Sandy

We are still without power, so I write to you via the help of our handy, dandy generator. There are three major power mains down on our stretch of road, and it appears the power guys have packed it in for the night. We'll have to figure it out on our own for now. At least tonight there is no battering wind to have me on high alert. My goodness that sounded scary. Having seven sons last night was no fun. Not one of them ( or their father) was able to control the impulse to repeatedly go outside to check the storm. As if it weren't bad enough to listen through the walls, they kept giving me front row seats.

Yesterday Fred and I crammed 48 hours into 6 getting ready for Sandy to hit. This amounted to double time in the classroom including tests ( many tests) just in case we NEEDED to be out of school due to the storm.My kids were exhausted by days end, but just slightly ahead of where they needed to be. In a house with 12 people schedules are everything. Fred prepped the house. If you read my Zombie posts, you will not be surprised that I like to be prepared, so much of the storm supplies were already on hand. Flashlights, battery powered bathroom lights ( as few open flames with little ones as possible ), water, food, first aid, generator- all set. All our laundry was done too. Meals laid out- check. When the wind started to blow though Zoinks! We could hear all around us the crackling and splitting of wood. I was certain when we awoke- if we awoke the house and yard would be torn to shreds. Turns out none of our trees fell.Lots fell around us- all around us. Once we assessed we were all OK, I tried to check in on my family who was battling in NY. Facebook is a godsend during this type of crisis. My sister Angela was able to update me on some family, and my cousin Bob and Margaret had news as well, my sis Jacquie finally checked in tonight and so it appears all are safe. Like us they are still without power, but I am hopeful ours will return tomorrow. I am sad thinking of the damage NY and Jersey will face.

Having seven sons this morning was lots of fun. Each of the boys helped out family, friends, and neighbors with generous hearts. They make me proud on days like today. Sorry this is a bit disjointed. Mostly just wanted to say thanks to you all for your love and prayers! Know we are thinking of you all.

Halloween Fun

My girlfriend Sarah had a Halloween party this evening. My kids were revved up all afternoon thinking about it! I only took a few shots ( after Mary, Sarah and Lo-lo ate a black frosted cupcake ) but they had a blast! And with the storm heading our way, it may be the best they do this year as there seems to be a strong possibility of Halloween being canceled ( and our normal Saints parade).

Storm Help

Frankenstorm is heading our way, so I'd like to offer you  my faith solution to storms. I am pretty certain I have shared this prayer with you before, its called the Ave Maris Stella. It is a powerful prayer invoking The Blessed Virgin's protection, particularly during storms. It has never failed us. My children all know it by heart.(As a side note, just before the first presidential debate I asked all my kids to stop and pray for Gods hand to be with the the candidates and bless Mitt Romney in a powerful way and then I  began the Ave Maris Stella. My kids were all confused but prayed anyway until Fred finally whispered to them, "your Mom thinks this is a differnt type of storm, a political one." I'll let the results of the prayer...ahem... speak for themselves.) In earnest I am concerned about the impact this storm will have on so many. We're going to start praying tonight that its impact will be lessened, and God will protect our country. Join us! 

  Ave Maris Stella

Hail Bright star of Ocean

 Gods own Mother Blessed

Ever sinless Virgin

Gate of Heavenly rest!

Taking that sweet Ave

Which from Gabriel came,

Peace confirm within us

Changing Eva's name.

 Break the captive's fetters ;

 Light on blindness pour ;

 All our ills expelling,

 Every bliss implore.

 Show thyself a Mother ;

May thy word Divine

Born for us thine Infant

Hear our prayer through thine!

 Virgin all excelling

mildest of the mild

freed from guilt preserve us

pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless

make our way secure

 Till we find in Jesus

Joy forevermore.

 Through the highest heaven,

 To the Almighty Three,

 Father, Son, and Spirit, One same glory be.

 Amen.

Costume Fun

The boys have dress-up ballroom tonight. They have been talking about it for weeks. Deciding on costumes, planning the evening. It's fun to watch. Yesterday Andrew headed to Wal- Mart to buy fabric. He didn't sweat over it, or doing any preliminary drawings for his ninja costume, he just bought the material and came home. Last night climbing into bed I thought "he'll never get a costume sewn in one day with so little experience" as I drifted off to sleep.

I was totally wrong. I swear this kid has missed his calling in life to be a tailor. Not only can he manage to cut pieces that actually turn into clothing- it really looks good! Apparently last years jester costume wasn't a fluke, cause he did it again this year.

Matt wanted to go as a box man from Minecraft  and he spent most of the day paint those boxes, but it just didn't look right and he had to fall back onto a zombie costume kind of last minute, thankfully he was in good spirits about it.Peter was a zombie rock-star, while JP was a zombie slayer. Joseph was a camoflaged army man. It's fun for me to see them get so excited.

Good stuff.

Overheard

We've been pulling back further and further on video games around here in the last few months. Some of my wonderful friends are much better about this than I, and I thank you for your continued good example, it has impacted me. Anyhow, this week the kids were on fall break from classes. It was getting a bit chilly around here, and while they did play outside, it wasn't as welcoming. Being cooped up inside was also proving difficult, since the video games were on hold. And then they discovered the closet that holds all the board games! HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT! 

For some reason they honed in on The Game of Life. Its not my first pick - give me world domination in RISK any day- But they were all enjoying it. One afternoon Thomas came in to me slightly downcast. He had been playing with Joe, Matt, and Mike.  I put down my book and said:

Come here buddy, whats wrong?

I don't like that game.

No? Why not?

(Big sigh) Well, every time I go to college I wind up in so much debt! I have nothing but loans and wind up losing everything. Its no fair.

Supressing a laugh,I stopped for a minute to think - then asked:

Well, what could you do differently next time you play?

Oh that's easy, I'm gonna go down a different path.

OK, that might work Tommy! What will you be if you don't go to college?

I'll be an entertainer. They make lots of money and barely have to work!

He then skipped off quietly, contented on his new path. I think I may need to take a second look at that game after-all. Maybe it really does teach you about the game of life.