We could all use a dose of humility.

By far one of the hardest prayers I've ever had to pray. I think everything else in my life is easier to change than this. That's why I pray it as often as I can lately.

LITANY OF HUMILITY

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being extolled,

From the desire of being honored,

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred to others,

From the desire of being consulted,

From the desire of being approved,

From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

From the fear of being calumniated,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being ridiculed,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being suspected,

That others may be loved more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I,

That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become holier than I,

provided that I may become as holy as I should.

- Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val

God Bless!

Continue Reading »

A day I'll never forget.

I will never forget they day I heard on the radio at work that one of our nation's landmarks had been destroyed along with thousands of lives. I will never forget the fear in my heart when I couldn't reach my fiance who worked at a nuclear power plant, later to find he had been told to stay put for tightening of security for a possible terroristic attack on them. I will never forget shaking in my seat, wondering if this was the start of the 3rd World War. I will never forget the endless tears my family shed that day, wondering what and who was next. Tears shed for all those who will never see their loved ones again. Distant neighbors and heroes running to their rescue. Tears shed today in remembrance of all those things and more. I will never forget the weeks and years after, still wondering what really happened and why.

Still not sure what I'm writing about? "Have you forgotten?"

I will never forget my patrotism for our country, THE USA, and those who serve it well.
I thank God so many lived to see another day.
God Bless America.
God Bless all those united with us in prayer.
God Bless all countries terrorized by others.






God Bless!


Now go to this link and try to tell me that these soldiers don't want to be where they are... I don't think so. If they enlisted, they know what they're getting themselves into, most enlisted for that very reason. Ho-rah for the US Military and all those who fight for freedom.
- Melissa, Daughter of a Vietnam Navy Veteran.

Continue Reading »

Learning to Sacrifice Week 4: Procrastinator

My sacrificing just hasn't worked out. I write one thing and do another. I believe I've spent about 80% of my day on this dang computer. I love it and hate it at the same time.

This week, I am learning to sacrifice my procrastination. I have kicked a lot of bad habits, but this one just won't budge. I swear my boots are getting bruises trying.

Why do I do this to myself, day after day, and stress myself out even more? Who knows. But one thing I know - I hate it, internally and self-consciously, I hate it. There are somethings I know will never get done, but there are tasks that must be completed asap, and right now I could care less and would rather type. I'd rather escape to this digital world I've created for myself. My family barely notices anymore. What have I done?

I guess I just got my answer.

Good night.

God Bless!

Continue Reading »

Quirks MEME

Here are the rules:
1. Link the person(s) who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

God Bless!



My QUIRKS, thanks to A Book A Day:

#1 I can't stand people that JUST DONT GET IT. Their ignorance eats away at me for hours or longer.

2. I used to have a thing about the way pillows were arranged (thanks to mom), but now that I have kids who really could care less - my new one is the arrangement of things higher up like pictures, clocks, books, etc. If I sit down and just look around and see something off, I redecorate! Hence, a long weekend project a few days ago. I guess I sat down too long!?

3. I am a pimple poker. It was always about my own face, but since my hubby lets me for some odd reason, I do it to him too. My kids cover their face and hide when they see my hands come near their faces. (smart kids). It drives me nuts to see blemishes on others faces, but don't worry - I'll stay back. For some odd reason, it's cool when it's mine, but not other peoples. Ew! Sorry to those sqweamish folks.

4. I get stuck on an idea and it bothers me A LOT until it gets done. I have a to do list a mile long. Which is the real quirk - I write TO DO lists every day. If they get a little messy or more than two things crossed off, I rewrite it. This consumes a small portion of my day, but it helps me relax a little to know I have a backup of my thoughts.

5. It's not the being there that's hard, it's the getting there. That is the best description I have for my social anxieties. You'll never know it if you've met me, talked to me, whathaveyou. But it's definately there, just ask my hubby, who has to convince me to go to a lot of gatherings either by gladly going or going guiltily. Also working on this with my therapist.

6. Perfectionist? Not so sure that is the right word, but it is close. I like things done in a certain way, and I like things neat and tidy. If the kitchen is a mess, the whole house just looks dirty. If the whole house looks dirty, I'd rather be shopping. SO I do my best to keep things neat and clean, but let it still look a little "lived in." (right, Jamie?)

7. Okay, that lead me to a necessary 7th quirk: When I go shopping, I have the tendency to get excited about everyother thing I see. Thanks to my husband's "look" we have not purchased it all. But my other list of "Things to get" is just as long as my "Things to do" list.


Unsuspecting BLOGGERS who should try this out:
Lord, Make Me A Saint - Jamie
A Catholic Harvest - Paula
To Infinity and Beyond- Erika
Shower of Roses - Jessica
Pinewood Castle - Tracy
Living a simple life and pure faith - Christine
Aspiring Homemaker - Susan

OKay, skip this... basically everyone on the list on the right side of my blog should try this one. It really feels good - like a venting moment.

