Happy Blogoversary...

.....to me!  I just realized it when I read a comment from another reader (thank you, Teena in Toronto)!  You'd think I would have noticed my own blogoversary button! 

It's been three years!  Here's to another three and many, many more!

BTW,  this was my very first post!!

Prayers Please

I need to ask for your prayers again.  Another dear friend of mine F.M. was diagnosed with breast cancer this week.  Please pray for all involved (including doctors and nurses).  She is overwhelmed and very concerned about telling her small boys.  I wish I could take all the worry from her, but I can't.  But I know Someone who can!

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.  Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.  To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.

Blogging Friends

A funny thing happened when I began blogging, I made some life long friends!   Just this past week, I was able to meet one those online friends!   She and her husband were traveling through my area and we made plans to meet for a meal!  It was WONDERFUL!  We ate at a lovely little crab shack at the beach on a gorgeous day!  I wish I could share a picture with you, but we didn't take any.  We were too busy chatting, sharing, eating snow crab and getting to know each other a little better!

I am so honored to be online friends with these three lovely bloggers and I would have LOVED to have been able to attend this little gathering!  Wouldn't you?


In case I haven't told you all lately, I am very thankful for your encouragement, support, prayers and friendships!  God has richly blessed me with knowing you!  Thank you for sharing a little of your lives on line!
God is so good!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

*Post a picture that can always make you smile*

I'm back from the "Photo Challenge" break!  Here's something that can make me smile....ALL THE TIME!

I know what you're thinking....and yes, I KNOW Nutella is not Weight Watcher friendly.  But, I'm OK with that.  I can look at the picture, can't I?

You have GOT to see this!

About an hour after I put the girls to bed, I went in to check on them.  I do this because...well, they've been known to NOT stay in bed!  Sometimes I find them wandering around their room in various stages of play.  Tonight when I checked, they were both sound asleep!  However, THIS is how I found Olivia......




Somehow, she got herself wedged in the laundry basket and fell asleep!



I was curious to see if she was really asleep or if she was just faking it!

Nope...she's really sleeping!

With her hands over her chest!

The Shepherd's Voice

On one such occasion the Shepherd said to Much-Afraid, "When you continue your journey there may be much mist and cloud.  Perhaps it may even seem as though everything you have seen here of the High Places was just a dream, or the work of your own imagination.  But you have seen reality and the mist which seems to swallow it up is the illusion.  Believe steadfastly in what you have seen.  Even if the way up to the High Places appears to be obscured and you are led to doubt whether you are following the right path, remember the promise, 'Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left.'  Always go forward along the path of obedience as far as you know until I intervene, even if it seems to be leading you where you fear I could never mean you to go.

Remember , Much-Afraid, what you have seen before the mist blotted it out.  Never doubt that the High Places are there, towering up about you, and be quite sure that whatever happens I mean to bring up there exactly as I have promised."  --Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard,( a portion of Chapter 14)

You have no idea how much comfort the Shepherd's words to Much-Afraid bring to me!  For almost 16 years I have tried to get to the High Places and become Grace and Glory, but alas, I am still Much-Afraid.  My companions, Sorrow and Suffering are still with me.  However, I know that Joy and Peace are in the High Places, waiting for me!

Believe me when I tell you that this is one of the best books I have EVER read!  My copy is worn and tattered.  There are notes and prayers written in the margins, pages have been dog-eared and ripped.  I have played out the scenes of the book in my mind like a movie, over and over.  I KNOW what the Shepherd looks like, and I KNOW His voice.  What I don't know is how in the heck I can still be in this place after 16 years!  It's two steps forward, and three steps back.  Why is God so patient with me?

"I am here, " said Much-Afraid, still kneeling at his feet, "and I will go with you anywhere."  Then, the Shepherd took her by the hand and they started for the mountains.

Not sure

I'm not sure what's going on with me.  Something is, though.  God is doing something.  It has to be big because I haven't felt this uneasy in a long time.  We have a history of this you know, God and I.  It almost feels like a "warning" of sorts.  Maybe "warning" isn't the right word.  Hmmm.  Perhaps "preparation" is better.

Physically, I feel worse than I've ever felt (and that's putting it mildly).  Emotionally, I'm flat lined.  Spiritually, I'm floating....and I don't mean "high".  I'm just floating along, in no particular direction, with no particular goal.

I know that when I am in this place, I should be drawing closer to the Lord and His Mother.  For some reason, I can't.  I think I need them to draw closer to me this time.

Depression is a funny thing.  It makes you feel as though you are stuck....like you can't move, when really all you want to do is to run.

