Sunday Silence.

First Sunday of Advent.

Johnny the grocery store bagger.

Johnny is a grocery store bagger who chose to make a difference.

Click here to watch Johnny's story

H/T to Ed for this video

Book award and Meme.

Tracy and Jean tagged me for the book meme. Thanks Tracy and Jean.

These are the rules:
Pass this on to 5 blogging friends. Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that.

So for this meme, I sent Sam into our room (that is where I had the closest book and choose one that was on my bedside table.

I chose the book Audrey.

Aline was always getting him off the hook and making excuses for him when something went wrong.
By contrast, Audrey was strong, serious, ordered, highly reflective and a master organizer. She would get annoyed with her brother because she couldn't understand his childish anarchy.

I tag the following people for this meme.

Amy

Corrine

Sarah

Nine + Texans

Shelly

Suzanne's meme.

Suzanne has a fun new meme that I said I would take part in.

Here are the questions:

1. Three favorite recipes that you think you cook well (you can write the recipe if you like but you don't have to).

1. Butterscotch Icecream

2. Lasagna.

3. Hot Cross Bun's


2. Two places that you would like to visit and why.

1. I would love to go to the Holy land during Easter sometime because I think it would be very holy and uplifting.

2. I would love to tour America and meet all my blogging friends.


3. Three secret things you'd like to know how to do .. learn to do.

1. I would love to do a tandem sky dive. I bought Steve a Tandem sky dive jump for his 40th birthday and since seeing him do it I would love to have a go.

2. I would love to learn crochet.

3. I would like to learn to play piano.



4. In your heart, do you feel more close to the Dominicans, the Benedictines, or
the Franciscans? Why one over the others?

Probably if I had to choose one, I would say Dominicans. I was educated by Dominicans.


5. What are your beliefs about what Heaven will be like and ..not just hope
but what you really believe. Give some details.

Boy. That is a hard one. I believe it is so fantastic we cannot put it into words. Every thought and belief will be 100% in accord with God's will. I believe the empty hole we feel here on earth will be filled and we will finally stop trying to fill it in a sinful way.

6. Favorite female and male saint.

Favourite female saint is St. Gianna. Favourite male saint is St. Joseph.

If you want to take part in this meme, let me know in the comment box.
'

Classic Dames Test.

In my Lazy Blogging post, Grace asked me to take The Classic Dames Test

Here are my results.

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Myrna Loy

You scored 19% grit, 24% wit, 19% flair, and 52% class!

You are class itself, the calm, confident "perfect woman." Men turn and look at you admiringly as you walk down the street, and even your rivals have a grudging respect for you. You always know the right thing to say, do and, of course, wear. You can take charge of a situation when things get out of hand, and you're a great help to your partner even if they don't immediately see or know it. You are one classy dame. Your screen partners include William Powell and Cary Grant, you little simmerpot, you.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.

Take The Classic Dames Test at HelloQuizzy

I don't even know who Myrna Loy is.

Aussie Coffee Shop: ESFP - The Performers

Well I went and Analyzed Aussie Coffee Shop

Here is what they found out about me:

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

It is true that I like to surround myself with pleasure and beauty. I don't hate planning ahead but hate disorganisation so do plan ahead most days. Without a list, I cannot get anything done.
It is also very true that I avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation. I just am not a confrontational person.

All you wanted to know about me (and maybe more).

Here are the questions everyone asked me:

From Vicki

Ok, here's a question. It may be hard to answer in a blog post though. How do you pronounce your name? I know the American and French pronunciation, but what about the Australian.

My name is pronounced Ter-raise. Many Australian's when they see it pronounce it Ter-ease but my mother has always pronounced it Ter-aise. HTH. This would be a good thing to put on video maybe for you to hear the pronounciation and our accent.

From Grace

Name and post your four favorite Christmas songs.

1. Steve Curtis Chapman's This Baby

2. The First Noel

3. Boney M Mary's Boy Child

4. Joy To the World

From Dawn

I have three, if that's okay. What is your favorite movie? song? book?

