Reflections on a Sleeping Babe

This picture is obviously not a recent one of Lachlan--I was too afraid that taking a picture of him tonight would wake him up. I still wanted to show how precious he is (was) when he sleeps...but what Babe is not precious when they sleep? He was about 3 months in this photo.

I was at book club tonight so Luke put Lachlan nigh-night tonight. I couldn't go to bed without at least peaking at him, and after peaking at him, I needed a closer look, and so I sat by his crib and just stared. He was facing me and he was so beautiful as he slept so soundly. I couldn't believe what a big boy he is! And now, so peaceful.

As I looked on at my sleeping 16th month old, I couldn't help but think about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of GOD. I can imagine her looking on her 16 month old Babe as He slept as well. It makes it so real to me, their relationship of a Mother and Son, when I think of my relationship with my son. Mary held His hand. Mary made Him laugh. Mary watched Him grow, watched Him get His first tooth, watched Him learn to crawl and then walk and then run. I am seeing these same things in my son as Mary saw in Her Son, the Saviour of the world. It is such a beautiful connection that I feel with her that started actually even before we met Lachlan face to face. What a blessing I have, this little Babe, sleeping so soundly. What a blessing to see my son grow up just as Mary saw Her Son grow up. I am so grateful. I love my little guy!
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Love ya, mean it.
Be here now.

The Heart of the Matter

I need to ask for your thoughts and prayers this morning. Our niece is having heart surgery this morning (Tuesday) at 10 AM.

May God protect her.

From her pretty little head...

To her pretty little toes!

And God bless the Dr's, the Mama, the Daddy, and the Sister!

Peace be with the Volker family today.

Patron saint of surgery (whomever you may be), Pray for us!

Love ya, mean it!

Be here now.

Auntie Emi Returns!

This morning there was a knock at the door and who should it be?

Why back from Australia, it's Auntie Emi!

(Hmmm, too much Dr. Seuss???)

If only we had Lachlan's dance of excitement on video! He was SO excited to see his auntie 'M-mmmmeeee' again. All through out the day he would go over to her and give her kisses and hugs. Adorable.

Auntie Emi is taking advantage of not being the nanny anymore, so of course he was fed 2 pieces of chocolate before 10 this morning...oh goodness.

They had fun pretending Lachlan was Daddy:

And then he became 'King of the Diaper Covers'.

All hail the King of the Diaper Covers!

We enjoyed a loverly meal--all 5 of us! It was nice to set the table with 4 big person plates, rather than just 3. Dessert was complements of Emily: Tim Tam Slams! Seriously, good stuff.

It has been great having her back! Lachlan will have so much fun now that Silly Auntie Emi has returned!

Love ya, mean it!

Be here now.

Nora's Birthday Fun

This video is from a couple of weeks ago, but certainly worth a watch. We were in St. Cloud celebrating Nora's 1st Birthday.

Can you moo too??

Mr. Brown Can Moo...Can You? is Lachlan's favorite book. Look out though, because once you start reading, he will want you to read it literally 8 times in a row.

Won't you be my Neighbor?

Being a neighbor has been the theme for the weekend. Sunday's Gospel was about the Good Samaritan. Fr. Griffith gave a beautiful sermon about what being a neighbor is.

A neighbor is any one in need, and at some point, we are all in need, so I come to the conclusion that everyone is my neighbor--which is a mighty call! We are supposed to love our neighbors as our self. This love needs to be unconditional-no matter WHAT. Tall order!

Saturday night Sister Carol, our Aunt from Iowa, and her friend came with Luke's parents for dinner. Our conversation turned to helping the poor in Spirit and the economically poor. More people to love!

So anyways, now this is something on my heart--something to pray about!

One thing I will be doing to be a good neighbor is attend a 'ladies in the neighborhood' bonfire tomorrow night. Hooray for meeting new neighbors!

And as Mr. Rogers says,

So let's make the most of this beautiful day

Since we're together we might as well say

Would you be mine, could you be mine

Won't you be my neighbor!

(Remember that one time Mr. Roger's was on? Good times!)

Love ya, mean it!

Be here now.

