December 24: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Thanksgiving

Rest Your Head

Joy

Prelude

Carol of the Bells

Night: Snow

Night: Midnight

Night: Minstrels

Variations on the Kanon

The Holly and the Ivy

Some Children See Him

Peace

Prayer: 

Oh, God-With-Us, 

For so long you have promised 

forgiveness, peace, salvation. 

Now in my heart, I am filled with joy 

because of your coming.

Thank you for your promises 

and for the way I can trust in you. 

I feel a new freedom in my life 

and a courage I have not known before.

I know you came to save me and bring new life 

and I am so grateful to you. 

Let me show my thankfulness 

with my life. 

You have brought me through the darkness 

and into the light of your saving grace.

Guide my feet on the way of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 23: Album and prayer

One of the best stories, funny and silly and tearful.  We listen to it every year.

Prayer:

Oh, Emmanuel, 

"God-with-Us," 

You have touched me; 

you are God-with-Me.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer. 

In the spirit of the season 

my waiting, my patience, 

feels sacred.

Refine and purify my heart 

with the hottest flame of your love. 

Give me the courage of your prophets 

and let me do what is right 

even when others don't understand.

Bless my heart with generosity 

and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 22: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Ritsch, Ratsch, Filibom (Sweden)

Dormi, Dormi, O Bel Bambin - Sleep, Sleep, My Darling Baby (Italy)

Da Droben Vom Berge - There from the Mountain (Austria)

Betelehemu - Bethlehem (Nigeria)

El Noi De La Mare - Mama's Boy (Spain/Catalonia)

Children Go Where I Send Thee (United States, African-American Spiritual)

Poor Little Jesus (United States, African-American Spiritual)

La Trulla - The Caroling (Puerto Rico)

Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen -There Is A Rose Blooming (Germany)

Écoutons Donc les Aubades - Let Us Listen To The Morning Songs (France)

In The Valley (United States, Appalachian)

Lína Avatárá - He Chose Birth Among Us (India)

Huron Carol (Canada)

A La Nanita Nana - Sleep Now, You Little Sleepyhead (Spain)

Miladuka - Thy Nativity (Syria)

La Peregrinacion - The Pilgrimage (Argentina)

The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (West Indies)

Prayer: 

Oh, king of us all. 

I find myself standing before 

your strength and splendor 

watching, waiting 

and filled with total joy.

You have lifted my mind in hope. 

Now help me to open my life 

the the coming of the Spirit.

I want to be like Mary, your mother. 

Her wonderful courage and strength 

inspire me to do the same. 

She simply said Yes 

and the impossible was done.

Thank you for this Advent journey. 

The anticipation has filled my life 

and made me long for 

a closer relationship with you.

My life gets so busy that I forget to focus. 

Thank you for guidance. 

Thank you for the quiet moments 

when I have felt your love.

Nothing will be impossible with God.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 21: Album and Prayer

Playlist: 

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Joy To The World/For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song)

O Come All Ye Faithful

Grown-Up Christmas List

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Winter Wonderland

I'll Be Home For Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

Emmanuel, God With Us

Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring

Prayer: 

Loving God,

It is growing in my heart:

An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;

Like the sun rising in the East

to warm and comfort my life

and to bring new growth.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer. 

In the spirit of the season 

my waiting, my patience, 

feels sacred.

Bless my heart with generosity 

and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 20: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

The Christmas Song

Jingle Bells

Silent Night/I Guess There Ain't No Santa Claus

The First Noel/When The Meadow Was Bloomin'

Because It's Christmas (For All the Children) 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

White Christmas

Carol Of The Bells/The Bells Of Christmas

Medley: Joy To The World/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

We Wish You A Merry Christmas/It's Just Another New Year's Eve

Prayer: 

Oh, Jesus, you hold the key 

that will unlock my constricted heart. 

It gives me great hope 

that Mary said yes to you and your plan. 

She was filled with the Spirit 

and put aside her own doubts.

