dangerous chocolate cake

(dangerous because it's ready in less than 5 minutes!!)

I received this recipe for 5 minute chocolate cake and just had to try it out. It was fabulous! And even more exciting was the way it rose up out of the mug while it cooked...the kids thought that was awesome! So try it for yourself. I think you'll likey!

(note...it's just the cake...I doctored mine up with a little chocolate syrup from the fridge for "icing." Also, I recommend a large coffee mug...the small one I used made it a little difficult to mix, but was very cool when the cake rose out of the top!)

Little Ways (St. Therese of Lisieux, October 1st)

On the eve of the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux , the Little Flower, I asked my second grade students to tell me what a saint is, or maybe even what a saint looks like. The answers across the board, depicted someone very old, who lived long ago, and was very holy. I then held up a picture of St. Therese and told them she was a saint. The mouths dropping and eyes widening was priceless. I went on to share with them a little about her life. How she lost her mother at the age of 4, and was raised by her sister Pauline. She became a Carmelite nun at the age of 15 and died at the age of 24. She new very early in her life that she may never grow to do great things, but that she could do great things in little ways every day with love and kindness. She inspires all of us, at any age, to a life of holiness.

The Prayer of Saint Therese
May you have peace within today.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you who choose to claim it.

fighting evil, one hug at a time

At lunch today, Grace (5) and Mary (4) were arguing about something (hard to remember what this time) when Grace hollered out, "Mom, Mary's making the devil stronger...she just looked at me mean!" I asked where this came from. Turns out good 'ol Dad had a conversation with them last evening about how our sins work against Jesus, and help the Devil to spread evil in the world. I'd never heard it worded just like this, but I liked his reasoning with them. Anyways, our conversation continued on, that when we do kind things, we are spreading God's love, and making Jesus stronger to fight the devil. They liked the positive flip side of this, and their argument, now forgotten left them sitting quietly at the table. I continued on with cooking, and in a moment I heard in a very soft voice "Grace, I'm sorry for poking you in the eye before." and Grace returned with "It's okay. A hug?" and they moved together to embrace in a brief but genuinely heartfelt hug. I couldn't help but feel all warm and fuzzy just then. Little lessons about forgiveness, shared by a preschooler...that's what it's all about.

"Assuredly, I say to you,whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15

Now it's time to roll the barrel...

We took a walk uptown tonight to explore the rumblings and goings-on as the town is preparing for it's 34th annual Minster Oktoberfest. Tents are being raised, booths set up, sound and lighting. In just 4 short days the smell of beer and bratwurst with sauerkraut will fill the air, along with the sounds of oom-pah bands playing the likes of "Beer Barrel Polka." Ahhh, I love this time of year. There's a feeling of excitement throughout our community in anticipation of this annual event that draws an estimated 80,000 people over the course of the weekend. (For a town of just 2,800...this is big!) We've been playing a little more polka music around the house in preparation, and of course working on our footwork around the kitchen table...Charlie's excited to have a few good dance moves. The highlight for our young family is of course the parade on Sunday. And get this, Alice and Emma have signed up to be pooper-scoopers! You can't imagine how excited they are to be following a couple horses in anticipation of when nature might call. This is big stuff for a couple 3rd graders. We're so proud!

Happy Birthday John!

My hubs is 4o today...and more wonderful than ever. Each day I realize more and more how truly blessed I am to have him in my life.

And so a birthday prayer...

All Mighty God, in your infinite wisdom and love, You chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary, the mother of your son; As we enjoy his protection on earth, may we have the help of his prayers in heaven. We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen

Dear St. Joseph, foster father of our Lord, Jesus watch over and intercede for John today and always. Amen

a view from our pew.

