Quick Takes #131

1. Liam is having quite the language explosion; in addition to finally saying his sister's names, recent words include: hose, brown, house, coat, grapes, bear, and water.  He is currently also really into role playing especially being a fire fighter, a super hero, and/or a construction worker.
2. Two wonderful Motherhood links of support and encouragement this week; firstly from Colleen of Martin Family Moments,  and secondly from Lisa Jo Baker
3. Lisbeth is having a blast and becoming more and more expert on the scooter she received for her birthday.  Reading however is proving a challenge as she is sometimes very stubborn about 'sounding' words out and will simply say she doesn't know the word.  We keep telling her that she isn't suppose to 'know' yet but currently frustrations on both our parts builds quickly.
4. At 3 1/2 months, Caitlin is consistently holding her head up on 'tummy time' and looking like she will be rolling very soon.  The carseat is still an occasion for crying but less so.  She continues to be my spittiest baby, but as she doesn't seem uncomfortable and is gaining weight I'm hopeful this is something she will mature out of rather than something worse like reflux.
5. Another great post this week from Dwija of House Unseen about not apologizing about how NFP works in our families
6. After talking about it for a couple of years and getting estimates in a stop-and-go fashion we have finally selected a contractor and are moving forward on updating the upstairs bathroom.  I am equally anxious about noise, mess and how long we will be down a bathroom and excited about picking out new things and finally fixing up the room.
7. Planted a garden with Lisbeth last weekend; last year the squirrels got everything but this year Dr Daddy has promised to help with pest control. Still have to get some tomato plants, hopefully this weekend.

Sorry blurry, was shooting fast before they noticed.

Have a good one ~ and please visit Conversion Diary for more of this week's Quick Takes.

Theme Thursday: Sky

Linking up with Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Sky

One of our growing traditions during our vacations in Maine is kite flying.  We usually go near sunset as the parking is free and the crowds have thinned ~ allowing for some interesting cloudscapes along the shore.

Lisbeth's first time flying a kite (17 months) 

This past summer ~ 2012

Liam's first time (23 months)

Please head over to Clan Donaldson for more Theme Thursday

7 Quick Takes #130

1. Baby Joseph is home!  As a former NICU mom I know how good it is to have your baby finally home with you.  Despite its delayed start I want to wish our lovely host and her family a wonderful baby moon.
2. Don't know what to write about the bombing in Boston except it makes my heart hurt. I haven't lived there in many, many years but Patriots Day or Marathon Monday as it has come to be called has been a part of my life forever.  Ages ago my dad worked in an office across the way from the starting line of the marathon.  
3. Easing the heartache of course are all the amazing signs of support and solidarity from MLB teams and other organizations across the country.  
4. Have been a loyal reader (showed withdrawal symptoms when she went on vacation earlier this month) of Camp Patton for some time now and while my three are 5 & under I found wisdom and encouragement in her latest 3 under 3 post.
5. Lisbeth's school had a carnival themed extended day yesterday and while the older two were enjoying their 'pj party', Caitlin and I headed to an amazing garden a short drive away. Unfortunately the day decided to be grey and rainy, but as I mentioned earlier this week tulips are a great favorite of mine; not to mentioned the chance to wander a garden without chasing a toddler.
   
   
   
   
     
6. Liam's small vocabulary and love of cuddling often has me thinking of him as perhaps younger than he is; he has recently started dressing himself in the morning; and listening to my instructions to Lisbeth, he is now better about putting his dessert bowl in the sink than she is.  Which makes me wonder what else might he be ready for but lack the language to tell me? potty training? riding a tricycle? 
7. Have wonderful weekend! We are hoping for some good weather to plant some seeds for a vegetable garden.

Now please head over and visit Grace's Camp Patton pinch-hitting for Jen this week for the rest of this week's Quick Takes

Five Favorites: vol 2

Linking up Hallie of Moxie Wife for another addition of Five Favorites.

In honor of my mom's birthday which is today ~ 5 Belgian inspire faves



1. Tulips ~ usually associated with Holland but grow in abundance throughout Belgium as well.  Love all the possible colors, the elegance and beauty of the blossoms, and the slight but not overpowering scent.






2. Cote D'or: Belgium has some of the most amazing chocolate shops and if ever there please visit, savor and enjoy ~ and then before coming home go to a local supermarket and pick up some of these for yourself, and maybe me.









