HAPPY 14TH ANNIVERSARY BOB..

We've had our ups & downs but we've stuck through it & it's made us stronger..I LOVE being with you, & I LOVE the family we've created..I want to spend many more years with you!! I LOVE YOU!!

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY ARIANA!!!

Where have the years gone!!?? I just remember having you & now you're 13!! You were born @ 10:13 am, and you were 6lbs 10oz..

Now you're 13yrs old & almost 5'9"!! Oh mommy is getting old!! I love you Ari!! You're a great student, artist, animal lover & daughter!!

Happy Birthday!! We love you!!

Waiting Is The Hardest Part...

Well we're now in the 4th week of Advent..In a few days we will be waiting with baded breath for the birth of our Lord..It's amazing that one tiny little baby in a manger can create such a stir in people, but this was no ordinary baby..no ordinary life..no ordinary family..

And now..it's just the waiting game for everyone..As we bake our cookies, wrap our presents, visit our family & friends, attend parties, watch an endless array of Christmas t.v. shows we seem to forget just what it is we're waiting for..

This year has been no different than years past, but now I just want to wait on one thing..The baby in the manger..I try to tell my children that gifts, food, etc..doesn't mean anything if you don't thank the person who created EVERYTHING!!

So here's to all of you waiting for Emmanuel..We hope you have a Merry CHRISTmas & a Blessed New Year..

My Review Of..

"Take Five ~ Meditations With Pope Benedict XVI" by Mike Aquilina & Fr. Kris D. Stubna..

I am a big fan of Mike Aquilina, not only because he's from my hometown (Pittsburgh) but because he writes such wonderful books..This is the 2nd book that I've read of his & Fr. Stubna..So when I received "Take Five" I knew I wouldn't be disappointed, and I wasn't..

"Take Five" is a small book that you can fit in any pocket or purse..It's not a chapter book, it's a book of 72 meditations from Pope Benedict XVI..They are mostly taken from his encyclicals, speeches, and other writings of his..

What I really liked about this book was that in the Introduction it explains all about what you are going to encounter in the meditations..There are basically 4 elements to the book..

The first element is Pope Benedict's speech, writing, etc..And the authors hit everything from "The Value Of Every Human Being" to "Going To Confession" & "Mary Our Mother" & "Praying The Rosary"..Like I mentioned above there are 72 meditations, so I can't post everyone..

The second element is the "Think About It" section..There are 3 or 4 questions to answer personally about the meditation that you just read..Aquilina & Stubna have put some great thought into these questions..I found myself trying to answer them honestly, and I didn't like some of the answers that I came up with..These questions make you really think..

The third element is "Just Imagine"..This part is scripture readings..They also deal with the meditation you read about..

And the last element is the "Remember" part..I'm assuming these are the authors thoughts about the meditations..They are thoughtfully written..

This book is a wonderful read..I have marked quite a few of the meditations as they relate to something I am going through or just want to read again..I definitely think that anyone who reads this book will come away with something they never thought they would encounter spiritually..

And as always..This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Take Five - Meditations with Pope Benedict XVI.

Please, Please Pray...

I just read about this today..Although I do not know the family personally, I do read their blog regularly..I am just heart broken over this..Ariana is the same age as "Galadriel"..

We're going to keep "Galadriel" in our thoughts & prayers..We're also going to add her to our Rosary intentions..And start a Novena to St. Pergerine & pray hard for a miracle..

So many people have been ill, or suffering from cancer lately..Also please pray for our neighbor's daughter Alyssa (who has a serious heart condition), my cousin Jeff (who has mouth, tongue & throat cancer) & Bob's aunt who passed away suddenly Nov. 7th six months after her husband passed..

In this Advent season we must keep close to Jesus..Trust in Him..And believe that miracles DO happen!!

I'm Such A Bad Blogger

So I said that I would update you all (or the 3 people that read this..LOL) on what has been going on here..And while the kids are still asleep I figured I'd do just that..

Well, I celebrated my 38th birthday on Nov. 15th..To me this was one of the best birthdays I've had..I really didn't do to much..Went to dinner w/ Bob the night before to a Chinese buffet, but I just felt happy in my heart having all that I do..I'm not sure how to explain it, so I'll just leave it at that..

The kids finished up their 1st Quarter the middle of Nov..They did well..All the G.P.A.'s were 3.7 & above..We're still having problems with the Pre-Algebra/Algebra, but we're trudging along..Jenna completed her first college application & sent it in..We found out her graduation (for homeschoolers) is May 18th 2010..Before you know it, it'll sneak up on us..

