Santa Barbara Visit

This last weekend we drove down to Santa Barbara for an overnighter. My mom volunteered to have Colette come stay with them for a few days so we would not have to carry two babies over sand and such.

I was a little despite at this point and aloud Emily to indulged in some bread as we waited for lunch to be served. She was delighted in experiencing the difference of texture and slobbered on it for quite a while. I'm sure she would like it if someone offered it to her again but I'm just not ready in having her indulge with solid food yet.

Joseph and Gerard were fascinated with this small shark here.





We walk onto the beach just to feel the sand between out toes, as it was a chilly day. As you see though the boys didn't stay dry very long and we ended up letting them take their pant off to fully enjoy running from the waves.

Splash at the Beach

At the beach I splash and splash
In the water I dash and dash
In the sun or in the rain,
No matter what I play and play

By J.B.

What better thing to do on a cold day but to eat ice cream! Cotton Candy and Sherbet! Surprisingly I thought the Cotton Candy was pretty good, for a Cotton Candy flavor that is.

Sibling Kiss in the Womb

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. ~ Jeremiah 1:5

I just had to post this picture and link. A precious look at the awesomeness of life at its most vulnerable stage in development. “

“God’s love does not distinguish between the infant in the mother’s womb or the child or the youth or the adult or the older person. In each one God sees His image and likeness. Human life is a manifestation of God and His glory.”
~ Pope Benedict XVI ~

A Comparative Look at Our Sweet Girl

Our Baby is growing so fast. It’s always amazing to me how much they grow during the first 12 months of life that they are with us. What incredible treasures babies are! I am realizing that for every baby I’ve had, I only become more and more amazed in the magnificence of babies. I truly believe that babies are a taste of heaven. That feeling a mother has of desperately loving her baby yet still craving more. It’s a feeling of wanting to absorb these heavenly gifts into our very souls.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. - Psalm 127:3

1 Week Old

5 1/2 Months

Little Cherubs Singing

Well, we figured out how to load a clip, ok my husband pretty much did it all. This was a part of our Christmas Concert a few weeks ago. We got quite a kick out of 2-year-old Colette taking part in the 4 and up group of cherubs. First row on the right.

My Saint For The year 2007 - Saints Cosmas and Damian

STS. COSMAS and DAMIAN were brothers, and born in Arabia, but studied the sciences in Syria, and became eminent for their skill in physic. Being Christians, and full of that holy temper of charity in which the spirit of our divine religion consists, they practised their profession with great application and wonderful success, but never took any fee. which led them to be nicknamed anargyroi or The Silverless. During the persecution under Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were arrested by order of the Prefect of Cilicia, one Lysias who is otherwise unknown, who ordered them under torture to recant. However, according to legend they stayed true to their faith through a series of gruesome tortures that did not harm them, and finally suffered execution by beheading. In Brazil, the twin saints are regarded as protectors of children, and the 27th of September is commemorated by giving children bags of candy with the saints' effigy printed on them.

Reflection.—We may sanctify our labor or industry, if actuated by the motive of charity toward others, even whilst we fulfil the obligation we owe to ourselves and our families of procuring an honest and necessary subsistence, which of itself is no less noble a virtue, if founded in motives equally pure and perfect.


Born: Arabic
Died: c.303
Canonized: Pre-Congregation

Patronage:
apothecaries, barbers, blind people, chemical industry, chemical manufacturers, doctors, druggists, hairdressers, hernias, midwives, physicians, pharmacists, relief from pestilence, surgeons

2007 Saint For the Year

In my hometown there is this devotion all our Catholic families partake in. It’s the practice of picking from a big bag of saint that have been writing down on slips of paper. Whichever Saint is picked is our special saint for the year. It is a lot of fun to do each year especially when you begin to see the connection between yourself and the saint that has choosing you.

St. Faustina actually did the same thing with her sisters I have learned. In her diary she writes.

