2010 The Year of the True Vine

The Catholic Church often declares a theme for a year. This year is the year of the Priest. Well following that example I have been thinking about this year 2010 in my own life. In prayer it came that the Lord wants me to remain. Only then it will be the year of Peace and Serenity. I am excited about it and am looking forward to finding ways to remain in His love.

John 15: 1-16

On January 1, 2010 I wrote out my goals for the whole year. I find that doing that allows me to be more flexible because I know what's planned and as things come up I can either accept to participate in them or reject them as distracting me from my goals.

Anyway, each day I want to do something to remain. It might be a special prayer or uncluttering my house or reading, or a smile. I want to remain as a friend of Jesus and not as a slave of things, time, or anyting alse

2009 in review/ Co robilismy w 2009 roku

From 2009-05-15

It's been a while since I posted anything. I have been reflecting a lot on 2009. What did we do?

In January we celebrated Scott's birthday and started thinking about a possibility of going to Poland for a visit.

From 2009-07-20

February was marked with Julia's Birthday and definite plans of going to Poland. We also welcomed Caleb and Dominik, our twin nephews to the family. We started making plans for our trip.

March was marked with anniversaries: Julia's Baptism Anniversary and Elizabeth's First Communion Anniversary. On the 25 of March we (I, our three children and two friends) flew to Poland. I and the children were there for 6 weeks (it was the first time to be in Poland for so long ever since I had left in 1995).

April was filled with all things Polish. We went to Czestochowa and celebrated the fourth anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death. It was wonderful. Elizabeth wanted to see the uncovering of the icon of the Black Madonna, our Lady of Czestochowa.

From 2009-05-05

Since we were taking a tour at that time she insisted we had to go back the next morning. It meant getting up at 5am to go to the Shrine. The Lord was wonderful and faithful and we had "front seats" in the Chapel. We stayed for the Mass. Afterwards we made our devotional Pilgrimage on our knees around the icon. I prayed for the gift of another child. We stayed with family. It was really good to see them. I was also able to vist the Little Sisters of Jesus. What a delightful visit that was. We came back from Czestochowa spiritually inspired. What a wonderful trip. We had a wonderful Easter celebration.

From 2009-05-05

Elizabeth threw rose petals in front of the Monstrance in the Easter morning procession (Polish custom). My grandmother was able to see her wearing her First Communion dress on Easter Sunday. She was very happy about that since she was not able to come to our house for Elizabeth's First Communion. Our friends left after Easter.

From 2009-05-05

We went to Warsaw to pick Scott up from the airport. He was able to come for two weeks. We celebrated my birthday and went to Lublin, where I got my master's in philosophy. It was so wonderful to be there again. It's the Catholic Univeristy of Lublin, where Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) had taught before he became the pope. Seeing some of my professors and friends was a big highlight. We celebrated my nephew's birthday and my nameday. Oh, busy month!

From 2009-05-09

During April, while we were in Poland, Scott was working, as well as, taking care of our friends home & dog (a beautiful husky who liked running with Scott to the park and Depot Town.)

From 2009-05-09

In May we celebrated my sister's nameday. Shortly after that it was time to go "home". We all were together again as a family for the return flight back to the States. Coming back was difficult for me as I missed my family, friends, and my homeland.

From 2009-05-05

The girls studied Suzuki violin with a Polish Suzuki trained teacher who was wonderful. We had so much fun. We visited a few Montessori schools. I and my friend Patti, who is a Montessorian gave talks at the Polish Montessori Association. My article was publish in their publication. We went to parks, met with friends, took train, tram and bus rides. We bought lots of books and Montessori materials in Polish, which we brought back "home" to the US.

From 2009-05-05

Also in May the girls started their sports program close to our house. They played soccer in the first session. Scott and I coached it. We all had fun doing it. The second session was all T-Ball. Scott and I celebrated our nineth (9th) wedding anniversary.

In June the girls had an informal violin recital. They did very well. We also went to the Suzuki Violin Family Camp at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Even though it was very intense we were very glad to have gone to it.

We kept up with the lessons thoughout the summer with a short break in August. We went to our teachers house and since her youngest daughter is only one year older than Elizabeth the girls really liked going over there and staying for some play time after the violin lessons. It was a lot of fun.

