Clarification

The Tim Tebow ad to show during the Super Bowl has truly created a flurry of activity.  I thought it would be good to clarify what abortion is and is not before discussing this issue further.

What Abortion Is Not:

- A right

- A choice

- Good for women

- Good for men

- Safe

- Health care

What Abortion is -

The taking of a baby's life

If you've never visited the Priests for Life website, they have lots of evidence that abortion truly is the taking of a baby's life (warning:  graphic content).  There is no arguing with the imagery.  However, Planned Parenthood is too smart to even try.

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On with the discussion.

In the wake of the Tebow/Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad, Planned Parenthood has created an ad on YouTube in defense of a "woman's right to choose",  However if you watch the ad, and substitute the word "choice" with "taking of her baby's life", the ad appears as it truly is--abortion is the greatest human rights issue to date.  Many are brainwashed into thinking it's merely a medical procedure that allows a woman control over her body.  Or, they don't care enough to truly look into the issue.  Rather, it's for "women" to decide (and then they wash their hands like Pilate).

When we argue about the feelings around abortion (and a woman's ability to choose when she is pregnant and when she is not) there is only one outcome--the babies lose and Planned Parenthood profits.

Nighttime Negotiations

Nate's been traveling for the last two nights, and that's put things a little off kilter here.  Jozef and Marcel usually sleep together in a queen sized bed.  Last night, however, Jozef decided he wanted a change and opted to bunk in Kolbe's room.  Marcel wasn't sure what his next move should be.

Marcel:  Mom , can I sleep with a guy?

Mom:  What do you mean?  A stuffed animal or a LEGO guy?

Marcel:  No, one that can talk.  Like Kolbe or Jozef.

Mom:  Well, you can certainly ask one of them.

Marcel:  They already said, "No."  Maybe I'll ask Dad when he gets home.

Mom:  Sure.

I didn't have the heart to tell him Dad wouldn't be home for one more night.  Thankfully, he was happy with that answer and simply when to sleep.

Top 10 Reasons -#10

Today, as I was perusing the Catholics Come Home website,  I came across their "Top 10 Reasons to Come Back". The #10 reason is "because we want meaning in life".  Spot on!


Some of the most visible (and followed) elements of our culture are movie stars and musicians.  We love to see what they're buying, who they're dating, their religious outlooks (often, bleak) and how much trouble they're in.  We often know more about them than some of our own family members!


These people illustrate for us, truly, in a visual way, the undying quest for meaning in life.  Often they have wealth, fame, beauty, yet they are not at peace.  They have affairs.  They get divorced and re-married.  They have marriages that fall apart on national television.


Often, we get caught up in thinking that, if we only had one more thing (whether a new car, more money, more affection or a trimmer waistline or...) we would finally be happy.  However, the tabloids disprove this theory time and again.


Rather, the path to happiness and fulfillment is through Jesus.  For Catholics, Jesus is literally present at every mass in the Eucharist.   Thus, the quest for meaning in life can be fulfilled, if only we recognize the simple (yet profound) solution.  Welcome home!

Why Do We Stand for Life?

Focus on the Family has produced a pro-life commercial they plan to air during the Superbowl.  It features Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators.  


For the two of you out there that don't know Mr. Tebow, he's a young man that is not shy about being vocal about his Christian faith and strong morals.  In a press conference this Fall a reporter had the audacity to ask if he was a virgin and he said he was--talk about not caving under the pressure!


As an athlete, Tebow has had a great career and is a Heisman Trophy winner.  As a Christian, Tebow is not afraid to stand up for his beliefs.


Focus on the Family approached Tebow about the spot, and he agreed.  Tim Tebow is not simply pro-life because of his religious zeal, but because his own life was spared by his mother.  His mother was a missionary and out of the country while pregnant with him .  While there, she contracted a life-threatening infection.  Doctors did not think the baby would survive the necessary course of treatments needed to save Mrs. Tebow.  They advised her to abort rather than continue with the pregnancy.  She disagreed and delivered a healthy baby boy. 


