Happy Birthday Jackie Annie!

Happy  Birthday my princess.  You are an amazing daughter, it was a great day, we went to the lake for a bit, and enjoyed such a fun day.  14 years ago, my baby...my brown eyed, brown hair italian princess!  I'll have pic's to share tomorrow.  I made my first ice cream cake!  It was super yummy! 

Carolyn is a college student!

So she is admitted and will start college classes September 4th.   We had to switch gears for financial aid purposes.  She is doing the sign language as electives for the first year, because this college has it as a certificate program and financial aid it must be a degree program.  Anyhow, so she begins her first year with a major in Pre-Secondary Education (starting here at this college for the Associate degree, she'll follow in two years at a university to finish her degree)  Anyhow, she will decide this week if she wants to do an endorcement into English or Math, meaning concentration in which subject.  Anyhow, full time student takes 3 classes.  She is only starting with 3.  The first quarter will be two sign language classes (must be taken together) but those are evening classes.  And one English class, probably in the afternoon.  The schedule for the first quarter is good for us, since we will be driving her back and forth.  She won't be elgible to get her licence until Christmas or after depending on when she gets her permit.  The school is not far from the church, so that's good too. 

The tentative plan right now is she will go to her highschool for first class, then come home, and have early day hours for studying, and then sign language class twice a week in the evening and the English class probably twice a week in the afternoon, then she may be able to get back up to the school for PE and extra curricular activities if she likes, so she can still be part of her high school.  Anyway, that's the plan as it stands right now.  Seems like its falling into place. 

The advisor was really impresses with her test scores, she scored well above in all subjects for college classes and is excused from the pre-college prep classes because of her scores.  We were quite proud as he was complimenting her and telling her what a smart young woman she was. 

Mikey Graduated Kindergarten!

We had a great time at graduation,  Mikey looked so cute, he's the only boy in kindergarten and it was adorable when he took off his cap for the National Anthem!  Then for the program he was dressed as the darn cutest lamb you ever saw.  His part in the program was the highlight of the day!  He was spinning with this lamb costume on, and the crowd was thrilled.  I'm hoping to get a video of it, as I forgot to record I was so tickled, so I have a few people saying they are going to send it to me, as soon as they do, I'm posting it.  I'll post pic's tomorrow of the graduation, I've been so busy haven't had time to download them.  We had 18 senoir graduates including Monica and Tommy Sabella, so got to spend some time with Carol (my Michigan friend) and that was so needed, you don't realize how much you miss someone, we had a great time.  She came over for cake for Mikey's K graduation (she is his godmother)  And Mr. Dallaire (his godfather) sent him ten dollars, so he feels like a rich little man! 

We also met the parents of the kids friend Michaela, and invited them over, they are a nice couple from California.  We had taken her daughter in for a few holidays, and became a home away from home for her daughter and her son, when he comes over. 

Anyhow, yeah....its summer vacation!  Kids are in serious lazy mode.  hehe.  So am I though! 

A new shocking development!

So when school first started I asked Fr. Gronenthal to check Carolyn's credits and transcripts, we kinda thought she would have a few credits that she needed for her senior year, well he never got around to it, we asked again at Christmas, and still reminded many times, well lo and behold he comes to our car today, and tells us news about Carolyn. But of course like us, he knew she was ahead and we all figured that Carolyn would need 1-3 classes next year, and really there was no hurry....well we were all wrong.   Here we are 3 days before graduation, and he tells us, "Carolyn is done"  Carolyn at 15 years old has accomplished with a 3.9-4.0 grade average, to have all her credits for high school.  We of course believe she is too young to graduate, he advised us, about the dual enrollment, at the area Community College, which is something we have already looked at.  We had thought she could use an extra math, so we have already researched it. 

The way it stands right now, is we want her to have a senior year.  We want her to not rush through her life, and we think its vital for her to be able to experience all the things kids experience in their senior year, and we don't want her missing out, so the tentative plan right now, is for her to go to the school, be a senior, have one class in the morning (Theology) and then also be a freshmen at college.  Its called dual enrollment.  Each credit counts once toward highschool credit and equally toward your freshmen year in college, so in essence she will be a senior at highschool the same time she is a freshmen at college.  The classes will count for both.  The perk of still being a highschool student is the tuition is cut in half.  We will also be looking for scholarships, and really will know more when we go talk with the councelors at the college.  I'm calling next week for an appointment to come in.  We also feel starting at the Community College level is best for her, with her age. 

