Cute Movie

With all the movie buzz surrounding the Oscars, are you looking for a cute romantic flick to enjoy at the end of a day of spring cleaning... or distract you from the giant mound of frozen water sitting on your lawn that might be there until summer? My Girlfriend's Boyfriend is a cute film with a little something extra that made it very enjoyable. I know some would call it a chick flick. Most husbands would call it a chick flick, and maybe it is, but I have pretty low expectations for chick flicks and this movie surpassed all of them! I think it was a little smarter, a little wittier and much better acted than most chick flicks I've seen. Or at least the ones I've seen lately.

While I am most definitely a child of the 80's, I wasn't a crazy Alyssa Milano fan or anything. I've seen her recently on a few shows here and there and have come to better appreciate her style. She has some amazing chemistry with both male leads, but especially with Christopher Gorham (who plays adorable without even really trying). And the character of her brother, played by Tom Lenk, was a really nice choice of comic relief.

I read an interview with the writer/director, Daryn Tufts, and knew from the beginning that there was going to be something different about this film. He said he didn't want to do a typical romantic comedy. Just when I thought I had figured out the twist, I was surprised. (Maybe you are more astute than I, my brain is a little fuzzy right now with pollen and hormones.) It's on Netflix Instant Watch and it's rated PG. It's definitely a grown-up movie, not for kids, but other than a couple of mild instances of romantic innuendo, it had nothing objectionable on screen or language-wise.

Let me know if you enjoy it, too!

Small Prayer Request

My mom's dog passed away this morning. Tico was a Cocker Spaniel/ Shih-Tzu mix. I guess that makes him a CockerTzu. He was old and had some health problems, but this was rather unexpected and sudden. Could you offer a small prayer for my mom, Margaret, and her husband while they grieve the loss of this dear family friend? My children are also taking it very hard since Tico was their friend too and a favored attraction at Grammie's house.

Please pray...

...for Suzanne, her husband and all her precious little men as they wait during this difficult time of not knowing. May God grant them the peace of His all-knowingness and comfort during their time of wait.

St. David's Day Links

Here are some posts from the past with ideas for celebrating St. David (coming up on March 1) and his beloved Wales!

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant! (2010)

Daffodil Cake for St. David's Day  (2009)

Hylo; sut mae? (2007)

Coffee, Tea and Thee (2007)

Recipes can also be found over at Catholic Cuisine.

Lenten Preparations

Lent is a privileged time of interior pilgrimage towards Him Who is the fount of mercy.

~ Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2006

As you can see, these traditions have developed over time in our family. If this is your first year to try some activities to help your children embrace this meaningful season even more, I highly recommend choosing one or two to start with. See what works for your family and then add more if you'd like to.

Preparations

Lenten Reading Plans (2010)

Mardi Gras Cookie Masks (2010)

Shrove Tuesday (painted masks 2009)

Making Preparations (2007)

And he fasted forty days and forty nights
and afterward he was hungry...
Then the devil left him, and behold,
angels came and ministered to him.
Matt. 4:2, 11

Lenten Wreaths

We have one every year but it seems I have been remiss in taking pictures of them. The picture above is our most recent one from last year. Sometimes we use it by removing a thorn when we successfully complete and act of charity; other times it's just a visual reminder.
 Preparations - Part 3 (2007)

Lenten Calendars

Memory Lane (2010)

Shrove Tuesday (calendars 2009)

It Begins (2008)

Preparations - Part 2 (2007)

Saying Goodbye to the Alleluia

Wooden Letter Alleluia (2009)

Preparations - Final (2007)

Finished Alleluia Banner (2007)

Stations of the Cross

We try to make it to Mass on Friday and stay to pray stations afterwards with any of our homeschool friends who show up (weather permitting). The church has outdoor stations available only because of the group of elderly people who get together to pray the rosary after Mass. 

Here are some excellent resources for praying the Stations of the Cross for Children:

Jennifer Miller's printable versions

Domestic Church's Coloring Pages

Multimedia Presentation by Loyola Press

Activities

Lenten Cleaning (2009)

Clothespin Apostles (2009)

Friday Lenten Fun (2009)

Lenten Friday Fun *UPDATE (2008)

First Contestant (2008)

Easter Tree

Holy Week

Holy Week Traditions (2008)

Good Friday (2008)

Good Friday Reflections (2007)

Prayer Request

Patty is unselfishly asking for prayers, for her children especially, as the whole family suffers the loss of their little one. Please pray for them. Please offer any sacrifices you can for their healing and comfort. Patty is a brave woman and stronger than she believes, I know, but this is still a heavy burden to carry and much heavier when seen through the heart eyes of your children.

