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Music to the Triplets’ Ears – Birthday Surprises

September 8, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

There are things our kids / triplets can always count on for their birthday: birthday number pancakes, a whole day or few together, just spent having major family quality time, cake of their choice, lots of love and stories about their birth, and the flying of time.

But they don’t often ask for anything, or expect gifts that we can tell. While we’ve always told them you should never EXPECT gifts from anyone, we’ve always given them something for their birthday! So if they are expecting anything, they are good at hiding it! lol.

So they seemed excitedly surprised when we told them we had a little something for them before lunch, their cake choices, and heading out for an overnight surprise trip.

I love the expressions!

{S} guessed out loud, “A BlackBerry?”, to which I laughed out loud and spontaneously replied with,

…..”YEAH RIGHT!!”

Then {O} said, “They’re I-Pods!”

Well, MP3 players of another brand. Close enough. ; )

Then their big sister had a surprise of her own for them….

$5.00 each to I-Tunes! Cool!

We did think ahead though, to load some music on to the players, the night before, and put their initials on them as well. Because we knew they would have been persistent in asking us to do so, if they couldn’t use them right away.

I just knew these little doo-dads were going to prove to be a BRILLIANT little idea.

They were THRILLED to have one of their own. Even with the strict volume rules. ; )

And I’m telling you, it was the QUIETEST…..

….LUNCH…..

EVER!!!

There is quite a bit more on their birthday celebrations coming up here, there, and who knows when.

We feel so blessed and full of thanks, and that’s always worth celebrating. A LOT!

P.S. Do you have any song suggestions for 7 year olds? So far we’ve uploaded their VBS CD, and a few other choice songs. I’ve started a list of appropriate and positive/happy songs as I hear them. (Singles by Martina McBride, Bob Marley, and anything Christian/worship music…). Stuff with good messages, etc. If you have ANY song suggestions for them we can load on these, we’d love to hear them! When I get a longer list of ideas and suggestions, I’d be happy to share it here if everyone would like that. After all, appropriate/positive/happy songs are great for ALL ages! : )

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Un-Expectations – Serving Others and Gratitude

August 19, 2009 By Laura 7 Comments

I’ve said it a zillion times before, and at least 1/2 zillion on this blog: I believe, without question, that God gives every one of us gifts. And I believe, without question, that in discovering those gifts, one is receiving a direct message from God > ‘Use them in my Name. Use them, to serve Me, by serving others.‘

I think we all know, or most of us anyway, when God is calling us to serve Him, by serving others. It’s a feeling inside. For me, it’s not something I ponder, or decide, if it is indeed a situation I am called to serve. I just know, it is. I know I have to do it. Like a whisper of the heart, that is God’s unspoken words. There is sometimes joy, sometimes not much, but always peace, in serving Him through others. And it’s enough for me, to work by His side. For I know the love and healing He will bring those who need Him, and those who turn to Him. It’s more than enough, for me.

I don’t always talk much, about when He calls me to serve Him, or how. There’s not always a need to. These kinds of things tend to put me in quiet mode. That it itself, only verifies again, that it is not my work. It is His. I am just a tool, and even one that He created.

A couple of weeks ago, I heard the UPS truck pull up. He comes every day with supplies or orders for me, just about, so it was not unusual. But the kids love to wait until the UPS man drives away (it’s a safety rule we have), open the front door, and retrieve the package(s) off the deck.

“It’s for Mama“, I heard my oldest daughter tell the little ones. She put it on the floor beside me, at my desk, and when I looked down, I was puzzled. I was trying to remember, what on earth I had ordered, that was so big. Then I tried to remember ANYTHING I was expecting around those few days. But I couldn’t recall a thing.

I looked in the corner of the box, and saw a last name. It hit me then. The realization of who it was from, made me catch my breath, and it felt like my heart hit the floor. Such unexpectation. I froze, trying to take it all in. And then I broke down and sobbed. The tears just flowed out like a river. Right in front of my children. (Somehow, they just knew I was ok. That I was just….having a moment.)

