7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 109)

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My Very First Time Kevin and I celebrated Independence Day by going to Mass in thanksgiving and prayer for our religious liberty, eating hot dogs for lunch, then we practiced riding around the church parking lot in preparation for my very first time out on Kevin's motorcycle (or any other motorcycle, for that matter).  We were quite patriotic in our red, white, and blue.  We swung by friends of ours who took a couple pics of us on the bike, but we haven’t gotten those from them, yet.  I’ll post them when I receive them.  Lord, thank You for the true freedom that comes from following Christ. Amen.

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Favorite 4^th of July My favorite Independence Day I spent with Kevin and his family in Rochester, NY on Lake Ontario. I was used to having a cook-out with my parents and sisters and usually going somewhere to see a legal fireworks display, but the Fourth of July at the cottage with Kevin’s family was something entirely different…Read more. 

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Up on the Altar Kevin and I photographed Claire & Augusto's wedding and reception last Saturday afternoon/evening. We're praying for them and all couples the Lord has united through the Sacrament of Marriage, that all may be strengthened by faith, lifted up in love, grounded in prayer, and filled with joy. Amen!

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Let’s Make It Musical I cracked up when Claire and her twin sister linked arms and started singing one of the Broadway show tunes Vivi has learned from yours truly.  In case you were wondering, “Sisters, Sisters” from White Christmas takes on another level of special when done by a woman wearing a wedding gown and her twin sister who’s a bridesmaid who burst into song in the banquet hall in the downstairs of the church.  I already knew it was going to be a fun afternoon/evening, but when two of her bridesmaids started doing a clapping game, none other than a full-out “Miss Mary Mack/All dressed in black,” it was clinched that this pre-wedding show was just a preview for what would be a rocking reception. 

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Cheese Whiz or Not A dear friend of mine and I were having a late lunch after our successful shopping spree, and I was treated to another hilarious story.  This one was about how the cheese pump at the fast food place where she worked for a brief stint while in college was her demise.  She was working with one manager who just didn’t like her, personalities clashed.  Of course, this person was working the shift my friend is having a night where she couldn’t seem to get any order right. 
     Finally, the manager tells her to just go in the back and clean the cheese pump.  She went back to the apparatus she had trouble even getting to work and stared at it.  She didn’t know how to clean it.  She returned to the manager, who told her to just take the thing apart and clean it.  Next thing she knows, my friend staring at a very clean and completely dissembled cheese pump.  Yes, it was a genuine case of Amelia Bedelia works fast food. 

Head manager the next day: “So what happened last night?”

“I took apart the cheese pump,” she answered.

“That you did,” he said.

“And I couldn’t put it back together again,”

“No one could put it together again.  Not even me.  I had to order a new one,” he said before they mutually agreed food service isn’t her thing.

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Priceless I can be serious and very intense when I’m set on doing a good job, so I was concentrated and “on-the-job” getting hundreds of photos at the wedding rehearsal, Brazilian barbecue, wedding, and reception.  A few hours into the reception, the bride told me not to worry about taking anymore pictures.  I couldn’t resist, so I took a bunch more then gave Kevin my camera so I could get my groove on.  It was quite amusing to see the looks on people’s faces when I joined the party on the dance floor for a song.  I love to dance, and I’ve been told: “for a white girl you got rhythm.” 

    

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Caregivers Unite There have been a number of times in my life when I’ve played the role of caregiver which makes me that much more compassionate and empathetic when friends and family become wary under the weight of such responsibility.  A reminder that I’ve had to relearn a million times: if you don’t take care of yourself, it will affect your ability to take good care of others, especially on a long-term basis day and night with no substantial breaks in sight.  I pray that all who are caring for others who are sick in mind, body, and/or spirit will be encouraged by the Lord, who is Wonderful Counselor, Perfect Physician, and Holy Comforter. 

