A random post

I came across a wonderful little blog today by way of Rebecca's blog, Starry Sky Ranch.

In her blog, she did a post on beautiful red accents that grace her home. Well, one look around here, and I had to admit, I have quite a few myself! To think just a few short years ago I was afraid to do anything in color and stuck mainly with white. If I was feeling very brazen, I might try off-white!!

But, alas, I have hit my forties, so there are no-holds barred now!! Here is a glimpse into my red accents. It is such a happy color, but to be honest, I never realized how very much I like it!!

Here is where it all started... Red cabinets as seen in a decorating magazine. The walls are a soft yellow and these cabinets are antiqued to make them look well-loved. We probably could have skipped the antiquing part of it...









I recovered our very old cushions to energize our family room a bit. Now they sit in our computer/living room as we invested in some newer, but not red couches.











Here I removed the standard, dreaded, vertical blinds and replaced them with these cheerfully red curtains from Ikea.











I feel so cozy in our bedroom. My husband picked this out for me as a Christmas gifts a few years ago.










What dog isn't complete without her red collar?










A chair given to us by a dear neighbor, Annie, who passed away a few years back.










Our shower curtain, with matching rugs of course!












Upon my front door

How Sweet!

Yes, today is the day of love. The day we express to our loved ones how very much we cherish them. Truth be told, we should do this every day, but being the forgetful beings that we are, we need a reminder once in awhile to say those things we want to to those we sometimes take for granted.

What better way to say, "I love you" than to bring a new life into the world on Valentine's Day.

Many years ago, a wonderful woman did just that. She brought wonderful Mr. M into the world and through a series of events, he was brought into our lives.



We love you Mr. M, and we wish you the happiest of birthdays ever.

On a lighter note...

literally... Boo loves The Sound of Music. Yes, we've ventured off from Phantom (though it's never far away) and we've entered Austria, vicariously through the von Trapp Family.

We caught Boo this morning singing...

"Adieu, adieu, to you and you, and you...." And the best part is when he hits the high notes for "goooood byyyyyyyeeeee, gooooooood byyyyyyye, gooooooooooood byyyyyyyyyyeeee!"

We were taken back last week when we found him sitting in laundry baskets watching the Sound of Music.



so I gave in and gave to OK to bring home a dreaded bean bag chair. (I swore I would never have one of these)

Today, we found Boo in a "traditional male" pose, much to my dismay...


At least he likes spaghetti!

More on the HPV Vaccine

Thanks to Laurathecrazymama
(don't ya just love her name?!) She posted a link to this MSNBC report which discusses the two sides of the HPV vaccine that was just made mandatory in Texas. You can read my original rant here, if you choose.

Some of my concerns where confirmed by this report.

1. This is about money. Ms. Ferrar made a statement that this law NEEDED to be passed as a mandate so that insurance companies will cover the injections as will Medicaid and CHIP. I hate to break the news to you, Ms. Ferrar, but just because something is legal and mandated does not mean it will be covered by insurance or tax-dollars. I think Gov. Perry is hoping that this is the case so that his bed-fellow, Merck can collect their precious dollars at our young daughters' expense. Insurance companies WILL typically cover PROVEN medical treatments that will benefit their claimants.

2. The question was asked why the injection isn't given to older women/girls, like the teachers instead of the 6th grade girls. Ms. Ferrar's reply was very telling. She reports that these injections must be given before women are sexually active, so 6th grade is a great time to do so because they are going in for other shots anyway. (read between the lines here... go in and get shots, how many really ask what shots their child is receiving and if they do, they are told, these are mandatory.) Never mind how insulting this comment is to women out there who do choose to refrain from sexual activity. Oh, that is right, I remember now, I can't possibly control my "urges". I've been told that since I was in grade school. It's only human nature.

3. Another question arose for me after watching this clip. Ms. Ferrar states that HPV must incubate for 10 years before it becomes cancerous. If this is true, than how in the world could this vaccine have possibly been thoroughly tested? It was allowed on the market 7 months ago after testing on only 1400 girls. What exactly did they test? Reactions? There is no possible way Merck could know that this vaccine will prevent cervical cancer 10 years from now. Even their own insert states that they do not know how effective the shot will be nor for how long. But they now have an entire state of guinea pigs to try it out on. She states that the CDC, the FDA, and groups of physicians, including the AAP approve of this vaccine. I do believe that there have been other instances of medications being "approved" by these entities and then withdrawn from the market because of the dangers they posed.

I pray that my fears for our girls do not come true with this vaccine. Truth is, if it is proven to be effective, I would be first in line to have my daughters vaccinated. Proof. That's all I need. Proof. Proof that this vaccine will not sterilize my daughters. Proof that there are no birth defects caused by it. Proof that it does not cause other forms of cancer or diseases like heart disease, etc. I don't find any proof for any of these concerns and until I do, I will stand against this vaccine. I recommend you consider this as well.

The Birthday Parties

Because one is never enough around here...

Happy Birthday, Lem!

