like second nature...

I wanted so badly just to fall into bed last night. I believe it's true, that old saying "Nobody needs a vacation more than the person who just returned from one." Oi. I was exhausted.
But just like I'd never been gone, I fell into my old routine of switching the laundry around from washer to dryer, setting up the coffee pot for morning, checking on the kiddos, and so on. Nope. Not much has changed at first glance...except my "check engine soon" light has just gone off, as I'm refueled and reenergized from a wonderful weekend of R&R with my longtime BFF.
Good thing...I'm gonna need it. The three I had with me are now all suffering from fevers and ear pain (swimmer's ear) and 4 of the little ones who stayed home with dear hubby have had high fevers and sore throats (Strep throat) all weekend. I took the worst from each of the two groups to our family physician today and 2 co-pays, and 7 prescriptions later ...I'm hoping we're on the mend. Lots of extra attention needed by little ones who "hurt too bad" to swallow.
(sigh.)
That lounge chair by the pool seems more than just miles away now...more like a dream. If it weren't for the itchy, healing sunburn on my backside, I'd wonder if it really ever happened.

Were you afraid I fell in?

Well, I did actually. Just returned, refreshed & rejuvinated from visiting my BFF and her family near Charlotte, NC. Just the 3 oldest and I made the 9 hour trip south...dear husband manned the fort with the seven youngest back here at home. (Yes, he is a saint!) It was an absolutely wonderful visit. I'm catching up on a week's worth of laundry and cleaning tonight, so I 'll be sure to post more tomorrow.
Peaceful night all!

I love you more than...

...brownies!
Charlie caught me carrying a package of fresh-baked brownies down to the freezer tonight. His eyes lit up as if I were going to offer him one. "Mmmm. Mom I love brownies." I stopped for a minute to show him the package. It's one of several baked yummies I've been putting in the freezer for this coming weekend, when the oldest 3 and I take off for a quick trip down south. I'm still feeling a bit guilty that we're not all taking a family trip together, so I'm trying to stock the freezer with homemade surprises for when I'm gone.
I went on to tell Charlie that the brownies were for the weekend...and that while I'm gone, he can ask Dad to get them out, and share them, and remember "how much mom loves you." These brownies can be a little hug from mom while I'm gone. He smiled wide. "Thanks mom! I sure love brownies."
"You're welcome Charlie...I love YOU even more."

for a giggle...

my kids (and me too) LOVE this...

I need to wear a sign

"Choosing my battles"

That's what my sign would say. It would very neatly sum up why it is that Mary is wearing black long pants in 85 degree heat, and Frank has blue socks with red trim boasting dancing penguins in santa hats...with gym shorts and brown dress shoes. Yes, I suggested alternatives to each of them, but rather than get into a full blown argument about something so silly, I just sigh a "Whatever" and let them roll with it. Needless to say I'm sure there were some parents at the park tonight wondering what I was thinking allowing them out of the house that way. I'm cool with that...if only I had my sign.

bike parade

Where was a camera when I needed it most?! (or better yet, some bystander to take the darn picture!)

The kids and I headed out this evening for our weekly (or more often) visit to the library. Backpacks loaded with books, it just seemed too nice to hop into the van. Instead we biked it. The nine oldest kids had their own bikes (Frank and Rosie with training wheels of course) and Lucy rode in the carrier on my bike. Ten, yes 10 bikes parading down the sidewalk for the 4 or 5 block trek to the library. The older kids were quite speedy, and waited patiently at each stop sign for the younger ones to catch up. Walking may have been faster, I'm not sure. But I giggled out loud a couple times at how we looked filing down the street. Too darn cute!

Emma led on her light purple bike, then Alice on dark purple, Sam on his yellow mountain-type bike, Grace on her fuschia bike, Mary on pink, John on blue, Charlie's blue with green wheels, Frank on his red and black racer, Rosie with pale pink and powder blue, and last Lucy and I sporting an electric blue number....wheels, wheels and more wheels!

more holiday pics

Dad and Charlie enjoying the fireworks display...

Sweet sisters, Grace and Mary after the parade on Saturday...

Frank and Rose checking out their parade loot...

The twelve of us at Uncle Clete and Aunt Mary's for the Independence Day Parade, say cheese!

