Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Read this on courtship not dating

This is an awesome article! I think I will print it up and save it for my own children - that time will come so fast! Time flies!
God bless, Mary

Sunday, June 28, 2009

So Gross!

Passing by my boys' room, they said "Hey Mom, we're frying a catepillar."

I did not think much of what they said-probably some imaginary play so I continued on. Then my curiosity got a hold of me and I went into their room. There they were, my 2 'big' boys (8 & 5) on their bottom bunk bed frying the poor catepillar on their bed clamp lamp!

They radiated sounds of "Ooooohh! Cooooool!"

And all I was thinking was "Eeewww! Gross!"

I calmly said to please bring their bug findings back outside. They happily obliged to give it a good funeral. But before they did, they came to me to show me that they also cut him in half between 2 legos. (It seems there is a lego in every post lately!)
BTW- I even took a picture but don't have the heart to post it-it is quite gross!

BOYS! Boys will be boys!

God bless,
Mary

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Just 5 extra to take care of...

Let me introduce you to:
  1. Joe
  2. Jack
  3. Mike
  4. Bell
  5. Hont (?)I have no idea about name!

These are our little catepillar friends that we are finally doing our experiment of watching them turn into beautiful butterflies from Insect Lore. It is quite gross right now with them in their jar but they kids are loving this! School never ends :)

God bless,
Mary

Friday, June 26, 2009

How about a lil' Shirley?






God bless,
Mary

If my 2 yr old is out of sight, then watch out!

Last night, I did the unimaginable. I rescued a LEGO from my 2 year old son's nose! Don't ask me how in the world I knew this...he came over to me murmuring something about a lego and somehow I figured it out. I was kinda freaking out and thinking to myself if I do not get this lego out then it might go to his brain! and need surgery!

Kid #5 is something else...it took 5 kids for one of my kids to do something totally crazy like this! He is such a stinker! I have to keep an extra close eye on him!

This is so not the only thing...in a matter of 2 days, he poured a bottle of powder in our toilets then it got all clogged up (never mind that we JUST had a plumber here to do work on our toilet which cost us a bundle!). I also found him up on the changing table smearing Balmex and Desitin all over his body!

My other kids never did such things. This cutie stinker usually does not do these things either, this is so out of the norm for him!

I'm trying to keep up with him and hopefully won't have anymore to post about him anytime soon~!

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 25, 2009

What we're up to...

Here are some pics. Enjoy!


This picture of my "younger 3" (that sounds so funny!) is great-I love that toy that I found on the side of the road about 4 plus years ago-I washed it up and its been played with ever since. All my kids still enjoy it! Go Fisher Price!


Isn't this picture awesome!?! I am sooooo proud of my big guy who took this. it came out great! he climbed to the top of the tree just to get the perfect shot. Good job!

God bless, Mary

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Need Help! How do you co-sleepers do it?!?!

How do you co-sleepers do it?

Your feet are really cute, but they keep me up all night when they constantly kick me or wrap around my waist.
Your hands are really cute, but they get annoying when they grab at my shirt and hair and scratch my face.
Your noises are so cute, but not at 12am, 2am, 3am and so on.
Your eyes are a beautiful blue, but I’d rather not see them at 11pm or at 4am.
Your pacifier is a great help during the day, but it wakes me up when you fling it and make noises with it all night long.
What makes you think you own our bed?
How come you like to sleep horizontally and keep changing positions all night long?


I am not really into this co-sleeping deal but it is what is somewhat working for us! Ever since early February, I feel like we had to do it b/c of his horrible bout of high fevers for 6 straight days. Since then, we tried him in the crib-too many loud crying nights too many nights in a row. He was not happy, I was not happy. We have had some great nights where I think this is so worth it. He is super cuddly and lovable and I love him so much. This is so hard for me to do but now my family is beginning to suffer b/c of these baby filled-up- all- night-interrupted- 'sleep'.

