Uh-Oh

Dan got a call a little while ago from Nathan. They will be home around 9pm. Apparently, when asked if he was having a good time....the answer...."not that much". Sigh....
He also said he got sick and threw up. It's hard to think of your 8 year old son up on a mountain somewhere far away from home and sick. I was a nervous wreck all week! I think it's a mother's intuition. More to come....as well as pictures (we sent him with a camera)!!

This and that!

• I played Bunco for the first time tonight! For whatever reason, I've always been intimidated by that game. It was so much fun! I filled in for somebody who was unable to make the game. I ended up winning $22 and I won the door prize (Coconut Body Wash and Lotion)! I'll definitely play again!
• Only about 22 hours until Nathan comes home! I miss him so much! I pray that he had a wonderful time and that that Our Lord touched him in a special way.
• Sometimes, I can fly off the handle so quick! I need to show more self control! I received an email today that really rubbed me the wrong way. I spouted off an email back too soon. I should have waited until I cooled off. Is it possile to get kicked out of a parish??? If so, I could be in trouble.
• I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with Twitter. I've signed up, but I'm not impressed. I'm happy with Facebook and my blog. Plus, between work and home, I have too many passwords to remember!
• I started yet another novena to St. Joseph on Sunday...and then I promptly fell asleep last night and missed Day 4. Can I just do the prayer twice tonight or do I have to start all over? Sigh....
• I've been watching some old episodes of Mother Angelica Live on Youtube while I'm at work! I enjoy listening to her so much. Today, she talked about Purgatory. I may be spending more time there than I thought (see bullet point #3). She is somebody that I wish I knew personally.
• Have any of you read the Obamacare bill? You should. It's very eye opening. All I can say is that if you are old or have a serious disease......you could be in for some surprises. Please call your representatives. Don't just sit by and let this happen. Do something!
• I have a headache. I'm going to bed.

Wordless Wednesday

Dear Nathan,

Only 3 more nights and you'll be home! I miss you so much! Your sisters are so bored without you! It's way too hot for them to be outside, so they've been making forts in the house with the sofa cushions and their blankets. They had peanut butter and Fluff sandwiches for lunch today.
Ms. Natalie had to work tonight so John and Lexi are here. I've got lasagna in the oven for dinner. Daddy just went to the store (he took John too) to get some garlic bread. I told John he could play in your room with the Legos. He wants to play on the computer but I'm not sure Daddy will let him. I think after dinner, I'll give Lexi and the girls a bath and then we'll watch a movie.
John's bike was stolen from his yard yesterday! Now he can't ride bikes with you, unless we let him use the blue bike. Maybe, if it's ok with you, we'll just give it to him. I guess this just reminds us that we need to put the bikes up when you are all done riding them, instead of leaving them out!
I hope you are having tons of fun and making lots of friends. I wonder if you miss us too!
I love you,
Mom

Morning Devotion

During some devotion time this morning, I came across this passage and wanted to share it....

One must do everything with Mary. That is we must try to imitate, in our own human way, all the virtues--the perfection--the Holy Spirit fashioned in her.
We must, in each action, consider how Mary did this or that, or how she would do it in our circumstances. Hence, we must examine the virtues she practiced, and meditate on them. Particularly we must concern ourself with her lively faith, which made her believe the words of the angel, without the least hesitation; with her deep humility, which made her hide herself, be silent, submit to everything, and put herself in the last place; and with her truly divine purity which never had its equal and never will this side of heaven!
Here I must cry out again that Mary is the unique mold of God, most suitable to produce living images of God at little cost and in little time! A soul who has found this mold, and loses himself in it, is soon transformed into Jesus Christ, Whom this mold perfectly represents.

--True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Monfort, Chapter XVI

How often do I hesitate? How often do I question God? How often do I try to wrestle my will into God's will? This spiritual reading will make for some very interesting reflection today and a very interesting examination of conscience before bed!!!

Dear Nathan...

Well, it's been one full day since you've been gone. I sure miss you! Daddy and I keep checking the radar to see if it's raining at your camp ground. It looked like you might have gotten wet this morning! I hope your clothes are still dry!

We missed you at mass this morning! We went early so mommy could go to confession. For once, there was only one person in front of me. The girls behaved...pretty well. They earned a doughnut! I talked to Mrs. Bailey. Colin is going to come for a play date the week after you come home. He's looking forward to it! I also saw Mrs. Thornton after mass. She said to tell you that she's really proud of you for going on this camping trip. She said she would pray for you!

