This last week we sold our minivan, a 2003 Kia Sedona. This was the first vehicle we ever purchased new and we bought it as I was finishing medical school. This minivan was not our first (we had a used Ford Windstar previously), but it sure gave us a good run. The vehicle had 137,000 miles on it and saw our kids grow up from the start of kindergarten.

Many trips have been taken across town and across the country in the old Kia. Despite being such an inexpensive vehicle, it was really very dependable and we had actually planned to take two long trips this summer with it. However, the timing was right to purchase a new vehicle for Linda – one that she has been drooling over. I’ll tell you more about that vehicle in another post.

The good news about the Kia – it went to a family that just had a 3rd child and were in desperate need for an affordable minivan. They were good friends of a neighbor – a perfect situation for them and for us.

Goodbye, Kia…

Today we celebrate the rising of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Six weeks of our Lenten journey has come to an end.

Many of us will be sitting in church, worshiping. There will be many faces that aren’t usually there. In fact, at our Catholic church, they’re often called “Easter Catholics”. However, I’m glad we are all there. Let us all celebrate together.

He is Risen. Happy Easter to all.

Faith, if practiced only in the confines of a church, synagogue, or mosque, demonstrates weakness, fear, or a lack of conviction. As such, it renders faith mediocre and lukewarm.

In our modern world where people of faith are constantly being challenged to keep their mouths shut or their opinions to themselves, we need to realize that could weaken our convictions and beliefs. Screaming, arguing, and proselytizing are not the answer, especially about controversial and challenging topics, but it is certainly important to make sure both sides are heard in a civil way. – Father Leo Patalinghug

Fr Leo, best known for Grace Before Meals , wrote the above statement in his recent Culinary Confessions blogpost.

All I can say is, “Amen”.

hat tip to Frank Weathers at Why I’m Catholic

Spring Break 2012 found us flying to the small island of Cozumel off the Mexican coast of Cancun. We have had a few trips south of the border in the past 5 years that allowed us the relative luxury of all-inclusive vacationing.

The Cozumel Palace was a fabulous place to stay. Our room had a jacuzzi in it.

The view from our ocean-side room on the 5th floor was amazing.

The girls got to snorkel and and swim with stingrays.

We swam with the dolphins – a truly unique experience. What amazing creatures.

We got the chance to experience scuba diving. We attended a familiarization class that allowed us limited use of snorkel gear and limited our time and depth in the water. However, it gave us the chance to fully experience what it’s like to be fully underwater. The fish and coral life was very cool. Fortunately, I overcame my initial panic of being under the water. My favorite picture of the trip:

We had an awesome time and we are looking forward to going back again. If you ever get the chance to try an all-inclusive in Mexico – do it, you’ll be glad you did.

Ready for another day…before the onslaught began