Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from the Shreveport, Louisiana!

Dad and Suzanne hosted their first family holiday gathering this past Easter.  John and I went down on Thursday and enjoyed our mini vacation in Shreveport.  We were able to try out the new pool, and I must say that I approve.  We both got a little sun kissed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We went out to dinner on Thursday night where Dad, Suzanne and John almost got food poisoning by eating expired red snapper.  The bad part is that all three of them ordered it and were so excited to see the huge piece of beautiful pan seared fish presented in front of them.  Not one to "grin and bear it", John finally spoke up that it tasted bad and everyone quickly agreed.  Props to John for speaking up.  We attended Good Friday services and the Veneration of the Cross.  I love the full Holy Week experience.  As always, we ate our way through the weekend.  Cooked some great meals and went out for some extra special suppers.

On Holy Saturday, John and I were tasked with a few errands.  One of which was to pick up the strawberry pies from Strawn's Restaurant.  YUM!!!  We have a new favorite pie...STRAWN'S STRAWBERRY PIE.  It was so good, and I learned that the recipe is in an old Southern Living catalog.  It is worth doing the research if you don't plan on being in Shreveport to get the real deal in the near future.  With strawberries coming into season, now is the time to try out this recipe (or take a road trip to Shreveport).

We went to the Easter Vigil Mass.  It was so spiritually satisfying to attend this Mass.  Seeing the catechumens declare their faith and intent to enter the Catholic Church--young and old--makes my heart smile.  There were numerous baptisms and confirmations as well.  My favorite part was to see the candidates hugging their sponsors and each other after Mass.  It is pure joy and such an awesome witness to those of us who sometimes take for granted the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.

Easter lunch meant business!  I loved being able to help Suzanne prepare lunch.  John and I fetched ice and a few other odds and ends early in the morning and then went back to the house for the real work.  There was ham, shrimp, beef tenderloin, roasted carrots, salad, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, homemade bread, a cheese spread to die for and enough sweets to choke an elephant....and strawberry pie!  Everything was delicious.  My only complaint was that it went by so fast.  It was fun but fast.

We ended the evening by watching the last couple holes of the Master's.  GO BUBBA WATSON!!  Oh my, Bubba has an fantastic story--personally and professionally.  He is so deserving of the Master's title, and it was a great ending to Easter Sunday.  The Easter season continues as we celebrate the our Resurrection of our Lord.  Thank you God for the gift of your Son.

These photos are in no particular order!

Dad loves testing out his camera timer.  I think we could have used a professional to pose us.

"Cousin Table"--Unfortunately, there were only two cousins at lunch, so we let some aunts/uncles join us!

"Adult Table"--Dining Room

I thought it was pretty enough to get another angle.

Famous Strawn's Strawberry Pie

Like any good dermatologist's kid, I wore my sunscreen.  

This was a good day!

Saint Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine, patron saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers and young people, was martyred on this day around the year 269.  He was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime].  Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned.  He refused to denounce his Christian faith and was beaten with clubs and later beheaded.  It is believed that he restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter and penned a farewell note to her and signed it, "From your Valentine". 

Fast forward to 2012, and the above photo is what the secular world associates with Valentine's Day.  In my opinion, this isn't so bad.  St. Valentine was a Christian Martyr, but he was also an example of love and kindness-even to his captors.  In this modern day, we could all use a little more love.  Like St. Valentine, we must love even when it isn't easy.  How easy to love someone that loves us back, but to love someone who doesn't love us back is to love like Christ.
Happy Saint Valentine's Day to you and yours!

American Majority Racing!

I never thought I would be a NASCAR fan.  That is, until American Majority, my favorite conservative political education and candidate training organization, sponsored a car and driver.  Ricky Bobby...here I come!  John was asked to be Chairman of the Board of this great organization about four years ago.  They have trained countless activists and recruited hundreds of candidates to run for political office.  They truly are on the front lines of the conservative movement.  Their 2012 goal seems to be making sure conservatives turn out to vote.  The mission for this NASCAR sponsorship will be to register voters and make sure these folks are pledging to get out and vote in November.  They don't tell people who to vote for, but educate folks on limited government and fiscal responsibility. 

