I Have a Secret!!!

I'm soooo excited!  I have a secret!  Yesterday, my friend, Pam, and I rendezvoused and she passed me the sealed envelope!  Inside was......

the result of her ultrasound!

I get to host a gender reveal party for her today!:)  Holding that envelope in my hand felt so cool!  I felt so privileged to be the only person other than the ultrasound tech to get a special glimpse at the little baby growing inside of her.

I didn't even open it right away!  I love the suspense!

So often, the anticipation of an exciting event is almost as special as the event itself!  Almost.....

That's all I'm writing for now because I don't want to take any chances!  I want it to be a surprise for their whole family!  It's not their first child...it's their fifth.  They have three boys and one girl.  Obviously, a healthy baby is all they hope for and, thank God, everything looks great!

When you have a big family which, by today's standards is anything over 2 children(!), announcing a pregnancy is often met with mixed reactions!  People say, "Congratulations", but their eyes and their tone of voice really say, "You are crazy"!

And maybe parents of big families are a bit crazy....but there is something special about having a big family!  I can tell you from experience that siblings are excited about adding another to the mix!  Watching your children welcome a new baby to the family is an incredible experience.  Seeing their love and excitement over a new little person is really special.

For me, watching my teenage sons cuddle with their baby and toddler siblings every time they walk in the front door just melts my heart!

So...why a gender reveal for baby #5?  Because every baby is special and deserves to be celebrated!  With multiple children, pregnancy can sometimes be looked at as routine.  But each little one is unique and special!  The opportunity for anticipation is rarely greater than finding out after weeks of first trimester morning sickness and exhaustion and ligament pain and bathroom trips more about the little one that is growing inside of you!  It makes the baby feel more "real" and you start thinking more about the individual little person he or she will be!:)

Celebrating life as the gift it is?  Priceless!

Until tonight, Pam and her family and friends will be filled with anticipation to find out more of who this little one really is!

1. 

   So what do you think!?!

   Team Pink or Team Blue?!?

   

   
   

   

   I'm not telling....until tonight:)

Comings and Goings

#1:  Water Breaks

Jay and Jon worked on our house painting project this past Saturday.  To say that painting is not Jon's favorite chore is an understatement.  (How do I know this?  Two weeks ago, while Jon was painting the trim on the garage, he exclaimed every five minutes or so, "Ugh..I hate painting!"  This past weekend Jon offered up painting for Syria, so there was no complaining:)

However.....there were some times when Jon disappeared for a while.  This picture is Jon trying to explain why getting a glass of water takes 20 minutes.....(he got "side-tracked" by one of the college football games on tv!)

#2:  Detachment

Speaking of Jon.....

I love it when our kids actually listen to the homily on Sundays.  This past weekend Msgr. talked about detachment.  After Mass, while eating breakfast with my grandfather and his sisters, Jon brought up the subject of the homily and asked Ellie if she understood what it meant.  Ellie explained it correctly.  Jon said, "Let me help you practice detachment from your potatoes!"(as he took a big fork full off of her plate!)

I'm thinking that's not quite what Msgr. had in mind.....

#3:  New Wheels

We finally found a car for Andrew that was a good fit!(i.e. not too expensive and safe!)  He got a white Ford Taurus.  We have been praying and searching for a car over the past month since Jon got his license.  Ironically, the Taurus was originally owned by the Dominican Sisters of Columbus!  The car is 10 years old but immaculate inside!  It makes me feel safer knowing that Sisters were probably praying in that car!

#4:  Show and Tell

Luke has show and tell for the first time today.  He has to bring in something that starts with the letter 'a'.  Our suggestions of apple, alligator, a picture of Andrew, or a drawing of an ant were not good enough!  Luke wanted to bring an excavator!  (Wrong vowel, honey!)  Since I am well versed in the A, B, C's of trucks(we own a book), I suggested that he build an aerial lift with Daddy.  So he did!

#5:  Football

I'm actually writing this on Thursday while watching the Patriot's game.  I don't really like when "our" team plays on Thursday night.  It goes too late and it makes the special Sunday football spread  not as special when you just watch random football games.  I'm thinking Sunday would be a good day to go to the zoo, weather permitting!

#6:  Speaking of Weather....

I am NOT enjoying this hot, humid weather that has descended upon us the last couple of days!  I gave in and turned the AC's back on because most of my family does not do heat well!(and I include myself in that description!)  Nice, cool September weather is back in the forecast for Saturday!  Hopefully it doesn't rain too much tomorrow so that our painting project can continue!  The goal is to have the painting done by the end of September!

#7:  Funny pic

I saw this, Colleen, and thought of you!

