Movie Review Monday:

The Next 3 Days:

High school or a date night with your spouse.

I knew nothing about this movie when we started watching it.

I suggest you not read into it...

I hated this stress of this movie and kept yelling at my oldest daughter for renting it.

By the next day I decided it was a good watch and well done.

So if you don't like sad action or suspense...skip it!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Getting personal:

Since Christmas I haven't really had real personal blogging...

Among the typical everyday crazy stuff I have gone through some exciting and stressful experiences.

On New Year's Eve my oldest daughter got engaged to a wonderful man who we love...May she graduates with her Masters in Social Work and then the Wedding in August. So lots of planning and excitement there.

At the end of January, after the ten year anniversary of my Father's death and the 20Th anniversary of my sister of my sister's death, (she died of cancer at age 39) my mom went into the hospital. At the age of 86 she was mentally and physically ready to go to her beloved maker. Me and my seven siblings spent a three week vigil by her side. Thanks to my wonderful husband and his mom, my kids and house survived the ordeal. I am still catching up on the housework.

Well, Spring brings a new beginning as I try to get through Lent as a holier and better me. I turn 43 in a couple of weeks. I am feeling very frumpy, over weight, and old. This is the longest time I haven't been pregnant in the 23 years of my marriage.

It is so confusing to others that yes, actually, I would love to have another baby. Yeah, I am crazy. The thought of maybe my body is done...is sad. My heart aches for my friends and family who have had a life time of infertility. I have no understanding of that suffering. So my selfish whims of desire are embarrassing.

I am at a constant challenge as I try to loose weight. I am planning my High School 25Th reunion at the end of July and two weeks later my daughter is getting married. I have been exercising ever day but just can't seem to shed the pounds..."I look great for having 12 kids", which is the long standing joke in our house. I kinda want to just look great, or at least feel great.

So for the first time in my life, I got highlights! I had a friend's hairdresser come to my house yesterday, do my hair and six of my kids!!! This was our practice run for the wedding. It was fun and so easy! We all sat around doing school, laughing, and playing with the baby. What a great way to get our hair done. So stress free.


So that was my attempt at looking younger and not fat! So, I will keep working out and try to lose weight before this summer...unless I get pregnant ;)

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Saying Goodbye:

It’s been over a month since my mom died. I haven’t written a column or blogged about her death. I think part of me does not want to have to remember that it really happened and that maybe it was just a bad dream. The tons of sympathy cards that still hang on my door reminding me that my dear mommy is gone. I attended a funeral today of another pillar of Bowie, Mr. Paul Palumbo, whose wonderful family will continue his love for God, family, Bowie, a good work ethic, and baseball. Hopefully his legacy and good example will live on in our community.
I recently found my notes from one very special night when I was with my mom waiting for her to pass into a better place.

I’m sitting here with my other seven living siblings in an all night vigil for my momma…Betsy and Steve each have one of moms hands with whispers that they love her and its ok to go. Tommy’s playing the guitar singing to his oldest and dearest sweetheart. Pete is singing with him, while Michael moans in sheer delight at their serenade. Shari and Joan lay on the couches close by, exhausted after yesterday’s rough time trying to make their hero and best friend comfortable. I sit by the fire thinking that this is what it’s all about…family. We have been sitting at moms house all day taking turns holding her hand, rubbing her back, cheering her on to Daddy who has been waiting for her for ten years, mom’s thoughts of longing for her sweet daughter Nanette, who left us way to early at the age of 39, who has been gone for 20 years, and the pain stings like it was yesterday.

All differences are put aside as we cuddle, hug, rub backs, and eat comfort food and coffee. It’s almost one in the morning and the vigil gets giddy as stories of fun, pain, and shenanigans are shared. More than once have we rushed to mom’s bedside to hold each other and prepare for her last breathe. This truly amazing women gasp for yet another and holds on for what seems like forever as she labors with each sigh. Every once and awhile we will get a smile, a finger tapping or an answer to the many questions that we eight children pour out to this poor soul like a toddler looking for a cookie. We all have hope that something we say will help her let go and fall into the hands of the God she taught us to trust.

Read the rest here.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

My heroic minute:

One of my Lenten Sacrifices has been to get back to my habit of going to bed early and waking up early. It isn't too hard for me since I am a morning person. As I get older it is harder to get up, and now that most of my children are in the teen or older bracket it isn't as easy to go to bed at 9pm anymore.

So my Guardian Angel and I have a deal...wake me up at 5:30 so I can have some meditation time before the babies start waking...so far so good. Then the time change came and boy oh boy was this a challenge!!!

So this morning after staying up way late doing laundry, cleaning, and watching a movie with my hubby and big kids, I could barely get up.

At 5:28am- my Guardian Angel woke me up...

At 5:29am- I convinced myself that they best thing to do for my family was to go back to sleep so I would have energy for my kids and wouldn't be a grouch...

