7 Quick Takes (v4)

1.  The big news tonight is walking.  Steps have officially been taken by our 18 month old, Catie.  I am thrilled.  She is pretty stiff legged and we have an appointment with an orthotist in two weeks for ankle braces.  But I am so proud of her!!

2.  PLEASE pray for my friend's unborn son Ryan.  He is 22 weeks in utero and has been diagnosed with a life threatening lung condition.  I am hoping to get his beautiful mom over to St Gianna's shrine to pray with her gloves.  They are also praying for St Gerard's intercession.  Two saints many of us know well. 

3. Yesterday was a tough one.  I joined a mom's spiritual support group.  In the middle of our already emotional meeting, a phone call came in about the Supreme Court decision.   So...whats the point in fighting for religious freedom?  I tried to take it all in.  It feels as if the hammer just came down and yesterday was a Roe v Wade type monumental day.  

4.  Today, I am thankful to see beauty rising from ashes.  If you have not yet, please get thee to 1flesh.org.  "Birth control has done nothing to reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancies, the Pill increases breast cancer risk, lowers female sex drive, and screws up the environment. We’re talking about how artificial contraception is one of the most falsely advertised products out there. We’re talking about how condoms ruin sex, how they’ve been remarkably ineffective in the fight against HIV, how they’ve done nothing to stop our modern explosion of STDs. We’re talking about the Pill and heart disease, about how the health benefits of oral contraceptives aren’t health benefits at all. We’re talking about the Pill’s potential to be an abortifacent, the bad philosophy behind artificial contraception, how contraception has increased the abortion rate, is linked to an increase in divorce, and how — in general — it’s been making relationships difficult for some time now.


Go here and Start Pinning!

5. Tomorrow is my 34th Birthday.  I am having my daughter take me to the movies.  We are going to see Brave.  So excited!  In the evening we will attempt a family dinner at my favorite (not so kid friendly) restaurant.  Pray for us!

6. I love the 6 word love story.  Check my last blog and add yours!

7. July 4th is a bit bittersweet this year.  Happy Weekend. 

six word love story

I saw this idea on The Lettered Cottage.  Such a cute idea.  Can you sum up your love story in six words?  Here is ours. 

Internet Romance.

It Worked!
Forever Love.

Our Week in Pics

The Backyard Setup

This weekend we started a new tradition.  We read about the "Great American Backyard Campout" and decided it would be a good idea to see if our family of five can really actually sleep together in one tent.  My husband and I love camping and it has been a challenge incorporating kids into the mix.  We are going to brave it on an official trip in a few weeks.

All in all it went well.  My biggest complaint is having a non walker (note her PNP prison).  She loves to roam free on hands and knees but will have to suffer confinement while camping.  Complaint #2, Augie does not settle well to sleep and the tent was no exception.  He was bouncing off the canvas walls until about 11pm.  But, we have done our dry run and are looking forward to camping for real soon. 

Cooking over the fire pit

Happy Girl (for these 5 seconds at least)

 Last night we went to one of our favorite places.  It is a local dairy where the kids can feed hoards of goats, donkeys and a plethora of other animals.  My favorite part is the play area and it is so fantastic to be there on a beautiful night during sun set. 

And just for kicks.  Here is a picture of Rosie playing at the same place when she was >2. 

  And, today Catie & Augie joined me to meet up with a beautiful friend, God's Plan is My Joy.  It is always a gift to spend time with a good friend. 

Our little treasures that help us grow holier by the minute.

Boys are gross!

quick takes (v 3)

1. In my last post I alluded to my week.  Here goes.

2.  Our first week watching "M", our adopted six year old.  The week before her family was all sick.  Sickness has fallen upon my family.

3.  Tuesday morning Rosie woke up vomiting.  Sit on day 2 cancelled. 

3.  Wednesday, our sitting resumed. I noticed a rash on Catie, called the doctor and they said come in.  Appointment scheduled for afternoon.  Sitter arranged to watch the other kids.  On the way to the doctor Rosie was not feeling well so I kept her and M with me to bring Catie into the doctor.  We walk in the office and  Rosie vomits all over the carpet.  They assume I am checking in my vomiting daughter.  NOPE!  I am here for the little one with the rash!  It was a 2-1 appointment. We spent the evening trying to keep anything down and everything clean. 

