CHRIST IS BORN!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH AND ALL OF YOU!



May the JOY and PEACE of the Infant Savior and King, JESUS CHRIST, be with you!

I am so thankful for your online friendship and I am praying for you during this glorious season!

REJOICE!  GOD IS AMONG US! REJOICE!

7 Quick Takes Friday

Oh my, oh my! Here it is! The last 7 Quick Takes of 2011...for me, at least, as I will be offline while my dear hubby is home on vacation during Christmas week and New Year's.
So...thanks to Jennifer Fulwiler, for another great year with this meme...you can enjoy Jen's posts and the entries of all her friends, by clicking the link in my sidebar. Jennifer's post last Friday cracked me up so much that I laughed for a full hour!

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all...after this post...I will be away from this blog until January 2nd, 2012! May the Lord bless each and all of you with a JOYFUL and BLESSED Christmas and a festive, wonderful New Year Celebration:)

And now...(drum roll)...my final 2011 QUICK TAKES:


1) I have learned so much about so much this year; and that feels really great! Don't you just LOVE learning?

2) I watched a revealing, poignant, thought-provoking, disturbing, informative documentary the other day, entitled, "Waiting for Superman". It's about the failed education system in America. It is well worth your time.
You can read more of my thoughts on it if you visit my Benmakesten blog...you'll find a post on it here.

3) I am SO excited that my son and his family will be joining us for Christmas dinner! When our two eldest children married and started families of their own, my husband and I decided right away that we were never going to be the type of parents/in-laws that pressure people to come to our home for the holidays...my own parents were always so loving and wonderful about encouraging us (their grown, married kids) to have our own family occasions for the holidays...and to visit when/if we were able...whether on the day or during the season. That attitude relieved us of so much stress/pressure and we knew when our own kids began to marry...that we wanted to be the same way...so, when my son called to ask if they could visit on Christmas...I was ABSOLUTELY THRILLED and invited them to dinner! How wonderful it will be to have a house full as we celebrate the glorious day, so long ago, when CHRIST WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM!

4) Is anyone else's family going round and round and round and round with colds? Sheesh...it seems that every time we think it's gone for good...the first person gets it all over again. Hmmmppphfff.

5) The company my husband works for, shuts down for an entire week at Christmas. Let's just say I-LOVE-THIS!

6) I had to laugh when we started our vacation from school today and my daughter, 16, stated that she wanted to remain "productive" and continue on with her lessons during Christmas week. She asked if I'd fill in her planner a few weeks ahead so that she could just keep going while the rest of us are on break. LOL
Gotta' love it.

7) As you read this post, I will be up to my eyeballs in "stickiness" because we will be making our special batches of peanut brittle that we enjoy giving to extended family every year at this time...We found some BEAUTIFUL, vintage Christmas cans at a local thrift store for only 50 cents each; and knew, as soon as we saw them that they'd be perfect for wrapping our treats!

Thanks to Jennifer, again...this meme is so much fun throughout the year...and each visit I make to Conversiondiary.com fills my days with JOY!

God bless and keep you all in His loving Christmas care!

Tea Talk (2nd post today)

Greetings! And, welcome to Ruth's Tea Talk; the last one we will have for 2011!
Ruth is a beautiful soul, who lives in Asia, and invites us in each week for a moment of rest and relaxation and fellowship. You can find her via my sidebar link and I hope you will join in this meme:)


Today, I'm having...hot tea w/honey...mmm....cozy and comforting.

My cup is...a lovely one that the children gave me for my birthday with an image of Mary and Jesus on it...appropriate for this final week of Advent as I await the great celebration of His Birth!

I am feeling...VERY VERY excited because: My son and his family are joining us for Christmas dinner, and we will make visits to my mother and brother during Christmas week, as well...AND, we'll see my daughter and her family on New Year's Day! The BEST part of the visit to my brother is that my nephew, the one who just recently came home from Afghanistan, will be driving down from Ft. Drum with his family to meet us there!!! Words can not describe the JOY we will have to HUG him and WELCOME HIM HOME!

On my mind...the education system in America...see this post on Benmakesten for more thoughts on this, today.

"We must have more trust in God's love than we do in our own weaknesses"

~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta~

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Small Successes

Thanks to Sherry, for hosting this meme, which celebrates the little things we get "right" during our week!
You can visit Sherry's blog via the link in my sidebar. Her witty writing will delight you, I'm sure.

And now...TIMPANI...for we, the Dudiches, who managed to:

* Take 7 kids shopping for their "Kris Kringles" after attending an hour of  silent Adoration at church!
(Laura stayed behind this time to get ahead in some school work/study/writing/laundry, etc...

* Caught up in a few Science classes that had been "lying in waiting" for us in the planner.
(For some reason, Science is the subject I often place on the back-burner when we are busy)

* Got the last of our Christmas Cards mailed out BEFORE Christmas this year! WOO HOO!



Yay, for us!

Can't wait to hear about YOUR Successes! Hop on over to Sherry's and join the fun!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Hello! Thanks for stopping by to share in THANKSGIVING with us, today!
If you'd like to join this meme, simply add the above image to a post on your blog and link us there through Mr. Linky, down below. Offer your readers a link back here...and share five things you'd like to thank the Lord for this week!

Keeping an "attitude of gratitude" helps us to have JOY in our hearts as we go about our busy days!


