Opening Day

The boys were excited that our local team's home opener was going to be a 1:00pm televised game. I decided to run out a pick up a few things for a special "ballpark" lunch.Root beer, nachos, cracker jacks, and, of course, hotdogs.
The National Anthem
Go Team!

A Love Letter

Dear Mr. Smith,
Even though we are grown-ups,
and not in 7th grade anymore,
I still think,
you're pretty hot,
when you play hockey.
Your Devoted Wife,
Mrs. Smith

A four-year-old's version...

...of closing up the chips and putting them away.

Daybook: April 6, 2010

Outside my window... it's a bit gloomy today, but in a spring break kind of way. The windows are open and it smells like rain. We had errands and appointments this morning, and the cool wetness outside makes me feel alright about the boys watching a movie and relaxing right now.

I am listening to... said movie. It's actually pretty cute, if you can get past the chipmunk voices.

I am wearing... my favorite maternity jeans and a black v-neck short sleeved top. I used to be able to wear this shirt in my ninth month, but it's fitting pretty snugly right now. And only 9 weeks to go :o).

I am thinking... that I could use a nap.

I am looking forward to... spring sports. The boys are all getting so excited. Peyton has his first soccer practice tonight. Owen has been practicing his baseball in the yard with Mr. Smith, we're still waiting to hear from his coach. We're contemplating a hockey class that we just heard about. Then there's kickball in the park on Saturdays with our homeschool group.

I am thankful... for passing milestones. The appointment we had this morning was not a pleasant one, but it's over, we survived, and I'm so relieved. Moving on.

I am praying... the Divine Mercy Novena. Have I ever mentioned how much I love our Faith?

I am creating... that knitted yellow baby blanket, still. I've been pulling it out every night and have actually made some progress on it. It helps to picture our new little bundle wrapped up in it, there's no motivation quite like that :o).

I am going... to finish up my guest list and register for our baby shower THIS WEEK. It's less than 6 weeks away already. Did I mention that my BIL and SIL are throwing us a shower? So excited about that.

One of my favorite things... being pregnant. Good thing, huh?

Around the house... things are starting to look better. The nesting tendency helps. Mr. Smith brought down the boys' summer clothes, now I just need to get them sorted and into drawers.

From the kitchen... needing some inspiration in this department. Time to get out the recipe box and play around with the menu.

From the school room... we'll start the plans for The Good Shepherd's Garden Parties that these awesome ladies came up with. I love the food ideas, and celebrating once a week is simply genius, as anything that has to be everyday never goes quite as planned over here.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
-piano lessons

-visit from Grandma
-register for the shower

-get back into a school routine (Thursday?)

-first week of The Good Shepherd's Garden Party

-go see Mr. Smith play hockey

-confession on Saturday

-complete Divine Mercy Novena


A picture thought to share...

Our St. Joseph Altar - March 19th, 2010

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries.

Please forgive me...

...if you saw me bathing in the holy water and dancing to the alleluias today. I couldn't help myself :o).
God bless your Easter season!

A Step in the Right Direction

Guess which little man has been babbling all day, saying "mama mama mama" every time I come near him?
Music to this Mama's ears.

Daybook: March 30th, 2010

Outside my window... it's still chilly, but it's supposed to be almost 60 by this afternoon. Then it just gets better and better all week. By Friday-- 80 --I can't wait.

I am listening to... the boys working on their economics lesson. Alright, alright, they're playing monopoly. Same thing.

I am wearing... I'm almost embarrassed to say that I'm wearing the exact same thing as last week. What can I say? It's Tuesday again, a day for staying home, catching up, and housework. It's a comfortable outfit.

I am thinking... about that housework. So far this morning I've done a good job of avoiding it. I plan to immerse myself in dishes and laundry when Isaac goes down for his nap.

I am looking forward to... Easter. I appreciate Lent for what it is, and am so grateful for our Liturgical year. We need these times in the desert in order to appreciate the Alleluias. Still, I'm ready for Easter. New beginnings and fresh starts.

I am thankful... for Mr. Smith. I've bitten off way more than I can chew lately and he's picked up my slack without complaining. Let me tell you, he makes a mean batch of banana pancakes (that was dinner last night).

