Verbal Acuity

Teen son was complaining that he didn't want to take the garbage out to the dumpster, in the DARK, and expressed concern about being attacked by wolverines....not a native animal as far as I know.

Same boy upon finding out that I really want him to dump the grease drippings from the dinner ham at the edge of the woods:

"I am not taking that gelatinous pile of wolverine bait outside."

Awesome vocabulary!! I am so proud!

Now, get your shoes and ...

College girl left for Ohio early Saturday morning, so the rest of us decided to do something fun, instead of sitting around missing her. Dad decided to take us to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science--VINS, as it is known around here--or the "bird place". VINS specializes in rehabilitating injured birds, releasing them if possible, or keeping them on the premises if they are not able to be released into the wild. They are well know for their raptors. We attended an educational show where we saw a live Red-tailed Hawk and a Barred Owl. They were impressive creatures! We learned the distinctive features of a raptor. I am not mentioning them here, as I may have the boys do a 4 square on it this week! (oooh mean mommy!). We viewed the rehab center (where they were operating on a bird!), we strolled through the outdoor enclosures where the "permanent" birds are kept, viewed turtles, blue dart frogs and a tiger salamander in their indoor children's room and looked at great living books in the children's book room (Charlotte Mason would've been pleased with the books in there--I know I was!) We also walked down a trail to see a vernal pool and discussed the properties and characteristics of a vernal pool--again potential 4 square material.
The outdoor enclosures were particularly impressive. We saw many types of big birds (mostly raptors) Peregrine falcons, hawks, many owls, even golden and bald eagles...talk about majestic! All in all, it was a great trip.

Thanksgiving

Thankful to have all my children under one roof for a few days
Having family close by to celebrate with
Another year of growth, health and happiness
Never having to worry where our next meal will come from
Kisses and hugs from big and little kids
Sweet family times
God's grace poured freely upon us through the loving hands of Our Mother
Incredibly good, hard working, loving man I have called "husband" for 21 years
Vocation of wife and mother, and the graces and blessings that have come with it
Incredibly good, loving, devoted man our children call "Daddy"
Nighttime sounds of gentle breathing, rustling bedcovers and dh's not-so-gentle snoring
God's presence at the center of our marriage and our family

I have truly been blessed, and I am so grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving

Handy Dandy Craft

I found this craft in my Family Fun magazine and thought it would be a great craft to do with the kids, which would ultimately be very useful, too. So, we hauled out the paints, paintbrushes, clothes pins, hot glue gun and got to work. Can you guess what it is? See pix:

It is a hat and mitten dryer/holder!! Just hang them from the ceiling (or wherever works for you) and clip the wet winter wear with the clothespins. We made 3 for my sister-in-law's birthday and 3 for us here at home. Keeping hats and mittens organized is always an uphill battle for us at our house. These should help!!

What the boys are cookin'

While I was doing some Thanksgiving baking, the boys thought they would do some cookin' of their own. A recent episode of Mythbusters piqued their curiosity, and they have been nagging asking me to get extra cornstarch for them, so they can experiment with it. It seems the Mythbusters guys were able to walk/run on the top of a mixture of cornstarch and water. The mixture solidifies when it is struck quickly, so if you keep your feet moving, you can actually walk/run on it! Then it "melts" sort of and turns into a liquid again. It is really neat and also a bit weird. I've never seen anything act this way. Unfortunately, they decided to add food coloring to make it even more neat and the food coloring stained their hands blue!! They're gonna look like Pilgrims with frostbitten hands tomorrow.

She's back!!

College girl arrived home from Ohio in the wee hours of the morning. She said "hi" and then hit the hay. The papers (top left corner of pic) are welcome home notes written by her younger siblings. We all missed her and are glad she's back--even if it's only for 3 days. So, one of the things I am thankful for is having all of my children under one roof again. It's Sweet family time!

My thoughts exactly!

