Get Informed. Get Active. Get Real

Each new day brings choices. Some easy subconscious choices, others tumultuous life-altering choices. Our family choices are different than friends, and that’s what makes humanity so great. We’re happy to be the home schooling, cloth diapering, NFP practicing, daily mass going Catholics. Most families choose alternative routes, but we don’t blow out their candles to make ours brighter. Without the fundamental freedom to choose different paths in life, we would suffocate. On a daily basis, each of us can stand up and defend our choices.

With the newest conscience law pending, Catholics are outraged to discover that their freedom to act morally according to their most dear belief system has been violated. Moreover, our hands will forced to succumb to what we see as the most serious violation. We know that Amish, Quakers, and Christian Scientists have exceptions to laws because of their beliefs, and Catholics need them too. For over 2000 years the Catholic Church has chosen to protect life, and there’s no chance we’re stopping now. Even if you’re not Catholic, please realize that this issue opens the door to so many other injustices and attacks on our constitutional rights. Please take the time to sign this petition: www.stophhs.com

Regardless of what our nation’s administration says, I think overall our nation chooses life. We’ve seen it in the recent Casey Anthony case--people across the board value life. We value justice, and will not tolerate murder. What is so startling is that that same poor soul in heaven could have been lawfully murdered in utero with the pop of a couple pills, and not many would have blinked. Because it’s legal, so therefore it must be ok. But it doesn’t have to be.

We all have the obligation to do our part in improving humanity. There are multiple ways the prolife movement needs help. First and most importantly, prayer is needed to change the laws and change the hearts. Aid at every stage of abortion is needed: pre-natal care, safe havens for pregnant mothers, prayer warriors to stand in peace before the abortion clinics, post-abortive care for women and men, and more.

Eli and I have chosen to help educate the pro-life youth, and are trying to change lives. We are blessed to be a part of planning San Antonio’s Get Real pro-life youth conference on March 25th. This year we’re thrilled to be hosting Dr. Janet Smith, an internationally renowned speaker on bioethics and pro-life teachings who has appeared on Fox Morning News, CNN, and EWTN. San Antonio Coalition for Life’s President Amy Vorhees will share what abortion clinics are keeping secret. We’ll be teaching students how to defend life and bring a Get Real pro-life club to their campus.

How can you help? Can you pray for the success of the conference? Could you pass along the conference information to a friend and help spread the word?
We all have different gifts, and we need to use them. Let's start TODAY.

Get Informed. Get Active. Get Real.

In a Quiet Stable in Bethlehem Town

Every year it's our family goal to quietly reflect on the true significance of Christmas during the preparation time of Advent. We have a few traditions to make more of an impact on the children of what a momentous event Christ's birth meant for all of history. Some of the favorite activities we did were so simple, though already Emily asks when we can do them again. For example, a simple countdown paper chain made of purple and pink strips added to our evening Advent prayer time. We have a small advent calendar, light our advent wreath candles, say a prayer, and sing "Oh Come oh Come Emmanuel". The kids get a bell and ring their little hearts out when singing the words REJOICE! They love it. We also have a stocking hung for Jesus in which the kids can give him presents--little love notes or treasures or mommy will write one of their sacrifices down and stuff it inside.

This year we were invited to do something a bit different for Christmas. We drove out to the tiny Texan to attend "Main Street Bethlehem" with a couple family friends. The town sets up a beautiful model of what Bethlehem looked like the day Christ was born. Volunteers from the city (of all different faiths!) dress up and reinact the town. It truly felt as if you walked into a time warp. As we moved through the small town, we saw how the people 2000 years ago lived. There were people in costume gathered around the fire cooking their dinner. Many praying and studying in the synagogue. Kids running around announcing the Messiah had been born. Tax collectors making a scene and dragging people off to jail. Jewlery makers, candle makers, market workers, and even a couple of camels. No one last-minute shopping for presents or stressing about decorations or complaining about visiting inlaws. Although it was packed, the crowd was so peaceful and respectful. They were there to see our the true meaning of Christmas.

There was quite a line. We were freezing and snuggling.
Emily loves her Nana!

We played games and ate popcorn to pass the time. (Leo loves the big boys!)


We finally made it inside to the first room and were taught how to make candles by alternating dipping a long cord into hot wax and water. Such patience and grace these ladies presented!

The townspeople were bursting with excitement that the Messiah had been born.

When we asked this carpenter if he had known Joseph, he replied in a thick Texan accent "y'all just mosey on 'round the corner and take a gander at 'there star." We had a good laugh.

We followed the star, saw the manger, and were blown away. There were thousands of people here, but it was silent. We had found the diamond in the ruff. Jesus, born in muck, next to stinky and loud donkeys, in scratchy hay, was beautiful.

Waiting for St. Nick

Ho Ho Ho

Santa: "Oh, hello little girl. What would you like for Christmas?"
Emily: "A Princess Castle!!!!!!!!!!"
Santa: "Wonderful. And what would you like little boy?"
Leo: "A bird."
Santa: "A book?"
Leo: "No. A red bird."
Santa: "hmmmmm. ok"

Strange kid. He also requested twin birds. This might just be a tricky year for Santa!

Oh Dear, Caught Me Again Mommy

Everything I know I've learned from my sister.