Our Visit With Chris

Today we had the privilege of hosting my friend Katherine's husband, Chris from Charlotte, NC! Katherine and I met online about 3 years ago (I was pregnant with Leo at the time, and she had just given birth to her first child). We have corresponded via email almost on a daily basis since. Although I have never met her in person, I consider her a very dear friend. We have so much in common, and it's been a real comfort to me in my journey through motherhood to know that I have another mother whom I can call on for support, even if it's across the interwebs!

Chris was traveling to Boston on business, and Katherine and the children were originally going to come with him, using his business trip as an opportunity to see relatives (and US) in Massachusetts. But Katherine and her children came down with an awful virus. Needless to say, they didn't end up joining Chris. We're hoping they will next time!

As promised, I took lots of pictures to try to give Katherine a detailed account of Chris' trip (or to "throw salt in her wounds") as she joked. I know she would've loved to have been able to make it!

Chris met us at the Latin Mass we attend regularly. He arrived early and was able to get a seat close to the front. He was able to join in on the recitation of the rosary, which the congregants at our church say prior to every Mass. He also brought a date (kidding)...a little old lady who took a liking to him...apparently she is Irish and told Chris that she thinks John got his red hair from the Vikings...(Katherine, I'll let Chris fill you in!) :-)

We sat in the back of the chapel in the seats reserved for families with small children. We were happy for Chris that he was able to listen to the entire Mass without distraction! The Mass was really beautiful, and the choir of Sisters and Brothers sang angelically.

After Mass, we introduced Chris to a BUNCH of different people. He met Brother Anthony and Brother Peter (2 of Ben's cousins who are religious Brothers in the Order), lots of young families, Erin and Mike (Leo's godparents), several of the Sisters, and Ben's friend Teddy who specializes in illuminated manuscript design. Teddy's work is really incredible, and he loves showing it off. In the pictures below, you'll see Teddy showing Ben, Chris, and Leo some of his work (all done by hand)...

This book took him 4 hours per/page to hand transcribe...

The inside cover features a handmade marbled design...

And here's one that he actually stitched himself...it's made of goat skin & papyrus!

After Mass we headed over to The Abbey to show Chris the grounds and to meet some of the priests, brothers, and attendants. The Abbey tends to attract many Catholic intellectuals. We enjoyed the company of two professors from Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in New Hampshire. One of them is very well-known, and writes for insidecatholic.com It was neat to get to meet him in person! He seemed excited that I knew who he was. I had actually just read a column by him the day before! The other professor is a well-respected iconographer named David Clayton from Britain. He is currently teaching a really interesting course at Thomas More College. He illustrated a really neat children's coloring book called "Meet the Angels." Ben and Chris enjoyed his company. I told Chris that the Abbey is even prettier in the Fall (pictured below), and hoped that Katherine and the children might come visit then.

Leo enjoyed riding on Chris' shoulders, or "the man," which is what Leo kept referring to him as...

...and as you can see from the strand of my hair that looks like it's flying away, it was quite a windy day!

I also got a good shot of the boys...we somehow misplaced Jules' winter coat, so we had to papoose him in a blanket...

While I went to go feed Jules, Chris, Ben, and Leo went for a walk next door to the Sisters residence. The priests from the Abbey offer Masses for the Sisters next door to them (who are also part of the Center). This is the place where Ben attended school as a child. Isn't the little chapel lovely? It reminds me of a story book :-)

The plan was to go back to our house to eat a nice home-cooked meal, but before we headed home, Chris asked if we could go to the gift shop...I think he wanted to get Katherine a gift? ;-) The gift shop was closed, but we happened to run into the Sister who had the key to open it (she was playing ice hockey in full habit with some of the other Sisters)...it was cold out, and Jules had fallen asleep, so I told Chis and Ben that I'd drive the boys back home while they took their time looking through the gift shop...(but Katherine, the deal was that they had to get us each something...they were not allowed to come back empty handed!!!) I didn't see what Chris got you, but the rumor is that you'll be very pleased :-)

Nuns playing ice hockey...click on picture to enlarge...not something you see every day!

When I arrived home with the boys, they were so exhausted from our adventurous day that they BOTH went down simultaneously. And then they slept for 3 hours SIMULTANEOUSLY. Emphasis on BOTH and SIMULTANEOUSLY because that NEVER happens! So...Chris, Ben, and I actually got to enjoy an entire meal (+ coffee and dessert) in peace and quiet...we were actually able to have some really great conversations without interruption!

I had cooked the food the night before, so when we arrived home, all I had to do was put it out on the table...

We had...

Peanut Butter Pie...

Apple Pie...

Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil Salad...

Steamed Vegetables...

And some homemade macaroni and cheese...

When Leo finally woke up, we realized we had been so deep into discussion that we didn't think to take very many pictures...so I pulled out the camera!

We had a wonderful time with Chris (a.k.a. "The Man") who Leo is still talking about. We hope to see him again soon, and Katherine, we hope you and the children will be able to join him on his next trip! What a gentleman you married!