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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Holy Week Mission Countdown

5 days to go!

Door-to-door Holy Week Mission 2006


My little missionary


Mary Clare will get to go to the "Kids' Camp" this year while the adults are at formation time, and I'm heading up the nursery.


The parish passion play


Our Holy Week focus...Christ crucified...

(pictures by Jen at jenculotta.com)


I'm not sure if I've shared about the Holy Week Missions we'll be participating in. It's a beautiful ministry of the Regnum Christi Lay Movement of sharing our Faith with the neighbors of our city and beyond. There will be hundreds of youth and families heading to Houston next Wednesday to receive formation, visit neighborhoods, welcome residents to the Holy Week events at the local parish, and celebrate Holy Week in a truly evangelistic way!

Our first family mission was last Christmas '05 when we helped with the New Orleans relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. It was a beautiful experience. Last year I helped with promotions and the nursery during the Holy Week Mission here. This year I'm coordinating volunteers, host families, and the nursery again. I'm really enjoying this work, albeit very tiring, but all for God's glory! It was amazing to hear testimonies of people coming back to the Church and the Sacraments after many years away. I also think it's so neat to see Catholics going door-to-door!

This year we'll be hosting a family from out of state with five children ages 6 and under, plus another in-utero! We have a lot to do to ready our house and prepare for the mission. But we're also thrilled to be able to share our Holy Week with "strangers" and prepare our hearts for Christ at Easter!

HELD

a beautiful song for me to meditate on today...and maybe others who've experienced miscarriage too...I am truly being held...

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

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It’s unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred NUMB our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

Cowgirls and Puppy Love

Can I actually be called a cowgirl now? On Saturday Steven and I spent half an hour trying to coerce the cattle to jump into the trailer to take them to auction. It was a different experience for me, but I'll admit it was fun! I wish I had a picture of me with the stick trying to get those cattle in the trailer. Those of you who've known me a long time will laugh at the thought of Blair herding cattle :-) The picture above is Mary Clare watching them eat before we loaded them up and went to the auction.



My parents' little cocker pups now have their eyes opened and are crawling all around. They are SO cute! We'll see if I can convince Steven that maybe we need a "baby puppy" (as Ellie calls them) around here ;-)

Two Dates

Last night Steven and I were finally able to go out and celebrate his graduation at a nice and fancy restaurant, Trulucks. We started the evening with a few minutes of prayer at the church where my parents were married. Then we ventured over to the restaurant for a wonderful steak dinner + stone crabs for Steven! It sure makes you feel special when the waiter comes and takes the napkin off your lap to replace it with a new one in the middle of the meal :) But I guess that's what we were paying for! Afterwards we had a nice time just going to a bookstore and having some quiet time to browse through books and magazines without chasing after children! The girls had a fun time at their Aunt Jill's and got to visit with several of their cousins. Mary Clare even got to go have a peek at her triplet cousins through the window of their house...she was SO excited!

Tonight I had a date with Jesus. A beautiful Catholic musician and singer, Michael John Poirier, led a Holy Hour and concert at our parish. It was a wonderful time of prayer and healing for me. A time to really thank God the Father for the gift of little Augustine, and to offer this child back to him. The guitar and singing was just wonderful and relaxing. And it was great to see a few friends afterwards! Thanks to my sweet husband for watching the girls :-)

Two date nights with my two favorite men makes for one happy mommy!

