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..