WYD From my diocese

Again, just like during Germany, Joliet Diocese is keeping those of us back home up to date on the kids from here that are in Australia. So far, I have not seen the group from my parish, but there is a mislabeled picture, that is supposed to be our group. Keep them in your prayers, the 7 kids from my parish are a remarkable group, super smart, super nice, and they all have so much potential. Pray God will use this time to guide them in discerning their vocations and future.

I'm not a sports person, but this made me smile, and cry

My daughter wants to be a Dominican. Perhaps this could be her future home.

Subway Revisited

They are now including homeschoolers in their contests, and purchased an ad in Homeschooling Today. It's nice to see the change. I have a special place in my heart for veggie subs.

My local paper has something to say about the Latin Mass

I tried to post yesterday, but Blogger was being stubborn and would not let me. Its a nice article, I only wish they talked to one of the many under 40 year old people that attend. Latin Mass is not just older people longing for the past.

The smartest kid I know

My nephew, world champion origami creator, talented pianist, Calvin and Hobbes reader, and now to add to his accolades, perfect score on the ACT. And he leaves Friday for World Youth Day. And he was reading Harry Potter before it was cool, when the first book came out. Did I mention he was homeschooled for 5 years, but went to a private high school? So much talent in one 17 year old body! My poor kids don't even have a chance!

Where Have I been?

Seeing bears, Benedictines, bread, birds and busy.

That pretty much sums up the past 3 weeks. Life just does not slow down anymore, and when it does, blogging usually takes a back burner to playing with the kids, cooking and cleaning. Someday, when I am old and my kids are older, I will be able to write more, I've been saying this for 10 years and will most likely for another 10, I'm sure. Until then, the occasional bit of dribble will have to do.

Who moved the Beer (brewery)

So the clan is all off to LaTrobe, PA this week for a gathering of my in-laws (insert joke here). If you are like me (Irish), you are thinking, LaTrobe, Hey, Rolling Rock! Yep, Rolling Rock, I was very much looking forward to a tour. This would join all of my childhood vacations to that of my children's.

I used to visit an uncle who lived in Chippawa Falls, WI, home of Leinenkugels Beer. The highlight of the trip was always the brewery, and for us kids, the orange pop that followed. Did I mention my mom was Irish? It was a nice family trip, and science is involved in beer brewing, so my parents took us, again and again. I have really found memories, and was hoping my kids could see the science involved in beer brewing.

I do not keep up on the world of beer, I have my favorites, and faithfully buy them. In planning for this trip I started looking into a trip to Rolling Rock. Well, guess what? They were bought by the evil corporate giant Anheuser-Busch and moved out of LaTrobe. Stupid big corporation ruining my fun. I guess we will be spending three days at the Grist mill of St. Vincent, being reminded of family history ( Husband's uncles were Archabbots).

Finally a quiet Weekend.

This has been a busy summer! But, this weekend, I get to relax and celebrate my 11th Wedding anniversary. June 14, 1997, Christopher and I were married. It was a great day, and the past 11 years are only the beginning of a great life together.

When we were married, I was kind of sad that there are no regular feast days on June 14 (sometimes the Feast of the Sacred Heart coincides). About three years ago, I found out it is the anniversary of Chesterton's death. He is not a saint yet, and may never be, but what a great person to share an anniversary with!

We have no grand plans, just quiet, the kiddies are off to the home a friend for a couple days. We need that time to just talk, without the interruption of a little person, who has something very important to say, once in a while. It sounds selfish when I say it, but it does not happen often enough. We are also getting ready for our trip to Latrobe, PA, for a family reunion of sorts at St. Vincent Archabbey, where Chris's great-grandparents were married by his Uncle the Archabbot.

I have hopes of hitting the farmer's market this weekend, but I've been reminded, that it is not a very "anniversary" type thing to do. I do need to get fresh veggies for a nice quiet (there is that word again) picnic. Please pray for us, we have a great marriage, but can always use all the blessings and grace God can give!

My Faith and the Three year old

I had a profound religious experience today. Cheesy as it may sound, it was one of those, Oh, I Get It moments. Our parish was all smells and bells, as it should be, for the feast of Corpus Christi. My kids were being good, as they waited for mass to begin, so I was able to to read the Magnificat meditation of the day. I came across a passage concerning St. Loenidas and his son St. Origen. It said that according to Eusebius, Leonidas used to kneel by the bedside of the sleeping Origen and deoutly and reverently kiss his son's breast as the Tabernacle wherein God dwelt. The child in his innocence and grace is the fittest home on Earth for God. The fact that I was sitting with my three beautiful children, in front of the Blessed Sacrament may have helped, but I was moved very deeply.

Fast forward about 5 minutes, Mass has begun, and Father is using the incense. My three year old had been quiet too long, and begins asking questions, what is that (It's incense, like in your little Mass kit), why is Father swinging it (he is blessing everything). Then I asked What does it smell like to you? And he gave me the most unexpected answer, Like my prayers are being carried to God. Yes, this is not a smell, but Gosh, this is the indwelling of the spirit, in my child. That pure innocence, that total unitedness with God. He is three, but his answer echos the psalms, which I'm not sure he would recognize. Throughout the rest of the mass, one thing after another made me realize, the meaning of being childlike.

I was never childlike, even as a child, and I have understood divine filiation on a very intellectual level, but, this moment, and moments like this, have opened my eyes to so much. I now wonder how I could ever grow in faith, without my kids. God has shown me Himself, though them. So many things my three year old has said, I do not remember telling him or teaching him, it is the naturalness that comes from innocence and grace.

They are my path to heaven, not just from the vocation to motherhood being my work, but through the many lessons I will learn from them. Rest assured, the three year old still had to be hauled out of the church in trouble at least once, for being, well, three, but that too is my path to heaven.

This weekend I saw people

Okay, dumb title, but true. I got to see, and spend time with some of the loveliest people around. The ILCHC was held this weekend, and it was the place to be, if you are a Catholic blogger, or related to one.

I saw the parents of Sean over at Blue Boar, who always used his middle name, which I found cute, but it made me wonder what kind of a child he was! Then I got to meet John at Lunch Break's very lovely wife and adorable baby. Next up was Maureen Wittmann and her beautiful daughters, who sold me a book I've been reading since I got home. Then of course, there was Regina Doman, of House Art Journal, whose books my daughter and I are fighting over, I want them first! I'm sure there are a few I've missed. It was great conference, one of the best I've been to locally.

I met SO many wonderful people, I forgot HOW MUCH I really thrive on being around lots of different people. I was so fortunate to be able to work for CHC this weekend and meet so many. I loved how many people I already knew, but hadn't seen in years. My husband, who helped me out, is convinced I either knew everyone there, or knew someone that they knew. He keep teasing me that that old Kevin Bacon game could be played with me. I beg to differ, but I can't help being social!

All in all it was a great weekend, oh, I got a ton of books, too, but stayed in my budget, which thankfully was pretty high this year. I'll post about some of the books I got later, quite a few are newer and look really interesting.