thank you Lord...

For that threat of rain showers today.
It's okay if they don't come, but you see, we had our tents out last night for a little backyard camping...and our good Lord knows I need my beauty sleep. So "Thank you Lord." for gray skies and the need to take down the tents...I couldn't bare another night of camping.
One night of giggling and talking and tossing and turning and giggling some more and middle of the night treks into the house for bathroom breaks and worrying about kids wandering or sleepwalking or worse, strangers finding us vulnerable...all those silly things that go through my head. And I didn't even venture into the tent! Only the 6 oldest braved the backyard. The younger four "camped" with sleeping bags on the living room floor, while Anne and Dad and I sacked out in our own beds. Of course I didn't sleep much. The first few hours I sat up "policing" for shananigans. They all collapsed shortly after midnight. The rest of the night I spent tossing in bed, constantly getting up to peek out the window and make sure all was well. Uggh. I'm not ready for kids to be growing up, doing big kid things.

I do love the novelty of camping though...especially campfires with 'smores and silly stories, and songs. We always have a faux broomstick "microphone" for everyone to take turn entertaining the rest of us. And of course neighbor kids join us for after dark games like "ghost in the graveyard", "wolf" and "German spotlight". I don't know the rules to most of these games, but that's okay the rules change as needed. Just run and hide, and wait for some one to find you. And scream loud, cause the neighbors LOVE that.

We've had several of these campfire nights already this summer (sans the tents, thank goodness).

We've had a good share of lot's of other fun things too (in addition to the full schedule of baseball, softball, swim team, library reading club, etc.)

In fact, our summer is off to a fabulous start! Well...mostly...if you skip the first day of summer break, when Samuel needed a few stitches on his thumb. Bike wreck. Minor in the grand scheme of things, but kept him from baseball for 10 days. Big bummer! (right, Sam?)
He had to wear that crazy splint for a week or so to keep him from bending his thumb and tearing it open again. Nice.

Sunday, I took the oldest half over to the Starlite drive-in on St Rte 127. Of course we packed our popcorn, and sleeping bags for the cool evening! It was awesome! (We saw Diary of a Whimpy Kid followed by Soul Surfer...I highly recommend that second one!) Oh, and can you say "VALUE!" It's just $4 for adults, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Wooohoooo!

~nice face Mary~

Yesterday we headed over to Lake Loramie State Park for a little picnic and play time at the beach. Okay, so it's no white sand, clear blue ocean...but it's a nice (very clean!) little beach, and we were practically the only ones there to enjoy. It was Annie's first lake adventure, and she LOVED it!

We could spend a whole day just building sand castles and rivers and moats!

Baby Annie...in her little swimming suit...LOVE the rolls poking through that little cut-out in the side and strap hanging off the shoulder...Yes, she is ALL THAT!

Oh, this is my Goddaughter...Jamie. (I think she's a perfect 10!) She graduated high school this year, and my brother and parents and I drove down to Tennessee for the event! So proud of her! (and so grateful to John for holding down the fort for the quick bit I was gone!)





We all managed to squeeze in a daytrip to Ft. Wayne zoo last weekend. I don't think we've been there as a family in a couple years, so that was very nice. Lucy's favorite part (or at least the part she keeps talking about) are the trashcans that are shaped like various animals. Her favorite was the elephant trash-can. Umm. Hello?! Did we not see REAL animals there?! Apparently they weren't as interesting.

I unplugged the cable in the basement this week. Wow, has that been NICE! There's still the occasional quiet tv time in the family room, but for the most part it's been pure playtime. I love it!

We've picniced at several local parks in the past couple weeks, including Tawawa park in Sidney (love to wade in the stream there, and climb the "big rock") and Coldwater park, which is just a gem! I remember going there as a kid...and some of the same playground equipment is still there, like the giant swirly slide...but now much more!

Oh...time just moves so fast! We're trying to soak in as much of it as we can...making memories to last. Today, I'm grateful for those gray skies, playdough playing, Nerf wars in the basement, and quiet reading on unmade beds upstairs. Oh, and while I've managed to squeeze in a few more veggies than usual this week, I'm grateful that Grace's favorite barbecue chips were on sale this week...that sounds good for lunch today.

Peace to you all!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

my summer to-do list

For me, summer is much like the New Years. It seems a good time to regroup, reconsider what's important, and resolve to make good with the gift of time and energy that summer brings.
Just like New Years though, I tend to overthink, and underdo.

Here's what's been rolling around in my brain for the coming months...

1.Enjoy as much outdoor time as humanly possible...parks, pools, lakes, walks & bikerides & running, backyard games, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, you name it! This only makes sense after the long winter.

2.Serve more veggies, and insist that someone starts eating them. (How depressing is it that I actually worry about this as a "summer priority?" But, sadly this is how my mom-mind works.) Somewhere over the last year or so, we seem to have become okay with the notion that potato chips count as a vegetable. And while, sometimes that's okay...it can't be a meal-time staple anymore. Or can it???

3.Organize my recipes...torn from magazines, written on old napkins or homework papers, index cards with spills and icky-stickies from Lord-only-knows-what all tossed haphazardly into a folder. Not conducive to good cooking. (Where's that recipe for Broccoli Fondue when I need it?!)This is actually something I'm hoping the girls will help me with. On rainy days. (refer back to #1)

4. Pray more. Maybe even on a picnic blanket...in the backyard...with popcorn. What the heck...Jesus was an outdoorsy type, right? (Again, referring back to #1.)

5. Unplug the tv. I'm so OVER it, and want the kids to be too. (back to #1...am I getting redundant?)

6. In general, lighten up. Physically, emotionally, spiritually...and see it reflected back in my family.

Yep. That sounds like a good start. Now to squeeze that in between swim team, baseball, softball, piano and guitar commitments. We should be set to get started by mid-July. Well...we'll have to see about the veggie thing. Baby steps.

in case I forget to remember...

Days are blowing by at lightning speed.

I try not to blink...and yet I find myself waking up in the morning and wondering who stole those days away. Those days when there were only babies, or only toddlers in this house. Now there are 'tweens... wonderful and awkward all at once as we all adapt to changes that "growing up" brings.

Anyhow, with each new stage of Anne's baby-hood, I can't believe how much I forgot to remember ten times before.

I love the workings of her tiny hands. Amazing. Those tiny matchstick-size fingers working to pick up a cheerio, only to drop it just before it hits her lips. Mesmerizing.
I love when she stops just to stare at them too. Busy grasping a toy, or reaching out, when her eyes lock-in on the hands...and just stare intently as she wiggles chubby fingers back and forth. Truly a miracle of creation.
I love the way she sucks air and squeals when she hears my voice first thing in the morning...or when she sees me sneak from around a corner into the room.
I love when her rice cereal hangs on her toothless gums and appears as if she's wearing baby dentures at breakfast...just a glimpse of what it might look for her to have a full set of teeth someday. Funny.
I love the fine fuzz of hair on her naked shoulders.
I love the way her toes grip my upper lip when I kiss the bottoms of her soft padded feet.
I love the way she likes to sit on my forearm, her back against my belly, my other arm holding her belly from falling forward...all the while kicking her legs wildly as if dangling them off the edge of a dock into the water.
I love bathtime...because she does too. Splashing wildly and giggling outloud in the water. Fussing only when it's time to get out. My little fish.
I love the way her ear leaves a perfect imprint on my arm for long after she's done nursing...like angel kisses, a reminder of our special bond.
I love wrinkled-nose, squinty-eyed silly faces.
I love those first days of learning to crawl, when everything goes backwards, and legs find themselves wedged under couches...and she gets so frustrated. But she's learning and growing.
I love how the other kids melt like butta' around her...even grumpy brothers can't bare to walk by you without a hug, or silly face, or tickle. Babies shine with Christ's light.
I love how she can fall asleep on Daddy's shoulder at the drop of a hat...though she's never done that for me. He's had that "touch" with all of the kids...perhaps God's gift to Daddys.
I love the end of the day, when I nurse her into a sleepy little coma in my arms, and she smiles with eyes squinty closed. Because everything in that moment is right with the world. And in that moment she reminds me how much God loves me...and how good He is.
I love the way she makes my heart weaker, and stronger all at once...prepared to love more, and hurt more.
I love you Anne. Uniquely. And yet in the same way I've loved each of your siblings before you.
This time though...I'm writing it down, so I don't forget to remember.