Have a great weekend!:)

Remembering 9/11

I was reading my facebook messages this morning and looking at all of the 9/11 memorial pictures people were posting.  Such a tragic event makes it easy to remember exactly where I was that morning.  I didn't find out about the events until after it had happened because I was driving home from an early morning orthopedic appointment for Sarah.  (She was a little over 2 and having a re-check for nursemaid's elbow.  Peter was only 6 weeks old and was with me too.)

When I got to my mom's house to pick up the older boys, she came out crying telling me about the attack.  I watched in shock...as did most of the country...at the coverage of that day's sad, sad events.  I grieved for the deaths of loved ones connected to the victims of that horrible morning.

We found out a couple of weeks later that a family we were friendly with had a son, the oldest child of their ten, that worked in the twin towers.  When the first tower was hit, he made a quick phone call home and left a message saying, "Don't worry, I'm in the other tower!", before he became part of the mass exodus of people trying to get out of the building.

When his family got the message a while later, they were, understandably, devastated.  With no further communication or way to reach him, they found solace in their faith.  They drove to church to pray with the growing number of parishioners...not knowing whether their son was alive or dead.

Hours later, they received a phone call from their son.  I can only imagine the reaction of joy and relief that overtook them.  Their son had just exited the second tower when it was hit.  He said that the sound was so loud that he was sure that he was going to die.  So, he fell on his knees in the middle of the chaos and prayed an Act of Contrition, asking for mercy if this was his time to meet the Lord face to face.

That detail always amazes me.  He was only around 20 at the time....and to have that type of focus in the extreme pandemonium  that he was all around him just seems incredible.

Of all the pictures I saw this morning, this one touches me the most:

Hope in the midst of devastation!

My prayers are all those that lost a loved one that day....and that our country will be protected from having to experience such a tragedy ever again!  

And It's Back to Monday!

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fantastic weekend!  My weekend went by fast.  Except for an emotional hiccup yesterday, the weekend was good.

Here are the highlights!

I went to Sarah's cross country meet on Saturday morning.  The best part was that she had to be there an hour earlier and I got to run errands...wait for it!....by myself!  Ahh....bliss!  I ran to AC Moore for supplies for a gender reveal party I'm throwing for a friend next weekend.  Then to Target looking for tshirts for Kate, which I didn't find, but left the store with a cart full of things anyway?!?  (That's why I try to stay out of that store!)
Then I swung into Shaws for a few things that were on sale there and some of Peter's food.  I made it back to the meet just before Sarah's race started!  Perfect!

Saturday afternoon was spent with the littles while Jay and Jon continued our enormous fall project of painting the addition.  It's taken almost 2 years, but we are finally tackling the project!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention 'super sister' Ellie who played with Luke and Kate much of the day!

Sunday was our usual morning routine of Church and breakfast.  Kate decided that she wanted to be a 'big girl' and walk out of Church holding my hand!  Then, at home, she wanted to sit on the big stool between Luke and Andrew and not her high chair.  sniff!  My baby girl is growing up!

The plus side was that Luke was being super cute and I got a great shot of the two of them.  (Andrew was being his old "I hate pictures' self so I cropped him out!:)

I love this pic!

 Sunday afternoon, we watched the Patriot game.  It had its ups and downs, (Brady fumble and Ridley!!!), but thankfully it ended well!  Jay and Jon picked up wings for the game, and I made sweet pepper soup and an apple pie.  Since Andrew had to work:(, I saved making piggies in a blanket for dinner along with crockpot shredded pork sandwiches.

Luke and Kate enjoying pie and ice cream.
(I know Kate looks naked but I swear she has a diaper on!)

Andrew enjoying the second half of the 4pm game!

Monday came way too soon...as it always does!  I'm off to try and neaten the house and do all that fun paperwork that is waiting for me in a pile on the kitchen counter!

Prayers for Syria

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  Pope Francis asked for a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria today.  If you have a moment, regardless of your religious beliefs or affiliations, a prayer or sacrifice would be a beautiful way to unite our voices to our Heavenly Father for a difficult situation!  Hope you have a great weekend!

  
  

T.G.I.F.!!!

1.  He's Gone....

We dropped Mike off at Assumption on Monday.  It still feels really strange not having him here.  He has been texting me several times a day and I've also gotten a daily phone call...so far.  He seems to be happy and getting used to living away from home.  I'm glad he's adjusting...and we are too.

2.  They're Back....

in school!  It's been a crazy week and a half, but everyone is back in school.(Except Kate, who will be with me at home for 3 more years!:)(Thank God!)  This week was Luke, and Andrew and Peter's first day back.  So far it has been a smooth transition!

