Special Days of Sacraments

     Last Saturday to our great pleasure Liam received his First Communion! Looking very handsome in his new suit; he was nervous but excited.  The Mass was beautiful and lets be honest there is nothing like watching children all dressed up and excited to meet Jesus in such amazing way.

The weather while threatening all week turned out wonderful and our friends and family who came to celebrate with us were also able to enjoy our new patio furniture and we were able to grill as planned.  In addition to being very happy for her brother; Lisbeth was also thrilled to visit with her twin cousin.  Caitlin was happy to party in her Easter dress and was the last of the kids to ask to change.

       Then on Sunday we went to Mass in the city at the University parish where Liam was baptized and he received his 2nd Communion.  

Earlier this week I made a quick trip to Richmond to attend the celebration of my niece's Confirmation.  A beautiful Mass and such an honor to included on her special day.

May the Sacramental Graces fall abundantly on them and all their classmates!

7 Quick Takes #277 ~ April Overview

1. Happy May!! How was your April? Ours was good in a busy 'just keep swimming' way.  Sorry to go quiet. How about a summary to catch you all up?
2. Easter morning was wonderful ~ the kids explored their Easter baskets, a breakfast of eggs and pastries, Mass and then some cooking and cleaning before taking Dr Daddy to the airport for his trip to London. We (the kids and I) still hosted Easter dinner for choir members and friends, including wonderful desserts from our favorite ballerina/baker.
3. My week of solo parent went reasonably well and Dad was able to FaceTime most evenings ~ and had a good week in London, getting in some sight-seeing most days.  The kids each had their moments of really missing Dad but overall did well.
4. The Weather has been keeping us guessing; more nice days than not but enough chilly mornings that coats are out and needed. It has been warm enough that trees have blossomed and my Lily of the Valley easily made their May 1st deadline.
5.  I stuck to my commitment to give-up fiction for Lent; my review of my Lenten reads are here.
6. The main excitement of the week has been preparing for Liam's 1st Holy Communion this weekend. He says the rehearsal went well, and he is excited.  Food has been ordered, family is coming, and now we just need it to not rain too much.
7. Photo dump: 

Have a wonderful weekend and please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!

Open Book ~ May '19

Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton while billed as Apologetics reads much more like a conversion story.   Chesterton seeking a philosophy to live by looks at the logic and framework of the leading movements of the time (turn of the century England) and found them all lacking when compared to Christianity. While I at times found his wit too sarcastic for me I overall enjoyed the book and found it to be a worthy read.

Untangled; Guiding Teenage Girls through the Seven Transitions to Adulthood by Lisa Damour is a straight-forward, accessible overview of the challenges Damour (a school psychologist and mother of daughters) have identified over her years of work and research. Broken down into what she describes as seven developmental milestones; Damour provides insight into what the young woman might be feeling and how best parents can support their daughters and help them make the different transitions towards adulthood.

Edmund Campion by Evelyn Waugh is a wonderful hagiography of the Saint; beginning in his years at Oxford and follows his faith journey in Elizabethan England.  Beginning with his scholarly work and crisis of faith as he discerns the priesthood we see the evolution as he moves to Europe and ultimately joins the Society of Jesus. Waugh in addition to providing biographical information of Campion does an excellent job of exploring and explaining the culture of Catholics in Queen Elizabeth I 's England. I also appreciated how Campion's own writings are quoted throughout.


Please head over to Carolyn's for more Open Book.

Adventures in preparing for your Second Reconciliation

   Part of the excitement around here is that the date for Liam's First Holy Communion is fast approaching. In addition to picking out cake flavors, and figuring out the guest list; we are also talking a lot about the Mass ~ specifically the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

   We also did a bit of backtracking this week preparing Liam for his second Reconciliation.  During an impromptu review session I discovered that he remembered the steps of the rite, but the idea of an Examination of Conscience was in need of a refresher.

As it happens, I had recently been given a copy of Kimberly Fries' book on that very subject.  The book takes a lovely, direct approach, encouraging the child to pray before a crucifix or the Blessed Sacrament and using the Ten Commandments as a guide ask themselves key questions.  Fries does a wonderful job aiming the questions at the early elementary age level; my 2nd grader who reads at grade level needed help reading a few of the words but understood what was being asked throughout. I like the framework and the creativity and sensitivity shown around the more 'adult' commandments such as the 6th.  Overall a wonderful addition to our library and one that will definitely get a lot of use.