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Road Trip & Spring Dance Festival

Road Trip Destination: Columbus, Ohio

   This past weekend I was often fondly reminded of my college friends and the amazing dancers I saw and got to know while attending Hollins University (way back when).  My mom and I went up to Columbus, Ohio, to visit my youngest sister and be there for The Ohio State University Spring Dance Festival.

 
I’d felt bad it’d been almost three years since I’d seen my sister in a performance, especially after going to each one of her dance recitals, many of her dress rehearsals, dance competitions, musical revue’s, and such when she was growing up.  Granted, it wasn’t usually an eight hour commute to get to the other shows she was in from Pre-K through high school, but still.  Being in the audience has been one of the ways that I’ve shown her my love and support.

     
The Ohio State University Spring Dance Festival gave me the perfect opportunity to see some of the OSU campus, witness some of what the dance department’s been up to, watch my sister perform, and see a site-specific piece she directed with her friend. 

All in Good Taste

   I got a taste for the dance department and community at OSU, and I must say I’m very impressed.  I figured I would be and have been looking forward to seeing some awe-inspiring choreography and performance art. 

 
I spent time with Mom and sister, met her apartment mates, three gorgeous women who are also dance majors and fun people to hang out with (like my sister).  I finally got to see some of the OSU campus, some of her preferred stomping grounds, and hot spots in Columbus. 

             
              On Friday, Mom and I checked into our hotel, then we picked my sister up from a rehearsal on campus and headed back to their apartment for a bit.  That evening, we went to the 8pm performance made up of five pieces choreographed by the seniors in the dance department for their mixing dance and media projects.  My sister was in a piece entitled “Staring at the Sun” choreographed by Quentin Burley and Madeline Irmen. 

 
After the Friday night performance at the EMMA Lab at ACCAD, my sister, three of her close friends, Mom, and I went to Spagiō’s for dinner and dessert.  My mom and I shared a tomato basil pizza that was absolutely delectable.  The gourmet dessert with a chocolate-coated exterior, toffee, mocha pudding, and yummy squiggles of chocolate and raspberry sauces for added zest is one I do believe I’ll have to order again.   

Not a School for the Directionally Challenged (like I am!)

   I can say with absolute certainty that I would get undeniably lost trying to find my way around such a sprawling campus.  My mom’s been there a number of times, and she got turned around occasionally.  I remained perpetually in a state of not knowing where the heck I was in relation to any other building, Theresa’s apartment, or our hotel.  Fortunately, Mom did all of the driving when we were up there, so we may have taken the longest possible route back to our hotel a couple times, but we never ended up in the ghetto of another state (which is all-too-likely to happen when I’m driving). 

Being there affirmed once again that a small liberal arts college with a strong sense of community and a beautiful rural campus were the best fit for me.  I would have felt incredibly lost, lonely, and insignificant going to school on one of the biggest college campuses in the country.  Hollins was the right place for me.  My sister has thoroughly enjoyed going to OSU.  I’m grateful we both found places of higher education to fit our personalities, tastes, and to help us grow in the intellectual and artistic passions we have.   

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 97)

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Miss You Much I must admit, there is a part of me that has been sad to see friends move several hours away, even if they're leaving for something bigger to which God's called them.  Truth be told, no goodbye to friends (or rather see ya next time) has been nearly as painful as parting with Kevin was, especially when we didn't know the next time we'd get to see each other.  It's been really sweet hearing Kevin tell me how much he's going to miss me.  I know he means it.  I know I'll miss him, too.  It makes me think of when he made his Cursillo weekend back in September 2006.  At the end of it, he gave me a big hug and a kiss in front of everyone.  His excuse: "It's been three whole days!" was met with someone shouting "get a room!"  What Kevin meant by his comment was that it was really nice to hug and kiss me after three days of being apart with no contact of any kind.  

