tres años

A thousand miles away, but still so close, these beautiful lilies arrived today. You can already smell them throughout the house. :)Three years ago today, I became the luckiest girl in the world. Every day, I am very conscious of just how blessed I am to be married to such an amazing man. I'll never forget for the rest of my life the way I felt when I woke up the morning of our wedding. It was a sense of calm and serenity that was so intense, I can still recall it vividly. Almost something you can't put into words. I knew that no matter what life would bring, as long as I had John by my side, it would be a wonderful life. It's a simple life--but completely extraordinary because we have eachother.

Thank you everyone for all your anniversary wishes to John and I. The calls, the beautiful cards with kind words--we love having you in our lives and watching our families come together over these past 5 years. Celebrating with you 3 years ago made the day all the more special.

Cloud Nine (Toddler-style)

Before Lola was born, John's co-workers threw him a little shower and gave us a very generous gift card to BuyBuyBaby (the BEST baby store on Earth). We've been holding on to it for quite sometime, so today, with our coupons in hand (you can use your Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off ones there), we headed up to Downers Grove to do some shopping. And we got some great things!

Lola is totally obsessed with babies and strollers. She's got several babies, but we hadn't yet gotten her a stroller of her own--something I've been meaning to do for I swear a month already. It was worth the wait because I don't know if I've ever seen her happier with a toy! I can't tell you what it does to my heart watching her be a little "mommy" to her baby-doll.

In addition to the cool stroller, we got some other goodies including an adorable pair of Pediped shoes (perfect for the fall), a neat placemat, some frilly socks to pair with her Mary Janes and a pair of pink tights for her jumpers.
For some reason, they had this new style on sale for $19 (usually $32.) And with my $5 off coupon--we scored them for $15. What a steal! These are GREAT shoes for babies/toddlers.
And then Mommy was able to get herself something she's been wanting for well over a year--a stroller cup holder--this one has pockets for everything!
And a stroller snack tray for Lola, with spots for sippys!

THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT AWESOME GIFT!

The Natural

God gives certain people special gifts--ones that we marvel at. We call such people "natural talents" in life. Our sister Renee is one of them. The confections she whips up are not only delicious, but they are simply amazing to look at! Exhibit A: the birthday cake below. This is an example of Renee's first crack at working with Fondant. Um, yeah. Pretty impressive, wouldn't you say?! It's a two-tiered birthday cake, with a mocha moose filling. 

Renee's coming up for a few weeks at the end of January/early February to attend the master course at Wilton in Chicago. We can't wait for her to stay with us and enjoy the yummy confections she brings home nightly. If this is what she's doing before the course, we can't even imagine what she's going to be able to do after it!

St. Padre Pio da Pietrelcina

Today is the feast of Padre Pio. He is special to our family--of all Nana's devotions, none was more special to her than Padre Pio. She often donated to Vera Calandra, who began the Padre Pio Foundation of America--to raise awareness for the cause of his sainthood. Ronnie & I had blessed relics of Padre Pio hanging over our bassinets, as did Lola. A stigmatic and humble servant of the Lord, he was Beatified in 1999 and Canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Oh, and did I mention he's ITALIAN? :)

Mystic, Confessor, Stigmatic

For 50 years he suffered the five 

wounds of the crucifixion.

A true victim with Christ.

A credible sign to our time.

A channel of grace.

His Sanctity attracted souls

and moved them toward Christ.

His Spiritual Family is open

to all -- "They will know and 

I will know," he said to me."

Uh-oh.

We already know she's a shoe addict (like her father). But now showing signs of expensive taste in handbags? I guess I'll have to take the heat for that one.

Prayers for Britt--

Say a little prayer for my sister Brittany today, please. She's having reconstructive plastic surgery on two certain body parts--her body has gone through some trauma these last 5 years with everything she's had to endure. So today, she's going in for a little re-work, compliments of the insurance company. We're praying the surgery goes well and safe and her recovery is quick!

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

I'm going to attempt something on Sunday afternoon most people probably don't try with a one-year-old. I'm going to take her with me to go see a movie...in the theaters! I am dying to see "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"--I loved this book as a kid and I fell in love with it all over again a few years ago when I was the Librarian at one of my schools. I'll let you know how it goes and if it was a genius idea--or a ridiculous one! I'm praying she loves it as much as I do. Maybe if I read it to her a few times before we go, something might click!

The classic book cover--

The movie poster--

Labor Day Weekend 2009

We headed up to the lake for Labor Day Weekend, making it Lola's first official trip up there and her first boat ride. It was a beautiful day, filled with lots of sunshine and laughs. After a nice relaxing day, Dad & Sue treated us to the Prime Rib Buffet at Lake Lawn Lodge--she keeps impressing us with her excellent manners when we're out in public. The fellow diners were quite entertained by her as well.

Lola and Grandma hanging out on the lawn. Bringing the Pack'n'Play was an excellent idea!

She only looks like she doesn't mind the life jacked. She was NOT thrilled with the idea of wearing it.

I love this picture of her and Sue. It's crazy to think the first time she brought me up to the lake I was only 7 years old...

Helping Papa drive the boat.

She really loved being of assistance.

Our little trio...Lola is passed out!

"Hey, I want some..."

"WHAT?! You're not going to share?"

Generations of Catholics

• tra·di·tion  Pronunciation: \trə-ˈdi-shən\
• Function: noun 1 a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable 2 : the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction

This morning, 4 generations of St. George Catholics celebrated the close of our parish's 75th year with Mass given by Cardinal Francis George. The theme for the anniversary year was "Home to Generations of Catholics" and today, that really hit me--4 generations of my family were celebrating Mass together. Papa Kurek (and Lucy), my Mom, John & I, and the youngest generation--Lola. 

The love and devotion I have for my faith was instilled in me by the two generations that preceded me. It is a gift, passed down from one to the next. And John and I feel blessed to be able to pass it down and share it with Lola. It is our Catholic tradition. 

I made a very good friend in Martha Peña (here with Lola) while working with the 75th Anniversary committee these past 2 years.

Our Shepard, Cardinal George, speaking to his flock :) 

As all good Catholics do, we "broke bread together" and celebrated with lots of food afterwards!

Since Lola is always an angel and eats all the "healthy" food I give her, we thought she deserved to eat not one, but TWO brownies for dessert! Shockingly, she took a great nap this afternoon.

The Farm

Oh, to live on a farm. I wouldn't mind. Our Dad always threated to send us there when we were misbehaving...

A neighboring town was hosting a "Harvest Day" celebration this weekend, so we took Lola there this morning. We had so much fun!

We drove over to the farm from the parking lot on a hayride, through the woods.

 Lola enjoyed it.

As soon as we got on the farm, we spent a little time taking in the antique tractor display. It was awesome. And all three brands of tractors held a little special meaning to us...

The Farmall by McCormick--by Mother's madien name...

A John Deere (Sam's biggest client).

And an Internaltional Harvester--Papa Kurek worked for Harvester for a LONG time.

Lola loved "driving"...

Mommy wanted to try, too.

Then we went and visited the Monarch butterflys before then went back to Mexico. I was a little surprised to see one taking a break on Lola's arm--she wasn't.

"You're going to let me hold one?"

She was going for the poor things wings. Discovery, I guess.

Then we went and painted a little fall decoration.

And of course had to swing for a bit.

And a new park adventure--the see saw. A little unsure, at first.

But sheer enjoyment once we started bobbin'.

We ended with a sweet Italian treat-Gelato!