Last night was wonderful! As I mentioned in the last post, it was the night of the Senior awards at my daughter's high school. She is ending a beautiful four years of school! She attends our local Catholic High School and I just need to say that all of the sacrificing we have had to do as a family were all worth it to be able to give her such a awesome High School experience.
She is attending Milwaukee School of Engineering in the Fall. She was invited to apply for their Presidential Scholarship earlier this Spring...applying involved references, transcripts, an essay, and an interview that was conducted at MSOE. On the night of the interview, my husband and I realized what an honor it was that she was invited to apply for this scholarship! They served us a beautiful dinner and we, along with 160 other families, anxiously waited for the interviews to be completed. We were told a deadline to hear if she won and the deadline came and went and we didn't hear from anyone. After we thought all hope was lost, Emily received a phone call from Dr. Veetz, the President of MSOE at about 8:30 p.m. She had won! We were told 6 students of the 160 that applied won scholarships. These are the largest scholarships given out by MSOE. They cover the full tuition for all four years! We are so proud of her!
Well, here comes another wonderful part, last night as my husband and I were sitting, waiting for the awards to begin, we saw Jennifer Trost walk into the gym and walk up onto the stage. Jennifer Trost is an Admissions Counselor from MSOE. My heart almost burst right out of my chest! She had driven up from Milwaukee to personally present Emily with the Scholarship. Oh my...I could not be prouder of our oldest daughter! She is growing into such a beautiful woman.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Senior Award Day!
Today was Senior Award Day at my oldest daughter's high school. What a beautiful celebration. We are so proud of her! Her Graduation Day is Sunday so I will post more later.
Field Trips
Two of my children are on field trips today. These are their last days of the school year. I am always filled with just a bit more anxiety on the days when they are loaded on a yellow school bus to travel somewhere for a day of fun. A part of me wants to just keep them home for the day. I know that field trips are, for the most part, an educational part of a child's schooling experience...but...(remember, I was a teacher for 9 years) I took that extra measures of packing extra water bottles, jackets, snacks, sunscreen, band-aids, etc...
Oh well. I know that when I pick them up from school they will be smiling ear to ear and chattering nonstop about their wonderful trips. God watch over them today!
Also...soon we will be finding out if we will be able to send them to school next year...I am anticipating homeschooling again. I am at peace with that thought. I am constantly praying for guidance.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friendship and Forgiveness
Don't you think that as adults we should have the whole concept of friendship under control? I mean come on, we all know the rules to being a good friend...we learned them when we were in Kindergarten. I taught children for years how to be good friends to others. You would think that as adults we would have this friendship concept down so well that we wouldn't have to expend any energy toward figuring out what is right and what is so, so wrong.
I just don't understand.
What is the big deal about being nice, showing compassion and a genuine friendship toward others. Christ is our perfect example.
I had an incident happen the Friday before Palm Sunday. It involved three people who I thought were my friends. You know what--not just my friends, but my close friends. I won't go into everything because it would be too painful, but the incident absolutely broke my heart. I felt like I was back in Middle School and totally abandoned and alone.
Of course I returned home and began to pray. Through tears, I prayed and prayed. I have found peace in most of what happened. My prayer is that God use me and this situation for some good.
Now I am expecting these three friends to go on with their lives and perhaps I'll be included...maybe not. I'm ok with either way. If our friendship relationships continue, which I hope that they will, I'm confused about forgiveness. Do I forgive them? I guess I know the answer to that because I already have done that. What about them telling me that they are sorry? Is that important? It seems to be. What if they don't apologize? What if they want me to pretend that horrible night never happened? I just don't know how strong I am. What would Christ do? (nevermind...I know the answer to that question) :) I miss them in my life because with six children and a houseful of responsibilities, I cherished our nights out and especially their friendships. We would only get together about once every two months, but I loved their companionship.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Grant that I may love You always, and then do with me as You will.
I just don't understand.
What is the big deal about being nice, showing compassion and a genuine friendship toward others. Christ is our perfect example.
I had an incident happen the Friday before Palm Sunday. It involved three people who I thought were my friends. You know what--not just my friends, but my close friends. I won't go into everything because it would be too painful, but the incident absolutely broke my heart. I felt like I was back in Middle School and totally abandoned and alone.
Of course I returned home and began to pray. Through tears, I prayed and prayed. I have found peace in most of what happened. My prayer is that God use me and this situation for some good.
Now I am expecting these three friends to go on with their lives and perhaps I'll be included...maybe not. I'm ok with either way. If our friendship relationships continue, which I hope that they will, I'm confused about forgiveness. Do I forgive them? I guess I know the answer to that because I already have done that. What about them telling me that they are sorry? Is that important? It seems to be. What if they don't apologize? What if they want me to pretend that horrible night never happened? I just don't know how strong I am. What would Christ do? (nevermind...I know the answer to that question) :) I miss them in my life because with six children and a houseful of responsibilities, I cherished our nights out and especially their friendships. We would only get together about once every two months, but I loved their companionship.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Grant that I may love You always, and then do with me as You will.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Catholic Schools and our children
Tonight is the night of Maddie's end of the year music concert. She is just finishing First Grade. We have been in our Catholic schools now for over 15 years. We started Emily, our oldest child graduating this year from a Catholic H.S., when she was 3 years old. At the time the tuition was $40.00 a month and we were really stretching our budget to be able to send her. As she is leaving the Catholic system, her tuition is over $4000 each year. Of course I realize this is comparing High School to a preschool tuition, but...let's think about this...In order to send our family to Catholic schools last year it cost us over $13,000. (remember 5 of our children were in school, one of those in 3 day a week preschool and another little one at home with me. :) Please understand, I value the Catholic schools. I love the Catholic schools and I have given a number of teaching years myself to the system because that is where my heart is. I am not saying that an education at a Catholic school is not worth the tuition. Not at all. What I'm trying to decide in my head is what in the world is a "traditional" Roman Catholic family to do! We are facing a family crisis here and we really do not see a light at the end of the tunnel.
