Small Successes

Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done! To link up your Small Successes each Thursday, go to CatholicMom.com. Here's the link.

1) I got down on the floor, underneath the kitchen table to tighten the bolts on the table legs. The whole thing has been so wobbly!

2) I started decorating our house for Christmas. I'm just doing a bit at a time & it's nice to have Matt come home from work to see what I've added.

3) In the past three months or so, I've lost a total of 10 pounds. YAY me!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for the hope & promise of eternal salvation in God alone! With so many things going on in our country & world today, that faith in God's promises sometimes seems to be the only thing to help me carry on.

2) I'm thankful for my family's love & support! I am blessed beyond measure w/ an incredible family.

3) I'm thankful for little nudges & reminders from the Holy Spirit! I do struggle at times to be more aware of them, but when they do appear, there's no mistaking them.

4) I'm thankful for hugs & kisses from my Blessings! While feeling a bit down last night, The Saint gave me a big hug & kiss, then looked up at me w/ the sweetest smile, telling me that everything would be okay. How can I not feel better after that?!

5) I'm thankful for the healing powers of this meme each week! While it is tough at times to come up w/ five blessings, it's so worth it to help me realize that I truly am blessed in everything. Thank you, Judy, for hosting this each week!

Lovin' My Husband

Join us each week at Judy's blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, to share how wonderful your husband is.

In this day & age, where so many women belittle, complain about, & just plain take their husbands for granted, Judy has created this wonderful meme. Each Tuesday, we celebrate our husbands by choosing three things we love about them. The hardest part of this meme? Narrowing it down to only three things! 

1) Lovin' Matt for his silliness!  EVERY time I turned around on Sunday, he was there for a hug or kiss. Usually this isn't a problem, but this time I was busy in the kitchen cleaning it up, preparing dinner, & getting dessert ready for The Prophet's birthday. So, after the umpteenth time, he said he would only touch me every hour & a half. A few times he accidentally bumped me & made a big, cute show of "Oops! My hour & a half isn't up yet!" (BTW - I did make sure the wait was worth it for him each time! This was all G-rated & in good fun...the kids even enjoyed our playfulness!)

2) Lovin' Matt for taking care of me throughout my uncle's week in the hospital & his passing. The past couple weeks were emotionally draining on both of us, but thankfully we were there for each other.

3) Lovin' Matt for putting up w/ good-natured teasing. Over the weekend, he proved many times that I was actually right about various things. Some times I didn't even have to say anything, I would just give him my sweet, loving "I told you so" look & he would just laugh.

Homeschool Blessings

 

I'm so excited to participate in Judy's new meme...Homeschool Blessings. 

Judy says, "It's easy! It's fun! And, it gives you a chance to reflect on the blessings, joys, and adventures of your homeschooling life!

Want to participate, too? Stop by her blog (link above) every Monday, add the above image to your blog post, & share your homeschool blessings & joys. Don't have a blog? No problem...just head over to her blog post each Monday & list your blessings & joys in the comments section.

This week, I'm listing my five blessings for homeschool in pictures. These are all activities from this school year!

Nature Hikes on a Beautiful Fall Day

The Archangel Practicing Origami

The Princess Learning New Crochet Patterns...a Hat for Her Rapunzel Doll

Baking Together...Apple Bread, Make Ahead Oatmeal, & Marzetti

Letting God into Our School...The Princess made this out of pattern blocks.

Happy 12th Birthday to My Firstborn

Today, my "baby", The Prophet turned 12. Is it really possible that he's going to be a teen in just one year? I just can't believe it! He already stands up to my nose...oops, I just checked, he stands up to my forehead! It won't be much longer until he's taller than me.

He has grown into such a sweet, kind young man & we are very proud of him. Sure, he has moments where we wonder what on earth he was thinking...don't all parents? Yet, through it all, he's proven time & again that he can really be dependable, helpful, & loving. 

