Life with small blessings

Homeschooling and extracurricular activities in large families

2011-07-05T13:02:00.000-04:00

I have to tell you the more kids I have the more I like Seton. We used packaged, shrink wrapped, program that comes with books, lesson plans, down to the rosary!!! Here I will let all the moms who are classically enlighten to : gasp, roll their eyes, and if interested continue to read. It is what works for me with all my blessings that God sends in a very generous way!!!
Our day starts with me nursing a wee one, while feeding the other little "thank gods", all that while levitating in prayer in the kitchen amongst the pots and pans. Since I am in the holy state of practicing prayer and doing corporal works of Mercy, my oldest children can start their sit down school work without me.   They know where the left last and go on from there. What is even better I have teacher aids. The oldest ones who have been trough the "horrible", "dry", " soul Killing" books that Seton produces from the bosom of the Middle ages, now can have an inquisition party of their own. They can now help and show the younger ones all the ills and pain of the textbook learning. ( By the way the quotes and description of Seton, is not my own is what i gather from other moms. There is no middle ground with this curriculum provider there are two camps; Atila the haters and Charlemagne the defenders!!! Really just lighten up a bit!!!)

However for us the real learning happens after school hours. I know right, you thought Seton moms perpetually homeschool. Yes, we a re known as the slaves of the perpetual curriculum!! Not.   After our textbook learning, we dive in our extracurricular activities. If you know me you know that I am a living opposite of the Modern ADHD mom. See the new model is fast and all over the place. Her van is running all over town thus supporting every gas station in her area and a small village in Saudi Arabia. Her kids are in the van soaking Socrates in her original language, while the baby in the car seat is soaking her diaper. The stops are many, there is competitive sports all different for each of her 6 kids. There is music lesson for the baby up to the oldest. Art lesson, fencing, golfing, swimming and if there is time left there will be a family living. Lets not forget dancing and my head is spinning. The van pulls in at the house the baby is already asleep, the kids are all well educated and rounded and dad just came home from his second job. See, I admire those moms and I wish they can bottle up their energy and sell it to me. Here is the description of me the Slow and Medieval. Again, readers chill!! You have already seen my morning routine, now let me tell you about our extra activities here in our kingdom. Lets start with the competitive sports. Here is a list of them and all my kids thake part in them:
1. Competitive eating .
If you are a member of large family you know what that means. And the trainning start early as soon as you start eating table food.
2. Showering.
See, our hot water supply goes away fast. So getting a hot shower is an art and getting their first is a sport.
3. Fencing and Sword fight.
My kids are so good at this.    They have each other to practice with. After all we also read books. Greek mythology, middle ages, knights and all kinds of other historical adventures. My 2 year old daughter runs around with her wooden sword yelling: " Achilles!!!" After all voice lessons are part of our extra curricular activities.
4. Soccer and baseball
We have a yard that we do use. Soccer balls are really not that expensive when that is all you need for 5 kids. The baby is at competitive nursing class at this time. It is lovely to be in my kingdom under a tree, holding a baby and watching your very own soccer start running around a ball. It is priceless.
5. Foreign languages and Latin( the ingredient that according to some you need to become genius)
We attend a Ukrainian byzantine church on Sundays and every now and then Latin Rite Mass.   So my kids are getting free language lessons and religion all at once for the price of one trip to Church on Sunday!!
6. Dancing and running
Well, really that one is an easy one. And we do it right in our Ball room( kitchen). It is grand and jolly old fun!!! I have seen my kids running in fear for their life. After all the old " Tease you sibling and run" tournaments was invented by large families.
7. Classical thinking.
In our house we have some rules and one of them does not allow tatelinng.   So my kids have to spend a lot of time thinking and delving in the Old school of tought and ancient philosophers to go around this one. For excample:
Maria comes and says: " Mom, our bones are not rubbery and bouncy, right?"
Mommy: " No, honey, they are not!!"
Maria: " well, then Thomas willnot bounce up if he jumps down from the silo as he is planning on doing?"
Mommy: No words. i am doing competitive nursing, while running and yodeling looking for Thomas. You see you can have it all and in your very own castle too!!
8. Music and voice lessons.
Lets begin with voice lessons. I believe with should start with the very beginning. Primitive music. It has 3 levels: 1. Ouch!! 2. Whine. 3. Cry. 4. Scream. If you have many little ones you know the stages by heart and your head and ears do suffer greatly. Offer it up!! In all seriousness, chanting the liturgy is hard and a very good way to practice your singing in front and amongst people. God bless, Father K!!
Music lessons. We do have a free piano we acquired from Craigslist. In very educational manner we found a piano book that is an amazing way to teach your kids how to play it. It is very easy on your budget as well.

At the end of the day we all gather together in our living room. We have all gone trough another day of schooling, living and playing right at the heart of our home!!   And the feeling is sweet. Being a part of a family, building life together as best friends and connecting to each other happens slowly and steady in days at home and with each other. Running to and fro and cutting the family a pieces for the sake of classes and progress is wrong in my kingdom. We all need to build our families first before we can build society. And as you grow and form bonds with your family you also learn how to serve your Church, your community and your country as a family. Remember that God is a Holy trinity , a family of love!!

I won!!!!

2011-05-10T19:21:00.000-04:00

I won!!! I am so happy, I have never won anything in my life!!!! It is also providential that in the last few day I have struggled with certain issue and 2 years ago while lying all tied up for a c-section it was to this blessed man that I prayed. And here again dealing with the same problem he finds me again with his words of wisdom and love. Thank you Ceci, for the giveaway!!

To cute to miss this...

2011-05-04T10:32:00.001-04:00

My friend who I admire for her talents and for her love for people and her faith is having another giveaway!!! I do want to say she is my daughter's godmother so hopefully some of her greatness will rub off on my baby!!! If you have not seen her handy work you must hurry over to her blog and enter for the great gift you will have the opportunity to win. Thank you for your generosity!!!

And the world watched....

2011-04-29T09:13:00.000-04:00

The world watched as they said their vows. And I think every woman and girl out there had a tear in their eyes. I also think that every real man had tears in their eyes as well. Watching a man loving his bride, reminding him of his love for his wife. And why not a man loves a woman and takes her for his wife to have and to hold, and as his vows said to honor her with his body. I never dreamed I was a princess or marrying a prince but I always dreamed of a man who will love me and protect me and lay his life for me. The love between a man and woman build one of the most holy things on this earth: marriage and family. I did say one because there is no way to separate these two. Love creates, grows and builds. In my mind every man is a prince as long as he has a godly character, faith to follow his God and obey His commandments, love to build up his wife and home and the strength too lay down his life for her. All this is beautiful and holy and makes marriage a piece of Heaven here on earth.

I do hope that as the world watched it touched men , women and girls deep in their hearts and turn their eyes to real beauty. I hope men would discover a desire to be all princes full of love and honor. Women, I hope that you renew your vision and see the beauty of modesty, gentleness and motherhood as it is part of becoming a true lady. Young girls, looking and searching for the prince that will carry them into the land of love and happiness, I hope you know that what makes him a prince is his character. I also want you to keep dreaming for him and prepare accordingly by keeping yourself pure and developing your talents that will help you be his future princess!!

This Advent I pray for HOPE!!!

2010-12-04T00:14:00.000-05:00

This Advent, as the previous ones is full of noise all around me. In this age of shamless tehnology we can not escape this dreadful guest. He has made himself part of our family and daily life. Every where around me there are news, tons of information and bad things happening all the time. I feel like I can't escape the news( which served in a televised fashion have robbed us from our peace and our capability to feel empathy) and it is not realistic to think I can do such thing. There is war, hunger, poverty and sickness and all this is not something new to this world. The new part is for one human being to be able to hear and see all this and continue to grow in his humanity and virtue. To be able to guard the joy and gratitude for life in the midst of dark and horrible pictures!!! So this Advent , I am going to meditate on Christ as Emmanuel. God with us!! I need this for the sake of gaining hope. I will not look at any news, tv and other such time killing devices and I will pray. I do not need the tv and news agency to know that there is hunger, that somwhere ther is a child crying in the night from fear. I do not need the internet to inform me about another terrorist attack, I knew that there are people who do not value life. I do not need fancy reporter to convince me that someone is hurt, alone and cold to bring tears to my eyes. The tears are there they are part of the journey to Christ and part of growing up in a messed up world. What I do need to know and see is Emmanuel!! I need Him as I need the daylight in the Winter. I seek Him to comfort me as I seek a blanket on a chili night. I call for Him as a child calls out to his mommy in the middle of the night. There is fear all around us these days and I need to find God here, around me so I can preserve the peace and love in my heart and my home. I need too look for Him even in the smallest acts or places, for they are the one that can turn a heart of ice and vice into a heart full of lght and virtue. In the pain and tears, the fears and the vanity of this world He is here. The world was full of all of these back on that silent night when Christ was born, but He chose to come right here in the mud with us!!! So Emmanuel is here with me amidst the pain, the fear and the prayers of all of His children, I just need to turn off the noise and pray. I will pray for Christ to make himself present to me and to gift me with his presence of peace, joy and love. And I will pray that people will be able to be comfoted by Him as well. I will pray for the poor to feel His love by trying to feed one person or donating to a food pantry. By being fed they will feel Emmanuel is truly with them. I will pray for the lonely by writting a letter or calling a friend who I know needs someone to talk to. This Advent I will seek and I will pray that I feel Emmanuel!!!

"Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope.…
It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."
(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Seek That Which Is Above,1986)

Advent traditions and Saint Lucy's day crowns!!!

2010-12-03T23:13:00.000-05:00

Just love...

2010-11-11T15:08:00.000-05:00

ATC Saints swap!!!

2010-10-16T09:56:00.000-04:00

If you missed the Mary cards swap here is your chance to be a part of All Saints card swap!!!

We love you, Little Flower!!!

2010-09-29T16:23:00.000-04:00

Here they are!!! Shower of roses from Heaven!!!

Library kind of day!!!

2010-09-28T10:20:00.000-04:00

Add caption

My kids celebrating Bilbo Baggins Birthday!!!

2010-09-22T11:40:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Bilbo Baggins!!!