I know you are ready to answer my prayers, 

ease my doubts and calm my fears. 

Sometimes I don't hear your messengers 

because they aren't what I expect. 

They aren't wearing wings or halos 

but are the people standing in front of me.

How many times have I not listened? 

How often have I balked at your messages 

and your messengers?

Fill me with the light of your Spirit 

and enter, in all your glory 

into my life. 

Let me rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 19

One tradition we've tried to keep for maybe 25 years is listening to A Christmas Carol while decorating the tree.  We finally got a tree, so hope to listen to our favorite rendition of while doing so. Here's our favorite:

December 18: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

O Come All Ye Faithful

Joy To The World

While You Were Sleeping

Silent Night

God Is With Us

Away In a Manger

Christmas Offering

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Oh, Adonai, dearest Lord, 

Compassionate God of justice, 

so many areas of my life seem imprisoned 

but you promise me real freedom 

and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul. 

Please, open my heart 

which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth 

and I want to follow you in caring for others. 

Grant me the grace to see 

how you shine your light on the poor 

who have such a special place in your heart.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 17: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

O Come All Ye Faithful 

In the Bleak Midwinter

The Holy Boy 

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

See Amid The Winter Snow 

O Little Town of Bethlehem

What Child Is This?

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 

Rocking 

Away in a Manger

I Wonder As I Wander 

Patapan 

The Secret of Christmas

Silent Night, Holy Night 

Prayer:

Oh, King of us all. 

I find myself standing before 

your strength and splendor 

watching, waiting 

and filled with total joy.

You have lifted my mind in hope. 

Now help me to open my life 

the the coming of the Spirit.

I want to be like Mary, your mother. 

Her wonderful courage and strength 

inspire me to do the same. 

She simply said Yes 

and the impossible was done.

Thank you for this Advent journey. 

The anticipation has filled my life 

and made me long for 

a closer relationship with you.

My life gets so busy that I forget to focus. 

Thank you for guidance. 

Thank you for the quiet moments 

when I have felt your love.

Nothing will be impossible with God.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 16: Album and Prayer

Playlist: 

Overture

The Decoration of the Christmas Tree

March

Children's Gallop and the Entry of the Parents

Arrival of Drosselmeyer

Grandfather's Dance

Clara and the Nutcracker

The Battle

Scene in the Pine Forest

Waltz of the Snowflakes

Prayer: 

Loving God,

It is growing in my heart:

An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;

Like the sun rising in the East

to warm and comfort my life

and to bring new growth.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer. 

In the spirit of the season 

my waiting, my patience, 

feels sacred.

Bless my heart with generosity 

and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 15: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Joy To The World

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Starbright

Angels

Fireside

What Child Is This?

Hope Is Born Again

Winter Peace

The First Noel

O Christmas Tree

Little Town Of Bethlehem

Dreams Come True

The Gift

Prayer:

Oh, Jesus, you hold the key 

that will unlock my constricted heart. 

It gives me great hope 

that Mary said yes to you and your plan. 

She was filled with the Spirit 

and put aside her own doubts.

I know you are ready to answer my prayers, 

ease my doubts and calm my fears. 

Sometimes I don't hear your messengers 

because they aren't what I expect. 

They aren't wearing wings or halos 

but are the people standing in front of me.

How many times have I not listened? 

How often have I balked at your messages 

and your messengers?

Fill me with the light of your Spirit 

and enter, in all your glory into my life. 

Let me rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 14: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Blue Christmas

Silent Night

White Christmas

Santa Claus Is Back In Town

I'll Be Home for Christmas

If Every Day Was Like Christmas

Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)

Mama Liked The Roses

Prayer:

Oh, Jesus who descended from Jesse, 

you are a sign of God's love. 

I feel hopeful and expectant, 

filled with a rebirth of joy and love.

I depend you so much. 

You are a rock for my belief 

and a sign of God's love.

Fill me with your praise! 

I want to sing your glory, 

filled with joy 

for the message of hope you send.

I don't always understand 

when you are acting on my behalf. 

