Monday, May 31, 2010

Prom 2010:

Who says kids who are homeschooled don't get to go to prom?
This is my 17 year old who went to Prom with one of his oldest and dearest friends.
What a great time they had.
Thank God for good kids!!!




I was so excited, you would of thought I was going!!!



THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Memorial Day:


Meditation of the day: Imitation of Christ -

The Fourth Chapter
Many Blessings Are Given Those Who Receive Communion Worthily (part one)

The Disciple

O LORD my God, favor Your servant with the blessings of Your sweetness that I may merit to approach Your magnificent Sacrament worthily and devoutly. Lift up my heart to You and take away from me this heavy indolence. Visit me with Your saving grace that I may in spirit taste Your sweetness which lies hidden in this Sacrament like water in the depths of a spring. Enlighten my eyes to behold this great Mystery, and give me strength to believe in it with firm faith.

For it is Your work, not the power of man, Your sacred institution, not his invention. No man is able of himself to comprehend and understand these things which surpass even the keen vision of angels. How, then, shall I, an unworthy sinner who am but dust and ashes, be able to fathom and understand so great a mystery?

O Lord, I come to You at Your command in simplicity of heart, in good, firm faith, with hope and reverence, and I truly believe that You are present here in this Sacrament, God and man. It is Your will that I receive You and unite myself to You in love. Wherefore, I beg Your mercy and ask that special grace be given me, that I may be wholly dissolved in You and filled with Your love, no longer to concern myself with exterior consolations. For this, the highest and most worthy Sacrament, is the health of soul and body, the cure of every spiritual weakness. In it my defects are remedied, my passions restrained, and temptations overcome or allayed. In it greater grace is infused, growing virtue is nourished, faith confirmed, hope strengthened, and charity fanned into flame.

read the rest here

Dear Lord, Help me always receive you worthily and often. Help my family desire to be with you in this amazing sacrament all the days of their lives!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Friday, May 28, 2010

My Oldest Child Graduates from College!!!

This past Monday my oldest child graduated from college.

What a splendid day!!! We started out with breakfast with the social work majors than off to the graduation. I really didn't think I would be too emotional, but sitting there staring at her on the floor ready to process to receive her degree, as I nursed my eight month old---I started to tear up.

Boyfriend*Daughter*Son
Check out the red shoes
Proud Papa
Which one is the school mascot?
The family (minus Oldest son who is in the Seminary)


To My Dearest Daughter:

I am proud beyond words...I can't help but brag.

You have been homeschooled forever...

You have always loved reading and have read everything you could get your hands on...

You have worked since you were 11 saving and prudently spending your money...

You graduated early with great maturity and fervor...

You accomplished great academic strides at the community college...

You held down a job and kept great grades all during college...

You have been a great big sister and God Mother, always taking your siblings fun places...

You have proven yourself mature beyond your years...

You bought your own car, lap top, and phone...

You have chosen a nice young man to spend your time with...

You kept your faith as a priority all these years...

You have successfully learned how to manage your time, money, studies, and social life...

You pretty much handled all your bill's on your own these four years...

You were accepted into the advanced Master's one year program...

You graduated at 20 years of age with Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0!!!

You graduated DEBT FREE...

You diligently start your Master's program a week after graduating...

You are so special and I am so proud of you...

You are a great example to those who know you...

Wow, have you raised the bar for the next 11 kids!!!

I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I am living my baby you'll be!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Meditation of the day: Imitation of Christ-

The Third Chapter
It Is Profitable to Receive Communion Often


The Disciple

BEHOLD, I come to You, Lord, that I may prosper by Your gift and be delighted at Your holy banquet which You, O God, in Your sweetness have prepared for Your poor. Behold, all that I can or ought to desire is in You. You are my salvation and my redemption, my hope and strength, my honor and glory.

Gladden, then, this day the soul of Your servant because I have raised my heart to You, O Lord Jesus. I long to receive You now, devoutly and reverently. I desire to bring You into my house that, with Zacheus, I may merit Your blessing and be numbered among the children of Abraham.

My soul longs for Your Body; my heart desires to be united with You. Give me Yourself—it is enough; for without You there is no consolation. Without You I cannot exist, without Your visitation I cannot live. I must often come to You, therefore, and receive the strength of my salvation lest, deprived of this heavenly food, I grow weak on the way. Once, most merciful Jesus, while preaching to the people and healing their many ills, You said: “I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” Matt. 15:32. Deal with me likewise, You Who have left Yourself in this Sacrament for the consolation of the faithful. You are sweet refreshment to the soul, and he who eats You worthily will be a sharer in, and an heir to, eternal glory.

