Third Grade!!

Is it possible I am now the mother of a third grader??

The Last Few Hours of Summer Vacation

There's about twelve hours of Summer Vacation left.  We're trying to squeeze it all in before time runs out. 

Let The Count Down Begin

So I had this entire entry in my head about how I have the End-Of-Summer-Blues.  You know the feeling, when you have had the best summer together since being a family.  About how our life was being consumed with baseball, swimming, story time, play-dates (kids & moms; with or without wine), bike riding, cliff diving (against his mother's better judgement) Loggers games, sleepovers, sidewalk chalk, library trips, camping, flashlight tag, running through the sprinkler, neighborhood kids, canoeing, late nights, fun, fun, FUN!

Then all the scheduled and organized fun suddenly stopped because I had this grand idea that we would relax the last two weeks of summer before the intensity of school and routine started.

Big fat WRONG.

My kids have discovered they are siblings.  And siblings tend to fight... and argue... and throw things at each other... and pinch each other... and yell at each other... and take each others' things... and fight... and argue.

I know what you're thinking:  Not Martin and Helen!?  They're prefect angels!  Let me reassure you, it is in fact, true.  And they're driving me nuts. 

School starts in exactly one week.  Let the count down begin.

Quick!  Mom is looking!  Act like we like each other!

Recent Monumental Moments

Helen is learning to ride Martin's old her bike.  I think by the end of summer she will have mastered peddling. 

In even bigger news, there has been some progress in "Project Basement".  The plans have been drawn up, a radial arm saw has been purchased, wood has been cut.  Things are happening, and it feels good.  

A Day to Remember

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke had been in La Crosse for almost two weeks during the end of July.  He was here for the Fifth Anniversary of the dedication of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine (you know, the one you can see from my bedroom window) and the cannon law conference.

One of the many benefits of learning to serve Mass properly at the Shine is to participate in special events.  Cardinal Burke coming to town is one of those special events.  I spent the last few days trying to explain the shear coolness of serving Mass along side a Cardinal, especially during an anniversary Mass.  I don't think Martin grasp the significance and magnitude of what was actually happening (and neither did I) until we pulled into the parking lot. 

The parking lot was full to the point of people parking down the entrance way road.  People were everywhere.  There is about a fifteen minute walk from the bottom of the bluff to the Shrine.  On the way up, I spoke to a woman who drove three hours to come to this Mass.  When we walked into the Shrine, almost all the seats were taken and we were an hour early.

"Whoa, Mom.  This really is a big deal," Martin said wide-eyed.

Helen & I took our seats and Martin walked to the sachristi to put on his cassock.  The pews were nearly full as I saw two older ladies walking around looking for seats.  I flagged them over and said there was room in the pew I was sitting in, but I would like to sit on the end in case I needed to take Helen out (the girl can only sit for so long, and I knew this was going to be a long Mass).  

The organ started and in walked the procession.  And was a procession!  There were Knights of Columbus, men and women of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, seminarians, priests, deacons, alter servers, two archbishops, and finally the Cardinal.

"Where's my kid?" I thought.

And not a second after, I saw him.  He was right behind Cardinal Burke as one of his two vimps, meaning he held the Cardinal's crosier and mitre (staff and hat) during Mass.  I couldn't believe it!  The organ and choir were at their height, and I leaned over to these two ladies (who I don't know), grabbed one of their arms, and screamed yelled, "That is MY son!  That is my kid right there behind the Cardinal!"as if Martin just scored the game changing touchdown.  They looked at me like I was insane, but I didn't care.  Like a crazy person, I barely remember climbing over people, pews, and Helen to get this lousy shot:

(though you can't see, the Cardinal is right in front of Martin)

Of course, Mass is always perfect, but this one seemed extra perfect.  Cardinal Burke gave a great homely in English and in Spanish.  He spoke about the love for Our Lady and how she directs us to her Son in the Holy Eucharist.  It was amazing.  And through all this amazement, my son sat up on the altar among many holy men.

"Mom, Mass is always better from the altar," he later told me.   

I have no idea if my son's vocation is to become a priest, and neither does he; he's only seven.  However, I do know as a parent it is important to raise our sons and daughters in a happy and holy home.  Serving Mass with Cardinal Burke was no exception.   And who knows, maybe this did spark a priestly vocation within him.  Martin will remember this day for the rest of his life; as will those two older ladies who sat next to his crazy, grab-happy mother.   

 (three of the four Logues with Cardinal Burke)

Patience, Please...

"Your blog is dead." - - - Brian Logue pointing out it has been about three weeks since I even looked at this blog. 

It has been a whirlwind over here.  Fall (and the start of school) is just around the corner.  Time is hanging over my head and reminding me that I need to go school supply shopping, or at the very least, look at the school supply list. 

After this week, things should settle down here and I'll have something a bit more interesting to post.

Just hang tight.