Sweet Independence Weekend (review)

John had the night off of work Friday so we took the 7 oldest to a minor league baseball game (Dayton Dragons.) We arrived at the game plenty early, with time for a quick picnic supper of cold meat sandwiches, homebaked cookies and grapes. We headed into the gates early for a nice seat in the lawn section of the ballpark. We learned after attending a game last year that the lawn fills up fast, so with blankets in hand, we were determined to find a great spot. We were met at the gates by the mascots (Heater and Gem) and the "fun crew" who helped plan various games and events throughout the evening. John and Mary felt like they'd hit the lotto when they were invited to run the bases after the first inning. We quickly found a perfect spot, near the end of first base line, and spread out our blankets for the game. John, Mary and I headed off to meet the fun crew as previously planned, and were excited to find that they led us under the stadium and into the dugout where we were introduced to the coach and a few players. They competed against each other in a race around the bases, with a stop at each base where they were assisted in donning pieces of their assigned costume. John dressed as Uncle Sam, and Mary as Betsy Ross. It was aweful cute. John was given a huge hat to wear, which fell to his shoulders, covering his entire head. It made putting on the much-too-large pants at 3rd base impossible...so he and the entire crowd seem tickled when the helper just scooped him up and helped him finish the race. Mary won...she'll be quick to tell you that, but truth is, they both won. It was great fun for them, and they each received a free Dragon's t-shirt for their efforts. Who could ask for more than that.
Oh but there is more. As we left the fun crew behind, and headed back to our own "fun crew" in the grass, a fly ball landed on the ground right in front of us. An usher was quick to pick it up and hand it to Mary. (Can it get any sweeter?!)
The night ended with an awesome fireworks display over the nearby river, put on by the city of Dayton. Fireworks started just moments after the game ended (by sheer coincidence) and our grass seats at the game provided the perfect viewing location. Fifteen minutes of the most beautiful fireworks I've ever seen. (not that I've seen many...but still) Just awesome!
Despite our late night, I woke early, and headed out for a nearby Fourth of July 5k run. I ran it in it's entirety, for which I'm quite proud. I'm hoping to continue to improve and shave a few minutes off my time for my next 5k in August. Around lunch time the entire family watched the Independence Day parade and visited with relatives at John's Aunt and Uncle's home. It's become tradition to sit on their curb every year where other cousins and distant relatives meet. It was a short parade with lots of candy...everyone left happy. The rain moved in later that afternoon, so our plans for sparklers were put on hold...something to look forward to for next week perhaps.
We ended the weekend with a birthday party for John's godson. Ice cream, baseball, and playing/visiting with cousins is always a treat. The kids spent time catching lightning bugs and putting them into a plastic mayonaisse jar. It was to become a night-light for the older kids camping in tents in the yard there.
Overall it was quite an enjoyable weekend, one that was not over-planned, yet held pleasant surprises for all. I'm thinking these are the kinds of weekends memories are made of.

just remembering...

It was 6 months ago that we lost him. Today was our "due date."
While I know it's not my place to question His perfect plan for us, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wonder from time to time, how things may have been different.

Not a day has passed that we haven't thought of you, prayed for your intercession...baby Cy, I love you and look forward to holding you one day in Heaven. ~Mom.

this crazy thing called life...

