Ever since Ted Kennedy's funeral, I have been doing a slow burn. I am feeling angry, very angry at some of the priests and bishops, (cardinals even!) who are betraying our Church by supporting "Catholics" who insist on blatantly ignoring, or worse, working publicly against the teachings of the Catholic Church. I am not judging anyone's soul here. In fact, when I learned of Senator Kennedy's demise, I experienced a moment where I clearly understood the enormity of the burden the Senator carried with him before the throne of Almighty God. It was horrific, and I experienced a profound compassion for Sen. Kennedy. I pray for his soul.
My anger is centered around the clergy who refuse to excommunicate, chastize or admonish these so-called Catholics. By refusing to proclaim the truth "in season and out of season", they not only betray Christ and his Church (and its faithful ministers), but they betray those of us in the pews who choose to live an authentic Catholic lifestyle. To those of us who have lived on one income in order to take care of and even home-educate the children God has blessed us with, and who have not only given up luxuries, but financial stability; to those of us who take seriously the Church's teaching to be open to life and practice (and struggle with) NFP; to those of us who have marched in pro-life demonstrations, prayed outside abortion clinics, prayed rosaries and fasted for the end of abortion or the protection of marriage, who have been isolated, persecuted and misunderstood because we stand for and live the teachings of the Church, and teach them to our children--to these heroic Catholic families, these unfaithful clergy say, "So what! Your sacrifice and fidelity mean nothing to me."
I know our sacrifices mean very much to Christ; and He is why we do what we do. I love my Church and my God and do not regret the choices we have made to live a truly Catholic life. It is time for us, though, to challenge the silence of these priests and bishops and hold them and the so-called "Catholics" they support acccountable for the scandal they are causing.
Before I let my emotion get the better of me, let me offer this link to an article by Erin Manning. She says it so much better than I could have.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Ready for concrete
Wow, a lot of work has been done in the past 5 weeks on this property!! We are now ready for the concrete footings to be poured, which will happen next week. After that, the basement walls will be poured and then the house can be set! Hubby thinks the house will be on the foundation by mid-October. There is some work inside the house that will need to be done after that plus roof, siding, electrical, plumbing, painting, flooring, etc. And then, the actual move....ho boy, I guess I don't want to think that far ahead!
Here's a before and after shot.
The driveway after.
Here's a before and after shot.
The driveway before.
The driveway after.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Happy Birthday, Lexi!
My oldest child leaves her teens behind today! I wish we could be with her to celebrate, but her friends at Franciscan University will, I am sure, make it a special day for her.
We love you, Lexi! Happy 20th Birthday!
We love you, Lexi! Happy 20th Birthday!
Little Ballerina
Annie has been anxiously awaiting her "ballet in the fall" lessons. But, last week she began saying that she didn't want to do ballet. I couldn't get her to tell me the reason she was changing her mind; she only said she was shy (which is not like her at all!) Well, Miss Valerie finally coaxed her into joining the group and she had a wonderful time! As we were walking to the car following her lesson, she said to me, "That was fun. We didn't go on stage." Poor girl!! She thought (perhaps because her brothers keep telling her....grrr...) that she was going to have to perform on stage at her first lesson!! Here are some pix of the little ballerinas.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
How to Avoid Math
Let us say that there is a young lAdy, who shall remain Nameless, who doesN't live at my housE, who really doesn'T like math. WhaT inventivE, creative means could she use to avoid it? She could slip the Math U See DVD into a Netflix envelope and mail it away..... that would be inventive and creative. Luckily for her, the good folks at Netflix picked up on the "mistake" right away and will be mailing that Algebra 2 DVD right back!!! Phew!
Feast of Padre Pio
You will be blessed if you go read Charlotte's story about Padre Pio. She also has coloring pages to download. But don't miss the story...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A Good night for the Sweet boys
******WARNING: SHAMEFUL BRAGGING AHEAD*******
Anyway, Ethan is playing on the 5/6th grade team at the local Catholic school. His team started their season off with a little jamboree. The coach that Ethan had for his spring and summer teams, who he really likes, was coaching one of the opposing teams. Ethan is good friends with the coach's son and some of the other players, so that just added a little "excitement" to the game. Ethan's team played 3 games and won all 3!! Including the one against his former coach and friend. Ethan scored 2 goals in each game! He did great. Sometimes at the beginning of a season he needs a little "orientation time" to get into his rhythm, but he jumped in with both feet this season. It is really fun to watch his skills improve each season. He loves soccer!
