humming a familiar tune

I was thinking to myself tonight, what a hot/muggy summer it's been this year. Perhaps I'm becoming a wimp with age, perhaps its pregnancy (although I've been feeling wonderful just into my seventh month now), or maybe I've just gotten spoiled. We don't have central air conditioning in our home now, but window air conditioners have been running almost constantly keeping us plenty cool. We also have one fan in our hallway to help circulate the air throughout the main floor. It's a window "box" style fan we keep setting on the floor, that reminds me of hot summers as a kid, long before we'd heard of air conditioning. Each of us then, kept a square box fan in our bedroom windows to blow the warm air out of the house. It hummed all night long, and never seemed to allow the slightest breeze. Uggh. I can remember some miserably hot nights laying on top of the sheets listening to that cursed fan, wishing I could turn it around, but knowing Dad had some logic as to why it was pointing out. (The mosquitos stayed cooler than me.) Those old box fans were awesome for making tents in the family room though during the day. We'd clothespin bedsheets to the edges of the fans and allow the air to blow through to create a tent city for us to crawl through. I also recall singing into the fans repeatedly, always enjoying the vibrating effect it had on our voices as we'd sing...always the same song...always drawn out with a southern twang for a more vibrato effect. "Oh Suzanna, oh don't you cry for me..." was the best fan-singing-song around. If you don't believe me, give it a try. Don't forget to hang on the last line a little for the best effect..."I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee-eeeeeee" Love that vibrating sound!!!

I had to laugh when I found Charlie laying on the floor in the hallway today with his little green army man, calling out battle orders into the fan, enjoying the same sounds we enjoyed as kids. I couldn't help laying with him for awhile...and teaching him "Oh Suzanna." He liked it...almost as much as I did. Some of the older kids had friends over in the house to play, and I had to finally stop singing to prevent total embarrassment to my kids. It was a fun little trip down memory lane though, and it didn't take long for Frank to join his brother in my place as they continued singing. I walked away from them to their tune of "I love you mommmmmm! This fan is so cooooooooool." Yep. Way cool.

refusing to count-down

I find myself looking at the calendar these days with only one eye open. I know that ominous day is lurking right around the corner...but I'm trying desperately not to think of it. And yet everything around me is forcing me into the reality of it. School starts in less than 2 weeks! Just last week I broke down and took the kids shopping for "necessary" supplies as indicated by the back-to-school newletter we received. (I mean really...most of my kids still wipe their noses on their sleeve, so who's using the 12 boxes of tissues I'm required to send in?!)
School shoes have been purchased...new tennies for all. (And NO they may not be removed from the box until the first day of school!) Drawers have been stocked with new underwear and socks.
Most importantly, in my usual panic mode, I find myself trying to squeeze as much spontaneous, unscheduled fun into our days as possible before our carefree summer days are gone. Over the past few weeks ( now that baseball/softball/teeball/swim teams/and County fair projects are behind us) we've picniced at area parks again, gone adventuring through the rivers/creeks at Tawawa park in Sidney (where we caught and released Crawdads, Blue Gill, tiny "minnows" and various water bugs...all in a peanut butter jar!). We made our first visit to the Air Force Museum in Dayton yesterday, which we absolutely LOVED! We ventured back to the Lake Loramie State Park beach for some sand and water play, despite the 90+ heat/humidity. All in the name of summer fun.
Each year the first school day comes with a greater feeling of dread for me. Possibly in part due to the fact that I'm realizing that as the kids grow, they're pulled into more activities and responsiblities. Their youth seems too fleeting as it is. I realized early this summer, that teaching our kids to say no to some activities and "yes" to their commitment to being part of the family team is as valuable a lesson as can be learned from any extracurricular they may wish to sign up for. And yet, as I dread their return to school, I also remember the relaxing feeling I get from that quieter cup of coffee as the house empties out a bit. This year Charlie is heading off to morning preschool just a few days a week, leaving just 3 young ones at home with me...at least for a couple more months. It seems as though our schedule at home will also be changed by the fact that John will be switching to day shift (for the first time in almost 22 years), and I will be leaving the regular (one or two day per week) schedule of my nursing job to be home in his absence. Lots of changes on the horizon.
I find peace knowing God's hand is guiding them all. I am ever grateful for his Providence as we accept and embrace each changing day/season.

a different kind of name game

Frank has expressed a bit of jealousy that his twin Rose has her own flower of the same name. As we go out in the evenings to water a few of the potted plants, and more tender flowers it's always her job to water the miniature rose bush. Little Frank was always given a watering can and assigned the marigolds, but he always threw a little fit about it. I couldn't figure out what was upsetting him until he approached me to state rather matter-of-factly the other night, that he was going out to water the "Franks" on the front porch.

Alrighty then.

A marigold by any other name just wouldn't be the same.

name funnies

I'll share this little funny.
As my baby belly becomes more evident, the kids and I have more frequent conversations about the new baby to come, and one of the hottest topics relates to what we'll call this little bean.
I have a few ideas of my own. But it's fun to stir up the conversation by suggesting silly names, like "How about 'Jack' for Jack-o-lantern, if it's a boy born on halloween, or 'Casper'?" Our family has ribbed us in the past that we're not very original with names as we've recycled several siblings'/parents'/grandparents' names. Emma came up with a catchy one at dinner the other evening. She thought we could name a girl after my mom (Anita) and John's sister (Bonnie, who's given name is Bonita) and call the little one Anita Bonita, or "Annie Bananie" for short. We all cracked up with that one. Fun.

So, any suggestions to add to our list?

I'm still here...

and I have lots of things to tell you about...but having a hard time finding the time...
No promises, but I'm hoping to post a few updates this week about what we've been up to. Tomatoes and grapes are ready this week though, which means canning season has begun, and even less time to sit at the computer. I'll try...

Living the Gospel

My sweet boy Charlie is turning 5 tomorrow~FIVE!
Wow.

(waiting for my head to quit spinning, wondering where the time goes...)

Anyhow, we started celebrating a few days early as Godparents dropped by on Sunday to share some birthday wishes, cupcakes, a few spankin's and pinches, and a couple gifts as well.
He was thrilled with all the gifts he received...everyone was so generous. But one small unexpected "trinket" caught his eye more than any other. I cringed...cause it caught my eye as well...and my thoughts immediately turned (with a snicker at God's humor) to Sunday's gospel reading.

To start the story, I have to backtrack a couple weeks. As Charlie and I (and all the boys) spent some time cleaning out drawers and closets, I came across an entire dresser drawer devoted to "treasures." There were special matchbox cars, shiny paper valentines, a few holy cards and craft projects from catechism classes and VBS, and some other unexplainable odds-n-ends. Included in this treasure hodge-podge were 2 yellow plastic duck-bill whistles, that happen to make the most annoying "quacking" sound imaginable (to a mom, that is.) Alice and Emma had gone on a Duck Boat tour in Cinci last year, and had over time bestowed their whistles on Charlie. Now, I tried to respect the boys needs to keep a few treasures, but the duck whistles were chucked quickly into the trashcan. Charlie didn't cry, but without a word he started to reach into the trashbag for them, as I mumbled just loud enough for him to hear "Don't even think about it." He pulled his hand away, defeated, but didn't argue with me. I thought that was the end of the story.

