10 Things...

...It’s like 7 quick takes, only it is 10 instead of 7 AND, things instead of takes.

1

The march for life.  People have REALLY got to stop thinking it is okay to take away a life legally in this country.  At the very least, if you are going to be so bold as to say you ARE okay with people taking away life in this country, you have GOT to start to be able to articulate in a logical way why it is okay.

2

One of the coolest things I saw.  A man was holding a sign that said, ‘pro-gay and pro-life’.  I enjoyed it because sometimes I think this seems like a ‘Catholic’ issue.  Or, a ‘Christian’ issue.  But, rather, it is a ‘hey, we have to stop legally taking the lives of children in this country’ issue.  And, we can all get behind that.

3

Aaron smashed his face on a table at Wednesday night’s youth group meeting.  And, I mean really smashed his forehead.  It immediately swelled up and turned black and blue.  Best part, kid only got a few tears in his eyes #itsgoodtoclapwhenkidsgethurt #makinglightofinjurieshelpskids 

4

Clearly, I am into the hashtag lately. I think it is cool.

5

(warning- if you are not super involved in the blog world, this one won’t make too much sense).  

It is official, ‘What I Wore Sundays’ has been put on the planet to make me feel bad about myself/i.e. guilty for not dressing up for Jesus.  Today, as I threw on a pair of cargo pants and a red shirt, pulled my hair back in a pony tail and barely had time to look in the mirror before I scooted out the door, I thought, ‘I would TOTALLY be kicked out of the WIWS crew’.

6

Let me tell you what I don’t love.  Being away from my family at youth events.  So, the March was really hard.  Because I had to spent just over 48 hours away from my husband and children.  22 of those hours were on a large bus headed to Washington DC.  Team blog-world, there are some things I am REALLY going to miss about youth ministry, let me tell you what is NOT one of them.  Overnight bus trips.  I could be melancholy about the fact that I just took my last overnight bus trip with teenagers, but, alas, I am not. I am okay, actually, if I never have to sit on a charter bus another day of my life.  I really am.  

7

At the end of the month, an exceptional retreat is being offered to young people with Bob Rice leading and Matt Maher.  It is super cheap and I really feel like we, at SJN should support it.  That being said, that means in five weeks’ time, I will have left my family for three weekends (the March, our youth conference and this retreat) and I am not sure that is wise. Part of me wants to suck it up and push through.  Part of me is like, “you crazy girlfriend, another full weekend away, sleeping on floors, might be the death of you” (not really).  I don’t have to make the decision till Wednesday, and probably shouldn’t try to make it right after a weekend away.  But, right now, I am leaning towards not doing the retreat.  Selfish?  Maybe…

8

On Saturday night, while I was out of town, friends of ours had a game night.  Aaron was going back and forth about whether or not to go, because he’d have to bring the kids.  Anyway, he ended up last minute deciding to go, and bringing the children dressed in pajamas.  Best part?  The kids were in footsie pajamas/sleepers.  And Aaron, in solidarity with them, decided he would wear his grown up pair of footsie pajamas.  There is a reason I married my husband, pretty much because he is the guy that will show up at gatherings in footsie pajamas with his two babies.  

9

I am understanding why the 7 quick takes are 7 and not 10…10 is a lot of things.

10

We had Indian food last night.  And, lemme just tell you, I adore me some Indian food. I do not adore me the price of Indian food…so, there’s that.  Teach me how to make it.  The.end.

I had a rough morning...

...this morning. I mean the roughest. I mean the kind where the boys were off the hook in terms of not awesome, I was NOT feeling well, other things, it was just the worst morning ever. I told Aaron, that honestly, I think it was the roughest morning I have had since we had been married.

But, in the midst of this awful morning (I mean, it was awful), I looked over at sweet Joesph.  For a moment he wasn't being cranky, and he gave me the sweetest smile.

My Joseph REALLY has the sweetest smiles in the world. They actually catch my heart for a second.  His smiles are gentle and knowing.  They are deep, from his soul.  They carry all the way up from the corners of his mouth to the twinkling of his eyes.  His smile, for those few seconds made everything awesome.

It is 4:10 pm, I am feeling much better, little Aaron is FINALLY sleeping (kid HATES sleep), and all I am reflecting about this morning was my sweet little one's smile.


God is good.
Happy Tuesday.

