Or Maybe...

As my Mom was tucking in Benjamin tonight he said,

"I think I'll name my first baby Milkshake- then I could say Come heeere Milkshake...

...wait, that doesn't sound very good..."

I walked by their room later and heard him and Joseph discussing the matter further,

B: "Or maybe I'll name him Shakespeare..."
J: "What about Margaret- or William?"
B: "Well... maybe just Jeremy."

What kind of brothers do I have?

Sliver of Home

"Dad! I don't wanna go!"
"Benjamin go"
"No! The bees!"
"Go!"
"They'll sting me!"
"If you get stung I'll give you 20 dollars"
*Benjamin goes*

Joseph Visits Norway Valley

"In the woods...

...is perpetual youth"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Drinking in Blossoms

Gracie and I watched all 6 or so hours of Anne of Green Gables so far this weekend.  One of my favorite parts is when Anne, wildly happy as a result of coming home after a year of teaching and exhausting romance, shoves a bouquet of wild flowers in Marilla's face and says "Smell them Marilla- drink them in!"  Seems like such a lovely idea.  

Leaves and Lilacs

I was home for the morning and found that the leaves, the lilacs and the lily of the valley were all ringing the glory of God.  

Let the light in!

Coming Home Soon!

From today I have approximately one week and 5 days until I'm home for the summer.  It's only been a week since I saw them last, but I miss my family so much and can hardly wait to see them again.  This month has had it's ups and downs and I know that going home will bring many sorrows- but Jesus is with us!  How can we fast when the bridegroom is with us?

"Down with all melancholy!  That should never find a place except in the heart which has lost faith.  I am joyful.  Sorrow is not gloom.  Gloom should be banished from the Christian soul."

-Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

The Interior Life

""What herb is most injurious to a young lady's beauty?" propounded Uncle Benjamin by way of starting conversation- "loosening things up a bit," as he would have said.

"Valancy, who's duty it was to say, "What?" did not say it.  Nobody else said it, so Uncle Benjamin, after an expectant pause, had to answer, "Thyme," and felt that his riddle had fallen flat.  He looked resentfully at Valancy who had never failed him before, but Valancy did not even seem to be aware of him.  She was gazing around the table, examining relentlessly every one in this depressing assembly of sensible people and watching their little squirms with a detached, amused smile."

-Lucy Maud Montgomery, The Blue Castle

"Let's work for heaven, all the rest is nothing."

-St. Bernadette

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!

My Mom sent this to me today.  Joseph wrote this prayer out and hung it next to his painting of the Sacred Heart in his room.  It reads, "Jesus with all my heart I believe and love you, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen."  He just received his first communion two weeks ago and was quite glowingly happy.  Pray he perseveres!  

"Learning unsupported by grace may get into our ears; it never reaches the heart."

-St. Isidore

St. Joseph the Worker

Over all the virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect.  Christ's peace must reign in your hearts, since as memebers of the body you have been called to that peace.  Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness.  Whatever you do weather in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Give thanks to God the Father through him.  

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being.  Do it for the Lord rather than for men, since you know full well you will recieve an inheritance from him as your reward.  Be slaves of Christ the Lord.  

Col. 3: 14-15, 17, 23-24