We’re right back to these sleepless nights and drinking way too much coffee and too much of a loud mommy.

I know that this phase will too pass and it is short lived but going through it is another story!
I need some input on how you families do this co-sleeping thing!!!

SO....HOW DO YOU DO IT?!?
God bless, Mary

What makes my heart happy

and gets me giggling....is hearing my oldest son try to convince my other son, Kid #3, to keep on playing chess by saying he is so close to winning. So sweet seeing him trying to let the younger sibling win the game but wanted to win it so bad himself!

"See? I have 10 guys and you have 1,2,3...-see? You have almost as many as me! So come back and play with me! You're almost winning! Come on!"

Oh, the trials of winning and loosing are never easy... just wait for real life, boys! Until then, keep that game going!

God bless, Mary

Monday, June 22, 2009

Pope, Pio & 'More' (ha ha)

The Pope visited and celebrated Holy Mass at the Church of Padre Pio yesterday-Father's Day. Isn't that so fitting?

Our family loves St. Pio, especially our boys. Our last baby was born on Padre Pio's feast day! He is an amazing saint; he was amazing on earth and will continue to help us from Heaven. (1887-1968)

Here is the Pope's Homily at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Church that happened yesterday.

Some input from his history is that his Masses usually lasted 2 hours! It is also said that each morning after a 5 a.m. Mass in a crowded church, Padre Pio heard confessions until noon. Then he would take a mid-morning break to bless the sick and all who came to see him. Eventually he set up a hospital there b/c of his great love for the sick. Every afternoon he also heard confessions. In time his confessional ministry would take 10 hours a day!!! It is said that penitents even had to take a number! Can you imagine that? Many of them have said that Padre Pio knew details of their lives that they had never mentioned! As you can imagine, devotions to Padre Pio are huge and the wounds he bore are amazing, breath taking and beautiful. Thank you God for the gift of Padre Pio to the world.

God always gives us what we need, huh?!

Padre Pio, pray for us!


"The life of a Christian is nothing
but a perpetual struggle against self;
there is no flowering of the soul
to the beauty of its perfection
except at the price of pain" (Padre Pio).

Not pretty, but so true.
Thank you Padre Pio for all you have done and continue to do-please pray for us!

How could I forget to mention today's great feast day of St. Thomas More(1478-1535)?!

"Beheaded on Tower Hill, London, July 6, 1535, he steadfastly refused to approve Henry VIII’s divorce and remarriage and establishment of the Church of England.
Described as “a man for all seasons,” More was a literary scholar, eminent lawyer, gentleman, father of four children and chancellor of England. An intensely spiritual man, he would not support the king’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn. Nor would he acknowledge Henry as supreme head of the Church in England, breaking with Rome and denying the pope as head."
(Find more info about this great saint HERE).
Thank you St. Thomas More for defending MARRIAGE!

St. Thomas More, pray for us!

God bless,
Mary

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Father's Day- My 300th post!

What a great way to celebrate my 300th post today on the occasion of Father's Day!

Last night, as we were getting ready for bed, my hubby said "Wow, this will be 9th Father's Day!" What a joy! What a blessing he is to our family! Thank You God for him in our lives!

He is strong yet gentle.
He is quiet, yet knows how to get loud with that coaching voice!
He is determined.
He is focused.
He is a hardworking man.
He is driven.
He is debatable.
He is trustworthy.
He can play some mean baseball.
He can run some mean hills many times over.
He can run what feels like forever!
He is lovable.
He loves God.
He loves our Catholic Faith.
He loves our children.
He is passionate about being the best husband and best father.
And....he loves me!
He is my man.
He is my companion.
He is best friend.

Happy Father's Day to you, my hubby!

You are the best and I'm so glad God called us together- and we listened to Him!!! Life would not nearly be as interesting and fun and exciting without you! We love you!

