My Minivan is a Rolling Civics Classroom: 7 Quick Takes III

by | Mar 8, 2013 | 7 Quick Takes, Kendra's Thoughts, Liturgical Living, Saints | 3 comments

— 1 —

A quick lesson in SCIENCE . . .   

The Flat-tailed Horned Lizard looks like this:

to blend in perfectly with his surroundings.

The Chapman Zebra looks like this:

to momentarily confuse its predators by motion dazzle.


Frankie looks like this:

to avoid being sold to the gypsies.  (The glistening upper lip is because he had spent the moments just previous to this throwing a little fit over the fact that he wasn’t allowed to participate in the boys 10 & 11-year-old championship basketball game.)    

— 2 —

Think you’ve had a rough day?

found here

“Virgin Mary Consoles Eve”: Crayon and pencil by Sr. Grace Remington, OCSO Copyright 2005, Sisters of the Mississippi Abbey  

— 3 —  

Great Moments in Homeschooling, or: My Minivan is a Rolling Civics Classroom.  

Gus: Mom, why do you have that sticker?
Me: Because I voted today.
Gus: Voted for what?
Me: Mayor.
Gus: What’s a mayor?
Me:  It’s like the president of a city.
Gus:  You’re going to be PRESIDENT?
Me:  No, I VOTED for MAYOR, which is LIKE a president.  I’m just helping to pick him.
Gus:  So, you’re going to be the president’s helper?
Me:  No.  I am not going to be the president’s anything.


Gus:  You’re kind of like the president of this car.
Me:  I guess I am.  

insert “Mom for President” button here

— 4 —

A quote from St. Josemaria Escriva on the sede vacante of 1958: 

“I would like to speak to you once more about the upcoming election of the Holy Father. You know, my sons, the love that we have for the Pope. After Jesus and Mary, we love the Pope with all the strength of our soul, whoever he may be. Therefore, we already love the Roman Pontiff who is to come. We are determined to serve him with our whole life.”

— 5 — 

Hey, guess what?  Grandad was up here this weekend sooooo . . . now we have a hoverboard.

— 6 —

Frankie wants Meg Hunter-Kilmer to know, he’s just trying to help.

Your Screaming Kids Are Distracting Me

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Meg

I was at a holy hour the other night, totally focused and immersed in my thoughts, when from the back of the church came the sound of a wailing toddler. 

Just like that, I lost it. 

I was completely distracted by some kid who was far too young to be stuck sitting in a church. And thank God for that.

Read the rest here.

— 7 —  

And now, if you’re not a Catholic Mom Blogger, that’s it. You only get six takes today. Off with you. Here, go watch the best. video. ever.       

Are they gone? Okay. Catholic Mom Bloggers, can we talk? I’m new, I admit it. I’ve been a blogger for two months, and I didn’t know any of your blogs existed until I had one of my own. But, seriously, are we TRYING to scare everyone away from having children?    

It’s always, “My house is a mess,” “I never shower,” “My children are monsters.”  What gives?  I’m a sinner like everybody else, and we have failures of homemaking and parenting around here and I wouldn’t be opposed to blogging about them.  

But I like to think that having my faith and living my Catholic principles and following the examples of the saints has made me a much better person, and a better wife and mother and homemaker than I would otherwise be. I’ll bet it’s true of all of us.    

Sure it’s amusing to read about, but WHY would anyone want to be a Catholic mom of a big family after reading the stuff I keep reading on Catholic blogs?  Over and over again?  It makes ME look at my own brood suspiciously, like I could end up with a gimpy leg and they might all turn on me like wolves.  

Of course, we all have to write what’s actually happening. But, I’m begging you, mix in some of the good news every once in a while. I’m just sayin’. That is all. Now you can go watch it.        

Thanks to Conversion Diary for hosting this 7 Quick Takes Link-up!

3 Comments

  1. Amy

    Over from Jen's Quick Takes today. I had pretty much decided to follow you after seeing your super-cool family photo in the header, but I definitely decided to do it after having a quick browse around your blog. Looking forward to reading more!

  2. Nanacamille

    Is the glass half empty or is it half full? It seems easier to concentrate on the half empty (negative) than the half full (positive) when you are trying to be "I am Woman watch me roar" and juggling everything. Catholic moms with lots of children are so very blessed. I look at photos of the Tierney 6 and can't imagine not having any of them not with us even though I refer to them as "The Thundering Herd". Count your blessings and look at them to find the next Pope or Mother Theresa or cure for cancer. God bless you all for all you do.
    Nanacamille

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Hi! I’m Kendra.

For twenty years now, I’ve been using food, prayer, and conversation based around the liturgical calendar to share the lives of the saints and the beautiful truths and traditions of our Catholic faith. My own ten children, our friends and neighbors, and people just like you have been on this journey with me.

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