I invite you to sign The Manhattan Declaration

The Manhattan Declaration

Theodore's Memorial Video

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Milestones Coming Up....

Tomorrow marks the 1st anniversary of this blog.

But never mind about that.

July 1, 2007 marks our 18th Wedding Anniversary!


And here is a picture from our past, back when she was Herself and I was Annoying. This is 1985, when we were 17 and 21, respectively. Notice the geeky pen in my pocket and my immature behavior. This was the beginning of Herself's many trials, first as friend of Annoying, later as Wifeofdadwithnoisykids.

More pictures to follow on July 1st.

I thank God every day, many times a day, for the blessings I have received married to such a wonderful woman.

Haiku for my wife

I will always run
off the road looking at your
beautiful brown eyes

2005.03.13

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Music Meme

There are two "ME's" in the word MEME.



Anyway, Raulito tagged me for a music meme:



Top 5 Latin Hymns:



Pange Lingua - always reminds me of Fr. Robert Hugh Benson's book Lord of the World

O Salutaris Hostia

O Sanctissima

Schubert's Ave Maria

Regina Caeli

Ubi caritas



Top 5 English Hymns:



Immaculate Mary

The Magnificat - written by Rev. John Schiavone and sung by Sue Ann Pinner

Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above

The king of love my shepherd is

Hark the Herald Angels Sing



For Lenten meditation:



Henryk Gorecki's Symphony 3, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs






Then there is this:

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Book Review: More Bad Things Happening in Boats

The Endurance, stuck in the ice:






Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey

by Alfred Lansing


I first heard about Ernest Shackleton on William Bennett’s talk radio program when he read this famous quote about Shackleton:



"For scientific leadership, give me Scott, for swift and efficient travel give me Amundsen. But when you are in a hopeless situation, when you are seeing no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton. Incomparable in adversity, he was the miracle worker who would save your life against all the odds and long after your number was up. The greatest leader that ever came on God's earth, bar none."


- Sir Raymond Priestley, a member of the 1907-09 Nimrod Expedition.


I chose to read about Shackleton because the world needs heroes of every kind and in every land – especially in the Church – and any man who inspires such praise may teach one something. Shackleton failed to reach his goal; but in the process of getting his colleagues and himself back to safety, he overcame tremendous obstacles.

Summary:


On December 5, 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set off from a tiny island in the South Atlantic called South Georgia Island on an expedition to travel across the South Pole. His expedition consisted of two groups; one which headed from South America to the South Pole, and one which originated in New Zealand. Mr. Lansing’s book only covered the events that transpired on the group from South America, which included Shackleton.

The general plan was to sail as close as possible to the South Pole and then start heading over land and ice across Antarctica and meet up with the other team on the far side. On the way, the group would conduct scientific observations and collect specimens.

His plan went terribly wrong. Before the expedition could land on Antarctica, the ship was gradually surrounded by ice while sailing in a body of water known as the Wedell Sea. By January, 1915 it was held fast by a dense pack of ice. Over time the ice in the Wedell Sea would move in a Northwesterly direction, where it would eventually break apart into open water. Shackleton settled in to wait for the ice to eventually release the ship.

Shackleton's Route - note the dates:


Instead, the ship was slowly crushed by the ice as it exerted tremendous pressure against the ship. This process took several days, so most of the supplies were gotten off the ship before it was destroyed. One of the most important items retrieved from the ship were the lifeboats, which would be needed when the ice pack brought them to the open sea. The time between entrapment and abandoning ship was 9 months: January to October, 1915.

The expedition moved a couple of miles from the Endurance and set up camp. As the ice moved closer to the open water, the ice floes began to break apart. Eventually – in April, 1916 after being stuck in the ice for more than a year, Shackleton’s party had to abandon the ice and set sail for several islands which stretch toward the tip of South America. Consider that these men were sailing in lifeboats, with only basic navigational aids. This part of the trip was hard for the men, as they could not decide which island to land on.

They eventually land on Elephant Island – more than 800 miles from South Georgia Island, their starting point. That distance stretches across some of the roughest seas in the world, and the risk of losing men in the journey was too great to make it with all three boats. Shackleton decided to make the trip in one boat with a small crew, and send a rescue party for the men he would have to leave behind.

