Manic Monday

George spent the afternoon with Gia and Poppy a few Sundays ago and was determined to be a real cowboy. He would stop riding if his hat slipped and wait for someone to readjust this most crucial riding apparel.

By the end of the night he threw caution to the wind and rode his last ride without his hat.

Video courtesy of Paul Thomas.

Friday Photo Favorites

Enchanted Play

For just moments most years our little giving tree in the backyard displays the most magical play environment. The blossoms swirl and dance around the childrens' giggles and squeals of delight. I watched my little nymphs play and wished that I could bottle this moment forever. The picture does not come close to how beautiful the entire scene was. You'll just have to come next spring and play with us to experience it yourself!

The Life You're Living: Week 25

We tried something different this week. I asked you to put on your favorite shirt before we headed out on our typical walk around the neighborhood.

This is yours PT. You made it! Picked out the airplane patiently watched as I cut it out and set up the stencil and you painted it. You take such pride in your work and do a great job with it.

Paul Thomas you have also been blessed with your Funcle Matty's crazy hair, better that than no hair though.

This is yours Avery, nothing too remarkable, maybe you like sharks a lot? Well, you do, but that is not why this shirt is your favorite. No it's because you got to pick this shirt out and we bought it brand new at the store. You, like so many younger siblings, have so many hand-me-downs; what a rare treat to get to pick out a brand new shirt. 

Oh how I love you Avery!

Mary Colette, you ran and got your "abc..I love Papa shirt." Such a little Momma, couldn't take your picture without Baby Doll.

Oh how I love this Little Momma.

Well my sweet George, you didn't know which shirt you liked best. This is one of my favorites, you look so good in red!

 Looking Good Georgie!

To My Husband

8 Years ago today I married my best friend...Blah! Seriously, "my best friend"? Is that the best we can do to describe the spouse that our Divine Father orchestrated and planned for us?

Philip, my love, all of my words are shallow and cannot convey what my heart has been through these past 8 years with you. I will, however, not belittle our marriage to a "friendship" or "partnership." You cannot be my friend; I have many, and you are not one of them, you are more. You are not my partner; partner indicates two and leaves no room for what we are truly meant to aim for in our marriage, sanctity. Together we promised before God and with God to look after each other, pray for one another and walk the path of sanctity together with God. We cannot be partners as this is not a fifty-fifty type of deal. We are husband and wife and it is time that those titles get put back on the proper shelf where they belong. It is time that those words hold the weight they once held.

Therefore, My Husband, it has been my honor to be married to you. To watch you become a father has been my greatest privilege. My heart swells when I hear the boys use, "Uh-huh, Daddy said!" as the definitive end to a dispute. And I could watch all day as your little girl showers you in goodbyes and kisses every morning or as our baby melts into your arms every evening. You are a remarkable father who cherishes your children. You never ask for time to yourself and selflessly help on the weekends, even when the wreck that is our home is not caused by you at all. As your project list grows so does your patiences as you always seem to know when to ask me what I would like done. You challenge me to be better without saying a word, watching you without hesitation or excuse take which ever child-- sometimes all--with you to confession amazes me. Thank you for being the example... I need to get myself back there too.

You have always quietly supported me, you have learned to listen when I just need to vent and to hold me when the day is long. When I have no self-confidence at all you look at me with desire still and tell me I am beautiful. Philip, without you our family has no direction. You have kept us on course, and though we have wandered from state to state and town to town you keep our family grounded in our faith. You have led and set an example for all of us to follow. It was your faith that I found most attractive 11 years ago when I was trying my best not to love you "in that way" and it is your faith still that makes my heart swoon. I am honored to be on this path with you and honored to pray for your soul in the way only a wife can and I am honored to rear our children with you. My Husband, I love you and I am beyond giddy to welcome another year and another child into our lives.

Friday Photo Favorites

Cousins are the best!

This is my favorite!

The Life You're Living: Week 24

Beautiful weather has us spending almost every waking moment outside! Fruncle Matty sent his old walkie-talkies to you boys so we are constantly hearing, "Avery, Avery! Can you hear me?!" "Yes, I can hear you!"

I think every boy needs a set of walkie-talkies, it just a part of growing up, like frogs and pocket knives.

One cool cat!

Watch what I can do!

