A Glimpse

Dear Mr. Smith,

Earlier today:

Me: Owen, go ahead and do your timed worksheet. You have five minutes to complete these problems. I'll start the timer, and we'll go over the lesson when you're finished. Ready? Go!

5:00, 4:59, 4:58....

Me: (sitting quietly, in my head) What should we have for dinner tonight? Tacos? We have lots of ground beef from when we bought into that cow...are we eating too much beef? I could use turkey...were my tacos good the last time? Can't remember if I used a recipe or just threw stuff together...I need to gather some new recipes, getting a bit bored with the same old.... and we might actually have a decent meal here and there now that the baby will sit in his high chair and let me cook once in a while, he's getting so big...should we put the crib up, or will his bassinet suffice a little longer? It's nice to keep the smaller of the two, it hardly takes up any room, although we actually have space for a crib for once...maybe I'll move that pink chair out of our bedroom...is it too pink for the living room?...I wonder where we'll put the Christmas tree in this new house. It would look nice in front of the big window, but I think it's more practical in the corner opposite the piano...the piano really needs to be tuned, I'll have to look up that number and call the guy...I wonder if painting it is a no-no. I'd really like to paint it -- green, is that too much? Although, if I'm going to paint anything, those shelves need to be painted and put up in the boys room, finally...we really have to get them to keep up on their room, it's a mess! I should get into the habit of sending them in there before dinner every night for a quick tidy, then it wouldn't get so bad....dinner! Tacos?...

3:21, 3:20, 3:19...

Welcome to my world, Honey.
It's like this all the time in here,
Mrs. Smith

Making History

Dear Mr. Smith,

This letter is to document an historic day in our lives.

A day for the books, a "Remember when...?" day.

This is the day we found out that nerf footballs are, indeed, flammable.

We know this because Isaac threw ours into the fireplace,
and we all watched it burn.

Write it down, and hope that history doesn't repeat itself.

Someday we'll laugh about these things...right?

The House is Still Standing, But Barely,
Mrs. Smith

The Feast of All Saints

Dear Mr. Smith,

We had a wonderful time celebrating the richness of our Faith today, with all our precious saints.

First, we read the story of St. Martha. We learned about how she was a fantastic baker and housekeeper, and very different from her sister Mary. Then we baked bread, in honor of St. Martha. We played "St. Simon Says" and talked about St. Sebastian. Once the bread was done baking, it was time for lunch. We read a poem about St. John Bread and Water, a little-known saint whose sacrifice for the Lord was to forgo all food and drink but bread and water, for his entire life. We ate our bread and drank our water, imagining how difficult that must have been for St. John. (Then we had a healthy dose of Halloween candy and everyone was better.)

We played games, like this one in honor of St. Nicholas:

We took turns trying to toss as many gold coins as we could into the "chimney".
(Thanks for the idea, Charlotte :o)!)

We made roses while learning about St. Therese, and then presented them to Mary, the Queen of all Saints, via a Saint Trivia game.

Can you spot the objects in the beans?

A sword for St. George, a clover for St. Patrick, and a St. Gerard medal, all *lost* in the beans, to be found with the help of St. Anthony.

"St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please come down, something is lost and can't be found!"

We read lots of saint stories, did some printable activities, and had a really great day overall. As you know (since you were here by then), we ended the day with a beautiful Litany of the Saints.

All you Holy Saints, pray for us!

In Christ, Through His Blessed Mother,

Your Wife,

Mrs. Smith

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Two-Year-Olds

Dear Mr. Smith,

Your son, Isaac, is really something. By "something", I mean a pistol, a firecracker, stinker. A mischief-making, mess-making, headache-inducing child.

