10 Things about Me and My Better Half

Betty Beguiles is asking us all to participate in this fun post, so here goes

1. We met at the Newman Center of the university we were both at; me for undergrad and him for grad school

2. We were friends for about a year before we started dating

3. We dated for eight years before getting engaged

4. He proposed on a day trip to visit the Alamo (we were living in Houston at the time)

5.Two weeks before the wedding a big part of the church ceiling came down, closing the church temporarily

6. So we married in the chapel where we had met ten years before

7. We love the ocean and so went to Prince Edward's Island for our honeymoon despite many people thinking we were crazy ( We got married at the end of December)

8. Four years later we won a trip to Hawaii, that was nice too!

9. We both LOVE ice cream and could eat it every day

10. 18 years together, 8 years married, 2 kids later: his arms = my happy place

Wondering Wednesday: Confirmation Gifts

In the next two weeks we will be attending the confirmation of two young women. Suggestions for gifts; I'm trying to remember what I received for mine.

New bible? Icon of Confirmation saint? Necklace?

One is a godchild, and the other we have known all her life. We are not the Confirmation sponsor for either.

Thanks in advance!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Milkshakes and Memories: repost

originally posted March 28, 2010

In the plans for today is getting a milkshake (ideally a frappe, but those are hard to come by outside of New England), preferably coffee. You see my dad passed away March 27, 2004 and when the first anniversary came I was not sure what to do, I did not exactly want to celebrate, but marking the date was definitely in order.

So I got a coffee shake because my dad loved them, and he taught me to also. It felt right and so now every year on his birthday in September and on this day in March I get a milkshake, remember, and raise my glass to my dad.

My dad who loved to read, the ocean, and mountain climbing especially the White's in New Hampshire. Who preferred classical music but also introduced me to The Weavers, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Beyond the Fringe.

So probably I can convince Elisabeth to join me in a milkshake and someday when she is older I will tell her why we are having one on this day and who her grandfather was.

Quick Takes Vol. #77

1. Happy Feast of the Annunciation: I don't believe it is known what time of day the Angel Gabriel visited Mary with the news of her pregnancy, but in my case both times I discovered in the morning, and in the case of my pregnancy with Liam: after C. had left for work ~ at least for me it gives the day an interesting twist to have something that big that only you know.
2. The start of solids foods is going well, once he came to understand the whole spoon concept. He has so far enjoyed avocado, squash, cereal with bananas, and currently pears; up next: green peas.
3. My observance of Lent has not been going as I hoped with less time for reading, prayer and journaling; though it occurred to me that perhaps an important Lenten lesson is to learn to carry the cross how it is given to you ~ especially when not in a way of your choosing.
4. Small vent: Sweden has apparently not gotten the memo about crib mattress fitting all toddler beds. The bed we got from IKEA is about a foot longer; luckily I had bought the mattress they suggested with the bed as we are moving Liam to the crib, but as I had already bought bedding elsewhere I didn't get bedding when we bought the bed ~ leaving us for a fews day (till I could get back to the store) with a bed with no bedding. Am I the last mom to know about this?
5. I am happy to report that she has (mostly) successfully been sleeping in her new room now for almost a week. Still need re-arrange the furniture a little, but project New Toddler Room nearly done!
6. Despite waking to flurries yesterday; with daffodils and forsythia blooming and tulips coming up it is starting to feel like spring around here.
7. Plans for the weekend: Cleaning & adding to my 40 bags in 40 days goal, and a remembrance of family. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes

Small successes:March 24th ~ new room

1. Room prepped and painted
2. Bed assembled and bedding (take 2) bought and washed
3. Lisbeth sleeping in new room since the weekend!

Giving Thanks this Thursday:

for my cheerful painting helper

for time to celebrate the little moments and milestones

snuggling in bed with my nursing buddy

daffodils in the garden

a loving husband

hope renewed each morning

a Father's forgiveness

Please visit Faith and Family Live to celebrate the small successes in all our lives.

Ten on Tuesday: March 22th

1. What condiments are always, always in your fridge?

Ketchup, mustard, tarter sauce

2. How do you like your steak cooked? Your burgers?

Medium well (clear juice, not pink juice please)

3. What’s your favorite use for fresh tomatoes?

Hard to pick a favorite: tomato & mozzarella sliced together

4. What’s your go-to dinner when you haven’t planned anything in advance and you don’t feel like going out?

Stouffers lasagna (or asking my husband if he has anything in mind).

