Friday Photo Favorites

This Happened!

We have a teenager!!!!

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Snuggle Bugs

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Oh how I love patterns and numbers. Thank you Avila for being the perfecting our little family. 

Halloween-y

Two day's before Halloween and some little ones where expressing, continuously, our lack of Halloween preparedness. So a pumpkin for everyone and craving tools in hand these amazing kids (and Daddy) whipped out some pretty spectacular pumpkins. In 2 hours and 15 minutes we accomplished 7 jack-o-lanterns and dinner! 

Hello-ween

My Goodness, it's been awhile!

Life has been crazy-crazy good, crazy hard, crazy disheartening, crazy busy. 

Yes, I know, "This too shall pass." 

And, "In a few years all this will seem like a lifetime ago."

However, it's not a few years at the moment, at the moment it is right now and right now is crazy. 

With the new school year we took the bold approach to join two more co-ops making it a total of three. All day Tuesday and Wednesday are filled with wonderful classes and even better people and then once a month we meet for a really fun Geography co-op. All is so much fun, but really taxing on the daily home school schedule. Which translate into studies taking place up until 5:00 and then after dinner most nights and still not enough time. 

Whenever I complain about the lack of time two teachings ring in my ears. First when the sisters complained to St. Mother Teresa about lack of time and she replied with adding an hour of adoration to their schedule and the passage in the Screwtape Letters about how easy it is to make the temptee believe he is in charge of his day and forget the entire day is a gift from God. How quickly we plan and forget to be thankful. Unfortunately, even as I am reminded of these two prodding I still find myself in the same state at the end of day. I know an hour of adoration is not feasible at this point in my vocation, however a few moments of intentional prayer is.

Well, that was not exactly what I had planned on typing, actually I planned on typing very little and just sharing a few Halloween pictures, so onto the pictures...

 

Oldest and youngest

Averykin

Always the antagonist.

The long long time ago crew.

Our Little Angel

She wanted a blue princess dress to be a Blue Princess.

And finally the best dressed award this year goes to, Fly Ballerina Unikitty!

I did not get a group picture so maybe we can do it later. (That will never happen)

Today is an off day of school to celebrate my favorite feast day.

All You Holy Men and Women Pray for Us!

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Horsing Around

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What an honor. How blessed our children are having a Fruncle on each side.

At the end of May we witnessed Fr. Stephen Blaxton's ordination. How very, very blessed to be rearing our children in the midst of faith lived daily. 

I remember so keenly my older sister coming and staying with me the first eight days after being initiated into motherhood. Her gift of self was overwhelming and not fully recognized to the actual degree until later. She sat with me as I learned to navigate the ends and outs of early motherhood. Her sitting across from me as we both nursed our little ones was so very much like her bestowing her blessing on me, saying, "you can do this, it will be the hardest thing you will ever do, but you can do this. We traveled this road before and it will be traveled again, come along you are not alone in your vocation." 

As my brother is not Fr. Stephen's brother biologically, they are part of a bigger, deeper brotherhood of Christ. There have been priest before and there will be priest after these two, and they all will travel the vocational road all the same, and they are not alone. 

Introducing

Nox and Luna.

Yes, we have arrived at "what in the world" stage of life. They really are very sweet and also very happy to not spend anytime with us as well, in true cat fashion. They have made mornings so much more pleasant as most grumpiness is defused by cat cuddles. 

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Love these silly people.

Camping

We went camping this weekend for the first time as a family. It was camping in my books because our "Log-in" did not have running water, thus making late night bathroom trips an adventure. We carried our water around in "tin-cans",  and found lots and lots of "allergy" in the lake. Even with the rain most of the time it was such a wonderful experience with family and some really amazing friends.

This is one of those rare events where there was no pictures taken...just slowing down and enjoying life. 

Enjoy our Easter Picture instead.

Dying for Heaven

These two were doing what these two do best these days...wrestling, pestering, pushing boundaries with each other while trying not to get into trouble after Mass in the car. Avery through a giggly/slightly painful laugh, "No no, I don't want to die!" 

(Just the part I opened the door to hear; there was some sort of escalating fictional scenario happening.)

George from the back seat in all sincerity, "But Avery if you don't die then you can't go to Heaven."

Aren't we, as adults, so often focused on the wrong thing...death is not the end.

Grace Before Meals

Do you know why you pray before meals?

According to George, "If you sneak food before you pray then the food is moldy. So that is why you have to pray before you eat!"

Ballet

Just a little snippet of the girls' Ballet recital. 

Avery also had an art display. We are enjoying our Co-op so much. 

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We are still here!

Just busy.

We started our second year of Co-op and love it, so much better the second time around.

Paul Thomas is taking, Institute in Excellent in Writing, History Comes Alive and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 

Avery is taking, Institute in Excellent in Writing, History Comes Alive, Art and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd III.  

Mary Colette is taking, Ballet, Book Club, Cooking and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd II. 

George is taking P.E. and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd I.

Anastasia is taking, Ballet, P.E. and Catechesis of Good Shepherd I.

Eleanor is taking, too many snacks, Baby Ballet (twirling in the gym when no one is using it) and marching around like she owns the place. She is doted on by two very special big girls and she tells us frequently how much she loves them and how much they love her.

Bennett is not taking naps on Friday's, but is smiling and cooing at any and all. He is in arms all day and is otherwise being spoiled which is lovely because during the week he has a hard life of a sibling constantly loving on him and trying to make him laugh and growing up much too fast!

Everyone's favorite class is Catechesis! However all of the classes are so much fun. 

We have been living this for awhile now

Star Wars is very serious around here even for those that have never seen them. 

I saw you

Sunday was a busy day. We had company early and brunch to clean up and so much planning to do, planning for our new school year. As towers of books, tantalizing ideas and lofty hopes surround me most of the day, I want you to know that I saw you. I saw you on your speeder. I saw you in your race car. I saw you chase bad guys and I relished it all. 

You are exploding in growth lately, and I want you to know, I see you. Even when I am not able to etch out the time I want with you, I see you.

I am so proud of the big boy you are growing into and am so looking forward to our upcoming school year.

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The first thing Annie K noticed about Bennett, "Bennett has a sharp tongue."

The Boys!

Look at that pure happiness smile on George, big brother to a baby brother is just beyond words.

The Little Mommas, each in there own way.

My Seven

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Beginning of Co-op and the End of Co-op.

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First picture of all seven.

We welcomed Benedict 'Bennett' Philip on Sunday. 

Contrary to the picture Annie really is thrilled to have Bennett here and was the first to hold him. The hospital was just a bit overwhelming and seeing her Momma in an atypical state really caught the littles off guard. 

We are enjoying Bennett and the joy he brings.