God's sense of humor

Boys. We have a lot of them in this house. I never really saw myself as the mother of three boys. I hate dirt. I don't like to see my kids get dirty, but I'm trying very hard to let the boys be boys.

We currently have a giant mud pit in the back yard. Soon it will be a garden, but now it is a toddler's dream come true. Tried to get a picture of Patrick, but Dominic hates seeing the camera if it doesn't involve him being in a picture!!

Do all boys just have a sixth sense that leads them to puddles? I'm beginning to think so.

Basically, Patrick is good as long as he is outside. He's started bringing his shoes to me and whining at the door until I let him out!

Pooped after a lot of raking and digging in the mud.

Books, Balls, and Bathtime...and Snuggling

In the last month or so, Patrick and Jackson have really started becoming little toddlers. And Jackson has some very distinctive "likes".

• Books. He'll crawl to the book shelf and crawl back to your lap waiting for you to read. He also loves Dominic's Tag Junior, a clicker that can read books.
• Balls. He's loved playing with balls ever since he could sit up and he hasn't lost his love for toss yet! Dominic is usually really great about sitting and rolling the ball back and forth with Jackson.

• Bathtime. More than the other two kids, Jackson could spend all day in the tub. He loves splashing and getting water all over the bathroom.

• Snuggling. Jackson is such a little love bug. Much unlike his always moving twin brother, Jackson can sit and cuddle or rest with his head on your chest. It's the best.

We love you, little Jaspen!

 

Easter

The Church is so brilliant in making the glorious celebration of Easter a full 50 days. Therefore, I guess these Easter pictures aren't late after all...

On Holy Saturday, our community had the annual Easter Egg Hunt. I took Dominic while Luke staying home with the twinies. Had to take a picture of the Ambulance. Apparently, we were in for a very intense hunt.

Dominic waiting very patiently for the fun to begin.

And about 20 seconds and 3 eggs later...

 I'd say that was a once in a life time experience. As in, never going to do that again. Now we know.

Our family is always planted in North Platte for the entire Easter weekend, due to my job at the church. Since both of our families were in the Eastern part of the state, we were Guenther's for the weekend (well, really Houtweds).

And the Easter Bunny even came to Katie and Paul's house for the kiddos.

And the Easter bunny was very good to all of them!

Uncle Paul with the brothers.

Thanks for letting us join your family!!

Since Luke and I had pretty bad colds and weren't really feeling up to dying or hiding eggs that weekend...er...the Easter bunny wasn't feeling very well...Dominic and I dyed eggs on Easter Monday while the babies slept.

That night, we hid eggs for the kiddos. It was so cute watching them all find eggs and candy. Poor Jackson struggled to carry his little basket while crawling and the other kids all ran ahead. Apparently mom was more distressed about it than he was, though!

Yes, Dominic dressed himself. I feel like I need to point that out. :)

Gradyn joined us for a little egg hunting. At this point, he was much more curious about the dogs next door than the eggs.

And Patrick was more concerned with mowing the lawn.

Alleluia! He is Risen! Happy Easter!

My Little Trio

Can hardly keep these kiddos off the piano recently!

Story Time

Dominic reading from his "Peek-a-boo Elmo" book:

Once upon a time, there was a Prince Dominic. There was a Princess Mommy and a Prince Daddy. They were a family. The end.

Play mates

Dominic: Look, mommy, Kahkik (pointing to his imaginary friend)
Me: What's Kahkik?
Dominic: A Girl! (only he says it "grill")
Me: Like me?
Dominic: Kahkik is a baby. Kahkik is my baby sister.

"Why?"

Thing #2236 that kids do to help their parents grow in patience: Asking "Why?" It seems Dominic discovered this question for the first time on Monday and he has not stopped asking it since. I'm reminding myself constantly that this is how he learns.

More memories

I really want this blog to be about my kiddos and their lives, but I really feel the need to put a few things in print in order to remember Father Tasler. As I mentioned before, Father has been really influential in my formation in a few areas. Two specific things he taught me have really molded my philosophy of how to live life.

I must have been about 10, and remember Father asking me, "What is the purpose of life?". A little bit of time and a bit of guidance helped me get to the fact that this earth is all about getting to heaven. To a ten year old, that's huge. It's funny how you remember things like that.

In marriage prep, one thing Father taught Luke and I was that in family life, the health of the marriage has to be the first priority to create a strong foundation for the family and the development of children. This was really revelatory to Luke and I, but over time we have seen the wisdom of these words and have tried to live them in our own lives.

Thanks for your nuggets of wisdom, Father.

Father Tasler

On Tuesday, April 6th, our dear family friend, Father Tasler, was killed in a car accident. I have known Father Tasler since I was a baby--this picture was taken when I was a few months old.

It's difficult to even begin to express the impact this priest had on my life. He was a courageous witness to the faith. He was a friend to many, a lover of teaching, passionate about the truth, and a selfless servant to the Church. Father prepared Luke and myself for marriage. We loved driving to Nebraska City to visit with him every month or so during out engagement. He lived his life as a witness to truth in his words and actions.

When Father was transferred, we occasionally would stop in York on our way back East to visit with him. He was always welcoming to us and our energetic children and we had wonderful conversations about the faith and our lives. 

The death of Father Tasler will leave a great void in our lives. If Luke and I ever needed help discerning God's will in our lives, we'd call Father and he would lovingly guide us in our decision making.  He lived the title of "Father" well. We'll miss you, Father!

"May the angels lead you into paradise: may the martyrs receive you at your coming, and lead you into the holy city, Jerusalem. May the choir of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, who once was poor, may you have everlasting rest." - Antiphon In Paradisum (Requiem Mass)  

Future plans

Dominic: When I grow up I want to be a Doctor. Doctors help people. I can't be a ballerina. Only girls are ballerinas.

Happy 30th, Luke!

The real celebration for Luke's birthday was going to Kansas City, but we did go to his parent's on his actual day of birth. It was pretty low key. I made a banana cream pie, per Luke's request and we just enjoyed the nice weather and our family.

My dad calls Jackson "Tom". I'm not sure I see the resemblance.

The babies loved the pie, too, but that's because it was food and someone else was eating it.

And our monthly attempt at a family picture. Maybe we'll get a good one before the kids graduate from high school.

Happy Birthday, Luke!