Happy Halloween!

This year we had a "pumpkin maniac" (scary guy w/a pumpkin face that WWD liked), colonial American Girl Felicity Merriman, a purple-haired witch, a very scary ghost wearing a costume made out of a white pillowcase, and a pumpkin baby.
Great fun was had by all.

Pumpkin Patch Day

This afternoon we went to our favorite fall farm for a hayride to the pumpkin patch, corn maze, visits to cute farm animals, and other fall fun. It was a quick trip, and no matter how long we spend there each year, it never feels like enough.
As we were leaving, JPD said "Mommy, that was GREAT!" And it was.

We Now Return to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming...

In case you've been thinking that perhaps this blog is having a bit of an identity crisis--well, yes. I've been thinking that too. My plan for this blog was to make a family homeschool scrapbook, not to get all nuts about the election.

The thing is, I am all nuts about the election, or, at least, all nuts about the human rights violations being committed against the tiniest Americans. Which isn't exactly the same thing as the election--although, of course, they're connected.

Yesterday the kids and I had a holy hour of Eucharistic Adoration together, in honor of Respect Life month. It was great. Towards the end of the hour, I realized that my prayers had been mainly about the election, and that I was even a bit fuzzy as to whether the Adoration (which was part of a specially scheduled 12-hour Adoration at a parish near our home) was actually for the election. But it wasn't, of course; it was about Respect Life Month.

Regardless of the election outcome, no matter how scary or horrible things get in this country at any given time, God is in charge. He has a plan for our country and for us. But, I would imagine, He's much more interested in each of us (who HE made) than in any country or organization (which we made up). Political parties and governments are not eternal; we are. And what matters is what we do and say and believe in the midst of the point in time that we're alive, no matter what circumstances surround us. So, as for me and my blog, we'll be back to business as usual. No matter what circumstances surround us.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~ I Thessalonians 5: 16-18

"Only let your conversation be worthy of the Gospel of Christ."
- Philippians 1:27

Bathtime Brotherhood

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz!

MPD slept all night in his own bed!! Hooray!

Since our camping trip, when he got used to sleeping while attached to me, he has been up several times each night, and has gotten really mad when he's awoken to find himself in any bed other than mine. So this is HUGE. He stirred at about 4:45 and went back to sleep, still in his own room. (If I hadn't stayed up too late last night reading all your blogs and folding several mountains of laundry, I would have had a great night's sleep!)

I just had to share this exciting news. Wish me luck for another looooong night of sleep!

I am so not ready for this

...but we definitely had snow flurries going on today. The kids were jumping for joy. This year, I couldn't even pretend to be as excited as they were. It seems like winter just got over! As I've been watching the leaves fall this past week, I've been thinking "No, no! Please don't go!" because it will be six months before the new baby leaves come back out. I am definitely not ready for winter, this time around.

We did get back on our schoolwork track today, finally, after a week of camping and a week of mommy-recovery from camping (I'm ALMOST caught up on laundry!). So that's a bit better. But of course, with Halloween, this promises to be a super-busy week.
Here the kids are having recess in the leaves (can you see the snow flurries?!).JPD, future hockey guy:And look at this big boy, working on doing his spoon all by himself:

Stop Illegal Liberal Immigration!

From the MANITOBA HERALD, Canada

The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The possibility of a McCain/Palin election is prompting the exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, and agree with Bill O'Reilly.

Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal rights activists and Unitarians crossing their fields at night. 'I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn,' said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. The producer was cold, exhausted and hungry.

He asked me if I could spare a latte and some free-range chicken.

In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. So he tried installing speakers that blare Rush Limbaugh across the fields. 'Not real effective,' he said. 'The liberals still got through, and Rush annoyed the cows so much they wouldn't give milk.'

Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet Liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drive them across the border and leave them to fend for themselves. 'A lot of these people are not prepared for rugged conditions,' an Ontario border patrolman said. 'I found one carload without a drop of drinking water.' They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet, though.

'When Liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about the McCain administration establishing re-education camps in which liberals will be forced to shoot wolves from airplanes, deny evolution, and act out drills preparing them for the Rapture [note from Kim: What the heck is THAT?:)].

In recent days, liberals have turned to sometimes-ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have taken to posing as senior citizens on bus trips to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior-citizen passengers on Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney hits to prove they were alive in the '50s. 'If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we get suspicious about their age,' an official said.

Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage and renting all the good Susan Sarandon movies. 'I feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them,' an Ottawa resident said. 'How many art history and English majors does one country need?'

(P.S. Although this cracked me up, I do hope none of my dear "progressive" friends and family will be moving anytime soon. I do love you and I'm looking forward very much to this election being over!)

Book Report

I almost forgot to tell you about an INCREDIBLE audiobook that the kids and I listened to in the car on the way back from vacation last week. Maybe you know it: The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop. We all loved it--maybe even me the most! WWD had already read it a while ago; I said "HOW could you have read a book this good and not even told me about it?!" (Probably because he was in school, and I hardly ever got to talk to him because he was gone all day and running around to extracurricular activities all evening, but that's another story.)