Favourite movie is a toss up between The Sound of Music and It's a Wonderful Life.

Favourite song is Joyful Joyful, We Adore Thee I also love both Sister Act movies.

I cannot think of a favourite book. If I had to choose a favourite genre I would say Mystery books. I have read many Agatha Christie, Mary Higgin's Clark and Just finished my first Carol HIggins Clark.

From Therese

Have you lived in Australia your whole life? Ever been to the US?

Yes to Australia my whole life and no I haven't been to the US. I haven't traveled outside Australia at all but I have seen every State and Territory in Australia. (I saw the Northern Territory when I was only 1 though so don't remember it.

I have heard that your toilets flush in the opposite direction of ours. Our are counter-clockwise-I just checked...what about yours? hee, hee!

hmm. I cannot tell with our toilet. I went and flushed it and couldn't see which way it was going down. I will check it out next time Christopher has a bath and will probably be able to see it a bit clearer. Maybe this is something else we could video.

from Alison.

If you could choose someone to play you in a movie rendition of your life who would it be? :)

Nicole Kidman?

Nicole Kidman is a great actress and I would love her to play me in a movie. I am not anything like her though so they would have to make her up a lot.

from both Nancy and Esther

What is your favourite prayer?

I love praying The Angelus and the St. Michael Prayer.

From Kalona

How did you meet your husband?

Steve and I meet at a 21st birthday party. We were both involved in the Young Christian Worker's movement. Most of my socializing was with other YCW members then. The day after Steve and I meet at the 21st there was a first wedding anniversary party. Steve rang me and asked me if I wanted a lift. I had already organised to go with someone else but got a lift home with him. From there we started having many dates.

From Alexandria

Where is your favorite place to go on holidays?

I love camping in Caravan parks by the beach in Summer.

has your family always been in Australia?

Yes.

I wish I could visit someday. It's on my list of places to travel if we have a lot of spare cash. ;)

I hope you do visit sometime and you will have to stay with us.

Thanks everyone for your questions. If anyone else has any more questions feel free to ask still.

Therese.

Lazy Blogging.

Well I got this idea from The Mom.

Ask me any question about me you like and I will answer it in my next post (as long as it doesn't give out too much information about me. This way you get to know me a bit better and I don't have to think about what to write.

Quick 7.

I thought I would take part in Jen's quick seven this morning.

1.

Today I am taking our children for a drive to see another home schooling family. The family live around a hours drive away so we don't get together as often as I would like. Today should be fun though.

2.

Tomorrow evening we will go to the family night at Madeline's school.

3.

There is only two and a half weeks of school left here for the year. We will have a 6 week break and start the new school year at the end of January.

4.

I am going through the children's toys and have pretty much decided our children rarely play with inside toys. The only toys I see being used regularly are building blocks and lego. These will stay and the others need to go. I have also made a rule that no toys go in the bedrooms. They need to stay in the family room.

5.

Amelia's dress is finished. I am really happy with the way it turned out. I was sharing on DCF that I find it really hard to gather fabric and make it look good. I am happy though with the gathering I was able to do for Amelia's dress and will try a couple of the hints next time shared by the ladies at dcf.

6.

Summer is my favourite season. I really cannot stand the cold weather. I like the long warm days and having windows and doors open to let the breeze in. I also like the longer daylight hours in the evening.

7.

Daniel has exams this week. Yesterday was Physics and today is an Oral presentation. He is a good student. He studies hard and I am confident he will do well in his exams.

XXVIIth CIRCUS FESTIVAL OF MONTE-CARLO

Simple Women's Daybook for 25th November.

FOR TODAY Nov 25 2008...

Outside my window...The rain is coming down. It is nice to have a good rain.

I am thinking...about my day and what we have planned.

I am thankful for... good health and Tom's doctors support from Adelaide.

From the learning rooms...we are starting to finish many things off. Only three weeks of school left for the year.

