Small Successes

This week all of my successes came from one day.

1. I heard my alarm and jumped out of bed, not in search of the snooze button, but rather, the heroic minute.

2. Then, I planned my day, focusing my priorities on needs of the family not my desires to avoid the struggle of raising and lowering the ironing board every time my little one went to bed and woke up, or the tediousness of dusting and mopping while assisted by four little helpers.

3. Finally, I clung to my list, and allowed grace to perfect my day, so much as one's nature can be perfected in a single day's struggle against the flesh, that is.

That was a good day.

Hey Kid,

Didn't your Mom ever tell you not to walk in front of a moving swing?

Yes, this is Daniel's first black eye, and I am disappointed the picture does not do it more justice. His cheek bone was black and swollen by the time he made it in the back door, but our brave little guy stopped complaining within moments, and now simply says, "It better now, yeah, it git better now." Obviously, he has not looked in the mirror.

Peter is Six!!!

As Jeremiah and I watched our first born stroll across the plaza last week, headed into mass with his shirt buttoned to the top, his tie casually swinging in front, and both hands tucked into the pockets of his creased pants, the reality that six years of life, six years of experiencing and loving this world were slowly changing our little boy. And for the first time, neither one of us could deny that our once little boy was now quite big.

So on this day that he officially lays claim to the title of Six Years, we thank God for the blessings that each of the past years has brought us, the joys of daily unwrapping more of the gift that you are Peter Pie.

We remember celebrating last year with your very own birthday cinnamon roll.

And opening presents at Uncle Matty's house when you turned four.


Oh how brilliant you were at three.





But who could forget how much fun you were at two.

And how perfectly sweet you were at one.

We love you Peter Pie,
and look forward to exploring the gift of having a BIG boy!

Happy Fathers' Day!

To all of our Fathers,

Thank you for teaching us to throw rocks in the lake,

and helping us walk through all the weeds,


for helping us sleep through the night,


and long days at the baseball field.

May you have a blessed Father's Day!
We love you and thank you for all you have done in our lives and all you continue to do.