{this moment}

Spain Trip: Sr. Mary Rose's Home!

Words....words....they cannot tell or describe the feelings and emotions that Dad and I had for these beautiful grace filled days. It was a grace that we hope all parents can experience. So enjoy the pictures...they really do speak a thousand words. 

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel below. The Home of the Mother follows the spirituality of the Carmelites. If you want to know more about that you need to read St. Teresa of Avila's works. Notice the other parents standing outside-we are getting a tour.

 This was taken at the convent in Barcinelle where we all stayed. The radio and t.v. station are also at this location. You can see the ocean (Biscay Bay) from here on a clear day.

This in the entrance to the convent in Barcinelle. Pretty rustic looking!

This is the Zurita home, the new and the old. The printing press, study/library, gardens, laundry, cooking and chickens are here. This will be Sr. Mary Rose's home for 2 years:

Mary and I, the day we arrived, also at Zurita:

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These next two pictures are in the waiting area outside the chapel. The crucifix is typically Spanish style being more realistic and bloody. All of the stone that you see comes from around the property.

Here we are all working. Saturday was work day and the BBQ Spanish style!

   

Dad got an oil filter off the tractors that the sisters tried to do several times. He had Fr. Rafael run to the store to go get the special tool that makes it happen. It is all about the tools!

Dad is happy plowing the field!

 We found something for Grandma to do: folding the magazine. I'm helping with the magazine also!

 

Behind the scene: chefs at the bbq, chefs in the kitchen, and of course Mary modeling the wonderful bread we ate that week.

Behind the scene's scene are the awesome chickens and the garden. There is nothing like fresh eggs and produce.

The most important part of everything is Christ! I have saved Him here for last, mea culpa, mea culpa....The chapel is beautiful in a very Spanish and simple way. All the building and art work is done by the sisters themselves. Sr. Karen over sees all the artwork, paintings and stained glass. It is truely amazing. As you will see each pieces give you much to meditate on.

 

JESUS!

From this picture you can see how the sisters painted on the walls. Here are some details....

The Passion.

The words from Mother Mary's mouth are, "Do whatever He tells you."

The Queen of heaven and the humble stepfather.

My favorite painting in all the homes!!

"God love us with a Madness,"

-Fr. Rafael in several of his sermons.

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures. My next post will be of Mary's entrance in the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother. Talking and looking at the pictures still brings tears to my eyes. I have not experienced anything so beautiful this side of heaven. God blessing on all.....

Nana's Washington State Visit

After visiting the Gallaher's in California. Nana came to visit us in Washington! I am so grateful to Elise for having William so Mom can come and visit the West Coasters! Thanks Elise!

We had a BLAST as always. This time I could enjoy it because I wasn't postpartum! The only thing I really wanted to get done was starting my vegetable garden, and that we did! I was amazed at Mom's love and knowledge regarding organic vegetable gardening. She took my garden by the ropes and went to town!

I caught her in the corner. This was all weeds -  knee high before Mom transformed it.

The finished product. I am so happy!!

Mom planted about 20 square feet of veggies and flowers for us. Some plants, mostly seeds. She knows what to plant where to keep bugs away. We planted zucchini, tomatoes, sweet peppers, jalepenos, chard, beets, spinach, calendula, marigolds, sunflowers, a vine peach, leeks and more!

The only sunny place in my yard is filled with seeds, now all I have to do is water and wait. My first real vegetable garden.

The kids loved having Nana as well. Mom changed all the diapers and played and played with them, it was so wonderful. 

We rode a gondula to the top of a hospital where we could see the city of Portland.

It was kindv'e fun being touristy in our own city!

We baked, we sewed, we drank lots of tea and ate tons of good food!

Mom and Gianna making Clare's Coconut Lemon Meltaways. They were good! 

Nana was so good to Gianna, letting her help with everything.

