18 Years Old!!

Happy 18th birthday to my son, Isaac!
My sweet, sensitive little boy has become a big strapping man I am so proud to be able to call "Son." 
God bless you all the days of your life.
He has certainly blessed us with the gift of you.

A New Beginning

As I mentioned in my last post, things have been really, really busy around here.  This is one of the things that has kept us occupied.
We started school for the first time this year!
On Aug. 30, I started a new teaching position at the new local Catholic school, and my children are attending.
Big changes for our family!

In my heart, I am still a homeschooler, and I truly miss being with my children all day.  There has most definitely been a mourning period for me in giving up homeschooling.
But, this is where our lives have led us, and I am grateful for this opportunity.  I do love to teach, and I welcome this challenge.  I am thankful that I am in the same building with my children and can have contact with them throughout the day. Ethan is in my class and I see Annie and Sammy at lunch and recess.
I am also thankful for the dedicated and devout staff.  I am blessed to have colleagues such as these.
God has provided.
 (I think I need to ask Him to provide a bit more energy, though.  At the end of the day, I'm pooped!)

Catching Up

Contrary to what you may have assumed, I have NOT dropped off the face of the earth, given up writing my blog or broken an arm (or two).  The silence here on this blog is inversely related to the crazy, busy life that has been happening here in my corner of New Hampshire.  I will try to write about all that has been happening, and here is a start:

We actually took a vacation a couple of weeks ago.  We went camping.  Not my favorite thing to do, although after I read this from Margaret, I felt a little more inspired.  Camping has a way of re-connecting us with each other.  The days are longer because the "time-thieves" (i.e. the computer, that dastardly TV, and the toxic video games) have been left at home.  Without the screens to capture our attention, we are left to focus on one another.  The kids look for ways to occupy themselves and get active--frisbee, bike riding, swimming, miniature golf, shuffle board, swimming again, playground, and even, *gasp* a walk with mom and dad around the campground.  We play games, read books, talk to each other and pray. I even snuck in a math worksheet or two for the younger boys--they were not impressed. 

Campfires are the best part of camping.  We all love to roast marshmallows, although none of us likes to eat them much.  Daddy will eat one or two, but that's his limit.  The only ingredient of s'mores that I like is the chocolate, and I prefer my chocolate straight up, thank you.  But, still, the campfire's the best.

We were supposed to borrow my sister-in-law's camper, but there was a mechanical problem with it, so we borrowed an older, much-loved pop-up from a friend.  By "older, and much-loved" I mean old and a good deal past its prime.  First off, the spare tire that used to be attached to the back of the camper flew off as we were driving down the road.  I was following my husband in our van with one of the kids.  It was a good thing I was watching that spare tire bounce up and down crazily, because when it came off, I was able to stop quickly.  If I hadn't been able to stop as quickly as I did, it is likely the tire would have crashed into my windshield!!  It was pretty frightening. 
As we drove into the campground, we could see that, like many campgrounds these days, a lot of the campers there were "seasonals", meaning that they are people who leave their campers there year round and come up when they are able--kind of like having a lake house, but without the lake...or the house.  You can pick out seasonals pretty easily.  They are the fancy big campers with the slide-outs that have decks with lattice and perennial gardens surrounding them. 
Pulling in with our *ahem* well-loved pop-up (minus the spare tire), we bore an uncanny resemblance to the Clampett family as they journeyed into Beverly Hills.

Seriously...

Come to think of it, I have a son (or two) whose appetite rivals that of Jethro Bodine.

Fortunately, our neighbors didn't resemble Mrs. Drysdale.  The other campers were very welcoming and kind.  Perhaps out of pity, but still, they were nice.

Our home Sweet home

As we set the camper up, we came to realize that the electricity didn't work.  Also, the water hook-up leaked, so we turned the water on "only" when we needed it.  So...no power...no water.  And the bed that hubby and I were supposed to share was somewhere between a twin and full size.  Around this time, hubby had to ummm, "remind" me that we were having fun. 
Oh yes, that's right...fun.
Eventually, I did adjust my attitude, and we did have a good time.  This double rainbow that appeared after we set up helped.

The kids really enjoyed the playground, mini golf, shuffleboard

and, of course, the "cement pond."

After four days, we left for home, refreshed and rejuvenated and re-connected with one another. 
I'm pretty sure I heard them say as we left, "Y'all come back now, here?"