Fast forward to yesterday...and Charlie's birthday gifts. Seems as though his Godmother and family had also done a Duck Boat tour while in Wisconsin this summer, and decided to share their whistle as part of Charlie's birthday gift. (Curses.) His face BEAMED with excitement as he whistled through the kitchen, shooting me a look out of the corner of his eye as he quacked by. It was as if his prayers had been answered. I wonder if he'd wished for those whistles back a hundred times or more since we'd pitched them...and God was listening.

As for my prayers...well...no where did I ask for any noisy whistles (or 3 new giant bouncy balls, thank you very much Aunt Kathy!)...but God discerns our wants versus our needs. Charlie got what he wanted...me, I got what I needed...another opportunity to grow in patience and humility. Touche.


Thank you God for a good laugh on Charlie's birthday...this little guy is a beacon of your Holy joy.

thanks mom.

I wasn't familiar with her nationally syndicated column while it ran. But someone gave me a book, a collection of her most loved articles, and "Forever Erma" made me an instant fan of her writing. Mom just e-mailed me one of her quotes and I had to share...

"Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle." ~Erma Bombeck

Darned Socks

It is no exageration to say that we live in a completely "disposable" society. Remember when mom used to wash out ziploc bags and dry them over the kitchen faucet? or save and reuse aluminum foil? I gasp now to think about it. With paper plates, and swiffer dusters, disposable diapers...shoot we don't have to reuse a thing! I can remember when old socks became dust clothes, and washing out dirty diapers in my earliest babysitting jobs was par for the course. I find myself thinking that many products like clothing, and furnishings, and well, just about everything are made to be disposable nowadays...just not made to last for long.
When John and I were first married, he seemed shocked that I threw out a pair of his holey socks rather than mend them like his mom (mother of 12) would have done. I laughed and said...the only darning I'll do is when I throw them in the trash and scoff "Those DARN socks have a hole in them!" He didn't much see the humor.
As mom to 10 now, my thinking has changed slightly over the years. You see, having this big family has done many things for me, not the least of which is foster a keener awareness of the value of a dollar, and how far we can stretch it. Don't get me wrong...there are times when I'd rather throw an extra 10 pack of socks in my Walmart cart, than sit and take the time to darn socks...but sometimes, time wins out. Other times it has nothing to do with money, but about the effort and love that goes into it.
Tonight Sam was gearing up for his tournament baseball game. He walked through the kitchen with his game shirt tucked neatly into his belted baseball pants; hat just so; tall black socks; a total look that said this boy means business...except wait...what's that?? A big toe peaking through the end of his sock, and about to be tucked into his cleats. (sound of screaching brakes!) Hold it right there!! I asked him if I could fix them for him...it would just take a couple minutes. He grinned from ear to ear. "Really? You can do that?" he asked. Of course, I'd be glad to. (okay, so I briefly cursed under my breath about the fact that this single pair of black baseball socks cost more than the 10-packer of white sweat socks from Walmart...and that they just don't make things to last nowadays. But, I digress.)
He pulled off one sock, and in just a matter of minutes he had a mended sock that could corral even the wildest big toe. All the while I stitched, little Lucy watched and asked "Why mom? Why?"
"Because we love Sammy," I said.
"And darned socks means love."

thought for the day

Why is picking away at wallpaper so much more fun (and inviting) when you're NOT supposed to be doing it??

For the last 5 years I've "lived" with the wallpaper in our front hallway. After experiencing the joys of wallpaper removal in our previous home...from every room, I decided one short (only slightly hideous) hallway of paper was livable. Now that we're looking at our home through the eyes of potential buyers though, the paper has GOT TO GO! Especially now that my kids have had 5 years to pick their way down the seams, and crayola a whole new pattern. Yup. I decided to go for it today...soaking it down with a mix of warm water/fabric softener in a mist bottle, scraping, and repeating. Not horrible work, just tedious. And where are my pickers now?? Grinning somewhere else. (And I can't say I blame them.) This is not much fun at all...ah but even just 1/3 of the way through it, it looks better already. I keep wondering why we didn't do some of these projects sooner. I'm afraid if I keep at these little projects, we may just decide to stay awhile longer. Hmmm.

Falling back in with Family this Fourth

What a wonderfully exhausting holiday weekend it was!
My brother and his family drove in on Friday from Knoxville, TN. Their homecoming is always reason to celebrate, so beginning Friday evening already we did just that. John was scheduled to work his usual Friday evening shift, so the kids and I headed over to mom and dads for a pizza and cold beverages on the patio, along with a few mean games of kickball for young and old to enjoy. Saturday brought us all back to mom and dad's for more visiting, backyard games, and even a late-night campfire after the kids were in bed. So nice to catch up and enjoy conversation and good laughs.
In addition to hosting my brother's family, mom and dad were also preparing their home and yard for a Fourth of July family reunion. It's a long story, with more than one, more than simple explanation, but Dad's side hasn't kept in touch well...hardly at all over the years. In fact it's been over 15 years since I've seen or talked with any of my first cousins on that side, and for Dad and his cousins, it may have been longer. Much too long overdue! On a whim, my parents planned for and threw together the reunion to be held at their home, and to their surprise more than 5o folks were able to make it. Just wonderful! I met so many incredible people, some I'd met as a small child...at funerals, or weddings; reunited with cousins my kids didn't even know I had, shared stories and tales of my great-grandparents that even my Dad hadn't heard before. Just awesome! I'm so grateful for the day, and for a full weekend of family bonding. The saying is true, "better late, than never." Dad sent me a picture from the weekend...several came later and missed sitting for the pic. Glad to say that my family circle just got bigger.

“The love of a family is life's greatest blessing”

Special Prayer Intentions for the day...

For the return of a Loved One(s) to the Church:

Lord Jesus, I know that you give everyone the grace to seek and to find you in their lives; so I want to pray for someone who is very dear to me, someone who was in the church but who has turned away.

Grant your grace to this person, Lord that he (she) may come back to full union with you in the church. Grant him (her) the eyes of faith to see that only in your true church the fullness of life can be found.

Let my life and the lives of all the faithful be so truly Christian that they may be a sign and an invitation to reconversion for this person and for all who may have fallen away. I ask this, Lord in you name and through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Mother of the Church. Amen.

okay...so it was a "little white one."

I promised I was done, but I do have a bit more to elaborate on with regards to Niagara.

I got so caught up in talking about the details of the trip, that I nearly left out the best part...the Falls in all their awesome-ness. (Is that a word?) It is breathtaking. The power and force behind the water, the shear volume (and I didn't even pay attention to the numbers of gallons that fall per minute...but someone has figured that out), it leaves you feeling so in awe of all that God is capable of. This same creator of birds and flowers, the Author of Life, the Master of our Universe didn't settle on anything...right down to this massive flow of water. Just AMAZING!

I had to smile while at mass at the Basilica that Sunday the reading would be about what else? water! From Zecharia's first reading about God cleansing us with his Grace, and sending down a huge fountain, to the mention in the second reading about being clothed in Christ through the waters of Baptism. Even the psalm response was about our souls thirsting for our Lord. It was one of those humbling little God moments, helping to remind me of His prescence in all things small and great! Certainly if we thirst for Him...he will quench us with His love...shower us with his graces, bless us in ways we cannot fathom.

The week after we arrived home a friend sent us this e-mail with rare pictures of the Falls back in 1911...when the Falls were frozen, and folks actually were able to walk across the ice. Can you imagine? This same God, capable of creating such a force of nature can just as easily calm it. Incredible.

How great is our God!

Niagara Falls

In Pictures.
(and the last time I'll bring it up....promise.)

