My mother-in-law is at peace now

My mother-in-law, Judy, passed away on November 25, at 7:53 am. We celebrated her life at a memorial service on December 4, 2009, at our church, St. Agnes.
So far, we seem to be doing well. My husband, son and I were readers at the service. My daughter sang Amazing Grace. It was beautiful, as was Judy. May she rest in peace, free from the pain that had become her daily, unwelcome companion. May her family feel peace that is beyond understanding, and may this experience bring us closer to God.

Thank you to all who have prayed, and continue to pray, for us.

Roses again!!!!!!!!!

I am in awe.
I am having trouble sleeping tonight, so I was online. It occurred to me that my original duedate with Meredith, miscarried on 5/21/08 at 11 weeks 6 days, was 12/04/2008. Today would be her first birthday.
I ended up by chance on this blog: http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/

Elizabeth's daughter Sarah,the beautiful toddler shown on the blog, was due within days of Meredith. I often think of her, and I even asked Meredith to pray for her when Sarah was born prematurely.

What made my hair stand on end and reminded me of the wonders of this universe was the next post, the Roses of December. St. Therese never ceased sending roses, to both Kenny and I, while we were waiting seven long months to conceive again. During my pregnancy with Elina Rose, we received roses here and there too. Immediately to the right, on Elizabeth's blog today, is a novena to St. Therese. These were not put there by accident, or coincidence. I have found that coincidence does not often exist in my world, since I became Catholic. Instead, God allows me a glimpse of what He sees everyday. I can only thank Him today for the short time I was able to carry Meredith, and for the opportunity to see her again one day. St. Therese, please continue to remind me of your presence with our Lord. You have helped make my faith as strong as it is. You have truly,, in your little way, brought me closer to Christ.

Plans for a short school week

This week will be short, as far as school is concerned.
Not only is it the week of Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law Judy is starting to lose her battle. We were at her house all day today. She is requiring more and more Morphine to control her pain. Her kidneys seem to be failing, and her breathing is labored at times, even with oxygen. We are not sure what this week will bring. We may be visiting Judy much of the time. School can wait, these are life's lessons.

If we are indeed home, these are my plans:

KC-

* Consumer Math with Mom
* RC History- finish Unit 6
* Research driving schools
* Play in a leaf pile
* Create a realistic budget for a new graduate

Caitlin-

* Teaching Textbooks 6
* Young Ladies Literature Curriculum- Sunflower basket
* Finish Little Women and write a report
* Organizing Your Domestic Church e-book, with me
* Set up a household notebook
* Learn to cook a turkey
* Piano
* Knitting
* Play in a leaf pile


Malea-

* Draw Write Now pilgrims
* Pilgrim unit study
* Singapore Math
* Explode the Code 2
* Leaf crafts
* Leaf people
* Waxed paper window hangings
* Leaf rubbings
* Fall nature walk
* Fall nature sketching
* Play in a leaf pile

Mary Catherine-
* Daily book-reading with me
* Leaf crafts with Malea
* Montessori fall matching games
* Montessori cleaning with mini dustpan/broom
* Fall nature walk
* Fall nature sketching
* Play in a leaf pile

Mom-

* Set-up Mary Catherine's workbox
* Set-up my workbox
* Research printable advent wreath for laminating
* Blog something each day
* 15 minutes of decluttering each day
* Walk 3 miles
* Elina (Rosie) for pics at WalMart
* Visit Mom-Mom
* Write morning and evening routines
* Pray for Kenny every day


Well, we shall see how we do, lol.

Have a blessed day!

A time to give thanks

My heart overflows with thanks tonight. I am blessed beyond measure, completely undeserving of the gifts I have been given.
Thank you God, for.........

* my husband. A more perfect man for me does not exist.

* my children, both here and in Heaven

* good friends, to lean on in times of trouble and lift up in times of joy

* our extended families, who give us lots of opportunities to practice the virtues of love, charity and patience

* my grandmother's recovery this year, her continued good health and the news that her cancer did NOT spread

* the safe arrival of our youngest daughter, Elina Rose

* my mother-in-law's life, especially as it comes to a close here on Earth. I will miss her.

* our priest, Father Jay, in this Year of the Priest, as he works hard to make our parish active, vibrant and successful

* the roof over our heads, the clothes on our backs, the shoes on our feet and the food in our bellies

* the warmth of the sun on my face, and the feel of the wind in my hair

* Kenny's job and continued safety

* the low times, for where there are valleys, there are mountains

* each breath

Soup weather

Crisp fall days call for soup making. This year, especially, we need the warmth and comfort. My mother-in-law Judy, who taught me to cook as her mother-in-law Vi taught her, is fighting for her life. Her doctors, some of the best in the country, gave her an estimate of 3-4 weeks, 6 weeks ago. At this point, she is on home hospice care, and it is my hope that a warm bowl of beef stew will warm more than her belly. I hope it feeds her soul as well.
Our local homeschooling group had a soup exchange last week, and this is the recipe I wrote for my contribution. I purposely left this soup brothy and unthickened. I tend to make heartier soups, but wanted to mix it up a little. Kenny ate three bowls, so that is my best indicator that it was good. My husband is a wonderful man, but will not eat anything he doesn't like. :-)

My recipe:
Take one meaty ham bone, put it in your largest stock pot, and fill with water. Turn it on medium and let it cook, uncovered, for a few hours. Meanwhile, attempt to clean the house, nurse baby four times, teach phonics to second grader, rescue child stuck on counter, answer six phone calls, fold laundry, and enjoy the warm smell of the ham bone cooking.When you notice it has reduced, add more hot water. Pull out the ham bone and any pieces of ham. Let this cool. Look in the fridge and find vegetables. I found cabbage, carrots, kale, parsley and celery. I had onions and potatoes in my cupboard. I added these, chopped up, in between a repeat of the last few hours activities. :-)I then cut up the ham, and added it once the vegetables were cooked, about an hour later. I added three cans of drained, rinsed beans, two cannelini and one pinto.I added salt during cooking, but Kenny always feels it needs more. You may need to add salt too. :-)

I pray that everyone who eats this soup will feel the love and care with which it was made. I love to make soup.

Lord, please let all of those in the soup exchange be blessed with good health during the fall/winter months. Let these warm bowls of soup remind us of the care and friendship of those making it.In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Your sister in Christ,

Leocea

Why Home2Stay?

I wanted to share the meaning behind the name of this blog.
I have been mainly a stay-at-home mom since my oldest child was born 16 years ago. This had been a dream from my earliest days.I have worked part-time in various places, making a small contribution to the bank account, but most of my time has been spent with my children. This has not been easy financially, and has required a lot of patience and faith both from myself and my husband. Yet, it remains where I feel that God wants me, and it has truly become my life's vocation. I am home to stay.
The second meaning is also dear to my heart, but more recent. On February 29, 2006, Kenny, KC and I were welcomed into the Catholic church. This was something that I had never imagined or dreamed of and yet, it is a blessing that continues to be renewed each and every day. I had read the phrase"Come home to Rome", thus we are now, again, home to stay. :-