It didn’t matter what was in the box, really. I was so filled with emotion over the surprise of it all, that it was all I could handle at the time. I did open the box at the excited urging of my children, eventually, and found this gorgeous gift basket. But It took me days to find the words to explain all I felt inside. To figure out why I was struck, with such a flood of emotions, which I hadn’t quite been able to label just yet.

But in the days to follow, I was able to sort it all out, and decipher all I was feeling.

See, it was clear that the sender’s of this beautiful gift, felt the need to thank me. But I surely did not feel they owed me one, in the least. I didn’t expect that they could even be thinking of me, at this incredibly difficult time in their lives. So it was shocking, in that way, too.

But what was difficult for me, was that I didn’t feel I deserved it. I, didn’t do anything worthy, of this. Of anything. I had only done, what I knew God was calling me to do. Using the gifts He gave me, and that He expects me to use as tools, and a means to do His work.

To be able to do so…..that IS the gift, of the gift.

To be called by God.

After I had done all I knew to do to serve these people, I felt so empty inside. For I wanted SO badly to be able to do more. To give them what they truly, truly wanted. To give them what their hearts ached for, so badly. It didn’t feel like enough, and I felt lost.

I thought of the Little Drummer Boy. I feel like it seems he felt, in giving all he had to give, to the new born King. I was giving all I had, as little as it was. I hoped it was ‘something’. I prayed, in time, it would help, in any small way, to heal their broken hearts, with the grace of God.

That’s the thing. I felt helpless in not being able to do more. I was depending on Him. Our Almighty and powerful Father, who can do ALL things. It was my only consolation, because I personally couldn’t do enough.

But it was ‘something’ to these people, it seemed. I still felt unworthy of any thanks, because I wanted to give them more, and with every passing day, I thought of them, and prayed for them. Still feeling helpless. Still counting on God, to give them all they needed.

I was counting on answered prayers, with high expectations. For THEM.

I ask you to pray for them too, for whatever their needs and desires are, if it is God’s will.

I just wasn’t expecting anything, for ME. Not a thing.

But I am so very touched, by their expression of gratitude.

Thank You, Lord. Thank You, for the gifts. For working, through me. Amidst all of the swirling, worldly thoughts and deeds of my life and self, thank You for allowing my heart to hear You call. Thank You, for every opportunity to serve You, by serving others. Thank You, for using these gifts as an instrument in Your works. Thank You for considering our prayers, and for healing our hearts.

Thank You.

I have to admit….the basket itself, even EMPTY, puts a big smile on my face.

It’s a NICE basket. Isn’t it?

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Our Family’s Episode of CatholicTV’s House + Home: A Late Report

August 4, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

Those of you who are long time visitors of a our blog may remember that last year (2008) our family was asked to be filmed for the pilot show of a new series being created by CatholicTV, called House + Home. The premise of the program is to feature various Catholic families, that vary in family size and lifestyles, and how they live out their Catholic faith in their daily lives, in their homes, and as a family. Each episode would feature a new family, and we were the first to be asked and filmed, thus being the pilot show. How crazy is that?!

We blogged about filming day when it took place back in October. In that post, we said we would let you all know when our episode was to be aired. But…we didn’t end up doing that, so this is a very late post. Our episode actually aired about countless times throughout the month of June, on CatholicTV. It was just a crazy time, and we were actually in the midst of completely revamping our blog, and during the process of that, were getting more hits on the blog than ever, because of the show airing, in which Fr. Robert Reed talks about our blog, and even visits it with our kids on film. And o.k., maybe we were procrastinating a little bit. We were a little startled by all of the attention the show was bringing to us, and we didn’t think it needed our help. lol So….we just never ended up blogging about it before, but we are really, really excited to see other families featured, because we know we will be left inspired, and it will simply be good tv viewing that we can count on and enjoy.

