Summer schedules and such

My posts will probably not be too regular during these summer months.  Not that I was ever that regular of a blogger! haaa :) 

Summer has begun and we are enjoying the not so high humidity for just a wee bit longer till it hits us hard, which is anytime now.  I have to make up a new schedule for the family.  Just as I imagined, life is a bit crazy when there are not limits and boundaries and set times for things.  We all like to relax but with many little kids and the temperaments/personalities of them all, we do much better with some structure, even during the summertime.  That being said, we also like down time and free time :)  It is a fine balance that I am trying to figure out.  At this point, I know a schedule will be helpful.  It was last summer that we took the pluge for a real heavy duty schedule.

My hubby signed up for a marathon!  I am so proud of him!  Once again, he is going to train for one and we hope he will not get injured such as last time-3 weeks before the marathon!  poor guy.  His goal is to do one before he turns 4-0!  He still has 2+ years so this will be great.  It was a family decision for sure, with lots of prayer.  It is a big family sacrifice for all of us. 

That leads me to  how I am trying to get back into the walking deal 3-4 times a week.  I would like to turn that walk into a run possibly but not sure if I have it in me again!  I have not run in over 12 years!  It would be fun to sign up for  some 5K's and get back into it b/c I did like it.  I wonder if I would like it again?  I am not very competitive but enjoy it to a certain degree-not to a marathon degree, though! haaa!!! :)  You see, I have this gut.  Not the pregnant kind of gut but that other gut! :P     Running seems to do the trick to get that extra weight off for me.  I have been asked multiple times by my children if I am pregnant and my hearts sinks.  We would have been due with our baby just around this time (due early June) and my heart is just a little sad.  Of course, we would love another baby and welcome one if God so chosen but for right now, we are not.  This is the longest ever between children.  My lil' lady is 16 1/2 months and is still such  a  love, but she sure does have a voice and wants to let her siblings know she wants to do things by herself!  :)  God knows that it is not good timing for His Will, that is for sure b/c we have some big decisions to make in the next 2 months. 

Big as in ....buying a house.  Where?  Which one?  When?  The questions are endless.  We have been praying so hard to figure out what is God's Will in this.  Ultimately, we will ONLY be happy to do what HE wants, not what we want or think is best.  So, we are yielding to His direction and praying hard.  We are looking for His inspirations and guidance.  There are many things that I do not like about this house (which I have posted about) and my greatest ultimate house would be a farm house on a big chunk of land filled with goats, chickens etc...  Funny how life changes and interests change, huh?  I NEVER would have wanted that years ago but here I am just dreaming about it.  And that's all.  Dreaming.  Currently, we are in no way close to any farm land or much of any land at all, and in a town so full of cars and people.  Trying hard to see God's hand in this comes hard at times.  But then I think of all the good things I like about this house and there are some big ones such as a wooded back yard, cul-de-sac, good neighbors that home school too!

If you remember, please add this intention to your prayers that we are content and secure in God's will of where we should live no matter where it is.  Thanks so much!

God bless,
Mary

With God...

Weekends.

We love them.  These are the days that Daddy is home, there is limited school work to be done and ample time for play and fun-work around the house.

Yes, I said work. 

My hubby is amazing...have I mentioned that before?  I am so in awe of the man he is and wants to become and how he truly works hard at it every single day to be the man God created him to be.  He has been so inspired by God to do real 'man work' as in saw and wood and carpentry and building projects, not only to get things done around the house, and to build things to save us money.  More importantly, he is doing this not just by himself....but with his sons at his side.  He is determined to learn and to teach his boys along side him.  Awesome!  He was not taught this as a young boy/man, even though his Dad is a great dad.  This is one area that he wished he knew more of.  The determined person that he is, he has decided to teach himself and his sons as well. 

But its not even the learning that is the impetus of all this hard work.  It is spending time together with his sons that is driving him to do it.  What a man!!!

What a joy it is to see what these men have made.  These are no easy peasy projects!

