The Feisty Five

Our Hero...................Father's Day June 20th

2010-06-20T20:21:00.006-04:00

Only A Dad

By Edgar Guest

It's not necessarily the big,famous deeds we admire the most. Sometimes, when we pause to appreciate a whole life--all the work, and love, and patient sacrifices for others--we suddenly discover a hero.

Only a dad with a tired face,

Coming home from the daily race,

Bringing little of gold or fame

To show how well he has played the game;

But glad in his heart that his own rejoice

To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,

One of ten million men or more

Plodding along in the daily strife,

Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,

With never a whimper of pain or hate,

For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,

Merely one of the surging crowd,

Toiling, striving from day to day,

Facing whatever may come his way,

Silent whenever the harsh condemn,

And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,

To smooth the way for his children small,

Doing with courage stern and grim

The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen:

Only a dad, but the best of men.

Taken from The Children's Book of Heroes by William J. Bennett

Many years ago, Seanie memorized this sweet but touchy poem in honor of his Dad. To this days, I still get emotionally reading it.

May Crowning

2010-06-06T23:42:00.004-04:00

Caitlynn crowning our Madonna in the Garden.............

Jacob crowning his Statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

In a Jam......

2010-05-30T19:00:00.004-04:00

Well, the strawberries are ripe....and the pickings are plentiful and so are the little neighbors eager for fresh, sweet berries...a natural candy. I pick usually every two days and the yield is 20-40 cups. I am glad the harvest period only lasts a few weeks (my back and sides are killing me)....but the benefits are great.

We have enjoyed many fresh fruit yogurt smoothies and strawberry parfaits. Generally, we get all the kids to help in some way, hauling the strawberries in from the patch, grading the individual berries---imperfects get immediately processed for jamming or fresh eating, the perfect ones are placing in small containers, refrigatored and/or given as gifts to friends and family. Crushing is a favorite but mess task and then the famous pot stirrers....the jam makers.

The first four batches of homemade jam (minus the first jar that went to the Ed Corcorans). Isn't the color just so bright and red???Yummy strawberry pancakes....Daddy is the fine cook and yes, the kids are spoiled.

Quick Facts...

They are easy to grow.
Strawberries are classified as June bearing, everbearing or day neutral.
They should receive full sun at least eight hours every day.
Strawberry beds generally are kept for three years.
Eight strawberries or one serving contains 140% of the U.S. recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C.
A strawberry is 90% water.
The strawberry you eat is not actually a fruit or a berry. It is the enlarged receptacle of the flower.
Strawberries are ranked as the number two fruit in anti-oxidant content.
California produced 83% of the strawberries grown in the United States.
Strawberries symbolized peace and prosperity in Medieval times.
An average yield every two days....

Yet, another interesting fact....

A large, whole strawberry has exactly ten calories. One cup of whole strawberries has 46 calories. If you slice them up, more fit in a cup, so there are 53 calories in one cup of sliced strawberries. Even though they are sweet, the calories in strawberries are actually low. The sugar in strawberries is under five percent.

Pentecost Sunday

2010-05-23T21:40:00.004-04:00

On this Pentecost Sunday we need to open our hearts to the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But, of all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the one we really need to always work on, and allow to bear rich fruit in our daily lives, is the gift of charity, or love. Charity is the essential virtue of Christianity and perfects all the others.Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.

Tarcy....through the years

2010-05-19T11:41:00.003-04:00

10th Birthday

Summer Vacation Florida 1995

August 2009

8 yrs old

My Birthday Boy.....and his week

2010-05-18T12:47:00.004-04:00

Many years ago....well 17 years....my 3rd son entered the world in a very unusual way. I guess this is what I got for wanting a natural birth. The smiling man is not my husband, but my brother, Chris and yes he delivered my son, Tarcisius and his godson. Uncle Chris was already the father of 5 and had a bit of experience dealing with childbirth...his 2nd child was a homebirthed. My husband was with us, but waiting nervously on the sidelines for that first cry. Once I gave him "It's a boy!" and "Everything is fine", he came around to be the proud Dad and photographer. Don't ask me about the firefighters of Milpitas....sleepy and a bit out of it; they were not in the game..it was 2:30 in the morning. And I wasn't going to be waiting for them...I wanted to have my baby in the worst way.

This was the biggest HIGH I had ever experienced !

For weeks and months, everyone wanted to meet the baby born in the backseat of a Honda. And perhaps, giving him that strong and yet unique name of Tarcisius Justin helped to encourage his immediate fame within both family circles--Corcoran and Schaper.

Tarcisius Justin----3 days old

I Corinthians 13 for Moms

2010-05-16T16:28:00.003-04:00

I Corinthians 13 for Moms

I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor--but if I don't have love, I’m as annoying as a ringing phone. I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing. Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew. Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!"

It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need. Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed. It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time. Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?" It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.

It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth. Love does not give up hope. It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleepovers. Love never fails. But where there are memories, thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s); they will fade away. Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease.
Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best. For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear.
When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Mom's 75th Birthday

2010-04-14T22:07:00.004-04:00

Here's a few of Grandma Ruth's friends and family....at her 75th Birthday party!!!

The Great Grandchild Quilt made by Roxane--Mom's oldest child
Mom with 6 of her children...Daniel, Renee, Leon, Roxane, Paul and Curtis

Mom with her lastest Greatgrandchild #12 Joyce Gallaher

Two long-time friends--40+ year friendship....Joyce Gallaher and Ruth Ann Schaper

both holding Baby Joyce

Easter 2010

2010-04-06T11:13:00.003-04:00

Caitlynn is Double Digit--10!!!!

2009-07-07T23:08:00.004-04:00

Photos from Dad's 78th Birthday!!!

2009-06-30T23:53:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Dad & Grandpa!!!!

2009-06-26T00:42:00.003-04:00

Pictures taken at Corky's 75th Birthday....not too long ago...

The Great Entertainer!
Only a Dad
By Edgar A. Guest (1916)

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

Froggie Days with Jacob

2009-06-26T00:06:00.003-04:00

Frogs are cute, frogs are sweet, Frogs are green and boy they're neat!

What happens if a frog parks on double yellow lines? He gets toad away.

Where do baby frogs learn to swim? In a tadpool.

What's a frog's favourite sweet? Lollyhops!

What's a frog's favourite game? Hopscotch

Why are frogs normally so happy? Because they eat whatever bugs them.

What's green, green, green, green, green? A frog rolling down a hill.

What happens if a frog and toad collide? They get tongue tied.

Guess the game preferred by big frogs? Croaket!
.
Why would a frog go to hospital? To have a hopperation.

How does a frog feel if it breaks its leg? Very unhoppy.

The Opening of the Pool

2009-06-25T23:48:00.004-04:00

Flowers of Spring....

2009-04-27T00:47:00.003-04:00

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."-Aristotle

"I garden, therefore I am."

"Earth laughs in flower."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Words from St. Francis de Sales......

2009-04-25T18:56:00.001-04:00

The truly patient person, the true servant of God, bears up equally under ignominious tribulations and those that are honorable. To be despised, criticized or accused by evil men is something that a courageous man does not mind. But it takes a lot of virtue to accept being criticized, denounced and badly treated by good people - by our relatives and friends. (INT. Part III, Ch. 3; O. III, p. 137)

Text taken from the book: "Every Day with SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES"

Egg Hunt

2009-04-23T20:03:00.004-04:00

We just hid Easter eggs for Caitlynn to find in the yard. Luckily Clare was over and both girls had such fun running everywhere and squealling at every found-treasured eggs. Dominic graciously offered to do the hiding while I cooked a yummy and delicious dinner of French toast up for the crew. But this was the real treasure found in the crook of one of our weeping cherry trees....a nest with two sweet blue-turquoise eggs. I hope the mommy bird comes back for we will be watching.

