I Don't Have Time To Be Sick!!!

I have WAY too much going on to waste any time being sick. Unfortunately, I have had no choice in the matter. I have basically been in bed since Saturday afternoon. I feel like I have been body-slammed. EVERYTHING hurts...muscles, joints, head, throat, sinuses, a cough that just won't stop, fevers and chills and some other not so pleasant stuff. I rarely get this sick, so I guess this is my once-per-every-2 year major bug. Ugh!!!

I have so much to do to get my family ready for our Disney World trip on Saturday. I had plans of spending most of this past weekend running errands and picking up some of the things I know we will be in need for our trip. I had it all worked out with Mike. I was going to leave on Sunday morning ALL ALONE and be really productive. Well, there was no way I was going anywhere on Sunday morning. I have spent the last 3 days crashed out in bed (a REAL sign of being sick). I have finally given in and decided that this illness needs a doctors visit. I have an appointment tomorrow (yes, mom I listened to you)! I better figure out what's wrong with me before I get on a plane and spend my vacation in a hotel bed!!

What complicates matter is that my kids are on SPRING BREAK!! Yes, lucky (sick) me has all 5 cherubs home looking for "entertainment"! Not only that but the fact that I have spent the last few days in bed...well, the house is trashed beyond recognition. The dishes didn't magically do themselves and somehow managed to multiply in my 'absence'. Oh and the LAUNDRY...don't get me started! The poor hubs has been trying to keep up but I think he is finding it a bit overwhelming (hmm, funny...don't cha think?) So, tomorrow I have a lot of work ahead of me (I am being optimistic that I will be feeling better).

I find it depressing to not even be ABLE to be sick without everything going south but I guess I just need to look at is as 'my family really does need me' and try to feel good about it- right? At least I can whine on my blog about it! Here's hoping everyone else is feeling well and having better days than me!!

Wordless Wednesday II...OH MY GOD EDITION!!!

I was never really that crazy about my glass-top patio table anyway!

Thanks Brendan!

(I was trying to come up with something somewhat witty to say about the situation, but I am a bit speechless at the moment. And besides, I need to go and sweep!)

Wordless Wednesday

Risky Business "Tom Cruise" style

circa 1983...

Risky Business "Andrew" style

2009...

Lock Down

It's not the first time, but it may be the last.
I've been waiting to throw open the windows and the doors and let the fresh air come in.
But not so fast.
I've got a couple of escape artists in the house, one who has absolutely no regard for his life or the heart or mind of his mother.
And another one who follows his big brother like a shadow.
They are two boys under the age of 3.
Which means they wait, stealthily, like a caged animals, for the perfect moment to make a mad dash for the door, left ajar by an unassuming, or just negligent, sibling (or parent???).
And then they run for their lives.
And I look like a fool.
I can tell you stories. And so can my neighbors.
Every one of my children have wandered out the door and scared the wit's out of me.
And it's not like I was locked in the bathroom giving myself a pedicure, or sitting on my butt watching General Hospital, or chatting endlessly on the telephone to an old friend while twirling my hair and gazing at the sky.
I was folding laundry, or making dinner, or maybe helping with homework.
Thinking the culprits were safely tucked away, playing blocks or trucks or legos.
Because I JUST left them, one second ago, doing exactly that.

Out of the mouth of my 3 1/2 yr. old babe..or rather, "SAY WHAT?"

Mom: (turning off a Little Einsteins show) "Come on, Andrew, let's pick up this puzzle and get ready to go pick up the big kids from school!"

Andrew, age 3: "What the Hell?!? I was watching that!"*


**I do not condone, or allow, my children to swear. In fact, the instant these words left Andrew's mouth, I sent him to his room. So he wouldn't see me laughing hysterically.

Proud to be Irish!

St. Patty's day has always been near and dear to my heart. I love being Irish. I do. I think that being Irish is just about the best thing that anyone could be (lol)!

But... because I married someone with a non-Irish last name, no one realizes that I am one of the Chosen people of God (lol). No one knows just how Irish I am. Actually, no one has ever really known how Irish I am because my maiden name wasn't that Irish either (although, depending on how it was misspelled, it could pass as Irish).

