Stand By

Guys, I am drowning this week.  We have so much going on right now, and I'm sorry I'm not about to blog as much as I'd like.  Just to not leave you totally hanging, let me tell you about the fire station trip from my birthday.  We brought them cookies, and the dispatcher asked if we wanted a tour.  Who says no to that?  She took us through the lounge which had 8 leather recliners, a flat screen TV, and an X-Box.  The gentlemen there joked with Kevin and asked if he was there to sign up.  I think he actually looked into it after he saw the X-Box.  Then we joked how they would get a call, and he would tell people to hold on so he could finish his game, or he would ask if the house they were going to had an X-Box that needed to be saved.  :)  

They took us out into the main garage where the trucks are.  They had a black lab that was the rescue dog.  Her owner, Paramedic Mike, was there checking supplies for the ambulance.  This dog was AH-MAZ-ING.  That's a lot for me to say about a dog because we all know I'm not particularly partial to them.  Moving on.  Paramedic Mike would hold up two fingers, and the dog barked twice.  He would hold up four fingers, and the dog barked four times.  He would tell her to heel, and she would sit next to him.  He would pat his leg and she would sit more next to him.  He would pat his leg AGAIN, and she would sit more next to him.  She was a live scent dog, so she looked for people...alive.  She was trained to walk past dead people.  Moving on again.

If we could have this dog, I would take her.  I would want one like that!  All done and what not.  It happened to be the dog's 10th birthday...the same day as mine.  Kevin said it's a sign that we should get a dog.  I told him no...again.  For me to get a dog, there has to be a booming voice or burning bush.  Seriously.

 

 This isn't the video I wanted to show you, but the other one was too long.  This shows you a bit of the dog though.  It was a great time, and we had a lot of fun.  It was a nice surprise to get a tour when we were just going to drop and run.  We will definitely be going back!

My Birthday Acrostic

My mom sent me this email yesterday.  I actually cried.  Thank you, Mommy!


I finally got to look at the blog and realized I hadn't seen it for a
while.I am not very good at it but the following comes to mind when I
think about you.And you'll notice - I'm fashionably late!!

N - Nice.  You are one of the nicest and sweetest people I know.  You
don't give yourself enough credit for all the balls you keep in the air
- your kids and all their activities, mother of a teenager, wife of a
computer whiz, 31 consultant/executive - not sure of your current title,
housewife, cook and excellent baking chef, activity leader, financial
conscience, someone your siblings can count on when they need help,
cheerleader, taxi service, laundress, homeschooler, church activity
organizer, andblogger (and I know I've missed some)!

O - Organized.  I know you don't think you are but sometimes you're so
organized you drive yourself crazy.  I think your assignment of rotating
chores to the kids is really good for them and they will one day be able
to take care of themselves when they get out on their own.  I didn't do
well with that - didn't make you do regular chores - so you had to learn
how to do stuff on your own.  I'm sorry - but I'm proud of how well you
do with everything.  Also, I like it when you call and ask how to do
something - makes me feel useful.

R - Religious.  This one I would never have expected throughout your
headstrong teenage years but you are an inspiration for all those around
you. I can tell that your faith is of great comfort to you and I love it
when you tell me about times you've questioned why something was or wasn't
happening and then it does - and you can see God's hand in it.

A - Adult.  Ok, ok, I know you are - but you'll always be my little girl.
For some reason - I guess because you're the youngest,I can't wrap my head
around your age.  But then you tell me about how you've solved a problem,
or how you've helped someone out, or how you've budgeted, or how you've
driven through Starbucks and paid for the coffee for the person behind you,
or how you've managed to make that tiny house into a home for 6 happy
people, or how you've cared for sick kids, and I'm so very, very proud
of you!!!

I love you, Sweetie!!!

Mommy  

The Birthday Project

Awhile ago, I came across a blog about The Birthday Project. When you click on that link, you have to scroll up. Anyway, my birthday was yesterday, so I decided to do the birthday project. I tend to be a researcher then doer, so I made a list of all the things I thought I would be able to pull off. I wasn't up to 35 (my age this year *gasp*). I figured I would pray that opportunities would present themselves as they did for Robyn. I woke up yesterday morning to get everyone ready for our first act of kindness and to get Kaelyn on the bus. She was torn because she wanted to come with us on our adventure. I wanted her to come to, so she skipped school. I don't think any of her teachers read this, so we're cool. :) And we were off....

Our 35 Acts

1. Brought muffins to my friend and her family for breakfast.
2. Handed out cards to people at gas station.
3. Filled washing machines with quarters at laundromat.

4. Took carts back to stores
5. Brought cookies to our local fire station

6. Smiled at people
7. Left popcorn at redboxes


8. Bought a plant to bring to my home school review lady
9. You know those signs on the back of trucks that say, "How am I driving? Call 000-000-0000?" Well, I called one. After answering 20 questions down to the conditions of the road and weather outside, I finally got the chance to say that I was just calling to say he was doing a really good job. :)
10. Tried to give a bottle of water to someone picking up trash outside, but he said no. :(
11. Put quarters in parking meters


12. Put dollar bills in favorite books at the library

About this Batman book...the first line of this page reads, ""Please stop, Batman," she pleads."" Ummm...was this found in the children's section? I think not.