Mary Clare Funnies

MC on the phone with my mom: "I just fell off the swing and got some dirt on my head. Just like everyone gets on Ash Sunday"
My mom: "Actually, I think you mean Ash Wednesday"
MC: "No, like they get on their heads on Ash Sunday!"
My mom: "Well, we have ashes on Ash Wednesday"
MC: "Maybe next year you can come to our church and get ashes on Ash Sunday!"

~~~

Ellie eating a little cup of pineapple tidbits: "Apple"
MC: "No, Ellie, those are pineapples. They're apples that grow on pine trees."

So, So Blessed

to be surrounded by such wonderful Christian friends and family. I can't even begin to thank all of you who have commented here, sent emails, made phone calls, and covered our little family in prayer. It is truly humbling. But it's also beautiful to see how just one little life who lived inside me only a few days is so precious and recognized by so many people. One little life that we will never meet here. One little life so small, but SO LOVED.

I mentioned below that the name we've chosen is Augustine Patrick. I had a strong feeling that this baby was a boy. Just a few days before finding out I was expecting, I sat behind a beautiful family with 2 little toddler boys. They were rambunctious, keeping the mother and father busy all through the mass while climbing under chairs and trying to sneak out of the chapel. I couldn't help but think how much I would love a little boy. And how crazy I must be, as I watched my little girls sit quietly through the mass (for the most part)!

Augustine of Hippo was the son of St. Monica and a pagan father (who converted on his death bed). He lived a wild life, but was an intellectual who finally came to conversion through the prayers of his mother and the sermons of St. Ambrose. He became a monk, priest, preacher, and bishop, and was declared one of only 33 "Doctors of the Church" because of his faith and his brilliant writings defending Catholic doctrine. I have found some of the most beautiful prayers composed by St. Augustine, which I'll share later, but here is one of his most famous lines which sums up the Christian faith...

"Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you."

St. Patrick's Day this year was a most joyous occasion as we shared the news of our pregnancy with our family and friends. Mary Clare was giddy with excitement and spent the rest of the day helping me with chores and commenting about the baby, "you can't lean over, you have a baby in your tummy!...I have to pick up because you have to rest...You can't have juice because you have to eat healthy!" We spent the afternoon with my parents and my visiting aunt, walking through an outdoor mall and eating a delicious dinner. It was a most memorable day! I also was awestruck by the beautiful St. Patrick's Breastplate prayer which I posted that day on the blog. The story is that Steven's middle name was almost Patrick, until his dad found out it was St. Joseph's feast day. And we have a very Irish last name, so Patrick fits well.

As it was during the time of my miscarriage of Agnes, I feel so loved by God right now and surrounded by his grace. Here are some of the things which made me smile this week:

Gorgeous roses from a sweet friend too far away:


I never buy this kind of cereal (Can you even call it cereal? Hope I'm not scandalizing you, Emily!), but since it was on sale, I went ahead and the girls have been so excited about this special breakfast (and lunch and dinner) treat!


Worms! Yesterday we made "worm farms" at the homeschool group's Nature Club.


And we keep finding cute little inchworms in the yard. It makes me thankful for all of God's littlest creations!


And PUPPIES! So sweet!




All thanks be to the Creator of Creation!

And I must edit to direct you all to the most beautiful reflection of family life in Alice's last two entries on Promises.

Adding Augustine Patrick

(editing this poem from the Loveliness of Babies Fair last fall to add our newest blessing, little saint Augustine Patrick)

Our Four Blessings
By Blair

On a sunny day in springtime
Here I ran to tell your daddy
Now a new life I was holding
God in all his goodness blessing
Then for many months we waited.



On a New Year’s Day in winter
Started many grueling hours
As you slowly came to meet us
We would name you Mary Clare.



Mary, like the Blessed Virgin
You will lead us to the Savior
Your sweet face will bring us laughter
Rosy cheeks so round and lovely
Little smile to melt all sadness
Like St. Clare you shine so brightly
Now our baby holds our heart.



On another day in winter
Now our toddler, she is growing
And we find there is another
But before we knew He made her
She was gone before we knew.

Now to dwell with saints and angels
Little Agnes God has chosen
Little lamb who lives with Jesus
The Good Shepherd holds you closely
You pray hard for us we know.

~~~

On a crispy day in Autumn
These new kicks I feel inside me
Doctor says you’re growing nicely
A third daughter now she tells us
And we grin to think of sisters
For a lifetime you’ll be friends.



On a lovely day in springtime
Here we meet our newest daughter
Sweet Elizabeth Ann Marie
Now her sister looks on proudly
And another smiles from heaven
God is good; our hearts are full.



Golden hair so soft and yellow
Light blue eyes as clear as blue skies
And your lips, a kiss from angels
Sister love and children playing
Adds a new joy to our family
A new wonder every day.



On St. Patrick's Day in springtime
We would tell our friends and family
A new baby we'd be holding
At Thanksgiving we'd be blessed
With a new sibling for our daughters
One was giddy with excitement
Prayers were answered we were sure.

