Free Handwriting Book!

It's been awhile since I have been really excited about something school related. But today's free download from Currclick is really exciting!

It is handwriting worksheets in block print, italic and cursive. The practice sentences are about animals. And if you like it you can buy other subjects for about $2. Like handwriting sentences about video games! That's pretty neat. Of course Bible verses are available and I like that too. But sometimes like to include different topics as well.

Happy Handwriting!

UPDATE: Wow! Lots of people search for free handwriting stuff! The link above was for a limited time and has expired. However, Currclick has plenty of other free stuff all the time.

Be Sealed With the Gifts of the Holy Spirit!

Two years in the making, this day was so beautiful. Lee worked hard, in his studies and in service for his Confirmation classes. We are so proud of you, son! Bishop Jugis spoke to the students about the gifts of the Spirit, and how true happiness can only be where Jesus is. The gifts of the Spirit are to help us find Jesus! Lee's cousin, Mary was also confirmed on this day, so the whole family was celebrating.

Mary's mom (my sister) and I planned a nice outdoor reception for late in the evening. We got a few good pictures before the rain set in. But the children didn't mind, Lee and Mary continued the good time inside with their cousins and friends, playing cards and watching videos.

Congratulations Lee and Mary!

Well, that explains a lot!

My mother-in-law, in reminiscing about her son's birthday (my husband), remarked:

"When we got home from the hospital, he was like a piece of barb wire."

...sound like anyone else we know?

Pebbles or Bam-Bam

You decide! She may look like Pebbles, but watch out for that bat.

Holly has, from the start, display a natural ability to be a survivor. She knows what she wants and is quickly learning ways to get it. Her strong will, will one day be her greatest asset. Along with her quick smile!

Although her "wants" today are things like markers and car keys, I know my job is to help her develop "wants" that are actually interesting AND good for her. Like crayons and musical toys.
Because one day the choices will be much tougher to make.

St. Francis de Sales include a reflection on God's Benefactions. In thinking about all that Holly thinks she wants, it is good for me to reflect on my own wants and remember the very many gifts I already have. St. Francis mentions gifts of body, health, mind, freedom, dignity, spirit, even something I have totally taken for granted: "From your childhood God has taught you to know him." How great is that! How much I have I not earned, but been given the gift to know God from my childhood.

Take a minute with me, won't you? To thank Him. I may not have what I think I want, but I am more than blessed by the many, many benefactions of God.

Dyna Cleft Tape Pictures

This picture is in the hospital, just two days old.
Before using the tape.

I think the milk allergy was starting to kick in here,because this was the beginning of miserable. You can also see a little jaundice. I wish I had a better picture to show, but this is it. The hospital, with no explanation, did not take a baby picture. Fortunately, my sister took a few beautiful ones, but none of those show the cleft. (She's quite a terrific photo taker!)

One more note: Holly's official diagnosis is this: complete cleft lip on the left, an incomplete cleft lip on the right and a complete bilateral cleft palate. Her surgeries have been so far the same as a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate, I mean both sides of her lip were repaired. I use the abbreviation (BCLP) because I don't know a short way to say the whole official thing :-)

Just before the Lip Repair

Can you believe the difference? Really, I hated that tape. But just before the surgery...Wow. What I did like about the tape was explaining it to people, having something to say, rather than not knowing what to say, just talk about the tape. :-)

Just so you know, 3 months later at 6mos old.
It's really hard to believe.

The Sound of Silence

or maybe....Stop the Screaming. I can't believe how much Holly screams. Flat out screams. This is different than the crying from the early baby-wrong-formula days. At least I could have compassion for the sweet innocent crying baby.

But the Terrible Twos hitting now at 18 mos... Let's just say its not quiet over here.

It was hot out the day this picture was taken, but I think it catches the general attitude Little One Feather has been displaying lately: "Don't Mess With Me."

Just a year or so ago, I knew another mother with a screaming one year old. I prayed a lot for her, thinking that would drive me nuts, the constant screaming.

So, say a prayer for me, will you? We all have to survive these days!

(.ps It's not ALL screaming. Sometimes its laughter. At least that's fun, loud but fun.)

Is Our Lady of Good Remedy in the Bible?

YES! The good thing about Feedjit Live is that I can see what people are searching for that led them to this blog. The bad thing is that I have no idea who they are!

Will the person who searched on the title question for this post ever come back? If so, the answer will be here!

YES! Our Lady of Good Remedy is in the Bible. Since OLGR is another name for Mary, the mother of Jesus, I can point straight to the miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding, just because Mary asked Him to.

To be more specific, every line from the actual prayer is based on scripture too. Here's the first paragraph breakdown:

O QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, (Rev 12:1) Most Holy Virgin (Angel Gabriel visits Mary) , we venerate thee(When Mary visits Elizabeth). Thou art the beloved Daughter of the Most High God (1 John 3:1), the chosen Mother of the Incarnate Word (John 1 and when Gabriel visits Mary) , the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Spirit (Virgin birth, Holy Spirit is Jesus' true Father) , the Sacred Vessel of the Most Holy Trinity (She was pregnant with Him!).

O Mother of the Divine Redeemer (Mary is His mother) , who under the title of Our Lady of Good Remedy (miracle of water and wine) comes to the aid of all who call upon thee, extend thy maternal protection to us. We depend on thee, Dear Mother, as helpless and needy children depend on a tender and caring mother

I'll try and update this post with the exact scripture verses soon, but need to go to co-op!
Happy Mother's Day Mary!

Happy Mother's Day!

I know it's a little late. But didn't find the right thing to post until today. A fellow-friend-by-cleft posted today about her son's birthday. This quote below is sooo great to think about and hold on too.

When you have a newborn, everything seems larger than life, even with completely healthy babies. Even though I know that Holly has a break from the surgeries for a while, this reflux things hangs over my head like a dark cloud.

So 7 years from now I will look back and say:

"I remember the threat of surgery looming over our heads, and then it was happening, and then it was done, and then it was just something that happened a long time ago..."

There is so much more to motherhood and to babyhood than what Holly has been through, I am enjoying all that I can now, no matter what comes. :-)

Happy Mother's Day!

They Call It Puppy Love

Welcome Sophie to the family!

This past weekend we made a short trip with friends to pick up the newest addition to our house. the first two nights were a little rough. I think Sophie was missing her family. But now Sophie has found a new "sister" in Anna and is happy to be with her all the time.

Remember these cute guys? Our unexpected winter guests have found a new home on a farm not too far down the road from us. I think Holly misses the kittens, but Sophie is a nice distraction!

No more Little Bill

Really, we haven't called Bill little in a long time. But surely this weekend is a milestone. Bill recieved First Holy Communion on Saturday. Grandma and Grandpa were there, along with Aunt Teresa and Aunt Michele. He enjoyed all the fuss and the solemnity of the occasion too.

In particular, there was a boy seated next to him with a short mohawk. This bothered Bill. A lot. I guess he didn't think this hair style was befitting the occasion. So he spent some time motioning to the other boy to "flat his hair." (I was hoping the mom behind both of them would intervene, but no luck.) Eventually, Bill re-focused on the altar and forgot about the hair cut!

My favorite part of this Sacrament (and every Sacrament of Initiation) is the opportunity to renew our Baptismal Vows. So proud to renew my vows, and hear Bill affirm his too.

Second favorite part would have to be the little girls all in white. How beautiful. How exciting! Bill looked handsome, but girls get all the froo-froo on this day. Even one of Bills classmates, a staunch short-hair-cut little girl let her hair grow out for the occasion!

Congratulations Bill!


(Last and most certainly least: scrapbook papers from Scrapbookscrapbook.com)