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!!