Friday Quick Takes

1) Caritas in Veritate #20
"...the very matter that is at stake: the establishment of authentic fraternity.
The importance of this goal is such as to demand our openness to understand it in depth and to mobilize ourselves at the level of the “heart”, so as to ensure that current economic and social processes evolve towards fully human outcomes."

2)After I thought of G.I. Joe yesterday, I ended up watched way too many G.I. Joe public service announcements (PSA's) on Youtube. John remembers them from childhood too.

Here are some of my favorites:
Never hide in an old refrigerator (John remembers this one)
Downed Electrical Wire (I remember this one)
Skating on Thin Ice (mainly for the line about breaking his heart...maybe that's where George Lucas got it too.)

3)We survived the week without John and John survived the Bar. Everyone is happy to be home together.

4)Silence implies consent: Yesterday Clare was asking Thomas what he wanted to do, go on a walk or watch a movie. As usual he didn't say much. I told Clare that we weren't doing either and Thomas was probably going to "help" me clean bathrooms. At this Thomas made a loud baby noise "eeewwwwwww."
5)Our new stroller sings...or at least that's what Clare calls the loud squeaking of the wheels. All I need is some WD-40 and it will hopefully be silent for the rest of its life. The neighborhood dogs will thank me.

6)In an effort to make my ice cream after dinner more nutritious, I've been adding a banana each night. It fulfills a fruit serving and hopefully makes my stomach feel like I've had more so I eat less ice cream.

7)Clare loves her new Leapster2 - a handheld game that my brother gave her for her birthday. She wanted to show it off to Thomas who was less than impressed.
Go over to Jen's and check out some of the other quick takes. One of hers (#2) is very funny and has made me laugh several times. This is must read if you spend any amount of time traveling.

Caritas in Veritate #19

"Reason, by itself, is capable of grasping the equality between men and of giving stability to their civic coexistence, but it cannot establish fraternity. This originates in a transcendent vocation from God the Father, who loved us first, teaching us through the Son what fraternal charity is. "

The first sentence of this quote really hit me. I tend to see my reason as one of the highest callings - as in it leads me to faith.

I was also probably brainwashed by all of those GI Joe cartoons my brother used to watch - "Now you know and knowing is half the battle." I guess it really is only half the battle.

Caritas in Veritate #18

The truth of development consists in its completeness: if it does not involve the whole man and every man, it is not true development.

The Christian vocation to this development therefore applies to both the natural plane and the supernatural plane; which is why, “when God is eclipsed, our ability to recognize the natural order, purpose and the ‘good' begins to wane”

This is why we can not neglect the spiritual hunger in people either, their need for God too, not just food, and shelter.

I think the key phrase here is the whole person - how often we only think of physical needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. These things are needed but are not enough - people are so much more complex.

Little Roly-Poly

Thomas has his 2 month check up today. He's doing very well. He's also 14 lbs 10oz.

What a little sausage!

John has also survived the 1st day of the Bar. He had a few struggles - as in a flat tire and a software problem, but otherwise I believe it is going alright. Thanks for the prayers and keep them coming, the 2 long days are ahead.

Prayers for the Bar

Prayer for Those in the Midst of Taking the Bar

Prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino

O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination.

In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me

O Holy Ghost enlighten me

Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me

Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.

Prayer to St. Thomas More for Lawyers and Judges

Dear Scholar and Martyr, it was not the King of England but you who were the true Defender of the Faith. Like Christ unjustly condemned, neither promises nor threats could make you accept a civil ruler as head of the Christian Church. Perfect in your honesty and love of truth, grant that lawyers and judges may imitate you and achieve true justice for all people. Amen.

HT: Fumare

Prayers to all those taking the Bar this year. That God may grant you wisdom and knowledge and keep your jobs safe for you.

Caritas in Veritate #17

"Integral human development presupposes the responsible freedom of the individual and of peoples: no structure can guarantee this development over and above human responsibility."

"This freedom concerns the type of development we are considering, but it also affects situations of underdevelopment which are not due to chance or historical necessity, but are attributable to human responsibility. This is why “the peoples in hunger are making a dramatic appeal to the peoples blessed with abundance""

I struggled a bit with understanding this paragraph. I think the point is that structures are well and good but they aren't perfect. It is each person's freedom that allows them to see the changing needs of a situation/other person and respond to that exact need.

We are not/should not be bound by institutions to act a certain way - we can more fully respond ourselves where we see the need.

2 Months

It's hard to believe that Thomas is already 2 months old. How time flies.

Of course, Thomas can't talk, but it appears that he enjoys the family as much as the family enjoys him.