Our house is in a shambles..We had plumbing problems most of the month of Nov..We had to have a bunch of pipes replaced which cost an arm & leg (plus most other limbs, LOL)..But it's done now..If only we could get the floor in the dining/school room finished!! And we tore up the rug in the livingroom!! Major renevations ahead in 2010..

Bob for the most part has done excellent in school..He has a 3.7 G.P.A. & he starts his new semester on Dec. 7th..He hasn't been working @ the Post Office lately..Not that he doesn't want to work, it's just that they have him on call all the time..Which doesn't help us out very much..He just can't wait until he graduates..

On Nov. 22nd it was the 12th anniversary of our Angel baby going to be with Jesus..Even though it's been along time it still hurts..But we know that we have a Saint watching out for us..And that we'll meet him/her in heaven..The kids still talk about it..Which is kind of nice that they still remember..

Thanksgiving was quiet..Like I like it..We had dinner here, and just hung out as a family..We're not ones to "party harty"..We just like to stay home and be with each other..We're probably going to my parents for Christmas Eve though..We celebrated the 1st Sunday of Advent as we always do..Reading prayers, lighting our candles..

Well that's about all I can remember right now..If I think of anything else that happened I'll post it..Happy Advent Season to all..Oh here are some pics of our adventures..

Bob & Me before my Birthday dinner...

One of the holes in our wall..

Our Thanksgiving turkey..

Our Advent wreath..

I'll post more pics of the kids later..Plus I have to write another long over due review of a book..God Bless..

Will Have A New Post Later On...

I will be posting about the many happenings since I last posted..Hopefully tonight I'll be able to do that..I also have pictures to put up too..

Today Is The Feast Day Of..

St. Leonard..You can learn more about St. Leonard here..

Also tomorrow is my nephew Gabe's 10th Birthday..Happy Birthday Gabe..It's also would've been my nephew Seth's 10th Birthday..He's with the Lord in Heaven..Pray for us Seth!!

Today Is The Feast Day Of..

Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey..You can find more information about this amazing & wonderful future Saint here..

Today is also the Feast Day of..St. Bertilla..I really don't have any information on her..But I'm sure she was also great..

Ven. Solanus Casey & St. Bertilla..Pray for Us

I'd Like To Apologize To The Following..

St. Narcissus

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Foillan

All Saints

All Souls

St. Martin de Porres

I'm sorry I forgot your Feast Days!! Please forgive & pray for me!!

But..Today IS the Feast Day of...

St. Charles Borromeo..Patron Saint of Learning & The Arts..I didn't forget you St. Charles..Pray for us that we can continue learning more about our glorious Faith & we can pursue our Arts more..

I May Have Spoke Way To Soon..

In my last post..Down below this one..I told you that we didn't have H1N1 "swine flu".. Um well I was wrong..It is H1N1..That was a shock to me!! Well I don't think Trevor had it, but Bob, Jenna & I do..I'm about 5 days into it..Jenna is about 8 days into it & Bob just got it..

Now Bob has to be off of work for a week (and school also) & we'll probably be in the house for awhile..

I can look at this 2 ways..Either wine like a baby about it, or embrace it..I think I'll embrace it..Just look at what the Saints went through!! Consumption, TB, the Plague!! They EMBRACED their sickness!! If they can do it (and they suffered more) we can do it..I think this may bring us closer as a family..But I have to be honest..I have wavered..Yes, I have been a baby about it..The first few days I was begging God to help me, but then I had an "Aha" moment and thought about Jesus & how he was humiliated, scourged, had to carry his own cross through the streets, was unjustly crucified on a cross & died for our sins to be forgiven..And I said to myself "How dare you", "How dare you compare this to what Jesus went through"..And it's true..How can I even think this is suffering..People out there are suffering from cancer, and a whole host of other diseases, and here I am snugly in my bed with my tea cup complaining about a fever!! But I am still miserable..I go back and forth with myself about it (as you can see)..

So as soon as we are well enough we can go on with our lives..We're way behind with school among other things..My house looks like a landfill..The laundry is piling up..but those things can wait..

Being sick makes you think..Maybe that's what the whole purpose of being sick is..To make you think about your life, suffering, The Lord, etc..I mean you have enough time in bed to think don't you? Well I think I may be making no sense right now..I'm getting chills & need to go and "think" some more..If you could spare a prayer or 2 for us right now I'd appriciate it..But also pray for all the others out there who suffer for whatever reason & the poor souls who suffer in Purgatory..

Today Is The Feast Day Of..

Sts. Simon & Jude..