I'm frequently asked, how it is that I manage to keep up with a blog...what, with 10 kids and all. Well quite frankly, as of late I can't. But I think about it often. Does that count? This computer is actually the last place I should be right now, but kids are in bed, I just put 4 loaves of Zucchini Bread in the oven (first zucc. from the garden!), dishwasher and washing machine are both hard at it, and I have 3 baskets of laundry waiting to be folded on the kitchen table. I'd like to get 30 minutes on the treadmill tonight as well...so I may as well take a break, right?!
Grab a cup of coffee...I'll try to catch you up.
I'll start by mentioning that I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the "crazy summer" tunnel. The girls ended their softball season tonight with a loss in their first round of tournament play. Emma had some really nice hits (she's a lefty and is often signaled to bunt, which she's gotten really good at), and Alice had a nice game as well. It was enjoyable to watch, win or lose. Their coaches treated the team to pizza and pop which not only took their minds off losing rather quickly, but made for quite a fun ending to the season. This week will also mark the end of their swim team season, with their last regular meet on Thursday. No more daily 9am practices...although I liked them having motivation to get going in the morning.
Sam's baseball team starts tournament play Wednesday evening. We'll see how that plays out. He's got quite a young team this year, although I think they've all improved over the season. Grace still has a few more tee ball games on the calendar (Tuesday nights), but her games last only an hour, and everyone bats/plays, and no score is kept. It's really quite cute to watch.
Little John was to the eye doctor today after failing his kindergarden vision screening. Turns out his cerebral palsy (have I mentioned that before?) affects the muscles in his eyes as well. He's farsighted in his left eye, which means glasses for the little guy. I must say, as much as I expect it to be a pain in the hiney, he's pretty darn excited...and I think he'll look rather handsome in his new specs. He told all of his friends at the ball game tonight "I'm blind. But I'm getting glasses and then I'll see better." He was feeling pretty cool in his lime green Ninja Turtle sunglasses after having his eyes dilated for the testing. Too cute.
The younger kids are just moving through summer like good little campers, guaging their days by moments on the slip-n-slide, popsicles, bike-rides up and down the front sidewalks, or even story books under the shade tree out back. Life is good, indeed.
John is keeping busy as ever working evening shift, and although the hours aren't ideal we've managed to make the best of it, and are just grateful in times like these that he has his job.
I'm managing to carve a little time out of my day for exercise. I've been on the treadmill at least 4 or 5 nights per week, and even finished a 5k this past weekend (without walking at all.)
It's so easy to find myself "wrapped up" in all the going-ons of daily life, without giving proper time/credit/attention to our Loving Father who makes it all possible. I'm so painfully aware of my shortcomings in the area of the spiritual formation of these little blessings I've been bestowed. I'm making an effort as of late, to just listen and pray...to be led by the Spirit. I felt as if this past Sunday's reading (St. Paul's letter to the Corinthian's) was addressed specifically to me...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I
will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of
Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am
weak, then I am strong.

For all the times I'm feeling weak, incapable, incompetent to accept let alone deal with all these blessings, I can know His grace is sufficient.
Peaceful night all!

Happy Fourth of July!

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

Shhhhh....quiet time.

I took the kids to the library last evening. It had been a week since we were last there, and we were in dire need of new books for the summer reading club. The 6 oldest are signed up, and keeping track of all the books they read in an attempt to collect small prizes and ice cream coupons, as well as earn chances to win bigger prizes given away at club's end. Little do they know, mom's happy to see them keeping up/improving their reading skills before next school year, as well as exstatic about the quiet time it brings to our home. It's all good.
Anyway, as luck would have it there was a magician scheduled to perform upstairs soon after we arrived. The kids quickly checked in their finished books and I escorted the 10 little indians upstairs for the show. The room was filling up fast, so Lucy and I ducked back downstairs for an entire hour of one-on-one quiet time. It was wonderful!! She seemed to know it was special time, and we snuggled into a reading nook to look at picture books, play with puppets, and later chose new books for 4 of the older ones who would let me. For a moment Lucy was busy playing with a toy "barrel of monkeys" allowing me a brief chat with the librarians about reading material I've heard other moms checking out. I toyed with the idea of taking a book home for myself...but honestly, I know something would have to give...like dinner or laundry...so I didn't. I did however put my name on a wait list for one popular read, so we'll see what comes of that when it's available.
I have to admit, it's little quiet moments like these that can turn another "ordinary" day into something extraordinary. I'm grateful for opportunities to spend quality time with each of the kids when it comes along. Life is good, indeed.

Reason # 52, Why no yard should be without a clothesline:

Tent City: Created by my kids and their friends who spent the day with us yesterday. (Note: this works much better when it's not so darn breezy.)

thoughts for this Sunday

Some of the girls and I were leafing through books together today. Baby Lucy was keeping us entertained as she'd grab a book and babble her way through the pages. We'd all laugh with her, and she'd start all over again. Grace reached for my little blue book on the end table, turned to the middle somewhere and attempted to read aloud as well. Alice was quick to steal it away from her and read the sentence for her.

"Think of the countless useless things that ordinarily are the subject of the world's conversation as being an obstacle to the holy relationship God wishes to have with you."

I had her read it again, more slowly. It led to a lovely impromptu discussion about things that are blocking us from a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. It was really nice. Perhaps from time to time I should encourage them to just grab one of my little daily devotionals and read a line or two just to see what comes up. Always grateful for these grace-filled opportunites for growing in the faith.

what's cookin'?

