Moments of Mary on Mother's Day

I prayed that today would be filled with reminders of Our Heavenly Mother and that she, who knows sorrow and grief comparable to none, would provide comfort to my despondent heart.... Mary listens.

The temperature was so unseasonably cool, that we spent most of the afternoon in the back yard, enjoying the beauty of God's creation. Sunshine rescued this bright blue butterfly(?) with a damaged wing and named it "Maria".

My family so generously bestowed upon me a Star of the Sea rosary made by the hands of a friend I've never met. She didn't even know who it was going to bless. At times, holding tight to these beautiful blue beads during Mass kept the tears at bay. The profound homily given by our favorite Cistercian priest kept all of our attention riveted. After Mass, the same Cistercian father bestowed a moving blessing upon these beads of love that I will think of every time they pass through my fingers.

Litany of Mary ATCs ~ (Star of the Sea, Mirror of Justice, Refuge of Sinners, Mystical Rose)

My children contemplated the designs, I helped them visualize their designs, then they completed their own versions for trading later this month and I was "gifted" with these prototypes, not to mention, the time to indulge my creativity which is always a gift.

A giant cookie made by Husband and to be decorated later by my sweet children (that's material for another post). Husband makes the best cookies! I like to think Mary did too.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

If you love something...

From babies,

 ...to butterflies!

Stay near me--do not take thy flight!

A little longer stay in sight!

Much converse do I find in thee,

Historian of my infancy!

~from William Wordsworth

Creepy Crawlies

Dawn's boys are taking a poll on every one's favorite bugs. Our preferences are fairly obvious contenders ...Welcome to Ladybug Land! Say hello to Shortcake's little larvae, 16 to be exact, that should be turning into pupae any day before finally emerging as the little crawling critter that has captured her heart!

Sunshine has always been partial to the dainty butterfly ever since this picture was taken. She wasn't grumpy about looking like a butterfly. She was grumpy about Mama setting her up on a mall kiosk in order to take this silly picture! Crazy Mama!
Here are the second set of Painted Ladies we are growing. The first ones she got for her fourth birthday. Literally overnight, they have turned into chrysalides. (Blogger doesn't recognize that as the plural of chrysalis, but I don't care. I am a rebel!)
Only one more to go (the late bloomer on the left) before we can transfer them to the growing habitat. They have to stay in the cup until then to prevent the introduction of bacteria, as Sunshine was telling me this morning.

The Professor says his favorite bug is the cricket because of it's sound but we aren't growing any right now. Thank goodness! Ladybugs and butterflies are quiet little guests! Everyone around here has a general dislike for bees, hornets (especially Husband who was attacked while mowing the yard and stung 19 times) and mosquitoes. Basically, anything that flies and stings or bites.

So there you have it Bookworm, Crackerjack and Earlybird. Our favorite bugs!