December 2003 Archives

My sister Elena in Washington DC sent me this email. I had a good laugh! Hope you do to!

Subject: Catholic Dictionary

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.
BULLETIN: Your receipt for attending Mass.
CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the congregation to lip-sync.
HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.
HYMN: A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range.
RECESSIONAL HYMN: The last song at Mass, often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.
INCENSE: Holy Smoke!
JESUITS: An order of priests known for their ability to found colleges with good basketball teams.
JONAH: The original "Jaws" story.
JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.
KYRIE ELIEISON: The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize besides gyros and baklava.
MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.
MANGER: (1). Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered by an HMO. (2). The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.
PEW: A medieval torture device still found in Catholic Churches.
PROCESSION: The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass consisting
of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats.
RECESSIONAL: The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass - led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.
RELICS: People who have been oing to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.
TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.
USHERS: The only people in the parish who don't know the seating capacity of a pew.

Hahaha! Take care & keep praying, b.

Man, I love visiting my family for these week-long trips but I hate all the packing and unpacking. Brian can always manage to put all his stuff in one small suitcase and Bella and I have loads of bags of things we "need" to take with us! I tell you if God answers our prayers for another child soon we'd better add "and a mini-van" to the prayer because I don't know how I'm going to fit another human being in our car on these 400 miles long trips! But I guess that's another story.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, really touching. (Except for the fact that my sister Elena was missing - sniff, sniff. But we'll ALL be together during our Christmas visit. :)

Oh my gosh, then the day after thanksgiving we girls hit the malls for all those insane bargains you'll get if you arrive at 3am and stand on your head while reciting "Twas the Night before Christmas" in Spanish. I refused to stand on my head but I did manage to get $100 worth of savings before making morning Mass. But that's not the story I'm meaning to tell...

At the end of the day my two sisters and I were tired and hungry. We stopped at a fast food place to grab a quick bite for the drive home (which would take an hour). We're sitting in the parking lot passing out the food and straws when a cop circles around my sister's truck. My sister jokingly says, "Hey, that cop thinks we're suspicious; he's checking us out." I told my other sister to hold up her pepsi so he can see we're just eating. They laugh until the cop parks behind us and gets out of the car. He walks slowly over to us and shines his flashlight into the backseat where I was sitting. It was not yet dusk but the windows are tinted. He asked where we were headed. My sister told him but he just looks suspiciously at us. I also noticed that he also looked a little nervous so I told him, "We've been shopping all day and we just stopped to eat our dinner, officer." Obviously he has nothing to worry about unless we decide to attack him with the pair of pajamas and slippers I got on sale.

Well, in the meantime, we hadn't noticed that there was a whole gang of policemen driving up and surrounding our car. We were blocked in making it impossible for us to "escape". Finally the cop realized that we were not dangerous. (I should have offered him one of our tacos). He apologized and explained that someone just called in that there was a silver truck (same as ours) with some guys and a girl (so now I look like a guy?) and they had a gun. (Okay, no wonder he looked a little freaked.) My sister then let him know that we had just seen that truck and the kids he was talking about. They took off when we entered the parking lot a few minutes ago. The cop thanked us and he and all his buddies removed their cars so we could leave in peace. (Thanks be to God. )

When we got home and told our family the story my mom just shook her head and half-jokingly said, "You see what happens when you take Bobbi with you. She always has a way of being involved in some kind of escyndalo!"

Hmmm, I prefer to think of it as more like adding a little spice to life. haha!

I was browsing the phatmass phorum and I found a beautiful Prayer For Seeking A Marriage Mate. I'm posting it here for my single friends:

"Lord, You said that it is not good for us to be alone. You made us for each other. But Lord, I find it so hard to find that mate who would be a good spouse. Help me, Lord, to put this yearning for marriage in its proper place. Lead me, Lord, to the one whom You choose for my spouse. While I wait for You to reveal Your Will in this matter, help me to know myself better. Help me to address those areas of my life which are disordered and which would interfere with my having a successful marriage. When my desire to find a spouse becomes all consuming, help me to relax and practice patience. Help me to invest in wholesome friendships which bring me closer to You and which will assist me in making such an important decision. It is so natural, Lord, to seek love. Teach me to seek You first and to learn to give love before I try to receive it. Help me to remember that whatever journey this life leads me on, You are always present, always offering companionship, and always filling my deepest need. I offer You, Lord, my loneliness and my longing for marriage. I wait for You to lead me to Your perfect Will for me in this and all things. Amen."

For those of you who prefer shorter prayers, this one was suggested on the phorum:

"Dear Saint Anne, Send Me A Man..."