We also hope Carolyn's schedule will allow for some fun activities with the kids at school like plays, maybe choir, maybe the highschool outings, specifically the things for the seniors like the senior dinner, outings and graduation next year.

We are very proud of her, we will know more once we get the details figured out, but you can imagine my absolute shock in finding this out today.  All I have got to say, is its a good thing I'm married to Steve, or else I may have totally lost my mind.   She doesn't want to waste classes, but once we explained to her, that those college credits still count for her college degree, then she totally agreed.  So time will tell more, especially after we speak with the councelors at the college.

Healthy Heart...water???? This is great advice!

Heart Attack and Water - I never knew this !Interesting.......


Heart Attack & Water
Something I didn't know either! I asked my Doctor why do I and other people urinate so much at night time. Answer from my Cardiac Doctor = Gravity holds water in the lower part of your body when you are upright (legs swell). When you lie down and the lower body (legs and etc) seeks level with the kidneys it is then that the kidneys remove the water because it is easier. This then ties in with the last statement!



I knew you need your minimum water to help flush the toxins out of your body, but this was news to me.

Correct time to drink water... Very Important. From A Cardiac Specialist!

Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs

1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion

1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure

1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack











Please pass this to the people you care about......





I can also add to this... My Physician told me thatwater at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse.

My Video 5/13/12 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Evelyn's Confirmation Day

2 of her friends Jana and Philomena

Her friend Philomena

It was beautiful, very beautiful soldier of Christ...

Evelyn's Confirmation 5/13/12 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Poem Impromtu! 5/9/12 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

From the program

the boy pictured is my Broadman Joe (as Rosie calls him) 

And Philomena 

Who needs comic relief???

Who needs a laugh...I achieved the most stupid bathroom award today...so I had to use the bathroom, and I decided to wait, however got to a well maintained gas station and just realized, I better just go, I've been to this gas station before, its a nicely kept bathroom, so go in, plop my purse in the sink (no counters or hooks) and sit and well...mid stream I realize their is a noise coming from the sink, I realize its a motion detected sink and my purse is completely filled with water! Nothing I could do but finish, pick up my purse and poor all of the water out, this entire time I'm laughing at myself, into hysterics. I can't stop laughing, I walk out to pay for the gas, and the attendents are laughing because they see me laughing, so then when I tell them what i had done they are laughing even harder, I barely make it to the car to now tell Steve what I had done, and I laughed all the way home into the house, laughed more with the kids. Lets just say--today was one comical day!

3 more days...

Its almost time for Evelyn's Confirmation!  So I just finished her veil, I took her First Communion veil and weaved red ribbon into between each flower and then took a red silk min roses and hot glued them to the red ribbon.  It looks so pretty.  So after Confirmation we can take the red ribbon out and her First Communion veil will be back to its originally white.  Anyway, I'm making her wrist corsage with the same silk flowers, since we don't have extra money right now, but this way she can keep it, instead of it being fresh flowers.  She's happy about that.  It will look very nice. 

So Saturday I'll hang the decorations and then to go get a cake, and I should be set. Really is exciting before these special milestones. 

She is a sweet girl, did great on her Confirmation test.  Can't wait to post pictures....

Impromptu Poetry/Singing

Friend fun time

A few pic's from a fun evening we had at our friends "farm"  Way fun!

updated picture of Cristi's with her husband Victor and the two youngest Gia and Sonny.  Victor still needs prayers he's still in critical condition with a few complications.   

Updated picture of my brother Joe, my Mom, my sister Cristi and Cristi's kids Jeremy, Nick, Santino, and Gia

Field Trip!

God Bless America...and our servicemen of yesterday and today

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.



I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him.



I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying:



'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.



I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.



He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'



He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.



The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.



When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'



He said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal Pelieliu, and Okinawa .



He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.



He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife.



I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.



One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.



For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'

I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.



Remember, as we approach another Memorial Day, OLD men like him gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America .

Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.



America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.

If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.

LET'S DO THIS: JUST 19 WORDS:

GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY; AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS, AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS, WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS. AMEN

Please Pray

I have some big prayer requests for the families. 

First, just got word that Steve's nephew's little 4 year old daughter has a tumor near or on her spine.  Please pray for the little one as she is prepped for surgery and that she has a full recovery.  This couple lost a baby in utero a little over a year ago.  The litttle girls name is Faith.

