Prayer to Our Sacred Heart of Jesus

For the ideal union in love of husband for wife and wife for husband, God's examples are before you--Joseph and Mary.  Your marriage is something to be appreciated ever more deeply.  From time to time meditate on its precious character, as, for example, is suggested in the following prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for husband and wife to say in their own behalf.  


O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, dwell in our hearts and be our King; grant us by Your grace to love each other truly and chastely, even as You have loved Your spotless Bride, the Church, and have given Yourself up for her.  

Bestow upon us that mutual love and Christian forbearance which are so highly acceptable in Your sight, and a mutual patience in bearing each other's defects; for we are certain that no living creature is free from them.  Do not permit even the slightest defect to mar that full and gentle harmony of spirit, the foundation of the mutual assistance in the many and varied hardships of life, that is the end for which woman was created and united inseparably to her husband.

**O Lord God, grant that between us there may reign a perpetual holy rivalry toward a life perfectly Christian, by virtue of which there may shine forth more and more clearly the divine image of Your mystic union with Your Holy Church, as You have deigned to imprint it upon us on the auspicious day of our being made one.  

**Grant, we beseech You, that our good example of Christian living may serve as a powerful inspiration to our children to conform their own lives to Your holy law; and finally, after this exile may we ascend into heaven, where by the help of Your grace, for which we earnestly pray, we may merit to be joined with our children forever and praise and bless You through everlasting ages.  Amen.

**Engagement day**

Quote for the Year

Humor.  Very, very important when you have four children five and under.  I need to include Percy in this number, because during snack time, he can be be quite demanding and likes to steal their snacks when he gets the chance.  So I would say it's a full house around here.

I read this quote tonight, because I'm praying a novena for a fruitful and peaceful school year.  So I need a little humor now to lighten up my serious side at the moment.


Leila Lawler, mother of 7, writer at Like Mother, Like Daughter

Close your eyes for a moment and think, “Ma and Pa educated their children in a
covered wagon. They made it through the Long Winter. The children only went to school
when they weren’t needed on the farm. They had a Bible, a fiddle, and Shakespeare.
I can do this.


I'll think of this on hard days!  First day of school is on Labor Day!  Principal Daddy will be home to start the school year with help from  Dr. English (Percy, our English bulldog).  


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Deep Gratitude to the Dear Friends Our Lord Gave Us!

O great saint, whose name it is my honor to bear, protect me and pray for me, so that, like Thee, I may serve God faithfully on earth, and glorify Him eternally with Thee in heaven.  Amen.

(Christian Warefare)


A Mother's Prayer to the Guardian Angels of Her Children

I humbly salute ye, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children!  I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them.  At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection.  Continue to watch over them.  Provide for all their needs of body and soul.  Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed society.  Amen.

(Mother Love)


I absolutely love those two prayers!  They express what is deep in my heart, and since I am not a creative writer, I am grateful for beautiful prayers that have been written for me!

There have been times in the past fifteen years (oh my I'm getting older....) that my angel has definitely interceded....try to shake some sense into me!  I am eternally thankful to one of the dearest friends I have.

I don't know if I initially prayed to the guardian angels of my children, but as time passes, I definitely hold them dear in my heart.  I know there are dangers (little and big) unknown to even me that may happen to them, and I really need God's special messengers!  I like to think their angels help cushion falls so they don't get as hurt.  Yesterday was a day that really reminded me of how important our guardian angels and patron saints are to our lives.

I heard the weather was going to be beautiful yesterday, and we haven't been to the park since my sister left.  We packed  a special picnic in their cute little backpacks.  They helped make their sandwiches, which was really fun to see them so excited.  We were looking to the fresh air and a change of scenery before we start the school year.

We decided to go to the Nashua Park.  There were a few campers parked near the park, but for the most part, it was a quiet morning.  After we parked, Magdalene and Tobias headed out of the van to the nearby picnic table while I unloaded Theodore and Philomena.  I noticed a small, silvery-gray car approach the van, but was busy getting Mena and Teddy Bear safely out of the van.  The car stopped right near our van, and the man began a conversation with me.

