Monday, September 29, 2008

St Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Feast of the Archangels!

I picture the whole Heavenly Court celebrating with us today! I love this week, it is filled with wonderful feast days! St Therese, Our Guardian Angels, St Francis and today the Feast of the Archangels! St Michael is my friend. He helps me out daily. This was from my Magnificat this morning:

O Lord, the angels' sheer delight!

Their life reflects your splendor bright;

as we today their praise declare,

May we their joy forever share.

St Michael, be our refuge here,

Preserve us from all useless fear;

Through you may God his peace bestow

On all nations here below.

St Gabriel, be with us this day,

Reveal God's will to us, we pray;

As Mary once did answer you,

May our response be firm and true.

St Raphael, heal our sinful heart,

May God his grace to us impart,

And may you guide us on the way

That we may never go astray. Amen.

Usually every year we make a "devils food" cake and pierce it with our forks, like St Michael might...but this year I bought a angel food cake and we will make some pudding frosting and have that today along with something with angel hair pasta. We will also color Mathilda's beautiful pictures! On the Feast of the Guardian Angels we just might have to make angel cutout cookies and be angels ourselves and deliver them to friends!

We are SO blessed to be Catholic and know about all this Heavenly Court helping us every day!

St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do thou O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Christine!

For all the Christine, from A Simple and Holy Life, followers:
Yes, she deleted her blog. She has her reasons, the same reasons I think we all have as bloggers. Being a slave to the comments, check. For fear for our children, check. I always pray about it though and end up chickening out. I don't think I'd ever delete my whole blog, not without printing it out anyway!!
I admire her for just doing it. Freeing herself from it. There is so much pride that comes with blogging, always checking for comments, for that self gratification that I am worthy or something. My next statement would be "I DO have real friends". Well, yes, but the problem is many of you have become my real friends. Friends who can email me for prayers, send twirly skirts to my children, friends who I can call and ask what they are planning for the upcoming feasts. Friends who I have names in common with, including my own. Friends who make me laugh and cry. Friends who I have met and would not have were it not for this blog. Friends to send Christmas cards to. I am happier. My blog is a part of me now. It's hopefully a place of "Jamieness" It's me. It's pink, it has my thoughts, my prayers. Hopefully people leave here feeling happy.
I think that is what Christine had too, a place of "Christineness" I know people left there usually feeling happy, she's pretty funny. She also is great at teaching the faith to all who go to her blog. I'm sure her blog helped at least one person come back to the faith, which makes her turning 40 blogging adventure SO worth it!! I know her and I have grown closer but the good thing, is I still get to see her. The sad thing is you don't. Everyone will miss you Christine. I support you, I love you, blessings my good friend!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Update on Peighton And Jill

Jill: Eternal Rest Grant unto her oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.



Peighton: (she is just 4 years old and is in our local homeschool group) She was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors and one in her spine on September 4th. I will quote her mother, Jennifer here on their Caring Bridge site update:


"Peighton has what is called Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma....(pie-low-max-oid astro-sigh-toe-muh), also known as a low grade glioma, grade 2. Basically, it is a tumor that won't ever go away, but is treatable. We will be starting chemo in the next few days, and will continue with chemo for the next 15 months. So, yeah, long road ahead of us....but we will know whether or not it is working come Christmas. The trick is to get this thing to shut off and quit growing and causing problems. Hopefully the chemo will not only shut it off, but it will shrink it too.


Tom and I are feeling pretty okay with the diagnosis...while it isn't what we wanted in the beginning, it isn't the end of the world. There are tons of other things that this could have been that could have been just a death sentence, and we wouldn't be given the opportunity to even fight. So we are finding blessings in this. And with our best fight and God's sweet grace, we will beat this thing!


