Pope Benedict XVI Rocks!

There are many reasons why I love our Pope, but THIS is at the top of the list.....

From "The Ratzinger Report~An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger with Vittorio Messor.

     "The liturgy is not a show, a spectacle, requiring brilliant producers and talented actors.  The life of the liturgy does not consist in 'pleasant' surprises and attractive 'ideas' but in solemn repetitions.  It cannot be an expression of what is current and transitory, for it expresses the mystery of the Holy.  Many people have felt and said that liturgy must be 'made' by the whole community if it is really to belong to them.  Such an attitude has led to the 'success' of the liturgy being measured by its effect at the level of spectacle and entertainment.  It is to lose sight of what is distinctive to the liturgy, which does not come from what we do but from the fact that something is taking place here that all of us together cannot 'make'.  In the liturgy there is a power, an energy at work which not even the Church as a whole can generate:  what it manifests is the Wholly Other, coming to us through the community (which is hence not sovereign but servant, purely instrumental)."

He goes on:  "Liturgy, for the Catholic, is his common homeland, the source of his identity.  And another reason why it must be something 'given' and 'constant' is that, by means of ritual, it manifests holiness of God.  The revolt against what has been described as 'the old rubricist rigidity', which was accused of stifling 'creativity', has in fact made the liturgy into a do-it-yourself patchwork and trivialized it, adapting it to our mediocrity."

Further:  "The Council rightly reminded us that liturgy also means actio, something done, and it demanded that the faithful be guaranteed an actuosa participatio, an active participation."  The interviewer then expressed that he regarded this as a good thing.  The Cardinal continued:  "The concept is no doubt correct.  But the way it has been applied following the Council has exhibited a fatal narrowing of perspective.  The impression arose that there was only 'active participation' when there was discernible external activity-speaking, singing, preaching, reading, shaking hands.  It was forgotten that the Council also included silence under actuosa participatio, for silense also facilitates a really deep, personal participation, allowing us to listen inwardly to the Lord's word.  Many liturgies now lack all trace of this silence."

I came across this passage as I was doing some follow up reading to the book "Mass Confusion" that I mentioned here.

Over the years, I have seen some pretty serious liturgical abuses.  Sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant.  In any case, I have noticed, lately, that the trend has begun leaning toward orthodoxy once again.  It is refreshing.  Many religious orders are returning to more traditional practices...like wearing habits and living in community. As a matter of fact,  I have been told (from a very reliable source) that the orders that were growing like wildfire in the late 60's and early 70's (the ones without habits) are pretty much dying off.  Those religious orders are not growing like they once were.  However, the orders that are growing the fastest are those that choose to wear the habit. 

I understand that there are benefits to both sides of the "habit" issue.  There is an excellent blog post at A Catholic Life regarding this very subject.  Take a few minutes to read it and see what you think.

It's interesting to me how my own preferences about these issues are changing.  I'm being drawn to a more quiet, traditional way of life and I can't really explain why.  There is so much noise in my life...between work, the TV., the phone,   the radio, and three kids ages ten and under....I'm craving more silence.  I no longer turn on the radio when I'm in the car.  My time with Glenn Beck on my way home from work has been replaced with some quiet time to reflect on my day.  The T.V. is never on during the day anymore!  I don't miss it at all.  As a society, we are so busy 'doing'...that we miss out on just 'being'.

Even Sunday Mass has become a place for constant noise.  It's seems as though  in many churches someone has decided that there can't be any silence during Mass at all.  I know that people are craving some quiet time, especially after communion so that they can pause and speak to the Lord directly and concentrate on what He might be trying to say to them.

How do you deal with the constant noise in your life?

New food/cooking blog!

I've started a new food/cooking blog!  It's still in it's early stages so don't expect a lot.  Hopefully, it will evolve into something I can be proud of.  If nothing else, I'll have my favorite recipes written down (with pictures) for my children! 

Anyway, you can now visit The Small Kitchen Makes the House Great (La Cucina Piccola fa la Casa Grande!).  Eventually, I'll have a link on my side bar.  Until then....

Cathedra Petri

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (Cathedra Petri).  I would like to point out though, that this Feast Day actually refers to the occupant and not the piece of furniture.  I say that because up until my first trip to Rome in 2007....I had no idea there was  actually a real chair hanging in the middle of St. Peter's Basilica!    The jury is still out on whether or not St. Peter himself ever actually sat in this chair.  Does it matter?  Nope.  I'm not celebrating the chair itself, but the one whose job it was to occupy it.

