My Daybook ~ December 30th

Outside my window... there is still some snow on the trees and ground from yesterday! It was a nice surprise for the forecasted rain to turn to snow and my children immediately headed outside to play.

I am hearing... the soft breathing of my little girl sleeping in my arms.

I am thinking... about how hard it is to find time to blog with a new little baby in the house! It has been a week since I got online for a minute to post our Christmas picture. Between Christmas, visiting family, Mass on Sunday, and the baby's baptism on Monday, I haven't had any extra time (or motivation!) to sit down in front of this computer. I do have a ton of pictures to share though, so I'm thinking this daybook is going to include quite a few! ;)

I am thankful for... Hubby's brothers, who are always willing to fly out to administer the sacrament of Baptism to our children. This particular brother-in-law has baptized all three of our daughters! (In fact, Twinkle Toes was his first baptism ever as a newly ordained deacon at the time.) Thank you "Uncle Father!"

I am praying... prayers of Thanksgiving for our precious little baby's safe arrival and baptism, and that the little holes in her heart close quickly. I am also praying for Kelly and a number of other friends whom I have promised prayers.

From the kitchen... TONS of delicious white cake with vanilla cheesecake filling, leftover from the Baptism. We planned to pick it up to take to the coffee shop right after the baptism, to share with all the friends and family that were able to attend, but it wasn't quite ready for pickup and we ended up getting it later that afternoon to bring home for after dinner. If anyone would like a piece, come on over!

"Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow."

From the learning rooms... nothing at the moment. Though I do need to start planning soon!

Living the Liturgical Year at Home... I have so many pictures to share from Christmas Day... It was wonderful! I also have a newly blessed bottle of wine from the feast of St. John. (Another benefit to having a priest visiting right after Christmas this year!) Our Christ Candle replaced our Advent candles for the Christmas season, and the Advent Mantle was updated with the word "REJOICE" in gold as well! I am still trying to decide what we will be doing to celebrate the Solemnity Feast of Mary the Mother of God/Circumcision of Our Lord, but I still have a couple days, right? Other than attending Mass, what will you be doing with your family?

I am creating... a blog post!!! lol! I am also writing many letters to friends and family, as I continue to address our Christmas Cards. Yes, I still haven't gotten them all out this year. In fact, I am not even half done yet...

I am wearing... maternity clothes, still, and probably will be for awhile!

I am going... to town this afternoon. Rose has her 2 week check-up and then I have an appointment with a Physical Therapist due to my sacroiliac joint. (Now you know the real reason I haven't been motivated to sit and blog! ;) ) Hopefully they will be able to re-align everything and give me some exercises to do at home to help recover! In the meantime, it is giving me a little something extra to offer up...

I am reading... The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity which was recently given to me by a friend. I have only just started, but so far it is wonderful!

I am hoping... that it won't be nearly 5 years before Father is able to come out for another visit... We miss him already!

Noticing that... our little Snuggles is not a baby anymore! When did he grow up???? He sure loves his new little sister and will spend every opportunity he can get snuggling with her.

Around the house... lots of evidence that we have a new little one living in our home. Baby Blankets, a Boppy pillow, burp rags, bouncy chairs, and a darling moses basket can be found scattered all around. Not to mention all the new Christmas and Baby gifts... Time to start decluttering again to make room for it all!

One of my favorite things... the smell of chrism on a newly baptized baby. Our little Rose still smells just heavenly!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• 2 week check-up for Rose and PT appt for me
• Attend Mass on January 1st, a Holy Day of Obligation
• Finish Mailing out Christmas Cards
• Start Planning our Back to School "Schedule"
• Make plans for celebrating Epiphany

A Picture thought I am sharing:

Taken by Captain as I was leaving to go to my scheduled OB appointment on December 15th at 4:00 pm... The very last photo of "Rose" in my tummy! Little did I know I would be holding our sweet little girl later that very night!

Taken by Hubby moments after delivery.

To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Our Godson's Baptism

"Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven." ~ My Catholic Faith

Loving God, Creator of all good things,

Thank you for the gift of life given to our godchild.

What a privilege it was for us to stand as witnesses for the Church

when our godchild was washed in baptismal waters.

Lord, help us to be faithful to you all the days of our lives.

As our godchild grows in age and faith,

enable us to be a good example for him

of how to live as a follower of Jesus.

Through our love and concern, in moments of joy and sorrow,

allow us to reveal your loving face, O God.

We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Baptism Pictures

I DO have quite a few pictures to share from Ben's Baptism yesterday, thanks to our friend Marc, who so kindly agreed to use my camera... (Thank you Marc!!) However, I just couldn't get my computer to cooperate last night when I tried to upload them. Today I am busy working on my Aunt's bookkeeping (Will it EVER be caught up?!), so I won't be able to get to it quite yet... I promise to post them soon, but in the meantime head on over to Amy's and check out her pictures. ☺

Looking Back

"Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven." ~ My Catholic Faith

My (super tall) brother Sean/Altar Boy, Hubby's Brother/Deacon (now Father),
Twinkle Toes and her Godparents

It was five years ago today, when my hubby's oldest brother, who had recently been ordained a Deacon with the FSSP, performed his very first baptism ever on our daughter, Twinkle Toes. It was one of my first introductions to the Traditional Rite, and it was absolutely beautiful!

It has been such a blessing to have our last three children baptized by their uncles! In fact, on occasion, I am asked by friends, if we could hurry up and have another baby, just so they can attend a Latin Mass once again! ;) (It's pretty sad that it takes having a baby--or an occasional visit from my bil's--to be able to attend this mass, but such is the case, at least in our diocese.)

Happy Baptismal Day Twinkle Toes!!!

Deo Grátias!

On Saturday, August 30th, my hubby and I were blessed, through the sacrament of Baptism, with another beautiful Goddaughter, Madeleine Gloria.

"Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven...

...Baptism is necessary for the salvation of all men, because Christ has said: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Loving God, Creator of all good things,

Thank you for the gift of life given to our godchild.

What a privilege it was for us to stand as witnesses for the Church

when our godchild was washed in baptismal waters.

Lord, help us to be faithful to you all the days of our lives.

As our godchild grows in age and faith,

enable us to be a good example for her

of how to live as a follower of Jesus.

Through our love and concern, in moments of joy and sorrow,

allow us to reveal your loving face, O God.

We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.