So far today, he has:

• pulled half the items in the fridge out in an effort to reach the orange juice that he knew he wasn't supposed to have
• drawn with blue hi-liter all over our bedsheets, bed skirt, and himself
• drawn with yellow hi-liter all over the refrigerator and dining room walls
• pulled the curtains off the french doors numerous times
• squeezed a tube of ointment all over the dining room table
• assaulted Oliver on multiple occasions
• gone through the junk drawer looking for treasures three times
• found, unwrapped, and attempted to eat old Easter candy in the basement
• pulled said candy, as well as plastic eggs and other discarded items, out of the garbage where I put them

That's all I can think of right now, and it's not quite 4 pm yet, so I'll let you know the rest when you get home. Plus, he's way too quiet, better go check...

He's lucky God made him cute...

Clinging To My Sanity,
Mrs. Smith

A Chore

Dear Mr. Smith,

I don't think we should let Blake leave the house anymore. I just had to empty the dishwasher, all by myself.

Your Overworked Wife,
Mrs. Smith

The Babe

Dear Mr. Smith,

Sebastian had his 4 month check-up with the doc today. He's huge chunky hefty perfect, at 17 lbs. Grandma kept the big guys and sugared them up with cinnamon rolls for me.
All is well.

Your,
Mrs. Smith

Field Trip

Dear Mr. Smith,
Today we went to the zoo.
Don't worry, I know there are only four in this picture. The baby was strapped to me, and the, well, other baby, was in the stroller. I didn't lose anybody, promise. Although, you might think I had picked up a few extras when the docent in Amphibiville asked if we were a tour group. I smiled and said no. She reluctantly accepted that they were all mine... and then wanted to know if there was a "holiday from school". Once she seemed satisfied with my answer about being homeschooled and on a field trip, she quietly walked away.....then returned a few minutes later with a docent-friend and proceeded to point at us and whisper. Come to think of it, I probably should have asked them if there was a vacant habitat for us -- we could just hop in and let the rest of the world gawk and gasp... but I digress. Luckily by this time we met up with Mrs. K and the boys and we went on our merry way.

The zoo is decorated for the season. Some of the decorations are less than desirable. As in, so scary and demented that they have no business being where children can see them much less at a zoo. Others were fun though, like this giant pumpkin. Peyton and Oliver wanted me to make sure I got a picture of it "squishing" them.

Then came the polar bears. You know how we hardly ever get to see one swimming around the tunnel? Well this was a rare treat, he was standing right here when we got there, and then spent the next 20 minutes or so swimming back and forth for our entertainment. And then there was this:
I heard a little voice say, "Mommy, he's pooping!" Sure enough....bet we never see that again. (Is that gross that I took a picture of it? I think I'm becoming de-sensitized, being around all these boys all the time.) Sorry you missed it, honey.
Overall, it was a great trip- beautiful weather and good company. Oh, and now I know what to get our godson for his birthday...
(wink, wink, Mrs. K.) Let's just say, he almost took one home with him.

So, Mr. Smith, that's our day in a nutshell. I think I will hit the hay a little early tonight, because it is positively exhausting taking your children to the zoo. Thanks for working so hard so we can play.
With Love and Yawns,
Mrs. Smith

P.S. I have in my possession a red Netflix envelope. You know what it contains. Can't wait til you get home.

Dear Mr. Smith,

There are a million things I should be doing.
Even though we never stopped moving this weekend, and gave nearly constant effort to the cause of organizing our lovely home, it is still a catastrophe. But instead of putting away the folded laundry, finishing the dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher or dish drainer last night, or, hmmmm...seems like there's something else... oh yes, schooling our children, I am messing with my blog.

Do you know that this blog is really for you?

You see, we like you, a lot. But you work, a lot. This weekend I realized just how much you are away when you pointed out to me that Sebastian had rolled over.

Honey, he's been doing that for quite some time.

So in an effort to connect with you even when you aren't here, I am re-dedicating this spot to you.

I hope you enjoy your letters from home.

