SharonAndAdam.com

Toy stores

I don’t particularily care for them.   They are eye candy for children. Frankly they overwhelm me and I end up with a head ache when I go to them.   I think most of the toys in these stores support the battery industry and are loud and obnoxious.

However, I found one that I like…Terra Toys–a locally owned and operated toy store in Austin.  I’ve been in a few times in the last week looking for the “perfect” gift.  And I found it…multiple times.  I’m still overwhelmed by the place–everything is just jammed packed to the ceiling.  But most of the toys, games and books in this store don’t require batteries and many of the games are award winning games (i.e. games that are actually educational and stimulate the mind at multiple levels).  They still carry trinkets that I hope never find their way to my house, but a lot of the play toys require imagination and pretend play.  And it’s actually kid friendly.  They have toys in each section for the kids to play with–train table, baby dolls, zoomorphs, plasma car (which Therese remembered from a previous trip and ask to ride today).

So the next time your looking for a toy/game for a child–or even an adult–give it a visit.

Happy Birthday Pookie!

Today, my Pookie Bear, turns another year older!  His age is the sum of four times Therese’s age*, five times Fulton’s age*, Gianna’s age* and the number of years we’ve been married (5 years).  [*Note: use the greatest integer function for the children's ages.]

Happy Birthday sweetheart and may all God’s love and blessings be upon you this year!

“Let’s pray…”

After a couple of weeks of reminders from Therese that we needed to make new homeless bags, we finally got them done last night.  Of course, I forgot to actually put them in the van.

So on our way back from church this morning, we saw a homeless man and the light was green and we didn’t have a bag in the car.  Lost in my thought and “to-dos,” I simply said to Therese, “Remind me to put the bags in the car when we get home.”

After turning the corner, she replies, “Mommy, let’s pray a Hail Mary for him.”

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Lord, bless those tonight without a home or food.  Surround them with your love and mercy.  Send your angels to minister to their needs.  And as the nights grow colder help them to find warmth and shelter.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

This is Joy

…sporting a new bike helmet every chance he gets….

…taking her place as princess and loving it…

… 5 full PLATES of beignets gone in less than half an hour (and it was only our family. Better come early on Sunday if you want some)…

…a new look for our home…and we love it!

Thank you

My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your prayers, consolations and beautiful words of support for our family.  I get all teary thinking of the blessing God has given us through your friendship. Many thanks to Alexis for taking care of the kids this morning while we went to the hospital.

God is so good.  Adam has been so wonderful. God could not have blessed me with a greater husband.  Thank you, dearest, for your blessing last night.   The kids have been very understanding and just bringing me book after book to read in bed.

All seemed to have gone well this morning.  My blood pressure which was very high for the last couple of weeks was normal when went in.  Your prayers have certainly brought a great deal of peace to my aching soul.  Thank you to Fr. Abraham for the annointing, Fr. Tim–your phone call meant so much, and the Srs. of Mary for storming Heaven.

Jesus I trust in you.

Gerard Francis, pray for us.

Michael Joseph, pray for us.

Gerard Francis Gretencord

Tuesday we learned that Baby G V, died.  We would have been 9 weeks pregnant this week.  We were hopeful a couple of weeks ago when our ultrasound showed a beating heart.  But our baby didn’t develop past 6w 1d.  God had different plans for this baby and our family.

We named him Gerard Francis because we learned about our little blessing on the Feast of St. Gerard, and Francis because of all the animals that have been attracted to our home (and Fulton’s fascination with St. Francis).

Tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. I will go into surgery for a D&C.  I opted this route because our last miscarriage was rather traumatic and I didn’t want to go through that again with the kids around.  I’m scared but I think this is the best thing for our family.  Thank you for any prayers you can offer.