The 12 of us...plus baby bump to be. That's the American Falls just behind us, and I believe (tho we didn't travel it) that is the Rainbow Bridge beyond which connects the U.S. and Canada.

Story of any young man's life...wishin' he was a little bit taller. Little John can't see NOTHIN' from this darn thing!
Sam posin' for his mom. Can you say "CHEESE!" It is really amazing to think that just a few feet...very few feet, and one tiny little railing seperate my babies from this raging falls. (Breathe Jamie, just breathe. This is only the first evening.)
Cutie pies Lucy and Rose, grab a quiet moment, and each other while they wait for the rest to "move on." Too sweet.
Rosie and Frank (and Grace in the background) trying to buck the wind and the mist in their fun ponchos. The Maid of the Mist boat ride was a must do! Even the little ones LOVED it. (and we big ones had fun too!)
Just after the Maid of the Mist, Grandpa poses with the grandkids who made the trip.
Okay, this looks like a really great photo-op...sweet smile, rocks, nature, calm waters...but my heart was pounding to snap the pic, and get her OUT OF THE WATER!!! Just a few yards beyond are the raging rapids that in a matter of seconds could sweep my baby girl down the Horseshoe Falls. And nope, no railing. Nothing to keep us from being silly and wandering out there....nothing. (Gulp) I couldn't get the kids away from here fast enough. This was taken on the 3rd (and tiniest) of the Three Sisters Islands, which are actually a great little spot to check out...tiny islands connected with foot bridges overlooking the rapids that lead to the falls.
17 cousins, posing on Three Sisters.
This was one of many stops for the little trolley that took us around the State Park. I think adults ride for $2, kids a buck, and ages 6 and under are free. Top of the Falls restaurant was at this stop...and the Falls were at our backs.
Too sweet Cousin Katie, with her Uncle Steve. Ahhh... if we could all be little kids again. I felt like collapsing just like this a couple times. (unfortunately, nobody would be willing or able to haul my big hiney around quite like this. Darnit.)

Niagara Falls

(part 2 in a series about our recent vacation adventure)

For us, traveling as a large family means one thing...attempting to have a plan, and then being willing to throw it out the window when things don't go accordingly.
Things started out well. We met at Dad's and after joining hands in prayer for safe travels, and a few kids car-swapping for the first leg of the trip, we were off. Cell phones and walkie talkies kept lines of communication open, allowing us to learn from one family traveling ahead of us that the rest-stop we were planning as our lunch stop was closed...the first (and maybe simplest) in a series of adjustments to the "plan." (Walkie Talkies for the kids in the caravan would be my first fun travel tip). We mapped out another rest-stop and met up with 2 other cars. There would now be 6 cars in our caravan, and 2 others well ahead of us.
There are only so many things I can try to predict and plan for when preparing...how much food to bring, how many changes of clothes, what sites we plan to try to visit, and sometimes even what we'll do for a plan B if weather (or kids) are rotten. One thing I didn't factor on was the CROWDS of people that come to visit the Falls. Hundreds, thousands maybe. My life seems to be a constant head count the way it is, and with crowds as they were, it was magnified.
Often as we walked, it was with our entire group (39 people.) The kids loved hanging out with their cousins, and aunts and uncles, and I'd often find more than one of mine enjoying a shoulder ride through the park. This was wonderfully reassuring, and at the same time incredibly stressful to not have them constantly at my side...within head-count range. Throughout the entire trip (and in my sleep even) my mind was constantly at work...Alice, Emma, Sam, Grace, Mary, John? John? John? white shirt? okay there's John, Charlie, Frank, Rose? Rose? Rose was with cousin Jessi right? Yep, there's Rose...and Lucy (usually with John or I, and easiest to keep count of.) Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. It was unsettling. Note, my second tip, this time for SAFE traveling: Dress the entire family in a matching color, preferrably something neon. I say this only half-jokingly. Definitely dress alike, even though I laugh when I see it on tv...Duggar style, but neon is optional. Alice and Emma wore matching neon yellow camp shirts one night, and they were the easiest to locate, despite the fact that they were most often apart from the crowd.
We spent our two nights there at the Holiday Inn Niagara Falls (NY side), which turned out to be a perfect location...walking distance to the Falls, and lots of great little sites within the State Park...and yes, State Park spells cheap (and in some cases, for kids 6 and under, FREE). There were lots of walking paths and trails, access to the observation tower and viewing sites for both the American and Horseshoe falls, trolley rides on Goat Island, 3 Sisters Islands, and lots of other little gems. What we didn't even realize until we were leaving on Sunday, was that a block behind us was the commercialized part of the Falls...a section of town that was nothing but t-shirt stands, carnival-type rides, street vendors galore...certainly something enjoyable for some families, but nothing that we had budgeted for in our trip, and something we were tickled pink to have blissfully avoided all weekend. There are fireworks over the falls on Friday and Sunday nights thru the summer months, and they were well-worth staying out late with young ones. We could view them perfectly just across the street from our hotel. Perfect!
Most of the rest of the family ate at and enjoyed Top of the Falls restaurant (on Goat Island?), which had prime dining with a view of the falls. We were planning to join them, until all 10 of the kids, while reviewing the menu during our wait outside, chose Cheese Pizza as their entree from the kids menu. At $8.95 per kid, we opted to return to the hotel and order in pizza pool-side with a few of the others who also opted out. The view sounded really nice, and I was told the food was excellent, but when feeding these masses, we have to be budget-realistic. No pizza is worth $89.50. My days of fine dining have come and gone...and will be back before I know it, but now is not the time. Tip #3, relating to group traveling, sometimes you just have to break from the crowd. For me, ordering pizza poolside was so much more relaxing than the thought of hushing my wild bunch after a hot day of long walks along trails. And vacation is about relaxing (at least a little bit, right?!) Do what works for you and your family.
On Sunday, everyone broke to go their seperate ways. Some had actually left early Saturday evening to be back home for other plans, some were going to be staying over longer in Cleveland on the way home, and still others wanted to spend a bit more time at the Falls. We opted to go to mass at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, just 10 minutes north of the falls. Unfortunately, we had one sick little one (a stomach virus), and the Basilica where mass was held was HOT, steaming HOT. So while we managed to make it through mass without event, we didn't get to stay and tour the beautiful grounds. It did have a life-size statue garden with many (50 or more?) statues of the saints. It was beautiful from a distance as we passed by, and wish we could have spent the afternoon wandering around there. It was the perfect end to and ready-to-end mini vacation. I recommend a stop there if you're in the area.
Overall, it was a WONDERFUL trip. I'm so glad we went, and enjoyed traveling (for the first time I think) with family in such a large group. I worried unneccesarily beforehand about how group-travel would be...and turns out it was great. I hope it becomes tradition. John's dad turned 80 earlier this year, and none of us know what time will bring. I'm glad to have these memories of a family vacation with him, and think he might have enjoyed it too. I'm certain he was glad that his days of head-counting his 12 kids are over, and could relax a bit...though it was no "walk in the park" for him, I'm sure. I think it's safe to say we ALL slept better in our own beds when we got home.
Happy, safe travels to all of you this summer.

Busy B's...

~on Bricks, Baseball, Baby showers, and Beating the heat...

Just breathing (and putting my feet up this evening) after another incredibly busy weekend.

