FOSTERING A VOCATION IN YOUR HOME...

One of the first people who ever read my blog asks this question about our son in the seminary:

"What an honour as a parent! You and your husband were obviously instruments. Is there anything I should be doing?"

I consecrated all my children to Christ when I was pregnant. Letting them know the goal in life is to do God's will and to be open to the vocation He is calling them to. Marriage is a very important and difficult vocation. Making the priesthood/consecrated life an option and exposing them to lots of great priest and holy nun's and sister's is important. We have priest and other religious over for dinner and to hang out often.

We are very blessed to have holy vocations all around us.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY: join in...

It is getting close to Christmas and I can't post what I am buying...but maybe you can send me your great ideas.

I can say that one of the toys that I do have in the house are Lincoln Logs. Although looking on line at the prices, I am not sure I would pay that much for them. We have gotten all of ours from hand me downs and even out of my neighbors trash!!!

The other thing about Lincoln Logs is that when you have this many kids you have to have lots and lots of them to make it fun for all. So we have about three buckets of them.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY...

IRON WILL: many may think this movie isn't that great. It is by Disney and has good acting. Don't know why it isn't more popular. Besides the sad scene in the beginning, it is one of our family favorites. Watch first if you have sensitive young kids.



EMPERORS NEW GROOVE: we saw this in the theater and weren't too impressed. But, once we watched it at home it became an instant one liner...my big kids and husband still come out with one liners from this hysterical film!!!


GO HERE for other suggestions for family films.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

THE LAST SUPPER...

We finished our last meal...

When I had my 12Th baby it was my first C section. After I got home we started getting meals everyday from my amazing friends and community. We got about 60 meals, yes, two months worth of food.

Not only did it help with not worrying about cooking, but it sure cut back on the grocery bills. So, we had more money to pay for the five different antibiotics I was on!!!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE PRAYERS, FOOD, AND SUPPORT DURING A DIFFICULT POSTPARTUM.

I am back to my old crazy self!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

Small Success Thursday...

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1. Cleaned my bedroom for the first time since the baby was born!!! Yahoo!!!

2. Cleaned the garage for my hubby's birthday!!! What a difference!!!

3. Had a great boys club with some amazing kids who knew lots of cool stuff about St. John Vianney!!!

GO HERE TO FIND SOME AMAZING LADIES...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Another mom in labor needing our prayers+++

Please pray for Shawna who has been enduring a long labor...more here.

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

FREE BUSINESS CARDS...

I got cards from here years ago-good deal, no pressure. Nice to have when at church or the pool and people want to contact you or find your blog.

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY...

Hasbro 87625 Clone Wars Ultimate Lightsaber Kit

It is Christmas time and if Grandma is looking for something for your starwar lover...this is a fun toy. My son got it last year and it hasn't broke or hurt anyone yet...and he enjoys it. We paid about $35 for it at Target.

THY WILL BE DONE+JMJ+

Movie Review Monday...

SINGIN IN THE RAIN: total classic...if you haven't seen this you are really missing out. BTW...I am just curious. Is there anyone out there that hasn't seen this? Common tell me. ALL ages

UP: just saw this, very sweet, very sad, very moving. ALL ages

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!

What can I say???

We had a fantastic 20th wedding anniversary this year and trip to Florida.

You took through sickness and in health to an entire new level during the first six weeks of my delivery, taking amazing care of me, the kids, and the house!!!

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!! Have a great day!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

DON'T BUG ME!!!

I am 41 years old and never have been afraid of any bug...

The past two years our home has had an occasional Jumping Spider Cricket here and there. Lately we have had about three a day in different rooms. They seem to like dark moist places like the bathroom, laundry room and garage.

Saturday night I washed my hair and went to bed. At 3:46am I felt something itch my head and in my sleep scratched it...but, I felt something solid...and jerked it off and wiped my hand on the bed.

I just sat in bed half awake with the baby on one side and my husband on the other...I tried to convince myself to go back to sleep...but, I had to see what it was. I went to the bathroom turned on the light and went to the bed to see what I could find.

You guessed it!!! There were two big legs of a spider cricket and a stain on my sheets where I wiped my hands. I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't do it. So I was up for an hour trying to clean and get ready for my eight year old's bday.

To make things worse, my dear husband has the above photo as our computer screen saver!!!

SO the moral of the story is...don't go to bed with wet hair...just like my daddy used to tell me!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOMINIC!!!

My sweet Dominic turned eight today...he has really been the easiest kid ever...at least the first eight years. He is by far the funniest kid in the house. The entire family has decided he will be a millionare comic.

He has always fallen asleep in the craziest places.

Happy Birthday little guy. We all love you so much!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

GOTTA LOVE HOMESCHOOLERS...

Sometimes my kids say the darnedest things...

The other day my eight year old son was learning about Alabama and coloring this. He has learned about Helen Keller before and her story amazes all my kids. So when I told him to do his best on his work, he paused and said, "Mom, what is Helen Keller's favorite color?" He wanted to make sure he colored her outfit just right!!! I just stared at him...then he snickered...,"Oh, yeah right."

