Ladies Cursillo

Tonight Victor and I went up to Mount St. Francis for the Women's Cursillo closing.
It was very moving to say the least. I was very busy and involved somewhat by serving breakfast and dinner with my friend Alice to the ladies.
At the closing tonight one of the candidate's made a comment that really stuck with me. She was sharing what it means to be a witness for Christ. She said that she came to realize this weekend by listening to all of the talks and the sharing that we "can only be convincing when we are truly convinced about our faith and our belief in God." Amen!
The closing witness talk was given by my fellow "groupie," Debbie Fackler. She did a fantastic job! I told her that it was truly without a doubt, one of the best closing talks that I've ever heard. (And I've heard a lot of them) She stressed, in a very humourous way to, "Let your light shine"
They had a lady that didn't get to finish the retreat because of health issues. I don't remember her name, but offer a prayer for her. She is a very sick lady.
All in all, the retreat of course went very well. How could it not, the Holy Spirit was in charge.
I pray for a candidate to sponsor next year...hummmmm, wonder who she will be:)

Equal time

In Mamo's arms. Sweet, sweet Abigail. 5 months old
I love to rock
Check out the diet coke next to Sam...Life is good
Just taking it easy!
"More pix, Mamo?" Sam, 14 months...
It's tough trying to make sure that I spent "equal time" with all of the little ones.
The hard part is, I know that the youngest don't really realize it yet....but I do.
Tonight Meredith and Sam stopped in to visit and see Papa and Mamo since our return home. Were we thrilled to see him! Probably as much as he was to see us. I love the squeals! It's almost worth the time away just to return to the love and excitement and the yelling of "Mamo!!"
Victor and Marla decided to take advantage of an evening out with dinner and shopping. The older two were having a sleepover with Kelly and David's kiddo's, Savannah and Claire. Abigail came to visit Mamo and Papa and some much needed alone time. She was soooo good. Took a drive with Aunt Missy and Sam and then came home, played a bit with Mamo and Papa, took her bottle and then, "Ahhhh," fell asleep in my arms. Nothing is any better than this.
They are all growing so fast. Check out Sam, he loves the bouncy seat and he's too big! Oh well, it's Mamo's house.

Maggie is a SENIOR!!!!!!

Nana presenting Maggie her ring! It is beautiful.
"Thanks Nana"
Sonie and her beautiful girls.
The class singing their school song.

This morning mom, Anne and me went over to Sacred Heart Academy to see Maggie get her class ring. The students were to ask someone (female), who was very important and an inspiration in their lives to present them with their ring. Maggie asked Mom (Nana). She was thrilled!

It was such a good time. I remember a lot of these young ladies when they were very, very young. On several occasions I babysat for the kids and got to know a few of these girls and their families.Both Maggie and Rebecca are blessed to have such good friends. Ben too. Go Trinity!

The ceremony was very touching to say the least. Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday that I was "trying" to comb Maggie's hair or coax her into bed for the night. Those were very good days. Great memories of Ben and Rebecca too.

Well kids, not too far off in the future we will be celebrating many other milestones....thanks for always including us. We love you all.

Enjoy some of the pix. Maggie you looked BEAUTIFUL!!!

A Day at the Zoo with my Babies!

Sam, all tired out!
Uncle Joe with the kids...he's great
"Hey, it's something to drive."
"It's me, Miss Lally. Don't forget me."
Sam getting soooo big. They like to get out and move
Okay, let's get going.
It's time for a cold drink
Checking out the mice! Yuck!
"Stick with me guys, I'll get us around." (He did)
"Okay Maddie, what's our first stop?"
Sam and Aunt Marla peeking in the bus window
Beautiful Abigail...so good

Marla called this morning, a beautiful morning, and asked if I would like to go to the Zoo today. I had Victor all night and of course he was thrilled to hear the news.
We called Meredith and Joe and Meredith had a school meeting that kept her from going but Joe and Sam went with us. It was a blast!!!!
The pix below will show you some of the highlights of the day. Check out Victor with the map, he was truly plotting our way....the little man is too smart.
I love the pix of Abigail and Sam all tuckered out. They were all so good and Marla, Joe and I agreed that the walk, sunshine and company was great.