Prayer to St. Peter

O Glorious St. Peter, because of your vibrant and generous faith, sincere humility and flaming love our Lord honored you with singular privileges and especially leadership of the whole Church. Obtain for us the grace of a living faith, a sincere loyalty to the Church, acceptance of all her teachings, and obedience to all her precepts. Let us thus enjoy an undisturbed peace on earth and everlasting happiness in heaven.  Amen.

Oncology Graduation!

Well, I've graduated!  I will now be seeing the oncologist once every four months instead of every three!  This is a good thing!  My next PET Scan will be in TWO YEARS!  This is a wonderful thing!  According to Dr. Marks,  I have passed the first of many hurdles along this "post treatment" journey.

He seemed in a particularly good mood today, especially since the corporation that runs this group of physicians has recently down sized BIG TIME and let go of all of the Nurse Practioners and Physician Assistants!  As usual, he searched my chart at least 3 times for the most recent PET Scan results (even though his office called me last week letting me know everything was O.K.)!

I am about 25 months POST treatment.  According to my doctor, statistics show that by this time in the treatment process, 70% of patients that end up having a recurrence....will have already had one.  Does that make any sense?  To state it another way....my chances of a recurrence have gone waaaaay down!  It doesn't mean that I won't ever have one some day...it just means that as each day passes, it will become less and less likely.  I can live with those statistics.

He has also given me permission to have my port-a-cath removed.  It seems that this is the news that I've been waiting for since it was put in two years ago, but now, I'm hesitant.  I'm really weird.  I can't figure myself out!  It would seem the right thing to do, to turn the last page of this event and close the book on this part of my life.  I DO want to do that...and I will.  But it was such a pain in the blankety, blank, blank to have it put in, I'm dreading making the phone call to the surgeon to make the appointment.  That's ok though...I would sure rather stress about having it out....than all the stress that goes with having it put in!

Prayer to Saint Agatha

O Heavenly Father,

Who raised Agatha

to the dignity of Sainthood,

we implore Your Divine Majesty

by her intercession

to give us health of mind,

body and soul.

Free us from all those things

which hold us bound to this earth,

and let our spirit, like hers,

rise to your heavenly courts.

Through Jesus Christ,

Your Son, our Lord,

Who lives and reigns

with You, forever. Amen.

Mass Confusion

Have you read this book?  You should.  Seriously.

Recently, I was having a discussion with a friend about the practice of holding hands during the Our Father.  I shared the results of that discussion with my mother in law and right away she suggested this book!  I've spent the last day or so perusing it's contents.  Wow!  All I can say is...you will be AMAZED!

In the introduction, Jimmy Akin states, "This work is intended as a guide to the Church's law concerning the proper way to celebrate the liturgy.  It also attempts to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about what are and are not liturgical abuses."

Here are some examples...

DID YOU KNOW (according to Jimmy Akins book)...

.......that it is permitted for a homily to be omitted during mass on a weekday?
.......that it is prohibited for people at the altar to receive communion at the same time as the priest?
.......that it is prohibited for women to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday?
.......that it is prohibited for peopled to imitate gestures made by the priest that are appropriate to his role?
.......that it is prohibited for people to stand around the altar holding hands during the consecration?
.......that it is discouraged for people to hold hands during the Our Father?
.......that it is prohibited for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to be used excessively or unnecessarily?

I highly recommend reading this book if you have not done so.   It's definitely opened my eyes to a few things.

Meet Anya!

This is Anya.  She is Nathan's new bird.  Anya has lived at his godmother's house for the last several years.  Aunt Margie graciously offered her to us as a replacement for Polly.  Nathan, of course, fell in love immediately!  We are told that she will sing wildly to the "Star Wars" theme song and that made Nathan jump for joy...literally!  She is not the friendliest bird I've ever met, but then again, we are strangers to her right now.  Here's hoping and praying (Come on, St. Francis!!!) that Anya will be with us for a long time!!

