In Texas, it doesn’t normally get this cold. It’s been too cold and my hands can’t take it. I moisturize as much as I can, but it’s not helping. Of course, I’m washing my hands all the time, but come on–we’re in Texas. Any suggestions?
My skin is cracking and bleeding. Even when I lived in colder places like Liberty, Missouri, I never had this problem.
On Monday, I was the leader for Brother’s Blue Knights group. Boy, was this a switch from the Little Flowers. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. The topic we are studying is the Spear of the Fear of God. It’s not a fear of God like he’s a monster, but the fear that we would do something against him. God gives us all the graces to make it to heaven, but He also has given us free will. So, the fear of God is that we will do things or make choices that would prevent us from making it to heaven. The weapon then is symbolized by the spear. We use this spear to fight against sin.
You see that I had our memory verse, some newspapers, a piece of cardboard (for the tip of the spear), and a printout of an icon of St. Barnabas, our saint for the Spear of the Fear of God. The craft guide had many good ideas for a spear, but I chose the newspaper one over the wooden dowel one.
It was a good decision. We started with a prayer to St. Joseph, the patron saint of the Blue Knights. Then I talked to them about what the spear of the fear of God was. I realized rather quickly that we could only spend about 5 minutes in discussion. So, I took them out to march as we learned our memory verse. Unfortunately, one of the boys didn’t have a coat so we could not stay out too long. On the way back in, we picked up 3 rocks each to put into our spear. Three, of course, represents the trinity.
The boys (6 of them) were thrilled to be making a spear. We rolled up the newspaper and I taped them up. It didn’t take long for them to start the fighting with them. Let me say that it was a new experience for me. I have one boy and he’s not rambunctious at all. So, you can imagine what it was like for me. Anyway, here’s Brother’s spear.
We usually spend two meetings on each topic and I’m the leader next time. Oh, boy. Any ideas for games?
I posted about my mother and her health. It’s taken a while, but we have the neurologists diagnosis. First, let me thank you all for your prayers. The neurologist doesn’t think it’s a clot. He actually doesn’t know what it is, but that it’s been there for a long time. The other symptoms my mother has been having can be attributed to sleep apnea. Although sleep apnea can be dangerous, it is something we can do something about. Oh, it’s such a relief.
Margaret is hosting an impromptu fair about kitchen sinks. I’ve delighted in looking at everyone’s sinks. I’ve been meaning to post about mine, but I’m always running late. What is it with me? Anyway, she writes beautifully about the importance of the kitchen sink:
After all, the kitchen sink is where we live, breathe, pray, watch the children playing out back, and (if you’re like me) heave the occasional sigh.
So, here is where I do all that including the occasional sigh.
My kitchen sink is in my island. I look out over my kitchen table. The windows are to my backyard.
My kids were eating lunch during this photo shoot. As you can see, there’s nothing but grass back there.
To the left you can see the door that leads into the utility room/pantry.
And, to the right you see the living room. I like how I can see everything and everyone when I am standing at my kitchen sink.
Friday morning dawned cold and cloudy. Not what I wanted for our Vanishing River Cruise. I assumed that we would be out in the open the entire time. Luckily, I was wrong on many counts.
I bundled the kids up as well as I could.
The girls were bundled in parkas we had from previous assignments in colder places, but poor Brother had to make do with what we had in layers.
We walked down to the dock and climbed on board. I was so relieved to find that the lower deck was enclosed and heated. 
We spent much of our time downstairs, but we did venture up occasionally. Unfortunately, I don’t have a very good zoom lens for my camera (it’s on my wishlist along with a good macro lens) so the pictures are not great. And, the pictures are a bit cloudy because of the windows. Anyway, we still did get to see the many and varied birds on this lake and I was not too stressed about the children either falling down the stairs or into the water.
These trees contain nests for the Great Blue Heron. These birds were everywhere. Here’s one in flight.
That tiny white dot in the middle of the water is a pelican. I thought it was pretty cool to see.
The highlight of the ride was seeing the eagles. Now, I did not get a shot at all of the eagles. These eagles were only about 2 years old based on their size and color. The tour guide said that the eagle’s heads don’t turn white until they are older so it was easy to see that these particular eagles were adolescents. It was fascinating. Now, you may wonder why the eagles were in Texas. Well, apparently, they travel to our region when the rivers up north freeze. Apparently, these particular eagles were not informed about the bitter cold this week.
And, here we are on the top deck. We only stayed up here for a few minutes. The stress was too much. Pumpkin wanted to climb all the chairs and Honey wanted to watch the water from the top of the stairs. Brother wanted to sit up on the storage lockers near the railing. Sister was fine, but I didn’t want to leave her there by herself.
We had a lot of fun. I wish I could’ve taken some better pictures. The birds were fantastic to watch.
Elizabeth Bennet
Often called Lizzy, Elizabeth is the heroine of Pride and Prejudice. The seceond eldest of five sisters, she is witty and intelligence, though her prejudice prevents her from recognizing her true love when he appears. However, Mr. Darcy, though he appears proud, wins her love and respect, but not before she believes she’s lost him forever.
Which Classic Heroine are You?
I love Elizabeth Bennet so I am thrilled. My favorite Pride and Prejudice
Hat tip to many: Rebecca and Dawn.
ETA: I forgot to add a title or to categorize this. Sheesh!
I am procrastinating on my post about our river cruise. Instead, I offer you this link to a slide show about a priest who was gravely injured in the line of duty. Please take a look. It really is inspirational.
I saw this over at Katherine’s blog and at Dawn’s:
| You Are Strawberry Ice Cream |
 A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream. |
I had planned to write about our homeschool group’s field trip. We took a river cruise and spotted two eagles. However, I have a book study tomorrow with the moms of the group. We are studying I Believe in Love
After 14 years of being with a military man–2 years dating, 12 years married, you would think I would not get sucked in. I’m about to go on a rant so stop reading if you don’t want to hear it.
The Personnel Guy (PG), last January-February, told my husband that he would be able to transfer within our current posting once his current assignment is up. We believed him. This means no moving for another 3 years. So, we made plans (like buying our future retirement home). Well, phooey on those plans. The PG changed so, apparently, those promises made before don’t count. Wait a minute!!! Wasn’t he speaking for the Army?!?!?
This isn’t the first time a promise was broken so I don’t know why I was suckered this time. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of unpacking boxes. Maybe it’s because I’m so lonely all the time when we move–it takes so long to make friends. Maybe it’s because if we move away from here I’d lose my family support which has been so invaluable–the deployments won’t go away if we move away from here. Maybe it’s because I so want a home not just a house. I know, I know. I can make any house a home, but it’s not something that comes easily to me. Maybe it’s because I want my son to have some serious stability. He really needs my family’s presence in his life to feel secure. I never see him relax as much as he does when he’s around my family.
I’ve been trying to put things into God’s hands and pray to accept his will. But it sure is hard.
PS I’ve toned down this post in deference to my husband.
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