Get ready for Mother's Day:

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because, I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out"

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE .
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY...

20 questions game:

When I asked my teenagers what toy to do this is what they suggested.

We love this game. It is fun to play even without the handheld device.

We play the verbal game all the time, in the car, at the doctors, whenever we are waiting.

It makes a great birthday gift for a friend or a stocking stuffer.


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Movie Review Monday:

Avatar:

Plugged in has a pretty good review.



It was entertaining and beautiful scenery. Appropriate for teens. If your not sure, watch it first.



THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Prayers for a first time mom in labor...

This was just emailed to me:

Please pray for Laurie who is very close to delivering her first. Her due date is this week. She's 80% effaced, with no dilation.

Oh, the joys of the unknown...I remember going into labor with my first. I had my holy water, picture of Our Lady, rosary, crucifix, (yes my birthing room looked like a chapel), and Lamaze breathing cards, I figured it would be a breeze...HA! What a joke. You never can explain real labor.

Lord, please bless this sweet girl and have the labor go quick and easy!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN LABOR:

I started a site years ago Praying for Women in Labor. It is very important for me to pray for those who are having a baby. Although, it never quit got off the ground.

So, I will continue to pray for all those who want to send me their prayer requests. Just post a comment on my blog or at fatzbinx18@gmail.com . I will post requests on my regular blog asking for prayers for mom's in labor. So it is really just combining two blogs in one.

Here are some of the prayers I find helpful:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to they protection, implored they help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Prayer of Parents for their Children
O Lord, omnipotent Father, we give you thanks for having given us children. They are our joy, and we accept with serenity the worries, fears and labors which bring us pain. Help us to love them sincerely. Through us you gave life to them; from eternity you knew them and loved them. Give us the wisdom to guide them, patience to teach them, vigilance to accustom them to the good through our example. Support our love so that we may receive them back when they have strayed and make them good. It is often so difficult to understand them, to be as they would want us to be, to help them go on their way. Grant that they may always see our home as a haven in their time of need. Teach us and help us, O good Father, through the merits of Jesus, your Son and our Lord. Amen.


Prayer for the Entrustment of the Family
Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I come to you to entrust myself, my entire family, and my parish family to your two hearts. I desire to renew the vows of my baptism and place each member of my family through an act of faith, hope and love into loving union with the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I dedicate myself, each member of my family, and my parish family to the Guardian Angels God has given each one of us. O Holy Guardian Angels, enlighten, guide and protect each one so as to lead us safely home to heaven.
At Fatima, dear Mother of God, you appeared with St. Joseph and the Child Jesus blessing the world. O Holy Family, bestow blessings upon me, my entire family, and my parish family so that we may live the Christ - life. I desire that each member of my family, and my parish family adore always the Most Blessed Trinity and love our God in the most Blessed Sacrament.
Grant peace to each member of my family, and my parish family. Keep each one in the grace of Jesus Christ. Never permit any of my family, or my parish family to stray from the true faith. (For any family member, or parish family member, who has strayed, I beseech you to bind up the wounds, lift up the fallen, restore and keep each of our loved ones in grace. Bid them come back to their Father's true home.) Amen.


A Prayer to St. Gerard for Motherhood
O glorious Saint Gerard, powerful intercessor before God, and wonder worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help. You who always fulfilled God's will on earth, help me to do God's holy will. Intercede with the Giver of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, that I may conceive and raise children who will please God in this life, and be heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GREAT SITE FOR PRAYERS AND ANOTHER ONE HERE

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

How to watch YouTube without bad content:

Check out common sense for tips to make your YouTube watching safer!!!

It took me about 5 minutes and it was so easy.

Let me know if it worked for you!!!

Yeah!!! No more inappropriate pictures popping up or rude comments!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

GLEE: JUST DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT!!!

Last year my 15 year old asked if she could watch GLEE...

We said no...so this year she tried again...
Dad (the nice one) said no, mom (the mean one) said let me check it out...
I went on Plugged in and common sense both said iffy for her age group.

So I watched it and gave it a fair shot...the first show...strike one! It was all the worst of what I remembered high school being. This is why we homeschool our children for high school.

So, week two starts and it was worse than the first week...
Madonna was the "hero" of this week...need I say more?

Scandal
Lying
Sex
Disrespect
Blackmail
Bullying
Cheating
Ridicule
Immodesty
etc...

That was all in the first 15 minutes!!! Just the fact that they made fun of people's virginity was enough...but it didn't stop there.

So, strike two.
Then for the next 20 minutes I could barely tolerate it...
So, strike three...they're out.
I turned off the TV and told my daughter it didn't make the cut.

I thought it was a fun, musical show...it was too bad because it could of been just that.
Instead it was all the negative, bad, and unbelievable situations of what is in high school.

So no Glee for us.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY...

DUCT TAPE:

FYI: NOT MY BABY!!!

Duct tape:

With Spring here and my kids reading the Percy Jones series like mad...they have been spending the days out back in the woods making swords and creating Greek God Wars.

They have gone through many rolls of duct tape and are so excited that I have let them use as much as they want...they even are starting to make the snow saucers into shields.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Movie Review Monday:

The Blind Side:

As my 17 year old son said..."one of the best movies, I have seen all year!"

I totally agree. If you haven't seen it...it is well worth your time and I would even buy it.

It is appropriate for teenagers...if you are going to show it to the younger guys-watch it first.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

+++PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC+++

Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller,prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman - NOT Catholic.

Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church?

Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church , 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.
Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States . Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions. Be proud that you're a Catholic

Read the entire article here...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tender Chicken Nuggets:

I have been making these for about 10 years. It is great to make for families when a baby has arrived and they have other little guys.

***FYI: BUCKLEY FAMILY...this is what you are getting tonight+

Ingredients

* 1 cup crushed cornflakes
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 cup prepared Ranch salad dressing
* 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
* Additional Ranch dressing

Directions

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Place dressing in another bowl. Toss chicken cubes in dressing, then roll in the cornflake mixture. Place in a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking pan.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until juices run clear. Serve with additional dressing for dipping.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Toy Review Tuesday:

Eric being a solider after dying Easter Eggs.

Kid Armor
Every little boy love dressing like a solider...especially mine. We make stick swords, wood ones, and even cardboard. WE cut material to make capes and use duck tape for helmets...the fun is never ending around here!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Movie Review Monday:

Jungle Book:
The good old Disney version...we have about three copies of different take offs but this is the best.

This movie never gets old...I just realized when we went to the Zoo last week ...with the rest of the world. {Please note: don't go to the DC Zoo on Easter week during the Cherry Blossom week...yikes!!!} That my 6,4, and 2 year old hadn't seen this. They didn't get the"hut, two, three four"...when we saw the elephants.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

What kind of kids am I raising?

Let me tell you a little story...
I married my high school sweetheart...
Was thrilled that I got pregnant on my honeymoon...
When my first born was six months old I got pregnant again...
Then by the grace of God the babies kept coming...
We had been researching homeschooling before we even got married...
Our kids never went to school...
The oldest three graduated as homeschoolers...
I nursed all until they were at least one...
We didn't own a TV for about 10 years...
We owned a Christian Bookstore for 10 years...
I thought I had done a pretty good job at raising them...
Than last night, I was doing laundry and saw this in my playroom:

What in the world?
My dear St Joseph and baby Jesus!!!
So, trying not to laugh...
I stomped into the kitchen where my three sons were and said, "who in the world did this?"
The cute little four year old girl smirked...
How could she?
I guess I need to work on my parenting some more!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Internet Pornography: Practical means of avoiding the near occasion of this sin:

Great article on Pornography here.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

5 Ways to Combat Unwanted Photos on Facebook

Photos Gone Wild!
By Caroline Knorr
April 7, 2010
5 Ways to Combat Unwanted Photos on Facebook
Be Respectful


5 Ways to Combat Unwanted Photos on Facebook

It's happened to lots of parents. You're on Facebook, and suddenly you see a photo of your kid doing something you really wish he hadn't. Or maybe your kid tells you that there's an incriminating photo of himself on a friend's Facebook page that the friend won't take down. What can you do to get your kid's pictures offline?

Tagging a photo means that you identify the people in the picture. When someone posts and tags a photo of your kid, it links the photo to his Facebook page. If photos of your kid are tagged, they are searchable online if the poster's profile is public. (Learn more about Facebook.)

To the dismay of parents and kids who have had this experience, there's not a lot that can be done when someone posts a photo of you and tags it with your or your kid's name. Facebook can't force people to take down a photo.

But you have some recourse. First, talk to the person who posted the photo and ask them politely to take it down. Explain that you feel it compromises your child's safety and privacy, and just makes you (and/or your kid) uncomfortable. Try to keep the conversation respectful.

If that doesn't work, try these tips:

1. Untag it. f you're tagged in a photo, just remove the tag next to your name (you'll find the link underneath the photo). The photo will still be live on the poster's page, but it will be unlinked from your profile. Remember that only the owner of the photo and the tagged user can remove a tag.
2. Unfriend the person. You can only tag your friends. If you're not friends with the person who uploaded the photo, their profile won't link to yours, and they can no longer tag you in photos.
3. Catch it early. Set your notifications so that you are alerted when someone tags you or one of your photos. Go to the Notifications tab on the Account Settings page to set it.
4. Report it. Photos containing drug use, nudity, sexually suggestive images, and violence against an individual or group violate Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Click the Report This Photo link underneath the image, and Facebook will take it down if it violates their policy.
5. Wisk-it. An app called Wisk-it (which you can find on Facebook and download) lets you find all tagged photos of a user and sends a request to the poster asking them to “wisk” away an image. It requires the original poster to install the program and “scrub” away the person’s face.

Be Respectful

This problem isn't confined to Facebook, of course. A photo of your kid could wind up on any online photo-sharing site -- Flickr, Snapfish, Kodak Gallery, and Picasa -- to name a few. And while these sites tend to offer very robust privacy settings, any photo that's on the web could potentially get forwarded to a public site or be searchable on any major search engine.

Talk to your kids about protecting their privacy, as well as their friends’. If your kid doesn't want embarrassing photos of himself on someone else's page, he shouldn't post embarrassing photos of his friends either. Learning to respect other people's privacy is one of the keys to responsible online behavior. See our tips for more ways to promote good citizenship in cyberspace.

Happy Birthday Babz!!!

Dear sweet babz!!! You always make cool stuff for your brothers and sisters to play with!!! You are awesome with the babies and the favorite neighborhood sitter!!! If we could take care of that whole math, cleaning your room, waking up thing...than you would be perfect!!! We love you so, so, so, so, so, so much!!!



You survived your first year as a teenager...and very well too!!! Hope 14 is amazing!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY:

A GOOD OLD refrigerator box. Cheap endless fun+

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Movie Review Monday

The Tale of Despereaux

My kids liked the book better. Otherwise it seems harmless. We got it at the library free movie rental.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+