The Dawn Treader by Bernie

Yesterday morning, Bernie (age 15) asked if she could use some leftover paint from the girls' room for a painting. I consented. I didn't really understand what she wanted it for, nor why she painted the top portion of the canvas black and the bottom portion "room" color to start with. This morning she and Kate hung the finished canvas above the bunk bed and called me in to see it. I feel pretty confident that C.S. Lewis would approve. ;)

Our New Family Tree Wall

Our New Family Tree Wall

I've been dreaming of doing a photo-family-tree-wall for a number of years. When the kids were little, we made photo boards that we called cousin charts, so they would have some visual memory of the cousins who live far away and are easy to get confused about over time. Well, that same problem hasn't gotten any easier over the years, especially as those cousins have gotten married and had kids of their own!

I found a picture frame wall cling set at Target a year or so ago (bought three sets). Most of the frames were too big and there were more leaves than frames for my liking, but I finally just started cutting things up and using leaves to hold pictures and it seems to be working just fine. Also, it's a narrow hallway, so I like not having frames hanging on nails.

The whole thing still needs some work, but, I think, it includes everyone but the latest Van Hecke great-nephew who was born just last week. I put the Lawlesses (my side of the family) on one half of the wall and the Van Heckes on the other - my parents and my husband's parents all the way down to their great grandchildren.

Some day, I would also like to put historical family trees up somewhere. Family history is something I've long been fascinated by.

We don't often make homemade beauty products...

...(in fact I think this is a first) but when we do, we might as well blog about it! This is homemade hand salve made with avocado oil, coconut oil, and beeswax. Two are scented with peppermint and one with lavender. Kate learned how to make some cool things at our homeschool co-op and was eager to try it at home.

Aren't they pretty cooling in the lovely outdoors that was an ugly zero degrees just last week?

FOLLOW-UP: I'm finding this good for dry knuckles and such (too greasy to totally replace hand lotion), but even better as a lip-balm.

The Merry Month of May

Big sisters getting Frank ready for First Communion.

Our May was simply overflowing with celebrations and blessings of all sorts. Here's a little glimpse. There are some missing spots too, like Fr. Carlos' Mass of Thanksgiving, our homeschool group's high school graduation, several birthdays, etc....

Fr. Esser talking to the First Communicants during the Homily.

Ordination Day for our friends Fr. Jacob ...

...and Fr. Carlos! (both were stationed at our parish for a time)

Our girls with Fr. Carlos' sister and her friend.

Fr. Jacob's Mass of Thanksgiving

Gus' Confirmation - with Bishop Hying

Gus with his Sponsor, Fr. Carlos

:)

My birthday present - we finally have a tent that fits! :)

Distribution of Artwork

I just stumbled upon some old pictures that I've neglected to post this month or more now. Before Ria left for college, she held an informal distribution of a bunch of her artwork to her siblings (ahem, mom and dad rescued a few too). This brought about both great delight, and not a little bit of angst in deciding what would go to whom. On the whole, it was amazing to see the enthusiasm with which each drawing or painting was greeted and, I guess I'll let a few photos tell the rest of the story...

A Few Photos from Ria

Fountain at TAC:

P1000017, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

Ria sent us a few photos now that she has a camera. Isn't this lovely?

Amazing View from the Dorm Courtyard:

P1000015, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

Another beautiful shot from Thomas Aquinas College

Happy 18th Ria!

Baptism Day

Originally posted to Chez VH, January 18, 2011

DSC_1994, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we went to this little fellow's Baptism (son of dear friends) on Saturday. Isn't he sweet?

First Mass!

Originally posted to Chez VH, January 18, 2011

Fr. Ramos with two of his teachers from 7th and 8th grade, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

Fr. Joseph Ramos, L.C. was one of my students when I taught 7th and 8th grade Math and History in a small independent Catholic school when I was first married - about 18 years ago. He celebrated his First Mass in Milwaukee on Saturday at St. Josaphat Basilica and it was lovely! It really hit me, how God permits us to be parts of others' lives (even small parts) even when we're not at all aware of it. He connects us all together in amazing and mysterious ways.



Father kindly agreed to pose with two of his teachers from that era. My friend and fellow teacher Elizabeth G. was also a classmate of mine at Thomas Aquinas College. It was quite amazing for us that this small school hired four of us from the same class at TAC. In those days, the school was housed in an old, drafty two-room schoolhouse. Remarkably, the school has thrived since those days, was able to construct their own school building 5 or 6 years later and now boasts 140 students with plans for a high school in the near future. It's really an honor to be part (albeit a small one!) of Father's and the school's "story".

Frank and the Angel

Originally posted to Chez VH, January 18, 2011

DSC_2015, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

This lovely angel is one of the holy water fonts at St. Josaphat Basilica in Milwaukee. It's a beautiful church with a fascinating history that we happened to visit TWICE on Saturday. We were there in the morning for the first Mass of a former student of mine from when I was teaching in a private school when I was first married and in the evening for the baptism of a friend's sweet new baby.



A few more pictures to follow...

Frank the Defender

Originally posted on Chez VH, December 12, 2010 -

Bad guys and monsters shall surely flee...

A Few Photos from our Seminary Tour

originally posted to Chez VH, October 2010

The Staircase, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

I just love this picture. It's one of two staircases on either side of the main seminary entrance.

Staircase to the Cupola, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

Does this look unreal? I have to admit that I was a little hesitant to climb it. I convinced myself, because it's not as "bad" as the Holy Hill tower, but then again, this one is wooden and there's just so much *space* around you! It was well worth it. :)

A Step Back in Time, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

Okay, last picture, I promise. I do have a few more shots on flickr for those who might be interested.

We just loved this old gym at the seminary. Looks like something out of an historic sports film (I'm thinking of Hoosiers in particular) - and it's still in use! Gorgeous!

It Wasn't All Fun'n' Games

oklahoma2-working-post, originally uploaded by pbody.

My dad, two brothers and a nephew are pictured here.

Oklahoma!

oklahoma-all, originally uploaded by pbody.

We just got back from hanging out with this gang of Lawless relatives. Our week was filled with driving, cousins, rain, food, dancing, singing, games, swimming, fun and even a little Monastic life!

We were fortunate enough to stay at the guest house at the Clear Creek Monastery, which is a beautiful and palatial log cabin. Mass and Liturgy of the Hours were readily available and it was a beautiful and peaceful place to spend time with family. More pictures coming soon.

My Niece's Art Portfolio

Baby Birds Update (Day 5)

DSC_5872, originally uploaded by Chez VH.

Photos from yesterday: The baby robins are four or five days old and don't seem to have opened their eyes yet. They were sleeping peacefully while I took pictures, but we've definitely seen them awake too.

I can't believe how fast they're growing. The nest is starting to look full. Contrast with Monday's picture.

My 11 year old daugher took this lovely picture of the tulips that are just opening up in our backyard. They've been teasing us for many weeks!