Young John called me outside this morning, excited to show me the beautiful flower we had growing in the side flower bed...first signs of spring. Oi. Looks like work to me.

Truly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Upon further investigation though, we also found a couple daphodils, some Iris plants peeking up out of the ground, Clematic vines budding, rose branches greening up, and several other early signs of nature's beauty. What a lovely day!

a brief retreat...

This morning John and I & the 7 youngest took a drive over to Maria Stein. The weather was just beautiful for a stroll through the woods there at the Spiritual Center. It's been since last summer that we were last there, and I was amazed at all the changes going on. Wow! We always like to take the rosary path through the woods, and were pleasantly surprised to find the trails now paved with concrete sidewalk. There were 1/2 dozen or more new concrete grottos, not yet complete, along the path. I'll be anxious to see what they have in store for them. The kids love to splash there hands in the water of the Respect Life Memorial (which is just beautiful!) I could be wrong, but I also thought the outdoor stations had newly built wooden displays. Everything is just looking amazing and beautiful. I suspect we'll be visiting more often as the weather stays warm just to see how things continue to progress. For those who've never been, the Spiritual Center and retreat house have beautiful woods with trails, complete with Rosary walk, Outdoor Stations, a pond with bridge, and many places throughout for quiet reflection. It's located right behind the Maria Stein Center and Shrine of the Holy Relics which is another must-visit. What a great way to spend an hour, an afternoon, or maybe someday even a weekend retreat. It's on my wish-list somewhere!

random acts of kindness

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile"- Mother Teresa

I'm recognizing that I've been on the receiving end of more than my share of random acts of kindness lately, and I'm humbled that friends, acquaintences and even strangers would be thinking of us and reflecting Christ's light. I am grateful! And I plan to pay it forward, each opportunity I get. That's the point, right?! Even the smallest of gestures can lift spirits and hearts. God Bless you all! I encourage you to take a moment today to recognize the kindness of others and thank God for those He's placed in your life, and then think of someone who might be in need of your kindness today...perhaps even just a smile. I think you (and they) will be glad you did.

alice's song

I was going through some old pics and found this one. My older girls love to write...poems, stories, even song lyrics (of which they later love to perform!). Alice wrote this a couple years ago. I can still remember her sweet little voice singing along in her own tune. I thought it was a keeper, and now worthy of sharing. Enjoy!

who said "big things come in small packages?"

At our house, the bigger the package, the better! We had diapers delivered to our door today thanks to diapers.com. A friend suggested the site to me a while back, and now I'm hooked.
Anyways, the kids are happy to see the UPS man coming too. Big box = Big fun!

thought for today.

Lent, 2009

"Saint Francis reminds us to do more than look at the cross. We see the external cause of pain. We need to look for the interior love that accepted the pain and gave it meaning."
—Daily Reflections for Lent 2008 (borrowed from americancatholic.org)

feast of the annunciation, march 25th

As we recall the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary, may we also recognize Mary's response...her "fiat" or "Yes!" to the Lord. Her willingness to serve brought Christ to the world, and changed the course of things for all eternity.

May we also respond with a resounding "yes" to always do God's holy will.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee...

(thanks to this blog for the great image of Mary's Fiat.)

"Guess What Mom!"

..."You're a grandma!!!" Alice and Emma could hardly contain themselves as they burst into the front door from school today. I must have looked more than a little confused, as they stopped to explain. Their baby chicks hatched today...part of a County Extension 4H project in their classrooms at school. They've been watching and waiting for 21 days now, I think. Finally, today the little peeps made their way into the world. Grace, Mary and John were equally excited and proclaimed their new titles and "Aunts and Uncles." Chickies Charlie and Nemo are reportedly doing well. Alice tells me that Charlie's delivery was quick...he pecked a hole, and made his way out in less than an hour. Whew, an uneventful labor and delivery.

I'm hoping to visit them after school tomorrow...I'll try to post pics of the new grand-chickies when I get a chance. We're all so proud.

nature vs. nurture?

I'm sure I've handed the girls (and boys) baby dolls and taught them how to give "Ahhhhhhs" with hugs and little wet kisses. But never (and I'm sure about this) have I pointed an index finger (let alone a real gun) and made a shooting sound. Where do boys learn this?! Is it genetic? The girls don't routinely do this...but Frank (and all the little men for that matter) are packin heat with their index-finger-pistol from the moment they crawl out of bed in the morning. Frank takes aim and chooses his breakfast cereal with one eye closed and the trigger pulled. "Pow" (apparently he's having Fruit Loops, partner.)

"hearty" laughs

As the boys hopped one-legged through the kitchen, little John stopped to tell me he could feel his heartbeat in his chest. I placed my hand there and told him it felt like a galloping horse. Charlie followed right behind him. "Is your heart galloping like a horse?" I asked.
"Nope, mine sounds like a cow! MOOOOO!" was his reply.

The Passion

John and I got a chance to see Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" Saturday night. It was the first we'd seen it again since it came out in theatres 5 years ago. I had forgotten so much about the movie, from the subtitles to the intense graphic depiction of the scourging. Parts of it are difficult to stomach, I'll admit.
You know, I can only speak for myself, but I love this movie in that it brings Jesus' suffering to life. I grew up with a crucifix present throughout our home, our church, and even wear one around my neck most days. We pray the stations, and even hear The Passion read in church, and yet somehow, it seems that while I as a Catholic, embrace the cross, and His sacrifice, I've become almost numb to the real suffering it holds. I manage to forget somehow that our God-made-man, endured not a little, rather incredible suffering for me. For all of us.
John and I remained silent as the credits rolled, and longer. I remember the same "audible" silence as we left the theatre 5 years ago. There are no words necessary. Certainly Christ's ability to love and forgive in spite of the intense suffering and humilitation He endured serves as an example and reminder of our need to do the same in this life.
I think if you've not seen it, or if it's been awhile, it would be a benefit to you this Lent. How 'bout you? What are your thoughts on the movie? And at what age, would you consider it appropriate for your kids? (I'm certain mine are not ready.)

Saturday with the girls...

I packed the 6 girls into the van on Saturday for a day at the mall. Alice and Emma couldn't recall their last visit to the Lima mall (school shopping for kindergarden 4 years ago) and the other girls, I'm fairly certain have never been there. I'm not embarassed to admit that if we can't get what we need at a Walmart or Target, we probably don't need it. But every great now and again we like to try something new. Easter is the one occasion in the year that everyone gets something new to wear, so we were on a mission! What an enjoyable day. I'm not sure I've ever had all 6 girls alone for a whole day. We started off soon after breakfast, and made it home in time to fix the men some supper. In between we had a ball trying on all kinds of fun outfits, shoes, etc. We even splurged and went out for a sit-down lunch. (A place with no chicken nuggets on the menu.) Oh it was nothing fancy, Alice requested I-Hop, but it was ordering from a menu, which is definitely a treat!
As for shopping, I was disappointed to find that it's impossible to find a dress in the mall with sleeves. Everything was tank-style, or worse yet, halter/strappy. I'm certain it's a conspiracy for stores to be able to sell the matching sweaters they had hanging next to each dress. (Which we did, for a couple of the girls.) They have you over a barrel. But like I said, Easter's the one time that everyone ('cept John and I, of course...we've been wearing the same stuff for ten years, I think) gets something new. We even slipped into the boys section at one store and picked out new shirts/polos for all the boys. Too cute.
I'm glad we don't shop like that all the time. It's actually a bit stressful to keep track of who's getting what, and who still needs pantyhose to match, etc. But it was a completely enjoyable, different kind of day for the girls in this house...and hopefully they'll have some memories of it a few years down the road when we may try it again.

