Big weekend

It's a big weekend here. Huge! Bigger than big.

I sent out invitations that were titled this:

FIRST HOLY BIRTHDAY!

Elizabeth--first birthday party! (can you even believe it? crazy, absolutely crazy.)

Olivia--first Holy Communion (so exciting!)

Kate--6th birthday party! (six? that's nuts!)

Because all of these events fall within a 10 day time period, I figured it best to hit it hard all on one day. So pray for my sanity, in your spare time.

Sunday we will witness the blessing of Olivia's first Holy Communion. What an amazing day. One day receiving the sacrament of baptism, the next (at least in my heart's time) being adorned in the white dress, fancy shoes and veil, in preparation to receive her King. So precious.

Also we will be celebrating the two other beauties in the house. Elli will turn one on the 12th of May and Kate turns 6 on Mother's Day. So much to celebrate.

We are so stinkin' blessed with craziness. I would not wish it any other way.

So, be sure to pop back in on Monday for 'bits of my weekend' with pictures. That is if I find a free hand to take some....ANDREW!!! I MAY BE NEEDING YOUR ASSISTANCE!

The Vintage Pearl

Remember when I told you that I was taking matters into my own hands regarding a Mother's Day gift? Well, I could not be more pleased with my gifts if I had picked them out myself! Oh wait, I did. No wonder I love them so much.


This is the first one that I ordered. It has been modified slightly. When it arrived it came on a chain (the one in picture #2) that allowed each charm to pile on top of the other. And with five kids it was really more of a jumbled mess than a thing of beauty. So with an easy modification from the Jewelry Clinic in my town, a new chain that allows each charm to be hung individually, made it a beautiful creation, and exactly what I had in mind.

So, with an adorable chain to spare, I ordered individual charms to place on it. This is the second order and I love it just as much! These are truly gifts that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

You can visit The Vintage Pearl here.

A dose of K-Bug perspective

Recently Kate and I were taking a walk together. I used the rare moment of one-on-one parenting to talk to her about her upcoming birthday celebration. I wanted to clearly state that because of the timing, it would be a combined celebration with Olivia's first communion party and Elli's first birthday party. I also wanted her to verbally acknowledge that the party would not be held on her actual birthday, so there would not be another party on May 9th as well. But that because it would be Mother's Day we would certainly be celebrating in some way together.

She seemed fine with it.

She asked me to tell her about the party. Would there be balloons? Of course. Will I bake a cake? What is a party without a cake? And maybe two or three since Liv and Elli need one too? That could be arranged. Will she get presents? Most certainly. Will she have to share her presents with Elli? No, Elli will have her own. Will she get to wear a pretty birthday party dress? The one of her choosing.

You know all sorts of very important party details that needed to be agreed upon.

After a short while, I said, "Kate, it is going to be one of the best days of your life!"

She smiled as she swung our arms together and responded, "Mom, EVERY DAY is the best day of my life!"

Oh Kate, do you have any idea how much your Creator must love you? I know I sure do. I sure do. And I hope that your perspective rubs off on everyone you meet.

Bits of my Weekend-Volume 8

What a fantastically full weekend! Hang on, this is a very eclectic ride:

We, and by we I mean HE, planted two trees. He and his helpers, that is. We figure it's the least we can do, given the size of the 'carbon footprint' our family is leaving.

Andrew found some fishing bait.

In a break from the rain, Kate and I took a bike ride.

There is a home nearby ours that has a yard full of treasures. We wanted to be sure and see them before the winds knock them over.

Being stuck inside meant that entertainment became tactile. It was almost more than my OCD tendencies could take. But the hours of fun it provided were worth the deep breathing on my part.

Spring Program time! Can you guess the theme?

The Grand Ole Flag! Have you ever tried to capture a toddler not in motion. Very difficult, especially when they have something to wave!

Not the best shot, but the three big kids are all there.

With a break in the drizzle, we headed to our favorite place.

We played family hide-n-go-seek. Do you spy Nic?

In a rambunctious game of tag, Olivia and dad had a collision. Let's hope it's gone before next weekend!

And finally....the perfect ending.

Well, Elli might argue. I think she was singing, "Here I am stuck in the middle with you!"

No Guts No Glory---we have a winner

I had the idea a few weeks back that because our favorite place to be is together, and because we most like to be together out at the lake, we should come up with some sort of family trophy or challenge in regards to this love of the water.

One evening while munching on a supper of sloppy-joes, I suggested a contest. An award (at the time yet undecided) to be given to the first person into the lake at the start of the season. We decided that it should be a 'traveling' trophy, and that the last person in at the end of the season would then receive the award.

