New Blooms

The rosebush and live oak transplanted from my parents' yard have bloomed! So pretty!

High School Buddies

are having babies! My sweet friend in the middle had a baby shower this weekend. It's nice to see these ladies a couple times a year and catch up. I'm the only one with little girls so far! We can't wait to meet little Anthony!

What a loving shepherd

Today's Gospel, John 10:27-30

Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

He knows us! We follow him. He gives us eternal life and we shall never perish!
A beautiful image of the Shepherd calling us! We should recognize His voice (just as sheep know the voice of their shepherd) and follow after Him. Simple, a wonderful message for me today.

Sicky Sicky

Once again, looks like we might all have Strep Throat. We just can't stay well! I was hoping with the warmer weather and doing lots of resting the past couple weeks, that we were finally on the mend. Not yet. Please keep us in prayer. Thanks, friends.

Learning her phonics

(while looking at a box of "Club" crackers)

Mary Clare: Mommy, does "crackers" have a silent "B" in it?

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Ann Marie!

Our sweet Ellie turned 2 this weekend. How time flies! Where did my baby go? It seems like yesterday that Mary Clare was awaiting the birth of her little sister with such anticipation. Now she's trying to steal all her birthday presents! Really, they're the best of friends and I love watching their sisterly relationship grow. Aunt Jill generously hosted the party for Ellie and her cousin who is turning 3 next weekend. We all had a blast together since we hadn't seen the family in a few weeks. Thank you so much, Jill! Right now my big girl is asking for "More juice in your [my] cup...PWEEESE!" "Yay [thank] you, Mommy" she responds. So sweet!

Here are my favorite pics...


Showing she's "2" with her 2 index fingers!


Her very own cake, thanks to Aunt Michele!


Girl cousins having fun in the backyard


All the little cousins, minus the triplets and their big brother who was missing them and went home!


Mary Clare learns to play hopscotch!


Birthday girl with NeNe and PaPa


With Mommy and Daddy :)

More Puppy Pics

Ellie loves to try to hold the pups


Mary Clare does too


We had a special visit from Roxy and Gerardo, the "nearlyweds"! Gera and Steven worked hard all day at the ranch while the girls cuddled puppies and went shopping :)

Computer gliches

We have some electrical problems and an electrician who is *supposed* to be here at the moment. Our outlets don't work in half the house, but last night we figured out how to get the computer working at least! Ellie had a wonderful 2nd birthday on Sunday and I can't wait to share the pictures! I'm still a bit under the weather and trying to decide if another doctor visit is warranted.

Hopefully I'll have some more interesting posts soon...

She can talk!

Ellie is finally talking so that I can usually understand her! She will repeat most anything I say to her, especially when we pray...it's so sweet hearing her ask God to bless all the family members in her little voice! And it's so nice for her to finally be able to communicate, when she's hurt, when she wants something...I forgot how much easier it makes things!

Tonight I just couldn't get her to bed. The girls had napped probably 3 hours this afternoon, so after trying for over an hour to put her to bed, I gave up. I came into the computer room and she followed with her blankey and puppy dog. Then she disappeared for a few seconds. She came back in with a coloring book and two crayons! From the schoolroom across the house (in the dark)! It was so cute I let her color. And I got out the camera:



Yes, she turns 2 this weekend! And yes, she's started using the potty chair (all of 2 times)! Such a big girl! Now she's asleep on the floor next to me :)

Dragging...

The girls are well, Praise God. But Steven and I still have sinus issues and coughs. I'm thankful I'm not wiping any noses but my own though! And they're sleeping together through the night. This is a big step, and I'm anxious to find a bed they can both sleep in!

I haven't had energy to do much of anything this week. We're hoping to attend a Catholic homeschool conference and curriculum fair this weekend. I'm excited about that! Several friends will be visiting too! The weather is getting better, the rain and chill of the past couple weeks has really been depressing in the middle of April! Maybe we'll hit the park when the girls wake up from their naps.

This morning was a rough one, I was in the other room when Mary Clare announced that "The Baptism gown is broken!" "The Baptism Candle?", I responded, thinking she was confused. Sadly, it was the gown, not the candle, that met it's destruction in two little curious hands. She wanted to dress up her doll for the doll's baptism, then tried to fit her own arms through the sleeves. It didn't work :(




This is the 95 year-old gown of my late grandfather, worn by several family members as well as my girls. It was already in pretty bad shape, but I think now we'll just be salvaging what we can for a shadowbox and future Baptism/First Communion attire. I am sad and disappointed, but that's what I get when I try to get a few minutes of "me time" on the internet!

