They call me HALF/CAFF...

I don't drink coffee like some junkies in my house...although I dream of the thought of having the extra energy boost...those who know me well, know that I have way too much energy and if I did drink coffee, I would act like this video.

BTW...we own the Clean film edited version of Kicking and Screaming and it is one of my husband and teenagers favorite movies...I hear the "real" version has some pretty inappropriate stuff in it. I don't think the movie is very good, but my family has found a ton of one liners from it especially the HALF/CAFF line...

So when I walked into the kitchen the other morning like this:

My husband and 16 year old son started calling me HALF/CALF!!!

Let me explain:
If you read this post you know that I wear thigh high support hose...well, I really can't get out of bed till I put these little buggers on...I have a couple different pairs next to my bed, black and tan...and when you are awaken very early in the morning by your 20 month old who wants breakfast...now!!! You grab what you can in kinda a drunken stupor...and if you can't find the matching pair...than you get the half/calf look...

Well, at least we all had a good laugh...if you haven't noticed...we do alot of laughing in this crazy house!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Yes LORD, you know that I LOVE YOU...

I got up early this morning to try to get back on my daily meditation time...(if I don't do it before the kids wake up it just isn't the same) so as I got ready to do my old favorite, THE IMITATION OF CHRIST, (which never fails me) I got distracted...in my pile of papers I sat there and tried to tell Christ how much I love Him, how I am sorry that I am such a bad listener, how I hope He sees through my weaknesses and to my heart of hearts-where HE is the center!!!

Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of this scripture:

John 21:15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."

Feed my lambs/Tend my sheep/Feed my sheep...hmmm, around here Christ says things to me more like this: Serve your husband, listen to you five year old, cuddle your toddler, clean your house, do the laundry, declutter, love your teenagers, stop being so distracted and listen to ME!!!

Lord help me to remember these words in my daily life as I serve my husband, love my children, and help spread the kingdom with those You put in my path daily.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

We are going PUBLIC...

My husband and I went to public school all of our lives!!! Maybe that is why even before we got married, we decided to home school our kids!!! I have been a mom for over 19 years and it took my tenth child who has a speech problem to get us to SIGN ON with the school system...what a huge decision. I have never filled out so many papers and signed so many forms, we even need to get a vaccine we never did...(kinda creepy). Even for my kids in college. We have already been getting calls from the county computer letting us know of report cards coming home, testing for high school, wow...what a lot of stuff to do.


This morning I was a wreak. I was rushing around getting everything ready. Backpack, clothes, good breakfast, hair done...wow, I love homeschooling!!!



BREAKFAST...

SO EXCITED...RUNNING TO THE CAR!!!

IN FRONT OF SCHOOL...

PUTTING HER BAG ON THE COAT RACK...(picture of best friend behind her)

PLAYING WITH THE TOYS...

No picture of the 41 year old mom expecting her 12th kid who never had to take her kid to school before...about to cry...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Birth stories...

Do you like birth stories...they either make me sick, because I am usually pregnant and don't want to think of delivery or jealous because some moms make it seem so easy!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Need I say more???

The best birthday gift ever...having all my babies together!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Playing church...

My kids have always loved playing church. About ten years ago we invested in this mass kit from Our Father's House. It is great and going strong...it is way worth the investment.

I just got an email about this product called My mass kit. It looks ok, but the "real one" we have I think is much better and even more resonable on the cost.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

ADOPTION???

Never under estimate the power of God!!! Being open to life for many also means being open to adoption. Has anyone heard about this adoption agency? It sounds pretty interesting.

Let us place those in the adoption process, praying about adoption, or being adopted in the hands of God!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Danielle Bean asks:
Say What? What do you say if someone repeatedly takes the Lord’s name in vain in your presence?
Do What? How do you stimulate an active and sports-obsessed kid to read & pray?

