FYI

Most of you know this already, but for those who do not....

My family is praying the Election Novena and Prayers. Here are some links if you want to join us in prayer in an effort to have all of Heaven intercede in this upcoming election.

CatholicVote.com

Faithful Citizenship Novena (USCCB) - we're on day 4

Catholic Vote.com's Election Prayer to Mary

My personal meditation for the Joyful Mysteries.

God Bless you and yours!

Last warm weekend

Here's a sampling of my favorite photos from this past weekend. The apples were ripe, the cows were out, and it was perfect 4-wheelin weather.

Stanley & Mikayla posing for mommy.

Tom & Sabrina going for a ride. Her smile just melts me.

Sabrina checking out Papa Victor's cows.

What's that?

Tom & Stanley watching Papa Victor and Uncle Rodney grinding the corn into feed.

Mikayla cute as a button.

Tom & Melissa - kissing as usual.

Go visit my other blog to read my rosary meditations for the luminous and joyful mysteries, with a focus on evangelization and the upcoming elections. There is also a reflection on the book, Courageous Love lesson 3, as discussed at our Women's study last week, followed by inspiring thoughts which occured in adoration afterwards.

God Bless you and yours!

Feast of St. Jude

Next Tuesday, October 28th, is the feast of Saint Jude Thaddeus, a more quiet apostle and patron saint of hopeless cases.


Children ages 9-14 can read about Saint Jude:
Saint Jude: A Friend in Hard Times (foreward by Scott Hahn)

COLOR this picture of Saint Jude, that I basically traced for my kids to color and anyone else interested. This artist did a fabulous job, I didn't need to improvise!

Prayers to St. Jude <-click here

Saint Jude Thaddeus, glorious Apostle, faithful Servant and Friend of Jesus. The name of the traitor [Judas Iscariot] has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the True Church invokes you universally as the patron of things despaired of. Pray for me, who am so miserable; Pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the aid of Heaven in all my troubles, tribulations and sufferings, particularly ___[request]____ and that I may bless God with the elect throughout Eternity. Amen.

You can talk to your children about the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and some of the hopeless cases they see there, and how even then - there are still miracles and there is always hope where there is faith.

Musically: "Hey Jude" by the Beatles was a song written to help a child get past his parent's divorce. In such a hopeless case, this song brings forth hope of moving on. It is not about Saint Jude, but the name and the words really go along with the theme. ;-)







Interestingly enough, this song was in the musical movie "Across the Universe" which I believe is a musical based on many famous Beatles songs. Watch "Hey Jude" below. It's a neat interpretation!




But of course, before your finished with all these links, you have to see this little kid perform. It is too cute to miss!


God Bless you and yours!

New schoolmates

Meet John, friend of Stanley... he likes John Deere tractors.


Meet Ruthie, friend of Mikayla... she likes crafts and playing house.

We were so happy to invite these loving Christians into our home this weekend... to stay for the rest of forever.

They were made with love by their creator, Mommy... complete with belly buttons and two cheeks to pinch.

And we look forward to new adventures with them, and dress up clothes to follow - when Mommy's fingers heal from all the hand sewing... By the way, a big thanks to Grandma Pat and Papa Bruce for donating this old desk for the use of a sewing table. It worked great!

So if you see John and Ruthie again, don't be shy to say hello! They're so excited to meet everyone and learn new things at St. Brigid's Academy!

Here's the Links to patterns for these Wee Wonderful Dolls from my past blog.

God Bless you and yours!

Civic Duty as Catholics - this weekends homily

Jesus says in this weekend's readings...

'Render therefore to Caesar

the things that are Caesar's,

and to God the things that are God's.'

I strongly urge you to read my dad's homily from this weekend about a Catholic's civic duty, click here!

OR visit his website anytime: A Wealth of Wisdom

God Bless you and yours!

Fall Movies

We started today with mommy time and a movie. The kids watched Winnie the Pooh's Heffalump Halloween that I borrowed from the library. They're holding their flashlights from their great-grandparents they got yesterday. I spent time blogging and preparing the next two weeks of school.

It's interesting that even though I do not do the "scary halloween" these kids are so intrigued by scarry things. We love getting dressed up, getting treats from the people we know, handing out treats at our door. But we avoid the scarry things, and make sure to celebrate All Saints Day either with our homeschool group or our family.

So what is this facination? Now, I am mostly speaking about Mikayla. She is braver than I'll ever be. This is the girl that asked us to pull out her last 2 loose teeth. The girl who smooshes spiders for me. The girl who likes watching adult shows with me like House, CSI, Law and Order, etc. When she was just little we predicted she'd be the Tom Girl, or Tommy's Girl (my husband is Tom). She loves things we normal associate as boyish. But she can be as girly as can be every other day. Prettied up with makeup and skirts, playing dolls, and talking on the phone.

