Incredibly Sweet

Happy 1st Birthday, Veronica!
I don't know how you could be any more sweet.
We love you!

Top 5

After finding her this morning in her crib completely out of her pjs AND dirty diaper, both at her ankles with interesting consequences . . . the top 5 ways Rebecca made me smile today:

1. Taking her doll to the window & moving it's hand to wave bye-bye to Daddy this morning

2. An unexpected "eeze" (squeeze) & "Ub you" (Love you)

3. Coming out of their room with a sly grin & an armful of Andrew's underwear . . . just for fun

4. Asking to "hug" the phone when she found out I was talking to baby Jonathan

5. Seeing her with her sleeper on backwards in hopes that we don't have a repeat of last night!

Judy calls!

Andrew: "Guess who I am. I'm Ironman. Want to see my tools? Wait, I can't open my purse. Beep, beep! Sorry, Mom. Duty calls! NINETY EIGHT DUTY!"

That headband is actually a cowboy tie . . . multipurpose I guess. And purses, well, they're just handy for everyone. Ever since watching one specific firetruck video from the library, "duty" has been calling. It was funnier at first though when he was confused and would yell, "JUDY calls!"

To my goddaughters...

Ten years apart, both close to my heart. Enjoy your special day!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet little Macy! I can't believe how fast you are growing & changing. We are so happy to be a part of your life. God bless you always!

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We are so blest to have you as our goddaughter & niece. Thank you for all of the joy you bring into our lives. Know you are in our prayers everyday. We love you very much!

Take my advice...

never, ever, EVER play Battleship with a four year old . . . who has never played it before . . . who refuses help from you . . . and who has no one to help him but you at home.

I feel my hair turning gray...er.

Clive Staples?

I just finished reading El Viaje del Amanecer (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) by C. S. Lewis. What a great book! I've read it before...last year actually, but that was in English. I love reading fantasy books in Spanish. It was kind of interesting how much I didn't know...I don't care to read with a dictionary anymore. But it was pretty evident that words like bordo, proa, & velas had additional meanings related to ships. It's a fun challenge for me to see how much I can understand without knowing every word. Anyway, I'm excited to have another Spanish book in my brain.

I'm also reading Ignatius Catholic Study Bible's Acts of the Apostles, Benedict XVI encyclical Spe Salvi, and To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed. I especially like To Know Christ Jesus . I started it during Advent so it was a perfect fit talking about what the world would have been like when Jesus was about to be born. It kind of pulls together what we know about Jesus' life based on the Bible, writings of the Church Fathers, and general history of the time. It's pointed out some seemingly obvious things to me...like Jesus probably knew all of his apostles...maybe was even good friends with them...before he chose them. Growing up in a small town myself, I can't imagine that never really crossed my mind! I love books that help me make new connections. I highly recommend it!

Oh, yeah, and who names their kid Clive Staples? I'm thinking I'd probably go by C.S., too. What are you reading? How do you choose your next book?

Imagination

Andrew: "I'm a policeman and this is all my policeman stuff. I've got my keys (made out of Tinkertoys), my soap to squirt in the bad guys' eyes (a pretend eggplant), and my sausages to throw at them when they are naughty (pretend hotdogs in his shirt pocket.) Oh! My sausage fell out."

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On our walk home from a friend's house this morning, Andrew jumped off his bike, ran back about 5 steps, and anxiously picked up a small rock . . . then he threw it back down saying, "Oh. I thought that was gold."

Mmm...muffins

I am always drawn to baking when the weather is rainy or snowy...it just seems to brighten our home.

The kids love to help in the kitchen;

Andrew is more real help than Rebecca,

but both make it an extra fun experience.


On Monday, we embarked on a baking adventure for these awesome muffins.

I never thought that pumpkin and chocolate would be a good combo, but they were quickly devoured. Check out the recipe here.

Rebecca Marie

She's got style...

She's got "flair"...

She's got post-ponytail hair!

Bible Study Reflections #2

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is not one that I even remember hearing before, and I definitely haven't thought deeply about it before last night's discussion. They were among the earliest of Chrisitians who were all living in community at this time. This couple sold a piece of property, voluntarily gave the profits to the apostles claiming to have given all, but secretly kept back some of the proceeds.

But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?...You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died.
- Acts 5:3-5

Then it goes on to tell how his wife Sapphira knew about it, lied to the apostles when questioned, and fell down dead next to him! Woah. Talk about justice. We came to the conclusion that it was such a severe punishment because of their hypocrisy . . . after just separating themselves from the often hypocritical Pharasies . . . they were going to start to poison the whole bunch. "No way," said God . . . not in so many words.

"I hope I'm not the gangrene that needs to be cut out!"
~ Quote of the night ~ Sarah

It made me reflect upon always having purity of intention. Why do I do what I do? To be a good example? To show others how "holy" I am? Just because it's part of my routine? Or truly because I love Jesus with my whole heart? I need to remind myself of it constantly.