So with this victorious evening under our belt we drove home. Isaac, Scott and his parents were already there. Isaac's varsity team has been struggling this year, and Isaac has been pretty discouraged. Hesitantly, I asked him how his team did. They won 4-0! What a great boost for the team! Then he told me that he scored all 4 goals!! Wow! I was very happy for him and the team. Hopefully this is the shot in the arm they need.
So, in total, the Sweet boys scored 10 goals last night!
Good job boys. We are proud of your hard work, dedication and effort.
Also, their cousin, LL, had a middle school soccer game last night, in which he scored 2 goals!! Way to go, L!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
7 Quick Takes Friday
1.
Soccer has begun in earnest now. All three boys are playing. My senior is the captain for the varsity squad at the local high school (not bad for a homeschooler!), my 10 year old and 7 year old play on teams for the local Catholic school (which has been very welcoming towards us homeschoolers). It's fun, exciting, rewarding and exhausting. I try to bring work with me, as I sit through practices on the sidelines, but it's pretty difficult to balance my checkbook while I'm visiting with the other moms:P
2.
The 4 year old princess will be starting ballet classes next week. She has been talking about it all summer. Apparently last spring, I told her that I would sign her up for ballet in the fall. Now she tells everyone that she is going to take "ballet in the fall". I think she thinks the class is called "ballet in the fall":)
3.
Soccer has begun in earnest now. All three boys are playing. My senior is the captain for the varsity squad at the local high school (not bad for a homeschooler!), my 10 year old and 7 year old play on teams for the local Catholic school (which has been very welcoming towards us homeschoolers). It's fun, exciting, rewarding and exhausting. I try to bring work with me, as I sit through practices on the sidelines, but it's pretty difficult to balance my checkbook while I'm visiting with the other moms:P
2.
The 4 year old princess will be starting ballet classes next week. She has been talking about it all summer. Apparently last spring, I told her that I would sign her up for ballet in the fall. Now she tells everyone that she is going to take "ballet in the fall". I think she thinks the class is called "ballet in the fall":)
3.
My 17 year old son, though homeschooled, is taking 2 classes this semester at the local high school, where his classmates think he is brilliant! Now, being his mom and teacher (and completely impartial:), I know he is bright, but brilliant?? I am gathering, from what my son tells me, that the education these kids have received in the public school, is quite narrow. So narrow, in fact, that no one but my son got the answer to an extra credit trivia question: "Who is the New Jersey-born singer who had a single called, "Born to Run"? Come on! These teens don't know "The Boss"??
From my son's anecdotes, it seems to me that these kids, who are good, smart kids, some even at the top of their class, have had very limited (or no) exposure to classic literature, art or music or really anything outside of their "teen culture". Apparently, Bruce Springsteen was part of my teen culture, not theirs. Too bad for them.
My goal in homeschooling has always been to teach my kids to think. I do not want them to regurgitate facts back at me. Facts can be found in books or on the internet. I want them to be able to think about what they see, hear or read, and be able to discern properly if they agree or disagree with the opinions or actions presented in movies, literature, or in real life (!) in light of the moral instruction they have been (hopefully) grounded in. This means they need a broad understanding of the world, what has gone before, the cause and effect of events, what others have said about it and most importantly, what God says about it, and what they think they will do in light of their understanding.
I think we do a grave injustice to our children if we do not prepare them to be able to think, understand and discern what is going on around them--socially, politically, religiously and personally.
During the last presidential election our local high school had both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama visit. Many of these kids had NO IDEA there was a republican candidate! Just from my own observations it appears that our schools have taken the approach of telling kids what to believe (or leading them in one direction), but not giving them the tools to think and make informed decisions of their own. Not only does this handicap these kids, who deserve better, but this will handicap our society in the long term.