Sunday mass had extra special meaning today, as it was the debut performance of Alice and Emma singing in the childrens choir. Not only was I immensely proud of their raw singing talent, but more importantly humbled to be presenting these children to Christ here in church. After all those years of prayer, begging to be a mother, and promising to do my best to "raise them up in Christ" here we were. Their first service for the church. Or at least their first long-term commitment to the church. Each time they choose to fill an envelope (with a few pennies, nickels, dimes, whatever), each time they put on their Sunday best, each time they enter that line to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and now each time they raise their voices in song, I am humbled that God has entrusted these precious gifts to me. Thank you God for hearing and anwering my prayers!!
As the girls sang today "It's a miracle just to know, God is with me wherever I go. It's a miracle just to see, that he can make a miracle of me!"

oh, and on a side note, Charlie was "busy" as usual...we had a guest speaker appealing to our church for donations to help support Radio Maria (a catholic radio network that has a station in our area). Anyhow, the speaker introduces himself as "John" and Charlie proceeds to holler out "Hi John!" at the top of his lungs (several times). Always the kind greeter.

it's all fun and games, until...

Frank drinks all the paint water! I had the 6 youngest, along with 2 young cousins home last night while John took the older 4 to a football game. (8 ages 4 and under) Someone suggested painting pictures, so voila! I lined them all up around the kitchen table with paint brushes, clean paper, and several packs of watercolors to share. I also set out a few small cups of water to dip the brushes. All set...Picassos and Monets in bloom. There were minor spills, and Rosie wore more than she actually painted...but it was all good. That is until I heard John call out "Mom, we can't paint anymore. Frank drank all the water!" What?! Sure enough, all 4 cups were empty and there sat grinning Frank-o with brownish-black paint water dripping down his chin, grinning like a fat cat.
Okay kids, painting time's over. Anyone for popcorn?!

On your mark, get set...

...hold on to your hats. Getting ready for school in the morning is no walk in the park...but it's entertaining (to say the least.) John has the day off work today (so I can get to some meetings) allowing me to be a bit more of an observer today. How funny is this!

6:59a I hear footsteps upstairs...the girls alarm must be a minute fast. Seconds later, Rose is crawling in between John and I to snuggle just a minute longer. Her "da, da, da, da" soon becomes a duet with Lucy chiming in from her crib next to our bed.
7:00 Our alarm sounds, and John hits snooze...as if! I grab Rose and head for the boys room to get things started there. Darnit...one wet bed, and one soggy young boy. Helping Sam to pick out school clothes (cause we forgot last night.) Frank outta the crib...and we're all headed to the bathroom.
7:03Charlie's on the pot, Frank's on the little potty, John and Sam (and I) are waiting for our turn. Rose is watching it all. Quick shower for the wet one...and now the girls are coming downstairs. Woooweee! We got some Wildcat fans in the house. It's homecoming football weekend, so there's a little more school spirit than usual. Alice and Emma helped Mary and Grace pick out clothes last night...I think we'll be changing a few things. All the girls are dressed head to toe in orange and black (some in Dad's old high-school jerseys). Pretty cute. Alice thinks there's room for one more in the bathroom and starts doing her hair. "Don't you have a brush and mirror upstairs in your bathroom?" I ask. "Yeah, but the lights better down here." Let's count...that's me, Sam, John, Charlie, Frank, Rose, and now Alice in a 3x5 space.
7:10 we all make it out of the bathroom alive. Boys are dressed, and bed is stripped. Heading to the laundry room. John's doing diapers for Rose and Lucy. (they're looking cute as ever, I might add.)
7:15 Kids streaming in to the kitchen for breakfast. We're about out of cereal, so there's no drama about what kind everyone wants. (only 2 choices today.) Lucy's the only one making a lot of noise, cause Dad doesn't mix her cereal fast enough. (Sorry dad, she said so, not me!) Topics of conversation around the table ranged from Sam wanting to have a "fun day" in religion class today (I'm his teacher.) to Grace noting her teacher was craving apple pie the other day at school, to Emma wanting money to buy football tickets for tonight.
7:20 Coffee's ready. Alleluia! John's feeding Lucy, so I'm on OJ pouring and clean-up duty. (Cause somebody spills something at every meal. It's a fact of life.) I sneak upstairs to pick out a different shirt for Mary (cause it's "red" day at preschool today.) and a different shirt for Grace, cause she's swimming in her dad's old jersey.
7:35 The girls want their hair spray-painted orange for school. Nope. Maybe after school for the game. Sam wants a mohawk. Nope. Maybe after school.
7:37 Frank spilled John's milk, and is now splashing in it. Charlie has cereal stuck to the back of his legs?! I'm on it.
7:45 Neighbor kids are converging in our back yard. Time for the kids to head out the door (at least 3 of them, anyways.) Grace hollers to Sam as he walks out "Goodbye, I love you cutie Sam!" She knows it makes him mad, so she runs to the front door to holler again "I love you my little cutie Sammy!" For all the neighbors to hear. Ooooh. He's really mad now! (and she's loving it.)
7:46 John and I sit with our coffee while the little ones are finishing up. Just shaking our heads. In a blur the day has begun...leaving us to only imagine what the rest of it might bring.
(Uh oh, think I smell something...diaper duty is calling me.)
Have a blessed day all!

