31-cent Scoop Night!

Don't miss out on your Baskin Robbins treat night tomorrow, April 30th, 2008! Thanks, Miriam, for keeping us in the loop. I remember last year at this time in Hawaii when Caleb, Madge, and I headed out to Baskin Robbins for this deal. Unfortunately we didn't make it all the way there, but we plan to this year. Well, not to Hawaii... a bit more local.

New Items for Madeleine's Hope Chest

This is something that I have been wanting to add to Maddy's chest for a while. What a creative little night light! I think she might like this little item too, especially when she wants to switch from her ice water to lattes.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

Today is Meema and Beeba's 3oth wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary! We love you and thank God for your marriage and all of the fruits of your labors. May God continue to bless, guide, and sustain you in your journey together.

Important Things to Sing and Say

This was from Friday after Maddy got into her new dress. She was saying something or singing something. Watch her head movements as she climbs down. She keeps saying "baby" when she climbs down, and looks at her dress. She says that she has a baby in her tummy, since Mommy has one too. :)

Happy Birthday, Beeba!

Today, April 22, is Beeba's/Grandpa Tiej's/Papa Tiej's birthday! Happy birthday to you! We wish we could be there to celebrate with you and at least back your presents into the driveway, but we will wait to do that Thursday night. (No, we don't get a commission for this, nor are we raking anyone over the coals.) What other Tiejisms come to mind? Hmm...
We love you so much and are so grateful to God for your life, for the father and grandfather you are, and for the sacrificial spouse you continue to be. It only seems fitting to use your words when writing about you, and they are that we are "...all the richer for knowing you." May Jesus bless you and your day and may you always know how much joy and love you bring to others, far and near. We sing this for you today.

All our love,
Caleb, Mary, Madge, and Little OLF #2

Some Food for Thought: What are the real issues at hand?

As we near the election and voters continue to worry about various issues, this article helps point out the most important issue to be concerned about.

Catchy Song, Nice Harmony

Recently a movie, Once, was recommended to us, and there are some nice tunes in it. This is one of them.
Beware that there is a lot of swearing in the movie. TV guardian is nice to have for this one.

Here are the lyrics as well:
Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly Lyrics

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

Happy Birthday, Matt!

Today, in the U.S., is our brother-in-law Matt's 30th birthday! Happy birthday, Matt! We hope that you had a wonderful celebration of your life in Australia, and we pray that God will continue to bless you and protect you every day of your new year and throughout your life. It is amazing to think how our lives have been altered by your life and your entrance into our family. We love you and value your life. May St. Michael the Archangel, patron of policemen, protect and guide you always.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Maddy Watches Pope Benedict XVI Arrive at RFK Stadium

This morning Maddy was watching the Holy Father arrive here in DC, and here she is waving at him...on TV.

An Amazing Day

Yesterday, April 16th, was an amazing day. It was Gram Dolan's birthday. She would have been 87. It was the Holy Father's 81st birthday. It was a beautiful spring day, spent at CUA, awaiting Pope Benedict XVI's arrival. We were among the throngs of people waiting to greet him, and it was incredible. We took the Metro down, and although Madge had only gotten about 30-40 minutes of sleep during nap time before we had to jump in the car and head to the station, she was a happy girl for a long evening, spent playing, cheering, soaking up such special moments in the presence of Christ's vicar.

New Study: Single parents cost taxpayers $112 billion

The first of its type, this study provides economic modeling of the burden family break-ups and children-born-out-of-wedlock pose to taxpayers. $112 billion dollars a year. Wow. CNN offers its typical detractions: marriage outreach won't change anything. Money speaks, however. We shouldn't neglect to provide the proper compassion and care to these needy, broken families. Yet, we can point to the traditional family as a way of not only preserving the moral fabric of society but also as a way of allocating federal dollars effectively.

Scripture Applied to Family Life

A recent CE article offers two inspiring scripture quotes applied to family life. In summary, families shouldn't be sprinting through life, but, ever attentive to God's grace, they should plug away with focus, strategy, and perseverance to accomplish God's plan. A neat practical application for our day.

• Hebrews 12:1-2: "…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…"
• Zechariah 8:12: "The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew."
  

A Boe-ka

According to Maddy, a boat is really pronounced "boe-ka." Just watch here.

Eye wuv woo!

Make sure to have your volume up for this one!

Contemplating Couplehood Once More

and thanking God for the gift of marriage and sacrificial love, found in marriage. Here is a wonderful read on this.

Happy April Fool's

Our little "jester" wishes you a happy April filled with lots of tricks.