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Christmas at Home

December 28, 2008 By Laura 6 Comments

We hope your Christmas was as beautiful and filled with peace as ours was. Of course, I don’t necessarily mean auditory peace, if you have a house full of excited kids as we do, but you know, inner peace. That quiet kind of Christmas joy you feel in your heart, that tends to bring such moments of clear perspective of your whole life, all that truly matters, and all that you are blessed with. I love those Christmas moments, and hope you all had many of them.

While I did take lots of photos of our kids on Christmas Eve and morning, I won’t be posting all of those. Suffice it to say, they had such a wonderful Christmas, that seemed to go on for days here. To see them embrace every moment with such beaming happiness and anticipation in their eyes, is truly a big part of our Christmas joy. They even each had such beautiful and surprise gifts for us. And the HEART they put into them. <sigh/melt> Now we know what all of their ‘Club Days’ in big sister’s room was all about. We really had no idea. I can’t tell you how much fun they have been having for weeks. But here are just some fun Christmas shots I took around our home here and there, now and then, in quiet moments, and moments of loud celebration.

Below is one of my new favorite Christmas ornaments. A friend of mine made it for me, and I just think it is so cute and fun! I smile every time I see it on my tree. It has a soft white feather on it too-you can barely see. I love polka dots. : )

{A} made waffles, one by one, for like 3 hours one day a few days before Christmas, and threw them in the freezer. They were delicious as part of our late-morning Christmas breakfast. Thanks Honey!

Chocolate Buddies.

There’s a few more Christmas-sy areas of our home I may take some shots of and share over the next couple of days as well, just for fun. We really enjoy making our home reflect the Christmas season, and many other holidays as well. Thanks for coming to see!

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We Interrupt This Advent Season, for Daddy-Boy’s Birthday!….

December 20, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

……Just as we do EVERY Advent Season. What a time to have a birthday, right before Christmas! Huh?? Birthdays are so important to us, and Michael/Daddy joined me in the 40 Club yesterday! So it was extra special. But every year, I always feel like we’re ‘squeezing’ his celebration in, amidst the preparations for Christmas. Switching gears and temporarily redirecting our attention, pretending we’re not frazzled by it. I feel guilty! There is usually lots of nonchalant planning for the rest of our birthdays in our family here…which are all in the summer and fall. But 6 days before Christmas we’re all just pre-occupied with last-minute-things-to-get-done. (And we have SIMPLE Christmas’s next to most anyone we know.) But when I realize his birthday is in a few days, I’m afraid I’ll forget! (Good thing I have the kids…they would never forget such a thing.) I’m just saying….I wish his conception was at least a month or so before it actually was. Just so we’d be able to give him the absolute undivided attention he SO deserves. But you know….what’s ‘done is done’. And we know who did it. ; )

So he did want a low-key day anyway, as a snow storm was due to come in, and he didn’t want plans to go anywhere in a blizzard. {A} actually got up early to make his birthday breakfast of our traditional birthday pancakes. And I actually jumped out of bed early to help her. I was the one that made the coffee and burnt the sausages. : ) But breakfast together was very nice! I don’t think the kids took their eyes off the windows the whole time though, waiting for that snow to start falling. They also gave him their cards they made for him. Note: {A} has called her Daddy, ‘Daddy-Boy’ since she was 3 or so. And she still does at 11. The story of that is a post for another time. Just thought I’d mention it in case you’re puzzled by that.

We THOUGHT we’d at least have some snow fun on the way that day. So we got packages ready to send out that morning, and got those to the shipping place. But it didn’t even start snowing until almost 3:00, right before it started getting dark out, and Michael had decided by then he really wanted to go visit his 96 year old friend, and make sure he didn’t need anything before the storm really came. So he went and had a nice long visit with him. This sweet old man is dear to all of us. You may remember our post about him, Mr.Bill, on Veteran’s Day. But Michael has become especially close to him, and goes to his home to visit with him 1 or 2 times a week if he can. Michael completely enjoys Mr. Bill’s company in a very sincere way. He’s there for hours sometimes, and comes home smiling with lots of stories. And the same happened on his birthday. Which is nice. Even though I was worried while he was gone because he was still out in blizzardey conditions. But he came home safe and sound, cheerfully telling us how, in light of his birthday, Mr. Bill shared tips with him about how you live to be his age. While was gone, {A} baked his cake. (She insisted. She insists on making her own on her own birthday. I know I’m starting to look really bad here, and I’m afraid it gets worse.)