I am praying... for Isaac. At 21.5 months he still isn't speaking. Not a single word. His doctor is concerned, and ordered an evaluation for speech delay. They do this at 2 years, so we have a few months of praying for improvement ahead of us.

I am creating... a baby. Truly exhausting work.

I am going... to get to work finalizing our Holy Week plans. I have a pretty good idea of what we're doing already, but I only want to make one more trip to the store before Easter. So I need a good solid list before I go.

One of my favorite things... is being involved in things at church. When I was a kid I never felt like I was a part of the community, I guess because we didn't attend with any regularity. It would never have occurred to me that you could have a conversation with a priest. It is so different for my kids and I am so happy about that. On Friday, Blake and I will be part of the women and children at the eighth station during the living Stations of the Cross. It's a really beautiful production and I'm glad we were asked to be a part of it.

Around the house... hmmmm. Well, it's not pretty, but I refuse to reference housework any more in this post.

From the kitchen... Tonight- chicken and broccoli stir fry. Then lots of special foods for Holy Week. I'll try to post as we celebrate.

From the school room... just the basics right now. We have a few lap books that we need to wrap up, but we've been taking it easy for awhile. We'll have to get back on track after Easter.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
-homeschool gym
-piano lessons
-finish the school room makeover
-COFFEE OUT WITH A DEAR FRIEND (special attention completely necessary on this one)
-Holy Thursday Mass
-Stations of the Cross
-finish Easter shopping
-Easter Sunday celebration

A picture thought to share...

before:

after:
Baby's first haircut. :o(

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more daybook entries.

If you blog it, they will solve it.

It was 4:00 this morning. The thing was beeping. I was squeezing my eyes shut, hoping to get back to sleep and forget I had been disturbed.
That's when Mr. Smith went barrelling out to the living room (in his unmentionables), determined to put an end to it. Straight to the toy box (I was right). He picked up a hand-held electronic sudoku game. A game I had held in my very own hand just hours earlier, an offering of busyness to a fidgety 21-month-old. He pressed a button. The beeping stopped.
Never in a million years would I have thought that that game would have an alarm on it. Why would you need an alarm? To remind you to play your daily sudoku?
Mystery solved.

The Mystery of the 4:00am Alarm

There's something in my house. It's an alarm. Or a watch, or toy, clock, stopwatch, or electronic device of some sort.
For approximately one week it has been going off in the vicinity of 4:00am. The vicinity of it's location, however, is completely unknown. Mr. Smith was certain it was under the couch, but a thorough search yesterday evening proved otherwise. I thought (and still think) that it's in the toy box or surrounding area, but we haven't been able to pinpoint it.
The problem is that at four o'clock in the morning we are all too asleep to track it down. It beeps for about a minute and then stops, and I go back to sleep, vowing once again that today is the day I will figure it out.
I thought I had it-- this morning I determined, in my half-asleep state, that it was the same beeping sound my kitchen timer makes. The boys assure me that there is no way to set that timer to go off at daily intervals. I concede.
There's no telling how long this could go on.

Daybook: March 23rd, 2010

Outside my window... after last night's cold rain, it promises to be warm and sunny today. I can just see the sun trying to peek through the clouds.

I am listening to... children talking about spring. We've got the fever over here.

I am wearing... black yoga pants, berry-colored maternity top. Mr. Smith got me a gift card for Christmas and I walked out of the store with this top in four different colors. It's comfy and perfect for everyday, I just rotate my way through the colors. Does that make me really practical, or lame and boring?

I am thinking... that the snowflake cut-outs on the windows in front of me need to go. Maybe we'll do some butterflies today.

I am looking forward to... warm days. We have an enclosed porch on this tiny house, and being able to leave the front door open feels like it doubles our living space. The boys go out there to build legos or play board games or marbles. It's been too cold, but the day is coming soon, very soon.

I am thankful... for healthy pregnancies. It's hard enough without complications. I've been feeling so good lately I can't help but be thankful that I've been blessed with fertility and health.