Today this little young lady makes the leap from 8 to 9. A few days ago, she exercised her growing independence by having 8 inches of hair cut off and donated to Locks of Love. I was so proud, yet so sad. I feared that the hair cut would make her look more grown-up. I feared she would lose some of her sweet innocence. I feared I would lose my baby girl.

Well, she does look more grown-up, and more beautiful. She did NOT, however, lose any of her sweetness nor her innocence. And I can't say that I've lost my baby girl, but I am gaining a wonderful, loving, precious, lovely young lady, that I call daughter, who once upon a time (ok, not that long ago) was my baby girl. Honestly, she'll always be my baby girl, who am I kidding?!

Happy birthday, Lem, my sweet. May God always keep you precious in His sights. I know I will.

Concerning

Before I start on this rant, I will make this disclaimer. I do not think that anyone should ever have to suffer any form of cancer, cervical or otherwise. I am not of the belief that receiving Gardasil will encourage promiscuity in my children.

I am deeply concerned with the recent decision of Gov. Perry to completely usurp the traditional means by which we pass laws in Texas and order an executive mandate that all girls reaching the age of 6th grade MUST be vaccinated against HPV.

Last I checked, we lived in a country, a state, where parents are deemed responsible for their children. If we neglect our duties as parents, we are to be punished, and rightfully so.

I also recall that we lived in a country of choice. Too many choices, some might say, but choices that are free for us to make.

Whether or not you are the parent who supports vaccines or who does not, this mandate by Gov. Perry can not be seen as anything other than a poor decision on his part.

My husband and I made the decision long ago to vaccinate our children with the recommended vaccines made to us by our pediatrician. We have experienced problems along the way from some of the vaccines, however, my husband and I, along with our doctor, discuss these concerns and most often decide to vaccinate if the health benefits outweigh the possible risks. I respect that others do not feel this way and that they may choose to do something totally different. And because of where we live, they, as well as I, have the freedom to make these choices.

I could oppose this vaccine on religious or moral grounds. However, I don't know the church teaching on it at this time. Aside from the insinuation that providing this vaccine to 11 year old girls will somehow promote promiscuity is a hard sell in my mind. Most 11 year old girls won't inquire as to what each vaccine that she receives does. Therefore, if she doesn't know that she has received Gardasil, she won't know that she is protected against a WHOPPING 4 strains of cervical cancer, which COULD be caused by having close physical contact with someone who is infected. I know alot of pro-family groups may cling to the promiscuity aspect of this but they must consider this.

A young woman may decide to wait until marriage to share that level of intimacy with another person. Unfortunately, the man she decides to marry may have not been as strong, and may in fact have been intimate with others. Therefore, even after marriage, she could be exposed to this virus. The real clincher with HPV is that one not need to have intercourse to contract it. Just close physical contact from the belly down. In theory, even a virgin could develop HPV. This would make a great argument for the vaccine.

I do oppose this vaccine for other reasons.

1. It has not been proven to be effective on very many strains of cervical cancer. Only 4 out of over 100 strands of this virus could be prevented with this vaccine, again IF it is effective. If you end up with cervical cancer, do you really care which strand of HPV you developed it from?

2. The proponents of this vaccine have thrown numbers at us in efforts to "make us aware" of the epidemic that cervical cancer has become... Every year, according to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Of these, sadly, 3,900 women die. While I do not think that even one life lost to this disease is a good thing, let's compare another virus that is more lethal. Influenza.

According to a vaccine awareness site that I visited, 114,000 people are hospitalized each year from the flu. Many more suffer this virus and lose many days of work and or school while trying to heal up curled up in bed with a cup of soup and lots of OTC medications. This site states that of the 114,000 hospitalizations, 36,000 will die. There is a vaccine available for this horrible virus. A virus that kills 90% of people infected over the age of 65. A virus that kills many babies. A virus that in 1919, killed 21 million people world wide. 500,000 Americans.

So, yes, a vaccine is available. And around September, you are reminded to get your flu shot. But are you MANDATED to do so? Some of my family members did receive the flu shot this year. Guess what. We still had the flu travel through our home. The reason? The flu vaccine doesn't cover every strain of the flu. Hmmm.... sound familiar?

Why not legislate against cigarette smoking. Ban it. Take away all cigarettes. We KNOW it causes cancer. Many forms of cancer. More people die from smoking every year. Why haven't you mandated the prohibition of cigarettes? Oh, yeah, tobacco companies are making money.

My question for Mr. Perry is this. Why, dear sir, was this so important to you that you took away the rights of all parents to make medical decisions for their daughters? I can only come to one conclusion. Money. Money for Merck. Money for you. Merck has increased their lobbying expenditures from 125,000 to 250,000! Merck charges 360.00 for each vaccine given. That is a nice little lump sum for Merck, isn't it. 360 X tons of little 11 year old girls = big profits. This site estimates that if this was a national mandate, Merck stands to make 700 million dollars! And what about those who cannot afford your mandate? The state will provide it? In other words, the people of Texas will pay for it.