The Drake Passage, as the sea between South America and Antarctica is called, is part of a current of water that circles the Antarctic, keeping warmer water from reaching the frozen continent. This current, aptly name the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, has no land mass to slow it down, so it can be quite strong. This current, along with the prevailing West winds, make rounding Cape Horn challenging, and the inspiration for the saying, "Below 40 degrees, there is no law. Below 50 degrees, there is no God."


Launching the rowboat Caird for the 800 mile final leg. Surf's up!



Shackleton left Elephant Island on April 24, 1916, and spent the next two weeks sailing to South Georgia Island. They almost foundered several times; once a huge wave struck their boat nearly filling it with water. Landing on the west side of the island, Shackleton had to walk across the barren, mountainous island to reach the settlement on the other side.

After reaching safety, Shackleton hired a ship to rescue the group that was left on Elephant Island, an ordeal that took more than three months to accomplish.

Discussion

Shackleton’s adventure is a metaphor for real life: bad things happen, events spin out of control, we get sidelined, and we spend hours in self-doubt, not sure of our future and second-guessing our decisions. Challenges that seem impossible loom before us, and when they are defeated, they are replaced by even greater trials.

Large carnivorous animals sometimes try to bite us. This is a leopard seal - they attacked some of the explorers!

All of these things happen to everybody, not just Antarctic explorers. But just like the men in this book, we usually have to stand and face whatever trials come our way. How we deal with our trials will determine more than just the ‘end result’ of our lives. For example, Shackleton’s expedition was a complete failure until one considers that he led his whole group out of the Antarctic without losing one man.


It reminds me of a reading at Mass recently, from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans:

“Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions,

knowing that affliction produces endurance,

and endurance, proven character,

and proven character, hope,

and hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”

Romans 5:3-5

The trials we face today, even when we fail, can strengthen and prepare us for even more hardships that are sure to find us.

I would not say that Shackleton was a saint. In looking up information on him, I read some things about him that were not so admirable. In addition, the whole reason for his expedition is, in my opinion, was for earthly fame and fortune rather than for scientific advancement or the greater glory of God. But looking beyond his faults, and reading Alfred Lansing’s book, gives one a good example of fortitude and resourcefulness.

I recommend this book without reservation.

One question should still bother you about this review: what did they eat?

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Gifts of Love



This is what I got for Father's Day:


1. One homemade Rosary, made from beads of other Rosaries.

2. A dollar bill.

3. A pin with a bird flying on it; similar to the Holy Spirit.

4. A bag of Coca-Cola gummi bottles - YUM!

5. Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons

6. Good Discipline Great Teens by Ray Guarendi

7. Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI

8. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


That is my baby girl reaching for the Rosary.


These were from my wife and children; full of love for an undeserving man.


Looks as if I better get back to reading....


Saturday, June 16, 2007

Random Thoughts


Courtship

We went to a wedding yesterday, one where we LOST OUR BABYSITTER! The young woman who has watched our children(when both parents have to be away) got married. I am happy for her and for her husband, but she will be sorely missed.

This is the second daughter in this family to marry, and I can't help but notice something extraordinary about the father of the bride: I have never been to any other wedding(my own included) where the father of the bride looked so happy to be giving his daughter away in marriage. Now I have witnessed this man, this friend of mine, TWICE, with such a look of peace and joy as he witnesses his daughters going off to live their vocations.

After talking to him and his wife a couple times, I think I have the answer. Their daughters were courted; they did not date. We have some other friends who are doing this, and I spent a long time quizzing another friend about the details of courting.





Another key part of courting is that the young couple do not participate in 'public displays of affection' until after they are married.





The more I hear about courting,the more I like it. As one man said - and I agree with him - dating is not a good road to travel down. I recall one woman at a home schooling conference referred to it as 'practicing for divorce.' Sounds like an accurate description to me!





Several thoughts:





1. Courting gives the father an opportunity to turn away youngsters whom he knows would be no good for his daughter. Boys with no job prospects, no manners, no FAITH, etc. would be turned away before wasting the young woman's time. Boys who don't want to marry would also peel off after realizing what the end result of courtship would be.





