It's a Boy & Christmastime

Happy Third Day of Christmas!  We hope you and your family are enjoying this blessed Christmas Season!

We've had a great week.  Last Thursday, we went to the doctor for the baby's 21 week check-up and ultrasound.  The baby looked strong and healthy, full of energy!

We had the doctor write down the sex of the baby and we planned to open the results on Christmas morning.  

The guesses on Facebook and Instagram were pretty evenly split...but the verdict was clear: it's a boy!

Brian and I actually couldn't wait until Christmas morning to open the results.  So on Christmas Eve, after all of Ellie's and Francis' gifts were assembled and wrapped, we opened the envelope and found out we were expecting another son!  Fitting news for Christmas :)

I was nervous about Ellie's reaction to having another brother because she's been praying for a "new girl baby" for about 10 months.  But she was excited by the news - and her new boy doll (who she named 'Alexander' - but you have to hear her say it in her German accent; apparently it's the name of one of her classmates).

Francis continues to think that everyone - himself included - has a baby in their belly.  And if you ask where the new baby is (or refer to him as a baby) he'll lift up his shirt and show you his bellybutton.  

So prior to finding out we are having a boy on Christmas Eve, the kids had a great day celebrating with a few fun activities with our neighbors still in town (our other neighbors are off to Slovakia, England, Hungary, and Poland).  

Ellie went with the neighbor boys to the neighboring town to receive the "Bethlehem Light" and bring it back to Gaming.  The light originated in Bethlehem and was flown to countries in the EU.  It is then delivered town-to-town on horseback.  Families gather with their lanterns to bring the light to their homes. 

After bringing the light into our home, Ellie and the boys brought their lanterns to the Kartause church.

We all gathered to sing Christmas carols around the altar with Baby Jesus now displayed in the manger.

Then it was home for Christmas pajamas and an early bedtime!

You can see how the Christmas ornaments begin just above Francis' head-level (we only lost one ornament due to our poor placement)...

On Christmas morning, I heard Ellie's door open at 7:45am (the time the sun rises) and her creep downstairs.  She then came running back up, threw our door open, and exclaimed, "Mom and Dad, come see!  Santa did bring us presents!"  (So no, the American idea of Santa has not escaped her).  Francis woke up soon after and we all joined her downstairs.

Ellie's favorite gift was her baby boy doll and the stroller from Aunty Shannon and family.

Francis' favorite was his "ball and hoop!"

After opening a few more present - we had Baby Jesus' Birthday Cake for breakfast and then got ready for Mass.

We had a quiet dinner at home, just the "five" of us!

We are so thankful for all of our blessings this Christmas!  Most importantly, for the gift of our Savior!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

Merry Christmas!

Croatia: Split Beach & Zagreb Cathedral

On our 9 hour drive to and from Medjugorje, we drove south through Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.  We broke up the drive by spending the night in Croatia each way.

On the way down we didn't visit any exciting places, but on the way back we had lunch and some time to play at Bacvice Beach in Split, Croatia.

It was around 50 degrees F but that didn't stop these guys from playing some sort of water soccer game.

We had a great American lunch at Papa's American Bar!

The drive we had through Croatia was pretty mountainous (but much smaller, and less snowy, than the mountains near us in Austria).

That evening we stayed in Zagreb, the northwestern capital of Croatia.  We went to Mass in the center of Zagreb, at the Gothic, twin-spired Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, aka the Zagreb Cathedral.  It is the tallest building in Croatia and the most monumental Gothic style building southeast of the Alps.

Happy Fourth Week of Advent!

Medjugorje: Walking with Mary this Advent

Our family made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje last week.

Medjugorje is a small town located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia-Herzegovina; it is not far from the border of Croatia.  It is believed by many that Our Lady has been appearing to certain visionaries in Medjugorje for the past 35 years.

We journeyed there to experience this powerful place of prayer and to grow closer to Our Lord, through the intercession of His Mother.  Although we weren't able to experience a 'silent retreat of prayer' traveling with the kids, it was a blessing to make the trip together, one that we hope will bear more fruit in our marriage and family.

For me (Courtney), it was special to be at this Marian site while 20 weeks pregnant, during Advent, and feel closer to Mary as she carried Jesus leading up to His birth.  For Brian, it was special for him to return to this place 15 years after he had first visited as a student, this time with the wife and children God has blessed him with.

If you want to read more about apparitions of Medjugorje - the content of Mary's messages, the secrets revealed to the visionaries, and more about the visionaries themselves - I found this shorter summary and this page entitled What in the World is Medjugorje? helpful.

Apparition Hill

It's a rocky climb to the top of the Hill of Podbrdo, now known as Apparition Hill, where Our Lady first appeared to the six children in 1981.  Ellie rode on Brian's back the first time we went up; she walked the entire way the second time we went up.

Along the way up there are markers for the Joyful Mysteries.  Here I am with the "pregnant ladies" at the Second Station: Mary's Visitation to Elizabeth.  I'm carrying 20 weeks on front and (a few days short of) 20 months on back.  (Don't worry...shortly after this picture was taken, we snapped the head strap on the carrier so Francis' head didn't continue to lay that way as he slept ;)

The Statue of Our Lady, the Queen of Peace, is at the top of the hill.  It was put there on the 20th anniversary of the apparitions in order to mark the apparition site.