The Prophet

T - Talented

H - Helpful

E - Enthusiastic

P - Playful

R - Real

O - Ornery

P - Prayful

H - Healthy

E - Enjoyable

T - True

This link will take you to his Birth Story from two years ago.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our dear Lego-loving, faith-filled, wise son! We love you so much & are so proud of you. I thank God daily for entrusting the care of your soul to us.

Remaking a Skirt!

I've been following Marisa Lynch's New Dress a Day blog for over a year now. Her book, by the same title, just came out last month. When she lost her job several years ago, she decided to purchase her clothing from thrift stores & remake them. Her original goal was to spend just one dollar a day on clothing to remake. I don't always like everything she's redone, but she has made over MANY great outfits. She's also been an inspiration to women all over the world, including me. I've made over some denim dresses that had torn or just didn't look right on me anymore & I fixed up a couple of tops that were too low-cut on The Princess.

A couple of months ago, we had some family photos taken & we were originally going to have everyone in khaki pants or skirts. At Goodwill, I couldn't find anything in The Princess' size. In the women's section, I found what would be too short (IMO) for a woman. However, it was the perfect length for The Princess, w/ a little bit of adjustment on the width. So, I bought it.

I cut it right down the middle in the front, taking off about eight inches of the width. Then, using HelpfulGrammy's sewing machine (which she'd given to me earlier in the year) I sewed it back together & VOILA! a new skirt! 

Snip, Snip...off go about eight inches (not sure why the photo is sideways!)

The finished product

The Princess...modeling her new skirt

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

My uncle, HelpfulGrammy's only brother, passed away on Friday, at the young age of 65. Today's Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings is in honor of my dear uncle.

1) I'm thankful for a beautiful celebration of my uncle's life. There were easily over 1500 people at his viewing Monday evening. There were also many who came for the funeral on Tuesday morning. My uncle, an avid baseball fan, player, & coach, wanted his funeral to reflect that. So, he was dressed in his complete (& I mean COMPLETE!) uniform, we sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", the pallbearers were former players he coached, while two other former players spoke, & my cousin (his only son) read "Casey at the Bat".

2) I'm thankful for the faith & strength I've seen in my aunt & cousins this past week & a half w/ my uncle's hospitalization & passing. They & their spouses all have such strong faith in God & I know they'll need to draw upon that strength over the next year.

3) I'm thankful for the many memories I have of my uncle...family reunions, bonfires at their home, holiday celebrations, & so much more.

4) I'm thankful for the many people who came together to help put his funeral & luncheon together, making it easier on the family.

5) I'm thankful for the kind, humble spirit of my uncle. For all the activities, organizations, & experiences he was involved in, he easily could have been pompous & arrogant. Yet, through it all, he was a loving, humble man...a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, & friend to many. The examples he set will continue in all who knew him.

Homeschool Blessings

 

I'm so excited to participate in Judy's new meme...Homeschool Blessings. 

Judy says, "It's easy! It's fun! And, it gives you a chance to reflect on the blessings, joys, and adventures of your homeschooling life!

Want to participate, too? Stop by her blog (link above) every Monday, add the above image to your blog post, & share your homeschool blessings & joys. Don't have a blog? No problem...just head over to her blog post each Monday & list your blessings & joys in the comments section.

1) Taking earlier & longer holiday breaks to focus on the season.

2) If our Blessings find a topic that they're really interested in, they can continue to read & study it, instead of quickly moving onto the next topic.

3) Learning can take place in any part of the house...cuddling on the couch or a bed to read a book, sitting at the kitchen table, sprawling out on the floor, sitting on the porch...anywhere!

4) I don't have to worry about the Blessings missing school when unexpected things happen. 

5) They can have all the physical activity they need or want...which in the end helps them to focus more once they've gotten all those wiggles out!

