Our Magnum Opus

Taps

Here lies the feathery remains of our first chicken to be lost to a predator.  Unfortunately we suspect our own traitorous cat.

Patriotic Girls

Monica crocheted the headbands before we left for fireworks.  Just whipped 'em up!

Waiting for Fireworks

Most years we go to fireworks at a local park.  Kari and David join us.  We pack loads of food and spend the day there.  Usually we run into people we know, the kids play hard and get quite dirty and everyone has a grand time.  (The big boys were there, I don't know how they managed to escape any pictures.)

 

May God bless and preserve our country!

Small Children at Mass

Over at What Does the Prayer Really Say?  Fr. Z. has a post up regarding parental participation at Mass with little ones and the possibility of mom and dad attending separate Masses.  Naturally it generated a lot of comments.  I made a brief comment then had a few more thoughts.

We attend Mass as a family and that is important to us.  Our children are pretty well behaved (now that I have posted that I'm sure it will generate an opportunity for humility at our next Mass) and we are quick to remove one of them if they are disturbing others.

However, having young children at Mass with you truly does make it harder to pray and be fully present to the awesome form of worship God has given us in the Holy Mass.   A few things I've learned to do before Mass helps a little.  Before we even leave for church, I try to read the readings and decide what my prayer intentions will be.  I also decide that I am not going to Mass to 'get something' out of it.  I am going to Mass to worship our Lord.  I love Him.  And to help our children do so as well.  If we get something out of it, from an insightful homily, a serene prayer time or a spiritual uplifting from lovely music... that's icing on the cake.  But we go for Him.

Several of Fr. Z.'s readers noted that previous generations did not always bring young children to Mass, the parents went separately and still raised holy men and women.  St. Therese's family being a prime example.  That is true and I'm sure we all know devout Catholics whose parents went to separate Masses when their children were young and fallen away Catholics whose parents did bring them to Mass. It is important to our family to go together as a general rule.  But that does not mean it's best for every family, all the time.  When the children are little.

One practical thought.  Maybe previous generations kept young children at home because bathroom and changing facilities were limited in the older churches and cloth diapering was much more difficult then.  The practice of the whole family, with littles in tow, attending Mass together, really seemed to blossom with the availability of disposable diapers.

It is a privilege and a delight to pass on the faith to our children. Helping them, helps us to grow in holiness.  Which is what Catholic parents are striving for. 

For more thoughts on taking young children to Mass, Catholic writer, Elizabeth Foss, wrote a beautiful piece for the Arlington Herald, Like Little Children. 

Grateful for Our Freedom

These men worked and suffered for our rights and freedom.

Hopefully this man won't take our freedom away and tax us out of having a life!




 

Sleeping Baby

Baseball Dog

Kevin and Kevin mowed and cleaned out the dog pen.  They found Cuchullain's baseball stash.  No wonder we keep having to buy new balls!

Balloon Chase

Our small city has a hot air balloon festival each summer.  We were too exhausted to go this year.  But Friday evening after the balloons launched, we realized they were heading our way.  So we hopped in the van to follow them.  It was a fun adventure, bumping along back roads guessing which open spaces might be ideal for landing a hot air balloon.  We got to see two land, one we arrived at before the  official chase vehicle.  We were not the only ones out hunting balloons and balloon people are fun and friendly so it was an enjoyable evening for all of us! 

Tiger's Hope

Movies are a great way to reach people's hearts and help them understand difficult subjects.  The many ways in which our culture breaks down natural law and ignores God's design for marriage and family are complex and heart rending.  Tiger's Hope , produced by the talented Dr. Stan Williams, is a movie that will help us understand the ramifications of ignoring God's design.

From the Tiger's Hope blog:
Through the power of story, this short movie will give an accurate picture of the state of both in vitro technology with its health hazards, its low probability of success, and its health effects on children and mothers. All that will be dramatically contrasted with natural methods that have no side effects, almost no cost, and a success rate that is 300-400% greater than in vitro. The cultural ramifications of separating the conception of children from the martial act will also be revealed in light of the Church's teachings on marriage and the dignity of each human being.  (This is from a post I found particularly interesting given my love for large families.  In this post Dr. Williams contrasts the two high profile large families featured on the Discovery channel, the Duggars and the Gosslins. Quite insightful.)

Be sure to visit the website and blog, you will find much food for thought.  Please spread the word and pray for the project!

Baseball Birthday

Kevin J. isn't actually playing baseball this year, but the only time we could all be together to celebrate his birthday was at Blaise's game.  The R.s have sons playing as well, and Uncle Bill and Aunt Roxanne, Uncle David and Aunt Kari came for the game so it was a good birthday crowd for his 16th.

At every outdoor occasion, the children are compelled to put sunglasses on the baby and take a picture.