It is indeed necessary for me, who fall and sin so often, who so quickly become lax and weak, to renew, cleanse, and inflame myself through frequent prayer, confession, and the holy reception of Your Body, lest perhaps by abstaining too long, I fall away from my holy purpose. For from the days of his youth the senses of man are prone to evil, and unless divine aid strengthens him, he quickly falls deeper. But Holy Communion removes him from evil and confirms him in good.

If I am so often careless and lax when I celebrate or communicate, what would happen if I did not receive this remedy and seek so great a help? Although I am neither fit nor properly disposed to celebrate every day, yet I will do my best at proper times to receive the divine Mysteries and share in this great grace. This, indeed, is the one chief consolation of the faithful soul when separated from You by mortality, that often mindful of her God, she receives her Beloved with devout recollection.

Oh, wonderful condescension of Your affection toward us, that You, the Lord God, Creator and Giver of life to all, should see fit to come to a poor soul and to appease her hunger with all Your divinity and humanity! O happy mind and blessed soul which deserves to receive You, her Lord God, and in receiving You, is filled with spiritual joy! How great a Master she entertains, what a beloved guest she receives, how sweet a companion she welcomes, how true a friend she gains, how beautiful and noble is the spouse she embraces, beloved and desired above all things that can be loved and desired! Let heaven and earth and all their treasures stand silent before Your face, most sweetly Beloved, for whatever glory and beauty they have is of Your condescending bounty, and they cannot approach the beauty of Your name, Whose wisdom is untold.

I have been trying to go to daily mass since I was 16 years old. Of course there are times when it just doesn't work in my state in life. Those times that I do get there are amazing. There are times when I have brought all the kids and amazing isn't the word that I would use~stressful is more like it. Although what a great habit when it is part of our daily schedule.

This site has tons of great info.
I always tell the kids that when we receive Holy Communion it is like a little piece of heaven giving us the wisdom to make wise decisions.
God knows I need all the help I can get.

Here are some of the graces we get from frequent communion:
*removes the guilt of repented venial sins
*supernatural strength to resist temptation
*strengthening the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit
*gives us a spiritual joy

That is enough great reasons to get my lazy self out of the house and spend time with my best friend!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Free Homeschool Conference:

GO HERE FOR MORE INFO

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Toy Review Tuesday:


A Stick

It is amazing what four boys, a roll of kite string, and duct tape can do...
My guys have had a great spring playing in the woods in our yard
with their bow and arrow sticks!!!

Thy will be done!!! +JMJ+

Monday, May 24, 2010

Movie Review Monday:

The Spy Next Door
Well, it is ok...kinda cute for the elementary age kids...a little risky situations
(wedgie and smart mouth kids)
not worth buying and a maybe for viewing...
Watch it first if you want.

The Pacifier was way better!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Friday, May 21, 2010

Today's Gospel...

Last year on April 30th I had this same meditation...It was today's gospel and it is still speaking to me!!!

John 21:15-19
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he 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." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

This is what it sounds like to me:

"Feed your kids!!!
Watch your kids and get off the computer!!!
Feed and take care of your husband...
Marriage is a sacrament...

embrace it!!!
FOLLOW ME!!!"


Thy will be done!!! +JMJ+

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Happy 21st Anniversary Honey:

True Love...
This is a very exciting day...

I married you when I was 21 years old...
now being 42 I am thrilled to be your wife for half of my life!!!
+Pretty amazing+



Hmm, I think our day went a little like this:

12 am May 20, 2010-
Husband in bed with wicked stomach virus, someone crying upstairs, I go to get the 8month old and start nursing him back to sleep...call to 14 year old to get 4 year old who is upstairs crying...

12:30 am-
Finally fall back to sleep...

4:30 am-
Wake up to 2 year old crying and had just wet his crib...change clothes and blankets, convince him to go back to bed...

5:45 am-
Baby wakes up...

6:30 am-
Two year old says he is up now!!!

8:30 am-
Try to decide how to get to mass to celebrate my anniversary...

8:35 am-
Sick husband yells from his room...4 year old is in bathroom covered in diarrhea...throw her in shower...get dressed...

9:30 am-
Tell 15 year old to get ready to go and take her learners test...

10:10 am-
Get baby in bed and drive to DMV...say the rosary for daughter's successful test...