Thank you for the message of hope you send me. 

Give me true faith and love 

as I celebrate the mystery 

of how you came to be with us.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 13: Album of the day and prayer

Playlist:

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Blue Christmas

Silver Bells

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Cool Yule

Baby It's Cold Outside

Winter Wonderland

Warm December

The Christmas Song

Do You Hear What I Hear?

What are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Prayer:

Oh, Adonai, dearest Lord, 

Compassionate God of justice, 

so many areas of my life seem imprisoned 

but you promise me real freedom 

and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul. 

Please, open my heart which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth and I want to follow you in caring for other.

Grant me the grace to see how you shine your light on the poor who have such a special place in your heart.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Prayer to our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgin of Guadalupe,
Patroness of unborn children,
we implore your intercession
for every child at risk of abortion.
Help expectant parents to welcome from God
the priceless gift of their child’s life.

Console parents who have lost that gift
through abortion,
and lead them to forgiveness and healing
through the Divine Mercy of your Son.

Teach us to cherish
and to care for family and friends
until God calls them home.
Help us never to see others as burdens.

Guide our public officials
to defend each and every human life
through just laws.
Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life,
to speak for those who have no voice.

We ask this in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself.
Amen.

December 12: Album of the Day

Playlist: 

Ave Verum

Jesu bleibet meine Freude

Ich Steh an deiner Krippen hier

Pastoral Symphony

Pastorale

Andante

Jesu, meines Herzens Freud

Adagio

Pastorale (Manfredini)

Capella Gregoriana

Minuet in D minor

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Oh, Jesulein zart

Sonata in C minor

Flute Concerto in D minor

Organ Concerto in F major

Turning Pink With Joy on Gaudete Sunday

December 11: Album of the Day

 

Playlist:

Sleigh Ride

  Toyland

  Here We Come A-Caroling

  We Three Kings of Orient Are 

O Come All Ye Faithful 

Do You Hear What I Hear? 

Winter Wonderland

 God rest ye Merry, Gentlemen

The First Noel 

The Little Drummer Boy

Joy To The World 

Jesu Joy of Man's Desire

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas 

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

December 10: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Viderunt Omnes 

Jucundare filia Sion

De ore leonis

Tui sunt caeli

Viderunt Omnes

Zelus domus tuae

Verbum caro factum est

Hodie Christus natus est

Qui manducat

Gloria, laus et honor

Hodie nobis caelorum Rex

Hodie nobis de caelo

In principio

Super flumina Babylonis

Ubi caritas

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Alleluia. Domine in virtute tua

Respice, Domine

Alleluia. Oportebat

Rorate caeli desuper

Pueri Hebraeorum

Prayer:

Jesus,

in the darkness of these Advent nights 

let me be guided by the light of your word. 

Give me the humility to be led by you 

and the wisdom to learn from you.

I feel your light in my life

and in the world.

I am grateful for the Savior who awaits us, 

and eagerly await the time of rejoicing. 

Let me look forward in hope 

and turn to you with great trust, 

knowing you will guide my steps 

along the unknown path of this day.

December 9: Album and Prayer

Prayer: 

Jesus,

in the darkness of these Advent nights 

let me be guided by the light of your word. 

Give me the humility to be led by you 

and the wisdom to learn from you.

I feel your light in my life

and in the world.

I am grateful for the Savior who awaits us, 

and eagerly await the time of rejoicing. 

Let me look forward in hope 

and turn to you with great trust, 

knowing you will guide my steps 

along the unknown path of this day.

December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Playlist:

Benedicamus Domino

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Adagio (Bach)

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Jesus, Sun of Life, My Splendor

Behold, I Bring You Good Tidings

Christmas Day

All My Heart this Night Rejoices

For unto Us a Child Is Born

Improvisation

The Immaculate Conception (from catholic.com) 

It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived "by the power of the Holy Spirit," in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what "immaculate" means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings. 