Therese and Jacob came over and joined in the fun on the front lawn. Aunt Mandy is busy taking a cake decorating class.

The garden is the poor man's apothecary. ~German Proverb

2009-04-21T19:42:00.006-04:00

the weeping cherry tree

A view from the backyard towards Corky's house.One of the new strawberry beds...notice the chicken wire mesh, protecting them from those scratching chickens.

The dogwood blossoms are just emerging...they remind us of Grandpa & Grandma Miller--they loved these flowers so much.

Caitlynn and her little friend, Joey Krebs....she still has a great need to mother a wee one and he loves girls!

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. ~Lindley Karstens

Soccer Season is rolling.....

2009-04-19T11:21:00.006-04:00

Dominic and Tarcy working together refereeing for Loudoun Soccer. Dominic has an awesome reputation, "you are trulyone of the best referees that we have out West." I am sure Tarcy will do his best to follow in his big brother's shoes.
After her first defeat of the season...but she loves the game.

Fast Facts

Soccer is the fastest growing and most popular sport in the world.

Soccer is called football in some other countries.

Since 1952, Hungary has won the most gold medals in the Olympics, in soccer.

Soccer games are controlled by referees.

The soccer ball's circumference is 27-28 inches. It is made of leather or rubber.

The USA has more registered soccer players than any other country in the world - close to 18 million.

78% of United States soccer players are under the age of 18.

Suffering....

2009-04-17T23:59:00.002-04:00

Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.

--------St. John of the Cross

One of my most favoritest people is the world.....

2009-04-17T19:49:00.003-04:00

This image is dedicated to her.

Wishing for yummy juicy Strawberries.....

2009-04-16T21:15:00.002-04:00

Today Sean and I planted 200 new bare rooted strawberry plants...Jewel and XXXXX varieties. We will not see any berries this year but next year we will have them in abundance. I can hardly wait to taste juicy red berries....

Bare root
Growing hearthly in raised beds

The final results....juicy delicious strawberries!!!!

Rain, rain go away.......

2009-04-15T23:56:00.004-04:00

Spring Rain

by Sara Teasdale

I thought I had forgotten,

But it all came back again

To-night with the first spring thunder

In a rush of rain.

I remembered a darkened doorway

Where we stood while the storm swept by,

Thunder gripping the earth

And lightning scrawled on the sky.

The passing motor busses swayed,

For the street was a river of rain,

Lashed into little golden waves

In the lamp light's stain.

With the wild spring rain and thunder

My heart was wild and gay;

Your eyes said more to me that night

Than your lips would ever say. . . .

I thought I had forgotten,

But it all came back again

To-night with the first spring thunder

In a rush of rain.

"Marriage is an adventure, like going to war."

G.K. Chesterton

If I had to advise parents, I should tell them to take great care about the people with whom their children associate . . . Much harm may result from bad company, and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse than what is better.

--------St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Easter Photo Shoot

2009-04-12T01:13:00.003-04:00

The Dyeing of Eggs.....

2009-04-11T14:37:00.004-04:00

We were not done with an egg until it had gone through 2 or 3 different techniques....first the base coat, then the shiny swirly dye and then perhaps a sponging dab or swirl. Caitlynn, Therese and mom had a blast working together to dye 6 dozen eggs. Boys did not want to partake this year, but we didn't mind; it was more for us.

Spectacular Results!!!!

Holy Thursday Supper.....Remembering the Last Supper

2009-04-09T23:12:00.006-04:00

Today, we had our first Holy Thursday Supper, only I served it as a late lunch. I roasted a yummy leg of lamb lather in garlic, oil and lemon pepper and served it with chive mashed potatoes with gravy and steamed broccoli. After our meal there was peanut butter choc chip cookies for the sweet tooths. Daddy served cranberry juice in wine glasses to all.

During the supper, we discussed the Passover story from the Bible and the Last Supper, and oh course, Tarcy had to tell an apostle joke. The college boys, Sean and Dominic were at school but came home and were able to enjoy the meal too.

Next year, I hope to have a little more structure and some of the symbolic items such as bitter herbs, unleavened bread and prayers.

Catholic Culture Website had some great suggestions: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1038

Holy Thursday is one of the biggest feasts in the Church year, since it commemorates the institution of Holy Orders and of the Holy Eucharist. Sunday-best should be worn by participants and the table should be beautifully decorated, with a white tablecloth (in imitation of the white vestments used at Mass) and even the good china and silver. For dessert (since this is a special feast day, no Lenten abstaining here), bake a cake in the shape of a lamb (there are numerous types of lamb molds available at craft stores or baking supply stores). Before or during the dinner, Exodus 12:1-20 is read —- the story of the first Passover. Then the New Testament reading about the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist is read from either Matt 26:17:30; Mark 14:12-26 or Luke 22:7-20.
Simple Menu Suggestions:
Bitter Herbs: Cooked spinach and raw celery sticks dipped in salt water
Haroset: Applesauce with cinnamon and raisins
Unleavened bread: Crackers or store-bought matzohs or pita bread or homemade unleavened bread (see recipes)
Wine: red wine or grape juice
Lamb: Leg of lamb, or roast lamb, lamb chops, or meatloaf baked in shape of lamb (use a lamb cake mold)The children need to be reminded that this meal is different than what the Jews celebrate because Christ already died and saved us, so we are not still awaiting a Messiah. We are not obliged to follow the directives for the Passover meal, we are merely doing it in imitation of Christ, so we can use all of our senses to know, love and serve Christ.

Easter egg crafts...

2009-04-06T23:41:00.003-04:00

Caitlynn is so excited about doing some Easter egg crafts......I'd better get moving on finding some things to do with her. We will keep you posted on what we do.

Easter Tidbits......

2009-04-05T11:13:00.004-04:00

Palm Sunday

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt (Jn 12:13-15)!"

Today we commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery.

The Palm Sunday procession is formed of Christians who, in the "fullness of faith," make their own the gesture of the Jews and endow it with its full significance. Following the Jews' example we proclaim Christ as a Victor... Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. But by our faith we know, as they did not, all that His triumph stands for. He is the Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of God. He is the sign of contradiction, acclaimed by some and reviled by others. Sent into this world to wrest us from sin and the power of Satan, He underwent His Passion, the punishment for our sins, but issues forth triumphant from the tomb, the victor over death, making our peace with God and taking us with Him into the kingdom of His Father in heaven. taken from: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?id=370&repos=3&subrepos=2&searchid=442752

Easter is not only the greatest Christian feast; it is the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. Through His Death, Christ destroyed our bondage to sin; through His Resurrection, He brought us the promise of new life, both in Heaven and on earth. His own prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven," begins to be fulfilled on Easter Sunday.

That is why new converts are traditionally brought into the Church through the sacraments of initiation )baptism, Confirmation, and Holy communion)at the Easter Vigil service, on Holy Saturday evening.

Triorama on the Book Om-Kas-Toe

2009-04-04T16:48:00.003-04:00

This was another awesome school project which Caitlynn did after reading the book, Om-Kas-Toe. You can get directions on how to put together the base for the triorama from this site: http://www.authorquest.ecsd.net/kinestheticproject.htm#triorama

Caitlynn's Sight Mini Report/Lapbook

2009-04-04T15:10:00.003-04:00

In December Caitlynn had to give an oral presentation on the sense of Sight. She had been studying the human body for 12 weeks at the CLC coop. She was so nervous, but did a wonderful job talking about the job of the eye and why she picked this sense.....she has a cousin with vision loss and a blind Great Aunt.

