It's Here!

The big brown truck stopped at our house today and left us two big boxes full of school books! I'm not sure who was more excited...me or the kids! Olivia wanted to start some school work right then!

I'm so thankful for a company like Catholic Heritage Curricula! For one thing, as a new homeschooling mom, this whole thing can be quite overwhelming and they really put me at ease and walked me through the whole process. CHC's customer service is excellent! I emailed Theresa with questions and got an answer back almost immediately. Their website is very user friendly and they allow you to create "wish lists" so you have very easy access to those materials that you'd really like to have...but can't quite afford at the moment!

I thought I would share what each of my kids will be working on when school starts! If you're a veteran homeschooler and are bored to tears with this sort of thing....just skip on down to the bottom!

Nathan
CHC Lesson Plans: Fourth Grade
The Father Brown Reader
Rare Catholic Stories
My Catholic Speller: Level C
Language of God: Level C
Saxon Math 5/4
Behold and See 4: Human Anatomy & Health
Faith & Life Series: Grade 4
1001 Facts for Your Catholic Geography Bee
Called to Serve: A Guidebook for Altar Servers

Amelia
CHC Lesson Plans: First Grade
Little Stories for Little Folks: Catholic Phonics Readers
What Do You Like To Do....Catholic Easy Reader & Keepsake Journal
My Very First Catholic Speller
Catholic Heritage Handwriting: Level 1
Easy as 1,2,3: A Catholic Overview of Science for the Primary Grades
MCP Mathematics 2005 Edition: Level 1
Faith & Life Series: Grade 1
New Catholic Picture Bible

Olivia
CHC Lesson Plans: Preschool-Kindergarten
I Can Find Letter Sounds
I Can Find Numbers & Shapes
Little Folks Letter Practice

You can click on any of these titles to get a closer look at the book....even see some sample pages! The lessons plans are perfect for a first time homeschooling mom who doesn't have a clue about how to put lesson plans together!

What sold me on CHC's program is that it seems very gentle and light and it is solidly Catholic! As a matter of fact, when Nathan picked up his speller, he said "Hey mom, even the spelling book is holy"! I guess you can't ask for more than that!

I guess I will be spending the next several weeks familiarizing myself with all the material and getting ready for our first day. When will our first day be, you ask? I don't have any idea! Most likely, it will be sometime in September....although I'm not so sure the kids will be able to wait that long...especially when a lot of their friends go back to school in early August. We'll have to wait and see.

Here are some pictures of our materials that came today!

Wordless Wednesday (Kinda)

It's 7:04am and I can already tell it's going to be one of those days!

I'm at it again...

I'm playing with templates again. Bear with me.

Our News!

Our news in a nutshell is that.....Dan and I have decided to homeschool our kids beginning this year! I'll wait a few seconds and let that sink in.....

This decision was not made hastily, or lightly. There was much discussion, both lighthearted and serious and I'm a little embarrassed to admit, there were also some tears shed. Basically, what it all came down to was this..."sending our kids to a Catholic School is a luxury, however, giving our kids a Catholic Education is free". God has given Dan and I the mandate to be the first educators of our children. To me, that means that we are responsible for instilling in them the foundations of our Faith and motivating and encouraging them to live that out. As far as I'm concerned, this is our job no matter where they physically go to school. Honestly, it all came down to expense. The tuition is just more than we can handle, especially when you consider everything that isn't included in the tuition payment...uniforms, school supplies, field trips, lunch program, sports, pictures.....and we had all of this times three!

I must tell you that in spite of the financial aspect, we LOVE our parish school! We really do feel part of great big family. In fact, when discussing this situation with the principal, she graciously offered us a discount for the year...one that we initially agreed upon. However, we realized that even with the discount, we just wouldn't be able to do it. Dan's parents have also helped us in the past, but the cost does not go down every year...it only goes up. We can either afford this, or we can't.

We considered public school, but this just wasn't a good option for us. The two elementary schools that our district says we could choose from...are not very good. As a matter of fact, one of them has been graded as an "F" school. There is another public school in our area that we could qualify for, however, there is already a waiting list to get in.

