Jumping Jude

Well, here we are - snowed in our little home for at least the 2nd time this winter. I can't believe how much snow we are getting again!! `What do we do? We get a little stir crazy. Here we are in the basement just sitting here being entertained by the kids as they run around, listen to music, act out different animals and giggle at everything. Here is a video of Jude trying to jump. This has been his new trick lately. He'll jump up (kind of) and then fall on his belly and face and laugh hysterically.

Smooches

This kid is so darn cute, I just want to smooch him all the time (not to mention that his skin is the softest thing in the world). Whenever I asked him for a smooch today, these are the faces he is giving me. I love it.

Lenten reading

Lent is coming soon and I have been thinking of different readings I can use as Lenten meditations. Saint Faustina's Diary and Walter Ciszek's He Leadth Me will be my focus. Saint Maria Faustina's Diary is a big, big book and I have read parts of it. It is quite intense but incredibly insightful and certainly has changed my thinking drastically over the years. Her ultimate theme is God's mercy - yet she is very real in how she describes God's justice. It really is a perfect reading for Lent as one narrows in on our Lord's suffering. Faustina's diary seems very extreme as she describes her own sense of nothingness and misery. I am accustomed to always being warm in a cozy house, being able to eat whatever I want at any time, to having loving family puff me up with their love and service. Reading about Faustina's awareness of her own smallness and desire to suffer for God almost seems strange. But I believe she has it right, and I need to readjust my own thinking. Here are are few excerpt that stuck with me the past few days and I have been looking at it again.

"I must never judge anyone, but look at others with leniency and at myself with severity. I must refer everything to God and, in my own eyes, recognize myself for what I am: utter misery and nothingness. In suffering, I must be patient and quiet, knowing that everything passes in time."

"I will hid from people's eyes whatever good I am able to do so that God Himself may be my reward. I will be like a tiny violet hidden in the grass, which does not hurt the foot that treads on it, but diffuses its fragrance and, forgetting itself completely, tries to please the person who has crushed it underfoot. This is very difficult for human nature, but God's grace comes to one's aid."

The big thaw

With the warm weather in the 30's and 40's this past week, I have come to realize how arctic MN winters truly can be. I was going outside in the 30's with no jacket on thinking it was almost hot. By the rest of the world's standards I fully realize that is bizarre thinking. But we took advantage of the weather and got out for a few walks. All three of the kids thoroughly enjoyed the puddles. They were stripped of wet clothes when they came in and slept well.

Our dear Danish friend

We are so thankful for Lizzia - she and her daughter, Betina, really are family to the Lees. Lizzia lived next door to us on Niles for about 20 years. She is a saintly woman and spoils us rotten with her time and gifts. I remember growing up and going over to spend time with the Kohlers when I was a little girl. Lizzia and my Mom were very close friends. Lizzia went to all Mom's chemo sessions with her and then took her out to eat afterward; after Mom's 2 years of remission, Lizzia took her to Hawaii. Not bad!!

We cherish Lizzia's friendship and look forward to many more outings as the weather gets warmer!

Today we ventured out with our friend, Lizzia, to the conservatory. Besides the fact that we almost died from the cold weather and wind going to and from the car, we had a great time.

Grandma Saunders' 90th

This past weekend we packed everything up and headed to North Dakota. The whole Saunders clan was getting together to celebrate Grandma's 90th birthday party.

We left a day early and spent Friday night with Uncle Mark (my Mom's youngest brother) and Aunt Mary who live in Cayuga, ND. They live on the farm that my Mom grew up on and it was a delightful time to see their place again and spend some one on one time chatting with them. They just put on a new addition that looks fantastic. Mark is the ping-pong champion, so of course he has the table set up and Mike was able to challenge him a bit (to no avail this time).

On Saturday we headed over to Grandma's place in Fargo ND. Grandma looks terrific and it was fun to see all the cousins. Oh, the memories I have growing up with all the cousins. It was so much fun! I have 25 cousins on the Saunders side; the ages range from 18 years old to 41. And Grandma Saunders now has 20 great-grandchildren. The family is expanding exponentially with marriages and children being born.

We had several delicious meals, a fun 'program' to honor Grandma with memories, songs, books, etc. We celebrated mass on Sunday, had brunch and headed home. For me a highlight was so see a video of Grandma, Grandpa and their kids at a young age on the farm doing different activities and having family time. It was very special to see pictures of my Mom at that age, see her interact with people, family, smile, play etc. The picture above is of Grandma, my Mom and my Mom's sister Debbie. We'll have to all get together to celebrate Grandma's 100 years! :)