On Assignment

I was blessed to have the opportunity to stay with the Bergeron kids while Chuck went to bring Renee & Apollo home from the hospital (after her emergency C-section delivery of Apollo).

As you can see, the day was a bit out of my ordinary routine!

I promised the girls I would post on the blog about it, and so I am.

Evidence of girl time (see the multi colored fingernails?).

Jubilee is fixing my bow, and Hezekiah is pretending to be a skunk.

What a great day!

I was able to take a few photographs of Apollo's homecoming, mere snapshots compared to Renee's work!

Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Pray for Us

Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated on this day since the year 67 AD!

Saint Augustine (+430), known as the Doctor of Grace, wrote:

It is the birthday of the apostles Peter and Paul which has dawned today, not the birthday which entangled them in the world, but the one which set them free from the world.  It is in virtue of human feebleness, of course, that people are born for distress, and in virtue of Christian charity that martyrs are born for a crown.  And it is on account of their merits that this day has been set before us for the solemn celebration of their feast and the imitation of their holiness, so that by recalling the glory of the martyrs we might love in them what those who slew them hated, and by loving their manly courage we might honor their sufferings.

It was by their courage that their merit was acquired, and by their sufferings that their reward was earned.

One day for two martyrs and two apostles; as far as we have gathered from the tradition of the Church, they did not suffer on one and the same day, and yet the did suffer on one and the same day.  Peter was the first to suffer on this day, Paul suffered on this day later on.

Their merits gave equal value to their sufferings; this was brought about for them by the one who was in them, who was suffering in them, who was suffering with them, who was helping them as they fought, awarding them the crown when they won.

~Saint Augustine of Hippo (+430)

We wish all Peters and Pauls a happy feast day today!

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, 
which is proof against all arguments 
and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance~ 
that principle is contempt prior to investigation.

~Herbert Spencer

Together Again

The vigil, funeral, and burial for Dick were beautiful.  

Sad, yes.  But incredibly holy and meaningful.

His family comes together like no other family I know, it's such an inspiration to witness their solidarity.

On a joyful note, we were able to worship with Grandma Patty and Grandpa Pete during our stay in Tacoma.

Our visits with them are far too few and far between lately.

We sure enjoyed seeing photos from Grandma Patty's trip with Great Grandma and Uncle Dan to Nympo Lake, BC, for their annual trout fishing expedition.  

Yes, my 92 year old grandma (who suffered terribly from a fall last winter and has made quite a recovery) was able to make the trip and out-catch the other fisherman as always.  She is amazing!

And of course, spending time with Dick's grand kids (like Peter in pink and Ryan in blue) is always a highlight of any trip to Tacoma.

We saw cousins Kati, Mike, Brendan, MacKenzie and Jacob; as well as Uncles Peter & Clark and Aunts Michelle & Molly. 

But alas, no photographic proof of them this time.

And these 2, well they aren't quite yin & yang, but they do make somewhat of an odd couple, don't they?

We set aside some special time with Niko (Zac's older cousin, our Godson) at St. Charles, and had a bit of a photo shoot while we were at it.  Two very handsome young men, wouldn't you agree?

Hard to believe they both could end up behind the wheel before much longer...

All in all, the trip was wonderful, despite the reason for the trip being particularly sad.

More photos promised soon...

Rest in Peace

Our prayers are with you, Dick, and with your family.

You were an amazing man, an outstanding, faithful father, and always good for a laugh!

Thank you for your reverence in church and for your clarity as a reader.

I remember your ways from my earliest days at St. Charles.  

Your family has profited from your example and your training.

Your efforts at protecting life were noble, heroic.

You shall be missed.

May your soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

How High is Too High?

Is this too high?

Is this too high?

How 'bout this?

This must be too high!

I found the boys out front having a climbing contest.

It's a timed contest to reach a certain 'marked' branch.

When I asked about safety concerns, I was informed that they use a 3 point rule.

(3 points have to be touching at all times: 2 hands and a foot; or 2 feet and a hand.)

When I asked why they weren't spotting the climber:

"That would just kill the spotter and the climber if he fell!  That would be insane!"

Um... speaking of insane...

