Never Give Up

This isn't the first time I've posted this amazing person! For a dose of inspiration that will really put things in to perspective take a few minutes to listen to Nick Vujicic and be inspired to KEEP going!

"Remember the Marvels the Lord Has Done"...

This morning at Mass, Father asked us to, instead of dwelling on what is making us unhappy, or asking WHY we are put in this or that situation, to REMEMBER the Marvels the Lord has done in our lives... and in contemplating this, we can't just get stuck on remembering the BIG and standout happenings, but ALL the little miracles that He brings to our lives each day... Despite all the sadness, frustrations, set backs, disappointments that always seem SO horrible at the time I'm going through them, God has obviously carried us through... And after the fact, we can look back on those tough times and maybe even see a little more clearly the "why" of why God allowed us to go through them... it makes me more thankful for the blessings... and yes, I can even count the set backs as blessings... If we hadn't lost our business over 8 years ago, my husband would never had found the job that he has. If we hadn't lost almost everything we had as we struggled to find work and make ends meet with 2 kids, we probably wouldn't have learned to live on as little as we do today with 5 kids... even though my pregnancies have been struggles for me, physically and emotionally, to the point of despair and depression, feeling as though we couldn't possibly take care of another baby, God has always provided for our every need and then some...

That said, looking back on the hurdles we've jumped and the successes we've had (though, in many circles, we would not be what many would call "successful"....) what makes me most sad are broken families and the killing of innocent lives... and again, in many parts of society, these are things that are supposed to be mainstream and "okay"... both, in my opinion, cause destruction of souls... This video, though... this video, in a few short minutes gives me hope... I pray that more survivors, mothers, fathers and children, will be unafraid to step forward and tell their stories... putting a face to the injustices... EVERY saved child/mother/father/family is truly one of God's GREATEST Marvels.... Thanks to my friend Sarah for sharing it with me!


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St. Therese, Miracles and Moving....

So, my last post last August I informed you that we were looking for a house, without much luck. The market had been set at a stand still trying to boost up the economy again and we were waiting for mid-September to roll around when we were told that the market would open up again... in the mean time, I had begun a Novena to St. Therese in the hopes that she would bring me a miracle in finding us the perfect house. Now I had been given not one, but two beautiful novena's that I liked to St. Therese. The first was sent to me by a friend after i told her that I had taken to asking St. Therese to help us find a home. The second came from another friend of mine that sent it a couple of weeks before St. Therese's feast day on October 1. I had already been saying the first one, but when I got the second, I just started saying both.

Nine days came and went. I had never been so specific in a request to a Saint, or with a Novena, but I figured it couldn't hurt, so I just kept praying... 9 days... 2 weeks... 3 weeks... I had even told my realtor about my prayer request and said that she should be on the lookout for roses... That was my quest...

Over the next few weeks, the houses to look at were far and few between. And it seemed the ones we did look at, weren't much to look at... lots of repairs, or bad neighborhoods, etc... and the few that we did make offers on were just not meant to be. Still trying to keep a positive outlook, I was feeling pretty defeated... like maybe we just weren't meant to move to a bigger home in a better neighborhood... maybe we were just meant to rent forever...

The second week of October my realtor called me on a Saturday afternoon. She had just gotten word about a house and she really wanted me to meet her there to see it. It sounded really good to her... So, a bit reluctantly, hubby told me to go. I went, and I remember thinking/praying along the way, telling St. Therese, that if this was the house, she was going to have to make it clear to me.... My prayer all along was that she lead us to the house that God had picked out for us.... I arrived less than 3 miles of our current home to what appeared to be a fairly nice/quiet neighborhood. The house was nice, clean, big.... everything we were looking for... except roses.... there were no roses... and I had told St. Therese on the way over that I would be looking for them... ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE.... and I did... there were some bloom less rose bushes in the back yard, but nowhere did I see a single rose... not even on the tiles in the house... My realtor was emphatic that we make an offer and I told her I would talk to hubby about it.

So, when I got home I showed hubby the pictures and told him that Cindy (our Realtor) thought we should make an offer. After the last 6 1/2 months with no luck he said, "why not?" and I was pretty much of the opinion "whatev..." so we did.