10:40 am-
Get to DMV, check in, find out we forgot to get "school form" for attendance...must go home...text 17 year old at home to get form off internet...

10:55 am-
Get home, get form, drive to umbrella directors house for signature of form...go home...

11:05 am-
Nurse baby, feed kids, do laundry, get 17 year old son who was barfing the night before ready to go and pick out tux for the prom next week...

Noon-
Pick up "prom date" go to tux shop pick out very handsome black tux, purple paisley vest, bow tie, black shoes, and plain white shirt...pay...get text saying hurry home-baby just threw up...

12:50 pm-
Get home clean and nurse the baby...get 2 year old down for nap...look over at 8 year old...looking sick...hmmm...put sick baby down for nap...

1:00 pm-
Get daughter to go DMV (again) to take test...she passes!!! Wait in long line for id...

2:30 pm-
Get home...take 6 year old for bike ride...

3:30 pm-
Get home...start thinking about the steak dinner on the grill...decide too many are sick...wait till tomorrow for nice dinner...

3:45 pm-
8 year old barfs on kitchen floor...

4:00 pm-
Make 4 and 6 year old girls happy and exchange gifts...mommy gets fancy shower head...dad gets cool trash can, hose carrier, and grill lighter...(we are sooo romantic- I mean practical)

5:00 pm-
Eat chicken nuggets and frozen pizza...convince the little girls that this is the celebration.
Had to remind them that last year was our 20th and very special. This year we were just happy with staying home.

6:20 pm-
Take neighbor to baton practice...(random)

7:00 pm-
Put baby to bed...try to get 2 year old to bed...took way too long...

7:30 pm-
Teenagers leave to youth group...husband and I sit to watch LEAP YEAR ...interrupted like 15 times by various children coming out of their rooms...uggghhh!!!

9:30 pm-
Go to bed finally...two year old decides to get up...I am ready to lose it...

10:30 pm-
Trying to post my anniversary blog...

11:15 pm-
Seventeen year old son calls downstairs to say 2 year old is awake and running around upstairs naked trying to kill a bug...go figure???


THIS IS WHAT TRUE LOVE LOOKS LIKE...
love is a feeling...
being with you honey is a lifetime!!!




THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Imitation of Christ

I have done many different meditations over the years...I always come back to the Imitation of Christ.

You can read it here:

God's Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man in…
The Second Chapter
God’s Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man in This Sacrament

The Disciple

TRUSTING in Your goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I come as one sick to the Healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the Fountain of life, as one in need to the King of heaven, a servant to his Lord, a creature to his Creator, a soul in desolation to my gentle Comforter.

But whence is this to me, that You should come to me? Who am I that You should offer Yourself to me? How dares the sinner to appear in Your presence, and You, how do You condescend to come to the sinner? You know Your servant, and You know that he has nothing good in him that You should grant him this.

I confess, therefore, my unworthiness. I acknowledge Your goodness. I praise Your mercy, and give thanks for Your immense love. For it is because of Yourself that You do it, not for any merit of mine; so that Your goodness may be better known to me, that greater love may be aroused and more perfect humility born in me. Since, then, this pleases You and You have so willed it, Your graciousness pleases me also. Oh, that my sinfulness may not stand in the way!

O most sweet and merciful Jesus, what great reverence, thanks, and never-ending praise are due to You for our taking of Your sacred body, whose dignity no man can express!

But on what shall I think in this Communion, this approach to my Lord, Whom I can never reverence as I ought, and yet Whom I desire devoutly to receive? What thought better, more helpful to me than to humble myself entirely in Your presence and exalt Your infinite goodness above myself?

I praise You, my God, and extol You forever! I despise myself and cast myself before You in the depths of my unworthiness. Behold, You are the Holy of holies, and I the scum of sinners! Behold, You bow down to me who am not worthy to look up to You! Behold, You come to me! You will to be with me! You invite me to Your banquet! You desire to give me heavenly food, the Bread of Angels to eat, none other than Yourself, the living Bread Who are come down from heaven and give life to the world.

Behold, whence love proceeds! What condescension shines forth! What great thanks and praise are due You for these gifts! Oh, how salutary and profitable was Your design in this institution! How sweet and pleasant the banquet when You gave Yourself as food!

How admirable is Your work, O Lord! How great Your power! How infallible Your truth! For You spoke and all things were made, and this, which You commanded, was done. It is a wonderful thing, worthy of faith, overpowering human understanding, that You, O Lord, my God, true God and man, are contained whole and entire under the appearance of a little bread and wine, and without being consumed are eaten by him who receives You!

