tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31641189540317383382024-03-13T14:00:20.828-04:00The Sweetness of HomeThis blog is for "The Sweetness of Home Farm." Posts are related to homesteading, homeschooling, multi-generational living, distributism and frugal living.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-19318872451047973362018-05-01T08:53:00.002-04:002018-05-01T08:53:52.379-04:00Feast of St Joseph the Worker and Happy May Day<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Joseph Altar Cake March 2018</td></tr>
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Happy Feast of St Joseph the Worker!!! It's been 3 years since I became an instant single mom again and 16 years ago next week that I became one for the first time.</div>
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Last fall a woman in town said, "I don't know how you do it all" to which I truthfully replied, "I don't. Some things stay on my to do list for months at a time until they fall off only to reappear-and then maybe they will get done." One of the many reasons I was starting to get down emotionally this past weekend. But sometimes we have to pause to see how far we have come when it seems like we haven't.....and cheer ourselves for the small things: the kids were fed and are sleeping, maybe we missed paying 2 bills this month, but we paid for propane tank to be filled one more time in this coldest month of April in the 14 years we have lived in Ohio.....</div>
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And my advice for when life gets too overwhelming: is take life 15 minutes at a time. When that to do list and situation gets too overwhelming, when you are grieving so hard that it hurts to breathe: pick the task that has to be done at that moment and focus on just doing it for the next 15 minutes, then what do I do for the next 15 minutes and you can survive the day 15 minutes at a time. Sometimes only 5 minutes will go by and you have to refocus, but sometimes you will realize that 2 hours have gone by or 6 or 8.... But at the end of the day you survived that day or overwhelming night of a sick baby or the work project that you hated every moment of, by taking it one small 15 minutes or small task at a time.</div>
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And if you feel stuck in life....the same place you were last year or the year before I have started to contemplate the hidden life of the Holy Family in both Egypt and Nazareth: how they were probably scared and looked down upon in Egypt as poor Jewish refugees, and again for living in Nazareth....much how people look down on those of us who live in Steubenville and Jefferson County or where ever you are stuck living...focus on the hidden life of your family...did you love them today?...in whatever way that means. Did you thank your spouse for mowing the lawn or dealing with the cable company, did you tell them you love them and forgive them for whatever small thing they did wrong? Did you show up to your kids softball game (even if it was an hour late because you had to work) and manage to bite your tongue when they screwed up and just gave them a hug at the end of the game and said, "I love watching you play." Even though everyone was exhausted, did you push through and get 2/3 of the kids bathed with a wet wipe bath for the third child not quite so dirty before managing to get everyone in bed so you can repeat tomorrow.....it is those small victories to cling to on this journey of life.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Joseph Altar Cake #2: Taken to Church</td></tr>
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Thank you St Joseph for protecting my family through one more year of the impossible. Thank you to all my friends and family for your love and support and prayers. May God bless you now and always!!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6602v2fUbDlERd-fV4GSBUDawxRapnprzRVlXsJO1KPcGWOzqO9o9hRs7mqGqKuKvRR7Ig-K1ojcu3aTQ-Pt1ZaJ2vif3ufWin8doUzucZLWs2knUdbAIsCMvMn3Eh8b57kl1GKszCPg/s1600/StJoseph3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6602v2fUbDlERd-fV4GSBUDawxRapnprzRVlXsJO1KPcGWOzqO9o9hRs7mqGqKuKvRR7Ig-K1ojcu3aTQ-Pt1ZaJ2vif3ufWin8doUzucZLWs2knUdbAIsCMvMn3Eh8b57kl1GKszCPg/s320/StJoseph3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "Easter Landing" back in March with beautiful flowers given to me by a business mentor.<br />There is a Holy Family Statue with St. Joseph guarding Mary and baby Jesus holding an lantern.</td></tr>
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From the sweetness of my home to yours,</div>
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Always,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-64302660761586648032017-07-12T07:46:00.002-04:002017-07-12T07:46:38.260-04:00Home School Books for Sale-First List<div style="text-align: center;">
I am attempting to start to sell off my many home school books.</div>
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I have more to add to this list, but this is what I managed to get typed up last weekend before having to start back to work this week.</div>
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I am not attaching any pictures because there are just so many books. I have this list typed to also cross post on Cathswap and a few other groups.</div>
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I will accept payment via Paypal. If you are local we can make pick up arrangements, but books must be paid for within 3 days or I will relist the items to sell/offer them to anyone on the wait list.</div>
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I will update the book list with the other books I plan to sell this summer as the month rolls on.</div>
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All books come from a pet free home (since all our animals were outside animals) and a smoke free home. I have done my best to honestly list the condition of these books. Many are in brand new condition just due to the nature of how our home schooling life ended. Message me at starkwx3atyahoo.com if interested in purchasing.</div>
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<u><b>Books for Sale July
2017:</b></u></div>
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<u><b>Spanish:</b></u></div>
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Spanish
With Grace 3-CD Set Plus 7 Spanish Readers New Condition $60 ppd For
Set</div>
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(Readers
are: Usborne First Thousand Words in Spanish, Mi Primer Catecismo,
Las Paraboas de Jesus, Moises: Un Bebe entre los juncos, La Biblia
Ilustrada, and 2 copies new condition of Pope Pius XII Bilingual
Coloring Book. Plus a few prayer sheets.)</div>
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<u><b>Math:</b></u></div>
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Scott
Foresman Kindergarten, 1998 Edition Set $10.00 plus actual shipping
(heavy books):</div>
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3
student workbooks 95% unused, plus 2 both hardcover teacher volumes,
soft cover Songs & Rhymes book as well. Extra volume 2 of the
teacher's manual if you want it.</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Math-It
by Elmer W. Brooks (used in MODG): Game boards and Audio Tape in
Hardcover Case, $20 ppd, used condition</div>
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Teaching
Textbooks Math 6, Cd-Rom Set, plus Student Book with no writing on
95% of pages, Teacher Answer Key, $100ppd</div>
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Teaching
Textbooks Math 7, CD-Rom set with an extra disk 1, $80ppd, Retails
$129.95</div>
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Life
of Fred Pre-Algebra Set (6th/7th/8<sup>th</sup>
grade), 5 Book Set New Condition, Retails $116.96 on Sale on their
website, $100 ppd (obo); Books include: Fractions, Decimals and
Percents, Elementary Physics, Pre-algebra 1 with Biology, Pre-Algebra
2 with Economics)
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<u><b>Health and Science:</b></u></div>
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Abeka: Let's Be Healthy 3 Book Set $15.00 ppd: Student Book,
Workbook and Answer Key</div>
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Abeka Biology Student Textbook (3<sup>rd</sup> Edition): $8.00 ppd</div>
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Abeka Developing Good Health $2.00 plus postage</div>
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<u><b>Music:</b></u></div>
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Ready
to Use Music Activities Kit $10.00ppd</div>
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Enjoy
Your Recorder (The Trapp Family Singers') $5.00 ppd</div>
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<u><b>Geography:</b></u></div>
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Maps Charts Graphs H (US Past and Present)-used in MODG $10 ppd</div>
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Ultimate Geography & Timeline Guide (used in MODG) $10 ppd (This
is 2003 edition); Good Used Condition with no writing (make copies to
use for Geography studies. This does NOT have a CD-Rom like the new
2016 edition. It came used to me with one page of flashcards
missing, but that page is NOT used in MODG.)</div>
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<u><b>Theory/Curriculum/Syllabi
Sets:</b></u></div>
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A Field Guide for Boys Curriculum Guide $13.00 ppd (New Condition)</div>
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Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to
Adulthood by Paula Polk Lillard, $3 plus postage</div>
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<u><b>Logic/Rhetoric:</b></u></div>
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Intro Medieval Logic by Alexander Broadie, Second Edition Hard Cover,
Used Good Condition with Writing $18 ppd</div>
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Memoria Press, Traditional Logic I Set: Student Textbook and Answer
Key, Minimal Pencil Writing, Cover Worn, $15.00 set ppd</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Memoria Press, Traditional Logic II Set: Student Textbook and Answer
Key, Very Good Condition, Some Corner Wear, $15.00 ppd</div>
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Also, we own a Second Traditional Logic II Student Textbook $10.00
ppd; $20.00 ppd if you want to buy all 3 books.</div>
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Memoria Press, The Book of Roots Answer Key $2 plus postage (unless
ordered with another book)
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Memoria Press Rhetoric 3 book set: Student Text, Answer Key plus
Figures of Speech supplement book (New Condition): $45 ppd</div>
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Memoria Press, Material Logic Student Text and Answer Key, (Cover
Worn and tearing off, pencil writing on less than 5 pages with some
yellowing/staining, $15.00 ppd</div>
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<u><b>Latin:</b></u></div>
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Memoria Press, Latina Christianna Teacher Manual, Used with Some
Writing, $5.00 plus postage</div>
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Memoria Press, First Form Latin Student Text , New Condition, $10
plus postage</div>
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Memoria Press, First Form Wall Charts, New Still in Plastic, Retails
for $20, want $15 ppd</div>
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Memoria
Press, Second Form Latin Pronounciation Cd's New, never used: $8.00
plus postage</div>
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Memoria
Press, Second Form Latin Flashcards New Still in Plastic $10 plus
postage</div>
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Memoria
Press, Latin Grammar for the Grammar Stage New Condition $10.00 plus
postage</div>
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<u><b>Handwriting:</b></u></div>
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Seton Handwriting 3, Cover Worn and Torn, but New unused pages inside
$5 plus postage</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Memoria Press 4 Book Handwriting set, retails $50.00, New Condition
$40.00 ppd (Set includes: Copybooks I, II, III and Cursive)</div>
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<u><b>Test Prep</b></u>:</div>
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Spectrum
Test Prep Grade 6, practice test sheets included but torn out to make
copies, 2002 edition,</div>
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$4.00
plus postage</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spectrum
Test Prep Grade 6, New Condition, 2007 version, $5.00 plus postage</div>
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<u><b>English/Reading/Phonics:</b></u></div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
IEW: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, Workbook Binder and
CD-set, New Condition, 2010 version, $100 ppd</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
IEW: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, Workbook Binder, New
Condtion, 2000 edition, $25ppd OBO</div>
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CHC, Language of God Level G (Advanced 7<sup>th</sup> grade/Average
8<sup>th</sup> Grade), New Condition, $20ppd, (Retails $25.95)</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
CHC, Creative Communications Writing Syllabi by Sandra Garant, New
Condition, $10ppd</div>
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Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easty Lessons $10ppd, Used Condition
with Writing on some pages (teacher's notes)</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Easy Grammar Plus Teacher Book, (Pages are blank so can be used by
student if you want), New Condition, $20 plus postage heavy book</div>
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Starting a Spelling Notebook 2003 version to be used with 5<sup>th</sup>
Revised Edition of The Writing Road to Reading, used with MODG, $5
for 2 book set plus postage, used worn condition with writing.</div>
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<u><b>Literature/Novels:</b></u></div>
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Usborne
True Stories Crime and Detection by Gill Harvey, good condition,
paperback $2 plus postage</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Seton:
A Book of Friendliness, New condition inside, Cover starting to be
worn, $6ppd</div>
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Seton:
These Are Our Horizons, New condition inside, Cover starting to be
worn $5ppd</div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis
and Clare: Saints of Assisi by Helen Walker Homan, $5ppd, New
condition</div>
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Free:
Uncle Wiggily and Kitty Kat storybook (will be added to a purchase)</div>
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<u><b>Religion:</b></u></div>
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Christ With Us Now and Always: A History of the Church, Teacher's
notes in Pencil, $5ppd (Image of God Series, Grade 8)</div>
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Praying that these books will bless your home in the next school year!!!</div>
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God's blessings,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-82246328805146395462017-05-07T18:28:00.000-04:002017-05-07T18:28:21.153-04:00May Sucks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeihYg1J5NezsPuF7gr7vdldl-hWo5zrCqtTORSPml3VoYcCiHf683NRyb4rsCsSpu7cg9XHmomKjztEBnQP2MMI87H_ps5U24bduTjvI_Maq3pEImIoY_54rbzi0qxXnbG8l2G64fqYX/s1600/18279055_1493256084067451_4528745753874659289_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeihYg1J5NezsPuF7gr7vdldl-hWo5zrCqtTORSPml3VoYcCiHf683NRyb4rsCsSpu7cg9XHmomKjztEBnQP2MMI87H_ps5U24bduTjvI_Maq3pEImIoY_54rbzi0qxXnbG8l2G64fqYX/s320/18279055_1493256084067451_4528745753874659289_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie's tribute to Holly for her funeral.</td></tr>
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Our dog Holly died.....she lived a long life. We had her for eleven years and adopted her from a West Virginia animal shelter when she was approximately three years old....but anyways, everyone here has shed some tears this weekend. Plus, there is a reason why "burying the dead" is a Corporal work of Mercy.....a 80-100 pound golden lab required a very large hole to be dug for a proper burial.</div>
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And I just realized that I somehow never managed to take any pictures of her in the past two years that weren't blurry due to her moving closer to me as I was snapping the picture. Since I have never made "albums" on Facebook, I am having problems finding any pictures there as well.</div>
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(Remember I lost all of my pictures from 2013-2015 when all electronic devises were turned over for the investigation.)</div>
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So, the first two weeks of May now officially suck emotionally. It will be fifteen years ago tomorrow that my Christopher died and I still miss him so much. Some years are easier than others. This year's anniversary is rough....fifteen years is such a big number. I often question myself, wondering what he would advise regarding raising the kids, or the business, or other life events.....but every memory of Chris is surrounded by running, family, work and church.....so, outside of running, I just push myself to do "the family, work and church" thing.....and turn some music on and have a dance party at home since singing and dancing is my thing....and try to squeeze in a half hour here or a half hour there for reading time.....I really just try to pay what bills I can pay and keep going. Some days it is easier to be positive than others. Today is a rougher one since I am fighting a cold. Even though I know I will probably be back to my normal positive self after we get through Mother's Day, it still doesn't make these first two weeks any easier. (The Mother's Day negativity comes from the fact that Chris' plane crashed just prior to Mother's Day weekend in 2002. I always connect Mother's Day with the plane collision.)</div>
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I wonder what Chris' thoughts would be regarding the man who almost broke the 2 hour marathon time this past weekend. I pray for Chris' intercession with our two teenage children who are struggling to find their way in this crazy mixed up world.....yet, who today got out of bed and took their younger siblings to church while I tried to sleep off my third day with a cold and fever. For these teenagers who helped to dig a dog hole for their dog without complaint and while trying not to cry until they could hide in their room with a new shelter dog that we crazily adopted six weeks ago after rescuing it from a busy street/McDonalds parking lot at 10:30pm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcX-FMfAcA5k72XpN1aiTSXg9YmRpYxNE_IScDNPPdXL-Vrj0NE6XoscN9Uf3JWJSW1QRjeHoq36u-qpgHLLkhKAcY_ygfcn1K_MC-JvHJVW09jKswsUyEh6LNNsFsZOMBHJNWFmEi_cU/s1600/18319410_1493293760730350_3846121072085802266_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcX-FMfAcA5k72XpN1aiTSXg9YmRpYxNE_IScDNPPdXL-Vrj0NE6XoscN9Uf3JWJSW1QRjeHoq36u-qpgHLLkhKAcY_ygfcn1K_MC-JvHJVW09jKswsUyEh6LNNsFsZOMBHJNWFmEi_cU/s320/18319410_1493293760730350_3846121072085802266_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky, our new dog that was adopted 6 weeks ago.</td></tr>
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My son Joey taught his younger sisters how to play chess this past winter (totally NOT my thing.) My teenage son and daughter continually choose family over being gone from home all the time. They went to see a movie together last night and I caught them jumping on the trampoline together as well. Joey teaching the littles to play chess led to these moments where the three littles took turns playing chess while they took their Sunday baths today. So, when I focus on these things then I hope and pray that overall I am doing a good job. I have one child really struggling to find their way....but pray that these are all signs that things are slowly going well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwtLDDcDh-LvV5PP-brGFmIBcWXIMZihq_pVwO9rvcxcXMnqmiX0o0udXfqAcoeEAG0mKmJ6TQzLzKL5Uao7izX7hIb6-jq9Cmi9kSIUuSlCYpiEjoQtaeHugXTI-l0FtYG2EzRRWYFGQ/s1600/18341837_1493293427397050_3802436275064022254_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwtLDDcDh-LvV5PP-brGFmIBcWXIMZihq_pVwO9rvcxcXMnqmiX0o0udXfqAcoeEAG0mKmJ6TQzLzKL5Uao7izX7hIb6-jq9Cmi9kSIUuSlCYpiEjoQtaeHugXTI-l0FtYG2EzRRWYFGQ/s320/18341837_1493293427397050_3802436275064022254_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie and Libby playing chess</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM5bPtNqi0P-1leShIReftKwoSnQpaazviPtxB9HyFN5yAUipeZpxbMpsHZ5pU0WTIwoc8aeSnqLJVpUn10ZC3jlWmzd4U8scxT_sCc0xNOHIPXbe9_j4UCToAXKpNSRYWKQ_7zp4XxxZ/s1600/18403013_1493293360730390_9160065661845089525_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM5bPtNqi0P-1leShIReftKwoSnQpaazviPtxB9HyFN5yAUipeZpxbMpsHZ5pU0WTIwoc8aeSnqLJVpUn10ZC3jlWmzd4U8scxT_sCc0xNOHIPXbe9_j4UCToAXKpNSRYWKQ_7zp4XxxZ/s320/18403013_1493293360730390_9160065661845089525_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then Anna and Libby playing chess as well.</td></tr>
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Please pray for the refinancing of the store. I am suppose to officially sign a renewal contract with UPS Store corporate later this year which includes remodeling and equipment upgrades. I will admit that signing another ten year contract after the past two years has created anxiety....along with the anxiety about being able to obtain financing......but then again, the thought of walking away from it all creates even more anxiety....what complex creatures we humans are.<br />
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Since it is still officially the Easter season in the Catholic Church I wish you all a Happy Belated Easter from our house to yours,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPestW2GZJXXilcAT9szijNZose3DBXgXN1wycQjiBlSXgubbGTZ3rF67ZZ5g7SvKfssZRSmIqsM9MS4RlCGBDxXjtX9KF5Sha8Nyy_foCtRfSgyrNPonSBuWLVJIN99iPObvW7w3AyJD/s1600/17966931_1473768032682923_4551495654958929716_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPestW2GZJXXilcAT9szijNZose3DBXgXN1wycQjiBlSXgubbGTZ3rF67ZZ5g7SvKfssZRSmIqsM9MS4RlCGBDxXjtX9KF5Sha8Nyy_foCtRfSgyrNPonSBuWLVJIN99iPObvW7w3AyJD/s320/17966931_1473768032682923_4551495654958929716_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2017: Back Row: Jessie, Stephanie (Me), and Joey<br />Front Row: Katie, Libby holding the bunny, and Anna</td></tr>
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Happy early Memorial day from our family to yours. We have extra special plans this year that we are very excited about. Thank you to all our Veterans and those who continue to serve to protect us from harm!! May God bless you and protect you now and always!<br />
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Wishing you all lots of spring flowers and cherished memories,<br />
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Stephanie<br />
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P.S. This picture was taken of Chris and I back in 1999 when we moved into our first apartment in San Diego.....How young we once were......Chris, my love, please pray for us.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47FvXE5v_nabD4mMCcm-IAbP88inA-CzrJhSJZF480XzSNC8JQ2_f0cMw77BQmh97_0UrpatwBsvUgcm7b7Y1P-VxwdGRe2rnOK2Ln9WA1QNhiV-AiQ0EYZCKK9teRU5lfBwmXCVt8pfU/s1600/18320506_1493299944063065_2344269184878314440_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47FvXE5v_nabD4mMCcm-IAbP88inA-CzrJhSJZF480XzSNC8JQ2_f0cMw77BQmh97_0UrpatwBsvUgcm7b7Y1P-VxwdGRe2rnOK2Ln9WA1QNhiV-AiQ0EYZCKK9teRU5lfBwmXCVt8pfU/s320/18320506_1493299944063065_2344269184878314440_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and I, March 1999, San Diego, CA, our first apartment.</td></tr>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-15154604505762149072017-02-02T12:16:00.000-05:002017-02-02T12:16:29.082-05:00A New Way to Support Us Plus: My Year of Silence<div style="text-align: center;">
I have started several blog posts since May, but none of them seemed right to post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL4mN5ChZayzkyfwWVYusDqRw-ByF-cKFSNF-OvOofwpkMFtswPKXu0oA1DoC5SWMVOFmm1zzqpTcxn3kgWOY6SXdvsC-FnhHtdRWpCegzNh8aT6_sWvmtdv3QZRX-MTv6bmcskobtskc/s1600/16403233_1397023897024004_7297721259574161390_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL4mN5ChZayzkyfwWVYusDqRw-ByF-cKFSNF-OvOofwpkMFtswPKXu0oA1DoC5SWMVOFmm1zzqpTcxn3kgWOY6SXdvsC-FnhHtdRWpCegzNh8aT6_sWvmtdv3QZRX-MTv6bmcskobtskc/s320/16403233_1397023897024004_7297721259574161390_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie, Anna and Libby at Christmas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvQVNnTAh8nos9osMEHCD030Z05MIs_TicqzC-rpRtMG2_3srWnOC7-lj3yKws-Zdx-91cgq-D4pQEXfQhLKKhajAKFtWByVBbXrnsNH0xeyKmjpG9hyphenhyphenc-lCdOSTN7TTrdJ6-wtv4n7sZ/s1600/16422626_1397022627024131_8033721252500783176_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvQVNnTAh8nos9osMEHCD030Z05MIs_TicqzC-rpRtMG2_3srWnOC7-lj3yKws-Zdx-91cgq-D4pQEXfQhLKKhajAKFtWByVBbXrnsNH0xeyKmjpG9hyphenhyphenc-lCdOSTN7TTrdJ6-wtv4n7sZ/s320/16422626_1397022627024131_8033721252500783176_o.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and Joey this past Christmas</td></tr>
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Some great news for the new year: We have a new website for our store where you can order any promotional products you may need for work, non-profit organizations, etc., and it will be delivered straight to your door! This is great way that you can help support our family right from your own laptop! There are thousands of products available: magnets, notepads, shirts, water bottles, etc....Almost anything you would want to put a logo on is there!<br />
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<a href="http://theupsstore6036.espwebsite.com/">http://theupsstore6036.espwebsite.com</a><br />
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My silence was not intentional, but just happened by default since I was trying NOT to broadcast all the traveling that I completed this past summer. (Trying to protect my store and house and family from anyone that may decide to try to steal from us.) I was gone for six weeks between May and September, completing UPS Store corporate required training as well as making sure that the kids saw our family in Wisconsin. My last trip ended up being a personal one where I went away for five days without my children and visited a friend. I actually had one day during that trip where I just stayed in bed: no television, no writing, no reading, with very limited cell phone interaction between the store and my kids. Just rest-which never happens unless I get so sick that I can't get out of bed. I finished the day by attending Mass at one of my favorite churches and getting my rosary prayed plus confession. The "rest day" happened because my friend looked at me at breakfast and said, "You are asleep with your eyes open. We are NOT going to the beach. You are going back to bed." That trip must have been what my soul needed since so many people have told me over the last few months that I look happier and at peace. I think I really did need to "get out of Dodge" and it NOT be work or driving twelve hours one way to see my family that I desperately love....but to just try to be with a friend and not worry about everything that I worry about. I sat on the beach and watched the waves roll in and went to church twice plus I met a bunch of "new friends" who were friends of my friend for dinner three times.<br />
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Unfortunately I was not able to go away for Christmas to really visit my family due to an unexpected work crisis. We were able to work out meeting half way for the kids to still get to go visit some of our family, but I spent forty hours of driving in six days to make that happen. I'm not complaining....I am the one still living in Steubenville instead of closer to our extended family....and family is one of the most important part of our lives so I drive to keep those family bonds strong. It's just our reality for now....and I pray my kids remember these trips if they grow up and move far away-that they make it a priority to make those family visits happen.....that maybe someday they will realize, "Wow. I can't believe my mom drank 5 hour energy drinks and drove 12 hours through the night to get us to Wisconsin (or 18 hours to get to Iowa or Kansas City)......Thank you Mom. I'm driving to come see you." (See, one can dream.)</div>
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But my writing silence is also because I am trying very hard to complete my annulment paperwork......and IT. IS. HARD. I remember in my past when I found out that other Catholics had left the Church and gotten remarried in Protestant churches that I would think, "How hard can it really be? Just do the paperwork already and get married 'right'!"......Yeah.....mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. I understand and I will NEVER ever judge someone again if they walk away from the church over this process.....Because this annulment process SUCKS!!! It is painful and hard and 85 FREAKING short answer questions that have to be answered plus a final essay/argument for why your marriage should be annulled. I have had my final essay written for five months now, but the 85 FREAKING QUESTIONS are standing in my way. If I try to complete the paperwork after the kids get to sleep then I can't fall asleep at night and I am not my best at work the next day. My weekends are the only time I can just focus on my kids so I don't want to hire a sitter or lock myself in my bedroom to answer questions during that time. So that leaves me either getting up early (which still sucks for not being tired at work) OR actually paying extra payroll to leave work during the day....and that hasn't happened. On days I plan to leave God seems to send extra business our way, or some other work mini-crisis happens and I don't get any "personal stuff" complete that day. Most of the time I read a question and just want to type, "See the final essay" OR "See the 1600 pages of evidence that the prosecutor has." Anything, but ripping off the "bandaid healing" that has already taken place on my heart and soul. I know that many people seem to find the annulment process healing, but I am one of those people who find it incredibly painful and hard.....and while it is something that I need to do morally for myself long term wise, it is a new suffering that I wasn't expecting in my life. I meant to have it completed by Labor Day, but obviously that has come and gone by another five months. The final document-ON JUST MY PART-will be larger than the final divorce papers that included our personal life, our store, rental duplex, farm, etc. That doesn't include Jason's response that we will have to wait for OR the research completed by the Church tribunal. And the fact that I have to wait for Jason to respond to the same 85 questions while living the schedule he has in the state prison does not give me much hope for a speedy annulment.</div>
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I also completed a state tax audit, which I knew would be coming. I am just thankful that it didn't get started in 2015 while I was trying desperately to get through the legal process of Jason's trial and obtaining a loan to help save the store. I once read a quote from a saint whose name I don't remember right now that said, "If you have too much to do with God's help you will get it done." I have been trying to cling to that mantra.<br />
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It's hard to answer when people ask me how things are going. My response from May when I told people, "It is still going to be very 'tight' financially for another year or two" seems to be ringing true. The store is "out of surgery, but in intensive care" right now. We are still susceptible to bad shipping weeks (or months in this case due to the past election.) We are praying that each week we get the money to pay the basic bills (UPS shipping bill, payroll, rent, utilities, etc). It will still be several months to finish paying off past due vendor debt that I got stuck with. Then hopefully we can start applying half of those debt payments to the back taxes and I can begin taking a paycheck to start getting caught up on personal bills so that we can refinance by next fall which will help cut our debt payments in half again. I also need to start paying back the several people who gave us emergency loans over the past two years.<br />
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The start of each school year creates different crisis whenever you have kids. Then all the stress has added health issues to several of us in the family so we just keep plugging away at focusing on whichever emotional or physical crisis is at hand. A few family members have also understandably been fighting depression as well. My prayer in the end is that my children end up healthy, happy and still living their Catholic faith.<br />
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At the time of Jason's arrest I was enrolled in the second semester of a national online class focusing on Laura Ingalls Wilder and her writings. In one of the class discussion boards, people were going on and on wanting to know, "What was Laura 'doing' during her silent years before she published the Little House on the Prairie series?" The answer is simple: she was living her life with all the daily duties she had to perform: she raised a daughter and helped Almanzo run their farm with several hired hands. She cooked <i>from scratch</i> three meals a day for their family and farm workers on a wood cook stove...no microwave, no running into town to eat at a restaurant....she lived with lanterns and candles for light....she belonged to several organizations in town and did do some writing for farming publications since she was known within her state as an expert in raising laying hens. She wrote in her journal almost daily and wrote letters to all her loved ones before telephones were invented-and still wrote letters even after the telephone was invented.....Anyways, she was busy living her life and began fiction writing as her "life slowed down" due to Rose growing up and her then old age.<br />
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I say all this so that if I am "silent" on the blog for the next year or so....not posting very much....you know why....I am "living my life." I just worked six days a week for over two months to get us through the blessed holiday shipping season. Even during non-peak season I average working approximately 50 hours a week. I worked approximately 70 hours a week for the past two months. Then I head off to whichever kid activit(ies) are on the schedule for the night. Head home, maybe get some chores done and usually get up between 4am-5:30am to repeat that schedule every single day. There is no "off" when you are a single mother and definitely no "off" when you own your own business. Everything depends on God's blessings and grace to provide for the family and then showing up for work each and every day. The annulment process is also taking away from any other personal writing that I want to do.<br />
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Just know that all is well. We did survive 2016, though at times it was really scary financially.<br />
We are looking forward to hopefully a more peaceful 2017. Praying for continued healing emotionally, physically and financially. Praying for all of you and your prayer intentions as well. If I am "silent" writing wise, please know that it is not intentional. I am just taking care of "the business of life." Focusing on the five miracles of my life, my children,....and extended family as well.<br />
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Thank you for your continued prayer support for my family and I!<br />
<br />
Please bookmark this new website in case my store can help provide any promotional products you may need for your business or personal life! Please also let your family and friends know that there is an easy way to help support a single mom of five kids:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theupsstore6036.espwebsite.com/">http://theupsstore6036.espwebsite.com</a><br />
<br />
May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand now and always!!!<br />
<br />
Wishing you the sweetness of truly living your life from our family to yours,<br />
<br />
Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-18419875177042245112016-05-01T08:19:00.000-04:002016-05-01T08:19:03.704-04:00Thank You from Our Home to Yours<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChPOYhxX5vmuZAVT7cyJ7chx4xZ1pDHGpQYT5WLROiEeWGG_xq-s-xGgVaVsbW2lb19A9yltNy3m8xYD1UVIPSuLyEV24ATCiBBTmIZbNiqtL98g32YB0ZIsE4opStP1POoafIP8hLX26/s1600/12919737_1136596659733397_2291397389138342339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChPOYhxX5vmuZAVT7cyJ7chx4xZ1pDHGpQYT5WLROiEeWGG_xq-s-xGgVaVsbW2lb19A9yltNy3m8xYD1UVIPSuLyEV24ATCiBBTmIZbNiqtL98g32YB0ZIsE4opStP1POoafIP8hLX26/s320/12919737_1136596659733397_2291397389138342339_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A Belated Happy Easter from Our House to Yours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCudCmlvRLnVXl7hReObi98QPCZdpWSK149m0x9hqT29WCIBCu8AXyeH2RUwbZOk9Voc9Rk0a1jB_AkkbcsHV5JTiiYvr4Ln5Wu13CpKI6xQtQRXPrAW0D9NWLCIDPOi-HG_Qs7aO1Gdy/s1600/12919662_1136596493066747_2835027910239923405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCudCmlvRLnVXl7hReObi98QPCZdpWSK149m0x9hqT29WCIBCu8AXyeH2RUwbZOk9Voc9Rk0a1jB_AkkbcsHV5JTiiYvr4Ln5Wu13CpKI6xQtQRXPrAW0D9NWLCIDPOi-HG_Qs7aO1Gdy/s320/12919662_1136596493066747_2835027910239923405_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rare picture of me with the children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Dear Editor,</div>
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Fourteen years ago this May my life was
forever altered when my first husband was tragically killed in a
military plane collision leaving me a widow at the age of twenty-five
with two children under the age of two to raise. Two years later I
moved to Steubenville, Ohio in order to pursue my masters degree at
Franciscan University. While most people in my life thought I was
crazy for moving to a town where I didn't know a soul instead of
moving back home to be closer to family, I knew without a doubt that
this was the journey God had in store for my children and myself. I
was lucky enough to fall in love a second time and after remarrying
we decided to put down roots and open a business nine years ago. The
past nine years have been quite the family journey that included
buying a small farm, homeschooling and having three more babies.</div>
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Unfortunately tragedy struck once again
a year ago this May 1st. I once again unexpectedly became a single
mom. At this time my family and I would like to take the time to
publicly thank some of the people who have helped us through this
past year. First I would like to thank Sheriff Abdalla, Captain
Susan Bell and all of the sheriff deputies. I would like to thank
all of the staff of the Jefferson County Jail. Thank you for helping
to keep all of us safe. Thank you as well to the Steubenville Police
Force. You have answered every call over this past year with
professionalism and kindness. Thank you to Prosecutor Jane Hanlin,
Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Bruzzesse, Detective John Lelless and the
judges who serve Jefferson County for your hard work and dedication.
