Happy Birthday Jesus

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

First snow of the season

Rose's 10th Birthday

Happy 10th Birthday Mystical Rose!!

Top Ten things we love about you

1. Your love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
   
2. Your love of family and friends.
3. You are sweet, innocent and beautiful
4. Your smile, and how it brightens everyone's day.
5. We love how caring your are towards your little sister, and that you include her in games even when your friends are over.
6. Your love for reading and drawing.
   
7. Even at 10 you love to sleep on our bed any chance you get.
8. How you love to surprise us when we are gone from the house by cleaning up, just to make us happy.
9. You get along with just about everyone.
10. Last but not least, your courage for enduring all the medical stuff you've had to go through, and not a peep when you have to get your blood drawn.
    

Paying attention at Mass

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Mt. 10:5-8

Yesterday at Mass the Gospel was from Mathew 9 & 10. As the Gospel was read, immediately after hearing "lepers" GMAC said to me( with her eyes really big)" I like leopards, I like real leopards, not pretend one!"
-Mallu

Around the world in 10 Days--Part 5 Japan

oops. I got sidetracked by a cold and Thanksgiving so here is the last slide show!!

Slideshow design made with Smilebox

Around the world in 10 Days--Part 4 South Korea

Slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Around the world in 10 Days--Part 3 Indonesia

Personalize a picture slideshow

Around the world in 10 Days--Part 2 India

Digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Around the world in 10 Days--Part 1 prelude

Well some people might say I have a great job... I get to go and videotape the President of the United States. I must say I have to agree. The job isn't all glitz and glamor...sprinting with 40 lbs of equipment in a suit and tie,sweating through your suit twice, and working 17 hour days can make a guy forget how cool this job can be. This past week I was able to experience something that reminded me how great my job is. I was able to travel around the world on Air Force One!

Ten days took me to Ramstein Germany(for a 2 hour refuel stop), Mumbai and New Delhi India, Jakarta Indonesia, Seoul South Korea, Yokohama Japan, and finally Anchorage Alaska (for another 2 hour refuel stop)It was busy, hectic, sweaty, and tiring but now that I have had a little time to reflect on it it was quite an adventure.

Over the next few days I will be posting pictures of my adventure. Stay tuned people!!!!

--Crucian Dad

Check Your Oven

Self cleaning ovens are great, just make sure you don't leave anything inside before you turn it on. The kids noticed there was a fire in the oven, as it was being cleaned. It was the sweet potato fries from lunch that was on fire!! I'm not sure if my stone has survived.

Saintly

U was dressed as St. Thomas the Apostle, for the All Saints day party. He looks taller and older. Miss him lots.

Rose dressed as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta for an All Saints day with the Sister Servants of the Lord. GMAC was going to dress as Mamma Mary, but she was sick :(

Halloween 2010

Inch as Lando from Star Wars

Rose as Miss Piggy from Muppets, GMAC as a pink poodle!

I will post All Saints day picture later. "U" was St. Thomas, I will post that as soon as he sends me the pictures.
-Mallu

American Girl Store

My girls and I had a amazing time at the AG store back in April. Here are some of the pictures. Yes, that was six months ago, better late than never. ;)

Rose's excitement at seeing the store!

GMAC had a hard time parting with that stroller.

Rose's doll getting her hair done.

We had a little treat at the restaurant. The dolls got their own menu and treat!

Art Show

Rose has been taking an art class, and last weekend we saw her artwork at the "Art Show."
She is an amazing artist!









I am grateful to our friend, who took Rose along with her own girls to this class. Thanks J.

Who is that cutie?

GMAC wearing a friends glasses and hairband, striking a pose!

Do What You Already Know to Do

Years ago when I lived in NC and was finishing up my psychology degree I had to take a New Testament Class. I was the only Catholic in the class and the other students asked all kinds of question. Most of the questions led me to learn more about my Catholic Faith. The one thing that stands out most about that class is what the professor said we were discussing how to grow closer to God. "Do what you already know to do."
Growing up we used to pray the rosary as a family every night, and I was not practicing that at the time. I always had many reasons/excuses why I wasn't able to do pray the Rosary, but I knew in my heart that is what I had to do. It took may years until nightly Rosary became a part of my life.
We as a family have received so many Graces from this devotion.

Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!

Blessings
--Mallu

Not Behaving

Yesterday Rose took away one of her schoolbooks from GMAC and told her" this is my school book you can't write in it." GMAC was not very happy.

Rose gave her a piece of paper to write in and GMAC started to write, and she was saying out loud what she was "writing."

"[Mystical Rose] ( she used her first, middle and last name) is not behaving, she doesn't get a lollipop......GMAC is behaving, and she gets a lolly pop."

She repeated this several times, with the cutest pout.

