Super Funny Ebay auction

I'll sum it up, mom took all six kids shopping with her, and needs to sell off the items the kids grabbed without her noticing. Too Funny, though.

My writing gig

I thought I got fired from my part time super low key high stress volunteer writing gig. (enough adjectives?) BUT, they asked me back, much to my dismay! AND the first deadline is TODAY. So anyone have suggestions for a children's book I can review that meets the following goals and objectives, that is not The Weight of a Mass? Did I mention this is for my Parish's award winning RE program?
Goal: To determine that God is worthy of our devotion and wants a relationship with us
Objectives:
1) To determine that God exists and has certain distinguishable traits
2) To establish the relationship that exists between the persons of the Blessed Trinity and the correlation to our relationship with God
3) To realize that through prayer, we come to know God and his will for us and learn that living according to God’s will brings happiness.
4) To learn the forms of prayer found in our Catholic toolbox (ACTS: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication (petition))

I better get reading and writing!

The Future of the Church

My Hubby and I teach NFP, and we have for 7 years. We sometimes run into difficulties when couples tell us that their Priest told them contraception was okay. This video is made by a group of seminarians, I'm so excited about our future priests!

New Blog!

Families against Planned Parenthood has launched a blog in order to keep people up to date on our efforts to prevent PP from opening on September. Please visit, and continue to pray.

Please Pray for my Friend

A friend of mine is having some emotional difficulties, enough so that she needs to be away from her family for a while. She has 5 kids, and recently stopped homeschooling. I've known her since I was 13, she supported me through my very emotional teen years. Ask St. Dymphna to intercede for her. Ask for God's grace to fill her. Her life has been rough, her dad died when she was very young, she's lost 6 babies, and has a child with severe heart defects, enough to cause anyone to have a hard time with life.

The Bishop Joins the Fight

Please read Bishop Sartain's letter on the day of prayer against abortion. We are so blessed to have him as our Shepherd.

Those Blogging Seminarians

I've come across a few young men from my diocese that blog. One I've known since before he was Christian, the other I do not know, but it makes it easier to pray for these men when we glimpse into their lives. The future of the priesthood is tech savvy!

I'm not sure how St. Josemaria would feel...

But it made me groan. I would hope that he would prefer Caffeinated! I love coffee, probably way to much, enough that I fast from it sometimes, and it is a big deal (thank God for tea on those days!). I really try to only buy Fair Trade Coffee. A few years back I got hooked on the brand that benefits Catholic Relief Services projects, and decided my vice should help someone. Starbucks is to expensive, and only benefits Starbucks share holders, But Brands like Equal Exchange, and Benevolent Blends, help the farmers, and their families. So drink up and Help the mission of the Church!

The Storm!

I love the rain, but this is getting ridiculous! We've had violent storms every day this week. I've even gotten jumpy at the sound of the thunder.

My husband has committed to the 40 day vigil at Planned Parenthood, Aurora at 10pm. It will STILL be storming then. It is his first time there, pray for him, please, this is not the kind of thing he usually does, his mom would discourage him, but despite the weather, he will be there. I usually do not speak like this, but the forces of darkness are really giving us all a challenge, So many people have been out there praying, so many visions, dreams, and other unusual occurrences have taken place, many think the "clinic" will not open. Let's hope and pray they are right.

Back to School!

Every year I think it will take us 6-7 hours to get school done, every year we are done by 1:30. I'm so glad we are back at school, it has been a really fun week so far.We're trying some new books, and this is the first year I legally have to school 2 kids. It is really nice to have a child BEG to do school at 6:30am, as he catches me running out the door to mass. It is almost sad to ask him to wait!

Today is also our School feast day, Mary Queen of Heaven. Our school is Queen of all Saints, so close enough. We are making cupcakes, Being Catholic is always a cause for celebration, and I can find a religious reason for baking almost every day!

I'm preparing a second child to receive our Lord in the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Each child is so different. My first just "knew" everything, all the answers, this child is very natural, he never knows the "answers" but he knows how to live them. I love hearing him tell his little brother to do his work, because work well done pleases God. That is not something the older child would think of on her own.

We also have been enjoying some Father Brown stories as a family, it is nice, we can "edit" as needed for the kids. They really enjoy the mysteries. We also got a kid's version of Midsummer night's dream, for our Shakespeare unit in History. I love Homeschooling! I learned how to make water bombs from paper this week, very popular with the boys, and really fun to make.

