Todays GR

Luke 2: 22 - 35
22	And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23	(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")
24	and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25	Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26	And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27	And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28	he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29	"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
30	for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31	which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32	a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
33	And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
34	and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
35	(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."

Family

Today is the feast of the Holy Family.  The Gospel reading today is important as a part of the Christmas story and in fulfillment of the scriptures but I think that the Second Reading is a good reminder of the responsibilities we have to our community and all people as well as how we can  be respectful of our family members and the roles we all play.

Colossians 3: 12 - 21
12	Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
13	forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
14	And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15	And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
16	Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17	And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18	Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19	Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
20	Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21	Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Some people may argue that this a sexist viewpoint of the family unit but each commandment should be followed by every family member. We all should respect eachother and lovingly do what is lovingly requested by our counterparts. We should all lovingly encourage our children and not provoke them.

I can definitely take lesson from this reading. I can be nicer to my family and encourage my children.

Feast of the Holy Family GR

Matthew 2: 13 - 15, 19 - 23
13	Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."
14	And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt,
15	and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
19	But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20	"Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."
21	And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22	But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
23	And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Christmas Gifts

The best part about Christmas as a Mommy is knowing even before I give the boys their gifts they are going to love them.  Then when they open them, I am proven right.

Christmas this year was so much fun. Nicholas kept saying "WHAT?! a (fill in the gift)" then he would shout "I ALWAYS WANTED A (fill in the gift)"

My mom got him this Air Jordan jacket and hat.  He won't take it off. He has been playing with this IPod since 8 AM. Its 1 PM.

Jack is just happy it is Christmas!

The priest we had last night at St. Jude was awesome. He made some really good points. God gave us Jesus Christ as a gift.  He gave us the gift of redempetion on Christmas day.  Just like we love to have our gifts be "just what they wanted" God longs for us to want the gifts he gave us. In all of His Grace and Glory he has given us a chance at redemption and everlasting life. We need to love that gift everyday, hold close to our hearts. Every Sunday he gives us that gift again and again and instead of dreading Mass or have Christ be something we don't have time for we need to embrace it.

So, go tell John....Jesus Christ is just what I wanted for Christmas!

Naming John

I wanted to reflect on the gospel reading a couple of days ago but with being sick and getting ready for Christmas I wasn't really able.  So I am going to do a couple of posts today the first being about the naming of John.

When we were deciding what to name Nicholas I knew very early on that I wanted to name him after his daddy.  Nick has been my best friend since I was 16, he has been my whole world and stuck by me in the best and worst years of my life. He has been my partner in everything and he helps me get to heaven. I couldn't think of a better person to name my little boy aftern and I wanted so much to give my son the gift of his father's name. 

Nick on the other hand, wasn't totally on board. I think for a man there is pride in their name but in Nick's case his modesty wouldn't let him name his son after himself. After much thought and meditation I wrote Nick a long letter telling him how I felt. I told him how much I loved him and how important he was to me.  I gave it to him as a Christmas present (a gift he couldn't take back lol).

My husband is my my partner and my best friend, I think it is a great gift that the world is blessed to have two Nick Dunaways!

Christmas Evening GR

John 1: 1 - 18
1	In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2	He was in the beginning with God;
3	all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
4	In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5	The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6	There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7	He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.
8	He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
9	The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
10	He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
11	He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
12	But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
13	who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14	And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
15	(John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'")
16	And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.
17	For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18	No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

Todays GR

Luke 1: 57 - 66
57	Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son.
58	And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59	And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari'ah after his father,
60	but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John."
61	And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name."
62	And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called.
63	And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled.
64	And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
65	And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea;
66	and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

GR 12/21/2010

Luke 1: 39 - 45
39	In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40	and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.
41	And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42	and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43	And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44	For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
45	And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

GR 12/21/2010

Luke 1: 39 - 45
39	In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40	and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.
41	And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42	and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43	And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44	For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
45	And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

I am the handmaid of the Lord

Wouldn't it be cool to just surrender yourself to what you know is right.  When God put a challenge in front of you to just say "behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, as you have said let  it be done". Every day I pray for God's Grace. I pray to know what I should do, but everyday as I know what I should do I make other choices.

Mary was a pretty cool chick, to be humble and brave and loving enough to say "if that is what God wants then that is what I want"

So, go tell John how I admire Mary and how I wish I could be that cool.