From the kitchen...I have prepared our monthly meals for the month and will do some muffins today too.
I am wearing...my blue leggings and a beige blouse.

I am creating...Amelia's dress and some shorts for the younger boys.

I am going...to the pool this afternoon probably.

I am reading...Audrey.

I am hoping...the weather will get a bit warmer soon.

I am hearing...Daniel preparing his breakfast.

Around the house...most of the children are still sleeping and need to get up soon.

One of my favorite things...lying in bed and listening to the rain.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish of Tom and Christopher's shorts and start Madeline's graduation dress.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...(I will add a bit later).

Visit Peggy at The Simple Women's Daybook.

5mart Martha Monday.

For those that have never done the meme 5mart Martha Monday, here is what it is all about.

Each week you choose 5 things you want to accomplish that make you a smart Martha. Shelly came up with the idea for the name. She had a post about being a smart Martha on her blog You can read here what we mean by Smart Martha.

Shelly also suggested that we replace the S with the 5 since we are challenged with 5 things.

My 5 from last week:

1. Finish decluttering Tom and Christopher's room.
2. Pray 5 decades of the rosary.
3. Go to bed by 10 and get up by 6.
4. Sew Amelia's church dress and Tom and Christopher's shorts.
5. Finish reading the book Audrey.

Tom and Christopher's room is done. Yah!!!!!!!!!
I didn't do the rosary every day.
I was in bed every night by 10 but slept in a couple of mornings.
4. Amelia's dress is done except for the zip. I have cut out the boys shorts but still need to finish sewing them.
5. I actually only read one chapter of Audrey. My mother loaned me a book when I was in Adelaide. I started reading it last Monday night and found it hard to put down and finished that instead. I am going to read the rest of Audrey this week though.

My 5 for this week are:

1. Again try and pray the rosary every day.
2. Finish of Audrey.
3. Sew Tom and Christopher's shorts and shirts.
4. Mark Tom and Amelia's spelling and Maths each day.
5. Check all the children's chores each day and make sure they are keeping up with them.

Therese.

Where I blog from meme.

Sarah from Ora et Labora put up this fun meme and I wanted to take part.

Here is the place the I blog from. I took the photo yesterday because it wasn't to much of a disaster zone.

Sunday Silence.

The feast of Christ the King.

Blog competition.

Elena from Timeless Treasures is having a blog competition. Here are all the details.

T коли под наемimeless T reasures

Blog Competition Nov 2008

To celebrate the opening of my new auction site store Timeless Treasures I have put together my first competition here. There are lots of gorgeous prizes to win with a lovely secret surprise package included Total value of prizes is over AU$250.

There will be Three (3) Main prizes, plus Nine (9) consolation prizes. This is because I’d love to send out out lots of prezzies to as many of my readers as possible. And seeing we’re getting so close to Christmas wouldn’t you love to receive something special just for you!

It’s quite easy to enter - The most interesting comments will win. You can add to your winnings by notching up bonus entries for the consolation draws. Simply follow these steps below - then do one or do all of them, it’s up to you. Read on to see how many entries you can get. The more you do the more chances you will have of winning something special.

Blog Competition Rules & Conditions.

* This is a combined judging and drawn competition. First, Second and Third prizes are judged on the most interesting comments. Bonus entries go into a draw for the consolation prizes.
* Maximum number of prizes per entrant is 3 (three).
* The competition is open to anyone who has a blog or website, both Australian and International. (absolutely excluding inappropriate and adult themes). Postage for prizes is paid by EP Designs.
* Entries open Monday 10th November 2008 & close Monday 1st December 2008.
* The winners will be announced on Wednesday 3rd December 2008.

This is the compulsory part of the rules which enters you for the main prizes. This part must be completed before any bonus entries can be entered -

1. POST this competition in it’s entirety on your blog or website including the links.

2. COME back HERE and leave a comment with a link back to your post. Make sure you leave me an interesting comment. It can be gorgeous, cute, funny, fun …. whatever you feel - have a bit of fun and see what you can come up with.

