Things are looking a little sad on the blog here so I thought I'd write a post! Must mean you all have a life or something. ;)
Summer is slipping away pretty quickly over here, where did it go?!
We had a rather uneventful summer with the exception of last week. Grandma and Grandpa Doll celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary so we drove up to Calgary.
It takes about 14 hours to get there and the kids were GREAT on the way up. What makes traveling with toddler's easier? Plenty of stops, TONS of snacks and Mommy sitting in the back seat entertaining! Toys and books help a lot too - I was so impressed with how well they handled the drive. We were so lucky as to see two HUGE grizzly bears, a moose, two mountain goats and a handful of dear. The bears were incredible, I definitely would not want to get on their bad side!
Cyril loves going home and the kids bring SO much joy to their Grandparents. We tried to make it fun and went to Heritage Park (a little historic village) and a military museum with the kids. The visit was also filled with lots of barbeques, laughs and seeing old friends and distant relatives. And Tim Hortan's! You can't leave Canada without having their coffee at least everyday!
Cyril's parents attend the Ukranian Catholic so there was a Divine Liturgy followed by a blessing for his parents. It was beautiful. Marriage is certainly not easy. It takes a lot of hard work - so I would say 50 years is quite an accomplishment and witness! My children are blessed to have both sets of Grandparent's in it for the long haul. Not a lot of people can say that these days. Cyril and I are blessed to have our parents witness to us the beauty and goodness of marriage as well!
Cyril's oldest brother Ian is a paraplegic. He broke his neck when he
was playing rugby in college. He is one of the most amazing men we know.
He is in pain every day and offers it all up in union with Christ. Talk
about another witness! I complain about my duties and hardships, being
with Ian reminds me that I have nothing to complain about. Peter loved
lounging on Ian while he showed Peter around the yard. They were looking
for dragon flies and other such creatures. The kids love all their
aunts, uncles and cousins!
Peter found his true love just like his Daddy. Hockey! These were
Cyril's hockey sticks when he was a boy. Peter LOVED them. He would walk
around the house all day saying "shteeek." Gianna sure wasn't talking
at 15 months and we are blown away by Peter's vocabulary. Maybe it's
normal, but we love it. I love this little boy.
We are coming up on celebrating our anniversary as well. Four years! It's incredible how fast time flies having babies. Before you know it you'll be getting an invite to our 50th. ;)
The kids love their grandparents!
We hope you all are having a wonderful summer! We can't wait to hear more about your adventures, big and small. God bless you!
Better late than never, here is the photo shoot, Brian's sister Angie did for us when they came to visit for the 4th of July. We were so excited they turned out so well, Angie is quiet the photographer, you should check out her flicker account @ Angie Stong Photography. Anyway hope you all enjoy them as much as we do. I can't wait to hang some up around the house.
We will have to wait till Sunday for Gianna's real birthday, but I threw her a Teddy Bear's Picnic yesterday at the park. There were 45 kids there, 45! We were so excited! We feel incredibly blessed to even know 45 kids, let alone have them come celebrate with us. I asked mom for ideas on what to do because she throws a Teddy Bear's Picnic every year with her kindergarteners. She told me what she does and then we improvised. My goal was to keep it cheap, somewhat healthy, and fun!
We sang a few songs, read a few books and played a relay game with all the teddies. We then went fishing with a cardboard fishing hole that I made. I enlisted the help of Gianna's cousins, Mark, Thomas and Paul. They were SO good with the kids and Gianna looooved having them there. To make it simple I had all the moms bring a trail mix item for the trail mix bar. That way everyone could make their own trail mix, whether they wanted sugar or not, or were allergic to peanuts, etc. It met everyone's needs! Then I had the children decorate their own cupcakes. I made the cupcake recipe from my blog, and a cream cheese frosting. SO GOOD! Definitely the way to go. The kids had fun decorating and it meant less work for me! The whole day before Gianna and I baked and baked, but we didn't have to do much else!
We made the cardboard fishing hole from a hug box that I had and cut out felt fish. We made poles from sticks, string and clothes pins to catch the fish. For fun we attached honey sticks to the fish for a party favor. The kids loved the fishing part!
It ended up being warm enough to swim so we stayed a while so the kids could splash in the water. At the end of the day I had two very tired toddlers and one pooped mama, but it was a blast! We will see how long I have energy to throw birthday parties, but while I still only have two we're in full swing!
