Oh Happy Day

Happy Anniversary to the Priesthood to Fr. John, Fr. Alex and Fr. Osvaldo!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Our latest project on the milkweed....

Don't ask me why I didn't take a picture when they first brought in this caterpillar. He was only a weeeeee teeeeensy thing then.

Just hangin' on!

We missed the making of the chrysilis which is extremely fascinating but we've got another hungry, hungry caterpillar on our milkweed, maybe we'll catch him.

Eternal Rest

Please pray for the soul of our dear friend, Bill who passed away peacefully this morning (Sunday July 25th) after much suffering.

Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord
And let Perpetual Light shine upon him.
May he rest in Peace.

I was able to visit with him yesterday and say my final good-bye. He looked so peaceful, actually there was a whole aura of peace in the whole house. He opened his eyes and lightly squeezed my hand. I am grateful to God for that blessing.

Please also pray for his wife Diane and their children.

The Brave Little Soul
By John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world.He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?"

God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts."

The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked.

God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone."

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!"

God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you".

God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced. In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed."

Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.

Just More Pictures

All these neat old airplanes flew overhead today.

Not sure what the occasion was but we enjoyed the loud noise and rush of planes.

Aragorn thought there might have been about 50 of them.

Pony Saddles! Craigslist find of the day and only just up over the hill.

Only my kids would decide to ride the railing on the new-to-us pony saddles.

Frodo and Eleanor heading out to a local Fair with a couple of uncles and an aunt.

Potty Trainee really wanted to go along.

More kiddie pool time.

Around these parts "they" call those things that have water in them and you drink out of them "bubblers". They are all bubblers, any kind. Where I come from we have always called them "drinking fountains" if they have water that makes an arc. Those old fashioned kinds you find in old parks that have water that "bubbles up".... those are "bubblers. You can make your very own "bubbler" with a hose. Water really tastes best that way.

My main men are up to something very suspicious.
Galadriel

Now that I can walk, I am quite sure I can manage a bike.

Rosie

It all started with Pippin and a hose. It would be fun to spray the baby, she can't move fast enough. It would probably be fun to spray the 2 year old too.

Bilbo knew how to get even and got a cup.

Around and around they ran. The only rule is they cannot get ME wet! That water from 180 feet down is COLD!

ACK! Cold, wet baby.... attacks mom!

Cold, wet baby violates mom's water bottle.

The little guys decided to make a running dash and jump in the pool. Only odd thing about it was that they ran up hill.........! Maybe the idea was to see how hot they could get on the way.

Made some pretty grand splashes anyway.

Ok, curiosity got the better of me............

Ever Loving Wife: "So, whatcha doin'?"

Ever Loving Husband: "I'm not telling, you've got a blog and you'll post it there."

And here I am.... ever loving wife that I am. Any wild guesses? I will offer up to 1/2 our kingdom.... of course there is still a mortgage so really you'd have to pay in!

PONY RIDES! With saddles.

Pippin really is a Little Jockey.

We don't have a Parade of Homes, just a Parade of Horses.

Someone always has her nose in a book.

So I said to Galadriel, "Can you tell me why on earth Sam would leave one strip of the front lawn not cut?!"

In reply, "Oh, that's our Capture the Flag line."

Frodo and Eleanor are back from the Fair with their prizes. Most were from popping balloons with darts. Why am I not surprised they are good at that?

They kindly brought us back some treats. Cotton Candy. Oh yum, I love that stuff. Caramel Apples... please note that it was brought to my attention that mine was the one with nuts. Methinks there is a subtle hint I should take in that caramel apple (haha). And the other thing is.... please, sit down..... is... a.... deep fried............ pickle.

Yes, that is not a type-o.... Deep fried pickle.

We just tried it and.... Aragorn didn't want to talk about, the Fair goers didn't want to talk about it.... Eowyn made a simple "Yuck!"

I am so ashamed... I liked it. Nice and spicy and sour. But it was room temperature, I'm sure that was much better than if it was hot...... right....? Absolutely no connection to my temperment!

Just some pics from the fair. Frodo and Eleanor enjoying some of the rides.

I Scream

Wee little sunflower

Ice Cream

Sharing

Poppy says just a few "words" besides mama: nana means she wants to nurse, na when she wants a drink, a-nah when she wants to eat something and dat when she wants "that", in this case ice cream.

I scream.

Actually, he wasn't screaming he said, "Mommy, check my teeth!" Ok, so I have a dental phobia so I check their teeth rather frequently.

Spoiled baby really doesn't need any ice cream.

I really never knew chewing the bottom off an ice cream cone and sucking the innerds out was genetic.

Not much of a lap there, kiddo!

Poppy checking out the kiddie pool, first of course was to remove the hose.

Nice water.

The High Jump.

Poppy spent the day trying to keep the 3 stooges in line. At one point Pippin was squatting in front of Poppy and popped her in the tummy. Poppy instantly sized up the situation took both her hands put them on his knees and pushed him over. I am so glad I finally have someone who can tend to these boys. Now if she would just walk a little faster.

My little lady.

Nothing like a little grassy baby.

I've got this walking thing down to a science.

As I was taking pictures off the camera I came across the following.

The story goes that Bilbo had been playing in the muffler of his uncle's truck. I am going to secretly mention that I really like it when these things happen when I am not at home. It really is good for the dad to experience a little of my world. Not too much of course, as men can't take the stress for long....

You shoulda seen the other guy!