We live five minutes by foot from downtown Occoquan, one of our favorite family jaunts. Occoquan is a cute city (only 800 residents) with a lot of history (with traces back to 1735) and lots of fun shops. With such beautiful weather over the past week, we took a walk to beautiful Occoquan. We walked the docks of the marina (avoiding the green globules left by our friends the geese) and enjoyed simply being outside in the fresh air.
so we can stay connected and remember
Our Family Mission
Devotions to Our Lady, Leading Us to Jesus, Transformed by the Holy Spirit
Contact Us
Cosmoclan4@gmail.com
Are Murder and "Care" Synonymous?
Freedom of Choice?
Only for Today
- Decalogue for Daily Living1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once. 2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself. 3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one. 4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes. 5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul. 6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it. 7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and it my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices. 8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision. 9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world. 10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life. Bl. Pope John XXIII
"It is a poverty that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."~Mother Teresa
Today's Readings
On This Day
Mend a quarrel.
Search out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss a suspicion with trust.
Write a letter to someone who misses you.
Encourage a youth who has lost faith.
Keep a promise.
Forget an old grudge.
Examine your demands on others and vow to reduce them.
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Tell someone who love him.
Tell him again.
And again.
And again.
Search out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss a suspicion with trust.
Write a letter to someone who misses you.
Encourage a youth who has lost faith.
Keep a promise.
Forget an old grudge.
Examine your demands on others and vow to reduce them.
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Tell someone who love him.
Tell him again.
And again.
And again.
Family
Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church. ~Pope John Paul II
Faith
Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Mt.18:3
Time
God waits for us every day in all the immense panorama of work. Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, it is up to each one of you to discover it... Either we learn to find our Lord in ordinary everyday life, or else we shall never find him.
(Conversations with Msgr. Escriva de Balaguer, No. 114)
(Conversations with Msgr. Escriva de Balaguer, No. 114)
Education
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. C.S. Lewis
Relaxation
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. Ovid
We Pray For
- all children
- an increase in respect for the dignity of every human person
- all that we have received
- an increase in faith, humility, and love
- the souls of all the departed, those in our families, among our friends
- fathers throughout the world
- Gram Dolan's soul, especially on her death anniversary: May 15
- Gram Mahler's soul on her death anniversary: June 26
- the unemployed and homeless
- an openness to life and its protection at every moment of its existence
- dating, engaged, married couples
- mothers and fathers around the world
- those suffering physical, spiritual, and emotional anguish
- troubled relationships
- women enduring difficult pregnancies
- women and men lured by the lies of abortion
- all adoptive and foster parents and children
- abandonment to Divine Providence
- for increased compassion and mercy on others and that they in turn would have compassion for and mercy on us
- for the conversion of all of us most in need of God's mercy and love
Maddy and Pita's Hope Chest
- A Continual Feast
- Radio Flyer Steer and Stroll Trike
- Foogo By Thermos
- Twilight Turtle
- Britax Roundabout Carseat
- Bilingual Chubby Board Books
- Chubby Board Books
- Fun toys
- Veggie Tales
- MUZZY, The BBC Language Course for Children
- Soft Baby Books
- Alphabet Cookie Cutters
- Book: Ethics and the National Economy
- World Puzzles
Friendship
"Love expands and breathes in an atmosphere of free giving. We must be able to waste time for another person. We will gain great benefits from that 'waste': it is one of the realities signified by the Gospel words 'He who loses his life for my sake will find it.' " (Mt. 10:39) (Taken from Time for God, p.30)
Prayer Books
The Monk Who Grew in Prayer
Favorite Authors
A Song of Francis (De Paola)
My Mother is So Smart (De Paola)
Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (De Paola)
Strega Nona Meets her Match (De Paola)
The Art Lesson (De Paola)
The Night of Las Posadas (De Paola)
Marianna May and Nursery (De Paola)
The Legend of the Poinsettia (DePaola)
One Morning in Maine (McCloskey)
Make Way for Ducklings (McCloskey)
Lentil (McCloskey)
Blueberries for Sal (McCloskey)
Time of Wonder (McCloskey)
My Mother is So Smart (De Paola)
Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (De Paola)
Strega Nona Meets her Match (De Paola)
The Art Lesson (De Paola)
The Night of Las Posadas (De Paola)
Marianna May and Nursery (De Paola)
The Legend of the Poinsettia (DePaola)
One Morning in Maine (McCloskey)
Make Way for Ducklings (McCloskey)
Lentil (McCloskey)
Blueberries for Sal (McCloskey)
Time of Wonder (McCloskey)
Maddy's Favorite Books
One Morning in Maine
The Night of Las Posadas
BlueBerries for Sal
The Legend of the Poinsettia (DePaola)
The Night of Las Posadas
BlueBerries for Sal
The Legend of the Poinsettia (DePaola)
Pita's Favorite Books
How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight?