Just a few sillies

Last night Clare to me while on a walk:
Mom you don't have to take off your clothes, I like you just the way you are.
(I think this is because I had changed out of my nice clothes to go on the walk)

When John said "Good bye, Clare. Good bye, Gregory. Good bye Thomas."
Gregory replied: "Good bye Thomas."

This morning after Mass
Clare: I'm sorry for being bad in Church.
Me: I'm sorry that you can't play your game later.
Clare: Don't be sorry, Mom, I need to learn.

Caritas in Veritate #16

"In Populorum Progressio, Paul VI taught that progress, in its origin and essence, is first and foremost a vocation: “in the design of God, every man is called upon to develop and fulfil himself, for every life is a vocation.”"

Events of the day

9 am: Mass. Ran into someone from when I was a youth minister and it was real blessing talking to her.

10 am:Trader Joe's shop - we get balloons. Clare must have a color that they don't have out. Luckily the nice folks still got her one.

12 pm: An adventure with artichokes. The kids and I cooked 2 for the first time. Very good, even though I don't think the kids liked them very much. And I think I'd like to see an artichoke flower and bloom.

1 pm: Consignment Store shop to get double stroller. Remind self that right before nap time is not the best time to go shopping with 3 kids, but we still got a nice light double stroller and a new pair of sandals for Gregory for $1.

2:30 pm Nap time.

6 pm: Start family movie night for the kids and me. Princess Bride and chocolate chip cookie brownies. Yum! (John even joined us for part of this)

7 pm Interrupt family movie night to go play in the rain with umbrellas. The kids keep asking to do this.

9 pm All the kids are asleep. It's been a full, good day. After a few chores, I'm heading to bed too.

Hope you had a good Saturday too and a good night's sleep ahead of you.

Caritas in Veritate #14

"Testimony to Christ's charity, through works of justice, peace and development, is part and parcel of evangelization, because Jesus Christ, who loves us, is concerned with the whole person. These important teachings form the basis for the missionary aspect of the Church's social doctrine, which is an essential element of evangelization."

(Carole, this made me think and pray for you.)

Quick Takes

1) Caritas in Veritate #14

"Idealizing technical progress, or contemplating the utopia of a return to humanity's original natural state, are two contrasting ways of detaching progress from its moral evaluation and hence from our responsibility."


2)5 days until the Bar. We're in the home stretch. Say a prayer for John if you get a chance.

3)I'm kind of at a low point. John's going to be on travel for the 3 weeks after the Bar. It's hard to know that it's not going to get easier when the Bar is over. (Sorry for the whine, it's Friday and I'm tired, so I'm whiney.)

4)I like to shuck corn, so does Gregory. It provides a sweet, quiet mother-son activity for the 2 of us.

5)VBS is over. Today was fun - they had moon bounces, face painting, balloons, hot dogs, snow cones, and songs. The kids had a good time, and I was thrilled that Thomas slept the whole time so I didn't have to figure out how to nurse him in the crazy fun.

6)Neither of my kids like moon bounces. I thought Gregory would, but he climbed in, looked around, and climbed out.

7)Book of the Week: There is No Me Without You - Awesome Book. I read it based on Jen's posts on HIV adoption. I learned much about the AIDS epidemic in Africa - it's so sad and frustrating. It makes me want to do something, but I haven't sorted out my thoughts on that so far.

These are kind of choppy because I'm holding Thomas and trying to think of things. Go over to Jen's and check out some more coherent thoughts.

Caritas in Veritate #13

"Paul VI clearly understood that the social question had become worldwide and he grasped the interconnection between the impetus towards the unification of humanity and the Christian ideal of a single family of peoples in solidarity and fraternity."

This section of the encyclical basically reviews the encyclicals and letters of Pope Paul VI. (It is interesting, but not exactly the best material for meditation.)

VBS Day #3

Yesterday was smooth. Today...not so much.

Gregory hit every child in the room - generally running up to me joyfully afterwards to display the instrument with which he inflicted his torture.

He also consumes enough goldfish that he generally doesn't want anything to eat the rest of the day.

One more day of the babysitting room. One more day of crushed goldfish, scattered toys, and adorable little children crying for their moms.

It makes my house seem extremely quiet and calm, and my three seem like a breeze. VBS also tires everyone out and we all sleep well.

Caritas in Veritate #12

"Social doctrine is built on the foundation handed on by the Apostles to the Fathers of the Church, and then received and further explored by the great Christian doctors. This doctrine points definitively to the New Man, to the “last Adam [who] became a life-giving spirit” (1 Cor 15:45), the principle of the charity that “never ends” (1 Cor 13:8)."

It's an awesome thought. The basis of human charity comes from the charity that God the Father has shown us - life, creation, redemption, salvation. The overwheming gift of His only Son.

