Be Yellow

Denver Wedding

2012-05-09T20:25:24Z

Ryan and I recently had the honor to be a part of a friend's wedding. Elias taught at St. Rose with Ryan and I, starting in ACE the same year Ryan and I moved to Denver. He taught 5th grade and he and Ryan became close friends in their upstairs hallway.

Elias and Claudia asked us to be "Padrinos" at their wedding. We had the joy of gifting them with a bible and rosary during the ceremony. It was really one of the most beautiful, pure weddings we have ever attended. They are such a wonderful couple and truly witnesses to the light and love of Christ in this world. We are grateful to know them!

We didn't get many pictures but here is what we have to share. Sorry it's a little late- the wedding was April 14th, but CONGRATULATIONS Elias and Claudia Moo!

Elias serenading his bride with a song he wrote.

Us with the bride and groom. Please forgive my manly jacket, it was COLD!

Story of a Second Child

2012-05-08T20:09:22Z

This is a story I know well. I am a second child. It happens, it isn't on purpose, but life is busy and crazy and fun and well, pictures aren't taken as much (let alone uploaded or posted on a blog or facebook). I don't love him less- really I don't!

I actually knew this would happen. It's part of the reason why I never made a baby book for John Paul. I knew I wouldn't make one for any of the rest of my children and I didn't want them to suffer the trauma of finding their BLANK book one day and writing in it themselves. *This happened to me, it's still a sore subject!*

Nevertheless, I thought I'd make an attempt during nap time to give a quick update and post some pictures of what's been happening in the past couple of weeks!

Today was Kolbe's 8 week check-up. He weighed in at a whopping 12 lbs. 8 oz. (76 percentile) and was 23 1/2 inches tall (78 percentile). He's clearly a good eater and growing like a weed! He is a good sleeper as well so I don't have much to complain about- although I'm sure I could think of something if you want to hear it!

The two months photo session won't take place until Sunday so I'll try to add another post then but for now here are pictures from the latest download!

Divine Mercy "Sundaes"

This is what big brother's are for, right?!!?

First time licking the beaters...won't be the last!

Kolbe's baptism!

Three of the coolest kids I know- notice how John Paul

is totally imitating Wyatt, or "Watty" as he likes to call him!

Two sweet boys!

One month already!

2012-04-13T22:03:11Z

Kolbe is one month old already! It is hard to believe how fast it has gone. We have been very blessed to have lots of family visiting to help and friends bringing food.

Kolbe hardly gets any photos by himself with his big brother around but I have attempted to take the monthly photos again- using the same onesies as I did with John Paul (right).

So do they look alike?

When are you going to be able to shoot baskets?

Come stand in the light!

2012-04-08T20:18:18Z

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

Our God is not dead, he's alive! He's alive!

~Matt Maher

Happy Pascha Sunday! The tomb is empty!

If you cannot use the above player, watch here.

JP2 Hit Lefty!

2012-04-01T13:05:00Z

Batting practice??!!

For how many saints or popes do we have footage such as this? Awesome!

If you cannot use the above player, watch here.

Two week update

2012-03-28T18:57:15Z

Kolbe, John Paul, my mom, and I just returned from Kolbe's two weeks check-up. I thought I'd give an update of his stats and then post some of the good pictures we've taken since we became a family of 4.

Following in his brother's footsteps Kolbe not only got back to his birthweight (the goal for every baby by their two week appointment) he added another ENTIRE POUND. He weighed in today at 9 lbs. 11 oz. It's insane how much my children can eat. I thought maybe John Paul was an anomaly and that Kolbe wouldn't be the same but apparently I will spend the next 9 months trying to feed him as much as humanly possible. 8-10 containers of baby food a day (plus nursing!!!) here we come!

He measured 22 1/4 inches as well. Everything else looks great and wonderful- a perfect little boy!

All the Miller grandkids...looking pretty much like their silly selves.

Mama and her boys!

