Weekend Recap

This weekend was spent, as is custom, going to the kids sporting events. Kathryn had her soccer game on Saturday. Her team won, yea! She didn't score any goals but she made some good passes that helped in the goal scoring. She has improved quite a bit since last season.

This afternoon was spent at Ryan's baseball game. His division (5 & 6 year old) doesn't keep score, so there is no winner or loser. Everyone just has fun while learning the skills. Some of those boys are so little, their uniforms barely fit and you can't even see their little faces under the huge helmets!

Emily & I made a trip to the library to pick up some new books. Right now she is into duck books and horse books. I was tempted, but I resisted getting some books. I have been reading from my list for the challenge and I'm trying to meet that goal before adding more. I just know I'll be adding later, that's just the way I am. But for now, I'm sticking with my published list.

This coming week will be spent doing my usual routine - taking kids to school, picking them up, practices and keeping home. In other words, doing what I love to do most!

Fall Into Reading 2007

OK, I've decided to take the plunge and join in on the Fall Into Reading 2007 challenge over at Callapidder Days. I will use this challenge to deplete my collection of to-be-read books sitting in my bookcase plus some books that are on loan.

Fiction

Wish You Well by David Baldacci

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson

By a Spider's Thread by Laura Lippman

The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers

Secret of the Hall by Veronica Heley

The Lady of the Hall by Veronica Heley

Non-Fiction

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

A Beautiful Offering by Angela Thomas

Deep Conversion Deep Prayer by Fr. Thomas Dubay

The Secret Diary of Elizabeth Leseur

This will be quite a challenge since this is a busy period for me, but I'm going to go for it. If you are interested in joining, head on over to Callapidder Days! Take a look at other participants lists and be inspired!

Morning Offering

This is the prayer I say first thing every morning. If I'm groggy because I didn't get enough sleep (which seems to be happening more often), I at least make this offering so that whatever happens, good or bad, it is offered to the Lord. He can use it all as He wills. He can shape the good and the bad to mold my life as He wills. I may not like it when the troubles are near, but I try to trust that He is working in me.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for sin, for the intentions of all my friends and associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Knitting Update

I thought I'd share some of the progress I'm making on my knitting.

I finished a hat and one mitten

for Emily!

I started a project for Emily since she is the smallest, I thought it would go quicker. And it did!
Everything is very quick to work up. I took a little longer as I needed a little help from my knitting instructor and I had other things going on in my life that took from my knitting time. I should be able to finish the other mitten soon!

Our Lady of Sorrows

Beneath the cross the Mother kept

Bleak vigil under darkened skies.

Upon the cross her Son hung nailed,

Stabbed through by crowds of hostile eyes.

"And your own soul a sword shall pierce,"

The old man in the Temple said,

The Spirit's sword, the word of God-

God's word be done, was all she said.

Upon the cross the Savior died;

Beneath, the Mother bowed her head;

Above, the storm broke harsh and wild-

God's word be done, was all she said.

A soldier came and thrust him through;

The blood and water proved him dead.

They laid his body in her arms-

God's word be done, was all she said.

At vigil's end, the Crucified

Arose from death her glorious Lord.

O Father, Son, and Spirit, God,

We praise and magnify your Word.

-Old Hymn

Birthday Boy

Ryan turned 6 this past week. He was excited to have his cake and presents. He was able to have Grandma here to help him celebrate. After going out to dinner at his favorite place, we came home for some of his cupcake cake. After all the busyness of vacation and the start of school, I completely forgot that I had bought a tablecloth, cups, plates, and napkins (Spon*gebob Square*pants, of course). I guess I can save them for next year?

Happy Birthday, Ryan! You've touched our lives with your adventure, silliness, and most of all, your tender heart! You're a wonderful gift from God and you will be a great man someday!

Exhaustion!

Well, I am back from my relaxing (NOT!) vacation! When we made these plans, little did we know that this would be the hottest string of days in I don't know how long. We spent most of the time in the swimming pool, cooling off in the room, or trying to find something to eat! We didn't go to Disneyland as it was just too hot! I think it was over 100 degrees each of the days we were there.

Three year old Emily was not on her best behavior during our vacation. She threw a scene every time it was time to get out of the pool. She wanted to stay in much longer, or she wanted to be out of her wet bathing suit shortly after. I tried everything I could to quiet her down and cheer her with something else, but to no avail. She would whine and cry until we got to the room and could change her. I tried to avoid eye contact with others that we would pass by!LOL! Needless to say, I questioned my abilities as a mother often. I think overall we did have fun. We got to swim, eat out, and relax a little. I tend to relate it as being pregnant When you're going through the aches, pains, and discomfort of pregnancy, you don't like it, but when you remember it later, you kind of forget the discomforting stuff and look back on it fondly. So, I do thank God that we got to spend this little vacation time together!

On the night of our return, we had a power failure! Luckily it was at bedtime, so we all just went to sleep. I was hoping it would be back on in the morning but it wasn't. The electric company said it wouldn't be on till that night or the next morning. That wasn't good because we needed to get the cars out of the garage. With no power, we couldn't get the the electric door to open. There is an emergency switch that lets you open the door manually, but you really need to have the strength of Hercules. It was just too heavy! So I gathered the kids and we rode the bus to school! It took us awhile, but we all made it. Meanwhile, back at home, I had to try to salvage what I could from the refrigerator and freezer. Most things were saved, but there were some meats and milk that had to be tossed. Oh yea, and in the midst of all that, Ryan turned 6! I'll have to post something about that later.

I think this post is too long now, so I'll end it. I'll be visiting everyone soon! Here is one picture taken on vacation. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures. Kathryn took some but they came out blurry.