Happy Halloween

Just a quick note here, since I am exhausted from my eleventh-hour sewing fest.

Yes, I sewed the jedi robes.

No. Not today.

I used my friend Lisa's machine a few days ago to stitch 'em up.

All except the hoods, thinking I'd do them by hand, since they needed to be (*gasp*) gathered. And I was afraid of inflicting further strife on her machine. (I'm an impatient, "tear through it" type of seamstress, gritting my teeth and willing the machine to stitch where no stitch should go)

Yes. The hoods.

Finished today at 5pm, whilst DH carved the pumpkin.

Hush. Haven't you read about my weekend?

Then, I had to sew tails onto my sports headbands for the youngest DD's, so they could wear them around their waists. Ah well, I have only one soccer game left. I'll look like Davy Crockett with a tail hanging off the back of my headband. Maybe it'll scare the other team off.

Oh, how I crack me up.

It's late.

Happy Spookin'!

:)

WOW

What a weekend!

It was wonderful, and busy, and lots of fun.

Friday night, amidst the head-splitting shrieks and Chuck E. Cheese dancing, we reunited with good friends and visited with my sister. It was fun to watch the kids have fun, and I was really proud of how well my kids behaved. Usually at these things, the kids "get" things, and then their desire is insatiable, until I am hauling 5 howling kids to the car who didn't get/have/know that "XYZ" was there, so why can't we....?? blah blah blah. But, there was none of that, thank goodness!


Saturday was spent prepping for Sunday brunch and praying over my desserts. No, really, I was worried. Here I was, going to meet a bunch of really nice mommy-bloggers that didn't really know me, and I'm cooking dessert?? How crazy of me. Anyway, it was a truly wonderful evening. Everyone was super nice and fun, and the conversations were just great. And I am really really glad I went and didn't back out at the last minute, just because I was feeling like a chicken. I got to chat with Holy Mama herself! And many other great bloggers. It was fun, and the next time a group of mommy-bloggers (like maybe; Rosetta Stone, Minnesota Mom, Raising Saints, Blessed Among Men, Cozy Tea House, Castle Within...to name a few) want to get together....I'm there!


Sunday was "Fall back!" so I got an extra hour to yell at my kids clean the house for CMW and family's arrival for brunch. And even though my quiche was rubbery, it was a lovely morning. It's always great to hear kids ask when they come back to play.

My sister Sephora ended up staying an extra day (like I knew she would!) and it was great to have some more "down time" visiting with her. (Do you realize how fun it is to type "visiting"? So many "i's" !)

Anyway, I'm pooped.

More "real" bloggin' tomorrow.

:)

Ten Random Facts Meme

Since this blog is all about me, don't you want to know more?

Sure you do.

:)

1. I lived in Canada for a year after graduating from college. This was to get to know my "new home-country" since I'd be marrying my Canadian DH and living there, right? Yup, for three months, then we moved to Texas, of all places!

2. My parents and 5 siblings moved to the Phillippines and lived there for 2 years while I was in college. I went to visit them the summer before my senior year.

3. In High School, I was neither jock, nor nerd, nor popular party-girl. I was friends with all of these types, played sports, and was pretty smart. My "crowd" was a few gal and guy friends, and we were pretty tight. Too bad I have no idea what they're up to now, and vice versa. They really were my sanity in surviving those tumultuous years.

4. 5th grade was my worst year ever. I had a great teacher, but horrible friends. Every day when I got to my classroom, 3 of them would be mad at one person....usually me. I really wanted to be homeschooled that year.

5. I was not allowed to date, wear make-up or jeans during my entire public high school career. I think that was child abuse. (kidding, mom....sort of)

6. I went to a community college my senior year of high school and got really involved in the drama program, and loved it. It really helped to make that year bearable. I felt totally out of place, since I was still technically in high school.

7. While in Canada, I went out on a limb and tried my hand at acting in commercials. I actually did a photo shoot, but that was all. It was fun, and sometimes I wonder if I should try it again, now that I can play a more "mom-ish" role. (although I'll have to update my photo, eh?) lol

8. I went to Medjugorie, Yugoslavia my junior year of high school with my mom.

9. I play the guitar. OK, I used to, and need to re-teach myself!

10. I have a set of Irish twins amongst my children. DS #2 and DD #1 are 11 and 1/2 months apart. After seeing those two pink lines while holding a 3 month old, it took 7 months to scrape my jaw off the floor. Great war story, though!

