Special Guest Picture

I had to post this because I love it so much. No, it's not a photograph, and no, it's not even my own art.  My six year old daughter drew this picture, and every time I look at it, it warms my heart.  I love the baby in the arms of one of the ladies, and  the looks of the people who are singing at church, and the rosy cheeks on two people, and the one person who isn't quite asleep in bed.  I love that she drew hymnals.  Yes, go ahead and call this the "Mommy goggles" or  "Proud Mommy" post. 

Farewell Summer

What?  It's fall?  I love fall, but it just seems so soon.  Now I'm back to homeschooling, which means our days are no longer spent either outside all day or lounging in our pjs until after lunch.  Summer was fun. We visited a wild animal park, hiked, went to a winery, had family visit, went to a funeral (not that the funeral was "fun," but it was nice to see family and the military ceremony was beautiful), attended a puppet show, and my oldest learned to ride her bike without training wheels.  It's been a lively summer, and I can't wait to see what fall brings us.







Here are the older two on their first day of school.  Popper is starting first grade and Peanut is starting some kindergarten work, but I'm not pushing since she is not yet 5.

The weather has been amazingly mild this month, so my family and I have been taking advantage of it as much as we can.  Recently we went to the wild animal park, and we had more fun than we imagined we would.  We pet so many fun animals, fed animals, one of my daughters got to pet a fish that was living in the pond, we played on a pirate ship, jumped in a cow shaped moon bounce, and had a picnic.  It was probably our best day this summer.  My oldest girl looked so natural walking amongst the wild animals and feeding them.  All of my girls seem to have my love of animals, but my oldest one seems the most natural around them.  I wish we lived on a farm, and one of the reasons is because Popper just looks like she would take on the role of a farm girl so easily.  My youngest, who is the only one so far who has ever been afraid of animals, finally warmed up to them while at the animal park.  It warmed my heart to see her petting animals. 

Today we went to a friend's house and went on an almost 3 mile hike through the woods.  It was glorious!  We forged our own path!  My girls were excited to find all sorts of animal footprints, and picnicking in the deep woods was dreamy.  We need to go camping soon; we just worry that Thumper isn't quite ready for that yet. 

One butterfly picture was taken at the wild animal park, and the other was taken when we reached a meadow while hiking today.  I hope everyone else is having a dreamy end of summer.

First Communion

A few pictures from a few months ago.  I took these when my niece received her First Communion.







This summer has been moving like the speed of sound. My oldest turned six and lost her two teeth (they were quite loose, but I was completely surprised that she yanked them out herself), and my seventh wedding anniversary is just around the corner.  Where does the time go?  Now I find myself incredibly busy planning out what I'm going to do for homeschooling.  Hopefully there will be some spectacular sale to go along with the tax-free weekend.  My girls are going to be thrilled when I let them pick out their own lunch boxes and backpacks.  I can't wait to see what they choose.

I'm going to go take advantage of nap my youngest is taking.  I hope your summer has been filled with fun!

For Yvonne

My sweet neighbor has mentioned to me that she would like to see a picture of me every once in a while. My dear Yvonne, these are for you. Well, actually, these pictures were taken because I am in hardly any pictures, and I know my daughters are going to want to see pictures of their mother from "back in the day," so on Mother's Day, I insisted I have pictures taken of me with the girls. But, I am posting them here for Yvonne. ;)

Healing

My daughters are amazing. They don't know how much pain my husband and I are in right now, but they seem to know that I need more kisses and hugs. I've been very careful to not cry in front of them, but somehow...they know. I think our guardian angels must be speaking to one another and whispering hints into their ears. I'm so grateful for my girls. They snuggle with me, kiss me, hug me, and point out all the beauty that is around us. Just the other day, one of my girls show the tiniest little butterfly sitting on a small clover blossom. I don't know that I've ever seen such a small butterfly up close, so I had to get a picture.

Dear Lord, thank you for my family. You know what we need, and you always provide.

Trying to find comfort

Oh my Jesus, despite the deep night that is all around me and the dark clouds which hide the horizon, I know that the sun never goes out. O Lord, though I cannot comprehend You or understand Your ways, I nevertheless trust in Your mercy. If it is Your will, Lord, that I live always in such darkness, may You be blessed. I ask you only one thing, Jesus: do not allow me to offend You in any way. O my Jesus, You alone know the longings and sufferings of my heart. I am glad I can suffer for You, however little. When I feel that the suffering is more than I can bear, I take refuge in the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and I speak to Him in profound silence. -From the diary of St. Faustina