7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 139) Women of Faith Rock the World

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Grace is…having two grandmothers who were strong women of faith as examples when I was growing up,

two parents who always pray for me (one still on earth and one in Heaven), a merciful Lord, reaching out to those who are struggling to survive, living examples of people who do the right thing even when nobody's looking, actually believing God has great things planned for your life beyond your wildest dreams…

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One Year Anniversary My grandma past away one year ago today.  She has been an inspiration to me for many reasons seven of which you can read about here, if you like.

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Top 10 Mommy Blog Epic Fails I’ve finally accepted that I don’t have what it takes to have a hugely successful, widely read, and dutifully followed mommy blog.  I know exactly why that’s the case, and since many of these things aren’t likely to change anytime soon, we might as well be transparent about these drawbacks.  Here are the top 10 reasons why my own blog is not a super-colossal mommy blog at the top of everyone’s blogroll and whose notification of new posts pop up in inboxes everywhere and some links to cool successful mommy blogs.

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Stuff my husband says: After I admitted to Kevin that it’s a good thing I looked up the directions before going to pick up my friend and take her to her infusion, because I’d written down an incorrect street name: Coswell as opposed to what it’s supposed to be which is Cogbill  (Apparently the closest Coswell St. is in Alabama.), he says to me in a very patronizing, aww, how cute tone: “I love you.”
I responded: “Don’t!  It’s not a good idea!”
He said: “No, following your directions is not a good idea.”

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King George & the Ducky In honor of the Mass readings for today, I thought I’d direct your attention to one of the most brilliant pieces family friendly filming that takes actual Bible stories and puts them into an animated form that will have your whole family LOL and educated about morality.  Yes, of course, I’m speaking of Veggie Tales King George & the Ducky. 

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Gimme Shelter I haven’t seen it yet, but I plan on seeing it soon and have only heard amazing things about it.  I couldn’t even make it through watching the trailer without tearing up:

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Day of the Little Way On Feb. 4, Catholics everywhere are invited to join an unprecedented movement on Twitter and Vine called the Day of the Little Way. Inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux, the Day of the Little Way asks Catholics to embrace the New Evangelization by living out your faith in 140 little - but powerful - characters all day long!

The Day of the Little Way encourages Catholics to use the hashtag #LittleWay all day long on Twitter and Vine as a way to share their small stories of faith, prayers, quotes, inspiration and encouragement online. By uniting under one hashtag, Catholics not only demonstrate solidarity in their faith, they also open the door for dialog with people online in a new way. As Pope Francis stated in his recent Communications Day message, “A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive…Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts.”
    
Ironically enough, I don’t have a Twitter account, but I did read the book that inspired this movement, and I’ll be posting the review of it on February 4^th.  Check back, then you can tweet it for me ;)   

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 138)

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Grace is… having food, clean water, shelter, and skills you can use to help others who don't have those basic necessities, something I’m much better about remembering to pray before meals when I'm not juggling, running, and attempting to prepare food and serve it to young children who at every meal and snack act as if they haven’t eaten in a week…

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A Man for All Seasons Kevin and I finally got around to watching this award-winning film this evening.  I hope and pray that at the end of my life I will be able to say that I have remained true to God, above all.  I highly recommend A Man for All Seasons and any others that help us learn more about those who said yes to God and Truth, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

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Under Construction I have been grateful for snow this week, not for the reasons many others might find it exciting, pretty, comforting, but because it helped preserve my sanity.  For several days in a row, yes including both early Saturday and Sunday mornings, there have been men walking, hammering, drilling, pounding, and otherwise creating as much noise as possible on the roof of our building.  Since we live on top floor, it has sounded and at times felt that we have been the unfortunate victims of an attack of elephants, apparently ones with wings or at the very least ladders.  Once it snowed enough and then froze, the gentlemen saw fit to let our roof be for a few days. 
     I do feel that I've missed offering Sunshine an interesting learning opportunity to witness such work.  She is very fascinated by Handy Manny and his friends.  Our place is one of the farthest things from childproof, but if both of her parents came with her and her twin sisters, then there would be four adults and three children under four, so the odds would mostly be in our favor.   

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Stuff my husband says: “Not for nothing, but…” followed by all sorts of helpful and just as often, if not more, not-so-very-helpful words of wisdom.  My response to this beginning of a sentence is usually to roll my eyes and groan.  Regardless of the time of day, I’ll suggest that it’s too early in the day for one of his “not for nothing” proclamations.   