2 benches for our dining room table
Bookshelf for me :)
Bookshelf for our school books only
Bookshelf for daughter #2 who is an avid reader
step stool
and now onto finishing a doll house

"With God, all things are possible"  --Matthew 18:26



God bless your night,
Mary

Super Dad!

*Warning:  This post is ALL about my husband!*

I warned you.  See above?

Yes, this is all about my wonderful husband.  Okay, ladies...he has his quirks but don't we all?  But I can't help but post on what my husband has felt called to do lately.  I don't intend for this to be a bragging post, and I apologize up front if it is coming off that way.  That is not my intention.  Frankly b/c I am in complete awe of this man God has given to me and our family.

You see, a few weeks ago, he felt that he was called by God to go weekly food shopping for our family, so it is one less thing that I have to do.  Not by himself, mind you.  He is taking ALL 7 OF OUR KIDS WITH HIM while he goes food shopping!!!

This is NOT something I would ever venture to do, unless I was in dire need.  NOWAY would I do this.  So, this is why I am in utter AWE of this man!!!

He even takes the 7 month old baby!!!

He straps on the hiking baby backpack with baby in it and hands off a walkie talkie to our oldest son.  He hands out the list to the oldest 2 kids and they are off with one shopping cart while he pushes the other cart with other kids in tow.

He is my hero. 

Every Wednesday night he is off doing this.

I am on strict orders to take a hot bath and relax.  Just so that I can relax and have a little down time to do whatever.  What ?!??  I think I manage that.  It is so hard to comply with these orders! haa haaa

Now you see why I love this man?!?! 

He continues to amaze me.  I bet you too, right?

This is a completely selfless generous act on his part ...for me.  What an act of love.

He is always willing to improve, willing to figure out ways to make things work for the better for our family.  Thank you God for this man I married.  I never would have guessed he would be the person he is today.  Thank you God for him in my life and our family.

God bless this man of mine.

God bless you too!!!,
Mary

Life is good with wine and ice cream

OK, so my main man, my wonderful hubby watched all 6 kids from 8 till 3 today so that I could go to a diocesan women's conference. 

As if that was not enough.

On his way home from confession, he asked me if I needed him to pick up anything.

I mentioned some white wine and ice cream would be of my liking if he was up for picking it up.

Not only does he come home with  small bottles of my favorite wine..but he come home with not one, not 2, not 3 BUT 4 gallons of BREYERS ice cream!!!

I love this man.  Does he totally know me...or what?!?!? 

LOVE HIM!!!!

The big northeast basketball game is on tonight so I guess he had to soften me up somehow! haaaa haaaaa

So then I told him that with our next in-house date night that I am making him watch "Grease"!!!

Off to drink my wine, him his Guinness beer...out on the lawn chairs while our kids are digging up the dirt to drive their matchbox cars in and ride bikes.

Life is good.
God bless,
M

Smile! CLICK~!

Yesterday, I was all set on taking pics of our kidos for our annual Christmas photo card.  There was no way of changing my mind.  I knew that this weather would be perfect timing-so nice and only slightly chilly out - not even enough to wear jackets, if you would ask my kids.  It had to be done-that day.  With being further away from our loved ones, this is one of the Christmas cards, I am sure, they are waiting for. 

And anyway, I love to take pics of my kids-esp. all of them together.  It is a real treat for me.  It brings my view into focus-on what really matters.  When I see those pics, no matter what they may bring-silliness, craziness, madness or dullness...it does not matter.  B/c these are our blessings.  Our little treasures. 

Each of our children has their own personality and it truly shines through when I take a bunch of the same pictures one click after another!  I love love LOVE it!!! :)

I *tried* to train them to smile those nice smiles where you can see their teeth and they actually smile :)   Not those 'smiles' where you can see teeth but they look like they are sporting some new evil teeth look at you! haaa  :)  I also *tried* to make sure that they knew when it was time to smile to do just that and then hold that smile so I could take click after click of pictures.  I still wondered, though, how this would pan out. 

I really enjoy reviewing the pics and laugh at each one as they are so different and so unique in each of their own special way!