In the 9/26/03 com box I received a long comment from Maria in Mass. Since I also received another email asking about Ave Maria Singles and previously someone else asked me about Lord of the Rings, I decided to post my answer in the blog instead of the comment box to make things easier.

You are getting me interested in "Lord Of The Rings". I never read any of the books or saw the movies. Do these books and movies have some kind of Catholic influence?

JR Tolkien, the author of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, was a Catholic. The story may not be "Catholic" in name but it contains many beautiful "Catholic" lessons. I find it incredibly uplifting, although it is rather dark at times. My worldview sees Catholics as fighting a battle for God. (Hence the name "revolution of love.") So the battle of good vs evil in LOTR is more than just a story to me; it is something I can apply to my own life. There are also more subtle images that will evoke thoughts of Catholic elements such as the Sacraments.

I would highly recommend you reading the books! If you are the type that likes to read first before watching the movie, do that. (I saw the LOTR and TT first then read the trilogy before I see ROTK.) If you are not that motivated to actually read the book you should at least watch the first movie Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings. It is so beautiful. (If you rent it, get the extended version with extra footage.) More than likely you will get so into it you'll want to read and see the rest! Do watch it and let me know what you think!

I do not have anyone my age around here who are Catholic....and my church does NOT have a singles group...yet...I am working on encouraging our Pastor on forming one though.

The last time we approached our pastor about starting a Young Adults group in our church, he agreed if we were the ones to put it together. It is easy to tell the pastor, "You should do this..." but it is another thing to say, "I would like to do this for you...". Perhaps you should offer to start and run the group? (But only after prayer and discernment that it is what God wants.) If you do this and the pastor still says no, then you'll have to brainstorm something else! But, yes, I do wish we were all closer to each other! I long to be able to see you (and the others around here) face to face instead of email to email!

Can you believe nobody has written me yet from Ave Maria Singles? I just updated my profile again...I need to just trust God on this and keep praying...please keep me in your prayers!!

As far as AMS goes, hang in there! I know how hard it is! Although I am married now I still keenly remember how hard it was to wait and be patient for my future husband! Personally, I would not wait for a guy to write you. (I didn't and look where it got me! haha!) Don't forget there are hundreds of other girls on there and it is quite normal for girls who "won't write first" to not receive any messages. (And some are very pretty, intelligent and faithful!) It's just the nature of the situation. There are so many people on there! Look through the guys profiles. See who has common interests and a strong faith. Don't worry so much about his pic. (Some guys take terrible photos and others that are "not so handsome" become extremely attractive to you once you get to know them. In the end you will fall in love with his "soul", not his face!

With that said, however, don't feel bad if you write a guy and he says he is not interested. Don't take it personally! And when you do begin corresponding just take it slow and really get to know the person. Don't get emotionally involved until you discern that it's what God desires. (That will save a lot of heart ache when friendships do not develop into something more!) In the end, whether online or in person, you'll find him! In the meantime, continue to develop your relationship with God, keep busy serving Him, and pray for your future husband, particularly entrusting your future marriage and children to Our Lady.

Okay I think I've stood on this soapbox long enough! I hope that helps. And do know that you (and all those looking for a holy spouse) are in my prayers. Don't worry. I'm the poster child for "Yes, it can happen to you!" In the end it will be worth the wait! Trust me!

Love and prayers to you, my friend.
Bobbi

It was just two years ago this day that our sweet Bella entered the world. I remember it as if it were yesterday! I'm posting here an excerpt from my Pregnancy Journal where I wrote about Bella's birth.

On the Thursday before you were born I began noticing more practice contractions than usual. They continued into Friday but were brief and sporadic. I remember shopping at Costco and stopping for a moment to feel a contraction. But I continued my day and waited for your Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Rob to come from So Cal. I was so happy when they arrived and chatted with them while I cooked dinner. At this point the contractions were getting stronger and my back was feeling it more but they were still sporadic so I thought nothing of them.

That evening after dinner we drove over to your Grandma and Grandpa to Oma and Opa's house where they would be staying for the weekend. Oma showed me the rooms that had been decorated for the baby shower the next morning. Everything looked so pretty! However, the pains were getting stronger and I had to sit so I told daddy that I'd better go home and get some rest. I was very tired that night, although every once in awhile a contraction would wake me. I was a bit worried but since they weren't close enough to call the doctor (I thought) that I tried to sleep them off. By early morning the contractions were getting stronger and Daddy was getting worried and wanted to call the doctor. I agreed.

