I Remember Mama

I recently saw this movie for the first time and just loved it! I enjoy watching these old movies that show families back in the old days. It stars Irene Dunn and a VERY young Ellen Corby (Grandma Walton) in a supporting role. I'm so used to seeing Ellen Corby as Grandma on the Waltons that it was a shock to see her so young! Oh, and it also has Barbara Bel Geddes when she was young. If any of you remember the show, Dallas, she was Mom Ewing.

Boy, these past few months have really been stressful and non-stop. The kids were all involved in their sports activities (three kids-four sports) and it just got to be too much to handle all the logistics involved. I was shuttling the kids here and there, making sure uniforms were ready, equipment was packed, and game schedules were coordinated (a nightmare in itself)! Not to mention, making sure they kept up with schoolwork! Unfortunately, meal planning suffered. We ate so much junk/fast food, it's embarrassing to admit. I feel bad about that, especially since it's my responsibility to make sure everyone has a decent, nutritious meal. But, honestly it was very difficult to handle it all. Needless to say, that won't happen again. Kathryn is through with sports and it will just be two sports per season - one for Ryan and one for Emily. I AM TIRED TRYING TO BE SUPERWOMAN!! There----I got that off my chest!

Things are settling down a little and I hope I can do a little more on my blog. It has been so neglected. I just didn't have time to think about posts! So, I'll post when I can. I spend more time on Facebook and if any of you would like to follow me there, just send me a friend request. Click on my badge on my sidebar and it should take you to my profile. Just let me know that you read my blog because if I don't recognize who you are, I'll probably ignore the request.

Have a nice day!

Memorial Day

Prayers for the Pope

Our beloved Holy Father has been maligned and beaten up by the mainstream media and our prayers need to be fortified. I think that the devil is just having a field day in attacking the Church and our Pope. We need to stay strong and have courage against this onslaught and we can do this with prayer.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the Feast of Divine Mercy! God's mercy is ready to be poured out! Find out more about the feast HERE and HERE.

I also wanted to post some links that I found around the web pertaining to praying for Pope Benedict XVI.

Pray a Novena with the Knights of Columbus for the Pope. This novena begins tomorrow.

The Cardinal Newman Society has put together a Spiritual Bouquet for the Holy Father. You can add your prayers to the bouquet.

Pray, Pray,Pray!!

Happy Easter!

WELL HELLO!

My poor little blog has been neglected! I haven't even been visiting lately! Most of my computer time has been on Facebook - a quicker way to stay in touch.

I've been feeling that I just don't have much to contribute to the blog world. Other people can say things much better than I can and be more interesting! But Steve and the kids think that I should keep blogging, so I'll try and keep plugging away.

For today, I'll post a quick update about what's been going on.

The kids are busy (along with mom and dad) with sports - soccer, baseball, and softball. It's a little hectic for me as there is no set schedule with softball. The games are set but not the snack schedule or snack bar duty schedule. That's not good for a mom like me who likes to know things in advance so I can mentally prepare! And I have to coordinate with the other sports schedules!

Ryan is preparing for his First Communion in May. He already made his First Confession and his retreat. We now have to make a banner that will be placed in the church on first communion day.

I recently attended a workshop at church called Called and Gifted. It helps participants discern about what their charisms are and how to apply them to help others. It was a great workshop. I will have to post later and share what I learned.

Emily is home sick today. Yesterday, it was Ryan. She has the same cough that Ryan had last week. I was hoping to be able to attend a church mission this week in the mornings, but I guess God has other plans. Well, I have two more days to try to attend.

The weather here has been beautiful. Spring is definitely in the air! Can't wait to plant the flowers!

Blessings to all!

Ash Wednesday

Another season of Lent is upon us. I pray you all have a blessed and fruitful one. May you seek the Lord and grow in love for Him. And may He do a mighty work in you!

I like what Pope Benedict had to say in his General Audience:

In our conversion, the Pope explained, we shoot for the "highest measure of the Christian life” as we put our trust in the "living and personal Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

"His person is the final goal and the deep meaning of repentance... he is the road by which all are called to walk in life, letting ourselves be illuminated by his light and sustained by his strength that moves our steps."

I also just discovered another blog in which they are using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola as a daily meditation, The Spiritual Exercises blog. Although I have heard about these exercises, I have never read them. I think this may be a good introduction for me.

I'm hoping I can persevere this Lent so that I may truly experience the glorious Resurrection and Easter season to come! I wish the same for all of you!

Have a blessed day!