I wish to also thank defense attorney Stephen Stickles and the other
defense lawyers that serve our area so that our justice system can
work the way our founding fathers intended it to work. During the
past year I was also blessed to receive help from attorney Francesca
Carinci and her secretary Amanda Varner. Thank you so much for
helping me to navigate the legal system that I found myself suddenly
involved in and for always answering my calls and concerns. To all
the staff I have encountered in both the courthouse and the city
municipal offices: thank you for always politely answering my answers
and sending me to the correct office to get the help I needed. Lisa
Scott, the Jefferson County Victim's Assistance Coordinator, has
helped us to navigate the very confusing stream of paperwork that
entered my life. Marisa Bortz, an advocate from the A.L.I.V.E.
domestic violence shelter became a friend when I was in desperate
need and didn't even know how to ask for the help that I needed.
Thank you Marisa for listening to your gut and calling me personally
on two different days when I was barely hanging on emotionally and
really needed an advocate for our situation. Thank you to Eileen
Spencer and everyone associated with A Caring Place and the vital
services that they provide for families in crisis. I wish to thank
the staff of Jefferson County Job and Family Services. You provide a
public service that is desperately needed to help keep our children
safe. Too often people criticize you instead of validating the tough
jobs you have. I thank all of you for your help in our case as well.
I especially thank the foster care families in Jefferson County,
especially the family that helped protect my children while my
innocence was proven. Thank you for loving them for those few days
and for continuing to check on them and for becoming my friend.
Thank you to our personal counselors, whose names I won't list for
our own privacy. Thank you for helping us to get through this
tragedy.</div>
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While I hesitate to start to list the
following names, in fear that I may accidentally leave a name out,
there are a few more people that we really need to thank. Without
going into details, many people know that we almost lost our business
during the course of the past year. During this past year a miracle
was pulled off by the grace of God and the many prayers of my family,
friends and customers. I know that many people thought I was crazy
for fighting to keep my store open. Many people think I am crazy for
still choosing to live in Steubenville and for not moving away from
here. But you see, some things are worth fighting for. For my life
both my children and the livelihood that the business can someday
provide for them are ones that I consider a fight worth fighting.
Fighting to stay in Steubenville is worth it as well. I firmly
believe that if you pray as if everything depends on God and then
work as if everything depends on you that things will work out. Now
God doesn't necessarily provide for our needs in the way we wish and
dream for, but He does provide.</div>
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The biggest hero of my story besides
the resilient strength and love of my children is my now ex
mother-in-law. She kept her word from nine years ago and chose to
stay here and become, as she refers to herself, the “granny nanny.”
If I work seventy hours during a week then she works seventy-five
hours taking care of the children. Without her love and support I
would have had to close our store as soon as our tragedy occurred.
Thank you mom for loving me and your grandchildren to make all the
sacrifices you are making! Without the financial support of both my
parents, sister, other extended family members and friends across
this great country the store would have had to close while I was
fighting to get refinanced. It was very humbling since I had never
asked for money since I was nineteen years old. Thank you for being
faithful! Thank you to my past staff, especially Karen O'Day-Cooper,
the former assistant manager. Thank you for stepping up and serving
our customers especially on those days when you were suppose to be
off of work. Thank you to my current staff that is continuing to
give our customers the great service they have come to expect from
our tiny store. Thank you to my customers past, present and future.
I cannot tell you how much your words of kindness, prayers and
financial support both through the store and with donations to our Go
FundMe and to me personally have meant! Truly our doors would have
closed last August and this past January through March if you hadn't
provided for me and the children while I knocked on yet another bank
door. I cannot even begin to try to list you all by name in fear of
accidentally missing one name. Thank you to my extended UPS and The
UPS Store colleagues: you truly mean it when you say “UPS is a
family.”
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Thank you to all the parishioners of
St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Weirton, WV. Your love and
support has helped to keep us going. Thank you to the parishioners
of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hopedale, Ohio and St. Terese
Catholic Church in Cadiz, Ohio since they are my second “home”
parish for those weekends when I can't make it to Weirton. Thank you
to Michele Santin from the Office of Family and Social Concerns
(Catholic Charities) for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville.
During this past year instead of being able to buy for a child on the
Christmas giving tree my children were the ones listed on a giving
tree. Thank you to those anonymous souls that put smiles on my
children's faces on Christmas morning by buying the presents I
couldn't afford. Thank you as well to Catholic Charities for the
help with a utility bill the one month that I was especially
desperate for help. Thank you to the anonymous souls that have
loaned me money without interest. Thank you as well to those who
helped buy my kids back to school clothes and supplies, birthday and
Easter presents. Thank you to those who provided us meals, Kroger
gift cards and gas cards. All these little donations added up to
help provide for our basic needs this past year. Thank you to those
priests who gave us spiritual counseling over the past year. There
were so many I am afraid to try to name you all, but I do have to
thank two in particular: Father Francis of the Order of the Sacred
and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and Father Gregory Thompson
of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church. Thank you for providing the
corporal work of mercy by visiting my now ex-husband in prison. I
saw you also provide friendship and comfort to the other families
visiting prisoners. Thank you for providing that great need to those
who desperately need God's mercy and kindness.
</div>
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The tragedy that occurred in our life
has meant that I had to go to work full time and thus stop
homeschooling my children. I would be remiss if I didn't thank those
people who have stepped up to help us. First, thank you to our
amazing local Heart of Mary Catholic homeschool community! I truly
miss seeing all of you at extra-curricular events. Last summer many
of you stepped up to help with babysitting. It meant so much to know
that my children were in loving homes those few times that neither I
nor their grandmother could babysit. Thank you to the Encounter
Youth Group. Last summer many of the youth and their parents spent a
work day at our farm. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
especially since we do not actively attend your activities. Thank
you to the Mary Seat of Wisdom Classical Co-op. It was my privilege
to have taught there a few short years and I truly miss all the
parents and children. Thank you for providing this last year of
transition for my youngest child. Thank you to our new schools:
Steubenville High School, Bishop John King Mussio Central Elementary
School and the Immaculate Heart Montessori School. Words cannot even
begin to express how much the support, kindness and love has been
from all the staff, teachers and families. It means so much to know
that my children are attending schools where I know that people are
looking out for their well being when I can't be there with them. It
wasn't the easiest of years for us emotionally and I know that many
of you have helped my children. To the many health professionals who
provide for our health: thank you, thank you, thank you.
</div>
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Finally I would like to thank all the
wonderful people of our tri-state area. Too often we get down about
our area. We list all the things that are wrong with it and not what
is going right. Hopefully after twelve years I won't offend anyone
as I now claim this as my adopted “home town.” Our area is still
going through its painful economic transition, but it has one thing
going right for it: it has the best people in the world fighting for
it. I can't even begin to list all the people by name who have
helped me over the years. Five years ago I almost died from
pregnancy complications and people brought us meals for months. Some
of them were complete strangers, but put themselves on the schedule a
friend made up to coordinate meals. We experienced that same
kindness this past year in abundance. A godmother made us three
meals in less than six hours and dropped them all off to help get us
through Holy Week. People have anonymously left cards at the store
just to let me know that someone was praying for us not knowing that
I really needed that encouragement on that particular day. I have
encountered help over and over again from every business I have gone
to over the past year. If they couldn't help they suggested someone
else who possibly could and I would then go to that next person.
This was both financially and for personal needs, like home
remodeling repairs or lawn mower service.
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I already believed in Steubenville and
the tri-state area when I first pushed to open our business nine
years ago. I believe even more in our area having gone through this
tragedy. Yes our area is not perfect and yes, the legal system isn't
perfect either, but it is the best system that we have in the world
right now. I know that it seems like we have experienced even more
setbacks with the announced closing of several different businesses
in the past few months. But this I know: we may have to think
outside of the box, but we can develop our own path. We can fight
the good fight and provide a stronger tri-state area for our
children. The good people in this area are some of the best and most
professional in the world. All of us choose to stay here because we
want a small town life for our children. We have some of the best
schools with traditions of excellence right here in our valley. We
are strong because we care. We rally when people are in need. My
first thought when my tragedy occurred, especially as the true
financial fiasco I was left with began to reveal itself was that my
family was going to lose it all: our store and our house. But then I
prayed and told God that I would fight as hard as I could for as long
as I could, but I needed Him to provide my strength and for our every
need. God is always good even when life is not. He is faithful
even in my own unfaithfulness through human sin. He provided for my
own family in ways I could not even imagine during this past year.
It has been incredibly painful and also very humbling because I had
to keep asking for help over and over again. But I know this: God
will provide for our valley. We just have to be faithful and open to
new business models as we enter the world of e-commerce and social
media.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thank you God for your faithfulness and
for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Infant Jesus Child of
Prague has provided for our family in miraculous ways. Thank you
Saint Joseph for your ongoing protection of my family and interceding
for our needs with your foster son Jesus. Thank you to Saint Cajetan
for interceding and helping to provide for our Divine Mercy “bandaid
loan” to help get us through to our final refinancing next year.
Thank you to my family's patron saints and guardian angels. Your
continued protection and guidance is very real and greatly
appreciated. I cannot wait until I can thank you personally in
heaven.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The words to Lauren Daigle's song
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs">“Trust In You”</a> are my personal anthem and the best way that I can
thank you God. They have guided me for this past year and are my
ongoing prayer as I live my life aiming for eternal life in heaven.
I hope these words help someone else in need as well:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.17in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Letting
go of every single dream<br />I lay each one down at Your feet<br />Every
moment of my wandering<br />Never changes what You see<br />I’ve tried
to win this war I confess<br />My hands are weary I need Your
rest<br />Mighty Warrior, King of the fight<br />No matter what I face,
You’re by my side<br />When You don’t move the mountains I’m
needing You to move<br />When You don’t part the waters I wish I
could walk through<br />When You don’t give the answers as I cry out
to You<br />I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!<br />Truth
is, You know what tomorrow brings<br />There’s not a day ahead You
have not seen<br />So, in all things be my life and breath<br />I want
what You want Lord and nothing less<br />When You don’t move the
mountains I’m needing You to move<br />When You don’t part the
waters I wish I could walk through<br />When You don’t give the
answers as I cry out to You<br />I will trust, I will trust, I will
trust in You!<br />You are my strength and comfort<br />You are my steady
hand<br />You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand<br />Your
ways are always higher<br />Your plans are always good<br />There’s not
a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood<br />When You don’t
move the mountains I’m needing You to move<br />When You don’t part
the waters I wish I could walk through<br />When You don’t give the
answers as I cry out to You<br />I will trust, I will trust, I will
trust in You!<br />I will trust in You!<br />I will trust in You!<br />I
will trust in You!</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you all! May God bless you and
keep you now and always.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stephanie LS Rivers</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Owner of The UPS Store-Steubenville</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Occasional rare blogger at
thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-23422745893866104612016-03-10T00:09:00.001-05:002016-03-10T00:09:05.132-05:00March Update #1 and Novena to St Joseph<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="304" src="http://www.thankevann.com/stjoseph/images/keepcalmjosephSMALL.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;" width="216" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learn more about St. Joseph Altars <a href="http://www.thankevann.com/stjoseph/index.html">here</a>.</td></tr>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><u>Unfailing Petition to St. Joseph:</u></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><u><br /></u></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Holy St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary,</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">be mindful of me, pray for me, watch over me.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam, </b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">provide for my temporal wants.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures,</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">I beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end,</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">if it be for the glory of God,</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">and the good of my soul.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Amen.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Note for all my Protestant friends: When Catholics pray to the Saints, they are asking them to intercede to God on their behalf. We believe that the Saints in Heaven spend their eternity praying for us still here on earth and glorifying God with praise.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><b><u><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">Go FundMe Update:</a></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Thanks to your donations we have been able to keep the lights, heat and internet on at our store. Thanks to two small loans from family members we were also able to pay for the past two months of our overdue "health care sharing co-op" (basically a version of health insurance for me and the children) and to keep the lights on at our house. Thanks to that money we were able to pay the over $2,000 in loan payments that were due for the past two weeks. We still have $3,000 in loan payments and past due bills still to pay for March alone and we are still waiting for the appraisal for the house to come through to find out if we can get a loan to help keep the store open.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Any money you can donate towards the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">Go FundMe</a> will help to keep us open.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">As for overcoming obstacles, yesterday the motor blew out on the heater/ac unit for our store. Thankfully the repairmen were able to find a new motor within an hour's drive of our store and get things fixed, but that was another unexpected $500 (which is my deductible for every repair needed at the store.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Some people have inquired about my refinancing options. Unfortunately corporate does not have a national program set up for our stores to refinance. I have to find a local source. I am on bank #6 trying to make it happen, but every month that this situation stretches on the credit rating keeps getting lower and lower and more and more bills don't get paid on time or at all. Yet, I can't file Chapter 11 bankruptcy because I am not a multi-million dollar company. It costs almost $30,000 to file that type of bankruptcy and we only owe $75,000 and most lawyers don't do Chapter 11's for that "small" amount of money because Chapter 11's take so much time to litigate.....If I file Chapter 7 bankruptcy on the store then I lose my house (because the house anchors the store) and I can't sell the house because the house anchors the store.....so I am in this horrible catch-22. It kills me to hear the local accountant tell people over and over again that "the store is solvent if we can get rid of the rapid finance repayments of $3500 per month that is dragging the store under (plus the other debt that Jason left me with)." So far we have made it ten months. We are so close and just need a little more time to save the store and keep the family home. Thank you for your prayers and donations. If you can help again, please <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a> and please help spread the word. Most of all just keep us in your prayers!</span></span></div>
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A year ago March 10th my life began its radical change. Without going into details of the case that need to remain private, a year ago March 10th I did what had been previously unimaginable to my life and asked my then husband to move out. Per my devotion to St. Joseph I then added "protect my family and help me figure out my marriage" to our novena to St. Joseph. March 18th is the feast day of St. Joseph, the protector of the Church. As the weeks passed through March and April last year, St. Joseph and God worked behind the scenes leading to my now ex-husband and ex-employee's arrest before evidence could be destroyed. I wrote the following testimony <a href="http://www.thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/july-go-fundme-update.html">last July</a> in my thanksgiving tribute to St. Joseph:</div>
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"As many of you know I have a strong devotion to St. Joseph. In fact I have blogged about our annual <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/st-joseph-altar-2014.html" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">St. Joseph Altar dinner </a>that we give every March in the past. Jason was first arrested on May 1st, which is the feast day of "St. Joseph the Worker." May is also the month of Our Lady St. Mary. (Several different friends pointed this out to me a few days after he was arrested.) Jason not only helped me honor St. Joseph with preparing the large St. Joseph meals, but he had of his own volition written a prayer and vow to St. Joseph to take care of me and his stepchildren at our wedding as St. Joseph took care of St. Mary and Jesus. We now know he was stealing from our business, which is the exact opposite of being like "St. Joseph the Worker." He also said honored Mary under the title "<a href="http://www.ourladyofvictory.org/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Our Lady of Victory</a>."</div>
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This past winter Jason kept saying how he wanted to sell our rental duplex, that it was too stressful for him to maintain (even as he had moved his mistress into it and was paying her bills there.) I had bought a statue of St. Joseph to put inside the duplex (NOT to be buried in the ground as some people do). He never took the statue there, so in April I pushed it into his hands saying you can't ask St. Joseph to intercede for the selling of the duplex if you don't take St. Joseph to the house for it to sell. So, he ACTUALLY took the statue of St. Joseph to the duplex, but didn't put it in the empty unit. He actually took St. Joseph into where the mistress lived. Eight days after the two of them were arrested, my friends helped me search the unit where she lived (that I am the landlord of) so that we could hand over her electronic devices to the sheriff and we found St. Joseph hidden in a kitchen cupboard. St. Joseph is known as THE TERROR OF DEMONS. No wonder they were thankfully finally caught by the Sheriff due to an anonymous tip. YOU DON'T MESS WITH ST. JOSEPH. Jason actually took the statue of one my patron saints-THE SAINT THAT HE HAD VOWED TO BE LIKE-into the place where he was committing adultery.</div>
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A few days later, a large box arrived at the store as I left to go to his bond hearing (where the bond was lowered.) The next day one of the employees reminded me that the large box sitting in the store was mine. Inside it was a statue of the Holy Family THAT I HAD ORDERED BACK IN FEBRUARY FOR OUR ST. JOSEPH ALTAR DINNER. The statue arrived three months later on the day of Jason's bond hearing as one more reminder from God that St. Joseph is interceding for me and the children in heaven. It comforted me so much that I am not even annoyed about how long it took it to arrive. Obviously it came right on time!!!"</div>
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I am starting my annual novena to St. Joseph.....praying for his continue guidance of how to provide for my family. As I say over and over again, every day that my store is open is a miracle. Over the course of the past year I have truly learned what it means to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." St. Joseph has protected my children and myself, most likely in ways we don't even know. People who host St. Joseph Altars say that once you start, you never stop. Even though we don't have a lot of money...even though I have to work on the 18th....and my kids' activities fill the weekend schedule and then we have the start of Holy Week, I have decided to host a frugal small St. Joseph Altar at work to honor St. Joseph. There will be minestrone soup, bread, cake and pizzelles. Please feel free to visit our store and small altar next Friday, March 18th from 11am-5:30pm.</div>
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I have added all the prayer intentions of anyone who has "prayed for us past, present and future" to our novena. I have also added the intentions of anyone who has donated to help cover our bills (past, present, future as well.)</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">If you would like to pray the novena to St. Joseph with me then please <a href="http://www.thankevann.com/stjoseph/prayers.html#novena">pray these prayers.</a></span></span></div>
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Please see my past posts regarding two of our past three St. Joseph Altars:</div>
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<a href="http://www.thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2013/03/st-joseph-altar-2013.html">2013 St. Joseph Altar</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/st-joseph-altar-2014.html">2014 St. Joseph Altar</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8npqk6qXynjPkJNtKuFMwpe4IEo0pT170NmgG_E35m17HTzKfJo3dKwGlM7gzf1SwnkLBi_OP3FsvvfxGWyuh9iZnT-yU9l1exSWDEJs-O__5pDD_NYlrpFE8b2t7sTFIyJZW3xnVoDGu/s1600/12814569_1120801094646287_3620490875949017931_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8npqk6qXynjPkJNtKuFMwpe4IEo0pT170NmgG_E35m17HTzKfJo3dKwGlM7gzf1SwnkLBi_OP3FsvvfxGWyuh9iZnT-yU9l1exSWDEJs-O__5pDD_NYlrpFE8b2t7sTFIyJZW3xnVoDGu/s320/12814569_1120801094646287_3620490875949017931_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Joseph: Protector of the Holy Family and my own!</td></tr>
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Words cannot express how much your words of kindness, donations of money and constant prayers mean to the children and myself. The grace that we have been given to survive this situation all comes from God blessings your prayers made on our behalf.</div>
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May you have a blessed end to your Lent and a sweet start to your spring,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-50066253817994014422016-02-27T05:51:00.001-05:002016-02-27T06:07:18.182-05:00A Healing Time<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Taking Time to Heal</b></u></div>
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If you are a new visitor here is the brief summary of my life:</div>
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Was married to a US Naval Officer who died in a training plane collision leaving me a single mom.</div>
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Remarried and had three more children.</div>
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Husband had an affair with an employee.</div>
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He and the employee hurt children and stole from our store.</div>
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They are in jail.</div>
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I am now a single mom again with five children.</div>
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I am trying frantically to keep our store open for business.</div>
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I got stuck with an unbelievable amount of debt and therefore may have to close the store.<br />
We need $10, 000 immediately to keep the store open until the newly approved bank financing is processed and available for use eight weeks from now.<br />
If we don't get money to pay the electric and cable bill the store will be closed by the end of this week.<br />
(Ironically if we make it through the next eight weeks we will be at the year mark for when my ex was arrested.)</div>
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You can donate <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">here</a> if you want to help keep our store open.<br />
Please consider being a part of our miracle!</div>
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Here is a new update:</div>
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I wrote one blog post, but when I went back to add pictures, all that writing has disappeared. Not sure why it doesn't seem to be saved on the computer.</div>
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Last month, thanks to your prayers and the hard work on the part of both the prosecutors and the defense lawyer, and only two business days before his trial was to begin, a plea deal was made. We were able to avoid a trial which has been my desperate plea since Jason was first arrested. While some may disagree with how the system works I am relieved. The plea deal was "life in prison without the possibility of parole for nineteen years." None of the children had to testify. Twelve jurors and the public was spared from being exposed to whatever evil is contained in the mountains of evidence the prosecution had from all the computers that we willingly turned over. Let's be honest: only my pinkie nail wanted a trial so I could try to figure out how all this happened-what signs did I miss? Right now the prosecutors and detectives know more about my life and ex-husband than I do. But 99.9% of me is relieved-my kids are protected. We can move on and begin healing now. We have a timeframe. Because honestly, a trial would just have created more questions for me since it is truly incomprehensible for a normal person to emotionally understand what actually happened. Even if both Jason and the mistress truthfully explained what happened, I will always have, "Why? and What the....?" So, now we try to move on and let the healing begin.</div>
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I was hoping to say that life is better now, but it is not. That is why I have avoided this blog update as long as I have. My friends who set up the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">Go FundMe</a> have been urging me to get this written for weeks, but I am so tired of asking for help-of writing how much my life sucks that I just keep postponing it. Plus I have been averaging 70 hour work weeks while our store gets new staff trained.</div>
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Back during the summer when we started the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">Go FundMe</a> asking for $25,000 in money it was to help with the heat remodel, make other improvements on the house and get a new safer vehicle which are all requirements of social services for being able to keep my kids. We had only been able to <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">collect $11, 000 </a>and I did not have signed divorce papers by the beginning of September with the full knowledge that winter was coming and we had no heat. So, I leveraged the only asset I had left, which was the store and took out two horrible rapid repayment loans, because I had been reassured that as soon as the divorce was complete we would be able to refinance. But now, since more and more debt keeps being reported by different vendors, the IRS, etc, normal refinancing is not working. I just keep knocking on every door, asking for more time every single week. I have taken only one paycheck since July because why pay payroll taxes on checks I cannot cash? We have dried up all assets, listed new ones for sale, (anyone want a fixer up rental duplex?), we are reaching the end of the game plan. It seems crazy to me that the #12 store in our region, that still had lines of customers going out the door this week even though it was February, could be shut down over not being able to get financing for $50, 000 because when we are talking about business $50, 000 is not that much money in today's day and age. To my credit, and to the credit of loyal family, friends and customers, we have not defaulted on any loans. I keep plugging away-but I HAVE to pay off the rapid refinance loans or we will LOSE the store. We need $50, 000 asap (that is the loan amounts plus the interest) so that I can actually pay myself a wage and other store bills we are falling behind on each month instead of paying those loan companies $3500/month. I have a business plan that shows how much I can afford to pay if anyone is willing to come in as a partner for the business or give me a decent loan with a regular interest rate. If any of you can <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a> to help me pay both the store bills and my personal bills that I can't pay since I am not paying myself, please<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g"> donate here</a>. Any money paid to the Go FundMe will go towards keeping the lights (and other basic bills like rent) on at both the store and home first, then any extra money above the next $10,000 will go towards store debt. (Those rapid loans are why we have increased the amount needed on the Go FundMe.) If you can't <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a>, then please just pray-I know that God has some mysterious plan for me and the kids. Just pray that I have peace as I make decisions each week when it comes to the store. I am open to all possibilities: hiring a manager and working another job to help pay off debt, selling the store, filing bankruptcy and closing the store, or doing what I have been doing: going to work each day to pay the bills and keeping the store going. I could have walked away ten months ago....but I don't take the easy paths in life. I was born a fighter and I believe that my store is worth fighting for. Staying in the Steubenville area is worth fighting for which is why I this week I found a bank that can help this dream come true. We just need help from our customers to help keep the lights on and internet running for the next two months until all the financing can be processed.</div>
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Two things I would like to address. There seems to be some crazy rumors going around.</div>
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The first rumor is supposedly that "my mother-in-law posted Jason's bail last May." Shame, shame on whichever people are spreading this vile rumor!!!! My mother-in-law absolutely DID NOT post Jason's bail. She informed his lawyer that Jason was exactly where he need to be. His bail was posted by a military buddy who kept his wartime promise that he would put up bail if Jason was ever arrested. He feels betrayed by the new charges that Jason's plea deal was for. Unfortunately I have had no contact with this friend since July. It hurts to have lost a friend that I thought I would always be able to count on if times were tough for me and the kids. But I also know that this honorable person kept his promise and has been betrayed by a close friend he believed in. He too needs to heal and protect himself.</div>
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The second rumor seems to be that my "children have had contact with their father." THEY HAVE HAD NO CONTACT WITH THEIR DAD SINCE MAY 1ST!!!! When the judge was talking about Jason breaking "no contact" orders at the plea deal last month, they were referring to him having contact with the mistress while they were both in jail. In fact I turned over evidence of that contact after he was rearrested. I found letters hidden in a heating vent in our duplex which I turned in as soon as I found them. How do you know they children haven't had contact with him? BECAUSE MY SOCIAL SERVICES CASE IS STILL NOT CLOSED. If any contact had been made, my kids would be in the foster care system instead of safe at home with me. My little ones do not understand what has happened. They don't understand why they can't send their dad pictures or talk to him on the phone. They keep asking why the judge thinks that their dad could hurt them if he is in jail. Someday they will grow up and realize that they could be hurt by manipulation and that the judge's job is to protect them with these rules, but right now all they know is that they love their dad even though he did bad things and they can't tell him they miss him and love him. They can't hear his voice to know he is okay. Ask ANY foster care parent you know and they will tell you these are all normal reactions for any kid in foster care. Kids who have been terribly hurt by their parents physically, emotionally and sexually can still love the person who hurt them. That love MUST be honored so I do my best to honor their hurting hearts. I tell them over and over that it will get easier and that they are loved and missed. BUT I HAVE OBEYED EVERY RULE. NO LETTERS, PHONE CALLS OR CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE. In fact I am the one who has said absolutely no contact with any of the five children, not just the victims. When each child turns 18 years old then they can personally decide if they want contact with their dad or not.</div>
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So, please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, stop spreading rumors. It is a sin. Let us all move on and heal.</div>
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Sorry that I don't have time to post pictures.</div>
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Again, thank you for all the prayers!!!</div>
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If you can, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">please donate here and be a part of our financial miracle.</a></div>
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May the quiet healing of winter lead you all to the sweetness of spring,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-40851388581611057402015-12-20T17:14:00.000-05:002015-12-20T17:14:31.321-05:00Count Your Blessings<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><u>Count Your Blessings 2015</u></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pondering the Miracle of Christmas</td></tr>
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I want to start this post by wishing all of you a very blessed Advent, a very Merry Christmas and the best of Happy New Years for 2016.</div>
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I sit here trying to write this blog post as my body is trying to pass two kidney stones. I have now learned my lesson that even if I skip eating because the store is so busy with customers that I still need to make sure I drink water. People are not being overly dramatic when they say that the pain from a kidney stone is equal to childbirth. Thank you God for the different chemists who created all the different pain, nausea and relaxation drugs that I have taken over the past two days both orally and via iv at the hospital. I am so thankful for my staff who covered the store on one of the busiest Saturdays of the year when I was unable to come into work. One of my best friends dropped everything and spent the last twenty-four hours taking care of me while Debbie helped take care of the littles. Another single mom sent one of her teenagers to check on me after I had posted a desperate plea trying to find someone to take me to the ER so that I could avoid paying for an ambulance ride. These are all blessings that I can never repay enough. A nurse lecturing me to "go home and stop worrying about the store. It will still be there after you pass these stones. I love your store."......all blessings I can never repay. The first kidney stone has passed, but not the second yet. Pray that it passes in the next day or two so that I can celebrate Christmas with my children and extended family. I would like to go home for Christmas and not end up stuck in an ER trying to pass a kidney stone.</div>
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The next part of this post is what I don't know how to express accurately. Every time I think we have a financial plan in place to get everything paid off at the store and personally....every time I think that we have emotionally processed everything we need to process I find out I am wrong. I have been in charge of all our personal bills since March 2014. I took over the store and the duplex in May 2015, and yet I still just got "found" by creditors this month about unpaid bills (personal and store ones) that I had never received any bills for in the mail. When I came back to one creditor and asked him what address they had been mailing the bills to he refused to tell me since he had been"working with Jason, not you." Yet, now of course the unpaid bills have been forwarded for me to pay since I agreed to take on all debt with the divorce......so now I am facing having to file for bankruptcy.....and it is a matter of figuring out which type we are filing for. I am hoping that we can do a Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 so that we can restructure and save the store.</div>
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Several people have asked me, "Why?" "Why keep the store open? Why do this to yourself?"</div>
