A Day at the Lake!

Amelia & Olivia

Swimming all day

Amelia taking a break

Life is rough

Larry & Annie

Father & Daughter

Mmmm...grilled chicken

Roasting marshmallows

Can you say S'MORES!

Amelia prefers only marshmallows

Don't you just WANT one?

Thunderstorm in the distance

Isn't God a terrific artist?

He paints these for us everyday...if we dare to notice

What is modesty?

I was catching up on Facebook this morning and I ran across this article from Johnette Benkovic's Blog.  It's actually dated June 9, 2009 but she recently re posted it to her Facebook account.

This is an excellent read!  I especially like this quote..."While most people often associate modesty with attire only, these definitions rightly locate modesty within the broader context of temperance and prudence toward all things and in all undertakings".

Wow!  Please click HERE to read the rest of the article.

He's off!

Well..we did it! We dropped Nathan off at camp this afternoon. I did SO much better than I did last year! I didn't even cry! He gave me a quick kiss with a one armed hug...and he was off! Amelia says she's happy he's gone for a few days! Olivia cried when we sat down for dinner and his chair was empty.

Conditions are much better this year....flushing toilets, showers and shelter...not so primitive. I sent him with MUCH less clothing this time. After all, last year HE WORE THE SAME CLOTHES ALL WEEK LONG! Hopefully he'll take the time to brush his teeth and change his underwear at least once. However, I'm no dummy....hygiene is not usually a priority for boys. I guess I should just be glad I'm not the one having to clean up after this bunch (there are 33 of them)!

I will give me until about Wednesday before I start blubbering like an idiot...missing him terribly and counting the hours until we pick him up on Saturday! I'll be doing my best to keep myself very busy until then!

Have a great week.

HOTM Boys Camp - 2010

Just Words

I've spent most of today rearranging bookshelves and book baskets, trying to get the house ready for school to start. After about 3 hours of work, Amelia decided she didn't like the way I had the book baskets arranged. She decided to sort them her own way! In doing so, she tells me...."Mom, picture books go heeerrrre and the regular old boring word books go there"!

Ok...so maybe reading won't be her thing!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol 1)

-1-

We're getting ready to take Nathan to summer camp on Sunday.  I have that queasy feeling in my stomach again!  Some of you might remember how I agonized over this last year.  Anyway, the good news is that this year, he will be in the Ocala National Forest (2 hours away) instead of Northern Georgia (7 hours away).  This means that WE WILL DRIVE HIM TO CAMP and participate in the opening mass!  This will make things much more tolerable for his "worry-wart" mother!

-2-

The laundry basket with clean and folded laundry is still sitting on the edge of the couch where I put it LAST SATURDAY night!  It seems that I'm the only person living in this house with ARMS!

-3-

I believe that I've come to the point in my life where I can't watch the news.  The things that are going on in this country have me, at times, in an altered level of consciousness (or ALOC for any medical people out there).  Am I the only one who gets sick to their stomach when contemplating all things political?  I mean, I think there should be a seizure warning posted before watching Robert Gibbs take questions.

-4-

I am just about finished with curriculum planning for the upcoming school year!  I have two small purchases to make and I'll be done!  This has been a very exciting process!  Everyone is itching to get started, but we've tentatively marked the second week of September as our official start week!  We have a surprise trip planned for the kids the week before Labor Day so we'll wait until AFTER that to start school.  I will take the kids shopping for some supplies as we get closer.  There is nothing like starting off the school year with a brand new box of sharpened crayons!

-5-

It's my understanding that the Federal Government has extended unemployment benefits to 99 weeks (in states hardest hit by the recession).  You read that right...99 weeks!  99 WEEKS PEOPLE!  I remember many years ago when my mom lost her job to downsizing.  She spent her 6 WEEKS of unemployment working like a dog to find a job before her unemployment ran out.  She applied  for an extension and was granted an extra 6 weeks.  It took her another 4 months to find a job.  During that time, she had to move and her car sat idle for a long time because she couldn't afford to put gas in it.  Thankfully, now there's no rush to get a job.

-6-

Is it me or is my sarcasm shining like a light in the darkness this morning?

-7-

I'm so ready for the weather to get cooler!  It has been so terribly HOT here this summer!  I realize that I live in Florida...but there have been days when even the cats have been panting!  It's just no fun to be outside when it's that hot!  We live about 14 miles from the ocean so those afternoon sea breezes do not usually make it to us.  I guess I'll need to remind myself of this come February when a thin layer of ice appears on my windshield.

Check out more "7 Quick Takes Friday" over at Jen's place.

Who do YOU write like????

This was quite interesting.  Hmmm....Kurt Vonnegut?  Wasn't he the author of  Slaughterhouse Five?  Hmmm, well, I'm not seeing the connection.  Do you?
Anyway, give it a whirl and see who YOU write like!  Go ahead...you know you want to!

I write like
Kurt Vonnegut

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Update: Test Results!

Stable today - Annual in one year.

Phew!

Thanks to my prayer warriors!  We have a one year reprieve!

It's THAT time of year again!

Hello friends and relatives....yes, it's THAT time of year again!  It's time for my annual mammogram.  I know that I have inundated you with prayer requests over the last two years...but I'm going to ask for more!

Tomorrow morning at 7:30am...I'm scheduled to have a Bone Density Study.  This is primarily to check for bone changes due to the Arimidex that I take everyday.  Apparently, the medication can cause osteoporosis.
Then, at 8:30am....I will have my annual mammogram.  I don't think I have to explain what this test is for.

Please take a few moments to remember me in your prayers.  This is ALWAYS a scary time for me....I'm doing my best to focus on the "Be Not Afraid" part of my blog title....but isn't there usually safety in numbers?

Thanks so much!

Poor Martha!

