"March 8 is a good day!"/Grandchild #17 is here!/"Keep my life, for I am devoted to you"

We were able to meet our new baby boy, Hector, yesterday and have some fake plans to head over there after grandma is done blogging... so probably a lot of pictures, because that is what makes me tic and then we will be heading for more special baby time and see mom looking even more wonderful today.

Mom this morning with her sweet bundle reporting that she had a good night with her baby boy!  She is thrilled at how healthy and ready to go he is!  This is the first time she has had the baby all to herself in her room since David!

With the news that Uncle John has been accepted into radiology school and such a happy healthy mom and baby... Therese said this true statement..."March 8th is a good day, indeed!"  Yes!  We all have a warm feeling and smile on our faces!  Our blessings are pouring down a 100 fold!

As I said many pictures... Dad, Romeo and Hector, is such a beautiful gift from above!  I love this verse from Psalm 86 today in mass..."Keep my life, for I am devoted to you"  We all LOVE you, O Lord, and know that you are in control of everything about our lives in you!

The heavens are rejoicing at the arrival of Hector into the arms of his loving family!

WE got this cutey from the farm - Rose with a newborn calf after helping grandpa pick out the cows that are close to having their calves.  New life all around us!  It is snowing again in Minnesota, so lots of prayers for our new born calves and cows about to have their calves!

A picture of peace and health and contentment!

A good look at grandchild #17  in my arms!  LOVE grows bigger with each new member of our family!  Many prayers for him since we knew he was in the womb...and each day forward!

Too adorable and happy!!!  Two sisters now have 4 brothers!

Big brother, David, adores his newest brother.

The loving finger hold...

The pediatricians came in and had the kids listen to his heart beat... all 5 of the kids!

So perfect in every way!  Thank you, Lord!

The two youngest older sibs gently meeting their brother...

Patrick's sweet smile and gentle touch!

Adoring family... we are excited to visit him again today and for them to come home soon.

Daddy leading us in the Stations of the Cross on a Friday night...  So powerful to share what Jesus did  for us, and how we found our salvation which allows us to die to self and follow after Him!  We are reminded today in the Gospel of the calling of St Matthew...how He calls us when we are weak and sinful to serve others with His Mercy and Forgiveness we have been given!


The 6 look pretty wonderful to this old grandma!
All gathered around their little Hector...

We all just gathered together to pray our family rosary for mom and Hector, the next baby we await - Bobbi and her baby Verly in a few weeks, we also prayed our rosary for the cows and the calves that are coming now in the wintry farm, and for all those poor souls in purgatory, and all those that are dying and have no one to pray for them.

Yes, Lord, how we need you and love you... we know that you keep our life, because we are devoted to you.  May we die to self so that you may live in us!  "Wounded I will not cease to love."  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

Bless-bless, Barb and growing family...

Jesus says to us..."I am here!" Isaiah 58/Welcome Hector Joseph!

Dad had just sent a picture of mom soon to have baby brother, so we sent him this picture after we said a "Hail Mary" for her and Hector.  All but little Dave...

It has been such an exciting morning here.

Before we could watch some shows to pass the time as we are now 4 weeks off school to welcome the new baby.  Lent time together doing the Jesus tree thanks to Nancy's Lenten booklet.  We than shared the rosary with an amazing Latin Hail Mary sung by the kids!  

We have received word that our newest little member has joined us... Hector Joseph is here!  Perfectly healthy and doing well along with his mom.  We all feel very close to Jesus at these special family times of welcoming a new little one that makes our love grow bigger!
9 Then you will cry for help and Yahweh will answer; you will call and he will say, 'I am here.'

Good news on two fronts today!  Our newest grandson is here, and John has been accepted into the next phase of his schooling!  So much happiness filling us with Faith,Hope and Charity (Love) which we asked for today when we prayed the rosary together!

Celebrating our happy day!