What a girl wants

So I mentioned that we cleaned on the 4th, and that our kitchen looks amazing. Well, that was ALL Luke. He did such a fabulous job! I was so impressed.

That night we watched Toy Story 1 and 2. A double feature with popcorn and soda, and the best part??? They were on good ol' VHS! Talk about old school. But then we were so much more impressed when we saw Toy Story 3 the next day in 3D. Seriously, if you have not seen it, see it! I laughed, I cried, a good time was had by all. And you should have heard Luke laugh at some of the parts! Totes a good movie. Totes a good time.

Earlier that day we had been watching cake boss, which can really get a pregnant lady wanting some cake. So after the amazing movie, we went to the Cheesecake factory to satisfy my craving for some delicious cake. I even got to eat the majority of our 'shared' piece. : )

I am reminded in little ways that I am still in love with my husband. : ) Phewftuh!

To paraphrase Cristina Aguilera:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBO5PlSXMMg

He knows what this girl wants

He knows what this girl needs

Whatever makes me happy sets him free (cuz then I won't be as crabby!)

I'm thankin him for knowing exactly (or being close enough)

what this girl wants

what this girl needs

Whatever happens I'll still be in his arms

And I'm thankin him for being there for me.

Thank you, Lord, for my husband!

Be here now.

Love ya, mean it!

PS if you are concerned about safety, this picture was taken in our garage with the car in park. : )

Independence

We celebrate our Independence today. We are grateful for our freedom! Today was the most low-key 4th of July we have ever had. No get togethers or BBQs, but some wonderful quality family time. We needed to do something as we hibernated inside away from the heat--so we cleaned! Who wants to come over?!?!?! Well really we are trying to continue to puppy proof our house. We are getting there!

Yesterday we picniced at Luke's sister's and bro-in-law's house for our neice, Nora's, 1st birthday party. They have this AWESOME kid roller coaster that Lachlan was diggin'. He went up and down their hill on it with a little assistance--Luke got quite the work out!

I love how this picture shows his joy! There is also a picture of our loverly Goddaughter, the birthday girl, smiling away.

I did celebrate the 4th by making a homemade blueberry pie with homemade crust. We ate on our deck and it was delicious!!!

At Mass today we heard the verse 'The harvest is plenty but the Laborers are few.' My sister, Emily, is in Australia, and this is just a good reminder to pray for her. St. Emily pray for us!

God bless America!

Be here now. Love ya, mean it! Time for bed...

Turning a new leaf--or many new leaves

Cahill Chaos--organized chaos--chaos that keeps us on our toes and NEVER makes life boring--chaos that teaches us patience and how to love--chaos that reminds us our Peace only comes from the Lord--well at least that is a goal!





The Cahill Family: now 2 (Angela just had a birthday!) 27 year olds, 1 15 month old Boy, 1 2.5 month old Pup, and a 31 week old Baby waiting to meet the world!, 1 Cahill brother, and 1 Adam sister, which all adds up to 1 happy family!

Lachlan and Weezer (the son and the pup) are already best buds--they take turns winning and losing playtime battles. Lachlan is in the 100th percentile with height & weight--at least he is proportionate! He loves making animal noises, eating berries, and pointing out the airplanes in the sky. What a bundle--BIG bundle--of joy!

Weezer has been with our family since Sunday, June 27th. Goodness does he keep us busy! Yet how can we do anything but love him! He has found his favorite spots, and we have had to clean up a few spots as well--we are getting there!

Angela is getting used to life at home. Taking on this new role is exciting, wonderful, daunting, yet already so rewarding. Still having dreams about her school--she misses it so! But this is where God is calling our family, so of course, will will say YES!

Luke is staying real busy with his company, but still looking for ways to grow and carry on his Dad's legacy, who is ever so close to retiring. There are SO MANY blessings he is grateful for! He hears the golf course calling him, perhaps soon, golf course. His dream has come true, though, owning a bulldog named Weezer.

So there we are in a nutshell. Seeking after God, trying to discipline a child and puppy, and living every moment in love...again, an attempt!

Ready, set, here we go, Life! Be Here Now.

Love ya, mean it!