Spring is Here!!!

2009-04-02T00:30:00.005-04:00

St. Patrick's Day!!!!!

2009-03-17T23:46:00.004-04:00

Well, normally we would have a huge family party with the Corcorans. The food was always fabulous....Corned beef, cabbage ( though I was never a fan of this particular dish), potatoes, plus fresh vegs and yummy desserts....green iced shamrocks cookies are my favorite. Dee Dee would make great Irish coffee with whiskey and whipped cream. But today...this year is different. Mom and Dad are in California pursuing hyperbaric treatments for Dad's stroke. Sean and Tressie accompanied them on Monday.....everyone arrived safely.

So today, I took Caitlynn, my youngest and two of her good friends, plus two teens and we went off to the local ice skating rink for the homeschool special. Everyone had a great time, and 90 minutes of icy fun was plenty for all. No serious injuries, just wet bottoms, bruised knees and tired and sore feet. A quick trip thru to McD's resulted in full tummys and then it was off to deliver all the friends back to their respected homes.

I cooked up a storm for 3-4 hours, and out of that yielded some wonderful corned beef hash, our favorite. The kids and I celebrated St. Patrick's with our good friends, the Krebs. Both of our husbands are out-of-town on business. The kids had a great time hanging out and playing games and watching American Idol and Missy and I had some wonderful conversations and down time. The meal was simple but yummy, the best was the company.

Happy Birthday!!! To One Super Mom.....

2009-03-07T22:41:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday!!!!! Teresa

Today my wonderful sister-in-law, Teresa is celebrating her 43rd birthday. She is married to my closest brother, Leon and he is an amazing guy too. Well, not to date myself, but we--Teresa and I went to the same high school and graduated together. She was a model student, envy of myself and others, so calm and a true happy spirit. The teachers all loved her.

Here she is holding her son, Ambrose and her grandson, Issac.
Ambrose... the 14th child......such an incredible generous mother!!!

New Baby in the Family.....

2009-02-28T22:13:00.003-05:00

My beautiful niece, Magdalena had her 2nd baby on Feb 24th. The little guy named Seth Anthony weighed in 7 pounds 20 inches at 8:32pm. Congratulations to the Corr family....Big Bro Giles has a buddy now!

St. Valentine's Feast Day.....Dinner and Dessert

2009-02-14T20:19:00.007-05:00

Saint Valentine

Patron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

Taken from: http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm

Today, I cooked pretty much all day for my family. Daddy worked a 10 shift, so I knew he would be home to enjoy a yummy home-cooked meal. I cooked a family-favorite.....beef stroganoff with healthy brown rice and egg noodles, raw veggie tray and steamed broccoli. But for dessert, I found a beautiful heart-shaped cherry and chocolate tart. The dessert was delicious, gorgeous to look at and pretty easy to make.

The family was reduced, Therese and Dominic are at a Church Retreat--Mount 2009. Things are quiet here but they will be back tomorrow afternoon, mostly likely excite yet exhausted and sleep-deprived. I can hardly wait to see how it goes.

Fighting the Good Fight.....

2009-02-13T17:44:00.002-05:00

Harper's Ferry....May 2006

Been in the trenches lately....raising teens is definitely challenging, difficult and exhausting.

St. Blaise

2009-02-03T11:54:00.002-05:00

On each February 3 the blessing of St. Blaise is given: two candles are consecrated, generally by a prayer, these are then held in a crossed position by a priest over the heads of the faithful or the people are touched on the throat by them. At the same time the following blessing is given: "Per intercessionem S. Blasii liberet to Deus a malo gutteris et a qouvis alio malo." ("May God at the intercession of St. Blaise preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil.")

St. Blaise

Feastday: February 3 Patron of Throat Illnesses

Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. Saint Blaise's protection of those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.

Very few facts are known about Saint Blaise. We believe he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia who was martyred under the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century.

The legend of his life that sprang up in the eighth century tell us that he was born in to a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. After becoming a bishop, a new persecution of Christians began. He received a message from God to go into the hills to escape persecution. Men hunting in the mountains discovered a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick. Among them Blaise walked unafraid, curing them of their illnesses. Recognizing Blaise as a bishop, they captured him to take him back for trial. On the way back, he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to a poor woman. When Blaise was sentenced to be starved to death, the woman, in gratitude, sneaked into the prison with food and candles. Finally Blaise was killed by the governor.

Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them and of those with throat maladies.

In His Footsteps: Take time as Saint Blaise did to find out how you can help wild animals. Find out what is being done to support and protect the wildlife in your area. There is wildlife everywhere, even in cities. Even a birdfeeder can help God's creatures survive. Prayer:
Saint Blaise, pray for us that we may not suffer from illnesses of the throat and pray that all who are suffering be healed by God's love. Amen

Taken from: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=28

Who is St. Matthais???

2009-02-01T14:01:00.003-05:00

In the New Testament Acts of the Apostles, the author of the Gospel of Luke records that Saint Matthias was the Apostle chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Icariot, following Judas's betrayal of Jesus and his suicide (Acts 1:18-26). He dies around the year 80 AD. It is said that Matthais was stoned at Jerusalem by the Jews, and then beheaded, yet other accounts said he died of old age.

He is the patron of carpenters and those who battle alcoholism.

Well, anyway, there is not much written on this particular saint, so it is going to be a challenge to accept the fact that he chose me to be MY patron saint for 2009. I need to find that connection and continue to research him.

As of this week, I am going to try and reflect on the following saying of St. Matthais, "We must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge".

When car meets tree......

2009-01-30T16:35:00.003-05:00

What do you get when you mix a bit of ice and snow, a country lane lined with trees yet filled with big pot holes, major washboard and a cute blue Jeep?

Luckily...and thankfully, there were no injuries other than hurt pride, a bit of embarrassment and a dose of humility on everyone's part. We are now in the market for a good used car for our college boys.

Some Incredible Pro Life Articles/videos.....Must Reads

2009-01-27T13:00:00.005-05:00

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=31813

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012311.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ehc4M_y3ao

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wriSc2sNXA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADvHK_0cHYE

March for Life 2009

2009-01-25T13:10:00.009-05:00

St. Marys

Me....waiting for 9am Mass to start.

Kasey Dineen

Dustin and Tarcy
The Capitol
Caitlynn & Clare in the midst of 300,000 pro-lifers.

I think this is where we must have lost Dustin....poor guy...he was thinking about Starbucks and a hot drink.

Tarcy was pretty intense..., he didn't want to get lost too. But if he did, at least he had a cell phone.

My girls, Caitlynn's 2nd March and Clare's 1st. According to Clare, our godchild, "This was the best day in her whole life!"

Julie, another godchild talking to her father who had to leave the city suddenly with a sick child.

O.K. So we missed getting into the Verizon Center again...the youth rally and the Mass. Now, on to Plan B. We really have to rethink this, perhaps we will have to camp out in the city the night before the March next year.

Kasey, Therese and Agnes ready for any challenge....we will take a few good-looking boys too.

The day was incredible.....It started at 4am with a wake-up call for the teens. Showers were quickly taken and backpacks were stuffed with goodies and water bottles. Dustin arrived at 5:30 and we were soon off to St. Francis after picking up the sleepy but waiting King kids- Rory, Agnes and Clare. Our buses rolled out of the parking lot at about 6:30am. We were hoping to get into the Verizon Center for the awesome Youth Rally and Mass for 25,000 attending Roman Catholics.

As fate had it, our church group was denied access to the Verizon Center, so we were off to a local church for 9am Mass. It was also good to be off the cold streets for a while. Next year, I think we will have to make different plans if we want to attend the activities at the Verizon Center.

