Let Freedom Ring

The Fourth of July always provides the best setting for good pictures. The kids are tan, sweaty, the outside lighting is perfect, the colors of the Fourth are perfect, the colors of the different foods are vibrant, the flower bed are full and bright, and the kids are in a state of perfect happiness with no need to even say "Smile at the Camera."
They say Freedom is not Free. So true. With the increasing push to remove God from all parts of civilization we need to reflect upon what life was like in civilizations before Christianity began.
We spent the weekend at a family wedding in Kansas City. Upon arriving back in Lincoln, the neighborhoods were bursting full of epic warzones full of fireworks.
I love America's attitude on the Fourth. I feel it is the one day that the country unites and celebrates life and freedom together. We sat with friends for part of the evening. Upon returning home, we sat in our driveway and then rooftop to watch the skyline lined with color. May God Bless America.

Asking for prayers tonight...

This past weekend, we went to Kansas City for my cousin Peter's wedding.

Peter's new wife, Becca, had an amazing story. Two years ago, she had a kidney transplant. As I understood the story, her parents were going to give her their kidneys but when they went in for pre-op work found out that both her parents had cancer. It was a very tear-filled evening when her father spoke about Becca's strength and how she helped save their lives.

She received a kidney from another donor. It was beautiful to watch them at the wedding and so great to see her full of life.

I just received word that on their honeymoon in Florida she had to be life-watched because of kidney failure. Please pray for a miracle for her and for her new husband. Her parents are flying down to be with them. We are asking the intercession of Fr. Emil Kapaun.

Thank you and God Bless.

Overheard-Rose on Davy Crockett's wife

Rose: "Davy Crockett was a Christian."

me: "He was...how did you know that?

Rose: "He said, "Thou shall not kill."

me: "ohh."

Rose: I know how Polly Crockett, Davy Crockett's wife died.

me: "Oh yeah, how was that?"

Rose: "She was taken down by the fever."

Thoughts on the Casey Anthony trial in relationship to abortion

Rush Limbaugh: They Wouldn’t Care if Casey Anthony Had an Abortion
By Steve Ertelt

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio talk show host, focused in on what many pro-life Americans have been thinking in the wake of the decision by a jury to find Casey Anthony not guilty of killing her two-year-old daughter.

Limbaugh put forward the notion that many pro-abortion Americans wouldn’t be outraged about the verdict and about the death of Casey’s daughter if she had had an abortion instead.

“You know, what I don’t understand about it is they’re [the media] all card-carrying liberals. When does the death of a child bother them? I’ve never seen them get so upset over the death of a child,” Rush Limbaugh said about the Casey Anthony verdict in his monologue on Wednesday.

“If the child had died, what, two years earlier in the womb this woman would be a star. She’d be a hero. And folks, I don’t think that is a cliche to say. And I don’t think it is as cheap attempt at humor. I think that while it may be uncomfortable to hear—one of the reasons it is uncomfortable to hear is that there is an element of truth in it,” Limbaugh added. …

“You people in the media, if you really, really think she is guilty and you want to feel better about this just tell yourselves that she waited a couple of years to get an abortion and then you’ll feel better.”

“Abortion is brutal, [it’s] never characterized that way and the reason it is brutal is because there is an element of truth of it. I just wanted to put it out there. Pure and simple, nothing more.” (video of remarks here)

That’s a similar notion as what Mike Strain of Stand True said before the verdict.

How is it that we can obsess over the horror of the Casey Anthony trial and not see the parallels to abortion? There is national lament and outcry over the murder of a two year old, but thousands of unborn children are dismembered and thrown away every day through abortion, and our society turns a blind eye.

The inconsistency about infanticide is astounding. While still a senator, President Obama voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, which stated that if a baby survived an abortion, it was illegal to kill it. Our President apparently believes that infanticide is permissible if an abortion was the original intent. This quite obviously did not make a big political impact, and his appalling vote on this bill took a back seat to the economy and job creation. However, if a mother kills her two-year-old daughter there is an entire month worth of news describing every little detail.

