Surprise Birthday Party.....and Ash Wednesday!



 



We had a little celebration the day before Lent.  What do you do for someone who is constantly doing for others?  Well...how about throw that person a belated surprise birthday party!  So that is what we did for Grandma Marian.  The kids were excited! 

I picked up some decorations earlier that day with plates and such so Grandma Marian wouldn't have to wash any dishes.  Jordan placed an order at Pizza Ranch, which is Grandpa Richard's favorite restaurant.  We had gluten-free pizza, fried chicken, and mashed potatoes.  Sidenote:  Writing this post on the second day of Lent is not good right now.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about pizza! 

Grandma Marian looked happy! 

Pretty girl!  She was so excited about the party!

We ended the night with sundaes! 

Last year we were not able to attend Ash Wednesday so it was a delight to be able to go this year. 

Magdalene was really excited about her ashes.  She was very focused during Mass and got to sit by Grandma Robin. 

Philomena's ashes rubbed off before I had a chance to capture the moment. 

Mommy and Mena

Daddy and Mommy's ashes were big!  Well, that seemed to make Magdalene smile to see our ashes. I mentioned a few times that day that we would receive ashes, then proceeded to show her where, and what the priest would say.  She was then inspired to take our her Catholic Picture Dictionary.  It then led us to talk about penance. 

"I want to offer up my toys to poor people."

"Really Magdalene.  What would you like to give up then?"

"My Advent calendar."

I gulped and smiled.  "Sorry Magdalene, but we can't give that away.  Mommy likes to have that around for future Advents."

"Oh, okay."

End of discussion.  She didn't offer any other solution.  We then began talking about giving up something we like to do for Lent. 

It's always interesting and fun talking to Magdalene.  You never know what will come out of her mouth sometimes.  Lately, she announces if she thinks someone is stinky.  I pray she does not do this in public....

Tobias.  Oh Tobias.  I tried several times to get a picture of you.  This was my best shot.  At least I got a chance to hold you and watch the priest place ashes on you.  You were a very good boy today, Tobias.  Could it be because you were quietly trying to go "poo" in your diaper?  I don't know if that was the reason for your quietness, but we would love a repeat performance on Sunday! 

We always have fun on our road trips!  Thanks Grandma for sitting by the children. 

Our Little Cherub!

Philomena had her wellness check up appointment today. 

She's near the 100th percentile for weight.  (Still...hehe)
She's near the 30th percentile for height. 
I wonder if she is taking after my side of the family on this one. 

She is nine months old, and she is definitely developing a personality.

Curious.  Quiet. 

Excited to see Dadda when he comes home from work!
Calls Mama when she's hungry or wants me to hold her. 
Smiles and sticks out her tongue, because she is so excited to see Magdalene and Tobias. 

Our little....is getting big!  And we love every roll on her back, legs, ankles, and wrists. 

Moving Mena!

Favorite Liners of the Week

There are times I wish I could just write every cute moment that happens, but I have resigned myself that that would be impossible.  I will try to capture weekly highlights so I can reread this blog one day and remember those precious moments.

Tobias just sang Silent Night to me.  He has a beautiful voice.  I definitely teared up when he was done singing to me.

Now on to a funny moment with Tobias early in the morning.

Me: Tobias, don't you want to take your pjs off?
T: No.
Me. Are you going to wear them all day?
T: I'm wearing them alllllll dayyyy. 

Well, I guess that lightens my laundry load for the day. 

Dancing Philomena!

Here is some amusement for your day.  The kids love listening to Christmas music all year long, but I thought we would retire the music for Lent.  Here is baby Philomena showing her dance moves to the music.  Too funny!

  Philomena loves balloons!

 Thank you, Mommy! I love to play with balloons!

 She hasn't popped one yet....

 Sisters:  Best Friends Forever

 The Jacobs Trio:  Tobias (2), Philomena (9 months), and Magdalene (3)

Can I sleep in your bed with you?

         Yes, but I want to warn you.  I'm not easy to sleep with....I might kick you or move around a lot. (Sounds a lot like her Tia Brenda/Madrinha.  I lost a great deal of sleep sharing a bed with her.  Hehe)

I think I will sleep in my mommy and daddy's room instead!

St. Philomena Mission: A Beautiful, Country Church

When I first started attending Mass in Iowa with Jordan,  it took me some time to get used to worshiping in a convention room.  It took place twice a month in the Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.  Then a couple of years ago, there was an opportunity to buy a small country church in Bremer, Iowa.  Now St. Philomena looks like a Catholic Church!  Deo Gratias!  I cried tears of joy when I first caught sight of the tabernacle.  

Novena of Holy Communions

First, thank you to Helena and Brenda for giving us the booklet on Novena of Holy Communions.  Wow!  Since Jordan and I are not able to receive Holy Communion nine days in a row, we have instead been offering nine consecutive Sundays to grow in a particular virtue.

Patience.

Patience.

Patience.

I thought I was a patient person before I had children.  Wrong.  Terribly wrong.

Helena saw me the most during my teaching years.  I had some students with very difficult personalities.  Imagine twelve through fourteen year olds all day long coming in your classroom.  Boys and girls grouped together.  The last thing they wanted to do sometimes was learn about subjects and predicates.  But we made it through together, and I thought to myself, "You got this patience thing, Christina.  Motherhood should be easy compared to teaching."  Wrong again.

I sit down to rock Philomena to sleep.  Tobias takes the opportunity to look at me, and then I know trouble is going to begin.  Here are his options:

1.  Knock down Sissy's blocks.
2.  Climbs in an area that he shouldn't be climbing.
3.  Demands for a snack.

The list could go on.  Then I start to wonder how in the world I will be able to put Philomena to sleep.  I remember I just need to be patient, plan accordingly so I have a free 15 minutes, and remember he just wants my attention sometimes.

"There is nothing that Jesus desires more than that you receive Him in Holy Communion very often--every day, if possible.  When He gave us the Eucharist the night before He died, He pleaded, 'Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.'  Therefore, no prayer can be more effective than that said after Holy Communion when Jesus is present  in your heart as God and Man, as your Best Friend, ready to listen to you and to help you with the many graces He wishes to grant you."  (A Novena of Holy Communions"  Fr. Lovasik)

We thought that patience and meekness go hand in hand so we have been praying to grow in these particular virtues.

I can definitely see growth in both Jordan and I with being more patient with each other and with the children.

Thank you again dear sisters for this wonderful gift!