The "c"atholic Religious "Education" Congress

Yes. I intentionally spelled Catholic with a small "c", and I use the word "Education" lightly... Let me explain... The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, hosted by Cardinal Mahoney will be taking place this weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim CA. Actually, the "Youth Day" was today. I began attending the Congress in the early 80's when I was still in high school. I had a blast going. It was a day away from my parents, I got to sing and dance and talk with my friends... 'hang out'.... What did I learn?... hhhhmmmm... I remember going to a talk on "Zen"..., there was one on "Native American Spirituality".... There were some that I remember about listening to secular music and finding a "spiritual message" great to use for "youth Masses"and, of course loving yourself JUST the way you are..... kewl, huh?...

After I made my Confirmation my sophomore year of HS, I continued to "mentor" those younger than me, my older sister and I even had a youth group. And we continued to go to Congress, every year. It wasn't all questionable... There was a great priest that I remember that led a deaf congregation in the LA area, that I always enjoyed listening to... Oh, yes, he was deaf, too, but could still speak, as well as sign... But the last time I attended was 12 years ago. I remember because I was WAY pregnant with my oldest child. I remember, that year, how hard it was to find classes to attend, looking through the book, that actually seemed "Catholic".... I had begun questioning WHAT some of these classes were actually teaching... I kept tabs when I was there, and of the nine classes I was signed up to take over the weekend, at least three of them weren't EVEN Catholic speakers! This blew me away!! Wasn't this a "CATHOLIC EDUCATION" Conference?? Hello??!!

The following year, I just couldn't do it anymore... I had read Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating, and my own faith has started to make REAL sense. I could no longer tolerate going to a conference that promoted to "Educate" Catholic Educators from people that weren't even Catholic!! I could no longer sit through a liturgy that included titles such as the "Black Mass" (sponsored by African American Catholics) and the "Native American Mass" and the "Vietnamese Mass" and the "Youth Mass" and "Dancing and Singing Mass" and watch scantily dressed women in leotards gyrate around the Altar of My Lord... I just couldn't do it anymore... I continued reading book after book after book, from Scott Hahn, Patrick Madrid, Jeff Cavins, Tim Staples and more, to learn my faith, basically, all over again! I was amazed at how much I didn't know... Of course the Congress wasn't the only thing fueling my desire to know more. I was also faced with my husband, who was not raised Catholic, but in an Assembly of God Church. HE questioned me CONSTANTLY about "why??" and I had to have a better answer than "Because, that's what I was always taught..."

The more I learned the Truth and the more I was drawn in to my Catholic Faith, the less I could handle "catholic-lite". My husband, thankfully, has also done his fair share of investigating, with history being one of his favorite subjects. A great turning point for us was when I was asked to lead the RCIA team for our parish at the time. I was eager to share what I had been learning, and was even a little envious of all that I had missed when I went through my own Confirmation classes... But it was all good, because God had brought us full circle... and every year my pastor would send me and all of our other Religious Ed teachers to LA for the Congress. After that trip 12 years ago though, I asked if, instead of the Congress, he would consider sending us to the Catholic Family Conference held in Long Beach. I think, skeptically, he agreed. But the Catholic Family Conference had more of the Truth I had been learning and I knew I would come back with WAY more to share with my RCIA than I could ever pick up at the RE Congress. I was blessed with being able to continue with the RCIA for four more years. I was given the opportunity to educate others about all that I had missed in my own religious education. I was given the opportunity to speak TRUTH. I gave it up only after my daughter (third child) was born...

So, when I was confronted at the store by an old friend yesterday, who asked me if I was going to the "Anaheim Congress" this weekend, I answered, sort of abruptly, "Oh, no... no, no, no, no.... it's not Catholic..." I answered without thinking... She said, "oh... okay... well, that's your opinion..." I apologized for being abrupt, but I just couldn't bring myself to go anymore. I know that A LOT of people go, and they just GUSH about it afterwards and how wonderful it is, but gosh, have they even noticed that it's not even called the "Catholic" Religious Education Conference, anymore?... but just the "Religious Ed Conference"... When I tried to explain to my friend about the masses and the fluff and dance, and blah, blah, blah, she said, "Oh, you mean it's not 'traditional' Catholic..." I answered, "No. It's not Catholic in any sense...." I'm sorry! But it's NOT Catholic when EVERYONE has to have their OWN version of Mass and they are all free to make it "comfortable" to whatever they are feeling at the time, for their culture or whatever... I tried to smile, and be cordial. I did tell her to take a look at the Catholic Resource Center and check out the Catholic Family Conference. Then I told her to enjoy her weekend. I wanted to say, "But don't expect to learn anything Catholic"... but I didn't.... I do have SOME boundaries!