I am praying... for so many, but right now, for us. That God's will is clear, that He leads us where He wants us to be. For secure and fulfilling employment for Mr. Smith.

I am creating... a baby blanket. It's a simple, knitted, yellow blanket, and I'm about halfway through. Oh, and I started it when I was pregnant with James :o). Hoping to finish it before this little guy comes.

I am going... to a store. Sigh. The sleeves on Blake's spring jacket hit his arms somewhere between the elbows and the wrists. He's also outgrown all of his underwear and socks. Mr. Smith and I are noticing that suddenly there seems to be another adult in the house, in lots of ways. Sigh.

One of my favorite things... organic coffee.

Around the house... we've been here almost six months. It's time to finish up a few things. I spent Saturday sewing curtains for the porch. I need to turn the white cloth that's draped on the window above my kitchen sink into a proper curtain. And there's really no excuse for the three boxes of books and odds and ends still sitting here.

From the kitchen... still preparing every. single. thing. that this family of seven puts into their mouths. Giving up fast food and carry-out of any kind for Lent has proven more difficult than I had anticipated. 12 days to go. (note to Mr. Smith- No need to comment on the fact that I do not actually make your lunch for you. And yes, you made dinner for me on Saturday, thank you.)

From the school room... oh boy, the school room. Yikes. After a few crazy weeks of lots of appointments, group activities, out of state traveling, feast days, and more, we're really playing catch up. We need a total overhaul of the books and learning supplies, and a fresh outlook for our last two months of schooling.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

-homeschool gym

-piano lessons

-school room makeover

-first walk to the park for the season

-trip to Target

-well visit check-ups for two boys

-homeschool group moms' meeting

A picture thought to share...
I got nothin'. Maybe I'll get Blake to pull the vacation photos off of his camera.

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more daybook entries.

Quick Question

Does an eggplant really weigh 25 lbs.?

Huh.

I never knew that.

A Birthday Letter

Dear Peyton, You are a joy.
Your smile lights up the room. And warms my heart.
Your silliness is contagious.

Thank you for being a goofball.
Thank you for making us laugh.

Thank you for being you.

God bless you.

On your 6th birthday, and always.

Love,

Mom

You might be the mom of many small children if...

...you find yourself being excited that you get to go to the grocery store by yourself.

That was me today. I told Mr. Smith last night that I absolutely had to go today, and he said, "Don't take all the kids, just wait for me to get home and you can go by yourself." Isn't he dreamy?
So when he got home I put on my best pair of maternity jeans, pulled my hair back extra special-like and walked out the door with my list.
When I turned the key in my van...
it made a really yucky noise.
I called Mr. Smith from the driveway. He barely glanced at the van and said, "Your battery's dead." He was a mechanic for about 3 days a lifetime ago, you know. So just like that he diagnosed the problem. Again, dreamy. I know.
He's out there right now replacing it for me.

Did I mention I was counting on bringing dinner home from the store? We have nothing in the house. The kids are passing the time with graham crackers at this very moment.

Where do they learn these things?

With the anniversary of Roe v. Wade last Friday, I was talking to the older boys about the evils of abortion, and why we needed to say extra prayers that day. I reminded them that as horrible as it is, it is still legal in this country.
Blake asked if it is legal in other countries as well.
Before I could answer, Owen chimed in with,
"I'm sure in China, they get everything wrong."