New Coop

One of Peter's pigeons died last week, and the decision was made to build the remaining pigeons a coop of their own in the hopes that life without the hens will be more peaceful and conducive to breeding 

(and surviving). 

Grandpa Cliff to the rescue!

With a van full of building supplies and tools, Grandpa Cliff had the plan and the means to carry it out.

Peter did almost all of the labor, under Grandpa's careful guidance.

Zachary was involved in the hauling of coop sections, which were built out front and installed in a corner of the back yard.

Joseph and Tim were helpful with whatever odd tasks needing doing.  

In this case, holding something fast.

Peter's coop at near completion.

Doesn't it look great?

Wait to see the "after" photos!

THANKS Grandpa (and Grandma!)

Footnote:  

Every ounce of daylight was needed to get this project done, plus a few extra hours the next day.

Congrats Grads

Our congratulations to the graduates of 2010, especially to Cathy, Chris, & Cody.

Cathy hosted a party to celebrate her HS completion, and Zachary provided a Dutch Oven dessert.

Chris & Zachary on clean-up duty.

Summer time has begun!

Enjoy the season...

Walk in the Park

We recently discovered a great new park in downtown Seattle 

Well, it's new to us since we moved from Seattle 12 years ago.

See the seagull flying towards them at about Tim's height?

I guess Joseph wins the "quickest reaction time" award on this rogue seagull attack.

No one was hurt.

Summer is here, and we hope to have many more walks in the park!

Peek A Boo

Peter noticed our backyard neighbor installing a camera on his back deck today.

This camera is pointing right at our house!

This is pretty creepy, and yes, we have called our lawyer (thanks, Peter!) 

as well as the local law enforcement.

I mean, I know we're interesting and all, but seriously?  Surveillance?

This neighbor has been harassing us for years, calling in barking and clucking complaints.

He even called to complain about our dogs barking when we were in Oregon... with the dogs!

He said it must have been someone with dogs that looked just like our dogs, in our backyard, 

barking while we were away.  

OR it could have been someone else's dogs barking perhaps?

At any rate, he's going to be receiving a visit soon from a few friendly officers in blue, and on Monday we will file whatever civil motion we need to file to make this stop.

Comments?

Cross Over 

Peter has crossed over to Webelos II!

He soared through the air as he reached the crossing, so he's halfway out of the photo!

Peter's truly ready to launch into his next year of Scouting...

Flying through the air, Peter makes his mark on Cross Over night.

Met by Tim with a new Troop 3 hoodie, Peter watches the rest of his den mates take to the bridge.

40th Surprise!

Uncle Craig is surprised by Aunt Bethany for the occasion of his 40th birthday.

Violet is not too sure she likes the surprise.

The cake was more like a work of art than food.

Seemed a shame to cut it!

Sawyer had a chance to help blow out the candles with his daddy.

Violet enjoyed the cupcakes, and had a blue frosting-stache to show for it.

Weston just took it all in stride, easy going 3rd born that he is.

Violet's cousin, Natalie spent most of the party jumping with glee... such a happy little girl!

Craig's office staff, vet school buddies, and Scout friends from Fire Mountain days, in addition to family members and close family friends filled the banquet room at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Seattle.

Hard to believe that Beth was able to pull of a complete surprise party like that!

How does your garden grow?

Peter and Joseph worked with Tim this weekend to finish the preparations for planting vegetable gardens.

Then they planted corn, peas, pumpkins, carrots and onions.

Add that to our crops of rhubarb, blueberries, raspberries, apples and weeds, and it's going to be quite a feast at harvest time!

Debut

Peter and Joseph made their vocal debut last night at a chorale ensemble recital hosted by their voice instructor.  They sang "Ave Maria" together (Schubert's version), and performed beautifully under great stress.  It's not often these boys get nervous, but the anxiety of singing in front of a large audience of mostly strangers was palpable. 

To see & hear their performance, visit you tube.  Peter's antics at the very end of the song are worth a thousand words...

Peter and Joseph participate in the group warm-up prior to the beginning of the recital.

