Prepping Our First Jesus Tree

With Lent officially less than a week away, I am a bit behind on my usual preparations.

However, I have successfully completed one project for Lent 2019.

We are going to be doing a Jesus Tree (thanks, Nancy!) for the first time.

I am not a mom who loves daily crafty messes, 

so I decided to mod podge ornaments instead of doing daily coloring by the kids.

I think they turned out pretty great!

Starting to get excited for the rest of my Lenten plans!

Love, Us.

EV Hard at Work

Evangeline likes to be right next to me when I am doing my to-dos during the school day.

She often grabs my planner and pens in order to add EV "flourishes" all over the place.

Oh...and check out how well she holds her pen!

Love, Us.

The Log Cabin Becomes a Reality

I had posted recently about Thérèse letting go of her 

great hopes of making a cabin in our backyard.

Well...good news!

Exodus 90 has brought the cabin back front and center 

on the list of Librandi spare-time endeavors!

With some help of other Exodus 90 men, 

we are getting a legitimate log cabin built in our yard.

We've decided to ask forgiveness, and not permission, from housing.

And, we are very proud to say that we used all "locally sourced" wood.

Ha! Thank you, woods!

Here are some pictures of the progress so far.

Stay tuned for more Log Cabin updates!

Love, Us.

Joe's Latest Accomplishment

Everyone has their own goals in life.

Joe and I share many goals, but there are some goals that we definitely don't share.

Specifically, he has several gymnastic positions that 

he has been working to attain for a few years now.

And...he was very excited the other morning, because he did his first full pike!

He was so excited, he called me over to take a picture.

Congrats, Joe!

Love, Us.

Little Moments with Dad

Exodus 90 has definitely multiplied the "little moments with dad" around here.

For today, here is one of those moments: Browsing super hero books in the library.

Love, Us.

Our Igloo

Thérèse is a very determined individual when she puts her mind to something.

During Snowmageddon she decided she was going to make a legitimate

"snow fort" in the front yard.

Thanks to Exodus 90 and the extra hours of down time that it has given to Joe,

it actually became a reality!

Love, Us.

New Feathered Friends and Enemies

With the snow melting, it actually does feel like spring is coming around here.

We know it will continue to be "spring-like" for months,

but we are going to enjoy it as much as possible.

Bird-watching out the back windows is a joy every morning.

Lately, some new "faces" have been spotted.

Our dear friend, Mr. Robin Red Breast

We have also identified a new unwelcome crowd, the European Starlings.

Man, these guys are bothersome and bossy!

Love, Us.

Snow Ball Fight!

Here are some "shots" from the quite possibly first and last 

Librande Snow Ball Fight in Washington.

Thank you, Snowmageddon!

Love, Us.

Exodus 90 Edibles

Exodus 90 has brought about many changes here in our home.

One area that has been drastically changed is Joe's food intake.

With two days of fasting/abstinence every week, 

I have had to refresh Lenten fish recipes a bit earlier than usual.

Also, we are LOVING the healthful-ness and yummy-ness of the 

fermented bread recipe that our dear friend, Tara, gave us. 

Because it is an easy way to create part of a fast day meal, 

we are now seeing these beauties at least weekly around the house!

I can't eat them, due to gestational diabetes, 

but everyone else is enjoying their presence thoroughly!

Love, Us.

A Corporal Work of Mercy that We will Never Forget

The Catholic military world is a small place.

When our dear friends from MN asked if we could help house a military spouse

coming to look for housing, it was any easy yes.

Rachel was wonderful, easy to talk to, and "spoke our language" on all things of faith.

We spent the first night learning all about her life and how 

she recently met the love of her life, Fernando.

They married last August, coming together as a beautiful blended family with 8 kids.

Rachel was thinking of joining me the next morning for our ladies' group, 

but her and Fernando decided it was best for her to spend her limited time looking into schools, programs, etc. for their kids here at JBLM.

Both of us had been having a productive morning, 

and she had texted that she would be joining the kids and I for lunch soon.

When she called a few minutes later, I assumed she needed renewed directions to our house.

I was very wrong.

She had just gotten off the phone with the police department in her home town.

Her husband had been in an accident, and had been killed.

He and the kids were in Utah.

She was in Washington state, and knew absolutely no-one besides us.

Suddenly, our corporal work of mercy was a spiritual work of mercy.

Joe was instantly the military point of contact for all things concerning Fernando.

I was a shoulder to cry on...trying to comfort this beautiful woman in her deepest sorrow, 

whom I had only met 24 hours ago.

I will never forget that day. 

Joe and I thank God that we were able to be there for her.

We prayed with her, reminisced with her, and even laughed with her over a game of Hearts.

We will never forget our time with you, Rachel.

The Lord has cemented Fernando, you, and your children in our lives.

May the Lord bless you all and bring Fernando into His loving embrace.

Love, Us.

The Many Faces of EV

That's Our Happy Smiley Girl!

Love, Us.