Versatile Blogger Award

I was so excited to win this award!  Thank you to the Spangler family from the Writing Garden for selecting my blog!

The rules of the award are:
1) Thank the giver
2) Tell 7 things about yourself
3) Award fifteen bloggers with the award

My 7 "things" (in no special order):
1) My husband and I have 4 children: 3 boys and 1 girl
2) My husband is in the Army and I take quite seriously my obligation as a military spouse and I am proud of him beyond words.
3) I love to bake.  My kids keep saying I should open my own business.
4) I always am looking for new recipes to cook for my family.
5) My background is in education, with both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field.  I currently teach American History in the evenings for a local college.
6) I am proud to be both a devout Catholic Christian and a conservative.
7) My greatest and proudest achievement is homeschooling our children.

Here are the new award winners:
1)Totus Tuus Family
2) Our Side of the Mountain
3) Does it Come in Chocolate?
4) Raising Real Men
5) The Chuppies
6) It's the Little Things
7) Growing with My Girls
8) Slightly Crunchy Catholic
9) Light of My Life
10) Embracing Motherhood
11) Pondered in my Heart
12) Defining Beauty
13) Catholic Icing
14) A Catholic Life
15) Home with the Boys

Father's Day 2011

Fathers have a special role
In each young child’s life
To mold and shape them to become
A follower of Christ
To show them the Father’s heart
And help them understand
How God’s love can be their guide
As they take Him by the hand.
© By M.S.Lowndes

For Father's day this year, we took a day trip to Lancaster, PA to "ride the rails" and enjoy a "day out with Thomas."  The look on our 9 year old's face when he saw the lifesize Thomas engine coming down the tracks was priceless!  The kids all had a good time. 

I truly treasure such time as a family and am grateful beyond words for a husband who is such a wonderful and loving father.

Flashback: Kiddo #1's 13th Birthday

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated the 13th birthday of Kiddo #1, who decided to make an entrance into the world 5 weeks early! (and still was over 7 pounds, lol!) Our precious preemie has turned into a wonderful young man who is not only handsome, but thoughtful, kind and smart. (and very tall, lol! He is already over 5'10". Definitely going to be tall like his dad!)

We celebrated his day by visiting an indoor water park and boy did they have fun!  I mean after 8 hours, I still had to coax them out of the place, lol!

For his choice of dinner, he decided on homemade pizzas!  More fun and tasty, too.  :-)

We are so blessed!

And yes, for the record, I did climb that 4 story staircase several times to come down the waterslides.   Mission accomplished: Kiddo #1 had an awesome 13th birthday!  :-)

Ascension Thursday

Thanks to Lacey at "Catholic Icing," we made a craft today in honor of Jesus' Ascension into Heaven.  The kids did a really good job on it and had fun, too.  :-)

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God,

that we who believe

Thine only-begotten Son our Redeemer,

to have ascended this day into heaven,

may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things.

Roman Missal, 6th-8th Century

Happy Memorial Day

I received the poem below in an email newsletter back on Veteran's Day from Fr. John Corapi. It spoke volumes to me, not only as a soldier's wife, but as a patriot and as an American. I am proud beyond words of the veterans in my life, especially my husband. Their example has inspired me to be a better person, a better American. May God bless them always!

As we all celebrate this weekend, let us remember the sacrifices of so many that have made our celebrating possible. It is not about sunbathing and barbecues. It is about death and sacrifice and ultimate love for a nation, the principles upon which it was founded and freedom. Freedom isn't free. God Bless America!



THE FINAL INSPECTION - AUTHOR UNKNOWN


The Soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass..

Step forward now, Soldier,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear..

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

Step forward now, you Soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'


Author Unknown~

A trip to the Nature Center

We are blessed to have a beautiful nature center in our township .  It has acres of trails, a bird observatory, live animals and hands-on exhibits. 

One overcast afternoon last week, we decided to take a visit and see what we could find.  I came up with a unique assignment: they were to choose a creature or object and draw it in their sketchpad.  I also photographed each item they drew.  When we got home, we printed out my photograph and mounted both it and their sketch with facts we researched onto a posterboard.  They were so excited about the project!  But, it would not be easy to find animals or birds on a dreary May afternoon.  They were quiet and observant.

They were rewarded for their patience.  In the bird observatory, we were able to see a beautiful red cardinal, blue jays and several other bird species.  The kiddos were so happily surprised to see such gorgeous birds visit the feeders.

The same went for the pond.  At first glance, it was lifeless.  It was not a sunny day, so no frogs or turtles would be found basking in the rays.  But, upon careful observation they found hundreds of little tadpoles swimming which was an awesome sight.

So, a dreary day was turned into a bright one.  The dulldrums were turned into excitment and enthusiasm and I again got to witness first hand a love of learning in my children.  :-)

Mother's Day

What a fun day!  I first was given the surprise of homemade chocolate covered strawberries (my eldest's idea; he made them as a surprise with his dad for me)  This was after the best gift of all-- letting me sleep in!  :-)))

After Church, we took the kids to a Family Fun Center where they could play their hearts out.  Yes, the kids were having the fun, but isn't that what Mother's Day is all about?  Celebrating our children?  They are the precious gifts who make the day possible!

The Fun Center had go-karts (which even our baby girl drove for the first time!), miniature golf, batting cages, amusement rides, a giant tube contraption to climb in and lots of video games.  Needless to say, they tired themselves out! 

May God bless all mothers on this Mother's Day, and always, for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for their children and families.  They are precious in God's eyes, for He too, chose to be born of a woman and called her "Mom."