Friday, March 30, 2012

7 Quick Takes


-1-


I do watch American Idol.  One contestant sang this song the other night which I happened to use as a song for a retreat talk I gave years ago.  He's clearly talking about his relationship with God.  LOVE

-2-

Not gonna lie...I bought some lottery tickets.  It was once believed I would never be able to play the lottery because Adam worked at a certain place for the government.  However, the lottery just recently became its own department and we were told we could play.  At the beginning of the month I heard a commercial for a St. Patrick's day lottery and felt this urge to play.  When I got to it they were all sold out for that particular game.  So, when I heard of this historic jackpot I thought I better get in because you can't win if you don't play.  I DO NOT feel like there's some Divine Intervention telling me to play and I am NOT praying to win.  I DO reflect on how I would be a good steward of the all that money if it came our way.

-3-

I'm only 3 chapters in, but the book "Style, Sex, and Substance" is soooo good. In some ways it's like I'm listening to my girlfriends, in some ways it's like I could of written that, and in many ways it's gotten me refocused.  

-4-

Our town is doing the 40 days for life campaign.  I really wanted to participate but don't want to take the children. I daydream of what it would be like to smile at the women who pulled into the parking lot.  What my signage would be.  I would have a sign that simply said, "You are Worthy.  You are Loved," and wouldn't it be powerful if I were baby-wearing R and had a sign on her back, "I am worthy.  I am loved."

-5-

The re-release of Titanic floods back memories (pun intended).  I remember going the first time on a double date.  I saw it at the Milan theater which is now tore down and has another building over it.  I remember those green vinyl seats and the packed audience.  Ahh, good times.

-6-

Sometimes I feel inhibited to get out my camcorder, but I recently went back to the first recordings which were of J just weeks old.  I will hold those videos so dear.  I regret only capturing R at 3 months then 1 year for a total of 4 minutes.  I want to get a new higher resolution camcorder now.  It's just so great!

-7-

Truth is I have about 10 topics saved for some really awesome blog posts.  Some of them I want to really master what I have to say.  I even have an editor lined up (my hubs).  I think the next posts will be a two-parter so be on the look out.

Have a good weekend!    




Tuesday, March 27, 2012

September Baby October Baby

A few months ago when I first saw a preview on the internet for the movie "October Baby" I actually said a prayer asking God for a way to see this movie.  If I was crying during the extended trailer I knew it would be a powerful movie.  Unfortunately it was not playing in Springfield.  The closest showing was Peoria.  My husband and I value our weekends together so it wasn't likely I would say adios for a day to travel there, see the movie, and travel back.  

This past week started by my husband saying, "Oh yeah, there's a bachelor party I'm going to Saturday if that's alright."  And then my mom called, "I'd really like to see you and the kids.  You're dad's not sure how he'll be feeling so we'll decide at the end of the week if we can make it there or maybe you could come here or meet halfway."  Friday mom called, "Do you think we could meet in Peoria?"  Then it dawned on me.  My parents had some missed baby-sitting opportunities in the past because of last minute changes in our plans.  "Yes, Peoria sounds GREAT.  Do you think you can watch the kids for two hours while I go to a movie?"

So on Saturday afternoon we met up, I gave mom the car, and they went literally across the street to the Shoppes of Grand Prairie to have ice cream and play.  Dad even bought a wagon with two seats and a canopy.  When I walked up I thought the ticket guy would say, "October What?"  I thought I'd be the only one in the theater.  When I turned the corner though there was a good crowd.  By the time the movie started, people were scooting into the empty seats in between to make room for more patrons.  It was SO encouraging.  And the movie was just fantastic.  It was well casted, well written, and  not agenda driven (not to be confused with having a message).  It was just a well told and played out story that you could immerse yourself in.  It wasn't cheesy or predictable.  It was just a QUALITY screenplay.  Check out the trailer...





On Sunday the youth group I lead sponsored a talk by my friend Bonnie.  The talk was about the events of her son born a year ago September and how they have been investigated for the cause for beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  She did such a beautiful job.  Everyone there was moved and had only positive feedback (those from the Jr High PSR class up to those from other parishes).  Our deacon left afterward to go to the parish men's group already in progress and said he had to reprimand them because it was just the best talk they all should have been at.  Bonnie did a great job of expressing her faith and put into perspective how the recounting of her son's alleged miracle is a story about the generosity and love of God and His Church. 

Let us pray for the cause for canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.
If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

7 Quick Takes


-1-


I am going to steal your format Bonnie and start these quick takes with a video.  Sue me but I'm buying you dinner Sunday :)  

Anyway, this diddy is by Jim Gill, a wonderful children's musician who emphasizes development through music play with parents.  You really need to check him out for your kids.  Do it! 

-2-

This Sunday I'm excited to have our Youth Group host Bonnie , my former co-worker and roommate, for a parish talk.  I have given this talk the title of 61 Minutes: Witness to the Alleged Miracle of a Boy Born Without a Pulse.  Click on the link to read all about it.  It's only "alleged" because it has been thoroughly investigated by a Tribunal and is in Rome for consideration as an official miracle attributed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  Please pray that souls who are considering attending will come and listen with open and supportive hearts, for Bonnie to have strength and peace, and for the canonization of Fulton Sheen.