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To answer that is a very complicated answer that I can't accurately express to anyone. I am the reason why there is a UPS Store in Steubenville in the first place. It was the first franchise that I desperately missed after moving here from Pensacola. It drove me crazy to have to buy a box at Wal-Mart or the post office and then go out to the parking lot to pack it. My copies were not usually completed correctly at my one competitor's store. I love my customers and I believe that the feeling is reciprocated. I lost track of how many customers told us what a blessing we were to them this week.....how many times I almost cried because they don't know how close we are to having to shut down the store. I just told them with a smile to come back and see us in February.</div>
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My counselor and several friends keep reminding me that there is no shame in filing for bankruptcy or deciding that it is time to put the "For Sale" sign up on the store or even to just close the store up and call it quits. They remind me that this is not something I did myself, but rather something that was done to me. That it is just one more way I have been victimized and deceived. All these things just make me want to fight for it even more. I have worked so hard and paid off so much debt already. I put all my employees ahead of myself when it comes to paychecks and taking lunch breaks. I try to treat my employees the way the Marines work with the whole "officers eat last" mentality.</div>
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I love my store. While I never thought that owning a UPS Store is what I would "grow up and do" for my career, it is a job that I love. I don't mind getting up each day and going to work. While some people might see the job as "Different day, same old thing" mentality, I don't. Every package we ship has a different story attached to it. Every print job and notary service has its own story. From shipping a frozen casserole to a niece dying from cancer who requested it as her last meal to people missing their hometown Giannamore's Pizza or Snyder potato chips to a "just because I saw it and thought of you present".....all small things that I get to help be a part of. Helping people complete the business of their daily life, both at work and personally-all small things that I get to be a part of. The founder of UPS once said that "the heart of the foundation of UPS is service".....I love to serve others and to be a part of a company that prides itself on giving world class customer service to every person.</div>
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I have learned how to complete freight shipments and we have learned how to print blue prints and wide format banners. Every week I learn more and more about graphic design work, business cards, etc, etc. Both my employees and myself have stepped up to the plate and haven't turned down a single job. We have figured out how to get it done so we can stay in business. We ended the last two weeks of August in the Top 10% of freight services in the country. We won awards in October and November for being in the top 10% of other services in the network. Honestly, our store is just starting to hit its stride. People in Steubenville are still discovering that our tiny store is here and that we offer professional print and business services. We haven't even reached the potential of what our store can do. If I can just climb out of this hole my ex created-if I can be given a fighting chance, know that we will not only stay open, but we will be a model store that others will look to and use as an example. If anyone is interested in giving a business loan or becoming a partner in our store, please contact me directly.</div>
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So, I come here to ask for help......if you can help <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g?fb_action_ids=10207988709464781&fb_action_types=gofundme%3Ashare_co_dashboard&fb_ref=fb_cr_og_share__25139752a2824d898145bfe2ca3a4947">donate</a> to help me get through the next three to four months.....til we can get through refinancing or filing for bankruptcy (if that is what the accountants and lawyers help me decide is the right plan of action)....if you can help me pay off the heat remodeling job and other past due personal bills since I have still not been paid back by the Ohio Attorney General's office for the thousands of dollars I am suppose to be reimbursed for from counseling that has been received as part of the Ohio Victim's Assistance fund......words cannot express how thankful we would be. It you can't, I understand.....Please just continue to pray for more miracles because God has given us a miracle every day since May 1st. Most of all just pray that I will have peace about whatever decision I have to make. All of these decisions are painful, but something can hurt and you still have the peace from God that this is the right decision for you and your family. Pray that my pride won't blind me from seeing the path before me as I stand amongst the trees. <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g?fb_action_ids=10207988709464781&fb_action_types=gofundme%3Ashare_co_dashboard&fb_ref=fb_cr_og_share__25139752a2824d898145bfe2ca3a4947">Donate here</a> if you can. If you don't want to use the GoFundMe, then please mail donations to the address at the bottom of this blog post. If you are new here and don't know what happened, the please read blog posts from May 2015 to the present date.</div>
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Earlier this week as I found out about yet more unpaid bills and was trying to figure out how on earth my ex was able to hide all these things from me....how he was able to come home each night at regular times and be there for every event and yet have some alternate life that I knew nothing about, "like what address was all these bills going to?", I wrote the following to one of my best friends:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 29.009px; text-align: start;">"I feel like I am drowning. The only time I felt worse was when my kids were gone for those 4 days....I feel as if I am lost at sea and can see the </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 29.009px; text-align: start;">shore but keep getting swept in a rip tide that I can't escape. I keep swimming, but every time I come up to breathe I get hit by a wave and swept back down. The only reason why I am getting up each day is for my kids and because I keep reminding myself that this dark night shall pass just like the darkness did when Chris died.....but this trial is far worse.....far far worse. I always believed that with God I could do anything, but now I don't....why must I be stripped bare when I already had nothing left. I thought I had been through my Calvary before, but now I realize that worse than Calvary is the scourging at the pillar.....my soul is being torn to shreds and just when it begins to heal then it is ripped open again and this time the nails and piercings go deeper. The scourging is far worse because then each day after my soul has been ripped open again I have to carry the cross. This scourging is "my dark night of the soul." The choice to follow Christ, to not give in to immoral ways to make money, to choose honor and integrity and love.....the pain that it takes to become a Saint takes my breath away. As a type A planner I have always had a plan, but now I truly don't know what my day will be.....in what way will I be scourged? So I just try to choose moment by moment what action or choice will lead me to heaven.....so as I am drowning in pain I see God's light through the darkness, the light of heaven and I keep reaching towards it even as my breath fails me."</span></div>
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Thank you for being like the people in "It's a Wonderful Life" who bring the money to George Bailey-that has been all of you to me and the kids since May 1st.....thank you for reminding me that I am loved by God and by so many unknown people who have left anonymous notes and money......that makes me like the General from "White Christmas" whose troops surprise him and where I try to fall asleep "Counting My Blessings"......</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb-MbQM-G8gpdTcGN-62pNimuZT9vuJXBARCoc7t67K3cGGG8_xy2d_AswAgr3z2GTg2DzgreW8K0qpHWxyG5iTZ1Uah-vHN-wNzZQRWfhMqo9z5fadjpoFyXHnh4fjo6pUKvCf-IYeCW/s1600/12376805_10153982022626844_404070097204882376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb-MbQM-G8gpdTcGN-62pNimuZT9vuJXBARCoc7t67K3cGGG8_xy2d_AswAgr3z2GTg2DzgreW8K0qpHWxyG5iTZ1Uah-vHN-wNzZQRWfhMqo9z5fadjpoFyXHnh4fjo6pUKvCf-IYeCW/s320/12376805_10153982022626844_404070097204882376_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from our home to yours!!!</div>
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May you feel the sweetness of God's peace with you as you begin the New Year,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Donations can be mailed directly to:</div>
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Stephanie LS Rivers</div>
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The UPS Store</div>
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117 S. Hollywood Blvd Box 114</div>
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Steubenville, OH 43952</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-1990136527858150492015-11-16T11:08:00.000-05:002015-11-16T11:09:11.921-05:00Thanksgiving Thankfulness<div style="text-align: center;">
Walk With Me</div>
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I have been intending to post for several weeks now, but have been dragging my feet....</div>
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Hoping that I would be able to announce some good news, like Jason had taken a plea deal OR that the store was in the black and debt was paid off Or something else that equals peace in my life.....Yet, I am at situation "normal".....relying on the Grace of God each day that the store will make it through......having to ask for help financially again to help with our heat situation It is part way done, but is of course running into delays and extra supplies. We are about $5, 000 short of what we need to finish paying for the heat remodel and to help keep the store open this month. (Remember: this old farmhouse didn't have any duct work.) Please <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate here</a> if you can or leave donations at our store if you can.</div>
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So many people have helped these past few months, and you have no idea how much your cards and prayers have meant to me and the children. While I don't want to list individual names in case I would accidentally forget a name, (plus so many people left money and cards anonymously), I decided that I would list all the companies that have stepped up to cover repairs at our house, store and duplex in just the last three months. I hope that you will send them your business if you can. They have truly stepped up and helped God provide for the "widow and orphans." Here is the list in no particular order:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HockenberryHeatingCooling">Thomas Heating and Cooling</a> (formerly known as Hockenberry Heating and Cooling)</div>
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Y.C. Construction (Jim Sarlo)</div>
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St. Thomas Construction (Jason Hendricks)</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WetherellEP">Wetherell Enterprises, LLC</a> (Shane Wetherell, Septic Tank pumping & repairs)</div>
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<a href="http://www.landonpropertymanagement.com/">Landon Property Management</a> (Benjamin Clark)</div>
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Peter Stetson (painting & wallpaper removal)</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pivotal-Propane-LLC-199432686759530/">Pivotal Propane</a> from St. Clairsville, OH (propane heat tank & installation)</div>
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Also, while they ended up not completing our heating remodel, I would like to thank the following four men/companies for being willing to bid on the job and for offering advice, again in no particular order:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ralph-Taylor-Jr-Heating-Cooling-LLC-134058733311179/">Ralph Taylor Jr. Heating & Cooling</a></div>
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Todd Zimish</div>
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<a href="http://www.gombarrefrig.com/">Gombar Refrigeration Heating & Cooling</a> (Doug Doyle)</div>
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G&L Heating & Air, Dillonvale, OH</div>
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I would be remiss if I did not mention my two "right hand man" companies that are helping me to get through this maze of life right now: Both B.J. Nurczyk from <a href="http://www.danniballecpas.com/">D'Anniballe Accounting</a> and Dean Bucci (along with Michelle Tedreau) from <a href="http://www.ohiovalleypayroll.com/">Payroll Plus</a> have answered countless questions and talked me off many an emotional cliff the past few months. They have been very patient because I am sure I have asked them the same question several times when I have forgotten the answer.</div>
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Francesca Carinci (my attorney) and her secretary Amanda have also offered endless support as well.</div>
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Finally, Marissa Bortz with <a href="https://www.domesticshelters.org/oh/steubenville/43952/a-l-i-v-e-inc#.Vkn7tmSrQ19">Alive, Inc.</a> has also helped to explain the new twists and turns that certain events have taken things during the past few months.</div>
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When I was praying about what I should write about I got stopped by the school principal to let me know that a parent had called expressing concerns because my littles have been talking.....So, I write the following to the families in my community and for any future victim families out there.......And I am open and as honest as I can be right now since I have to be very careful since there is a court case still ongoing with the possibility of a trial and for the protection of my children.</div>
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So, as I have previously mentioned my younger children don't understand what is going on at all. We know that at least of one of the younger children was hurt while she was sleeping. She thankfully seems to have no memories of the event, nor do the other two children who were sleeping in the same room seem to have any memories of what happened to their sister......so when they come crying to me about missing their daddy, who they are not allowed to have any contact with, and ask, "Why can't we see or talk to daddy?" I have replied over and over again, "Daddy is sick. The judge says this is what he needs in order to get better." When they have asked over and over, "What did daddy do that was so bad" I have replied over and over, "Daddy is sick. Daddy hurt children." Well, you see the littles are seven, six and four, so trying to process the reality that "Daddy is in jail. I can't see my daddy. Daddy hurt kids" is incomprehensible to them. They are his biggest defenders. They will say, "My daddy didn't mean to do bad things. He wouldn't hurt kids. He didn't know what he was doing" because to them He is still that hero. He is their defender. They don't know what he did AND we want to keep it that way......But they also don't understand that it's not socially acceptable to be going around and say, "My daddy is in jail." They are little and they don't understand the social baggage or connotations associated with that statement. They simply say the truth over and over again, "My daddy is in jail. He hurt kids." And sometimes, many times, they say this at school.</div>
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So, I apologize if these statements have caused any families that didn't know what was going on in our lives stress. I am thankful for the parent that called the school concerned wanting to double check if the statement, "My daddy in in jail. He hurt kids" is true. It is good to know that your child trusts you to come and talks to you about what one of my children said. We have had yet another conversation at home and have now come up with the line that my children can just say, "My daddy made bad decisions." I went over yet again that they don't need to mention their daddy at all.....BUT THEY ARE HURTING AND GRIEVING. THEY DON'T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND ALL THE CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE. One of them came back and asked me, "Do I raise my hand when the teacher asks, 'Who has a dad?'" To which I said, "Yes, you still have a dad." "But I don't. He's not here anymore." "Yes, sweetie. You still have a daddy. He may be in jail, but he is still your daddy. He loves you and he prays for you everyday. He's sad that he's sick. He's sad that he can't be here anymore. He misses you. He wishes he could talk to you He's still your daddy. You can just tell people that he doesn't live here anymore. That you don't get to see him. Unfortunately lots of kids don't get to see their daddies." Tears fall down all our cheeks......."Why would a daddy hurt kids?" "Why???" The only response I can give to my kids is "Daddy got sick." But we all know the reality is both an illness and SIN and other personal info that stays within just our family.....but that is for future discussions as they grow older. Not for right now. Right now, "Daddy is sick" is all they need to know. </div>
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The deal is that all five kids will now be in counseling starting in December and honestly, they are handling the situation better than most adults in their lives are handling the situation. Nothing is more important than my children. We are all doing the best we can, and I am doing the best I can at raising them. I make mistakes, but my end goal is still to raise their beautiful souls to heaven-that they stay honest, sweet and loving. That they grow up to serve "God, family and country." So, I don't want them NOT to feel like they can talk about their dad. They need to process the reality of their life and the reality is exactly what they say, "My daddy is in jail. He's sick. He hurt kids." And with time they will realize when they can and should talk about it and when they shouldn't. The first month of school we were having my most "adventurous kid"-the one who is the first to try something new become so anxious about going to school each day that she would throw up on the way to school. One day she refused to get out of the car. So I pulled over in the parking lot and got her out of the car and sat with her on my lap and cried with her in the parking lot in front of all the other families dropping of their kids as she kept asking, "Why? Why did daddy have to go to jail? Why can't you teach me anymore? Why did everything have to change?" And after I was able to convince her to go to school that day and made it to work I immediately called to put in the request with Victim's Services to get her in counseling immediately.</div>
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Honestly, if it was a perfect world, all five kids plus myself would have all started counseling last May, but Victim's Assistance is a reimbursement program, so I have to pay for all the counseling sessions up front and then be reimbursed......the paperwork for Round 1 and Round 2 of five out of 6 of us took me over 3 weeks to complete last month.....and I am an organized person......not dependent on drugs or alcohol or sex to comfort myself. I'm pretty good at staying organized even during chaos. I get up each day by God's grace and plug away at my endless to do list, but I now sympathize with all other victims or the parents whose children are in foster care. I thankfully am my own boss so I can set the schedule to get off of work for myself and the children, but it IS a burden both time and financially and I have now paid over $2,000 in counseling bills without reimbursement. Hopefully that money will be coming in time for Christmas, but MOST families can NOT do that. Most single moms have to worry about losing their jobs and can't make it to counseling sessions during the day. So, I know that God will have me become an advocate in the future to try to help other victim families. If I can help one other family then it will help all this endless pain be worth it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYltDSzYW7FhImM0uZyCN8QBpLnIKmVUpM2I5x6UOlCqiJsuDhut5EgH99Pgjxt57Gs1DFvtedupNzRtkTYAp07o4avVyzS3aCDSGBmUZDaSF-IPy7421-o6oe25Db_FF3KbwONXjK1CdH/s1600/DSC_7400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYltDSzYW7FhImM0uZyCN8QBpLnIKmVUpM2I5x6UOlCqiJsuDhut5EgH99Pgjxt57Gs1DFvtedupNzRtkTYAp07o4avVyzS3aCDSGBmUZDaSF-IPy7421-o6oe25Db_FF3KbwONXjK1CdH/s320/DSC_7400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivers Family 2015: From the Sweetness of our Home to Yours</td></tr>
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We had our family picture taken last month by<a href="http://www.eileenmarrowphotography.com/home.html"> Eileen Marrow</a>. The photos are gorgeous and she captured exactly what I wanted her to capture.....us walking into the future. God has been faithful for the past six months and somehow beyond understanding, we have heat-we just need to finish paying for it.....Our store is still open for business (truly every day it is open is a miracle).....but most important, we are walking through a dark time for our family together. My teenagers still choose to stay home most weekend nights with us.....we watch movies, we play games, we have dance parties, we go to church together, we experience the thankfulness of a beautiful family life.....an extraordinary, yet ordinary sweet family life.....</div>
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Thank you for walking with me on this journey: your prayers and financial help have made all the difference.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-0vZEx6T8IHf4oD20hMTZpKrBxwlR0-LnzwgDbi-UKNBzUZ4PCcoBThPB4LFTiPWvqTcuc9-aCyHBQ2rjcoDaIN7Bi3QiZlKrMIDXi3bCThnNqD_gLjk32HpoBXJ8QHr_J_QC1QvnKN8/s1600/DSC_7502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-0vZEx6T8IHf4oD20hMTZpKrBxwlR0-LnzwgDbi-UKNBzUZ4PCcoBThPB4LFTiPWvqTcuc9-aCyHBQ2rjcoDaIN7Bi3QiZlKrMIDXi3bCThnNqD_gLjk32HpoBXJ8QHr_J_QC1QvnKN8/s320/DSC_7502.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sweetness of an Indian Summer Fall Day</td></tr>
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From the sweetness of our home to yours-Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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Always,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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If you can <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate, please go here</a>.......</div>
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If you want to read past posts regarding the crisis my family is now in, please visit the following links:</div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/05/my-go-fundme-account.html">May 2015 Go FundMe</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/july-go-fundme-update.html">July 2015 Go FundMe</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-surreality-of-divorce.html">July 2015 Divorce</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/08/please-be-part-of-our-miracle.html">August 2015 Go FundMe</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/">September Miracle</a></div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-33041319560920063972015-09-13T09:32:00.000-04:002015-09-13T09:32:02.965-04:00Miracles Still Needed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLz3AbVzW5o0KPz4_dBqsoNz8mVhyphenhyphenK9C0tWP54I3c_UynR4NKhaQ0-rCezuH1XOCbHVi7zUZYg4FqEV3aA2JNu5XLAzF8TWN5BidZucPEU2_9XPRA_b4KYsFgGjxIJTIuCtAEZQlFBDZK0/s1600/10885032_1025517237508007_1702622459583578573_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLz3AbVzW5o0KPz4_dBqsoNz8mVhyphenhyphenK9C0tWP54I3c_UynR4NKhaQ0-rCezuH1XOCbHVi7zUZYg4FqEV3aA2JNu5XLAzF8TWN5BidZucPEU2_9XPRA_b4KYsFgGjxIJTIuCtAEZQlFBDZK0/s320/10885032_1025517237508007_1702622459583578573_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What You Do For Yourself Dies With You, What You Do For Others Lives For Eternity</td></tr>
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Hello!</div>
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Thank you for last month's miracle, but unfortunately I now need the miracle of a new furnace and heat. <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">If you can donate please go here right away!</a></div>
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If you are reading my blog for the first time please read the following blog updates to understand fully what has happened before reading the rest of this blog post:</div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/05/my-go-fundme-account.html">May 2015 Go FundMe</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/july-go-fundme-update.html">July 2015 Go FundMe</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-surreality-of-divorce.html">July 2015 Divorce</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/08/please-be-part-of-our-miracle.html">August 2015 Go FundMe</a></div>
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I have been meaning to write a blog post for the past two weeks-to give you the update that thanks to all of your prayers, donated money and small loans we were able to make it to Labor Day. Honestly, EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT MY STORE IS STILL OPEN IS A MIRACLE.</div>
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Business has thankfully started to pick up, but so have the bills to make that business happen (like ordering more boxes, paper for print jobs, etc) and now I have had to start paying on some of the big debt that a few companies were willing to postpone until September so that I didn't have to close the store. I still haven't cashed a paycheck since July. I am trying to pursue some peer lending sites for a personal loan that way since due to unfortunate circumstances I still don't have signed divorce paperwork almost two months after our final divorce date. This means that I still can't refinance and IF that miracle ever happens the paperwork process to make that happen takes 6 LONG WEEKS......and it will be cold by then........</div>
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We need a new furnace in order to have a warm house. The dual coal/wood burner that we have needs to be fed wood or coal every two-four hours.....if you spend 1-2 hours stoking it in the morning you can sometimes get a burn that will last maybe 6 hours without having more coal or wood added......but I am gone 12-14 hours a day. I also do not feel comfortable asking my aging mother-in-law to risk getting burnt each day to keep a fire going......Since the CPS investigation is being kept open until either Jason's trial is complete or he makes a plea deal I cannot run space heaters or propane heaters in the house....I need a new propane furnace and additional duct work asap because it will be freezing cold sometime within the next six weeks.</div>
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I asked two of my best friends what else I should write you because I am so tired of humbling myself and begging for help. I have also officially went from "adrenaline crisis stage" into "grief stage".......I am grieving the loss of the life that I once had and that can never be again. I try to fake a smile each morning and be cheerful to get my children up for school each morning, but I cry with them at times that I can't stay at home and teach them anymore-that I have to take them to the wonderful schools they are enrolled at so that I can go to work and try to help put food on the table, clothes on their back and a roof over their head. It is a lot of change for ALL of us......we lost our complete way of life along with a father, husband and best friend.......and I have the added "benefit" of knowing each day how close we are to losing the business to help take care of my children. Like last month when I begged for help we had less than $100 in the bank with both payroll and a $2, 000 UPS weekly shipping bill to pay.......My grief is exhibiting itself in the form of "forgetfulness"-like leaving my cell phone somewhere seven days in a row and small things making me cry.</div>
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So, this is what my best friends told me to tell you about:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZJQB2bvLlPIrFJBeSqHhjWb8lJI8p3sIz6L5r6QjBideHpDvq_E3XrlWGiKdzidrDbMAlI28KyydO0VhtPb44n79I6D_sm-vAMynMBSrz5HiOAwO_J_So4HxnPk_Zk2TET4apYvewYc6/s1600/7732.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZJQB2bvLlPIrFJBeSqHhjWb8lJI8p3sIz6L5r6QjBideHpDvq_E3XrlWGiKdzidrDbMAlI28KyydO0VhtPb44n79I6D_sm-vAMynMBSrz5HiOAwO_J_So4HxnPk_Zk2TET4apYvewYc6/s320/7732.jpeg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie with a the rental brush hog</td></tr>
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They told me to tell you what I have completed in the last month while working six days a week:</div>
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Labor Day week was thankfully only a five day work week for me.....But I paid to get my butt kicked by a pull start walk behind brush hog. You see, unfortunately, the land around my mother-in-law Debbie's house was never leveled out after her house was put in. I have been promising her a yard for the past four years-and starting this summer my children have been there every day.......It took me two months, and tons of asking with rejection, but I finally found two different families willing to risk their brush hogs to help get the 6 foot tall weeds knocked down back in July to surprise Debbie as her birthday present. It had been six weeks and some of the weeds had regrown up to 3 1/2 feet tall. I am stubborn and was honestly so tired of begging people for help that I didn't call to ask either of the two families to come back. We tried mowing it with our regular lawn mower, but the ground is too uneven.....so I spent FIVE hours on my day off pushing this heavy mower around-getting stuck a few times and having my Joey help me pull the mower out......And I have since been scolded by several people for not asking for help again......my muscles hurt for several days even with several epsom salt baths. I WILL ask for help next month to get the weeds knocked down one more time-or spend the same amount of money to PAY someone to do it instead of getting my butt kicked physically again....Now I know that yes, I can do it for myself if I have to, but I know how well spent every blessed dollar for brush hogging truly is. Hopefully next spring we can afford to have the ground leveled and then we can just mow it with the regular mower. Joey has been diligent about doing all the regular mowing and weed wacking.</div>
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In August Joey helped me for several hours to finish cleaning out Jason's apartment on my Sunday afternoon off. We gave stuff away to several neighbors and a charity and figured out what tools to bring home to use for ourselves and started to figure out which ones to list for sale. The next weekend we started working on cleaning out the garage which we also have worked on for the past three weekends as well in order to help make things easier for the new furnace installation. Hopefully we will have the garage finished in the next week so that the furnace can be installed in the next few weeks. Besides the furnace we have several other major things that need to be fixed so I have had workers out for those projects as well, giving me estimates and then starting the work. My hope is that as soon as a plea deal is made we can have one last inspection and have the CPS issue firmly in our past. Now if only things would stop breaking so that I can have some breathing space.</div>
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We still need $15, 000 to fix the furnace and other repairs to the house......please <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a> if you can.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQUN9iHEOm_rtCz_A4u2bMdF9RjCOWrA-SpSrbpfmfNXGLXeJrNmMEXciNKsyNqPWK11Iu7fPv7mPuNkhOqOHBq315a235x72nKY6SLWliOVrII1q9TthAAP81TY7ximuV8R8NurqTb_1/s1600/16499_1021673057892425_355422328978907261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQUN9iHEOm_rtCz_A4u2bMdF9RjCOWrA-SpSrbpfmfNXGLXeJrNmMEXciNKsyNqPWK11Iu7fPv7mPuNkhOqOHBq315a235x72nKY6SLWliOVrII1q9TthAAP81TY7ximuV8R8NurqTb_1/s320/16499_1021673057892425_355422328978907261_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My $5 thrift store picture to remind me it's okay to relax and take care of myself<br />It says, "Le Bain, Cherish Life's Simple Pleasures"</td></tr>
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I have lost over 30 pounds in four months, which equals the last seven years and three pregnancies worth of weight. I forget to eat and even with medication I still have trouble sleeping for more than four hours at a time. But I try.....one friend pointed out that I have been diligent about taking care of myself. If I feel like I am getting sick I make myself rest and take some medicine. I make myself go to bed at a decent hour every night (even though the "to do list" is NEVER complete) and even if I only sleep for a few hours. I make myself take baths to help relax and help heal all the sore muscles of working at a UPS Store since I can't make it to the chiropractor as often as I would like. I make myself take the anxiety medicine that my primary doctor wants me to take until we get through this crisis. I try to remember to take my other medications and eat, but all too often I send the employees to lunch and maybe eat once a day. With the grief I rarely "feel" hunger anymore. It's not until I start to feel shaky that I realize that once again I have forgotten to eat.</div>
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But mostly when I'm not learning new things at work: like completing my first two freight jobs and designing in less than 24 hours my first 24 page program book from start to finish I do this:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7yOOMtOTm8gs_-Zoji7Ao9i87jryqG_wUKb47kDFkOVjbvy93jpmGMhC73sWu6dk7QssSuSc0HXDmu7qQkxbjDH9cgsVK_BUaQtfFGzLpNJg6LlGop0t7BtGriXdSxb8OhwaTS5Xf_nY/s1600/20150814_192456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7yOOMtOTm8gs_-Zoji7Ao9i87jryqG_wUKb47kDFkOVjbvy93jpmGMhC73sWu6dk7QssSuSc0HXDmu7qQkxbjDH9cgsVK_BUaQtfFGzLpNJg6LlGop0t7BtGriXdSxb8OhwaTS5Xf_nY/s320/20150814_192456.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna and Katie with Libby photobomb: Pokemon and Pirate themed birthday party</td></tr>
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Making sure my kids are happy!!!</div>
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Last month through the generosity of some friends we gave a combined birthday party for Katie and Anna at a local park since their birthdays are only six weeks apart. The park we had it at has a splash pad so the kids got to run around while getting wet and then the teenage brothers and sisters started a game of kickball on the baseball field. We played "pin the pirate on the pirate map." Later today we will celebrate Anna's actual birthday that is later this week with the special menu she planned: home made taco casserole with chips and ice cream. For breakfast it's Captain Crunch Peanut Butter cereal and pizza for lunch after church.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe_XJb2Z3XDuu8bNeDTc0jgi4Yrq3CMbuGIZOigCSE2OQnHHkasIJ_SzWm2_0hw-hIqllh6Fu3eIQv0Ypxc4y7ZTQKgdDRdcAAeSaZUvHzd0-koXi2vYBrl3rSt_mpSQYfyaIOUM0RlYi/s1600/12002760_1030262933700104_3301093305592123297_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe_XJb2Z3XDuu8bNeDTc0jgi4Yrq3CMbuGIZOigCSE2OQnHHkasIJ_SzWm2_0hw-hIqllh6Fu3eIQv0Ypxc4y7ZTQKgdDRdcAAeSaZUvHzd0-koXi2vYBrl3rSt_mpSQYfyaIOUM0RlYi/s320/12002760_1030262933700104_3301093305592123297_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey and Jessie playing "Hungry Hippos" in the back of the store after a lunch break before Saturday soccer</td></tr>
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Joey and Jessie both play soccer on their high school teams. In one week between just those two teams they had 7 games. I try to see part of each home game, but don't go to any of the away games. Several friends and family members helped me to get all the littles ready for their school year by helping to purchase their uniforms and school supplies. One family member is helping so that three littles can still take dance lessons and that the middle two can see a reading tutor. We are starting two more children in counseling sessions this month. All these things help to keep "life normal" for them. I make myself sit down on the couch to be in the same room with them which is hard for me to do when I know that so many things need to be done around the house. I try to watch a movie with them each weekend via library, rentals or Netflix-with both my big and little kids....that means that I have to try to NOT fall asleep with the littles on a Friday or Saturday night so I can spend time with Joey and Jessie. Since the three littles are still in crisis mode and are afraid to sleep by themselves, I make myself lie in bed even when I can't sleep so they can "feel my presence"-so they can reach out and still touch me or cuddle close. I am gone so many hours (averaging 12-14 hours per day) so I know that right now they need that quiet reassurance at night that I am still here and that "I won't stop being their mommy" which was their fear when I told them about the divorce. They are afraid that I too will one day go to work and not come back.</div>
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We celebrated Chris' 40th birthday with a candle and prayers. Anna got up in the morning, looked at the calendar and then immediately sang "Happy Birthday to Mr. Chris".....I miss him so much!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24bJS7L5VKzBj3TiWaOzzs2eMAaBQY-tluOr-WWBQJkZjMoeM2vPKqAUzxGxjgAWNxefBYY6m5yn-KnP96aflYidc7yMVF-BEbTR7-0Yl0YX8qhT8IXxUdxt5zAkM0sws6O_1Nxy4p6uK/s1600/11752446_1026600527399678_474960751203451325_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24bJS7L5VKzBj3TiWaOzzs2eMAaBQY-tluOr-WWBQJkZjMoeM2vPKqAUzxGxjgAWNxefBYY6m5yn-KnP96aflYidc7yMVF-BEbTR7-0Yl0YX8qhT8IXxUdxt5zAkM0sws6O_1Nxy4p6uK/s320/11752446_1026600527399678_474960751203451325_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of Chris holding Joey on his 1st Birthday-Happy 40th Chris!!!</td></tr>
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So, there you have it.....same story as last month. I know that God has some amazing plan for me and the kids......and for that matter for all of you. Thank you for being a part of my journey........"But by the Grace of God Goes I"........Words cannot describe the thankfulness in my heart for all the prayers AND the money that has been donated to help us stay in business AND to pay the bills at home. For those that have given small loans, THANK YOU-thank you for believing in me-That I can do all this and provide for my kids.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywuW57TA81xrxzIn90CbZVDHKZdgkLGm-I_jiesnfyPhAD7XLIKrD_b6MPx6Wao-lB9LWYUjzHrNAgza8BA4fy5oLet6G7DfnZ4VGJnwc5W2RVQ3M9E1WC4JmKopTM3o5kzHNAsiAhyVs/s1600/11864995_769440756502044_3091956389016058418_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywuW57TA81xrxzIn90CbZVDHKZdgkLGm-I_jiesnfyPhAD7XLIKrD_b6MPx6Wao-lB9LWYUjzHrNAgza8BA4fy5oLet6G7DfnZ4VGJnwc5W2RVQ3M9E1WC4JmKopTM3o5kzHNAsiAhyVs/s320/11864995_769440756502044_3091956389016058418_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie, Anna, Jessie and I at their summer track banquet last month<br />Not my most flattering picture, but as I have blogged about the girls need to see that I am okay with my body image.<br />I was exhausted that night, but so happy to be with my girls and see them smiling.</td></tr>
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Since I can't get financing before it gets cold I beg you now-hopefully one last time-for help to make the repairs around the house and to provide heat for my children. I hate asking since I know so many people are in need. In just the last few weeks I know of a family whose house burnt down, another one where the father was burnt at work and another one with the diagnosis of cancer.......but God keeps saying, "Ask for help" and friends keep reminding me that this is my year to let others help me.......so, Please <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a> if you can and pray.....hopefully this leg of the journey will be done soon and true healing can begin for all of us.</div>
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Wishing you a blessed fall and knowing the warmth of God's peace,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-77872824128345647612015-08-09T15:16:00.001-04:002015-08-09T15:34:58.961-04:00Please Be A Part of Our Miracle!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and I in July</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Miracle Needed</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Our Go FundMe Update</u></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My oldest-how did he get taller than me?</td></tr>
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I am in need of a <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">miracle</a> to keep my store open and I believe that all of you can be a part of it.</div>
