Encouraging the Family

"Today more than ever, we need witnesses who live out the Gospel of the family to the fullest and with joy, and who show the world that it is a beautiful and fascinating way of life, a source of happiness for spouses and children. Here there is enormous scope for the prophetic mission of our laity. In the lives of Christian couples today it takes the courage of prophets, the courage to stand up to the dominant culture."

~Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko

President of the Pontifical Council of the Laity

October 4, 2014

The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family is about to begin.  Let's pray for the Light and Encouragement of Christ to guide the Bishops and His Church.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Little Girl at the Piano

Look who we find at the piano, playing away, hoping to be just like her big sister.

Sweet J-Bear, we love you.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Our Tour of the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour

A few weeks ago, we joined over 6,000 bikers for the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour through the neighborhoods of St. Paul.  The Tour is easily one of the highlights of our month, a perfect capstone to our big summer of biking.

The Tour is not a race, but a ride, through the lovely River Road and Summit Ave vistas of St. Paul.  There are 15, 30 and 45-mile loops.  This year, as novices, we wisely choose the 15-mile loop option.  This was wise for another reason: G-Bear and E-Bear decided to bike their own bikes for the Tour!  We weren't sure if they would be able to bike the whole way, so I pulled our Chariot Carrier behind my bike just in case and T had room to spare on the Mundo.  But, to the great credit of E-Bear and G-Bear, they persevered.

The weather for the tour was spectacular this year.  We enjoyed two rest stops along the way, complete with live music, fresh fruit, drinks, pastries and cookies to ensure we were well nourished for our ride.  We invited another family of good friends to join us, which meant that we were all motivated by friendly conversation and camaraderie to finish the trek.

G-Bear riding the River Road during the St. Paul Classic

As a family of six with four kids and two riders ages seven and under, we received a lot of attention and positive feedback.  G-Bear and E-Bear were the youngest kids biking that we saw, but with the right motivation the ride was definitely doable for them.  Many kids could be seen tagging along in trailers or in peanut seats.  We only saw our Mundo, but hopefully we will see more in the future. The Tour was a wonderful family event, and the Yuba makes the ride so easy with kids.  We can't rave enough about our bike investment.

Our crew and friends at the end of the Classic

We finished the tour around noon, for a grand time of just under three hours.  Then, with tired legs and hungry tummies, we hosted lunch in our backyard with our friends.  What a perfect way to welcome the coming fall and celebrate a wonderful summer!  Classic, we'll see you next year.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Everyday Wisdom from Blessed Alvaro de Portillo

On Saturday, a man named Fr. Alvaro de Portillo was Beatified in Madrid.  

This is one of his often repeated short prayers to Jesus, perfect for everyday life:

"Thank you, 

forgive me, 

help me more."

~Blessed Don Alvaro de Portillo

Thank you, Lord, for Your many servants who help to show us Your Way.

Help us, too, to follow Your lead.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Me Bags

During the second week of school, both G-Bear and E-Bear had to fill "Me Bags" to bring to school.

This was a class activity to help the students get to know each other.

It was just as fun for us as a family to see what each of the children chose to put in the bag.

E-Bear was first to decorate and pack his bag.

His directions were to choose three things to help describe himself.

He started by making a lovely picture of our whole family to bring in lieu of a photograph.

Our Family, by E-Bear

To his family picture, he added his newest, most beloved Lego catalogue 

and his favorite monster truck toy.

All in all, these were great choices, impressively representative of things that remind me of E-Bear.

E-Bear's "Get to Know You Bag" items.

G-Bear was next.  

Her instructions were to choose 3-5 items to help describe herself.

G-Bear also did a great job choosing her items.  

She asked E-Bear if she could bring his picture of our family and he happily obliged.

She also choose a bookmark that she stitched herself (because she loves to read),

her piano lesson book (because she enjoys playing piano),

and a green dress up necklace (because she likes to dress up and play make-believe).

We even included Buddy Bear in on the fun. 

I gave him a bag to fill with objects that he enjoys.

He choose his racing yellow school bus and his crimson visor.

J-Bear didn't get to fill a bag, but she didn't want to be left out of the picture :).