With Love,
Mrs. Smith

I Could Just Smack Him

I actually liked this guy. I hate it when someone I think is decent turns out not to be, it's very disappointing. I read his wife's book a few years ago and enjoyed it, as I hadn't realized they were a Catholic family. I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately these things usually turn out to be true.
Just another reason to avoid looking up to high profile people, I guess.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Blessings

There is something truly miraculous about homeschooling on a cool, rainy day in September. I think we'll have pancakes for lunch and bake some bread this afternoon. There is a peacefulness about us on these days that I hope to treasure in my memory forever.

Quote of the Day

On the way to soccer practice with Peyton and Sebastian, after dropping the rest of the family off at Owen's baseball game. The game we'd be returning to after soccer. All of which was after we shoveled our dinner down our throats and rushed out the door. Sebastian was fussing in his car seat the whole way:

Peyton: "Mama? I hope you have your nursing cover. You're going to need it."

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Hosted by Soulemama.

Two Months Old, Already

subtitled: How Could I Choose Just One?

August 16, 2009

A Year Ago Today... We went to a baseball game. We stayed a night with my sister and brother-in-law, and saw a minor league game for their town's team. That's not their town anymore. They've moved even further away, across the state. We're planning another game with them now, in another town, a whole new adventure.
A Year Ago Today... We lived in our "old-old house". In less than a year's time we've moved twice. The first move was not so pleasant, the second was a dream come true. It's been interesting hearing the kids distinguish between the houses... which old house? :o)

A Year Ago Today... The outfits in these photos fit the children wearing them. They now fit their next younger siblings. How time does fly.

A Year Ago Today... The baby who is sound asleep next to me was not even a whisper in my ear. He wouldn't be conceived until the following month, his presence unknown to us on earth until the night of our first move (to our old house ;o)). And now here he is, a whole little person, a part of our life. I couldn't have known what the coming year would bring. I probably wouldn't have believed it if I did.

This Minute

I was just thinking about posting here, wondering where to start, to begin again, after so much change with no documentation, and I read my profile blurb. ...and loving every minute of it! With enthusiasm. When did I write that? Really, every minute? In theory sure, I love my life. The ups and downs, the battles and rewards. But every minute? Not really.
This minute right now for instance, not loving this minute I'm in.
The kids are getting ready for bed. I can't tell you how many times I've said "now go brush your teeth" in the last 10 minutes. Should I even have to say that anymore? I mean, they do it every night. You might think they'd remember and just do it again. It's been a long day. Doors are slamming as I type. Repeatedly. Over and over. Open and close. I don't have the energy to see why. The baby is strapped to me in a sling carrier, finally sleeping after a fussy evening. I smell like spit-up. My hair is a mess. I have on the same clothes as yesterday because a shower wasn't in the cards today, and these stretchy pants and over sized shirt are some of the only things that fit this post-partum frame of mine.
Did I pray today? Not really. I probably started to several times. My brain is a jumbled mess of to-do lists and unfinished thoughts, and somehow prayer, real prayer, has been relegated to a "when I have the time" status. I realize the danger of this, but haven't figured out a way to fix it. I teeter between exhaustion and elation, contentedness and overwhelmedness, sometimes hourly it seems. I live one day at a time, hour by hour, minute by minute, at times just surviving. At the end of the day I can look back and count successes, but many failures. I try not to succumb to guilt over the failures. Tomorrow is a new day.
Do I love my life? Of course. Just maybe not every minute of it.

A Baptism and a Birthday

In the Name of the Father...
And of the Son...
And of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blake is 11 today. He's the awkward one in this picture. Oh wait... that could be any of them. He's the one on the left, enjoying a birthday ball game with his best-friend-since-they-were-four and some brothers, and several thousand other people.

Sebastian was baptized on Blake's birthday, wearing the same white garment, 11 years later. We are so blessed.

Oh Sweet, Sweet Sleep...

...how I miss you.

adjusting

this is what it looks like when i type now.
i use one finger. and it takes forever.
the problem is, i cant put this baby down.
i mean, i could.
but i don't want to.
lots of exciting things to write about though.
so i'll be back soon.
two handed.
maybe.