Evie jumping for Joy!!!  Grandma is tired and going to take advantage of this girl taking her nap to put my feet up!  Bless-bless, Barb and our growing family!

Welcome dear sweet boy.. we are longing to hold you and meet you.

Chose LIFE!!! "Take up your cross daily and follow me!"/A day getting ready for baby!

Returning to my nest years when I would wash my dishes by hand in the sink with little girl helpers... 2 year old, soon to be big sister, Evangeline Mary, loved putting on her apron and helping grandma wash dishes.  When I mentioned to her that I used to give her bubble sinks ... her response "no".  Obviously she has forgotten, and grandma might need to give her a reminder...

The readings for today are so wonderful!!!  I love the one from Deuteronomy 30 in which Moses gives us the choice between life and death..."Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. "Maria got me to confession this morning with her Catholic Women of the Chapel, and Father had me say a decade of the rosary for penance for my family... that they may choose LIFE and follow after HIM!

Almost a blue apron made by her sister, Therese... she loved it so much she wanted to wear it to child watch while her mom I did the Stations and went to confession!  Such a great start for Lent, and great to have the day to spend with Maria as we prepare for the baby's arrival in the morning!

My head is spinning and my heart is full... a short visit to my parents's home and the start of Lent on my dad's birthday on Ash Wednesday... sharing mass with my parents, then jumping in the car and soon to the airport thanks to Angela giving me a ride and keeping my car through the snow storms... thank you!  


Therese will be 11on the 15th!!!  She is such a dependable helper... we are discussing her menu for that day when both grandmas will be here!!!

Together we will do this!!!  Excitement is building as we are just hours away from the new arrival.  The Baptism is set for St Patrick's Day!  Lots to celebrate around here, but foremost we are loving that Lent is here and we are spending time together coming closer to Jesus and His Bride, The Church!  Jesus reminds us in the Gospel today that "daily" we need to take up our cross and follow Him!  By prayer, fasting, penance and sharing the Love, Mercy and Forgiveness we have been given one to the other!  It was so wonderful for Maria to get me to Reconciliation today... how I love when my children take me deeper!

2 year old Evangeline, will be a big sister tomorrow!  She calls me "Bumpa" in honor of her wonderful grandpa Pat, whom she loves and who spoils her with no holding back!

All the rosaries ready for family rosary time!

4 of the soon to be 6 meeting grandma, who arrived over night!

The flag and Our Lady show a family that loves Jesus and His Bride, The Church and His Mother!  Choosing LIFE with the welcoming of #6 tomorrow!  I now have my pass so that I can come and go with the kids and on errands for the next two weeks in Washington with my family!

This is what I saw outside the building this morning... about to bloom!!!  So crazy when we are buried under feet of snow with another foot predicted this weekend.  We Watched a new calf born in the barn this morning!  I could show the ladies from the group the newborn calf on my phone thanks to cow TV!

My dad got to share with me what he is doing in prayer these days... The Chaplet of Divine Mercy!  LOVE!

Jesus, I am humbled and filled to overflowing by your plan coming into view. As Maria said today there was some stress with having him on next Wednesday and that this is much better!  Be with the two of them tomorrow and get them through this smoothly and safely.  May we truly take up our Cross daily and carry/drag it after you.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Happy 94 dad!/Flying to Seattle on Ash Wednesday for baby!

Celebrating dad's 94th a few hours early as it will land on Ash Wednesday and cheesecake and wine are not exactly part of the menu on a fast day. 

Half way here I received a call from Maria informing me that it looks like their son will arrive this week!  I now have a ticket to fly out of the Cities tomorrow and be in Seattle tomorrow night in time for a day with them before Maria goes in to have her son.  A wonderful sister-in-law will take me to the airport at noon, and I am marveling at the Lord's plans taking shape in a matter of hours. 

My  peaceful time here will be short, but dad and I will be sharing mass and get our ashes early in the morning,  Lent is to begin!