A Wake-up Call

Owen will be making his First Communion this April. As part of the preparation, there was a meeting for parents at the church last night. We had a speaker, a woman I've known and respected for quite some time. I've heard from others over the years that not everyone shares my opinion of her. She's very well-educated, both at a secular level and in the faith, and she speaks the truth. I think she makes people uncomfortable (sometimes the truth is hard to swallow). She talked to us about the importance of bringing our children to Jesus. Taking them to Mass, receiving the Eucharist often and with reverence. I was soaking it up. Sometimes I need the obvious re-stated for me to keep me on track and aware of the big picture, and this was one of those times.
They had given us a half sheet of paper with a few questions on it, things like "what does your faith mean to you?" and "how can you help your children develop a strong relationship with Jesus?". At one point she asked us to discuss one of the questions within the groups at our tables.
I turned to the four other parents at my table, expecting to discuss the generic answers that are typical of this sort of situation. Instead, the woman across from me said, "This is so unwelcoming, this whole atmosphere. It just seems so heavy-handed and unwelcoming. I would not feel comfortable bringing someone who isn't Catholic to this." She proceeded to say that she doesn't need to be lectured about coming to Mass, and that she doesn't "buy" that Jesus would have a problem with us missing Mass because we're busy.
You could have scraped me off the floor with a spatula.
Over the next several minutes the others at the table chimed in with thoughts on how the Church in general has always had a problem with making people feel welcome, how the non-denominational churches do a much better job of that, how the readings at Mass are "fine, but they're old", and how they have a hard time relating to the priests' homilies and often "check out" during Mass.
I made a few all-too-feeble attempts to refute what they were saying. I could kick myself now for not saying more, but I was just so shocked. It was one of those moments when I can feel my face getting hot and my mind racing, but it doesn't result in immediate, coherent action from my mouth.
One of the things I did manage to get out was that these ladies who coordinate the religious education of our children and plan group sacraments have their work cut out for them. They have to figure out how best to communicate with and relate to a huge group of parents who are at all different levels of practicing their faith. They are keenly aware of the fact that every year there are children who make their First Communion, and then don't see the inside of the church again until Christmas, if even then. They have to cater to the lowest common denominator, they have to try to get through to these people who are clearly missing the point, missing the boat, and taking their children with them.
I don't think they heard me.
Aside from the pettiness of hijacking what should have been a positive moment for the sake of airing their own issues of disgruntlement, the bitterness of the message just resonates with me, even this morning.
If we are causing battles and waging war within our own community, how can we come together, or even survive, in this world that is already against us? How can we be sure our children will "get it" when they're surrounded by families who make up their own rules and practice a faith of convenience rather than doctrine? And these are people who are paying to send their children to a Catholic school, I would have expected more from them.
I left there feeling disappointed and dejected. It was a real eye-opening experience for me though, and certainly reinforces that we are making the right decision by homeschooling our children in the Faith. We have to, we must give them the best possible start at a life of faithfulness. Their eternal lives depend on it.

Simplify

I've caught a theme lately, within the blogs that I read regularly, of these good women choosing a word for 2010. A single word, a theme for the year, or motto, if you will. It didn't occur to me to choose my own, until today.

This is the scene in my living room right now: The boys asked if they could have some ice cream while they watch a cartoon. They scooped their own ice cream, and set up their "theater". They didn't ask if a friend could come over and join them. They didn't complain about store brand ice cream. They couldn't be happier, and they haven't even left our little home.

When I went to upload that photo, I found this one on the camera:
I have no idea who took it and when. Clearly, they are watching tv again. (What can I say? We have a tv and we use it. It's winter.) What caught my attention is Isaac, the baby. He doesn't sit still for more than 30 seconds at any given time in the day. Yet in these two pictures, he's lounging comfortably and contentedly. Notice that I'm nowhere in sight? It's his brothers that he chooses to chill out with. And it doesn't look to me like Peyton minds.

Then there's this one:

This is a daily occurrence. Isaac thinks that Blake is the third parent in this house. If he gets hurt, and Blake is closer than I am, he doesn't hesitate to run to him instead of me. He also firmly believes that Blake's lap belongs to him and him alone, and is available whenever he needs it. Does it look like his big brother is just itching to get rid of him? Nope. He eats it up.

These boys are happy. They don't need STUFF. I don't need STUFF. We have eachother, a roof over our heads, food to eat, and our faith to turn to.

What more could I possibly ask for?

I don't need to be over-scheduled 7 days a week to make sure we're all enjoying life.

My kids might think they want a Nintendo DS, but they don't need one. They'll survive without it. They're going to receive the most precious, and yet most simple gift of all this summer. Another brother.

So that's what I'm going to concentrate on in 2010.

Weed out the STUFF.

Simple pleasures.
Simplify.

Ooops!