When I think about fathers, Saint Joseph comes to mind instantly. A model for fathers, Saint Joseph is invoked as a protector of the family. What a role model he is for our fathers today. In fact, after our Prayer before meals, we invoke each of our children's patron Saints and then they started praying to Mary for me, and St. Joseph for our Daddy. They came up with that all on their own-isn't that sweet? St. Joseph was chosen by God to be Jesus's father on earth. God knew that Jesus would need a foster father to raise him and teach him. The Bible tells us that he was a 'just man.' That means he was a good man, honest, fair, and God-loving. Pretty good so far, huh?


When it was discovered that Mary was with child, Saint Joseph wondered what to do but decided to trust the angel and God. St. Joseph shows us how a real man is to love his woman, his wife, with a pure heart, pure intentions, great respect, and with beautiful chastity in their marriage. Good St. Joseph shows us great obedience to God in all his travels and in all his life.

He also lived his life in humility, patience, fortitude, gentleness and manliness of character. He shows us the perfect model of the true Christian!


St. Joseph, pray for my husband! Pray for us!


God bless, Mary

Friday, June 19, 2009

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we love you!

I love this picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I had this one in my college room-I think all 4 years and what protection and inspiration it brought me. I can stare at it and feel so very close to Jesus.

I googled sacred heart of Jesus coloring pages and look at what came up! Not exactly what I'm looking for but really beautiful!

Now, I will try again and see what I can find for my kids to work on till Daddy arrives home for fish and chips dinner! :)

okay, now this is better:

Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 19, 2009-2010 as Year of the Priest on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars. Read more about him here-its great

This Year of the Priest logo, we are going to enlarge it and print it out now. It makes an excellent coloring page for today’s Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is what I will do right now for my kids to do. AND did you know that today is also the opening of the Year of the Priest! How about that? So cool! Enjoy!

As if that is not enough, this great Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is followed tomorrow by the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 20! Just awesome!

My friend Sam found this great prayer of consecration of our families to the Sacred Heart. Go check it out. Thanks Sam!

God bless,
Mary

Just b/c we needed to get organized around here

Doesn't this look like FUN?!

God bless,
Mary

Persistence & Small Sucesses for the week

I have a son who just loves to talk. Really loves to talk. Really. About anything. Do you have one of these types of personalities in your family? Okay, enough said.

So, when he wanted to tell me something this morning, he would not let up on getting my attention. I was in the bathroom changing a diaper (oooh-nothing new here!), he was in the adjacent room unable to move so he called my name. Repeatedly. Many times. So many times, I began to count. I thought to myself...hum, I wonder how many times he will keep calling me until I respond.

So, I began to count and we're off...1, 2, 3, 4...8...12...16. Yes, 16 times he called my name! Man, is he persistent or what? I bet you are wondering why he needed me so much. I finally caved in at the 16th "Mom?" by quietly answering "Yes? What do you need?" (that is a big success for me not to have answered the way I was feeling at that moment!---Small Success #1)

The poor thing has a pulled chest muscle and has to put on a heating pad off/on throughout the day. He was sitting there reading a book "Around the World in 80 days" and he just had to tell me something about the story. Oh, these personalities are so bittersweet (but aren't we all?)- he loves to talk-I love to talk- and he is so likable and enjoyable to talk with and be around talking about stuff-all kinds of stuff....like why the clouds look like that; and is the squid actually a fish?; and can you really travel the world in 80 days?; and what kind of rifles did they use in the civil war? (do you get my drift yet?-he LOVES to talk!) I have been trying to channel his energy not only to talking but other things as well-boy energy! I have learned never to underestimate the energy of a boy-they will amaze us-and he did! (Small Success #2) A good idea that I will try to implement his love of talking is into writing-any other ideas anyone?

I wonder if anyone else had days and children that sound like this?