Big brother practicing his swing with his new tee.

Showing off his studly neck muscles already!

Holy Giggles

2012-03-17T03:18:28Z

Just wanted to share a couple funny videos.

The first video has two clips. The first one was from last Saturday when John Paul demanded that we go to Church. The second was from Monday, my birthday. When I opened a new cross from Sarah, JP grabbed it and started singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy!" Apparently he's been paying attention when we read his kids' Missal and during Mass. Sarah said he was doing the same thing around the store when they bought it. Don't worry; we'll work on his reverence. Liturgical dancing is not in his future!

If you cannot use the above player, watch here.

The second video just makes us laugh. Kolbe can already make his big brother crack up. All it takes is the hiccups!

If you cannot use the above player, watch here.

It's a Boy!

2012-03-13T13:28:13Z

Wonderful are thy works! Please join us in offering prayers of thanksgiving.

We are so blessed to present...

Kolbe Miller O'Connor

Born at 3:12 this morning (in the same room in which his big brother was born!).

8 lbs. 11 oz.

21 in.

He and Mama are doing well. Praised by Jesus Christ, now and forever!

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

Stream of Consciousness

2012-03-05T02:53:31Z

Ryan took a quick video of John Paul this morning before Church. John Paul kept saying things about leaving for Mass/Church and Ryan decided to tape him and ask him questions about who would be there and what we would do. His answers, and the connections he makes are quite hilarious if you know anything about my family!

*Cast of Characters:

Tinka = Sarah's sister, Kati

Meema = Sarah's grandmother

Boompa = Sarah's grandfather

If you can't see video, click here.

God Bless This Priest

2012-03-03T03:49:10Z

And may other priests speak out like this...

If the above player does not work, watch here.

MOPS outings

2012-02-16T22:02:23Z

Last week John Paul and I went to the MOPS playdate at a children's museum in Lafayette, CO. It is a small "museum" called the W.O.W. Museum. It was our first, but definitely not our last trip there. It's a great place to just let the kids run. Everything is very interactive and there is plenty of it but the space is still small enough you don't have to follow them every second to make sure you don't lose them like you would at a bigger museum.

Here are a few photos of John Paul's favorite "exhibits."

I've started searching for a table like this on craigslist. He could spend HOURS

with this- and does every chance he gets!

Dressing up like a "CHEEEEE-TA" was amazing!

A couple of other recent photos for you:

John Paul loves wearing hats...anytime....anywhere. This one he saw upon waking up and

decided it was a perfect match to his pajamas.

Stacking monkeys! This present wins (or at least ties)

for FAVORITE Christmas gift from 2011. Many of moments

have been occupied by these guys! Thanks Aunt Erin and Uncle Ryan!

Trip to KY

2012-02-08T04:29:11Z

I'm a little tardy in getting this post up but better late than never, right?!?!

Ryan took John Paul back to visit his family in December and I made the trip with the boy in January to visit mine. John Paul and I got to spend 5 whole days touring the midwest and seeing friends and family, it was so nice!

The trip itself went rather smoothly, thanks to JP having his own seat on the airplane (Thanks Meme and Papa!). He can technically still fly free but given his size (he's a giant for his age) and my current "size" (no comments please!) it didn't seem feasible that we share a seat. To be honest, I am really not sure it would have been possible. It is hard to hold him on my lap anywhere these days, let alone in a cramped airplane seat.

We flew into Chicago and got to have dinner with my college friend Emily, her husband Josh, and their baby girl Sophie. It was our first time getting to meet Sophie, or "Soph-EEEEE" as John Paul calls her. She's a doll, and so are her parents.

The next couple of days were spent in my hometown just relaxing at my parents house. I got to watch cable TV (hello TLC- Say Yes to the Dress!) and just veg out. Ryan's mom made the trip over to Indiana to see John Paul and got to spend a day and night with us before we made the trek (with my parents) to Kentucky for my Boompa's 91st Birthday!