So now we have this commercial that CBS has agreed to air during the Superbowl.  It has women's groups up in arms and the regulars on The View upset as well.  Joy Beher stated:

The only argument against any of it is, that, you know, he could just as easily become some kind of a rapist pedophile. I mean, you don't know what someone's going to be.  In this case, he turned out to be great, but it's not an argument about abortion or not abortion [sic], it's just, this particular case, this particular woman decided not to do it, and this is the wonderful result. There are others who decide to do it [commit abortion], and they're glad that they did it. You know, I mean, it's a very individual choice.

This brings me to my question:  What do we stand for life?  It is not simply in the hopes that our child will become a star, the president, or a pundant on TV.  We stand for life because all of life is sacred.  Mrs. Tebow did not continue on in her pregnancy because she was hoping for a star.  She did so because she knew that he had a right to life--something that the pro-abortion side has to dismiss, otherwise women that are "glad they did" suddenly shouldn't be so celebrated.

Stories from the Trenches - Part 1

I recently ran out of my maintenance inhaler. This was not a surprise to me, as I take it daily and noted the number of uses ticking down; 30, 15, 7, 4, 1, 0.

It was after reading the "0" that I decided a call to my pulmonary physician would be a good course of action. I haven't formally seen the doctor here yet, but maybe they have some samples or could write a 1-time prescription for me to tide me over until my appointment--in two weeks. They agreed and hung up. Yay!

Jerzy then awoke and begun to wobble around the house. The older boys began amusing themselves with LEGOS which ended in World War III over the "best LEGO guy" and the "special piece I need for my ship". Mom diffused the situation for the time being.

The pulmonary physician's office then called me back and kindly let me know that, no, they couldn't fill a 1-time prescription for me because we just moved here and I haven't formally seen the Dr. for an appointment yet (read: we don't want the liability). At this point, I question how many "asthma medication junkies" randomly call pulmonary physicians pretending to need the medicine, only to use it to get a quick fix. Obviously, the answer is zero. I resisted the urge to beg or use sarcasm and simply thanked them and hung up.

I then called Nate and vented frustration explained the situation. He calmed me down and suggested that I call our primary care doctors IN NEBRASKA and ask them if they would call in one more inhaler for me. "Okay. But why do we always neglect ourselves only to get into these situations? The next time we move, we're getting a primary care doctor right away!" To which he agreed and told me to "have a good day".

I sit Jerzy in his baby seat for some breakfast, only to realize that he's got a full (stinky) diaper. I decide upon changing him as soon as I finish my yogurt. He then volleys back by filling his diaper (even more) and some of it ends up ALL OVER THE BABY CHAIR (Baby-1 Mommy-0). Breakfast will wait.

Baby gets a bath. Mom sprays cleaner on the baby chair. Boys carry on fighting over and playing with LEGOS.

Mom dresses baby and sheepishly calls Nebraska doctors and explains the situation. Then, remembers how gracious and kind the doctors were in Nebraska and thanks them profusely for calling in an inhaler for me.

Later, Dad picks up inhaler for Mom as the pharmacist questions "Um? They called this in? From Nebraska?" Yep.

Now, I've recently added to the "To Do" list - obtain primary care doctor. The task seems so self-defeating.  You see, I will do this knowing we will be traveling for Nate's job again late this summer. Then, the need for ANOTHER set of doctors will be added to my list once again.

All in a day's work.

Gratitude

The recent stalling of the health care bill has been nothing short of a miracle--in a time when many of us wonder whether God still performs miracles.  Truly, He does.  Everyday.  It is we who are "blind and do not see".

Today, I am joining with a blog I truly enjoy reading, to thank Him for this pro-life victory.

Non nobis, non nobis, Domine

Sed nomini tuo da gloriam.


Not to us, not to us, o Lord,

But to your name give glory.

Why not join in, too?

HT:  Creative Minority Report

Babies in the News

This is good news! The Knights of Columbus are reporting that nearly 6 in 10 young adults view abortion as morally wrong!