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Quality Child Care This week among other things I have caught up on is my required training hours for working at school.  One of the ways we can fulfill these hours is by reading certain training books and passing the tests on them.  Again, I really enjoyed the book I read about Early Childhood Education called The Practical Guide to Quality Child Care by Pam Schiller and Patricia Carter Dyke.  It includes information on everything to management, hiring and screening employees, to setting up the best programs for students to learn, and for parents and families to be involved in that process.  Anyone who wants to learn more about what quality child care looks like, how it is achieved, and maintained will find this book quite helpful.

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March for Life 2014 

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A Lifelong Learning Blog This is a link to a fantastic idea for kids that parents and grandparents will be excited about.  Would you like to encourage your child’s writing interests and abilities while supporting their academic pursuits?  I don’t know many parents or teachers that don’t.  Check out this video and consider the possibility of setting up such a thing for the young ones in your life. 

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

Come on People, Really? The Sound of Music LIVE

     Unreasonable expectations abound when it comes to the groundbreaking three hour performance of The Sound of Music LIVE on NBC December 5, 2013.  I grew up watching The Sound of Music, and of course Carrie Underwood isn't Julie Andrews, but she and that cast did a decent made-for-TV LIVE version of a classic Broadway musical made movie that can't be matched.  There are a number of reviews floating around, but this is the article that seems most accurate of the ones I’ve read.

     Not even Carrie Underwood thought she could be a modern day Julie Andrews.  One of the qualities of classic, famous films is that the parts are played so well by those chosen for those roles that you can’t imagine anyone else doing it better.  If you tuned in last night to see if Carrie Underwood would put in a performance as perfectly fitting, amazing, and endearing as Julie Andrews did, then in my opinion, you just don’t get it.

     It didn’t look like there was anything alive on that hill, except for people.  Costumes weren’t always fitted properly.  The sound mix left something to be desired.  All true.  The scenery wasn’t perfect or as breathtaking as filming on location, nor were the costumes as impressive or the lighting as spot-on as it could be, but again, what do you expect for a soundscape where you must perform and get the audio and video as perfect as possible because you’re broadcasting live to millions? 

     I think it was incredibly gutsy of Carrie Underwood to accept this challenge.  No one with any sense, understanding of musical theater, of acting, filmmaking, or Broadway actually expected last night’s performance to make people jump up and rejoice that a moving rendition of the story had finally been done right.  They did it right with the original film that came out in 1965, which is the only reason this whole scenario has caused such an uproar.  People respect and appreciate the quality of the original film and its actors.  The Sound of Music is a classic that continues to be unparalleled. 

     Last night’s performance was never intended to rival that of the movie.  It was done more to inspire others to have a love and appreciation for Broadway classics, LIVE performances, and adaptations of plays meant to be judged in their own light and merit rather than compared to something else.  The adaptations made for shooting this on a soundscape live were quite clever.  The primary songs for which the musical is known and loved were fit in, even if they didn’t appear in the order or circumstances in which they were in the movie.  The choreography was commendable, the singing mostly beautiful, and the acting, by and large, was good.

     My favorite quote about last night came from my husband: “They did a great job.  It’s just the audio that bothers me.”  Trust my dear spouse to come up with such an assessment of a Broadway musical.  To his credit, I knew that as someone who used to be a musician, own a recording studio, and be the soundman for different bands Kevin was talking about his dissatisfaction with the audio mix produced by the person(s) at the controls of the soundboard.  Often the instruments overpowered the singing, which they wouldn’t have and shouldn’t have if done correctly.

     My mom’s biggest pet peeve was that they didn’t use true edelweiss flowers.  When my mom was fourteen, she went with her father to Austria, and they brought home some edelweiss seeds wrapped up in newspaper.  My mother has fond memories of planting them and watching them bloom in her grandmother’s garden.     

     I grew up watching The Sound of Music as did my mother.  The two of us know every word of the original script and songs by heart, yet we really enjoyed the creativity used for this production, because we didn’t go into it thinking or expecting Carrie Underwood or anyone else to upstage the original film version.  We hoped to be entertained and reminded of our favorite scenes from the movie, which we were.  In our minds that was the intention in the first place; therefore, mission accomplished.      