I tag whomever wants to do this... Michelle? Tim? Sephora? Portia?

Don't ya...

...hate it when:

You run around like a mad woman first thing in the morning, sans coffee, trying to run four different errands, and you end up forgetting not one, but two main ingredients for one of the yumm-i-licoious desserts you need to make today??


...love it when:

You tell your dear friend the extent of your stupidity, and she exclaims, "But I have those ingredients right here at home!"


I know my friendships are worth their weight in gold, but this one takes the cake! (pun intended)

:)

Have you ever...

...had a weekend soooo crazy, that you need to plan your cleaning and shopping out for days before-hand?

I have a lovely lovely weekend planned. Lots and lots of visits, both away from my home and at my home. My sister is coming in to town Friday night, and will be accompanying us to a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party for the daughter in a family we rarely get to see, but really enjoy being with. Our whole fam is going, since they have boys that are my boys' age, and a little girl DD #2's age, as well as DD #1's "bestest friend in the whole world"!

Saturday night, after whipping up one or two yumm-i-licious desserts, I get to go to a dinner party here in town and meet a whole bunch of other super-nice Christian Mommy bloggers. I'm a bit nervous (I'm shy around people I don't know....no, really!) but they all seem so fun and such good women, that I'm excited, too.

Sunday morning, after mass, the esteemed CMW and her lovely family will be joining us for brunch. We are all looking forward to spending some quality relaxed time with them. Sundays are perfect for visiting with other families.

And so, with the shopping trips planned out, the menus in order, and my house cleaned, it all should go without a hitch.

Oh! You mean I have to plan the trips, the menus and do the cleaning?

Darn.

On the other hand, I homeschool, right? Perfect learning opportunities, here. From cleaning to learning how to make fuzzy navels for Mama.

:)

Proof...

that no matter how nicely I make my children dress when we go out as a family, my kids still have a style all their own.

Things...

that make me scowl:

Playing a soccer team comprised of people who are determined to read the fine print of the rule book and throw it in your face every chance they get.

Same team, who ignored our screaming hurt goalie, shot the ball in the goal and proclaimed, "sweet!" for all the world to hear.

Same team, whose coach kept mouthing off to us, our captain, and the ref, even after the game was over.


that make me smile:

The ref calling that goal a "no goal" b/c he had told the other team to "kick the ball out" and thought they were doing so.

Scoring a goal against that nasty team. :)

Having a really fun time playing a sport I really enjoy, and then coming home to my DH cooking steaks, my DD #1 showing off on her "newly de-training wheeled" two wheeler, and DD #3's exclamations of "Mama, home!"



Sweet victory.
:)

When...

Your DH has his own blog, you gotta move fast in order to claim funny images such as this one, for your own blog.

:)

To Life! **Updated**

My dearest friend, who is a Mama to 6, and whose youngest is 7 months old, called me yesterday with some amazing news... She is expecting!

I laughed in wonder.

And congratulated her most heartily.

She and her husband are just thrilled.

And while it was unexpected in some ways, it was entirely expected in others. Lisa and her husband are very generous people. Not just in being open to life, but in all aspects of their family and friendships. I can't count the number of times I have dropped my 5, to be added to her 6, (that's 11 kids under one roof, folks!) while I ran to the doctor's or some other time-consuming errand. She doesn't bat an eye.

Her parents are very active in the pro-life community here, running a crisis pregnancy center and organizing conferences and marches and masses. Wheelchair-bound from a war injury, her dad is always ready to hand out "precious feet" pins and pro-life bracelets and trinkets for the kids whenever he sees them. They are devoted grandparents, just thrilled by the news.

Unfortunately, not all of our aquaintances are as supportive. Isn't that strange? These are pro-life, strong Catholic moms, and the snide remarks are unbelieveable. The general jist is that they are glad it is someone else having the baby and not them.

Why is that?

Has anyone else encountered anything like this?

