True Friends are Forever

Recently Julia and I had a heart to heart about friendship and what it means to be a true friend! She proudly told me her best friend was her bunny Daisy. It brought me back to my own memories of friends and one person kept popping up in my head. She is the kind of friend that is loyal and honest. We can go months without chatting and then pick right up where we left off. She was there when I first found my Catholic faith and even though she and I may disagree on issues we respect each other. She is witty and funny and very intelligent. Who would have thought I would have met my dear friend while part timing at a dry cleaners but that is where I met her! Karen I am thankful for you!

Back to Reality

Well the boys are home and the girls are dreading the Monday Morning routine. It is back to lessons and chores...party is over folks! I have been suffering from a horrible toothache and woke up grumpy at mere thought of dealing with a dental appointment this week! Blaise is realizing his place again in the family and in a hustle to get off to work Tony left a mess. Then here is how our God works in mysterious ways, as I am dressing Benedict this morning he is laughing and cooing at me without a care in the world. He has been congested for few days and I was thinking I may have to take him into doctor...but my little guy was smiling away at me and just making me so happy! Who can be grumpy around a baby! Then he decided to do a new trick today...he actually sat all by himself upright for 30 seconds just giggling and laughing away! He looked like a fat old man sitting and I couldn't help but break out in my own laugh. Ahh thanks God I needed that today on Monday!

Daddy is home

Emerson has been missing her dad. She loves being with me but she is so thankful her dad is home! Me too!

Sunday Morning

It is one of my favorite times of the week. I don't have to rush around with housework or school I simply have to get the family ready to head out the door. I get to sit for 45 minutes sometimes longer....it is my time to grow my faith as I listen to our priest. Any of the week's stress is washed away in an instant as I say "ahhh I am here Lord, I made it!"
It is like being refueled for the upcoming week. When I was in high school I had a civics teacher that always said the same thing every Friday to us as we left ..."do yourself a favor go to church on Sunday"

Waste Management

What is it about boys and garbage? Blaise adores the garbage men that come every Monday to pick up our trash! He waves and tells me one day maybe he will drive a garbage truck. From time he could drag a trash bag he has always helped with trash! He collects my trash cans every morning for me so I can empty them! I am so thankful for my little buddy that helps me!

Bottomless Pit

Ok so I have been fretting and fretting about Blaise and his diet lately! One trip to Grandma Jan's house and my nights of worries can stop!

Molasses Cookies and Ovaltine

Everyone has been asking how Blaise is doing. Well here is the update. Tony's mom has really made him feel at home. He has been showered upon with cars, trucks, and a cool suitcase on wheels that he loves to pull around. This morning he tried Ovaltine drink which his daddy used to drink. He loved it I am told. Grandma made some molasses cookies and he gobbled one up! I will have to get recipe!

Good Nights Rest

My mind is a blur this morning as to what exactly I am thankful for. With my son away I had planned on getting a good night sleep. Blaise is famous for toddling in at 3, 4, or 5 in morning to see if it is morning. I am guilty of thinking yahoo it is not my problem this weekend and I am sleeping in! Well ever hear of Murphy's Law...he came knocking on our door in wee hours of night in form of booming screeching fireworks! Not the pretty kind either, the screeching, fizzing annoying kind that lasted for hours it seemed. After finally settling down Emerson and reassuring her it wasn't a hunter shooting at our house, I laid down....then I heard it ..."mommy is it breakfast time I am hungry" ok so I am thankful for that nap I will be taking later on today! Zzzzzz

While the cats away

Ok so the boys are having their fun and we ladies (baby too) intend upon having our fun! We decided to go shopping at Hobby Lobby first and then we had a lunch guest! An afternoon puzzle was just the thing to pass the time and now we all put on our cozy pjs for a movie and popcorn affair! The girls miss daddy but are enjoying this girls weekend. (I see a tradition being set here) the boys go away and girls have their fun!

Road trip update

Well the boys arrived safely in Petoskey and it appears they are having a blast!

First Snow

Well the boys left at the crack of dawn this morning. The morning seemed so quiet without Blaise waking up the house. I peered out my slider only to find snow! The kids are ecstatic and thankful and I must say the excitement wore off on me..snow brings snowmen, snow angels, Jesus's birthday, Julia's birthday, and of course Blaise's birthday! Lots of celebrating and family time! I know it means bundling up and cold weather and dry skin! But isn't it gorgeous and pure that first snow!

