Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mother who is the best Hamma any grandchild could ever have! We love you!!
Why, yes, I AM crazy. Thank you for asking!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Theme Thursday: Play
Linking up with Creative Cari for some play time!
Over Easter Break up at the lake, Jack (10) and Eamon (5 3/4) played WAR with their dollar store "army guys" and anything else they could find....
Over Easter Break up at the lake, Jack (10) and Eamon (5 3/4) played WAR with their dollar store "army guys" and anything else they could find....
Sunday, April 28, 2013
{wiws} Allergy Edition
After a couple of weeks' hiatus, I'm happy to be joining the fine-looking ladies of FLAP!
Hay fever has hit our family BIG TIME. Mostly, sneezing, runny noses and dry coughs, but I'm sporting some wicked dragon eyes despite my allergy eye drops and meds. Also, allergies make everyone -- how do I say this? -- pissy.
So, today's gospel was soothing balm to my ears: the Greatest Commandment. LOVE.
And, I hissed, "are you listening???" at my kids during our pastor's homily when he pointed out that even though Judas betrayed Jesus, and Jesus KNEW BEFOREHAND that he would, Jesus still chose to love Judas. So, even when we know someone will hurt us or has hurt us, we should still choose to love that person. And, for the bonus round, he brought up an interesting thought to ponder: why, when someone says to you "I love that song!" or "I love ice cream!" do we smile and nod , but when someone says to us "I love Jesus!" do we become uncomfortable?
And, here's why Dragon Lady wore to Mass today:
Blouse: Gap Outlet
White Skinny Ankle jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Payless
Earrings: Old Navy
Bracelet: Pandora c/o school auction
Red eyes: high tree pollen count
Hay fever has hit our family BIG TIME. Mostly, sneezing, runny noses and dry coughs, but I'm sporting some wicked dragon eyes despite my allergy eye drops and meds. Also, allergies make everyone -- how do I say this? -- pissy.
So, today's gospel was soothing balm to my ears: the Greatest Commandment. LOVE.
And, I hissed, "are you listening???" at my kids during our pastor's homily when he pointed out that even though Judas betrayed Jesus, and Jesus KNEW BEFOREHAND that he would, Jesus still chose to love Judas. So, even when we know someone will hurt us or has hurt us, we should still choose to love that person. And, for the bonus round, he brought up an interesting thought to ponder: why, when someone says to you "I love that song!" or "I love ice cream!" do we smile and nod , but when someone says to us "I love Jesus!" do we become uncomfortable?
And, here's why Dragon Lady wore to Mass today:
Blouse: Gap Outlet
White Skinny Ankle jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Payless
Earrings: Old Navy
Bracelet: Pandora c/o school auction
Red eyes: high tree pollen count
Friday, April 26, 2013
7 QT: Water, Water Everywhere
Joining Jen and welcoming her back!
1) Kyle let Will and I tag along on a business trip to Cincinnati and Columbus early last week. It was Will's first airplane ride and our first trip away alone (well, almost!) since 2008. My sister stayed with our oldest 6 kids and we are forever grateful.
2) While Kyle had to spend his days working, Will and I were able to visit the Cincinnati Zoo and the Oletangy Indian Caverns. Cincy Zoo is a must-see, but never attempt the caverns alone during the off-season. The caverns were flooding, but they saw fit to still send me down 200 feet below ground level with a baby strapped to my chest. Oh! They also neglected to mention that BATS were in these caverns. With the possibly-inbred gift shop clerk running the show, it had the feel of a Stephen King-Alfred Hitchcock collaboration.
3) Kyle did manage to spend quite a but of time with us, though, and we took some lovely strolls through the Mt. Adams neighborhood in Cincinnati, at dinner at a couple of wonderful restaurants (tapas and sangria, anyone?), and even hit an outlet mall during a hailstorm. "Tis a terrible thing to be trapped in a Gap Outlet store by ice falling from the heavens" -- I'm pretty sure that's an old Irish saying...
4) Our return flight home was delayed and delayed again due to really horrific storms in Chicago. At one point, I was sure we were spending the night in Columbus airport. But, finally the weather cleared a bit, and we boarded for a bumpy ride home. Followed by an extremely lengthy wait in baggage claim and the world's longest taxi queue...in the rain. We dropped into our bed at 1am. The record rainfall continued and the nearby river flooded like never before.