Do Not Disturb

So, my husband gave up smoking, hopefully for the last time, the day after his 50th birthday. Since that time, he has been using the nicotine lozenges to keep it together. He finally resolved that he was tired of spending the money on those, too, so it was time to give them up, as well. His last "hit" of nicotine was Sunday morning... Anyway, I know the kids were pretty clueless but I was WELL aware of the bit of extra "tension" running through the house Sunday and Monday, as well. Monday was pretty rough, as he was suffering from some nausea, but thankfully, he stuck it out, with only a couple of quick, tense out bursts.

Sticking with our new Lenten practice, after daddy left for work, the kids and I pulled out the rosaries to begin our day as well. As usual, we went around the room for any intentions that they wanted to pray for. My 5 year old said she wanted to pray for daddy to "stay not smoking", and my 8 year old wanted to pray that daddy "not be so grumpy".... So, I tried to explain to them that daddy has had nicotine in his body for a long time, and his body was used to having it, but now it didn't have it anymore, so it makes his body mad, and it makes daddy crabby. But, I explained, hopefully, in a week or so, things will level out and daddy will be less "tense", but maybe we could try to give dad a little extra space this week and try not to be too annoying : ) and then we prayed to cover daddy in prayer, to make him strong and not sick or crabby.

A few hours later my husband came home for lunch and seemed pretty "okay". He was smiling and kidding, as usual. We looked up from our desks and I asked him how his day was going, and he said, "okay, so far... " and I told him that we covered him in prayer that he would have a good day. Then, rethinking his outburst at our younger son the previous night, he again apologized and then smiled at him asking "Michael, do you love me?"...

Silence... Michael kept working...

"Michael! Do you love me?...."

Michael looked up at him and smiled, but still said nothing...

"Michael! Do you love me?!"

Michael finally nervously responded, "Well, mom told us we should stay away from you for awhile..."

We laughed! I told him, "Not my words! Just HIS interpretation!" lolol.... My husband finally said, "Well, what does THAT have to do with whether or not you love me?" lol... Michael giggled..

"Rose! Do YOU love me?"

"Yes, daddy!" beaming her best "suck up" grin... sheesh... lol... you really have to be careful of what you say to your kids...

The Angelus

I was reminded today about the importance of reciting the Angelus. I came across a beautiful video on YouTube by the Sisters of St. Paul that explained how the bells ring 3 times a day (6am, noon and 6pm) as a Christian call to prayer. Wow... for some reason, it just struck me... I live in a city that has 10 Roman Catholic Churches within a 30 mile radius. Could you imagine if they ALL "rang the bells" 3 times a day?.... Three times a day to be reminded and to acknowledge and give thanks and praise to the Incarnation. Three times a day that we contemplate and acknowledge that God became man through the fiat of a woman.... and for what? For fame? Fortune? No. He came to this world for one reason. He came to die, so that we may live... wow... Lord, I am not worthy, but only say the word and I shall be healed... I love reciting the Angelus. I always have... It's such a simple, yet beautiful prayer. I used to say it all the time, but like many things, I've gotten off track and have gotten out of the habit... I think I've just been reminded of one more thing I need to add to my list of "to do's" for this lenten season...

Sometimes I Hate Being Right...

A few days ago I was congratulating the Stuebenville Pro-Life students who stood up for life at a democratic gathering with Bill Clinton as the main speaker. In that post I said:

"The lives of the majority of women seeking abortions today are NOT in jeapardy. Truth be told, given the number of post abortive women that have committed suicide due to depression, their lives are probably MORE in jeapardy afterwards... "

Today I was directed to this bit of news... Artist Hanged Herself After Aborting Her Twins...

This is one of those times I really hate being right... Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her... God rest her soul... God help us...

Day Two of the Siege...

Well, it's day two, and there has been "some" progress on "Operation: Clean Your Room" (It just occured to me if I could somehow rearrange the word order, I could shorten it to "Operation: CRY".... : )

Anyway! I digress... As was promised to them, they got up early this morning to dress for Mass, then we came home, where they returned to their room to make progress while they waited for breakfast to be completed. I searved them all, including Dad (aka: the warden) while I finished up my own breakfast. "The Warden" said the food was excellant but couldn't say as much about the company he had... wasn't much into eating with prisoners... all the same, they got their 15 minutes of "silent freedom" while they ate to their fill ( I let them have pancakes, eggs and bacon, with the rest of us...) washed down with some chocolate milk (I know, real torture...). They returned to their room, fat and happy and goofing off for the next couple of hours. As time rolls on, and their tummys start to growl, again, I remind them that lunch won't be quite as fulfilling. I think I might have some more Ramen noodles up in the cabinet. Otherwise, it may be just plain ole peanut butter sandwiches and water. The Warden is growing weary of the siege, deciding that they are just having WAY too much fun, and is threating to take things in to his own hands, so to speak.

