The Sacred Sink

Journey to Ireland

2014-10-02T18:15:00.000-04:00

Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
Of God's amazing grace

-The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman

Well, dear friends, I have some exciting news to share with you. A spectacular mystical tour of Ireland...and you are invited! I have partnered with CIE Tours, the Irish Board of Tourism and my dear pastor, Monsignor Jay Clarke for a trip to Ireland in August of 2015. Last year's journey to Rome was such a blessed gift not only to travel on the wings of the Holy Spirit, but to make some amazing friends through our tight-knit group in the process. It is my sincere prayer that we can duplicate that and create a trip that will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We've been working very hard on this for months. The journey is designed to stimulate all of your senses. From the culinary heritage, to the rich history, religious landmarks, to the music! The dates are August 9-20, 2015. We will be visiting Dublin, Belfast, Knock Shrine, Croagh Patrick, Ballintubber Abbey, Gallway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, and so much more. Experience an authentic Medieval Banquet, served in the Great Hall of a 15th century castle! Kiss the Blarney Stone and find your Pot o' Gold!

This trip is all-inclusive, including airfare, meals, lodging, and tickets and transfers. You can even pay in installments. The full itinerary and details will be posted soon but I was given permission to spill the beans here, first. ;) If you have any questions, please let me know! I can hardly even type without breaking down in a happy cry. I just know the Lord has some amazing things planned for those who "saddle up" and embark on this great Irish adventure. If you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot (hooray!:) You can reach out to Mr. Tim Vaughn at 216-210-0828 or mail4vaughans85@cox.net.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And the outtake (Jim is taking the "Irish eyes" to a whole new level!) ....

Love, from our family to yours!

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2014-08-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

* Today's post is sponsored by The Cleveland Clinic*

Today was a big day for our little girl. Karolina's first day of school!

This is her second year riding the bus and attending an all day preschool. She has the same teacher as last year (an answer to prayer!) and this time around I think we both feel a lot less apprehensive about the whole endeavor. We know what to expect, and Karolina is a girl who loooves routine so I know she'll soon feel right at home with her familiar schedule.
Since I'm already reflecting on the last year and hopes for the year ahead, I thought this would also be a good time to do a little status update. Here's a list of most commonly asked questions and general stats:

Name: Karolina Elizabeth
Age: 4
Weight: 34 lbs
Does she talk?: She is still considered nonverbal. Karolina does have a vocabulary of between 10-15 words but doesn't always use them in a functional way.
Does she understand instructions/conversation?: I'd like to think so! Her physical response does not often indicate this is the case, but I believe there is a cognitive recognition of language, even if it's partial.
Is she learning? Absolutely. The progress is slow, but quantifiable. She's beginning to sign more to communicate her needs: "more," "all done" and "help." Very often she will say the word itself as she signs. This is great growth! She's doing better with fine motor skills (holding a pencil for instance) and is more receptive to sitting with me to read a short book.
What does Karolina enjoy? Her greatest joy is music. She loves to sing. Karolina's mental jukebox is incredible. Just the other day I heard her humming "Away in a Manger," a song she hasn't heard in 8 months! If she hears a melody even one time she can very often mimic it from memory. Music calms her, makes her smile and helps her engage like nothing else can.
Do you worry about her progress? I'm a bit stuck on how to answer this one. The short answer is yes. I cry at least once a week. I love her so much and often feel helpless and frustrated and quite alone and unqualified. That's the pity-party answer. Yet, I honestly try not to dwell on it, and I think over the last year I've made progress there. When a stranger would approach Karolina, it used to trigger a gush of grief and panic that I didn't know how to handle. Do I pretend she can understand the person (when clearly it's obvious she's not going to respond to them)? Do I tell them up front she's autistic or would that seem like I'm setting her apart because she's different?
These days, I'm much more pragmatic about it. Thanks to my very sensible hubby who just says "be happy and love her." Yes. YES! You make it sound so easy there Mr. Bobby McFarren. I countered that optimism by responding with "Yes, but aren't the one going to the IEP meetings and filling out the milestone charts at the doctor and being confronted with the hard fact that her disability isn't really improving." But he's right. And maybe, so am I. Which is why I've never been more grateful that my husband and I are often opposites. :) I think we've learned from each other and he's taught me just to enjoy my daughter and the beautiful person she is today.
What's the hardest part? Trying to stay on top of everything. In addition to autism, Karolina has other medical issues like digestion problems, seizers and random nosebleeds. All of these are infrequent (thankfully) but very tough to tackle. Most have been ongoing since we brought her home. Here is a literal snapshot of a "day in the life" moment as an example. This was the scene a few weeks ago when I came in to pick her up from her nap:

My apologies for the graphic picture (Karolina was not hurt).
She had obviously had a nosebleed again but because she is nonverbal, I had no idea. It was all over the walls, bedding and Karolina. I was fresh of a victory of keeping her out of her diaper by purchasing overalls, then a new surprise caught me off guard. Lol. Now, one of the things on our "wish list" is a video monitor. Other issues I'm trying to navigate include: fencing. While we love to play outside, she wanders from our property and it's a constant workout follow behind her and to physically guide her back since she usually doesn't respond when called. Furthermore, if she were to ever stray (God forbid) I would have no verbal way to locate her because she doesn't speak. Finally, the bed. She is still in a crib, but needs to transition into a bed for safety purposes (she's learning how to climb out). I researched adaptive beds and they are thousands of dollars. These beds come with a mesh canopy that would keep her inside yet it's breathable and easy to zip open. Yet, not all insurances help cover the cost because some consider it "entrapment" (not so, for goodness sake). Oh, the things you learn when you are walking on an unmarked road! I reckon I'll get pretty good at all of this in a few years, but right now it's still a bit overwhelming.
The prayers and love for Karolina have been a lifesaving buoy in the middle of this sometimes-wild ocean. In addition to that, I thank God for the good friends that we've met through the journey so far. Best of all, I know Karolina is in the hands of a loving God who knows exactly what her future holds
and who loves her very much. And that's reason to sing!

Here's a lithe song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

-Corrie Ten Boom

If you or someone you know wants to learn more about autism, please visit the Cleveland Clinic website for helpful resources. The Cleveland Clinic is a leading provider of research, information and assistance for those with spectrum disorders.

Sunrise Songs to the Savior: {Our Morning Routine}

2014-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

My mom always thought she would become a nun. She spent her youth and young adult life in a convent preparing to do just that. Although my brothers and I owe our lives to the fact that didn't work out (thanks to my handsome and charming Dad), the piety she possessed then, has never waned. When I was a little girl, she taught me songs she learned as a young postulant.

Softly and still as night comes stealing.
It is the end of day.
O Holy Queen of Heaven
O Star of Hope so Fair,
All grace to thee is given,
Hear thou our evening prayer...

All of my childhood through my teenage years (and all the drama that went with it) up until I left home to get married, she never failed to tuck me in with songs and prayer. So, I can't begin this post without giving a misty-eyed nod to mom. She gave me such a beautiful example of how to make life a seamless song of praise. Not that I can compare, and I fall short daily. But I'm grateful for her illuminating the corners of my heart with the first light of faith. So, as I begin a new chapter of life as a stay-home mom, I've been joyfully anticipating being able to integrate faith like my mom did. Although I only have one full week under my belt of being home in the morning, many of these things I've done for years either on weekends or on my own. Here are a few of the ways we've been trying to sneak in a few sacred seconds with the Savior.

