Eyes, cake and crocheting (kind of a gross title...sorry)

It's been a busy week. David's surgery Friday went very well, and everything has happened just as the doctor predicted. His eyes, though still red and swollen, are clearly straightening out. It's pretty incredible that after a 3 hour surgery he could leave the hospital the same day and have newly minted eyes! Modern medicine is amazing. Thank you all who prayed (and continue to pray) for him (and me!)- it looks like a very good outcome for his eyes, and I couldn't have asked for more calm, peace and positive energy (i.e. grace) during that long day in the hospital.

Celebrating friend Katrina's birthday. I love that Rhett is the only one smiling for the camera.

Guarding the birthday cake.

You can see his eyes, though still red and puffy, look straight! I'll have to do a before/after picture once the redness has cleared.

"That was a hard row!" Did you know that Dave and Frankie crochet now? The past three nights I've found Dave on the couch crocheting.  He taught me how last night. We joked that I'll get him nice crochet needles for Father's Day, but I don't think it's a joke anymore. Thanks for a new hobby, Lola!

Easter

Bishop Loverde celebrated Easter Sunday Mass at our church this year, and he patiently agreed to pose for a family shot.

Happy Easter everyone!

Seder

The seder meal was delicious, and somber, and quick; I think we did justice to the essence of the meal. We found ourselves running out of time before 7pm Holy Thursday Mass, so we were a little rushed, but we began with this prayer for priests, passed around a glass of red wine (a sip for everyone), and dug in to hard boiled eggs, bitter herbs (parsley), homemade matzoh, and amazing roasted lamb. I hope we can make this a tradition; the meal was a good organic conversation-starter for the kids about the Last Supper, the initiation of the priesthood, and the Eucharist among many other topics. 

And now we have a solemn fast day. What are your Good Friday traditions?

Spring days and Preparing for the Triduum

Hanging out with some friends. 

Our little guy will be getting strabismus surgery on both eyes April 25- prayers appreciated!

April showers bring May flowers... but what about April deluges? 

Lola's cinnamon rolls make a great birthday cake! Our big two-year old.

Saying good-bye to some dear friends.

The first 2 year old to actually blow her candles out herself! Bravo Rose.

Donning coats again. Spring, where did you go??

One of my favorite spring blooms: viburnum. Smells heavenly.



We'll be doing a passover seder meal tomorrow night, which will be a first for us. It's hard to get into the spirit of Holy Thursday with the little ones, so I'm hoping that sharing the meal Jesus celebrated the night before He died will kick off the Triduum in a more tangible way. Here's an explanation of the symbolism behind the seder I found interesting.  I don't think we'll be doing a full-fledged seder (e.g. downing four cups of wine through the course of the meal- Rose is crazy enough at dinner time), but we'll try to get a choice few of the major symbolic pieces of the meal in there.

Anyone ever participated in one? What were your impressions?