And let us not forget. Merck has only had this vaccine on the market since July of 2006. That's 7 months, folks. How much research has been done on this vaccine? Or maybe this is a way to get more numbers in? Remember VIOXX? Yes, Merck made that as well.

For more information, check out this website.

And while you are at it, Mr. Perry, please find out why I am helping ExxonMobil rake in 36.5 BILLION dollars in profits this past year, while I am cutting every cent I can so I can feed my family.

Where does a conservative mom vote now?

Thank you but no thanks...

I am not sure what is going on in Gov. Perry's mind, but I am horrified at the idea that the state can force this upon my daughters.

Dear Govenor,
I am opting out. Thank you.

Ahhhh, balance

What is that exactly? It seems as though I struggle with this thing called balance more and more every year. And just when I seem to get a handle on it, I lose it all, and lose my mind in the process.

Here's what is on the plate right now...
1. Homeschooling
2. Mothering
3. Running a household
4. Starting a business
5. Involved in extracurricular activities
6. Family time
7. Trying to be a wife
8. Trying to maintain friendships
9. Trying to maintain relationships with godchildren, nieces, and nephews
10. Trying to maintain a relationship with God.
11. Exercising for health.

Obviously these are not in any particular order because to do so would be silly. Each day the priority of these items changes. In fact, that can change from moment to moment.

I am feeling as though I am doing many things, and none of them very well. I love every aspect of my life, and I want to embrace them all, but I tell you, it is this balance thing. It just doesn't come very easily. And I know that without the support of my husband, my children, and my extended friends and family, I could do none of these things. I especially remember that without God I could never manage anything. But right now, I feel like I am letting lots of people down, not intentionally, but nevertheless, I am.

The kids need me more for school time. They need mom to read aloud to them. To have fun with them. To relax with them.

My husband needs a wife that can make time for him. Not a wife who always has something else she must get done.

My extended friends and family need to know that I am there for them when they need me to be. Not like they are interrupting me.

And God knows how much I need to make time for Him. And it's not because HE needs that...

I understand that this is a period of transition for us, me and my family. I don't like these times. I like the simple life. But I live as though I don't. I wish I had the talent to balance all of these things gracefully, but I don't. So I will offer up my efforts and ask God to bless them, to hold everyone I love close to Him and to teach me what is important in everything I do.

Balance...it will come someday.

Garden of the Gods

Colorado

We are here in Colorado Springs for some more training for the business, and while Mark is training today, I took Boo and went to see a long-time friend and her beautiful family. After that, Boo and I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It was breathtaking! The views were spectacular and the lay out of the zoo was incredible. You do not feel like you are in a zoo at all, until you get the the Primate exhibits and smell the "monkey house" smell (yuck!). The zoo is built on the Mountain and I believe it is the only zoo in the country if not the world that is like this.

We saw giraffes, (check out the giraffe cams) elephants, meerkats, bears, peacocks, mountain lions and more. I was amazed that these creatures, especially the ones native to Africa, were out in the snow and fairly chilly (40's) temps.

Tomorrow is my day for training and then Sunday we hope to return to the Garden of the Gods (incredible) and try for Pike's Peak. I can see Pike's Peak when I look out of my hotel window.

The hotel is great. It was last time I was here in October. Great people, full-cook to order breakfast included with your nightly rate, great food, and clean rooms. Best of all... NO MOLD! Refer to my earlier posts about our last get away if you are interested. Here is a post that shows the mold.

I really love it here. And my breathing seems to be much better, however it could be the medication helping as well. I don't think I am really ready to go for a run just yet, but I am dying to!

Enjoy the pictures below. I'll post more as soon as I can!

The view just outside our window (Pike's Peak)




A small glimpse of the view the giraffes have, and yes, that is snow...


This one was licking the snow. I found this very cool, literally! I think it was 37 degrees today. How do these creatures survive in this cold. I mean, they are from Africa aren't they? Last I checked, snow was only in the movies there...

"MOM...He's eating a huge snow cone!





This guy was happy to pose for me!



Hello Mr. Speckled Bear!




The view looking up from about midpoint at the zoo




The view in the same spot, looking out over Colorado Springs

Illness has its benefits

As much of a wimp as I am, and as bad as I have been feeling, this past week has provided us the opportunity to delve into some new crafts that we have been trying to learn. Knitting and Crocheting. I have learned many times and forgotten just as many. I was smarter this time and purchased two DVDs. Knitting and Crocheting!

We are all working on different small projects right now and I hope to post a few pictures soon. It is quite relaxing and the projects move quickly, which is great for an impatient person like me.

Joefishims

I was just thinking that Fish hadn't given my any wonderful quotes lately and I was sad that perhaps at 5 he might be growning out of them.

Then he surprised me today after lunch...

Fish: I know why God made me (says Fish with a face covered in salad dressing)

Me: Really? Why?

Fish: So I could eat salad!

Oh, Fish, yes He did. That and so much more!

When Mommy and Daddy are sick...

who takes care of us? Thankfully our wonderful family is stepping in and taking them to Mass today and will feed them dinner tonight.

