Jack's Trojan Horse

This art piece created by Jack struck me as being special for numerous reasons not to mention the fact that I did not even realize he knew the tragic story of the Trojan Horse. Initially I was surprised at the dull color scheme chosen. Most of Jack's art is filled with color and intensity; but this piece is different in that he mostly used yellows, greens and black. Maybe since Jack knows the story, he chose less than bright colors to set the mood. Secondly, I love the detail of the soldiers pulling at the massive horse with their tangled ropes. The castle gate is their destination and whoa to the group waiting behind the walls. Finally, where we see the innocence of a child's art: The entry gate appears flat on the ground...but the art critic can see what the child artist is trying to convey. This is all very beautiful...this is my Jack's very own creation and tells us so much about his interests and mind. What a beautiful work of art by God..of...my Jack.

Humor for the day...

Little known facts about the Catholic Church in Las Vegas:

There are more churches in Las Vegas than casinos. During Sunday services at the offertory, some worshippers contribute casino chips as opposed to cash. Some are sharing their winnings – some are hoping to win. Since they get chips from so many different casinos, and they are worth money, the Catholic churches are required to send all the chips into the diocese for sorting. Once sorted into the respective casino chips, one junior priest takes the chips and makes the rounds to the casinos turning chips into cash. And he is known as ....................The Chip Monk

I really like that one!

Drawing his own conclusions

Gus: Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?

Me: I made chili.

Gus: (Looking down at his chili bowl) Man, we must be really poor.

Pumpkin Fun

A couple of fun things to do this holiday:

1. Below is a prayer to say with your family as you carve the family pumpkin:

Pumpkin Prayer

Cut Off The Top:
Lord, open my mind and fill me with
Your wisdom and guidance.

Scoop Out The Yuckies:
Lord, take out all my fussies and frownies
and fill me with your love.

Carve Out The Eyes:
Lord, open my eyes to see all of the beautiful
things You have made.

Carve Out The Nose:
Lord, help me to be a sweet,
sweet fragrance for You.

Carve Out The Mouth:
Lord, help me always speak Your
words of love and kindness.

Place in A Candle:
Lord, let me be a light to others
For You have filled me with Your Light.

Unknown Origin

2. If you have NO desire to get your hands messy with a real pumpkin, here is a virtual PUMPKIN you'll enjoy playing with.

Examination on Conscience

Me: Jack and Gus, God gives us a conscience to know what is right and what is wrong. Where do you think your conscience is?

Jack: On your shoulders.

Me: On your shoulders?

Jack: Yeah.

Gus: That's were the the angel and the devil live.

Life and Science....Clemens style!

(Jack and Gus look out the small window of a real Mercury Capsule)

Last week, Jack and Gus had a teacher workday, so I decided to pack them up, along with baby Henry and visit the Museum of Life and Science. This wonderful museum, located in Durham, North Carolina boasts one the largest exhibits of Gemini and Apollo space items, as well as a state of the art Butterfly house, a brand new "Catch the Wind"exhibit, an expansive indoor/outdoor play area, farmyard and animal exhibit. The highlight for the boys is riding the Ellerbee Creek Railway which travels through a dark tunnel as well as lush forest.




Jack and Gus INSIDE the Mercury Capsule...not much to do in there!




Jack found something to do by playing in the Kapla wooden blocks section of the museum. He built some sort of high rise hotel, it seems.



Even Henry had a good time! What a mad, mad scientist baby!

What not to say to a priest.

We were having a dinner out with our dear friend, Fr. Scott, this evening at the local Mexican Food restaurant. At one point during the dinner Gus stopped eating, put his hand on Fr. Scott's shoulder, leaned into him and said with some authority "You know, you should get married sometime."

Happy 15th Rebecca!

I often wonder if I can embarrass my daughter in public, but she says I can't. So I don't.

"Mom, you can't embarrass me with any of your crazy behavior; It doesn't bother me" she told me one day.

I was devastated. I must admit that I do love a challenge; most especially one that involves embarrassing one of my kids. I mean, after all...kids need to be embarrassed every now and then by their parents. It builds character and teaches them to love even if they don't approve of someone.

There was this one time when someone who looked strangely like me walked into the local mall with her daughter and with a sly hand and eyes looking straight forward, decidedly slipped the pants off most of the mannequins in her path. That only made her daughter laugh hysterically and beg for more. Didn't work.

There was this other time when yet another Georgie look-alike, while driving her daughter to school... which is situated near a most liberal minded area of town... spied a college student carrying a clear plastic bag filled with something green. At the realization that the student was mearly carrying green beans, the Georgie look-alike rolled down her window and shouted out to the student, "Don't drop your marijuana!" This display of child-like behavior only brought forth more hysterical laughter from her daughter that she left the car telling all her friends what just happened. Didn't work either.

Then there were the numerous occasions that our fearless look-alike would attend many a dignified concert settings at which her daughter was performing, and would insist on yelling, BEEECCCCCAAA---BOOOOO!!!!! when the crowd was quiet. This attempt to embarrass only got our look-alike in trouble with her most dignified husband who was sitting beside her.

Her latest attempt was at a recent, spectator packed, football game where our look-alike was spotted in the stands with her other children, armed with balloons, signs and chocolate....prepared to surprise her daughter with a birthday pep rally as she marched off the football field after performing with the marching band. This attempt at embarrassing her daughter only got our look alike and her boys a coy smile from afar!

Now I am a dignified youth worker in the Catholic Church, and would never subscribe to such juvenile behavior. It would be beneath my vocation as a mom and a youth minister to behave in such ways. If you see this look alike around town, tell her to stop the madness. But in the mean time....can I borrow someones whoopee cushion?

Happy 15th Birthday to Rebecca! We love you!

The clothes make the man

Respect Life Sunday

Over the last few days, I have been praying
for an end to abortion as part of the groundbreaking

40 Days for Life campaign.

Since this effort started on September 26, many lives
have been saved from abortion, many women and men have
been protected from making a tragic decision that could
haunt them for a lifetime, and many people who have
experienced the pain of abortion in their past have
begun to find healing.

I receive regular updates about the 40 Days for Life
campaign, and have been inspired by the amazing things
that God is doing all across America.

I'd like to invite you to join me in this important
initiative. Here's how...

Go to: http://www.40daysforlife.com

On the top right of the page, you will see a form that
reads: "Get Updates." Enter your name, email, and zip
code to receive the updates, devotionals, and prayer
requests about 40 Days for Life.

Then join me and others all around the country who are
heeding the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people,
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and will heal their land."

Let's make 2007 the year that marks the beginning of
the end of abortion!

Superior

Rebecca's high school band returned last week from their first band competition. They received a superior rating which is the highest rating you can get. Not bad for their first competition. Tomorrow they compete in their second competition...Go Band! The following pictures were taken by a professional photographer who has a child in the band. These pictures of Rebecca were from some of the many practices the band held...on some very hot summer days! Here are some of my favorites.

Great T.V.

Have you been watching this fantastic documentary?

I look forward to the moment when all the kids are in bed and I get to watch another episode. What incredible stories!

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Prayer to One's Guardian Angel

Dear Angel, in his goodness God gave you to me to guide, protect and enlighten me, and to being me back to the right way when I go astray. Encourage me when I am disheartened, and instruct me when I err in my judgment. Help me to become more Christlike, and so some day to be accepted into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven. Amen.