"He sure looks sleepy."

My thoughts were okay, just another over-friendly town person.  I just said very briefly, "Ahuh."  Kept it brief and simple so the man would just continue driving on.  He didn't stop there though.

Then he said, "Oh there he goes."  Then I realized this strange man was talking about Tobias.  Weird. Very weird.

"So your license plate says Butler County.  I'm from Butler County.  I live in Clarksville.  Where are you from?"

Okay I will strike up conversations with others at park, but generally the person has to be  a woman with children.

"Sir, I don't know you," was my reply.  He said something mumbling...not sure and then took off.

A lady with a dog quickly approached us and seemed very concerned.  I tried shrugging it off...thinking small town people are just too friendly sometimes.

She didn't initially see me, and thought the man was speaking and trying to lure Magdalene and Tobias into his car.

I mentioned how grateful I am that someone would be concerned enough to check on the scene.  She then made a phone call to the police department to report the incident.

We both spoke to the police, and she was able to give a better description of the car, and I was able to describe the gentleman.

I avoided looking at him as much as possible, and I was busy with the small children, but I definitely got a creepy feeling from him.

Jordan came home later that day and mentioned there are reported attempted child abductions in the Shell Rock and Cedar Falls area.  Boys have been the target....and one of the vehicles matched the description of the car I saw.

I guess he may not be an over-friendly town person.

This was definitely an eye-opening experience, which led to a great deal of talking with the children about safety.  We wanted to express our deep concern without also getting them too anxious.


Dear Guardian Angel and the Angels of Our Children,

Thank you.  I hope one day to say thank you to you personally in heaven.

 I like to think this man saw an army of our angels surrounding us.

Precious Baby Boy!!

Dears Sisters,

I am so thankful for your time and love this summer.  I am terrible with "writing" words, hence, why I have become such a talker in the family now.  haha!  But thank you so much for all the special ways you show your love to us.  We love you tias!

We had so much fun with the gender reveal party.  When I heard you were both visiting this summer, I thought Jordan and I could do something different and find out the gender of the baby in advance.  It was so unlike us, and I have to admit, it was super exciting!

You planned such a wonderful way for us to learn more about our baby.  I still haven't gotten used to saying baby boy instead of just saying baby.  We have discussed lots of names, but we haven't confirmed one yet.  I think that will be the surprise in the end!

Thank you again for coming.....and we can't wait to see you in December!   Christmas baby!



Love,

Christina

Magdalene was in on the secret!  She did a great job not revealing anything to us.

The kids helped Bear pick out fun decorations from the dollar store.  

We had a Hawaiian party complete with a meal that was as close to Hawaiian as we could get it.

When Daddy came home that day, he had some googles for the kids to wear for the party.  I cracked up, and he also brought home a boy and girl sleeper as a gift for the baby.  Aww!

"Teddy Bear, do you want a brother or sister?"

We played some baby shower games like who could come closest to measuring Mommy's tummy.

Daddy guessed a little tooooo big!

Then we had to guess how big Daddy's tummy was.

Of course a party isn't complete without some dancing.  My sister played some Hawaiian music from her phone.  By the way, I am officially the only Alves member who doesn't own an iPhone.

We made a nice outfit for Bear!

My sister Brenda arranged a wonderful way for us to find out the gender.  We would pop a balloon filled with confetti (pink or blue).  I was so excited!  I couldn't pop the balloon at first, but then it finally busted.

It's blue!

This will be the first time one of our children will have a sibling of the same gender close in age.  Theodore will have a little buddy to play with, and Tobias will be the leader of the boy group.  I couldn't think of a more perfect addition to our family.  Another sweet, cuddly little boy to hold and nurture!

We love you all so much!   Please share your favorite boy names.  We would love to hear them.

Summer So Far