A little Bit of This & a Little Bit of That

Words from Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty:

"The most important person on earth is a mother.  She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral.  She need not.  She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral--dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body.  The Angels have not been blessed with such a grace.  They cannot share in God's Creative miracle to bring new saints to heaven.  Only a human mother can.  Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creatures.  God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation.  What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?"

"The world needs us moms.  All women--even those women who are not biological or adoptive mothers--are endowed with the feminine gift of nurturing motherly love that our world needs so very much today"--Danielle Bean (Catholic Digest)

Just thought I would share those powerful words that touched my heart the other day when I read them.

We so enjoyed last week's beautiful weather.  Although this week has already been filled with much less sunshine, it's a nice little break from feeling the pressure to be outside to enjoy every second and I've been able to catch up on some much needed house cleaning that was thrown to the wayside :)

Just catching some rays

 Lunch time!

 Sally got to have an early birthday celebration with Lucy and Grandma at Grandma and George's new place! She had a sleepover and a trip to the movie theater!

Libby enjoyed extra time with Mom and Dad {and Emma, when she was awake}. Bedtime game outside!

Hitting up Saturday morning swimming lessons to get ready for the pool to open.  Libby's first time having lessons without a parent in the pool with her! Nice to get them both done at the same time! They did great!

Tea Party time!

 Emma learned how to roll over this weekend.  Her big sisters wanted to make sure that no matter which way she rolled, she would have a toy :)

 Her shirt says it all..."so totally cute!"

 "Woah!! Mom, did you see that? I just rolled over!"

 Cousins, enjoying their special time with Grandma.  Thank you Grandma!!

 Explorin'

Happy Early Birthday to Nana, tomorrow!! We love you!!

We've been Enjoying!

I don't get to my computer very often these days. Too nice outside and the hubs has been hogging it ;)

Here's what we've been enjoying lately:

Story time brought to you by our big reader, Sally
  

Beautiful little selfies

 Coming home from a solo Target run to find this greeting!

 I mean seriously, she might as well be 18 and heading off to college.  Loving trying out the sippy cup, and Libby being as sweet as can be!

 Whale spout hair and excersaucer

 Sally's drawings

 "Duck tails" we really should have submitted her to the MN Hockey Hair thingy

 Morning Sisters, such a special 15 minutes we have each morning before the bus comes

Last Saturday it was a beautiful morning and Kari and I got to run in the Goldy's 5K run.  Reid and the girls dropped us off and cheered for us! It was so much fun!

 We lucked out and saw them during part of the race, we thought we'd only see each other at the very end

 Hangin' with the Gearman boys as they waited for Laura to finish the 10 mile!

  You finish the race on the 50 yard line, so fun!

 one, two, three....still gets me sometimes!

 Sweat Sister, Sisterfriends! We enjoyed a lovely little brunch at PT where Andy and the little Martinson ladies met up with us!

 Emma was even rocking her Gopher Gear!

Saturday night we went to the Gala for Sally's school.  It was a great event, so impressed with the generosity of so many of the families! Love one of our sitters, as she always leaves out art projects for us that she does with the girls!

Knowing the girls were in good hands we were able to stop at our friends' house for a drink and fill them in on the events of the Gala since they weren't able to make it, having just had their 3rd girl a few weeks ago :)

After Mass, doughnut faces :)

 Walking on sunshine, baby feet

 Enjoying the rays!

 Loving her outside time in the stroller

 Weeeeee

 We love our Mondays when the sun is shining and we have the park to ourselves!

 Happy Happy

 Daddy loving all of the Cardinals around the house

 Mommy being able to take advantage of Daddy being home.  Was able to go out with a good friend to a "Mom Enough" event and then we continued the evening with a drink at Crave, we even got to sit outside the weather was so nice.

I didn't get any pictures, but we were able to make it up to Saint Cloud to see Meggers and meet sweet baby Bennett! Praying for you this weekend, Bennett, as you get baptized!

Yesterday, I was able to be a chaperone on Sally's field trip. So fun watching her with her friends and the love of learning

 Can't believe her Kindergarten year is almost over and she's almost turning 6!!

 Explorin'

Happy Happy Day! Happy Weekend!

Emma's Half a Year!!

Ummmmmmm what?

No way Mom, you're kidding

Hey Check it out guys, my mom said I'm 6 months old today!

Seriously the sweetest, content, happiest baby girl there ever was, take a look at her "photo shoot..."and see for yourself

 Thumbs up for a healthy baby girl!

15lbs 7oz--40%

25.5 inches--42%

43.1cm--71%

 Just like her big sisters she is "slow to roll" but quick to chat and smile

 She loves being on her tummy, especially while sleeping

 She decided she actually does love peas (gagged, last month), prunes (of all things!), yogurt and Mum Mums...there really isn't anything she doesn't like

  She naps 4-5 hours total during the day.  Sleeps 12-13 hours at night, waking usually only once

 Certainly has loved being outside more and taking in all of the new sights.  Earlier this week we took a walk to the park with Libby and Emma babbled the entire time, she was very happy!

 You didn't really want this to stay on here, right mom? It just makes you sad how quickly I'm growing.  I'll just go ahead and erase that for you

 She continues to stop people in their tracks because of all of her beautiful hair and then she gives them a big toothless grin and they think she's the most adorable little baby ever...yep yep she is!

 Curious eyes

 Loves her big sisters

 And boy do they love her!!

Emma Jean Craigmile, you are such a gem! We love you to pieces sweet girl! Thank you for allowing us to soak up your sweetness! You light up our days!  Happy Happy Half Birthday Sweetheart!