My family...

So here's an updated picture of my Mom, sister, brother, and sisters kids.  I wish I could see them, but so thankful for the internet that I can atleast keep up with pictures.  I can't believe its been 5 years since I've seen them. 

Tony's pic's

Tony is 18 months old.  I can't believe he's such a bog boy.  He talks very well.  He says things like, "I did it", "yes", "cup", "downstairs", and everyones names, oh, and "cheese" and "please" hehe.

The Boys-Carhart Picture

 This is Joseph, Mikey and Tony all pictured around the same age in the same carhart overalls.  We added the hat with Mikey.  The hat's significance is this is the type of hat my dad wore and since Mikey is the baby born after my dad's death, we cherish the hat a bit.

Mikey

 Joe

Portraits

We finally got Tony's pictures taken.  I'm so glad, its been a long time coming.  But it worked out good becasue now I have the special "boy" picture.  We have a  pair of these work type carhart overalls and I have a picture of Joe in them, Mikey in them and now Tony!  Tony was shy at first, but after a few minutes he was loving it.  He did really good. 

And after 3 years we are going to get a family picture done this week-end.  Its Madelyn's birthday so we are going to take the kids to Mc. Donalds for lunch.  I  need a square cake pan, I'm going to make her cake look like a castle.  My Mom sent this really cool book with cake ideas for children.  the top of the castle is actually going to be icing covered icecream cones.  I'm pretty excited about it.  Now just have to find the time to do it. haha.

Madelyn's birthday is always been a great time of year.  Its after Christmas and before St. Valentines Day so usually everything is on clearance.  Their were these toys she's into, usually 12-15 dollars a piece, right now they are on clearance for 3 dollars.  I just love a deal. 

Anyway, I have a lot of running around to do this week.  Steve's car needs its plates, and I have to finish grocery shopping and the kids have something almost everyday.  Piano on Mondays.  Thursdays and Fridays is Choir practice.  Next month we will have piano Monday and Thursdays.  Pretty much this is our last year of piano, since the teacher is a 12th grade boarder.  So good we can get it in, while we can.  The older girls are just about at the point where they can self study, and maybe teach the younger ones.  But the Sisters do not teach it here, like they do in Michigan, and the few people that do teach it, don't want anymore students.  But I'm glad we got it in, while we can.  The Sr.'s in Michigan do such a great job with the kids in piano and I'm glad we were there and got a start.  I will miss the piano recitals though. 

Joe's Report card...

Religion A-
Math B-
English C+
Spelling B
Reading B
Penmanship B+
History A
Geography A
Science B+
P.E --Excellent
Music A
Art A

GPA. 3.2.  3rd honors. 
He's trying to bring a few things up, he really is trying to improve his GPA. 

Still waiting for report cards for highschool kids. :)

And he's on his way...

Well before long Steve will be finally attending college, but we decided on an online program, best for our time and money.  Anyway, he took the entrance Math tonight and score 100%, the advisor was quite shocked, she said no one scores that high on that test.  Tomorrow night English, which Steve is a bit more worried about.  Depending on paperwork, he'll either begin classes first week of February or first week of March. 

Its long time coming, and we're glad its finally here.  Its just time to take steps in a better direction. 

The whole process has gotten us a little excited for the girls whom will be coming up to college days before we know it.  Its good to have a little bit of that experience.

I was sad to see, no scholarships or grants really for men, especially a father with many dependents.  They have woman with dependents scholarships all over the place, they sure want woman to leave the home (and their kids) and go back to school.  So sad, you would think their would be more assistance out there for a man, wanting to go back to school to better his career.  But that's life, most families are two income families.  We could never justify the loss of family life, and of children suffering to do that.  We have reaped those benefits with some great adjusted happy kids. 

Speaking of the kids.  Tony is talking up a storm and he is just as cute as he can be.  Rosie is doing well, and has been extremely articulate lately, with very long conversations.  Mikey is reading like a champ and I'm very excited about that.  Madelyn is working on  her handwriting and is making great progress and boy is she excited for her birthday coming up.  Evelyn is always happy and gets so excited with the things she learns in school.  Joe is doing much better with his handwriting and he's been reading more and that makes both me and his teacher very happy.  Jaclyn is doing well, she keeps us very entertained at home, Carolyn has been kinda crabbily, but her humor makes my world go round.  I think she gets bored a bit with school sometimes, but college is around the corner for her, so things will change soon, Katelyn is excited about taking a tour of a vet. assistant college that we requested info on.  And me, well in a holding pattern.  Not much going on, my life is not very busy outside of the home anymore, which is ok, its just different.  But enjoying the kids and Steve and interested to see how the school schedule will alter things in the house.  I have some ideas for painting this summer, Carolyn has already offered to help. 