Google Earth looks at the sky

We have 3 different way of looking at constellations on the computer now. It is nice, because we live to near too many city lights to view the stars well. My goal for this school year is to learn at least a dozen new constellations.

Perfect Fall day, in August

Right now, it is cloudy and 69 out, and I could not be in a better mood. I really do not enjoy warm Sunny days, I adore the clouds, the slightly cool air and the look of rain. Often I've been told to move to Seattle or London, but I'm stuck in Chicago.

Just to add to the perfection of the atmosphere, I've been listening to LOT of Sufjan Stevens, whom I really enjoy. I was raised on bad hippie music and the Marine corp band, Sufjan is like the best of both, but for indie rock kids (and moms). The quiet melodies and gentle harmonies make for a perfect Saturday. The lyrics are mostly kid friendly ie no swears, not to mention there is a mandolin on every album. I really like the Illinois album and Avalanche, the outtakes, but I know more than most about IL and it seems do does Sufjan.

The day is to short to spend at a computer, I'm off to light a candle and make Irish Breakfast Tea, loose leaf, of course. There are many books to read to the kiddies, and I best take advantage of the mysterious force that is a cloudy day.

More on Planned Parenthood clinic, again

I'm not as impressed with this story as some of the other media coverage. I especially love the fact that the Trib quotes a woman who is a member of the socialist worker's party. Yes, communists/socialists have a long history of supporting an individuals rights. (I hope the snarky tone is clear here!) I'm pretty much to mad to comment any further on the stupid comments the anti-life people made.

Message from Iraq

I am in a church choir with a man who is a Colonel in the US Army and a trauma Surgeon. This month he deployed to Iraq. My brother was there as a medic three years ago, so I remember vividly what he went through, and in reality, still is going through. Please pray for Dr. Tony, he is not nearly as young as my brother( Dr. Tony is 63), yet he willingly obeys and serves his country. Please also pray for all Catholics in the Military, who are separated from the Holy Eucharist, due to lack of Priests to serve them.

From Dr. Tony:
Arrived here 2 days ago by marine helicopter from Kuwait.Temp 110 degrees. Nothing but sand, wind and the U.S.Army! Missed the first 2 Sunday masses while at Ft. Benning. No services. But, I was able to attend both the Vigil and Assumption day, the former in Kuwait, and Assumption Wednesday here in Iraq. Chaplain likes to give quizzes. Found out here in Iraq, there were 3 items in the Ark of the Covenant. Did you you know? First the stone tablets for the 10 commandments, Aaron's staff, and a jar of manna!Did my orientation tour last night. I have been assigned with a Military Police unit from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. This unit, as well as others, is responsible for guarding the detainees here in southern Iraq, all 22,000 of them, expected to grow as many as 36,000 with this troop surge. In other words, most of my patients will be detainees, mostly Iraqi and the worst of the worst, members of Al Quaida etc. I'm back to being a general practitioner.There is no regular chaplain to say Sunday masses and no choir for me to join. At best, a chaplain will come this way 2 Wednesdays a month. Army computers are slow, but better than nothing. No way to upload any pictures.Please pass it on.COL TONY

I wish she was MY Art History Professor

I actually had a really good professor, but Eizabeth Lev would have been so much cooler! I'm so glad Zenit is back from Summer Holiday, I celebrate 12 years of subscription this year, It has helped me to understand my faith in such a profound way.

The Downside of Hiking

We hike, a lot. Like miles a week in the many beautiful forest preserves and nature centers around home. DD got a rash one day, not quite mosquito bites, those are usually reserved for mom. Then this lovely story appeared on the news. Itch Mites, commonly found in Pin Oak trees. Says mom to Daughter, "Hey, have you been climbing oak trees?" DD responds, " Uh Huh, the toads are all around the oak trees where we see the deer( look to the right on this site, deer, with Oaks in the background), We've been there like everyday." Mystery solved. I thought the ticks were annoying, but at least we can see them!

Blessed Feast of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe

Today we celebrate a favorite saint in our home. We celebrate with Joy and sorrow. The Joy that comes from the Saints in heaven, and the sorrow of the lives lost in the past 100 years by religious. St.Maximilian holds a very dear place in my heart, because my dad first told me about him.