Any ideas or thoughts as to why people react/feel this way?

**After a lot of thinking yesterday, it suddenly occurred to me that there was a very good reason for this particular attitude, and that I should be praying, not seething! NFP is a very touchy subject to some of my aquaintances, simply because they are at that time of life when all heck breaks loose and nothing is normal any more. As a result, things are difficult with thier husbands, who, while being loving and supportive, are struggling with these changes as well. (I'm being vague on purpose...sorry!) Contraception, believe it or not, is looking mighty attractive to these women right now, given especially the recent scandalous behavior of quite a few priests in the Church! (I'm not saying what I think, but what I understand these people to think)

This is a crisis of faith. And if disobedience to Church teaching is chosen, the entire family will suffer.

Again, these are good, strong Catholic moms. I need to support them in my prayers! **

Pronunciation Prowess

Arduhbeetum

Arbadeetum

Artateebum

Yup. Just DD #2 talking about our trip to the Arboretum.

Three sentences, three different pronunciations.

The funniest part was that not one of her siblings ventured to correct her.

My guess is that they were just as stumped.

:)

87 degrees? Great day for the State Fair!

Naturally.

But in all seriousness, we had a great time.

We saw "Big Tex" as soon as we got there, amidst protestations from DD #1 who was convinced that she was going to be scared to death. He is a fairly harmless 52 foot tall statue, who greets the State Fair go-ers every year. DD #1 ended up fascinated by the fact that his mouth actually moved when he talked!

We took in 3 shows, the kids got to ride two rides each, and Mom and Dad are exhausted.

Here are some highlights:

DD #3 (sans nap) dancing along to the "filler" music while we waited for the "Bird Show" to start. This show is a State Fair favorite. They even fly a falcon from the top of the Texas Star ferris wheel down to the stage as part of the show! DS #2 just loved it, since birds are still his favorite topic to study.

Almost losing DD #2 twice. Once on the midway (she was right next to DS #1, I just couldn't see her) and the other time after the Bird Show as we were getting ready to go home. She decided to hang back to see the birds one more time. We were three feet from the Bird Show exit when DH realized she was missing. We turned around, and there she was, sauntering out of the Bird Show arena with a smirk on her face. DH plopped her in the stroller.

The look on DS #1's face when he got off the Texas Star ferris wheel with DH. He was ecstatic.

Watching DS #2 watching the birds. The look of awe and wonderment was priceless. I wouldn't be surprised if working with these creatures is in his future somewhere.

DD #1 telling us we pulled into the driveway that she wanted to watch something because today was "a little bit bor-" I hushed her up fast.




And the weather? A cold front was blowing in as soon as we got home. Polar Bear husband melted today, but got re-invigorated with the arctic blast screaming through our front north-facing windows. The rest of us sensible folks got sweats and sweatshirts on, and humored him with his open-window policy until he left to go to a public speaking event.

Now it's time for hot chocolate and windows closed.

Just a Thought...

How difficult it is, when reading things online, to tell the background of the person relating the story or ideas. In my short year or so of blogging, I've been exposed to this problem time and again. In my own blog, I have tried to be as honest and open as I can about where I'm coming from, and what my background is.

Isn't it interesting to meet someone new, and attempt to explain all the intricacies of your upbringing and your education and your life experiences? Doesn't it seem overwhelming and a bit complicated?

And do you sometimes find yourself assuming that the other person feels exactly the same way as you do? And isn't it strange when you do a little research and find out that you were completely wrong?

For example, I recently read a post on a "Larger Families" blog, (a bit liberal, but not offensive at all) where it linked to an "interesting discussion" over at another blog. The discussion was about larger families, and maybe that was a "new trend". A couple of the anonymous commenters were a bit nasty, but I put in my two cents (very nicely, I might add!) and that was that.

Well, I was going to link to the discussion, but thought I should do a little background check on this blog. Turns out, the author is very liberal, very feminist, and a democrat. Not really something I would endorse. Wow.

Just because she had spoken out in favor of larger families, I was all ready to believe that she was a conservative Catholic!

