40 Days

40 Days

Is that how long it's been since I posted?  It sure feels like it!  My poor blog has been neglected lately, and I hate that.  It seems like when things get crazy, this is the first thing that goes.  I really need to get better about that so all our memories stay fresh!

I really don't know how long it has been since my last post, but that is not really what the title is about.  It is really about the 40 days of the Lenten season.  Every year, as Catholics, we are asked to give up something as a sacrifice, or to embrace something new that will make us better people.  I have seen people do this, and thought, "No way!  I could never do that!"  But this is the year I take the plunge.  I have decided to give up Facebook for Lent.  Forty days, that's all...forty days.  I promise, though, that I will try to update photos and stories here more often! 

This year, the whole family will be participating in Lent.  Well, almost.  Mia is still off the hook!  Bryan has decided to give up soda, Gannon wants to try his hand at candy, and Austyn is giving up her favorite, "little wienies" or Vienna sausage. 

Wish us luck!

Oh, and since I hate to have a post without photos, here are two of my favorites from the month:

As most of you know, Eric and Maegen are ENGAGED!!!  We just adore them together, and I am so excited to finally get the sister I have always wanted.  They are so great together, and Maegen is the perfect addition to the Duffy family.  Such a great match!

Well, when we got to Lake Charles, Maegen had a little surprise for me:

Bryan and I will get to stand beside them when they promise to be each other's forever.  I am so honored and proud!

We went home for Mardi Gras, so you know we couldn't leave without a King Cake (or two!)!!  Happy Mardi Gras, yall!

 

 

First Sacrament

On May 6, 2012, we officially welcomed our sweet Mia into the Catholic family. Coincidentally, exactly nine years ago, on May 6, 2003, Bryan and I began our fairy tale! You can read about that here. It is exciting to me that we share that special date with our little caboose--almost like book ends for our family.

We decided to have Mia baptized in Lake Charles since that is where our family is. We wanted to share this special day with the people we love, and we knew it would just be too hard for them to come see us. We are especially grateful to Nonnie for getting this set up, and to Our Lady Queen of Heaven for allowing us to baptize our angel there even though that isn't the church we currently attend.

The ceremony was beautiful, and I am thankful for my friend, Katie, for being there for us to take some photos of this event.

Also, a very special thank you to Micha and Shawn for agreeing to be godparents to our Mia-girl.

Everything about this day was perfect...Well, almost perfect. There were a few people who are very special to us that just couldn't make it, but we all lead busy lives.

Thank yall for celebrating our joys with us! We love you (those here with us, and those with us in spirit)!

I sure do wish Pawpaw D could have been here with us, and that he could know Mia, but I know he has a front row seat to everything now that he is in Heaven. 

A Whirlwind Week

To say last week was a whirlwind would be an understatement.  Mia's first week flew by so quickly we almost missed it!  Just like her birth ;)

Mia had lots of company her first week here with us.  I don't know what she thought about it, but Bryan and I sure loved every second of it!

Her very first visitor wasn't even caught on film because, like I said before, we didn't have the camera with us.  I was so sad to not have a picture of her and Laura together, but there will me more photo ops in the future.

The big brother and sister couldn't be more in love with their new little sister!  They are just so sweet to her, it melts my heart.  Watching them love on her and seeing their little hearts so full of love and pride just makes my heart explode with happiness!

 

Mimi and Pappy weren't able to make it to the hospital the day she was born because everything happened so quickly.  They made it in around midnight, so they came up first thing the next morning. 

They are totally smitten with their new little princess.

It was so great to have Mom and Dad here with us this week.  They were such a huge help.  They did all the cleaning and cooking, which really allowed me to rest and recover.

Parrain Micha even stopped by to meet the tiny princess on his way to Keller.

Mama' and Papa' made it in Friday night.  Here are their first glimpses of their fifth grand-baby...and their caboose, too!

I think it goes without saying that everyone is so excited that Mia is finally here!  I can't wait to share more with you, but it may take a little while seeing as how it took me four days to compile this post!  Ha :)

A Big Christmas Post

Time spent with family is time well spent.

Bryan and I are firm believers in this, and Christmas is no different.  Oh, how I would love to wake up in our own beds on Christmas morning, run into the living room, and see the kids' faces when they see what Santa left them.  But I cannot, for a single second, imagine missing out on all the family get-togethers in Lake Charles!  Maybe one day, but not now.

Christmas weekend kicked off with a Duffy Christmas at Uncle Geno and Aunt Penny's house.  Here are a couple shots of Austyn in the shirt that I made for her.

Not too bad for my first attempt at an applique!

Here she is again, posing with her new "paying toy"

We may have missed soccer registration this year (bad, bad, Mommy!), but G can still play, thanks to Nonnie!  That is a full-size goal in the bag!!

Baby M even got in on the action!  Thanks, Nanny Shawn!

Every year, Mom gives the best photo gifts, and this year was no different.  This is our first Christmas without Pawpaw, and Mom had beautiful photo books made for everyone.  Here is Nonnie opening hers.

And here are Aunt Penny and Nanny looking at another.

I love this picture of Austyn and Shawnee!!

Christmas morning PJ party at Mimi and Pappy's!!

Austyn just loves these nightgowns with the robes.  She calls them her princess jammies.

Whoever though of Angry Birds sure is sitting fat, now!

My little space man!

Of course, more piggy stuff!

I hope that yall had a great Christmas as well!