4.  Thursday, reflecting upon the previous day's doctor appointment I decide the doctor did not fairly access Catie.  Perhaps he was a bit distracted by the puker.  He said Catie had eczema and possibly an eye irritation from tears.  I reschedule Catie for a 2nd opinion with a different doctor.  She took one look and said "Lymes".  WHAT!  This freaked me out.  I have known several adults with Lymes and none have fared well.  Evidently it is highly common in our area and highly treatable in children when found early.  Thank God I went back!  21 days of antibiotics for my 1 year old.  And never ever am I going to let a crawling child do outdoor crawling in the future.  She better start walking soon!  (She is 18 months tomorrow, for the record).

5. Thursday night, my husband succumbed to the stomach bug and spent Friday in bed. 

6.  Friday...Oh, how I need this week to end!!  We are scheduled to attend a wedding tomorrow.  The feeling in my gut it making me a bit nervous.  Off to the store for the sickies.

7.  Happy Father's Day to my Dad.  You are my hero and I love you!  Happy Father's day to my Father in Law, thank you for all your love and acceptance...and the dishes!!  Happy Father's Day to the man whom God has chosen for me.  Your love for our family is so amazingly deep.  Thank you for all that you do and all that you are.  I love you! 

craving simplicity

Reading the post of a dear friend inspired my mind towards simplicity. How I long for simplicity! 

My friend attended a personal silent retreat.  That has been my dream for YEARS.  If I could work it in to my life every year, it would be bliss. 

I am sitting at my downstairs computer.  Stuff piled everywhere.   I walk into the area that used to be our garage.  I can not walk without having to step over or around something - ever.  In the laundry room I duck around piles of drywall, school desks and chairs that need to be refinished.  Upstairs...toys, laundry, books, stuff, stuff, stuff.  Out of size or out of season clothes that need to find a home.  Bags of clothes for good will.  I try to fight the stuff and the stuff fights back harder. 

I live with a carpenter - who is really a full time retail associate and part time student with little time for home projects.  That little time he has at home he wants to spend with kids or needs to spend on school.  Renovations no longer hold the same appeal.  Our fixer upper has not been fixed as fast as I would like.  I am destined to live in construction for years. 

I am so truly blessed to have a house full of love and children.  I am so truly blessed that our needs are met and we have clothes and shoes and socks and clothes and shoes and socks (i meant to do that).  I feel like I need a hoarder intervention.  I am not a hoarder.  I just need that organizing crew. 

Does simplicity start in the mind or in the home? 

This summer we are adding a 6 year old to our family.  No, not a foster child...a friend we are watching for the summer.  It has been a blessing!  Our routine has been strengthened and now I am accountable.  I can't just pound around yelling at my children.  "M" does not have siblings and I think she enjoys our chaos.  It is also helping to simplify.  We are finding a bit of order.  Time for projects.  Time for snacks.  Time for the pool.  This is the first time our summer has felt like a summer.  And...if you knew what my week has been like - you would know this is a pretty miraculous thing!

Quick takes v.2

1.  I am on a roll, right?  I try to blog at least weekly.  With Catie's adoption under our belt, there is nothing to report in the fostering or adoption fronts.  While our life is anything but quiet...my blogging mind is at rest a bit.

2. Camping.  I have signed up our family for a camping trip.  The idea of our whole family in one tent is a bit terrifying.   My husband and I have always camped.  We camped at least annually with our daughter.  Last year we camped for the first time with our son (and had Catie in respite care).  So...it should be an adventure.  Stories to follow in July.  Though we plan a practice round on the Great American Backyard Camping Day - Saturday June 23rd. 



3.  Speaking of our backyard.  We are hosting a party.  A outdoor "drive in"movie.  This is the 25th anniversary for The Princess Bride and (almost) 70th anniversary of the drive in movie.  So, we are inviting our freinds to join us on the lawn.  I am so excited!

4. Food.  My tummy is grumbling.  I have been struggling to find the motivation & food to feed our family lately.  I hate grocery shopping.  I hate preparing a meal only to have the kids refuse, complain or worse (spit it all over themselves, the floor, etc).  <---- the event that had me praying "Body of Christ, Save Me!  this week.  If anyone has simple lunch or dinner ideas, sites or pins, share them!  I know the garden harvest will help soon.