I know I am naive. I do have a bit of a "Pollyanna" outlook sometimes. I expect people to give me the benefit of the doubt when I'm not as clear as I'd like to be. (like now...lol)

This is not a rant against any of my regular readers, so don't worry! I just find it interesting how quickly people judge and move on.

Including me, sometimes!

Power Outage

And so this morning, pre-coffee, but post-sisterly phone call, our power went out with a bang!

The girls were outside playing in the back, when a huge shot exploded across the sky. Living in suburbia, and given the recent and rampant shootings, I hauled the girls in while I figured out what just happened.

The boys determined it first that the power went out.

I hurried outside to check the back, given what happened last time with our small brush fire and all....

No smoke, just some popping noises coming from a transformer somewhere down the alley.

And then, the reports:

DD #1: The lights don't work!

DD #2: The microwave doesn't work!

DD #1: We'll have to have peanut butter for lunch.

DS #1: Or go to Mc Donalds.

DD #1: Yeah!

Me: No.

Ds #2: I'm going to check the TV.

And so, I try to explain to them about electricity, and how everything we use is electric in some way. In other words, if it's plugged in, it won't work right now.

Including my coffee pot.

Argh.

I need to get up earlier and make my coffee first thing!

So, How is School Going, Anyway?

Mr. Cubeland Mystic asked me this question in response to a comment I posted on his blog, and my reply was getting a bit lengthy.

I guess I have more to say on this topic than I thought!

(OK, maybe I am the only one surprised....)

Over all, school is going well. We are staying on task and staying on schedule. I have high expectations for this year. In fact, this may be my "last hurrah" as a homeschooler if things don't go well. That may seem like a lot of undue pressure I've put on myself, but I have my reasons.

One, the biggest, is that I know it is so tempting as a homeschooler to ignore a lot of what the other schools are doing. To just sit back after creating your "learning environment" and view the kids' playing as school, simply because they are learning something. Doesn't matter what that something is, just as long as they are learning it. Trust me, this was me last year. We'd do Math and Phonics and then I'd let the kids do whatever... Not something I'd recommend. My laid-back attitude has cost us, but not too dearly, since I've been able to pick up the pace without a problem. And the kids are where they should be academically. (phew!)

Also, I saw in DS #1 (when he was at school last year) that my kids are capable of making real strides in many subject areas. His spelling was atrocious at the outset, but as every week went by, I saw a marked improvement in his spelling and his writing. It was amazing.

I'm really trying hard not to fall into the "do everything the same as a particular school does it" trap, but I'm finding that, for my personality, I need to feel like my kids are on par. Because, you know what? For every homeschooling success story, there are at least a few "failure" stories.... Kids so far behind, never finishing the years' work, falling a couple of grade levels behind, etc. It's a scary reality.

And I don't want it to be my reality.

But I must leave it on a happy note.

Tonight at dinner, the kids were showing DH how well they can recite the "Sanctus" from our Latin course. They wanted to race each other, to see who could say it the fastest.... (something I forbade when teaching them, since it is the pronunciation that is important at first) And even DD #3, at age 2, was chiming in!

I just love that "trickle down effect"!!

Sick of Rod Dreher?

Don't blame you.

Me too.

It's really too bad that he and his family have become officially Orthodox. It's too bad that he may lead a lot of other souls astray, souls that have followed him and his ideology from his "Crunchy Con" book and blog.

I'll pray for him, and others who may be wavering.

In the meantime, need an alternative?

Linked to at right, is a Catholic "crunchy con", (who has at one point labeled his familiy's lifestyle as "al dente" con,) Mr. and Mrs. Cubeland Mystic at Immaculate Direction.

Some of my readers already know CM, but I would like to further endorse what he is trying to do. He is truly Catholic and wishes to share his "Shire" with those who would like to try to cut down on the mass consumerism that is our society today.

He is unassuming, non-threatening, and non-judgemental.

Go. See.

A Day in Pictures...

Cold Front

Yessiree, it was a whopping 58 degrees when we woke up this morning....almost cold enough to snow down here, my kids declared. It has been 60 degrees and holding since 9am. DH is in heaven, the big Canadian polar bear that he is. My fingers feel a bit nippy, but I am enjoying the fresh air.