Mark and I have to get better... we fly to Colorado on Weds for Mark's PACE training. I am hoping that we make a major turn-around in the next two days.

At least the kids and dogs are able to enjoy the sunshine!

Run for cover!

There's ice in HOUSTON!! Oh, wait, it's melted. We can settled down again. Rats. I love snow days. I miss snow days. We don't get many of them here though. In fact the last one was in 1997. I suppose we were overdue for one.

I find it somewhat funny that everything gets cancelled around here for a bit of the slick stuff. I do understand why though. All of us northeners who think we still know how to drive in the wintery weather, well, we have forgotten. And the local news makes sure we know that! They have been reporting on how to apply your brakes should you run into some ice.

Granted, there may be a few folks from here that are originally from here, but an overwhelming majority of folks I know have moved here from somewhere else. Most often a place that gets snow and ice.

I have learned to stay off the roads when the weather gets bad here. I don't really need to get anywhere THAT bad. Except for the doctor this week. Four down, one to go...

A comparison story for me regarding this wintery weather... In October, I went to Colorado for a few days of training. The night we arrived it began to snow. It was beautiful. It was 9 inches of snow! Now that is some weather to be concerned about. We were sure that our training would be cancelled. And admittedly, the town did close down for the day, but our training was still on. The hotel owner drove us himself in his Cadillac, not the SUV type, to the location we needed to get to. It was incredible. It was fun! It was a true snow day!

Perhaps I'll get lucky again next week when we head to Colorado again. I might get to see actual snow again and this time, I'll take pictures!

The Flu has made a stop here

If you are within visiting range, you might want to think twice about dropping in. Some of the kids have the flu. DH and I as well as Foo had the flu shot, so I am praying we are safe from infection.

Stay warm... it's chilly out there tonight!

Back to Life

Christmas season has come and gone and we at the F-Troop University are back to the business of learning! Of course, everyday is a learning day around here, but the "official" learning calendar has begun once again and we are doing much better than I expected we would.

At the same time that I am juggling the homeschooling, the baby, the very active, creative, attention-demanding, er, I mean seeking, 5 year old, as well as keep up with washing the clothes, making meals, answering the phone, and the list could go on forever, I am also fitting in three students at The Woodlands Learning Center. It is definately a fine art to be developed, and without my dh helping me every step of the way, I doubt any of this could be achieved. He is awesome!

The kids are doing so much to help as well. And they are not complaining. They are rising to the occasion and keeping up with their chores around the house as well as their school work.

My students are great! They are all such hard workers and it is such a joy to work with each one of them. I know that they will benefit so much from their hard work.

I have my moments where I feel as though I won't be able to do it all. I like to be able to do my very best in each thing I take on. I am not satisfied with "doing the best I can." I want to be the best! Not for the sake of vanity or pride, but for the sake of the family, the students. They deserve it.

I keep asking God to bless each moment of the day, especially when I feel overwhelmed and am unsure as to my next move. I ask for His hand in all of it. Making sure that all credit for anything good is given to Him, because He is the reason that anything is good.

School work is going well. I started reading Danny Meadow Mouse to Fish today. I was patient with him as he wriggled and waggled all through the reading. And then I was shocked! I asked him to tell me the story in his own words. I did not expect much of a narration first, because of his age, second, because I doubted he paid much attention at all. I mean all that fidgeting around, how could he have?!?!? Well, blow me down, that boy gave me the dandiest of narrations a five year old could ever give. He knew that Danny was anxious because his tail was short. He knew that Danny was curious as to why his cousin, Whitefoot who lived in the Green Forest, had a long tail. And he knew that White Tail the hawk almost cured Danny of his anxiety by eating him! Was this little Fish's mama proud? You Bet! And I learned a bit more about his learning style to boot! (see, I told you we are ALL always learning around here!)

I pray that things keep moving along as wonderfully as they have been. I pray that I can keep the focus on what is truly important in our home.

Mom! Stop this crazy thing!!

Boo was enjoying one of his favorite toys which blows air straight up. He loves sticking his face in it for a good laugh!

Please Pray

Please keep Bean in your prayers this weekend. She is on her confirmation retreat this weekend. I am praying that even though she is already quite devoted to Our Lord that she feel His presence and hear His call to whatever it is that He has created her for.

Also pray for the 200 other teens that will be making their retreat this weekend as well. I know some are going because they "must" in order to be confirmed. May the Holy Spirit touch them in a very special way.

Resolutions

I've decided on a few resolutions for 2007. Simple yet for me, necessary. I always overthink/overplan things.

1. Refer to my running blog for my fitness goals

2. Finally learn how to knit and crochet because the kids really want to learn! I ordered the DVDs!!

3. Get our debt PAID OFF!!

4. Pray a decade a day. I am amazed at how I can't seem to accomplish this task.

5. Keep the family-centered atmosphere around here in spite of starting the
business.

It's still Christmas!

Happy New Year to all! It's hard to believe that we are already into 2007. I just got used to writing 2006 on my checks...