My father is not a religious man, but he heard the story of St. Maximilian at the time of his canonization and was touched. You see, my father is Polish. When he was growing up, Polish jokes ran rampant, Poles were not looked upon kindly, even in very Polish Chicago. When he heard about St. Maximilian, he said, "People just do not know how we suffered." He was almost in tears telling me the story of Maximilian's death. I've never forgotten that. So many Polish people died in WWII, not just Jews, but all Poles, and many, many were Priests and Sisters.

St. Maximilian is also the patron Saint of those with addictions. Both my husband's family and mine have a history of addiction. It is something I worry about with my children, especially one child who has a very difficult time with self-control. We ask St. Maximilian often to help this child, who just happens to share his name. We visit his shrine annually for our Marian Pilgrimage.

So today, think of the words of our Lord, "There is no greater love, than to lay down you life for a friend" and remember St. Maximilian Kolbe

Perfectionism and the Work of God

Recently, I was told I was a perfectionist. I had to laugh, first thought was"Well how come my laundry never gets finished!" I've had time to think about it. It might be true, and a perfectionist WOULD notice the laundry NEVER is done. As soon as everything is washed the kiddies give me a few more items fresh off their backs.

Laundry was not the context of the conversation, though. It was in spiritual direction, the context was fear of failure. How often do I, or many other people for that matter, do nothing, because maybe there is someone who could do a better job? I know there are several things I could have done, or said, but I didn't, because I wasn't sure I could do it well. So it never got done, most likely. God gives us certain moments to act, and in that moment perfection needs to be cast aside. My best effort would probably be more than sufficient. To explain many things, I do not need to be a scholar, but sincere. To teach, often could get by with being very passionate about the subject, not needing to know everything there is to know.

As I've been thinking about this, the parable of the talents from Matthew's Gospel comes to mind. The first two servants in the story made an effort, and the talents were multiplied. The third servant did nothing. NOTHING, and he was punished. He feared what MIGHT happen, and made not effort at all to do what he should have done. For years I have had a hard time understanding this parable. (Sometimes I'm a wee bit slow). I wasn't raised in a Christian home, It just didn't make since, but now, to me it seems clear. Our very best efforts, if they really are our best, are far surpassing no efforts at all. How many souls could I bring to heaven with me, just by making an effort, rather than hoping someone else will do a better job?

Friday Book!

Cautionary Tales for Children. This week we visit the book I checked out of the library so much my Husband asked me to buy it. I remember the stories from this from my childhood. I did not have a good Catholic upbringing, so the fact that it ended up in my house is pretty amazing.

The Edward Gorey illustrated edition is so much better than the edition I had. The drawings are perfect for the stories, but I love Gorey's work in any form.

Our favorite story is Matilda who told lies and was burned to death. It is basically a retelling for the Little Boy who cried wolf, but in a far funnier form. I've heard J.K Rowling has said her favorite poem is Jim who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion. We're happy to be in her leagues as fans for Belloc.

Here's the last bit about this book, I was recently assigned to read it by a priest in confession. His logic, so I stop taking myself so seriously. That was the day I bought it. If Father said to, I had to. It really is a good way to learn a lesson, not just for children, but adults, and to have a good laugh, to remember not everything has to be serious.

More on Planned Parenthood clinic

The Daily Herald wrote an article on the Vigil. I have rarely gone to pray at abortion clinics, but I guess this is the time to begin. I went at 7am today, earlier than I would have liked, but then it was more of a sacrifice. Please pray for those out praying. Most people are nice, but the few that are not are really ugly in their choice of words.

Cop writes a ticket for giant sausage

I have to say the best line EVER is now ...

"We have access to tow trucks that could have handled a Polish sausage, not just
a hot dog,"

But They say they're "helping" Women!

Ah, Yes, helping must include physical, psychological and emotional trauma and abuse. The thing that gets me the most is not in the story. Aurora is a nice town, I live really near by, in its much wealthier cousin. What is not being said, is that Aurora has a large Spanish speaking population, many of whom may not be legal citizens. Citizen status is not the issue, but what is, is the fact that these women may not have options for health care. Here comes PP, to "help", to remind them they do not have options, to remind them they should not have a baby, and to take advantage of their situation. Many of these women are married, not the teens we often think of. Even if they are teens, everyone has error in judgement sometimes. Some of the nicest kids I know are children of unmarried women. Then some of those women made a brave noble choice, Adoption. Ah, but PP will tell you Adoption is hard, it hurts, women suffer. Abortion is quick and easy. Lies Lies and more Lies! PP was founded on lies and the desire of a truly evil woman to kill off the poor, uneducated and not European (she also counted the Irish as not European).

