Forever Friends

Yesterday we made a quick day trip to "Collegetown" and got to visit some of our friends from last year. We ended the trip by making a quick swing through a frozen custard drive-thru (SO glad I didn't know about that place till we moved away!). Reminder to self: do not buy chocolate frozen custard cones for children in the car! They were covered in chocolate from head to toe; I think custard melts in about 2 seconds! Unfortunately the events unfolded to quick for a camera!

We were part of a wonderful walking group of beautiful Christian ladies and their babies, here are all the (now) toddlers and Mary Clare the big girl:


The hosts have the coolest kid kitchen!


Then we were able to come home and welcome our dear friend Brother Nathanael Mary, who is a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, for a nice steak dinner! Br. Nathanael has spent several years serving in their mission in Honduras and will now head back to NYC to start his studies for the holy priesthood! Please pray for him and his fellow Brothers!

Ellie took a little while to warm up to Brother


But not Mary Clare! Here she is showing off her t-shirt from Qatar, a gift from her godmother (thanks again for the special package, Veronica!).


Can you believe Franciscan brothers even play dolls? Really, he is wonderful with children (he himself is from a huge family and has 17 nieces and nephews) and we have been blessed to get to see him on most of his visits home! Thanks for the visit, Brother!

To Grandmother's House (well, nursing home) We Go!

On Saturday the girls and I took a day trip with my parents and aunt (meeting other aunts and uncles along the way) to visit my grandmother. It was a long day, about 8 hours in the car, but wonderful to spend some time with the oldest member of our family. Here are some pictures, especially for my family waiting to see them...

My parents with the girls at lunch


Aunts and uncles


My mom and her siblings


Mom and Nana


Ellie having fun wearing my shoes around the nursing home


Ellie in Nana's lap


Mary Clare enjoying a candy cane with Uncle Ron


Four generations!

(And as a funny side note, my mom bribed Mary Clare to take this picture by offering a lollipop tomorrow. Mary Clare woke up this morning (tomorrow), went straight to the phone, called my mom, and asked what time she would be picking her up so she could go get her lollipop!)


And finally, a vido of how much fun we had at the nursing home. The Hokey Pokey had everyone laughing! The nurses were even wheeling other nursing home residents down the hall to watch our silly family!
(This video is long, a few seconds tells the story but I couldn't figure out how to cut it! Sorry to all the non-family members.)

The girl who changed my week

Monday was a long day. Mondays tend to be like that, especially when I'm home all day with no activities planned, and even more especially when we're on the down curve from a fun vacation weekend at the beach! My patience was wearing thin with the girls, and by the time Steven arrived home at close to 8:00 p.m. I was shaking and nearly in tears (when I don't eat every few hours I start to get shaky and overwhelmed). We didn't have anything to make for dinner, so I decided to run to the grocery store and get out of the house for a few minutes.

I attempted to hurry through the store, frustrated and still a bit shaky. I grabbed my important items and rushed to the checkout. Without even a glance at the young lady who walked around from the register to help unload my groceries to the conveyer, I was still in a frustrated, panic mode, ready to get home and put something in my stomach.

She must have noticed the agony on my face as she sweetly and somewhat hesitatingly asked, "So how was your weekend?" I was dumbstruck and turned to her, taking a few seconds to explain how we had a wonderful weekend at the beach, but Mondays tend to be hard for me with my two little ones. She was sympathetic and joyful and made me think about my own attitude.

We always talk about charity towards our neighbor. And in that instant, I was thankful for the charity of that sweet young lady. But I was also ashamed that I was not the one to first share a smile or a "thank you" or ask a question to that stranger because I was in a selfish mood. How many strangers do I encounter each day who might see the crucifix and Miraculous Medal around my neck? Have I been Christ-like to them? Did I leave some mark of charity when I left their presence?

This morning I was reading an inspirational letter. The words that hit my heart were these:
"Nothing fills my heart so much as to contemplate the figure of Christ and behold the irresistible power of attraction he exercises through the centuries. Christ yesterday, today, and forever. Christ always the same, the Lord of History."

Oh how I am attracted to people who exhibit that Christ-like appeal! Because I long for Christ. But do I know him? Do I spend enough time in prayer listening to him and falling more in love with him? Do I make the time to experience him in the sacraments, especially weekday mass, frequent confession, and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament? Do I spend time reading and contemplating the Gospel accounts of my Lord?

To all these right now I must answer no, and thereby understand why I am not able to share that charity with my neighbor, because I am not being filled with the charity of Christ. The priest's homily on Sunday (the Gospel being about sending laborers to the harvest) gave that exact message: we cannot give what we don't have ourselves.

May I (and all of us) make a deeper commitment to Christ, with the example of these words I also read this morning:
"May contemplating his figure during these holy days bring to your lips the noble cry of the centurion: "Surely this was the Son of God" (Mk 15:39), and provoke the kind of generous and honest commitment that will make you authentic and proud to belong to his Kingdom. Even humanly, you couldn't have chosen a better leader."