When High School Musical 1 & 2 came out, my boys were interested. They are 9 and 6. This disturbed me. Especially when 6 year old son began to play the music for his little sister, 3, and she became enthralled. Ok, the "relationship" between Troy and Gabriella had a certain sweetness and even innocence to it--they didn't even kiss until the end of the second movie. The music and dancing were definitely something that would draw the attention of children--very upbeat, high energy, and "catchy". But, still....this nagging feeling persisted. Then, I made the unwise decision to take them to HSM 3 when it came out in theaters, and that nagging feeling became a slap to the side of my head. Most of the people in the theaters, besides their parents, were 5-10 year olds. High School Musical doesn't appeal to high school age or even junior high school aged kids!! Its appeal is to much younger children who should not even be considering "high school" issues at their age. My 6 year old doesn't need to be mentally or emotionally "involved" in this on-screen romance between Gabriella and Troy. It is not age-appropriate. It violates his innocence.

**Just for the record, in my opinion HSM 3, since it was released into theatres, unlike the first two movies, lost whatever sweetness it may have possessed. It was a seriously "sexed up" version--the girls' dresses were more low-cut, shorter, Troy and Gabriella were seriously "in each other's space" breathlessly nose to nose, disrespect was shown towards their parents (which didn't happen in the previous two). It was definitely a more sensual movie, also very glitzy and hollywood-ish.**

Other Disney offerings including, Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, Camp Rock, That's so Raven, and on and on....fall into the same trap as HSM. They appeal to a much younger audience than the content of the shows is appropriate for. They are stealing the innocence of our children. I will even go so far as to say that I have seen problems in my children's behavior as a result of watching these programs. Normally these shows have weak, if not absent, parental figures and disrespect for them is common. There is a certain coarseness in the way the characters treat each other, with lots of sarcasm, innuendo, putdowns, etc. These are the behaviors I see reflected in my own children, much to my dismay. I have password protected the Disney channels on our satellite dish, and after pondering this a bit more deeply am more committed to steering my children away from these Disney channel shows.

On her blog, CheekyPinkGirl, Charlotte has captured my thoughts exactly in her post on the Disney "tween", pop-culture offerings, High School Musical, Camp Rock, Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, and the like. Click the above link to read the entire piece. It's good!

Cold Turkey

My dad told me about this story just this morning. Although I do not wish harm to anyone, including the carjacker, this story cracked me up. Good Samaritans come to the rescue of the woman being carjacked and beaten--how refreshing to hear of! But the "weapon" one of the rescuers used--well, what a way to say Happy Holidays!!!

RALEIGH, N.C. - Stopped. Cold turkey.
North Carolina authorities say a shopper clubbed an alleged carjacker with a frozen turkey as he tried to steal a woman's car in a grocery store parking lot Sunday.
Police say 30-year-old Fred Louis Ervin of Raleigh stole money from a gas station before running across the street to a Harris Teeter store in a town just south of Raleigh. Garner police say he began beating Irene Moorman Bailey while stealing her car.
Other shoppers came to her rescue, including one who hit Ervin with the turkey. Police did not release the person's name.
Despite serious head injuries, Ervin got away in Bailey's car and hit several other cars as he fled. But police arrested him a short time later.
He faces several charges including assault inflicting serious injury. Ervin was hospitalized Monday in good condition, a hospital spokeswoman said. He had not yet been assigned a lawyer and was to appear in court Dec. 30.

Happy Birthday, Serena

Happy birthday to my dear sister-in-law (and godmother to my daughter--see pic left). My fellow Catholic homeschooling mom in the trenches, I am blessed by your friendship. May God bless you abundantly today and always. Love you!