First Road Trip

Well the boys are hitting the road in the morning. Tony has the day off of work due to Veterans Day. He has been wanting to go visit his mom in Petoskey and I thought it would be perfect weekend for a boys trip! It is another rite of passage in our house. Each of the girls have had a turn traveling with daddy and now his firstborn son gets to go. Oh the excitement and thrill of male bonding. Blaise packed his sleeping bag and blanket and toothbrush. They will eat fast food and stay up late. They will talk about the cars and trucks they pass on the freeway and they will laugh at silly things. Memories will be made and a little boy will become even more enamored with his daddy, his hero.

I am thankful for:

Look at all the fluffy things, high up in the sky. They float and change, they're all so strange, they swoop and dip and glide.
Like a white ball of yarn unraveling,
Or an enormous cozy mitten.
I search for things up high, like an elephant or kitten.
White, white, white, is all I see..so lovely, yet so proud, as it hovers above me....
I'd say it's a cloud! Julia Taratuta, 9

First Playdate

Well Emerson has reached a major milestone in her life. This morning at 6am I heard rustling around to discover her cleaning and making her bed. When I inquired what she was doing she gladly shouted "my friend is coming over today" but not until 130 pm I said!
Yes it's true her first play date. Oh she has tagged along on numerous playdates with her big sis and she has played with Blaise's toddler friends next door. This time it is truly about her and a budding friendship. She has this unusual sparkle in her eye as if she has finally reached a rite of passage. I am happy for her and can't wait to see what mischief the two of them concoct. For wherever you find Emerson you will find the life of the party!

My Mosquito Man

Ok so this is much more light hearted. Cinderella had Prince Charming, Snow White had her own knight in shining armor...I have my mosquito man...able to get them with one flick of a towel..unafraid of heights, relentless until death. What more could a girl want!

Thankful Sister

I am thankful for my sister. She shares her books and things with me. She is so generous. I should try to be more generous and loving back to her. She shouldn't have to do loving deeds and have me do no loving deeds back to her. I can do little things to make her happy like compliment her pictures that she draws. I like to write letters to people so I am going to write one to her. Today, I am going to play with her. I love my sister so much and I like to help her when she makes mistakes or does something wrong. I play dolls with her even when I'd rather play something else. Emerson is the best sister in the world!

Daddy Seahorse

The kids wanted me to write this....we recently read a story about seahorses. The male seahorse carried the eggs tenderly in His pouch until birth. This is factual and I found it fascinating. At first my cynical side was thinking bet that sea horse didn't experience labor pains! Then I thought about how God carefully carries me thru the day. Tenderly and gently. The next couple days are going to be hectic for our family....I am just now feeling better after being sick. The kids are antsy too! We have art classes, appointments, hair cuts, and of course housework. I woke up feeling frazzled but then I thought about the daddy seahorse carrying his children lovingly thru the ocean. Hiding them safely from harm of other fish, waves, even sharks. I know God is carrying me, even on the busiest of days.

Food pyramid

Today in science Emerson had to work on learning the food pyramid and the requirements for a healthy body. With our recent bout of illness and an over abundance of sugar from Halloween I felt it perfect time to make this a family activity. The girls caught on super quick about what is a good choice for healthy eating...being a vegetarian myself I beamed with pride! But, I was surprised to see what a 3 year old considered healthy! Blaise's pyramid consisted of following: Grains: popcorn and bread
Vegetables: carrots and green m&m's
Fruit: purple grape juice
Milk: chocolate milk and ice cream
Meat and Beans: he decided at this point he would be a vegetarian too!
Does this worry me? Yes it does that is why I am constantly hiding little veggies and fruits in places you would never imagine...recently spaghetti squash found it's way in pasta and sauce! Yogurt was filled with magic berries that make you strong! I will do what it takes but oddly enough when he goes to other people's houses he eats like a horse! Maybe I should ask for cooking lessons for Christmas.

Election Day

Today is a day to vote! It is our right and privilege! I am thankful for that. I will be there in line with all four kiddies! Regardless if you vote yes or no or for a specific candidate please vote! Otherwise you can not sit back and complain about the way things are going!

Goodbye Sparky Gordon

Today was a sad sad day in our household. We had to say goodbye to a dear friend. Our little mouser went back to the farm. My son was especially upset as he named the cat Sparky. Even though the cat came to us with name of Gordon we all agreed he looked more like a Sparky. The furball pretty much won his way into all of our hearts but after a horrible asthma attack it was apparent Tony's allergies would keep us from keeping the cat as a permanent pet. It is moments like this I struggle to find something to teach the kids to be thankful for. The tears and sadness outweigh any attitude of gratitude. Time does heal all wounds and I suppose time moves faster for the young.....for that I am thankful.