Life as I know it--and a giveaway to enter!

I guess I will only be posting after several months pass by. I can't seem to get back into a bloggy swing. I do love blogs and blogging, and I think I really love food blogging. Even though I have never done it. I think I would love to be a food blogger though...but maybe I just love food. Hmmm...lets not get stuck on that. Anyway, I have had a lot going on over the last two months. I have become a God Mother twice over now. :) I had one God-daughter, Alana Eilish, who just turned 3, and who I am having a tea party for on Monday...yay! and now I have a brand new one Avianna Rose, as of February 28th. She is so sweet. I love her so much.

My oldest also, just received her First Penance on March 6th. She was not nervous, and did great. She asked the priest to bless her Baptismal rosary after she was given absolution, because I had told her that St. Therese did that in her first confession. It was sweet. We celebrated by our family and her Godmother, Godfather and cousins(one of which ALSO made her First Penance, yay McKayla!!) going out for a nice lunch. The next day, Anna got her ears pierced. What a milestone. She has been waiting so long...well 7 years...hahah. We told her she could do it for her First Holy Communion, and as her big day is April 17th, we went ahead and got it done. She was so excited, shed a few tears after the guns went off, but enjoyed it overall.

I also ordered 2 Holy Communion Dresses for her to try on. We went to JCpenneys but everything was so picked over, I thought the selection was better online. The first one came, and while beautiful, was too big, and not as pictured, so we are trying again. It is such a special time for her, and us!

OHHHH....how COULD I forget?????? It is shocking really...Brian and I went to Puerto Rico(we were there for 3 days as a end cap to our honeymoon too)!!!! It was such a getaway. We had a wonderfully fabulous time...I filled up on Mofongo(a Plantain dish) like 652 times. I LOVE that stuff, and I will most definitely crave it if and when I get pregnant!!! I probably gained bout that much weight too. LOL. We were afraid we would not get out as there was a BLIZZARD yes, a BLIZZARD the day before our flight was scheduled. I was seriously freaking out. I mean, how often do parents of 4 sucker someone into watching the kids for 4 days and go off to some tropical paradise?? Not often if you are me....SOOO I even went out to shovel but seriously, 2 minutes after I would shovel, there were 2 more inches of snow....it was REALLY falling that hard and fast. I think we ended up with like 22+ inches, on top of the 14 that had already fallen 5 days before. Brian shoveled for almost 6 hours that Wed. But, it was a good thing he did, because, at a bright 6:30am, we "shoved off" for the airport, and miracle of miracles, the airport got its crap together and got our flight off--a few hours late. Anyway, it was heavenly. We were so blessed to be able to go. We actually met a great Catholic couple while on vacation...yes, for those who know us, not so shocking. But it was a real blessing to know them. We met them on our first morning there...while going on our Adventure tour to do kayaking, hiking, and zip lining, in the rain forest. I LOVED it. I would do it again in a heartbeat! We also lounged around in hammocks, went in the ocean, ate breakfast at the seaside, walked around Old San Juan....which I LOVED TOO!!! So, yes, it was bliss being there!

On a not so blissful note, we came home to the stomach bug...blah! My poor MIL...she dealt with the 1st two being sick, and we dealt with the last two and us. YUCK. but thank God it was over quick!

Baby Girl has also started walking since last post. She was about 15 months when she started, and she is all over the place now. So busy all the time.

Homeschooling is going well...although, this warm(er) weather gives us a little Spring Fever. We just need to get OUTSIDE!! We are dealing better with getting schooling done earlier so we can enjoy more free time though.

In more food news, Brian and I started South Beach Diet almost 3 weeks ago now. I was told I should be on this diet for at least 3 months prior to getting pregnant(due to health reasons during my last pregnancy), and being as we do not know when God will so choose to bless us with a wee one, we though Lent would be a great starting point! The first two weeks, Phase one, were difficult, although not un-tasty. The food is good, it is just, one can get sick of eating, no, of seeing, salad. I mean, for two weeks, it seemed like "Oh honey, do want a salad with a side of Salad, and salad for dinner/lunch/breakfast(okay, not breakfast)." But truly, you do feel more healthy eating this way. I never ate so much vegetation in my entire life! So that part felt good, and can be quite tasty. But my brain wasn't always in it, so menu planning suffered. After those two weeks, (and more than 8 pounds later, I may add) we have entered Phase two...where you re-introduce healthy carbs..ie. Fruits and whole grains. That has been good. Anyway, I have a tea party at a tea house(one of my FAVORITE things to do) and it is MOST DEFINITELY NOT South Beach Diet Friendly...BUT, I think I could indulge without undoing all my "sacrifices" as the book says. So, I probably will, modestly at least. When I go on a "diet" I usually commit 100%, well at least 98%. So, I don't think I will backslide really by going to tea.