Well, this post was meant for the picture but has turned into an evaluation of my daughter, so I'll just dedicate this one to her - my little Miss Mischevious Mikayla! The girl who's a lot like me and also a lot like who I'd like to have been.

God Bless you and yours!

Autumn Spleandors

We just love visiting the Michalek Family farm and Tom & Vickie's farm in the fall. The trees just scream, capture me on film or paper. Here are some pictures we took this past weekend.

Autumn days at the family farm include mending the fences,

picking up leaves, and waiting for the apples to ripen!

Autumn means new adventures waiting to happen.

It's time for learning about how things grow and change.

We learn about God's beautiful creation and

the artwork He's made for us to enjoy.

Wicks' Fall Birthday Celebration

It was a beautiful fall day, with just a few sprinkles of rain. The fall birthday people were honored with a special party loaded with fun. We started the day with a taco bar with all the fixin's.

Many of us headed out to the pumpkin patch to pick our own pumpkins and decorative gourds. I think everyone left with a bagful! What a treat!

Then Uncle Tom geared up his tractor and we all jumped on the hay wagon for a beautiful ride through the woods so full of color. We weren't certain if we'd get soaked or not, so we went anyways with our jackets on and hopes high.

We were blessed with a dry trip and soft hay!

The kids and I had so much fun looking at all the beautiful leaves, keeping an eye out for deer, and hanging on with every bump and turn! This really made our fall complete.

When we came back, we gathered for pictures and presents. Grandpa Orlin and Grandma Doris had quite the surprise for us with halloween gifts for the little ones, and thoughtful gifts for the birthday crew (Tom W, Tim, Brian, Tom M, Melissa, Jessica, Sarah, and Sabrina). [Stanley wanted to be in the picture, even though he has a summer bday!]

Vickie spoiled us with fried ice cream and cheesecake topped with freshly handpicked raspberries. The kids colored, adults conversed nicely, and even the two babies played together.

Overall it was a fabulous way to spend a Sunday in the autumn.

We only wish it would have lasted longer!

Happy Birthday to all autumn babies!

Being a Housewife

Life is beginning to look a lot closer to the depression era. We're fighting to keep our jobs, our homes, our lifestyles, and always in a fight for morality above politics.


If you lived in the 1930's during the Great Depression, How would you rank?

97 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

Here are some handy tips for the week to help you get through your day as a housewife:

How to remove scratches from your DVDs and CDs

Video how to fold laundry efficiently

Martha Stewarts T-Shirt Folding Lesson

Home Ec 101 Blog

Ever feel like Tarzan?

Okay, well I'm more of a Jane - feminine but still swinging from tree to tree and being queen of this jungle!


While I am sure most have not even realized I haven't been posting or commenting much, I haven't been. I've been trying to get myself situated in this school year's chaotic schedule. I've been spending time with my family and organizing. It's been really hard to change my focus onto the most important things to do, when I just want to do everything!

Last Saturday night I went and saw Fireproof, and I can't begin to tell you how fabulous it was. Sometimes it was like watching a movie about me and my husband's struggles. I strongly urge all of you to see it, whether in the theatre or when it comes to DVD. It's chock full of marriage advice, and how it takes God at the center of your marriage to make it work. No shortcuts.

OH YES! - 5 STARS ***** for Fireproof

Fireproof your marriage by clicking here.

Buy the Love Dare book and Study Kit

I put together my dad's blog for all of his fabulous homilies. I taught him how to author his own posts this weekend, so I look forward to watching him share his wisdom and humor with all of us. Be sure to check his out on your google reader or wherever.


And don't forget my own blog, where I talk about politics, prolife issues, humor, adoration and other personal things.


It is taking me awhile to catch up on all your posts, so that is why I am not commenting much. But know that I am thinking about and praying for you every day. I wish you all the best!


God Bless you and yours!

Adorable Patterns

Just found these absolutely adorable patterns from Wee Wonderfuls, thanks to the link from Shelly at Keeper of the Keys. I am so excited to use these patterns with all my scrap material my mom and I have collected over the years. If you like sewing, be sure to check these out! There are dolls, paper dolls, stichettes, and more. Great for ladies or kids to make.

Here are my favorites:

Kit, Chloe and Louise Dolls Pattern (Shown Above)
Freebies

Paper Doll

God Bless you and yours!

Wordless Wednesday

Mikayla's note upon her door.

(No My Brother Allowed)

What happens if you disobey the note...