Under Construction

It's almost been a year since I've written a post..And so much has gone on in our lives..It's going to take me alittle while to get writing about it..But, I am determined to get this blog going again..So please stay tuned as I get back to the blogosphere!!

2012 Lenten Journey

Lent has not been what I thought it would be..I was hoping it would be very holy & very sacred, but I was wrong..Getting the kids to do anything has been a hassle..And we are always doing things at the last minute..And then it's over..

Maybe that's why I feel so drained & dry spiritually..I can imagine how Jesus felt when he was wondering the desert for 40 days..Is this what he intended us to go through? As I make my way through this barren desert, I find myself alone..Yes, I have my family but I still feel alone..I can't see my way through the dust storm of life..I keep wondering if it's the season, or just me missing Spring..

Things don't see exciting anymore..Facebook, Twitter, etc..Now I understand why some people take a fast from them..I see all these people doing things for Lent that I would love to be doing..Stations of the cross, fish frys, volunteering as a way of not giving something up..You know what I gave up for Lent? Pop (or soda)..Very exciting huh? That's what I gave up last year!! I go through this Lenten journey wondering if there is more I can do? I know there is..I just can't get enough energy to do it..I am just stuck in this desert, never ending..

Temptations seem to be another thing..I am tempted to just give up..I guess that's what the evil one wants..tempted to just forget about Lent & everything associated with it..Is this what Jesus encountered in the desert?

Other than that we've been celebrating birthdays, and adjusting to Bob's daily work schedule..He's still on days now..Jen is volunteering at church..Trev & Ari are still homeschooling, but as I mentioned before I may put them in cyberschool..

Oh Spring..Where art thou!! I need you desperately to get out of this funk..There's only 18 more days..I hope these days go by fast..

New Name..Same Old Blog..

I decided to change the name of our blog..We don't use St. Peter's Catholic Homeschool anymore, so I thought we need a change of venue..

I'll still blog about religion and our homeschooling..I've just added a few more things..This will be about the whole family, photography, jobs, happenings, etc..

So please still read the blog!! I know it's a big change, but I promise to update often..

New Year, New Happenings..

The last time I posted Bob had almost graduated..Well he is now a graduate and this past week got a JOB!! This job is one he had been hoping to get (and with prayers from family, friends & a novena) and he got the call last week..He starts Jan.30th..After 2 long years of being on unemployment it was so nice to see a big smile on his face..And the awesome thing is that we will have medical coverage starting day 1!! That was a big deal for us, since we hadn't had any for almost a year..We're so proud of the accomplishments he's made..

Christmas was quiet..We spent Christmas Eve at my parents & Christmas Day at Bob's families in Ohio..While on the road to Ohio on Christmas we learned that my brother in laws father had passed away..He was very sick..We attended the memorial for him..

Ariana's birthday was spent by having a birthday party with her friends, and they also exchanged gifts..It's so hard having her birthday Dec. 23rd with Christmas Eve being the next day, but she's so good about it..

On Dec. 28th, Bob & I celebrated 16yrs of marriage..We really didn't do to much to celebrate..Just stayed home..

New Year's Eve we also stayed home, but our neighbors came over for awhile..We had finger foods, beer & sparkling grape juice for the kids..It was a quiet time, but I like being home and not out with all the crowds..

The New Year has been ok so far..I am trying to lose weight..I have 19 more lbs. to hit my goal..Trying to watch what I eat, and portion control..

School wise..We decided we're going back to Seton Home Study in the fall..Doing our own curriculum is just not working..And with Ariana being in high school she needs a stricter schedule..I am just barely getting by right now with them..It will be a big hit financially, but it's better for our family in the long run..

I am going to be venturing out into a new business..In Feb. I will become a Thirty-One Independent Consultant..I had a party last Aug. and loved the products..I have alot of the products so I decided to sell it..I can do most of the business on the website which is good..I may do a few in home shows, but we'll see how it goes..I am very excited, and nervous..But at least I'll be able to stay home and make alittle extra money..