I don’t mean to downplay tragedy of the Casey Anthony case, but I can’t help but notice the inconsistency of public reaction, and the similarity of rationale for the act of murder. Abortion is often labeled as simply a personal choice, while the rights of the unborn are invisible and never mentioned. The chilling remark of “I made the right decision….This is the happiest I’ve been in a long time” is shockingly similar to the rhetoric that is thrown around by the pro-choice movement. I also don’t mean to say that every woman who has an abortion is exactly like Casey Anthony.

I learned a lot tonight.

Holy Smokes. I've learned more from Youtube than I learned during my five years at college. Youtube has taught me how to braid hair, decorate cakes, make beautiful headbands, how to do the "soldier boy" dance, and how to build an addition onto our home. My children are always asking me how different things are made. I love these little field trips taken via the internet. They are going to go nuts watching these, and the 1,246,000 other tutorials Youtube has to offer.

Happy Birthday, America!

In searching for a picture that suits today, I cannot help but believe this is the essence of America. The RIGHT to LIFE. Meaning that each person conceived must have the RIGHT to LIVE.



No issue sparks more fire for me than the defense of human life namely the unborn. Their very being was brought about by no choice of their own. Their whole unborn, uterine life is in the hands of their mother carrying them in her womb. How defenseless and helpless are they to voice their opinion, their say as to their "choice" if they live or not.

In the book "The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God" I read this quote regarding human life. Best explanation I've come across on a philosophical level.

"Human rights are rights that pertain to us simply in virtue of the fact that we are human, not for any reason above and beyond that; the fundamental human right is the right to life, and so, if that right is denied, then ALL human rights are in effect denied; the thing growing in the mother's womb is surely alive (otherwise it would not need to be killed by abortion), and it is human; thus, to deny that the thing growing in the mother's womb has the right to life is to deny that anyone has any human rights whatsoever." ---Ruth Pakaluk

This paragraph could be broken down in a hundred different ways.

First, if the thing growing in the mother's womb is not ALIVE, it would not need to be killed. Right? So admitting that "it" is alive, is admitting that it is human.

If it is human, than that "human" has "human rights."

We live in America were "equality" is stressed across the board.

If you start denying rights to certain "humans", where will the line be drawn next? First, the unborn. Next, the eldery (Assisted Suicide). Then, what?

To my friend Christina:

It is the law of life, to know when to hold, know when to fold, know when to walk away, know when to run and know when to fight.

Just in case you are part of the -1% of the human race that has not seen this...

I know, I know this came out around 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but just in case you've not seen it or need to be reminded how good life is, Watch it again. So good every time. You have to watch the whole video to receive all its goodness.

Overheard-Rose's 5-year-old theology

Rose running into the house exasperated upon meeting the neighbor girl.

"Mom, Mom, Alex is a Christian!"

The next day same scene, same run.

"Alex doesn't know if she believes in the Eucharist." hmmm.

May Day 2011

I detest back blogging, but me and uploading current photos are not getting along so I've been putting off blogging because it is penance to recap old happs. To not be conquered by insubordinate cords, I will continue on.

We now revert to May Day. It was delightful. Holy Smokes. The equivalent emotion is Christmas Eve night. They are so very excited to deliver the May Day baskets, knock on the door, run away, and wonder for hours if they knew if it was us or not.

Zellie wouldn't knock on the door so she begged me to come.

Oh, Nelly. Run little legs run.

Rose was trying so hard to get away fast that she would lean to barely touch the door and then run.

Dominic running away from the Bishop's house.

We also participated in our third track meet. Always a lively event.

Since Rose was little, we always said "Rose loves to Run." She does. If I go to pick up our mail, Rose always asks to jump out of the car and run home. If John goes for a run, count Rose in. She loves to run. She was 110% adorable at the track meet. Her best event was the 200 meter dash. She started out in the third lane and by the 100 meter mark she is in the lead, pumping her little arms and John and I are cheering like complete idiots (of course, tearing up too). She looks over at us and smiles and keeps running.

Lillie loves the social side of track and field. So many little girls to meet, so little time.

Our big 11 month old. Let see...what is Clairvaux up to? She can say Papa. She points at everything as if she is saluting Hitler. She mouths the crucifix. I always say to her in my weird voice, holding her up to the crucifix "Oh, Jesus does love her. Give Him a smooch." She puts her little mouth on the crucifix and is overwhelmed with giddiness.

