Tony is Six Months Old!

In honor of St. Fransis de Sales (Jan. 29th)

Your Cross - St Francis de Sales

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The everlasting God has

in His wisdom foreseen

from eternity the cross

that He now presents to you

as a gift from His inmost heart.

This cross He now sends you

He has considered with His all-knowing eyes,

understood with His divine mind,

tested with His wise justice,

warmed with loving arms

and weighed with His own hands

to see that it be not one inch too large

and not one ounce too heavy for you.

He has blessed it with His holy Name,

anointed it with His consolation,

taken one last glance at you

and your courage,

and then sent it to you from heaven,

a special greeting from God to you,

an alms of the all-merciful love of God.

Dark Chocolate!

Steve has declared after reading an article that we no longer need vegetables. hehe.  Here's basically what the article says:

More than 1/2 of U.S. adults prefer chocolate to other flavors and spend $55.00 a year (me more than that I'm sure).

Eating dark chocolate makes people happy because it contins phenylethylamine, the same nurturing hormone triggered by the brain when we fall in love.

Reserchers from Harvard and Boston Univ. School of Medicine reports that people who consistently consumed dark choc. showed a 40% lower risk of myocardial infarction and stroke then those that don't.

7grams of dark choc per day lowers yuor blood pressure and less risk of stroke and heart attack.

Choc. Lovers will be glad to know dark choc. contains more antioxidants per 3.5 ounces than prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, kale, spinach, Brusses sprouts, alfalfa sprounts, plums, oranges, red grapes, red bell peppers, cherries, onions, corn, or eggplant!!!

That TV!

Well, we have tried a few different schedules with the littles.  Rosie loves Mickey Mouse and Mikey dinosaur train, both educational programming, however our old schedule was after the kids left for school I would let the two little ones each watch a show while I enjoyed my breakfast, computer time and coffee.  We have found that does not work...it causes them to be whiny.  So we changed it, no tv in the morning at all and poof...no whine.  So I now tell the two of them to go play until I'm ready.  Its working out beautifully.  Tony takes a little morning snooze, they play and I have a bit of time to myself (about 45 minutes) then I call them up and we do a bit of exercise together and then we start preschool time (about 30-45 minutes) while Rosie joins in and colors.  She likes to join in with singing the ABC's and counting.  hehe.  So then after our responsibilities at that time I let the little ones have a little show before lunch.  Works out so much better, really have to watch that TV time, because it does seem to draw the kids into a whiny mood, as well as a lazy mood.  Winter time is tough, this winter has been so cold, but really have to keep that tv time regulated! 

Mikey's preschool

 Well, we can't forget Mikey Richard. hehe.  He is doing well, seems to have really grasped holding that pencil, some of his lines get wavy and joggy but he has improved tons!  Today without having anything to copy and during play time he wrote his name as Miceal.  So close, and without anything to look at.  I bet he'll have it completely down next week. 

He has been doing writing of letters this week, and started writing a few three letter words.  I really love these two workbooks ( I make copies instead of having them write in the book to save for the younger ones)  Its from the program handwriting without tears and thier system is perfect for a preschooler.  I'm very pleased and happy about how well he is doing.

Cool Girl!

Yes, Rosie is quite the cool girl, but she is also a stinker-pot!  She tried to tell Daddy No! last week, well he got that fixed quick, however it took me a bit longer to get her to see she can't tell Mommy no, I couldn't believe it when she turned her back on me, but then the very next day sweet as pie!  She is such a joy, I can't believe how well she talks.  I'm hoping to start work on potty training soon, she just seems not quite ready yet.  Hopefully very soon!

Ouch!

Joey got hurt this week, by means of a hockey stick.  Poor kiddo was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but the boys have not learned proper stick control.  I think everyone learned a big lesson.  Joey's eye swelled up he has two gashes by his eye and on his nose.  He is doing fine now, but it is a great reminder to teach children proper ways of playing different sports.

Hockey sticks should not be used like swords!   High sticking is not allowed in the real games, so it should not be allowed in the playground!  Always play for fun but also play safe!

Kids and School

 Another quarter is past us and we are finally at the 1/2 way mark of the school year.  The children are all dong wonderful.