13. Held door for people
14. Put money in vending machine

15. Paid money toward someone's late fee at the library (Kevin's idea!)
16-19. Bought Chick-Fil-A giftcards and handed them out to people in the drive through. I bought four and while I don't think this is four separate acts, my husband, MIL, and Kaelyn all think it is.



20. Bought and brought Chick-Fil-A to my cousin who just had a baby

21. Brought Starbucks to a friend
22. Paid for the lady behind me in Starbucks
23. Left good tip for Starbucks people
24. While I was telling Kevin about the people asking me if I wanted the Starbucks I bought for a friend iced, he mentioned that he used to love getting his coffee iced. So...on my way back from my friend's house...
25. Bought Starbucks for Kevin
26. There was no one in line behind me, so I left another good tip
27. Left quarters for gumball machine at Kaelyn's work
28. Handed out balloons to the kids in Safeway


29. Left cards on people's cars in parking lot wishing them a wonderful day

30. Left quarters in the toy machines in Safeway
31. Took an Adoration hour for a friend who went to celebrate her son's birthday. :)
32. Missed the end of The Voice for Adoration. I'm totally counting that, and I don't care who thinks what about it. -.-
33. Bought flowers for Jesus. There were two bloomed, so I told Him it stood for Him and me.

34. Offered my hour in Adoration to the person after me. It wasn't my normal hour, so I had no idea who it was.

35. Stopped by the store on the way home and bought Kaelyn's favorite muffins and powdered donuts for the others for breakfast this morning.

We did it! It was getting down to the wire at the end, and while I don't know if the giftcards really count as one each, or if it's stretching it to add that I bought breakfast for the kids or smiled at people, I'm pretty excited that the day went so well. I'll be doing it again next year. Kevin said it was a bit sad that people were wondering what the heck we were doing and why. People are not as open to random acts of kindness as I thought they'd be. I hope that will change for people in my neighborhood now. :) Thanks for everyone that helped me! I really appreciate it!

Happy Birthday, Maria!

Hi. It's me, the sucky sister. I forgot to put Maria's birthday blog up and today, the 12th, is her actual birthday. This will be a day late, but for what it's worth, I called her first thing this morning Canadian time. :) Anyway, Ri, I'm sorry this is late, but here is your birthday acrostic.

M- MEMORIES In almost every single instant of my life that I look back on, my sister is there with me. That wasn't always a good thing since we fought like cats and dogs until we were in high school. There's something bonding about having to ride together to school and singing Jane's Addiction at the top of our lungs. We suddenly got along well...and ever since.
A- ATTENTION TO DETAIL My sister is very organized. On top of wrangling three boys under 7, she manages a business that her and her husband started. I can't get into it because it's that complicated for me, but Ri just has a way about these things. She figures them out, puts them to order, and voila! She also a neat freak, but she doesn't have an "N" in her name, so it's going here. I admire that because I wish I had it...even a little bit.
R- REPUTABLE When we were younger, Maria got good grades, played sports, went to college, never got in trouble...She walked the line. Dita and I? Not so much. Maria didn't rock the boat. She's was an angel, but she was a good kid. Either that or she was more devious than Dita and I and just didn't get caught. That might be it! She's still a by the rules type of person. It's REFRESHING.
I- INTERNATIONAL She's in Canada and that makes me VERY sad. I wanted us to be neighbors and our kids grow up together. Although if I were to be honest, I think our kids would kill each other if they lived next door to one another. Rory and Dale at least. :) Logan and Dayce would be off somewhere playing a video game. Marley probably wouldn't ever put Drake down even though he can walk and such. Along with INTERNATIONAL there is INTELLIGENT, INTERESTING, IMPRESSIVE, INSPIRATIONAL, Etc., Etc.
A- AMAZING/AWESOME While it took a while for us to get along, I can't imagine my life without her. It doesn't matter how long we go without talking, we pick right back up where we left off. She understands things about me in ways that others can't. It's a sibling thing. We are so much alike and different all at the same time. I will forever hold out hope that she will move stateside at some point...or we'll move to Canada, eh? :)

Thank you, Maria, for being a wonderful, supportive, patient, loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, funny (I could just keep going)... listener, friend, and sister. I love you. Happy Birthday!

