Ballet Day

Well, the fun has begun. I think they were up at 5 something o'clock filled with dreams of their first ballet lesson that would teach them all the delicate moves they have seen on Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Lillie-8 years old.  Ballet slipper size 5 1/2.

Rose-7 years old.  Ballet slipper size 1.

Zellie-5 years old.  Ballet slipper size 11 1/2.

Vianney-4 years old.  Ballet slipper size 10.

Wanting so badly to go and do a "Pea-A."  She knows the terms.  Clairvaux-2. 

Chubby 4 year old thighs. 

Vianney trembled a few times.  She held tight to her sisters.

She is now asking herself, "Why did I want to do ballet so bad?"

Rose was a natural.  She always is when it comes to anything athletic.

Vianney practicing her moves when she thinks no one is watching.

They loved their first practice.  I contacted the Dowd Irish Dance Academy as I think we would prefer them to learn this style of dancing, but for now this is too precious for their parents not to do.  John called twice wanting up-dates. 

"Twas the Night before Ballet"

Lillie, Rose, Zellie, and VIANNEY start ballet tomorrow. The older two took a few classes a couple years ago, but now all four are together. I hope I sleep tonight. We are going all out with shoes, leg warmers, tights, skirts, and really tight buns. John has to work tomorrow and commented this evening, "Why do I miss all the fun?"   I don't know where my head was when purchasing all the attire. Clairvaux was frantically trying on each persons new items and dramatically wondering where hers were. She was shaking with hope. Back to the store I will go.

Sisterhood

We had a blizzard on Sunday and it is 70 degrees out today! I think I heard the entire world cheer in approval. My mom called and asked if I wanted to go to Florida in a couple weeks to my brother's graduation from Ave Maria University. I cannot wait! It will be awesome to experience HOT weather after so many months of cold. I loved this picture because of all their nap faces and how they sit together even though we have an entire home to be in. I love that they love to be together.

Big Zoo Trip 2013

Every year, we are able to make a trip to Omaha to go to the "BIG ZOO" and IMAX. A wonderful group of doctors John refers to sponsors the trip every year. We are so grateful for their generosity. Our children look forward to this event and talk about it with glistening eyes. We spend several hours touring the zoo. We then head over to the IMAX. The IMAX is the highlight as they are enthralled by the big 3-D eyeglasses and each child gets a ticket for popcorn, candy bar of their choice, and pop. I love watching them order their selection each year. I think they can hardly believe we let them have so much junk in one day. After the show, we eat at Treetops which overlooks the Lied Jungle. The jungle is the largest indoor rainforest. They love eating while being able to see monkeys go by the window. One year, cupcakes were served with different animals made out of frosting in 3-D form. My mother, three youngest sisters and my sister's boyfriend joined us this year. We had a perfect day!

We look for the dome the whole trip up to Omaha.  Once they see the desert dome, shrieking begins!!!

 My mother is so afraid of all animals.  Poor Mech.  She spent the day in fear especially in the jungle thinking something was coming for her.

 Austin and Kathryn joined us which made Clairvaux and Zellie's day perfect.  Austin is a super-star in our home.

 Clairvaux begged for a Hot Tamale.  She then died from heat exhaustion. 

 I love that this picture screams happiness.  Her hat, popcorn, name tag...it is all that I love about children.

 Getting ready for the IMAX show about Polar Bears.

 Until we meet again next year, this is one of the highlights of our lives right now. 

Chichen Itza toddles

Baby has been walking for a couple weeks now.  She is big stuff.  How does she go from a helpless newborn 11 months ago to walking all over our home babbling her favorite two syllable phrase.  We are studying Mesoamerica so it is fitting baby gets named Chichen Itza which sounds a lot like Chicken Pizza.



The older kids shriek every time she walks which usually makes her tumble because of being spooked.  I usually jump because I hear, "MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (pause) SHE'S WALKING!!!!!!"