I've been continuing to clean and declutter my way through the house, one closet...one corner...one room at a time. Friday and Saturday, the kids helped me in the basement. It's been the kids' "haven" since we moved in here, which works perfectly well for us. But with the intention of selling the house soon, it seemed necessary to "take back" some of the space, and show off it's full potential. There's a brick fireplace down there (which we've never used, and in fact has remained hidden behind a large storage chest) that someone would love, I think. Friday evening, we took down posters and kids' artwork, scrubbed walls (ahhh...to be rid of the crayon markings), and took apart the large wall of desks the older kids have been enjoying for some time now as their "big kid space." We moved and rearranged the cozy couch and loveseat around the fireplace to make a nice seating/tv area. On Saturday we sorted and reorganized all the toys to a smaller designated area of the basement. Between the two areas is a table and chairs for games/coloring/etc. It all flows so much nicer now, and looks clean and tidy. I love it. Alice and Emma helped me with a really cool white-washing paint technique on the very dark, dated brickwork around the fireplace. It turned out gorgeous and I could kick myself for not doing if 5 years ago. The basement just seems generally brighter and more family-friendly, rather than just a giant rompous room. So glad to have that job under my belt...now we just have to work to keep it tidy. (no easy task.)

Sam had a baseball tournament all day on Saturday in nearby Versailles. With games at 11a, 2:30, and 5:30p and temperatures in the 90's...it was sure to be a HOT one. John spent the day there with him, while the other kids and I stayed home getting jobs done in the basement. We met them for the 5:30 game, but with delays in the schedule it didn't get started till closer to 7. Wow. I was hot and tired just sitting around waiting...I can't imagine how tuckered those boys felt (and parents who were out there all day with them!) It was 9 till we were home and ordered some pizza. We met up with other families to end the day with some cold drinks and fireworks at one of the teammates home. They didn't fare well in the tourney, but it was a good learning experience. This is Sam's first year on the traveling team, and he seems to be enjoying it, and learning...it's all good. As for me, I'm learning too. Expect delays, pack more cold water, and lawn chairs beat bleachers anyday. Pack them!
On Sunday the girls and I attended a baby shower for our niece. There was another young first-time mom there, who would probably be horrified to know I'm including her on the blog here. But I must admit, I left feeling so grateful to know that my kids are not the only one in the world who managed to spit up all over their aunties, or to poop all over someone else's carpet. Poor little mama. She handled it all in great stride...quite gracefully I thought. I remember feeling so horrified everytime we went to a party and one of my babies would most certainly, spit up an entire feeding all over the most well dressed auntie in the place. Or leak a poopy diaper all over someone's lap. Without fail. And it was only my kids that did this, I was certain. Oh, it was nice to be on the observing end for once, and not have to feel apologetic and guilt-ridden for the messes my kids left behind. I left with a feeling of understanding...been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Grateful to know we mom's are not alone in our personal miseries of doo-doo, spit-up mishaps that our kids leave behind to keep us humble.

As for beating the heat....well, just grinning and bearing it. Sounds like we'll be getting a reprieve here the next couple days. Praise the Lord! Can't wait to open the windows and get fresh air circulating through the house again. I've got some more touch-up painting to do this week. The fresh air will be nice.

Have a blessed week everyone!

Bartering Band-its.

Are your kids into these?

Silly bands, Crazy bands, whatever you call them...I wish I'd thunk them up! Simple, colorful rubberbands that take the shape of all sorts of things from sports themes, treats, animals, you name it. When you take them off, they return to their cool shape. My kids are NUTS about them.

I bought a couple packs for vacation as something small that the kids could trade in the van. My sisters-in-law did the same, and as our kids swapped vans for the long haul to NY, they also spent hours (and I do mean HOURS) swapping bracelets as well. Boys and girls alike, all ages, it was a crazy phenomenon happening. Just when you thought all was settled a tiny voice 4 benches behind me would hollar out, "Does someone want to trade an ice cream cone for a hockey stick?" And the bartering would begin again.

Oh, I'm sure it will be short-lived like every little fad, and I am tired of finding them all over the house, but what great travel entertainment it provided. I even caught the kids trading with newfound friends while at the Falls. Very cool indeed...like the jelly bracelets of the 80's with a cool twist.

Niagara Falls: A travel log

First in a series of posts about our recent travels to New York

Setting the scene:

Our plans were to meet at Grandpa's house early Friday morning, to meet and caravan to New York...leaving by 9am. We would be celebrating Fathers Day at Niagara Falls with John's dad, and 7 other of John's siblings...some bringing kids, some not. Some families had extended travel plans before or after, but there would end up being 6 vehicles traveling together on Friday during some part of the trip, and 39 of us enjoying the weekend together.

Back track 24 hours...

~Laundry is in full swing, and it doesn't matter how full I stuff my washer, kids still seem to be dirtying clothes faster than I can get them clean. I may just have to stuff the kids (in dirty clothes) into the suitcases.

~Groceries (car snacks, breakfast foods to eat in our hotel room, picnic lunch for the drive, and other trip essentials like non-ginormous-size shampoo/conditioner bottles) have been purchased and hidden in the basement so that they might actually still be here when it's time to pack.

~Suitcases have been brought down from the storage closet and aired out (dusted) to get ready for packing (if I can get ahead on laundry.)

My plan is to pack for the twelve of us for a 3 day trip (leaving Fri, returning either Sun or Mon.)

That means 3 sets of clothing each(4 for the younger more accident prone), pajamas, swimsuits, jackets, shoes, and of course food. I usually try to pack games and small toys, but space in the van is at a premium...so we'd have to choose only necessities.

~By 11pm, I had the bags packed. We managed to fit all our things into 1 luggage set...the kids clothes in the largest case, John and I had our clothes in the smaller suitcase, jackets in a small duffle, all swimgear in a backpack, and a final bag for bathroom essentials, diapers, and pj's. And good news...it all fit in the 10 inch space in the back of our 15 passenger van. (these vans were definitely designed to haul people...not stuff.) A large cooler fit between the front seats (which meant I would be unable to climb to the back without gymnastics involved.) and a few small bags of snack/groceries fit under the front bench seat. The kids were allowed to pack games or books...only what they could fit into a small tote that remained in their seat. It would be tight.

I had everything packed into the van with the exception of the cooler by 1am. Kids clothes were laid out for morning, coffee pot set-up...planning to eat, load the cooler and head out. We'll see what Friday morning brings...

...more to come in another post.

so, that's where that got to!

I cleaned out the linen closet last evening.


Pause for a moment while I go look again.... yep, she's a thing of beauty.


When I open the door, I hear sweet music, and a choir with lights shining down...it's heavenly.
All items neatly folded, each shelf organized by bed-size...full size, twin size, queen size, toddler bed sheets...lovely. There are even labels on the shelves indicating what belongs where. I placed the labels there years ago, but they've not been seen in many moons. Somehow, 10 year olds helping with laundry, and middle of the night linen emergencies wreak havoc on a linen closet. But things are sorted once more, and all is right with the world again. Oh so nice. Martha Stewart would be pleased. It's a good thing, indeed.
Even more magical are the treasures I found on the floor...items that rolled in under the door from the hardwood hallway that lies beyond. It was like opening a time capsule. There was John's matchbox little red van (a mini version of what his dad drives) that he got for pooping on the potty for the first time (3+ years ago.) Emma had drumsticks once...then things got quiet...now we know why. They rolled into the silence of the linen closet. Polly Pocket had stored an entire wardrobe in one corner. Oh, and there were bouncy balls. But shhhhh. What the kids don't know, won't hurt them right? I know NOTHING of any bouncy balls...nope nothing. All gone. Bye bye bouncies...forever....to a place much more permanent than the confines of my sheets and blankies.