Todays GR

Luke 1: 26 - 38
26	In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27	to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28	And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"
29	But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
30	And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31	And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
32	He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33	and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34	And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"
35	And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
36	And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37	For with God nothing will be impossible."
38	And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Fun with Photo Booth II

Funny things my kids say II

12/15/2010

Nicholas Singing Jingle Bell Rock  "miss toe-toe hung where you see" 

While i'm browsing facebook and Nicholas points to a picture of Elisabeth Rauf and says "mom is that your friend lizbeth, she looks familiar?".....the boy is three and he talks like a little man.

Nicholas while he is looking through catalogs for Christmas presents: "mommy, I accidently circled a bad guy game in my toy book, can you tell Santa Clause I didn't mean it?"

12/16/2010

First thing jack said today: "Christmas isn't here yet, just Christmas time"

12/18/2010

Nicholas Singing Felize Navidad: "Please Yummy Yum"

Nick's Aunts walk into the Nanna's house with their two dogs that are like their children. Jack takes one look at the two dogs and says in his loudest voice. " I really don't like dogs" then he walks away.

While at Nanna's house Jack wouldn't put his socks, shoes or coat on. I told him I was going to text message Santa (and then put a post on Facebook) that seemed to do the trick because after I told him I had text Santa he immediately put his stuff on to go.

Nicholas' version of Little Miss Muffit: "little miss muffin sat on her tuffin eating her birds away. Along came a spider and sat in some cider. Scared that muffin away" .....I just wonder what he is picturing while he says this.

12/19/2010

While driving to church Jack starts telling me to drive faster. Im in the passenger seat.

Nicholas ad Jack having a conversation about their upcoming birthdays (in 4 and 5 months)

Nicholas: after I was 2 I was a teenager then I turned 3. Ya see? That's how it goes.
Jack: I don't think so.

Standing in the check out at Kroger's Nicholas notices that the cashier has a long ponytail down to his butt. He says in his loudest whisper voice (which isn't a whisper at all) "I thought he was a girl because of his hair but his beard would make him a boy" thinks for a second and says "yep he is a boy with long girl hair"

My Family

Nick and I in 2006 a couple of months after we were married.

I think Christmas time is a great time to reflect on family and the choices you make to have a family.  Nick and I were engaged in 2005 and married in 2006.  We made the decision right away to "start a family" even though we already were one.  We knew from the very beginning that God had planned for us to have children and we are so lucky to have our beautiful boys.

In 2007 we were blessed with our amazingly smart and beautiful son Nicholas Evan. He is such a sweet boy. He loves his Mommy and Daddy just as much as we love him. He wants to be a good boy and works very hard to do what is right.

Nick and I on our Honeymoon.

Me when I was expecting Nicholas

Nicholas 2007

Right after we had Nicholas we found out we were having another baby and 13 months later we were blessed with Jonathan George (Jack). Jack is funny and smart.  He wants to be just like his brother. He has a sense of humor and and a gentleness to him.

HHI 2007 

We are so blessed to have these 2 beautiful boys.  When God brought us together and asked to bring children up in his world we said yes. Our challenges are nothing like some other families. We are blessed to have these healthy happy boys and we are blessed to have each other.

Jonathan (Jack) 2008

Halloween 2009

Winter 2010

HHI 2010

 We work hard to give our boys the world, our biggest challenge is balancing our work at home with our work at work. But we know we are blessed to have our jobs and our home.

HHI 2010

So, go tell John we are grateful for our boys, we love this life we live and we are a family like God has asked us to be.

HHI 2010

Todays GR 12/19/2010

Matthew 1: 18 - 25
18	Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;
19	and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20	But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;
21	she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
22	All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23	"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
24	When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,
25	but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Polar Express

The boys had Polar Express today at school.  They had been looking forward to it all week. 

I went to TJMaxx and bought them new jams to wear to the event and they loved them.  

The story tellers this year were the engineers and Jack was terrified of the beard Bruce wore.  Neither one of the boys wanted to leave.

Nicholas talked Nick into taking him to playing basketball at the Y and Jack fell asleep on my chest.  

After the week we had I'm glad it is Friday and I am happy that things feel like they are back to normal.

So, go tell John I am grateful for this family I have and this life I live.