I set the kidos all up, with the help of my adoring husband-he insisted oldest to youngest :).  And I told them to smile as my hubby acted goofey behind me.  The other people at the lake/park were looking at us and I am sure either laughing at us or reminisicing of their younger days doing just the same thing.  It was quite the sight, let me tell you! :)

And off I went with the camera. 

CLICK
CLICK
CLICK
CLICK

...And then it happened.

My batteried DIED! and I had NO extra batteries on me!!!
I guess there will only be a few to choose from this year and I hope at least one is halfway decent!!!

Here are some pics of where we were and some diff. shots before my camera died....

MY 4 WILD BOYS:

MY 2 SWEET GIRLS:

 And the sight they loved...

God bless,
M

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

11 years

14 years of togetherness

2 years dated

1 year engaged

11 years married

and...

7 kids later...

WOWEE!!!

It's been one wild rollercoaster with you~!

And I am so glad that we are buckled in by our Faith,

next to each other.

There's no one else I'd rather be on this ride with than you!!!

I love you so much! (smooooch!:))

 

Can't wait to go OUT on a DATE with you tonight!!!

Fancy restaurant, a glass of wine and time alone... here we come! :)

God bless,

M

Was that a tornado?

Last night, I woke up shaking and yelled to my hubby:
"Honey, WHAT IS THAT?!"

He bolted up, screamed, "Eeveryone downstairs! GO GO GO!!!"

I swear we were in the midst of a tornado! But I cannot find any news or weather clips about it anywhere!

I have never been in a tornado but I swear it was one last night.

It was 12:30ish and I heard the wind begin to blow SO loudly; it was raining but then it was pouring SO loudly. It sounded like tree limbs and baseballs were being thrown at our windows within seconds!

For sure, one of my TOP 3 scariest moments in my life. Easily.


Our 2 yr old was in bed with us anyway(long story for another time...) and I basically threw him to my hubby as I ran down our hallway to get the other children up, yelling the whole time "Downstairs everyone!"

I grabbed the other children, (how did I do this being pregnant?!) and carried them as I was running throughout the house trying desperately to get downstairs to safety.

We all eventually gathered downstairs in the basement in an area where there are no windows, but our lights were on. We had no flashlight or radio so my portective husband quickly got a radio and plugged it in (not knowing for how long we'd have power).

My daughter, who is typically quiet, could not stop talking about how she heard the same things being thrown at her windows as well.

My hubby ran upstairs after a few minutes to get his laptop and we were sure there was something terrible going on outside. We wanted to know what it was and when it would stop.

Then it stopped.
It was quiet.
No rain, no wild wind, no hail or whatever we heard.

We waited and waited in this small area and checked our laptop weather updates continuously till we were not in a warning for 'severe weather'.

WHAT?! Severe weather? Are you kidding me? Was that all it was? Really?

To me, it was the worst I have seen mother nature behave. By far the scariest and I do not want to experience that one more time.

Oh my.

Thank You God for keeping us safe and letting us wake up to a mess of a backyard full of broken limbs and branches, full of leaves everywhere and now the sun is rising.

God bless,
M

Father knows best

Before I start our day and get into the grove of schooling, I have to post on something.

Something important.

So important, that if I do not post on it, it will bother me and make me think about it all day long...

Yesterday my hubby said that it would be a great idea that we both get to confession before our big 'consecration day' (see HERE) on Wednesday.  First, I thought it was great idea too till I realized that he meant that we ALL should go.   You know, as a family.  You know, as in bringing ALL the kids along too.  Then my attitude changed drastically to 'noway will that work out' attitude.  We tried it before and it did not work out.  We tried and got disappointed.  I was discouraged.  I did not want to get 'in the mood' to go to confession just to be frustrated and upset that it did not work out.   (psssst...do you blame me?!)

Well, my hubby put me IN MY PLACE.  He persisted in thinking it was a great idea and that we needed to do it to get totally ready for our special day, especially. 

Not that I did not want to go, mind you. 

I sure have sins that need a good wash away. 

But I did not agree till he stated "Trust me, will you?   You just have to trust me with this.  We NEED to do this."

With every bit of courage I could muster up, I agreed.

We all got to the church and no one was there.  No cars, no lights on. 