--- 1 ---

So...is it normal, as a mom of young children, that I like CONSTANTLY cancel plans?  I feel  like such a crappy friend, but  there are so many unknowns.  I had plans yesterday to go to our dear friend's house today for lunch with the boys.  But, yesterday, Joseph had his shots (yes, we poison our children through vaccinations), and today he is sick (due to the poison, touche anti-vaccination friends. lol), so I had to cancel. I just feel like we ALWAYS cancel plans.  The good news?  The person we canceled with also has young children, this was her response, 'no worries, E wet the bed at 4:00 am, so we are pretty grumpy around here this morning' (paraphrase).  I love having friends that understand.

--- 2 ---

So, Yo Gabba Gabba was everything we hoped for and more.  Best Family Day Ever?  Maybe ;) Oh, you wanted to see pictures?  Ok...

The Boy and I in Greektown before the show

I love this little guy so much

Happy Much?!?!?!

After the show!

--- 3 ---

Father Leo Patalinghug date night?  It rocked.  Best past part, he said, 'If you want to raise saints, you have to be saint makers.  The best way to be saint makers, is to be a Holy couple'.  Well, we want to raise Saints, that is a fact.  Are we saint makers?  We are working on it...it is hard work.  But, we try  And trying is half the battle (along with knowing...GI Joe just forgot to mention the trying part).

--- 4 ---

Houston, we have a problem.  As I have alluded to, I have, what some would call, a temper problem.  I react quickly and not always proactively.  An example?  Let's say I spill a glass of water on the kitchen floor.  If that occurred, you would most likely hear choice words and an exaggerated reaction of horror.  It's kind of funny because Big A is always like, 'What happened?!?!?!' and then he finds water on the floor, shakes his head and walks away...Anyway, it appears I am passing that trait on to my child.  Lil' A was positively hilarious yesterday when he tried to carry ALL his cars from point A, to point B, instead of taking them one by one.  He would get so frustrated, cry and throw them all down...and then try again.  He was so easily frustrated.  And although it was cute to watch, it did kind of bum me out that it appears I am handing that trait down to him.  Looks like I am not raising my eldest child to be patient.

--- 5 ---

Big A... I feel like I am always gushing about him, and trust me, he has his issues, but really....he just rocks.  I had a pretty bad day on Sunday. I had a pretty bad day mostly because I was being selfish.  Big A could have told me to suck it up, stop being selfish, and actually put actions behind the words I always preach.  Instead, he was gentle and kind. He was everything a help-mate should be.  He went out and got me my favorite meal (look away those that intend on keeping me accountable to healthy living) of avocado egg rolls from California Pizza Kitchen, and Max and Erma tortilla soup.  Then, he bought me two dozen roses.  He was gentle and loving and brought a smile to my grumpy face. I've said it before, I will say it again...anyone frustrated waiting for 'Mr. Right'... please be patient, the good ones are worth the wait.  God knows EXACTLY what he is doing.

--- 6 ---

Joseph Michael does.not. like baths.  Which stinks, because little Aaron has always loved him.  What stinks even more is that sweet baby boy Joey like, never cries (he does whine occassionally).  So, when he does, when he really cries, it breaks my heart in two.  When I put him in the bath, his face expresses such horror, I feel so darn bad for him.  See, it's different than when little Aaron cried.  Lil' Aaron cried all.the.time, so I rarely felt bad for him.  But Joey?  He makes my heart ache every time  he cries.

--- 7 ---

I'm so happy about something, I want to tell you about it.  Good friends of ours have tried for years and years and years to have a child.  The found out a few months ago, they were pregnant.  And, they just found out yesterday they are having a boy!  I cannot wait to watch them parent this child, and I am so excited they get the joy of a boy.  A friend of mine from college also recently shared on Facebook, that after struggles with infertility, they are adopting a sweet baby boy.  He should be here any day.  I am just so darn happy for these two women and can't wait for them to know and feel the joy that is raising crazy boy babies.  And, I continue to hold in prayer those that have lost children, or are still waiting to one day meet their children.  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Is What I Wore Sunday...

...(or Saturday in Colleen's case), suppose to make you feel bad about yourself?  Because, if it is, you gorgeous ladies are doing a great job!  :)  Always lookin' so fabulous in your fancy outfits, gotta say, I LOVE IT!  But then, I think, DUDE, I wore jeans AGAIN today to Mass.

That is all.
Happy Sunday Night.



Oh, wait!  You want to see cute, your wish is my command.