December 7: Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Faith Noel

The Lost Christmas Eve

Christmas Dreams

Wizards in Winter

Remember

Anno Domine

Christmas Concerto

Queen of the Winter Night

Christmas Nights in Blue

Christmas Jazz

Christmas Jam

Siberian Sleigh Ride

What Is Christmas?

For the Sake of Our Brother

The Wisdom of Snow

Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)

Back to a Reason (Part II)

Christmas Bells, Carousels & Time

What Child Is This?

O’ Come All Ye Faithful

Christmas Canon Rock

Different Wings

Midnight Clear

Prayer on the remembrance of Pearl Harbor: 

Dear God, not everything that happens in your world reflects your goodness and grace. You have given us freedom to choose, and with that freedom sometimes we choose to do evil. Today we remember a time of great evil in our world – we remember World War II. We also remember those who stood their ground against great evil, those who fought here at home and on the battle fronts to insure that evil would not prevail. We thank you that in the hour of need you gave men and women the strength and resolve to stand, whatever the cost. May those brave souls who still remain here with us feel today your hand of favor and strength. In their last years here on earth give them renewed hope and an awareness of our gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice. May we never forget them, and may you honor them according to the grace you gave in those days and according to their response to that grace, then and now. 

December 6 Album and Prayer

Playlist:

Joy to the World

When Love Came Down

Angels We Have Heard On High

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow / Sleigh Ride

Carol of the Bells / What Child Is This?

O Holy Night

How Great Our Joy

Emmanuel, God With Us / O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Light of the World

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

Jingle Bell Rock

Coventry Carol

One King

Not That Far from Bethlehem

Prayer: 

Almighty God, 

I hear it over and over: you are coming to me.

I feel my heart stir in anticipation, 

and I sense that you are inviting me 

to enter more deeply 

into the mystery of your birth.

Help me to feel renewed patience settle in my heart, 

and to lift my face in joy.

I have been like a lost lamb, 

but I hear your voice calling me 

and I feel how deeply you want me to return. 

Somehow I know that you rejoice in my desire to find you.

Help me not to be afraid to say out loud, to believe: 

Here is God, coming into my life.

December 5: Album and prayer

Playlist: 

Disc 1

Winter Wonderland

Emmanuel

O Holy Night

Christmas Is All In The Heart

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 

Away In A Manger 

Hallelujah! 

A Strange Way To Save The World

Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song) 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Silent Night

The Night That Christ Was Born 

Mary, Did You Know? 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 

Ave Maria 

Disc 2

Do You Hear What I Hear? 

Sing Mary Sing

 Angels We Have Heard On High 

What Child Is This? 

This Christmas (Joy To The World) 

Christmastime Is Here 

 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 

 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

 A Prayer For Every Year 

 Sweet Little Jesus Boy 

The First Noel 

 O Little Town Of Bethlehem 

 Go Tell It On The Mountain 

 O Come All Ye Faithful

Little Drummer Boy

Prayer:

God of Strength,

I need your courage.

You offer to make firm the knees that are weak.

Only you know how frightened I so often am.

And you do offer me strength.

There is the promise of your Son's coming

and knowing that you will save me.

I can't do this on my own

no matter how often I think I can.

Give me the humility to ask for your help

and open heart to accept

your healing and love in my life.

Album of the Day

Playlist:

Angels We Have Heard on High

Wassail Song

Silent Night

O Tannenbaum

Good King Wenceslas

Morning Has Broken

O Thou Joyful Day/O Little Town of Bethlehem

The First Noel/What Is This Fragrance

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Walking in the Air

The Green Trees of Winter

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Cherry Tree Carol

Dear Lord,

Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom.

I want my heart to be open to you.

But sometimes in these days, it seems that 

so many things come between us.

Help me to be awake and aware 

of the radiance you bring to my life.

Help me to be grateful each day

for the blessings of family and friends.

Let me be a peacemaker 

in my own life, and in the world. 

Let me pray especially for this difficult world

and those who are so in need of an end to violence.

