Catholic Family Vignettes

Fourteen. 14. One-four.

Wow...how time flies. Born during one of the worst ice storms ever on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. An extremely high stress pregnancy with many complications including a severe kidney defect in my dear boy. A miraculous healing. First born son.

Brilliant...constantly inventing and exploring new ideas. An incredible engineer. Meticulous observation of the rubrics of the Tridentine Mass. Great love for God and family. Responsible and mature. Funny and sensitive.

Thanking God for you today and everyday, my dear young man. Praising God that He, in His infinite wisdom, allowed me the privilege of being your mom. Read more!

A Boy Is...
Trust with dirt on its face,
Beauty with a cut on its finger,
Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the
Hope of the future with
A frog in its pocket.

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Today our dear Joseph Thomas is 11 years old...11 on the 11th! How precious you are to us, my son. You are growing into a wonderful young man. Happy birthday, big guy! Read more!

And now you are 18. May God bless you, my precious girl, you who are so very precious to me. You also know that your mother is such a sap...so here goes the poetry...yes, you know the one:







She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Lord Byron

And so, my girl, may your day be spent in goodness and joy. May you know the same joy that you have brought to those who love you. Happy birthday, sweetheart! Read more!

18 years. I can't believe it. My little girl, my Meredith, will be 18 in just a few days.

Yesterday, we spent the day in orientation and advising for college. She is so very excited...filled with the joy that comes with anticipating an adventure.

As we were strolling past the school supplies in a local store, she exclaimed: "School supplies! I get to buy my own school supplies for a real school! OH! Umm...sorry mom, you know what I mean don't you?"

Sigh,(deep cleansing breath)...of course, I do. Independence, that's what she means. Thank heavens she's only commuting!

Independence...a few steps at a time.

Here's a little slideshow (it might load a little slowly after clicking the "read more" link), a brief glimpse into 18 years of life with this wonderful girl...we love you sweetie!

Read more!

I love surprises. So do my parents. This past Sunday, we were most pleasantly surprised by my dear brother. My husband and I returned home from Mass to find his convertible parked out front. We quickly hid the car and my brother, as the parents were just behind us. Needless to say, mom and dad were touched by his desire to share the last few hours of their visit with all of us before their journey back to Kentucky.


I love him dearly...

He had been rather surprised himself, a few days earlier, when we all decided to video the absolute worst rendition of "Happy Birthday" ever recorded and presented it (via email) along with several hysterically funny cards and photos wishing him a most joyous "38th" (HAH!) birthday.

Thank you, dear brother, for the gift you are to all of us. We love you and are so happy you dropped in... Read more!

Today is my youngest daughter's 4th birthday. Sigh. The "baby" is not a baby any longer. This is the longest "space" Roger and I have had between children, a rather poignant reminder of how our lives are changing and how our roles are expanding. While still the parents of toddlers, we are also grandparents to three (soon to be four and one in heaven) beautiful grandchildren. For over twelve years we had at least one child, and frequently two, in diapers.

The last three pregnancies were hard beyond belief...bed rest from the sixth month on, not being able to walk, using a wheelchair and a walker and the distinct possibility of not being able to walk again. What a price...but what was purchased was beyond measure. Maximilian, Abigail and Rylee Elizabeth! I can't imagine a world without them, my family without them, ME without them. Though we would gladly welcome another child (please God!) into our family, we also know that our God has wisdom that supercedes our desire. May His will be done and may we remain open to His promptings.

So we celebrate the life of a child today, and in doing so, celebrate the lives of all children. God bless all families who remain open to grace, open to joy...open to life.

Read more!