    

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Cloistered Carmelite or Bust! Last November our dear friend Michele Morris submitted her application for Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations after discerning God would like her to enter the Carmelite Sisters by the Sea in California.  Last July, she held her debut of the original play “Teresita” which she wrote based on the life of St. Teresa of Avila. 

     Since then she has performed her one act play up and down the East Coast as her primary fundraiser to pay off her student debt.  Early this March she received an email stating, that although she did not receive the grant, the board voted her first runner-up.  This meant that if one of the recipients backed out for whatever reason, that the grant then would go to her. 

     Divine Mercy weekend (last Saturday and Sunday) was when she got a call from Mater Ecclesiae offering her the grant.  Her response was an immediate, and no doubt enthusiastic: “I ACCEPT!”   

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Pizza Party!  Of course, we had to do something fun to celebrate the great news that Michele received the grant and will, therefore, be entering Carmel sooner than later.  I asked what she was in the mood for, and she said pizza or some type of Italian, so Kevin and I picked her up and took her to a wonderful local restaurant that makes a melt-in your mouth Sicilian pizza.  I asked my mom to come and join us for the celebration.  She's seen Michele's play and was very excited to congratulate her on the grant.  

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Can you spare a square? At this point, my main potty training goal for the three year old is to get her to pee in the potty instead of on the carpet in the living room, the bathroom floor…so I’m not quite as concerned about her toilet paper consumption provided the toilet flushes without a problem.  (She’s been doing really great using the potty and keeping her princess panties dry over the past couple weeks, but she still enjoys the woohooo! and good job! affirmations each time she takes a leak, and I’m happy to oblige.)

     I’ve often seen her take a single square of toilet paper to wipe off.  I’m not sure what has led her to believe that this will be sufficient; it could be that when she has used flushable wipes, we have her use one, but I’m not sure.  Naturally, I’m led to think of the Seinfeld episode where a woman is asked if she can “spare a square?”  Here's the infamous clip.  To read more about adventures in potty training (and nannying), click here.

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Happy Birthday!  Yesterday was John's birthday, so Kevin and I called and sang to him.  John went on vacation with his parents and his brother Matt this past week.  I'd asked him to send us pics.  I was laughing hysterically when he texted me a picture of a bear in a field with: "That's a real bear!" as the only caption and explanation for the photo.  For all I knew, he pulled the photo up on his Smartphone and sent it.  After being hassled (and once I'd e-mailed him a photo of a tiger with the message "That's a real tiger!"), he let us know that he'd actually seen the bear at Bearizona.     

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DONE! There are many days that I am for all intents and purposes spent by the time one of the girls' parents gets home.  That is most often the case when I have not had so much as 2 minutes to myself for the past 9+ hours.  No overlapping naps.  Only one meal that everyone eats the same thing at the same time.  One or more peepee-not-in-the-potty accidents to clean up while keeping two very mobile little ones out of the bathroom.  
     Thank God, I have such a wonderful husband.  Not only does he support me being a nanny because I love kids, but he's tremendously understanding those evenings when I come home and I need some silent time alone before anything else.  
     I can think of few things that express the readiness to collapse as this picture of Sophie.  She was so insistent on practicing sitting up that she eventually just stuck her thumb in her mouth, keeled over, and fell asleep just like that.
             

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Dance like you mean it! My mom and I will be halfway to Ohio by the time you read this.  We’re going to see my sister Theresa and be there for The Ohio State University Spring Dance Festival. It's been far too long since I've seen my youngest sister perform onstage (maybe as long as three years now), after having gone to basically all of her dance recitals, showcases, and musical revues when she was growing up. I was also quite spoiled when I could attend a number of truly amazing dance performances on campus or a short drive away when I was attending at Hollins University. Praying for a safe trip and a relaxing/super-fun girls weekend!