The view from the top of the hill overlooks the town of Medjugorje.  On the left, you can see Krizevac "Cross Mountain," which we hiked the next day.

At the base of Apparition Hill is the Blue Cross, where Our Lady appeared to the children when they were hiding from the Communist police.  It is here that Mary still appears to the visionary Mirjana at her monthly apparition (every 2nd of the month) and sometimes to the visionary Ivan when he has a meeting with his prayer group.

St. James Church

The Church of St. James is the heart of the Parish in Medjugorje.  We visited the church both nights we were in Medjugorje and it was very inspiring to see the interior of the church overflowing with people praying.  From 5-8pm (in the winter), confessions are heard, from 5-6pm the Mysteries of the Rosary are prayed, 6-7pm Mass, and 7-8pm is the blessing of religious articles, prayer for healing of body and soul, and either more mysteries of the Rosary, Adoration, or Veneration of the Cross depending on the day of the week.

At the very entrance of the church grounds there is a beautiful statue of Our Lady, the Queen of Peace.  It is said the statue presents "Our Lady welcoming all Her children and desiring to take each one of them by the hand and take them to Her Heart, Her Son."

Pictured below is some of the people gathered in line for Confession - this is just on the side for those speaking Croatian (which is the main local language spoken in Medjugorje).

Statue of Our Lady inside of St. James Church.

Krizevac / "Cross Mountain"

Cross Mountain is the highest mountain in the area.  In 1933, St. James parish erected a large concrete cross to commemorate the 1900th Anniversary of Jesus' Passion and Death on the Cross.  Relics of the True Cross received from Rome are embedded in this cross.  As you climb the mountain you pass the markers for the 14 Stations of the Cross (the same style markers they have at Franciscan University in Steubenville) so you can pray the Way of the Cross.

Ellie hiked most of the way up this steep, rocky mountain (takes about an hour up), while Brian carried Francis most of the way.  The way back down is much trickier as it's difficult to find your footing among the jagged rocks.  Brian ended up carrying both kids down.  I carried our unborn baby :)

Mother's Village & St. Francis Grarden

Within the town of Medjugorje there is a beautiful settlement established to serve life.  It consists of a few little communities, including "Mother's Village" - an orphanage, St. Francis Garden, the Merciful Father Community, etc.  All of these communities provide support to children and adolescents without parental care, and to help lost boys and girls, men and women, to find a good way of life.  There is also a workshop where you can pick up souvenirs and all proceeds are used to run the orphanage.

Mary's Meals

One of our favorite charities - Mary's Meals, who's one goal is that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education - grew as a fruit of one family's trip to Medjugorje in 1983.  (They now have a small office in Medjugorje).  What started as providing aid relief during the Bosnian War, led to a world-wide movement to end world hunger one child at a time.  Currently 1,187,104 children of all faiths are receiving Mary's Meals every school day.

Through their Christmas Donation Program, "One More For Christmas," you can set the table for one more this Christmas and set a child up for a whole school year!

It costs just $19.50 to feed a child for a whole school year.  Please consider DONATING TODAY :)

Our Lady, the Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Kartause Advent Market: St. Nick, Krampus & Christkind

Today ended this year's Advent Market at the Kartause.  Last year was our family's first time experiencing Advent & Christmas Markets in Austria - filled with music, food, and crafts - we eagerly awaited the return of this year's market!

On most days, the Kartause is calm and peaceful...

For nine days, when the Kartause hosts an Advent Market, it becomes a popular destination from people around Austria!

Passing through the first archway, you come to an area where you can purchase Christmas trees...

During hours when the Market isn't open, Francis enjoyed taking in the sights and smells of the fresh-cut trees!

Booths with food and drink (especially mulled wine) are set up in the middle of the main courtyard...

We loved watching the big Christmas tree go up, and enjoyed warming ourselves by the fire-pits...

Many of the indoor rooms (where students normally have class -- their classes and final exams were moved to rooms off of the main corridor) are filled with traditional handicraft for purchase and there is a room set up with free crafts for the children...

On the final Saturday evening of the Market, St. Nicholas arrives at the center of the courtyard accompanied by the Christkind (traditional giver of gifts in Austria), riding in a sleigh pulled by two Krampus...

St. Nicholas and the Christkind (who is often pictured as a child with blonde locks, wings, and halo -- is represented at these events by a blonde, rather attractive female, with wings) pass out the traditional Austrian goodies (peanuts, mandarins, and chocolate) to all of the children.  The Krampus is burdened with the task of carrying the gifts on his back...

Look closely and you can see the Krampus (far left), St. Nicholas, the Christkind (standing behind St. Nick), and Ellie wearing her navy and pink lined coat with the reindeer hat (far right)...

After the goodies have been distributed, the main characters visit with the guests and pose for pictures...

Ellie didn't want her picture with the Christkind -- but here's this lady...

Nor did she want her picture with the Krampus -- but here's this kid (and many others waiting their turn)...

But Francis was all about St. Nicholas...

We did not stay for the final showdown performance that happens between St. Nicholas and the Krampus.  Apparently the performance ends with St. Nicholas defeating the Krampus -- good conquers evil!

We enjoyed a quieter, less scary, view of the Kartause from the front of our house :)

Happy Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday!!!