Quick Takes Friday

1. I am joining in the Quick Takes for my first time ever.  I have recently become a huge Jennifer Fulwiler fan (she is the one who began quick takes, for those who have not heard of them before).  Several of her articles are published in One in Christ, the new marriage prep program our diocese offers.  I have been reading them and LOVE her story:
One Woman's Journey from Pro-Choice Atheist to Pro-Life Catholic

2. If you have time for some excellent reading, here are a few other articles from this marriage prep manual that I love:
Contraception and a Woman's Self Image Jennifer Fulwiler
Why my life is better since becoming open to life Jennifer Fulwiler
IVF and the Catholic Couple - Sheila Diamond, really good perspective on embryo adoption 

3. Happy Wedding day to Nick and Sarah!  Nick & Sarah are family in Chicago and this is perhaps one of the first events we have had to decline attending as a direct result of our growing family.  I am still in the adjustment phase of sacrificing wants out of necessity.  Other adjustments - food & laundry.

4. Because we were not traveling, we were able to make some progress on our basement!  It will be wonderful when it is done and I can fully use the space.   But I am so excited about the transition.

Before (WAY before) - this was when we first moved in...not our stuff hanging

After!  Not completely finished or prettied up yet. 

I love it!  We measured the boxes to store toys in canvas boxes.  I can't wait to get them all moved into the space.  My husband won the argument about moving the tv above the fireplace.  It is an adjustment for me and I have to mourn the loss of the picture space, but I think it will be a space saver to have the tv up there.   I did mention before, but anyone interested in the fireplace makeover, we followed these instructions for that part of the remodel. 


5. A play dough Rapunzel and daddy aka Rosie

6. Preparing to become a war widow this weekend.  Not in the sense you may guess.  It's WWII weekend in our town and hubby is taking the big kids tomorrow morning.  For now we get to listen to all the old planes flying in.


7.  FINALLY, Happy 10th Ordination Anniversary to world's best brother in law and priest.  I remember that day like it was yesterday.  We had not known each other too long, but I was privileged to sit in the family section and watch you give your life to the Lord in the most profound and powerful way possible.  We are truly blessed to have you in our family and pray with you through these last 10 years, through good times and bad.  As our family grows, it only means more people to pray for you in the coming years.  We love you and are so proud of you and your priesthood.

"Almighty Father, grant to this servant of yours the dignity of the priesthood.  Renew with him the Spirit of holiness.  As a co-worker with the order of bishops may he be faithful to the ministry that he receives from you, Lord God, and be to others a model of right conduct." - taken from the prayers of consecration of a priest and printed on the back of his ordination card