Just Doing My Part

This morning we were rushing out the door to get teenage son to an appointment. My chief lollygagger was up to his tricks again...couldn't find the "right" jacket. Finally we were all in the car and away we went...um...lickety split! Apparently, I was going a little too "lickety split", since when we met one of the city's Finest in his shiny black and white car, he made a perfect U-turn right behind me! Soon, those blue lights were flashing, drawing all kinds of attention. I pulled over to let him pass me :) but, alas he parked right behind me. My three sons were properly embarrassed especially teen son who was riding "shotgun".
Did I mention we were on Main Street? Very busy.
As the good homeschooler I am, I used this "teaching moment" to show my son where the registration is located. I demonstrated the proper attitude and demeanor to use in this situation(be friendly, don't argue, be contrite),and then we waited while the nice officer took my license and registration back to his car. Teenage son was not impressed.
When the officer returned he told me that my clean record saved me and let me off with a warning. Bless him! I pointed out the value of having a clean record to my son, who rolled his eyes at me.
Apparently, while we were parked along that busy road, my father-in-law and a business associate of my husband's drove past and saw us. When they told dear hubby about it, he chuckled.
"Do you know where she was taking our teenage son this morning?"

OK get ready for it......


"Driver's Ed!"

Awwwww

All snuggled in with Daddy......and friends

Wisdom

In the aftermath of this election, let's be reminded of these wise words:

"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative
and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and
should do for themselves."

(Rev. William J.H. Beotchker, 1916)

Happy Birthday, Bubba!

Happy Birthday to my father-in-law. He's a great dad/grampa. We call him Bubba, not because of any discoloration on his neck, but because my dear daughter (a.k.a. Grandchild #1) couldn't say "grampa" very well, and it morphed into "Bubba". Unfortunately for dad, it stuck! Through all 9 grandchildren! He is forever Bubba.
Happy birthday, Dad.

At Last

I am having a love affair. It's dark, everyone is asleep and I'm alone with....my computer! It's spent 10 long days at the computer "hospital" and I have missed it so!! So much to catch up on, so little sleep....

Just for fun

I know this is just for fun, but it kinda fits....
My husband tells me I boggle his mind:)

You Are Boggle

You are an incredibly creative and resourceful person. You're able to dig deep and think outside the box to get things done. You are a non linear thinker. You don't like following directions You draw your inspiration from the strangest places sometimes. You're constantly inspired.

What Board Game Are You?

The Battle is Won

OK, I have recovered from my sadness over the election. Strangely, I am feeling kind of hopeful. Not because I believe we elected a "Savior" or "Messiah"...quite the opposite. But because the defeat of the values we, as conservative Catholics and pro-lifers, hold dear has the potential to recharge us, as I see happening throughout cyberspace. Sure, we lost that battle, and it was a big one, but the war between the Culture of Life and the Culture of Death still wages on, and seeing this new obstacle before us, many of us are committing ourselves to deeper, more consistent and more fervent prayer, peaceful protests, closer contact with our Congressmen, fasting and other sacrifices. In the end, we have the consolation of knowing that this battle is already won. Jesus Christ has already won this battle and so have we if we are true to him. I found these words, by Poor Clare nuns, so inspiring. I hope you do too:

I know that many of you have suffered a bereavement, the death of a dream. a sense of growing dismay and discouragement because values that you cherish are ignored and transgressed. Hold your heads up high, the important thing is that you chose to defend life, you chose to be a voice for life, the unborn, the vulnerable, marriage between one man and one woman....before God you made the right choice.

God himself has promised to comfort all who mourn and In the beginning of St John's gospel we read that the LIGHT shines in the darkness but the darkness has not overcome it..... let your light shine... you may think it small or insignificant, but your faith, your witness is needed by your even Christian brothers and sisters.

God can work through all things and he alone can bring good out of evil...All things pass, men come and men go, the glory of a man may be dust tomorrow, the world and its spirit are fickle and passing, love alone, God remains......

Do not allow the evil one to draw you into despondency and despair, we are called to the courage and sacrifice of a bloodless martyrdom, to be Gods witnesses in an ever increasing secular world. Alone we cannot but united together in him we can....