A blessed Easter

~from our family to yours.

oh, and yes.

It's been almost exactly a month now, and he is going with Frank "Buck-Yoda" Elmer Schmiesing.

The good Lord only knows what we'll add to it by next month.

I want to remember these moments forever.

I stopped folding laundry for a few minutes to stop and listen to Alice practice guitar, and play me her newest strum patterns for a song she's working on. I sat on the edge of my bed, little Annie on my lap and just gazed in amazement at the little girl turned young lady strumming from a foot stool in front of me. My heart swelled with love, and pride and gratitude. Forgotten were the mounds of folded pants and jammies and socks surrounding me on the bed. There was no room to think about dinner dishes still in the sink. Instead I sat soaking in the sounds of Annie giggling, boys wrestling on the bed in the room next to us, footsteps pounding on the hardwood floors upstairs, all the while Alice plucking and strumming to Taylor Swift's "Our Song" that was streaming from the tiny speakers on my computer. It was awesome. It was surreal. It was a tiny moment in time that I want to remember forever. A simple glimpse into the everyday chaos that surrounds me, and how truly blessed I am, how grateful I am to be in the thick of it.
These are the sounds of my song, and you can bet (to steal a line from Miss Swift) "'fore I say Amen, I'll ask God if he can play it again."

My cup runneth over. God is so good.

laughing through tears.

at this note, written by our 6 year old in anticipation of Easter Bunny's arrival...

Dear Ester bunny. I hope you had fun deelivering the gifts. Thanks for the pet ginee pig. But now we had to gave it to our Naber. Because she stunk up our living room. Tuns of people love you Easter Bunny. Please get us a nuther pet please. Thanks for coming.

John

Buck just stopped here.

Frank just wandered out of bed and into the living room to mention that he's changing his name.

He'll be "Buck" from now on.

I can't imagine what he was dreaming of, but I'll see how he responds when I call "Buck" to the breakfast table in the morning.

Too cute.

Rice, Rice Baby...

It was another milestone for little Annie, as she had her first taste of rice cereal. It's still a far cry from "big people food," but certainly a step in that direction.

(It truly is a amazing when I stop to realize that for the last 5 months, her only nourishment has come from me. Truly miraculous how God worked out those details when you really stop to think about it.)

Anyhow...here's the setup...
The older kids were off to school, and little Anne woke up smiling and happy...her usual routine. Only today, I changed her and plopped her right into the bouncy seat on the kitchen cupboard for her first taste of Rice cereal. Her sleepy little eyes were a little confused about the change in schedule. I think as I look back at the photos, her eyes were definitely fixed on my chest area. "Hmmm. This isn't how it usually works."


She didn't mind one bit when I spooned in the mushy stuff. As a matter of fact, after the first spoonful, she grabbed my hand and/or spoon each time to try to pull it to her mouth faster. She LOVED it!

Of course, big sister Lucy was right there...not wanting to miss one moment of it!



And mother-hen Rosie was there too. Folding the washcloth, and cleaning up/assisting anyway she could. Oh, she's such a big helper!
Of course she had lots to talk about when the bowl was empty. Not the least of which was "Now bring on the milk!"


Oh Anne. Where does the time go?! Won't be long you'll be sitting at the big table with the rest of us...in your own chair...with your own plate...entertaining us all with stories of your day...at least what you can manage to squeeze in between all the other laughter and conversations. Oh my.

recipe box--soup

Last week I mentioned the younger kids and I attended a Soup and Bread Luncheon. I tasted two soups (of the DOZENS provided). There was a Chicken Tortilla which did not disappoint...and I have the recipe here at home. I've made several recipes similar...can't go wrong with any of them.
The other soup I tried was something I'd never seen before, so of course I was immediately drawn to it's thick creamy base, swimming with fluffy cheese pasta. YUM! It was WONDERFUL!

Fortunately a friend of my mom's saw that I had posted a request for the recipe, and found the lovely chef who agreed to pass it on. I'm looking forward to making this for a family gathering this weekend...but here's the recipe. Enjoy!


Asiago Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

· 1 49.5 oz. can chicken broth
· 1 or 2 chicken breasts cut into 1/2" chunks
· 1 clove garlic (minced)
· 1 small onion (about a half cup chopped)
· 1 carrot (1/4 cup chopped finely)
· 1 stalk celery (about 1/4+ cup chopped finely)
· 2 tbsp parsley
· heavy pinch of dried basil (1/8 tsp)
· 1 20 oz. package of Buitoni Three Cheese Tortellini
· 1 pint heavy whipping cream
* with 2-3 tsp flour for thickening
· 5 oz asiago cheese, grated

Directions:

· Add garlic, onion, celery, carrot, parsley, and basil to the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
· Add chicken chunks and continue boiling gently for 30 minutes to an hour.
· Add tortellinis and bring to a boil again.
· Add flour-cream mixture and bring to a boil.
· Stir while simmering for 10-15 minutes while adding grated asiago cheese.
*** Tip: Add asiago cheese gradually and keep stirring. Otherwise it may sink to the bottom and clump/burn.

making memories.

Little Annie turned over today!! She's pushed herself over from belly to back for a couple weeks now, and today she managed to do the same in reverse. No more hanging out on the kitchen table...the center of our wonderfully hectic world. Time to stay safely at ground level, where she can roll till her hearts content!

It started right here...centered on the table where siblings were doing homework or helping mom bake, others doing chores, all the while remembering a tickle or "ga ga" talk for Annie. She loves being at the heart of the action.

Before we knew it, she'd heaved one of her fluffy little thighs over...
...and in a second she was up. Believe it girl! You did it!!! Wooohooooo!!!!

Of course all this rolling was to answer one simple question, "Mom, do these stripes make my butt look chubby?"

Of course they do sweet pea. But we love you anyway!!

God Bless baby Anne, who's growing so quickly!

Feast of St. Patrick

Of course we're all a little Irish on St. Patty's Day!

And we do love us any good reason to celebrate...



So we all donned something green this morning...nobody to be pinchin' us.

We told a few cheesey jokes.

Found us some leprechaun treasure.


added a few drops of green food coloring to our milk, and spruced up our lunch table with dollar store green paper plates and cups. It was festive indeed!

and of course little John's craft opened up a nice conversation about St. Patrick himself, and how we can use the shamrock as a reminder of the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Oh, it really was a beautiful day. I didn't fold the first bit of laundry. Instead the kids and I did crafts and enjoyed the gorgeous weather by taking walks, going to a couple of the nearby parks, playing hopscotch in the driveway. Just thoroughly enjoyed the simple moments. All that fresh air and nap-skippin' helped to heavy the eyelids come bedtime tonight too. Life is good. I feel very blessed!