NOTE: I will be away from this blog from December 26th until Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012! Until then, I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, I've followed Munchesmom "style" that she uses sometimes for this meme...I love it when she adds a prayer after each of her blessings and I thought I'd do likewise, today:)

1) Lord, I thank you for the friendships, fun, enrichment, education, and support that I get from blogging and owning/running a website online. I have been so honored and privileged to come to know people from ALL over Your beautiful world and I am continually humbled, nurtured, delighted, and deeply moved by my interactions, reading, writing, and connections on the Internet.

* I pray for those who use the internet in sinful ways...that their hearts will be drawn toward the GOOD things and GOOD people that are available online...and that they will come to know, love, and serve You more in their lives by choosing to use their computer time for YOUR glory and their own well-being.

2) Lord, I thank you for my grand-children...3 darling little girls, and a sweet baby boy...truly, my cup OVERFLOWS with JOY any time I am near them or I hear stories about them or see photos of them!

* I pray for those who see children/babies as burdens rather than blessings...that they will come to know the GIFT that new life is...and that YOU, oh Lord, can melt their hardened hearts to learn to LOVE children as You do.

3) Lord, I thank you for heat. After watching a movie recently where a group of homeless people were out all night in  a terrible blizzard, I have grown more mindful of this great blessing and I am so grateful that my children, my husband, and I are warm on these cold winter nights.

* I pray for those without homes...You know each one, dear Lord, and I ask You to "warm" them on these cold nights with Your LOVE and MERCY...and help us to help those in need; especially during the Christmas season.

4) Lord, I thank you for my mother. She is SUCH a blessing in my family's life.

* I pray for her comfort and joy as she goes through this first Christmas without her beloved husband of 64 years. We ALL miss my Dad so much right now...but I know it is hardest on her. I ask You to be with her and to let the LOVE we surround her with be a blessing to her at this time.

5) Lord, I thank you for JESUS. My Lord, and Savior...my Infant King!

* I pray for those who do not believe in Him and those who have fallen away from His Truth and His Church.
I pray that through our prayers and our lives and witness and charity and love...they will come BACK to You...and those who do not yet know You...will be drawn to learn Your ways and become Children of God and followers of Your Word.

Hearts for Home

As we journey through our final week of Advent, my thoughts and heart are focused on the coming celebration of Christ's Birth; and the glorious time, still yet unknown to us, when He will come again.
I am pleased with the "focus" my children have been keeping throughout the Advent season.
And, I am thankful for this meme, hosted by the beautiful Gae, from Australia, which helps me to focus even more...and to cultivate my mind and heart toward the better-keeping of my home...to create an atmosphere of love, peace, and JOY; not just at Christmas time...but all year through. You can read other entries and more about Gae's wonderful family, by using the link in my sidebar which leads to her blog.


This week, I am trying to:

* Spend time praying for EACH of my children, individually, and according to his/her needs and state in life.

* Offer cups of hot cocoa and little treats and snacks that add to the anticipation of the season and fill our home with a "festive" ambiance.

* Make it out to the penance service being offered at a local parish this evening. It will keep us awake and away from home a bit later than usual on a weeknight...but it is a GIFT that I can give my family NOW...so as to make sure that our hearts are TRULY prepared to receive Our Infant Savior at Christmas!

* Go outside to play with the kids. Truth be told...when it is COLD but there is no snow...I tend to "hide" indoors...and yet...when I don a hat and scarf and several layers of heavy sweaters/shirts...I feel like I could stay out there all day...it is so crisp and beautiful and wonderful! A little self-motivation is all that's needed here ;)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Joining Peggy and her friends as we pause to ponder the simple things in life.
Visit her blog or add your own entry via the link in my sidebar:


FOR TODAY:

Outside my window...C-O-L-D

I am thinking...of my Dad...and learning to go on without him; especially difficult at Christmas, I see.

I am thankful...for John 3:16

From the learning rooms...wrapping up the lessons in our planners so that we can take a nice, long Christmas vacation! We LOVE our new fish/fish tank and sometimes lose track of time because we are sitting nearby and enjoying watching them swim and eat!

In the kitchen...A pork loin, which I think I will cut into chops...some sauerkraut and mashed potatoes to go with :)

I am wearing...jeans, a comfy, WARM black cardigan and a black and white short sleeve/silky top which is much TOO light to wear by itself for the weather today.

I am going...to begin some Christmas baking for gifts very soon...peanut brittle is our "famous fare" for this time of year.

I am wondering...if my husband will get everything I put on the grocery list. Not "his version" but what I actually wrote, LOL.


I am reading... my Advent Reflections booklet by Mother Teresa. LOVE her simplicity.

I am hoping...to get some time to wrap presents today!

I am looking forward to...a penance service being offered at a local church this week.

I am hearing...my dishwasher running and the kids running in and out, trying to find their big brother to enlist his help and tossing a dead mouse, found in the dogs' field, to the woods before our beloved puppies EAT it. LOL

Around the house...waiting for a new couch and love-seat to arrive in a couple weeks...hubby got it on a major relocation SALE price! We'll be moving our current living room set downstairs to the new little family room that he and our son are building:)

I am pondering...how quickly the years of marriage and raising children pass by.

I am praying for...more young men and women to enter vocations as priests and religious.

One of my favorite things...listening to my husband snore...yep...it is one of my favorite things. I used to toss and turn and sometimes even have to leave the room...but, now I am so thankful that he is there beside me...in good health...peacefully sleeping ...that I love to hear his little zzzzzzzz's which let me know he is resting comfortably.