Ten Thoughts for Tuesday

1. I don't think Zumba instructors take into account women that have birthed more than two children when making up these moves. That's all I have to say about that.
2. There is something to be said about boys being less drama. When I do school with Logan, he buckles down and gets it done. Sure he needs to be refocused, but on a whole, he doesn't spend 5 minutes before each thing complaining about it.
3. Tae-Bo Turbo is my new Zumba at the gym. This class kicks my arse twice a week, and I LOVE IT!
4. Kaelyn goes back to school tomorrow from spring break. Thus ensues kids waking up earlier again. *sigh*
5. I figured out that the only way to not destroy my healthy eating habits instilled from Lent was to eat all the possible temptations in one day. :)
6. My catholic grade school did not show all the footage from Jesus of Nazareth when they played it for us. This knowledge would have been helpful before I started watching it with Rory and Logan this week.
7. It is hard to come up with 35 good deeds. (stay tuned)
8. I'm figuring out that I can make decisions on my own. I don't need to follow to the tee something that I like that someone else does. I can actually tweak things to my needs. This is a long hard lesson I'm learning very sllooooooowwwwllllyyyy.
9. Bread making is proving to be a worthy opponent.
10. I hate my hair. This is something Kevin has heard almost every day for the past 10 years. I'm going to do something drastic to it in the Philippines. Why there? Because last time I was there, they straightened my hair with something that burned my scalp. That's the real deal.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. For your patience, here is a picture.
How cute is this? I don't know why they were sitting like this. It's adorable.

Easter in Pictures

Happy Easter! Here was ours in pictures. Please excuse the mess of our home while you look around. :) He is risen!







My little chick cake pops. Don't ask.
I'm upset with Rory and Logan for this shot. My mom took a couple of pictures and this one was the only one where I think everyone's eyes were open...but they were looking down. :/


Ok, here's the story behind this picture. My parents took us out to brunch at Clyde's. There was a lady sitting at the corner table that Kevin, Kaelyn, and I discussed as the real live Cruella DeVille. I never claimed to be nice, people! Anyway, I wanted to get a picture of her and did it under the planning that I was taking a picture of my mom and Kaelyn. I'm pleasantly surprised with what a good picture it turned out to be!






Kaelyn's egg is the bunny and the sunrise or set next to it. She was so proud of these eggs...as she should be.

April Fool's Daybook

Outside my window...
It's dark and raining. Where did spring go? I guess the rain is on par, but the temps are less than appealing. Hoping for a little warmer but not too much. I want spring.

I am thankful for...
sick kids. It's made us slow down a bit. We've been lounging..in jammies...not schooling..watching too much tv...and playing too many video games. :)

I am thinking about...
how to sneak a little school in while everyone is sick. While throwing caution to the sick wind is fun, I'm getting a little worried about how much we haven't done.

Learning all the time...
The most schooling the kids have gotten is watching Mythbusters. Does that count? Kevin went to a show of theirs since they're on tour and ever since, the kids have been into it...except for when they're busting myths about decapitation.

From the kitchen...
disasters in the bread front. It's just been a hard couple of lessons in trying to branch out to different types of bread. Still loving milling my own flour.

I am creating...
balance...or at least trying to. Referring to what I'm thankful for...I need balance to know when I need to do what. Sometimes when I'm really good at one or two things in my life, all the other areas fall apart. My phases are just which ones I slack on at different times. I'm trying to balance that. I don't know how yet.

I am working on...
getting back into my chores. My groove has been off since the kids got sick...and if I want to be honest...since even before then. This started happening when I felt limited by not being able to start school until 10a every day. Inevitably I would be schooling Rory every naptime, and I want some of that time to myself. Here's where the balance comes in. And that whole not on the internet before lunch..I haven't seen that for a while. I need to regroup. I need to use this sick time.

I am going...
to dive into my holy week. I normally do daily Mass at this time each year, but with sick kids, I don't see it happening. Hoping to make it to some events at least going on this week. Looking forward to the Easter Vigil. I must admit I love the music. :)

I am hoping...
for some well kids soon just to get out of the house. We're stir crazy in here. My friend is to the point of telling me to just get them some meds tomorrow so they can come play with her kids and get out.

I am reading...
nothing right now. I have a Lenten App that I read every morning, but that's about it. I have a daily devotional book called "Jesus Calling" that my friend got me. Each day is a new message, and folks, it's scary that these messages are EXACTLY what I need to hear each day. For instance, for today this was my message...

"I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn for a simplified lifestyle, so that your communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.
Talk with Me about every aspect of your day, including your feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me."

Now that we're all warm and fuzzy...

I am praying for...
All my new mother friends and prego friends, my sisters and their families.

I am hearing...
Mythbusters. So is my life.

Around the house...
I got the kids wooden bunkbeds. We had bunkbeds before, but they were metal. Every time Rory climbed down, Logan would wake up from the squeaking and creaking. Logan's bed was destroyed, and I needed to do something. They broke their dresser too. I found wooden bunkbeds that separate into two separate beds if needed (yes, later). Then our friends had some dressers that they don't use anymore that match and they gave them to us...FREE! They're pretty nice too. So this weekend with everyone sick, we got their room together. There's so much more floor space, and everyone has their drawers, and it's great. I'm pretty excited about it.

One of my favorite things...
Ummmm...just said the kids' room.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A doc appt., getting out of jury duty next week, tending to sickies, enjoying not having to get Kaelyn on the bus and the kids sleeping a bit later because she's on spring break! That means no alarm to wake them up and no loud Kaelyn stumbling around in the morning waking them up.

Here is a VIDEO thought I am sharing with you...

Remember how Rory is in Fiddler on the Roof? They sent home a CD of the songs for the show that the kids listen to all the time. See if you can recognize this rendition from Marley.



Did you get it?

Happy Monday!