"Fervently, I seek my God in the material things of heaven and earth, and I do not find Him.  I seek the reality of Him in my own soul, and I do not find it.  Yet I am determined to seek my God.  In my yearning to understand and look into the invisible things of God by means of created things, I pour out my soul within me.  I have no other purpose henceforth but to reach my God" --St. Augustine's Commentary on Psalm 41,8

"I call upon You, my God, my Mercy, my Creator.  I had forgotten You, but You held me ever in Your sight" --St. Augustine's Confessions 13, 1

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol 4)

1.   Going to a funeral today.  We are laying to rest my good friend Patty B.  I went to the vigil/rosary last night and it was a true celebration of her life!  What an incredible woman!  I thank God that He allowed our paths to cross.  I am blessed to have known her.  Rest in peace, Patty!

2.  The kids have been attending Day Camp at our parish school for the last 3 weeks.  They've really enjoyed it!  Although I know they are safe and well taken care of there, it seems more like day care.  I guess I was expecting something more like Vacation Bible School.  Anyway, although it's costing us a fortune, Dan has pleaded with me to allow them to go for one more week.  He really needs to work the extra hours as he has much to do at the schools to get them ready for the new school year to start.  This goes against everything I feel in my heart, but I need to do this for my husband.  Lord, help me to be supportive WITH a good attitude!

3.  Gas prices are going up again!  They had gotten down to $3.37 around here just two weeks ago and the price is now somewhere around $3.59 today.  I wish I understood more about economics.  The way the prices fluctuate makes it seem so arbitrary.

4.  I can't believe the final installment of Harry Potter is finally here!  I suppose it had to come to an end at some point.  We have really enjoyed this series.   For me, this was a true picture of good versus evil.  Without giving anything away, let's just say that I'm glad it ended the way it did.  I have found myself very attached to these characters.  I will miss them.

5.  I have gained so much weight over the last few months!  I weigh more now than I EVER have!  My doctor and I have discussed that it's really important that I lose some major lbs over the next few months.  I wish I could afford Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem to jump start some weight loss for a few months.  If I could lose about 40-50 lbs on one of those programs, I could then move to something less "extreme" (like Weight Watchers) to maintain.  Anybody out there feel like sponsoring a "hefty" woman  for a couple of months?

6.  ALLERGIES!!  Enough said!

7.  I received the MARCH/APRIL issue of Homeschooling Today magazine (nothing like receiving it late!) yesterday!  I wanted to share with you a poem that appeared in this issue...it touched my heart:

The Shepherd

by William Blake (1757-1827)

How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot!

From the morn to the evening he strays;

He shall follow his sheep all the day,

And his tongue shall be filled with praise.

For he hears the lamb's innocent call,

And he hears the ewe's tender reply;

He is watchful while they are in peace,

For they know when their shepherd is nigh.

Visit Jen at Conversian Diary for more Quick Takes.

You can't.....

.....make this stuff up!

Cancer is just pure evil!

I lost another dear friend today due to complications of breast cancer.   I'm not sure I can do this anymore.  In the last three months, I have lost three friends to this disease and another precious friend lost her father just last week.  Today is one of those days where I've become somewhat angry at God.  I don't get Him.  Why?
Patty leaves 4 beautiful young children and a loving husband.  I don't know what to do.  I feel like crawling into a hole and just going to sleep. 

Rest in peace, Patty.  I know I will see you again someday!  Say hello to Jesus for me.

Update in pictures!

It's been very busy here in my neck of the woods lately.  On top of that, I've been having some health issues (yes, again!).  It seems that this is my life lately.  Anyway, I'm 99% sure that the issues are NON cancer related, but I won't be completely sure until I see a few more specialists.  So, please keep me in your prayers.

I had wanted to post about Father's Day, Independence Day and our new cat....but time just got away from me.  So, instead, I'll just post some pictures to show you what we've been up to.

FATHER'S DAY

The kids and I decided we would make Daddy's present this year.  I had this idea in the back of my mind from Family Fun Magazine (I think) and thought it was something we could pull off.  I just went to Hobby Lobby and picked up 3 cardboard block letters and some paint.  Here is what we did:

Each of the kids got a letter to paint in Daddy's favorite color (maroon).  After everything was dry, we got cleaned up and went down to church to take a few pictures.

My handsome boy, Nathan.

Amelia

Little Olivia

Aren't they cute?

I am so blessed!

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

Our Rosary Garden

Area for meditation

This is Shake n Bake.  He showed up at church one day and has never left.

I think he's beautiful.  We all just love him.

The bell tower.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

We were blessed to be able to spend this holiday with some wonderful friends!  We had an incredible  FEAST at their house and then were treated to a fireworks extravaganza!  Thank you, Susan!  We had a blast...literally!

That's it for now.  Will be back to posting regularly again this coming week...I need to finish my 60 Day Photo Challenge...I think day 30 is next!

Have a great week everyone!