A little Fall Spread

As promised, I'm back to share some recipes for a delicious Fall spread! The weekend before the start of Fall, Bekah and I whipped together some ridiculously yummy foods and I couldn't be more excited to share them with you!

Will be sharing an appetizer, the main course, and a deliciously amazing dessert! Enjoy!

Appetizer

To start we had some chips and salsa. The boys love salsa and we as a family really love our chips and salsa. It's always a must! Whether it be for a nighttime snack or a family BBQ, chips and salsa are present. I love a lot of salsas, but I mostly love a pico de gallo mix with avocado (because I love avocado in ev-er-y-thing).

So, for my Salsa-de-Gallo, this is what I used:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 - 1 whole large onion
• 3 - 4 roma tomatoes
• 5 cloves of garlic (More or less, depending on how much of a fan you are of garlic. IMHO, there's always room for more garlic.)
• 2 jalepenos (Clean out the center and depending on how spicy you like it, for no spice clean completely or leave some (5-10) seeds for a kick - but not all the seeds because that would be crazy. You really are good with 5-10 seeds for a good kick.)
• 1 Bunch of cilantro
• Juice from 5 Key Limes (more or less depending on how lime-y you like yours)
• 1 Large Avocado (cut in small cubes)
• 2 generous pinches of salt

Directions

For ingredients from the onion on down to the cilantro, throw in a chopper and chop away. Depending on how chunky or not chunky you like it will vary the time in the chopper. Add lime juice, salt and avocado at the end, mix, then dip. The nice thing about salsa is if it ever tastes a little off you can always add a little more of this or that. Say more salt, or lime juice, garlic or what have you, it's very forgiving. Just taste and make sure you are happy with it! 

The Main Meal

Oh friends! The main meal was delicious! It really was the main event! I could not be happier with how the tomato basil soup turned out and I loved all of the gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches we paired! Loved them!

Crockpot Tomato Basil Soup - Dairy Free

I found this recipe for a tomato basil crockpot recipe. I changed a few things to make it dairy-free and it was delicious! I left the original ingredients in case you don't do dairy-free in your house, but since we do, I added my changes in Italics and by crossing out the obvious no-gos.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup finely diced celery (I used 1/2 tsp celery seed because I'm not a fan of celery, in turn don't normally have it on hand).
• 1 cup finely diced carrots
• 1 cup finely diced onions
• 28 oz can whole plum tomatoes, with juice
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/4 cup fresh basil (I don't normally have fresh basil on hand nor buy it or grow it, so non-fresh it is for us)
• 3 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth (or vegetable for vegetarians)
• Parmesan or Romano cheese rind (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 3/4 cups reduced fat (2%) milk, warmed (I used rice milk and it turned out great! Not as creamy but still creamy enough!)
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add the oil, carrots and onions; cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden. Add to slow cooker.

Pour canned tomatoes with juice into the slow cooker as well as canned tomato sauce. Then add chicken broth, thyme, celery seed, basil, and bay leaf.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, until the vegetables get soft and the flavors blend. I used our immersion blender straight into our crockpot for a rough blend and blended until the soup was a mostly smooth textures.

Add the flour in about 1 cup of the hot soup, then add the 1 3/4 cups of warmed rice milk and stir until smooth. Pour back into the slow cooker and stir, add salt and pepper, to taste.

Cover and cook on low for another 30 minutes and Voila!

Now moving on to the gourmet grilled cheese combos!

Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Combo #1

• Cheddar Cheese
• Grilled Jalepeno
• Prosciutto
• Sourdough Bread grilled on butter

Combo #2

• Provolone
• Smoked Gouda
• Sliced Green Apple
• Sourdough Bread grilled on butter

Combo #3

• Provolone
• Smoked Gouda
• Sliced Avocado
• Sliced Tomato
• Sourdough Bread grilled on butter

Combo #4 (Dairy-free)

• Sliced Green Apples
• Prosciutto
• Avocado smeared on
• Sourdough Bread grilled on butter (You can always use oil to grill. I let my boys have some butta, which they seem to be fine with so far.)

My favorite was the Combo #2 with the sliced green apple. The salty and sweet were perfect! And, we used golden green apples which have a softer crunch and softer sweet to them that were just perfect!

The sandwiches paired with the soup were Y-U-M!

