7 Quick Takes, Vol. 17

Super late, super short Quick Takes for this here Round 17. 

1. Like I mentioned a couple of days ago, we took Clare to the actual playground in my in-laws' neighborhood for the first time the other day. She was tired, so not too interested in swinging on her own, but did enjoy swinging and sliding with me.

2. We also had one heck of a jam session with Grandma's instrument collection. We were pretty much laughing hysterically through the whole thing.

3. As I type, we are watching our recording of Tuesday's Papal Inauguration Mass. Incroyable!

4. Mmmmm....blueberries! And yay for going straight from the high chair to the bathtub!

5. Belmont 64, Arizona 81. Bring it, Harvard!

6. Yesterday was Charles' last day of that particular rotation. I don't want to besmirch anyone, but I'm so glad it's over. What I learned: if Daddy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

7. About two weeks into Lent, it always seems like it will never, ever end. Then, all of a sudden, Holy Week is around the corner. Have I had a good Lent? I don't know. I've had better. I've had worse. When you're considering Lent, what I better, what is worse? I'm not here to be a theologian. I'm just marveling that Sunday is already Palm/Passion Sunday.

As always, have a lovely weekend, and visit Jen for more!

7 Quick Takes, Vol. 16

Sweet 16. 'Nuff said. Joining Jen.

1. Love his model of humility and service already. There is a heart for the poor in this house, and it seems to be shared by our Holy Father in a very real way.

Via

2. Yesterday, Clare and I shared our first mother-daughter pedicure. Thanks to the sudden onset of sandal weather here in Phoenix, I threw some polish on my naked tootsies. Clare, of course, was not content with her sippy cup of water and really want the polish instead. It was like playing keep-away with a very curious puppy. Andi will be proud.

3. I'm still deciding what St. Patrick's Day is going to look like here. We'll wear green, of course, but I'm not generally big on "holidays" that are just an excuse to drink. On the other hand, I am nothing if not festive, so I imagine that I'll make up some treats or something. In future years, I'll make festive food (since we'll be doing family stuff this year, I'll hold off for a year) for sure!

Maybe be a little something?

4. Last weekend, we hung Clare's baby swing (which had been a Christmas present -- thanks Grandad and BG!) on the patio and have enjoyed the fresh air and flying baby!

Mmmm...straps!

5. With Selection Sunday and March Madness looming, I must make my allegiances known. Bear Down! (Love of University of Arizona Basketball is a birthright. And also my Alma Mater Go Cats!)

Via

6. Yes, we're the Wildcats, but say Bear Down! There's a story. Also, our away color is navy, but the fans wear cardinal. Campus is also an oasis in the desert. What can I say? It's in the blood.

7. I've got nothing but wishes for a lovely weekend for all of you!

Go henceforth to Jen for better reads!

Smoke, Bells, and Tears

I totally wrote this yesterday, but didn't publish. In the 24 hours since he stepped on the balcony, my love for Pope Francis (Francis! The first pope Clare will remember is Francis!) has just grown and grown.

***

I want to remember today for the rest of my life. So I write in spite of one million other posts on our wonderful new Holy Father, Pope Francis.

When Benedict was elected, I was sitting in Criminal Law, and got the word (passed to the token Catholic friend) from my new-surfing friend, who, ironically, was still a couple of years from his own conversion. I was in RCIA, but didn't have much emotion about the Pope -- either JPII, or Benedict. *shrug* another Pope.

After the abdication of Pope Benedict, my fire and excitement for the Conclave grew and grew.

Today, I was so sure that the moment wouldn't be until Thursday that the plan was to hang out and see black smoke, then load up and head to Target.

Playing, a bit less interested than Mama.

Clare got bored staring at the smokestack, so she went exploring. She learned to take the DVD cases out of the TV stand.

She found Daddy's hiking maps (taken away and put up high uber-quickly, since he would be very sad if she somehow managed to destroy them). Then, she learned to play guitar.

**I would not recommend if you are not related.

It was getting close to 11. I pulled her out from behind the desk (where the guitar is stashed) and we started chanting. "We want smoke! We want smoke!" Suddenly, there was smoke! And it was . . . grey? So that means black? No! White?!? White smoke! I appreciated the EWTN commentators going through the same thought process. White smoke!!!!! (are there enough exclamation points to express my excitement?!? I think no.)

Suddenly, I found myself crying and hugging my baby girl and praising God. The goosebumps. The chills. The joy. They were real in a way I just.did.not anticipate.

As I shot off a just-in-case text to Charles, the bells started ringing...

Then an hour of singing, dancing, praying, praising, anticipating.

Charles called on his lunch break and as a family we waited (and waited and...)

Waiting for-ev-er.

A Jesuit! From the New World! Francis!

Praise God! Habemus Papam!