A Prayer for All in Trouble

In case the font above is too small to read, here is the text of the prayer below:

Most blessed Virgin, in your life of glory, remember the sorrows of earth. Look with kindness on those who suffer, who struggle against difficulties, who drink unceasingly the bitterness of this life. Have pity on those who love each other and are separated. Have pity on the lonely of heart. Have pity on the weakness of our faith. Have pity on the objects of our affection. Have pity on those who weep, those who pray, those who fear. Obtain for all, hope and peace. Amen.

Five Favorites - My Favorite Mom Bloggers

I was thinking of what to do for my five favorites this week when I realized that I have five mom bloggers that I follow.  I look forward to reading their posts and gleaning some words of wisdom along with some very entertaining stories.  So without further ado... my five favorite mom bloggers

1.

Of course, my number 1 favorite blogger is my mom, Laura over at Homeschooling with Joy.  I admit, before I went away to college for a year and a third I didn't really read it all that much but while I was there it was nice to have a way to keep up on all the things going on at home.  In case you were wondering, the caterpillar on the branch isn't some commentary on the homeschooling life... my mom's just an awesome photographer and rotates the header photo on her blog with the time of the year.

2.

Hallie over at Moxie Wife is another favorite of mine.  I've been following her writing for a good while, starting back when she was still "Betty Beguiles".  I love reading all of her posts, but her ones on marriage are by far my favorites.  She always leaves me with something new to ponder over, or little thoughts to file away for later when I'm married.  She also has had some great thoughts about make up and style, my favorite being "Cultivating a Positive Body Image".  I've certainly needed that advice at times!

3.

Kelly at This Ain't the Lyceum.  I cannot say enough about this woman!  With two young children who have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, I can't imagine how trying life must be sometimes.  Yet she is always so funny and upbeat. (I especially love her "What I Wore Sunday" posts.  Hilarious!)  I always get excited when I go to my blogger newsfeed and see a new post.

4.

You may have read stuff by Simcha Fisher from her blogger column over at the National Catholic Register.  Now you can follow her blog over at Patheos.  Simcha blogs about a whole gamut of topics - Catholicism, modesty, family, marriage, world/national topics.  She's not afraid to give her opinion and if you don't like it, well that's nice and have a good day.   I don't always agree with her, but I always get a kick out of her snarky way of writing.  

5.

Last but not least is Anne (spelled with an "e"!) at the Modern Mrs. Darcy.  I just discovered her lovely blog the other day... honestly, I don't know if I even remember how I came across it!  I am so very glad that I did, and I have been enjoying reading her new posts as well as going back into the archives to read some old ones.  (Such as this wonderful "Life Lessons from Green Gables" series).  I'm looking forward to reading more from Anne!

And that is that, my dear readers!  I do hope you will check out these lovely women's blogs for yourself, and once you are finished with that... head on over to MoxieWife (Ha, see! you have no excuse not to visit her!) for more Five Favorites!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

My mom likes to roll her eyes at me and exclaim "I always forget... you look like me, but you are just like your father!"  There have been more than a few parties where some of the more extroverted members of the family will come up to us and say "Gosh, you look like you are having a terrible time!" when all we are doing is taking a step back and observing, rather than participating.  There are a lot of people who think my dad is super intimidating... which I suppose I can understand since he's 6'4", he's not afraid to give his opinion and when he sees a group of little kids doing things they shouldn't you'd better believe he's going to let him know that.  If you ask me or my siblings though, we'd say he goofs off too much and makes us laugh too often to be intimidating.  (Although based on his expression in the above picture, I'm not sure my Knight would agree with me! ;-) )

So what if I'm biased, I think I have the best dad in the whole world.  

Happy Father's Day Daddy!  I love you.

Twitterature - June 2013

Dear friends, I have discovered a new link up!  This one is a monthly book review link-up over at the Modern Mrs. Darcy's blog.  The short and sweet is that you write short, casual reviews of the books you've been reading lately.  

The Dorothy Martin Mysteries by Jeanne M. Dams

Middle aged American widow relocated to England.  She solves mysteries, marries the chief constable and wears awesome hats. #greatread #thinkAgathaChristie

The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly

The great-great-granddaughter of Jo March, who discovers her grandmother's letters in the attic.  Cute story, though the characters felt a bit forced at times. #goodifyoudon'thaveanythingelse

The Wedding Dress by Virginia Ellis

Set in post-Civil War, three sisters are living together.  The two oldest are widows and the youngest wants to marry.  They start making a wedding dress in the hopes a groom will someday arrive. #anothercutestory #alittleslow

The World's First Love by Fulton J Sheen

Stop everything and go and buy this book.  Beautiful writings about the Blessed Mother in a way that is so profound, and yet easy to comprehend.  #absolutelybeautiful #alsoapparentlythetitleofagayanime #don'tgoogleimagesearchwiththistitle

For more awesome Tweet length book reviews head on over to the Modern Mrs. Darcy!

Five Favorites: A little bit of everything

1.

First off... the words Wisconsin, two weeks and airplanes.  Because it reminds me that in two weeks an airplane will be bringing me my Knight and he and my family and my grandparents and I will be heading up to the north woods of Wisconsin on vacation!

[insert vacationy photo here]

2.

Thrift stores.  They can be really super frustrating, though they have gotten better since I have accepted the pant size I actually am and stopped trying to fit into the size I thought I should be.  You can usually find some good things there (heck, over half my wardrobe is from thrift stores), and every once in a while you find a real gem.

Like this Ann Taylor pantsuit in perfect condition for only $9. 

3.

Or this beautiful sundress that I plan on pairing with either a white, brown or blue shrug.  Photoshoot will be forthcoming!

4.

On one of my trips to the library I discovered a delightful new series of murder mysteries entitled The Dorothy Martin Mysteries.  The descriptions sounded interesting, and really... when a book is described as a "modern Agatha Christie", how can you go wrong?  The mysteries follow the adventures of a middle aged American widow relocated in a small English town.  They are very charming and - as another review pointed out -  "G rated!", so you can enjoy them and share with younger siblings.

Book #3... about a dollhouse collector

5.

I heard this song, oh, back around the time The Voyage of the Dawn Treader came out because, as I found out, this was the first song Carrie wrote for the end credits.  (Replaced by "There's a Place for Us".)  I really connected with it after I started dating my Knight, and it's usually the first song I find myself going and listening to when our visits come to an end.  I just watched the music video and... it made me cry.  I had never connected it with military families before, but it's perfect.