Other news, my brother in law had open heart surgery today.  12 hour surgery.  His body was greatly infected by abcess, they found the valve they put in 7 years ago had been sliced open by the pacemaker wires, it was completely sliced open stiff and diseased.  He has a long recovery, the next 2-3 days are crucial, but if he heals he can return to a healthy status.  Right now he is extremely critical.

And of course continued prayers for Steve's brother Gary, fighting cancer, just having his second round of chemo. 

God Bless and Thank you for your prayers.

St. Monica

Cardinal Newman addressed these words on May 4, 1856:

"This day... we commemorate a saint who gained the heavenly crown

by prayers and tears, by sleepless nights and weary wanderings...

not in the way of any other saint whom we invoke in the circle of the year;

but as a mother seeking and gaining by her penances the conversion of her son.

It was for no ordinary son that she prayed,

and it was no ordinary supplication by which she gained him.

When a holy man saw its vehemence ere it was successful, he said to her,

'Go in peace: the child of such prayers cannot perish.'

The prediction was fulfilled beyond its letter;

not only was that young man converted, but after his conversion he became a saint;

not only a saint, but a Doctor also, and instructed many unto justice.

St. Augustine was the son for whom she prayed; and if he has been a luminary

for all ages of the Church since, many thanks do we owe to his mother, St. Monica,

who, having borne him in the flesh, travailed for him in the spirit.



"The Church, in her choice of a Gospel for this feast, has likened St. Monica

to the desolate widow whom Our Lord met at the gates of the city

as she was going forth to bury the corpse of her only son.

He saw her and said, 'Weep not,' and He touched the bier and the dead arose.

St. Monica asked and obtained a more noble miracle.

Many a mother who is anxious for her son's bodily welfare neglects the soul.

So did not this saint of today; her son might be accomplished, eloquent, able and distinguished;

all this was as nothing to her while he was dead in God's sight;

while he was the slave of sin; while he was the prey of heresy; she desired his true life.

She wearied heaven with prayer, and wore herself out with praying.

She did not at once prevail. He left his home;

he was carried forward by four bearers, ignorance, pride, appetitie and ambition;

he was carried out into a foreign country, he crossed over from Africa to Italy.

She followed him; she followed the corpse, the chief, the only mourner;

she went where he went, from city to city.

It was nothing to her to leave her dear home and her native soil;

she had no country below; her sole rest, her sole repose,

her Nunc dimittis, was his new birth.



" So while she still walked forth in deep anguish and isolation, and in silent prayer,

she was at length rewarded by the long-awaited miracle.

Grace melted the proud heart, and purified the corrupted breast of Augustine,

and restored and comforted his mother;

and hence, in today's Collect, God is especially addressed as

Moerentium consolator et in Te sperantium salus,

the Consoler of those that mourn, and the Health of those who hope.

And thus, Monica, as the widow in the Gospel, becomes an image of Holy Church,

who is ever lamenting over her lost children, and by her importunate prayers

ever recovering them from the grave of sin.



"Look down, then, upon us from Heaven, O blessed Monica,

for we are engaged in supplying that very want which called for the prayers

and gained for thee thy crown."

ACT...College in in her reach!~

Very proud of you Carolyn!

Composite Score : 27


This is not an official ACT score report and is

intended only for your informational use. Does your score meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmark?



English 26 Yes. But you can further improve your English skills.

Usage/Mechanics 12

Rhetorical Skills 15



Mathematics 26 Yes. But you can further improve your mathematics skills.

Pre-Algebra/Elem. Algebra 15

Algebra/Coord. Geometry 12

Plane Geometry/Trig. 14



Reading 30 Yes. But you can further improve your reading skills.

Social Studies/Sciences 15

Arts/Literature 16



Science 24 Yes. But you can further improve your science skills.



Combined English/Writing 24

Writing (score range 2 to 12) 07 Learn how to further improve your writing skills.

Comments on Your Essay: Your essay adequately supported general statements with specific reasons, examples, and details. Your essay maintained focus on the specific issue in the prompt.





•Multiple-choice scores and the Composite score range from 1 to 36; subscores range from 1 to 18. Dashes (--) indicate no score.

•Your Composite score is the average of your scores on the four subject area tests. Subscores do not necessarily add up to your score for a subject area test.

•The Combined English/Writing score ranges from 1 to 36 and is a combined measure of the Writing and English tests.

•Select one of the National Ranks links below to see how your scores compare with the scores of recent high school graduates who took the ACT.