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We are just three short weeks away from entering the fall increase of business that leads to the wonderful busiest time of year to provide for my children's next year of life. BUT AUGUST IS THE SLOWEST MONTH OF THE YEAR BUSINESS WISE. People are busy finishing their vacations and getting their kids ready for school to start. Not much shipping or printing takes place until after labor day. (As I said in earlier posts, usually the money made in May gets us through June, July and August, but I instead had to use that money to get caught up on bills that Jason hadn't paid back in March and April just so we could stay open.) </div>
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We need $5, 000 by the end of this week and $15, 000 by the end of the month in order to keep the lights on and the doors open at the store.</div>
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I know that this can be done because the God that I believe in is the God of big and small miracles.</div>
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Yes, I have applied to banks, but my now ex-husband destroyed my once perfect credit rating. I can not get a loan the traditional way for either the business or as a personal loan. All the credit cards are completely maxed out.</div>
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I have started calling local business men to see if anyone is willing to give me a personal loan, but they have all said the same thing, "It's August and business is slow." They have all promised to pray that someone else (or numerous people) will step up and be willing to help out. I did apply and got a approved by one of those "quick loan places", but that loan was INSANE. They were going to take $342 out of the bank EVERYDAY to pay back the $20, 000. I would have ended up paying them $32, 000 so I walked away from that loan. The idea is to keep us open-not to go further into crazy debt to do so. If I had that kind of money then I wouldn't have needed the loan in the first place.</div>
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I have "doubled down".....I emptied my personal checking account into the store this week in order to cover our franchise loan payment. I don't have any money left to put into the store.</div>
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Yes, I have asked family for help. I bought groceries this week because my dad sent money. I haven't taken money from either my dad or my mom since I was 19 years old. I cried in front of my employees when my daddy called to say money was on its way.</div>
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Yes, I have sold everything of value that I can quickly sell. That is why the store was able to stay open as long as it has. I am listing more personal and business stuff for sale, but none of that will probably sell before Friday.</div>
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Yes, I have minimized payroll as much as I can. Yes, I am working. I work 10-14 hours per day basically six days a week, because I always stop in on Tuesdays (which was suppose to be my second day off each week until school starts besides Sundays.) Several times the UPS driver is there at 6pm chiding me for being at work on my day off. Many of you business owners know how you "stop in to deal with one thing and you are still there four hours later." Two different customers can testify that I came in twice on a Sunday to help them with their orders.</div>
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No, it doesn't make sense to sell my new car. That dealership was the only one who would give me a loan and took the falling apart Yukon in as part of the trade-in. I did check with a used car place and their loan payment was more than what I have for the new car and I got six "denial" letters from banks from them just trying to get me a loan. That certainly didn't help my credit rating.</div>
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Yes, my divorce is final. Paperwork just has to be signed and completed over the next few weeks. The store is all mine, including the debt and financial fines being assessed by Jason's past actions. He signed over all rights to me, but I am responsible to pay off all the vendors and debt. It's a small, yet big price to have to pay in order to provide for my children. Let people know that my ex-husband doesn't have anything to do with our store anymore and that I have five children to provide for and several employees.</div>
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Now this miracle I need can take place in several ways. First pray! I am still standing and fighting each day because I am sustained by your prayers. Second, share this post with all your friends. Post it on facebook, help make it go viral. I have been praying since last Wednesday when I realized that certain fines weren't going to be waved. I have "peace from God" that my store will make it once we get to September, but God kept saying, "Ask for help." So I humbled myself and started making phone calls and sending messages to people asking for help. I said something to my dentist on Friday and I hit up my mechanic on Saturday. I talked to several families at church earlier today. I am trying to be that "squeaky wheel" for God, and humble about it.</div>
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Third, <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a> if you can!!! If you don't want to donate to the Go FundMe page, then you can mail money to our store. Checks or gift cards can be made out to "Stephanie Rivers", 117 S. Hollywood Blvd Box 114, Steubenville, OH 43952. Fourth, if you know if any business men or family members willing to give me a loan, then PLEASE, PLEASE send them my way. I am willing to pay them back with interest. If they can't do $5, 000 or the full $15, 000 then whatever small amount they are willing to loan I will pay back with interest!!!</div>
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Finally, DO BUSINESS WITH ME THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. If you have something to ship, then come ship with me. If you need copies (color or black and white), or blue prints, or banners, or yard signs or notary stamps made, or pens ordered for your business, then come to my store and keep our doors open. Tell your friends and family to do business with me. Stop driving past me to my competitor. My prices for printing are less anyways and when it comes to color print jobs I also print on better quality paper so your copies look sharper and more professional.</div>
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Pray that I can negotiate some more deals for more time. Pray that instead of August being our slowest month of business that it becomes a great month for business.</div>
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Pray that someone will step up and give me a loan so that I can sleep at night knowing the store can stay open and my kids will be provided for.</div>
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I am still standing here fighting the good fight. I am so close to our miracle being completed that I can taste the victory, but yet I am so close to the crash of defeat. I feel almost like an Olympian....I can see the finish line and the victory is almost there yet the failure of falling short is so very real. I just need my cheer squad (all of you) to help get me across the finish line, to help me get through one more month until the busy time for the store and all the bills can be paid.</div>
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The small donations add up as well. I was able to fill my car up with gas because someone handed me $40 at church. Two weeks ago our picnic dinner for parents night at scout camp was paid for by a facebook friend who stopped in the store and handed me a gift card for Riesbecks. All those small "paying it forward" gifts have kept the kids and I going for the last few months.</div>
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Please, please help me. I have done so much since my world fell apart on May 1st. For those of you who are still struggling with anger at my husband for what he did then help get "vengeance".....help me keep the store that he was stealing from open. Help me overcome all the obstacles and make our store one of the most successful ones in our region. I am there everyday trying to make that happen. Will you help me?</div>
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BE A PART OF OUR MIRACLE!!! GO <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">HERE TO DONATE</a>.</div>
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If you are new to my blog then here are the posts </div>
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that explain what has happened to my children and I:</div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/05/my-go-fundme-account.html">May 2015</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/july-go-fundme-update.html">July 2015</a></div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-surreality-of-divorce.html">Our Divorce</a></div>
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Praying that all of you get the miracles you need in life as well!!!!</div>
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Always,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-21487930027118791912015-07-28T01:12:00.001-04:002015-07-28T01:13:53.216-04:00The Surreality of Divorce<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHLeLJh12JG3O6FSwFvlU5dJ1baaTMEEgMukYEs_5VfofduEMvsi69FaAfe5bdazuRhUQPAdeYluWj3UUFbMqyN0blE8mG0dwmBf_3hlhnfWVBDLuP6Pn7ba-fWv8nl3OUHuOkNlwcdGo/s1600/20150719_204740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHLeLJh12JG3O6FSwFvlU5dJ1baaTMEEgMukYEs_5VfofduEMvsi69FaAfe5bdazuRhUQPAdeYluWj3UUFbMqyN0blE8mG0dwmBf_3hlhnfWVBDLuP6Pn7ba-fWv8nl3OUHuOkNlwcdGo/s320/20150719_204740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I AM NOW
DIVORCED.....</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WORDS THAT I
THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER SAY, LET ALONE TYPE....</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I AM NOW
DIVORCED.....</span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRlfL2xAfFy-QZbiAJXO9T7GYDln0CLoJ4bNLZxb7F-htTEULGnkY0NBQrFKw6fW5bdPV1J6Dm56DhWc0JrVWON14-_KYgnqykxiMEXITESIIXUrgzHUiagVGJh_K0xIsqbnSnZC4sIXi/s1600/20150726_184000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRlfL2xAfFy-QZbiAJXO9T7GYDln0CLoJ4bNLZxb7F-htTEULGnkY0NBQrFKw6fW5bdPV1J6Dm56DhWc0JrVWON14-_KYgnqykxiMEXITESIIXUrgzHUiagVGJh_K0xIsqbnSnZC4sIXi/s320/20150726_184000.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus with me at the foot of my cross</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday I
finally had my emotional breakdown in the adoration chapel during my
prayer hour. Some friends came in to say "Hi" to
Jesus while out on a date......which is one of the things that he and
I used to do: go to our 5pm adoration hour and then go out to dinner
and/or sometimes a movie....sometimes just go grocery shopping
together after we spent time praying to God......and after they left
it hit me that I would never have a date like that again.....and in
one of those rare occurrences during my prayer hour there was no one
else in the adoration chapel and I began to sob......begging God to
take this cross away from me.....to let me wake up from this
nightmare and to let my life go back to the way it once
was......maybe we could compromise.....maybe Jason could still have
had an affair or have stolen from the store, but just NOT have hurt our
kids or have any child pornography??? At the start of the next
adoration hour I was found still kneeling on the floor and another
friend knelt next to me, rubbing my back and holding me, just
listening to me sob and beg God to take this cross away-to lift my
burden. After approximately another fifteen minutes I tried to
stop crying-having looked at the clock and realizing that I needed to
get home to my kids. I guess I mentioned having to go buy food
for supper and the friend offered to go buy us supper so that I could
have more time to calm down and to spend in prayer. After she
left I tried to move and then realized that I had lost all feeling in
my legs so I managed to crawl back to my purse and laid my head on it
until someone else came in to say "Hi" to God at which
point I sat up and just sat on the floor looking up at Jesus and I
felt His unending love and peace flood my soul. He knew this
cross before I was ever born-before I ever married Jason....He saw
Jason's sins (and my own) in the Garden of Gethsemane and He still
chose to get on that cross and die for us....He died for my
kids.......we will survive what seems unbearable to me right
now........</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet today still
felt like a dream. Jason was brought over from the jail and
here I am talking to my husband in an orange jump suit and handcuffs
about what we were both agreeing to for the divorce in front of a
sheriff deputy and my lawyer. With the verbal agreement in
place the lawyer goes to the judge to ask to make it a "final
divorce proceeding." We then go into the court and
everything is stated for the court record by the lawyer and then we
go up one at a time to the stand and answer "yes" to all
the questions being asked to us-that we were both of sound mind and
knew what we were agreeing to it....then with the sound of a gavel in
less time than what it took to say our wedding vows the last nine
years were dissolved......we were no longer married due to
"incompatibility".......Jason was led away to go back to
the jail and after briefly talking to my lawyer there I am all
alone......completely a single mom with sole custody of five children
and the hope and prayer to God that He is the God of the widow and
orphans, which is what we basically are now since Jason will be in
jail for a very very long time for the crimes he committed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SURREAL......JUST
SO SURREAL.....TWO DAYS BEFORE WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY 9TH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY I AM DIVORCED......</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u-IS7CGJu1kv0GhqmOcNPyg6aRnt417DgEvRZDdjxaRLZCYVTxGq_FR0GYj708gVAW_tUfEVtVnsy9ZJSwayUBdkdpcf5Z66DmXVPtTyGCppgfJ5PN4qeEvuxehAnikhOPtKsNtjLJAs/s1600/20150720_233459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u-IS7CGJu1kv0GhqmOcNPyg6aRnt417DgEvRZDdjxaRLZCYVTxGq_FR0GYj708gVAW_tUfEVtVnsy9ZJSwayUBdkdpcf5Z66DmXVPtTyGCppgfJ5PN4qeEvuxehAnikhOPtKsNtjLJAs/s320/20150720_233459.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My St. Martha candle</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My original patron saint from when I
came into the Catholic Church is St. Martha-and her feast day is on
July 29th....I have been praying for her intercession as well each
night leading up to what would have been our anniversary for we were married on her feast day. She is the
patron saint of servants. When I was inducted into the National
Honor Society over twenty years ago I really took seriously what
candle I wanted to light and I chose “service” as the guiding
light for my life.....whenever I wonder about which path to follow I
always end up choosing which path would serve God best through my own service.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, I have
peace....I know that somehow this is all works for God's
good.....that there is a reason for all this pain in God's master
design......and now I know that my children are safe from him
especially since the youngest do not understand what is going on.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-cTzUFQM3GqrpuDxXuktCurU1m52ACWJCnDRAiUZ7SdP1yYy8r4_bf8c1isnYMzQYMoQNYS29x_bR4F5NVc0OKJNgvZcf70ToVl7EHBB16_X4NrrvuIG7Tdf2tSyppi4-PfJ7f0qh3pa/s1600/20150706_195043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-cTzUFQM3GqrpuDxXuktCurU1m52ACWJCnDRAiUZ7SdP1yYy8r4_bf8c1isnYMzQYMoQNYS29x_bR4F5NVc0OKJNgvZcf70ToVl7EHBB16_X4NrrvuIG7Tdf2tSyppi4-PfJ7f0qh3pa/s320/20150706_195043.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infant Jesus Child of Prague Statue at St. Mary's in Martins Ferry, OH</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I went to
the Infant Jesus Child of Prague Novena Prayer Service tonight I
realized that it was the 4th novena service which means that we are
half way done....this also means that hopefully all the legal
paperwork to make everything final for the divorce will be completed
before the end of the novena. Earlier this month when I was driving
home from the novena one of my kids took this picture of a double
rainbow-not the best, but we were driving at sixty miles per hour and
it was on a cell phone.....you can faintly see the second rainbow in
this picture.....a rainbow, God's promise to us all.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkkNaNFQcq0FCXKfHpkSkzzdVnM3dk6L_NmOspl7blZZugYifa4w7iLZKYbJlpMcLszEoUvBHpSYpFEawig8Tj0fDUHxEIXDkgPdlWQPxopoSY5f3D2rb0qqPqbQDfizyLLl0KIrJIesu/s1600/20150713_201600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkkNaNFQcq0FCXKfHpkSkzzdVnM3dk6L_NmOspl7blZZugYifa4w7iLZKYbJlpMcLszEoUvBHpSYpFEawig8Tj0fDUHxEIXDkgPdlWQPxopoSY5f3D2rb0qqPqbQDfizyLLl0KIrJIesu/s320/20150713_201600.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faint Double Rainbow over Ohio River</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week I
managed to spend some time alone at Lake Erie. While driving home I
had grabbed a “not so detailed map” at a rest stop.....I made
some wrong turns since my gps wasn't working, so I didn't end up at
the original beach I wanted to find. I ended up at East Beach in
Loraine, Ohio and spent two hours sitting on the beach, journaling
and just praying......letting the endless waves and the sunset start
to heal my bruised soul. I ended up discovering this beautiful rose
garden and took this picture of the American flag while listening to
the Loraine County community choir and band perform “The Battle
Hymn of the Republic.” Sometimes God's wrong turns are just what
we need in life.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7L2grpsYXO1YuhRjtEJ9LO2YzOC6gQkq-KuEaELi8q9kcPkknDrykSCxKD_lxq5jz2XLXRDjSW-J1y7FVKEpEx3PQeixKhqHJuIaWw-X_eILv2cxktejFeHOM3Fre33pMY5bxYG9uSpT/s1600/20150719_203153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7L2grpsYXO1YuhRjtEJ9LO2YzOC6gQkq-KuEaELi8q9kcPkknDrykSCxKD_lxq5jz2XLXRDjSW-J1y7FVKEpEx3PQeixKhqHJuIaWw-X_eILv2cxktejFeHOM3Fre33pMY5bxYG9uSpT/s320/20150719_203153.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Beach Rose Garden</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May you all
experience the scary sweetness of new beginnings especially those that
begin when something old fades away with the setting sun........</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjWdIOA41BSxTsel8eQw-C6ekkqzXwTn51PP6JKDRDmfNHglMP51e0aGPg0v4ixPPPs2j1tcbMcDqSztIJiDGyDUjiEVdwJzdShAQhqomIC9kqOQn1LxVTujd-6Pxjj_k6QGfG5w431BG/s1600/20150719_204740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjWdIOA41BSxTsel8eQw-C6ekkqzXwTn51PP6JKDRDmfNHglMP51e0aGPg0v4ixPPPs2j1tcbMcDqSztIJiDGyDUjiEVdwJzdShAQhqomIC9kqOQn1LxVTujd-6Pxjj_k6QGfG5w431BG/s320/20150719_204740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Always,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stephanie </span></span></span></div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-51408979051866514072015-07-13T01:37:00.000-04:002015-07-13T01:37:58.383-04:00July Go FundMe Update<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs0gxi-Y57SorAuehdouezxem7Ei9hE4eHxoANr_8WTE5f5XabvibAMxb8FZwaxctVKlJVRj3RcQwGpZyTuTdM2_nu3hdy4Qwn-bqiwwqzbkEDMy1qatL6LccVZUuY0UBLwS674CXs36y/s1600/224283_167296839996722_7649828_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs0gxi-Y57SorAuehdouezxem7Ei9hE4eHxoANr_8WTE5f5XabvibAMxb8FZwaxctVKlJVRj3RcQwGpZyTuTdM2_nu3hdy4Qwn-bqiwwqzbkEDMy1qatL6LccVZUuY0UBLwS674CXs36y/s320/224283_167296839996722_7649828_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infant Child Jesus of Prague<br /><br />My July <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">Go FundMe Update</a></td></tr>
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On July 1st, 2015 my small world was rocked again when Jason was arrested and charged with first degree charges of harm against one of his own children. My soul felt like it was spinning out of control for a full week. It wasn't until after I got through grand jury indictment testimony that I began to feel God's peace again. At times it feels like I am living in a really long nightmare that I can't wake up from, but unfortunately it is my real life.</div>
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I have continued to be fully cooperating with the investigation. Jason is back in jail where he should remain for a very, very long time. There is no way he can possibly explain these new charges to me. Again, hopefully with time God's peace will fill this "unexplainable" hole of "why?" that I can't comprehend. Ohio's Victim Assistance Program is a reimbursement program so for counseling we are starting with just me and the two children that we have proof were hurt. (Jason's mom's counseling is being completed on her own.) We will add the three other children as we can afford to in the future or if the situation changes and the counselors decide that we have to start counseling immediately.</div>
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Before I go on about personal matters, one of my best friends has reminded me that people can't help me unless I ask for help. So again, besides begging for prayers, I come asking for <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">financial help</a> if you can do so. The appeal in May has brought in over $4, 000 blessed dollars. </div>
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Half of that money was used to pay half of May's unpaid bills. The other half was used to purchase a new vehicle for myself since the Yukon had once again broken down. The repair estimate was over $2, 000 for a vehicle worth between only $4, 000-$5,000. It took several people urging me to take the plunge, but I managed to use a corporate employee program to buy a new 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. Here I am right after the car was delivered to me:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie with her 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;">The UPS Store franchise has a special deal with Mitsubishi and they were also willing to take the black truck as a trade in even though it was 11 years old for this Mitsubishi</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;"> Outlander. I was shaking as I wrote the check for the down payment because I am trusting in God that I will be able to pay for this vehicle each month. The dealership put a trailer hitch on for me and will add my luggage rack that is on back order in the future. A friend delivered the truck to me since the dealership closed before my store. Two minutes after this picture was taken I was crying because I feel unworthy to have a new truck. I have always driven used vehicles. This truck costs more than my undergrad education (even though it was on a full ride scholarship, but if I had to have paid for it this truck costs more than that.) But it can hold all of us for those times I have all 5 kids with me and it will save on gas and hopefully will have minimal repairs for the next 6-10 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! The children all love it and kept saying how awesome and beautiful it was when I took them for a bedtime car ride on that first night we got it.</span></div>
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We still need to raise money to change over our dual wood/coal furnace to a propane furnace and to finish installing duct work in most of the house since Jason had only completed duct work to two rooms last winter. (We have two other wood stoves and some really old electrical wall heaters.) I need to purchase a large propane tank for the fuel as well. There are other repairs that still need to be made on the house. I have been selling many personal items, but just had to use most of that money to pay property tax bills for the past two years that Jason said he paid, but never paid. He instead lied and used the money for his hidden sin life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of you who have donated money or shared this post with others asking them for prayers and money. I find that words are so inadequate to express my thankfulness. Your prayers and generosity have kept the children and I going. I thank you ahead of time if any of you would be so kind as to <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate again</a>. I still have the second half of May's bills to pay off so we are hoping to raise at least $10, 000 more dollars, but $20, 000 is what we really still need to get caught up on everything.</div>
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Personal Update:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's Plans for My Life</td></tr>
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Just as when Chris died, there have been so many moments where I now see God's hands in all these events:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our St. Joseph cake made by Aubrey's Bakery for our annual dinner: we fed 79 people this past March.</td></tr>
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As many of you know I have a strong devotion to St. Joseph. In fact I have blogged about our annual <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/st-joseph-altar-2014.html">St. Joseph Altar dinner </a>that we give every March in the past. Jason was first arrested on May 1st, which is the feast day of "St. Joseph the Worker." May is also the month of Our Lady St. Mary. (Several different friends pointed this out to me a few days after he was arrested.) Jason not only helped me honor St. Joseph with preparing the large St. Joseph meals, but he had of his own volition written a prayer and vow to St. Joseph to take care of me and his stepchildren at our wedding as St. Joseph took care of St. Mary and Jesus. We now know he was stealing from our business, which is the exact opposite of being like "St. Joseph the Worker." He also said honored Mary under the title "<a href="http://www.ourladyofvictory.org/">Our Lady of Victory</a>."</div>
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This past winter Jason kept saying how he wanted to sell our rental duplex, that it was too stressful for him to maintain (even as he had moved his mistress into it and was paying her bills there.) I had bought a statue of St. Joseph to put inside the duplex (NOT to be buried in the ground as some people do). He never took the statue there, so in April I pushed it into his hands saying you can't ask St. Joseph to intercede for the selling of the duplex if you don't take St. Joseph to the house for it to sell. So, he ACTUALLY took the statue of St. Joseph to the duplex, but didn't put it in the empty unit. He actually took St. Joseph into where the mistress lived. Eight days after the two of them were arrested, my friends helped me search the unit where she lived (that I am the landlord of) so that we could hand over her electronic devices to the sheriff and we found St. Joseph hidden in a kitchen cupboard. St. Joseph is known as THE TERROR OF DEMONS. No wonder they were thankfully finally caught by the Sheriff due to an anonymous tip. YOU DON'T MESS WITH ST. JOSEPH. Jason actually took the statue of one my patron saints-THE SAINT THAT HE HAD VOWED TO BE LIKE-into the place where he was committing adultery.</div>
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A few days later, a large box arrived at the store as I left to go to his bond hearing (where the bond was lowered.) The next day one of the employees reminded me that the large box sitting in the store was mine. Inside it was a statue of the Holy Family THAT I HAD ORDERED BACK IN FEBRUARY FOR OUR ST. JOSEPH ALTAR DINNER. The statue arrived three months later on the day of Jason's bond hearing as one more reminder from God that St. Joseph is interceding for me and the children in heaven. It comforted me so much that I am not even annoyed about how long it took it to arrive. Obviously it came right on time!!!</div>
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Two days later I broke down sobbing in our store and an hour later the customer that was in the store when I started crying brought in beautiful yellow roses for me with a kind note. A friend later pointed out to me that it was the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Our lady is called "the mystical rose"-what an amazing gift to receive from heaven brought to me by a customer whose heart was moved by the sobs I couldn't control from the back of the store and whose sounds she could hear in the front of our store. Thousands of people saw the "sun dance in the sky" at one of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, so yellow roses really were appropriate that day!</div>
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Then last week as I sat down next to my mother-in-law at the preliminary hearing where the prosecutor had to admit evidence of first degree rape, Debbie leaned over and whispered, "It's the feast of St. Maria Goretti." Oh, the irony of it all. St. Maria Goretti was murdered as she resisted unwanted sexual advances. She forgave her attacker as she laid in agony dying from fourteen stab wounds. Her murderer later converted in part due to her act of forgiveness as she died and the forgiveness her mother extended to him. Yet one more reminder from God that His protecting hand is in all of this and for me to continue to pray for Jason's soul and that of his mistress' soul every day. The past few weeks I have really truly been struggling with forgiveness. I can't believe he hurt our beautiful kids. </div>
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That day was also the start of the Novena to the Infant Child Jesus of Prague down in Martins Ferry that I try to attend annually. We <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/novena-of-thanksgiving-infant-jesus-of.html">prayed to Jesus under that title</a> for a safe delivery of our four year old and we have prayed many times to Jesus under that title for financial needs. I told the organizer of the event last week that I was greatly comforted that Jason's preliminary trial had been held on that first day of the novena and she replied that she would be adding "praying for his soul" to her own novena prayers. I am lifting up everyone who has prayed for us, given financially, helped with babysitting and house/lawn repairs-all of your personal intentions are being prayed for by me during this nine week novena. The kids and I would not be surviving half as well as we have been without all the love and support we have received these past few months. I can't even begin to give back to all of you what you have given to me, but I can pray. So many miracles have been given when Jesus has been honored and prayed to under the title of "the infant Jesus." So, I offer up my prayers and sufferings for all of you-may you receive God's peace within your own lives. (If any of you would like to attend the novena it is at 7pm every Monday night at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Martins Ferry, Ohio until the end of August. The beautiful prayer service lasts just one hour.) </div>
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I have been overwhelmed by all the beautiful messages, cards, letters, gift cards, gifts of work around our house and other presents that the children and I have received, especially the ones from complete strangers. A protestant church in a neighboring town dropped off a 4th of July care package. Another customer brought in a basket of beautiful stuffed animals that my girls just love playing with. I tear up just thinking of all these blessings we have received. Last month two of the kids had birthdays and we have been fighting a weird stomach virus. We seem to be going through round two of it again. Thankfully God has protected me so far from the illness (but extra protection prayers for my continued good health would be greatly appreciated!)</div>
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We are doing our best to keep moving forward. Life goes on even though I would like it to reverse back to before all this evil happened. My littles will randomly say to people, "My daddy is in jail." That is their new normal. I just try to roll with it and try to read people's faces for how to reply or intercede. Most of the time the littles just say that and then keep talking or run off and play. I don't want to "hush them" or "shame them into silence"--obviously it's what is still on their mind and they need to get it out. My big kids are still running off to all their teenage activities. They have both been my rocks: working, helping with the littles, cleaning the house, doing yard work...making me laugh.....just being the awesome kids that they are. They haven't complained to me once even though their lives have been turned upside down. Once again I find that I get out of bed each morning because I have five kids depending on me (plus my employees of course-but it's mostly my kiddos.)</div>
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There was not any contact between Jason and the kids when he was out of jail for those few weeks. Even though it would probably have helped my littles to hear his voice on the phone or to have a letter written to them, there has been absolutely no contact between him and the children. Just as when Chris died and there was no body to bury for a funeral, Jason went to work one day and never returned: he has just vanished from their lives, but yet the littles are haunted because they can't understand why they can't talk to him on the phone or write letters back and forth. I keep telling them that their daddy is sick and this is what needs to happen for him to get better.</div>
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Jason will have his indictment hearing this week and then most likely not much will happen for several months. After that hearing then all "the lawyer games" will begin where both the defense and the prosecutor will file different motions. Justice will take time to be served, but it's already being served since neither he nor the other woman can hurt anymore children in jail. Please pray that I am able to get more things sold quickly so that I can complete the repairs to the duplex so that it can be rented no later than September or October. I am so blessed by the good neighbors that live around the duplex. They have been keeping an eye on things for me and that can never be repaid either.</div>
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Thank you to all of you who have kept shipping at our store and letting us serve all your document copying needs. Hopefully in a short while the divorce will be complete. Thank you for all who have been spreading the word to still use our store for shipping and for copying. I greatly appreciate everyone who has been telling others that I now run the store and that I have five kids to feed. May God bless and keep you forever!!!!</div>
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<a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">Here's the link to my Go FundMe account one last time.</a></div>
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May you all have a blessed July and hopefully have some sweetness of summer relaxation in your plans!!!</div>
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Always,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-92015442515486130532015-05-25T09:09:00.000-04:002015-05-27T06:44:48.770-04:00My Go FundMe Account<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">My Go FundMe Account</a><br />
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<b><u>Updated 5/27/15 See bottom of post</u></b></td></tr>
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So, this post is the most humbling thing I have ever written in my entire life.<br />
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Briefly, here are the facts for the past three weeks of my life (and know that I am leaving out A LOT of messy details of everything that happened in between.)<br />
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On Friday, May 1st my "soon to be ex-husband" and an employee were arrested for crimes against children, some of those children were my own.<br />
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It turns out that my husband and the employee (who started as one of our personal babysitters two years ago) were also having an affair.<br />
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It also turns out that besides paying payroll to said employee that she was living in our rental duplex so I was also paying all of her personal bills (like cable and internet. I don't even have cable at home.) Other people thought I knew she was living there and that I was just that benevolent of a person to let a part time employee live somewhere for free.<br />
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My children were placed in protective care for the weekend since it was 7pm at night when the sheriff's office completed my questioning and they did not have time to interview the children. The children were split into three different groups for where they stayed for the weekend. Interviews were completed on the following Monday and the children were thankfully returned to me. The youngest children are still acting out from this separation. For instance one of the children who was placed with a relative has started biting her siblings and myself even though she was not a biter before that weekend.<br />
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I went to the bank on Saturday morning only to discover that our business account was overdrawn by a thousand dollars and we have thousands of dollars of unpaid bills that should have been paid.<br />
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Since May 1st I have worked non-stop. My employees have worked non-stop. There is one employee in general that went above and beyond the call of duty and is the reason why multiple print orders were completed after hours. There was also a former employee that has come in three different times and worked after hours. Both of these employees forever have my undying love and prayers. (I am thankful for the other employees too, but these ones are extra special.) May is "mini-Christmas" for our store. The local university has their graduation so graduates are shipping stuff home that they can't fit in their cars or on the airplane. We also do a lot of printing for graduation parties, wedding showers, etc. Usually the money made in this month gets saved to help us through the inevitable slow down of summer when everyone goes on vacation and does less printing and shipping. Instead I have paid all the current bills, payroll and half of our unpaid bill debt. Let me repeat that: My store is solvent. I WILL NOT BE CLOSING MY STORE. I WILL NOT BE FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY. Again, I have paid all current bills, payroll and half of the unpaid bill store debt in three weeks. I am working with the best accounting firm in town and have a plan for paying off the rest of the unpaid debt over the next few months. MY STORE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.<br />
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During the first week of May (besides it being the busiest week of the entire year for us outside of the 6 weeks of shipping starting November 15th of each year), I ran from legal meetings to bank meetings back to the store and filing for my divorce. I also completed my own personal search warrants on our store, our house, the rental duplex and the vehicle that my husband drove. LET ME REPEAT THAT FOR YOU: I COMPLETED SEARCH WARRANTS, NOT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. NOT A SINGLE SEARCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED IN THIS CASE. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS. NOT A SINGLE SEARCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED IN A CASE WHERE THERE WAS CELL PHONE PROOF OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. I have turned over three laptops, a tablet, a computer network capable playstation and our personal storage device that all of my personal pictures for the past year had just been downloaded on. So if any information is found besides what was discovered on the husband and mistress' cell phones IT WILL BECAUSE I WILLINGLY TURNED OVER COMPUTERS to help keep those two people in jail. I went back in and gave two more statements with proof for why I considered my husband a flight risk if he made bail. My mother-in-law also made a second statement. BOTH OF US TRIED OUR BEST TO KEEP HIM IN JAIL.<br />
