Madge: "Be careful, Fr. Smith!"

Last night Fr. Smith from our parish and some friends joined us for dinner. Fr. Smith blessed our new home. At the end of the evening after Fr. Smith had said his good-byes, Maddy opened the front door for him to exit. As he walked down the front sidewalk, Madge called out from the front porch: "Be careful, Fr. Smith." I wonder if she has heard her mom use that phrase as people get into their cars! :) Rather comical to hear a 3-year old utter those words.

Updates on Gardasil

Interesting excerpts from American Thinker article pasted below. These cause some pause. (Here is a link to an article by Steven W. Mosher and Joan Robinson of the Population Research Institute (PRI), commenting on the talk by Merck consultant Dr. Diane Harper, who helped develop both Gardasil and Cervarix.)

Dr. Harper has on several occasions criticized the rush to market of both HPV drugs. But her October 2 talk at the Fourth International Public Conference on Vaccination in Reston, Va., was framed as emphasizing the benefits of Gardasil. Nevertheless, according to PRI, her presentation openly stated that, 26 million vaccinations after its debut, Gardasil will have no effect on the rate of cervical cancer in the U.S. HPV, the infection that Gardasil can prevent, is rare, usually heals itself, and testing and treatment in the U.S. are very effective in keeping cervical cancer a rare event.
....

PRI's Joan Lewis adds: "To date, 15,037 girls have officially reported adverse side effects from Gardasil to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). These adverse effects include Guilliane Barre, lupus, seizures, paralysis, blood clots, brain inflammation and many others. The CDC acknowledges that there have been 44 reported deaths."
....

Merck's Dr. Harper told CBS News that a girl is more likely to die from an adverse reaction to Gardasil than from cervical cancer. [my emphasis added]

5 Years Ago Today

Caleb,
Five years ago today, we sealed our bond and plan for our journey in life together when you proposed to me atop the bell tower at the National Shrine. I love you so much and appreciate you more and more each and every day. You do so much for me and our family. You truly are a servant, and I love you dearly. Thank you for all of your love. Most of all, thank you for taking me into your life and making me your wife. I will be forever grateful to God. We have beautiful memories from that day of our engagement, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and Grandpa Young's death anniversary. I know Our Lady and Grandpa were very much with us that day.

I love you, Sweets.

Grateful for the Best Teammate

Humbly, I have to admit that over the last week and a half, Mares and I have kicked some major bootie in our packing. Over the past ten days, we have packed up everything in our apartment. I have to praise Mares for her flexibility. We knew that sooner or later we would be moving. However, a confluence of events has precipitated our move. Sooner, rather than later, we began our packing and she jumped right into it. I am grateful to God for my partner, my teammate in life. It could've been hellish, but it wasn't. It could've been fraught with frustrations and flaring tempers, but it wasn't. It could've taken forever, but it didn't. Yes, there were a couple times where we got frustrated (always that darn communication--isn't it overrated!). However, the moments were few and far between and always brought us closer together.













Thanks, Mares, for being my better half. You've been the best in this process. I thank God for you, and for 3M, too. (Where would be without awesome boxes, bubble wrap, masking tape and packing tape?) I am glad that we get to spend the rest of our lives together as a team. Though small in size, you certainly pull more than your fair share.

The Why's of Life

Yesterday, Madge and I went out on a little date. On the way to the car, I was carrying some trash to the dumpster. As we were walking down the stairs, Madge asked me, "Dad, why are you so strong?" Talk about a little ego-booster. I told her that I was strong because I love her. That seemed to settle well.

Later on our date, we were picking up some photos. The lady at the photo shop told us that we would have to wait for a few minutes since the machine was going slow after it broke down. I relayed this message to Madge. She replied, "Dad, do you know why the machine is going slow?" I responded, "Because it was broken." She stated rather factually, I might add, "No, Dad. It's going slow because that's the way God made it." Oh, yeah. That too.