2010-09-22T11:39:00.000-04:00

The greatest adventure,

Is what lies ahead,

Today and tomorrow,

Are yet to be said,

The chances the changes,

Are all yours to make,

The mold of your life,

Is in your hands to break,

The greatest adventure,

Is there if your bold,

Let go of the mood,

That life makes you old,

To measure the meaning,

Can make you delay,

You've got to stop thinking,

And wasting the day,

The man whos a dreamer,

And never takes leave,

Dreams of a world that is just make beleive,

Will never know passion,

Will never know pain,

One who sits by the window,

Will one day see rain

They love children

2010-08-24T23:34:00.002-04:00

We were visiting with a dear friend from Bethlehem last night. We talked about the rough life there and the beauty and the bounty of the land. We talked about the muslims growing and being the main force there now. I asked Yusef one question: "Why do Muslims keep on having babies and Christians don't?" He answered in a quiet voice: "Because they (Muslims) love children!!" What a pity, I thought that we as people of life and light with the promise of great joy and life eternal, that we choose anything but babies. Today I was reading a book (Animal Lover's book by E. Blyton's) to my son and in it the shepherd describes the gypsy man to the kids with this words: "He loves children, same as all gypsies do.." I grew up living and playing with gypsies and that is a true statement. I always wondered at their love for life and from that their love for children. Always full houses with babies, toddlers and tons of aunts and uncles. What a shame that we are not what we ought to be, people in love with life and babies. I see Catholics buying into the wealth gospel of the day and that is scary. I can not stand to think how some people teach NFP as their Catholic contraception lifestyle. I know that the Church never meant it as a rule but as an exception to be used with GRAVE reasons. A second honeymoon, a new carpet addition, or because we are done having kids is not one of them. Such talks and teachings have made us a laughing stock to the world and we are not helping people to look seriously at the Church. There are many Catholic parishes, groups and etc. who preach pro-life yet when a mother welcomes each one soul as God see fit to send them they become crytical: "Does she not know about NFP? This is too much?" I had a friend who bore such criticism with great stamina. I just could not believe that the words that put her down came from the mouths of practicing Catholics. What a pity and what a shame!!! People should be able to look at us, our lives, our community as a whole and say: "They love children!!" People who love life will naturally love children. They bring life, laughter and joy, innocence and simple faith, not only that they themselves are life. I keep thinking of my friend's tears and of Yusef's quiet answer which he repeated many times: "They love children!!!"

Charles Carroll his faith and The Declaration of Independence

2010-07-02T15:52:00.002-04:00

"Charles Carroll is regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a delegate from Maryland.
Charles Carroll was the last signer of the Declaration of Independence to die. This last survivor of one of his nation's foundational moment died on 14 November 1832. This was 56 years after the events of 1776.

Charles Carroll was a Catholic.

He was identified as a Catholic by the U.S. Catholic Historical Society. (Source: Ian Dorion, "Table of the Religious Affiliations of American Founders", 1997).

From: B. J. Lossing, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, George F. Cooledge & Brother: New York (1848) [reprinted in Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, WallBuilder Press: Aledo, Texas (1995)], pages 159-160:

Charles Carroll was descended from Irish ancestry. His grandfather, Daniel Carroll, was a native of Littemourna, in Ireland, and was a clerk in the office of Lord Powis, in the reign of James the Second. Under the patronage of Lord Baltimore, the principal proprietor of Maryland, Mr. Carroll emigrated to that Colony toward the close of the seventeenth century, and became the possessor of a large plantation. His son Charles, the father of [Declaration of Independence signer Charles Carroll], was born in 1702, and lived to the age of eighty years, when he died and left his large estate to his eldest child, Charles, who was then twenty-five years old.
Charles Carroll, the Revolutionary patriot, was born on the twentieth of September, 1737. When he was only eight years of age, his father, who was a Roman Catholic, took him to France, and entered him as a student int he Jesuit College at St. Omer's. There he remained six years, and then went to another Jesuit seminary of learning, at Rheims. After remaining there one year, he entered the College of Louis le Grand, whence he graduated at the age of seventeen years, and then commenced the study of law at Bourges...

The question arises, Why did Mr. Carroll append to his signature the place of his residence, "Carrollton"? [He signed his name on the Declaration of Independence: "Charles Carroll of Carrollton".] It is said that when he wrote his name, a delegate near him suggested, that as he had a cousin of the name of Charles Carroll, in Maryland, the latter might be taken for him, and he (the signer) escape attainder, or any other punishment that might fall upon the heads of the patriots. Mr. arroll immediately seized the pen, and wrote "of Carrollton" at the end of his name, exclaiming "They cannot mistake me now!"

From: Robert G. Ferris (editor), Signers of the Declaration: Historic Places Commemorating the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, published by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service: Washington
, D.C. (revised edition 1975), page 43-45:
As one of the wealthiest men in America, Charles Carroll III of Carrollton risked his fortune as well as his life when he joined the Revolutionaries. Possessing one of the msot cultivated minds of any of the signers, he achieved remarkable success as planter, businessman, and politician. He was the only Roman Catholic signer, the last to surivive, and the longest lived.
Of Irish descent, Carroll was born in 1737 at his father's townhouse, Carroll Mansion of Annapolis. Jesuits educated him until he reached about 11 years of age. He then voyaged to Europe and studied the liberal arts and civil law at various schools and universities in Paris, elsewhere in France, and in London.

Carroll sailed home in 1765 at the age of 28, and built a home at Carrollton Manor, a 10,000-acre estate in Frederick County newly deeded to him by his father. At that time, he added "Carrollton" to his name to distinguish himself from relatives of the same name...

In 1773 Carroll became a champion of the patriots through his newspaper attacks on the Proprietary Governor. The latter was opposing reforms in officers' fees and stipends for Anglican clergy that the lower house of the legislature had proposed... In the years 1774-76 he supported nonimportation measures, attended the first Maryland Revolutionary convention, and the council of safety. In 1776 he and his cousin John, a priest--chosen because of their religion and knowledge of French--traveled to Canada with Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Chase ona congressionally appointed committee that sought but failed to obtain a union of Canada with the colonies...

In his final years, revered by the Nation as the last surviving signer of the Declaration, Carroll spent most of his time at Doughoregan Manor. But he passed the winters in the home of his youngest daughter and her husband in Baltimore. There, in 1832, he died at the age of 95. His body was interred in the family chapel at Doughoregan Manor. "

You can find this here

Vase of Saints

2010-06-25T09:05:00.007-04:00

I made these with the saints that are dear to our family. When each saint's feast day comes we can pull the icon out and display it in a little vase by itself with a candle. During the year we can look at our vase of saints and remind ourselves that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!!!

Corpus Christi is lifegiving love!!!

2010-06-04T13:21:00.007-04:00

Corpus Christi!!! I love this feast day. The body of Christ, how beautiful how strong and how comforting. The body that Mary wrapped in cloth and held tight to her brest was the body God sent for us. Sweet Mary, carried it in her womb and then watch it be beaten and sacrifieced and she did it for God who loves us. How powerful it is to think that Christ's body was scorged for my sins out of his love for us!!! Love is lifegiving, so God in his mercy allowed us to partake of this lifegiving source even after He was gone. What joy has all this brought to us...the joy of Heaven and life eternal!!! So all these words: body, pain, sacrifice, love and life aren't they just what describe us moms. Just like our Lord we lay down our bodies out of love so we can grow life. The sacrifice, our fears, pains, c-sections, brings out life and the promise of eternal bliss. I love how in this time of darkness, when moms are choosing to let someone to butcher their babies bodies there are women, like Mary who choose to give life. They choose to love the baby, to snuggle those chubby fingers in the warmth of their embrace insted to have them torn apart. There is life and light in Christ's body and there is love..lifegiving love!!!

Mellow Monday

2010-03-08T10:20:00.000-05:00

Not this Lent...

2010-02-17T12:56:00.005-05:00

Dear Lord,
It is Lent. The cold weather outside does not help my attitude very much either. I have always disliked Lent, feared the suffering that it comes with this walk to Golgotha. Not this year. I am taking Lent with its gloominess, long wait and thorns. I prayed and I asked for strength, wisdom, protection, and safety. Yet I feared to embrace the Cross. Not now, I am gathering my skirts, my weary bones, frightened heart and I am coming, my Lord!! I will walk the way praying for your mercy on me and for your protection and I will stay close. I realize that your hands are heavy carrying the cross and I can not rest in them as I used to be but still I can touch them and know that they are there. I will walk in fear yet in full faith that your love and healing presence WILL heal me and create a new resurrected me at the end. I will shed tears of pain and grief yet I will be there to look for your eyes full of the pain of the whole world. But in them I will see a piece of my pain that you are also carring. Soaked in my tears and fears Lord, I will in faith look for the JOY that I know you will bring to me at the end of this long walk. So this Lent, I in faith choose to take on my sins and fear and crucify them on the cross with my beloved Savior where they should be. And I know that on Easter they will be transformed in beautiful Lillies: a gift from my Lord for me. I will do that because I realize that I can not abandon Jesus during Lent I need to be there like Mary to embrace Him all beaten, in pain, and covered in blood...yet beautiful.

Eyes of wonder

2009-12-15T00:18:00.004-05:00

I decided this year thet I will enjoy and savor every moment of this Winter. Actually I looked at this time of the year through the eyes of wonder and joy, a.k.a. Melissa. And I was brought down to my knees. What wonder it is to see the change of colors outside my windows while I snuggle a baby. The joy of smelling the crisp fresh air on my way home from the store while looking at the light inside my house and few little faces pressed against the cold window. Bringing more light inside while the dark outside seems engulfing. My days are sliping away with the marks on my calendar and yet the spirit of wonder is stamped on them these days.

* I hold a little boy's hand while we read a favorite book and I wonder at the mercy of God...

* I snuggle with laughing boys under our tent made with favorite blankets and I wonder at the joy of God...

* I find myself looking at a little girl happily fixing her first dinner for us and I wonder at the faithfulness of God...

* I rock sweet baby to sleep while listening to quiet music and I wonder what a gift life is....

I am thankful to God who, through my friend's eyes, showed me the wonder of it all. I am thankful for Mary's choice to birth the Wonder of us all!!!