Top o' the day to ya!

at the foot of the cross

This past Sunday, John was asked in to work for a few hours, so the kids and I took a drive over to the Maria Stein Spiritual Center for a "nature walk." We LOVE it there. It's been almost a year since we were last there to walk the rosary path through the woods. It's good to see the constant improvements/additions. They have new benches and grottos along the paved path now, and have added a new pavilion near the pond/cross with tables for picnics. We'll definitely be planning that into our next trip. And of course our walk always ends at the foot of the cross. It's just AWESOME and inspiring. I love how the various statues and symbols, even the new plaques along the path for the rosary mysteries lead to such wonderful conversation and questions from the kids. This trip's hottest conversation had to do with the St. Michael the Archangel statue along the circle drive that leads to the parking lot. There's something very fascinating about a sword and shield toting angel conquering the serpent...little boys LOVE it!

soups on.

Today I tried something new. Something outside my comfort zone. I packed up the 5 little kiddos and attended our parish Soup & Bread luncheon. It's something the lovely ladies of the Mission Commission host each lent, and something I've wanted to attend in years past, but just figured it wouldn't be a great fit with little ones in tow.
Wow. Am I glad I went.
The guest speaker was Linda Thieman (from Mercer County ways...St. Henry to be exact) and she was speaking on her many (50+?) mission trips to Haiti. Awesome to hear her stories...I could have listened much longer.
There were several great points she mentioned, but a couple jumped right out at me...

1. "If someone asks for one, they probably need two." (this was a lesson her mother/father taught her as a young girl. Often local nuns would come to their family farm seeking a bag of grain...her parents always had two ready for them.)
What a powerful statement on giving more than is asked, or giving more than is expected. I should work harder to inspire my own children with great lessons such as this.

2. In commenting on her many trips to Haiti, she mentioned that she learned early on that her calling was not to build schools, or provide medical care, or other large projects. Rather, her calling was to "open hearts/eyes" of folks here...the many numbers of students and adults that travel with her. She brings the unfathomable reality of extreme poverty to life...and puts names to faces...that others might find a way to lend a hand as well. So often I feel like my very minimal donation to Food for the Poor or some other charity certainly can't be doing much, and yet she recognized her part in this body of Christ...and encourages others. Truly inspiring!

What a wonderful opportunity to hear her, to chat with others over a great meal...one that provided food for nourishing both body and soul this Lenten season.

As a side note...I laughed with John this evening, that aside from my kids I was probably the youngest person in attendence...then I remembered my sister-in-law and her kids were there. But in general it was largely attended by the retired members of our parish. What a shame that so many more young'ns weren't there. I know there are plenty of other stay-at-home moms and maybe even dads who would have thoroughly enjoyed this, shoot even college age kids lookin for a hot meal and some fellowship...perhaps one of St. Augie's best kept secrets. I'm doing my part to spread the good word for next year...you must come.

Oh, and if anyone knows who made that Creamy Chicken Tortellini soup, I'd LOVE the recipe.

lenten schmuck

Okay, so I'm humbled by the effort that my kids are putting forth this lenten season. It makes me feel like a real schmuck though. I didn't officially give anything up. I figure my noncommitance to anything makes it impossible to "cheat." It's win-win for me, right? Meanwhile my older kids have refrained from sweets and unhealthy snacks, Rosie's trying desperately to give up sucking her thumb (or at least not while I'm looking.) She came up with that sacrifice all on her own, and it makes me want to cry at how huge that is. Charlie hasn't stolen any beer (that I'm aware of) and some of the kids are even keeping television at a minimum...wow. Meanwhile...schmuck mama nibbles between meals, eats chocolate...caving to cravings left and right.
I am trying to be more aware though...appreciate more, pray more, say "thank you" more, argue less (the kids may not agree?) I keep thinking that despite the fact that time moves at warp speed, there's lots of time left...plenty of moments, anyway...for practice/improvement. Afterall, I don't want this transformation to last just 6 weeks. I hope to find the tools to change, to draw closer to Christ for the long haul---beyond Lent, through ordinary time and beyond.
I pray you all are chugging along nicely.

someone reassure me this is nothing to worry about...

Last evening over our dinner, the kids chatted about things they were giving up for Lent. There was a lot of mention about the usuals...no sweets, limited tv time, etc. Out of nowhere (and in all seriousness) 5 year old Charlie mentions casually that he'll "quit stealing beer from Mom and Dad" this year.

I nearly snorted my soup out my nose in laughter/disbelief, but a glance over at his Dad assured me I'd heard correctly. He was holding back tears of laughter as well.

Where does he come up with this stuff?!

Lenten Prayer

I posted this one a few years back. Think it's worthy of reflecting on again.

Fast from judging others; feast on Christ in them.
Fast from wanting
more; feast on being thankful.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on enjoyment.
Fast from negatives; feast on postitives.
Fast from stress; feast on
prayer.
Fast from anger; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from fear; feast on truth
Fast from
discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from gossip; feast on silence.
Fast
from fighting; feast on peace.
Amen
~Adapted from a Lenten prayer by
William Arthur Ward in Take Out, Family Faith on the Go.

To begin this Holy Season of Lent...

Ashes
We rise again from ashes,
from the good we've failed to do.
We rise again from ashes,
to create ourselves anew.

We offer You our failures,
we offer You attempts;
The gifts not fully given,
the dreams not fully dreamt.

~lyrics to a popular lenten hymm

I used to have the feeling that Lent was a time to "hole up," that is "go inside ourselves," drop off the map of all things "good" for a few weeks. Eat nothing, sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. Mostly a negative thing when I'd stop to think about it. And while sacrifice and self mastery are a good part of what's required, this song reminds me that it's more about self-transformation. It's about rising up, shaking off the dust of what's holding us back from a loving relationship with Him. It's recognizing our failings, and attempting to break free of them. This is a time to humble ourselves, to become more Christ-like in all we do. It's a time to wake up, shake off, sacrifice, serve, and give more of ourselves to others for the sake of our Lord who loves us so much he paid for our freedom with His life.

My prayer today is for a Holy, transformative journey called Lent.

Lord let me keep my focus on you and the love that you have for me. Help me to listen, and hear what you desire from me in this life, that I may serve you well.

Peaceful, holy Lent to you all!

and a bit of ironic humor

We ran out of milk with dinner tonight, so I needed to run to the grocery one more time today. I went alone after the kids were all settling down before bed in their pj's.
While there, I ran into another mom of many who was out shopping by herself and she chuckled "Isn't it therapeutic...just 5 minutes of silence in the grocery store?"
She had no idea, I thought to myself, after today's earlier experience.
I said something silly like "Yep, better than the bathroom...nobody's knocking to get in!"

It had me wondering in the car ride home where other moms find their "5 minutes." Exercise? Prayer? Grocery shopping? A good book? I was imagining the start of something new...like mall walking...only friends meet at the grocery to pick up the essentials, walk a few laps around the store, and catch up over a cup of hot coffee. Hmmm. I might be on to something. Practical, multitasking at it's best? perhaps not. It really is the silence I crave. It's when I can actually hear myself think...better yet, hear what God's thinking.

heart still pounding

As I tucked her in tonight, kissed her soft forehead, and prayed our nightly "Angel of God" I shook again remembering our close call today. The "what-if's" can be paralyzing if we allow ourselves to dwell in them.

Praising God for his mercy and protection...that baby Anne is just fine.

Another prayer, recalled from childhood...

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee Lord, my soul to keep.
On waking with the morning light,
I ask thee Lord to guide me right.
Amen.

shopping with kids; and getting more than I bargained for.

