It's been a while since I've posted, so I thought I'd give a little update. I've been spending the past week reading the second encyclical assigned by Dear Hubby's Social Justice instructor (this one is a shorter one written by Pope Pius __).
I also finally mastered the beaded ball that I mentioned a couple of months ago on my other blog. I've also been teaching myself to make bird nest pendants out of sterling silver wire (photo to come).
Because starting a diet on January 1st is such a cliche, I decided to join Weight Watchers (again) this past Friday. I joined in March 2007, hit an 8 month plateau and more of less gave up. So here I go again.
Today I attended Son #1 IEP meeting (Individualized Education Plan) today. At this point, it's more or less a formality. He'll continue with speech therapy twice a week next year, as he has since pre-K. Two of his instructors mentioned that Son #1 seems to engage in 'higher order' thinking than the average person. I think that's edu-speak for 'too smart for his own good.' Truthfully, though, he does operate on a different level.
Son #2 came home today and informed me that a certain little girl we know (very sweet) asked him to "go out." At this age (eleven), 'going out' is generally limited to hanging out at school and saying you have a girlfriend or boyfriend. Trying to keep my cool, I casually asked him how he responded and he said that he told her he'd think about it, because he wanted to 'bounce it off' of me. Awww..... We took the opportunity to discuss what it means to be honest, treat people with respect, not blabbing details to friends, etc. After he left the room, I curled up in the fetal position and chanted 'not my baby, not my baby..." Just kidding. Mama's playing it cool.
More later.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
First Day of School (sort of)
As I mentioned in my last post, Dear Hubby has been accepted in to the diaconate program (i.e., studying to be a deacon) with the Archdiocese. Wives are "strongly encouraged to attend and participate" in classes. This past Saturday, we attended the first of our classes: social justice and theology.
Social Justice is the one taught by the "tough" instructor. Ex-military, retired attorney - he uses the 'Socratic method' much like that used in law school. Lots of class participation, students are expected to have the answers, or at least the reasoning to defend one's ideas. To say I'm out of my element is an understatement, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps it was because of I really have nothing to lose, other than my dignity. :-)
Our first assignment - given at the orientation retreat last Sunday - was to read and be prepared to discuss Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) - all 167 pages of it. In six days.
Classes meet every two weeks, but each session alternates. So next time (Jan. 31), we'll study Spirituality and attend a workshop. The following class (Feb. 14) will be our second Social Justice/Theology class. I joked with my husband that since we essentially have four weeks until the next class, the instructor will assign four books to read. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case.
Social Justice is the one taught by the "tough" instructor. Ex-military, retired attorney - he uses the 'Socratic method' much like that used in law school. Lots of class participation, students are expected to have the answers, or at least the reasoning to defend one's ideas. To say I'm out of my element is an understatement, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps it was because of I really have nothing to lose, other than my dignity. :-)
Our first assignment - given at the orientation retreat last Sunday - was to read and be prepared to discuss Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) - all 167 pages of it. In six days.
Classes meet every two weeks, but each session alternates. So next time (Jan. 31), we'll study Spirituality and attend a workshop. The following class (Feb. 14) will be our second Social Justice/Theology class. I joked with my husband that since we essentially have four weeks until the next class, the instructor will assign four books to read. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Journey of a Thousand Miles....
It's said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. My husband and I are embarking on a new journey. One, regardless of its final outcome, will undoubtedly result in countless blessings.
It's something I've held close to my heart for quite some time, but here it's time to share: Dear Hubby and I are Roman Catholic. He since birth, I since 2000. Around the time of my conversion (which I can truthfully say had little to do with him, but rather was the result of my own spiritual quest - more on that another time)...anyway, around the time of my conversion, Dear Hubby (DH for short) expressed interest in the permanent diaconate program. At the time, he and our children were rather young, so it's something he put on the proverbial 'back burner.'
What's the permanent diaconate? In the Roman Catholic Church, there is an ordained position called 'deacons.' Deacons can do some things that a priest can (baptize babies, officiate at weddings, proclaim the Gospel at mass). However, there are things a deacon cannot do (consecrate the Holy Eucharist, absolution of sins, for example).
