on "sleeping in"

In the wee morning hours (around 1:30am to be more exact) I held young Charlie as he breathed in yet another nebulizer treatment for the tightness and wheezing in his chest. (allergies? not sure, he has the episodes just once or twice a year) Anyhow, as I was putting him back to bed I mentioned he should try to "sleep in" in the morning.
"Sleep in what, mom?" he asked curiously.
I laughed deliriously.

(guess it doesn't sound as funny now.)

BTW~ he's doing much better today already. Think we nipped it in the bud with those few treatments.

apologies for my absence...

Where does the time go?! We are embracing the summer break here...swimming, bike-riding, parks and picnics, baseball, softball, tee-ball, and any other outdoor activity we can scheme up. The kids are staying up long past there 8:30-9:00 school night bedtime, and sleeping in a little too. While I'm loving this break from school schedules and homework, it has turned our happy little organized routine upside down. Gone is my "quiet time" while the younger kids nap and older ones are at school. Gone too is my evening routine of cleaning up the house, and spending a little time on the computer after the kids turn in for the night. (I used to have about 3 hours from when the kids went to bed, till John got home from work.) I'm struggling to find time to get everything done...but it will come, I'm sure. It must!
Since John has been on evening shift, I've been doing all the cleaning, laundry, etc myself. No complaints really...I've had that time slot open to get it all done. The kids have not had chores or "Saturday: Cleaning Days" in a long time. This week, that's all going to change again. Nothing's set in stone, but in order to maintain some sense of, well, ORDER...the chore charts will resurface. Kids will be helping with things like dusting, vaccuming, emptying the dishwasher, evening "pick up" of toys and shoes and things, etc. Oh, they'll buck it at first. Who wouldn't. But it will work out. I'm looking forward to the help, and when things are getting done, I can free my mind to thnk of more things to do outside the house. We've started listing all the parks and other free/cheap things to do and visit this summer. Time to start mapping it all out!

A few years (and a few kids) ago, John's dad shared this cartoon clip with us. I think it best explains how we "manage" with all these kids.

dropping like flies

(the training wheels that is.)

Both John and Charlie found they could ride without them, after taking off on their sisters' 2-wheel bikes down the driveway, to the neighbors and back without batting an eye. I'm not sure they even realized what they'd done until they returned and saw the dumb-founded looks on mom and dad's faces. It was a matter of minutes till Dad grabbed a wrench from his tool box and removed the training wheels from the boys' bikes. They've stopped riding only to eat and sleep...I'm sure they'll be back out there peddling first thing in the morning.

summer means...

...picnic lunches in the back yard, as often as possible (who enjoys cleaning up the kitchen while everyone else is outside?!) and of course, watermelon!! mmmmmm. Yummy.

wonder what I'd be worth as a trade-in

A few weeks back, I got a little sad when Charlie told his dad that he wanted to "trade in mommy on a new one, because she got an ouchy on her leg." While I didn't take it too seriously, I was surprised at how easily he was willing to "trade-up." Geesh. Am I that expendible?
Today though, as we were loading into carseats in the van, I heard him mention "Mom, time to trade in our Charlie for a new one, cause I got ouchies all over my legs!"
I laughed this time, understanding that he really didn't want to get rid of me (yet), just wanted me to be "good as new" again. I think that would be nice sometimes too.

workin' at the carwash...

good clean summer fun! Can you believe my kids BEG to do this?! If only they'll be that excited as teenagers.

(BTW~ don't you just love Frank's droopy drawers..."cracks" me up!!)

a strange quiet

It's a strange phenomenon called "sleep-overs" that has taken not one, but SEVEN of my kids from me tonight. Nothing like this has ever happened before on such a grand scale. Alice, Emma and Sam were invited for the weekend to visit their Aunt and Uncle in Sandusky...gone till Sunday. This afternoon we watched my neice for an hour, and when her parents came to pick her up, they snatched up Grace and Mary as well for a sleepover tonight. And Grandma and Grandpa called to see if John and Charlie might want to spend the night there. (They try to rotate having the kids stay overnight in pairs, this is Charlie's first outing.)
John's at work, so that leaves me here this evening with just the 3 youngest. We went to McDonalds (ate there, even...not drive-thru) and ordered Happy Meals (a major splurge!) What a fun evening. Frank and Rose and I enjoyed snuggling on the couch a bit after Lucy was asleep. They usually don't get much lap time with mom at bedtime anymore. What a rare treat, indeed!

transitioning into summer

First day of summer break, and where are my kids? Downstairs at there desks, playing school of course.
An offer to turn on the sprinkler, and play in the water quickly sends them scurrying for swimsuits and towels though. Yah. That's more like it.