After Mass, our groups headed down to where the speeches were going to take place. It was amazing to get a choice spot right in front of the stage. My teens thought it was the best ever. The speakers all did one incredible job, deliver the same message but in different ways, using different language and different Bible quotes. Now, I am in search for a transcript of these inspiring speeches. I wish I had the foresight to video them.

The actual March started later than normal and was slow to start, but the crowd was huge, much bigger than last year. I heard the numbers were over 300,000. But like always, the media had a black-out on reporting on this impressive show of Pro-Lifers.

Half way through the March, Tarcy noticed Dustin was missing, we both thought perhaps he had split from us and was hanging out with Rory and the three girls. We stepped onto the curb and waited and watched through the crowd to see if we could spot the rest of our group. No luck in spotting a tall red haired lost-looking teenage boy. Back at the Union train station, no one else had seen Dustin. Praying, searching, and spreading the news, everyone did what they could do. Within 2 hours, he was located by the bus company. Apparently after jogging around the Capitol several times, he located then chased down a similar bus and had them contact our group. He rec'd a standing ovation as he boarded the bus. Dustin was so humbled by his experience, we couldn't be angry with him, only glad to have him back safe and sound. He never did make it to Starbucks for a hot drink.

Our group arrived back at St. Francis around 8pm....as the kids commented ,"We left in the dark and then we arrived back home in the dark". Looking back on our day...16 hours, from start to finish...., it was sooo well worthy it. Everyone is looking forward to next year.

Saturdays.....around our house

2009-01-17T13:53:00.006-05:00

Saturdays....well, they are different here in our house. One, Daddy works a swing...what does that mean?! He has to leave for work around 2 or 3pm. So, for Momma...she has to feed the crew usually, a hot breakfast of fresh country eggs, ham, hash browns and fruit and toast....like I did today.

Then, morning prayers and small talk about what happened during the last 24-hours in the lives of our kids.

"Tarcy had a basketball against Notre Dame, which we won, surprisingly because that team has always beat the cr**p out of the Loudoun Patriots. Tarcy made a 3-pointer and a lay-up and he threw away his share of the balls. The game was fast-moving and exciting. Tarcy was rewarded for the victory with a Big Mac Attack meal. These boys just love eating out.

Sean spent the day hanging out with Cousin Franny...she is still home from college, thought she goes back within the week. They went to dinner and a movie, and then went to the local mall in Manassas.

Dom was left at home to babysit on his little sisters, Therese and Caitlynn. They were in charge of finishing the job of putting away the rest of Christmas. Yes, we still have Christmas around. The tree was stripped finally of all the ornaments and the lights. Yay!! He then had to haul all those boxes down to the basement....

Don't forget all the Wii games that were played in my absence. I think they..the girls...were dancing with Dance Revolution....great exercise! when Tarcy and I arrived home at 8pm."

After all the catching up....plans need to be made....We need to get a few done today.

Today, it was haircuts for Daddy, Dom and Rascal. Sean and Tarcy are still holding out...they are both going for the Shaggy Dog Look. Sean claims he needs to stay warm during the winter months.Tarcy is into the COOL look. Ugh!!! Sigh! My thoughts of cutting his hair in the middle of the night still sounds good, and I think he occasionally has nightmares about the buzzer attacking him. HA! HA! Someday.....

Now, with hair all over me, I must start working on lunch/dinner or both depending on who you are. I have a nice steak for Sean, as I cook it, knowing I can split it for lunch and dinner for my hubby. In the end for lunch, he gets steak, potatoes with the works, steamed broccoli and fresh vegs with dip. Dinner is packed in his lunch box, ready for him....he is out the door by 1pm. Barbecue chicken thighs are still in the oven for the rest of us for our lunch/dinner. I think they can have left-overs or sandwiches tonight.

Daddy and Dom, in the mean time , are outside splitting the last of our dry wood. Sean and I continue to talk about his day and he is happy that we were able to add his English 112 class late last night. Now the boys will be going to school earlier on Mondays and Thursdays. So much for sleeping in on those days.
The girls have disappeared doing their assigned task of washing the dog, so I could trim that mangy mongrel of ours. Seriously, we love our little toy poodle....he has been with us since Jan. 1999.....Daddy brought him for the kids as an Epiphany gift that year.

By 2pm, I exhausted, and as some genius comments on that fact that I am still in my pjs, ....maybe it would be nice to shower ....before I tackle the job of schooling the 9 year old who by the way is in a bad mood, and should definitely test my patience. Oh, I have to remind the others to start pursuing their homework or college studies , if they want to participate in a few social activities tonight.

Cleaning......what is that????

The laundry is done, until the kids clean up or tidy their rooms. And I think someone vacuumed the stairs. Oh! The kitchen needs cleaning again!!!!! I have technically until 11 pm to tidy up this house...then hubby is home. Luckily he too tired to notice the chaos.

The Feast of the Epiphany

2009-01-06T21:26:00.004-05:00

We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar.

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,Following yonder star.

Chorus: O star of wonder, star of night,Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a Deity nigh.

Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom.

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise,King and God and Sacrifice.

Alleluia, alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies.

Father Kelly's Funeral

2009-01-06T21:20:00.001-05:00

Father Kelly dressed as a Civil War reenactor....a passion of his.

Father Kelly's funeral was today and it was the most beautiful moving, yet sad funeral I have ever attended. Words can not really describe all of my thoughts and emotions.

About 90 priests were there paying their respects and our local bishop, Paul Loverde gave a most inspirational homily about Father Kelly and how we, as a parish, can change our whys??? into a Prayerful Trust in God's Providence. There was hardly a dry eye in the congregation.

These are Father's Final Words-written Dec. 29th, 2008--Father's Corner

Live in the “Now”

“Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span?” Matthew 6: 27

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” Matthew 6: 24

With the New Year upon us, the air is full of predictions, prognostications and various other attempts to foretell the future that are based anything from horoscopes to tea leaves (as for horoscopes, check Dt 17: 1-7 carefully, lest you find yourself between a rock and…well…a bunch of other rocks). “In-and-out” lists will dominate the “Style” sections of various papers, and many will be scrambling to be the first to foretell the newest fashions or trends. Forgotten within this rush to pre-judgment are the words of the Lord to Moses about prophets that may actually get it right:

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer who promises you a sign or wonder, urging you to follow other gods, whom you have not known, and to serve them: even though the sign or wonder he has foretold has come to pass, pay no attention to the words of that prophet or dreamer; for the Lord, your God, is testing you to learn whether you really love him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 13: 2-4

Finally, just to keep you from dusting off the Karbala ball or greasing a palm in order to get your palm read, remember the words of St. Paul as he quotes from the Book of Wisdom:

“For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?’” 1 Corinthians 2: 16

The facts are these – nothing is happening that God has not already seen from all eternity. Also, He has seen all of our parts in His plan from all eternity.

What Our Lord desires of us is not a spirit of despair or a spirit of mindless presumption, but a spirit of prayerful trust. Since most of our present concerns are tied, directly or indirectly to money, pull out that penny again and see the most important words that we can read for the coming year:

IN GOD WE TRUST

A Tragic Day

2009-01-01T01:37:00.000-05:00

Today, Wednesday December 31st has been truly a tragic day. Our dear pastor, Father Michael Kelly was suddenly killed in a bizarre accident. Knowing that Fr. Kelly is with our Heavenly Father does help to lessen our deep sadness.

"Purcellville, Va. -- Parishioners at St. Francis de Sales church say everyone in Purcellville, VA knew Father Michael Kelly, even if they did not attend services at the Catholic church where he lived and preached.Kelly, who loved to build model airplanes to scale and then mount them on his bicycle, was well-known for riding the contraptions through town and in parades.

