My baby bear

This is my baby doll. I sounds like such an old Mom and it sounds so corny. But, it also is so true. Veronica is a good baby. She is so petite and cuddly. She is crawling all over (even though she doesn't roll over very readily!). She is not even close to walking although she turns one year old in a little over a week. She has such a good temperament. The more kids I have, the more I love the infant stage. They are so sweet and easy (my kids are easy babies, thank goodness!). And the infant stage goes fast.

Lately, she has been doing this hilarious snort laughing. Do you see those 4 little BIG teeth!? She must be getting more teeth in too, last night she was unhappy and crying for several hours which is not like her. Pretty soon we'll be celebrating her 1st birthday!

9 years later!

On the 20th, Mike and I celebrated our 9th anniversary. We celebrated with a nice dinner out. It is hard to believe everything that has happened in the last 10 years. Here are a few highlights I am so thankful for over the last couple years.

- All our kids! They are good kids. We love them dearly. It is a privilege to raise them, teach them, and learn with them. Seeing them discover life and grow is a daily adventure and blessing.

- I love having people live with us! They make our life so much more rich. It is fun to have other people (women, in our current case) to share life with and laugh with. Anna who lives with us is incredibly smart, witty and fun. Sarah is our senior in highschool and keeps us in the loop of current events in pop culture and fashion. She is absolutely fantastic with kids - she is gifted!

- Our community of friends is extraordinary. We are so blessed to spend time with all the generous hilarious friends we are lucky to have.

Of course, the list goes on.

On another note, we had a 4 day weekend because of MEA. I am beginning to miss the kids when they are at school! So, it was fun to have everyone home and together on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, I took the kids to the fabric store and let them pick out some fabric they liked and we made pajama pants. It turned out well and the kids really love them.

Here are the kids in their pj pants - Agatha missed out on this activity. They are happily eating the popsicles Grandpa Lee and Terry left them.

Mother Teresa's Prayer

This is one of my favorite prayers. I copied it from Mike's Aunt and Uncle's cottage in Michigan years ago.

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy over night. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

- Mother Teresa

Locked out!

Hhhmm....here we are again, after almost a year! Hahaha!

There were a few months that I was trying to get on our blog and couldn't - something weird with the login. Clearly, we haven't updated whatever we needed to update and I'm not even sure how to.

Anyway.

Life is going along swimmingly and Veronica is quickly approaching her first birthday. We'll see if I can keep it going.

Updates.

Faustina is in 2nd grade and she recently just lost one of her front teeth. I love it.

Faustina wants me to put up another picture of her. ;)

Jude is in Kindergarten and I am pretty sure he is made for school. He loves it and then he comes home and sits for 2 more hours coloring and drawing. 

Benedict is his own man and his reputation precedes him. He keeps life interesting and he is growing up. He helped me make 2 lasagnas yesterday and butter my garlic bread. He is in his second year at Montessori school. He loves it and he loves his teacher. AND he loves his 'batmin' costume. He wears it about 80% of the time around. 

Agatha is just an absolute delight. She is so fun.

And Veronica is my little doll. (I remember when I could say that about Agatha. She may be a dolls still, but she is not little anymore!)