Over the last ten years, we have been introduced to several homeschooling families. As a matter of fact, some of them we know quite well and we spend a lot of time with them. Dan's brother and his family have homeschooled for many years. We have many positive examples of the homeschooling lifestyle around us. All of these families homeschool for different reasons, but NONE of them express any regret with their decision.

Personally, the desire to homeschool has been in my heart for seven or eight years! Dan has been more resistant to the idea...I think for several reasons. Since both of us work part time, this homeschooling adventure will have to be managed differently than most....we will have to be a "tag team" family. That means that both Dan and I will be homeschooling them. Dan tends to have a short fuse when dealing with the kids and I know he's worried that he will spend his time grumping at them. We've come up with a tentative plan where I will take care of the core subjects and he will take care of the "outside" time.....library days, nature walks, field trips and such.

I don't expect this to be a perfect situation. As a matter of fact, I expect to have some frustrations and some "why didn't we just send them to school" moments. But I'm committed to giving 100% of myself to try and make this work. My children mean the world to me. I've been given the gift of new eyes to see my life. This time with them is priceless. I intend to spend as much time with them as possible. The flow and routine of it all will come...with time and patience. We will have good days and bad days. We will laugh and cry. We will discover things as a family and create memories for our children that will last a lifetime!

I'm excited and scared about this adventure. We purchased our curriculum last week (Catholic Heritage Curricula) and according to UPS tracking....it's somewhere in Ohio right now. Our boxes should arrive on our doorstep on the 30th! The kids are excited too!

I have much on my plate at the moment! I've got to make sure all of my paperwork with the school district is in order, I need to rearrange some things around the house to make room for school books and such. We don't have an extra room so we will be a "kitchen table" family for now. Dan has plans to transform or back garage into a school room....but that is for much later.

I'll also be attending a Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Homeschooling Conference next month in Tampa! I'm really looking forward to this!

I want ask any and all veteran homeschoolers out there...."If you could do your first year of homeschooling over again...what would you do differently"??

Under the Weather and Other Stuff

I've been feeling a little under the weather since yesterday. Nothing specific...just general ickiness. There has been a lot going on here in our house, so some of it might just be stress related...not to mention I forgot my reflux medicine two days in a row!

Thank you all for your advice about children keeping their rooms clean! The best part of all of the comments I received was being reminded that I'm NOT alone! I got several suggestions for the "black garbage bag" maneuver! I had to laugh because I am very familiar with this option. As a matter of fact, I used that move not long ago! I think we can all agree that picking our battles, being consistent and not expecting too much...can really be the key in getting cooperation. I was also very pleased to learn that just because they have messy rooms when they're little...doesn't necessarily mean they will grow up to live like that in adulthood! Phew!

I'm about half way through the novel I picked up at the library this week. It's called Airframe by Michael Crichton. Now, I know you must be familiar with some of Mr. Crichton's work....Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain and The Lost World. Those are all excellent stories, exquisitely told. However, this one...not so much. I think it is waaay too technical and because of that, I keep losing interest. I really want to read a good novel....a good suspenseful, "can't put it down" thriller! Any suggestions?

Tonight was our last evening with the Traveling Madonna! The statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be delivered to the next family tomorrow afternoon! We've managed to say our family Rosary every night (except last night...long story) and pray for all of the intentions that you all commented about and emailed to me! I printed them all, folded them and placed them at Our Lady's feet. It has been a pleasure to intercede for the needs of others for a change. I believe we will have the statue again in November!

I need to remind myself to check the USCCB movie site before I pay $4.99 for an "On Demand" movie that has a deceptive title. A couple of months ago, I remember seeing a trailer for the movie "Legion". I remember the trailer showing Michael the Archangel in a tremendous battle against evil! Trust me on this one.....NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY! First of all, the USCCB rated it "morally offensive". Secondly, the acting was horrible and the plot (God losing faith in humankind and ordering the angels to kill them all) is just plan silly. Now, with all that being said, there was one incredible scene where an unmarried pregnant woman talked about her reasons for not aborting her baby....very touching and it was a very good message! Still....save your money, save your integrity and GO DO SOMETHING ELSE. The movie is NOT worth your time!