Lanterns for Saint Martin!!!

2009-11-10T17:10:00.002-05:00

The kids ae loving their new night lights!!!

Christmas Love...

2009-11-05T11:13:00.002-05:00

Diana Harrison Biorkman has a 5 year old son Noah. Noah is at the end of a 2 1/2 year fight with Neuroblastoma cancer. They are celebrating Christmas next weekend. Noah loves receiving Christmas cards. Please take a minute to make this a very Merry Christmas for this brave young man. Thank You. The address is: Noah Biorkman 1141 Fountain View Circle South Lyon, MI 48178

Deeep in Scripture!!!

2009-11-05T11:11:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading Bible proofs for Catholic Truths and it was amazing discovery. I was taken down to the very base and roots of our Catholic faith. It was awsome to look into the Bible and discover solid proofs on all of my believes. The book is a great reference tool that can be used with great ease. We live in days when our faith is challenged from every site and many catholics find themself lost in their desire to show the truth behind the Church's teachings. Well this book is a great gift and relief to us. I think it will make a great Christmas gift.
This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths.

Catholic kids pen pal !!!

2009-09-10T12:17:00.005-04:00

My daughter is in the stage of loving to writte and recieve letters. A great lady had an idea of pen pal program for her Orthodox community. I was wondering would anybody love the idea. I think it will be great to get to know each other and I would love to see my kids develpoing friendships with other Catholic kids. It will be something to make the fall and winter month more fun. Please if you are interested email me back.

What I need from all of you who signed up (or wish to sign up) is:

1. Your child's name and their patron or favorite saint
2. Birthdate (be sure to include the year)
3. Interests or hobbies (be specific)
4. Your email address or a way to contact you
5. Address
6. Parish Name

Please get this information to me by September 30. I'm planning to partner them up and e-mail you their partners on September 7(Our Lady of the rosary)!

Please spread the word to help this program grow! I'm hoping to keep this an ongoing project where kids can sign up at any time! It is for boys and girls ages 3 and up. Thanks everyone for your help!

Happy Birthday, Maria Bambina!!!

2009-09-08T11:11:00.001-04:00

"Hail Maria Bambina"

a poem in honor of the Child Mary

Hail Maria Bambina, The Father’s precious little one,

God’s heavenly grace beams from your face as the moon reflects the sun,

Angels ‘round your cradle sing lullabies while you sleep,

Help me to call Him “Abba,” His commandments to keep.

Hail Maria Bambina, The Holy Spirit’s humble bride,

Your “fiat,” one day to give the Angel kneeling at your side,

As I along the path of life, like a lost sheep roam,

Place your tiny hand in mine and gently lead me home.

Hail Maria Bambina, the Virgin Mother of the Son,

Now in your cradle softly sleeping, Your earthly life begun,

One day faithfully beneath His cross to stand in sorrow deep,

Help me to embrace my cross and to my station keep.

O Most Holy Triune God, I love to ponder thee,

As I sing to Baby Mary, your blessed little one,

At once Your daughter, most pure spouse

And Mother of Your Son.

Words by Frederick Speckels

Holy Simplicity

2009-09-01T15:06:00.005-04:00

I am once again writting a review of another great book. Holy Simplicity has been a great spiritual reading for me. I have picked up and put down that book many times. I will read just a sentence and I will have to put the book down and really meditate and pray about what I have read. The book itself is not big at all yet it took me the longest to review. Simplicity is the new found mantra in our society. Books of all kinds are flooding the bookstores telling us how to simplify our lives, closets and homes. Yet, they do not seem to achieve their goal, because nothing can become pure and simple unless man's soul is simplifed. Holy Simplicity deals with human's desires and yearning for simple relationship with the Creator of all. It is a gem for people who need their dose of spiritual reading. I think the book is the right cure for all societies but escpecially out American society. Holy Simplicity is simply superb!!!!

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Holy Simplicity.

Look at this, Sandra!!!

2009-08-31T21:08:00.008-04:00

This is our attempt at States scrapbooking. We had the L is for lone star book and we have dear friends from that great state. So we had fun learning and crafting about Texas!!!!

Blessed contentment:)

2009-08-19T21:12:00.001-04:00

Want some cool children's books?

2009-08-14T02:04:00.002-04:00

Hi everybody! I am just starting out as a consultant for Usborne Books, a children's book publisher. They have tons of great books, with a great variety of titles. Please help me out and visit my website at:

http://www.myubam.com/D3610

You can check out the selections of books, and if anybody buys anything then I get credit for it. (We're still learning how the program works, but it's a kind of commision or incentive thing.) You will learn more on the website.

Thanks for looking!

I want to...(Repost)

2009-08-13T23:28:00.013-04:00

I want to write about little toes and big bumblebees. Trying to capture the color blue of the flowers I see. Chubby baby whose eyes capture life in its owe and the time which flies so fast is my foe. I want to tell you of my noisy house but instead I bought a mouse (ok, it is a Guinea pig but who cares:). My life is full of tomato plants taller than my love and plenty of help from above. The cyber world is full of pictures of neatly decorated rooms while my kids have energy to fly on brooms. Moms are bubbling over with creative juices and I am about to burn my fuses. Clean spaces, lovely places I would like to see some messy faces. You see, a young mother's life is not filled with immaculate places but it is marked by heavenly traces. So here today I don't have for you pictures of neat shelves, I do not have helpful elves (known as older kids in my circles) but what I do have is a piece of ourselves!!!

Got Crafts?

2009-08-02T17:52:00.006-04:00

This is my first craft book that I am reviewing. I keep trying to figure out how to describe Ann Ball's book. She has a great talent of creating simple crafts that present deep faith. Her love for her faith is present in every little craft. The book Crafty Catholic Kids is full of great crafts for your home and classroom. Going through the book I was reminded of the beauty and greatness of our Catholic faith. It is a feast to our senses and the author knew that. In a very real sense little kids through her great crafts create and discover their Catholic heritage. I could keep on describing the greatness of this book but my craft store will be closing soon and I need to run; I need few things for my crafty Catholic kids!!!

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Crafty Catholic Kids.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-22T22:14:00.003-04:00

Summer with Saints

2009-07-22T11:15:00.008-04:00

We had fun again with the Saints. This time was Maria Goretti's company that we enjoyed. I made the cake hoping that the flowers will look like lilies or atleast resemble flowers!!! The kids took home the round circles that you see in the pictures. They are actually magnets we made. Looking forward to Knights of Saint Michael this Friday. Now i just need to find ideas for Saint Cristopher crafts. If you have any please feel free to email me!!!

It is all grace...

2009-07-09T10:12:00.011-04:00

We live in a society where families have lost touch with one another. Women in the past could rely on the help of mothers, grandmothers and aunts. They had living encyclopedias right there beside them, so common sense and wisdom in the art of being a wife and a mother was a touch away. Not so in our days. Doctors and millions of other professionals with fancy titles have taken away the privilege to be a woman. They all seem to know more about homemaking, childrearing, and marital realtions even though most of them have no experience or many of those who do have big failures. In this chaotic time when women wonder where their common sense has gone there is hope. Graced and Gifted - Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart by Kimberly Hahn is a breeze of fresh air. The book is written in a way that will touch every woman's heart. Reading it makes you feel like you are in a room with your own mother. The advice and wisdom given by the author is warm and understandable. The lost common sense of being a wife and a homemaker is restored to its own glory and authentic simplicity. The author helps us understand that we are graced with our vocation as homemakers, and that changes all does it not? When you see your duties as a vocation it is a grace given by God. Amongst chapter titles like "She Works With Willing Hands", "She Brings Her Food From Afar", "She Rises While It Is Still Night", and "She Provides Tasks For Her Maidens", you will find not only wisdom but a gentle encouragement to be the best you can be in your vocation as a wife and a mother. I believe that this is truly a great title to have on your bookshelf for your own enjoyment and a great hairloom to pass to a daughter, granddaughter or to some other special woman in your life.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Graced and Gifted - Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart.

Five Minutes with the Child Jesus

2009-07-01T22:32:00.005-04:00

I was given the great privilege to review some great Catholic books. My first choice was a book called Five minutes with the Child Jesus by Alvaro Correa, LC. When I first started this book I wondered where it would take me; pretty soon I was taken in a cozy adventure with the Child Jesus and His little friend. It was a gentle ride through the pages, learning and pondering life with Jesus and for Jesus. If you have ever read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery you will appreciate the gentle way the story unfolds and you will realize that it is a masterpiece that will touch child and adult alike. I also think that this book is a great mini-retreat for kids and will inspire a great Eucharistic devotion. So my fellow friends, consider it in your wishlist!!!

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Five Minutes with the Child Jesus.

Knights of Saint Michael, yey!!!

2009-06-23T23:17:00.012-04:00

We had our 1st Knights of St. Michael's Boys Club last friday(sorry, for the late post). we had six wonderful little knights!!! The boys loved it and had a great time, so did I. Thank you Cecilia, for letting us use your wonderful house!!!
P.S
I used Cecilia's photos because my camera broke!!!

Five months old...

2009-06-16T09:40:00.003-04:00

Thank you Saint Therese and Saint Ann!!!

Saints and Crafts....

2009-06-16T09:36:00.005-04:00

The Blessing of litlle brothers...

2009-05-16T23:42:00.007-04:00

More about Mary..

2009-05-16T23:19:00.002-04:00

This icon hangs over my closet in my room. When you lay down in my bed it hangs right across you and my little one loves it. He loves looking at it and he will say "Mary and Jesus" so precious...The icon also comes down to be snuggled and talked to and very much to be kissed!!!

There is something about Mary...

2009-05-11T22:58:00.002-04:00

The story of this Icon is one of the most unusual and involved stories of the many Marian shrines and miraculous images throughout the world. The painting originally came from the island of Crete where it had been venerated for a number of years. The earliest written account is from an old document-plaque written in Latin and Italian which was placed before the Icon in the church of St. Matthew where it was first venerated in Rome in March of 1499.