Well, seeing as I am rambling, I need to stop. But just wanted to blog about a little giveaway over at Modern Catholic Mom real quick....great site for getting inspired, seeing what is going on in the Catholic world and from a Catholic perspective. Check it out!

She is giving away Holy Baby DVDS and you can win them! Here is the link.

Feeling Sad

So I just found out a friend of mine is moving to NC. Soon. Like Sunday soon. It is sad for me because the past few weeks and months were sort of spent in a whirlwind, and I was supposed to go over to her house for a visit, and I kept thinking "I'll do that when things settle down". Well, now I won't get the chance. So it is sad. It is a life lesson really. "Why put off for tomorrow what can be done today," as they say. Anyway, God knows his plans for all of us.

So, I refuse to change my blog background yet. I like it, and quite frankly, have not seen enough of it, made very obvious by my lack of posts. Anyhoo. It has been quite a busy time for us...as per usual for the holidays. Now that we are getting back into the swing of things, I thought I would throw a post together. A few points...

• I need to get back to menu planning. I am lost without it. I hate it. It just takes a bit of energy and then you don't have to think of it for a week...or dare I dream, a MONTH!!!! GASP!!!(okay, so while I would love to have a month to month menu plan, I find it unrealistic in the foreseeable future.)
• I have had a severe lack of motivation for homeschooling. We have been plugging away, but I just feel like I need something to spice things up. I have been looking into K12 for next year but I have a few hesitations...it would mean I would lose a level of flexibility that I have come to appreciate about homeschooling. I would be at the mercy of the state's curriculum AND schedule. (I really like the fact that I can start early if I know I will be having a baby that year, or take 2 weeks off if I need to for baby and go later in the year...with this you pretty much have to be on a public school schedule.) I will lose the control over curriculum and method choice I now currently enjoy. I also am worried that all of our hard work in Phonics with Anna this year will be undermined by a new (albeit, probably good) phonics curriculum. The things I "LIKE" about the K12 Curriculum are: The planning is ALL DONE FOR ME!!! For the children that have to be reported on to the state(over 8 years old) there is nothing to be done. There is teacher support. Oh, and a MAJOR benefit, it is FREE!!! Well, as free as our school taxes are. :P Anyway, you get everything, including supplies sent to your house! It is a major draw for me. So, we'll see about this....
• Hmmm....what else. It is crazy for me to see my baby getting into the toddler stage. And boy, does she "GET INTO" things. She is by far, my busiest child. She is CONSTANTLY into cabinets and up stairs, and pulling barriers down and away. She crawls away laughing when you call her name, she loves being chased, and actually understands how NOT to be caught. Today she just screamed "Mom, Mom, Mom, MOOOM" for me to come get her from her nap. She is a funny girl. She was high-maintenance as a baby, and is high maintenance as a toddler...all hope is lost for her pre-teen years. LOL. Other than that, she is a cuddle bug. She loves hugs and kisses, and is tender and loving when her siblings are sad or hurt. She makes us laugh with her funny faces, and loves to "read" books, she loves playing her musical instruments, and riding her "car".
• My oldest, we just found out, will indeed, be making her First Penance and First Holy Communion this year. We are all aflutter with the preparations for her first Penance which will come at the end of February. She is very happy she gets to receive her Sacraments this year. I was brought to tears thinking about what a special time this is for her. I am praying daily that we, as parents, may properly prepare her, and that she would know the gravity of what is about to take place. She will be receiving her 1st Communion in mid April. As a "gift" she was told she could get her ears pierced beforehand. She has been anxiously anticipating that too!
• I watch my children get bigger and older everyday. I notice my 5 year old, is not quite as snuggly as he once was. He has started caring a little more about what people think. It is sad for me a little bit. I enjoy seeing the boy he is turning into, but I am sad knowing my baby boy is growing up. My 3 year old is becoming a big girl. She is losing that "toddler" feeling. She is communicating more fully as a big girl, and less as a baby. I notice she is understanding her own feelings alot more, a sure sign she is growing up. She makes truly funny jokes, she "gets" things. It is really neat to be able to hold a meaningful conversation with her.
• There really is a lot to pray for right now. Please keep these things in your prayers: Haiti and the earthquake victims; a friend's friend who took his own life--Tony(pray for his soul) left a wife and four kids; a friend having a crisis of faith; my SIL and BIL praying an offer is accepted on their first house; my friend who is moving to NC on Sunday;