Yes...my sheets and blankies. Let me go peak again.

Just lovely. I love organization. It's a good thing.

half-baked

It's been over a week ago now since I had my routine ultrasound to check on little baby to be. I'd wanted to scan a picture to share, but seeing as I'm not getting it done, I thought I'd better update without it. We're past the half-way mark now, and little baby is developing beautifully. I never cease to be amazed at the miracle of life as witnessed on an ultrasound monitor...all that movement, and activity and growth going on inside the womb. And all the time I'm almost completely unaware, except for the occasional flutters and kicks. Amazing. I saw the baby gripping it's ear with tiny little fingers, kicking it's legs and flailing little arms. Just awesome! I've managed to cry through every ultrasound...it just doesn't get old. A perfect miracle called life.
The technician at the hospital was very thorough in all aspects of measurement...leg length, head and abdomen circumfrence, even looking at little kidneys, checking the developing spine, listening to and counting the heartbeat (150 beautiful beats per minute), and checking for sufficient amniotic fluid for the little bean to continue to thrive in. Thorough that is, until it came to checking for "private parts," which I asked her for now to keep private. No peeks down there until baby arrives in late October/early November.
So the naming game continues, brothers and sisters keep guessing, and I'm so incredibly excited to meet the little him or her, face-to-face for the first time.
God is good. Thanks for continued prayers.

...oh, and any name suggestions?

Spring Cleaning

~better late than never.

Blogger is offering new designs, so I've decided to spruce up around here and redecorate a bit. It goes right along with what we've been up to here on the homefront too. Aside from just returning from a weekender in Niagara Falls. (That packing, planning, vacation adventure will have to wait for another post.)
The bigger news is that we're looking to put our house on the market, so we've been busy sprucing up, cleaning out, tossing, sorting, scrubbing crayon-marked walls, and all sorts of little tidy-up jobs that will hopefully help make for a smooth (i.e. "quick") sale. We've been looking at another home...our "forever" home, if you will. No details to spill about that just yet though, until things are more final on that front.
John and I knew when we moved in here that it would likely only be for a few years. We were expecting our 7th child then, and figured 5-10 years here would be our max. The location has been ideal for us though...so close to school, pool, parks, everything in walking/biking distance for the kids. But we've outgrown it several times over, and with baby #11 coming, God seemed to place this next (and final) home right there within our reach. It's so perfect for our big family...can't wait to finalize a contract so I can spill more about that.
For now...keep us in your prayers, that if it's meant to be, it will. So many things happened so perfectly up until this point, I can't help but think it's His hand making it happen. And if it's not, well...He's certainly given me hope that the right place is out there for us...and for that I'm grateful too. Good night, and God bless.

(oh, and if you know someone who's looking to move to this area...)

Let me take you down...

...cause I'm going to, strawberry fields. ~the Beatles.

(okay, so I'm too young to know what that song is really about...but that was our adventure for the week. Strawberry pickin'!!)

It's funny, I haven't picked strawberries at a fruit farm since I was a wee little kid. My older neighbor lady asked mom if she could borrow us kids for the day to help her pick berries. (Yes...free, slave labor.) And my memories of that day are not kind. It seems to me we picked berries in the sweltering sun and heat ALL DAY LONG, and ended with nothing to show for it. Uggh. Bet she made some nice pies though. (curses.)

So, I got to thinking. Why should I have all the fond memories. Our kids are old enough to enjoy a day in the fields, picking, and swiping a few fresh berries along the way. They'll LOVE it. Right??

Actually. They did. It was a cooler morning on Tuesday, and we spent only an hour bent over gathering the sweetest, ripest berries we could muster. It was easy work...apparently a bumper-crop year for strawberries here. And the kids didn't complain at all. Huh. How 'bout that! All the kids (minus Alice and Emma who were at camp this week) went with us, and picked till their ice cream bucket's were full. Oh, except Lucy too. She spent the hour traipsing aimlessly between the rows, giggling with delight as the sweet berry juice covered her face and dripped down her elbows. She was tickled pink. Literally. Turns out they all want to do it again next year. As for me...well, my knees and thighs are feeling the pain from all that scrunching. And my fingers seem permanently stained red from all the strawberries I've been putting up this week...several pies, lots of frozen berries, and 24 pints of jam later...I think it will take me the whole year to muster up the energy to go back again.

We picked 8 buckets of the juicy red berries. Delicious!!

Enough to keep Lucy smiling and sweet as ever. (Note the pink drips going down the front of her shirt. I didn't think to bring the camera along...the pink seed-smeared face, hands, elbows, and knees was priceless!)
Ahhh...and the rewards of our labors...fresh strawberry pie (and jam, and sauce, and plain berries. Yumm!)

Abram would be so disappointed...

I found it funny, ironic, silly, a little God-smiling moment that this Sunday's first reading was of Abram giving one tenth of all that he had to God. These words came on the heels of a conversation I had earlier this week with the kids about saving money. (They are going to eat their way through their savings on ice cream from the local Tasty Treat by mid-July if they don't buckle down a bit.) I reminded them that they have to consider "wants" vs. "needs" and the importance of good spending/saving habits...the usual mom-spiel that typically falls on deaf ears. Five-year-old John was certain he understood when he smacked down his fist on the table, and announced "That's it! No more money in my church envelope! It's wasting!"

Ummm.

That's not what I meant. So how do I explain my way out of this one. Sure enough, as the kids picked through their change jars for their Sunday offering envelope, he minimized for sure. He's serious about his cutting back.

The little miser.

the Litany of my little Saints

"How do you keep them all straight?"

I'm asked the question so often, I don't think much of it anymore. And in fact, even parents (and grandparents) of just a couple seem to have the same trouble. You surely know how it goes...looking directly into the eyes of one of your little saints, you scramble through the entire list of names before you get to the right one, often settling on a "oh, you know who you are!" type finish before the verbal reprimand ensues. (It is usually when one of the saints is in trouble, that we typically fluster through the names, right?)

Anyhow, a dear friend and I were talking at the pool last night about this same subject, and she jokingly called this name-fumbling her "Litany" of her little Saints. She suggested that if she considers each misnomer an offering of prayer for the names mentioned, then by the time she gets to the right name, she'll have prayed for her kiddos, as well as hopefully gained a little more patience for the "saint" she's intending to deal with at that time.

LOVE that idea!!! Thanks April. You've changed the way I feel about calling the wrong names...now it's a good thing, and will hopefully put my heart in the right place by the time I get to name #10.

The weather started out a little iffy yesterday, cloudy & overcast, even rain showers in the afternoon. By evening though, it couldn't have been more beautiful. The sun brought with it temperatures into the 80's. There was no breeze...the perfect night for a backyard campfire. And 'smores of course! ...our first of the summer.

...and mmmmmm were they delicious! The kids had friends over to play a little backyard football. A perfect night for that too.
Mary and John stopped to pose for a moment. (the recent grads) Say cheese!

Today's weather is even more beautiful...hot and sunny in the 80's. Oh welcome back summer weather! We've missed you.

Sweet siblings

~photos from the weekend.

Sisters are blossoms in the garden of life. ~Author Unknown

"hip-waders" ~Silly girls splashing in a rain puddle

~the four youngest hamming it up before graduation ceremony on Friday.

