The Versatile Blogger Award

Thanks to Theresa Thomas and Patti McGuire Armstrong over at Stories for the Homeschool Heart blog for awarding me "The Versatile Blogger Award". They are the editors of the book I contributed to by the same name, and have given me the opportunity to be included with some of my favorite Mom bloggers.

To accept the Versatile Blogger Award the rules are:

• Thank and link back to who gave you the award.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass it along to 5 blogs you’ve recently discovered and enjoy
• Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

Seven facts about me:
1. I speak fluent Spanish and very halting French.
2. I love to garden but since I became a writer, well, the weeds won!
3. I am a diabetic, but thanks to "The Light Weigh" a wonderful Catholic weight loss program, I am replacing overeating with prayer. My goal is to throw out the diabetes and blood pressure medication, and keep up with my active girls. And look good for my upcoming television show. . .more on that later!
4. I stopped riding my bike for twenty years, but this summer, I began riding again.No accidents yet.
5. I love to cook old family favorite recipes handwritten by my Irish Gran and my Italian Nana.
6. I love to pray the rosary with the lights off and the candles burning on the family altar.
7. Something about mountains calls to my heart; last Sunday my family climbed Mount Greylock for the first time, the highest mountain in Massachusetts with Kristin's family (see nomination below).

I nominate the following bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award
Jean of Catholic Fire
Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii
Kristin of 11 on my Own
Monica at Monkey Musings
Kimberlee at Pondered in My Heart

New Our Lady of America Shrine Blog

   Pam Jackson has begun a new blog to promote the Shrine of Our     Lady of America in Rome City, IN

Our Lady of America is the only approved apparition in the United States. On the blog, she showcases her beautiful homemade rosaries.
Check it it out here.
Fr Andrew Apostoli told me that Our Lady promised that if her statue was installed in the National Basiclica of the Immaculate Conception, that it would be a center of grace like Lourdes. Pray for the bishops to do the will of Our Lady.

Maddie Curtis is on American Idol!

Last year I met Barbara Curtis author and mom of 12 who blogs at Mommy Life as we were awarded the American Life League Pro-life Blog awards. She was so warm and real, and we held hands excitedly as we awaited our trophies. It was an honor for me to be considered on the same level as this accomplished lady who has just reverted to the Catholic faith. She is often in the media as a outstanding pro-life witness, but the other day, I was thrilled when. .
Isabella burst into the room to tell me about an American Idol acceptee named Maddie who has 4 brothers with Down syndrome, I KNEW it was Barb's daughter. What a gorgeous voice, on a lovely young lady who simply radiates love in the home scenes shot with her brothers. And she auditioned with the song "Hallelujah".
Her faith simply radiated through her powerful performance. I just loved the reunion she had with two of her brothers and mom outside the audition. Her description of her brothers with Down syndrome says it all, "they see the world in color; we need more to see the world that way."

I wish Maddie Godspeed, I'll be watching, and voting!
Thank you for raising the profile of famlies who love their children with Down syndrome, sweetheart! You are a winner just as you are.,
Watch her story and inspiring audition here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XwbmGDgH60

New pro-life blog written by Catholic doctor

Thank you Jill Stanek for encouraging Dr Gerard Nadal to begin an exceptional pro-life blog Coming Home.
Go over and enjoy his unique blend of indeputable science and unmoveable faith.
Welcome to the blogosphere, Dr Nadal.

2010 ALL Pro-life blog awards

Thank you to whoever nominated Causa Nostrae Laetitiae for American Life League's 2010 Pro-life Blog Awards. I am honored to be among some of the best blogs out there, and to be nominated after winning the Pro-life Unity Award in 2009. It would be an honor to win again, though part of me wants someone else to have a turn, but I had a wonderful time at the ALL Conference last year and would welcome a return visit.


I will defer to vox populi since this year the awards are won by a popular vote, rather than a panel.

You can vote for Causa Nostrae Laetitiae here.

Thank you Congressman Chris Smith

For recognizing the Appreciation Award from Keep Infants with Down Syndrome on your website, which we gave you last January. You are an outstanding advocate for all unborn children, typical or disabled and we are proud to call you our friend.