When the two year-old gets the camera...

You might find pictures of her feet:


A playdough cutting board with her feet:


A doll with her feet:


One little foot:


And even a doggie paw!

Have you ever been...

...the one who caused the pool to be shut down because of a leaky diaper? Well, that was me today. Ellie has never pooped in the pool or in a swim diaper, but I guess today was a first! I was helping her slide down the cute swan slide pictured below, only to see yucky things coming out of her diaper. Ahhh!



I'll spare you the details, but they included a lack of diaper wipes (a friend did have a few, thankfully!), no changing pad, no changing table, no paper towels, no dry clothing, nor a shower. We were forced to rinse in a small sink with the poor little lassie crying the whole time! Not to mention the big sister who was screaming and refusing to get out of the (still open) big pool with her friends. What an adventure!

I hope that was a first and a last, and I'll definitely be checking her swim diaper more often. Not sure if we'll go back to that pool anytime soon! At least both girls peacefully fell asleep on the drive home. I love a quiet house at naptime!

Down By the Bay...

What a fun weekend! Many thanks to the K famiy for inviting us to share this special weekend with them! We had a great time, minus the trip to the ER for Mary Clare for an infected bug bite on her head. Here's our weekend in pictures:

The road along the water in Rockport showed many beautiful homes and gorgeous leaning oak trees:


Ellie at the beach


Sandcastles


Burying friends (Mary Clare wanted to play funeral...eesh, too many deaths for a 4yr-old)


Feeding seagulls


Mary Clare's catch


Ellie reeling it in!


Ellie loved fishing!


Out to eat by the bay


1000 year-old oak tree!


Kids on the stairs


DQ on the way home!

15 weeks, Happy Heartbeat

I had myself all worked up again about my appointment this morning that there would be no heartbeat, etc etc. I brought the girls with me and they got to hear that sweet sound!

Only one month until we find out if the girls will have a baby sister or brother! I can't wait! But I'm already stressed about finding something wrong on the ultrasound. This pregnancy has been really difficult emotionally after miscarrying just a couple weeks before conceiving this baby. I hope I will feel more at peace as the weeks go by. The virtue of the year is TRUST. I'm not learning very well, though.

We were able to attend daily mass with my mom after my appointment. The girls did actually fairly well in the chapel! And now I'm supposed to be packing up for our little getaway to the beach with some friends. I'll be without internet all weekend...wow. A good chance to find some peace and quiet and enjoy some good family (and friend) time.

It's been raining in Texas for 40 days. I think it's time we get some sunshine, God ;)

See you on Monday...Well, probably Sunday night! Back to the suitcases...

An Auntie Again!

Just found out today that my brother (the one in the Navy) and wife are expecting their first baby in February! I'm so excited! We have 14 nieces and nephews on Steven's side so it's time we add on to my side :) Only hard part is that they live in California, so we won't get to see this little one much, but hopefully they'll be visiting a lot and we can make at least one trip out to the west coast.

If you're reading this...Congratulations, Brice and Allison! We'll be praying for a happy and healthy pregnancy and that Brice makes it back to the states soon! Wow, my little brother is a daddy!

4th of July Festivities

Happy Independence Day! We are very proud to be Americans! And my thoughts and prayers are with all those who help maintain our freedom, especially my brother Brice serving the US Navy overseas.

Mary Clare at the Patriotic Symphony on the 3rd


MC and Daddy at intermission


The girls watching the Symphony, it's getting dark!


Cousins watching the squirrels and birds in Grampatti and Bop-Bops' backyard today, a rainy 4th of July


Cousins playing and watching "Charlotte's Web"


And the firework finale in our area tonight (dry enough for the display)! Sorry you can see the reflections in the car windows...the girls aren't quite ready to watch from outside!


(Notice that MC realizes in the middle of the video that she missed seeing her triplet cousins today. They didn't get to take their first trip down the street because of the weather, hopefully soon! I'll leave you with an adorable recent picture of them, 7 months old...)

At the Ranch

Our little cowgirl


Steven checking out the cattle


And the newly discovered giant spider in the barn, our own Charlotte! (The girls have recently been enjoying Charlotte's Web, the book and the movie)


And lastly, a little video of Ellie in the truck talking about the ranch. She refused to get out, scared of the cows. But she did go back to the barn later with Steven, she was so excited to see the spider!

Mary Clare the Swimmer!

At her last lesson this week. Isn't she doing great?

Ellie's Mini-Ice Cream Adventure

After Melissa's adorable documentation of her daughter's first Happy Meal, I thought I'd share Ellie successfully eating a miniature ice cream cone from the same lovely fast food restaurant...Enjoy!

Latin Mass, Coming Soon!

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=52051

Looks like July 7th (07/07/07) is the big date for the release of the "motu proprio", which will allow use of the traditional Latin Mass worldwide!

I don't think I've ever been to a "Tridentine" Mass, but I do love the Novus Ordo (Ordinary Mass) said in Latin. I think it's really beautiful, and look forward to attending a Tridentine Mass in the future.

