Marriage is....

Marriage is between ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN!  That is God's design and that's how it is.

Men can make all kinds of laws and rules and say whatever they like. Just because they say it is this way doesn't mean it's TRUTH.  TRUTH is one man and one woman. That is all I have to say on this today.

Check out: For Your Marriage.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something.

Church and Little Ones

My kids, being teens, now are not so little. However, I remember what it's like to have little ones. I remember what it's like feeling overwhelmed. I remember.....

Reading many comments over the years about a churches lack of babysitting, nursery, or even children church makes me sad. Reading comments from mothers stating what's the point of going (to church) if there is no child care of some kind.

Listen! I get it! My kids, if you remember, are 10 months apart. I remember what it was liked to spending most of the Mass outside the main sanctuary, because of a noisy baby, diaper changes, etc.  Some Sundays it seemed like the kids double tagged me.

Sigh... What's the point of going to church? The point is being there, even if you feel overwhelmed, out of touch, and dealing with fussy baby or wiggly toddler is feeding your soul. You might not feel like it, but it is.

Yes, it's fustrating to have to deal with a little one. Yes, it would be nice to just sit in church and not have to deal with a little one, but your child needs to be there as much as you do.  How else are they going to learn what is expected of them if they aren't there? 

You might be overwhelmed in that moment, but if you take a deep breath and accept that this is just a season, it gets better.  If you take a deep breath and remind yourself it's just for today, it gets better.  Once this season is over you will be thankful and better for it.  Seasons come and go.....

Some tips to make it a little smoother:

1. It's a season, soon enough it will be over and a new season started.

2. If you haven't already adjust your expectations to match your child's age and abilities.

3. Bring quiet activities for your child to do. This is especially helpful for those toddler/preschool years.

4. It's OKAY if you spent most of the Mass outside the main sanctuary, because of the kids. Know that even though it doesn't feel like it your soul has been feed.

5. While you are there to feed your soul, it's really not about what you get out of it; It's about what you put into it.

6. Your efforts now to start sharing Mass with your children, even as babies and toddlers, will show in the later years.

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One More First Communion Picture

I just wanted to share one more picture with all of you. My DS was blessed with being able to say the prayers of the faithful during the Mass. Of course I did NOT take this picture during the Mass itself. However, I did take a moment before Mass to having my DS "pose" for the camera, as if He was saying the prayers....

First Communion

It was a LONG and busy day, clothing to get dress in, meals to be made, arriving on time, and just enjoying the moment. I was busy directing the kids when to go up that I actually missed the moment my DS received Holy Communion for the first time. However, I was beaming ear to ear when my DS answered Father's question. Father during his homily (sermon) today talked about the Last Supper and had asked the children a few questions. DS rose his hand with such confidence that Father couldn't help but call on him. :) DS had the "correct" answer! I was a little nervous about it, but that's okay, I think as mothers we get nervous for our children.

After Mass we took some pictures of the whole family:I can't believe that she, my mom, wore the same shirt:She's lucky that it was my DS big day! Gosh, the nerve of some people! When we realized we were wearing the same shirt, just different colors, Mom went on and on how she must be "hip" because she can dress "young". I just turned to her and said "Or my style is just OLD!" Oh, I had to run and hide after a remark like that, because I got that Mom stare, oh you know what that Mom Stare is! I don't have to tell you what that means! (It's all good now we laughed about it; and was laughing then)

At the end of the day DS is happy! And that is all that matters. Thank-You to everyone that kept him and our family in their prayers today.

First Communion

Those of you that have been following my blog for a while know that my DS has been preparing to receive First Communion. Today and yesterday we have been doing those final preps that needs to be done, buying outfits, clothing, shoes, stockings, etc. We also made it a point today to stop in at church to receive reconciliation. So we've been busy the last few days.

