My Little Boy

Patrick can never go outside without getting dirty. However, after a day of playing, he also has his quiet moments in front of his sisters’ and brother’s turned-off computer.

You Know You're a Mother When...

You know you're a mother when you cut your husbands sandwich in the same way that you cut your youngest child's sandwich and you don't think anything of it.

You know you're a mother when you pour milk in a sippy cup and put it in your husband's place for dinner.

When do you know you're a mother?

The Family and Human Procreation

I am anxiously awaiting the publication of the document, The Family and Human Procreation in English. I have read that Cardinal Trujillo has given the world a wonderful gift with this document. If you would like to learn more, please visit The Family and Human Procreation at Zenit.

From the Mouth of a Child

Last night, as I was saying goodnight to Bernadette, she asked, "Mommy, what is the pro-life update?" I told her that it is an e-mail that I send out with information that people have given me regarding pro-life activities and news in Washington. She responded, "When I get older, I am going to make the world a better place."

Where I'm From

I am from books, from Elizabeth Anne and Olbas.
I am from the big, cream, loving house that was filled with caring and sacrifices.
I am from the grapevine, rose, rock, the cherry trees, dahlias, dust.
I am from Midnight Mass and a deep abiding faith in God, from Wendy and Louis and Alice and frequent praying.
I am from the strong-willed and persevering.
From she's stubborn as a mule and she's happiest when she's doing something.
I am from Catholicism, morals, values, virtues and a belief in the blessed Trinity.
I am from Rhodesia, Mauritius, South Africa, Switzerland, France, England, Canada and the United States, Foie Gras and Marmite, eggs and bacon.
From the little boy who grew up swimming in the Indian Ocean and ringing the Church bell at all hours of the day; the beautiful lady who sacrificed everything for her children, teaching them what it means to truly love God and accept His will; and the family who drove through Canada and across the United States, praying the Rosary, stopping at all the shrines along the way, and looking for a place to call home.
I am from albums in boxes in attics and garages, from memories stored in my mind, from a belief in eternal life and a love for Jesus and His mother, the blessed Virgin Mary.

Hat tip to Rebecca

Dr. Daddy

Theresa just came inside with a sliver in her foot. I started to take it out and she stopped me, saying, "Daddy can take it out." I told her Daddy wouldn't be home for a long time. She said, "I know. I want Daddy to take it out." I guess Daddy is better at some things than Mommy. Thank you, God, for blessing my children with a mother and a father!

Faith

During our parish coffee hour, our children are not allowed to play outside unless a parent is watching. On Sunday, Bernadette came up to me and asked if she could play outside. I said, "No, there aren't any adults outside right now. I will come out in a little while." She responded, "Mommy, there is always someone watching me. He's invisible and you know Him, too."

Flower Fairies

The Song of the Forget-Me-Not Fairy

Where do fairy babies lie
Till they're old enough to fly?
Here's a likely place, I think,
'Mid these flowers, blue and pink,
(Pink for girls and blue for boys:
Pretty things for babies' toys!)
Let us peep now, gently. Why,
Fairy baby, here you lie!
(excerpted from Flower Fairies of the Garden by Cicely Mary Barker)


The Song of the Sweet Pea Fairies

Here Sweet Peas are climbing;
(Here's the Sweet Pea rhyme!)
Here are little tendrils,
Helping them to climb.

Here are sweetest colours;
Fragrance very sweet;
Here are silky pods of peas,
Not for us to eat!

Here's a fairy sister,
Trying on with care
Such a grand new bonnet
for the baby there.
(excerpted from Flower Fairies of the Garden by Cicely Mary Barker)

Last night, my daughters danced in their Ballet recital, Flower Fairies. The Ballet was beautiful, save for one dance. It was a refreshing change from the studio that they have danced at the last few years.

I will post photos, as soon as I am able. My husband just gave me a new camera (I think he was getting antsy about me using his) and I need to install software, etc.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful little sister! You are a wonderful gift from God! I thank Him for blessing me with you!

My Alarm Clock

Patrick fell asleep around 6 last night. This morning, he woke me with the words, "Wakey, wakey." I can think of no better way to be woken. I feel truly blessed.

