United in The Eucharist! Attending 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass with 13 here, 8 in Washington, 7 in Delano, 12 in KC!

 Yes, we have two wonderful red haired grandchildren!  They are about a year and a half apart, and will probably be photographed many times  together over the years.  This was after mass shared as a family at the end of our most cherished 2 weeks of Maria coming for time with family in early July!

Sitting in mass today was amazing... we had Ruth and Paul ahead of us with their 6 and John and Bobbi behind us with Jude, who was shortly in grandpa Pat's arms and then Rose next to grandpa was getting smiled at and reached out to!

 Joy spent the night with grandpa and grandma while mom and dad were away at Teams of Our Lady.  Playing in the tub is part of her time.  It certainly must be so quiet to be here alone without the activity and noise level of 5 older siblings!

 Grandpa brushing his little Joy's hair after her bath.

After about 3 weeks that for one reason or another Pat and I have been alone at mass, being surrounded by family all around us was a great JOY today!  Sharing mass with the young and the old, and seeing the interchange going on with the helping Rose with the hymn as we passed our fingers along the line, or Jude jumping and smiling in John's arms and grandpa's arms and Rose's arms, watching Big Dave on the altar assisting the priest....Sharing our Faith with Family is the best way to begin this new week!

 After 4 girls... I had no idea that grandpa liked to brush girl's hair!

 Jude is a jumper and a happy boy!  It was hard to get him without some part of him moving!

This letter started mass today read by a CCW friend on this DCCW Sunday... my ears perked up when she read these amazing words from my St JPII!
"Parents have a grave obligation  to teach their children about God's love.  Since spousal Love is a visible sign of the love of God, the children learn about God through the loving relationship they see in their parents.  Children learn more by what their parents do than by what they say.  It is crucial that children see God's love in and through their parent's Christ-like love.
In a married couple's relationship, their Christ-like love for one another has no room for verbal or physical abuse.  Domestic violence is contrary to the 5th Commandment and the Church's teaching regarding the love that we should have for each other.  Spouses are called to their marriage covenant to give themselves to one another only in ways that truly benefit the other."

 A guy on the move and happy about it!

Such great readings today where Jesus heals and where the True God proves his presence in this world with healing after Naaman simply plunged into the river 7 times before Christ... The Truth is here!!!  Father's homily spoke of the simple ways the Lord reaches out to us in bread and wine becoming his Body and Blood given to us, Jesus in The Word, and The Teachings of The Church!

 On the move!!!  He got in his jumper for the first time yesterday and it was delightful for him we are told.  They will be here soon to watch the game and have some family time.  Maybe they will bring the jumper and we can giggle with him and at him!

 Joy and Jude are about 2 years apart!  Joy seems to be a baby lover...

 And then there is Big Dave, who was just serving as a altar boy... He loves his baby boy, Jude, as John is his Godfather and Bobbi his adopted Godmother.  But I tend to think that he is a baby lover just like his dad and grandpas!

Jude you will know your cousin Dave very well as he will hold you and hold you and hold you!

There is talk about trying to get Maria and her family here for some days over Christmas, and it is never an easy thing to bring the 8 in their family all this way.  But I also feel that there can be no price tag put on family time.

We only put one sink in our new bathroom just so that there would be a counter to change babies!  John changing Jude a few months back.  Tomorrow Jude will be hanging out with grandma here, so it might come into handy again.  How we love to have the little ones making our family larger and more and more LOVE with each one!  Yes, in my farmhouse I have 2 beach bathrooms!  My loss of my wonderful cabin on Lake Michigan is fills me with longing and sadness, so I love to enjoy my Beach Farm Bathrooms!

Jesus, we love you and may "we see the good in others most especially those close to us in our domestic Church/Family!" From Father today in his homily that really gave me a jab in the ribs!  I am kind of worried and down about some things with those close to me, and I really do need to look for the good and trust!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

A trip to KC with Nancy and maybe a farm kid or two in a few days are filling me with a lot of anticipation and excitement!  Real hugs are the best!

Danielle Rose explains - See you in the Eucharist

The song - See you in the Eucharist