Fun with Mamo!

With all of my time away, I miss the kids so much. I've been trying to get some special time with all of the kids. They have spent the night, gone to Nana's with me and of course some shopping for "prizes"
Don't worry lil Miss Lally, your time will come. I look forward to spending some good quality time with you too.
It's great to be loved! I think that is how God intended it to be. As I've said before, in my next life I'll skip parenting and go right into grandparenting! It's awesome!

Happy Birthday Victor!

It's hard to believe that our "baby" is celebrating his 32 birthday.
Hey kids, just enjoy each and everyday, soon God willing, this will be you.
Happy Birthday Victor, it was a great evening with your favorite dinner and all present. Sure wish Dad could have been here but duty (Fla.) calls.
We love you so much.
Enjoy the pix everyone. Victor's birthday was April 9th. I'm a little late getting this on.

Nana, not feeling well:(

Not sure who reads my blog, but anyone who logs in, would you mind offering up a prayer for my mom? She is a COPD (chronic lung problems) patient and right now is fighting the same cough, cold and junk that everyone else has had.
I took her today to her doctor and they did a chest X-Ray and confirmed what we thought.
Her breathing is ok when she is at rest but very labored when she is walking. I made her, much to her dismay, ride in her transport wheelchair to conserve energy. She is truly a fighter.
She was worried that she might have to go to the hospital. To be honest, I thought the same thing. She said she was nervous and didn't want to go. While we waited in the examining room I tried to distract her by showing her pix of the grandkids.....that worked!!! She smiled, talked and talked about each one of them.
Dr. Morrison gave her another antibiotic and prednisone for her breathing and said we should see improvement by Thursday. Sure hope so, it does have her down some.
When we pulled up to Westminster there were her friends waiting for her. They were thrilled to see her come back. Before she left she said she asked Lillian to say a prayer for her and of course she said she would hang up and do it right away....a Memorare.
Thank you Jesus and Blessed Mother for hearing our prayers.
Hope the rest of the week is better.

Happy 4th Day!!!

Tonight I went to the Mount for the closing for the Cursillo. Victor was on the team. He was asked to give the Holiness talk and I couldn't think of a better talk for him. However, he said it was one of the hardest he has ever gave. I thought it was because the talk fit him so well and his humilty did not allow him to see it. I heard from many of the team members and the retreat candidates how moving and inspiring it was to all. He said that he used my dad and Chips as an example of what true Holiness is to him .
The Cursillo has been such a life giving experience for both of us. We made our Cursillo in 1987 and 1988. We both still group. (Grouping is when after the retreat you join other people who have made the retreat too and share your lifes journey with each other)
I group at Debbie Fackler's house and she and I are 2 of the original members of our group. We have had many others come and go. Also in our group is Ellen Turner and Alice Volpert. I miss from time to time because of Florida....but I'm still grouping as the girls have reminded me.
Well, one of the Cursillo phrases is, Bloom where you are planted. May each of us, no matter where the Lord has placed us in this life, be the best Christian witness that we can be for Him.
Remember, we only have one chance around in this life to do it. May we not miss the opportunity that is right before us.
DeColores!!!!!

Sesame Street Live!!!!!

How much fun was this for me!!! To watch the kids get so excited and have fun with each other. I think Marla, Meredith, Joe and I had a great time together too. We met Victor and Abigail afterwards and had dinner.

Watching grandchildren see Elmo......Priceless!!!!

Girls Gone Wild!!!! (Sort of :) )

Well,

The girls, Gwen, Mary Jane, Susie and myself took a trip to New Smyrna. Did we have fun!

We laughed and laughed and no doubt the Florida sun was good for everyone. Only one thing would have made the trip complete and that would have been for me to have had Anne, Sonie and my mom with us. Things don't always work out the way you'd like.

I've tried to put some pix on here for you all to see some of our highlights.

Girls gone wild has taken on a new meaning, we even got stopped by the Volusia County Sherriff!!!! It's a story!