There are tons of different treatments, and I am sure that some of you might be wondering about radiation. Well, frankly, she is just too young. The location of the tumor is not an ideal spot for doing radiation...it wouldn't be a good thing since her brain is still growing. Once she reaches the age of 8 yrs, then it is a card that might come into play...but hopefully in 4 yrs, we won't have to play any cards cause it will be shut down and she will be fine. One step at a time....that's all we can do."


I ask for prayers for this family and all they are going through. They had to put their son, Ryan into public school in order to free their time to help Peighton. Jennifer, the mother, recently posted how they saw Ryan sitting staring at Peighton's bed. How he misses her. How hard this is on the whole family. Please join me in praying for this family and all they must endure. Jennifer just became a Catholic on Easter Sunday and has a very strong faith, let's keep her lifted up in prayer. Thank you all.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Our Lady of Sorrows

The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's and meditating on her tears and dolors. The devotion was passed on by St Bridget.


Here are the seven graces:

  1. I will grant peace to their families.
  2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
  3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
  4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
  5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
  6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
  7. I have obtained (This Grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

Seven Sorrows Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

  1. The prophecy of Simeon.
  2. The flight into Egypt.
  3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.
  4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
  5. The Crucifixion.
  6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
  7. The burial of Jesus.

If you'd like a copy of this prayer card, email me (click on my profile on my sidebar) and give me your address and I will send this to you! I have lots!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Exaltation Of The Holy Cross Doings

To celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross after Mass we had a delicious lunch of pesto noodles, tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad and Cross Poke cake.
The poke cake surprisingly turned out beautiful! Isn't it pretty? It's pretty amazing to pour liquid jello all over a freshly baked cake and not wreck it. (it was hard to do) How does it taste, you ask? Well, 1/2 the kids liked it and 1/2 did not, one only ate the delicious pudding frosting and I, well, add this to my picky list, eating wet cake is not my cup of tea. Although, it did have good flavor, one taste is all I could eat.
Pudding Frosting:
8 oz cool whip
any flavor instant pudding
1 cup milk
Mix and frost, delicious, creamy and thick, yet light tasting!
I did cheat a little bit and not make the pesto noodles from scratch, I used a season packet!!

Tomorrow for Our Lady of Sorrows, We will do the 7 almond snack!
For those of you who are interested in the poke cake recipe, it is SO easy. All you do is make a cake, any cake, but white or yellow work best to see the colors come through. After you bake the cake, poke it with a fork, all over, in rows, or lines. Make jello, the 4 serving size, any flavor or color and pour the liquid all over your cake, slowly. Refrigerate at least 3 hours, then frost!





Saturday, September 13, 2008

Exaltation Of The Holy Cross (Triumph of the Cross)

Prayer Before A Crucifix

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul I pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five wounds, pondering over them within me, having in mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones."
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be for the Holy Father's intentions

I am in the process of trying to make a "poke cake"! Not sure how it will turn out, as I have 2 conflicting recipes, one says to wait until the cake is completely cooled, the other says to pour the liquid jello on the warm cake...I think I might make it right in the middle, not cool or warm. Lukewarm, that's it! The plan is to make a white cake in a cross shape cake pan, (it's in the oven) and then poke holes in it and pour cherry jello over it, which will poke through it. (symbolizing the blood of Jesus) pudding frosting on top! Hopefully I will have pictures for you tomorrow, on this wonderful feast day!


Friday, September 12, 2008

The Feast of The Most Holy Name of Mary

Today for this special feast we made cookie cutter cookies and decorated them with blue frosting and sprinkles and colored beautiful pictures! And prayed the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I love that prayer, it's amazing all the beautiful names for our Blessed Mother.
I posted the recipe on Catholic Cuisine.


Jedi said after eating his cookie, "those were good, they tasted just like the cookies we make at Christmas time!" O.K. we don't make cookie cutter cookies that much. They were fun though! These don't tempt me at all, if there's no chocolate, it's not worth the calories.

Prayers Needed Please!!

Barbara's cousin needs miracle prayers.