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.  Also, please pray for her son, born on the Feast of the Annunciation, as well as the Fulwiler family.  Joseph Thomas has had some breathing difficulties.  Due to these complications, 7 Quick Takes Friday this week is being hosted at Camp Patton.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 94)

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Mass Effect Had some really good prayer time Tuesday. Kevin and I enjoyed that evening’s Mass at St. Benedict's for the Feast of St. Joseph and the Installation of Pope Francis. I got to have dinner with a dear friend/sister/spiritual diva, then our fave brother in Christ called to catch up for a bit. Lord, thank You for lovelines family!

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Lucky for Laughter Me: “I have a leprechaun in my pocket.  A girl at school colored it in, cut it out and gave it to me.”  A little later, after his third failed attempt to toss something into the recycling, Kevin says: “I didn’t have anybody give me a leprechaun today, so I’m fresh outta luck.”  Lord, thank You for my husband and his sense of humor!

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Thank Heavens for Sisters in Christ  Was just going through all of my Christ Renews His Parish photos. Everything from retreat planning meetings, Halloween and Christmas parties, book studies, and prayer sessions to being there for community outreach projects.  Wow! It's hard to believe that I first met this amazing group of women back in February 2010.  We've had some really fun times CRHP sistas! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again very soon.  One of our sisters who had a little baby girl in December will be coming to this gathering.  I'm looking forward to meeting her for the first time and taking part in a send-off party for her mom. 

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Goes Hard Even at Home Had a wicked headache that started Thursday afternoon when Livie “the livewire” as I like to call her launched herself at my face for the millionth time in a nine hour period, and that time smashed into my nose with the part of her skull that is already formed and freakin' hard. Ouch!  My head was still hurting when I went to bed.  Watch out for the head-banger!  

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Tell-tale Poop I have learned many things over my twenty plus years of taking care of children.  One of those things is that the proof is in the poop.  When little ones aren't able to mash up their food due to lack of teeth or additional need for chewing practice once teeth have come in, the things they are unable to mash on their own and therefore can't digest (or get nutritional value from) end up basically whole in their diapers.  
     Seemingly small finger foods easy to make and grab can be deceptively enticing, though not the best of ideas.  Peas, corn, peppers, pretty much any veggies with skin on them, need to be pureed or mashed, otherwise, they go in one end and come undigested out the other.  Blueberries are another one, and of course grapes.  The other drawback to finger foods with skin they can't chew through is that they make for really messy poopy diapers and a higher chance of diaper rash.  

     Good rule of tongue: if you can't mash it or mush it up with your tongue and the roof of your mouth, then your little one isn't likely to be able to mash it with anywhere from 2-4 teeth enough to digest it.

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Give Me a Beat Vivi, Livie, and Sophie absolutely love music.  Singing, dancing, playing instruments (actual or make-shift) are high on their list of favorites.  Since I really like the music from Step Up 4, I've been playing the final mob dance scene on Youtube so we can dance to it.  I pull up a blank screen so they aren't watching the video (which certainly isn't meant for kids), but it's been fun to see how they dance and move to different beats and how they respond to me doing various types of dance.  Vivi's had lots of fun with the baby cello Holly gave me to pass along to her.              
     

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Fringe Benefits It never ceases to amaze me how much the things we use daily can quickly become a source of joy, fascination, and no small amount of giggling for small children and those taking care of them.  The girls love one of the blankets in the living room.  It's one of those you can make fairly easily by cutting one inch strips of material and knotting two panels together.  Vivi is always inviting everyone to "go hiding" with her.  Regardless of what else has been going on, playing with the blanket usually gets everyone in a better mood.     

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 92)

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Our Newborn Nephew I'm being patient. Guess I'll have to wait until this weekend to meet Ezra Lewis, our newborn nephew. After 36 hours of labor and still not having slept at all Wednesday night, Mary and Jordan haven’t been up for visitors. They just want to sleep in their own bed. Hopefully, Ezra is tired from the move as well and will join them in a much-needed snooze.