While your Daddy got out of bed, a big contraction hit me and my water broke. Now I was scared because I knew that meant that I was going into labor NOW. Daddy came over and comforted me and told me not to worry. He called the doctor while I went into the bathroom to get dressed. Your Uncle Rob, who was asleep in the front room, woke up and grabbed my bags and put them in the car. However, getting out the door was almost impossible because the contractions were very intense and coming every 2 - 3 minutes. When a contraction came I had to stop and hold onto something and breathe though it. I could feel you in me pressing down and then slightly rising back up once the contraction was over. I tried to quickly hobble out the door and down the apartment stairs before the next one came. I just barely made it!

Thankfully the hospital was only minutes away and I was there quickly. Uncle Rob and Daddy walked me to the birthing center section although I had to stop once on my way to get though another contraction. Daddy and Uncle Rob rubbed my back and told me that I was doing a good job. That gave me the strength to hurry to the admittance desk.

After a few minutes I was finally in my hospital gown lying down on the birthing bed. The nurse was trying to ask me questions but I had a hard time talking since I was breathing through a contraction. She then noticed that I was leaking a lot of water so she checked me to see how I was doing. She was surprised to find that I was already 10 cm dilated - but not as surprised as I was! She quickly called in Dr. V who checked me and said that you were ready to come out now. The nurses and the room had not been ready for this stage of birth so they ran around like crazy putting on their gowns, getting their tools and preparing the room.

I watched them all in shock - this was it. I was anticipating long hours of labor in a hospital using all the labor tools we packed in our bags and here I was, ready to push. My head was full of so many emotions and I would have been really scared if it hadn't been for your Daddy. He was so loving and supportive; his encouragement helped me to focus and stay calm.

Dr. V took care of the last minute details to get my body ready then he had me push down as hard as I could. I did 2 or 3 times before he announced that he could see the head. Daddy could see you coming out and he just kept saying, "ohmygosh, ohmygosh" then with one more strong push, out you came! Dr. V said, "It's a girl!" I couldn't believe it! I had just given birth to a baby girl! From the ultrasound we saw before you were born, the doctor guessed that you were a boy. We assumed we were having a boy, although whenever I prayed for you I automatically said "she" not "he". I guess my heart knew deep down that the little one inside me was my precious little daughter! I was so happy!

After the doctor cleaned your mouth out and heard you cry, they immediately checked you over at a little side table. Since you were born a month early you were still rather small weighing only 3 lb. 12 oz and 17" long. Although small, the doctor said you are healthy and feisty. (Daddy says that you're feisty because you're a warrior for Christ, born on the feast of the Archangels!) However, you had to be taken right away to the nursery to be placed in an incubator so you could be given the special care you needed.

Meanwhile Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Rob and Opa were waiting outside for the great news. Although you arrived early it was a great blessing that you came while Grandma and Grandpa were in town! By the blessing of God, I was able to have my mom and dad with me at this most special time of my life...the birth of my beautiful and precious girl, my little Isabella. I love you, my sweet little one!

The day of your birth, little one, filled everyone with excitement and joy. (I'm still in shock!) All your Grandparents were overjoyed and Uncle Rob called the family at home and they cheered and thanked God. Meanwhile Oma was greeting all the guests for the baby shower telling them that the "guest of honor" was detained and the party was now a birthday celebration! Haha!

After the birth I showered and cleaned up and was eager to hold you for the first time. You are so tiny, my little one, but already so beautiful! Although Daddy and I can't have you in the room with us I am able to nurse you and we are spending every minute we can with you while you get better in your incubator. I have asked Grandma to stay with me this week while you are in the hospital. She was so pleased that I asked because she wants to be here with you and help us out so Daddy and I can spend as much time as we can with you. I will do all I can not to leave you, my little Isabella. I love you!

My little peanut is still small and feisty and she still fills my heart with love and joy. Happy 2nd Birthday, Bella, my sweet little one!

Yesterday I thought I would honor the first day of autumn by baking some wonderful smelling cookies! It was such a Martha Stewart moment....Okay, truth be known I had some disgustingly black bananas that had to be used ASAP and I was tired of banana bread. So I found a basic recipe for banana oatmeal cookies at cooks.com and changed it a bit to fit the ingredients I had in the kitchen. The cinnamon and nutmeg smelled so good as they were baking and it was a great change of pace from regular ol' banana bread. (Needless to say, they were a big hit with Brian and Bella!)The cookies were pretty moist (my favorite type) although I would like to experiment with making them crunchier. In the meantime, try them yourself and let me know your own variation!

