A good man

Around Holy Week and Easter time, Jude watched a movie we have about Jesus dying on the cross. From this movie, "He is a good man" has become Jude's new phrase. Jesus was a good man while Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was not a good man. Faustina, of course, explained this all to Jude. Since then, Jude has readily been identifying different people as 'good men'.

Last week I looked out the window to see how Jude and Faustina were playing. I saw Jude had struck up a conversation with a 13 year old boy on rollerblades. Jude was standing there looking up to the sky at this boy since his head only came to the height of the boy's knees. Jude was full of questions for him and soon they were over by the our garage door playing basketball. The 13 year old, Ben, was squating on his knees playing with Jude since the hoop was only about 4 feet tall. They were fast friends. Jude came in to get a towel in order to wipe out the wagon so Ben could take Jude and Faustina on a ride. Jude came to me his nodding his head quite seriously and he assured me, "Mom, he is a good man." And he walked back out to play. Jude also yells at the top of his lungs and points to the t.v. as he is watching old school cartoons like Tom and Jerry to tell us, "Wook! Wook! Momma! He is a good man!". I tell him cartoons are a bit different....but, nonetheless, he gets the idea.

Benedict has a friend

Is there anything cuter than babies together? This is Benedict's new friend, George, at 10 days old. Such a handsome young man. On Thursday night, good friends invited us to a the Pro-Life Across America Banquet. It was a great evening and it is inspiring to see the good work this organization is doing. Friday evening Mike and I went to see October Baby. An excellent movie, in my opinion. They covered all the bases. It was a moving film and very well done. Also, there are a couple families we know that are hoping to adopt a baby. They are in our prayers as well as the pro-life movement. These little babies are so precious, I mean....what more is there to say!?

And this picture just to show Benedict's smiley self!

To Keep in Mind

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and everyday. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings. ~St. Francis de Sales

Happy Birthday to my Rockstar!

Divine Mercy in La Crosse

Last Saturday night we called up some family friends at 11pm at night (Mike was sure they were still awake!) and asked them if they wanted to accompany us to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They, in fact, did want to join us so we all piled in to our mini van at 7:30am the next morning for the 2 hour drive. 4 adults and 4 carseats! Saint Maria Faustina (whom we named our little girl after)received revelations into God's divine mercy and Pope John Paul II made the Sunday after Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday - a special day to renew ourselves in God's goodness and his mercy.

We had an excellent brunch at the Shrine, walked the mile up to the Church and went to mass, confession, and then said the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Last time we were here it was the summer of '09 while I was pregnant with Jude and my Mom was sick. We were headed out to Michigan and visited the shrine for the first time. Life is certainly very different a few short years later. It was fun to visit it again - perhaps we will make it a tradition on Divine Mercy Sunday.

The monks make delicious food at their cafe. Everything is made from fresh ingredients and full of flavor. It really is very good.


The priest at mass sounded like he just got off a plane from Russia. Thick accent, almost hard to understand.He gave a stellar homily.


Here is our Faustina by the picture of Saint Faustina and a first class relic of Saint Faustina. The art work in the Church is breath taking.





Faustina and Belle in front of a bronze statue of Our Lady appearing to Juan Diego.




They have a beautiful 'rosary walk'. They have pictures of each mystery in blue and white tile on a wall.

Our Dancer

On Saturday, Faustina had her ballet and tap recital. We are so very proud of her - she did an excellent job! Their recital was 'big time' this year as they had their debut at St Kate's University in their very nice auditorium. I took plenty of pictures of her and her with family/friends. Isn't she beautiful in her dance outfit? Way to go Fauster!

Easter 2012

Easter this year was very laid back and quite relaxing. We spent the weekend dying eggs with friends Saturday morning and then over to Mike's Dad's place for family celebrations. On Sunday we were out to brunch with my brother and family friends. Sunday evening we spent with family friends who have 7 kids that our kids love hanging out with. Even though we had snow flurries this morning, spring is still in full effect. I am in love with the colorful apple tree blossoms. We need to get one of those in our yard some day.

She's writing

Pretty decent for someone who is not yet 4 years old. Her s's need a little work.

Easter!

Good Friday

As our family gets older, more and more traditions are being established. It is most certainly one of the greatest joys of parenthood to see our young, very young, kids learn about their faith and internalize it.

Today we spent a good amount of the day at church between morning prayers, confessions, and the Good Friday prayer service.

We also attended the prayer vigil at the new Planned Parenthood. It was a peaceful prayer vigil with meditations interspersed as people walked around praying and many many people praying the rosary. I was overjoyed at how many young people were there and involved, there were more young people than older people there.



Jude was tired by the end. He is not sleeping, he just wanted some quiet time. :)

The Triduum

It begins today. This is what it is all about.

Jewel blue

Mike brought home the most beautiful orchid this weekend. It is quite stunning. I love it.

Budding artist

Notice the crossed legs. She is all girl.

A picture of Dad (Mike)

A bear.

The last 6 months or so, Faustina has really taken to drawing. She has become very good at drawing in lines in coloring books and using different colors. She has begun to make her own pictures of family, animals, trees, cars, etc. It is pretty interesting to see what she comes up with. At this point, she prefers drawing and coloring to reading books or watching a short video.

Spring

Today really, really felt like 'spring', in every sense of the word. The weather has been so nice now for a long time; actually, it almost seems like we never really had winter. But today we had all the windows open. It has that great 'spring' smell outside. Mike painted Faustina's bedroom - We had the music playing loud while Mike on that and Faustina and Kim worked on coloring eggs at the kitchen table.

Boy, did I marry a detail oriented man! (one of those opposite attracts things :) Mike is fine tuning this place to make it, well, even nicer than it already is. Apparently, he has many more ideas in store.

I am looking forward to Holy week. And Divine Mercy Sunday after Easter. I got off track a bit of things I wanted to do the last half of Lent. Yet again will I attempt to do things better.