HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS...

Today I overheard two moms at VBS discuss that there are seven more weeks till school starts...

I got a pit in my stomach at the thought...than I looked at the moms faces...they were filled with joy and laughter!!! I looked at them and smiled, "ohhhh do you guys need to come to my house!!!"

Why is it that some families don't enjoy the time they have with their kids? Homeschoolers or not...Families should treasure the time they have with their kids.

I don't want to step on any toes here...but if you don't like your kids now...wait till they get to be teenagers!!!

We need to reevaluate what kind of people we are raising!!! If we as parents don't love our kids...who will? What kind of future spouses, religious, community helpers, neighbors, or parents, are we raising? These are the parents of our future grandchildren!!!

Any thoughts?

+JMJ+Thy will be done

Meditation of the day...story time this morning

Today is Monday...I hate Mondays...but it is a way to start over...so here I try to listen to the Holy Spirit...

This is what I got:

From THE IMITATION OF CHRIST: On following Christ Our Model:

How foolish to wish for a long life, but not care whether it is a good life; to be concerned only with the present, with never a thought of eternity and the endless joy that awaits you.

Often think of the proverb: "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing" Sir 1:8

The books we read this morning:

Sophie's Masterpiece- by Eileen Spinelli, if you like Charlotte's Web you will love this little story!!!

The Bee Tree: by Patricia Polacco. I don't think I have ever read a book by her that I don't like. I enjoy the way she shares family traditions, culture, her love to read & write, and her Jewish heritage.

Homeschooling suggestions: Kindergarten-3rd grade...

BEFORE I START suggesting...you need to remember that each year and season in our lives change...so this is just an outline of what I try to accomplish. My advice is to read all the time...the librarian should be your best buddy!!! Make sure you don't fall into the trap I did...collecting everything. My thoughts were that I would use it one day...now I am DECLUTTERING like crazy. You really need to see your state in life...do you want to buy a curriculum? How much $$$ do you want to spend? I don't buy one I just put together what I like. There are times in many of our lives when just buying one may help. I have changed over the years from making everything from scratch to using workbooks for some courses...now I tend to only use books that are easy for me to grade (or my kids grade) and ones I know don't stress our family out to much. I try to have all school done before my husband gets home so we can enjoy being a family and the dreaded seasons we do sports we can without too much stress. I am sure I will edit this as I remember other thoughts on each grade, because we change it year.


BE ON GUARD FOR HELP...ask around for people's specialties...don't be afraid to ask others to bring along your kids when they go on field trips or to carpool to other events. If someone is willing to "teach" a class or club activity...offer your home...that way you don't have to drive!!! That is the only way we survive!!!


Kindergarten:

READ, READ, READ!!!

I like EXPLODE THE CODE (all of them for all ages!!!) Due to past finances...I put them all in dry erase pages and put them in binders...the kids get to use them over and over again!!! We do a lesson a day...using the "write it" as our spelling test for the little guys. All my kids love these!!!

We use BOB BOOKS AND THE LIKE...

I started using phonographix years ago when I had a neighbor who is uses it in her teaching show me the materials. I like it. I think whatever works for your family is best!!! They are fun and you can elaborate with children who have difficulty!!!

I use lots of math games and hands on. Whatever I can get my hands on. We use Miquon Math and even thou it can get tricky we have used it. I don't think it is necessary if you can't spend the $$$ on the teacher books. Just buy the workbooks and look for them used!!!

For history and science we do lots of units with the other kids...bugs, seasons, body, world, and whatever comes to play in our home.

For Kindergarten I spend about a 1/2 hour of "instruction" a day. "gasp!!!" Yes, but our family theory is we start "school the minute we wake up and finish when we go to sleep at night!!!" Our days are always filled with learning and hopefully fun!!! We cook and try to clean...we play with the baby and try to get ready for daddy when he comes home!!! I kid with my friends all the time and say kindergarten in our house is "hey sweetie what color shirt do you have on?" once they answer, they are done for the day!!! OK...I am not that bad!!!...well, sometimes...

Handwriting: I like DRAW WRITE NOW,Handwriting without tears, ABEKA handwriting, writing letters, and just about anything that gives them more practice.

Homeschooling is a LIFESTYLE we have chosen...not just an EDUCATIONAL choice.

UPDATE:
As I was thinking about posting 1st,2nd, and 3rd...I realized that much of what we continue to use is the same. We just move on to the next set of books. We read more, and a little more, and then some more.

Balance & Moderation

My parenting/homeschooling methodology...

