Insanity That Calls Itself Sane

Well, there seems to be much talk of the Snickers Super Bowl ad. I don't understand why there's all the fuss. I myself sat on my couch with my husband and our children watching the game. (I concede this to him out of love - I HATE football) The Snickers ad ran and I turned to Tim and said "well that's typical! how disgusting! Snicker Co. should be ashamed of themselves!" Yet, it wasn't surprising either. T.V. is filled with these types of crude and juvenile attempts at humor, not to mention the overabundance of erotic sexual images that are used even in TIRE commercials for goodness sakes!! I don't even care to discuss the "gay activists' outrage" here. Give me a break! Frankly, I'm sick to death of hearing about how "outraged" they are. If I go any further I will be lead into sin ....this is one area I continually fail at practicing the virtues of charity and patience. I need to work on that.


The house here has been filled with much coughing and nose blowing as of late so school's been cut way back to allow for plenty of lay around and do nothing time. This, although very anxiety inducing for me, (I'm constantly thinking about how "far behind" we're getting) also allows me the positive of being able to READ. My current book is Bishop Sheen's Life Is Worth Living. Last night I read his chapter titled Misplaced Infinite. Thinking about all the current SICKNESS of our modern culture - the distortion of sex and human sexuality, the abuse of children, the corporate greed, the materialism, the lack of concern for the poor, the violence, the outright rejection of God. I could go on but I think it should be obvious to anyone that the way things stand currently in the world today is NOT the way God intended us to live. The Bishop's words on this topic are so clear that I had an "Ah-Ha" moment on my couch as I read. He breaks things down so simply that even a simpleton catholic housewife like me can understand. (thick sarcasm) Here is a part of the chapter. Let me note here that I omit the first part which was a description of normal living. Bishop Sheen goes on to then describe abnormal living...




To illustrate abnormal living, draw a line across the original design:This represents man cutting himself off from God and proclaiming his own sufficiency. But man cannot live without a god; that is impossible. The infinite haunts him constantly. So he has to make his own gods.

These gods are generally three. The first god is his own body. Sexual pleasure then becomes the supreme goal of life and ultimate happiness. From that point on, he attempts to compensate for a want of eternal divine destiny by the intensity of his erotic experiences.

My comments: I see this not only manifested in our obsession with all things sexual, but in our culture obsession with all things physical generally. We are fixated on our health. Eat healthy exercise etc. We take it to an extreme it seems. All this focus on rock hard abs and a "good butt" may be innocent enough if we had an equal focus on our spiritual health as well. But we do not. We seem to chase down the illusive "healthy lifestyle" without ever once considering the health of our immortal soul! The Bishop continues...

Other men make a god of their minds through egoism and pride and the exaltation of the ego: "There is no knowledge outside of what I know; there is no law outside of my own will. I must always be pleased."

The body, made its own limit, becomes sex; the mind made its own limit, becomes egotism; the things, denied an extra-earthly relationship, become the source of greed. Civilization then becomes a conflict of individual egotisms, each one affirming his own will - only to have it challenged by his neighbor. From this result jealousies, bickerings, slanders, class conflict, and war.

My comments: A line comes to mind that is like nails on a chalkboard as they say - "well, as long as he/she is happy then..." or "Whatever makes you happy...as long as you're not hurting anyone" AHHHHHHH! There is almost nothing I hate to hear more. It is just this type of egoism and pride that the Bishop refers to I think. People will deny it whole heartily (many Christians I know included) but their actions betray them. They may say that God is their god but really they are their own god and God must conform to Their will or He wouldn't be a very "compassionate" god then would He? The Bishop continues...

The third substitute god men make for the true God is the material: wealth, avarice, business, and greed. The true infinite is replaced by the false infinite of "more". Being naked on the inside, such men attempt to cover their nudity by a vain display or aggrandizement of externals, thinking they are worth something because they have something.

To indicate how man, once he has broken connections with the heavens above, locks himself in his own false temple with his own false god, draw a circle around body, mind, and things, which become misplaced infinities. ...the unhappiness of man comes from adoration of the three concupiscences: the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and abnormal love of the world.