Come and see our new KIDS blog and keep up with the latest news.

Listen to the latest Among Women podcast, where Pat Gohn and I discuss how I became a pro-life advocate and began KIDS with Eileen Haupt.

Down syndrome footprint

If you look at this footprint, and you're like me, you'll say, "Huh, I don't understand why this is a symbol of Down syndrome." Look more closely. There is an unusual space between the big toe and the rest of the toes. That is one of the signs of Trisomy 21 which the pediatrician used to diagnose Christina in the delivery room.

Check out their adorable line of accessories on their website Down Syndrome Footprint, and the mom's new blog The Husby Five.

What do you think of Glenn Beck?

Barbara Curtis at Mommy Life is asking for our opinon on Glenn Beck. She is writing a piece for his website, and will be appearing on his 9-12 Moms show this Monday at 5PM on The Glenn Beck Show on Fox.
Here is my opinion:
Glenn Beck is a phenomenon because he is completely honest with his audience, he never plays politics, but speaks from the heart and shoots from the hip, ignoring conventional wisdom which even some talk show hosts seem to follow. For example, I think Sean, Rush, and O'Reilly are pro-life but when is the last time they discussed the health care bill with respect to life issues? It's always money and politics with them.
Glenn is in touch with the people and what makes them passionate; like 9-12 Moms.
He strikes a chord with the folks. That's why he is a sensation. He deserves it. That's also why the liberal media is focusing on his zaniness, trying to discredit them as they tried to do with Sarah Palin. He's in for a rough time.
Glenn also takes the time to draw upon lessons of history like his chalkboard flow chart on the health care bill and its relationship to the history of eugenics both here and in Nazi Germany. It was outstanding, and outside of Catholic TV programs, and Wesley Smith lectures, practically unprecedented.

He is a prophet for our times, declaring the dangers inherent in the Culture of Death.

One last comment; as the mom of a special needs daughter, I know where some of his passion originates; LOVE of his special child. He knows what we know, Barb, that if we don't change the Culture of Death, it will destroy our children after we are gone. That's why he was the first to champion the case of Terri Schiavo.
Go Glenn!

I'm posting on Catholic Vote.org

Here is my first post at CatholicVote.org.
They have a new video up today.

Friendly Blogger Award

My friend Elizabeth at The Divine Gift of Motherhood gave me the Friendly Blogger Award. She gave me credit for helping her get started in blogging. If so, I can take a bow for helping to raise the quality of writing in the blogosphere. She is a dear friend, outstanding mother and superb writer.

Thanks, from Tigger (my sixth grade nickname for my boisterously happy personality) Too bad you can't see me sing "The Wonderful Thing about Tiggers"!

Among Women nominated for Catholic New Media Awards

My friend Pat Gohn's podcast Among Women was nominated for several categories at the Catholic New Media Awards(formerly Catholic Blog Awards). See my review here, then go vote for her!

A new blog to enjoy

My friend Julie has a blog DRVC Catholic which highlights some of the beautiful churches on Long Island. Take a look at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Southampton.

I'm on the "Among Women" Podcast

Thanks to Pat Gohn, whom I mention meeting for lunch here, with columnist Patrice Fagnant-McArthur, I am on my first podcast at Among Women.

Listen here.

My friend Therese is up for a Cannonball Award

She is an inspiring blogger and wonderful Catholic mom of special needs children. Her blog Aussie Coffee Shop is underappreciated and you can vote for her blog every day right here.

May is the month of Mary

Sometimes I get so distracted, I overlook feast day. However, I continually give thanks to a gracious God who sends me reminders to stay close to Him.

Yesterday, without remembering it was the first of May, I posted about Christina's devotion to the rosary. May is the month of Mary, as my friend at Totus Tuus blog reminds me. I will be joining her in a series of Marian posts this month.

If you want to participate, you may copy this image and link to her blog. And don't forget the Litany of Our Lady of Loreto where you will find the title of this blog, Cause of Our Joy.

Catholic writers meet for lunch in Massachusetts

Two Saturdays ago, at the suggestion of Heidi Hess Saxton, my former editor of Canticle Magazine, a xolumnist at Catholic Mom, and founder of the Extraordinary Moms Network, I had a Catholic writer's luncheon. It was a blast!

