Happy birthday mom!

Happiest of happy birthdays to my dear mom. 

What else can I say, but may god truly bless you today and always, and our mother Mary watch over you!

You are my inspiration, my shoulder to cry on, my listening ear, my wisdom giver, my faith builder. My mom. 

You always think of others first and would do anything for anyone, esp one of your kids (ie drop everything and move in with your daughter and her crazy crew for 6 weeks so you can insure her twin girls come home healthy!). You don't know how to love except with your whole heart. You're one of the most helpful people in the world. You're crazy--willing to try anything new! So adventurous. Living life to its fullest. You're classy, gorgeous, active, intelligent, AND MY mom! Wow. God has blessed me. I've got a lot to live up to. :)

Wish we could be there to prop your feet up, bake you a coconut cake, bring you a glass of wine and shower you with hugs and kisses. Alas, for now, a cute picture of my kids will have to do..and my  love from miles away. Thanks mom for all you are! And grandma and grandad for raising her right! :) xoxo

Lately

Priscilla 

Olivia

Just a few snapshots of our recent activities. Life is good...I saw this outside yesterday 

The snow is melting. Spring is coming! Praise The Lord! 

My daughter. God is counting on your help.

My daughter, you have set up a home. I like to remind you that you women - as you well know - have a great strength, which you know how to enfold within a special gentleness, so that it is not noticed. With that strength, you can make your husband and children instruments of God, or demons. You will always make them instruments of God: he is counting on your help. (The Forge, 690)

Never thought inside my house would look like this! :)

Snow days

Running out of things to do inside. Missing a good old tx winter right about now! I promise to never take for granted the ability to be outside year round again! :) making the most of it... 😏

Blessings,

M

Less Sleep?!

I feel like I am one of the few people in the world who should've made a new years resolution to sleep less.  I mean really.  What grown woman sleeps as much as me?  Darryl and I are usually in bed by 9:00 which means I'm asleep by approx. 9:01.  Seriously, as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm OUT! Darryl has an excuse.  I mean hes up at 6:00 at the absolute latest and has several nights a week where he gets 2-4hrs of sleep.  Me, on the other hand.  No excuse.  I.  Just.  Love.  Sleep. 
Ok enough.  I really need to get up at 5 to get everything accomplished in one day.  If i go to bed at 9 I should be able to do this.  But for some reason, 5 comes and goes and 6 is usually when I'm up.  New goal.  5:00.
SO today at bible study Father came to speak to us.  We are discussing Song of Solomon and he talked about going to place where you can just be with the Lord and talk with him like 2 young lovers.  (Funny, but I can remember talking to Darryl on the phone for HOURS when we were younger.  My parents swore we just listened to each other breathe.) So my happy place HAS to be "the country'.  I mean really.  Nature is just where God is. (Other than of course the adoration chapel, church, and holy communion) I cant think of a place that I would rather go and sit and talk with him than on the dock or front porch with the sun setting.  So today i have tried to picture it several times.  Its beautiful, peaceful, and I can feel his love.
And here are my cutie pies from our beautiful weekend last weekend.

"The best day ever"

IIt truly is the little things. After Darryl being oncall yesterday and last night he was home for this evening and he's off this weekend! So for our Friday night we went to "the boy store". Aka bass pro. And then to "mommys restaurant". Aka Jason's deli. After finishing off his ice cream, Caleb declared "this is the best day ever!" With a huge smile on his face. Thank god for this time. I'm so grateful for these years. They are flying by. And before long he will lose this precious innocence. If only bass pro, free ice cream, and an evening with our family could please us all...

Sorry for the super blurry phone pics...

Blessings

M

He makes all things new

This orchid just won't die on me! This is the third or fourth time it's put out blooms.  This time it has a ton! It must love this window. I do too. I get to see my precious kiddos run around outside it. 

Beautiful stained glass by who?! You ask...my wonderful sister...Becca! 

See also the precious model magic "snowman" Caleb made me. He old me it was to put in my window while I do dishes. What a sweet heart he has. 

Blessings, 

Madeline 

Ps. Don't be fooled by the sunshine. It's 14 outside!