The Night of Las Posadas
The Legend of the Pointsettia
Good Night, Moon
The Night of Las Posadas
The Legend of the Pointsettia
Good Night, Moon
Seasons' Book Basket
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors
When Autumn Comes
A Bear for All Seasons
Snowden
Time to Sleep
Earth, Sky, Wet, Dry
When Autumn Comes
A Bear for All Seasons
Snowden
Time to Sleep
Earth, Sky, Wet, Dry
Spring Book Basket
Flower Garden
Rabbits & Raindrops
How My Garden Grew
Mortimer's First Garden
When Spring Comes
Rabbits & Raindrops
How My Garden Grew
Mortimer's First Garden
When Spring Comes
Our Summer Book Basket
My Sister and Me at the Beach
Our Day at the Seashore
Miranda's Beach Day
Beach Day
Senses at the Seashore
To the Beach
Mr. Gumpy's Outing
Stella Star of the Sea
Beach Days
Our Day at the Seashore
Miranda's Beach Day
Beach Day
Senses at the Seashore
To the Beach
Mr. Gumpy's Outing
Stella Star of the Sea
Beach Days
Our Thanksgiving/Fall Book Basket
Our Christmas/Winter Book Basket
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
- Baby Jesus
- Room for a Little One A Christmas Tale
- Silent Night
- The 12 Days of Christmas
- The Polar Express
- The Snow Angel
- You are My Miracle
- Snow on Snow on Snow
- Puffins Climb, Penguins Rhyme
- Gingerbread Friends
- Christmas Around the World
- The Night of Las Posadas
- Paddington's Magical Christmas
- B is for Bethlehem
- A Christmas Story
- The Animals' Christmas Carol
- The Little Drummer Boy
- The Donkey's Christmas Song
- The Hat
- St. Francis and the Christmas Donkey
- Federico and the Magi's Gift
- The Story of Christmas
- Cranberry Christmas
- Blue's 12 Days of Christmas
- How Many Miles to Bethlehem
- A Child is Born
- The Legend of the
Candy Cane - The Legend of the Pointsettia
- Christmas in the Barn
ABC Book Basket
ABeCedarios
Alphabet Mystery (*A Madgey Favorite*)
A Was Once an Apple Pie
Curious George Learns the Alphabet
Alphabet Under Construction
Do Your ABCs Little Brown Bear
Elfabet
A is for Annabelle
Puddle's ABC
John Burmingham's ABC
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z
Alphabet Adventure (*A Madgey Favorite*)
D is for Drums
A Apple Pie
ABC: A Child's Alphabet Book
Discovering Nature's Alphabet
P is for Princess
Alphabet Rescue
So Many Bunnies
Alphabet Mystery (*A Madgey Favorite*)
A Was Once an Apple Pie
Curious George Learns the Alphabet
Alphabet Under Construction
Do Your ABCs Little Brown Bear
Elfabet
A is for Annabelle
Puddle's ABC
John Burmingham's ABC
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z
Alphabet Adventure (*A Madgey Favorite*)
D is for Drums
A Apple Pie
ABC: A Child's Alphabet Book
Discovering Nature's Alphabet
P is for Princess
Alphabet Rescue
So Many Bunnies
Music Book Basket
Lentil
The Song of Francis
The Song of Francis
Going to School Book Basket
- Chrysanthemum
Camping/Outdoors Book Basket
Sally Goes to the Mountain
Lucille Camps In
Kipper's Monster
Mr. Bear's Picnic
Blueberries for Sal
Maisy Goes Camping
Sleep Out
In the Small, Small Pond
Lucille Camps In
Kipper's Monster
Mr. Bear's Picnic
Blueberries for Sal
Maisy Goes Camping
Sleep Out
In the Small, Small Pond
Bug Book Basket
Ladybug, Ladybug
Bug Safari
Bug Safari
Transportation Book Basket
- Trainstop
Counting Book Basket
- So Many Bunnies
- Counting Your Way
- Just One More
- The Three Bears
- Five Little Monkies Sitting in a Tree
- Five Little Monkies
- Brian Wildsmith 1 2 3
target ='_new'>Brian Wildsmith 1,2,3
Clock/Time Book Basket
Hickory Dickory Dock
All In One Hour
Time To...
