7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 104)

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Birthday Party Photos This past weekend the twins had their first birthday party.  Their mom made Livie a cake with pink frosting and Sophie had a cake with purple frosting.  As you can see, the frosted birthday cakes mommy made them were very well-received.

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Treasure Chest Surprises A few weeks ago, Sophie began pulling up on the treasure chest, then perching on top of it for a bit.  Over the past week, Sophie and Livie have been very interested in climbing into the Minnie Mouse treasure chest Vivi received as one of her turning 3 birthday gifts.  At first, Sophie would approach the open treasure chest filled with wooden blocks and Duplos and gingerly sit on it with one leg hanging off the side.  Mastering this trick, she decided to climb in, make herself as comfy as possible while sitting on blocks, and even cross her ankles. 

     Thursday Livie was sitting in the treasure chest facing backwards, trying to pull the lid down on herself which went about as well as you can imagine it would. 

  Earlier both of the twins managed to wedge themselves in there with the colorful assortment of blocks.  To read about more of our adventures, click here.

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Quality Toddler Time Usually I try to do something one-on-one with Vivi when her sisters are sleeping, because when all three are awake, I’m so often playing the role of waitress, interceptor, referee, busboy, block builder, diaper changer, potty monitor…that it’s easier to do something that’s just the two of us when it’s just the two of us.  Typically we do an activity of her choosing.  Lately, we’ve played Candyland, read several picture books in a row, and built towers of blocks.    

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A Multi-Media Event This scene has reminded me of a similar one I photographed of the boys I nannied for a while ago.  Basically, if it’s on a shelf that’s within reach, not behind plastic, or glass, it’s fair game for the little ones who can reach it is my philosophy about most things, especially in the main room where we spend several hours a day.  The girls have quite an extensive collection of DVDs, but not yet nearly as big as their parents’ movie and video game collections.  I honestly couldn’t tell you how many times I have put these DVDs back on their shelf, nor can I recall how many times I put the cookbooks and magazines on the shelves in the den when I was taking care of the boys. 

   

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Simultaneous Adoration Pope Francis will begin an hour of simultaneous Adoration for the Feast of Corpus Christi in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5:00 p.m. Rome time.  I've been told that's 11am Eastern time.

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Celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi Here are a few of the most impressive books (and the reviews I wrote of them) that I’ve read about the Eucharist over the past few years:

Divine Love Made Flesh

Celebrating the Holy Eucharist

                             The Amazing Sacrament

    

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Prayers for Ordination This Saturday morning at 10:30am many will be gathered at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond for the ordination to the priesthood of Gino Rossi.  Please join me in praying for this young man and all who are being ordained over the next month. 

Lord, thank You for guiding the men being ordained this month to shepherd Your flock.  Draw them ever closer to You, keep them centered on Christ, open to the Holy Spirit, and committed to the vocation to which You have called them.  Amen.

                  

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

If Aristotle's Kid Had an iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents

What if Aristotle’s kid had an iPod?  Chances are his father would have severely limited him using it and any similar electronic devices in favor of fostering human interaction, real life experiences, and face-to-face conversations. Don’t let the title fool you.  If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents is a very catchy title and cover photo, but it seems to contradict the actual knowledge conveyed in the book.  What Conor Gallagher in his modern-day application of Aristotle’s concepts claims (in a nutshell) is that parents and children need to spend more time together unplugged.  I wholeheartedly agree for a myriad of reasons.  

     
Most of us have been out for a meal and have seen a parent talking, texting, surfing the net on their phone while their young child stares at them likely wondering what they’d have to do to get some quality time and attention.  What I like best about this book is the emphasis and importance placed on close relationships and the suggestions of how we can do a better job of creating deeper bonds with our family members and friends that will lead us to true happiness and guide our children to value people and morality.

     

Have you forgotten what it’s like to unplug and spend quality time with the people in your life?  Would you be willing to turn off the TV, cell phone, iPod, computer, game system…in order to reconnect with your loved ones?  How would it affect your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your friendships if you made unplugging a regular thing in order to deepen the bonds among you? 