Some two years before that a merchant in Crete, who was returning to Rome took the picture just before sailing and hid it among his belongings. Some think he might have taken it to save it from possible profanation or destruction from marauding Turks, but the document says that he simply stole it. While at sea, a life-threatening storm arose and everyone on board thought their end was near. The sailors, not knowing of the presence of the concealed icon on board, prayed loudly to Our Lady for help. Against all odds, the vessel safely reached Italy. It would appear, as subsequent events will show, that Our Lady definitely wanted this picture to be venerated in Rome.

Soon after he arrived in Rome, the Cretan merchant fell ill. As his condition steadily worsened, he sent for his best friend, another merchant, and told him about the picture. His dying wish was to have the picture enshrined and properly reverenced in a church. When he died, the second merchant told his wife about the icon that had been confided to him. But the wife, after seeing the beautiful icon, was unwilling to part with it and hung it in her home. Our Lady admonished the merchant in a dream that the picture belonged to a church. When he related this to his wife, she became angry and said: “You should not be so superstitious as to believe in a some dream or imaginary vision! After all, I am a good Christian and many Christians have pictures of Our Lady in their homes. It does not have to be in a Church!”

Our Lady appeared again to the man and said that he would be punished for not carrying out her wishes. Soon thereafter he sickened and died. Our Lady then appeared to the merchant’s daughter asking that the icon be exposed for popular veneration in a church. She told the girl: “Tell your mother and your grandfather that St. Mary of Perpetual Help wants this.” The mother, now quite frightened, confided the story to her neighbor who scoffed at the whole account. She offered to take the icon for a while, but she too became deathly ill.

She needed nothing more to accede to the Madonna’s wishes, and promised to see them fulfilled. Thereupon she was restored to health. Our Lady of Perpetual Help was still not finished. She appeared again to the small daughter indicating the exact location where she wanted the image venerated—midway between the basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. The church which then stood halfway between these basilicas was St. Matthew’s. The wife of the merchant went at once to the Augustinian friars who served that church and told her story. The friars came to see the picture and were so impressed with its beauty that they made plans at once for a solemn transferal to and exposition in their church. And so it happened on March 27, 1499. St. Matthew’s soon became a popular pilgrimage place in Rome and the icon was venerated there for three hundred years.

In 1798, French troops occupied Rome. General Massena, the governor, decided that Rome had too many churches. Undoubtedly, he had his eyes on the valuable property which they occupied. He ordered thirty churches to be closed and destroyed. St. Matthew’s among them. For sixty-eight years nothing more was heard of St. Mary of Perpetual Help. People who did give it a passing thought presumed it had been destroyed along with St. Matthew’s church. The series of events that resulted in the restoration of the icon to public veneration is so completely beyond chance that it had to be Our Lady who wrote the scenario making it happen.

When the Augustinian Fathers were ordered to leave St. Matthew’s church they moved to a nearby church, St. Eusebius, taking the sacred painting of Our Lady with them. Several years later they relocated again to the church of Santa Maria Posterula. Here the icon was eventually moved and placed over a side altar in a small oratory because the main altar already enshrined a Madonna called Our Lady of Grace.

During the pontificate of Pope Pius IX, the Redemptorists were invited to set up a mother house in Rome. They chose a vacant lot on the Via Merulana, without realizing that it once had been the site of St. Matthew’s church and the shrine of the famous icon. They built next to their general headquarters the small church of St. Alphonsus. One day at recreation, one of the fathers mentioned that he had read an account on old shrines of Our Lady in Rome and recounted how the icon of Perpetual Help had been enshrined in St. Matthew’s church that stood close to the place now occupied by St. Alphonsus’ church.

One of the Redemptorists present was a young priest, Michael Marchi, who became visibly excited. When the older priest stated that the Perpetual Help picture had been lost, Father Marchi burst in, “But it is not lost! It is enshrined in the little oratory of Our Lady in Posterula. When I was a boy, I often served Mass there and one of the old brothers, named Augustine Orsetti, often pointed to the picture and used to say to me, ‘Don’t ever forget it, Michael. This picture is the one that hung for three hundred years in St. Matthew’s church. Many, many miracles were worked for the crowds of people that always came to pray before it!’ So,” continued Father Marchi, “I feel sure that this is the very same picture!”

The fact that the original icon was not lost and that St. Alphonsus church was midway between St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran must have caused bedlam at that community recreation as the Redemptorists put the pieces of the mystery together. Their own church of St. Alphonsus occupied the very ground on which the old St. Matthew’s Church was located, and now the lost sacred icon had been found. They came to the conclusion that even as Our Lady had chosen this location for the Perpetual Help image to be enshrined many years before, the Blessed Mother must have been instrumental in setting the stage for the icon to be returned to its original site.

The Father General of the Redemptorists, Most Rev. Nicholas Mauron, decided to bring the whole matter to the attention of Pope Pius IX. The Pope listened attentively and felt sure it was God’s will that the icon should be gain exposed to public veneration and the logical site was their church of St. Alphonsus, standing as it did between the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. The Holy Father at once took a piece of paper and wrote a short memorandum ordering the Augustinian Fathers of St. Mary in Posterula to surrender the picture to the Redemptorists, on condition that the Redemptorists supply the Augustinians with another picture of Our Lady or a good copy of the icon of Perpetual Help.

The Icon meant much to the Augustinians, but when the two Redemptorists came armed with the Pope’s signed memorandum, what could they do but obey? On January 19, 1866, Fathers Marchi and Bresciani brought the miraculous picture to St. Alphonsus’ church. Preparations were now made to inaugurate the new public reign of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. On April 26th, a great procession was staged in which the picture was carried throughout the Esquiline region of Rome. Upon returning to the church, the picture was enthroned over the high altar, in a resplendent shrine-niche especially constructed for it.

All along the route of the procession the people of Rome decorated their houses with bunting and flowers. Clergy and religious were proud to march in the procession. Our Lady, as is to be expected, showed her pleasure at this outpouring of her children’s love in several authenticated miracles. The procession passed a house where a little boy of four lay dying. He had been given up as a hopeless case by the doctors. Hearing the singing, the child’s grieving mother snatched him in her arms and hastened to the open window. Looking out at Our Lady’s picture passing by she called out: “Dear blessed Mother, either cure my boy or take him to paradise!”

Our Lady chose the first, and the boy was cured at once. The next day he toddled along with his mother to St. Alphonsus’ church and stood before the picture. He waved his little hands to the Madonna and cried “Grazie, grazie” and threw her some kisses in the loving Italian style. As the procession was passing another house, another mother called upon Our Lady of Perpetual Help to aid her eight-year-old daughter who was completely paralyzed. At once the girl regained partial use of her limbs and was able to move about a bit. The next day the mother brought the child to St. Alphonsus’ church to thank Our Lady and ask if she would not complete the cure. At once the child was restored to full health and vigor.

As to be expected, the report of those marvelous healings spread rapidly throughout the city and people came by the hundreds to visit the shrine. Soon the whole area around the altar was filled with abandoned crutches and canes and several whole glass-covered cabinets were filled with gold and silver thanksgiving offerings in the shapes of miniature hearts, arms, legs and other votive offerings. Scarcely two weeks after the solemn exposition of the picture, Pope Pius IX himself came to visit the shrine. He stood quietly before it for a long time and then exclaimed: “How beautiful she is!” He was given and had enshrined a copy of the original in his own private chapel and was often seen kneeling before it in fervent prayer. Later one, when the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was formed, he blessed the project and insisted that his name head the list of the worldwide membership.

Pope Leo XIII, the next pontiff, had a copy of the picture on his desk so that he might see it constantly during his working day. St. Pius X sent a copy of the icon to the Empress of Ethiopia and granted an indulgence of 100 days to anyone who repeated the phrase: “Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.” Pope Benedict XV had the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help placed immediately over his chair of state in the throne room. Here it could be seen by all just over his head, as if to say: “Here is your true Queen!” Many famous cardinals (Like Mercier of Belgium) and bishops (like von Keppler of Germany) declared the Mother of Perpetual Help their own special patroness. Rapidly the Madonna became known outside of Rome. Pope Pius IX told the Redemptorists, in speaking to them of the treasure he had committed to their care: “Make her known!” It seems as though they hardly needed the exhortation. In the United States, they built the first Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in the Roxbury section of Boston, and it was eventually raised to the honor of a “Papal Basilica” by Pope Pius XII.

Of all of the sacred images and shrines of Our Lady related to this book, one can say without exaggeration that through the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help she was indeed established her domain throughout the whole world.

This chapter is adapted and edited by the editor from two sources: Fr. Barry Bossa’s manuscript “Mother of Perpetual Help, Rome’ and the booklet by Most rev. Clement Englert, C.Ss.R. “The Holy Icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help.”

SYMBOLISM OF THE ICON OF PERPETUAL HELP

Just as Eastern art had a great influence in the West, so the Western influence was felt in the East, especially in the 12th and 13th centuries. Art is ever influenced by popular piety, and at that time there was great emphasis placed on the human nature of Jesus. Devotion to Our Lord’s passion and to Our Lady’s dolors occupied people’s devotions to Christ and His Holy Mother. Two strong influences in this direction were the great saints of that time, St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Francis of Assisi.

This emphasis was felt largely in the East through the Franciscan friars evangelizing in the eastern Mediterranean. One artistic manifestation of it was the emergence of the class of icons called Cardiotissa, from the Greek word kardia, meaning heart. Cardiotissa means “having a heart” or showing sympathy and mercy and compassion. In them the face of Our Lady appears full of sorrow, yet supremely dignified in her contemplation of the sufferings of her Son. His passion is represented by angels holding instruments of His passion, most often the cross, the lance, the sponge, and the nails. Icons of this type in Russia were called Strastnaya (from the verb to suffer).

The Our Mother of Perpetual Help icon is of this type. The angels holding the instruments of the Passion have their hands covered with a protecting veil as a sign of reverence in handling sacred objects. In some Eastern rites, for example the Armenian, the deacon has his hand covered with a silken veil when he carries the gospel book. And in the Roman Rite, the priest covers his hands with the humeral veil when blessing the people at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Child Jesus is shown with an adult face and a high brow, indicating His divine Mind of infinite intelligence. As God, He knew that the angelic apparition was prophetic of His future passion. Yet in His human nature as a small child, He is frightened and runs to His Mother for protection. Our Lady hastily picks Him up and clasps Him to her bosom. This action is indicated by the fact that the Lord’s right foot is nervously curled about the left ankle and in such haste that His right sandal has become loosened and hangs by a single strap. Further action is indicated by the way the Child Jesus clasps His Mother’s right hand with both of His, holding tightly to Our Lady’s thumb.