Madelyn and Evelyn kept their straight A's and Evelyn actually has a exact duplicate from the quarter before.  Evelyn received 1st honors

Joseph skipped a grade this last quarter, and I was amazed to see that he kept a pretty high grade point average, with only 2 B's and the rest A's!  Very proud of that, with him receiving 2nd honors.

Jaclyn stayed exactly the same with her straight A's and grade point average, also First Honors

Carolyn pretty close to the same with her straight A's and First Honors.

Katelyn kept her A's in Theology, Latin, Home Ec, Music Appreciation and P.E, bought up her World History to a B, kept her average grades in Biology and English, but is still struggling in Algebra.  We are trying a new way to tutor her with Carolyn and Steve's help, but her teacher commented on how hard she tries, and we are very proud of her and all the children!

My Saint of the year

Very excited about my Saint of the year, I will refer to him as St. Antony (interesting no h, in any of the sources I have found), anyhow, I have to admit that I have never heard of this Saint before today, but have found it quite interesting to read up on him.  I have posted one of the stories of the Saint, seems like a perfect Saint for me for the year! 

2011 My Saint for the year

May 10.—ST. ANTONINUS, Bishop.


ANTONINUS, or Little Antony, as he was called from his small stature, was born at Florence in 1389. After a childhood of singular holiness, he begged to be admitted into the Dominican house at Fiesole; but the Superior, to test his sincerity and perseverance, told him he must first learn by heart the book of the Decretals, containing several hundred pages. This apparently impossible task was accomplished within twelve months; and Antoninus received the coveted habit in his sixteenth year. While still very young, he filled several important posts of his Order, and was consulted on questions of difficulty by the most learned men of his day; being known, for his wonderful prudence, as "the Counsellor." He wrote several works on theology and history, and sat as Papal Theologian at the Council of Florence. In 1446 he was compelled to accept the archbishopric of that city; and in this dignity earned for himself the title of "the Father of the Poor," for all he had was at their disposal. St. Antoninus never refused an alms which was asked in the name of God. When he had no money, he gave his clothes, shoes, or furniture. One day, being sent by the Florentines to the Pope, as he approached Rome a beggar came up to him almost naked, and asked him for an alms for Christ's sake. Outdoing St. Martin, Antoninus gave him his whole cloak. When he entered the city, another was given him; by whom he knew not. His household consisted of only six persons; his palace contained no plate or costly furniture, and was often nearly destitute of the necessaries of life. His one mule was frequently sold for the relief of the poor, when it would be bought back for him by some wealthy citizen. He died embracing the crucifix, May 2d, 1459, often repeating the words, "To serve God is to reign."



p. 176



Reflection.—"Alms-deeds," says St. Augustine, "comprise every kind of service rendered to our neighbor who needs such assistance. He who supports a lame man bestows an alms on him with his feet; he who guides a blind man does him a charity with his eyes; he who carries an invalid or an old man upon his shoulders imparts to him an alms of his strength. Hence none are so poor but they may bestow an alms on the wealthiest man in the world."

play those notes! hehe

Birthday Pic's...We love Daddy!

Sitting!

Tony says, "I can sit!"

Rosie says, "What's the big deal with sitting?  I can sit, and I can even do it on Mikey!"  hehe

Our yearly family at the Tree Pic

Happy Birthday Steveie!

Just a note to say you are the best husband, father and best friend, I love you...Don't worry...43 is still young...hehe, comparatively speaking --its younger than 44?  hehe! 

a few pic's!

My Montage 1/18/11 at OneTrueMedia.com

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Sent from Sr. M. Imelda, C.M.R.I/Spokane
O, Mary, Mother of God, who amidst the tribulations of the world, watches over us and over the Church of thy Son, be to us and to the Church truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor, make haste to help us in all our necessities, that in this fleeting life thou may est be our succor, and obtain for us (the favor and graces we ask for)

Help us to gain life everlasting through the merits of Jesus, thy Son, and Lord our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
Our Father, Glory Be..., Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us (three times)
O Queen of the Universe, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, sovereign full of kindness, thou art the advocate of sinners, and have of safety to the shipwrecked; thou are the resource of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the infirm, the consolation of the afflicted, the refuge and salvation of all on earth.  We beseech thee to grant us the help of thy prayers, which incline our Heavenly Father to forgive our sins and grant our petitions in all the necessities of this miserable life, prayers which obtain for us an abundance of graces to receive the pardon of our faults and arrive at the practice of virtue, prayers which stop our enemies, confound their designs and triumph over their efforts.  Amen.