Thats all for  now...keep us in your prayers as we move to the next new thing. 

Winters starting to....drag!

oh, boy do I hate winter, and winter blues.  I really can't wait to walk outdoors with the kids, without lugging coats on.  I miss out outings, just a few more months.  We itching to get out and about, something...park...something. hehe. 

Tony loves it outside, boy when I say lets go "bye-bye" he runs for the door. haha.  We are suppose to have a few nice days, I might sneak out with the little ones for a bit if we do.  I'm just such a wimp for being cold. haha. 

But then again, boy can one feel dumb for complaining since we haven't even had a snow storm or a real winter.  There is just something about spring, summer and fall I just really enjoy.

Happy Birthday Steve!

We had a great day, the kids had a lot of fun with Dad for his birthday and Steve really enjoyed it.  Rosie is daddy's little pal right now, with Tony tagging along.  The kids made pizza and spelled Happy B-day with green peppers on his pizza. haha.  I loved it.  They are so great. 

Happy Birthday Sweet heart, I love you!

Chair of Unity Octave

Official Prayers to be said during the Octave; Jan. 18th (St. Peter's Chair) Through the 25th (Conversion of St. Paul)

Antiphon: That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in Me and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me. (John 17:22)

V. I say unto that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this rock I will build My Church.

Let us Pray: O lord Jesus Christ, Who sayest unto Thine Apostles; peace I leave with you , peace I give unto you; regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will. Who Livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.

An indulgence of 300 days during the octave of prayers for the unity of the Church from the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter in Rome (January 18th) to the Feast o f the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25). A Plenary Indulgence on the usual conditionas at the end of the devout exercise.

Update is complete!

So been spending the last few days of freetime working on the kids babybooks and school scrap books.  What a job, I let it go way too long, but glad I did it.  I promised myself that all the kids would have their childhood momento's done very well, not oldest kids only.  Anyway, their school stuff was making the books to full, so I got them little binders 50cents each and seperated all their school stuff.  They can see in order special papers, awards, poems, stories, report cards and pictures of them for each year of school.  Also notes to their extra curricula activities, the plays, programs.  I'm pretty pleased with them. 

So anyway, I spent quite a bit of time, transfering information from the blog to a document, well I'll be if I accidentally deleted two of the kids new document.  So had to start over and do it again.  Do you realize how long I've been rambling on this blog...haha  That was a job! 

So my next project is burning my video's to dvd's.  I am sad that I haven't figured out a solution to my old tapes yet.  Technology changed on me.  Maybe one of these days I'll find an old 8mm camcorder to do the transferring, but until then can only work on the new. 

And my photo albums sit, but my Michigan scrapbook is coming together nicely.  And we have to figure someone that can come over and snap a picture of us all in front of the tree before we take it down.  We have one picture for the last 17 years of us in front of the tree, but having no one that ever comes over, gotta figure out how to get that done, maybe I'll ask the neighbor if I ever see her.  Guess it prevents me from worrying about taking the tree down yet. haha. 

Anyway, so that's what I've been doing in my hour or so of free time a night.  Carolyn saw me working and she said, "Mom, thanks for doing all that, I'm sure we are really going to cherish it someday"  ah, that made me think, yeah, its worth it.  hehe. 

Well anyway, that's my little tidbit.  I know I have been slow to post lately, but we are a bit isolated more now, so I guess I don't have as much to ramble about.  Of course that's probably not that bad of a thing. haha.  I do like hearing how things are going with people back home (both homes Colorado and Michigan) but mostly Michigan, since they make us feel so good, each time someone calls or wrties, that they miss us.  Makes you feel good when you know you made some sort of difference to those around you. 

The kids got to play outside today, it was a nice day.  The girls and Mikey were playing football.  Joey spent the day at a friends house.  Tony loves the outdoors and was wandering around the yard.  We are going to have to do some yard work this spring, lack of snow, is going to probably make for a very dry yard.  I can't believe that this is even winter.  Rosie played outside too, she has a scratchy sounding voice so didn't want her out for too long. 

Well, the week-end is over...again.  Wow does the week go slow and the week-ends go fast!  Back to the grindstone.  So better go get shut eye, or I'm going to wake up in the morning and regret I stayed up too late. 

Scrap Book Alert

HaHa, this heart is actually for me. haha.  Needed something big and bright so I can remember where I ended.  I'm updating baby books this week, looking back at things I can put in the kids baby books, about stuff they said or did, and so needed something bright for my eyes to see. hehe.