I'll start by (guiltily) admitting that I don't typically take my small kids to the grocery with me if I can help it. It's one of the few "outs" that I get nowadays, and I look forward to the peaceful aisles of the store as I shop for the things we need. Here lately it's just been too cold, too snowy, too icey...whatever...to bundle everyone up anyways. Today the weather was warming (melting things nicely for the next snowy blast) so I thought it would be nice to get my errands done with the kids, and not have to go this evening. I love our local Dollar General for "short lists" cause they have a little of everything, including toys to entertain the kids while I shop.

Everyone was in good spirits, begging for EVERYTHING in sight, but not terribly disappointed when I said no to the majority of it. (cause I'm the meanest mom in the whole world, right?) Little Annie was sleeping soundly, buckled in her carseat in the top of the cart. We managed to get everything on our list (and then some) and were heading for the register, when my active helpers gave me the scare of a lifetime...

(and here's where I backtrack...about 5 years, to when Charlie was about 10 months old.)

I had him contentedly buckled in his pumpkin/carseat ready for an outing, but needed to run to the back of the yard to talk to John before we left. I set his seat on the little tykes picnic table for a moment while I walked back to the garden. His bigger sisters Grace and Mary knelt on the benches to peek in closer and "love" on their little brother. In an instant, his carseat was upside down in the grass, and he was screaming at the top of his lungs. A little scratch on the forehead, but he calmed quickly and seemed fine...mostly. The next day I took him in for a check to find he'd broken his little chubby leg. OUch. (That was one of my many nominations for Mother of the Year award.)

Before you're panicking (cause I did enough of that for all of us today), there are no broken bones here today...that I'm aware of. But boy did I get more than I bargained for at the Dollar General.
As we (myself, baby Annie dozing in her carseat, Charlie 5, Frank 4, Rose 4 and Lucy 3)headed for the checkout, I paused one last time to look at a "Clearance" sign that caught my eye. We were at the end of an aisle and Charlie (anxious to get his bubble gum to the checkout) took it upon himself to keep steering the cart onward. All the planets were aligning...as at that same moment, the other 3 jumped on the side of the cart, while the front wheels were caught on the display. The whole cart went toppling in the blink of an eye...I saw it in S L O W M O T I O N as little Anne's carseat toppled out onto the floor. turning her enire seat upside down, and nearly missing the edge of the metal display shelf. My heart was pounding in my chest...as I grabbed for her, but couldn't catch in time. Thank God the carrying handle was still up. Thank God she was still buckled in. Thank God she was okay. She was crying and startled, but not a bump or bruise in site. (and trust me, I've stripped her down a couple times already today just making sure.) She cried and instantly, Charlie was in tears too. Broke my heart, as I knelt down to show him Annie was okay, and remind him how quickly accidents happen. That mom doesn't give instructions/ask him to be careful, just for the fun of it. I was still shaking at the checkout as I held Annie (whose gummy grins and giggles helped to reassure us all that things were more than fine.)

As we drove away in the van, and I was reminding Charlie of his fall years ago, I remembered too that the same thing had happened to one of the other kids at Walmart years back. Can't remember anymore who was involved, but it was in the checkout line...baby buckled in a carseat, and wild kids climbing on the cart...pulled it over. Yep, it's coming back to me... Gosh, how many times could I have let this happen?!
Did you know they have a "Code" for things like that at Walmart. I remember being horrified when they announced a "Code something" over the loudspeaker system and paged a manager to the register. As if I didn't feel guilty enough...they were letting the whole store know about the screw-up mom on check-out 12. Ugggh.

There must be a lesson here for me somewhere...leave the kids at home? no, not possible. Perhaps just a simple reminder of the blessing of life/health, and how completely out of our hands those things are, even when we're trying our best. Perhaps a humbling reminder that as much as we think we have things under control, accidents happen. We can be grateful to God for his gift of guardian angels.
Thank you Lord for watching out for baby Anne today. Certainly the guardian angels here get no rest whatsoever!

our bedtime prayer:

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

to whom God's love

commits me here.

Ever this day,

be at my side,

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

(and protect us as we topple from high places.)

Amen.

Ahhh... R&R. Vacation. Good family, Good food, Good fun.

Yep, we just returned from a 4 day weekend in the beautiful Smokey Mountains of Tennessee with my parents, siblings and all our children. It was wonderful! We all shared a "little cabin" in the hills and forged many great memories for all of us. It was wonderful to disconnect from the everyday hustle-bustle and reconnect with the ones I love.

I wanted to tell you all about it as I was packing/preparing last week, but my parents didn't think it was wise that I should announce to the whole blogosphere that we were all leaving town, homes unattended for the weekend...you know, cause that's mom...and she worries about stuff.

Anyways. We're back. And laundry continues, life goes on. And the snow day today was welcome. I'm so grateful that we got a bonus day to ease back into our routine.

Lovin my crazy family!

Mom and Dad,brother Jim & Judy, and daughters Jenna & Jamie, brother Joe & Kristen & daughter Madison, and my whole gang. We were also joined by Jenna's beau Jean Francois, and Judy's mom who aren't pictured.

my little rose

as I fumbled through little sleepers and onesies for Annie the other morning, I asked Rose (who was propped up next to Anne on the bed) for her opinion.
"Hmmm. What should little Annie wear today?"
"Ummm. Hot dogs?" Rose replied.

I couldn't help but giggle.

Bet you'll never guess what Rose responds everytime I ask her what sounds good for lunch.

finding joy amidst the laundry

Annie cries out "Help! Someone throw me a sock and pull me out! Mom nearly lost me in this heap of folded jeans and jammies."

I say...they're never too young to learn about Laundry.

happy birthday mary & john!

SEVEN?!?! are you sure? ( I really asked them this morning.)

there I go, blinking again.

Thank God for the gifts of you!

You remind me to stop and smell the roses,

and of how important it is to pay attention,

and that the best things in life are not always the easiest,

and should never be taken for granted.

I love you both VERY much.

How blessed am I that you should call me Mom.

i blinked.

...and just like that, my tiny precious newborn grew into the big girl sitting here, smiling at me with those sparkly eyes and gummy grin.
I can't believe she's nearly 4 months old already!

Sweet Annie Therese

the real secret about that groundhog...revealed.

I'm beginning to understand why that groundhog decides to crawl back in his hole for 6 more weeks of winter. It has nothing to do with his shadow afterall.

Today, anxious to see the sun shining in, I peeled open all the blinds. All of them...even in the bedrooms which rarely see daylight. (We still have nappers in each of the kids' rooms, so I just leave blinds closed all day.)
Anyway, that beautiful sunlight pouring in with all it's might quickly revealed layers of dust...everywhere! Uggh. It was a tough decision to weigh out...Do I pull all the blinds and wait till spring, or do I buckle down and get to work?? I actually had to think about it for a minute, but the sun won out, and I dusted my way through the down stairs bedrooms knocking away dancing cobwebs from the corners, and layers of winter dust. It was good for the soul.

But, I'm seriously understanding why some days that groundhog decides that it's not worth the effort. She realizes too that sometimes, the dusting can wait. 6 more weeks of winter isn't an ETERNITY. And then some years the sun wins, and working through the dust is necessary to appreciate all it's beauty.

By the way? What did that ol' groundhog decide this year? I was too busy watching that catastrophic storm sweap across the country to notice.

calamity over make-up days.