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.


A former co-worker gave me this framed prayer as a high school graduation gift...the words now etched in my mind, as I refer to it often.
Today I noticed the same prayer hanging over my desk at work. (I job share with 2 other nurses.) As I read the words aloud again, I realized I not only want to accept the things I cannot change, but I want to embrace them! As a wife and mother constantly preparing, fixing, manipulating, molding, and attempting to control the way the household runs, I find it incredibly liberating to know that a large part of life is out of my control. Outta my hands! God has made it so that I can cast those worries and burdens on him. Thank goodness. Now Lord, just help me to work on the courage and wisdom part.

my little pumpkin

Lucy Irene on her first pumpkin hunt...she thinks she's found a good one!

T.P.

I went to Sam's Club tonight to stock up on the necessities like baby wipes, monster bags of chicken nuggets, and of course toilet paper. Two gi-normous industrial size multi-family packs of toilet paper to be exact. And if we're lucky they'll hold us off until our next Sam's trip 6 weeks from now. Remember when buying that much toilet paper was a "fun" thing to do on a Friday night after a football game?! Oh, those were the days.

Who's your daddy?

Sam asked a funny question the other day...one that I think had been working on him for some time. "Mom, when I get old, who will my Dad be?" I laughed at first, but then I realized it was important to him. "What do you mean Sam?" He continued on. "Well, Dad's dad is Grandpa Schmiesing and your dad is Grandpa Harting...so what grandpa will be my dad when I get older?" Hmm. What there little minds don't think of?! It took a bit of explaining, that he would always have the same Dad, and that they'd just get older together. That dad "turns into" grandpa when the kids have kids. It was a fun little conversation. And he seemed incredibly relieved that he wouldn't be trading his own dad in on an older model someday...like a little trip to the "Grandpa's-R-Us" store. Funny. You just never know where conversation's gonna take ya.

BIG news...

Frankie pooped on the potty! Frankie pooped on the potty! Frankie pooped on the potty! (imagine us as we cha-cha line around the kitchen table, with a kick on the "-ty" in potty.) Oh yah, this is good.


(no....not the BIG news you were probably thinking...but big none the less!)

rockin' and rollin'

Emma asked tonight what she could do to earn a little money..."I'll sweep the front walks and driveway for 5o cents." Unfortunately, I'd just done that. Dad suggested she pick up stones from the yard..."a penny a stone." We have a small bed of riverstones by our front walk where a park bench sits. The younger kids spend a lot of time collecting them, and tossing them into the yard and flower beds. This just might keep her busy, I thought. Turns out all the kids including a couple neighbor kids got in on the action. Before long they needed the little red wagon to haul all the stones....they stopped counting at 1193. Hmmm. Wonder if they take a check?

