tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340285622024-03-23T10:39:12.424-05:00Building the Ark"Noah did that, he did all that God commanded him." Genesis 6:22Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.comBlogger1124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-30119033493114987792016-05-10T21:22:00.002-05:002016-05-10T21:34:04.728-05:00Mother's Day EvolutionDid you have a nice Mother's Day?
I'd say mine was pretty good. My kids were all (eventually) home and my husband prepared a delicious, home-cooked meal. But it's different celebrating Mother's Day now, with kids coming and going, compared to when they were younger and Mother's Day was filled with sticky kisses and homemade cards.
Things were just a whole lot more simple then.
IJane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-28159942324374234982016-05-04T16:49:00.004-05:002016-05-04T17:05:21.015-05:00Safe PlaceDo you have a safe place?
You know, a place where you might go when disaster strikes. A storm cellar. The southwest corner of the basement. (I have been in the Midwest a long time, haven't I?) You get the picture, it's that place of retreat when the storm nears. A physical safe-haven to protect yourselves and the ones you love the most. Yes, even the animals.Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-29459265096564599612016-04-30T09:19:00.001-05:002016-04-30T09:19:41.207-05:00The Beautiful Mystery
I've been reading Louise Penny's best selling book, The Beautiful Mystery. It was a Christmas gift that I am just now getting around to reading, which is pathetic, I know. But I am, at long last, finding time to read this story that blends faith, humanity, music and mystery. A third of the way into the story, and I would say it's a winning combination.
The main character is Chief Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-36325654331648533982016-04-20T16:17:00.001-05:002016-04-20T16:17:10.830-05:00Starting PointSo I've put myself in the position, now, of figuring out exactly where one begins after so many years of silence.
Do I start with the developments in the stories of our adopted children? Are those even my stories to tell? At some point, their stories reach into ours and fuse together becoming one and the same story, but I'm not sure where exactly that happens yet and I want to Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-62163836032136399802016-04-19T09:33:00.002-05:002016-04-19T09:54:14.803-05:00Blog SilenceA little over seven years ago, the writing on this blog came to a screeching halt. For so many reasons. I read a story today called The Silence of Adoption, and it occurred to me that, perhaps, it was time to play a bit of catch-up here in this space. For today, however, I'll share The Silence of Adoption as a very teeny, tiny baby step forward.
Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-47692927791853716272009-12-28T07:42:00.000-06:002009-12-28T07:42:49.188-06:00Why Didn't I Know...that she had a book? For the Advent and Christmas season? Now, do I wait for its re-release or not?Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-29461180811791342662009-12-28T07:34:00.000-06:002009-12-28T07:34:56.744-06:00A Christmas Story With HeartA story about giving. For Christmas. For always.Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-83415265029784992442009-12-24T08:29:00.000-06:002009-12-24T08:29:19.200-06:00Santa TrackerWondering where Santa's sleigh and reindeer are right now? Grab your kiddos and check out this nifty site from NORAD (yes, the air defense people) and see how much longer until Jolly Old St. Nick is in your neck of the woods!
"For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight.
The tradition began in 1955Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-3884289857487727642009-12-24T08:15:00.000-06:002009-12-24T08:15:54.931-06:00What to do with the Egg-stra EggnogThere's an extra half-gallon of egg nog in my fridge since the night of the adult Christmas party. I'm thinking that making these muffins might be a wise use of my surplus, but Candace had another plan.
Me: What am I going to do with all this eggnog?
Candace: Daddy loves eggnog. Let's give it to him.
Me: But Daddy is the ONLY person in our house who will drink it Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-34370440926812107242009-12-23T06:22:00.001-06:002009-12-23T06:22:00.281-06:00Next Stop BethlehemSubtitled: Will I even stop re-running this when she's a teenager?Next Stop--BethlehemNot only does this time of year leave me feeling a bit nostalgic and melancholy for warm family memories, it also leaves me reminiscing around my previous years' Christmas posts, which leaves you, dear friends, the bearers of my jolly finds.From the Christmas ark-ives...The vacant nativity scene should have Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-10113928851885749472009-12-21T22:57:00.000-06:002009-12-21T22:57:13.487-06:00Christmas Fun and Make Ahead Breakfast DishesWe've been up to our ears in Christmas fun these past few days.
We had a family photo session and actually have a family photo with everyone in it for Christmas this year!
(This one's for you Becky...although you'll get one in the mail soon!)
