas Child, run by Samaritan's Purse. The directions are on the website but basically, you fill a shoebox with toys/hygiene items/gifts for a small (2-4), medium (5-9) or large (10-14) size boy or girl and drop it off at a donation site (our local Methodist Church is the closest so we can walk too - bonus!).

I decided only #1 and #2 were ready to undertake this task and, considering his current state of the "gimmies", #2 is only marginally so.

After cello lessons we headed to the Dollar Store to pick out our treasures. In a bit of a twist, son picked a small girl and daughter picked a medium sized boy. Toys and toothbrushes, crayons and cars were carefully selected and taken home.

Next, the note from us wishing a Merry Christmas.

Finally, the gifts are packed, the lids wrapped (to be more festive) and the labels taped. I paid the extra $14 to have a tracking number so that we can receive emails to find out where our gifts travel.

 

I know that the excitement will be even greater when we find out where they were sent but it was pretty high already. As for the "gimmies"...they are still there but so is a greater sense of caring for other. Today I knocked over three or four plastic cups and I heard #2 from the other room, "are you OK?".. Truly heartwarming since I think, on most days, I could fall over myself and they would continue to read, oblivious to my plight.

I liked this exercise. The personal involvement of picking and packing makes it more meaningful than just sending a check somewhere. The added bonus of being able to check off art, handwriting, grammar, math, phys ed and geography for the week is my gift. ;0)

There are still a few days left so check out the website and send your own box. It's not much money and the experience is one we hope to make into a yearly tradition.

The bookworm

ran her first 1.18 miles today...with a brief stop at Yogli Mogli. Yay! A running partner (who runs just my speed ;0) )

Hope....and most definitely, Change

Since I'm not a person to say "I told you so," I won't. Believe me when I say it, I prayed SO HARD last week. I took every opportunity to reach out for Divine inspiration but it still happened. Then, I realized what I was praying for. "Dear God, please save our nation." Hmmm. I think I get it now.

Change is coming (where have I heard that?). Not easy, happy change. Exhausting, demoralizing change. We will have to find a way to live with less. We will have to realize our place in this world while we keep our eyes focused on the next. We will have to live as foreigners in our own country (although we may not recognize it as ours after a while). That stinks. It's always better to be on the "winning team". Remember, though, that this is not the ultimate championship. Who reigns on this earth is not important in the long run.

So, let's try to have a little hope. I love that God puts things right in my path when I cannot see clearly enough on my own. When I woke up this morning, I felt like someone had died. My friends were grieving; the world seemed dark. Then I took my children to Mass:

"Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."
(clearly the Philippians had similar problems)

Yes, I sat up straighter on the "grumbling and questioning" part since I've been doing a lot of that these days.

"If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple." Luke 14

Then, I went to a delightful breakfast with all of these cuties.

 

I listened to their stories and I realized...this could be it. All these people who stood before me lived through such difficult, trying, demoralizing things, all for the love of Christ. They persevered because they trusted in the mercy of God and they are now reigning as SAINTS in HEAVEN.

Wait. That's me!!! I want to be a Saint!!! I want to go to heaven!!!

If you're shaking your head yes...then start today. Consider every slight, every difficulty, every trial that you handle with grace to be one step closer to your Heavenly home. God has given us a great opportunity. Don't waste it!

 

Who knows? One day little kids could be dressed up to look like you ;0) Even if they aren't - you will know that, even in the darkness of the world, you tried your best to reflect the light and love of God. That will surely earn you your place.

What is Evil?

Please note that I am not a theologian. I'm just thinking aloud here.

Lately, there has been a rather lively discussion on the Catholic homeschooling board about tomorrow's election. There is one faction that is trying, mightily, to make the point that voting for Romney, just because he is a "lesser evil" is still evil. Therefore, they are choosing to either not vote or to vote for Gary Johnson or some other 3rd party candidate who is more "in line" with the Catholic teaching. (except that Johnson is not Gary Johnson on Abortion)

Let's agree that Romney is the lesser evil. Even with that, I cannot understand the thinking that less of something is the same as more of something? (Clearly I'm not a philosopher either.) With one candidate, abortion may still be legal in some cases; with another, I am actively paying  - I am COMPLICIT - to fund someone's murder of an innocent. One, as a Mormon, is invested in religious liberty; another (what religion is he?) is doing all he can to destroy it.

I'm gobsmacked. Truly. Last I checked, there has been evil in the world since the whole apple thing went down. Clearly there will NEVER (sorry 3rd party people) be a serious Catholic president (and I kind of shudder to even guess who that would be - Biden?). Santorum ran and fell short. Society is not interested in a religiously-based rule of government. If they were, Hollywood would not be as important as it is. It would not be fashionable to get married after the babies come - "like all the stars do".

So, you know who has my vote. Will he win? I doubt it. I don't see how. Still, God is in charge. Whatever happens is what happens. We will grow or suffer but we will change regardless.

