Trying out the camera on my new Ipod...

Our July Birthday...

Andrew turned the big 13!

He didn't want a big fuss, so this post

captures his day very well.

Short and sweet...

 

2015 Vocations Camp

(Camp was back in June...

playing a little catch up around here!)

Marianna is totally ready for 'Cations Camp this year.

Added one new kayak to our existing fleet.

All the prep work is finished.

Let the party camp begin!

The "REAL" reason I love camp.

That's right!  He stays with us for three whole days.

Awesome!

 Let the chaos begin...

 A few pics of "the help" in action.

Mass under the big tent.

 

 The official campsite.

 Fr. Scott with a wild idea...

 that Dan brought to life...

 with full camp participation...

 in a late night, torch lit rosary walk.

(cuz there's nothing like a little danger to

help get their attention)

Final Mass with the families...

 and the newest priest of the diocese.

Just plain awesome!

Thank you to all who helped make this possible.

Your generosity is overwhelming.

June's Leftovers

 I found pictures from last month that never made their way out

of my camera...

 our first strawberry pickings

 play doh...the gift that keeps on giving

 only squinty-eye pics for this guy

 our sweet Gabers

this view greets me every Monday morning

more strawberries!

 a stuffed animal explosion while I was gone to Mass

 these brothers have become buddies

 godmother pic

 godfather pic

rehearsed cuteness for Mom's camera



Successful Fishing...

and lots of happy faces!

Happy Kid Photos

The early morning riser

"Camping" in the yard

Gotta be just like dad

A new past time...making paper flowers

This summer's new swings

Practicing for Friday Night Volleyball

What's good for the big sister,
is good for the little man

Only By The Grace of God

 

Not sure how to title this post.  It's not the kind of thing I would normally post about.  This blog is really about sharing our family memories.  But when it's all said and done maybe this explains more about our family than anything else ever will.
I've been thinking about a recent conversation I had with a mom in her mid-twenties.  She is pregnant with her 4th child and she asked me if I thought she and her husband were being irresponsible because they have so many children at such a young age. They got married knowing that they wanted a large family but living that out is always different than what one expects.  Even their Catholic friends are rethinking the idea of being open to a larger family.  She just wasn't sure if they were on the right track anymore.  Maybe a big family is irresponsible or maybe it  just takes a whole heck of a lot of trust in God and His Providence.  (So she asks for wisdom from the crazy lady with 11 kids!)
Notice that she didn't ask if it is "worth it" to have a bunch of kids.  She already knows the infinite value of each and every soul that is created for all eternity.  Instead, she talked about the incredible responsibility that comes with saying "yes" to Life.  We are responsible for these souls and God provides all the graces necessary for us to make good on that responsibility.  We just have to be open to His plan.  It's a hard thing to say "yes" to God but it get's easier.  Time and experience tell me this and it's what I shared with her.  Each child teaches us to say "yes" in a new and different way and that's what the vocation of marriage is all about.  It probably is irresponsible by today's standards to have a big, huge happy family but hopefully, we aren't shooting for just today.  We're keeping our eyes on eternity.  When I look at our overflowing home and all those wild and crazy people around our dinner table, I don't feel irresponsible.  I feel joy and incredible humility.  We didn't get this far on our own.  We would have never made it.  Only by the grace of God.