Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Here We Go -

Places everyone......okay, we've got Mike Wazowski, and ankles - not together......oh man! This one could've been it - but, we've got ankle and eye issues...
...ankles together please, and John Paul - oh forget it! It's in the genetic make-up of 5yo boys to make faces during picture time.
Yes! We've got ankles together!! Joseph look up please...okay - this is as good as it gets folks! 3 seconds later and Charlie ended the shoot!
Happy and a Blessed New Year from our family to yours!
God Bless!


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Behind

Here are a few pictures that I haven't posted in a week and a half...
While Paul and I were shopping yesterday, the kids saw a buck in the backyard who had missing antlers and was limping.
Like father... like son
The other toofer came out!
Dani was teaching Charlie to drink from a Big Boy Cup... but mostly because we couldn't locate his sippy cup!

I hope y'all are having a wonderful week!
Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Mike Wazowski

That's who our 5yo - John Paul - is all about. EVERYTHING is Mike Wazowski. He says something referring to Wazowski at least 5 times a day. So it's hard to remember all the things that he does. But some of them have been quite hilarious and quite creative!



He puts on his shirt with one eye showing through the neck-hole, "I'm Mike Wazowski".


He sees a circle with a dot in the middle, "Hey, look, Mike Wazowski!".


He was eating cereal this morning and ate a hole out of the middle to the bottom of the bowl, "It's Mike Wazowski!"


He'll close one eye...


He'll put a googley eye on his forehead...


When we put our foreheads and noses together and do "one eye"...




He cracks us up!
And here's a little tid bit that we learned today: He makes cameo appearances in several other Pixar films such as Finding Nemo (while snorkelling), and Toy Story (as a toy). [is snorkeling really spelled with 2 L's? - I copied/pasted that sentence and had to add an 's' onto appearance and change 'fills' to films, so I'm betting that they misspelled snorkeling too!]. At any rate, we'll be watching Nemo and Toy Story at some point today!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Creepin' Me Out!

Who's seen this it their e-mail box?The sun below is a speck - one megapixel - before the white speck.
THIS IS A HUBBLE TELESCOPE ULTRA DEEP FIELD INFRARED VIEW OF COUNTLESS 'ENTIRE' GALAXIES BILLIONS OF LIGHT-YEARS AWAY.

BELOW IS A CLOSE UP OF ONE OF THE DARKEST REGIONS OF THE PHOTO ABOVE

Nothing creeps me out like images of space! I know it's beautiful in a Godly sense and definitely wonderous and amazing. Yet... creepy!

Am I the only one?


UPDATE: CHANGE OF PLANS [was: Boycott]

Update: Because of the savvy comment reading by my friend Megan and her further research I am able to provide some further information concerning 'The Hewlett Foundation'. Hence the reason I took HP's logo off this post.

So - let me make this correction and make it clear: HP is not connected with this Foundation so there IS NO NEED TO BOYCOTT HP!

Thanks Megan ;)

Below is the original post:

We are definitely a boycotting type of family. It's not always easy to keep up but this company is just screaming for a boycott, in my opinion.

h/t: Therese

Friday, December 12, 2008

Drawing Online

I was doing a bit of research for a fellow hs-ing friend and came across this great resource for learning to draw. And membership is free!

Sweet!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Shoot Me!



When my 5 yo is reading to me - can you relate? - it's A-G-O-N-I-Z-I-N-G! Put me out of my misery already!!






Let me just back-up one quick moment and say that he really is a great little reader - pretty enthusiastic too. That's very nice. But when he's got a few new words that build up in to one story... ahhh... not so nice ;)







I'm having one of these for you too!


Cheers!

Can They....

... make a remote whose back would stay on? [!!!]
OR... at least make kids who don't take them off ;)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Rebooting America's Image

WASHINGTON, (AFP) – President-elect Barack Obama plans to give "a major address" in an Islamic capital soon after taking office as he seeks to mend America's image in the Muslim world, a Chicago Tribune interview said.


"I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular," Obama said in the interview published late Tuesday on the Tribune's website.


Obama promised an "unrelenting" desire to "create a relationship of mutual respect and partnership in countries and with peoples of good will who want their citizens and ours to prosper together."


The world "is ready for that message."


While he described a fresh approach to diplomacy, Obama said his administration would not shrink from the struggle against terrorism, referring to the recent attacks on India's financial capital.


"The message I want to send is that we will be unyielding in stamping out the terrorist extremism we saw in Mumbai," said Obama, who gave the interview from his transition team's offices in Chicago.


The Tribune wrote that Obama "plans to give a major address in an Islamic capital as part of his global outreach" but did not quote him directly.


Obama also said he would be sworn on January 20 using his full name, Barack Hussein Obama.
During the presidential campaign, some of Obama's political opponents would refer to his middle name in an attempt to portray him as a secret Muslim.


But the Christian president-elect said he would follow tradition for the inauguration ceremony.