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 c. butter, margarine shortening
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 c. banana (about 2-3)
1 1/2 c. flour
1 3/4 c. quick oatmeal
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 - 1 c. raisons (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugars. Add egg. Add banana. Mix well. In separate bowl mix dry ingredients. Mix well. Add the two mixtures together. Add raisons. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. (This is a soft cookie so bake a little longer for a crunchier cookie.) Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Happy baking! b.

A lot has been going on lately so I need something lighthearted to post today. It's been awhile since I've done the friday five so its a perfect morning diversion. I also found it funny that the topic was about names and today's the feast of Mary's name! Very appropriate.

1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed? My first and middle name - Bobbi Ann - are the same but the last name changed 3 1/2 years ago.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be? Four years ago I was fervently praying that my last name would be changed and God answered my prayers! haha! The rest of my name I'd like although I prefer Ann spelled with an "e" (Anne).

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?) The first born of our family, whether male or female, was to be named after my dad Robert, known as Bob. Hence came my name "Bobbi". My parents weren't practicing Catholics then but they did think I should have at least a saint's name along with my first so they combined it to "Bobbi Ann".

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why? I am so glad I was not named Roberta. For some reason I just don't like that name (on me). My daughter took a name I've always loved -Isabella.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com accurate? How or how isn't it? Is this like a horoscope things? I hope not. Well, I'm not into these general analysis but for the sake of the fun I'll let you know what they said and make my comments:

Your first name of Bobbi has given you a responsible, expressive, inspirational, and friendly personality. (My responsibility came from being the oldest of 9 children. I am expressive. I hope to be inspirational, even if its "don't let this happen to you" at times. I think I'm pretty friendly, as long as you're not bugging me at the moment.)

Expression comes naturally to you and you are rarely at a loss for words (I never have the words at the instant. I am not good at spur of the moment debates. I need to think and ponder. I express myself best in the written word.).

In fact, you have to put forth effort at times to curb an over-active tongue. (It depends on who I am with. I'm sure Brian would sometimes appreciate a little less chatter form me.)

Self-confidence has made it easy for you to meet people and you are well-liked for your spontaneous, happy ways. (I never really thought of myself that way but the other day someone told me that this is just what they thought of me. It was nice to hear. I hope I can be that way.)

You sincerely like people (true) and do not often experience loneliness (except when I'm tired of deciphering Bella's toddlerese and desire some adult conversation.) ; your work and home-life are likely filled with association. (Yes)

You enjoy music (true) and could have a fine singing voice (Define "fine" or define "voice" for that matter!) however, the study could be somewhat difficult because you do not find it easy to apply yourself to concentrated study for long periods. (Hmm...I'd probably agree more than disagree.)

In this respect, this name is not altogether constructive (Gee, thanks.).

It creates a somewhat scattering (Scattering?) influence which makes it difficult for you to finish what you start. (I thought that was laziness. Well, I'm not to blame! I am just a victim to my name!)

This name brings disappointments and emotional involvements through being too sympathetic and easily influenced. (hahaha! Okay I couldn't even get through the last line without laughing. Whatever. Personally, I like my name and if there have been any misdeeds in my behavior I take full responsibility. I place no blame on my parents for not naming me the much more respectable "Roberta".)

Well, that was good for a laugh. Have a blessed weekend! Keep praying, bobbi.

When I was younger I used to always wonder why people would ask "Where were you when Kennedy died?" I didn't get what the big deal was. Now when someone asks me "Where were you on 9/11?" I understand perfectly what they were talking about. On 9/11 I was no where near NY. I was living in Pacific Grove, CA with Brian. I was almost 8 months pregnant with Bella. I woke up to kiss Brian goodbye for work and he told me I had better check the news because he saw online that there was news of a terrorist attack.

When I turned on the TV, I first thought a single terrorist flew his own plane into the Twin Towers. Then a realized a regular commercial flight with innocent people on board were made into human bombs. And not just one flight - many of them. I kept thinking that the Twin Tower workers probably never saw it coming but the people on the plane were aware and watching it unfold. I was dumbstruck until all I could do was sob. (Even now its hard to hold back the tears when I think about it.) I don't think I ever got off the couch that day as I watched and cried. Brian came home and eventually made me turn off the TV so I'd stop thinking about it.

I remember at one point someone told me that it was a shame that I was bringing a baby into a world such as this. For a moment I thought she was right but as I came to my senses I thought - no! This child of mine is a sign of hope! It is a breathe of joy and peace in the midst of evil and darkness.

Two weeks later Bella was born a month premature. (I always wondered if my stress at that time had something to do with it.) Weighing only 3lb, 12 oz she was tiny but had a feisty, fighting spirit and came out fine. My beautiful little Isabella Rose Marie. She was my proof that no matter how troubling things may look or how small and insignificant we may feel, with God, you can find a purpose, a means, and always hope.