Anyway, in this book, the boy--William--receives a magical castle and knight for a present from his beloved nanny. He and the knight go on an adventure together to save the knight's kingdom. I loved it because it was exciting, with rich, likable characters and vivid descriptions, and especially, because it absolutely championed the great values embodied in chivalry: honor, generosity, bravery, truth, etc. The book also fit in nicely with our history curriculum theme of the middle ages. (On the way to vacation, we listened to Jim Weiss' recording of the Knights of the Round Table, which we also liked quite a bit.)

Now we can't wait to read the sequel!

Nightmare Scenario: White Liberal Riot

From Creative Minority, this is too funny to pass up:

There have been numerous nightmare scenarios written should either one of the candidate's in this year's presidential election actually win. Some have even spoken of riots should Obama lose. But nobody has taken into account the specter of the of the...Weeny Whiny Liberal Riot!

This is CMR's view of what might just happen if McCain wins:

Shortly after Fox News, ABC, and CBS all declare John McCain the President-elect, the sound of martini glasses and champagne bottles being dropped all over the East coast signals the beginnings of a long and dangerous night.

The riots come from unsuspected areas, not from urban areas at all but urbane settings like Manhattan, Lose Angeles, and Ann Arbor Michigan.

Dozens of rioters in loafers and tweed coats stumble off their college campuses in Ann Arbor, Michigan and begin heaving granola bars at passing SUV's. This "mob" will angrily attempt to turn over a parked SUV but their little flabby arms will hardly hardly budge the behemoth automobile so they turn over a Segway locked to a tree nearby until one of the rioters says, "Hey that's mine" and threatens a lawsuit causing the rioters to scatter.

News anchors on television moan that the election was stolen from them which is actually something they do every four years so no surprise there. NBC is unable to call the race because Keith Olbermann locked himself in a room with all the cameras.

And in the heart of Manhattan a group of conservative columnists including David Frum, Peggy Noonan, Kathleen Parker and Christopher Buckley step out blinking into the street. They are unsettled and after arguing amongst themselves they decide that instead of tossing Molotov cocktails they'll heave Shrimp cocktails at middle class houses yelling "Bourgeois sc%m!" only to be disappointed to discover that Shrimp cocktails aren't flammable. Instead, Peggy Noonan heaves her Apple-tini at a McCain road sign with little effect.

Cadres of celebrities in California drag Tiny Fey from her NBC studio and burn her at the stake because they're afraid of the real Sarah Palin.

The celebrities soon decide to pull drivers out of any passing pick-up-truck to beat them but their hybrids are sadly unable catch up to any trucks before their car runs out of its electric charge and they're forced to pull over and call Ed Begley Jr. for a charge.

National Guard troops are called out to protect Starbucks which have been especially hard hit by thirsty looters.

A number of rioters showed up to egg Joe the Plumber's house but when he comes to his door and stares them down, they back off and apologize, picking up their eggs as they leave.

In a televised plea for calm, Bill and Hillary Clinton's beg liberals to calm down but unfortunately the two can't stop giggling long enough to get their message out.

Just What I Needed to Hear

I've been going through quite a rough patch lately, to tell you the truth. I am SO frustrated that I never get everything done that I want to do. Gradually it is sinking in that I never will. Praise you, Lord; show me Your Most Holy Will for my time and talents!! I have also been re-thinking my decision to go it alone, with no extra pair of adult hands around here. How we miss our beloved Jamie, who was a part of our family for the year after JPD was born!
So tonight I came across this post from a fellow homeschool mom-blog. It is the thoughts that I needed on this hot topic, this weekend.
Thank you, Sam-in-Maryland-with-an-amazing-looking-family, and especially, thank You, God! :) No doubt someone will come up to me in the next day or two, just asking to help me, right?!

Let's Re-Defeat the Infidels!

Anyone out there STILL voting for Obama?

A Call for a Rosary Novena
By Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man.

Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.

May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well‐formed Catholic conscience.

Please copy, email, link and distribute this article freely.
God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

This is my favorite article on this critical subject. If you haven't already seen it, please read it prayerfully and pass it on!

Not sure just HOW pro-abortion Mr. Obama is? Check this out.

Apple Fun with JPD

This morning at JPD's preschool we got to join him for some apple-themed fun. They had some very cute activities, such as:

Baking mini apple pies:
(Really cute idea; here's the recipe.)





Apple-stamping fruit and leaves on a giant apple tree collage:













Tasting apples and graphing your favorite on a class favorites graph:



Apple sequencing by size:
(As you can see, this one needs a bit of work--omigosh, should I worry??) :)


















Singing songs about apples, acorns, and squirrels: (SO cute!)













And the long ride home w/JPD's little bro':

STOP THE MADNESS!!

Yesterday I went on a tour of the Red Cross with KLD's Daisy Scout troop. It turns out that to donate blood, you must be at least 16 years old, with parental consent. Parental consent. To donate blood.

