7 Quick Takes- I'm about to make you laugh. because I am funny.

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So, I am sure you are shocked that the ol' sister and I didn't win the fancy Sheenazing Awards (collective sigh...).  BUT, fear not, there is still good that can come from this!  Go check out the winners and some of their blogs. Off the hook goodness.

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The Rolling Stone Magazine Article didn't make me too mad. Though, it is apparently filled with lies and of course false spin.  That being said, I think Pope Francis is just flippin' a lot of scripts right now. I'll have more to say on that in a future blog.

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We had our fancy presentation this week on a Pastoral Response to Homosexuality.  The evaluations were overwhelmingly positive, and I am very thankful for that. It was by far the most difficult presentation we have ever given, but a fruitful one hopefully.  Of course, there were a handful of evals that said funny things.  Isn't it funny how you can read seventeen thousand nice things, but focus on the one critique.  I did have a few favorites.  I'm going to share them, they will make you smile.  I will also share my responses.
"I find the self-deprecating humor tiring"
- touche my friend. I'm just such an idiot! (do you see what I did there? I mean, how awesome was that)
"These people are too young to have any say on this topic and have no real life experience with the issue"
- dude. you don't know me....annnnd, that couldn't be farther from the truth.
"Too loud, Too fast..."
- I warned you!
My personal favorite...
"telling someone who disagrees with the Church to go 'talk to pope Francis' is both flippant and unpastoral"
-  maybe, but when you are in front of a 100 or so Church professionals and got the guts to say it, one has to acknowledge the awesome.  :)
But for real, most said lovely things.

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Hey- keep praying for discernment for me.  God was all like, 'feel that on your heart girlie...I want you to be a SAHM' 2 years ago. I am one now. I love it. I love being with my kids.  But, there are other (less important btw) things I love.  I am trying to figure out how to achieve balance.  Maybe that's gonna be the story of my life.

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I mean...Who DOESN'T love the 1-D song, 'Story of My Life'

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YOU.GUYS. I left my house for the first time in 3 weeks with the kids today to attend a MOPS meeting.  Couple things. 1) Turns out, leaving one's house is a game-changer for emotion.  Oh and the sun is nice.  And yes, it sucked actually LEAVING the house, and coming back (due to the amount of layers, planning, etc... it takes to do it).  BUT, the sun and break from monotony was totally worth it. Today was the best day we have had in awhile. 2) MOPS is awesome.  No joke. I'm sold, hook, line and sinker.

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Hey look! We played in the snow for the first time on Sunday.  The boys loved it. And I loved them loving it!

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7 Quick Takes..le.sigh edition

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Gosh.
Apparently, mothering in the winter is hard. Or "post-pregnancy-hello-cycle" hormones are at a high...but man, it's been rough around here. I'm trying. I'm really trying. And so we do our 'projects'. In an effort to pull me out of the, 'omg, why did I EVER want to be a SAHM' slump...look at my crafts!  See, aren't they pretty.

The Jesus Cross...we had to get a little c

---2---

The Pope on World Media Day- this one's a long one...feel free to skip

"oh no he didn't"

So, I lost a facebook friend this week (or before, who knows when). It bummed me out because, despite appearances, I really do try to be charitable in my postings.  I was like, 'screw it! I am joining the crowds and deleting my old facebook.  Then the pope said this..

"While these drawbacks are real, they do not justify rejecting social media; rather, they remind us that communication is ultimately a human rather than technological achievement. "

.and I was like, 'okay Holy Father, I'll take one for the team'.  And he was like, "oh really, well how about this"...

 (WARNING...PARAPHRASES TO COME)

"How about stop bombarding people with 'theological messages'"- 

"How about listening (reading) more than crafting responses"

"How about not spending most of your time preaching (sharing) to the choir"'

"How about not trying to document every moment of your life"- okay that wasn't him, that was fellow bloggers, lots of you.

And then I was  like "Touche Holy Father, Touche"---- clearly, I have a lot of work to do in the Social Media World.