Nostalgia

I lost my prescription sun glasses.  Fiddlesticks!  I've looked everywhere.  I either left them somewhere or they must have fallen out of my suitcase purse that doesn't close properly.  Darn it!  However, while looking for them, I found a small square Christmas tin in the right hand side of my top dresser drawer that I've had for over 30 years!  It's been almost 10 years since I've even looked inside!  It holds ticket stubs to all of the special events I've been to!  It was so much fun to look through the contents and reminisce about times gone by!  I thought I would post about all those concerts and football games I've been to over the years....as long as you promise not to laugh (especially at the very first concert I ever attended)!!  My preference in music is, shall we say, diverse!  Please try not to judge me based on what you're about to read!  Just remember....I was born and raised on the LEFT coast....if you know what I mean!  Some of these tickets are falling apart or are so faded that I can barely read them.  I'm posting this here while I can still remember!

June 1, 1977  Bay City Rollers @ Berkeley Community Theatre
July 9, 1979  Bee Gees @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
October 17, 1980 The Commodores @ Cow Palace-San Francisco
August 29, 1981  Donna Summer @ Concord Pavilion
October 25, 1981  The Commodores w/Luther Vandross @ Concord Pavilion
December 1, 1981  Journey @ Cow Palace-San Francisco
June 6, 1982  Mountain Aire '82 featuring Foreigner, Loverboy, Quarterflash @ Calaveras County Frgrnds
June 26, 1982  Journey w/Santana @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
September 11, 1982  The Doobie Brothers @ Greek Theatre/UC Berkeley
October 9, 1982  Diana Ross @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
June 5, 1983  Mountaine Aire '83 featuring Tom Petty & the HB, Men at Work, Stray Cats @ Calaveras County Fairgrounds
July 30, 1983  Journey w/Triumph & Eddie Money @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
October 19, 1983  Diana Ross @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
February 13, 1984  An evening with Diana Ross @ Circle Star Theatre/San Carlos
May 7, 1984  Oakland A's versus Seattle Mariners @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
May 9, 1984  Van Halen @ Cow Palace-San Francisco
May 23, 1984  John Denver @ Concord Pavilion
October 5, 1984  Lionel Richie @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
November 11, 1984  Alabama @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
March 12, 1985  Neil Diamond @ Cow Palace-San Francisco
June 11, 1985  An evening with Phil Collins @ Cal Expo Amp./Sacramento
July 13, 1985  Amy Grant w/Philip Bailey @ Concord Pavilion
August 4, 1985  Kenny Rogers @ Circle Star Theatre/San Carlos
September 18, 1985  Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
September 29, 1985  George Benson w/Kenny G @ Concord Pavilion
October 18, 1985  Kenny Loggins @ Concord Pavilion
December 10, 1985  Heart @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
May 1, 1986  Amy Grant @ Concord Pavilion
May 15, 1986  Heart @ Concord Pavilion
June 5, 1986  Eddie Murphy @ Concord Pavilion
October 21, 1986  Genesis @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
November 1, 1986 UC California vs Oregon @ California Memorial Stadium/Berkeley
February 10, 1987  Golden State Warriors vs Indiana Pacers @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
May 3, 1987  S.F. 49ers vs. L.A. Raiders Basketball Benefit @ Cal. State Hayward
July 19, 1987  Chicago @ Concord Pavilion
August 13, 1987  Bryan Adams w/Stevie Nicks @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
August 18, 1987  Oakland A's vs Toronto Blue Jays @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
August 22, 1987  S.F. 49ers vs Dallas Cowboys @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
September 2, 1987  Heart @ Concord Pavilion
November 8, 1987  S.F. 49ers vs Houston Oilers @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
February 23, 1988  John Cougar Mellencamp @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
April 16, 1988 Whitesnake @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
May 29, 1988  John Cougar Mellencamp @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
June 5, 1988  Heart @ Cal Expo Amphitheatre/Sacramento
