Late Have I Loved Thee

In life, we will inevitably devote our time to one aspect of our lives over another; for example one may read a book instead of weeding the garden or... one may post a blog entry over finishing the dishes.  In this case, I went on vacation for a really long time and the only victim in this scenario (beside me staying at my parents' house for 6 incredibly long weeks) was my little fledgling blog.  I was convinced we lost her for good, until this morning, while I was doing the dishes and felt heroically compelled to resuscitate new life into it.
Now, to detail the events of the last 4 months or so with you would be a superb and epic disaster.  So here is the abridged version:

JUNE - Richard abandons us to unfamiliar secular society and mumbles something about work and how he'd pray for us.  The kids and I adjust slowly to Canadian culture and all those sales taxes.  More specifically, we settle into Nonno and Nonna's house: Ezra claims the hammock, Simon is introduced to the notion of T.V. and develops zombie eyes; Mila, overjoyed that her cousin is not another boy, hugs her and never lets go; and Augustin disappears into the hands of Nonna (she has cookies).

JULY - Richard resurfaces.  There is a lovely Meloche Reunion and we part ways for another 10 years.  We drive down to Florida, stopping in Savannah, GA., and visiting friends.  We live at the beach for the remainder of the month soaking in all its salty deliciousness.

 Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia.  Glorious.

 This is Flannery O'Connor's childhood home.  Richard is just 

making sure the banister is still in good condition.

Around the town.  

Literally, I took this from our car as Richard careened passed it.

I really like this shot.  I wish I could cut out all the cars but the cobblestone pathway

 and the sweetly penetrating gaze more than make up for it.  

 Introducing ourselves to Savannah.

 A child and his scooter will never be parted.

Hang on buddy!

Now you see me...

Now you don't.

Legoland fun.

Yes, this is still Legoland, if you can believe this hidden botanical beauty is actually at Legoland.  Hidden but there.

She is made up completely of Legos...not Mila but the other lady.

Still Legoland. Loved it.

Visiting beautiful Historic Melbourne Florida. 

This is what the car ride looked like like inside the car at any given moment.

AUGUST - Like many refugees, sad, sandy and out of sorts, we resettle into our little town and our sweet home.  Once that is done,  I go on a retreat at the Benedictine Abbey.  

SEPTEMBER - We get back into our routine  and I am happy to release the 1st edition of  the Meloche Household Chore Chart.  I am quite proud of it.  The kids think it's rot but, who cares? Mama needs help and help is here by way of three little and very capable children.  Thank you God for children to help bear the load ...and fold the laundry.  In addition to this, we have been immersing ourselves in some wonderful books (by E. Nesbit) all the while Mila has kept her mind firmly focused on her upcoming 9th birthday.

 Nothing says September like baked Cinnamon Apple Chips.  

Mila's pet rabbit, Prince Charles, won first place during our town's Frontier Days celebration.

I see you.

Meet the Bunny Cake.

My true love forever...

       

To My Dear and Loving Husband

Anne Bradstreet, 1612 - 1672

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay; 
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,
That when we live no more we may live ever.

BUT FIRST, A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Certainly, I had the time to write a poem for my beloved ( I have been anticiapting this day for almost a year, maybe a little longer) and, of course, I had the heart to do so as well; not to mention a pen and paper of which I have an abundance of both.  No, the one thing that truly handicapped me from taking on the wonderful task of writing a poem dedicated to my love of 10 years, was the mental wherewithal to write the caliber of poem I desperately wanted to share with him. A poem exactly like Ms. Bradstreet's.  When I first came across it, I immediately thought to myself, "Self, this is utterly perfect.  Go ahead, use it."  Now, in a perfect world, I would have memorized this poem and recited it to my Richard but, alas, my brain is functioning at an embarassing sub-par level, barely sufficient for domestic operations, let alone social events and recitation. Sudoku? Forget it.  So, here I am, using Ms. Bradstreet's eloquent words to articulate my love for my husband, in a fashion and air so sweet, I alone could not have dreamed to capture.  As such, I would like to thank, with sincere and humble appreciation, Anne Bradstreet, for this delicate and timeless poem that bespeaks the words my heart wishes to convey to my dear and loving husband.