I received a call from Charlie's preschool teacher last evening. I could instantly feel a lump in my throat, and my heart raced for a moment, as I could only begin to imagine what he had done.
She called to inform me of an incident that occurred during "calendar time." (oh Lord, what happened...my mind was racing.) Then her voice cracked in laughter and she assured me it was nothing wrong.
She went on to say that they were discussing the recent bad weather, and the days missed from school. They talked about how the plan to have a long President's Day weekend, was going to be changed to allow for a "Make-up" day. As she talked on to the class about make-up day for that Friday, she noticed Charlie's hand go up. His voice was one of concern and hesitation, as he spoke very seriously..."But Jackie, I'm from Minster, and I'm a boy, and I don't wear make-up." She said she and the other teacher could barely hold back laughter over his misunderstanding of "Make-up" day, and thought it even funnier that he had to clarify where he was from, as if boys from other towns might wear make-up.
She couldn't contain her laughter on the phone either.
Neither of us could.
And I couldn't resist asking Charlie about it when we hung up. I told him his teacher had called about makeup day, and asked him what color eye shadow he'd like to wear that day...in a most defeated look, he shrugged "Blue I guess. That's a boy color."
Poor boy.
He couldn't figure out why his dad and I were nearly in tears with laughter.

Yes, I did finally reassure him there was no make-over/beauty school, only a day to take the place of the one missed...he's still not certain about it all.

out of the mouths of babes

"It's Grandma's birthday today!" I tell the kids after breakfast.
"How old do you think she is?" (a totally loaded question for a group of preschoolers, I know.)
Charlie: "300!"
Frank: "I don't know? Ten?!"
Lucy: (holds up 10 fingers and giggles)
Rose from the other room, hollars: "70!" (ouch.)

I would never be so rude to say for sure, but Rose minus Lucy...you do the math.

I remember Dad helping us to order black tipped carnations when she turned 30. (I was 8 then.) She seemed so OLD back then, and now...she's more like the sister I never had. Funny how our own age changes our perspective. 30 was nothin!

Happy Birthday mom!

You're another year younger.

Love you.

rockin the sweatpants.

I know I mentioned my "rut" last week. I do appreciate all your helpful words of encouragement. I know many of you have been there/done that (maybe even bought the tee shirt.) It helps to know we're not alone in this crazy world of dinosaur chicken nuggets. (We wouldn't actually buy those if we didn't have kids, would we?!)
Anyway, I wanted to follow up (for those of you who were ready to have me committed for more serious "help")...I'm doing better each day. I started the next day, by convincing grandma to babysit for an hour so I could get my haircut. Wow! Is that therapeutic?! Turns out I haven't worn a bobby-pin in a whole week! (Why did I ever think that could be considered a hairdo? If you're currently wearing one, and you're under 70...and it's not holding your tightly coifed bun in place...take it out! It's not a style. It's a cry for help.) Unless of course your a teenager, in which case all style rules are out the window.
Even greater therapy than the hairdo though, was buying a new bra. OMG! The elastic in my very old worn-out nursing bras was probably past it's expiration 6 kids ago. I can't tell you the psychological value of having your "girls" up where they belong. I'm just saying. I was singing out loud when my new bra arrived in the mail. Who new nursing breasts could look "perky" again. Not I. It makes me want to sing..."Love lifts us up where we belong!" or something.
Oh, and I should definitely mention the whole "gratitude" thing. It really is the most basic form of prayer, don't ya think. If we can recognize all the good things God has provided, it makes us want for less, content with all we've received. My life is VERY good. Our God is VERY good. My morning offering reminds me to live in the moment, and make each one count...for love of Him. Being "present" for all the little moments the day has to offer, makes me happy...not a fleeting, worldly happy, but a profound joy in knowing I am a child of God...and I've got work to do...for me, for the kids, for hubby, for HIM. Life is good.
I Feel good.
(BTW~ I'm still in sweatpants. Got work to do there. But I'm rockin' em now. Even splashin on a little eye make-up some days...keeps the kids guessing where we might be going. I want them to know they're the most important "job" I've ever had, and I think our day is worth looking "pretty" for. Even if it's just a little pink strawberry lip gloss borrowed from my 4 year old.)

God Bless ya girls!

who am i kidding?!

We're gettin' a little nutty around here...Emma fancying herself to be a mime...Frankie jumping on beds. Another school day cancelled already for tomorrow. Someone send help...or chocolate?! Come sip coffee with me, and tell me everyone's gonna be alright...

hollering from the hill tops...

WE (we, we...) LOVE (love, love...) SNOW DAYS!!! (days, days...)

We are enjoying day 2 of our "crippling, catastrophic, storm of the century" as described by the weather channel. Fortunately in our area, none of those descriptions fit. We did get plenty of sleet, a little snow, and wind to stir it all up a bit. Just enough to keep us at home and out of school. Oh, and are we enjoying our busy "lazy" days.

Yesterday the kids kept busy most of the morning playing school (of all things.) The older ones set up stations in various rooms, herding the younger kids from "classroom" to "classroom" for such activities as media (library time) with stories read aloud and other books laid out for kids to check out later; gym class with exercise balls and obstacle courses in the basement; social studies; language arts; music (with recorders and harmonicas for all); even art class in the kitchen where the kids created drawings of our town...all taped together now and hanging along one long wall in the basement for display. Very cool. We wrapped up school by lunch time and later enjoyed playing in the snow. Of course we had a new puzzle to put together...500 pieces, on a card table in the tv room where we'd all take our turns sitting and fitting a few pieces throughout the day. We had it completed by bedtime last night. Wooohooo!

Today we baked a cake to celebrate another day at home. And more snow play...this time with forts and neighbors helping out. Chocolate milk warming in a pan on the stove becconed the kids back in...with marshmallows of course.

Yep...we're loving life here these days. Enjoying the "lazy" days and grateful the weather wasn't all it was predicted to be. No power outages (although, my washer/dryer hasn't run in 24 hours...cause mom's takin' a snow day too!), no downed trees or power lines here. We're safe and snug...happy for the change of pace the weather brings.

high-five.

Thanks for letting me vent a little girls. I appreciate all your positive comments and advice. I hear the first step in recovery is admitting the problem. I woke this morning feeling like a weight was lifted already. I dressed before breakfast (a rarity...and yes, still sweatpants), got my bathroom cleaned right after the kids were out the door, and even recruited the young ones to help with some vacuuming and dusting. (So it wasn't perfect...but it felt good to be on my game before 9am.) I shared a little mommy and babe time with Annie while the others played. And today, when my mom stopped by for coffee and chat, I asked her to watch the kids for an hour while I snuck out for a haircut and some groceries. We didn't really need much from the store, but I picked up a few of John's favorite things. He's been going straight from work to bus driver recertification classes this week and getting home late, and I wanted to do something nice for him too. The icy trees were gorgeous outside, by the way...something I probably hadn't noticed if I'd stayed holed-up all day.
It's true, when mama's happy...we're all happy. God is good.

Today an egg exploded in our microwave....blew the door clean open. There were egg bits EV-ERY-WHERE!!! God must have noticed the rut I was in, and decided to shake things up a bit here. Don't get me wrong, I'm still wearing sweatpants, and a bobby pin to hold back my much-in-need-of-a-trim hairdo. But we've got something egg-citing to talk about here this evening.

Did I mention I'm in a rut?! Physically, emotionally, spirtually...I'm a mess. I know it's the post-partum thing, combined with the fact that my entire closet of clothes (besides 2 pairs of sweatpants) are for a woman that weighed 35# less than the one posting here now. Uggh. Oh, and nursing little Anne is going wonderfully. It really is. That means, I go nowhere...except to the grocery store and doctor appointments for the kids...oh and church on Sunday. But I get very little out of Mass these days with baby wanting to nurse and 3 other little ones wanting to poke at her and fight over her the entire mass...while I'm trying to nurse. Ugg.
I'm not complaining though...it's all good...and when I get too far into the funk, a good shower and leg-shaving does me good. Oh, and I offer it up. Small sacrifices in the grand scheme of things. And I know soon that spring will come around. Stroller wheels will be turning, and the breeze blowing through my hopefully-trimmed-by-then-hairdo will feel like heaven on earth. For now though, I'm grateful for egg-splosions in the microwave to keep me on my toes; wonder at the endless possibilities of another crazy day in the life.

