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Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Visitation
Why was I thinking that tomorrow was the feast of the Visitation? I know -- because I can't remember what day it is. May is already over!
But TODAY is the feast of the Visitation, the second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.
I've uploaded a coloring page on my other blog-in-progress. Don't ask me when I'll ever get that up and running. I'm still trying to find a theme that doesn't put the page titles across the bannerhead.
The coloring page is from an old coloring book I bought years ago. It's crumbling, and I need to scan the rest of the pages before it isn't usable. The illustrations are so lovely.
Today we are going to color this page, pray the rosary, and talk about this feast. Mary left such an example of charity, and practicing the Corporal Works of Mercy. Ds and I drove out to visit my mom today, a little in keeping of today's theme.
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Crazy Cravings
I catered to my cravings this afternoon. For more than a week I've wanted crabmeat. You read that correctly. I wanted to eat just plain, fresh, crabmeat. I bought a tub from the grocery store and promptly served some loose meat in a bowl as a snack. Is that being self-indulgent or what?
And did you know Cascadian Farms has a frozen organic lemonade? Yes, and it's delicious. Tastes yummy with crab meat. At least right now in my pregnant state.
Ds agrees. He's enjoying both of my picks. Fine taste for a 3 1/2 yo.
16:02 Posted in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
I'm Still Alive!
There's a reason my blog doesn't make the top reading list -- I rarely have entries! But I am still here. The early pregnancy nausea and exhaustion are keeping this woman down for the count. Life still goes on, though. A few mundane highlights:
- Our Trip to Florida and Disney World: Yes, we took a week's vacation to drive down to Florida to visit dh's aunt and then a few days at DW. It was our first time. That's when we found out about our little bun in the oven, which was quite a surprise. We had a wonderful time, but I just haven't had much energy to talk about it!
- Potty Training: Ds was ready and willing. So the week we came back he's been staying dry. We're still having problems with the other end, as he gets these irrational fears. I pray we'll pull through this!
- Our Vegetable Garden: It's in! We all really wanted a garden this year, but I was afraid the coinciding first trimester was going to wreck our plans. I had some very generous friends buy some vegetable plants and come over and plant right before Memorial Day. It was a wonderful blessing!
- Sharing Our Childhood Memories: I introduced the movie Mary Poppins to ds, and played the record for him. I used to listen to the music over and over again. The music is now a big hit with my son. Silly, but fun.
- Tinkertoys and Geometry and Coloring: Whoda thunk it? Ds was making shapes with Tinkertoys, and we spent a whole morning naming the shapes -- triangle, square, etc. Then I made the leap and joined Enchanted Learning and printed out some pages to color shapes. He loved it! He's struggled with coloring, but this little exercise ("color the square purple") made sense to him, and it was his best coloring ever. A short rabbit trail, but enjoyable, nonetheless!
- Learning Plans: New baby coming and my wheels are spinning. We have painting and cleaning and organizing to do, but I also have some major planning that needs to be accomplished this summer. Ds turns 4 in September and I need to have some learning plans in place. I'll be taking Level 1 Training of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd this summer. I hope to implement some atrium and some Montessori learning in our classroom, and look into other approaches to gently introduce. He's young yet. I'm taking this next year as an opportunity to feel out his strengths and weaknesses and "test the waters". I'm so new at all this, I'm feeling quite overwhelmed at the idea of planning!
Nothing big or exciting, just the little things of life!
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
St. Isidore the Farmer
First of all, thank you so much for all the sweet comments and prayers for our baby. We really, really appreciate it.
Today is the optional memorial of St. Isidore the Farmer. While I'm by no means a farmer, I have particularly love for this saint. It all started with reading the cookbook on my mother's shelf, Cooking for Christ by Florence Berger. It was published in 1949 by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference that was founded in the 1920s, whose patrons are St. Isidore and his wife Maria. I delved into NCRLC's publications and was fascinated by the connection of the Faith, family, and the land. So fascinated that I did my undergrad thesis on the subject.
Right now my vegetable and flower garden is awaiting the planting. I am having a late start this year, but baby comes first. Meanwhile, I'll keep praying to St. Isidore for rain and to help our garden flourish this year.
