R Family Arrives In Time For Stations

 We were so excited that Pooker and JavaJava made the trip into town so we could honor them with a Baby shower. The world is starting to get iffy out there and it was so comforting to see and hug our family. This weekend was meant to be a fun weekend. J and I would need to be preparing for the shower but the rest were meant to have fun with each other. Family time is so important. Bear would be missed, but we would call him as much as possible.

 JavaJava made sure to bring some of the beers that the girls had helped him brew when they visited Texas last month. How cool is that?!?

After eating we moved into the dining room to pray the stations. 

I love praying with these people!

Mary B Visits Chicago

Bye Mary B, have fun in Chicago. The world is getting weird out there with the fears of the Chinese virus. It is asking people to limit their travel. Mary felt comfortable going anyway. We told her that if anything came up we would be there to get her. Be safe!

Trouble with Travel?

Started on 3/3"  

Anyone else traveling outside of the US and trying to get back in this week???? Hubby was informed yesterday that he needs to arrive 3 hours in advance of his flight time for extra security checks on a flight from Toronto Canada. Now I am hoping everything goes well and we can get him back in the states tomorrow night. Anyone else having an issue?

Updated on 3/4 

J's plane landed late on the 4th. He had no problem getting through customs. This is an odd time in America! And the World!

Trade Show

Today J and I caught an early Mass and then headed to the trade show. Today I helped him, really I just sat with him. It was very quiet. We had a good day talking about the world, current events, our kids and economy and this weird thing that some are taking about - the Wuhan Virus. There are some odd predictions and precautions that they are starting to talk about.

Valentine and Mardi Gras Parade

I don't understand why any organization would have a big event that would on over Valentine's Day weekend. RUDE! Oh well at least I got to go with J this time. We had a blast. (Until the Uber driver took two hours to pick us up and needed us to walk three blocks to get to her, then dropped us off another 10 blocks from our hotel.) UGH, the street issues that are involved with Mardi Gras will discourage us from visiting again during carnival season. 

I love this guy! We have spent many a Valentine together. I am one lucky woman!

Here comes the big parade!

Notice my nails, all done up for Valentines day!

NOLO

Many months back J asked if I wanted to go with him to New Orleans in February. I sad yes, because who doesn't love New Orleans?!? As the trip got closer and closer I wasn't sure we could make it work. I had already spend the last six weeks fighting colds, flus, fevers, sore throats, kidney stone pain, and severe nasal drip. I felt ok and had for a few days, and the kids were excited to be left home alone for a few days so off we went. We forgot that it was Mardi Gras time. Happy to see some floats again but not happy to deal with the traffic. 

Mardi Gras in NOLO is such a unique experience. For us it is about watching families enjoy the parades. Seeing the color of the parades. Everything in moderation and we will have a blast.

Some Went to TX

Goobers, Possible, and Bagel reorganized their lives so that they could go visit Pooker and JavaJava. Pooker is getting bigger everyday with that baby! The first stop was WhatA Burger ad then a bunch of other familiar type adventures. 

They had Mexican food, slumber parties, learned all they could about the brewery.

The Six Brothers Brewery was established by JavaJava and his brothers. They have been creating their own beers for a few years and opened the brewery last year. Pooker and JavaJava decided to move to Abilene to be near JavaJava's family and to help brew the beer.

To this crowd there is nothing better than a little sister time.

WHATABURGER Treat for Everyone

One of the things we miss a lot from TX is WhatABurger. Remember we dressed up like WhataBurger numbers one year for Halloween. The burgers are big and yummy. The fries are thin. The chicken sandwiches with a little honey butter are to die for. J and I decided that our souvenir for the kiddos back in St. Louis would be to take them this treat home. I can't tell you how wonderful the people were to us. We told them what we were doing and that we had a large family. They got us insulated bags and marketing trinkets to share with the kiddos. 

The kids were surprised and we all enjoyed a very yummy meal. Missing Houston and all our friend and all our favorite foods.

Thank you WHATABURGER for another happy memory.

Christ The King With Bear

Bear has shared so much with us about his love of this parish. Pooker and Goobers have been to visit for Mass but we had just had a tour. Staying for Sunday morning Mass was wonderful for J and I. It was so good to see Bear in his element. He is serving God and that makes him very happy.

I warmed my mom heart seeing Bear so involved and so loved.

I love the above picture. Bear looks so happy!

This is Bear's favorite image of Our Lord. He loves that Our Lord is in priestly vestments. We miss yo so much Bear but it is so good to see you happy!

OKL Visit

Mom and Dad were given an invitation to join Bear at a form Seminarian Christmas Dinner. The dinner and Mass were held at Bear's parish that he is working at for a pastoral year. 

He loves the parish, he gets along really well with the pastor and J and I have friends in the same parish. The dinner was nice and we talked with Archbishop Coakley.  

The morning after the dinner, my friend from that parish hosted a Color Street Party. I had fun, I hope they did as well.

We then met up with Bear and had some food, did some sight seeing, went to Confession and then saw more sights.

The memorial for the OKC bombing is such a moving place to visit. The memorial is incredibly well done.

Then off to another beautiful church.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is one of my absolute favorite images of Our Lady. The door was that imagine and to enter you had to grab Our Lady's hand. It felt wonderful to hold her hand. 

We saw so many wonderful sights, and prayed in many wonderful places. The evening ended with a delicious fancy dinner with Fr. and Bear.