Cat's 2006 Reading

The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus, by Herge
The Adventures of Tintin: The Castafiore Emerald, by Herge
The Adventures of Tintin: The Red Sea Sharks, by Herge
Augustine Came to Kent, by Barbara Willard
Away Goes Sally, by Elizabeth Coatsworth
B is for Betsy, by Carolyn Haywood
The Bobbsey Twins at Mystery Mansion, by Laura Lee Hope
The Bobbsey Twins: The Rose Parade Mystery, by Laura Lee Hope
The Borrowers, by Mary Norton
The Borrowers Afloat, by Mary Norton
Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink
Call Me Little Theresa, by Susan Helen Wallace, FSP
The Centerburg Tales, by Robert McCloskey
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, by Ian Fleming
Cotton in my Sack, by Lois Lenski
Dot for Short, by Frieda Friedman
Down to the Bonny Glen, by Melissa Wiley
The Far Side of the Lock, by Melissa Wiley
The Fair American, by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Fairytales from Grimm, by Wanda Gag
Five Bushel Farm, by Elizabeth Coatsworth
The Great Brain, by John D. Fitzgerald
Henry Huggins, by Beverly Cleary
Henry and Beezus, by Beverly Cleary
Henry and the Paper Route, by Beverly Cleary
Homer Price, by Robert McCloskey
The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
The Kitchen Madonna, by Rumer Godden
The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
Little House by Boston Bay, by Melissa Wiley
Little House in the Highlands, by Melissa Wiley
Madeleine Takes Command, by Ethel C. Brill
The Magician's Nephew, by C.S. Lewis
Me and My Little Brain, by John D. Fitzgerald
Mine for Keeps, by Jean Little
Miss Happiness and Miss Flower, by Rumer Godden
The Monks of New Skete: The Art of Raising a Puppy
More Adventures of the Great Brain, by John D. Fitzgerald
Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard Atwater
Mystery on Outer Island, by Foster Kennedy
On Tide Mill Lane, by Melissa Wiley
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall
The Priest of Ars, by Marie-Therese Fischer
Prince Caspian, by C.S. Lewis
Relief's Rocker, by Alice Dalgliesh
The Road from Roxbury, by Melissa Wiley
Saint Hyacinth of Poland, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
Saint Katharine Drexel: The Total Gift, by Susan Helen Wallace, FSP
Saint Rose of Lima, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
The Secret Valley, by Clyde Robert Bulla
The Silver Chair, by C.S. Lewis
Something for Joey, by Richard E. Peck
The Song of St. Francis, by Clyde Robert Bulla
St. Elizabeth's Three Crowns, by Blanche Jennings Thompson
St. Thomas Aquinas, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion, by Julie Campbell
Trixie Belden: The Red Trailer Mystery, by Julie Campbell
Trixie Belden: The Gatehouse Mystery, by Julie Campbell
Trixie Belden: The Mysterious Visitor, by Julie Campbell
Trixie Belden: The Mystery on Glen Road, by Julie Campbell
Trixie Belden: Mystery in Arizona, by Julie Campbell
Viking Adventure, by Clyde Robert Bulla
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
Wren, by Marie Killilea

Pets

My children have been asking for a dog for a long time. Well, we still don’t have a dog, but Brendan and Theresa did try bringing their “pets” inside, yesterday. What pets? Why, Brendan had a beetle and Theresa had an earthworm. Brendan was delighted to see that his beetle could swim. It could even do backstroke. After a little while, I intervened and told my children that their pets would be a lot happier outside. My little duo decided to place their “pets” in a planter on the deck. Theresa’s worm happily disappeared in the dirt. Brendan’s beetle flew away, as he exclaimed, “Oh, I forgot it has wings!” I can’t wait to see what their next pets will be.