An avid outdoorsman and civil war reenactor, parishioners like Tony Pantaleo say the 53 year old pastor was "your typical Irish Catholic priest." Kelly "viewed his role as being responsible for all the spiritual souls within the parish boundary," Pantaleo says. "It didn't matter what religion you were, he looked to help out everyone."

Father Kelly was on his way to a funeral for another priest, Father George Griffin of the St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, when he stopped along Harmony Church Road in Loudoun County. He was helping another driver move a tree that had fallen into the narrow country road when a second tree fell and killed him."

Father Kelly with Caitlynn(my daughter) and Rose Corcoran(niece)
--Mother's Day May 13th, 2007--First Holy Communion Day

A Prayer for The Dead
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord,the soul of Thy servant Father Michael Kelly, from every bond of sin,that being raised in the glory of the resurrection,he may be refreshed among the Saints and Elect.Through Christ our Lord.Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Father Kelly's wake will be at the parish on Monday, January 5th from 6pm to 8pm. The funeral will be the following day, Tuesday at 11am.

Annual Christmas Photo Shoot

2008-12-28T23:30:00.004-05:00

Well, out of one hundred photos, I found a few I like. I guess I will have to battle with the kids for another time. Maybe, next time, I will get the setting right on the camera, or perhaps I will try at a different time of the day.

Favorites.....

2008-12-28T23:30:00.001-05:00

Favorite Christmas Shoes...
Favorite IPOD Shuffle

Favorite Thieves Christmas Present....Not!!!

Favorite Happy Guy

Favorite Christmas Craft by Artist

Christmas Evening

2008-12-28T23:29:00.000-05:00

Christmas evening was spent at Ed's house. A yummy dinner was served around 6pm....turkey, ham, green bean cassarole, squash cassarole, apple waldolf salad, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and alots of desserts. Mom and Dad came, with the guys helping Dad in and around the house. Dad is progressing well, with a lot of help from Deirdre.

Christmas Morning

2008-12-27T20:15:00.001-05:00

After Midnight Mass, everyone was informed that wake-up time was 9am....no sooner. But, what can I say, our little one, could not wait. She begged and begged for her sleepy parents to get up so she could dig into all the gifts under the tree.

The Worker Bee with a brand-new shiny red soccer ball....thanks to the lil' sis...The Artist.....They are both great fans of the game of soccer. He earns his living refereeing the local soccer games and she plays the game.

The Shopper with her favorite gift, a pretty blue Ipod Shuffle.....brothers are so awesome!

The Watcher with his cool pants of Levis.

The Artist with her long-awaited American girl doll.

The Thinker with his new Russian cap.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-25T16:07:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve was quite wonderful. It was calm and peaceful....the kiddos were excited about Christmas...the children did some last-minute wrapping of presents while I prepared and cooked up our traditional Christmas Eve dinner....roasted leg of lamb, creamy mashed potatoes, steamed vegs. Mom and Dad usually were our honored guests, but this year for the sake of Dad's energy level and warmth, their dinner was delivered to their home by Sean Sr. and Dominic. I heard that Dad was eagerly awaiting his meal. I was a bit late...by 20 minutes ( Dad likes his dinner to be served by 6pm.) The family loved the meal, quickly devouring the juicy meat and yummy potatoes with rich gravy. A 5 pound leg of lamb didn't last very long on the table.

Then, it was time to open Grandma Schaper's presents. The kids received calendars and then stockings stuffed with goodies... beef jerky, fruit roll-ups, candy, cookies, crackers, oatmeal packs and rice krispies. Grandma is sooo wonderful to us all. Sean and I are going out to dinner to Applebees, Mom's treat.

My mother has always done a awesome job remembering and taking care of her entire family by herself. My father died of a massive heart attack in January 1985....a few weeks short of their 25th anniversary. Mom loves her family so much---nine children, 7 spouses, all 65 grandchildren, 5 great-grandkids and two more on the way.

After dinner and present time, we all watched a few good Christmas movies, starting out with Irving Berlin's White Christmas starring Bing Crosby...this was in honor of Corky...being one of his all-time favorites for the Holy Season, and then we finished up with Disney's The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. Afterwards there was a manatory quiet time...to rest before dressing up for Midnight Mass.

Midnight Mass was so peaceful.....the choir at St. Frances de Sales get a fabulous job in honor of our Saviour's Holy Birth. We arrived, just in time to get some choice seats up in the choir loft, giving us a beautiful view of the church and especially the altar.

Dad is Home!!

2008-12-25T16:06:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos of Mom and Dad's house......

The Painting is Finished!!!!

2008-12-19T23:23:00.000-05:00

Sean and Three Little Sons-July 18, 1993

My Three Sons-August 2007
14 Years Later
Sean Michael, Dominic, Dad & Tarcisius

Congratulations! My hats go off to my wonderful, industrious hubby, Sean and our three sons, Seanie, Dominic and Tarcy. What a man! Those are such kind of sons! The painting of the kitchen, sunroom and family room is completed. Everything looks fabulous..... what a 3-day feat that was! It is quite amazing how much a body or bodies can do...in super-focus mode.

Sean drove me to Alexandria in the evening of Wednesday to stay with Mom and encourage Dad along in his therapy sessions. I got to stay with them for two days and nights, while my kiddos ran wild, or at least with little supervision. But, they all survived, thanks to Costco frozen meals, the TV. and an occasional looking-in from their dad.

Dad is looking so good. Every day he is making good progress and his right side is getting stronger and stronger. Observing him in his various therapy sessions has been very helpful, plus we take notes so as to be able to continue working with him at home. It is quite interesting to watch and listen to Allison, Erin and/or Lindsay do the various activities with Corky.

I got to see Dad climb up steps and then come down them. I saw him get into a car and then out of it. Mom and I asked a lot of questions about the proper way to fall, how to prevent falls, and where to stand and then how to aid his walking.

Dad is usually pretty wiped out after these sessions, but it is all worth it. This morning, he was arm wrestling with Mom in the cafeteria. The strength is slowly coming back in his right hand and arm. His fingers are moving, and he can grip objects...his release is not there yet.

Mom is doing well, though by nightime....she is wiped out too. Dad can be quite demanding, he definitely does not like her to be on the phone for very long. She falls asleep by 10pm, with a half-empty glass of wine and is quickly sawing logs. She says she sleeps pretty well and is up by 7am.

Dad's therapists have ordered and received the wheelchair, shower bench and potty chair. The plan is still as stated.....he will be released on Tuesday, December 23rd. The exact time is not known as of yet.

There is still a lot that has to been done at Dad's. I am confident that it will all come together by Tuesday. Tarcy and I are going out tomorrow to pick out the tree and are hoping to have it ready by Saturday night.

We can hardy wait for Dad's return......it will be wonderful just in time for Christmas. Let us all make it the best for Mom and Dad.

Love & Prayers,

Renee'

The Looks of New Paint....

2008-12-17T17:03:00.001-05:00

Work Party Has Been Called for Dad's House!!!!

2008-12-16T12:55:00.000-05:00

Mom & Dad.....Aug 2008-Top Sail

Hey everyone,

Dad is supposed to be coming home on the 23th of this month, and there are a few things we should do to make it comfortable and cheery for them. Sean would like to do a bit of painting for them, starting with the kitchen and then the bathrooms. A cleaning crew is always needed...it has been a difficult task for Mom to clean all the hard-to-reach areas in the house. So, rags and plenty of 409 are welcomed.

Mom loves the earth tone paints...greens and tans.

We will be picking up a pretty tree sometime this week, and a decorating team plus one adult leader is needed there too.