I pulled all the kids school stuff out of their baby books and making them a seperate binder with their school poems, plays, awards, report cards and pictures.  It will be nice for them to have someday.  Anyhow....so that's what I'm doing...hehe!  Sounds like an exciting Friday night?  Right?

Feast of the Holy Family!

Sent to me, from Sr. M. Imelda, beautiful!  The blessed Light of Saints above,

Sweet Hope of mortals here below,

Art Thou, O Jesu, Who the love

Of human home and hearth didst know.


O Mary, thou art full of grace,

Who nourished Jesus at thy breast,

And kissed His blessed, laughing Face

Whilst in thine arms He took His rest.



O Joseph, thou of all our race

Elected wast to guard the fame

Of Mary, Virgin full of grace,

And give her Son a father's name.

O Mary! Joseph! holy twain,

From Jesse's root and David's seed,

Who ushered in salvation's reign,

Help all who at Christ's altars plead.

Sweet home of Nazareth, in thee

All grace and virtue can we see;

Lord, grant each Christian home to be,

Like Thine, a holy family.



Praise God, Who served, while here on earth,

Joseph, and her who gave Him birth;

Whom with the Father we adore,

And Holy Ghost, forevermore. Amen.


V. Blessed are they who dwell in Thy house, O Lord.

R. They shall praise Thee forever and ever.



Let us pray:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by subjecting Thyself to Mary and Joseph hast hallowed

domestic life with ineffable virtues: grant that by Their assistance we may order our lives

after the example of Thy Holy Family and become partakers of Their eternal happiness.

Make us, O Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that at the hour

of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother and blessed Joseph may be near us, and we may

be found worthy to be received by Thee into Thy eternal dwellings.

Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee.

Heart of Mary, I implore thee;

Heart of Joseph, meek and just:

In these Hearts I place my trust.

Report card time!

So far have gotten the 2nd quarter grades for the younger kids.  They seem to be doing just fine with their studies/academics.

Mikey is doing great.  He has started to read.  He can read all the words like cat, bin, etc and is also learning long vowel sound words like cake, keep, etc.  He has accomplished all he's been taught, and high scores on all his work habits, social development, music appreciation, language development, reading readiness, recognizes all the letters and sounds.  He recognize all the numbers 1-10, and can count to 80 and write all his numbers 1-100.  And can do all his religion things as makes the sign of the cross, says his prayers, genuflects properly, etc.

Madelyn got an A in Religion, English, Reading.
A- in Math, Spelling, History, Geography, Science, Phonics.
B- in Penmanship.
Good in P.E, Music, Art
and in Good in all her Character developments.

Evelyn got Second Honors (last quarter she had 3rd honors so she went up) 
She got A in Religion, Penmanship.
A+ in Spelling,
A- in English, History, and Science
Excellent in Music
and Good in P.E and Art. 
She got all Excellents in all her Character developments.
Sister said she was impressed because 2nd quarter is a hard quarter and really pleased she went up from first quarter. 

Very Proud.

January 1st Circumcison of Our Lord, and recieves his most Holy Name

The CIRCUMCISION of OUR LORD




Circumcision was a sacrament of the Old Law, and the first legal observance required of the descendants of Abraham by Almighty God. It was a sacrament of initiation in the service of God, and a promise, an engagement, to believe and act as He had revealed and directed. The law of circumcision continued in force until the death of Christ. Our Saviour having thus been born under the law, it became Him who came to teach mankind obedience to the law of God,to fulfill all justice, and to submit to it. He was circumcised that He might redeem those who were under the law, by freeing them from the servitude of it, and that those who were formerly in the condition of servants might be set at liberty and receive the adoption of sons in Baptism, which, by Christ’s institution, succeeded to circumcision. (Cf. Gal. 4:5)



On the day when the divine Infant was circumcised, He received the name of JESUS, which was assigned to Him by the Angel before He was conceived, and which signifies SAVIOUR. That name, so beautiful, so glorious, the divine Child does not wish to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning. Even at the moment of His circumcision He showed Himself a SAVIOUR by shedding for us that blood of which a single drop is more than sufficient for the ransom and salvation of the whole world.



Reflection. Let us profit by the circumstance of the New Year, and of the wonderful renewal wrought in the world by the great mystery of this day, to renew in our hearts an increase of fervor and of generosity in the service of God. May this year be one of fervor and of progress! It will go by rapidly, like the one which has just ended. If God permits us to see its end, how happy we shall be to have passed it in a holy manner!



Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler’s Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).

