Happy 4th!

Magdalene (21 months old) and Tobias (nearly 8 months old) are spending their first fourth of July together.  Look at my sun-tanned babies!  

We had a great fourth today.  It's brutally hot and even Magdalene doesn't want to spend much time outside.  This is the little girl who would spend all day outdoors.  Jordan planted some bushes and perennials for me.  Our fence is up and looks great!  Summer is awesome so far, and I am so looking forward to our vacay to California within the next month.  We can't wait!  

By the way, I'm started a new book called Rosary Workout.   It sounds interesting.  I will post more info as time goes on, but I just thought it was about time to update this blog.  Love you all!

Thank You Tias!!!!

Thank you so much for your package!!!  We loved all the items!!!

Magdalene's Sixth Month Pictures Have Arrived!!!

Our little pumpkin looks so nice in her sixth month pictures.   We will send out pictures soon, but if you have a preference in a certain pictures and size, let us know!  We hope your Lent is going well.  Remember no meat on Fridays (hint hint to my father...let's see how long it will take him to respond to this post). 

Magdalene, the Prettiest Easter Bunny!

Magdalene is ready to go for Easter this year!  I know we're a bit early, but I found a great deal on a cute bumble bee Easter basket.  Isn't it so cute!  Her Grandma Robin got her those cute bunny eyes.  She's ready to go egg hunting!  It's exciting because my mom and sister (who has never met Magdalene yet) are coming around Easter.  We will have so much fun!  My mom has never dyed Easter eggs so this should be a real treat for her.  Hmm...so my mom and sister are coming which means.....I will get some sleep!  haha.  Actually probably not because I will want to talk and catch up with them.  My mom is also bringing Magdalene her first Portguese sweet bread.  It's a tradition in the Portuguese household to receive a little Portuguse sweet bread with an egg in the middle (a cook, hard-boiled egg).  The egg represents Jesus' resurrection on Easter.  Now Magdalene will not be able to eat the sweet bread, but I know of two parents who love that stuff.  Jordan totally destroys it for me though.  He toasts the sweet bread and puts jelly on it!  What!!!  It's sweet bread.  You eat it with butter and Portuguese cheese...that's it.  Almost everyone in my immediate family has met Magdalene.  I hope one day soon my extended family will be able to meet her.  But until then, I hope this blog and the pictures I send help you get to know my daughter. 

Bananas, Carrots, Peas, Oh My!

As you can see, Magdalene makes funny faces while eating.  She does enjoy eating fruits more than vegetables.  She takes after her daddy and mommy in the sweet tooth.  We can't wait to grow fresh food in our garden and make food for Magdalene.  We love you little punker (Jordan's name for Magdalene....shortened from pumpkin or pumpkin spice). 

Lil' Magpie Sits Up!

Babies Can Pray Too!

It's never too early to start!  Magdalene has been hearing her mommy and daddy pray since she was inside of mommy.  She loves to hear Jordan leading the rosary at home and in church.  Her favorite prayer is "Hail Mary", and the above video shows us praying that prayer.  I also learned a prayer when I was in Kindergarten called "Little Jesus."   I'm teaching that prayer to her as well. 

Prayer.   A simple act to show our love and devotion to God.  Nothing is sweeter than to see a child in prayer.  When I taught in Catholic School my first year of teaching, I was moved by the pious acts my students did.  Children are deeply genuine with their prayers.

 I also was deeply moved by something I had read that St. Therese of the Child Jesus had written,

"For me, prayer means launching out from the heart toward God; a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the trough of despair: it is a vast supernatural force that opens out my heart and binds me close to Jesus."

Thank you St. Therese for reminding us all that prayer should mean exactly that--it should be an act of love toward our Creator!  Jesus loves when we also honor His Mother.  Good job Magdalene!