Hello, All. I am back from our trip a little earlier than expected. We were in great need of a little cooling fog! Actually we had a wonderful time. Brian said that this was one of his most enjoyable trips and it was. I get such a recharge seeing my family, although leaving them behind again is always tough. But I am thankful we live relatively close. Heck, what's a 7 hour drive these days? And Bella is getting to be such a trooper in the car.

I am so proud of her! It is also nice to be back home. No matter where you go and how much you have it is always a wonderful feeling to return to your home and simple life. (Well, "simple" in theory, at least.)

I've been reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I just finished The Two Towers last night. I want to finish it all before I see the final movie. It was almost 1am but I could not put the book down until I finished it! (If you hate movie ending-spoilers, skip to the next paragraph!) I was heartbroken when Sam thought Frodo was killed by Shelob. I couldn't believe that he would die that way! There was no way that stinkin Shelob was going to end it all like that! But the tragic ending was filled with hope that all is not yet lost and Frodo could still be saved! Man, I can't wait for Bella to go to sleep tonight so I can catch a few more pages! There's nothing like reading an incredible story for the first time and not really knowing how things will turn out.

It's funny but watching LOTR and TT has been incredibly uplifting for me lately. The way society is going with so much evil and sin around that it sometimes feels like we are helpless and hopeless. It's as if there's a huge dam with a growing crack and we're trying to repair it with a band aid. You know it's only a matter of time until the dam breaks and you'll be swept away in a tide of water.

Yet when I see Frodo, Sam and the company working for a common, almost-impossible, goal and fighting a larger-than-life evil, I see us. God has placed a task in our hands (loving Him above all else and joining Him in heaven with as many people as we can help bring along with us) and in the meantime there is a powerful enemy hell-bent on making us fail. And just as Sam and Frodo had friends and gifts that helped them on the dangerous journey, we have the Sacraments and the Church to guide us and give us the strength we need to carry on and fight until the end of our days. It's something I have to remind myself often. We're in this together! love, b.

Good morning. It seems that the days I come around to post are on Tues & Fri. There's no possible way I can post daily (I don't know how you other moms do it!) so I figure twice a week is sufficient.

The other night I taped the movie THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE that was on A&E. I absolutely love all those literary classics (particularly anything Austen) and I hadn't read the novel by Thomas Hardy. It starred one of my favorite actors Ciaran Hinds (of Persuasion, Ivanhoe and Jane Erye fame.) Two of the actresses (I don't know their name off hand) were in other movies - one was Jane Fairfax in the hollywood Emma and the other was the young Jewish girl from Daniel Deronda. (That was also a good movie - I just got the DVD of it.)

Anyway, I watched the movie with Brian and man, if you're the type that needs a happy ending don't watch it! It has a lot of twists and turns and people from one scene will later tie into people from another scene, sort of Dickens style (Our Mutual Friend come to mind.) The movie felt a bit choppy at times but that could have been because of the stupid commercials. I'll know better when I watch the DVD. So although it was sad it was still enjoyable to watch and moral lessons could be gained. Besides sometimes you just need a hankie moment to have a good cry!

If you want to watch the movie it's playing again tonight on A&E. And if you liked to buy the movie there's a special through A&E, the DVD and the book for $29. And for those who've asked, yes I'll make a list of my favorite literary adaptions to post on RoL. I'll let you know when it's up. Have a great weekend guys! keep praying, b.

the friday five
1. When was the last time you laughed? Last night with Brian. It doesn't take much to get me laughing.

2. Who was the last person you had an argument with? Myself. Sometimes I am just sooo exasperating.

3. Who was the last person you emailed? My sister Bridgette.

4. When was the last time you bathed? About an hour ago. (I assume showers count. Actual sit-in-the-tub bathing?...who knows. A little thing called reality prevents that.

5. What was the last thing you ate? The last bite of Bella's banana that she was about to throw on the floor. (No, I wouldn't have eaten it if it actually hit the floor.)

First day of August? Incredible! The summer will be over before you know it! Although the way the weather has been lately, I think we're going to have an early autumn. I'm keeping this post short since I've got a lot to do around the house. But here's one question for you moms of toddlers out there - how do you keep your kids from climbing the furniture? Bella is climbing everything - from chairs to the kitchen table. It's gotten to the point where I have tipped all the kitchen chairs over so she can't use then as ladders but this is so inconvenient (not to mention sloppy looking). She has her own mini table and chairs but lately she's been using those as ladders as well. She'll climb anything that will hold her and I don't know what to do! I'd be happy for any advice! Thanks so much. Have a great weekend! love, b.

the friday five

1. What time do you wake up on weekday mornings?If I went to bed by midnight, 7am. If up later, then by 8am. (I'm a night owl and it's hard for me to get to bed early.)