Say What?
I was taught to quietly or aloud (depends on situation) to say Jesus, Mary, and Joseph I love you save souls!!! Pending if I have children around I can use it as an opportunity to explain to them the seriousness of breaking this commandment and if necessary I explain this to the person who said it...

Do What?
I have had very active kids who hate to slow down to read...so I have them read for a special amount of time before they can go and play. I also get or buy them sport related books. My best trick is early bedtime...they are not tired but after a while they pick up the trick to read the pile of books next to them...

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

Dancing in the streets!!!

I had a bunch of fun watching this. I even saw some others that they did...would love to find out more about this advertising!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Oh, that is why I am so great???!!!

Have I mentioned that I am the youngest of nine??? I have four big sisters and four big brothers...I am totally without question spoiled!!! Even to this day...just ask #8 who was the youngest for 6 years!!! They still spoil me...they give me cars, money, help, furniture...you name it...I totally think they support my kids cause, "they remember how it was..."

My five daughters are pretty amazing too...go figure!!!

My husband found this in the LONDON TIMES:
Growing up with at least one girl in the family makes people more able to cope with their problems. The researchers believed that daughters and sisters tie loved ones closer together and encourage them to communicate their emotions more effectively.

According to Professor Tony Cassidy, who carried out the study with other researchers, "Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families. However, brothers seem to have the alternative effect. Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families."

Girls who had sisters also tended to be more independent and achievement-oriented.

The study questioned close to 600 young adults about the make-up of their families and their emotional well-being.

Well, I always wondered why I was so happy and my daughters are so fantastic...I will just add this to my list!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Because we could all use a little support...

I have been pregnant for 106 months of my life (one miscarriage) and since I was pregnant with my fourth child I have had to wear support hose. I am very blessed not to get morning/day sickness, need bed rest, or have to deal with many other bad side effects of pregnancy...people think that since I am pregnant again...that I must enjoy being pregnant...oh yeah and enjoy labor!!! "It must get easier each delivery right???" "The babies must just fall out..." yeah right...let me tell you a little something...it gets harder...and did I mention I am usually 2 weeks late??? It is all worth it...and I would do it again, and again!!! Oh yeah, I have!!! Yes, I am crazy!!!

Back to the support hose....I used to wear full hose that cost about $130 each and I went through about two each pregnancy...now I wear truform silicone thigh highs at 30-40mmh compression (it is not worth it for me to get a lesser compression), that cost about $35 and work great!!! People say, "how can you wear them everyday?" and I say, "how can't I?" I am protecting my legs for future pregnancy's and I pretty much can't walk with out them!!!

I had surgury on one vien after my eighth child, the doctor said he would wait till I was done having kids to do the surgury, but I was 33 and still going strong, so he agreed. He said it would just come back...but I have had 3 other kids since and it is fine.

Every morning before I get out of bed...I have to elevate my feet and put on my hose (or legs as I call them) one foot at a time...then I am off for the day...you should see me when I am about 8 months pregnant and can barely reach my feet....my husband says he is going to video tape me to win a lots of money or show it to my children to scare them in the the convent or priesthood...yes, it is that funny and strange!!!


In the summer I usually put them on in the morning and take them off right before I head off to the pool to sit and lounge in the baby pool for the day. I also try to wear a long sarong to hide my legs...why can't we wear full suits and leggings like they used too???


In the winter I wear them all day and take them off before I take a shower. They keep me warm and my legs strong!!!

I can't complain about wearing support hose, it is way worth it...I have friends who get sick all day, are on bed rest, have to go on medication, have to go through lots of hoops to keep the baby healthy...so support hose are worth it...yes, even if my varicose veins look like a road map of New York City...it is way worth it, have you seen how cute my kids are???

Well, if nothing else it gives my husband something to laugh about in the morning!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

PIRATE PARTY GONE BAD...

Geama wanted to have a pirate party with the boys the other day...they decided that a princess party was way more fun!!!

THE ONLY BOY WHO DIDN'T WANT TO WEAR A DRESS AT THE PIRATE PARTY...