I have been reading a lot online about different people’s perspectives on parenting and homeschooling methods...I have been married for 19 years and have been a mother/homeschooler for 18 years.So take my advice with a grain of salt...

My husband and I have tried about every different parent strategy as well as about 15 different homeschooling curriculums. We owned a Christian/Catholic bookstore for 10 years and got to pick from the best!

What we have learned in the end is what my old spiritual adviser suggested monthly to me..."BALANCE AND MODERATION".

I know those who know us laugh and say balance and moderation??? 11 kids...and an exercise crazed man??? What kind of balance and moderation is that???...trust me if you only knew how crazy we really are...

We learn from the best...we take what we like from everyone and use what works for us at different stages in our lives, different personalities work well with different approaches; different seasons call for creative methods. Sometimes due to pregnancy, newborns, construction, or other calls of life make us stretch and adjust our "plans".

That is why my husband and I make a perfect team!!! God's design for our family calls us to balance each other out and find moderation in our lives.

The one thing that has gotten us through it all is tenacity and stick-to-itiveness. The good old "JUST DO IT" approach.

I know many people ask me for specific advice and are disappointed when I don't give them a "just add water" answer. Yes, I like different parenting strategies. Yes, I use about 10 different curriculums to meet the needs of my crazy family.

But in the end...we are happy and taking one day at a time.

Best $20 date ever!!!

GREAT DATE:
10 year old son & mom at Barnes and Nobles for 2 1/2 hours
$14.95: TRAVEL BATTLESHIP...(I won)
$4.5O: STRAWBERRY/LEMONADE SMOOTHIE w/2 straws
DAD: left with other kids and a movie

Family Motto...bites back...

4 year old: "mom, remember when you said, 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!!!'"

mom: "yes"

4 year old: "well, that means you and daddy can't yell at us at the dinner table anymore!"

4 year old: " anyway it kinda makes my stomach go up"

mom: feeling bad and guilty..."that is called being nervous"

exercise and trying to lose weight...

I hate to exercise...I hate trying to lose weight...is there anyone besides my husband who enjoys this? Well I spend my month something like this:
1st week: OK so I know I am not pregnant...exercise lots!!!
2ND week: hum...maybe I am pregnant...exercise less!!!
3rd week: I am probably pregnant...eat more...gain weight...exercise even less!!!
4Th week: I am sure I am pregnant...eat more...gain more weight...no more exercise, the baby needs me to rest!!!
THEN IT HAPPENS...oops, darn...I am not pregnant...just FAT!!!
So that is where I am today...20 lbs overweight and not pregnant!!! Back to exercise!!!

My husband's BLOG...

You go dear...once again...what more can I say...

http://sardoniccatholicdad.blogspot.com/ on how kids treat their moms...+

PAST POST...reminder...

THE ABC AND D'S OF HOME ORGANIZATION

WE NEED TO RECLAIM OUR VOCATION AS WIVES AND MOTHERS

My husband will totally tell you that our house is crazy...it is never all clean at the same time...what a shame, we really enjoy it when it is...another goal!!! When we work on one part of the house...the next one gets destroyed!!! So frustrating...I have tried EVERY organizational tool known to woman and it still doesn't do the work for me...the best thing I have found is just plan get rid of it...not just organize it-pitch it!!! My hubby wants to create disposable clothes.

At this time we are rearranging rooms (sorry eldest wonderful daughter who has to give up her own room to the next sister in line!!!) and getting rid of most of the stuff upstairs. Thanks to the Local order of Sisters near us...who are growing strong...they have taken most of our small bookshelves and dressers.

So we will try to start from scratch up in the pit of yuck...then we shall see how well we manage.

A) ASK FOR HELP: Push away pride, give others the opportunity to receive the graces to serve. stop trying to be super mom!!!
1. God- be specific. The widow in the bible who kept asking the judge...beg!
2. Kids- responsibilities
3. Others-in-laws, godparents, neighbors, people from church, and especially people who ask if you need anything or offer their services. Examples:Carpooling, wash, ironing, pick up groceries, barrow from neighbors.
4. Try not to ask your husband...I want him to be happy to come home, be open to life, and continue to want to homeschool

B) BLESS YOUR FAMILY: Rethink cleaning as blessing your family. BE A PROFESSIONAL OF YOUR HOME!!! Look like a pro too...do your hair, make up, and look nice. (especially for your husband)
1. FLYLADY-
a. Get dressed to your shoes in the morning.
b. Keep your sink clean.
c. At night review next day schedule and lay out your clothes.
d. Declutter (27 fling boogie)
e. Hotspots
f. SHE (sidetracked home executive)

C) CHARTS & CALENDERS: think about what you need help with and schedule yourself and others to do it.
1. Job charts- personalize look at your Husband’s pet peeves (ask)What you wished you could accomplish each day.
2. Calendars- things we forget...Specify a day for errands, etc...Break down your day
(schedule)Planner
Meals
Exercise
Family fun
3. Routine!!!!!