We have a wonderful field trip planned for tomorrow. With the low being 48 degrees in the morning, it promises to be frigid for us thin-skinned folks.

OK...I give in.

Time to get the winter clothes out.

With some beef stew and fresh bread for dinner.

I really do love Fall!

Wonder where she gets it....

DD #2 to me as I type this morning:

Mama, you need to change Mae! She is stinky!

(still typing)

Mama....

Mama....

(still typing)

OK, Mama, I'm going to count!

1...

2...

3...

4...

8...

9...

3...

(I figure at this point I have more time than I thought)

Mama!

I guess I better get on it, eh?

;)

Super Sleuth

The Evidence:


/>

The Culprit:

What Mama Saw:

Oh Yeah....

I am so very very proud.

High Expectations

DD #2 to me as she slurped the last drops from my iced espresso:

I wish I was a Mama and could have coffee when I teach the kids at the homeschool table.


Yes, dear daughter, someday you might be so lucky!

Making Good Decisions

Here's the situation.

DS #1 has been itching for more freedom lately, since he is oh-so-grown-up at the age of (almost) 9.

And so, DH and I have allowed him some sweet tastes of freedom which include going to play outside with the neighborhood kids after 7:30. (which is rapidly becoming "after dark") Usually, the kids stay within eyesight, playing in a front yard, or on the street, and that is definitely within my comfort zone.

But, the other evening, DS asked permission to go to the "park" that is one street over to look at the rabbits and play in the field there with two of the kids from our street. It's completely surrounded by houses on a fairly quiet street. It's not a "draw", since what little equipment they have is seriously outdated, and all the houses face it, and so everyone can keep an eye on what is going on.

Except me.

Now, breathe easy, nothing happened.

He went, he returned, he had a great time.

I was a wreck the whole time, watching the dusk deepen within every minute, and imagining what horrible things could have happened in the 5 minutes he had been gone.

Just as I was about to lose my mind, DH went out the front door and met up with the Grandpa of one of the kids that went with DS #1. And so, they both went to the park to fetch them.

DH played it cool, made casual conversation, and didn't tell DS #1 that he had come to walk him home. (They were already starting to come home when DH went to get them) And, though it was hard, I wasn't all over him about every little detail of what they did during the 15 minutes they were there. And I was rewarded with an enthusiastic blow-by-blow of chasing rabbits and sliding in the sand by the swingset.

Tonight, DS #1 went across the street to play with his friends again, and it seemed like they were going to hang out in his friend's front yard. Eventually, they disappeared, and I went over to see where they went. They were inside, chatting with the grandparents, about to play "wheelbarrow" in the backyard. I said fine, be home by 8pm.

At 7:30, they showed up and invaded our backyard, dragging play equipment all over kingdom come and swinging like monkeys from our rope swings. At 8pm they left.

And then I heard from DS #1 that the kids had been telling scary stories....

I knew this because DS #2 had also been across the street in the front yard briefly, but came home because he didn't want to hear the stories. I decided not to call DS #1 home, but let him make that decision for himself. (*This is a huge step for me, people*) And now he was scared.

I reminded him of this story. About how the Squire kept his heart pure by following the words on the scroll, the words that we are also teaching our children....one lesson among the many being, "listen only to words that are pure." I told him that I didn't call him home because I wanted him to make his own decision about what he could handle. And I hoped that from now on he would make better decisions.

And I'll keep on praying to his guardian angel!

I Am From...

I have seen this a few times on other blogs, and wanted to try it out. Talk about exercising one's creative writing skills! It was wonderful to do. Here's the link if you would like to try it out.



I am from muggy summers and fans whirring in the night. I am from winter ice storms and Radio Flyer sleds.

I am from a kick-the-can neighborhood, and “ghost in the graveyard” after dark. From pink-checked canopy beds and Marie Osmond Barbie dolls, and Carvel ice cream cakes.

I am from spring lilacs and summers on the beach. From backyard gardens with fresh tomatoes and ripe blueberries.

I am from Thanksgiving soccer games, and the love of all sports. I am from Donna and Ed, from Mae and Chester and Regina.

I am from peacemakers, and generosity. I am from strong convictions, and stubborn refusal to let difficulties go unchallenged.