We are not the 'average' family that attends the school system--we truly embrace life and trust our family to Christ.
We are not looking for a private school as an alternative to a public education. We want the Faith taught to our children. We want them to be able to learn about God without fear of being told, "That's not welcome here!"
OK. So where does that take us...well, we apply for tuition assistance and go from year to year not knowing until the end of summer if our children will be able to continue at the school they have learned to love. I don't think families with two kids even consider this stuff.
So...we have decided that we will send our son who will be a Freshmen next year and the others will be decided as we see how our finances are doing. You may very well be reading a homeschooling blog here in a month or two. That is a very viable option. You should know that my husband isn't some exec with a huge salary...He teaches High School at our local public High School.
Will we survive? You bet! Would we let finances get in the way of more children? Absolutely not! Do we always have an adventure here? Yeah!
God watches over us.
Jesus, I trust in you!
We are not the 'average' family that attends the school system--we truly embrace life and trust our family to Christ.
We are not looking for a private school as an alternative to a public education. We want the Faith taught to our children. We want them to be able to learn about God without fear of being told, "That's not welcome here!"
OK. So where does that take us...well, we apply for tuition assistance and go from year to year not knowing until the end of summer if our children will be able to continue at the school they have learned to love. I don't think families with two kids even consider this stuff.
So...we have decided that we will send our son who will be a Freshmen next year and the others will be decided as we see how our finances are doing. You may very well be reading a homeschooling blog here in a month or two. That is a very viable option. You should know that my husband isn't some exec with a huge salary...He teaches High School at our local public High School.
Will we survive? You bet! Would we let finances get in the way of more children? Absolutely not! Do we always have an adventure here? Yeah!
God watches over us.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
new birth control pill
I know, I know...this is my third post today. Yes, I do have a life! I just have so much to write about! :) I was listening to Drew Mariani on Relevant Radio while I was making dinner and he was talking about the FDA approving a new birth control pill that is being advertised to completely take away a woman's monthly period. It just completely eliminates it. They know the risks. They know the dangers. They don't know the long term effects... I am so bothered by this. They are finding out more and more everyday about the effects of artificial birth control on a woman's body.
Now I have to say that this topic is very near and dear to my heart. Anyone who knows me, knows that I will talk about this issue to anyone who is willing to listen to me. I really think that there are many, many people who profess to be fully Catholic and continue to use artificial birth control. I know this because they will freely talk about it. I also know this because there was a time that I didn't know that it was wrong. I was born and raised in a beautiful Catholic, loving home. My dear Mother was 45 years old when I was born and she lovingly shared the Faith with me...but nothing about birth control. I really think that this is a huge case of ignorance on the part of Catholics all over the United States. Now, I realize that some do know that it is a sin and they still choose to keep God out of that particular aspect of their life. Some just roll their eyes and look at me and tell me to "find a different Priest to talk to about it." But...deep down in my heart, I know that some people are just not informed! I will continue to pray about this. There must be something that can be done. People are so busy with there lives...they don't take the time to grow in their Faith.
Well, I'm actually tired from writing this entry. And...I do have more to say.
Pray for Relevant Radio. That is how I learned about it. www.relevantradio.com My husband are not financially able to support it...yet. But we certainly will in the future. For now, they have my prayers.
Now I have to say that this topic is very near and dear to my heart. Anyone who knows me, knows that I will talk about this issue to anyone who is willing to listen to me. I really think that there are many, many people who profess to be fully Catholic and continue to use artificial birth control. I know this because they will freely talk about it. I also know this because there was a time that I didn't know that it was wrong. I was born and raised in a beautiful Catholic, loving home. My dear Mother was 45 years old when I was born and she lovingly shared the Faith with me...but nothing about birth control. I really think that this is a huge case of ignorance on the part of Catholics all over the United States. Now, I realize that some do know that it is a sin and they still choose to keep God out of that particular aspect of their life. Some just roll their eyes and look at me and tell me to "find a different Priest to talk to about it." But...deep down in my heart, I know that some people are just not informed! I will continue to pray about this. There must be something that can be done. People are so busy with there lives...they don't take the time to grow in their Faith.
Well, I'm actually tired from writing this entry. And...I do have more to say.
Pray for Relevant Radio. That is how I learned about it. www.relevantradio.com My husband are not financially able to support it...yet. But we certainly will in the future. For now, they have my prayers.
Heart of the Home With Six Kids Introduction
Well, I've finally done it! I've created a blog. I am usually just a reader and sometimes I'll post a comment or two...but now I've started my own. I am a Catholic mom of six and currently I'm staying home from teaching elementary school. (I do miss the classroom but our littlest is Sophie who is almost 17 months old and I'm beginning to like this staying home part of my life) My prayer is to embrace it fully. My husband and I are Catholic and my spiritual life has grown leaps and bounds since I have been home with my youngest.
More later...
With a family of six children, there are a lot of topics to post about!
More later...
With a family of six children, there are a lot of topics to post about!
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