Prayer Upon Rising
My son Gabriel shared with me once, that every morning when he wakes he makes the sign of the cross. He marks himself with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A physical way to brand his soul and mind with the reminder that he is a Christian. Also a gesture of thanksgiving in waking up to greet another day.

I have a copy of this prayer from St. Teresa (The Little Flower) that she reportedly said each morning:
O my God ! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits ; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

This is another, shorter prayer:
O my God! I ask thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in Heaven for all Eternity. Amen.

The moment I am consciously awake, I try to whisper a quick "Good Morning Jesus, thank you for this day. Help me spend my time, serving you today." So often, I go to bed frustrated with myself that I wasted time, lost my patience or somehow "blew it" in various ways. So, I added the last part of the prayer to remind myself that I need God's help every day and in all things, like time management and self-discipline.

Sweet Kisses

The older kids no longer do this but it's something I still cherish with Karolina and Gus. As I carry them downstairs in their cozy pj's and bed-head hair, we go over to the crucifix and statue of Mary for morning kisses.

Morning Music

We love "Good Morning Jesus" by Dana.

I would definitely recommend this one for the little ones! The entire album is good, and also a great way to learn prayers like the Angelus. Even on a busy morning, we always listen to a bit of Good Morning Jesus during breakfast.

Another recommendation is "St. Patrick's Breastplate" by Christ Music Kids. The prayer of St. Patrick himself is a powerful way to start the day. Set to music, it's a catchy reminder that God is with us, always.
(all of these mentioned are available on iTunes).

Morning Readings
Before the big kids head off to school, we always listen to the Gospel reading that day. Thanks to great apps like Laudate

and Evangelizo, we always have the liturgical readings handy. Magnificat is also a wonderful resource (great reflections that go with Sacred Scripture, as well as daily mass, etc).
This is such a vital component to begin the day. Even on rushed days where other things may be omitted, the gospel reading is a must.

Family Prayer
A morning rotation of prayers is a tradition that was started a few years ago by my husband. It used to be in the minivan on the way to school. Now. it's a quick football huddle before breaking into bus stop formation. It's often brief, but just a quick moment to gather and one person leads the prayer and offers their intentions for that day.

Holy Water Blessing

Finally, when it's time for the bus rush and the kids are headed out the door, I mark the sign of the cross on their forehead with holy water. It's not a superstitious thing, it really is a powerful sacramental tool.
For historical context, consider this:
"According to the Apostolic Constitutions, a document dating back well over 15 centuries, the use of Holy Water is attributed to a recommendation issued by St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. The lives of the saints are packed with instances of heavenly protection and blessing secured through the reverent use of Holy Water. "
{Source}

After that, it's pretty much on to our day of getting dressed, eating, diaper changes, cleaning up and repeat!
If it seems like I've listed a lot in our routine, remember most of these are literally under 2 minutes. Just little bits to help capture the holy miracle of another new day.

There are dozens more, from the Divine Office (Lauds) to praying a morning rosary and/or attending morning mass. But this is working for us. For now. I thank God for the gift to "catch up" in this way with my kiddos. I pray for more moments like these, and to somehow follow in the footsteps of that almost-amazing-nun. My mom.:)

I would love to hear your tips too! Please feel free to leave a comment to share your "Sunrise Songs to the Savior."

Have a wonderful morning, friends!

Contest Winner!

2014-08-23T20:43:00.004-04:00

Sorry I'm a bit late on this! Yesterday was my birthday, and I'm using the excuse that I overate cake and fell asleep early (sad but true). :) The contest winner was randomly selected and it was #19, Melody! I also discovered that she happens to have a beautiful blog and is an amazing homeschool mom. Go, girl!
Thank you ALL for being the best blog readers and taking the time to enter the contest. Melody, I hope you enjoy the goodies!

Settling In

2014-08-19T14:22:00.002-04:00

Greeting from the home front! Day 2 at a SAHM. Here are a few highlights so far:

Day 1:
Bella enjoyed her first visit to the spa (aka a free bath coupon. Thanks Petsmart!) As you can see, Gus was excited about it. Bella? I'll let you be the judge. :)

While she was being bathed we ran errands (Goodwill drop off and a stop to get Karolina's bangs trimmed). Next, it was lunch and naps. After that, a wonderful run with these two in tow!

The biggest victory was my long-hoped for goal of writing a "Back-to-School" rosary for the kids. I knew it would be time consuming because it meant writing out meditations and tying the prayers into the new school year based on the Joyful Mysteries. I was so grateful when it was complete though and excited to pray the family rosary Monday evening! So much planning goes into gathering the supplies for school but I wanted to also prepare the kids spiritually. Just a small to try and sanctify the eve of a new school year.

Day 2:
And, they're off!

Looking dapper! Gabriel (on the far left) is starting 8th grade! Um, excuse me, but wasn't this just yesterday?

Gabe on his first day of Kindergarten. Okay, must move on. Quickly. The dam is about to burst.

Grant is starting 5th grade and Garrett, 3rd. Karolina starts school next week! All my little birdies are flying the nest. I still have my little energetic shadow, Gus of course. Looking forward to some great memories consisting of Tonka Truck puzzles and nursery rhyme classics.

We've also had our share of lowlights (like my awful attempt to cut Karolina's hair and Bella marking her territory throughout the downstairs ) but those I chose to not document with photos, this time.:)
This new life has been a refreshing change of pace. Granted, it's been less than 48 hours and I'm definitely in honeymoon mode, but it's been nice. Still celebrating sweet sleep! It's the little things, isn't it?

Thanks for checking in. And any advice you want to share, I would love to hear (I already figured out coffee is a must). :) Also, don't forget to enter the contest if you haven't already! I'll be announcing a winner later this week.

Last Day {and a Giveaway!}

2014-08-14T20:01:00.002-04:00

In honor of my last day on the morning show, I've whipped up a little giveaway. Just a small way to say thank you, for the opportunity to connect with you. Thank you for inspiring me over the years and reminding me that we are all on this blessed, beautiful life-walk together.

Since I'm leaving the workforce to be a stay-home mom, I thought it would be appropriate to theme the giveaway around that, and little helps (okay, sanity savers) that help brighten your day. :)

So without further adieu, here's what's "brewing" for you (hint hint):

First: The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Prayer in the Home. Critically acclaimed new book from David Clayton and Leila Marie Lawler. Rich with ideas to help you practice your faith in the heart of your home.

Next: Mystic Monk Coffee in the "Midnight Vigils" blend. Organic, fair trade, ground gourmet brew. Enjoy a monk shot to start your day!:)

Finally: Chonda Pierce "Did I Say That Out Loud?" comedy DVD. Chonda is hilarious with a huge heart. Check out her Sizzle Reel here. Be sure to empty your bladder before turning this on, she is THAT funny! Also please remember her in your prayers. She recently lost her sweet husband.

I feel like this giveaway isn't complete without an emergency supply of chocolate. With the summer weather though, I worried it would melt in the mail. My apologies, but I am open for personal chocolate meetups any time!

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment (below) with your e-mail address and you will automatically be entered into the contest. The winner will be notified through their registered email address. Be sure to check back in case the email didn’t get through your spam filter. Wishing you the best, and thanks for stopping by!