OK - that’s all you have to do and you’ve entered the competition. Now, if you would like more opportunities to win more prizes, read on …..

BONUS ENTRIES: each thing you do will earn you bonus entries for the consolation prizes as follows, then come back to post what you’ve done, including links if applicable. It’s up to you how many you do. I will keep tally for each entrant -

3. POST this competition post with links in groups or forums you participate in = 3 Bonus entries.

4. COMPLETE a purchase from Timeless Treasures between 10/11/08 and 01/12/08 = 5 bonus entries.

5. STUMBLE this post (see button at end of post) or any other post on EP Designs blog = 2 bonus entry.

6. ADD EP Designs as your favourite on Technorati (new favourites only) = 2 bonus entry.

7. SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter (new subscribers only)- see top right sidebar for link- which will be sent out beginning from January 2009 = 2 bonus entries

8. INVITE your friends to enter. Tell them to say who sent them when they post here = 2 bonus entries Each (ie.2 for you and 2 for your friend).

9. REMEMBER to list here all the extra things you did to earn you bonus entries. You can post as you do them or all at once.

10. YOU must leave your name, country, links if appropriate and valid email when posting so I can contact the winners. When I notify the winners I will request full name and address. Prizes must be posted within one week of winners being announced (Wednesday 10th December 2008). If I don’t receive a reply from you within the week your prize will be forfeited.

* EP Designs reserves the right to delete any inappropriate comments or entrants with inappropriate or adult themed sites.

* All entries for both the compulsory and bonus entries will be checked for verification. Those which are falsely entrered will be deleted from the competition.

* Privacy Note: All details collected are purely for the purposes of carrying out and fulfilling this competition. Names will not be added to subscriptions (unless you have added yourself), and will not be passed on or sold to third parties.

* Prizes are not transferrable and cannot be exchanged.

* Total Prize Pool Value AU$253.75

*** Now Take a Look Here at the Prizes You Can Win ***

Enjoy the competition and have some fun.

Satan's meeting

H/T to Susan

How addicted to blogging are you?

61%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites

I thought it would have been higher.

H/T to Grace for this quiz.

At soccer tonight.

The weather here has been a bit cold for the last week. Tonight when we went to watch the soccer it was pretty cold and the wind was strong but Tom and Amelia both put a good fight. Their team lost 2 - 0 to the strikers. Last time they played them though they lost 6 - 0 so they must be improving.

Before the game

taking a break

Cheering the team on and eating good old chips



more chips yum yum



Tom was the goal keeper for the second half.
He was able to stop quite a few goals.

water leak problem

Read first, then watch video ...

Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt
that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, and no
matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued.

Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for
leaks or problems: first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor
pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc. --
all to no avail. One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept
hearing water running downstairs.

Apparently this was happening all day long when they were not at home.

Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the'problem'.

Count : 11 times in 2 minutes and 46 seconds!

What colour are you?

you are lavender #E6E6FA

Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy. Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

H/T to Therese

I do like shades of purple and lavender is a shade of purple. I decided to change my blog colour too.

Therese.

The Holy Man.

A holy man was having a conversation with God one day and said, ' God , I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

God led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.

They were holding spoons with very long handles, that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

God said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.

The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

It is simple,' said God . 'It requires but one skill.

You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you.

Wordless Wednesday.

This is my favourite Sesame Street you tube video.

The Butterfly Award.

Thank you Jean for passing on the Butterfly award to me.

The rules for this award are:

1. Pick ten people and pass this award to them.
2. Then contact them and let them know that you have chosen them and their blog for the award.
3. Also link back to the person who gave you the award.

I bestow this award on the following blogs:

1 Tea Time With Melody

2. Adreinne's Catholic Corner

3. Seeking Jesus

4. Nine Texans

5. The Escandon Family Blog

6. A peek of the Peeks

7. Signs and Wonders

8. Gem of the Ocean

9. Sailing by Starlight

10. Building the Ark

Thank you all for your wonderful blogs.