A detail-oriented individual is needed for some boxing up of papers and misc stuff that is laying around. The boxes will need to be labeled, so Mom can go through them at a later date.

Please let us know if you can and are willingly to help out in some way. Sean will be off from work for the next few days.....We are scheduled to be in Alexandria for Wed day, night and all of Thursday.

Seanie and Dom ware almost done with this semester, so they can help out with the painting. They always love having a buddy or two to work with. Many hands lighten the load in more ways than one.

I'm sure Dad will be so thrilled to hear of us working together.....he has always been "Can Do
" kind of guy.

December 13th-Feast Day of Saint Lucy

2008-12-13T23:38:00.001-05:00

PRAYER TO SAINT LUCY
Saint Lucy, your beautiful name signifies light. By the light of faith which God bestowed upon you, increase and preserve this light in my soul so that I may avoid evil, be zealous in the performance of good works, and abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin. By your intercession with God, obtain for me perfect vision for my bodily eyes and the grace to use them for God's greater honor and glory and the salvation of all men. Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. Amen.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe-Dec 12th

2008-12-13T00:56:00.002-05:00

May Our Lady of Guadalupe

keep you under the mantle

of her protection and

may the Reign of Jesus

King of All Nations be recognized in your heart!

The Lastest on Corky

2008-12-13T00:24:00.001-05:00

Field Trip to the Washington DC--Sept 2007

Grandma and Grandpa always made it fun....and what a day we had!

As of yesterday, the docs think Corky will be coming home on December 23th. Hurrah!

He is slowly improving, yet they do not think he will be able to drive due to his cut vision problems. Once he is home, he will continue with his therapy sessions 3-5 times a week.

The family continues to support Mom in every way possible.... physical support at the hospital, meals, laundry, working around on their home in Waterford, and the spiritual front with Masses, Communions, rosarys,novenas and many other prayers.

Information on Strokes

2008-12-13T00:16:00.000-05:00

Corky and Sean on a pilgrimage to the Lourdes Grotto Shrine...Aug 2007
A stroke occurs when there is damage to the brain, initiated by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. It is a disease of the vascular system. Stroke is commonly called a Brain Attack. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the No. 1 cause of adult disability.

Left-Hemisphere Stroke:
The left hemisphere of the brain controls the movement of the right side of the body. It also controls speech and language abilities for most people. A left-hemisphere stroke often causes paralysis of the right side of the body. This is known as right hemiplegia.
Someone who has had a left-hemisphere stroke may also develop aphasia.

Aphasia is a catch-all term used to describe a wide range of speech and language problems. These problems can be highly specific, affecting only one component of the patient's ability to communicate, such as the ability to move their speech-related muscles to talk properly. The same patient may be completely unimpaired when it comes to writing, reading or understanding speech.

In contrast to survivors of right-hemisphere stroke, patients who have had a left-hemisphere stroke often develop a slow and cautious behavioral style. They may need frequent instruction and feedback to complete tasks.Finally, patients with left-hemisphere stroke may develop memory problems similar to those of right-hemisphere stroke survivors. These problems can include shortened retention spans, difficulty in learning new information and problems in conceptualizing and generalizing.

There are three primary means of rehabilitation.

Physical therapy (PT) helps restore physical functioning and skills like walking and range of movement. Major impairments which PT works on include partial or one-sided paralysis, faulty balance and foot drop.

Occupational therapy (OT) involves relearning the skills needed for everyday living such as eating, toileting, dressing and taking care of oneself.

Speech language pathology is another major rehabilitative therapy. Some stroke survivors are left with aphasia, an impairment of language and speaking skills in which the stroke survivor can think as well as before the stroke, but is unable to get the right words out or is unable to process words coming in. Aphasia is usually caused by a stroke on the left side of the brain. Speech language pathology can teach the aphasic stroke survivor and his or her family members methods for coping with this frustrating impairment. Speech language pathologists also work to help the stroke survivor cope with memory loss and other "thought" problems caused by the stroke.

Vision Therapy (VT) Many stroke survivors have visual problems following their strokes. To be able to see well, the brain and the eyes have to work together. Because part of the brain is damaged in a stroke, vision problems can be partial or complete loss of sight. Stroke survivors may also experience blurred vision, confusion or difficulty in performing visual activities, and eye strain. For stroke survivors with vision problems, it's harder to go back to work or even perform simple household tasks. As soon as possible after a stroke, stroke survivors should have a complete eye exam to find out if their eyes are healthy. This exam will uncover any stroke-related vision problems.

Request for prayers for Corky Corcoran

2008-12-09T18:22:00.000-05:00

Family and Friends of Corky Corcoran:

On, Monday, November 24th, Corky Corcoran (Dad) suffered a major stroke effecting his sight, speech, and movement on the right side of his body. In addition he was recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Dad was devoted to the Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart. During his stay in California he was instrumental in helping build a Shrine to the Blessed Mother. The parish and shrine is named, Our Lady of Peace. The pastor who had the vision for the Shrine was, Monsignor John J. Sweeny. Father Sweeney was dedicated to the Family Rosary, Perpetual Adoration (24/7), and the Sacraments, especially the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. He died in the air of Sanctity on, March 7, 2006. Since Dad shared a close friendship with Monsignor Sweeny the Corcoran Family is asking anyone interested to recite the attached prayer for nine days, December 9th until December 18th (the anniversary of Father’s ordination). Our request is that Dad will make a full and speedy recovery. The hand written prayer (Learning Christ) was found at Fathers’ bedside after he passed away.

The Corcoran Family

Learning Christ

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life, in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Let me put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer from them. Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path. Let me so use it that it may make me patient, not irritable. That it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and overbearing. May no one be less good for having come within my influence. No one less pure, less true, less kind, less noble for having been a fellow traveler in our journey toward Eternal Life. As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper from time to time, a word of love to Thee. May my life be lived in the supernatural, full of power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity. AMEN!

Wednesday-Corky's Update

2008-12-03T19:29:00.000-05:00

Dad is in the rehab center at Mt Vernon. Every day he goes through some pretty tough PT-physical therapy sessions three times a day. They work on his speech and swallowing skills, upper body movements and then the lower body motions. His swallowing skills have greatly improved, he is at about 80% and within the week, they hope to have him drinking regular liquids such as coffee and water. Until now, all liquids had to be thickened to a honey or nectar consistency. I know he has always enjoyed having his morning coffee with family at home.

Dad is usually wiped out physically after these sessions and then takes a nap. His appetite is improving also. Every day shows small signs of improvement, so keep up those prayers for a full recovery, courage, strength and peace of mind in knowing God's will.

His address is:
Inova Rehabilitation Center
2501 Parker's LaneAlexandria, VA 22306
Attn: Corky Corcoran -Room 510- Bed#2

I'm sure he would love to receive cards and general fan mail.

Mom is staying at a local hotel with at least one family member at all times. We want to help her out with a strong support group consisting of proper and healthy meals, encouragement at all times, companionship, and prayer. It is vital to us to keep her in good health too for the road will be long.

The California girls-sisters-Kate, Amy, Agnes and Lucy- have all returned home to their families. They have always been great at lifting Corky's spirits during his trials. Naturally, Dad loves having all of his family around him.

Dad and his great devotion to Our Lady and the Holy Rosary

2008-12-03T00:12:00.000-05:00

Dad and Dominic--Dec 1998 The Rosary put these two to sleep.

March 2006-Grandpa and Caitlynn

Dad was always glad to hold a grandchild and say the Rosary after having a delicious meal at our home.

Dad has been moved...Mt. Vernon

2008-12-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite photos of Dad--October 2004--after his heart failure.