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Now I know this blog post is getting long so if you don't read anything else, just read this last paragraph. I have dear friends who have convinced me to <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">ask the world for help financially</a>. Not in paying the store bills, but for helping to pay for personal things for the kids and I. I used the last of my savings to pay for my divorce and to correct the store's finances. I have not paid any of my personal May bills. Both our vehicles have been in the shop this month. They are both over ten years old. My mother-in-law is going to become the grandmother nanny and her vehicle is twenty-three years old. I need to switch from a wood furnace to a propane furnace for heat this coming winter. There are other things that really need to be fixed asap, but all those small things add up. I have always been the one to reach into my purse and hand someone at least a $20 bill and now I am here having to ask the world to please help me get through the next few months until I get back on my feet. If you can find it in your heart to give a small amount and then ask your family and friends to help too I would be so grateful. You will forever be in my prayers. Please go to <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">this link</a> and make a donation.<br />
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More information that I want to give to correct the rumor mill: <br />
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All that being said above, my husband's bail was lowered due to the fact that they did not have any proof of anything besides fourth degree and fifth degree charges when it came to him. I was so angry as I drove home that night. I could feel the anger pulsing in my body and I was terrified to go home. I don't ever want to take my fear and anger out on my children. So I prayed to God......every day since that day I pray for God to take all the anger away so my kids don't get hurt more. I don't want to become one of those angry bitter people that you meet somewhere and you walk away wondering, "What the hell happened to that person?" I want to live my life with joy and love. And that is what has happened. My husband made bail like I knew he would, but every time I interact with him I try to approach him with love. I will admit that I have called him to his face a few bad names a couple of times though, but he has taken it. We are working on having a quick and amicable divorce. The earliest date that we could get for our first divorce hearing is June 1st, which is exactly one month from when he was arrested.<br />
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I guess people are starting to say that I am suffering from Stockholm Syndrome? Ummm, okay....I don't get that one at all since I am divorcing him....People are putting what they think they would do and what they think I should do in the works here. I understand that other people are rightly hurt and angry and afraid for me. I also understand that I am being called to a much higher level of striving for sainthood than other people within my personal circle. While you may not understand why I can stand to be in his presence, the fact of the matter is, I can. My first and number one goal is my children. In order to provide for their future I need to learn as much as possible (passwords, how to run new store machines, owner only information like filing corporate reports, etc) and Jason is the person to teach that to me before he goes back to jail. Why on earth would I sit on the phone for hours after a 12 hour day trying to get someone from corporate to teach me something when my husband can teach me how to file a royalty report in half an hour and I can head home to my children that I haven't seen yet and it's 7:30pm at night? I am always going to put the future of my children ahead of everyone else in the world. You don't have to like it, you don't have to understand it, but stop trying to place your own personal issues on me. Jason is no longer at our store during working hours. He will only be there after hours if I need him to teach me how to do something. We are working on trying to figure out a set date so that even if he is not in jail yet, we have a cut off date for when there will be no contact whatsoever when it comes to our store. The problem is that I don't know what I don't know until something happens. For instance, I just said that to a friend when literally the next moment an employee came around carrying a really large deer head that someone wanted to ship to Florida. I have never packed a deer head in 7 years. Jason always completed that type of shipment even if I was in the store. But I am making a list and calling people and figuring it out everyday and we have completed all the tasks customers have asked us to do for the past three weeks. I ask any of you that own businesses the following question: would your spouse be able to walk in and run your business if something happened to you? 99% of you would have to say "no" that question. Thankfully with the best employees one could ask for and some help from Jason with information and training I have been able to rise to the occasion and plan on being fully knowledgable within two months of all these tragic events occurring. That in itself is a miracle from God.<br />
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Yes, I went shopping with the man the day after he got out of jail. His mistress had trashed the duplex apartment to the point that the lowest bid to clean the place was $500. Let me repeat that again: IT WAS GOING TO COST $500 TO CLEAN HER FILTH. I wasn't going to just hand Jason cash or our debit cards to buy stuff so I went to the store to buy cleaning supplies and some food and water for him. If you see us together in the future I don't expect you to make eye contact or acknowledge us if we are together. I completely understand. It's when I am by myself or you are in my store and won't look at me that I get hurt. But anyways, I then went to a local church to get holy water to put on myself and Jason before we entered that duplex again. I arranged for a priest to come bless the place the next day and to hear Jason's confession. Jason has cleaned the duplex apartment. He has begun repairs (like broken windows and painting) so that I can rent it out to pay for our children going to private school in the fall. So, if you see things for sale, it's not to support him. It's to support me and the kids. The duplex has serious repairs that need to be made, but those bills are NOT included in the Go FundMe campaign. I am paying for those by selling personal stuff just like I sold personal stuff to pay for the divorce.<br />
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I allowed a friend and my mother-in-law to throw out all Jason's clothes the weekend that my children were gone. The first thing that the kids asked for after the first initial sobbing event when I told them that their daddy was in jail and they could not see him again was his clothes. They wanted to sleep in his shirts and I couldn't give them a shirt because we had gotten rid of his clothes and my heart broke again for them and for me. So, yes, I gave him some money to go to goodwill and buy clothes since he only had one set of clothes. Plus, I don't want to be around a smelly person when I interact with him. This is the kind of thing we are suppose to do as Christians. Feed the hungry, clothe those who don't have clothes and frankly I don't have the money to buy him out of our store and properties, so please stop passing your judgments on me. He's eating ramen noodles and drinking water and if I have to pay those small bills for a few months in order to get my store and houses in my name only then that is what I am going to do. By the way the cable and internet bill for the duplex was cancelled before he was even after jail.<br />
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I have now figured out where all the money went from the store, but that information is between Jason and I and God. It's all gone. There is none hidden for Jason to flee the country. All the rest of you can find out where it went on judgment day, because I am sorry, but I am at the point where I need to regain some privacy. The most tragic events of my life (Chris' death) and now this betrayal beyond betrayal are out there not only for my local community to pass judgment on, but for the entire social media world to pass judgment on, and I am now trying to regain my privacy. Imagine the worst thing your spouse has ever done, the worst pain you have ever experienced: heartbreak, betrayal, seeing your kids in pain, but instead of it just being within yourself or your small family or your small circle of friends, it's being known to the entire world. My pain is out there for everyone to pass judgment on and I can't do a single thing to stop it. All I can do is get up each morning and go to work and come home to hug and love my kids.<br />
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As for those of you who don't want to do business with our store or buy things I have for sale because of Jason then just remember who gets hurt by those actions:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRS-YKpYf_RpEJoRRBvfF6gEh6zPGwVLAR5KTilTy875Iphm8PlrTD5ZhSHo9CpuZ6NeO5wWxHjedLeIvAjH2R6rxcT5bPDqJ2YQ8Gk_5NjSil72vDGaiY7K2a9DbIyTXfkMhjf9QF8_b/s1600/steph.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRS-YKpYf_RpEJoRRBvfF6gEh6zPGwVLAR5KTilTy875Iphm8PlrTD5ZhSHo9CpuZ6NeO5wWxHjedLeIvAjH2R6rxcT5bPDqJ2YQ8Gk_5NjSil72vDGaiY7K2a9DbIyTXfkMhjf9QF8_b/s320/steph.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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See that picture above? I know that Jason used to be the face of that business, but the kids and I are now the face of that business. I have five kids and will now have 4-6 employees at a time to provide for since I now have to have a nanny and more employees so that eventually maybe I can only work Monday-Friday 8am-5pm and have my Saturdays off again. I also have to pay for private school, and will be applying for scholarships, but we all know even if they get a full ride there are always small things like field trips, etc not covered by scholarships. Please remember that it will be the kids and I hurt, not Jason, if you choose to do business elsewhere. <br />
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I can't control where people ship or make copies at. We have been open for seven years and I have lost count of the number of times people have said, "Oh good. I can ship with you again. I didn't like this employee or that employee." Sometimes people think the price is too high or that I looked at them wrong when really I was trying to remember if I turned on the crock pot before I left the house. All I can do is pray to God for his mercy and help because everything depends on Him and then work as if everything depends on me. I thank you for your past support, your continued support and your future support for our business. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your past prayers, your present prayers and your future prayers.<br />
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My family and I will be in therapy for years over what has happened. In fact, I will probably be in therapy even longer because one store crisis happened this week while I was at a therapy session and then another massive crisis happened while I actually tried to take a lunch hour and drove home to check on a sick child. I may never leave my store again. I'm not sure if I will ever fully trust another living human being again. But I know this, I choose love. What my husband and that woman did were horrible crimes that they need to make restitution for by going to jail. Jason has rightly lost everything he once held dear. Unfortunately there is no explanation that he could ever give that will explain the unexplainable for these actions. I have to give that to God and hope that eventually God's peace will fill that hole in my heart and soul.<br />
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I ask you to pray for him and that other woman. Pray that their souls are not lost and that they don't commit suicide. Pray for the children that were hurt by their actual crimes and for all my children who lost their daddy. Pray for that other woman's family and friends who have been hurt by these actions. Pray for me. Pray that I can continue to live in God's grace each day. Pray that I can heal and begin to move forward and that I can take up my new cross of being a single mother and business woman each day. Pray for my family and friends and our community that has been so hurt by these actions. Just know this, outside of the children involved I am the person who was hurt the most. I was betrayed by my husband and best friend who was suppose to protect me and the children with his very life. I was betrayed by a babysitter who became an employee. I have been betrayed by people who knew things and never said anything. There are other things that have happened that I have not mentioned that have added more pain and another cross. But I still choose love. I have made mistakes these past few weeks. I will make some in the future because I am only human. But I am trying each day to be the best Christian I can be, to be the best mother I can be. Every decision I make is based on what is going to help my kids in the long run. Again, I choose love. The only way I can deal with Jason is with love even as I divorce him and we go our separate ways in order to protect the children. I want his soul in heaven. I take that wedding vow seriously even after everything that has happened.<br />
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This past week I have been anchored by three moments. One was when a VIP customer whose name I knew, but I had never met, came in to do a shipment and as she left told me that I was part of her family now. Another box customer who I had never met asked me to tell him the story about why I chose and pushed opening this particular franchise. When I told him the whole story (which is another long blog post) and I got to the part where I wanted to provide a service where repeat customers are greeted by name, he stopped me and said, "You've done that. When I come in here I am always greeted by your employees and I can tell they care about me." Then the very last customer on Saturday (and this was after a really long week that had some bad crap happen in it) suddenly stopped and said, "You have God's peace about you. I don't know you, but I can sense God's peace coming out of you." Please pray that continues. Pray that even on my worst days (which I am sure many more are coming) that I can cling to God and people can feel His love and peace radiating out of me. Pray that I carry this nightmare cross well and that I fight the good fight.<br />
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Thank you again for all your love and support. Thank you for letting me share my story. Please go <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a> if you can. Please share this blog post with your friends and family so maybe they can at least pray for us even if they can't <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/v96pjn8g">donate</a>. If I suddenly pop into your mind when you are doing something then please pray. I am not sure when I will be able to blog again. Today just happened because the store is closed in observation of Memorial Day. <br />
Pray for all those we <a href="http://www.heraldstaronline.com/page/content.detail/id/559158/Guest-column-The-importance-of-celebrating-Memorial-Day.html">honor on Memorial Day</a>, including my first husband, <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2012/05/memorial-post-for-lt-christopher-t.html">Lt. Christopher T. Starkweather</a>.<br />
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May you all know the sweetness of God's peace in your hardest times,<br />
<br />
Stephanie<br />
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<b><u>Update 5/27/15:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-left;">"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-left;">Abraham Lincoln</span><br />
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So that above quote is my life right now. I am adding the following updates only because I was asked to do so by my marketing team. I am NOT planning on addressing any other future rumors because I do NOT have the time. I am working 12-15 hour days Monday-Friday and over 8 hours on Saturdays. Any precious free time I get I am trying to desperately spend with my children and not writing on a computer.<br />
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1. My children have NO contact with their father. The only person who has contact with him is ME. There is a court order in place of no contact with my children or any children. If you didn't notice from what was posted above I have been fully cooperating with the police investigation and actually turning over more information than what they have asked for. I do not want to do anything to jeopardize the investigation or my children's lives. So let me repeat that: there has NOT been any contact with their father that would violate the court order.<br />
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2. Supposedly I was seen at a movie with Jason? Ummmmm.....no. Haven't been to the movies with him since our last date in April. If you didn't notice from the above paragraph I am WORKING SIX DAYS A WEEK. <br />
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Okay, the above two points are what they wanted me to say. These last few paragraphs are from ME because I DO NOT HAVE TIME to address rumors. I have a store to run. I have 5 kids who desperately want to see me each day. Last Thursday night which is when I think the rumor says I supposedly went to a movie, I worked at the store until 10pm. I had left at 7am in the morning and I got home at 10:30pm at night and left by 7am the next morning. I didn't see my kids. Let me repeat that: I didn't get to see my kids that day.<br />
.....I.....DID......NOT......SEE......MY......KIDS.......THAT.......DAY.<br />
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But even if I had decided to go out to dinner or meet Jason for coffee somewhere public THAT IS WHAT CIVILIZED PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY GET DIVORCED. You meet in public places to help keep things civil to discuss things. Right now I am not planning on being anywhere in public with Jason but if I do decide to meet him somewhere because I don't want to be alone with him, either now or in the future after he serves his jail time, than that is between us. It's no one's business besides mine and his. If I decide to try to give my brain a rest and go to a movie, either with my kids or by myself or with a friend, that is my choice (and will be completed with my personal money, not fundraised money.) My life kind of sucks right now, but it's going to get better. But I'm not going to live my life in fear of how the gossip is going to get spun. Frankly, I can only do so much to try not to cause "any scandal" but obviously even if I don't do anything right now besides work scandal and rumors are being created by someone. All I can do is try to live my life to honor God even if it means getting a divorce in order to protect my children.<br />
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I pray you all have a blessed day. I sign off to leave for work now.<br />
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God's blessings,<br />
<br />
Stephanie</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-82039241433701793522015-04-16T11:24:00.000-04:002015-04-16T11:25:02.648-04:00Spring 2014 TCA Kids Consignment Sale<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuitmzyu_-DuF1vXYnG1K_Rtip4ViaAXjyjWNzxxqhK0BIpfQUZonW6FTRg7zAw5etMttXnlqFGHMsf0BnyIxIowapqodNQjrBPa96s3XVxOhGW922qjyWIkxHqVdv4dJowgTVqdcJH_SA/s1600/IMG_20150414_200016_153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuitmzyu_-DuF1vXYnG1K_Rtip4ViaAXjyjWNzxxqhK0BIpfQUZonW6FTRg7zAw5etMttXnlqFGHMsf0BnyIxIowapqodNQjrBPa96s3XVxOhGW922qjyWIkxHqVdv4dJowgTVqdcJH_SA/s1600/IMG_20150414_200016_153.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall of Books at TCA Kids Consignment Sale:)<br />
This sight makes my heart smile!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Easter Everyone!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life has been crazy busy with all the spring activities and some "end of the school year" things beginning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite spring sale starts today:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://tcakids.weebly.com/">TCA Kids Consignment Sale</a> begins today!!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb-XyBFBLi8sNyi7q0pt4TI4_Q5A_q6rcT57z90vy5yTVlkuTg2G_plS7KheS6Zv4Gn0iZB4iKH_pm5iW3oiS3HLQyiojH8k8fhyKjqbZBbzRNtQTsZQYuPyv0Dv3h8W5-fg50kBJWKiN/s1600/IMG_20150414_200217_478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb-XyBFBLi8sNyi7q0pt4TI4_Q5A_q6rcT57z90vy5yTVlkuTg2G_plS7KheS6Zv4Gn0iZB4iKH_pm5iW3oiS3HLQyiojH8k8fhyKjqbZBbzRNtQTsZQYuPyv0Dv3h8W5-fg50kBJWKiN/s1600/IMG_20150414_200217_478.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Items</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This sale has everything one could ask for:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhLW2-Q6EEzA7bJ2OANga0pYYPtifLdZe4jgN09vRJU29NMMMvbjM059o_SqYjWVcTuL_TM9xK4JQxdfocdsMVBDmlDS5eoL6nxgWe-aEruK_mrxt8xSoOXW-Oz28uuD-5I54m2qejFUY/s1600/IMG_20150414_195940_538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhLW2-Q6EEzA7bJ2OANga0pYYPtifLdZe4jgN09vRJU29NMMMvbjM059o_SqYjWVcTuL_TM9xK4JQxdfocdsMVBDmlDS5eoL6nxgWe-aEruK_mrxt8xSoOXW-Oz28uuD-5I54m2qejFUY/s1600/IMG_20150414_195940_538.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stroller, high chairs, car seat bases<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn7fhejRsJioPCQMN2vpP0YhPRQI0Ncsjs53Vhn6Zk4VJcuG-jL7VC8rJqJxREOp_oiw1zbzpm_kVru_OumUNRU2BQGjEiGm4j-7k_Ba8Pz_48CnfPCpKs30R0Aokn6ovz3XXOxFueiou/s1600/IMG_20150414_200128_596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn7fhejRsJioPCQMN2vpP0YhPRQI0Ncsjs53Vhn6Zk4VJcuG-jL7VC8rJqJxREOp_oiw1zbzpm_kVru_OumUNRU2BQGjEiGm4j-7k_Ba8Pz_48CnfPCpKs30R0Aokn6ovz3XXOxFueiou/s1600/IMG_20150414_200128_596.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bags, Shoes are in the laundry baskets on right side of picture<br />
Boys clothes lining the walls in back and to the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6zjf2Xki72XAaiQcCacby3MKhMoAhDoh_GlRtch7bD2RSaYIbZCMBn6X1ur_co3AInzFBK6OR-uBG3HvlpLLt3Vbq3GkyOeZkeM0ehWs-vMCa2fzMsWvJJbsaP5QGi-kfDouwjJNXFds/s1600/IMG_20150414_200227_845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6zjf2Xki72XAaiQcCacby3MKhMoAhDoh_GlRtch7bD2RSaYIbZCMBn6X1ur_co3AInzFBK6OR-uBG3HvlpLLt3Vbq3GkyOeZkeM0ehWs-vMCa2fzMsWvJJbsaP5QGi-kfDouwjJNXFds/s1600/IMG_20150414_200227_845.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toys, Toys and More Toys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-sJVzJJFbdHXP8Wv4DykRU6KCvuxJ-JUKGGXtKI9T4rTH7HSpcGvG3uPxEEcZk2OACLSQhK8wPM8bxCuyRgio4ALVgBmzeWI6Wl-dl1qcFfdhYa-n11O4LfEA3qBtoqZ9oN3XZe1T2gb/s1600/IMG_20150414_200157_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-sJVzJJFbdHXP8Wv4DykRU6KCvuxJ-JUKGGXtKI9T4rTH7HSpcGvG3uPxEEcZk2OACLSQhK8wPM8bxCuyRgio4ALVgBmzeWI6Wl-dl1qcFfdhYa-n11O4LfEA3qBtoqZ9oN3XZe1T2gb/s1600/IMG_20150414_200157_014.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clothes, Clothes and More Clothes<br />
Kids Furniture is there in the back</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">40% of the Sales go towards the Scholarship Fund for students to attend the <a href="http://www.4tca.org/">Tri-State Christian Academy</a>. So, when I am doing my "tithing shopping" I remember that if an item has been priced by a consignor for $2 then the school gets 80 cents for the item and the consignor gets $1.20. I get great deals to provide my kids with shoes, clothes, toys, future birthday and Christmas presents and at the same time I get to help local kids get a great Christian education. I also get to help other local families earn some money to help provide for their families. It doesn't get more "shop local" then going to this consignment sale!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pile of clothes for the 3 littles<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I joke all the time that God was being "economical" when He blessed us with three more girls after Jessie. At the same time though clothes and shoes do wear out especially when the kids stay skinny the way mine have. Jessie has even put on a pair of Katie's pants as shorts this year when laundry hadn't been done. Seriously, at age 13 she can still fit into her sister's size 6!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My littles each have their own personality and style when it comes to clothes so I try to find a few things for Anna and Libby each year to add to their "hand me down" wardrobe from Jessie and Katie. Jessie's style is summarized as "Classical Artistic" so if any clothes survive her wearing them for several years we have the "basics" to build on for the 3 littles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of the "new to us" clothes I bought the littles at the pre-sale shopping event for consignors this week:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Katie is "Cowgirl Romantic." She loves soft flowing fabric, but also loves horses and cowgirl clothes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie wearing pink leggings with horses</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anna is our "funky hippy" girl:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna wearing leopard print with a new pair of pink leggings</td></tr>
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Libby is our "Wildstyle" child. She finds the brightest and craziest clothes that she can find and put her outfits together. Many times she layers skirts under her dresses.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libby wearing a silk sun dress with pink sandals we got for $2 at the sale.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />This morning we began Day 2 of new outfits:</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie wearing new embroidered jeans with a new cowgirl shirt and vest combo.<br />
Libby is holding a Rapunzel doll that Jessie bought for her at the sale.<br />
The play hat and pink dress we already owned, but I have bought many costume outfits over the last six years at the sale.<br />
Libby is again wearing the pink sandals.<br />
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Anna didn't want to wake-up for pictures, but here she is curled up on my lap wearing a new funky flannel nightgown that I bought for her:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna's soft reindeer flannel nightgown<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, head on out to the <a href="http://tcakids.weebly.com/">TCA Kids Consignment Sale</a>! Bring your laundry baskets and rubber made containers to hold your stuff though they have laundry baskets you can use if you forget. Come ready to spend some serious time shopping for your families needs!<br /><br />Here's Another Post I wrote about a past sale. (Note though: The Fall Sale has been moved back to September. So their sales are April and September every year.)<br /><br /><a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/tca-consignment-sale.html">Fall Sale 2013</a><br /><br />Disclaimer: I will make some money if you happen by chance to buy one of my few items out of the thousands of clothes, books, toys, etc at this sale. I am not disclosing my consignment number though. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own-not getting paid for that or for making this blog post! Did this on my own to rave about this awesome sale!<br /><br />May you have feel the sweetness of spring,<br /><br /><br />Stephanie</span></td></tr>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-27760072100647717782015-02-18T12:45:00.001-05:002015-02-18T12:58:53.652-05:00A Cold Start to Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey, Katie, Anna and Libby playing in January snow</td></tr>
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Lent has once again started and I find not much has seemed to change since the start of last Lent: fighting off illness colds, vehicle repairs, broken pipes and washing machine from the extreme cold, and yes, the exhaustion of winter. Been praying for all you Boston and Northeast people-so much snow!! Thankfully we've had "just enough" snow to keep things white and pretty, but this cold-oh, I could do without the cold! I may end up a southern snow bird some day!</div>
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Jason and I now have another future summer project. We bought our house in 2007 and the people who owned if from the 1990's-2007 had been "amused" that the people that had owned the house in the 1970-1990's had the washing machine and dryer in the main foyer. They were very proud of the gorgeous remodeling they had done to bring the main foyer back to it's original grandeur. And don't get me wrong, it's one of the reasons why we bought they house, but.....well, now that we've lived here for the past almost nine years we know why the washing machine was there: It's too cold in the unheated garage for the washing machine to be out there when it is below zero!!! We have had the pipes freeze and break at least 4 of the 9 winters we have lived here. So, we are trying to decide how to fit a "laundry room" into a traditional farm house that doesn't have closets or a mud room or a traditional basement. I think I may have to give up the one coat closet this house contains. We're also trying to figure out how we can add insulation around/in two brick walls since pipes keep freezing on outside walls....it's frustrating and just one more thing to overcome (and of course NOT what I had listed originally as summer priority project.) But a working laundry room for 7 people in the dead of winter does take priority over all other things. We have only survived laundry wise for the past three months since Debbie lives just across the road and is willing to keep her washing machine running with our mountain of laundry. Prior to this cold snap the washing machine broke several times. I just realized that it's actually now 10 years old-I think it may be at the end of it's lifespan since they don't make appliances to last many years or to put up with the many work loads a large family makes, weather it is laundry wise or dishes wise.</div>
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I reread the my <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-quiet-lent.html">Lent post</a> from last year and realized that I had also been fighting that "we're not doing enough/need to "spice up" home schooling fever" again".....I had been "hitting up" the kids about joining youth groups again, and both teens replied, "I'd really just like to do religion with dad." Hmmm....pause.....so why am I trying to encourage the kids to add one more thing to a busy calendar or to be away from home more when Joey is already a freshman in high school??? Okay, so we just have to "make sure" that "religion class" happens each week. We started Father Corapi's Catechism dvd series. Some pretty deep stuff there.</div>
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We wrote out our Lent goals this past Sunday since Byzantine Lent started the next day and here is what the family decided:</div>
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Sorry the picture is off center-just realized that, but doesn't it seem more "real life" that way? Since this blog has never been about perfection, I think it sums things up appropriately. We're just doing our best each day trying to get ourselves and our children to heaven. From our list, you can tell that we're not really Catholics that "give up" stuff for Lent. The first Lent after I became Catholic a priest at Offutt Air Force Base really made an impression on me when he preached that the focus of Lent should be about "doing more." Jason does give up all chocolate for Lent each year, which I know is a HUGE sacrifice for him, but I found that when I focus on doing more for God, I really do end up sacrificing....mostly time of course, but many times food is involved. Last year I did the "diet thing" as well which meant trying to stay away from fast foods as much as possible, so I would donate the money saved to a charity. I averaged between $25-40 per week just by trying to "wait til I got home" to eat while out for events. I worked on "diet" during Advent as well and ended up losing almost 5 pounds during the holidays (and working full time.) I didn't even get exercise in (which I'm not proud of, but it's the truth.) Now for Lent I'm trying to add "exercise" to my other diet plans and hopefully we'll see what happens.</div>
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We'll be doing many of the same things as last year: Lent reading basket, watching more religious movies, crown of thorns and Stations of the Cross candles. Familiar things help give a "rhythm to our life" and I think in the long run help all of us to grow in holiness. Our local priest always points out that once you make that first decision to "skip church" this Sunday it makes it so much easier to skip church the next Sunday and the Sunday after that....sloth breeds slothfulness. As I grow older and older I can really see the truth in that in all areas of life. It takes great moral fortitude to get out of bed on those mornings when you just want to roll over and sleep the cold away.</div>
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Once again I come back to my favorite St. Thomas More quote:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here's another "cold picture":</span></span></div>
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As a "fun" note, life hasn't all been about drudgery. We have had some friends over for "Game Night" where only board games or cards could be played (no video games allowed):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Settlers of Catan" about to be played<br />
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We got a hotel room to have a Super Bowl family party at since we don't have cable and got some swimming in! (Second time we've done this as a family in the past five years.):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and Joey in back; Libby, Katie and Anna in front.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />This past weekend we even got in some face painting with face crayons. Daddy was a sport and allowed the girls to paint him as well:</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna "painting" Daddy's face</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason rocking the face paint<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />May all of you have a blessed Lent-May it draw you closer to God! May you all safely make it through this tough winter and may the sweetness of spring come soon!,<br /><br />Always,<br /><br />Stephanie</span></td></tr>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-38478082709878546362015-01-10T23:28:00.000-05:002015-01-10T23:29:29.148-05:00Happy New Year, Yearly Goals and Literature Class<div style="text-align: center;">
I have literally been trying to write a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" blog post for three weeks.....maybe someday I'll finish getting the Christmas pictures loaded.</div>
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For right now though I thought I would just touch base and say "Hello"...."we're alive".....we survived another Christmas with our retail shipping store....</div>
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Jason's Grandma Mercy passed away the Sunday before Christmas which makes the third out of six Christmases since we opened our store that we've had a death the week of Christmas. Unfortunately the kids and I all became too sick to be able to go to the funeral. We were thankfully able to attend a daily mass being offered for her at the nursing home where she had been living for the past two years yesterday. It was wonderful to be there with a priest that had been seeing her once a week and who also administered her last sacraments to her within a few days of her death.</div>
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I'm sure that most of you have seen the different blog posts where people "pick a word" for their year. Last year I picked "organize," but didn't tell Jason or the kids. This year as we were all trying to recover from the icky cold virus that mutated into different forms for each person I was brainstorming ideas/goals for this new year. I decided to pick words that started with the letter "f" since that is also the first letter for "fifteen." I actually talked to Jason and the kids about it on New Years Day.</div>
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Our words for this year are:</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Family</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Fit</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Focus</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Frugal</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">and </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Fun</span></div>
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Obviously this blog had been all about family and frugalness. The fit has been a goal of mine since last May. I am at the hard part of finally feeling better from all my pregnancies, illnesses and past surgeries, but I'm in the tough spot of injuring myself when I try to work out and then gaining more weight while I heal. I also realized that I had gotten into the bad habit of thinking bad things of myself so part of fit is also "forgiveness," which also means being kind to myself. I actually managed to lose 4.5 pounds and 4.5 inches in the last six weeks of 2014, so I'm hoping to just slowly keep plugging away at being "fit" this year, by exercising when I can "fit" it in and just watching the calories. The "focus" came as a two part goal. Part of "focus" is just continuing to organize the house and all the "stuff" of being a large home schooling family. The other part of "focus" is for both Jason and I to make some goals we have personally and professionally....these are extra things which means we have to really tighten down on our already packed schedule.....just making sure that each minute counts as we slowly plug away at meeting those goals. Helping each other by watching the kids and clearing the calendar of extra stuff so we can get the work done we both want/need to do. Then sometimes-well actually ALL the time-I need the reminder to have "fun" because I am such a workaholic.</div>
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I will now being teaching middle school literature at our local home school co-op besides being the Kindergarten Montessori teacher in the mornings and teaching preschool Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the afternoons, so I'm actually not sure how much blogging I'll be getting done before May. We have quite the reading list this semester as we focus on literature from 1800-1850 (to match with our history timeline.)</div>
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We will be reading:</div>
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle</div>
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (in order to get Mark Twain in this year and again next year)</div>
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Robinson Crusoe (we didn't get to this last semester when we were in the 1700's)</div>
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The Last of the Mohicans</div>
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Northanger Abbey (our two weeks of Jane Austen since it's one of her shortest works)</div>
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Edgar Allan Poe Week</div>
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Emily Dickinson Week (she's after 1850, but that way we can focus on more 20th century poetry next year)</div>
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Longfellow Week</div>
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One week of misc American poets/short stories (still to be determined)</div>
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Uncle Tom's Cabin</div>
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House of the Seven Gables (if time)</div>
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I'm exhausted and excited just thinking about it. Feel free to leave a comment telling me what your goals or "words for the year" are....Also, let me know what some of your favorite classic books are! Literature is one of the things I love most about home schooling. I've got to read so many awesome books with the kids that I missed as a kid (and probably wouldn't have gotten to reading as an adult without the "pressure" to give my kids a classical education.)</div>
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I pray that you all had a blessed Advent and Christmas Season and that 2015 brings you much peace and happiness.</div>
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May you have the sweetness of achieving your goals this coming year!</div>
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Always,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-7379138733873878382014-10-05T16:10:00.000-04:002014-10-05T16:10:36.996-04:00Images of SummerSince this weekend finds our temperature dipping down 30 degrees from Friday's high in the 70's and while I fight off a cold that quickly became a sinus infection, I thought I would post some pictures of the different events that I blogged about in last week's post.