Zachary, Joseph and Peter began taking voice lessons early this year, as their fiddle teacher was soon to be on maternity leave.  Switching over to voice lessons has left a strange quiet in our house where daily fiddle practice (with accompanied complaining) punctuated our homeschool routine for some 8 years.  None have given up the fiddle, but all have taken up vocal instruction.  It is my hope that soon we will actually be able to hear them singing in church, where now we can only see them singing (hymnal open, mouths moving).

Zachary was excused from the performance, as he was acolyte at the Mass for the

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.

GAME ON!

With the return of Chris, back from his desert exile, Nerf Wars are in full swing around here.

Rather than an entry way Welcome mat, doesn't a giant bin overflowing with Nerf guns really say welcome?

Eye protection is a must, but somehow often forgotten.

What Makes a Patrol?

KFD patrol mates on assignment at Camp Easton, ID, 2006

KFD patrol at Camp Parsons, 2007

KFD Patrol 2010

4/6 of Zac's Kentucky Fried Dragons patrol (pictured above) are in the process of

completing Eagle Scout Projects.

1/2 have served or are serving as Senior Patrol Leader for their troop.
1/2 are gearing up for summer camp at Camp Easton in Idaho this July.

6/6 are fine young men, living the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.

Most are slightly goofy, all are extremely bright.

Corpus Christi

Today we celebrate the Holy Body and Blood of Christ!

I share this prayer, found at http://www.wf-f.org/index.html

which may be prayed as a Novena Honoring the Body and Blood of Christ:

I thank You, Jesus, my Divine Redeemer, for coming upon the earth for our sake, and for instituting the adorable Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in order to remain with us until the end of the world.

I thank You for hiding beneath the Eucharistic species Your infinite majesty and beauty, which Your Angels delight to behold, so that I might have courage to approach the throne of Your Mercy.

I thank You, most loving Jesus, for having made Your- self my food, and for uniting me to Yourself with so much love in this wonderful Sacrament that I may live in You.

I thank You, my Jesus, for giving Yourself to me in this Blessed Sacrament, and so enriching it with the treasures of Your love that You have no greater gift to give me.

I thank You not only for becoming my food but also for offering Yourself as a continual sacrifice to Your Eternal Father for my salvation.

I thank You, Divine Priest, for offering Yourself as a Sacrifice daily upon our altars in adoration and homage to the Most Blessed Trinity, and for making amends for our poor and miserable adorations.

I thank You for renewing in this daily Sacrifice the actual Sacrifice of the Cross offered on Calvary, in which You satisfy Divine justice for us poor sinners.

I thank You, dear Jesus, for having become the priceless Victim to merit for me the fullness of heavenly favors. Awaken in me such confidence in You that their fullness may descend ever more fruitfully upon my soul.

I thank You for offering Yourself in thanksgiving to God for all His benefits, spiritual and temporal, which He has bestowed upon me.

In union with Your offering of Yourself to Your Father in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I ask for this special favor: ________________.

If it be Your holy Will, grant my request.
Through You I also hope to receive the grace of perseverance in Your love and faithful service, a holy death, and a happy eternity with You in Heaven. Amen.

Flashback Friday

Canyon Lake Creek Community Forest Hike

2005ish

At departure, we're looking fresh and ready to put some miles behind us...

OK, to get a good shot with many kids, you often have to bribe them with the promise of a "goofy" shot.

Some of us were training for a backpacking trek, carrying weight for the practice and for endurance building.

We hiked about 8 miles round trip, and came up just short of the old growth forest loop.

We knew if we kept going, the younger kids would be too tired to make it out, so we made the safer choice and turned back.

We saw many piles of bear evidence, and heard some interesting rooting noises along the sides of the trails.

The area is very remote, so the young kids were not allowed out of our site, lest they become happy meals for the wild creatures.

The Fan Club

Judah, Enoch, Peter, Joseph, Boaz & Ezra wait with Tim for the start of his canoe race in the Ski 2 Sea.

End of canoe, beginning of mountain bike leg:  Mike, Carin and Tim haul the canoe to the fnish line at Hovander Park in Ferndale.

This ends our coverage of the 2010 Ski 2 Sea race.

Thank you for tuning in!