I was provided a copy of Examination of Conscience for Little Ones in return for my honest review.

7 Quick Takes #276: Thinking about being Spring

1. Hello! Happy Spring! Weather-wise it is trying to be spring around here. No flowers yet but some shoots and buds can be seen; and I may be tempting fate but the snow shovels are back in the shed.
2. The warmer weather means we have pulled out the bikes! Liam having gotten a new taller bike has passed on his former to Caitlin and each are off to happy, if wobbly starts. Lisbeth has mostly been focused on mastering the caster board she received for Christmas. After consulting a couple of videos she got the knack and is having a blast.
3. Last weekend we traveled to N.J. to join in surprising Dr Daddy's uncle for his 80th birthday.  It was overall a great time with excellent food and a wonderful chance to catch-up with friends and family we don't get to see very often.  Given his St Patrick's Day birthday there was plenty of Soda Bread and Irish coffee to enjoy!!
4. In addition to prayers and remembrance; food wise we marked St Joseph's Day with pizza for the kids and kielbasa and peirogies for the grown-ups thereby covering both traditional nationalities. 
5. Last night we had the great pleasure of watching Lisbeth perform with the Archdiocesan Children's Choir; 5th-8th graders from all the local catholic schools are selected and perform together.  It was so nice to watch her enjoy the results of all their hard work and practicing this year.
6. This weekend Dr Daddy and I are presenting at Pre-Cana; please pray that the engage couples come with open hearts and minds to the information provided to them.
7. Have a wonderful weekend!

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!!

Open Book ~ March '19

The Wreath by Sigrid Undset (translated by Tina Dunnally) is the first book in a trilogy about a Norwegian girl Kristin Lavransdatter set in the fourteenth century. The book follows Kristin, her family and village from her early childhood, through her teens and evolving plans for marriage.  A lovely read which looks deeply into the thoughts and emotions of a young girl coming of age, falling in love, and seeking to discern if called to marriage or cloister.  Against this main story Undset provides tons of information about the geography and customs of Norway at that time; and Dunnally's translation provides all of this information without feeling forced or dry.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is a wonderful day-in-the-life story in New York where two high school seniors having a bad day meet and find the support needed to face some tough choices.  A fast paced story with just enough backstory provided for a wonderful read about what it means to be a child of immigrants.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner a slow paced lovely story of friendship as two couples reflect back on a friendship which began in their twenties and has sustained them through the decades and the Vermont camp which they have all retreated to at different points in their lives. A wonderful reflection on marriage, and the strength it brings as life events change and alter our dreams.

Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales is a book which began as a correspondence with a noble young woman seeking to understand how to live a devout life while in the world which became a book when the Bishop decided that this was a wish shared by many in the laity.  The advice he provides while first offered in the seventeenth century holds true in present day; I found almost none of it dated and so very much valuable to my life and vocation.  This was a book that I deliberately paced myself to better mine and reflect on its depth and wisdom.

Please head over to Carolyn's  for more Open Book.

Quick Takes #275: The difference a year makes!

1. Happy March! February was fun, busy, with enough snow for a couple of snow days and couple of memorable activities like taking the girls to Annapolis to see Snow White by the Maryland Ballet.
2. Later today we will be headed to Build.a.Bear to hopefully get Lisbeth a Light Fury and kick-off her birthday (How to train your Dragon) weekend which will of course include seeing the movie
3. Before I write these birthday posts I will look back on the previous post, and sometimes not much has changed except perhaps their favorite show.  Not this time; in the past year Lisbeth has grown so much. Literally ~ about 4 inches and figuratively in poise, maturity and ability to handle herself in difficult situations.
4. She received a box set of the first 5 books of the Wings of Fire series last birthday and has been inhaling the series (now 12 books & 2 graphic novel) ever since. While not my genre of choice it has been so fun watch her reading with such abandon.  Mythical creatures ~ particularly dragons are the current focus of much of her artwork.  
5. Some things have not changed ~ Math, Minecraft and Art continues to be her favorites things.  
6. It somehow feels very appropriate that my 1000th post on this blog is largely about little 9month old when I started this blog who has grown into such a lovely, bright, imaginative tween.  
7. Have a good weekend!! Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!