My comments: The third substitute of God being material I think is one we often pass off on those "rich old white men who run the world". But in truth it is something we all should take a closer look at in our own lives. Do we hoard our earthly possessions out of fear? Are we truly charitable or do we give our "token" charity to "qualify" as a Christian. Don't we all get wrapped up in the newest and latest trends at times? I know myself that I've had to actively resist this pull to HAVE in order to feel satisfied.

Also, the phrase "abnormal love of the world" immediately brings to mind all this fuss over "global warming" and how we are evil destroyers and we overpopulate the earth etc. I love nature as much as anybody. But I also temper that love of the natural world with a trust in God and His plans and a knowledge that man made in God's image and given an immortal soul is infinitely more valuable than a tree or an owl.

My Dad

Dad was over here the other day. He played his newly burned cd in our kitchen and danced with the kids non stop. He lifted and twirled and shook each excited grandchild and then he did it again and again. Oh, how my kids LOVE their Poppy! "he's so fun!" they say...Yes, yes Poppy is fun. But, Poppy is also my dad and he's been a good dad to me as well! NOw, I know that when he reads this he'll fall out of his chair after reading that last sentence. But he shouldn't! Because, despite all our fighting and bickering over the years one thing SHOULD be clear to him by now. I DO LOVE HIM a lot! Dad, isn't perfect and hed'd be the first to tell me I'm not either. Thanks for always keeping me humble dad...But, he does have three qualities which stand out above the rest and really make me proud to call him Dad. He has ajoy and passion for the small pleasures in life and he embraces them with everything he's got. He loves food, good music, laughter, a well organized garage, a perfectly packed suitcase....and he finds GREAT JOY in these little things. Second, he loves all children, especially his grandchildren. He doesn't love them in an ordinary grandpa way but he loves them whole heartedly for the unique little persons they are! Lastly, he wants the best for his family and will go to great lengths to secure it if that's within his power. He is generous and giving and he does this because he wants to provide the best he can for those he loves. The last picture is of dad giving his speech at our wedding. I remember it well. It was unscripted but heartfelt. Dad spoke of the hard work that marriage requires and he cried as he gave it - He wanted the BEST for Tim, and me and little Morgan - and it came from the heart! That's just DAD! He's ALL heart!

Happy Birthday Tim

Born to Cheryl and Alvin February 6, 1972.














Little brother to Troy. (Holdin' hands)




















Growing into a handsome young boy.
















Becoming the cocky stud baseball player I met...























Together at the apt. in Carbondale. You were my rock!














Then you became a DADDY!





















Then you became a DADDY again!




Got a "knee injury" sledding with the girls.








You became a DADDY two more times with the arrivals of Collin and Monica!
















Our house has gotten quite crazy - but there's always lots of laughter!!!!



















I am so glad to share the craziness with YOU!!!



Happy Birthday Tim!

I love YOU!!!

Homeschool Co-Op

Last semester the kids and I participated in our local Catholic Homeschool Co-Op. We had a blast! It met every Friday.

We'd go to mass then eat breakfast. Then there were three class periods. I taught one period and babysat the little ones the other two periods. I taught Drama, 3rd and 4th grade. I had the kids research a saint and then create their own monologue for that saint. For example Morgan chose St. Joan of Arc and her monologue was a speech given to the troops just before going out to battle the English. Others chose John the Baptist preaching, St Francis talking with the wolf, St. Therese using a portion of her diary entry, and St. Catherine Laboure describing her vision. After many classes of preperation and practice we ended the semester with a performance in costume in front of the rest of the Co-Op.

I was really proud of all the kids. They came out of their shells and really performed! Well, my kids all come naturally shell -less due to their mom's big mouth but the rest of the kids really came around - I was impressed. We won't be returning this semester sadly. This pregnancy has really got me sick sick sick. I just need a break from the "running around" until I feel better. It's a shame though, 'cause my kids(especially Morgan and Mary) really liked being with the other kids and sharing the school experience. That's the one thing I due feel badly about at times. In the best of circumstances there can be a great "team spirit" when a group of peers gets together to do something or achieve some goal. It's been a long, lonely, dark winter. We don't get out much and that leaves it just us - just me and my four to "bond" together. Thankfully spring is just around the corner and soon we'll be out more and seeing familar faces once again.