You, the Lord of the universe, Who have need of nothing, have willed to dwell in us by means of Your Sacrament. Keep my heart and body clean, so that with a joyous and spotless conscience I may be able often to celebrate Your Mysteries and to receive for my eternal salvation what You have ordained and instituted for Your special honor and as an everlasting memorial.

Rejoice, my soul, and give thanks to God for having left you so noble a gift and so special a consolation in this valley of tears. As often as you renew this Mystery and receive the Body of Christ, so often do you enact the work of redemption and become a sharer in all the merits of Christ, for the love of Christ never grows less and the wealth of His mercy is never exhausted.

Therefore, you should prepare yourself for it by constantly renewing your heart and pondering deeply the great mystery of salvation. As often as you celebrate or hear Mass, it should seem as great, as new, as sweet to you as if on that very day Christ became man in the womb of the Virgin, or, hanging on the Cross, suffered and died for the salvation of man.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Honey Butter Recipe:

Tastes great on banana bread, bagel, or any favorite bakery treat.

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup honey
* 3/4 cup powdered sugar
* 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions
Blend all ingredients together and store in the refrigerator.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Toy Review Tuesday:



Toy Utility Belt: Can't go wrong for a little guy 2-9 years with something like this.
We had a bunch of these years ago when my 19 year old was 5.
He played with them all the time.
Now my 2 year old loves it.
He loves to hang all his stuff on them.

You can even get one of these.



THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Thursday, May 13, 2010

3 Rules of Facebook Privacy:

3 Rules of Facebook Privacy:

By Caroline Knorr
May 12, 2010
Help Your Teens Control Their Privacy
3 Simple Rules to Keep in Mind

Help Your Teens Control Their Privacy

In this constantly changing, 24/7 digital world, there are three things parents can count on: 1. Technology evolves quickly; 2. Your kids will find out everything before you do; 3. You can have a huge, proven influence on your kids' behavior.Unfortunately, the first two usually happen way before you have a chance to act on number three.

For example, Facebook. When you sit down with your teens to help them set their Facebook privacy settings, the quantity and type of settings can be overwhelming. Take heart. By focusing on the three key areas where your information is most likely to get away from you, you can simplify the process.

3 Simple Rules to Keep in Mind

Stick with your friends. Have your teens limit their privacy settings to Only Friends. That’ll restrict who sees your kids’ information, including pictures, videos, and applications they use.

Keep private information private. When filling out their bios, teens can leave fields blank. There is no need for your teens to post their phone numbers or addresses. These features are optional and aren't required to create a Facebook account.

Don't let your information get away from you. If your teens haven’t restricted who can share their information, their personal data can end up in the hands of marketers. Also, advise your teens to be on the lookout for personal information requests -- like their birthday or music playlist -- from third parties. And make sure your teens uncheck the public search results box so people can't find their Facebook page through a Google search.

Our kids are growing up in public. They have to understand that privacy concerns really matter and that they should think twice before revealing information that they may later regret or that they may not understand is being used by third parties. For more detailed information on privacy online, read You're Not as Private as You Think and Rules of the Road for Kids.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Mom in Labor:

First time mom named jenn, in labor right now, has diabetes...Please Pray!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Thanks to Winnie the Pooh, I got to spend time with my Lord...


Sometimes we have to fight to spend time with Our Lord!!!

I have really been trying to spend more time with Christ.

I try to get up early and when I do...someone usually finds me.

So today I got desperate...I put the 2 and 4 year old in front of a Winnie the Pooh DVD.

I kinda am a
TV nazi...and only use it when I am a my whit's end.

I got a good 2o min of meditation time and it was well worth it!!!


It was kinda cute to hear my 2 year old crack up laughing at Tigger...


Thanks Winnie I owe you one!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Toy Review Tuesday:


Bikes!!!

Any shape, size, or condition!!!

If you heard about my Mother's Day...than you heard about our bike ride.

We had ten bikes going on our trip...my hubby had our 2 year old on a bike carrier like this:





I had the 4 year old and 7month old in one of these:



It was a blast. Many times we get too picky about the type of bike...People give us bikes all the time..we have about 16 different shapes and sizes and we don't care...we just have fun and ride.

Thy Will Be Done!!! +JMJ+

Check out the new blog in town...