A few plans for the rest of the week: wrapping, baking, finishing up school, attending the penance service; as well as a special Mass and healing service, and sending out our December issue of the Homeschool Faith and Family Life Gazette!

A photo thought to share with you:

Honest Abe displays my book at the local book fair!

Treasured Moments (2nd post today)

So happy to be joining Erin, our wonderful hostess from "down under", who reminds us that the most special moments in life are the ones that happen naturally, each and every day, in our beautiful family vocations!
Stop by to visit her and her awesome family via my sidebar link and add your own Treasured Moments to the mix today!


Some of our Treasured Moments have been:

* Going to the movies! A local theater (a really small, old-fashioned one that still runs their films on a reel!) offered a FREE movie for families, courtesy of a Moose Lodge, nearby...to wish the community a "Merry Christmas"! The kids and I all went to see the new Smurf movie...FOR FREE! It was SUCH fun; and when we came out of the theater, it was pouring down SNOW!!! We had to walk quite a few blocks to reach our van...it was cold, and wet, and WONDERFUL!

* Enjoying Christmas music while we do chores each day.

* Sitting by the tree with Christmas stories to share in our favorite books of the season.

* Lighting our Advent candles and praying 'round the wreath.

* Snuggling under blankets, watching movies on Netflix.

Sabbath Moments

Colleen Spiro hosts this meme each Saturday. Colleen is such a beautiful person, who shares so many of the gifts and talents God has given her by ministering to others through her blogs and website; all of which I hope you will visit, via my sidebar link, today:) Sabbath Moments allows us to recount those special "happenings" and "experiences" when we have rested in and enjoyed the presence of our God during our busy everyday lives.

Here are some of mine this week:

* My family takes a meal to an elderly gentleman from our parish, who is no longer able to do things for himself on a full-time basis. He is in a wheelchair and on oxygen; which makes "meal-making" a bit difficult. A small group of us take turns taking him dinner and spending time chatting and visiting and praying with him.
This evening, my girls went with me. We had such a nice time talking about art and books and writing...and hearing stories about his son, "the model", who lives far away, in Holland. I love how the light of Jesus shines forth in JOY from this man's eyes...and I love how I can it reflecting back from the eyes of my children as they interact with their neighbor; and brother, in Christ.

* Listening to Classical Christmas music on cd's that my father gave to me just before he died. SOOOO peaceful and beautiful and special.

* Lately, whenever I feel too busy or overwhelmed, I have taken to pausing, breathing deeply, and saying, "Jesus, I trust in you". It never fails to make me feel better.

* Reading "With Humble Hearts" a booklet of Daily Advent Reflections from Mother Teresa. It's so wonderful.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Visiting Jennifer Fulwiler, our hostess for Quick Takes, is always a fun way to spend your blogging time!
Use the handy link in my sidebar to hop on over there and you'll find LOTS more Quick Takes for your enjoyment!


As for my own:


Here they are:


1) It is an indescribable JOY to babysit your grand-children. If you do not have any yet...let me just tell you that you are in for SUCH A BLESSING and SO MUCH FUN. I have 4 sweet grand-babies...and watched 2 of them the other day...and will be watching the other 2 today...I start smiling from ear to ear as soon as I wake up and realize that it's a day when they'll be coming to see me. I LOVE BEING A GRAMMY!


2) We have not baked so much as ONE Christmas cookie yet! YIKES. We have our own favorite traditions as far as types of cookies at Christmas time...and we always make our "famous" (famous within our own friend and family circles, that is) peanut brittle and some other treats, as well...but, we have been so busy with school and decorating and doing the activities on our Advent Calendar, that we realized we have not stopped to BAKE any goodies! Needless to say, we will be rectifying this situation, come the weekend!

3) Yesterday, my friend drove 3 of my daughter Laura's best friends here for their annual Christmas party.
We (my friend and I) hadn't seen each other in quite some time and it was SO NICE to have an afternoon to sit and chat and make cinnamon ornaments with our younger kids. After we'd been relaxing a while, I asked her if she'd like a cup of coffee...and when I turned to go to the counter to make it, I saw a  FRESHLY BREWED POT already there! Apparently, my son, Jake, knowing that "we ladies" would be sipping coffee at some point in our visit...had made a pot for us ! Isn't that SO sweet? SONS ARE AWESOME!

4) "Mrs. Miracle" is one of our new "favorite" movies this time of year. Very cute with a sweet story-line.
Very family-friendly, too...which gets major "points" in my book.

5) We read about the Pioneers' way of making butter on the Oregon Trail...they would milk their cows in the morning...and hang the bucket from the axle of their wagon...it will jiggle and jaggle along the way and by the time they drew camp for dinner...VOILA! They had butter, ready and waiting! Of course, my kids now want to hang buckets of milk from the hitch on our van....uuummmmm....I don't think so, guys.

6) Can any of you think of other things to draw on besides "paper"? With 8 kids in my house, each of whom LOVES to draw...we go through paper faster than I can BLINK. We already save cereal boxes and cardboard that comes inside of packages, etc...but...I am wishing there was a cheaper way to go than having to buy paper all the time. IDEAS, anyone???

7) My eldest daughter is 27 years old, today. WOW. That went fast.

