Pictures of a moment.

A devoted father...

Doesn't get much better than that :)

7 Quick Takes: Babbling little Thoughts.

---1---

The cold is making me crazy! Okay, so it's not snowing and the roads aren't bad at all, but here in middle America, it's freezing and I just want to go out walking in the park with my dear little 8 month old and push her on the baby swing. We are, however, staying very warm in our lovely apartment and I cannot thank my hardworking husband enough for letting me crank the heat. Although, it's time to get fresh air, I can't complain when it comes to staying in with pj's on and some hot cocoa in my hands while watching this little girl play contently with her toys.

---2---

Stay at home moms have it good. That is-- stay at home moms with only one healthy and happy child to take care of, who aren't home owners, who live simply (not having a lot of things to have to dust or clean), and who like to be hermits... have it good :)  I must say, I am content with this simple life of laundry, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of a cute kid. Today is a good day, especially when we are having leftovers for dinner!

---3---

Christmas is over... time to take down the lights. Outside, I mean. My goal for next week is to actually accomplish this task. As soon as we got back from our Colorado visit a couple of weeks ago, I packed up all of the Christmas decorations  that were in the apartment. I just couldn't get to the outside (in part due to the bitter cold). I will I will I will take the lights down by next week... or month ;)

---4---

I have gotten back to reading books (educating, non-fiction books!) instead of spending my pre-bedtime  watching Netflix. It's kind of liberating! We were subscribed to Catholic Answers our first year of marriage and we received a pretty thick book with it, so I am finally getting around to reading it, and it's pretty awesome, I must say! I've also checked out a book on my kindle about a girl who grew up in the Scientology religion and finally escaped. Pretty interesting and scary. So there ya go, a good start to picking up books again, I think. One of these days, I'll finally be able to reread some philosophy books from college.

---5---

Paul and I still say, "I can't believe we're married! I can't believe we have a kid!" Haha, It's still so new to us! We are halfway through our second year of marriage and it still feels like we just got engaged... lucky us. 

---6---

Every night before Agnes goes to sleep, we say family night prayer. We take her into our room, put her on our bed, and we pray. Last night was no different, except the time we spent playing with her before we prayed. It was precious to see her interact with daddy and it was great for me because we tired her out a bit before her diaper change and stories. She really lights up our lives and you can tell just how much joy she gives Paul.

---7---

Groundhog is just around the corner! And, boy, do I wish we were going to be down in Texas for all of the festivities!! It all starts next Thursday night at my alma mater. They have get-togethers across the country so Paul and I will be attending one, here, in Missouri. It's not the same as being there with all of our friends and this year, my oldest sister and her husband will be going, too... darn, but at least we get to do something to celebrate! Maybe next year we will make it down there... I can only hope :)

My New Year's Resolution

Today is the feast Day of St. Agnes and I never really celebrated Feast Days before... unless it's a holy day of obligation. I just finished Scott and Kimberly Hahn's Rome Sweet Home.

I had been meaning to read it the past two years and never got around to it (and eventually forgot all about the book). My mother-in-law leant me the book sometime in 2012 and a couple of days ago, I found it on our book shelf. It was a very fast and interesting read. It made me realize just how out of it I am when it comes to being Catholic. I mean, do I know scripture? I don't really read the bible or study it (just in a class I took freshman year of college and let's be real, it was required), I'm not well versed in the works of famous theologians, and honestly, some of the names Scott and Kimberly cited having to do with their conversion are unfamiliar.

Soooo, guess what I'm going to do? My very best at educating myself further in my faith. Yes, on this Feast Day of St. Agnes, I have decided to read more, pray more, and live the liturgy better. I want my little Agnes to grow up and be able to know that her mommy can answer any questions when it comes to our faith and how we are supposed to live as Christians and Catholics.

So there ya go. My New Year's resolution... it always takes me a while to figure it out every year, but at least I do ;)

Christmas in the West and Midwest!

This wasn't the traditional Christmas gathering for our family. First, Paul and I already knew he didn't have Christmas eve and the day after Christmas off from work so there was no way that we could spend it together in Colorado with my family. So we planned on spending it with Paul's family (who live two hours away from us). A few weeks before Christmas I found a very good price on a plane ticket... and Paul and I decided to go with it! Agnes and I were going to spend Christmas eve with Paul and then fly out to Colorado Christmas day and spend it with my brother, sister, and parents. So on Christmas eve, we opened some presents, went to midnight mass at the basilica, and took a couple of family pictures.

Agnes' first Christmas present from her parents... she seems a bit uninterested.

Grandma and baby girl.

We were lucky enough to have Aunt Kristi come for Christmas.

Paul's family.

The following day Agnes and I traveled on two planes, Christmas day, to beautiful, colorful Colorado! I had such anxiety about flying solo with her. It just wasn't something I imagined doing alone so soon. I knew I'd have to do it at some point but I thought I had at least a few years before it'd happen. I know she does well on planes, but I had help then (my mom actually accompanied me on her first plane ride back in August). This trip, I brought our big stroller with me and I lugged her diaper bag, my wrap, and my purse (along with a blanket, her coat, and my coat) along. My mom advised me to bring the stroller and gate check it and oh my goodness am I glad I followed her advice! Also, since we went to midnight mass and her whole sleep schedule was mixed up, she slept peacefully on both flights and I had no complaints from the other passengers. Two women, both moms, sat next to me (one actually switched with another woman who was eyeing us when she realized she'd be sitting next to us, but other than that, things went awesomely!

We arrived safely and smoothly, with a lovely welcome from my dad and sister, at the Colorado airport, drove to my parent's house, and opened presents before having a lovely dinner cooked by my mother.

42 years together and still so in love <3

My sister, Katy, with Agnes and me.

The Christmas Clan: Dad, Mom, Katy, and Tim (and Agnes)

Great siblings!

Agnes and I spent the next couple of weeks in Colorado spending time with my mom, Tim, and his girlfriend/ one of my best friends from college, Kelly Ann. Katy left a couple of days after Christmas to go back to California and work. My dad went to New York for a week to see family (if you could please pray for my uncle and his family, I know they'd really appreciate it). 

We had a great time! I even got to introduce Agnes to one of my best friends from high school. It was a much needed vacation and my mother took very good care of us. Paul eventually arrived by car (he actually surprised me by coming one day early... and don't worry, I didn't almost shoot him this time lol)

It was a pleasant surprise and we went to dinner as a family (with Tim, mom and dad). Here are a few (ok, a lot!) more pictures of our visit!

Spending quality time with Auntie Katy giving and receiving kisses.

After a day out shopping, we went to lunch. Agnes is such a well behaved little squirt!

Uncle Tim was so good with her and she, him.

Tim and Kelly Ann

We also got hooked on a board game: Settlers of Catan (heard of it?) ADDICTING!!

Agnes also got close with Grandpa when he returned.

Grandma was her best friend by the end of the trip.

Agnes really does not like to sit in a high chair correctly. She's such a fidgeter. 

Our happy little family.

Getting grandma kisses.

It was such a great visit! Thankfully Agnes and I won't go as long as we did before without seeing my mom. She will be coming to visit in February to keep us company while Paul goes down to Texas for a meeting. So let the countdown begin!! :D