Dessert

Okay, onto dessert! Britt, over at The Fisk Files, made these crustless mini pecan pies that looked uh-mazing! Since seeing that tidbit of beautiful in the form of mini-pie I have been looking for a reason to make them. Family visiting was a perfect time to gather up all. five. ingredients!

Yes! Only five ingredients!

All you need is light brown sugar, flour, pecans, butter, and eggs! That's it!

Britt found this recipe from Tasty Kitchen and I can't tell you how grateful I am that she did and blogged about it!

They were perfect! Delicious! And, all things pecan-wonderful!

And, my husband said they are now his most favorite of allll the desserts I've ever made. ever. ever. ever. This is big y'all. Very big. Find a reason to make these beauties and fast. You will not regret it!

So, there you have it. Our yummy Fall spread! What delicious Fall foods have been gracing your table since this lovely season started?

Embrace the Ordinary: Dragonflies and the Gospel

When I see the need for Divine teaching and how hungry people are to hear it, I am atremble to be off and running throughout the world, preaching the word of God. I have no rest, my soul finds no other relief, than to rush about and preach.
-St. Anthony Mary Claret

How these boys teach me. Daily. They teach me about love and goodness. Patience and joy. But, what amazes me most is how they so naturally are geared towards sharing the goodness of the gospel. They share it with and without words as well as through actions and affection.

They run around observing in awe and wonder. They smile and laugh with and at the sweet dragonflies that they have been chasing almost every morning this past week. They don't stop. They keep running. Chasing. Seeking for just one more sweet dragonfly to encounter. And they delight in it.

When I see them delighting in this simplicity, I see them delighting in Him. So easy. So simple. So sweet. I just know God smiles when He sees these little ones delighting in His Beauty. Meanwhile, softening hearts. I see how others look at the boys. You can just see their hearts softening. Lightening. Burdens are lifted when they see their smiles and hear their giggles. It's kind of amazing.

I pray that I be able to run, chase, and seek the One who created all things. The One who shared with us beauty so that we may know His face and love.

These boys, they know something. When Our Lord asked us to be like a child, he gave us one of the most precious lessons ever! Preach in action and word. Love with every breath. Delight! Delight in Him.

Haha, and these little ones don't just preach in actions. Like I mentioned above, their words are powerful too:

Mama, don't be angwee...Jesus loves you. He loves us, mama! Don't be angwee!

Amen, little one, Amen.

Running, delighting, giggling, fun. 

Joy, wonder, awe, and goodness.

Togetherness, littleness, love, and beauty.

These boys make embracing my ordinary days filled with lots of goodness and Divine teaching a lot easier by their innocent and holy examples of love.

What blessings have you been able to see in your day-to-day ordinary? 

Linking-up with the lovely Gina for Embrace the Ordinary.

7QT: Last Weekend was Great, Good, and all things Wonderful

Last weekend, Uncle A and Bekah came to visit. We love visits! Friends and family fill our hearts and time with them always fills our belly with yummy goodness! I'm going to share some favorite memories and photos captured from the past weekend. And hope you'll be back on Monday for when I share the delicious Fall spread we indulged in. I'll share recipes but for now just a sneak peak:

Now, onto family memories and moments:

Family time means daddy time! We love all the time we get with daddy when family is in town. We get more time with him since it's usually the weekend when we have visitors, which is awesome.

And, daddy time with family means guy time. The boys get to enjoy some fun guy bonding time over sports both, outside and inside. Lots of basketball fun happened as well as watching our favorite college football team - the Aggies! Whoop!

Caught some sunshine while they were walking away to the basketball court.

The photo above is my favorite. I love the light in it, the trees, the boys trailing the men...all of it. It's sweet and perfect.

I also love time with Uncle A and Bekah because it means I get to spend time in the kitchen with another woman who loves food and cooking/baking as much as I do - Bekah! She's my soon-to-be sister-in-law and I love her so much! Definitely am so blessed to have her in my life!

She and I made these amazing gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches (plus a non-dairy version for the boys) along with some delicious tomato basil soup (non-dairy). For dessert we made these mini crustless pecan pies that are our new staple dessert for now until forever, as well as chips and salsa (because it's Texas and chips and salsa are always a good idea - especially homemade).

The boys. Oh, how the boys love these two. They love them so very much. The sweetest thing happened while they were leaving on Sunday. Linus approached Uncle A a good 10 times just to give another hug. Mr. Ogre, the little man of few words, definitely knows how to share his affection when he wants to. Affection was shared all around as well as smiles, a ton of silly faces, and hugs. Lots of hugs.

