Remember Me this Way...

SO much going on, and TODAY is Henry's Birthday!  Our little boy is the sweetest on his birthday, he shares and he thanks, he wants everyone to feel the joy he feels.  In honor of my Henry, here are some pics of what has been happening these past weeks.

Big kids love catching toads.

Peter not so much.

Henry with a "sharp sharp sword" and shield.

always creating something!

Big brother love.

Papa reads to everyone while Mama finishes cooking.

John hangs out in the grass while Mama works in the garden.

Farmer Boy.

She couldn't keep still for a pic she was so excited about her first day of school!

Henry is learning to read and write!

Homeschooling has been such a delight!  The hardest part is keeping Peter happy and occupied and not tackling everyone durring lessons. The boys have taken to wrestling and love it.  But then Margaret Mary joins in and pins them both.  The girl can defend herself!

Such a delight John is.

Papa kisses.

"Kids, who has been erasing my white board?"  Peter-caught in action!

Fall in the air, a sweet baby in my arms; life is good.

"Who has been unstacking the wood pile?"  Peter caught in action again.  But how can you get mad when he looks so cute?

Trying to be intentional about being in front of the camera. 

MM says she asks God to make her a good violin player :)

Baby John is such a snuggler.  He loves listening to his Papa's heartbeat.

Seeding the pasture! Finally!  We can't wait to see some green!

Everyone is happy on Henry's birthday!

Peter looks so old and handsome when he isn't whining and crying (he's 2).

The Baptism

The days my children are Baptized are some of the best in my life.  To present my child before God,  to have the church pray its ancient prayers over him (that have been prayed over millions of babies for 2000 years!), to baptize him, to anoint him with holy oils (which is the best smell in the world), and then to hold the newest member of the Church, washed of original sin, close to my heart...it is priceless.  Catholics baptize their babies as soon as possible and so as a healing mom, it is hard to get out, but how fitting that the first trip out would be to present your child to the Lord?

We chose Jared and Anne Staudt as the god parents.  They could not make it to the baptism, they were in Colorado!, so our other friends stood proxy (if you recognize them as Cross fit champions- you are correct).  We considered the Staudts like family in Colorado.  Jason studied under Dr. Staudt at the Augustine Institute and Anne become such a dear friend.  Because both our families lived outside Colorado, we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter together while we were in Denver and cherished all the time we spent with them.  My heart aches that they live on the other side of the county, and so we are so happy that we will forever be united through our son John (Margaret Mary still prays for their daughter Marianna almost every night).

The Baptism starts outside the church. 

Those sweet little eyes fixed on the priest!

This was father's first baptism in the extra ordinary form, and we were so thankful for all his preparation and hard work!

After the exorcisms, the baby is led into the Church under the purple stole. 

The Priest then takes off the purple stole and puts on the while one for the Baptism.

Curious Mary checks out what the Baptismal font looks like inside.

More blog posts coming soon!  Sweet John continues to be such a blessing.  We just stare at him.