5. What’s your favorite snack food lately?

Target trail Mix or Lime corn chips

6. What’s your favorite weekend breakfast to make at home?

Bacon & Eggs

7. What’s your favorite thing to grill? How do you do it?

My husband is the grill-meister and does a great pork chop

8. What’s your favorite wine for under $10? If you’re not a wine person, what brand of beer is your favorite?

Been too long since I've bought wine (couple of family members are really into it and keep me stocked); Beer: Stella Artois

9. Give us your most delicious cocktail recipe.

Not really a home thing for me but a treat when I go out with friends, at which time I usually treat myself to a Margarita

10. How do you like your eggs?

Benedict (name that movie) and the truth

Please visit Roots and Rings and enjoy other answers to this weeks questions

Quick Takes Vol. #76

1. St Patrick's Day: Spent wearing green and splitting a Shamrock Shake with a certain toddler who by next year may be ready to learn about St Patrick, shamrocks and the Trinity.
2. The leaking ceiling saga continues with new leaks showing up this week after a night of rain. Hopefully the upcoming stretch of nice weather will allow the contractors to find and patch the leaks
3. Praying for the people of Japan!
4. Having finished painting ~ project new room now moves into Daddy's domain with furniture assembly this weekend.
5. Celebrating St. Joseph's Day tomorrow by giving thanks for all the wonderful fathers and craftsmen in my life.
6. And eating corned beef & cabbage, as that menu option did not work earlier in the week and has been requested by the Irish man I live with.
7. If you are still reading ~ sorry for the random minutia ~ fussy baby, short night = a truly random Quick 7

Have a good weekend ~ and please visit Conversion Diary for rest of this weeks Quick Takes

Happy Half-birthday Liam!

Despite having experienced the first year once before I am again surprised at fast it goes by. Yet here we are 6months later and now on the downhill towards that first birthday. Surprising me too again is how one notices the first traces of, for example, the newborn stage ending with better head control and less startling ~ but not the last. You just wake-up one morning to the realize the baby you are feeding and changing is well established in his babyhood with nary a hint of the newborn he once was.

So here's to you at this milestone:
While still largely an observer you are becoming much more interactive with your world; reaching for toys and playing with them on the Bumbo tray or in your swing, smiling or even laughing at the people and activities around you (especially your big sister).

The car seat is still not your favorite place to be, but you handled the recent trip south wonderfully and won my undying gratitude.

While not much for rolling, if propped well can sit independently for 5-6 secs at a time. You have to your great amusement discovered you have hands and feet, though not quite sure what they are good for.

And stay tune great things await in the next few weeks:
that cradle you are currently growing out of will be replaced with a crib in your own room
having now met avocado, many more foods will be offered for your consideration

Happy Half-Birthday Little One ~ the best is yet to be!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Good Words, Inspiration for Catholic Women: a review

Taking Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (to everything there is a season) as it's inspiration Good Words offers a hundred or so quick reflections. The format of breaking the passage into 16 phrases, with six complementary quotes per phrase offered including questions for reflection this book allows to reader the opportunity for quick reflection or if they desire could be used for lectio divina and throughly pondering this scriptural passage.

The versatility of the format intrigued me and I found the questions interesting and thought provoking. The complementary quotes were all from other books offered by this publisher; the connection was not always clear to me, but did peak my curiosity about other books. While I read through it quickly, many phrases and their accompanying reflections at a sitting, a slower read focusing on one passage at a time will be of greatest benefit; focusing perhaps on the season currently closest to your heart. The book's smaller size would make it easy to keep in a briefcase or diaper bag for use when time allows.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Good Words - Inspiration for Catholic Women. They are also a great source for serenity prayer and baptism gifts.

Small successes:March 10th

1. Toddler bed and mattress purchased
2. Pre-Cana workshop presented to twelve couples
3. 3 yr & 6 month professional photo-shoot done

Giving thanks this Thursday for:

the growing, loving little girl in my house

a baby boy, learning and laughing more & more

new skylight domes

crocuses in the garden

visits from family

a loving husband to share the laughs of life with

God's everlasting love and forgiveness

Please visit Faith and Family Live to share and read of other successes

Good Lent!

Giving back~ Giving up ~ Giving in

Let the Lenten journey begin.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Ten on Tuesday: March 8th

1. How did your parents decide on your name?

Having a favorite boy's name my mom let my dad choose the girl's name. Later found out that Joy was a girl name he had liked since college.

2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?

nope ~ Initially J.M.H.L and now J.M.H.B

3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)

Kept my middle name from childhood.

4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)

Similar origin, but also honoring my husbands background.

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?

I have liked my daughters name since I was twelve, my son's name is more influenced by my husband's heritage.

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?

Yes, one of my middle names is Marie which was my maternal grandmothers name and both of my maternal great-grandmothers name.

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?

Mostly the name itself.

8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?

Combination leaning towards pet names.

9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?

Nothing comes to mind ~ so I may have blocked them from memory!!

10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?

Yes, because they belong to people I love!

Please visit Roots and Rings to enjoy others answers to these questions.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Little Bit!

Growing bigger and bigger,

learning lots and lots,

but forever our little girl, daughter and big sister!

Happy Birthday ~ Here's to a Great Day and Wonderful Year!