I'll be doing a blitz of new blog posts (well, maybe that's shooting a little high) but I do have plans to more regularly update, and I hope you'll check back!

In the meantime, don't forget to visit my new site for bookings, videos, and info.
Also, The Mom Squad blog and Facebook page!
And, if you missed the on air announcement about my departure you can find it, here.

Hugs, and lots of love to you! +
xoxo

A Time to Change

2014-08-11T03:37:00.000-04:00

This is a post I can't believe I am actually writing, and yet, I'm surprised I haven't written sooner. After nine years, I am leaving the Family Friendly Morning Show. God has been so good. My heart is full to overflowing with listeners that have truly become family over the many years. Working at The Fish has been the privilege of my life. Sharing a studio with one of the greatest, dearest men I've ever known; my partner Len Howser.

Walking through the monumental to the mundane roads of life, side-by-side, was more than "just a show." We have collectively shared in this family journey; building a bond with listeners who are so much more than that. You allowed me to hear your stories, pray with you and have inspired me to grow in my faith. When considering how the Lord would guide my life as an adult, I never imagined this.

You've walked with me through the valleys. From my dad's cancer diagnosis and death, through my son's stroke, to the mountaintops of our adoption and surprise baby Augustine. And even the unexpected paths like homeschooling. But for those who have been long-time listeners (or blog visitors) -you may have already sensed that this momma has been nearing the point of no return for a long time. Early hours, a long commute, and often 6-days a week commitments have taken me far from home, physically and emotionally. With five children including one with special needs, my vocation as wife/mother is the most pressing priority. It has become necessary to lay everything else aside and focus on the supreme obligation (and joy) of my life.

To be entrusted with five eternal souls, to mold, love, and teach is an awesome responsibility. And too many times, I've worried more about keeping up with the world, than the things that truly matter: faith, simplicity, patience, and TIME. I fully expect I still may struggle with those things as an at-home mom but, I'm ready. There have been many red flags over the last few years (just not paying proper attention to the little things the kids need, falling behind on basic things, etc) and I before I know it, the chance I had to raise little children into adults will be gone.

I have to grab hold of the opportunity with everything I have, while I have the chance. Financial comfort, lavish trips, nice clothes...our modern world of shiny pictures loves to spotlight those moments. I love those moments too, and I don't begrudge anyone who can fully enjoy the fruits of a big life. But for me, I realized that I was missing the precious little things. I no longer panic when I think of our new, smaller-budget. Less money, means less stuff. Maybe that's just what we need. More time...less stuff.

Every soul on this earth is called to their own unique journey, and I am constantly in awe of the incredible women I meet, especially through The Fish. Walking away from the mic, and walking into the arms of my family at this moment, is my journey. That is my hope: that through my feeble attempts to glorify God for 9 years at The Fish, that there will be a small footprint of faith that remains. I know a wave will shortly come and wash away my memory, as often happens in broadcasting, but God's work is eternal, and as long as I served Him in some way, my heart is content. I will forever carry the stories, names and connections that were miraculously made over nearly a decade in my heart. Thank you for blessing my life with the imprint of yours.

Like the verse in Matthew 11:29-30, God equips us to carry whatever cross or crown we are given. And through obedience, freedom comes. And, for any mother who has questioned her "ability" as a mom, and the dignity that lies in the call..I hope you know (as I am learning) that you are enough... JUST AS YOU ARE.

I hope you are blessed by these words of truth:

"Through the raising of children, the woman, the mother... holds the future of the nations in her hands."

"True, mother works in the home, but her quiet labor radiates upon the etire nation. She passes on the entire treasure of culture from generation to generation. She builds up the future and not merely the future of this earth; nay, her task reaches out into eternity, to the very heart of God. She is the unknown soldier of common everyday life. The hand that rocks the cradle hold the helm of the world. Everything that lives and dies on earth has its origin in mother."

-Cardinal Joszef Mindszenty

What's next?

I am so grateful to report, I will still be part of The Mom Squad ministry and events. I will also be speaking at women's groups, churches and retreats. Please head over to my brand new website to book me for your event! If you book me, it means I'll be able to feed my family that week...hooray! No pressure. :) Ha ha.

Finally, I also hope to start blogging more regularly. I say "hope" because I honestly just need to take things one step at a time and ease myself into this new chapter. Once I have naptime down to a fine art, the laundry caught up and supper in the slow-cooker, I will gladly meet you at the screen with a skip in my step.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for all the ways you have been there...whether or not we've actually ever personally connected or not. I still love ya. And I mean it. It's more than just a sentiment. It's an affection that has saved my sanity and solidified my faith. God bless you and farewell.

Until we meet again.:)

Mamma Mia!

2014-07-31T20:55:00.001-04:00

Well, hello there! What a summer it has been. It’s been months since I last blogged, so I figured the easiest way to update would be photo-frenzy style. Here are a few things we’ve done since I last checked in.

Italy! We traveled to Florence, Assisi, Venice, Tuscany and Rome at the end of April. There's simply not enough energy in my fingers to type the thoughts and emotions experienced during our pilgrimage. I filmed daily videos of our trip, so that might be the best way to journey with us. Needless to say, even writing these few sentences gives me that Wayne’s World “diddly doop” musical flashback feeling of being there all over again! A special thanks to my friends at Proximo Travel for putting together a trip of a lifetime for all involved!

First time on an airplane for the boys!

This is not alcohol! Coke in a wine glass. While in Rome... :)

Assisi

Garrett made his First Communion in Assisi! What an amazing God we serve! Only HE could put together something so beyond our wildest dreams. Not only a trip highlight, but a LIFE highlight.

Venice

I spy a finger in the frame! (or as my cute two year old says, "pinger')

Florence

Our beautiful group

Roma

The chains of St. Paul

Our gloriously goofy bus buddies

We literally took thousands of photos on our 10-day pilgrimage, and those barely scratch the surface. It was an experience I will treasure with great gratitude all the days of my life. Very thankful for the fellow pilgrims we traveled with and the blessings we shared.

Summer. It’s been uneventful, in a good way. Lots of sunny days just hanging out in the backyard. Kids saying “I’m bored” periodically, sneaking ice cream sandwiches and playing backyard ball. We did manage to take a drive to Amish country and visit "The Farm."

Work. In addition to the morning show, there have been frequent speaking events and music festivals. The most exciting thing has been the Mom Squad ministry. It has been going and growing! We've had the busiest season yet, with a lot more to come. I'm so proud to call each woman, friend. I look forward to God using this special group of gals for continued ministry. We have a retreat coming up in September, a luncheon in November, and a weekend getaway in January! I hope you'll "Like" our Facebook page and check out our blog.

Karolina. Our big girl turned FOUR! That amazes me. Time is going too fast! In terms of her progress, one of the biggest blessings has been Karolina receiving ESY (Extended School Year) services. She attends school twice a week and also receives therapy through our school system and DD program. There are suprisingly few things for preschool aged children with special needs (at least in our area). This is frustrating because early intervention is so crucial to the pediatric brain. Additional private therapy is available, but by the time we navigated the system and figured out how to cover the cost, it was mid-July. I am learning a lot though. Thanks to wonderful friends and great resources, we are making strides.

Reading.

I've pretty much been a colossal failure in terms of my summer reading efforts for the boys. Gone are the "Climbing the Ladder of Success" days, from back in 2010. Goodbye to my creative theme weeks and efforts such as "Ferdinand Ma-Jello".

