Do Read

This is precisely the sentiment I was trying to express to a friend in my kitchen this morning. What a privilege, to sit at home and watch our children play while we chatted about all these things...

A Life Well Lived

Yesterday, some of my favorite little boys were here to play while the moms "had a meeting." Maryan's cell phone was incessant--and insistent. Amidst our teasing that she rivaled Sarah Palin--what with two calls coming in at the same time--she took the call and walked into the next room. And then, we heard her wail. There is no sound so unmistakable as that of anguish. A tragedy was unfolding at the Vander Woude farm. And a hero and a saint was being taken from a family who was blessed beyond words by his life.

Thomas Vander Woude has just begun to bless the rest of us. We enlisted the big girls to keep the little ones outside as we got organized and got Maryan on her way. Then, we brought the children inside to pray the rosary as Maryan and her precious boys traveled towards the hospital and home. Later, when the word came officially that "Papa" had died saving Joseph, it was with remarkable ease and assurance that my seven-year-old told me, huge brown eyes, brimming, "That's a very holy way to die.He gave his whole life for his boy."

That's a holy way to live too. And he did that as well.

Later that evening, three of my children came to me separately to ask if we could gather one more time before bed to offer prayers for the Vander Woude family. In death, as in life, Tom Vander Woude's example brought children to God.

Today, without a doubt, every candle in the house will stay lit all day and our hearts and prayers will be constantly with that huge family with the huge faith. May our Lord and His Blessed Mother console them as they live the first day with a huge hole in their midst.

My Heart's at Home Daybook~September 8

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Outside My Window ...the day is glorious. We've cleaned up the garden a bit (more still needs to be done) and we planted some new mums. The man at the nursery assures me it's much too soon for new pansies.

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Towards a daily rhythm ... I learned today that as much as I try for a regular schedule, sometimes it's better to to be flexible. When I am flexible, God puts me where He wants me to be when He wants me to be there. Next time, I promise not to grumble so much in the getting there.

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I am thankful for ...a small community of Catholic women who are planning a conference for next June. Today, they showed me why we need each other and how gracious God is to ensure we have each other when need is greatest.

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From the kitchen ...
cupcakes to celebrate the Feast of the Birth of Mary

Still no refrigerator repair, but Sears says they'll be here tomorrow;-).

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To live the liturgy...
We had cupcakes with 20 other kids today to celebrate Mary's birthday. Tragic news just before the party was quickly translated to some very serious young pray-ers on their knees praying a rosary. No one felt much like singing "Happy Birthday," but those precious children were a witness to faith and hope I'll never forget.
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I am wearing ... denim capris, pink t-shirt, flip flops, bandana (which is exactly what I was wearing last time, I know).

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I am creating ...a new schedule. Because life happens.

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I am going to breathe deeply ...It promises to cool off this week. I'm hoping to get check out all the wildlife my kids have discovered at a nearby lake.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...I brought some roses inside and changed up the mantle for the new term. Pictures later--my camera is no longer speaking to my computer. I can't figure out why.

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I am reading  ... . the blog of Stephanie Nielsen, a young mom in Arizona. The blog is just beautiful--full of life and love and utter joy in family. Stephanie has four young children and her love for them glows through every post. She clearly adores her husband and isn't shy about telling the world so. Last month, she and her husband were critically injured in a private plane accident. While they fight for their lives in Arizona, Stephanie's sister Courtney--who just had her first baby--has taken the children into her own home in Utah, where she, her husband, and the rest of Stephanie's siblings are loving them and heroically holding onto Stephanie's vision of family life. Courtney is blogging her experiences. I have found such inspiration between the two of them, and more than enough fodder for prayer.

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I am hoping ... to stay awake long enough to welcome my husband home tonight.

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Around the house ... The middle floor is in good shape. I'm noticing way too much laundry around upstairs. I thought we'd addressed the issue, but the system isn't working all that well. Oh, and the basement flooded during Hanna, so the fans are going strong and we've bought new tubs of Damp Rid. Someone reminded me today that it's been at least three weeks since we flooded the toilet. Seems like we flood something every three weeks or so.

One of my favorite things ...talking politics with Christian.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Monday Night Football on ESPN, more PT for Paddy, a new improved schedule, nature study with friends.

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
 
   

   

Goooooooooal, Patrick!

Comments are open, per Patrick's request. And Stephen asked me to tell you that he got a bicycle kick goal on the same day. He did. What's the chance of that?   

To see it even more clearly, click here, and then when you are on the Youtube page, click on "watch in high quality".

Hunting for Hurricanes?

I've noticed lots of searches for "Hurricane Reading" lately and it's no wonder! I dug this post up for our own use this morning, though we are certainly far enough west to merely enjoy a little rain and not much more. Happy hunkering!    

O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.  HT: Cay's Cajun Cottage

ETA: I take that back. We are far enough west or east or something to get absolutely pelted. It's pouring and blowing and oh! I do love a good storm! Not a hurricane, just a good storm.