Bob & I are reading "The Love Dare" book..We saw the movie right before Christmas, and loved it so much we wanted to do the "Dare" ourselves..It's working out pretty good..We take turns reading the days..

I am so proud of myself..Dec. 31st I finished reading the whole Bible and Catechism in a year!! That is a big accomplishment for me..I usually don't stick to reading something that long, but I learned alot and now I know some of the verses..My favorite is Proverbs 31..

Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with the blog..We have so much going on sometimes it's hard for me to take time to write..But I love this little blog..

2nd Week of Advent

Well..It's the 2nd week of the Advent season..Time flies..We are almost over this cough/cold/virus now..Ariana has a doctor's appt. tomorrow to check and see if she's over her pneumonia..Hopefully she will be..

We are getting back to school..On Week 16 now..I am praying this week goes smoothly and we can get some work done..We need to get back into a routine..

Bob is done with school now!! Yeah!! He graduates Dec. 15th..Now he just needs to find a job..

Went to church after missing 2 wks being sick..The new translation is awesome!! Really liked it..It'll take some time getting used to..Now if they could just change the music..

Going to get a Christmas tree this weekend..Midnight (our cat) better not get into it like he does every year..The weather has been really nice here..A white Christmas would be nice..

Sharing a recent picture..This is me and Jenna @ Halloween..

And Bob & I on my 40th birthday..

Hope everyone has a great week..

Happy Advent

Happy 1st week of Advent..Haven't posted in forever..So much going on as usual..We have been very sick here..Plus we've had family in the hospital, and Bob's grandma passed away..If I wanted to script a movie or write a book like this I couldn't have planned it this way..

Homeschool hasn't been going quite the way I had hoped..In fact it isn't going at all right now since we've been ill..We've skipped so many things and have missed alot..I don't know how we're going to catch up on everything..I feel like a failure..I wanted this year to be different, but somehow it's gotten out of hand..Now I don't know if we'll ever get back to a "normal" routine..Not that we've been on one since we started..

I am starting to feel like maybe homeschooling isn't for us anymore..I want to so bad, but no one cooperates and I'm tired of fighting..I am seriously thinking of cyberschool or regular school (unless someone can talk me out of it? Anyone??)

I turned 40 Nov. 15th..Don't all cheer at once!! LOL..I was ok with turning 40..My body just hasn't been..The kids and I have been sick with a cough, fever & virus since my birthday..Ariana actually has/had bacterial pneumonia..I don't know when we'll get better..Hopefully soon..I pray..

So today is the first Sunday of Advent..I've missed Mass the pass 2 Sundays because I've been sick..I missed the new form of the Mass..With all the new words & such..I hope I am better by next week to go back..And I hope we can get our Advent tree & wreath out..

I can't promise that I'll post before Christmas..I've said I would before and haven't..It's been a very rough time for us..I love my little blog and want to start blogging again..And posting some pictures..If I am well enough I will..But who knows..

Hope you all have a Blessed Advent Season!!

School Days..

This week we started our 6th year of homeschooling..Although there are only 2 kids now, it's still an exciting time for me..Getting the new books, reading through them..Ariana & Trevor weren't so excited to be starting so early, but I figured it out just right that if we start on Aug. 22nd we'll be done around the time evaluations come up in May..

We have 3 days under our belts now..This week has been pretty easy so we've been getting done early..In the next few days I will share our schedule, what subjects the kids are doing, and share some photos..

It's been a lazy summer for us..Not to much going on..This fall and winter will be alittle bit more busy..Bob is entering his last semester of school..He'll graduate Dec. 15th..We're so proud of him for going back to school & accomplishing his goals..

I look forward to getting back to blogging again..I am cutting back on the Facebook & Twitter which makes Bob happy..

3 Weeks & Counting..

Until the 2011-2012 school year starts..I am trying to update the blog..I have negelected it so badly..I need to start blogging more and using Facebook & Twitter less..

So many things (some good, some bad) have been happening here..To much to explain right now but I will do so in the future..

This blog is about homeschooling mostly..But I am also going to share photos of the kids, and when we go on field trips, etc..

