Frozen whiskers, Starting our new year 2018 with Mary, Excitement is in the air!

I have been getting some pictures from KC... they had a nerd of the year contest, and it looks like Simon won!  It looks like imagination and fun was shared by all, and that is a great way to end the year and to start 2018.  I am loving knowing that 3 of our girls are sharing some great times together in KC!

There is much excitement in the Schmidt family as they will have 2 weddings just a few months apart on both ends of the summer.  John is marrying Bobbi at the beginning of the summer, and Scot and Christina on Labor Day weekend at the end of summer. 

Over the check on the cattle after sharing New Years Day/Solemnity of Mary Mass... Whiskers were full of frost in the cold -15 weather. 


The introduction to mass caught me..."Mary is a model for all of us in her willingness to obey God, to prepare a place for Jesus in herself, and to be devoted to Christ throughout her life" and now in heaven there to assist us to follow this same pattern in our own lives, and finally to be forever in heaven with her, Jesus and all the Saints!

It looks like big Max was a hit for the kids... this is little Joy's first time visiting her cousins in KC and Aunt Hallel hasn't seen her since she was a newborn.  I am sure she has fallen in love with her sweet smiles


"And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart."  Luke 2  I really appreciated Father speaking about the times we take in silent and quiet meditation and reflection, and how that brings peace and better days to our lives.  So true!!!  I really love that hour or so of adoration I am blessed with most weeks and starting the day with morning prayer and ending it with evening and night prayer, and ,of course, my rosary/nap time in the middle of some days.  LOVE! 

Jesus, we love and adore you and love our precious time we are given through your Mother, Mary most Holy!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless all families this new year... may we share Faith one with the other, and gain the fruits of the Spirit... Peace, Joy, Love, and all!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke




Far from trying to understand or master the situation, Mary is the woman who can treasure, that is to say, protect and guard in her heart, the passage of God in the life of his people. Deep within, she had learned to listen to the heartbeat of her Son, and that in turn taught her, throughout her life, to discover God’s heartbeat in history. “
-Pope Francis

The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Holy Mother of God
“From Mary, the Church learns the meaning of the power of love, as revealed by God in the life of his beloved Son: “he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their heart... he has lifted up the lowly”.” (Lk 1:51-52) Pope Benedict XVI

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child....
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them. – Luke 2:16-21

The glorious Gospel/Jesus to us this day of giving his mother so much LOVE!

A unique year unto itself!  2018!!!