So many people have done so much work to contribute to this book – I have so many people to thank for getting to this point!  We will soon have a full book section here on the website, but I want to take this moment to thank all of our sidebar contributors, the team at Ave Maria Press, all of my online friends who contributed quotes, stories and moral support during the writing process, and especially my family who puts up with a crazy wife/mom/daughter/sister/auntie 24-7.

The book is now available for pre-order in the following places:

• The Catholic Company
• Aquinas and More
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

I hope you enjoy these photos and that you’ll consider purchasing the book for yourself or your favorite Catholic mom!

Call me a proud auntie, but I’ve got to say he’s one of the most precious kids I know!

To Infinity, And Beyond…

My nephews, Spiderman (Tyler) and Superman (Evan)

This morning, for the first time since 1994, I did not drive my kids to the first day of school. These two graciously allowed mom to continue our family tradition of standing in the back yard, holding a sign announcing the date and their grade. Eric decided to “suit up”, announcing his intentions to take this — his senior year — very seriously. Adam, on the other hand, went casual. I think the flip flops and sunglasses were a reaction to not having to wear a school uniform for the first time in nine years.

After the photos and a quick prayer, it was time for me to say goodbye.  I offered, one last time, to drive them – both kindly declined.  Before I knew it, they were off.

Adam - First Grade, 2001

Eric - Fourth Grade, 2001

This year will hold lots of new and exciting adventures for both of them.  There will be challenging classes, auditions and rehearsals, new friends for Adam and college apps for Eric.  They will face their tests and challenges, and their parents will too.  Today, it’s fun to sit back and ponder all the memories that will be made and the many lessons they will learn along the way.

For those of you sending little ones off to school for the first time or commencing your homeschool career, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

This particular museum has eluded us for the past few years.  Every time we’ve tried to visit, a line longer than those at Disneyland snaked outside the building, dissuading us from even trying to get in to the museum.  I guess the key is to go on a Tuesday in the middle of the afternoon.  Along with seeing the de Young’s fine collections, we were able to get some of the day’s last few tickets to the special exhibit. I have to say that the experience was well worth the price – the artifacts contained in the exhibit simply take your breath away.  Their condition is truly pristine and the exhibit’s arrangement leaves you with a tremendous sense of the magnitude of the archaeological find and the history of Tut’s time.

All in all, it was a gorgeous day in San Francisco with temperatures in the mid 80’s.  I so love spending days like this in Eric’s company.  His mind is so active – he filled four pages of notes during our day at the de Young.  Mind you, his note taking was simply for his own edification – he is going through a “Renaissance Man” phase and is loving anything having to do with the Arts these days.  As I watch him grow into a man and anticipate his 18th birthday in September, I’m filled with pride at what a fine person he has become.  We still have quite a year ahead of us, with college applications and major life decisions looming large.  But yesterday was a wonderful moment to pause and just enjoy one another’s company.  Here are a few photos of our day and the exhibit – enjoy!

– Post From My iPhone

Congratulations Adam! We are so proud of you!

Additional Photos

Eric Michael “Thomas Aquinas” Hendey, Bishop John T. Steinbock, Ms. Carlie Frye (sponsor)

Merry Christmas 2008 with love and prayers from the Hendey Family!
Greg, Lisa, Eric and Adam

We wish you a happy and peace filled Christmas
and a wonderful 2009!
May God richly bless you and your family
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Following his speech, which you can view here, the Governor took time to meet with those of us in the audience.  Somehow, I was in the front row and was able to actually spend a few moments speaking with him.  What did we talk about?  My son – I thanked him for coming and told him how proud I was of my son and his schoolmates for all of their hard work in school.  I contemplated some of the other things I could (or should…) have said to him, but as a Mom my first thoughts today were of Eric and how this experience is one he will remember for quite some time.

Eric is not visible in the video (he’s in the center of the back row and you can see his ear a few times), but I think some of his friends may have gotten a photo with him and Governor S.  If so, I’ll share that here soon.

Today’s civics moment is a reminder that regardless of whether or not we personally agree 100% with our elected officials, it is good to make the effort to see them if given the opportunity.  Eric is at Academic Decathlon practice now, so I haven’t been able to speak with him about his reaction to meeting “The Terminator”, but I am looking forward to having that conversation.  I’m also looking forward to Eric’s take on how he personally would fix the budget mess we have on our hands – knowing my son, I know he will have a thought or two on the subject!

Read the press release on today’s visit of Gov. Schwarzenegger to University High School.

This photo is a Catholic Mom’s desperate attempt to catch her eighth grade son in all his line-dancing glory!  Unfortunately, Adam’s moves were too smooth for me to capture with a camera, but the blur you see in the center of this photo was the evening’s best line dancer (not that I’m biased at all!)

Read more about our wonderful tradition of Christmas pageants over at Faith and Family Live! in my post today.  I would love to hear about the way your school or homeschooling group celebrates the Christmas season in song and celebration!