Home Messy Home

My house is a mess.

It's usually a mess but right now it's messier than normal because my kids are home on summer vacation and they are incapable of putting anything away or doing tidying of any kind (and because we just returned from our camping trip).

I miss the days when I sent some of my kidlets off to school, cleaned up the house and then the house STAYED tidy until they came home.

During the school year I have six hours or so of a tidy okay, tidier house.

I miss that.

If it wasn't for the hectic mornings, the homework and the crazy schedules, I might actually be wishing that school started again soon.

Sigh.

Family Ministry Camping-Scotts Flat Lake

We have just returned from our first (annual) Saints Peter & Paul Family Ministry camping trip. Wow, what a blast and what a blessing to be around such wonderful and fun families. It was so much more than I expected! 8 families...15 adults and a whole lot of kids ranging in age almost 2 to 16!

Camping is a LOT of work with five kids, to include a not quite 2 year old. But you know what? It was worth every bit or planning, packing, unpacking, dirt, moments of relaxation, sound of laughter, swims in the lake and evening campfires. We survived the disappointment of no fish caught, bugs that bugged us, and a few minor bumps and bruises. I only had a couple of heart attacks when I let my mind envision one of the kids as the little girl "Missy" in the book "The Shack". The highlights of the camping trip were; hanging out at the lake, kayaking, taking the rafts out, having a BEAR approach our campsite during dinner, riding bikes around the loop, learning new card games, hanging out with good friends and making new ones too, singing, skits, marshmellows and SMORES warmed over the campfire! (just to name a few).

Our whole camping trip consisted of the kids saying "Next year we should do.......oh, and we can ....oh, we can't forget to......We should absolutely do this next year!" Our trip was rounded out with the blessing of being with dear friends and the opportunity to get to know other families better. All the kids were just so delighted to hang out together (most of the time) with church friends that felt more like family for our camping adventure. At the conclusion of the weekend we all agreed that our Family Ministry camping trip would become an annual event! I guess that means it was a success!

But now it is back to reality: piles of laundry, unpacking, a dirty, neglected house and yard and trying to get ready for a visit from my MIL. I would love to post some great pictures, BUT, my camera fell off the picnic table and decided to not work for most of the weekend. BUMMER! I will be at the mercy of some of my friends to send me some shots of the good times had. Here are a few that I had a chance to take...

My favorite picture of all...Brendan, Andrew and Mikey Payan

Catherine getting a little "Jen P.-time"(she is much nicer than I am)

Andrew helping out with the campfire music

I was having a good time...not sure about Mike (at this moment)

Some of the kids hanging out in Alexander & Matthew's tent

Sara Wharton teaching the kids some new card games!

More pictures to come..so check back (if your interested!)

Roughing It--Going Camping

I am so excited to get away for a few days, well, actually 4 nights! Yay! We are going camping with some friends from our Family Ministry church group . There will be 17 adults and 27 children. This will be our first camping trip together as a large group. I am packing up and we hope to leave when Mike gets home from work this afternoon.

I am looking forward to putting my feet up and relaxing as much as possible. Who am I kidding? With a 3 1/2 year old and almost 2 year (not to mention the 3 older ones), "relaxation" is not a word found in my vocabulary, I am sure my relaxation will be cut very short to run after Brendan or help Andrew out. I will be happiest if we can just have a whole lot of fun. I am hoping my kids forgot to pack their whines and their cries to save room for lots of laughter and good times.

Yes, camping is a lot of work! There will be lots of kids and probably lots of heat. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that it will be lots of fun with family and friends. As long as I can squeeze in a little down time sitting in a lounge chair, margarita in hand, completely forgetting about life back home...school starting soon, visitors arriving soon, incomplete house projects, money worries, much needed revised eating and exercise program (just to name a few), then life will be good. Building new friendships, nurturing old ones and building lasting memories--can't wait!!

I’ll be taking lots of pictures, so I’m sure I’ll be posting them after we get back and are settled in.

The word of the day...balance!

At mass yesterday, I was very much touched by the homily given by our priest (Fr. Glenn). It was so MEANINGFUL. It really spoke to me about the way I have been feeling lately. He talked about people who are on the go ALL THE TIME. For so many families today, that includes ours too. We want to include God and prayer in our days, but we occupy our time with so much, that finding that balance is so hard. There are also those who spend so much time in prayer that living out their faith is next to impossible.

It's all about finding that balance. For me it has been one of the most difficult things that I struggle with ... especially these last few years. I'm always feeling guilty about something ... not spending enough time with individual children, not listening enough, not doing enough of what I think I should be doing. Stretched, mentally exhausted, spread thin, overwhelmed ... great words to describe how I feel most days.

