Bishop Sheen on Lonliness

I LOVE This Man!!!

I pray daily to Bishop Sheen. I listen to him on Relevant Radio at 9am daily too. Each day I marvel at him and love him more...

Men and Women

How Women Speak Part 1 of 3 - This is Alison Armsttrong. She has set out to study men and to pin down why and how the sexes are different. This is so essential I believe and I am only recently "getting" just how truly different we are. Her "research" dovetails very well with The Theology of the Body from JPII. her web site understandmen.com is very insightful...
I learned of Alison from Dennis Prager's show and I must say again how much I miss hearing his daily show - that darn 560am for moving his show!!!

marriage 'unnecessary'

I found this article linked from lifesite.net and couldn't agree more with the conclusion drawn by McManus. There is a real problem in our culture with a negative attitude about mariage. This negative attitude can be found both in single people and in those who are married too! Sure there are a lot of reasons people have for their belief that marriage is "unnecessary" but I believe some of that has to do with the failure of our church (little 'c' not big 'c') to emphasize the true value and meaning of marriage. Once the vows have been taken is not the time to start growing in one's understanding of the matter either! We need to be teaching our young people WELL in ADVANCE about the differences between the sexes, the NEED we have for one another, and the absolute NEED we have for marriage!

44 percent find marriage 'unnecessary' (OneNewsNow.com):

"McManus believes the church shares some of the blame for this trend. 'Churches really aren't very 'marriage-minded' -- they're 'wedding-minded.' They are equipped to be able to help couples have weddings, but they really don't know how to build marriages,' he argues. 'The problem is the pastors are picking safe subjects, and they're avoiding the subjects that could help us learn how to build relationships that can go the distance.'
The pro-marriage advocate expects similar survey results in the future if churches do not do a better job promoting the benefits of marriage and exposing the pitfalls of cohabitation."

From This to That (x5) to This Again - Is It Possible?

I need to get in shape. I must have said that a million times by now. In college I ran daily and lifted weights regularly. Somehow I was able to stay thin regardless of my binge drinking. Most likely it's because I was in my 20's and I smoked instead of eating too.
Now13 years later and five kids later I am a much healthier, happier person, but also a much softer plumper person too! Ripped abs? What's that? Perky breasts? Ya right agter nursing 5 - I don't thinks so!
Long runs and hours at the gym are impossible now. I'm lucky if I can get through 20 minutes on the tread mill in the good ol' basement without some little person saying "Mommy, I need ______ or can you _____ right now?"
Do you kids understand the concept of "leave me alone?" NOOOOOOO!! they don't. Gone are the days when I my only concern was how little my bikini could be to minimize tan lines. God forbid I have tan lines! Now just the thought of a bikini sends me into a cold sweat!!! I even gag a little just thinking of it.
It's not that I'm out right repulsive but I sure as heck am a far cry from the girl in the 1st and 3rd pictures.
I don't need to be her anymore either but I would love to have the private alone time in my life to work out and feel good again.
I don't know how I'll achieve that as of yet but that's my resolution for 2008. I will try to MAKE the time to make me feel good again - maybe not bikini good but at least shorts and tank top good!!! I've got 4 mths...

Morgan's Bowling Party

Morgan's birthday is December 27th. We have cake together as a family on the day of but anything planned with friends comes later. Morgan had wanted a fancy dinner party very elegant and formal but I KNOW that what she imagined in her dreams could not be made a reality and so I talked her into going bowling instead. That's a radical departure from a formal dinner in fine apparel eh? No dresses and flowers just borrowed shoes and lots of hand sanitizer! Actually everyone had a great time. I love bowling myself but I decided to just watch the girls and opt out this time. Once again I sure wished Kelly and the kids could be here with us - it really stinks to have only one sister and have her live across the Atlantic!