4.
What is the responsible, humane thing to do with a 13 year old cat who is extremely skittish, perhaps emotionally unbalanced, and who has NEVER (never in 13 years!) consistently used the litter box? When we moved to this house 3 years ago, this cat was so nervous and freaked out that it escaped and lived "in the wild" for 6 weeks before we could finally coax him into the house. I thought he was a goner then. We have an almost 2 year old dog who torments our cats. She has not calmed down in her harrassing of them as I had hoped she would as she got older, so I think the best thing to do for the cats is to find new homes for them when we move to our new house in a couple of months. I should be able to find a home for one cat, who is fine and healthy and uses the litter box correctly. But, who is going to want an old nervous cat who poops all over the house? I am not sure he will even survive the move, if he freaks out like he did last time. What to do?
5.
College girl is feeling overwhelmed with her studies. She's taking a very heavy load right now and is trying to decide whether to drop a class, but she doesn't want to be a "quitter". She is handling it maturely and responsibly, though, and I am proud of her. She is staying close to God in the sacraments and praying for His guidance. She could use a prayer or two, though.
6.
College girl will turn 20 next week. At college. Without me or the rest of her family. Sigh. On a positive note, eveytime lately that I tell someone my oldest is 20, they look at me in surprise and say I don't look old enough to have children that age. Perhaps it is the 4 year old I have in tow that gives the illusion of youth. Perhaps it is the extra weight I am carrying that "plumps" up the wrinkles. Another sigh.
I am torn between being flattered and wanting to explain that I was 24 when I had her and not 15, which I expect they may be thinking. My foolish pride will nt allow me to enjoy a compliment. One more sigh....
7.
The house project is coming along, slowly but steadily. Hubby has been working on the driveway and it looks great. I got "laid off" from working at the site just in time for soccer season to start. I won't be needed up there for a while, since it is mostly machine work now. Although he may need me to offer suggestions about how I would like the lot to look.
Strangely enough, hubby doesn't agree:)
For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary
My goal in homeschooling has always been to teach my kids to think. I do not want them to regurgitate facts back at me. Facts can be found in books or on the internet. I want them to be able to think about what they see, hear or read, and be able to discern properly if they agree or disagree with the opinions or actions presented in movies, literature, or in real life (!) in light of the moral instruction they have been (hopefully) grounded in. This means they need a broad understanding of the world, what has gone before, the cause and effect of events, what others have said about it and most importantly, what God says about it, and what they think they will do in light of their understanding.
I think we do a grave injustice to our children if we do not prepare them to be able to think, understand and discern what is going on around them--socially, politically, religiously and personally.
During the last presidential election our local high school had both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama visit. Many of these kids had NO IDEA there was a republican candidate! Just from my own observations it appears that our schools have taken the approach of telling kids what to believe (or leading them in one direction), but not giving them the tools to think and make informed decisions of their own. Not only does this handicap these kids, who deserve better, but this will handicap our society in the long term.
4.
What is the responsible, humane thing to do with a 13 year old cat who is extremely skittish, perhaps emotionally unbalanced, and who has NEVER (never in 13 years!) consistently used the litter box? When we moved to this house 3 years ago, this cat was so nervous and freaked out that it escaped and lived "in the wild" for 6 weeks before we could finally coax him into the house. I thought he was a goner then. We have an almost 2 year old dog who torments our cats. She has not calmed down in her harrassing of them as I had hoped she would as she got older, so I think the best thing to do for the cats is to find new homes for them when we move to our new house in a couple of months. I should be able to find a home for one cat, who is fine and healthy and uses the litter box correctly. But, who is going to want an old nervous cat who poops all over the house? I am not sure he will even survive the move, if he freaks out like he did last time. What to do?
5.
College girl is feeling overwhelmed with her studies. She's taking a very heavy load right now and is trying to decide whether to drop a class, but she doesn't want to be a "quitter". She is handling it maturely and responsibly, though, and I am proud of her. She is staying close to God in the sacraments and praying for His guidance. She could use a prayer or two, though.
