Where's the fish?

In the past week we've been to two different churches that has a baptismal font with flowing water. As soon as GMAC heard the flowing water, she started to sign water, then she signed bath. When we went to look at the font she signed and said "fish" and was looking for the fish. She was quite facinated . It is the cutest thing to watch.

Sigining

A friend of ours gave GMAC a gift, Baby Signing Time, Dvd's & CD's. It has opened up a whole new world for us. We didn't realize how much really goes on in that little mind. We don't let GMAC watch the tube at all, the only exception is Signing time. She watches it once, maybe twice a week. It's amazing how much she has learned, and how well she can communicate with us by singing. She asks us to eat, drink, to take a bath and so much more by signing. She also knows how to sign Jesus, and Mary, no she didn't learn that from the DVD, she learned that from one of my friends. When GMAC listens to the CD in the van, Rose and even the boys sign with her. I would have to say the whole family has learned quite a bit of sign language form this wonderful gift.

an unexpected gift

We received a really nice gift in the mail this week. Someone sent us a roll of mailing labels with our name address and a little fish symbol on them. It was nothing extravagant but we all thought that it was really sweet. Thank you to whomever sent it our way. Please give us a call or drop us an email so we can thank you in person

-- Cruzan Dad

Joyfully serving the Lord

Back in the spring Rose was invited by a friend to go to Oratory with the Sister Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara. Oratory is (In Roses own words) " a place to have fun and hang out with sisters and learn awesome stuff about God!! the sisters play lots of games with us too"

My first time there I recognized one of the sisters from our parish, she was part of what our family called "the pajama crew" We would see her and some of her friends at Mass every Saturday morning, sometimes in their PJs! We thought that it was amazing that a group of teen girls would choose to be at Mass early Saturday morning. Sister Porte Caeli as she is now known professed her first vows yesterday along with 7 other young women. The sisters faces were so filled with radiant joy that it was beautiful to witness. We felt blessed be a part of the celebration.

Rose really liked the fact that the sister received a crown of flowers, along with their new blue veils.


-- Mallu Mom & Mystical Rose

PS another one of the "the pajama crew" recently joined a cloistered Dominican order.
Please keep them in your prayers

Mystical Rose and Sister Porte Caeli after mass

Soccer has begun

This is our 3rd year with with a family friendly sports league. All three kids love to play soccer, and what we like is that all the ages practice at the same time in the same place. All of the games are Saturday mornings and are all done by noon. The league emphasizes great values and FRIENDLY competition. It has been really great to see all of the kids improve their skills over the last few years.

My sister was visiting and was able to take picture of the first games. Unfortunately Rose was feeling sick and missed the first game.
---Crucian Dad

Remembering 9/11

We will be offering our Mass and Rosary today for all the victims of 9/11, and their family and friends.

The pictures below are from our visit to the World Trade Center, back in 2007. It was a very emotional experience.

A tale of two sisters

Here is a funny observation

Both Mallu Mom and I have sisters with the same first name.

But the similarities don't end there.

Both sisters

• work with young children in classrooms
  
• are very artistic
• have gotten into photography
• have turned their photography into side businesses
• Look and act younger than they are
• are very funny
• they are both very helpful
• are very loved by their Nieces and Nephews

Eternal rest grant unto him

Today we buried a friend of ours.
We knew him and his wife through World Wide Marriage Encounter
Charles lived by the words "Love Never Fails" He suffered greatly with ALS for the last two years, but he never stopped smiling.
He died a beautiful Christian death, surrounded by family, right after mass was celebrated in his home.
We will miss him a great deal.

8 am didn't work out as well

So, we tried to see how our school day would work after going to 8 am Mass. Overall we had a good day at school but it looks like we will be sticking with 6:30 Mass. The kids weren't as eager to wake up and do their chores, there was a whole lot more traffic, and we didn't start school until almost 9. Yesterday, we got up and out the door in 25 minutes, came home ate breakfast, did chores and started school by 8.... so we will stick to 6:30. Now the only dilemma is to be disciplined enough to go to bed on time so we aren't so darn tired in the morning ;-)

Mallu Mom

New School Year

We started our new school year today with 6:30 am Mass! It was easy to get the kids up and out the door, since they really don't like to get to Mass late. This was probably the quickest we've ever gotten out the door. I am not sure if we will keep going to 6:30 Mass or switch to8:00 am, we will have to see what will work out best.

This year Inch is in 10th grade, U is in 8th, Rose is in 3rd and GMAC is learning from all of her siblings. This is our 3rd year with Mother of Divine Grace Homeschool. We've tried a few other curriculum and they just weren't for us. MODG has been the best fit. Inch and U are taking some of their classes through learning support; this is a discussion class offered via the telephone. Inch really enjoyed these classes last year.
Although, I was not as organized as I would have liked been for the 1st day of school, it worked out pretty well. Maybe the credit should be given to the Graces of the Eucharist.