My heart begs for this as my Advent prayer today

December 3: Album and prayer

Playlist 

(while this is a 2 CD set, I only have Disc 2 now...)

Gloria

Silver Bells

Mistletoe Waltz

O Come All Ye Faithful

O Holy Night

Ding Dong! Merrily on High

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Ukrainian Carol

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Celebration

Coventry Carol/Noël Nouvelet

O Little Town of Bethlehem/The Holly and the Ivy

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Hallelujah

Prayer

God of us all, 

Thank you for the gift of Mary in my life. 

I rely on her to intercede for me with her son, 

and to guide me, especially in my family.

Help me to learn the grace of humility, 

and give me the courage to say "yes" to you 

without always knowing where it will lead.

Release me from the fears that grip me, 

the pride and stubbornness 

that keep me from you and others.

Let me turn to Mary, so human, 

for an example of how I might live my own life 

more freely, more loving and more aware of you.

December 2: Album and prayers

Playlist:

Sleigh Ride

When My Heart Finds Christmas

(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus

The Blessed Dawn Of Christmas Day

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The Little Drummer Boy

Ave Maria

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers

What Child Is This?

Christmas Dreaming

I Pray On Christmas

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

O Holy Night

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Prayer

Jesus, protector, 

I long for your coming. 

The promise of new light is there 

if only I can believe.

Protect me from dangers 

and lead me through the gloom and darkness 

to the joy I so long to find in you.

Lift me from my lowly sins 

and give me the promise of salvation 

with no more shame, 

only the light and saving grace of your love.

Let the ancient dream be fulfilled in you 

and peace come to this life and world.

December 1: Album and prayer for the day

Playlist includes

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Happy Holiday

The First Noel

March of the Toys

Little Jesus

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

O Little Town of Bethlehem

In dulci jubilo

Gesù bambino

Angels We Have Heard on High

An Old-Fashioned Christmas

The Christmas Waltz

Sleigh Ride

It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Carol of the Bells

Merry Christmas Darling

Christ Is Born

O Holy Night

Home for the Holidays

Here Comes Santa Claus

Frosty the Snowman

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Good King Wenceslas

Winter Wonderland

Silver Bells

White Christmas

Ave Maria

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies

Waltz of the Flowers

Little Altar Boy

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Silent Night

Prayer for the day

God of strength and protection, 

I turn to you because I need help. 

I long to be free enough 

to trust that I can lean on you.

But I become afraid. 

Help me to trust in you, Lord. 

Your strength and power 

are a gentle place of protection.

Be a safe refuge when I am being trampled. 

I long for your help, your protecting care. 

Help to deliver me from the cold 

loneliness of these dark nights.

Much needed rain

As East TN is being poured on with much needed rain, we are remembering the communities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  They were devastated by wild fires this week and are in need of prayers, healing, and eventually recovery.  The fact that we don't have our leaves raked doesn't seem that important in light of the recent events.

All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN.

Thanksgiving wishes

Home for Thanksgiving

Everyone will be home for Thanksgiving, and some extra friends here too.  Planning on all the usual, plus the kids' favorite desserts. Also planning a breakout mystery on Friday, not shopping at all.  Since Bogdan is on call, I fully expect a call from work just as we're sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, yes it's happened before.

Marian loads her Friday song onto YouTube, so be sure to check out her channel.  She typically chooses the song at the beginning of the week, then by Friday has it loaded onto YouTube.

Anna has chosen her classes for next semester and looking forward to it.  Gabriel spent the weekend at a ultimate frisbee tournament in Dallas. They both are loving college.

Miracles Happen!

108 years in the making, miracles happen, anything is possible!!!
Too bad Harry Caray wasn't there to experience it.

Busy times

October has whizzed by...

There have been a lot of funerals at church, and in the middle of that a lovely wedding too.  We were involved in almost of them in some way.