My oldest just came in to inform me that they (the prisoners) have reached an aggreement and are cooperating to work together and will soon be done... the whining and screaming in the other room tell me otherwise... we shall see...

A L O N G Day...

Ever have one of those days?... My children (minus the baby) are currently on "black out"... terminology and advice that I have picked up from Dr. Ray Guarendi, from the show The Dr. Is In... There is currently a siege going on. Today they were asked to clean their room. It had gotten WAY beyond out of control, and they had consistently ignored our requests to pick it up... Today I told them, no more yelling, no more threats, I was done. I officially called "Black out". No friends, no outside, no TV, no computers or computer type games. They stay in their room until I can see the floor. ALL of the floor, that isn't covered by furniture... They will get three meals, no frills, a day (They got ramen noodles and orange slices with milk for dinner, after I seriously considered bread and water...). They get approximately 15 minutes to eat, no talking during dinner. After dinner they had to clean up their plates, and back to their room, until I got their shower going, at which point they would all rotate in and out and straight to bed. Tomorrow is Church day.

I will readily admit that one of my biggest faults in parenting is "follow through". Sometimes I think I have the worlds most STUBBORN children, though I'm sure that every parent would say the same thing about their own on occassion... The kids don't quite get it, yet... They are in their room, in bed, now, chattering on... "Are we going to grandma's tomorrow?" I respond, "just to stop and pick up some eggs Auntie left over there for us. You aren't even getting out of the car. Grandma has somewhere else to be." "oh..." Maybe it will kick in when we get home in the morning and they are sent right back to their room until breakfast is ready, and they'll get another 15 minutes of silent freedom, before returning to "the pit", otherwise known as their room... ain't parenting fun?...

Anyway, their are some NASTY wind gusts outside tonight, with a 70% chance of rain tomorrow, so our sinuses are all a mess. But I'm more concerned about my brother in law, who is currently in the "down time" of his treatment, after finishing his first week of chemo treatments last Tuesday. Please say a prayer for his mind, body and spirit to reamain strong. He's only 59, and he and my sister have a 14 year old son, plus he has two older sons that live out of state. All I have to do is think of them and see that my life ain't so bad, after all... Thanks, and God Bless...

Nun Like Her!

Have you heard of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, in Ann Arbor, Michigan? Well, if you haven't you've either been living under a rock, or you're fairly new to the Catholic Faith! Please, I don't mean that in a derogatory sense, at all... It's just that these sisters are AWESOME!! I had barely heard of them myself, until about 3 years ago, when my niece, finishing her third year of college here in California, decided that she was going to join the Sister's community. From spots on the morning news to breaking out on to the YouTube scene, the convent has gone high tech, and they have the GROWING numbers of young women coming forth to show for it. God is SO good!

In a day and age when the average age of women religious is retirement age, these girls are averaging in their 20's. My niece entered at the ripe age of 21 with 15 other women both older AND younger than she. She will be making her first solemn vows this coming August, trading in the white veil she has worn for the past two years, for a black one. After her first year at the convent, 11 more women entered the following summer, and another 13 women this last summer of 2007! Begining with only 4 Sisters branching from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Tennessee, the Sisters of Mary now boast a total of 78 Sisters BURSTING at the seams of their newly built Chapel and dormitory cells. Because they are a teaching order, they are slowly but surely, begining to send some of the Sisters out to "mission" new schools across the nation, to include Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, and as of this year, even HERE in California! And if you don't have them in a nearby town, you can also catch them on EWTN with their Truth in the Heart series for young people.

It is SO refreshing to see the FIRE of the Holy Spirit burning bright in these young women, so happy and excited to do God's will! When you have some time take a tour of their website, and if you feel so inclined, send a check to help the Sisters continue to grow and expand on the great work they are doing to evangelize our little corner of the world. And don't be surprised to hear me talk, from time to time, about my "own" Sr. Catherine Marie, and her Sisters in Michigan! : )

Who's Protecting the Children?

I caught a glimpse of a local Los Angelas morning news show yesterday morning and the topic was about "tweens" caught up in relationships of domestic violence, some resulting in murder. They were talking about TWEENS. aka: CHILDREN. Kids that would be classified as middle school age, 10, 11, 12, 13 years old. Such a sad statement on today's society, that children find themselves caught up in these terribly intense relationships with the opposite sex. Relationships that involve mental and physical abuse, that sometimes leads to murder. And so many parents don't even bat an eye at the idea of their young son or daughter having a boyfriend/girlfriend at this age, and is considered as being "normal". The "everybody's doing it" mentality, I guess... It seems that common sense left this world and no one has noticed! These are children!

