Inauguration Day Prayer
O Lord our God, St. Thomas More, patron of statesmen, lived a life of prayer and penance, zeal for justice and integrity in his political service as Lord Chancellor of England. He was guided by the light of the Gospel in his family life. This led him on the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Guide President Barack H. Obama and Vice-President Joseph R. Biden so that they may be courageous and effective in leading and guiding the United States. Inspire them to promote the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus, who is Christ the Lord. Amen.
My Daybook ~ January 19, 2009
FOR TODAY: January 19th, 2009
Outside my Window… it is another beautiful day. Even though it is cold outside, I am loving the weather. Especially the SUN!!!
I am thinking… about all the emails that have piled up in my inbox. I am dying to write you all back, but it may take a little time… I’m curious, how do you all keep up with correspondence? Emails, phone calls, letters, thank you cards, etc… I could really use a few tips!!
I am thankful…that Captain has FINISHED his Auditory Processing classes and his challenge has been completely FIXED!!! Last year, on Ash Wednesday, he was tested and only scored 8th month of Kindergarten for reading. Last Thursday, less than one year later, he was tested again and scored 3rd grade 3rd month! Now all he needs is lots and lots of practice to improve his speed. I am SO proud of him!!
From the kitchen… ooooohhhhhh. Yesterday at the March for Life, a dear friend gave me a whole bag of her amazing biscotti. It has ruined my will power, and Wednesday is just two days away.
From the school room… Let’s see… Captain is reading lots of books to hubby and I, I am still working on the 10 Commandments Lapbook with Rascal, and the girls will be having some “Winter Fun” with Little Saints.
I am creating…nothing at the moment, but with Little Flowers Thursday night, I had better get busy!!
I am going… to try and post some of the photos from our March for Life yesterday.
I am wearing… a long gray sweat pant type skirt and an old black maternity turtleneck. (I need to do laundry!)
I am reading… I haven’t quite finished Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons
I am hoping… that my knee gets better soon. I tried working out with 5lb weights, and I think I hurt my knee doing squats. Oops! I am totally bummed since I can’t do my whole workout now… I had not missed a day until yesterday, and although I tried, I just couldn’t do it.
I am hearing… Marie Bellet playing quietly on my computer as I type. My little ones are napping, and the older boys are outside with their daddy. (He has today off!)
Around the house…lots of laundry that needs to be done after a super busy weekend.
One of my favorite things… my double jogging stroller. It sure makes going for walks, with 5 little ones, much easier!
- Mrs. K will be coming again tomorrow and Wednesday to work with Rascal and Twinkle Toes.
- Attend Mass in tomorrow, for Inauguration Day, and pray for our new president.
- Little Flowers is Thursday night.
- I am also hoping to attend our homeschool group’s “Meeting and Ladies Night Out” on Friday.
A picture thought I am sharing:
Drumroll please…
7 Quick Takes ~ 31st Birthday Edition
(Since I want to be able to look back and remember a few of the details… For more quick takes, visit Jennifer.)
Since my youngest brother was born the day before my birthday, my mom tends to combine our birthday celebrations. This year, my parents took us all out to the local Mexican restaurant for our birthdays. My mom pointed out that this year her youngest and oldest were turning 13 and 31! Interesting…
We have our alarm set to a country music station. I woke up on Friday, another year older, to this. It made me get all teary eyed… Time sure is going by fast!
Wake up and you’re twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your better half
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you’re praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don’t blink
My hubby and boys gave me a yummy tuna sandwich, flowers, and beautiful cards. (Plus a couple more awesome gifts after we had cake!)
Hubby even gave me ANOTHER birthday cake!! This one was a healthy carrot cake, but it tasted just as good as the Chocolate one, believe it or not!
YES!! I WAS able to blow all 31 candles out BOTH times, and NO I am not going to show you the pictures!!
My Aunt always notices what is broken around here… The last time she babysat she noticed that our toaster was no longer working on one side, and so she gave me a super fancy new toaster
I love, love, LOVE, Red Robin’s Garlic Fries!! Have you ever had them? Yummm!!! I don’t even want to know how many calories are in them though…
After dinner we went to see Valkyrie, and then headed to Cold Stone for a bowl of Germanchokolatekake… It’s what I usually order there, but it was especially fitting this time! 😉 (OH! They were both really good!!!)
A Cake Catastrophe
I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s birthday memories! (Comments are still open, until midnight, if any one else wants to enter the drawing.)
My little sister Mary (who is now 16 and a twin) left one of her favorite birthday memories, and I wanted to share it with you all:
My favorite Birthday would have to be……………… The year we celebrated it with both us (me and Joann) and Jennifer at the same time! She had slaved away with sweat and tears all day on her cheesecake ..aka her favorite dish ever! And well…as mom was carrying the cake over to the counter at that long-awaited time when everyone was eagerly waiting for the flames on the candles to be transformed into a room filled with smoke covered wishes.. Suddenly……..CAAAAAA-PLOW! ….slip…silence…jaws dropped…hearts stopped… tears flew…. all within the instant this precious delicious unearthly cheesecake met its doom as it crashed and smashed into the wood floor filthy from uncountable kid’s outside shoe footprints……..the next note on happy birthday song met an immediate flat which ended it all.
