This was sent to me by my oldest daughter. While watching it, I got a little bit choked up…teary eyed. The author, who is the woman reading in the video, sums it up so well…being a mother…the amazingly swift way that time passes and our babies are suddenly adults. I would venture to say that probably every one of us was warned (more than once) that our children would be grown before we knew it…we’d blink and they’d be small no longer. Of course, it’s very difficult to believe that when you’re knee deep in laundry and toys and you’re sleep deprived and would give ANYTHING to just have a few moments to yourself.    But it’s SO true.

Anyway…that’s pretty much what this video is about. The author of the book The Gift of an Ordinary Day reads a passage accompanied by music and family photos and beautifully relates the truths that we all recognize….now.  It’s good. It made me wish I’d taken more pictures of my children on ordinary days when they were smaller.  So, I now resolve to start taking more pictures NOW…and movies, too.  And to re-double my thankfulness for ordinary days….

It just occurred to me that those of us who still have our parents with us should be taking pictures of them on ordinary days, too! THESE are the “good ole days” and we’ll cherish the pictures and videos, as will our children….and their children…

God bless!

Manya

When you have about 20 minutes available, watch this…it’s pretty impressive.  I was impressed by how respectful Oprah was (not that she’s usually disrespectful…but it would have been very easy for her to be ‘flip’ in order to get laughs…and she did not do that).  I was also very impressed by how well the nuns (most quite young) spoke for themselves.  Oprah and her assistant (who actually stayed overnight in the convent) asked some very blunt and difficult questions and the sisters didn’t hesitate to answer them…and to answer them well.

I applaud Oprah for this show and the sisters for letting the world into their lives.  This is great stuff!

By the way, if the video below doesn’t play back smoothly, go straight to youtube to watch it (just mouse over the youtube logo and click). There are 4 parts, so you’ll need to go to youtube to see the whole series anyway. (I tried putting them all in this post but it took forever to load that way.) Even at youtube, they didn’t always play smoothly but the audio worked great.

Part 1:

Enjoy!
Manya

I wanted to post a lovely video today that had something to do with love that would make you smile and sigh.  As I was searching youtube for just the right one, I stumbled upon a fact -  a song named Barka was Pope John Paul II’s favorite song!  So, instead, I decided to share that with you as a St. Valentine’s Day “card” not only for you, but for him, too.

Have a wonderful day…filled with love for family, friends and YOU.

Manya

Here’s yet another That Catholic Show…I love this stuff! I’m hoping and praying that they find time to make more. Greg & Jennifer Willits are busy with their Sirius Satellite Radio show – The Catholics Next Door – and they are still running The Rosary Army, too. So, it’s understandable that extra time just isn’t there right now. Oh, and they also have 5 children…who are certainly not last or least! This video is a great reminder for us moms….

God bless and bring you peace,

Manya

P.S.  You can listen to podcasts from The Catholic Next Door over at iTunes!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!! I’m Dutch and German and was brought up celebrating this day. We put our shoes out last night and this morning woke up to find candy and a small gift for each of us (usually a Christmas ornament) and a family DVD to watch together before the sun comes up. I love days like this.

Here is a video that I hope you find as entertaining as I did!

Again, Happy St. Nicholas Day! May St. Nicholas bless you abundantly by bringing your prayers and hopes to God on this, his feast day. Oh, and I just discovered that St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of single women! So do send your prayers to him today.

Manya

This has NOTHING to do with being divorced or Catholic or even a mom…it’s just very cool. I find this completely amazing. Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider are two extremely talented people!

I find this kind of stuff very inspirational…see what can be done with talent and motivation! We each have talents. It’s the motivation that can be difficult to muster.

May God bless and bring you peace.
Manya

The CATECHISM…oh no!!

God bless and bring you peace,
Manya

More good stuff for you and your kids!

God bless and bring you peace,
Manya