--- 1 ---

So…um, be still my freaking heart, we are going to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live tomorrow. I know they are creepy, I know they totally terrify people, I am pretty sure I have read something about how they are anti-Catholic (fear not, only the freaks think that, they are just weird)…BUT, they bring such joy to my son I cannot.explain.it. And, when he sees DJ Lance walk out on stage, I mean, I can’t even imagine. Two things. 1) I mean every word of what I just said. 2) I understand it makes me a total loser that I am probably more excited for tomorrow than pretty much anything in my life right now

--- 2 ---

I think everyone should follow Dave Ramsey’s plan, I really do. If you know me, you know this. And here is why. Every.single.one. of our pennies is accounted for. Every.single.one. We don’t spend unintentionally. I felt weird about spending seventy five cents on a mall ride for Lil’A, because I only get 20 dollars a month called, ‘Mommy Money’ (or money I can do anything with) and .75 of $20 is a lot of money… Anyway, this often times sucks. But let me tell you when it rocks! It rocks when your hours switch slightly, so you only need a babysitter for 6 hours a week, for 9 weeks, and you were budgeted for 9 hours a week for 9 weeks, so you end up getting ‘bonus money’. And, it rocks when that ‘bonus money’ is technically in the ‘baby money’ budget line, so…you don’t even feel bad using that bonus money to buy FREAKING TICKETS TO FREAKING YO GABBA GABBA!!! (the amount of loser that this paragraph indicated is huge…I get that!).

--- 3 ---

Speaking of, on NYE I got my nails did and even though I actually barely have nails, it was awesome. And it was $12. So, I was driving two days ago, and I was thinking to myself, ‘when we finally get out of debt, I am going to get my nails did weekly, because it is only $12 a week, and dang it, I deserve it’. But then, I thought about how $12 a week adds up, and I thought about people that would use $12 to eat, and not to do something as frivolous as get their nails did. And I thought, ‘wow, in the US of A, we have really weird ingrained (is that a word?) thoughts about what we DESERVE’. Anyway, I don’t think treating yourself is bad (hello?!?! We are going to see freaking YO GABBA GABBA on Saturday for a ridiculous amount of money), and I am not judging people who get their nails did (it looks so darn beautiful), but that thought process jumped me out of desiring it weekly. Seems I will be a ‘once in a while for special occasions nail did’ girl.

--- 4 ---

I have to celebrate my husband for a second. We have been going hard at healthy living, so I have been going to the gym pretty much every day. And the other day I thought to myself, ‘self, it is dang hard to find time to go to the gym daily’. As I kept thinking, I realized that my life was already pretty busy, and now I have added a two hour activity into my day (by the time you get there, work out, get back). And, I was like, ‘dang, no wonder it is so hard’. But, then I thought about my awesome husband, who this week has spent 3 nights alone during the witching hour (5:30-7:30 pm) so that I can go to the gym. And he doesn’t complain, rather he encourages me. Although I am sure it is partly because he is excited for me to get my ‘bangin’ body’ back, I know it is mostly because he is just so darn selfless. He rocks. The.end. Oh, wait, and he is REALLY REALLY RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING.

--- 5 ---

Do you think my quick takes are too long? I considered this the other week. That maybe they are ‘suppose’ to be shorter, like 3-5 sentences. If they are too long, I am throwing you a bone with this one.

--- 6 ---

Okay, check it. This week’s youth group meeting was on homosexuality. For nine years I have intentionally not done a full meeting on homosexuality (for reasons I was really comfortable with) but last year, I felt like I finally needed to. And let me just tell you, it was FANTASTIC. Like, freaking fantastic. And I’m pretty sure every.kid.loved it. The teens that might identify with same sex attraction, the teens who’s best friend/sibling is gay, the teens who already loved the Church teaching…they all loved it. And it reminded me that our Church’s teachings are actually awesome and super loving, and, when presented right, DO.NOT.ALIENATE, but invite. I kicked myself in the rear end for not doing this meeting sooner and letting bullies scare me out of it. It rocked. Probably my favorite part? Reminding the teens that if they don’t stick up for other people being ridiculed for sexual identity reasons, they should confess it…because it is a sin. So fantastic!

--- 7 ---

Finally- tonight, the husband and I are going on a date to St. Andrew’s of Rochester’s fancy couple’s evening with Father Leo Patalinghug, a priest who won Iron Chef on Food Network. He apparently uses cooking to share lessons of marriage. And it got me thinking. Bloggers, I cannot cook. Well, I can, but the thing is I am crazy picky eater, so I only like simple recipes and pretty much only like chicken and salmon. Right now, it is fine, because I am working and our lives are crazy so we eat simple and plain. But, the closer and closer I get to SAHM status, the more frightened I am. Help me, what are some good recipe sites/blogs for simple/healthy food (note simple and healthy) that will taste good to a picky eater????

