Coffee Lover?

Are you one like me? The type who gets all giddy inside when driving down the town road sees a sign, a new sign for a ...coffee shop?

Oh yeah, baby.
I am so very happy.

Oh, yes, there is a God.

Enjoy a great cup of coffee today, my friends!

God bless,
Mary

Like football? (updated)

Even if not, you just have to watch this:
*Sorry about this video clip not showing up earlier. I just got it to work :)

God bless,
Mary

ColOR cRaZE-y

I just sent my hubby an email w/ these exact words:
"So…uhm……..I hope you don’t mind being married to a red head…."
What ever happened to a box with blonde hair color actually being blonde hair color?
Any tips for me, now?! Arrrrrgh.
God bless,
Mary

I'm so 80's

I am not trying to date myself but...if you remember this like I do...you are like me- a true child of the '80's!!! How about not just pink but it had to be "hot pink" and leg warmers? Benetton? And banana seat bikes- remember those? I know those were really in the '70's but I had one- it was blue and I loved it! ha ha - all this brings back so many memories!!!


God bless,
Mary

Small Successes- It's Thursday!

How come as my week unfolds and when I accomplish these little things, I think to myself this will be a great one to jot down for small successes on Thursday...then I forget what it was!?!? Does this happen to you too???

Well, here I go...I am trying to remember...

1. I made my Lenten sacrifices:

Pray: Pray a decade of the Rosary nightly RIGHT after dinner. I mean RIGHT AFTER DINNER! Once we leave those seats, its over. Any possibility to say a family prayer is just so not going to happen. Of course, this is not the perfect way to say the rosary, over our finished plates of food but...nonetheless- we are praying. As a family. "The family that prays together, stays together" as Fr. Peyton once said. Aim high, my friends.

Fast: I am fasting from using face book- that thing is so very addictive! I said "Adios amigos" yesterday and it won't go on for another 39 days. Oh, dear, this will be a hard one.
Oh, and I am also fasting from...ICE CREAM! If anyone knows me, this is equally as hard. But what joy it will be on Easter Sunday with my Sundae!! yum!

Give Alms: We are collecting canned goods for a food box for either the local seminary or going to a family in need or the food pantry. This one we are doing as a family. we are also collecting money to give to our friends who are struggling right now.

2. I got to evening 7pm mass then off to my Bible Study. With baby in hands. This is a really good thing-this winter isn't ending soon enough for me!

3. And if today counts in the "week" for the small successes then...I will add in that I am going to color my hair today! I bought the box about 2 weeks ago and have yet to find the time to do it. I am a bit reluctant, I must say...I have never done this by the box before. I hope it doesn't turn green!!! This is one way of me dealing with the lack of sun and outdoors so I am bringing the (so unnatural) shades of blonde back to my hair.

Have a great day!
God bless,
Mary

Quote of the day

“Right is still right even if nobody's doing it. And wrong is still wrong even if everybody is doing it.”

-(the late) Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Hum...now that is SOMETHING to think about....

God bless,
Mary

All mixed up

As I was making peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches, my freshly turned 2...2 year old... leans over and says:
"Yuck. Yeah, yuck. Yuck."
And I reply "No. This is good food, buddy."
to which he responds
"Gross. Yeah, gross."
I have to get him straightened out, huh?! BTW, he will surely eat his fair share of this yuck, gross food, let me tell you.
God bless,
Mary

Wednesday's Why

Beware of...
...your 6 year old daughter:

• in her room
• alone
• with her dolls
• with stickers
• for a long long time

This is what you will find.
Guaranteed.

Scary? Yes.

Funny? Yes.

Typical? Definitely yes.

Have a funny day! Find some stickers and go wild! Why not? Life is too short not to enjoy these little moments :)

God bless,
Mary

Boys are such knights

Kid #3 was running down our driveway early yesterday morning to help bring the trash cans in. Little did we or he know but our driveway was covered in black ice. He hit it hard on the back of his head. Since then he has not totally been himself. Occasionally he will be himself (and act up ha ha!) but mostly not. I gave him Tylenol yesterday with some relief.