There was much discussion about the details of what was acceptable and not. The following was agreed upon (but not without extensive discussion and attempts at persuasion):

1. First one to jump into the lake from the boat.
2. First meant exactly that....first one to hit the water.
3. Winner would receive a travelling, "No Guts No Glory" trophy.
4. Trophy would remain with recipient until taken by other merits.
5. Trophy can be earned at the end of the boating season by being the last person to jump in.

All of our children love the water. And given the proper conditions would not need any persuasion to jump overboard. Neither Chad nor I were sure how much they would feel like jumping ship in April.

We took our boat out for the first time April 20th. I will pause for the respective awe and reverence that must be shown for the mere fact that it started, remained running while out, and brought us back safely to the dock.

(A moment of silence please.)





Okay, back to my story.

Kate and Andrew planned ahead. As soon as they heard the word 'trophy' they stopped listening to any details, kind of like when I mention cookies at the END OF A MEAL...they only hear the word 'cookies' and get all googly-eyed. They wore suits under their clothing. We packed a bag with towels and extra dry clothes. Only at their request. Nicholas used his best negotiating skills, ones that I know will some day make him a fantastic lawyer or priest, to convince his siblings as to why this was a dumb idea and all should just wait until it was warmer. Olivia remained aloof. As though an earthly award held no power over her and certainly would not incite her to do ridiculous acts.

Out we headed. With no intention of talking them into anything.

Elizabeth decided to nap, so she and I remained ashore. I had my video camera ready, just in case. As I watched from shore with dad and the kids just a hundred feet or so from me, I could hear the excited and nervous chatter of the little two. Questions flew at dad about what clothing they should remove, what part of the boat they should jump from, how cold would the water be, etc. Nic sat lazily eating seeds and reminding them all how he was too cool for such silliness. I waited patiently for the sign that someone would be going overboard, camera in hand ready to tape it all.

"SPLASH!" Without any pomp, any discussion, any forewarning. Over she went. Choosing her moment carefully, while the others were distracted and unaware. Clothes and all.

Olivia is the Spring 2010 Comes Family 'No Guts No Glory' winner.

Way to go girl!

*(A picture will be posted at a later date.)

It's the land that I love

Oh, how my soul yearns for nature!

It is difficult sometimes, living in a freakishly frigid wintry state, to be at one with nature. It seems like more often than not I am at odds with nature.

It prohibits my comings and goings. It rips at my safe abode with a fury of wind. Its icy fingers penetrate through my hearty siding and double paned windows. It challenges me, nay dares me, to take it on. Did I layer enough? Will the cuddle duds live up to their claims?

And yet my soul longs for nature. It longs to breath deeply, face the wind, close my eyes and listen. But doing so in the winter would result in a severe case of pneumonia and frostbite.

Spring has returned to the land that I call home. And although the weather still wishes to keep the inhabitants guessing, there is a return to the great outdoors. A return to the beauty of nature. A return to the place that brings my soul great joy.

Do you have a place like this? A place where you can just sit, just hear, just soak, just be? I am indescribably blessed by the beauty of such a place.

There are so many days when I am out running hither and yon in a whirlwind of busyness, and I find myself magnetically drawn to this place. Many times I stop before picking the kids up from school, more often we go there together afterwards. Many times for nothing more than a five minute detour, admiring its beauty from behind the window of the vehicle, sometimes for hours of play.

My senses are so keen, so alive there. It is as though I can see with greater detail, hear with greater clarity, smell with greater distinction, and breath with greater depth.

I am so thankful for this return to nature. For the yearning of my soul to be fulfilled. I am so thankful for this place of beauty. Please share with me your place. The place where your soul feels complete and at one with nature.

BIts of my weekend-Volume 7

Reality check from a reality star

Dancing with the Stars does things to me. It hypnotizes my thinking. It casts shadows over my usually good judgement. It lulls me into a fantasy.

After watching I have a tingling in my toes, a bop in my step, a hiccup in my giddy-up. I see the newbie stars step out of their comfort zone and learn step by step what the professional dancers make look so easy, so graceful, so natural.

Every season I watch, sometimes painfully, as a star or two struggles and seems unable to grasp the rhythm and musicality of the dance. They do not feel it. They do not have music in their bones. I have watched others emerge from initial signs of struggle to seemingly overcome their lack of natural talent simply (they would rightfully argue that there is nothing simple about it) through hard work, dedication and athleticism.

And as I watch I think to myself, I bet I could do that.