Yes these are my boys and their cousins...it takes a confident young man to wear a dress!!!

I wasn't too concerned when I picked them up...then on the ride home, the boys were upset that they forgot to tell Geama to look for high heels at garage sales this summer!!! OK...that is a little wierd!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Some Common Sense on media for your kids:

Amazing resources for parents on media!!!

My Baby Joshy turns 18 today!!!

My Dearest Joshua,

Happy 18th birthday!!! We are so proud of you and the sacrifices you are making to seek the will of God. We miss you so much and can't wait to see you in nine days!!! (hey, whose counting?)

Your 16 year old brother wants to remind you that you can date now that you are 18...Dad says ok on the tattoo and buying cigarettes...I on the other hand say keep on praying for your momma!!!

Even thou you cried for the first two years of your life...you turned out to be a wonderful son and brother!!!

We know God has great plans for you and know we are praying for you!!!

Please lift up a prayer for my son as he discerns his vocation and seeks the wisdom from above!!!

Say it with me: "I LOVE YOU FOREVER, I LIKE YOU FOR ALWAYS, AS LONG AS I'M LIVING MY JOSHY YOU'LL BE!!!"

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Our Easter Celebration...

Our Holy Week went a little like this...We added a bit of this and that...

Holy Thursday was more amazing than I ever dreamed!!!

Two of my teenagers in the Youth Group Stations...a weeping woman and a soldier...


We did our eggs Friday after naps and before dinner, each year the kids get more into it!!! This year some left their eggs to soak up the dye (can't be good for you!!!) till Sat morning!!!

A "new" neighbor called and offered me some baskets she had...I said sure (because I try to never say no to generosity!!!)...and the thought of trying to find all the baskets in the house and attic wasn't my favorite thing. Little did I know that they were stuffed to the max!!! What kindness and attention to detail!!! She had each kids name and age on a card and I didn't need to do a thing. The kids were so surprised to see all the goodies in the basket...I never do a big thing...usually just candy, eggs, and maybe a little toy. It was so thoughtful.

The donated baskets...

Holy Saturday: We did go to the Knights, which is always a fun time (especially since it was a rainy day) and the kids had a blast with friends and "our pretend" cousins...(my brother in Love's family). Sat night we did have company, my daughter's boyfriends family. The food was great and it was a nice relaxing time...till, I gave the little guys a bath and my baby E fell in the tub and practically needed stitches...thank God for neighbors who had liquid bandage!!! That ended our nice evening with a bang!!!

My daughter and her boyfriend...



THE EYE!!!


Easter Sunday went great. We went to 8am mass with my mother in love and headed to see my family for breakfast, egg hunt and left after lunch...then off to my hubby's family about an hour away for another egg hunt and dinner. Then hung out there till late. We also switched some kids... my sister in love took my 14 year old to Florida with her 14 year old, and I got her 7,3,and one year old sons!!! What an unfair trade!!! She took a helper/sitter and I got the little guys!!! They are actually being great and I will get her back in May when she gets four of mine!!!



So we are enjoying a house full of little boys this week with lots of legos, starwars, outside time, and Wii.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

A new tradition???

I have never heard of the Stations of Light till tonight...when I was reading this...maybe we will give them a try.

Via Lucis

1. Jesus Rises From the Dead (Matthew 28:1-7)

2. The Disciples Find the Tomb Empty (John 20:1-9)

3. The Risen Lord Appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)

4. The Risen Lord Appears to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27)

5. The Risen Lord Is Recognized at the Breaking of Bread (Luke 24:28-35)

6. The Risen Lord Appears to His Disciples (Luke 24:36-43)

7. The Lord Gives the Power to Forgive Sins (John 20:19-23)

8. The Lord Confirms the Faith of Thomas (John 20:24-29)

9. The Risen Lord Meets His Disciples on the Shore of Lake Tiberias (John 21:1-13)

10. The Risen Lord Confers the Primacy on Peter (John 21:15-17)

11. The Risen Lord Entrusts to His Disciples the Mission to the World (Matthew 28:16-20)

12. The Risen Lord Ascends to the Father (Acts 1:6-11)

13. Waiting for the Holy Spirit With Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Acts 1:12-14)

14. The Risen Lord Sends the Holy Spirit Promised to the Disciples (Acts 2:1-13)

WOW!!! What a night...