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Cardinals & the Conclave It’s a beautiful thing that the cardinals know enough about this process and its importance that they didn’t even mention setting a date for the conclave, yet.  If you would like an accurate report of what’s going on, who’s saying what, and how the process works, then be wise and check out a credible source for Catholic news.

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Help Save Aquinas and More Since February of 2010 one of the awesome companies for whom I have been writing and posting my reviews of their books, movies, and music is Aquinas and More.  If you go to their Tiber River review site, you’ll see Top Reviewers, and I’m one of them.  There are many reasons I have written and posted 52 reviews for this company over the past three years.  Here are a few more reasons to help save their company from closing: they’re the only Catholic company that 1.)  has registries for seminarians and military chaplains 2.)  Our Good Faith guarantee  3.)    No products from China 4.) Get Imprimatur information on books offered on their website.

  

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Creative Writing for Kids Monday I subbed at school in a 1-3 grad Montessori classroom, and since the teacher knows me and has asked me to come in for her before, she gave me free reign to do some fun creative writing with the kids in the afternoon.  I had them pretend that someone had asked them to write a mystery chapter book.  I had them each answer a series of questions and thereby create their main character, main conflict, setting, and point-of-view, then start writing.  It was really fun to see the kids so excited about what they came up with and eager to share with others their ideas.  Their teacher asked me if I’d like to come back and do some more creative writing with them.  Of course, I’d love to!

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Just Visiting This Tuesday, our dear friend Laura, was taking care of the girls for the first full day, so I stopped by to visit.  It’s always so nice for me and the girls when we have visitors, all of whom love seeing the three cuties (of course), so I thought it’d be fun to swing by and say hi.  I ended up staying for an hour or so holding the twins, answering questions, and listening to what’s going on in my friend’s life. 
     It’s so easy to forget how much fun it can be to stop in and laugh, giggle, love on some little ones without having the larger responsibility of mealtimes, playtime, naptime, learning basic manners, gross and fine motor skills, potty training/diaper changing management to oversee.
     No wonder Kevin, Laura, and others have such a blast when they come over.  Pure cuteness, love, laughter, and none of the responsibility.  It can be a refreshing change and good way to see things from another angle. 
     I suggest parents not only have a date night, but that they also have some strictly fun, and (whenever possible) one-on-one playtime with each of their kids during the week.  We don’t forget how to enjoy and fall in love all over again with our spouse or our kids!          

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What about…? I’ve gotten to ask a number of seemingly random questions, do some interesting research, and have some amusing exchanges with close friends via text and e-mail as I’m gathering bits and pieces for some of the scenes I’m working on for a young adult novel.  I had to laugh when I realized that the best person to ask about pranks would have been my dad (and his brothers).  I asked my mom, instead, since she knew a bunch of the ones he and his roommates pulled while in college.  If you’ve got any good ones that don’t involve causing permanent damage to property or serious physical harm to others, please let me know.      
     

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Step Up Revolution Since I was young, I’ve loved dancing and watching amazing dancers perform.  After watching some of the clips of this movie online, I knew that Step Up Revolution would be a really mind-blowing blend of different types of modern dance. It is that indeed! It’s rated PG-13 for good reason.  This isn’t something to watch with young kids, but if you like dance, then you will absolutely love how creative, innovative, and explosive this choreography is.  Here’s the finale which is off-the-chain:

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 90)

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Faith and Family Together God granted Kevin and me a very special gift last Sunday.  We went to Mass with my uncle Rob, who was down here from Rochester for his daughter (my cousin) Meaghan’s volleyball tournament in DC.  He came to visit my mom, and the four of us went to Mass together at St. Michael’s. 

     Our pastor, Fr. Dan Brady delivered a sermon that fit perfectly with the talk about the Eucharist Kevin had given to the participants of the Men’s Christ Renews His Parish retreat early that morning.  And who was there to speak about their ministry and take up a second collection? One of my favorite sisters from where my grandma spent the last years of her life: Little Sisters of the Poor.  She saw me among the crowd and even mentioned my grandmother’s name, saying they consider their residents as family and make sure that someone is with them, praying at the hour of their death.