S*U*M*M*E*R

Woooooohooooooooooo.

It's time to celebrate here at our house. Today was the last day of school. No more alarm clocks, no more homework. No more spelling lists, math facts, mad minutes, or diaromas to build.

Instead, after school today it was water balloons, bean bags, dodgeball, ice cream treats, and weather warm enough to have everyone splashing in the sprinkler. The neighbor kids and a few other friends helped us to ring in the season. Summer break is here.

I repeat...Woooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!!!

feeling fluffy?

A friend and fellow blogger has been sharing her personal struggles with weightloss for a few months now. She's feeling like she's hit a wall, so to speak, and has asked myself and another friend to share our struggles, advice, support, etc. I'll be posting occasionally with her at Our Weight Loss Adventure.
If muffin-top, spare-tire, thunder thighs, jelly belly, seem to be your hang-up, or if you have great advice, support, tips to share, give us a shout-out in the comment box. We'd love to hear from you!
I still have 16# to lose to meet my goal from last May of losing 50# total. Maybe you can help get me there!! (without cutting off my hands, which are constantly feeding my face)

Anyhow, join us if you like. We're worth it!

planting season

Okay, I'm later than most people in getting my garden out...but it's coming. I just love this time of year when the yard is coming alive with beauty. All the trees are thick with green now, the Clematis and Irises are in full bloom, even the miniature roses are close to opening up. The grape vine and Knock-Out roses are fairing well, and the daisies and other perennials are all showing hope of returning to full glory later in the summer. I planted some zinnias and sunflower seeds yesterday...two of my favorite fun, colorful (low-maintenance) flowers. I hope they come in as well as last year.
And now...the garden. I sliced up a tomato (if one could call it that) from the store yesterday. It was flavorless, and more like eating cardboard than anything delicious. It left me longing for August when real, juicy tomatoes and other wonderful garden goodies are ready for picking. This year we're planting 6 tomato plants (of 2 varieties), 3 pepper varieties, red onions, yellow onions, lettuce, zucchini, pumpkins, and small green onions to start. My garden space isn't big enough for sweet corn, so I typically buy that in large quantities from a local farmer for freezing. (Last year it was 14 dozen ears I think).
Prayers to St. Isadore (patron of farmers), who's feast day was last week, for another bounteous growing season!

Deo Gratias!

Praise be to God!

I can't think of her without spilling tears of joy. Prayers for baby Magdalena have been heard, and answered as she is home with her family after 3 months in the hospital!

Her story (in short): Magdalena Lucia is the 11th child born to a wonderful couple here in our hometown. Suspected to have Downs Syndrome, and diagnosed with a rare heart condition at birth, she was able to come home for just a few short days, when it was discovered she needed abdominal surgery (for a previously undetected intestinal blockage?) Anyhow, she spent 3 months in 2 different hospitals each more than an hour from home, with her mom remaining at her side. This left the rest of the siblings and papa at home, praying for miracles. The graces and love that outpoured have been inspiring to say the least. Our family here, joined many others each night at 9:oo pm (Magdalena's siblings' bedtime) in prayer, and asking our guardian angels to join with hers. Prayers for healing, and for their family to be together at home have been answered! We are so grateful for the gift of Magdalena and the goodness God has allowed so many to witness through her and her family. I am also grateful for her family sharing their struggles and successes with others through an online hospital website.

God is good! God is good!

God is Love.

I'm still chewing on yesterday's readings. John and I went to separate masses yesterday, allowing me to fully participate, pay attention and enjoy. I was particularly moved by the second reading.