Today was awesome.  We have been waiting the announcement of our new Pope and watching diligently every time smoke is released.  We happened to be out late morning and I thought we missed the noonish announcement.  I was making lunch around 1:10 and heard the church bells ringing across the street.  I looked up at the clock and realized the bells never ring at this time so we quick logged onto EWTN and saw the white smoke coming out.  I started calling everyone I knew which made the kids laugh.  "Mom, you are calling everybody we know!!"  We sat glued to the TV for a couple hours watching, waiting, hoping, and praying.

What a good man Pope Francis seems to be!  I read so many great tidbits about his past and am so grateful he will be stronghold for the Church.  Today, so many were filled with great hope and joy in our future.  As our friend Thomas put in perfectly, "For five minutes I forgot Obama was President.  That was a great five minutes."

My favorites from today include:

*As Cardinal, Bergoglio became known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice. A simple lifestyle contributed to his reputation for humility. He lived in a small apartment, rather than in the palatial bishop's residence. He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favor of public transportation, and he reportedly cooked his own meals. 

*Pope Francis took the bus with the other cardinal back to Sancta Marta tonight!




*Abortion is the death penalty for the unborn. – Pope Francis.  He is ardently Pro-Life and Pro-Family.

*Pope Francis' episcopal motto is "miserando atque eligendo" (lowly, yet chosen).

Back in 2005, he washed and kissed the feet of 12 AIDS patients.  He is a servant.
 

 I am grateful for the these hopeful days!  I know God is always present and guiding, but days like today His presence is felt so strong.

Dominic's Confirmation: Dominic Savio Joseph Mary George Boever

Dominic received the Sacrament of Confirmation on March 2, 2013 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church. The Sacrament of Confirmation is received in the fifth grade in the Diocese of Lincoln. He was confirmed by the newly ordained Bishop James Conley. Dominic chose the name George as his confirmation name. There was much debate over which name to pick, but at the end it came down to St. Padre Pio or St. George. He chose John's brother Matt as his sponsor.

 Of course, we had a wonderful day and as always he was smiling extra bright. He seemed so innocent to me. I watched him throughout the morning getting ready, putting on his new suit, wanting so much to be at the church when Sister told him to be there because he didn't want to miss the questioning session before hand by the new Bishop. He told me he was nervous for that part. I told him frequently about a month before his confirmation that now he would be an adult in his faith and it will begin to be his responsibility to grow in his faith, know when he needs to go to confession, and make attempts to know his faith deeper. He is such a child that takes that very seriously and said often "I can't believe I am going to be an adult in my faith after my Confirmation." It was really sweet.

We had a great party at our home afterwards with about 35 family members who came in town for his big event. He was so happy and full of grace. He told me that night that he had a perfect day. I was able to take him on a date to buy his suit. We had a memorable time together as he still held my hand in the mall. It touched my heart that he did it so unashamedly. I was going to buy him a small treat, but he just wanted a quarter to buy sour gummies in the canisters in the middle of the mall filled with all different candies. What I loved about our time together is how we laughed about the antics of his littlest siblings. We both giggled at their hysterical ways. It's a pleasure to know him. It really is. Dominic has become one of my closest friends. John and I have seen him grow so much this past year. I really enjoy spending time with him. He has been a dream since the moment I first saw him. One of my friends commented to me that they saw Dominic during the confirmation retreat a couple days before the actual day. She commented how nice, polite, and friendly he was to her. I thanked her and wish I could capture in a picture exactly how I know he was that day. I know he was smiling, hair combed over perfectly, wore his spiffy glasses and was having the time of his life. The image in my mind captures his everyday personality at the ripe age of 10 soon to be 11-years-old.

Miss Rose: Kindergarten teacher

Rose woke up and was determined to teach Vianney how to read, math facts, and how to play the piano all in one day. She worked with her most of the day. Patience is Rose's best quality so she never tired in Vianney's slow pace and not reading in a day. I overheard my teaching voice in her several times. Of course, Clairvaux wanted to learn all the goods too. My Aunt Drew said February is one long January. I will add March for the trifecta. It will be so good to get outside and sit. I feel like we have been inside since November.