So, today as he wandered around the house or laying on the couch acting so not like his normal self, I gave him some more Tylenol, sent him to bed and called the doctors.

I checked in on him and mentioned that I am waiting for the doctor to call me back. He questioned me:

"Mom, are they going to chop off my head?"

Apparently the boys have been reading and listening to a little too much

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Please say a little prayer for little Kids #3, thank you very much! :)

God bless,
Mary

Laundry Song

My oldest is a big helper with the laundry around here. Of course not perfect, but nonetheless a great helper, as much as an 8 year old boy can do. Yes- a boy! Isn't that great? He will surely thank me one day....or maybe his wife will! (if marriage is his path in life....but he would greatly disagree since he says God has called him to be a missionary in the Philippines!)

This weekend he was on a singing kick and attributed one of his many made up creative songs to his chore of laundry. And lots of laundry I may add.

It went something like this:

"Laundry....Laundry...It's all I ever do....I will spend my whole life doing just this...laundry....oh, laundry..."

HA! Cute! What a great help he is and it teaches him we have to do things we don't like in life. What better than starting with laundry?

I mean, he has it really good compared to this little guy:

May we never forget these other ones that are also made in the image and likeness of God. Let us always pray for each other...and maybe even help do the laundry too!

God bless,
Mary

Quote of the day

"Live simply so that others can simply live."
This is a quote that is on my mind today as we prepare for the start of Lent 2009- in ONLY 3 days!
As I decipher what to give up or what to work on for this Lent, I thought this quote could sum up some of my ideas - SIMPLICITY.
But, I have no idea who said this. If anyone does, PLEASE leave me a comment- I'd love to know! :) Thank you!

God bless,
Mary

Art-Schmart class

Remember I mentioned about that watercolor class I am taking?

Today I finally went to my watercolor class that I missed the last 2 weeks b/c of sicknesses and family issues. I only have about 2 or 3 classes left and I am so very bummed about this! I really enjoyed that one class I took and I thought I could commit myself to something as easy as a short 6 week class.

God is always trying to tell us something, trying to get closer to us. But it is up to US to seek His word, and to seek His Will (no matter how hard it may be). There is one lesson that I have a hard time learning and that is...how my time is not my own.

I signed up the older 2 kids to take an art class in the same building too- ya know, trying to maximize the short time we have for extra circular activities. I start my class 1/2 hour after theirs begin. And one of their classes ends 1/2 earlier than the other and then when the other one is done, we all go wait for Daddy to arrive. We wait for Daddy who has the other 4 kids to pick up the older 2 kids that are with me. Then I have a short amount of time to finish my class. Am I crazy?! Just trying to be flexible and to maximize our time and do something fun for M.E. Needless to say, it is not the 2 hour window of quiet and away time that I thought....so I have been thinking about it and am tempted to throw in the towel and ask for my $ back. BUT, rethinking it, I have decided to persevere and do this. Yes, it may be hard and quite annoying but I don't want to cave into the quitting and feeling discouraged about this. I want to make a commitment and actually do it too!

This is one of the hardest lessons for moms out there, I believe. It is letting go and being flexible to what God has called us to- just about the hardest job out there and we don't even get paid for it! Ha!

Maybe one reason, maybe the ONLY reason that I am taking the watercolor art class is to share Christ with others. I have to admit that the first class that I took, I hardly talked at all (surely not like myself with my temperament and personality!) I was wiped out after a few difficult and cold weeks and needed that quiet time to do something totally different than my day to day life. It was great, and do you know what? Not one person knew about ME.
The me that includes 6 kids.

Not until, well, today. The word got out and BOOM! Questions were thrown at me left and right. Living the 'open to life' life and the 'pro-life' life and the Catholic life...and since God blessed us with children, many children...

I get noticed.
I get looks. (and some not so good looks!)
I get questions.
I am in the spotlight.
No matter where I go or what I do, people go at me.

