At Last

Here is the theme song for this post: At Last  Please play as you read...

The story is too beautiful not to share. My brother Cory proposed to the love of his life last night, Marie. And I couldn't be happier! Eek. I can't stop the tears! Happy tears of course.

He had her meet him in the chapel where he was praying alone in front of Our Lord in the Eucharist. They prayed. He gave her some hydrangeas. The word hydrangea means vessel. He talked to her about how Mary was a vessel of Jesus and how much she has prayed for them in their courtship and led them to being better Christians. He proceded to ask her if she would be a vessel for his children someday and grow in relationship with the Lord together for the rest of their lives!

Then he placed this beautiful handcrafted ring on her wedding finger. A hydrangea flower with 3 petals symbolizing the trinity! Lift your jaw and check it out.

Two of my favorite people, soon to be one in some mysterious gift from God; the vocation of marriage! Love you two! Yeah, Gianna seems to make it into all our pictures these days.

My most favorite picture of them.  I mean doesn't it just look like Joseph and Mary?

The bride to be

The groom to be

The happy couple

Garden Fresh And Sloppy Kisses

My husband is amazing. Have I mentioned that before? He has a beautiful garden going and this weekend he brought some fresh flowers into the house and they are absolutely beautiful. I love having them to look at.

From dirt...

To decor!

Jacob likes to play with Gianna and sometimes he gets a little wet. The following is a snipit of his daily life.

And mom requested a picture of me. I was thinking about how Jacob and I never have pictures together anymore so we took one before our date on Saturday. Yes, I said date!

Gianna has been sitting up more now AND she rode in a cart last weekend without her car seat for the first time! She wasn't sure what to think.

Meet Shirls

My friend Shirley is an amazing woman and she is so good to us. Below is a picture of her at Gianna's feast day party! She recently sent us a package with 3 books in it. One for Jacob, one for me, and one for Gianna. I wanted to show what we have been up to with them.

Shirley!

Jacob reading the sweetest book ever to Gianna! She loves it!

And the "Holiday Bread" recipe from my book! I took a picture in the oven in case I burned it.

Phew that was close. It was so fun and easy to make! I am so proud of myself!

And tasty too. Love this pic.

Jacob received a book too about faith and politics that he can't wait to read!

THANK YOU SHIRLEY! WE LOVE YOU!

Seeing Clearly

Today was an unproductive day in the eyes of the world. I didn't get much done at all. I am pretty sure Gianna is about to get her first tooth and she has been fussy and needy. She just wanted me to hold her and play with her. So I did. I am just so blessed that I get to be the one to take care of her when she is having a rough day rather than a daycare or sitter. I consider it a productive day. Thank you Jacob for taking care of us.


Poor thing. I couldn't get a picture of her without her hands in her mouth trying to soothe herself:

With Daddy before work

I think she looks like an old lady here.

Love Language

I know it is way too early but Jacob and I have been trying to figure out what love language Gianna is. We have ruled out physical touch because she cannot sit still to cuddle for a second. We are thinking quality time and words of affirmation. Although I don't know how you could see acts of service of gifts in such a little tyke. Can't wait to see!!

Rockies game number 2

Free tickets!

She knows how to get want she wants now. 

I'm gonna get ya

Me as a baby

Gianna in the same dress! I couldn't get her to make the same pose. 

My Little Peach

I recently received feedback from several friends that they are in fact checking my blog and enjoying it too!  So, I shall continue to share the snapshots of my life.

Yesterday, I took Jacob to work so I had the car for the day. We started by going to the most miserable place on earth, the License Branch. Honestly, it's universal that every license branch has terribly slow and angry service. It is so amazing how a sweet little 6 month old face can brighten people's day anywhere we go! I feel like I have a new mission with Gianna, to just make people a little happier. Then we went to Target and and TJMAXX and everyone is just so nice to me because I have a cute smiley baby. Them they go on to share stories of babies they know and they talk to her in their oogley googley voice. Gianna LOVES the attention.

Oh and the ladies at church call her "our baby". It's pretty cute.

Exhibit A: the new plate. Bittersweet.

She loves her new drums like grandma and grandpa have!

My Inspiration for the Day

The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built the Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any Cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body.

The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creatures. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation....

What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

- Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

Oops

I forgot this cool dudette shot.

Weekend With Daddy

This weekend was so nice. We had some things planned then ended up just staying home most of the time. We just needed some quality family time. We did go bowling on Friday night with some friends and then went to a Praise and Worship night with Adoration at a nearby Seminary on Saturday. It was exactly what my heart needed.

Oh and Saturday we decided to go to some yard sales. We didn't make it very far. We ended up arriving at a park and got out to change a massive diaper/clothes change. We just drove back with a naked, happily cooing, baby and then spent the remainder of the day cleaning the car seat and car interior as well. Well, that's parenthood I guess. We laughed a lot!

Jacob is such a great dad and Gianna loves to have quality time with him!

She loves to look out the window and check up on the neighborhood just like her Great Grandma Mavis always did. 

Dad being silly with my glasses.

My favorite pic. 

Of course when dad is in charge, danger ensues. How did she do that? 

Ok maybe this is my favorite.

Half Birthday!

I can't believe it has been 6 months since Gianna was born! They grow no matter what you tell them. Gianna loves to suck her toe and laugh and she even sits up on her own for a few seconds here and there. She loves bathtime and skype and walks and never wants to miss a thing. She follows me around the kitchen and has even started to reach for a drawer right after I use it. So cute. And I have given up thinking she looks like me at all.

I give you, Gianna Marie Laskowski (aka Jacob Junior).

This face is just hilarious.

Outfit provided by two lovely ladies. Top by Emily and pants by Claire. 

PS. When Emily gave us that shirt after Gianna was born, I though she was going to be 6 before she would fit into that huge shirt.

Enjoying life like always. 

Sitting up momentarily.

PICTURES!

Mom sent me some pictures. Yay!

Having fun with Grandma 

Ooooo I love Uncle Ty

Sebastian being cute

Mom taught Sebastian to point to the church when she asks "Where is Jesus?" Adorable.

My absolute favorite! So precious.

Sebastian practicing being a gentle big brother.

Ugh. I could just squeeze this picture. 

From Home to Home

I left home to go home last Thursday for a week. My parents home will always be my home but my new home is with my new family here in Colorado. It can get confusing.

It was a great trip. I got to see my Great Uncle Father Larry, my Great Aunt Mary and cousin Barb, my in laws, and my entire immediate family except for Amber, who just arrived back from Haiti the day after I left!

I don't have any pictures to post because I didn't have my camera with me. But we took a few on my moms camera. So you will have to trust me that it was a beautiful and much needed trip!

Back to the daily grind of cleaning and trying to get Gianna back onto a normal schedule. She is exhausted today!