Korean Food

My best friend in high school was from Korea, I would eat Korean food with her all the time. I miss it. I usually crave it when I am pregnant. We discovered a really good Korean restaurant today. We all enjoyed the food and it was a really classy place.

Rose trying out chopsticks

GMAC really liked the soup

U liked everything, he's a "foodie" like his mom!

One of my favorites, Bibim Bap

Christmas Traditions

We've had the tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus since Inch was two. He asked us if Jesus was going to have a birthday cake for His birthday, so the tradition got started in our family.

Rose made the frosting and decorated the Birthday Cake for Jesus. If you are wondering what's the red stuff on top of the cake, it's rasberry filling. Some of it oozed out from between the layers of cake. It was so yummy.

Brunch Christmas morning

My cousin & the kids

Estew & Appum, is a traditional dish from Kerala I make every Christmas and Easter.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

GMAC has been earning straw for baby Jesus' manger

for every good deed she helps to make our Lords bed more comfortable

WYD Madrid / Pilgrimage

WYD Madrid /Pilgrimage

Follow the link above for a slide show, enjoy.

At 24 weeks

This was taken last week, Crucian Dad and I went to a Pregnancy Center Gala, and had a wonderful time.

No twins or triplets, this is just how I carry!

GMAC at the Dentist

Inch, Rose and I had our biannual dentist appointment last week. Our dentist suggested GMAC just watch this time to prepare her for her first dental appointment. It was Rose's turn first GMAC sat in my lap, watch carefully, and asked lots of question. When Rose was done with her cleaning, the hygienist, asked GMAC if she wants a practice appointment. She hopped into Rose's lap and really enjoyed it.

Rose was a bit nervous here

Nine Years ago

Nine Years ago today we discovered that our daughter had Cancer. Mystical Rose is strong and healthy now but then she was only twenty-one months old.

We had just moved to South Carolina from Turkey; no family, just started to make some new friends, our furniture had not even been delivered from over-seas. Seeing your child fighting a life threatening illness is something that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

As the saying goes "God doesn't give you anything that you can't handle." We were able to come through this ordeal, we thank God for the abundance of graces he poured upon us.
We are very grateful for all our family and friends who prayed for her, and the wonderful care of the nurses and doctors at Medical University of South Carolina.
-Crucian Dad

St. Therese Novena 2011!

I am joining over 2900 Catholics to pray the St. Therese Novena!

I’m pretty excited to pray this with so many faithful Catholics around the world and I thought you’d like to join too!

There are thousands of people praying through this novena website and there will be millions praying around the world.

+ Sign up for handy email reminders to get the the novena prayers here: St. Therese Novena
+ If you have a website, post about it there!
+ Email your friends and family and get them praying too!

Let’s get all the Catholics we know to pray this novena together to St. Therese!

Special Day

Our Family with Fr. Tarcy in front of Mary's House, February 2001

Our best Air Force tour ever was when we lived in Turkey. We traveled,meet amazing people, made lifelong friends,grew in our faith, and Mystical Rose was born there.
We meet an incredible servant of God when we traveled to Mary's house in Ephesus. His name was Fr. Tarcy Mathias, and the first time I talked to him I felt I was in the presence of a Saint. His joy for our Lord and Mother Mary was contagious. The life he was leading was one of pure sacrifice. We had the opportunity to meet him twice, and we kept in touch for the past ten years. He was one of the first people I called to ask for prayers when Mystical Rose was diagnosed with cancer.
Back in January of this year we received the card below, with a note that Fr. Tarcy is no longer with us. I got the chills, when I read the date of his death, September 14, 2010. The 1st anniversary of his death would be my due date with baby #5. Within a few days we found out I miscarried, so we decided to name the baby Tarcy. I pray I live to see the day Fr. Tarcy is canonized.

I did a Google search for his name and it turns out there is a website dedicated to his life, and many articles about him.

-Mallu

10 years !

Remembering and Praying

Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa

Jesus, you made Blessed Teresa an inspiring example of firm faith and burning charity, an extraordinary witness to the way of spiritual childhood, and a great and esteemed teacher of the value and dignity of every human life. Grant that she may be venerated and imitated as one of the Church's canonized saints.

Hear the requests of all those who seek her intercession, especially the petition I now implore... (mention here the favour you wish to pray for).