I love moments that I feel enlightened. Lately though, I must admit to having that experience quite often. It's just that I don't really take the time to ACT on those moments of clarity.

Life is busy.
Life can be chaotic.
Life IS wonderful.

Time to take action and really ponder how I want to live my days!

"Be the change you want to see in the world"
-Gandhi

7 Quick Takes from my week...Saturday Edition

-1-
I have been thrilled to be getting some great veggies and herbs from our garden lately! We have had great success this year with cucumbers, yellow squash, green peppers, eggplant and basil. I can't wait for the tomatoes to ripen! YUMMY!! There is something that feels so amazing about just stepping into the backyard and coming back in the house with food!

-2-
THE KITCHEN IS CLOSED!! I am of the opinion that three meals and two snacks is enough. I've begun announcing "kitchen's closed" when I receive food requests in between these times. When is school starting? I think the daily $3 school lunch fee is cheaper than having 5 hungry kids at home all summer.

-3-
We've entered a not so pretty stage of parenting, and it’s not an especially helpful or cute phase that you want to blog about. Kinda like Jerry Springer, minus the flying hair extensions and f-bombs. It’s the incessant fighting and I don’t like it one bit. I’m just not sure how to handle it without losing my own temper. Lately Catherine and the big boys can’t be around each other for more than 30 minutes without a “GIVE ME THAT!” or “THAT’S MINE!”

-4-
When I left my job (waiting tables for 5 years before Brendan's birth) to stay at home full-time (including evenings) one of my biggest concerns was finances. It has been a struggle for me to stay home, but with some adjustments to our spending and our budget, we have been making it work (kind of). But still, I want to feel like I am contributing financially. Also, I don't want to feel sick to my stomach every time I spend (or want to spend money on something) that is not absolutely "needed". Hmmmm??? What can I do to make money, stay at home and feel intellectually challenged??

-5-
I love Summer, but lately the hot weather has been bringing me down! I really enjoy the warm weather (especially the warm evenings when the kids play outside and swim well into dark). But, it has been so hot this past week, I mean HOT! I am already finding myself thinking about the pumpkin patch and cooler weather, and maybe even some rain. Is it just me, or is anyone else already looking forward to the Fall?

-6-
Being honest, I have been struggling with my weight over the past 6-9 months. I am not sure what it is all about (other than AGE) because I have been careful, healthy and all that good stuff. To put it all into perspective, my almost 4 year old looked at me today and said “Mommy, what’s in your tummy? Are you having another baby?" (btw-NO I am not!)
I told him that that was not very nice and he went on to say that maybe I have been eating too much junk food.
“Mommy, you need to eat more broccoli!”
Ok, kid, broccoli it is!
Ahhhh, the joys of motherhood !!!!

-7-
We bought a new kitchen table and chair set this week. Well, it's not so new, more like USED. We got it from my favorite place...CRAIGSLIST!! We had been in great need of a new kitchen table and chair set for quite sometime. With money issues as they are, I wasn't even looking. However, during one of my random Craigslist searches, I found this "different" but "interesting" looking dining set. It was a round table with 6 chairs (yes, we need 7 but our nook is not big enough). I always thought a round table would look good. Mike wasn't crazy about it at first (from the on line photos), but the price was right. Once it was all set up in our kitchen..he LOVED it! I was so pleased..a new table and chairs and a BARGAIN too!

Have a great weekend!

An Open Letter to Pottery Barn

Dear Pottery Barn-

Why must you always disrupt my life and home? I see you in the mailbox and I know I should toss you straight into the trash but I can't resist just one little peek. How can you make someone who loved their house one minute ago, decide they desperately need a change? I love your ideas, but can't keep up with them. As soon as I copy something, you come out with a new look and I feel the need to start all over. Do you really think I have time to paint my walls one color in spring, then another in summer, fall, winter? Where would I keep those extra sets of furniture? Flowered summery slipcovers one month, and cozy Christmas prints the next? Really?

Your Kids Rooms are so frustrating to me. Because I love them. And I want to copy them. But that would mean making my kids never sleep in their beds or play in their rooms. Unless they have cute outfits on and only play with wooden toys. No Legos. Or stuffed animals.