Also, I'm really sad about the VA Tech tragedy. It brought me back to the bonfire tragedy at Texas A&M when I was a student. It can really shake a university and a town! But this situation...is just so troubling...how can a person get to the point of such despair and rage to do something like this? God have mercy on his soul...and for his family. My prayers are also with all those other families who have lost loved ones, or have suffering loved ones. And the Holocaust survivor who was killed...what a hero.

If you could offer a little prayer for some friends who've undergone a huge amount of suffering, most recently being the 2nd trimester loss of their newest baby. Thank you all.

May we be filled with the joy of the Easter season, knowing that Christ has overcome death!

Easter Family Picture

Just got this from a friend. The missionary family on Easter morning!

Pottery Barn Concert

The Pottery Barn Kids store at our local mall is one of the girls' favorites. They have lots of fun toys out they can play with. Last week they had a cute kids' concert there and we met up with some homeschool friends.

"The Non-Toxic Band"


Mary Clare was more interested in the toys than the music!


Enjoying the concert?

Pups are 6 weeks!

And ready for new homes! We're going to miss them when they're all gone. We have so much fun playing with them over at my parents' house!

Ellie with my dad "PaPa"


Mary Clare dancing around the puppies


Cutie pup!


Holly the Mama

Too much cuteness!

I just had to show off the latest pic of my nephews. Are they cute or what?

Papal Blessing for the Missions!

One reason why it was such a beautiful experience! Translated below:


«Office of the Secretary of State
Vatican City, March 31, 2007

His Holiness cordially greets the members of the Regnum Christi Movement who are participating in the Holy Week evangelization missions. He invites you to contemplate the great mystery of the risen Christ, the foundation of our faith, in which we find a constant source of spiritual strength in order to tirelessly proclaim our Savior and faithfully serve the Gospel of life he has entrusted to us.

In these circumstances, the Pope encourages all of you to be witnesses of Gospel values in the various regions where you are working so that, renewing their Christian roots, they may day-by-day construct a society that is more worthy of man and for man, in keeping with his rights and open to full fraternal coexistence.

In this fervent hope and with the motherly protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, the Holy Father raises his prayer to the Lord that he will grant abundant gifts to those who have carried out these evangelization missions. The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI sends an apostolic blessing.

Tracisio Card. Bertone
Secretary of State of His Holiness»

Feeling better

each day. Thank you for your prayers. Hopefully this will be the last bout of "winter" illness, as the spring weather joins us once again in celebration of the Resurrected Lord! We are resting and preparing for whatever the Lord has in store for us next!

What we woke up to Easter morning, thanks to our visitors the D family :)


My girls at the Easter morning Mission Brunch and reception, with Charlene, a consecrated member of Regnum Christi and such a beautiful soul!

Strep again?

I think Ellie and I have strep throat again (had it in January). Hopefully we'll make it into the doctor (Tues) and get feeling back to normal very soon. Prayers appreciated!

EDITED...YES both girls have strep and Ellie has an ear infection too :( My test came out negative but they went ahead and gave me antibiotics since the girls both have it. I still feel pretty crummy. Thanks so much for your prayers. I thought we were finally over the winter illness hump, but alas, the mission nursery was full of germs.

He is Risen Indeed!

Alleluia, Alleluia!

I have been MIA for a few days, extremely busy day and night with the Holy Week Missions. It was a wonderful experience, as always. Thank you for your prayers. I know that many souls were touched, the souls of both the 350 missionaries and the people to whom they visited. Many were brought back to the Catholic Church and the Sacraments and many prayer requests from all people were lifted up. I'll write some more reflections this week but I'll leave you with some fun pictures. May you all enjoy this holiest of days with your own family and friends and may the Risen Christ reign in your hearts today and always!

My girls ready for mission, with a thumb and some water!


Ellie and me


Mary Clare enjoying some games with the other children


Evangelizing in the street!


Evangelizing in the rain!

My Sweet Girls

They had their picture taken last week at Portrait Innovations. Ellie was really camera shy and scared of the male photographer, but at least we got two good ones! Here are my little beauties wishing you all a Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter!

Amazing Guitar Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM6HH6wdgSQ

Steven and I have been watching this every day for the last week or two. It's called guitar tapping and is just amazing! I've never seen those kinds of sounds come from a guitar. Enjoy!

1 Day

Until the Holy Week Missions!
We are ready! House cleaning all week, bulk food-buying, and host family coordination is coming to a close and the real fun is about to begin!

Please offer a little prayer for those serving at the mission, those coming from out of town and for all those people whose doors we will knock on, that Christ might draw all of us closer to Him this Holy Week. Your Kingdom Come!

Rise and Shine!

And get ready for this Holy Week! And please excuse my horrible voice; the girls are so sweet though :)
(For some reason it cut off before the "finale", I'll try to fix it!)


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