I kept praying my now perpetual novena and scanning the listings looking for THE house and two weeks came and went. Normally, in the past, when we had made offers we heard back within the week. Having not heard a word from anyone in two weeks, we had moved on from this last offer when Cindy called us out of the blue to tell us that our offer had been excepted.

"Really?.... huh...." I was sort of in shock... I thought, "But there were no roses... okay, God... who am I to argue with God and His Angels and Saints?..." so, I began to get things ready for a move...

Escrow was supposed to be a MAXIMUM 30 days, according to the seller. They didn't want to give at all, even when we asked for 35... Nope. November 20 was the closing date... Well, then there was the holidays, so it became November 30, than December 4th, then the 7th, 8th and FINALLY we closed on the 9th. So the month of November was WAY crazy between packing 21 years worth of stuff, with 5 kids and a husband that had pretty much NO TIME off, since he took it off during Thanksgiving week when we THOUGHT we were going to move... and then the holidays mixed in, it was pretty crazy...

But we DID get moved, thanks be to God and our guardian angels! and were even able to host Christmas Dinner and a small New Years party at our new home. And the house, even though I wasn't "sold" on it at first, was really starting to grow on me. So many things happened in our first weeks here that seemed to just fall in to place and we felt SO blessed that this really MUST be where God wanted us to be, roses or no roses... : )

about a month after we moved in, my husband was headed out the front door to return to work after his lunch when he was met by the postal carrier, who handed him our mail. In the mix was a letter addressed to the former proprietors of the house.... "St. Therese Group Home"

I kid you not.... I was stunned when my husband came in and told me. I asked him to repeat it 3 different times to make sure he wasn't kidding me! He had forgotten about my novena! I had sort of let it go, figuring that regardless, prayers were OBVIOUSLY answered... but St. Therese had NOT forgotten my prayers... No, she didn't send roses... she sent me HER HOUSE!! : )

I was so excited I emailed my realtor, Cindy (a long time friend from Church), right away. She wrote back that my story had given her chills, but she had to add to it... her confirmation name was "St. Therese".... : ) I guess she WAS really with me, all along....

So here we are, settling in our first home to call our own. And in the living room, on the piano sits the antique statue that came from my mom, who got it from her mother many, many years ago... of St. Therese... God is SO good! St. Therese, pray for us!

Easter Sunday

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! We had beautiful weather for this holiest of days! After early Mass we spent the day with family, enjoying the weather, the company and good food! Here's wishing you all the blessings and graces that our Risen King brings to those who call on His Name!

A Mini Vacation

So, hubby and I decided that we wanted to take advantage of the nice weather predicted for the weekend (low 70's with clear skies) and take an impromptu trip North to the Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum. Now while the weather wasn't as clear as we had thought it would be, there was no rain on Saturday while we were at the zoo (yippee!!) and though we woke to rain on Sunday, the museum was inside, so no harm, no foul : ) We had a great little get away and came home to find FIVE eggs from my chickens! woo hoo! We have 5 hens, so one from each! They must have missed me! : ) Here are some pictures from our adventures! We really had a great time! The first one reminded me of the AT&T commercials that advertise "More bars in more places..." lol...

The only disappointment was not being able to meet up with an old priest friend of ours at Mass on Saturday evening. We learned at the beginning of mass that he had taken suddenly ill and was not able to attend. Being the only priest at his parish, reminded us of the need to continue to pray for more men to hear their calling to the priesthood....

Hubby and I were also reminded that it is important to take advantage of these simple moments with our children. They grow so fast... These pictures show me, especially how my 12, soon to be 13 year old son is going to be out and on his own before we know it, and probably before I'M ready! So I'm thankful we had this opportunity. God is good!

An Awesome Kid!

and one of my FAVORITE teenagers, is my nephew... Home schooled his entire life began high school this year at the local Catholic High School. Not only has he done a FANTASTIC job with his classes and adjusting to the routine of actually GOING to a school and a schedule of going from class to class, but he has also made the varsity swim team! WooHoo!! I'm in awe of how they even get in to a pool at all at this time of year! : ) It's COLD out there!! I'm just so darn proud!