Uncle Mike Holdin' Mary Grace

Just was thinkin' about Uncle Mike today...it comes and it goes - the missing and the remembering...this picture brings back good memories....

Always Behind the Camera Never in Front

This is one of the very few photos I'm actually IN WITH my girls...like all moms I know we are always taking the photos and so consequently we are rarely IN them.

Christ Going to Battle

I found this image of Christ leading his soldiers into battle. I have to admit I always love seeing Him like this - as a warrior for Truth leading us all into battle against the enemy. It is not an image that is seen very often. We see Him suffering or as a gentle shepherd, or as a heavenly King off in the clouds. I do like to see Him in these ways as well, but there is something very comforting about seeing Him as a warrior leading us into battle - I feel LED and that's a feeling I don't get very often these days. People want to be LED too. I wish our bishops would fashion themselves after THIS IMAGE more than the others. We need that right now.

It's JESUS in the Confessional

More Examples - "Pro-Choice" Marchers

How sad that the mom wearing the ultrasound picture feels she did something heroic...black is white and bad is good. Everything is turned upside down these days... Women don't see their ability to have children as a privilege but rather a tool to use to produce a commodity. If the commodity will bring a good "return" on the market, then I will choose to suffer the burden of pregnancy. If the commodity cannot live up to its potential "value" then I can terminate it and just "produce" another one...We have become machines who produce instead of the dignified women the feminist claim we should be treated as. Instead of RAISING our dignity and our command for respect, they have turned us into EXACTLY what they have claimed they are fighting all along - OBJECTS who can be used for pleasure and then discarded. Can't they see that this illusion of "choice" has objectified them MORE not LESS? AH! It is so frustrating...Open the eyes of their hearts Lord and let them see rightly. Amen.



















YOU MUST TRY TO LINK HERE
http://smokwawelski.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-msm-wont-show-you-march-for-life.html
This blogger has two videos that are FANTASTIC to watch on this same subject!

WARNING - the ugliness and offensiveness that is a part of the "pro-choice" marches

I've intentionally kept these photos small. If they are hard to see and read then just click on the image and you can see it larger. I hesitated to post these before because they may offend some people. But I think that they are important to see. Although they are a fraction of the marchers at these rallies I freely ADMIT, notice that they are NOT compelled by the less hostile marchers to get rid of these offensive signs or to leave the march all together. Shouldn't our "Catholic" politicians who vote "pro-choice" see these photos and know that they are helping to forward the agenda of people like this? I doubt they care... But I care and I hope that these people's hearts will be softened and their eyes opened...

12 Weeks - 10 Little Toes

Our Lady of Guadalupe help us to embrace each little one that is sent to us no matter what the circumstances. When life is difficult - help us. When we are afraid - comfort us. When we begin to despair - show us your Son - Jesus - for He is Mercy itself. Mother of all Mothers help all women to see motherhood as an awesome mystery and miracle. Amen

Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

Soldiers

Want to see a moving photo? Go to http://mydomesticchuch.blogspot.com and scroll down until you find a photo of a soldier holding a small girl against him in a chair. The attached story is touching. Personally I feel that our military men are some of the last good men we've got left in this country! I get very defensive of all the criticism they seem to unfairly be subjected to. Whatever your position may be on the Iraq situation - our soldier ARE doing more GOOD than bad. They are honorable men in a less than honorable world to say the LEAST!

These three pics are from some of the anti-war rallies that take place. Notice the hatred of Jews, the self-loathing, and the real agenda which is not to negotiate but to conquer us - the Infidels! The spineless socialists and psuedo - commies that attend these rallies are signing their own death warrants by joining the ranks of those who at the first opportunity would sooner cut off their heads than "TOLERATE" their hedonism and self indulgence.

Morgan's B-day - With Mom and Dad

Can anyone guess what's going on in this photo?

Collin is gleefully trying to blow out Morgan's candles.

Mom, is holding up her hand and saying "No, Collin"

Morgan is NOT happy about having to share her candle blowing!