I miss those days (this was pre-Pinterest too. Perhaps the last original idea I ever had)! ha. Look at how little Garrett was! Thankfully, we have managed to read a few gems that I would highly recommend. The best of the bunch, by far is: Unbroken: World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (and upcoming movie). It was a read aloud that took us months to complete, but well worth it for something so rich in lessons. My own "favorite pick" would have to be Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis DeSales. It's one of the most profound, timeless religious reads, and I recently started combing through it (again) with a highlighter and note pad. I also just ordered The Mother, by Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty. I can't wait to dig in.

There is SO much more to write, but I'm hoping to not scare you off with this one giant, overloaded post. I'm already working on another blog draft, so this could be the beginning of a new leaf! :) Lots of news and things to share over here. Hope your summer has been beautiful and may you be blessed with back-to-school joy!

From the Cross to the Crown

2014-04-16T21:55:00.001-04:00

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life which is a part of the person is indeed answered...God exists: that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also knows what it means to be redeemed. -Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Here we are, once again entering into the Sacred Triduum and the anticipation of another Easter. As has been customary over the last several years, I find myself not feeling ready. Lent has escaped through my fingers before I could grasp the heart and depth of all it holds. We had a surprise gift in the form of an antiquated old movie last weekend though, and it resulted in an encounter with Christ and the reminder of his mercy. It's called "Barabbas" starring Anthony Quinn. If you can get past the...rough special effects and music, it's really worthwhile.
As I type this, it's Wednesday night, just hours before the observance of the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For other moms (and dads!) that are searching for ways to really punctuate that in their hearts and homes, I've compiled a few things that we've shared on The Fish over the years, as well as a few new things. I hope you are blessed by the love of The Lamb, held by his love, and sanctified by his sacrifice as you walk these final hours with him during Holy Week, and then rise to new life on Resurrection Sunday. Here are a few things I pray will aide in the journey.

Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)

Washing of the feet
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
John 12: 1-17

(Pope Francis washing the feet of AIDS patients as Bishop of Argentina.)

Many families (including ours) have begun this tradition in the home. As a reminder of humility, service, sacrifice and love. On a side note, it's also a beautiful practice at some weddings as well!

When you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death, until He comes again.
1 Corinthians 11:26

Catholics recognize this day as the Institution of the Eucharist. It is a beautiful opportunity to pray the Amima Christi (also my favorite personal prayer after receiving Holy Communion)

Family menu idea:
A traditional Holy Thursday Seder meal always includes unleavened bread.
Maria Von Trapp's Unleavened Bread recipe.

Judas betrays Jesus. This poem, entitled "Two Mothers" shares the powerful reflection of Mary encountering the mother of Judas in heaven.

GOOD FRIDAY:
O Crux, ave spes unica! (Hail, O cross, our only hope!)

EASTER SUNDAY

Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’”

Luke 24:1-12 (GNT)

(Not the best video, but a great song).

HAPPY EASTER!

HE IS RISEN!!

HALLELUJAH!

Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead,
the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are his forever and ever

St. Hippolytus (AD 190-236)

Autism Beatitudes

2014-04-01T07:45:00.001-04:00

April is National Autism Awareness month. Prayers for all those on the journey. Through the hills and valleys, may you always feel God's amazing grace and unfailing love.

Autism Beatitudes

Blessed are those who do not speak, for they shall teach us what lies beyond the limits of words.

Blessed are those who wholly focus on the simplest things, for they shall see wonders no one else can.

Blessed are the spinners, for they shall experience life from every angle.

Blessed are the picky, for they know exactly what they want.

Blessed are the stimmers, for they shall grow their wings and fly.

Blessed are those who always take the same path, for they are steadfast and true.

Blessed are those who are faithful to their rituals, for to them all the world can be a holy liturgy.

Blessed are those who repeat themselves, for they shall savor every sound and silence in between.

Blessed are the persistent, for they shall triumph where others have given up.

Blessed are those who are devoted to a single passion, for they shall explore depths no one has ever seen.

Blessed are those who memorize every detail, for they preserve that which would otherwise be forgotten.

Blessed are those who watch and wait, for they shall discover and know and understand.

Pixie Cut Update

2014-03-30T14:35:00.001-04:00

Well, it's going on on 5 months since I cut my hair into a pixie. I thought it would be fun to mark the progress and see how it's going so far.

Other than when I was in first grade, I've never been able to grow my hair more than a few inches past my shoulders. I've tried everything: regular trims, deep conditioning treatments, prenatal vitamins, you name it! The good Lord just did not gift me with Rapunzel's DNA. So, it's been an easy temptation to want to chop it, since it never really changes much anyway. Last year, I kept going shorter:

Until I saw a really cute picture of Michelle Williams wearing a pixie cut. With my husband's blessing, off it went!

Six weeks later it was beginning to grow out, and I was due for another appointment. I opted to go FULL pixie, and give it a try since it was already so short anyway. Here is the before/after:

That was in December. So...here we are at the end of March and I have officially hit the awkward stage. The dreaded mullet. Mama Mia! You can't see it in this picture, but here's at least a front view showing the length of my sides:

This photo is deceiving because it almost looks like a bob, but it's really not. It never seems to look this nice in real life! So, here we are. Since I chopped it off again at the end of December, I really counting that as starting over, making this month 3/4.

It's just hair, I realize that. It's a trivial thing and it WILL grow back, but I also think it's nice to look back and chart the process.

I just uploaded a You Tube video showing the progress so far. You can check it out here:

I'm going to try to make more videos on my channel. If you haven't subscribed yet, just go to my page and click the "subscribe" button and you'll be notified as soon as videos are uploaded! Thanks for stopping by. Have a GREAT week!

Day in the Life of a Radio Mom

2014-03-26T11:20:00.000-04:00

This week I went way out of my comfort zone and tried to record and edit a video using iMovie. Blogging and making basic You Tube vids I can do, but when it comes to shooting and editing video with extra bells and whistles, I am totally lost! :) Since I'll be recording daily vlogs while in Italy, I thought it would be fun to give it a try. A big thanks to dear friends Jennifer and her husband Greg for the tutorial.
Note: My phone ran out of storage at around 6:30pm and I wasn't able to film the rest of the day (Jim coming home from work, reading to the boys, tuck-in-time and BED for me...the best part! haha). This at least offers a good idea of an ordinary Monday. I'm still figuring out audio, but if your volume is up you can hear the music and some clips of Gus.
I hope you enjoy this " real and raw" (maybe a little too real..dirty floors and all) video!
xoxo.

Have a GREAT day!

