The Way I See It

We like to sit up front for mass. Today we got the second row.

The altar server was a young girl - probably 9th/10th grade - and was wearing frayed blue jeans and turquoise rubber flip-flops. Hmmmmm

On the row in front of us were 5 young men - maybe 18-20 yrs old. They zipped into the parking lot in their giant pickup and were laughing and cutting up as they walked down the sidewalk. All five looked as if they dressed from the same closet. Rugged boots, worn jeans and longsleeved button-ups, untucked and slightly wrinkled. They all knelt down and prayed before mass started and each participated fully. They chuckled when Fr. Duffy threw in his weekly joke (it's just not Sunday without one) and they stayed in their pew, singing the last hymn until the music stopped.

I'm constantly being taught lessons from above.

Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

I've been meaning to post this picture to share our celebration of the Feast of The Immaculate Conception but life has thrown us a few curve balls. Last Monday both kids were sick so I scheduled an appointment with the pediatrician and turns out they both had strep throat. This is a new occurrence for Jaedon, but unfortunately this was the 5th time since October 3rd for Caela. Poor baby is miserable! We visited the ENT and he has scheduled surgery for the 29th. She is very nervous and so am I! She hates hospitals and I can't say that I blame her, but I know she will feel so much better when her tonsils come out. The ENT said that there is very little space between her tonsils and her uvula. Nighttime breathing has become a challenge and she is extra 'fussy' these days. Please remember her in your prayers.

Back to our 'celebration'...We (the Coach and I) had a white dinner and I made white cupcakes that I decorated with white icing and clear sprinkles. Caela colored the lovely portrait you see above just shortly before she fell out. :) As I'm sure you can imagine, our evening ended early...

Father, You prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin.We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

St. Nicholas Likes Hot Cocoa?

Saturday night we celebrated the feast of St. Nicholas. This was our first year to do this and it was a lot of fun. The kids were so excited to participate in all the activities I had planned. I did not accomplish all I had on my list, but next year I will be 'on my game' and better prepared.

Jessica, Catholic Mom Extraordinaire, is soooo gracious and always shares her fabulous plans. Now that I am working fulltime - outside the home - MOST days I feel completely overwhelmed and underprepared. I love that I have Jessica as a resource. So it is with that disclaimer that I share what our family did on Saturday night. :)

We made St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa (cocoa was said to be his favorite drink), and the kids turned chocolate santa's into chocolate St. Nicholas'...

I really wanted to read, St. Nicholas The Wonder Worker, but I had a hard time finding the book (when I had free time to look). Note to self: Next year order online in advance!

At bedtime, the kids set a shoe at their doorway and woke to a nice surprise...

Altogether, I'd say it was a good evening.

God of joy and cheer, we thank you for your servant, the good bishop Nicholas. In loving the poor, he showed us your kindness;in caring for your children,he revealed your love. Make us thoughtful without need of reward so that we, too, may be good followers of Jesus.

WoW - Week 1

I've decided to join the Regina & the group by participating in Weight on Wednesday's. If you'd like to know more about it, check it out here.

The Coach and I both need to lose weight so began a 'low-carb lifestyle' last week. The first few days were AWFUL for me. I have such an addiction to sugar, caffeine & carbohydrates that I was in a definite detox for 2 or 3 days. I had headaches and cravings and felt a little sluggish. It was not fun! But I must say that I'm feeling great today (Day 6). The weight is coming off and I'm feeling good.

Goals for Week 2 -
:: stay away from sugar!
:: 2 cup/day of leafy greens
:: walk 1 mile 3x/week

Weight loss for Week 1 - 8 lbs !! :)



ps - I just took our Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake out of the oven. This will be dessert for Friday's celebration of The Queenship of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Here's the recipe for any of you who are just dying to have it! :)

3 egg whites
pinch of cream of tartar
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup splenda or other artificial sweetner
2 pkgs cream cheese
2 eggs
10 mini SUGAR-FREE Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Mix egg whites & cream of tartar on high until very thick (this is important)...usually takes me 3 minutes or so. Add heavy cream and mix - again until very thick. Blend in sweetner and then add cream cheese. Mix on low speed until completely smooth. Last, add the 2 whole eggs and blend. (this will be the binder and will help to thin out the thick batter you've created)

Chop the peanut butter cups until the size you'd like to have them. Fold into the batter.