But the really sad part is, this isn't just a problem with young kids run amok, but we have adults, people who are supposed to KNOW BETTER, that are encouraging this behavior. Any parent that knows about, yet allows these kinds of relationships to take place and turns a blind eye, is encouraging. Now, on top of that we have public schools that are doing everything from passing out birth control pills and condoms to taking kids to the abortions clinic to obtain an abortion without a parent's knowledge. The mantra is "they are going to do it anyway. We need to teach them how to "protect" themselves". WHO are they protecting??!! These are CHILDREN.... They are NOT animals! With garbage like this being shoved in their faces on a daily basis, in a place where we are supposed to feel they are "safe", we as parents can't afford to "turn a blind eye". We need to be vigilant! Kids need to learn self respect, pride and esteem. They need to learn that they have VALUE, starting in their homes. They need to learn that they ARE stronger and worth more than society tells them they are and that they CAN have SELF CONTROL. Parents need to take back their rights and responsibilities as the primary teachers of their children. Stop pushing it off, or allowing the public education system to take over. These are OUR children. These are OUR FUTURE.

Now, just have a look at what this public school in Los Angelas is offering now! What ever happend to kids learning Reading, Writing and Arithmetic in school?? What does pornography have to do with developing my 11 year old's mind and helping him become a functioning, contributing member of society?! Thankfully, I am able to stay home and homeschool my children. My 11 year old knows the VERY basics. The 'how' and 'why'. But not all parent's are fortunate enough to have this as an option. Some, for reasons beyond their control are single parent's, doing their best to do the right thing. They have to work in order to support their family, and have no choice but to send their kids to public school. So does that make them automatically subjected to this garbage? Who is going to protect THESE children? When is someone going to say "enough!" and allow these kids to BE kids?

And I can't even limit this infiltration to the public school system, because our own parishes have been lax in programs that they were pressured in to adopting, due to the past sexual abuse conflicts. In the past, I have politely 'declined' my childrens participation. I understand that there are some better programs being offered, that are in line with Church teaching, but I have yet to see them in my diocese. I just feel it's my job to inform them, however much I think they need to know, and when. It is my job to protect them. And that includes protecting their innocence, both mind and body.

Congratulations to Stuebenville Pro-Life Students!

Now, THIS is what I'm talkin' about! Bill gets SO flustered when confronted by these staunchly pro-life students that he steps all over his tongue trying to justify the unjustifiable. Isn't it a silly argument that if we were TRUELY pro-life, we would want to incarcirate every mother and doctor as accessories to murder?... I mean, c'mon! Our goal is to try and SAVE lives! The lives of the innocent unborn and the lives of the MILLIONS of women that feel trapped and like they have NO OTHER option BUT abortion FORCED down their throats by the abortion industry. And what happend to the Dr.'s oath to protect and preserve life first and foremost? The lives of the majority of women seeking abortions today are NOT in jeapardy. Truth be told, given the number of post abortive women that have committed suicide due to depression, their lives are probably MORE in jeapardy afterwards... If these pro-abortion advocates are so interested in the health and safety of women, why do they only give them ONE option?

God Bless the young that are out making their voices heard! It is SO refreshing to see young couples EXCITED about having big families, again! Excited about having babies and raising families... They are the future! And they have had enough of the culture of death and the tide is turning....

Four MORE years?!

I am not, by any means, a political person. I DO have my top issues that I stand on and measure all potential candidates for any political office before I vote. If one doesn't match up completely with my moral standards, than I go with the one that is the closest or at least the least bad.... The value of life is number one. The late-great John Paul II spent his pontificate PREACHING on the value of human life from conception to natural death. He LIVED it. He taught me SO much about how this world has so steadily gone down hill all because humanity has devalued that which should be most important to us... Un-born babies have become "a bunch of cells", the sick and elderly become "un-productive" and humanity continues on in this sensless, selfishness continuing to spin in circles looking for happiness unsuccessfully...

It is really hard for me to look at or watch Hillary Clinton. Period. There was a time when I could... When her husband, our President at the time, humiliated her around the world, by his infidelity. I felt so sad for her... But what could she do but hold her head high and stand by him?... But that's about the extent of my sympathy for her... And here we are less than a decade later and the Nation seems to have forgotten all about what the Clinton Whitehouse stood for. Gosh, the media has been blasting "Hillary in '08" for the past year or more! I mean I really have had my doubts about America even being ready for a female president. I just didn't think that there were a majority of American voters out there that would put a woman in the Whitehouse. Yet here we are... Obama or Clinton. Does America really think that she will be any differant than her husband? And she has been ABUNDANTLY CRYSTAL CLEAR on where she stands on the "issues" that are most important to me. The way things are going I think it is fairly certain the Republicans won't win this election. This thought makes me nervous... Would Obama be any "better" than Hillary? I don't know. I'm thinking that Hillary, having lived in the Whitehouse for 8 years is already WAY TOO COMFORTABLE and would have NO problem moving in and taking charge. Obama, on the other hand, I would think he would take things more slowly... "earn the peoples trust" so to speak... As much as I wouldn't like Obama in the Whitehouse, I wouldn't like Hillary a LOT more.