I will admit it, the visit was so wonderful that I cried myself to sleep after she left. I only see Mom about once a year and it's so hard. I can deal with  it after awhile but when I see her again it's too much! Mom is the most wonderful woman I know, so full of wisdom and virtue. She will argue with that but we all know it, she's an incredibly lady!

We love you Mom and miss you dearly!

Father's Day in Virginia

Dad and the boys got go-carts for Father's day. Free go-karts! Mom said that Dad looks at the free section of Craigslist often, and I guess it pays off! 

I hear that Dad has already rolled one! Thank goodness he has a guardian angel, or angels I should say. Fran emailed me some pictures so here you go!

Kevin, Edward, Thomas, Stephen and Patrick

Mom/Nana's wonderful visit!

Mom came and stayed with us for a few days in June. While she was here she stayed in the kids room with them, was never without William in her arms and stayed up late chatting with me.  Bobby and Joyce followed her around like puppies.  The anthem of her stay was " Where's Nana, Where's Nana?" We kept ourselves busy with a day at Alum Rock Park swinging in swings.  A day down at my parents' house where the kids played on the slip and slide and Mom and my Mom made a lovely witch's brew. click here to see what its all about.  Saturday was a beautiful day at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.  Where we picnicked and enjoyed the animals and rides.  Saturday night Mom Robert, William and I went to dinner and then to see "For Greater Glory" Robert and I couldn't remember the last movie we saw a movie in the theaters.  We like to have time together on our date nights but were very glad to have seen this one.  This movie puts us in mind that in the span of time these happenings were not long ago and are more like current events then history, also to live the Faith God has so generously given us.  We were so blessed to have her to ourselves for a little while.  Thank you Mom for not only being the best mom and person in the whole world, but also for being an amazing real to life example of motherhood, womanhood and wifehood. We love you.

Joyce on her faithful steed at Happy Hollow

So this was pretty funny.  A s you can see Robert, as any good father would have done, is recording Bobby on the roller coaster while laughing hysterically.  This ride was a bit past Bobby's comfort level.  He was on the verge of crying the whole ride.  He held it together very well and was just terribly dazed for about half an hour after.  I am working on getting the video off Robert's phone.

A ride that is more Bobby's speed.

Nan and her new addition, Mr William Joseph.

Joyce in a dress Aunt Theresa Feller made for her out of Grandma Ruth's material.

Mom helped Grandma Ruth clean out her craft room. She found some paints and brought them back and we had a little painting party one evening.

Best way to clean off paint.

Joyce lounging and eating like Cleopatra herself.

Happy baby, happy Nana

Nana and her happy gran-babies

Priego, Spain!

Today I was attempting to look up directions for Mom and Dad for their trip to Spain, it was very unsuccessful for many reasons. But don't worry Mom, it will all workout in the end.

While I was looking I did find some beautiful pictures of the place where the entrance will be in Spain. It will be in Priego, Spain. The place where we are staying is a 17th or 18th century monastery, very beautiful, poor and really fun to explore in! I didn't find any photos of that but I did find photos of the beautiful church in town that the ceremony will take place in, here they are:

The main Altar with the beautiful Spanish art!

The town of Priego and surrounding valley, do you see the church steeple?

A closer view of the church.

William's Baptism according to the Extraordinary Form

The pictures pale in comparison, but at least you will get a taste.

Baptized in the name of the Blessed Trinity

Blessings, exorcisms and prayers, the whole bit!

The candle represents the Light of Christ. We pray we will live up to this vocation as Godparents.

Our Lady will always guide and protect us. (St. Philomena has her back, too!)

The two reds bonded the entire weekend!

A shot of the crazy bunch. Gotta love 'em all!

The most pure and holy soul, our William Joseph!

Nathanial Lewis and Peter became buds :)

Grandpa couldn't handle all the commotion. hehe

That's it for now folks. Now celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of The Lord!    (Have that extra piece of cake!!)

Ascension by Copley