Just as I suspected, I thought.  Another mess up.

But the church doors were open.  So I decided to give it a try and go in.  I told my sweet and endearing husband that if I do not come out in 1-2 mins then there were confessions going on.

I went to the darkened chapel and sat there in complete silence.  Oh, that felt terrific.  It was wonderful.  Jsut as I was about to totally convince myself that no priest was there, and no confessions were to be heard tonight, the lights went on.  The priest walked in.  Into the confessional he went and the door stood open for me, alone.  No one else was there.  Just yet.  It was just me.

Was this meant to be?  You betcha.  I cannot disagree that my husband was totally RIGHT ON with this! 

I trusted him and went along with the actions of my will, not with my feelings (which were not in agreement with him). 

Confession.   It was so healing.   So needed.

Once I came out, I saw a line of 9 people waiting.  I guess that is my penance now...to wait with the kids while my hubby and oldest son waited inline for confession.

Good thing for my husbands' love.
Good thing for my husbands' leadership.
Good thing for our Faith.

Thank you God for my husband. You know how much I need him. 

God bless,
Mary

And Sometimes...

Sometimes...you just have to stay outside in the hot and humid 93* while pregnant with the children and then you get to see your son catch a butterfly.

And then sometimes you allow your children to set up their school desk and make a sign that says:  "Butterflies for sale for $2". 

And then you smile.

And you are delighted.

And you are at peace.

And you are sweaty.

And you remind the children that they are in charge of making dinner tonight, even if it is 5:14pm b/c for a very long time this Momma has made dinner after dinner after dinner and they have not eaten it. 

And sometimes you allow them to make that creative crazy weird "I don't know what that is" dinner along with the 'safe' dinner of pasta and sauce.

And then you wonder if you will eat that stuff.

So, then you gently ask them if they'd be interested in making quessadillas and they respond with squeals and joy knowing that we'll all actually eat this dinner.

And sometimes this Daddy arrives home with questioning looks and smirks to his wife.

And you are happy.

And you are at peace.

And you say "Thank you Lord."


God bless,
 Mary

You and me together, baby!

Have you heard the new song by Dave Matthews Band called "You and Me"?

I am totally hooked on it.  Love it.

I am not a huge fan of Dave Matthews but as I was scanning through the radio stations on Friday on my way to go food shopping, I happened to stop on it.  I am not sure how long it has been out or around but it's the first that I heard it and I am very fond of it :)

Why do I like it so very much, I wonder...

I can only think of going away on a weekend trip w/my hubby.  If not longer!  It has been 10 wonderful years since our beautiful wedding and its been almost as long since we went away for a weekend or a few days.  I used to think that is crazy for some couples not to get away but here we are...We are that couple!  It is hard b/c of our 6 young children and the babysitting is not that available. 

We are so due to get away fora bit to focus on us-husband and wife, best friends.  Not just parents, but us- as the song says:

"You and me together, we can do anything, baby...it's you and me forever, girl...we can do anything...two of us together, we can do anything..."

Please pray for us to make this happen...it means so much to us both! (Thank you so much!)

Great song!  Great lyrics!  Love it!



God bless,
Mary

Smitten

that my wonderful hubby engraved "I love Mary" on his new IPOD or Iphone or whatever you call it. 

Even after 10 yrs married and 13 together...
smitten...

100%, totally, completely in love with this man.

It just keeps getting better.  :)

God bless,
Mary

What a deal!

A few months ago, our double jogging stroller broke.  We were not too worried since the winter months began and we knew it would be a while till my main man was out running again.  Then the poor guy hurt his knee and just started up running again a few weeks ago, after a long knee injury.  Long story short...he was training for the marathon and up to running 22 miles (AHH! I know, right?!?!) Anyway, he hurt his knee then began running then hurt his other knee-he really had to take some time off.  Without complaining too much, he took that time off.  This was quite hard for him since he really enjoys running. 

Now he is back into it and we have been looking for a stroller for the right price, used or not used...as long as it worked and the price is right.

Well, was the price right!