     

I know I’ve definitely fallen into ruts when I am plugged in more often than not, and I can see how it adversely affects my closest relationships as well as my sense of peace and wellbeing.  I’m someone who is really bothered by having the TV on all of the time because I have a hard time concentrating completely on what else is going on.  I make it very clear that I cannot and will not attempt to have a serious, in-depth conversation while the TV is on or while someone has headphones on, or is using the computer.  I realize part of this hang-up came from learning that we better not disturb Dad when he was watching sports on TV.  We might as well not exist while there was a game on that he was interested in. 

     

Gallagher who is married and has eight children doesn’t suggest you give away or destroy all of your electronics, nor does he condemn all forms of entertainment and interaction available through them.  He simply gives a wake-up call that these are not what will make your children (or you) truly happy or satisfied in life.  In fact, many of the examples he uses are based on Aristotle’s theories and recent scientific research that support the philosopher’s fundamental claims. 

     

My hands-down favorite passages of the book are those with clear messages that Aristotle would have unplugged his kid.  Gallagher provides parents with what he calls: “Aristotle’s Challenge” to help you and your children see how deeply entrenched many of us have become in the world of electronic gizmos and gadgets to the detriment of real life and real time interactions.

    

Usually, I’m not much one for underlining or highlighting books that I’m reading, but there’s one paragraph that grabbed me and won’t let me go, so I had to mark it.  Here’s an excerpt from it: “…With the onslaught of TV and game systems Androids and iPods and iPads and e-mail, we’ve begun to ignore our own family members.  There’s too much interruption and too much noise.  It’s very hard to turn off all the devices and simply talk.  Chances are good you’ve forgotten how…” (pg. 96)

     

Aristotle was right about many things, including what brings true fulfillment in life: the pursuit of virtue and the strengthening of relationships.  I’ve been aware for quite some time that being plugged in all or most of the time harms relationships, but If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPod reminded me of the bigger reasons why we need to make a shift as much for our own lives as for kids and others closest to us. 

     

For more information about If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents or to order your own copy of the book, click here.  I received a free copy of this book from Saint Benedict Press in order for writing an honest review of it.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 76)

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What’s a Woman Worth? It depends on whom you ask, when, where, and how what answer you will get to that question.  There are so many people and things vying for women’s attention, evaluating their worth, and holding up what society says should be their ideal, it’s easy to get lost, hurt, and confused.  What’s difficult is seeking God’s view of who you are, actually accepting it, and then putting that above anyone else’s, including your own, your family members, your friends…  At least that’s what I’ve found to be among the greatest challenges of being a real W-O-M-A-N of faith.  
     Wrapped Up: God’s Ten Gifts for Women describes the blessings that women are and possess because we are created in the image and likeness of God; we’re daughters of the King.  Two faith-filled women approach this topic to unwrap the innate beauty and uniqueness of feminine genius as it’s revealed to us through Scripture and most often profaned by the mainstream media…For more info and to read full book review, click here.

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Dr. Seuss Rocks Our Socks So I must say it is quite adorable to hear Vivi "reading" some of our favorite Dr. Seuss books aloud. The two she's focused on during our days together this week are two classics: "Green Eggs and Ham" and "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" which she refers to as 'Blue Fish, Blue Fish.' Close enough and super cute!               

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Cause That’s the Way We Like It! One of the things that I really enjoy about nannying is that the kids know that they’re welcome to have some of whatever I bring to drink or eat (provided it’s not soda.)  Vivi is totally comfortable coming up to me while I’m eating and grabbing something from my plate since she knows I’m more than happy to share.  I’ve gotten her to start asking just so she knows that “what’s mine is yours” policy doesn’t always work with everybody all of the time.

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Taking Time for Prayer "A Christian is only productive when united with Christ." -Kay Mundy I took extra time for personal prayer Wednesday.  Kevin and I went to Mass which, as usual, made me that much more aware of how desperately I need God and have to do better about putting Him first if I'm going to be a more useful vessel for Him to work in and through.