Our Lady is clothed in a dress of dark red which was long reserved in the Byzantine world for the Empress alone, indicating the Queenship of Mary. We know that reddish purple was considered the noblest color in the ancient world. Recall that Our Lord said “Those who are clothed in purple and fine linen are in the houses of kings.”

Some commentators on color claim that bluish purple became the color of penance in the Western Church (during Lent and Advent) because purple is a combination of blue and red. The blue reminds us of heaven, to which we wish to arrive by our penance, and the red recalls martyrdom, because all penance requires a dying to oneself, especially mortifying inordinate desire for food and pleasure. The archangels Gabriel and Michael were tunics of purple since they carry the instruments of the passion and death of Christ. IN the usual Byzantine style, the figures of the icon are identified with abbreviations of their names. In this icon Mary is designated by her chief title to glory: Mother of God.

Thus the picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help is a traditional Byzantine icon of Our Lady, but modified by the medieval softening of features in Cardiotissa style, touching the emotion and showing an action story proper to this art form. Our Lady’s face is of unspeakable majesty and calm and yet her large eyes, partly closed, express ineffable sorrow and sympathy. Our Lady is not looking at Jesus, but rather to us, her adopted children, as if to express compassion for us in our fears and sorrows.

Story taken from here.

Mother...

2009-05-11T00:29:00.001-04:00

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

It has been raining for a week...

2009-05-08T15:14:00.000-04:00

Time with Mary...

2009-05-06T09:05:00.000-04:00

May Feelings II

2009-05-03T22:38:00.001-04:00

Just sweet...

2009-05-02T23:22:00.004-04:00

My friend just started this new blessed website, she makes the cutest and most adorable hair bows and 10% of the profit goes to pro-life causes!!! Wow, may the Lord bless her endeavor and her family. They are wonderful, good people and love the Church with all their heart (I love them and I am so lucky they are my sweet baby's Godparents!!!)

It is all Blue...

2009-05-01T23:04:00.005-04:00

Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
The original Latin words and music are attributed to Hermannus Contractus in the 11th century.

Hail! holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!
Hail! Mother of Mercy and of love, O Maria!
(Chorus) Triumph, all ye cherubim, Sing with us, ye seraphim,
Heaven and earth resound the hymn:
Salve, salve, salve Regina!

Our life, our sweetness here below, O Maria!
Our hope in sorrow and in woe, O Maria!
(Chorus)

To thee we cry, poor sons of Eve, O Maria!
To thee we sigh, we mourn, we grieve, O Maria!
(Chorus)

This earth is but a vale of tears, O Maria!
A place of banishment, of fears, O Maria!
(Chorus)

Turn then, most gracious advocate, O Maria!
Toward us thine eyes compassionate, O Maria!
(Chorus)

When this our exile is complete, O Maria!
Show us thy, Son, Our Jesus sweet, O Maria!
(Chorus)

O clement, gracious, Mother sweet, O Maria!
O Virgin Mary, we entreat, O Maria!
(Chorus)

Angels, all your praises bring, Earth and heaven, with us sing,
All creation echoing:
Salve, salve, salve Regina!

It is Mary's Month

2009-04-30T23:38:00.003-04:00

Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue
Lovely Lady dressed in blue -------
Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
Tell me what to say!

Did you lift Him up, sometimes,
Gently on your knee?
Did you sing to Him the way
Mother does to me?

Did you hold His hand at night?
Did you ever try
Telling stories of the world?
O! And did He cry?

Do you really think He cares
If I tell Him things -------
Little things that happen? And
Do the Angels' wings

Make a noise? And can He hear
Me if I speak low?
Does He understand me now?
Tell me -------for you know.

Lovely Lady dressed in blue -------
Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
And you know the way

Mary Dixon Thayer who wrote more than one poem for Our Lady, is the author.
This prayer-poem was popularized in the 1950s by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Crazy Eights

2009-04-23T11:17:00.007-04:00

A dear friend tagged me for this crazy meme:)

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Life
2. Seeing my family and my country
3. Bedtime/snuggle time with the kids
4. My husband coming home from work:)
5. A nice cozy chat with a friend over cup of tea or coffee
6. A time when i can get to the bathroom without interruptions
7. Getting my veggie garden started
8. Celebrating many first things with my baby

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Survived;)
2. Nursed my baby
3. Put my sleepy boy to sleep all cozy snuggled together
3. Read some books to the kids
4. Prevented a bloodshed between the two older boys
5. Went for a ride in the country
6. Read St. Francis and the Wolf
7. Made Wolf paws cookies
8. Made a hedgehog

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Create more enegy out of nothing...
2. Be a better mom...
3. Loose my weight...
4. Move to Italy...
5. I can knit and sew...
6. I can play guitar...
7. I can change the World...
8. I can swim...

8 Shows I Watch

I do not watch TV...

8 Tags.(You are it!)

1. Sylvia at Adventures of an Orthodox Mom
2.Katherine at Evlogia
3. Jennifer at Wildflowers and Marbles
4. Melissa at Sunshine in the Soul
5. Ruth at Just Another Day in Paradise
6. Anna at Domestic Felicity
7. Emma at Charming the Birds from the Trees
8. Coffee Catholic at The Joyful Catholic Housewife

Hedgehogs

2009-04-23T00:59:00.006-04:00

.
"Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest." Beatrix Potter

Saint George Pray For Us!!

2009-04-22T23:47:00.007-04:00

My boys love Saint George, I mean what little boy doesn't? There are heroic deeds, swords, and conquering the dragon, wow it is amazing...Here are some of our plans for tomorrow. First we will listen to this great story, then we will stab the fierce dragon with our own swords.

Later for dinner we will try to make Taco Dip Dragon

... doesn't he look vicious:)?
I am leaving you with this prayer and may you enjoy your celebration!!!
Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, Saint George; favored by God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end. Amen!!

Spring!!!

2009-04-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

Saint Francis and Wolf paws

2009-04-22T22:17:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Jessica we had a good time reading the story and delicious time making the wolf paw cookies.

There was in Italy then a town called Gubbio, which was held hostage by a fierce Wolf. This Wolf was very large and very hungry. Not satisfied with rabbits and other wild game, it came into the town to devour the sheep and the dogs and even the people of the town. When folk would go out into the country roundabout there was every chance of meeting the Wolf of Gubbio and losing their life. Like most towns of those days, this one had a big wall all around it and the gates were shut tight at night.
People who had to go out always took weapons with them in case they met the Wolf. Even so, many were killed, as this criminal animal managed to escape every time.

Once St. Francis came that way on his travels through the country and lodged in Gubbio for a while. He was a monk and had no weapons at all; he was armed with nothing but his love for God, man and all creatures, and his faith in Jesus Christ. When St. Francis learned of the Wolf and the way it was terrorizing the town, he decided to cast out this demon. He told the people of his intention to walk right out of the gates toward the hills where the Wolf had his den, alone and unprotected. The townspeople raised a howl of protest. They warned of the fierce and savage nature of that animal, and tried to stop Francis, whom they now loved very dearly, from carrying out his plan.
But this was a fearless man, and a determined one, when he felt he knew what was right. Prevailing against their protests, he walked right into the hills, while people climbed to the top of the wall and stood on the roofs of houses. And what do you think they saw? Here came the Wolf, running and panting toward St. Francis, its jaws opened wide and sure of an easy meal. But Francis held out his arm, made the sign of the cross, and the Wolf closed its jaws, slowed to a trot, and came up to the saint's feet. Wonder of wonders! And more was to come.
"Brother Wolf," said St. Francis, "come here. I order you not to hurt me nor anyone." The Wolf lay down on the ground at his feet. "You have done great harm in this region, destroying God's creatures without any mercy, and even eating human beings, made in the image of God. I want to make peace, now, between you and these people of Gubbio who fear and hate you." The Wolf began to wag its tail in agreement and to flap its ears, as it lay peacefully at his feet. "They must forgive you for your crimes of all these years, and you must change your way of life and promise not to kill here anymore."
"This is what we will do:" St. Francis said, "We will make a pact between you and the people of the town. They will give you your food every day so long as you live. I know, Brother Wolf, that it was due to hunger and greed that you did all this mischief throughout these years. But now you will not have to be hungry any more. Never again will you hurt man or animal-- this must be your promise. Now how shall I know that you have agreed?"
Brother Wolf stood up and put his paw in the right hand of Francis and wagged his tail. By these tokens it was understood that he consented to the bargain. Then, like a lamb, he followed the saint into the town and began his new life. The people were astounded.
After some days St. Francis departed the town. The Wolf lived two years more, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it, and everyone in Gubbio felt bad when it finally died.

The Repentant Petal Plucker!!!

2009-04-17T15:58:00.010-04:00

These are the flowers I found on my table this morning. Lovely!!!

These are the flowers I saw this afternoon. As you can see one of them is missing its petals...so I went searching for the petal plucker!!!

This is a picture of the repentant petal plucker trying to fix his bad deeds with a glue...see the one petal sticking out?!!

Here is the note left on my computer by the repentant plucker... It is a note of apology. The petal plucker spelled everything right...At least I know that homeschooling is sinking in. Should I count this note as a spelling test?

Meet Peter Rabbit!!!

2009-04-16T00:39:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were--Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter...so goes the beloved story of one naughty bunny. This is a most loved and requested story in my family. We have couple books of Peter Rabbit and his adventure but there is a small size one that my kids loved the most. I think it is that i have read it to them since the first moment i held them in the hospital. It is a tradition when i first nurse the baby it is the first time outside the womb that they will hear the story. In my country when you start first grade you are given a bite of bread and honey to symbolize the sweetnes of learning and so i do the same with my wee ones. They are first suckle and taste of sweet nutricious milk comes with the taste of sweet words and stories whispered with love by me. It is such sweet time for me too, recovering and holding the precious gift on me, while she nurse i read and i take in the joy and the miracle of God's love for me ...to have gifted me with another purfect baby!!!

