New Book Giveaway!

Mary Ostyn, who blogs from the Owlhaven and is a fellow adoptive mom, is about to debut her first book(including a minor contribution from yours truly), The Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family.

Visit her this week (as well as the next three!) for a chance to win a copy!

Come and Play!

Let's play a little game, shall we?

Margaret is holding this fun book giveaway and I thought it a really easy blog post cop-out super fun and exciting to play along.

Here are the rules, then:
1. Choose the 4th folder where you store pictures on your computer.
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder, and post it on your blog.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag four people to do the same.
5. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)

Here's the picture:

I'm supposed to explain this picture (see rule 3 above), but instead I'm wondering who knows what this funny looking stand-alone caboose is, why it is precariously perched atop a hill AND where in the USA it can be found. To show I'm a good sport and not just some crazed contest monger, I'm giving away a brand new, autographed copy of Colleen Hammond's Dressing With Dignity for the person who guesses correctly by 9:00 pm CST tonight!

And, as an incentive to play, you can go here to preview the book and here to download a complimentary copy of the Outfit Guidelines.

Giveaway!

If you have a little girl, who wears a size 2T-4T, stop over at Suzanne's to find out how you can get your name in for a chance to win this beautiful little dress.

Last Chance!

Today's the last day to vote for your favorite family volunteer activity. The poll in the sidebar will close in less than 24 hours!

The Family that Volunteers Together...

The volunteer suggestions continue to grow! I have to admit, as I've been reading them, I forgot momentarily that I was looking for suggestions to use in my next article. It's possible that it's my overtired, older-than-yesterday brain, but I think it might be something more. I am so moved by your efforts that I'm focusing more on the volunteering and less on my article. And that, dear friends, is a good thing. Read the full list of family volunteer activities here and before you leave, don't forget to cast your vote for your favorite in the sidebar. So far, Laura and her family have quite a lead at the polls!

Voting Begins!

Last week, I asked for your suggestions about family volunteer opportunities and you didn't disappoint! I'm looking forward to running down your leads for one of my upcoming columns, but in the meanwhile take a look at the amazing group of women I have had the privilege to *meet* here on the Ark. Your generous spirit and your commitment to teaching your children that it is better to give than receive will benefit them AND society at large. How wonderful that there are families like yours, raising civic-minded, caring, helpful children in the world today!

Ready to vote? Read the suggestions below. Then, click on your favorites in the sidebar poll! Voting will end on July 16th! Thanks for playing.

#1-There is a local food pantry that we can help out at. They really need help to check out all the exp. dates and get rid of the bad/old ones. They also need help to organize and stock the shelves. Even our little ones can help do these things. It does not take a long time and they rejoice in the fun of it and how we can help our neighbors in need. From MomDaBomb

#2-We have all helped with the Boy Scouts' "Scouting for Food" program. It takes place over 2 weekends. On the first weekend, plastic bags are distributed (we did this at church, after Mass). Let me tell you, our little guy's cuteness went a long way as the kids handed out the grocery bags! The next week was "collection week." People would bring their filled bags back to church. Scouts & Scout families were waiting at each door, putting bags into wagons. The wagons were then taken to the truck at the back of the parking lot, and items were sorted for donation. From SFO Mom

#3-We make and deliver bag lunches for the local homeless shelter. This means buying the food, assembling the sandwiches, assembling the rest of the lunch, and delivering it to the shelter. The little ones help assemble the lunches, the middle ones the sandwiches, and the biggest do quality control and loading and unloading. I think I 'll have them start help with the shopping (my job) and the delivering. From Mary Poppins NOT

#4-We helped package food at Feed My Starving Children (locations in Minn and Chicago's western suburb of Aurora). Great for kids (over 5) and adults. From Anne Marie

#5-Whenever our parish hosts the local PADS shelter (usually every third month or so), we provide two 5 lb meatloaves and four dozen cupcakes. The kids know why we are shopping for this special trip, how it is helps people who are having a difficult time helping themselves, and how every little bit helps. From Laura Miller