At 6:08am- I got a text message and my phone woke me up...my first thought was, why is my angel getting me up...doesn't he know I need more energy to take care of the kids? Maybe I will close my eyes for a couple more minutes...

At 6:10am-As I was still pondering getting up...my phone rang!!! This is crazy...I got up and saw that my 19 year old son who had jury duty was calling me because he got locked in his "garage room" and couldn't get in the house.

I finally got my lazy self up and praying. I figured God had some real important stuff to tell me today or someone really needed my prayers and failed sufferings. Had about a half hour with God...then started to convince myself at 6:40am that a couple of minutes with my eyes closed on the couch wouldn't hurt...I laid down, put the blanket over me and then at 6:44am I heard the baby crying upstairs!!!

Maybe I will get a nap later...but I doubt it.

Thy Will Be Done!!! +JMJ+

PIZZA DOUGH!!!

It is Friday...and that means PIZZA DAY at our house...Quickest dough I have found!!! 5 min to rise!!!

I usually times this recipe by five or ten...

1PK DRY YEAST = 2 1/4 teaspoons
1 CUP WARM WATER
1TEAS SALT
1 TEAS SUGAR
2 TABLESPOON OIL
2 1/2 CUPS FLOUR

DISSOLVE YEAST IN WATER AND ADD OTHER INGREDIENTS
MAKE BALL
SIT FOR AT LEAST FIVE MIN
ROLL OUT
ADD SPICE TO DOUGH IF DESIRED
PUT DOUGH ON PAN INSERT TO OVEN FOR ABOUT FIVE MIN. (OR WAIT FOR CHEESE)
ADD TOPPINGS
COOK AT 400% FOR 10-20 MIN

Make thick or thin crust, adjust to meet your families tastes.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tips for disciplining children:

"Honor your Father and your Mother." (Exodus 20:12)

1.Do not over-react, the less emotion the better and the punishment needs to be proportional to the infraction.

2.United front- mom and dad must be on the same page and punishments should be discussed as a couple before announcing it to the child.

3.You need to make the children understand the gravity of the offense and why you are punishing them.

4.You need to determine what they most enjoy doing and use that as collateral (cell phones, video games, computer, facebook, ipod, dessert,…)

5.Disrespect can never be tolerated.

6.The punishment should be pro-active. Give them a book, an assignment or a chore so as to make good use of this time.

7.Unconditional love- no matter what happens, they still need to see that you love them.

God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Movie Review Monday:

Journey to the Center of the Earth:
We watched it on TV so I don't know if they cut out any bad stuff...but it was cute and entertaining. Even the three year old saw some of it.

Enjoy...let me know if you saw the "movie" version and if it had any bad stuff in it.

See what Plugged in says.

Thy Will Be Done!!! +JMJ+

How to Talk to Your Kids About Life After High School ?:

Over at our local PATCH on line news they have asked this question:

How to Talk to Your Kids About Life After High School?

My short non preachy response is:

I have three children in the category. One is 21, graduating with her masters in May and getting married in August. My second will be 20 next month and is at the community college planning on transferring to MD next year. My third is 18 and also at the community college and transferring to Towson next year. My fourth child will be graduating this May and going to the community college also.

I think it depends on the direction they are going.

College: Make it a priority, don't miss a class. Do any extra credit available. Find study groups and like minded friends. Be diligent in your studies remembering that this is your main concern at this time in your life.

Work: Be the best you can be. Find something you shine at. Watch what you say and do at all times. Be kind and conscientious to your coworkers. If you don't have something to do during your scheduled work hours, find something to do or ask your supervisor for a job. Even if you are sweeping up floors...your time belongs to your job during work hours.

Dating: Even thou you are out of high school keep a balanced relationship with your girl friend/boy friend. Find fun inexpensive things to do. Like going for walks, to the park, downtown to site see, museums, or look your community for free activities or reasonably priced shows and events.

As a young adult never forget to give back to your community through volunteer work in something you are concerned about or passionate towards.

Of course don't forget to spend time with your family, especially your relatives and older members of your family. You will never regret the time spent with them and hearing the stories of how your family got started.

Trust me I could write a book on this and will post more advice about this later... like:

Frequent the sacraments as much as possible, pray daily, and KEEP THE FAITH!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Rules for IPOD:

Well, now that your 13...

Rules for iPod:
1. No internet
2. Only get iPod after jobs and school is done
3. One hour game time…we can discuss music use
4. Must check with dad before buying games/apps/music
5. IPod goes in parent’s room/on dock station at bedtime
6. No electronics at dinner time
7. Cannot walk around house with earphones on ignoring others or hide in your room.
8. Cannot bring it out of the house without permission
9. Please do not let siblings use it without our permission
10. If you disobey any of these rules your iPod will be
taken away.



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THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+