I guess that is all the major news right now. I really do love blogging and reading blogs. Feels good to put my thoughts down.

A month gone by---

Wow! I can't believe!!!! it has been almost a month! In that month, we have moved, (STRESS!!), we have celebrated my BEAUTIFUL daughter's first Birthday!!, my husband turned 30! I went on one date, with another one on Friday(yay, cuban food). And we have endured a two week long run of sickness that has circled through the house! SO glad there is light at the end of the tunnel on that one!!

Currently, I am making my Thanksgiving Dinner food list. I am cooking this year for about 16 people. You know what, it is my first year in my new home(1st month actually, but you get the point), and I want to make the dinner. One of my in-law's is pregnant and sick, (and she happens to be my next door(well 2 doors down) neighbor, and she and her family are coming. My MIL will be living with us, my other SIL and her family are coming, and adding our 6, makes 16!. What I decided is this... I am cooking, so I get to decide WHAT I am cooking. Now, if you have ever cooked a holiday meal(one that is STEEPED in tradition) for anyone, you know that there will be alot of "Where's the....insert common holiday food?" Well, I won't change everything up, but you know what??? I don't like Green bean casserole...I am not going to make it. I will make creamed spinach, and possibly roasted asparagus. IF someone needs to have a bowl of green beans with disgusting canned mushroom soup and fried onions on it, then, by all means, make it and bring it with you!! That is all I have to say! I also grew up having the BEST Thanksgiving dinner ever!! There were NO mashed potatoes--*GASP*. THere were however, the best darned sweet potatoes with marshmallowy goodness, ever, and well, friends, that is what we are having! See note about green bean casserole if you want mashed potatoes! I will also be having Waldorf Salad, another Tonini Tradition. It is yummy. I like it. I also want to have a little creative freedom, and by golly, I will have it! I am cooking and I think I can do it pretty well, so I will take liberties where I see fit. I am not cooking the stuffing in the bird this year, really because my turkey will cook faster and more evenly, but more importantly, my SIL is pregnant, and want to keep all potential bacteria at bay! And my other SIL will be stuffing a 2nd bird, so all palletes will be pleased! She is a great cook too!  There will of course be yummy yeasty rolls, Sage stuffing(hey I may throw a chopped up apple in there...who knows!), the aforementioned Sweet potatoes(this will be an all out carb fest people). I am also making(I think) a pecan pie, and A pumpkin Cheesecake...sounds so good, I may practice this week! Oh, and homemade cranberry sauce...a request of my dear husband...who, bless his heart, likes the idea that I like to change things up a bit(as long as I don't mess with the sweet potatoes!) Yes, my dear MIL, there will be that "thwap" of canned jellied cranberry sauce so that you can eat it to your heart's content! Ohhhhh....how could I forget, the corn pudding!! It may sound gross, but it is oh so yummy...if--I can get my Mayme's recipe for it...mmmmm. Okay, so that is all! Have a grand day!

Memories

I just found my old blog archives. It is sooo funny reading them. I am totally laughing at myself and the way I thought about everything. I especially find it funny, how all the wiles of TWO children overwhelmed me. Heheh. I am sure after another 4 years, I will laugh at all the things that I have written here. It has made me thankful that I kept those otherwise "lost" daily memories. It is fun to take a peek at what life was like. It is NOT that way anymore. Unfortunately, (or not depending on which way you look at it) I don't have time to notice some of the little things, or keep track of them now. I was telling my oldest of some of the things I had written about, and she was getting such a kick out of them. So glad I took notice of those things. I am trying to figure out a way to save them into my own computer. So I can keep em forever.

