Our Lady's Birthday

She is the Mother, the one who first "offered it up" and stood at the foot of the Cross. Her feast of Mother of Sorrows is coming up in a week, and it is when we see the humanity of her--the pain she went through. She understands us.

Today the children and I sang to her "Bring Flowers of the Fairest"

I put a beautiful statuette of her with her baby Son. BDK asked why she was on the table. I mentioned that it was Her birthday! And he liked the flowers around her halo.

While I was changing him, he held onto my medal and I mentioned it was Our Lady (of Fatima) and mentioned the three children. Francisco was told to pray more Rosaries to be able to hear Our Lady, not just see her.

It is so amazing I can take the children to Mary.
And She can take us to Christ!

Growing up

My daughter is old enough for me to think of her as a young lady.

We "fell" down!

Here we are all together on May 18, 2008 before a brunch at the Gaylord Texan, a resort type place. Steve was invited by a couple from his RCIA who were so happy with becoming Catholic--and being led well in learning by Steven!

More Playmobils

Today we watched Burt Lancaster in "The Crimson Pirate."
I loved hearing so much laughter--it is funny how the Crimson Pirate outwitted the King's Men (who are the bad guys) over and over and over!

Then, of course, they played with their pirate ships!

Twenty-month-old BDK is playing more with the Playmobils, as well!
(Here he is on the table on our deck.)

He speaks volumes by acting out scenarios with the Playmobils!

Sacramental aspect to our nature

BDK has connected that we light candles at prayer time and that has led him to ask for "prayer time."

Yet, it is through the tangible that we begin to "touch" the intangible. Hence, the sacraments--outward signs of the invisible reality.

GMK and DJK with fireman holding some equipment to cut through metal of cars in accidents when people need to be rescued.
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On October 9, I took the children to our local fire department. The firemen were having an open house in honor of fire prevention. (October 10, 1871 is the Chicago Fire that was started in a barn and roared out of control.)

It was a great visit, seeing how they get ready, make meals, where they sleep, and what the fire engines have behind their panels and on the inside!

Ironically, just days before I had gotten the boy firemen hats! The firemen enjoyed seeing them in the hats and were great with questions and touring us around.

They gave us cookies so good that KMK called them "firemen" cookies,
and we would like to make some cookies for them some time soon!

We went out to the nearby park--first time DJK rides his bike on that walk. GMK was on his scooter and KMK kept BDK company in the double stroller.

This log fell in a few days ago. Steven always looks down at the creek area when he passes by and noticed it on Sunday and called me up to have the children go explore!

And this they did :-) For a moment it felt like we were out in the woods and I was back at being a child when I used to make dams in creeks!

Chiquitin has me awake!

You said it would help if I posted here. Hey, Happy Birthday!

Chiquitin is coughing badly and I'm awake and not able to get back to sleep. Well, I can be offering this for your birthday!

Looking forward to going to an Advent retreat first week of Advent this year! Even helped to get the location for it. I am so not used to being part of the planning of big things for groups :-) Prayers that I get used to using my talents. Here's to you see yours! It took me forever to realize I had some!

Katherine's Seventh Birthday Present

Katherine received this doll--Sarah Alison--on her 7th birthday. This is one of the books given for Christmas by Aunt Lisa.

Old house

Steven got a new job in the Ft. Worth diocese and we packed things up and got ready to go in June.

At the Wisconsin Dells on the boat ride! 

Were out seeing some hot air balloons. 

Laundry work

Laundry day--each of us has a container for the folded clothes. Since the laundry area is downstairs, we carry the clothes upstairs. Now the children know how to put their clothes away. Katherine surprised me by saying she would put David's clothes away beside her own :-)


For their clothes...

Birthday "Girl"!

My birthday picture with the black-eyed susans in our front yard garden. We were going out for a walk with the children--on a very balmy early evening! These long summer nights are very wonderful :-) 

With Aunt Emma's chalk gift!

Lots of chalk work! All over the sidewalk and steps.

Katherine got David excited about doing chalk marks, making marks with lots of different colors... and then they washed it off with the hose!

David and Legos!

David with his birthday gift!

Katherine helped him and then he was doing it on his own, adding in his truck (that gray object) and Pooh Bear (one of his favorite things). I was so impressed that he was playing quietly and interestingly. He is getting to be quite big and we are praying that God send us another child soon. (Please join our prayers)


 
I had some good mommy moments of peace as all three played quietly, nicely, and productively.

I watched the older ones: Gregory worked on making a Spiderman comic book (putting Spiderman stickers in a construction paper "book"); Katherine drew rainbows with bright markers, getting the order of the colors right!

Ilinois Corn-on-the-Cob!

Katherine loves corn-on-the-cob. This is the first time this summer that we get some!

Katherine had been asking for some and the price was finally 10 for $1. The children all helped to shuck the corn. David was amazed seeing the corn under the husks and corn silk!

It was fun to have them all helping. To see things through the eyes of a child...

God mend our every flaw!

In honor of Fourth of July... God help us mend our every flaw...

My Three Children and Me

Summer birthdays!

It was hot outside, but I was just thinking of a photo with my children... after all the running around inside ;-)


Here is the same balloon with an indoor's smile from Gregory (since no summer sun is blaring down)!

Pizza as a Treat

Looks like David is doing a magic trick with an audience!



The magic trick was how they ate up pizza! (Oh, yes, we got to help too--parents know magic too, you know!) Coming here is a rarity, so it'll be remembered!

Later all went around and played on some games, including Bob the Builder's Scoop, a train engine, and a firetruck, played in the playground area.



Last time we were at Chuck E. Cheese was in January for Katherine's birthday.