The Story of a Little Girl and Cupcakes

On Sunday, Sarah helped me make cupcakes for our family Superbowl celebration. Sarah is almost two and a half, and she is such a great help in the kitchen. She helps me throw trash away, put dishes in the sink, load & unload the dishwasher, and even helps me cook and bake.

We're so happy that Sarah is showing an interest in helping around the house. We still have the normal two year old meltdowns, but every now and then we get a glimpse of her all grown up.

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4 years

Our marriage in quotes...

The First Year

Me: "I'm not coming out"

Me: "Where's all the food? How does one live on bread and beer?" (Day after our wedding)

Matt: "Why don't you use a cup when brushing your teeth. What are you, a savage?"

Matt: "I love you"
Aisha: "I love you more"
Matt: "I love you the most... I win."

The Second Year

Aisha (frantic) : "Are you coming home soon?"
Matt: "I'm on the road. Are you okay?"
Aisha: "I'M PREGNANT
Matt (dead silence)............ (crickets chirping)

Matt: Are you sure
Aisha: Yes I'm sure
Matt: Can...Can you take another one?

Matt: What am I looking at?
Aisha: Can't you see our baby?
Matt: I can't tell what that is, but let's hope for its sake it looks human in about 9 months.

Aisha: "Isn't she beautiful?"
Matt: "Yeah, she really is.."

One month later....

Matt: "Why do people have kids?"

The Third Year

Aisha: "Do you love me?"
Matt: "Sometimes"

The Fourth Year

Aisha: "Hey Honey...."
Matt: "No. I'm tired. I have a headache. Its my time of the month. I have a meeting in the morning...I"
Aisha:........
Aisha: " Where's the computer paper?"

To many more years with my companion, best friend, lover and most of all, husband! :-D


Aisha

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New Year, New Journey, New Resolutions

Well Dear Friends, it's another year. Last year was a whirlwind. I don't think a year has ever passed so fast in my life, but it did. The biggest event of last year was our move to Colorado. So here we are in a different state.

I've been thinking lately about goals and resolutions. I like the idea of writing things that I would like to accomplish in the coming year. I don't hold myself to unrealistic standards or become disappointed when I don't reach my goals; but they're still always fun to do. I hope that I can look back at some of these and feel accomplished that I achieved at least a couple! So without further ado...

2010 New Year Goals

Personal Goals

• Pray Liturgy of the Hours as often as I can
• Stick to my devotions
• Lose at least 10 pounds
• Improve my posture
• Read at least 30 books
• Get at least a 3.5 GPA for school
• Volunteer in the community
• Update the blog at least twice a week
  

Goals with Sarah

• Potty Trained (at least during the day)
• Celebrate at least 20 Saints
• Start a preschool program with her (days when she's not in school)
• Work on discipline and obedience

Family Goals

• Start working towards our goal of "living off the grid" (more on this later)
  
• Join a CSA for produce and possibly meat
• Encourage Matt to hunt
• Save up and acquire a deep storage freezer
• Learn how to can
• Live totally debt-free...no credit cards ect..
  

Well, it will be interesting to see what we accomplish this year. I will continue to update the blog on our progress. :-)


Aisha

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Lions and Tigers and Bears.. Oh My!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Yesterday, the family packed up and went to visit the local zoo. The zoo is built on the side of Cheyenne Mountain and is one of two mountain zoos in the entire nation. The weather was pretty good the time that we spent there. It was a lot of fun visiting a zoo in the off season; it was practically empty when we went. The best part is that we were able to see a lot of active animals!

Cheyenne Zoo has one of the largest herds of giraffes. We were able to feed them!

The ferrets are trying to keep warm in the 40 degree weather.

When they're not killing, lions actually like to lounge around

We've been known to be a bunch of animals

The only species of bear that lives in South America

The Lone Wolf.
We had actually had a fun time learning about Rocky Mountain animals.

The view of Colorado Springs from a fire tower.
We also learned quite a bit about fires in the local mountainous areas.

Sarah had a wonderful time at the zoo!

I also took two videos. The first video is Sarah and Matt feeding the giraffes. This zoo is supposedly the only one in America, where you can feed giraffes. In the second video, we found a peacock just strolling around the area. Sarah was quite fascinated by it!

A great outing for all!


Aisha

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Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It refers to Mary being free from the stain of original sin, ever since her very existence. Even though she was conceived normally by her parents, God preserved her from sin so that she may carry the Christ child. It is with this, that she wholeheartedly (with free will) accepted God's call and carried Christ within her womb.

The church from early on accepted that Mary was free from sin, but it took many years to fully understand it. God reveals what he wants to the church, in his own time, and in a way that we all can better understand. Finally, "Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed on December 8, 1854:

"The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin."link

With this we better understand the meaning of "Mary, full of grace."

We also remember today and on her feast day, St. Bernadette; a little french peasant girl who was visited by Mary, not but four years after the dogma was proclaimed. Bernadette asked the woman that she saw, who was she? After three times, Mary finally replied "I am the Immaculate Conception." Bernadette, not having a clue what this meant, ran back and told her parents. At the spot where Mary revealed herself, a spring appeared. To this day, there have been over 60 documented "miraculous healings." How awesome! :-)

Today we took it easy and colored some pages and talked about Mary and Bernadette. What a perfect time in Advent to celebrate this event in Mary's life!

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Our St. Nicholas Celebration

Everyone had a great time yesterday, especially Sarah. We all woke up and went downstairs only to find some treats in Sarah's shoes. She was snacking on candy quite a bit yesterday.

After opening the treats, I began making St. Nick rolls. Unfortunately, I didn't factor in rising time, so it took longer than I had hoped. Matt went out and grabbed coffee while I was finishing up in the kitchen.

After breakfast, we all decorated the Christmas tree together, and by all, I really mean me. Matt was keeping Sarah distracted. She was very fascinated by the Christmas lights. It was quite fun listening to Christmas music and relaxing with the family.

All in all, we had a great day yesterday. I think we may have a new family tradition of decorating the tree on St. Nicholas's Feast Day.

Our day in pictures....

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St. Nicholas Prayer

St. Nicholas,
holy patron of children, Bishop of the East,
we invite you to come among us
and to grant us your holy blessing.

Help us in this busy, busy season not to miss
the miracle of the coming of Emmanuel
in the days of preparation
as well as on the feast itself.

Help us not to be blind
to the gifts of getting ready.

Protect us from insincerity.
May every greeting we send
be signed with love, friendship and prayer.
May our greetings, so written,
be fun to open and treasures to keep.

Save us all from the anxiety over what to give
so we may concentrate on how to give.

But most of all, jolly saint of toys and sweets,
help us stay youthful,
humorous, playful and dream-filled
as we prepare together
for the coming of the Christ.

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