Like I mentioned earlier, we feel incredibly blessed to be a part of our community. We have wonderful friends and wouldn't know what to do without them! I feel like it's similar to the community at San Clemente growing up. The children are all very good kids from God fearing families. You don't run across people like that every day! It was very hard for us to "break" into our church community or simply even have friends when we first moved out here - so this is huge for us. The difference that having friends and not having friends is incredible. Without family around (and even with family) we need our friends. We encourage each other in our faith, confide our sorrows, bring meals in times of need and babysit for date nights! I thank Our Lord every day for our wonderful community of friends!
....We must carry Jesus in our hearts to wherever He wants to go, and
there are many places to which He may never go unless we take Him to
them. None of us knows when the loveliest hour of our life is striking.
It may be when we take Christ for the first time to that grey office in
the city where we work, to the wretched lodging of that poor man who is
an outcast, to the nursery of that pampered child, to that battleship,
airfield, or camp...
- Caryll Houselander
On July 14th 2010, Maximilian Joseph Gallaher was brought into the world by Robyn Jordan and Joseph Gallaher Jr. We had decided to name our son Maximilian Joseph simply because I got to pick his first name and she got to have his middle name, which ended up being my fathers name so it worked out just great for me :)
Max's 1st Christmas pictures
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Maximilian was born in 1894 in Poland and became a Franciscan. He contracted tuberculosis and, though he recovered, he remained frail all his life. Before his ordination as a priest,Maximilian founded the Immaculata Movement devoted to Our Lady. After receiving a doctorate in theology, he spread the Movement through a magazine entitled "The Knight of the Immaculata" and helped form a community of 800 men, the largest in the world.
Maximilian went to Japan where he built a comparable monastery and then on to India where he furthered the Movement. In 1936 he returned home because of ill health. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he was imprisoned and released for a time. But in 1941 he was arrested again and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz.
On July 31, 1941, in reprisal for one prisoner's escape, ten men were chosen to die. Father Kolbe offered himself in place of a young husband and father. And he was the last to die, enduring two weeks of starvation, thirst, and neglect. He was canonized by Pope JohnPaul II in 1982. His feast day is August 14th.
I went to Charlotte around the end of September 2011 and spent 3 weeks with Max
Do you remember growing up and having to read at least one Saints book per semester and doing a book report on that saint??? Well if you didn't then I'm sorry because my mother cared wayyyyy to much for my faith and my education then yours did. ;) just kidding, but thanks Mom! But unlike most kids I had to be the rebellious one of the family and just beg and plead mom until she would let me read and write about St. Maximilian Kolbe time and time again. And from the very beginning I always knew that someday my son would be named Maximilian, not only because his remarkable life of sacrifice and complete dedication to God and the Virgin Mary, but also its just an awesome name to have! When I first found out I was going to be a father of a boy, I instantly wanted to name him Maximilian and call him Max for short. I think the most influential part of that decision is because of the lasting impact that St. Maximilian Kolbe's life and example had one me growing up and into my young adult life. Since I've had Max I have read several in depth documentary books on St. Maximilian Kolbe and every page and minute detail of his life especially up until the day he gave his life so a father could be there to raise his family has made me more and more grafetul that St, Maximilian Kolbe, from heaven, reached out and helped me give my son the best name possible. I know one day Max will be amazingly awesome just like his namesake Saint Maximilian Kolbe........
I toke Max to a Pumpkin Patch and he had a Blast running around to all the different pumpkins
The petting Zoo in Lake Norman, NC
As you all may not know, I have recently moved to Charlotte to be closer to my son Maximilian. And I can honestly say with all my heart that I have need been happier then to get the opportunity to spend time with my son. He is absolutely the best little boy that I could possibly have ever been so blessed as to be his father. These pictures below are the most recent ones that I have taken since living in Charlotte.
Max's Snacks!!!!!
The most recent professional pictures taken of Max and I. We took these a couple days before his birthday so that makes him 2 and myself 24 in this pic.
Here are a few pictures of the kids at the races. Robert raced in the enduro series race at Watsonville last Friday night. We all had a great time even though Robert didn't get to finish.
Nora Carlino
Bobby and Issac ( Lucy)
Willaims first race. ( I couldn't find a little boy hat so he had to wear Joyce's)
This is actually from the children's discovery museum. What a wonderful place to let the kids explore. Joyce is in the firetruck
Even though I have about six loads of laundry to fold and dirty dishes, I had to write this post! The kids and I watched Mary receive her habit and enter the novitiate this morning with the Servant Sisters. I could barely contain my tears and my heart barely stayed in my chest!