Hey, Melissa we did it!!!

2009-04-16T00:35:00.004-04:00

More pictures of the eggs coming later...

Dear papa, pray for us!!!

2009-04-02T12:31:00.001-04:00

Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.
Pope John Paul II

Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.
Pope John Paul II

Lent is cleansing time!!!

2009-04-01T15:15:00.001-04:00

Deliciously good books!!

2009-03-30T14:18:00.006-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

2009-03-16T23:30:00.002-04:00

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of demons,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Easter Saints Hunt!!!

2009-03-14T23:56:00.008-04:00

I have had several requests for these saints, including a set that I will be shipping to Australia this weekend! I want to give a brief description, in case any more of you would like a set.

The little saints are made of solid wood about 2 3/8 inches tall. They are painted with acrylic paint and coated with several layers of polyurethane to keep them nice and protected for a long time. I am asking $5 per saint, or $50 for a set of 12 (plus shipping). Any other quantities, we can discuss. I can do custom orders, so if you have any specific saints that you want, please let me know.

For the time being, just let me know by email at jdjackson17(at)hotmail(dot)com, or make a comment here on the blog. I already have a few orders, so I am not sure how many I can finish before Easter. But I will be happy to finish them as quickly as I can. Thanks to you all, and God Bless.

Dessi

Life with Baby...

2009-03-11T13:41:00.005-04:00

Life with a baby is like falling in love with life and each one of my kids and my husband all over again. Each day is full of the amazement of new first smiles, new first coos and sweet hiccups. Babies make you want to be a better person and teach you the joy of self-sacrifice: such deep lessons taught in such a gentle and delicious way!!!!

Easter cards for our precious baby!!!

Sister's love grows deeper and she learns what it feels like to be imortant in the life of a baby!!!

She brought me Spring!!!!

2009-03-11T13:09:00.005-04:00

Early this morning a friend dropped by with a most beautiful surprise: an adorable green vase full of snowdrops. I felt like i was in heaven...she brought me Spring in a vase (how did you know that green has been a favorite color of mine through this pregnancy and now?) Somebody in this vast country, actually thought of me...a FRIEND!!! I was worthy enough to have a friend who listens to my words and takes them to heart. Wow, in this desert of faceless people God had mercy on me and gave me a gem. Thank you, Melissa, for coming and bringing spring in my forgotten monastery life!!!

This picture looks like The Dark Night of The Soul kind of photography :)

"Faithful friends are beyond price: No amount can balance their worth."
- Bible ( Old Testament ) Sirach 6:15

Just pictures...

2009-03-05T11:28:00.006-05:00

Because i lost my favorite rosary!!

2009-02-27T14:40:00.001-05:00

THE TRIMMIN'S ON THE ROSARY by John O'Brien

Ah, the memories that find me now my hair is turning gray,
Drifting in like painted butterflies from paddocks far away;
Dripping dainty wings in fancy -and the pictures, fading fast,
Stand again in rose and purple in the album of the past.
There's the old slab dwelling dreaming by the wistful, watchful trees,
Where the coolabahs are listening to the stories of the breeze;
There's a homely welcome beaming from its big, bright friendly eyes,
With The Sugarloaf behind it blackened in against the skies;
There's the same dear happy circle round the boree's cheery blaze
With a little Irish mother telling tales of other days.
She had one sweet, holy custom which I never can forget,
And a gentle benediction crowns her memory for it yet;
I can see that little mother still and hear her as she pleads,
"Now it's getting on to bed-time; all you childer get your beads."
There were no steel-bound conventions in that old slab dwelling free;
Only this - each night she lined us up to say the Rosary;
E'en the stranger there, who stayed the night upon his journey, knew
He must join the little circle, ay, and take his decade too.
I believe she darkly plotted, when a sinner hove in sight
Who was known to say no prayer at all, to make him stay the night.
Then we'd softly gather round her, and we'd speak in accents low,
And pray like Sainted Dominic so many years ago;
And the little Irish mother's face was radiant, for she knew
That "where two or three are gathered" He is gathered with them too.
O'er the paters and the aves how her reverent head would bend!
How she'd kiss the cross devoutly when she counted to the end!
And the visitor would rise at once, and brush his knees - and then
He'd look very, very foolish as he took the boards again.
She had other prayers to keep him. They were long, long prayers in truth;
And we used to call them "Trimmin's" in my disrespectful youth.
She would pray for kith and kin, and all the friends she'd ever known,
Yes, and everyone of us could boast a "trimmin"' all his own.
She would pray for all our little needs, and every shade of care
That might darken o'er The Sugarloaf, she'd meet it with a prayer.
She would pray for this one's "sore complaint," or that one's "hurted hand,"
Or that someone else might make a deal and get "that bit of land";
Or that Dad might sell the cattle well, and seasons good might rule,
So that little John, the weakly one, might go away to school.
There were trimmin's, too, that came and went; but ne'er she closed without
Adding one for something special "none of you must speak about."
Gentle was that little mother, and her wit would sparkle free,
But she'd murder him who looked around while at the Rosary:
And if perchance you lost your beads, disaster waited you,
For the only one she'd pardon was "himself" - because she knew
He was hopeless, and 'twas sinful what excuses he'd invent,
So she let him have his fingers, and he cracked them as he went,
And, bedad, he wasn't certain if he'd counted five or ten,
Yet he'd face the crisis bravely, and would start around again;
But she tallied all the decades, and she'd block him on the spot,
With a "Glory, Daddah, Glory!" and he'd "Glory" like a shot.
She would portion out the decades to the company at large;
But when she reached the trimmin's she would put herself in charge;
And it oft was cause for wonder how she never once forgot,
But could keep them in their order till she went right through the lot.
For that little Irish mother's prayers embraced the country wide;
If a neighbour met with trouble, or was taken ill, or died,
We could count upon a trimmin' - till, in fact, it got that way
That the Rosary was but trimmin's to the trimmin's we would say.
Then "himself" would start keownrawning - for the public good, we thought -
"Sure you'll have us here till mornin'. Yerra, cut them trimmin's short!"
But she'd take him very gently, till he softened by degrees -
"Well, then, let us get it over. Come now, all hands to their knees."
So the little Irish mother kept her trimmin's to the last,
Every growing as the shadows o'er the old selection passed;
And she lit our drab existence with her simple faith and love,
And I know the angels lingered near to bear her prayers above,
For her children trod the path she trod, nor did they later spurn
To impress her wholesome maxims on their children in their turn.
Ay, and every "sore complaint" came right, and every "hurted hand";
And we made a deal from time to time, and got "that bit of land";
And Dad did sell the cattle well; and little John, her pride,
Was he who said the Mass in black the morning that she died;
So her gentle spirit triumphed - for 'twas this, without a doubt,
Was the very special trimmin' that she kept so dark about.

. . . . .

But the years have crowded past us, and the fledglings all have flown,
And the nest beneath The Sugarloaf no longer is their own;
For a hand has written "finis" and the book is closed for good -
Here's a stately red-tiled mansion where the old slab dwelling stood;
There the stranger has her "evenings," and the formal supper's spread,
But I wonder has she "trimmin's" now, or is the Rosary said?
Ah, those little Irish mothers passing from us one by one!
Who will write the noble story of the good that they have done?
All their children may be scattered, and their fortunes windwards hurled,
But the Trimmin's on the Rosary will bless them round the world
The word "keownrawning" means "grumbling".

A day too late...

2009-02-17T08:29:00.001-05:00

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing

2009-02-11T10:24:00.001-05:00

1 Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing,
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave María!

2 In heaven the blessed thy glory proclaim,
On earth we thy children invoke thy fair name.
Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave María!

3 Thy name is our power, thy virtues our light,
Thy love is our comfort, thy pleading our might.
Ave, Ave, Ave, María! Ave, Ave, María!

4 We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave María!

Welcome back

2009-02-03T22:30:00.003-05:00

A very dear friend to me is back from a trip. I am very glad she is back because without her i feel lost. She has been such an image of Christ to me that words can not do justice describing her. Thank you, my friend!!!

Snowdrops memories!!

2009-02-02T09:01:00.006-05:00

"In the early sixteenth century the monks at Melrose Abbey in Scotland, dedicated to Mary, believed that the snowdrop, which grew in the Mary garden there, bloomed on February 2 in memory of the Virgin Mary presenting her child Jesus to the temple ... The pure white flower became an emblem of Our Lady's purity." (Mary's Flowers

Snowdrops are my favorite flowers, they always make me think of my father. Every spring while i was in my country since i was little my dad will bring me a handfull of them. It was so very special and dear to me, it was his way of telling me he loves me and he knew i loved Spring. A handfull of these tiny pearls meant spring was near i could see it in their tiny petals and feel it in their spring green stems. Now i am far from home, a lot older and my daddy is not close to me he is an ocean apart, but i need him i need a big hug and a handfull of snowdrops to tell me that Spring is near. I feel like Winter will never end, with my baby coming early, now we all have cold including my preciuos wee one and dad is not here and i do not know where on earth can i find fresh snowdrops. In my heart i feel like if daddy is here he will find them for me and he will make Winter leave so his girl can breath again. I need a vase of freshley picked snowdrops and my dad here beside me and i will survive!!!

Thank You!!!

2009-02-02T07:35:00.003-05:00

Thank you Laura for this award. When i have a little more time i will post the blogs i think that they should have this award also.

She is perfect!!!

2009-01-27T18:07:00.003-05:00

My precious baby arrived via emergency c-section on January 8, 2009. She was 35 weeks old and weight 7 lbs.10 oz. We are recovering well and we appreciate all of you prayers!!!

Christmas Joy!!!

2008-12-22T21:22:00.004-05:00

The Twelve Days of a Large Family Christmas

2008-12-21T10:09:00.001-05:00

More handmade toys!!!

2008-12-19T21:06:00.006-05:00

We had another creative day again...made some gnomes one ladybug and a bumble bee. The kids went really crazy for those gnomes, they were playing with them and their imagination did not have limits. The price per gnome 99 cents seeing them laugh and use their little brains priceless!!!

