Family Photo Meme

Having been tagged by Karen of http://kareninmommyland.blogspot.com (sorry have not figured out how to do the fancy linking thing yet) here is a family photo and the story behind.

This was taken last summer (2008) on the beach in Maine, featuring in addition to Elisabeth and myself my wonderful SIL Karen and her daughter C. We were happy to discover last year that we would be pregnant at the same time and due about a month apart.

The plot thickened when E. decided to wait and be born in March and her cousin decided to come a little early. In reality they were born nine days apart. How much fun is there going to be watching these little girls grow up together.

Already I have the happy memory of two babies happily hanging out in their carriers as we introduced them to the wonderful if chilly beaches in Maine.

I tag Mindy, Molly, and anyone else with a photo to share and a story to tell.

Quick Takes vol #20

1. Have begun to get language explosion around here with new words almost every few days so I thought I would work on manners too.  Whenever she would pull on my legs and say 'Up' I would answer 'Up please' and it seems to be working.  The 'please' is not very clear but there is definitely now a word of some sort coming after 'UP'
2. The weather finally gave us a break this week and a couple days of sun.  Ventured out to the playground and check out a local arboretum which was holding a tree-house exhibit.
3. Don't think Elisabeth fully appreciated the work that went into constructing the tree-houses we saw however the stairs got raves.  We are very much into stairs right now!
4. Last date night included a wonderful beef fried rice and watching Mama Mia which I heartily recommend.  Sometimes there is nothing better than a joyous and fun-filled musical.  I'm still humming the tunes almost a week later.
5. When choosing a spouse there are the big things you look for; compatibility, intelligence, a sense of humor, and feeling mutual respect and attraction.  Then there are the happy surprises!!  Marrying someone who likes to cook definitely has its benefits :-)
6. Received word this week of two lovely baby girls born to friends of mine, this combined with celebrating this weekend the high school graduation of a cousin (by marriage) I have had the great privilege of knowing since she was two years old has me thinking about the passage of time.  'The Circle Game' is one of my favorite songs and as I get older its bittersweet message rings truer and truer.
7. This weekend traveling to New Jersey to honor and celebrate with the graduate!

Come read and enjoy other Quick Takes hosted by Jen at www.Conversion Diary.com

Small Successes: June 25th

1. Went with couple of friends to a local arboretum yesterday.  Am very much a homebody, but with all the rain we have had recently wanted to make the most of some nice weather and explore some of the parks local to us.  (we did get rained on, but only a little.)
2. Have now for three Saturdays in a row, made dinner together with Charlie to be enjoyed as we watch a movie.
3. With said husband's help got upstairs bathroom deep cleaned and tub re-caulked.

Read more and share your successes at Faith and Family, Live!

Body after baby: Plateau Tips

• This week finds me again holding at the same weight, while I am grateful that the current weight loss appears real and to be holding but there is 2-3 more pounds to my initial goal so I have been gathering tips from friends and other weight loss buddies:
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• Change some little thing somewhere, different breakfast or mid-afternoon snack.  If you have been doing the same activity try changing it a bit.  Not necessarily more just different.
• If that does not wake up your metabolism then adding more intensity might be needed.  Jog occasionally during your walk.  Increase the incline on  a treadmill.  Add more weight during strength training.
• Re-measure portions just to check for portion creep.

So this week I will reassess my portions and focus on hills during our walks.

Visit http://www.mamanotes.com/ read other updates and join the challenge yourself.

Quick Takes vol #19

1. I won a book giveaway!! I want to thank Anne of catholicmommybrain.com for hosting and also Aquinas and More Catholic Goods, the official sponsor of the Catholic summer reading program.  It is really exciting that I will not only be receiving a free book but one of ten chosen by their editors and then voted by many others.  Voting ends tomorrow, go check it out!
2. This week rather then complain about that fact that it has been raining for weeks on end I chose to focus on being grateful that I have a warm dry home to live in.  My roof is not leaking and nor are my windows. 
3. The first water babies class was not a great success, she cried through much of it.  She was not terrified and screaming to get out but would only not cry if we did not move around in the water too much and she could rest her head on my shoulder.
4. I am planning to give it another try next week.  I would like her to be comfortable playing with us in a pool, however it is not a must so whether we keep going after next week is an open question I guess.
5. As Father's Day comes around, I am enjoying the wonderful father-daughter relationship I'm seeing develop between E. and her daddy, missing my dad and giving thanks as always for our Heavenly Father
6. My godfather, one of my father's best friends has always been a wonderful gift of love and encouragement to me.  My father was not Catholic and so my godfather was one of my role models for living as an adult catholic in the world.  Now that I too am a godparent, I pray I do as good a job of modeling Catholic love and Christian charity as he did for me.
7. Hoping the sun shines a little on our weekend plans!
   

Small Successes: June 18th

1. Completed my first book review for the Catholic Company.  Which is also a success of being less afraid to try new things.
2. Got our upstairs completely vacumned, and I have high hopes for the downstairs this weekend
3. Used the grill for the first time this summer, hoping getting into the habit early will provide many tasty dinners.

What are your small (or not so small) successes this week? Share them over at Faith & Family Live!

Saint Thomas Aquinas: a review

Saint Thomas Aquinas by Raissa Maritain

114 pgs  (10-13 year old)

Sophia Institute Press

Having recently been given the privilege of becoming a reviewer for The Catholic Company, I read Saint Thomas Aquinas by Raissa Maritain, a biography translated into English by Julie Kernan.   Beginning with Saint Thomas Aquinas's childhood, education and religious formation, the book follows his path up to and beyond his death, discussing also process of his canonization,  highlighting some of his major works of literature, the Office of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Summa Theologica.

 

   While I enjoyed the book I'm not sure what the age target was: the vocabulary is a little difficult but I wonder if a teenager would find the tone a little condescending.   One note of caution to parents: while most concepts are well explained or defined, the tradition of bodily relics (namely, in which two shrines his arms may be found)  is unexpectedly raised without  much context.  This may be a new and uncomfortable concept to some children.  Overall the book is a nice overview of St. Thomas's life and work, and perhaps would work well as story to be read with your child, or a jumping off point for a confirmation student wanting to research Saint Thomas. 

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 Saint Thomas Aquinas.