My DS picked out his own clothing and I must say I'm happy with his choices! DD even got a new dress for the occasion. I'm going to be wearing some slacks that I already had, but I went and bought myself some new shoes and shirt to wear with my slacks. Luckily for us, DH wears "dress" clothing for work, so he didn't need anything NEW. LOL

I have added a picture of the children's outfits for the day. I got DS outfit a 4 piece shirt, pants, vest and tie at JcPenny's for $20. I got DD dress at TJmax for $10 and my new shirt/blouse at walmart for $15. It really sucks when the shoes cost MORE then the clothing! Shoes today (3 pairs) cost $55 at playless. However we are all ready now, especially seeing we also went to confession today!! DS, even decided it was best to receive reconciliation today as well!!! (He had received his first reconciliation in January)

So we are now officially counting down the days to DS's first communion. The first communion Mass is going to be Saturday April 4th @ 2:00 pm @ our church!!! Congrats to my DS!!!



The one thing you may have noticed about the outfits is that DS's shirt is NOT white. It's blue with a white collar and white cuffs. To be honest, I'm okay with that. It looked really nice on him and he's going to look just fine when receiving communion.

DD dress looks more yellow in the picture then it really is. Her dress is actually a green. It also has flowers (white) and darker greens along the bottom and flowers around the waist. For whatever reason no matter how I took the picture the dress came out yellow. Oh well.

My blouse that I'm wearing is going to be blue, DH has decided that he's going to wear his green shirt. So we are going to be very "spring-ish" next weekend! :)

Lost!

This blog is about my homeschooling efforts as much as it's about my life as a Catholic-Christian. Part of being a "good" homeshooling mom is teaching the kids about God, faith, trust, hope, grace, etc.

Can I just be honest and say I just don't know anymore! I've felt the distance and disillusion for a while now, and I've just been going through the motions. I know in my "head" what all the answers are, and I've been good to spout out those things for others that are in my state of heart, but seriously there is a difference of knowing something in your head and feeling it in your heart. My heart has felt empty from some time now.

Sometimes, I lay in bed at night question if God is real, mainly because I feel so empty. I wonder in my head and propose things like well if he was real then xyz should happen, almost as if to dare God to prove his existence. Especially seeing my heart feels so empty now. I have read the many conversion stories of the saints and conversion stories of the unknown saints. Can I just say that at times these stories brings me sorrow, because I wonder what makes them so special that God shown himself to them in the way THEY wanted, and I'm left feeling in the dark.

I'll be honest; I know that's it's "bad" for me to think that way. After all I'm sure God has his reasons, after all every child NEEDS things differently at different times. We don't always get what we want, we get what we NEED and at times our wants and needs are the same. See that's the logical side coming in and rationalizing it for me, but in my heart I'm still wondering why, what's so special about them.

In the truth of honesty I haven't been to confession for a good 2 years now, and I thus I haven't received communion in this last year. Perhaps the lack of receiving has caused my heart to feel so empty. I don't know...

I've come close to going, but I haven't gone. Back in January my DS received reconciliation for the first time. It was a family event and the parents were encourage to be there and go AFTER the kids gone. As I blogged about it earlier, I was going to go until I learn there would be treats for the kid. Well honesty, I used the "treats" as an excuse not to go. I also never went the following week, nor have I taken my DS to confession. DH has but I have not.

The next closest time I came to actually doing a confession was this past Sunday. Our parish offers coffee and donuts after the 9:00 am Mass. Fr. B is always good about popping in at coffee and donuts and greeting the people. He's a good priest in that regard.

When he approached the table I was sitting at I thanked him for making my son's day last Saturday. You see my son had his first communion retreat this past Saturday and was making his banner when Fr. B stopped in to say "hi". He told my DS that he like his banner. So I shared with Father how that made my son's day. We went home that day and all my DS could say was how Fr. B liked his priest. (DS put a priest on his banner, I would add that DS was the ONLY one to have a priest on his banner; Is that saying something?)