We finished our trip with a couple days visiting my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and then flew back to Denver. It was an excellent trip but I will admit I like traveling better when Ryan comes too!

I know it is blurred but look at the JOY on his face- he LOVES

the "pee-no."

Tractor ride in Bremen.

Four generation photo on Boompa's 91st Birthday!

Learning the "art" of sports watching with Boomps.

Reading "Goodnight Moon" with Meema.

Latest Developments

2012-01-09T21:02:41Z

Many of you have probably heard about John Paul's most recent "phase." He learned how to gently, easily, without falling, climb out of his crib. CLIMB OUT OF HIS CRIB!?!?!!?!?

This was something Ryan and I had been anticipating and waiting for but were hoping to make it until May or so before we took him out of the crib. We are going to use the pack 'n play for the baby and then once our company is gone, and JP is a little bit closer to being 2, we will give him the "guest" bed. Last week we thought we might have to change plans. Once he figured out how to climb out of crib (and a pack 'n play) there was no stopping him. We couldn't get him down for naps, bedtime was a disaster, and mornings were full of the surprise of hearing his bedroom door open (he can do that too!).

Ryan's first question was, "Does Graco make a cage?" The answer, in short, is YES! It isn't be Graco but you can purchase on Amazon (for about 50 bucks) a "crib tent." It seemed like it would never arrive but it has, was immediately installed, and life is much better because of it. It definitely is not a flimsy product. It was well engineered and without a pocket knife to cut a hole in the mesh, I don't think John Paul will be able to get out. It is hard to tell in the picture that follows that the mesh goes all the way down the sides of the crib and actually goes under the mattress. Don't ask how changing the sheets goes, we haven't tried it yet.

He was asleep when we put him in this for the first time. We would've loved

to see his face when he woke up...

In other childhood development news, Baby #2 is growing bigger everyday. I get many questions and comments about my due date, especially at work- none of which are nice, but I have been feeling fairly well and am just getting excited to meet this new little miracle!

And because I just couldn't resist- here is a picture of my sweet Baby #1. He doesn't look much like a baby anymore does he!?!?!

And the winner is...

2012-01-08T22:59:55Z

In 2009, we were scandalized by our alma mater's inexcusable act of bestowing high honors upon the most anti-Catholic leader and aggressive champion for child-killing in presidential history. Thankfully, God used this experience to deepen our relationship with His Son and His Church. We had been sold a fraudulent form of Catholicism, and that reality was unveiled, in part, by researching the history of Notre Dame's betrayal of the very Lady standing atop the Golden Dome.

We decided that we could not morally justify supporting this once great university, and outside of divine intervention, it's difficult to see how this will change in the foreseeable future. And that meant our donation to Notre Dame in order to qualify for the football ticket lottery needed to be sent elsewhere.

Our first choice was an easy one: Franciscan University of Steubenville. Last year was a quick decision as well: Christendom College. This year we had a harder time making our pick. We definitely considered well-established, authentically Catholic colleges like the University of Dallas, Ave Maria University, and Benedictine College.

But in the end, we decided to support a new kid on the block: Wyoming Catholic College. Established in 2005, this college has been on our radar since moving to Colorado. Wyoming Catholic is our nearest college to be in full compliance with Ex Corde Ecclesiae and Canon Law, and we would be thrilled if any of our children could go to school there someday.

It was this incredible video that clinched WCC as our pick this year. I wish I could go back to undergrad!

If unable to use the above player, watch here.

Christmas on New Year's

2012-01-04T22:51:28Z

As mentioned in this post, Ryan and I did not travel for Christmas this year. We are fortunate to have family that works around our needed schedules and my parents flew out on New Year's Day so we could still celebrate with them.

