HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM

HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM I

What a historic event!

The College of Cardinals have elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as Pope Francis I.

May God bless Holy Father Francis, and all the faithful!!

Pray for the Cardinals

“We must pray and pray much; for... no science, no human prudence can furnish a remedy to the evils that desolate the Church: the all-powerful arm of God is needed. 

We must pray to Jesus Christ that he may give us as the Head of his Church a man, less remarkable by his science and human prudence, than by his fervor and his zeal for the honor of God; a man, absolutely inaccessible to every intrigue, who is above all human respect. For, if we have the misfortune to have a Pope elected, who is not a man that seeks only the glory of God, the Lord will aid us but little, and in the present state of things all will go from bad to worse. 

Prayer, then, is the only remedy. 

I have, therefore, written to all the houses of our humble Congregation, and have enjoined upon them to pray with more than ordinary fervor for the election of a new Pope.... Such is the advice that can be given by a miserable man like myself.”

–St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Bishop of S. Agata dei Goti
Letter from Arienzo
24 October 1774

Bunch of Questions Meme

Since  Tracy and Jamie Jo played along with this meme (or Bunch of Questions), I thought I'd join the fun.

Here are The Rules:

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the “tagger” has set for them.
3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. They must then choose 11 bloggers and tag them in their post.
5. These “lucky” bloggers must then be told.
6. No tag backs

Eleven things about myself:
1.  I observed a milestone birthday last month.  The first digit is a 5, and the last rhymes with GO!  :-)  Craig was in Afghanistan, so that's why I observed it, and didn't celebrate it. I was really melancholy that day, but once the day passed, I don't feel any differently. 
2.  I have three grown, married children, and three younger kids at home yet. (My second crop, I tease.)
3.  I have 5 grandchildren, with number six due almost any day.  I love being a Grandma, but it gets tricky sometimes because Crash is only 14 months older than his oldest niece.
4.  I am currently enjoying the blissfully quiet house.  Dad and the 3 kids are deer hunting 'out back'.  The boys didn't make it home for deer hunting this year.
5.  We own 70 acres.  We need to reconfigure a few things, then we'll get more calves to raise for beef.  All is vacant in the livestock area.
6.  We currently have 31 hens and 1 rooster living in the chicken coop, and roaming the yard.  I also have an unintentional stockpile of eggs in the fridge.  Fresh eggs, any one?
7.  We used to live in Alamogordo, NM when Craig was stationed at Holloman AFB.  Loved it there.  We hope to go back to visit Alamogordo and surrounding area.  Last time we were there was October 1991... and that's way too long.
8.  We also lived in Wilmington, Ohio for 6+ years before moving back to Northern MN.  Like to go back there too....  I've been back several times since we moved. Last visit was in '02...   wow. Didn't realize that's been 10 years already.  Hmm, time to go back for a visit.  
9.  We have no home school group around us.  Kinda miss the camaraderie, and I know the kids would love to have other home schoolers to visit and befriend.  MN Catholic Home Education Conference is my one time each year to talk with, and glean ideas from, other home schooling moms.  I wish it'd last an entire week....  J/K (kinda).
10.  I've been making plans for Christmas already.  I was awake at 5am this morning, trying to figure out where everyone will sleep, as all the kids and grandkids will be home!  It'll be crazy-busy, but great.  We always enjoy the big family gatherings. 
11.  Craig and I were HS sweethearts, got married when I was 19 and he was 21, and we've been married for over 30 years.  Would I do anything differently, could I do it all over?  Nope, not a thing.  Love that man that God has blessed me with, and I thank Him.




Eleven Questions Tracy Made Up:

1. If you could go anywhere for one month, where would you go and why?  I'd love to go back to Hawaii, if cost was not a factor, and bring the kids with us this time.  Why? Have you ever hiked a mountain to see the sunrise over the ocean?  Felt so close to God I think I could've touched Him.  The atmosphere in Hawaii is just so relaxed and different, so soothing.  People actually slow down on the freeway to let traffic in!!!  It was amazing.
2. If you could move to another country, where would you move and why?  I'm not sure...  don't think I want to 'move' to another country.  I'd love to visit Italy, and Croatia, Slovenia, Poland... lands of my ancestors, but wouldn't want to move anywhere else.
3. If you could develop a talent for something, what would it be?  Maybe photography.  And listening.  I need to become a better listener.
4. What are three things you really want, but don't really need? hmm. Tough questions! Concerning our remodel, I want granite countertops, but will 'settle' for butcher block...     I want a separate school room, but will continue to school in the kitchen...   and I want all 231 items on my Amazon wish list!
5. What are your own, personal, smartphone rules? (stoplights, check-out lanes, during meals, in the presence of others, in the bed/bathroom)  Smartphone?!  Nope, just an old fashioned digital phone.  And we're mighty lucky to have service at the house!
6. City or country?  I love visiting the city, but country!!
7. Major or minor music?  Major
8. Cats or dogs?  Both
9. Red wine or white?  neither
10. What century and country would you have liked to live in?  I think the Wild West Era would have been amazing.
11. Are you still friends with your college roommates and bridesmaids?  College roommates, no.  We sent Christmas cards until just a few years ago...  My maid of honor was my sister, so yes to her but no, none of the other bridesmaids.

 

My Eleven Questions for you:
1.  What is your favorite, most vivid childhood memory?
2.  Whom do you admire most? Why?
3.  What is your ideal way to spend the day?  (Without concern about cost, chores, or other obligations.)
4.  What is your dream for your children?
5.  What is one dream your have for your spouse?
6.  What is your favorite pastime/hobby?
7.  If you could live a lifestyle other than the one you currently live, what would it be?
8.  Your favorite fictional character is?
9.  What is your one vice you'd love to be rid of?
10.  How would you like most to spend your Golden Years?
11.  What season or holiday do you enjoy most, and why?



Eleven Tagged Bloggers: Well, I am pretty sure I don't have eleven bloggers read my blog, so if you want to play along, consider yourself tagged!!  Or if you'd rather,  just answer in the com box.

Daddy's Home!!

When the military says Dad comes in from Afghanistan in the wee hours of the morning, we thank heaven we're very flexible. 

Here is Crash, patiently waiting. It was nearly 1am at this point...

  Once they landed and were brought up to the hangar, we were told to wait on this side of the roping.....  while the returning members were 'in-processed' on the other side.

There's Daddy! He's holding the manilla envelope.

But when you're a little guy, that 'suggestion' doesn't cut it...
and you just run under the rope.


Because when you are 5, the waiting is too hard and you just need to give Daddy a hug...

Especially when you've missed Daddy so much.

It was apparent that Daddy missed you too, because he was not willing to let you go without a good long hug.

Finally!!!  Daddy's HOME!!


 
The typical 'hurry up and wait' routine is all too familiar...

All the waiting, and the praying, and trusting paid off.  
We thank God for His loving protection and for answering our prayers.
He kept Daddy safe, and protected us here at home, too.  

Although we've been through separations like this many times before, it does not get any easier.

We sincerely thank everyone who remembered us during this deployment.  
Words cannot begin to express our gratitude for your prayers, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
May God bless you.


Most people really can't grasp the scope of the daily sacrifices made for this great country by wonderful, ordinary men and women in the US military.
May God bless and protect all our military and their families. 

And, especially as Election Day draws near, May God Bless America!

**Note:  All photos on this post were taken by our oldest daughter Candice.

Labor Day Love

Happy Labor Day, everyone!   

I'm posting the following video for your enjoyment, with loving gratitude to my dear husband, and every member of our Armed Forces.  Even though it is Labor Day here in the States, and many of us are enjoying a long weekend, our military members are hard at work.  My guy is working his usual 12-hour shift in the desert, a mere 7,000+ miles away from his family.

Thank you, Honey, for your hard work and your daily sacrifices you make not only for our family, but for our country.  I love you.  Stay safe and may God continue to bless you!

Wordless Wednesday

The Easiest Thing I've Ever Done...

No truer words have ever been stated.

Love you Babe....

Wordless Wednesday

 

What is Love?

This is absolutely wonderful, and definitely worth your time to watch. 

The courage of this young woman is so inspiring!

                                                       HT: my daughter Candice
That is love.

The Miracle of Life

Fabulous video... please watch.

Wordless Wednesday

The 'Auntie Meem trying to get our math workbook done while babysitting' edition:

Wordless Wednesday

(Mimi's 9-11 Commemoration.. She was 16months old on Sept. 11, 2001...)

Heroes::Ten Years Later

I've been thinking a lot since this weekend about various things concerning 9-11....  the images and tears have been renewed and a wound has been reopened.

