The second half of summer.

I had a lot of plans this summer and started off with some really good intentions. But then some changes happened in our lives and we weren't quite able to do all of the things we wanted to do. We spent the really hot days inside, mainly because mommy wasn't feeling up to being outside.

We played games and built with Legos.

We read some books and and played with our toys.

 On the weekends we went to some festivals.

 We went to the Blues Festival, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Visitation. We had fun and at Visi fest Grandma even helped you win some money! Of course we brought home a ton of little plastic toys.

 Mommy finally made those pirate boots you had been asking for. It only took an entire Sunday afternoon/evening but it was worth it.

Now the weather has been cooler and Jack and Nicholas are playing outside with Daddy. What lucky boys they are to have such an awesome Daddy. I feel pretty lucky to be in this place we are in somewhere between here and there. Absolutely content but on the edge of my seat waiting for the next thing.

So go tell John, we are ready to take on whatever is God's will.

Happy 4th of July!

Nicholas and Jack have been sick the last week or so and it has really been weighing on me. Everytime they get just a little sick and not better right away I get so worried, so much anxiety.

So Friday morning, Nicholas woke up with a weird cough, his lips were blue and he couldn't catch a breath. I didn't know what to do so I packed him up in the car and took him to the ER. Saturday morning he seamed even worse, had a strider with everybreath and his heart seemed to be racing. We took him to the doctor and got a Rx. That night was the worst of all with a higher fever and getting sick. But when he woke up Sunday morning. He was so much better. And I feel a lot better about it. I was really worried.

So with Nicholas feeling better we went to mass (which was its own story) and came home to take naps. Then we went out and celebrated Independence Day.

 We started in Downtown Lebanon with some icecream from Whit's.

 Nicholas chose a chocolate covered Banana.

 He wasn't in the best mood, but he was a trooper.

 "Happy Birthday 'Merica"

 Jack got his face painted with pink and blue fireworks (he chose the colors)

 Jack wanted to make sure the little ones got their share of cornmeal. Nicholas wanted to make sure he got some hand sanitizer.

 Snow Cones.

 Jack in his cape and mask, watching th fireworks on the back porch.

Nicholas was more concerned about "Lemonade Mouth" than watching fireworks. But I was just happy to have him up and hanging out with us so I didn't mind.

At mass our guest priest talked in his homily about "wearing a yolk for Jesus" the yolk is our burden to love. What an easy request to fill. All we have to do is love and live with love.

Go tell John, Happy 4th of July!

Today's Gospel Reading

Matthew 25: 31 - 46
31	"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
32	Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,
33	and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.
34	Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
35	for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36	I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
37	Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?
38	And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?
39	And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'
40	And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
41	Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;
42	for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43	I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
44	Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?'
45	Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.'
46	And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

I pray that I can do better

This week I have been kicking around the idea of getting a tattoo at the base of my thumb of a cross or Chi Rho just because I feel like I need to constantly be a in a state of prayer or else I just can't be the person I need to be. In particular I am trying very hard to pray to be a better mother and better wife.

What a day! We were supposed to go to Baltimore to see Jessica this week but due to a number things not coming together it didn't happen. But I already had the days off so I decided I would spend Today and tomorrow with Jack and Nicholas (best idea ever!).

We started with reading a book in Jack's bed (all 3 of us) then came down and ate breakfast picnic style in the family room. We went and got Daddy's Oil changed (went 3 places before Mommy was happy with the price and waiting time).

Next we went to Sharonwoods and had a real picnic with salami and cheese sandwiches, watermellon and ginger ale.

Next we got our swim shorts on and played in the water. The had a creek with pretend fossils.

Then we played in the fountain both Nicholas and Jack had so much fun.

Jack wasn't feel 100% today so he sat out for a little bit and warmed up.

Nicholas played on the playground. He thought the 2-5 year old playground was a little below him and quickly moved on to the big kid playground.

Nicholas and Jack both posed for pictures on the Saber Tooth.

Then we went for a paddle boat ride. Please keep in mind I was by myself with these guys, it was windy and neither one could agree with me on which way to go, my legs hurt.

After a 30 minute or so ride we decided to go back to the dock and head home. Both boys fell asleep on the way home but once they got up we bummed around on the couch, watched hook, cleaned the house and made dinner.

We even found time after dinner for Nicholas to practice riding his two wheeler (he does awesome). Jack is trying to feel better, which is good because we have another special stay home day tomorrow.

Go tell John, I am so grateful for these boys and the special times I have with them.

Todays Gospel

Matthew 7: 21 - 29
21	"Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22	On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
23	And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'
24	"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock;
25	and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26	And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand;
27	and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it."
28	And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
29	for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Today is a better day.

Woke up today to Nicholas and Jack playing on their own in their rooms. I could hear their little feet running back and forth from room to room. Nicholas was wispering directions to Jack and he was accepting them. They were giggling then fighting but mostly giggling. Then Jack came in and whispered in my face that he needed a hug, I was happy to comply.

I got up around 8 and collected the boys in their double stroller. We went for a walk around the block and we talked.  Nicholas asked if today was a school day or a Church day, I told him Church day. He was happy with that answer.  We talked about the birds and the houses. We talked about Cars (the movie) and Sandlot (the movie). We talked about Christmas and Santa and before we knew it we were back at the house. 




Now we are watching Phineas and Ferb on Disney and I am feeling much better than I did last night.

Sundays make me feel better about myself and my family. Its Pentecost Sunday so I am excited to hear the Homily this week. I can completely relate to the excitement the Apostles had to have felt. They must have been so eager to get out and spread the news of Christ but at the same time terrified what their fate might be. I can only imagine how validated they must have felt when Jesus came to them and gave them their marching orders.

I feel like I am waiting in that dark room with the door shut myself. I am unsure of my fate but ready and eager to do God's will, I just need some discernment. I just need some patience.

Go tell John, today is a better day.

Pentecost Sunday

John 20: 19 - 23
19	On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20	When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21	Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
22	And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23	If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."