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!++

Wordless Wednesday: Lady Enjoying the Outdoors

God bless Our New 15 Year Old

We have another driver in the house!!  Well, a driver-in-training, I mean... 

++St. Christopher, pray for us!!++

Mario turned 15 last month.  (He's the second of our February birthdays)  

As our kids get older, the celebrations become more simple.  Still a great reason to celebrate, but not the fanfare of big themed birthday parties.  They are growing up and it's just not the teenage-in-style thing to do.  So Neil took Mario out with some cousins and friends to go see one of the new Marvel movies and out to eat to celebrate, along with our own celebrations here at home and making the day all about him.  

++Thank you, Lord, for Mario!!  Please help him feel your love and presence all throughout the next year!!++

Double Digits Kiddo and a Minecraft Party

Our fifth young one, Max, turned ten last month!  He's officially in double digits!!  What a blessing he is - he's so calm and sweet and helpful and I can't say enough sweet things about him!!  I thank God for him every day! 

It's so much fun every year throwing our kids a fun themed party with their friends.  And it's always chosen around their interests and likes.  Our kids love playing and building and being creative while playing Minecraft, so it was no surprise that Max chose that as his theme for this year's party. 

*****FOOD*****

Cookies

Sticks (pretzels) 

Slime Balls (green grapes)

TNT (red licorice)

(not so) Raw Fish 

(fish sticks, which was perfect since the party was on a Friday)

Water (blue jello jigglers)

Carrots

Healing Potion (Gatorade)

                                     *****GAMES*****

Minecraft BINGO 

(you can find many free printable versions online, like the one I found)

Knock Over the Zombies

Minecraft on the Wii

++Thank you, Lord, for Max!!  Please help him feel your love and presence all throughout the next year!!++