New Years Eve

We had our annual "Kids New Years"  and invited the Brodman family over.  We had a great time.  Thankfully Mary brought Champagne!  I forgot the adults, and only had sparkling juice. hehe.  Funny, funny.  Kids had a great time, and  me and Steve did too. 

Happy New Years,

Dear Mother Mary and our sweet Infant Jesus, please aid us in the new year

last day of the year-into the first day of the new Year prayer.

Getting ready to say our prayers for New Years.  Happy New Year, hope your year is filled with much blessings!

THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR




An indulgence of 7 years is granted to all the faithful with the last contrite heart, during the last half hour of the year and the first half hour of the following year, shall pray to the Most Holy Trinity in thanksgiving for benefits received; beseeching the same Holy Trinity for peace among Christians nations, for concord among Christians princes, for the conversion of sinners, and for the triumph of holy Mother Church and its visible head, the Roman Pontiff.



ACTS OF THANKSGIVING TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY



We offer to the Most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus Christ in thanksgiving for the Precious Blood which He shed in the Garden for us; and by His merits we beseech the divine majesty to grant us the pardon of all our sins.



Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.



We offer to the Most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for His most precious death endured on the cross for us; and by His merits we beseech the divine majesty to free us from the punishment due to our sins.



Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.



We offer to the Most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for His unspeakable charity, by which He descended from heaven to earth to take upon Himself our flesh, and to suffer and die for us on the cross; and by His merits we beseech the divine majesty to bring our souls to the glory of heaven after our death.



Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.



(Indulgence of 100 days each time.- PIUS IX. June 18, 1876)



Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, behold us prostrate in Thy divine presence. We humble ourselves profoundly and beg of Thee pardon for our sins. We adore Thee, omnipotent Father, and with the outpouring of our hearts we thank Thee for having given us Thy divine Son Jesus to be our Redeemer, and for having left Him with us to the consummation of the world in the most august Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, in which mystery of faith and love He reveals to us the wonders of His Sacred Heart.



(Please say one Glory Be to the Father, etc.)



O Divine Word, most adorable Jesus, our Redeemer, we adore Thee in Thy Sacrament, and with the outpouring of our hearts we thank Thee for having taken human flesh and for having made Thyself, for our redemption, both Priest and Victim in the sacrifice of the Cross, a sacrifice which, by an excess of the love of Thy adorable Sacred Heart, Thou dost renew every moment on our altars throughout the world. O Supreme Priest, O divine Victim, grant us the grace to honor Thy holy sacrifice in the most adorable Eucharist with the homage of Mary most holy and of all Thy Holy Church, triumphant, suffering and warfare. We offer ourselves wholly to Thee, and since Thou dost deign to have victims associated with Thee, accept our offering, and, uniting it with Thine, bless us.



(Say one Glory Be to the Father, etc.)



O Divine Spirit the Paraclete, we adore Thee and with the outpourings of our hearts we give Thee thanks that Thou hast, with such great love for us, wrought the ineffable blessings of the Incarnation of the Word of God, a blessing which is being continually extended and enlarged in the most august Sacrament of the Eucharist. Ah, by this adorable mystery of love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, do Thou grant unto us and all poor sinners Thy holy grace. Pour forth Thy holy gifts upon us and upon all redeemed souls, and in an especial manner upon Holy Church, the spouse of Jesus Christ and our mother, upon its visible head, the supreme Roman Pontiff, upon all Cardinals, Bishops and Pastors of souls, upon Priests and all other ministers of Thy sanctuary. Amen.



(Glory Be to the Father, etc.)

An indulgence of 3 years (S. C. Ind., Mar. 22, 1905; S. P. Ap., Dec. 9, 1932). Raccolta No. 45



ACT OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BLESSSINGS OF THE PAST YEAR



O God, the beginning and the end of all things, Who art always the selfsame, and Whose years fail not, we now, at the close of another year, kneel in adoration before Thee, and offer Thee our deepest gratitude for the fatherly care with which Thou has watched over us during the past, for the many times Thou hast shielded us from evils of soul and body, and for the numberless blessings, both temporal and spiritual, which Thou hast showered upon us. May it please Thee to accept the homage of our grateful hearts which we offer Thee in union with the infinite thanksgiving of Thy divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.



SUPPLICATION AND RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR



O Eternal Father, after having thanked thy infinite bounty for thy exceeding benefits in the past, we humbly implore pardon for our manifold sins and negligences, for the time we have consumed and wasted in vanities and in things that profit not unto salvation, and for the woeful want of correspondence with Thy graces which we have so habitually manifested.



