October Weekend Review

Our October weekends are kind of a blur in my memory.  So here I sit with my calendar beside me and pictures that I snapped to hopefully capture some special moments, for goodness sake!

*The first weekend started off with special guests.  Our nephews, 3 year old twins Eric and Jason, and their big brother, 5 year old Michael came for a visit.  We visited the nearby river for some pebble-throwing, did some pizza-making, and shared our yearly tradition of pumpkin hunting!

*The big guy celebrated a birthday this month and it fell on a weekend.  The two of us went out to dinner and then came back for cake with the kids who were patiently waiting for dessert.

Awesome Dad with his awesome kids. (special thanks to Ann who baked the cake)

*Parade Season in full swing.  Ann's very first parade.  Isn't she cute?

Tommy and Ann

 Some people are at the parades for the goodies, not necessarily to see their siblings perform.

*Soccer Season

This guy.  Boy, is he fun to watch play.  You could even say he's a Hat Trick King.

*Our last parade of the season was yesterday and both our high school and middle school march in it.  My brother, sister in law, and nephew all came to see the kids perform and then came back to our house for dinner.

 They even brought a fun, interactive dessert.  Ghosts in the graveyard.  Make your own tombstone and dig in. Yum! 

 I may or may not have had some for breakfast this morning.

My big brother, Jim.

*We had trick or treating Friday night. (our township does that for some reason). Without boring you with the details, I neglected to get a picture of Matt and Ann dressed in their costumes!!  Maybe I can coerce them into putting them on after school today.
However, the high school kids do dress up for school.  This was our sweet Mary Kate this morning, inspired by Kate Beckinsale from the Pearl Harbor movie.

So, there is some of our happenings this month.  A good one, indeed.

Happy Halloween.

Everyday Happenings

We made it through September with the usual amount of crazy.  Here are some happenings that kept us on our feet.

*Back to school:

  High School

Billy and Mary (11th and 10th grade)

  Middle School

Tommy-7th grade

Ann-6th grade

 Elementary...

Matthew-3rd grade

*Football and parade season for high school band

*Cross Country Season for Billy and Mary

Cute runner and handsome spectator

*Soccer for the little one

*Dorney Park (Thanks Mom and Dad for our day passes!)

*CCD has started.  I'm teaching 1st grade again.

*Pizza making - our new family activity.

Masterpiece central

*Big brother giving haircuts.

*Oh, and this happened.

 I'm very proud of this guy of mine.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Desiderata

On this 17th anniversary of my dear Mother's death, I wanted to share this.

I remember back in my teens when this framed poem made it's way onto the dining room wall.  My Mom talked about how much she liked it.   I remember thinking it was "too wordy" and "over my head."

Time has matured me and now I do understand it's meaning.  It really is beautiful.  I'm going to print a copy and hang it on my dining room wall.  It will not only remind me of how she lived her own life, but I think it will also serve as the silent guidance from her that I've been missing all these years.



Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence. 
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
 
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
 
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
 
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
 
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. 



Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

6/20/98