I hope you are having a wonderful time and that you are being good! Tonight, when I went to Adoration, I said my whole rosary for you and the other boys at the camp. I hope you get some quiet time to listen to what God might be trying to say to you. I also hope you are making some life long friendships.

Oh, Grandma and Franny called to see if you got off ok! They wanted to know if I cried when I said good-bye to you. I told them NO! If you're brave enough to go on this camp/retreat for a week to learn more about your faith.....then I'm brave enough to let you!

I love you and I miss you.

Love,

Mom

Congratulations!

One year ago today I began my blogging journey! Here is a link to my very first post! It has been a very incredibly rewarding experience! I would recommend it to anyone who is interested.

There really wasn't much celebrating today....Nathan left for the Home of the Mother Boys Camp and it's all I can do to NOT FREAK OUT! (More on all of that later)! In the mean time, I did manage to make a Tastefully Simple Almond Pound Cake for the occasion! It's absolutely delicious! I should have taken a photo when if first came out of the oven this morning as this is what it looks like now.

I never even bothered to take it out of the pan! Nathan did get to have a piece before he left this morning!

Ok...on to the more exciting stuff! There were 15 people that entered to win the beautiful rosary made by Barbara at Praying for Grace. Amelia and Olivia helped me to pick the winner!

Here you can see everybody that entered!

I folded the pieces together as tightly as possible and put them in the basket.

Amelia held the basket while Olivia got to choose.

And the winner is..............

...................MARY333!!! Congratulations, Mary!!! Please email me with your address!

Thanks to all of you for your visits, your friendships and your prayers! Here's to another year of laughter and tears, food and fun, faith and family!!

Only hours left!

There are only a few hours left to leave a comment on my Blogoversary Giveaway post in order to win one of the loveliest rosaries I've ever seen! Get on over there......I'll wait! Oh, and tell some of your friends.....I will draw the winner at 5:00pm tomorrow evening!

Summer Fun!

I was able to take the kids to Adventure Landing (a local water park) this week. None of it would have been possible without the kindness of Aunt Franny and the Cousins! I thought I would post some pictures of the day!

Just 3 days left!!

There are only 3 days left to enter my Blogoversary Giveaway! You do NOT have to have a blog in order to enter! Just leave a comment on this post and you will automatically be entered to win! Winner will be selected on Saturday, July 25th at 5:00pm and announced soon after!

Update!!

The news is good! According to the radiologist that looked at my mammogram this morning..."everything looks fine and there was no change from last year"! It was a surreal experience though. I sat in the same exact room where I was given the news just one year ago.

Anyway, please pray for the woman I shared the waiting room with....she did not go into detail but she was diagnosed sometime last month with breast cancer. She said she had "surgery" on June 29th. I'm not sure if she meant a surgical biopsy or a lumpectomy (she clearly still had her breast). She said she would be starting radiation soon. At that point, it was my turn and so we parted ways. I do not know here name, but, please intercede for this very young woman who looked terrified!

I will forever be thankful for your prayers.

Please pray!

Mammogram today.

Fruit of the vine

Yesterday, my MIL sent over several pounds of fresh blueberries! Apparently, there is a family connection with a blueberry farmer (who knew?). I can't tell you how much I love blueberries!

Because I couldn't control myself, we ended up having blueberry pancakes for dinner last night.

Every single one of those puppies were eaten. Olivia even licked the bottom of her plate!

Late last night, I perused the internet for more blueberry recipes. I found one that seemed easy enough and this morning at 8:00am...I was baking! I found a recipe for Blueberry Crumb Bars from the Smitten Kitchen. The recipe is simple so I'll print it here:

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon salt

zest and juice of one lemon

4 cups fresh blueberries

1/2 cup sugar

4 teaspoons cornstarch

(Let me tell you right from the start....I did not have a lemon, nor did I have any cornstarch.

The recipe turned out TERRIFIC without either)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

In a medium bow, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and the egg. The dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan.

In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently fold in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the berry layer.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Cool completely (if you can wait that long) before cutting into squares. I recommend serving it with French Vanilla Ice Cream!!!

Here's how mine turned out. Surely not as nice as the Smitten Kitchen....but I bet mine tastes just as good!

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I would also like to introduce you to my first crop of cherry tomatoes! I'm very proud! Dan and I decided to try one of those upside down tomato plant "thingy's" and, well, it worked!



Here's the bad news.....I think 4 cherry tomatoes will be considered my bumper crop! Yes ladies and gentlemen.....That's it for this upside down "thingy". It cost us $9.99 for 4 cherry tomatoes.
What a bargain! Sigh......

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One last thing, if you haven't entered to win the beautiful Rosary made by Barbara at Praying For Grace, click here to enter!