A Campfire and Heavy Hearts

It's that time of year again.  The time of good-byes.  College girl returned to Ohio Saturday, taking a piece of our hearts with her (again).  The going away to college is not a one-time affair.  It is a series of leavings...at the beginning of the school year, after Christmas break, after Spring break.  Over and over.  Four years' worth. 
Actually, the joyous reunions that precede the sad leave-takings look very similar from the outside:
Siblings jockey for position in the "hug" line. 
Mom and Dad wait until last, savoring the moment, throats tight, eyes stinging with unshed tears. 
This year, the oldest son (now a college boy himself) had to work early and miss saying good-bye.  He left her a sweet note, and she reciprocated.  Mom and Dad had to swallow a lump. 
Touching.
Bittersweet.
Necessary.
They must grow up.  They must spread their wings. It is good, but it is hard.
Our new college boy is spending his first year at the local community college. 
Next year the leave-taking will be his.

"There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens..."  Ecc3:1

So, we say good-bye, and we say a prayer, and we try to remember this moment always as a reminder to cherish the time we have together.  
Here is how we decided to spend our time together Saturday evening.  The huge ledge outcropping in our back yard has a natural depression in it that makes a perfect fire pit.  It looks a little caveman-ish, but it is actually pretty neat. 

Please note the GRASS!  It came in nicely.

Grumpasaurus--no, they are not extinct!

And here are some bonus photos, taken by Sammy:

Tag, I'm it!

Simcha Fisher tagged me as a result of her being tagged by the Anchoress!  I am feeling the pressure, but I will do my best!  I am to name my five favorite Catholic devotions. So, here we go:

1. The Hail Mary -- The Blessed Mother is my "go-to girl".  She knows better than I the details of any situation and what is needed, so I call on her.  We say a Hail Mary in the car when we pass an emergency vehicle with its lights/siren on; when someone comes to my mind and mysteriously remains there, I offer a Hail Mary or two for them.  I've also recited Ave's by the dozens when the nice man in the surgical mask was preparing to jab a big needle into my spine prior to each of my 6 c-sections.  Lots of Hail Mary's have been prayed in the OR.

2. The Rosary -- Piggy-backing on the Hail Mary, is, of course, the Rosary.  I just figure that if the Mother of God, in just about every apparition she has made to mortal man, continually requests that we pray the Rosary, well, then I am willing to bet that she means it!  Plus, when you have finished a rosary, you know you have prayed!

3.  Adoration -- Although I get there much too infrequently these days, there is nothing like the peace that can be found in the adoration chapel.  It's like radiation for the soul.  Jesus Christ is there, and you can feel Him.  Period.  By the way, this is my favorite adoration story.  It's by Jen at Converstion Diary.  You'll love it.

4.  The Divine Mercy chaplet -- especially this version.  If I can focus and let the words wash over me, I am changed.  The sung chaplet only enhances this effect.  Jesus, I trust in you!

5.  The Novena of Our Lady of Good Remedy -- especially effective in economic distress, which seems to be our frequent companion!  Here's the story of this devotion:

800 years ago Christians were being captured and sold into slavery by the thousands, and nobody knew what to do about it. Then, in the year 1198, a man had an idea. St. John of Matha founded the Trinitarians to go to the slave markets, buy the Christian slaves and set them free. To carry out this plan, the Trinitarians needed large amounts of money. So, they placed their fund-raising efforts under the patronage of Mary. They were so successful at that, over the centuries, the Trinitarians were able to free thousands and thousands of people and to return them safely home. In gratitude for her miraculous assistance, St. John of Matha honored Mary with the title of "Our Lady of Good Remedy."

6.  I am going to add a 6th because I just thought of it and it's an effective devotion.  St. Anthony, finder of lost articles.  Does he ever fail???  It really is miraculous the way he leads me to whatever it is I have misplaced...even if I have already looked in that spot.  Once, my hubby and I went to a Franciscan monastery in Kennebunkport, ME for a weekend.  When we returned home, I realized that I had lost my special rosary.  I was upset by this and turned all the luggage and our car inside out looking for my rosary to no avail.  The next morning, I got up early and went for a walk.  Forty-five minutes later, when I returned home, I saw a sparkle.  There was my rosary, carefully draped on the railing of my front porch, glistening in the sun!!  I was so happy.  I asked the hubster if he had found it and put it there.  No, it wasn't him.  I called my neighbors and asked them.  Nope, not them.  Family?  Nope. I had to chalk it up to divine intervention.  Oh, did I mention the name of that monastery?  St. Anthony's!  