But filled with confidence in Thy mercy, so lavishly displayed in a multitude of ways, we ask Thy blessings upon our good purposes and resolutions. For now we renew the sacred promises we made in Baptism, when we first became Thy children and heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and we renounce Satan with all his works and pomps.



Firmly convinced that the salvation of our immortal souls is the one great business of life, the purpose for which we have come into the world, we solemnly resolve for the future not only to do all in our power to avoid every grievous sin in thought, word, and deed but also to shun every unnecessary occasion that might imperil our souls. We further resolve to fulfill with greater exactness and fidelity the duties of our station in life, to give more attention to our progress in things spiritual, to be more devoted to holy Mass, to receive the Sacraments more frequently, and to pray more often and more fervently.



Bless, O my God, these good resolutions which we offer to Thee at this, the threshold of a new year. Give us Thy precious grace and make us truly wise. The days and years of our life are passing so swiftly away. Help us, in Thy mercy, to utilize them, as we ought to do, for Thy greater honor and glory, for the good of our neighbor, and for our sanctification. The night cometh in which no man can work longer; soon, at best, we shall have to appear before Thee to render an account of our stewardship. May we then be found worthy to receive from Thee that divine welcome: “Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of thy Lord.”





HYMN OF THANKSGIVING

(From the Te Deum)



Holy God, we praise Thy name!

Lord of all, we bow before Thee!

All on earth Thy scepter claim,

All in heav’n above adore Thee:

Infinite Thy vast domain,

Everlasting is Thy reign.



Hark! The loud celestial hymn,

Angel choirs above are raising!

Cherubim and seraphim,

In unceasing chorus praising,

Fill the heavens with sweet accord;

Holy, holy, holy Lord.



Holy father, holy Son,

Holy Spirit, three we name Thee,

While in essence only one,

Undivided God we claim Thee;

And adoring bend the knee,

While we own the mystery.



V. Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Ghost.

R. Let us praise and exalt Him above all forever.



Let us Pray

O God, Whose mercy is without measure and the treasure of Whose goodness is infinite, we give thanks to Thy most comforting Majesty for the gifts conferred upon us, and we beg Thee continually through Thy clemency, that Thou Who grantest the request of those who ask Thee, mayest not abandon them now but rather dispose them for future rewards. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.





OLD YEAR AND NEW YEAR

(From Lapsus est Annus)



A year is dead, a year is born;

Thus time flies by on silent wing:

Thou, Lord, alone canst guide our course

And safe to heaven Thy people bring.



For all past gifts we render thanks;

For graces new we humbly pray.

Oh, grant that we and those we love

May ne’er from faith and duty stray.



O Lord, our daily wants supply;

Protect from sickness and disease;

And deign to give, O God of love

The blessings of unbroken peace.



Oh, blot out all our ancient sins

And give us strength to fall no more;

When fight is o’er and victory won,

Then crown us on the eternal shore.



For all the old year’s sins we grieve;

Our hearts we consecrate to Thee.

Grant us, when all our years are sped,

Our heavenly father’s face to see.



PRAYER FOR A BLESSING ON THE NEW YEAR



O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen.



THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE

(Psalm LXXXIX)



Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed; from eternity to eternity Thou art God. Thou makest man to return to atoms, and sayest, return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in Thy sight are as yesterday when it is past,And as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them (men) away as with a flood; they are as a sleep. In the morning they are like grass which growth up. In the morning it flourisheth and growth up; in the evening it fadeth, growth dry, and withereth. For in Thin anger we are consumed, and in Thy wrath we are troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before Thine eyes, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance. For all our days are past away in Thy wrath; our years are consumed as a sigh. The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if in the strong they are fourscore years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for it is soon past, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of Thine anger, and Thy wrath according to the fear that is due Thee? So teach us to number our days, that we may have a heart of wisdom. Return, O’Lord, how long? And be entreated in favor of Thy servants. O satisfy us in the morning with Thy loving-kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days in which we have been afflicted and their years wherein we have seen evil. Look upon Thy servants and upon their works, and direct their children. And the gracious kindness of the Lord Our God be upon us, and direct Thou the works of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands, do Thou direct.



THE EVENING OF LIFE

(From the Rerum Deus)



O Strength, and stay upholden all creation,

who ever dost Thyself unmoved abide,

yet day by day the light in due gradation

from hour to hour through its changes guide:



Grant to life’s day a calm, unclouded ending,

and eve, untouched by shadows of decay,

the brightness of a holy death-bed blending

with dawning glories of th’ eternal day.



Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiven,

And Thou, O Christ, the co-eternal Word,

Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living

Now and to endless ages art adored.