Todays GR

Matthew 1: 1 - 17
1	The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2	Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3	and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
4	and Ram the father of Ammin'adab, and Ammin'adab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5	and Salmon the father of Bo'az by Rahab, and Bo'az the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
6	and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri'ah,
7	and Solomon the father of Rehobo'am, and Rehobo'am the father of Abi'jah, and Abi'jah the father of Asa,
8	and Asa the father of Jehosh'aphat, and Jehosh'aphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzzi'ah,
9	and Uzzi'ah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezeki'ah,
10	and Hezeki'ah the father of Manas'seh, and Manas'seh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josi'ah,
11	and Josi'ah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12	And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoni'ah was the father of She-al'ti-el, and She-al'ti-el the father of Zerub'babel,
13	and Zerub'babel the father of Abi'ud, and Abi'ud the father of Eli'akim, and Eli'akim the father of Azor,
14	and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eli'ud,
15	and Eli'ud the father of Elea'zar, and Elea'zar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob,
16	and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17	So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Todays GR

Luke 7: 24 - 30
24	When the messengers of John had gone, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?
25	What then did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.
26	What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27	This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.'
28	I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
29	(When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John;
30	but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

Fun with Photo Booth

Christmas Bells

In Mass last Wednesday the priest brought this poem to our attention. He told the story behind it and talked about the meaning behind the words. I think these words and the sentiment is just as true today as it was at Longfellow's time.  

Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Go tell John God is not dead, nor does he sleep!

Ignorance is Bliss

I think the phrase "Ignorance is Bliss" really hit me today. First with the GR and then with a revelation I had today that this world is a lot more messed up and scary then I ever let myself believe or know.

Nick and I haven't been very sensitive to our boys or my family in some of the words we have chosen to use. This week has been an eye opener in how hurtful some words that we take for granted can be for example we have cut out the words "weird" and "crazy" when describing other people.

Recently Saints Helping Saints has been helping a couple of families and I guess I knew that there a gazillion other families out there with similar or worse circumstances but it was just such an overwhelming thought that I didn't let myself dwell on it.  I guess knowing or admitting you have a responsibility to help really commits you to it and not "knowing" but just doing is much more altruistic. 

I read an FB post yesterday about an entire first grade class in NKy that is expected to not have "Santa" this year, or any other year for that matter. Break my heart! 

I take my kids to daycare and I see kids dropped off in sweatshirts and huge shoes. Dirty kids with bruises on their faces. My first thought is that their parents are irresponsible or that they are just bad parents and their kids are disgusting..... But then i go to pick Nicholas up and a little boy punches him in the stomach, right in the stomach with me standing right there.  I hollered at the kid, I have never been so caught off guard or angry at another little kid. The Teacher comes over to me and explains that the kid has aggressive behavior issues that revolve around women. He has witnessed violence in his home and they are working things out.   How do I react to that? How do I become OK with another kid hurting my little boy because he has been hurt and he is perpetuating that violence? How do I teach my sons to respect other people and women when other kids  are already acting out in these ways?

This is going to be a long road but we will find our way down it. So, go tell John that this mother is committed to raising her sons to live by the Gospels.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 21: 28 - 32
28	"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
29	And he answered, `I will not'; but afterward he repented and went.
30	And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir,' but did not go.
31	Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32	For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 21: 28 - 32
28	"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
29	And he answered, `I will not'; but afterward he repented and went.
30	And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir,' but did not go.
31	Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32	For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.

Funny Things My Kids Say

12/12/10

SO AFTER A LONG DRAWN OUT FIGHT WITH NICHOLAS I SAY "I LOVE YOU AND YOUR A GOOD BOY" HE WHISPERS BACK "I KNOW"

Nicholas singing Jolly Old Saint Nicholas 

"Christmas is coming soon now you old bearded man tell me what your bringing me, what do you say?"

Jack call Banana's "Big Mana's"

12/10/10

Nicholas "when I get five I want to climb a volcano with a hole and fire and then I when it a splodes I will run away from it"

Nicholas calls the Movie Polar Express "Pork Et Press"

12/9/10

Nicholas is mad that Jack is wearing the same OSU shirt he is wearing "jack isn't even a ohio state basketball player"

Nicholas: "are you texting?" Me: "no im checking the weather" Nicholas: "oh yep its going to be 50 pounds" .......I have no idea what that is supposed to mean.

12/8/10

I asked the boys if they had a good day today. Jack said "not yet". Nicholas said "I was a little crunchy (cranky) in the morning but I did better in the afternoon"

Nicholas: "mommy look at the stockings" Jack: "mommy look at the crackhead (nutcracker)"

First thing the boys said this morning. Jack- mommy I need a kiss. Nicholas-if someone throws a toy at my face I will tell someone.

12/7/10

Nicholas just asked for a snack and I told him it was too late, his response: "im just going to leave this house and go to a house where I can eat snacks" I told him to have fun and becareful. His response "not now! When im five. I can do whatever I want when im five."

12/5/10

nicholas: "in the winter, Jesus is a baby"

Me singing: "mary had a baby" Nicholas: "mary didn't have a baby, mary had a little lamb"

NIcholas: "There are two Santa Clauses. One has a long curly beard and the other has a short old man beard"