"Mom! There's White Smoke!"

As it turns out, I didn't need to sign up for PopeAlarm.com (even though they did deliver on their promise of a timely alert).  I had my Teresa running down the stairs excited to share the news! 

I know it is just a simple thing . . . my five-year-old daughter running down the stairs to tell me something she knew we had been waiting for.  But, yet, it was such a beautiful moment that touched my heart.  She knew, in her own little, way that this was a big day for the Church.  She was so genuinely excited to see the white smoke pouring from the chimney.  It brought tears to my eyes--it really did. 

Thank God I decided to do my semi-annual ironing shortly before the Special Report so that the scene could happen as it did. :o)

I fail my children on a regular basis.  I may never read the school lunch menu or always forget about show and tell on Wednesdays or not make Teresa brush her hair when we're at home, (even though I should), but for us, it all comes down to THIS ONE THING--David and I providing a SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR CHILDREN'S CHRISTIAN FAITH.  When any of them show excitement about any aspect of this faith, it is better than anything else in the world for me.  Yes, I may fail my children once or twice in their childhoods, but I hope I never fail them in matters of faith. 

After a looong time of waiting, (and Teresa ultimately deciding cartoons were the way to go), we found out that former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, now Pope Francis, is our new Holy Father.  We once again have a Pope who will lead us, hopefully for many, many years, and, among other things, rebuild this Church as his namesake was entrusted to do.  He will need our prayers as he prays for us.

Habemus Papam!

(We have a Pope!)

 

Yeah, I picked up a little Latin today, too.  It really was a big day. :o)

Ramblings

On any given day, my Facebook news feed will include political statements from friends on topics ranging from health care to gun control.  How is it possible that no one--not one--of these political types have taken a stand on something that is so much more important, which is . . . getting rid of this totally unnecessary invention we call Daylight Savings Time?!?!  I would lead the charge, but I am just too tired and so is my army.  Nothing like jet lag without leaving the farm!  We don't want to eat when it's time to eat, sleep when it's time to sleep, or get up when it's time to get up!

As you may have also caught here or there while watching the news, the first day of the papal conclave is complete and black smoke rose from the chimney, which means no new pope yet!  I signed up for PopeAlarm.com, mostly because their catch line made me smile, "When the smoke goes up, know what's going down."  :o)

As posted on the Ignatius Press website today, "Catholics do not believe that the pope is perfect, or faultless, or sinless, or even necessarily good, holy, wise, or nice. There have certainly been popes who have made foolish mistakes, enacted ruinous policies, or been bona fide scoundrels. There is one thing, however, that no pope has ever done in all history, from Peter to the present day. No pope has ever taught heresy."
--David B. Currie from his book Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic

I have not read his book, but I may in the future.  I also started reading Saints and Sinners, which is a history of Christianity and the Papal Succession by Eamon Duffy.  It's going to take some forgotten brain cells to get through it (I am somewhere around the Emperor Constantine right now), but it will be worth it!

It's exciting when I can see history being made.  Maybe it's because I simply like history and following back to where things began.  Maybe it's because, this time, our children are old enough to follow along somewhat with the process, too.  Mostly, I think, it is because it brings the Catholics of the entire world together, young and old, watching and waiting.  So much of Catholicism for me is about community, whether that being a line of us buying Filet O' Fish sandwiches on Fridays during Lent or feeling a connection to those gathered in St. Peter's Square today! :o)

And, with that, I have a tired toddler on my hands and will soon welcome our boys home from another day of school. 

Time to get back to wife and mommyhood!



 

Points

I recently replaced our old bathroom scale with a digital one.  It was an instant hit, with the kids so excited to weigh themselves.
Today Teresa stepped on and called to me from the bathroom, "Mom!  Come in here and see how many points I got!"
It must be like golf . . . a low number is a good score. :o)

stacking blocks & following the path

Rachel's new hobby is stacking blocks.  I think her record is 4.  Yes, I do believe that girl is a genius.  (And, yes, she is wearing a crown thanks to her big sister.) :o) 

Our days also have included moving along our Lenten path.  Since Teresa is ALWAYS counting the sleeps until something, this printable from catholicicing.com has been great in counting the sleeps until Holy Week and Easter Sunday!

Cooking for the Multitudes & a Recipe

Well, life has certainly picked up a bit! 
Not long ago, I was BORED.  God has such a wonderful sense of humor, doesn't He? 
I thought I had my March figured out.  I knew I had been chosen as a co-chair for the All Saints Confirmation dinner on March 16.  I know my way around a kitchen, I have prepared food for 100 or so people at our school dinner theatres.  Piece. Of. Cake.  Well, guess what?  Our little parish will be hosting up to 200 guests for this dinner!  It is absolutely wonderful to have 11 confirmands and their families to celebrate with them.  But--I'm really trying not to panic now!
My free moments have been spent talking to/texting/emailing my co-chair Kris and making sure we remember everything we need to remember.  David suggested last week that I take my list to the grocery store and have them box all of the ingredients, dinner rolls, etc. to have them ready for me to pick up a day beforehand.  The ladies at Customer Service started at me blankly when I asked if they have that service. 
Then they asked to see my list.
My list included, among great quantities of other things, 100 pounds of grapes.
We will pick up our boxes on March 15. 
It will all go fine, thanks to the ladies who will be helping us, but--WOW!  We are making what is known in the parish as "Funeral Hot Dish."  I think after this meal, it will earn the better title of "Confirmation Hot Dish."  :o)

Before I skedaddle off again, I want to share a soup recipe with you.  I've been a fan of soups this winter and recently found this one in a Quick Cooking cookbook.

Lasagna Soup

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 pkg lasagna Hamburger Helper

5 cups water

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can whole kernel corn, undrained

1 T Parmesan cheese

1 T Italian seasoning

 

Brown beef and onion. Add sauce mix, water, tomatoes, corn and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes.  Add lasagna noodles.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender.  Makes about 10 servings. 

 

I didn't have any whole kernel corn (just "floaty corn" in my pantry), so I didn't add it.  Also, the Italian seasoning wasn't in the recipe, but I thought it needed a little more spice.