Sunday, October 3, 2010

{Trinity} Blessing of the Animals


The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi was on October 4th. Sunday the 3rd at Trinity was the Blessing of the Animals!!

The Smiths
The church was full of families - both of the human and pet variety. It was so fun to see all the different creatures, from dogs and cats to turtles and hermit crabs. We sat in a pew up front with two other corgis and met another...of course we had to get the four of them together for a few group shots :)

Happy to be up front with Daddy!
"Where we goin Dad??"
Our corgi pew neighbors
All are Welcome to Trinity!
Admiration from a fellow corgi Mom
Birds of a feather :)
Corgipants sniff party!
There were tails swishing everywhere, even in the choir loft! Ryan was part of the service and he took Chloe up with him to do his reading. It was so cute!! She sniffed around then sat right next to him until he finished. That's my good girl :)

"Hello!"
Ryan and Chloe reading
We each got to go up one by one and have our critters blessed. Chloe was veering in to random pews and hiding under peoples legs. She barks a big bark, but she's pretty timid around big dogs. We hopped in Kristi's line and she pulled Chloe into her lap and gave her a beautiful blessing!

Waiting for her turn to be blessed
Receiving her beautiful blessing from Kristi
Smiles from the girls
Dylan slept through all the barking and commotion until the very end! After the service, the four of us headed over to the picnic and enjoyed a bite to eat!

Asleep with Monkey
My favorite kiddos
Chloe & Ryan
At the picnic with our pooches
Enjoying a treat from the Dog Dish

God Our Heavenly Father, You created the world to serve humanity's needs and to lead them to You. By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship which we once had with all your creation. Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You we will also restore it with all Your creation. Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation. We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of our neglect. May the order You originally established be once again restored to the whole world through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary, the prayers of St. Francis and the merits of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with You now and forever. Amen.
~ St. Francis of Assisi

Friday, October 1, 2010

Dylan's Baptism


Dylan will be Baptized in one week! Ryan and I are so excited. We love our church so much and we can't wait to have his Baptism as one of our amazing memories there. We became members and were married there in 2008. Kristina Maulden will be doing the service and we couldn't be happier :)  We meet with her this Saturday for a Pre-Baptism to talk about what will take place. Dylan's Sponsors are My Mom & Grandma and Ryan's Mom & Dad. We have been given the honor of Ryan's sister, Jennifer and brother in law, Eddie accepting the role of his Godparents. They are both devout Christians who are incredibly generous, trustworthy & loving and simply perfect for such a place in our lives.
We are very much looking forward to this special day!

Ryan, Dylan, Kristina & I
Practicing the Baptism together
Kristi & D
The Sponsors minus three
Oma & Dylan

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fall Fun

Our good friends Dave, Kylie & their daughter Aisley just bought their first home! The three of us went to celebrate their new beginnings at their housewarming party! Dylan loved seeing all his friends ;)

"I'm ready to go Dad!"
My boys
Playing with Aisley's fun toys!
Kevin came to play!
The new homeowners opening some gifts...awesome bag compliments of Jared!
Nate showing little mister some love
Tootsie grabs from the almost newlyweds!
Love from Scott & Devan!
Boys only :)
April & Chris came to town to celebrate Jared & Chris' Birthdays. It was so much fun to get together with everyone!! That Sunday Chris & April (& Baby Bright) came to visit. April is 34 weeks pregnant and looks SO adorable - a perfect round little belly & that beautiful pregnant glow. She is one of those crazy lucky Mommas that grows nowhere but the belly, doesn't have a popped out bellybutton and has NO stretchmarks (sorry April, lots of pregnant women are cursing you right now.) It is so fun to hug her and feel a baby between us. The past few times I have seen her the baby was kicking ever so lightly...not this time! BB was awake & active and I got to feel tons of little bumps. I could feel a foot and the round little tush. Her baby shower is October 9th and that will be the last time she is in town before BB's big debut. I can't believe time has passed so quickly. Can't wait to meet you little one!

Reunited & it feels so goooood!
April & Dylan
April & her pillow pile! She put Mr. Fussypants right to sleep.
The babies asleep together :)
The Bright's + 1
Chloe & Dylan didn't get the memo ;)
Ryan feeling BB kick!
Chris & Dylan
My sweet Great Aunt Polly & Great Uncle Tom sent Dylan a gift! Polly hand knitted the most beautiful blue blanket. It is so soft and cuddly, I love to wrap him up in it. We took it to church a few weeks ago and immediately got a compliment! I just LOVE handmade gifts. Thank you so much Polly!

Matches his baby blues
I love my new blankie!!
Thank you Great Great Aunt Polly

Happy October to all! We are looking forward to all the fun this fall will bring!!


Fun events to look forward to:
Dylan's Baptism
Having Chloe Blessed & the Blessing of the Animals
April's Baby Shower
Going to the Pumpkin Patch
Having a Fall Family Picinic
Dylan's First Halloween
Nate & Sirikit's Wedding
Meeting Baby Bright

So much fun just ahead :) lots of pictures to come...

A Mother's Love

"A mother's love is instinctual, unconditional, and forever."

My little love
Kissing the sweet spot...his squishy little chin! Kisses (slobbers) back for me on the nose!
My babies
Pulling my hair...Motherhood rite of passage :)