We hosted a grown-ups only Christmas party on Friday night, which was a blast. Clearly we all don't get out too much because the overwhelming Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-6477264360522704072009-12-20T06:20:00.000-06:002009-12-20T06:20:00.955-06:00Fourth Sunday in Advent Reflectionrom the ark-ivesAdvent and GivingMrs. Testosterhome has a beautiful post about her work with the Poorest of the Poor alongside Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's Missionaries of Charity. Her blog is worth reading anytime, but today, it's a must.Her story reminded me of our Women's Scripture Study last month. We'd been discussing the virtue of Justice, which wound around to the topic of charity and theJane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-24661256081314169902009-12-16T07:56:00.002-06:002009-12-16T07:56:50.054-06:00Clear The RoadsAnd make sure your insurance is up to date. I've just signed The Boy--who I was quite sure was just in Kindergarten!--up for this.Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-47314977210905662312009-12-13T18:18:00.000-06:002009-12-13T18:18:00.208-06:00Third Sunday in Advent Reflectionfrom the ark-ivesAdvent and PerseveranceAnother mile on the bumpy back of a barnyard donkey.Another knock on the door of an occupied inn, followed by further rejection.Another cry into the darkness--My Lord, my God, where are you? This can't be Your plan--or can it?How different would the story of salvation be if the Holy Family decided to pack it up 10 miles shy of their holy destiny? Faced Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-82344665062976407182009-12-11T15:40:00.001-06:002009-12-11T15:42:03.097-06:00What a Show for Gaudete Sunday!Make hot cocoa. Bundle up. Tell your friends. The best meteor shower of 2009 is about to fall over North America on a long, cold December night.(Read more here...)Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-46109341347375454322009-12-10T18:24:00.000-06:002009-12-10T18:24:00.600-06:00Advent Plan--Part IIIJoin me and grab a steaming hot mug of peppermint mocha coffee to learn more about the O Antiphons and a clever, old idea for an O Antiphon House.
Not so much interested in that, set the timer and give yourself a few minutes to peruse the wealth of information collected at O Night Divine.Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-54079855630805985102009-12-06T18:15:00.000-06:002009-12-06T18:15:00.423-06:00Second Sunday in Advent ReflectionFrom the ark-ives:If there was ever an Advent when hope was first on my wish list, this one would be it. Hoping for a miracle end to Baby Girl's sickness, hoping for a doctor hand chosen by God to greet us tomorrow at the doctor's office, and all the while holding myself up on the hope that God will provide and see us through this.Advent and HopeOn the first Sunday in Advent, my husband and I Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-48147871726372768182009-12-02T22:28:00.002-06:002009-12-02T22:28:00.517-06:00What's the Big Deal With Cohabitation?"Cohabitation is bad for men, worse for women, and horrible for children. It is a deadly toxin to marriage, family, and culture..."(read more)
An interesting article discussed by Fr. Rocky on his wonderful show--Go Ask Your Father!
Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-90099421388297888082009-11-30T17:29:00.000-06:002009-11-30T17:29:00.368-06:00The Advent Plan--Part IIFinding a balance between "doing" Advent and "living" Advent is tricky business. Inspired by the Church calendar, we're seeking to live out the liturgy each day during this season, which means the opportunities for prayer, reflection and growth are endless. Sounds great, right?It's all ready prepared. People have followed this rhythm for thousands of years. And secular it is not. It doesn't Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-56618657442610470312009-11-29T06:14:00.002-06:002009-11-29T06:14:00.685-06:00First Sunday in Advent ReflectionLast year, I wrote a post for each of the Sundays in Advent. I'll be re-running them again this year and looking at them with new eyes. Mostly the eyes of a mom who is feeling overly grateful this holiday season for all of the many blessings that God has given me--most specifically the gift of His son. Should it surprise any one of us mothers to find that such a great blessing was given to us in Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-31720471611002596822009-11-28T17:05:00.003-06:002009-11-28T17:05:00.656-06:00The Advent Plan--Part IThis Advent, in what can only be described as Spirit-led schooling, I--yes, I the inveterate planner--am throwing caution to the wind and abandoning the tightly constructed school schedules to spend more time focused on the season. Last Advent, I decided to try and swim against the tide of a baby who was so sick she spent a week in the hospital all the while ambitiously trying to maintain the Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-36410467946901428152009-11-25T11:12:00.000-06:002009-11-25T11:12:28.826-06:00Still True TodayNo human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
-Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-31437941990552650212009-11-23T09:02:00.000-06:002009-11-23T09:02:19.918-06:00Five Kernels of Corn and Other Thanksgiving PlansWe're wrapping up school this week for Thanksgiving. Today will be filled with a combination of our typical studies as well as a few extras tied into our study of Colonial America, which culminates with the study of the Plimouth Plantation. Make sure to visit their site this week for a great, interactive program on life as a Pilgrim. After learning about the struggles of the Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-40875005470864219702009-11-21T08:12:00.002-06:002009-11-21T08:17:15.893-06:00Home AgainThe Boy's surgery went well. He is home and resting. Thank you to all of you who called, emailed and prayed for our family during this event. If there is anything scarier than having surgery yourself, I believe it is for your child to have surgery. Not to mention that it's even scarier when his religion teacher makes a flip comment to the class about receiving Anointing of The Sick before Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028562.post-41784289541392039592009-11-19T11:39:00.001-06:002009-11-19T11:39:39.513-06:00What a Week!Please keep our family in your prayers. Our oldest, The Boy is having sinus/adenoid surgery tomorrow morning and we have had a nasty virus run through our house the past few days. Specifically, pray for safe, uncomplicated surgery for The Boy and for God's wisdom and guidance for his doctor and the team who will care for him during the surgery and for a return to good health for the rest of our Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726536529466575noreply@blogger.com1