Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord

 Eternal Rest grant unto Roseanne, O Lord.

And let Perpetual Light shine upon her.

May she rest in Peace.

Please remember the Mills family as they mourn the loss of their wife and mother.  Also, remember all those who also mourn the loss of a dear friend.  Roseanne has touched many lives by her beautiful example of joy, love and generosity.  Roseanne will be missed greatly.  My God have Mercy on her soul.

Snow Tubing

 I know... I know... he NEEDS a haircut.

 Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes.

Ice, Snow and Cozy Days

 Cold temperatures and misty ice "storm" make a rather beautiful sight!

 The tire is a lovely addition to the beauty.... (Really?! I truly could think of a better parking spot.)

 Marigold singing her version of the Greek Alphabet....

 "Alpha, Geta, Seta"

 I believe it is her rendition of fashion as well.

 The tree is trimmed, the Nativity is up, presents under the tree and hearts ready... mostly... for Our Lord.

 Kili working on getting around in the world.

 Between misty ice storms there was wood hauling.

 We got a heap of about 6" of snow.  We wondered if we'd get out since our road was not plowed... not that we expected it to be.

So.. we took 3 vehicles fit for snow to Mass... see... a 15 passenger van really is fuel economical... just not snow worthy.

Children's Choir at the Fireside

 We had our annual Children's Choir outing recently.  Here are some of the girls inside the Fireside Dinner Theater.

 The place was gorgeous.

 We started the evening with a delicious buffet dinner.

The evening proceeded with wonderful singing and hilarious comedy.  It was truly spendid.
The evening ended with the Rosary during a late night ride home in an ice storm.

Urgent Prayers

Please pray for a friend, Roseanne Mills, who is in her last days battling cancer.  Remember also her husband Rick and their 3 beautiful children as they suffer at the foot of the Cross.  Roseanne is one of the most beautiful people I've met. She has suffered with cancer over the years and has remained joyful and accepting of God's Will.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Straighten Up

As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain.
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 
Luke 3:4-6

Methinks I see a message here... ! Better straighten up before the straightening up is done for us... !

St. John the Baptist so often carries a reed cross in reference to Christ's words:
And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
Matthew 11:7

Our Lord is saying that St. John the Baptist is no weak, ordinary man who is so easily shaken as most men are. (men as in mankind)

On the reed cross is often a banner that reads:
Ecce Agnus Dei... Behold the Lamb of God

The unshakable reed is made straight, made strong through the Lamb of God, through His Sacrifice.  It is the only Way to be made straight and strong... through the Lamb... the Victim of Sacrifice.... The One Who would sacrifice Himself for our sins.

Happy Birthday Bilbo

 Happy 6th Birthday Bilbo-who-needs-a-hair-cut!  He celebrated with a Hobbit cake.

Incidentally, this is not his hair cut.

And so you ask, "Did you like the Hobbit Movie?" Overall, sure, I enjoyed it, however it was far more violent and head-spinningly fast-paced than it needed to be.  That rendered Pippin-of-the-already-fast-paced-brain unable to go, many tears were shed that day and much begging.  Maybe when the screen and speakers are about 1000 times smaller.  We'll see.  The movie has strayed from the book quite a bit, but I know how to separate movies from the books they are using as a skeleton for their mission. It satisfies my quest for good movies.  The dragon was exceptional.  Thorin is still my favorite... with Bilbo and Bard following. I really enjoyed the barrel riding scene.  I'm looking forward to seeing it again some day.

Kili at 7 months

 Kili is proving to be one for getting into trouble and he only gets around by sitting on his bottom and jimmying himself around to reach his target.  This time he was able to get to a cupful of Marigold's Elderberry (which is great for coughs in case you are wondering). He's currently 7 months, weighing in at 22-1/2 pounds.

Huh?! Who me?!