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Night-Night, Sleep tight! Kevin and I finally got a new mattress to replace our 20+ year old one.  We also got a mattress topper that fits our queen-sized bed.  We’ve been too tired to take the plastic off of everything and cover it twice, then remake the bed, but hopefully this weekend, we’ll have both the time and energy to put our new sleep system into place.  If you try calling and neither of us answer, we might be passed out on our new bed.   

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High Marks for Hospitality Kevin and I had a really nice dinner over at Mary and Jordan's last Saturday night. Mom, her younger brother Rob, and his wife Dianne all gathered around the new fire pit in their backyard for an evening of delicious food and conversation. Jordan even brought his guitar out and played for us. I hope, one day, Kevin and I will be in a position where our place and lives allow us to have people over more often, make them feel comfortable and loved by sharing a meal and some quality time.  At present, we generally have one person over at a time for dinner and hanging out.  My mom, Holly, Michele, and John have all said they enjoyed coming over (one at a time).  Perhaps we’ll be a little closer to having people over when at least half of our dining room table is cleared off instead of looking like this (as it did until earlier this week).

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YA Fiction for Fun This past week I’ve read four YA novels to spark my creative writing ideas as I’m revisiting the YA novel I’ve been working on over the past eight or so years.  (It’s also nice to read some books I don’t have to write reviews of unless I feel inclined to do so.) I feel another wave of seriously concentrating on the YA manuscript coming over me.  Perhaps this time the end result will be a manuscript fit to submit with a book proposal to the proper publisher.  God only knows.  Your prayers are always appreciated!    

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 68)

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A new kind of drinking problem? Refusal to hit the bottle.  Apparently a certain little cutie has had a couple bottle boycott days this week, when her mom had to be called in at lunch time to feed her directly from the source.  When notified of this potential problem when I arrived at work in the morning the day after the bottle strike days, it dawned on me that I have close to 24 years experience of feeding infants their bottles.  I believe I started when I was in second grade, and the babysitter we went to had an baby boy who I'd get up, dress, and feed in the morning, because I loved babies and children already.  Fortunately, sweetpea decided to suspend the boycott when I was around.    

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Cause that’s how we roll! So the twins are becoming increasingly more mobile.  One of them is already rolling far and fast enough that she’s hitting her head on things and getting caught under stuff.  This week, she made it her personal goal to attack the old-fashioned toy rotary phone with all her might.  Her twin seemed content simply to be out of range when her sister came creeping, almost crawling and rolling by. 

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Woohoo for Watercolors The big sister has enjoyed dabbling in watercolors this week.  I tried to explain and demonstrate the concept of dipping the paintbrush in water before getting another color, but I realized too late that I should have done the demo before putting water in the cup instead of after.  Ah well, it’s important for artists to understand what happens when you mix different colors, too, so before long we had some lovely brown, black, and drab green mixtures working for us.   

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Strange Goings-on Apparently, the puppy dog named Violet has needed to cool down this week.  Big sister put her purple plush toy into her Dora the Explorer kitchen set on the refrigerator side.  She’d close the door, ask me where Violet was, then tell me she was in the fridge.  When I informed her mother that I had no idea what Violet had done to deserve such treatment, she said: “I guess she was hot.  If she gets to cold, we’ll put her in the oven.” Further evidence her mother and I are kindred spirits when it comes to appreciating the nuances of kids.   

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Ever felt like giving up? Here’s one of many reasons why you shouldn’t.

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 A “fall-ish” pie Dear friends of ours, Laura and Jeff, had us over for dinner Thursday evening and asked us to bring salad greens and a “fall-ish” pie.  My husband thought he’d gotten the last pumpkin pie in the store.  We discovered that he’d made a delicious mistake by the time we reached dessert.  Our hostess who is quite the Susie Homemaker (cook, baker, decorator, seamstress…) had suspected something wasn’t right since they pie didn’t look deep enough or seem to be the right consistency.  The four of us agreed it was by far the tastiest mistake my husband made all day.  It turned out to be Lemongrass pie.  Kevin joked that it had been a rough year for crops, implying that’s why the pumpkin pie had tasted so unusual.    