So I look forward to sharing again with you..Here's to a great homeschooling year!!

Here are a few pictures I've taken this summer..

One of my favorites..I love taking pictures of reflections..This was at South Park near where we live..

My kids while we were on a short mini vacation in Ohio..

Another reflection photo..This was taken at the Pittsburgh Zoo..

One of God's creatures..The praying mantis we found in our yard..

A rare picture of Bob & Me on his birthday..

May Updates

Well we're done with the school year..We had our evaluation on May 13th..The feast of Our Lady of Fatima & the 30th anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II near fatal shooting..We just have a few more tests to do then we can relax for the summer..

Had a quiet Easter..Mother's Day was nice..Continuing reading my bible & catechism..And saying the Rosaries more..

The kids are doing good..No problems (Thank God)..Bob is still in school, he'll graduate in December..Jenna starts beauty school in July..

I so need to pay more attention to this blog..I may revamp it..Not sure..But I want to do something to get back to blogging..It's been way to long..

Our Lenten Journey ~ 2011

This Lenten season has really been going by quickly..We've recently had 3 deaths in our family in the past few months.. Bob's grandfather passed away Dec. 7th..His aunt passed away in January and now one of his cousins just passed away March 27th..We had to go up to Ohio for a memorial service April 1st.. I forgot it was 11 yrs my own cousin Michael passed away April 1st..And our beloved Pope John Paul II passed away 6yrs ago April 2nd..Sometimes we ask ourselves "Why does God take the good people, but leave the bad ones?" I don't know why..Only Our Lord knows..But I am pretty sure he has good reason.. I went away for a "Girls Weekend" with my good friend & neighbor Nicole..We had a fun time with 8 other ladies..Nicole and I mostly took photos..Which I have to post some on here one of these days..I have been very lazy about keeping up with the blog and posting photos..I need to start..Ever since I've been on Facebook I have been neglecting my poor blog, and it came first before Facebook.. We're entering our last 9wks of the 2010-2011 year of homeschooling..It's gone by so fast..Come to think of it the years have been flying by so fast..Sometimes I wish time would stop so we can stop and smell the roses.. We've been doing well on what we've given up for Lent..And we've been reading alot of things about Lent..I have this book called "The Little Black Book" for Lent..It's very nice to read..Plus I'm still keeping up with the Bible & Catechism for the year..I'm determined to read it all!! I have a book a have to review from Dr. Ray (which I've read I just have to post the review)..It's a short book, but boy have we gotten alot out of it..I'm also trying to find a good planning book..So if anyone has any suggestions let me know.. Bob has 2 classes this semester..He'll be graduating in Sept. or Dec..I'm so proud of him..He built his own computer too..Plus he's still brewing his own beer & has gotten some of our neighbors hooked too.. My dad was in the hospital for a bowel obstruction but he's home now..Bob's aunt is in the hospital..I guess this is our time in the desert so to speak.. Happy Lent to all..God Bless..

Taking Time To Renew Myself

So..Here we are again..My posts are so far apart..I have been taking time to renew my faith & life..Things have been very crazy here..I can't begin to tell you..We've had 2 deaths in 2 months..

Our faithful Black Lab Onyx had a brush with death this past weekend..We've celebrated 4 birthdays in the last 2 months..

And here I am neglecting my blog once again..I have got to get back to blogging..Sometimes though life just takes so much time away from you..

I have begun to read the bible & the catechism..It's supposed to be a whole year..I am learning so much..Plus I have been reading more books about the faith..

School is going ok..We're slacking..We need to catch up..The kids dislike Seton very much..Nothing against them..Just to rigid for them..I think we're going to go in another direction this coming fall..

Jenna turned 20 on Feb. 17th..My nephew Luke turned 1 on Feb. 15th..Plus my mom's birthday was Feb. 11, and then there was Valentine's Day..That was a busy week..

Bob is in his second to last semester of school..If all goes well he'll graduate in Sept..

So the next few posts will be about trying to get myself & school in order..We've got to start be accountable for things..I'll detail it later..