Therese

Please help this family.

Minnesota Mom: When Sarah Laughed

Recently I posted about a yahoo group that was starting for parents of Type one diabetic children. Our group was started by Michele Quigley

Michele has had two children diagnosed with type one diabetes in the last 6 months. At the moment she is waiting for insurance to come through and until it does they need to pay for the insulin themselves. At a cost of $600.00 per month per child they are struggling to meet basic medical care for their two insulin dependent children.

There is hope that they can do it. The kind people at Hillside Education are donating all their profit to this family from now until Christmas.

If you could please consider doing some shopping from Hillside Education and help this family I am sure they will be most grateful for all your help. There is also an option there to make a donation without buying something.

Here is a link to Hillside Education

Also join me in prayer for them all. I found the first two years of Tom's diagnosis the hardest and the learning curve was very steep. I cannot even imagine trying to cope with two diagnosis.

Thanks to Margaret from Minnesota Mom for posting this information.

Thanks
Therese

A year of Pumping.

Last Wednesday it was a year since Tom started his insulin pump. We love his pump and it has improved his control a lot.

Last week in honour of Wold Diabetes Day, Michele posted a link to the organisation Life For a Child which is a group that supports children that don't have access to basic diabetes care.

In the western world, we are so blessed to have insulin, injections, pumps and Glucose monitors that diabetes can be managed very well. Children in other countries don't have insulin or anything at their disposal and if they do they don't have the money to pay for it. I am going to look into supporting this and make sure none of the money is going to ESCR.

I was also happy to see that the Vatican supported World Diabetes Day

Which game are you?

I have seen this at a few blogs. so decided to do it myself.

You Are Chinese Checkers

You live a hyper, fast paced life. You rarely ever slow down. You are good at juggling many things at once. You are the ultimate multi-tasker. You enjoy being in a group - in fact the bigger the group, the better. You are an enthusiastic competitor, and you can be a little ruthless when you play games.

What Board Game Are You?

5mart Martha Monday.

My 5 from last week:

1. Finish of Tom and Christopher's room.
2. Pray 5 decades of the rosary each day.
3. Go to bed by 10.00pm.
4. Get up at 6.00am
5. Finish reading the book Audrey.

So because of the trip to Adelaide I didn't do any of these every day. I did the rosary every day except Thursday and I got up every morning by 6 except for the two mornings I was in Adelaide and the weekend but I didn't really expect to get up that early on the weekend.

This weeks 5 are:

1. Finish decluttering Tom and Christopher's room.
2 Pray 5 decades of the rosary.
3. Go to bed by 10 and get up by 6.
4. Sew Amelia's church dress and Tom and Christopher's shorts.
5. Finish reading the book Audrey.

If you want to take part in 5mart Martha Monday click on the link and leave your address where you are posting your 5 challenges.

St. Philomena's Garden, Patron Saints for 2009.

Marilena from St. Philomena's Garden is do the Patron Saints pairing up this year. If you want a saint drop her a line and she will set you up with someone.

Editing to add Patron Saint of the year is now closed. 1/1/2009

Therese

Gegorian Chant. Salve Regina.

Sunday Silence.

St. Anne. The mother of Our Lady.

In 2009 St. Anne will be my patron saint.

Shoved to Them: Japanese Water Fountain

Shoved to Them: Japanese Water Fountain

Check out The Mom's great Japanese Water Fountain. I want one.

Another update on my dad.

Today my dad had such a good day that he has been taken off palliative care. He is still in last stages of Alzheimer's so we know he could go any time but at this stage he is eating when food is offered and seems peaceful. I am sure it is the power of prayer that is keeping him at peace so thank you everyone that has joined in praying for him and for our family.

Views of Port Augusta.

The Water Tower.

Inside the Water Tower

Looking south

Looking north

Looking west

running races.

I took the children over to the Water Tower on Sunday night and we snapped a few photos. I was going to put them up on Wednesday but wasn't able to with the trip to Adelaide.