Tea Talk (2nd post today)

Friendship and fellowship...2 great  blessings in life.
Our dear Ruth, the wonderful hostess of this meme, provides BOTH of these things for us each Thursday as we join her for Tea Talk...just a few quiet moments in our day...to connect, to share, to rest, and to enjoy one another's company online. Use the sidebar link here on my blog to visit Ruth and "pull up a chair" at her Tea Talk table:)


Today, I'm having: HOT COCOA...such a tasty wintry treat.

My mug is: Large; so I can sip a lot of it!

I am feeling: "festive" as we are enjoying some special occasions this week...Jacob's birthday, 2 days of babysitting...each set of grandchildren (::smile::)...and a Christmas party for my daughter Laura, and her BFF's...I love to see all of the decorations and watch the kids enjoying themselves together...and, I love, love, LOVE to spend time with my grand-babies!!!

On my mind: The US officially ended its mission in Iraq yesterday...9 years...$800 billion dollars+, over 4,000 American lives lost and something like 32,000 injured... sometimes...war just seems so very futile and ridiculous...I don't mean that I don't support our troops...as the wife of a Veteran of Foreign War, I FULLY and COMPLETELY support our military service men and women...it's just that when you think of it...that leaders of nations have issues and disagree...and OTHER people have to step up and kill one another to accomplish "freedom" and "liberty"....sometimes, that just doesn't sit right within my heart...let's pray for PEACE and for the Iraqi people to be able to continue the Democracy that the US has helped them to establish...they will be faced with many challenges there once all of our troops are gone.

" Never be men or women of long action and short prayer"
~Josemaria Escriva~

Small Successes

Sometimes life gets busy. Sometimes we fail at our "to-do" lists. Sometimes we get overwhelmed and it doesn't seem like we're accomplishing much at all.

BUT... if we look a little closer...pay a bit of attention....and seek the POSITIVE and BRIGHTER sides of life...then, we will see, that every week...every DAY has SMALL SUCCESSES in it!

Sherry is the delightful hostess for this meme and invites us in to share our happy news each Thursday.
You can visit her via my sidebar link and read more entries and/or add your own!

As for the Dudiches...we enjoyed the following Small Successes this week:

1) We have remembered to feed our new fish every day. I was a little bit worried that we might forget we have them and make the poor little guys go hungry...but...we did it...twice a day!


2) Have been remembering to look ahead a page or two on our Advent Calendar to make sure that we have appropriate supplies for any crafts/activities that will come up. Today, we are making "cinnamon ornaments"!
Woo Hoo! LOOOOOVE how they fill the house with such a comfy-cozy aroma:)

3) Received my first payment in the mail for the online sales of my book! WOW! THAT was exciting to get in the mail! And, it uplifted and encouraged me against that little inner-voice-battle that sneaks up every once in a while and taunts : "Will anyone even want to read this?" (Believe me, when you write a book for the Lord, that tricky, sneaky, wily enemy of ours tries everything he can to get you to stop!)


Thanks for sharing our successes! Now, it's your turn to tell us about YOURS!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

"Tis the season...TO GIVE THANKS!

Add the above image to your post and use Mr. Linky, below, to send us there. Offer your readers a link back here...and in your post, list five things you are truly thankful for this week.
That's it!
It's easy and fun and helps to keep an "attitude of gratitude"!

The Lord showers blessings upon us each day!

This week, these are some that I am most thankful for:

1) Time with my children each day. Truly,  I am keenly aware at what a blessing it is to be able to stay at home and teach my children every day. We laugh, we pray, we play, we work hard...we are challenged, we have trials...sometimes suffering...but the peace that comes from following Christ and the JOY that comes from sharing His love...I would miss so much of this if my kids had to go outside the home for school.
THANK YOU, LORD, for allowing me to be a stay-at-home/homeschooling mother!


2) Time with Laura. She is "Santa's Helper" when I go shopping. It's a rare occasion for us to have time with just the two of us...and I enjoy Laura's company so very much. THANK YOU, LORD, for my beautiful daughter, who is becoming a godly woman before my very eyes.

3) Large pots of soup on cold, winter days! THANK YOU, LORD, for the staples I usually have on-hand to put on a huge stock pot of soup and let it simmer all day while we tend to our school lessons.

4) Phone conversations with my BFF's. These come as such a delight and treat to me...like having a mini-visit and sharing a good heart-to-heart after a busy day. We laugh, we cry, we ponder, we pray, we listen, we advise, we share the depths of our hearts and souls. THANK YOU, LORD, for giving us a confidant and helpmeet as we tarry along in our journey toward heaven.

5) Blankets. We have MANY here at our house and I am always mindful at what a luxury and blessing it is to be able to pull one out and cover up all cozy and comfy when the night air chills us. THANK YOU, LORD, for warmth and comfort.


How about you? What blessings has God sent YOUR way this week?

Hearts for Home

Oh my. These weeks are simply flying by, aren't they?
I'm glad for this meme, hosted by the lovely Gae, whom you may visit via the link in my sidebar...
It allows us to ponder home, family, faith, simplicity, nurturing, peace, joy...and all of the good things that
come to us through Christian Family Life each day.
The question remains: How can I cultivate my mind and heart toward the better keeping of my home?

My thanks to Gae for helping us do this.

My thoughts for this week are that I would like to:


*  Spend lots of time sitting and resting by the light of our Christmas Tree...listening to quiet music and pondering the great mysteries of this glorious season.