The graces were flowing, you could just tell. It was so incredible to witness a person take the first step in discerning a life totally and completely lived for God. She is doing it. The habit that she received today is a sign of the life she is living. It basically says to God, "I am completely yours, do with me as you will." There is something about the habit that is striking I think. I am often taken aback with surprise and joy when I see a religious walking around in public. It makes me want to talk to them. Tell them I am Catholic too. Tell them I support what they are doing, that I agree - and I am inspired. Inspired is the key I think. With the habit they can't "escape" their life, or try to be normal and fit in. We sure can, we can blend right in. In fact, I often want to blend right in and not be noticed as a Catholic. Not have my scapular accidentally hang out over my clothes, not be seen praying the rosary, etc. It's cowardice on my part - but the religious are a living and walking proof that they live their lives truly for God. They wear their HUGE scapulars for everyone to see. What a witness.
Mary receiving her scapular!
All day today I kept thinking about how the religious life compliments the married life. I have heard it before but today it took on a new meaning. When Mary and others join the religious life they give up a huge sacrifice. They will take a vow to remain celibate for the rest of their life. To the world this is absolutely crazy. "Why would anyone want to be celibate?!?! And for the rest of their lives??!!" they say. Understandably so, marriage is awesome.
By giving up the married life, by choosing celibacy, the religious are making a great sacrifice. Marriage is so important to God's plan that it takes years of discerning, wearing a habit, prayers after prayers and living a life radically different than that of the world. This is the religious life and this is their sacrifice. It complements marriage by simply giving it up. It is a hard thing to do. Yes, I'm sure they long for children, for the companionship of a spouse and all the wonderful things about marriage and living in the world - but as a religious Christ is their spouse and they are married to the Church. What a perfect spouse to have! I am a bit jealous because as a Sister they can truly say this prayer and make it their own:
"I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields,
and lodge in the villages, let us go out early to the vineyards, and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love. The mandrakes give forth fragrance, and over our doors are all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved."
- Song of Solomon 7: 10 -13
At the end of the procession the sisters came back to the Church to say hi to their families on the webcam. Each of the sisters said something different - but what was the same about all of them was their joy! They were beaming from ear to ear. The joy was almost contagious, I couldn't hold back my smile that's for sure!
Thank you Sisters, especially our very own Sister Mary for the witness you have given to all of us!
Excuse the poor quality - but can't you tell she is beaming?! She is saying hello to all her friends and family - telling us she is praying for us all!
I wanted to add a quick note here - Mary is still discerning the religious life. This means that she does not profess her final vows for five more years. She can discern this is not her vocation - and we completely support her in that. Our excitement is simply because she has chosen to discern - taken the leap. It's a big step because not many people do it! We support her 100% in her discernment period, no matter the outcome. Please remember to keep her in your prayers because discernment isn't easy!
"The virgin's heart must be far more generous in its love than even the
heart of the married; it must be inebriated by that supernatural love
which destroys all selfishness...The closer a soul is united to God, Who
is Love, the more it loves. Surely the bride of Christ, the Son of the
Eternal Father, wedded as she is to Love Incarnate, must exceed all in
love. We know now why consecrated virginity represents the most exalted
state on earth: because it involves a marriage in the strictest sense
with Christ; and because it is not only the state of greatest purity,
but the state of greatest love. The vocation of Christ's bride is
simple--to love."
- Dietrich von Hildebrand
Now for your viewing pleasure!
Make sure to read Clare's reflection on Mary joining the religious life here:
Tomorrow afternoon (our time) Mary will be entering the novitiate and receiving her habit with the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother in Valencia, Spain. This begins a 2 year journey of prayer, study, and service with the sisters, until she comes up for her first vows. With this habit we can now call her Sister Mary! This is a monumental moment in her life as well as in the lives of her family and friends. I wonder what it would be like or feel like to take on a religious habit? Physically taking the robe of Christ for all to see and living a sacrificial life of study and service. Seeking His Love in such a selfless way. I can't help but feel so overwhelmingly happy for her, so proud she is my sister and so inspired to see so young a person give herself to God through this bold path.
During Mary's last months here in Jacksonville I got to spend as much time with her as her busy schedule allowed. And it is something I will cherish forever. This was the first time that we got to spend together as adults. Being one of the oldest of a large family, I moved away from home with a lot of younger siblings still very young and I never thought I would would miss seeing them grow up. But I have. And I was so glad I got to reconnect with Mary before she left. We had so many great conversations about life, God, old memories, what a holy family looks like, the spiritual life, the religious life, her future and so much more. I remember she told me that she was relieved when I was discerning the religious life because it meant that SHE was off the hook. She said, "Okay good, Clare will be the nun in the family and I won't have to". Isn't that too funny? God's ways are not our ways, thanks goodness! One conversation we had that really spoke to me was how necessary it is to see our faults and weaknesses for what they really are not as we see them but as God sees them. And how necessary for spiritual growth that we ask God to show us our souls with His eyes, so we many better ourselves according to His ways. How profound and yet simple this idea is, something I need to do in my own life. Mary also recommended a book she had read called 'The Spiritual Battle' not sure who it's by though. It's on my to-read-list. In one of our last conversations she was telling me about all the things she did in preparing for Spain, clean out house, pack, close bank account, cancel facebook and varies other things. She said she felt she was preparing for her death and yet she was!!! She is dying to herself so Christ may live in her. I couldn't stop my eyes from getting misty and I felt a warm flutter in my heart as I thought, 'My baby sister is all grown up and how beautiful she is, Praise be to Christ!'