     Kevin and I both had tears in our eyes.  In many ways, it felt as if last Sunday was God’s way of granting us time in prayer with family who knew and loved my grandmother, and an opportunity to let her legacy live on in our minds, hearts, and prayers. 

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Homemade Goodness Last Sunday, my uncle Rob made lasagna from scratch, and it was absolutely delicious.  The only other piece of my Gram’s funeral weekend I’d really been sad to miss was time with family and loved ones sharing a meal together, and this made up for that.  It’s always amusing to watch my mom and her youngest brother going back and forth about stuff.  This visit was no different from others in that respect.  God is good!

           

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Leftovers Anytime: The twins have certainly been making sure they get sufficient servings of veggies even if they don’t quite make it in their mouths the first go-round.  I’ve gotten accustom to the girls picking up things from the floor and munching on them.  When they began grabbing things from the floor and I didn’t know what they had grabbed, I would swoop down and get the item from their mouths, much to their confusion and frustration.  After discovering that every time it was a piece of dehydrated pea or corn kernel, I’ve left them to their grazing.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a good portion of their caloric intake each day comes from their preferred version of leftovers. 

 

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Photography & Scrapbooking I’ve had a passion for photography for a number of years which I have celebrated in part by getting lots of photos of the children in my care for their parents to enjoy.  Some of the most fun I’ve had putting together memory books and scrapbooks have been those of favorite little people so they and their parents have a fun record of our time together.  Thankfully my husband has been very understanding over the past few months about how often I’ve had our dining room table covered with scrapbooking materials. 

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Singing and Dancing Another two things I’ve found that energize me and are also lots of fun for the girls are singing and dancing.  I sing a rather wide variety of songs to them.  One of the ones I’ve done has been some of “Rockin’ Robin.”  This week when Vivi requested we listen to it, I played her both the Jackson 5 version as well as the original Bobby Day version.  After playing these, Youtube videos for a few times in a row, I decided we’d move on to something else.  I selected a song we hadn’t listened to five times in a row, before I went up to get one of her sisters who’d woken up from her nap.  I come down the stairs to a near three-year-old Vivi telling me with an extra helping of sass: “This is NOT Rockin’ Robin!”  My total request live does have its limits.  When I’m tired of the song, we move on to something else, a certain “noisy toy” might go missing, or the batteries in something might cease working all of a sudden. 

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Heading North "It's always an adventure in Holly-world!" True dat! We'll certainly miss you Holly Moskowitz, one of my best friends ever since high school, but we do expect to hear and read regular updates and the same brand of endearing silliness now that she’s moving up to Malone, New York for her new position as nurse practitioner at an Ob/Gyn’s office. Kevin and I can honestly say we've never watched anyone else pack up their stuff while sporting a pair of hoop earrings (that they needed help from a neighbor to put on), randomly found rings and jewelry, a glittery magenta cowboy hat, and pearl lookalike beads. We love you!  You are in our thoughts and prayers as always!
     

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Respect Life Talk Wow! Glad I was given the opportunity to talk with the middle school religious education classes at our church this week.  It's interesting to find out how many middle school students know what abortion is but don't know that our current president supports it wholeheartedly or that the HHS mandate is an infringement of our religious freedom because the official and forever teaching of the Catholic Church on abortion is that it's taking an innocent life. Many didn't realize Obamacare will force to pay for abortions and contraception and violate our consciences (or pay astronomical fines) stand up for our beliefs and fight against a direct infringement of our religious freedom. 

     I only had ten minutes to talk with one of the groups, so I started out by asking them what the leading cause of death is in the United States and the world.  Guesses ranged from smoking to heart attacks, but both the kids and most of the adults present were surprised to learn that it isn’t either of those health complications or hunger that’s the biggest killer: it’s abortion. 