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 129) about Singing, Dancing, Training, Laughing

 

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Grace is…getting a short nap when you’re beyond ready to collapse, a glimmer of hope in the midst of innumerable struggles, God putting people on our hearts and minds who need our prayers, people with whom we can be completely honest and vulnerable, reconnecting with friends you don’t get to see often, having a child bring you a book to read them, being reminded of the place in your heart that suffers when those you love are suffering, the gift of laughter, the undeniable cuteness and joy of little ones…  

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Gotta Sing and Dance I was raised with a love for books of all sorts, Broadway musicals, and Disney movies among other things.  I have shared my passion for books and musicals with the children for whom I have nannied and worked with over the years.  My mom, sisters, and I have been known to break into song at family meals and gatherings, and I regularly burst into songs from Singin’ in the Rain, The Sound of Music, White Christmas, Mary Poppins, The Music Man...when taking care of little ones.  Of course, I also sing them the usual ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, London Bridge is Falling Down, If You’re Happy and You Know It, She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain, I’ve been working on the railroad, but I also enjoy spicing things up a bit with some lesser-known oldies but goodies.     

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The Music Man Over the past couple weeks after Kevin and I watched one of the movies I know by heart from my childhood, I was inspired to introduce another couple songs to the repertory of Broadway musical classics that I sing and dance to at times while nannying.  The girls have really enjoyed the opening scene from the original The Music Man movie.  This has been the favorite and most requested Youtube clip this week (at least in the department of musicals):

    

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Hit by a Train The other day it happened to me again, I was hit by a train.  It was a small child’s toy train, but I still got hit by it.  When Kevin and I were dating, he took me to a model train store and was showing me how detailed some of the to-scale models are.  I was holding one box up and examining the locomotive inside, admiring the intricacy of the windows, seats, etc., and tilted the box a little too far.  The black engine thumped onto my chest.  I turned to Kevin with a look of mock horror, and said, “I’ve been hit by a train!”       

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Keep It Simple I’ll set up a lay-out of train tracks, and one of the girls tries to attach all of the trains to each other and not let her sisters have any to play with.  Another will make it her mission to destroy whatever train tracks are connected, especially if they happen to be held up or supported by Duplos.  The third cutie has cracked me up this week by taking one piece of track less than a foot long and one train and running the train back and forth along that little bit of track.  It’s portable, cannot be disassembled, and doesn’t draw nearly as much attention or interference as other attempts to play trains.  You go girl!    

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When Words Aren’t Enough Over the past couple weeks, I have had people share with me a number of serious situations for which they want and need prayer.  Regardless of how tired I have been, God has granted me the grace to listen and be present when possible, and to lift up all of those who are suffering and caring for them in prayer.  I’m encouraged to know that there are people who pray for Kevin and me daily.  Just so you know, I am always honored when people ask me to pray for them or for their loved ones.  Prayer requests are always welcome!   
    

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A Fabulous Tradition A couple who we are good friends with has made it a tradition each year to invite a group of friends and/or family members over for an early Thanksgiving feast at their place.  Kevin and I are looking forward to this get-together quite a bit after having a blast in years’ past.  Good food, good friends, great memories, abundant blessings, who could ask for anything more?

                  

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 102)

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Preserving Your Sanity I’ve learned a lot over the past 20+ years of taking care of children of all ages.  One of the most important lessons is that the sanity of the parent, caregiver, nanny, teacher…responsible for the nurturing of young bodies, minds, and spirits is absolutely essential to preserve.  It’s always better to ask for help, than to risk drowning in the deep end.  I personally would much prefer that a family member or friend call and let me know they could use a hand, someone to listen, a meal or dessert delivered to their door, help with the kids…than find out after-the-fact that they had a horrible time of it and worried about reaching out for support.  People have only so much time and energy in a day.  It's okay when you are at a point in your life when what's going on in your family and household is all you can manage to be on the receiving end of the outreach.    

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Grace on the Go I have taught the girls a slightly altered form of grace because it’s often once everyone’s chowing down on their breakfast or lunch that I remember we haven’t said a blessing.  It goes like this: “Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are ALREADY receiving from Thy bounty through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.”  Usually after that I add a hearty: “Thank You, God, for giving us food!  Thank You, God, for giving us food!”  I think it makes up for not blessing the food before we consume it.  Not sure.  The last time I heard Vivi start saying grace without being prompted, she was sitting on the toilet.    