September 23, 1988  Amnesty Internat'l presents Human Rights Now featuring Bruce Springsteen & Tracy Chapman @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
November 13, 1988  Amy Grant @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
February 28, 1989  Amy Grant @ Arco Arena/Sacramento
August 26, 1989 L.A. Raiders vs. Houston Oilers @ Oakland Coliseum Stadium
October 20, 1989  Stevie Nicks w/The Hooters @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
October 22, 1989  S.F. 49ers vs. New England Patriots @ Stanford University Stadium
November 9, 1989  Michael W. Smith w/Margaret Becker @ H.J. Kaiser Arena/Oakland
November 19, 1989  S.F. 49ers vs Green Bay Packers @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
April 19, 1990  Billy Joel @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
May 20, 1990  Madonna Blond Ambition Tour @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
May 25, 1990  Tears For Fears @ Concord Pavilion
July 6, 1990  Richard Marx @ Concord Pavilion
August 11, 1990  S.F. 49ers vs L.A. Raiders @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
August 19, 1990  Heart @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
August 30, 1990  Oakland A's vs Kansas City Royals @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
August 30, 1990  S.F. 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
September 30, 1990  Kenny G. w/Michael Bolton @ Greek Theatre/UC Berkeley
October 2, 1990  Kenny G. w/Michael Bolton @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
December 12, 1990  Heart w/Cheap Trick @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
May 5, 1991  Michael W. Smith w/D.C. Talk @ Concord Pavilion
July 19, 1991  Margaret Becker @ Napa Town & Country Fairgrounds/Napa, CA
August 7, 1991  S.F. 49ers vs Denver Broncos @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
August 26, 1991  Amy Grant @ Cal Expo Amphitheatre/Sacramento
October 19, 1991  Michael Bolton @ Shoreline Amphitheatre/Mountain View
December 23, 1991  S.F. 49ers vs Chicago Bears @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
December 31, 1991  Kenny G. @ Circle Star Theatre/San Carlos
August 8, 1992  S.F. 49ers vs L.A. Raiders @ Candlestick Park-S.F.
November 14, 1992  Steven Curtis Chapman w/Susan Ashton @ Event Center Arena/San Jose State Univ.
March 4, 1993  Michael Card w/John Michael Talbot @ Marin County
March 26, 1993  Michael W. Smith w/D.C. Talk @ Oakland Coliseum Arena
May 2, 1993  Steven Curtis Chapman w/Bryan Duncan @ Concord Pavilion
September 23, 1993  Kenny G. w/Michael Bolton @ Marin Civic Center
October 22, 1993  Michael English w/4 Him @ (ticket doesn't say and I don't remember)
November 13, 1992  Margaret Becker w/ Troy Johnson @ Redwood Chapel/Redwood City
March 13, 1994  D.C. Talk @ (somewhere in San Jose, CA)
August 28, 1994  Margaret Becker @ South Coast Fellowship/Ventura, CA
October 16, 1994  Steven Curtis Chapman w/Newsboys @ Concord Pavilion
November 12, 1994  Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker & Christine Dente @ (ticket doesn't say and I don't remember)
September 7, 1995  Bill Gaither & Friends w/Mark Lowry & Janet Paschal @ Calvin Simmons Theatre/Oakland, CA
October 6, 1995  4 Him w/Clay Crosse & Kathy Troccoli @ First Baptist Church/San Jose
October 15, 1995  Margaret Becker w/Dana Key @ Club J/San Jose
November 24, 1995  The Young Messiah Tour @ San Jose Arena
February 16, 1996  Point of Grace w/Aaron*Jeoffry @ First Baptist Church/San Jose
March 16, 1996  Michael W. Smith w/Jars of Clay @ San Jose Arena
March 30, 1996  Margaret Becker @ St. Mary's College/Moraga, CA
May 27, 1996  Margaret Becker w/Rob Evans @ Mount Herman, CA
August 10, 1996  S.F. 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers @ 3Com Park (formerly Candlestick Park)
September 1, 1996  S.F. 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints @ 3Com Park (formerly Candlestick Park)
December 12, 1996  Emmanuel @ San Jose Arena
February 6, 1997  Steven Curtis Chapman w/Audio Adrenaline @ San Jose Arena
June 21, 1997  John Denver @ Konocti Harbor/Clearlake, CA (This is where Dan asked me to marry him!)
May 5, 1998  Don McLean @  Wilson Center/FCCJ/Jacksonville
July 14, 1999  Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart @ Florida Theatre/Jacksonville
February 18, 2002  Avalon w/Mark Shults @ Mandarin Christian Church/Jacksonville
December 4, 2002  Kenny G. @ Times Union Center/Jacksonville