    My mom and my grandmother are certainly two of the most prominent pro-life advocates in my life.  I am very grateful for both of them.  My mom is yet again leading the 40 Days for Life campaign in our city.  I know my grandma’s prayers are joining ours from Heaven. 

    Lord, thank You for the many people you have put in my life who have taught me the value of a human life from conception to natural death.  

Head over to host Jen Fulwiler's fun tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 82)

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Our Family’s Style Meals We’ve had a number of family meals this week as part of celebrating Christmas and the fact that Theresa is home from The Ohio State University for a mere couple of weeks.  Kevin, who had a really awful case of bronchitis over Christmas, was finally able to join us for a family meal this evening now that he’s recovered.  Everything else I went to on my own, but at least my dear husband got plenty of quiet time to rest, reload his 5000 songs to his MP3 player, and eat some of the best leftovers of the entire year.     

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I Am the Body Beautiful!  I was reminded of this awesome song this week when we watched a rather bizarre movie that is in all honesty pretty amusing.  We got the soundtrack to the movie this was on: “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” and would dance, sing, and lip sync to this song over and over.  It’s one of the ways my youngest sister and I (while I was in high school) could make my other sister laugh—a significant feat when said-sister had broken her leg in five places, had a full-leg cast and was confined to bed and wheelchair. 

           

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Creative Baby-proofing A certain little someone who is exceptionally good at getting into things that she shouldn’t (usually while I’m feeding her twin a bottle and/or assisting the toddler who is potty training) has been working hard this week.  Not only is she pulling up on anything and everything at a mere 7 months old, but she also managed to grab the cord on the Verizon box that’s behind the gate to the stairs and pull it out enough to chew on it.  While over in that corner, she found an extra outlet cover and was about to snack on that, too.  In an attempt to preserve my sanity and safeguard the area for a little longer, I grabbed what was handy-a purple ribbon and a little pink and purple Minnie mouse fold-up chair.  Once I gathered the cord and tied it with the ribbon, I secured the excess so it couldn’t be pulled through the gate, by anchoring the ribbon with the chair, then put the extra outlet cover up out of reach so it wouldn’t become a choking hazard. 

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Try and Stop Me! After rigging up the Verizon box wire so the resident livewire couldn’t reach it, I went back to feeding her sister for less than about 10 seconds before I noticed her sister sitting in the same corner with the box, her back to me, and both of her hands going to her mouth.  I made it over there in time to get the dried pine needle out of her curious little hands before she put the pieces in her mouth.  Today, for the first time ever since I have been taking care of the three girls, I put the most mobile of the twins in the pack ‘n’ play when I had to go upstairs with one of her sisters or out to the kitchen for longer than a few seconds.         

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Quiet Time? Theresa and Mom came to visit me for a little while today.  They came during what I think was the only time this entire week, perhaps this whole month, when all three girls were sound asleep in their beds at the same time.  They walked in, and it was completely quiet.  We talked for a bit, then they went off to do the grocery shopping and start the dinner at my mom’s for the family this evening.  Not five minutes after they left, all three girls woke up, and the usual insanity characteristic of the time between 3-5pm before their mommy gets home ensued. 

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Reminders from Mom My mom is one of the most giving, loving, caring people I know.  She is a charter member of the girls’ fan club, known to them as MissAnn (said as one word).  When she has come and visited me, she’s flat-out said that she often feels overwhelmed by the prospect of taking care of the three girls.  (I admittedly have several brief moments throughout the day when I feel the exact same way, but they pass quickly and are ultimately overshadowed by precious moments infused with undeniable cuteness.)  Knowing it has been a very long, tiring week for a number of reasons, my mom reminded me that it’s not only suggested, but necessary that I do some things to take care of myself during the day, so I don’t get too worn out and run down keeping up with three small children.  Yes, Mom.  You're right.    