Please also pray for a 4 year old little girl named Peighton. She is in our local homeschool group. Her family just found out last week that she has cancer and has tumors in her head and down her spine. She is having surgery today to try to find out what kind of cancer. She has been throwing up and having headaches and her legs have been aching. Signs of the cancer progressing. Her older brother had to be put in to public school this week and the family is doing their best to stay positive.


Kind of puts things in perspective. We are so blessed. I unite these 2 beautiful souls in my prayers. Won't you join me?

Under all the Holy Names of Mary, Pray for us!


Litany Of The Blessed Virgin Mary:


V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.


God, the Father of Heaven: -- Have mercy on us. (repeat at end of each phrase.)
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world:
God, the Holy Spirit,Holy Trinity, One God,


Holy Mary, -- Pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.)
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of Heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
Queen assumed into Heaven,
Queen of the most holy rosary,
Queen of Peace.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,Have mercy on us.


v. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
r. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

How About A Friday Laugh?

Click HERE for a good campaigning laugh, no matter what you think about either party, it's pretty funny.



Blessings on your Friday.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

We Remember

Lord have Mercy on all the souls lost that day. Lord have Mercy on all who were left behind without their loved ones lost. Lord have Mercy on us.

We Remember

We Remember and we pray for all the souls lost that day and all the people left behind to mourn.
Lord have Mercy on us.
'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ... I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me? I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me? Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.' I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thank You!

Thank you all so very much for your well wishes and blessings for my birthday. How very blessed am I?
I have to admit, I don't like the attention on me. A few of my friends asked me what I'd like to do and my response was "I'm too busy to have a birthday!" With school starting and trying to follow a schedule I just didn't have time. I want to thank especially Christine for surprising me at 8:55 a.m. with a full meal, fresh bread, fresh garden veggies (my favorite), brownies, candy (one for each of us!) a diet cherry coke, french vanilla coffee and lotion. (sorry if I forgot anything) She is so thoughtful and I really appreciate it. My good friend, Lisa, also made my day by insisting on coming in the afternoon (after our school schedule) to watch the kids so I could go to Adoration to be with our Lord on my birthday. (along with a beautiful rose and a nice gift) It was wonderful and made my day! I yearn to see Him and could have been there all day!
My good friend Sarah, sent a nice book and perpetual Masses for our whole family. My wonderful husband got me what I asked for, a copy of the movie "Bella"!! He also surprised me with a 1/2 dozen beautiful roses. (delivered in the morning) Even though I insisted he not do that! I'm a party pooper for myself! I even told the kids I did not want a cake. (hey I'm trying to lose weight and did not want to feel guilty on my birthday!) I told them it was because it is not healthy. I really try to not talk about being "fat" in front of the kids. I want them to see confidence and have confidence themselves no matter what size they are. Throughout the day I felt guilty about not wanting to feel guilty! So my super husband picked up a Dairy Queen ice cream cake and we all had ice cream cake and ate unhealthy for the sake of celebrating and the kids had fun and I didn't feel guilty (that much)!
I have to apologize to Melissa because she is a fairly new friend. Although we clicked the minute we met and have fast become great friends, we are still "new" friends and she asked what I'd like to do, as she loves to celebrate birthdays! (I do too, just not my own) I ended up venting my feelings about the coming day and I guess did not allow her to be good to me. SO I am sorry, in the future, if you want to do something to or for me, you just have to do it, I'll deal with it somehow, but I can't be asked, because I won't allow it to happen. I know, it's bad. Maybe it's a control thing. I have that "Martha" personality, wanting to be a "Mary" but it's hard. Please accept my apology.
It's kind of weird, I get kind of sad right before my birthday every year. I think I start thinking about where I'd like to be physically, spiritually and always fall short of that. Once the day comes, I'm fine, it goes away.
Thank you all and blessings to all of you, I couldn't help but pray for all my readers in Adoration yesterday, you just kept popping into my head!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Today Is My Birthday!