2. Courting, and avoiding kissing, etc., would save both the young woman and man for their intended. The parents we spoke with use a 'courting couch' in public view(and little siblings for spies) as well as chaperones when the couple go out for an evening. A large family, with lots of little siblings, helps here.





3. Courting takes time. One man told me he thinks the couple should court for a year, so that they can experience some of the highs and lows that happen in married life. He told me about a young man who had problems at his job; it was good for the young woman to see how well her fiance handled work stress.





In his book Illustrissimi, Pope John Paul I referred to purity as the 'nobility of youth,' and that is what I wish to give to my children as they grow up and prepare to make their own ways in the world.





This is a subject which is very close to my heart and will require more prayer and thought as I watch my oldest child prepare to finish high school.





HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!





To all fathers, living and deceased, both biological and spiritual fathers, God bless you all.





I shall begin a novena in honor of St. Joseph tonight for all fathers, especially those who are close to dadwithnoisykids.




Gardening


We planted another row of vegetables: green beans, yellow squash, and cucumbers. It was a drizzly day with intermittent breaks in the clouds which allowed the sun to shine down on our little slice of Texas. That is, until we started turning over the soil, at which time the clouds burst asunder and unleashed a torrent of rain upon us. After hastily planting all the seedlings in what was fast becoming a mudbowl, we were soaked to the skin. After putting all the shovels and pitchforks in the shed we started for the house - just in time for the rain to stop and for the sun to come out again.


The whole time I was getting drenched, I wondered what it would be like to be in a boat on the high seas, with no warm home to to go to - like THESE guys experienced. Presently I am writing another book review about 'bad things that happen to good people in little boats.'


Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Happy Birthday, Noisykid #7!


Today we celebrate the birth of Noisykid #7!

Interesting facts about #7:

1. First Texas baby.
2. First Air Force Brat - although she is certainly NOT a brat!
3. Largest baby at 11 pounds, 4 ounces.
4. Only baby born on her due date; hence, the large size.
5. A joy and a blessing to her parents and her siblings
6. Ten years old today; we wish her many happy returns of the day.

UPDATE!!!!

MY WIFE POINTED OUT MORE INTERESTING FACTS:

7. Born on the Feast of St. Anthony
8. Born in San Antonio, Texas

Monday, June 11, 2007

An Informative Lecture

I asked a friend for information on raising chickens, and this is what he sent me:




Makes sense to me!

It reminds me of many lectures, presentations at meetings, and sermons.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Photograph From Last Week


This is a photograph of a foot of the little baby I blogged about HERE; the one who lived long enough to be baptized, held by her parents, and then died a little over an hour after being born. Click on the picture to see a larger image.
I thank God for my friends who brought this little child into this world and provided for her transition to the next world.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Notice to Seminarians/Religious

Rejoice!

Right now we are experiencing a rather sad time for various reasons that I
shall not discuss. But be assured that we are offering up our sufferings
for your intentions and for more men and women to answer the call to the
priesthood or religious life.

So smile and know that somewhere I am in a traffic jam, offering up the
fact that people don't automatically get out of my way when they see me
coming up behind them.

On a less serious note:

Last night, as we started Night Prayers with the examination of
conscience, my wife asked me to give a little more time before praying an
act of contrition. It appears that she likes more time for her examen. I
told her that when I feel I am drifting off to sleep I have to start
praying the act of contrition. There have been times in the past where
she has had to wake me up from my 'examination of conscience.'

Monday, June 04, 2007

Meme about my Wife

Inquiring minds want to know about Wifeofdadwithnoisykids.

So here goes. 8 interesting things about Wifeofdadwithnoisykids:

First, when I was proposed to he said ,well pounding the steering wheel in the middle of an argument ," Damn it women you make me crazy, Will you marry me?"

Second. when I was 9 years old, a stop sign fell on my head.

Third, I have a younger sister who is single, beautiful, fun loving, and looking for a GOOD CATHOLIC TEXAS HUSBAND who can afford her love for the finer things in life.