Then it was time to start preparing his birthday dinner of choice. Well….the thing is, what he really wanted was his own specialty dish….his family’s pizza. (There is a pizza recipe/tradition in his family) So yes….<gulp>…..he pretty much made his own birthday dinner. I really tried to get him to choose something else that I could make but he said no, that he didn’t mind at all. (He never minds making his family pizza. I think it’s a bit of work, since he even makes the dough. But…. it’s a family tradition.) He’s really not about that ‘special treatment’ on his birthday. He doesn’t ask for foot rubs like I do, or anything. He’s ‘all set’. The pizza was good though, as ALWAYS. Doesn’t it LOOK good??

Afterwards, we had cake. Which happened to be the Thunder Cake we posted about, from our studies of Patricia Polacco, because that’s what he wanted. Just so you don’t think that I really did NOTHING, I did frost the cake, and sliced the strawberries (and let’s not forget about the coffee making and sausage burning in the morning). Doesn’t it look lovely??

It tasted good too!

The rest of the night we spent generally parenting. You know,…helping the kids with their showers getting to them to bed, and taking care of some Christmas stuff. It surely wasn’t the day of fun int he snow we thought we were going to have, but he enjoyed his day none-the-less. Had a nice long visit with his friend, got all of his favorite foods, etc….what more could a birthday boy want?

I am sure you’re thinking…”Are there any pictures of the birthday boy in this post? And to that I have to say….Of course there is!!!

He’s a looker, huh?? Even handsomer than the days we were ‘courting’, as he calls it. He’s getting that distinguished look, that comes with age. He is just so handsome. Ask my sister.

Anyway….today, the day AFTER his birthday as I post this, we DID get the fun in the snow we were looking for!! The kids….the big one and the 4 younger ones, went sledding, and I took photos. I’ll be sharing photos of that in the next post. Just need to go through them and be reasonable about how many to keep and/or post. Sure was fun taking photos of them having a (snow)ball!!! (I know…OH BROTHER!!) I’m a witty one, huh??

Happy Birthday, Daddy-Boy and Love of My Life!!

Veteran’s Day & a Special Visit

November 11, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

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Today we wanted to share a personal story with you.

For all of the years Michael and I have gone to our parish, we have always just pew-hopped. Even as our family grew, there was never one spot where we always sat. Not even a side of the church. But in recent months, it somehow just happened. We all filed into a pew, in a particular spot one day, and it just ‘felt right’. We’ve sat right there every week for Sunday mass, ever since.

The spot happened to be right behind ‘Mr. Bill’, as we’ve come to call him. Mr. Bill is the absolute sweetest old man, you could ever want to meet. And dapper as they come. Every Sunday morning, at the last mass of the day, he has shown up, looking his personal best. Well groomed, in a suit, and sporting a charming bow tie. He drives himself there, and most everywhere else. That is impressive, (if not a little worrisome), at the age of 96 years old. NINETY SIX! A veteran of World War II.

He may be the reason we have been drawn back to that spot each week. When he is there first, we sit right behind him. If he comes in after wards, he sits right in front of us. He always greets us and the children so sincerely. He’s the picture of what we hope to be in our elder years. Kind, compassionate, and very obviously deeply faithful and loyal to the Lord. We can often hear him mumbling all parts of the mass, including the priest’s parts. He is immersed completely in such a humbling way, I often can’t help but just watch him. And I’ve done so without having taking advantage of a moment; always wondering what week we will come in, and he won’t be there in that pew in front of us. Not that week, or ever again. I think all of us have have thought about that time, that is inevitable. And the sadness was so deep already, just at the thought of him not being there. His presence of being right in front of us, week in and week out, is as expected as the pew itself.

Wouldn’t you know…..I was sure I noticed he was slowing down over the weeks. He was slower, and seemed to be more out of breath. With each passing week, it was apparent he was indeed having health issues. One week, in noticing the kids were holding rosary beads, he said to one of them, “Say one of those for me.” I felt the tears immediately spring to my eyes as he said those words. Knowing he was quietly suffering. Struggling. But never complaining. The kids did pray for him too….we all have many times. He is spoken fondly of among us as a family, often because he was brought up by the kids, who he has clearly had an impact on as well. We just adore him.