In July we went to Cleveland for a week. I took Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Level III part I. The training was wonderful. I really like the trainer. The kids and Scott went around town to the Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, Money Museum, etc. They had fun.

From 2009-07-22

August marked the beggining of our school year. We decided to do three weeks of school and one week break and go all year round. It's been a good decision so far. On the feast of our Lady of Czestochowa we found out that we were expecting the birth of our fourth child.

September was hard for me with nausea and loosing weight. We also started our individual and group violin lessons. The girls started choir and Little Flowers Girls' Club. We celebrated Scott's nameday. We found out that Julia was allowed to prepare for receiving her First Holy Communion early. It will take place at Easter of 2010.

In October we celebrated John Paul II's election day anniversary. We also celebrated Elizabeth's eighth birthday. It was wonderful (time flies!). We went to see Strega Nona and the Magic Pasta pot performance at the Wild Swan Theatre. Grandma Dixie, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Tomek, Ania, Caleb and Dominik were able to join us for that. We had a pasta party at our house afterwards. The girls had a violin recital. Again they did great.

From 2009-07-20

November was marked with Thanksgiving, Karol's birthday and his birthday parties. We also celebrated Elizabeth's nameday.

December was peaceful dedicated to Advent and awaiting the coming of the Messiah. We did the Jesse Tree, out Advent Calendar and Road to Bethlehem, which we fill with stars for kindness, prayer and chores. We also read a wonderful book entitled Advent Stories each night of Advent. I organized a gift wrapping party for the Little Flowers Girls' Club in December. It was a lot of fun and we had a lot of gifts to gifts to give to Pregnancy Counseling Center. Julia made her First Confession. She was beaming with radiance as she left the Confessional. Christmas was a wonderful celebration. The girls sang in the Children's Christmas Choir at Mass. We had supper with our friends who live near by. It was so much fun. The day after Christmas we went to visit Scott's parents and stayed overnight. Our kids are always very excited to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We got lots of wonderful presents. At the end of the year we focused on organizing our house for the new year. But that's for another post.

Suffice it to say that Scott has been working hard at St. Francis. He enjoys his challenging work and is very happy to work for the Church. He is also proud of our kids and family. He tells us every day the words from the Gospel according to Luke 3:22, “You are my beloved [family]; with you I am well pleased.”

From 2009-05-09

Good bye trees. You both are like the "Giving Tree". We are sad to see you go. But, we are excited to create a fun swing set out of your two trunks.

From 2009-12-16 trees

Fountain/Fontanna

 

It's been a month since we have come back from Poland. I am comparing this trip to a fountain. There was a flood of emotions and experiences with family, old and new friends. Coming back home brought a fountain of emotions, too. We truly had a wonderful trip.

Juz miesiac minal od naszego powrotu z Polski. Ta wizyta byla dla nas jak fontanna emocji i doswiadczen z rodzina oraz starymii nowymi przyjaciolmi. Powrot do domu okazal sie tez fontanna emocji.

Spring trip/Wiosenna Wyprawa

I saw this quiz at Dawn's from By Sun and Candlelight and thought it would be fun to take it before the big trip.
Today I'm off to Poland. I will be gone for 6 weeks. I thought it was a nice reminder to myself especially as I'm worried about traveling with three little children and logging all the suitcases. Some friends of ours are going too so I know I will have some help. I will let you know how everything went when I get back in May.

You Are Blooming Flowers

You are an optimistic person by nature. In even the darkest times, you are hopeful about the future. You feel truly blessed in life and can sometimes be overwhelmed with emotions. You have an artist's eye. You are always looking for beauty in the mundane. You have a good sense of aesthetics, especially when it comes to shapes and color.

What Part of Spring Are You?

Poland/Polska

Only one more week and I and our three children will be on the continent of Europe. My husband will come for the last three weeks. I haven't been back to Poland in three years. I'm so happy to be able to see my family and friends.

Enjoy the continent video.



Juz za tydzien ja i moje dzieci bedziemy na europejskim kontynencie w Polsce. Moj maz przyleci na ostatnie dwa tygodnie. Ostatni raz bylam w Polsce trzy lata temu. Jestem bardzo szczesliwa, ze odwiedzimy rodzine i przyjaciol.