Blogoversary Giveaway!!

This coming Saturday will be my ONE YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!! I was telling a blogging friend recently that when I started out, I wasn't sure what kind of blog it would be. Would it be a mommy blog, a Catholic blog, a political blog, or a cancer blog? As it turned out, I think it's been all of those things at different times. Most importantly, it has been a record for my kids about what our life has been like since my diagnosis. It's been a place where I could share all the things about being a Catholic mom with cancer who loves politics. It's been a place to share about the things in life that make me laugh and that make me cry.

In honor of this momentous occasion (at least for me), I wanted to have a Blogoversary Giveaway....one that would show my appreciation for all those readers who visit here and for those who truly have become my friends. Plus, I think these giveaways are fun!

One of my favorite blogging friends has a very special talent. Barbara at Praying for Grace makes some of the most beautiful rosaries I have ever seen. There was one that she made recently that caught my attention right away. Check out these photos and see if you agree:

You can read all of the information about this beautiful rosary here! I love the bronze center and crucifix!

If you or someone you know would like to receive this lovely rosary as my gift in honor of my one year of blogging.....please leave a comment on this post! Please make sure I have a way of contacting you! The winner will be chosen and announced at 5pm on Saturday, July 25th.

Good Luck!

Prayers being offered.

Prayers being offered for the Holy Father's speedy recovery!

Isn't this lovely???

This is what the left has resorted to in order to aid Sotomayor in getting confirmed. Do you see whose face is depicted here? I'll give you a hint....it's NOT Our Lady of Guadalupe. Believe it or not....I am speechless. Click here for the story.

Wordless Wednesday

Stay Tuned!!

Well, I just hit 13,000 visitors to my blog (12,000 of which are probably mine!), 343 posts and my first blogoversary is in 11 days!!! I'm very excited!

To celebrate this event, I have a VERY SPECIAL giveaway planned! Keep a look out for details!!

Am I the only one?

Do any of your children start asking for breakfast the exact millisecond their feet hit the floor in the morning the way my children do? Is this as annoying to anyone else the way it is to me?

Sunday Supper!

When I was a little kid, I loved Sundays. That was the day when all my Italian family members would gather for a meal. Sometimes lunch, sometimes dinner but it always involved pasta and meat of some kind. I have such fond memories of the way the house smelled and I can still hear the way my Aunt Tootie laughed.

Then, there came a time when I hated Sundays. My parents were divorced when I was 9 and my mom had full custody of my sister and I, but we spent every other weekend with my dad. Those years were very hard. Without going into too much detail, l was miserable with my mom. I would literally count off the days, hours and minutes until the next time I would see my dad. I hated Sundays because that was the day that he would bring us back to mom's. Then, I would start the count down again.

As an adult, it got better but Sundays was still the day before going back to work....usually after a very fun and active weekend with friends. Not my favorite day by any stretch of the imagination.

Now, as a wife and mother...Sundays mean so much more. It's a day for God and family. I love to have Dan's parents over for dinner. I try to do this as often as I can because I want my kids to have good memories of Sundays. During the week, we often eat off of paper plates. This really cuts down on the dishes (we don't have a dishwasher).....but NOT on Sundays. On most Sundays, I bring out the good dishes and set the table as well as serve from the table.

Tonight, we had Crockpot Cubed Steaks, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots and biscuits. For dessert....fresh sliced peaches with ice cream. I got the recipe from The Flowering Dogwood.

Here's a picture of the prepared recipe from the blog:

And here a picture of what our supper looked like tonight:

How'd I do??? (Just so ya know, I didn't need that knife to cut the steaks....the fork worked just fine!).

Great Article!

This is a terrific article on modesty at mass! Click here to read it!!

h/t to Insidecatholic.com

Soap anyone?

In order to memorialize this very special occasion in our family, I need to mention here that Amelia got her first taste of SOAP today! She (and her sister) were being scolded for jumping on the couch while I was in the shower. However, after I put them both in time out and began to walk away, Amelia shouted something very nasty to her mother! As a result, she was introduced to a bar of Mr. Ivory Soap!

Is summer almost over?

Coincidence???? I think not!

A funny thing happened to me today. I'm pretty sure that God orchestrated it all. Every day I'm more and more convinced that He is interested in everything about us....in every detail! Consider this....

