Pistons pics!

JOY

"I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay". I found myself singing this tonight as I drove down the freeway and just as I did I looked up to see I was passing by Joy Road. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that Adam and I are focusing on this month. Today I found myself really tested in regards to this virtue. Yesterday we put an offer on a house. CRAZY. Three days ago we were arguing about moving and I said I wouldn't be ready for a long time, and then that night I found the perfect house online. Visiting it we fell in love. It seemed to have everything we wanted. It was simple, had an acre of land surrounded by woods, a barn for Adam to fix up, a playground and a garden. Plus it was within our price range. Our realtor thought despite three other offers that we would get it, but this afternoon we found out someone had put in a higher offer. This past week in my women's group we discussed "deny". Like "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me" type "deny". Fr. John Riccardo says that this doesn't mean dying to one's self but rather completely giving one's life over to God. I try to do this time and time again, yet I find that I still hold back things from the Lord. I go to him as my consultant rather than as my Lord. Lord, Adam and I are trying to surrender to you. I thought we did. I thought we gave this whole "finding a house" thing over to you, but it turns out I was still trying to be in control. I thought this house was perfect for us, but I have to trust that you have something greater planned. As I drove home from my parents tonight, tears streamed down my face as the reality of losing what I thought was to become our home hit me. But then I remembered it-JOY. Lord, why do I live if not for you, what else is there in this life if not YOU? You are my joy. No matter what the circumstances are, I have cause to rejoice. So I sang in that car and Colette squealed along with me. "And if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack"

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

This year I was determined not to follow the crowd and soak up the commercialism of Valentine's Day. There is this sense of force upon us as a couple that if we don't do something our relationship isn't special! The evening before Valentine's Day I went into Kroger and was quite literally pushed over by the explosion of flowers, candy, chocolates and the like. Oh. My. Goodness. One of our new year's resolutions as a family was to do a family service project each month. This month we decided to go to the local nursing home and deliver valentines. There are so few ways, it seems, that we can serve considering we have a 20 month old and a 6 month old, but this provided us the perfect opportunity (to serve and show off our kids' cuteness)! Colette worked hard coloring almost 80 valentines!! I also found myself doing some research on the origins of this day, and Saint Valentine himself. Really eye-opening to the beauty of this day. On Valentine's Day itself we went and visited my 93 year old great aunt Helen and brought her a valentine as well. I couldn't resist the commercialism completely and surprised Adam by taking him out to dinner while my parents watched the ladies. All in all, it was a lovely and LOVING day.

Ash Wednesday 2015!

"Remember thou art dust". Today marks the beginning of Lent, a season which is shaping up to become my favorite part of being Catholic. Its like as Catholics we have a second chance at New Year's resolutions, but with more of a purpose. That and it prepares us for Easter...CHRIST WILL BE RISEN! There is a certain word that starts with an "a" or and "h" depending on how you spell it that I want to say now but I can't. Anyway, took the girls for their ashes this morning. Sadly we got very lightly swept so you can barely see them...so much for getting to witness throughout the day! Oh well, still excited for these next 40 days!

Thanks grandma!

Bath time!

0.5

Dear, sweet Maelie!! Our little baby fatso...you are six months old today! I simply CANNOT believe it! Time has flown by. I keep treating you like a newborn infant hoping you'll stay that way, but that is not the case! I think you've surpassed your big sis in the chubby cheek/chubby thigh department! You've definitely not matched up with her sleeping skills though. You just love eating so much that you do it all through the night too I suppose, hence the chubby award. As of now your hobbies include teething (although you're not drooling as much as you used to), grabbing EVERYTHING (sissy doesn't like when you pull her hair! She says: "no no no Maemae!"), sitting up, falling over, rolling over and you're just starting to enjoy tummy time! Your smile looks like you're trying to swallow an elephant it is so wide and round! You love dance parties with the family. Sissy dresses you up in a "pretty pretty" and we all spin around the room while you throw your head back laughing! You are ticklish in your thighs and neck. YOU are just a bundle of joy! Everyone around you instantly falls in love with you. Mommy is almost tired of hearing the exclamation: "your baby is so calm and happy". I am so grateful for you. In the midst of the whirlwind that is your sister Colette, I enjoy our little nursing time together, our quiet time while she naps, and all our snuggles. You are such a sweet girl and I love you SOOOO MUCH!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dear Mom, Seeing as you're about the only person who reads this little blog of ours, I wanted to write you a little note to tell you how much we love you! Thank you, first and foremost for participating with God in creating my dear, sweet Adam. I can't imagine life without him and that is all because of you! Second, thank you for my daughters, who since they came from your son, wouldn't exist without you. Because of those three gifts from you to me, I find so much joy each day. So this day, your birthday, my gift is a little one...a thank you. Thank you for all you do for your family-for your prayers, your love, your concern, your care, your waking up at 4:00am to do laundry or make pumpkin pie (hopefully with sugar this time!), your working at Lowe's so as to come visit your favorite son and daughter-in-law in Michigan and, again, YOUR PRAYERS. I realized over our visit to you all for Thanksgiving that you hold the family together, you complete it and bind it. The times we were there, with everyone, except for you...they just didn't feel right. Your family needs you so much. We ache for the love you give. Thank you. It is so good that you exist. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.