Borrowed this from Nancy's picture blog and it says so much about these two, who are almost 2 years apart... you see the sweetness of their love coming through as they share family life in a happy moment amidst the ups and downs!
The next moment he grabs her a little too tight and she complains...
growing up in the midst of a growing family is an adventure I say. My memories of my nest years are warm and fuzzy, and probably distorted and more positive than in reality. The hard times were related to numerous losses including two stillbirths buried at the cemetery which I carried for 5 months.
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
Now the big sister choke hold...
Free and happy... #4 is a blessing and that will follow her through life for sure, but for now... it feels good to be able to be left alone from time to time!
The other month I was there visiting Nancy's family in KC. The family, including Pat and John, went to watch Gus in a soccer game. I was able to have some quiet time at home with just Josephine. She was so quiet and would peek a look at me from time to time, but she played with all the toys including pushing her dolly around in the stroller. Nancy said that she was probably just happy to have the toys all to herself with no one yanking them out of her hand! She was very content and easy to spend time with!
Just me and my toys!
Nancy wrote a wonderful post yesterday that brought tears to my eyes and JOY to my heart!
http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2017/11/because-being-open-to-life-means-being-open-to-life.html
Please take a few minutes to read her amazing words... it is not very long and so heartfelt and TRUE!
Visiting Our Lady Grotto in Pennsylvania where Bill's family lives. Nancy was just sharing how hard it is not to have grandparents close by to share milestones, things at school, and day to day life with. Yes!
Getting a little too close at the Grotto...
Saturdays are devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and with Nancy's wonderful words filling me with JOY and awe... I am led to reflect on how Mary said "Yes." to bringing LIFE into the world in her Son of God, Jesus Christ! With that in mind reflect on these words from Nancy's Post;
"And so, in late September we were spending an afternoon with The Little Sisters of the Lamb, the community of sisters and brothers my youngest sister belongs to. I told them we were expecting and, as explanation, I simply added, “it turns out that being open to life means actually being open to life.” I laughed a little, and my eyes burned with tears.
And they laughed, but it was a big hearty laugh, a laugh that sets your heart bouncing along with it. They clapped me on the back and shook their heads, delighted in my joke, I suppose.
Seeing my contorted face the boldest and loudest of the sisters grabbed my shoulder and asked, “Is that news to you, Nancy, that being open to life meanings actually being open to life? I thought that was pretty obvious.” And she laughed again, in that sweet, musical, ageless way of religious. I smiled too, as the tears slid down my face, and she hugged me."
This is so precious of Billy with his oldest girl, Bernadette at his childhood farm.
Nancy continues:
The truth of those words, that being open to life does actually mean being open to life, sunk deeply into me. Every day I have felt those words hanging from my heart, reminding me of what I profess to live. A life open to life.
Since before marriage I have vowed to be open to life, I have declared it…and yet in practice I was falling short. Sure, I’ll get pregnant, but in my time, thank you very much. Sure, we’ll have a big family but when we think it is time for a break, it is time for a break..."
#4 Jo Jo, who will soon be a big sister to #5! I will have to ask Hallel next week what it is like to be #4, or maybe I should just ask Pat, who was #6... I was #1 and eventually welcomed 10 more siblings! The Lord's amazing PLAN at work!
Forgive me, but this is just too good!
"Although my 5th pregnancy might confirm for others that NFP doesn’t work, I am here to tell you, after much prayer and tears, that the opposite is true.
This pregnancy confirms that NFP does work. It works exactly as it should.
Because NFP is not birth control.
NFP is acknowledging that I am not God.
NFP is remembering that intimacy in marriage is meant to create children, even if life is crazy and this isn’t the perfect time and not quite what we had planned.
NFP is sacrifice and accepting God’s plan and walking the best path for you, even if you don’t see it as that way right now.
NFP is welcoming and loving a beautiful soul that God knew you needed and, through His infinite love, He gave to you despite your efforts to walk another way.
