There They Are! Magic!

So, there we were, driving along 290 after goodbye hugs from Grandma and Paka when, all of a sudden, I saw them!  There!  Millions of bluebonnets right up close together.  It looked like a movie set.  Or maybe heaven.  I pulled onto a dirt road far enough away from the highway to feel safe.  The girls couldn't unbuckle and jump out of the car fast enough.  They were off, navigating a sea of purple and green.  I was overwhelmed by the fragrance.  A single bluebonnet doesn't smell like much but so many?  Again, heavenly.

It's hard to say what I will miss most when we finally leave the Lone Star State behind but the bluebonnets will be right up there.  I love their proud little stalks, standing tall and giving glory to God.

"to sail home smiling and safe with armfulls of bluebonnets and heartfulls of adventures to tell"

by Jannine

Five Bs: Blue Bonnets, Blue Bell and a Birthday

March 26th was the day of my parents' departure as well as my mom's ____th birthday.  We celebrated with a birthday breakfast of quiche and cupcakes.  I am a big fan of quiche.  It's one of those all-in-one dishes and the two I made for mom turned out perfectly.  It occurred to me sometime during the morning that we had no plans for the day and it would be fun to follow mom and dad to Brenham, halfway between Houston and Austin, to see the beautiful blue bonnets and visit the Blue Bell factory.  Flexibility of schedule is a huge perk of home schooling and we took advantage of it that day. 

After packing a picnic lunch, we were off.  I kept an eye out for blue bonnet fields all the way to Brenham but we didn't spy any impressive ones.  We ended up at this sparse patch next to a McDonalds.  Slightly pathetic but better than nothing.

I'm not sure why Grace was carrying Ella but it was sweet 

 Look!  The Blue Bell truck!

 pictures with Paka

Sophie says, "too bright!"

 better

(You know, I have the best dad.... Love you Dad!)

 At the Blue Bell factory

 we all scream for ice cream (except me--I scream for margaritas)

 enjoying her sample at the end of the tour

 Mia says, "Bye" to Grandma and Paka and.... "Bye" for now

Next up:  There they are!

More of Grandma and Paka's Houston Adventures

Well, it's been just a handful of days since Chris and I arrived home from Las Vegas.  I took over 300 pictures (an average of 60 per day which is not too excessive for me).  Before I get to that though, a few more memories from my parents' time in Houston.

This visit was particularly full of activity.  Mom and Dad came along on our normal school-week schedule, enjoying a visit to Holy House and sitting in on my Spanish class (mom) as well as the trip to Build-a-Bear and Madeleine's confirmation.  The photos below were taken on Saturday, March 24th, and, as you will see, it was a busy day.

First, East End Park, one of our favorite spots in Kingwood

Mia and Grace navigated

Paka and G, "stumped" about where to go next (HA HA)

Ella

Sophie in motion

Somehow, the girls managed to pull this vine off.  Grace wanted to bring it home....

.....where we used it as a decoration for Mia's birthday party!

almost back to the car

Next:  a birthday outing for Mia.  She, Mom and I went to La Madeleine and the pottery place

Mia played for days with this toy from a book Dave, Jes and family sent. 

pen pals

Last time, a frog box.  This time, a turtle box.

At first, Mom wasn't going to paint.  Then, she found an idea she liked in a book, decided on a napkin ring and just did it.  The first one turned out so cute that I talked her into another.

napkin rings and cloth napkins are a staple at CK so these will get some use
Good job, Mom!

still playing....

For dinner, Mom and Dad took Madeleine out for a special "celebrate confirmation" outing.  They went to The Texas Roadhouse and, as you can see, Madeleine dressed appropriately.

The rest of us went to Skeeters 

Mia took this and about twenty other equally goofy ones :)

Just a couple more posts to Vegas!  I'm excited enough about blogging about our trip that I might not wait three weeks between posts :)

The Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Opossums

When Mia was a wee lass, she did not realize that the Third Glorious Mystery of the rosary is "The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles."  One night, while saying the rosary with our family plus Grandma and Paka, she requested that we please say the mystery about the "opossums".  I'm sure you can imagine the laughter that ensued when we figured out what she meant.  To this day, I have a picture in my mind of the "opossums" in the upper room waiting for God to send the advocate, the paraclete, the Holy Spirit.                                                                            We did not catch a glimpse of any rodent-like creatures at Madeleine's Confirmation Mass March 23.  Instead, we saw lots of beautiful young men and women ready to come forward as adults in the Church.  Madeleine asked her grandmother to be her sponsor and chose Maria Goretti as her saint.  She was very serious in her preparation, spending time in adoration and going to confession before her sacrament.  I hope to publish an account of the evening in her words.  As her mom, the evening was humbling.  Like many people, I have not always lived a life to be proud of yet, in spite of that, I have a wonderful husband, beautiful family and an almost-grown daughter who is a credit to us.  We are living proof that all things are possible with God.

And now, a few pictorial highlights:

A quick swing before leaving

newest soldier in St. Michael's army

Madeleine opens a charm bracelet with a key charm from us and a confirmation charm from our friends the Rouselles

our family

Mom and Madeleine outside of St. Martha's

Madeleine with Msgr Borski and Father TJ

A Blessed Holy Week to all!