Our EnErGeTiC Singer

I have been trying to post this for some time-it was recorded almost exactly a year ago.  I was never able to succesfully upload it, though.  And then I learned a bit about Youtube....it's a work in progress.

So I hope it works now.  And hope you enjoy our Energetic Singer, though he is a bit older now!
(It's almost 5 mins long, but I just wanted to at least show the first minute.  Still learning about editing...)

Love ya, mean it!
Be here now

Sweet Sayings: Window Chemicals

Now that our boys are getting older, the saying 'Kids say the darnedest things' has never been so meaningful!  Because I want to remember all the adorable things they say/will say, I want to try and record them here.  Then you may enjoy them as well!

Lachlan was playing with his window as we were driving in the car...

Lachlan: ...and I washed it all over the window!

Mama: What did you wash all over the window?

Lachlan: Chemicals!

Mama:  (Chemicals?!?) What did you do that for?

Lachlan: Oh, for about ten dollars.

Ha!   Where on earth did he get that from?!?!?!

Our silly little goose!

Love ya, mean it
Be here now.

Five years and counting!

6 years ago and 2 days, a loving, handsome young man asked for my hand in marriage.  How could I say no!  5 years ago and 22 days (but who's counting, right?) we said 'I do!'  To celebrate, we went back to our Honeymoon location: San Fransisco, and pretty much just did the whole thing all over again!  We started out at the serenely peaceful Beachnest in Dillon Beach, accompanied by Tim and Victoria.  Our honeymoon was crashed by special people, so why not our 5 yr anniversary too?  We spent some time in Napa, some time on the beach, and some time just chillin.

Ah.  The view from our deck.  I want to go to there.

Then it was off to the city, where we wondered, played, ate, and of course, rode on the trolley!

Stopping for Irish Coffees

Tim and Luke battling it out in the ring and pier 46-ish (can't remember).  Way fun place to spend your quarters!

After Tim and Vic left, Luke and I continued our celebration.  Though we love our children, it was quite refreshing to go on a vacation and not having to worry about diapers or packing a diaper bag or naps.  It was just us and the streets of San Fran. (A BIG shout out to the wonderful people who cared for our children while we were away-THANK YOU!!!!  YOU are the reason we could do this...)

More delicious Irish Coffee/hot chocolate

Ghirrardelli Square-secretly I was hoping to see 2 really special people here, but alas... 
PS real interesting fountain behind us.  A great conversation piece!

Thank you, My Darling, for a wonderful trip!  How blest I am to have someone to love me as me you do.  Here's to 5 more and counting! 

"Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one, finds a treasure"
Sirach 6:14

Love ya, mean it!
Be here now

And the beautiful 'chaos' continues...

We haven't officially introduced Baby Cahill III!!!!
So here he/she is. 

(hiding in my belly)

Due August 22nd.  Causing this Mama to work even harder keeping up with the 2 boys, not to mention keeping the house tidy.  It is hard picking things up when you are 7 months pregnant!  And it is quite uncomfortable doing dishes when you are 7 months pregnant!  And it is challenging getting in and out of cars when you are 7 months pregnant!  And it is just impossible to play soccer with your 3 year old when you are 7 months pregnant!
Oh but the new challenges that are waiting right around the corner....
I would ask the Lord for patience, but I did that already, and was blest with this child!  ; )
So then I ask for the Lord to give me energy...and sanity.  Is that a safe prayer???

Oh Little One, amidst the challenges and chaos, you are truly and deeply loved already.  We are excited to meet you!

"Hi everybody!"

Love ya, mean it!
Be here now

A Special Day

Three years ago our beautiful niece was born.  It was a wonderful birthday present!  I was excited to have a birthday buddy.

Sweet Nora Jane now gets to celebrate in the best place in the Universe.  We miss her and love her heaps.

This rose was given to us in memory of her (thank you dear friends!).  This was one of the first flowers it bloomed-prefectly pink and beautiful.  I am sure Nora would have loved it!  Now she gets to enjoy it from a different view. 

Happy birthday, Dear!  We love you.

Nora Jane, Pray for us!

St Peter and St Paul, Pray for us.

PS A quick shout out to Mom and Dad!  Thank you for choosing life.  How blessed I am to have you as parents.  I am golden because of you!

Love ya, mean it!

Be here now.

Life is just a bowl of cherries

For some reason, I don't think Lachlan has ever had cherries before.  They aren't the easiest, or really safest, fruit to eat.  But tonight, a whole new world opened for him!  Cherries are SO delicious, so I bought a bunch...which means we need to eat a bunch! We told him about the seed, and he was quite careful not to chew or swallow it.  It took him about a minute to eat each one--I know what to feed him when I need 10 mins of peace!  They were quite a hit all around (except for Torin-not a big fan-silly kid!)

Here's the cherry

Yummy!

Spitting out the seed

And he was pretty proud of the 'sun' he made with the stems! 

"Life is just a bowl of cherries, you live and laugh at 'em all!"  From Good News, the musical.

Love ya, mean it
Be here now

Baptism and First Communion

Since I haven't officially introduced our nephew here (who is now 9 months and looks like an 18 month old!), I thought I would finally do so.  And since we are going the Sacrament route, I might as well include my wonderful brother's 1st Communion (Plus they are both my/our Godsons!).  There has been a lot in between these events, and hopefully I will get there sometime...

So, introducing Andrew Kevin Volker, our beautiful Nephew and Godson!  Born on September 27th and is seriously growing like a weed--a muscular and hearty one!

Then

Now

He was baptized the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which made a wonderful weekend full of family! 

Not sure what is about to happen, but lookin adorable!

Getting blessed.

More blessings

Happy Family with a newly baptized son.

Adorable little feet.  This is the same gown that Molly, Luke, Michael, Evie, Lachlan, and Torin have worn.  One holy gown!

Andrew, now that you are a New Creation, how do you feel?

'Feelin pretty good!'

A very belated 'Welcome to the Church, Andrew!'

About 6 months later, we celebrated another beautiful sacrament, for another beautiful guy-my brother, James!  Unfortunately I was the only Godmother/Sister to be present...so that makes me the favorite, right, James?!?!  : )
We arrived right before the adorable little First Communicants precessed down the aisle, and I couldn't help but get a little emotional, witnessing their excitement to receive Jesus in a special way for the first time.  I told Mom that if I am affected this way for my brother, what's it going to be like when it's for my own boys! 

Posing by the banner he made (with some help)

Godparents!

Oh the joy!

What handsome fellas!

After Church we went to Mom and Dad's to celebrate with a lovely brunch-their last First Communion brunch!  ; ) 

3 generations represented during the blessing over the food.

Quack if you love Jesus!

James, now that you received your First Communion, how do you feel?

'Feelin pretty good!'

 We are very excited for both of you, you handsome boys!  We are praying for you.
St James, Pray for us
St Andrew, Pray for us

Love ya, mean it!
Be here now