10 Takes for St. Patrick's Day

2014-03-16T15:04:00.003-04:00

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

Happy St. Paddy's Day to you! :) In preparation St. Patrick's day on our morning show and gathering material for our program, I feel like I hit a pot o' gold with all the great resources out there! Too many fun things not to share, so I hope you don't mind. Here are a few of my favorite things when it comes to celebrating the iconic Irish saint.
*Note: not everything is directly related directly to St. Patrick, so I did take the liberty of also including general Irish heritage, but it can be used in any St. Patrick celebration! :

1: St. Patrick's Breastplate from Christ Music Kids. I stumbled upon this several years ago and it's been a fun one to play on road trips and during dishwashing dance parties.:) It's the famous prayer of St. Patrick set to music and sung by children. You can get it on iTunes and Amazon. A secret: Mom likes this one maybe even more than the kids. ;)

3. Fun Irish films. We watched "St. Patrick: The Irish Legend" on Amazon streaming, and although the kids gave it poor reviews, I still thought it was edifying and interesting. Other movies on our list include:

"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" (with a very young Sean Connery)! I have to admit, I was wishing we had subtitles for this one, but I loved the special effects, music, and story just the same.
The Quiet Man (one of my favorites, with John Wayne).
Evelyn (starring Pierce Brosnon)
St. Patrick Apostle of Ireland
The Duggar's in Ireland and Scotland (Season 5) :)

4. Every year I love to read the famous poem by writer, journalist and Irish nationalist Joseph Mary Plunkett (who has a pretty remarkable story in his own right):

I See His Blood Upon the Rose

I SEE his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.

All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.

This is a good general resource for Irish blessings and prayers.

5. The Veggie Tales version of the history of St. Patrick's Day.

6.What would the celebration be without delicious dishes? :) I attempted these "Minty Pudding
Parfaits" today (although it looked nothing like the picture) it was still tasty and green-themed. Yum! :)

And of course Pinterest offers a plethora of recipes as well as Catholic Cuisine. I love how easy this looks!

(Source: Catholic Cuisine)

7. Trinity Shamrock craft. We've done this in the past and it's a keeper.

8. "We Irish" by Dolly Parton. Try not to do a little jig when you hear this, I dare you! Lol. :) Such a happy song with the penny whistle.

I also love the hymn "Lord of the Dance" and anything by the Irish Rovers (I love the memory of my dad singing the Unicorn Song).

9. The full "Lorica of St. Patrick." The Breastplate of St. Patrick is often abbreviated, but this is the payer, in it's entirety, and it is beautiful.

10. Celebrating dad. Today, March 16 (The Eve of St. Patrick's Day) is my dad's birthday. He was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 years ago today, on his birthday. Although he is no longer with us on earth, we enjoyed celebrating his life today with a little Irish party.

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

May the rains fall upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Preparing for Lent Pt. 2

2014-03-04T15:11:00.000-05:00

Gus is still sleeping and it appears I have a little window of time for a quick blog follow-up. Two blogs on two consecutive days...this is rare and highly exciting in my life! Ha ha. :) First off, I have to say that no matter how busy, unorganized and overwhelmed I am, I always try to make a point every year to at least post something about Lent. Then I usually second guess myself on Ash Wednesday during the Lectionary reading that says: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others." -Matthew 6:5.
I hope if I share something that has worked for our family that it doesn't come across that way! I hope if anything I share makes even one person's life easier with planning or offers an idea, that's a blessing and makes it worthwhile.

So, to to continue where we left of yesterday, I've made a little more progress in getting the house ready to go. Organza cloth from the wedding section at Flower Factory makes for a good table runner (and for less than $4), it'll work!:)

The crucifix is from Haiti and the candles are homemade Stations of the Cross luminaries we made few years back.
The basket will be presented tonight (on the Eve of Ash Wednesday) to each family member (with the exception of the babies).
Inside are the "Little Lent Bags" I mentioned yesterday:

Jim scored major SuperDadHubby points by laminating the prayers inside. They include the Pater Noster, Hail Mary in Latin, the Ten Commandments and a special scripture verse. With boys, the more things you can make stain-resistant and rip-proof the better! Okay let's face it, for mom too. :)

I also have a miraculous medal inside of significance for each boy, as well as a 10-decade rosary for when they are on the bus or whenever they want to pray for a moment.

In our prayer corner, we have the same setup as last year, including the "Writing on the Rock."

We still have to finish the prayer chain and remove the last hidden stashes of chocolate (my precious!) but I think at this point we are ready. And I hear the bus, here come the kiddos! Thanks for reading, have a very special and blessed Lent. +

Preparing for Lent

2014-03-03T14:26:00.003-05:00

"My Jesus, I am going into the wilderness today to speak only with You, my Master and my Lord. The the earth be silent, and You alone speak to me, Jesus. You know that I understand no other voice but Yours, O Good Shepard. In the dwelling of my heart is that wilderness to which no creature has access. There, You alone are King."

-St. Faustina Kowalska

Happy March! I've never been more excited to turn the calendar page, and I trust and hope this month will be easier on us weather-wise! I spent the weekend gathering items and gearing in preparation for this week. Ash Wednesday will usher in the 2014 Lenten season and the first step of the journey toward Resurrection, Easter Sunday. This year's theme is "Give Up, Take Up, Lift Up" as explained by the USCCB:

"In his Lenten message for 2014, Pope Francis takes inspiration from the words of St. Paul (Cor 8:9), and asks us to contemplate Paul's invitation to live "a life of evangelical poverty." Embrace his call by fasting from or "giving up" material things, including food, superfluous to your basic needs; "taking up" charitable habits directed to helping and caring for others; and "lifting up"those in need through giving alms, praying and participating in devotional practices.

With the recent trip to Haiti with Food for the Poor still fresh in my mind, I've been praying for the Lord to till the soil of my soul in ways that will bear lasting fruit, not just momentary emotion. Between the sadness of hearing that precious little Francois died just days before he was to undergo surgery, and the constant struggle to balance the busyness of life, I have to say, this year I am ready for some time in the desert with Jesus. I've selected a few favorite books and decided (again) to work on my annual crusade against chocolate, so I feel pretty set to go for the most part. It's the kids and family I always wonder/worry if I'm doing enough, or even (based on years past)..too much? I think/hope I found a good variety of things, and thankfully they don't challenge my crafting skills too much! :)
First, is this very practical Lenten Prayer Chain. I got so far as to print the petitions, tonight's objective: cut, paste, staple and assemble! :)

I love everything she creates at Catholic Inspired, and you can also find dozens more ideas with the Lenten Link up posted on the same page.

Next, is something that I thought of as I was out shopping and saw these cute little bags in the wedding section of a craft store. Something like: "My Little Lent Bag" for the boys.

We do many things to prepare for Easter as a family, but I've often wondered if the kids are also spending their own special time with the Lord, individually. Either way, hopefully these little bags will encourage that. Inside, I am placing certain scriptures that I think they would enjoy, and having that be something little they can memorize. Last year we also tried to learn the Lord's Prayer (Our Father) in Latin, and had about 85% success. We are going to attempt 100% this year, so I also printed out the Pater Noster as another item in their baggie. I'm hoping to get to the store and include a holy card or medal as the "goodie" and present them on Ash Wednesday. I'm really shooting for the sky by hoping to laminate the scriptures and prayers this week too...oh the pressure! :-) We'll see.

For my own journey, I've started a little Lenten library in addition to daily Bible readings, I'm hoping to make some headway with these books as well.

Jim has opted to read "The Rite."

(Also listed is the 2014 Saints Calendar which is my schedule helpmate!:))
I'm also hoping to order "Lent and Easter Wisdom from Pope John Paul II" this week.

We've got other things sprinkled in, like Stations of the Cross and family rosary night, but I think that covers all the actual "prep."