3.  My Saint of the Year

Back in January, I learned about a link from my friend, Colleen, where I could get a random saint of the year.  I decided to try it and the saint I got was St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi.  She was a Carmelite mystic in the late 1500's and died in 1607.  She is the Patron Saint of the Sick.  So, when I got her name, I freaked out a little because, being prone to fear, I was afraid that it was a sign that I would get really sick this year.  (For the record, Jay said I was being silly and to just go online and get another saint!)

I'm just glad I didn't get St. Gianna Molla!  That was a special gift for my friend, Colleen, who is now expecting in March!

Anyway, I haven't gotten any horrible illness but I have started taking care of my health.  I had to find a new doctor and I actually made a physical appointment.  I also had an ultrasound of my thyroid to check on a goiter I have...which I haven't done since the year before Luke was born.  I even did blood work.  Thankfully everything was normal.

As a mom, taking care of myself is always last on the list....and we have a pretty long list in this house!  Choosing to take care of myself did lead to one diagnosis....

4.  Plantar Fasciitis

I started with foot pain back in early June.  It was so bad, that for most of the summer, I avoided wearing any sandals other than one particular pair that had straps higher up my foot and didn't leave me with a ton of pain for several days.  I had myself convinced that I had a stress fracture.  So, in my head, I figured if I took it easy for 6 weeks it would be better and go away.

It didn't.

So, I finally made an appointment at the end of August.  The doctor did an x-ray and  diagnosed plantar fasciitis.  I have to admit that I have not done everything the doctor said to do.  I am stretching and massaging(thanks, honey!).  It's feeling a little better, at least most of the time!

Taking time out to take care of myself is not an easy thing to do!

5.  Trying to Recharge

Speaking of taking care of myself, I am giving myself permission to take two weeks to re-charge after the August craziness!  I am trying to be nice to myself and only do what is really necessary.  No big projects in the attempt to lower my stress levels.  I just need a break.  Since a week away by myself in a tropical paradise is not an option, spending some time relaxing each day is as good as it's going to get!

6.  Cross Country

Sarah's cross country team had their first 2 meets this week.  Sarah did well!  Even though running is not her favorite sport, Sarah seems to be enjoying the team!  It's helping her to meet people...and get in shape for basketball season!(Which is her favorite sport!)

7.  Funny

On Sunday, Jay and I spent some time organizing our bedroom.  It needs a complete overhaul, but it is mostly tolerable for now.  While he was cleaning off his bureau, Jay found the card that I got him for Father's Day.  It still makes me laugh, so I thought I would share it!

Outside Cover:  "You know why we celebrate Father's Day?"

Inside: " Because someone couldn't keep his hands to himself!  Just sayin....."

It made me laugh out loud:)

I hope you have a wonderful September weekend!

There They Go!

Our marathon of 'first day of school' has come to an end!

This morning, Andrew started college and Peter started his new school program.  By 8 am everyone was out of the house except for me and Kate, who was crying at the front door pulling on the handle because she wanted to go too!

Can't you just feel Andrew's excitement to start college!

Peter is ready to go...except I forgot to ask my dad to cut his hair last night!
That's what happens when you're the 7th child to go back to school...
mom is too tired to remember details!

It's eerily quiet here...and I am EXHAUSTED!  My body has felt like a lead weight for the last 24 hours....all I want to do is sit like a lump and read mindless novels. (Which I did do for a while yesterday!

Kate and I did venture out.  We went to Mass this morning.  She was less than stellar...but at least we got out for a little bit.  I got to visit with some friends for 20 minutes afterwards until Kate, who was overwhelmed by such a new routine, implored me to go home with a quivering voice and tears in her eyes.:(

It's going to take all of us some time to get used to all these changes.  It's been a tough month with Peter home, trying to get everyone ready for school, doing legwork to try and make Mike and Andrew's transition to college go as smoothly as possible, and an extra busy schedule.

Hopefully, by the end of the morning, Andrew will have his courses set up after meeting with the Department Head and feel confident about the direction he is heading.  Then, everyone will be where they should be and will just need some time to adjust to their new routines.

Me, too!

It usually takes me two weeks to recover from end of summer burnout after having Peter home 24/7 for a few weeks.  With all the other changes and challenges we went through in the last week, I'm thinking it might take a little longer this time!

With so many new routines, I'm curious to see how my own days change.  I've been praying for ways to be more organized and efficient.  It will be interesting to see the path opens up for me this fall!

For at least 2 weeks, though, I'm going to let the dust settle and watch my new routine take shape before tackling any big projects!  I just need a little time to breathe!