Christmas Morning

"It's Christmas!, It's Christmas!" the children shout gleefully. "shhhhhhhhh....yes yes we know" Tim and I say in return with about as much enthusiasm as Ben Stein. "Be quiet and get back in your rooms and don't come out until I come and get you ok?" It's 6am and that means I've gotten all of about 5 hours of sleep. But I won't make the same mistake we made last year. We told the kids to go back to their rooms and give us 10 minutes to get up and get ready. We drifted off back to sleep and awoke to the sounds of joyful yelling and high five-ing coming from downstairs. By the time we got halfway down the stairs the kids were racing towards us with UNWRAPPED gifts in hand saying "look what I got!, look what I got!" AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Of course we KNEW what they got! But what we live for, what makes it all worth it is that momentary split-second look they have when they unwrap and see their wished for gift for the first time!!!! And.......we missed it!! BRATS all of them! Morgan was the ring leader last year and so this year I kept special care not to let her escape from her room. I threw on some pants and shook Tim's shoulder. "Get up get up remember last year?!" "You kids stay right where you are, hold your hands high where I can see them. Don't make a move." Mom and dad had spent the night and so we had to wait for them to get ready as well. I make a big deal about being prepared to see the unveiling of the gifts because there are literally only 4 gifts to "unveil" Each child only gets 1 gift each and so there's no long drawn out process of unwrap-squeal with glee-show off-on to the next one- repeat, repeat, repeat... We let Monica go first - a baby crib and baby stroller (ok so I bent the one gift rule for her but they came together...) Then Collin - 2 guns (again, they went together kind of...) Then Mary Grace - her own camera. Then Morgan - a guitar. It lasted all of five minutes. There aren't any presents for Tim and I. None for mom and dad either. That's it - that's all folks!! But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. The materialism and consumerism of this culture are corrupting kids. It's a sickness almost. Our kids have PLENTY and going overboard just makes them self-centered and shallow. Hopefully they'll look back on their Christmas 's and remember the fun we had together and the great breakfasts we ate and how much we laughed together and not feel like we begrudged them the "stuff" they might have wanted.

Christmas Eve

"Back in the day" we used to do the very traditional Italian Christmas Eve...lots of pasta, lots of fish/seafood, and lots of Italians gathered together to eat, argue and criticize one another with much love and affection of course! But, as time passes families gow and then they branch out on their own splitting off from the original group it seems. Today everybody goes their own way and the parties are smaller, more tame, and with a lot less fuss. Tim and I hosted this year. Mostly because we have 5 children one of which is just a little bity and we don't like dragging them here, there, and everywhere if we can help it. Tim and I enjoy hosting gatherings like this. Tim's a great cook and I'm not too shabby myself (but it all depends on who you ask). I made mostaciolli cookies and biscotti - very Italian...Uncle Dave, Aunt Linda, mom and dad, brought food too. One of these years I'm gonna try to make Auntie Virginia's home made ravioli from scratch. But I need to get a pasta maker first. (You know the thingy that rolls out the dough to the right thickness ) I really wish Kelly were here to do that sort of thing with. We could banish the kids from the kitchen, put in both leafs for the table, cover it in flour and spend the day making ravioli, drinking wine, and laughing our asses off. (Too bad I can't really laugh my ass off - that'd be a hell of a lot more fun than jogging on the tread mill...)
Speaking of which - I'd better dust it off (again) and start running cause I was a BAD girl this Holiday season and I STILL need to lose the pregnancy weight!!!!!!! Yes, yes, Christopher is only 4 mths. old but I have an irrational fear of being labeled "that fat stay-at-home mom with all those kids!" I'd much rather be known as "that mom of five - can you believe it!!??- she looks great!" I'm about 25 lbs away from THAT commentary... so it looks like salad and jogging are in my future...

Theology of the Body for Teens

Shouldn't every parish consider this? I sure wish The Theology of the Body would sweep across this nation. It would radically change how we relate to one another!!!

10 YEARS AGO TODAY

Ten years ago today I became a mother.
Well, actually I had already been a mother for the nine months prior as far as I'm concerned. Any how, Morgan Marie was born. Tim was at my side and mom was there in the room with me as well.
I remember the exact moment I first saw her. The doctor handed her to me and she laid on my chest like she is in this picture. I was overwhelmed by the immediate flood of love I felt for her. I was in shock. That very moment I felt a love I'd never known before and it was amazing to me.
Tim and I would struggle and grow and learn. We would sacrifice anything, set aside any selfish desire, persevere through any test or trial...all for the sake of this one little girl. Morgan was the spark that started us on a journey to find our way back to the great flame of love - God Himself. Morgan was my unplanned salvation. She set me on a path I know I would have otherwise missed because of my blindness. Jesus truly does meet you where you're at. Through Morgan a place in my heart was so stirred I finally realized I could not rest until I rested in Him. I must live for God if I intend to be a mother to this precious little girl...
I've learned so much in the past 10 years. If I had to summarize I'd say this:
1. God loves us so much. I've got a much better understanding of this since becoming a parent myself. Sure we can live without recognizing this love but life is so sad and empty without it.
2. Love means sacrifice. No sacrifice - no love - period. This plays out in big ways but more often it plays itself out in a thousand small ways. I most likely will not be called to die for the sake of my children. But love demands I die a thousand little deaths each day for them.
3. You can't parent from the couch. You can't give directions, advice, instructions, or shout out reprimands. You must go there, be there, in their face ALL THE TIME. You must model everything and repeat, repeat, repeat...
4. You can always count on the Blessed Mother. Always. Even when youaren't faithful and you skip out on the rosary...if you go to her in desperate need she will NOT fail you. So pray the family rosary. You can always count on mom.
5. Laugh - A lot! If you can't laugh at yourself and the crazy stuff parenthood demands then you're screwed.
6. Marriage is ALL ABOUT family. God makes us man and wife exactly because children MUST HAVE THIS. No if's, and's or but's about it I need Tim and he needs me, and our child needs us.