ANYWAY, our sweet baby is down for an early nap so I am going to get my prayers in and maybe even squeeze in 5 minutes of reading my new book that I am enjoying soooooo much :) Thank you, lovey, for surprising me with this book along with a new vacuum~! I have to say I don't know which one I love more! Yes! I absolutely do love to vacuum! Why, you wonder? B/c it is a small instant gratification in this life of formation in our house and it is one this I actually enjoy to do :) Laundry, on the other hand, well...anyone interested in helping me out? My awesome husband has been my life saver of folding laundry this week-thank you! (Finding out my strengths-"Know thyself" and asking for help for those weaknesses-this surely would be Small Success #3)

Folks, have a grand day. Oh, BTW, we're all feeling well now -thanks be to God :)

Go see more small successes (even if a day late!) here!

God bless u,
Mary

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Do you remember?

Let us meditate today on the condition of our soul. Are we making a sincere effort to rectify our intentions, to sanctify our daily responsibilities? There are things we fail to remember, not because we have short memories but because we are short of love. The person in love does not forget!
-- St Teresa of Avila

Well if this isn't a hit in the gut for me!

If anyone knows me, they know I may possibly have the world's worst memory. It's not funny even a bit-I thought, for sure, it was a lost cause...but now I guess now there is a reason for it. So I better get off this computer and start upping my prayer and sacramental life! Thanks St. Teresa of Avila and please pray for me!

God bless, Mary

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

When you are sick at home...

...the fun doesn't end!
You bet we're making the most of this sunny 70* weather today!
Wanna See?


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Just so you know...

I have a baby and a child both with fevers,
1 child with a pulled chest muscle,
and a 3 1/2 year old having a meltdown.

Yes, you can give me a pity party now. Thank you.
(ha ha)

All things for the greater glory of GOD!!! :)
(Lord, help me do this all for You!)

God bless,
Mary

Havin' a little too much of this:

A great big BOOM and my house literally shakes...

"Kids, what are you doing?!"

They answer: "Nothing."

ARGH!

God bless!
Mary

Monday, June 15, 2009

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Carbon Fiber wheels, anyone?

"Mom, I want to get a carbon fiber wheel. Okay?"

This is the type of talk I have to deal with lately. (I know...it could be worse! ha ha) There is always room for learning for me, huh? Never a dull moment here, I'll tell ya. Please don't ask me anything about that type of wheel or biking. I have no idea. But apparently my kid #1 has all the info he needs to be convinced that he has to have one. LOL!

My kid #1 has become quite the avid bike rider lately. In fact, he went on a bikeathon yesterday with his boys club and biked 10 miles! If that was not enough, he went back out again today and while my hubby ran 15 miles (yes, 15 miles-that is just nuts too!) he went with him- and biked 15 miles!

I am so proud of him and in so much awe of how much I can actually underestimate our children's abilities! Never in my dreams would I think he could bike that much at such the young age of 8. He is very interested in triathalons! I just shake my head in awe....If there is determination with a little bit of competition (or a lot!), then watch out-here he comes! I can't wait to see what God has in store for him and his mission in life!

OH, HAPPY FEAST DAY- CORPUS CHRISTI!!!!

God bless,
Mary

Saturday, June 13, 2009

If I could write...

I wish I could have written this but she already did! This is soooo what I wanted to say and I'm so glad you did!
God bless,
Mary

Friday, June 12, 2009

I had an adult conversation!

I had a friend visit us this morning with her 2 ultra sweet boys. (Thank you, K, for coming over :))

We had quite a lot to talk about-that adult interaction and talking is so rare that when 2 moms get together, watch out! We are put to the most outrageous multitasking efforts possible. There are no limits to what we can do....when we have a chance to really talk passionate about something, nothing and I mean nothing, will get in our way. We can talk over any crying, fighting, yelling, laughing, any loudness and stay completely focused on what the other person is saying. What a gift us women have to do this! It was quite the sight, let me tell you.

