Nature Walk Garden Party
“After a long day, I steal a few minutes outside with my camera. All alone. [With children all around me.] Even though I don’t live in a cabin in the woods on a lake, I can find peace in nature right here, in the middle of the city, in the neighborhood, in the garden, barefoot…
Read More{pretty, happy, funny, real}
Baby Edition ~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~ {pretty} From my sister who was my best friend when we were children From my father-in-law I think that the flowers that I received from family and friends when Kieran was born are pretty. {happy} We are so happy to have a…
Read MoreBaby Observations
In the Hospital Patrick: “His toes are as small as carpenter ants.” Patrick: “Kieran can open his eyes.” Finnian: “He has eyes.” First Day Home Finnian: “Kieran has arms and legs. I thought new babies just had heads and bodies. The new babies at Mass are always in blankets. All you see are their heads.…
Read MoreFirst Holy Communion
On Sunday, May 6, Patrick was delighted to receive his First Holy Communion. With Theresa’s and my help, he had been patiently preparing at home since September and in our parish’s First Communion class since January. As the day got closer, we used Preparing for My First Holy Communion and Patrick carefully contemplated what he would offer to…
Read MoreSpring Violin Recital
Bernadette participated in her second spring violin recital on Friday, May 11. She played “Two Guitars”, a Russian gypsy folk song. Photo credit goes to the father of the violin teacher
Read MoreBaptism
On Mary’s day, the first Saturday in May, after Patrick’s First Confession, Mass, and his First Holy Communion practice, our pastor baptized Kieran. Much to my joy, Kieran’s baptism was followed by our pastor consecrating him to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May Our Blessed Mother always protect and watch over Kieran! Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that…
Read MoreFirst Confession
On Saturday, May 5, Patrick went to confession for the first time. After confessing his sins to Fr. Harkins, FSSP, Patrick said to me, “Mommy, I like going to confession. It is fun!” When we arrived home, he asked me, “Do I have to sin before I can go to confession again?” “As the Father…
Read MoreWelcome Kieran!
8 lbs 12 oz 21 inches Words cannot express how happy we are to have been blessed with a baby boy. If anyone had told me a year ago that I would be holding a baby in my arms in May, I don’t know if I would have believed them. Last August 13, our pastor…
Read MoreOur Blessed Mother will Always Help Us
I needed to read the following quote on Sanctus Simplicitus this morning: “Following her, you cannot go astray; praying to her, you cannot despair; thinking on her, you cannot err; in her hands, you cannot fall; under her protection, you have nothing to fear; under her guidance you cannot feel fatigued; under her patronage, you…
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