Well, what do you expect? 24 was on!! It's hard to remember to post when you're engaged in the best network television show ever created
Do you watch this show? You should.
It is intense though. In fact, I stopped watching for a few seasons when Mr. Smith was in school at night. I couldn't do it on my own.
But now he's home, and he just reminds me to look away when it appears they're about to cut someone's fingers off. Or something like that.
C'mon, these are bad people, they don't deserve fingers! And they really don't need them once Jack is done with them.
Monday is moving higher (from dead last) on my list of favorite days of the week.

Growing Up

Peyton finished his first chapter book today, two weeks before his 6th birthday. He was so excited and proud! We are now the proud parents of three voracious readers.

It's a...

BOY!

A Post A Day

I need to decide if I'm keeping this blog, or abandoning it altogether. I don't like blogs that aren't posted at, often. If I click on a new blog and see that the writer only posts a couple of times a month, I'm not interested. I don't want to keep a blog that falls under that category.
So, I'm going to try something. For the next month, I will post EVERY SINGLE DAY. Do you think I can do it? Might there be a post or two that consist of one sentence at bedtime, just to get a post in? Sure. I'm still going to do it. And if I don't...well I just may give up.
My ultrasound is today! If this little peanut cooperates, we'll know by dinner if the blues are coming out of storage or if the pinks are going to try to find a place in our world of boy.
Two funny things:
1. After months of saying that we have enough boys and he wants a girl, Owen said last night that he hopes it's a boy. I asked why he changed his mind, and he whispered to me, "I didn't, but usually things happen the opposite for me, so I'm going to say it this way."
2. I heard Peyton say to his friend a couple of days ago, "We already know it's a girl, cause we got enough boys already", in the most matter-of-fact way. When I questioned him on it, he just shrugged his shoulders. I think when you're 5, and you work something out in your head that makes sense, it just becomes reality.
Either way, we'll all be thrilled. You can't go wrong with a new baby.

It's past my bedtime, but I'm still up, because...

...I have a lot to do before tomorrow. I've got energy left to do it though, because...

...my sweet husband came home from a 12 hour work day and let me walk right past him, out the door to dinner with a dear friend. Our visit left me bubbling with energy, because...

...there's nothing like a good long conversation with someone you've been missing, who understands you better than most anyone. I needed it, because...

...life is hectic and burn-out is in my midst. But I'm going to beat it before it beats me, because...

...my life rocks and I know it. For instance, I just got done baking pastries for a Christmas party tomorrow, and I can type this post guilt free, without waking up to a mess in the kitchen, because...

...at this very moment a machine is washing all my dirty dishes for me! Thank you Mr. Smith, for an awesome early Christmas present, my very first dishwasher ever. Signing off...because...

...it's past my bedtime!!!

A Visit From St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas came (on December 6th, of course) and left the boys each a new pair of slippers, a gold dollar coin, some tic tacs and a lovely little book, The Christmas Story. Here's a view of our tree:

For now, we have it decorated for Advent. We always cut our tree down ourselves, and we used to go Thanksgiving weekend every year. A few years ago, we decided to try not to jump straight to Christmas so soon, like the rest of the country does, and to work harder on observing Advent. We stopped getting the tree on the weekend of Thanksgiving. The only problem was, the further into December we got, the more hectic and busy life got, and before we knew it we were rushing out the last weekend before Christmas to squeeze in getting the tree. It felt like a chore. So this year we went back to getting it the last weekend in November, and as a compromise, decided not to put the Christmas decorations on it right away, but instead decorate it for Advent first. The boys made a paper chain of purple and pink links. The idea was to have this be our Jesse tree as well, and make wooden ornaments that we can use every year. When the ornaments weren't being made by mid-December, I knew that was off the list for this year. There's always next year...

How is a preschooler to get his work done?

In Thanksgiving

For the joy.
The laughter.
The difficulties,
that bring perspective.

The open wounds on my heart,
forever gaping, vulnerable,
as with no other earthly phenomenon.
Seven of them,
forever imprinted on my soul.

For the gratitude,
that would otherwise go unknown,
and instead envelopes my being.