A clean heart create for me, O God,

and a steadfast spirit renew within me.  \

Give me back the joy of your salvation,

and a willing spirit sustain in me.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. 

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Psalm 51 from Ash Wednesday mass

A special birthday card from my sister... he blows on the candle and it sings "happy birthday" so we added our family birthday song - "God is blessing you now."  My time here will be short with my sudden need to arrive in Seattle for the new baby's arrival, but it was special to honor my wonderful dad, and to share mass in the morning will be icing on the birthday cake.  

I am doing this on my parents' computer, so this picture from our wedding 40 years ago... flowers for Our Lady - you can csee Pat's big hand and that is all of him.  

My sister-in-law asked me tonight what I do when I am on my trips by myself here and there for hours in the car..."It is my chapel on wheels!  I love to say my 10 decades of the rosary, my chaplet of divine Mercy, and listen from one Christian radio station to another as they come and go out of range."  

4 years ago at my dad's 90th!  My parents are still together and will celebrate their 70th anniversary this summer along with my mother's 90th.  Fake plans for a celebration to mark this big occasion for our family now numbering over 120+ with a new one to join now in 2 days!

Jesus, how I love to see your plans coming into focus.  I ask that you surround the two mothers and their babies with your love and care.  Get them all through this safely and healthy.  Be with me in my whirlwind travels tomorrow and may I die to self so that you may live in me more and more!  Give us all a Lent in which we come closer to you... having always as our goal to be forever with you in heaven with you, Mary and all the Saints..."My mouth shall proclaim your praise" but no more Hallelujah until Easter.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

My wonderful parents... They brought us all into The Church 48 years ago and every day has been a gift since!  Bless-bless, Barb

Over the river and through the woods to my parents house, I go!/the family windows are opening 100 fold!

A peaceful scene at my parent's..  I will soon be on the road to spend some precious few days with them and the song "Over the river and through the woods" sang in my heart.. I truly do cross over the St Criox River which is the boundary between MN and WI to get to their cozy home!

The tickets are now bought for my trip to Washington on Tuesday and our plans are coming together for the 100 fold family time that is in my future.  Trying to beat the snow storms is continuing to be a challenge, but getting there to share Ash Wednesday with my parents as well as my dad's 94th birthday is an exciting happening for me!

 I will be attending mass here tomorrow and get my ashes with my aging parents tomorrow as they continue to live together in their own home with a special bedroom for me to spend peaceful days with them!

The Gospel today brought me thoughts of Hallel in leaving behind her family and possessions to be poor and to follow her spouse, Jesus Christ, in poverty chastity and obedience.  And how it is truly being returned to her 100 fold!

I, in the midst of this huge glorious family time, also feel that in dying to self that I am being given 100 fold in return!  If my girls selfishly only wanted to have the 2 children and turned their backs on the wisdom of The Church in being open to life... If we hadn't died to self and therefore given up our all to Him and the control over to Jesus... the waves after waves of 100 fold family time coming this way would have dried up and withered.  Yes, His plans are mysterious and hard and we suffer, too, but that makes the JOY that much more rich and beautiful!

The mountain of 100 fold LOVE that came to France in August to hear Hallel's words to her spouse, Jesus... "I promise unto death."   How we all say that in our marriages, too!

Jesus, I am overwhelmed by your LOVE for me!  I am weak and wobbly, but I am going forth into this journey of spending wonderful precious time with those that are on both ends of the spectrum of LIFE!  My parents need you to always be with them and guardian angels keep them safe.  Be with the new moms and babies and get them all through this safe and sound.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah (the last Hallelujah til Easter JOY!)

Bless-bless, Barb

Excitement building for John and Bobbi/Baby Verly!/The week Lent begins, my dad's 94th birthday on the same day

 Such a fun moment at baby Verly's shower yesterday... our youngest granddaughter, Joy, having fun with 6 month old baby William.  They were giggling together at the fun balloons.  Joy has not really had much contact with younger babies, so this was fun to see how much she engaged with him.  She already has one baby cousin, with two more on the way any time now!