I see this morning as I was at this art class as me being a witness to Jesus Christ.
Just because I am me.
Just because I am.

I may or I may not take another class, because in reality with 6 kids, there is no secure answer with that.
I may not have any amazing painting that I actually finished.
I may not have walked away with loads of watercolor artistry knowledge.

But for reasons that I may not ever know, I needed to be there.
Christ needed to be there.
And that is good enough for me.

Lord, my life is for You alone. Help me to seek Your Will and seek You in others at all times. Help me to not seek glory from anyone else but You. My life is for You. All Glory and Praise be to You, Lord!

God bless,
Mary

Yup, it's Friday

You know it's Friday when...

You say "Forget about lunch, let's have breakfast again!" and you break out the cereal!
It's easy lunches in this house for today! :)

God bless,
Mary

Song I can't hear enough of

Here is something I can't hear enough today...


God bless,
Mary

Small Successes- It's Thursday!

It's Thursday and it's small successes time too. This week, let's see...

1. I got through TONS of laundry since Monday morning which I am super thrilled about...but only to see that mountain getting bigger by the minute once again! Why does that have to happen?!

2. Spent quality time with my hubby much more this week. Why? Because I made it a point to do it! It always amazes me what we can accomplish when we make it happen...and not just let it happen.

3. Took an offer up from a friend to let her older girls come play with my little guys. What great help this was-it was not babysitting per se, but extra hands ALWAYS lightens the load! Thanks girls! :)

So, what does your list look like??? Do you want to see more?

Then go see here.

God bless,
Mary

There's hope!

Have you heard about this amazing girl?

Here it is on youtube too!

God bless,
Mary

Snow go away...pleeeease?!?!

I could not let this one go by without mentioning what was said, when once again, it began to snow yesterday. We only had a short amount of time before this white stuff came upon us again. But alas, it is here. Snow. yippee. Not really.

Here is what was said:
Kid #4, age 3: "Mom! Look! It's snowing! There is just so many snow!"
Kid #1, age 8: On the phone with Daddy "Dad, it's snowing, like a lot. The flakes are big. They are like the size of little bugs."

Hope this email finds you WITHOUT snow! C'mon SPRING!!!
God bless,
Mary

My 100th Post!

100th Post! Oh Yeah!
This is my 100th post and in honor of this occasion, I have decided to dedicate it to my boys. As any mother of boys know...(and I have 4 of them!) is that they are full of boundless energy, they are tackle buddies, full of warrior blood, knights by heart, Star Wars fans, and did I mention they are tackle buddies?

I have also noticed that this blog of MINE is slowly becoming not just mine but a family blog! My husband and children are always willing to chime in when something happens that it would be a good post. It is quite cute and can be a bit uhm...annoying at times--ha ha! :)

My boys have been asking to post their 'creations' that they make. They are always running to get my attention to ask me to take pictures. So, I decided to make a post all about these creative projects. Here are pictures over the past 4-5 months that they are VERY proud of. So proud, that it earned them this post! Good job boys!

So, boys, here is to YOU! My 4 loving and energy filled boys. Momma loves you more than words can say! I am so happy to have you in my life! I am so very blessed!







My 8 year old boy said that I would need to warn the other moms out there to not let their little ones see this gruesome picture below...









And not to let my 2 year old boy go un-noticed...here is 'his creation of forks' dumped on the kitchen floor that this Momma did not like all that much...but he sure enjoyed and was proud of!
And...just to show you that my boys also have a soft side...here are what they made for Valentine's Day:God bless,
Mary

My Words Exactly!

There is so much that I want to blog about that happened over the weekend but you will have to wait... I have to find the time FIRST!!!
But I will leave you with this great shopping find:

You know how shopping goes-sometimes you loose and sometimes you win. Well, this weekend, I WON!!! It's been a long time since I went out shopping and found exactly what I needed and then some. How about this sign?!? It is over my kitchen sink so I can glance at it and at other times meditate on it as I go about my busy day. I think it sums up our family life VERY nicely. It reads: LIVE SIMPLY, CARE DEEPLY, LOVE GENEROUSLY

Can't get better than that, huh?