Who'da Thunk?...

It was a year ago, January 25, that I, encouraged by friends, decided to start my own blog... gosh it's been fun! : ) Not to mention therapeutic, in many ways... And I see that today I passed the 4000 mark on my blog counter! Who'da thunk? That this 43 year old stay-at-home-homeschooling mommy of 5 would ever have her life be of interest to others around the globe, that many times??.. From Sri Lanka, to Japan, the Philippines, Germany, India, Ireland, England, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and across this nation from coast to coast... It's been a great ride! Thanks for joining me! Please come, again! : )

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Today is my Mom's 84th Birthday.... My sister, my husband and I and all the kids took her to ice cream at a local family ice cream shop to celebrate, and I gave her a copy of The Priests CD. She was surprised and happy. I remember going to daily Mass when it was Mom's 75th birthday, and when it was time for the prayer intentions, I asked for prayers for my mom on her 75th birthday... The lady sitting behind me was the mom of an old school time friend of mine and she tapped my shoulder and whispered that I shouldn't have "announced" my mother's age... but mom was sitting just a couple of rows ahead of me and she didn't seem to mind... After all, no one ever believes her age... In fact, in my humble opinion, if you looked up "Aging Gracefully" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Mom.... So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!! You look mauhvalous! : ) I hope your day is happy and grace filled! You deserve it! I love you MUCH!

Happy New Year!!

To my friends, family and readers on the East Coast and moving west through the nation, may you have the peace, grace and blessings of God in your homes and families in 2009. To those here on the "left" coast, I wish the same... it's 11:20 pm here and I am going to go welcome in the New Year with my two oldest boys. Hubby, the girls and the baby are all already sleeping away... Happy New Year and goodnight!

FINALLY! A Picture!

Happy Feast of the Holy Family! My friends and family know that every year I manage to dress the kids up and get them to sit still long enough to get a few good pictures in their "Sunday Best"... but with so much going on, and it's just not too easy with five... But I took advantage this morning after mass, when we were at grandma's and before they had a chance to change in to their play clothes... actually I threatened the boys that I would take away their new MP3 players if they didn't cooperate! lol! Anyway! It went smoother than I had anticipated and here is the result... They are, oldest to youngest, 12, 9, 6, 2 and 2 months (already!). We are very blessed... And I didn't notice until I downloaded these that you can see last years family Christmas picture sitting on Grandmas end table! lol! Minus Sam, of course... I hope to have another family picture done soon, with all of us...

Dear Santa...

Okay, so we hadn't done much Christmas shopping yet.... okay, we hadn't done ANY... Just with so much going on, and a little bit of dread and not wanting to deal with the crowds and trying to balance what the kids want and what we can actually afford AND keep everyone grounded on the TRUE meaning of the season, I had already discussed with each of the kids that we ARE a 'large' family by society's standards and we are also a single income family on a tight budget. Don't get yourselves psyched up and set your minds on "big ticket" items... it just ain't gonna happen... we can't afford it and neither can Santa... I think we are like most other parents who want to do and give nice things to their kids, but just can't afford a lot of the things that kids seem to be in to these days... and times 5, well, it gets expensive... Anyway, I had set mine and the kids thoughts on preparing our baking gifts for the season and shopping has been avoided thus far...

Lo and behold hubby brings in the mail yesterday afternoon and opens a Christmas card sent from no return address. Inside was a note from "Santa" explaining that he was having some trouble with elves and ran out of time to do any shopping for us but enclosed a lovely gift card for us to do some shopping of our own for us and each of the kids... completely unexpected but so appreciated... : ) it was signed "Love, Santa"... So Santa, if you're reading this, we got it... and thank you from the bottom of our hearts... It was so very thoughtful... and a VERY Merry Christmas to you and YOUR family!

Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Clause.... ; )

Sam's BIG Day!

What better way to begin the season of Advent then to welcome an new son of God?? As my 6 year old so brilliantly stated early Sunday morning as she was getting ready for Mass, "Mommy, today Sammy will become a "son of God"... right now he's just a "child of God", right?"... : ) she answered her own question, from only a few days before. We were discussing how our baptism makes us sons and daughters of God when she asked me, "What are we before we are baptised?" knowing that she was concerned about her new baby brother's status... I wasn't really sure how to explain it to her without going in to something over her head and more than she would want to hear or comprehend...