I am amazed at how quickly Christmas is tossed aside once the 25th arrives. Walking through Wally World tonight, Bean remarked at all of the Valentines Candy and presents that were glaring us in the face. Candy? I can't even think of eating any right now! Valentine candy? Be serious. Let's get through the Twelve days of Christmas first!

We are the weird ones on the street. Well, actually, I'm impressed this year. There are four of us that still have their lights on. As I took a walk around the neighborhood yesterday with Boo, I saw many trees kicked to the curb. It makes me so sad. Christmas isn't a day. It is a season. God gives us these seasons for good reason. He wants us to slow down long enough to enjoy His goodness.

I know the last two weeks before Christmas are usually so crazy around here, that once Christmas Eve arrives, I love to sit back and enjoy the moments that unfold.

Christmas Eve we attend Mass and then return to Mickey Miss's home to feast on TONS of great food, share in the love and laughter that are exemplified on this glorious night, and exchange gifts. First, however, we stop for a moment to wish Mickey Miss the happiest of birthdays. She has the good fortune of being born on Christmas Eve. Can you imagine anything more wonderful than that?

I am sure as a child, it wasn't always much fun. How many children can come to a birthday on Christmas Eve? With all the scurring around to buy Christmas gifts, birthday gifts are far from the mind. My eldest daughter's birthday is on the 20th and I've seen from her perspective how hard it is to have a "normal" birthday.

But I also know that Mickey Miss would not have it any other way now. The whole world is decorated and waiting for the arrival of Our Savior. What better time to have a party?!

So in our humble attempts to show her how very much we love and adore her, we take a whole 15 minutes out of the well-planned schedule to wish her a wonderful birthday!

On Christmas Day, our home is open to anyone who would like to stop in. Bring leftovers, because we don't cook. In fact, you may even find us hanging out in our jammies all day long. It's the one time of the year that we do so. The kids think its heavenly. We make them eat breakfast and then they are on their own for the rest of the day. If they want to eat junk all day, go for it. Usually, they make pretty good choices, it's us adults who end up regretting our decisions.

Sometime after dark, we whip out the mah jong sets and get busy! This year we were up until after 1:00 am playing! Tons of fun, tons of laughter, tons of family. I have dreamed of this scene my whole life, and God has placed me exactly there.

This year, my wonderful dh was able to take off the whole week between Christmas and New Year's. I had a long list of "stuff" to do, beginning with fence repair, but I think he still enjoyed being home with the kids and I. I pray we can do this each year, but if not, I will forever treasure this one.

We will not start school until next Monday. Once our tree returns to it's home in the garage and the lights make their way back to storage. It's hard to concentrate on anything else right now. Our Saviour has been born!

Have a Blessed Christmas season and Happy 2007!

A Glimpse into Our Christmas

Doesn't EVERY Fish love to get Ramen Noodles as a present!?!


Not a whole lot of time to post right now, but I wanted to get a few pictures up.

Merry Christmas!

Emmanuel has come!

Deo Gratias!

You might remember that sweet little boy, Hans that we have been praying for.
His mother posted yesterday that his CT Scan has come back with good news. Please take a moment to offer prayers of Thanksgiving for this family and continue to keep them in your prayers this New Year.

Like TKD Instructor, Like Dog

ok, really, he's practically my BIL... (inside joke!)

Happy Birthday, Alicia!

My wish for you, my dear, on the night of your 19th Birthday, is happiness, peace, and love. On earth, but more importantly, for all eternity.

Whirlwind Wednesday

So it has been brought to my attention by a very dear friend that I have failed to post anything in a week and I'd like to apologize to my huge fan base, all 5 of you! LOL

Seriously, I don't mean to ignore my blog, but the season is in full swing and I have failed to even begin to think of things to post.

Today, Fish provided me a wonderful postable moment...

He let us know that if HE was in charge of the world, it would snow, even in 70 degree weather...











I have been doing some blog-reading the past few weeks, and one in particular has really stood out to me. A Living Education
is a wonderful blog that inspires me each time I visit it. Be sure to check out her post on the O Antiphons.

I hope to gather a few moments to update you all on things happening around here, from the start of my new business to the wonderful event that Lemma attended that awarded her a Bronze Medal in the State Championship for Tae Kwon Do.

For now, however, I must get back to the duties at hand. Enjoy the last few days of this wonderful season of preparation and reparation.

For more interesting reading, visit Fr. Fox's blog. He has some insight into the changes that will be coming to the Mass. Very exciting!

Cherish those "firsts"

Since Boo is now 13 months old, there aren't many firsts left, so I try to look at each new experience and capture it in my mind's eye. Today, I was quick enough to get it on the camera!

Boo's first poptart!! Life is good...


The best part... the free maid service that these two provide us! Have I ever mentioned how much they LOVE the snack trucks, er, I mean babies in this house?



Now, exactly how does one remove poptart from the hair without taking an actual bath?

Advent in our home

I've been spending a fair amount of time over the last several weeks looking at blogs of those I admire and trying to figure out what new traditions I'd really like to bring into the home during Advent. I've started small and every year add a little something else, but honestly, I usually end up feeling like I've missed the whole meaning of what the little something was supposed to do because I get too caught up in the details of the something.