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MLK
I have a love/hate relationship with this day.  For some reason, and it's not okay, I always get stuck on the fact that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cheated, all.the.time. on his wife. I'm trying to let that go.
AND THEN, I get stuck on the stupid things people say about race relations all over the place on this day (oh man, this stuff BOILS my blood).  But then, the husband and I sit down and watch a movie like, 'The Butler'. And I say to him, 'can you even fathom that this was a part of your history?'.  And my sister sends me a pic like this...

and I realize that not that long ago, even in my parent's childhood...Aaron and I would not have been able to happen without serious danger. Then I feel thankful, and I think about 'the dream' and I get it. Even the anger that still exists today (which I have very little patience for...) I get it.

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Snow pants
Yea...we are late to the party. Stop judging.  We finally bought the boys some boots and snow pants.  So...the next time the weather is reasonably warm (negative degrees aren't gonna cut it) we will finally be able to dress them boys up and take them outside.  But, in the meantime, the boys wanted to wear their snow pants all day.

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The Sheenazing Awards
Well, you'd have to be living under a facebook rock to not know that I was nominated for some fancy Catholic blogger awards.  I am not joking when I say, I literally checked SEVERAL times to make sure I wasn't making up the 'most inspirational' (or something like that) category...because, like, not even being self-deprecating...but who are we kidding?!?! Howevs...hit up THIS LINK and vote if you are feeling nice. I was nominated for the inspirational category and 'best most under appreciated' which you have to admit is an awesome title. 

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Jenny's Wellness Challenge

So mamaneedscoffee (Ikr? on the name) decided to get herself on track by doing a 30 day wellness challenge.  The idea is rather simple.  One is suppose to post about it, but let's not lie, I am not ABOUT to commit to something for 30 days.  But here's what I got so far (since I read the post)

Tuesday- filed my nails, whilst sitting in my van, awaiting a phone conference to discuss our diocesan workshop next week.
Wednesday- said to the husband at 6:00 am "can you go to the gym tonight, so I can sleep for an extra hour this morning?" (he usually leaves at six thirty) then immediately changed my mind, "No, don't, can you go now so i can go the gym at 5:00 pm when you get home?".  Actually went to the gym when he got home...WINNING
Thursday- Bud Light Night...need I say more.

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This Article

I don't have to say anything. Just READ IT.

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A blog post from a few years back reflecting on the way we discuss this issue in our country

letlovebesincere: This one will probably tick everyone off...: ...but it has to be said. To my prolife friends YOU SUCK.  WE, PROLIFERS, COLLECTIVELY SUCK at getting our point across.  Watch this v...

OM lowercase g you guys!!!

!!!

I was nominated for a Sheenazing over at Bonnie's Blog, A Knotted Life.
Voting starts tomorrow...how much fun would it be if you fancy blog readers did a little click that way and voted?  Oh, I'll answer that for you...it'd be fun.

And, in case you were wondering 200 or so blog readers, you have made me pretty much famous!
WOOT WOOT

7 Quick Takes- the not so awesome week edition.

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The hole in our house
We have a hole in our house  that now houses matchbox cars.  So, we have a hole in our wall. It’s been there for like three months. It’s behind the door in Joey’s room (the door went through the dry wall- hazards of a house of boys).  I wasn’t too concerned about it, though in retrospect, we probably should’ve taken care of it.  Anyway.  This morning, Aaron couldn’t find his ‘cars’. I had just cleaned the family room yesterday and put them all in one container.  He kept telling me I had to help ‘find’ them in Joey’s room…you see where this is leading.  Apparently, Lil’ A took the majority of his matchbox cars and stuffed them in the hole.  So they are pretty much going to be there until this house decomposes.  Cars in between the walls. How tragic.  

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The mini Van reality
Remember my fancy new minivan?  You know how minivan moms are a certain age, with a certain number of kids? Sometimes, I think I am not that age.  Like, I think people probably look at me and think, “she’s a little young to be driving a minivan”.  But, then I remember I am 33. So, I am pretty much that age.

