We were able to listen to Catholic Radio for a little while on our business trip, and the discussion we were listening to was focused on the sacrament of Confession. The priest who was speaking kept referring to it as the Celebration of Confession. At first it kind of confused me by the way he was saying it and then it hit (it didn't take too long, I'm not that dense) as to why confession should be approached with such jubilation of heart (instead of such indignation or anguish).
Think about it, we have done something offensive to God, but in His Mercy and our active participation by recognizing our faults and wanting to rectify them... we are able to come back into union with Him... to reunite our hearts with His Will. If that isn't a reason to celebrate, then I guess I don't know what is!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Christmas Tree Farm
We spent the afternoon contemplating what to do about 'the tree'.
Currently we have an artificial tree. It's okay I guess, not super expensive, but not cheap. We've had it for a couple of years now, and one could say that if we were to move on to something new it wouldn't be money wasted. So after a short trip to the local hardware store for new house lights (unfortunately they didn't have what we needed), we've decided to go the REAL tree route this year.
Now we are in the hunt for a cool Christmas tree farm in the area, to find our perfect tree, and the neat experience of halling one home atop the roof :-).
Currently we have an artificial tree. It's okay I guess, not super expensive, but not cheap. We've had it for a couple of years now, and one could say that if we were to move on to something new it wouldn't be money wasted. So after a short trip to the local hardware store for new house lights (unfortunately they didn't have what we needed), we've decided to go the REAL tree route this year.
Now we are in the hunt for a cool Christmas tree farm in the area, to find our perfect tree, and the neat experience of halling one home atop the roof :-).
Friday, November 24, 2006
I'm too old
Okay, I really am starting to feel too old to enjoy Six Flags to its fullest.
That is where we spent our evening, with the kids, my parents, and my sister and her fam. The kids had a great time and we rode several things, with and with out them. One we rode without... the SUPERMAN ride. Holy smokes... I can honestly say I did in fact nearly pee my pants (mostly because we had to wait in line for 1 hour and 20 minutes (again something I have not done since I was a teen), and really had to go before we got on... but the ride certainly didn't help matters. Thankfully the bathroom facility was a short walk from the ride, and all was good with the world afterwards. Except the aches and pains of being jerked around in rides. :-). Fun times.
That is where we spent our evening, with the kids, my parents, and my sister and her fam. The kids had a great time and we rode several things, with and with out them. One we rode without... the SUPERMAN ride. Holy smokes... I can honestly say I did in fact nearly pee my pants (mostly because we had to wait in line for 1 hour and 20 minutes (again something I have not done since I was a teen), and really had to go before we got on... but the ride certainly didn't help matters. Thankfully the bathroom facility was a short walk from the ride, and all was good with the world afterwards. Except the aches and pains of being jerked around in rides. :-). Fun times.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thankgiving
I don't know if my extended family is unique, I only know that it is different from my in-laws. This was again made clear to me at Thanksgiving.
We traveled down to my aunt and uncle's home in the country for good food and good times. The kids had a great time playing in the leaves, riding the gator (an ATV deal), jumping in hay, and doing all around boy things. And I had the opportunity to chat with family in a relaxed environment... Now the part that makes us different... our genuine affection for one another. Everytime we (my extended family) see one another we ALWAYS greet one another with a big hug and a kiss... even for those members we don't know all that well because they aren't able to make all the functions or whatever. It doesn't matter, if we share a drop of blood or our spouse shares a drop of blood with someone in the room, this is how you are greeted and even how we say good bye, and always followed by a "love you sha" (cajun expression).
Maybe it is a southern thing, maybe it is a cajun thing.. I'm not sure, but it is something I actually look forward too. The feeling of being surrounded by loved ones...
Now DH's family is completely different. I remember the first time his grandmother showed me any type of familial affection... she patted my back to say hello and nearly knocked the wind out of me... tough love I guess. But no one in his family hugs or makes anything special out of greeting other members, and to be honest I have never heard any of them say "I love you to one another". And I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that there is absolutely no respect for anyone elses feelings among the group? Also there is always this feeling of superiority, maybe showing emotion for them is a sign of weakness that they simply don't want the others seeing... who knows, but it saddens me to think that they are missing out on such a human and intimate connection with the people that are supposed to love them the most!
We traveled down to my aunt and uncle's home in the country for good food and good times. The kids had a great time playing in the leaves, riding the gator (an ATV deal), jumping in hay, and doing all around boy things. And I had the opportunity to chat with family in a relaxed environment... Now the part that makes us different... our genuine affection for one another. Everytime we (my extended family) see one another we ALWAYS greet one another with a big hug and a kiss... even for those members we don't know all that well because they aren't able to make all the functions or whatever. It doesn't matter, if we share a drop of blood or our spouse shares a drop of blood with someone in the room, this is how you are greeted and even how we say good bye, and always followed by a "love you sha" (cajun expression).
Maybe it is a southern thing, maybe it is a cajun thing.. I'm not sure, but it is something I actually look forward too. The feeling of being surrounded by loved ones...
Now DH's family is completely different. I remember the first time his grandmother showed me any type of familial affection... she patted my back to say hello and nearly knocked the wind out of me... tough love I guess. But no one in his family hugs or makes anything special out of greeting other members, and to be honest I have never heard any of them say "I love you to one another". And I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that there is absolutely no respect for anyone elses feelings among the group? Also there is always this feeling of superiority, maybe showing emotion for them is a sign of weakness that they simply don't want the others seeing... who knows, but it saddens me to think that they are missing out on such a human and intimate connection with the people that are supposed to love them the most!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
There's something to be said...
I just don't know what that something is.
I have a friend who privately celebrated the 19th birthday of her baby sister this past week, who was tragically and accidently killed as just a baby. While still wrapping my head around what happened Friday, and am faced with another sadness. Today we went to a special Mass dedicated to Kelsey Roberts, and then on to breakfast with Kelsey's dad to celebrate her birthday... only Kelsey wasn't there. She would have turned 13 on Tuesday, but she left her earthly body in August of 2005 when she was killed -- MURDERED by her own mother.
I sit here, tears streaming down feeling some great need to put things into perspective...
Why couldn't we follow directions... God said DON'T EAT THE FRUIT, and then sin and death entered the world...
I have a friend who privately celebrated the 19th birthday of her baby sister this past week, who was tragically and accidently killed as just a baby. While still wrapping my head around what happened Friday, and am faced with another sadness. Today we went to a special Mass dedicated to Kelsey Roberts, and then on to breakfast with Kelsey's dad to celebrate her birthday... only Kelsey wasn't there. She would have turned 13 on Tuesday, but she left her earthly body in August of 2005 when she was killed -- MURDERED by her own mother.
I sit here, tears streaming down feeling some great need to put things into perspective...
Why couldn't we follow directions... God said DON'T EAT THE FRUIT, and then sin and death entered the world...
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
A loss
This happened this morning. This family is a friend of a friend...
This is a picture of a statue on the grounds of the Oblates Mission in San Antonio, and is dedicated to all those who have lost a child. May the Lord cradle that sweet baby girl in His arms as He welcomes her home.
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