(yes, I know...11 healthy beautiful children...wonderful hubby...warm house...food on the table (well, except for the eggs)...get over it Jamie. I'm just sayin. I'm in a rut.)

100% recycled material.

The oldest girls and I had a nice chat the other night about my recent visit to St. Sebastian, my prayers for Emma's healing, and all the events surrounding my visit there. It was nice to be able to share with them how God wants to have a relationship with us, and how He is there for us always. He comforts us when we need it most, and showers us with blessings.
As we chatted, it reminded me of another story I'd written/shared long before this blog ever came to be, and involved my oldest daughter Alice. It was my first attempt at writing anything since college days. A little lengthy, but hope you enjoy it.

My Angel Story (written December, 2002)
I’ve read several books about angels lately. You know the kind...people giving personal accounts of their experience with the heavenly hosts. ( Easy reading to help pass time working the night shift.) Over and over the books tell me that all of us have probably experienced the presence of angels, however may have not allowed ourselves to notice or accept their true identity. I wondered about this. I racked my brain and still could not come up with any past experience in which I’d mistaken one of these Divine beings. Although, while pregnant with the twins I was sure that the Schwann’s man, delivering that chocolate chip cookie dough I so loved, was in fact a messenger from God! But no, I had no solid evidence. Anyhow, I made a mental note to try to be more open to the idea that I too, could one day be graced by their presence.
After reading the passages in these books, I began to think more and more about my angel and how he or she would appear to me. Would I wake up from a deep sleep to be greeted by some glowing, winged beauty? Maybe while I was driving along the road to work one night, I’d pass some stranger standing in the side ditch who would wink at me and I would just know this was a signal that my angel’s there watching over me. I started looking for an angel peering over my shoulder, or standing in the corner of the living room as all 3 kids were screaming “Elmo!”, “Pee!”, “Bah, Bah!” The cries come out in unison. No angel. Apparently they too have a sense of humor.
Anyhow, I’ve recently discovered that angels don’t always appear to us as something witnessed in a beautiful Michelangelo painting. Sometimes God sends us a messenger of hope in the form of someone we already know, who happens to be in the right place at the right time, comforting us with answers we desperately needed to hear, making it all to easy to believe that it must have just been coincidence. I don’t think this was. This is my angel story.
I think the fear that a mom experiences when her child is sick or hurting is one unlike any I’ve ever known before. It intertwines the same selfish fears we have for ourselves, with worry for the health and safety of this miracle you’ve given birth to. It can be difficult to maintain the strength it requires to keep the household running smoothly without letting everyone and everything become affected by what’s going on. I mean if mom “loses it,” how can anyone else be expected to keep it all together.
This was my situation when just weeks before Christmas 2001, we found that our nearly 2 year old daughter was spotting blood in her diapers. This was something she’d gone through earlier in the year, and something we thought had been resolved, when in August she had surgery to remove a cervical polyp. The final report then had been “benign.” Doctors had told us that this was a “fluke” thing that would not recur and gave us no reason to worry any further, until now. Suddenly holiday planning was put on the back burner, so we could go through all the same tests and more, to determine what was causing the bleeding this time.
The same surgery was planned to determine if there was in fact another polyp, and to remove it if necessary. Our doctor’s office staff made all the necessary arrangements, but unfortunately scheduled it for the wrong hospital. While her previous surgery had been done at Kettering, we thought from our heart, that she would receive much better care at Children’s, where they were more in tune to kids. (While at Kettering for the first surgery, the nurses seemed quite unprepared to deal with a baby. They admitted to us that they were expecting an 18 year old instead of an 18 month old. They had trouble getting her vital signs with the equipment available to them, and even fudged a few numbers to get there reports completed prior to surgery.) It wasn’t a problem to schedule it at Children’s, we were told, as our doctor did procedures at both facilities. On Wednesday before Alice’s surgery, I called the office to see how the rescheduling process was going. I was shocked and very disappointed when I was told by the nurse that, without reason, the surgery had to be done at Kettering. The doctor insisted it be done there. I hung up the phone.
Angry, confused, disappointed, baffled really, I didn’t know what to do next. Did I trust this doctor enough to keep our appointment at Kettering? We’d only dealt with him a few times, and had no personal referrals to him. He was, after all, a urologist and we weren’t even sure if this was the best place to be for this kind of problem. (Originally doctors suspected Alice’s bleeding was kidney-related, which led us to this man.) All the worst scenarios of what could go wrong kept spinning through my head. All the self-doubt and fear that we weren’t doing the best thing for our daughter just tore me apart. So while the kids were napping and John was at work, I finally lost it. I sobbed and prayed for what turned out to be an hour or better. All I could do was ask God to let me know we were doing the best we could. Should I insist on Children’s Hospital? Should I look for a new doctor who understood my concerns? Should we be seeing a different kind of specialist all together? Is there such a thing as a gynecologist for children? I kept thinking that sometimes we only get one chance to make the right decisions, and I didn’t want to look back on this years from now and say we should have done things differently. I didn’t want something to go terribly wrong and feel like we could have prevented it.
I can’t say I had any revelation as to the right answer. I never became completely comfortable with our decision to stick it out as scheduled at Kettering. Nevertheless, we kept our appointment and hoped it was the right thing to do. Looking back, I realize that when you give things up to God, he always comes through.
Alice went through her surgery as expected. (Kicking and screaming the whole way!) The nurses tell me that she was awake from the anesthesia before she even arrived in the recovery room. I’m not sure how they expected her to act when she woke up, but she was immediately hollering for her “Momma” and “Daddy” and would settle for no less. They allowed me in to hold her and try to calm her wild screams as she slowly became oriented. While rocking her, I was surprised to see a very familiar face coming our way. Dr. Lisa (Bohman) Egbert had heard Alice’s screaming and thought she might be able to help. She too seemed quite surprised to see us. We chatted a little about what brought us in, and she apologized that she had to meet with a family about one of her patients.
Back in the outpatient surgery department, and finally out of the recovery room, we were pleasantly surprised again to see Lisa, this time with our doctor, when he came to discuss the outcome of Alice’s procedure. Lisa had sought out Alice’s doctor, consulted with him about the case and his findings in her surgery, and confirmed his opinion about what he had found. After our doctor left, she stayed a few more minutes and gave even more insight into Alice’s condition, reassuring us that things would be ok. How lucky, I thought to have a second opinion in the case.
It wasn’t until our ride home that I realized it was much more than luck that brought Lisa to us. As we drove home that evening in the dark and rain, it hit me like a brick what a miracle had just taken place. This was the angel I’d been waiting for. Although Lisa might disagree, I have no doubt in my mind that she was there in that recovery room, at that exact time, by the sheer grace of God. She was there to answer every prayer that I’d asked of Him on Wednesday. How else could it be explained that we would run into a doctor friend, someone we trusted, an OB/GYN no less, at a hospital we weren’t supposed to be at. And that she would, unbeknownst to us, seek out our doctor, consult with him, and provide such comfort to us with her words. The diagnosis would have been the same whether she had been there or not, but it was the reassurance she provided that is what God knew I needed. Many would say it was good luck to see Lisa there. I might have thought that not so long ago too, but I know in my heart that God’s ways are not so mysterious, if we allow ourselves to be open to them. Some might call it coincidence, I don’t think so. I think this is my angel story. Thank you Lisa for following your heart to that baby’s cry.

how do you spell success?