****Be on the lookout for a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT coming to Be Not Afraid!!!****

Have a wonderful weekend!

Recipe Swap Thursday - Summer Salads!

This recipe is from my good friend, Mary R. It is DELICIOUS! Mary was kind enough to make this dish for our family when I was going through chemotherapy!

Asian Broccoli Slaw

1/2 cup oil (some recipes call for up to 2/3 cup)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
seasoning packet from ramen noodles

1 pkg. broccoli slaw mix
1 cup sliced almonds
2 pkg. chicken ramen noodles (broken up)

Mix oil, sugar and vinegar. In large bowl, mix together broccoli mix, almonds and broken ramen noodles. Add dressing and toss. Let stand for a few hours.

***I use Splenda instead of the sugar****

Check out more delicious Summer Salads over at The Musings of a Mom!

Library Time

I took the kids to the library yesterday....and I paid my fine {lowers head in shame!}. The librarian decided she should give me a pep talk about keeping our library books in a special place so as not to lose track of them and rack up fines...yada,yada,yada. Is this lady for real? We don't keep our library books in a special place, do you? I mean, we've found the best way to deal with library books is to scatter them all over the house (including the bathroom and the garage), and then run around in a panic 2 days after they are due trying to gather them all up! Isn't that how everyone does it?

Anyway, I limited the girls to 5 books each! Any more than that and it could get ugly! I let Nathan roam free and he came away with about 10 books....he had most of them read by last night, except for the chapter books.

I actually came home with two books this time:

1. Airframe by Michael Crichton~I've been wanting to read a good novel that would challenge my mind and keep me turning the pages. I have much confidence in Mr. Crichton...but this one is a slow start. I'm 70 pages into it and I'm waiting for the intrigue to start.

2. The Zone by Dr. Barry Sears~Strangely enough, I used to OWN this book, but gave it away a few months ago for the used book sale at our parish school. I wish I had kept it. I'm in deep, deep trouble with my weight and I'm desperate.

What are you reading?

News Flash!!!

• I have been keeping up with my GOOGLE READER for over a week now! Yes, it's true! I finally figured out that all I need is about 10 minutes every morning....BEFORE the kids get up, to quickly scan through them. Mondays are a little different, there were 79 to read this morning and it took me a little longer. But this system is working for me and I feel as though I'm keeping up with all of my wonderful blogging friends. Now, I realize that at some point, a wrench will be thrown and I'll get backed up again.....but...THIS IS WORKING FOR ME!! Whoo-Hoooo!
• NEW BLOG ALERT: I want to share with you my new favorite place to visit....The Idea Room! Go check it out!
• I planned to take the kids to the library today. I checked the website last night because their hours have changed...and I find out that my library card is BLOCKED because I owe $12.80 in back taxes fees! I find it interesting that you can not make a mortgage payment for a year or more....and STILL LIVE in the house, but, owe less than $15 in library fees, and you're stuck! Interesting!
• This is our week to have the "Traveling Madonna" at our house. The beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima arrived last night! This will be a week of special rosaries and prayer time for us! If you have a special prayer request, please let me know, I would be glad to ask Our Lady to place those prayers at the foot of the Cross for you!

That's all for now! Have a blessed week!

Happy Father's Day!

Daddy with Nathan (September 2000)

Daddy with Amelia (February 2004)

Daddy with Olivia (October 2005)

Mary, Mother of Mercy

They cried out to you, and from heaven you heard them and rescued them according to your compassion time after time....Neh 9:28

Reflection: Mary is not only called the Mother of Mercy, she is the Mother of Mercy. And she proved that she is by the loving tenderness with which she helps us all. -St. Alphonsus Liguori


Prayer: O Mary, you are the Mother of Mercy. Plead my cause day and night before your Divine Son. In your mercy, do not let me be lost forever.

What do YOU think?