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Lord of the Dance I pray that You will draw my loved one who is having foot surgery next Tuesday afternoon ever nearer to You, that the procedure may go smoothly, the healing quickly, and the recovery be complete.  Perfect Physician, Wonderful Counselor, Holy Comforter, please open our hearts and minds to the healing You know we all need most.    

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 66)

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Our Eighth Anniversary Kevin and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary. Wow! We've never been your typical couple, so of course our evening isn't likely to resemble that of other married couples. Read more here... 

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See where you rate. Last Sunday, Kevin was helping Carl and Jess get the girls out of the car and into a side door for Mass during a torrential downpour.  Kevin opened the van door, and Vivi greeted him with: “Hi Kevin! We're gonna see Trisha!”

 

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This Nanny’s New Groove Speaking of anniversaries, this is my eighth anniversary of being a nanny.  One week after Kevin and I got married, I began nannying for “my little guys,” and eight years later I begin my new schedule nannying three days a week for three adorable little girls (Vivi who’s 2.5 and her twin sisters Livia and Sophia who are 3 mos. old) on our eighth wedding anniversary.  I’ve helped take care of Vivi since she was a baby, and now I get to love on her and her sisters.     

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Haiti Rummage Sale On September 8, from 7:00 am - 12 noon, St. Michael Church will hold its annual rummage sale to benefit the Haiti Ministry. Donations for the sale will be accepted today Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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Vocational discernment. This week actually has one more anniversary of sorts: the first heart-to-heart with our beloved brother John Baab over his vocational discernment took place three years ago the Saturday of the Haiti Rummage sale.  Where is he now?  At St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland.  God’s timing often isn’t our timing, but it’s definitely the best timing!      

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“What does God want of us?” Kevin and I have been doing some discernment of our own, and I’ve done a four part series on our questions and prayers asking what the Lord wants of us.  To read it: click here.

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Oh my goodness!  This past Monday my youngest sister had as part of her Facebook status update: “That awkward moment when you are on a peaceful bike ride along the river and you pass a man wearing NOTHING but his sunglasses and his tennis shoes. WHY?!?!”  I had to laugh because it made me think of a similar story our cousin had told us many years ago about visiting the Berkeley campus and seeing two girls walking around holding hands and wearing nothing but socks, and as she put it "they looked as if they’d never seen a razor."  At the time we heard this, my sister was about six or seven, so it didn’t dawn on her that the two people in the story were naked except for their footwear and neither of them had shaved.  Later that afternoon when my young sister was retelling the story to someone else, she got the part right about them only wearing socks, but then she said, “and they looked like they’d never seen a raisin.”  Then after a brief moment, she added, “But I don’t know how she could tell.”  :)

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

 

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 62)

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Three years ago this morning: my mom, sisters, husband, and brother-in-law rushed to my dad’s place in the middle of the night to say goodbye to my father, who less than a month after his 54^th birthday breathed his last. Lord, thank You for Your love and perfect plan for each one of us. Help us to live each day to glorify You, bring others closer to You, and live out the love You have given us. Dad, we love you and still feel loved by you, and take great comfort knowing you are in Heaven experiencing God’s pure love.

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Teresita An Original Play about St. Teresa of Avila is a lively, humorous, thought-provoking play inspired by the life of a saint who had lots of personality and a great deal of faith. This original one-act play written and performed by playwright, actress, and director Michele Morris is one you won’t want to miss!  Read a review and get more info here.

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My Little Guys are Growing up! I saw some pictures of Hank at his sleep away camp, and still cannot get over that the two little boys I nannied for starting one week after Kevin and I got married eight years ago are old enough to go to camp.  It seems like it couldn’t possibly be that long ago that I was balancing bottles, juggling snacks, and chasing Hank and JG around.  They taught me many things, and they’ll always have a special place in my heart.   

