Such a time we have had!

It's been a whirlwind Thanksgiving week, but such a nice time!
The boys were off, and so they were able to spend lots of time with friends and go skating, and sleep in and then loaf around. It's a good thing once in a while.
John hasn't had much time for loafing. Target is keeping him busy, but the paychecks make it all worth it!
Tim was off a lot of the week, but he wasn't loafing either! We have been planning to fix up the attic spaces under the eaves to make space to store things that we have to keep, but don't need to access.
Getting it done was no small job, but the first one is finished!! It was so great to finally be able to move all the school papers and other memorabilia into a clean, safe area. The old family photos, papers and archived information can be stored up there until someone needs it.

Thanksgiving was quiet but very nice. It was just our family, but we had a very nice day, with LOTS of food. We are still eating it.

Tim and I went up to Cecil College to usher for "West Side Story". It was a great production, and the two leading voices were wonderful! They are still having a bit of trouble with the sound system, but the actors overcame it and put on a great show!

Now, a quiet Sunday evening at home, before school starts again tomorrow.

So This Happened

Thanksgiving vacation!

Brendan 15

A Tale of a Tail

View from Bulle Rock

Autumn on the Susquehanna

Add caption

Thanksgiving Preparations

Apple Pie!

Hoppel Herbs for the Stuffing 

A very nice November!

Offerings

Crosses are everywhere, literally.

The form of the cross can be found in nature, in art, and in structures, whether incidentally or intentionally.

Crosses in the form of suffering are everywhere too. In the course of an average day, we bump up against any number of annoyances, injuries, worries, frustrations, and even people that are opportunities to "offer it up".

Keeping our eyes and hearts open for the crosses that bring our minds and hearts to the Cross of Christ, is a lifelong habit that we can learn to love.
Offering our sufferings for the good of others makes those burdens lighter, and gives them purpose.

When we give even our little pains to God, we are imitating our beloved Jesus like a small child looks at and copies mom or dad. Of course our little efforts don't amount to much, compared to His, but they are precious to Him.

I am going to make an effort to see both kinds of crosses as I go through my days. I will post them here occasionally.

The image above is on the outer wall of one of the buildings at Mount Saint Mary's. I thought it was a beautiful and simple outward sign.
I also had a chance to offer up a wait in line today, and it was a great time to pray my Rosary!

I'm All Alone...

This has been happening more and more lately.
Everyone is off doing one or another of the things that they do, and here I am with time to catch up on the laundry, work on dinner, correct school-work, or blog. It's weird.

We have been trying to match the time that we have with what we have to do, and prioritize things better.
Having a plethora of "rewarding" activities can be anything but rewarding.
Wanting High School to be a time of preparation for whatever life has in store, became a high-stress treadmill that no-one wanted to be on. Academics are all well and good, but there has to be a balance.

I had to make the very difficult decision to let the boys drop piano. I loved having them play, but between the finances and the extra stress on the boys to perform, it was decided. I guess we will try to find a voice coach for Paul, at a lower expense, and they are both going to start playing guitar, which really isn't the same as far as learning music for it's own sake.

The year is going much more smoothly however. Biology isn't nearly the mountain to climb that I thought it was going to be, writing is turning out to be pretty low-key, at least so far, and math, well, it's math. But with the things that we have to do being less weighty, we an actually do trips and retreats, and learn by doing.
Paul wants to take Japanese, so I need to find him a class. He is still progressing in Karate, and I am so proud of him!

John is learning about working retail. For the time being he is enjoying earning money and learning the ropes there. I don't know what's next for him, on the career front, but I know that he is well prepared for it. Very bright guy, that one. I am so proud of his initiative.

Well, my time's up! Off to pick up my drama guys.

Picture Round-up!

Brendan Climbing 8-22

Paul and Yana Climbing at Annie's Playground 8-22

Sterling 1 year 8-25

Annapolis 8-26

Capitol Dome

View From Capitol Steps

Maggie 5.5 Yr

Lighthouse At Sunset 8-29

Flowers for Mary

While we were at Camp Veritas, we stopped at a farm to pick flowers for the altar. Mary and Noleen did a beautiful job of picking and arranging the flowers that then sat at the altar all week. They were there through all the evenings of Adoration, through the Eucharistic procession, and through all the Masses. I was so glad that Mary offered me a part of the arrangement to place before our statue. 

They have been very close to Jesus, just like Our Lady.

Like I Was Saying