This morning, I woke up in what I would call an "off" mood. I was in no rush to get dressed for work. My usual hours are 8am to 430pm but I was dragging. By 7:48am, I still wasn't walking out the door! I was feeling a certain spiritual heaviness that I couldn't really put my finger on. Driving to work, I started counting the days weeks months since I'd been to confession. I'm embarrassed to say, but I haven't been since right before Nathan's First Communion (May 9th)!
So, I talked to God as I drove and went over all the things I could think of that I needed to confess. If I do this, I have an easier time remembering everything I need to remember when I finally do get into that confessional.

As I reflected, I realized that I'm always confessing the same thing. Pride is the root sin for me. Everything else comes from that. It's frustrating, really. I just can't seem to move past this issue. When I got to my desk, for some reason I started searching through my files for the Litany of Humility that I used to have taped to my computer so that I could read it daily. When our office moved last year....I never put it back up. For some reason, I felt like I had to find it RIGHT AWAY! It was lost forever so I printed off another one. Phew! After reading it (and praying it) a few times, I felt better. I must say though....it seems almost impossible to achieve any of those things unless you're living in a cloistered monastery....but I digress!
I finally got settled into my desk and thought I might catch the last of the EWTN mass. To my surprise, I was just in time for the homily!

Do you have any idea what the homily was about????? Do ya, do ya?????? Humility! Guess what Father read as part of his homily.......THE LITANY OF HUMILITY! Don't you think that's amazing? It's as though this homily was just for me!

Now, one would think after an experience like that, I would get.to.confession.quick!!! Well, I could have gone to another church across town at lunchtime, but, I chose to listen to a Rosary CD instead. I will go Sunday before mass.

There is one part of the Litany that has convicted me the most.......from the fear of being forgotten....deliver me, Jesus. I think there's a reason for that.

****Stay tuned for "Coincidence????? I think not! Part 2*******

More wonderful blogs....

My body can't keep up with my brain today! Does that ever happen to you? I have many posts rolling around in my head which may or may not ever get written. So, to pass the time, I have more of my favorite blogs to share with you! Since I love pictures in blog posts....feast your eyes on these:

1. Foodgawker I dare you to visit this blog when you're hungry!

2. Cake That! Unfortunately, the creator of these lovely cakes does not live in the U.S.

3. PLAYING WITH SUGAR Is there a better name for a blog than that?????

4. Butter and Sugar Ok...maybe the name of this blog is better!

5. Jenn Cuisine All I can say about this one is.....Mmmmmmmm.

6. CakeCentral Check out the children's birthday cakes!

7. The Sporadic Cook Yummy, yummy, yummy!

8. The Italian Dish This needs no introduction!

9. The Decorated Cookie Fun stuff!

10. Sweetopia Waaaay out of my league!!

Well...these should keep you busy for awhile! Enjoy!

It's About Time......

Vatican visitation for women religious. FINALLY!

Somebody, somewhere.....

.....thought this was necessary. Only in America. Sigh.....

One year ago today.....

.....my life was changed forever! Actually, it's hard to believe that it has been an entire year. It seems like just yesterday, everything was "normal".

Last June, I detected a very small, bb sized lump on my right breast....near the surface of my skin. I was convinced that it was cancer. I can't explain the feeling....except I just knew that there was something wrong. I was scheduled for a mammogram within the week. The mammogram showed nothing...even with magnification and coned down compression views. There just wasn't anything there! I was so relieved. As a precaution, they did an ultrasound and found that the little tiny lump that I felt was something called a sebaceous cyst. Phew!

The drive home that day was incredible! I am sure that the women out there reading this who have experienced a clean bill of health after a mammogram, know exactly how that feels! It's like you've been given a stay of execution...a reprieve from something dreaded. I was free of worrying about breast cancer for another year!

I guess I had been home for all of 20 minutes, when I received a call from the hospital. I knew right away that my proverbial "ball had dropped". It was the radiologist that had read my films. She introduced herself and apologized for her call which she was sure had scared me (Umm, yeah!). However, after reviewing my films for a second time with a magnifying glass, she noticed an area of microcalcifications on my left breast that needed a second look. I went back in right away. We had extra films done as well as another ultrasound. She couldn't be sure without a biopsy but she said it was likely very early DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ). While a diagnosis of cancer is never a good thing, the radiologist said that DCIS is basically pre cancer and is almost always 100% curable.

The next day I had something called a stereotactic biopsy. The pathology results from this test showed that instead of the DCIS...I had IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma). This meant that the cancer was not contained inside the milk duct but had begun to leak out into other areas of my breast. Not exactly the news that I was hoping for.