(4th place Emma, 3rd place Alice, Champion and 2nd place spellers)
My two oldest girls did their momma proud tonight when they competed in the Minster Middle School spelling bee...and fared quite well. Competing against the top spellers in 4th through 8th grade, they finished 2nd and 3rd runners up. Alice will be moving on the the County Bee in Wapak later this month with the other two winners, while Emma stands ready as an alternate. Alice joked she'll plan to sleep with one eye open for the next couple weeks ;)

What an exciting evening to see not only one but two sisters wind up on top!

Way to go Alice and Emma!!!

imagine that

Yesterday I watched two little boys (Charlie and Frank) entertain themselves for nearly an hour with nothing more than a broken plastic slinky and their imaginations. I was in awe of how they went from one story/character/circumstance to another, and when it broke into more pieces, they had more ways to use it. I can't wait to see what they come up with for entertainment today...the world is at their fingertips.

humbled by her invitation...

Monday was shaping up to be "one of those days." There was a scheduled trip to Celina in the morning for Anne's immunizations, and an unanticipated appointment in Dayton mid-afternoon for Emma's orthopaedic consult. Throw in lunch for the kids at home, a baby who still wants to nurse every 2 hours, a stop to gas up the van, and a few e-mails/phone calls to keep John and grandparents in the loop, and my head was starting to spin.
As I was returning home from Celina with my sweet Anne sleeping soundly in her carseat, I was reminded of a recent dream I'd had about a sweet parish in sleepy St. Sebastian, OH. A tiny church in the middle of farm country. Population... a dozen or so? I had thought about visiting that church several times since, but really never had the time or energy to swing by...mostly the time. Today for some reason, I couldn't resist the urge. I argued in my mind that today was NOT a good day...too much to do, too little time. And yet, for some reason before I could resist, my van was pulling into the church parking lot. I gave myself 10 minutes. Just 10 minutes wouldn't throw me too far off schedule. It was as if I could feel the Blessed Mother calling me in.
As I entered the quiet church (one I've never visited before, by the way...except in a dream...weird, I know) I was surprised to find the Monstrance on the alter, Christ present for Adoration. In our area, with clustering of parishes, and so many small beautiful churches often closed for lack of priests...I couldn't believe it. There was one other woman there, praying quietly and she welcomed me with a smile as Anne and I entered. I sat quietly in prayer for those 10 minutes, humbled that Mother Mary should think to invite me in to spend time with her son. Who am I?
And yet in those 1o minutes with thoughts of the recent gospel readings still fresh in my mind, I realized that we are all invited in, aren't we? Through the waters of Baptism we are each personally invited to a closer relationship with Him. Yet, somehow in our crazy busy lives, we tend to put that relationship on the back burner. At least I find that I do. I had called mom to tell her about Emma's appt, texted my Dad, e-mailed John at work, called school to let them know I'd be taking her out early. Did I ever stop to ask Jesus to be with her? I'm not so certain I did, aside from prayer before mass on Sunday. I feel so blessed, and grateful for the gift of our Mother in heaven, who took a moment to pull me aside, invite me in, to help me remember the relationships that are most important...the One who wants to share in our daily burdens...her Son. I am most grateful for the time, even just 10 minutes of time spent solely with Him. It was beautiful and encouraging and uplifting. A blessing. I bet you got your invitation too...have you RSVP'd?

parents, don't let your kids try this at home!

Snow fell in our area today, leaving a nice white coating on everything...just enough to have the kids begging to go outside and play. (Of course you can!)
We spent what felt like an eternity getting them all bundled into snowclothes and out the back door, only to have one of them trekking back in just moments later.
Turns out Emma, too anxious to wait for the local snowhill, attempted snowboarding down the slide of our swingset in the backyard. Reports indicate it was a beautiful ride until she got to the bottom and failed to anticipate the drop off, at which point she crash landed onto the frozen ground. Yep, she stuck the landing alright.
Four hours in the Urgent Care, confirmed she indeed broke her wrist. They splinted it for her, and we'll follow up with an orthopoedic surgeon early in the week.

She's tolerating the pain tremendously well. Worst hurt seems to come from the disappointment in having to give up her Y basketball for the season...first game and team picture are tomorrow morning. Big bummer.

How many times do I have to repeat..." measure twice, cut once." (or maybe, "look before you leap."...or was it "A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush?") Not sure, but I think there was a painful lesson learned. (poor girl.)

Happy Birthday Grace!

Grace n. gift from God

(yep we think that definition fits just right.)

Happy 8th Birthday little angel!!

Christmas in the bigs

Had to chuckle at Grace (age 7) this Christmas.
Older sister Emma unwrapped a new gym/duffle bag from her Godmother. Without hesitation Grace blurted out, "Awesome! I call dibs on your old red one!"
It's win/win for everyone in a big family Christmas.

Annie-mation

Hello world!

(meet our little Annie...2 months old already!)

backtracking...

A merry Christmas morning...my still sleepy-eyed, jammie-wearing bunch. It's hard to get a picture with everyone looking anymore as someone's always keeping an eye on Anne. This time it was Lucy's turn to watch. (and poor John up front is just wondering "when can we stop saying 'Cheese' and start opening presents!)

Hope you all are having a blessed Christmas season!

I spent this entire morning on the phone. Yuck. I despise trying to make phone calls during daylight hours...and then to have a whole list of phone calls...ugh! I had seven or so calls to make and the kids at home were in rare form for sure. With the older ones back at school today, it was a new sort of free-for-all as the little ones regained their top-of-the-totem pole status. They tested all the rules again...from trying to swipe snacks before I even had the breakfast table cleared, to jumping on older siblings beds, climbing to new heights (atop the fridge) for access to dad's flashlight, and on and on. Of course Lucy is 3 now, and has to have at least a minor meltdown or two while I'm telephoning away. That's par for the course right? The nurse at the health department where I called to schedule Anne's 2 month immunizations surely scheduled us for his day off! And the secretary at church where I called to line things up for Annie's baptism beleived me when I said we really needed to get this scheduled (it sounded like all the kids were posessed as she kindly took my information...and probably sprinkled holy water on her phone when we were done.) Oh the lady at the hospital who needed some updated insurance information was very gracious when I firmly commanded "I can't peel an orange right now!" followed by a "Get down from there right now!" and "Oh my Lord, what did you do?!" (She probably suspects I have Turrets, and most definitely should not be in charge of a daycare.) I remind myself that the noise at my ankles is a good thing...it's the silence that I have to be most worried about!
I made it through my list though..and felt quite pleased with all I managed to accomplish despite the tugs at my legs for attention. I'm reminded often to enjoy these times, cause all too soon these little buggers will grow up and move away, and I'll be left wondering where the time went. Perhaps I'll give them a call, and hear the sounds of my screaming grandchildren and barking parents and smile remembering when...

I must admit, I've been very bad...

Even the man in red said so. Can you believe he left me nothing more than this Lump of Coal (and the griddle I purchased and wrapped for myself)?! And trust me...this Lump was aweful, just aweful. Blechk!!

I'd like to blame my absence from the blog on new baby, Christmas chaos, holiday overwhelm...but truth is I just haven't felt up to blogging. Period. So bad of me, I know. For lack of a better advent plan though, the silence for me has been nice. With several of our children born near Christmas and just after, I've enjoyed a special connection with the Blessed Mother over christmas' past, and found myself "preparing" right along with her. This year was a bit different though. Instead of preparing, I felt more in tuned to her "quiet years" in Nazareth. Those hidden, interior, ordinary times in her life when her days were spent keeping house, preparing her son, and building her marriage.