Cheese!!!!!

...no comment for this one. Only that this picture speaks VOLUMES about the kind of silliness that oozes from this house on a daily basis!
Enjoy your Monday!

the pitfalls of having several conversations going at once..

Several of the kids came into the house at once yesterday. They'd been playing outside in the cool breeze and burst in needing various things (a drink, potty break, question answered, etc.) not the least of which was a tissue. They all had runny trails from their nostrils. As I was assisting Frank with his tissue, Charlie interrupted with a question. At the same moment Charlie finished asking, I was telling Frank to "blow" into the tissue.
Without thinking, Charlie proceeded to blow, as he thought he was being told...without a tissue of course, and all over his face, and my sleeve. (Umm. Charlie, I wasn't talking to you..."Frank, blow.") yuck.

How's it growing?

We're past the half-way point in Lent now. As you can see, some of our plans are fairing well. Others...well, there's still time, right?

My initial thoughts for lent were to try to fast more often, perhaps 2-3 days of serious fasting per week. I made it through one day. While I feel it was definitely spiritually beneficial, I tend to think now, this would be something better suited to when the kids are out of the house. My first real physical fast pointed me in the direction of the need for a different kind of fast altogether. A fast from unkindness. Let's face it, when I'm hungry, I'm a real bear, and this is no use to the 10 smiling little faces that need a mother with a little compassion. So, instead of starving as a form of penance, I'm focusing instead on recognizing the way I speak to my kids when I'm tired, or frustrated. I'm trying to be the kindler gentler mother they deserve. Some days, I'm doing well...other days...well I'm a work in progress.

Our grass seed is growing beautifully, and we're checking progress daily, wondering when we might need to trim it back in preparation for the lovely Easter gifts they are to become.

So, how 'bout you, how are you growing? Nearly ready to be that lovely Easter "gift" you want to offer to Jesus?

Have a blessed weekend all. BTW~ we've been nearly a month without take-out pizza. The kids (and myself) are very excited to be invited this Sunday to their cousins for pizza to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. It will be a nice little "Happy Birthday" celebration.

Polish Madonna, Our Lady of the Laundry

"She remained hidden for thirty years at Nazareth with the Savior. There her chief concern was to raise her Divine Son, to merit increasingly the confidence of her husband, and to provide her family with what they needed by working as her strength allowed.

The best state for you is not the one you think perfect, but the one in which God has placed you."
~from The Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville


Holy Mother, what a perfect example God's given us in you. Help me to find delight in thinking of God, seeking him in everything, doing all for Him. Amen.

moms...hug yourself! you deserve it.

Okay, so I really should be in bed right now. I'm scheduled to work tomorrow, which means my brain needs to be functional without a mug of coffee glued to my bottom lip, so sleep is a good thing. However...I just checked e-mail before slipping into bed, and my mind is left spinning by a letter my sister-in-law just sent out. I wanted to hug her, cry with her, laugh with her all at the same time. She's having one of those days/weeks/months, that has her venting with frustration, and second-guessing herself. You know how it goes. (I know you do) Sick kids, lack of sleep, nursing baby with a "schedule" all her own, leads to housework malfunction, clutter, more frustration. And it spirals from there. We've all been there. I feel her pain. I wanted to pick up the phone and call, desperately, but feared waking her at one of those rare moments of sleep. So instead, I'm blogging. Wanting to tell her that maybe I've not been keeping it real enough here on the blog. It is my blog afterall, so I only have to tell the good stuff. I'm not required to share that my 8 year old is fascinated with the word "butt-crack" and has found ways to use it as not only a noun, but a verb and an adjective. Or that I scrubbed one of the kids booster seats today, and nearly passed out from what was growing underneath it on the chair. (not to mention that I'm too embarassed to set the chairs out on the curb, for fear someone might take them, and see how I haven't scrubbed the milk splatter off the legs in like, forever!) Or that I could have been in bed hours ago, if it weren't for the 6 baskets of clean laundry piling up in my basement waiting to be folded. (just didn't feel like it the last couple nights.) Nobody needs to hear about my having more than one "junk drawer" for stuff I just don't know what to do with when people come by to visit. Just stick it in the junk drawer!
Truth is, all of us are struggling to keep something together, I think. Sometimes it's easier to manage than others. Or maybe we just get good at letting go of our former expectations. I will have time to keep a clean house someday, I hope. What's important I think, is to be there for each other, to support each other. As moms we're doing exactly what God wants us to be doing, trying our best to bring our kids up to know and love Him...bringing these little souls closer to Heaven.
Give yourself a hug moms! Or better yet, call your friend, sister, mom and tell her how awesome you think she is! (cause she is!) We've been there, done that, knitted the t-shirt, and the odds are good, we'll do it again sometime, and need that hug right back.

top o' the mornin' to ya.

St. Patrick's Prayer
This day I call to me:

God's strength to direct me,

God's power to sustain me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's vision to light me,

God's ear to my hearing,

God's word to my speaking,

God's hand to uphold me,

God's pathway before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's legions to save me.
—from A Retreat With St. Patrick

a prayer for today

"I want only to live the way you ask me to love,
to love the way you ask me to live."
~borrowed, but can't remember from whom/where.

love mondays, hate mondays

I can't help but love them and hate them all at the same time. I find myself both frustrated that the weekend's come to an end so quickly, and yet relieved to be falling back into a familiar routine. Monday mornings are typically a little slower-paced here, especially on my part, but after the full weekend we just had, it was even more so. John and I both got up with the school kids at the 7o'clock alarm. Little Rose always gets up with her big sisters too, so when John took off to substitute for one of the school bus routes, and the oldest 3 went to school, it was just her and I until the rest crawled out of bed closer to 9am. Wow~ what a strange morning. Typically, all 12 of us have breakfast together.
Anyhow, after coffee, and a slow clearing of countertops...all the green beads, trinkets, candies and remnants of the weekend left behind to clutter...we're able to get on with the day. The weather turned out to be gorgeous here. It called for the kids and I to have our first picnic of the new year. We packed up our PB&J's and headed to Four Seasons park, where all the kids had fun on the playground equipment. It's really gonna take me some time to get used to my baby being one of the big kids. Lucy was up and down the slide, playing with the boys and their trucks in the mulch. She didn't need her mama one bit, except to rescue her from the mud she wandered into, and to peel the mulch from her sticky peanut butter hands.
I brought the kids to mom's for awhile while I headed to a parent meeting at school. Seems as though it's time already to get John and Mary registered for kindergarden in the fall. Oh my. It was nice chatting with the other parents a bit, including My Little Saint's mom. Before I know it, my baby birds will all have flown the coop. Mary & John's start into school in the fall, dips into the bottom half of my 10. My babies are leaving... You would think I'd be too busy to feel this sentimental about it, but they're all so close in age, that I realize when one goes, another is not far behind. Before I know it, we'll be registering for college. Yikes. Slow down, Jamie. It is Monday afterall...back to the here and now. I believe I hear a cup of coffee and some laundry calling my name. Good evening all!