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Here is Poppy with her set of twins born in August. Poppy had previously belonged to a couple other families in our area before finding her way to our small farm. She had been bred before, but had never successfully conceived. August is rather late to have babies so hopefully they will survive this winter.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy with twin babies: late fall goats</td></tr>
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Here is an image of one of the free range chickens that I was complaining about. Several of them decided to start roosting on my back windshield wiper this past summer.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free range chicken</td></tr>
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Something new to our house this week: we added a fish aquarium as our only inside pets. Jessie and I were at a pet store earlier this summer getting something for one of the litters of kittens when we discovered "Finding Nemo" figurines for fish tanks. Anna had already requested a "Finding Nemo" birthday party and this then spurred on the idea of a fish tank to help transition the three littles into their own room. Of course this fish aquarium is "bigger" than what would really need if one was just wanting a temporary aquarium. I really miss the koi pond that I used to have at my old house. I used to sit by it and pray a lot. I would just relax and watch the fish swim around and listen to the running water of the small waterfall built next to it. I honestly enjoy sitting upstairs and watching these glo fish swim around:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glo fish under black light</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Glo fish under regular aquarium light<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">There are eight glo fish and two clown loach fish in there though usually only Joey sees the clown fish at 6:30am when all is quiet. They seem to just be hiding in the tiki mask. Yes, right now, there is Ariel from "The Little Mermaid in the fish tank versus "Finding Nemo" items.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here is a picture of the cake that Jessie made for Anna's birthday. The figurines are actual aquarium figurines that one can buy online or at their local pet store. Jessie made all the coral and used her new checkerboard cake pans to make a two colored checker board cake.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna and Katie with the "Finding Nemo" cake made by Jessie</td></tr>
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Our local library usually has a "free movie" each month that they serve with popcorn. Families are allowed to bring their own drinks in. The movie this September was "Finding Nemo" so ten days after Anna's birthday she got to see the movie on a big screen!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna next to the "Finding Nemo" poster at our local library</td></tr>
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Here is the dinosaur cake that Jessie made for Katie's birthday back in August. The figurines were bought online. The volcano and waterfall were made out of rice krispy treats and covered with frosting:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjHWBg57UlWdPP25bX5nwgdd7TSGtCB8xt4w9AMvPIy_3W4mS7QfFglGkkCLBFy2V-T5d9p4rahoJe6lPpSaa1AEGgKYLTlpcV2DuqVNU2D0RPOxDRsliEXmH1YFnRUiH-h4R9fnVmYRg/s1600/10590472_802500919809641_7806635096283600910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjHWBg57UlWdPP25bX5nwgdd7TSGtCB8xt4w9AMvPIy_3W4mS7QfFglGkkCLBFy2V-T5d9p4rahoJe6lPpSaa1AEGgKYLTlpcV2DuqVNU2D0RPOxDRsliEXmH1YFnRUiH-h4R9fnVmYRg/s1600/10590472_802500919809641_7806635096283600910_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaur cake with Volcano and waterfall</td></tr>
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Here's the cake "on fire" with lit candles. The dinosaur table runner under the cake is actually an extra large nursing scrub that I cut the arms off of and slit up the sides. I bought it at a flea market for $3 and there's no way I would have been able to get a yard or more of fabric for that price. I also managed to buy a "Finding Nemo" scrub for $3 as well and did this for Anna's birthday party as well! Small frugal luxury and the fabric can now be made into something else or reused for another party!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6f-B-ZQrwwpm4xheLHanqXbwUbj6eYfdUCQzZRPnSnqG6iTE82aoH4MIwJ8hzoUPc-GIvwM2EF_92Q3L56R9NzKLKvHp7KbKdE2H2i9c_MvQR5VJ0_16yTQWqfWNFX0i5BbyvuZTLIRt/s1600/10609708_802500939809639_7673489413038285688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6f-B-ZQrwwpm4xheLHanqXbwUbj6eYfdUCQzZRPnSnqG6iTE82aoH4MIwJ8hzoUPc-GIvwM2EF_92Q3L56R9NzKLKvHp7KbKdE2H2i9c_MvQR5VJ0_16yTQWqfWNFX0i5BbyvuZTLIRt/s1600/10609708_802500939809639_7673489413038285688_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaur cake with lit candles</td></tr>
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I mentioned previously that Joey is playing soccer at one of the local schools. This was him about to go in for the second half of his first official high school soccer game. Harding Stadium is considered one of the top ten high school stadiums in the United States. He looks so small in this picture, but he is actually taller than me now and has grown about six inches in the last year alone! Roll Red Roll!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey about to go in at Harding Stadium</td></tr>
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I mentioned that one of my cousins got married on the Fourth of July this year. Here is one of my favorite pictures from that wedding. It looked like we color coordinated ahead of time, but we really didn't! Both my father and Jason wore red shirts, while my step mom Malinda, cousin J.T. (wearing the cowboy hat), the kids and I were all wearing colors to match the bride's colors of pink and green. I love how Libby just totally cheesed by putting her chin on her hand and that Anna is sitting on her beloved Grandpa Doc's shoulders. Here we are at her gorgeous outside reception:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Picture at Maria and Brian's Wedding Reception<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here are the four girls playing "Princess Candyland" at the end of Libby's birthday party day. We really like playing cards and games in this family. You can also see one of our "reusable" birthday hats that the the special birthday person gets to wear on their party day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4 girls playing "Candyland"<br />
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Here is the front flower bed from earlier this summer. These hostas plants are actually some transplants from our old house that have managed to survive the past 7 years of chickens pecking and goats eating them and mail people running them over. Hoping they last at least seven more and that I can get some of them divided next summer to plant in different parts of the farm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer flowers<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Wishing you a few more warm days this fall!!<br /><br />From the Sweetness of our couch to yours,<br /><br />Stephanie </span></td></tr>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-56350441982640279292014-09-28T02:49:00.000-04:002014-09-28T02:49:31.366-04:00What Did We Do This Summer?<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is for my husband. He recently had a friend ask him, "What did you do this summer?" To which he paused and then replied, "I don't actually remember, but I know it was busy." To his credit, Jason was at work at the time....so here is what we did this summer:</div>
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<b><u>June</u></b></div>
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We continued our home school year since we normally take 6 weeks off from Thanksgiving-New Years; Joey also began an on-line math class. We had weekly guitar lessons.</div>
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Joey also began high school soccer practices.</div>
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(They have optional practices 5 days a week during June and July.)</div>
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Jessie, Katie and Anna ran with the local Striders Track Team 2 evenings per week and participated in one track meet this month.</div>
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We began twice a week trips to Cranberry Township, PA (a two hour drive one way from our house) to see Dr. Bulow at Revive Chiropractic Care. He specializes in Upper Cervical adjustments. Jessie has been crying almost nightly since March in pain from her scoliosis and we seemed to have "plateaued" with the local chiropractic care. I am happy to report that she has not cried since the last week of May, amazing results!!!</div>
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We had Joey's birthday party: 5 friends went swimming at a local pool and then stayed over night and played video games.</div>
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Libby's Birthday Party: She wanted "princess jungle theme"-Jessie decorated the whole house and created a "pin the tale on the zebra" game with daddy's help. We had one other family come over for dinner, games and cake.</div>
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We "technically" ended May with an end of the year party for my "Little Women's Literature/Hospitality Class" on the 31st, so we we basically had an entire months of parties since one of my friends also had a baby shower!</div>
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We went to our local Greek Fest and saw the latest "X-Men" movie. We went to the Carnegie Science Center for "Snowball Day" and had a blast.<br />
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Jason began remodeling work at our duplex with a friend and his son.</div>
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I threatened to dispose of all animals on the farm after the dogs and chickens tore up all my flowers for like the 6th year in a row. Jason installed an electric fence that partially works. It kept the dogs out, but not the chickens that kept escaping from the chicken coop. There is nothing remotely romantic about free range chickens. The only reason why chickens still exist is that the desire to have eggs and meat for one's family overrules killing them all off. I still don't know how pioneers (and people who lived in earlier times) managed to keep them alive during the winters when it required allowing the animals to live in one's house. I'm praying that I never have to figure that one out!!!<br />
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The five kids and I left for our annual Iowa/Wisconsin trip on Wednesday the 25th to see our extended family. We began by driving all night Wednesday and part of Thursday to my dad's house in Iowa where we watched my dad build a brick patio outside his house and work on his amazing vegetable and flower gardens. The kids did lots of bike riding and digging in dirt. We went to mass at Georgetown, Iowa which is the church that my Great-Grandmother Elizabeth worshipped in and is buried at. My heart was overwhelmed to be sitting there.</div>
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Jason attempted to start on a "Honey Do" list while I was gone during his evening hours after work, but he came down with a cold. Then anything he attempted to complete did not go right on either the first, second or third time.</div>
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At various times both Jason and I attempted gardening: he on his vegetable garden and me on my front flower garden beds. I got tangled up with poison ivy again....I was itchy for 3 weeks.<br />
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While in Iowa we visited my late maternal grandmother's farm and ate ice cream at "Graham's" in Ottumwa, Iowa (which is a local ice cream spot that my grandmother took me to a few times when I was little.) We got to visit my uncle who survived a horrible car accident last December that my dear aunt died in. It's amazing to see how far he has come since he was in a coma and woke up not remembering things.</div>
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<b><u>July</u></b></div>
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We left for Wisconsin and tried to outrun tornados (that's an entire blog post in itself). We ate at a Pizza Ranch franchise which the older kids have now decided must be an Iowa tradition.<br />
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We went to Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee and then to Old World Wisconsin where we ran into a former high school classmate and my former junior high school principal.</div>
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We celebrated the 4th of July by going to a cousin's wedding and dancing the night away. We saw fireworks in my hometown and played lots of cards with our family. (Jason flew in to be there for the wedding.) We drove back home and then drove back to Wisconsin four days later unexpectedly for an amazing extended family picture.<br />
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We had soccer, Striders track, online math class and endless doctor appointments both for the Chiropractor and other annual check ups.<br />
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Also, May began the start of endless car and lawn mower repairs, which ultimately resulted in us sucking up buying a new lawn mower in July.<br />
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Joey went to Scout camp for a week and Jason joined him for the last half of the week.<br />
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Our dear dog, Grizzly Bear, died.<br />
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In May I found a "Zumba in the Park" group and unfortunately the last time I made a work out was in July. Need to get restarted!!!<br />
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<b><u>August</u></b><br />
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Jason started the month out by going to Pennsic for the first time in 8 years.<br />
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More vehicle repairs (We are at $2, 000 and counting now between all the different vehicles.)<br />
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I tried to go to some of the Infant Jesus of Prague Prayer Novena Services about forty-five minutes from our home starting in July. I made 2 of them in August before life got complicated by the vehicle repairs listed above. I think I spent over 6 hours just driving different people to different places one day while we were juggling having just 1 vehicle for 3 adults and 5 kids.<br />
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Online Math class, end of the year testing for Joey and Jessie, six days a week soccer games/practices become mandatory.<br />
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End of the year Awards Banquets for Scouts and Striders (on the same night of course!)<br />
(Jessie received the President's Award for Striders and Joey "won" the Skills Board competition during Scout Camp-he completed 32/36 Skills Listed on the Board.)<br />
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More dentist and doctor appointments and more truck repairs.<br />
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Major purging and cleaning of the house.<br />
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Home School things for current school year began.<br />
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Jason finished remodeling one of the duplex units and it is thankfully now rented out.<br />
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Appointments for our "St. Nicholas Project" continue.<br />
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We had Katie's "Dinosaur" themed birthday party.<br />
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We tried to go swimming a few times-it was such a cold August again though.<br />
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Jason and I went out for our 8th Wedding Anniversary to Drover's Inn and saw a movie.<br />
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Our church had it's annual Church picnic: tons of food and swimming time:)!<br />
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We co-hosted a "Bon Voyage" picnic for some friends spending the next year in the Ukraine.<br />
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High School began for Joey: He's a 9th grader now!<br />
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Jessie tried out for the local community theater's production of "Into The Woods" and will be "Little Red Riding Hood" for at least one performance.<br />
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Our goat Poppy had twin babies.<br />
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Took the older kids to "Rugby Fest" and to a movie to thank them for all their hard work this summer.<br />
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<b><u>September</u></b><br />
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More purging and cleaning, plus a few more St. Nicholas Project appointments.<br />
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I spoke at the Steubenville Catholic Diocese's Respect Life Conference.<br />
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Jason and I had THREE date nights this month and saw TWO movies!!! This is a record number of dates in one month (including when we were dating through grad school!)<br />
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Home School Co-op began and goes on until May. I am teaching 3 classes: Logic and Speech for middle schoolers, Montessori Kindergarten and Pre-School Catechesis of the Good Shepherd one day a week.<br />
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The 3 Littles began dance at Delelle's Tumbling each Wednesday: they are taking ballet, tumbling and hip hop.<br />
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Jessie has guitar and voice lessons.<br />
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Jessie has "Into the Woods" rehearsals 3 days a week and will now also be playing "Little Red's Grandmother" for at least one of the performances.<br />
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Joey has soccer 5-6 days a week plus high school. We usually see him at either 6:30am or 10pm at night on his way to shower and bed.<br />
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Anna had her 5th Birthday: "Finding Nemo" theme.<br />
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We went to Rochester, NY for Jason's 15th Year High School Reunion. We visited the Seneca Zoo and his friend Chuck's family for a pizza lunch/play date. (This was when we got our third date thanks to Grandma Debbie.) We also got to see Jason's Aunt Julie and Uncle Don.<br />
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Jason has another friend helping him finish remodeling the second unit at the duplex, with more work to be done in October so that hopefully we can have it rented out by the end of the month.<br />
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I consigned at the fall TCA Kids Consignment Sale.<br />
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Jason and the older 2 kids cleaned out 1/3 of our barn so that we can fit more hay in it for the goats this coming winter. We lost a chicken and two cats, but had a third litter of kittens born plus one more older kitten join our extended barn family.<br />
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And that my dear husband is what we did this summer besides the daily grind of running our store and keeping the children fed, bathed and clothed.<br />
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Wishing you a blessed new school year and fall.<br />
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May you enjoy the blessed sweetness of juggling family life,<br />
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Stephanie<br />
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-72775291148761247232014-07-22T00:55:00.000-04:002014-07-22T00:58:02.268-04:00Infant Jesus Novena and The Arms of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">This past evening I made it to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Martins Ferry, OH for the fourth Monday of their nine week novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague. It's an hour drive one way so I do two hours of driving for one hour of prayer, but it is so very worth it. Since we had been away travelling I had missed the first three Mondays, but it's better to start late than to never start at all. The church was packed tonight compared to other times I have attended. My heart was overjoyed to see so many people praying together to honor the infancy of Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was overwhelmed emotionally as I sat there. I realized that it was actually three years ago to the very week that I had sat in the cry room of the church to<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/novena-of-thanksgiving-infant-jesus-of.html"> honor the birth of our precious Libby</a> when <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2012/09/surgery-and-bedrest.html">my uterus had collapsed.</a> It's been such a long road since then. I didn't make it back to the novena that summer nor the next as I dealt with all the pain and searched for a way to try to avoid the partial hysterectomy that I finally agreed to over a year later. Then last year I returned from my seventeen day road trip intending to make the pilgrimage only to have an attack of pain that led to the diagnosis of <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/interstitial-cystitis/basics/symptoms/con-20022439">interstitial cystitis bladder disease</a>, an autoimmune disorder. Let me just say that when this disease "flared up" in my body that I literally felt like I had been beaten up and didn't move off the couch for three days. Thankfully the surgeon who performed my partial floor reconstruction and partial hysterectomy also specializes in this type of disease. I did eight weeks of "bladder rescues" where he poured a solution inside my bladder that helped ease the pain. There is a medication that I can take that costs over $400 a month. At this time though I have been controlling the symptoms herbally, because it's $400 for one medication! I have only had one other flare up in a year-it felt like I was trying to pass a kidney stone. The key to controlling the disease so far has been to make sure that during times of stress that I drink the herbal drink and to try to find a way to relax.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I sat in the church I was also able to rattle off a list of a bunch of other June/July events stretching back over the past six years that had really shaken our lives at times......but I also realized how God had faithfully navigated us through each twist and turn.....and how both Jason and I had remained faithful to Him. Here I was sitting in the Church where I had received my "Job moment" literally three years later still singing God's praises. Here I was six years literally to the day when my marriage had begun it's "for worse time"-when I hadn't been sure that just two years into our marriage we could survive what we ended up surviving.....and yet we thankfully remain married through the grace of God, and our marriage is stronger than if we hadn't weathered that "for worse" storm. I sat in a Catholic Church praying for many friends and family members, but especially one who is sick and may die. And once again I was struck that this is the legacy I want to leave my children:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">That when times get hard we get on our knees.....we work hard-as if everything depends on us, but we pray harder since everything depends on God. Have Jason's and my money problems improved since we started our devotion to the Infant Jesus?? Not in the worldly sense-we have many months where we aren't sure at all how we are going to pay the bills, but we have never gone hungry yet, and from month to month things have worked out even when we couldn't really explain to anyone else how it all worked out. In fact, since our country is still very much in a recession that is actually probably more of a depression, I know that we are poorer.....gas costs more, milk costs more....life just costs way more....and our pay checks are actually smaller because our taxes are more.....we're just like everyone else trying to make a living....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">But I can thankfully say my faith is stronger than it was six years or even three years ago.....and my health has definitely improved even with the autoimmune disease diagnosis......and so I pray that if I were to die tomorrow that my children would cling to the Catholic faith that both Chris, Jason and I have given them. That they would remember that I always found my peace in the Church, whether it was from making an annual novena pilgrimage or my weekly adoration hour or dragging my tired self (and theirs!) to Church each Sunday whether I felt like it or not.....because honestly, I have never regretted time that I have spent praying and singing in Church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When times get tough may my kids always look at a crucifix and realize that it contains the arms of true love. That true love dies to oneself and puts another's needs before it's own. That true love requires pain and sacrifice, and that even God himself ran to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane to get through his own dark night of the soul. That the King of all of creation humbled himself to become a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes (which were RAGS) and laid in an animal manger......that God become humble and completely dependent on Mary and Joseph to take care of all his needs....that he once had to learn how to crawl and walk and run.......and that he laughed and cried.......may they always honor the baby King that would one day give his life on a cross.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">May my children remain always faithful, through good times and bad, through rich times and poor times, in sickness and in health.....May they Love God all the days of their lives.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">and May you know the Sweetness of that Faithful faith too,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Stephanie</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: small;">Novena Prayer of Thanksgiving for Graces Received from the Infant Jesus</span></u></b><br />
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I prostrate myself before Your holy image, O most gracious Infant Jesus,</div>
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to offer You my most fervent thanks for the blessings You have bestowed on me.</div>
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I shall incessantly praise Your ineffable mercy and confess</div>
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that You alone are my God, my helper and my protector.</div>
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Henceforth my entire confidence shall be placed in You!</div>
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Everywhere I will proclaim aloud Your mercy and generosity,</div>
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so that Your great love and the great deeds which You</div>
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perform through this miraculous image may be acknowledged by all.</div>
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May devotion to Your holy infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians,</div>
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and may all who experience Your assistance persevere with me</div>
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in showing unceasing gratitude to Your most holy infancy,</div>
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to which be praise and glory forever.</div>
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Amen.</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-18172079662742710472014-06-08T17:43:00.000-04:002014-06-11T10:05:20.040-04:00Frugal Kitchen Curtains and Bench<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Kitchen Remodel #3</u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbu1iTi_m-Vb0015vM-oR-YGJBPrFqil3zrMtVy5FnMbiDmyi1L2xK8zVoBu-ShUURggcSzKI2kYNFtTB4SWj0rvv0yDan2c-jgPNrHoKXTfjOgIm1KsAi-wfsP6TmZ9XztfGT1CG1Sp8/s1600/IMG_20140517_200838_902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbu1iTi_m-Vb0015vM-oR-YGJBPrFqil3zrMtVy5FnMbiDmyi1L2xK8zVoBu-ShUURggcSzKI2kYNFtTB4SWj0rvv0yDan2c-jgPNrHoKXTfjOgIm1KsAi-wfsP6TmZ9XztfGT1CG1Sp8/s1600/IMG_20140517_200838_902.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Curtains with lace tie backs</td></tr>
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So far 2014 has continued the trend of being one set back after another which has seemed to be the pattern for our lives these past few years.</div>
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I'm all for trying to live as frugally as possible, but for this month I have to admit that I've been continually resisting the urge to shop. In fact the weekend that Debbie completed these projects for me I didn't want to go to work, I didn't want to pay the bills and I most certainly wanted to "blow some steam" by thrift store shopping.....Instead I went to work, I paid the bills and I bought some food treats and came home to my sweet girls and mother-in-law.</div>
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A few weeks ago Jason and Joey went on a camping trip for Boy Scouts. It was a rare occurrence that Debbie, my mother-in-law, had both that Friday and Saturday off from her job. She suggested a "girls sleep over" weekend after a field trip day that I had originally planned got postponed for a week. She also brought up the idea of completing the curtains and bench make-overs that I had been talking about completing for almost two years now. I actually have had the bench fabric for two plus years and the curtain fabric for almost a year. (Yes, my mother-in-law lives directly across the road from me, and yes, she did sleepover in the guest room. I will admit it seems kind of funny, but remember the guys were also gone for the weekend. She finished the curtains at midnight so she just walked upstairs to sleep versus across the country road. Plus I had to leave early for work the next morning.)</div>
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Last summer I "kidnapped" Debbie for a day as her birthday present. We went thrift store shopping in Amish country, which is just an hour's drive away from where we live. One of the great things about Amish country is that at certain stores you can find amazing fabric that has been donated since most of the people still sew in that area. I found these two pieces of fabric at one of the stores for at total of $4. Jason had just "flipped" the kitchen and painted the cabinets blue so I thought this would be pretty fabric for the door in between the sink counter and baking counter:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMvr7fKwFVy-YDDmJ3ZVJ31A0KExQG4xlN9zz3FvgaBw75yUPzI9e5eegQs7GdXzabZe4GgI8PwWtRChBkNssI6aLge4YzOCPcdwQF9dmOF01KmJfY_xeS7C0G_u03XFGAiDrJ1FmRl8Y/s1600/IMG_20140516_195907_953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMvr7fKwFVy-YDDmJ3ZVJ31A0KExQG4xlN9zz3FvgaBw75yUPzI9e5eegQs7GdXzabZe4GgI8PwWtRChBkNssI6aLge4YzOCPcdwQF9dmOF01KmJfY_xeS7C0G_u03XFGAiDrJ1FmRl8Y/s1600/IMG_20140516_195907_953.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The daisies are just beautiful and lend a soft romantic look to the "Tuscany Country" look that I am hoping we will eventually achieve in here when we can paint the wall panelling. (Though I have to admit it may end up looking more "French Country"):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXah3JmIQuMJTwI5CeJk6oU_iBowTftUycWBNIQG40PgorZx0QBHbOsouxCiov5iebqTNVF3TJWlqZfq4GiEhtp4G7OnOPV4VMgqP_fQ2ywfeFgoZWG-Msr6CrJSwWjzQtM_-troffyl0/s1600/IMG_20140517_184606_922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXah3JmIQuMJTwI5CeJk6oU_iBowTftUycWBNIQG40PgorZx0QBHbOsouxCiov5iebqTNVF3TJWlqZfq4GiEhtp4G7OnOPV4VMgqP_fQ2ywfeFgoZWG-Msr6CrJSwWjzQtM_-troffyl0/s1600/IMG_20140517_184606_922.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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I had been brainstorming about what kind of curtain to hang in front of the tupperware cabinet. I wanted something waterproof with blue tones to match the cabinets, yet something to somewhat match the door curtain. I hadn't found anything since last July that I liked. One day when I was putting linens away I saw this vinyl tablecloth leftover from a previous summer and thought it had great potential, so I will now have daisies and sunflowers to use as accents for my kitchen:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HzGbUCJrBxfCYqSdvhmQX-nCVPf4CcvKCy6iFW6Y_BtS1bcaYXnmRVLUpEtAipQLNJLbxxXW4QnrrN57DVS3mL5c_y-6AeAq4wCQu5RXBRGwYvEif6oYdOwGWJwmmjTvOjTn_uw_sa8-/s1600/IMG_20140516_200009_689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HzGbUCJrBxfCYqSdvhmQX-nCVPf4CcvKCy6iFW6Y_BtS1bcaYXnmRVLUpEtAipQLNJLbxxXW4QnrrN57DVS3mL5c_y-6AeAq4wCQu5RXBRGwYvEif6oYdOwGWJwmmjTvOjTn_uw_sa8-/s1600/IMG_20140516_200009_689.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The three curtain fabrics together</div>
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I had bought two curtain rods to hang the curtains on back in January from Wal-Mart. They cost somewhere between $10-$12 total. Debbie and I talked and decided that I had enough fabric for a valance. Thankfully Debbie had an extra curtain rod for the valance at home for the great price of "FREE." She also suggested tie backs and brought over some gorgeous lace that she had bought at a garage sale for fifty cents.</div>
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Debbie is a craft queen....she made these curtains without a pattern....just measured the spaces, measured the fabric....had to do some creative thinking for the daisy material to figure out how to lay the fabric so that we could get two curtains and a valance out of it...but in less than four hours on Friday the tupperware cabinet and my kitchen window had new curtains!!! (Debbie did say that the vinyl tablecloth was not the easiest material to sew-it stretched while she was sewing it.) I personally break into a sweat just threading the needle on my sewing machine. These projects probably would have taken me two to three times the amount of time it took Debbie. I also would have had to buy a pattern to make the door curtains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt1HyxpmQhq2KWIrvuhhYpuTGVJtDXcEvs5e3Z5AwHi62cfwOOMZn3yoKFJH5bT_Fr8hfYshvSGD6OZrF3tSBu6vlGh7gAkBgCJ0yDREXIcSTwyPZ9NwxkUE1c4_20qpUu0IqfygA2474/s1600/IMG_20140526_213707_667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt1HyxpmQhq2KWIrvuhhYpuTGVJtDXcEvs5e3Z5AwHi62cfwOOMZn3yoKFJH5bT_Fr8hfYshvSGD6OZrF3tSBu6vlGh7gAkBgCJ0yDREXIcSTwyPZ9NwxkUE1c4_20qpUu0IqfygA2474/s1600/IMG_20140526_213707_667.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Completed sunflower curtain hiding our tupperware</div>
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This is the fabric that I was able to buy at Joann Fabrics two years ago when it was on sale and I had a coupon. I don't remember how much the material cost, but we do have enough material that we will be able to cover any kitchen chairs we choose to match:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5eQXoENbEtZDrPTYQESDBvwkSFqKsboWj5AP-z01Uvzofe2H9gc_tfzkhc9lqZ90M7W2vZItTFo5kH0852G02OZReY1X2OmUJtxltuM_iGK5JIx2Z8K-1IRAjqKyRyB0uNX3tYXKKqH4/s1600/IMG_20140516_200134_897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5eQXoENbEtZDrPTYQESDBvwkSFqKsboWj5AP-z01Uvzofe2H9gc_tfzkhc9lqZ90M7W2vZItTFo5kH0852G02OZReY1X2OmUJtxltuM_iGK5JIx2Z8K-1IRAjqKyRyB0uNX3tYXKKqH4/s1600/IMG_20140516_200134_897.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red vinyl material</td></tr>
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It's durable and waterproof! Jason's mom had a 50% off coupon for Joann Fabrics so she measured the bench Friday morning and then managed to find a 2" thick by 24" wide piece of foam that we were able to cut in two to fit the 12" wide bench so that it would have new padding...so we got $36 worth of foam for $18. Debbie glued the pieces onto the bench besides gluing them together so that they wouldn't separate over time. (A few days after Joey came home from camping he thanked me for putting new foam on the bench. I guess it had been getting painful to sit on though neither he, Jessie or Katie had complained yet at any of our family meals.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bench with new foam with the new sunflower curtain behind it</td></tr>
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Debbie covered the bench while I was at work on Saturday. Katie, Anna and Libby (affectionately known as "The 3 Littles" around here) were quite concerned about this project. I guess they kept asking Grandma Debbie if I KNEW what she was doing to our kitchen bench???? They informed her that they were going to tell me right away when I got home. They also watched her like little hawks. Here was a picture that she sent me (ignore the messy kitchen please):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie and Anna watching Grandma Debbie's every move with their stuffed "Eddie" poodle which is named after Grandma Debbie's real live Eddie poodle</td></tr>
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She even said that they were quite distraught that she was throwing out the old fabric and foam from the bench, so I guess they are picking up on thrifty habits of saving/reusing as much as possible. After a few hours, since Debbie did have to make one trip into town to get different staples for the staple gun, here was the finished bench (again, ignore the messy kitchen):</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQqWIgh4mO5AAhEUElk62VkKFMP0QHrBmQy8299KmIDAp1Tu5mGXQeJoF5crPxWE44YDCrGWxoqQ159QzEYu89dc4O8Ny6NMCas_cRSnLA8dfoI3sMkvhKFDv0y9sDh5zviABZNLvuFyI/s1600/0517141538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQqWIgh4mO5AAhEUElk62VkKFMP0QHrBmQy8299KmIDAp1Tu5mGXQeJoF5crPxWE44YDCrGWxoqQ159QzEYu89dc4O8Ny6NMCas_cRSnLA8dfoI3sMkvhKFDv0y9sDh5zviABZNLvuFyI/s1600/0517141538.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libby, Katie, Anna and Jessie on the finished bench</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
After I made it home much later than planned, we watched a movie while eating some splurged for cheese cake and frozen mini-eclairs that I had bought for the girls night sleep over:)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pwqfI9OYtMm6ca9AXTSrNkeD-s3bAAYIe71vSQH-17yEn256vFIFPxoG-T_qhES6P8nQ-ZSQnvwQXNDiUxQzzbRiZVu13CXpDjkbFDs5XCxH7Sg4a_O-05btl3J_aNgD7IZJN652raWN/s1600/IMG_20140517_184759_867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pwqfI9OYtMm6ca9AXTSrNkeD-s3bAAYIe71vSQH-17yEn256vFIFPxoG-T_qhES6P8nQ-ZSQnvwQXNDiUxQzzbRiZVu13CXpDjkbFDs5XCxH7Sg4a_O-05btl3J_aNgD7IZJN652raWN/s1600/IMG_20140517_184759_867.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed Bench</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Curtain Project Costs:</u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amish Country Curtain Fabrics: $1.25 and $2.75=$4.00</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Curtain Rods: $12.00 (high end estimate-also one curtain rod was free)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Table Cloth Curtain: $8.99 originally (used for one picnic and then stored)*</div>
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*Still have 3/4 of it left for future projects</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lace Tie Backs: $0.50</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Curtains Final Cost: $25.49</div>
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<u>Bench Project Costs:</u></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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Bench: $10.00</div>
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(bought it at a thrift store)</div>
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Foam Padding: $18.00</div>
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Material: $20.00**</div>
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(**estimated price for just the material that covered the bench, have tons leftover)</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Bench Final Cost: $48.00 approximately</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Kitchen Remodel Costs to Date:</u> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Previous: $1542.98</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New Total with Curtains and Bench: $1616.47</div>
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<br /></div>
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Jason is planning on working more on the kitchen while the kids and I go on our annual summer trip to visit family....I am looking forward to being able to show you more kitchen pictures in July or August.</div>
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Here are the first two posts that I made about our Kitchen Remodel:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/frugal-kitchen-remodel-post-1.html">Kitchen Remodel #1</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/frugal-kitchen-remodel-post-2.html">Kitchen Remodel #2</a><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzfGwlr358GELn1w27-YlIey3Vo2_i-aGpIhC0n5ZKFpqj7z4btGfEz1S4-o_KvzNJjnSoRXiRBPZGmWKX4O1upAIpZwRisv6t-VwT2lsBtprifXbDRx4TP6Bh3PZ2HJbrWd6Wvl5onr/s1600/IMG_20140526_213759_534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzfGwlr358GELn1w27-YlIey3Vo2_i-aGpIhC0n5ZKFpqj7z4btGfEz1S4-o_KvzNJjnSoRXiRBPZGmWKX4O1upAIpZwRisv6t-VwT2lsBtprifXbDRx4TP6Bh3PZ2HJbrWd6Wvl5onr/s1600/IMG_20140526_213759_534.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libby laying on the newly covered bench</td></tr>
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Wishing you the sweetness of perseverance and patience,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stephanie</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Linking To:<br />
<br />
Show and Tell Friday at <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">My Romantic Home</a><br />
Wow Us Wednesday at <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/06/wow-us-wednesdays-173.html">Savvy Southern Style</a><br />
Home Sweet Home at <a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/">The Charm of Home</a><br />
Feathered Nest Friday at <a href="http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a></div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-83241771132842746632014-05-18T03:43:00.001-04:002014-05-18T04:02:17.928-04:00Chris Reaching Out<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I just watched the
movie <i>Charlie St. Cloud</i> starring Zac
Efron, and while I don’t think either Jessie or my mother-in-law Debbie
appreciated it as much as I did, it was good for my soul….a “God Wink” as
Debbie calls them.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
On May 24<sup>th</sup>
I will have lived in this area of Ohio for ten years and by the last weekend of
this coming August I will have known Jason for ten years……Chris and I were only
together through dating, engagement, and marriage for nine and a half
years…..it was a sobering realization to realize that not only has he been gone
for twelve years, but very shortly my life will be made up of more “Jason
years” than “Chris years”…..but that is as God has chosen it for when the good
die young those who have been left behind must plod along until God calls us to
our own heavenly reward…..</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The <i>Charlie St. Cloud</i> movie brought back my
own memories of the way I felt Chris with me as soon as he died. I realized that while many of my older
friends know the stories from the first few years after Chris died that now my
own children do not-if they remember hearing them when they were little they
have forgotten them to the back of their subconscious….so for my yearly tribute
to Lt. Christopher T. Starkweather I now record them here on my blog:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Looking back at my life
I can truly see how God was preparing me for Chris’ death, and how Chris
prepared things as well. For instance:
Chris died in his mid-twenties….he had THREE life insurance policies. Even though he was in the military and
transitioning into a more dangerous role of flying in an airplane each day, I
can assure you that most young naval flight officers have one life insurance
policy, not three. In fact when he took
out the third life insurance policy we had a strong discussion about whether he
should get an extra policy taken out on me instead….not to mention that I
wanted a king size bed and/or double stroller for walking the babies……those
life insurance policies helped me buy a king size bed two months after Chris’
death when friends finally convinced me to stop sleeping on the floor with Joey
and Jessie. (I couldn’t emotionally
sleep on our bed without him.) I also
got a double stroller.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
May 8<sup>th</sup>,
2002 started out just like an ordinary day.