What I hope for most of all is for a unification with the groups in schism/separation with the Roman Catholic Church. I have several friends who are involved in groups such as the Society of St. Pius X, which exists in dispute of many of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. It truly pains me when I see evidence of our division at our different homeschool events.

So it is truly my prayer that this decree will bring these groups closer to communion with Rome. How exciting!

Aggies on EWTN!

(thanks for the reminder, Lillian!)
Click here to read about Aggies on Life on the Rock, but more importantly, a pro-life documentary called beingHUMAN, which will air tomorrow, Monday, at 5:30pm central on EWTN (a worldwide Catholic network, which airs in many cities and can also be watched streaming online here). Here is a description from the Coalition for Life's website about this amazing program:

The first episode, beingHUMAN: 40 Days for Life, is a call to action for the National 40 Days for Life that will occur this fall across the country from city to city. In the Fall of 2007, communities will be taking their faith to the streets to bring Christ's love to the sidewalks of abortion clinics for 40 days of prayer and fasting. National leaders, media outlets, and grassroots organizations are strategically organizing for this massive effort. One national leader stated, “This campaign could accomplish more in 40 days than one entire decade since Roe vs. Wade.”

Let's see if I can put clips here (the 2nd being one of our favorite priests from Aggieland!):

Update

Laundry has been sorted into piles (kid clothes, t-shirts, hanging clothes, undergarments and socks). We're getting somewhere, but we'll be gone all day so the piles will have to wait until I get home! TGIF!

Sleepless

Nah, not totally sleepless. Just a couple hours in the early morning where I don't feel quite right. A little snack and a good surfing on the internet gets me nice and tired enough to sleep a few more hours. I think it's a glitch with getting off the nighttime progesterone supplements. Although I'm still exhausted all day...

In other news...the laundry pile has gotten worse. It's a mountain that just can't be climbed at the moment. I'll get up the courage. Just not at 5:30am when a child sleeps in there (the master bedroom that is, where most 4 year-olds sleep!).

So, I've heard of kids that roll around in their sleep. But literally, Ellie is not happy unless she's rolling around the carpet of this computer room. There is a queen sized mattress on the floor with no one on it, more than enough room for a little 2 year-old! But she must be free, not only from the bed, but also from any clothing besides a diaper. Ah, the terrific twos!

One of her new favorite phrases is, "No talk, Mommy" (or no sing, no watch, etc) as she puts her finger on her mouth or my mouth. She likes to pretend to have her own "fwee yessa" with me when Mary Clare is in her swim lesson. But I cannot tell her to kick her legs. Nor can I watch her when she's concentrating on floating while holding the edge of the baby pool. She also doesn't care for me to sing during movies that she watches. I am so loved!

As far as car repairs, Orpah the Odyssey (our minivan) is still hospitalized. They cannot seem to find a reason for her transmission malfunctions. They're trying one last idea, we'll see if it works. I'm very doubtful. But we'll hopefully be rescued from our home imprisonment by my parents today. And we will have Steven's new truck to drive around this weekend if Orpah is not delivered back home.

That's about all the news here. I'll leave you with two pictures of Ellie the goggled-girl and Ellie the floor-sleeper. Have a great day, everyone! I'm headed back to sleep :) while my hardworking hubby heads off to work...I love you, honey!

My Little Fishies

I've always loved summer days at the pool and I'm glad the girls are as giddy as I am to jump into their wagon and walk down to the pool a few times a week! Yesterday, since our car is back in the shop and we're stranded at home, we even went to the pool TWICE! I remembered my camera the 2nd time...

Mary Clare ready for swim lesson


Ellie watching, with flip-flops of course


Yesterday the teacher had MC swim to her (instead of holding her while she kicked). She was instructed to kick hard enough to get your mommy wet. She did pretty good!


We'll see if the weather holds up for lessons today.
We'll see if I get the courage up to start conquering the laundry pile.
We'll see if I'm brave enough to post some more pics of my "problem areas"!
And we'll see if I get a chance to post a pic of Steven's new company truck. We are all SO excited! Especially since I'm carless this week, and this truck fits us all :)

Another Accountability Confession

This is my pile of CLEAN clothes that needs to be put away. I won't say it'll be done today since we've got swim lessons and dinner and still another load or two to wash. Hopefully tomorrow. This is why I liked Kristen's simple living ideas...we need less clothes!

Her First Swim Lesson

(hard to see the pics, but one she's on the left kicking on the steps, and the second one she's holding the teacher kicking while Ellie looks on)

I'm so proud of Mary Clare! She had been talking about going to swim lessons all summer. I wasn't sure if the timing or weather was going to actually work out so I didn't tell her until she woke up from her nap today. She got really scared and didn't want to go. Slowly we (the teacher and I) eased her into it, asking if she wanted to sit on the steps. As soon as she started she loved it! It will be a fun two weeks of lessons!