For the humility,
at knowing Who gives.
Not a loss of control,
but a giving away of it.
A release of power, to the One with answers.
A relief,
to my small being, without them.
As I know,
it is His will.

For yesterday,
right now,
and the hope of forever.
And the chance to help forever come,
to those who look to me.
That I might lead them,
and then push them ahead,
far beyond my own faith,
and then follow them.
Forever.

For ever,
for life.
For motherhood.

Change: Explained

Do I have to?
Really?
I'm not enjoying the changes of my childrens' names. It's difficult to write about them when I have to check the sidebar to remember who is who.
It feels like I'm writing about another family. It's weird.
Is it the right thing to?
Probably.
It just might take some getting used to, so I'll try.
I think it'll be worth the effort.


Also, how cute is my new widget? Who knew my baby was the size of a lime?! I would have guessed he was the size of Manhattan, given the havoc he's wreaking on my body. :o)
But so worth it.


And a new house besides? New, as in the actually quite old, inadequately sized for our growing family, temporary but necessary roof we currently have over our heads. The one that's going to allow us to save and plan for our next home (dream home?) to come at some point in the next 12 to 120 months.
Also worth it.


The only constant is change, right? I sure am not bored. Change is good.

Monkey Bread

4 cans refrigerated biscuits, cut into quarters,

rolled in cinnamon and sugar, piled into bundt pan.

1 stick of butter melted with 1 cup brown sugar, poured over top of biscuits.

Baked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Quickly devoured by wide-eyed children.

Speaking of change...

...life is full of them, isn't it? Too many to blog about sometimes.

For now, here is my afternoon, in a nutshell:

That is a dum dum sucker, and this is approximately 2 hours after a bath.

A Necessary Change

I had a terrible experience this week.
It had to do with my children, and it happened at a park we've been to a hundred times.
It got me thinking.
Since the beginning of this blog, I've considered many times whether or not I'm comfortable displaying my family on the internet. I like keeping this record of our daily lives, and sharing it with those of you who care to check in. I have appreciated the outlet that it has become, as I have missed the writing I once did when my hands weren't so full of babies.
However, the world is unpredictable and evil lurks, and so I have stepped onto the path that so many wise mommy-bloggers before me have taken. I have renamed my family.
And so it is, an odd thing to get used to, but the right thing to do.
May God bless us and keep us, and give us peace.

What's become of me?

I have a problem. I don't think I'm normal.
It's September. From what I understand, this means new shows on tv, and new seasons of old shows.
I don't care.*
Desperate Housewives offends me. House makes me roll my eyes. I tried to watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy once; I almost threw up. American Idol? Been there, done that, about 6 times too many.
So what am I excited about?
Football.
When I see the promos for the start of the NFL season, I get a tingly feeling in my stomach.
I'm even kind of holding a grudge against someone who suggested the other day that the Lions aren't worth watching anymore.
There's not much I enjoy more than coming home from Mass on Sunday and curling up on the couch with my hubby to watch the games. This year, it will be with the chicken wings we discovered.
How did this happen to me? Was I destined to develop this boy-like quality? Or is this a result of the gender imbalance in my household?
Speaking of Mr. Smith, he says this makes me the coolest wife ever.
I guess maybe it's not such a problem after all.


*I'm certainly not claiming to be one of those good people who don't watch any tv. I do. I even enjoy The Biggest Loser and will be watching that this season, starting tonight. Just please do not ask me what I think about whatever happened on the 307th season of Big Brother last night. I feel yucky just typing the name of that one.

Safety First

I caught Isaac walking around with a pencil in his hand, which everyone in the house knows is not allowed.
Not to worry though. The big boys pointed out that he also had Owen's safety glasses on.
That he did.
Well then, carry on.

Life

Last night, or rather this morning, somewhere near 1:00am, I was awakened by my nursling needing his mama. A normal nightly occurance, except this time with more urgency, as the congestion from his cold had settled in somewhere between his nose and his chest, making breathing and nursing difficult.


As I was pulled out of my peaceful slumber, I felt a pang of pity for myself, knowing this was likely the beginning of a long night.


Then I thought of Colleen. A woman I do not know, but for whom my heart breaks.