Would I be willing to give one of my children's lives to save others? How about their college savings to ensure that others can eat or have medicine to cure life destroying diseases?

Where is the balance?

Caritas in Veritate #11

"Without the perspective of eternal life, human progress in this world is denied breathing-space. Enclosed within history, it runs the risk of being reduced to the mere accumulation of wealth; humanity thus loses the courage to be at the service of higher goods, at the service of the great and disinterested initiatives called forth by universal charity."

VBS Day 1

We made it through day 1 of Vacation Bible School. I will never look down on a children's day care employee again. 16 kids under 3, 3 adults and 2 middle schoolers make for tired adults. Thomas and Gregory were great.

Clare liked it, but she complained that she had to do hand signs for the songs. If she's already saying that what will she say as a teenager at a high school youth conference. ;)

Bubble Snakes and Cuties

My friend Becky had a great post about her son making bubble snakes. They sounded easy and so we tried it out.

You need a water/coke bottle, a thick rubber band/pony tail holder and a piece of an old washcloth. You can see how to make them from the picture below.

The kids loved it!



Thomas did not blow any bubbles. He lay on a blanket and I tried to keep the big kids from dropping bubbles on him.But he didn't mind, in fact he seemed to enjoy lying on a blanket outside

T-minus 9 days until...

until John takes the BAR.

He has been down in the basement studying, studying, studying. He has taken this week off work to study until "his head feels like it will explode". One of his law school friends called and used that exact expression and John said he has to get to the point.

Luckily for him - we have Vacation Bible School at our parish every day this week. We'll be there until 12:30 so he'll at least be alone for half of the day. Clare is doing a class, and the boys and I will be helping with babysitting.

Caritas in Veritate #9

"The risk for our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by ethical interaction of consciences and minds that would give rise to truly human development. Only in charity, illumined by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value. "

A few smiles

Just a couple of smiles to share

For Mom

We got the packages, and the kids love everything...especially this.

Caritas in veritate #8

"It is the primordial truth of God's love, grace bestowed upon us, that opens our lives to gift and makes it possible to hope for a “development of the whole man and of all men”, to hope for progress “from less human conditions to those which are more human”, obtained by overcoming the difficulties that are inevitably encountered along the way."

Caritas in Veritate # 7

"The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we love them. Every Christian is called to practise this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis."

So whether it's in Congress, the legal market, the neighborhood HOA, the church play group, your child's class or just in your home we are all called to work toward the common good of our society.

Interesting...I'll have to think of some ways to encourage this with my kids. I think at this age recycling and using cloth bags is one way. Donating food to the food pantry may be another or toys to a local shelter may be very concrete for them. Definitely something good to think about.

Thomas' Baptism

Thomas was baptised today, and it was a lovely (long) ceremony. I don't think anyone could walk away from it uncathechised on all 7 sacraments. The priest wanted to make sure everyone knew about sacramental grace. Here is Fr. holding Thomas - who slept through all the prayers and the baptism.

Stephanie is holding Thomas for the baptism. It is such a gift to have her be the godmother

Dad and Thomas before the ceremony - poor Thomas, everyone thought he was a little girl, but the baptismal gown is so beautiful, how could we not use it.

Caritas in Veritate #6

"Charity goes beyond justice, because to love is to give, to offer what is “mine” to the other; but it never lacks justice, which prompts us to give the other what is “his”, what is due to him by reason of his being or his acting."

I'm hoping the Pope goes on to discuss this more. I wonder what is due someone by reason of his being.

I remember a professor saying that Catholic social teaching is radical. If someone is starving, or naked, or without a home, Catholics who have more than enough have a duty to provide what is lacking because these things (food, water, clothing, shelter) are due to that person.

I'm not talking about Cable TV or dinner at expensive restaurants, but things everyone needs. I guess that's why we have the corporal works of mercy to guide us.

Happy Birthday Clare!

I can't believe that our little girl is turning 5 today! It doesn't seem like there has been enough time for her to do that.

It seems like just yesterday she was a baby the size of Thomas, and now she's going to be starting kindergarden in the fall. Where did the time go, and where did this mature little girl come from.
Of course, her little brother was right by her side to help her celebrate! Clare has been such a good sport. She let Gregory open a present, help her blow out her candles, play with her new toys, and sleep with her new Snow White doll. What a gracious big sister!

Caritas in Veritate #5

"As the objects of God's love, men and women become subjects of charity, they are called to make themselves instruments of grace, so as to pour forth God's charity and to weave networks of charity."

"Without truth, without trust and love for what is true, there is no social conscience and responsibility, and social action ends up serving private interests and the logic of power, resulting in social fragmentation, especially in a globalized society at difficult times like the present."