When it comes to movies, I gave Jim an assignment (since he is usually the tech/entertainment guy) to track down a few edifying but good quality family films for us to enjoy. Here's a copy of his e-mail response to me today:

"The Good Pope: John XXIII -
The Scarlet and Black - iTunes to buy only
The Mission - |Amazon rental $1.99

Grace Unplugged - Amazon $3.99

Karol: A Man Who Became Pope

Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story - iTunes rental $1.99

Padre Pio: Miracle Man -

Jim adds:

"Here is the check I did on canistream.it unfortunately, religious items seem to be missing from all areas of rental/streaming/dvd venues."
(Worth noting).

You can also find a good list here with many more titles.
These 25 Creative Lent Ideas from Lifeteen are also worth noting again this year.

Finally, something else worth mentioning is the USCCB Lent Calendar for daily inspiration. You can view and print it, here.

Since the culmination of our Lenten journey will end not only at the empty Tomb in Israel, but at St. Peter's Square in Rome this year, it's an intense combination. We depart on Easter Sunday for a trip to Italy that will include the canonization of Bl. John Paul II and John XXIII on Divine Mercy Sunday. It's still hard to believe the trip is actually happening, and the boys are positively over the moon not only at the prospect of going someplace "exotic" but to fly on a real airplane!:) Life is so much fun through the eyes of a child, I can't get enough of their joy about it.

Thanks for sticking through this really long post. I pray you have a holy, and happy Lent experience. My apologies for any awful errors on today's blog, my proofreading time just vanished as Gus is awake and playing the harmonica in his room and shouting at me! Ha ha. God bless you.

Sanity Savers

2014-02-09T18:15:00.000-05:00

This winter has been a doozy. There has been a lot of ~~wailing and gnashing of teeth~~ praying for peace and creativity on the home front.
The amount of school cancellations has been unprecedented, and I think the winter of 2014 will go down in history as one of the most glorious in the eyes of the boys. The trouble with unexpected days off though, is the fire drill of re-shuffling schedules as well as being cooped up for what feels like ad infinitum. This is when our local library, once again becomes our beacon of hope. I've recently gotten into the routine of going to the library once a week. It has turned into one of the greatest highlights of my week. We recently discovered a few wonderful gems in the children's department. I usually post summer reading videos, but thought I would post a little wintertime book haul, just in case anyone else is in need of a few sanity saving selections too!

Movie sanity savers include:
Amish Grace (also from the library)
The Short Game (Netflix)
Captain Phillips (Jim and I, date night movie) :)
The Brady Bunch

I also wanted to share an update on Francois, the little boy I met in Haiti.

He has hydrocephalus and was in urgent need of medical attention. I received the following update last week:

"Just so you know that the surgery has been move to February 21 instead of
May. In the meantime, Francois has to undergo a couple of lab work and eat to
stay in good shape for the surgery. He has
fever every night and cries a lot. Your prayers for him are being well appreciated"

Precious, sweet one! I just want to reach through the photo and hold him again. All he wanted was to have warm arms around him, and his body was completely calm and content shortly after this photo was taken. Please keep Francois in your prayers. You can also donate and help by visiting the Food for the Poor website.

Winter Psalm

O, Maker of Ice and Cold,

O, Startling Breath of Winter,

awesome and wonderful is your white extravagance.

Flying snow invades our reverie

of winter dreams.

We are blasted with your frost and ice,

piling high on the windows of our spirits.

You have made the earth

into a crystal showcase.

Praise streaks the landscape into white and gray grace.

All the earth proclaims the greatness of God!

As for us,

you delight in our eyes with your white-silver palette

and never forget to keep us warm and safe in the shelter-fire of Love Incarnate.

Winter song fills our hearts.

With delight we breathe this deep, cool grace

of another marvelous day.

For you are always near,

White Grace.

Surround our hearts.

May we see beyond ice

to fire. Amen.

(From: Celebrating Saints and Seasons by Jeanne Hunt)

Hope in Haiti

2014-02-03T11:50:00.000-05:00

Happy February! My oh my, 2014 is moving right along! This is shaping up to be another busy year, and it really felt like it kicked off last week when I traveled with Food for the Poor to Haiti. You may remember last year we traveled to Guatemala around the same time. The experience was life-transforming then, so I am not surprised it happened again. I was greatly blessed by the companionship of my friend Andrea and a wonderful group of radio comrades from across the country.

There are so many feelings and experiences that occurred in the few days that we were there, that I'm not even sure where to start. To witness humanity in such a raw form. Stripped away of all THINGS (possessions, necessities, privacy..) was profound. There were extreme moments of joy. Beautiful children singing dancing, and giving thanks to God.

Extreme moments of anguish. A baby, orphaned and abandoned and in pain from the water on his brain caused by hydrocephalus and his heartbreaking suffering.

There were moments of hope: meeting a family who received a new house from Food from the Poor to see even their posture and countenance be endowed with a dignity that was very obvious and beautiful.

We helped feed just a small portion of the 15,000 people who come to the Food for the Poor feeding center every day in Port-Au-Prince to receive lifesaving nourishment.

In June, our radio station will lay the needs of Haiti before 95.5 Fish Listeners in Cleveland and share some of these stories first-hand. Since that's a long way off, I thought I would post just a brief video I shot while we were visiting a school in Kadwa:

You can always donate, and find out more about Food for the Poor by visiting their website too.

Our Cannon camera broke the night before the trip (ahem...I'll give you two toddler-sized guesses how that happened)! Lol. So I was disappointed I wouldn't be able to do justice to the experience without good images, but the kids shined bright, it didn't matter. I always seem to regret not taking more more videos and pictures, and I'm already feeling that about Haiti. I just pray the Lord will preserve my memory and prepare my words to adequately be their voice. And what a beautiful voice Mother Haiti has!

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

2013-11-26T14:08:00.004-05:00

The word Advent means "Coming." As we enter into the Christmas season, I've never been more grateful for the cadence and calm of the liturgical year. It helps reset my heart, guides me back into the fold of God's guiding grace and gives me a path of preparation to follow. With life swirling around me, this is a merciful gift. It gives me permission to freely relinquish the pressure to buy and compete with the world. Not that I always live that out successfully, but as long as I follow the star, I know I am not far from manger. That of course, holds the contents of The Ultimate Gift. For those who aren't familiar with Advent, apologist Jimmy Akin explains it (as listed in the General Norms):

Advent is a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ's Second Coming at the end of time.

Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation [Norms 39].

You can read the full write-up in his latest column: "10 Things You Need to Know About Advent." As I've been building a mystical little manger in my heart, this song has sprung from my lips often over the past week:

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've downloaded a 110-page booklet from Catholic Icing to help with organizing, in addition to the things I already have planned. First, will come the Advent wreath with the first candle to be lit on Sunday, December 1.
Here's how it works:
The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, five candles are typically arranged. During the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.
On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.
The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Last year, we used the "O Radiant Dawn" prayer book by Lisa Hendey around the Advent wreath and it was such a special memory.

To hear the boys singing (which they rarely do) was a blessing this mom will not soon forget! They might not admit to it, but it was lovely. The wreath is like a magnet, pulling us back to remember what matters, and remind us of the light in the darkness. I highly recommend the booklet, in fact, Lisa is giving away 5 free right now, along with the booklet "Welcome, Baby Jesus." Click here to enter!