Around the Clock with Harriet
Telling Time with Big Mama Cat
All In One Hour
Time To...
Around the Clock with Harriet
Telling Time with Big Mama Cat
Shake, Rattle, and Roll Book Basket
- Tumble Bunnies
- Clap Your Hands
- Shake My Sillies Out
Science/Math Book Basket
Animal Book Basket
- The Happy Lion
- Rumble in the Jungle
Worthy Reads
Caleb's Recent Reading
November 2007
Here are some recent notables reads. (I need to do better about updating my list: too many titles fall through the memory cracks.) In no particular order:
- The Death of the Grown-Up - The End of Education - Technopoly - Building a Bridge to the 18th Century - Playing for Pizza - Truth and Tolerance - Dark Materials (a nice commentary)
May 2007
After 4 years of graduate school, reading can lose its luster. Over Easter break, I picked up a couple books from the library only to remember that reading can be thrilling! Since then, I have become addicted. Here are some of my recent reads:
- Strong Father, Strong Daughers: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know - Fear Nothing - Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of New China - Brother Odd - Mirrors of the Unseen - Door to December - The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism - Dawn of Empire
Here are some recent notables reads. (I need to do better about updating my list: too many titles fall through the memory cracks.) In no particular order:
- The Death of the Grown-Up - The End of Education - Technopoly - Building a Bridge to the 18th Century - Playing for Pizza - Truth and Tolerance - Dark Materials (a nice commentary)
May 2007
After 4 years of graduate school, reading can lose its luster. Over Easter break, I picked up a couple books from the library only to remember that reading can be thrilling! Since then, I have become addicted. Here are some of my recent reads:
- Strong Father, Strong Daughers: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know - Fear Nothing - Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of New China - Brother Odd - Mirrors of the Unseen - Door to December - The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism - Dawn of Empire
When I Make Some Quiet Time
I pick up a book. The moments I have to browse a book as Maddy or Pita naps, or our newest beautiful girl nurses, or she rests in my arms, are much-enjoyed. However, my stack of "finished" books looks like a hill compared to Caleb's Himalayan mound. To read through a chapter during lulls (that are purposely made) is an accomplishment. Chapter-by-chapter, they all add up, and they are: The Five Love Languages, Woman Power, The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage, The Attachment Parenting Book, Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood, Vaccines: Are They Really Safe and Effective?, Mother Teresa: In My Own Words, A Charlotte Mason Education, The Four Loves, Full of Grace,
Birth Order Blues, Audrey, St. Therese of Lisieux: The Story of a Soul, A Year With The Saints
Birth Order Blues, Audrey, St. Therese of Lisieux: The Story of a Soul, A Year With The Saints
Good reading to inspire your love for God through the littlest moments in our day
A Few Sites Worth a Browse
- A Baby in God's Time
- A Baby Wanted: The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche
- A Lee in the Woudes
- Blessed Among Men
- Burt's Bees
- C Jane Enjoy It!
- Danielle Bean
- Melissa and Doug
- Mom 4 Life
- Muzzy
- Nie Nie Dialogues
- OneCosmos
- Real Learning
- The Father's Love Letter
- The Vintage Pearl
- Simple Homeschool
- A Holy Experience
- Small Things
Do not worry...
Take care not to meddle in things which do not concern you, nor even allow them to pass through your mind; for perhaps you will not then be able to fulfill your own task.-- St. John of the Cross
St. Therese of Lisieux
Oh, how good a thing and how peaceable it is to be silent of others, nor to believe all that is said, nor easily to report what one has heard!- St. Therese
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To You be honor, glory, and love...
“Put not your trust in princes, in man in whom there is no salvation. When his spirit departs, he returns to his earth, and on that day his plans perish” (Psalm 146:3)