Signs of Spring

Caution: Anyone reading from north of Oklahoma might want to avert their eyes; if you must, you must. I'm not trying to rub our good weather in, but offer it as an opportunity to hope! :)

Songs on treetops

Blossoms on green

Sandals on scooters

Chalk on concrete

It's coming!

Patches?

I love Auntie Leila! She is the kind of lady I would love to spend a day in the kitchen with (her kitchen, of course)! I read her post about patching jeans and seriously sat in in wonder. Why have I never thought of that? What useless bit of trivia from a 3rd grade cootie catcher is hogging the brain cells I could have used to think of patching jeans. I am no professional seamstress but I can sew and it never even occurred to me to try to patch holey jeans... why not? 

Then I pulled out my mending pile, which just so happened to have two holey pairs of girlie jeans. And a light bulb turned on. It was a quick one too, not just one of those new twirly ones that takes a few minutes to warm up.

And then I re-read her post... DING DING DING!!! I don't patch jeans because turning them into shorts, is the way we do it around here for boys and girls alike.

And sometimes, we get a little funky with them!

Speaking of babies...

Melanie is on her way to the hospital with a little boy who has decided he just can't wait until Thursday to meet his amazing family. Can you blame him?

Urgent prayers for Melanie, Dom, baby Anthony and the doctors and staff caring for them all! Dom is also asking prayers for Melanie's sister, Theresa, who is taking care of the littles at home tonight. We hope they all sleep soundly (the kids, not the doctors).

Update: Melanie is on her way to the OR and Baby is on his way!

Update #2: Anthony Ignatius!Yay!

Babies, babies everywhere!

Patty has been so courageous and open during her highs and lows of early pregnancy.

Suzanne shared her good news! She's asking for prayers while she works on getting her progesterone levels up.

Now Kate is letting us in on her secret too!!!

Looks like September/October is shaping up to be full of expectations!

Details

Thank you all for your kind words and good wishes! For those of you who have been so kind to ask:

I am officially due on September 15th which is the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows. If you add nine days to that (since my other children were all born 9 days late) we get September 24th as my unofficial date. September 24th is the feast of Our Lady of Mercy and the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham (which commemorates a little known Marian shrine that has a very interesting history). I am trusting that Our Lady has her guiding hand on me during this pregnancy. She and St. Therese have been such powerful intercessors!

My current doctor, who did not deliver my other 4 children, was a little shocked to hear that they were all born nine days late. Maybe not shocked, but he was very curious about it. I guess it is a little odd.

My kids like to have a nickname for babies in utero, something non-gender specific and often times a little silly. I can't stand calling a wee little one "it". The pictures we brought home for them from the doctor's office showed the baby actual size and also magnified. When we pointed out that the actual size showed the baby to be about the size of one of their gummy bear vitamins, they immediately decided this little one should be known as "Gummi B." until we have an actual name. We will be finding out the baby's gender when we can!

I have to be honest and tell you that their initial reaction to our news was mixed. And I felt like the worst pro-life mom in the world! Aren't pro-life children supposed to jump up and down and cheer at the news of a new baby in the world?! There were some tears (theirs and mine), there was a lot of quiet. They were concerned about the baby's health until we reassured them but then they couldn't quite wrap their brains around being a group of five when they have been four for so long. You see, none of them remembers having a baby in the house. When BigBoy was born, the older three were 6, 5 and 3. They have vague recollections of his babyhood, but not many. When we pointed out to them that they have a good 7 1/2 months to get used to the idea of bringing a baby home, they felt much better!

I'm getting used to the idea that it's OK for them to feel unsure right now. I think I was wrong to expect them to be happy, thrilled, and excited right from the get go. It was like I was asking them to be happy, thrilled, and excited about turning 18 and going off to college. They can't even imagine that as a reality, how can they be expected to react to it? As we get closer to this baby's arrival, I think they will learn to imagine the reality and then the feelings of excitement will develop. Not surprisingly, it is the girls who are warming up to the idea the fastest with the youngest boy not trailing too far behind. The Professor has always done things on his own time schedule. We reminded him that he wasn't thrilled either when we told him we were rescuing a puppy, in fact, he was pretty opposed to the idea, but now, he gives her secret hugs and enjoys her crazy antics. He'll be fine.

Sleeping Beauties

I'm feeling OK. I try not to ever complain about my nausea because in the grand scheme of things it is such a little sacrifice to make for something so wonderful as a new baby. Besides, I have friends who clutch the toilet bowl the whole nine months. Now nauseousness is one of my least favorite sensations but the nausea that I have is nowhere near as debilitating as those sweet friends and it only tends to last the first few months. I can be a big girl and deal with that!