Dog Days for Guadalupe

The poor little thing! She has had a rough weekend. The imminent arrival of new molars have transformed her into a drooling machine. The front of her tops have been soaked. The inside of her lips are swollen. She leaves her sweet, little mouth open since the air flow must provide some relief.



Just when we thought it couldn't get worse, she dropped a jar on her big toe!. The nail has gone black and will probably fall out in the next couple days. I hope that she gets better soon.

I Love Every Little Thing

As we went packing-crazy over the weekend, I had a lot of time to think about the little things. 900+ square feet of bubble wrap now covers our prize possessions. Throughout this wrapping frenzy, I was reminiscing on the simplicity of being single. I could fit my entire life into 2 (maybe 3) suitcases. Wow. Wouldn't that make for easy packing! Five years later I am married with two children. The baggage grows exponentially by the day. However, after wrapping a few dozen little objects, I soon realized that each thing we have tells a story. The tacky hot stone from celebrating Mother's Day at a Pizza Hut in Beijing. The gorgeous art work from Maddy. The cute, crystal cherry glasses. Every little thing holds some emotional meaning and, in a way, tethers us together as a family. While it's always great to downsize and simplify, there is something beautiful about objects serving as memories of times together and joys we have shared. I found myself thanking God for the little things. There is not a single thing that I want to get rid of, since they all bring me closer to my family, which brings me closer to God. Now, if only we can finish with the last 100 square feet of bubble wrap....

A New Word for Webster's Dictionary

Monkey see, monkey do is the key. The other day Madge told me, "I'm not feeling very well," as she held a tissue up to her little nose. I asked, "Why? What happened? Do you have bloody nose or are you just 'tending?" She continued to hold the tissue up and told me she had a bloody nose. (She was imitating Caleb who easily gets them after having broken his nose twice.) Anyway, I said, "Oh, ok. Well, Madge, please don't take anymore tissues." All of the sudden she got another one, and she said, "Mom, I have a 'bluggy' nose." "What's that?" I asked. She quickly responded, "It's a 'boogie kind of blood.'" Webster's, here we come with a new definition.

Bluggy: adj. a boogie kind of blood

Some photos of our new house

My Favorite Part of the Day...

Every night at dinner we have a family tradition of each person mentioning in one or two sentences his or her favorite part of the day. It tends to end on a silly note as Madge acts as an interpreter of what Guadalupe's favorite part of the day is. Here is a clip from last night. What funny girls! How we love you two!

Visiting Arlington Cemetery and the Iwo Jima Memorial

This past Monday, August 31, we joined our friends Tom and Rebekah and their kids at the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Arlington Cemetery. We had a lovely picnic dinner near the Iwo Jima Memorial. We then went for an evening walk through the Arlington Cemetery. The weather was clement and the walk cheery. The girls would weave through the tombstones and stop and pray at random graves. We made our way over the graves of the three Kennedy brothers. My lack of esteem for them drove us to intensify our prayers for them. Good article here on the topic.

While at the grave of the late Sen. Kennedy, a random lady told Madge and her friends, "He would have loved you children." With his abortion background in mind it's a wonder whether or not he and other like-minded politicians would prefer those same children dead or alive. Maybe it all depends on whether they're "wanted" or not. Lots to think about and lots of souls to pray for, including our own.

Waking Up with a Tootsie Roll

What can I possibly add?

Quick Recap (with hopefully more to follow!)

Life is slipping by. Sometimes in an effort to seize the day, I have forgotten to document the day. Oh, well. I now see that we haven't posted anything for well over a month. Hopefully we will be able to post some photos soon of our balmy August.