Marian had a great fall break, going to Colonial Williamsburg and a Girl Scout camping trip.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous and getting cooler each night.  This weekend is our Fall Festival for church, with both girls and myself entering something into the baking contest.  Marian is making chocolate covered pumpkin fudge pops, Anna is making marbled peanut butter pie, and I am making Boston cream cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Bogdan

Silver Anniversary

Today is our actual anniversary, having made it to 25 years.  We had the big celebration over the weekend and it was a lot of fun.  We renewed our vows and had a blessing during a Mass on Saturday.  All the kids were there, and did the readings and the psalm.  It was followed by a reception in the church hall with lots of yummy food.  We displayed our wedding photos, put out trivia about us, and silver anniversary decorations throughout.  We had out of town guests there to help us celebrate and then we had them over on Sunday night for a catch up session and game and movie night.

The lovely cake created by Cathy Lowden (those flowers are edible and made from sugar!)

Bogdan is taking the day off and we are planning on going to morning Mass, then go to a few art galleries, a walk, and out to dinner.

I leave tomorrow for a women's convention in Indianapolis.

August is almost over!

August is almost over and so much has happened...

• Marian started 8th grade and decided not to do rowing, tried swim team and decided against that, has become the mascot (Ernie the Eagle) for the football/basketball teams, and is working backstage (deck hand) for a play
• Gabriel successfully packed and was delivered to college amidst TONS of rain in the southern part of LA and TX.  He had a great orientation week and has begun college at Rice.  He says he's getting along with his roommate and loves his classes.  
• Anna also moved into ETSU the same weekend that Gabriel went to Rice.  She had a long and grueling band camp week.  Her classes have begun and she likes them so far.  She is being challenged by the stick shift car she inherited from Gabriel.  Some days are better than others, she reports.
• Plans are underway for our 25th wedding anniversary coming up over Labor Day weekend.  Hard to believe it's been that long.  Many friends will be there to celebrate.  

Fiddler on the Roof

Our run of Fiddler is done and it was a lot of rehearsals and work, but overall a lot of fun.  Marian can now say she has done her first musical!

Summer almost over

Despite the date school starts, it always marks the end of summer.  For Marian, school begins on Monday (YES, August 1st) and with that the end of summer for her.  Gabriel and Anna start classes on August 22nd but both have to report on the 13th.  So, summer is nearly over.

Marian is furiously finishing her "Summer Bucket List", today accomplishing getting a henna tattoo and singing the whole soundtrack of Hamilton.  She has memorized it all, but never sung it all at once.  As I type this, she is somewhere in the middle of Act 1.


(Mantra for this summer)

Gabriel is almost done his internship at ORNL.  He is thinking of packing for college, but more furiously trying to finish the work on his motorcycle, he hopes to bring it to college.

Anna is relaxing and looking for an on campus work study job, and also preparing for color guard.

Summer is whizzing by

Gabriel and Klara came back from their beach trip and had a great time.  He is busy working at the lab, will start a summer math class at UT and trying to make his motorcycle work.

Marian is having fun with her summer bucket list items, having accomplished Decades Week, eating at IHOP, going tubing and doing more YouTube challenges.  "Fiddler on the Roof" opens this Friday and we are doing tech and dress rehearsals all week.

Bogdan is visiting his family in Arizona, using some "use it or lose it" vacation time.  Then he is off to a conference in WV for his hobby, radio astronomy.

Words to live by

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, 
that among these are Life, 

Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 

Summer fun

Marian is slowly working on her summer bucket list (version 2) and having fun.  She made a theme dinner this week (all Louisiana food) and did a couple other things.  She sees her biggest task as memorizing the entire "Hamilton" soundtrack.

Gabriel is busy at the Lab and also working occasionally at Aubrey's.  His godparents are visiting on Monday and Tuesday as they have a family vacation in TN and KY.

I've been making some costumes for "Fiddler" but done for now.  I have to start the design work for ORHS Masquers 2016-2017 productions.  Marian and I have also been busy with rehearsals for the show.

Prayer for Orlando

O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain….
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
(originally for victims in 9/11, but very appropriate for these recent tragedies)