These are a few of our favorite things

Shhh...do you hear that? It's the sound of silence.

What a contrast from the day we had earlier celebrating Christmas. I was first awakened by the sound of footsteps running across the hallway and through the kitchen, followed by squeals of delight upon seeing their stockings filled with presents from Santa. As eager as the children were to open presents, they waited patiently knowing that every year, our Christmas Day begins with a special breakfast made especially by their dad. This year's menu consisted of fruit, sausage, and pancake puffs in 3 different varieties -- plain, apple, and chocolate chip. The pancake puffs were more time consuming that Dan had anticipated, but they were well worth the wait! After breakfast we proceeded to open presents, eliciting more squeals of delight and jumps for joy! In its wake, the living room looked as if the proverbial tornado had blown through our house. For the remainder of the day, Mary and Joseph played with new toys, Danielle baked 2 pies and a batch of brownie bites to give to friends, we cleaned up and organized, and we all ate unhealthy portions of chocolate, cookies, and other tempting treats. We wasted no time eating all of the filipino snacks like champorado (chocolate rice porridge), coconut flavored polvoron (toasted wheat cakes), hopia (flaky pastry filled with sweetened mung bean paste), cracker nuts (peanuts in a tasty crunchy coating), and pan de sal (sweet bread). A high-calorie Christmas indeed!

Now that Santa has come and gone, Christmas mass has been faithfully attended, Christmas carols have been sung, treats have been had, presents have been unwrapped, toys have been opened, and the children are snug in their beds, there's just...silence. Shhh...do you hear that?

Here are a few of our favorite things from this Christmas Day:

Dan's apple pancake puffs -- Delicious!


Finally, the moment they've all been waiting for -- opening presents!

A very special candle holder made by Joseph in ceramics class at school


An assortment of yummy filipino snacks from Danta Claus!


Movie theater gift cards for 5 (to see The Tale of Despereaux) from Mrs. Claus!

Poke'mon cards from Aunt Linda were a sure hit!


A very special gift from Danta Claus.

....When the frost bites, when the cold stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad....

From our family to yours...

A Christmas Wish
by Michelle Martin

Like the ocean breeze
That spreads a whispering calm
May peace and harmony
Surround you this holiday season

Like the ocean current
That gives purposeful direction
May our hearts be moved
Toward goodwill and understanding

Like the ocean waters
That sustain life
May the waters of baptism
Lead us to life everlasting

Like the sandy shores
That sparkle in the midday sun
Let us proclaim the grains of truth
About His only begotten Son

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!


Love,
Dan, Michelle, Danielle, Joseph, Mary

Mother Angelica

Mother Angelica's story is a testament to God's love and omnipotence. Born Rita Antoinette Rizzo on April 20, 1923, her childhood was marred by poverty, unhappiness, abuse, and painful physical ailments. The young Rita Rizzo overcame many adversities and experienced spiritual conversion in early adulthood. Her sheer will and determination is proof of her unwavering faithfulness in our Lord Jesus. On August 14, 1944, the future Mother Angelica entered religious life as a nun, and later established Our Lady of the Angels Monastery on May 20, 1962. Among her many accomplishments, perhaps the founding of Eternal Word Television Network, EWTN, was one of the greatest. Now in its 27th year, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world bringing the gospel to more than 85 million households in 110 countries through worldwide short-wave radio station, direct broadcast satellite service, satellite delivered radio network, and Internet site, http://www.ewtn.com/.

I tune in to EWTN Catholic radio or television programming every chance I can. Call it spiritual food -- a constant source of hope and inspiration. The other day, I happened to catch the remainder of "Mother Angelica Live Classics" where she shared her views on faith. A listener had called the show asking for spiritual guidance because certain events in his life caused him to turn away from Christianity. He had simply lost his faith. Her response to this caller inspired me to share her words on my blog. In Mother Angelica's words:

"Faith is at its best in darkness. Faith is most pure when I exercise it in darkness. Faith is that vehicle through which I go straight to God. It allows me to see him in every incident and every occasion, and every moment of my life. It allows me to see beyond the curtain that is between myself and Him in this present moment. It allows me to see Jesus in my neighbor. It allows me to take the risks I need to take to spread the Good News. It allows me to forgive my enemy. It allows me to keep going when all seems lost. It allows me to say "I love you" when I feel no love at all. Faith is more than an intellectual ascent to truth. That total abandon and dedication to God as Father as Lord, as Redeemer, as Sanctifier."