This same woman advocated "free love". Those of us who are in love can attest to the fact that true love is never, and should not be free. It is very pricey, the cost of sacrifice goes unmeasured. To think that the part of marriage that unites a man and woman should be free is disgusting. To say it is free makes seem worthless, and to view the result of sharing in the work of creation as an object to be destroyed is to view oneself as greater than God. Ah, but PP makes lots of money this way....

Chesterton was a contemporary of Margaret Sanger, and had more than a few things to say.

"For the next great heresy is going to be simply an attack on morality; and especially on sexual morality. And it it is coming not from a few Socialists surviving from the Fabian Society, but from the living exultant energy of the rich resolved to enjoy themselves at last, with neither Popery nor Puritanism nor Socialism to hold them back...The madness of tomorrow is not in Moscow, but much more in Manhattan."

-The Next Heresy, June 19, 1926

or Chicago.

New Blog I like

I am a Chesterton Novice. I have only begun to read a few books and commentaries, but there are people out there in the blogosphere who know far more than I. Sean P. Dailey is one of them, and he now has a blog. I figured a fellow Illinois-ian deserved a plug. Best wishes, Sean!

Humility Versus Self-Doubt

I've been thinking about this a lot today. Recently I was asked to consider a job outside of the home teaching. I have not worked a "real" job for 10 years. I did some grant writing, I've volunteered the equivelent of a full time job, but other than that, nothing.

I studied the field that the job is in, I teach it to my children at home, I remain active in other ways in this field, but I do not feel qualified to teach at a school. Why? Because I think there are many more out there who could do the job better.

The funny thing is that this offer to teach is running parallel with the discernment of a vocation, I am having the same issues with. Again, I think that there must be a mistake, I've mislead people, someone else would do a much better job. I've been on the fence for nearly 6 months trying to figure out what I am supposed to do.

Am I truly aware of the fact that I am not qualified for either? If that is the case, it could it be called humility? I see my flaws, I realize that the school/world would be better served by another. If it is self- doubt, Then it is the opposite of Humility influencing my decisions, Pride. Pride would have me fear failure and my embarrassment more than the good that could come from my service.

"All the time it is you , you , you. And you will never be effective until it is him, him, him, so that you act in nomine Domini --in the name and the strength of God" - The Furrow 699

Where DOES it all come from?!

Clutter, that is. I hate clutter, but I seems to love my house. We simply have too much stuff in a small space. I know, get rid of stuff. I do, I really do, but what do you do when you've outgrown your space, and are stuck in it?

If I asked my DH, and he would say we have too many books. Ask my kids and they say we do not have enough of anything, they want MORE, much MORE. I think we all are just to attached to things that do not last. But we are not Franciscans, we are suburbanites, we need a certain amount of stuff. Where does one draw the line? How does one keep the house clutter-free and happy? I really do not have a solution. I've tried many things over the years, and it all comes back to too small of a space, too many people living in it with too much stuff. Someday, I'll have a bigger space, and I'm sure I'll still have clutter, it just loves me!

Friday Book!

I've decided to review or just talk about a favorite book each week. This week I happily present: The Dangerous Book For Boys. This has very quickly become a favorite with my boys. I love this book, I love how it encourages my sons to think, to be creative and to get dirty.

I have long been concerned about the feminization of boys through our culture. Think about it, most educators are female and boys are not allowed to, well, be boys. There is a lack of appreciation for the wildness that should be a young boy. Does this mean they are uncivilized, no, quite the contrary. The book not only shows how to make a bow and arrow, it give grammar lessons. It represents the balance boys need.

I love the fact that is tells the stories of explorers, and the seven wonders of the ancient world. I hope that is fuels the desire to explore the world around them for many boys, not just the world that is given in the X-box. It fuels the imagination with tales of adventure and gives the tools to have adventures of their own.

The book is beautifully bound in red cloth with gold writing, it looks like something special, something old, something to be treasured. It has already found a special home with Pooh Bear, Peter Rabbit and Thomas the Train on our "special" book shelf.