Food...on Wheels

As the Schwan's man pulled up to our curb today:

Kolbe: Mom, it's the GPS man and he has food! Let's go see what
he has for us!

A half gallon of ice cream and 2 frozen pizzas later, we were satisfied customers.

p.s. the vanilla ice cream is the BEST vanilla I've ever tasted!!

Miss Potter

As is our tradition we watched our latest Netflix with excitement. Each time the red envelope appears in our mailbox I can't help but smile, looking forward to a new adventure with Hollywood. Then, when Nate comes home, I whisper, "We got a Netflix." And, he smiles back at me realized that we'll get to enjoy some time together that night as our wee ones slumber upstairs.

The latest flick was Miss Potter (no relation to Harry). The story is the biopic of Beatrix Potter (of Peter Rabbit fame). It chronicles a few years in her life as she begins to publish the now-famous children's books. The movie illustrates what life was like in the early 1900's for a woman that is single and is working to publish a children's book. In addition, Beatrix finds love in her life (something she never felt would happen) and pursues it in a beautiful and chaste way.

The movie left us both feeling inspired.

As a bonus the movie stars Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor--which means that the acting in the film was first-rate.

I highly recommend it for your next movie night!

Becoming Childlike

Our family is embarking on a new adventure that will lead us quite close to home. Actually, the back yard. We're building a center for educational excellence and imaginative play. Well, that's the technical jargon, really, it's a tree house.

In preparation, I obtained Treehouses, Huts and Forts by David and Jeanie Stiles from the library. Upon inspection this book and it's companion (Playhouses You Can Build) are definitely worth checking out. It's obvious that the Stiles' love what they do (childlike imaginative design) and they love children. The inspiration given to adults from perusing these books is invaluable.

Now, the design that we settled on didn't come directly from the books, but the books sure did get us excited about the possibilities--trap doors, ladders, buckets with pulleys on them, etc.

They maintain that children are at a point in their lives where they will never have as active an imagination or as much energy about life as they have now. And I think that treehouses (and playhouses, etc) really embody that. After all, how often do we look at a treehouse and remember our own imaginative play in our younger days.

Thus, as soon as there is marked progress on our backyard addition you can bet it will be chronicled here. In the meantime, check out David and Jeanie's website. And, see if your library has any of their books (Playhouses You Can Build also has ideas for very simple, indoor ideas for you to enjoy).

This Labor Day weekend, we'll be flexing our imaginations and mustering up all the energy about life that we can as we become children again.

Technological Speed Bump

It's been a rough 10 days. My computer decided it was time for me to purchase a new computer. While I don't mind upgrading, I would like a bit of advance notice. However, on the fateful morning of August 17th, my computer protested.

Thus, here I am many days later awaiting my new Dell laptop. Unfortunately, I received an email from them saying they'll kindly ship the product September 24th. Alas, my only option is moonlighting on my husband's laptop.

In addition I've had a major project I've been working on (without the help of my computer). So, thankfully, when our family visited last week, my sister-in-law brought here faithful Compaq.

So, let this be a notice that if you call me, stop by, or happen to email me on September 24th, I will be busily setting up my new machine to quench my computer thirst and may not be available. =)

Supreme Knight, Board Urge Support for 'Bella'

As promised I've got a film that is going to be in theatres this fall: Bella: the Movie.

The Knights of Columbus have urged everyone who is Catholic, Christian, and pro-life to widely support this movie (AKA go see it 3 times!) =)

Their website had this to say(emphasis and comments mine):

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, with the backing of the Order’s Board of
Directors, is recommending that Knights support Bella, a major motion picture to
be released this summer (it's actually this October, I believe).

Bella, whose star and producers are Knights, won the Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award.

“If we can get millions of people to see this film, we are going to save lives,” Anderson said. “We can get people to understand what we mean when we talk about a culture of life, or what it means to live a Catholic life. Our support of this movie can be the start of something great.”

Bella was produced by Knights Leo Severino and Sean Wolfington, and stars Knight Eduardo Verastegui. Verastegui and Wolfington took their First Degree in New Haven at the June State Deputies meeting...