My mom had a great Irish last name and so did my Nana on my dad's side. I always wanted a really good Irish last name. You know, the kind that screams out "Hey, I am Irish and proud!!" Now I have Scottish last name (or Jewish in some areas). I am married to someone who is Scottish, English and IRISH (even though he and his family seem to deny anything but the Scottish part).

My children on the other hand are well aware of their Irish heritage. My family and I have taught them well (honestly, they know about their Scottish part too). But, I still want to make sure they know that they are more Irish than anything else (insert a wink and smile here)!

They are part of the Chosen Ones.

But TODAY... everyone is Irish. That is right, even my Scottish husband. So go out and have some green beer (I will be drinking regular beer thank you very much-only non Irish people drink green beer)!

Gotta run and get my corned beef and cabbage prepped for tonight's dinner! Photos of our day to come later.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

The Thing About Blogging-Part II

I wrote my thoughts about blogging awhile back. I guess I didn't say everything I needed to say because I have a couple more things on my mind in regards to the same subject...

It's about 8 months since I started this journal/writing outlet/scrapbook/communication venue. As I said before I've wavered between hitting the delete button vs. dreaming about it being a way to actually make some money. I've gone between spending an hour a week on the computer when I was just starting out, to wanting to log onto the computer every possible minute. I've thought about posts way too much, and I've been impatient with my life when I don't have the time to do the things I want to do.

In my life, with 5 children, I "pay" for every minute I spend doing something I "shouldn't" be doing. "Shouldn't" isn't the right word, but let's say it's anything that doesn't add to this house running properly and smoothly with little angst on every one's part. I'M IN CHARGE OF THAT whether I want to be or not. And I have high expectations for myself. And if I fail to meet them, I am the one experiencing the angst.

BUT, moms deserve their own time too, and whether you read a book, do your nails, or write, you should make time for yourself. RIGHT? (how come I feel so guilty then?)

I love blogging. But I liked it more when I didn't put expectations on myself to have to come up with something "good" to post about. Really, who am I kidding? This blog is for ME right?!

I like to write. I like to take pictures. I have certain opinions that I have a hard time keeping to myself. I want to remember things my kids have said that are funny, or special, or weird. I want to remember this time of my life. My blog is an outlet for me, and if anyone enjoys reading it, that's a bonus.

In this day and age, there are so many avenues of "memory keeping." My parents have a small collection of photographs and and some memorabilia. I have a little more. My kids will have TONS of photos of themselves (not scrap booked, but photos nonetheless,), video tapes (although not many...I am terrible with the video camera and Mike is even worse), favorite art-work, and this BLOG!

If you like my blog, I'm flattered. If you don't, no hard feelings. I don't "Follow" people, but I do check in on a few "blogger-friends" every couple of days. I might offend you or bore you, and you might think I'm a know-it-all, or bossy, or a prude or too "churchy". I am slightly judgemental of what I perceive is crappy parenting running rampant lately, and I'm not gushy over how much I love my husband. (I think gushy=convincing yourself of something you are not so sure of. I'm sure, therefore, no gush.) I am gushy over my adorable family and clean floors. I record those things that my kids can look back and laugh or cry about when I am long gone. Mostly I'm just writing whatever I think of that day.

So, thanks for reading. If you made it this far. Which you probably didn't. Which means I'm writing to no one. But myself. Which is kind of the whole plan anyways.

Bye.

You Know My Husband Out of Town When...

1. I eat whatever I can find in the fridge and feed the kids dreaded chicken nuggets just so I won't have to meal plan and wash pots and pans (and I am just fine with it).

2. I start getting the kids into the bath/shower at 7 pm and into bed at 8:00 just to have a little time to myself.

3. I start venting to Brendan (18mo.'s) about the little annoying things in my day.

4. I am actually "caught-up" on laundry and I don't have his sweaty gym clothes to deal with!

5. I wake up in the middle of the night (every night), sure I've heard someone downstairs, when I've have never-ever heard the noise when my husband is home.

6. I am running around like a crazy woman cleaning the entire house today, when it's usually spread out through the week.

7. The kids get to buy hot lunch at school (hey, if I don't have to wake up to make his lunch, I am giving myself a well deserved lunch-making break!).

