Blame It On FB..

I can honestly say that the reason I haven't been blogging much is because I've been spending so much time on Facebook..Yes, it's true..At first I didn't think I would be on it as much, but then I started finding old friends, family, etc.. And now it's just kind of taken over..But I'm updating now..Isn't that a good thing?? :)

Anyway, we've had a bunch of things going on here..Our hot water tank died, so we had to get a new one..We have roots in our pipes, so we may have to get them replaced..Then we had the March for Life to go to, and we went back to Delaware to visit some friends..We're also anticipating the birth of our new nephew/cousin Luke..

Feb. will also be a busy month for us..This starts the beginning of birthdays!! We have a bunch of them coming up Feb., Mar., Apr. & May..But it doesn't slow down after that..Then we'll have Jenna's graduation, my nephew Zack's graduation, Communions, Baptism, the list goes on & on..I'm not much of a *party* person..I like the quietness..But I guess that's gonna get flung out the window..

I also have book reviews to do, I'm in the middle of reading 3-4 new books, and we can't forget the homeschooling!!

So please, please bear with me..I'm going to get caught up on things..I just need to take a deep breath, and dive on into it..Everything will be on here as soon as I can get it up..

Like the title says..Blame it on FB..LOL

I Will Have A New Post..

For our holiday happenings in a few days..Hope you all had a wonderful CHRISTmas & a Happy New Year..

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!!