We were able to carry on a very adult conversation about being a stay at home mom and how it can be very lonely at times and how we sometimes find ourselves hunting for other stay at home moms while we go foodshopping or the library. Also, about how we moms have a lot to learn to be able to allow, support, and encourage our husbands to protect and provide (their innate vocation) for our families so we can stay at home to love and nurture our children (our innate vocation) and how important and vital this huge task at hand is. And how confused the world is about this. How lost it is. How jumbled it is.

I am in awe of how my friend K could carry on and on about it. She had so much passion about it and so much enthusiasm! I agreed with her every step of the way but I wonder if she noticed how very hard I find it to carry on that type of conversation!

With my head turning one way to make sure one of my children did not fall off of a scooter or bike, then quickly turning it the next way to make sure another child was not running too fast, then quickly turning it again to make sure another child was okay...I think you get my drift. I am in such a "diaper changing-baby talking-referee-ing-boo boo kissing-cooking-housekeeping-teaching mode" (not in any specific order) that those conversations are hard to come by and when they do, I almost feel out of the loop as if I cannot find the words to express how I feel and think.

In fact, I would not do it justice to state exact points of our conversation...but it was a wonderful time with wonderful friends and we enjoyed a wonderful, inspiring, and invigorating conversation!

After only a few hours of a visit, I am pumped up with loving my vocation of a stay at home mom. I thank God for this gift and I hope one day my Lord will say to me:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Gods blessings to you all,
God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Small Sacrifices today, not small successes!

It's Thursday again! So soon!
I am thinking over my past week...I mean, I really have to think...and although I am sure that I did some small successes, what I am really feeling inspired is to call it "Small Sacrifices" and with that thought, I can only think of my husband. My wonderful, amazing, cool, energy filled husband of almost 10 years! I can't help but think of the things he does for me, not because he wants to do them necessarily but b/c he knows how much they mean to me. SO....folks...for today I am going to list my husband's SMALL SACRIFICES" and I do hope that Faith and Family LIVE won't mind a bit!!!

1. Right now, my husband took all but one child to a Boy's club meeting. I tried talking him out of it b/c at last minute he was called on to be a leader for one of the groups. I asked him how he was going to possibly do this?! He has an 8, 7, 5, 2, and 8 month old with him. ( I have the 3 year old Chickie who is VERY tired so she will be off to sleep very soon). It's awards night and he told me that he knows I've had 3 straight RAINY days and a break was much needed. I mean, c'mon...is this man serious?!?! I SO do not deserve him! See what I mean? Wait...there's more...

2. I had to go to a very important meeting yesterday morning to discuss some schooling issues. I mean the whole morning. I could have opted out of it...somehow...but to my husband, it was well worth going to. He supported me going to it by working from home. How he did it is beyond me. I guess the TV and movies were a hit around here but, he did it! Do you see what I mean yet? Okay, one more...

3. My baby is co-sleeping with us (don't ask--not my cup of tea....but anyway....) and has been keeping me up quite a bit lately throughout the night, especially from about 4am on. So, once again my husband put me ahead of his own desires and opted out of running early in the morning (he is training for a marathon and does ridiculously long runs ridiculously early in the morning. I am no morning person so this is TOTALLY not my cup of tea...but anyway...) he took the baby from me when he woke up and let me go back to sleep till 7:15am.

OKAY NOW- DO YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?!?!?

So, hats off to my hubby- I love you soooooooooo much! Thank you for seeing my needs and tending to them ahead of your own.

I guess I have lots to work on!!!
Till next time...
God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

B/c I have nothing else to post

I wrote a comment on another blog and thought that it would be helpful to post here too. Many people ask me about our bedtime/nigh time routine. So, here it is...Enjoy!

It seems that this is a bittersweet topic for any parent. The kind that what you want to be and how you want to handle bedtimes conflicts with reality.