The movie tells the story of Jose (Verástegui), who gives up his career as a soccer superstar after a tragic incident. He goes to work in his brother’s restaurant, where he befriends a pregnant waitress and begins to resolve some of the pain he stills feel about the life-changing accident. A former telenovela (soap opera) star in his native Mexico, Verástegui abandoned his burgeoning Hollywood career to start a new film company to produce movies with a moral message.

After the screening, Verástegui spoke briefly to the Knights. He described his character as a “man who wants to live a life of integrity and sacrifice everything” for family and others. The film does this by portraying Latinos and family life in a favorable light.

Remember, very good (encouraging, challenging, entertaining) movies don't come around often. Let's go and see this film when it comes to our local theatres.

Don't say, "Oh, we'll have to rent that one." By then it's too late and the studios all over will be saying, "See, no one wants movies like that!" Let's cast votes for this movie with our dollars.

You can view trailers for the movie here.

The Media: My View

Those who know our family know right now we don't have cable. Our two links to Hollywood are movies/DVDs and the Internet. Look, each time we turn on the TV we're handing ourselves and our kids over to Hollywood. By selecting the programs that we are exposed to, I can easily manage and tune out the garbage (commercials, sub-par cartoons, etc). I think it would be easy to watch one good show, and just sit in front of the TV and continue to watch another show that isn't good. So, it's easier for me to simply say, "no TV".

The conference that we went to in Wichita last weekend had a speaker that is Catholic and working Hollywood - Barbara Nicolosi. In one of her talks she noted that there are primarily two camps when it comes to Catholics and the media- 1) Cavemen and 2) Teflon Parents.

Cavemen simply "hunker down" and say, "Hollywood bad. Hiding out good." Essentially, no form of TV, movies or anything are permitted in the house. Rather, children are raised in an environment devoid of the "evils from California".

Teflon Parents say, "Well, it's just a TV show. The kids know that and it won't affect how they live." Or, "It's just a violent video game. They would never act it out."

Barbara says that both camps are wrong. Rather, we need to engage the media and participate in ensuring that it becomes better while picking and choosing what we (and our children) are allowing into our household.

That last thought really struck me. I am quick to point out the shows that I don't like. And, I am quick to reassure myself that it is good that we do not have cable. However, when was the last time that I worked to ensure that Hollywood becomes better?

So, what have I resolved to do?

1. Email. I need to email the creators of shows like the Noggin network and let them know that I love the Backyardigans and The Wonder Pets. I need to email the creators of Lost and let them know that I enjoy their show.

2. Email (part 2) I need to send an email when I see something that isn't quite right. And let them know to keep up the good work and that I'll be tuning in...

3. Raise my children with a love for the arts. Maybe someday, they'll have a part to play in creating beautiful movies that will inspire.

4. Spread the word when I find something good (this post to come soon).

What are your thoughts on the media?

Dinner Circus

Tonight we decided to run into town late, thus we stopped at a small cafe for dinner. At times, dinner with the three boys can feel a bit like a circus:

Mother: "No, no we don't put salt on our pancakes."

(one minute later)

Mother: "No, no we don't put sugar on our pancakes."

(30 seconds later)

Mother: "No, no you already have syrup on your pancakes..."


Child: (In his louder-than-normal-toddler-style) "Daddy do you see that John Deere tractor over there? Kolbe, do you see that John Deere tractor over there? Marcel, there's a John Deere tractor over there. Mommy..."you get the point.


Father: "Son, we don't just eat straight butter," (removing large quantity of butter from happily eating young boy).


Mother: "When they begin climbing the walls, is it time to go?"

Now, I have indigestion. It must have been the bbq sauce...

6 Month Checkup

Well, it's official, Marcel looks like a "Raiche".

Each of our little guys at 6 months:

Future Vocation?

Whenever I venture to a certain major discount retailer alone, without the backup of my partner in crime, I never know how the boys are going to behave. We've had trips that were entirely successful and we've had incidents where I deeply desired to become invisible.

As our successful (yeah!) shopping experience came to a close, I began to unload our goodies onto the conveyor belt. Kolbe and Jozef love to help mom any chance they get (which I want to foster rather than repress) so they both pitched in with full effort. From the inside of the cart. Reaching, no, contorting to put bulky items onto the belt all while leaning way too far over from inside of the cart. Needless to say, I was waiting for one of them to plummet onto the concrete floor momentarily.