Since our filming day, there was a little span of time before they resumed filming for the show, featuring other families. So ours has been the only one being aired and promoted, heavily throughout June, and I think randomly since. But it is always on their web site as well. CatholicTV‘s web site is a really fabulous site (and as Fr. Reed wants everyone to know, it’s in high definition!! lol….he’ll be pleased that I mentioned that…lol)…..because you can not only watch any program you want to at any time, but you can also watch CatholicTV LIVE 24/7. We love that because guess what? We don’t even get the CatholicTV channel!! It is a national television station, but unless you get the BIG digital package of cable, (w/ lots of UNCatholic channels too…; ), that channel doesn’t come in. SO….we watched our own show on the computer ourselves. So if you don’t get the CatholicTV channel, and you go to the site, save the link!! It is awesome Catholic programming, naturally, for adults and kids alike.
(Updated Note: It later became a more standard television station.)

Since the show has aired, it has caught the attention of various Catholic and secular news medias, so we have been asked to do several interviews that have been printed in various publications including Catholic Online, and The Pilot (which was pretty exciting, minus my off-moment facial expression.) We have another interview coming up for the Old Colony Memorial.

Most all of the news reporters, as well as people in general have asked and wanted to know why we agreed to let our family be filmed for this program. I especially am one that is most comfortable being behind the camera, perhaps because I have control there, as a photographer. So being in front of a camera of any kind, never mind a national tv video camera (also high def by the way ; ) , was a bit out of my comfort zone, as well as my husband’s. The kid were SO FINE with it. So humility has played a small part in it, but is a part we decided to embrace, in agreeing to be filmed, despite our discomfort. The virtue of humility may be defined as: “A quality by which a person, considering his own defects, has a lowly opinion of himself and willingly submits himself to God and to others for God sake.” Therefore, to reject doing the show, to us, would speak of putting ourselves and some vanity we wanted to protect, before our God. So that there was the biggest premise of our decision. (Still uncomfortable though.)

But we had other reasons we wanted to do the show. One as we mentioned, was because we support and love the concept of the show. We knew WE would certainly be interested in seeing how OTHER Catholic families live out their faith in their daily lives, so we thought others probably would too. We wanted to aid in ‘kicking off’ this great idea, to help encourage it to become a successful series. Some other reasons are:

*We are called, in commitment to our Catholicism, to evangelize our faith. Since we are not the type that have very strong skills in sharing the Word of God, with the people we encounter in our daily lives, this seemed like a pretty good way to do it. We knew we were indeed capable, in sharing the best way we could express, how we live our day to day life as a family. So it was an offering of evangelizing in the way of example.

*We LOVE our lifestyle, and the Catholic faith that is so intricately woven into our daily moments, from within our family, our businesses, our homeschooling, our serving others, and every other area and situation in our lives.

*It was an opportunity that just doesn’t come along very often. We are always inspired and encouraged by other Catholic families, their practices and traditions, perspectives and lifestyles, and it was our opportunity to at least try and give back. It was a hope that in some way, some other family may see the joy and fulfillment in our family, that comes deeply-rooted from our faith, and be inspired to develop the faith in their own families as well. Or, for other Catholic families, who DO live much like we do, and feel so alone and different in today’s society, to see that there ARE other families….many other families, who live like they do. It was an opportunity to reach out, connect and network with those families.

*As a home schooling family, it was a real educational experience for our children! They would not just learn, but witness, participate in and experience all of the hard work that goes into the production of a television program.

*It would be a wonderful keepsake, in the form of a memory and a film piece, of our children’s childhood, for them AND for us in years to come. And for the generations that follow.

*Also, it should be noted that we love Fr. Robert Reed and we would have a pretty hard time saying ‘no’ to him, for anything he asked of us.

We have not regretted participating in the promotion of this show at all. We’ve had lots to say about it, in the various news articles we have shared our thoughts with. While it has drawn far more attention ourselves than we ever anticipated, which we are still adjusting to and are still not 100% comfortable with, it has overall been a ‘good thing’ for our family, and for our Catholic community.