I have been experiencing some weird symptoms courtesy of the low dose progesterone I'm on. Because of my history of miscarriage and my early blood work, the doctor determined that I was a little on the low side and started me on it at about 6 weeks. Random dizzy/drowsy spells are really not fun, especially when you're driving! So far, they haven't lasted long and I should only be on it a few more weeks. Yay!

And for those of you who have kept us in prayer and plan to do so throughout this pregnancy... thank you, thank you, thank you! Your excitement, enthusiasm and love are the best gifts we could be given!

St. Valentine's Day in the evening

My favorite part of the day... homemade cards! These two are from BigBoy, aka...my Loverlove. The one with the puppies says "I love you more than a chocolate covered cream-filled donut". Husband cracked up when he saw the red one BigBoy left in his bag... "Dear Dad, thanks for helping me make Mom's card."

I hope your day has been filled with lots of love 

(and maybe a chocolate covered cream filled donut)!

St. Valentine's Day in the afternoon

 Of all the pretzel dots we have ever made, I gotta say that these made with plain Hershey kisses and Valentine themed peanut butter M&M's just might be our favorite. Pretzels, chocolate and peanut butter...what's not to love!? 

 The girls are cooing at how the pretzels look like hearts!

St. Valentine's Day in the morning

 Chocolate covered strawberries make an awesome breakfast treat! I'm just sayin'.

These were gifted to us and arrived on Friday. We hoped to save them until tonight but the berries got a little weepy yesterday. Breakfast to the rescue!

Past Valentine's posts here. Coloring page here.

Happy Feast of St. Valentine!

Cause of our joy

God of mercy,
we celebrate the feast of Mary, the sinless mother of God.
May her prayers help us to rise above our human weakness. Amen.

I don't know how to begin. I have a secret I've been keeping, holding dearly in my heart, sharing only with my sweetheart and some sweet prayer warriors. Last time I held something so small and yet so huge this close, I was terrified. But then terrifyingly wonderful turned to achingly miserable in a very short period of time.

We were heartbroken. The children were heartbroken. The world looked and felt a little gray for a while.

Then came this past Advent when I prayed for a mystical rose from St. Therese, placed myself in the hands of Our Blessed Mother most amiable and blossoms in pink and white exploded outside my door all through the great feast of Our Lord's birth and beyond. Next came the rich colors of gold and earthy brown along with the sensuous spices of Epiphany; from the Greek... epiphaneia. Manifestation... to make known. This epiphany brought with it a drop of pure sunshine in the bitter cold as the news of a new soul was made known to us.

We were, of course, anxious. We've been disappointed before. But with this manifestation, something else was made known, a gift in the form of a whisper... it's gonna be alright. God is good always. Whatever happened, in sorrow or in joy, we truly believed... it was going to be alright.

It began as a whisper in my head that became the beating of my heart. I heard it in my most anxious moments when tears burned and lungs gasped. I heard it from my sweetheart when he knew I needed it most. I heard it from the mouths of my prayer guardians as they lifted me up when I felt low. I needed them to pray for me. I found my prayers were not really prayers at all, but demands. A honey-do list of my willfulness. I stopped praying. I started listening. And after a few more fretful weeks, those words were spoken out loud to us, sitting in that office, the same office where there were once tears of sorrow... now tears of gladness. This baby is dancing, just wiggling for joy, with a heart full of hope beating just for us! It's gonna be alright!

(I'm not going to force it on you but if you've never heard this song, 
please take a listen. I have been listening to it quite a bit 
and hope you find it as inspiring.)

P.S. Our appointment was supposed to be last Thursday, but the ice and snow kept us at home and, perhaps, affected my temperament just a bit. :)

So...

Him: Mom, a button popped off my flannel shirt!

Me: Sounds like it's time for you to learn how to sew on a button.

Sew he did!

Sunshine's Yarning Along

I don't really have anything on the hook right now, but Sunshine is most excited about her newest project and asked if she could participate in Miss Ginny's Yarn Along and Giveaway (especially when she saw the give away yarn called "Princess"). She had her very first sock knitting class yesterday or "two hours of sitting and clicking" as The Professor put it. He was actually very patient along with the other two. We spent the time discussing the Renaissance, playing a first grade version of Scrabble and reading, which helped pass the time but we will need more distraction for next time.

Miss Trudy was very impressed with Sunshine's attitude and desire to learn and will be very pleased to see that she has already accomplished her "homework" for next week... she started her second sock completely on her own!

As you can see, pink is her favorite color. If she ever marries I'm sure her colors will be blush and bashful! And she apparently has the same subconscious talent for coordinating her reading material and knitting material. This yarn is Cascade Yarns Pacific number 18. The pattern is the sock pattern her teacher gave her. The book is Nancy Drew's The Crooked Banister. Sunshine says she's read this one a couple of times and while it's not her favorite Nancy Drew, she likes it!