What a crew!  I am thanking God for each of these precious, perfectly unique Me Bears.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

E-Bear on the sidelines

Guess who go to watch from the sidelines with Dad for the first time on Friday night?

E-Bear was a great helper for his dad.  He even got compliments from the team's athletic director.

They had to stay until the bitter end of the game, (and there were fireworks!), so our little guy didn't get home until 10pm.  Although he fell fast asleep on the ride home, he quickly woke up enough to tell me all about his exciting night.  We're so glad you had fun, E-Bear.

G-Bear, Buddy Bear and I had watched our favorite PBS shows together and at chocolate cake after J-Bear was asleep to make up for the fact that only one kid could go with dad.  G-Bear and Buddy Bear were pretty thrilled with their deal too.  For that, I was truly thankful.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Happy Birthday to Johnny Appleseed

From Grraphics by R.Ritchie

Today, so far as I know, is the birthday of Johnny Chapman, who is better known as Johnny Appleseed.  I can't vouch for the authenticity of the above quote, but I thought it appropriate to the American folklore surrounding Chapman and fitting for the spirit of the day that I would like my kids to remember.  Increasingly, I am asking God to help me see His great things in the small, whether in small acts of faithfulness, within little people, or within the seemingly small details of everyday life.

G-Bear was making applesauce in school today in honor of Johnny Appleseed's birthday.  So, the boys and I had a special apple lunch and then made Johnny Appleseed hats.

Johnny Appleseed was known for wearing a pot on his head, so we combined that theme with the above quote in the making of our headwear.

We could have easily substituted the "Appleseed Prayer" on our hats, or simply written "Oh, the Lord is good to me," or something of the like.

Our Johnny Appleseed hat

I can remember my dad singing the Appleseed Prayer to me as a child.  My kids already associate the prayer with Papa, so it has special sentimental value in my heart.  This was our prayer at lunch and dinner today:

"Oh, the Lord is good to me,

And so I thank the Lord

for giving me the things I need:

the sun and the rain and the apple seed.

The Lord is good to me.

Amen."

 This was such a beautiful way to spend an autumn day!  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

E-Bear's Sentence

Today, after E-Bear got home from school he said,

"Mommy, can I write you a sentence?"

I got E-Bear a piece of paper and a pencil.  This is what he wrote:

Never I have read a sentence more perfectly backwards or more perfectly loving.

I have such a hard time sending my kids off to school in the fall.  I miss them and our summer routine tremendously, and I miss getting to be the one to watch them learn and play all day. The other day G-Bear thanked God for school during our bedtime prayers.  Like E-Bear's sweet sentence, G-Bear's prayer reminded me to be thankful for the many ways that my children love school and learning this school year.  We have such a wonderful school!  I am so thankful for the opportunity to share in the growth of these four precious lives.

Views from the County Fair

One of the highlights of September each year is our parish festival, the County Fair.  In only two years since we moved here, the Fair has become the much anticipated event following the start of school.  The rides and games, food, music, fun with friends and of course, our one outdoor Mass of the year, make the Fair a favorite event for many families in our parish and community.

Here are views from our County Fair days this year:

The Pirate Ship is always a favored pick.

The swings are much faster than they look.

I couldn't believe that this little guy was big enough to ride,

or that he would want to ride again.

It probably helped that he had his big brother to look up to.

I was blessed enough to get to ride my favorite ride,

twice.

 Only one of us cried when we had to get off, but both of us could have shed tears.

A first ride at the Fair is a special event.

What we admired but didn't bid:

 What we admired, bid on, and won!

We even got to bring the kids home with us too!

Hooray!  

I know we'll have trouble waiting another whole year for the Fair to return.   

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Two weeks in...

We're two weeks into the school year.

G-Bear loves spelling and writes stories with new words.

E-Bear is making friends and remembers some sight words.

Buddy and J-Bear enjoy playdates and Wednesday mornings with MoMo.

I've given three lectures and have planned two more.

We've been to two Fairs (for our State and our Church).

We've been on a bike tour around our neighborhood.

All this in two weeks?  How can it be?

That's the whirlwind of September, sweet as can be.