Birthday Boy

My boy is four years old today! I have a little confession to make. When I first heard I was having a boy after two girls I was petrified! I knew nothing about boys. I knew Tony was thrilled as all men what a boy to carry on the family name, play ball with, and do guy stuff. Blaise's delivery and labor was treacherous. I was so terrified and then to have this baby boy with boy parts handed to me I felt so insecure. Four years later, my guy is the joy of my life. Oh sure he is rough and tumbly, his dirty finger prints have graced every inch of the house and yet he is a little gentleman. He holds the door for his sisters and I shouting "ladies first", he is affectionate and sweet and has a true desire to make his mommy and daddy proud. He absolutely loves his baby brother and as of yet has not shown one single ounce of jealousy to the baby. I am so thankful for my boy. I can not believe he is a mini Tony already. He loves to do legos, play with cars, and read about trucks. Happy Birthday Blaise! You are turning into quite the gentleman and we are so proud to have you as our son! Love, Mommy and Daddy

Sweet Dreams

In the past Tony and I have done a "high and low" point of our day, but he sent this idea to me this morning and I think we will give it a try. Who needs to focus on the low points right?!? Over and done with!

"Each night before you go to bed think about the most positive thing that happened to you today... Share it with your spouse and ask them to share with you the most positive experience of their day."-mustard seeds

Frankly My Dear

When I was younger I loved the classics. Classic books and movies. I remember my aunt inviting my mother and I over one evening to watch Gone With the Wind. We ate popcorn and enjoyed the show. My cousin and I were five years or so apart but I idolized her and I recall feeling so grown up sitting there watching it with her. I dreamed of the time when I could snuggle up with my own daughter and watch the classics. Julia's study of the Civil War created the perfect excuse to do this. We popped our corn put the younger ones to bed and settled down to a blast from the past. Several hours later I realized Julia was looking at the ceiling?!? What is wrong I asked? Is it scary? Are you confused? No she replied just wondering what Rhett and Scarlett have to do with the Civil War?!?
Am I discouraged that she doesn't embrace the classics like I do? No not really because her passion lies in NatGeo and Animal Planet and I can respect that. It is funny how as a child I had these dreams and visions of how it would be when I had my own daughter and I am really learning that "frankly dear it doesn't turn out as we plan"!

Good Reasons

This morning we received not so good news about the van. I am a pessimist the glass is broken and can not be fixed. This year I resolved to be positive no matter what. Tony called this morning and said we are looking at a steep cost for fixing the drip coming out of van. Something about a rack and a pin? Who knows, my attitude went south immediately and I groaned. Not five minutes later Emerson came to read her lesson out loud to me..it is devotional stories and this is what she read...."nothing happens to us that God does not know about 'from all eternity'. Whatever He causes or allows, He uses for our good. Evil things still happen, but you know that He turns what is meant for evil into something good, something that will bring us closer to Him, and makes us fit for Heaven."
I am sitting here reflecting how quickly God has gently reprimanded my poor attitude and lifted my slumping heart. As I feel revived I received a verse from my hubby who obviously is in sticker shock himself:
So many people in the world do not know Jesus. Of those that do know Him, many know His name, few know His ways. -mustard seeds
I think Tony and I have the message, thank you God!

Mission Accomplished

I had this flaw when I was little. If I couldn't do something perfectly I wouldn't attempt it. It kept me from experiencing a lot of neat things growing up. I didn't want the girls to make same mistake so whenever we start something we always finish it. I don't think my family took me seriously when I said I wanted to learn to knit. There was a time issue, a supply issue, and to be frank...I was clueless how to knit. When my mom gave me my first lesson in Friday I had no idea how she would motivate me to finish the project. The girls have watched in awe as my ball of yarn becomes a scarf. They have encouraged me and inspite of the uneven rows of knitting and imperfect result I am so proud of myself that I finished it. Julia asked if she could keep my first project and Emerson has asked when can we go and buy some pink yarn to make her one. I am chuckling inside as I wonder why they seem so excited?!? But then I recall how special I felt when my mom gave me one of her first knitted items. It felt nice to wear something "made with love"

Presents

Oh Joy! Legos galore! Tony sat and helped Blaise build his sets. It only took two hours but the bonding will last forever! It is nice for a little boy and his dad to share that moment!