NPF is leaving the door open to God and acknowledging that He knows better."
Yes! Our plans are not his and the mystery is what keeps us humble and grateful that He loves us and his plan is for our salvation and for our own good!
Maria warmed my heart with these sweet wax paper leaves which we did in the past as a family Saturday art project! She used it to display holy Cards of Saints on All Saints Day at a party they had!
Seeing the girls carry forth things from growing up/ "with a Catholic twist" fills me with happiness. But by far I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord that they are all carrying forth the Truths of our wonderful True Church!
Lord, I am beyond filled with such gratitude to your Spirit at work in the lives of our domestic Church/family! I sit at the feet of my daughters and grow in my own faith and journey of Faith/Family/Farm! Then to have your Mother, Mary Most Holy, with me with each moment and every step that I take down the narrow path! You are to wonderful and kind and loving and merciful towards me... may I return that to all that surround me! Jesus, I trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
A home filled with all the Saints! Today it is Blessed Solanus Casey's turn! Thank you, Blessed Solanus, for being part of John's healing from brain cancer 8 years ago this weekend!
Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
Such Truth!
so much inspiration to be the wind beneath our wings!
National Adoption Month
“In reality, there is only one Mass, one eternal Liturgy of the Eucharist, and it’s taking place in heaven all the time... We’re not merely attending Mass. We’re joining with all of heaven and earth in celebrating that one eternal liturgy!” — Vinny Flynn
Happy Beatification Day
Blessed Father Solanus Casey
1870-1957
Beatified: November 18, 2017
...
Father Solanus Casey was born in Wisconsin to a large Irish family, steeped in a strong Catholic faith. He was ordained in 1904 as a “Simplex” Capuchin priest because of his less than stellar, academic work. His first assignment was in Yonkers, N.Y. where he was a sacristan, doorkeeper, and porter. In 1924 he was assigned to St. Bonaventure in Detroit, MI. He was always open to the poor, sick and troubled souls. The prayer of “Thanks be to God” poured continually from his lips. “Love for God and neighbor” is another recurring theme of his writings along with obedience, trust, humility, and patience.
https://
Blessed Father Solanus Casey
1870-1957
Beatified: November 18, 2017
...
Father Solanus Casey was born in Wisconsin to a large Irish family, steeped in a strong Catholic faith. He was ordained in 1904 as a “Simplex” Capuchin priest because of his less than stellar, academic work. His first assignment was in Yonkers, N.Y. where he was a sacristan, doorkeeper, and porter. In 1924 he was assigned to St. Bonaventure in Detroit, MI. He was always open to the poor, sick and troubled souls. The prayer of “Thanks be to God” poured continually from his lips. “Love for God and neighbor” is another recurring theme of his writings along with obedience, trust, humility, and patience.
https://
Quotes of Father Solanus Casey
“Thank God ahead of time.”
“Religion is the science of our happy relationship with, and dependence on God and our neighbor.”
...
“Thank God ahead of time.”
“Religion is the science of our happy relationship with, and dependence on God and our neighbor.”
...
“Blessed be God in all His designs!”
“Gratitude is the first sign of a thinking, rational creature.”
“We want to be Christians – spouses of Jesus – risen and glorified of course, but without getting too near the cross.”
“Mary gave birth to Christ in a manger at Bethlehem – and to the rest of us thirty-three years later, under the cross at Calvary.”
“We must be faithful to the present Moment or we will frustrate the plan of God for our lives.”
The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose
“Gratitude is the first sign of a thinking, rational creature.”
“We want to be Christians – spouses of Jesus – risen and glorified of course, but without getting too near the cross.”
“Mary gave birth to Christ in a manger at Bethlehem – and to the rest of us thirty-three years later, under the cross at Calvary.”
“We must be faithful to the present Moment or we will frustrate the plan of God for our lives.”
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