Enough Said

One year ago today, on the Feast of the Annunciation, I pleaded with The Blessed Mother to intercede on my behalf  for a baby by Christmas.  I felt it would be a miracle and it surely was.  I had no idea what lay ahead in the roller coaster pregnancy that followed my prayers. 

And so I once again proclaim "The Almighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name"  Luke 1:49

Cold Spring Day Fun

The five younger kids and I had to stay home from homeschool co op today because Cecilia wasn't feeling well.  Jackson was really disappointed so I promised we'd do something fun while Cecilia was napping.  All morning that "something fun" lingered over my head.  What would I do?  When I talked to my friend (and mother of seven) she said "that means paint at our house".  Funny because I had told Jackson to find some paint brushes while I laid Cecilia down.  I just read an article in Mothering Magazine about fun, indoor activities for winter.  One suggestion was tempera paints on windows.  Perfect because I've had this tempera paint that I bought on clearance looming over my head for nearly a decade.  I just never pulled it out (it's a powder and you have to mix it up, and, well, I'm too lazy for that, LOL).  So I pulled it out, mixed it up, and the kids had a blast!!  It looks very artsy in here.  It got the Jackson *fun* seal of approval so yahoo for that!

3 Months Old!!

Happy 3 month birthday baby Clare Pia Grace! Clare is weighing in at 13lbs and is bring us all great joy!

Becoming a Man That Matters

It is my hope that my sons (4 so far) will grow up to be really.good.men.  In a society that has done much to push men out of the picture and make them seem unaccountable for their actions it can be difficult to raise our sons to think that they matter.  I, personally, need all the help I can get.  One helpful resource is the All Things Guy book.  Owen found a recipe for pizza crust in that book and made it for dinner tonight.  It smells awesome and we can't wait to try it!!  You can find the book HERE.

Enjoying God's World and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It seems hard to believe that we could have three absolutely beautiful days in a row in March!  I am really enjoying my walks in the afternoon and evening with litte Clare.  The kids are enjoying the park and just being outside in the sunshine.  Spring sports are in full swing.  Katie and Hannah are running track.  Owen is playing baseball. I must say that I love baseball and have always wanted one of my kids to play so I could come and watch.  I'm anxiously awaiting the time when the games begin!

Our friend Ms. Patty came today to do St. Patrick's Day crafts with the kids.  We also celebrate by reading about St. Patrick (although I have not been able to locate my Tomie de Paola book yet this year!!) and by watching our St. Patrick DVD.  We enjoyed a lovely St. Patrick's Day meal of corned beef and cabbage at my mom's house on Sunday.

I hope you and your family are enjoying the beauty of God's world this spring. 

Random Shots on the Weekend

We had a pretty regular weekend.  Katie had her best friends, Carmen and Maria, over on Friday night and Jesse did some face painting.  The girls took turns painting faces too and did a great job!!  Saturday we did some house cleaning.  Nothing too exciting (except for when my friend Leigh Anne brought me lunch!!).  Brandon played guitar at Mass and we found out that he won a Homeschool College Scholarship!  We are very proud of him!

I finally put up the picture of Clare in my baptism dress (Hannah, Katie, Mary, and Cecilia all wore it as well) and someday I'll scan pictures of all of us and get them up here. 

Track and baseball start next week and so ends my evenings of somewhat peace and quiet.  Now I'm trying to be a good mom and meal plan and prepare food ahead of time.  We're getting back into the groove of our mostly homemade (read MUCH healthier and cheaper) snack foods and meals.  Always a challange but I've got lots of good helpers around here. 

Time is flying.  Clare is growing even though I very nicely asked her to stay little.  She's a smiley girl and has won the hearts of everyone, even Cecilia who says "isn't she so cute" in her high pitched "just for baby" voice.

Plans are underway for our summer vacation at Lake Michigan so that's a good thing!!  I just heard the washer beeping at me so I'm off to put clothes in the dryer.  God bless your Sunday!  Lent is more than half over.  Hard to believe. 

There's no spell checker on this new blogger layout (that I can find) so excuse any spelling errors.  I'll have to research this further as I am not a great speller when I'm distracted (which is all the time :) ).

Budding Photographer

Hannah is taking a photography class at our Homeschool Co Op.  Here's a few samplings of her work with a fancy camera that she was allowed to use.  I love having talented kids.  I can be lazy that way :)

Spring is Coming....

We enjoyed playing and walking outside this weekend!  What glorious weather.  Praise be to God for the sunshine!!  I'm itching to get back to Greenfield Village!  Opening day is April 15!!  I'll be there.  I hope my kids will come with me :)

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday.  God Bless!!

The Stations of the Cross at Home

One of the best things I ever did was to buy these pictures of the Stations of the Cross and hang them in our stairway.  We do the Stations every Friday during Lent as a family and it's wonderful.  I'd never make it to the church for the Stations and this is a wonderful family tradition.  I also enjoy looking at them as I climb the stairs and thinking about the wonderful sacrifice Jesus made for us.  When I'm tired, carrying a crying baby, a basket of laundry, nine months pregnant....these pictures serve as a reminder of how Jesus suffered for me and how I should unite my sufferings to His.

I purchased my prints HERE for less than $20 and got the frames at IKEA for a steal.  We use these inexpensive books. 

Thoughts and a Great Read

As I struggle through my days, my choices, my life on a daily basis I am surrounded by this extraordinary group of women whom I have met through various sources.  I am constantly challenged, supported, and loved by these women in ways that I never dreamed possible.  They remind me of why I *do* what I *do* and Who I'm really doing it for.  Without these women I would be lost.  One of them pointed this article out to me today and it was just what I needed to hear as I enter my "late" 30's and say goodbye to the things I thought I would do in life.  Of course what I'm actually doing is better but the grass is always greener, right?  I will likely never see a paycheck with *my* name on it and instead of having one boss I have 9.  I grit my teeth through many days waiting for bedtime.  I enjoy many days, too, or at least portions of those days ;)  I know one thing for sure - mothering and mothering a large family isn't for the weak of heart, mind, or strength.  That's not to say I am strong in any of those things.  That's to say that I beg God on a daily basis to give me what I need to get through that day.  I must die to myself about a thousand times/day.  I'm prideful and stubborn and a slow learner so it takes me longer than the average bear to see things for what they really are.  I have recently been praying this every morning "Please Lord remove the scales from my eyes and help me see what's really there.  Help me to be what You want me to be and not what I want or what I think others want."  I fail at that by 9 a.m., usually, but I will continue to pray it  through all my days.  Maybe one day I will get it. 

And the Winner Is.....

Mary was in charge of the drawing and she pulled out Christine Gibson's name!!  Thank you for all that entered!!