God bless,

Mary

Valentine's Day Send Out

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Like every other woman out there, I like romance. Not a shock, I know. Many of you can remember those romantic times and romantic gifts that our (then) boyfriend gave...who eventually became our husband. And those romantic gifts? Well, they are there but... quite different now.
With the explosion of what the world portrays LOVE as, it is difficult to see those romantic gifts in our everyday marriage and family. They may not be as glamorous but they are way stronger. The gifts of fidelity and faithfulness from my husband are way more stronger than any heart box of chocolates. (uhm...honey, those are still REALLY good, ok?! Not that I am trying to imply anything about chocolate here...but...ok, I'll quiet down now...)
Anyway, here's a video that I am sending outto my hubby...just an FYI- I DID NOT make this video but I absolutely love the song! (And I really hope this works out...I have never posted a video before!!! If it fails, I will keep trying! :)) Here it is:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

With all my heart and all my life, you can count on me to be here. I love you sweetheart!!! >
God bless,
Mary

It's Coming...

Here are a few quotes to get you ready...one day away!!!

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." ~Author Unknown

Who, being loved, is poor? ~Oscar Wilde

"There is no place for selfishness—and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice"- Pope John Paul II

Grow old with me! The best is yet to be. ~Robert Browning

"Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self."- Mother Teresa

We loved with a love that was more than love. ~Edgar Allan Poe

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,A song is no song 'til you sing it,And love in your heartWasn’t put there to stay -Love isn’t love'Til you give it away.~Oscar Hammerstein, Sound of Music, "You Are Sixteen (Reprise)"

A man is not where he lives, but where he loves. ~Latin Proverb

At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. ~Plato

"Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This is why Christ the Redeemer 'fully reveals man to himself.'"- Pope John Paul II

Children is the fruit of our love. ~ Me!

Man knows love when he knows how, where and why to come home. ~ Me!

Love is seeing beyond what is seen with the eyes. ~ Me!

God bless,
Mary

Good bye Germs!

As I was busy scanning some tests in for my son, I allowed the kids cutting up apples and having peanut butter with them too.
Only 3 feet behind me, I heard my leader son, Kid #1, declare to Kid #3:
“You’re not gonna take all the peanut butter. And your not gonna lick that spoon. And you’re not gonna germ that spoon either!”
Funny way of putting it, huh? Ha! I guess we are SO over anxious about those germs here, huh?! Ha! :)
God bless,
Mary

Small Successes- It's Thursday!

It's Thursday! It's Small Success Time!
Here is my share in the Small Successes over at Faith and Family Live!

This week:
1. Gave all the kids good showers and baths yesterday morning. I mean those really good hot ones where you let them soak for a long time to get all the dirt out from under those nasty nails!!! I even got to cut those nasty nails too- bonus!
2. Did not freak out and oppose to taking the kids for a nice walk on an unusually warm day.
3. Did not freak out that we had yet another frozen, high carb, high sugar, high everything meal for dinner. Oh well!

Yay for me...and you!?!?! Go and see what others said- its so uplifting :)
God bless,
Mary

Quote of the day

"Not 100 in the United States hate the Roman Catholic Church, but millions hate what they mistakenly think the Roman Catholic Church is."
-Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Boy Treasures

It is unusually quite warm today...almost 60 degrees! yippee. So, to make the most of this day, since we don't know when it will happen again, we took a walk. This is a huge accomplishment for me- to get all 6 kids dressed and out the door (and not yell the whole time!). I am proud of myself! :)

Here are two pictures of the great findings that will only please a little boy (or 2 or 3 or 4)!

Boys will be boys!