This year, I've been reading Around the Year with the Trapp Family. I have had this book for a couple of years now and I always glean through it wishing I could "be more like Maria."

Something changed for me this time. It started really with All Hallow's Eve. I really desired to share the meaning of that day coupled with All Soul's Day. The more I read, the more I realized that I did not have to implement everything that Maria did with her family, but that I could certainly bring one or two ideas into our home and make it our own.

I decided I would make a liturgical notebook of sorts. I think I may have even read about doing this on my wonderful friend, Cindy's blog. She always has great ideas and since we tend to think alike, I can't remember if I had been milling that idea around in my own mind before I read about it or not... sorry about that tangent.

So with the beginning of the New Liturgical Year, I am going to place the things we love, the things that are traditional for our family into this binder. Eventually, perhaps, it may move to a more beautiful format, but as I said, I can get too caught up in the details and miss the whole idea. So, I am placing these lovely thoughts, traditions, etc, into the binder.

I read a post on Karen's blog today which brought me to this blog and this sweet lady's poem rang true for me. I commented on her blog, so you can read more of my thoughts there, but I decided to go ahead and mention exactly what we do for advent around here.

I was shocked at how much I am getting in. How much my kids are living the Liturgical year. I may not be Maria Trapp, but I am me and what we do here works for our family and is truly an expression of OUR faith.

Here's a list, not for you to compare with your life and make you question if you are doing enough, but more for my own sake to see it all in one place. This list is not in any special order.

1. Revised school schedule - We will continue with Math and Latin studies, as well as independent reading. Bean will also continue with her Chemistry studies as she really can't shelve that for a month. In the time that we would normally do more academic work, we will focus on preparation. Preparation of our hearts and souls, preparation of our home.

Each day after the basic school work is completed, each of us has an assigned task that will be carried out. For instance, tomorrow, Foo will work on getting rid of recycling materials that have yet to be crushed small enough to fit into the bin. The girls will spend time oiling the wooden furniture that drinks up the lemon oil.

During this time of preparation, we will meditate on the thought for the day from our Spiritual Crib.

By the time Christ comes, hopefully our hearts, minds, souls, and home will all be properly prepared to receive Him.

2. Spiritual Crib: This we try to do each morning, sometimes, I'll admit, we forget and have to play catch up the next day or even two days later. But the idea is to meditate upon a thought to help prepare the heart for the birth of Jesus.

I'll post the Spiritual Crib that we do in the comments section of this post.

3. The Advent Wreath: Each Sunday, we read the prayer for the week, light the candle and reflect for a few minutes each day on the readings for that day. This is usually done at dinner time, if possible.

New things we will be trying this year to see if they feel like us...

4. Advent Angels or ChristKindl: Each one of us pulls a name of another family member and secretly, throughout Advent offers up sacrifices, prayers, and performs good deeds for the person that they picked. This just seemed like something we can work on right now in our lives.

5. Saint study: Each person also picks a saint (mom has written some down for each person to draw from). Sometime during the Advent/Christmas season, each person will present their "Saint" to the entire family. This allows us to get to know a bit more about the Saints and possibly gives the children as well as the parents a special friend to call on during our daily living that we may not have thought about or known about before.

6. St Nicholas Study: I have always felt a call to learn more about St. Nicholas and integrate him into our Christmas so that we can move away from the secular Santa that all too often invades our home during this time of year. I have never really pushed Santa onto the kids, but I have never told them not to believe in him. In fact, when the children are older and start to question things, I simply tell them that in our home, we always believe in the spirit of giving and the spirit of St. Nicholas.

This year I plan to read aloud to the children, yes even Bean, about St. Nicholas. Then on Dec 6th, they might even find some golden coins in their shoes with a small little gift.

7. Less is more. Mark and I started scaling back on the huge amounts of gifts that we would give to the children a few years ago. We really felt that we wanted to be more centered on Christ, yet, it was impossible with crazy electronic noise-making, light-strobing, music-blaring, mornings taking over after a long Christmas Eve. Slowly, we have tried to bring the number of gifts to three. Each year we get closer to that number, but usually give in to the commercialism and get a few more than that.

This year, it is my hope that our children will appreciate their three gifts. One will be for their physical sense, one for their intellectual sense, and one for their spiritual sense. I love the challenge of trying to stay within these guidelines. And since my children, well most of them, can barely think of anything to put on their lists, the door is wide open as to what we can come up with for them.

This is another thing we have been doing for years that I had forgotten to write about. The Creche and adding straw to it. For each good deed that a child performs, they can put straw into the creche to make a comfortable place for the Christ child to lay His head. If mom or dad catch you doing something good, more straw can be added. By Christmas Eve, the bed is full of straw and after Mass and dinner at Mickey Miss's home, Lem will bring Baby Jesus out from His hiding place and be placed into His creche. (Technically it is usually way past midnight, so He arrives officially on Christmas day.) In the morning, the children will come downstairs to find the tree lit, gifts waiting for them and best of all, baby Jesus has appeared in the Nativity scene as well!