What did we do today?

2008-12-18T20:49:00.017-05:00

We started the day with my son's kindergarden work: math, phonics, reading and handwriting.

After that I put some chili to cook in the slow cooker and we continued the day with my daughter's second grade work.

Lunch time we made some noodles and ham and had a good time. While they were finishing lunch, I was cleaning up the kitchen and made a bird feeder/house out of a milk jug.

After lunch was more play and my daughter decided to try her talent as a hairdresser on her brother. She was proud of her work and said he looks like Cindy Lou Who from the Grinch movie. Then they had some fun cooking with my pots.

While the baby napped I worked on a play kitchen for his birthday gift. When my husband got home we ran to Home Depot for a faucet and some knobs. We got home and while he was putting on the faucet I made two loaves of chocolate nut bread, which was heavenly!!!

This is what we did today and more. And this, my friends, is nesting and does not last for long. I do like having energy even if it is for short time. Tomorrow I will be napping!!!

Homemade Gifts!!!

2008-12-18T19:53:00.008-05:00

My baby will be two this coming Monday. He loves to cook and play with my pots and pans. I was looking at the play kitchens and they are so over-priced. Well, being raised in Eastern Europe in a village by my great grandparents, creativity is my twin...ha-ha. I had some plastic storage shelves on hand, a metal bowl, and I just needed 4 knobs and a faucet. Well, the end result was pretty good and all of my kids went crazy over it. Here are some pictures of my creation.

This is wheere we are!!!

2008-12-14T17:43:00.001-05:00

Holy Art!!!

2008-12-10T09:54:00.001-05:00

They have done it again...

2008-12-05T10:44:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Of chivalry and men...

2008-12-04T11:49:00.009-05:00

I know I write a lot about my husband but he is the best and there are not enough words for him. I found this article and I can not help but smile at myself. It does feel nice to have a chivalrous man as your life-long companion.

Advent is here!!!

2008-11-30T10:06:00.006-05:00

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. - Mother Teresa

The First Sunday of Advent is here and I am in love. This season is one of my favorite times; the air is crisp and yet so gentle. Everything around is full of cheers and good wishes. I like staying home and reading on the couch with the kids, and my favorite is turning the lights off and lighting the oil lamps. This reminds me of my great-grandparents in the village when I was a little girl. We would all be snugged together in a small room listening to the fire and telling tales by the oil lamp. Nothing in this world speaks family togetherness like those cold Balkan nights spent with my great-grandparents. In this country I am afraid my kids will never have these memories which are so important for building up a healthy soul and creating humans who care. In their world everything is busy, everyone is looking only for himself or their family (rare cases in our society) and forget that they are humans and that living Christmas involves loving their neighbor as well.

Christmas is about human love elevated and purifed by Christ's birth. He came to be with us to sanctify us and to teach us love. If Christ cared for people so much as to becoming one of us and loving each one then do we have the rights to withdraw in our own world, just with the people we already love and care for so much naturally? Do we need to get out of our secure Christianity and cozy Western lifestyles and reach to our neighbors who need us? Can you justify your cozy version of being a Christ follower by serving the ones that are only your blood ties or do you need to look where Christ needs you the most?

I want people to live Christmas like Christ did full of love, life and endless in giving and sacrifices. I hope this season you will put your faith in Christmas to the test for Christ's sake, for the ones who need Christmas,and for your own salvation.

Just a short note...

2008-11-27T21:41:00.005-05:00

I know it is not Christmas yet but I really like the lesson in this great feast. Gratefulness to God for all we have and all that has been given freely in Christ. Leaving you to ponder this quote by my favorite, G.K. Chesterton: "When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?"

Love one another...

2008-11-27T21:36:00.003-05:00

She is ready for Christ's birth!!!

2008-11-25T21:25:00.001-05:00

My daughter is ready to put out the Nativity set. Tigger is posing as Saint Joseph!!!

My thoughts today...

2008-11-06T20:12:00.003-05:00

Frodo: "I wish none of this had ever happened."

Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that has been given to us."

I cry for the future of this country!!!

2008-10-24T14:05:00.004-04:00

I am not from here and there are many things that I do not like...but I am not an idiot. I have seen a lot coming from a communist country, I have seen THE CHANGE. Let me tell you that there is nothing more irresponsible and more close to the rule of a dictator than the call to change. How many of those so- called "Leaders of Change" do you know that were not drunk in their narcissism in their desire to rule and be somebody over a bunch of ill-informed people. I regret to say but that is what American voters seem to be now, they do not listen to either side, they just know that if you are Republican than you are Bush. How ironic that there is no logic in people's vote for Obama, perhaps it is harm done by years of public education. I just have to tell you Americans were once great because of your Founding Fathers who established the Laws of this country on Christian beliefs. Only Christianity can ensure people's freedoms and human dignity. Hey, go ahead and vote Obama, the wheel of history happens everywhere. Every great nation has ended in the dust, every empire brought down by people wanting CHANGE. The change was nothing else but the desire to rule and control. Obama is not going to bring personal freedom, he is not going to ensure religious freedom he is doing the opposite. I weep for this country who needs a change but not one that will destroy everything holy and worth fighting for. I cry because Americans' lack of knowledge in history do not see the real face behind Obama. And this world has had plenty of ones like him. I have nothing in my heart but fear for this election, for if he wins then Cuba will seem like paradise compared to Obama's America!!!

His devotion in a cup of coffee!!!

2008-10-24T10:03:00.005-04:00

"Family life is full of major and minor crises -- the ups and downs of health, success and failure in career, marriage, and divorce -- and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these felt details, life etches itself into memory and personality. It's difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul." -- Thomas Moore

We are a young couple. I am expecting our fifth child in february and I just turned 28. We got married young, became Catholic and with it we began our pro-life lifestyle. Being open to life is wonderful; what makes it sweet for me is my husband's love and joy he sees in every teeny tiny baby. He adores them!!! On the other hand being young, fertile and Catholic makes a very hard life in this society. Loving acceptance of God's gift leaves us with not much money to afford a mother's helper for even an hour. Many times I wish I was Amish, they let their teenagers help someone in need for free, and of course the lesson that they will learn, which is to serve one another and be like Christ to each other. It has been a very hard road for me and him. With each of my pregnancies I was hospitalized a few times, with my second I was on bedrest for 4 months. It was lonely and scary. He had to be at work to make money for us and yet we had no one to help. We got my father-in-law and my mother to come and that was very difficult for them. One is disabled and the other lives over the ocean and cannot afford tickets. Anyway, it is hard this time around too, and again we are alone with no money and family around. My husband is here and he loves me and he loves each of our babies. He worries for his wife and family, as every good husband and father should. Every morning before he leaves for work he puts coffee in the coffeemaker, leaves a note and a cup for me...and he hopes and prays that with each sip I take my day will get better warmed by his love and devotion.

Angel of God, My guardian dear!!!

2008-10-02T10:30:00.006-04:00

My day started at 5AM invoking my oldest son's Guardian Angel. Trip to the ER and diagnosis to take home: Croup. Every Spring and Fall his guardian angel works extra time and for that I am thankful. When we got home we started our angel filled day. For starters we made stand up angels that we used to decorate the table for todya's feast. After cup of tea and some Tomie DePaola( Pascual and the kitchen angels)it was time for us to try to make some of those cute angels in the book. I hope you all enjoy our early morning crafts and keep my son in your prayers!

St. Pio Pray for Us!!!

2008-09-23T11:23:00.004-04:00

I love this picture, I found it online. I love Padre Pio's expression, so kind and so gentle. I love the man, thanks to him my second son is here and well, after a long, scary, high risk pregnancy. For today I am planning to do that Cappuccino Mousse and for dinner was BBQ chiken, my son's request. I just found out that my beloved Padre loves pasta and there is a story that he said: "Yes, the Saint Pio will grant anything to those who give me pasta!". So for you, St. Pio, pasta will be on the menu also.

For St. Therese

2008-09-22T21:48:00.004-04:00

We loved making these sacrifice beads today!!! We got our kits today and the kids loved them!!!

He loves his music!!!

2008-09-18T09:47:00.002-04:00

It is never too late...

2008-09-18T09:46:00.004-04:00

It is never too late to introduce little ones to a new devotion. I got the craft idea from the Bountiful Blessings blog. The boys loved the swords, my girl loved that it is about Mary and the seed of lifetime love with the Seven Sorrows of Mary devotion have been planted.

2008-09-09T14:03:00.001-04:00

Famous Homeschooled People

2008-09-04T14:09:00.002-04:00

Constitutional Convention Delegates
· Richard Basseti - Governor of DE
· William Blount - U.S. Senator
· George Clymer - U.S. Representative
· William Few - U.S. Senator
· Benjamin Franklin
· William Houston – Lawyer
· William S. Johnson
· William Livingston - Governor of NJ
· James Madison - 4th U.S. President
· George Mason - Justice of VA
· John Francis Mercer - U.S. Rep.
· Charles Pickney III - Governor of SC
· John Rutledge - Chief Justice
· Richard D. Spaight - Governor of NC
· George Washington
· John Witherspoon
· George Wythe - Justice of VA

Presidents
· John Adams
· John Quincy Adams
· Grover Cleveland
· James Garfield
· William Henry Harrison
· Andrew Jackson
· Thomas Jefferson
· Abraham Lincoln
· James Madison
· Franklin Delano Roosevelt
· Theodore Roosevelt
· John Tyler
· George Washington
· Woodrow Wilson

Statesmen
· Konrad Adenauer
· Henry Fountain Ashurst
· William Jennings Bryan
· Winston Churchill
· Henry Clay
· Pierre du Pont
· Benjamin Franklin
· Alexander Hamilton
· Patrick Henry
· William Penn
· Daniel Webster

Military Leaders
· John Barry - Senior Navy Officer
· Stonewall Jackson - Civil War General
· John Paul Jones - Father of the American Navy
· Robert E. Lee - Civil War General
· Douglas MacArthur - U.S. General
· George Patton - U.S. General
· Matthew Perry - naval officer who opened up trade with Japan
· John Pershing - U.S. General
· David Dixon Porter - Civil War Admiral