Apparently, in my early adulthood, this is what I spent all my money on!  I was single for a long time (met Dan at age 32) and so, I guess this was just a way to keep busy and to socialize with my friends.  It's funny how this all seems so trivial now.  As you can see, I haven't been to a concert in almost 9 years!  This coincides with having children and having new and more important priorities.

RIP

Nathan's little bird died last night.  Even after $160 worth of antibiotics at the vet on Friday, he still didn't make it.  Polly was acting a little crazy all day.  Then, later on in the evening, he went to the bottom of his cage and just sat there.  I knew what was happening and I tried to prepare Nathan, but he was hysterical.  We picked him up and wrapped him in a soft wash cloth to keep him warm.  I told Nathan just to sit down and hold him.  At one point, it looked like he was perking up but then he had a little seizure and then, he was gone.  We said a prayer to St. Francis and placed him in a little box.  I guess we will bury the bird sometime today next to where our cat Missy is buried.

It is particularly agonizing to watch your children mourn their pets. Sometimes, it's hard to find the right thing to say.  Please say a quick prayer for Nathan today as I've never seen him like this.  He woke up at about 3:00am with a splitting headache.  I'm sure it was from all the crying.  I gave him some ibuprofen and cuddled him while he fell back to sleep.  My sweet boy is such an animal lover.

He's asked for another bird right away.  I'm inclined to wait and let a little time pass before we go out and buy another one.  Sigh.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Volume 2)

-1-

This week, I had a breast cancer re-staging PET Scan.  I think that's just a technical name for "checking to see if the cancer is back".  It is always a very emotional time for me.  In my day to day life, I can pretty much (not always) put this whole cancer nightmare behind me.  That is, until it's time for the regular testing that will be part of my life forever.  During this time, I cry a lot...my temper is quick and I'm pretty much a big baby!  Intellectually, of course, I know that to worry is not very constructive.  I also know that God is in control no matter what...but I am human and weak and I often fall into the trap of satan's lies.  The good news here for this week is that I've been blessed now with my 2nd CLEAR PET SCAN since being diagnosed in July of 2008!  There is NO CANCER in my body right now!  You have no idea the weight that was lifted from me upon hearing those results.  It's like you've been given a new life...one that is fresh with opportunity and possibilities.  The bottom line is that I can be a wife to my husband and a mother to my children with a whole lot less stress and with a renewed spirit.  Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support of me.  I am blessed beyond measure!

-2-

This week was stressful in other ways too.  Unfortunately, the decision has been made to send our children back to school next year.  I am devastated that we will no longer be homeschooling.  I can't tell you what a joy it has been for the last several months to have my kids at home with me!  I have learned so much right alongside them!  Homeschooling was never something that Dan wanted.  It was something that he agreed to because we didn't have other any other option at the time.  Since Dan and I both work part time, some of the homeschooling responsibility has fallen on him and this is just something that he is not comfortable with.  Homeschooling needs to be something that we BOTH agree on and are both committed to.  Dan has found a Charter School that he has visited and feels comfortable with.  I am disappointed because things were finally coming together and for the last several weeks, we were getting through Nathan's math without much difficulty.  I had finally decided on curriculum for next year and was looking forward to a homeschooling convention during the summer.  Well, things change and we must move on.  I'm sure I'll have much more to say about this as time moves forward.  Pray for my children as they are about to experience the Duval County Public Schools for the first time.  Lord have mercy!

-3-

Dan finally broke down and agreed to take the bird to the vet!  As I mentioned before, we found the bird outside a couple of weeks ago.  It was in the cat's mouth and we rescued it, but, not before his foot was injured.  As a matter of fact, he is missing a toe on the left side.  His top toe has been a little red and inflamed since he joined our family, but yesterday, it looked to be getting worse.  So, off to the tropical bird vet in our area we went.  ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY dollars later, we returned home with 3 different medications for his infected foot! Have you ever tried to give a small parakeet medication?  Nearly impossible! The good news is that other than his infection...he's a healthy bird.  I keep calling it a "he" but actually, the bird is very young and according to the vet, it's hard to tell if it's a male or female right now.  We have a follow up appointment on the 21st. 

-4-

Today (Saturday), Nathan has his first Altar Server Training! I'm so excited!  Soon, my son will get to service on the altar for the first time.  Is this every Catholic mother's dream...or is it just mine?

I know he will take this job seriously and do his very best.  What an honor!

-5-

Have you ever been on a pilgrimage?  God willing, I will be attempting to go to Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1st.  When Pope Benedict announced the date for the beatification, I felt a very strange sensation go through me.  It almost felt like an electrical current.  I can't exactly explain it in words, but it was a feeling in the depth of my being  that I needed to be there for this historic event.  I have made accommodation and airline reservations without a clue in the world how I'm going to pay for this.  I know I will be in good company as there are expected to be upwards of 3 million other pilgrims  in attendance.  There is a new website that the Diocese of Rome has set up for JPII's cause.  Click here for more information.  Join me in praying this prayer.

