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!