So, there you have it.  My five six favorite Catholic devotions.  What are yours?

Sad News

Our dear friend, Blaine Savage, lost his battle with Multiple Myeloma last night at age 43.  He leaves behind him a devoted wife and 4 incredible children.  Blaine was a man of character, nobility, honor and goodness, and has left his mark on those whose lives he touched...most especially his family.  He will live on through them, but will be sorely missed.  Please pray for Marleigh and the children as they grieve the loss of their husband and father.

Here is the blog post by their daughter, Dani

Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon him. 

May he rest in peace.

***UPDATED TO INCLUDE: This link to funeral information and an address where cards may be sent.

Our Lady of Ephesus

As Jesus was dying on the cross, he looked at St. John (the apostle whom He loved) and entrusted the care of His Holy Mother to John..  At the same time, Jesus ("Woman, behold your son.") gave all of us to Mary as her children.  Our filial relationship with the Blessed Mother is a spiritual one, and while I am sure there was a profound spiritual bond between Our Lady and St. John, he was also responsible for the physical well-being of Mary.  St. John traveled to Asia Minor to evangelize.  Of course, he brought Our Lady with him.  He built her a house in Ephesus, Turkey, where she spent the remainder of her days.
Due to the vision of the Archbishop of Turkey and a series of miracles there is an exact replica of Our Lady's House in Jamaica, Vermont.  We traveled the hour or so to visit Mary's House on Sunday.  It was lovely.

Ephesus house from outside

At first, I was surprised.  It is small by today's standards--smaller than a two car garage. But it is beautiful, and kind of fancier than I expected.  The floors are of marble--white and gray marble in the main part of the house, but pink marble in her bedroom.  The stonemason who replicated the house was painstaking in the details.  The walls are the same proportional mixture of brick and stone that the original was.  The black marble rectangle covering the spot where Our Lady's hearth was, is cracked the same way as the original in Turkey.  The distance in front of the house from the stone wall to the door is exactly as it is in Turkey.  The house is filled with beautiful arches--even arches within arches.  It was fascinating and moving to sit in the house imagining Our Mother going about her daily duties.  The beauty of the house is a loving and fitting tribute of St. John to Blessed Mother.  Nothing can be too good for the Queen of Heaven and Earth, right?!

Ephesus house

Inside Ephesus house -- notice the arches!

I was expecting an adobe or stucco type of house--much cruder and more rustic.  But this is much more appropriate.

Large cross on property

Beautiful kids and a beautiful view

The owner of the property was on hand to explain to us the process of building this structure and why a replica of Our Lady's house came to be in a tiny town in Vermont.  It was fascinating and reinforced to us the power of God.  His hand is very apparent in the inception and construction of this house.  Her sharing helped me to grow in trust--a virtue I continually struggle with.  Mary, the owner, shared a story about the property going up for tax auction on a particular Tuesday.  As they didn't have all of the money to pay the taxes, she simply placed her trust in Our Lady and Our Lord.  If this was their work, they would have to provide the tax money. She simply didn't have it.  On Friday of the week prior to the auction, she got a phone call from a woman who described herself as not particularly religious.  This woman has just returned from Turkey where she visited the original house of Our Lady.  Since she had trouble with her knee and hip (both needing replacements) she said a prayer to Mary to help her knee and hip to feel better so that she wouldn't ruin the trip for the other pilgrims.  She was able to keep up with the group and not slow them down.  The following day, as she boarded their tour bus, her husband asked her where her cane was.  She realized that she had no pain and didn't need her once ever-present cane.  A trip to the doctor, upon her arrival home, confirmed the miracle--there was nothing wrong with her knee or hip and they no longer needed replacing!  She was overwhelmed and wanted to do something for Our Lady.  She called Mary in Vermont and asked her if there was anything she needed.  Well, of course, Mary mentioned the whole matter of the tax auction.  The woman wrote a check to cover the taxes, and that was that.  Mary was full of stories like this.  Miracles really do happen, and a little stone house nestled in the hills of Vermont, half a world away from the original, is proof.

The original (restored) house in Ephesus, Turkey