The photo below is out of control, but what would you expect with two computer software engineer brothers and one of our offspring. Nothing less I hope.

Homemade binoculars. Googi-oggers, according to Bigfoot.

This last moment is so sweet. I love how these boys love their Uncle A and Bekah. And, I love how Uncle A and Bekah love our boys. Our family is so very blessed and I love that we get to capture the sweetness to hang on to for when they are older. Such a gift it will be to look back and remember all the amazing times we have shared together as the boys grow. Such a gift!

Have you had any fun visits lately? What was your favorite part?

Also, don't forget to stop back on Monday to check out our fun gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches (both with and without diary) as well as our dairy-free tomato basil soup (crockpot version)!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to head over to Jen's for more fun quick-takes!

Fun Fall Wreath for Toddlers

Yesterday, on the first official day of Fall, the boys and I went for a nature walk. We decided we would go look for fallen leaves and acorns. After collecting our little stash of Fall I figured I could find something simple and fun to do on Pinterest.

Right I was when I typed in fall toddler craft with leaves. A whole long Pinterest list sprung up. I sifted through a bit and found a couple that I thought we could do. Or rather, I saw one I would love to have pulled off and another I knew my 3 and 1 year old were capable of.

On yesterday's post I shared the two crafts I pinned and said I would report back with our end product. I am so pleased with how the boys did and how easy-peasy it was for me to facilitate.

In the end, I attribute our craft success to glue dots. We have a few random crafty goods leftover from making our wedding invitations - glue dots being one of them. We also have the blue ribbon you see below. These two bits that I have in our very small craft drawer have gone a long way these past years and I am so thankful for that!

 What you need:

Fall foliage of your picking

Glue dots

Ribbon

Paper plate

Scissors

Hole punch (This one isn't necessary, but we used it to make a small hole to put the ribbon through.)

For the craft, I cut out the center of the paper plates for the boys. After that, I scattered a number of glue dots onto our newly cut paper plate wreaths. Once I did that, I let the boys have fun placing the leaves and acorns onto the dots. No messy glue. Nor sticky glue. Just little dots that held the leaves and acorns beautifully.

They both enjoyed this little craft and ever since I hung them up over our mantel, my oldest has told me that he really really likes his wreath. And how my idea to hang them over the mantel was a gweat idea!

He literally has been ogling his own end product since we finished. He is so incredibly proud of his contribution to our home decor. And, I am loving them over the mantel too! 

In all, I'm so happy with how they turned out as well as how easy the glue dots made the whole craft. I imagine this being a great little craft for years to come on the first day of Fall. 

What say you? Like our little wreaths? What first day of Fall crafts did y'all do? Or, if you went out to relish in the beautiful weather, share what's your favorite part about the start of the season!

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to head over to Kent Heartstrings for more Fall Fun!

the present moment // fall leaves and Texas skies

Thinking about // The sweet rhythm of our days. I like it. A lot. We have a little flow that is good and works for us (on most days). The boys are growing so fast so the rhythm really allows for me/us to enjoy each other.

Also, here are a few links I enjoyed and have been thinking about:

All In By  Dwija over at HouseUnseen

Happily Caught in Sprinklers By Kelli Seeley 

Called by Name: A Fierce and Fearsome Theology of Woman By Elizabeth Duffy

To the Man Who Paid For My Family's Dinner the Other Night By Cari Donaldson

Enjoying // For starters, I'm enjoying this nap time! Sweet boys were tired from the fun outside. Having a tidbit of quiet is so nice.

Also enjoying the weather! How nice is it to live in a place that experiences four seasons?! Like clockwork, the temperature took a little dive and the most beautiful breeze has been with us these past few days. Just in time for the first day of Fall!

The boys and I have been soaking up the sun, running, swinging, playing, exploring these past two days and absolutely enjoying it as well as these beautiful Texas skies! I'm telling you, these beautiful blue skies go on forever and are so enchanting!

Loving // My boys. My husband. Family and friends. Prayer. Family prayers. Prayer communities of friends and family, both in person and online. The saints who lend us their intercession. God's goodness. God's faithfulness. The patron saints of our family. Sunshine. Silly giggles, faces, and smiles. Snuggles, hugs, and nose kisses. 