#6-We have also made treat bags at Christmas for the shelter with candy and small encouraging notes. We have made Valentines for the sisters at the convent. We then deliver the food/gifts/cards to the places to receive them. There is a completeness to the act, seeing the place where their tangible efforts will be appreciated. My children don't hand the items out personally - for their safety and anonymity - but they are aware that such places exist (the homeless shelter). From Laura Miller

#7-We sponsor a child in Ethiopia through Compassion. I think that it isn't so much as the act of volunteering as it is the fruits of the spirit such as generosity and kindness. These acts will hopefully bring awareness to my children that they can do something to help others. From Laura Miller

#8-My husband, my oldest daughter and I are with the cathedral choir while my 4 other children are acolytes. From Easter A.

#9-Catholic family friends of ours are with a paddling group that welcomes low income families to become members. They clean our beaches to raise money to fix canoes and also to cover expenses of races. From Easter A.

#10-We are certified side walkers and lead-line walkers at a nearby therapeutic horseback riding stable. The training is simple (especially if one has any experience with horses).
My youngest is too young to be helping in any "official" capacity but he is certainly old enough to visit with the riders as they wait for their lessons. It turns out that he knows a youngster who is now riding. She is a brilliant little girl with severe cerebral palsy. There is plenty of need for volunteers in this kind of equestrian therapy. From Soutenus

#11-What we have done for several years is visit nursing homes as a family. If it is close to a holiday, the children will make several cards to bring that they hand out to the residents. It is easier to 'break the ice' for them. They introduce themselves and give them the card saying, "I made this for you" and then they can tell the person about the picture they made. If there is a piano at the facility, Claire will play a few songs. Andrew used to bring his violin as well and play a couple of songs. Often times we will just sing songs with hand motions...He's got the whole world in His hands....the wheels on the bus...etc... Sometimes we visit residents in their rooms and ask them if they would like us to pray with them. They usually do. They love to see the children especially the very little ones and will often start crying. You will bring SO MUCH JOY to some very lonely people. You will not believe how easy this is to do as a family! Thirty minutes of your time to bring smiles and tears of joy to others! From Simple, Ordinary Lives

#12-My favorite volunteer activity is a tough one--we pray as a family next to the abortion clinic. It's not the most cheerful of outings, granted, but my children are learning at an early age about the sanctity of life and that we are fighting a real battle here. From Minnesota Mom

#13-Our family helps run the church food pantry. All the children help with carrying donations and stocking shelves. We also organize an Easter Dinner basket with all the fixings for needy families. This is nice because little ones can be very active in this too by sorting and shelving:-) From Suzanne

#14-I have never done this but I thought that it would be a lovely idea. Have the kids all make cards for those soldiers who are stationed in Iraq. The older ones can help write for the younger ones. You can then pass them on to A MIllion Thanks a charity that gets letters of gratitude into the hands of soldiers who are fighting in other countries. There is no cost involved! From Laura Danella

#15-My three oldest did lots of volunteer work when they were younger. When our oldest dd was 14 she and her two sibs would get up at 0'dark thirty every Saturday morning and I would drive them to the cathedral where they would get to cook and serve breakfast to the homeless. After they were done I would pick them up (had a newborn at home) and drive our 14 yr old dd to the abortion mill so she could pray with other adults. They did this for a year. From Michelle.

#16-The three also volunteered weekly with a Sister at a local nursing home. Sister Patricia had a music ministry on the Alzheimer's Ward. Our three kids helped with range of motion exercise, singing songs and bouncing balls with the residents. Afterwards the kids would go downstairs and pray the rosary in the chapel with other residents and then talk with them. From Michelle.

#17-Other volunteer activities: weekly soup kitchen, making Easter baskets for women at a halfway house, oldest dd went to Red Cross training with one of our Labs (became a therapy dog) and takes our dog to the nursing home for the residents to pet and play with our dog. Serving at mass, cleaning the church, decorating the church, assembling food/gift baskets at Thanksgiving/Christmas and delivering them. Visiting the sick/elderly of our church. *Adopting* grandparents in our church has been very rewarding for everyone involved. From Michelle.