I called home from work the other day...just checking in to see how things were going. I'm not sure why, I can't fix anything over the phone, but sometimes I get a kick out of what the kids share with me while Dad's busy, away from the phone. Anyhow, this last call was after lunch, and Grace was happy to tell me what they'd just eaten: PB&J, chips, and big marshmallows. Umm? Are you kidding me?! She was so darn excited that dad made all her favorites. I should get frustrated about this. I stress half the day sometimes wondering what fruit and vegetable I can throw together with a fairly healthy main course. But honestly, I'm just glad their being cared for, happy and fed...even if it is mostly garbage. I'll try to get something green in them for supper.

The call reminded me of a few years back...one of the first days I returned back to work after Sam was born. John gave the kids Reeces Peanut Butter cups for breakfast "because peanut butter has protein, right?" God love him for trying.

She was afraid to come out of the water...

Nervous that someone might see that itsy, bitsy, teeny-weenie, polka dot bikini?

But hey Lucy, if you got it...flaunt it!

On the Birth of St. John the Baptist

I just finished watering the garden a bit, and was thinking it's coming along quite nicely. I didn't get it planted as early as I would have liked, but still. I love sneaking out there in the morning to check on things, or in the evening to water if necessary, and as I keep an eye out for a pepper growing, or pumpkin blossom blooming, perhaps the start of the first tomato. I have fond memories of my mother-in-law who first taught me about gardening. Just after John and I married, she invited me to come out to the farm and plant the garden with her. I had no idea what an undertaking it would be. Well after her children had moved away, she was still planting (and canning) like she still had 12 young mouths to feed. The humble garden that first year included dozens of tomato plants, rows and rows of green beans, peas, potatoes, onions, lettuce and cabbage, strawberries, sweet corn and even sweet potatoes. She taught me the very basics from how to hoe and rake, how to cut last years potatoes for planting (with their eyes looking up), what varieties of things she had the best luck with over the years, and on and on. I'll never forget the hours we spent weeding, and the stories she'd share, advice she'd give. Spending even just a little time in the garden helps me to feel a connection with her again.
What does all this have to do with the Birth of St. John? Well, she based the timing of many of the necessary steps of "good gardening" on the church calendar that hung in her kitchen. I can't recall how soon she had her onion sets in the ground, but they were due to be "stomped down" on St John the Baptist's birthday. I've talked to some gardening friends now, who've never stomped down their onions, but her rationale was that by this time, the greens had grown tall enough, and needed stomped down (or bent over flat) to allow the nutrients to stay underground and grow the onion bulb itself, larger. Sounded believable to me. Like I said though, I've never gotten mine planted as early as she, and just haven't come up with a suitable feast to stomp down my onions. I'll have to take a closer look at the church calendar, as mine seem ready this year and let you know.
St John the Baptist, St Isadore (the patron for farmers) and St. Alice (my mother-in-law, teacher, and friend) pray for us.

I thought this was a football movie...

...boy was I mistaken! John and I watched this together last night after the kids were in bed. I had borrowed it last week from the library, and it was due back today. Neither of us had heard too much about it, and weren't at all prepared for the effect it would have on us. The story draws you in to the personal life and struggles of a football coach struggling with a 6 year losing streak, trying to turn around a football program and save his job, and at the same time his personal struggles as he and his wife deal with infertility, and tough financial times. I have to admit, the emotions that resurfaced in me regarding the infertility caught me off-guard, and brought me back to a very painful trying time in our marriage as well. I found myself laughing through my tears often, as the movie had a perfect balance of comedy and raw emotion.
This movie was made by the same group that brought us Fireproof, which I wrote about a few months back. While it's small budget, with no big-name actors, it's an awesome story, and less cheesey acting than fireproof. I loved this, and I think John did too. It's a beautiful story, with a profound, yet simple message "with God all things are possible!"
Definitely a must-see!

birthday concerns

At the park yesterday, Charlie stopped riding his bouncy horse for a moment to ask nervously, "Mom, ummm. When I turn 4, will I be John?"
Confused I simply asked "What?"
Charlie, "Umm, you know, on my birthday, when I turn 4 will I be John then?"
me, "Nope, you get to stay Charlie forever."
He sighed a big breath of relief. "Oh good! Cause I like being Charlie!"

Charlie turns 4 next month, and was apparently concerned that this would mean he'd be turning into his older brother John...who just turned 5, and thank goodness did not turn into Sam! One of each is just perfect, I think!

Happy Fathers Day!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:3-5