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered Last week I asked for your prayers for the audition piece I’m working on to become one of the writers of a Young Adult series that is quite remarkable.  I’m finishing up my latest draft this evening, and plan to e-mail it to them for review by tomorrow evening.  May God’s Will be done, in this and all things!

For many laughs, head over to Conversion Diary and read Jen Fulwiler's 7 Quick Takes Friday for this week.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 59)

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What do you want of me? This past Monday, amazing playwright, actress, director Michele Morris performed her own original play about Saint Teresa of Avila called "Teresita."  It was a rip-roaring success on all accounts!  I will be writing a review and posting it soon and very soon.  In the meantime, for more information, to book a performance at your church, school, or community center, click here.

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Out of Africa, Burkina Faso My youngest sister Theresa is currently in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa for a dance festival.  Here’s the awesome promo video for the Ouagadougou Dance and Drum study abroad program to Burkina Faso, West Africa through The Department of Dance at The Ohio State University and the Baker and Tarpaga Dance Project:

     This video was made before Theresa went, but I really hope I’ll get to see some of what she learned when she gets back whether it's in person or over Youtube.  I would absolutely love to have such an amazing opportunity as to travel to Africa to learn from them about their music and dance.  What passion and power! 

     Please join me in praying that Theresa and her friends will remain healthy and draw closer to the Lord of all Dance during their time in Africa.

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Beatles’ Musical Review This week I’ve been the assistant for Freestyle Dance and Performance Camp.  I’ve had seven certain Beatles’ songs stuck in my head that we’ve listened to over and over.  We’ve had fun singing, dancing, working on choreography, play acting with props, and preparing for our show for the school Friday morning.  We had a terrific dress rehearsal Thursday, so I just know it’s going to be a memorable performance!

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Back to the office This past Thursday was the last day of Jess’s maternity leave.  Today she goes back to the office.  Please pray for Jess and their family as she makes this transition back into the business world while continuing her fulltime/lifelong vocations as wife and mother.       

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Kevin’s birthday We celebrated by incorporating some of my husband’s favorite things into the evening.  I went and got the motorcycle pants he’d ordered from the Honda House, then I picked him up from work since his car’s AC doesn’t work well, and there was a heat index of 110.  We went to Mass, had a yummy dinner at Famous Dave’s, and got to sing Happy Birthday three times.  The third time was for Kevin.  Apparently it’s a popular place to celebrate.  Later we played some dominoes and Kevin looked at the many Facebook messages left by family and friends. (This is noteworthy since my hubby signs onto FB about once a year.) 

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Pimp My Ride Back in September 2006, Kevin made his Cursillo weekend with a gentleman named Ed Lambert who was in his 80s at the time.  Everyone went into hysterics when Ed was overheard telling a story he’d watched on the popular TV show Pimp My Ride.  At the age of 91, Ed went home to the Lord this week.  Pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for the many loved ones he left behind, especially Brady and Clay.  

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I just called to say… I’m thinking of you.  I love you.  I miss you.  These are all nice things to hear.  This week John, our beloved brother in Christ, called from Europe to see how we are doing and give us an update on his travels.  Kevin and I both mentioned how great it was to hear his voice and touch base even if only for a little while.  One afternoon this week, my dear friend/sister in Christ Laura called just to see how things were going.  It made such a difference in my day that she took the time to reach out and cared enough to call.  Lord, please help us be open to the seemingly little ways that we can show others love, compassion, and affection, because through them we do, indeed, glorify You.

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.

Wegmans Concerts By the Shore

       For the past twenty-seven years, they’ve held Wednesday evening Wegmans Concerts By the Shore at Charlotte (pronounced without the “r” because they have some strange ways of saying things up here) Beach.  A while back when Kevin and I were dating, we rode bikes down there on a Wednesday night to hear the free concert.  I remember we slow-danced to “Unforgettable.”