In the next week or so, he started showing up with an oxygen tank. If you only saw the effort he went through to make it to that pew, for mass. As if he NEEDED to come, to hear the gospel. To witness the consecration. To receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

Then the week came when he wasn’t there. Nor the next week. We learned he had fallen quite ill, as we suspected was happening in weeks prior. This past Sunday, we learned he was in a rehab care facility just out of town. And that he also had no one to really advocate for him in any way. Another kind parishioner we’ve come to know and love, filled us in on his state of health, which had not been good when she last went to see him a few days prior. He was lonely, we heard, and wanted to just go home.

Naturally today, on this Veteran’s Day, we thought of all veterans who have served our country – in peace or war. Those who lived to tell their stories, and those who didn’t. Those we know, or knew, and those we don’t. The little ones learned just what Veteran’s Day was all about, and why we remember and pay tribute to these men and women on this day. And we talked about Mr. Bill, who had been on our minds more than ever, all weekend. We decided we wanted to do something about it.

The kids all made him a special card of their own, with a special message. They really put their hearts into their work; planning it all out, and trying to do their best. For Mr. Bill.

Michael decided he was going to see Mr. Bill today at the rehab center, to sit and have a nice long visit with him, and deliver these cards from the kids.

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Michael did just that. As it turned out, Mr. Bill was being discharged today. He was doing better! Well enough to go home at least. He was all packed and ready to go when Michael got there – just waiting for his ride. So they sat and chatted for a good while. Two women were driving him home, and Michael decided to follow them and help get Mr. Bill into his house safely, and be sure he was all settled.

When Michael got home, he was full of the stories and tidbits Mr. Bill had shared with him. Interestingly enough, the branch of service Mr. Bill is a veteran of is the Air Force.

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He was also very happy to be home, and said someone was planning to pick him up and bring him to mass this Sunday, and that he looked forward to seeing us there. We sure look forward to seeing him there, too! To see him back in that pew, will be a blessing each and every time more, that he is. To see him smile, to shake his warm, unbelievably soft-skinned hand at peace time, and to see him so prayerfully celebrate the mass with every bit of his amazing and inspiring faith.

So Happy Veteran’s Day, Mr. Bill. Thank you, and all veterans, for your service to our country.

And thank YOU, for stopping by again. Lots of exciting blog plans coming up, so please come again soon!

HALLOWTIDE; All Souls Day – Part III

November 9, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

We’ve finally arrived at the last part of our Hallowtide theme – Part III. (You can check out all of the fun we had, in Part I HERE, and Part II HERE.)

Our All Souls Day (Nov 2) began with Sunday morning Mass. We most always go to the last Mass of Sunday mornings, as we did on this day. What a beautiful sight it was walking into the church, with what was left of the vigil candles aglow all over the altar, each burning for each soul of every parishioner who passed away in the last year. Each burning candle had the name of the individual on it, and were meant to be taken home by the families of the lost loved one. We can only imagine how much more spectacular and moving the first mass of the weekend must have been, before any candles had been taken home, by the families they belonged to.

Later in the afternoon, we gathered around our table together, and talked a bit more about the history and purpose of All Souls Day. We also focused a bit more, on the lives and souls closer to home for us; those who have perished, who were a great influence in our life, or made a mark in some way. Those we personally knew in some way, and those who we loved so deeply and dearly, and lost, such as close family. We discussed how as Catholics, we are to pray for the souls of those people, that their souls may be purified and released from purgatory, and into the Kingdom of Heaven.

In that light, we began a new tradition. We created a scroll, listing the names of the souls of those in our lives who we have lost, and beside their name, the year of their death. This includes family and friends, and anyone who had been a significant part of our life or family in some way. This of course required really going back in years, and while we have many names down, many exact years are forgotten and still need to be researched.

This list of souls is part of our seasonal altar (or table) we have. This table area changes with the liturgical year, as well as the earth seasons. The scroll of names/souls we remember, will remain there throughout the month of November, as it is the month to remember and pray for all souls. Each year it will be brought back out in tradition, and sadly, be updated, including the new souls we must pray for. Later, we added the remembrance cards we happened to still have, to the table as well.

Then we got to making dough, for soul cakes. Soul cakes (which are more like hot cross buns) have Christian history in Halloween, and in fact are the root of how ‘trick or treat’ began. In short, these soul cakes were exchanged for prayers by the recipients of the soul cakes, who were mostly beggars and whom went to the doors of the wealthier, for the loved ones lost in the family of the givers. As the saying went:

A soul, a soul, a soul cake.
Please good missus a soul cake.
An apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry,
Any good thing to make us merry.
Up with your kettles and down with your pans
Give us an answer and we’ll be gone
Little Jack, Jack sat on his gate
Crying for butter to butter his cake
One for St. Peter, two for St. Paul,
Three for the man who made us all.