D) DE STRESS YOUR LIFE!!!! This is easier for parents with little kids because they are involved in less activities and homework. BE FLEXIBLE!!! It definitely changes with out state in life...pregnancy, moving, construction, etc...What has helped me: (discern your state in life)
1. Early bed time.
A. gives you time with your spouse
B. gives you one on one time with other kids
C. gives you time to do evening activities
D. get to sleep early yourself (pregnant or nursing)
F. those of you who have lots of children it gives them Quiet time, personal space, and opportunity to read

2. Narrow down unnecessary activities!!!!!
a. discuss with spouse
b. limit/combine with other kids
c. kids appreciate the opportunity more and don’t take for granted. pray about the virtues you want your child to have

3. SERVICE

a. your state in life
1. spouse
2. children-nursery, Sunday school, CCD, sports

b. use your talents
1. offer your services to your pastor
2. volunteer at your child’s school
3. help a new mom out

All these ways take time and discernment. Just because they work for me doesn’t mean they will work for you. Take small steps and laugh alot!

HAVE FAITH...

June 22, 2008
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 10: 26-33
"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

Potty Talk...

Since my husband has shared our family "potty" talk...I thought I would share my experience with our 4 1/2 year old daughter last night. As we were getting ready for bed we did our "potty" routine. Mary looks at me and says, "do you have anything on your underwear?" "What?!?" I said. "Do you have anything on your underwear?" As I looked at her in disgust she said. "I have pooh on mine." "You What?" "I have pooh on mine...see!" And there it was...Winnie the POOH!!!

Feast of Aloysius Gonzaga

A letter from St Aloysius Gonzaga to his mother
God's mercies shall be my song for ever
May the comfort and grace of the Holy Spirit be yours for ever, most honoured lady. Your letter found me lingering still in this region of the dead, but now I must rouse myself to make my way on to heaven at last and to praise God for ever in the land of the living; indeed I had hoped that before this time my journey there would have been over. If charity, as Saint Paul says, means to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who are glad, then, dearest mother, you shall rejoice exceedingly that God in his grace and his love for you is showing me the path to true happiness, and assuring me that I shall never lose him.The divine goodness, most honoured lady, is a fathomless and shoreless ocean, and I confess that when I plunge my mind into thought of this it is carried away by the immensity and feels quite lost and bewildered there. In return for my short and feeble labours, God is calling me to eternal rest; his voice from heaven invites me to the infinite bliss I have sought so languidly, and promises me this reward for the tears I have so seldom shed.Take care above all things, most honoured lady, not to insult God’s boundless loving kindness; you would certainly do this if you mourned as dead one living face to face with God, one whose prayers can bring you in your troubles more powerful aid than they ever could on earth. And our parting will not be for long; we shall see each other again in heaven; we shall be united with our Saviour; there we shall praise him with heart and soul, sing of his mercies for ever, and enjoy eternal happiness. When he takes away what he once lent us, his purpose is to store our treasure elsewhere more safely and bestow on us those very blessings that we ourselves would most choose to have.I write all this with the one desire that you and all my family may consider my departure a joy and favour and that you especially may speed with a mother’s blessing my passage across the waters till I reach the shore to which all hopes belong. I write the more willingly because I have no clearer way of expressing the love and respect I owe you as your son.

For those of us who have children considering a VOCATION this may give you comfort.

HOME SCHOOL RESOURSES...

math:http://www.math.com

MONTESSORI:http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Free-Downloads_ep_35-1.html


For Health credit:http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/redirects/landingpages/afd/

FROM FRIENDS...