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Princess and the Pea Retold As those of you well-versed in fairy tales and hazardous waste removal already know, the proof is in the poop.  This week one of my three favorite little princesses had some interesting incidents with accessories.  She pooped a purple bead one morning, and I caught her teething on a bright pink toddler-sized ponytail holder.  Clearly she’s into accessories (or they're into her).  Perhaps when she’s a little older, she’ll start a new line of bling and things created with “bad ass beads” and “salivating hair duds.” 

      

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Technology Throwbacks My dear husband, bless his heart, was telling me yesterday that the doctor saw him texting me and told him: “The nineties called.  They want their phone back.”  For the amount of time it takes him to text me on my only slightly more advanced phone (which still can’t be called smart), he might as well just write me a note and deliver it in person.  We had this discussion when he said that he’d ordered a smart TV.  Yes, we’re just now replacing our tube TV in honor of Kevin’s upcoming 50^th birthday this July.  We don’t have an XBOX, Wii, iPod, iPad, a Kindle, or a Smartphone.  My husband, who loves music and has a vast collection of it, does have an MP3 player, but I still play CDs (and occasionally even an audio tape) on a boombox/portable stereo as often as I play Youtube videos on my laptop computer.  I also have been known to send handwritten letters via snail mail. 

    

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower I have to say that I was very impressed by both the book and the movie, which I had checked out from the library for the past couple of weeks.  The novel is a series of letters that are really more like diary or journal entries written by a teenager just starting his freshman year of high school.  I love how honest, vulnerable, realistic, endearing, hilarious, and heart-wrenching the characters are on the page as well as on the screen.  Stephen Chbosky, the novelist was also the director of the film.  I highly recommend reading the book and watching the movie.  (Quick disclaimer for regular readers since much of what I review is Christian fiction and non-fiction: This is not for kids, and there are some adult themes, scenes, and situations that clearly go against the teachings of the Catholic Church.) 
    
Don’t miss the commentary and extras on the DVD.  The one with the director and main actors his absolutely hilarious.  The commentary by just Chbosky is really interesting, especially for those who enjoy books, movies, writing, and/or stories of hope. 
    
One of my favorite things about The Perks of Being a Wallflower is that it has so many life lessons that are timeless.  One quote that has stuck with me is: “We accept the love we think we deserve.”

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Glimpses of Grandma In some ways, I’m definitely my grandma’s girl.  She rarely tossed stuff out if it could be recycled or reused by her or by someone else.  I am absolutely certain she’s quite tickled that Kevin and I currently have hanging in our bathroom a turquoise (her favorite color) shower curtain that my grandma must have had for 30 some years.  When I found it and realized it had never been used, and was still in its original box from a department store that went out of business awhile ago, I couldn’t bring myself to toss it, knowing my grandma would have wanted someone to use it.  For more recently observed, “glimpses of grandma,” click here. 
     

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Got the Holy Spirit? This weekend we’ll be celebrating Pentecost, the birth of the Catholic Church and therefore the beginning of Christianity.  Remember to wear red to Mass.  Please pray some extra prayers for the participants of the Cursillo Women’s Weekends going on locally and around the globe this weekend.  Also, I ask that you would lift up a wonderful woman of faith who’s going through some real suffering in mind, body, and spirit. 

     Come Holy Spirit!  Descend like a dove and fill us anew with God’s redeeming love.  Amen.  

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick 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.

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. 

 What makes Aquinas More special?    

If we aren't, with your help, able to raise the funds we need, several unique services we offer will vanish from the Internet because we are the only Catholic site that has them. Here are a few:

• ·         Registries for seminarians and military chaplains - we've sent over 7000 items to Catholic military chaplains to distribute to their flocks
• ·         Our Good Faith guarantee
• ·         No Chinese products - It's been our commitment from the start and over 200,000 orders later, it still is
• ·         Imprimatur information on books

A Message from President of Aquinas and More Ian Rutherford

Dear friends,

I ask you first to pray for our campaign. We will be praying the Saint Michael the Archangel prayer daily for this endeavor. Will you pray too? Second, please take a moment to visit our “Aquinas Angels” site, where you can read more about what brought us to where we are right now and what our plans for the future entail. You can visit the site at: http://www.gofundme.com/aquinasangels

I want you to know that if we don't reach our goal, your Angel donation will not be processed. It's as simple as that – it's all-or-nothing. We will not be benefiting from any support until and unless our goal is reached. And if we don't reach it, Aquinas and More will likely shut down. So, our next step is in His hands. If you choose to join us, we have different levels of support, and will be "giving back" for your generosity.

