In Review: Our Lady of Guadalupe

On December 12 (Patrick's baptism anniversary), we invited three families to join us in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We ate tortilla tilmas, praying hand sandwiches, Tepeyac Hill (made from a jello mold), sombreros, and sipped rose punch. The ideas came from Cottage Blessings. After lunch, I had intended to read the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but the book was not available and the children really wanted to play.

As the twenty children played, the four moms chatted and I received an invaluable tip from the trenches. For four years, I have been buying mattress covers, in an attempt to protect a bed from frequent accidents. When I shared this fact with my friends, they responded in unison, "I use a shower curtain." Needless to say, a shower curtain is now doing an excellent job of protecting my child's mattress.

Thank you, Our Lady of Guadalupe!

In Review: The Feast of St. Nicholas

On December 6, we surprised Bernadette with a St. Nicholas Baking Birthday Party. We told her that we had invited some friends over to join us in our annual St. Nicholas Day baking and crafts. As Bernadette's friends were arriving, she was cleaning her bedroom (actually, knowing Bernadette, she was probably reading a book, drawing, or playing). Eventually, she wandered into the living room and her friends said, "Surprise!" I then explained that it was a birthday party for her. Bernadette responded, "For me?"

All of the girls enjoyed baking and decorating sugar cookies and Polish honey cakes, and playing pass the parcel. After everyone left, Brendan asked, "Will my birthday ever fall on St. Nicholas' feast day?" I was happy to know that he liked his sister's birthday, too.

In Review: Thanksgiving

This year, we continued last year's tradition of celebrating a noisy Thanksgiving at home. My dad, my siblings, and in-laws were in my prayers even though we were not together. We have celebrated a nunber of Thanksgivings at home, but only two without extended family.

In Review

As anyone who visits this blog knows, it (along with my other blogs) has been neglected. We have been busy, but I want to record a few events before year's end, starting with our godchild's baptism.

On November 17, we were honored to be the godparents of our nephew, Cormac. The baptism was beautiful and included anointing with oil and chrism, the blessing of Cormac's mouth, ears and eyes, and the blessing of mother, father, and godparents which was followed by the priest holding Cormac high in the air. Catherine snapped a photo as Father was bringing Cormac down.

My sister and brother-in-law went the extra mile with dinner. I was amazed at all my little sister was able to do with a baby who was one day shy of one month old. Hopefully, she wasn't too tired by the end of the day.

Finally, the cousins all enjoyed playing with each other.

My sister and brother-in-law are doing a wonderful job raising there little ones. Their children are delightful.

Christ, the Savior, is Born!

We wish everyone a blessed Christmas season!

Help Holy Rosary School

Recently, my family visited Holy Rosary's Christmas Bazaar and we learned that Holy Rosary School is in danger of closing for financial reasons. Even though we home educate our children and I never went to Holy Rosary, my heart has been heavy since hearing this news. The school truly opens it's doors to children regardless of financial status. Holy Rosary was founded in 1891 and has faithfully served Catholics in Tacoma since that time.

If anyone still needs or wants to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year, please consider making it to:

Holy Rosary School

504 South 30th Street

Tacoma, WA 98402

(253) 272-7012

Please join me in praying that Holy Rosary in Tacoma receives the financial support it needs to keep it's doors open.

Full of...

After Mass on Saturday, my friend Rachel shared a humorous story with me. In preparing for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, she was teaching her children about "Grace". As she was speaking, her son, John, piped up, "Chicken Nuggets have grace." Thankfully, his eldest sister knew what he meant and responded, "You mean grease, John. Chicken nuggets are full of grease."