In closing, we would just like to express our heartfelt thanks to the many, many people who have seen and supported the show, and/or our episode, and have called, sent e-mails, commented on our blog and just came right up to us in person on the street, in stores or as members of our parish family (St. Bonaventure’s Parish), to express that they saw us on tv, and how much they enjoyed the program. We truly appreciate all of your kind words and thoughts. Your support and expressions of faith lift us up.

Most of all, we would like to thank Fr. Reed, for more reasons than we can ever express, really. We are thankful to you, Fr. Reed, for responding to your personal call of faith in your vocation as a priest, as you touch millions of lives in a loving, inspiring and effective faith-building way – reaching out to adults and children in so many areas. For all of the mini-Latin lessons you have given {A}, and for being a powerful, significant example of many things, and in many ways, than you will ever know or realize. (In {A}’s words), for all of the funny memories and times you have had together in the sacristy before and after serving Mass together. We are also humbled and touched, that you would recognize and embrace our efforts, however full of stumbles, in living out our Catholic faith as a family. You have made a wonderful impression on our family as a whole and as individuals, for life. Overall, we just think you are a really cool guy, and we have come to love you very much.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

This is a separate post, but related enough that I thought I would tie it in. It’ll be a whole lot shorter. Promise.

{A}’s’ birthday fell on a Sunday this year. This made her SO happy because it is not only her favorite day of the week, but she was serving as well, which she loves to do. Fr. Reed happened to be presiding over that Mass, on her birthday, and shared with the congregation that it was 24 years ago that day, that he was ordained as priest! So {A} was thrilled they shared that special date, and Fr. Reed expressed after Mass what a funny little coincidence it was too, as we stood around chatting.

Then, he said that he had something for the kids, but said they needed to split it, and use it for their college education. Then he proceeds to pull out of his pocket, a million dollar bill, and he handed it to them. The little ones just giggled of course, while {A} prayed it was real. lol. Of course she knew it was a joke, being no such thing as a million dollar bill. But it sure looked real! It was crinkled and everything! He also gave them chocolate bars with WOW wrappers on it. (WOW is a CatholicTV Challenge show for kids, of which Fr. Reed also hosts.)

So, it was another happy day for the kids, loaded with more smiles and giggles brought on by Fr. Reed.

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The Process of Gold Leafing – A Church Steeple Cross – Part II

July 19, 2009 By Laura 2 Comments

We have been showing our readers the process of gold leafing a church steeple cross. This post is Part II, and shows the completion, of the process.
At the end of Part I, we left off at a point in the process where the cross was being completely covered in the gold layer.

Above is a photo of that step completed, and ready for the next phase.

These papers all over the floor are sheets that the gold came off of. As you can see, as little gold as possible is wasted.

But there is still a whole lot of loose bits of gold over the entire surface of the cross at this point.

So the next step is to burnish the gold. This is done by gently rubbing the surface in circle-like motions with a large wad of very, very soft cotton.

This helps adhere any gold that was not stuck by the sizing, and it also shines the gold. The loose flakes are truly as light as air. You can kind of see that by the piece hanging from the cotton in the photo above. If you were to put a piece of this gold between your fingers and rub it, it would just disappear.

Looking at the top left arm of the cross in the photo above, you can see the transformation that is taking place on the surface of the cross, from the burnishing.

When he is working quickly, there is gold floating in the air all over the place.

Remember I told you how {A} loves to help us on jobs, but that she especially has some incentive with golf-leafing jobs? Well…..maybe this will explain why…..

She catches all she can!! She’s not above picking up any bits off the floor either!

To a kid, well, this is as good as GOLD. But in this case, it literally IS. lol. Like all of the $ she makes, she’ll save some, spend some, and give some to charity. That’s just how she rolls.

She’s just about done….

The complete process of this cross too 5.5 hours. Given that Michael is 5′ 11′, you can gather it’s a pretty sizable cross, and it’s pretty heavy too!! Notice how he is holding it up with the wad of cotton. Oils from your hands will break down the gold pretty quickly, and leave dull spot in that area.