I had been up late the night before with my late owl baby, Jessie, so
Chris got up with the always early bird Joey and actually went grocery
shopping, providing Joey with food in those days after the plane collision. I woke up to the sound of them giggling on
the couch after their return. I then
played a “knocking game” with them on the wall since our bedroom wall was also
the wall for the living room. I would
tap, then they would tap, and eventually I “tapped” a song rhythm which made
them both laugh really hard. I heard
Chris say to Joey, “Your mommy is SO funny.”
(I still cry when I think of this moment because I can still hear the
amazing laugh that Chris had and the love in his voice as he said that to
Joey.) I then got up and started the
day.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The flight on that
day was really important to Chris. They
were reflying a pattern that he had not scored well on the first time. He was worried about passing-he was worried
that he would be cut from the flight program.
For that reason, and because I was an anxious wife with two young
toddlers, I asked him what time he was scheduled to fly at and about how long
it would be until he landed, debriefed, etc.
(We actually only had one cell phone, which we had just gotten the month
before, and this was in the days before texting, so trying to get an estimated
time of when he would return was my mission every day.) Chris
kissed me in the rocking chair while I was nursing Jessie, said good-bye to
Joey, but then stopped suddenly at the front door. He turned around and looked so intently at the
three of us-he just stood there really, really looking at us-like he was
“soaking us into his heart.” He then
said, “I love you” one more time and walked out the door to go to work-to
complete his mission for that day.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
What I have never
told anyone before though is that “his good-bye” struck my heart…I stopped
nursing Jessie, carried her in my arms and followed him out the door, so I
actually tried to make him laugh again as he got into his black Dodge
Stratus. I said some corny “yank and
bank/good luck” thing…..and I actually watched him drive away…..which is why I
didn’t bring his car home for five months.
That stupid car coming home without him meant he was truly gone….the
squadron asked me to bring it home a few weeks later and thankfully one of
Chris’ squadron buddies kept it at his place until he had to move away…..that
stupid wonderful black Dodge Stratus….the one he bought after he was
commissioned-just a month before we decided to elope-the one he refused to
refinance-whose “$329 monthly car payment to have it paid off in three years”
became my first reality check of frugal living within a marriage…..he drove
away in it and I never saw him again.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet, when it came
home, Chris was there. When I finally
did sit in the driver’s seat I looked down and in between the seat buckle and
the middle console was “The Golden Book of Prayer”….. I began sobbing and
pulled out the prayer book. You see,
back when we were stationed at STRATCOM, in Bellevue, NE, I would occasionally
pray on Saturday mornings with Joey in front of the abortion clinic, and that
was the prayer book they used. Chris
always went running on Saturday mornings and one Saturday in February it was truly
bitter cold. Chris informed me that I
wasn’t going to go pray with Joey, but that he was going to go running….I informed
him that if it wasn’t too cold to go running it wasn’t too cold to pray in
front of the abortion clinic. (See my
running jealousy coming out?) Chris then
informed me that he would go pray instead of running….That Saturday was the
only Saturday he ever did that. Later
that afternoon he told me that at the end of the prayers an older lady came up
and asked him what his name was. He
said, “Chris Starkweather.” She started
to ask, “Are you related to…..” when Chris cut her off, “NO, I am NOT related
to Charles Starkweather the infamous mass murderer.” (You see whenever there seems to be a murder
that involves more than one person in the Omaha, NE area every news story
always seems to connect Charles Starkweather to the current murder. I think they use it as standard column inch
filler for murder stories. Chris would
randomly find news clippings taped to his computers or left on his desk by
other military co-workers.) Chris was
one of the politest people I ever met, but I guess he really went off on her
about the Charles Starkweather connection.
The lady politely listened to his vent and after he was finished,
replied, “I was going to ask you if you are related to Stephanie Starkweather?” To which Chris hung his head and said, “Yes,
she’s my wife.” Flash forward seven
months later and 9-11 happened. It would
take several hours to be able to get on base after those attacks. After a couple of days Chris asked me where
that specific prayer book was. He said
that he was tired of listening to the radio while he waited in the long
inspection lines….so he began praying those prayers instead. When he died that following May there really
weren’t long inspection lines anymore at the military gates….but he still had
that prayer book tucked in by his seat belt.
I have now since passed the prayer book on to one of Chris’ relatives
who I felt he might like to have it…..but at that moment, when I was still
struggling with my new role as a single mother, I was once again struck by the
depth of my late husband’s faith….how many of us actually spent those long
hours waiting to get on the military base PRAYING for others??? I certainly never did.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
At around 2:30 on the
afternoon of May 8<sup>th</sup>, I laid down to nurse Jessie to sleep (Joey
took his nap as well.) I dozed off, but
I woke up the most AMAZING warm session-it started at my head and then went
down through my entire body…I can’t describe it except that it was the most
peaceful sensation I ever felt in my life.
I just laid there, not wanting it to end, but then Joey rolled over and
hit my arm and I was so saddened because the sensation was gone. I rolled over and the alarm clock said,
“3:30,” which is approximately when the planes collided and Chris died. About an hour later I went to turn on the tv
to start a video for Joey so I could cook supper….the tv came on with “Breaking
news: Two Navy planes have crashed off of Pensacola at approximately 3:30 pm
today”…..and I knew….deep down I knew my husband was dead. I knew that the warm sensation I felt pulsing
through my body was Chris saying good-bye to me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I called the squadron,
identified myself as Lt. Christopher Starkweather’s wife and told them I wanted
to know when my husband’s plane landed.
I heard the poor flight student forget to put me on hold and say to the
officer standing next to him, “It’s Lt. Starkweather’s wife, what do I
say?”…..And I knew…..I called the only other military student wife I knew and
asked her and her husband to come to my house…..and God bless them, they
did. They all knew Chris was dead, but
they came and didn’t say a word since the military officials hadn’t showed up
to tell me…..I called Chris’ mom to tell her that there had been a plane
crash-she later said that I was so calm when I was telling her that I didn’t
know if it was Chris or not…..at approximately 6:30 pm I asked two of the
flight students to take me to the squadron so that I could get answers. We passed two military officials and a
military wife in a car on the street, so we turned around and came back to the
house. They informed me that a “mishap”
had occurred and that the Navy was currently performing “search and rescue…” so
even though I knew that those stupid T-39 Sabreliners didn’t have ejection
seats….really who trains flight students without ejection seats…..I began to
have hope, maybe Chris was alive….maybe they would find him clinging to part of
the airplane….but still deep down, I knew……Chris was gone and my life would
never be the same. (It took the military
so long to get to my house because they were trying to find a Catholic chaplain
to help break the news. Chris had asked
for that on some paperwork. I now tell
military wives not to click that box. If
something happens you just want to know as soon as possible.)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
May 8<sup>th</sup>
was a Wednesday……flash forward to Saturday afternoon….Jessie was sleeping and I
had the baby monitor on to hear her when she woke up….several people were at
our house and the baby monitor began to make a low squawking sound that it had
never made before that day or ever since that day. After a few minutes one of the flight
students asked why it was making that sound, to which I again calmly reply,
“It’s Chris talking to Jessie.” I now
fondly remember how he looked at this “crazy woman” telling him that…I say
fondly because he’s the ONE flight student who has kept contact with me for
these twelve years….he began trying to figure out what was “interfering” with
the baby monitor-maybe someone was flying a remote control airplane outside,
etc., etc., but approximately twenty minutes later the low squawking noise
stopped and Jessie woke up crying……at the time I believe that knowledge came
from God-I had such peace about that event.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
About two weeks
later, after having survived the three memorial services for Chris, I was
crying one afternoon when Joey-who wasn’t even two yet-came up to me and said,
“Dada in bathroom.” He then pulled me
down the hall to the bathroom and pointed inside saying, “Dada.” I stood there for several minutes, not
actually sure what to do. I couldn’t ask
Joey to ask Chris any questions-he was a little too young for that…..so I just
stood there and eventually said, “I love you Chris” before walking away….but I
know that event brought me some comfort for the day. Flash forward about three weeks later. We were at a beach with another family when I
see and hear Joey start jumping up and down, saying “Daddy, daddy, daddy!” I watch him standing on the beach looking
down as if Chris were crouched in front of him talking to him the way Chris
would always get down on the ground at his eye level. There wasn’t any person in front of Joey-no
man or anything….just sand directly where Joey was looking. The male friend we were with was convinced
that Joey saw someone who looked like Chris, but I knew he was seeing Chris,
because it was the exact position that I had seen Chris talk to him a million
times….in fact it was <i>the position</i>
that I had seen them crouched a few weeks before Chris died when I had actually
had a premonition that Chris would die and I had asked God, “How will I survive
without him?” But I had “shrugged off” the premonition
convincing myself that if it did happen it would be when he was deployed-NOT
when he was training at a squadron that had just celebrated 25 years without a
single plane accident. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
About one month later
I was in crisis mode again…..the church we attended did not have a cry room and
it was a struggle to take both babies to church by myself…I cried…they
cried….we were a mess at every mass. I
was once again crying in church, praying about what to do…should I stay at that
church, should I come without my children since people had offered to watch the
babies so I could come by myself, should I go to a different church that did
have a cry room….at the moment of consecration, Joey grabbed my hand, pointed
at the altar and said, “Daddy!” I asked
him, “What did you say?” He said, “Daddy
is kneeling up there!” and he pointed at the altar in front of the priest. “Daddy is kneeling up there!”….oh, to have
the faith and eyes of a child-to be able to see the veil between heaven and
earth opened…to see that truly during the mass heaven and earth are joined as
we worship God in heaven….that the saints in heaven are worshipping as we are
worshipping our God! Oh, how sweet an
answered prayer can be!</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That answered prayer
gave me strength, especially when several times after that people would offer
to “watch the kids at home” for me so I could go to mass alone….eventually
after I had replied, “No, they will come because Joey has seen his father
kneeling on the altar during consecration” we were adopted by a family who
tried their best to help me…but of course Joey and Jessie both just wanted to
be held by mommy.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Now we flash forward
approximately 16 months later….outside of several “our songs” coming on the car
radio when I would be praying about one crisis or another nothing else unusual
has happened supernaturally. I am
driving home from working in Tallahassee for the day and I am a wreck….I have
only a few months to decide to move somewhere….Normally a military widow has to
move within a year of her husband’s death in order for the military to pay for
it. (It’s only six months if you are
“fortunate” enough to live in military housing…..or if you were the wife of the
Saudi Arabian military officer that died in the same plane collision with my
husband it was less than one week. I
still can’t believe that they moved her and her five children back to Saudi
Arabia to her father’s house in less than one week. Yep, just one more reason I am glad to be
American.) I had applied and been
granted an extension to my military move-I now have to move by the second
anniversary of Chris’ death….I had thought I was going to move to one place,
but that had fallen through……and I began to realize that I don’t know WHO on
earth I am…..who actually is Stephanie Starkweather without Chris
Starkweather? I can’t breathe when I am
in Pensacola-the sound of every Navy jet, especially those Blue Angels whose
flight paths went over our rental house every day pierce my heart…..I have
already painfully decided that I can’t go home to Fort Atkinson…..that I
couldn’t live in our wonderful home town where we had first fallen in love….So,
where does one go if you can’t go home to your family?....Where do you attempt
to go find yourself when you are a single mom with two children? How do I begin to attempt to start providing
for the kids? Do I try to find another
theater administration job? But then
what kind of life is that for my kids? I
couldn’t be a “soccer mom” then-people go to the theater on weekends and
evenings….do I go back to school like everyone has been encouraging me to
do? What do I go to school for? All these questions are pushing through my
brain as I try to calmly drive the three hours home to Pensacola…..Joey, now 3
½ says, “Mommy, daddy is here in the van with us.”……and I start to cry……
“Mommy, daddy is here in the van with us.”….. “Where is he Joey?” “He’s here, next to my car seat.” I don’t ask any more questions….apply to
grad school for my masters it is then……And I once again thank Chris and tell
him I love him.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So, you would think
that I would have it under control right?
With all these signs of God’s providence and Chris’ intercession in our
life? No, I don’t….I still continue to
have crisis after crisis. Flash forward
to the month before I am to leave Pensacola for the oasis of Steubenville, Ohio
and I am in crisis mode again. I have
now returned from a massive ten day road trip with my Pensacola best friend….her,
me, a rental van, her two kids plus my two kids and one teenage sister-in-law
road trip to Steubenville and back….I am now in the process of closing on a
house that I bought while in Steubenville for less than three days and I am
FREAKING out…..the reality of what I am about to take on is hitting me because
Joey and Jessie are both sick, which means they can’t go to the military in
home day care provider I have….what will happen when they get sick and I am in
grad school? Why am I moving to a place
where the only people I sort of know is my realtor and the famous Kimberly and
Scott Hahn, who recommended the realtor to me, but with whom I only talked to
for less than ten minutes at an event?
Why am I feeling like God is calling me to study theology? Why study theology in Ohio instead of in
Wisconsin at Marquette? How am I going to
pass grad school for a field that I never studied in undergrad as a single mom
with two kids?</div>
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Joey and Jessie were
finally well enough to go to the day care and I head to mass. I go to a church that I had never attended
before in Pensacola. After mass I pull
out a St. Padre Pio rosary to pray with….as I grab it out of my purse I think
to myself that I should get rid of this rosary because it was given to me by
someone who had just hurt me very badly and whenever I grab the rosary I think
about them and I feel the pain all over again….I begin to cry though about all
those questions listed above that I am stressing over….I also once again pray
that God will give me a sign when Chris is no longer in purgatory. (I will not defend nor explain the Catholic
Church’s teachings on purgatory. Go to
one of the Catholic apologetic blogs to find out more. I am simply telling my story and this prayer
is a big part of it.) I had prayed that
prayer about wanting a sign almost daily since Chris had died. I notice a woman who keeps looking over at
me, but I figure that’s because I am crying.
As I later began to leave the church this woman comes running back
through the doors and says, “Oh thank God you are still here!”</div>
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She then tells me
that she has a message from me from St. Padre Pio. She begins looking over my should as if St.
Padre Pio (and Chris) were standing behind me….she says, “Do you know someone
who died that was in the military?” I
say, “Yes, my husband was in the Navy and he died.” She looks back over my shoulder and says,
“Father wants you to know that he is holding your husband’s hand.” (She called “Padre Pio” father because he was
a priest-that was his title.) She tells
me some other things-mostly that everything is going to be okay-I think my
brain mostly turned off once I realized that she was telling me that Chris was
in heaven, that he was no longer in purgatory.</div>
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I am overjoyed, but
most family members (and probably my friends) just think I am plain crazy….most
likely because they don’t believe in purgatory.
