First Baths and Second Horse Rides

In an effort to make life just a bit more efficient, we bathed to chillins together the other night. Here are a few photos.

Today at the OLQH carnival, John Paul rode a horse for the second time. That's two times more than David... seriously. What are my thoughts as I'm taking picture after picture of John Paul on this one horse for 4 whole laps? "He's getting too big!" Now that he's walking and talking a lot and sleeping through the night, I don't want him to grow up any more... stop it!

Claimed for Christ!

In the Catholic church, we are baptized as infants. I was taught that a major reason for this is because it shows us that God chooses us as His own before we EVER have that capacity to chose Him. It was also compared with His choosing Mary as the mother of Jesus before she had made the choice to say yes to being His mother.

On Sunday, Therese was baptized, and one thing the priest said before he anointed her with Chrism was "I claim you for Christ" and he made the sign of the cross on her forehead. Yes, I cried when he said that. Then he said, "This child is no longer yours" and proceeded to remind us that our children are gifts from God to love as He calls us to do and to bring them up in the way of faith. No easy task I'm seeing. We had a lot of friends and family there to experience this beautiful and very important sacrament in Therese's life. So, as we said after the baptism, "SHE'S IN!"

To my sister and her two girls.

Sarah, Madeline, and Anna Kate,

My sweet girls, I love you and I miss you more than you know (unless you miss us down here, which I would imagine that you might). What a glimpse into the past for us, Sarah, but also a glimpse into the future for your beautiful children. What a gift your love has been in my life.

I must also mention that our lives would not be the same without Joseph... ya know? Could your girls have a brother to dress us like a girl, to play house with and to make fun of and laugh at.. uh with, I meant with.

His name could be Samuel, or Gabriel, or Andrew. It could be squirrel man for all I care, just consider it, ok?

Easter pics...

I have two thoughts to share about this Easter and Holy Week- 1) There is still so much joy and grace that flows from participating in the services of Holy week, not to mention that God provides us with opportunities to share in the BOTH his crucifixion and His Resurrection even if it can't be the solemn and contemplative experience that it used to be before we had children... and 2) Holidays WEAR ME OUT!!! (in a good way)

This week...

One day at a time... you know.