Happy Birthday, Julia!/Wszystkiego Najlepszego z okaji 5-tych urodzin!

 

Sisters! We took that picture a couple of months ago. Pictures from Julia's 5th Birthday later.

We have had a really good day so far. Julia opened her presents. We had cake and candles. We read the book she got for her Birthday and we all really liked it. Since Daddy has to work tonight we've had a good day with Daddy, too. We did the Montessori Birthday Celebration and we let all three of our children take turns and walk around the sun. It was a wonderful celebration

WE LOVE YOU, JULIA. HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

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Co za wspanialy dzien. Julia otworzyla swoje prezenty. Mielismy ciast i swieczki. Przeczytalismy ksiazke, ktorA Julia dostala na urodziny i bardzo nam sie podobala. Tatus idzie pozniej do pracy, bo ma wieczorny program dotyczacy budzetu, wiec jestesmy wszyscy razem w domu. Co za radosc! Nasza Montessorianska Uroidzinowa Celebracja bardzo sie udala. Pozwolilismy wszystkim dzieciom chodzic wokol slonca. Wspaniale!

KOCHAMY CIE, JULIO! WSZYSTKIEGO NAJLEPSZEGO Z OKAZJI 5-TYCH URODZIN!

"Because I love you."/"Poniewaz Cie kocham."

 

Last night we were already in our pajamas. Karol and I went upstairs to go to bed and I suddenly remembered I needed to go downstairs for something. So without saying anything to him I went down the stairs. As I was in the basement I heard little feet coming down. As Karol, who is 2 years old, approached me I asked him with a smile: "Do you have to look for Mommy all the time?" And he answered: "Yes" Then I said: "Why do you have to look for Mommy all the time?" He answered without any hesitation: "Because I love you." What a beautiful valentine.

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Wczoraj wieczorem bylismy juz w pizamach. Karol i ja poszlismy na gore, aby polozyc sie spac. Nagle ja przypomnialam sobie, ze musze zejsc na dol. Zrobilam to bez slowa. Kiedy bylam na samym dole uslyszlam male kroczki na schodach. Kiedy zobaczylam Karola, ktory ma dwa lata, zapytalam go: "Czy ty musisz zawsze mamy szukac"? On odpowiedzial: "Tak". A ja na to: "Dlaczego ty zawsze musisz szukac Mamy"? A Karol dodal rezolotnie: "Bo ja cie kocham". Co za wspaniala walentynka

Small treasures/ Male Skarby

1. I went out to Michaels and got some unfinished wooden boxes so that we can put little wooden dolls and accessories, some of which we have aquired over Christmas, away properly.

2. I went to a local violin store and picked up two 1/4 size violins (Elizabeth is growing). I'm going to take them tomorrow to the lesson so that our teacher can help us make a decision which one to buy.

3. I have made a little bit more progress on our trip to Poland, which we are taking in March of this year.

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1. Pojechalam do sklepu Michaels i kupilam kilka drewnianych pudelek na nasze miniaturkowe drewniane laleczki.

2. Pojechalam do sklepu z instrumentami strunowymi i przywiozlam do domu dwie pary skrzypiec rozmiaru 1/4 (Elizabeth rosnie ...). Jutro nasza nauczycielka pomoze nam podjac decyzje ktore z nich kupic.

3. Spedzilam troszke czasu na planowanie naszej podrozy do Polski, ktora odbedziemy w marcu tego roku.

Many Treasures in 2009/Wiele skarbow w 2009

We had a wonderful beginning of the 2009 year around here. We stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve. The girls were very excited about that. On New Year's Day we played and I worked on our plans for the new semester. In the evening we visited with friends and what a wonderful celebration it was. We wish you finding many treasures in the New Year 2009.

Mielismy wspaniale rozpoczecie Nowego Roku 2009. Dziewczynki bardzo sie cieszyly, ze mogly nie isc spac az po polnocy. Pierwszego dnia 2009 roku Elizabeth, Julia i Karol bawili sie, Scott gral na skrzypcach, a ja przygotowywalam nasz program szkolny na nowy semster. Wieczorem odwiedzilismy naszych przyjaciol i byl to wspanialy wieczor. Zyczymy wszystkim odnalezienia wielu skarbow w 2009 roku.