Need rosaries?

I think I mentioned last week that our next project for Lent is rosary-making. The girls in this house (and even the boys at times,) love to string beads. I thought it would be a great idea then to get the kids started on stringing rosaries. The couple that are finished so far, I think are just beautiful, and there are a few more in the works that I think will be just as nice. A friend picked us up some beads at Walmart, and I was able to get the crucifixes and center pieces through a catalog order. A friend of mine suggested using dental floss to string them with, it's super easy for the kids to handle, and knots well. I think it's working great. I have enough supplies to do 10 or 12 I think. Although, I think we'll be making more in the future. But we have no plans for whom to share these with just yet. Anyone planning a mission trip, or having need of these rosaries, we'd love to donate them. Just let me know. It would give the project even more special meaning to know they're going to someone who would need/use/appreciate them! Just drop me a comment.

Alice's joke of the day

In light of our very 'green' weekend (St. Patty's dance on Saturday, 5k and parade on Sunday)...

What's Irish and hangs around on your porch all night long??

answer: Patty O'Furniture

busy weekend ahead

Our crew seems to be on the mend, with only a couple lingering coughs and fevers. I'm praying that tomorrow will find us well enough to dive into the weekend head first. We've got a handful of fun things planned, we'll see what works out. The kids helped me to finish the housecleaning tonight, so sleeping in and enjoying a slower-paced morning is the start. Although, my dad called this evening to report he's finished building the 2 new 7ft. oak dining benches for our kitchen table. That means I've got some staining and finish work to do. I may just have to get over there in the morning to get a start on that.
Emma's got a bowling birthday party to attend around noon. Our afternoon is free, then we're planning to get to confession and 5:00 mass, at which Alice and Emma will be singing in the children's choir. Saturday evening we have a ticket for a family St. Patrick's Day dance sponsored by our local Knights of Columbus. That should be good fun for everyone (that is if everyone's healthy enough to attend.) Sunday morning Alice, Emma and I are heading to St. Henry for a 5k run/walk. (I intend to run, but with lack of training, I'm guessing there'll be more walking then planned.) John and the rest of the kids will join us later for their St. Patty's day parade. It's a fun little parade with lots of treats and green trinkets given out, so the kids are really looking forward to that. Sometime in between, the girls have plans to do some beading. We started the next of our Lenten projects tonight which is hand-beading rosaries to share. Emma got one finished tonight and it's beautiful. Grace and Mary have each started on one as well, and are anxious to complete theirs. I'll have to post about that project as we get further along with it, and decide exactly where they'll be going, etc.
Overall, we shouldn't be lacking for things to do this weekend. I'm guessing there won't be much posting time, so I'll catch up when I can. In the mean time, thanks for your support and prayers, and have a blessed weekend!

and who will celebrate our mass for us?

The whole crazy conversation started because "The Music Man" dvd just hit our mailbox from Netflix yesterday. It's one of our favorite musicals, so the kids know the lyrics to all the songs about as well as I do now. Every time we see the movie, I remind John (and the kids) that when we celebrate our Golden anniversary, I will sing "till there was you" for John as his gift. (poor guy). Anyhow, the subject came up again, and I asked the boys if any of them would like to celebrate the mass for us. (cause there's a chance one of them could be a priest, right?) Sam, shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't think it will be me Mom, but if so then, yeah whatever." Conversation moved on, and a few minutes later Charlie pulled on my sleeve and mumbled "Mom I'll hold your anniversary mass for you." My heart skipped a little beat, excited at the thought that he would even imagine wanting to be a priest someday. I smiled and thanked him. "Charlie that would be wonderful if you would be the priest and have our anniversary mass for us."
He continued "No, mom! I don't want to be the priest. I want to be the pirate, and I'll hold your anniversary MASK!"
(sigh.) Okay, 3 might be a bit young for vocational discernment. We're not even on the same page. One can never say conversation is dull here, though.

still have 35 more years to practice...

I've promised (maybe threatened) John that if God willing, we both live to see the day, I'm going to be singing to him on our 5oth wedding anniversary a song from The Music Man. Because I'm cookey that's why. (and because at the rate his hearing's going...he should love the sound of it!) Sorry for the rest of the family who has to sit through that party.

sorry I've been away...

Our entire team took a hit this week. That's right, all twelve of us. Remember last time we were ill, I mentioned something about wishing it would hit us all at once, so we could be done...well I'm watching what I'm wishing for! 90 Tylenol tablets, 1 bottle of liquid Tylenol and 1 bottle of Children's motrin later, and we're on the mend!! Fevers are lower and less often, and last night nearly everyone slept through the night without waking in chills or sweats. I've kept lists for temps and dosages that make my head spin, but so necessary. Lots of snuggling and more snuggling going on here. I did manage to get out to Aldi's and Sam's club this morning for much needed groceries and supplies. Kids are moving away from the couch to play...it's already a better day! Thanks for the prayers!

current roster...

...showing 9 on the D.L.(that's "disabled list") Fever, body aches, cough and lots of WHINE with that cheese. We could definitely use another couch for all the bodies laying around here. Looks like a bad college hangover. The good news is I'm optimistic that we'll be over it soon rather than taking turns and dragging it out for weeks.

I'm not fasting today, but offering much up as sacrifice and penance. Clinging to the cross, and holding on for dear life.

Yes, he gave me the okay to post this!

John, a.k.a. "Captain Underpants," seems more than a little tickled with his new all-white underwear. He's officially moved on from Big Bird and Rugrats to tidy-whities just like Dad and Sam.



With pajama shirt as his cape, he couldn't wait to put them on right over his flannel pants this morning, awake now for all of 15 seconds.

(what a fun way to start the morning!)

As if...

Do you ever find yourself making ignorant threats to your kids that you have no intention whatsoever of following through with?! Just moments ago, I hollered upstairs to some more-than-noisy, borderline beligerant, talkative young girls to "Settle down, or I'll have to seperate you two!"

As if. Where exactly would I put them once seperated?! (Not thinking clearly there.) I should have followed up with the "Never mind...you're gonna be sleeping in the same bed till you move out." But I just rolled my eyes and moved on. They're giggling quietly now.

sometimes He speaks so clearly...

...it's like a knock upside the head. Okay, I get it already.
Anyhow, that was the case for me today. I've been sharing frustrations, and mostly small successes with Amy about our struggles with losing weight. I've been working at it for nearly a year now after my doctor kindly suggested (without saying exactly) that if I'd like to live to see my kids grow old, I'd better take control of my weight. Enough said. I've not dieted, but I've made small lifestyle/eating changes (i.e. portion control) that has equaled a 34# loss so far. The next big stepping stone for me is exercise. I'm signed up for a 5k this weekend which I was planning to run, but without practice, it appears as though I'll be walking most of it.
As I pondered Amy's latest entries, I realized that I'd kinda hit a road block, and have started reverting to old ways. I want to be my best, healthiest self, but it's so easy just to go with what feels good, even when we know it's not what's best.
This afternoon as I opened "My Daily Bread" for some prayers and daily reflection, the words jumped right off the page to me. Certainly, I was to be reading this at this exact moment. The Holy Spirit is working on me, and I do know that God wants me to be my best, healthiest self as well.