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The no good very bad week
This week has not been good.  I was going to do a whole blog post on how well we are all doing.  How everything has adjusted just perfectly.  How I look at those first few weeks of overwhelming overwhelmingness after John Paul and laugh, because we are not there anymore.  I was going to write that blog, ha! And then we had this week.  Fear not- it’s not that bad. It’s just been one of those weeks that I won’t feel terrible saying goodbye to.  BUT, it’s Friday and wait for it…

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The sleepover
The ol’ folks have decided they’d like to occasionally take the boys for sleepovers.  I think this is awesome. It will help the boys create lasting memories of their grandparents.  They will have a blast and hopefully get really good bonding time in with my parents.  Tomorrow is the first sleepover.  Lil’ Aaron is just DYING of excitement.  He is kind of obsessed with his grandparents, both sets. I regularly field meltdowns of ‘we go to grammy and papa’s house’ (Aaron’s parents) and ‘where’s busie and har-har?’ (my parents). I think I am going to make a big deal of having him pack his overnight bag.  Plus, Aaron and I will just have the baby for Saturday into Sunday, which will be nice. I love sleep. I miss it.  I am hoping to get some this weekend.

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The Good Moment
So, you know if you read this blog that I do a presentation on approaching the topic of homosexuality in the Catholic Church.  I did that presentation a couple weeks ago, and a parent came up to me with tears welling up, thanking me for helping them understand how to love their son/daughter.  I just think this ministry is so important.  If you are the praying type, would you mind praying for that workshop I told you about?  The one for the Archdiocese of Detroit?  There will be a lot of people who have influence on teaching attending, and I would just love if some of our evangelistic language would change to reflect love.  God’s love for all of His children.  And our call to love all.  Thanks homies. 

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A husband to tell the awful stuff to

Do you know what's awesome?  Having a husband to tell the awful stuff to.  The things you think about that are completely inappropriate. The things that would be social unacceptable to say outloud.  Husbands are really cool.  I like mine.

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The job offer

Hey, I got offered a job this week. Isn't that fancy?  It was a fancy job!  A job I could never in a million years consider taking with three kids under three, but, the offer was nice and flattering.  And, I got irrationally tempted to take it.  But then I remembered my job is here. With my three children.  And maybe it won't be celebrated all the time, and certainly diapers/baths/messes/etc...are not fancy- but it is the best job. And it is where God wants me to be.  BUT, then the offer-er was like, "Please call us when and if you are ready to work, because we'd love to have you work for us!".  And that was nice too.  So, we will consider that this week's win.  

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Not Everyone Is Awful...

...

Yesterday, I posted THIS BLOG that my friend Barbara posted about people who just say the most inappropriate things when they see her family of multiple children (btw- she doesn't claim everyone is awful at.all- I just sometimes think they are!). I post things like this all the time. I talk about it all the time.  Mostly because I find comments like that so awful and I get so frustrated…I just have to vent. I've heard them all.  The

 ‘you’re done right?’

'you know how that happens’

'you don’t want anymore do you?’

It sucks. 

Especially when people say them with anger, which happens from time to time.  But, there is another side to it.  I’d like to tell you about that side.

On Saturday, our little family took a trip to Trader Joe’s, on the recommendation of people like Mary and my cousin Judy.  I’d been wanting to go for a while, pretty much ever since I was made aware the prices were compatible with other grocery stores.  Here’s the thing, I like shopping in pleasant places, and Trader Joe’s is a pleasant place to shop.  So we loaded up the boys and we took them to go see what the hype was about.

We looked like this.

Note the matching outfits from Grammy...I KNOW!!!!

I’m not sure exactly what we were thinking, because we went with the three boys during the witching hour (5:30-6:30 pm), where behavior goes out the window and we long for bed time.  In addition, we went on a  Saturday night, which apparently is quite the hoppin’ time at Trader Joe’s.  There were LOTS of people, LOTS of crowds and us with our double stroller, shopping cart and three kids under the age of three.  Needless to say, there were melt downs…plenty of them.  But as we rounded the corner, there was an employee, about my age, refreshing the avocados.  He was tall, stocky (is that a word) with longer hair and facial hair if I remember correctly.  He kind of looked like a manly-man dude if that makes sense.  And he looked at our boys.

 ‘Oh my goodness!  There’s three of them’.  I nodded and smiled.  Joey began to meltdown, throwing himself backward because he didn't want to sit in the stroller anymore. I picked him up, hoisted him on my waste and shot Big Aaron a look that clearly said, ‘take this child from me and place him in the cart’.