We spent the first week or so of August vacationing with my family on the shores of Lake Michigan in Holland, MI. I have three favorite memories from the week together:

1. Playing board games and chatting with my family in the evenings
2. Taking family walks to the beach...somehow we would juggle pushing the double running stroller (loaded to the brim with towels and beach paraphernalia), sipping a cup of coffee, applying sun tan lotion , entertaining the kiddies with snacks, holding down hats from gusts of wind, and holding a somewhat intelligible/sane conversation
3. Sitting back and enjoying the family interactions: little cousins playing together, aunts and uncles and grandparents and nephews and nieces, and great grandma and great uncles and aunts

Towards the end of August, we found a house that we liked and were pleased to have our offer accepted. Everything has gone smoothly enough and we hope to settle and move in a few weeks. In the meanwhile, we have been feverishly packing for the move. We hope to move everything into storage next week. While not yet confirmed, it is looking hopeful that my dad and brother Joe will be coming to Virginia to help out with the move. It will be great to see them again. Next Saturday, Sept. 12, our family will be flying out to Seattle. While it's a work trip for me, Mares and the girls will be staying her parents. I look forward to joining them in Part Archard for a week once my business trip is completed. (As we were driving home yesterday, I told Madge how excited I was to go and visit the fam in Seattle. Madge replied "I'm 'cited, too, Dad." Pretty darn cute.) When we return from the trip, life will continue with its break-neck pace as we settle and move. I hope we'll have some respite in the month of October. We'll see. My mom constantly reassures me that the pace of life will only get faster. Uh oh!

P.S. the new photo above in our title is from our recent visit to the grave of the late Sen. Kennedy. More to follow on that visit...

Bright Days to Come

Because we are heading to the beach for the annual MI family vacation, we wanted to take these last moments to make note of very special events just around the corner...

First: July 31st, the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, is Mom's birthday! Happy birthday, Mom! I wish we could be celebrating once again with you and toasting to another year of your life. But, we will be praying for you and thinking of you from afar. We love you very much and thank God for your life, the meaning that you have brought to ours, and the joy you bring to the lives of so many people, including the little people that call you Grandma Mimi. Thank you for your love as Mom, Grandma Mimi, friend. May God continue to bless and guide you on your life's journey, and may His dear Mother always hold your hand and lead you to her Son. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, Grandma Mimi! Happy birthday to you! Second: On August 1st, Pita will celebrate her First Birthday as the daughter of God through Holy Baptism. Just one year ago, we were cuddling a one-month-old, who was wrapped in a beautiful white garment--the same that her big sister wore just two years prior. Guadalupe Belen Maria, may your guardian angel always guide you. May Christ always hold you near his dear chest. And, may His holy Mother keep you pure all the days of your life. Happy birthday! You are a true delight, Ra-Ra! You are full of spunk. May your soul always be as spunky with joy as you are spunky romping around in your life's journey!

Third: On August 5th, Maddy celebrates her third Birthday as God's holy daughter through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Madge, you are a gem. You love to pray as emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances pass by. You say, "Mom, we gotta pray." And, you ask why we are not praying when you see them pass and they do not have their sirens going. You love Jesus very much, and I wish I could see the smiles on His face when you say prayers, like the other day, when you said: "Thank you for letting us find 2 beach chair. Thank you for letting Pita wake up. And, thank you for this little girly" and you reached over to touch Pita in her car seat. There was the one morning that you were saying your morning prayers and you said, "Thank you for a new day. Thank you for the sun coming up. Thank you for the sun coming up on it's own. Thank you for Mom. Thank you for Dad. Thank you for our parents. Thank you for all you've given us." Madge, thank you for reminding us that God is in charge. You reminded me of that so well, when, after I told you that we found a house to buy (you had been so compassionate after all the times we went out looking that you would say, "Sorry you can't find a house, Mom." So, I told you that we found a house, and you responded: "No, Jesus found a house." Boom. Humility and childlike trust. We love you, dear girl. May you always follow Jesus' path in your life. And, always hold Blessed Mama's hand. She knows the way home best. Happy birthday!