Free Family Organizer

My friend J. told me about an online organizer,and I want to share it with you.
http://www.cozi.com/
It's wonderful for families with crazy schedules. I also like the shopping list; I can add items on the list as Crucian Dad is heading to the store and he can look it up on his phone. It also has an i phone app!
Take a look.
-Mallu

Padre Pio

Today is Padre Pio's feast day. The first time I heard of him was back in 2000 when we lived in Turkey. One of the Italian priest we knew in Turkey actually witnessed Padre Pio bi-locate!
He was Canonization June 16, 2002, so his very first feast day was September 23rd 2002. This is was also the day we discovered that Mistical Rose had cancer. We asked Pader Pio to pray for her her. We are very blessed that she is still alive, healthy and strong. Praise GOD!

"Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion, produces in our souls marvelous effects, abundant spiritual and material graces which we, ourselves, do not know...It is easier for the earth to exist without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!" Padre Pio

Chicken Curry South Indian Style

2lbs chicken cut into chunks
1 lg potatoes cubed
1 med onion sliced ( I like red onions)
2 jalapeno Peppers (more if you like it spicier)
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tsp julienned ginger
10 curry leaves
4 tsp oil
2 tsp garam masala

½ tsp turmeric
¾ tsp cayenne pepper
3 tsp coriander powder
4 cardamom pods
1 large tomatoe or 1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp salt or to your taste
1 cup coconut milk

· Heat oil in large pot
· Sauté onions, once they are starting to brown add garlic, ginger, pepper and curry leaves
· A minute later stir in all spices, stir well
· Add tomatoes, chicken and potatoes. Stir well
· Stir in salt and coconut milk
· Bring to a boil
· Cover and cook on med. Heat until potatoes are soft and the chicken is cooked.
· Stir occasionally
· Serve with hot rice.

I voted!!

I voted today!! So what's the big deal? Since Crucian Dad is in the Air Force we've always voted by absentee ballot in our state of residency. I now have a Maryland license so I registered to vote in the local election. Today was the first time I voted in person.

There is something more empowering to go to a voting booth and vote.

Hope you voted today.

-Mallu Mom

Peace

We are all missing U, but last night that feeling felt a whole lot deeper. I miss his smile, his hugs, his caring nature, and his wit; I miss my little boy. It's only been a week and a half since we left him, the thought of having to wait until December to see him again makes the pain feel a little sharper. To give myself some comfort I decided to write a few words about the peace I felt when we dropped him off.

I felt very much at peace as we left him on August 15th, you see its a very special day for us. Two years ago last August 15, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary U and I consecrated ourselves to Jesus through Mary. U was almost twelve, and he read a story about St. Louis de Montfort and asked us to read it. AFter reading the book U wanted to consecrate himself and simultaneously,I was thinking of doing this devotion myself. I decided to do the consecration with U. Completing our 33 days of prayer and mediation was extremely difficult since Rose had a major surgery and was hospitalized for nine days. All we did, during that time was drive an hour to the hospital early in the morning, stay at the hospital with Rose and drive back another hour late at night. All with a nursing 4 month old in tow. With God's grace we did complete this devotion, and finished the final consecration at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Baltimore. We didn't' think we would make it to the Basilica on the 15 of August, since Rose had just come home from the hospital just a couple of days prior. She insisted we go and we did and it was a beautiful day, one of the mountain top moments.

Last year we were praying about buying our first house,we asked Our Lady for prayers. I promised her that if she would pray for us to find us a house before the Feast of the Assumption we would have a Mass offered at our house in her honor. Our Lady came through for us, we closed on the 10th ! We had the Mass at our home on August 15th, you can see the pictures from that day here.

Now a year later, we left U with on August 15th. He was suppose to fly out to the Minor Seminary on the 10th of August, but the Seminarians plans changed, and they were going camping on NY. So I asked if we can drive him up, and they were fine with that. They called us and asked if we wanted to join them on some pilgrimages and we did. We prayed with them, ate with them and just hung out. After the Mass of the Feast of the Assumption U and I reconsecrated our selves. I felt so much peace as we drove away, as if U is in the arms of Our Lady.
Lord help me remember the peace I felt as I miss my little boy.

Sending "U"off

A slideshow by Smilebox

A new Chapter

Well it has happened!
We just returned from dropping "U" off with the Minor Seminary that he will be living with for the next few years and, God Willing, eventually become a priest in their religious Order.

We drove up to the Catskill Mountains where the boys were staying at a retreat center. We were able to spend a full day visiting the National Shrine of North American Martyrs. We also visited the Nation Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

The day was AMAZING the mountain view was beautiful, gorgeous weather and we attended mass at the shrine. It was the feast day of Maximilian Kolbe and the father said in his homily that we must all seek out ways to sacrifice, even in little things. it made me think back to what a friend of our said in her blog(I'm paraphrasing) "how can we say that we love God with all of our heart if we are not willing to give him everything, even our own children." When Mallu and I talked about "U" going I mentioned the quote to her and she simply said "he was always God's to begin with; our kids don't belong to us."

After the shrine visits we followed the boys back to their retreat center where we meet a whole bunch of men from the major seminary. Seeing and talking with these faith filled men helped ease the heartache because I knew that my son was in good hands! The afternoon was spent relaxing with both of our boys playing in the pool with the minor seminarians.

Before dinner we joined all of the seminarians, minor and major, for Adoration and Vespers. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I was able to be in a room full of people that were truly in love with Jesus.

