I'm Home

Made it back from Nebraska. Had a nice visit with our boys and all their friends. Cut the hair of half the boarders at the boys' home-away-from-home. Got Michelle all settled in. Got to know her teacher. Met all her new best friends. Hugged. Sniffed. Hugged some more. Drove home in record time. Came back to a house, not only in one piece, but better than when I left it!

While I was gone, my wonderful husband: changed out our two broken refrigerators with one unbroken refrigerator, totally cleaned out the mudroom in preparation of new four-footed friend(s), and fixed the door on the medicine cabinet. All this while taking care of our youngest five children and nursing a bit of a stomach bug himself. IS he superman, or what?

While in Omaha, I got the chance to record some of the boys' singing. I hope you don't mind if I share some with you. I'm very proud of them. It's a blessing I can't even begin to appreciate I think, that our children so joyfully lift their voices to God. Because, let me tell you, they love to sing! They sing at the drop of a hat, at the slightest hint, anywhere, any time. But, here's where I love to hear them best:



The Stabat Mater at the end of early Mass the Second Sunday of Lent.
(First Mass attendance was really light Sunday, but second Mass was so crowded, I had to squeeze into a corner of the choir loft!)

Breakfast after Saturday morning Mass with a great group of kids, the members of the Boys' Choir ~ plus Michelle: (L-R) son Dominic, son Jon, friend Julian, son Kevin, friend Isaac (in place of his brother Caleb, a seminarian, who's in the choir, but couldn't come to breakfast with us), daughter Michelle, and friend Tim.

Translation of the Stabat Mater
(first four stanzas)

English: At the cross her station keeping, Mary stood in sorrow weeping When her Son was crucified. While she waited in her anguish, Seeing Christ in torment languish, Bitter sorrow pierced her heart. With what pain and desolation, With what noble resignation, Mary watched her dying Son. Ever-patient in her yearning Though her tear-filled eyes were burning, Mary gazed upon her Son.

Latin: Stabat Mater dolorósa Juxta Crucem lacrimósa, Dum pendébat Filius. Cujus ánimam geméntem, Contristátam et doléntem, Pertransivit gladius. O quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigéniti! Quae maerébat, et dolébat, Pia Mater, dum vidébat Nati poenas inclyti.