Con GRAD ulations Mary and John!!

These two, my second set of twins, have graduated beyond the walls of half-day kindergarden to full-time first graders. Oh my! Could someone please hit "pause" or at least "slow motion" for just a little while. Wasn't it just yesterday we blinked and they were heading out the door for their first day of kindergarden?!

This can only mean one thing...Charlie's next. Not kindergarden just yet...he'll need a year with Jackie first. (a local preschool teaching "legend" of sorts.) He'll need that. I'll have to adjust.

..excuse me while I go wipe away the tears...(of bittersweet sadness/joy/jubilation, you decide.)

baby steps

I remember my first car phone. It was a hand-me-down from my dad for all the driving I did while living at home and attending nursing school. He always worried that I might have trouble along the road and preferred I keep it with me.

My kids would laugh out loud if they could see it now. It was about the size of a toaster, built into a vinyl/velcro case, and could only be used when plugged into your car cigarette lighter. But it was mobile, and it was the BOMB!

After college, I paid for my first cellular phone plan with a smaller more compact phone...one that could actually be used without a car or lighter. I was 2o. (Alice and Emma...are you reading this? 20, and I paid the bill with my own paycheck.) Texting was not an option then.
I've upgraded maybe 3 times in those 17 years since. Even went several of those years without one. (Gasp!) And even though we currently have a cell phone (just one) it spends 90% of it's days "charging" on the kitchen counter. I rarely remember to carry it, and when we do take a trip and think it wise to bring it along...the battery's dead, so it's turned off and charging in the car while we drive. I think you see the pattern here. (If you're trying to reach us, your best bet would be call home and leave a message...we eventually come home to eat, and see the light flashing on the machine.)
Anyhow, our most recent cell phone was nearing the end, refusing to hold a charge anymore and just generally a pain, so I upgraded. Turns out our plan was so old, we had a lot of upgrading to do...but that's another scam of a story altogether. I ended up with a beauty of little gizmo...in red (my favorite color). It takes pictures, has a full keyboard for texting, has a calculator and tip figure-outer, alarm clocks and calendars. And get this, you can even make phone calls! My 10 year olds think it's pretty hip too. I'm slowly entering the world of text-messaging now, thanks to a teenage neice and her family who ONLY reply to texts. Seems they have no use for e-mail, or telephones, or even the flashing lights on the machine. Anyhow. I'm having fun with the whole texting thing...and sending out and recieving one liners for the silliest of reasons. I texted mom to tell her we saw a hummingbird on our feeder. (Then I called her about it, and told her again later that day at the ballgame.) So, it's not really a necessity by any means. It's fun, and completely inefficient for my intents and purposes. But, I'm slowly dipping my feet into the techno pond, and who knows, maybe someday (when it's free, or being given out in bubble gum machines) we'll even try our hand at web-browsing or twittering or whatever people do with phone/texter/calculator/tip-figure-outer/camera/web-surfing thing-a-ma-bobs. Baby steps Jamie...baby steps.

My first phone wouldn't fit in my glove compartment. This one gets lost in my pocket. I think I'd like lipstick to match. How cute?!

cartoon confusion

Little Rose seems to have gotten her cartoon "buzz" words a little mixed up. As she charged around the corner of the house and down the driveway for more sidewalk chalk, she hollared out "To in-Phineus and beyond!" ...just cute as a bug's ear!

(for you non-Disney cable cartoon watchers...Phineus and Ferb is a fun little cartoon the kids love, and Buzz Lightyear of the movie Toy Story made famous the line "To infinity and beyond.")

juggling baseballs

Whew.

We made it through what is scheduled to be our toughest game-night of the season. A 2 hour choir party overlapping 4 kids playing 3 games in 2 different towns all scheduled for the same time. Typically the kids ride their bikes to games, but with the threat of storms, and the overlapping schedule tonight, it meant the Big Red Bus was going to be taxi-ing a bit more than ususal. And everyone tells me it's just going to get worse as they get older. Yikes. Just one day, one moment at a time...

3:15 kids arrive home from school, and raid the snack cupboard. I had splurged today and made apple crisp...so we had that with a dallop of vanilla ice cream.
(a quick homework check...reading, and writing, and spelling lists.)
3:50 Load all passengers into the van for transport...Alice and Sam have their "end of the year" Choir Party at the bowling alley. Supposed to last till 6, but I've given them strict instructions to meet me at the door at 5:20...and on to games.
4:30 supper, potty breaks & diaper change, and scurrying to find shoes and socks for all the kids at home (too tough to keep gravel out of the flip-flops and sandals at the baseball park), as we prepare to pick up Alice and Sam, and move into baseball/softball mode.
Grace and Emma are getting dressed for their games, and still trying to help me with readying the little ones as I finish cleaning up from supper. It was hotdogs, chips, pudding, strawberries, and milk tonight...simple (though not-so-healthy) crowd pleaser.
5:20 We're just getting out the door, and I'm sure Alice and Sam are waiting for me.
5:30 pick up Alice and Sam...
drop Sam off at home to get dressed for his game. Alice is changing shoes in the van.
5:40 dropping Alice and Emma off at the ball park to catch their caravan...away game in New Bremen tonight.
5:45 back at home...picking up Sam, making sure he and Grace have waterbottles, and mitts, and cleats double-knotted...and we're back in the van dropping them off for warm-ups prior to their 6:30 games. Thank goodness their playing on back-to-back diamonds.
6:00 while we're out and about, we stop by grandma and grandpas to return a dish, and visit a bit before we have to be back at the park for gametime.
6:30 game time...constant head-count as the 6 youngest spend most of their time playing in the gravel with a half a dozen other kids who remembered to bring trucks and sand toys for entertainment. A constant walk-about between Sam and Grace's games to try to catch them at-bat, or even in the dugout for a quick thumbs-up. I saw very little of either game...but it seems important to at least make the effort.
8:15 back at home to breathe and begin baths. 10 kids playing in gravel and dirt. No one could skip tonight.
9:15 the last of them are in bed...and I'm feeling like I might not be too far behind. Just a few loose ends to tie up in the kitchen...thank goodness I managed to get laundry folded this afternoon. Well...except for all these baseball uniforms...more games on Saturday. Better go toss a load into the washer while I'm thinking of it.

In all the chaos, a simple moment shared...like when Lucy chimes along with our "Angel of God" prayer as we walk up the stairs to bed...and she giggles when we pray for the "baby in mom's belly." (Maybe she's laughing that I'd want to add to the craziness...or maybe she just likes the notion of another little baby in the house...I think it's the latter.)

Yep. Life is good. God is good. We are blessed.
G'night all.

Pretty as a Rose (and a Lucy)

The littlest girls in this house seem to love touring the yard with me to check for signs of new blooms. This week we had several new arrivals including Peonies (our first year for them...and so exciting to watch the ants scurry about!), Clematis (perfectly timed to surround our statue of the Blessed Mother during her month of May), Irises, Coral Bells (welcome humming birds!), and some lingering Lilacs(my personal favorite smell of spring). Lucy still holds on to my pinky finger as she leans forward and beckons me to "c'mere mom." She can't get to the pretties quick enough. Today I let them each pick a few blooms to play with, and eventually place in water on the windowsill.

They seemed to have trouble deciding when I asked them which was the prettiest...

Lucy thinks that none are as "pretty as a Rose!" Thank you Lord for these sweet, sweet girls (and the "pretties" you provide for us to enjoy.)