So here are the pictures of Sam on his big day... My niece, who happens to be MY God-daughter, and my nephew are the new God-parents. Monsignor Frost did all he could to get even just a "peep" out of Sam before, during and after he was baptized, but our little angle was good as gold! Even opening his eyes wide to greet his parish family afterwards!

After Mass we went to the breakfast that was being held in the church hall by the Knights of Columbus, where one of the knights kindly reserved two tables for Sam and family... : ) Later that afternoon, my nephew was gracious enough to have a bbq, complete with a cake in Sam's honor! We are certainly blessed!

Shepherd Me, O God...

There is a variation of the 23rd Psalm that we sing at Mass that goes:


"Shepherd me O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death in to life...."


It has been going through my mind for the past week or so since we learned that my brother in laws battle with cancer had taken another bad turn... Between that and the pending arrival of our newest little one...


I know when I first learned of this pregnancy and wondering the "why" of it all... though I wanted to be happy, I just couldn't bring myself out of my fear and anxiety ... And now, here we are, full circle and I am once again amazed at the timing and outcome of God's perfect plan...

"Uncle Chuckie" passed and was born in to eternal life at about 2:45 last Thursday afternoon. It was only an hour and 20 minutes later that Samual Charles was born and taking his first breath of his life here on earth... My sister said she is sure that Sam and her beloved husband must have waved at each other in "passing"... It is a bittersweet time... We mourn the loss of a wonderful man that was so good to my sister and their son. We mourn the loss of a man that I admired for doing so much to especially step in and help take care of my mom, after my dad passed away 5 years ago. He was a true, honest and hard worker who spent most of his time worrying about taking care of others, either at home or at work. He will be missed...

and now we have Sam as that constant reminder that our birth in to this life is to be lived in honor and glory to Him, that we may live with Him forever, in the next life. As my pastor so sweetly wrote to me this morning, "God rest Chuck’s soul, part of which lives in Sam!" Amen and amen! This is a picture of Chuckie's son, my nephew, and Sam's soon to be Godfather... "from death into life..."

Continued prayers for our family are truly appreciated as we get through this tough week... The funeral will be Wednesday morning...

A Change in Plans...

So, as it happens, I go in to see my doctor today, one last visit before surgery next Friday the 7th. I had told him that I really wasn't having a good day. I just wasn't feeling very good, it had been a crazy week, my brother in law was in the hospital and I was pretty much just "spinning"... My contractions were increasing, but nothing that had my body doing anything... Sam is still locked up tight...

After examining me, weight was the same, BP was 128/72, no protein, etc... he told me that he wanted to see what he could do about delivering earlier... though the problem was he was going to be gone out of town until Wednesday next week. I thought "well, I'm already scheduled for Friday, what difference would one or two days make?..." Anyway, he said he wanted to check and left me to get dressed. While he was gone I said a prayer, telling God, "You know what is going on with my family right now. You know what is best... You know I want to be available for my sister and nephew when I am needed most... Your will be done..."

About 2 minutes later the doctor popped back in and said, "How about tomorrow at 3:30?"

Wow... Sometimes God answers prayers VERY swiftly and still, quite unexpectedly... So, after a couple of phone calls, it was decided that we would go ahead and do this... My brother in law is fading... right now my sister is focused on her husband and his needs... and I'm thinking that this way I will be there for my sis and nephew when and if they need me most... It may all be just another product of God's perfect timing... from death into life...

So, I'll be off for a little bit, but please keep us all in prayer... for my brother in law to have a peaceful and happy passing from this life to the next, for my sister and her son to be surrounded with love and grace to sustain them through this dark time... and for a safe and happy surgery and delivery for myself and Sam... Thanks!

Good News All Around!

So I got another update from my friend this morning about her nephew, Dylan. They got a call from the doctors last night saying that the bone scans were all free and clear of cancer. The small 3mm spot on the back side of his lung now appears to be "nothing" but they will keep an eye on it, anyway. This is helping the family all breathe a little easier in general, though Dylan's mom is still having a hard time letting her guard down, bless her heart... I don't blame her a bit... can't say that i wouldn't be the same way... Please continue to say a prayer for the family...

