Wobbly Baby

John Paul is jjjjuuuusssstt starting to be able to sit up. He'll sit for a minute and then....fall over. He is kind of like the leaning tower of pisa.

And of course Veronica and Leo insisted on getting in the picture with their baby brother.

Alone for a few minutes...

I went downstairs for 5 minutes to do a load of laundry. And these two thought they were soooooo funny to sneak up on the countertops and 'hang out'. Because they know they are not suppose to, of course. There was some serious belly laughter going on here.

New technology...attempt

Last time I used this blog, I didn’t have a cell phone. My how times change....quickly! I’m going to see if I can post something from this gadget. This babe is my little doll. He’s the sweetest. John Paul at 6 months.

Oh. My. Goodness. Back at it.

Tonight Mike, Faustina and I ended up (somehow, randomly) looking back at the old blog. And, it was FUN to see all the pictures!

Now - fast forward 2.5 years. We have 7 children. Faustina and Jude (maybe a bit of Benedict) have received most of the family glory with regards to family pictures. Memories must start to be recorded again.

Here's the update: Faustina 10, Jude 9, Benedict 7, Agatha 5, Veronica 4, Leo 2 (he's new), John Paul 8 months (he's also new).

It's a rollicking ride. We love it.

These are the new kids on the block. or blog. In this bottom picture, I was on my way to mass. Leo insisted on going with me. So he put his church jacket over his pj....and got some shoes on. Pretty awesome.

Strawberry season

Hard to believe July is almost here and that summer is going by so fast. So far, so good! Mike is taking this week off which is nice. He is working  (so, actually, not much of a break!) on finishing up the kitchen details and main floor bathroom.

We couldn't let June pass without going berry picking. It was a beautiful morning when we went last week on Tuesday and the kids loved it. I did have sticker shock when we checked out, but it was worth it. 30 lbs of strawberries later we were home and had a solid week of good berry eating. I must say, I did not get sick of them and they are gone as of today!

Veronica was only helpful in eating the berries on site. She thoroughly enjoyed them.

Our graduate!

Sarah Anderson is our Saint Agnes graduate! This last month has been a month filled with busyness for her of finishing up school work followed by many different fun celebrations. Our family went to her graduation ceremony June 3rd to see her receive her diploma. Sarah has lived with us this school year and we have been blessed by her presence. She is a talented young woman and is headed off to the University of Minnesota next year; thankfully, not too far! Last Tuesday night Mike and I treated Sarah and Anna Knier to a fancy dinner at the restaraunt Meritage in downtown St. Paul. We had fun peppering her with college advice. Oh, the fun four years of college! On Saturday night we had a graduation party here at our house for Sarah with her friends coming to celebrate with her. Good luck next year, Sarah! Don't be a stranger!

Loosing Teeth

Jude was so thrilled on Wednesday evening when his FIRST tooth fell out. He thought it was just the coolest thing to ever happen. He put it in a jar and brought it to school the next day. Faustina was coaching him the whole time as he yanked it out - she is the expert having now lost 6 teeth. Jude's face is vastly improved from February when he developed Bell's Palsy from an awful earache he had. After an MRI, being tested for Lyme's Disease and going to the ENT and physical therapist, everything looked fine from tests and we hoped it was just a matter of time. And it was. His face is still not 100% back to normal, but we are confident it will get there!

Time outside

It really has been beautiful the last couple days. Even a bit hot - but, no one is complaining! I've been spending quite a bit of time in the garden. Gardening is addicting. I am learning more each year, each season and getting a bit more bold with what I want to do. Very fun. Especially with my helpers.

Faustina's First Communion!

On May 14th, Faustina received her First Holy Communion. It was a beautiful mass and I must say, Faustina was stunning in her dress. Mike bought her a book about St. Therese and Faustina said a 40 day novena leading up to her big day. Afterwards, we came back to the house to celebrate with Uncle Travis, Faustina's godmother and her cousins. Jude was very sweet; he looked and me and gently put his hand on my arm and said, "Mom, this is the best day ever! I can't wait until I can get my First Communion."

Birthday Girl's Weekend

 Happy Birthday to Baby Veronica! She turned 1 year old on Saturday!

Mike and I were able to take 2 days and went down to Lanesboro for the weekend. We stopped at Little Oscar's Restaurant for breakfast on Saturday morning on Hwy 52. It was good! Mike said it was the best French Toast he has had. We stayed in a Bed and Breakfast and just rested and relaxed.

Meanwhile, the kids were at home with Sarah. She took them to the Minneapolis Art Museum and they loved it! Here they are checking out the art work. She said they were quite taken with all the different art.

From the mouth's of babes:

Agatha to Sarah: I had fun at Church this morning and so did God!

Benedict is helping Mom bring in groceries from Costco. I am carrying a bottle of Vodka:

Benedict: Mom, is that a big bottle of Holy Oil?? (half of the cuteness is hearing in Benedict's still boyish/babyish voice, I lOVE IT!)

Me: hhhmm....well.....not exactly....

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!)