" ...I need not be surprised at my changing feelings and moods. They are not the
higher self within me. God will honor me only for what I am trying to be. I
would improve much if I begged His help more frequently by prayer and the
sacraments. Too often I fail to put up a fight against my unreasonable feelings
and blind desires. At other times I try to fight them alone. Only with God's
help can I make any permanent progress. With the knowledge He gives me through
His holy church and with the strength He offers me in His sacraments, I can live
a Holy life in spite of the restless lower self within me.

pray:
Dear Lord, my smallness and weakness are perfectly known to you. Have pity
on me. Pull me out of the mud of self, so that I may not be stuck in it forever.
Consider the labors and trials of my daily life. Please stand by me in my
efforts. Strengthen me in my resolutions. I have often failed because I depended
on myself alone. Now, however, I shall seek advice and direction as often as I
need it. Only in this way can I hope to make progress in true and solid virtue.
Make me wise and honest in my daily efforts, so that I may no longer waste
valuable time. I hope to become at last the kind of person You want me to be.
Without you I can do nothing. Lord, help me. Amen. "

The issues I have with food, and my struggles over the years with weight loss (and trust me they started well before having these beautiful babies) are just one of my many human weaknesses, the "restless, lower self within me." I'm grateful for His support as I continue in the right direction towards the me He wants me to be!

Kleenex (check)
Tylenol/Motrin (check)
cool wash clothes (check)
cough medicine (check)

Seems as though the flu bug is visiting. We're trying desperately not to make it feel welcome! Sam started with a cough Sunday morning, but I chalked it up to being out all day in the cool air on Saturday. No such luck. By last evening he was wracked with body aches, fever/chills and a nasty cough that kept him (and me) awake most of the night. He's home from school and on the couch today. I'm back to using Lysol on everything, hoping to keep this one at bay. Pray for us.

It's 37 degrees this morning!!

What on earth happened to our taste of spring? I know, I know. It's still winter. But come on!

We had no plans for the weekend with the exeption of Sunday mass. So we took full advantage of our wonderfully warm weather. We took a long walk Saturday morning...that is John and I walked pulling 3 in the wagon and 7 more sped ahead on scooters. What a funny sight. I baked a small turkey Saturday afternoon while the little ones napped, but didn't feel like messing with all the sides, so we had a picnic supper in the backyard of cold turkey sandwiches, grapes, and chips. By late afternoon most of the neighbor kids had drifted into our yard to play, so we had a couple extra for our picnic supper, but it all worked out fine. Later in the evening as dark crept in the older kids stayed out playing "ghost in the graveyard" and "kick the can" with the neighbors. What a sweet taste of summer. Are we there yet?!
Anyhow, with the time change it was a struggle getting out of bed and ready in time for 10:00 mass, but we made it. All but Lucy who still goes to my parents. Frank and Rose have been coming to mass now that John's with us too. They sure are making a great transition I think. They behave pretty well. Even Alice commented that "Mom, 2 seems to be the right age for starting the little kids at church. Why didn't we start taking Charlie then, so he'd behave better." We did. He just hasn't caught on yet.
Anyhow, mom and dad had a wonderful brunch ready after mass for us...all our Sunday morning favorites, eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and of course donuts. Yumm.
Dad's starting on a woodworking project for us. We've decided to get rid of the chairs around our kitchen table and go with wood benches instead. Nobody seems to know how to keep chairs straight, with feet under the table which causes more arguments than we need. We're hoping it will give us more room in the kitchen as well. Anyways, after pricing them online, we're thrilled that Dad's willing to undertake this project for us.
We finished out the weekend with a 4H meeting Sunday evening. John and most of his siblings were members of the Minster Livestock group for years, and now our girls have expressed an interest, so we're going to see how it goes. My one condition is that they can't take animals to the fair. We have no room in our home for pets, and fortunately free-range chickens, goats and other larger animals are not allowed in town. Emma's decided on a bird project...one that involves building a feeder, and identifying birds. Alice is interested in cooking or arts and crafts. After attending the meeting last night, I'm certain it will be a very enjoyable, rewarding experience for them. This morning it's raining and cold again. The kids are happily playing with the dollhouse which was on hiatus in the attic for 6 months...for this very reason...it is new and exciting all over again, with enough accessories to keep everyone (boys and girls) happy for hours. Me, I'm drinking coffee, lots of it, trying to get motivated for another day in winter paradise.

kodak moment

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so I'll have to try to paint the picture for you. As I was coming down the sidewalk toward home this morning around 9, just finishing my morning jog/walk, I was greeted by the sweetest sight. 2 year olds Frank and Rose were out front playing (boy do we love small town living). Rosie dressed all in hotpink, sweatpants and matching hoodie with the hood up, and Frank all in blue. They were moving slowly down the sidewalk side by side. Frank was pulling his little red wagon behind him as Rosie struggled on her big sister's pink Barbie scooter. It was adorable, and I could only imagine the conversation the two might have been sharing (had they been able to speak in more than two word sentences.) They continued on together up the driveway and to the back yard where the big kids were playing, and then went their seperate ways. I can't imagine life without those two.
Thank you God for this beautiful spring-like weather, and the gift of children to enjoy it.

Spring has sprung!

(Or at least bounced for a bit!)

I think it's safe to say everyones heads hit the pillows hard last night. We were teased with a bit of spring weather yesterday, so we took full advantage of it. After school and homework, we headed outdoors. It took only seconds for all the neighbor kids to converge in our driveway, which is how I love it. There were enough kids to have games going in every corner of the yard...from jumping rope, basketball, scootering, kids playing in the fort. I love it!
After supper, we all walked to the school park for the last 45 minutes before dark crept in. The kids all played so well. There were no other kids there for the older ones to pair up with, so it was nice to see my older ones helping the little ones try the monkey bars, or climb up high to the "swirly slide." This was Lucy's first real park adventure, as last year she spent most of her summer in a stroller or carrier, oblivious. She LOVED the slide! It made me a little sad to realize that there would be no baby in my arms, or stroller to push around all summer. My kids are growing up, and wanting to do things independently. It's bittersweet. I long for the tiny baby stage, and yet it's liberating to be able to just grab a wagon for the toddlers and take off. And now I'm hands free to join in on the fun. (I loved the slide too.)
Anyhow, after showers the girls voted for a pedicure night. Alice got a foot bath for Christmas and some peidicure supplies for all the girls. I had an older foot bath as well, so we filled them both, and took turns treating each other to a little pampering. Sam was off to his Catholic Boys club meeting, so even the young boys enjoyed the attention, and soaking in a warm foot bath. After everyone was duly pampered and relaxed, we settled in with some library books, and rounded out the night with the Stations of the Cross, with the help of some simple homemade Station booklets Sam and I made in religion class. (I'll try to get the link for the printable accordion-fold booklets...very cute and simple)
It was a truly enjoyable evening. I'm looking forward to warmer weather coming and making itself at home for awhile.