May we follow her example in heeding Your cry of thirst from the Cross and joyfully loving You in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor, especially those most unloved and unwanted.

We ask this in Your name and through the intercession of Mary, Your Mother and the Mother of us all.
Amen.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for everything you've done for me, you are the best. Most of all thank you for sharing your deep faith with me. You were such an amazing example, you showed us how to love Jesus and each other. I loved all the stories of the Saints you told us, especially about the Little Flower. It's been fourteen years since you left this world yet I see your beautiful smile like it was yesterday. I miss you, I love you very much.

-Mallu

Pilgrimage

Our oldest two are on a month long Pilgrimage to Europe, ending with World Youth Day! We are so excited for them.
We are really proud of them for earning / saving the money for this trip on their own. We are also so thankful for family and friends who helped them with generous donations. Please keep them in prayer.

A map of their travels

A Wonderful Birthday

I was woken up this morning at 6:30 am with breakfast in bed! Homemade Belgian Waffles, fruit & wiped cream! Inch & Rose made grand plans, he woke her up and she made the waffles, he cleaned up. Inch also stayed up after I went to bed last night and baked a cake! His first cake, it was delicious. Rose decorating the cake, with white chocolate!
Although I am missing my hubby ( on a trip for work) and "U" it's turning out to be a wonderful birthday.

Thank you kids

Thank you mom & dad for being open to life, bringing me into this world and all the sacrifices you've made for me.
Mallu Mom

Bella & Silly

We stopped by our friends house yesterday and got a chance to visit their new horse Bella. We also got to play with their friends pony, Silly. The girls had a blast!

GMAC' Art work

Our Little Baby

I want to share with you about an incredible experience. In the middle of January we found out we were expecting baby number five, and we were all very excited. Shortly after, I got an email about an Ignation retreat for women. I felt a real desire to go but was hesitant because I had never left GMAC overnight. Since I was pregnant I knew that unless I went now, I wouldn’t go on a retreat for at least 3-4 years. I tent to get really attached to our babies.

Fast-forward a few weeks we find out through an ultrasound the baby didn’t have a heartbeat. The baby should have been 8 ½ weeks but measured at 5 ½ weeks. It was not a total shock, as this was my fifth pregnancy and I tend to know my body pretty well. I just didn’t have any of the symptoms I usually had when I was pregnant. I was really tired at first, but a few weeks before I had stopped being so exhausted. Although it wasn’t a shock, the sorrow was still deep. It was bittersweet; this child was a gift from God, His child for us to bring up. My mom always said as a parent your job is to get your children to heaven. I found peace in having an intercessor in heaven.

The thought of going on the retreat was on the back burner at this point. I didn’t want to have a D & C; I didn’t want to deal with an invasive procedure unless I really had to; I wanted things to happen naturally. I was told by the medical professionals that since I was so early in the pregnancy, it would be like having a heavy period. As I patiently…well impatiently waited for the miscarriage to take place the thoughts of going to the retreat re-merged. Crucian Dad was very supportive so I finally decided to go on the retreat the day before it started. At the same time symptoms of the miscarriage had begun, I was a bit nervous about going away during this time, but the retreat center was only 30 minutes away.

I had never seen the women at the retreat before, I casually knew a couple of the nuns serving on the retreat, and I also meet one of the priests. He is a priest from the Minor Seminary that “U” is at and he had been told by “U” about our pregnancy and miscarriage. We meet him a year ago but he didn’t recognize me. When I told him that I was U’s mom, he immediately hugged me and said, “I am so sorry about the baby. “ Saturday evening, I was resting on a sofa waiting for the next talk when Father saw me and asked if I was doing okay. I said that I was fine but a bit tired. He placed his hand on my head and gave me a quick blessing. I was very pleased to receive it and thought to myself that was nice of him.