#18-I almost forgot about the *sock ministry* that the kids and I do. Since it's difficult for me to get out of the house with so many littles and we need two vehicles for transportation (our van only seats 8), this is a great ministry for our family.

We purchase packages of brand new tube socks from the dollar store. Then we will them with items purchased from the grocery outlet: a can of chili (with a pop top) or beans & franks, a plastic spoon, napkins, a package of gummy fruit (has 100% Vitamin C), a small package of crackers, a package of hot cocoa or a tea bag. New toothbrushes w/covers (to keep bristles clean) are also added to the socks. The kids draw pictures and/or a holy card are also placed in the socks. Then as a family we pray for the recipients of the socks. We tie up the socks with string/twine and load them into the van. The socks are passed out to homeless on the street and donated to local soup kitchens. Below is a link to my blog with photos/descriptions of how we fill the socks.

Read more at Michelle's blog here.

Don't Forget!

If you have a family-oriented volunteer idea to share, be sure to do so here. I'll be giving away a Pampered Chef bar pan to the most popular suggestion! (Voting will begin tomorrow!)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

What do YOU say?

I've been putting together some thoughts for a summer column on volunteering with the whole family. I'd love to hear what some other people have done as volunteer activities that Mom, Dad and the kids can do together. The more specific the idea, the better!

If you have a great suggestion, leave a message in the comment section. I have a beautiful, brand new, Pampered Chef stoneware bar pan waiting for the poster of the most popular (by your votes here, of course) idea!

Hit me with your best thoughts by midnight(CST) on Tuesday, July 8th! Please feel free to share this with others.

Holding Hands

"Mother Teresa always held a rosary in her hand, even when doing something else. People would ask her why she held a rosary when she obviously was not praying it. She answered that this was her way of reminding herself that she was holding Our Lady's hand, a hand she had never let go of since her vision of 1947."

-from Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, Sharing Mother Teresa's Mystical Relationship with Mary by Joseph Langford, MC.

Look for a giveaway of this book coming soon!

She's #1!!!

Using the extremely scientific method of, "Hey kids, somebody tell me their favorite number between one and ten," to select the winner of this giveaway Mary will be happy to know that my four year old chimed back, "I really like the number one!" So, Mary, who was comment number one on that giveaway post email me at patjrsmom at yahoo dot com and I'll get the book out to you soon! A little something to enjoy as you await the birth of number six (your other lucky number!)

Thanks to everyone who shared their stories. I was so touched by all of them.

Remembering the "lasts" and a giveaway!

I promised a giveaway was coming, so before this weekend is history, here it goes...

First of all, I've had this particular item in mind as a giveaway for a while now. But with the rash of stories about tiny bundles full of new life and promise giving way to the wonderment and mommy-love of toddlerhood, followed close on the heels of the magical preschool years, which suddenly morph into an out of control snowball effect of elementary-then junior-then senior high school until-with barely a moment's notice--the once tiny, helpless person, who now stands a head taller than you, waves as his car heads off to college or beyond; well, it was obvious the time for this giveaway was now.

For it was yesterday, literally, that the Boy's 7th grade basketball season ended (with first place trophies in both the championship game and the regular season, if I might brag on him for a moment.) We drove home, as we have each Saturday morning since early November, with every seat in the vehicle occupied by a game-wearied child; some coming down off snack bar sugar rushes, while others regrouped from their roles of cheerleaders-at-large, and one, in particular, who had, in both sweat and smiles, played to his heart's content. My husband turned to me with a sudden realization and noted sadly, "Next year, when basketball season ends, it really will end...And football season...And track season." Next year, if we aren't careful we'll miss celebrating these "lasts" with the Boy before our foray into the world of high-school sports begins. Dear God, I hope we don't miss it.