Do you have trouble with your children keeping their room clean? I certainly do! It seems as though it is a constant battle and it usually never ends well. I’ve come to the undesirable conclusion that I’m a PUSH OVER…although it isn’t for lack of trying….I think it’s lack of FOLLOW THROUGH!

Here is how the scenario goes at my house:

1. Mom gets frustrated at the messy room. This frustration starts out mild, and then grows bit my bit…sometimes minute by minute!
2. Mom calmly states, “These rooms look horrible, could you please spend a few minutes straightening them up”?
3. Kids ignore mom…she’s busy with something else.
4. Mom passes by the rooms again a few hours later…the frustration is growing!
5. This time mom says (in a significantly LOUDER voice) “Why haven’t you straightened your room yet”?
6. Kids say, “But mom, we’re still playing right now! We’ll clean it up when we’re done”.
7. Mom realizes (while putting said kids to bed) that they never even made an attempt to clean the room. In addition, she finds her good scissors, the last of the scotch tape and the birthday streamers from the last party, all on the floor in the girls’ room. Apparently, they’re making a craft as a gift for me!
8. Mom makes a HUGE announcement, “We are not going ANYWHERE tomorrow unless this pig sty is cleaned up! I can’t believe you guys have no problem living like this! Why are my good scissors laying on the floor? This will all be cleaned up tomorrow or there WILL BE CONSEQUENCES….is that understood”!
9. Kids all reply in unison “yes ma’am”!
10. You don’t really want me to explain #10, do you?

You get the picture! This will go on and on until either I threaten that there will be NO MORE TOYS for the next ten Christmas’/birthdays….or…I just end up cleaning the rooms myself. The advantage to doing it myself is that I get to throw out garbage and broken toys without an argument…and it gets cleaned the way I LIKE IT! The disadvantages…well, they are too numerous to mention here!

My 9 year old son can usually come up with some very impressive 9 year old wisdom like “Mom, what’s the big deal…it’s just a room! Can’t I just keep my door shut”? Well, yes he could keep his door shut, until of course, I would actually need to go in there for something and then I might never be seen again! The girls just leave it at, “But mom, we LIKE it like this”!

I remember having to clean my room when I was 5…..I got really good at just throwing everything under the bed! My mom didn’t seem to notice at first…until she wondered why she hadn’t washed any of my clothes in awhile!

All kidding aside, I WANT to teach my children life skills. I WANT them to be self sufficient, functioning members of society. I WANT them to obey us and to respect our decisions (even if they don’t like them) just because we are their parent’s and because God has required it of them.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it”. Proverbs 22:9

What I want to know is, does this include bedrooms?

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”. Ephesians 6:4
“And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of they children”. Isaiah 54:13
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you”. Exodus 20:12

I know that my kids need love, understanding, discipline, direction and CONSISTENCY! I mean, I really KNOW this!
Putting this into practice is where I have always fallen short. We’ve tried many ways of going about it…from chore charts, sticker rewards, point rewards, and then…just pure bribery! This is where I always get stuck! You see, I want them to contribute to the upkeep of this household simply because THEY ARE A PART OF IT…not because I’ve threatened to take away some trivial, insignificant object or made them stand in the corner. Perhaps I expect too much of them. Maybe I should just be glad that they have some self control and they don’t draw on the walls or hang from the clothing rods in the closets…(oh wait, they’ve done that too!).

The bottom line…I just want the results I want without a fight every.single.time! Is that so much to ask? I guess I'm not very good at this Domestic Church thing! Sigh.

I would LOVE to hear from you all about how you deal with this issue! What works for you? What hasn’t worked for you?
I plan to share your ideas in a follow up post!

Recipe Swap Thursday

The theme for this week's Recipe Swap is SUMMER DESSERTS! Here is my contribution:

Impossibly Easy Cheesecake

3/4 Cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup Original Bisquick
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cut into about 1/2-inch cubes and softened
Sour Cream Topping (Below)
Fresh rasberries or fruit of your choice


1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pie plate, 9 x 1 1/4 inches.