* Get the rest of our Christmas greetings mailed out to family and friends. Doing a little each day helps me manage better and not feel so rushed/stressed.

* Help the children go a little above and and beyond in their school work so that we can have a nice, LONG, relaxing Christmas vacation without worrying that we left things "undone".

* Help my husband to have rest and calm and peace and quiet on the weekend...his work schedule has been super busy, trying to wrap things up for the long Christmas break...and I do not wish to add to his work-load or stress level...I want him to know how much we appreciate his work and that he can always look forward  to the respite of "a peaceful, joyful, hearth and home."

* Spend time baking with my children:)

Sabbath Moments

To pause and ponder the moments during the week when we have found ourselves keenly aware of God's presence/magnificence/love...that's what this meme is about and my wonderful friend, Colleen Spiro, is our hostess. You can join her and others via the sidebar link to her blog...and trust me, once you're there, you'll want to stay awhile; as well as visit her fabulous website (which even offers FREE spiritual online retreats!)

This week, I had some wonderful Sabbath Moments:

* My hubby and son were off helping my eldest daughter move the last of her things to her new home...the other kids were all outside building a fort...and I had the house to myself...cleaning...I lit my candles (which I have everywhere for the festive season), lit the tree, and starting sweeping and scrubbing and dusting to my little heart's content...it was soooooo peaceful and lovely and quiet...I had some beautiful instrumental Christmas music playing in the background, too. Oh, how I thanked God for my home; and for my good health and strength to be able to clean it:)

* I babysat my darling grandson today; who is almost five months old already! His mommy and daddy and big sister stopped in for a visit when they came to pick him up. Mary Helen made banana bread to share and we grown-ups had some nice, fresh, hot coffee. It was such a delight to see the smile on my son's face as he looked at all of our decorations; reminiscing to his wife about his childhood Christmas memories and telling us all about the tree they had just gotten cut at a local farm and how they were going home to decorate their own home...SUCH a blessing...just to gather as a family and relax together:)

* My daughter's new home is a tad bit smaller than her previous one. Thus, we have "inherited" some of her belongings; among them, a fish tank full of fish! (Something I have always wanted!) Tonight, we turned out all the lights in our school (where we put the tank) and watched the pretty fish swim about in their freshly cleaned tank...seashells...pretty blue stones...plants...all shining in the dark under the little light inside the tank...it was SOO lovely and calm and peaceful. God creates SUCH AMAZING THINGS!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1) Babysitting my darling, sweet, grandson (who is almost five months old) tomorrow...need I say more in the way of JOYFUL THINGS? ::smile::

2) My friend and I were made keenly aware of the passage of time, the circle of life, and the continuation of generations today as we chatted and shared a snack in the kitchen, while we listened to our teens play Wii and banter and cheer and carry on happily together in the adjacent room. It seemed like just yesterday, we mused, that it was our older sons doing the same thing...and now...well...my older son is married and has two children and hers is graduating from college in the Spring...the "young men" who were "carrying the torch" of friendship and fun today...were the boys who were the Littles just a "blink" or so ago...and soon enough, we realized together...these fine boys will also move on...and our younger ones will be the older ones...and we...we will still be sharing the journey side by side in the kitchen :)

3) This Sunday marks GAUDETE SUNDAY already! I can hardly believe that! Advent seems to be swiftly passing this year...GAUDETE SUNDAY is the Sunday of JOY; signifying that we will only have one more week of waiting after this until we welcome the celebration of our INFANT SAVIOR and KING! The color of the candle on our Advent wreaths that we will light this Sunday is "rose"...the color of JOY.

4) Speaking of JOY...my husband's company shuts down for an entire week every year at Christmas time...so that means he gets a week's vacation and WE get to have him at home with during the most beautiful season of the year! VERY special :)

5) My book has had some great reviews on Amazon. I'm grateful to those who submitted them and I must say, that it is really nice to "check in" and find those "5 little stars" waiting!

6) I'm looking forward to our break from school. We will take off from the 20th until after the New Year.
I love to use that time to declutter, reorganize, assess things, plan for the second semester, and REST.

7) As I finish this post in a silent house (everyone is asleep) I think of a time in years beyond when the house will always be this quiet...I can't quite imagine that...and I'm not sure I really want to. OH how I will miss the sounds of children when they are gone!

Want to read more Quick Takes? Visit our hostess, Jennifer Fulwiler via my sidebar link and join the fun!

Small Successes (2 posts today)

As many times as people have greeted me in life by singing The Beatles' "Hey Jude"...I wonder if as many have greeted our hostess, Sherry with a Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons, "Sheeeerrrrrrrrrrryyyy Baaaaby". Sorry...don't know why that RANDOM thought came to mind as I was starting this meme today:)


So...moving on to the matters at hand....here are a few great things we've done this week:


1) Managed to get 10 of us to the dentist ON TIME this morning! We LOVE our dentist...he blocks out a whole morning for our entire family...but...I like to be on time and not cancel on him...because if we cancel...he loses 10 spots that day!

2) Mopped the floor last evening when I REALLY didn't feel like it...we'd been on the road yesterday and it was a long, tiring day...BUT...I kept my whining to my silent self and GOT THAT BUCKET OUT anyway! YAY, me!