Each week night will bring a different reflection. Some nights we will pray the Rosary, other nights we will read the Bible or Saint stories, depending on what I have scheduled. Our week nights are busy, but I know we can gather for at least 10 minutes, even on our most hectic days. These are a few of the books I have set aside so far:

One of my most treasured resources (and a book I've gushed over many times before) is "Celebrating Saints and Seasons" by Jeanne Hunt. We use it year round, but especially during Advent and Lent. One of the best things I've taken from it, is "The Bethlehem Walk." The kids and I took a walk at night (well, evening really)! It gets dark so early here, that even 7:00 will do. We had a lantern and walked the quiet neighborhood, talking about the path Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. I know the neighbors thought we were nuts! It was beautiful though. It helps you think about the "unknown roads" in our own lives, and the importance of surrendering them to God, just as Mary and Joseph did. With a special needs child and so much daily anxiety, I could definitely use the peace of Mary in my life!

Slow, but sure, things are coming together. I would love to hear your ideas, and what things have worked for your family. I pray a blessed Christmas season to all of you!

       Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
 born to set thy people free; 
 from our fears and sins release us, 
 let us find our rest in thee.  
 Israel's strength and consolation, 
 hope of all the earth thou art; 
 dear desire of every nation, 
 joy of every longing heart.

        Born thy people to deliver, 
 born a child and yet a King, 
 born to reign in us forever, 
 now thy gracious kingdom bring. 
 By thine own eternal spirit 
 rule in all our hearts alone; 
 by thine all sufficient merit, 
 raise us to thy glorious throne.

Hibernation and Preparation

2013-11-23T17:58:00.001-05:00

Happy weekend-before-Thanksgiving to you! I'm already in a holiday mindset and greatly looking forward to the short week. Before I jump ahead to what's coming, I wanted to share something special that took place last week. Garrett made his First Reconciliation:

He wore the same outfit as Gabriel did in 2008. For all my failures in the organizational department, I am at least grateful for this humble little blog and being able to look back and reference past milestones. Hooray for technology! :) However, I don't think I ever recorded Grant's First Reconciliation! Argh. Okay, well 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Hopefully I will have my act together for the last two.:)

I'm doing my best to get a jump on Christmas and Advent planning. I found this great booklet on Pinterest from Lacy over at Catholic Icing. It's an "Advent Christmas Planner" and it was well worth the $10 to download it. Thanks to that handy-dandy notebook, I now have my Advent wreath items ready to go (courtesy of Hobby Lobby) and most of the items prepared for the feast of St. Nicholas (which is December 6), wohoo!

The kids tell me they are looking forward to Advent because "the house is dark and we light candles in the evenings." What?! This cracked me up, but also made me grateful that they actually remembered this from last year. It wasn't planned, but just sort of happened as we went through the season. The kids liked to turn the lights off (even at dinner! That was interesting with the babies). We lit lanterns from Lehman's Hardware, along with our Advent wreath. Who would've thought of all the things we did/tried, that would be the thing that stuck in their heads? Ha. The last few nights we've been starting it later (after the babies are in bed) and I have to admit, I'm really loving it too. There is a serenity and calm that is very uncharacteristic of our house and I am thoroughly enjoying every minute! :)

I'm working on a post to tell you about some of our Advent plans and prayers, hopefully that will be up shortly. Have a wonderful, warm, and blessed week! If I'm not back before Thursday...Happy Thanksgiving to you! May the Lord give you "Gratitude Goggles" to truly see our gifts, visible and invisible in our lives. I pray He gives you ThanksVISION to take in the goodness in every breath and step we take. God bless you and keep you.

Big Announcement!

2013-11-15T19:29:00.001-05:00

I've got a bathroom that needs to be scrubbed and laundry to start, but I'm ~~procrastinating~~ putting everything on hold to bring you an exciting announcement :) 95.5 The Fish and Encompass the World Travel are offering a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy and there is room for YOU! It's a week long adventure, culminating in the Canonization of Pope John Paul II on Diving Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014. This has been in the works since early September (before the canonization date was even officially announced.) However, with a trip of such magnitude, there were a lot of moving parts and details to lock in before we could share. It is with great excitement I can finally spill the Italian beans! This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Jim and I are humbled and (undeservedly) blessed to be leading the trip, along with Fr. Bob Stec. It would be AWESOME if you could join us.

I also made a little video invitation with a few more details:

There is a payment plan and we are working with a fantastic local travel agency (Encompass the World Travel) who is dedicated to working with customers to offer an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experience. If you have any questions, e-mail me personally at Brooke@955thefish.com or Bill Coyle (who is booking the trips). His info and more trip details can be found here.

Canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John Paul XXIII - APRIL 27, 2012
APRIL 24 – MAY 02, 2014

TOTAL AIR & LAND PACKAGE: $3465-pp

APRIL 24, 2014: You will fly CLE to Rome R/T.

APRIL 25, 2014: Upon arrival, will be transferred by private motorcoach, to the 4* CICERONE, aprox. 10 minutes walk to the VATICAN, or - the 4* HOTEL GIULIO CESARE 4**** ( Vatican area), where you will be met and transferred by our English-speaking representative, and where you will be staying for 7 nights, H/B, 2 meals daily ( B,D).

APRIL 26, 2014: ROME CITY TOUR: This morning we explore the wonders of ancient Rome. We begin with a view of Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum, an architectural wonder completed in 80 AD. We continue with the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure for last-minute sightseeing or shopping. overnight in Rome. ( B,D).

APRIL 27, 2014: CANONIZATION IN THE VATICAN, After breakfast, we will be transferred to the VATICAN, to attend the Canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. In the afternoon, our sightseeing of the "Eternal City." will include visiting major basilicas of Rome including St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Lady; St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome; the Holy Stairs, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the burial place of St. Paul. Dinner and overnight in Rome. ( B,D).

APRIL 28, 2014: Day at leisure. Today is a full day of leisure in Rome to relax, visit one of the beautiful churches nearby or take in a visit to a museum. Or you might want to avail yourself of our optional day trip to Assisi. Included will be all transfers, a walking tour of Assisi to include St. Francis Basilica and the Church of St. Clare. Our last stop will be a visit to St Mary of the Angels before our late afternoon return to Rome for dinner and overnight. ( B,D).

APRIL 30, 14: VATICAN TOUR Opportunity to see Pope Francis during the Papal Audience is scheduled after breakfast we depart for Vatican City to attend a Papal Audience (if available). In the afternoon, we visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes. We conclude our visit with a tour of St. Peter's Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Rome. ( B,D).

MAY 02, 2014: (-ROME – CLE ): You will be transferred to the Airport to fly back home.

We hope you can come! Arrivederci dio benedica!

Good

2013-11-11T18:23:00.000-05:00

Happy Veterans Day to you. A heartfelt thank to all who have served our nation or are currently serving. A special thanks to my husband for his service as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. As a very small gesture of gratitude I made an attempt at an iMovie, as a gift for him. It was emotional for me to make it and I'm pretty sure it was emotional for him to watch it, unless, as he claims, he really did have a piece of dust in his eye). ;-) I wasn't going to share publicly because it's pretty personal (and I didn't think anyone else would care to watch it, honestly) but since so many of you have shared the story of our family through the years already, here goes.

To the best Husband and Daddy I know.

The song is the new single from Dave Barnes, called "Good." He is such a gifted songwriter. Even after putting the video together and hearing the tune 400 times in a row, I'm still not tired of it! That's a sign of a true hit. :) Ha. Grateful for the inspiration. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by. God bless you!