6.
College girl will turn 20 next week. At college. Without me or the rest of her family. Sigh. On a positive note, eveytime lately that I tell someone my oldest is 20, they look at me in surprise and say I don't look old enough to have children that age. Perhaps it is the 4 year old I have in tow that gives the illusion of youth. Perhaps it is the extra weight I am carrying that "plumps" up the wrinkles. Another sigh.
I am torn between being flattered and wanting to explain that I was 24 when I had her and not 15, which I expect they may be thinking. My foolish pride will nt allow me to enjoy a compliment. One more sigh....
7.
The house project is coming along, slowly but steadily. Hubby has been working on the driveway and it looks great. I got "laid off" from working at the site just in time for soccer season to start. I won't be needed up there for a while, since it is mostly machine work now. Although he may need me to offer suggestions about how I would like the lot to look.
Strangely enough, hubby doesn't agree:)
For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Call it Courage
Last Wednesday, a dear friend I've known since 6th grade (which was a loooong time ago, btw) had to put her husband on a plane to Utah, for an indefinite stay. For a mom with 4 active and involved children, that's tough.
Add to this the fact that her 43 year old husband has multiple myeloma, a very aggressive cancer, and Dartmouth Hitchcock and Dana Farber had no further plans to treat his illness. There is a multiple myeloma clinic in Heber City, Utah that does have a treatment plan for him, along with a good success rate. They were led to this clinic after much prayer and fasting. He needed to go.
He had just finished up a 5 day round of 24 hour chemo on Sunday night. His blood work on Monday morning wasn't good. Since Monday was Labor Day, on Tuesday, my dear friend phoned the institute in Utah and they agreed to see Blaine immediately. So, Wednesday morning he was on board a plane headed to Utah.
Alone.
Sick.
Most likely scared (though he's a big strapping kind of guy and probably wouldn't admit it:)
And my friend didn't know when she was going to see her sick husband again.
Still, she made him get on that plane. He needed to be on that plane. His life depended on it. Their life depended on it.
He didn't want to go, but he went because she asked him for a gift...the gift of his health...an anniversary gift.
You see, the day she put him on that plane was their 20th anniversary.
These friends of mine have a strength and courage born out of a deep and true love for one another and an unwavering trust in God. It is inspiring. And beautiful.
I know I keep asking, but would you please remember Blaine and Marleigh Savage and their family in your prayers?
UPDATES:
For an update on Blaine's condition go here.
Marleigh and her children are enroute to Utah, expecting to arrive tomorrow night!
Add to this the fact that her 43 year old husband has multiple myeloma, a very aggressive cancer, and Dartmouth Hitchcock and Dana Farber had no further plans to treat his illness. There is a multiple myeloma clinic in Heber City, Utah that does have a treatment plan for him, along with a good success rate. They were led to this clinic after much prayer and fasting. He needed to go.
He had just finished up a 5 day round of 24 hour chemo on Sunday night. His blood work on Monday morning wasn't good. Since Monday was Labor Day, on Tuesday, my dear friend phoned the institute in Utah and they agreed to see Blaine immediately. So, Wednesday morning he was on board a plane headed to Utah.
Alone.
Sick.
Most likely scared (though he's a big strapping kind of guy and probably wouldn't admit it:)
And my friend didn't know when she was going to see her sick husband again.
Still, she made him get on that plane. He needed to be on that plane. His life depended on it. Their life depended on it.
He didn't want to go, but he went because she asked him for a gift...the gift of his health...an anniversary gift.
You see, the day she put him on that plane was their 20th anniversary.
These friends of mine have a strength and courage born out of a deep and true love for one another and an unwavering trust in God. It is inspiring. And beautiful.
I know I keep asking, but would you please remember Blaine and Marleigh Savage and their family in your prayers?
UPDATES:
For an update on Blaine's condition go here.
Marleigh and her children are enroute to Utah, expecting to arrive tomorrow night!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Happy 17th Birthday, Isaac
More Progress
Well, it seems that we have finished clearing the land!!