Today around noon, Dad was moved and transferred by ambulance to the rehab facility in Mt. Vernon. Sean, Ed, Mom, Amy, Kate and Agnes were all there to help the move. Some were not happy about the place and so we will have to see day-to-day.I will update when I get more information.

Exhaustion has hit....Craziness is Here

2008-12-01T21:57:00.000-05:00

Wiped out after cooking Seanie's birthday meal-August 2008-Top Sail

Well, it has been one week since Dad suffered a major stroke and that exhaustion and tiredness has hit everyone. I almost feel crazy....trying to cope with some normal things such as running a house, cooking and feeding the kids....laundry....well, everyone is conserving and wearing their clothes a little bit longer than normal.

Carol Ann and I have not seen much of our husbands lately....I am missing the quiet nights or not so quiet nights at house in front of the fire with our family. We cope and keep on going doing what we can do to help. Friends have been wonderful with the onpouring of prayers, phone calls for updates, and food......

The kids have one more week of co-op school before the Christmas break. A break will truly be great and well-deserving for moms and kids alike. And Sean and Dominc should finish up their first semester at NVCC soon, around the 19th of December. Oh course, the wheel of life keeping turning...the boys need to sign up for the next Spring semester of classes.

Advent is here and somehow I still need to locate our Advent wreath in the basement. Christmas will be different this year, and yet I again find myself needing more Christmas cheer...I feel like a strooge....dreading the shopping, the demanding kids.... knowing we are blest with so much.....why buy stuff just to buy??? How I want a simple Christmas....

The Newest Arrivals...Twins!!!

2008-11-29T00:43:00.000-05:00

Mary and Richard Schaper's Babies have finally arrived.

November 26th, 2008

Colette Rachel Schaper 7lb 12oz 19.5in @ 12:38pm Beatrice Maria Schaper 8lb 5.5oz 20in @12:44pm

Some kind of Thanksgiving.....
(Richard is my nephew and the oldest of 14 children.)

Mom and babies are all well and healthy.

Turkey Day!

2008-11-28T00:36:00.000-05:00

Mom and Dad and their rowdy and fun-loving kids.

Well, the turkey has arrived...thanks to the Krebs and the rest of the feast came by means of good friends. We all had a wonderful dinner, everyone commented on the great food and there was a demand for recipes. Dad was able to be in the big room with the entire family, all nine of his children. I think there was 37 family members in all. Dad had dinner with us all before he tired and needed to get some rest.

That is some kind of turkey--26 lbs.

Here comes Dad!!

Another Thanksgiving Feast with all the kids. It is amazing what a little love can produce!

Thankful for......

2008-11-28T00:10:00.000-05:00

I have so much to be thankful for:

family--his and mine
good friends
babies
my Faith & The Church
my husband
his job
my 5 great children
a great place to live
freedom to homeschool my kids
my teaching job
my life
my laptop--love having so much knowledge at my fingertips
books
my jeans

We had a big scare mid-morning when it appeared that Dad would not wake up from a nap. He responded to voice commands but couldn't open his eyes. He was quickly taken for a CAT scan and thankfully it came back O.K. It was decided that he was just in a deep sleep....no further stroke issues, just that he needs more rest. So now, everyone must be quiet while he naps.

In general, everyone is showing signs of exhaustion. So hopefully rest will come soon. The hiccups with these scares are hard but we are trying to work together to share the work and stress. Embracing our crosses and taking one-day-at-a-time is where we are for now.

Thanksgiving Day!!!

2008-11-27T23:56:00.000-05:00

My beloved and I
Agnes, Melanie and Therese

Receiving therapy from Aggie and Amy

Rose, Caitlynn and Clare

The Definition of Thankfullness...

2008-11-27T00:37:00.000-05:00

When taking a quick glance through my photo archive, I ran across this real sweet artwork which my husband, Sean created many years ago. He was probably about 8 years old. So, according to him, as a young child, his definition of Thankfullness is:

Thankfullness is getting together with our grandparents on Thanks-giving.

I think all of the Corcoran grandchildren feel the same way about their grandfather, Corky.

Wednesday--the Turkey is Still on his Mind....

2008-11-27T00:17:00.001-05:00

Dad still had the turkey on his mind this morning. We told him it was been thawed and going to be cooked up...thanks to the Krebs. The grandkids and the grown ups are all relieved to find out some of our good church friends are arranging to bring a Thanksgiving feast to the hospital for us all to enjoy. The hospital is giving us a conference room to hold our feast in. My little Caitlynn was sooo elated to hear the good news....with all the confusion and excitement, I didn't notice her anxiety over the upcoming holiday. Now, she is feeling so blest to have that worry taken care of. We are hoping to wheel Dad down the hall and into our private eating hall. I'm sure we can find something on the menu for him to eat, such as pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Dad had a good day today. Therapy was hard, and he napped pretty good after that. Everyone is great helping out and taking turns with Corky's care. I fed him dinner which was ground chicken, mashed potatoes, creamed broccoli and pears. He is a bit stronger each day. We are hoping to have him in the rehab place sometime Friday.

The visiting cardiologist was great.....finally a doc that was positive and offered us hope with a lot of information concerning the possible causes of this stroke. Most of the doctors were short, gave no encouragement, and acted more afraid of malpractice.....it has been pretty frustrating dealing with the doctors of Dads. The nurses are the real work force around the hospital.

The Little Guy-Jacob Paul with Erika and Aileen

Time Flies.......

2008-11-26T00:36:00.001-05:00

Early 1970's

Status Update on Corky

2008-11-25T22:20:00.000-05:00

Mom & Dad...still strong and fighting the good fight for so many years....

Sean with his very sleepy Dad

Caitlynn telling Grandpa to get well soon. He loves the grandskids' visits.

Seanie saying goodbye before heading back home.

Therese with her Grandpa....It was hard the first time she saw him. The tears came quite readily after she left the room.

Today, Nov 25th Corky slept a lot of the day and is somewhat stronger with his eating and speech is a bit better. He was quite forceful when he told a grandson, to have Sean cook the 26 pound turkey for Thanksgiving. We all got a laugh out of that. Dad has traditionally always cooked the turkey, and he would hunt around at the grocery store for the bigger turkey possible. We will miss his turkey and stuffing this year.

Our Thanksgiving will be different this year, but we have so much to be thankful for....Corky is with us and we are just taking one day at a time for now.

His daughters, Kate, Amy, and the twins Lucy and Aggie from California have all arrived. Dad is glad to see them. The girls can always get him to smile at their jokes and comments. We, about 35 of us, do fill the hallways and waiting rooms of Loudoun Hospital. The teens between their visits to Grandpa's room keep busy by playing cards, one of Grandpa's favorite pasttime. The little ones play with Baby Jacob and raided the snacks basket.

The nursing staff loves us.....many hands make light work....everyone pitches in and is helping in caring for Corky. I got to feed Dad dinner today...he seem to like the Dannon yogurt and some of the ground chicken. His swallowing skills are stronger than yesterday. Dad seems to like all the company and didn't a full room while he ate his supper.

Dad's buddy, Bobby came by for a while...he gladly shaved Corky for us. Bobby was a old pro at that since he was Fr. Stan's caregiver for a very long time before our dear little priest friend passed away.

Unle Denny, Aunt Judy, Aunt Pat and Uncle Minos came for a visit too. At times, it was a regular family reunion. Corky has always loved a good party and he never needs much of a reason to have one. What some guys will do for attention!

Sean's friends, Steve Hanna and John Krebs came out to see Dad. It is truly awesome to have faithful friends.

The doctors are still running tests and he had another MRI this afternoon. There was talk about which rehab facility to place Corky in....Winchester was the preference. So, at this point, no news is good news.