I am from “family is everything” and “there is always room for one more”…

I am from folk guitars and hands upraised. I am from 3am visits to His most awesome Presence. From joy and contemplation. I am from Rome, true to our Vicar on earth.

I am from NY pride, Polish stubbornness and Irish loyalty. From Christmas Eve Vigilias and huge family gatherings for every occasion.

I am from my grandmother who listened, and dressed me up in her jewels. From my grandfather who fought overseas, and then came home and fought for his livelihood, battling blazes in NYC. I am from my own father, who fought the tide of the world and held strong to his beliefs, and raised us in safety. I am mostly from my mother, whose strength and skill lives in me.

I am from 8mm home movies, and Kodak Instamatic cameras. From a big red photo album with yellow-covered sticky pages, and a watery blue baby book. Both are filled with faces and memories of family and friends long-forgotten. Until we resurrect it and reminisce and laugh and cry over what used to be.

And we look with love around us at what it has become...

The Pirates...

...no, not of The Carribean. (Although, I really liked both of those movies)

Both boys graduated to "coach pitch" baseball this season, and are really enjoying it. And even though it is technically called coach pitch, they are already practicing for the next level of "kid pitch". They start out each batter with a player pitching, and when (if) they get to 4 balls, the coach comes out and pitches.

DS #1 has been pitching, and doing great! DS #2 loves his team, and his coach. He has been playing a lot of infield positions. Both of them need to work on their throws, and strengthening their arms. And this leads to a lot of "lifting weights" (like chairs and play tables) and exercising with me...

I love to go to their games and get to know the other families and players. It's a great bunch of people. It's going to be a fun fall!

Apparently...

...nowhere is safe.

Even a one-room Amish Schoolhouse!


Which leads me to my oh-so-brilliant thought for the day:

Homeschooling and being Over-Protective.

DH and I were having this discussion on the way home from church yesterday. He had had a conversation with another homeschooling Dad who declared that he would not allow his son to be an acolyte at any other parish than his own. (due to the whole sexual abuse scandal in the church) While I understand his sentiments, and especially the need to be protective of one's children in this regard, (I have very strong feelings on this particular subject...) this particular family goes a bit "overboard" in guarding their children from forming friendships outside our homeschooling community (and even within it, since I think our family may be part of the 'anathema' list)

Here's the jist.

-We don't make our girls wear skirts all the time.
-I don't wear skirts all the time.
-We allow our children to listen to (some) rock music.
-We allow them to play out front with the neighborhood (public-schooled) kids.
-We go to the parish everyone else left when a new priest came in. Almost everyone else followed the old priest to his new parish.
-We have maintained our friendships with all of our friends, despite their schooling choices. I'm talking rock-solid Catholics, here.

What does this have to do with homeschooling?

Well, I have heard a few Moms admit that the reason they homeschool is that, indeed, they do want to raise their kids in a bubble. They want no outside worldly influence to play any part, or have any effect on their family.

I think that is a baaaaad idea.

What is going to happen to these kids when they <*gasp*> go to the mall?

Will they survive?

Or how about the whole college experience?

I'm sure they will go to an awesome Catholic college, but even there, don't tell me that everyone is a paragon of virtue. How many shotgun weddings do you know occurred after graduation? I can name quite a few. And what about the attraction and excitement of the "unknown'? Will they be too scared to experiment? Or do they have an adventuresome personality with no notion of limits and moderation?

Yes, it is a tightrope walk, this whole raising of children. I claim no authority beyond my limit, no superiority of method here.

All I know, is that forbidden fruit seems sweeter when it is such, and we parents need to play that card only when it a serious serious matter....
-drugs
-pre-marital sex
-not going to mass
-obedience
-treating people with respect

And the virtues will come through perserverance and example, and gentle correction.

So, why do we homeschool? Our reasons are multi-faceted, having to do with the personality of our kids, and my belief that homeschooling is more efficient on many levels. Of course, money is an issue too. I would not send my kids to the local public school here, because we are urban, and there is a gang influence. Not safe, in my opinion. And so, the only other option is an expensive awesome private Catholic school. Maybe when the kids get older...

Any other thoughts...things that I missed?