Perhaps I'm being too pessimistic. I mean, last I checked, God was still in the business of performing miracles, right? But he also gives us free will.... And I think this country has spent so much time trying to push Him OUT of our lives, in the name of "equality" and fairness to non-believers, that we eventually will reap what we sow.

So, I guess, the way I look at it, conservatives, like myself, have about 4 years to get our act together, quit sitting around waiting for someone else to make our voice heard and stand up for what we know to be good and true. Statistics show that the MAJORITY of Americans are Christian. As Christians, shouldn't our FIRST priority be to protect ALL human life?! Isn't it our unallienable right to LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness? When did your life begin? When you were born? During the third tri-mester of your mother's pregnancy? Second tri-mester when she first felt your kick? WHEN did you become a human being? At that VERY MOMENT of conception you were formed of your mother and father. God knew you and your individual soul. And that love continues until you breathe your last on this earth. He is with us. He walks with us through hills and valleys. We cling to Him and ask that His will be done. Every twist and turn that life may take, God has a reason and a lesson for us to learn. From the tiny baby born with multiple birth defects, to the person in a coma. He wants us to LEARN to LOVE LIFE. EVERY life. Lives that on the surface might be seen as an inconvenience, a burden, a hassle. Too much trouble. We need to learn compassion, patience, service, humbleness and humility.

Today's Gospel reading is from Matthew 23:1-12. It ends with "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." I think it's time that America hears these words and learn to put others ahead of oneself. What is it we Catholics were taught in Catechism? Why did God create us? To know, love and serve Him in this life, so that we may be with Him forever in the next. It's simple, right? So why is it such a tough lesson to learn? Regardless of the election outcome I will continue to do my best to remember and follow that simple rule to know, love and serve Him in this life. I'm afraid that it will get a lot tougher before it gets easier... Thank God for His Church and the Sacraments, to help us fight the good fight!

Our Family Rosary

Part of our Lenten habits that I am trying to instill in our children this year is saying the Rosary together each morning before we start our studies. Though I would like to say that my children act perfectly and it is the holiest 30 minutes you would ever want to attend, well, the results are a little less than perfect with my 11, 8, 5 and 1 year olds. I have a wiggly 8 year old that likes nothing better than to play "peek-a-boo" with his baby sister, and an 11 year old, who normally could care less what his little brother was doing, but suddenly decides it's HIS job to correct his playing WITH the baby. Then since he's at it he decides it is also his job to manage and distract the baby himself... Then there is my 5 year old daughter that giggles every 2 minutes or so, and asks if prayers are almost over every other minute in between....

But God Bless us all, as I try to simply offer it all up to God. Do you think that Jesus ever acted up when He was a baby, while Mary was trying to say her prayers?.... hhhhmmmm... okay, maybe not... But I DO know that she knows and loves my little ones at least as much as I do, and I ask for her favor, prayer and guidance ALL THE TIME. I often wonder HOW protestants get along WITHOUT a devotion to the one that was CLOSEST to Jesus... I remember a former CCD teacher of mine once telling me of a particularly trying day when her kids were bouncing off the walls (she had 6), dinner was burning on the stove, her husband was late coming home from work and she could do NOTHING else but stand in the middle of the living room looking up and CRYING, "God, I am NO Mary, my husband is NO Joseph, and I don't have not ONE Jesus among my kids! Please HELP me!" After a few minutes she was able to pull herself together again, hubby came home, the kids settled down and dinner was on the table. I'm not sure that I was even married when she shared that story with me, and I would have NEVER have guessed that I would have been able to relate so well all these years later...

Tomorrow morning, we will try again... The kids take turns leading the prayers, so that at least keeps them focused for that short amount of time.... As I listen to my 5 year old recite, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hollowed by MY name..." I picture Mary, MY mother smiling down at us. God blesses the effort... The 8 year old struggles to sit still and NOT play too much with the baby, who toddles around taking all the rosaries from our hands, then handing them back, and the oldest gives a heavy sigh of distraction and Rose lets go another giggle... : ) We DO have much to be thankful for... Thank God for the season of Lent and giving us these golden opportunities to offer our hearts, minds and voices to Mary our mother and Jesus her Son!

Somewhere NEW to be Edjamacated : )

My husband. He is a thinker... I tease him often that he tends to OVER think, sometimes... : ) And he always seems to have something to share, and usually it can be something well worth thinking about! : ) Anyway, I have been having so much fun on my own blog page, here, that I have been trying to convince him to STOP thinking about it and just do it! He is FINALLY ready to share a few lines of his own that you can check out at Education of a Wandering Man. As time goes by, I'm hoping that he will find more gems and insights to share, so be sure to check back from time to time!