Many days over the last couple months I've felt as though I'd failed somehow in my spiritual life...making less time for prayer (aside from the frequent "Dear Lord help me!"), and getting from one day to the next without actually appreciating the ordinary. (shoot somedays it was an accomplishment just to get a shower!) Yet I'm reminded when I think of Our Blessed Mother, and her "ordinary" days here on earth, how she shows us that wherever we're at in life is exactly where God intends us to be. I'm certain I've shared before, a line (paraphrased) from one of my favorite books (The Imitation of Mary), that "Our current state is not a barrier to holiness, rather it is our pathway to holiness."

Certainly these past weeks of silence have helped me to realize what blessings I've been given, and allowed me time to appreciate my current wonderfully ordinary days, as I try to see one moment at a time as an opportunity to grow in holiness.

Thank you all for your prayers and patience as I attempt to share the good news of His works here on earth through the blessings of our beautiful, crazy, ordinary, chaotic days of raising 11 children.

Yes, I do commit to trying to post more frequently here. I've missed connecting with you all, and appreciate knowing that you've not given up on me totally.

Peace to all in this new year! ~jamie

Annie speaks out...

It's obvious by the look on her face, that she's got something serious to discuss here.

She bent my ear last night (in her throaty little gurgles and deep sighs) about a very meaty topic, Nature vs. Nurture with regards to the love/hate relationship brothers and sisters share. Are siblings born to argue...or is it something that develops over time...She's sure it's nurture. Or lack of.

You see she liked her brothers to begin with...

those big loving boys in all their sweetness...

Until they pulled a bonehead stunt like this...


"C'mon guys, seriously...static balloons. Give me a break." ~Anne.

still here...

My mind is swimming with great little stories to share...all the way back to little Anne's arrival (3 weeks ago!!!) Unfortunately the best of intentions along with a buck might get me a cup of coffee, and that's about it.
I find myself celebrating small successes these days...like showering, eating dinner before 7, wearing clothes with zippers & buttons again rather than stretch knit, and of course sleeping. Sleep is a good thing. Fortunately Anne likes her sleep at night too...I won't tell you how much, lest I jinx it. But as much as I'd like to stay up a few minutes later each night and share with you some little snippet of our day...I still choose to fall into bed just behind her, readying for the next early morning feeding.
I've been snapping away with the camera though in preparation for a few spare minutes to tell you things like Anne's first visit to the laundry room (never too young to help sort whites and colors, right?!) or our recent trip to the automatic carwash (simple entertainment, I know.) or even tell you how exciting and panic-inducing it is to see the older kids growing up before my very eyes as they take on more chores, venture out into the world of jobs that pay...like babysitting, and dog-walking on the weekends. Oh my. So many changes to embrace and celebrate.

Random side note: (cause my postpartum mind is still struggling to organize thoughts and make sense of a lot of things.)
Just thinking back to mass this past Sunday, and singing one of my favorite hymns..."We Are Called." The refrain gives us such inspiration...for us parents wanting to raise our children up in Christ...simple advice we can all learn from and share with our kids:
"We are called to act with justice.
We are called to love tenderly.
We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God."

It's a sunshine day...

...everybody's smilin'. ~the Brady kids.

How gorgeous is this unseasonably warm weather?!

We managed to get out for a walk to the park this morning, and even strolled on over to the Middle School after lunch to visit the older sibs at recess. They've been begging for me to bring Anne in for show-n-tell, but thought the teachers might appreciate an outdoor-playground meeting instead. Charlie, Frank, Rose and Lucy LOVED the attention from the older kids who pushed them on swings or included them in a kickball game...it was great fun for everyone.

Thank you Lord, for this Indian Summer we're having. Wish it could stay just a tiny bit longer...like say, till December 18th or so...just in time for a white Chritmas?!

you say tomato, I say tom"ah"to.

If there's one thing I've learned through the course of writing this blog (and should have anticipated with my last post), it's that when it comes to child-raising, we all have our opinions. Fair enough. I never claimed to be an expert. In fact, something else I've learned over the years is that every child is unique (thank you GOd!), and just when we think we know what to expect, one comes along to break/change all the rules. I bite my tongue and cringe a bit when someone asks for advice, cause truth is...we do what works best for our children, our family, ourselves at any given time. And that changes.
Annie's little pink toes had very little to do with her, and everything to do with a "girls day" together. While the boys busied themselves playing Legos, the older girls and I enjoyed an afternoon of hot rollers and hairdo's, finger nail polish, and other girly things that I'd just not had the energy for in some time. We all had our turns snuggling and bonding with new baby sister, and it just seemed natural to include her in our fun for the afternoon. She wasn't aware of the pinpoint size dabs of color on her nails as she slept, and she certainly can't reach her toes to her mouth yet, so there are no safety concerns.
I'll admit, I would have never considered painting any of the other girls' nails at this age, but then thats the beauty of big family/older siblings in the house...we just roll with the changes and find new ways to include everyone in our special moments.

We thank God here for the gift of Little Anne, as she brings out the best or at least "better" in each of us. All of the kids are responding to her with great love, and the gifts they have to share in building up our family unit have just been amplified. Perhaps the newness will wear at some point, but for now no one seems to mind giving more of themselves as we welcome her in. She is certain proof that love is truly multiplied, not divided!

our seventh daughter

I don't talk numbers often, so it's easy for me not to really think about having eleven kids...I just don't get caught up in the count. I couldn't help but smile though as I heard John mention several times over the last week how blessed he felt (and perhaps overwhelmed to think about) having "seven daughters." It was sweet, and humbling the way he mentioned it.
I smiled though, and thought to myself "Wow that's a lot of girls " when I caught this picture of him with his girls one of our first evenings home with little Anne...

On the topic of many girls...this was bound to happen sooner or later, right? Big sisters were home from school today, so they gave little Anne a "spa" treatment. Bath, lotion, and pedicure.

Anne's prayer

She's inspiring us already...letting her little Christ-light shine. I'm in LOVE with this little miracle God has blessed us with, and this is just one of a million reasons why:

Monday was our first morning "back in the routine" of daily living. John was up and off to work by 6am, alarms were ringing at 7am for me to get my hiney in gear, and get the kids off to school. I was really nervous about how this was going to work out, and yet I knew I didn't have to go anywhere...just had to see that they dressed, ate breakfast and were out the door on time. Anne was up at 6am to nurse, so we finished just before the alarms rang...it was perfect timing. The kids were anxious to get back to school and talk about life with their new baby sister, saving me from my usual Monday morning prodding/nagging. It was all good.
As they finished their breakfast, earlier than usual the kids joined us in the family room to sit and relax...and gaze again at baby Anne who was barely awake on my lap. Her distant gaze and heavy eyelids signaled a little cat-nap was near. She lay there so sweetly across my legs, hands folded as if in prayer, beckoning the others to stand near and just soak her in. Little Charlie commented "Look Mom! Annie's praying." I smiled, and whispered back "Yep, I think she is, and she would love it if you would join her." Without hesitation, several of the younger ones made the sign of the cross, and began their morning offering. (Kleenex anyone?? I could have used on at this point.) The exact moment they finished, her hands relaxed to her sides, heavy eyelids finally caved shut, and she grinned one of those larger-than-life toothless grins...talking to the angels indeed!
Thank you sweet Anne for inspiring us all to a closer relationship with our Lord...and thank you Lord for the perfect miracle of our sweet little Annie!