Today we are heading to the New England states fair, AKA the Big E. It wouldn’t make sense for each of the rather small New England states to have their own state fair so there is just one big fair for all 6 states and it is held in Springfield, MA. Dave took the day off. As soon as John awakens from his morning nap, we’ll head there for the rest of the day. Dave really loves going through the “state buildings”, but I’m just there for my annual taste of Fried Dough, as New Englanders call it…we folks from central IL know the stuff as Elephant Ears.
Heading to the Big E
Written by andrea on September 27th, 2010Decided to Do a Better Job Celebrating Feast Days
Written by andrea on September 16th, 2010For a long while I’ve had a couple of good books relating to celebrating the Catholic Liturgical Calendar within your family. Today I decided to make an effort to institute some Feast Day celebrations into our household. So this afternoon, during John’s glorious one and a half hour, uninterrupted nap, I had time to research and plan for the upcoming feast days through the beginning of November.
The first one I’m going to start with is Michaelmas also known as the Feast of the Archangels (St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael) which is September 29th. When the date gets closer I’ll let you know how we’ll be celebrating the day, but it should be fun.
Howdy! Ya Know How It Gets Sometimes…
Written by andrea on July 1st, 2010Well, once again I had a break from blogging. If our dear little one napped solo, I’d be on here probably daily, but we’re not there again. But that’s okay. Speaking of our little dear, he’s going to be one so very soon. He’s 10 months and 4 weeks right now.
I think this weekend we’re going to zip up to Maine for the day. John’s been to five of the New England states, but he’s missing Maine so we’ll get that in before his first birthday. He’s been to a whole lot more states before his first birthday than either Dave or I, that’s for sure.
Well, I’ d like to go spend the rest of my evening with hubbie and John so bye for now. But know we are all doing well.
Sorry for the lack of posts, but the photos are updated!
Written by andrea on June 13th, 2010Sorry we’ve been so neglectful of adding to the blog. I’m sure a lot of you are wondering what we’ve been up to. It’s been a busy few months with planning for Mom & Dad’s 50th wedding surprise party, trips and visits and everything else. I’ve dated the photos so you can at least ‘see’ what we’ve been doing on how John is growing. I’m sure that Andrea will be adding some more here as time goes on.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!
Dave
It Is Only a Tiny Rosebud
Written by andrea on April 14th, 2010
It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God’s design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I’ll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.
-Bryan T. Burgess
I Took His Hand and Followed
Written by andrea on April 10th, 2010I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer
My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn’t make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.
Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I…
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky
We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood…
My kitchen wasn’t swept today
But life was gay and good.
We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.
We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill…
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.
That my house was neglected,
That I didn’t brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care.
But that I’ve helped my little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.
St. Clare Hymn (unknown author)
Written by andrea on April 8th, 2010Sung to the tune of “Joyful, Joyful”
With the saints and lights of heaven
Lady Clare beams radiantly;
joined in marriage with her chosen,
welcomed to eternity.
Clare is noble, source of riches,
brilliant works her legacy.
Ever imitating Francis,
earthly power, she deny.
in a cloister, poor and humble,
Clare, espoused to Christ alone,
was to all a perfect model,
mirror to her God enthroned.
Fruitful, founder to her daughters,
she was teacher, gentle, kind.
Clare led many to the Savior
by her holy strength of mind.
Christ was central in the heart and
daily life of Lady Clare,
She embraced the cross of Christ in
order to its glory share.
How she clothed herself in virtue!
Every sister she impressed.
Those outside San Damiano
recognized her holiness.
Heavenly vision on her deathbed:
Virgins in procession came;
to the realms of light ascended
Clare, now blest among the same.
“Luce claret vocitate!”
Lady Clare in heav’n is crowned.
And the Churhc on earth has gained a
flower brilliant and renowned.
Sleeping Babe
Written by andrea on April 8th, 2010John is napping on our bed, has been for an hour. He’s such a terrific baby. So sweet, quick to smile, happy, rarely fussy and never fussy without a purpose, be it because he’s sleepy or hungry. And he’s so beautiful. I know you aren’t supposed to say a baby boy is beautiful, nor is his own mama supposed to say such things, but he really is a beautiful little guy. He’s got such wonderful bright blue eyes too. God really did give us a miracle when He gave us John.
And everyday I pray I don’t mess up raising him. I know a parent can’t be perfect, but I sure would like to not mess up too badly. I pray daily for God’s grace to know what to do, how to do it and how best to be what John needs to be a healthy, vibrant, kind, caring person.
Today we are headed out early to have lunch with Dave and visit with Dave’s co-workers. They haven’t seen him in several months and he certainly has changed a lot! He’s grown and developed so much since they’ve seen him. He can crawl now. He wants to walk so badly though. He crawls a short distance, then tries to stand getting his legs straight but not knowing what to do next. Then he goes back to crawling or scooting.
My Quotable Kid: A Parents’ Journal of Unforgettable Quotes
Written by andrea on April 6th, 2010
This journal looks like such a great idea. I always remember my mom and my aunts talking about all of the things we kids use to say when we were small. I’d love to keep track of those things once John starts talking. Boy, I’d love to write down some of the stuff he says now, but it is total gibberish and so, so cute. Last evening at dinner Dave & I could have sworn he was talking like an Ewok from Star Wars.
The company that sells this journal is Chronicle Books and it looks like they’ve got all sorts of neat books, especially for gift ideas.