The Catholic Company Book Review - "Candy Canes in Bethlehem"

Candy Canes in Bethlehem 

by Miriam Van Scott

Illustrated by Traci Van Wagoner

Five year old Daniel is given the task of setting up the nativity scene for All Saints Parish. What starts as a boring task, while other children seem to have more important & special ones, soon becomes a fun lesson in how people of various cultures celebrate Christmas. Learn along with Daniel why a kangaroo or an origami crane are placed alongside the Holy Family & the Wise Men.

I found this to be a sweet story of a young boy discovering what Christmas truly means for all the world. I asked my older two boys (ages 12 & 9) to read it & let me know what they thought. Then I read it to my younger daughter & son (ages 7 & 4). While I think the book is geared more toward lower elementary aged children, all of my children really liked the story & it will be a welcome addition to our Christmas book collection.

The author does mention a website to go along with the book that includes recipes, crafts, trivia & more. However, when I went to look it up prior to writing this review, the site was under construction & not available. I hope this is only temporary. While the book briefly touches on the various traditions, I think it would make a great introduction to an in-depth study of how Christmas is celebrated around the world & the website would be a great help in that study.

 This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Candy Canes in Bethlehem. The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your family Advent activities and supplies this year, such as Advent wreaths and calendars for kids, as well as Christmas decorations such as nativity scene sets and religious Christmas gifts for the whole family.

Ostrich Moments

Have you ever had an "ostrich moment"? You know...those times when you just want to bury your head in the sand until all the bad stuff reigning down on your life passes?**

I've been feeling like that lately, esp. after this past week. 

I went to bed Tuesday evening w/ a feeling of dread...knowing deep down that we would still have the same president for the next four years, one who has absolutely no respect for the sanctity of life from conception to natural death! So, Wednesday I spent in a depressive state of mind & in much prayer for our country.

Thursday, as we were leaving for The Prophet's band practice, the van sounded like we were dragging something. I stopped & checked underneath, but found nothing. We continued on our journey, but as I got closer to our destination, a loud grinding sound began & only got worse the more I braked. Of course, I just happened to get stuck at EVERY. SINGLE. RED. LIGHT. & then behind several cars that needed to turn. So, I took the van to our mechanic after band practice. While it was being repaired, we spent the day at HelpfulGrammy's, not getting anything done at home or w/ school work. (Although, I really enjoyed spending some quality time w/ my parents!) Almost $200 later, we now have new brake pads & rotors on the front of the van! CHA-CHING!

Friday morning, the four Blessings were not in very blessed moods! They were constantly arguing w/ each other & disobeying me left & right. Thankfully, I had a "Mom Therapy" session w/ my dear friend & the blessings got to play w/ their friends. I felt so much better after our afternoon together...the highlight of my week!

Friday evening, HandyGramps called to say they were heading to the hospital. They believed that HelpfulGrammy's only brother had a brain aneurysm. After some tests, it's been determined that he had a leaking vein. They are keeping him in a sedated state right now, de-sedating him occasionally to check for any responses. While they still have him on the ventilator, he is breathing on his own. He's still not out of the woods yet, so prayers would be appreciated for all the family!

In between all of these stresses & trying times, my ostrich moments increase when I read more & more news articles & links online... 

Obamacare will not be repealed

Texas is trying to get a petition to withdraw from the US 

a Nevada woman may be forced by courts to abort her baby  

...just to name a few.

They increase when I open up our checkbook & realize that we spent that last paycheck before it even came in, yet we still have bills that need taken care of. They increase when I try to make healthy meals (limiting GMOs & other harmful ingredients) yet the Blessings refuse to even try them. They increase when I can't get through to our Blessings that their fighting & disobedience is unacceptable. They increase when I go into work & see the poor souls who have no family or friends to visit them. 

I KNOW in my heart that God is in control. I KNOW I just need to put all my trust in Him. I KNOW that He has a plan for each of us, His children. I KNOW all will work out well in the end. I KNOW what I need to do...I need to stop trying to bury my head in the sand & lift my eyes toward my Heavenly Father. I need to look for His guidance & support. I need to read my Bible more, burying myself in His Word instead of those news links or the sand. 