In light of my recent find, I guess I should write something seemingly meaningful from today....

HMMMM....now I feel put on the spot for something. 

Okay, here goes. Aidan woke very early this morning so we dove into his FIRST day of FIRST GRADE LEVEL reading!!!! Yay for him!!! He is such an eager learner! He loves his reading lessons, he would sit and do his math work for hours, and even asks to do multiple pages in handwriting. I am so pleased to have such an eager student. My oldest is not quite as excited. She doesn't MIND it, but certainly is not jumping out of her chair for extra math and phonics. We are continuing the slow move to the new house. While Wild Child was at preschool, we finished up homeschooling, and unpacked a few bathroom boxes, and I put away some rarely used spices. Speaking of that...should I really be filling my precious cabinet space with things I only once in a blue moon need? Anyway, back to the day. Anna wants to have a pre-move sleep over in the new house. With sleeping bags etc. I am definitely not doing it, but maybe Brian will take her and Aidan and do it. If I were a betting woman, I would bet he won't but we'll see. 

Yesterday, my oldest brought me a handwritten note that said "Can I have a pet. Circle the "wan" you want me to hav...yes or no?" How funny. She, like every other 7 year old wants a dog, a cat, anything she can hold, I guess. I CLEARLY will NOT be getting a pet. I mean, our poor fish, Stick(see blog archives on that one) is lucky to have food and clean water(meaning, he doesn't get either often or on a regular basis). I have enough of God's creatures to take care of. Six in fact(including myself of course). 

Although, get this, my husband, was working over at the new house, and he turned around and there were five, yes FIVE, cats in our garage. Our house is across the street from a quite lovely little farm. (our property used to be a cow grazing area actually--according to the nice farm lady I met today). She informed me to NOT feed the cats unless we wanted to keep em. She doesn't know how many there are, and that they are NOT tame. So...

In good husband news...As I ran over to the house to grab the school crate( I left it there earlier), oh, and also to grab some DELICIOUS peach cobbler from this local market that has SUCH a great bakery, my husband apparently cleaned all the dinner dishes, and had the kitchen cleaned up when I walked in. Yay for me, and yay for him. Now, I need to go eat some cobbler!!!

Oh, one more thing, I made crockpot applesauce yesterday with some lovely apples my niece brought me from picking. I took all these pictures, and then forgot to take one of it all yummy and done. Boo. Oh well, there is always next time.

My Daybook: October 12, 2009

OCTOBER 12th

FOR TODAY...October 12th 

Outside my window... Dark and Chilly--there is even a nip in the air...just tells me winter will indeed come...and probably before I want it to.
I am thinking... about ALL the stuff I need to do before the move.

I am thankful for...the two hour nap I got today...and also for the reason I needed it...we visited with friends from college, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

I am wearing...Pajama pants, long sleeve t-shirt,

 and cozy slippers

I am remembering... great times from college, and our semester in Europe.
I am going... to buy a house this week!
I am reading...Anna Karenina, but I have been on a major lag...it is just kind of dragging... I am also reading Baby Island to the kids for literature time.

I am hoping... To enter more deeply into prayer...starting today!

On my mind... Been thinking about getting rid of cable. We don't watch a ton of tv, but I am sure there is other stuff we could do with our time...just praying about it and throwing the idea around right now.

Thankful For...Seeing an old friend unexpectedly this weekend. 

From the learning rooms... slow day today, we had dentist appointments, and we ALL needed naps. We did some poetry and math...but other than that, it was a slow one.  Wild Child has preschool pictures tomorrow, trying to tame her mane so she looks pulled together. :)

Noticing that... the weather is definitely changing...my hands are getting that dried out chafed feeling...need to moisturize!!

Pondering these words... 

 ²¹Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

 ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 ²³Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

There was a great homily on this at Mass. We were in Front Royal VA for the weekend, and the priest there hit the nail on the head. Been thinking that now is the time to rid ourselves of all of our extra "stuff". Don't want to be tied to this world by materialism, don't want to be owned by my possessions. Lord help me to detach!