 Oh, and can you guys all pray for the person who hosts 7 Quick Take? Her name is Jen, she has a really great blog (link below) and she is having some pretty serious health issues right now. I don't think I realized quite how much the blog world was connected until reading about her, beginning to pray for her. Okay. That's it!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

The Good Stuff

So, I realize I have been kind of a Deborah Downer on the ol' blog lately (I say Deborah, instead of Debbie, because I am fancy).  So, I decided I would write a quick somethin' somethin', lest those of you that read my blog think my life is anything but awesome.  Because, though sometimes I forget to mention the awesome, there is a lot more awesome than there is not awesome (read that sentence again, it was, well, awesome).  So, I thought I would write a little Top Ten things I love about being a mom of two.

1- I love naptime

This is funny, because you probably misunderstand, clearly every mom loves naptime.  But, the reason I love naptime with my two boys is as follows.  We have a ritual.  I first put Joey down in his crib, Aaron comes with me.  Then we both say 'shhhh'  and lil' Aaron takes my hand and leads me out of Joey's room.  Then, we head to lil' Aaron's room, and when he is ready, he says, 'up' and I put him in his bed.  When everything goes as plans, usually, lil' A gives me a smile right before I leave....it makes my heart melt.

2-  I love our night ritual

The past two weeks, we have actually put together a night ritual.  At around 7:00 pm, we put the boys in their pajamas and then we head to the 'Big Bed'.  There we read two books, sometimes do a song, pray with both boys and then Big Aaron puts one to bed, while I put the other to bed. I love this small bit of family time before our boys tuck in.  I love us together touching base at the end of the night.

3-  I love that Lil' A is becoming a helper

When I sweep, he likes to hand me the pan to gather the dirt.  When I change Joey's diaper, he likes to bring it to the diaper pail.  When I ask him to, he will bring me my shoes.  When I ask him to, he will bring me various things in the house.  He is FINALLY understanding the joy of cleaning up after oneself and clearing one thing before moving on to the next.  He is basically just a really sweet kid that likes to help (wonder how long that will last?!?!).  It brings a smile to my face.

4. I love the toys all over the house

Who knew that one thing I would love about being a mom is finding toys all over our house? The thing is, I am sure at some point it will REALLY annoy me.  But, right now, it is a reminder that all my dreams have come true and I have two sweet little ones to pick up after.  At the end of the day, if I am heading to my room and I see one of lil' A's matchbox cars on the ground in the hall, it brings such a feeling of completeness to my life.  Is that weird?  

5.  I love snuggles

Joey is a cuddler, he tucks himself right into my neck.  It is such a fantastic feeling.  Lil' A is getting to the age where I can say, 'first give me a kiss' and for a hot second he is frustrated, but then he gives me a kiss (or a head crash, because that is his version) so he can move on to whatever he was doing.  It is adorable.

6.  I love little boy clothes

OM lowercase g.  A coworker just gave us a bag of clothes for Aaron and it had like seven turtlenecks in it. As though life in overalls couldn't get any cuter, today he is wearing them with a turtleneck underneath.  Be.still.my.heart.  She also gave us some flannel pajamas.  I do love my some footsie pajamas, but apparently, flannel pajamas are a close second.  Joey, today, is sporting this super hip sweater his auntie annie gave him for Christmas, with a pair of jeans. I mean, my boys ride in STYLE.  It's awesome. And don't even get me started on these matching outfits that Grammy gave us!!!!

7.  I love that lil' A is finally talking

It is so cool to hear this kid talk to himself.  Big A said it a few weeks ago, and it is so true, probably the coolest time is when he is in the backseat, in his car seat, discovering the world as we drive.  He will say things like, 'Car' and 'Wow'.  When he says 'wow', no joke, it is the coolest thing ever.  He says it with such wonder and excitement.  It's perfect.

8.  I love how Joey looks at his daddy

Joseph Michael is probably the most loving kid of all time.  His smile can stop a heart from beating (don't worry, they always start up again).  I adore watching him, but probably my favorite thing is watching Joey watch his daddy.  He follows him, and loves to give him really big, wide, smiles.  The husband isn't always the most emotionally expressive man (even though he sobbed like a little girl at our wedding) but I can tell when Joey flashes him one of those grins, Big Aaron feels a pride that he can't even hide.  It is fantastic.

9.  I love family days

I adore when we have a chance to do things together as a 'just us' family.  Even if it is just grocery shopping. Taking both the boys out with just Big A and I makes me so proud.  When we are crusin' with our fabulous double stroller, it doesn't matter where we are, I feel so blessed to call this family mine.  When we are together, just us four, I am so aware of how God has showered blessings upon me in the past three years, starting with the gift of my husband.  