9. Another new tradition I would love to implement is the Jesus stocking. The idea of adding our thanksgivings and prayers to Jesus daily is very inspiring and seems to really help us to focus on what we are trying to do during this time of preparation. Thank you, Karen for a wonderful idea!

10. Lastly, I'd like to be sure to attend Mass on the Holy Days of Obligation as well as other wonderful feast days. Some years, truthfully, I do feel quite overwhelmed with all that needs to be done and I might not make it to Mass as often as I'd like.

Other activities that we tend to do each year involve baking cookies, wrapping home-made gifts, and sending out a Christmas card or letter. I am not sure that I'll get to do very much in these areas this year, but I will certainly try to do some. These are usually the areas that cause me the greatest stress, so, I've promised myself that they are to be the lowest priority. Christ is first. I'm not sure that He is too concerned with whether or not I've mailed out 150 Christmas cards. I believe He'd rather be assured that I am teaching my children about the true meaning of Christmas, that we are giving to others more than receiving ourselves, and that we are preparing ourselves to receive Him body, mind, and spirit.

I pray each of you has a blessed and peaceful Advent. It is my greatest dream that one day, we will wake up and witness Christmas as it was that very first time.

Upon looking through some of the recently uploaded pictures on the computer, I happened upon a series of shots that look like this.

I just know that these girls told me that they were working on their math when this was taken...



Foo, on the other hand, proved that Math U See can double as Math U Sleep. This was the day I knew we needed antibiodics.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARISSA

Just had to take a moment to say a BIG HUGE HAPPY SWEET 16TH BIRTHDAY to my wonderful niece, Karissa.

I found out tonight that she and her mom look at my blog so, I promised to say hello.

Please keep Karissa in your prayers as she enters a new phase in her life... DRIVING!! Of course more prayers are probably needed for the drivers on the road with her! Just kidding...well, maybe not.

My dear brother, Kirk and sister in law, Donna will also need prayers. Their baby girl is not such a baby anymore, though I know they will always look at Karissa as their sweet little girl.

More Firsts

Aside from my firsts this weekend, we experienced a few other significant milestones around the house.

Yesterday marked the true passage from babyhood to toddlerdom as Boo had his first real haircut. I was very teary-eyed through the event, and towards the end, he wasn't the happiest of babies either. (He'll still be a baby in my mind!!)







Fish also made a huge leap this weekend. He learned to ride his bike sans training wheels! (Look out ER... I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll be visiting soon!)

Thankful Weekend

I am very late in posting this week, especially for Thankful Thursday, but I am not any less Thankful!

This weekend has been a new experience for me. Thursday, I had the great pleasure of running in the GE Run Thru the Woods 5 miler. My goal was to finish. That is all, just to finish.

With the encouragement and pacing of my neighbor, Rick, not only did I finish, but my time was better than expected.

I met several very nice folks like, Holden, Jon, John, and many others whom I can not recall their names right now. Thanks to all for your friendliness and willingness to share your experiences with me.

I thought about getting up the next morning and trying to Conroe 5K, but passed on it. I did however run a mile last night with Lem. She proceeded to run two, one with me and one with her dad and Foo.

This morning I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K again. I think I ran 29:44, but not too sure. If so, then I broke 30 mins total and ran under a 10 min/mile! Big news for me! This also means I have completed the "Double" that Jon keeps stats for.

I was also the proud winner of a new ball cap! I feel bad that I've been sweating all over Mark's the last few runs.

So my thankful list is as follows this Thanksgiving weekend:

1. Thankful for hot showers and baths to rest my sore muscles and joints.

2. Advil. An endless supply right now.

3. My neighbor Rick whose encouragement and knowledge have helped me to reach personal goals that I was starting to think might never happen.

4. My entire family. For allowing me the time to get out and run, and then show up for Turkey Dinner, even if the turkey wasn't completely cooked...

5. For tons of dirty dishes. I've been blessed with plenty of food and family to dirty those dishes.

6. Lem, my little coffee cup filler-upper.

7. Stretching. Especially when Mark helps. It really does make a difference.

8. Memories. Memories of mom through-out this weekend abound. She was with me on my runs. Her fight to live helped me to put that foot in front of me over and over.

9. Faith. Without my faith, nothing would make any sense.

10. Comfy socks. Keeping my feet warm now and always.

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving Weekend, keeping in mind that which you are grateful for each and every day.

Update on Hans

Just stopped by his blog and his mother has posted that he has entered the hospital for his second round of chemo.

Please continue to keep this family and their doctors covered in prayer.

Thankful Thursdays

I'll admit it. I've not been very good about reading some of my favorite blogs the last three weeks or so. I've missed out on a new carnival that has started up called "Thankful Thursdays".

Apparently it is only in its second week, but to miss a week of being thankful is missing a lot.

Since I missed sending mine in, I'll post them here...

1. Heat. We woke up to a bit of a chilly morning here in Houston and the smell of the heater turning on to warm us brings back all the memories of happy winter days past.