Prayer to St. Isidore the Farmer
(St. Isidore, patron saint o farmers, was himself a farm born in the city of Madrid, Spain, about the year 1110; His chief appeal is to those who, as he did, work the land. But his good qualities-whole-hearted trust in God, his enthusiasm and vigor in doing his job, his spirit of prayer and devotion to religious practice--these can profitably be admired and imitated by all laboring men, just as his wife Maria, can serve as a model for working men's wives. His feast day is celebrated through out the United States on May 15.)
Good Saint, we are told that your devotion to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was so great that you would rise before it was light in order to be able to attend Mass before beginning your work in the fields. Obtain for us, we pray you, some of that loving devotion to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There it is that the fruits of our farm labor, bread and wine, are brought and offered to God by the priest. Then, in the consecration, Christ Himself, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, becomes present on our altars under the appearances of this same bread and wine. And in what was the altar bread, He comes to us to be the very food of our souls. If we deeply realize the value and beauty of Holy Mass, we will be very happy to attend as often as we possibly can.
Help us to understand that in the Mass we offer ourselves to God with Christ by the hands of the priest. There we can bring to God all that we do, and offer it to Him in union with His Holy Sacrifice. The oftener we do this now, the happier we shall be hereafter. Good Saint Isidore, bless us and our labors, that we may some day reap the reward of good works with you in heaven. Amen.
-- unrevised from The Rural Life Prayerbook, 1956, National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
15:00 Posted in Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Monday, May 14, 2007
I Already Knew This!
...but it was nice to prove it. Of course dh is Mr. Darcy! He even recognizes himself when we watch P&P! The problem is my sisters think THEIR husband is Mr. Darcy, too.
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| You scored as Darcy. Your husband is most like Mr. Darcy of Pride & Prejudice. A beloved hero, he may be quieter and sometimes mistaken as proud, but in reality he has the most thoughtful generous nature. He appreciates good character and is extremely devoted to those he cares for. As a couple, you enjoy the company of those closest to you and may engage in thought-provoking conversations. |
Who is Your Jane Austen Boyfriend/Husband? created with QuizFarm.com |
09:35 Posted in Fun | Permalink | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Grateful to God
I'll just go ahead and blurt it out: We're expecting a baby! I'm almost 6 weeks along, the numbers look very good and yesterday we were able to see the little sac and the heartbeat. The baby's growth according to the sonogram is right on target with the dates. Everything looks great so far!
Deo Gratias and glory to God!
I'm so grateful for all the prayers. Truly this announcement shouldn't come as a huge surprise, since we were praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph in a 54 day rosary novena. Alice offered novenas, prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe when the pilgrim picture came to visit. A friend prayed for our intention at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. We also prayed to St. Gianna. And just recently Cay opened this prayer request. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I've had so many, many people -- family, friends, acquaintances, cyberfriends -- all offering prayers on our behalf. And I just want to thank you. Truly, the Mystical Body is so amazing, and the blessing of intecessory prayer is phenomenal. Your prayers have sustained me, brought me peace and contentment during our disappointments and trials, and the intercession for this special intention has brought so much joy!
We found out while we were in Florida, on a week's vacation. I had taken a test before we left and it was negative, so I was just waiting for my cycle to return. A few days later when I couldn't even swallow sweet potatoes without being nauseous, I asked dh to get a test. We took the test on May 1st, feast of St. Joseph the Worker. I didn't even realize what day it was until I rang up Dear Alice and she told me the day! How funny to us, after banking on March 19 being the big day and being a bit disappointed, his "lesser feast" was the day to herald the news!
This baby has a long road ahead -- estimated due date is January 5, and I do have a high-risk history. But I feel we have come very far already. Just being able to conceive is HUGE! It's been a year of trying since our last miscarriage, and a year before that one. I haven't had such good HCG and progesterone numbers in my last two pregnancies (that ended in miscarriage), nor were we able to sustain a pregnancy this far last one.
Can you tell I'm giddy with joy? Thank you, thank you, for your love and prayers and please continue to remember us in your prayers.
10:10 Posted in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (36) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Mother's Day Giveaway
I interrupt my blog silence to post that Five Minutes for Mom is hosting a Mother's Day Giveaway. There are several contests to enter: an Apple Ipod Nano and chocoloate gift set, a handmade Mei Tai baby carrier from All Natural Mommies, a copy of Hannah Keeley’s Total Mom Makeover , jewelry by Designing Diva and Allis Originals. Just click on the above logo and start entering. Have fun!
07:42 Posted in Fun | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this