Don't call back....

...if it's near midnight, and you find my number on your phone, but you don't recognize it and don't know who I am.... don't call back, just to find out who I am.

I will not be coherent or happy to speak with you. And I will definitely not tell you who I am. I may entertain thoughts of calling you at some obscene hour just to chat about the that age-old question, "Who am I?" Or the next time the baby screams at 3 am I may feel compelled to call you and share the joy.

But really, if you see my number on your phone, and don't recognize it, assume it's a wrong number and DON'T CALL BACK!

My first meme.

Ok, so Jim tagged me for this, and I'm going to do it. I just a little grumpy though that he tagged all those people that I would like to tag. So I'll just have to be creative and come up with some blogger friends and acquaintances, instead of in-person friends.

Anyhow, here are the rules: Those tagged will share 5 things they "love" about Jesus. Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers. Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here with their name so that others can read them.

I'm doing mine backwards... top ten list fashion:

5. His miracles: All those in the Bible, like the feeding of the five (four?) thousand, and walking on water. I especially like those in which He used everyday things to transmit grace and healing, like when He used spit and dirt to heal the blind man.

4. His birth and childhood: I really like to try to imagine what Jesus was like as a baby and a little boy. I like that He went through the these stages of life. I especially like talking about Jesus as a baby and as boy with my daughter. I think that it helps her to relate to Him, because she knows that Jesus was little once too.

3. His Mom: I have to admit that I really like Mary. I think that she provides such a wonderful example to us all of humility and devotion to Jesus. I like that Jesus was kind enough to share her with us.

2. His Church: I love that Jesus established a Church. One that the "gates of hell" will not prevail against. Having been raised a Methodist, and coming home to the Catholic Church in college, I appreciate a church with real authority.

1. His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity: I love the Eucharist. I love that Jesus gave Himself to us in such an awesome way. I know that I will never fully understand it, but I also know that I can't live without it.

Okay, now the tricky part, I tag the following blogs: Nestled in the Woods, Friends for the Journey, Inspired by a True Story, Minnesota Mom and Life in a Nutshell.

ed. Oct. 7, 2007. Nestled in the Woods no longer exists on Blogspot as the blog of a Catholic mom. It was taken over by someone else and the content is no longer acceptable for viewing. Sorry to anyone who followed the link.

Six years and counting....

Jim and I just celebrated six wonderful years together, and I love him as much now as I did then. (Probably, more...especially when he takes care of those stinky diapers. Pee-eew!) We had a wonderful dinner out to celebrate, while Mom-mom and Pop watched the girls. A very nice treat indeed. Also very nice are the flowers that Jim gave me.
Thanks, honey.

Parenting in Public

At a meeting I attended recently, I was once again reminded how difficult it can be to be a good parent in public. And by "good parent" I mean a good disciplinarian. It's hard enough to do the right thing and discipline your child at home, especially if it means stopping what you're doing to deal with the problem. But when you're in public, there are a whole other set of obstacles.

Like worrying about disturbing other people if your child starts to tantrum when you tell them no, or worrying that people will think that you have no control. Or even worrying that you might appear too strict.

The issue I encountered at the meeting, had a little bit to do with that last one, appearing too strict. No I wasn't worried about appearing too strict, at first. Then one of the ladies at the meeting stepped in.

You see, Maria was wandering around the room. I had given her boundaries. "You may stay in this row, but you can't go into the row in front of us. Don't squeeze between chairs. If you want to sit down, sit down in this row." Now, the women in front of us probably heard me tell her this. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she didn't know that I had already forbid Maria from wandering out of our row.

But I know that she did hear me tell Maria not to squeeze between the chairs, and try to leave our row the second time that she did it. I know because she was watching Maria, and after I told her to come back to me, the woman said, "It's ok. She's not bothering me."

At which point I wanted to retort, "Ya, but she's bothering ME."

I kept my mouth shut, managed to get Maria to come back without too much fuss, and sat there seething for a minute. Even though I was annoyed at the woman's comment, and her undermining my parenting, I still let it affect how I handled Maria for the rest of the time there.

The third time she tried to leave the row, I gave up trying to get her back more easily, and just gave her that, "don't even try it" look, which was enough to stop her from squeezing all the way into the next row. She just stood there staring at me, stuck halfway between the chairs. She knew that she was getting away with something, and she knew that I should be trying to stop her. But I didn't say anything. I was too tired of fighting her, and I was afraid that the woman would comment again.

It's tough enough to handle a two-year old without having defend your parenting tactics to everyone who happens along.

Camping at French Creek

Okay, so these are a little old but I finally got time to post them. Hope you enjoy.

Glad I'm not there anymore....

Bishop Trautman, of the Diocese of Erie, PA has issued a statement on the motu proprio that widens the use of the Tridentine Rite of the Mass. Patrick Archbold, over at Creative Minority Report does a fine job of fisking the statement here, so I will refrain from saying much.

I will note however, that this is the diocese where I did my 6 months of volunteering with a small order of sisters who had some "interesting" ideas about the church. With all the things that happened there, with seemingly no sanctions from the him, it does not surprise me to learn that Bishop Trautman is rushing to put restrictions on the use the Tridentine Rite Mass. This is just another sign of problems in that diocese.