An answer not what we expected
This new baby would be joining
His sweet sister now in Heaven
And our own hearts would be pierced.

Augustine Patrick we would name you
For those Bishops strong and faithful
Who led others to the One God
As I'm sure you'll lead us too.

~~~

As God-willing we keep growing
Each new life His goodness showing
How our God comes down to meet us
In His Son and in our children
New life always helps us see
Just how the loveliness of babies
Is a sign from Him to me.




(professional photos by Jen at Jen Culotta Photography)

Finding some smiles...

Daddy bought Mary Clare a new swing on Sunday, which helped her feel a little better. She wants to swing all day long! And thankfully she knows how to "pump" herself!


And yesterday my cousin was visiting from out of town with her two little girls. My mom came over too. That definitely brightened our day! Here is my cousin, her girls who are 6 and 2, my girls, and my mom on our way out to eat.


Thank you all so much for your prayers and condolences. It feels so good to know we are covered in prayer. This is our 2nd loss, I miscarried Agnes between Mary Clare and Ellie (almost exactly 3 yrs ago). But that time I didn't even know I was pregnant until I had miscarried. This time we had 3 days of pure excitement, filled with hope about this new life. I was graced with that hope, unlike Ellie's pregnancy where I was so worried about miscarriage. We will take it a day at a time and continue to pray that God might bless us with new life in the future.

I'm sorry to those of you who received an email link to the blog...you were supposed to be getting the exciting news of the "Bun in the Oven" post. But it was a baby nonetheless and we're glad to announce that life to you.

God bless you all on this first day of Spring!

St. Joseph, Pray for us!

Today is the Feast of St. Joseph. May he be an example to me of faith and trust in the Lord.

O Christ, king and lord, your foster father Saint Joseph provides me with an example of courage to serenely bear the weight of life’s crosses and difficulties. Help me to see the beauty of giving limitlessly and surrendering my life to you.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away,

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I'm pretty sure the baby is gone. Thank you so much for your prayers. It was a most joy-filled three days of hope, especially on St. Patrick's Day yesterday as we shared the happy news with our family and with you all. I am thankful to have held this new life inside me, and now must entrust this baby to the Lord. Please pray for our healing, especially Mary Clare who is most heartbroken :***(

Our Lenten journey continues...
In Jesus and Mary,
Blair and family

Bun in the Oven!

My new favorite food, both for breakfast and for sandwiches, is the frozen Ciabatta roll from HEB. You let it defrost for a few minutes, and then 10 minutes in the oven makes for the crunchiest, yummiest bread!

It brings me back to our pilgrimage to Rome. We stayed at a convent that had a bed and breakfast-type arrangement. In the morning we went downstairs to crunchy rolls with butter and coffee (well, water for me; I'm not a coffee drinker). Eating a crunchy Ciabatta roll with butter makes me remember the beautiful experience we had in Rome, visiting all the holy sites of Our Church, receiving the blessing of the late Pope John Paul II, and all the while enjoying it with 6 other newlywed friends from college. What a blessing!

I'm usually not a sandwich person, but with a little olive oil and some freshly sliced grilled or rotisserie chicken put in that bread and placed under the broiler...yum! And the girls don't like the crunch much, so I don't have to worry about sharing :)

And so, my dear friends...that is my way to have almost fresh bread these days! And if you thought that the title above might imply something else, and that I've been raving about this bread just to get you to the bottom of this post, you're right! A real bun-in-the-oven is due in mid November...yay! Mary Clare's prayers for a baby were answered :)

Please keep us and this new blessing in your prayers. Thank you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Amen

~~~~~

Can I just say that I love being Catholic! I've never read this prayer before, except the "Christ with me part", but isn't it beautiful? I wish my printer worked so I could have it with my in my prayer time each day!

I need to get a little more in the Irish spirit...we have a very Irish last name and lots of Irish heritage. Hmmm, what could I make and use some green food coloring? I think we'll be having beef fajitas for lunch; maybe I'll bake a cake. Or maybe I'll just get motivated enough to bake some bread like hubby has been requesting...and add a little green to it ;)

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

From Today's Gospel

"Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these."