Spring Update

We've been busy and I've been good about staying off the computer as much as possible. Got a lot done! So here are some picture updates of what we've been doing...

We're almost finished with the new schoolroom. Here's a sneak peek!

We spent our last weekend together, before Tom began working weekends, at the Science Museum of MN. The kids just sat in awe during the Omni Theatre presentation of the Grand Canyon. Then we went on to EVERY exhibit available! What a special field trip. The nice thing is we got it all for just $2 a person.

How old are you?


Pump it up!

In the Grand Canyon!

Easter was such a lovely day here in Minnesota. A little breezy, but the sunshine helped us "feel" the season better. We spent the weekend at Melissa's parent's home.

With the sun shining in our faces, it was hard to take a decent picture... But here you can see the dresses I spent 4 days sewing for my little girls. Last summer I found this fabric for $2/yard which is a steal - and worked awesome for this pattern. Of course I "Melissa-fied" it. Stanley wanted me to sew him a little something too. I came up with a handkee, perfect for keeping that runny nose off his new shirt.

Melissa's dad is a Deacon and did a tremendous job singing and more at the Easter Vigil. The kids got antsy by hour number two, but we managed. It was a beautiful service, and surprising to see a long line of RCIA students. When 3 hours passed, we were glad to go over to the cookie reception and then off to bed.

I am now at almost 26 weeks along (6 mths) with our little Molly-Jonathan. We have another chance to determine gender on June 2nd, my next ultrasound. I've lost 11 pounds and holding, but my belly is definately rounding out and moving! We got another kicker.

I've filled my first powerade bottle full of over 100 needles from insulin shots and almost twice as many blood test strips. I really feel for those who suffer from Diabetes as a lifetime struggle. This is hard!

Mikayla got a haircut, because it's warm and she can't stand me brushing her hair. It sure is cute. Her face looks a LOT like me when I was little, and looks a bit like my mom when she was in her 20's with short brown hair. Mikayla is working on 4th Quarter 1st Grade Seton Home Study program, with a goal to be finished in May. She just LOVES to read!

Sabrina loves her time to play the piano. She's a lot like her Auntie Annie (also Godmother) who played in the same manner when she was this age.

Sabrina also insists on eating at the counter with the big kids, and walking instead of sliding down the stairs.

Thanks for sharing in our memories!

God Bless you and yours!

The 7 Year Itch

Happy 7th Anniversary Tom!

Today we celebrate 7 years of marriage, filled with joys and sorrows that have made us fall deeper in love and grow closer to Christ. I can certainly understand why some call this the seven year itch. In recent years, they've added a three year itch which I've seen affect marriages in our circle of acquaintences. It's during these years that we too seem to be tested with new challenges. We certainly have had our moments of agitation against each other. But what makes our love different than those who fail the test, is that including God in this Sacramental Marriage pulls us closer together instead of apart. Where some may give in or give up, we give of ourselves to each other. We "Let Go, and Let God" take the steering wheel for awhile. He always leads us to where we need to be, and we Trust that every day.

Sacramental Marriage, the kind found in the Catholic Church, is more than a wedding or a document. It's an outpouring of God's graces on every moment of our married life. It's ONLY by the grace of God that we've made it this far in our marriage, our lifestyle and in our own sanity. It's our faith in Him and in each other that keeps me confident that as long as we both shall live, we will be together and happy.

I can only wish this same happiness for you in your marraige. For more information on living a sacramental marriage, check out these links...

For Your Marriage: USCCB

World Wide Marriage Encounter

The Love Dare & Fireproof the Movie

ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS XI ON CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

Having a Catholic Wedding

God Bless you and yours!