A Prayer for Veterans Day

Dear Heavenly Father, May we remember that the freedoms we enjoy in our most gracious home, the United States of America, did not come without a price. May the Lord bless all those who served, all those who continue to serve, and the families that those serving left behind. May we never forget. We pray for and with our active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Worshiping among us are many members of the armed forces who are serving in the military, in the reserves, retired, or receiving assistance through the VA Medical Centers.

Help us, dear God, to see your face in every Veteran we encounter. Guide us in finding new ways to support Veterans and their families. Bring healing and peace to all who suffer from the effects of war. Let your light illumine their darkness, show them a path toward healing and strength, and give them your consolation. Help us bring your saving grace to heal the invisible wounds of war. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Pixie Plunge!

2013-11-07T14:34:00.004-05:00

Well, hello friend! I'm nearly a week overdue in my goal of posting, so much to share but not enough hours in the day to get it done. Today, Gus is helping me with this one as we have some BIG changes to report! After much debate and waffling, I took the plunge and got a drastic new do'. I was surprised when I received Jim's blessing to go for it. He's already been through many of my hair adventures (and misadventures) so at this point I think he just chuckles and nods and waits it out. What a great guy. :) So, yesterday was the big day. I haven't drastically cut my hair in 10 years so I was nervous. And, those apps and virtual hair makeover websites just don't cut it. I didn't know how I would look with such a drastic change, and that very real concern kicked in of "what if it's a total disaster?" As I sit here the new owner of a "side-swept pixie cut" I have to say, I think I like it. Sometimes, change is good. Waking up at 2am leaves little desire to style my hair, and this shorter coiffe is just the ticket. My hair was dry and unhealthy too, so I love being able to get a bit of a fresh start. I'll be saving money on hair products and time on styling, so that's another big bonus!

So without further adieu..here's the new do'!
The inspiration:

The (nervous) "Before"

No going back now!

AFTER:

Gus and I also made a video to show the back of the hair.

So, what did Jim and the kids think? That was the best part. To secure his annual title of Husband of the Year, he had all five kids lined up in the kitchen when I walked in the door. Before even fully viewing the new look, they broke into applause and celebrated the change. What an awesome crew! Whether they like it or not, I don't know..but they supported the change and that means the world to me. Hair can come and go, but I'm so thankful for my family and their love...in good hair days and bad. Here's to hoping I'll be sporting more of the "good" for a little while. :)

Have a great week!

Wild Road Trip (and Big Birthday!)

2013-10-29T20:11:00.000-04:00

It is so good to be home!:) We were only gone for a short time over the last few days, but it was a crazy trip and one that will go down in the family memory books for sure. Here is a brief recap I posted on Facebook of just a portion of our wild ride:

Between Gus breaking out of his crib at our hotel room, Jim accidentally punching me in the eye as he was throwing something into the back seat, and traffic jams and baby meltdowns....we are ready for a couple's retreat! Ha ha. I have to say though, sometimes the wildest trips make for the best stories years after, and this definitely provided that. The highlight was seeing family and spending time with loved ones we haven't seen in way too long. That trumped the challenges by far.

We also celebrated Gus' 2nd Birthday! He loves doggies (woof-woofs as he calls them) so that was the theme. Let's get this party started!

Mom and Gussy.

"Shaggy Dog" cake that Grammie and Poppa picked out. Almost too cute to eat!

His gifts were lots of books, including "What Do You See, Spot." He loves to read, I and love reading to him because it means a rare moment during the day he will sit with me and cuddle, and listen to stories until his heart's content. I treasure this time. We also got him a PBK sherpa head puppy sleeping bag. Let me tell you, although this is a little pricey, it was SO worth it. It is incredibly soft and sooo cozy. The entire family has been vying for time in that thing!

On our way home from Georgia, we also stopped in Mt. Airy, NC (Mayberry)! Jim and the boys love the Andy Griffith Show, so this was a super cool pit stop for them. I had to go with black and white for a few pictures.

All in all, as tiring as it was it was also pretty terrific. I didn't feel it at the time, but as I've reflected, it reminds me that even these little trips can be "pilgrimages" as we encounter God through traveling a different path, facing obstacles, seeing new places and engaging with strangers. It's easy to let monotony set in with the everyday grind, and I will admit I fall into complacency when I'm tired and burned out with my many daily "to-do's."So, to be able to exchange everyday life with a little adventure as a family was indeed a gift.

Although our trip was not designed as a religious pilgrimage I certainly found myself praying a lot (Jesus, take the wheel!), and remember that every step, every turn can be sanctified if we give it to the Lord. So, tonight I'm contemplating these words by Fr. Ed Hays:

Lord, we are home again,
and we lift up our hearts in a song of gratitude
for the blessings of our journey.
Lord, it is good to be home again.
Our time away has opened our eyes
to see our home and belongings
with greater appreciation.
Since half of the pleasure of a journey is in the coming home,
we take joy in our return.

May this joy be a taste of the happiness awaiting us
when we finally come home to You.
In that final homecoming,
we shall feast upon the fullness of Your Love
as we are surrounded by affection of loved ones who have returned to You before us.

Blessed are You, Lord of All Who Travel, for Your holy gracious care while we traveled and for bringing us home safely again.

Amen+

Have a GREAT week!

Family Traditions

2013-10-20T20:26:00.001-04:00

My husband rarely sends me e-mails because I never read them (I'm terrible), so when he does forward me something, I know it's important. Last week he sent me "60+ Family Tradition Ideas" from the Art of Manliness. This is loaded with easy, touching, wonderful traditions that anyone can implement. Click here to check it out. Another article goes into the importance of traditions, and how they are one of the pillars of a strong family. Love it! Thanks to my hubby for the great e-mail tip! ;-)

Speaking of traditions, we're going to be passing down the #2 candle in less than a week. This handsome fella has a big birthday coming up!

Gus is such a character...literally. Check him out as Woody, with his sibling sissy sidekick Jessie (Halloween costume sneak peek!):_)

Mommy and Gussy (after my new haircut)!

While I'm sharing pictures, I have to show you Karolina's school photos. This is such a heart-melter. Look at that gorgeous smile!:)

I'm so happy to report that she is doing GREAT in school! I recently had a conference with her teacher and "team" of aides and therapists and it was fantastic. Every day we entrust her to the care of others, and they are all a true answer to prayer. Very plugged in, caring, and excellent at what they do. Karolina is thriving and we are so grateful! Today, my heart was singing The Doxology, praising the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for so many blessings. I will leave you with a great version from David Crowder. Have an awesome week!

Makeup for Busy Moms

2013-10-16T19:42:00.002-04:00

Waking up at 2am means I've got one shot to get my makeup on, and somehow manage to make it work with my eyes half open and large bags to add to the challenge! Over the last year I've gone through some ups and downs with trying some new things. I've finally reached the point of settling on some products that are able to withstand the challenges of an 18 hour day and a perpetually fatigued complexion. THAT is a small victory worth celebrating!:) So, I've made a little video saluting these go-the-distance products that have been a time and skin-saver for this busy mom. I would LOVE to hear any of your favorite products as well! With the endless sea of cosmetics, skin care, hair care, etc. it's so helpful to have word-of-mouth recommendations in these girly matters. I have enclosed all of the product information and prices on the actual You Tube video page. Thanks for stopping by!:)