Scott has a few more trees to cut at the bottom of the driveway for the power company, but everything else is cut!! What a feeling!
We have spent many nights and every weekend at the land for the past 3 weeks. To watch it unfold, knowing it is the work of your hands, and your children's hands is extremely satisfying.
We have been so very blessed by the help and dedication of our fathers, also. In their mid-60s and mid-70s, Scott's dad and my dad have insisted on helping whenever they could. We have been very moved by their willingness and even eagerness to help us with this back-breaking work.
Over the Labor Day weekend, we were blessed to have the (unsolicited!) help of two friends, Gordon and Alan. A great deal of work was accomplished that day. Alan's family even joined us the next day AND made dinner for us!! We were so blessed by this act of friendship.
'Thank you' doesn't express the depth of gratitude we feel for the help of our family and friends.
The pics below were taken on different days, and hopefully show the progress of the work.
It is a beautiful piece of land. The more time I spend there, the more I love it. There are many different varieties of trees on this land, which is a bit unusual. We have identified pine, hemlock, oak, maple, white birch, yellow birch, black birch, beech and ash! The kids and my favorite is the beech. When it is cut, it gives off a wonderful aroma -- almost like wintergreen. The air up in the clearing was always heavily scented with pine and beech. We cleared about an acre of land and had to take down some beautiful trees because of their placement (in the middle of the septic system or the kitchen!), but our new house will be surrounded by these beautiful hardwoods and some softwood trees. I think it will be very nice. I love trees, can you tell?
So, for now, the kids and I have a break!! The stump-pulling, loam-stripping and foundation-digging is all machine work and dear hubby is anxious to get to it to see how the land is going to shape up.
The kids and I are "laid off" until it is time to waterproof the foundation and lay drainage pipe, and after that, for me, there will be painting, painting and more painting, and some laying floors. The little boys started soccer this week, so the "lay off" came at a good time!
Enjoy the pics!
Scott has a few more trees to cut at the bottom of the driveway for the power company, but everything else is cut!! What a feeling!
We have spent many nights and every weekend at the land for the past 3 weeks. To watch it unfold, knowing it is the work of your hands, and your children's hands is extremely satisfying.
We have been so very blessed by the help and dedication of our fathers, also. In their mid-60s and mid-70s, Scott's dad and my dad have insisted on helping whenever they could. We have been very moved by their willingness and even eagerness to help us with this back-breaking work.
Over the Labor Day weekend, we were blessed to have the (unsolicited!) help of two friends, Gordon and Alan. A great deal of work was accomplished that day. Alan's family even joined us the next day AND made dinner for us!! We were so blessed by this act of friendship.
'Thank you' doesn't express the depth of gratitude we feel for the help of our family and friends.
The pics below were taken on different days, and hopefully show the progress of the work.
It is a beautiful piece of land. The more time I spend there, the more I love it. There are many different varieties of trees on this land, which is a bit unusual. We have identified pine, hemlock, oak, maple, white birch, yellow birch, black birch, beech and ash! The kids and my favorite is the beech. When it is cut, it gives off a wonderful aroma -- almost like wintergreen. The air up in the clearing was always heavily scented with pine and beech. We cleared about an acre of land and had to take down some beautiful trees because of their placement (in the middle of the septic system or the kitchen!), but our new house will be surrounded by these beautiful hardwoods and some softwood trees. I think it will be very nice. I love trees, can you tell?
So, for now, the kids and I have a break!! The stump-pulling, loam-stripping and foundation-digging is all machine work and dear hubby is anxious to get to it to see how the land is going to shape up.
The kids and I are "laid off" until it is time to waterproof the foundation and lay drainage pipe, and after that, for me, there will be painting, painting and more painting, and some laying floors. The little boys started soccer this week, so the "lay off" came at a good time!
Enjoy the pics!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Splash Award
Thank you to Become What You Are for bestowing this award on me. I think she's pretty inspiring also!
The Splash Award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs.
When you receive this award, you must: Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate & link up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash Award.
I want to nominate the following blogs:
* Margaret in Minnesota at Minnesota Mom for her quirky and lively style...she is always a pick-me-up!