The police departments, fire departments, port authority....  putting others before themselves.   Heroes?  Certainly.  But one thing that always nags at me is they were doing their job.  They had trained long and hard to deal with every imaginable event to help and protect civilians.  Not to diminish their accomplishments at all, oh no!  I think they did a phenomenal job.  And so very many gave their lives.

But the passengers of Flight 93 are, to me, by far much greater heroes.  "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13   Friends and loved ones yes.... but mostly total strangers. 

And now this....... is amazing.

How is it that it took ten years for us to learn of the bravery of ordinary-men-turned-heroes? 

 Did you catch that?   One radio call ...   that's all it took.   Real live heroes, people! They responded by the hundreds.  For hours.  May God bless them.


Once again, my faith in mankind has been restored. How about you?

Remembering 9-11

As with most Americans, we remember exactly where we were on that beautiful blue skied day ten years ago, and how unprepared we were for understanding the horrific events that were unfolding.

Do you remember how wonderful it looked when that natural surge of patriotism decorated so many streets in our communities?

We were united by the pain we felt, and turned the pain and hurt into something good.

 Something positive.

 All across our nation, we saw the flags.  Americans were supporting one another. 

We were praying for our friends, neighbors, country.

 That is the American Spirit.  We trust and hope in good. 

May God bless and protect the USA.

Night-time Critters

Triggered by Dawn's post about having a flying squirrel at her feeder last night, I thought I'd likewise post about the little night-time visitor we, too, had at our feeder last summer.

Our pup was all worked up, insisting that something of interest was going on in the bird feeder.  She kept whining, and dancing all around the base of the feeder while standing on just her hind legs.    So I very carefully put a 5-gallon bucket, upside down, next to the base, grabbed the spot light we keep at the ready near the backdoor, and very carefully stepped on it, to see inside of the feeder.  I   s-l-o-w-l-y   stood up and looked inside the feeder - I had no idea what to expect and was rather on edge!  "Oh!!  A cute little......  what is that?!" I thought.   It definitely was a nocturnal something (look at those large eyes!) - but what?!  It HAD to be a flying squirrel, but who knew we had flying squirrels here??!

It was not interested in me whatsoever, and kept on feasting on the Cheerios, Rice Krispies, stale bread crusts and bits of brownie crumbs that we had dumped into the feeder.  (I reasoned that since it is nocturnal, and I did have a very bright spot light blinding it, it had no clue that I was even there taking pictures of it.)  So I took several pictures,watching it for at least 5 minutes, and then it was done with dinner.  Either that, or really annoyed at that bright light disturbing it's meal...

It was only about 4 inches long from nose to rump, not counting the tail.  It scampered up to the top of the roof over the feeder very quickly.

I barely had time to jump off my little perch and take pictures while shining the spot light!

Then before I knew it, it lept (or "flew" if you will) off of the bird feeder onto the near-by tree and scurried up the tree.   Too quickly for me to find it with the spot, much less the camera!  The skin that expands from leg to belly is so amazingly white that I was able to see it without the use of the spot light.  (Doesn't that fur look incredibly soft?  Click on the image to enlarge.)

The following day I showed these pictures to the kids, and then we went off on a rabbit trail learning that yes indeed, we DO have flying squirrels in North America, two species, in fact: the northern and southern flying squirrels.  (Imagine that!)  It really is pretty amazing.

(This photo from itsnature.org)

Wordless Wednesday

Serenity on my Porch

Inspired by Jaimie Jo's view from her porch and Paula's room with a view last week, I thought I'd share the view from my porch as well. 

This was my fabulously peaceful morning today.  It is a great place to center oneself and spend some time alone with God.  It is so easy to pray out here in the solitude.  At one point I could hear a vehicle off in the distance, sounded like a bigger truck, I think.  But other than that, it was nothing but birds singing, hummingbirds zipping by, and a few noisy crows off in the distance.    Then the kids woke up and got going.

This really is a favorite spot for us to hang out.  The late afternoon sun makes it rather toasty at times, but all in all, we just can't beat it. 

Remember this pic?  The kids often ask to eat lunch out here.

'Nesting' on this porch is an ongoing process for me.  It's fun that it's always evolving.  Any time I get to rummage/yard sales, or go to the annual flea market in a nearby town, I'm on the lookout for 'new' things to go on the porch.  That makes me happy. 

I can see how I want both the yard and porch to look in my mind, and I'm always thinking about how to work things so that what's in my head is actually what everyone else sees, too.  That is a real chore at times, but it'll be worth it.

Wishing well we inherited from my mother-in-law.