 George, you discovered Ginger today! How serious you took riding and would only ride if you had your hat on. Someone had to be close by too adjust your hat if it slid to far down, so that you could continue riding off to into the sunset.

Friday Photo Favorites

How to make my heart melt?

Take a Daddy and add a cuddly baby. 

Personhood?

 Overheard at a dinner in Springfield as we were making our way to Fruncle Matty's ordination.

PT, "Avery, what kind of person would you want to be?"

Avery, looking a bit confused as it is a kind of perplexing inquiry, "Ummm....I don't know."

PT, with pride and enthusiasm, "Well, I would be a Texan."

Before any other words were spoken Avery jumps in, "Yeah, I would be a Texan too." 

And that is all that is needed, Texans! That's who we'll be!

The Life You're Living: Week 23

Pranksters!

We were in charge of Gia and Poppy's house while they were in Rome so, naturally, we introduced you all how to set up a good prank. Just for laughs. You all helped out with setting up an animal party in their house.

Mary Colette you have been such a delight lately.

Baby Doll has been hanging around a lot more lately, even asking for her "own" applesauce.

Every morning you fling your tiny arms around your Daddy's neck for a kiss good bye and greet him in the afternoon with a huge hug and kiss. It is beyond sweet to watch this special interaction between you two. Daddy will be your first love and you with always be his Little Lady.

George, you just keep doing your thing. You know being a boy, playing outside, loving life, smiling so sweetly, being my baby and making us laugh.

Friday Photo Favorites

Oh how she/we love our Fruncle Matty!

The Life You're Living: Week 22

We got back from Illinois just in time to celebrate your birthday Paul Thomas.

Can you really be 7? It seems so old. It is hard to believe that 7 years ago we were holding you for the first time. I will never forget the rush of love and awe I had in becoming your mother. For the first time I knew that I had found my place, motherhood is what I was called to. Paul Thomas, you have taught me more in 7 seven than the entire rest of my life combine. What an honor and privilege to be your mother. 

Your birthday was a bit of a let down, because I was just to exhausted to make a cake in time and our usual guest were busy in Roma celebrating their son's ordination. 

You did get to pick out a new bike. You shot up this past spring and were in need a new set of wheels.

Avery, you are probably PT's biggest fan. Thank you for celebrating his birthday with as much enthusiasm as you could.

Oh My Little Lady, this is a sight I couldn't believe. After our trip a nice layer of dirt settled over our entire house, I sent you all outside so I could sweep and mop the entire house. I found you knocking on the back door like this. Thank goodness you could not open the door yourself! I took a much need chocolate break before hoseing you down!

First taste of frozen yogurt and you're hooked. Birthdays are beginning to be a huge hit with you!

Blessings

I get asked all the time, usually when out with all my little ones, "How many do you have?"

Sometimes its a confused voice, sometimes its disguised, sometime its in awe and sometimes longing. The number doesn't seem that large to me, just four. After all, four little ones seems so natural as both Philip and I had four kiddos in our families. To others, though, when I answer there is almost always a gasp and replies that range from, "Are you crazy; Your hands are full; Better you than me." and rarely the uplifting one: "What blessings!" 

After an encounter with a former classmate when I only had the babes with me and George was a mere three months old, we did the usually awkward chit chat and she asked how many. I foolishly responded "four". She went into her big long spiel about "two kids, that was it, a boy and a girl no more. How could anyone afford more and why would you want more brats". Yes, she said that. I quickly made my escape and was stunned as I look down at me baby boy sleeping in the stroller: to her he should not exist. 

When did we start planning the miracle of life? When we start pre-ordering our family?

As my baby sighed and stretched all I could think is, "you are not number 4, you are George Vianney, whom God created and entrusted to us for a short period. You are the sweetest baby, everything anyone would want a baby to be."

That was when I made the effort to answer the "how many" question with, "Paul Thomas, Avery, Mary Colette and George." They are people, not tally marks.

So as we name our blessings instead of counting them, we will be thinking of one more name this coming December. God has entrusted us with one more life and the weight of this responsibility has not been taken lightly. 

Philip and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to be freely open to God's gift of life in our family. So there is the answer to probably the most irritating question out there. No, after this little one arrives, we are not "done." We pray we will never be "done" with following God's will and allowing Him to bless us.