2 great quotes today. The second one makes me think of stimulus packages with tons of pork, and the sinkhole of money in the government which is supposed to help the needy.

Friday Quick Takes

1)Caritas in veritate 4
"Truth, by enabling men and women to let go of their subjective opinions and impressions, allows them to move beyond cultural and historical limitations and to come together in the assessment of the value and substance of things."

2)We pulled out the Wii Fit this week, so I can start working lightly on some baby fat. The kids are having fun and I've been laughing at their antics. They're funniest when they are doing the jogging. Hopefully 15 minutes straight of running in place and jumping will help them sleep tonight.

3) I finished Friday Night Lights, which is a great non-fiction book. It's about football in Texas, but the author does a great job of making the world of 1988 American culture come alive. If you like football at any level this is a great read, if not, I probably wouldn't recommend it.

4)Thomas' baptism is this Sunday. I'm so happy. This is the longest any of children have been waited to be baptised.

5)A really cute set of children's books are Pinkalicious, Purplicious, and Goldilicious, by Victoria Kann. Both kids love them, and they are constantly asking for Pink-delicious. The first one is a great lesson about moderation, and the last one is about imagination. We haven't read the second one, but it's in our holds list at the library.

6)We're in the midst of potty training with Gregory. We're not completely serious, but I would love not to have to change 2 sets of poopy diapers. Last night he got it for the first time. He started to have a nasty diaper and stopped and whimpered - basically asking to use the potty. What a big boy! We'll see if this continues.

7)

Cute as a....

Clare's quote of the week: Thomas is soooo cute, he's as cute as a black puppy!

Truth in Charity 3

"Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way. In a culture without truth, this is the fatal risk facing love."

Caritas in veritate 3

Truth in Charity 2

"Truth needs to be sought, found and expressed within the “economy” of charity, but charity in its turn needs to be understood, confirmed and practised in the light of truth. In this way, not only do we do a service to charity enlightened by truth, but we also help give credibility to truth, demonstrating its persuasive and authenticating power in the practical setting of social living. "

Caritas in veritate 2

Some poop and a saint

The kids and I have been making it to daily Mass lately. This is nice for me and they tolerate it. Thomas is usually the best.

Today after Mass, Maria, the DRE of the parish, invited us back to her office. She loves giving the kids lollipops and wanted to give some special little things to Clare for her upcoming birthday.

While we are standing in the office I begin wondering what Gregory is doing to my feet. They feel a little odd. He scoots by me into parish office hallway, and I glance down. There are drops of yellow on the carpet.

My mind instantly thinks - what is Gregory into?!

My mind should be somewhere else, but I'm still not getting it as I watch more yellow drops hit the carpet and my foot.

It finally dawns on me that this is coming from Thomas and not Gregory. There is baby poop from my hip to the tips of my toes. It's amazing that such a little person can cause a waterfall of neon yellow liquid. A pool is forming around my foot. Thomas amazingly only has a little on one leg. It's not even on his clothes except for a few splatters.

Maria is an angel. She insists that this is not a problem, and then gets paper towels to wipe up the mess. She starts with my leg and foot. She gently wipes off all the yellow stuff and moves to the floor. Once it's reasonably cleaned up, she mentions that Thomas will probably be happier in a clean diaper, we should take care of him next.

She walks me to the van, and I change Thomas whereupon she gathers the wipes and diaper to throw them away herself. She insists again that this (the whole thing) is not a problem and from the way she says it, you believe her.

She also offers to watch my kids at least once a week so I can go to daily Mass by myself, insisting that moms need some time alone with God.

I feel that I am in the presence of a walking saint.

Charity in Truth

"All people feel the interior impulse to love authentically: love and truth never abandon them completely, because these are the vocation planted by God in the heart and mind of every human person.."

Caritas in veritate 1

The Pope's new encyclical is out: Charity in truth or Caritas in veritate. I can't wait to read more.

I'm thinking about a paragraph a day in the mornings, as a form of morning prayer.

H/T: American Catholic for the link and the up to date info.

No Quibble Too Small

Here's what my kids have been fighting over today: Yep, it's whoever gets to be under the laundry basket. You'd think it was a trip to the pool, or a $50 shopping spree at the toy store, with how strongly they both want to be under that thing.

And once they get there, they're both willing to spend as long as it takes to make the other one miserable.

Personally, I'd think being in a space that small would be miserable, but then I'm not 4 or 2 or crazy. ;)

We can't believe it!

Mom's how old today?! 29?! Why that's older than all of us kids combined. We're shocked!

(Can you think of a better caption for this great picture of the boys?)

Something is wrong here

At dinner tonight Gregory pointed to an object near the table and said

"What's that?"

John's response: the vacuum