2. Place milk, vanilla, eggs, sugar and Bisquick in blender. Cover and blend on high speed 15 seconds. Add cream cheese. Blend 2 minutes. Pour into pie plate.

3. Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Spread Sour Cream Topping on top of cooled cheesecake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with raspberries (optional). Store covered in refrigerator.



Sour Cream Topping


1 Cup sour cream
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp vanilla


Stir all ingredients until blended. Spread over cooled cheesecake and add fruit.
Recipe courtesy of Bisquick.

Please visit Therese at The Musings of a Mom for more delicious recipes! Enjoy!

It needs to come out!

Right after my initial cancer diagnosis back in July of 2008, I had surgery to implant a "port-a-cath". This was so that they could administer the chemotherapy and draw blood easier and not have to stick me so much. It is placed on my right upper chest, just below my collar bone.

Since December of 2008 (my last chemotherapy treatment), it's been sitting there, minding it's own business! Every 3 months, I have it flushed just to make sure it's still in working order. My oncologist said that he usually has his patients keep these in until around 2 years post treatment. He said part of the reason he leaves them in so long is for superstitious reasons....every time he had one removed when treatment was completed....the cancer would come back and they'd have to get a new one on the other side. Apparently, once it's removed, that's it for that side!

I'm coming up on my 2 year anniversary of diagnosis in July and in December, it will be two years since my treatment was completed. I think it's time to get it taken out!

For one thing, it is one of many constant reminders of this whole, horrible ordeal. Evidently, it's not enough that I walk around with a uni-boob as a major reminder! Secondly, it hurts! I can't lay on that side at night and it has now begun to hurt almost everyday. I was told that the reason we couldn't permanently leave it in was because eventually, my body would begin to reject this foreign object. I think that's what is happening now.

I don't see my oncologist until August so I'm in a bit of a dilemma as to what to do. The pain is certainly bearable, but, I think my body is trying to tell me something. The trauma of having it inserted has still not left me, but at some point I'm going to have to put on my big girl panties and just bite the bullet.

It's so funny to me how weeks (and sometimes months) can go by without much thought of cancer.....and then BOOM, there it is.....right there in front of you! This brings me to the point of this entire post:

Even though I've been known to spend a ton of time complaining about my journey with cancer, I am SO thankful that it was caught early...that I have excellent doctors who are treating me with the BEST that the industry has to offer at the moment.....that my prognosis is really, really good...and that God has blessed me with the most wonderful support system that anyone could ever hope for. Yes, I walk around with battle scars....I walk around with aches and pains sometimes and with an attitude A LOT of the time, but don't let that fool you. I am so GRATEFUL for the blessings in my life and even during the worst of times, I am aware that so many have suffered greatly....much more than me.

HOT!

It's just too hot to do anything! I tried to get out of the house with the kids for a little while today, but, we didn't get far. We managed to have a sandwich at a local deli and my plan was for us to walk to the park from there.....nope. Waaay too hot!

As a matter of fact, when we got into the car, Nathan noticed that our small, hand-held, plastic calculator had melted! About half of the keys aren't usable anymore...so once we cooled it off, we popped of the keys that had melted. Otherwise, it seems to work ok!

So, here we sit in the air conditioned house watching a video (An American Tail: Fievel Goes West)! Perhaps when the movie is over, I can persuade them to take a nap!

I hope it's cooler where you are!

Stars and Stripes Forever!

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.


Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.


But should one acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Good Question, Olivia!

Driving home from Grandma's.....

Olivia: "Mom, where do the people from China dig to?"

Mom: "Georgia"

Well, what would you say?

Prayers for Abby Sunderland please!

I don't know if any of you have been following the story of Abby Sunderland, but, she and her family are in desperate need of our prayers right now!

I have been following Abby's journey now for several months! She is an incredible girl who has been given the chance to live her dream of being the youngest (16 years old) solo circumnavigator.

Unfortunately, her team was notified by her emergency beacon (EPIRB) that she is in need of help. Authorities are on their way to her but she is currently in the middle of the ocean somewhere between South Africa and Australia and it will take a boat approximately 40 hours to reach her. Quantas Airlines is currently working on a "fly over" by one of their planes.