God bless,
Mary

The Right way to Fight

Kids are funny! The things they say and how they say them and why they say them! :)

This morning, I encouraged my kids to vacuum the girls room- apparently a little kid #3 and Kid #5 decided it was a fun thing to crunch up saltines on the girls' rug (obviously very smart to NOT do it on theirs!).
Uh, ANYWAY... like I was saying- it is funny what, how and why they say the things they do. Because...there was quite the uproar to vacuum around here early this morning. At 7:45am. We are early risers here, don't forget. Mommies don't mind this type of and enthusiasm, and well, the-kinda- sorta- fighting!
To give you an idea, this is what I heard:
"Don't hog the vacuum, it's my turn!"
"Yeah, let me vacuum up some too!"
"My turn to vacuum!"
I mean, c'mon- this is great! :)
I have always said, and people can quote me on this, why isn't there a marketing class to prepare for parenthood? As long as we parents make something sound REALLY good, there is a great big chance, they can fall for it. It's all about marketing!!!
Happy Vacuuming to you today :)
God bless,
Mary

Green Bean Casserole? No Thanks.

Has this ever happened to you...?



Your son, mine was kid #3, runs to you and hands you a soggy somewhat cool bag of green beans. You wonder why he has this in his hands coming out from the den and thinking I need those for dinner tonight!!! Till you realize earlier that morning, a little kid #5 ran to you for an icepack for his sister, kid #4, whom he hurt with a block. With such delight to see a little one taking care of a sibling, you hand him that bag. of. green. beans.



Have a worry- free and boo-boo free day!

God bless,
Mary

Today is the day

I knew it was going to happen. I just knew it. But I thought I would have more time than this. But it happened anyway. Now what am I going to do?
What is it, you ask?

What is every Mother's fear that it will happen too soon with her (just!) 2 year old? Besides the #1 answer which is giving up the nap. Thank GOD that is NOT the case, but something that ties in with the nap.

You got it. The crib. My just turned 2- 2 year old- learned how to climb out of his crib this morning! Ahh! What is a mother to do?

This has only happened to one other child of mine-the first one. With that one, it was not a big deal b/c well, there was just not that many kids. At that time I also had a little baby girl who was only about 4-5 months old. So, it was not a big problem.

But, this time is way different...that hour he spends in his crib for down time is also Mommy's teaching time. It is the time where we can concenetrate heavily on certain subjects. The time where I can devote major attention to other little ones, to read a book, color with them or just snuggle.

So, any good ideas out there?
I am really interested in them!!!
I know we will get through this-as we do in all things... but I sure do appreciate any ideas.
Thanks!!!
God bless,
Mary

Less tv & more books!

Tis it is Monday. A glorious sunny somewhat warm Monday. The family is getting well, little by little. Thank you for your prayers. Such powerful prayers can sometimes be thought useless, but don't believe so! Our Lord can and will use them as He pleases. Remember the story of the persistent neighbor? Let's not forget it!

As for today, besides lots of fluids and down time (we are still recuperating), we are learning about the drinking gourd and the underground railroad. What amazement my little ones have about this...especially when I am trying to tell them that is really happened- it is not just a fictional story! It was real! Wow, their eyes wide open with awe and with many questions.

I am trying to use this time wisely with lots of story books and not so much TV! Although that is hard to do with sick ones. I try to remind myself it is my efforts that count. So, today, I am giving it my best effort!

Here are some other books we are enjoying today:

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Harold and the Purple Crayon

The Snowy Day

Ten, Nine, Eight

Petunia

That's it for now! I'm off to gather tons of pillows and sleeping bags and make a heep in the middle of the den b/c it's time to read books!!! I'm even going to surprise them with hot cocoa and a treat afterwards :)

Lord, I cannot WAIT for Spring. Dig this picture?!?! I sure do!!!

But for now, books and getting well is our thing :)

God bless,
Mary

Video worth the watch

Certain things are better left just to be seen for youself. Here is one of those things.
This guy truly amazes me. I am speechless.
We have one of his albums and we love it! We wish we had more!
Here is hoping you have a wonderful Sunday :)
God bless,
Mary

Such a girl

We were doing some art work at the kitchen table yesterday. We were drawing and coloring fish and what they thought the ocean looked like. Kid #2 asked me to help her draw a big fish. So I did. I handed it back to her and she picks up the coloring tool of choice and says out loud and with such conviction:
"Okay, so here is the hair...."
I smiled and thought-she is such a girl! I mean, what girl would NOT draw hair on her fish!?