Spoon batter into a 9" PAM sprayed pie pan (or spring form pan if you have it). Bake 20-25 minutes until brown around the edges.

Cool for about 1 hour on the countertop then cool overnight in refrigerator. Yummmm.

The Walls Are Closing In On Me

One year ago we made the decision to move from the city to the "country". We are 30 minutes away from the big city and 10 minutes from the closest grocery store in a small suburb near us. Because I do not work outside the home I occasionally feel a little claustrophobic...even in our nearly 2700 sq ft! Especially this summer. I go to church on Sundays and the rest of our activities are here in our little community. I venture out to pick up groceries or occasionally pick up fast food from our limited options. Last week while The Coach was gone to football camp I got it really bad. I needed to see traffic, some tall buildings, maybe a restaurant and possibly visit TCBY.

I love my man. He was tired when he came home on Thursday so I let him sleep for about 6 hours. (He had been gone 6 days and they were practicing 3x/day in 100-degree temps!) On Friday morning I let him sleep in. Friday afternoon we lounged around the house just enjoying the fact that he was back home with us. By 3 or 4pm I was getting a little antsy. The Coach loaded the children into the car and took us for a drive into the city. ahhhhhh, relaxation. I know it sounds sooo crazy, but seeing this made me so happy!

We drove around our old neighborhood, rolled through a carwash and stopped to get me a Coca-Cola from my favorite...Burger Street. Let me say that I have specific criteria for fountain sodas. They must be in a styrofoam cup (for the insulation) and they must have "good ice". The Coach cannot understand this ice issue, but...Sonic ice pellets - good ice; McDonald's chunk ice - not so much. Burger Street - FABULOUS ice...it's the flaky kind!! Ohhhh, he must love me.

Then we went to see this...

Could She be more beautiful?? The Cathedral Shrine of The Virgin of Guadalupe is the Mother Church of our Diocese and has been standing since 1902! Can you see me beam with pride...what a piece of architecture! ;-)

We attended the Chrism Mass here in 2004 and the Rite of Election during our RCIA process.

We ended our city-adventure by eating an early dinner at El Fenix...my absolute favorite restaurant!!

So that concludes my "day out". Do you ever feel the walls closing in on you?

A Mother's Prayer for her Children

Mary, Mother of Consolation, be with me now as I pray for my children. You, who bore the most perfect Child, know a mother’s concern for her children. You are the finest example of motherhood. Open your heart to my prayer.

There are times, Blessed Mary, when I feel so confused. My love for my children always directs me to do those things each day which will be good for them.

I always try to act in a way which will help them to be better Christians. It is often difficult for me to know what is right. Mary, please guide me through my doubts. Help me to know what is right. Help me to direct and raise my children, not for my own satisfaction, but for the glory of God.

Oh Queen of Heaven, my children are so frail in this world. Help me to guide them to know and love Our Heavenly Father. It is through His will that I have these children. They are truly His gift.

At this time, Blessed Mother of Consolation, I place my children under your care and protection. I know you will help them just as you have helped me. Keep us in your love, always.

Amen.

Some New Jesus Music

I like music. Had I actually finished college (that's another post) I probably would have a degree in some kind of music. I like lots of different genre's to the exclusion of most rap & country. I don't detest either one, just not my fav's.

So, today when I was surfing the web (because I have nothing better to do, right?) I came across Gretchen Harris. She is a contemporary Catholic musician and some of of her titles include, Prayer of St. Francis, You are Near and others. She has rosary CD and one titled "Sing of Mary".

Perhaps you've already been introduced but this was our first meeting. I like her! She has a very sweet voice...listening to her is peaceful. You might like her too. Seriously.

In the name of The Father, and of the Son...

Saucy Girl has a lil' bff at school this year, G. G is not Catholic. As a matter of fact, G's Daddy is a Protestant pastor. G & Saucy apparently were praying yesterday that I wouldn't be able to make it to the school in time for pick-up and they could go home together (note: twice I've been stuck in traffic trying to get to the school so G's momma took Saucy home with them). During their prayer, Saucy instructed G on The Sign of The Cross.

At bedtime Saucy described the scenario to me. Of course I just about died as I thought of G telling her Mommy & Daddy all about crossing herself! :) I told Saucy that G & her family are not Catholic so they do not cross themselves. Her puzzled little face looked at me while she asked, "Then what do they do when they pray?" I told her that usually they just bow their head and close their eyes. She asked if they make 'praying hands' also.