I'm really starting to enjoy photography..I may even have a spin off blog with the pictures I've taken over the past 6 months..I want to start taking pictures of the kids projects & field trips..

That's it for now..Oh and look for more book reviews..I've got a bunch I need to publish..

My Review of The Essential Catholic Survival Guide

When I received The Essential Catholic Survival Guide in the mail I couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. The book by the Staff of Catholic Answers was huge. It's a 533 page book, and I kept thinking "How am I ever going to get through this?"

But this book is very easy to read. And it has answers to all the questions you ever wanted to know about the Catholic faith. It starts out with "The Church & the Papacy" and ends with "Practical Apologetics." There is so much more to this book though.

There are questions and answers to some of the most common questions like "Do Catholics worship statues?" to more complex ones like "Where is Purgatory found in the Bible?"

You also have questions and answers about Birth Control, Celibacy and the Priesthood, the Great Heresies, and many, many more subjects.

Also in this book are how to answer questions from people of other faiths (i.e. Fundamentalists, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, & Jehovah's Witness) The authors give you practical and helpful tips on how to answer the questions they ask.

Towards the end of the book the authors give you helpful advice on starting out as an Apologist, and what books you should have on your bookshelf to help with the apologetics.

Finally, ending the book is Common Catholic Prayers. They have all the Mysteries of the Rosary, The Hail Mary, The Our Father, etc. and ends up with the Scriptural Reference Guide.

Even though this book took me awhile to read, it was worth it. This should be in every Catholic persons or families home. It's very easy to use, and very well written. I highly recommend it.

You can purchase this book here.

I wrote this review of The Essential Catholic Survival Guide for the Tiber River Blogger Review program, created by Aquinas and more Catholic Goods your source for Oplatki and Advent Calendars . For more information and to purchase, please visit Aquinas and more Catholic Goods.

Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.

I receive free product samples as a compensation for writing reviews for Tiber River.

Review of..2011 Catholic Almanac

Ok everyone so I am back to reviewing books again..And I read a very informative book for anybody..It's by Our Sunday Visitor and it's called 2011 Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Almanac.

When I first received this book I thought to myself "What did I get myself into?" The book is huge!! It's over 600 pages long! But as I started to delve into it, I couldn't believe what a treasure I stumbled upon. This book is wonderful. It's a great resource. I can't go into great detail about it, but I will focus on a few things.

The book is broken into 4 parts. Part One ~ News and Events, Part Two ~ The Teachings of the Catholic Church, Part Three ~ The Church Universal & Part Four ~ The Life of the Church in the World. I will go into some of these parts now.

Part One: In this part the Year in Review talks about what happened between the dates of 9/09-8/10. Then talks about the News in Depth (i.e. Papal Travels, Vatican Documents & Announcements, Special Reports, Life Issues and lastly the USCCB)

Part Two: This part discusses the Doctrine of the Catholic Church, The Church Calendar, Movable Feasts, Liturgical Life of the Church, The Sacraments of the Church, & Communion of Saints (i.e. Patron Saints, Intercessors & the people who were Canonized or Beatified in 09/10)

Part Three: Deals with Dates & Events in Church History, The Papacy and the Holy See, Roman Curia, Hierarchy of the Catholic Church, The Universal Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, The Church in the U.S., The U.S. Hierarchy, Biographies of American Bishops, the USCCB, Cultural Diversity in the Church, Statistics of the Church in the U.S., The Church in Canada, & finally ends with the Church in Mexico.

Part Four: In Part Four you can read about Consecrated Life, Apostalates & Ministries, Catholic Social Services, Education, Catholic Communications, Ecumenism, Inter religious Dialogue, Separated Eastern Churches, Reformation Churches, & Inter religious Dialogue.

There is also a Church Calendar, Glossary & Index for you to review things that you may have missed.The sections are broken into little paragraphs.There are so many that I can not write about all of them but if you look in the parts you can clearly see what they are talking about.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for Catholic Homeschoolers. It has been a great resource for my children to look up things we normally would have to look up on the Internet or some other source. But this book is great for anyone who just wants to learn more about the Faith & what's going on with it. This is a book (or resource) that every Catholic home should have in it. Kudos to Our Sunday Visitor for publishing these books every year.