Father, started to talk about parenting and I made a comment how it's hard because you are reasonable and scary because they (the children) call you on so much, and make sure you follow the "rules".

Father B, looked at and asked, "You do go to confession regularly don't you?" I didn't vocally give my answer, I just hung my head and shocked my head no. Fr. B immediately sat down and preceded to tell me it's not that hard, I don't have to go in the confessional, we could do it in his office, etc. He basically said everything he could, just short of telling me to do a confession right then and there.

I listen to everything he said and with tears in my eyes and I just sorrowfully looked at him and said "I know,I know, I know; I just don't understand what's stopping me, and it's so frustrating, because in a few weeks my son is going to receive and well I want to be able to too." At that very moment my DD (almost 7), who had been off playing, jumped into my lap and said "Mommy!!!" Well DD being there changed the mood. Father said a few words to my DD and then turn to me and said well I have to talk to the other people and left. So close yet so far way!

My just so lost! I know in my head what's missing, it's just getting my heart to follow and take action. I know it's NOT my church! It's ME!! Going somewhere else is not going to "fix" it; I know that....Please pray for me, because I don't know what else to do any more.

Connectict, Raised Bill 1098, and the Catholic Church

Last Thursday the Connecticut General Assembly introduced a bill banning bishops from controlling Catholic parishes.

If enacted, state law would require parishes to be controlled by lay boards elected by the congregation.

Our sister site National Catholic Register, quotes....

Read More @ Faith & Family

Catholic Social Teachings

The beauty of homeschooling allows me to give my children an affordable Catholic-Christian Education. I was looking up movie reviews and trying to find info about a movie and book that I saw and read in about 6th-7th grade. (Where The Red Fern Grows)

It was in the course of looking for this info that I STUMBLED upon resources that are available for FREE on the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) web-site. This stumble was so great that I thought I had to share it here. USCCB offers resources and lesson plans on their web-site for educators to aid them in teaching Catholic Social Teachings to children (and adults).

The resources include a list of books that can be read to children. This list also explains what subjects those books teach. What's so cool is that many of the books can be found at any good size public library and/or library system. So I'm really excited about this!! Many of the books on the list (for my kids age range) I have already have check out and read to my kids. I just didn't think about how these books could be teaching my kids Catholic-Socialism.

It was an WOW moment for me. Many of the books I will be re-reading to the kids. There will be others that I will be seeking out now. This is truly a hidden gem for me! I have browsed the USCCB site many times before, I just didn't know that all of these Educator's Resources were there until tonight.

I'm hoping that my US Catholic-Christians readers knew this Educator's Resource was available at our bishops' web-site. If not that's okay; you know it now!!! (Please share this with others homeschoolers, especially Catholic homeschoolers. Our bishops' have this on their website for our use, so I think we should take advantage of it.)

Body Of Christ

I know that this above doesn't look like much it's just some soft flour tortilla shells broken up and some cups of grape juice, but it provided hours of fun for my kiddos.

We had cheese quesadilla for lunch. It was while eating lunch that my DS noticed that the tortillas were like the communion bread. He said look sis the body of Christ. She said no it's not. He responded with yes I know but it's fun to pretend.

I asked him if he knew what the difference between this and what we receive at Church. He said the difference is that this isn't blessed by God. I then asked, Why doesn't God bless it and my DS responded with, "because we need a priest". The next thing I know DS is asking if there are any more tortillas leftover. He and DD decided that they were going to play mass.

So what you see above is the grape juice and broken up tortillas shells that they used to play mass with. DS, of course played the priest, and DD rolls were everyone else that you would find at church. LOL They played mass several times. Everything was done under the direction of my little priest here (aka my son)

He would say things like the 1st Reading from the Gospel of Luke. Jesus was a good man, he loved everyone, Mary and Joseph were his parents and they loved Jesus. They listened to God. Jesus did not sin, the end.

Or the 1st Reading In the beginning there was Jesus and he is God. Mary is his Mother, Jesus taught us to love each other.