‘What a blessing you have there!’ the man said.  “Ha, thank you!” I responded, “we certainly have fun in our house”.  At this point little A started crying because he didn't like that Joey got to ride in the cart. I hoisted Little Aaron up and was holding him.  OH HOT DAMN, one of his shoes fell off.  I bent down, while still holding my toddler to grab the missing shoe, whispering threatening words to lil’ A as I tried to get our huge double stroller out of the way so the crowds could pass.

“They are so good looking! What a blessing”- the man said again.

The man peeked around and saw John Paul “Is that a boy too!  You have three boys!”

At this point I was quite exasperated, begging Big Aaron to check the price of the nuts against the wall to see if they were comparable with our regular grocery store, lil’ Aaron still whining as I held him and tried to put on his shoe.  To be honest, I kind of wished the guy wasn't talking to me as I tried to manage the chaos.

“Four men to take care of you!”- He said (or something like that, I don’t really remember) “what tremendous blessings you have in your life!”

I stopped and looked at him.  “Thank you so much” I said, grabbing a box of granola bars, handing little A and the shoe over to big A and beginning to move the double stroller forward while avoiding the crowds of people. 

The rest of our trip was awesome in that Trader Joe’s is fantastic and will become part of our routine, but miserable in that there were a ton of people, lil’ A completely melted down (I was the mom with the kid that was screaming in the store).  We quickly checked out and loaded up the van.  Went home, fed the boys and put them to bed.

I didn't think about that man in the grocery store until yesterday morning.  And I thought about his repeating that we are so very blessed.  He said it over and over again, even though my children were obviously melting down, there were large crowds and we were kind of the opposite of a good witness to big families. 

And the thing is, for every person that says something dumb to me (and there are those people) there are probably three or four that say something kind, like this man at Trader Joe’s.  But, of course, the voices that sometimes stay with us are the negative ones. 

However, I’m gonna try to remember the 20-30 something man at Trader Joe’s, who reminded me what blessings I have.  The blessing of three boys under three.  The blessing of our little life. 

So, Mr. Man at Trader Joe’s.  Thank you.

7 Quick Takes lacking fancy because of the old iPad...

...several of you have offered to let me borrow your computers! We took our dear friends The Schrimschers up on it, but appreciate all the offers. This weekend we will be picking it up, but in the meantime,,,I got this here iPad. So 7 quick takes aren't gonna be as puuurty, but they will be fun. let's go!

(1)

So...I graduated from college almost 12 years ago, which means I started college 15.5 years ago. Usually, I think to myself, that can't be for real. It seems like just yesterday I was staying up too late at stateline, indulging too much at Stoney's, nursing broken hearts and delighting in laughter, traveling the world, and learning to be a grown up. But last night, for the first time ever, that life seems like so long ago. I think it comes from my new paradigm of diapers and sloppy kisses. Having my little family and adapting to my new norm as a SAHM. But college, for the first time ever, finally seems like long ago. Sad in a way,

(2)

So, we moved the kids rooms. Lil a has his own room with a big boy bed. He has been a rockstar. Joey and John Paul will share the double crib room. It's crazy and made me realize how quick this is all flying by. I am so sad to sleep JP in a real crib, he has by far been the most delightful newborn. And the other night, after I put all boys to sleep, I was folding laundry in the family room talking on the phone to my sister. When lil Aaron snuck around the corner, slowly creeping into the room because he had left his bed...well, let me just say, I felt like a legit parent as I gently scolded him to get back in his bed. Gosh, it's all going by so fast.

(3)

Teachers have a hard job, one of the hardest. And they don't get paid enough, and I would NEVER ever want to be one, thinking about working with parents gives me anxiety! But there are some perks. Snow days, more vacation than the average job...at least four weeks during the school year, etc... I think it's okay to sometimes say there are perks and they don't always have to be justified away. That is all I have to say about that.  (Btw- same with SAHMs, hard job, lots of perks...no shame in acknowledging that).

(4)

Our friends, the Coules dropped by a rotisserie chicken, biscuits, some veggies and some cokes this week for dinner. Randomly, on a Tuesday night. At first I thought it was a joke when my husband said, "Erik brought by dinner". People don't do that anymore. But you know what? People should. I think if we dropped off some rotisserie chicken dinners to our friends/family more often...the world would be a better place. That's what I've decided.