My girl Cheryl is blogging over here...check it out.
I remember the first month I blogged...I was constantly wondering if I was doing what God wanted me too.
Go give her a hello.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Monday, May 10, 2010

WHILE I'M WAITING...




Are you ever just wondering what God is doing in your life?
Do you get frustrated and stressed out?
This sony has consoled me over and over again!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day 2010: MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY...


My movie review Monday has a twist...we watched old family movies...I challenge you to do the same this month...go ahead...the kids will love it!!!


This Mother's Day was one of the best days ever...


Woke up around 8 am with my 7 month old snoring in my ear, my four year old daughter staring at me, my husband doing dishes in the kitchen, and hearing my 2 year old asking daddy if mommy was sick?


My four year old then brought me breakfast in bed. Granola and yogart, with some tea.


Then I got to lay in bed and have some quiet meditation time with my Lord.


One by one the kids came in to tell me Happy Mother's Day.


I finally decided to roll out of bed around 8:50am so the kids could give me presents.


I got jade earrings, bracelet, and necklace...(good job daddy and amazon) A really nice card from my oldest daughter with a workout video for us to do when she moves back home in 10 days!!!


Then off to 10am mass and Marian procession.


Home to lunch and getting ready for two soccer games.


My husband and 15 year old daughter went to my 17 year olds game...my 20 year old daughter and 8 year old son came with me to my 10 & 12 year olds game. My 14 year old daughter stayed home with the four youngest.


Got home and got bikes and picnic ready for my "outing".


We all road bikes to my favorite pond that I grew up going to.


Had a picnic and fed the geese.


Made it home safely and watched family movies...the little guys were very upset that there were only 3 kids in the movie and wanted to know where they were...the big ones said to just pretend it was them since they all looked the same anyway.


Then 8 of my kids layed in bed with me (one of my favorite things) and watched Extreme Home Makeover (my favorite show) with me.


Then off to bed for everyone.


Thank you God and thank you honey & kids for a great day!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+



Saturday, May 8, 2010

Eating Healthy...

It is that time again this year when I try to help my family eat healthy.

I don't know about you but about once a year I rethink our eating habits. Thank God we have a limited budget. I tell my kids every time we drive by McDonald's that it is a good thing we have no extra money or mommy would drive in there and buy lots of junk...we would be fat and unhealthy!!! (for some reason I don't think they appreciate it)

So when I was at the grocery store the other day I started out in isle two and started to get whole grain pasta. It was hard since the regular pasta was so much cheaper. I have found over the years that one reason my hubby and I don't stay on the health kick is that junk food is so much cheaper than good food. I was thrilled to see that there was a big sale on the good pasta and I filled my basket up with every box. I was feeling very satisfied and proud about my great find.

But, like all times when pride is in my picture I slip and fail.

Little did I know that it was LITTLE DEBBIE's fiftieth anniversary. (How did that little girl get so old?) My grocery store was having a huge sale!!!

Then the next isle was having pop tarts 10 for $10 so I grabbed a bunch of those...ughhh!!!

All of us love those junkie goodies and the teens that hang at our house are always looking for a treat...so of course I had to fill up on all the junk too.



Oh dear Lord to find balance. Please help me to be the women you created me to be. I love and need Your guidance all the time!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Friday, May 7, 2010

Television:


Television

The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set --
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotised by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink --
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES!
'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say,
'But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!'
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rate and Mr. Mole-
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks-
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something to read.
And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.

Roald Dahl

The best days of my parenting were the ten years we didn't have a TV. The kids would read. My husband and I would go to bed early and were able to get up early to concur the day better. Our time spent as a family was reading, playing games, doing crafts, and praying.

Yesterday...it came. Just what the teens had been hoping for...
a 60 inch television.
Our TV broke last month and sweet daddy decided on this...



So pray for me as I try to maintain balance in this crazy family.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Toy Review Tuesday:


Cranium Hullabaloo Game


Mainly for the little guys (2-5) but all have fun running around and finding the shape or color you need.

Great game for grandma/grandpa to get for the kids...sorry it needs batteries.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Monday, May 3, 2010

Movie Review Monday:


Finding Nemo:

What could be more of a family classic than this movie. It is a must at least once a year. I like this review from plugged in.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Prayers for a family in PA:

I was just emailed this request:

Our Baby is a boy, his name is Dominic. Unfortunately he has been diagnosed with severe health issues and we have been told he will not survive long past birth. Our hearts are broken. Please keep us in prayer.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+