Street Hockey

After discovering through a friend that the local Saturday morning Street Hockey league had raised the age limit, making him eligible to play again this year, Isaac began to campaign tirelessly to be able to join...he even talked his little brothers into playing. After listening to his whining requests for more than an hour, and after Dad gave the OK, I telephoned the generous couple who runs this league...at 8:30 p.m....on the night before the first game of the season....after all of the teams were chosen. Sounding a bit tired, but still quite pleasant, Mr. League Coordinator told me that the younger boys could play on the Canadiens (happy day--that is the team their friend plays on!) but, he apologetically informed me that there wasn't a spot for Isaac, as there were so many older kids signed up. This was why they raised the age limit...the kids never wanted to stop playing.
Needless to say, Isaac was quite disappointed by this news, but we discussed that he should still go to watch his friend play in the morning. He went to bed with the taste of sour grapes still in his mouth.
This morning, at 8:15 a.m. the phone rings. Next, I hear Isaac's voice in my room. "Mom, Mrs. League Coordinator just called. They had a cancellation and I can play on the Bruins team! Our game is at 9:00a.m."
This is fantastic..except...the Bruins is his friend's brother's team and there is a bit of rivalry there. Turns out that the Bruins is now a "stacked" team and Isaac might get traded anyway. :) Such drama!
All three boys had a great time. It is a great league -- low stress and just plain fun!! What else did we have to do on Saturday mornings anyway??? Sleep?

Last Friday of "Summer"

It seems like we just celebrated the last day of school with a dip in the river and ice cream...yet, today we celebrated the "end of summer" with a game of mini-golf and ice cream. Hmmmm...it seems ice cream plays a significant role in our celebrations....that could sure explain a few things...

Anyway here are some pics of our celebration.

Smiling Sammy teeing off

Here is the princess with her castle.....and this guy freaked me out...I jumped everytime I caught him out of the corner of my eye....creepy!

The dreaded Windmill

putt, putt

Tiger Woods in the making....also known as "The King of the Do-Over"

Fierce New Hampshire gator...very rare, slow-moving, imperceptible to the human eye...only dangerous if you trip over them and bang your head on something.

Happy Belated birthday, Liam!

Sweet treat for the Sweet's!

Ok, NOW I'm excited!!

John McCain has announced that the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is his pick for the Vice-Presidential nominee on the Republican ticket. Yippee!! In his choice of Governor Palin, Senator McCain exhibits the political savvy of a seasoned politician and the wisdom of Solomon (or a man with several really good advisors). She is the perfect balance for the Republican ticket. Her staunch pro-life stance, demonstrated so beautifully by her own words, strengthens his not-so-stellar pro-life rating. This is what Governor Palin had to say in April regarding the birth of her fifth child, a son, born with Down's Syndrome:

"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. "We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."

What a stark contrast to Senator Obama's "punished with a baby" remark!!

The editors of National Review wrote this afternoon a piece that points out the plusses and possible pitfalls of Palin's candidacy.

By picking Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, John McCain has wowed the public and enthused the Right. He has reinforced some of his winning themes — that he has the mindset of an outsider and a fighter against corruption. He has also reinforced his appeal as the candidate more in touch with traditional values on moral issues.
McCain, meanwhile, will have to carry most of the foreign-policy load himself and showcase his good health...
This nomination presents an opportunity for all those wannabe history makers to vote for something historic without handing the reigns to Barack Stalin Obama.
Palin is enormously popular in her home state and among conservatives of all stripes. She has only been governor for two years but that is more qualification than the dog catcher from Illinois has.

She is also a great choice, especially at this particular time, as oil and gas prices keep climbing...(well, OK, they're dropping a little, but they are still outrageous) since she has a particularly keen understanding of Alaska's potential to help America become energy independent.
She hunts and fishes, does not tolerate corruption or the "good ole boy" network, is staunchly pro-life, is beautiful, articulate and young!

As Rush Limbaugh said, "Babies, guns and Jesus--Hot Da#n!"

Go Cardinal Egan!

STATEMENT OF HIS EMINENCE, EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.

Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008

Simple Woman's Daybook

Click picture to visit Peggy's site for other daybooks....
FOR TODAY August 26, 2008....

Outside My Window... Sun is shining, dew on grass, looks like nice day I am thinking... it will be too bad to spend this nice day in the basement cleaning and sorting (and throwing out!) toys
I am thankful for... my husband's safe return from Steubenville, OH
From the kitchen...newly cleaned and fully stocked refrigerator...good feeling... For dinner...Mexican chicken and rice with a salad
From the learning room...all is in order, new books on shelves, binders organized, labeled, supplies purchased...all is ready, except LESSON PLANS...they still need fine-tuning (alot!)

I am wearing... shorts and t-shirt, barefeet
I am creating...lesson plans!
I am going... to get the toys organized
I am reading...mater et magistra magazine (great magazine)...just finished Haystack Full of Needles (excellent book)
I am hoping...for willing cooperation from my boys in the toy cleaning/organizing project
I am hearing... just the whirr of the computer and the clicking of the keyboard
Around the house...we are missing college girl, especially her two youngest siblings, who need to call and email her daily...
One of my favorite things...having all my children under one roof, which won't happen again until Thanksgiving.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: soccer practice, the toy organizing thing, meeting with insurance man (ugh), celebrating friends' 25th anniversary, and , of course, lesson plans.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Tired daddy from long trip (11 1/2 hours) home from Steubenville, OH...little girl happy that daddy is home.

Leavings...

I thought this year would be a piece of cake. In fact, I didn't even think much about it at all, assuming, you know, the whole "cake" thing. But, I find myself getting misty, having difficulty swallowing and...hovering. She is packing for college....but, she just got home!!! Summer has sped by at an alarming pace, me running all over creation, toting kids from one activity to the next, while she worked 40 hours per week. But, this is her sophomore year, and it should be easier to watch her go, right?! One thing that surprised me about sending a child off to college is that the leaving is not a one time thing. The big one, the first time you drive off the campus, leaving a piece of your heart behind, is the one we tend to think about, prepare for, dread. Then she comes home at Thanksgiving and we are so happy to have all our children together under our wings again. We hug, we smile, we feast, we celebrate...and then dad drives her off to the airport and I'm misty again. This scenario repeats itself at Christmas and again at Spring break. The "leavings" continue.
But, after she leaves this Saturday, I won't lay on her bed weeping, mourning the little girl she has left behind. And I won't wish for her to come back. She can't stay and fulfill His will for her. I will shed a few tears, most assuredly, but I will thank God for the transformation that is happening in her, for the beautiful, gracious, sweet young lady she has become, and for the amazing opportunities God, in his Goodness and Mercy, has provided for her at Franciscan University. These opportunities require the "leavings". It is His plan.
I will cherish the years we spent at home, reading and discussing Scripture and literature, fussing over math, and that interesting incident regarding a bowl of Shredded Wheat (she knows what I mean....and she exaggerates it tremendously when she tells the story!) I will thank God for the privilege of being her mother, the opportunity to be close to her through homeschooling, and the honor of seeing the promise Our Lord placed in her coming to fruition. I will pray that the angels surround her, and that Our Blessed Mother keep her in the folding of her arms, beneath her mantle, and that our Dear Lord continue to lead her down the path of wisdom, maturity and holiness. I will also pray for the grace to accept and love His holy and perfect will....and the "leavings" it requires.

Vacation at lake