2. Sore knees. I am able to run longer distances and actually enjoy doing it. Not only am I striving to stay healthy, but it gives me time to pray, something I tend to not do enough of.

3. Autumn. Honestly, the weather the last few days has been remarkable.

4. Clinging babies. Even though he's heavy, he makes me feel so important. He only wants me.

5. Tissues with lotion. To help soothe those red little noses that are clinging to me...

6. Health. We've been battling a nasty cold for about 3 weeks now. I think we may finally be seeing the other side of it. The 1st day of feeling better is always wonderful, isn't it?

7. Our Parish. For giving us the opportunity to serve others through the parish food pantry.

8. Friends. Those great people who support me in prayer, with pots of soup, phone calls and emails even when I am not always so good about calling, emailing, or visiting. You know who you are, and I love you!!

9. My children. All of them. They are each so wonderful in their own unique way. They always love me, even when I am not so lovable. They always forgive me, even when I burn the grilled cheese sandwiches.

10. My husband. He inspires me to challenge myself everyday. Most often I fail, and yet, he still loves me and NEVER complains.

I could go on and on...

I know you are wondering what the baby feet picture is doing on this post. I managed to miss this carnival as well...

Run the Woodlands- Run for Hans update

For a great read about the run, check out Jon's Blog.

Also, feel free to check in on Hans at his blog, but more importantly, please continue to keep he and his family in your daily intentions.

And yes, I did beat the cow, but Elvis had me by a few minutes... I think he had some help!

Why am I Catholic?

Thanks to Dumb Ox Academy for this link from her blog to Why Am I Catholic?

Beautifully done and worth watching.


While at You Tube, I discovered another video that I just loved. Mercy Me has a song that always makes me cry, I Can Only Imagine.

This song has moved me from the first time that I heard it and continues to do so still today. Often it brings me to thoughts of my mom and what those moments just after her passing must have been like. Did she fall to her knees when she met Jesus? Did she say anything? One thing I know for sure, she must have been and continue to be in total ecstacy.

Today, I am reminded that anytime I am in the Presence of Our Lord, I know longer need to imagine what it would be like, but rather, I should be flat on my face in awe of His love for me.

Sometimes I forget this... Enjoy this video.

I survived!

I was able to complete my first 5K today! It was a great feeling! Even better that I was doing it for something greater than myself.

I didn't come in last, and I beat the Chick Fil A cow, (who gets big bonus points for running in costume!!)

I think I'm hooked...

Announcing...

The grand opening of The Woodlands Learning Center!

Some of you may recall that sweet Em recently graduated from the program. She began the program as a "non-reader". After 3 years of phonograms, reading programs, etc, I was introduced to PACE/MTC and decided to have her tested. She had some real problems with her underlying learning skills that were keeping her from being successful. A few short months later, she graduated, reading above grade level and feeling much more confident in herself and her abilities. My eldest daughter also went through the program. At 18, she wasn't sure if it would help her at all, but decided to commit to it. She now has hopes of going to college, which would not have been possible before. This program has truly opened doors to my girls which would have stayed closed to them before.

A friend of mine and I had the pleasure of attending the training and certification of the PACE and Master the Code program two weeks ago. Admist a beautiful snowstorm, gorgeous scenery, and great company, we both became full-fledged licensed providers of PACE and Master the Code.

For now, we are starting slow, working out of our homes. Only the Lord knows what He has in store for us now.

If you need more information, please contact me.

Prayers needed

Please remember this sweet little boy in your daily prayers. This family attends the same parish that my family does and while I do not personally know them, I know that they can use all of the prayers we can offer.

You can read about his journey here.

If you are so inclined, you can help with a fundraiser going on this Saturday.

Belated Halloween picture

Finally blogger allowed me to upload a picture!

The Aftermath of Halloween... Fish aka The Phantom of the Opera, developed an allergic reaction to the face paint. His eye swelled shut and he continues to have a rash on his face. Foo developed a fever after his stint as Anubis, (from Stargate, not the Egyptian Book of the Dead, but honestly about the same thing...) and was sick for the rest of the week.

Dorothy and the Scarecrow fared well, with the exception of Scarecrow bumping into a few walls, oh, yeah, and falling all the way down the stairs! Thank goodness he is fine.

A new Fishism

"Mommy, mommy...."

"Yes, Fish?"

"Oh, great!" His eyes rapidly begin darting around looking to find the words he so wanted to tell me.

"The words went under my tongue..."

All Saints Day

Today we recognize all of the Saints that await us in Heaven. Through the Liturgical Year we are able to recognize many saints, but today, we acknowledge ALL of them. Those known, those unknown, those forgotten.

Pray the Litany today.

The kids and I sat around discussing the few saints that are named within our immediate family. A fun way to introduce the saints to the children.

There was one funny moment when Fish announced that he knew who St. Brendan was... "he was an alligator!!" ( I guess that can sound like navigator??)

Today's feast is joined with tomorrow's, All Souls. And Friday is St. Martin de Porres, my husband's patron saint. What a wonderful week for the saints!