More BS Party

Ok, so I lied. I realized that I have no time tomorrow for blogging, so I posted the pictures tonight, despite the fact that my husband is now turning off lights, and leaving me in the dark still staring at the computer. Hope you all enjoy the effort.

Fourth of July BS Party

This year, thanks to Steve we had a grand time on the fourth, picnicking and boating at his uncle's cabin. And luckily for us all, I got quite a few pictures of the festivities. I'll post a few tonight, and maybe some more tomorrow. If you want any specific pic emailed to you just let me know.

Home again, home again....

We're back from our whirlwind New England tour. We managed to see some old college friends, tour Mystic, CT and Boston, MA. Along the way we passed through parts of 7 states (not counting PA). We stopped at least 6 or 7 times to calm Amelia and or eat and stretch. I learned exactly how much I love PA drivers, whose idiosyncrasies are at least known to me, as opposed to drivers in other states, who may at any moment do something horribly unexpected to me, but something which is obviously a tacitly agreed upon deviation from the rules amongst drivers in their state. For example the tendency to come zipping up the entrance ramp at full speed and 'merge' without paying any attention to who may or may not be on the roadway already, and especially not considering whether or not you may be causing them to brake rapidly to avoid crashing into you. So much fun!

The trip was made even more exciting, from the outset, when Maria threw up on the morning of our departure. So we spent awhile deciding whether to go or not. Obviously we went, but we spent alot of the first day or so looking anxiously at Maria for any sign of a repeat performance. Aside from not eating much, she was fine for the rest of the time. But then Amelia, got sick on Friday night, and hasn't been quite right since. There's nothing like a stomach bug to make a trip more interesting.

We did manage to have fun though, seeing various ships and historic buildings, watching "Dory" fish at the aquarium, pushing buttons a the Museum of Science, riding the train with a stroller and two kids, finding the elevator at the subway stops, eating lots of good food (far away from the subway and it's "aroma") and generally passing out with exhaustion in the "number room" each night. We met quite a few friendly Bostonians, who we very helpful in giving directions and advice about how to navigate the city and find good food. We also met a couple with two kids, who are training to be missionaries in Africa. Even their three year old was learning French in preparation for their mission. Meeting such interesting people makes traveling that much more fun.

I could say more but I'll stop now, and let the picture say the rest.

(Pictures in separate post)

Mystic, CT

Row, row, row your boat.

Charles Morgan whaler.

Anchored.

Capsun Demo.

Boston - Day 1

Boston Harbor

Walking the Freedom Trail.

Peanut butter, jelly, and banana panini. Yummy!

On the USS Constitution.

Paul Revere statue near Old North Church.

Boston - Day 2

Outside the Aquarium.

A jellyfish, swimming.

Touching a starfish.

A fountain in Boston Common.

The view from our hotel, with musical nuns.
(they're kinda like that gnome)

Boston - Day 3

Bird puppets.

In the butterfly garden.

Leaving butterfly garden, checking in mirror for 'passengers.'

Boston Public Garden.

Cheers!

There and back again - shots from the road.

Rest stop.

Somewhere in Connecticut.

Rest Stop.

Stop Amelia from screaming stop.

On the road, again.

It's a Wednesday.

Yep, that's right. Wednesday. And around here that means it was a crazy day. Doesn't matter if the day was actually a Wednesday or not. If it was crazy, busy, or downright frustrating then a Wednesday is what I call it.

I just started calling a bad day a "Wednesday" after experiencing a series of really crazy Wednesdays. Don't know why Wednesday are so crazy around here, they just are.

Well, this week has been a week of Wednesdays. That's right, a whole week of 'em.

I'll spare you the details. Let's just say, that because the rest of the week was soooo busy, crazy and full of surprises, today is even more busy, crazy and full of surprises.

Thankfully, tomorrow's the start of our vacation. So maybe we'll escape the world of Wednesdays, and find rest somewhere in New England. Or maybe not. I'll let ya know when we get back.

Until then may everyday be a "Sunday" for you all. :)

So Funny....

If you like Steven Colbert, you'll think so too. Or if you don't like liturgical dancing. Or if you have any sense of humor at all.

Just check it out here. Then check out the rest of the site. There's some pretty good clips (especially nice for those of us without cable.

Prayer Request

I just found out that the father of one of my friends committed suicide this weekend. She will be traveling to be with her family during this difficult time.

Please pray for her safe arrival, for the repose of the soul of her father, and for peace and healing within her family as they grieve this terrible loss.

A Day at the Park with Friends

Flowers

Growing up.

I always amazes me how the little things during an ordinary day can affect you. For example, today, Maria said grace at breakfast and at lunch right along with me. Now she's been able to say it for awhile, but she's never actually said it out loud with me. Usually she just whispers it, or doesn't say anything at all.

But today she said it out loud, along with me. And I couldn't help but think how fast the time goes and how much she has grown up already. And I have to admit, it brought tears to my eyes, to see her innocence and joy at accomplishing such a simple thing as a prayer.

I said a prayer of my own at that moment. That she would always find joy in simple prayers, and that she would carry her childlike faith into the rest of her life.