5) At 6:30, Kyle went downstairs to get ready for work in the basement bathroom. 10 minutes later, our oldest son knocked on my door and said, "Dad says to call to call school and tell them we won't be there today.". Bleary-eyed, I asked, "why? Are you guys sick?" and his reply was, "No, Mom, the basement is flooded. Our room is flooded. My clothes and homework are floating."
6) The basement that we just finished renovating from a cement nothing into a gorgeous family room, playroom, teen bedroom and full bathroom last Fall, was filled with 8 inches of water. Dudes, I
couldn't even cry. You need oxygen to cry.
7) My sainted husband and our older kids spent the entire day pumping out water, sucking as much dampness as they could from the carpeting, and bleached walls.
Now, according to the carpet cleaning guy's instructions, we waited 24-48 hours until the carpet was dry and smelled musty before he came and sanitized it. As for the walls, we bleached them in the hopes that mold won't take hold (hey! That's a depressing rhyme!).
 |
| Waiting for take-off! |
 |
| I'm not sure, but I think Will may have enjoyed the carousel... |
 |
| Will and I with a photo-bombing giraffe! |
3) Kyle did manage to spend quite a but of time with us, though, and we took some lovely strolls through the Mt. Adams neighborhood in Cincinnati, at dinner at a couple of wonderful restaurants (tapas and sangria, anyone?), and even hit an outlet mall during a hailstorm. "Tis a terrible thing to be trapped in a Gap Outlet store by ice falling from the heavens" -- I'm pretty sure that's an old Irish saying...
4) Our return flight home was delayed and delayed again due to really horrific storms in Chicago. At one point, I was sure we were spending the night in Columbus airport. But, finally the weather cleared a bit, and we boarded for a bumpy ride home. Followed by an extremely lengthy wait in baggage claim and the world's longest taxi queue...in the rain. We dropped into our bed at 1am. The record rainfall continued and the nearby river flooded like never before.
 |
6) The basement that we just finished renovating from a cement nothing into a gorgeous family room, playroom, teen bedroom and full bathroom last Fall, was filled with 8 inches of water. Dudes, I
couldn't even cry. You need oxygen to cry.
7) My sainted husband and our older kids spent the entire day pumping out water, sucking as much dampness as they could from the carpeting, and bleached walls.
Now, according to the carpet cleaning guy's instructions, we waited 24-48 hours until the carpet was dry and smelled musty before he came and sanitized it. As for the walls, we bleached them in the hopes that mold won't take hold (hey! That's a depressing rhyme!).
 |
| Scary Caverns or our flooded basement? YOU decide! |
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Theme Thursday: Sky
I've been absent. I know you've missed me. I have no excuses and a million explanations, as well as 3 unpublished link-up posts.
Sigh.
There, there. I'm here now. And, linking up to Cari for ThTh, topic: Sky!
Last week, Will and I got to tag along with Kyle on a business trip to Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.
Exotic.
Actually, it was 79 and sunny there while back at home it was rainy and 45. So, like I said...
Exotic.
Our first evening there, we walked around the Mt. Adams neighborhood in Cincy.
It was such a cool little area, very reminiscent of San Francisco --says the girl who's never been to San Francisco.
Annnnnnyway... It was very hilly and at the very top of the highest hill (Mt. Adams Steps?) was the prettiest little church: Holy Cross-Immaculata Roman Catholic Church.
With out further ado, I present to you the Cincinnati sky behind Immaculata Church:
.
Sigh.
There, there. I'm here now. And, linking up to Cari for ThTh, topic: Sky!
Last week, Will and I got to tag along with Kyle on a business trip to Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.
Exotic.
Actually, it was 79 and sunny there while back at home it was rainy and 45. So, like I said...
Exotic.
Our first evening there, we walked around the Mt. Adams neighborhood in Cincy.
It was such a cool little area, very reminiscent of San Francisco --says the girl who's never been to San Francisco.
Annnnnnyway... It was very hilly and at the very top of the highest hill (Mt. Adams Steps?) was the prettiest little church: Holy Cross-Immaculata Roman Catholic Church.