How costume wearing came to be, is also tied into this practice that began long ago, and has interestingly evolved into what it is today.

As Daddy added sprinkles of flour to prevent sticking and to get the dough to a consistency just right to form the soul cakes, the kids mostly took turns kneading the dough….

….but not always…….

Once the soul cakes were done, we enjoyed them nice and hot, with our dinner.

That concludes our Hallowtide festivities report, which in real life, concluded a week ago today! Come back again soon to see what we have in store for our blog about next. As quiet as you all are in the commenting department : ( , we know you are all out there, reading along. ; ) We appreciate your visits.

HALLOWTIDE; All Hallows’ Eve – Part II

November 6, 2008 By Laura 1 Comment

This is Part II of our HALLOWTIDE: All Hallow’s Eve, of our (Catholic) family celebration!
You can see Part I HERE, if you missed it! You can expect to see lots more fun, and our creative Halloween-themed menu items!
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Part II of our partying continues: While the cookies were baking, the kids started boogie-ing to the Halloween music that had been playing in the background all night. They were just a riot to watch, and I just had to take photos of that too. LOTS. Here are only 4. I have to tell you, every time I see these shots, that just crack-me-up, I hear ‘The Monster Mash’ in my head. Funny, because that was not the song playing at the time. Go figure.

And then they wanted to take photos of US, as {A} had done in a past Halloween. Of course, they wanted to each take their own shots. So I set up my camera on a tripod. Since they hadn’t YET had much sugar, I took a deep breathe, and let them use my camera equipment. (I told you it was a crazy night!). They all took turns, and did a pretty good job! It would have gone faster if Daddy had stopped tickling me and making me laugh.

Then the triplets/little ones started playing a Halloween Bingo game we have, while {A} was getting the cookies out of the oven and taking them off the pan to cool. They were SO cute playing this game, helping each other win!

Kid-Daddy had mentioned running next door to the property he manages, and next thing we know he was freaking us all out. (None of us knew yet, that he was lurking in the windows right behind us in the photo above…do you see him?) The ‘school room’ is surrounded by windows, and we never knew where he was going to pop up – knocking on the windows. The kids were screaming their heads off, never knowing where he was going to show up. Then he was at the door, and by then we were all just laughing at him.

Once we got our heart rates down, (yes, we’re easy, huh? lol) the kids got to making another mess decorating cookies. We have done a much better job, but by this time, Mama was beat – so anything goes! They had fun going overboard with the ‘stuff’ on top, and eating them. Although they seemed to be winding down.

(Have to throw in this shot of {O}’s hair tie somewhere. She asked me to take a photo of it. lol . . . .

‘Who Baby! Look at the stuff on top of these cookies! Good golly!

So they had one that night, and another the next day. But really…I was not about to let them eat the 2 dozen until they were gone. So we put one out for the squirrels. Just to see what would happen. But surely, it would be too much sugar for them as well. Now…I WISH I had photos but….NO! Apparently, one squirrel thought they were DELISH! If only I could bring myself to take a shot through a glass window. But no, I scared him away trying to open the window. If only you could have seen him…..sitting there eating this cookie like a furry little person! Really fast, holding that HUGE cookie between his paws, and taking one bite after another and chewing really fast. As if…well, he was afraid his mother was going to catch him! Anyway….we’re still having fun putting out one cookie at a time. Entertainment at it’s best, you know.

I knew it was getting about bedtime, when my silly little boy came over to me at the computer where I was checking my e-mail….laughing SO hysterically, he could hardly walk to get to me. I turn to him, to give him the attention he was demanding, and this is what I see . . . .

He put some BOO Halloween barrettes in his hair. He was laughing so hard, he collapsed n the floor, and then just did a big sigh. Yup—bedtime. Right after a shot of him of course.

Even our 11 year-old was ready for bed. She already was holding tight to her ghost, Gus. Gus is the ghost her Meme’ (her maternal grandmother, now passed) gave her when she was 3 years old. {A} has slept with Gus on every Halloween night, ever since. (Which could totally make me cry this time of night.)

That wraps up Part II of this running theme post. It was such a fun night together. We hope you enjoyed ‘partying’ with us. Stay tuned for Part III next – All Souls’ Day.

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