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.