Just then a friendly employee walked up behind our cart and smiled at me as I calmly ask the boys to refrain from their death defying activities.

Employee: Smiling at me in a sort of that-lady-looks-like-things-are-getting-out-of-control way.

Frazzled Mother: They're acrobats--in training.

Employee: Ah, I can see that.

Frazzled Mother: (smiling) They don't even need nets!

Do I sense a future vocation under the big top? Or am I experiencing boy-hood in full swing? You be the judge.

Back from Kansas

Well, we didn't click our heels to come home from Wichita, but the trip was almost as magical. The boys were excellent during the 5 hour drive there and home this weekend.

Going to a weekend conference like this has so many benefits. And to think that it was all Nate's idea to go. I can't even take the credit.

* It's important to feel that "we're not alone out here" in our faith journey. Yes, there are lots of other Catholic families that are all trying to do the same as we are (raise faith-filled children, engage the culture around us, grow in holiness, etc.)

* It's good to be challenged to become better.

* It's good to take time out of our normal routines, step outside of ourselves and determine if we're reaching our goals.

* It is great to listen other inspired speakers talk about how they are living their lives and growing closer to God (while bringing their family with them).

Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) - a review

Nate and I really enjoy watching movies. It's a pass time we can enjoy together without leaving the boys.

Our recent Netflix was Yours, Mine and Ours starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. While the movie was enjoyable there were a number of scenes where acquaintances or passersby continually made comments about the characters' family size (Ball has 8 children and Fonda has 10). Now I realize that the number of children here is a bit outrageous (especially once Ball and Fonda marry for a total of 18 children), however it was difficult to endure the negative comments in the film.

Family Doctor: Call my wife, will you, and tell her I'm on my way home?

[short pause]

Family Doctor: And tell her thank you.

Henry Fonda : For what?

Family Doctor: We don't have any children.

In another scene, a woman that is on the date with Fonda (before he marries Ball) finds out how many children he has and becomes almost sick in the car. He mentions that he's happy with so many and she says that she's "careful" (thus single, promiscuous and without any children).

However, for the few biting comments, the end truly has redeeming qualities. Close to the end of the movie, Ball is going into labor (the fruit of Ball/Fonda's marriage) and Fonda is explaining to his daughter the about what's really important in life: emphasis mine

Colleen North (Ball's daughter): [Ball is about to have a baby] I know this is a terrible time to talk about it, but Larry says...

Frank Beardsley (Fonda): I've got a message for Larry. You tell him this is what it's all about. This is the real happening. If you want to know what love really is, take a look around you.

Helen North (Ball): What are you two talking about?

Frank Beardsley(Fonda): Take a good look at your mother.

Helen North (Ball) : Not now!

Frank Beardsley (Fonda) : Yes, now.
[to Colleen]

Frank Beardsley (Fonda): It's giving life that counts. Until you're ready for it, all the rest is just a big fraud. All the crazy haircuts in the world won't keep it turning. Life isn't a love in, it's the dishes and the orthodontist and the shoe repairman and... ground round instead of roast beef. And I'll tell you something else: it isn't going to a bed with a man that proves you're in love with him; it's getting up in the morning and facing the drab, miserable, wonderful everyday world with him that counts.
[Leaving the house, they say good-bye to the little kids]

Frank Beardsley (Fonda) : I suppose having 19 kids is carrying it a bit too far, but if we had it to do over who would we skip... you?

Helen North (Ball) : [getting into the car] Thank you, Frank. I never quite knew how to explain it to her.

Frank Beardsley (Fonda): If we don't get you to the hospital fast, the rest of it's going to be explained right here!

It just doesn't get any better than that.

Overall = 6 out of 10.

Greetings from Wichita

We are excited to be at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference in Wichita, Kansas! We had a nice drive here (~5 hours from our new home) and are looking forward to the conference tomorrow.

Tonight's speakers were children's singer The Donut Man (Rob Evans)and a trick basketball handler names Charlie Aeschliman.

Good stuff!

Happy Birthdday, Nate!

His birthday is really Aug 2. But every time I sat in front of the computer, something else came up and I had to stop what I was doing. Have you ever have a day like that? =)

We love you, honey!