Back home for now.

thank you for all your prayers.

For those that don't know, my father is in the last stages of Alzheimer's disease. He stopped eating on Saturday and wasn't responding to any pain or anyone. He had a turn around yesterday and started eating again. Today when I took my mother to see him he looked much more alert and with it.

By God's grace he is still living. We really don't know how much longer he will be with us. He is peaceful at the moment so that comforts us all.

Thank you for all the prayers.

I am leaving for Adelaide soon to be with my family. I will update as soon as I can.

Therese

please pray for my Father.

Last night I got a call from my mother telling me that my father is very ill and not expected to live much longer. My uncle (a priest) has given him his last anointing. Please pray for my father and the rest of our family too.

Therese

Tasty Tuesday.

Here are some photos of all the delicious food we have growing in our garden. I can't wait to start eating our fresh lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes. I am hoping to make lots of zucchini bread with our zucchinis and I am going to try sun dried tomatoes.

Amelia's cucumber.

Our first corn

More corn.

Broccoli (just about at the end for this). We will be ripping it out soon to make way for more summer vegetables.

Broccoli and cauliflower.

lettuces.

more lettuce.

Eggplant and cucumbers.

Zucchini.

Peas and tomatoes.

Steve has done 99% of the work in the garden. We are looking forward to having a main meal one night a week from the garden only. We will have eggs from our chickens on these nights for some protein.

A Simple Womens Daybook.

Outside my window...The sun has just risen and it looks like a beautiful day here.

I am thinking...about what needs to be done today.

I am thankful for...the sunny warmer weather.

From the learning rooms...Tom and Amelia are really thriving on the regular routine.

From the kitchen...we need to make more muffins today.

I am wearing...my pajama's still.

I am creating...some summer dresses for Amelia and Madeline's bathers.

I am going...to take the children to the pool this afternoon.

I am reading...Audrey.

I am hoping...todays routine goes just as well as yesterdays.

I am hearing...the hum from the computer and Steve.

Around the house...the children are still sleeping.

One of my favorite things...my early morning cup of coffee

A few plans for the rest of the week: Go to the library, finish of Tom and Christopher's room.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Visit Peggy at The Simple Women's Daybook

5mart Martha Monday.

5mart Martha Monday was a name suggested by Shelly for my 5 on Monday

I like the way Shelly put the 5 for the S. Fr. John Speekman has promised a logo for the 5mart Martha Monday.

So my 5 last week were:

1. Drink water instead of soft drink.
2. Clean out Tom and Christopher's room. They have way too much junk and I need to really clean out everything they don't need.
3. Go to weekday Mass each day.
4. clean our bedroom every day.
5. Fold the washing everyday.

I drank water everyday until Friday. Steve and I usually go out for tea on Friday nights but last
Friday we decided to buy some junk from Coles and cook it at home ourselves. I bought some coke to drink with our junk tea and had some more on Saturday and another drink on Sunday.

2:Tom and Christopher's room is probably half done. It was too much for me to finish in a week and I didn't really start cleaning it out until Wednesday.

3: I went every day to weekday mass until Friday which was too hard with all the different after school activities the children had that night. Steve and I did have a short prayer time at the church though before going to coles and Soccer.

4. Our bedroom has been cleaned everyday but Steve did it on Thursday and Friday.

5. I think I did do all the washing every day but I am not certain.

My 5 for this week are:

1. Finish of Tom and Christopher's room.
2. Pray 5 decades of the rosary each day.
3. Go to bed by 10.00pm.
4. Get up at 6.00am
5. Finish reading the book Audrey.

If you want to take part in 5mart Martha Monday, let me know the 5 challenges you want to set for yourself either in the comment box or at your blog. If you post it at your blog, let me know too.

Edit to add, I have put a link in the post. If you want to take part, simply click on the link and leave your blogs website.

Thanks.

Therese

Near Death Experience.

Sunday Silence.