Of course, you can’t appreciate it’s true beauty until you see it mounted on that church steeple. This cross has long since been picked up, and I am waiting on a photo of it sitting upon it’s church. When I receive it, I will share it with you, for you to really see it at work. : )

In not being able to handle the cross with your bare hands, and the surface being so delicate, you might imagine how difficult it might be to install the cross on it’s steeple. Well, here’s a little chuckle for you: Just between us, I heard this steeple jack wraps the cross in toilet paper!! Then he wraps it in bubble wrap and a blanket, to safely get it securely in it’s place. Then he unwraps everything, and let’s it shine in all it’s glory in the sky.

Did you ever realize all of the work that went into the gold crosses you see at the top of church steeples? Perhaps as you see various crosses on various churches all over the world, you’ll have a new appreciation for the craft that goes into them, and be able to share with someone else the process of gilding the gold crosses they see. You’ll sound so smart. : )

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The Process of Gold Leafing – A Church Steeple Cross – Part I

July 15, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

Did you know that many of the gold church crosses you see are actually real gold? If you did know that, have you ever wondered what the process is to apply the gold? This is called gold leafing, or gilding, and today we are going to show Part I of that process with you, on a church steeple cross.

In Michael’s business of truck lettering and sign making, he often does gilding. Gilding is the process of applying a fine, thin layer of real gold, to a prepped surface. Often times, letters or graphics are done on flat surfaces in gold on truck doors, boats, signs or storefront windows. 3D letters can also be gilded, to be applied to a building side, sign, etc. Michael has done gilding for all of those lettering purposes.

But he also does weather vanes, and church steeple crosses! He is often-subcontracted by Christopher Burgess, of The Burgess Company Steeple Jacks from Pembroke, MA. As a steeple and tower specialist, Chris often removes (if possible), repairs and replaces these structures for refinishing. Chris strips them and preps the surface for finishing, and often hands off the piece to Michael for gilding.
So while Michael had this church cross in to be gilded, we thought some of you might be interested in seeing the process.

This cross is 5 feet 10 inches tall, and needs to be gilded, picked up and replaced on the steeple as soon as possible.

So Michael starts with these 2 mediums….

Slow-Set Gilding Size, and Yellow Lettering Enamel. The sizing is the medium applied to the surface first, to make the gold adhere. Because the sizing is a clear oil, about a tablesp0on of yellow paint to 1/4 cup of sizing is added, to tint the oil. This way Michael can see where the oil has been applied already as he works.

He also had a weather vane to be done, but for this post we are going to focus on the cross.

Here, for this piece, he is able to roll out the mixed medium on the entire cross.

Then it needs to be left alone for awhile. For slow-size, it takes anywhere from 12-16 hours, depending on humidity, to reach a desired tack. Quick size can be ready in 2-3 hours, but is preferred for truck doors, boats and windows, when it would receive a clear coat over the surface. But slow-size is used for gilded pieces that will not be handled, touched, or washed. In these instances, the gold by itself will stand up to the elements for a number of years. In any case, the desired tackiness Michael waits for is when he can drag his knuckle on the surface and it squeaks.

Once the surface is at the appropriate tackiness, it is ready for gold.

This is how the gold comes – in a box that holds 25 books with 25 leaves per book. This is patent gold, which means that it is adhered to sheets of tissue.

A sheet of gold looks like this. This is very fine, thin gold layer.

It’s applied very carefully, to the surface, as you see above. The sheet is gently laid down, and then rubbed with a finger or thumb.

You can see how very soft and light as air the gold is.

This method, of precisely laying sheets of gold, and rubbing down to apply it, is continued over the entire surface of the cross, until it is covered completely.

The goal is to use every bit of gold off of every sheet. What’s left on the sheets like above, are used for filling in seams, cracks and missed spots.

As we’ve mentioned before, {A} is often a voluntary apprentice on our jobs. She loves to gild with Daddy-Boy. Not to say she doesn’t have an ulterior motive or 2 as well. ; ) More on that later…

This post would just be way too big and long to explain the entire process with all of the photos, so stay tuned to see how this church cross is finished, and how beautiful it looks when it is all done!

Check out PART II HERE.

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