And my brother in law was going to have a laparoscopy at noon (PST) today to remove his gall bladder, the source of his infection. Now, hopefully, he will be feeling a whole lot better, soon and back on his road to recovery! It's been a tough road for he and his family, but we are so grateful to God for the good that He has worked through it... Thanks again for all the prayers!

Mom's are for crying on...

When any of my little ones (or the big ones...) are sad, or upset, crying... the one they inevitably go to is me... While I admit that it isn't always at the most convenient times for me... (Like at 2 o'clock in the morning and they've had a bad dream, or can't sleep, or sick or achy, whatever... the "mom-gene" inevitably kicks in and goes to "comfort mode". Nothing seems to soothe a fretting spirit like a hug and the listening ear of mom...

Today, it was MY turn... It was a long and restless night. Mind you, at 8 1/2 months pregnant, even rolling over in bed becomes a MONUMENTAL task... on top of that, there is the 2-4 times that i get up to use the bathroom, and last night it was combined with the baby waking 3 different times, whining and whimpering.. not sure if she got too hot, and then too cold, or what... and then #2 coming crying in to my room in between. The nights turned cold a couple of nights ago, so he went to bed in his "zipper jammies", got too hot, so he took them off. THEN he got too cold and couldn't find them again in the dark.... and his legs were cramping.... *sigh* and then Hubby was fighting some sinus issues and was snoring more than usual... WHY do these things have to happen on Saturday night, when we get up to go to early Mass on Sunday?... As it turned out, everyone had FINALLY settled down and was hard at sleep by the time we were supposed to be getting up... I couldn't wake them, or me, for that matter... We decided that we would wait and go to evening Mass.

After some sleep and breakfast Hubby started on his "kitchen renovations" and I headed for the boys room to get some work done and finish getting it cleaned up and out. Trying to get a "jump start" on my sisters' big "help out" next weekend... My Mom called late in the afternoon to hear how I was doing and I broke down... I'm so tired, and so ready for this baby to come, yet so NOT ready... my house is just NOT ready... there is so much more that needs to be done, that I would like to be done, and I'm just not getting around like I would like to... and the kids, well, the kids haven't been as "helpful" as I wish they would be... and I'm just tired of trying to get them to help... seems like I go from encouraging, to rewarding, to asking, to insisting, repeating, growing frustrated, angry, snappy, to all out mean... I just want to get this done and they just don't really "get" that I feel like I'm running out of time!!! ready or not THIS BABY IS COMING!!

Mom listened... Mom supported... Mom let me cry... sometimes, that's all that is really needed to help me suck it up and move on... it works for my kids most of the time, too...

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

"Lift High the Cross! The Love of Christ proclaim! Till all the world.... adore.... His Sacred Name...."

Many Blessings this day, expected and not expected... Today is my baby's second birthday! She woke up grumpy, and for whatever reason has continued to be less than "adorable" this day, but none the less, she is healthy and happy for the most part and we are blessed to have her : ) She's actually getting the hang of this potty thing, which is a great relief! And so for her birthday, she not only got a toy, but some new 'big girl' panties... She's very proud... So is mommy : )

My great niece was also baptised today! So she shares her re-birth day with my baby's birthday! The baptism was down in San Diego, so we missed it, but I'm sure it was beautiful and Ella did perfect! I'm anxious to see pictures of the big event! Ella's Grandma and Grandpa, and great-Grandma should be home this evening...

Then, surprisingly, we had a third and unexpected blessing for this day in which a family member decided to take that final "plunge" in to the Tiber and swim across! I couldn't keep the tears from my eyes as a small gathering of family and close friends surrounded him as he made his Profession of Faith, received his First Holy Communion, was Confirmed and Anointed... It was very beautiful and I felt very blessed to be there! May God continue to bless him with all the peace and blessings of his Holy Catholic Church!

We celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and God blessed us greatly as we gazed upon Him on that Cross! Thank You, Jesus! Amen and Amen!