first and last

First Day of School-Fall 2010

Last Day of School-Spring 2011

may crowning

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Leo was holding Mary's hand!  (I was too slow to get the shot, but too adorable to forget!)

My cousin made these beautiful mum cupcakes!

May Mary continue to reign as Queen of our hearts and our home!

lights out

I randomly woke up in the middle of the night, which is a rare occurrence, I love to sleep!
Jude asked, "What's wrong?"
Still half-asleep, I answered, "I am trying to figure out why it is so dark in here."
"Dear, you have the blinds closed and curtains covering the windows," came his patient reply.  "And it is 4 am!  That is why it is dark in here!"
To which I replied "Oh!" and went back to sleep.

abc saints

Inspired by this book:

and this post at Shower of Roses the creative and talented ladies of my bible study set out to make our own set.  We each made two saints for everyone.  Here are my contributions, Sacred Heart of Jesus and Thérèse, flanked by Rose and Ursula.

The boys have had a lot of fun playing with them, sorting them into various categories (by gender, clothing color, cause of death...) and in other play.  Here is one of Joseph's more creative endeavors, his name spelled out with the matching saint:

J(oseph) O(dilia) S(acred Heart) P(atrick with a little help from Zita for the curve) H(elen)

sundown

Going to bed while it was still daylight, Leo requested, "Can you turn off the sky?"

nicknames

Joseph reported with a pout that another student called him a name today.
-What did he call you?
-He called me Joe!

art

Here are Bob's Machines:

Alter-ego monster:

cooties

After my Aunt Dorothy's funeral reception, all the cousins were running around in the hall.  The boys were chasing the girls and Joseph was sweaty from the exertion.  Jude told him to come to the bathroom and wash up.  Joseph asked, "Are my hands dirty from touching the girls?"

so true!

Leo's hair was a bit matted so I felt it and asked, "What is in your hair?"
He replied, "Nothing."
I persisted, "I think that there is something sticky in your hair."
He gleefully declared, "The sticky thing is ME!!!"

special day

Since Joseph's birthday falls during the summer, we chose a random day to bring treats. Here he is with his teacher, pretending to be a dog. I made these yummy cocoa brownies from smitten kitchen after a great review from SouleMama-definitely double the batch!  I have made them with half carob powder rather than full cocoa and those are great too :)

the gift of service

Jude and the boys made these beautiful flower boxes as my mother's day present!  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a wife and mother!

egg-traordinary

Continuing the celebration with Jude's family!

egg-stra fun

 

 

old testament humor

After Leo deliberately dumped a full cup of water, right next to my bag of books, I was exasperated!  Joseph asked, "Should we sell him?"  To which Jude replied, "Bad idea Reuben," and suggesting that he has been reading Joseph and the Dreams too often!

final rest

The ground was frozen when we lost Nicholas, but today we were able to take his body to the farm so he could be buried with Michael and Gabriella.  May they rest in peace!

On a related note, our doctor has discovered that I have a clotting disorder that is commonly linked with miscarriages.  I am now on a baby aspirin a day.  We are also trying to improve my thyroid function in hopes that my body will be able to sustain our next pregnancy.  Please pray for us!

bl. jp2 we love you!