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 2011 Catholic Almanac. They also are a great source for all kinds of religious gifts, books, etc.

So Much Going On..

That I haven't been able to update when I want to..Here are some things that have been going on..

Celebrated my 39th birthday..I am SO SO BLESSED!! I have wonderful family & amazing new (from Facebook) + old friends (some I've reconnected with over the year)..The Lord has been so good to our family..Even though things have been tough we're still in our home, we have food to eat and more importantly we're HAPPY, HEALTHY & TOGETHER!! So how could I complain about it!!

My parents just celebrated 40yrs of marriage together!! They have had their ups & downs *believe me* but they have a happy, holy marriage..I attribute them praying the Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet every night together as their secret..

Thanksgiving was very quiet..Just the 5 of us..We enjoyed ourselves and talked about what we all were thankful for..

Bob's grandfather has been sick..He needs prayers..Also my aunt has been very sick too..They are both the same age 88yrs old..We keep them in our Rosary intentions..Plus there have been other friends, relatives that are ill who need lifted up in prayer..So if you have a spare moment if you could say a quick Hail Mary or Our Father we'd appreciate it..

Bob is still off of work..But we're going to enjoy our time as a family together for this Advent/Christmas..That's what it's all about..And welcoming "The babe in the manger"..

I can't express to all of you the joy in my heart I feel..It seems like when the world or life is at it's worst is when Our Lord is at HIS BEST!! I love my husband, children, family, & friends!!! I am so lucky to be able to be home with my kids..I am fortunate to be able to homeschool them..I am very lucky to have the best, most loving husband in the world..He does his best to provide for us and to keep me home & homeschooling..I would be so LOST without him..Besides God he's my ROCK!!

When Bob & I are out or away I always miss my "little piece of heaven"..My wish for all of you this Advent/Christmas season is that you all feel the same way!! Love the Lord, Love Life. & Love Each Other!!

More later..I promise!! :) *But who knows*

My Poor Neglected Blog

Yes..Once again I have neglected my blog..But I *promise* that I will start getting back to it..Here are a few things that have happened while I've been gone..

1.) Kids started back to school..We've been using Seton and it's been slow but sure..We're trying to get into a groove. We're on week 9 and are taking 1st quarter tests..

2.) I have a new hobby..Photography..Bob got me a Nikon D3000 for my birthday, Christmas & 15th Anniversary present..I LOVE it..I will be posting pictures on here..

3.) My 39th birthday is coming up..I feel very blessed that God has given me everything I want..My faith, my husband, my kids, my family & friends!! I couldn't ask for anything more..

I will be doing more review too..Plus I will update you on our school day, family stuff, religious items & whatever else I have to get off my chest..

I leave you with a few pictures I've taken with my new camera..

The city I love..

Sun peeking out from Church..

I'll post more pictures..There is so much that has been going on..Please bare with me once again!! God Bless!!

Summer Coming To A Close..

I have been so busy this past summer..Jenna's graduation, my nephew's graduation, etc..I am now getting some time to post..

One of the really neat things that I got to do this summer is to be on the radio! Well actually internet radio or a blog cast (I guess you would call it)..I was on The Catholic Revolver with Jerry Weber.. It was a great experience..I got to talk about Catholic Homeschooling & our wonderful Catholic religion..At first I was really nervous, so I prayed to the Holy Spirit & it seems like he just took over..I couldn't believe the things I was saying! And Jerry is so nice and made me feel comfortable too..My interview should be still archived there..If you get a chance check it out and tell me what you think..

Also Bob & I took the plunge and enrolled Ari & Trev into Seton this year..We are so happy that we did..I think our school year will be much better..Ari & Trev aren't to thrilled with the prospect of more work, but OH WELL..In my opinion Seton Home Study has a wonderful curriculum, and is what Bob and I are looking for..Plus they have lesson plans, tests online, etc.. So we shall see..Our 6th year of homeschooling starts Aug. 30th..I can't wait to start!! Taking the summer off is great, but we really need to get back to learning..