For the song they sang "blah, blah, blah, blah," unless it was the song before the Gospel then they sang "Alleluia" When it came time to bless the bread and wine DS said, "Remember this is my body, do this" and "Remember this is my blood, do this". (A little off LOL)

Then he had my DD line up to receive communion. He said things like "God loves you" or "May God Bless You" or "Let God into your heart" when she received "communion". I tried telling DS that 'they' don't say that when you receive communion, but he responded while rolling his eyes at me "I don't care. They don't sing blah, blah, blah, either. We are just pretending here!" LOL He had me there!!! I know why he said what he said to DD because that's what he gets told when he goes up.

Our Parish (church) encourages everyone to go up, even those that cannot receive communion. Those that can NOT receive are given a blessing. Both of my kids have never receive communion. DS just received the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time last Saturday and will start is first communion prep classes later this month. So he has time to learn all of that.

After they were done playing Mass DS try saying that ALL of the "leftovers" were his! I asked how he figured and he said because that's what the priest does after all the communions are done. He gets to eat the leftovers!! LOL That's true, but I put a stop to that and said well it's good to pretend, but we need to be "fair" LOL.

I divided up what was left between the 2 of them. My poor DD wouldn't get anything, because she can NEVER be the priest, seeing she a girl and all, so I had to divided up what was left after their game.

To be honest I was surprise that they decided to do play that way. I didn't really think it would last as long as it did! I'm glad that they had fun.... DD is cool with not being the priest, she just wanted the leftovers too! LOL

Confession!

Well today was the BIG day for my DS! He received for the very first time the sacrament of reconciliation. He couldn't wait for this day! This morning before we left he was doing the "chicka chicka boom boom dance". (I'm not sure how else to describe what he was doing LOL)

When we asked him how he felt about going he said "I'm nervous, but I'm also EXCITED" He truly was grinning ear to ear. So we left this morning, arrived at the church shortly before 9:00 am. We walked in and sat down in the church. Shortly after 9:00 our rector started with a Gospel reading (the prodigal son). After the Gospel reading he did a short homily (sermon) and then explain to everyone that he would be in his confessional and one of our associate pastors would be in his confessional.

The rector then went on to explain that the children were to go first and then when the children were done the parents and/or older siblings were free to go confession. He also said that afterward we were invited to go to our fellowship hall area for coffee, tea, hot coca, donuts and fruit.

So we asked DS who he wanted to go to and he choose our associate pastor and thus got into line. After leaving the confessional he did his penance and then I took him and my DD to fellowship hall for donuts, fruit, and hot cocoa. DH stayed behind and when to the confession himself. The original plan was that I would go to, but we didn't know that there would be treats and the kids just wanted to go.

While eating our treats my DS asked "Mama, why didn't you go?" I told him because I felt that I needed to be mommy and keep and eye on you and be with you while you are here (in fellowship hall). My kids are good kids and I really do trust them, but I also know that it was best to keep an eye on them. I then shared with my DS that I would be going next Saturday and he right away perked up and said "would you take me?". I said sure if he wanted to go I would take him. He just beamed ear to ear and said "thank-you mama".

After a few moments DH joined us in Fellowship Hall and said that he asked Father how DS did. He said to Father I know that you can't tell me what DS said but I'm just curious on "how" he did. Father told DH that DS was very confident. Confident!!! Wow!! I then asked DS if he went face to face or behind the curtain. DS said "behind the curtain"; then I turn to DH and ask "Well then how does he know that it was our DS". DH just said, "Father knows"

I was taken back by that...yikes!!! Reflecting on it; it's NOT a bad thing. It just shocked me that's all, especially seeing this was DS first time and I can't imagine that DS told him his name, nor am I going to pry into what DS said, because truly it's none of my business. I just was shocked that Father would know MY kid by voice..... Wow, is all I can say. We finally left the church around 11:00 am. We easily spent at least half of our time eating and chatting with others.

