Day Three of Unpacking

My grandma asked for pictures of the house. It was a mess. Its still a mess, but getting better. This is what we saw on Day Three of our unloading/unpacking.

Living room that will become the school room.

upstairs bathroom

Cormac, Rex, and Brech's bedroom

south side of the master bedroom

north side of the master bedroom

Our bedroom frame was too big to get down the hallway. We haven't decided what we will do about a frame yet. Sleeping on a mattress right on the floor is different and colder.

kitchen

stairs going down to landing/basement

family room with fireplace

Blase and Stephen's room

basement hallway to spare room and laundry room

currently used as a catch all room,

could be spare room,

most likely Cormac and Rex's future room

laundry room

my UPS man (united paper squasher)

A Day

Welcome to

IT'S

For those of you who don't speak Plains weather - that meant -10 degrees with the wind chill factored in.

Its a grand day to:

HIT A NEW MILEAGE MILESTONE IN THE MINI-VAN.

BUY A

IN

LOCATED NEAR HERE

ITS ALSO A GREAT DAY TO EAT AN ALIEN.

AND TAKE SOME TIME TO RELAX AFTER A LONG HARD WEEKEND.

I will now give you the brief run down of our past week. Movers packed or loaded Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They came back on Friday to get the 4-wheeler, lawn mower and trailer. Friday night we stayed in a hotel with the intention of leaving first thing in the morning. Saturday morning Darren got up and decided to work on the garage doors so that they were just right and we wouldn't have to come back to fix them. We were on the road by lunch time.

About 130 miles into the trip we ran into snow. At first it was just a normal snow. Not bad at all.

The light, lovely snow quickly became heavier and dangerous. Have you ever seen something horrible about to happen and you know you can't do anything about it? I learned exactly what that feels like. We were traveling about 35-40 mph, but there was a semi who decided to travel faster than that. As that semi passed Darren some how (wind? or snow? or ice?) the pickup and trailer started to slip and slide all over the road. It was also at this time that another vehicle was getting ready to pass Darren as well. We were headed west, but when this was happening the pickup's headlights were pointed north, then the trailer was pointed south while the pickup was facing west, and finally all straightened out headed west again. As fast as Darren was slipping from the driving lane to the entire passing lane and back to the driving lane I managed to yell "NO!" three times. It happened so quick. I started shaking and crying, followed quickly by the urge to puke and pass out. I had to follow Darren another 15 miles before we could stop at a hotel for the night. I have never been so scared and so grateful in all my life. I'm not ashamed to say I cried and cried. I watched 4 of my most precious treasures almost wreck just in front of me and there was nothing I could do. Luckily the boys who were with me were helping me pray a rosary at that very moment. We were on the third decade of a rosary for the intentions of safe travels for us and for no one to wreck around us. That helped keep me focused. We prayed Hail Mary's all the way to the hotel.

We drove all of Sunday since we didn't make very far on Saturday. It was much easier traveling. I was surprised to see no snow on this side of Minnesota. Here is a crazy picture of our first view of Moorhead, MN.

And this beautiful picture is of the "Welcome to North Dakota" sign. We were in such a hurry to get to ND that it passed us in a blur.

Technically my camera takes crappy pictures at night while moving. Well, it takes crappy pictures while moving period. A new camera is on my Christmas list.

We are here now and that is all that matters. The movers are delivering our boxes tomorrow. If we are suppose to get you a Christmas gift - you may get an unopened moving box with a bow on it. Its anyone's guess what might be inside. Wouldn't that make for an interesting Christmas gift exchange? Let's just hope you don't get the box with the cleaning supplies.

The Friends We Leave Behind

Brech Earl and the Three Movers

Once upon a time there were three movers, Ed, Chris, and Dylan. They packed the upstairs, they packed the basement. They packed the kitchen, school room, living room and finally the bedrooms. All was going well until the three year old got upset.

He looked for a toy.

"Dey packed da toys!"

He looked for a book.

"Dey packed da books!"

He ran up to his room and came out with a scowl on his face.

"DEY PACKED MY BED!!!" Huumph (arms crossed and a mighty fine glare on his face)

You have to understand that they didn't take anyone else's bed since the others had to be taken apart. Brech sleeps on a toddler bed. This made things just that much more confusing. They took his toys, books and just HIS bed. Poor fellow. Later that night, Brech was getting ready to go to sleep on his mattress that was on the floor when he asked for his bear stuffed animal. He never asks for his bear. So I looked for it all over the room. When I told Brech I couldn't find the bear he said, "Dem boys took my bear and put it in a box." He was pissed.