That title is sung in that old song kind of way! Da na na na na na!
I think when it's your birthday, you have to tell other people, on that day, it somehow makes their day, watch their eyes light up and a big smile come on their face as they say "Happy Birthday!" I love to tell the cashier wherever I go that day and watch her face, whoever she might be. Funny how people just know that life is special, even if they don't know the person.
I really don't have any great pictures of myself, so I pictured one of my favorite summer flowers, Cosmos, which always seem to bloom right around my birthday! These are from our garden.
How old am I? 39 (for the first time)! 9-9-69, pretty cool day, huh? the 6 is really just an upside down 9!
Blessings on your day, and St Peter Claver, pray for us.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and to our godchild Eva on this special day too!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Paper Dolls!

This post is for Jessica! These were part of the Little Saints Preschool program. It is me not following the program. I like to follow an outline and do my own thing. SO, these were supposed to be plain, simple flannel board boys. First of all, I didn't want to try to cut flannel. (it's not fun, is it?) Then I thought, the girls will play with these for only a couple days, so I'm going to make it simple and a little more hands on for them. These are Mary's and she actually let me help her a little. I forgot to take a picture of Ballerina Rosie's...but you get the idea! I did save them and we will add to them and make new clothes and new dolls! Mary is SO different than the others, she rarely lets me do anything. She wants to do it all. Babycakes lets me color numbers on her paper, shapes, letters, pretty much anything. NOT Mary, never has...it is something that makes her unique and special. (I keep telling myself that anyway!) It does make me realize how special God makes each child, so different, with such different personalities. Children are such a blessing, not only my own, but ALL children, all over the world.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

My Mailbox!

Beginning of Summer!


End of Summer!
Of course, I have more pictures to share, if anyone is interested. It has been fun looking for cool mailboxes! it's never too late to post your mailbox, I'd love to see it!



Friday, September 5, 2008

John McCain Introduction at the 2008 Republican National Convention

Just in case you missed it! A friend sent this to me. How could anyone be for Obama after seeing this? There's no way he could even compare.

Mother Teresa

Pray for us.

Blessed Mother Teresa

Please watch this beautiful video clip of beautiful Blessed Mother Teresa. Her words are so touching and can fit every one of us wherever we are in life. Watch how one of her sisters calms down a sick child with her loving touch. How many of us would be afraid to even touch some of these poor, sick people?

We are celebrating this day by doing projects in Catholic Mosaic, coloring her, reading about her and looking at pictures and videos of her. Our world needs her. It amazes me how she died right around the time Princess Diana died and how Princess Diana stole the show so to speak. She went out humble, just as she lived.

"Never let anyone come to you without coming away better and happier. Everyone should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile." -Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Religion

Faith and Life. I thought I'd give it another try...but I am not liking it. Jedi is not liking it either. There is no teachers manual, there are no answers. I just don't like it. It's, well, boring. I don't want him to start hating religion. What do you use? What do you like best? What do your kids like best? Do I need to switch back to Seton?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Luke Jordan September 2, 1981-November 2, 1981

Sorry, this is such a blurry picture, it's before digital times and
is a picture of a picture.


He was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. He was born and within the week, he was rushed off to the Minneapolis Children's Hospital. He is my brother. My mother is a diabetic, and in those times, the doctors kept the diabetic patients in for about a week, so his first week was in the hospital he was born in, then off to Minneapolis Children's. He was born with a hole in his heart (the size of a dime) and a heart murmur.


I just finished reading "Broken and Blessed A Life Story" by Catherine Adamkiewicz. This was a really, really good book. I love the last chapter, the way it ends. I love why she named her blog what she named it. I love the details she listed. I went through my brother's death as a sister. It was good to hear her voice as a mother. It brought back so many things that I'd forgotten. Things that perfectly timed, I should remember. He is a Saint, after all, and this is his birthday. One of his feast days, the other being the day he went to Heaven.


