Gratitude Sunday

Family all TOGETHER, blueberry pie, ice cream making, naps by the computer, Mass, safe trips, new books....

lots of dairy queen trips, air conditioning (I say that every week, right?), one week closer, tomorrow is August!!!  healthy kids, helpful family, running through the sprinkler (not me..),

My watermelon cutter is back for a few weeks, a clean fridge, lots of fun ahead, and so.much.more!

If You Show Your Pregnant Mom The Fruit Flies

If you show a REALLY pregnant mom the fruit flies she's going to want to seal up the fruit and put it in the fridge.

While she's cleaning the fridge out to put the fruit in she's going to notice how vial and disgusting the fridge shelves (especially the bottom part under the drawers) are.  She will ask you for a scrub brush.

When you give her the scrub brush she will get it wet and sit on the floor to scrub the fridge.  She will then realize that not only is the fridge disgusting but the floor and the baseboards are as well.  She will ask for a bowl of water.

Whomever happens to be passing by will have to rinse and refill the bowl for the mom because the grossness just keeps popping out at her.  The mom will keep repeating "this is disgusting" over and over again.  The kids will urge her to let the dad do it this weekend but she is driven to do it now.  She then asks for a roll of paper towels.

When you give her the roll of paper towels she will start scrubbing the walls, front of the fridge, front of the dishwasher, and cupboards.  When the kids realize she is going to ask for help soon they miraculously disappear.  The mom runs out of energy and deems the rest can be done by her eldest son when he returns from college this weekend.  Then the very pregnant mom needs help getting up, complains that she hurt her back, and takes weird photos of cleaning supplies.  The kids roll their eyes and she says "someday you'll be old too". 

Wrapping Up July

Only a few more days in July.  It's been HOT the last couple of weeks and I have spent most of my time indoors. My bad back and umbilical hernia have kept me parked on the bed or the couch most days make it difficult to do my job as a mom.  Luckily I have a great "team" here and they have been willing to help me out.  I have gained humility and had to bury my pride away as I watch them carry laundry baskets, make dinner, and take care of the littler kids.  In the meantime I finished the book Weightless on my Kindle (which I love, by the way!).  The book was amazing and gave me a whole new perspective on body image and weight issues.  I cannot recommend the book enough.

Around the house we have Clare using her straw for "art" on her body with her kefir at lunchtime.

Katie has been busy knitting.  She made a "pig hat" for the baby and also a set of adorable booties (pictured on my awesome pink Kindle case decorated by Hannah with Hello Kitty stickers).

And another picture of Clare sporting her high heels. She walks better in them than I could.

Have a blessed day everyone!  And bring on August.  I'm ready!

Babies, Bouncy Castles, and Rock Walls

Last night I took the older girls to a talk at church.  While we were there Jesse took the other kids across the street to an outdoor concert which included a bouncy castle and rock wall.  Clare said she loved the bouncy castle but the other kids said she cried to get out.  The rock climbing wall is always fun for them as well.

Last night as the baby was doing some bouncing of her own I was thinking about how much I enjoy those little ones bouncing around in there.  I've never been a huge fan of being pregnant but I do love that part.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks of being pregnant.   I dug out the little diapers today and washed them up.  That's always a fun time.  Of course Cecilia has to say in her high pitched voice "aw - they're so cute!"  They are cute, I must say.

And one last thing - Katie knitted this pig for a friend of hers.  Isn't it adorable?  She's getting to be quite the talented knitter.

Gratitude Sunday

Just some thoughts before I list what I'm grateful for this week.  As a child I often dreamed of living down the street from my grandparents.  As it was my paternal grandmother lived about 2 hours away from us and my maternal grandparents lived in TX which was a really long drive.  I thought it would be so great to have my grandparents just "stop in" or give me a ride somewhere or be at church with us for more than just a special occasion.  On Thursday Katie needed a ride to the fabric store - she called my mom.  Saturday my boys were begging for haircuts - they called my dad.  And I thought how very cool that is for everyone involved.  My kids really have four parents and what a blessing that is for them (and us).

And here's some more things to be thankful for : Healthy kids, ONE month until my due date, ONE week until Brandon comes home for a few weeks, air conditioning, my NEW Kindle!!!, friends, family, the kids CLEANED their rooms, the lazy/hazy days of summer, baby clothes in their place waiting for the BIG day, and so.much.more!