Recipe Box~ must try this bread!

~No Knead to Tell Anyone How SIMPLE This Is!!!

Don't get me wrong, I love to knead a good dough once in awhile, but occasionally life gets in the way. Time is of the essence. Need a good scrumptious, homemade bread yesterday...not 6 hours from now.
I'm making a lunch for someone in our parish tomorrow who is recovering from surgery, and thought veggie soup and homemade bread would hit the spot. Unfortunately, I thought of it at 9:30 tonight, and really didn't want to spend ALL NIGHT working the dough, and waiting, and working...you get the picture. Then I remembered reading about this bread that Danielle (yes we're on a first name basis, remember?) suggested on Faith and Family Live, a yeast bread that requires no kneeding!! So I thought...let's get 'er done! I just pulled the loaves out of the oven about 1/2 hour ago (yes, I doubled the recipe) and nibbled the crust off one end (with a dallop of butter of course) and oooh...crisp crust, tender light middle...ahhh. Delicous!

Here's the recipe. Go ahead. Try it tonight, or maybe tomorrow...it's supposed to be cooler for the weekend, right?! As if that really matters....go ahead. YUMMM!

Easy Batter Bread

1 package dry yeast
1 1/2 cups milk, warmed
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cups all purpose flour

Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk and butter in a large mixing bowl, stir, and let stand to dissolve for a minute or so. Add the salt, sugar, and 2 cups of the flour. With a wooden spoon, beat vigorously for 2 minutes, or with an electric mixer for about 1 minute. Add the remaining flour and beat well. Pour batter into a greased 8 1/2” x 4 1/2” x 2 1/2” loaf pan and smooth top with wet fingertips. Cover lightly and let rise to top of the pan, about 30-45 minutes. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F. oven for 45 minutes. Turn loaf out of pan and onto wire rack to cool.

(I do have to note here, that in no way could my batter be "poured" into the pans. It was thick and very sticky...but spooned in just fine, and turned out remarkable.)

Mothers Day Memories

~not sure it gets any better than this...

My window sill is lined with styrofoam cups full of all sorts of mystery flowers...lots of green with few actual blooms. A stack of homemade cards covers the desk in the kitchen...complete with promises to take out the trash, empty the dishwasher and the like. I scored a whole treasure trove of homemade trinkets like pipe cleaner bracelets, heart shaped bead crafts, and more. It can only mean one thing...I had a simply divine Mothers Day! Of course I wore the bracelets to mass on Sunday...the girls worked so hard on them. I couldn't have been more humbled as I stood with other moms to recieve a blessing. And yet I was painfully aware of other women, who like myself some years ago, are longing to be the ones standing. I pray for them, that God may find it in his plans to answer their prayers.

I'd be remiss to ignore the best part of my day though...my first waking moments of shear joy...Breakfast in bed! Yes. You read it right. The 6 girls teamed together Sunday morning to deliver a delicious, (well-rounded, even) breakfast of hot oatmeal (with a hint of brown sugar--just the way I love it), warm buttery toast, yogurt, and milk complete with 2 mini donuts. (They were glad to help me eat what I couldn't....like the donuts...and the yogurt...and oh yeah...milk, blech!) Tears spill out again just typing about the thoughtfulness that went in to those few moments. Each of them worked together...little Lucy played her part well. She was sent in to snuggle between mom and dad to keep us in bed just a little longer. Meanwhile the 5 older girls shared the kitchen work, and yes, even cleaned up when they were done! (gasp!) They delivered it on a lovely little wicker tray they had to dig for out of storage in the basement, and just beamed as I oohed and ahhhed over each and every bite.

I can't begin to explain how my heart welled up in those moments with the girls. (John had slipped into the kitchen to make coffee, God love him!) This simple act of kindness, a pouring out of love...it was everything I could have ever prayed for, and yet never even knew was possible before becoming a mom. Truly I am blessed. God is present in these moments, waiting to be found, an expression of LOVE, His love. I am so grateful for this Sunday morning God-moment, long before we were ever present with Him at mass. I praise Him too, for the lives He has entrusted us with, and am reminded especially at Mothers Day of a time not so long ago, when it seemed we would never have a family of our own. God is good!

Of course the boys rolled out of bed and into our moment just as I finished, and wondered what all the hoopla was about. Typical boys...oblivious, and yet quick to throw in a warm "Happy Mother's Day mom!" as if they were part of the whole breakfast plan. cute.
My 6 bed-headed beauties delivering a tray full of love this Mother's Day. (if you listen closely, you can hear their 4 brothers still snoring just down the hall)

"It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got" ~Cherly Crow, Soak up the Sun lyrics


May we enter each day with a greatful heart. Thank you Lord for gentle reminders of your goodness in all things. (and thanks for that little dance Lucy and I shared today after breakfast...kick, kick, kick...spin, spin...and freestyle!)

My own kleenex commercial

okay, I'm pregnant. So it's no surprise that tears well up at the drop of a hat, as my hormones wreak havoc with my emotions, not to mention my complection.
That being said, surely you'll understand how a simple question posed by a 3 year old boy, and his Dad's loving "yes" got me all choked up today.

Frank: Dad, will play ball with me?
Dad: Yes! Let's go.

(mom's in tears, and fighting back sobs.) Tissues anyone?

a lifetime of deceit, EXPOSED!

It came like a blow to the gut this weekend, as John and I discovered first-hand we'd been lied to (by the women who gave us life, no less) for years. Did you know (or are you still living the lie) that chewing gum does not stay in your belly "for seven years" if swallowed?! Nope. Won't even stay there seven days! I changed Lucy's diaper yesterday to discover not one but 4 pink wads of chewing gum in her stinky diaper. The same 4 pieces of gum she'd shimmied into the top cupboard for the day before.
She's blown the lid off of a lifetime of questionable stories we'd been fed since childhood. Next we'll find out that if we try to cross our eyes they won't really stay that way forever. (gasp!)

celebrating new life.

Yesterday, I heard the heartbeat! The beautiful, galloping heartbeat of the tiny miracle of life that continues to grow inside me. Praise God! I had no idea how consumed, and nervous and anxious I could or would become during this pregnancy after experiencing the loss of a miscarriage at 3 months last year. We've been tremendously excited about a new baby, don't get me wrong about that. But it's been difficult to fully participate in the wonder and joy, when the thought of losing this one again has been consuming my thoughts. I'd had spotting for about 2 weeks, which didn't help to relieve my fears any. The "3 month" mark has been looming like a dark cloud. That's all in the past now though. A weight has been lifted, I feel like I can breathe again...and begin to imagine the possibilities, and wonder and plan for this new baby to be. God, the Author of Life, is good and kind...and I am humbled and grateful.


"I will bless the Lord at all times.
Praise shall always be on my lips;
my soul shall glory in the Lord
for God has been so good to me."
~James Moore, Jr. -lyrics, Taste and See

who says chivalry is dead?

3 year old Frank happened into the bathroom this morning while I was in the shower. After a little small talk through the curtain, and realizing it was me in there, he kindly asked "May I get you the toys now?" (The bath toys are kept in a small storage drawer near the tub, and I usually insist the kids wash first, play later.)
What a little gentleman! I had to respectfully decline. Showertime was up, and I had to be moving on. But "thank you, Sweet Frankie." I'll take a raincheck.

Boys! Check this out!