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 “What do You want of me?” is a powerful refrain in a poem by St. Teresa of Avila (which Michele Morris includes in the program for “Teresita”) has given me a lot to think and pray about.  I’m sure some news that we’ve gotten from family and friends who are moving on to new and exciting stages in life, the anniversary of my father’s passing, and the death of a friend’s mother have all gotten me thinking and wondering about what God wants of Kevin and me.  What are we here for in the grand scheme of things?  I know ultimately we’re here to love and serve the Lord and bring others closer to Him, but the specifics of that and whether or not we’re doing that effectively has been making me wonder.  So I guess Kevin and I are asking the same question, “what do you want of us, Lord?” 

 

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The French Would Be Horrified! This week as part of Trip to France Camp at school, we tasted a variety of French foods.  Of course, we had to sample at least a couple of the cheeses for which the French are famous.  For the third year in a row, the kids all preferred Gruyere to Brie, but the real kicker is that they all were eager to have string cheese sticks as well on one of the day when superior dairy products were offered.   

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What did you just say?! Kids often crack me up with the things they say, not even intending to be funny or ironic.  One of my favorites this week was when a four year old was making a keychain with wooden beads and came across one that had a hole that didn’t go all the way through, and he makes some comment to me about how it must have been an error the “manufacturer” made.  Flabbergasted he knew this word and used it correctly, I agreed wholeheartedly that was likely indeed the case. 

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God’s got it!  In wondering what the Lord has in store for us lately, sometimes I’ve felt a bit down.   A number of things that have happened today have reminded me that the Lord is indeed aware of our prayers, loves us dearly, and has a plan for our lives even when we can’t for the life of us figure out what it is.  Time with kids, a yummy lunch provided by a co-worker, prayer time, an conversation with our favorite brother in Christ John as he was leaving Little Sisters of the Poor after Mass and prayer time and as I was going in to visit my grandma.  God is good all the time!  All the time God is good!

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 61)

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Olympic Inspiration: I love this video and song and have been playing it repeatedly this week as it's got a great beat and a powerful message:  

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Olympic Couchfuls My husband’s keen Olympic observations from the couch:

“I’m breathing harder from saying she’s not breathing hard” [than she is from kicking everyone’s tails in the 100m race].

About the Judge standing behind the female runners at the starting block: “I don’t think the guy with that hat has got a chance.”

  

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Funniest Winter Olympics Bit by Seinfeld Kevin and I absolutely love this bit, and I believe you will enjoy it as well:  "There's no bobsled; it's just Bob."

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No you didn’t!  I was glancing at the Olympics this afternoon while holding one of the twins and decided two things after one quick look at the TV: firstly, if what I was seeing on the screen was synchronized swimming, then everyone really sucked because they weren’t together at all and their heads were above the water way too much of the time.  (Turns out it was water polo.) My second thought us below. 

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Never Ever! Today I decided that there’s one thing I’d definitely never do in the Olympics (even in the event that I suddenly got into ridiculously good shape and became extremely athletic overnight): any sport where people would take footage of me from a digital video camera located underwater while I was wearing a bathing suit.  I’m quite certain that’s not any sort of vision that would bring countries together or inspire anyone to stay up late and watch just one more event. 

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Here’s Your Sign I struggled quite a bit putting on the stupid swim goggles the first and only time I attempted water skiing and took this as a clear sign this venture would not lead me to a career in water sports.  Kevin’s advice to me the first time I tried to get up on skis was “just stand up.”  It’s no wonder I never really mastered the trick.  I asked if he could tell me a little more about what I should do, but he instructed me to do one thing and one thing only, and I couldn’t do it without falling over in a matter of seconds.  I tried really hard over and over again, and though I did manage to stand up, I was never able to stay up.  In the process, my arms were almost yanked out of their sockets, and I lost a pair of goggles, which at present are likely buried deep under a sand bed in Lake Ontario.