Can you see the air coming out of his ears?

Then the 11 year old was sitting on the couch, and I was sitting with my 16 year old across the room. My 11 year old made a funny face and said, "Wow, I just exhaled out of my ears." I looked at my 16 year old and then to the 11 year old..."No really, I could feel it!" Later that night he tried to show his dad how he did it...it was hysterical.

Yes, I could fill this blog with endless funny stories...but, I had to write this down so I can show them when they are old+++

LOOK HERE FOR COOL "MY HOMESCHOOLER BEAT UP YOUR HONOR STUDENT" STUFF!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Small Successes Thursday...

1. Went shopping and out to lunch with my three oldest girls and my mother in love. Got most of my Christmas shopping done and even had a nice lunch out!!!


2. Made homemade waffles for the first time in months!!!


3. Successfully made turkey soup and 15 bean ham soup for the first time in 20 years of marriage.

Go here for more successes

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

A mom needs prayers...

Another wonderful lady needs prayers.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

SUPERMOM...gotta try this!!!

This is perfect, hysterical, and so well done!!! Just fill in your name and watch yourself star in the nightly news!!! Click here and sit back and be the super star you really are!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Toy Review Tuesday...join in-Christmas ideas:

SNUGGIES

Since we need no more toys in this house and are starting our 7 winter birthdays...I always look for great ideas for Christmas and birthdays.

This idea has worked since our house is freezing!!!

Some kids just might be getting these for Christmas...(BJ's had them for $10)

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Prayers needed:

Pregnant mom needs prayers!

THY WILL BE DONE+JMJ+

Movie Review Monday...

The Court Jester is one of our all time favorites!!! The entire family loves this classic!!!



See How They Grow Movies are great and educational. You could probably find them at the library, on line, or through netflixs. Really just educational, but my little guys love them!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Love those crazy sisters...

ST CECILIA WITH MOTHER THERESA

ST MAXIMILIAN WON A MILLION+

Go St George Go!

HMMM...CAN SHE READ SOULS?

Thank you Servants of the Lord for the great All Saints Party and the pictures. May God bless your order with an abundance of holy men and women!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Small Success Thursday...

Here I go again with my tiny success...

1. Made five dinners for new momma's (pay backs:)


2. Went to son's playoff game...at night...with all the kids...big deal!!!


3.Had All Saints Party with friends-didn't freak out about the "hot spot" messy house.


Go here for more momma successes!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Trying to get back in the swing of things...

My wonderful sister who got to go to my daughter's game when I couldn't make it.

I have always been open to "when" God wanted us to have a baby...but, with my surprise C section and other complications...fall was difficult. We had kids playing ball in all directions. Only with the help of MANY, MANY friends taking our kids to practices and games, was it possible.

It was hard not to be able to go to many games and cheer on my kids. So, when I felt better, I was excited to get to as many as possible...dodging the rain and cold weather with a new born and a busy toddler.

This week I got to go to my daughter's end of the year outdoor game and cookout. It was from 3-6pm and the kids were having a blast on the moon bounce and eating lots of treats. Since I was by myself it was getting crazy around 5pm with a three year old coming down with a cold, a cranky two year old, and a cold, nursing newborn.

My kind neighbor offered to take my daughter home for me so I could get the little guys home and ready for bed...I figured, well, it is almost over. I guess that would be best. So I packed up the seven youngest and headed home.

I got about half way home and got a call from my neighbor saying that they gave awards to just three girls on the team...one being my wonderful daughter!!! She was awarded the UNSUNG HERO AWARD!!! Her plaque says, " For her contribution to exemplifying Christian character, positive attitude, faithfulness and dedication; and setting an example to her teammates as an encouraging role model."

I was so disappointed that I wasn't there to cheer (or embarrass her).

O well, at least her guardian angel was there with her!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY...add your favorites

TRANSFORMERS TWO- We were excited to finally see this...I don't know why, but it wasn't as good as I thought. It was very busy, lots of action-almost too much. I couldn't follow alot of the fighting, it was so fast and confusing. I should of put on the sub titles so I could hear what they said clearer too, maybe I am just getting old and deaf.

Not for young kids...questionable for young teens-watch first.





Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella

By far my favorite Cinderella movie...and with five daughter's and four sisters...I have had my full!!! When this first came out on TV my hubby and I made fun of the different races being used...we laughed at the white king, black queen, and oriental prince. But the character's were perfect for their roles. The acting and music are perfect!!!



Any age...may be confusing to younger kids why the parents are a different race than the prince...but just think---adoption!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

HAPPY ALL SAINT'S DAY!!!

Patrons of parents of large families
click here for descriptions of each saint

* Adalbald of Ostrevant
* Adelaide
* Clotilde
* Dagobert II
* Dorothy of Montau
* Edwin
* Ferdinand III of Castille
* Ivetta of Huy
* Leonidas
* Leopold
* Louis IX
* Margaret of Scotland
* Matilda
* Nicholas of Flue
* Richard Gwyn
* Thomas More
* Vladimir

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+