On Being Blessed

`Well, here it is, mid July already.  The countdown that started at 300 and some days has dwindled down to 30 something.  Jesse and I were reflecting on our year the other night and so much has happened.  Last summer we lost a baby and Brandon moved away for the first time.  Last summer there was much to dread.  Last fall was the hardest of my life.  This August brings so much promise.  I got a glimpse of my feet first baby the other day.  She'll be here before we know it.  And Brandon will be here for nearly four weeks in August.  Hopefully the baby will make her arrival before he goes back to school.  God had much personal growth in store for me this past year.  I fought it, as I usually do, but in the end I listened and I learned.  I learned about TRUST, friendship, the true MEANING of marriage.  I learned that even at close to 20 years old my son still needs my comfort (even if he doesn't always want my advice :) ).  It's hard to believe I'm pushing 40 years old and I still don't have this stuff figured out but life is a journey, right?  And I'm beyond blessed in this journey.  Today some friends came over for a visit.  I got to hold a new baby, which was divine, and I was gifted fabulous cheesecakes (which I nibbled on before I took a picture of...), a hand knitted hat, some adorable baby clothes, great conversation, a watermelon smoothie.  The laughter (and running) of children filled the house and I was reminded that those are some of my favorite sounds.  This past year I've lived in a kind of sorrow that I can't quite explain.  But in that sorrow I was able to learn that people are not always who you think they are on the outside.  We all come with wounds and baggage.  I have carried my fair share in the past few years (especially this year).  I've lost things in my life but I've gained so much more.  I have five more months in my year of HOPE to get it right.  So far God hasn't let me down.....I'm not sure if I shared here or not but the baby's name will be (officially :) ) Josephine Veronica Rose.  Josephine after my grandma's middle name (who will be 95 next week!!), Veronica (chosen by daddy after the Saint that wiped the face of Jesus), and Rose to represent the day we found out we were expecting her (Our Lady of Guadalupe's Feast Day).

Katie knitted the beautiful blanket below with the baby's initials on it.

When It's Too Hot to Move

The temperature this morning was 88 degrees.  At 10 a.m. (according to my weather channel APP).  I managed through breakfast, morning prayer, and clean up.  I didn't even want coffee (yes, I did just say that).  I gave up hope that I would accomplish much of anything today and just accepted that I'm at the end of a long journey and I'll need to check my perfectionism at the door.  The laundry will get done, eventually, the school books in the basement will make their way up when I really need them, the baby has a few onesies and the cloth diapers are pretty accessible, what more does she need?  This whole week will be hot and maybe next week too.  The toys will pile up and nothing will look the way I want it too.  I have to surrender to that and try not to think too much about it.  Prayers for that appreciated (because it's not my strong point).  For now I'm perched on the couch with my laptop, my ipod (reading a fabulous book on Kindle App), an iced coffee and a stack of storybooks for the kids who "stop by" for a visit.  When it's too hot to move I'm grateful that I don't really have to.  I have all I need right here.  Until dinner time.....

Gratitude Sunday

For a big brother who is willing to hold his sister's hands when they scream "someone hold my hand the sand is hot", for a husband who still wants his picture taken with his hugely pregnant, swollen (and mostly unpleasant) wife, for sitting through Mass, family vacations, coming home, for the return of a normal day, mid summer, due date looming......

For grandparents who opt for a week living with my family instead of the millions of other things they could spend their time and money doing, for fresh blueberries, anticipation of nearly a month with all of my children under one roof, for air conditioning in this sweltering heat, iced coffee, new music to enjoy.......

For safe travels, happy, healthy kids, memories that will last a lifetime, sunsets, sunrises, and so.much.more.

Mom Time and Memories

 The last few years I've taken the kids out one at a time (some opted for two at a time) to just hang out when we were on vacation.  This year due to my big belly and time constraints I did two at a time.  They didn't seem to mind and the man at the toy store we frequent while visiting remembered us and gave us a nice discount (and a card that never expires :) ).  Katie got a really cool kite that we've all been enjoying.

 Thank goodness they always want to go to the bakery because that's MY favorite spot :) 

 Mary, Cecilia, and Clare all got really cool watering cans that they've been enjoying on the beach.

 Onion rings at our favorite restaurant in town, Clementine's.  Cecilia was a big fan!!

 Right before Cecilia fell asleep on my enormous belly she said "I'm going to sleep on the baby and when she comes out I will hold her and paint her nails".  Good to know, Cecilia, thanks :)

 We went blueberry picking this morning.  Clare ate more than she put in the bucket.  The rest of us did OK and we ended up with about 50lbs.  Not too bad.

 Early morning walks on the beach are a highlight for the little girls this trip.  The weather has been fantastic.  Not too hot the last few days and only one storm.

We head home soon and are so grateful for this opportunity to spend time together.  I've been pretty slow and tired but everyone else seems to have enough energy to last forever.

Gratitude Sunday

 Beaches, discoveries, family time, peppermint foot cream, silly girls, active boys, healthy kids, friends that I can count on, walks on the beach, air conditioning (just being honest :) ), yummy treats, rainbows, sunsets, and a fun week ahead.  And so.very.much.more.

The Beach

What a beautiful day and a beautiful beach.  The kids are having a blast.  Clare is fascinated by the sand.  The water feels great.  We are loving it here!