3) Didn't get mad....ok...well....wait a minute...back up....DID get mad but did not ACT on that...when I went by our cubby where boots, hats, gloves, and tennis shoes are kept (all in order and in certain bins) to find that YET AGAIN the boots were strewn about and the bins were all mixed up....INSTEAD....I stopped. I prayed a short prayer. And, I quietly, willingly, almost-joyfully-read: tried REALLY hard to be joyful, put everything back where it belonged and moved long with my day. TA DA!!!!!

Don't we rock? LOL

Tell us all the awesomeness you and your kids have accomplished this week!

Tea Talk

I always smile when I realize that it is Thursday; and time, yet again, to share TEA TALK at Ruth's!
She is our lovely hostess and would be delighted to welcome you to her blog via my sidebar link today.
You can pull up a chair, bring along your favorite cuppa' and spend a few quiet moments in rest and fellowship with the other wonderful ladies who come to Ruth's each week.


As for me, today, I'm having ... a tall glass of water....I was feeling extra thirsty for some reason. This is a big fault of mine...I don't always take time to drink as much water as I should and tend to become a little dehydrated before taking a drink during the day.

My cup is...just your average royal blue colored plastic tumbler....I did away with "glasses" a few years back because we break more than we save around here...the kids are getting older now; so, perhaps a nice set of glasses will, once again, be in my future:)

I am feeling...good, after having my teeth cleaned at the dentist's this morning...the kids and I were saying how we don't like the process of getting them cleaned...but we feel so GOOD afterward!

On my mind...my sweet grandson....whom I've been asked to babysit on Saturday while his mommy, daddy, and big sister go to get their Christmas Tree! WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! I can HARDLY WAIT!!!!!

"It is an empty heart that God fills. He can not fill a heart that's full....full of pride, bitterness, jealousy...we must give these things up"  

~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta~

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Come right in! Bring along your favorite cuppa' and relax for a while. We are considering/pondering the blessings in our lives today. We do the same each Wednesday and we'd love for you to join us!
Take this image, above and paste it into a post on your blog. Share five things you've been giving thanks to God for this week...offer your readers a link back here...and use Mr. Linky here to send us to your post.

Remember, a thankful heart is a joyful heart!

God is kind and merciful and showers His blessings upon us!

This week, I'm especially thankful for:

1) The day I spent at my lovely daughter in law's house with my two grand babies. I was teaching my DIL to make a certain meal that my son (her hubby) has been yearning for ( a favorite from his youth) that she didn't know how to make...my grand-daughter had tons of fun playing w/her aunties and uncles and I drank in every moment of wonder and JOY that I received in getting to hold my grandson! THANK YOU, LORD!

2) Our school lessons. We are so blessed to be at home with each other every day. There is so much I would miss in the lives of my children if I had to send them off each day. Little things. Happy things. Challenges. Struggles. Fellowship. So much...I'm so glad they are here with me so I don't have to miss a thing! THANK YOU, LORD!

3) Coffee. I know I've mentioned that one before in this meme. But, it's true. This is my little perk; my luxury that I am so happy to have...I love the scent...the aroma...the steamy hot temperature....the bold, rich flavor...I love everything about it:) THANK YOU, LORD!

4) My husbands hugs. He gives the best hugs. THANK YOU, LORD!

5) Talking to my mother on the phone. She makes me laugh. THANK YOU, LORD!

Care to share your blessings with us, today?

Hearts for Home

One hour from the time I am writing this post, it will be the Feast of St. Nicholas! Although, our lovely hostess for this meme, Gae, will have already celebrated it and will be winding her day down to an end as she lives several continents away from me:) You can read about the wonderful festivities and activities at her place, via my sidebar link to her blog.

As for this meme she hosts each week, it is meant to encourage us to cultivate our minds and hearts toward the better-keeping of our homes. To focus, to live intentionally, to serve joyfully, and to be diligent in our care for our family and hearth.

This week, I'm trying to:

1) Make the activities on our Family Advent Calendar go smoothly by "peeking" ahead one day, in case I am in need of any supplies, specialty foods, or other items for the next day's activity. The children LOVE our Advent calendar so much; and a few times, when I haven't been properly prepared, they've been a little disappointed if we get to a certain day and Mom says, "Oops, I forgot to pick that up at the store so we'll have to make that craft another day" :(  With just a little extra effort on my part, we can be ready for the delightful crafts and activities and spiritual readings and songs, etc...as each pretty page is turned:)

2) Help the children with their Christmas letters and cards. They really enjoy writing out their own to special people in their lives and it does take time to help them write and check spelling and address envelopes, etc...
But, it's so worth it because I know that they are spending Advent truly preparing their hearts by reaching out to those they love.

3) Spend more time in silence and Adoration. Our parish is blessed to be having a 40 Hours Devotion this week and we are signed up for several hours of Adoration, in addition to our usual weekly hour. The beautiful silence spent in the presence of Our Lord in His Most Blessed Sacrament is SO enriching and nurturing to our souls...and JUST what we need during this busy time of year so as to SLOW DOWN and ponder the great things God has done for us!

4) Stay on task and even put forth extra effort to get our school work done in a timely manner and close out the semester before we break for Christmas Vacation.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Joining Peggy and her friends as we pause to ponder the simple things in life.
Visit her blog or add your own entry via the link in my sidebar:


FOR TODAY:

Outside my window...looking as though there is a hint of snow in our future, perhaps.

I am thinking...of my daughter and her family, as they settle into their new little home along the creek.