Avila Maria Niewald

My brother Andrew and his wife Maria welcomed their third child on Father's Day.

Avila Maria Niewald
6lbs. 13 oz.
19 inches
June 19, 2011
2:11 AM


Aren't we lovely. She is very welcomed by her siblings Nicholas and Christiana. This is the 18th grandchild on the Niewald side.

Swim Wear 2011

Whenever I am filling out paperwork at the doctor's office and it comes to the line where you put your allergies. I always put Swim Wear. I am allergic to swimming suits. Anybody else have this problem? It happens every time I put one on. I start sweating, hyperventilating, breathing deeply, sudden onset of chills...

All kidding aside, I found a few suits this year that I think are hypoallergenic.

From Shabby Apple

The Black One: The Amalfi

The Turquoise One: The Isola

The Red One: The Pomodoro

I was excited to find this long swim skirt. I thought it was elegant and modest. I found this at HydroChic. You can purchase the above tops from Shabby Apple and then I thought I would pair it with this skirt.

Welcome Michael Ambrose Blum!

Oh freshness! Mike and Mary welcomed a new addition to their family.

Michael Ambrose Blum! He is loved by his siblings Agnes, Anthony, Joseph, and Peter! WE are so glad you were born. Father said today in his homily that each child/person is unique and irreplaceable. So true. So true. There is only one Michael Ambrose Blum. We love you and can't wait to meet you.


Michael is the 23rd grandchild for the Boevers. We are eagerly awaiting Josh and Elisabeth's new baby, Andrew and Maria's new baby, and Catherine and Andy's new baby next year!

These two

It happens every time they turn two. I think because I'm focused on the newest child in our family they always turn their love and affections toward John. We will always remember Rose's tactics at that age. Her love for him was intense.

Vianney now occupies most of his time and loses it every time he leaves for work. It really is sweet, but he has to sneak out to avoid the meltdown.


He was taking her on his run. It wasn't an option for her NOT to go according to her. How could we say NO? She went and got her pink glasses.

I was leaving for my walk one morning thinking all the others members in the household were still sleeping. I look back to see her little self tucked right in next to John with her early morning reading materials placed ever so nicely so she can read while he sleeps.

Designing our Homeschool Classroom

My thoughts are occupied this summer with designing a classroom in our home for our upcoming school year. We've always schooled at the table, but the table is constantly filled and covered with books, etc., that I really want to have a designated school room.

I really like this shelving unit with baskets. Each child could have all their work in a basket and I would have no problem filling the rest. I also like the color of this room. This shelving unit can be found at IKEA, but we don't have an IKEA anywhere near us so if anybody is coming to Nebraska anytime soon and feels like bringing me one of these, I'll be your BFF.



I found this exact table from Pottery Barn on Craigslist last week although it is a different color (which I will paint), but still I clicked my little heels together three times. It also came with six chairs. I also like the idea of the long green boxes pictured on the shelves below for our board games. Board game boxes make me c.r.a.z.y. I really do love board games, but the organizing of them is sinful. So, if you have ideas, I would love to hear them.

I've been needing a chalkboard since we began homeschooling for the kids practice math problems and handwriting. I've always loved the idea of framing a chalkboard with a pretty frame. I've debated back and forth about painting a whole wall with chalkboard paint, but have heard various opinions. Any thoughts?


My friend, Renee (who just found out she is expecting someone new) showed me these maps from Cavallini Company. Oh my, are we in trouble.




She also showed me this site for more kid friendly maps.

I plan on filling one wall with maps, our timeline, and alphabet cards. I found these lovely vintage cards that would be fun for the kids. The cards were found at this Etsy shop.



I have enjoyed these Chart Tablets for memory work, poetry, and other randomness that we need to memorize.




Someday, we would love to have an entire room devoted solely to homeschooling, but for now these ideas will meet all my little fancies. I would love to hear your ideas or better yet see your ideas for your school room. I found this room at Mommy Matters to be quite charmando. I think the orange would hurt my ears after a day, but I love the way she displayed her books. She used gutters from a hardware store. Smarty pants. I think it would be fun to display the books outward according to the seasons, celebrations, and what not. Doesn't it want to make you go and start Kindergarten all over again?