1 John 4: 7-10
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves
is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for
God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son
into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we
have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

As Alice, Sam, Grace and I headed out for church, we left the house frustrated and yelling about running late and kids dawdling. It certainly was not the tone I wanted set as we headed for mass. The days readings and theme of love moved me to tears as I recognized the simple and complete message...God is Love. Our love for others is a reflection of His love for us. Lord, thank you for this gentle reminder to mirror your love in our actions and words.

my little princesses

having a ball!


Rosie enjoying the dance time with her ribbon wand.


Grace, Mary and Rose posing with Pocahantas, Belle, Cinderella, and Snow White.


all smiles after getting make-up and nails done by the teenaged princess helpers.




This fundraiser event was the brainchild of a friend of mine from the local mom's group I'm in. She had access to the Disney princess outfits (teenage girls sized) after someone in her family purchased them for a birthday party. She decided to host a princess party for little girls in the mom's group, and others as a fundraiser for a teenage girl in our parish to attend a mission/retreat out of state. The teenager and a couple friends donned the princess outfits and greeted little princesses, posed for pictures, painted nails and did makeup. It was a fun event for everyone that included donated doorprizes and raffles for larger princess-themed gifts. The girls in attendance gave a free-will offering to help raise money for the mission trip. It was such a success, that she offered the party a second year, and now this third year, our parish got involved offering our parish education center as the venue, with dozens of teenagers (boys and girls) helping to organize/run it. As little princesses arrived they were assigned small groups with a teenaged "Princess" leader, who escorted them room to room for various activities from story time, make-up and nail polishing, photos, dancing, snacks, etc. It was such fun, and even more enjoyable knowing that the donations raised will be helping a dozen or so kids from our parish attend a retreat at Notre Dame this summer.
Now, my boys just wanna know when there will be a "Bob the Builder" party :')

what did you do this weekend?

end of the year choir party
picnic at the lake
playing at the park
softball practice
princess party for little girls
family picnic for Sam's Conquest club
date-night dinner with friends
local "Bock and Rock" beer tasting event
mass
graduation party for 2 neices
4H meeting

oh, and then the usual fun stuff like late-night laundry folding, end of year school paper sorting, meals and cleaning and much, much more.

Is it monday yet?

rockin' and rollin'

These two cuties enjoy some time atop the rock that just landed in our front yard. If you look closely, you'd see the rock is engraved "Jamie 1981."

This darn thing has been following me for 27 years now. When I was just nine years old, this rock sat in the front yard of my parents home. Each time dad would mow, he'd elect one of us kids to trim the grass around the rock. After much arguing, he etched my name and the year proclaiming "It's your rock, now you trim around it." (How lucky is that?!)

Anyhow, when John and I bought our first home, the rock showed up in our yard one day thanks to my brother and a fork-lift he'd borrowed from work. My parents had long since moved away from the home with the rock, but my brother had talked with the new owner, who agreed to part with it.

Once again, three years after living in this home, the rock finds it's way back into my life.

I have 2 nine-year-olds now. I'm wondering if I should flip a coin to see who's is the next name to be carved in the rock, and who will earn the title of official weed-trimmer around the rock. And heaven forbid, it should land in their yard one day.

and another "big girl"

Grace Elizabeth graduated from Kindergarten today. She's growing up faster than I'd like. I must admit, she appeared to be made for the stage as her class of 15 entertained us with a handful of cute songs and skits.

Here she is, entering the gymnasium to receive her diploma...



...and later at home. It's official. The diploma is signed!

...and with classmate and cousin Phil

On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fátima is the title given to the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children at Fátima Portugal on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on 13 May.


"O Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima
and reveal a glorious message.
We implore you,
inspire in our hearts a fervent love
for the recitation of the Rosary.
By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption
that are recalled therein
may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask,
through the merits of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Redeemer."

my other little "big girl"

Baby Lucy is growing up too fast! Her hair is finally long enough for piggy tails, she got her little toe nails painted today like big sisters...oh my. Where does the time go!?