HOLY THURSDAY has to be my favorite mass of the year!!! This year it was the best ever!!! My 16 year old was on the high mass team on the alter, my 11 year old was dressed with his fellow alter servers in front, and best of all was my 9 year old who became an alter boy tonight with 12 others!!! Making our Parish now have 98 alter boys!!! Ages 4Th grade to college!!! I was a crying mess!!!

Then to watch our pastor wash the feet of 12 of the alter boys...as he kissed their feet, I was in shock...it was amazing!!!

Thank you dear Jesus for this evening and for my parish, as well as my wonderful husband and family!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Holy Thursday...

Gospel
Jn 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
"Master, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later."
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him,
"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."
Simon Peter said to him,
"Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
Jesus said to him,
"Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all."
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."

So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another's feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

Lord help me learn from your example to serve others. Help this Triduum be the best ever...bringing me closer to you!!!

I am so much like St. Peter...loyal, proud, first to speak...Help me be like ST.JOHN-full of pure love, not self seeking, and compassionate!!!

Thank you for my parish and for my son to have the opportunity to become an alter server tonight. Help him to grow too in his love for you and service to others!!!

When I talked to the Pope yesterday he said this,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tomorrow we begin the Holy Triduum, the heart of the entire liturgical year: a time when we immerse ourselves in the central events of our Redemption. The Chrism Mass serves as a prelude to these three days, as priests renew their promises to the Bishop, who then blesses the holy oils and consecrates the chrism signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit. At the Mass of the Lord's Supper, we recall the institution of the Eucharist, the supreme sign of Christ's love for us. As we venerate his Cross on Good Friday, we contemplate the full meaning of his words: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mk 14:24). Holy Saturday finds us waiting in silent hope for the Easter Vigil, when every church will break forth in a song of joy at the Lord's Resurrection. The celebration of the Paschal mystery recalls the depth of Christ's love: he did not wish to exercise his divinity as an exclusive possession, a means of domination, or a sign of distance between him and us. Rather, "he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" (Phil 2:7) by sharing fully in our human condition, even to the point of death: not a death imposed by blind chance or fate, but one freely chosen in obedience to the Father's will for the salvation for all. May our fervent celebration of the Triduum draw us ever more deeply into Christ's Paschal mystery!

To read more from Our Holy Father try this...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR CHILDREN:

Thought I would share some resorces I have found:

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/child/stations/

To copy: http://www.catholicmom.com/stations_kids.htm

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/20040101/FRIDGE/program_stations.htm

To buy: http://search.catholiccompany.com/catholic/Stations%20Of%20The%20Cross%20For%20Children

Beautiful color pictures: http://www.catholictradition.org/Children/stations.htm

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Spy Wednesday:

Today's Gospel:

Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ´The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."´" The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."

The priest said at mass today, everytime we choose sin over virtue we choose to be like JUDAS...ouch!!! Maybe that will help me against temptation!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

PRAYERS FOR THIS AMAZING FAMILY of 15!!!

Go here for details!!!

Easy yummy cake...

I only do easy...try this, especially if you have a 13 year old who doesn't like icing...

one pack golden butter recipe cake mix
8oz cream cheese room temp
4 large eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup veg oil
1 teas pure vanilla extract
1 teas pure almond extract

put sugar, water, oil, and all else in bowl, blend on electric on low for min., med for two min, well blend batter...prepare pan, spray well. oven 40 min or till done 350 degrees.

Tip: extra cup sugar makes more tender...

Powder sugar top, or leave alone.

THY WILL DONE!!! +JMJ+

Holy week: Monday's gospel...

