Y'know...

We really don't post on this blog as much as we should. I really should try to update this more often, but when things come up I usually just write them on my blog. I suppose I could make this a monthly thing--what's been happening for us, as a family, generally.

If you want more to read, though, go see my blog. I was on a blogging craze last month!
renidemus.blogspot.com

California Visit!

Suffice to say, we had a wonderful time. Here are some links to my blog posts on the trip.

California Dreamin'

If I Had a Hammer

Thursday at Home

Baby Shower

Birthday Party!

Tea for Two

Monday, Monday

Our Visit to WA

We returned to Boston yesterday, sad to leave our family in Washington, but happy to be heading home. It's a strange feeling to be going "home" so far away from our loved ones, but that's the way it is, I suppose. It must have something to do with "leaving your father and mother" to be with the person you marry. (And while we're on that subject, I'd like to point out how revolutionary that statement in the book of Genesis is: "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife." That didn't happen with the ancient Israelites. The woman left her father and mother and clung to her husband's family. Depending on the circumstances, she might not see her family again after she's married. The son always stayed with his family. Anyway..)

I'll leave you with links to the recent posts on my blog about our trip. T can add his own comments later :)

We Made It!

Somewhere, Beyond the Sea...

"A wedding? I love weddings!"

Sunday at St. John Chrysostom's

St. John Chrysostom's Easter Homily

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

A Rattlebang Family

I'd like to add a short note on why our family blog is called "Rattlebang Family," especially since we're not yet a "family" in the numerical sense of the term, but just a couple. :)

One of Taylor's favorite books when he was younger was "The Rattlebang Picnic," the story of Jack and Marion MacTavish who, after they marry, are monetarily forced to decide between a large family and a nice car. They opt for the "middle-ground" by getting a so-so car and having a middle-sized family (seven kids: one of whom is named Taylor--the rascally-looking one). They go on a picnic in their rattlebang car to a volcanic mountain which erupts and from which they have to escape in their falling-apart ol' rattlebang.

We chose that name because we think our family might be a little like the Rattlebang Picnic--not falling apart like the car, of course, but full of love and determination to handle any situation, no matter how ridiculous or self-inflicted. We'll probably have rascally kids too :) Maybe one of them will be named Taylor!

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it! Also fun is The Seven Silly Eaters. Anyone who's ever tried to cook for their mother will get a kick out of it!

Missing the West Coast, the Coming Semester, Books to be Read

Good Morning Friends and Family,

As I am writing this, the sun is rising over the Sierra Nevadas into a clear blue sky, illuminating the mountains with a rich pink glow. The dry desert air is crisp and cold, soon to be warmed by the sun to sixty degrees or so. The earth is quiet save for a few rabbits skittling by, flicking sand into the air with their humorous hind legs.
This brief trip to Annie's parents in the Mojave really reminds us how much we miss the West Coast, it's mountains, weather, people, music, and scene. Not that we particularly dislike the East Coast, it is that we miss those elements that the West Coast has in abundance and the East Coast has a derth of. Certainly the music scene is better in Boston than in Seattle. Certainly I can toodle down the "B" Line and hear the world's foremost authorities on subjects wide and varied. Certainly having snow, bitter cold, lighthouses, the MFA, fall leaves, the Sox, the Pats, and all the awesome people we have met over the past few months is wonderful and joyful, but we miss the mountains, the creeks, the sand, the family, the laidbackness, the West Coastness of all that we have left behind, if only for a brief spell. I think this missing also plays into my latest post on Cupertino in talking about the elements of travel. Travel is only valuable if you have a loved place to leave behind. Our love is left behind, bringing into relief that much more the beauties we can enjoy in Boston.

This coming semester brings new classes, new schedules, and new endeavors. I'm taking two courses, one on Soren Kierkegaard, covering his major works and Insight taught by Patrick Byrne. The Insight course is one of my major reasons for coming to Boston College so I am rather excited about it. I'm also sitting in on 2-3 courses: Heidegger and Lonergan, von Balthasar, and maybe Modern Philosophy. I'm also taking Yoga again! This time at Back Bay Yoga... three times a week Ashtanga style. I'm planning on taking a teacher training course in the fall so I can teach Ashtanga at some point.

We're still trying to find a good dance place for Annie and I to continue our West Coast and Latin dancing. Hints are much appreciated.

I've been reading up a storm as I often do over breaks, GK Chesterton, Dietrich von Hildebrand (my new favorite being Transformation in Christ), Lewis, a few works on the MA reading list, poetry and the Harry Potters, for which I have a renewed respect.

Transformation in Christ is now a close second to the Silmarillion... and I'm not even finished. The book is a tour de force in combining the best of most of my favorite authors and philosophers in an existential format worthy of Augustine, Chesterton, and Boylan. I cannot recommend it enough. It is also very readable and accessible, unlike much in its genre.

All the best!