Most young adults, I am inclined to think, are very familiar with an ultrasound picture. And, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Or, in this case, maybe a thousand lives!


Today is the annual March for Life.  If you aren't currently in Washington, you can still participate via the Virtual March for Life.  What a great idea!  Today when I logged on, there were over 73,000 people signed up.  

While abortion is still legal, we've been delivered a great pro-life victory in the election of Scott Brown to the Senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy.  While Brown is not pro-life, he is Republican, and stated that he would not "sign on" to the Senate's health care legislation.  His filling that Senate seat has single-handedly stalled "Health Care Reform."  Unfortunately, the reform seemed to hinge on the success of efforts to provide tax-payer funded abortions.  Rather than look to see where they could truly serve "the people", the legislation was looking to widen the reach of abortion.

Check out Creative Minority Report to read about Scott Brown's upcoming pro-life vote.  May we pray that he will convert, and have the courage to stand up for life.


In other news, there is a new application for the iPhone that interprets baby's cries.  Hungry?  Tired?  Simply expose your iPhone to 10 seconds of baby's cries and you'll have your verdict.  I've always secretly wanted an iPhone, now I may have a valid reason to procure one.  At the Raiche Corporation, we're always looking for ways to streamline household efficiency.  Afterall, I could have used this application about 12 times already today!

The Birthday Boy

7 Quick Takes

[ 1 ]

Today was a really great homeschool day.  The main factor that determines a "good" day from a "bad" is simply the boy's cooperation.  If they decide to diligently do their work and remain busy while Mom is helping another brother, the day goes so well!  However, somedays, it's a fight to the finish between keeping boys busy and behaving.  For now, I'll relish in today, because Monday is around the corner.

[ 2 ]

Without fail, every Monday is a really rough homeschool day.  The boys are still young yet (Kolbe is only 6 1/2) and I have high hopes for the future.  But, for now, every Monday is a "re-learn how to homeschool" day for the boys.  They're reminded to put work back when they're done.  They're reminded not to touch another boy's work.  They're reminded that we all stay in the school room until we're done for the day (otherwise, the rest of the house is usually a disaster when Mom emerges from the classroom).   I remind and remind and (hopefully) remain patient.  For every Monday, there is a Friday.  Thank God!

[ 3 ]

Here are some pictures of our classroom.  There are always things I'd like to buy for it (child-sized tables, more book shelves, etc.) but I'm really happy with it for now.  It's great to have a separate space for work and books.  When we're done the the day, the room is usually picked up and then it's ready for us the next morning.

[ 4 ]

We recently had the opportunity to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  I have to say that, as a big-budget movie, I was less than impressed.  Harry's character seems less and less like the "chosen one" and more and more like a teenager that just happens to be in the right place when great things happen.  There isn't a lot of moral courage, heroism, or character behind him--for a hero, I find that unique, and boring.  A pupil at a wizard's school,  he's not even a good wizard!  I don't follow the books, but I've got to say that I didn't find Harry a compelling character to follow nor the movie memorable.  Steve Greydanus' review can be found here.

[ 5 ]

We received a Nintendo Wii from our good friends for Christmas.  We have only one game for it:  LEGO Star Wars.  If I thought my house was Star Wars crazy before, it's been ratcheted up another notch.  When the boys aren't playing the game, they're strategizing about the next time they play or they bragging about which characters they defeated or guessing about what the upcoming levels are going to be like.  They love it so much, we've had to limit their playtime.  However, I'd recommend the game for any Wii owners out there.  Everything is built of LEGOS in the game -sets, movie anecdotes, and the characters.  When Luke uses his light saber to slay a Clone, he simply falls apart into many LEGO pieces.  I like the fact that the boys can defeat and conquer without it being overly violent.

[ 6 ]

Marcel's birthday is next week, and we're celebrating this weekend.  He wants a Star Wars cake.  Nate and I are scheming ideas to make it ourselves.  I'll be sure to post a picture to show how it turns out--for better or worse.  =]

[ 7 ]

Because it's Marcel's birthday next week (and my Dad's birthday as well) we'll have a house-full of company this weekend.  4 visitors plus 2 furry ones.  We're all looking forward to it!

