Quality Time

He asked to go to evening Mass with me. We went out for coffee and ice cream afterward.

"What do you want from your mom, bud," I asked at the suggestion of a recent talk I heard. "I want to spend time with you and dad," he responded. He is a really sweet kid.

 

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Sol Creeping

Big Brother had to be part of this moment. Sol crept from the living room to where I was working in the kitchen. I don't know what I would do without little boys trying to hang out with me always. ❤

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Weekend Phone Photo Dump

DH surprised me with a double date for Boch fest at the Phoenix Club. We danced together in public for the first time since maybe our wedding...

The food was surprisingly good and absolutely necessary with the boch sampling we had!

This reminded me of Miss Congeniality. And I'm sharing mostly for the braided beard in the bottom right.

Mom Squad. This one is Mr. Serious's class:

The big boys taught Mr. Serious how to do math worksheets:

The Firstborn's catch:

We discovered (at a Friday Farmer's Market) that passion fruit is eaten dried because the sweetness is released. Also, Mr. Serious earned himself a free croissant because the seller was amused by his mischievous ways. Nothing like reinforcement! The guy gets a pass, though, because he looked like Jesus. And we've come full circle... 😂💪

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Beautiful Things

From all eternity, God—who works with strength and gentleness—decided to give Mary the efficacious grace which would move her to consent freely and meritoriously. Just as he makes the trees to bear their blossoms, so he makes our wills to produce their free acts; and far from doing them any violence he is the author of their freedom, for that too is a reality, a form of being.

-Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, o.p.

I went to confession the Saturday before delivering Sol. I told the priest I had a very high-risk pregnancy and was going to deliver on Wednesday and I asked him to pray for me. He told me to reflect on how the Lord is calling me to make my fiat, keeping in mind it took a lot for Mary to get to hers. He said she "pondered in her heart" and from the heart comes the ability to do difficult things.

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Daddy Daughter Dance

They rolled out the red carpet for her. 

She danced like Officer Hopps, hung with one of her BFFs, and basked in the glory of being the only girl.

She said her favorite song was a "fast song" with the line "take my hand," which DH told me was Livin' on a Prayer. She is my soul mate! ❤

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"Help Me!"

He calls himself "the baby;" and we remind him that he is a big brother. He doesn't care as long as he gets attention.

 

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First Reconciliation

Today is loaded with treasures: St. Joseph's solemnity, which we celebrated with crepes and sausage and cookies and music, first confession for the Engineer, and a Daddy/Daughter dance. And I'm just realizing that Sweet Pea matches her father, LOL. So sweet.

 The Engineer was super brave. We watched from the back as he went into one confessional and walked out less than a minute later. The Firstborn was concerned, but immediately the teacher and rector calmed him. Then, he went to confession voluntarily. Later, I asked him what happened. He said he got nervous the first time and walked out without saying anything. I kept in my uproarious laughter. He has no idea how many times I've wanted to do that! Teehee. Now, half of us are regular penitents. We bought cannoli to celebrate.

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Michigan Trip

 

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Psalm 27

Wait for the Lord with courage;

be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.

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Psalm 73

How good God is to Israel,

to those who are pure of heart Yet my feet came close to stumbling,

my steps had almost slipped...

Yet I was always in your presence;

you were holding me by my right hand.

You will guide me by your counsel

and so you will lead me to glory.

What else have I in heaven but you?

Apart from you I want nothing on earth.

My body and my heart faint for you;

God is my possession for ever...

To be near God is my happiness.

 

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Ladies

We found this gem from one of our babysitters. Sweet Pea's favorite times are when she's watched by a big girl. The balance of power is restored temporarily.

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Morning Baby

This kid wakes up so well. He has an enormous smile and kicks his legs in joy for whomever greets him. Babies are amazing. This morning, while picking him up, I said with ridiculous enthusiasm, "You wake up so well!"

"That's only because he doesn't have a very busy schedule." The Engineer immediately pointed out that that was because he has an easy life! So here is our slacker 8-month-old. 😂

 

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Conversation Starters

Kids are great conversation starters. Today, one couple asked us if they were all boys (because they couldn't see the baby). They were frisky enough to hear, "and this isn't even all of them." Another woman said, "Aw, you have stair-step children like me!" It reminded me that this very intense, highly emotional life is bearing fruit, thanks be to God!

 

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Moments of Light

"Hey, Mom! We made you a surprise lunch."

"We tried to make it how you would like it with salad and chicken."

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When You Can't Stop Fighting

 You hold hands all the way home.

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Almost There

This kid is too much! 😂😍❤

 

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