2. Do you sleep in on the weekends? How late? On Saturday I'll sleep in until 8:30 unless we have an early outing planned. Sundays I wake up earlier to go to 8am Mass.

3. Aside from waking up, what is the first thing you do in the morning?Say my morning prayers.

4. How long does it take to get ready for your day?About half an hour to an hour (depending if I showered the night before or not.)

5. When possible, what is your favorite place to go for breakfast? A little cafe in Carmel called Em Le's. They have the most delicious breakfasts there! We used to go there all the time but we go less frequently with Bella, although she's getting better and better at restaurants! Hey, if the locals can bring their dogs I can certainly bring my baby!

1. How are you planning to spend the summer [winter]? We leave next week for a trip to So Cal. The rest of the summer we'll be here. Since we live in a tourist town it gets hectic so we like to go to the out of the way places or walk downtown in the eve when all the shops are closed. I hope to enjoy the beach more. We went last weekend and it was so beautiful. It's warm enough to wear shorts but the water's too cold for swimming so no bikinis in sight (except for a few hardcore Europeans not exactly built like models. egads.)

2. What was your first summer job? Hmm...did I have one? I was probably babysitting. I was always babysitting...mostly my many siblings!

3. If you could go anywhere this summer [winter], where would you go? I desperately want to go camping in the redwoods in No. Calif like we used to when I was growing up. I loved camping! However, Brian has never been camping (I cannot imagine my mother in law going anywhere where you couldn't call down to the front desk for something!) So I'm slowly talking Brian into the idea. Next year he gets an extra week of vacation so I'm hoping we can do it!

4. What was your worst vacation ever? One doesn't come to mind...perhaps when I was a kid I used to get car sick on curvy roads. Even today I can't read in the car or move around while its moving. If Bella is really fussing in the backseat Brian needs to let me drive and he sit back there with her. I get a headache reading the map and he could write a novel in the car without the slightest bother. Go figure.

5. What was your best vacation ever?I would say the time my whole family (all 11 of us) went camping across country with nothing more than a 11 passenger van and a huge 3 bedroom tent that slept 12. It was hilarious. Man, I really should write all these memories down before they fade away! Now I am looking forward to making new vacation memories with Brian and Bella!

I always wondered how Pansy and Peony of Two Sleepy Mommies blog got their Hobbit names and today I finally found out. Not only that, I'm happy to see that I am of Hobbit heritage myself! My full hobbit name is Rosie Sackville-Baggins, my husband is Todo Sackville- Baggins and our daughter is Belladonna. Too cool!

Well, my Belladonna wants lunch so I better go! Have a beautiful day! Love, b. (AKA. Rosie!)

I better get going though, my time is almost up. I only have 5 minutes left to bring you the Friday Five.

the friday five

1. How many times have you truly been in love?Only once to the man I married. The previous were infatuations - something I didn't realize until I tasted true love.

2. What was/is so great about the person you love(d) the most?That I know with all my heart that he is the one meant for me - an answer to many, many prayers. There was always a "hole" in my heart as I prayed for my future spouse but after meeting Brian it became a "whole". He is God-loving, spiritually strong, tenderhearted, funny and handsome to boot. What more could I want?

3. What qualities should a significant other have?I believe the most important quality is that he/she should be a prayerful man/woman of God who lives his/her faith each day. Right there you eliminate some major vices/problems. You should have some things in common and be best friends with them. Although you need some kind of "chemistry", looks are subjective and when you fall in love they become very attractive in your eyes.

4. Have you ever broken someone's heart?Um, I think I'd have to say yes. In my BC (before Christ) days, I drove one guy to the bottle and another became a crazed ex (complete with stalking and vandalizing my car.) Man, does that seem like a lifetime ago! Thank God for his mercy.

5. If there was one thing you could teach people about love, what would it be?That love does not equal emotion/feelings nor sex. Love is a decision and you can still love even when you don't "feel" it. Love should draw you closer to God and two people in love should be working together towards heaven and eternity with God. Love is also the cross, it takes sacrifice and self-giving to work, but the payoff is a "glorious resurrection" in that, mutual love is the closest happiness we will ever experience this side of heaven.