I am thankful...for this beautiful Advent Season which helps me to prepare my heart and make straight my paths for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

From the learning rooms...focusing on "book work" now as we bring our semester to a close very soon.

In the kitchen...I think some chicken (leg-quarters), roasted red potatoes, and corn will be the order of the day.

I am wearing...a lovely "broomstick" skirt and one of my favorite black, knit, pull-overs with a ruffled bodice.

I am going...to a holy hour of Adoration for the 40 Hours Devotions being held at our parish this week.

I am wondering...what we serve for our Christmas Feast this year. We tend to fluctuate our choice on this each year.

I am reading... The Quotable Saint/Words of Wisdom from Thomas Aquinas.

I am hoping...that people will slow down to truly ponder the beauty of the True Meaning of the season.

I am looking forward to...making Christmas chains with my kids today; that's the activity listed on our Family Advent Calendar...I know this, because my sweet Mary Clare was up at 6:30 am; wanting to be the one to "turn the page" for today!

I am hearing...Mary Clare, Ben, and Sarah, discussing the decorations that they are adding to a Christmas letter that the girls are helping Ben to write.

Around the house...made some changes to our calendar; including canceling our Christmas Sale...we decided to wait until next year or the next...as we want to focus on some other things at this time. We have reassessed the items that we had scheduled and left only the ones that we feel are most important as to the preparation of our hearts this glorious season.

I am pondering...the INFANT SAVIOR AND KING! Emmanuel! Word Among Us! Word Incarnate! Prince of Peace!

I am praying for...those who are lonely or struggle with depression at this time of year.

One of my favorite things...sitting by the light of our Christmas Tree in the wee hours of the morning when no one else is awake.

A few plans for the rest of the week: paying a few visits to family and friends, writing our Christmas cards, and baking a bit:)

A photo thought to share with you:

By: Mary Clare Dudich, age 7

Treasured Moments (2nd post today)

* Snuggling with Benny under a blanket and listening to Christmas stories on audio.

* Listening to Christmas music on a CD that was given to us by the owners of the audio site we subscribe to! They gifted all of their members with a lovely instrumental cd for the season. SO relaxing:)

* Decorating our tree.

* Looking at my daughter's beautiful artwork.

* Hot coffee, early in the morning and time alone with God.

* Putting on PJ's after a long, busy day on a chilly winter's night.

* Listening to my girls play their original duet/compositions on the piano. (They've never had a formal lesson; but play so well together!)

* Sipping steaming, hot homemade potato/ham/pea soup from a favorite mug.

Erin is the lovely Mum who hosts this meme each week. It's a way to pay closer attention to the simple pleasures and joys in our daily lives...you can visit her wonderful family and add an entry to this meme (or read others') by using the link in my sidebar to her blog:)

Sabbath Moments

Aaahhhh, Sabbath Moments. One of my favorite times of the week. And, our hostess, Colleen Spiro, is one of my dearest blogging friends, as well! Colleen's blog and website are full of treasures for your soul! Stop by to visit and, perhaps, to add some of your own Sabbath Moments this week. There's a handy link in my sidebar for you.


1) Earlier this week, little Sarah, 6, was coloring in her Bible Animals coloring book. I love this little book that has pictures of animals with Scripture verses listed as to where you can find that particular animal in the Bible.
This time, she was coloring the RAVENS. And we read in 1 Kings 17:4 "You shall drink of the stream and I have commanded Ravens to feed you there". . . fast forward to myself...sitting at a table in our parish hall during the Ladies' Retreat this morning...Father was giving a beautiful talk on being contemplative...and mastering our mind so it doesn't master us...and how the Lord has made us a tangible, physical people...He, Himself becoming FLESH...thus, the candles, and statues, and beautiful paintings...can call our minds to the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ON EARTH and help us to keep focused and less distracted as we go about our busy lives. Just as I was thanking the Lord in my heart for my time on retreat, I lifted my head and glanced out the large window to see two HUGE RAVENS take flight from out little cemetery...it was as if they had appeared out of no where...and instantly...I was reminded that He had "sent the Ravens to feed me"...the retreat, the fellowship, the words being spoken to my heart...was food for my SOUL. It was a lovely sight to see.

2) Listening to the last speaker at retreat...I was led closer to the MERCIFUL SAVIOR'S HEART...for I listened, as my friend, a young mother, expecting her 7th child, give her testimony on "keeping your faith during/after tragedy"...This beautiful woman had buried her tiny baby last year...and, we came to learn through her talk today...lived a life of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her siblings and step-father as a youth...she spoke of learning to pray by hiding in a coat closet with all of the coats removed from their hangers so that she could bury herself under them and not be found...she told of meeting her (now) husband...who took her hands in his own and taught her the Lord's Prayer...she told of how she came to realize that GOD has not willed the abuse upon her; but that this was the choice of men through free will and that even though she had suffered...she would never want the gift of free will to be taken away from anyone...even her abusers...and then...she asked us all to PRAY FOR HER ABUSERS and for the conversion of her fallen away family (of her youth)...and as I listened and cried and bowed my head in prayer...I was transported straight to HIS MERCY.


3) At night, I have been sipping hot chocolate by our Christmas Tree; watching the twinkling lights...looking at the cherished ornaments; some from decades ago...some, newer. Praying for my husband and my children and grand-children and "counting my blessings" during this beautiful Advent Season.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Summing up the blogging week along with Jennifer Fulwiler, our esteemed hostess for this meme.
Visit her via my sidebar link and you'll be good for a laugh or two...her humor is such a blessing!