Please say a quick prayer for Abby and her family. You can keep up to date on the situation by visiting Abby's Blog.

I am told that St. Nicholas of Myra is the Patron Saint of sailors. Perhaps we can all invoke his intercession today!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 50th Birthday to the best husband and father EVER! We love you, honey!

Half a Century!

My wonderful husband is turning 50 on Wednesday! He is the last one of his siblings to reach this milestone! Our kids can't believe that anyone could turn 50....."It's so old, Daddy"! Considering the fact that I am only a short 5 years behind him, I don't think it's so old anymore!

Anyway, we are planning a hug party on Saturday! Our Jamaican neighbors are roasting an ENTIRE PIG for our feast! Also on the menu is.....baked beans, chips/dip and other snacks, birthday cake/cupcakes, and ice cream! Dan doesn't want any gifts so instead, we've asked those attending to bring a covered dish to share for the celebration!

The party will be at his mom and dad's house. He wants to show off the beautiful deck he just built in their back yard!

Does this mean we would now be considered "middle aged"? It's quite an interesting phenomenon to consider that the older you get....the faster time goes by. After all, it seems like just yesterday that I was pregnant with Nathan....and here he is, about to turn ten!

Well...if I had my way, God would have created all of us with a pause button so we could enjoy our kids just a little longer.....just to freeze one moment to be lived more fully. Sigh

I will most certainly share the celebration photos! In the meantime, I've got lots to do between now and Saturday! Have a blessed week!

Eighteenth Rose

I have been reading The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort. This is an incredible book. This wonderful Saint explains the mysteries of Jesus and Mary by using the symbol of a "Mystical Rose Tree". I want to share with you the Eighteenth Rose:

The Hail Mary - Blessings

This heavenly salutation draws down upon us the blessings of Jesus and Mary in abundance, for it is infallible truth that Jesus and Mary reward in a marvelous way those who glorify them. They repay us a hundredfold for the praises that we give them. "I love them that love me.....that I may enrich them that love me and fill their treasures." (Proverbs 8:17,21). Jesus and Mary have always said: "We love those who love us; we enrich them and fill their treasuries to overflowing." "He who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings." (Cor. 9:6).
Now, if we say the Hail Mary properly, is not this a way to love, bless and glorify Jesus and Mary? In each Hail Mary we bless both Jesus and Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus."
By each Hail Mary we give Our Lady the same honor that God gave her when He sent the Archangel Gabriel to greet her for Him. How could anyone possibly think that Jesus and Mary, who often do good to those that curse them, could ever curse those that bless and honor them by the Hail Mary?
Both Saint Bernard and Saint Bonaventure say that the Queen of Heaven is certainly no less grateful and conscientious than gracious and well-mannered people of this world. Just as she excels in all other perfections, she surpasses us all in the virtue of gratitude; so she would never let us honor her with love and respect without repaying us one hundredfold. Saint Bonaventure says that Mary will greet us with grace if we greet her with the Hail Mary.
Who could possibly understand the graces and blessings which the greeting and tender regard of Our Lady effect in us? From the very first instant that Saint Elizabeth heard the greeting that the Mother of God gave her, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and the child in her womb leaped for joy. If we make ourselves worthy of the greeting and blessings of Our Lady we shall certainly be filled with graces and a flood of spiritual consolations will come down into our souls.

May I ask....

....for some special prayers for a special little someone who really needs them right now! Thank you all so much!

Memorial Day in Pictures

On Monday, Dan and I took the kids out to the Jacksonville National Cemetery. It was a very moving experience, even for the little ones. What an awesome privilege it is to be able to serve our country.

Good St. Anne: Patroness of Christian Mothers

I wanted to share with you something I read this morning during my devotion time.  It's from Good St. Anne: Her Power and Dignity, Patroness of Christian Mothers by Tan Books & Publishing......