I just found one that someone posted on Craigslist for a free-that's right...free!  I took my chances not knowing if it worked but they said it was in good condition and runs but just needs some cleaning.  I packed the kids up in the big Momma truck and picked it up a few towns away.

Check this baby out!
Here is what it looks like:

Now just imagine a few dirt marks on it but that's it! 

Isn't she pretty!?!?!  Our last one did not have a swivel front tire, nor the 5 point harness, nor the bar in the front!  We are so thankful to God for, once again, providing for us.  This makes my hubby happy so now he can push the little ones (3 and 1 yr old boys) as he runs and gives the Momma a *littlle break* for a little bit!  Thank You God!

God bless, 

Mary 

Grateful for the Ordinary Miracles

I was listening to the song, Ordinary Miracle by Sarah MacLachlan. Have you heard it before? It's one of those songs that tugs at your heart. Sometimes just a little and a tear falls, but sometimes a whole lot and you better get a box of tissues. Do you know what I mean? That little tear just fell a few minutes ago because I was thinking about the prior post I wrote yesterday morning. I hope it did not come off as complaining. I fear that it did and for that I am sorry. Life is life. Life can be super busy and complicated at times that we loose sight of all that we have been given. What we need to be thankful to God for.

It was precisely this song that reminded me of all those mornings that I mentioned about in that post yesterday that I am, indeed, grateful for.

I thank You, God, for my husband, my children, my family.

Thank You for those messes b/c one day there won't be any to keep me busy cleaning up. Thank You for the loudness b/c all too soon it will be too quiet. Thank You for all of it b/c one day there will be no more. Thank You for today. Thank you for the time with my children.

I am extremely thankful to You for my wonderful, loving, nurturing, thoughtful and giving husband. What a mess I would be in without him and his desire to place his family before his own needs and wants. What an incredible man. What a life I am grateful for. Thank you. Thank you. Thank You dear Lord.

Thank You, dear Lord, for these daily ordinary miracles You place in my life. May You keep reminding me of them everyday.

God bless,
Mary

New Year's Eve 2009-God's way

(BTW...yesterday was my 500th post! wow! ~~yippppeee!)

On another note...how sad am I today.....?

My hubby and I had plans to go out on a real date this morning-kind of a brunch date-ya know, when we are actually awake! We have been waiting for this time alone to spend not so much as parents-as the Momma and Daddy- but as husband and wife-buddies & best friends- having uninterrupted with the love of my life. These dates are far and wide between and we need this time together to nourish our relationship (I know you know what I mean).

But then....just 10 minutes ago, it started to do THIS...that 'old man winter' got us again. We are pretty bummed...but it is that time of the year. God's Will be done. My hubby is so sweet that he bundled up our 2 year old and took him with him to go get a yummy coffee for both of us from our favorite town coffee shop. We have to celebrate somehow! Isn't that so sweet?! Funny how a cup of coffee years ago would mean nothing...but now it is considered so incredibly thoughtful! How times change and it really is the small stuff that matters, esp. with our spouses. Those small things make all the difference. All the difference.

So, for today... back to the drawing board in high hopes for another date hopefully soon.

And also for today, we'll be hovering around papers with many to do lists and full of our family and personal goals for this new year of 2010. Have you done your goals yet?

Happy New Year's Eve 2009!

God bless,
Mary

Birthday Wishes...

to my wonderful husband! Happy Birthday! We love you so much!
In honor of your special day, I sat down w/ the children at breakfast this morning and asked them a few questions. Here is what I recorded; it is quite funny!

What is Daddy's favorite color?
T-green and blue (b/c his name is the same as mine!)
L-Green
M-maybe all the boy colors
I-Blue
K-Green

How old is Daddy?
L-8
M-20
T-80
I-3
K-36

What is Daddy's favorite thing to do?
M-run and go to Church (I think!)
L-Church
T-play star wars
I-play with the kids
K-maybe his favorite thing to do is to go to Heaven!

What is Daddy's favorite food?
L-Cheerios
T-pizza
M-everything!
I-syrup
K-double fudge brownie cake with chocolate icing and chocolate mint ice cream on the side

What is Daddy's favorite book?
M-a running book
L-a running book
T-Bible
K-Bible
I-a 'going' book (???!)

