The Project

Here are some pics of my oldest son's Eagle Scout Project. He built a 40X60 4' picket fence for a center for developmentally disabled adults in our city. This fence will allow them to have a recreation area to safely enjoy their surroundings.
The generosity of those who donated funds and their time to help him brought me to tears. God is so! good.

The Center yard on March 9, 2010

Posts up on April 17, 2010

Getting the bracers on..April 23rd, 2010

The first picket..modeled by the lovely Mr. Pinch.

Done! April 23rd, 2010.

There are many more pictures, as he puts his slide show together I will post that when it is done. Thanks to all who prayed for him during this journey and for those who so selflessly donated both money and time. A plaque was placed on the fence to thank those who donated.

I Can See!! I Can See!

Mr. Pinch can see! She once was blind (or almost anyway) and now she can see! Maybe now her room will get picked up! :)

Pinocchio!

Candlewick (far right) and Crew (that's my beauty on the far left) Ain't she so cooool!
The Urchins. My handsome fella is back row..2nd from Right. Green hat. He's smiling! Haven't seen that since puberty started! Hallelujah!

My little beauty on the left with the white headband. She was a Pleasure Isle Kid. Little brats! All of 'em. :) The song goes "No more homework! No more books! No more teachers Nasty looks!" (I take that personally)


The Entire Cast. Great job guys!


And just for fun..

Margie's Moments

Praying for a sick person and how the Blessed Mother reveals the powers of your soul.

Very recently I got an email from a dear friend I had not heard from in a few months. She had been in remission from cancer for a few years.
She told me that she was on a transplant waiting list. Her tone in the email was hopeful.

I told her I would pray for her and so I did. I DVR the Holy Rosary on EWTN so I have several copies of it from throughout the week. I chose one of the recordings and it was the Sorrowful mysteries. I paused the recording and thought about how I could "properly" pray the Rosary for a person who is ill. I didn't quite have it planned out when I began but as the prayer unfolded it took on it's own life. I began with the Garden scene. I settled into the recitation. The crowning with thorns brought more vivid meditations of suffering. Then the scourging. When I came to carrying the cross there she was. My friend. Trying to help Jesus pick up the cross. Not being very good at it either. He fell and she got very close to Him on the ground and touched his face. When she saw the blood on her hands the look on her face was one of final understanding. She followed along
and ended up at the foot of the cross. As Jesus gives up his life she is pressing her forehead to the wood of the cross and blood trickles down to touch her skin.

It was a beautiful meditation and I look forward to praying another rosary for her.

The rosary is a powerful prayer. Mary leads you to places that you might not expect and to some places that you know very well. She shows you the value and power of your soul. And it is powerful stuff, make no mistake about that.

Saturday! Oh Boy!

I don't know if I still have any readers out there..it's been a while since I posted anything worth reading. It's been a busy busy busy busy week!
3 of the kiddos are performing in the Missoula Children's Theater production of Pinocchio today. MCT is a traveling drama program. They come in on a Monday and rehearse all week to show on Saturday afternoon. 4.5 hours every night. It's intense but the kids love it.

My oldest finally begins work on his Eagle project today. He will be at the site with his father all day. His project has him building a 40X60 4' picket fence for a center for mentally disabled adults. Currently, they have no yard where they can safely go. The building is behind a local elementary school and about 300 ft from a main intersection. The fenced area will allow them and the staff to freely enjoy the outdoors without fear of anyone wandering away. It's a big project, he's only raised half of what he needs to complete it. He has two back to back fundraisers tomorrow. So far, God (and St. Joseph) have been so good to him. We dealt with a wonderful assistant manager at Lowes, Edna, she donated 20 of the 60 2x4's he needs for bracers. Hallelujah! Home Depot has not returned his call or replied to his letter. He still needs something close to 400 pickets, the rest of the braces and the gate hardware. I know the good Lord will provide.

Today they are setting the posts and next weekend they will put up the pickets, God willing. I am so proud of him. Watching him talk to different store managers and on the phone with the board at the center, the many volunteer adults and several priests and deacons. He has grown leaps and bounds during this project and his confidence is only increasing every day. Today is the real test of his leadership. He will have to coordinate volunteers and ensure the posts are set correctly. He has to take pictures for his workbook and make sure his volunteers are adequately hydrated and fed. And he has to do it all over again next week. You go Boy!
I promised him a while ago, when he successfully completes his Eagle project and earn the rank of Eagle, I would take him to get his permit and start teaching him to drive. DRIVE! Drive? What was I thinking!?!?!??! :) I love that boy.

I will have many pics to post later from the play. #2 boy is an urchin. Street kid..baaaaaad. #1 Girl is part of Candlewick's (Lampwick in the Disney production) crew. Also baaaaaad. She gets to wear some leatha! Mr. Pinch is part of the Pleasure Isle kids. More baaaaaaaaaaaaad little girls and boys who don't want to go to school..guess what happens to them all? Yep..Donkey's..or as Lampwick would say, "a Jackass". I guess you can't use that word with the kids..but it's so true.

The cast is fabulous..the directors are even better and I can't wait to see the final production. I only wish I had a video camera.

Off to bake cookies for Mr. Soon-to-be Eagle Scout's bake sale tomorrow. Keep us folks in your prayers, as you are all always in mine.

Just too dern funny!

I saw this headline on the Drudge Report today..
It made me laugh out loud! I can hear the White House singing "too bad..so sad!"

Americans now prefer Hillary Clinton...

Backyard Beautification

I haven't posted recently because we've either been down sick or in the backyard beautifying. The kids were down all week with some sort of weird flu. Fevers, sore throats, cough. It's been fun.

Hubby decided now was the time to landscape the backyard. The weather is beautiful. With temps in the 70's we figured it was a good time to get to work on finishing the walkway to the pool, and get some planting done.

I took some pics to share..

The view from the left side of the yard..we planted all around the deck..liriope, daylilies and iris.


More plants..pool in the back..


My tomato topsy turvy..I sure hope this works!


strawberry topsy turvy..I need more plants!



The walkway hubby put together..


The girls in the pool. They love the new walkway and so do I. Less dirt in the pool!

Easter Has Just Begun!

I love that the Church does not just celebrate this Awesome Feast for just one day! Today begins the Easter Octave. 8 days of celebration and joy! Preparing us fully to live the Easter message!
Have a beautiful Easter. Everyday!

Here's a pic of the kids..it always amazes me to see how much they grow. I don't notice it until I take a picture...or they tell me they've outgrown their undies! ;)