Birthday Cards

Blaise received two special birthday cards. One from his Grandma and Grandpa Connell and one from his Nana and Papa Koppela! Thank you for the generous gifts! The Lego Company thanks you as well!

Drip drip drip drip drip drip

Tony and I ventured out to treat the kids to hot fudge sundaes. It is our Saturday thing. We do treats once a week after dinner. As we loaded up the van I noticed what looked like a burnt sienna color of liquid sitting on our garage floor. I was perplexed and after some investigating and a call to my mechanic we sadly discovered old Bessy has a leak. I never wanted a van I always thought they were hideous and huge. Four kids later I don't know what my options would be besides Old Bessy. She isn't really that old but that is what the kids and I call her. We were advised not to drive her at all until she could be looked at so tomorrow morning we will take turns in the hamster mobile going to mass. We had planned on surprising Blaise and doing something special for his upcoming birthday on Wednesday, since Tony will have to work late. So in a scramble we quickly pulled together and got a cake, ice cream and his favorite foods. While he is snoozing Julia helped me blowup balloons and decorate the house. So in between shifts of going to mass we will also celebrate with him. I think he will enjoy the fact that we will just hang out and dote upon him. The Lego store isn't going anywhere and as soon as Old Bessy stops leaking we will go there. I am ashamed of myself when I think of how embarrassed I used to be over driving a minivan. As if I was too good or something, I love that thing and you don't know what you have until you "lose it".

Rations and Glue

Julia has a weekend project. She has been put on a ration system as a reenactment of Civil War times. No I am not making her sleep in a bunker and choose north or south...but I set her up with some supplies and asked her to make glue. With a little assistance she discovered flour and water could work and the artist in her began making paper mâché objects. In the process we discussed rations and other uses of flour and water during Civil War days.

Food for Thought

Tony subscribes to a daily Catholic post that sends him daily inspirational thoughts. Last night while working out at the gym he sent me one. It was just what the kids and I needed this morning over breakfast.
Develop the ability to give people: a healing look, a healing word, a healing touch. -mustard seeds (daily catholic institute)
In a society where the kids are bombarded with a "me me message" what a great thought to start the day. Thank you Tony for once again grounding your family.

What does oil and yarn have in common?

You been missing me? I have been busy today! We got up and drove to my folk's house...my mechanic (papa) said it was time for an oil change. He does my vehicle stuff for me and I am appreciative. While there we killed two birds with one stone...I made good on another resolution and my mom gave me my first knit lesson. She set me up with my first pattern and ball of yarn too! Do I expect to be as talented as her?!? No, but if this scarf gets done before Spring I will be pleased. Her speedy fingers made it look so easy. While visiting the kids got to open up some belated gifts from great grandma. My highlight of the day....seeing Benedict babble away on Nana's lap. He almost said Nana!

Happy Birthday Month

Besides Blaise's birthday this month it dawned on me there were several people in my family that also celebrated or will celebrate soon! One special lady is my grandma Koppela who is 89 today! As we speak she is soaking up some Florida sun enjoying her day! So Happy Birthday Grandma, Aunt Stephanie (belated) and Aunt Sharon! We love you all and hope your day is blessed!

Civil War

Julia has been studying the Civil War in history. I am not a huge history buff like her dad so I have to make it fun for the both of us otherwise we would fall asleep amidst the text. On top of her textbook reading we started a fun study of one family living in the north and one family living in the south. She reads a diary entry and then gets to do an activity. Here is the irony of today's lesson and how "far" our society in regards to women has come. The story she read today was about an affluent young girl Emily Parkhurst from the south. This girl went to school and painted pictures of flowers. Back then if your family wanted to let people know how intelligent you were they would hang your paintings on a wall and people would know you were educated. I am laughing at this notion as I look around my kitchen and fridge! I must have the smartest girls on the block!