The next morning he woke up saying "Dey took my toys, dey took my books, dey took my bed, da boys took my bear and put it in a box," over and over again. He didn't smile at the movers the rest of the day. We probably scarred him for life over this move. He won't let anyone take his bed away again.

We had a car moving company come pick up the big van for us. When Brech noticed it was gone he was even more upset because they "took my van" too. After the movers had all the beds loaded Brech ran up to me and informed me that they had taken my bed too. I suppose he was looking for support for his "anti-mover" group. We have tried to give lots of hugs and assuring words. This is his first move. Sad, sad day.

The move has gone ok. The movers finished packing and loading almost everything yesterday. They have a few things to pick up this morning. We will be leaving our house this afternoon and on our way to North Dakota. I'm not sure how the kids are taking it. Its been a long, long week watching the movers pack everything and keeping the boys out of boxes and away from stacks of packed boxes.

This has been the hardest move of all of them. I don't remember having this much stress - but then again I didn't have as many kids to keep out of the way. On a side note, this move will be a great sacrifice to offer for my brother Mark on his 20th birthday. I'm emotional as it is, but add missing Mark in the mix hasn't been easy today. I guess I won't ever forget the day we moved away from our house here in Michigan.

Evening Prayers

This is the second post of our daily prayers routine.

For evening prayers we say:

2 - Our Father

2 - Hail Mary

2 - Glory Be

Angel of God

Prayer for a Deceased Man

Incline Thine ear, O Lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray Thee to show Thy mercy upon the soul of Thy servant Mark, whom Thou hast commanded to pass out of this world, that Thou wouldst place him in the region of peace and light, and bid him be a partaker with Thy Saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Seven Days of Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

My Jesus, by the sorrows You suffered in Your agony in the garden, in Your scourging and crowning with thorns, in Your journey to Calvary, in Your crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; deliver them from the torments they endure; call them and admit them to Your most sweet embrace in paradise, where You live with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Sunday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Blood, which Your divine Son Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the souls in purgatory, and especially that one which is most forsaken of all, and bring it into Your glory, where it may praise and bless You forever. Amen.

Monday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech your by the Precious Blood which Your divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in purgatory, and among them all, especially that soul which is nearest to its entrance into Your glory, that it may soon begin to praise You and bless You forever. Amen.

Tuesday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Blood of Your divine Son Jesus that was shed in His bitter crowning of thorns, deliver the souls in purgatory, and among them all, particularly that soul which is in the greatest need of our prayers, in order that it may not long be delayed in praising You in Your glory and blessing You forever. Amen.

Wednesday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Blood of Your divine Son Jesus that was shed in the streets of Jerusalem while He carried on His sacred shoulders the heavy burden of the Cross, deliver the souls in purgatory and especially that one which is the richest in merits in Your sight, so that, having soon attained the high place in glory to which it is destined, it may praise You triumphantly and bless You forever. Amen.

Thursday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Body and Blood Your divine Son Jesus, which He Himself on the night before His passion gave as meat and drink to His beloved Apostles and bequeathed to His Holy Church to be the perpetual sacrifice and life-giving nourishment of His faithful people, deliver the souls in purgatory, but most of all , that soul which was most devoted to this Mystery of infinite love, in order that it may praise You therefore, together with Your divine Son and the Holy Ghost in Your glory forever. Amen.

Friday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Blood which Jesus Your divine Son did shed this day upon the tree of the cross, especially from His sacred hands and feet, deliver the souls in purgatory, and particularly that soul for whom I am most bound to pray, in order that I may not be the cause which hinders You from admitting it quickly from the possession of Your glory where it may praise You and bless You forevermore. Amen.

Saturday - O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Blood which gushed forth from the sacred side of Your divine Son Jesus in the presence and to the great sorrow of His most holy Mother, deliver the souls in purgatory and among them all especially that soul which has been most devout to this noble Lady, that it may come quickly into Your glory, there to praise You in her and her in You through all the ages. Amen.

After the daily prayer, then we pray:

1- Our Father

1 - Hail Mary

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Merciful Father, hear our prayers and console us. As we renew our faith in Your Son, whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Family Prayer

God made us a family,

We need one another,

We love one another,

We forgive one another,

We work together,

We play together,

We worship together,

Together we use God's word,

Together we grow in Christ,

Together we love all men,

Together we serve our God,

Together we hope for heaven.