Fourth, when I was young I always wanted to marry and have 12 children.

Fifth, now at 39, I pray the Good Lord will see past my limited vision and bless us with more children! This really should be number one on my list.

Sixth, I live on 12 acres in the home my husband and I had designed and built for our large growing family, God willing.

Seventh, This is the ONE and ONLY blog entry you will ever see by Wifeofdadwithnoisykids. This entry is a little gift for Jackie Parkes MJ :)

Eighth, I'm married to Dadwithnoisykids!

P.S. Jackie I did my best. I had so much trouble coming up with anything. Hope you enjoy!

Joy and Sorrow in the Mystical Body of Christ

Storm clouds over DeSoto, Texas. 0830 a.m. June 3, 2007.

There are certain things which occur in life which cannot be blogged; they are too intense or personal to be shared with you, the reader. Despite this, I shall make an attempt to describe some of the events of this past weekend.

This past week has been one emotional moment following another. But along with all the pain and sorrow, lack of sleep, tears, laughter, and joy, there has been an overwhelming sense of being covered, or rather drenched by the grace of God.

Beginning of Eternal Life

Friday we became godparents for a little baby girl. We were honored to be asked, and we promised we would pray for her for the rest of our lives – even afterwards, actually. While we made our promise to assist in the raising of this little girl in the Faith, it was good to recall what we are obligated to do for our own children.

Little did I know that another couple would have to fulfill the most important obligation to their newborn daughter the next day.

This is only a TEST

On Saturday my oldest son, Histor the Wise, took his SAT test. While he did not appear nervous, I had butterflies in my stomach as I drove him to the local high school. I was especially nervous because our children are home schooled, and they are not used to taking multiple choice tests. So I fretted until I dropped him off, and I had to fight the urge to stay with him – even though I knew I would not be allowed into the testing center. Ultimately I had to leave him, to let him find his own way into the building and to experience the first of many formal exams. This is not the first time I have had to let our children go, but it is one of the milestones which reminds me how much they are growing and are soon to make their own ways in the world.

When I picked him up at the end of the test, he said, “I was well prepared.” I hope and pray that we are preparing our children just as well for all the other challenges that they will face in life, especially the spiritual challenges.


Beginning of Eternal Life, Again

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to hold a Saint.

A friend of ours gave birth a very special and beautiful child. This child had been diagnosed with a lethal condition by prenatal ultrasound. Multiple follow-up exams confirmed that the child had a serious condition, and various experts were consulted in the management of the pregnancy. Throughout this, our friends refused to consider aborting this baby. Instead, they prayed that the baby would be born healthy, and if that were not possible, that she would live long enough to receive the waters of baptism.

God is merciful and generous beyond our dreams. Our friends’ youngest child was born and did have the medical condition seen on ultrasound. Her time on this earth was short, but was culminated by the answer to so many prayers; she was baptized by her father, then held by her parents for the minutes she remained alive. Her siblings arrived shortly after she died, and were able to hold her and look upon her. One of them said, “she is beautiful – let’s take her home.” God took her home instead, and she is now among the saints.

That evening, my wife and I were asked to come up and visit with the couple and their new saint. We therefore had the honor of holding the body of a child who lived for such a short time, but lived as an example of the sanctity of life regardless of any handicap or defect. The parents of this child wished for her what we all wish for all of our children: that they become saints. We thank God for allowing her to live to be baptized, and ask for the prayers for the mother, father, brothers, and sisters of this new saint as they mourn the loss of their little baby.

This blog has been painful to write, and thinking of the sorrowful parts of this weekend fills my heart with sadness. But this sorrow comes with a joyful awareness how much we are truly members of the Mystical Body of Christ. That phrase is not just a sentimental buzz word or slogan. No. We all share in the joys and sufferings of our brothers and sisters, and in our case, two families blessed us by letting us come close to them in one of the most intimate aspects of their lives: the raising of children. The realization of this is so powerful that it is difficult for me to put it into words. Is it any wonder that my weekend blogs consisted of such silly nonsense?