Lord, help me to give of myself freely and love you more genuinely everyday.

Birthdays, birthdays, everywhere!

Happy Birthday today to my darling niece Maria!

You are such a sweet girl to watch grow.

We love you, Mia!
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Happy BirthDA...to you, too, Sr. Mary Catherine!

I'm so thankful for all the fun memories, prayer support, & loving friendship God has given me with you. I'm so grateful that you have such a wonderful community at the School Sisters of Christ the King. God bless you today!

Simple Joys

Simple but oh-so-helpful joys on a way-too-early-started dark & rainy morning:

1. snuggling into a warm new hoodie fresh out of the dryer
2. except for early morning coughs, we seem healthy
3. the invention of easily WASHABLE markers
4. friendly daisies on my counter...for almost 4 weeks!
5. a little acorn shaped plaque from my Grandma's that reads:
"Don't worry if your work is small and your rewards are few.
Remember that the mighty oak was once a NUT like you."

That kind of sums it up. Thank you, Jesus, for today!

Happy Birthday, big sis! =]

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Happy Birthday tomorrow, Melissa! =] You are such a loving sister, fantastic friend, and wonderful example of motherhood to me. I'm so thankful to have you in my life . . . in our family's life. May God bless you with many more footloose & fancy-free years! ; )

This is my first try at these slideshows . . . hope it works!

How does that mind work?

Rebecca: Peppa, peas?
(TRANSLATION=Can I have a pretend red pepper to play with, please?)

Andrew: Well, I'm not gonna share because they taste like teeth. And teeth are made out of scissors. And scissors are poky. And only I can eat 'em because I have Ironman teeth. They're too dangerous for you, Rebecca.

I have been blest...

One special blessing is Monday night Bible Study. We've been meeting for six years! I've come to deeply love and respect everyone of these special women. I always leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for the week. Each week I learn something new about our faith and usually about myself, too. This is my first of *hopefully* weekly posts on what I take away from it.

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And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk. " And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

~Acts 3:2-8

Being the first healing miracle of the apostles in the Bible, it really had me thinking... How did he know it was going to work? Had he done this before but it's just not written down? Did he just hope that it would? What if it wouldn't have? Looking at it from my feeble faith, I ask these kinds of questions. More likely he was so full of true unfaltering faith that the thought never crossed Peter's mind. If Jesus told him he could heal, he could heal. That simple. What incredible faith!

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So often I feel overwhelmed by what God has called me to do. When I try to do it by myself, it's very hard to not totally lose it with the kids or not get completely discouraged by the amount of jobs on my "list". Of course I'm overwhelmed! I need to pray everyday for that amazing gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me. He knows what He's doing a lot better than I do!

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After discussing it, I also realized that He HAS given me an amazing gift...loyalty.

1. I believe what the Church teaches without exception. I may not always understand right away why I believe it, but I can find out...and I do. The answer is always attainable when guided by Truth.

2. I know that I will be married to Darren for the rest of our lives. We've entered a lifelong commitment. The thought of divorce never even crosses my mind. It's so sad to think that in our world today, that is not often the case. I can't imagine how different our marriage would be if there were that fear. I'm forever grateful for the wonderful man that God has chosen for me and who is willing to take on the incredible challenge of helping get me to Heaven.

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Lord, help me to remember and appreciate these gifts that You have given to me!

Cleaning Up

After I finished my cereal this morning, Rebecca came over & grabbed my bowl. She tiptoed it over to the sink & threw it in! (glad it was plastic) I love it when they just say to themselves, "Today I'm big enough to..." & do it. Maybe we'll start using all plastic dishes again so she can clear the table!

Smoothie Lovers

The favorite snack around here these days is definitely smoothies. I think the kids would have them five times a day if I let them. They're easy: frozen fruit, milk, banana, & vanilla yogurt.

We really only discovered them about a month ago at my friend Annie's suggestion. Her family's favorite is avocado...we haven't gotten that adventurous. My favorite is strawberry-pineapple. Are you a smoothie lover? Any tips on making them cheaper or extra yummy?

Minnesota

In the bathroom of the Union after the Walk for Life:

Andrew: Why does it smell like...Minnesota in here?

Mom: Minnesota? What does it smell like?

Andrew: Minnesota smells like shampoo.

That's much better than I thought he was going to say. I guess the little automatic air fresheners work!

Engineer?

Oh, the things that The Magic School Bus can inspire...

Andrew created this bridge completely without assistance. He really wanted gum drops, but colored marshmallows had to suffice. The ones violently sticking off the ends are "so cars don't run into it and break it". Makes me wonder if we have a little engineer on our hands! (I don't think they have a dress up costume for that..)

Frosty Fun

We enjoyed the last few flakes of snow yesterday...finally it was sticky enough to make something! Here's our snowmommy & snowboy. (Nice hair, huh?) And our newly decorated snowball tree. The neighbors were impressed.