All This And Heaven: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

Twin Love (New Trait - Holding Hands)

I can't believe that they are already 16 months old. It looks like they have grown too big for their crib. That will be true very soon but they are cuddling in one corner, the rest of bed is wide open. They crack me up. They no longer fall asleep cuddled with me they like being together.

Beautiful on left and Adorable on right

More selfies. What is the fascination with taking pictures of yourself?

Sugar

Possible

I do love watching them sleep.

Beautiful on top of picture and Adorable on bottom.

These next few pictures happened within a few days of each other. I LOVE waking into a room and seeing this.

Beautiful - Adorable

This is only cute when you ignore the food splattered on the wall behind them. Yuck! I will get right on that while you enjoy these precious looks from sister to sister.

Beautiful - Adorable

Trying something new with these two. Word flash cards with them while they are very young. All the bigger kids want me to give it a try. we will see.

More love:

Adorable - Beautiful

This last one if one of my all time favorite pictures. The quality is awful. Like I said before I am finding that my quality of pictures is going way down just to capture these precious twin moments.

Adorable - Beautiful

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Sugar's Gift for the Twins

The twins used very special planets last year that are a tad too small for this year. They are very special to them according to us so we didn't know what to do with them. Sugar came up with the perfect solution. She created these fantastic huge body pillows for the babies. Twin Adorable gets the brown one with the elephants on it and Twin Beautiful gets the pink one with the monkey face.

Sugar did a wonderful job on these.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Bears Birthday

Bear is officially an adult. (He does act pretty mature most of the time.) He was more embarrassed by the entire process than he was celebrating. That was until we got to the point where we came home and his big sisters decided to take him out for cigars -which he could legally purchase on his own. No one in our home is a smoker but that once in awhile puff has become a rare treat for Pooker and Goobers (Maybe once every six months with their dad at the fire pit.) It was Duncan's big night. Unfortunately J wasn't feeling well (we think he might be struggling with gall bladder disease so pray for him please). Bear was pumped. I love how all these siblings are really best friends. I think it is evident in these pictures.

Sugar is a little sad today - she and Bear are no longer twins (or at least the same age.) She is so silly and it drives Bear crazy. He is extremely happy that the twin comments will end for another months.

Time for another family Dinner. He wanted to go out to Chili's.

Adorable

Everyone says happy birthday Bear! We all love you!

back row - Pickle - Twin Adorable - Sugar - Bagel - Princess
middle row - Goobers - Pooker - Bear
front row /laps - Jumba - Twin Beautiful

If Bear continues to search to be a man of God in whatever path he goes down, I know he will make us proud. Happy birthday big guy.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Crazy Shaving Cream Play

Yes I did say "Shaving Cream". It can be a blast to play with and it isn't expensive. In essence it is soap so it washed off easy, and leaves everything clean.

It wasn't just the babies that enjoyed this adventure.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Princess Has Her First Youth Group Meeting

Oh my goodness this young lady was very very excited about going to her first Middle School Youth Group meeting. She had been looking forward to it for weeks and the night was finally here. The new youth minister at this parish had been friends with Pooker during the LifeTeen and Confirmation years. The parish hired this local homeschooled woman after her degree from Franciscan University. We knew the program would be solid and it was being led by someone we knew and trusted. This girl was over the moon excited.

In the end only 3 young girls (Princess and one of the other girls are both in the homeschool group) showed up. I know the program will grow and grow. Princess had a blast planning all the future activities.

What will I see here?

Take a peek into our life as a big family in Houston, TX. Welcome to the electronic journal for the Texas T family. This blog was created to share some moments of our life with you. Often having 11 children (including twins), homeschooling, and being incredibly active in our Catholic faith we are asked “How do you do it?” We invite you to look around, sign up as a follower, and peek into the answer to that question. Remember we are not a perfect family; but I won't post the bad stuff.

Thanks for visiting, Neen

The Nicene Creed

We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help ~ Pray For Us!

Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church you are also our Mother of Perpetual Help. With hearts full of love for you we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart so that we may be your devoted children. Obtain for us true sorrow for our sins and fidelity to the promises of our Baptism. We consecrate our minds and hearts to you that we always do the Will of our heavenly Father. We consecrate our lives to you that we may love God better and live not for ourselves but for Christ, your Son and that we may see Him and serve Him in others. By this humble act of consecration dear Mother of Perpetual Help we pledge to model our lives on you, the perfect Christian. So that, consecrated to you in life and in death we may belong to your Divine Son for all eternity. Amen

St. Joseph ~ Pray For Us!

NINE-DAYS NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH (Note: This prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometime during the 16th century, it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. It is said that whoever shall read this prayer or take it with them, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.) Say this prayer for nine days for anything you may desire. Then let go and let God. Trust that whatever is the outcome of your novena is truly what is best for you in accordance with the will of God.) O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your intention)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote to a couple that had a miscarriage. In response to their question, “What is going to happen to my child? The child didn’t get baptized,” St. Bernard said, “Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb — were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.”

St. Jude ~ Pray For Us!

(Novena say this for 9 days) Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (make your request here)- and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

St. Anthony of Padua ~ Pray For Us!

Holy Saint Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were always ready to request for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of miracles. Gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy, take my petition to the Infant Savior for whom you have such a great love, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.