My Winner

In January, my oldest son participated in the Knights of Columbus Basketball "shoot-out" at our parish. He's never been great at basketball, but God bless him, he's got heart : ) This is the third year he has participated and the first year he actually qualified to go on to the next round. He was TOTALLY excited...

So this last Saturday we were up early, stuffing down breakfast and getting everyone dressed and out the door to the local Catholic High School Gym, to compete with the other K of C council winners. Thomas' age group was the largest age group, and Don and I, shame on us, sort of gave each other a knowing look that said, "this won't take long..." okay, okay, I know... shame on us... But when it came time for Thomas to shoot, he made a surprising 9 baskets! 3 more than he did at the previous level! Woohoo!!

My husband was helping with the judging and tallying of the other shooters, so the kids and I went to the outdoor basket ball courts to run around and play while we waited. About a half hour later, of the K of C coordinators came outside calling Thomas' name! He had tied for first place! Thomas was BEAMING. So, I quickly gather up the kids and hurry back inside for the shootoff. The other kid went first. No warm-ups, just the best out of five shots, wins. No pressure....

As usual, Thomas gave his all. The other kid took the prize and the opportunity to move to the next round, later that afternoon, and Thomas tried very hard, with tears welling in his eyes, to put on a brave face. I was SO proud of him.... Trying to cheer him up, we reassured him that he had NOTHING to be ashamed of. He gave his BEST and he should be proud of himself. He did great. On the trip home, he mused that he now had an entire year to practice for next time. Next time he would win... : )

We got home just in time for the begining of our neighbor's First Holy Communion party, complete with a bouncy house erected in their front yard. They had come over earlier in the week to invite us and with the shootout, we had completely forgotten. It didn't take T long to forget all about the loss... And in my mind, it really wasn't a loss, anyway... : )

Motherhood Interrupted

I have a friend who has recently had her book published called Motherhood Interrupted. God Bless her heart wrenching efforts to share her story and the stories of others like her, so that others might heal. For years the pro-life crowd has stood up for the weakest of the weak, the unborn. Now without diminishing the importance of this cause, let's not forget the mothers, often feeling trapped, lost, alone and unsupported, before, during and often for years after an abortion... You can read Jane Brennan's latest article on Catholic Exchange here: Switching Sides and link to her website to see excerpts and purchase her book from there.

TRUE Love

If you have watched television anytime in the last 10 years, chances are you have heard many versions of the word "love" being thrown around like a beachball. what I mean is, the words "I love you" are used so much, that I don't think people really understand or stop to think about what they are saying. Is it any wonder that these generations of young people are growing up so unsure of what "love" is?

November 5th of this year my husband and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage. If I say something like "20 years of wedded bliss", my husband will no doubt note the sarcasm : ) After being with me all these years he's learned that I'm a master at sarcasm : ) It hasn't been a walk in the park, that's for sure. In fact, we could probably stand as poster children of what NOT to do if deciding whether or not to get married. But by God's grace, some how, we've made it this far. Our minds, bodies and senses of humor, in tact... Often times, I think that is our saving grace, our sense of humor... Several years ago, at a particularly rough spot in the road, Don mused to me, "Sometimes, you gotta laugh, to keep from crying..." yup, that's for sure...

What we have learned from God's grace in our marriage and from what the Church teaches, is that love, is a choice. There have been numurous times that I haven't really liked my husband, and I'm sure that he can say the same about me.... but there has never been a time that I haven't loved him. He is my love, my life. Together we have faced family crisis, poverty, opening a business, closing a business, bankruptcy, unexpected pregnancies, sickness, loss of our parents, change of jobs or careers and any number of other stresses that have tempted each of us to pack our bags and head for the door. Yet, here we are. Imperfect beings that we are, together, still. God gives us the stregth to take those hardest times and give them to Him. To trust in Him. Love is a choice. We made that choice almost 20 years ago, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death.... If only more people would think about those vows that they make before God more seriously before leaving their marriage.... The "better", "richer", and "health" parts aren't usually too bad, but it's the other side of those circumstances that can do you in...

God loves us with agape love. Unconditional love, regardless of how we are. When you choose marriage as your vocation and you make those vows before God in His Church. We are promising to love one another with the same unconditional love. Short of threat of bodily harm to one by the other, or to the children, marriage is forever. We are called to help each other to desire and attain heaven for all eternity. While we are not called to try and change one another, we ARE called to look deep in to ourselves and what we can do to be a better spouse to one another. It takes maturity, humbleness, humility, and Faith. Remember the saying "True love means never having to say 'I'm sorry'"? Horse pucky.... True love means "hard work", "pain", "sacrafice", "humbleness", "humility", "trust", AND "forgiveness". It means your life is no longer your own, but part of something bigger. True love is not for the faint of heart : )

So, on this day set aside for love, St. Valentine's Day, Donald, my love, be mine... now and forever! I love you!