* Erin at And Sometimes Tea for her wit, wisdom, and honest perspective
* Kristen at Small Treasures for her gentle spirit, and her deep love of her family
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Storming Heaven
My dear friend writes here about her husband's latest results in the battle against Multiple Myeloma. This is not good news. They are both faithful, strong and determined. Most importantly they are prayerful. Marleigh and her family will be praying and fasting for Blaine this weekend.
Our Lord himself tell us that some demons can only be cast out through prayer and fasting. This is powerful stuff! Many times, physical illnesses have spiritual components. It is extremely wise of the Savage family to add the "prayer and fasting combo punch" to their treatment regiment. The good docs are doing their very best with all the medical technology available to them. The prayer and fasting combination means that Blaine's cancer is being treated with the most powerful tools available, both medically and spiritually. He is being treated body and soul. It doesn't get better than that!
Please join me in prayer and fasting for Blaine Savage. If a complete fast is not possible, please consider fasting from something you really like for the day, whether it be a TV show, coffee, internet, etc. I know the Savage family will truly appreciate it.
I found this great explanation of why fasting is so powerful:
Fasting must accompany our prayer. Why? Because Fasting helps subject our bodies to our spirits (1 Cor 9:27), because fasting disciplines the body, mind, and spirit (Prov. 25:28), because fasting subordinates our flesh with its desires to the desires of the Spirit (Gal 5:17), because fasting helps us to set priorities in our lives. (Mt 6:33) and because fasting is really longing after God. (Ps 63:1-2). The power of fasting is a mystery. Which is probably why those who deem themselves "intelligent," "reasonable" and "rational" cannot understand its importance. But whether such people accept it or not, fasting breaks demonic strongholds and demonic attacks and helps us to walk in the spirit rather than the flesh, to sow to the Spirit, not to the sinful nature.
Our Lord himself tell us that some demons can only be cast out through prayer and fasting. This is powerful stuff! Many times, physical illnesses have spiritual components. It is extremely wise of the Savage family to add the "prayer and fasting combo punch" to their treatment regiment. The good docs are doing their very best with all the medical technology available to them. The prayer and fasting combination means that Blaine's cancer is being treated with the most powerful tools available, both medically and spiritually. He is being treated body and soul. It doesn't get better than that!
Please join me in prayer and fasting for Blaine Savage. If a complete fast is not possible, please consider fasting from something you really like for the day, whether it be a TV show, coffee, internet, etc. I know the Savage family will truly appreciate it.
Dear Jesus, when you walked on earth you healed all who came to you. We come before you now and ask for the healing of Blaine Savage. Cast out the "demon" of cancer and heal his body that he may glorify God in all things. As always, we ask in accordance with the Holy Will of God.
I found this great explanation of why fasting is so powerful:
Fasting must accompany our prayer. Why? Because Fasting helps subject our bodies to our spirits (1 Cor 9:27), because fasting disciplines the body, mind, and spirit (Prov. 25:28), because fasting subordinates our flesh with its desires to the desires of the Spirit (Gal 5:17), because fasting helps us to set priorities in our lives. (Mt 6:33) and because fasting is really longing after God. (Ps 63:1-2). The power of fasting is a mystery. Which is probably why those who deem themselves "intelligent," "reasonable" and "rational" cannot understand its importance. But whether such people accept it or not, fasting breaks demonic strongholds and demonic attacks and helps us to walk in the spirit rather than the flesh, to sow to the Spirit, not to the sinful nature.
Heartbreak
Colleen Mitchell, one of the ladies who writes the lesson plans at Serendipity, has experienced a devastating loss. Yesterday, her baby, Bryce Phillip, died in his sleep. Please pray for Colleen and her family as they mourn this tragic loss.Sorrowful Mother, hold this mourning family close to your heart. You know the heartbreak of the death of a precious son. Wrap them in your mantle and soothe their broken hearts, as you know how. St. Bryce Phillip Mitchell, pray for your dear family.
A memorial fund has been set up to help the Mitchell family with their material needs and funeral expenses. Go here to donate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)