-6-

I am still reading the book on Padre Pio that I started several months ago.  It's hard to find time to sit down and concentrate on reading for any length of time.  However, I've added two new books to my library.  The first is called "Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends-How to Fight the Good Fight at Home! by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally.  The second is called "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza.  I saw a recent interview with Immaculee and I was riveted by her story of surviving the Rwandan Holocaust in 1994 by hiding out in a tiny bathroom with seven other women for 91 days!  What an amazing story!  Hopefully, I will find some time to read in the coming weeks!

-7-

For several years, my camellia tree outside the front of our house has had a weird condition.  I think it's some kind of fungus. It resembles a fine white powder on the bottom of the leaves.  Anyway, I thought for sure that this year I wouldn't get any blooms.  As a matter of fact, most of the leaves are gone now...the tree looks bare.  There are some buds, but not many.  Usually, I have many buds already flowering by this time of year.  All the other camellia trees/bushes in the neighborhood are covered in blooms!  Not mine....until this morning!  I see one tiny bud opening up to pink petals!  I'm so happy!

Visit Jen at the Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!

Our Lady of Lourdes

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Mary, you showed yourself to Bernadette in the crevice of the rock. In the cold and grey of winter, you brought the warmth, light and beauty of your presence. In the often obscure depths of our lives, in the depth of the world where evil is so powerful, bring hope, return our confidence!

You are the Immaculate Conception, come to our aid, sinners that we are. Give us the humility to have a change of heart, the courage to do penance. Teach us to pray for all people. Guide us to the source of true life. Make us pilgrims going forward with your Church, whet our appetite for the Eucharist, the Bread for the journey, the Bread of Life.

The Spirit brought about wonders in you, O Mary: by His power, He has placed you near the Father, in the glory of your eternal Son. Look with kindness on our miserable bodies and hearts. Shine forth for us, like a gentle light, at the hour of our death.

Together with Bernadette, we pray to you, O Mary, as your poor children. May we enter, like her, into the spirit of the Beatitudes. Then, we will be able, here below, begin to know the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven and sing together with you: Magnificat!

Glory to you, Virgin Mary, blessed servant of the Lord, Mother of God, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit! Amen. (prayer source)

Praying for humility is a hard thing to do, at least, it is for me.  May we all have the courage to do so.

PET Scan results

Negative FDG PET Scan.  No evidence for residual or recurrent breast cancer.

I think I'll go lay down now...my knees are weak.  I think I also need a drink...something with alcohol, preferably.

Quick & Easy Craft!

I found this cute Valentine craft while visiting the Enchanted Learning site and decided to try it.  It kept the kids busy for over an hour!  I made a heart template and traced a ton of them onto colored construction paper.  I let everybody cut out their own and use as much glue as they wanted!  Of course, having one of these (although I bought mine at Hobby Lobby and it was $3.99) was half the fun!  We hung them over the firelplace.

It's THAT kind of day!

It's 1:14pm and I'm ready for bed!  It's been one of those days.

As I type this, I'm watching Amelia stand on the window sill in the living room.  It's pouring rain...and has been since about 11pm last night.  There are piles of folded clothes sitting on the coffee table surrounding the bird cage.  For the last 30 minutes, the bird has been trying to get out of his cage.  Perhaps he hates the laundry as much as I do. He can almost get the door up far enough to get out....he just needs another bird to help him and he would be on the Widener's most wanted list!  Clearly, this is how he broke free from his previous owners.

On the homeschool front, we've gotten very little done today.  Sigh.  To tell you the truth, I'm not into it today either.  My re staging PET Scan is tomorrow and that's all I can think about.  It's scheduled for 7:30am.  I need to be there by 7:20am and I can't have any caffeine for 12 hours before the test. Yuk, yuk, yuk!

I didn't want to miss any of the Superbowl (or the commercials), so the dinner dishes never got done last night.  Consequently, they are still in the sink.  I ignored them as I fixed lunch.  I need to get them done before Dan gets home so he never finds out about his slothful wife.

I have resisted sitting the kids in front of the television, but, my resolve is faltering.  To be honest, I just want to curl up under a blanket in my recliner with the cat on my lap and let the kids drink in some Spongebob for the rest of the day.

Now, if I could just get the bird to put away all the folded clothes...

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - 2

In my life this week.....it was a busy week, that's for sure!  Lots of errands, lots of chores (that may or may not have gotten done), lots of things on my mind.  Unfortunately, this translates to lots of anxiety for me.  Although I'm still coughing, it IS much better!

