Mary Picture of the Day

photo credit: Robert :-)

Study Time

It's ridiculously cold and windy outside, so we have to try to put our inside time to good use. Here, Daniel is working on his latest story, Start of Cloud City.

Start 'em young! Here, Mary enjoys a little "tummy time" while helping Raechel study her encyclopedia.

But lest you think it is all fun and no games, allow Thomas to reassure you that they also get plenty of "Silly Time". God bless!

You look Mah-vlous Dahling!

They really did it.

The woodbox in the mudroom needed to be filled this morning. There is serious snow in the forecast, so I told the children to make sure they filled it completely. I'm not sure if they were being smart, but they sure did fill it! The top of the box is at the very bottom of the picture. Now the trick will be getting wood into the house without inadvertantly starting a game of "pick up sticks".

Our Weekend

We butchered our ram on Friday. I say "we" but actually, it was Chuck and our neighbor who did the deed. I guess you could call it a lesson in "homestead economics", but that's some expensive mutton and it better be good!

Chuck left for California today. I forget exactly where he'll be, but close to one of the major cities. After he left, the kids and I did some furious house cleaning. I hardly recognize the place, but I can take comfort in the fact that it never stays this clean for long and will be back to normal before I know it. ;-)

We had such a warm and beautiful day today. It was sunny, and the thermometer got up to about 34 degrees! I was actually outside in short sleeves today; I guess I'm acclimating to this northern climate pretty well! It is heartening to notice how much later the sunset is. We still have a few long months until spring, though.

God bless!

Brrr...

A Day of Prayer

Today we are watching live coverage of the March for Life on EWTN.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Mary is 4 months today!

Mary is also celebrating her 1/3 birthday today. I can't believe she is four months old already! I had a good opportunity to weigh her while the room was warm and she needed to be changed anyway. We have a hanging scale (the type they sell to weigh fish, actually) and I made a little sling so we could weigh the baby with it. Here she is getting ready for her weigh-in.

You are looking at 15.04 pounds of wiggly, happy Baby. Goodness, take a look at them thighs! As you can see, mother's milk really agrees with her. :-)

God bless!

How does it feel to be 33?

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Cuddling with a blanket and a buddy.

It's the only proper way to spend such a cold day!

Back Home!

I arrived back home safe and sound yesterday evening. I had a great trip, and it was wonderful to share such a special birthday with my friend. Unfortunately, I did not take one single picture the whole time I was there.

As much as I enjoyed my time away, I missed Chuck and the children, and I am so glad to be home!

Here I go...

Tomorrow is the big day!

The kids have helped me pack and Chuck has been giving me the rundown of airport security. (Surely they won't harrass a lady with a baby, will they?) We're pretty sure the weather will cooperate, and I'm getting a little more excited and a little less nervous.

Prayers for safe travel would be most appreciated. I will not have a computer with me, so this is good-bye for now!

God bless!

Three More Days

On Thursday I will be flying down to Alabama to celebrate my very dearest friend's 80th birthday.

It will be just Mary and me, on our own for five days.

It will be just Chuck and the kids and the animals, on their own for five days.

I'm trying not to worry.

We Three Kings

This brought back memories!

Happy Birthday, times two!

This weekend we are celebrating Raechel's 11th birthday (on the 5th) and Joseph's 6th birthday (today, the 6th). May God bless them both with grace, health, and joy in the coming year!

I love you both!

God bless!

Happy New Year!

It wasn't exactly a pleasant welcome to 2008. I had a head and stomach ache, so I went to bed early with the baby. Chuck and the children watched movies, and this year all of the older four children made it to midnight. (Thankfully I'm feeling much better already.)

We got a lot of snow today- at least six to eight inches. There will be a lot more by morning. Chuck and the kids made a sled today out of some old skis and other stuff from the garage. They should have plenty of opportunity to test it out!

Today is the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title Mother of God. Visit this Catholic Answers page to learn more about why the Catholic Church honors Mary in this way.

Today is also a day of prayer for peace. May the King of Peace rule this year in our hearts, in our homes, and in our world.

God bless!