The Parent's Prayer

We were given this prayer at a parent meeting at school recently.

The Parent's Prayer


O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent.

Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them.

Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me.

May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.

Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal. And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I am out of sorts, help me O Lord to hold my tongue.

May I be ever mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgment of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.

Bless me with bigness to grant all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.

Make me fair and just and kind. And fit me, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children.
Amen.

Gary C. Myers

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Archdiocese of Boston has a great site for information about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They are trying to encourage a greater use of this sacrament, especially during Lent. They have great handy lists for an examination of conscience according to your state in life.

Take a look at The Light Is On For You!

Saturday

We have seen rain, rain, and more rain this past week. Finally, I think we are coming out of it. The kids were even home for two days because their school got flooded. But, thank God, we all survived. Here in Southern California we are just not used to that much rain! LOL! At least our cars were washed without much effort and we got our money's worth for our umbrellas!

Today for lunch I plan on cooking Southwestern Bean Soup. It's a new recipe I've been waiting to try. Perfect for a chilly day. I also need to pick up some things at the grocery store and Target. I've been postponing many errands due to the rain.

This morning, I saw this article about Grant Desme, a major league prospect for the Oakland A's baseball team. He's leaving baseball and entering the seminary at St. Michael's Abbey here in Orange County. I think it's wonderful that he chose that seminary. The priests from my kid's school belong to this order and they are dedicated, prayerful, and faithful to the teachings of the Church. I'm sure he will get solid formation.

An excerpt:

"I'm doing well in baseball," he said. "But I had to get down to the bottom of things, to what was good in my life, what I wanted to do with my life. Baseball is a good thing, but that felt selfish of me when I felt that God was calling me more. It took awhile to trust that and open up to it and aim full steam toward him.

"I love the game, but I'm going to aspire to higher things."

Asked about the possibility of continuing to play minor-league baseball while also attending the seminary, which has been done in the past, Desme said, "No. I want to give my life completely to God out of love because of everything he's done for me."

Read more HERE.

He has the right attitude. It would serve me and my soul well to "give my life completely to God out of love because of everything he's done for me."

My thought for today.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday

Kids are back at school and Steve is back to work. This morning started with a little bump as I needed to take my car in to get repaired. I had just had it repaired last week to the tune of $$$ and now my "check engine" light is back on. I realllllly don't like dealing with car repairs! I don't know what the outcome will be, but I have a rental car for the day as I need to pick up the kids from school and other errands that must be done.

The Christmas tree was finally put out to the curb this morning. It still smelled beautiful but it was dry as the desert floor. I just finished vacuuming all the stray needles and will get the living room back in order.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the routine of things. I almost feel like spring cleaning! Maybe I'll start now! I have lots of drawers and closets to sort through. I'm afraid to open some of them because they are crammed with so much stuff!

I recently went through my yarn stash and discovered that I have a few UFO's that need to be worked on. I still have Kathryn's Kindergarten afghan that I was working on (I know, it's a shame), I found some granny squares that I had been working on for a baby blanket (maybe when Ryan was a baby?), and I need to finish a Halloween blanket that I started this past Fall.
I made a New Year's resolution that I would finish these items by then end of the year and by golly I intend to do just that!!

I need to get to the grocery store and then pick up the kids

Have a great week, everyone!

My Day with Kathryn

Busy week so far.

I wanted to share some pictures that I took when I was out with Kathryn.


Our first stop was Downtown Disney. We walked around and did some window shopping. She ate a pretzel and then went into the Disney 365 store. She bought a hairpiece extension thingie.
She does like to look glamorous. After going through a couple more stores, we went to eat at the Olive Garden.



The food was wonderful and Kathryn and I had a great time just chatting away.


Kathryn enjoyed her spaghetti. I had delicious Chicken Parmigiana. By the time I remembered to take a picture, I had it half eaten, so I don't have a picture of my food.


Here you can see Kathryn's hair piece thingie. It's a ponytail piece that clips onto her hair. I must say that she does have fashion sense - something that I don't have!

After our lunch, we did a little shopping at the mall. Then it was back home to join the rest of the family.

Steve and I try to make a little one on one time with each of the kids and treat them to a nice lunch and let them decide what the agenda will be (within reason). It's usually done after Christmas because they usually have some decent spending money that they received as gifts.
We all enjoy ourselves and the kids enjoy the undivided attention!

Quick Note

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

I've been busy with everyone being home. One more week to go, then things get back to normal.

Today, Kathryn and I are going out to spend the day together. We're going shopping, eating, then shopping some more!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!