It was a good morning. Now DS is just steps closer to receiving his first Communion. That will take place in April.

This Saturday!

This Saturday my DS will walk into the confessional at our church to receive for the very first time reconciliation. He of course is a little nervous, but at the same time he can't WAIT!!! He has been counting down the days and today announce with joy, the same joy a child would get when it's days before their Birthday and/or days before Christmas, "Mama ONLY 5 more days"!!!

To be honest I never in a million years would think a child would be so happy about this day coming; It does me good to see that he is so happy about it! I'm on the other hand think I'm more nervous about it all then him. Our church has set aside a special time for this to happen not only that, but the parents and/or older siblings are encouraged to receive the sacrament as well. So really it's a "family" reconciliation time, with special care for those that will be receiving for the very first time and for those that may not have gone for ages!!

I'm still at times in shocked that my DS is old enough for all of this!! At times it seem as only if yesterday he was in Kindergarten. Oh my how the time goes by...

After this Saturday there will be a week or 2 off then after that they will start up the Communion Classes. My DS is set to receive First Communion on April 4th. At this time I don't know if he will actually receive communion or not. I'm leaving that up to him. He'll have to go to the classes, but when the time comes he will have to decided if this is what he wants. He, on his own, has decided to go ahead and receive reconciliation. He'll make that decision when it comes to first communion as well.

I still can't believe it's that time!!!! Wow!!!

The Pope And Youtube Part 2

The Youtube Channel is up and running!!!! Pretty cool!!!

The Vatican's Youtube channel allows listeners/viewers to listen/view the videos in 3 different languages. English, Italian, German and Spanish. If you have a moment or two check it out!!

Nothing more at this point to say :)

The Pope And Youtube!

Pope Benedict XVI is set to have his own dedicated channel on the popular video sharing website, YouTube.

That's the news I just got done reading. This could mean that my kids and I could have more access to the pope, via the internet and Youtube. I know there is a lot of things not worth our time on youtube, but I have a feeling this would be worth our time, and would be a good teaching tool to use for religion, faith, morals, etc.

I'm actually excited at the news! I hope that it does indeed turn out to be a good tool!!!

Have I Been Hit With Sloth?

Sloth is defined as spiritual and/or actual apathy or laziness, putting off what God asks you to do, or not doing it or anything at all. The Latin "acedia" can be translated as meaning "the don't care feeling". The History Channel last week was running a series entitled: The Seven Deadly Sins; which brought all of this to my front of my mind. Have I been hit with Sloth?

Why do I wonder? Well it's the state of my house that makes me wonder! It's my attitude towards schooling that makes me wonder! My house is a mess!! Sure it will never be perfect, but at time it's worst then others. I know what I'm suppose to be doing, I'm just not doing it.

Schooling has been slow this week... Caused by my lack of planning. I know that I have to do it, I just didn't do it. Sure it didn't get done when it normally does due to my nephew being here, but him being here shouldn't have stopped me dead in my tracks! Should it??

Maybe I'm putting off my calling from God to be a housewife/homeschooling mother? Perhaps I don't have my priorities in the right place? How do I know? What are my priorities? Is it the schooling first or the housework first?

Schooling is important but if the house is a mess it makes it harder? If I focus to much on the housework then I feel as if I messing up the schooling? I need a clear cut mission!! I need to clearly know that it is that God wants from me, but lately I feel as if I'm lost in the fog!

How will I find my way out of the fog??

Money For The Poor

It's heart warming when you see a young child think of others besides themselves. It's even more heart warming when it's your own child.

DS was given money over the weekend as a late Christmas Present. Actually, my FIL (Father-In-Law) gave my kids the choice to have the money or to go shopping with him. The kids decided to go shopping WITH Grandpa. Which made my FIL's day; it just didn't happen until this weekend, because of weather and illnesses. The weather was good over the weekend and everyone needed for the shopping trip was healthy.