I discovered her blog ages ago, when we were both moms to a mere four boys, or so, a piece. Then it was five, and then, for her, six. A "band of brothers", so like the one dear to me.


I scooped up my baby and brought him out to the living room. I wiped his nose, cuddled him, and marveled at the wonder of a baby, so dependent on his mama. Caring for him, at all hours, is a small sacrifice for the reward of being his earthly mother.


As I nursed him, I thought of her again. How she must be producing milk, for a baby she can no longer put to her breast; her body needing to catch up with the stark reality of her loss.


And those brothers... Oh how I ache when I think of those brothers.


But are they not better off for having had him, even for such a short time, and at such a cost of grief?


I cradled my own for hours, without a care for the clock, even as 4:00am approached, intermittantly praying for her, and thanking for me.

A sleepless night, but a blessing, another night together.

Tree Climbing

There's a tree in my mom's front yard. The boys have really taken to climbing it.
Blake's gotten pretty good at it.


Maybe a little too good.

It makes them very happy.

And that makes me happy too.

Parenting Advice

Peyton: (wandering around with one sock in his hand) "Mama, I think you should teach us to be good and to find our socks when we need them."

I wonder if those are of equal importance.

Dance with me

video courtesy of Blake
What's cuter?
-The baby trying desperately to shake his little booty like the big boys? Or,
-The pure joy from the big boy watching his baby brother?
Also,
What's more pathetic?
-The fact that their room really was (is?) that messy? Or,
-The fact that I would shamelessly display the mess on my blog?
hmmmmm...

Identity Crisis

This is Oliver. Today Oliver thinks he is a dog.

A dog named Bruno.

Today I am grateful...

...for my friend who makes me smile
...for precious minutes that flew by WAY too quickly
...for a delightful drink
...for butterflies!
...for the fact that there's never a lull in conversation
...for children, even their unpredictable health happenings
...for t-shirt authorization
...for true confidence
...for Catholic weddings
...that no matter how much time goes by, it just doesn't matter
...for alphabet gardens
...that God blessed me with such a beautiful friendship
...for the rest of the conversation that's yet to come!

We're driving along...

...and Owen says, "Can we go to Aldi?"
I'm still trying to figure out how to answer, and what's gotten into my 7-year-old who normally dreads the grocery store, when Peyton says, "Can we go to Bed, Bath and Beyond?"
Okay, so now the 5-year-old wants to shop for sheets?
I say, "How come Peyton, do you have something in mind that you want from there?"
To which he replies, "No, I'm just hoping you'll get confused and pull into Chuck E. Cheese."
Which happens to be next door to Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Those little brains never cease to amaze me.

Strawberry Picking

A Birthday Letter

Dear Isaac,

Today, you are one.

A year ago right now, I nursed you and I cried.

I cried at the injustice of the way you came into this world. With mourning, over those hours we couldn't get back. The things I couldn't fix.

I nursed you, with my hand cupped over that bump. Praying, blessing, regretting.

Days went by, and weeks. Not knowing what the result would be, I prayed, and I loved you.

I fell in love with your quiet nature, and I hoped.

Then, one day, it was a little better. And the next, better still. And so on, until I seemed to be the only one who knew it had been there.

Soon there were days that I didn't even cry, but none where I didn't remember.

It wasn't perfect, it wasn't ideal, that first part of your blessed little life. But it was ours.

Yours and mine.

We went through it, and got through it, together.

Now today, I nurse you, and I cry again.

I cry at God's mercy, and His plan. With joy, over His presence in our lives. For He brought us together, He gave us our story, He guides us when we are lost.

And this, I learned through you.

My dear, sweet Isaac.

Thank you.

God Bless You, Olivia

Fishing

Yesterday was a beautiful day.Lots of sunshine.

Still cool though, sweatshirt and jeans weather, my favorite.

All the boys wanted to do was go fishing.
All Isaac wanted to do was hang out with me.And that's what we did. The end.

A New Chapter

Well, my sister is all married off, and happily sunning herself somewhere tropical.


The shower is planned and executed. The coffee maker is in it's place.