When I got up the next morning, I received a “gift”, the baby’s body came out intact, within the yolk sack, not as just shredded tissue. I was overjoyed yet so overwhelmed. It was 6:30 in the morning; I am at a silent retreat, among strangers. I placed the baby’s body in a Ziploc bag that I had in my purse. I didn’t know what else to do; I couldn’t bear the thought of flushing our baby down the toilet. I went to the Chapel, prayed for a couple of minutes. I was so overwhelmed; I walked out and wailed for some time, it was tears of sorrow and joy. I wasn’t sure what to do; I thought of asking Father if he would bless the baby’s body and maybe I would dig a hole somewhere…. Not sure of what to do, I asked God to figure it out for me. About an hour later I see Father outside the Chapel so I went to speak with him. He asked me “Did you sleep well?” I said “as well as could be expected.” Then he asked “Did anything exciting happen?” as if he knew. I told him what happened, he said he would bless the baby and we would bury the baby, and we were on holy grounds. I was so happy, God had it all planned.

Father made all the arrangements, the Lady who ran the retreat center (Dianne) found an amazing spot for the baby. During a period of rest Father came and got me and asked if one of the sisters and Dianne could join us. I was fine with that. Dianne picked the most amazing spot, in front of a huge statue of St. Mary with her arms open wide in front of a little lake. Father blessed the body with holy water, prayed, read from the Gospel. I was able to place the baby’s body into the ground. Dianne had a rose plant ready to be planted on top, so we would have it as a marker. Although it would have been wonderful to share this with the family, it might have been too much for GMAC. I was able to mourn in peace, and experience the joy of God’s love. What a blessing, what perfect timing, He had a plan, I just had to trust.

We want to thank all the family and friends for your prayers. The graces from the prayers is what is getting us through this so peacefully. Thank you for all the support and kindness you have shown to us.

*I just want to mention that I am not against having a D & C; this is just what I personally felt called to do

Happy 17th Inch

Seventeen things we love about Inch.....

1. Your Love for God
2. Your yearning to learn Theology
3. Your love for family
4. Your loyalty to friends
5. Your wonderful laugh
6. Your big smile
7. Your ability to relate to kids of all ages
8. Your sense of humor
9. Your dedication to go to daily Mass
10. Your some one we can count on
    
11. Your determination
12. Your desire to volunteer
13. Your a good babysitter
14. Your commitment to your team
15. Your relationship with your siblings
16. Your cool because you don't worry about being "cool"
17. When you are around I never have to read any instruction manuals..You know how to put stuff together ... especially when dad is traveling that's real helpful :)

We love you son we are proud of the young man you are becoming.
Love,
Mom & Dad

Chukkumkurumalagum

I know you are wondering “what?”

Chukkumkurumalagum translates to dried ginger & black pepper; it’s a tea my mom used to make for us when we had a cold/ flu.

I didn’t like it so much when I was a kid, but my kids actually ask for it when they are sick. Rose wanted know how to make it so I am writing down the recipe. This stuff really clears you up.

Chukkumkurumalagum

2 cups Water

2 decaffeinated tea bags (you can use regular tea if you like)

1 tsp dried ginger powder

3pinches ground black pepper (you may adjust to your taste)

Place all ingredients in to a sauce pan and boil.

I usually sweeten it with honey, and serve.

Makes 2 cups

March For Life

Today is a sad day.....

Today marks the 38th Anniversary of Roe v Wade...very very sad

"The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between."
--Mother Theresa

Tony Melendez

The girls and I had the privilege of going to a Tony Melendez concert. He was in town for the March for Life and he was doing a few concerts in the area. The music was AMAZING and his personal witness was even more amazing. We were able to shoot some video and hopefully we will post that soon.

G-MACS Nativity

GMAC like to create what she calls her "setups" today she created her version of the Nativity scene. When Mallu came and asked her about the setup she explained it to her and then said "now you have to be the camel mom!"

Unplanned

I just ordered Unplanned, I read an interview with the author Abby Johnson and it looks like it's an eye opener. God bless her for going public with her experience.

The trade

While we were waiting for an appointment "U" and GMAC decided to trade hats

The kings are here

Happy Feast of the Epiphany!!

The cook is back....for a little bit!!!

We have really enjoyed having "U" back for the first time since going to the Seminary.
The order he will (God willing) be ordained in has a unique tradition.
Every Friday night they make and eat Pizza! This Friday we decided to partake in this tradition

"U" graciously let his mother help with the cooking

Fire ALWAYS makes onions taste better

the order was founded in Argentina where they put chopped up boiled eggs on their pizza (its really good)

The final result!!!
Smoked motzerella, apple-wood bacon, and boiled egg - on left
Smoked motzerella, apple-wood bacon, and onions - on right