You Are 3, Beauty Queen

Dearest Madge, Today we celebrate your life, your love, the value your presence in our lives truly is. God has richly blessed us with three years of joys with you. How many moments we have shared with you from your birth in Beijing to your early life in Hawaii to your many travels and your future travels to come. As Dr. Seuss would say, "Oh, the places you'll go!" It is very true! We have shared so many beautiful times with you. Every morning is a rich blessing, and every night is a serene delight to see your little eyes closed and your sleeping peacefully in Jesus' and Blessed Mama's arms, as you are lost in slumber. May you always follow the path Christ has set for you and may you always hold your Mama's hand no matter where you go or where Jesus takes you. We love you, oh, so much. Happy birthday, Sweets!

Sisters

Yesterday Pita I put Pita in her crib briefly while Maddy was eating lunch so that I could run to the car and carry up the groceries. Pita was not too happy about her spot so she was fussing. Maddy heard her and jumped down from the table to say, "I'm gonna go make Pita happy!" Sure enough, she did and sang her a song. You are such a good sister and big help. I love you!

A Silly Little Girl--old picture (03/2008), new stories

At the pool over the weekend: Mary and I were talking about whether we should stay longer at the pool or return home. In a phrase she probably picked up from us, Madge asked Mary, "Mom, what are your thoughts?" Good use of words, my little diplomat.

After Mass on Sunday: at the conclusion of Mass, I typically take Madge up to the front of the Church to pray on the side of the altar. Normally, we pray out loud together (in a hushed voice) and I try to use the opportunity to teach her how to pray. I pray, and then Maddy repeats after me. I was saying, "God, help me to be a good girl, and to listen to my Mom and my Dad." (This is a staple prayer.) Maddy repeated a slightly different version: "God help me to be a good girl, and help Mom and Dad to give me ice-cream." Just a minor variation.

After grace at dinner last night: Mary took a moment after Madgey rapidly made the sign of the cross to refresh her on how it's done. She was explaining to her how you move from the head to the heart, to the left shoulder and then to the right. With all these body parts, Madge replied, "And can we do 'head, shoulders, knees and toes,' too?" We tried to suppress our laughter!

Happy Birthday, Miss Lil!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Lili! It is amazing to think that you are a big 3! It seems like a week or two ago Mommy was pregnant with you and together Mommy and I were comparing notes on our simultaneous pregnancies. But now, look, you are three years old, Lili, and you have blessed the lives of all of those around you. You have a best friend in your brother, and two parents who love you dearly, and a big family that sees your life as a treasure, a gift. Happy birthday, little lady. May you always know how much Jesus loves you and cares for you and that He is with you every step of your journey through your life. We love you!

Natural "Teething" Toy?

...How about a cheese grater?
Pita loves to get random objects out of our kitchen cabinets and then carry one or two (or more) things around the house and hand them to us. We love you, Ra-Ra Girl!

Your Words Hit Our Funny Bones

Madge, yesterday we were riding in the car and you were showing Daddy how your lips form when you say the "th" sound in "Thursday." (These days you often ask me: "Mom, what's today?" You are curious as to what day of the week it is.) So, the other day (Wednesday) I told you: "It's Wednesday today, but tomorrow is THURSDAY." So, you said, "Mom, watch my lips... Th-ursday." Perfect "th" there between your teeth and tongue! So, on our way home from picking Daddy up last night, you went through this whole thing again. But, after you precisely stated "Th-ursday," you said: "Dad, watch my lips: 'Hairlip.'"
We cracked up, because you have no idea what a hair lip is nor have you heard that word before. Maybe you were thinking about hair and lips...I don't know, but it was so funny! In the next breath you said, "Watch my lips: 'Liphair.'" Maybe this is a new way of saying "mustache"? We love you.

This morning at Mass it was the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. As Fr. S. was reading the Gospel and said "Thomas," you were so happy to hear that name and leaned over to me to tell me your excitement. You said: "Mom, Fr. said 'Thomas the Train!" You bring a smile to our face each and every day!