John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days´ wages and given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

My Bab's is a teenager...

Well, you are a teenager...yikes!!! The best part is...you are legal to babysit for me and the entire town...the neighbors are more excited than I am...you are a stitch!!! You keep us laughing all the time!!! You are my best "little kid helper" and you are a great tutor to your siblings...now, if I could only figure out how to get you to make your bed and do your own school...oh yeah, it is called an IPOD!!!

Daddy's little princess...

You taking a picture of yourself with your camera...

Your birthday many years ago...

You getting ready for catcher for soft ball...

WE LOVE YOU BABS!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

A VERY SCARY THOUGHT...

Years ago, (18 to be precise) we had our second child, he was a boy and we had a daughter 14 months older. We owned a Christian Bookstore with amazing customers, Catholic as well as many other denominations. After we announced the news of our son, we were disturbed at the large amount of people (God loving people) who commented on the fact that we had "the perfect family!!!" A girl and a boy!!! Well sure if that was what God intended for us, but the idea of being open to life was just crushed!!! I said to customers when I really got annoyed, "yes, now I can have ten boys and not worry about ever getting a daughter, or vise versa". Yes, I can be sardonic too!!!

The other day my husband said to me, "you know if we would of listened to all those people, we would have no children at home right now"...was he trying to rub it in or was it a scary thought? Our two oldest have been out of the house since the beginning of the year, and it has been very difficult to deal with. I never thought I would have "empty nest" with nine other darlings around!!! Then he started to elaborate...we wouldn't be friends with ..., or ..., or know these people, and we wouldn't have ...It was a horrible feeling!!! I wouldn't have the life I love or the friends I enjoy and we would be lonely and bored out of our minds!!!

So Lord, Thank you once again for our large,crazy, and wonderful kids!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

What we do for Holy Week...

I have been asked what we do for Holy Week and Easter. I really am embarrassed to say we are pretty normal and not real holy or organized...I think their is a false thinking that mother's of large families got all the answers and are organizational guru's...Maybe I will be like Jo next year...and be real organized.

My key to any success is being flexible and roll with the punches...and life with a big family throws lots of punches!!!

Usually we try to stay simple and quiet during Holy Week. Nothing too fancy or spectacular...On Spy Wed we finish up any liturgical and Easter crafts for decorations or gifts. Those who need to, go to confession that night.

Holy Thursday is one of our favorites, we get a sitter for the 3 babies and the rest of us go and participate in one of the most amazing masses of the year. This year we will be blessed to have our fourth son become an alter server!!! Our parish has one of the most outstanding alter servers in the diocese!!! We have about 90 young men from fourth grade to college age who serve. They are fantastic. Our son has been training for six weeks in preparation for this exciting event.

Good Friday is quiet time around here...we head off to noon stations at our home parish and then to down the street to another parish for live outdoor stations by the youth group (two of my teens participate)...they are both important to us and both very different. Then we go off to home for nap time, Jesus of Nazareth, and silence (no phone, computer, radio, etc...) till 3pm. We usually will have a quiet rest of the day and those who want will accompany mom or dad to Friday Night services, again overwhelmingly amazing. We have adoration after the service and a candlelight procession up to the chapel...very moving.

Saturday is pretty quiet and simple...sometimes we go to our town Knights of Columbus for their Easter Egg party. Then home to lay out clothes (the nicest, simple, pretty, and clean church clothes we can find), clean up and get ready for our Lamb supper...(sometimes with friends or family). This year we may have my daughter's friends from college.

Sunday Morning we usually get up have Resurrection Rolls and go to 8 am mass with my wonderful mother in love!!! Then off to see my family and the big cousins in Hagerstown!!! After an early dinner we head to my husband's sister's house about an hour away, for more family fun...and lots of little cousins!!! Then we leave at bed time and have everyone fall asleep in the van covered with sugar!!!

Christ has Risen, He has risen indeed!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+