(5)

Cousin Judy who selflessly watches my boys regularly bought lil a a "cars" potty. I got him some "cars undies", we have m&ms on reserve...it's potty training go time! My plan is to take it very easy and let lil a direct it! Here we go! One less diapered kid will be awesome.

(6)

So, my "ministry partner" mike and I will be presenting a 1/2 day workshop on the topic of homosexuality in the Church. I'm so excited! I think it is going to be a powerful day. Wanna spoiler alert? Read this article that Mike sent me as we have been preparing, it's awesome. I don't know how to do links on iPhones or iPads so you will have to copy/paste the link...it's well worth it. I promise!!!!

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4521519

(7)

Couch to 5k. It's on. And kind of makes me feel fancy on my treadmill, "training" like an athlete (lol lol lol) at my fancy gym! We'll see :)

Have a great weekend friends! Say a prayer for me Sunday night if you think about it- presentation on the other side of the world (blue water Vicariate) for teens and parents on homosexuality! Should be good!!!!

7 Quick Takes...cranky and sarcastic edition

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You.Guys. I am so cranky.  Big A, the husband, who I LOVE, left a huge glass of water next to the table where the computer sits.
Joey,

the son who tests every inch of patience I had, proceeded to dump it on my computer.  My computer fried.  The good news?  Currently it's being 'worked on' to recover files (which, um, better happen, I haven't backed up in entirely too long) then, I need to get it back and ship it to Dell who will replace it due to warranty.  In the meantime, I don't have a computer during the day.  And, on Aaron's computer (which I am typing on) I am severely limited in what I can do.  I said to Aaron that I need to find a place to rent a laptop for the next couple of weeks (he did not agree), Ipad typing and I don't get along and I really don't like not having one.  I mean, think of all the blogging and facebook updating/stalking I am missing out on.  BUT, in seriousness, I do kind of have a little bit of  a job, and I do kind of need to contact people during the day.  I am not pleased.

--- 2 ---

On a related note...does anyone know where one can rent a laptop for a couple of weeks (it's happening Big A, get over it)?

--- 3 ---

On a still related note, wanna know what makes me crankiest?  That I can't participate in Dwija's 13 in 13.  Now I know, not a big deal right?  But, recapping the end of the year is a huge thing to a melancholic person like me, but doing it at the end of January just won't be as good.  Cranky.  

--- 4 ---

Would you, if you are the praying kind, say a little prayer for me.  We are 1 day into 2014 and I am really feeling overwhelmed!  Not by the work stuff...the work stuff is good.  But by the three kid stuff.  And the husband's back at work stuff.  And the 18 month old that will.not.stop.crying.  And social commitments. And friends who I want to see, but can't seem to find the time for.  And family who I should be making a better effort with.  You know, that stuff.  I'm sure tomorrow it will be all better, but today was not full of awesome.

--- 5 ---

Kids ruin everything!  We had a really fun NYE plans that were canceled due to kids ruining everything.  BUT, the thing is...I still kind of participated in the fun for a few hours.  And I put on some party hair.  Wanna see? (disclaimer, this is a selfie- but for a reason).

 But, then I went home, because kids ruin everything.  BUT, DARN they are cute.  And although ours are sick, we still like them a lot.

--- 6 ---

So this story might be considered gross, so you might want to skip it.  The kids are sick, you know, and ruining everything (kidding of course, about the ruining).  My John Paul probably has it the worst.  And he has this crazy cough and doesn't know how to cough it all up, so he keeps choking on his own mucus (gross part over).  BUT, because he is such a sweet kid, he will totally start choking, barf all over (sorry, kind of gross) and then give me the sweetest melt your heart smile you ever did see.

He is constantly happy.  Even, when miserable.  Kind of balances out another child who shall remain nameless (JOEY) who's about on my last nerve.

(note read some sarcasm in the last two takes- I kind of like all my kids, even if they ruin things and puke a lot)

--- 7 ---

Dear Jesus.  Thank you for having a 2 day work week, so that Big A only has to work one more day and he is home for two more.  NOW, if only you can get him a job where he works from home.

EXTRA TAKE

OH, and you guys! We are finishing our basement. You knew that, but now we have a contractor.  In three weeks it is starting. It should take three weeks. Then another to paint and do the carpet.  SO...at the end of February, we should have a balling basement.  It is going to be a game changer in this house.  

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