Our Parish offers "Children's Liturgy" during the 10am Sunday mass.  The kids seem to enjoy it, although sometimes, the girls are a little shy and stay with Dan and I.  When they do go, they bring back their study sheets featuring the readings from that day.  The above picture is the study sheet from this past Sunday.  I was speechless when Nathan showed this to me!

Tell me honestly, have you ever seen anything like this before?  I mean, were YOU aware that Martha was on the, um, well....chunky side?  I also had no idea that Mary was....uh...somewhat manly looking.

Where in the heck have I been that I didn't know this?  I guess I always just assumed that Martha would be in shape...with all that work and everything!  Do you think they had something like Weight Watchers back then?

Great Conference!

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Homeschool Conference in Tampa this weekend was WONDERFUL!  We had a great time!  I was blessed to attend this conference with 5 very special, Godly women who are completely dedicated to the vocation of homeschooling their children!

These women are awesome!  I don't think I've laughed so hard in my entire life!  Between the 6 of us...we have 24 children!  This made for some wonderful (and funny) discussions about homeschooling, sibling rivalry, family trips and life in general!  I look forward to getting together with them again...SOON!

Refreshments after a long drive!

Two of my favorite people in the WHOLE world!

Can you say, "Margarita"???

View from the hotel room

Another view

Straight down!

If you use Seton...then THIS was the conference for you!

Pius Media...the Catholic version of Netflix.

Lots and lots of books!

The Riverwalk

Conference Center

The only negative thing I would say was that the turn out wasn't that great!  Apparently the H.E.R.I. Convention was the same weekend, right here in Jacksonville.  I've attended this HUGE Protestant Homeschooling Convention before....tons and tons of people.  Perhaps some opted to visit H.E.R.I. instead of make the drive to Tampa.

Overall, I was very impressed and I am very encouraged  and at peace about this adventure I'm about to embark on.  I'm definitely looking forward to starting school!

***Prayer Request****
Could I please ask for your prayers for my nephew Ethan....he is back in the hospital for the second time this week.  He is having a flare up of his ulcerative colitis.  He needs our prayers desperately!

Thanks so much.

Conference Time!!

I'll be in Tampa all of today and tomorrow (that would be Friday and Saturday) for a Catholic Homeschooling Conference!  I will be home Saturday night with pictures and details!  I'm very excited about this little jaunt across the state.....for one thing, I get to drive over there with several people I love and don't get to see nearly enough....and...I get some time away to rejuvinate my spirit in preparation for our first year of homeschooling! 

I look forward to sharing  my experiences with everyone!  See you soon~

Outdoor Mall

The troops are getting restless. Seriously. I'm going crazy trying to think up things to keep them entertained....which brings me to the question...."Why is it that they can't entertain themselves"....but that's a subject for another post!

Tuesday, I took the kids (and a friend of Nathan's) out for some lunch and a trip to an outdoor mall. Let me just say that it was waaaaay too hot for an outdoor mall! I needed to make a trip to Barnes and Noble and the closest one to me is at the St. Johns Town Center. My plan was to take them for lunch, spend some time at B&N and if they all behaved....ICE CREAM.

The trip went pretty much as planned. We hit Panda Express for lunch (yuk...won't go there again)....B&N....and then the ice cream shop.

Some words of wisdom......

Next time you go to the grocery store and buy a bag of beautiful, shiny, plump, juicy, fresh cherries......put the bag in the TRUNK for the ride home....NOT the seat beside you! This way, you will actually have some cherries to bring home to your family.....instead of bag full of stems and pits!

Just sayin.

Great Ideas!

Here are some awesome ideas that I have come across lately!  These ideas are just too good not to share! 


1.  Very creative (and useful) Lazy Susan!

2.  How about some Corn Syrup Paintings!

3.  Great website.....Catholic Artworks!

4.  Do you like Butterflies?

5.  Paperdolls anyone?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Confidence in Mary

"Whoever entrusts himself to her will possess her, and his descendants will also inherit her.....Then she will bring him happiness, and reveal her secrets to him.   --Sirach 4:16-18

Reflection:  See the confidence that the Church places in Mary.  In all public calamities, she invariably calls upon the faithful to enlist her protection through novenas, through prayers and processions, and through visits to her churches and shrines.  --St. Alphonsus Liguori

Prayer:  O Mary, the whole Church puts her trust in you.  Teach me to trust you completely in all the troubles and adversities of life--whether of body or soul.  Amen

Two Years!

Two years ago today, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the left breast.  It was definitely a day that changed my life....in so many ways!  I am so thankful to God for every single day.  It's interesting to me that I can sincerely call this experience a BLESSING!  Who'd a thunk it?

I will be forever grateful to my family and friends who rallied around us....my Parish family who prayed endlessly (and are still praying)....to my online friends who have shown support in ways that I NEVER would have imagined....to the doctors, nurses, technologists and researchers who made my treatment possible and who allowed me the opportunity to have the BEST TREATMENT available....and most importantly...to all those women who have gone before me...who fought the good fight with dignity....for those who won their battle..and those that didn't.

My life has been forever changed.  For the rest of my days on this earth, I will view everything from eyes with a "special" set of glasses.

Pictures of our 4th Celebration

For the last five years or so, the girls and I have spent the 4th of July at a friends house.  Every year, they have a neighborhood block party!  It includes....tons of food, a wagon parade, dancing in the street, a jumpy house for the kids...and a HUGE fireworks display that is quite impressive!  This year, Dan and Nathan joined us (they usually go to another friends house with older kids)!  We had a grand time.  Here are a few of the pictures....

My feeble attempt at patriotic fruit!

Decorated wagon parade

Our wagon

I'm such a good mom...feeding her children Cheetos for dinner!

Dessert!

W

What food group is this?