I was browsing Two Sleepy Mommies blog and Pansy had an interesting commentary on Zoe Romanov's blog about Modesty in dress. The topic of swimwear was discussed and how some kids aren't allowed to swim at all because of lack of modest swimwear. I was thinking about this last week when I had to buy a bathing suit for Bella. I was disgusted. I went to the Kids r Us store and was offended by some of them that seemed more suitable for a Vegas showgirl. However I did find one that was decent looking that even came with a little bathing skirt to attach to it.

However, I think Pansy's little girl was older and didn't fit into her old modest suit. She was looking for non"Laura Ingalls" suits and posted a link for Wholesome Wear Suits and she said she like the convenience of them (kids jumping in and out of the pool/lake/ocean) as well as the modesty of them.

Personally, I don't think I would buy them but I found some decent suits (in my opinion) for girls at Land's End. They have a basic suit for girls (size 4-16) with a tiny built in skirt/ ruffle that is not too low cut or there's a two piece that looks more like a tank top and shorts or you can forgo the bathing suit all together and get a hip looking surfboard suit (although maybe that's more normal here in California)

All this talk reminded me of growing up at both ends of the spectrum. When I was younger my parents were not practicing Catholics so modesty was not much of an issue. After their conversion there was a period of "only skirts" type of thinking. (Something I hated because I despised dresses and loved shorts, band tee's & Converse 24/7). Finally we found a happy medium of modesty without being too "extreme".

I think a lot also has to do with attitude. I know a number of home schooling families and one in particular dressed their girls in prairie skirts/dresses but the girls were really flirtatious and boy crazy. They tried to act "hot" regardless of what they were wearing. On the other hand, I see my younger sister who was homeschooled and who's a sweet wholesome girl in college (public JC). She and her friends dress in today's fashions but they always look modest and wholesome without standing out like a sore thumb. Even beyond their clothes you can see their wholesomeness in their demeanor and attitude. They demand respect because they respect themselves.

It reminds me a lot of the interview I did with chastity speaker Crystalina Padilla a couple months ago. She talked about woman respecting themselves before expecting a man to. Hey, on a side note, did you know that she married Jason Evert of Catholic Answers on Saturday!! What an awesome couple! But I digress. Anyway, those are just some thoughts I had about the topic.

Hey guys. I feel like such a slacker because I haven't been making regular posts but darn it there's just not enough hours in the day! Plus I think you'll agree that some priorities are more important than my rambling here! ha! Well, I have 10 free minutes to ramble before I start packing, so here it goes.

Bon Voyage!

Brian, Bella and I are packing up for a trip tomorrow to Southern California to visit mi familia. (Don't ask me questions in spanish...that's all I know - besides "tacos" and "enchilladas". Yes I'm ashamed.) I can't wait!! Although I am not too keen on leaving the beautiful weather and beaches of Carmel for the dry, hot desert (where most of my family currently lives) it is worth it just to be near them again. I am so close to all of them and it hurts quite a bit not to see them more frequently. But it is a small cross I must bear in exchange for my wonderful husband and daughter whom I couldn't live without. BUT one week I get the best of both worlds since we'll all be together. Woohoo!

But I have to say good bye now since I haven't started packing and we leave in 24 hours. (What? I'm late? Shocking, I know! haha) Packing is always fun. Isn't it? Do you remember that I Love Lucy episode when the Ricardos where going to California? While Ricky and Fred was trying to fit a few suitcases in the trunk, Lucy was piling tons of stuff on the sidewalk to bring as well. That's me, baby! I always have to bring everything but the kitchen sink "just in case". When Brian looks at the pile of suitcases and things piled by the frontdoor he says, "Sweetie, we'll never get all that in the car." I tell him not to worry and let "Fred" take care of it. I'll get it in there! (Although it usually means me sitting in a space tighter than an economy flight on Budget Airlines.) But who cares, we're going! And if on the way we are in need of a rain coat, bath mat or a years supply of fishy crackers, don't worry - I've got you covered!

Say a prayer that we have a safe trip. Talk to you soon. Love, b.

Congratulations to my little sis Elena who is graduating from Christendon College tomorrow! Brian and I are so proud of you, Elena! We're sorry we couldn't be there with you but we look forward to your visit to California next month! Bella also sends kisses to her "auntie nena"!

Time for the friday five:

1. What drinking water do you prefer -- tap, bottle, purifier, etc.? Didn't I just answer this? Bottled.

2. What are your favorite flavor of chips? I used to love fritos and doritos but now I stick to low fat tortilla chips. sigh.

3. Of all the things you can cook, what dish do you like the most? Hmm...I love Mexican and Italian so maybe tacos and spanish rice or else pasta and italian veggies.