Sunday afternoon we all went down to my parent's house and spent the day together. We played, ran around the house, ate a delicious dinner, and then once the kiddos were sleeping the adults celebrated the holiday by opening presents. We decided we could focus more on ourselves (yes, selfish, I know) while they slept, and then in the morning it could be all about them. Our celebration was cut a little short by one specific munchkin, who shall remain nameless (starts with a J, ends with a Paul), who has recently learned the finer points of climbing out of a crib/pack 'n play. He apparently woke up at some point and decided it wasn't fair that the adults were doing fun things without him and we caught him climbing up the stairs to join us. He wasn't keen on going back to sleep but all in all it was a really fun evening.

Monday morning we "re-enacted" Christmas and had my dad's "famous" breakfast roll (a variation on Monkey Bread) and let the kids open their presents. They did a great job taking turns and sharing. We even managed to get a couple cute pictures of them all together.

I am so grateful that my parents decided to come during the holiday season, it is so fun to be all together!

Wyatt and Carly cracking each other up.

John Paul feeding Carly a (fake) cookie.

Reminder: Carly is 3 1/2 months OLDER than my son...can't tell from this pic.

The best one I got of all three. Don't know what they are looking at but I love their faces!

Wyatt and Carly opening a joint present. Carly is all girl and had already

"tried" on one of her gifts.

John Paul with his new front loader. It's apparently easier to carry it around

than use those wheels it has!

Meme and her "babies" So sweet!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T03:33:52Z

This Christmas was a little different for us. Because of my job, we weren't able to take our normal 2 week Christmas vacation to spend the holidays with our families. Ryan took a quick four day trip to see his parents, grandparents, and siblings the weekend before Christmas and I have plans to go to visit my grandparents in January. While it has definitely been an usual break for us we have enjoyed the relaxing and time spent in our own home.

Here are some pictures of how we have spent our time since Ryan's Christmas break began. We hope you all had a wonderful celebration of the Christ Child's birth and may your new year be filled with blessings and graces from God.

Reading a story with Grandma O'Connor.

Snoozing with Papa O.

Ryan laid on the couch to make a shot and now John Paul is

determined to make it from this position as well. He has become

quite the little copycat!

After Mass on Christmas morning.

"Riding" on his elephant- with Daddy's help.

Giving his elephant a ride.

We weren't at the Hoffman Family Christmas but we still ate

the traditional Christmas feast.

Playing with his nativity set. John Paul and his daddy have

re-enacted Mary and Joseph riding to the stable NUMEROUS times.

We may have an acrobat on our hands....

"TA-DA"

Christmas season has officially arrived

2011-12-12T20:06:31Z

On Sunday we finally had a chance to put up our Christmas tree and decorate the house a little bit. We did not decorate AT ALL last year because we were gone for so long over the holidays. This made it even more fun to break out the Christmas lights and ornaments and get into the spirit of the season. Most of the work was done while John Paul napped. I assume I am going to be spending the next several weeks repeating the phrase, "Don't TOUCH, we just LOOK." Maybe I should consider recording myself and setting it up to play whenever their is motion near the tree.

The "ball" ornaments are definitely a favorite as well as the frog that ribbits Jingle Bells. John Paul thinks it is "singing" and when it stops he asks it repeatedly to "SING" again!

Hope everyone is ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior in the most joyous ways this year!

Decorated Christmas tree and stockings hung! Ryan wanted to know what we would do next year- I guess we'll have to squeeze them together to fit another one in!

That singing frog is HILARIOUS!

I have to add this picture, taken today, because I think it is funny. The batteries died in this activity table and John Paul likes the music it plays. I had to use the screwdriver to change the batteries. When I finished John Paul wanted the screwdriver. He proceeded to turn the table back over (I had turned it right side up) and use the screwdriver himself! He is already handier than his daddy!

Our life...in photos

2011-12-07T19:41:16Z

I have taken 3 pictures since December began and I think they depict, in general, our daily life very well. John Paul is nearing the 17 months mark and it is a fun age (most of the time) that involves him exploring, trying to say new words, and asserting his independence on a regular basis.

