To my friend Christina:

It is the law of life, to know when to hold, know when to fold, know when to walk away, know when to run and know when to fight.

Just in case you are part of the -1% of the human race that has not seen this...

I know, I know this came out around 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but just in case you've not seen it or need to be reminded how good life is, Watch it again. So good every time. You have to watch the whole video to receive all its goodness.

Overheard-Rose's 5-year-old theology

Rose running into the house exasperated upon meeting the neighbor girl.

"Mom, Mom, Alex is a Christian!"

The next day same scene, same run.

"Alex doesn't know if she believes in the Eucharist." hmmm.

May Day 2011

I detest back blogging, but me and uploading current photos are not getting along so I've been putting off blogging because it is penance to recap old happs. To not be conquered by insubordinate cords, I will continue on.

We now revert to May Day. It was delightful. Holy Smokes. The equivalent emotion is Christmas Eve night. They are so very excited to deliver the May Day baskets, knock on the door, run away, and wonder for hours if they knew if it was us or not.

Zellie wouldn't knock on the door so she begged me to come.

Oh, Nelly. Run little legs run.

Rose was trying so hard to get away fast that she would lean to barely touch the door and then run.

Dominic running away from the Bishop's house.

We also participated in our third track meet. Always a lively event.

Since Rose was little, we always said "Rose loves to Run." She does. If I go to pick up our mail, Rose always asks to jump out of the car and run home. If John goes for a run, count Rose in. She loves to run. She was 110% adorable at the track meet. Her best event was the 200 meter dash. She started out in the third lane and by the 100 meter mark she is in the lead, pumping her little arms and John and I are cheering like complete idiots (of course, tearing up too). She looks over at us and smiles and keeps running.

Lillie loves the social side of track and field. So many little girls to meet, so little time.

Our big 11 month old. Let see...what is Clairvaux up to? She can say Papa. She points at everything as if she is saluting Hitler. She mouths the crucifix. I always say to her in my weird voice, holding her up to the crucifix "Oh, Jesus does love her. Give Him a smooch." She puts her little mouth on the crucifix and is overwhelmed with giddiness.

Avila Maria Niewald

My brother Andrew and his wife Maria welcomed their third child on Father's Day.

Avila Maria Niewald
6lbs. 13 oz.
19 inches
June 19, 2011
2:11 AM


Aren't we lovely. She is very welcomed by her siblings Nicholas and Christiana. This is the 18th grandchild on the Niewald side.

Swim Wear 2011

Whenever I am filling out paperwork at the doctor's office and it comes to the line where you put your allergies. I always put Swim Wear. I am allergic to swimming suits. Anybody else have this problem? It happens every time I put one on. I start sweating, hyperventilating, breathing deeply, sudden onset of chills...

All kidding aside, I found a few suits this year that I think are hypoallergenic.

From Shabby Apple

The Black One: The Amalfi

The Turquoise One: The Isola

The Red One: The Pomodoro

I was excited to find this long swim skirt. I thought it was elegant and modest. I found this at HydroChic. You can purchase the above tops from Shabby Apple and then I thought I would pair it with this skirt.

Welcome Michael Ambrose Blum!

Oh freshness! Mike and Mary welcomed a new addition to their family.

Michael Ambrose Blum! He is loved by his siblings Agnes, Anthony, Joseph, and Peter! WE are so glad you were born. Father said today in his homily that each child/person is unique and irreplaceable. So true. So true. There is only one Michael Ambrose Blum. We love you and can't wait to meet you.


Michael is the 23rd grandchild for the Boevers. We are eagerly awaiting Josh and Elisabeth's new baby, Andrew and Maria's new baby, and Catherine and Andy's new baby next year!

These two

It happens every time they turn two. I think because I'm focused on the newest child in our family they always turn their love and affections toward John. We will always remember Rose's tactics at that age. Her love for him was intense.

Vianney now occupies most of his time and loses it every time he leaves for work. It really is sweet, but he has to sneak out to avoid the meltdown.


He was taking her on his run. It wasn't an option for her NOT to go according to her. How could we say NO? She went and got her pink glasses.

I was leaving for my walk one morning thinking all the others members in the household were still sleeping. I look back to see her little self tucked right in next to John with her early morning reading materials placed ever so nicely so she can read while he sleeps.

Designing our Homeschool Classroom

My thoughts are occupied this summer with designing a classroom in our home for our upcoming school year. We've always schooled at the table, but the table is constantly filled and covered with books, etc., that I really want to have a designated school room.

I really like this shelving unit with baskets. Each child could have all their work in a basket and I would have no problem filling the rest. I also like the color of this room. This shelving unit can be found at IKEA, but we don't have an IKEA anywhere near us so if anybody is coming to Nebraska anytime soon and feels like bringing me one of these, I'll be your BFF.



I found this exact table from Pottery Barn on Craigslist last week although it is a different color (which I will paint), but still I clicked my little heels together three times. It also came with six chairs. I also like the idea of the long green boxes pictured on the shelves below for our board games. Board game boxes make me c.r.a.z.y. I really do love board games, but the organizing of them is sinful. So, if you have ideas, I would love to hear them.

I've been needing a chalkboard since we began homeschooling for the kids practice math problems and handwriting. I've always loved the idea of framing a chalkboard with a pretty frame. I've debated back and forth about painting a whole wall with chalkboard paint, but have heard various opinions. Any thoughts?


My friend, Renee (who just found out she is expecting someone new) showed me these maps from Cavallini Company. Oh my, are we in trouble.




She also showed me this site for more kid friendly maps.

I plan on filling one wall with maps, our timeline, and alphabet cards. I found these lovely vintage cards that would be fun for the kids. The cards were found at this Etsy shop.



I have enjoyed these Chart Tablets for memory work, poetry, and other randomness that we need to memorize.




Someday, we would love to have an entire room devoted solely to homeschooling, but for now these ideas will meet all my little fancies. I would love to hear your ideas or better yet see your ideas for your school room. I found this room at Mommy Matters to be quite charmando. I think the orange would hurt my ears after a day, but I love the way she displayed her books. She used gutters from a hardware store. Smarty pants. I think it would be fun to display the books outward according to the seasons, celebrations, and what not. Doesn't it want to make you go and start Kindergarten all over again?