8. I try to concentrate on the “Me Time” aspect of things. I can watch brainless TV in bed without disturbing a sleeping hubby. I can even drag my laptop into bed and be comfy as catch up on my blogging and e-mail.

9. I start wishing I had a business trip to ANYWHERE some days!

10. I actually start missing him and the help that I do get when he is around!

Love you hun! It's been a long week, but the kids and I are looking forward to you coming home tonight!

I have just begun a new book, The Shack, by William P. Young. It has come HIGHLY recommended by several of my friends. I will be reading it. I have been warned that it is a very deep book. From what I know about it, I will laugh, cry, and learn more about the love of God then I ever thought possible.

The Shack is a fictional tale, yet I am finding that it clearly intens to communicate theological truths. From what I understand, the book was written not merely to share a story, but to communicate a theology and impact the way the reader (of which there have been a million-plus) thinks about God, suffering, the Church, and a variety of other issues about faith.

I'll keep you posted on my progress...I hope!

Out of the Mouth of a 3 1/2 yr. old Babe...

The kids were real wound up last night.

I was tired, I admit.

Some days are filled with too much noise: screaming, fighting, playing, merry mess-making.

Jumping off couches. Pushing each other, kicking.

"Stop. Jumping. Now!!!" I yelled. "Pick up this mess!" Swat to the butt of Andrew who proceeded to pound on the wall with a light saber toy.

He stopped. He looked me in the eyes and said, "You don't act like a big person. You yell all the time and you hit like little people do."

I responded, childishly, "Whatever."

And then I went to my room for a timeout, shook my head in wonder at this laser precise observation made by Andrew. What a smart(y) kid.

7 Quick Takes Friday/Randon Thoughts from My Week

-1-

Mike and I just quit the gym that we have belonged to for the past 6 1/2 years. Ya know, it is just one of those expenses that we looked at and saw we were paying A LOT for each month. On our quest to "cut-back", regrettably we just had to do it!

So we are choosing to join a much more economically pleasing gym. This new place has no bells or whistles, but the price is right and in the end, it has "most" of the stuff we will use.

Until we officially "sign-up" for this new gym, I have purchased Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred! After Brendan was born, I rode the lose-the-baby-weight-with-breastfeeding train with a mixture of glee and probably just a little pride. Oh, the gless and the pride fell from that train and it came to a screeching halt. I have less than a month until we leave for our Florida vacation. Tick-tock!!

-2-

Do you all know we need to change the clocks this weekend? This really snuck up on me this year. I knew that they had changed the weekends that we would change the clocks but I didn't realize it would be this early. In the fall, we will change the clocks November

-3-

One thing I have decided to "do" for Lent this year is attend "Daily Mass" as often as I can. I went Wed, Thurs, Friday this week and I am so enjoying it (although it would even be better without Andrew and Brendan, but it is still good anyway, and I am modeling for them at the same time). I am finding that starting my day with Daily Mass anchors me and makes my day smoother somehow. I am thinking that Daily Mass may be a post-Lent keeper!

-4-

On a similar note, our family has also added a positive discipline. Our family has been gathering each night (as often as we can) for evening prayer and most specifically, saying the Rosary together. We have also taken some evening prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours. Quite honestly, I thought this would be a difficult family task...every night, etc...but it has truly been fruitful in many ways. The kids are learning so much and really participating! And we spend time in prayer as a family!

-5-

Driving home from Daily Mass today, Andrew say to me, "Mom, I want to be Jesus when I grow up!" (My thought..."Don't we all?!")

-6-

As I sit here and write this post, I looked out my kitchen window to find a flock of wild turkeys having their lunch off my backyard grass. Although we often see them around the neighborhood, we have never seen them in our yard. Pretty cool!

-7-

I will be spending the part of tomorrow with Matthew and Alexander at their 4th grade Reconciliation Retreat (Mike will be at a Cursillo Planning Meeting for their upcoming Men's Weekend). Although Matthew and Alexander both made their First Reconciliation in the 2nd grade, our parish Faith Formation program has the kids revisit the Sacrament when they are a little bit older. Our parish deals with reconciliation in such a positive light, and that really is a blessing.