The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

Premio Dardos Award.

Thanks so much to Esther, Marie and Ginny and Jean for passing this award onto me.

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are :
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to other 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment.
Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my blogs:

Corinne from Struggling Towards Heaven.

Therese from The Musings of a Mom.

Nancy from Be Not Afraid

Amy from Word from the Herd

Grace from Beyond the Black Stump.

Gina and Dan from Our Family.

Dawn from A Helping Hand.

Journey of Truth from Ora et Labora.

Yofed from The Land of Cherrios, Sticky Fingers and Muddy Shoes.

Terrilyn from Prayers of the Faith.

Catholic Convert from Catholic Down Under.

The Mom from Shoved to Them.

Angela from Where Angels Go.

Jessica from The Flying Dutch Girl

David from Bruggie Tales.

Friday Funnies.

Fawlty Towers is one of my favourite past sitcoms. The psychiatrist is my favourite one.

I won.

This great apron.

JoAnn from The Creamer Chronicles had a competition to see who could guess which saint little Danny was. I guessed St. John Vianney and was right.

The apron is so great. It is the colours of the AFL team Port Power. Our favourite AFL team after The Adelaide Crows.

Maybe I will make some Challah on the weekend and wear my new apron.

Thanks JoAnn.

It started out a good day.

This morning I got an email from a regular reader here telling me about an online support group for parents of children with type one diabetes. It is a Catholic group so I am super happy to find other like minded mothers to support and chat with that have the same morals and values as I do.

As the day went on, I watched the election with baited breath. When I realized Obama had won, I was shocked. I really didn't think that Americans would vote for someone that is so extremely pro abortion and anti life.

My heart is breaking for all the children that lives are threatened because of laws that could pass under Obama. I am also frightened for all the children that are going to be aborted because they have some disability and they are told their child will be a huge burden on society.

Upon reflection of the consequences of abortion, I want to do all I can to encourage mothers and fathers of special needs children to accept their special calling because I truly believe if you reject this child and the trials that come with him/her, you reject Gods sanctifying grace.

I haven't ever had an experience of been told that my child in the womb would be disabled or need extra care so I don't know what that is like, but I did experience heartbreak when Tom was diagnosed with diabetes. I was angry and felt deserted by God. I kept on asking why us and feeling like I had done something wrong to deserve this. I look back now though and see that without this diagnosis and without diabetes, God would not have revealed himself and his great love for us to me. I also realized that as much as I would like to have great control over my life, God is really the one I should rely on instead of myself.

God really does reveal himself to those that suffer. We need to suffer to get to heaven. There is no avoiding suffering in this life. It is full of sin and sin brings suffering.

Our world has made so many technological advances and become so self reliant that it is much easier for us to reject God and not rely on him. Because we don't rely on God, we try and control everything. When everything is reliant on us, we do all we can to avoid any kind of suffering even kill the unborn.

One thing I have seen happen since abortion has become so widely accepted is the true dignity of the child has lessened. A child in the womb is seen as something rather than someone. A baby can be made in a test tube and put inside a mother and they can be ripped out and apart if they are anything less than perfect. Embryos are frozen till a couple can decide what to do with them and when they are not needed anymore they are thrown out or used to try and cure some disease.

Because it is possible for this to happen with babies in the womb, it can also happen with any group of people. The next step is the elderly. After that the disabled. After that a person that is in a car accident and needs too much care to live. If we reject looking after the most vunerable, we reject God and our sanctification.

Even though Obama is President Elect of the USA tonight, I urge all of you to pray. Pray for those that are deceived and think they are in control. Pray for the judges and politicians that will pass laws that take away the dignity of any human person. Most of all, pray for mothers and fathers of special needs children. Do all you can to support them in their trials both in practical ways and prayer.

Prayer is the only way we can win the battle for life.
Therese.

Time to Pray.

In 24 hours we will know who the next President of the United States will be. Tonight I will pray a rosary for the culture of life.

Therese

More new blogs.