Four Years Ago Today We Were Walking Down the Aisle

You're invited to a trip down memory lane, back to the St. Louis July of 2005!The night before our wedding, the entire bridal party along with many of our family members and friends attended a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. We had a marvelous time surrounded by the people we love.
The next day was our wedding.To my dearest wife, the most lovely woman in the world, my Mares:
As we celebrate four years of bliss in marriage, I cannot but express my utter gratitude to God for bringing you into my life. We're becoming seasoned married fogies now! He, he, he. For every new trial that comes our way, five new joys come as well. The beauty of our marriage is not that we experience trial and joy but that we face these trials and joys together! That's the rub. I love you so much. I know that you enjoy the fruit of our love (our little girlies) as much as I do. They undoubtedly enhance our relationship...and keep us on our toes. (How many times did we have to jump from the dinner table just last night to keep Pita from power cords? :) ) You truly are my best friend. Thanks for your patience in those moments when I'm down. Thanks for your love when I'm feeling insecure. Thanks for your faith when I'm weak. Thanks for your love, your simplicity, your classy style, your humor, your wit, your faith...well, thanks for you. I look forward to the rest of our lives together.
All my love, Your Husband of Four Years,
Caleb

I Love you More Today than Yesterday, Happy 4th Anniversary

HAPPY 4TH ANNIVERSARY, HANDSOME, July 2!

Mi Amor, with four years passed and two beautiful daughters in our lives, life continues to blossom and become a treasure of memories and a reality of new beginnings with you at my side. Thank you for your love, your support, your gentleness and faithfulness each and every day. We have so many awesome times together from day one. Remember our drive to Wintergreen after a full wedding weekend? Our playing tennis and walking back to the resort in the rain before getting a ride with that kind lady and her granddaughter? Ahh, that delightful foggy drive to the restaurant for an evening together with candlelight? Our travels to Beijing, looking for an apartment, walking the streets of Beijing and bowing before the workers that pointed at me and nudged each other in awe of my big pregnantbelly? Loved those times! Hawaii? Remember walking into our 14'x14' room and seeing two single beds in dorm-style? I loved our little "house."All of these moments are beautiful memories and were steps towards so many amazing times to come. Thank you for taking so many adventures with me. I know there are so many to come. Thank you for loving me and our family so very much and always being willing to learn to do better. It inspires me. Together with Christ, I know all things are possible. May we always call on Him and include Him in our every action. May He always be the apex of our triangle, drawing us together as we soar for Him.
Our Nuptial Blessing:
May God bless you, hold and keep you. May God's mercy shine on you. Guide your work and guard your resting. Make your love forever new.
May God join your hopeful spirits. Fill your hearts with truth and courage. Trust to share both joy and tears. Teach love to your children's children. Make your household learn to witness living faith through all your years.
May God bless you, hold and keep you. May God's mercy shine on you. Guide your work and guard your resting. Make your love forever new.
May God make your home a refuge where you warmly welcome strangers, and the lowly find a place. Make your caring kind and patient, help you meet the needs of neighbors. Finding Christ in every face.
May God bless you, hold and keep you. May God's mercy shine on you. Guide your work and guard your resting. Make your love forever new.

"Congratulations! Today is your day...."

"You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!...There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won't want to go on. But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On you will hike. And I know you'll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are...So...get on your way!"(Taken from: Oh, the Places You'll Go)

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, PITA!
(Written memories from your delivery and your 1st birth day, along with pictures to follow.)

You had a beautiful birthday, little girly. You even wore your sister's beautiful Sri Lankan party dress from our friend Vanathy, who gave it to Maddy before her 1st birthday. Madge wore it on her 1st birthday. How special! Mommy made a lady bug cake , so we kept with a bug theme throughout and even your big sister got a lady bug puzzle from the library the night before. You enjoyed your day with some playtime with Moi and Addie in the morning, a nap in the afternoon, romping around the house afterwards and a quiet dance with Mommy in the livingroom. That evening we picked Daddy up from the train and came home for a yummy dinner followed by cake and ice cream, opening a few gifts from your family and friends far and near (what a big help your sister was in opening gifts for you...nice when the enjoyment is mutual.:)