Treasure Your Babies

Mommas, treasure and love ❤️ your babies. 

Each and every moment. 

They grow up so fast and they are all gifts from God!

Gift of our Fathers

God our Father,

we give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.

We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation;

may they find courage and perseverance

to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.

We pray for fathers around the world

whose children are lost or suffering;

may they know that the God of compassion

walks with them in their sorrow.

We pray for men who are not fathers

but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.

We remember fathers, grandfather, and great grandfathers

who are no longer with us

but who live forever in our memory

and nourish us with their love. 

Amen.

(prayer found here)

Siblings and Friendship

Siblings make the best friends.

This is one huge lesson my mom taught me growing up. Although we went to school, we were with each other all the time outside of school. Our play dates and time outside of the home was rare. We *had* to learn to like each other. To love each other. To become each other’s best friend. The same has been true with this young crew of ours. Although they fight like all siblings do, they prefer mostly to be with each other. Home is where they are loved for who they are and they love to be here.

I can only hope and pray this closeness continues as the years go on. I am ever so thankful for my own sisters who are still my best friends today.

"The greatest gift you can give 
your child is another sibling."

-Pope Saint John Paul II

God bless all mothers!!

How cool is it that my mom and my husband's mom like each other and get along?  They both run the kitchen every other month on a full Saturday at a local retreat weekend for teenagers.  They prep, cook, and serve 3 meals that day and work so well side by side in the kitchen.  It's the sweetest thing.  As much as I like to go in to serve that community, I get even more enjoyment seeing my mother and mother-in-law laughing and chatting away, while serving God in such a special way.  So, for Mother's Day we got treat them to dinner.  Aren't they the cutest? 

I got to hang out with my crew on Mother's Day.  Spent lots of time outdoors.  Didn't have to cook a meal.  I got sweet handmade cards.  His and hers outdoor rocking chairs - one for me and one for the hubby.  Lots and lots of love!!  I am one blessed momma. 

And I had to wear my favorite shirt to show my love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  May she always interecede for us and bring us closer to her Son. 

Recital Weekend

This past weekend, we attended Ariel and Rose's gymnastics recitals.  They have been working so hard this year and it's been a great form of exercise.  It's so nice to see how much they have improved and all that they have learned. 

They both have the same teacher and we love her so much.  She does a great job and it's so nice to have a teacher who really cares!! 

Rose had her recital first....

Ariel had her recital in the evening...

++Thank you, God, for these beautiful girls who are doing a great job with this skill and exercising and taking care of their bodies at the same time!!++

St. Patrick's Day - 2018

All things green,

Leprechaun traps,

Corned Beef and Cabbage,

And a saint to help us remember what this day is all about!!!

++St. Patrick, ora pro nobis!++

A Dozen Years With You, Babe!!!!

On the eve of St. Patrick's Day twelve years ago, we welcomed our second baby girl into the world!  I never would have guessed how amazing she would become.  It's such a blessing to have daughters that are sweet and kind and so aware and helpful and just so in tune with what is going on all around you.  I'm just in awe at how blessed I am to have such great kids!!  We had a blast celebrating Ariel's birthday - started off with a fun breakfast of monkey bread, eggs and strawberries (she's known as our "Spunky Monkey"!).  Then I took Rose on up to our local homeschooling ice skating day, totally planned last minute and all by God!!!  It was rescheduled from a snowy February day when they had to cancel it.  So how perfect was that to land on our sweet girl's birthday?!!  ++thank you, God!!++  Then in the evening, I took my middle bunch to A Wrinkle In Time, since that's the read aloud we are currently reading.  Here's a peek at our wonderful day together...

**ICE SKATING FUN**

Melody gave the sweetest gift to Ariel for her birthday.... and that was by being such a good big sister to Rose (only 5 years old) and sticking close to her and helping her skate.  Melody knew that since it was Rose's first time ice skating, she would need a big sissy to help her out.  Wasn't that so sweet?!!  I love my big kids SO much!  They are the BEST helpers!!

**MOVIE NIGHT**

And I have to send out a huge shout out and thank you to my wonderful hubby, who stayed home with the littles the whole day since I was out running the town with the birthday girl to celebrate her special day.  Such a great daddy and husband!!  

++Thank you, God, for the last 12 years with our beautiful Ariel!  Please bless her abundantly over this next year and bring her even closer to You!++