On the home front we're almost done with our 1st 9wks..I can't believe time has flown by so fast.. All the kids are doing well in most subjects..The girls are just having a little trouble with Pre-Algebra & Algebra..But I wasn't very good at math come to think of it..We're trying to plan a field trip to the museum or some kind of History place..Ari & Trev are learning about the French & Indian War right now..

We've also been trying to keep up on current events..The health care crisis, and other important topics that we are interested in..The whole family watches Glenn Beck now too!!

Bob is almost done with his first semester of school..He's doing great!! We're so proud of him..

Recently we've had a few sick ones here..Trev & Jen are sick right now..Not the swine flu, H1N1 or whatever you want to call it..Just fevers & coughs..

I'll post some pics later of our recent activities..Which haven't been doing that much with Bob working & going to school..I still have to write some reviews (I'm behind on alot of things lately :) )

Here's to a Happy Halloween & A Blessed All Saints/All Souls Day!!

Today Is The Feast Day Of...

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque...You can find more information about St. Margaret Mary here..

And also today is the feast day of..

St. Gerard Majella..Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers..You can find more information about St. Gerard here..

St. Margaret Mary & St. Gerard...Pray for Us...

Today Is The Feast Day Of..

St. Teresa of Avila...

1 of the 3 Women Doctors of the Church..& Patroness of Headache Sufferers..

St. Teresa of Avila..Pray for Us

My Review Of..Crossing The Goal Playbook on the Virtues

I know what you're thinking.."Carmela, How can you review a book that is geard towards guys!!"..Well I figured that I watch "Crossing The Goal" with Bob, so why not read the book too..So when I saw the book on the review list I wanted to check it out..

"Crossing The Goal Playbook on the Virtures" is by Danny Abramowicz, Peter Herbeck, Brian Patrick, & Curtis Martin..The hosts of the show (of the same name)..It's an easy read (only about 97 pages long) but it's full of information for men (and might I say women)..It's mostly geared toward the men in our lives, but I found it easy to read and very interesting & faith filled..

The book starts out with the page called "Starting Formation" which offers men a quick prayer to the Lord to help them out..

Then there is the "How To Use This Playbook" page..It explains how each chapter is divided into 4 parts..Kickoff, Game Plan, The Red Zone, & The End Zone (which are also on the show)..It gives little discriptions of each..How it breaks down is that they show the problem with men today(Kickoff), Define & Learn the Facts of the problem (Game Plan), Get good advice from the team players or other men (The Red Zone) & A few practical & spiritual words from each of the guys that the men can apply to their lives (The End Zone)

The beginning of the chapter starts off with a "Pre-game" which is written by Brian Patrick..Then you go into the Kickoff, etc..

The book also has scripture verses to read, how to talk about the chapter (if you're in a group), and a "Game Plan Summary" & "Half Time" section (which is about some male Saint or person that showed that virtue)..

At the end of the chapters is a "Coaching Tip" by Danny Abramowicz..Which he offers a quick tip to use in the men's daily life..I especially like the tip of spending 15 mins in prayer & ask God to change you inwardly for 30 days..

For a men's book, I really got alot out of it..I found this book to be a good resource also to use in conjunction with the show (which I think it's meant to be used as)..These 4 men are all very good examples of what Catholic men, should & can be..I highly recommend this book for the man/men in your life..

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Crossing the Goal - Playbook on the Virtues

Today Is The Feast Of...

Our Lady Of Good Remedy..

You can find more information about her here..

Today Is The Feast Day Of..

Our Lady Of The Rosary...

I love the Rosary..We've been saying the Rosary as a family for awhile now..It's so wonderful to know that SO many people are coming back to this..Today we'll pray the Rosary, and pray for all the wonderful family, & friends in our lives..And also all the people on our Rosary intentions box..

Our Lady Of The Rosary..Pray for Us!!

Today is the Feast Day of...

St. Faustina Kowalska

Wow..Almost 3 days in a row & all of my all time favorite Saints are celebrating their Feast days!! How lucky are we!! I think we're very lucky to be able to celebrate & honor all of these Saints..St. Faustina ~ Pray for us!! Jesus I Trust In Thee!!

Today is the Feast Day of..

St. Francis of Assisi...

Along with St. Therese, St. Francis is another one of my favorite saints..I just love how he was with people, and with animals..On this day we usually sprinkle our pets with Holy water..There are some parishes around here that have a Blessing of the animals, but I think our pets would not be able to stay still for that..

Today is the Feast Day Of...

The Guardian Angels

Angel of God, my guardian dear to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule & guide..

And it's also my Mother-in-Law's Birthday..I don't have a picture of her, because she doesn't like having her picture taken..Happy Birthday Mom E! Hope you have a great day!