Forgetfulness

Yesterday, I did something that I have never done before. I forgot about a medical appointment. I forgot to take one of my daughters to the orthodontist. When I realized, I felt like a complete failure. I keep everything in my mind and I write things on the calendar for the rest of my family. This time, I forgot. I really forgot. I remembered on Monday, but I forgot yesterday. I didn't know what the lady at the orthodontist's office would say and the worst was running through my mind (we will have to pay for this missed appointment). The lady put all my worries to rest. I called and explained briefly and she replied, "Don't worry about it. I have forgotten about appointments, before. Let's get another appointment scheduled." With God's help, I will try not to forget about another appointment, but at least now I know that the forgetfulness police won't come after me.

My 2006 Reading

I have decided to change my 2006 reading list to a post; rather than keeping it in the sidebar. I am hoping that doing so will help me to keep better track of what I am reading (I know that I have missed a few titles). I will eventually be changing my children's reading logs to posts, as well. This list does not include books that I have read to the children.

The Autobiography of Saint Margaret Mary, translated by Vincent Kerns

Crunchy Cons, by Rod Dreher

Discipline that Lasts a Lifetime, by Dr. Ray Guarendi

The Everlasting Man, by G.K. Chesterton

God is Love (Deus Caritas Est), by Pope Benedict XVI
How to Raise Good Catholic Children, by Mary Reed Newland
Holiness for Housewives, by Hubert Van Zeller
I Believe in Love, by Fr. Jean C.J. d'Elbee

In this House of Brede, by Rumer Godden

Margaret Sanger: Father of Modern Society, by Elasah Drogin

Mary's Flowers, by Vincenzina Krymow

The Montessori Manual for Teachers and Parents, by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
My Cup of Tea: Musings of a Catholic Mom, by Danielle Bean
Outnumbered!: Raising 13 Kids with Humor and Prayer, by Mary Ann Kuharski
The Privilege of Being a Woman, by Alice von Hildebrand
Raise Happy Children, Teach them Virtues, by Mary Ann Budnick
The Spirit of the Liturgy, by Pope Benedict XVI

A Still, Small Voice, by Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: The Secret to Peace and Happiness, by Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint Jure, S.J. and St. Claude de la Colombiere, S.J.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful sister, with whom I spent hours playing when we were growing up. May God bless you on your birthday and always!

Remembering Granny

Today, June 5, is my grandmother's birthday. My grandmother lived with my family during my college years. She was holy, beautiful, and full of energy. My grandmother accepted God's will and shared her Catholic Faith openly and willingly. She prayed the Rosary constantly throughout her day. My grandmother had a beautiful dream, before she died, that she kept private. She served as a wonderful example of femininity and was a true inspiration. May she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her!

Little Flowers' Mother/Daughter Tea

Today, we had our Little Flowers' Mother/Daughter Tea. It was our last get together until September and it was wonderful. A dear friend of mine, Rosalie, hosted the tea and it was truly beautiful, but then I wouldn't have expected anything less from my friend. Everything she does reflects the good, the true, and the beautiful. Tables and chairs were set up in her living room for the mothers and their daughters. Each table was set with china tea cups and saucers (Rosalie has taught me to always use the best china with children and they will rise to the occasion). Centerpieces, vases with flowers and silver teapots, sat in the middle of each table. The mothers and girls enjoyed visiting with each other, as they ate cookies and finger fruits, and drank tea or lemonade. During our saint review, the girls shone as they related what they remembered about the saints and the virtues. The mothers and their daughters surprised me with a beautiful tribute from my old co-leader (she had to step down a couple of months ago, due to the birth of her seventh child), a shadowbox that contains a third class St. Therese relic (a dried rose), and a spiritual bouquet. I was so surprised by their gesture that I felt quite speechless. I feel truly blessed to work with these girls and their mothers.

Thank you, dear Mary, for being our role model and thank you, God, for bringing us all together in such a beautiful way!

Doctor's Visit

I went to the doctor, yesterday, and saw our baby on the ultrasound. This is not the first time that I have seen such a young baby (10 weeks) on an ultrasound, but I was still in awe, looking at the baby's head, bottom, and feet. When I showed the children the ultrasound pictures, Brendan commented, "He has a big head!" I explained about the beauty of how a baby grows.
I have been given two due dates, December 23 and December 27. I am anxious to see when this little one makes his appearance, for obvious reasons.