Christmas blessings

We all want better for our kids.  I hear parents say it all the time.  I think to most parents better means, better education, friends, giving things that they didn't get to have as a child.  I am no better than other parents and want the same things for my brood.  I think I just may define it differently.
First and foremost, I want my children to have a relationship with God. A deep, meaningful relationship. 
As for the Christmas Experience....
I never remember going to church on Christmas, or giving back to the less fortunate with acts of charity. I always however remember LOTS of presents.  I probably couldn't tell you what one of those presents were now.
So I do want my children to have a "better" childhood and Christmas than I did but not in the conventional sense.  I want them to celebrate the birth of our Savior and give him gifts of love, praise, and glory through their acts of charity. I want them to carry on traditions that are important ( I don't mean the elf on the shelf).
Nothing made me more proud than my children's willingness to help out with giving to the homeless and I hope that it only grows from there. Even as little kids we would host a birthday party for Jesus and the kids would donate socks and mittens that we would deliver. I hope my children will remember their three gifts under the tree, not for what was in them but because Jesus received three.
 I want my children to have a love of all creatures.  It took me a long time to feel this love but really is the greatest gift. Some would say I take this to extremes with a dog, 4 chickens, 3 cats ( one that only has one eye and a crooked tail that we rescued.  It is no surprise that this year there will be 2 bunnies under the tree.  We really need a farm!
Ultimately, my goal as a parent is to make sure my children are lead to the gates of heaven after their journey here on earth.  What I want better for my kids is to have a better education, friends and things I didn't know I had which is the love of God. I want them to do all things for the glory of God and their lives will be just as they are supposed to be.
As for my Christmas wish and if you are looking for anything to add to your prayer list... There is an empty spot at our table and I have full trust in God that he will fill it in his way and in his time.

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.  Pilippians 1:9-11
Merry Christmas to all! God Bless!

Summer catch up with the Goldens

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have written. It seems as though every time I picked up a computer I couldn't find a thing to say. That is very odd  for me I know. So this is a summer catch up of the Golden family.......
As always camping is great and I still get lots of looks pulling up in my big van with lots of kids, a dog and a 36 ft trailer. This has been a great season for all of us but me in particular. With only one in diapers and no more crib on the camper it's been easy. Many will laugh that it is easy with all those kids but they are so accustomed to it now that it's a breeze. Lucky for us we procrastinated and waited to long to book at Cherrystone and missed the tornado. Instead we spent a great week at Bethpage.
Thanks to spending some of my summer with Matthew Kelly I have a new philosophy on life which just makes all things easier.  As I am continuing my journey to becoming the best version of myself I am also living in the present day, not yesterday, not tomorrow. It really takes some stress out of things. Let's hope as I embark on my new journey of homeschooling that I can continue to remain patient in the present day. That is right, I am homeschooling Sadie. I like to keep things new and exciting and let's face it... If it never bothered me to hear what others say about me having all these kids nearing menopause I am surely not to be bothered by comments on homeschooling.
As always, I am sad to see summer wind down and have to get back to a more rigid routine. I'm definitely going to enjoy each and every last day of it and fill it with at least one more weekend trip. I will most assuredly miss the sun, pool, and my dear friend Miller Lite when summer goes. Hope you all enjoy the rest of yours...

Dollhouses

Violet will be 3 next week. We decided to buy a dollhouse. We thought of everything as well as one that fits barbies to ensure many years of play. What I failed to think of... There is one bedroom. Now this is a huge dollhouse and it only has one bedroom with one big canopy bed. This makes for one big fight between my girls. Have you ever noticed that if you buy the people that go with the dollhouse they come in a perfect set of Dad, Mom, boy, girl, maybe a pet. Well I propose a new kind of dollhouse.... An authentically Catholic Dollhouse. This would come equipped with features such as dad, mom and 4 or more kids. It would have 2 or more bedrooms and probably some broken furniture and of course some graffiti on the not so clean walls.
I am not sure this would be a big seller but I promise this... It gives hope for an extremely happy future!