As I Sit Here...

choosing from over 10 options for my breakfast today; touching a button to adjust the thermostat in our house; snuggling my boys; resting in the fact that today, my family will be safe, clean, well-fed and loved; I am thinking of the poor. People who are homeless, and hungry.  People in Haiti who worry about where they will live after such a disaster,and if their missing family members are still alive.

Today, as I count my blessings, my thoughts and prayers are on the less fortunate, and how very fortunate I am.


Thank you God, for your blessings.  Please be with those in Haiti and around the world.  Help them to know Your love.

Lunch - All Over

Sometimes, post-lunch cleanup entails a total wardrobe change as well.

Morning Offering

Tonight as I was reading one of my favorite books of all time, The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, I came across a very poignant Morning Offering.

Help me, Lord Jesus, to persevere in my good resolutions and in Your holy service until death.  Help me to begin this day well, for up until now I have done nothing.

Kempis doesn't fail to hit the nail on the head repeatedly throughout this book.  If you haven't spent many hours contemplating it's passages, I highly recommend it.

In this one sentence he summarizes my post about on the impossibility of achieving many of our resolutions without Christ. As well, if they are not achieved in service of Christ, are they worth achieving at all?  Without Christ what is gained?

 Truly I will put this Morning Offering to good use!

A Note from Jerzy

Thanks for stopping by my Mom's blog! She's been pretty busy lately, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to update her blog for her.

As a matter of  fact, I've been quite busy myself.  At 14 months, I am able to run from one room to the next in search of trouble fun.  Some of my recent conquests have been:

- Moving and tipping the garbage can

- Moving chairs around the kitchen

- Spending quality time with my brothers when they are trying to go to sleep (and maybe keeping them awake a little too long)

- Crawling up the basement stairs during homeschool time

- Munching on crackers, toast, yogurt and any 'morsels of goodness' my brothers share with me

- Smiling and babbling each time I get into mischief so as to tug at my parent's heart strings and receive pardon

Whew! I have been busy! Of particular interest to me as of late is my brother's Lego bin.  There are SO MANY PIECES to play with, spread around and enjoy! Take a look.



After a morning full of fun, I am truly exhausted, soI ensure that I take a nap each day--to adequately prepare for an afternoon of trouble fun!

Blessings to you!

And remember, when life gets you down, find a toilet paper roll and unravel it throughout the bathroom!  It works for me!

- Jerzy

"Walking on the Sea"

As I look to the future. I realize that I am held back by my past, whether I consciously realize it or not.  I often make resolutions or commitments to become better or to do things differently.  Then, right away or maybe a day or so later, I am reminded of my past.  Then it's easy to become discouraged.  Afterall, I have failed so much in the past.

However, God changes all of this.


Borrowing from a homily I heard on New Year's Day, allow me to illustrate.  In the late 1800's President Rutherford B. Hayes made a phone call from Washington to Pennsylvania on Alexander Graham Bell's telephone.  After the call, the president remarked:

It's an amazing invention--but who would ever want to use one?

Or, when Sir John Eric Ericksen, British surgeon, appointed Surgeon- Extraordinary to Queen Victoria 1873 remarked:

The abdomen, the chest, and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and humane surgeon

In 1977, Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., said:

There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.

All of these predictions seemed intelligent at the time they were spoken.  Given the past information of each person, they saw no reason the future would be much different.

In today's Gospel reading, Mark tells the story of Jesus walking on water.  

About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea.  He meant to pass by them.  But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out.  They had all seen him and were terrified.  

Jesus then gets into the boat and reassures them.  We know from the Gospel of Matthew, that Jesus again walks on water, and this time, invites Peter to join him (Mt 14:29).

Peter and the other fishermen cannot believe Jesus is doing these things.  Based on all of their past knowledge, they cannot image a man walking on water.  However, here he is. 

It is easy to look to our human knowledge and realize how ridiculous or difficult something may be.  However, if we look at the future with only a human lens, we're only seeing a partial picture.