Moving on...as I said, God is in charge. This allows me, even when I get upset with those thinking differently than I, to maintain a confidence in the movement of the world. I know that there is more later. I do not believe that this is the end. I know that I am not in charge and neither is the President of the United States.

Many things trouble me. Terrible accidents. Horrible storms. Beautiful little boys being mauled to death by wild dogs. That keeps me up. Why do these things happen, you say? Where is your God now? Well, I'll tell you.

I do believe in Evil. I do believe that we see it every day if we are alert. If you don't believe there are minions walking the streets, try holding a sign outside of Planned Parenthood some day. Where is God? He is here. He is allowing us to see this evil. He is giving us free will and our greed and ignorance so often get the best of us.

I am so troubled by this little boy at the zoo. I will struggle with that for a long time. I just told my husband, if I were the mom, I would never get past it. Still, he said, God would provide the grace. I believe He would. I believe in such times, there is no where else to turn. It is often in the darkest hours that we see the Light so clearly through the veil of tears.

So, if we have four more years of progressive repression; if the storms get progressively worse; if we struggle to survive; maybe that's not such a bad thing. Maybe that's what we need to look up instead of in.

Super Saturday

The kids had a very busy Saturday...

First the CIRCUS with Daddy and Grammy B

 

Next up, Halloween. The hurricane (which was largely non-existent here) caused trick-or-treat to move to November 3rd.

Thankfully I was able to skip #1 (I really don't like the circus) and #2 is improving with each year. St. Cecilia (I think she will wear that until she's 10), fireman, and Lightning's pit crewman were all very well behaved. Pablo was iffy. The lion would have liked to stay home and snuggle. Such is life.

All Souls Day

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

 

I love All Souls Day. I think even more than All Saints, because it is the day we pray for those "regular" people who have gone before us. We pray for the souls in Purgatory. We pray for those who need us. It is truly a time to give without thought of repayment.

 

It's also a time to teach kids about family members who are no longer here with us. I get sad sometimes that our kids will never know my dad, or Pat's dad, not to mention "Bub" or the other grandparents. I am happy that some of them knew Uncle Craig. He was a good person to know ;0)

So, today, we learn about some of our ancestors. We went to Mass to pray for them, and others who have died and need our prayers.

 

Then, off to the cemetery!

It was SO cold, but we managed to stay a while to say some prayers and do some stone rubbings. I needed new crayons but they turned out well enough for the first time.

 

 

We brought them home and hung them on the mantle, along with a picture of the person. I like it. I think we will leave them there for a while, to remind us of those who have gone before.

 

Yet these also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten;

 

Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants;

 

Through God's covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake.

 

And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out;

 

Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on.

 

At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.

 

Sirach 44:10-15

It finally happened.

Sitting in the dentist's chair, full of Novocaine, the young (really young) assistant says (out of nowhere, really), "So, do you have grandkids?"

"No," I smile.

Pause.

"Do you have kids? How many?"

"Yes. (Smile)  Five."

"Wow. I bet it was quiet at your house since they're probably much too old for trick-or-treat."

Pause.

"No, actually my oldest is 7 and my youngest is 6 months."

You would think she would have stopped then but she did not. That was the most amusing part so I'll leave it at that.

My husband laughs because he's had it happen many, many times and this was my first. He also points out that, in our "village", I am actually old enough to have great-grandchildren. I disagree.

I'm really only agitated because I thought my hair looked nice today ;0p

All You Holy Men and Women...

pray for us!!!

From the Saints-In-Training, we wish you a very blessed All Saints Day!

 

(St. Cecilia, St. Nicholas and St. Dominic...St. George and the little angel were not tolerating the paparazzi today)

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.	Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All you Holy Angels and Archangels, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Jude, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, All you holy Disciples of the Lord, All you holy Innocents,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, Sts. John and Paul, Sts. Cosmos and Damian, All you holy Martyrs,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All you holy Bishops and Confessors, All you holy Doctors,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All you holy Priests and Levites, All you holy Monks and Hermits,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalene, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Anastasia, St. Catherine, St. Clare, All you holy Virgins and Widows, All you holy Saints of God,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
Lord, be merciful, From all evil, From all sin, From your wrath, From a sudden and unprovided death, From the snares of the devil, From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, From the spirit of uncleanness, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquake, From plague, famine, and war, From everlasting death,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, By your Coming, By your Birth, By your Baptism and holy fasting, By your Cross and Passion, By your Death and Burial, By your holy Resurrection, By your wonderful Ascension, By the coming of the Holy Spirit, On the day of judgment,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
Be merciful to us sinners,	Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us, That you will pardon us, That it may please you to bring us to true penance, Guide and protect your holy Church, Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all those in holy Orders, Humble the enemies of holy Church, Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people, Bring back to the unity of the Church all those who are straying, and bring all unbelievers to the light of the Gospel, Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service, Raise our minds to desire the things of heaven, Reward all our benefactors with eternal blessings, Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors, Give and preserve the fruits of the earth, Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That it may please You to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,	Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	Spare us, O Lord! Graciously hear us, O Lord! Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us,Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.	Christ, graciously hear us Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.