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Prolific Poopers With all of this competition going on, I wonder who would have come in first place if an Olympic pooping competition had been held in our area among those under the age of four this week.  I know some contestants who would certainly have taken home some metals.  It never ceases to amaze me how much little people, especially babies, can produce in the way of poop when they have such little bodies.  Kate Wicker, a fellow blogger who has four young little ones had something to the effect of hazardous waste removal specialist as part of her  job/blog description until a parent actually e-mailed her and asked about how to get rid of something other than lots of dirty diapers.  Pretty funny.

I hope you don’t have a crappy weekend!

     

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 52)

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Beloved Daughter, Rejoice! is the theme of the 422^nd Cursillo Women’s Weekend taking place in central Virginia right now.  Here’s the reflection I wrote on their awesome theme.  Please join me in praying for the participants of this “short course in Christianity,” as they grow closer to the Lord, make new friends, and rediscover their status as beloved children in the eyes of God!

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Ride in Trisha’s car? Apparently Vivi was asking or rather requesting all last weekend to “ride in Trisha’s car.”  When I watched her on Tuesday while her parents took the twins to their first pediatrician appointment, we did indeed go in my car to a nearby park with a couple playgrounds.       The question, however, reminded me of six years ago when Hank, one of the two little guys for whom I nannied, asked me if he could ride in my car.  I thought he just wanted to take a ride somewhere like we used to when it was the three of us, but then it hit me that what he was really asking was would he remain in my heart even if I no longer had a carseat installed for him in the back of my car at that time, a light blue '86 Pontiac 6000, affectionately named Lou.  The answer was then, and is now, a resounding yes! You will always have a very special place in my heart!   

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Don’t tell the toddler! Last evening Kevin removed the carseat that’s been securely installed in the middle of my backseat for months, so I can take Vivi places.  With Cursillo events and our trip to Rochester coming up, we need the extra space for adults and stuff.  I texted to let Vivi’s mom Jess know that we removed it, but that I’m not going to tell Vivi, who would likely have a major meltdown upon learning such news.  The plan is to leave the carseat out until we get back from Rochester, at which point, her dad can reinstall it facing forward, now that she weighs enough for that next step.  Now I just have to remember not to let her see me bring it into the house or look in the backseat of my car when I’m watching her.      

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Protect Our Girls! Planned Parenthood doesn’t protect our girls—not in any sense.  They encourage widespread contraception use, fail to mention the side effects and risks of STDs.  Then when the contraception fails, they push abortions, which scar women, physically, emotionally, and spiritually and kill an innocent baby, in addition to causing a slew of long-term health complications which PP always neglects to mention or denies outright.  PP often doesn’t report statutory rape or sex trafficking, and some PP workers even go so far as to coach people who are in the sex trade on how to get around the system. 

     I find it tremendously depressing that so many people (as in most of our culture) still believe the lies that contraception and abortion are evidence of feminine freedom and independence.  To make matters even worse, now many are promoting gendercide, the abortion of babies based on their gender.  And you thought that was just some inhumane policy enforced by the government in China?      
     Please seek God’s will, and listen to His call to CHOOSE LIFE!  It’s never too late to protect, respect, and protect the dignity and sanctity of every human life created in God’s image throughout their time on this earth from conception to natural death. 

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A Creative Local Pilgrimage Jamie, a seminarian in our diocese my husband and I regularly see at daily Mass, organized a local pilgrimage that was held last Saturday May 26, 2012.  It began at St. Bridget’s Church with morning Mass and included stops at a number of local parishes with time for prayer, a talk, and/or a tour of each destination.  Since I’d been working on our place, helping at my mom’s, and have been feeling pretty rundown in general lately, I opted not to join them for the 10 or so mile hike in the heat between churches.  I showed up for the last stop, 5:30pm Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and a guided tour of the church and grounds.  Both were quite enjoyable.