I also ask you to please help us spread the word about our “Aquinas Angels” . With the relationships we've built over the years, I firmly believe this is a “We” Campaign. We can't succeed without your help!

If you would like the work of Aquinas and More to continue, if you have had a positive experience with us, please share our story, our site, and your story out there with others you know.

Aquinas and More is truly not just a Catholic store. Aquinas and More is a way of life for myself, for my wife, for my ten children. 

We are unabashedly and authentically Catholic in all that we do – our policies, our products, and our outreach projects. You know the value of our Good Faith Guarantee.

As part of the Year of Faith, we are called to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message, and go forth and proclaim the Gospel. That is the essence of Aquinas and More. Giving to our “Aquinas Angels” Campaign means helping to build and restore an authentic Catholic culture. I know in my heart that there's nowhere else out there where you can find such a ministry and mission – a living and serving, Catholic approach to shopping. I'm willing to put myself out there like this to keep it going.

We would be honored and grateful if you can become an Aquinas Angel for us and help us reach our $250,000 goal.

Oremus,

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 91)

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Still Have Hope “But I always knew that the Lord is in the boat, and I always knew that the boat of the Church is not mine, not ours, but it is His. And He will not let her sink, it is He who leads it, certainly also through the men he has chosen, because so He has willed it. This was and is a certainty, that nothing can obscure. And that is why today my heart is filled with gratitude to God because He has never left me or the Church without His consolation, His light, His love,” the Holy Father said.  To read the full article about Pope Benedict XVI's words and sentiments from a credible source (obviously NOT the mainstream media), click here. 

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Past Due Praying for my sister, who could go into labor any minute (her due date was February 26) the baby we'll soon get to see and hold, and my brother-in-law that all will go smoothly for the birth whenever it happens and that peace and joy will radiate in ways only God could bring about for all three of them.  Pray for my mom as well.  It's killing her to have to wait even longer to hold her first grandchild than she thought.  

           

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Vivi Turns Three: Sunday we celebrated Vivi’s third birthday.  “Princess Vivi” as she often calls herself had a lovely Minnie Mouse party with family (and those adopted as such Kevin and me).  Her mom helped her practice blowing out candles so she’d be ready for her big day.  Just as impressive was getting to see Vivi actually eat some of the cake (since she usually won’t touch it, too much like bread, which she has no interest in at all).    

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Birthday Balloon Hands-down one of Vivi’s favorite gifts that has continued to bring her great joy is the birthday Minnie Mouse helium balloon her mom brought home for her last Friday.  She was immediately smitten with it, and she and her sisters have had lots of fun with it ever since.  (Yes, I know balloons are major choking hazards and strings are strangling hazards.  Vivi’s not interested in eating the balloon, and I only let her sisters play with it when I’m sitting with them, watching them like a hawk.) 

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Team Treasure Chest Another of Vivi’s new prized possessions is a Minnie Mouse treasure chest which she refers to as her “Team Treasure Chest,” because she is an avid fan of Jake and the Neverland Pirates (a cartoon spin-off of Peter Pan that involves Captain Hook which I’ve never seen, but I’ve heard much about and read some of the children’s books).  She loves dragging it around the room, sitting on it, and putting her other new toys in it, then locking it so her sisters can’t get to them.  I’m just happy she hasn’t tried (at least while I’m watching) to stuff one of her sisters in it and lock it.  Though, with how adept Livie is at getting into things and out of other things, she’d probably bust out rather quickly.  Sophie we’d discover quickly from the piercing screeches issuing forth from the box.     

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No Whining There was one day in particular this week during which the tone of voice in which every word that came out of a certain someone’s mouth was to my sensitive ears like fingernails on a chalkboard, the drill at the dentist’s office, or a young, unhappy child who needs more to eat or more sleep or something but can’t tell you what it is she wants/needs only the 5,243 things she doesn’t want in a voice that makes you want to scream, but you know that won’t help, either.  I knew Kevin had a long day at work and was worn down by negativity.  He was being very quiet knowing I, too, had a long day.  I informed him after a few minutes of needed silence that I was ready to listen if he wanted to tell me about his day, even if he wanted to complain, as long as he did it in a normal voice.    
     