(I wish I could say my night ended at 9 too, but that's when I pour another cup of coffee, and am just getting warmed up. I managed time for my prayers and Lenten reflections, a little computer time, chatted briefly with mom on the phone, scrubbed the kitchen floor, ran the dishwasher, folded 4 loads of laundry, picked up a few toys in the basement...and shoes someone would be looking for desperately come morning, and finally fell into bed around 12:30 with my rosary. John woke me when he got home at 1:30 and I was still gripping the second decade tightly. Didn't quite get through it, but hoping the Blessed Mother understands...)

taking things literally

John helped young Charlie choose his clothes and get dressed this morning. A few minutes later Charlie lifted up his sweatshirt and asked me to feel his belly. "Is it sweaty yet mom?" I did as asked, with a puzzled look on my face, I'm sure. He continued, "Dad says this is a SWEATshirt, so am I sweating yet?!" Ummm. "Give it some time to work." I replied.

inbox insight

Okay, I'm not really big on e-mail forwards, but this was one I'd not read before, and thought it was too cute not to share. (And I think there's a lesson in there too.)

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap" ..
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her how?"
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
May God always grant that you and I see clearly...
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”

sowing seeds of love

Our next Lenten project idea came from my second grade religion class. It ties in nicely with the Parable of the Sower from Matthew, which we'd talked about in relation to the Liturgy of the Word at Mass.

We decorated flower pots (at home here, we used styrofoam cups) with colorful spring flower designs and the saying "Jesus gives us new life." The kids then filled them with potting soil and grass seed. We're watering them, keeping them in the sunlit window sill, and waiting patiently for the first sign of new growth. Just as we are growing closer to Jesus, nourished by His Holy Word, so do the seeds grow (we hope) carefully tended and nurtured. Our intention (here at home) is to add a few homemade treats to the grass-filled pots and and share them at Easter time. Although the kids have not been able to decide just who to share them with yet. For some reason, I'm thinking we'll be making more pots to accomodate everyone on their list. I hope I have enough windowsill space. Did I mention everyone LOVED this project with lots of dirt to run their fingers through!! (and to sweep up afterwards.)

(note: in class, the kids pasted a photo of themselves onto a cutout flower form, attached to a popsicle stick. They look just adorable "blooming" from the grassy pots!)


A prayer: "Lord, faith in your Word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open my eyes to your deeds, and my ears to the sound of your call, that I may understand your will for my life and live according to it".

borrowed from EWTN, the Holy Season of Lent

Tuesday, First Week of Lent
"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father....’" (Matthew 6:8-9)

Reflection.. . .
AND GOD SAID "NO."
I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said "No."
He said it was not for Him to take away,But for me to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
and God said, "No."
He said her spirit is eternal,While her body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said, "No."He said patience is a by-product of tribulation.It isn't granted - it is earned.I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said "No."
He said He gives blessings, Happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said "No."
He said, "Suffering draws you apart fromWorldly cares and brings you close to Me."
I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said "No."
He said I must grow on my own,But he will prune me to make it fruitful.
I asked God if He loved me,
And God said "Yes."
He gave me His only Son, who died for me,And I will be in heaven somedayBecause I believe.
I asked God to help me love othersAs much as He loves me,
And God said,"Ah, finally you have the idea."
~by Claudia Minden Welsz

ashes, ashes. We all fall down.

After breaking out of the starting blocks of Ash Wednesday, ready for a spiritual rebirth, today (less than a week later) I feel as though I'm already failing miserably. Our beautifully crayoned stations of the cross lasted just hours on the wall. I had forgotten that Lucy is interested in everything within reach now...she tore them down and crumbled them in no time. Our family rosary this evening ended after just one decade. I was so frustrated by the time we got that far...kids giggling, disrespectful, our worst yet. Off to bed they went. Even my 1/2 hour at Adoration yesterday left me feeling terribly guilt-ridden. The harder I tried to focus on Him in prayer and silent reflection, the harder I had to fight being overcome with sleep. I've never had anything like that happen before. It took everything in me just to stay awake, and spend time with Him. I'm understanding now how it must have been for the apostles at Gethsemene. I never did fall asleep, but I was close. How horrible is that. For each step I try to take forward, I feel as though I'm stumbling back a bit.
The good news is (I must keep telling myself) there's lots more time to keep picking myself up and trying again. Surely there will be more hurdles and roadblocks along this journey, but through perserverance and much prayer, I hope to maintain focus and draw nearer to Him and His will for me.
In the meantime, instead of a snack (which is what I usually choose when I'm feeling bummed) I opted for a snuggle. Charlie asked me to squeeze in between him and Frank tonight, so I did just that. I laid with them for a good half an hour before I couldn't resist the call of the kitchen needing cleaned up for the night, oh and laundry, bathroom, etc. I'm grateful for the little moments with the kids, when all is right with the world...ending the day on a good note.

a thing of beauty...

who cares what's going in it! The hardest part is done, and she's a thing of beauty...

As far as I'm concerned, attaining a perfect pie crust is indeed a lenten penance. I've had several thanksgivings past, where prayer was the only thing that kept me from tossing entire pies out into the back yard.

John loves homemade pie though, and so I made the crust tonight, and will fill it and bake it tomorrow for lunch. I've got apple pie filling thawing, from the bushels of apples I prepared ahead last fall. Last time I baked one I added blueberries to the mix too which is probably what I'll do tomorrow. It's a nice twist.

No, we didn't give up sweets in this house...perhaps we should have.

another exhausting weekend

It's almost a relief today to be back into the routine of another week. (said with a sigh) I had a brunch Saturday morning with the mom's group I'm a part of. It meant starting off early with baking. I made a wonderfully simple baked French Toast, and in order to leave the house by myself without feeling guilty, I also baked a pull-apart monkey bread for the hungry mouths here. The kitchen smelled divine!
Saturday evening John and I got together with a group of friends we just don't keep in touch with like we should. A group of his high school classmates and their spouses gathered for a wine party at the home of one of the couples. We had many laughs about how far we've come from beer parties with chips and salsa. Karla had a beautiful spread of appetizers from bruschetta to chocolate dipped strawberries. We all brought a bottle of wine and even took part in a wine-guessing game. It was all so "grown up." It turned out to be quite a late night for us "old farts" though...I think we hit the bed around 2. Wow. Morning came around quicker than usual. I'm so glad we could catch up with good friends though, and look forward to trying to get together more often, especially now that John has his weekends off.
Anyhow we made it off to a later mass than usual, had donuts and coffee at mom and dad's afterwards, and later John brought the 3 oldest girls to the roller skating rink. I so wish I could have been a fly on the wall. Sounds like they had a blast. It was our kids' first visit there, and sounds like there will be many more trips in the future. I stayed home with the nappers, and did some baking. I tried a new recipe for a no-knead wheat bread. It came out a little more dense than I prefer, but the taste is delicious. It won't go to waste, I'm sure.
Anyhow, the highlight of the weekend was the realization that we have Saturday mornings again. At our house that means that the alarm clock is replaced by the sensation of cold little feet snuggling in between us in our bed. We just let them pile in until there's no more room. I think there were 8 in the bed this weekend...not everyone made it under the covers, but several brought in snuggle blankets and curled up at our feet like kittens. It truly is a wonderful way to wake up in the morning. Apart from summers, we haven't had this since before John started his weekend shift more than four years ago. One more reason to love his new schedule.
I'm feeling very blessed today, and so continue on with this Lenten journey, attempting to stay focused, to recognize His great love for me, and to reciprocate in some small way that love in return. Lord, make me worthy...