Thank you, Mary for the example you have given and continue to give. May Our Heavenly Father and Our Holy Mother always give you the strength and courage to die to self so that Christ might shine through you in your new life. We will be praying for you and all the other candidates as you enter the novitiate and receive your habits. We love you so much.
Mary and Adeline meet!
Addy grabbed Mary's crucifix when she first held her,
and wouldn't let go.
Addy's baptism, Mary is Addy's godmother.
Mary came to visit us while we were living in Pensacola last year June.
Our final visit them Mary before leaving for Spain.
From June 29th through July 9th the whole Carlino Family stayed at the beach. It was such a wonderful experience. We really go to know each other again by living together again. Each family took 2 nights to to make dinner for the whole family. It was really fun to see how my siblings cook and see how they work as a family. How alike we are and how our spouses have influenced us and helped to us to grow and change. We also, took a Costco trip at the beginning so that we could share the necessities without everyone having to bring their own and being separate. It was our first real trip together as an adult family taking care of our parents. We brought to young ladies with us Rachel Schaper and Katie Vacarrezza to help with the children so all of us could enjoy some vacation time. That was definitely one of the best decisions ever. Here are a few pictures. I will add more when my camera stops acting up. Enjoy!
4th of July was the coldest darkest day of the whole trip, go figure! The Leon Schapers came over to help us celebrate. Here is Aunty Theresa, My mama and Philomena
Joyce enjoying the beach on the 4th
Robert Baby wrangling. The little baby in pink is Bibiana Schaper Leon's youngest she is 1 month older than William who is lying on Robert's knee.
Joyce after baths and getting ready for bed. It was so gorgeous out that we went back down to the beach in our jammies to enjoy it a little longer.
left to right Katie Rose 3 (Anna) Lylah Suzanne 18 mo ( Anna) Joyce 2, Nora Francesca-Therese 3 ( Daniel) Daniel Jude 18 mo ( Daniel) Salvatore Gregory 2( Genevieve) Fabian Jude 8 mo ( Genevieve) I don't know where Bobby and William disappeared off too, but these are all my parents grand kids. Bobby being the oldest at only 4 with 1 more on the way!
Jay, Anna's husband is an avid fisherman and so Bobby's bestest best Uncle for the trip. They caught a few crabs, a shark and some other monster form the deep.
When Mom was here she gave me a few old pictures of Mary to share with everyone. Clare is also going to post something about Mary, but first, look how cute she is!
To me, Mary was the sweetest sister you could have. She was my friend in the animal loving department! There was a point where Clare and Fran decided to room together because Mary and I wanted animals in our room. - rats! We loved them. At one point they had many little babies who would crawl all over our room because the cage wire was too large to hold them in. They even crawled on us while we slept! Mary and I loved it, they were our babies! It was a fun year rooming and bonding with her.
Now she is in Spain and will be there for the next two years. Sad and joyous at the same time! In a week she will be entering the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother. She has been VERY busy leading up to this, which explains why we have not heard from her on the blog. Mom, Dad and Grandma are on their way this very moment to spend the week in Spain and see her join the sisters as a novice. She's getting her habit! We are STOKED! (If you couldn't tell!)
Mom sent me the information in order to watch her entrance! If you are interested in watching here are the details:
The date: Monday, July 16th at NOON! (Easter time I believe, I will make sure to get confirmation on this)
There will be reminders via facebook and the blog. Hopefully there is a recording we can put up as well. It's about the best way we can participate being so far away. Please remember to pray for her as she enters the sisters, as she will pray for you too!
If you have any special intentions for Mom and Dad while they visit shrines in Spain and Rome, please email them to: jrgallaherfamily at gmail dot com.
Mary is the little one in the picture with a box boat. So happy and sweet!
"My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible
arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by
experience."
Cyril loves going home and the kids bring SO much joy to their Grandparents. We tried to make it fun and went to Heritage Park (a little historic village) and a military museum with the kids. The visit was also filled with lots of barbeques, laughs and seeing old friends and distant relatives. And Tim Hortan's! You can't leave Canada without having their coffee at least everyday! 