Mother of Divine Grace (http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/)


Kolbe Academy (http://www.kolbe.org/)


http://www.rs4k.com/ (Real Science for Kids)


http://www.christianbooks.com/> This is Christian Book Distributers, which has a huge home school >division. They offer discounted prices on almost every publisher. Fast >shipping. No returns allowed. The authors do not get much compensation from >this seller, I am told.>>


http://www.home-school-inc.com/> This is the site I use for my daily planning, as well. Their sales >dept is a little difficult to navigate, but they have free shipping for >orders over $25. Good prices.>>


http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/> On the West Coast, so shipping takes a while. I particularly like their >High School English curric.>>


www.vegsource.com/homeschool> A vegetarian web site with a homeschool discussion board set up to buy >and sell used curric. You communicate directly with the seller by email. No >consignment to veg source. Tedious to search through, but I have gotten >wonderful deals here, and have sold books easily, as well.>>


http://www.heartofwisdom.com/> If I was starting over, this is what I would use for all my children, >K-12. If I was writing down what I have taught over the years, this is what >I would have written. It includes Charlotte Mason literature based >philosophy, and also a Jewish education philosophy, which is different from >the classical. The classical was initiated in Greece and Rome which were >pagan societies, and ultimately led to the humanism we see today. The >Jewish model is what Jesus learned and taught- I want that!>>


http://www.timberdoodle.com/> I have used this catalog for years. Many hands-on products for tactile >learners.

CUTE KIDS???

Thank you to all those who I encounter each day (especially at the pool lately) who come up to my and tell me that my kids are all so cute. I am sorry when I reply that "I would much rather have ugly kids who are well behaved"!!! Thanks to the kind grandmother who told me today that I had both!!!

$$$ MONEY $tre$$...

$7000-NEW AIR CONDITIONER...
$950-Car fixed
$320-dryer
$endless medication (new running shoes & bags of coffee) for my husband's financial stress

Prayers for those struggling with Alcohol abuse...

For those struggling with alcohol...FROM www.americancatholic.org
Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint.
June 18, 2008

Venerable Matt Talbot PRAY FOR US...
(1856-1925)

Matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.
Matt was born in Dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively. For 15 years—until he was 30—Matt was an active alcoholic.

One day he decided to take "the pledge" for three months, make a general confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt’s first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking.

Most of his life Matt worked as a builder’s laborer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and began a life of strict penance; he abstained from meat nine months a year. Matt spent hours every night avidly reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. He prayed the rosary conscientiously. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions.

After 1923 his health failed and Matt was forced to quit work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. Fifty years later Pope Paul VI gave him the title venerable.

Comment:

In looking at the life of Matt Talbot, we may easily focus on the later years when he had stopped drinking for some time and was leading a penitential life. Only alcoholic men and women who have stopped drinking can fully appreciate how difficult the earliest years of sobriety were for Matt.

He had to take one day at a time. So do the rest of us.

Quote:
On an otherwise blank page in one of Matt’s books, the following is written: "God console thee and make thee a saint. To arrive at the perfection of humility four things are necessary: to despise the world, to despise no one, to despise self, to despise being despised by others."

THE ABC AND D'S OF HOME ORGANIZATION

WE NEED TO RECLAIM OUR VOCATION AS WIVES AND MOTHERS

A) ASK FOR HELP: Push away pride, give others the opportunity to receive
the graces to serve. stop trying to be super mom!!!

1. God- be specific. The widow in the bible who kept asking the judge...beg!
2. Kids- responsibilities
3. Others-in-laws, godparents, neighbors, people from church, and especially people who ask if you need anything or offer their services. Examples:
Carpooling, wash, ironing, pick up groceries, barrow from neighbors.
4. Try not to ask your husband...I want him to be happy to come home, be open to life, and continue to want to homeschool

B) BLESS YOUR FAMILY: Rethink cleaning as blessing your family. BE A PROFESSIONAL OF YOUR HOME!!! Look like a pro too...do your hair, make up, and look nice. (especially for your husband)

1. FLYLADY- a. Get dressed to your shoes in the morning.
b. Keep your sink clean.
c. At night review next day schedule and lay out your clothes.
d. Declutter (27 fling boogie)
e. Hotspots
f. SHE (sidetracked home executive)

C) CHARTS & CALENDERS: think about what you need help with and schedule yourself and others to do it.
1. Job charts- personalize
Husband’s pet peeves (ask)
What you wished you could accomplish each day.
2. Calendars- things we forget
Specify a day for errands, etc...
Break down your day (schedule)
Planner
Meals
Exercise
Family fun
3. Routine!!!!!

D) DE STRESS YOUR LIFE!!!! This is easier for parents with little kids because they are involved in less activities and homework. BE FLEXIBLE!!! It definitely changes with out state in life...pregnancy, moving, construction, etc...