Marilena, has started a new cooking blog at The Catholic Cook

There were a couple of other blogs I have started reading that I neglected to put in This post

My apologies to the posters. I should have looked at my list and seen that I had them all before posting.

Precious Treasures is a blog written by another Australian. Elena posts pro life news and keeps us updated with what is going on with the Youth For Australia. Youth for Australia are a pro life group. It is great to see the young people sticking up for the rights of the unborn.

Struggling Towards Heaven is a blog written by Corrine. Corrine is a young mother of 5. Baby number 5 is due next March.

The Land of Cheerios, Sticky Fingers and Muddy Shoes is a blog I came across from SFO Mom. You see, we both have Amelia's and both our Amelia's are constantly without shoes. I clicked on her link and she clicked on mine. I have been reading ever since.

Amy came and left a comment on my blog recently and I went to have a look. Her blog is called a Word from the Herd and it made me laugh. I often think about our family as a herd. I also recognise the good old Texas pride in the blog. It seems that everyone I know from Texas has a real pride about living there.

The Catholic Knight has been a great political read in the lead up to the US Election.

Minnesota Mom has been a great blog for a laugh. My children tell me I am constantly laughing at all the blogs I read. I enjoy Margaret's sense of humour. She also has a baby due but I don't know the due date.

My last one to add for this post is Be Not Afraid by Nancy. Nancy is a mom of three beautiful children. She is also going through treatment for Cancer. I find her writing very inspiring.

Therese.

5 On Monday.

Last Monday Grace put up a post asking for 5 things we would intend to do this week. I put up 5 and only managed to do one of them everyday. :::blush;;;

On reflection of this I decided that I would start to do a 5 on Monday each Monday and report on the following week. If I have a bit of accountability I tend to do better at things like this.

So my 5 for this week are:

1. Drink water instead of soft drink.
2. Clean out Tom and Christopher's room. They have way too much junk and I need to really clean out everything they don't need.
3. Go to weekday Mass each day.
4. clean our bedroom every day.
5. Fold the washing everyday.

If you want to join in, post your five things here or do it on your own blog. Leave me a note if you put it on your blog and I will come by and check it out.

Therese

They are Babies.

Esther has a great post that shows the evil of abortion.

Therese

Sunday Silence.

November is the month to pray for all souls.

New blogs I have started following.

I have come across many new and great blogs over the last month.

Living in my own home town is Tania from Outback. It is great to find someone so close to home. Hopefully sometime soon we will meet at the soccer field. Tania's son is playing for the Strikers and Tom and Amelia are playing for the Eagles. They are not in the same age group of players but they all play on the same night at the same place so hopefully we will be able to meet.

Another Aussie home schooling mum (Grace) has started blogging Beyond The Black Stump. Grace has many yummy recipes and many different meme's to do. I liked her Monday 5 list. I put up 5 things but I think I failed in all of them except one.

Loretta has started a new blog called Poetry and Other Ramblings. She is another home school mom with a son. Go and check out her son dressed up as a zombie for Haloween.

Another Therese posted a comment on my blog. her blog is Musings of a mom. I thought it was great to see another Therese on the net. It can be confusing though. I subscribe to extra comments when I leave a comment and when a comment come through from Therese I find myself wondering if it is me or the other Therese.

Blogger Journey of Truth blogs at Ora et Labora. I love her wit and humour. I read her blog post 4th folder, 4th photo meme late at night. I was trying to hold the laughter in so I didn't wake the rest of the house.

Journey of Truth has a good friend Dawn. Dawn blogs at A helping hand Her blog has been very informative in keeping up with news about the upcoming election and she has some great ideas for home schooling.

Finally I have started reading A Catholic Mom in Minnesota Tracey has been blogging for a while and just about every blog I visit I see comments from her so I knew she would be just as interesting as all the other blogs I read.

When blog rolling comes back up I will be adding all these blogs in. Blogging has become such an important part of my life. I have made some really great friends and look forward to getting to know these other bloggers better too.