I do not know, exactly, where to begin except to say that my life, more than as a wife and a mother,   really began with Richard. Everything in my life led to our meeting and becoming friends and loving one another.  Everything of consequence, other than my birth, started with him.  My life just made perfect sense, with him.  Even before we met, God was preparing me for him (and him for me).  Yes, He was preparing us for one another, and for all His varied plans, blessing and sufferings.  Indeed, from the very beginning, God willed us to be together; and to think, that out of all the people in the WHOLE wide world, God picked out this man to be my husband and He picked lil' ol' me to be his wife.  Isn't that just wildly AWE-some? 

Ever since that moment, Richard has shown me what it means to love another person.  He has shown me what reason and patience look like. He has shown me a love I didn't think existed: a true, sincere, Christ-centered love.  He has also shown me how to be on time.  

Yes, I knew He was the man for me when, while dating, he told me he wanted to help me get to heaven and that I was to help him as well.  That beyond this life here on earth we can look forward to loving one another, for all eternity.   Eternity.  Nothing is so pure and and perfect as this.  

Okay, I know all this probably sounds cliche and Hallmark-y (and for that I am sorry) but I just have no other way to say it.  On our wedding day, I couldn't conceive of ever loving this man more than I already did.  I didn't think it was possible.  He is the one person in this whole wide world I never tire of being around; indeed I enjoy his presence with a keen satisfaction. He is my best friend.

I thank God for the gift of Richard, his love, his companionship, and his faith, every day. Yes, I love this man more than I ever have, and more than I ever thought possible. He has always held my heart and he has never treated it as anything less than precious.  

Now moving on to the celebration: once we secured a babysitter (sucker) and left all 4 kiddos at home, Richard and I drove to Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma city to stroll around and have a nice dinner.  We were practically giddy as we walked into Nonna's Ristorante (get the Bruschetta and salad with house dressing, you will NOT be disappointed! ) where we started the night off right: with drinks.  I had the House Sangria ( it was white? and DEEElicious) and Richard had a Mojito.

Once we finally decided what to order, Richard hands me a little silver box, and sitting inside this little silver box was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. For me. I now call it....my preciousss.

Here comes the wine...

 

Happy 10 year anniversary to my dear and loving husband.  May our good God grant us many more years of love, laughter and friendship unto a ripe old age!

Dessert for your Brain and Soul

I have recently come across a good handful of Catholic blogs that I immediately wanted to share with all three of my followers. So I thought I would compile a pretty little list (compiling lists is one of life's greatest satisfactions) of said blogs and websites so that you might avail yourself to their charm and overall awesomeness.

P.S. Stay tuned for the upcoming post devoted to our 10 year wedding anniversary...so exciting!

1. http://www.catholicplayground.com/ The name says 'playground' but think 'State Fair' to get a better idea of the WONDERFUL resources this website has to offer: coloring pages, activity sheets, recipes, crafts and book reviews! Love it.

2. http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/ Where do I even begin?  I haven't even begun to plumb the depths of this amazing little blog whose motto is "...because its important to maintain the collective memory." You have a grandmother (Leila Lawler...recognize the last name?  You will in a minute...) showering down all kinds of maternal, domestic and catholic wisdom to her daughters and her viewers alike; in addition, her daughters contribute to the blog and share their stories, ideas and projects.  There are reproducible worksheets too ( always fun)!  P.S. - If you have a moment,  read her post on The Final Secret to Destruction-Proofing your Family.  I have and I savored every morsel of it.  I read it over and over.  I am very much looking forward to reading her whole series on destruction-proofing your family...as well as EVERYTHING else on her blog! Brilliant.

3. http://prayers.gleeson.us/  For those of us teaching Latin to our children, or if you are a Latin enthusiast yourself, this website is a great resource to have at your fingertips.  It provides many, if not all, Catholic prayers in Latin with many of them having a Latin audio recording.  It is neat and well organized and very user-friendly.  Great for kids too.

4. http://www.catholicculture.org/ An expansive and well-balanced Catholic News website created by Dr. Jeff Mirius and Phil...Lawler.  Did you catch that?  This catholic couple is so cool: divide and conquer to spread the Word using their strengths and God-given gifts and, at the same time, be beautiful witnesses.  Very neat.  Anyway this website is chock full of current news, witty commentaries and GREAT ideas to incorporate into your domestic church.  I have also made use of their great selection ebooks for various liturgical events.  VERY helpful.