"I think the tradition is that they use all three names, and I will follow the tradition," Obama told the paper. "I'm not trying to make a statement one way or another. I'll do what everybody else does."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What exactly is America's Image, Obama?

Monday, December 8, 2008

Straight No Chaser Reunited

And just to go along with the previous post! This is cool!

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

Love the black guy during the 'Africa' song!! This is awesome - and i too, rmbr this from last year!

Thanks Danette!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Charlie's Cake

Dani let Charlie help with making his birthday cake on Wednesday...

Another One Bites the Dust


Sophia's first top-front tooth finally came out last night at a Mexican restaurant. We went to the vigil Mass last night and 5 minutes into Mass she came clamoring over to me from the other end of the pew - quite in distress! - "My tooth is coming out!" Let me tell you, she wasn't exactly quiet about it [right Kayla?!] :o) She just kept talking loudly - kind of a controlled freaking out, if that makes sense. I had to keep telling her to keep it down... we were at Mass after all. So I made a little tissue pocket for her that she held under her mouth the entire Mass.

For whatever the reason, Sophia just doesn't like the idea of her teeth falling out. I think she's got some fear that she's going to swallow it or something. On the other hand - she loves the reward!

I'm very thankful that it didn't fall out during Mass - so as not to involve everyone with the dramatics! I even envisioned Father stopping Mass to help the screaming flailing child who had... just lost a tooth! And I'm thankful that when it did fall out during dinner she happily informed me, "My tooth came out." And we put it in her tissue pocket and put it in her skirt pocket. She turned out to be a real trooper about it! Praise God!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

STILL My Baby!

Funny how it seems so long ago and just the other day at the same time...

The last 3 were taken today - just busy playing with his toys. He could barely take the time to look at me! I really had to work it to get him to look up and then finally... a faint smile!


He may be 2 years old - but he's still my baby!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CHARLIE!!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving Funnies




Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!



Saturday, November 22, 2008

Have I Told You Lately -


... that I'm really missing my husband

Thank you for all the sacrifices you make day in and days out. You are my rock and I love you.

PS. There had better not be a certain movie ending to this trip of yours.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Not Much of an Addict

61%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites



h/t: to Therese [also 61% addicted!]

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Sneak Peek


I still have to drill holes to add the eye hooks and ribbon for hanging, but I'm pretty much done and ready for the swap tonight. It's so hard to get the eyes right. Funny how some look disappointed, pleased, and some down-right angry. Do they look familiar to you?

Ornament Swap

Well, tonight is our homeschool group's Jesse Tree ornament swap. We had 25 or so families sign up for an ornament to come up with 28 ornaments - some families made 2 so we could get to 28. [the most days in Advent are 28 - some years have less days]



THE STORY OF THE JESSE TREE Jesse was the father of the great King David of the Old Testament. He is often looked upon as the first person in the genealogy of Jesus.


In Church art a design developed showing the relationship of Jesus with Jesse and other biblical personages. This design showed a branched tree growing from a reclining figure of Jesse. The various branches had pictures of other Old and New Testament figures who were ancestors of Jesus. At the top of the tree were figures of Mary and Jesus. This design was used mostly in stained glass windows in some of the great medieval cathedrals of Europe. The Cathedral of Chartres (which was dedicated in 1260) has a particularly beautiful Jesse Tree window.


Another development in religious art during the Middle Ages was that of Mystery Plays--drama that depicted various Bible stories or lives of Saints and Martyrs. These plays were performed in churches as part of the liturgical celebrations. One such play was based on the Bible account of the fall of Adam and Eve. The "Tree of Life" used during the play was decorated with apples. (Quite possibly this is also the forerunner of our own Christmas tree.)


Combining the two ideas of the stained glass Jesse Tree window and the Tree of Life from the Mystery Play we come up with our Jesse Tree Advent project. This custom has been used for years to help Christians to prepare for Christmas.


I can't wait to see all the different ornaments tonight. To see each family's own creation. As an aside, I'll be finishing mine up today!


So be on the lookout for all the pictures of all the ornaments. It may give you ideas to use with your own groups.

Some other ideas for making Advent more meaningful are here and go check out Sara's post on her own family's Advent traditions.

Monday, November 17, 2008

It Can Be Done!

Really. And this is the proof! [*<-----this is a link folks; click it] This is an amazing story of conversion. And I know how much impact conversion stories have on us. So let us be vigilant in prayer for the conversion of all sinners - especially world leaders, our country's future leader, our Church leaders, and abortionists. *again, link explanation for the blogging impaired... you know who you are ;)

h/t: PM

Top this r! ;)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Japanese Water Fountain

This is really cool.

h/t: Therese

Friday, November 14, 2008

Did You Know?

My sister informed me by email today that this is

THE FEAST OF ALL CARMELITE SAINTS DAY

and you know what follows All Saints Day...

so what do you think follows All Carmelite Saints Day?

You've got it... All Carmelite Souls Day.

I found this by googling - guess I'm not the one enlightening everyone!