Continue Reading »

Adoration Thursday Night

As you can see from my posts, I'm struggling with my life and homeschooling. But I'm trying to buck up and take it like a mother. So tonight while in prayer at Adoration, feeling like my soul was so black maybe God couldn't reach me with his words...

He called me to pray the rosary. Mary inspired me to pray without hesitation the Joyful Mysteries. I willingly agreed and began. My daughter, only 6, requested to come with me, so I got her started and then began my own. (She did rather well, but this will not be a regular thing.)

The Joyful Mysteries for Homeschoolers (what I heard)

1. The Annunciation: Mary said yes to be the mother of God, whom she homeschooled and raised the best she could with God's Grace. I too said "yes" to being a mother and homeschooling little soldiers for Christ. So if I said "yes" to His calling for me, how can I have any doubt of my choice? So again, I say "YES." I will teach your little children to know, love and serve you - as you have asked of me.

2. The Visitation: Even Mary needed womanly companionship in her life. Someone to lift her up, and with Elizabeth pregnant also, they could share in those trials together. Homeschool and Stay at home mothers need companionship. It is in God's great design that we share our lives with each other. I am honored to have found a beautiful friend (Jamie) who shares many of my same joys and trials. Someone who lifts me up in my sad times, because she understands and prays for me - as I do for her. The visitation is about companionship, an essential part of happiness with homeschooling.

3. The Birth of Jesus: God's gifts to us are plentiful. When the school day begins, I am called to bring my gifts to my children, just as the 3 kings did. The gifts are my talents, my love and affection, my knowledge, my faith and so much more. I need to bring all that to the table each morning. Give of myself freely to my children to further enrich their lives as well as mine. What we do for them, we do for Jesus.

4. The Presentation: As parents, we need to offer our children up to the Lord. We need to be sure that their lives are lived for Christ, not to fulfill our own wants and shortcomings. We need to present ourselves to our children and be an open book to them. A living example of what they will someday become. Are we being that for them? Am I being a good example for my children? What materials are we presenting to our children - are they fully enriched in the teachings of the church? When they are presented at the gates of heaven, will God be pleased with the way we raised them and how they were taught and disciplined?

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: Our children will stray, it is just in their nature to do so. I need to accept that, and move on. I need to stay calm when they tune me out or have a day where they just would rather play. Isn't that what homeschooling is all about? Flexibility? Why am I having such a hard time being flexible, when that is a big part of the whole plan!? I need to be confident that the Lord has a big hand in all of this, and if I slip, if they slip, whether we mean to or not, God will bring us back on track when the time is right. And I need to remember that they are just children - and I need to refocus my attention on what is truly a necessity and what can wait for another day.

These are just some of the thoughts, probably ramblings to some of you. But I really felt through the thickness of my soul, a soul that is in desperate need of confession, God's voice wtill spoke to me. I had to be still, quiet, and just a few feet away from the Real Presence to hear Him - but I did. He called, and I answered him. Now it is up to me to take heed and start anew.

Tomorrow I feel will be a better day.

Thank the Lord!

Continue Reading »

Learning to Sacrifice Week 3: Sleep Deprevation

Very late on this one again due to the school week. Sacrificing my sleep and fun in my day seems to be the theme for me.

This week has been a lot of work for me, you know the one who has never followed a schedule in the past 7 years! The one with the kids that have never been prompted nor encouraged to wake up before 9:30am.

So this next week, I am sacrificing my late night hours and sleeping in for the greater good of my soul. I am waking up and getting to my morning prayers asap. I haven't done this in oh, about 10 years. And I am going to push for a "by 10pm" bedtime.

So lots of changes, lots of things to do, lots of moments where I feel just overwhelmed and starting to freak out a little. I don't know whether this is more work that I expected, or if this is as much work as I knew it would be. I think I'm in denial.

Occasional phases of my days:

1. Denial - "It can't be 7am already!?"

2. Anger - "Stupid alarm song. Might as well be Dawn of the Dead."

3. Bargaining - "I'll just hit snooze one more time."

4. Depression - "I just want to stay in bed forever."

5. Acceptance - "Well, I better get up because there is no use trying to sleep with a crying baby, wreckless toddler, and anxious 1st grader all awake."

1. Denial - "Since when did I become a homeschooler?"
2. Anger - "Breakfast? Just grab a cereal bar!"
3. Bargaining - "If you finish this handwriting page, you can watch Word World."
4. Depression - "Only 5 more minutes until the show is over. Agh!"
5. Acceptance - "I asked for it. I am a mother just like I always wanted to be, so this is the life I chose. Deal with it and consider yourself blessed for having the children and the choice!"