This is where God comes in.  Truly, we are weak.  And he is strong.  The grace he gives us through the sacraments is life changing--if only we take the time to truly see what we are doing.  And, if we are humble enough to realize that we need his help in order to do some heavy lifting.  His is so strong, in fact, that he can give us the leverage we need in our lives to make a change.  A heroic change.  A miraculous change.  Afterall, miracles aren't just for the bible.  They're for us.  Today.

With God, the future can be unimaginable.

God's Hand

At times, when looking towards the future, it is difficult to see God's plan for your life.  However, for me, when I look back at the events in my life, I can clearly see how He's guided me towards this or away from that.

One event that God truly guided me to was meeting and marrying my best friend.  I can see clearly how certain instances occurred that brought us together.

After we were married, He then asked that we be open to children.  What a blessing the 4 boys have been to our lives.  Each day, they need us to be better people and better parents.  Each day, we question what we're doing and how it will impact them.  Each day, we pray for and (God-willing) guide them to a life of holiness.

And, as we look to the future, the details may be murky.  One constant remains, however--God will guide us., just as He has throughout our lives.  We only need to be open and look to Him for the answers.  

Happy Anniversary, Nate!

Merry Christmas!

May you know the joy, peace and love of Christ today and always.

And, don't forget to spread it to others, too!

2 Days Before Christmas

How could I resist?

Public Property

The boys are watching The Year Without Santa Claus.  The movie is essentially twaddle, but there is one line that struck me:

Mayor's Assistant - Sir?  There's a citizen here to see you.

Mayor - Doesn't he know he doesn't belong here?  This is public property!

The irony in that line is too much.  After recent news that Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson sold out on the healthcare bill, I'm thinking many public servants feel similarly.

48% of Americans do not want the government taking over healthcare.

60% of Americans seek a ban on using federal funds to pay for abortions.

AND

Nearly 10% of Americans are out of work.

For some reason, the most important thing the government feels it must do is not only to pass a healthcare bill, but one that demands tax payer coverage for abortions.  

Christmas is almost upon us; the season of hope.  I am choosing not to despair, but rather to spread His hope, joy, love and peace into the world.  One pro-abortion democrat at a time.

Seven Quick Takes

We received a Christmas card from Nate's employer the other day.  On the inside it said:

Keeping the Holidays green,

one greeting at a time.

I am sure there is a deeper meaning I can extract from the message, but right now, it's escaping me.

[ 2 ]

I'm introducing a new segment to the blog entitled:  "Boys with Cameras".  Our camera is a simple point-and-shoot and they really enjoy taking it around the house to capture life.  Here's a snippet to whet your appetite.

[ 3 ]

As I posted here, we we graced with a LOT of snow early last week (I spent more time with the shovel than I did with my husband that day!).  The weekend after wasn't too cold, so we  took to the hills for some sledding!

[ 4 ]

This weekend, I also made a batch of Gingerbread People (it seems, even our cookies are politically correct these days).  This recipe always turns out fabulously!  For those that want to try:  bake the cookies on parchment paper and, before putting them in the oven, take a dry rag or cloth, and brush off the excess flour you used when rolling out the dough (preserves the brown color of the cookie rather than a dusty whitish brown).  The boys love frosting and decorating these.

[  5 ]

Grandma gave us a family-sized mixing bowl for St. Nick's Day.  Yesterday, we all enjoyed using it as we watched a movie.

[ 6 ]

This week, we had Kolbe's cub scout Den over to our house for homemade pizza.  They learned about the food pyramid and we made pizza from scratch.  The other boys in the Den had never made homemade pizza before.  It's easy to take the simple pleasures in life for granted, as we make homemade pizza all the time.  We were glad to open our home and our pizza dough to new found friends.

[  7 ]

Tonight, we're bundled up and watching A Christmas Carol.  May you enjoy your weekend!  Ours will entail some Christmas shopping, the procurment of a Christmas ham, putting up the tree, sledding, and (hopefully) some relaxing for Mom and Dad.