
Tag: Family
WPC: One Love
In my world one love has a domino effect.
Matthew 22: 36-38 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”37 He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.
1 John 3:16a The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us.
Matthew 22: 39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (represented by my beloved family)
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.
authors note: Photo cred for the crucifix belongs to me @terezpics. However, photo cred for the group photo of my family goes to KYon Photography. Check out more of her pictures on Facebook.
Countdown to Coming Home
My second child, Joshua, has been living in Asia since early 2007. Between his two younger brothers keeping us super busy, the distance, time difference and travel expense we haven’t seen him quite as much as we would like.
Don’t get me wrong – we have seen him. Just not as often as my mama heart wants. He has been home to Texas a couple of times and we were fortunate enough to travel to Beijing in 2008 to see him.
We also had an amazing trip to Japan in October 2013 to witness his marriage to a beautiful young Japanese woman, Emma, and spend time with her family in their home.
But – it’s been a while. The last time he was stateside was 4.5 years ago and the last time I was able to hug him was during our trip to Japan.

Our family has grown and changed a lot since 2011

My kids have changed a lot too in the last several years
The time is coming though.
Having booked their tickets during the summer I have been waiting impatiently for their arrival day. Trying to be cool I’ve done my best to avoid a daily countdown.
But now it’s December 1.
It’s officially the Christmas season.
And they’ll be home in just a matter of days.
Soon, all my little birdies will be in the same town at the same time.
It’s been over 2 years since we saw him in person.
My heart is so excited.
My heart is soooooo excited.
My heart can hardly get through the days it’s so excited.
They are coming home. Let the official daily countdown begin.
A Whole Lotta Sauce
Spaghetti sauce, that is.

When you’re hosting lunch for a crowd you need to have a lot of whatever you are serving. For Saturday’s feast I chose spaghetti and today I made this huge pan of sauce.
Yum.
I won’t have time to make it on Saturday so I’ve stayed ahead of the game by getting it ready early. My house smelled delicious as the ingredients came together and it simmered on the cooktop.
Why am I hosting a big crowd for Saturday lunch? To celebrate Ben’s Confirmation and Gianna’s 3rd birthday.
Three years ago today my beautiful granddaughter arrived and she has been keeping us on our toes ever since. My daughter said it best on Instagram when she stated, “She brings laughter, joy and many moments to practice holiness everyday!”
That’s my girl and I sure do love her. 🙂
Ben is being confirmed on Saturday. He is growing up so fast and he has grown into a wonderful and handsome young man. I am so proud of him.

It’s going to be a great big celebratory, happy, family weekend.
I love these moments.
Romans 12:10
Love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.
A New Beginning
This is my brand new blog. Focusing on my family, my faith and my photography. I’ve had another blog for 3 years but for a variety of reasons I decided to shut the old one down and start fresh.
Here’s to taking chances.
Following are tidbits about who I am. It’s pretty much a copy and paste of my ‘about me’ profile. But, this way, if you don’t feel like clicking on anything we’ve still been formally introduced.
So….Hello! My name is Teresa and I am a Wife, Mother, Nana, Sister & Friend.
I have a big family whom I adore. And our ‘village’ works hard to support one another.
I am Catholic, I love Jesus and I love my faith.
I am pro-life and pray that the world will have a conversion of heart and come to believe that once conceived all lives matter.
The cast of characters in my life include but are in no way limited to…
My husband: Ronald
My Kids: Krista and husband Leslie, Joshua and wife Emma, Patrick, Benjamin (Ben)
My Grandkids: Charlie, Caleb, Claire, Kolbe, Gianna and Thérèse
I am an amateur photographer learning my way around a camera. I take lots and lots and lots of pictures – especially of my family. I am looking forward to sharing them on this blog.
Thérèse just turned one and I had so much fun during our photo shoot.

The ‘official’ one year portrait.
I am an 8 year breast cancer survivor
I love to eat and I love glasses of wine, vodka & tonics and green tea; especially when it is shared with family and/or friends.
I am a 50-something woman who has lost 50+ pounds from my heaviest weight. I’m keeping it off with a combination of (trying) to eat right, running, strength training and boxing/kickboxing.
I have a lot of days where I feel like I’m messing up life and not getting anything right. But, then I try to remember I am a child of God and immensely loved by Him. When I am able to do that it is easier to pick myself back up and try again.
I hope you enjoy this journey with me. Thanks for checking in and taking the time to read.