The Sacrament of Penance is such a gift. However there is often an apprehension over it and I believe that it is learned. I feel kids pick up this feeling from from other people. especially from their parents. Parents are their children's first teachers in the faith, and they teach in many ways. I think parents avoid reconciliation for various reasons. Bad memories. Disbelief that it does any good. High stress. Laziness. Reasons they probably haven't even thought much about. My feelings over the past few years have been, if reconciliation isn't a big priority to me, how do I then convince my kids of it's importance? I have grown in my feelings toward the Sacrament and into a deeper appreciation of it. Reconciliation strives to achieve an inner peace, a sense of growth, a stronger community, and a balance to life. Not to bad!!

Keep Alexander and Matthew in your prayers tomorrow!

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND!

To Whom It May Concern:

Okay, I've made a concerted effort to not spend too much of my blog time complaining. I do realize that I have an imbalance of negative and positive entries (just like the imbalance of it in my life). So, to keep it real and not make all you dear readers think I am a fraud, bare with me while I whine a little bit...

To Whom It May Concern,

Yes, they are all mine. Thank you, I think they are beautiful, too. Yes, I have my hands full. Yes, I do have my helpers with me today, I'm so glad you noticed. Yes, I got my girl and I still had more. Yes, she will have lots of brothers to protect her. Thank you for the compliment on their behavior, it made my day, and it helps to reinforce their good behavior. Could you please stop staring and smiling at us now? It's freaking me out a little. Well, I don't think it's any business of your's, but no, we probably won't be having more. But you asking that way makes me want to. Out of spite. Don't think I wouldn't create life for spite. To be fair, it's only five children. Stop treating us like we're a freak show. I appreciate your kind words, and I'm sure you are proud of your grandchildren, but if you'll move your cart and excuse us please, I just want to grab my family-size frozen lasagna and get my brood the hell out of this store.

With gratitude,
Me

Wordless Wednesday

Pass the windex, please!

Congress was SO AWESOME!!

I am so fortunate to be part of such an amazing church community, rich in faith, fellowship and true dedication. I had the great privilege of spending the last four days in Los Angeles at the LA Religious Education Congress. Although I am physically and emotionally exhausted, I am overflowing with a desire to share how incredible the experience was for me.

Picture a three story convention center packed to the gills with 40,000 Catholics, enthusiastic about educating the future of our Catholic Church. Add vendors selling everything from Catholic bestsellers to priestly vestments. Throw in an agenda so packed with speakers and music that you’re not sure who to see first. This gives you a tiny peek into my world over the past few days.

It’s hard to explain or imagine seeing such a variety of priests, brothers, nuns and laity in one place. Everywhere you turned, you saw someone in a habit or a collar. The lines for confession rivaled the queue for the most popular rides across the street at Disneyland. In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration chapel, hundreds were knelt in the presence of Jesus and walked the labyrinth, but you could hear a pin drop.

The experiences of attending Congress has filled me with a sense of happiness, peace and great optimism about the future of our Church. Everyone who came to Congress (from all over the world) traveled there ultimately out of a desire to grow closer to God and to share Him with special people in their lives. Yes, there were wildly popular speakers and great music, but the desire to learn, grow and share the faith was at the center of the entire weekend.

So here I sit...back in the “real world” of laundry, carpools and homework. I will struggle to make time for prayer and try to recall Mark Hart’s words to truly feed myself with the scripture. Having had the time to truly focus on rekindling my faith has done me a world of good. I hope the memory of this trip and the seeds in me will continue to blossom and grow in my life and will be shared with my family and friends and church community.

I could share so much more, but for the sake of my own mental record, here are a few things that added to the wonder the weekend...the bus trip down and back, the laughter, the tears, the AMAZING celebration of mass everyday, the workshops, the new relationships that were formed, the music, the appreciation for the talented and deeply spiritual community I am a part of, the organization, the hospitality suite, the food and the happy hours (we are Catholic after all), seeing our priest celebrate mass with hundreds of other priests and waving across the arena to us, the "mystagogia" on the bus ride home (of which I was too mentally exhausted to verbally share in), and sooo much more.

Thank you Saints Peter and Paul for providing me with an amazing experience. Thank you Mom, Dad, and Mike for all your help and support while I was away! I am so blessed!