U.S. Supreme Court Judges
· John Jay
· John Marshall
· John Rutledge
· Sandra Day O'Connor

Scientists
· George Washington Carver
· Pierre Curie
· Albert Einstein
· Michael Faraday - electrochemist
· Oliver Heaviside - physicist and electromagnetism researcher
· T.H. Huxley
· Blaise Pascal
· Booker T. Washington

Artists
· William Blake
· John Singleton Copley
· Claude Monet
· Grandma Moses
· Charles Peale
· Leonardo da Vinci
· Andrew Wyeth
· Jamie Wyeth

Religious Leaders
· Joan of Arc
· William Carey
· Jonathan Edwards
· Philipp Melancthon
· Dwight L. Moody
· John Newton
· John Owen
· Hudson Taylor
· John & Charles Wesley
· Brigham Young

Inventors
· Alexander Graham Bell - invented the telephone
· John Moses Browning - firearms inventor and designer
· Peter Cooper - invented skyscraper, built first U.S. commercial locomotive
· Thomas Edison - invented the stock ticker, mimeograph, phonograph, and perfected the electric light bulb
· Benjamin Franklin - invented the lightning rod
· Elias Howe - invented sewing machine
· William Lear - airplane creator
· Cyrus McCormick - invented grain reaper
· Guglielmo Marconi - developed radio
· Eli Whitney - invented the cotton gin
· Sir Frank Whittle - invented turbo jet engine
· Orville and Wilbur Wright - built the first successful airplane

Composers
· Irving Berlin
· Anton Bruckner
· Noel Coward
· Felix Mendelssohn
· Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
· Francis Poulenc
· John Philip Sousa

Writers
· Hans Christian Anderson
· Margaret Atwood
· Pearl S. Buck
· William F. Buckley, Jr.
· Willa Cather
· Agatha Christie
· Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)
· Charles Dickens
· Robert Frost - Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
· Charlotte Perkins Gilman
· Alex Haley
· Brett Harte
· L. Ron Hubbard
· C.S. Lewis
· Amy Lowell
· Gabriela Mistral
· Sean O'Casey
· Christopher Paolini - author of #1 NY Times bestseller, Eragon
· Isabel Paterson
· Beatrix Potter - author of the beloved Peter Rabbit Tales
· Carl Sandburg
· George Bernard Shaw
· Mattie J. T. Stepanek - 11-year-old author of Heartsongs
· Mercy Warren
· Phillis Wheatley
· Walt Whitman
· Laura Ingalls Wilder

Educators
· Amos Bronson Alcott - innovative teacher, father of Louisa May Alcott
· Catharine Beecher - co-founder of the Hartford Female Seminary
· Jill Ker Conway - first woman president of Smith College
· Timothy Dwight - President of Yale University
· William Samuel Johnson - President of Columbia College
· Horace Mann - "Father of the American Common School"
· Charlotte Mason - Founder of Charlotte Mason College of Education
· Fred Terman - President of Stanford University
· Frank Vandiver - President of Texas A&M University
· Booker T. Washington - Founder of Tuskegee Institute
· John Witherspoon - President of Princeton University

Performing Artists
· Louis Armstrong - king of jazz
· Charlie Chaplin - actor
· Whoopi Goldberg - actress
· Hanson - sibling singing group
· Jennifer Love Hewitt - actress
· Yehudi Menuhin - child prodigy violinist
· Moffatts - Canadian version of Hanson
· Frankie Muniz - child actor
· LeAnne Rimes - teen-prodigy country music singer

Business Entrepreneurs
· Andrew Carnegie - wealthy steel industrialist
· Amadeo Giannini - Bank of America’s founder
· Horace Greeley - New York Tribune founder
· Soichiro Honda - creator of the Honda automobile company
· Peter Kindersley - book illustrator and publisher
· Ray Kroc - founder of McDonald's fast food restaurant chain
· Jimmy Lai - newspaper publisher; founder of Giordano International
· Dr. Orison Swett Marden - founder, Success magazine
· Adolph Ochs - New York Times founder
· Joseph Pulitzer - newspaper publisher; established Pulitzer Prize
· Colonel Harland Sanders - started Kentucky Fried Chicken
· Dave Thomas - founder of the Wendy’s restaurant chain

Others
· Abigail Adams - Wife of John Adams; mother of John Quincy Adams
· Ansel Adams - Photographer
· Susan B. Anthony - reformer and women’s rights leader
· John James Audubon - ornithologist and artist
· Clara Barton - Started the Red Cross
· Elizabeth Blackwell - first woman in the U.S. to receive a medical degree
· John Burroughs - Naturalist
· George Rogers Clark - Explorer
· Davy Crockett - frontiersman
· Eric Hoffer - social philosopher
· Sam Houston - lawyer; first president of the Republic of Texas
· Charles Evans Hughes - jurist; Chief Justice
· Mary D. Leakey - fossil hunter; wife of Richard Leakey
· Tamara McKinney - World Cup Skier
· Harriet Martineau - first woman sociologist
· Margaret Mead - cultural anthropologist
· John Stuart Mill - Free-market Economist
· Charles Louis Montesquieu - Philosopher
· John Muir - naturalist
· Florence Nightingale - Nurse
· Thomas Paine - political writer during the American Revolution
· Bill Ridell - Newspaperman
· Will Rogers - Humorist
· Bertrand Russell - Logician
· Jim Ryan - World Runner
· Albert Schweitzer - Physician
· Sir Ernest Shackleton - Explorer
· Herbert Spencer - philosopher, sociologist
· Gloria Steinem - founder and long-time editor of Ms. magazine
· Jason Taylor - plays in the National Football League
· Mary Walker - Civil War physician; recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
· Lester Frank Ward - "Father of American Sociology"
· Martha Washington - wife of George Washington
· Frances E. C. Willard - educator, temperance leader, and suffragist
· Frank Lloyd Wright - Architect
· Elijah ben Solomon Zalman - Jewish scholar

Famous Homeschool Parents
· Will Smith - singer, actor
· Michael Card - singer, songwriter
· Mike Farris - lawyer and co-founder of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
· Robert Frost - Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
· Christopher Klicka - attorney and Senior Counsel of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
· Len Munsil - attorney and President of The Center for Arizona Policy (CAP)
· Paul Overstreet - musician, songwriter
· Kelly Preston - actress, wife of John Travolta
· Mike Smith - lawyer and co-founder of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
· John Travolta - actor, pilot
· Lisa Whelchel - former actress, "The Facts of Life", now a pastor's wife and author

Keep searching for more about

Irish fun!!!

2008-08-29T19:55:00.006-04:00

This year we discovered this cool book. It is a binder that includes unit study of Irealnd and also the materials for the crafts. The name of this cool material is Country of our Ancestors-Ireland by Maryanne Patterson. I got it from Emmanuel Books and we love it. The description below is taken from the Emmanuel Books Cataloge:
What better way to begin the study of History or enhance your current history program than to study our ancestors. This packet contains a wealth of information and activities that could be used with a variety of ages too! Within the binder are various sections and all the necessary craft materials and instruction sheets together, with each in its own envelope, so everything is literally right there and ready to go. For each section, there is a summary of the main points you may want to cover with your children, with several online references for further study:
The 3 ring binder contains the following sections:
-Alphabet and Language
-Apparitions of Mary (with stories)
-Agriculture & Economy
-Blessings, Prayers and Proverbs
-Calligraphy and Penmanship Practice
-Currency
-Flags of Ireland;
-History
-Maps
-Music
-Patron Saint and Other Saints
-National Landmarks and Other Attractions
-Recipes
-Crafts (Celtic Cross Christmas Ornaments, St. Bridget's Cross, Claddagh Friendship Note Cards, and an Emerald Isle Plastic Canvas Needle Craft).
As a companion we got twenty Tales of Irish saints by Alice Curtayne and it is a jem!!! So we are all ready to visit Ireland and i will try to post some pictures of their crafts.

The Domestic Monastery

2008-08-25T19:00:00.002-04:00

I loved this article so i am hoping that you will like it too!!!
http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/ron/ron_14domesticmonastery.html

Friends for Life!!!

2008-08-20T09:29:00.003-04:00

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply..." ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

To my Prince

2008-08-16T00:17:00.001-04:00

Hi, Daddy i love you and i thank you for everything you do for me!!!
Yours,
Cinderella

My son's favorite lullaby

2008-08-15T23:04:00.003-04:00

This is the translation. Thank you to redscotti in Italy!!!

If you don't listen to your mummy and daddy
you'll go wandering around lost in the fields
Children are like flowers in a house
that would be sad and empty without them
children are worth more than any treasure
Whoever says they love you more than your mother
is trying to deceive you
Your mother loves you with her heart
The others only with words
She alone loves you truly
The love of the others is nothing, compared
Her love is clear, infinite, transparent and pure,
like your life
the mother's only love is her child
and you are mine
who, as you sleep, seem like an angel.

We need more Joes!!!

2008-08-08T11:54:00.003-04:00

Abortion these days is so common of a procedure. Women want this, they need it, they have a right to it, so my question is where is dad? The only thing I can conclude is that today we lack men, real ones, the ones who are supposed to love, cherish and protect us. I know women nowadays do not need protection; well that is a lie, we all are humans, we all need support and someone to shield us from the vulgarity of these times. Mary had Joseph, Jesus had Joseph, but who do these babies have as a father? Their mom feels she cannot cope with the pregnancy, no friends, support and no Joe there either!! I pray today for moms of boys, that God will give them the graces to raise real men, real Joes after the model of the Holy father of Jesus!!

Something to cool you down...

2008-08-05T21:47:00.002-04:00

Ingredients:
4 tomatoes
2 cucumbers
2 roasted peppers or fresh green peppers
2 spoonfuls chopped parsley
2 spoonfuls chopped onion or green onion (optional)
half a pound of white cheese
salt, vinegar, oil to taste

Preparation:
Cut the tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in small pieces, cubes if possible. Mix well with the parsley, onion, salt, vinegar and oil. Serve with white cheese grated on top and a glass of traditional home made Bulgarian ‘rakia’ - a strong grape or plum brandy. Enjoy!