10.  I love how lil' A is learning to say sorry

The thing about my eldest is that he is SO filled with energy, he can't help himself sometimes.  He will be running around the family room like a crazy man, laughing and dancing, and then, without even really realizing it, he will run over to me and slap me, or slap Joseph.  I truly don't think it is to be mean, he is just excited.  BUT, we are staying on top of it, so it ends quickly.  Whenever he does it, I hold his hands really tight in front of me, I firmly let him know it is not allowed.  His face is always so bummed out, like he knows he did something wrong and he didn't mean to.  But after, and this is the good part, I make him 'show me gentle' or 'show his brother gentle' and he has to gently stroke the face of whoever he hit.  Now, just in the past week, I am also making him say 'sorry' which comes out more like 'ssssyyyy'.  It is adorable, but don't worry, I don't even crack a smile, until after he completes his apology. Then I give him a big hug and let him know how proud I am of him.

Basically, bloggers, being a mom rocks!

the.end.

The Real World...

...according to me.

I have a confession.  And it is not a cute confession.  It is something that is weighing heavily on my heart tonight, so I thought I would bring it to the blogging world. It's not something I am proud of and it is not something I think I am going to share on facebook, just the loyal readers get a look into this part of my life.

Today, this evening, at around 6:30 pm, I told my oldest son to 'shut up'. I didn't say it in extreme anger, I said it in exasperation.  And at 10:11 pm, I am still feeling like crap about it.  This isn't a 'woe is me' type of thing, I am trying to work it all out in my head.

The last two days, the kids have been off the hook in terms of not awesome. I love them each so much, but they haven't napped together, Aaron is back to work, and our family's schedule is totally thrown off.  They are both teething, and I am still fighting some weird sickness that has been lingering around for the past few weeks.  At 5:45 pm, the husband left to go move some of our friends (after only being home for twenty minutes), and the kids had been pretty cranky all day.  So, at 5:46, they both started crying.  Joseph, he just can't seem to get settled unless he is in my arms, and lil' A wants 'wa wa' (water) or 'num nums' (food of any kind) at all times.  As I was getting Joey's bottle ready, they were both crying.  Aaron's cry is not quiet, it is not for the faint of heart.  I was trying to get them both ready to go over to our friend's house, and had one of those moments when I really thought I was going to lose my mind.  So, in an exhale of frustration I said, 'Aaron SHUT UP'.  Then, I gave Joey his bottle (maybe more rough than I should have) and said, 'eat this Joseph, please stop crying'.  I felt, for three minutes, totally and completely stressed out.

Anyway, those three minutes passed, I took the boys over to our friend's house.  The boys were cranky there, and truthfully, it was one of those days when I just wanted to quickly get them home and get them in bed.  At around 8:30 pm, that is exactly what I did.  Then, I went out in the family room, turned on the Christmas tree, and thought (whilst mindlessly flipping through social networks).  And then the guilt hit. And hit hard.  I have spoke about this before, but MAN, parenting is harder than I ever imagined.  It is with embarrassment now, four hours later, that I think about the fact that I told my not even 2 year old to shut up.

I'm not sure if this has a PLOT TWIST of hopeful something....probably not.  I went and got the boy after he had been asleep for awhile. I snuggled him and told him I was sorry for losing my patience with him today.  He is sleeping right next to me right now.  Of course, I know he won't remember the day his mom told him to shut up.  I know he doesn't fully get the words I say to him.  But, I think he can tell when I am stressed out or 'less fun' or at the end of my rope (I started describing myself at the end of my rope last night, so you can imagine where I am at right now).  As I said sorry, he smiled at me- he is snuggling next to me now, snoring softly.

I guess the hopeful is that I will try to do better tomorrow. I will make a commitment to be a better mom. To turn off the social networking, to smile and play and work patiently through the meltdowns (man, it is hard when they both go at once).  I will remember the feeling that I am feeling tonight, like I have failed to love my child like he deserves and I will make a commitment to try not to feel that again- though I am sure I will.  I will try, so very hard, to remember to ask for Mary's intercession when I am about to lose my temper, to ask her to help me be patient and loving with the boys that I have been entrusted with.  And, I will try to be the best/holiest mom I can be for my family.

That's it for this Friday night, I decided I will share this on facebook, in the name of 'keepin' it real'.  Have a happy weekend friends, see you on the other side of it!