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.Genesis 9:13

Lord, help me to be like Noah, trusting in you even when it seems difficult. Let me remain focused on you and your Holy will that I might be found worthy of the eternal gift of Heaven.

Amen.

Leading the Way

Today I introduced my 2nd grade class to the Way of the Cross. A few of them had prayed it before, or at least heard of it. Thanks to this site I found some nice printable coloring pages for each of the stations. The kids each colored one, and then we posted them in the classroom. I have a nice "Way of the Cross for Children" booklet that was given to me, and so we were able to pray the stations and reflect on each. I was pleasantly surprised at how most of these young ones reacted to the prayers. It was beautiful. The Holy Spirit was certainly working on them.
I used this idea at home with my own kids last year, and plan to do so again. I lined one wall in the kitchen with the coloring pages they completed, and talked with the kids about them. This year I hope to do the same, as well as incorporate the prayers and reflections. If you don't have a Stations for children to follow, I found a nice one here. I'm not sure most of my young ones are ready to sit quietly and reflect in church on Sunday afternoons. Getting them through Mass can be struggle enough at times, so to be able to introduce them at home is nice.

prayer for Lenten perserverence

"Lord, I know how much you love me.
It’s hard for me to feel it sometimes, but I know your love is always with me.
Help me to use your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions.
I am weak, but I know with your help, I can use these small sacrifices in my life
to draw closer to you."
~borrowed from the web (Onlineministries.com)

serving others, one slice at a time

I'm always looking for ways to help my kids understand a bit more about their faith, serving others, growing in Christ. I'm guessing others are too. My intention in sharing this is truly to give ideas. I'm not wanting to suggest we've got it all figured out, or that our ideas are any better, etc. Please know I'm just wanting to share.

Anyhow, all that out of the way...

To incorporate the idea of almsgiving on the kids level, we came up with "Poor-man's Pizza." The idea started with a letter we recieved last week from a charity we'd donated to in the past called "Food for the Poor." A missionary priest from South America came to our parish and shared details of the living conditions in one particular area, and the kids and I all left mass that day changed by what he shared. Anyhow, John and I agreed we felt compelled to donate (even if only a little) again somehow. We quickly realized that we don't necessarily have a stash of money to pull from, so we'd have to cut out one of our luxuries in order to make it fit in the budget. The first thing that came to mind, was our nearly weekly pizza night. Seems as though lately we've been ordering in pizza almost weekly, and this would certainly be something we could do without. To get the kids involved, and to let them know how our sacrifice of something so small could help others, we came up with the chart. Alice and Emma designed it so that there are 6 slices, one for each of the weeks of Lent. For each week we skip pizza night, we'll add a paper pepperoni to a slice, and stash the money saved into an envelope to be mailed out during Holy Week. We also clipped pictures of a severely impoverished, starving family (that came from the letter we recieved) along with a picture of the Holy Mother (which also came with the letter, and was too pretty not to include.) The poster hangs in our kitchen, in plain sight as a reminder of how our simple sacrifices can add up. Emma said it best as I was trying to sell the idea to Grace (who loves Pizza Hut pizza) "Think of it this way Grace, we give up pizza for a few weeks so that little starving children might not die." Wow. Even I wouldn't have put it that bluntly, but it was effective, and Grace got it.

Thank you Lord, for one more opportunity to serve, and for leading me in teaching our children to serve others with a charitable heart.

(by the way, the title "Poor-man's Pizza" came from a term we use around the house often. We serve up "Poor-man's waffles"--just toast with syrup--when we're out of waffles, or "Poor-man's steak"--just thick bologna on the grill--which the kids prefer, I think. Anyhow, the name for the pizza project came easy...something we've said before.)

Alice's joke of the day (2)

What's the difference between Roast Beef and Pea Soup?

A. You can roast beef, but you can't pea soup!

more 9 year-old hysterical laughing...

hungry for a fast?

My simple mind had never thought of "fasting" as being from anything other than food. That is until I read the previously posted Lenten Prayer

So this morning, as I read my daily relflections and prayers, I've decided to focus on a "fast" each day, not always from food, but from something that's keeping me from Christ. Today I've chosen to "fast from unkind words." Not just the words themselves, but the tone in which they're delivered. I find myself being short-tempered with the kids more often than I'd like and my mood last evening (I'm blaming it on hunger) awakened me to that. These are the people I love most in the world. Let me only speak with a loving heart today (and always).

Continued prayers for not just a penitential, but transformative Lenten journey.

Alice's joke of the day

What was Tigger doing when he stared down into the toilet?

A. Looking for Pooh.

(Laughing hysterically at herself for that one.)

for the love of God.

For the first time in my life today I fasted. Really fasted. Don't get me wrong. I've managed to fulfill my Lenten obligations for fasting and abstaining in years past for the most part. Today, however was the first time I've ever done so simply for the love of our God, and for a desire to want to be closer to Him. What an amazing change in how the day went when I considered doing it to please Him only, rather than considering it a bonus way to shed a few pounds during the lenten season.

I must admit, I felt drained for a good part of the afternoon. And when I was most tempted to grab a snack, I chose instead to feast on His word. The house was quiet for a short time this afternoon as the older kids were at school, younger ones napped, and John headed out to work. It gave me about 45 minutes to search for some good Lenten reflections online. Just as I began googling, the doorbell rang. Someone had stopped to deliver a book of daily prayers and reflections. I'd just been gifted with a treasure called "My Daily Bread" Wow. I read just the first chapter and know I'm going to love it. It's just what I'd been hoping to find online. Thank you to my mystery friend for sharing His word with me just when I was most hungry for it! The lesson or theme in the first chapter was a reminder to stay focused on Him and our ultimate goal of Heaven. I concluded my quiet time with a rosary. What a wonderful way to get centered in our Lord just before the kids get home.

I'll admit, by evening I was quite a grump to be around. The kids will not argue that, I'm sure. We did manage to find some peaceful time together making a Lenten Prayer Tree though. We cut out paper ornaments in various Lent/Easter themed shapes...lambs, crosses, hearts, crown of thorns, grapes, fish, etc. The kids gave suggestions for various prayer intentions, people or things they want to pray for, and wrote them on the ornaments, which were then tied to a small tree in our living room. (I have a small "christmas" tree out year round that I decorate for all the seasons, but the idea I'd read suggested clipping a branch from a tree in your yard). Our plan is use the tree to help us keep these prayer intentions as we say our bedtime prayers each night. Later during Holy Week, we can add our usual Easter ornaments and colorful flowers, etc.

Overall, I'd say we're off to a beautiful start this lent. As with any journey, we're bound to forget something, have to stop for assistance somewhere along the way, and certainly realize we're packing more baggage than we should ever need. I can only pray that as necessary, I'll stop for His directions. Peaceful journey to you all!

to begin...

A Lenten Prayer
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.


I'm headed off to 8am mass this morning. Emma's 3rd grade religion class has her special liturgy today. She's excited to be participating by reading the petitions. A wonderful way to begin this spiritual journey called Lent.