During Adoration I prayed to Jesus asked him to watch over my son. I asked Our Lady to care for him.

After Adoration was dinner and some nice social time. Mallu and I really enjoyed talking to many of the seminarians, it was a great time.

By morning I really did not have any sadness or anxiousness. I truly feel this is where God wants "U" to be right now.

Keeping Busy

We have been very busy this spring and summer. Traveled, hosted a lot of family and friends, swim team, and tennis to name a few things we've been up to. I hope to post picture of our spring/summer before we start up school again.
Last night my friend R M came over, I haven't seen her in almost two years, but we picked up right where we left off. I meet her six years ago, at a cursillo weekend, and we instantly connected, like a twin sister you didn't know you had. RM and her girls were here for a short but sweet visit. I didn't take any pictures :-(
Later today, a priest friend of our will stop by for a visit. Fr. C, is moving, we've only had a chance to see him a few times since living in the DC area since he travels a lot, so we will treasure this time.
By dinner time our godson and family will be arriving, they will be here for a couple of days.
Inch will be coming back from his mission trip tonight, we've missed him.
So this is how it's been, we are staying so busy and the blog has been neglected!
We will try to post more often, but can't promise anything.
-mallu

Inch is on a mission trip

Inch is on a mission trip, you can follow his blog to see what he is up to.
http://inchbyinchtogod.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-got-blog.html
-Mallu

"I cried for you"

A conversation between GMAC and U, after U's swim practice.

GMAC: I missed you; I cried for you.
U: I was at swimming.
GMAC: I asked my mom, where you were; my mom said "U" with him swim teacher.
I missed you; I cried for you.
U: I missed you too.
-Inch

Happy Fathers Day---some assembly required

My wife and kids bought me a new grill for Fathers Day. My two wonderful boys wanted to put it together for me as a surprise. Yesterday they got up early and started, well they didn't factor in the fact that they had to go out the door early for a church retreat

--Crucian Dad

its the thought that counts!!

a new look

As many of you may know Mystical Rose is a cancer survivor. Mallu Mom decided to donate her long hair to Locks of Love, when Rose started Chemo. This week she donated her hair again, the salon did a great job of styling Mallu's short hair. If you donate your hair they cut & style for free.

Mallu thinks it makes her look older but I think it looks great!

--Crucian Dad

"Share"

GMAC is at the age where she is figuring things out, and also saying the cutest things.

Today at Mass during peace time GMAC signed peace to the gentleman behind us, then she smiled and told him "it's my birthday." "It's U's birthday", I corrected her. She then turned to me and said with the cutest look on her face. "Share"

Happy Birthday "U"

"U" we are so proud of you son. You are turning into an amazing young man. You've helped us all grow closer to God. One of your best qualities is that you are genuinely interested in people and care about them, you can pick up a conversation with anyone.

It's amazing that you are willing to go where you feel God is calling you, even though it takes you away from your family and friends. It takes someone very special to be able to do this. We will miss you so much, especially your sense of humor, you sweet & caring nature, and all the baking!
We love you,
-your mom & dad

U shaving /goofing off

Holding GMAC

U with Ammama

With Appapa

with Nana and Papa

Papa & U

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Our Church had a beautiful Mass at noon to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, followed by a Eucharistic Procession. It really brought back memories of my childhood, this was very common where I grew up in India.
-Mallu Mom

Our Garden

One of the dreams that we had when we bought our house was to be able to grow our own vegetables.Well we now have our very own garden. Hopefully we will have a fruitful harvest.
Both of our fathers have amazing green thumbs and we hope some of that greenniss was passed down to us!

Not too big and not too small

this was were we planted a watermelon and squash
some critter ate the whole plant leaving only an empty hole

The tomatoes are coming along pretty well

and the Romaine lettuce!!

of course GMAC wanted to help dig

Our visit with Mallu Mom's cousin

Make a slideshow

Happy Birthday

Mallu Mom and her cousin

Happy birthday to my lovely wife,
you are the love of my life and my best friend. Everything good that is in my life can be directly linked to you. I thank God every day for putting you into my life.

Love,
Your grateful husband

The tradition goes on!

Crucian Dad's father has had the tradition of always buying the first bicycle for all of his grandchildren. Sometimes he buys the second and third ones also. GMAC is no exception, she has been talking about getting a bike for some time now and Papa (that's what they call him) sure did deliver. She squealed for joy and kept saying "my bike!"

Really cool nuns

Some may think the term "Cool Nuns" seems like an oxymoron because when people think of nuns they they unfortunately think of this
The stereotypical scary old lady with a permanent scowl and lightning quick with the ruler.

Well let me introduce you to the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara

The sisters singing a song before mass

These ladies are young (or young at heart) vibrant, full of love for the Lord and seem to always be smiling!

One of the things the sisters do is run an weekly oratory for young girls. Oratory is like a day camp and Mystical Rose has been going for the past year. This past Saturday the sisters held a family day so we all went. Family Day is something we look forward to; with games, singing, food and fellowship it is always fun.

GMAC playing one of the games run by the nuns

The novitiate house is next to a farm

this is where we had mass

"U" was even able to serve at mass