Judy's 7 Quick Takes:


1) So, since my book was published, I have tried to remain rather nonchalant about the whole thing; not paying TOOOO close-attention to ratings, rankings, sales, and what-not. HOWEVER...I must tell you, that when you see "Customer Review" with 5 Stars after it on your Amazon page...it is Pretty. Darned. Exciting. Indeed.  What to share my JOY? Take a look: AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEWS for I SURRENDER.


2) As a mother-at-home, it is so cute to see my interests, talents, and blessings taking shape within my own children. Since the public arrival of #1, above...all of my Littles have become "Authors" writing up elaborate tales on lined paper, illustrating the pages, and stapling them together...then going around the house saying that they are going to have their books "published", like Mommy's :) One of my girls, age 7, created a series of "coloring books" and "set up shop" in her bedroom, asking us all to come to her "sale". Each book was neatly labeled with prices ranging from 10 cents to a quarter a piece...ALL of her coloring books "sold"; even her teen brother and sister coughed-up change to buy a few! ::winks and smiles::

3) I was completely surprised when I realized that today was Friday. Since we were on Thanksgiving break until yesterday...my brain was tricked into thinking this was "Tuesday" since we usually go back to school on Mondays. What a treat to think you have 3 more days of school ahead; only to find out that in a few hours, you will be singing, "LET THE WEEKEND COMMENCE!" WOO HOO!

4) With all of the modern-day gidgets and gadgets and super dee-duper technology...I wish someone would invent an automatic, "crumb/debris sensored" vacuum/sweeping system for large families. SERIOUSLY. Wouldn't it be great if, several times a day, hoses and suction things could come out of the walls and do a big SWOOP around the carpets and floors for us? I am continually AMAZED and dumbfounded at how many crumbs and "floor messes" 8 kids can make in an HOUR. They'd better hurry up and invent a new product for me...otherwise I am going to start duct-taping a broom and/or vacuum to my appendages and SPIN around all day, continuously, so as to keep up with this mess!

5) We had such fun last night. We turned out all the lights other than those on our Christmas Tree...and we snuggled up under blankets (after having some yummy double-decker M&M brownies with milk that Mary Helen, age 11, made) to listen to Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" on Old Tyme Radio from myaudioschool.com. The two Littles fell fast asleep in their big brother's lap...and I smiled and thought how WORTH IT, the small yearly subscription fee to that site truly is. WE LOVE IT.
Earlier in the day, we listened to "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls Wilder...and I had the kids each sketch a scene of their choice while the story played. Afterward, they passed their papers around so everyone could guess which scene they had illustrated! SUCH FUN! If you are wanting to simplify your days/evenings and looking for some creative family fun...myaudioschool.com is your ticket. You'll love it.

6) I've decided that I miss "naps". It's been a while since my kids took regular naps...all of them did so up until age 5-6...except Benny, who wriggled his way out of them at age 4...we used to take "family naps" each Sunday...and lately, I've been missing that. I love the idea of doing something so relaxing in the middle of a busy day.

7) I'm looking forward to the Ladies' Retreat at church tomorrow. Great fellowship, Mass, Confession, wonderful talks to inspire and uplift, and time to refresh/recharge/and renew our spirits for the Advent and Christmas Seasons. WHAT A BLESSING! I will keep you ALL in my prayers while there!

Tea Talk (2nd post today)

Greetings to our dear hostess, Ruth, and to all of the lovely ladies who come to her place for "tea" each week.

If this is your first time, you'll find a link to Ruth's blog in my sidebar and you are invited to join her/us in taking a few moments of respite from your busy day...to fellowship, relax, ponder, and rest a while:)


I am having...my first cup of coffee for the day; which, will be followed by a second, I'm sure! ::smile::

My cup is...one I love to wrap my hands around while I sip:)

I am feeling...well-rested and ready to get back to our school lessons, today. We had such a nice Thanksgiving vacation, even though we all nursed a sore throat and cough...we had plenty of rest, hot drinks, and time to just "be" together...and now, we are ready to hit the books, again.

On my mind..."All things Advent and Christmas" :)

"The mother's heart is the child's school room"
Henry Ward Beecher

Small Successes

1) Resisted my usual temptation to get "extra work" done while we were on school break and really kicked back to enjoy our holiday vacation. We did crafts, sang songs, watched movies, took walks, cooked and baked, read stories, and RESTED:)

2) Rearranged our schedule to de-clutter our calendar a bit. Things were getting too busy for my taste...so, I mustered up some courage and "X'd" a few upcoming events out and then said "no" to a few other opportunities for activities in the near future. This is more difficult than it might seem, as this time of year provides so many wonderful and fun events...but I really want our focus to be on our Advent journey; preparing our hearts for the celebration of Our Lord's Coming at Christmas:)

3) Everyone has done a great job remembering to take their shoes off before dashing into bedrooms where there is new carpeting (which was laid this past summer)...this is a big success because I have never been a stickler for making kids remove their shoes indoors. I'm still not...but my hubby IS...and I am proud of the children for their noticeable effort to comply!

These are the little things we've "done right" this past week:)
What are some of YOUR Small Successes?
Hop on over to Sherry's place via my sidebar link and join the meme...it's a fun way to accentuate the "positive" side of our everyday family life journeys!