Kinda reminds me of the situation when someone (God forbid) kills a pregnant woman and both she and her baby perish. The killer gets convicted of a double homicide.

Could someone please tell me, HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE? HOW? HOW can you need parental consent to give blood, but not to have an abortion? How can anyone convict that killer of a double homicide with a straight face, in a country in which abortion--even at, like, 32 weeks--is considered legal?

I know this is not a very nice Catholic-Mom way to put this, but...WTF????

Mommy Wisdom

What Will They See?

Infant of mine,
What will you see,
As I wash your skin and change your clothes?
Eyes that are focused on the next task, or eyes filled with the wonder of you?

Toddler of mine,
What will you see,
As my head bends over yours and we brush your teeth?
Will you see a mouth turned down, a brow furrowed with thought,
Or a quick smile, just for you?

Little boys of mine,
What will you hear?
Words that seep with tiredness and frustration,
Or encouragement that you really can be the good boys
You want to be?

Daughters of mine,
What will you learn?
That mothering is a chore, a burden, a list,
Or a fulfilling, joyful job, worthy of your life’s attention?

Strapping sons of mine,
What will you observe?
A woman eager to control, to keep you under her thumb,
Or a mentor eager to disciple by example, a helping hand?

Husband of mine,
What will you find?
A spirit that is hard to please, a distant soul,
Or warm arms to welcome you as you walk in the door?

It is humbling, frightening of sorts, to realize that I create the majority of the memories that my family will carry with them regarding home. How have I framed that memory for each individual? Will their childhood have been filled with one of love and warmth, or of mommy simply “doing her job?” Will their adolescent years be full of good times, or will they be years of bad recollections? Will they grow up to desire a family for themselves, or will they believe that the cost of a child is much too high in terms of time, work, and finances? And my husband, if I were to be called home tomorrow, what would his memories of me be?

Have I, through the help of the Holy Spirit, given my best for these I love? Isn't it good to know we don't walk this path alone?

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning... (Lamentations 3:23-24)

The Other 997 Words

The pictures from our wonderful camping trip, while worth a thousand words, don't, of course, tell the whole story. Remember the one of me looking--uh, less than fabulous--early in the morning? :)Well, allow me to elaborate on our week.

My Top Ten Favorite Things About Our Camping Trip:
(in order, more or less)

10. The gorgeous full moon
9. Relaxing with a book at the campsite
8. The Door County Fish Boil at the White Gull Inn
7. Snuggling in my very warm sleeping bag w/MPD
6. Lying on the overlook point stone wall at night w/JPD, staring up at the AMAZING stars
5. Reading to the girls at night in our tent with a flashlight
4. Going on a long hike w/MPD in the backpack
3. Listening to the waves lapping on the rock beach while in my sleeping bag at night
2. The incredibly beautiful fall leaves,
and my very favorite thing:
1. How very much fun all my beloved precious family had on the trip

AND...

My Bottom Ten Least Favorite Things About Our Camping Trip:

10. The showers (ugh!)
9. The bruise from stubbing my toe the week before, that HURT so much when I went hiking
8. Trying to get in and out of my sleeping bag while holding the baby
7. How much my back hurt all week from sleeping on a cot with the baby attached to me at all times
6. The rainy day
5. How cold it was on the last two mornings, when the temperature was in the 30's
4. No time alone with Bill, at all, ever
3. How it was too cloudy to see the stars most nights
2. How our campsite was too uneven and rocky to set the baby down, ever, at all,
and the very worst thing:
1. How JPD, MPD, and I came down with some sort of horrible coughing and sneezing cold virus all week! We felt terrible and could not sleep!

So that's the dark side, as well as the happy side. Let me just say that those of you (I think that would be, um, all of you) who thought I was nuts for going tent camping with the gang for a whole week were quite right.

That's not to say, of course, that I wouldn't do it again. As you can see, the good list is far better than the bad list is bad. :) Bill even wants to go for TWO WEEKS next year! I'm already building my case that we'll need to get a nearby hotel room, since, of course, MPD will be a toddler and that just won't do at all for tent sleeping...

Look Who's 7 Months Old!

His month birthday was last week, in the middle of camping.
Love you, MPD!

Five is ENOUGH!

...Five nights in a tent, that is. What did you think I was talking about? :)
We had a great time on our vacation, camping in Door County, WI for the past week. The fall colors were amazing.
Here are some pictures...


Our campground was quite idyllic, right on the water...















"Goats on the Roof" at our favorite breakfast restaurant...




Fine dining at camp...













Real fine dining at our favorite Door County Fish Boil...
(Of course I wouldn't make it through this camping thing without a few nice restaurants thrown in...)

















Mommy and MPD in the morning...
(Now THIS picture is worth a thousand words..."I need coffee" being the first three...)






S'mores and a full moon...



















Visiting the lighthouse...
Happy campers and lots of leaves...