Who knows whether the culprit was an untied shoe lace, a water spill on the floor, or just a pair of slippery socks that caused this horrible scene…but whatever it was… it sure made the other cake taste that much better! 😉
I think the reason this is my favorite birthday was the simple fact that everyone was there to celebrate it…all 12 kids… with their voice-gifted father and graceful mother. =oP All together to experience this unforgettable cake catastrophe! And that’s the day that the “5 second rule” at the Murphy’s turned into the “10 second rule”…(allowing us to get at least half the cake into a bowl perfect for cake pudding with some candles mixed in here and there..)
Mary cracks me up!! Isn’t she funny?
I remember that birthday party and the cake catastrophe! In FACT, I was sure that I had a picture or two around here somewhere, so I pulled out a couple old boxes and sure enough…
I even remember how it happened. My “graceful mother” didn’t realize that the cake was still attached to the metal bottom of the springform pan and was just sitting on top of the glass stand. When she went to pull it out of the refrigerator that metal went sliding across the glass and flying across the room. It really did shock us all!
Oh, and THANK YOU all for the birthday wishes. I had a wonderful birthday!!
Who will stand up for the little ones?
Stand Up For Life!
Another Giveaway
Just like last year, I am going to give away another Finders Key Purse Key Hook. Since they don’t make a rose, I decided to go with, the turquoise flower. Isn’t it cute?!
Here’s the deal: To enter, please leave a comment with your favorite birthday memory, I’d love to hear them!! (You can see a few of mine here.) You have through Sunday night to leave your comment, and sometime on Monday I will draw a name and announce the winner.
Ideas for the Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot
This coming Saturday, January 17th, is the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot, also known as St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Anthony the Great, and the “Father of Monks.” (Not to be confused with St. Anthony of Padua.)
St. Anthony lived during the third century and has been credited with being the very first Christian to open a monastery for those who desired to devote themselves completely to God and live a monastic lifestyle.
Earlier today I was asked if I knew of any ideas for celebrating his feast with our children at home. We have not done much (other than read about him) in past years, but I thought I would see what else I could find and post it here for all of you. Thank you, Sharon, for the inspiration and prompting! Here are a few suggestions for celebrating his feast…
Reading:
You can read about St. Anthony the Abbot in the Picture Book of Saints
St. Anthony was born in 251 in a small village in Egypt. When he was twenty years old, his parents died. They left him a large estate and placed him in charge of the care of his younger sister. Anthony felt overwhelmed and turned to God in prayer. Gradually he became more and more aware of the power of God in his life. About six months later, he heard this quotation of Jesus from the Gospel: “Go, sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mark 10:21). He took the words as a personal message in answer to his prayer for guidance. He sold most of his possessions keeping only enough to support his sister and himself. Then he gave the rest of the money to people who needed it.
Anthony’s sister joined a group of women living a life of prayer and contemplation. Anthony decided to become a hermit. He begged an elderly hermit to teach him the spiritual life. Anthony also visited other hermits so he could learn each one’s most outstanding virtue. Then he began his own life of prayer and penance alone with God.
When he was fifty-five, Anthony built a monastery to help others. Many people heard of him and sought his advice. He would give them practical advice such as: “The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross.”
St. Anthony visited Paul the hermit whose feast is celebrated on January 15. He felt enriched by the example of Paul’s holy life. Anthony died after a long, prayerful life. He was 105. St. Athanasius wrote a well-known biography of St. Anthony of Egypt. St. Athanasius’ feast day is May 2.
We should never become discouraged when the devil tempts us to do wrong. Remember that Jesus is right beside us. If we pray, he will help us. He will reward us for our love and faithfulness.
Crafts:
In The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions for Children’s Faith Formation
You could also make a Spoon Saint, Wee Felt Saint, or maybe a Painted Wooden Saint in honor of St. Anthony.
If you are talented with a sewing machine, how about making a Monk’s Bag?!?
Food:
In Catholic Traditions In The Home And Classrooms
Cooking With the Saints
Another option would be to prepare some Monastic Soup
Prayer:
Saint Anthony, you spoke of the importance of persevering in our faith and our practice. Help us to wake up each day with new zeal for the Christian life and a desire to take the next challenge instead of just sitting still. Amen.
I’d love to hear any other ideas you all have, so please feel free to leave them in the comments.
Real Quick…
…I wanted to share a link to the most thought provoking post I have read in a long time: Soul Food. I’ve been needing to take a look at my own blogging habits for awhile now, and reading and thinking about this post has been a great place to start. Thank you Colleen!
Walking at the Track
Last spring I use to walk the track at the local Middle School with a friend, while our children played together… Unfortunately she moved, and I have just not been that motivated. However, yesterday, since we were in town already, we decided to go for it and check that off the list. It was so much fun and so nice to be out in the sun! I kept having to remind myself that it is still January!
We were all thrilled when 3 of my brothers showed up! (One of the benefits to living in a small town and coming from a big family!!)
They played with Captain and Rascal, and occasionally joined me and my stroller full of little ones.
Before long, Snuggles was fast asleep in his big sister’s arms and I had made it around 8 times (2 miles).
Today is just as beautiful, so I am going to log off and head outside for some more sunshine. I am sure winter will be returning soon!
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