It's time to walk away from that sand pit, which can quickly become the pit of despair. One of the things that helps, esp. at times like these, is my "Journal of Joy," a spiral notebook where I write down all the joys found amid the chaos & stresses of everyday life. They really are there, despite how I may be feeling. As my dear friend Judy & her husband say, the joy is there, you just need to find it!

 Despair Prayer to St. Jude

St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of; pray for me, who am so miserable; pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succour of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly

all of the above sufferings & stresses I've mentioned

and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity. Amen.

St. Jude, Apostle, martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Mary and of Joseph, intercede for us.

 **NOTE: Yes, I do know that ostriches really do not bury their heads. The myth is based on their ability to place their heads lower to the ground when they sense danger.

Down, but Not Out!

I'm feeling down today...ya' know, those election results from yesterday. 

I keep wondering if I could have done more to change the outcome...

* prayed more than I did?
* fasted like others?
* put up more than one sign in our yard?
* driven around town more so our bumper sticker would have been more visible?
* listened to all those recorded robo-calls we received?
* kept all those mailers & thoroughly studied them?
* written letters to our local papers?
* been more openly political on Facebook & here on my blog?
* debated w/ those who don't share my beliefs?
* volunteered at a local campaign site?
* physically gone to vote instead of absentee ballot?

But, would any of these things have changed the fact that we do not have a new president today, as many of us hoped? Most likely not! I am one person who can not control the thoughts & actions of others. 

I am confident that I did all I could w/ the time & resources I have. 

So, what happens now? I will put my faith & trust in God. He alone has a true plan to get us out of the messes we're in right now. He never promised us that our life here on earth would be easy, but He has promised us eternal & everlasting happiness with Him in Heaven.

I will gather my strength in the words of St. Paul in today's first reading (Philippians 2:12-18), esp. the following:

Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

And Psalm 27, also from today's Mass:

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

There is hope & peace to be found in Christ our Lord. We may be down, but we're not out!

Lord, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy,
 Lord, have mercy!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful The Prophet has joined the Youth Ministry at our church. They had their kick-off bonfire Sun. evening & he had an INCREDIBLE time. He talked about it the whole way home & is looking forward to more activities in the future.

2) I'm thankful for The Archangel's dedication as a Mass Server. Each Sunday, he volunteers to serve if others do not show up. With all the struggles we've been through w/ his ADHD, it's wonderful to see him so active in church, doing such a great job, & enjoying himself in serving our Lord.

3) I'm thankful for little surprises from The Princess. When I got home from work on Sat., she showed me her straightened up room. Also, knowing how much I've been enjoying crossword puzzles lately, she found one in a coloring book & left it for me on my bed.

4) I'm thankful for the joy & entertainment The Saint provides for our family. On Monday, he found himself a "pet"...a pill bug which he carried around the house. At one point, he dropped it on the kitchen floor & when he got down to pick it up, I heard him say, "Pet, are you okay?" Later, he set it free on the front porch. As soon as he closed the door, he sighed & said, "I miss my pet!"

5) I'm thankful for the strength I am able to draw from God, esp. today! 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?" (from today's Psalm 27)

Lovin' My Husband

Join us each week at Judy's blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, to share how wonderful your husband is.

In this day & age, where so many women belittle, complain about, & just plain take their husbands for granted, Judy has created this wonderful meme. Each Tuesday, we celebrate our husbands by choosing three things we love about them. The hardest part of this meme? Narrowing it down to only three things! 

1) Lovin' Matt for making a dessert for The Prophet to take to the Youth Ministry Kick-off & Bonfire. It was a huge hit w/ the youth of our parish!

2) Lovin' Matt for going into work a half hour early every day this week to pick up some overtime.

3) Lovin' Matt for trimming back our cherry tree out front. It's been growing a bit close to our neighbor's house, so Sunday afternoon we worked together...he trimmed & I cleared up the branches he dropped.