A friend of mine has worked for several years now to plan and organize a "princess party" (fundraiser event) for little girls to dress and play the part. Our girls have LOVED being a part of it in years past, but the boys...well, they just stay at home as far away from the primping and pageantry as possible. This year she's managed to pull together a fundraising event just for the boys. I'd be remiss in not sharing the details, cause my little men are PUMPED for this. (Thanks Stacy! We can't wait.)

What: Bob the Builder Party
(Meet Bob, make your own tool belt, and also meet Minster's Firemen and EMT volunteers who will have their firetruck and squad on site for tours.)
When: Sunday, April 18th 2-4pm.
Where: St. Augustine/St. Joseph Parish Center
Cost: Donation--all money raised will be used to offset the cost of of the ND Vision retreat at Notre Dame for local high school students.

Come dressed in your "work" clothes. There will be door prizes, coloring, tool belts to decorate, fireman hats, and much more!!
Remember your cameras!

Girls, don't feel left out, more information to follow regarding this year's Princess Party planned for May 15th!

play ball!

Grace had softball practice last evening. It gave the rest of us an opportunity to hang out at the park during her practice and monkey around a bit. (and boy did we monkey!) The nine with me kept busy playing on all the cool playground equipment...chasing other kids in a wicked game of tag, swinging, sliding, and of course making black rubber-mulch pies. Everyone seemed to have fun as evidenced by black knees and elbows and hands from the shredded rubber mulch bedding. Yuck. No escaping a bath-night for 10. The black-stained bodies would have been enough...but why stop there? One team finished practice a couple minutes early, leaving behind an empty dusty diamond just calling our names. We couldn't resist. The nine kids and I took the field to play the championship "air" baseball game of the century, complete with imaginary balls, bats, and plenty of homeruns to spare. It was a hoot, and I'm sure we were entertainment to the few parents standing by to pick up their kids from practice. We were too busy to notice. We ended the game with the 10 of us running the bases several times around, with the older kids sliding into home each time around. Dust anyone? The kids were covered in it head to toe, so much so that you couldn't see the black mulch dirt hiding underneath it.
Definitely a ring around that bath tub, but worth every priceless minute! It's just too bad Grace was tied up with her team, and couldn't join us. I think she may have a better grasp of the fundamentals...but we definitely won the game!

Monday, Monday...

“Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah.
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
You can find me cryin all of the time.” ~The Mamas and the Papas

(big sigh) Yep, it's Monday. Washer is working overtime, clothesline is full, and the house is turned upside down from a weekend of family fun. I find myself sipping the coffee a little slower today, roaming room to room picking up, putting away, straightening and still feeling as if I'm getting nothing done. Monday. Uggh.
Oh, but what a wonderful weekend it was...(sigh, again) baseball games in the backyard, ice cream, Sunday mass then visiting with family in New Albany. Have I mentioned before that we LOVE visiting there?! There are few places we can unload this giant-sized family on someone's front door step and not feel like a burden...Steve and Martha's is one of them. It was a gorgeous day for playing outdoors, venturing to a nearby park (and I'm not exagerating that this was quite an adventure...with trails and "cricks" to follow. Too fun!) The kids had a "spanking machine" for cousin Ben who was celebrating his 11th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!
There were laughs and giggles, cake and ice cream, baseball and "pickle", Capture the Flag, oh and plenty of good conversation for moms and dads. We left too late (for a school night) and fell exhausted into the van for the 2 hour drive home. (and yes Martha...we did have to stop for another bathroom break...darn kids drinking all that good pop!) But if I heard it once, I heard it 10 times..."Today was the best day ever...when can we go back?!"

(sighing again)....so now it's Monday. I'm grateful that God has blessed us with wonderful family, food to fill our bellies, laughter to warm our souls, good health, and love to fill our hearts. Even the laundry doesn't seem too horrible today as I remember the kids running and playing the weekend away to fill these knees with grass-stains. Who am I to complain?!

Another cup of coffee, anyone?!
A blessed week to all. ~jamie

Easter bliss

Yep...I'm in love...with these...

I think this is what's making me feel so good...maintaining a constant (albeit elevated) sugar level is helping to ease the nausea. Nevermind what it's doing for my butt. Ahhh. Loving Easter.

Say "cheese."

It's not always easy getting everyone together and smiling for a picture...we try though.

Frank and Charlie were pouting (and cursing my name under their breaths I'm sure) after I confiscated their new sunglasses for the picture. Lucy was busy picking her dry lips. Everyone else squinting through the bright sun/wind. Geesh. Oh well, it's documented. Easter 2010...12 of us (plus new baby in mom's belly) cleaned up for Easter Mass, and ready to enjoy the day!

Happy Easter!!!

the great pet debate~SETTLED.

Thank you Easter Bunny!!

I've mentioned before that the kids of the house, particularly the oldest few have been requesting (i.e. BEGGING) for a dog for nearly a year now. They add it to the bottom of my grocery list each week, flag pictures and favorites from the local animal protection league website, and even mention all their friends who are getting new pets. John and I have talked about humoring them, but in reality we are nowhere near ready to commit ourselves or our home to the responsibility of a dog. I just can't. period.

The Easter Bunny is a much kinder, considerate being though...and he settled the great pet debate by delivering an adorable little Easter (guinea) Pig for all to enjoy. The kids were thrilled, and so far have accepted the responsibility of cage cleaning (poo detail), and feeding/watering the little creature with open arms. Oh, and they don't mind holding/snuggling with it one bit. She (aptly named Bandit for her black "masked" eyes) NEVER lacks for attention...lacking for peace might be another story.

Welcome to our home little Bandit!

catching up

"tick, tock...doo, doo, doo, doo-doooooo. Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin...into the future." ~Steve Miller

(Sorry I slipped away there again...)
It's one of those overcast, super-windy days here. The kids are busy with their dad pulling weeds (and finding worms) in the yard, while I get through piles of unfinished business here in the house today. Everything from dusting (and picking up scattered Easter grass everywhere), filing local taxes, renewing my nursing license online, sorting through papers and finally marking all the kids' baseball/softball/teeball schedules on the calendar. Whew. I've really let that kind of stuff slip lately with my low-energy, nauseated pregnant state. (Must admit though...each pregnancy has gotten MUCH easier in that department. Long gone are the pregnancies of hyperemesis, vomiting up ice chips, and requiring IV fluid treatments in the hospital. Praise GOD!)

I'm beginning to get a glimpse of my countertops again, which is always a nice feeling. The wind just whipped my towels and washrags dry (and a few into the neighbors yard.) I think the rest of my laundry will go into the dryer today, just to keep me from having to chase it through the neighborhood. Have to conserve energy where I can...even if it's just my energy.

Hope you all have a grace-filled week, living and loving the blessings to behold in another "ordinary" day.

Alleluia Easter!

Easter Blessings to you all.

pull what out of where?!

Little Charlie is mesmerized by the magic trick of pulling thing out of his ears. I'm no magician, but somewhere along the line I fooled him into believing I could pull a quarter out of his ear. Now he asks for that trick often. One afternoon John and I spent what seemed like an eternity passing a quarter behind his back, and pulling the same quarter out of his ear over and over and over again. Charlie's giggles and requests to "do it again" were priceless.

Unfortunately, he seems to be completely unaware that it is just a trick. Last week at the mall while shopping for some new shoes for Easter, he asked me for some ice cream at the food court. We'd just finished sharing some pretzels and a drink, so I commented we were "out of money" for snacks. He shrugged and asked, "Can't you just pull some out of my ear?"

(sigh) If it were only that easy...