These are our hopes and ideals

Help us to attain them, O God

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Renewal of the Family to the Sacred Heart

Oh sweet Savior, kneeling humbly at Thy feet we renew the consecration of our family to Thy Divine Heart. Be forever our King. We have full and complete confidence in Thee. May Thy spirit fill our thoughts, our desires, our words, and our works. Bless our undertakings, take part in joys, our trials, and our labors. Grant to us to know Thee better, love Thee more, and serve Thee without fail. From one pole of the earth to the other may the cry resound "Beloved, blessed and gloried, be everywhere and forever the triumphant Heart of Jesus." Amen.

Then we name our patron saints -

St. Blase - pray for us.

St. Stephen - pray for us.

St. Cormac - pray for us.

St. Theodoric - pray for us.

St. Isidore - pray for us.

St. Gianna - pray for us.

St. Joseph - pray for us.

Blessed Virgin Mary - pray for us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. (three times)

Eternal rest grant unto Mark O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Then we say 5 decades of the rosary for a special intention. After the rosary we say a prayer for after the rosary, the Memorare, and the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Then we are done.

When a Picture Says it All

Morning Prayers

I thought you would like to know our daily prayer routine. This post will be about the morning prayers we say every morning. I think we only miss one or two mornings a month, so its pretty much routine.

First we start off with the morning offering prayer I learned when I was young.

Oh my Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day. For all the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates and especially for the Holy Father, the Pope, and the Catholic Church. And especially for...

at this point we would start with the youngest and ask who they are praying for during the day. I started this so that the boys would remember who they are praying for - and I can use it against them during the day. "You aren't helping Uncle Mark very much by being naughty."

Then we say:

1 - Our Father

3 - Hail Marys

1 - Glory Be

Angel of God prayer

Prayer for a Deceased Man

Incline Thine ear, O Lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray Thee to show Thy mercy upon the soul of Thy servant Mark, whom Thou hast commanded to pass out of this world, that Thou wouldst place him in the region of peace and light, and bid him be a partaker with Thy Saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Priests - which is listed at the bottom of the blog

Now we would say whatever the monthly prayers are. Blase usually reads the monthly prayers.

Stephen's job is to read the Saint of the Day -

St. (fill in the blank) -Pray for us.

3 - Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - Have mercy on us.

Eternal rest grant unto Mark, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

Stephen also tells Cormac what the liturgical feast day color is.

Cormac's job is to switch the altar lace color to that day's feast color.

Rex's job is to lead one decade of the rosary. We pick someone or a group of someones to pray for the whole month.

Then we say our Blessing before Meals. Then we say the prayer of St. Gertrude the Great - for releasing 1000 souls from purgatory or 1000 sinners repent.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus. In union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, for those in my home and within my family. Amen.

Then we say one Hail Mary for a family or someone who has lost someone through death.

We try to say the St. Gertrude the Great prayer and the Hail Mary at every meal.

Then we can eat and start our day. The only time we eat before all of this is if Darren is home and I am sleeping in. Then we wait until all of us are present. During the week, the boys and I will say all these prayers (10-15 minutes worth) before we eat.

It's Opening Day!

The moon is up.

It’s getting late.

Let’s get ready to celebrate.

It’s opening day!!

Pull on the long underwear.

Put on the camo.

Get yourself set to shoot some ammo-

It’s opening day!

Now, some are sleeping

And some are dreaming.

Some are fussing

And some are freezing.

Some are snoring.

Some are not.

But you both wish

to give a shout.

It’s opening day!

Ooooo yes, its rifle season!

Some like a bow

And some like a gun.

Some would rather

You’d use none.

They might use an arrow,

Or a bullet that flies.

But it don’t matter

As long as the deer dies.

It’s opening day!

Deer to the left.

Deer to the right.

(Doe, doe, buck, BOOM!)

Everybody’s eatin’ vension tonight!

(Doe, doe, buck, BOOM!)

Now all around the woods

In one big line,

Totin’ our gun and

Lookin’ so fine.

It’s opening day!

Hop into bed.

Turn out the light.

You can dream you got

That buck tonight.

It’s opening day!!

(Hush, hush)

It’s rifle season!!

(you wake this baby and I’ll….)

It’s opening day!

(shhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

Good night.

Better luck next time.

Poem created by one tired mommy in the writing style of Sandra Boynton and her book "Pajama Time". Today was Blase's first and last U.P. Opening Day. It's a "state holiday" in these necka da woods. No deer today. I suppose the neighbors got them all.

All Saints

We had some friends over today for a late All Saints Day party. We dressed up last minute and pulled it off. I made Gianna's outfit last night and her veil this morning.

Cormac as St. Patrick for the 3rd year in a row, Blase as St. Lawrence again, Brech as St. George, Gianna as St. Rita, Stephen as St. Andrew, Rex as St. Gerard.

A sweet St. Rita - just for Grandma!

Its Snow Wonder