I went on to have a Fine-Needle Biopsy, MRI of both breasts (this was BRUTAL), and Modified Radical Mastectomy of the left breast. They removed 37 lymph nodes and ALL were negative for cancer! I walked around with 2 drains sutured to my side for almost two weeks. They required draining every few hours. It was miserable. After I had recovered from surgery, I had an abdomen/pelvis Cat Scan, Bone Scan and MUGA Scan all to get baseline information before beginning Chemotherapy. I began chemo on September 25 and my last treatment was on December 1st. I had 4 rounds of Cytoxan and Taxotere every 21 days as well as 4 shots of Neulasta (the day after chemo) to help boost my white blood cells.

I lost all my hair (and I do mean ALL). But, it has since grown back and is extremely curly! The inside of my mouth still feels as though it has been burned and I have some neuropathy in my hands and feet. These things may or may not get any better. Only time will tell.

In February, I had a total hysterectomy. Basically, it was precautionary because of the hormone therapy that is part of my cancer treatment.

Needless to say, this has been a very hard year for me. However, I have also witnessed the love of God in ways I never thought possible. There really are people on this earth that are the hands and feet of God! I could never repay the kindnesses shown to me and my family! Most important to me have been the prayers, masses and sacrifices offered for me. Simply amazing.

I think I have gone through all the phases of dealing with a potential terminal illness. I've been angry, scared, irritable, accusatory and indifferent. I have been happy, sad, depressed and anxious. I have been thankful, pissed off and at my wits end! And many, many times I have been peaceful! Sometimes it seems as though I am having an out of body experience. Like...this really isn't happening to me. Sometimes it seems like it is all a bad dream. Oh, how I wish it was. I look at my kids and my husband and wonder...why me? And then, I look again and I am just thankful that I've been given the gift of this family at all. I am so blessed.

Through this cancer journey I have met so many people. I call them angels from God. These are people that I never would have met had it not been for cancer. For this reason, I am grateful for this disease. It has allowed me a perspective that I would not have had otherwise. It has allowed me to see my life through a different pair of eyes. None of us know the exact moment when the Lord will call us home. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1007 states:

Death is the end of earthly life. Our lives are measured by time, in the course of which we change, grow old and, as with all living beings on earth, death seems like the normal end of life. That aspect of death lends urgency to our lives: remembering our mortality helps us realize that we have only a limited time in which to bring our lives to fulfillment:

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,....before the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. (Eccl 12:1,7)

As I sit here and mull over all that I have experienced and learned over the course of this year, I am reminded that I have an appointment for a mammogram (for the right side) on July 21st and if all goes well with that, then I will be scheduled for a PET Scan in December. All of this will tell me if the cancer has returned or metastasized somewhere else.

So, this is my life now. This is how I will live until God takes me home. I will live out my vocation as a mom of 3 gorgeous gifts and wife to the best man in the entire world! I will live each day as it comes. I will worry at least once a year when I have to be reminded of this awful disease. And then, I will forget.....I will be normal.....until next year.

St. Maria Goretti

When Dan and I were in Rome for our 10th anniversary in 2007, we were able to visit the incorrupt body of St. Maria Goretti. Fr. Steve drove us to Anzio/Nettuno for the day and this is where her remains are resting. I must tell you that it was incredible. She is beautiful! If you do not know the story of St. Maria Goretti, please take the time to read about her incredible life (and death).

This is where Maria's remains are exposed...Our Lady of Mercy in Nettuno, Italy. There was a mass going on in the church at the time so we chose not to take any pictures inside...out of respect. However, there are lots of pictures on line where you can see her incorrupt body.

Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth,with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.

Holy Card courtesy of Holy Cards For Your Inspiration

Here's a question for you....

Are you really Catholic? This is an awesome article from www.catholic.org. Please take a few minutes to read this (click here)....meanwhile....I'll be enlarging it about 1,000 times and putting it on a billboard in my front yard!

Our Lady of the America's, Pray for us.

Oh Immaculate Mother, Queen of our country, open our hearts, our homes, and our land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son. With Him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright with the radiance of Gods light shining in and about you. Be our leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son and of yourself, in union with Him, from that same Savior, Who loves us with infinite charity.
We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved Land, determined to fight under your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving maternal care.
We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our Land to your Most Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us.
We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence. We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives according to your desire.
Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus Christ. May His Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America, as your instruments of peace among men and nations. Work your miracle of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the Blessed Trinity, Who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.
May your valiant spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and Saints, assist you and us in "renewing the face of the earth." Then when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son reigns forever as King.
Amen

I'm a gonner!!

I guess the oncologist and I will not get to discuss treatment options and decide what to do...if and when my cancer returns. But, thank goodness President Obama will have it all figured out for me and the decision will already be made. Phew!

(h/t to JillStanek.com)