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The Conversion of a Loved One The Pentecost Vigil Mass was celebrated by Fr. Michael Boehling, the vicar for vocations in our diocese.  Fr. Mike shared an awesome true story during his homily about a man (from the parish where this priest had previously served as pastor) who decided to become Catholic after 63 years of attending Mass every week with his wife.  (And I thought Kevin was slow in coming back around to the faith!)  The moral of the story is: God answers prayers, so don’t lose hope.  His timing is far better than ours.      

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Four Ordinations Kevin and I are going to Sacred Heart Cathedral this Saturday morning to pray for and with four young men who are going to be ordained as diocesan priests: Rev. Mr. Joseph Goldsmith, Rev. Mr. Christopher Hess, Rev. Mr. Carlos Lerma, and Rev. Mr. Sean Prince. 

     Our favorite brother in Christ John, who is now officially a seminarian for our diocese, will be serving at the Mass.  I figure my husband and I attending will be an exciting first for us while also showing our love and support for John as our brother/best friend enters into this next chapter of his life.   

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

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 51)

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The Twins Were Born! Early this morning, Jess went into labor.  The twins were born this morning: Livia Marie at 9:40am and Sophia Jane at 9:48am.  Jess, Livia and Sophia are all doing well.  The girls have taken to feeding without a problem.  Praise God! 

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Telling Vivi the News When I told Vivi this morning that her sisters had been born, her immediate response was: “TA-DAAAA!”  After sunshine wakes up from her nap, I’m going to take her over the hospital for a visit.  We shall see what she has to say when she realizes that there are no longer “babies in pants.”

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Always the Nanny, never the mom I am truly grateful for the many children God has brought into my life and Kevin’s to love and care for over the years.  Over the past twenty years, I have babysat, tutored, taught, nannied, loved, nurtured, read, sung, danced, played with, and watched hundreds of children grow, learn, laugh, cry, and be precious examples of new life and hope.  I have not yet been able to get past the sadness and grief that Kevin and I may never get to be parents.  Please pray that we’ll accept the grace to live out the Lord’s will and will be given the courage to glorify Him in the midst of joy and in the depths of sorrow.     

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Romans 8 is what Kevin and I each have engraved on the inside of our wedding bands.  There are a number of promises in that chapter of the Bible that we’ve both clung to since we were dating.  Sometimes it’s harder than others to trust and believe the “all things work for good for those who love God…” that begins the poignant section that contains some of the life verses for our relationship and belief in God.  

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Missing Theresa’s Show For many years, I have enjoyed watching my youngest sister Theresa dance, whether she was bounce dancing at home as a toddler, jamming at the St. Mary’s Musical Review, onstage for a recital or a rehearsal, a school performance, or a choreographed piece.  I’m kind of bummed that I haven’t gotten to see a single one of her performances since she’s been going to The Ohio State University.  At least my mom was able to fly up there this weekend to see what’s supposed to be quite the event.  Here’s how Theresa’s advertised it on her FB page: “Dance Uptown: DIRT (i.e. sand, water, tar, dust, blood, sweat and tears) DON'T MISS IT... because it's probably not going to happen again...”  Wish I could be there, too.

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Love Remains & Makes a Wrinkle in Time I love you. I miss you. I’m grateful you’re in my life. I’m praying for you. Those are four of the messages that have touched me deeply. In the past week, it has been quite humbling, and in many ways healing, to go back through the letters, notes, cards, and such that I’ve saved over the years from family and close friends.

Sometimes I can forget how powerful it is to receive a card, letter, or note from a loved one. Many of us have gotten so used to texting, chatting, e-mailing, and maybe even picking up the phone once in a while that written correspondence seems even more precious...Read more.

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Stay tuned!  I plan to post pictures of the twins as soon as I can.  I also have a few book reviews to add to my line-up.  Depending on how the weekend goes, I might do another reflection on another significant happening that took place the Sunday evening of Memorial Day weekend in 2006.  Enjoy the extra day off with your loved ones!     

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