I'm loving a lot these days. 

Thankful for // I'm thankful I have so many things to love. Thankful for our health. Thankful for medical professionals and all they do. Thankful for the end results of our friends who found themselves in the hospital this past Sunday. Thankful for all who took care of them and for all who prayed for them.

Thankful that we have a plan to help heal my herniated disc in my lower back. Thankful that I'm able to care for my babies again. Thankful for mobility. Even if I have some pain, it doesn't compare to what I had, which allows me to be a mama to my babies.

Thankful that we'll be seeing family soon and thankful that we got to see Uncle A and Rebekah this past weekend. We really love them both a ton and just love soaking them up as much as we can when we can (I'll be sharing a few photos soon as well as some of the yummy food we consumed!). Here's a sneak peak of our menu:

That's proccuito you see at the bottom left. Our gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches combinations were so so so delicious!

Update // I'll be getting a shot that should further help healing take place in my lower back. The hope is that the shot will near diminish the bulge that came from the herniated disc. Also praying that we be able to work out me attending physical therapy once the time comes. I'll be making some phone calls today to start that little process.

Thank you so very much for all your prayers! There has been so much grace and answered prayers in all of this. 

St. Gemma Galgani, pray for us.

Capturing // The first day of Fall! The boys and I were outside for a little more than an hour just roaming, running, picking up leaves of all colors for a craft later, and chasing dragonflies. Kids really do make your day more magical.

Our first day of fall leaf collection.

Playing football.

Mama walking on sunshine. ;)

Cute little ham.

The helmet was a must today.

Chasing dragonflies and each other.

Fall Arts and Crafts for after naptime // We'll be making some Fall Wreaths this afternoon with our little collection from earlier. Will share how they turn out. Hopefully we can get the leaves to stick and the glue business won't be too crazy or messy. :)

I found these on pinterest. As much as I'd love to pull of the first one...

(Clink on image for source)

I'm being honest when I say that the wreath is going to turn out like the ones below. 

(Clink on image for source)

Either way, I'm excited and look forward to hanging up the finished product. 

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you'll stay awhile! What fun to-do's have you going on this fine Fall day?

Linking-up with A Mama Collective:

and Kent Heartstrings for a Fall Kick-Off:

How Beautiful

We were able to attend Mass yesterday since all the craziness that surrounds my lower back happened. Being away from Our Lord in the gift of the Mass has been hard for my little soul, but thankfully and with His Grace, we were able to attend; and not only attend, but be blessed with eyes that were seeking to see and a heart that was yearning for His Beauty and Goodness.

Because our youngest was having a tough morning, and I can't carry him for now, my husband and him were back in the cry room for a large portion from the start. Eventually the little one fell asleep and they rejoined my three year old and I in the pews. During all that time that my oldest and I were in the pews, I have to say he did wonderfully. He was excited to be back at Mass, to see Fr. Tony from afar, snuggled up to me, read his church books, and listened. It was beautiful.

This Mass was beautiful for so many reasons. For starters, listening to the Gospel and seeing all the parts of Mass through the eyes of my little one were breathtaking. I saw how he saw the exchanges of gifts with the priest. I saw them bowing in reverence during the offering of gifts. I saw how in that gesture towards each other, they were recognizing the dignity and goodness that lives within each one of us, and thought: How beautiful. 

I listened to the choir and my eyes filled again and again: How beautiful.

During the consecration, kneeling to pray, seeing the beautiful community I was nestled in during a prayer that is so much bigger than me: How beautiful.

The vestments, the people, the souls, the prayers, the words, the scripture, the history, our faith: How beautiful.

All I kept doing was seeing everything with glimpses of wonder and awe. Wonder and awe of the beauty, the goodness, the servitude, the thanksgiving, the offerings, the processions, the Body of Christ, and more. Everything was overwhelmingly beautiful.

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul. 

-Saint Augustine

What made it more beautiful was the little set of eyes next to me. Seeing him soak it all up. Knowing that he gets to soak it up every time we attend. That filled my heart and soul in a way that could only be communicated with my mama-tears, again (Promise these aren't pregnancy hormones! You have to be preggo for that. I'll chalk it up to that amazing grace we often sing about.).

Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love. 