What is Daddy's favorite team?
T-NY Giants
K-NY Giants
M-NY Yankees
I- Going (???!)
L-a football team

What is Daddy's favorite place to go on vacation?
M-Familyland
L-a running track
I-"Family-lamb"
K- Familyland
T-go see a NY Giants game

What is Daddy's favorite chore?
M-raking leaves
T-being good to God adn in charge of the house
K-cleaning out the gutters
L-sweeping
I-raking leaves

Happy Birthday honey! I love you so much! Thank you for doing all you do for our family. Thank you for working so hard for providing for us. Thank you for loving us with such tender and compassionate and forgiving love. Thank you for always having a willing heart to do what is right, no matter what. Thank you for always giving your best in all aspects of your life, esp. to us! We love you! We thank God for you. You continue each day to give us the best of you.

We hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

Love, your wife

The Run

Not sure why I did not ever post this-probably forgot with how our month of Sept. turned out.
Remember? Let's try to forget now! Anyway...

I aboslutely LOVE this pic-the Labor Day Race in 'our' nearest big city. The 4 runners in my family-my hubby ran the 20K-great time and beat his last years time. Nice job! My 4 'oldest' kids ran the kids' run-my 8, 7, 5 and even my 4 yr old.

My 4 year old on the right was soooo cute. Mind you, the rules were the child had to turn 4 by the race on Labor day and she did-only a few days prior! AND the 4 and 5 year old were getting over the chicken pox so they the crusted over little spots all over them. What a sight they were!

The race began and the kids all ran, tumbled over each other and then ran( heee heee)...but she did not budge. She just stood there with her Daddy next to her. Once all the kids were out of sight and around the corner, she looked up at Daddy and stated "Now, I am ready!"

A girl after my own heart-not one for competition!!! ;)...just like her Mommy. Definitely not like her Daddy with competition!

Being so unbelievaly cute and so very small!, the newspaper got a shot of her and it made the front page of the sports section! She was, officially, the 3rd from last. Once she began to run, though, she did not stop for the whole 1 mile run! We are so proud of her!

God bless,
Mary

Coffee or no coffee?

Should this bother me that my darling husband has sent this link to me from work?

Hum... I wonder what he is trying to tell me....!?!?!

Guess I won't be having that 2nd (or 3rd!) 'cup of joe' this morning. And it's Monday. That slow starting Monday. Man, I could use that cup of jolt. Right. About. Now!
Argh!- my hubby has got my conscience and I just can't. But nope. Not today.

Good thing he sent it to me after I drank one cup already! Ha!

God bless,
Mary

Oh how I love you!

After throwing my worries at my husband, he says to me:
"Mar, remember homeschooling is so much more about home than it is about school."
You are RIGHT!
Thank you for reminding me-I love you!
This song is for YOU!:


God bless,
Mary

My gift!

Oh yeah! My hubby could not wait 2 more days so he gave me his bday gift to me tonight! I love it! I will post about it later or tomorrow when I have more time!
Let's just say..."Camera 1, Camera 2"

God bless!
Mary

33 is coming-4 more days

My b-day is coming up and I am pretty excited about it! For some odd reason, I have been waiting for this special number b/c I know that something big will happen this year. Don't ask me how I know, it's just something that has been on my heart for a very very long time. Ya know how there are things in life that you wholeheartedly know and believe, those great inspirations from the Holy Spirit? This is one of them. I'm not sure if this big thing is good or bad but nonetheless it is big and I have no idea what it will be.

Oh how I LOVE surprises!

My hubby was thrilled to tell me early in the week that he has my present already! He said I will LOVE it and he wants to give it to me NOW but I told him to wait till my b-day-day. Of course I answered him to what it might be....let's see...a Nanny?!?!? A cruise!???!? A date with my him!??!! Self -washing and self-folding clothes??!! Oh, I know...it has to be the best coffee ever made-he signed me up for a year to get biweekly shipments...

I have no idea and I love not knowing and waiting to be surprised! :)

God bless,
Mary