In our homeschool this week....our main focus has been on virtues.  We discussed that virtues are "habits" that are pleasing to God.  I pointed out some of my personal "habits" that are not pleasing to God...and that led to some very good discussions.  I could see their wheels turning and I'm pretty sure we all did some self examination.  Olivia was reviewing the letter "A" and that called for an "A"pple craft!

Amelia had a math test this week and she did very well.  We read stories about when Jesus was a little boy and how he showed us how to honor our parents.  We talked about the attributes of Mary (beautiful, handmaid of the Lord, Mother & sinless) and of Joseph (carpenter, husband, teacher, foster father).
Nathan stuck to his schedule...for the most part.  He also did a project on virtues.  He was asked to cut a boat shape out of paper, then in the boat, he was to write down several virtues for which he was grateful to God.  Then, he had to glue the boat to a larger sheet of paper and draw water below it.  In the water, he was to list things or traits that he has that are unnecessary or harmful to his soul....in other words....the things that he could "throw overboard".  This was a great project for helping him to visualize getting rid of those bad habits.  I asked his permission to take a picture of his project....but he didn't want to.  I don't blame him.  He also managed to do some map skills and read some great stories about King David.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...This week was Catholic Schools Week and our relationship to our parish school has remained a close one even though we aren't there on a daily basis anymore.  Each year during this week, the school sponsors a Used Book Sale!  We stopped by the sale and picked up some good books and a couple of videos all for $4.50!  We also dropped off all the Labels for Education we had been saving and some old uniforms that we don't need anymore.  We also were able to prepare and deliver a meal for a parishioner who is ill and dealing with cancer treatment.  The kids made cards for Mrs. H.   Another great thing was that I was able to meet one of Dan's cousins Thursday night  What a wonderful lady she is! And last...but NOT least, we were also able to make a trip to the post office to mail off a package to my swap buddy!

My favorite thing this week was...watching and listening as the kids were making the get well cards for Mrs. H.  My kids have a way of turning absolutely everything into a competition!  Do your kids do that?  Anyway, they had a very heated discussion about which card was going to make Mrs. H. feel better!  I heard things like this, "I'm going to make my flower BIGGER than YOURS!"  They crack me up!

What's working/not working for us....I'm still researching curriculum for next year.  I've pretty much decided on using Teaching Textbooks for Nathan's math.  I will also add some Seton as I've heard from a very good source that their readers are excellent.  I will definitely keep some CHC.  It's so hard to homeschool only part time.  This is the part that is NOT working very well.  Because of this, there is very little consistency in their school time.  It's very structured on Mondays and Tuesdays when we do school...but then the rest of the week they have a lot of idle time that is not very conducive to a good learning environment.  I'm going to begin a Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Our family needs to have clarity about hour homeschool situation.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...I spent quite some time on the phone this past week with a very dear friend and homeschooling mom!  She is always so willing to share her experiences and ideas with me!  Her encouragement and support have been invaluable!  She's had a bout with the flu since we spoke the other night.  Please pray for her speedy recovery...she has students that need her!

A photo to share...I'm sharing two today...

Prayer before Nathan's basketball game!

Happy 7th Birthday, Amelia!!

Please join Sue at The Homechool Chick to add your journal....or view them all!

Happy Birthday, Amelia!

Seven years ago today, a miracle happened....a true, genuine miracle! My beautiful daughter was born! Weighing in at a robust 4lbs 8oz and 16 inches long! These have been the WILDEST 7 years of my life!

You are a true gift, Amelia! I am so thankful that God gave you to me! I love you so much!

Bird Trauma!

Today, we had a trauma of sorts at our house.  A "bird" trauma.  To make a long story short, we have a new family member.....meet Polly.

I think Polly used to belong to someone but escaped.  He/She was found in our yard this afternoon by our cat!  The poor bird tried to get away, but it looks as though it's wings have been clipped.  He/She is somewhat traumatized from the experience of being in the mouth of the cat, but it seems to be holding it's own at this point.

We had to make a quick run to the store to get a cage and some food.  I hope this bird makes it as my kids are already attached emotionally.  I've tried to prepare them for the worst as I would hate to have them wake up in the morning with the bird on the bottom of the cage....stiff as a board!  We shall see.

So now we have 1 dog, 2 cats, 4 fish and a bird.  St. Francis, pray for us!