I had the pleasure of meet in two Catholic authors whose columns I admire on Catholic Mom: Patrice Fragnant-McArthur who blogs at Spiritual Woman(next to me) and Pat Gohn, who blogs at Write In Between and has started up a podcast called Among Women. Pat Gohn has a background in radio, and worked on Long Island, in two stations close to where I grew up, but transferred to Boston in the 1990's.

We discussed their Master's degrees in Theology (I am considering this but time and finances are limited) being a Catholic writer, and how we hope that our writing help to evangelize the culture. We spent two hours together, and the time flew by. I hope we can get together again sometime soon.

We recorded a podcast right there in 99 Restaurant near Worcester, MA. When it airs, I'll be linking to it here.

First Communion Photo Contest

Win $100 Gift Card for the Cutest First Communion Photo

The Catholic Company, the market leader for online Catholic books and gifts, has just announced a First Communion Photo Contest.
What a great excuse to pull those photos out of the photo book and show them off again. Bloggers, podcasters, and webmasters can also win a $50 Gift Card for referring the winning entry to the contest, so be sure to spread the word!

I've received the Premio Dardos Award!

Heidi Hess Saxton from Mommy Monsters has given me the Premio Dardos Award.

Premio Dardos means ‘prize darts’ in Italian and it is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.
The rules are:
1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person who has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.
2) Pass the award to another 7 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgement, remembering to contact each of them to let them know.

I hereby pass this distinguished award to the following outstanding Catholic bloggers for their literary flair while sharing the treasure of our Catholic faith and culture.

1. Elizabeth at The Divine Gift of Motherhood

2. Jean at Catholic Fire

3. Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

4. MaryEllen from Tales from the Bonnie Blue House

5. Melanie at The Wine Dark Sea.

6. +JMJ+ at Tutus Tuus Family Homeschool

7. Erin's mom at My Little Saint

I am blogging at Mom Writer's Literary Magazine

Take a look at how I reconciled myself to Connecticut Critters.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1
Does it bother any of you moms out there when you're playing an 'old' movie and your tween rolls her eyes at your teen, saying, "look at those hair styles, they're so NINETIES"!
2
About 4PM this afternoon, as I was catching up with what everyone else has been blogging about all day, I looked over my shoulder at the rug and found it populated with our entire pet collection; two labs, a black cat and a fuzzy tabby cat. I start to feel popular, and then I notice something. . .
they're all lying the patch of sunlight created by the setting sun in the office.
So much for popularity!
3
It's our second big school vacation since the girls entered school after ten years of homeschooling, and we quickly fell back into homeschooling mode. . .someone constantly in the kitchen making a sandwich, no one getting dressed, lot of silly sister gigglin, and LATE bedtimes. . .
and I miss seeing them during the day so much, I don't even complain!
4
Ever find yourself hunkering after something green in late February? This is when we usually start our annual seeds. after a shopping spree in our local hardware store. It's so much fun, even if the seedlings never see the outdoors.
In my new house, I have a greenhouse window in the kitchen. This year, my seedlings might make it through the deadly combinaton of neglectful Mom, curious, over-watering Christina and a cat who loves to dig.
5
Lent begins next Wednesday and I'm looking forward to imposing some much-needed discipline on myself. Well, not exactly looking forward to it. . . well, dreading it but acknowledging it's very necessary.
You shouldn't lie about the discipline of Lent.
It's good for you, but no one says you have to like it.
6
Speaking of Lent, I am so excited about the beer-battered fish fillets I have waiting in the freezer. They were on sale and really are a treat. . .so I shouldn't eat them for Lent, right, cause they wouldn't really count as abstinence? I should eat them tonight. Thought so.
7
However, unlike Jen, I adore the taste of cilantro, especially when it's served fresh in salads. So, with my bland arroz y frijoles(rice and beans) next Friday, I can eat a tasty green salad with cilantro and avocado. That is something to look forward to.
Did she mention that the Greek word from which cilantro is derived means "smells bad'?
Seven quick takes is hosted byJen at Conversion Diary.