We start bedtime routine at 7pm. This takes some time b/c it means each child needs to shower or bathe, then into pj's, then directly into bed...to read, do puzzles, color (hopefully not the walls or sheets!), or anything quiet in bed not disturbing their roommates. We were told by another great couple who are great parents to lots of great kids to get this routine in place ASAP. I would like to add that you have to do what is best for your family. Just b/c things work a certain way for us does not mean that it will also work perfectly for you. So, just pick and choose from what is out there for ideas and put together some sort of routine.

Why it works well is also b/c BOTH my wonderful hubby and I are in it together. We know what to expect during bedtimes and we make it work. Sometimes with a little bit of frustration (and sometimes with a lot!) but our ultimate goal is always the same: Get the kids in bed then we have time to spend together talking or just being with each other.

We also put on a BOOK ON CD every night for them to listen to. Lots to choose from at the library--this is a HUGE important part of bedtime. They love their books on CD's!!!

Our 2 year old and baby who is 8 months are not into this routine so they hang out with us while we clean up dinner dishes and clean around the house. This has been working for us and has been a great help for my husband and I to have some talking time (even w/2 babies around!). even though it is tough most nights b/c of how sunny it still is at 7/8pm...they are used to it, but they are kids and they do try to wiggle their way out of bedtime to stay up like the 'big kids' do. Every night, we have to tell them to get back in bed, stay in bed, read etc...and we do bribe them every now and then. We turn off lights anytime between 8 and 8:30 and keep the Book on CD playing. Then they eventually fall asleep. Then we do too! no joke!

Hope this was helpful to those of you that ask. One last thing: stick to it for a LONG time and don't give up! It's important for our kids to have routine and important for this Momma and Daddy to get some down time too. Oh, and expect that it will not be easy. Lower your expectations and things will get better over time. Pray that God will give you patience and fortitude. And remember that...KIDS ARE KIDS! and they will try to get out of it...but don't give up!

For us, it is totally worth all our efforts!
God bless, Mary

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Why am I not surprised

when I find an old shoebox lying on the floor looking like this:



And when I open it, I find this:


And then wonder to myself of how none of my children have been seriously injured from any of them yet. And then close the box. And continue doing my laundry and then nurse my baby.

Hum...

Guess I'm just a mom of many little ones that have many little boys in that mix.

Oh, the joys of boys!

God bless, Mary

Monday, June 8, 2009

Birthday Pics

What a wonderful day we had to celebrate our Kid #2's 7th Birthday yesterday! Beautiful weather with great company. Here are a few shots of our great day:






God bless,
Mary

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Happy 7th Birthday Kid #2

TO MY BALLERINA BIRTHDAY GIRL,
Happy 7th Birthday to you!
I can't believe the beauty that you are.
You are a true and genuine gift from our Lord.
Only He knows the depth of my love for you.
You are amazing.
You are the best 7 year old girl I know!
You never cease to amaze me with the way you are so responsible. You always remember things that I forget.
You love to do any type of arts and crafts.
You love to get dirty but are quick to clean up!
You are an awesome runner!
You are determined.
You have an awesome memory-better than Dad's!
You are competitive and hate to loose(Daddy's DNA!).
You are my girlie-girl, my princess.
You are the most organized 7 year old girl I know.
You are so pretty-your heart is pretty and your soul is even prettier.
You help me clean our house, you help me fold all our clothes.
You spin like a ballerina and dance all around the house without a care in the world.
You are you.
Perfectly you.
Perfect for our family.
Perfect for me.
Perfect for us.
Don't let anything stand in your way of
accomplishing what God has planned out for you.
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something
because you are not tall enough or big enough.
You won't stand for that.
You teach me that Good Things come in SMALL PACKAGES!
I love you!
I thank God for you in my life.
Daddy and I love you so very much.
We feel very privileged to be chosen to be your parents.
May you have an awesome birthday today- lots of fun and laughter and smiles with a picnic at the beach, playing with your new big bouncy ball (that you wanted for a gift!) and splashing around in the water at the beach-just what YOU wanted to do!
May God bless you on this day.
Love, Mommy

Saturday, June 6, 2009

It's so BaZaAr!