It is my prayer that, like Histor the Wise said after the SAT test, all of our children will say at the end of their lives, “I was well prepared for my life.” Along with that, I hope and pray that we all take the example of our friends, who prayed for their child unceasingly, and when action was needed for the benefit of her eternal soul, and by the grace of God, did the right thing to secure for her life everlasting

Sunday, June 03, 2007

SQUIRREL STRIKE REPORT

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL REPORT OF A SQUIRREL STRIKE

APPROXIMATELY 0803 ON JUNE 3 2007

EASTBOUND UPON EXITING PROPERTY ON XXXXXXXXXX STREET IN MIDLOTHIAN TEXAS

WEATHER OVERCAST WITH VISBILITY CEILING OF 1500 FEET AND 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURE

VEHICLE FORD 5 PERSON EXPLORER NOVEMBER VICTOR DELTA WITH V-6 ENGINE

OWNER OPERATED

SPEED APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR

DRIVER INITIATING ACCELERATION PROFILE AFTER LEAVING RESIDENCY

DRIVER NOTED MULTIPLE SQUIRRELS ENGAGED IN RANDOM PATTERN OF EVASION WITH ONE BREAKING SOUTHEAST INTO PATH OF NOVEMBER VICTOR DELTA

NOTED SQUIRREL AT APPROXIMATELY 10 YARDS OUT FROM COLLISION

NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN DUE TO ROAD SIZE

DRIVER INDICATES THAT SQUIRREL MOVED OUT OF VISUAL FIELD OF OWNER AT WHICH POINT DRIVER FELT A VARIATION IN ROAD SURFACE UNDER THE FRONT AND BACK RIGHT TIRES

SQUIRREL APPEARED TO HAVE SUSTAINED LETHAL INJURIES AS OBSERVED IN REAR VIEW MIRROR

NO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE

UNABLE TO INSPECT NOVEMBER VICTOR DELTA FOR DAMAGE AT COMPLETION OF MISSION DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN GENERATED AS A SAFETY MESSAGE TO ALL WHO MAY BE DRIVING EXPLORERS

THIS IS THE FIRST SQUIRREL STRIKE FOR THE VEHICLE NOVEMBER VICTOR DELTA

THERE WERE 2 REPORTED SQUIRREL STRIKES FOR THE VAN SIXTY ONE PAPA BIG BLUE MIRACLE

THERE WERE 0 REPORTED BIRD STRIKES WITH THE VAN YANKEE HOTEL JOLIET GREAT WHITE

WE WILL CONTINUE MONITORING THESE INCIDENTS

DAD WITH NOISY KIDS

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Peaceful Protest by Aquatic Animals

I returned from an errand this afternoon and found these aquatic animals protesting the video which I put on my blog on this day.


This group calls itself S.Q.U.I.D.,

SOCIETY

QUELLING

UNDERWATER

INTENTIONAL

DEFAMATION

They were insulted by the video which shows a manatee running nose-first into a window in an aquarium, followed by malicious laughter by the human observers.

Their spokesman, Ekyu Manatee, decried the exploitation of aquatic beings for the entertainment of human beings.

"For trillions of years, human beings have exploited my aquatic brothers and sisters in aquariums everywhere. It is just another example of the Vatican conspiracies."


Ekyu Manatee, spokesmanatee


I have been ordered to take time to attend sensitivity training classes, as well as listen to John Denver songs incessantly, and memorize the poem 'Whales Weep Not' by D.H. Lawrence.

I refused, so I may be banned from the blogosphere.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Prayers, Please

Please remember SEVERAL people who are experiencing a bit of suffering in
their lives.

It appears that Our Lord is bestowing upon us a boatload of grace and
blessings, but they are coming with sorrow and pain on this earth.

Thank you. Blogging has taken back seat in this great roller coaster we
call LIFE.

Our Lady of the Mysterious Decapitation

Our Lady of the Mysterious Decapitation
Now restored with the help of some cement!

Prayer to Our Lady of the Mysterious Decapitation

Mary my mother, take my hand today, and all days.
Lead me away from all occasions of sin.
Guide me in fulfilling your last words in the Gospel,
"Do whatever He tells you."
Amen.

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Amateur Catholic B-Team Member