Catholic vote

saw this on a friend's blog, then recieved it as an e-mail later in the week. Just thought it was pretty awesome...

garden of weedin'

I haven't weeded the flowerbeds all summer...and boy could you tell it. So tonight with the "help" of the little ones we got to work. John and I both agreed that it needed it desperately. I'm hoping to pick up a couple pumpkins and mums this weekend, but before we bring in anything new, the weeds have to go. Lucy hung out in her exersaucer on the front walk to watch, and Frank and Rose kept busy putting weeds into the bucket, then dumping them out, into and out...and on and on. John and Charlie stayed busy with some fancy (but mostly ineffective weeding tool) and the older kids were avoiding work by pushing each other around in the wagon while one would take turns steering with the handle. It's fun when the toddlers try to help. They make me laugh, and the work seems less. Grace and Mary are gone for a sleep-over at Grandma and Grandpa's. Funny how two less can make the evening seem so much quieter. We gained one back though as Alice and Emma are having a cousin sleep over tonight.

Anyhow, the weeds got pulled, sidewalks swept, trees trimmed up a bit. Ready for fresh mulch, a few pumpkins and some colorful mums. Hard to believe fall is just around the corner!

how do you like them apples?

Tonight John took the kids to the park (with the exception of 3 who were playing at the neighbors) so that mom and I could get peelin' on some apples. A woman from our church called to share some apples that she cleaned up after her neighbors tree was lost in the wind storm last weekend. I thought she might have just a few, but when we went to get them, there were buckets and buckets of them! I shared half with my sister-in-law who also cans, but the rest are here waiting for me. So this evening, with mom's help peeling, we made our way through 2 of the 5-gallon buckets. It seemed to go so much faster with help, and good conversation. I look forward to when the girls are just a little older to make quick work of jobs like these.

Anyhow, by the time John and the kids got home, we were nearly done preparing the apples, so mom headed home, and I started cooking. I found a great recipe for freezing apple pie filling. The smell of cinnamon, sugar and apples has the house smelling wonderful! I made enough for more than 10 pies. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get some more done. I hate to see all that beautiful fruit go to waste. Again I'm grateful for God's providence, and the kindness of others to share their bounty.

In third grade...

Alice shared with me earlier this week that one little boy in her class brought in a gift, a necklace (he had bought, not made) for a girl in his class. "Jacob likes Emma, and Emma likes Jacob." She said it so matter of fact. They're only in 3rd grade!!! (I'm so not ready for my kids to begin boy/girl relationships...beyond dodgeball that is.)

bouncy balls...the bane of my existence

In today's society of lawsuits and recalls, where toymakers are being held accountable, how is it that bouncy balls are still on the market? And who keeps buying them all and unloading them at my house?!
I have 3 in my kitchen window-sill right now (the landing place for all things confiscated). And this morning I pulled a fourth out of Frank's mouth. Nobody's allowed to bounce them in the house, so they do the next best thing...suck on them. (great...they'll never choke on that...)
where are lobbyists in washington on this one?
am I alone here?

Who needs a massage? Go for the graces.

Yesterday was just beautiful by the way! Our bus to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine left at 7:30 am. There were 30 of us in all, I think. We prayed a rosary together as we traveled. But mostly the bus ride was a chance for my friend and I to catch up. We were neighbors and very close friends up until we moved 3 years ago. But somehow the few blocks distance seems more like miles without the convenience of a clothesline to stay connected in the backyard.
Anyhow, upon arriving at the shrine, we had an outdoor mass together. Afterwards, lunch, followed by the Way of the Cross which led us through the scenic woods, a rosary, confession, and Exposition and Benediction. This year we had the privelige of a special blessing in which the priest there placed a relic of the True Cross on our foreheads and prayed over us. I could just feel the graces pouring in. The stress of daily life was lifted from my shoulders in just a few short hours. God is good, and I am so grateful for His gift of the Blessed Mother as a perfect example for imitation and devotion.
So if you're contemplating a massage to rid yourself of some stress, go for the graces instead!