4. How do you have your eggs? Scrambled. I can't stand "fried" eggs.

5. Who was the last person who cooked you a meal? How did it turn out? Does dessert count? Brian made me a chocolate cake for Mother's Day and it was sooo good. Well, that's it for now! Have a great weekend. Love, b. :-)

Hello All. It's been a busy morning so I haven't been able to post until now. Today's saint is St. Louis de Montford. Whenever I hear his name I think of my old parish priest and spiritual director Fr. Louis Marx. I met Fr. Marx in my early 20's after my conversion and he was immensely instrumental in my deepening faith and spirituality.

I vividly remember on one New Year's Eve service, I took his advice and made a general confession of all my sins (and there were plenty from when I was far from God.) I was so ashamed I could barely get the words out in the confessional but he was kind, understanding and gave me the hope I needed to live my life anew. His deep faith and incredible reverence during the Mass spoke volumes without saying a word. I recall his counsel when I considered a religious vocation and just as he thought, it was not my vocation. Later he gave private classes to Brian and me as we prepared for our marriage.

t has been a few years since I've talked to Fr. Marx, having moved after I was married, yet he is still so close to my heart. I owe him so much. He has been a true spiritual father to me and I love him like a spiritual daughter. It make me wonder if he knows how much he's touched my life. I think this afternoon I will write him and tell him just that. Let's all say a prayer of thanksgiving for the wonderful priests in our lives that have made our lives richer and faith more alive! That's it for now. Love, b.

Hey guys, I only have a few minutes so I'll keep this short: the Friday Five.


1. What was the last TV show you watched? Last night I watched an old X Files.


2. What was the last thing you complained about and what was the problem? I complained to myself "What the heck am I doing on the computer?! I have to get the house ready for Jen and the kids coming over this afternoon!" But Bella was sleeping, prayers were said, and emails were beckoning so I did this.


3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say? Last night before going to bed I kissed Brian and told him just how wonderful he is and how much I love him.


4. What was the last thing you threw away? (Bella just woke up; gotta cut this short.) Bella's dirty diaper. How can something so small and cute make such a big mess??? One of the wonders of the world.


5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited? Amazon, I ordered some books that I'll tell you about later! Have a great day! Love, b.

When I first heard that they found Laci Peterson's body and the body of her child Conner, I was literally sick to my stomach. Later I remarked to Brian that it's ironic that everyone sees the horror of Scott Peterson killing his 8 month old (in the womb) son but had Laci chosen to have an abortion at 8 months there would be plenty of people willing to escort her to the clinic. So does that mean Baby Conner's life is only worth saving if his mother wants him? The logic is so screwed up I can only pray that people start to get it. Perhaps since NOW is upset, more people will catch on. Daily Record News - Laci Peterson case tied to Roe debate

Welcome! Although Brian and I have our website Revolution of Love.com, we started this blog to have a little outlet where we could post about the smaller everyday happenings of life and our "just for fun" posts. I will probably be the one here the most since out of the two of us, I have the most trivial things to say. ;-)

I'll start things off by participating in my first edition of the infamous Friday Five Yay!

1. What was the first band you saw in concert? Let's see, years back it was a big Rock for Life concert in Orange County, CA. I think that first really got me into Christian alternative/hardcore music. But one of the first concerts I most vividly remember was when I drove to Santa Barbara, CA with my sister BC to see the hardcore band Focused. Oh, those guys were so awesome and so in love with God. They were the first band I ever interviewed (for the underground music zine I used to do.) Ah, such memories!

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now? Okay, you can tell I am a mommy now because at the moment I am listening to "Wags the Dog" by the Wiggles. (It is Bella's Wiggle's hour; that is the only time I am guaranteed some uninterrupted computer time!) But as far as I'm concerned, I have been listening to a lot of Jeremy Camp, Kutless, and Sixpense None the Richer. But I must say that I also loooove 80's alternative music - The Cure, The Smiths, Morrissey, New Order, Psychedelic Furs, etc. Plus, good old classics like Dean Martin (reminds me of our honeymoon. Sigh.)

3. What's your favorite song? This is a tough one. The song that always reminds me of Brian is The Cure's "Lovesong." I never tire of it.

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Um, I always wished I could play the guitar, write my own music and sing my own songs. I may be able to get away with writing lyrics but the only instrument I can play is the Fisher-Price toddler drum set and my voice it not fit for anyplace other than the car while driving or perhaps in church if the choir sings real loud and drowns me out.

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why? Back in my teen days I may have said someone like Morrissey from the Smiths but now I just see musical "icons" as regular joes and can't think of one in particular that I'd single out. So I'll have to think about that one.

Have a great weekend guys! See you Monday. Keep praying, b.