All This And Heaven: December 2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

New Years Eve Wedding Fun

Photo by Carson Crady

Thursday, December 28, 2017

End of Year Family Fun

Holidays always make family time so beautiful!

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Dad's last day at AlEn was today. He was happy to have it come and go but also a little sad. It is sometimes hard to say goodbye to what we have known to move forward. So we headed out for quick bite to celebrate all that this company was for J. He moved into a beautiful role as a regional manager without issue. He really advanced his career with this position. He excelled at it but the time has come to move on.

Way to go J! You did a great job and you will continue to do so in the next job.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Selling A House Keeps You On Your Toes

Ugh, so much work!

Christmas is hard work and messy. We will clean it up very quickly! It would be worth it if we sold our home.

Update! House did NOT sell. At least the house is clean.

Monday, December 25, 2017

EMT on Christmas Day

Mom:

"I am really proud of this girl. She is in uniform heading to an EMT job on Christmas Day. Thank you to all the military, police, medical staff and first responders who leave the comfort of their warm homes even during a Holiday to make sure there rest of us stay safe. Thank you Pooker!"

We were so lucky as a family to have had this young woman with us on Christmas eve. We ate our meal and saved a big portion for her. She does what she can to care for others. I love her desire to serve others so very much.

Pooker:

"I. Love. This. Job. I picked up the Texans game on Christmas Day because I do love this job. I didn’t have to and honestly they probably would have gotten the coverage they needed, but I wanted to work.

When you respect the place you give your time to it’s just so much more fun and enjoyable. I work with amazing medics that are professional, kind and competent and we have supervisors that value each of us and just make even the smallest shifts you pick up worth it. I could have been with family or friends on my day off, but I picked up to support this company because I value them so so much.

❤️ Trust that you are well taken care of if you’re ever at NRG."

Merry Christmas to all those that live their lives to serve others and to keep them safe!

Christmas Day 2017

God has been so good to my family. I look at the gifts that we are able to share with each other and am overwhelmed with gratitude.

We baked a birthday cake and the twins decorated with a ton of sprinkles. They felt that if they liked them as much as they did, then Jesus must really like sprinkles. Sound logic resulted in a yummy cake. We also left out our cookies, that we made earlier in the week and milk for Santa Clause.

The youngest ones are always the first ones up. They had to wait until everyone got to the stairs. Not easy to be morning people after a long night. We did know that Pooker would be leaving soon to work her EMT job that afternoon. They knew that they couldn't sleep in much longer and they started to awake.

Once their eyes were open everyone was too excited to go back to sleep, anyway. I mean Santa came!!!

After a morning prayer, Dad were called them off the stairs one by one. J enjoys the lead role he has for Christmas day.

I love that they go one at a time so that they can enjoy watching each other. They do enjoy watching their siblings get their gifts.

Dad was thrilled with his Coffee Bar.

We do only 3 gifts each. Jesus got three so we get three. The kids know that mom and dad help Santa buy the gifts but that he always makes sure there is a fun surprise for each child.

Cleaning up isn't as important as showing your gifts to your siblings . . .

or setting up your new coffee bar.

. . . Maybe even time will be spent putting new stickers all over the fridge.

After snacking all day dinner is always a welcomed feast.

The conversations never stop. I found it funny that Twin Adorable asked if I would switch spots with her so she and Twin Beautiful could carry on their conversations.

I always feel like Family is the BEST CHRISTMAS gift.

As we sat around still talking Pooker returned and the feast was on again!

Let's be very honest. Our house has had to be very (very) clean because it is on the market. On an event like Christmas there is not help. Even the cleanest of houses don't look clean. I used to feel like I was failing because the back room was messy while the front room looked perfect. I don't any more. I have learned that Christmas is messy behind the scenes. When I watch those Hallmark movies with the picture perfect Christmas unwrapping I often wonder to myself which room they are hiding their Christmas Mess in. It is all worth it.

I love seeing all the happy faces but more importantly I love seeing the family all love on each other. We spend much less this year on Christmas. It was still wonderful. The point isn't the cost or the mess but the joy! I am so lucky to celebrate life with these people. Thank you Jesus for letting us celebrate your birthday!

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.