I need to remind myself to stop the daily routine a bit more often so as to spend more time out here enjoying the view and the solitude, just as it is.

Summer Evening

We are fortunate to live waaaayy out in the country.  We enjoy our space.  We enjoy the great outdoors.  One of the kids' favorite summer things to do is to light a fire in the fire ring.  We don't do this terribly frequently, only on the evenings when Dad doesn't have to go to work the next day, cuz Dad is the one who mans the fire. 

Even when the wood is soaked with recent rains and creating way too much smoke, they've got to grab the roasting sticks and get some marshmallows toasted. 

And it almost goes without saying that we have to make s'mores.  The kids are pretty good at it - they get the fixin's all ready first, then they get those marshmallows over the hot coals.

It just makes a guy happy to have all that warm, gooey summetime fun in his hand.  And in his tummy!

He finished this s'more, then had to go inside.  He got a good dunking in the tub before falling fast asleep.

Our Fourth of July 2011

 Do you celebrate the Fourth of July with a BANG!??   Do you prefer to celebrate with a quiet, relaxing day?

 Do you decorate your home for this holiday?  Do you go all out?  You know, like, over the top?

 It has been said that I go all out with decorating for the Fourth of July, more so than for any other time of the year.  And I'll admit it -- I DO!  I just can't help it.  I decorate for almost all holidays, but try to keep the focus in the proper place, you know?

 This is a fun secular holiday, not a religious holiday, so I don't have to keep the focus on Our Lord - although we very well know that the reason this country was founded was strictly for religious freedom.  And we do thank God for that!

My maternal grandfather emigrated to the United States in 1922 at the age of 16.  He came here all alone.  His father had come a few years earlier, leaving all his family in their homeland, sending for the family as he could.  My grandfather spoke no English whatsoever.  How could he manage to get across the ocean, through Ellis Island, across over half of this country and find his family in Northern Minnesota, all by himself, without the ability to communicate with words?  It truly amazes me.

I loved to hear his stories when I was a child.  What I remember more than the words, are the emotions I witnessed when he spoke of this wonderful country.  This man was a true patriot.  He loved this country.  And I mean loved this country.  All of his sons, and both sons-in-law, served our country in various branches of the military.  And my grandpa was so proud of that - of them - for their service.

But this post isn't about my maternal grandfather!   That info was just to help explain my propensity for celebrating this birthday of our country with great gusto!

This post is supposed to be about my paternal grandfather!!   You see, he was born on fourth of July.  He's a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

My Grandpa John - on his 99th birthday - July 4, 2011

And he is 99 years young!!  One would never suspect that this man is 99.  Really.  He easily passes for oh, say, eighties or so.  Until he fell this spring and broke his hip, he motored all over on his own two legs.  (and although it took some serious talking, he was finally convinced to hang up the car keys just a year or so ago!)  Do you remember when I requested prayers for him this spring?   Well, he was determined to celebrate his 99th birthday with all the family, and so he did.

His sister Angie turned 90 just two weeks earlier, and so they shared the joyous celebration.  She lives in Southeastern Wisconsin, so they don't see each other much.  But they do talk on the phone every week.

Grandpa and Great-Auntie Ange

And they prayed grace together before they ate.

(My favorite photo of the day)

They posed with immediate family.

And of course with extended family - and birthday cakes!

We always have a family reunion on the Fourth of July, but some years the reunions are bigger than others. This one was one of those bigger years....  

 

Of course, we just had to have some music!

And for the pièce de résistance:  Balloons!  Red, white, blue, patriotic, helium-filled balloons!!  Only 99 of them!

 Do you see the Birthday Boy there, left of center?  Everyone who wanted to participate took a balloon, and on his release, we all were to release our balloon as well.

Ready?!   Set?!   Release!!

 Grandpa's 'red bouquet' is holding together...

 Fun was had by all!   

 When we were helping Grandpa back to the car, and bidding farewell, I thanked him for having a birthday on such a fine day.  And he looked at me and said, "This was a great day, wasn't it?  I sure enjoyed it.  In fact, I think I'd like to do it all again next year!" 

So, as far as our family is concerned, we've got plans made for next Fourth of July already, its marked on our calendar, and we intend to help Grandpa celebrate his 100th birthday.

We made our way home, had some more outside fun while we waited to run off to see the fireworks.

What a great country we live in... despite all her flaws.  One this is certain, our family  surely does enjoy celebrating America's birthday.

May God Bless America!