Luke ended up having 5 surgeries. 3 major and 2 minor. (minor? How can anything be minor with a baby?) Eventually he was supposed to have open heart surgery around age 2. Already his little body was covered in scars from the surgeries from front to back. He was at the Children's hospital for 6 weeks. We got to know the nurses and the doctors. We had our favorites. Or I should say, my mom and dad did. They became family. They understood what no one else could at that time. We lived about 90 miles from the hospital, so my parents would wait til we came home from school and leave for the evenings. I was in charge of watching my little sister. (She was 3 at the time,I guess my brother was on his own, he was only a year younger than me) I cooked, cleaned, helped in any way I could. We were able to go see Luke on weekends. I remember one of my teachers calling my mom and asking if something was going on, because my grades had slipped. Ms. Snyder, she was actually one of my favorite teachers of all time!


Luke was Baptized on my 12th birthday, when he was 1 week old. I remember my grandma and grandpa coming over to visit me on my birthday, and my parents being at the hospital getting him baptized. I remember wanting to be there and not wanting to celebrate a dumb birthday when there were much more important things going on.


He pulled through it all. He had a teddy bear that had on a shirt that read "Little Tough Guy" so that is what we called him. Little tough guy, he pulled through every surgery. He fought. He was so beautiful. His life was full of pain, I'm sure. But, he finally pulled through and we were able to take him home!! He was around 7 weeks old. I remember that feeling of just relief, of finally being able to take him home. Of finally having him to ourselves. I remember my mom making us kids go out on Halloween, I think to have some normalcy. But it felt weird, I wanted to be home with him. I wanted to be there.


Then, on November 2nd, All Souls Day, early in the morning, he had a heart attack. My parents called an ambulance and my dad tried to administer CPR. I remember it being around 6am. My little sister was still sleeping, she missed it all. She was so little, she is also deaf, so she slept soundly through it. Thank goodness, it would have been hard for her to understand. Although, I remember her looking at his bassinet afterward, not understanding why he wasn't there. I stood on the front steps in my jammies waiting for the ambulance, while my dad tried to do CPR. My parents were crying and yelling "Come on Luke!" "You can make it!" "Breathe!!" I was crying, pacing and praying Hail Mary's nonstop.


First, the police got there and parked in front of our house and just sat there. I was hysterical at this point waving and yelling "This is the house!" What was he waiting for? I still have no idea what he was doing to this day. (one of those little details hard to forget) We lived in town, the ambulance could easily find us. The ambulance drove up and then the police officer raced in ahead of them and took over for my dad. The ambulance then took Luke away with my parents following. They weren't gone long, maybe a little over an hour. When they came home, my parents and we all just cried in the living room. It was the first time I saw my dad cry.


At the time, I couldn't understand why God didn't take me instead of an innocent little baby. Why did God let me live? I wanted to die. I would have died so my mom could have her baby. I felt this way for many years. I really believed God should have taken me instead. I'd already lived 12 years, why couldn't God just let Luke live and take me?


For years after, I remember every time my mom would leave, I would go in her room and take out Luke's box and smell all his clothes and blankets. For a long time, they smelled like him.


Luke's life had purpose. At the funeral, there were some women in the choir that between the 4 of them, had 12 babies that they had lost. Not one of them was able to have a funeral or service for their children. It just was not done in their time. They told my mom when they saw the little white casket coming down the isle, they were able to bury their babies with him. This was very comforting to my mom.


Because of Luke, The Minneapolis Children's Hospital made it mandatory for parents to learn CPR before leaving the hospital with their child. It was not my dad's fault, they just did not know how to administer CPR to a baby and the hospital realized how important this might be for future children.


Having had 4 c-sections, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to pick 3 of the birthdates of my children. Because of Luke, I chose this date 4 years ago when "Mary Hannah" was born. She was born on a special day. The feast day of a great little Saint. Along with the sadness, there is joy. Unending joy. Joy that is waiting for us.


Saint Luke, Pray for us.