So those are the major things I've learned. I'm still learning of course! Morgan is always teaching me. I am amazed at her joyfullness about life. She loves life! She is curious and excited with everything around her. She is creative and extremely thoughtful. She seeks out the good in everyone and gives others the benefit of the doubt. She is sensitve and has a thirst for the spiritual. She has more insight into spiritual matters than most 10 year olds I know. She is not fake in any way. She is the most genuine person I know. She's a constant reminder to me of God's awesome love for His children. She is living proof that God meets you where ever you are and stretches out His hand saying "I love you. I love you. Come with me." Morgan, thank you for being that proof. More importantly thanks for being such a great daughter and big sister. You are without a doubt a blessing to dad and me from God.

Watch My 2007 in Pictures

Click here - 2007 From Start to Finish - PhotoShow Circle
to watch the photo show I made to take a look back at 2007. I must warn you it is a loooooooong show! I found it extremely difficult to cut out photos...I wanted so badly to use ALL of them! What can I say I'm a photo freak of sorts!!!! Time sure is flying by! I hate it! Morgan is 10 years old TODAY! I'll post about my firstborn little girl later...

They've landed!!

This is the e-mail I received from mom...


"kris this was a real pain in the neck. nothing has been simple so far. we arrived late. had trouble finding the borgo convent too. we already visited st.peters and tried to find a internet cafe. that was tuff too. finally we ended up here and met this genorous lady who is letting us use her keyboard here. i hope we find our way tomorrow. i doubt if i can get another email to you without a lot of trouble please pray that things go smooother for us im sooooo tired.
please pray for us love from mom amd morgan i miss you! morgan. give everybody a hug. xoxxooo"


I have no idea where they e-mailed this from. I didn't know if I could e-mail back - so I didn't. I hope things get better for them. I know how tired mom must be. I'm thankful they've arrived ok. Sure hope the lesson I gave them on how to use my camera has stuck with them. They'll be back on the 20th - I can't wait!!!!

Anxiety Rises to New Heights!!

Time to break out the pie tins and the mixing bowls - Let the baking begin!
Why? because that's what I do when I'm nervous and anxiety filled!
I bake my fears away...

Today while playing hide and seek Morgan was hiding under the basement stairs. Mary Grace thought it'd be cute to pinch her big sis's butt at that moment...Morgan flew up and forward at lightening speed and nailed herself right between the eyes with the bottom of the wooden stairs. It was literally a 2x4 between the eyes!!!

So, she's off to Rome with the bridge of her nose swelled to 3x its normal size and soon to come 2 black eyes...these pics I took were today. But things like this always "peak" on day 2 or 3!! As if I wasn't nervous enough already I had to be reminded of how clumsy and at times flaky Morgan can be...so I bake...I've already made a super sized tray of apple slices tonight and I'm sure there'll be more to come. God help me!

5 Days Until Morgan Leaves for Italy...

How did time fly by so quickly? I can't believe my little baby girl is soon to be flying over the Atlantic WITHOUT ME!!! You might say that I should take comfort in the fact that she'll be traveling with my mom. I do. But it doesn't help to take away the sting that's burning inside me the past few days...She's grown up so quickly. It all seems to be going by way too fast. I don't like it. Not one bit!! I wish I could freeze frame and keep her small and right beside me ALWAYS. Saying I find it hard to let go is a major understatement. I just want to hang onto her with all my might forever and it seems that time has a different plan. Time keeps on passing and she keeps on growing and changing and consequently keeps inching her way further and further away from mom. I am proud of my little curly headed girl. She is beautiful, and sweet, and full of charisma.

I KNOW that she will LOVE Rome! She is so excited. She keeps chatting away about this saint and that saint and this relic and that..."Maybe I'll see the pope mom!" she says skipping through the kitchen. "That'd be great Morgan!" I say trying to be enthusiastic and hide all my worries and anxiety from her. Please pray for Morgan and mom as they head to Vatican City in 5 days!!! I'd like to say that there'll be lots of pictures posted but probably not. Mom's not a fan of digital cameras and I'm not sure if I should send mine with Morgan to keep charge of...she's growing up yah, but come on she's still a kid too. You think I should just risk it ans send my camera with her anyhow? There's GOTTA be pics from Rome right? Well, I've got 5 days to think it over...