The bachelorette party, behind us.


The rehearsal, in the books.


Rehearsal dinner, digested.


The vows are said. The kiss is kissed.


The rice is thrown. (we didn't really have rice, but that would have been fun.)

The license, signed.

The rug has been cut. Look, here's proof:
The bouquet, thrown. (or so I'm told. I was nursing my nursling.)
It was beautiful. It was memorable. It was truly blessed.
I can't wait to see the video.
It was also...all-consuming.
I woke up the next morning and thought to myself, "Self, what are you going to think about now? You fit into your dress, your speech was acceptable, your children survived. You have to remember what reality was like now."
Then I remembered. Reality is a teething baby.
You can't get more real than that, can you?
Isaac has been a unique teether. They've come in on their own time, but mostly, in a goofy way. More have cut, and as they come in he'll look more...normal. Normal is boring though. Unique? Memorable.
So I wanted to be sure and document the way they are now.
And I'll show you.
If you're ready.
Are you?
Brace yourself...

So it's back to reality. And I'm more than alright with that.

Oh beautiful, blessed day

More pictures to come...

Which is LESS Reasonable?

Spring cleaning has brought to my attention the fact that we have far too many shoes as a family.

Everyday life has brought to my attention the fact that our baby is obnoxiously cute.

Both situations defy reason.

Both leave me wondering how it is that we arrived at this point.

To remedy this:
There's a large garbage bag and a box labeled 'donations'.

What on earth can be done about this?:

Lord, help us.

(and p.s.--thank you)

And then it was Easter

I so wanted to get a picture of our whole family, as we never seem to do that anymore.
So these are it, the only two shots we got. Can you read the disappointment in my voice?I'd just like to take a minute to point out a few things, observations, if you will:
1.) Could Mr. Smith and I not just be copied and pasted from one to the next? Apparently we both felt those were acceptable expressions and postures.
2.) Why wasn't I more concerned with smiling?
3.) Isaac is much cuter awake than asleep.
4.) I really need to practice a photo face with Owen.
5.) Blake is, by far, our most obedient child.
6.) It doesn't matter the circumstances, Oliver is ALWAYS cute.
Last, but not least, the whole reason I even dared to post these pictures, because it makes me laugh every time I look....let's concentrate on Peyton. I distinctly remember Mr. Smith scolding him after the first shot. I couldn't see what he was doing at the time, but now it's clear that he was showing his excitement over finally remembering to bring his holy water bottle to fill from the font. I think he took it hard when he was told to stand still.
So it was not a successful photo shoot, but it was Easter Sunday just the same. The much longed-for Alleluia was as beautiful as ever. The Lord is risen. The desert of Lent has given way to the glory of the Easter season, and we will celebrate all 50 days of it.

If I had been posting...

...surely it would have been about our Last Supper dinner at Grandma's:

and our Holy Thursday art project:Or our Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday morning:and probably about how Isaac figured out how to empty a cupboard in 3 minutes flat: But alas, rotten apples it was.

I don't get it.

If someone were going to abandon their blog, why would they do so on the rotten apple post?
Kind of leaves a sour taste in the mouth...

Yummy

Last night Mr. Smith said, "I'm going to the store to get some food for tomorrow."

Maybe it was because I didn't want him to leave. Maybe it was because my pride wished I had gotten groceries so there would be food in the house for my hard-working husband. Whatever the reason, I said, "Oh Honey, there's enough here to get you through the day! We have bologna for a sandwich...you could put these frozen berries in your oatmeal...there's a...you can...we..."...nothing. "Wait! Here's an apple!"

To which he replied, "Is that even still good?"

To which I replied, "Sure! It looks fine."

He looked at me doubtfully, and headed for the store.

Today, I thought of Mr. Smith, with all his fresh fruits and veggies at work, when I grabbed the apple to slice it up for the kids with lunch.

This is what I saw:

Well I couldn't tell that from the outside.

Summer Resolutions

1. Soak up the Vitamin D
2. Wear more skirts
3. Cause a groove in the sidewalk of stroller wheel tracks between here and the park.
Most importantly: Spend lots of time with Mr. Smith.