So that was the first thing that made me proud of my kids. They didn't just want the money, they wanted time with their grandfather. Right now they are 6 and 7 but I pray that they will be 10 and 9 or even 16 and 15 and still choose to go shopping with Grandpa instead of just receiving the money.

As I was saying DS received his money over the weekend and did go shopping with his Grandpa. He did buy things for himself, but it's what he did with the left over money that impressed me. Yep that's right DS had left over money he did not spend all of his money at the store.

The first thing he did when he came home was put some of his left over money in the YELLOWSTONE FUND. We have a jar in our living room called the Yellowstone Fund. It's a jar that we are saving money in to hopefully be able to go to Yellowstone in late 2009 or early 2010. So DS donated some of his money for our Yellowstone Fund.

The next thing he did was this morning at church. When we walked into the church he stopped and took out his wallet and shoved some of his money into the money box in the wall. The money box said right on it "Money For The Poor"

This action amazed me because honestly I didn't even know that he knew the box was there. DH and I never put money in it and we have never pointed it out to the kids. So I was shocked that he knew. He then asked why we don't give money to the poor. I told him we do. Then he said well you never put it in the box here.

This gave me a really good window to explain that when our church collects money during the Mass (our church service)4% of all the money collected automatically goes to the local homeless shelter, for the poor, every week. I even then pointed out that amount to him in the bulletin. Every week the bulletin shows how much was collected from the week before and how much was given to the local homeless shelter.

DS thought this was cool and then stated: Well all the money I gave will just go to the poor because I put it in the poor box; I was the first in my family to use the box. (That may be true and to be honest I don't know if anyone uses the poor box any more)

Anyway, it doesn't matter how he gave it's just cool that he thought of giving, all on his own. It's even cooler that he noticed the box on the wall. Kids really do notice the things around them!!!

Sacrament Preparation

DS is in 2nd grade and as most Catholic-Christian Mothers know it's a "big" year when it comes to the Sacraments. First Reconciliation AND First Communion...

I happen to be a RE (Religious Education) teacher at my home church. Seeing I spend the time to volunteer teach RE, I send my kids to the RE (CCD) classes. I'm not sure what other homeschooler do for RE, but for us it works; plus my kids really do enjoy going to the RE classes so there is no reason not to send them. Besides it only makes sense since I do teach them. :)

One thing that I know that I'm doing different then my parents is that I'm making it clear to my children that receiving the sacraments is totally THEIR choice. They do NOT have a choice in going to class, they must go to class, they must receive the preparation for sacraments, but it is totally THEIR choice to actually receive the sacraments or not to receive them.

They asked why do they have to learn about the sacraments, why do they have to go to the classes and I told them, because that's the only way they are going to know if they want to receive the sacraments or not. They need to know about them and know what they are in order to make a decision if that is something they want to do or not do.

The First Reconciliation is schedule to happen the end of January. That's just one month from now: As of today DS is wanting to go to Reconciliation, and I can tell you that to me is a good thing!! I would naturally be disappointed if he choose not to do it, but I can respect that.

He for his bed time story wanted DH to read the mini-book we have on the sacraments. So DH read it; He also asked questions on how would he know if God wanted him to be a priest or not. DH told him PRAYER and talking to other people, especially a priest... So who knows what God has in store for my little boy.

This year it's my DS, next year my DD will be going through the same sacrament preparations. WOW!!! Sometimes I'm just in shock of how old they are now; it at times only seems as if yesterday they were in diapers and learning how to walk. Where did the time go??

I pray that my children have the will to LISTEN to God's direction; It's so easy for God to lead, but it's not always easy to follow. I'm not sure how other Catholic-Christian parents feel about leaving the decision to actually receiving the sacraments up to their children, but I feel that it's the right thing to do.

If we train them up the in the way they are suppose to go they will NOT stray. So I have FAITH that they will do what God wants from them to do, I'm giving them the tools and training they need.