Here is life with the O'Connors:

Putting on his own shoes and hat have become tasks JP wants

to complete on his own. It is actually much easier if it is Mama's

shoes and hat- they are bigger!

"sNOOOOOOOOOw" We got some and because it has been

so cold it isn't going away (unusual for Denver actually). JP loves it,

until he realizes it is actually pretty cold stuff!!!

We had a serious diaper situation at a restaurant over

the weekend. One of these hasn't happened since he was

probably 7 or 8 months old. Therefore, I did NOT have extra

pants for him to wear. He spent the rest of the night running around

the restaurant like this. He was happy- and people think I am crazy!

Zoo Lights

2011-12-01T19:46:20Z

My parents came to Denver for Thanksgiving again this year. They stayed a whole week and we were able to do lots of fun things, as well as just hang out and play with the kiddos. My mom cooked a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and Kati and I were thankful she was there to do most of that work. I, of course, took no pictures on Thanksgiving so I can't share anything from that day. However, I did manage to remember to bring and use my camera on Sunday night when we went to the Denver Zoo Lights for members weekend.

If you read this blog at all you know that John Paul and I spent lots of time at the zoo. We make an almost weekly visit to see our favorite animals and have definitely gotten use of our pass. Zoo Lights doesn't officially start for another week or so but they have a member's only weekend and it turns out that is the time to go. We got to enjoy a fabulous evening at the zoo without a large crowd and the weather totally cooperated.

Here are some snapshots of our fun!

Loving the wagon ride.

Family photo (JP in wagon, Carly wearing reflector between us).

The best thing about the Tropical Discovery is the snakes.

Wyatt kept saying, "John Paul, let's go see more snakes!"

John Paul kept raising his arms in assent, laughing, and chasing

Wyatt on their snake finding adventure! BOYS!

(*Carly did not want to be put down in this place!)

Carly also did not want to enter cave, as you can see

Wyatt and John Paul had no reservations about it!!

180 Movie

2011-11-19T20:33:32Z

One night at the end of September, it was an hour past my bedtime when I went to do a quick check of the day's news on my iGoogle page. I clicked on a new video posted on one of my favorite blogs, The American Papist. When I saw it was 33 minutes long, I said to myself, "I can't stay up and watch the whole thing." But I was hooked in seconds. I couldn't stop watching, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.

If you are one of the few people who has not seen this yet, please give it a shot. I'll have more comments about it later. For now, I want to know what you think of it.

If you are unable to use the above player, watch here.

Happy All Hallows Eve!

2011-10-31T23:57:42Z

As we prepare for two great Feasts, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, you can see our small attempt to reclaim the great Christian celebration of Hallow'een. JP doesn't quite get it yet, so look for much more in the future!

All Saints Day (Nov. 1): We venerate our heroes - all the saints in heaven. We know they are cheering us on (See Heb. 12:1) and praying for us (See Rev. 5:8, 8:3-4). This year we especially honor the patrons of our family - St. John, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Blessed John Paul II, the two potential patrons of Baby #2 (you know who you are!), and of course Our Mother, Our Queen Mary (See Rev. 12:1).

All Souls Day (Nov. 2): We also remember the souls in purgatory (See 1Cor. 3:15), as we know they need our prayers (See 2Mac. 12:44-46). We pray for our relatives who have gone before us, especially our grandparents Chester, Marie, and Russell. If they have not done so already, may they join the marriage supper of the lamb (See Rev. 19:9).

Tia Tuesdays

2011-10-27T18:49:58Z

Ryan goes to Biblical School class on Tuesday nights. John Paul and I use this as the perfect excuse to spend the evening with my sister's family. They do dinner, I often do dessert, and we visit, play, and then get ready for bed together before JP and I get in the car to head home. He falls asleep and I just transfer him into his crib.

