Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

And let perpertual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

In Memoriam-Lt. Col. Mark E Stratton

Dh knew Mark.  Their paths crossed quite a bit...they were both in the Corps together at Texas A&M, were stationed at Offut AFB and they often slugged (rode) to work in DC together.  Dh said Mark was a top notch guy.  The world truly has lost another hero.  Please keep his family in your prayers.

Wordless Wednesday

Are you ready for some SUMMER edition..

TM: Smell me  bef  Mommy.  I smell like stawberry.  I smell gooood.

Some things never change.

Memorial Day

We pray this after Mass each Sunday.  Why not add it to your list...

Heavenly Father, 

Grant a courageous heart, a quick mind and serene spirit to those now in our armed forces ready to offer their talents and if necessary their lives for the cause of truth, justice and liberty.  Keep them close to you in every way.  Make them always, even in these difficult circumstances, true witnesses to your goodness, love and compassion.  Finally Lord, bring them safely back to their homes and families.  Amen.

Also, ReAlDaPh has a great post on today's history.

This is cool.... (click here to go to the link)

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Morning Coffee Tawk

TM (Toddle Monkey) loves gum.  looooooovvves it.

0630 TM:  Mawnin' Mommy.

Me: Morning sweet boy.

TM: CanI havs a piece of gum?

Me:  Not right now

TM: Den, canI havs a piece of G-U-M? (yep, we're busted... he can spell it)

Me: Uh...nope.

TM: Just one?

Me: (melodically) nnnooooooo.

TM:  Kay, two den? (as he holds up two very dimply fat toddler fingers)

Me: no

TM:  after beckbast????

Me: (starting to give in~ darn fat fingers)  Maybe.

TM: Maybe, yes?

Me: uh, huh.

TM:  YESSSSSSSSS!!!

I'm such a pushover...

People let me tell you...

'Bout his beeest  friend...(quick, name that show)

Toddle Monkey loooooves his biggest brother.  He's his bestest friend.  Normally, I really love that.  Normally.  But sometimes, when One leaves, oh the heartache he leaves behind.

Case in point:  One bounds out of the house to go play with his friends, leaving behind his shadow.  Woe and agony ensue.

Here come the crocodile tears..
spilling all over, everywhere...

followed by the wailing, "Noooo, I wanna goooooo wiffff YOOOOUUUU!!!!"

But Mommy is able to still come to the rescue with hugs and kisses. 

And, okay, truth be told... a lollipop.

And all is right with the world again.  

At least until One heads off for college.  

I'll need a truck load of lollipops then... (sigh) 

(PS- The show: The Courtship of Eddie's Father)

For my Momma

'Cause she always tells me how much P looks like me. I look at this lil' girl baby and say-

  "Nope, don't see it."   

I think I tend to see all of her, the whole person, which truly is so different from me. But today while processing some recent shots- I finally saw it, the resemblance.  So, I'll go ahead and say it, 

"You were right."

Now I see it...

In honor of today, The Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, I give you this.... Enjoy!

A beautiful gift..

Who knew I had something in common with all these folks....

HT: American Papist

My Most Favorite Priest

Ever.

Is speaking again.  Can ya handle the heat??

I Heart Faces-week 17 "Hats"

Taken at Disney after Two bought himself a coonskin cap.  He still lurvvves it to this day!

There's more to see over at I Heart Faces.  Go check it out! 

Monday Morning Coffee Tawk

me:  So what's your favorite animal?

TM (Toddle Monkey):  hawks (sharks) and Mickey Mouse.  Hawks lib in salt wa-tar.  Mickey Mouse libs in a red baskek.

me: Ahhh, good to know.  

Happy Monday to all.

May Day

Hope the first day of May brought all of you joy!

The kids and I stayed busy today after their art lesson putting together a few May Day baskets thanks to Charlotte, who provided detailed instructions for them.  We were successful for the most part. We only got caught once, but we didn't get as many baskets hung on neighbor's doors as we would have liked-- but there's always next year... 

We'll take our leftover flowers and lay them at the feet of Our Lady since this begins her month.  We've got an exciting day tomorrow with a First Holy Communion Mass in our little military parish-- more children coming to know Christ Our Lord: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  Doesn't get any better than that folks.