A baby blanket from Maria with the special cross stitch patch with them and the new baby in arms!  Such a special gift from the heart!

John unabashedly joined in the shower for their baby yesterday put on so beautifully by Ruth!  "I came to eat, and I will just be staying to share in the party."  You can do that when your oldest sister and mom are the hostesses!  It was fun and exciting to share the outpouring of love with the two of them!

Side by side sharing the special outpouring from both of our families!  The brutal cold day kept some away understandably.  So much snow and cold... cabin fever cure for the day.  An Aunt and her daughter braved the trip from the Cities to share in our day!  Thank you!

I am just off the phone with Maria trying to figure out my trip there next.  It is in flux still, but I am discovering some exciting ideas of getting around to all the family times I would wish to fit in over the next weeks... the birth of Maria's son, his Baptism, George's Baptism in KC by Archbishop Naumman, then getting back to be ready to welcome baby Verly!  My head is spinning and my heart is very full!  A fun addition to my plans is the possibility of flying from Seattle to KC and then taking the bus back to Sioux Falls in time for baby Verly!  Leave the flying and driving to someone else is really appealing!  Pat has been asking me to be more flexible and now I see that there are other ways for this to work out... now to firm up my fake plans!

 Ruth's beautiful afghan and Joy with the snowy landscape outside the huge picture window.

How the Gospel today reminds us that we are called to dig deep for Lent, which is now just days away.  Those "possessions" that we find so much enjoyment in, but pull us away from our giving ourselves totally to Jesus.  Lord, help me to sell it all and walk away from those things for these 40 days - die to self so that you may live in me!

 Excitement is building, and so much love and support for the arrival of our sweet new grandchild #18!  Lila is over the moon excited for their first grandchild, which we will share and shower so much love upon.  This grandma is stepping back and allowing her to be #1 grandmother!

Baby Lawrence is 9 months and facetimed with us gathering to celebrate baby Verly!  With my huge family and Pat's... talk about love growing larger with each new member!  So true!

Ash Wednesday is not only 2 days away with all that holds, but it is also my father's 94th birthday shared each year with my brother, Dan... I want to say 36 years apart so that would make Dan 58ish?  There is a large part of me wanting to be there this week to share Lent beginning and my dad's milestone birthday with them.  Yes, I am not sure just when but the fake plans are flying around in my head.  How I love to have all this special family time ahead of me!  So very excited and blessed!

 They love their Aunt RaTerra!  The reason for my life here on the farm, as she held onto our friendship through thick and thin over many years after our going different paths after our time in Christian Commune in Bolder, Colorado in 1971...
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

 Starting our meal with prayer for our family and the safe arrival of new babies and health for their moms in all ways!  Jesus, thank you for new life!  We are overwhelmed by your generous love and life and light poured out upon us!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and family

 I missed our wonderful meal of warming wonderful wild rice soup, salad, garlic bread and stuffed mushrooms!  So yummy... the games were...

 The baby sock folding game!!!  Julia did is under a minute to win it!  The two grandmas folded together and actually beat her time, but that was two against one!

 Gift opening shared by Bobbi with John at her side.  They are so excited and cute beyond words!

 I wish you could have heard his precious giggles!  LOVE!

 A warm circle to fill us with warmth on this -18 below zero day!  Now, Lord, please bring warm weather for calving!  3 calves born with 170 to go!  Bless our calving season, Lord.  Amen

Doing some sledding no matter how cold!  The snow is beautiful and so white!
\
St. Casimir's feast is today! Patron saint of Poland... Here is a stanza from his favorite hymn. St. Casimir, Pray for us!

Good to know all in one place!  Sunday the 17th is our grandson in Washington's Baptism day and my sister, Mary's birthday in heaven!

Danielle Rose - The Saint that is just me

Danielle Rose - True love/The Cross