There really isn't anything like a local parish bazaar!

I took my sweet baby and my 3 older awesome kids to our parish bazaar tonight and it was a blast! I love the action, the familiar faces, the noise (I can't believe I said that), the games, the dinky little toys you win that you end up throwing out a week later.
So what. We did not win any toys. We only bumped into a few people we know. Oh, and the noise? Well, I had enough of it after about 2 hours. I have so much of that noise every day, all day long, so that extra dose of noise was enough for me.

But, it was loads of fun. And my kids and I had a blast together.

I wish I could have frozen the moments of seeing my oldest in the bumper cars, smiling and laughing as he was getting whip lash! Or the moment I saw my daughter (who is turning 7 tomorrow!) on one of those airplane rides by herself that go around and around and she was all grins and waving to me each time she passed by. Or the moment I saw my kid #3 going down the gigantic slide ALL BY HIMSELF (he's only 5!). I am so proud of them. It's been a year and they all have grown up each in their own special way. Those things they never would have done a year ago.

The best treat of it all, was at the moment we were just about to leave that a man yelled out "Does anyone want a few more extra tickets?" I thought he was referring to the 20/20 drawing so I jumped at the chance to win $200 bucks! But alas, they were for one last ride of their choice and they were totally thrilled to get that treat! (Since w/money restrictions-hey, those bazaars can cost a lot!-they only got to go on 2 rides each and 1 extra for the to-be birthday girl!)

Well, after a day of lots of fun...I am ready for bed. I wish my kids were too!
God bless and good night!
Mary

Friday, June 5, 2009

What else would we be watching on a rainy day?



God bless!
Mary

Do you love Me?

I actually had time this morning to reflect on one of the Gospels- John 21: 15-19. (woohoo!)

Jesus asked Simon Peter 3 x's if he loved Him. I wonder how many times I tell my own kids how much I love them. Do I tell them every day, and many times a day? Or is one time enough? It surely is not as we are taught by Jesus. By the 3rd time, Peter was distressed that He had asked him again. Peter answered "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (John 21: 17).

For me, I know that I need to reflect more on how I say to Our Lord, "You know that I love you". I say it in ways that I respond to His will (or not), and in the ways that I treat my husband and our children (or not).

I am reminded that it is not in just those words that I say but how I live my life in accordance with His Divine Will.

So, do you love Him?

That's about it for my deep thoughts. They are a rarity these days so enjoy them while they are here!!! ha ha!

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 4, 2009

My little momma

I put on a video for the kids for some quiet time and calm down time...

My Kid #2 says to me:

"Mom, this is the deal...you go take a nap or do computer stuff and I will hold the baby right here and let him fall asleep on my lap. That's the deal. Now, go do your stuff."

Well, well, well... I am in no mood to argue with a 6 year old Mom!

Thank you God for my little girl who is changing into such an independent and generous big girl. She is turning 7 years old in a few days and becoming such a little lady who I can truly depend on. Thank you God for the gift of her in my life, in our lives! :)

God bless,
Mary

Small Successes- It's Thursday!

1. I have been more consistent with esp. Kid #1 to get his schooling done and all his tests done. We're almost done with 2nd grade-wow! I've been homeschooling for 4 years!

2. I've finally sent in the check for the live bait of caterpillars so that we can watch them grow into a butterfly from InsectLore.

3. I am not getting upset that it was last Saturday that I bought my little plants for my to-be garden. I bought: 2 tomato plants, 1 zucchini, 1 squash and 1 green beans. I really want to get them planted but I am being patient till I can!!!

Click HERE for more small successes :)

God bless,
Mary

Well, whatta know!

