A 90 degree day in April

We open the windows and doors...

...spend all day outside...

{hi!}

...and yes, we get in the pool.

Warning: David is about to do something only a two-year old boy weighed down by life's problems can...

...and there it went. Free at last.

Frankie taking everything in stride.

Lola sent Rose a hand-made blankie.

Can you tell she likes it? So soft!

Gotta get back to digging. Bye!

The Shroud of Turin

This is so fascinating. You may have noticed the Shroud is back in the news the past week because of Pope Francis's remarks on it and a new book of research that's come out (to be peer reviewed shortly). I didn't know the Shroud's authenticity was "debunked" in the 80's by carbon dating. Apparently that carbon dating sample has been called into question- here's the back story and an explanation of the current claim that the Shroud is from the 1st century when you have 45 minutes:

New Evidence on the Shroud

Bottom line: the carbon dating sample taken from the edge of the shroud in the 80's had medieval cotton woven into the original linen fabric, quite possibly causing incorrect carbon dating. 

Happy Easter!

"O Jesus, Divine Prisoner of Love, when I consider Your love and how You emptied Yourself for me, my senses fail me. You hide Your inconceivable majesty and lower Yourself to miserable me. O King of Glory, though You hide Your beauty, yet the eye of my soul rends the veil. I see the angelic choirs giving You honor without cease, and all the heavenly Powers praising You without cease, and without cease they are saying: Holy, Holy, Holy" (St. Faustina, 80).

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with Jeff, Kate, Lolo and Lola- we miss you all already! And a big shout out to Great Grandma Cook and Aunt Cyndy for the amazing Easter baskets and goodies! We will be enjoying their contents for weeks to come.

First time at Ben's Chili Bowl, and we all got a table together right off the bat...on Easter weekend! You can see the people packed in like sardines behind us...

Jeff, Kate and Frankie enjoying the Kite Flying Festival downtown.

When Christ seems absent

"My heart is languishing for God. I desire to become united with Him. A faint fear pierces my soul and at the same time a kind of flame of love sets my heart on fire. Love and suffering are united in my heart. "(St. Faustina, 1050).

Mary, in the deepest and darkest moments of my life, when Jesus seems totally absent, help me to remember that I am never alone; you are always here with me to comfort me and to teach me. With your help, dear Mother, I can trust that your Son's absence only appears as such and that I will experience His consoling presence again soon-- very soon. (Meditation by Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC)

"I thirst"

During Holy Mass, I saw the Lord Jesus nailed upon the cross amidst great torments. A soft moan issued from His Heart. After some time, He said, I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners (1032).

My Jesus, here I am, with You at the foot of Your Cross. Allow me to quench Your thirst. I offer You my whole being, and I place all my trust in You. May these words be to me like breathing: Jesus, I trust in You! (Meditation by Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC)

The Eucharist

"Over the bread and wine He says these words: 'This is My Blood, this is My Body.' Although mysterious, these are words of love. Then He passes the Cup among His disciples." (St. Faustina, 1002)

O Lord, how greatly You desire to dine with me, to give to me Your Body and Blood, that I may be one with You. In profound gratitude, I now offer You to the Father as You taught me to do-- for those who so need Your mercy. "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." (Meditation by Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC)

Easter eggs and fat legs