Before I got out of bed this morning, I flipped on my iPod to say my morning prayers. I didn’t get very far before the horde descended. But at least it was a reminder about today’s joyous feast. I was able to tell Isabella: “Today’s is Holy Mary’s birthday!” Oh the wonderful light and wonder in her eyes! Mary is Isabella’s hero. To be able to celebrate her birthday is a little bit of magic. Thanks be to God for the grace of those quiet moments of prayer and the ability to get a jump on today’s feast. (I wish we’d been able to get to Mass; but well, I guess I can’t do everything.)
After I got dressed, the girls and I went out and picked a bunch of our sunflowers. We put them in vases for Mother Mary’s birthday. Later we went back and added some marigolds too.
We did finish our morning prayers after breakfast. The girls and Ben all on my bed with me as I recited the prayers. They didn’t participate much; but at least we were together. And there wasn’t too much squabbling. I just had to stop the girls kicking each other about a dozen times, that’s all.
This morning was grocery day. I was starting to feel like Old Mother Hubbard. While we were walking down the aisle with the baking goods so that I could get baking powder and muffin papers, Isabella started planning Sophie’s birthday cake: “Can we get sprinkles for Sophie’s birthday cake?” I had to explain that Sophie’s birthday is in March, a long time away. But then when we got to the bakery, I went ahead and splurged on a 5 inch chocolate cake with sprinkles. The girls were thrilled. We’ll have a nice treat after dinner.
I’ve been playing my Mary playlist all day, since right after I came in with the sunflowers. It’s a collection of all the Marian hymns, songs, etc. from my iTunes library. I originally began to compile it last year on the Feast of the Annunciation and at that time I posted my list on the blog. I’ve since added quite a bit more so I thought I’d publish my updated list. I just love listening to this music. It fills my home with Mary’s serenity. And reminds me to pray, too.
An English Ladymass by Anonymous 4
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber Rosary Sonatas performed by Pavlo Beznosiuk
(Unfortunately, I only have disk 1 for some reason. I’m missing the last of the Sorrowful Mysteries and all of the Glorious Mysteries.)Regina Caeli,
Salve Regina,
Alma Redemptoris Mater,
Ave Maria, Ave Maris Stella
from the album O Lux Beatissima: A Treasury Of Gregorian Chant by Cantores In EcclesiaA Maiden Most Gentle,
I Saw a Maiden
from the album Christmas Carols from Tewkesbury Abbey by The Choir Of Tewkesbury Abbey SchoolAve Maris Stella,
Regina Coeli,
Ave Virgo Gloriosa
from the album Ad Gloriam Dei by Collegium Cantorum (of the University of Dallas)Salve Regina by Dana
Regina Caeli by Daughters of Saint Paul
from the album Tantum ErgoRegina Coeli
from the album Passie En Passen by Gregoriaans Abdijkoor GrimbergenFranz Schubert: Ave Maria performed by Ingrid Kertesi; Laszlo Kovacs: Budapest Camerata
Hildegard Von Bingen: Alleluia – O Virga Mediatrix, Alleluia – O Virga Mediatrix performed by Jeremy Summerly: Oxford Camerata
from the album A To Z Of Classical MusicAntiphon and Magnificat
by the Monks of the Solesmes Congregation
performed by the Monastic Choir Of The Abbey Of Notre-Dame Of Fontgombault
from the album Saint BenedictThe Seven Rejoices Of Mary,
Sciathluireach Mhuire (Mary’s Breastplate),
O Pia Virgo (Oh Blessed Virgin)
from the album The Darkest Midnight by Noirin Ni RiainMagnificat Cum Alleluia,
O Viridissima Virga by Hildegarde von Bingen
from the albumVox De Nube
by Noirin Ni Riain & The Monks of GlenstalMother Of All Mankind from the album Abba Pater by Pope John Paul II
Ave Maria—Schubert
Ave Maria—Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria—Caccini/Mercurio
from the album Sacred Arias by Andrea BocelliAve Mundi Spes Maria, sequence
by the Benedictine Monks Of Santo Domingo De Silos
from the album ChantAve Maria
by the Benedictine Monks Of The Abbey Of St Maurice And St Maur
from the album Salve ReginaAve Maria
by Chanticleer
from the album Chanticleer, A PortraitAve Maria
by Chole Agnew
from the album Celtic WomanAve Maria
by Harry Connick Jr
from the album When My Heart Finds ChristmasAve Maria
by the Kiev Chamber Choir
from the album Valentin Silvestrov: Sacred WorksThe Waltz of the Sorrowful Mysteries
by L’Angelus
from the album Ca C’Est Bon!Ave Maria
by Richard Proulx and The Cathedral Singers
from the album Catholic Latin ClassicsAve Maria Stellis
O Sanctissima
by Rolf Lislevand
from the album Jul I Gammel Tid
Cute kids indeed! And I loved the stories that went along with the photos
Okay, so, I disagree with the title of this post. Far more fitting would be: My Kids Are So, So, So Incredibly Cute.
‘Cause they ARE. My goodness.
Your kids are cute. 8^) I think my favorite might be Ben in the purple jacket…
aww, the links to the photos lead to error about photos being in a private album…
Melaniel, thank you for posting those wonderful photos and telling us about the counter-cultural microcosm of society aka your home that you have there.
We read articles which tell us of the value of the family and its importance for society – your family will be one which will help to re-Christianise society – “see how they love one another.”
So much cuteness! And Bella is looking very tall and leggy these days.
Thanks, everyone! My title was mean to be sort of self-deprecating. I finished all my quick takes and realized that every single one was about the kids and I figured since I looked like I was bragging on them, I might as well title it as such.
Sharon, The little acts of love and kindness are far outnumbered by the number of times a day I must repeat: “Don’t hit your sister! Don’t bite your brother! Don’t push your sister! Share!” I feel like a broken record. But we’re working on the loving one another and I record those moments as much to remind myself that they are making some progress. (I’m not so sure about how much progress I’m making.)
Kathryn, She is very tall and leggy. Definitely takes after my side of the family.
Soujourner, That’s one of my favorites too. Though I didn’t quite get the shot I was trying to capture. He absolutely insisted that he had to wear Sophie’s raincoat on this hot, sunny afternoon. It seems that small boys who have older sisters often find themselves dressed in rather girly clothes.