Finishing up 1st Grade!

My little man is getting so grown up. Hasn't anyone figured out yet, with all the research out there, how to keep kids little forever!? ;o)

We are loving learning more about our almost 6 year old and watching him grow each day. He is so intelligent, spiritual, and very imaginative. We are finishing up our 1st grade school year and should be done soon after Easter. Not surprisingly, Josiah has accomplished all A's all year long. He has his Daddy's brains, and we are very proud! :) Here he is reading one of his very favorite books, the Action Bible, which is like a graphic novel/comic form of all the bible stories (or MANY of them) which his godmother gave him for Christmas. He loves this bible!

His reading is so advanced and I'm so glad he loves to read. One of his favorite places to go is the library. His favorite subjects, for now, seem to be science and history, and anything to do with Maps. :) Typical for a little boy with a great imagination, right? He also still loves playing with LEGO more than just about anything and does that for hours at a time every day.

We are excited to celebrate his 6th birthday this summer, give him a new baby brother to love and play with, and enjoy watching him grow and see what the Lord has in store for him in life. I'm posting this now, because, well, I want to- and because I'm not sure if I'll post anything around his actual birthday (in May) but I'll try ;o)
He is such a loving and wonderful joy to have in our family. We love you, Josiah Timothy!

Grandpa Playground

I find these pictures funny!

My Dad spent the day with us one day last week (Yay!) and not only was Mommy able to run some much needed child-free errands to appointments and things, the kids were able to do important things, like, you know, climb all over him and make him read 50 books in a row.   ;o)

We love you Grandpa!

Just a side note, he shortly fell asleep for a cat nap on the couch after this... I am not surprised! ;)

Children and Godchildren and Growing Children, Oh my!

Well, Michael and I are rapidly approaching our 7 year anniversary. It has been the most wonderful 7 years EVER and I can't wait for every new day together. (We're celebrating early this year actually, since our newest little blessing will be arriving right around our actual anniversary!)

Of all the things that have happened in our life and marriage together-- and it's been a kinda busy 7 years I must say-- one thing I didn't think we'd have in almost 7 years? ... I'd say it'd be... 11 children!!! 
God has truly blessed this family and has made love overflow into new life and friendships. We have 5 biological children (4 here on earth, one in heaven) and 6 godchildren!

Our godchildren are compromised of:  2 gorgeous girls (also happen to be our nieces!) in TX, 2 beautiful siblings in PA, 1 little miracle boy in Hawaii, and 1 smiley newborn boy living not too far away. (Thank goodness one of them lives close by) haha! We are so very blessed.


Here are our two newest godchildren, whose baptisms we celebrated recently. Luke (from PA) and William (from MD).

 Lisa, Michael and Luke at his baptism!

 Michael with Luke... ah, he's always the baby whisperer.

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Me with William! oh and Lydia and Ben :) 

I think Lydia is going to be very excited to have a new baby around this house again soon! ;)

We are so blessed and so honored to be a part of these families and children's lives. We pray for all our children and godchildren every day, and know that God has such special plans for them! 

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day this year was a fun, special, & busy day! That Saturday morning Michael sang at the 8am Mass and then we all joined in the hundreds of people "walking for life" during the Eucharistic procession from our church to the local abortion clinic. We all prayed for the dignity and respect of human life, and for an end to abortion. Then back at the church, hundreds of our church family members (mostly all decked out in green!) gathered to celebrate one of the greatest Bishops and Saints, Saint Patrick. Prayers and some of his writings were shared, as well as young parishioner girls who were Irish Dancing for us, and Irish music was played by talented musicians. It was a wonderful celebration!

 Benjamin lookin' all spiffy in his green (and seriously CUTE hat he got for his birthday- thanks Manik and Shruti!!)

 Michael and our new godson William! :)

 Josiah and some green ribbon :)

 Ben was REALLY captivated by the Irish dancers, I mean REALLY captivated! He just stared and stared.

 He LOVED them!

 Grandpa and Lyddie Bug

 We saw lots of our friends there! 

 and we caught our Pastor looking like a leprechaun... hahaha :)

 One of the Irish Dancers, she's apparently like, the best EVER. Won some award for Irish dancers? All I can say was she looked great to me- and her outfit was very jazzy ;)

Michael and I with our godson William.

Josiah prays in Latin...

Here is Josiah praying The Lord's Prayer (Pater Noster) in Latin. I'm always amazed by his memory abilities! He just finished learning this prayer today, it took him about two weeks (or three?) to learn it (since I had him focus on learning a few lines a week). He is amazing though, picks things up so quickly! I guess that's why they say this is the age to teach them new languages. :)
Sorry the video is dark- enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVhlJneJVXM&feature=youtu.be

26 Weeks and Counting...

I'm so anxious to meet this little guy! I just want to hold him and kiss him already! :)

Don't Miss the Boat...