3. Stella Artois ~ My favorite Belgian beer, unless I'm in the mood for a white (or wheat) beer in which  case...

3.5 Hoegaarden Blanc is my favorite Belgian beer

4. Mussels: One of the quintessential Belgian meals is Moule Frites or Mussels with french fries, delicious anytime of the year though technically you are only suppose to eat mussels if there is a 'R' in the month.

5. Beach: The North Sea is very cold much of the year (as is the Atlantic of the New England coast) but my mom has passed on her love of walks on the beach to me, as I hopefully am to my littles.

Disclaimer: Taken on Prince Edward's Island on my honeymoon.

What I Wore Sunday Vol 4

Gorgeous spring weather here finally, so I talked Dr Daddy into playing photographer today.

Deets:
Sweater: Christopher & Banks
Tank: Target
Skirt: Shade
Boots: Annie's via zulily
Earrings: lisa leonard

Please visit FLAP for the rest of this week's links.

Theme Thursday: Grow

Linking up again with Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday

Some of what we got growing around these parts are tulips,

and little (getting bigger) people

Please head over to Clan Donaldson for more pictures on this week's theme

This Little Light of Mine: a review and give-away

    Using the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as a framework, This Little Light of Mine by Kathleen Basi offers a guide for how to live out our Catholic faith during Ordinary Time, and model to the children around us its importance.  With reflections and practical suggestions offered at both the adult and child level, this is a wonderful book to add to any family's library.  We have just completed the hard work of Lent and our focus now is on celebration during the Easter Season, but with its seasonal focus, this book could prove a great resource in preparing for the ongoing journey of faith when Ordinary Time returns.

    The text was very readable, with concepts such as suffering, the saints, the sacraments, and Eucharist presented in back-to-back sections aimed at first adults and then children, followed by examples for daily living.  While my kids are still young to read to directly from the book, I am sure the suggestions for how to talk about important issues such as suffering or why one should attend Mass will be a help to me.  I believe Ms. Basi's clear yet in-depth approach to lessons of faith centered around the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes will prove very helpful to parents, and to anyone seeking to model a life of faithfulness to kids.

In addition to the copy of the book provided me for my honest review, the publisher Liguori has graciously also sent me one to give to one of you wonderful readers.  Please leave a comment below if you would like to add this book to your library.  Extra entries for followers, here or bloglovin, or twitter (@joymhb), just leave another comment letting me know.  Entries accepted until midnight Wednesday, April 17th.  Good luck!

Quick Takes: #129

1. Happy Easter! By long tradition any member of the Triduum choir my husband sings with who wants to is invited to our house for Easter dinner ( down in the fine print of The Corporal  Acts of Mercy is feeding the weary musician I'm sure); this year we had about 20 and hopefully a good time was had by all.
2. Sending out many good thoughts and prayers to our wonderful hostess Jen as she undergoes her clots  capture procedure!!
3. 3pm is the middle of nap time around here so Good Friday services were going to be a challenge; happily I found Way of the Cross led by the Pope, grateful not only to have found this link and therefore to able to participate in some manner last Friday but also for not having to endure the isolation faced in the past by pioneers and currently by missionaries throughout the world
4. Also sending good thoughts and baby soon prayers to Hallie Lord of Moxie Wife & including the link to a review I did a couple weeks ago of a wonderful book written by her husband.
5. Currently according to Lisbeth 'a dozen' is a huge number; as in "A hundred, a thousand, a dozen". I'm resisting the urge to ask her if we should get a dozen donuts to see if her head explodes.
6. Lisbeth has been enjoying all the jelly beans around, Liam is following in his dad's footsteps and munching malted milk eggs anytime my back is turned ~ this leaves the peanut butter eggs for me.  Isn't it amazing how life works out sometimes!
7. Easter Friday ~ Eat Meat!!

Please head over to Conversion Diary for more of this week's Quick Takes

Theme Thursday: Funny

Linking up again with Cari of Clan Donaldson on Theme Thursday;

So once upon a time I thought I would take some nice pictures of my kids in a leaf pile; they thought they should a good case of the sillies.

When asked if she could stop being silly for a moment for a nice picture she struck this pose, yeah that was what I meant.

Please head over to Clan Donaldson for more Theme Thursday

What I Wore Easter ~ Misson Failure

I had wanted to join the link-up this Easter hosted by Grace, but by long tradition we host the members of the Triduum choir and any other 'Easter Orphans'  for dinner, and between cleaning and cooking ~ picture taking did not happen as I had hoped.

Anyho: Happy Easter and Blessed Easter Season from Us:

And please (if you haven't) head to Grace's to enjoy all the Easter finery!