God bless,
Mary

Learning our colors...

...the homeschool way!
Do you also see the ingenious way of learning here? ....and done all w/ their own initiative!
See what I would have missed if they were not with me all day?
Thank you God for these awesome moments of life. Help me to be ever grateful.
God bless,
Mary

Sick sick sick

It's official.
We have that nasty influenza flu going on here.
My poor baby-only 4 months old- has it too. Both him and I have it the worst and because I nurse him, we cannot take any strong medicine so we have to just wait it out.
If you can spare a prayer, please pray for us-but especially him b/c after 3 days of a horrible high fever, one day without a fever-he started up with a fever again last night.

Oh, and as for the b-day cake picture from wednesday's post-it was just a picture. As for that birthday- it will have to be celebrated over this weekend when this Mommy can actually think to make a cake and have decorations to celebrate the right way! My kids were so upset when it was his birthday and we did not celebrate the way we always do, let me tell you. My kids LIVE for birthday parties! If they are not actually celebrating a real birthday, you can find them pretending a birthday party every day at this house. Yeah, a real party house we have here!!!

Gotta go wipe a nose, soothe a crying baby and try to teach a 2nd grader.
God bless,
Mary

Happy Birthday Kid #5!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet boy who is always willing and ready to give out hugs and snuggles and lots of smiles!

You bring such joy to our family (and such noise too!!!)!

You are 2 today and we are so excited to see what big plans and mission that God has in store for you!

We love you buddy!

Thank you, God, for letting him be a part of our family.

God bless,
Mary

Trip Pics

Here's some pics from our weekend. Are you wondering how I have time to post right now? That great PBS station and books and lots of couch potatoes live here...and a sleeping baby in a sling!

Our fun & ever stressful train ride....

To one of the BEST museums I have ever been in! Our kids loved it!

And lots of outside play on a warm Superbowl Sunday!

The football buddies!

Thanks again friends!

God bless,

Mary

Needed: prayers and a vacation

Here's another one for ya:

Terrible Feverish baby of 102-104 degrees ALL NIGHT LONG + Sick husband + up all night trying to console this sweet feverish baby= Major coffee intake + prayers for patience and fortitude (+ I'll throw in also...a much needed vacation!!!)

Prayers needed! Thank you!
God bless,
Mary

Many kids=Fun Times+Sick kids

It's good to be home.

But I am not fond of a 5 1/2 hour van ride of a little baby that does this: yell, cry, yell, cry, cry, yell, cry, cry, and some more cry...

But, it's good to be home!

Thanks to our good friends that hosted us over a long weekend w/ lots (and I mean LOTS!) of good company, and lots of good food! We had a total blast of a weekend with many memories! We can't wait till the next time :)

I'll post some highlights/pictures later, if I can.

I already miss all those extra hands- can you please send us some of your older kids- pleeeeeeeease!!!???!?!?!?

Sorry to Arizona! Just like last year w/ the Giants...the game is never over till it's over, huh?!

Many kids=sick kids!!! Oh well- it was completely worth the sicknesses we may have brought home with us! Hey, we even brought home some warmer weather too- it's 49 degrees out! yippee! :) but we still have about 4 inches of snow on the ground....oh well, can't have it all.

God bless,
Mary

Super Bowl Champ

Did you know Arizona's top player is a Christian?
Did you know he has 7 kids?
Did you know he ALWAYS thanks Jesus Christ at every opportunity press conference or interview?
Now if this is not a good enough reason to at least watch the Super Bowl tonight...
What courage and faith! I think he is just awesome...even though we are die hard Giant's fans in this household...I'm rooting for you, Kurt! You are truly an inspiration! We need more people like Kurt in our world today. Let us pray that we can imitate his boldness and goodness that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Click on this and see for yourself!

God bless,
Mary