My sister started calling these weekly evening trips "Tia Tuesdays" from the name that my nephew and niece have for me (Ryan is Tio). They are usually a lot of fun, very chaotic, and typically exhausting. I can't think of a better way to spend the evening while Ryan is at class.

Often after dinner we play games or do silly things. One night, Wyatt really wanted to show me how to play flashlight tag. We waited until it got dark and then the two of us went outside. As you can imagine flashlight tag with two players wasn't quite thrilling but he was happy to show me anyway!

Another one of our common post-dinner activities is to have a "Dance Party" or "Dance-Off." We turn the Party music channel on TV and take turns showing our best moves. I suppose this is part of the reason why these evenings are so chaotic and exhausting but it is just too hilarious to not partake.

This past week I took our flip camera to video some of the dancing. As you watch you will see the everyone has their own special moves. Wyatt is a break-dancer and spends most of his time spinning on the floor. John Paul is an "arm dancer" and likes to show his moves using only his upper body. Carly is a show-stopper. That girl has some soul in her and her face lights up when it is her turn to dance! Hope you enjoy a glimpse into Tia Tuesdays!

**DISCLAIMER: This video was made entirely by Sarah. Ryan performed none of the video editing for this movie. Any judgement about the quality of this film should be placed on Sarah alone. (Disclaimer was demanded by Ryan.)

*If you have trouble viewing, click here.

Fellowship of the Unashamed

2011-10-26T23:39:52Z

This October 23 reflection in my Magnificat really spoke to me. This is the kind of conviction with which I desire to live my life. It's written by Patrick Madrid, but Sarah and I both thought it sounded like something our friend Tony, JP's Godfather, would write.

I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is in God's hands. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, the bare minimum, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions mundane talking, frivolous living, selfish giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, the best, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith. I lean on Christ's presence. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with the power of God's grace.

My face is set. My gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured,, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give until I drop, speak out until all know, and work until he stops me.

And when he returns for his own, he will have no difficulty recognizing me. My banner is clear: I am a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

Amen!! Knute Rockne has nothing on Patrick Madrid.

Sign. Me. Up.

Big Brother is watching...

2011-10-19T02:27:58Z

(No, this is not a political post.)

...and he gives kisses.

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-16T21:08:53Z

Today we visited Rock Creek Farm with Kati, Paul, and the kids. Glen is in town as well so with him and Megan along it was quite the family affair for us.

This is a great time of year and it has finally cooled off here in Denver (we have no forecasted days in the 80s for the first week in awhile!). Our first stop at the farm was to cut our own pumpkins off their vines. Wyatt ran around choosing which ones he wanted, and pretty much every one was perfect for him. Carly has become very good at saying "pumpkin" and kept repeating it over and over. The first thing John Paul did was trip and fall face first into a pumpkin. This didn't seem to phase him and he got up and started on the move again, only to fall face first into another one. Either this second dose hurt more or he was embarrassed to fall again because he did cry.

We tried to get a good picture of the kids and a good family picture. We took many, I'll put the best ones below but know that there were many trials, especially for the kids ones. Wyatt and Carly apparently got used to posing at the wedding they were in a couple weeks ago and were superstars at standing and smiling- if only JP had been so cooperative.

The farm also has farm animals, jumpy castles, and a hay bale maze. We sampled each one but jumpy castles are by far our son's favorite. He, like a couple weekends ago, had to be literally pulled out by Ryan. I guess Ryan should be glad he didn't actually have to climb in the jumpy castle like last time.

A fun day was had by all and hopefully naps will be long and restful!

Hey...that pumpkin is wearing a hat!

The best of the kids, they are all smiling at least!

The best of the family.

Jump Castle action shot.

Such a proud little boy! (and the cutest if I do say so myself!)

** Just to show the difference a year can make. Here is a picture of John Paul and I last year at this same pumpkin patch, during the same weekend. He looks a little bit older, I don't.

Apparently I wore the same cardigan last year....don't judge!