And I'm hoping we won't, thanks to a lovely book, called Let Me Hold You Longer, given to me by another dear mommy-friend, trying desperately not to miss any "lasts" herself. I've given copies to other mothers before and, this week, I'll give away a copy to another mom, who between furiously taking mental notes and pictures of her children's youth, might enjoy the message this tender story sends.

The book is by highly-accomplished author, Karen Kingsbury, who in addition to her writing accolades is also mom to six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. From the book jacket:

Karen Kingsbury has created a touching reminder that the years of childhood fly too quickly by us. Most of us faithfully remember and capture our children's "firsts." Karen encourages readers to try to recognize and savor the often fleeting "lasts"--those milestones that so easily go unnoticed.

The giveaway is open to everyone. Simply leave a comment and tell me about the "last" you remember best. It can be one of your children's lasts or one from your own childhood. I'll choose a winner at random on Thursday, January 23rd at noon CST.

And the winner is...

Barb at SFO Mom! Email me at patjrsmom at yahoo dot com with your mailing information and we'll send it on its way. Congratulations and thanks to everyone for playing! Later, probably after the holidays, I have another review to do on a book about Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Check back for the review and the accompanying giveaway in late December or early January.

And don't forget, there is still time to submit a cookie recipe for tomorrow's virtual cookie swap. Quite a nice collection has come together, but there's always room for more cookies, right!?!

Last Chance

Enter by midnight CST tonight to be in the drawing to receive the book The Shepherd's Prayer. Here's the link to enter. I'll announce the lucky winner tomorrow!

Preparing for Advent (including a giveaway!)

Two upcoming events here on the Ark are sure to start you thinking about Advent's quick approach.

First, don't forget to share your favorite Christmas cookie recipe with us. I have a handful so far, but would love to hear from the rest of my readers. You all must be Christmas cookie people--we'd never get along so well if you weren't! ;-) The original post is here. You can leave a message in the comments on either section with a link to your post containing your recipe or you can email your recipe to me at patjrsmom at yahoo dot com.

And, second, the giveaway I promised is now underway! I will be giving away a copy of the book The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel, written by Richard M. Barry. While the book works well with the accompanying study guide to serve as an Advent scripture study, it is great as a stand alone read as well.

The story is told from the point of view of a young man whose past is a mystery but for a single lambskin blanket containing a cryptic message. One night, he eventually works up the courage to ask his adoptive father for "his story" and what he hears leads him on a journey to discover his past and much more. Written in easy to read language and woven together with familiar people, places and events from Sacred Scripture, this story offers a chance to ponder the mystery of our own connections to salvation history. As the book is a mere eight chapters and one hundred and twenty-three pages, it would also make for a great Advent family read aloud.

If you're interested in adding this book to your collection, leave a note in the comments before midnight CST on Wednesday, November 28th. The winner will be announced on Thursday, November 29th. Good luck!

Preparing for Advent

I'll be hosting another giveaway soon for the Catholic/Christian Christmas tale called The Shepherd's Prayer. It promises to be a great story and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you all. In the meanwhile, you can check out and download the Study Guide which accompanies the book here. It is designed to be used during the four weeks of Advent in preparation for Christmas.

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Kelli. She is the winner of the pair of Ten Commandments tickets, shirt and poster. Kelli send your mailing information to me at patjrsmom at yahoo dot com and I'll send it out first thing. Congratulations again and let us know how you like the movie!

Ten Commandments Giveaway!

Here's a fast and furious giveaway happening on the Ark. I'm giving away two tickets to The Ten Commandments movie but they must be used by November 30th! (Tickets are good only in the US). In addition to the tickets, the winner will also receive a promotional Ten Commandments t-shirt and poster. To learn more about the movie, watch the trailer here.

To enter, leave a note in the comments below by midnight CST on Wednesday, November 15th. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday.

Good luck!

Phil Lenahan Book Giveaway

The Catholic Company is sponsoring a giveaway on their sister site Catholic Spotlight. Five signed copies of Phil Lenahan's book 7 Steps to Becoming Financially Freewill be given away on September 3rd during a podcast interview with the author. To enter, visit their site by midnight August 31st.