Preparing for Lent

My second graders (religion class) and I were discussing Lent today. More to the point we were sharing ways to grow closer to Jesus through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Most of the students seemed to have a plan of action...less fighting with siblings, no sweets, one was giving up a particular Nintendo DS game, etc. I was impressed that they'd given it thought, and were excited to "dive right in" to this holy season. I wish I were feeling as prepared. I've thought about it a great deal, and yet can't put my finger on exactly what my plans are. Maybe I'm thinking about it too much...
I read in my "little black book" (a lenten book of reflections distributed by our parish)today:

"We all have a file of resolutions in the back of our mind. These are the ones we usually pull out at a time like this. Maybe we'd do better to put those aside for a moment and find out what God has in mind. It may be something we've never thought of, something that surprises us."

I had initially thought of taking time away from the blog, but dear husband John suggests instead that I should share my lenten journey with you readers. Hope you don't mind if I pass along prayers, reflections, and activities we come across. Afterall, it is my intention to share the blessings we've received, that we may all grow closer to our Saviour. May you all have a blessed Holy Season of Lent.

Wow.

We finally got around to seeing this last night. If you haven't yet, you must! I'll admit, it started a little cheesey, I thought. But (sorry to admit it John) both of us finished the movie in tears. I think the message transcends marriage even, and in essence leads us all to a stronger relationship with our Loving God. Very Powerful! Put it on your Lenten "to-do" list. I think you'll be glad you did.

it all started with a meat and cheese tray...

Alice and Emma love to put together a meat and cheese tray. On occassion, when I seriously don't feel like cooking, I pull out some cold meat, cheese and crackers, and let them get creative. Tonight that's what we did. The conversation that stemmed from carefully placing coldcuts was priceless. Emma started with a lead in, "Mom, I'm gonna have a wedding you'll never forget!" I smiled, and added "No matter what kind of wedding you have, I'm sure I'll always remember it."
She went on to tell me how all adults were going to celebrate by jumping in inflatable-jumpy toys, and kids would get to splash in a kiddie pool. We laughed, and Alice soon commented that Emma was so good at arranging meat, that maybe Emma could cater her wedding dinner. I laughed, and suggested there was a good chance that Emma may be busy playing "Maid of honor" that day. They both agreed. Soon everyone was talking marriage. Rose wanted to be in someone's wedding, hollaring "Me! Me!" John expressed an interest in marrying his twin Mary. We straightened that out by suggesting maybe instead they could have a double wedding, and get married (to someone else) on the same day. They thought that was a good idea. Soon Charlie was getting upset. "Who can I marry?!" I was quick to throw in, "Just become a priest and you can marry them all!" He liked that idea. A lot! It didn't take long before he wanted to dress the part, and insisted I find/make him a "puh-reestes" suit. After our fine dinner (which included the all too wonderful Ramen noodles as well...we went all out!) I scavenged through my craft supplies and linen closet. This is the best we could come up with spur of the moment. An old bed sheet and some crayola markers (no-sew style.) Frank decided he wanted to be one too. Let the weddings and baptisms begin!


future Fathers? Charlie and Frank

while I'm on the subject of clotheslines...

I mentioned in an earlier post today that I'm looking forward to using the clothesline once again with the warmer weather. It made me remember that my mom's been suggesting for some time that I post an old e-mail I'd sent out several years (and several children) ago. I originally wrote and sent the story to just a few family members and friends and it came full circle to me a year or so ago when someone I'd just met in a prayer group pulled out a copy of the mail and asked if I was the "clothesline lady." Yep, I guess I am.
Who am I to deny my mom. So, here's my story, written sometime in spring 2004...sorry if you've read it before.


Counting my blessings at the Clothesline
“Happy Monday Everyone! (I know, grumble, grumble…back to the grindstone for those of you who do the 9-5 routine!) It was the same attitude for me today too, as I started my laundry that’s been building up all week. I finally had to give in and run a few loads before the kids started borrowing socks and underwear from my drawer! It was during my second trip out to the line this morning that I had to giggle when I saw my first load of darks hanging out…about 20 pairs of pint-sized denims all lined up in a row.
Wonder what people driving by thought…are we raising an army of
midgets here or what?! I had to giggle out loud as I took stock of that
long row of little legs. So funny to me, I even had to take a picture.
It was there and then on this partly sunny, but awfully chilly 50-
something degree morning, that God took a minute to remind me of all
the little blessings he’s given us! All this laundry I curse about each
week…piling up, waiting for the Era-elf to take over some night…was
such a visible reminder of these 6 beautiful children we’ve been given
and the means to provide for them. Not to mention the holey knees as
evidence of their good health and endless energy! Suddenly the
laundry didn’t seem such a burden today…although I’m sure by the time
it’s folded and put away, I will have lost sight of some of this peace and
joy. But for a moment, I’m grateful for this next heavy basket of damp
capris and onesies…knowing that it is in my daily service as a mom that
I am honoring God and following my true vocation! How richly I’ve
been blessed!!!
May you all find a moment of clarity and thank God for your blessings
as you continue your daily grind!
Have a great day all!” ~Jamie

thank you.

Thanks to all who voted....nearly 100 of you! It was pretty clear by your responses that you get what you get, when it comes to ordering.

If you want jelly (John!) you must ask for it, or better yet...grab the bread and get to it! (Love ya hubby!)

at last count...

11 of us have been hit. (Alice's guardian angel is working overtime, or something.) But (knocking on wood) we're feeling better fast. So hopefully we'll be done with this in another day or two.
I'm beginning to love the smell of Lysol. When I can't smell it anymore, it's time to clean and spray again. I used the peroxide advice to clean toothbrushes...they look sparkly fresh. Our washer/dryer are working overtime as I am now washing sheets again from the healthy ones just to be sure there's no more virus lurking in beds. It's never-ending, but so grateful that it's minor, and that it will pass.
My goal for tonight is to get the kitchen cleaned & sparkling & disinfected top to bottom, and scrub walls, handrails, and other neglected area as I've been concentrating mainly on bathrooms and bedrooms.

Too bad it's not spring yet, I could be hanging all this clean laundry on the lines to air dry.

...(clothesline fresh sheets and towels) One more thing to look forward to for spring.

I surrender...

John and I were discussing at noon time today, that next time ('cause there's always a next time...) we're just going to allow the sick kids to kiss, hug, share drinks, bathe in each others germs, whatever it takes to "hurry along" the unavoidable. Today there were four more of us with the stomach virus (myself included.) That's 8 of our 12 that have been "taken prisoner" by this ugly bug. The good thing is that it seems to be running it's course pretty quickly for most. If I had known 2 weeks ago we could have been done in 2 days instead of 2 weeks...I'd have let them all be "kissin' cousins."

