Emma Louise

Emma Louise was born Monday, November 24. Weighting 8lb 5oz, and measuring 20 1/4 '', she is beautiful, and healthy. Mama Kelly did a wonderful job!

Daddy Xavier was so happy to be able to hold his little girl just minutes after her birth. Just look at her gazing at him!


Big sister Madalyn!

Grand-maman's first kiss.

Beaming grand-papa!

Auntie Kristie radiant with joy! Celebrating the miracle of life!

Congratulations Xavier and Kelly!

Augustin and Kristie are expecting!

Since I do have a picture of Augustin and Kristie from the wedding reception last weekend, I am tickled to be able to announce that they are expecting a baby for late April. Oh, how we love babies!

Congratulations Gabriel and Shannon!

Saturday November 15, Gabriel and Shannon were united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

It was a beautiful wedding! I will post more pictures when I can get my hands on some.

Wordless Wednesday, Fall Cozyness!

And So To Bed

Praying for Elizabeth!

Today is the day! Elizabeth's little girl wants to meet her wonderful family a bit early (she was due December 8). Take time to visit her blog and read her thoughtful article, The Irony is Heartbreaking.

Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi

Peace Prayer of St Francis


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I made this video today in honor of the feast of St Francis. The pictures are three years old... oh, my...how time flies! You can tell that the children really like Zeffirelli's movie, Brother Sun, Sister Moon.

The darling bird picture was taken by Raphael this summer while hicking at Philmont, NM.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus

Today is the feast day of our family patron saint; Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus.

Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that the Church being a body composed of different members, the most essential, the most noble of all the organs would not be wanting to her; I understood that the Church has a heart and that this heart is burning with love; that it is love alone which makes the members work, that if love were to die away apostles would no longer preach the Gospel, martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. I understood that love comprises all vocations, that love is everything, that it embraces all times and all places because it is eternal!
Story of A Soul, Chapter XI

How sweet is the way of Love! True, one may fall, one may not be always faithful, but Love, knowing how to draw profit from all, very quickly consumes whatsoever may displease Jesus, leaving naught but humble and profound peace in the innermost soul.
Story of A Soul, Chapter VIII


How shall I show my love is proved by deeds? Well - the little child will strew flowers...she will embalm the Divine Throne with their fragrance, will sing with silvery voice the canticle of love.
Yes, my Beloved, it is thus that my life's brief day shall be spent before Thee. No other means have I of proving my love than to strew flowers; that is, to let no little sacrifice escape me, not a look, not a word, to avail of the very least actions and do them for Love. I wish to suffer for Love's sake and for Love's sake even to rejoice; thus shall I strew flowers. Not one shall I find without shedding its petals for Thee...and then I will sing, I will always sing, even if I must gather my roses in the very midst of thorns - and the longer and sharper the thorns the sweeter shall be my song.
Story of A Soul, Chapter XI

Litany of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, "The Little Flower"

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.

Saint Therese, servant of God, pray for us.

Saint Therese, victim of the merciful love of God, pray for us.

Saint Therese, spouse of Jesus, pray for us.

Saint Therese, gift of Heaven, pray for us.

Saint Therese, remarkable in childhood, pray for us.

Saint Therese, an example of obedience, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of the will of God, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of peace, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of patience, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of gentleness, pray for us.

Saint Therese, heroic in sacrifice, pray for us.

Saint Therese, generous in forgiving, pray for us.

Saint Therese, benefactress of the needy, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of Jesus, pray for us.

Saint Therese, devoted to the Holy Face, pray for us.

Saint Therese, consumed with divine love of God, pray for us.

Saint Therese, advocate of extreme cases, pray for us.

Saint Therese, persevering in prayer, pray for us.

Saint Therese, a powerful advocate with God, pray for us.

Saint Therese, showering roses, pray for us.

Saint Therese, doing good upon earth, pray for us.

Saint Therese, answering all prayers, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of holy chastity, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of voluntary poverty, pray for us.

Saint Therese, lover of obedience, pray for us. .

Saint Therese, burning with zeal for God’s glory, pray for us.

Saint Therese, inflamed with the Spirit of Love, pray for us.

Saint Therese, child of benediction, pray for us. pray for us.

Saint Therese, perfect in simplicity, pray for us. pray for us.

Saint Therese, so remarkable for trust in God, pray for us.

Saint Therese, gifted with unusual intelligence, pray for us.

Saint Therese, never invoked without some answer, pray for us.

Saint Therese, teaching us the sure way, pray for us.

Saint Therese, victim of Divine Love, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Saint Therese, the little Flower of Jesus, Pray for us.

O God, Who inflamed with Thy Spirit of Love the soul of Thy servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we may also love Thee and may make Thee much loved.

Amen.

And in french .... because it is so beautiful!

Seigneur, ayez pitié de nous.Jésus-Christ, ayez pitié de nous.

Seigneur, ayez pitié de nous.

Jésus-Christ, écoutez-nous.

Jésus-Christ, exaucez-nous.

Père céleste qui êtes Dieu, ayez pitié de nous.

Fils, rédempteur du monde qui êtes Dieu, ayez pitié de nous.

Esprit-Saint qui êtes Dieu, ayez pitié de nous.

Trinité-Sainte qui êtes un seul Dieu, ayez pitié de nous.

Sainte Marie, priez pour nous.

Saint Joseph, priez pour nous.

Sainte Thérèse de Jésus, mère spirituelle de la petite Thérèse, priez pour nous.

Saint Jean de la croix, précepteur de la petite Thérèse, priez pour nous.