Your Blog Should Be Yellow
You're a cheerful, upbeat blogger who tends to make everyone laugh.
You are a great storyteller, and the first to post the latest funny link.
You're also friendly and welcoming to everyone who comments on your blog.

http://blogthings.com/whatcolorshouldyourblogorjournalbequiz/">What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?


God bless!
Mary

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

6 kids= more love to go around

The make shift playpen suits my little baby just fine, don't you think? My 'bigger' kids are awesome with their "babysitting" techniques!

I love this stage of sitting up un-attended but not yet crawling. I am so very smitten by this little guy...he is my buddy who is always willing to snuggle just about anyone and smile and laugh. Who said I didn't have enough love to share for a 6th baby? I bet that person never had 6 kids...

God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Bug crazy

Out of the blue (with this Kid-it's always out of the blue!) while doing his handwriting assignment...Kid #1 says to me:

"Mom, don't turn on the heat. Okay?"

With a quizzical face, I look at him and think "Why would I? It's 77*!"

You see, yesterday the boys caught a caterpillar. So, of course they ran inside (with it in hand mind you! I don't mind bugs but bugs in my house is not a good thing and makes this Momma cringe a wee bit) and grabbed one of the bug catching containers (uhm...my gladware! argh!) and ran back outside. The next time I saw the bug in the "bug container" was after dinner. It sat upon my kitchen counter keeping my plant (the only plant that I can keep happy!) and napkins company.

So, after lunch (yes, it took me till after lunch today!) I noticed it again, started to push aside the leaf and dirt and grass...

"Uhm...boys? Where is the caterpillar?"

In which they both responded "I don't know."

So, now we have an empty-no where to be seen caterpillar- gladware container....er, I mean bug container...on my counter.

This is where my son tells me not to put on the heat.

"Well, Mom, the caterpillar may be hiding under the baseboards. Ya know, it's dark under there and they like the dark. So... don't turn on the heat, okay? It probably will be turning into larvae soon too. So, no heat, okay?"

eeewww! Gross! LOL!

Boys will be boys!

God bless,
Mary

Grab the mop~! My heart melts for a 2 yr old!

My 2 year old is being quite the sweetie this morning. He is saying "Hank coo sooooo much Mommy!" with a big grin for anything that is given to him....which includes toys, coloring paper and this delicious snack of cantaloupe that he has had many helpings of!

My heart is melting! Can he be any sweeter!?!?! Oh how I love this age!

God bless,
Mary

Order in the midst of chaos


Somehow this makes all sense to them. (?!?!) Don't ask me, though!

God bless!
Mary

Monday, June 1, 2009

I'm such an AHCM *edit

You know your an "AHCM"-at -home-cool-mom -when you say:

*I am way so cool that I even forgot to say it the correct way, which should be "SAHCM"- stay-at-home-cool-mom. What a goof I am! ha ha!

"If you're playing tag in the house, that's not cool. But... if you play tag on your knees...now, that is cool!"

Has it really come to this? I mean, really! All I can do is laugh.

Live. Laugh. Love.
Okay, so I think I got all those covered by 8:40am this morning.

AND...yet another one...

My kids have been watching Neil Diamond youtube clips for the past 1/2 hour of "America" and "Sweet Caroline" (LOVE THESE SONGS!)...and my oldest says "Wow, he's really good. He should be on American Idol."

Isn't that hilarious!!!!!!!!!!! HA!! HA!!

Now, where was I...oh, back to school now...(heeeee heeeee!)
God bless!
Mary

You know your kids are getting bigger when...

...you grab not just a teaspoon but a big spoon for cereal this morning!

Lord, help me to slow down and take this all in. What a gift you have given me to be at home with my children. I can not ask for anything more. Help me to be more grateful than ever before. With You, nothing is impossible. You are my peace. You are my strength. Amen.

God bless! Mary

Go Tim Tebow!



What a role model! Did you know he was also HOME-SCHOOLED!!!!
God bless Tim Tebow!
God bless,
Mary