With the right teacher, (Maks, thank you very much), I could learn to do what they do. I feel it. I have musical bones. Upon closing my eyes I can see myself dancing, floating around the ballroom floor swung hither and yon to the rhythms of the waltz. I imagine my hips twistin' and my booty shakin' to the intensity of the salsa. I could do that!

Thank you Kate Gosselin, for snapping me back to reality. Love her or hate her, she has proven to all of us stay-at-home viewers that dancing really is for the stars. Those who have performance in their blood. Steps can be taught. Routines can be memorized. But performance....now that has to be in your blood.

I think I will just tap my toes into the kitchen and get myself a snack whilst I watch the show!

Arms full

I do not have to look very far if I am looking to become discouraged.

Turn on the radio, watch the six o'clock news, read the local newspaper. It is all right there. Every size, shape, and color of discouragement. It is a challenge to not become immersed in such discontent. It is a challenge to not wallow in disgust. It is a challenge to not let that steal this. This joy, this peace, this contentment, this hope.

Why is it that I do not feel overwhelmed with fear of tomorrow? Why is it that I do not feel beat down by the burdens of today? Why is it that I do not feel slighted or forgotten by the happenings of yesterday? Am I so pampered, so spoiled, so protected from all that is yuck?

Is my life really free of all of that.....stuff? Or am I free?

Free from seeing it for anything more than a distraction. Free from claiming it as mine. Free from owning or holding onto any of it. I realize that I am frail, weak even. I only have big enough arms to hold the blessings that I already have.

If I choose to pick up any of the junk I will have to let go of something far more important. I am not willing to do that.

I am not looking to be discouraged.

(*Song inspiration: MercyMe "All of Creation")

Bits of my weekend-Volume 6 (the written edition)

My kids had an exceptional Spring break this year, with an unusual 10 days off from school, beginning on Good Friday and continuing until last night.

I was thrilled with the prospect of some much needed down time, coming off of a two week sick house. I planned a whole lot of nothing for us to fill up our week.

It turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. A few unplanned opportunities for friends to hang out. Lazy mornings of sleeping in and eating fresh cinnamon rolls. Helpful hands in the laundry room. Long afternoon walks and bike rides. Rest time on a blanket in the back yard. It was fantastically simple.

Would you believe that in all of the relaxation I took not one picture? You will just have to take my word for it.

(I did snap this one shot Saturday night of the girls gleefully sleeping in Elizabeth's nursery. A very sweet woman blessed us with this fantastic bed & trundle. With five kids beds are always needed! The girls had to sleep in it the first night, although this is not their room. Thanks again Michele!)

Healthy food....gone wrong

Nic's thoughts upon being served a turkey burger in lieu of the usual hamburger:

"Mom, what's wrong with my hamburger?"

"What do you mean Nic?"

"It smells funny. It looks funny." Taking a bite, "and it tastes funny."

Realizing it is a stretch I ask anyway, "Funny, as in good?"

"No. Not at all."

Finding my strength

There is nothing like a little, or big, hiccup in the routine to make a person pause and reflect on things. Usually on the other side of some sort of family crisis, big or small, I am able to look back and see things that I could not see in the middle of the trauma---or drama, as the case may be.

I see the signal flags I missed prior to the crisis. I see the signs posted that I was to busy to look up and take note of, warning me of disaster ahead. I see the casualties from impatient responses, sharp tongue, and lack of affection, left on the roadside. I see it all more clearly once I am through it. And as much as I would like to believe that it should not be this way, I believe that in most of our lives, it is the way of things.

Instead of beating myself up for missing the opportunity to sit, love, encourage, and be more present then...I try to remind myself that half of the growing experience is simply acknowledging my short coming. The other half is the desire to change it the next time.

I have made a point to try and find some strength of character in myself made evident through crisis' as well. No matter how small.

After experiencing two weeks of utter desperation while dealing with sickness upon sickness at home...beginning with my own, I have found my strength this time.

My gag reflex has improved greatly. With the stuff I have witnessed coming up and out of the bodies in this home, and being forced to clean more than one end of a child, I have discovered this strength. And for that I am thankful.

Bits of my weekend-Volume 5 (Easter edition)

Easter egg coloring with the cousins on Good Friday

Sidewalk chalk fun in Clark

A beautiful Holy Saturday, meant time outdoors!

A daddy and his boys

Organized chaos....aka Easter Egg Hunt!

Easter Sunday morning!

Grandpa and Grandma with 7 of the 16.

Elli's first Easter

My girls

Andrew giving Elli some lovin'

More outside fun!

Elli is beginning to take after her grandpa's!

Happy Easter from the whole kooky gang!