A New Child of God on Mother’s Day 2013

This Mother’s Day has been so very special. We welcomed little Max into the Church today. My parents and John’s parents were able to be here with us along with Max’s Godparents and children. Fr. Kevin drove through the night to be here to baptize our little guy. Twelve years ago, he baptized Opie, and now, here Opie watched his little brother be baptized. What a sweet day!



I love how Max is peering out while Fr. Kevin annoints him with chrism.

Fr. Kevin took Max over to the altar to bless him. I think Opie was looking forward to this moment in the baptism of his brother for weeks before his arrival. This was a very special moment.

Here are Jess and Gary, Max’s Godparents. They were also little Matthew’s Godparents. We were grateful they were able to make it down to be here with us to celebrate.

Well, I know I said I wasn’t posting his name anymore, but I loved the Cake, especially the part that said Child of God. We are so blessed. Fr. Kevin said St Nicholas brought people gifts, and then continued, and this little Nicholas has brought this family a gift. I think everyone teared up.

Little Max wore Matthew’s gown. This was so very meaningful to us. Matthew never got to “wear” it due to all of his tubes and wires, but we did place it on him. Now, Max wore it. Thank you Cheryl, for your special gift of this gown.

He’s Here!!

We welcomed little Nicholas Kolbe into the world on May 4, at 9:15 P.M. weighing in at 7lbs 9 ozs!

I generally have very hard labors. This time, I was in labor at a slow and steady pace, which was an answer to my prayers for a gentle labor, especially since we were trying for a VBAC following our emergency one-minute c-section with Matthew almost four years ago. I slept through alot of the process. When we got to the hospital, I was already at a 4-5. Despite my progress, I still managed to labor for hours and hours. At completion, Little Nicholas was out in 10 seconds! I praised God for his safe delivery!

We were able to come home Monday and since then, all we hear is, “Can I hold him?”, “Can I hold him?”, “Can I hold him?”

MM was so delighted to be a big sister, she was just bursting for our arrival home. She had this sweet sign on his pack n play waiting to welcome him home.

MM had a perfect guess on his weight! My sister-in-law, Denise, guessed his weight as well over text! Thank you all who helped us pass the time.
This will be the only time I share his name on God’s Canvas, after this we’ll call him “Max.”

Thank you all who prayed for us throughout this pregnancy. It certainly was an easy pregnancy, despite fact that I was considered very high risk. In fact this was probably one of the best pregnancies I’ve had.

In addition to our joy, my sister also delivered a healthy baby boy five days before me, as well as a dear friend who delivered just a week or so before us. She was my prayer partner throughout this pregnancy and the past four years.

Little Nicholas will be baptized this Sunday on Mother’s Day. We have so much to be thankful for!

Waiting for baby…

Well I think I’ve cleared through every room in the house to include the buckets in the attic. We’ve made so many trips to drop off donations that my car can probably get there on its own. I’ve hustled through drawers, refolded things, and still managed a few little projects. I received several sweet little things in the mail from some of you, thank you! I cannot wait to hold this little guy. I did turn in the little burp cloths and diaper stacker I made at the local embroidery shop, along with a few gifts. I’ve blurred the initials so we can announce his arrival with his name on his birthday.


I’ve also found a few minutes here and there to smock a few little girl gifts that are not quite done, but still on my list. I’ll show those once I’ve mailed them off so I don’t give them away before the receiver gets them.

John and I went to a dinner last week on post so this is probably my last picture showing off my baby belly.

We’re hoping this little guy arrives this week! I’ve got everything ready.. so we wait… My family thought it would be fun to make a list of statistics while we wait. You’re welcome to join in the fun. Just let us know what you think in the comments!

(these are in this order.. Mom, dad, Cookie, Opie, Moonbeam, BlueBelle, and MM)
We’ll come back and let you know who in our family was the closest and then which one of you came close, too! St Gerard, pray for us!

Divine Mercy Sunday

This is one of our favorite Feast Days! I bought this beautiful tall statue of St Faustina for John when he returned from Afghanistan.

Moonbeam decided it was such a great feast day to celebrate, it needed a dessert all of its own, even though we already had plenty of sweets in the house. Her idea turned out great and I think she really captured the blue and red rays in this simple dessert! We made the icing out Dream whip.

From her Diary:
The two rays denote Blood and Water. the pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. (Diary 299)

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/image.htm#ixzz2PwAGP4jN
Jesus, I trust in You!

Easter 2013

Our son was able to serve at the Easter Mass and carried the incense. He served with such reverence. I love how our Faith used all of the senses in the Mass. The smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven: the Psalmist prays, “Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141).
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Here are the children after Mass all ready to change out of their Easter wear and dig into their candy and Easter baskets.
We enjoyed making deviled eggs, resurrection rolls, and a fruit bowl after Mass. If I had only bought enough white vinegar, we would have tried Catholic Icing’s wonderful egg ideas with food coloring… there’s always next Easter.
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A rare picture of John and me after Mass. I felt like an Easter egg myself with my tummy at almost 35 weeks. We are ready to have this little fella anytime now and meet him face to face!
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I’ve been quiet most of the time this Lent as I tried to stay off the computer as much as I could. I did a bit of sewing, to include these little burp cloths I made for the baby. I’ve also made several as gifts and had them monogramed. I am thinking about having “little brother” put on one or two of these for this little guy.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter week! May God Bless you.

Snuggled in tight…

Only 6 weeks left! We can’t wait to meet this little guy!

A Significant day in many many ways…

*I am 32 weeks along today. Three and a half years ago, I was 32 weeks along and in the OR delivering little Matthew Karol.

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*Today is my only sister’s birthday! Today is also my Brother-in-law’s birthday! Happy Birthday to you both! What historical birthdays for both of them!
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* Obviously, I’m nesting… I’ve torn every room apart… we can’t walk down the hallways because I’ve filled them with items for give-away, items for the attic, and things I am ready to get rid of. I want furniture this and that moved, I have sewing projects pleated, and the entire refrigerator contents are all over the kitchen island (as I sit and watch EWTN all afternoon!)

All the tiny baby boy clothes are washed and folded and put away.

the crib is up and ready…

*Today, my only living grandmother has moved into a memory care home. I have my grandfather heavy on my mind. This is a big change for my grandfather who has only known life with his wife by his side. Please include a prayer of peace for them.
*Today we all woke up wondering if today was the day the day our Church would elect a new shepherd.

* Habemus Papam! Today we welcome Pope Francis as our new Shepherd! His first blessing on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica was very humble. He asked for a prayer from the people to ask the Lord to bless him. The entire crowd of pilgrims were silent in prayer. It was amazing to watch. The Church began with St Peter. This is our new leader! Matthew 16:18-19.

* Obviously a celebration was in order. The children all voted to make a red velvet cake with white (cream cheese) icing. The red velvet with white icing in honor of the papal outfit. The significance of the red accessories: Red is the colour of martyrdom and the pope is the successor of the martyred St. Peter, “red is the color of burning love, the color of the fire of the Spirit.”
I let the two little girls make this from start to finish, they did a great job!