“There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Year's Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year. In the morning during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past. But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that. When we came to refectory for breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons. When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my soul: ‘I am your patron. Read.’ I looked at once at the inscription and read, ‘Patron for the Year 1935 - the Most Blessed Eucharist.’ My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament, where I poured out my heart. But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule.” Excerpt from Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of St. Faustina"

In the past I’ve just had my mom pick out names for my family, since we did not live nearby anymore. But now I am thrilled to say I have a bag full of names as well. I’m hopeful that perhaps we can start the devotion in my own Catholic community. I believe it’s a wonderful way to start the year out right. The children love picking their saint and possibly learning about someone they haven’t heard of before. The Saint I picked or I guess I should say Saints were Sts. Cosmas & Damian. Our household will also be having The Prophet Elijah, St. Patrick, Sts. Joachim and Ann, St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori and St. Timothy as our families Saints for this Year.

Over at A Catholic Life Moneybags, as he likes to be called, is doing the same thing. He asks that people that would like to participate send their name or screenname, and a saint is picked at random to be their holy protector for the year. What a wonderful idea to spread the devotion, so I thought I would pass on the invitation to anyone who is interested. If anyone would like, I would gladly, prayerfully, pick out a Saint for those of you that want to partake in it or you can go through Moneybags site. He has a lovely blog, and I have been enjoying browsing through it.

Children's Christmas Concert

Well we finally had our Home School Christmas Concert this last Sunday. It had to be canceled on account of there being too much ice on the roads for drivers. Gerard and Colette participated in the Little Cherub choir. I have to say that it was a complete proud mother moment for me as I watched my own little cherubs. Although technical Colette is a tad young, (two) to be in the choir, she is not speaking entirely understandable, as of yet, she was aloud to participate in the evening’s event. She had always paid close attention at singing practice and followed all the hand movements as best she could that our Choir Director, and my Aunt, said she could take part. As soon as I figure out how, I will post a little video clip. In the meantime here are a few pictures.



Our Little Cherubs



Colette taking a wee break




Grandma Peggy with her Great-Grandchild Emily.




Gerard and Joseph. Joseph (right) did not partake in the singing this year. He told me that he just did not like people looking at him. I was pleased that he could articulate that so I decided that I wouldn’t push it.


My little girl 5 month old. :)

Catholic Devotion Meme

I’m excited because Michelle tagged me. My first one and what a lovely one it is.


1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus?
The Divine Mercy and the Sacred Heart Prayer



2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer?
The Rosary but I love the Memorare and the Angelus very much.



3. Do you wear a scapular or medal?
I try to always wear the scapular and I have a St. Benedict and Miraculous medal that I wear.

4. Do you have holy water in your home?
Yes! We have a holy water font by the front door but it sure evaporates fast. We do have a big bottle of it though on me dresser.

5. Do you ‘offer up’ your sufferings?
Yes - I offer this up for your love, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'”

6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays?
Sadly we do not have Saturday Morning Mass but I do try to go on First Fridays.

7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration?
We only have Adoration on First Fridays here so I don’t go that often I’m regretful to say.



8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or Sunday morning Mass person?
8:00 Sunday Morning

9. Do you say prayers at mealtime?
Lol, Yes, and sometimes the children insist on before dessert as well.

10. Favorite Saint(s)?
Oh my there are so many.
St. Maria Faustina
St. Padre Pio
St. Gerard
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Mother Teresa and future saint: Pope John Paul II to name a few.


11. Can you recite the Apostles Creed by heart?
Yes

12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day?
Yes - J.M.J I love you, save souls. I say this every morning as well. “We wish to gain all the indulgences attached to the prayers we shall say and to all the good works we shall perform this day. Amen”

13. Where is your favorite place to pray?
Oh gosh if only I had a favorite place. At the moment its where ever I happen to have the chance. I find that when I'm nursing the baby is a good time.

14. Bonus Question: When you pass by an automobile accident or other serious mishap, do you say a quick prayer for the folks involved?
Yes