-3-

If I won a $50,000 gift card to any store, I'd choose Lowe's.  I went there the other day to buy some essentials for tackling this damned yard and I found myself oogling over medicine cabinets, daydreaming of ceiling fans, fantasizing over new carpet, imagining myself installing a fence in the backyard, and running home to my husband describing the perfect fire pit we have to buy with the next paycheck.  I am in no way joking when I say I missed my calling to be some sort of carpenter/contractor.  I am a mix of Willems/Lawson blood after all.  There's just something about home renovation that feeds my creative artistic needs.  Forget journaling, forget scrapbooking; give me some safety goggles and power tools.

-4-

I have one up on Bonnie and Jen Fulwiler because I took down our Christmas lights today.   

-5-

I've been going to a Hip Hop fitness class at the Y.  I love it! At first it was awkward because of all the 15-20 year old girls lined up at the door.  Then there was the inhibition to move those hips and shake that booty.  But then the class evened out with women noticeably older than me and comparable in size.  The honest truth is though, even for being a bigger girl, I have more rhythm and technique than most all others.  Now, after being a regular at this I tried Zumba and hate hate hate hated it.  It felt like Latin hula dancing.  I know it can be intensive but it's just not hardcore enough for me.

-6-

Did you know a skinny latte from Starbucks in considered a power food on Weight Watchers?  I love coffee.

-7-

WOW, I just realized I mentioned Bonnie in 3 of these posts!  Now it's 4!  


Have a good weekend!

  


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Wrongful Birth

Have you seen this story?  In Portland, OR a couple won $3 million because of a "Wrongful Birth."  The parents say they would have aborted their daughter who has Down Syndrome but the genetic testing, done incorrectly, lead them to believe their baby was normal.  Oh, please don't get them wrong, they love their now 4 year old daughter, but all those doctor bills and developmental therapists, it's such a burden and they demand compensation.

In the article, a blip at the bottom also mentions a family in Florida who received $4.5 million for a "Wrongful Birth" because their son was born with no arms and one leg.  They were asking for $9,000,000 because they claim that is what it would take to care for him in a 70 year life span.

What if you were told the reason your family had a comfortable lifestyle was because they won money for not wanting you born?  What message is this for people born with an abnormality?  Why is this just a pro-life issue?  Where's the outcry from disability rights activists?  

The hurt, the pain, the confusion when those children learn they were used by the people claiming to love them unconditionally, the people they feel safest with and who supposedly are committed to protecting them.  Children who are already susceptible to feeling insecure because of their disability.

This is such a sick mindset and so very dangerous.  It took a jury to win the cases.  Twelve (twenty-four total in these scenarios) people came back all agreeing, yes it would have been better if you ended that child's life in the womb.       

Friday, March 16, 2012

7 Quick Takes


My first "7 Quick Takes."  This is a Friday thing inspired by Conversion Diary that offer 7 quick casual and light hearted thoughts.  I'm excited to join the community of "Quick Takers"  Here we go...


-1-

What would you do with a week of free childcare?  Shop? Spa? I would spend all my time in the backyard.  The poor large backyard with such wonderful potential is grossly overgrown, taken over by mint, and all around uncomfortable to spend ANY time in.  I get soooo nuerotic looking out through the french doors into the yard from our family room.  That tree needs to come down, those saplings need pulled... I can't stand it.  Hey mom, what are you doing spring break?

-2-

How the heck to I center my numbers? I need to learn some HTML codes.

-3-

OH.  I found it.  Anyway, is anybody else's enamor with Pinterest dwindling?  I mean I still think it's fun, but I don't want to actually search online to find cute stuff to pin.  I want my friends who I'm following to up their game and pin more interesting things so that I can repin them. 

-4-

Look at these Curls!!!  LOVE


-5-
Adam and I are dieting on Weight Watchers.  I've lost 13 pounds and he's lost 20 plus in 6 weeks.  We're really happy with the program and plan to stick with it for a long time.  

-6-
Please continue to pray for my dad, Keith, and ask for the intercessions of St. Blaise as he lives with esophegeal cancer.  Some of you know but my dad's nickname was Blaze in high school because of his red hair.  And he's just as onery as you'd expect a red head to be. 

-7-

I'm looking forward to a visit from Adam's parents this weekend.  If you pop in you're sure to see my father-in-law and husband switching to all the channels to watch March Madness and perhaps find me and  my mother-in-law at Kohl's...or better yet Lowe's then in the backyard to make it more enjoyable in the beautiful weather.

Have a great weekend! 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Make Room for Me

Under the same title, I tried blogging in the past.  It was more or less a glorified status update which was particularly boring since I did not have kids or a job at the time.  My husband has said he thinks blogs are boring for the most part because the majority of writers do not have a particular subject matter. 

I attended the Behold Conference last weekend which gave rightful recognition to some wonderful women Catholic bloggers.  These women write about the particulars and maybe not always so exciting events of their lives but it's all with regard to and a perspective from the Church.  It's interesting and ultimately aspires to lead its readers to a deeper relationship with God.  This inspired me to give blogging a go again. 

Two nights ago I lay awake in bed trying to come up with a really clever name.  One I'd be proud to stand behind when I got such notoriety as Hallie Lord at Betty Beguiles or Sr. Helena Burns at Hell Burns or the like.  I concluded that my original title was clever enough and should not go wasted.  Capital Catholic will often times reflect on politics as one would come to expect from the name.  On another note, when I see the title I'm reminded of a capital letter.  A capital letter is bold and so I too am going to be bold in my writing; unashamedly Catholic. 

I hope you enjoy my writing and make room for me in your moments of online reflection.  But most of all, I pray that the Holy Spirit inspires my words so that you will always turn to Him, the true Author of Life.