A few weeks later I go to start packing up the most important stuff I
own-all of our pictures that I am going to take in our van and not let the
movers touch…..I go to the top drawer of Chris’ dresser…The drawer that I had
placed the memorial flag in that was given to me at the huge memorial service
that thousands of people had attended in Pensacola…..the drawer that I had
occasionally opened, but never emptied or touched since May 15<sup>th</sup>,
2002….I lift the folded flag out of the drawer and underneath it is a St. Padre
Pio prayer card!....at that moment I see myself almost two years earlier
opening that drawer, moving Chris’ stuff out of the way and briefly see the
prayer card, but I just shove that flag into the drawer….that flag where they
say, “On behalf of a grateful nation”…that flag that means the end of my
husband and his military career dream that we had shared, suffered and worked
for……under that painful patriotic flag is a prayer card for a saint that I
didn’t know Chris had a devotion/relationship with….you see, unlike most
Catholics, Chris didn’t have a lot of religious objects. He had one bible, one crucifix and one
rosary. He didn’t own a catechism until
the year I came into the church, and that “Golden Book of Prayers” was the only
book of prayers we owned until after he died…..he was a minimalist Catholic,
but his faith was strong and deep....in fact that St. Padre Pio prayer card was
the only one I found among his things….so someone I met after Chris died gave
me a rosary that had a saint medal on it for the one saint that Chris had a
devotion to….and that is the saint who sends me a message via a woman I had
never seen at mass before nor ever saw again…..</div>
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Oh, how I wish that I
could tell you that I am one of those “blessed” spiritual children of Padre
Pio, the ones who say that they smell the scent of flowers after asking for his
prayers in heaven….that I have never experienced….and I have never had anyone
else ever come to tell me a message directly while seeing Padre Pio again….but
I do have my Katie, who was finally conceived after a friend, who did not know
the above story, give me her prescious Padre Pio medal to pin under my bed
pillow-she reminded me to ask for Padre Pio to pray to God that Jason and I
would finally conceive a baby after sixteen months of negative pregnancy
results….and we conceived Katie that same month!</div>
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The last thing that I
can tell you is that in special blessed moments though, I can feel my late
hubby with me. I was terrified that I would
lose that when I left Pensacola….because I could still “feel” Chris presence in
that rental home. I had actually offered
to buy the house twice, but was denied both times, even after I said they could
name their price…..When I was having a panic attack about leaving the house, my
“Pensacola best friend” asked me, “Steph, where do you feel Chris in this
house?” Now, Colleen had NEVER met my
hubby, we met after his death. “I feel him when I sit in the rocking chair
where he said, ‘Good-bye’ and I feel him when I look out our kitchen window to
where he would crouch down and talk to Joey while he played with him in the
back yard. I feel him when I step over the baby gate in our house.” Colleen begins to tear up and she says, “I
didn’t know Chris, but those are the places that I feel him as well. I have felt him when I have babysat your kids
and I don’t believe that you are going to lose that when you move.”…..and she
was right. I can still feel him at times
when I sit in the blue rocking chair he bought when he found out I was pregnant
with Joey…..and I can feel him/see him crouched down looking at the kids
sometimes….and Joey and Jessie both have contagious laughs like Chris did…..I
feel my hubby all around my kids.</div>
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And so for all these
reasons it’s okay that May 8<sup>th</sup> means more to me than it does to my
children…..it means that I have made the goal I set for myself after Chris
died…..that I did not want my kids walking around with a chip on their shoulder
because their dad died…..that it would be an event in their life, but not THE
event that shaped what their lives became…so it’s okay that whenever I say,
“Tomorrow is May 8<sup>th</sup>” and the kids start naming off one of the five
extended family member’s May birthdays or Jason says, “Oh, it’s this or that
feast day?”….it’s okay…and I just look at them intently and say, “It’s May 8<sup>th</sup>”
and they all then go, “Oh, it’s Chris day.”….it’s okay…..I did my job just
fine….the fact that they don’t make a fuss about having to attend daily mass
that day where I will cry or that I need some “quiet time” like playing at a
park amidst all the end of the year activities is okay….the fact that the
littles are starting to try to understand that Joey and Jessie had a different
daddy in heaven is okay…..hopefully the long term impression will be made on
all the kids though that they will try to remember the day I die…but it’s okay
if they don’t, because I know that life doesn’t end when we die…I’ll be there
helping to guide them towards heaven…..reaching out through whichever song they
connect with me on the radio or whatever mystical ways God decides to use…..</div>
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May you all feel the
sweetness of God’s peace in your life,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-62857795704086932892014-04-26T18:58:00.001-04:002014-04-26T18:58:39.693-04:00A Byzantine Easter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<b><u>A Byzantine Easter</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith-jGkJui0bkRAs8-e90heF0aryZJ2PiQMgL0gstSoWp5fHlFBifou7j7uXGtgnX3ww1xqOPpI1EIgGPQl7hk5MKFKeTp4QXoHsE7oGeGHmQBqUThyphenhyphenpo976uFjQFTPQ5UarAOWxmUMjnZ/s1600/10154088_738046749588392_2394986983002460703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith-jGkJui0bkRAs8-e90heF0aryZJ2PiQMgL0gstSoWp5fHlFBifou7j7uXGtgnX3ww1xqOPpI1EIgGPQl7hk5MKFKeTp4QXoHsE7oGeGHmQBqUThyphenhyphenpo976uFjQFTPQ5UarAOWxmUMjnZ/s1600/10154088_738046749588392_2394986983002460703_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty Tomb at St. Mary's Byzantine Church, Weirton, WV</td></tr>
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Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!<br />
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Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!</div>
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or in other words:</div>
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Happy Easter!!!</div>
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So, what makes "Easter" a "Byzantine Easter" versus say a "Roman Catholic Easter" or secular Easter activities?? Lots of fasting, liturgical prayer and a few other activities that I will try to do a better job at describing here on the blog.</div>
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Many people are familiar with Roman Catholics fasting from meat on Fridays during Lent. Byzantine Catholics fast from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent, and even more traditional Byzantines still fast from meat the first day of Lent (which starts on the Monday before Ash Wednesday) until Easter Sunday. (Some even fast from meat AND dairy during that whole time. We're not that hard core yet....) But during Holy Week the normal fasting days are as follows: Wednesday: no meat, Friday: no meat or dairy, Saturday: no meat until after the end of Saturday vigil liturgy.</div>
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Our "Holy Week" is actually a whole week as well. The week starts out with Palm Sunday, then on Wednesday our church has Pre-Sanctified Gifts Liturgy (which we had every Wednesday during Lent. I have decided that the Pre-Sanctified Gifts Liturgy is my favorite Liturgy: singing all the Psalms for an hour is so beautiful.) This year we missed the actual Wednesday liturgy because we were invited to a Last Supper/Passover Seder event, which was the first time I had ever attended a Seder. It was beautiful to hear all the prayers and to experience part of what Jesus experienced at his last supper. (We fasted from meat on the Monday instead of the Wednesday. which we had received a dispensation for during Lent.) Then there is liturgy on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, followed by church services on Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Also the week after Easter is considered a "no fasting, EAT MEAT every day week!" We were so busy that I actually struggled with pushing myself to indulge in meat this week instead of my normal "eat pasta/rice" routine.</div>
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Our priest has two parishes, so our Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday liturgies were at 8pm: a little late to be out with three littles under the age of 5. Since Jason had let me go to every Wednesday liturgy during Lent with just Joey and Jessie he went to the Holy Thursday Last Supper Liturgy with Jessie since Joey was sick. The littles and I stayed home and watched some youtube videos about Jesus listed on the <a href="http://cherishedheartsathome.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-passion-of-our-lord-videos-to-share.html">Cherished Hearts at Home blog</a>. Disclaimer: one of the videos is quite graphic and I had little ones crying, though they have definitely been contemplating how painful Jesus' death was for us. I truly should have watched the videos first like she advised.</div>
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Then I was going to go to a 3pm Roman Catholic Service on Good Friday with the littles, but Jason got stuck at work so we decided to just go together on both Good Friday and Holy Saturday and let the littles sleep in on Saturday. Both Good Friday and Holy Saturday liturgies have beautiful processions where the congregation follows the Priest around the church. At the end of the Good Friday liturgy the priest carries the icon of the dead body of Jesus from a table in front of the church with the altar boys carring replicas of a crown of thorns and the nails/hammer. The congregation follows carrying candles and chanting as we process out of the church and around the church and then back inside. Father then places the body inside the tomb and then as a congregation we go up and can say prayers and kiss the icon (much like the practice of venerating the crucifix/cross in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches.)</div>
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Here is Jason talking to the littles in front of the tomb with the Jesus icon:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazq2sQBPhAUkgcFZOJIqzJ0tMMNhkPb5mpK_XYHisykne8jr_30fWsvFV-Y_ZgQi-ZjHMPVpC7kf17pW7KfPN93oJa-3j2y11LbxYxuIQU2SqypPVsv-QNqsc-p5u2yV1mLrtyxXdX-2d/s1600/10177397_736654263060974_3274180860319533367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazq2sQBPhAUkgcFZOJIqzJ0tMMNhkPb5mpK_XYHisykne8jr_30fWsvFV-Y_ZgQi-ZjHMPVpC7kf17pW7KfPN93oJa-3j2y11LbxYxuIQU2SqypPVsv-QNqsc-p5u2yV1mLrtyxXdX-2d/s1600/10177397_736654263060974_3274180860319533367_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason kneeling with Katie, Anna and Libby (Jessie is behind them in the dress coat) venerating the Jesus icon laying in the tomb on Good Friday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3slCTCSg2hoTTf2t-70DgVd0AIrFS1u-UwWgurQV2HT9MPj4CALBr63LkGAWI_6LbrFB4ny02p58P0tJva-RTopw2vsXqz1cmN0_e9RQHpvW70GcSYLuWZTeHeQ3eQlPZpXjMcqMwBAF/s1600/10152569_736652813061119_7316128759762808124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3slCTCSg2hoTTf2t-70DgVd0AIrFS1u-UwWgurQV2HT9MPj4CALBr63LkGAWI_6LbrFB4ny02p58P0tJva-RTopw2vsXqz1cmN0_e9RQHpvW70GcSYLuWZTeHeQ3eQlPZpXjMcqMwBAF/s1600/10152569_736652813061119_7316128759762808124_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see Jesus legs on the icon. Our Church icon has Mother Mary, St. John and some other people all around Jesus for his burial.</td></tr>
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We then circle to the left and can venerate the Crucifixion icon next to our church's crucifix:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crucifixion Icon with Byzantine Crucifix</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqHE38A1aRS6IUpiVscOZoxlwXolgke2OyKGATfGZwR5l8urRPLFny8us2tWzWGFKIBHk0yCsAoVhlD40YBcF_2Z7rct8OlfypGCDwvTtalKdw7fQWEIDzarjMKIbPF6klwu0sbsF5JiB/s1600/1972335_736652846394449_5230808150626790790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqHE38A1aRS6IUpiVscOZoxlwXolgke2OyKGATfGZwR5l8urRPLFny8us2tWzWGFKIBHk0yCsAoVhlD40YBcF_2Z7rct8OlfypGCDwvTtalKdw7fQWEIDzarjMKIbPF6klwu0sbsF5JiB/s1600/1972335_736652846394449_5230808150626790790_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie contemplating the icon</td></tr>
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On Holy Saturday we again process around the church and the priest does special prayers/knocking on the doors before we go into Church. We sing/say prayers for an hour until the liturgy is ended without receiving communion. We then go downstairs into our church hall for the blessing of the family Easter baskets so that our meatless fast can be broken. That's right, we start celebrating between 9pm-10pm at night with meat!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Basket with Candle lit, ready to be blessed by Father Ed.<br />
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So in the above basket you can see our butter in the shape of the lamb, our salt shaker, our leg of lamb wrapped in plastic wrap, our lit blessed candle with Byzantine cross and Rosary hanging down. We also had a pascha and a small section of kolbassi in our basket. Our bottle of wine fell out of the basket and broke on our way into the church, so we brought back two bottles of wine to be blessed on Easter Sunday along with the childrens' Easter Baskets. A traditional Ruthenian Slovakian basket has the following items: Pascha (the Easter Bread, pronounced PA-SKA), ham, sausage (known as Kolbassi), bacon, cheese ball (known as hrudka), horseradish, butter, salt, pisanki eggs, and in some places a sweet wine. Our church family has added chocolates to the basket. All of these items have symbolism and were typically things that were fasted from during the Great Lent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMSPs-62haEUX-miSZ7HIyPD5DtwAHBzu0yMb4ntEBKXGWrqVXLsDQOMG9JweWwuCs0ggn8iXfYyQW0SmqG3JQLGZvaga5EIcyL8W9rwCFIVGc4bEroOXga7p-N1qDmFxLBmUpzRdSezl/s1600/10153233_737486879644379_8326457042798785123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMSPs-62haEUX-miSZ7HIyPD5DtwAHBzu0yMb4ntEBKXGWrqVXLsDQOMG9JweWwuCs0ggn8iXfYyQW0SmqG3JQLGZvaga5EIcyL8W9rwCFIVGc4bEroOXga7p-N1qDmFxLBmUpzRdSezl/s1600/10153233_737486879644379_8326457042798785123_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Basket Cover: Cross Stitched by Debbie</td></tr>
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Here is our basket covered by a cross stitch that Debbie made for us. Normally the Easter Basket covers are linen and say "Christ is Risen" with Byzantine crucifix, Easter eggs, etc, like you can see <a href="http://www.easterngiftshop.com/Category/EasterPascha">here</a>. Debbie made our ours from memory about a year after she had attended a Holy Saturday church service with us.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBtAc7HYtnf-hb6lY5YCFrFxI8psIknVu295q1HcSscNXTa4wO3HNt43W_VWGE5koAUoDA7n8S5A7hYXTwf7KT5eNb5u60VFG8EzNIz-UkabwNjA6rAdFGANUx1LDC3WCzcMbu_FUrsUy/s1600/10291048_737486746311059_1431426157943275280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBtAc7HYtnf-hb6lY5YCFrFxI8psIknVu295q1HcSscNXTa4wO3HNt43W_VWGE5koAUoDA7n8S5A7hYXTwf7KT5eNb5u60VFG8EzNIz-UkabwNjA6rAdFGANUx1LDC3WCzcMbu_FUrsUy/s1600/10291048_737486746311059_1431426157943275280_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Easter Basket Cover while it's draped over our prayer kneeler at home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqPGCp713GQaFzglw7gxkbF0keqJzWKX_ul4E4cPbMY9Nr0AgQ-JUpgg6IFVbh18ymFhjLF-gBEUaRwtA6Ny3RPnnyDgpdivRZed4UKBcJ9XeBU12PzxFrMyyEasVCO17uwX35w5J4sqL/s1600/10154009_737486816311052_6662302915011322527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqPGCp713GQaFzglw7gxkbF0keqJzWKX_ul4E4cPbMY9Nr0AgQ-JUpgg6IFVbh18ymFhjLF-gBEUaRwtA6Ny3RPnnyDgpdivRZed4UKBcJ9XeBU12PzxFrMyyEasVCO17uwX35w5J4sqL/s1600/10154009_737486816311052_6662302915011322527_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our second basket containing candy and our Pysanky eggs that Joey, Jessie and I had made at church after Wednesday Pre-Sanctified Liturgies during Lent</td></tr>
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About thirteen hours later we arrive back at church to find:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrdnusiaTH7roydLdbMbJbxJV7Ihr-D2VOxkYuFgwbutmoLfNJ3HW6w3VMURpj50SEQllzn9rxk8j_rGDlLeZCTz_fov03tyeU_JRRQeCLlA0vpvmG032QJoM8YqYZeeuoZkgFrd110bS/s1600/10277660_738046522921748_202957153447411033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrdnusiaTH7roydLdbMbJbxJV7Ihr-D2VOxkYuFgwbutmoLfNJ3HW6w3VMURpj50SEQllzn9rxk8j_rGDlLeZCTz_fov03tyeU_JRRQeCLlA0vpvmG032QJoM8YqYZeeuoZkgFrd110bS/s1600/10277660_738046522921748_202957153447411033_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty Tomb on Easter Sunday Morning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith-jGkJui0bkRAs8-e90heF0aryZJ2PiQMgL0gstSoWp5fHlFBifou7j7uXGtgnX3ww1xqOPpI1EIgGPQl7hk5MKFKeTp4QXoHsE7oGeGHmQBqUThyphenhyphenpo976uFjQFTPQ5UarAOWxmUMjnZ/s1600/10154088_738046749588392_2394986983002460703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith-jGkJui0bkRAs8-e90heF0aryZJ2PiQMgL0gstSoWp5fHlFBifou7j7uXGtgnX3ww1xqOPpI1EIgGPQl7hk5MKFKeTp4QXoHsE7oGeGHmQBqUThyphenhyphenpo976uFjQFTPQ5UarAOWxmUMjnZ/s1600/10154088_738046749588392_2394986983002460703_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Empty Tomb is placed in front of the covered Crucifix for the rest of the Easter Season.<br />
We celebrate Christ Risen for the next few weeks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnJTU5ZMEoojkk8oKzcp11qN7FMkXMOReCfxRMmLOvRFs2gG68hC23-0xlEnQr2G5SSH8u5NjcXjaDgzcJWGuqgKPLOZoCt0CM9QIQaKYcH26aXZX4RQS5jH_SDYB17QvjBT3YyICMlc1/s1600/10174991_738047076255026_9057093189281275845_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnJTU5ZMEoojkk8oKzcp11qN7FMkXMOReCfxRMmLOvRFs2gG68hC23-0xlEnQr2G5SSH8u5NjcXjaDgzcJWGuqgKPLOZoCt0CM9QIQaKYcH26aXZX4RQS5jH_SDYB17QvjBT3YyICMlc1/s1600/10174991_738047076255026_9057093189281275845_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Icon of the Body of Christ has now been moved onto the altar where it will stay for the rest of the Easter Season.<br />
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Our Church is St. Mary's of the Assumption so the icon behind the altar is the Dormition of St Mary. In the icon she is surrounded by the 12 disciples and it's cut off, but St. Joseph and Jesus are at the top of the icon.<br />
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Then afterwards its back home to have Easter Dinner and to have our family Easter egg hunt. Then church services on Monday-Wednesday if one can make it. So, while this may seem like a lot of "things to do" I find comfort every year in the routine of Holy Week, especially as we get used to the rhythm of being Byzantine converts. I was so proud of myself that I remembered to find my Easter containers in our storage shed on Holy Thursday so that on Good Friday I could make the lamb butter for Saturday's basket. We were out of eggs so we chose not to make a store run to make the hrudka. There have been years that we forgot to make the butter ahead of time and just stuck a stick of butter in our basket. This Holy Week was extra restful since we did not participate in any other activities just Church, house cleaning and Easter decorating from Thursday-Sunday. Other years I have tried to make more than one Church service, such as Stations of the Cross or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd morning meditations for the children. It ends up being so much driving back and forth since we live thirty-five minutes from town and forty-five minutes from St. Mary's.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0CDMuQkGPv8l1Ynt3kCxyclNXLOgOJVzsvHGN2Wu3t6p1lBPyvT4At7CxrLP23DGo3I84aKTywphmPPWdn7yy8adwk7CpoLBdrEbjDhoUrOSjT8gMZn39GPo5HMWPZWhtAZt34jAXZpk/s1600/1964965_733885810004486_8188673879854122646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0CDMuQkGPv8l1Ynt3kCxyclNXLOgOJVzsvHGN2Wu3t6p1lBPyvT4At7CxrLP23DGo3I84aKTywphmPPWdn7yy8adwk7CpoLBdrEbjDhoUrOSjT8gMZn39GPo5HMWPZWhtAZt34jAXZpk/s1600/1964965_733885810004486_8188673879854122646_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of Eucharist at a local Eucharistic Chapel</td></tr>
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There is a quote posted at this Eucharistic Chapel that I have been meditating during my holy hour every Sunday:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwrm4zGzKJp0KZZlkJvndZfdkCeUDz3Tt3_fi9vwPIF_qyXJCF8Zk265dELk4m8f7ezatA_5wU44a_PsHqinrIXfFP57gg4b6ZlcfNWhaAOHjgVoEQyL9vxZyGnHv5Ays2RUG3yIGGUoE/s1600/10252072_733884436671290_901381879465116727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwrm4zGzKJp0KZZlkJvndZfdkCeUDz3Tt3_fi9vwPIF_qyXJCF8Zk265dELk4m8f7ezatA_5wU44a_PsHqinrIXfFP57gg4b6ZlcfNWhaAOHjgVoEQyL9vxZyGnHv5Ays2RUG3yIGGUoE/s1600/10252072_733884436671290_901381879465116727_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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The poster says:</div>
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"It is never true to say that we have no time to meditate; the less one thinks of God, the less time there will always be for God. The time we have for anything depends on how much we value it. Thinking determines the uses of time; time does not rule over thinking. The problem of spirituality is never, then a question of time; it is a problem of thought. For it does not require much time to make us saints; it requires only much love." Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen</div>
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The above quote is very true. We make the time to do the things that are important to us, no matter how many duties or commitments we may have.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bS4io9itYKZlQKyoiBu_rJl0uut76KIw0NPl53EBEu7f5aAaTheiKPHxI5ZYpU0nU7wRocftuWdi0f_yiOOzPSJX4BwMxiCYmC32DpbjYfbcGnC-YsMUynE9SxWlHT1OOJNx_UkCmOjO/s1600/10155327_738044296255304_4479388984738464948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bS4io9itYKZlQKyoiBu_rJl0uut76KIw0NPl53EBEu7f5aAaTheiKPHxI5ZYpU0nU7wRocftuWdi0f_yiOOzPSJX4BwMxiCYmC32DpbjYfbcGnC-YsMUynE9SxWlHT1OOJNx_UkCmOjO/s1600/10155327_738044296255304_4479388984738464948_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Easter from Our Family to yours!!!<br />
Joey, Katie, Libby, Jessie and Anna</td></tr>
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Wishing you the sweetness of a Blessed Easter Season this beautiful spring,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-17950412313288116472014-03-21T10:15:00.000-04:002014-03-21T10:20:00.189-04:00St Joseph Altar 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcE036cnO1rOC-DxE7JbHhgfNgJiPeA3ePXQq5ghvfhswolw2FRYUXeoTOtEPQ5yUc21u6t9rrOv53fIcpFee0nRnl2zvKcpzu8J2Z75eEJePprjlC4eiyV5rjepXOULvzf09_cMXDBVt/s1600/St+Joseph+2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcE036cnO1rOC-DxE7JbHhgfNgJiPeA3ePXQq5ghvfhswolw2FRYUXeoTOtEPQ5yUc21u6t9rrOv53fIcpFee0nRnl2zvKcpzu8J2Z75eEJePprjlC4eiyV5rjepXOULvzf09_cMXDBVt/s1600/St+Joseph+2014.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thankevann.com/stjoseph">Virtual St. Joseph Altar</a></td></tr>
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<b><u>Unfailing Petition to St. Joseph:</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>Holy St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary,</b><br />
<b>be mindful of me, pray for me, watch over me.</b><br />
<b>Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam, </b><br />
<b>provide for my temporal wants.</b><br />
<b>Faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures,</b><br />
<b>I beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end,</b><br />
<b>if it be for the glory of God,</b><br />
<b>and the good of my soul.</b><br />
<b>Amen.</b><br />
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Note for all my Protestant friends: When Catholics pray to the Saints, they are asking them to intercede to God on their behalf. We believe that the Saints in Heaven spend their eternity praying for us still here on earth and glorifying God with praise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIvR5TKw_hySq5srQOVMDcnNQgIxHX-_UIybN1P4cGdy93IqCwMHqXTua-H6gEhd4w901c69ioE03-KkkfeBk_hx-1X7sGYN-O5SxI2oxBXxgYNSR0MwMpzTs7YXQTJIyLsll5gFkUbf7/s1600/IMG_20140316_083303_066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIvR5TKw_hySq5srQOVMDcnNQgIxHX-_UIybN1P4cGdy93IqCwMHqXTua-H6gEhd4w901c69ioE03-KkkfeBk_hx-1X7sGYN-O5SxI2oxBXxgYNSR0MwMpzTs7YXQTJIyLsll5gFkUbf7/s1600/IMG_20140316_083303_066.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Joseph Altar Cake 2014</td></tr>
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For our second annual altar we ordered our
cake ahead of time from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aubreys-Bakery/220099115708">Aubrey's Bakery</a>. This picture of St. Joseph
is laminated so we can reuse it for future altars. The cake was half
chocolate and half white. I LOVE Aubrey's frosting because it's not
too sweet or too thick. It's a very light whipped frosting.</div>
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This year we held our
altar at our church, <a href="http://stmarysbyzantine.faithweb.com/">St. Mary's Byzantine in Weirton, WV</a>. We still
kept it friends only. When we looked “ahead” on the
calendar and realized that we need to complete several projects
during Memorial Day weekend we decided to invite all the young Byzantine
families that we know, either from our church or some of the other
close by churches. (Usually we have a picnic for all the young
Byzantine families during Memorial Day weekend.) Unfortunately many
of them already had plans so we still only fed 4 other families for a
total of thirty-one on Sunday, March 16th. We held the altar early since the actual feast day is our busiest day of the school and work week. Jason kindly reminded me that last year we only
fed twenty-two so that is a fifty percent increase when I was sad that the altar was so small.</div>
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Here is this year's altar
in the church with partially eaten cake: (We had fed our church members cake after the morning's Divine Liturgy. I tried to be careful cutting around the picture and words so they were intact for the altar):</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCwtYkhs3J1nI20skD3qiZeksp9EOl4AJmIFSEgQ4gKed0S39MYqZO6L2MDrb4NgWsPHSbG4Qc6SWtXCYs3a-pQ5u0B6P_g5WnfrArjNz9WRahsDaXJP1B8f467ULDvjwGnM4ha3XEptJ/s1600/IMG_20140316_113349_308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCwtYkhs3J1nI20skD3qiZeksp9EOl4AJmIFSEgQ4gKed0S39MYqZO6L2MDrb4NgWsPHSbG4Qc6SWtXCYs3a-pQ5u0B6P_g5WnfrArjNz9WRahsDaXJP1B8f467ULDvjwGnM4ha3XEptJ/s1600/IMG_20140316_113349_308.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 St. Joseph Altar at St. Mary's Byzantine Church, Weirton, WV</td></tr>
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Close Up of Statues and Candles:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYVQQIxtbY9JilQJHDPEaP5eYppE9Jkuh3MIbpfXOWq7HNwjOjXybfbGzFOWxJExDxIgWgX8A0huDJJO1mJ8kxZunf94tyBoRgj6H85rZTV-2km_9_BnOhYhzwTtnJjkXmUELwF-EQrTz/s1600/IMG_20140316_113230_383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYVQQIxtbY9JilQJHDPEaP5eYppE9Jkuh3MIbpfXOWq7HNwjOjXybfbGzFOWxJExDxIgWgX8A0huDJJO1mJ8kxZunf94tyBoRgj6H85rZTV-2km_9_BnOhYhzwTtnJjkXmUELwF-EQrTz/s1600/IMG_20140316_113230_383.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Family Statue on Top Tier of Altar,<br />
<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/novena-of-thanksgiving-infant-jesus-of.html">Infant Jesus of Prague</a>, St. Joseph Icon and <a href="http://www.ourladyofvictory.org/">Our Lady of Victory</a> Statue on 2nd Tier<br />
Stations of the Cross Icon on 1st Tier</td></tr>
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Here you can see our loaves of Italian Bread and 2 of the salads that had been brought. We had one Greek one and one Artichoke:</div>
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Normally a St. Joseph Altar does not have meat because the Sicilian peasants really didn't eat meat back when the famine occurred. We had a 23 lb turkey though that we had bought for the Epiphany party we never got to have due to coming down with the flu. We served turkey and pumpkin soup. Another family brought a lemon blueberry bundt cake. There was also a pan of pasta with sausage that we forgot to take a picture of:<br />
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Here you can see the beautiful table runner and our "bouquet" of fresh oregano, along with the Stations of the Cross Icon:</div>
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So, Jason and I had forgotten to downsize our cake order a few days before the event when we realized that we were going to have less than 50 people and we also forgot to defrost the turkey ahead of time. We cooked the turkey frozen according to these <a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/thanksgiving/a/cookfrozenturke.htm">instructions</a>, but it actually was ready five hours before the start of the party, so then we basted non-stop to try to keep it from drying out. We also forgot to call the person in charge of doughnuts to let them know that we were going to serve cake...so they gave us leftover doughnuts to put on the altar. The turkey was "falling off the bone" by being cooked frozen in the roasting pan with the lid on it-basically it acted as a slow cooker that kept all the moisture inside. We also had (store bought) pizzelles and home made anginettis (Italian lemon cookies with Easter colored frosting and sprinkles.):<br />
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In this last picture of the altar we have our bowl of blessed fava beans and fried bread crumbs out to put on the pasta. Another family arrived during the blessing of the altar and added a 3rd lettuce salad and bowl of fresh fruit:</div>
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We served wine, sparkling cider/juice and water for this year's drinks.<br />
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Here some of the children are watching Joey play a video game:<br />
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Here is Libby "cheesing" by the cake with one of her small stuffed puppy dogs before we served the church members cake:</div>
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I bought cheap play dough for the kids to play with. Here we see most of the older teens getting their play dough fix as well. Note for next year: either make home made play dough or buy the good stuff. This cheap play dough smelled REALLY bad:</div>
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Here Libby and Anna are being amused by one of their favorite teenage friends:</div>
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Every time we turned around Anna was "attached" to him in one way or another:<br />
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We also printed several sets of St. Joseph coloring pages. Here is Libby still having fun after being at church for almost five hours since Divine Liturgy was at 8:30am and the dinner started at 11am. (We were going into hour six by the time we got everything cleaned.):<br />
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Libby and Anna went around handing everyone their blessed fava beans before they left and we also gave out some St. Joseph prayer cards.</div>
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One of the families already notified us that the day after they completed their</div>
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<a href="http://www.thankevann.com/stjoseph/prayers.html#novena">Novena to St. Joseph</a> the self-employed father got a new client. Talk about fast work St. Joseph!</div>
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Since we organized the St. Joseph Altar as a potluck and tried to use a Google on-line document for sign-ups we actually didn't have much for food leftovers-a small bag of pasta, salad and turkey is all we took home. There were very few cookies left, but we still had a lot of cake leftover. We have good friends that were not able to make it to the potluck because they were working at the</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friendship-Room-Warming-Center/445935712200688"> Friendship Room Warming Center</a>. We were lucky to be able to donate the leftover cake for their use instead of having it go to waste. Please consider donating to them either via food or by monetary donations.</div>
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Check out our 1st St. Joseph Altar <a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2013/03/st-joseph-altar-2013.html">here</a>!</div>
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<a href="http://thesweetnessofhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/novena-of-thanksgiving-infant-jesus-of.html">Here</a> is the link to our Infant Jesus of Prague Thanksgiving Post</div>
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As we are now about halfway through Lent I pray that each of you are "fighting the good fight" and pushing through to the end. Now is a good time to resolve to do better on whatever commitments and pledges you made for Lent. If you didn't make any then start now. Every day is a new day to grow in holiness and to live our lives for the glory of God the Father.</div>
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St. Joseph, pray for us!</div>
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I wish you the sweetness of perseverance in life,</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164118954031738338.post-60719402315160088362014-03-08T00:03:00.000-05:002014-03-08T00:03:19.264-05:00A Quiet Lent<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>A Quiet
Lent:</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Our
Quarterly Check In</b></u></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our living room Olive Wood Crucifix (made in the Holy Land)<br />along with marbles and doll house dolls on our fireplace mantle.<br />Since we "flipped rooms" I really need to put some fabric or paint behind the crucifix so it stands out from the wood paneling.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Life has been one series of obstacles to overcome after
another since Thanksgiving week of last year. We have had one set
back after another, sometimes multiple events at the same time like a
frozen water pipes, backed up septic system, broken washer and fridge
with emergency car repairs while trying to get to a family funeral in
Iowa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">But Lent is now upon us. A time of preparation for
Easter-a time for renewal. A time to focus on what is really
important-our faith in Jesus Christ-our Lord and Savior who sustains
us through all things-good and bad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This past January, just like in all previous years of
home schooling, I went through the stage of, “Okay, what can I add
to 'spice up' our home school year?”, because of course-it was me
who was bored with our status quo-not the kids necessarily. So, I
signed Jessie and I up for an advanced cake decorating class that was
going to be held on one of those few evenings each week that we
didn't have something else scheduled. It took my sweet twelve year
old looking at me with tears in her eyes for me to realize that our
already packed schedule was “just enough.” That what I really
needed to focus on was just getting the kids through the curriculum
we already had planned, thus I ate humble pie and dropped us out of the class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So, when we planned our Lent activities, we kept that in
mind, especially since a late Easter will overlap with our spring
sports starting. As a family we chose seven things to focus on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1. No meat on Mondays or Fridays.***</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">2. Mondays: Pray Divine Mercy Chaplet-aim for 3pm
start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">3. Pray Stations of the Cross on Fridays, either at a
local church or in our own home. (Last year we always did it at home
after Jason and I both got home from work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">See Catholic Icings blog </span><a href="http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-candle-stations-of-cross/" style="font-size: large;">here</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> for the way we added candles to this goal last year.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">4. Sundays: only watch saint movies, documentaries or
Christian related programming. Also, only read Bible or other
religious readings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(We just signed up for </span><a href="https://piusmedia.com/" style="font-size: large;">Pius Media</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> dvd movie rental as
an economical way to add more children's saint and bible videos for
the little ones to the older movies that we already own. We will
also be trying to order some dvds from the library as well. I wrote
down a list of top rated Lent movies that we hadn't seen yet to try to
watch: </span><a href="http://quinersdiner.com/2012/02/22/top-13-religious-movies-for-lent/" style="font-size: large;">here</a><span style="font-size: medium;">, </span><a href="http://www.decentfilms.com/blog/lent-movies" style="font-size: large;">here</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> and </span><a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/movies.html" style="font-size: large;">here </a><span style="font-size: medium;">are the 3 main lists I am working from. Though they don't really have any animated films on them I just realized.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This past Advent was when we put together our first
Advent basket of religious books, cd's and dvds. This year is our
first time for completing this activity for Lent as well. On the
Sunday before Lent we organized our movies and put the religious ones
all together in one place. I'm still trying to find where all our
different religious books have spread throughout the house (or at
least the ones I'm hoping we'll focus on this Lent), but already
tonight Katie picked out a “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Babys-Bedtime-Stories-Collection/dp/0882710672/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1394253739&sr=8-11&keywords=catholic+baby+bible+board+book">Catholic Baby Board Book Bible</a>” for
us to read at bedtime. I'm planning on ordering some of the Easter
Books from this <a href="http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2013/02/for-the-lenten-books-basket.html">list</a> and this second <a href="http://aslanslibrary.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/best-books-for-lent/">list</a> in order to add to our
collection. Most likely the books will go into the Easter baskets,
though I may put out one or two during Holy Week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">5. Wednesdays: replace our family prayer hour at home
with attending our church's Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts,
along with their alternate week Lenten soup meals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">6. Saturdays: all day work on our family's St. Nicholas
Project</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(Last 4 Saturdays of Lent)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">7. Crown of Thorns: Quiet and usually unknown personal
sacrifices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(See here for the <a href="http://familyfeastandferia.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/our-crown-of-thorns/">recipe</a> we used this year.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We put over 100 thorns in the crown and the goal is for
each of us to break off several thorns each week when we “offer
something” up to Jesus, like sharing a toy with a sibling that we
don't want to do or when we refrain from saying something mean, or
just sitting quietly with a child taking forever to do their school
work. There are lots of blog posts out there about the practice of
the crown of thorns. Last year we never got our crown made, and two
years ago we ran out of time to get it painted gold with beads glued
on during Holy Week for Easter Sunday, but we are an ever hopeful
bunch that we might just “get it all together” this Lent:) I
made the dough and Jessie braided the 3 lengths of dough that Katie
and Anna helped to roll out. Katie and Anna also helped us to put in
the toothpicks before we cooked the crown so they were both asking to
pull out a thorn while it was still cooking. (Libby was thankfully
sleeping or else she would have been involved too.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We each made personal goals as well. For instance two
of the family members decided to give up desserts for Lent while I'm
hoping to focus on a few organization projects that I hope will keep
adding to our family's peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We're just five days into Lent and it's already been
challenging. Three of us are fighting colds that are becoming sinus
infections. Joey and Jessie also started off their Ash Wednesday
with orthodontist appts. Jessie had an almost 1/4” gap between her
front two teeth that closed up in less than 8 hours with
the new brackets they added to her wire. Needless to say, she's
basically fasted the last two days away in pain. It took a lot of
perseverance for us to make it to (and through) Wednesday night's
liturgy...but no one wanted to not make a family goal just three days
into Lent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I write all this not to brag about our Lent plans, but
as an encouraging post. I know I am always looking for “new
inspiration” or ideas on what how to make this or that better in
our family life. But sometimes the tried and true are the best
things to do. Each family has it's own rhythm and uniqueness, what
works for me may not work for you. This past year I've really been
quietly fighting within myself about getting the kids to more (or
different) activities...but God keeps “closing those doors.” He
keeps focusing me on our quiet home life. Reminding me of St. Thomas
More's quote,</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: medium;">The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are
of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
have to keep focusing on the fact that we are NOT a town family. We
live 35 minutes from town, so I shouldn't feel the need to “keep
up” with all the other families in having my kids attend this
religious activity or a different one. I also work anywhere from
2-20 plus hours per week, so that cuts into our family time. We also
still have 3 little ones who need consistency in their lives, which
is hard to do when one tries to run older children to evening events.
Right now, I just keep finding that “less is more” for peace in
our home. There may come a time when youth group is important, but
for right now, home as a family living a liturgical prayer life is
way more important.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So,
from the late night stillness of our home I wish all of you a blessed
and quiet Lent. May you find yourselves drawing closer to our Lord
each and every day.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May you feel the
gentleness of God's sweet mercy each and every day in your homes and
personal life,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stephanie</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">***As Byzantine Catholics we received a special
dispensation to switch our meatless fasting from Wednesdays to
Mondays. We
will be saying extra prayers on Wednesdays as part of our
dispensation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Financial disclosure: I do not make any money from any
of the above links that I linked to.</span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17479686315802456937noreply@blogger.com0