-St. Faustina

And then, what tied everything in together for me in a way that had me praying the simple words of Thank you, Jesus. over and over again was when the choir sang the song How Beautiful. This song is one that brings me to tears every. single. time. Never have I not cried with this song. The truth of beauty, service, love, and suffering strike a chord in me every time. Reminding me that there is no beauty without suffering. No suffering lacking beauty. Because there is no suffering that is done without love. And love. Love is always beautiful. 

If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love. 

-St. Gemma Galgani

We have such a gift, not only in the Mass, but as mothers and women. Christ even tell us so when he encountered the Samaritan woman. He began by telling her, "If you knew the gift of God..." Gosh, do we have such a gift! He spoke this to her, a woman. A Samaritan woman he met, and in so doing, he demonstrated a beautiful exchange that calls us all to the living water. Not water that runs dry. This truth encourages me to not only more fully embrace the gift of Mass (And to be thankful for the graces that were shared to be more fully present this past weekend.) but also to be thankful for my vocation that calls me to suffering and to love. To service and beauty. My feminine and beautiful vocation of womanhood.

When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee. 

-Saint Jean Vianney

I had a beautiful time at Mass this past weekend. I'm thankful for this song that tied His Love and Suffering and the beautiful Sacrifice of the Mass together for my little heart. Now, with all the talk of the song, I feel it only right to leave you with a version I found on YouTube. I'll also write out the lyrics if you don't have time nor are in a place where you can play/listen to a song/video.

Prayers for all of us women and mothers! I know Mass this past weekend was beautiful for many. The scriptures were so rich and profound. What were your takeaways?

How Beautiful By Twila Paris

How beautiful the hands that served

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth

How beautiful the feet that walked

The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the heart that bled

That took all my sin and bore it instead

How beautiful the tender eyes

That chose to forgive and never despise

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

And as He laid down His life

We offer this sacrifice

That we will live just as he died

Willing to pay the price

Willing to pay the price

How beautiful the radiant bride

Who waits for her groom with His light in her eyes

How beautiful when humble hearts give

The fruit of pure lives so that others may live

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring

The sound of good news and the love of the King

How beautiful the hands that serve

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

7QT: An Update, sweet-loving Saints, and a photo-party

Joining Jen and so many other wonderful bloggers for a round of some quick-takes. It's been awhile, but I have a smidge of time on my hands while both boys are napping (Thank you, Audrea! You coming over to let the kids play and laugh wore my boys out! And was good for my cabin-fever-mama-heart! Love you!).

--- 1 ---

Wow! Thank you dear St. Gemma Galgani. You have been such a prayer warrior for me as well as all of you who have been keeping me and my back situation in your prayers! So many things have happened in such a short time and I could not be more grateful!

Since seeing my doctor, getting medication to relieve pain and inflammation, and having an MRI done I have been able to see an orthopedic surgeon. There was a cancellation at their office (this office came well recommended so I'm so very grateful, not only for the appointment, but for our insurance and my husband's work.). This allowed us to sneak in, have some x-rays done, and have a specialist further explain what has been going on with my back.

In the end, I have a herniated disc (Bummer!) in my lower back. The doctor seemed hopeful and positive (Maybe because I cried a little during the appointment because that's just how I do sometimes, but I'm hoping it was not only because of that. My husband was optimistic, so that's a much better indicator!). He gave us his recommendation which will be implemented in a weeks time. Thankfully, medication has helped me tremendously since the weekend of crazy pain, and I'm hopeful that the next step (A shot.)  paired with physical therapy will get me back to normal. Or, at least my new normal. 

--- 2 ---

I say new normal only because I know I need to be more thoughtful in how I treat my lower back and spine in general. I had an injury to my lower spine back in high school and it seems that injury has come back to kick me in the rear. Or at least, the injury plus my poor choices when it comes to general movement that involves my spine (Specifically, lower.)

Part of me wants to be thankful that this is happening now and I can make any and all necessary changes that are needed in hopes to have a stronger core with a future filled with less injury. I wouldn't have made any thoughtful changes otherwise, especially on the craze of normal day-to-day mothering with littles around.

So, once we have the shot that will hopefully help heal the herniation, I look forward to the round of physical therapy.

St. Gemma Galgini, thank you for all of your precious prayers and for your continued intercession!

--- 3 ---

I'ts still crazy to think all this is happening. It's been tough for us around here with my limitations. Throughout all of this, my husband has been so amazing. I can't say that enough (and, I know I've said it quite a bit in these last few posts.) but he truly has met me where I needed to be met in all of this. From the emotional to the physical, he has been wonderful. He has made the crazy so much less so. 