I purchased a few books this summer also..Most are history related..I haven't started reading them yet..I'm still in the process of reading my book that I have to review for the Catholic Company..

Hmmm..what else..There has been alot going on and I can't think of what else to write..So I will end this post now, and hopefully (*cross your fingers*) I will update in a few days..Hope you all are having a wonderful summer..

Our Summer So Far...

On our way to Ohio for our nephew's graduation party..Trevor fell asleep..

The kids in the swimming pool at the motel we stayed at..They loved it!!

Our nephew's graduation party..

Sisters..

We have been very busy lately..With my nephew's graduation party, Our Father's Day baseball game (which I got sun poisoning from), & then getting ready for Jenna's graduation party..I will post more pictures later..Plus give you all an update on what's coming up for St. Peter's!! We're moving into very exciting times here...

My Review Of..

Beloved and Blessed Biblical Wisdom For Family Life~ By Kimberly Hahn

Kimberly Hahn ranks up there with Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle & Scott Hahn books I love to read..So I was excited to see her newest book on the list of books to review..

This book is part of a series of books Mrs. Hahn has written..I have all of the other books plus the video series..The whole series focuses on Proverbs 31..About a queen mother helping her son King Lemuel select a godly woman to marry..

The book is mainly about family life and how to live a godly life as a wife & mother..There are six parts of the book with sixteen chapters..Some of the chapters include

• Part 1 is titled "The Heart of Her Husband Trusts in Her"..These chapters deal with Intimacy Issues..

• Part 2 is titled "Her Children Rise Up and Call Her Blessed"..These chapters talk about how children are a blessing from God, the mission of responsible parenthood, contraception, large families, & suffering (i.e. misscarriage, not being able to have children)..

• Part 3 is titled "She Makes Linen Garments and Sells Them"..These chapters deal with financial issues, how to stay at home without breaking the bank, and how Our Blessed Mother Mary is the TRUE model for all mothers..

• Part 4 is titled "Her Husband Is Known in the Gates"..These chapters deal with how we are privileged to be parents, disciplining with S.O.F.T. hearts, discipline itself, and how fathers are involved in children's lives..

• Part 5 is titled "She Opens Her Mouth With Wisdom"..These chapters mostly deal with teaching our children the faith, how to defend the faith, how to concecrate our homes, & how our home represents our faith..

• Part 6 is titled "The Teaching of Kindness Is on Her Tounge"..This is one of my favorite chapters because it deals with homeschooling, socializing our children, teaching practical life skills (i.e. money management, budgeting, manners), limiting television & computer time, making the kids get out & play..Mrs. Hahn also discusses in this part about how sometimes we feel guilty about our parenting skills, and how to lean on Our Lord in these times..

There are also Appendixes that are helpful..There is one on family budget items, kids budgets, stewardship, decorating & home improvements..

This book is AWESOME.. I felt very connected to Mrs. Hahn because most of the things she talks about are things that I go thru in every day life..She really captures the essence of motherhood & being a good wife..

I recommend this book to all mothers, wives, & even husbands (if they are willing to read it)..You won't be disappointed..

As always this review was written as part of the Catholic books review program from the CatholicCompany. Visit their website to find out more about this book Beloved and Blessed.

GRADUATION DAY!!! 5-18-10

Well she finally did it!! Jenna graduated!! We're so proud of her!! Here are some pictures of the ceremony @ St. Vincent's Bascilica in Latrobe!!

Before the ceremony..

Jenna & her friend Rebbeca before the ceremony..

Beautiful statue of Our Lady at the back of the church..

Group photo after the ceremony..

Family photo after the ceremony..

It was such a nice ceremony..The homily was fantastic, the singer was AMAZING, and the whole family got to go up & give Jenna her diploma..We were so impressed!!

More pictures to come..We had 3 or 4 people taking pictures, so I have to get them downloaded!!

The Sweetest Thing, This Side Of Heaven...

*My nephew Luke ~ 2 months old*

Isn't he the cutest little boy you've ever seen??? But that's just this aunt's opinion!!