Preschool Fun

We resumed our preschool with Mikey here at home last week, a big improvement I'm happy to say, he really loves Phonic's.  That's good, and is beginning finally to color (but he doesn't care for it so much)  that's ok because many of my kids haven't enjoyed coloring until they were around 1st grade.  His hand control is getting better.  Its very shaky and he is learning to hold that pencil.  I encourage him greatly reminding him, it only takes practice, as I don't want him to get discouraged.  I like to have him cut or use clay to help the motor skills of the hand.  He is extremely double jointed and I have a better grasp of how to help than I did when we had Katelyn with the same pencil issues.  Today he wrote his name all by himself, a little shaky but so proud of him, he's known how to spell it for 6 months or longer, infact he's known everything he needs for that long, all except the writing, so that is what we are focusing on, so we need to make it fun.  Here's his name:

By the way he cheered when he got the M!  haha...I cheered too. hehe

Packing Update

Well, I really want to get on more, the whole those great intentions and all...  Well I have been packing, I decided to try to pack 1-3 boxes a day, it seems to be going well.  I was thinking about saving a lot for Easter time, but then remembered that I'll be needing to switch out the clothes from winter to summer and that is a huge, huge job in this house!  So I've been doing as much as I can.  I packed up the big girls room, (their pretty things and wall things) and the little girls room, and Joe's last week.  This week I'm working on my desk..I am shocked at the stuff I have shoved in the drawers!  Steve fixed my over the desk shelf, and I have to say, I rather like it better this way.  It was broke in one of the many moves, but he did a really good job, and now he finds it quite humorous that now I have all these ideas for future wood projects! 

I've been keeping my mind busy planning ideas for the Omaha house, we are rather excited that we just need to get to Memorial Week-end...makes this long cold days of winter seem to move by faster. 

I'm rather happy about Purple Heart organization.  Each move I try to downsize as much as I can, and rid of things I have no use for, and the great thing is I don't have to pile it all in the car, purple heart comes to me!  How's that for some lazy? 

The Family!

So today is one of my favorite Sundays, celebrating the Holy Family.  (Jesus, Mary & Joseph) the model of all family. Which was one of my father's favorite devotions.   I think its a good day to reflect on what our goals are for our family unit.  I find in the hustle and bustle of regular life, holidays, events, kids, school, homework, toddlers, babies and teenagers-its easy to get distracted on what it is we want to be.  So I take today, to think about what it is I have done and want yet  to do. 
The most important thing is to keep faith and devotion alive in our home.  The relationship between husband adn wife.  My goal is for my husband to always be my best friend, someone to confide in and to share with, and to laugh with...oh, we must giggle and laugh!  Humor is such a great medicine!  Recently, me and Steve were teasing, and he looked at me with his humorish smirk (because he thinks he is so funny) and tells me that I'm whacked in the head!  I couldn't believe it, so now its this great joke we have together, now when one of us says something that seems off the wall we say, "...its cause your whacked in the head"  hehe. 

Our top priority is and will always be our children.  They are becoming wonderful people.  We enjoy the older kids just as much as we have always enjoyed the little ones.  To teach them and now to enjoy them is a wonderful gift.  It also reminds us to keep plugging away and do for the littles as we did for the big kids. 

Anyway, a few random thoughts-today as I was sitting in church I was very inspired by the Epistle read for the Holy Family Sunday.  It really is what I feel should be my mantra, my words to live by.  Below is the Epistle:

Brethen, Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.  But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection; and let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherin also you are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.  All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Holy Day

 Since the Mosaic Law commands that if a woman give birth to a male child, he should be circumcised in the foreskin of his flesh on the eighth day (Lev. 12:2-3), on this, the eighth day from His Nativity, our Saviour accepted the circumcision commanded by the Law. According to the command of the Angel, He received the Name which is above every name: JESUS, which means "Saviour" (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31 and 2:21).

Jesus is His name! 

Off to Mass today, kids are excited, its like having two Sundays in a row! 

Night, Night!

Happy New Year!

Pictures from our New Year's Eve!