5. The Garden. 

Okay.  We have had a garden for years and can never seem to get it right.  Every year is more and more tweaking.  THIS is the year of "let no bird, nor rabit, nor squirel, nor deer feast upon our garden." We have fencing surrounding and have now netted the top.  Hopefully this message goes to the moles and snakes too.  This is our first year letting go of the squares and tilling the ground.  We have invading grass and I have to figure out that.  Next year the change needs to be soil testing and more composting. 

6.  Adoption!  Please join me in praying for a fellow blogger, Grace in My Heart.  They are a super family and any child would be so very lucky to be theirs.  If you know of a potential birth family or adoption opportunity please keep them in mind. 

And, please consider supporting my friends in fundraising for the adoption of a special little girl due in July with Spina Bifida.  Thier story is so incredible (hello God!).  Alison has created an adoption botique "Nestling In: Adopting Love" with beautiful necklaces, so supporting them can be as simple as purchasing a gift for yourself or someone special.   

7. Dance Recital weekend.  As of this weekend I am a dance mom.  I am not entirely sure that I will be embracing this role for long - if you could only have seen some of those little girls at the rehersal shake their little hips, you would know what I mean.  Rosie has promised to not "do her own thing" and to try to be a part of her team.  I had to talk her down when she told me she was going to be the star.  She accepted that she would not be the star, then asked if she could still be a princess.  Yes, Rosie.  You will always be a princess.  <---and yes, I am that mom.

Quick Takes Friday

1. I am joining in the Quick Takes for my first time ever.  I have recently become a huge Jennifer Fulwiler fan (she is the one who began quick takes, for those who have not heard of them before).  Several of her articles are published in One in Christ, the new marriage prep program our diocese offers.  I have been reading them and LOVE her story:
One Woman's Journey from Pro-Choice Atheist to Pro-Life Catholic

2. If you have time for some excellent reading, here are a few other articles from this marriage prep manual that I love:
Contraception and a Woman's Self Image Jennifer Fulwiler
Why my life is better since becoming open to life Jennifer Fulwiler
IVF and the Catholic Couple - Sheila Diamond, really good perspective on embryo adoption 

3. Happy Wedding day to Nick and Sarah!  Nick & Sarah are family in Chicago and this is perhaps one of the first events we have had to decline attending as a direct result of our growing family.  I am still in the adjustment phase of sacrificing wants out of necessity.  Other adjustments - food & laundry.

4. Because we were not traveling, we were able to make some progress on our basement!  It will be wonderful when it is done and I can fully use the space.   But I am so excited about the transition.

Before (WAY before) - this was when we first moved in...not our stuff hanging

After!  Not completely finished or prettied up yet. 

I love it!  We measured the boxes to store toys in canvas boxes.  I can't wait to get them all moved into the space.  My husband won the argument about moving the tv above the fireplace.  It is an adjustment for me and I have to mourn the loss of the picture space, but I think it will be a space saver to have the tv up there.   I did mention before, but anyone interested in the fireplace makeover, we followed these instructions for that part of the remodel. 


5. A play dough Rapunzel and daddy aka Rosie

6. Preparing to become a war widow this weekend.  Not in the sense you may guess.  It's WWII weekend in our town and hubby is taking the big kids tomorrow morning.  For now we get to listen to all the old planes flying in.


7.  FINALLY, Happy 10th Ordination Anniversary to world's best brother in law and priest.  I remember that day like it was yesterday.  We had not known each other too long, but I was privileged to sit in the family section and watch you give your life to the Lord in the most profound and powerful way possible.  We are truly blessed to have you in our family and pray with you through these last 10 years, through good times and bad.  As our family grows, it only means more people to pray for you in the coming years.  We love you and are so proud of you and your priesthood.

"Almighty Father, grant to this servant of yours the dignity of the priesthood.  Renew with him the Spirit of holiness.  As a co-worker with the order of bishops may he be faithful to the ministry that he receives from you, Lord God, and be to others a model of right conduct." - taken from the prayers of consecration of a priest and printed on the back of his ordination card