The driver for American Majority is #81, Jason Bowles.  He has a young but promising career, and we look forward to cheering him on all season long.

Below are some pictures of the car which was recently unveiled on Fox & Friends by Ned Ryun, AM President and Jason Bowles.

This photo was taken outside of the Fox studios right after the unveiling.

Another shot of the car--close up on our driver's name :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  John and I already enjoyed a "first" for us--the baptism of our God daughter, Adeline Jean.  We were thrilled to be asked to be her God parents and are honored to be a part of her faith formation.  Monsignor Malone baptized her after the 6 PM Mass on Sunday, January 1.  There was a good group of Terra Firma friends there to witness and support Adeline and her family.  Elizabeth also had her two sisters and dad in from California.  God bless this sweet baby girl!  I might note that she giggled as Monsignor blessed her.  She is precious.

As a re-cap to our New Year's Eve, we rang it in pretty low key with Sarah Beth and Mitchell Lowe.  Their boys entertained us all evening, and we were heading home by 11 PM.  We are so wild and crazy!

We spent the next two days taking down Christmas (I realize we are still in the Liturgical Christmas season, but with our house on the market, and work gearing back up....we had to take advantage of the free time and get the house back to "show ready"), writing up our 2012 resolutions, re-working our 2012 budget, and just getting ready for a fresh start that a new year brings.

The Jara family--including Elizabeth's sisters and dad along with John and I 

Monsignor Malone baptizes Adeline

Presenting Adeline to the Infant Jesus on the altar.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  We finally took a few pictures after Mass today and with any luck, we will get cards out BEFORE Christmas.  Now, they might not land in mailboxes until after Christmas, but they are out.  We attempted these photos six weeks ago.  Thought it would be nice to take some pictures in Scott, AR looking all natural wearing jeans and a sweater and standing in front of some old pecan trees.  A migraine and ER visit later, we scrapped that idea.  Next idea was to take some pictures in Shreveport two days after Thanksgiving.  We scouted the perfect spot and decided on taking photos in front of the Shreveport Arts Center.  They have beautiful old trees--very Southern.  Well, after 48 hours of to die for weather and sunsets, it poured for 10 hours straight.  Fail!  Third try was after the lighting of the State Capitol in early December.  I just knew it would be a lovely time to run inside and take some pictures around the beautiful decorations.  What was I thinking?  Who knew the fat man in red would also be making an appearance at the Capitol?  There were a gazillion kids and parents.  We quit that idea immediately.  So, on December 18, I finally snagged our photographer (also known as my sister) and made our way to the State Capitol.  SCORE--finally.  Hopefully, they will arrive on 12/23 as promised, and we can get them addressed, stamped, and out the door.

This was the winner!  

This one had potential, but the wind was picking up and we had a shadow. 

Another shot of us in front of the Capitol.

Thanksgiving 2011

This is just a quick post to highlight our Thanksgiving.

We had a great time down in Shreveport with Dad, Suzanne, Kerry & Clay.  This was our first time to see Dad and Suzanne's completed house.  They are settling in, and we loved having a place to stay down there.  I must admit, sleeping in a comfy bed and getting to wake up and walk downstairs for coffee definitely beats staying in a hotel (which is what we used to have to do because there wasn't enough room for Kerry and I with our husbands at Suzanne's house).

Below are a few photos of the house and us pre and post Thanksgiving feast!  Where was my camera at midnight when we were at Best Buy with every other crazy person in the Shreveport/Bossier area?  Better luck next Black Friday!

Front of Dad & Suzanne's House

Dad's Office

Sconce and Cross going up front entry stairs

Looking down into the formal living room from the upstairs walkway

Three cooks in the kitchen

Chief Cook!

