Good Book...

Looking for a good book to read to the kids? We read the "Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare. The story takes place during Jesus' ministry here on earth. The author weaves in accounts with Jesus into this historical fiction in such a beautiful way, you feel like you are there encountering our Lord. I highly recommend this piece of literature. Caution: it is a little intense and may not be suitable for very young children.

Historical News

Well, the school year is finally winding down. Our history co-op has taken us through ancient history beginning with the Egyptians and ending with the Romans. I remembered to take some photos that have been posted on this blog, but I also forgot to take lots in between. Our final class about the Romans lead to a Gladiator tournament. Take a peek...

















History was fun this year! I am looking forward to the Middle Ages next year. Stay tuned!

Mission Chain

This Spring, we loaded up our car and headed south for a tour of the California Missions. We were joined by our good friends, the Truxton family. We spent 4 days touring the California Missions and even found time to play on the beach. We had a blast! We began our tour at Mission San Carlos Borremeo in Carmel. This has always been my favorite mission. It is so beautiful inside and out.


















The next stop took us to Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Our Lady of Solitude). The name described a lonely mission. Zealous to see and learn, we woke early and headed for our first destination for the day. Upon arriving, we discovered that they sleep in later than we do! The photo below shows a striking contrast of the past and the present. The two lumps of rubble are actually remnants of the old adobe walls among our state flower, the California Poppy.













Mission San Antonio de Padua, in Jolon, was a treat for us. St Anthony is our patron saint, so to visit this Mission was special. We had a wonderful picnic lunch under the trees in front of the Mission. The Mission is located on a military base, way out in the middle of nowhere! I must admit, it was a nice drive in from the freeway. On the way out, we saw the military firing the big guns that sit atop a tank. They were practicing right on the side of the road! The kids thought that was pretty cool.


















Continuing south took us to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in San Luis Obispo. We attended Holy Mass Sunday morning and toured the mission after mass. While sitting in the church, it is something to sit and wander about the past. Many, many, years ago, people sat in those very pews, worshipping and praising, just as I was doing now. Our faith is truly timeless! After visiting the mission, we took a break from our tour and hit the beach.













At the beach, we witnessed an amazing sight. The Beaches were filled with ladybugs There were literally thousands upon thousands of ladybugs on the beach. It was hard to avoid stepping on them. While I stood close to the edge of the surf, I had atleast 12 ladybugs climbing up my legs. Though we were at Pismo Beach, it seems to happen in other areas in So Cal. Orangecounty.com explains:"Newport Beach Lifeguard Capt. Jim Turner said the ladybugs give birth during this time, and some are blown to the coast when the Santa Ana winds whip. Though the winds haven’t been too strong, they’ve had enough force to push the bugs to the sand in the past few days."

I was able to catch up with an old family friend at Old Mission Santa Ines in Solvang. I've known Fr Michael Mahoney since I was at least Savanna's age. It has been a long time since I've seen him. It was nice to have a private tour and to visit with him.





Campo Santo (Holy field)
Each Mission has a campo santo. Some more elaborate than others but containing memories all the same.




Last, but definitely not least, Mission Santa Barbara. The museum here was amazing, along with the elaborate campo santo. Some of the burial dates went way back. The inner garden was beautiful and full of foliage and flowers. Just breathtaking.














What a field trip! Traveling with good friends and touring a bit of California history. It doesn't get much better than this!

10 and Counting

He is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! Along with being the most important holiday of the Liturgical Year, Easter was a extra special occasion this year. Savanna celebrated her 10th birthday on this joyous day. God Bless her.

Catch Up...

I didn't realize that I had lapsed as long as I did. Time flies around here. Much has happened in the past 2 months.

Our dear friend, Pheonix, found his voice, then found a new home. I was woken one morning to a loud, undefined sound. What could it be? It sounded like something was dying. Well, Mr Pheonix was trying out his vocal chords. It lasted for a few days. Mike visited our neighbors to apologize and promise the problem would be taken care of. Amazingly, none of the neighbors heard our noisy friend! Unbelieveable! Anyway, Pheonix was given away. I didn't want to be woken at the crack of dawn anymore. Bye, bye birdie.













Mike says the Ladies are finally pulling their own weight. Look what we found...















We average 2 a day. Izzy lays the brown eggs. Penny and Bubbles lay blueish-green eggs. They sure are tasty!

One More Post about Grandma

"Whoever looses his life for my sake will save it." Lk 9 22-25. This was the Gospel for the 2nd day in Lent. A time to grow closer to Christ.

This bit of scripture reminded me again of Grandma. She slowly slipped away, it didn't happen all at once or quickly. Time slowly and quietly changed her. In her final stages, she knew nothing, really, of what was happening. She carried her cross a long time. As she aged, others helped her carry it. As she quietly slipped into her own world of memories, she bore the biggest cross of them all, but didn't even realize what she was doing. She gently carried the cross of the unkown. She carried it valiantly with out complaint. She became so empty of herself and who she was to so many people. All that remained was her steadfast faith, and her loyal prayers and her best friend, the Holy Rosary. That's all she really needed, no more and no less. Clinging to her faith she carried her cross. Those around her that cared and watched over her are present day Simons of Cyrene. They helped her carry her cross by tending to her physical needs since she could no longer care for herself. All that time they were blessing Grandma, she in turn was blessing them. I thank God for family. It is during these hard times, that family is so important.

It is No Longer I Who Lives...

...but Christ who lives in me." Galatians 2:20

I had anticipated Monday (Feb 16, 2009)to be a day of visit. A day to help and maybe get in a short little chat. I never expected what the Lord had planned for me.

Grandma, also know as Abu, to my children lived in an assisted living home for many years. The kids and I would visit when we could and I always kept tabs on her through my mom. She was a woman of deep faith, humility and meekness. She loved all unconditionally and never spoke ill of anyone, ever! She had many hardships and losses throughout her life, but was never bitter or angry. She depended on Our Lord for strength, support and to fill her needs. Her faith never wavered! If I could only live to be a fraction of what Grandma was.

The wet Monday morning brought us to her bedside. She had recently been in the hospital, but was now home and much more comfortable. We knew that it was just a matter of time, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. We arrived just before lunch time at the home. My Aunt was there and said that Grandma had eaten breakfast. She was too tired to bath in the shower, so the hospice nurse bathed her in bed. She quietly slipped into a light sleep, then we arrived. I was happy to see her again, at home. She looked peaceful and was praying her rosary (an activity that she constantly did.) I said hello and she opened her eyes then lazily closed them. That would be the last time I saw those serene and lovely eyes. Soon after that, she quietly slipped into the arms of Our Lord and Lady. I will miss her greatly.

Over the years I realized that she was the model for me to live by. She lived her faith until the end. As St Francis said, "Preach the Gospel always, when necessary, use words." Grandma lived the Gospels. As time went on, dementia took over and all that was left was a frail frame that fingered her beads.

She became empty of herself as the dementia took hold, yet her prayers, her faith and her rosary were in the forefront of her draining memory. Dementia, hence became a blessing. Through this disease, she was able to glorify God. Slowly she became less and less of herself and, through prayer, was filled more and more with the graces of God . As John 3:30 says " He must increase, but I must decrease." Grandma gave up her mind and her body to Christ.







4 Generations
Mom, Carolyn, Savanna and Abu (2005)





In our lives, we are given the choice to acquire blessings or curses. Many times it may seem that we are cursed because of our circumstances, but I have learned that when we learn to carry the crosses we have been given, we gather much grace. I learned this watching Grandma through the past years.

Grandma will always be in my heart and I know that she is still praying for me in heaven.