Holy Thursday

 In celebration of the last supper on Holy Thursday, we read the readings of the first Passover, last supper, and the washing of the feet. Then we broke bread and washed one another’s feet. I think David thinks I’m nuts, but he’s a good sport and the girls look forward to it. Since the Coronavirus keeps us at home, we then participated with Fr Ryan in mass via livestream. He does SO well with his homilies.  Happy triduum.

Message from a Miscarriage & Pregnancy Loss Support Group:

As 2016 comes to an end, many of you may find this time very difficult, as though you're leaving a part of you behind...
Your babies will always be part of you, they will always be remembered & they will always be loved.
I'd like to wish you all a gentle New Year & hope that 2017 brings love & smiles to each & every one of you ♡
Mel xo

Happy Thanksgiving

Lent Handout from Church

Happy Valentines Day

It was daddy-daughters day and they still remembered mama while they were out having fun eating at a restaurant & playing games @ the arcade. 

Ash Wednesday - And Lent 2016 Begins

Today is the 1st day of Lent.  I have learned through the years that what we choose to give up and/or take on is a very private matter.  At times I have been in groups where we took turns sharing what we were giving up, and other conversations where the person dodged the question.  Like I said, I let others share if they want, but I don't probe...anymore.

Father Chuck gave everyone a nail to keep with them.  We are to write down our Lent Intentions as a family on a piece of paper with a nail on it and hang them up around the church.  Whenever we are tempted to fall back into old habits, we are to reach into our pockets and hold onto the nail as a reminder what we are preparing our hearts for in the coming days.

I was asked a few weeks ago why Catholics give up anything, and why is it many times something trivial like salt, chocolate, snacking, swearing, social media, tv, etc.  I quickly prayed about it and asked God to put the correct words in my mouth.  "Many times we give something up that we use everyday, something we may be addicted to, so that it is a sacrifice.  Or, like swearing, giving something up that you feel separates you from God.  The reason?  So that every time we want or crave this sacrifice that we have given up we remind ourselves that we cannot be controlled by worldly things.  God is bigger and He is in control.  Also it reminds us to grab the nail in our pocket and thank Christ for what he has done/is about to do as we re-live Easter."  WOW...I couldn't have thought of that on my own.

Sure I could give up that Hawaiian vacation this year...that's big, but I wasn't going to go on one anyhow.  That's not a sacrifice.  Years ago our old priest said he gave up salt as he is guilty, like me, of pouring it on everything before even tasting the food.  Every time he wanted it, he'd pray.  God says to pray unceasingly.  What better way than praying every time you are given a reminder of some kind?  And, as a side note, he did try to cheat and go to McD's to order french fries to get his salt kick...and it just so happen that they didn't salt them! haha  Don't try to out smart God. ;)

Elizabeth's Pre-K Christmas Concert

Thanksgiving 2015

Yoga with grandma Candy. We spent the night. 

Pretty pies. 

Playing catch with Uncle James. 

Eating Bry's pie. 

The Thanksgiving piñata. 

Maki family comes to out home overnight!  Super fun. 

Talked to Grandma & Papa:

Fall Fun

Making pumpkin bread for our neighbors. 

First snow. Kids loved it. 

Candy corn toes for baby books. 

This year's pumpkin: ELSA!

Mommy turns 34...So Far, So Good

My hams playing dress up:

Nothing is sweeter than my family singing to me, and Felicity prepping to blow out my candles:

A good way to end the day in the library:

Happy (early) Birthday to Me

Hockey & boxing are my favorite sports. So when Dave got free tickets from a coworker, we got a babysitter, enjoyed some Chinese, hit up an Irish pub, then took in some hockey. Loved it!  Only thing better would have been if they won. Final score 2-3, but it was a fun game to watch.  (The girls had their first slumber party at their cousins.)

Happy Easter 2015

We celebrated Easter at Grandma & Grandpa's yesterday with the usual too-much-food meal, 180 egg hunt, & played w/ family, including picking up great grandma Peterson. Today was church, leftovers, and a swing on the new swing. David was cutting up fallen trees and working in the woods while the girls shared an easter bunny. Elizabeth broke it in 1/2 and Felicity gets the first pick, so she points to the bottom 1/2 and says "butt". 😄 Elizabeth gives her the top 1/2 anyways. What happened to fighting over the ears? Lol. It's a beautiful sun shiney day,~40*. A good day to celebrate our risen Lord. 

It's Beginning to Look a lot like ... Easter?

Record breaking temps for St Patrick's Week

Last Christmas of the year on New Years

These kiddos play so well together!

Being the youngest, Catriana goes first.

Waiting patiently. 

Catriana's puzzle. 

Aunties "helpers" scoping out her gift. 🎁

Unfortunately Troy got called into work and couldn't take part in the huge feast 🍗Heather provided, but fun was had by all! It was a great way to start 2015! 🎉

December 28th - taking the tree down

"Just hanging out in my diapers and slippers". Aka-casual Sunday. 

The tradition continues- looking at the Christmas tree from the bottom up. 

Christmas 2014