Why I've Been So Quiet....

I've been making preparations.  Preparations for the kids and Paul and packing a bag, making phone calls, finishing up last minute details, and buying plane tickets.  I've wanted to sit and breathe and cry.  The next few days will test my strength.....my resolve.  I'm headed back to Texas with my siblings for one last goodbye.

Please keep my family in your prayers.  The following song has been playing in my head over and over and over.

Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears from death into life.

The gospel reading for today made me cry....

I am going to the one who sent me....grief has filled your hearts.....it is better for you that I go.....because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;

And this has been taped to my fridge since Monica did it as a handwriting exercise in 4th or 5th grade:

Our life is a path towards paradise, where we will be loved and will love forever in a complete and perfect way.  We are born only to go to paradise.  The thought of paradise must make you strong against temptations.  If you are united with Christ, you will triumph over every difficulty.  I pray the Blessed Virgin to accompany you with her protection.  Look upwards.  Look up to Jesus and to those who really know Him, love Him, follow Him!  Look to Jesus who is Truth, Love the Example that illuminates, attracts and convinces!  Every hope of yours is satisfied in Him!  Jesus taught not only by word, but also by His actions in helping others.  You have followed in his footsteps.  He will surely reward you and fill you with His blessings.    -Pope John Paul II

St. Joseph, patron of fathers, please pray for my 

Dad.

The Sweetest Things

Today the boys were home from school because of a stomach virus.  They seem to be fine now, but it was a horrible night last night for sleeping.  Paul and I were up quite a bit with Lucas, and Gabe was a wreck this morning.

Angry Birds Centerpiece for Gabe's 7th Birthday Party/Dinner

I didn't feel great at all because of the lack of sleep.  I managed to get Monica to a class and make a few meals, but nothing too exciting.

Angry Birds Cupcake Toppers Used on Brownies picked out by the Birthday Boy!

The one bright spot in my day was a journal entry Gabe made.  It was very sweet.  He took a little notebook, a teacher's gift for me from the Religion Coordinators for teaching 4th grade this year, and a red pen and showed me this....

At the beginning of my life I knew I would have a good education and have good friends.  A good life is a treasure thought I, beautiful and kind friends are the best!  such as my family.

Is that sweet or what?  It made me think of a little note Monica gave me while in first grade....

Mama I wish I could be home but I have to go to school.

It was then that I knew I had a purpose in life to be the best mother I could be.  I don't always hit the mark, but sometimes.....sometimes I receive these little consolations that maybe, just maybe I do!

The One and Only....Gabe, the 7 Year Old Birthday Boy

 All Photos Were Taken by Maria, the designated photographer for the party!

Bloggers Unite!

Hey, Everybody! If you haven't a thing to do and would like to get some incredible inspiration for your next homeschool year, consider registering for the Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference.

Here's a link to a teaser for coming to the Blogger's Chat hosted by Margaret from Minnesota Mom fame!

It promises to be a blast!

You can register here.


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{PHFR}: Blogging from 35W

Because I have time while sitting here in the passenger seat, I'll give you a couple pics from yesterday.

Here's the Pretty and the Happy.....





It was great to visit with Fr. James while visiting Cistercian Abbey yesterday afternoon. The kids were a bit antsy so they ran around the courtyard, played in the fountain, and watched the workers working on the new pavement out front.

After our visit, we headed over to another family's house for dinner. It was great to catch up with Dave and Libby. Their kids are so cute and had a fun time playing with our kids. We had great conversation and just a general boost of encouragement in large Catholic family living. What a great couple and family they are!

Today we are headed back to Oklahoma City to drop off the RV and pick up our van. I'm still wondering how we are going to pack all of our stuff back into the van! Ugh!!!!

Meanwhile, here is the Funny and the Real we are headed for.....





See more Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real moments from the week over at LMLD.

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Alma Mater

We finally made it out of New Mexico and back to Texas. After a couple days at the Guadalupe Mountains and visiting Carlsbad Caverns, we got back on the grid yesterday. We had a late night visit with friends in Euless last evening. That was a blast!

Today we are spending the day visiting friends around University of Dallas. We finally made contact with Fr. James Lehrberger who married us 15 years ago this November! We are excited the kids will get to meet him and see a few memorable places for Paul and me.

It's amazing to be back. There is so much growth, expansion, and road construction. We just don't see this in the Twin Cities. It's a bit overwhelming to say the least.







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Hot and Dry

In case anyone is wondering how this is working for us, here are a few pics to show you.








The kids are loving the hot weather, but it's very dry here so our allergies are flaring up a bit. But who's complaining? Paul is doing a bang up job of driving our rig. Today we are on the road in New Mexico on our way to Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains.

Keeping on the educational front:

Monica's Earth Science class provided the inspiration for this excursion to the desert Southwest,
The boys are planning Skype calls tomorrow in Spanish with their classes,
We packed along several back issues of Nature Friend to keep primed on our study of nature and animals,
We are listening to E. Nesbit's, The Railway Children....delightful!

So far so good....thanks for all the prayers!

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Blogging Like a Crazy Woman: Communion/Confirmation Party

We had a little party this afternoon for Lucas and Monica to celebrate Lucas's First Communion and Monica's upcoming Confirmation.  It was fun to share the fun with another side of our family that we don't get to see too often.  Auntie Angie, Gary, and Mom enjoyed cake, ice cream, and lots and lots of happy noise!  Dad was taking a nap....a much needed nap after all the noise from lunch after Mass.  Poor Clyde, Auntie Angie's dog, was hiding under the table from the kids....I think he was a tad bit overwhelmed.  Jane and Nick managed too ease him out of there to pester him a bit more, though!

Meanwhile, this is what's going on back at home....poor Minnesota!

A Little Bit of Nick!

Nick enjoyed time amongst the sagebrush and mesquite trees yesterday. This wild boy loves the rugged outback of this drier climate, but this Mommy's skin does not.:(




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