After thinking about it for a minute Saucy said, "Well, she got the hang of it".

Hard As Nails

The Coach and I happened upon this HBO documentary during the Christmas break. Tonight we've run into it again, only this time we are allowing Saucy Girl and Veggie Boy to watch it with us. It is a moving, honest, compelling look as the Hard As Nails Ministry and it's founder, Justin Fatica.

I would encourage you to view it and I would be interested in what you think about it. Comments open.

I Received My Saint(s) For 2008!

I was quite intrigued by Melissa's post regarding her "patron saint for 2008". Being a "baby" Catholic this was a new idea to me. So, what's a babe to do? Of course. Run out and find the lovely blog that was doing the matching!

I was given St. Thomas the Apostle AND St. Lawrence! Apparently 2 saints wanted me this year. ;-)

I'm very excited and can't wait to really dig my heels into some research on these two guys!

Merry Christmas!

I know I've been really quiet lately, but I wanted to take time out to wish you all the Peace of Christ during this holiday season. Regardless of what the year has brought to your life tomorrow brings new beginnings.

Aimee over at Historical Christian has a great post up about the struggle we all seem to go through trying to have the "perfect Christmas". It expresses my sentiments so eloquently.

Merry Christmas Stranger-Friends!

God's Calling

Ok, Stranger-Friends. I've got to share. Are you sitting down? OK, ahem...

God called me.
Sunday morning.
5am.
On my cell phone.

Oh, I know what you are thinking..."this crazy blogger woman has lost her ever-loving mind". But, I submit to you the following:

777-7777

That's the phone number (I deleted the area code for bloggy safety) that called me at 5 am. I answered and nothing. Then click. I immediately called the number back and it's a recording (not the usual recording lady either) saying that I've reached a number that is not in service! What? How could a phone that's not in service call me?

I've been in heavy prayer and contemplation about 2 particular subjects and I think He was responding.

I'm sure lots of you cynical sceptics will explain this away, but I choose to believe God called me.

Sunday morning.

5am.

Faith & Family

I have to take this time to tell you just how beautiful this magazine is! I signed up to receive a free copy (it's published 6 x's a year) and just got the November/December issue yesterday.

Ladies, it's gorgeous!! Glossy pages, sturdy composition, fabulous color...Oh. My. Gosh. I just love it! Yea, Faith and Family!!

Of course, I crave good Catholic material. We went to the library yesterday to get a few books for my son and I picked up one of Mother Teresa's books, No Greater Love. It's like water to the thirsty soul.

Which brings me to the point of this post. Do you find yourself wading in the waters of your faith and experiencing a disconnect of sorts? Maybe it's just me, but society today seems to be either secular or mainstream Christian. Where does a good Catholic mom fit in? How can we live our faith and grow relationships with other moms? Can we be in the world, but not of the world?

Let me first say that I am absolutely, positively an amateur on this subject as I am a convert of 3-1/2 yrs. So, with that out of the way let's figure out a way to swim in the deep blue waters of our Catholic faith.

For me, committing myself to pray the Rosary on a daily basis has been an enormous help. I find that I always go to Our Lady when I am feeling the weakest. She knows. She's been there, done that, got the t-shirt! But...She was bathed in the Lord's graces. She can lead us to her Holy Son and we need her intercession. If at first you don't succeed, try Our Lady!

A bloggin' Catholic mom whose post I most enjoy also has a divine love for Our Lady. She has an email group you can join where she publishes, "Mary Vitamin, Your Daily Recommended Allowance of Marian Devotion".

I also try to devote at least 1/2 of my daily reading - blogs, books, magazines, etc. - to Catholic material. I enjoy so many Catholic Moms' blogs and have learned so much. Although I've never actually met any of these moms, you begin to feel a closeness and a faith connection. It's great to hear how they deal with life in their home and how they are cultivating our Faith in their families.

A few magazines I enjoy are: Catholic Parent, Our Sunday Visitor, Our Daily Visitor, Faith and Family, Texas Catholic, The Catholic Answer.

I also enjoy podcasts from www.sqpn.com . I can't even begin to list the available topics at this site, but suffice to say it's loaded with great Catholic stuff!

Well, stranger-friends, these are just a few things that have helped me to grow in our Faith, remain loyal to the Magesterium and maintain a Catholic culture in our home.

Blessings!