Corky-World's Greatest Father-in-Law!!!

2008-11-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

Grandpa Corky Corcoran has suffered a stroke this morning Nov 24th. Please remember him and his family in your prayers. My father-in-law, Corky is truly a one-of-the-kind patriarch. He is the father of nine, grandfather of 32 with 2 great-grandsons. He is the leader of the Corcoran Clan and I know of no other like him. Everyone LOVES Corky, family and friends.... He was no enemies. He always has a helping hand and a quick smile.

Harper's Ferry Outing

Vacationing at Top Sail

Great-Grandpa Corky and Baby Thomas

2008-11-25T00:42:00.000-05:00

Fall Birthdays

2008-11-20T14:32:00.000-05:00

Dominic's 18th Birthday

The Girls......

And now the Guys.....

Therese's 14th Birthday......she is purpled out!!

Halloween 2008

2008-11-20T14:21:00.001-05:00

Caitlynn went as a purple fairy...hated my costume....well, good news is that I am done making costumes for the kids.

I think these are two evil little butterflies.

Dominic as....last-minute Joker (Dom's Style)

Proud Parents.....

2008-09-01T00:46:00.000-04:00

Magdalena and Giles
Mom and Renee'

Lowell and Faith
Elise and Bobby
Roxane and Joseph

Celebrating.......Love, family and friends

2008-09-01T00:35:00.000-04:00

Joseph, Elise and Bobby
Grandma & Godmother with the Bride & Groom
3 Generations....Corky, Sean and Tarcy
Dancing with Mom

We love babies......

2008-09-01T00:26:00.000-04:00

Faith Immaculta Schaper
Great-Grandma and 4 Greats-Faith, Giles, Felicity & Bobby
Renee and Bobby
Therese and Baby Giles
Great Grandma and Bobby

Cousins, cousins, and more cousins....

2008-09-01T00:19:00.000-04:00

Magdalena and Joseph

Patrick Gallaher and Brigdet Schaper
Therese and Domonique Schaper
Sean and Celeste Schaper
Domonique, Mary Rose, Therese and Grace
Giles Corr and Grace Schaper

Sarah & Cyril's Wedding---August 30th

2008-09-01T00:14:00.000-04:00

Welcome Baby Isaac Quinten

2008-08-28T22:54:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Lucy and Greg Lewis on their little bundle of joy. Issac Quinten was born Wednesday August 27, weighing in at 9lbs 5oz. That's Grandma Ruth's 5th Great-grandchild and Leon's 2nd grandson.

Sean and Dominic's Graduation Announcement

2008-08-27T22:02:00.000-04:00

First Day of College!!

2008-08-26T21:03:00.001-04:00

Sean and Dominic are now officially college students....attending NVCC Northern Virginia Community College.

Glamour Shots.....

2008-08-24T01:07:00.000-04:00

Crazy Stunts of Dominic & Eddie--Leap Frogging

2008-08-24T01:01:00.000-04:00

Favorite Activities to Do.....at Top Sail

2008-08-24T00:35:00.000-04:00

Napping....zzzzz.......

Eating, eating, and more eating......

Watching another glorious sunrise....

Waiting for the next delicious meal to be cooked up for this growing boys.

Castle Building...a fine art when the sand is blowing in your face.

Drinking a hot steaming cup of coffee in the morning while waiting for the children to wake up and the guys to get back from their early morning beach walks....no...I mean runs, Grover.

Board skimming....best at dusk when the tide is high.

Swimming in the community pool...

whenever the surf is too rough or the kiddies get tired of the sand.

Annual Quarters Game

2008-08-24T00:29:00.000-04:00

Playing a fun game of quarters.....with beer or when you run out, ...bring on the pina coladas. I think the girls loved the sweet drinks, thanks to Thomas our bartendar.

Baby Thomas's Fan Club

2008-08-24T00:15:00.000-04:00

Baby Thomas is just soooo cute and loveable. This is his 2nd vacation with the family. Last year he was so tiny and precious, growing inside his momma, Caky.

Sean's 19th Birthday....A Golden One!

2008-08-24T00:10:00.000-04:00

Top Sail Vacation August 2008

2008-08-20T22:47:00.001-04:00

We are all having a blast here in Top Sail. Tom and Caky and Baby Thomas surprised us and met us here. The weather is wonderful, the food awesome and the company is relaxing.

Random 4H Pictures

2008-08-08T09:39:00.001-04:00

Grand Champion Lightweight Market Lamb

2008-08-08T09:32:00.001-04:00

Sean Michael takes the ribbon for the Lightweight market lamb, and boy is he surprised! The look was well-worth it.

2008-08-08T09:32:00.000-04:00

Sean Michael takes the ribbon for the Lightweight market lamb, and boy is he surprised! The look was well-worth it.

The Face of a Winner!!!!!!

2008-07-29T23:20:00.000-04:00

Caitlynn is a champ! She won Junior Novice Showmanship with her little ewe lamb today and we are all so proud of her. She has been working on this animal project for the past 60 days. In the past two weeks, she has been training her lamb to brace and walk without a halter. Mommy would act as the judge and give Caity tips on what to do with the animal and all the while stressing eye contact with the judge.

The day was so hot and poor Caitlynn had to wait until almost the very end before she took the show ring with all the rest of the Junior Novices. She did an awesome job working with Small One--Mommy's nickname for the lamb. Small One's behavior was not perfect by any means...she acted a bit scared but Caity had no problem coaking her along the ring by gave the tail area and giving the lamb a firm nudge. By the second round, Caity was so hot and the beads of sweat on her little freckled nose were quite noticeable from the spectator's view. But she held in there and won the well-deserved purple and black ribbon and a nice premium of $20.00!

Running Track for NOVA

2008-05-17T00:19:00.001-04:00

New Soccer Referee-Dominic

2008-05-17T00:09:00.001-04:00

Soccer Super Star

2008-04-24T00:09:00.000-04:00

Caitlynn is now playing soccer and she is so excited. She is playing locally...thank goodness...This is her first organized sport endeavor. Roadrunners is the name the girls all picked. The first week their team lost 0-1, but last week they won 2-1. Caitlynn scored the first goal after getting a great pass from her teammate, Aspen. She was elated and naturally looked over at Mom for approval. I gave her the "thumbs up" as I was screaming and cheering.

A tired Maggie and smiley Amy Krebs

2008-04-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

2008-04-23T12:50:00.000-04:00

Sean Michael and Dominic won two tickets--to see the Pope in our parish lottery. We were so thrilled that our sons had the chance to see Pope Benedict XVI on his first trip to the U.S. The boys had to get up and out of the house by 4:30am. They stopped by the Krebs and picked up their good friends, Amy and Maggie and then off to the church to catch the bus. Needless to say, they arrived at the Nationals Stadium where Mass was going to be said at 10am and Dominic was suddenly wheeled off to the first aid station. Apparently, he turned several shades of green. The nurse checked him and all thought it was just low blood sugar, that he is NOT used to rising so early and the food prices were outrageous there.

The boys said the Mass was awesome....1300 priests to help with Communion. We at home watched in awe as every tv station was broadcasting the Mass.

The Holy Father was so close to our group. I think Dominic got some pretty good shots too.

After Mass, the kids missed a few buses back to the parish bus and a slight panic took place until they finally stopped being so polite and shoved themselves on one finally. The teens were exhausted but very happy when they arrived back at the Krebs that early evening. We all celebrated by eating a fabulous meal with our good friends, the Krebs and three incredible visiting priests from Georgia.

Papal Visit April 17, 2008

2008-04-23T12:29:00.000-04:00