For the past year, DH and I have been discerning whether he is being called to this vocation. We attended meetings every three weeks to learn more about the process, prayerfully contemplated, completed an extensive application, participated in several personal interviews, and submitted to a background check (criminal and financial).
We received the letter from the Archbishop just before Christmas that DH was among two dozen men accepted into the formation program. If he completes 4 years of study, he can apply for ordination in December 2012. It's going to be a long, challenging, exhausting, exhilarating journey. I'll keep you posted....
Keep our family - and that of the other 23 men accepted into formation - in your prayers.
It's something I've held close to my heart for quite some time, but here it's time to share: Dear Hubby and I are Roman Catholic. He since birth, I since 2000. Around the time of my conversion (which I can truthfully say had little to do with him, but rather was the result of my own spiritual quest - more on that another time)...anyway, around the time of my conversion, Dear Hubby (DH for short) expressed interest in the permanent diaconate program. At the time, he and our children were rather young, so it's something he put on the proverbial 'back burner.'
What's the permanent diaconate? In the Roman Catholic Church, there is an ordained position called 'deacons.' Deacons can do some things that a priest can (baptize babies, officiate at weddings, proclaim the Gospel at mass). However, there are things a deacon cannot do (consecrate the Holy Eucharist, absolution of sins, for example).
For the past year, DH and I have been discerning whether he is being called to this vocation. We attended meetings every three weeks to learn more about the process, prayerfully contemplated, completed an extensive application, participated in several personal interviews, and submitted to a background check (criminal and financial).
We received the letter from the Archbishop just before Christmas that DH was among two dozen men accepted into the formation program. If he completes 4 years of study, he can apply for ordination in December 2012. It's going to be a long, challenging, exhausting, exhilarating journey. I'll keep you posted....
Keep our family - and that of the other 23 men accepted into formation - in your prayers.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
The Beast on A&E
Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a Patrick Swayze fan. I loved, loved, loved 'Dirty Dancing' ("Nobody puts Baby in the corner."), cried during "Ghost," scratched my head at "Red Dawn," and cringed during "Roadhouse." So it was with a heavy heard that I learned about his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Throughout filming of his new A&E series, The Beast, he's been undergoing treatment for cancer. I've been watching the previews and in my opinion, he looks thin, but otherwise well. I can't help but wishing the best for him and his wife of many years. He's one of those actors who always brings a smile to my face. (Perhaps it's because for a few years he stood nearly life sized, along side Jennifer Grey, in the corner of my bedroom - thanks to Tommy at the video store who scored me an extra large movie display.)
Anyway, I'll be watching the premiere on January 15th. Here's a link to A&E's website, if you're interested: The Beast on A&E.
Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite movie/movie star.
Throughout filming of his new A&E series, The Beast, he's been undergoing treatment for cancer. I've been watching the previews and in my opinion, he looks thin, but otherwise well. I can't help but wishing the best for him and his wife of many years. He's one of those actors who always brings a smile to my face. (Perhaps it's because for a few years he stood nearly life sized, along side Jennifer Grey, in the corner of my bedroom - thanks to Tommy at the video store who scored me an extra large movie display.)
Anyway, I'll be watching the premiere on January 15th. Here's a link to A&E's website, if you're interested: The Beast on A&E.
Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite movie/movie star.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy 2009!
Just a quick post to wish you all a safe and happy new year!
I've been blogging long enough (since mid 2005) to realize that I'm terrible at keeping New Year's Resolutions. But here they are ... again.
1) lose weight - this has been on my list since 1993
2) exercise at least twice a week. Obviously I should exercise more often than twice a week, but even that is an improvement over what I do now.
3) take at least one art related class in 2009.
4) journal/blog at least 3 times a week.
I've been blogging long enough (since mid 2005) to realize that I'm terrible at keeping New Year's Resolutions. But here they are ... again.
1) lose weight - this has been on my list since 1993
2) exercise at least twice a week. Obviously I should exercise more often than twice a week, but even that is an improvement over what I do now.
3) take at least one art related class in 2009.
4) journal/blog at least 3 times a week.
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