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Skyfall Great James Bond Flick!  One of the fringe benefits of nannying for the girls is that their parents have one of the largest modern movie collections of anyone I know.  While I only on rare occasions watch a DVD with the girls (and then it’s usually a Broadway musical or Disney classic) I get to borrow movies Kevin and I didn’t see in the theater, can’t afford to purchase, and otherwise may not get around to viewing until they are being shown on TV years after the fact.  Kevin and I both loved watching Skyfall, the latest Bond movie on Blue-ray this evening.       

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 89)

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Trisha Needs a Nap It's been a long, busy week.  So long and tiring that even Vivi could tell I needed a nap and must be sleepy.  She knew this even before we made it to Friday. 

     At least it was nice enough the girls and I could all go out in the backyard for a bit on Tuesday.  One of many precious moments that day was hearing Vivi sing the French song I've been singing to them (without any prompting).  Later she charmed me with her version of "Sing Sweet Nightingale" from Cinderella.  Her rendition is quite endearing in an incoherent extra-consonants kind of way.

     The twins are still too flipping cute and interested in exploring for their own good.  They’ve been spitting, spraying, and chattering up a storm this week.  They’re both crawling around with ease and a determined curiosity that keeps me on my toes.      

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Way Off Broadway A good chunk of songs that I pretty much know by heart (ones that are of the fun to sing and dance to with kids variety) are Broadway show tunes.  My mom, sisters, and I have been known to burst into song at the dinner table, to the confusion and amusement of any first-time guests. 

     There’s really something to be said about learning the Broadway classics, as they are so often alluded to and parodied in countless genre.  If you haven’t taught young children some of the classic songs from, say White Christmas, Singin’ in the Rain, Funny Girl, or The Sound of Music, you’re really missing out on some wonderful educational opportunities, not to mention, magnificent free entertainment.  One of my favorite alternative renditions this week, Vivi sang out: “There’s a star in my heart, and I’m ready for love.”    

           

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Play-Doh: A wonderful toy with endless possibilities was mostly a saving grace this week.  Vivi enjoyed sitting in her high chair doing something her sisters aren’t old enough to do but try desperately to reach without success.  Only trouble is I made Play-Doh versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse some day last week when it just so happened that the twins were both sleeping and Vivi had me all to herself.  Ever since playing with Play-Doh has become another occasion during which I am asked every few seconds to participate, even though I’m usually in the middle of doing something, such as changing a poopy diaper, feeding a hungry child, removing curious hands from cords, wires, and plastic bags… 

 

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Time to Clock Out I knew I was really worn out on the way home Thursday when I found myself thinking that it would be awesome if I could use some of Vivi’s Play-Doh to make a mute button, then wave her magic wand over it and have it work for maybe just five minutes at a time so I could collect my thoughts, go to the bathroom without a running interrogation or commentary on what I’m doing.          

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Motivational Speaker I can’t help but laugh when Vivi hears me peeing and starts cheering and clapping, like we do when she goes peepee sitting on the toilet.  Oh, would that such words of heartfelt encouragement declared so boldly weren’t simply for my prowess in correctly using a potty.

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Valentine’s Day: My Heart’s Desire Kevin asked if I wanted to meet him somewhere for dinner. I said yes, then called him back upon a few minutes reflection, and told him that all I was up for was to go directly home. I woke up with a sore throat in the morning, and the day was crazy/insane enough with the girls that I totally forgot about it. Fortunately, my loving husband understood and brought dinner home where it's mostly quiet and usually less hectic than a three ring circus.
     

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Feeling the Love Thanks to everyone who has called, sent cards, e-mails, and expressed their condolences regarding my grandmother’s passing.  I’m very, very grateful to have so many loving family members and friends!  I’m sorry I haven’t responded or let you know how much your love and prayers mean to my family and me.  I’ve been sick ever since last weekend, and I’ve barely had any energy by the time I get home in the early evening.  I’m praying that I’ll be completely refreshed over the three day weekend and can reconnect with everyone once I’m in a less zombie-like state.       

Check out Jen Fulwiler's stellar tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her super-popular blog Conversion Diary.