Saints patrons et patronnes de la petite Thérèse, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, enfant bien-aimée de Dieu, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, "petite soeur de l'Enfant-Jésus", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, prévenue par les grâces du Saint-Esprit, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, douce "fleur de la sainte Vierge Marie", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, prodige de sainteté, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, consumée d'amour pour Dieu, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, modèle d'humilité, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, miroir de simplicité évangélique, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, pleine de confiance en Dieu, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, délicat fleuron de la couronne des vierges, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, animée de zèle pour la gloire de Dieu, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, "dévorée de la soif des âmes", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, ardente à prier et à vous immoler pour les pécheurs, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, protectrice des prêtres et des missionnaires, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, "apôtre des apôtres", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, fille aimante de notre Mère la sainte Eglise, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, "victime de l'Amour miséricordieux", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, comblée de faveurs divines, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui brûliez "du désir de devenir sainte", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui avez si parfaitement compris que Dieu est pour nous un tendre père, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui avez sondé les abîmes de la miséricorde divine, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui, dès votre plus tendre enfance, n'avez cherché qu'à plaire à Jésus, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui vous nourrissiez des leçons de l'Evangile, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui nous avez enseigné la voie d'enfance spirituelle, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui avez été passionnée pour les mystères de la croix, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui avez approfondi les secrets de la sainte Face, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui vous êtes sanctifiée par la fidélité aux petites choses, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui n'avez vécu que pour l'amour de Dieu, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui êtes morte dans un dernier acte d'amour pour Dieu, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui avez promis "de passer votre ciel à faire du bien sur la terre", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, qui avez reçu "pour mission de faire aimer Dieu comme vous l'avez aimé", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, couronnée de gloire au ciel et sur la terre, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, remplie de compassion pour nos souffrances, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, "mère des âmes", priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, ravisseuse des coeurs, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, semeuse de roses, priez pour nous.Sainte petite Thérèse, fleur splendide du Carmel, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, gloire de l'Eglise catholique, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse, brillante étoile de la cour céleste, priez pour nous.

Sainte petite Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus, priez pour nous.

Agneau de Dieu qui effacez les péchés du monde, pardonnez-nous, Seigneur,

Agneau de Dieu qui effacez les péchés du monde, exaucez-nous, Seingeur,

Agneau de Dieu qui effacez les péchés du monde, ayez pitié de nous, Seigneur,

Jésus-Christ, écoutez-nous,

Jésus-Christ, exaucez-nous,

Priez pour nous, sainte petite Thèrèse,

Afin que nous devenions dignes des promesses de Jésus-Christ.

Prions. Seingeur, qui avez dit: Si vous ne devenez semblables à de petits enfants, vous n'entrerez point dans le royaume des cieux! donnez-nous, nous vous en supplions, de suivre si fidèlement la bienheureuse vierge Thérèse, dans la voie de l'humilité et de la simplicité du coeur, que nous méritions de partager sa récompense éternelle, vous qui vivez et règnez dans les siècles des siècles. Ainsi soit-il!

Hobbit School

Sometimes the little boys like to dressed up for school, today was hobbits. My little hobbits are growing up!

Matthias insisted that he had to use a chicken feather to write with... just like Bilbo. I really didn't want to get into homemade ink this morning, so he is just pretending.

I think they wish they were just pretending!

Except for Felix, once he got over the struggle of learning to read (he is dyslectic) we can't stop him. Here he is reading Richard Halliburton's complete The Book of Marvels, a book recommended in the Mater Amabilis Curriculum.

Not hobbits anymore, but aren't they sweet?

Poetry Friday, September is a Stallion

For Lydia!

September is a Stallion

September is a stallion
With a flowing, tawny mane
Who has never know a bridle
Nor a rider, nor a reign;
A steed of bronze and amber
Whose bright hooves strike the ground
With a sharp staccato rhythm
And an icy ringing sound.
September is a mustang
From wild, untrammeled skies
Who gallops down the earthways
With wind enchanted eyes.

-Virginia Moran Evans

Wordless Wednesday, Fall Breakfast

Worldless Wednesday

Tasha Tudor, August 28, 1915 - June 18, 2008

Tasha Tudor, our beloved author and illustrated passed away yesterday.

There is an appointed time for everything;

and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal ;

a time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones; and a time to gather them;

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embraces.

A time to seek and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silent and a time to speak;

A time to love and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Tasha has long been an inspiration to me. This blog was named after her book, A Time To Keep.

Through the legacy of her books, she will live on. She will keep giving the peace, love, and simplicity that was the fabric of her life.

May she rest in peace.

Sara Is Now a Published Author!

As you probably have noticed, I am way behind here in my announcements. I guess the old saying holds true; better later then never. So although I am a few months late I am very excited to share that Sara has been published in one of the oldest and most prestigious literary magazine in the country! She is beyond herself to have her poem included in a magazine that once published Robert Frost while still alive. Her contribution appears along with poems from past and current US Laureate Poet, and other award winner recipients. What a remarkable beginning!

She was inspired by a piece of blues music entitled St James Infirmary. The name and mood of the piece were her true inspiration, not the lyrics.

If you are kind enough to excuse the deplorable state of our piano, in dire need of repair, take a moment to hear Clark playing the piece for us. Do keep in mind that the piano is in a dreadful state, truly a disgrace to Clark's talent.

I hope your internet connection will allow you to listen all the way to the last notes, it IS truly inspiring! How I wish I could share Sara's poem with you, but because of copyrights I can't for now.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gabriel's Graduation

On May 17, Gabriel graduated from Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We are so proud of him!



Since Augustin and Kristie were graduating from Belmont Abbey College on the same day Michel, Raphael, and Felix went to his graduation while I, Lydia, and the four youngest boys went to Belmont.

Congratulations Gabriel!

Happy Anniversary Augustin and Kristie

It's been a year! Happy Anniversary!

Here is the short video I took last week during your graduation ceremony. Congratualtions to both of you!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com