My Funny Valentines...

There are three St.Valentines that can actually be associated with the date of February 14. Imagine... you wouldn't think that "Valentine" would be a common name, so who'da thunk?... and I guess, traditionally, Valentines Day has been reserved as a day for lovers or "mates" derived from writings from England and France during the middle ages of how birds would begin mating at this time of year. But in our household, we reserve Valentines for all those that we love.

My three older children were fast at work last evening creating the "perfect" valentines for Grandma, to give to her today. She is the only grandparent still living and it is amazing how creative kids can be with some colored construction paper, glue, scissors, markers and some hard candy "message" hearts.... : ) And I don't know if you can really appreciate how hard it was, unless you've ever experienced working under the conditions of having all these things spread across the table with a 17 month old with 6 hands and a 3 foot reach and a hankerin' for hard candy message hearts.... Bless there hearts, they did the best they could, trying to not lose patience with the baby who was doing HER best to get in the middle of it all...

Cards done, glue drying, candy sliding across the page, they each signed their names "with love", and we placed them up high out of reach from the "baby monster".... Knowing they all gave up the treats for Lent, they each admitted, "Mom, I only had one candy..." I thought that was pretty good for spending so much time with the temptation... And when we handed them to Grandma this afternoon she smiled and said "Thank you! My first Valentines!" As I hugged her, I warned, "I wouldn't try to eat the candies..." but I think she already knew that... ; )

and I guess I will give all my little Valentines a dispensation from their Lenten fast tomorrow, as I give them each their own Valentine treat. Their dad included... : )

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Birthday, Dad

Charles W. Jr, "Chuck" to most everybody, "Dad" or "Pop", to me. God rest his soul, he left this world just a couple of months more than 4 years ago.... Deep down, I don't think he was really looking forward to being 80... But in the end, only God knows the reasons why he left us here, what seems like all too soon....

There are so many things about my dad that I love to remember and think about. His adventurous spirit, his creative ingenuity : ) , his HUGE heart, his sense of humor... I can't help but laugh when I realize I did something that was so "dad"...

I Remember BBQ's in the backyard, complete with home made icecream... the burlap sack and the ax to pound down that block of ice. lol... a very "child friendly" environment : )

I Remember fishing. I'll never forget my first "catch"... Dad found a fish (probably about 6 inches long, not much more) very near the shore next to a rock, floating... he was SURE that that little guy MUST have seen my bait and when he went for it, missed it, hitting the rock and knocking himself out. I bought it... : ) I can still see that picture of me holding it up for the camera...

I Remember Backpacking. My sister and I mused about writing a book, "Camping with Chuck"... lol... It was like no other experience... He has left us memories and experiences that will last the rest of our lives... the beauty of the world around us, he made sure we all got a chance to see... Perhaps, one day, I will write that book...

Dad did as much as he could in his life, with what he had, and he made sure that his kids got to, too. The only one he loved and defended more than his kids was Mom. His family was everything to him and I believe we all knew that, before he left. That's all he really wanted, I think....Somedays it's really hard because I miss him, still. Not for my own self, so much, but more for my kids... I miss that they won't have the chance to get to know him in this world...

But in my heart I know that he is still watching over us, and is still present here, when I see something or someone that REALLY reminds me of him, especially in myself...

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, by the Mercy of God, rest in peace.

Tomorrow is your birthday, and Mom has Mass being said for you in the morning. Don and I and the kids will be there to remember. I will pray for your eternal rest and for the Peace and Grace of Mom's own spirit. She misses you more than anyone, no doubt, and no doubt you'll be smiling down on and praying for us all. I'm forever grateful for all that you taught me...

Thanks for everything, Dad. Happy Birthday.

Giving Up...

As I was putting my kids to bed Tuesday night the conversation turned to the following day, Ash Wednesday.

"So have you guys thought about what to give up? Remember that these little sacrafices are to teach us self control, but also to remind us that there are many in the world that need our prayers, and we can offer our temptations, frustrations and sufferings as prayers for those less fortunate..."

Oldest son: "I'm giving up annoying my teacher (me), therefore, I will not be attending school for the next 40 days..."

younger son: "Me too! I'm giving that up too!"

5 yr old daughter: "I'm giving up desserts! and candy and sugar! I'm going to eat vegatables and be healthy!"

younger son: "you're dumb, Helaina..."

Helaina: "I am not! YOU'RE DUMB!!"

Thus in a matter of nano-seconds the conversation turns to wrestling, screams, and whining before I get a chance to regain control of the situation.

"Okay, you're all very funny, but in all seriousness, it's not a "sacrafice" if it doesn't hurt at least a little. For example, should I give up living in a mansion for Lent?.... hhhhmmmm... I DON'T LIVE IN A MANSION!! So where would be the sacrafice?... Should I give up eating brussel sprouts? I HATE BRUSSEL SPROUTS!!... How about we give up, as Helaina suggested, desserts, candy, sweets, extra helpings, soda... all those special little "treats" that we like so much but don't really need?....

silence....