From the kitchen... Baked Macaroni and Cheese with stewed tomatoes. Tis the season of Comfort food!
Around the house... Laundry, what else! We have so many baskets of clean clothes that need to be put away...this is my challenge. I also should be PACKED! (but alas, am not packed)

One of my favorite things... warm apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream. (I said it was comfort food season...if only I had that tonight!)
From my picture journal...

If only I could share the beautiful sunset from our friend's house this weekend. It was gorgeous. And then, to wake up and see a breathtaking scene from one of the most comfortable beds I ever slept in! But, I didn't take a picture of either of those....so how about this....

One Week and Counting...

Well, one week and that's it! Our dream of building our own house will become a reality! We go to settlement next Thursday. The house is sooo beautiful. I am truly grateful for the wonderful blessing it is. I know our family will know many a wonderful memory there. My mother in law will also be moving into her "inlaw" suite. It is a lovely space with a kitchenette, living area, Master Bed room, walk-in closet, full bath, and laundry. I hope she will be very happy there. I know my children have been waiting very excitedly for her to move in! It will be fun to own our own home once again. Although our foray into rentals has been a mere 5.5 months, it definitely feels like it is time to have our own place again. 

My sister in law and her family moved into a house touching our "new" backyard just about 2 weeks ago. So, we are looking forward to having WONDERFUL neighbors. My niece actually gave my daughter a walkie-talkie so they could talk from their rooms. Cute stuff. Anyway, here is a shot of my future kitchen! Obviously the place where I will spend most of my time!!

and Here is one of the front of the house.(you cant see the inlaw suite which comes off the other side)

Check out how BLUE the sky is! I am coming to realize, there is nothing like an October sky!

Today, we decided to spend our school day outdoors. We still did the reading, phonics, math, etc. But we did it at a cute park. There were BEAUTIFUL walking trails, where we gathered many fallen leaves. We did a few leaf rubbings right then and there, but brought most of them home-pressed in my dear daughter's math book--so we could make a pretty Leaf Banner and look them up online to identify them. Homeschooling is such a nice flexible way of life. I really do love it. (Of course, there are those days where I feel the "burn" but for the most part, I love it). All I need to do now is find a lovely apple orchard, go apple picking, and make tons of apple treats. (Anyone have a great recipe for an apple cake--Jewish Apple cake, or any kind??) If someone gives me one, and I make it, i will post pics, okay?? :o)

Okay, hope everyone has a great day!

My Daybook

For Today...

September 28, 2009

Outside my window...

A beautiful, sunny, Fall day.

I am thinking...

Of the fact that I would like to rid my life of the "extra" stuff. How does a sentimental fool go about it?

I am thankful for...

a mirale--my friend's  husband was able to move his left arm after his 3 strokes, something he was completely unable to do.

From the learning rooms...

We learned about St. Zita today, and I would like to carry our fall theme into the kitchen...

From the kitchen...

I would love to make a yummy apple crisp tonight...To eat right after our pulled pork from the crockpot.

I am wearing...

Jeans and a FUS T-shirt and bare feet

I am creating...

TUTUS!! I am up to my ears in tulle. I made my first no-sew tutu last night. I am SOO anxious to give it to my little wild child, that I don't know if I will be able to wait until Christmas!

I am going...

To KY at the end of the week to meet my newest nephew, Bryson!

I am reading...

Milly, Molly, Mandy Stories to the kids. (And trying to find "How to Make an Apple Pie and see the World")

I am hoping...

a GOOD night's sleep tonight. Although, sleepless nights, remind me that my children are here with me and give me opportunities to grow in virtue and holiness.

I am hearing...

The sump-pump in action, and blocks falling on the floor as my children attempt to tidy.

Around the house...

Cluttered counters need to be decluttered, and clothes need to be put away.

One of my favorite things...

Dark chocolate...oh how I have missed you.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Making a few more tutus, doubling up on the homeschooling(so we don't miss out because I am leaving), visiting the new house, cleaning out and switching clothes that don't fit or are out of season.

Here is picture I am sharing...

on the move during diaper change.