He has made the crazy, easy. This, my friends, is no easy task. A task, nonetheless, that has been driven by a sweet love that is a gift from Above.

St. Joseph continue to pray for us and thank you for your role in all of this too. Your intersession truly is a gift to our little family.

--- 4 ---

Speaking of our little family, thank you, parents, siblings, and relatives for your prayers and presence! The grace that we've been able to experience in these last weeks is no coincidence. I know I have so many prayer warriors in our extended family and friends. 

Our family members have been calling, texting, emailing, and praying. There is a peace that comes from not only your prayers, but the love you have for us. The love is nourishing and has carried our little weary hearts through this crazy bit of struggle.

And, our friends have blessed us so much too! From offering and providing us with meals to lighten our load, to offering childcare, an ear to listen to my tear-filled weariness, so many prayers, company, and lots of love. The friends we have been blessed with here in the Dallas area have always made our hearts smile a smile of disbelief and gratitude at how wonderful we have it here. We are blessed to know so many wonderful families that have been there since the day we met them.

****Funny side story. I just looked up the patron saint of friends/friendship while writing this. Wouldn't you know, it's the patron saint of your youngest! St. John the Apostle, the Beloved. Admittedly, I shed a little tear when I saw our Linuses' patron saint pop up. Holy Spirit, friends! God holding us. The prayers of you and the saints, holding us. Such a gift.****

St. John the Apostle, thank you for your intersession and your continued prayers for our little family!

--- 5 ---

Well, I think we're good with the update party. I'm doing well and on the mend. I'm hopeful and trusting as best I can. The boys are hanging in there and we are enjoying our days despite the nutty-antics of toddlers. Also, they are better from that awful Hand-Foot-Mouth virus. Worst virus, ever! Or, at least, a close second after the stomach flu. They are well and we are no longer quarantined so we don't spread said-awfulness. Woohoo!

I'll share a little photo-party for my last quick-take to show the sunshine we've been experiencing.

--- 6 ---

Honestly, my biggest fear since I felt such crippling back pain a few weekends ago has been the fear of this hindering our chances to carry another child. I've mentioned this to every doctor or specialist that I've encountered since (They probably thought I was crazy.). However, during our appointment with the orthopedic surgeon I was assured with a smile and a bit of a tear that we would be just fine, physically, given treatment and diligence. After that, he shared he understood because he had five of his own. My heart felt lighter the moment he responded to me.

God's Will be done, of course! Because, obviously, only He knows what our future holds regarding future little ones, but I'm hopeful and will remain prayerful.

Sweet Mother, pray for us.

--- 7 ---

Now, onto the little insta-photo-party of our last few weeks.

We've been having lots of arts and crafts lately. I've put on my crafty pants and we've been having some fun.

A Blueberry-Lemon Bundt cake to celebrate the Exultation of the Holy Cross and the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Double feast sweetness. The boys love baking which makes my baking-loving-heart happy.

Especially this boy. He really enjoys baking. So much so, he's been asking to bake a cake for any and all family that visits us. Excited to bake something for Uncle A and Bekah this weekend!

Mama and her Linus.

Bigfoot and his googi-oggers.

Brothers. 

Sunshine and exploring.

Linus and his sweet smile. The same smile he has been sharing so often these days.

Crafty-pants for the win. We made crowns and Bigfoot kept running around calling himself Printhe.

Prince Linus.

Linus and Lily. Oh, how these boys love their fluff!

Sweet prayer pillowcase that was gifted to all Edel '14 attendees has brought my little one a beautiful prayer and sweet sleep. I recently brought it out for Bigfoot since he's been leaving his room often in the middle of the night. Today, right before he fell asleep for his nap, he gave the guardian angel a kiss. He melted my heart. So thankful for our guardian angels!

***Last, I won this beautiful, hand-designed/drawn work from Rakhi! Friends, this piece is even more beautiful in person! I really encourage you to go check out her Signs of Love etsy shop! Not only does she have beautiful wall art pieces, but also cards, journals, and custom designs! She's wonderful and you can tell that this was made with love, care, and prayer!***

Will post another picture once I find a frame for this loveliness.

Thanks for stopping by and prayers for a beautiful, love-filled weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!