5.  Last, but certainly not least, we have  http://decentfilms.com/.  I know I have probably mentioned this website a few times, but it is worth repeating: this website is, hands down, my FAVORITE website to go to when researching a movie prior to watching with or without the kids.  I just love Steven D. Greydanus. One day I should like a bumber sticker that says "I Heart SDG".  His thorough reviews and pleasant demeanor (watch any one of his 60 second "Reel Faith" reviews) all lend itself to a very enjoyable, informative and helpful website.  And in this day, where a barage of liberal agendas and an acute antagonism towards Christianity await us in almost every film Hollywood produces, it is very satisfying to have this website on hand to help us separate the sheep from the wolves. Two thumbs up, way up.

I will leave you now to enjoy these virtual tasty treats...think of them as dessert for your brain and soul.
Bon Appetit !

Christus Resurrexit

Nooo, I did not give up blogging for Lent.  I just happen to be, as I said before, a bad sort of blogger.  I'm the kind of blogger your mother would not want you hanging around.
I'm a random and reckless blogger.

But enough of this self deprecating talk, Christ has Risen...let us REJOICE! ALLELULIA!!

 Happy Easter !

April has proven to be a most exciting month! To save on time and mental exertion I've narrowed down the excitement to a "Top 3" (not in chronological order):

#3- Our garden is planted:

We've got Zucchini, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and yellow and green Peppers. What did I tell ya? Exciting times, people.

#2 - We got chicks!

 Meet Ginger.  I wanted to name her Dolly (as I have always thought the name Dolly would be an incredibly suitable name for a chick).  I tried and I tried and I tried to get Mila to name her chick Dolly but she would NOT budge! Insolent daughter. So Richard bought me my very own chick just so I could name her Dolly.  At least, somebody loves me.

 Of course, barnyard (or in this case, 'garage yard') social etiquette is immediately put into practice.  Here is Mila introducing Ginger to Bella, the Top Dog in this joint.  They have become fast friends these two.

Heeeeere's Dolly! She's the super cute super fluffy one in the back; the off-white darling keeping a modest distance. She's on the smaller side but definitely makes up for it in her handsome and agile ways. 

And here's their new pad.  Originally it was the kids' playhouse that my father built.  We had to gut the place and put in chicken wire windows and lay down new wood chip flooring.

Freedom!

#1 - The 2014 Easter Celebration

Decorating eggs.

 Simon helping Richard who's helping me out by making Apple Fritters.

When they are done, you sprinkle icing sugar on them and stick a feather in your cap! These are delicious.  I hated to share them.

Mila helping me make Chocolate Chow Mein Nests. I need all kinds of help these days.

Adorable and edible. Speaking of adorable and edible, let me introduce you all to my peaches...

People...Meet Peaches.  Peaches...Meet People.  These are Italian Pastry Cream-filled Peaches that I only ever saw at massive Italian weddings.  They are divine.  A special Easter treat soaked in a Rum/Peach Scnapps mixture.  None for the kiddos, hahahahahahaha!

This year we decided to do a Treasure Hunt.  One clue led to another...until...you get the idea.

Eureeka!

 I remember getting a big chocolate egg for Easter...and that's it.

   

 I adore that little pincer grip of his!

Try not to focus on the neon whale onesie Richard dressed him in.  Instead, concentrate on that gorgeous smile or his chunky, down right edible legs or his cute little toes...

Let's take a closer look at some of the goodies:

Every child got one of these bad boys.

For Simon: Felix and the Spider is a great little book that any child would delight in.  The illustrations are as delightful as the story itself. With a talking spider and mean soldiers to round out the story, 

what's not to love?

The Hungry Caterpillar stickers were just a lucky purchase.  I came by them at the Dollar Tree. 

 I heart The Dollar Tree.

For Ezra: Alexander the Great by Demi (granted, it's not exactly Easter-y, but the unique, vibrant illustrations somehow work) and a fun Easter sticker book that has a reading to go along with each sticker  both make for a highly satisfying Easter gift for a boy.

 Mila got this sweet little bonnet...

and these great books and stickers.

I also ordered these Lemon Iced Sugar Cookies online (Williams-Sonoma) for all the kids to share. Aren't they darling? 

And let's not forget my FAVORITE chocolate: Lindt chocolate carrots.

That's me, in case you've forgotten.

Two out of Four of my favorite boys.