The Human Experience Grassroots Films

I MUST MUST MUST see this film!!!! Check it out yourself...

A Soldier's Silent Night

God is a Mystery

Today my cousin Jennifer died. She had been battling problems with her liver for a long while. She was the only daughter of my cousin Susie. She had beuatiful fair skin and black hair. The last time I saw her was last year at my uncle Al's funeral. I didn't even recognize her. She was forever a five-year old in my mind's eye. But there I saw her a beautiful woman who was sweet and kind and joyful. Jenny was not a huge part of my life because she grew up in Florida. But from the few experiences I had with her and from the many stories I have come to know about her I feel a great amount of love for her.
She is also the grandaughter of my beloved aunt Bonnie who passed away from cancer. I have written about her as well on this blog.
I cannot imagine the pain my cousin Susie is going through. She, like me, was an unwed mother...Jenny was her little miracle baby! She was Susie's only daughter - only child! How a mother wants to protect and help her child. Yet, Susie was powerless...I know that everyone was praying very hard for a miracle. Yet, God decided to take Jenny. She studied music. She had a beautiful voice. In fact she sang at my beloved grandmother's funeral mass...
My uncle Tom and aunt Bonnie have a beautiful family - four girls and a boy. They also have many beautiful grandchildren. But the family has now lost its matriarch, Bonnie, and this lovely voice and soul, Jenny. They will persevere because they have faith. They will lean on the Lord. I will pray for them. I ask you to say a prayer for them as well. Jenny was a beautiful devoted daughter and granddaughter. She lived her life with joy despite her suffering and pain. She was called to be with Jesus. I had a very intense image come to me last night as I reflected on all of this. The image was of Jenny in a beautiful bridal gown. She looked radiant! I couldn't help imagining her walking with a white gown flowing behind her, beautiful music playing, grandma and aunt Bonnie standing along the way watching her and smiling. She held her own heart all aglow in her hands as her bouquet and when she reached the altar their stood Jesus with outstretched arms ready to accept his little bride and her heart all aglow with love just for Him. What a beautiful bride my cousin Jennifer was. Now she will celebrate at an eternal banquet. Jenny was only 24.

***Jenny is the little girl with long black curls, the young woman holding the picture frame, the young girl in pink,and the baby in her mother's arms in these pictures.

I love Dennis Prager

Here's some stuff by one of my favorite Jews (second to Jesus Himself of course!)

Townhall.com::Excitement Deprives Children of Happiness::By Dennis Prager: " That is why the frequent complaint of 'I'm bored' is often a sign of a jaded child, i.e., a child addicted to excitement and therefore incapable of enjoying life when not being excited. All this excitement in their lives bodes poorly for the future happiness of millions of American children. Real life, let alone daily life, will seem so boring to them that they will not be able to enjoy it. And more than a few of them will opt for lives of constant excitement, often in ways destructive to themselves and others."

I miss listening to Dennis since the local radio station moved him to 11pm...he has a lot of wisdom to offer.

This holiday season makes me realize how spoiling our kids can actually HURT them! I like to think that Tim and I don't go "overboard" this time of year. We try to keep things in perspective and make it more about Jesus and less about all the "STUFF"!

Love More

I love my kids. I love them more than they'll ever know. But that's not as it should be. They SHOULD know how much I love them!! Often I get way too wrapped up in the particulars of the household. I rage over mounds of laundry and I cry over spilt milk and juice and lemonade...I say "hurry up" way too much. I say "you're a great kid!" way too little.

I do have great kids! Each one is unique and special. I must try harder to show them, each one of them, that I know that to be true. I need to walk the walk more - LOVE MORE! What good does it do me to be a "good catholic" if I'm not LOVING my little ones as much or better said, HOW I should be loving them? I will try to slow down more and really SEE them for who they are. I will enJOY them and enJOY their laughter, silliness, and experiences more fully.

Morgan my sensitive sports loving oldest. She'd love to act on stage and write her own scripts. Mary Grace my little pistol! She has a tender little heart for babies and animals, taking care of them so well - but boy oh boy don't piss her off or she'll make you live to regret it! (so much like her mother) Collin my sweetheart. He's a hugger and a kisser and a big compliment giver. Monica a silly face making smarty. She catches on to everything the big ones show her and she makes the silliest faces to go with her squeaky little voice. Christopher - you're a happy happy baby! Smiling and giggling already!!


I will LOVE MORE!!!! They deserve it!!