Neglectful Blogger

What a busy week it has been so far. I feel like I have been MIA for a while. Eric was home sick all last week, and finally went back to work this past Monday after fighting a bad chest cold. It made its' rounds with the kids, too. Thankfully, it seems to be gone, now.

We didn't get the house we initially tried to get, but we have another possibility in the works. We'll see what happens. It is HUGE and out in the country with an acre of cleared land. (my veggies would grow great there! LOL)

House Hunting...Whaleyville, MD

I am actually more excited about this one then the other home we looked at. It has personality!!

Well, Emma has been looking at attending Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. She is so social. She doesn't mind home school, but I know she would be happier with friends around. We went and toured the school on Monday and she fell in love with it. If we can make the numbers work, we will consider it. It's a fabulous school!

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

We have a new addition coming into our family on Friday...meet Meredith!

Meredith, the cat

I found her at the Humane Society. She is 3 years old and the sweetest little thing in the world. She needs a good grooming, and will be beautiful when we finish with her! The kids are so excited! (Mommy is too)

And, last but not least, I ordered Gideon's Kindergarten curriculum this week and it will be arriving UPS today! I can't wait to get started with him. We use Seton Home Study and after completing the Bob Jones Pre-K program with him, I felt he was ready. He is a year ahead of himself...and that's without pushing him. He LOVES doing school work, and it's never a fight.

Gideon...4 years old

So, that's my update. I won't stay away so long from now on. Just been a crazy week! :)

The Modest Catholic

So, a while back I had joined a yahoo group of women who were Catholic and head covered. I thought it would be nice to join a group to help me on my journey. Well, I have to tell you, it started off ok, but I most definitely didn't fit in. I am  trying to live a more modest life, but I don't live on an Amish farm... I have a TV with cable, I have a computer, a cell phone, and oh my...my children watch Nick Jr! As much as I wish I could wear dresses 24/7, sometimes it's just not possible. But, does this make me any LESS modest? I don't think so. The thing that made me leave the group was how I was humiliated for having a facebook page. I was told facebook is evil with too many temptations (ex-boyfriends, etc) and inappropriate conversations...at first they made me feel quite low. But it didn't take long for me to realize this was NOT the group for me.

Funny enough, last night Eric and I watched a documentary on NatGeo (ooooh, I watched TV, my bad) on Hasidism. The show followed individuals and families who lived in the Hasidic community. From marriage, to having children...one man went from a very strong Roman Catholic family where he was one of 10 children who found his calling as a Hasidic jew. (beautiful people, by the way) Towards the end of the program, one of the Rabbi's made a plea that Hasidism doesn't need to live so far away from the real world. There are so many opportunities to be a witness to people through social media, TV, even something as simple as your cell phone. I agree with this 100%...

As a Roman Catholic, who wants to live more modestly, to give up all the "wordly things" may be great for keeping ME on the straight and narrow, but what about others? If we separate ourselves from the world, who can we witness to? Of course Facebook could be bad...but what if you use it for good? Think about all the people who read what you write everyday. Even if they read it and say to themselves "there she goes...talking all that religious mumbo jumbo again"...maybe, just maybe, I have planted a seed?! You never know the people you may touch with your words, thoughts and actions.

I left that group that made me feel "less than worthy" and decided to start my own yahoo group. Guess it's possible no one will join, but maybe for the few that do, I will find some other catholic women who feel the way I do. Modesty, head covering and living a bit more traditional, does NOT mean giving up everything in the "real world"...to me it means being a witness to the "real world"!

Modest Catholics

Introducing Another Kid...Bo

Back to my kid intros...

Francis William, aka "Bo", born March 30th, 1998 (14 yrs old in 9 days)

Bo on his way to NJHS Banquet Feb 2012

Bo, Bo, Bo...child number 4

Bo is THE family clown. His personality is amazing. He is the social one of the bunch, always making people laugh with his silliness.

Valentine Cards he made to give out in 4th grade (maybe 5th grade?)

Yet, he is in National Junior Honor Society for his straight A's and good attitude in school. He plays clarinet in the middle school band (he is an 8th grader) and will continue playing in high school next year. He played soccer when he was younger with Ryan and Emmalee, but he never really took it seriously. He did it for the fun of it all.

Bo the goalie

Bo is usually happy-go-lucky, but seriously do NOT make him angry. (he is scary when he's mad) Like all my children, he is sensitive and his feelings do get hurt very easily. He is a good brother, especially to Kevin. Him and Kevin have always had a special bond...Bo has always been understanding of Kevin's feelings and needs. They have a fabulous friendship.

Bo & Kevin at Assateague Island, Summer 2011

Bo has been a great companion and a wonderful son over the years and continues to make me very proud!

Me & Bo at the Haunted House, Wildwood, NJ

Me (pregnant with Elliott) & Bo at soccer

Bo 2011 (7th grade)

Bo Should Have Paid Attention to the Sign