You have turned me into a lunatic at times. You have made me feel like I "need" things that I really don't. A back yard patio with enough seating for 40. A dining set with accessories befitting a sophisticated cocktail party. A playroom with craft tables. You make it look like everyone has these but me. You are a master of marketing. However, I think you could serve your target customers of MOTHERS much better if you would be a bit more REAL. At the same time, you have led me to inspiration. I have copied your some of your ideas. Your picture walls are so creative. I have found furniture you charge big money for, much cheaper at a not so overpriced store like yours. But finally, I must decline your (it seems monthly?) invitation to leer at your glossy pages. I am officially breaking up with you. And it feels good. I might decide to go with a younger, hipper look, but it won't be because of you, just in spite of you. The turmoil created in my little soul is not worth it. I am truly happy (for now) with my sweet little abode and don't need the temptation you profit on.

Love Always,

ME

Moose Camp - 2009

What can I say?
Moose Camp (Burney Falls, CA)
GREAT TIMES, GREAT FRIENDS, GREAT MEMORIES!!
4 days of good ol' fun.
Didn't want to come home.
Can't wait until next year!!

(Thanks Sara and Jeff for inviting us! Eily and Dave, so great to see you and catch up!)

Quote of the trip to not be forgotten soon...
"NO BABY!"

4th of July Weekend Recap

We had a GREAT 4th of July weekend. However, it was not full of the typical swimming, BBQ and fireworks. WHY?


Well, we spent the weekend in Carmel with my mom and dad. The weather was COLD compared to what we have been used to during our warm Sacramento summers (60's) and fireworks are illegal in Carmel/Monterey. In addition, the usual Monterey Bay fireworks show over the bay was cancelled this year as well.


We did however attend the very festive July 4th parade in downtown Monterey. In fact, the kids actually got to be in the parade. You see, my mom is a member of the Monterey Bay Woman's Republican Club and this group had a float in the parade. My mom was planning on walking and asked me if the kids would like to join her. I wasn't sure they would be up for it (especially Mr. Cool 1 and Mr. Cool 2), but to my surprise the ALL wanted to participate.


So off my mom went with all 5 kids to locate her group and line up. My dad, Mike and I found a nice spot along the parade route set up our chairs. We watched as many different groups, performers and local merchants passed us by. It was very organized, well attended and festive. The highlight of the parade was most definitely when the float passed by with my my kids on it. I caught a glimpse of them approaching and got my camera ready. As they got closer I could hear them yelling/chanting something. THIS WAS SO HILARIOUS.....


Picture this...A bunch of "older woman" (as Alexander said, "no offense Nana"), walking along side the the Woman's Republican Club Float. My kids on the float (the only kids mind you), waving flags and chanting in VERY loud voices..."FREEDOM ISN'T FREE...FREEDOM ISN'T FREE...WE'VE GOT TO SACRIFICE...WE'VE GOT TO SACRIFICE....CONSERVATIVES UNITE...CONSERVATIVES UNITE". Honestly, I was laughing so hard I could barely take any pictures. In fact, I am still laughing about it as I type this. Oh, had I only had my video camera! Politics aside..it was HILARIOUS!!!






In addition to the parade, our weekend was filled with some bike riding, walks along the path near Lover's Point, Dennis the Menace Park, shopping, good food and great times with Nana and Pop (just wish you had been feeling better dad). And the kids didn't even miss the fireworks!!

Here are a few more highlights...

Hope you had an enjoyable July 4th!

Excuse Me, no time to blog. The kids are on summer break!

I know it has been a while since my last blog post. So far, our summer has been very busy and very fun!! BUT, with all five children home I find our mornings go by very quickly. They play and bicker. Eat and then eat some more. Sometimes they play so well together and I really enjoy watching them share happily. In the midst of all of this I am trying to be diligent with my workout routine (dvd workouts are all I can squeeze in), but most days I would really like to skip it, and usually do. My morning routine is interrupted with lots of, "Momma he's/she's touching me / pushing me / hitting me / sitting in my chair / not sharing the computer /it's my turn...." Need I go on?

By the time I shower, which is a must since we need to get out every day and I prefer not to look my age, it's lunchtime and then we are out the door. We come home and Brendan goes down for a nap, and I do the zip and dash around the house trying to get things in order and clean and then it is dinnertime.

I don't think I am heading to a blogging funk, but perhaps. I just need to focus on my children this summer. Plain and simple. And because I want our family to enjoy every minute of our summer's free time. If I don't get around to my blog it's because I just have things preoccupying my mind. Nothing major or urgent, but just, well, things. Life.

We had a wonderful July 4th weekend. Spent the weekend with my parents in Carmel. I have lots of great pictures which I will share here soon. For now, gotta run..someone is hungry AGAIN!!