Tony, Tony, please come 'round!

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My mother is notorious for her devotion to St. Anthony.  She has a direct line and must call upon him at least once a day. She's always needing him to help her find things--it's a 24/7 job. Apparently, it's a devotion that my eldest son is destined to share.  Recently, within the space of 18 hours, he lost both sets of keys to the car.  It was a holiday weekend and no one could help us until Tuesday.  Then, we'd have to tow the car and to spend a couple hundred dollars cutting new keys (something about a computer chip).We looked and looked and looked. My younger children took up the chant:

Tony, Tony, please come 'round.  Something's lost and can't be found!

And I took the matter to the prayer board at the 4real forums and asked them to discuss it with St. Anthony.  We found the keys in the freezer in the garage.  Of course! Why didn't we look there first?  Today is the Feast of St. Anthony and I know at least two people who will celebrate this patron of lost things wholeheartedly!

At High Noo

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The dream begins.  Can you tell we're ready?  Thanks to Grandma for the box of flag shirts that arrived just in time for the first kick!

And I'm betting Bobby never imagined that National Team jerseys he left behind would become cutting edge maternity wear! (Note to viewers at home:  Bobby was number 11 on the U-17 National Team, back when he was Michael's age; now he's number 15.) And yes, he's starting!!!

The Sad Side of International Soccer

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Warning, do not click on the links with children reading over your shoulder.

It's almost two hours until the first kick of the World Cup. Just as we are gearing up to celebrate all that is wonderful in the world of soccer, I'm learning more than I ever wanted to know about the disgusting choices made by the host country at the World Cup venue.  I could have lived a lifetime, happy on touchlines from neighborhood schools to grand stadiums, without ever knowing how Germany gets its kicks. How very, very sad.