Already August

WOW! I cannot believe its already August! It is getting HOT!! I am ready for some Fall breezes! Isn't it amazing how God works! We are so ready from summer sun and then by the time summer's almost over we are grateful for some cool breezes!

Lets count some July/August blessings (in no order!)

1. Darryl finished his psych rotation! WOHOO! 1 down 5 to go!

2. Caleb's first little tooth!

3. Another year of life (I celebrated my 24th birthday July 5)

4. My wonderful parents who raised me!

5. My sister and brother-in-law...fabulous!

6. ANother wonderful week at pine cove for becca, learning about god's great love!

7. a visit with my college roomie, Rach, who has been out of town for a year!! and her wonderful mommy

8. the gift to dream!

9. my running buddy home! and training to White Rock Marathon in Dec

10. the gift of confession and the grace and mercy bestowed on us!

count yours!

blessings,

Madeline

Monday Morning

Well, I worked yesterday...it was so sad to leave my precious boys on Sunday but I am sure they had some great bonding time! =) This morning Caleb and I got to go for our run...I always feel so much better after run. Like I can take on the world, or at least our little world! So I am taking it on! Hope everyone has a blessed Monday! Thank God for a new week!

ps- Caleb is trying so hard to sit up on his own!

Being a Mommy

What a blessings being a Mommy is! Despite teething, fussing, changing diapers, 2:30 am feedings, lack of sleep, spit up on me, etc...it is such a blessing! Seeings a smile, a giggle, a cuddle, a peacefully sleeping baby, and all the new things he does each day! He is such a miracle! I mean really, can you believe that God allows us!! (darryl and madeline!!) to participate in the miracle of life?! Wow! I recently read this awesome book..."The Heart of Motherhood" by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle with a group of girls at church and I was going back through it this am looking at pages I dog-eared and found this JPII Quote I love...
"It is a disservice not only to children but also to women and society itself when a woman is made to feel guilty for wanting to remain home and nurture and care for her children. It is also necessary to counter the misconcepiton that the role of motherhood is oppressive to women and that a commitment to her family, particularly to her children, prevents a woman from reaching personal fulfillment and from having an influence in society. No response to woman's issues can ignore a woman's role in the family or take lightly the fact that every new life is entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying it in the womb." -- Pope john Paul II

WOW! Powerful! There is a reaosn I am meant to feel that my place in raising my kiddos and caring for my hubby! God Made me that way! THANK YOU LORD!

Hug your kids today!

Blessings,
Madeline

SumMa FuN!

I cannot believe the summer is half-way over already! We have had so much fun! Caleb is getting so big and doing something new every day! Lately is into making smacking/popping noises with his mouth! He loves to play in our pool in the backyard, he is a little fishy! We went to the waterpark down the street and he seemed to enjoy that...briefly! It was a bit overwhelming! He had his first playdate with a friend of mine from work and her little girl...they both slept through the whole thing! He went to his first ranger's game! It was rough...it was a 7pm game and it was loud during his bedtime...but he was a trouper! He had his first 4th of July and got to watch the fireworks in the country! He was mesmorized by them! Just like his mommy!He went on his first plane ride and did fabulously! He is just such a happy baby, he makes me so happy!

We went to a good friend from high school's wedding last weekend and it brought back so many memories of our wedding! It was so much fun! WHat a blessing marriage is! We are so blessed that God gives it to us! And I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

SPeaking of... he is doing well in school! He took his Step 1...(first board test!) and did great on it! We are all so thankful it is over! He is now in his 3rd year of medical school, and I am so proud of him!

I have attached some pictures of our glorious summer!

Blessings,
Madeline

How to Raise Good Catholic Children by Mary Reed Newland

I have truly enjoyed this book, (How to Raise Good Catholic Children, by Mary Reed Newland). It has taught me so much about being a good mother and being a good Catholic Christian woman. I have learned that in order to teach my children many important things, loving Mary, each other, and most importantly Jesus Christ, I must do the same. Being a first time mom all of the many examples were very helpful. She would give a lesson, and the give the exact example of how she implemented in her family. It is very well written, and easy to read (nice when you just get a few minutes here and there to read). We are going to try to implement many of her suggestions in our household. She makes everything seem so simple! We will see as we try to implement in our lives! I found myself growing profoundly while reading this book. I would catch myself praying throughout the day more, when getting up in the night to feed the baby, while doing dishes, while listening to baby cry etc… I found my devotion to the blessed mother grow as well. She really emphasizes the importance of your children’s relationship with Mary. One thing about that she said that stuck out to me was that children are born with the innate ability to love her, we just need to introduce them and foster this love. I would recommend this to anyone trying to raise a good Catholic family! ( received a free copy from Sophia Institue Press to review!)

Recently

So recently many things have changed!
Namely...CALEB IS HERE!! What a blessing! He is beautiful and perfect in every way! God has truly blessed us! Caleb teaches me something new every day! Patience is often the lesson of the day, or enjoying a quiet moment or a cute laugh.
You can see his pictures on our shutterfly site... ask me for the address and ill share!

i have decided to try out this blog so that i can receive free books from sophia institue...you can request books, then blog about them and review them on another website as well...my first one is how to raise good catholic children...i will let you know what i think when i receive and read it!
blessings,
madeline