Oldest son: "well can we still have chocolate milk?"...

"Well, gosh Tyler, do you think it will be THAT hard to do with out?... Or do you want to double up on your chocolate milk to make up for all the other stuff you'll be doing without? is that a sacrafice?... How 'bout we save chocolate milk for Sundays during lent?..."

Helaina and Noah: aaaalllllrrrriiiiiight....

Noah: "how long is lent?"

Tyler (oldest): 40 days! (with disgust in his voice....)

Me: "well, Tyler, it's ONLY 40 days... I think you'll live... giving up goodies, shouldn't kill you... If I think we might be pushing it and it gets too close to call, we'll have to re-evaluate the situation then... If it doesn't hurt at least a little bit, it's not a sacrafice! "

"anything else?... so when we feel frustrated, or it's really hard, because we want a treat REALLY BAD, we can remember to say a prayer, instead, in our hearts... 'dear Jesus, this is really hard right now, because I REALLY want that treat, but I'm going to offer this up as a prayer for.... -fill in whatever you want to pray for... Uncle Chuckie, his Dr.'s, maybe for children that have nothing to eat or nowhere to sleep tonight, or maybe for the parents that are looking for jobs to feed their kids... lots of stuff..."

Noah and Helaina: "oooookaaaaaay...."

Tyler: "Mom, I know what I'm going to give up...."

Me: "what, Ty?"

Tyler: "I'm going to give up thinking that doing without all that stuff is gonna kill me..."

Me: "sounds good to me..."

A Blessed and cleansing Lenten season to you all... May this special season draw you ever closer to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and to His Blessed Mother, Mary!

Lent Approaches...

Lent, this year, comes the earliest it's been in over a hundred years... All I know is that it will be here ALREADY on Wednesday. My mind, as a mom, turns to Christ's suffering, and the suffering of His Mother.

There is so much in my life that I can so easily take for granted. Feeling sorry for myself can come quite easily... The day to day of raising kids, homeschooling, housework, budgeting, balancing all these balls in the air while still trying to be the best spouse I know how to be. Okay, so don't ask my husband about that part...

But really, what do I need to keep all these things in balance? Who understands, more than anyone, what I'm feeling, what I'm going through? And why is it, no matter how tough or how hard I think life is at any particular moment, I can usually think of someone worse off?... unfortunately...

Right now I have one friend that just had major surgery on her arm, recovering from a hard fall, while trying to take care of her ailing husband, who she is more concerned about than herself... I have another trying to raise and homeschool her three young daughters and maintain her own health and sanity as she works pretty much full time at a business that she and her husband have thus far been unable to sell, another priest friend of mine that just last week unexpectedly lost his younger sister to a heart attack, and still others, even family members, young and old, dealing with serious health issues. Unfortunately, there are just too many to list...

I really don't have it so bad... I'm fairly healthy, my kids are healthy, my husband, God Bless Him, has a good job that he can go to and provide for us, so that I'm able to stay home with our kids... and though we would love to find a bigger place to live, we have a roof over our heads and a place to lay our heads at night... For now, I guess we are where God wants us. But even where we are at, physically, there is always room for growth, spiritually. Something I have been lacking in, it seems as of recent months...

So, Lent is upon us... An opportunity for us to take all that burdens us and place them in God's capable hands as we follow him to the desert for 40 days... As we walk alongside His mother, Mary, and contemplate in our hearts, as She did in hers, the love of Jesus and what he has done for us... Mary, our Mother... she gave up EVERYTHING, and in return, He gave US eternal salvation.... God help me in my quest to decrease, so that He may increase....

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me. Immaculate Heart of Mary, love, lead and guide me. Blood of Jesus, cover me. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you, save souls. Jesus, I trust in You.

Let Me Call You 'Sweetheart'...

As usual, this morning, after Mass, we went to my mothers to make breakfast and spend some time with her. It's sort of our Sunday "tradition".... Then, we had a couple of errands to run before heading home for the day. On the way home the conversation in the car turned to the up coming St. Valentines Day. My oldest asked me if it was always on the same date every year, and I responded yes. He said, "what's it for?" I said, "What do you mean, 'what's it for?' ? It's for sweethearts! Do you have a sweetheart, Thomas??" He's 11 so he gave me a quick and definate "NO!" and my husband and I eyed each other... I teased him, "Well, it's not for you, then! Daddy and I are sweethearts, so it's a special day for US!" (now, all my kids know that we get them little chocolate valentines every year...) Rose, my 5 year old chimed up quickly, "I'm a sweetheart!" : )

Hubby and I had to laugh... "Yes, Rose, you ARE a sweetheart... and humble, too!" lolol...