With out further ado, I present to you the Cincinnati sky behind Immaculata Church:
.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Theme Thursday: Boys
It's been a really crazy week and today was particularly intense, but with 5 sons
there was no way I could pass up this theme!
Each pic is littlest brother Will with one of his older brothers. They are all such good, kind, nurturing boys and the love they have for their youngest sibling is obvious.
Equally apparent is the love Will has for each of his heroes. They are so blessed to have one another and I am so honored to be their Ma, Mom, Mommy, Mama! Love you, my sweet boys!
When you're finished being amazed by my
always perfect photog skills, take a gander at the rest of the collection at Cari's!
there was no way I could pass up this theme!
Each pic is littlest brother Will with one of his older brothers. They are all such good, kind, nurturing boys and the love they have for their youngest sibling is obvious.
Equally apparent is the love Will has for each of his heroes. They are so blessed to have one another and I am so honored to be their Ma, Mom, Mommy, Mama! Love you, my sweet boys!
When you're finished being amazed by my
always perfect photog skills, take a gander at the rest of the collection at Cari's!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
{wiws} Uninspired and Out of Time
Linking it up for another fine week of What I Wore Sunday with FLAP
OK, so, not as if anyone noticed, but I took a vacation from blogging this past week. Really, it was less of a vacation and more of a personal challenge: spend less time online in order to spend more REAL LIFE time. I honestly thought my house and soul would sparkle!
Meh.
I made it to daily Mass twice this week and I AM proud of that. Plus, I just feel more focused and peaceful.
The house? Well, by Thursday night I considered rendering my resignation as wife, mother, chef, and chief bottlescrubber.
The fact is that I live with 8 other people.
Two of them actively try to destroy my laundry piles, mopped floors, and clean sinks.
The 3 year old and 1 year old are only slightly less problematic.
So, I'm going to try to ease back into a bit of social media during one portion of the day, and devote the rest of the time to REAL LIFE stuff.
Whew! That was long and boring!
We attended Mass on Saturday evening because Joe was a scheduled altar server. The day was spent clearing out the garage, so by the time I looked at the clock, I realized that I barely had time to change and put on makeup.
It shows.
Cardi: Target
Tank: No idea. Scratchy tag is ripped out.
Skirt: Macy's
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Dansko from 6pm.com
Earrings: Old Navy
Necklace: Christmas 2010 gift from Kyle
Also, Will wanted in on the fashion action.
The parts of Father's homily that I was permitted to hear were focused on Love. True, unselfish, sacrificial love: "If you love your children, you will be a good parent. If you love your spouse, you will be a good spouse. If you love God, you WILL be a good son or daughter."
OK, so, not as if anyone noticed, but I took a vacation from blogging this past week. Really, it was less of a vacation and more of a personal challenge: spend less time online in order to spend more REAL LIFE time. I honestly thought my house and soul would sparkle!
Meh.
I made it to daily Mass twice this week and I AM proud of that. Plus, I just feel more focused and peaceful.
The house? Well, by Thursday night I considered rendering my resignation as wife, mother, chef, and chief bottlescrubber.
The fact is that I live with 8 other people.
Two of them actively try to destroy my laundry piles, mopped floors, and clean sinks.
The 3 year old and 1 year old are only slightly less problematic.
So, I'm going to try to ease back into a bit of social media during one portion of the day, and devote the rest of the time to REAL LIFE stuff.
Whew! That was long and boring!
We attended Mass on Saturday evening because Joe was a scheduled altar server. The day was spent clearing out the garage, so by the time I looked at the clock, I realized that I barely had time to change and put on makeup.
It shows.
Cardi: Target
Tank: No idea. Scratchy tag is ripped out.
Skirt: Macy's
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Dansko from 6pm.com
Earrings: Old Navy
Necklace: Christmas 2010 gift from Kyle
Also, Will wanted in on the fashion action.
The parts of Father's homily that I was permitted to hear were focused on Love. True, unselfish, sacrificial love: "If you love your children, you will be a good parent. If you love your spouse, you will be a good spouse. If you love God, you WILL be a good son or daughter."
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