Do not exhaust yourselves with endless speculations and fill your minds with fears that have not even yet become realities, tomorrow the future is known to God alone...

Courage !!! your love, prayer and sacrifices are so needed by the church, look back over the centuries at our brothers and sisters in the faith who underwent persecution for love of Christ....but look also at the great number of souls who have been saved through their examples and prayers.

The Church has recently called us to look deeper into Gods word, let us respond to that for within his gospel, the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ you will find all the answers... Offer your tears and disappointments to God , ask him to transform them all into grace for the future...Do not let fear direct and manipulate your lives but cling to HIM... no matter what may come. We are each without exception called to holiness and the nearer we grow to God the greater our light will shine. You are all so much in our hearts and prayers at this time....

God bless you all

Poor Clare Colettines TMD

Heavy Heart

I tried to keep hope alive until it was no longer possible. Blue, although traditionally Our Lady's color, is not my favorite today. I am sad, discouraged and even angry. How could we? I am also a bit fearful..government run health care?...homeschooling?...gay marriage?...unlimited abortion?...even infanticide!!! What does our future hold? I am feeling the despair that Marilyn describes here.

John McCain, in an eminently gracious manner, spoke very eloquently last night about his loss and Sen. Obama's win. Although bitterly disappointed, I am touched by his words and proud to call myself his fellow American.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited....

Tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.

And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history.

These are the words of a Christian man. These are unifying, peace-building, forgiving, magnanimous words. I wish I could be as generous hearted as he is. Right now, I cannot. I will pray for the grace to love my fellow Americans and my country the way John McCain does, and the way Our Lord would have me.
For today, though, I might join my boys in their intentional mispronunciation of our new President-elect's first name....BLECK Obama...
OK, OK I know that's not charitable, gracious nor appropriate. I will go to confession and pray for a more generous heart....tomorrow.

Choose Wisely...Choose Life

It has been a very busy, very eventful few days, with no time to sit at the computer (which is acting up right now...ugghh!), but the only thing on my heart right now is the election. I will write of the events of the past few days soon (hopefully someone will send me pictures, as my camera is still down.) But for now I want to say, VOTE! Please, please vote. Truly, lives depend on it.

There has been so much rhetoric, twisted logic, rationalization and frenzy in the media and the public at large, leading up to this election. The logic that makes the choice so very clear to me, is scarily mangled and deformed, prettied up with nice sounding words (masking the ugly truth beneath the surface) to attract and convince so many that the OPPOSITE choise is the best. It is truly frightening. The fingerprints of the evil one are all over it.

We have before us, as never before, a clear choice....life or death. Never has the gap been so wide, so distinct, so terrifying. Consider this quote by Huntley Brown:

"In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, and human cloning wrong, economic concerns will soon not matter."

The lives that depend upon this election are not only the unborn or the disabled or the elderly, whom we as a society are obliged to protect. The lives that depend upon this election are our very own. When each and every life is not treasured and cherished for its own distinct potential, the cancer of the culture of death will spread and we will exterminate ourselves in the end, physically, spiritually, morally and even economically.

“A nation that destroys the life of an unborn child, who has been created for living and loving, who has been created in the image of God, is in a tremendous poverty.” – Mother Teresa.

Our loving God, in His wisdom, has granted us the gift of free will. He will not force us to love him, nor will he force us to choose one thing over another. He WILL, however, gently guide us, form our conscience, and lead us in His paths, if we let him. In the end, though, God will allow us to make the choice.

Recall the events in 1 Samuel, when the Israelites asked Samuel to anoint a King for them:

First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 'Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.'

Then God says, 1 Samuel 1:18 ' When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel.

Dear God, let us not make the same mistake the Israelites made.

We will spend our day with candles lit, a Rosary CD as our background music (joining in whenever we can), praying that God will have mercy on our country.

click on the links below for excellent articles on this topic:
Danielle Bean
Vote for the Baby
Stop Drinking the Kool-Aid