Team Jucas pre-feast

Post Lunch!

Out back--sitting on the pool fountain.

Well Done My Good & Faithful Servent

Julianne Dunning Eddy

 September was a bittersweet month.  We mourned the passing of John's beloved grandmother, Guggy.  Julianne "Judy" Dunning Eddy, fondly referred to as Guggy by all who knew her, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Scottsdale, AZ.  She was surrounded by most of her loved ones, and John will point out that he sadly didn't make it.  We jumped in the car the minute we heard she had taken a turn for the worst, but the 20 hour car drive was too long for Guggy to wait. John was at peace knowing he tried everything he could to be there, and he knows Guggy isn't holding it against him.

Our visit in Arizona was for a sad reason, but we actually had a great time.  Guggy would have wanted it that way.  Since we got to AZ with time to spare before the funeral, we enjoyed a few days in Payson first.  We saw Pat and Ted's wonderful new house, went for a few walks, and managed to take the canoes out for a little spin up by the Rim.  AZ  never disappoints with the amazing views, picturesque lakes, and breathtaking scenery. 

After a few days in the mountains, we were ready to go to Scottsdale to see the rest of the family.  It has been a long time since we have seen that much of John's family in one place.  Come to think of it, we haven't seen that many Eddys since our wedding in 2007!  They had lots of catching up to do.  There was laughter, tears, and lots (and I mean lots) of storytelling.  Never a dull moment with John's family!

Julie hosted a fantastic visitation service.  It was funny, smart, and sweet.  Guggy looked so peaceful laying in her casket.  We were waiting on her to sit up and join the party.  On Sunday evening, we had gathered at the Hancock home to break bread and visit.  This turned into a movie set that was later revealed at the visitation.  I truly believe Julie might have missed her calling as a film maker.  The video tribute was cute, creative, and a labor of love.  I say labor because she stayed up most of the night editing all of her Iphone footage.  If I were more tech savvy, I would have the video on this blog..  Check out mine or John's facebook to watch the tribute.

The funeral Mass on Tuesday was hard.  Funerals are always hard.  It is hard to watch your loved ones cry and it is also like putting salt in a wound for me.  Did I mention we are both criers?  I used to not cry much, but the older I get the more I cry.  John is the same way.  We cry at the drop of the hat, and we have an unspoken rule...kind of like on Steel Magnolias.  "Nobody cries alone in my presence!"  If one of us is crying, I promise, we are both crying!  I find myself crying in Church sometimes.  Don't ask why, but hymns can just tug at my heart sometimes.  "Do not be afraid" was sung at my mom's funeral, so my water hose tears just turned on immediately when that was sung at Guggy's.  The responsorial psalm, "Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears from death into light" was also sung at my grandmother's funeral Mass in March.  It is my Uncle's favorite and he specifically requested that particular one..  Needless to say, it was personal for me.  Not only because I loved Guggy, but because these songs truly say what I believe, and they remind me of the most special people in my life.  Guggy is in good company. 

Aunt Mike planned the funeral, and it was perfect.  The chapel was the perfect size, the music, as previously mentioned, was superb and the Mass readings were spot on.  Now, the homily, delivered by the angelic Father Tom was "lights out"!  It was the perfect mix of reflections of Guggy, the promises of Heaven, and the beauty of the Eucharist.  What wisdom he shared with us all!  You could hear a pin drop, and I caught myself nodding in agreement! I think everyone else really enjoyed it as well because you could sense the Holy Spirit doing miracles in that room.

Guggy gave John his faith, and that was one of the main things that attracted me to John when we first met.  I knew he wasn't always a devout Catholic as a young adult, but I knew the seed had been planted.  So, thank you Guggy for instilling the most precious gift in your grandson because I am now enjoying the fruits of your labor.  If it hadn't been for you, we probably wouldn't be married today!  I owe ya...

The Cousins & Father Tom

Father Tom's Video Tribute-enough said!