St. Anne is the great model of all in the married state and of those otherwise charged with the education of children.  Great was her honor in being the mother of the Mother of God and in giving to a lost world the Advocate of Mercy.  Sublime was her office in instructing this blessed child in virtue and holiness.
St Anne herself was a "vessel of grace" not in name only, but in the possession of those gifts with which God had endowed her to be the worthy mother of the Virgin Mary.  Her motherly care for the Blessed Virgin was the means of St. Anne's sanctification.  Because of this she receives and will receive a special glory in the Church to the end of ages.
How encouraging this is to all parents who make the holy education of their children their principal duty.  By this they glorify their Creator, perpetuate His honor on earth and sanctify their own souls.  From the hand of parents God will one day require the souls of their children.  Happy will those parents be who can say to the Divine Judge: "Not one of those whom Thou hast given me has been lost through my fault."
Realizing, therefore, the great duty she has in rearing her children well, the Catholic mother will daily recommend her children to God and pray especially to St. Anne for the gift of imparting to them a good training, the highest and most difficult of all arts.
St. Anne obtains many graces, priceless graces, for all who venerate her, but she grants her maternal assistance in particular to Christian mothers who choose her for their patroness and model.  Numberless examples prove that St. Anne obtains great favors for Christian mothers.  She preserves peace in married life, restores harmony in discord and often wonderfully changes the bad disposition of a husband or a wife.  She protects the birth of children in an extraordinary manner; bestows blessings that lighten the task of rearing children properly; brings wayward children back upon the right path; obtains restoration to health for the mother when sick; preserves her precious life for her family, for her helpless children; and prevents the loss of husband and father.  She revealed to St. Bridget that she would protect all who live chastely and peacefully in the married state.
St. Anne is glorious among the Saints, not only because she is the mother of Mary, but also because she gave Mary to God.  She did not hesitate to sacrifice this child, her greatest joy, to the call of God, dedicating her at the age of three to His service in the Temple.  In this she is a beautiful example to parents to foster and encourage vocations to the religious life among their children, rather than running the dread risk of hindering them.  Through the intercession of St. Anne, parents come to know and acknowledge divine guidance and learn that children are born to them not for earthly ends, but for God.

What a glorious gift we have been given by God through His Church!  The things that have been written about the Saints are not just stories.  These were real people!   How blessed are we that God has given them to us to be our intercessors!  They can be great instruments of peace and understanding in a world that, at times, seems to be going crazy.  They can assist us on our journey and encourage us along the way.  They can show you the extraordinary out of the ordinary.  Let us take the time to call on these men and women of God....Let us learn more about their lives and let us use their example to draw us closer to God!

If you'd like to learn more about St. Anne, check out the above mentioned book or visit Ann Cramer at her blog Under Her Starry Mantle where she features, Tuesdays with St. Anne!

Mary as Intercessor

"You shall search for me, and you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, and I will bring you back."  --Jer 29:13-14

Reflection:  We must pray to Mary and call upon her.  She is admirable for herself and lovable for us.  As in the Gospel, Mary now intervenes with her Son and obtains for Him miracles that the ordinary course of things would not allow. --Pope Paul VI

Prayer:  O Mary, you know our human needs and sorrows.  Grant that I may have recourse to you in all my anxieties and always obtain God's gracious help.  Amen

Did You Know???

On this first day of June, I thought I would load you up with some very interesting...but totally useless information! Here goes....

Did you know that.....

1. one quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet?
2. 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents...daily?
3. a dragonfly has a life span of only 24 hours?
4. a "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second?
5. most cows give more milk when they listen to music?
6. most lipstick contains fish scales? .....ew!
7. Pinocchio is Italian for "pine head"? ...although I always thought it was closer to pine nut!
8. the average person falls asleep in 7 minutes? ....they don't know my husband!
9. to escape the grip of a crocodile's jaws, push your thumbs into its eyeballs, it will let you go instantly? ....if you did that to me, I'm pretty sure I'd let go too!
10. Winston Churchill was born in the ladies' room during a dance?

So, there you have it...several totally insignificant, useless tidbits of information that will make you wonder why you stopped by here today!

Interested in more useless information? Click here!