Hind sight is twenty-twenty they say. So for now, I'm hanging my white flag of surrender and letting this thing run its course...hopefully as quickly as possible. I'm so tired of serving toast and applesauce with every meal... pray for us. (and thanks for all the tips and advice.)

fighting cabin fever (among other ailments)

I find it difficult coming up with ways for the kids to burn off that extra energy they have from being indoors all day. So when mum2twelve suggested this game, I thought we'd give it a try. We had a ball!!!!
Rather than using scrap paper, we gathered up all of our mittens and gloves and called our game "trashing the mittens." The rules were pretty much the same, although sometimes we skipped the trash can, and just tossed the gloves/mittens to the other side of the taped line. It was fun to see the little ones get active, and even funnier that I made the older kids stay seated on their butt to make things a little more fair. They could only scoot in order to gather up more "ammo."
It was fun, safe, energy burning play. Even old mom got in a couple rounds..."winner take on mom" or the best "all kids against mom." Shoot, I almost had 'em.


The kids (all but Lucy) lined up waiting for the timer to start...we lined the gloves up on the center line first.
and mid-game, as glove/mittens flew and laughter ensued.

germ warfare

Well, it seems as though the little ones are on the mend. They don't have much of an appetite yet, but they're at least keeping things down. (Thank you Lord!) We actually had a pretty pleasant day. (Oh, except for John who also has been hit...but he thank goodness can manage himself, and said he was feeling better as he left for work this afternoon.) I don't think we're out of the woods yet though, cause Grace has been pretty quiet this evening, and mentioned a belly ache a couple times. I sent her to bed with a bucket just in case. (Recycled ice cream pails seem to be our "vomit catcher" of choice.)
We're in full "viral mode" here at our house. I find myself disinfecting the bathroom countertop, sink, toilet, doorknobs etc everytime I enter. How did anyone ever get by before "Lysol disinfecting wipes?" We've temporarily done away with the communal drinking cup at the kitchen sink, replaced now with a row of disposable cups penned with each childs name. Handwashing is strictly enforced. I've been replacing the hand towel in the bathroom with a clean one several times a day. I even pulled a sippy cup out of Frank's mouth today because it "wasn't his." He looked at me in disbelief. Since when don't we share everything?! (Since mom's on a mission to get rid of the germs.)
It seems crazy, but I really don't want to see this make it's way through the entire ranks as it usually does, so I'm going a bit overboard, and hoping for the best. I'm having flashbacks of last winter when I was journaling fevers, tylenol/motrin dosing and other health information on at least 7 at one time. All that "keeping track" (not to mention sleepless nights and clean-up duties) can have your head spinning.
What, if anything, do you do at your house to keep the viral spread to a minimum?
I'd love to hear your tricks...

because he insisted I blog about it!!!

Hubby and I are having a fun time with a recent "misunderstanding." I've added a little poll to the left side. Feel free to respond.
He's even got the kids "clarifying" everything now...afraid mom won't get it right.

by His grace

It was a time-clock-punchin' day again. I do love my job very much, but it seems the last few times I've been scheduled, there's some sort of catastrophe brewing. Today was no different as I was leaving 2 little sickies home with John, on top of the usual chaos. A stomach virus hit our house over the weekend. It seems to be running it's course among cousins and other family members, so it finally came to stay with us. Frank started, and Rose soon followed suit. At no age is it a treat to be sick and vomiting...but at two, yuck. They know they don't feel well, but aren't quite quick enough to make it to a target on time. This means more laundry, more carpet cleaning, more mattress and bed cleaning, more baths...and on and on. Last night we moved Rosie's toddler bed down into our room so we could hear her better, so that helped. But there were probably half a dozen times when we had both two-year olds vomiting at the same time...it's like they could hear each other through the walls and a chain reaction would occur. Poor Charlie was caught in the crossfire at one point and came out of his bed crying "Why did Frank have to puke on me!?" "Frank, why did you?!" (One of the few negatives of sharing a bed with a sibling, I guess.)
Anyhow, on my silent drive in to work this morning, I was reflecting on the word "grace." It's a topic we've talked about very briefly in my 2nd grade religion class recently, and like many of our subjects, leads me to further reflection on my own, later. The word grace simply means "God's life in us" and I've always thought it to mean an undeserved, freely given gift. I suspected I guess, that it was something to help us through various moments. Something to carry us through hard times, or moments when we need His guidance or assistance. Today though, I thought perhaps grace isn't just something to carry us through difficult times. Perhaps grace Is the difficulty, the suffering. Jesus' life on earth, especially in His last days, was one full of unfathomable pain and suffering and perhaps through grace, He allows us to embrace that and draw nearer to Him through our own difficulties, however great or small. Maybe I need to embrace the suffering, difficulty, hardship, frustration, whatever it is, as the gift; God's life (even His cross) in us. As I hold that bucket and watch my 2 year old wretch uncontollably, frustrated that they've already missed, and splattered the carpet or bed linens one more time; the next time I find myself folding 3 extra loads of bed linens and bath towels as the virus continues to pass through; or even the next time I cook a beautiful meal only to be told "Yuck, I'm not eating it!" I hope to recognize God's grace; His life in me, drawing me nearer to Him on the cross, and allowing Him to flow through me...that I might be more compassionate, more charitable, more forgiving, more kind and loving, more at peace.

St. Valentine's Day

How Sweet!

While making Valentine's treats for the girls school parties yesterday, I found myself reminiscing about the day John and I met. Valentine's Day, '93. We had our first date a week later, and were engaged within 5 months.

Thank you God, for my love, sweet love.

Too Cute!

I was talking with the older kids last night about fun things to do today, not just to celebrate Valentines, but to make the day home with Dad special. I mentioned the weather may not cooperate with outdoor things, so maybe a picnic lunch on a blanket in the living room, some fun games, or making Valentines to share with the neighbors...something. Sam was quick to chime in, "oh yah, or we could just lay around in our underwear all day watching tv." (Umm. not what I was thinking Sam. I hope this is not a sign of future valentines to come...your wife could be a little bit upset.)

...and little John, Charlie and Frank snuggled into our bed this morning and woke us. My husband leaned over to give me a morning kiss, and I wished him "Happy Valentines." I joked with the little boys..."Everyone grab their girlfriend and give them a valentine's kiss." Charlie was quick (in an uninterested tone.) "Frank gets to be my girlfriend."

Laughing ensued.

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Have a blessed one.

the mystery footwear

Just couldn't help myself. With all the "hype" about the shoes, I thought I'd let the kids model them. It started as a little contest to see who could "work them" the best. The winner would be "featured" on mom's blog. They were too cute though, so here they are. All the contest winners sporting moms fun new shoes with matching clutch. (Did I mention they were red...my favorite color?!)

Charlie...who added "work gloves" to "man" it up a bit. (also note, he's wearing socks which I'm told is a faux pas!)

John...too much man for the shoes, and definitely no purse!

Grace, accessorizing the enemble with a baton.

Emma....I wish the shoes made me look that skinny!!

Alice...you look FINE girlfriend!
Beautiful Mary. I think these shoes will look great with jeans, no?!

Rose has the hair all fluffed for an evening out. (Love the polka dots!)

Even Lucy thinks the purse it "to die for!"

Frankie! Nice toes! (and mittens!)

Sam..."Are you nuts Mom?! I'm not touchin' those 'girly' things!"
...and there they are...my $3.99 peep toe shoes...with the $1.99 matching clutch. That's my bargain-basement clearance sale of the century.

My sister-in-law was kind enough to share a family picture she'd taken at the wedding.(Thanks Therese and Rod!)

We don't clean up too bad...

can't see the shoes, but check out those legs! ha, ha!!