For a Laugh!

And at Sara's expense, go read what happened to her - it's her FRIDAY FAIL [!] ... seems it's not the first time ;)

...and Sara, you're welcome - just tryin' to drum up business for ya!

Hallelujah!!!!!

BALTIMORE The nation's Catholic bishops on Tuesday served notice to the future Obama administration that they will oppose "a culture of coercion" on abortion, even if they have to suffer doing so.

The five-paragraph statement, which was debated at length during an afternoon session of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual meeting, said the 223 bishops present were "completely united and resolute in our teaching and defense of the unborn child from the moment of conception."

Several bishops said church leaders must be prepared to suffer for their beliefs.

"We have lost 50 times as many children in the last 35 years as we have lost soldiers in all the wars since the Revolution," said Bishop Robert J. Hermann of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

"I think any bishop here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow to bring about an end to abortion," he added. "If we are willing to die tomorrow, then we should be willing to, until the end of our lives, to take all kinds of criticism for opposing this horrible infanticide." [I heard him say this as I watched on Tuesday and was doing the happy dance! How awesome is this statement!!]

The statement singled out the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) for criticism, saying it would "reduce religious freedom, and the Church must work against its passage."

If passed by Congress, FOCA would nullify all state laws limiting abortion. President-elect Barack Obama has promised to sign FOCA into law.

Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki said FOCA would have a "significant and adverse effect" and that bishops "need to be prepared in the face of increasingly militant threats to unborn life."

"The next step would be for federal law to require abortions by all hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, which we cannot do," he said. "We'd need to consider taking the drastic step of closing our Catholic hospitals completely."

Several bishops warned that Mr. Obama may issue executive orders as early as January, removing all limits on stem-cell research and approving the use of taxpayer money for abortions. Others mentioned reaching out to pro-life Protestants and other groups.

"It is not only us who will be attacked," said Bishop Kevin W. Vann of Fort Worth, Texas. "But as we have seen in the fight for the marriage amendment, the Mormons are being attacked in Salt Lake City."

Scranton, Pa., Bishop Joseph F. Martino said the bishops must concentrate on reaching out to Catholic politicians who disagree with them, even if they have to threaten excommunication in the same way that bishops in St. Louis and New Orleans threatened segregationist Catholic officials in 1947 and 1962.

"We must speak to Catholic politicians who are stridently anti-life," he said.

Referring to Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., a Scranton native, Bishop Martino said, "I cannot have the vice president-elect coming to Scranton, saying he learned his values there, when those values are utterly opposed to the teachings of the Catholic church."

The statement, which is in draft form, will be finalized later this week as an open letter signed by USCCB President Cardinal Francis George.

In other business, the USCCB announced it would stop controversial grants to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) made by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), a sub-agency.

The CCHD, which gave more than $1 million to ACORN in 2007, is stopping the grants because of "serious concerns about financial accountability, organizational performance and political partisanship," said New Orleans Auxiliary Bishop Roger P. Morin.

h/t: Danette
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And on a related note: A Greenville priest says that his parishioners should do penance if they voted for Barack Obama. I received this in an email yesterday - strangely enough, one of my hs friends had just been to his parish for a visit and said she was,"...quite impressed with the priest and mass there at St. Mary's...very reverent" - then she read this story yesterday. Pretty neat.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Advent Conspiracy

Likin' the bold message in this video! Think about it... Christ only received 3 gifts...

In Your Face!!!

I just don't think so - but, I did beat DH last game! Cha-ching!


You Are Chess



You are brilliant and shrewd. You can often predict what people will do in the future.

You thrive in complex situations. You deal with contradictions well.

You can have many streams of though going on at your mind at once. You keep track of things well.

You are very patient. You have lots of endurance, even when your energy dwindles

Problem Solver

Charlie's birthday is exactly 3 weeks from Sophia's [previous post] and boy... I'm not looking forward to what the TWOS have in store!

He is definitely at it again - but nothing was "boken" this time.

Here's the setup...

Dani was making Sophia's cake and the remains of the frosting were on the wisk of the mixer. Charlie told me that he wanted some - in his own language - so with the swipe of my finger he had a little taste. Of course we know where this is going. That one little taste wasn't enough. A couple minutes later he went over to the little stool and pushed it toward the island. It was so cute to see him work at manuvering that thing. I initially thought he wanted to watch Dani - then it was clear:

He is a doll though ;) Yes, I'm wrapped!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to You!!!



7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7




7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7




To our sweet Sophia!!


Your smiles light up my days!


Lunch dessert


7...wow, that's such a big number. It's a defining point in my mind. Once you pass 6... it's just different, ya know? Just a few days ago you were doing this [once you click the link, you'll need to scroll down ].

[blogger seems to be a bit fussy presently - this is not how I wanted my pictures laid out, but I can't move them around or the internet stops working - for some strange reason!]

It may sound like a silly 70's song - but you really do light up our lives Sophia!