Oh Christmas Tree!

We went to a local tree farm on Sunday, November 28, and picked out the perfect Christmas tree. The girls helped me cut it down. It was a Norwegian spruce, named Olaf.

Here are some pics:

Mr. Four Months, 11.20.10

...sweeter with every day that passes.

An Elaborate/Eccentric Wedding Ceremony

in ancient Gaelic fashion...

Mares Running in the City

Just came across and forgot to put them up. For Mares' birthday, we went for a run downtown in the city. It's my favorite run, called "The Bridges." Basically, you start in DC and cross over one bridge into Virginia and then cross back across another bridge back into DC. Anyway, it was a beautiful day with a beautiful girl. Here are some pics.

Madge in Gynastics

This fall Madge has been taking gymnastics classes. She really enjoys these classes and has been looking forward to these fall Tuesday afternoons. She is a little cutie out there. We love you and are proud of you, Madge!

The Power of Prayer and Action

I just received an e-mail from the 40 Days for Life Campaign, with this awesome, awesome information (below). Praise be to God. As Madge, Peach, Cals and I prayed at the abortion mill this year, all I could do was cuddle my little guy all the more and hold him up high, praying parents-abortion-bound would see his little life and rethink their idea for "choice" before entering that trap of lies.

___________________________________
Through your prayers and God's blessings, 40 Days
for Life has accomplished a tremendous amount over
the last three years:

* More than 350,000 participants
* Over 11,000 churches involved
* 1,085 individual campaigns
* 337 cities participating
* All 50 US states
* 7 Canadian provinces
* 4 Australian states
* 5 other countries
* 800+ news stories
* 3,445 lives saved from abortion -- that we know of
* 39 abortion workers quit their jobs
* 7 abortion facilities shut down for good

I Miss My Girls and Little Guy From Geneva

Dear Mares, Madge, Peach, and Cal,
I love you and miss you! Thanks for your sweet notes. It's been wonderful and uplifting to talk to you on the phone. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I think of you every moment and miss you. I went for a run this morning around Lake Geneva. I am enjoying some European coffee and bread for breakfast. Only your presence could complete this picture. I have some little gifts for you, so get ready.
Below are some random photos of Geneva.
And Mares, know that I too am so happy for our life together. Thanks for completing me. Thanks for staying at home with our kids. It is such a gift and privelege to be your husband and a father to our beloved ones.
Love,
Caleb/Dad

Sweet moments

Caleb,
So often we snuggle together, and I am so happy to be alive to love you, to experience life. The other day, I was reading a book about one of my favorite saints, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, and I came across this Gospel passage: Jn 16:21. So true. How grateful I am for your life, and the lives of your sisters. You humble me.

Some things just don't change

It's not Saturday... or Sunday, but when we woke up today Madge asked if we could make pancakes. Not just any pancakes. Daddy's colorful pancakes! You guessed it, blue + red... We made PURPLE! Daddy, you may be away for a bit, but your traditions live on, even during the week! We love you and are so happy to be snug at home, enjoying one another, and getting cozy while we make pancakes. I am so thankful for our life, and the grace to be here at home with our little ones, with living and learning interwoven, making our lifestyle.

We are missing you, Daddy.

Today at the end of school Pita was ready to offer her joy, work, or suffering to Jesus. As we sat at the little round table and took out the three different-colored cups and papers, Pita chose the pink (joy), and Madge chose the green (work). As usual, Pita chose the joy of seeing Daddy when he comes home this week... Did we tell you that we miss you?

Happiness

This afternoon as I folded laundry at the couch, I put you, Little Cals, right there on the couch beside the folded laundry. You are a little marcher! I moved some of the folded clothes just so that they wouldn't get knocked off from your little legs marching, marching. You are a happy boy, and I just love you.

Little Mister Smiler

Three months old and a bundle of joy and love. Little Cals, we love you more and more each day. You are such a handsome little man, so sweet and snuggly. Thank you for being our prince charming and for being such a huge gift to our family.

I miss you, Dad...

especially those kisses of yours!

Solemnite de Toussaints

Yesterday was the Solemnity of All Saints (Toussaints). I arrived into Geneva yesterday in the morning. Fortunately, even though I am in the birthplace of Calvinism, I found a Catholic Church just a block away. The Church of the Holy Trinity had some interesting architecture and the ceremony was simple but beautiful. It was nice to go to Mass in the midst of the meetings and typical hubbub over here. I prayed in a special way to all the Saints of Heaven for you, Mares, and for you, Madge, Pita and Caleb, that you will be saints. That, I believe, is the greatest thing I can hope and pray for you. I love you and miss you.