1. Denial - "It's not that late, is it?"

2. Anger - "If only I hadn't spent so much time on the phone and running errands today!"

3. Barganing -"Just read one more blog, than off to bed."

4. Depression - "But I want to read every blog and post on every one. I don't want to be left behind and never catch up. Even if that means less sleep for me."

5. Acceptance - "That's it. I am done. It's 3am and that is just rediculous. My life won't end and be meaningless if I don't read all this tonight."

Good night - or morning rather.

Continue Reading »

Vote for someone who's more than words

A few weeks ago, my daughter (now 6) and I were talking about children, and we started talking about her being the first baby of our family, me of mine, and I told her about the first children on earth. "What were their names, mommy?" "Cane and Abel," I said. She lifted her head from her lunch and confidently asked, "John McCain?"

Now I've heard a lot of old jokes about McCain, but that one tops the funny list, don't you think!? The people on the campaign trail have really thought of everything. Tonight while watching the news after Sarah Palin's wonderful and thought provoking speech, channel 5 news introduced a new tool in the GOP campaign...

The McCane:

I was so thrilled to hear the speeches tonight from Rudy Guilianni and Sarah Palin. They were direct, truthful, and given by people of distinct character. I could not help but laugh, cheer, cry and sit on the edge of my seat to hear their words. Why was it so important? Because I wanted to hear the hope of a greater country from their lips. I wanted confirmation that they have a real plan beyond the campaign - and they do!

Many of you reading are already in agreement with me. But this is certainly a way to chat amongst ourselves, and welcome others to question our reasoning - because I think we are armed and ready to answer.

As I have mentioned before, I am not a one-platform voter. I am not just a pro-life voter, even though that is my first and most promenent agenda. Life at any stage should have rights as any other human in this world. If our government cannot defend the lives of those without voices, what other rash decisions might they make?

But I am also the wife of a union worker, who's main job comes from the same nuclear power plants that Palin and McCain are fighting for. Palin and her husband are in a union family like ours, and to be union and republican is often unheard of until this campaign sprung. In fact, I was just given word by my husband that a union carpenter's committee agreed to send funds for the Norm Coleman (R) campaign, and voted to not financially support that of Al Franken! Whoa! I had to ask him twice just to be sure!

One of my favorite quotes from tonight is that while the republicans are fighting for and near victory over terrorists and the safety of our nation, the Democratic campaign is "more worried about the fact that those terrorists aren't being read their rights" when they come into our country." I just had to laugh, because even though it was said in a blunt and short way, it is really still summed up well. What are we telling our troops if an Obama presidency comes to pass, and he pulls the troops out of Iraq because "It's a lost war" when we are so close to victory? I firmly believe that would not only weaken our country military wise, but weaken the spirits of those who want to fight for our freedom. If your president and government is not behind you, than how can you truly fight with passion and purpose? Who would want to enlist under Obama's rule? I vote McCain-Palin because they understand first hand what it means to fight for a cause. They understand that we are more than just one nation fighting for the rights of our nation and our safety. The McCain-Palin campaign is one of compassion and freedom for all human life across the globe.

I am thrilled at their push for continued increase in national stability when it comes to our own fuel resources, energy resources, and seeing Green (not money, but nature). My husband has worked in close range of those nuclear power rods, and my children are only "glowing" with pride for their daddy. It is safe, it is clean, it is our best future!

I am behind them 100% when it comes to the lessening of government and bringing power to the people. Governments role was to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Not to gather funding for rediculous projects and to be purely selfish in itself and it's elite members. With McCain-Palin in office, we will see a new era of our government. One that is self-less, justified, decent, and sees all life as precious - regardless of its race, country, income, or stage.

I being the daughter of a Middle Class, (black &) white collared, Roman Catholic family. I the wife of a blue collared husband, a farmer and carpenter. I the stay at home, homeschooling, prolife, small business owning, going green mother of 3 (and 2 in heaven). I am the same woman who rooted and voted every time for the BUSH administration, Sr. & Jr. - and am proud of it.

Lets all put our best foot forward, right into that voting booth - and vote McCain-Palin!

May God watch over the USA and its people.

Our Lady of America, pray for us.

Continue Reading »

A prayer for the start of our days.

This is a really good prayer for the start of our days.

PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!!
IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for my sons and daughters.
For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes;
that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received
into the hearts of every eye that sees it
in Jesus' name.
Amen!

Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves!!
God I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please.

God will bless you with whatever you ask, if it is for the greater good of your sanctification. If you feel He has not answered your prayers, perhaps it wasn’t the way you expected it, perhaps it wasn’t meant to be, or perhaps it is just not time.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

In the quiet, you will hear God’s voice.

Continue Reading »