What has helped me: (discern your state in life)
1. Early bed time.
A. gives you time with your spouse
B. gives you one on one time with other kids
C. gives you time to do evening activities
D. get to sleep early yourself (pregnant or nursing)
F. those of you who have lots of children it gives them
Quiet time, personal space, and opportunity to read


2. Narrow down unnecessary activities!!!!!
a. discuss with spouse
b. limit/combine with other kids
c. kids appreciate the opportunity more and don’t take for granite
d. pray about the virtues you want your child to have


3. SERVICE
a. your state in life
1. spouse
2. children-nursery, Sunday school, CCD, sports

b. use your talents
1. offer your services to your pastor
2. volunteer at your child’s school
3. help a new mom out



All these ways take time and discernment. Just because they work for me doesn’t mean they will work for you. Take small steps and laugh alot!

PRAYER

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 from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let
me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil.
And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my
wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God, and make amends.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example –
to slip away and find a quite place to pray. It's 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 who are lost and
can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and
misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I
pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I
pray for those who don't believe. But I thank You that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for
all my sisters and brothers; 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 them and every mouth that confesses them
willingly.

This is my prayer.
In God's Name, May God bless you.

family rules...

KIDS FIGHTING
We call it life lesson's on how to deal with different types of people...and they will make great spouses or religious because they know how to cope with others. (just put it under conflict resolution for homeschooling)
A couple of rules:
1. no bad words
2. no hitting
My kids have to answer 3 questions-
a)what is your job in life:to make my little brothers and sister's happy!!!
MOTTOS...
b)KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!
c)IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY HONEY...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY SWEET HEART...I KNOW YOU ARE NOT MY DAD...BUT WITH GOD'S HELP...I HELPED YOU BECOME A DAD!!! YOU ARE MY SOUL MATE AND BEST FRIEND!!! YOU ARE MY BALANCE AND MY REWARD!!! THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME WONDERFUL CHILDREN...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE MOST SARDONIC DAD WE KNOW...




FROM ALEX:
I love my Dad because he works hard at everything he does no matter what. I love my Dad because he is really cool and funny. I love my Dad because he is always honest. I love my Dad because I can talk to him and he always helps me.




FROM JOSHUA:
I love my dad (unlike Alex’s, whose going to college, my Dad because everyone know s you can’t capitalize dad, mom, aunt etc. after a possessive pronoun) because he hit me in the forehead with a baseball and made me dive into wooden stairs at the boardwalk (I still caught it); because he drove me to my five-thousand sports games, because he and Caleb are the only ones who have the same sense of humor; because he calls me hammer-head, nimrod, nail-boy, run-into-a-wire-holding-up-a-tree-boy, doofus, and says I run like a duck; because he invented being really-really-ridiculously-good-looking and I perfected it; I love him even though he’s a “sad strange little man” and I can fix my hair by looking in his bald spot. I love my dad because he didn’t raise me a pagan (though he calls us heathens) and supports my vocation.



FROM CALEB:
I LOVE MY DAD because he is funny and does triathlons and he drives me to all my soccer games!



FROM ELIZABETH:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE’S SO GREAT HE ALWAYS PROVIDES FOR US AND HELPS US FIX THINGS THAT WE MESSED UP.
I LOVE YOU DAD!!!





FROM BARBARA:
1. You are insane
2. You are funny
3. You are fun
4. You are stylish
5. You are sardonic
6. You love me
7. You love us
8. You are a really good cook
9. WE all Love you
10.You are perfect for us!!! (me)




FROM JOSEPH:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE HAS A COOL LAPTOP, CAMERA, AND PHONE. He also took me to see Speed Racer!




From Robert:
I love you dad because you always tell really, really, funny jokes!!!




FROM DOMINIC:
BECAUSE HE ROCKS! HE IS FUNNY AND HE SPRAYS WIP CREAM IN HIS MOUTH!!!



FROM MARY:
HE DIDN’T BEAT ME FOR WRITING ON THE CAR WITH A ROCK!!!




FROM CECILIA:
BECAUSE HE BLOGS ABOUT ME MORE THAN ANYONE!!!



FROM ERIC:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE LOVES MY MOMMY SO MUCH!!!

Family Motto...

Matthew 5: 13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

While I am away from blogging...

WHILE I AM WORKING ON DECLUTTERING 19 YEARS+ OF JUNK...VISIT MY HUBBY TO SEE WHAT OUR CRAZY FAMILY IS UP TO...be prepared to get to confession asap after reading it...http://sardoniccatholicdad.blogspot.com/.
+JMJ+sam