an (almost) perfect weekend - Sunday

Well - this morning was hard. It was our priest's final weekend here. There were lots of remembrances and so many things that were said - not only on the parishioners part, but him too. At times, I think the whole parish had tears in their eyes - we certainly did. The good news, however, is that he got accepted into the college program that he wanted to in St. Cloud, MN, so he isn't far away. We have already made plans to meet him and go to his favorite Indian Restaurant and then take him to MOA. I think we will all be fine- it's just change and we don't like that word around here!

After Mass this morning we came home and started lunch. I was horrified to find that the friends we had planned on for supper were actually coming for dinner - oops! That's ok - we were simply having pudgie pies on the fire (which they had never had before) and fresh fruit - they brought a cake, so all was good. It was a great time visiting, as one of their three children are "A's" age and one is "C's" age, so they all play well together. The hubby welds and likes "ink" as much as we do - as a matter of fact, they will be attending our next tattoo party! (probably the end of July).

We wrapped up the afternoon with hamburgers over the fire and corn on the cob - the kids are playing "outside games" now, and I need to finish the dishes....hubs is in the garage making the special Christmas gifts that I have found for him to make - he is so super patient!!

I have started a quilt. We'll see how it goes, but I am pretty excited. It's a "real" quilt - which is most definitely different from the rag quilts that I've made - we'll see how it goes! I also have to make a "boy" apron for my nephew as well as some PJ's for "L" - she saw some that I had made for "A" and really wanted some!

We have a busy week this next week - dogs get shots tomorrow, Tuesday we're headed to EC to go to the Children's Museum and then coffee with a good friend on Wed, Thursday is library day and on Friday we are going to meet another friend and do Pizza Hut (Kids eat free!) and Free Bowling....should be a fun, bust week!

an (almost) perfect weekend - Saturday

This weekend was an (almost) perfect weekend. It started when the hubs called me at home and said that he didn't have to work on Sat - YAY! That meant that our plans didn't have to change and that no rushing was in order.

We went to Wausau - hubs and son dropped the girls and I off at Micheal's - yes, we had TOO MUCH fun!! We picked out lots of fun crafting items - different things for rainy days, a few extra scents for soaps and candles, drawing pictures on tin, boxes (like the old cigar ones!) to paint to keep their treasures in, embroidery floss to make friendship bracelets - yes, quite an array of items! my personal favorite though, was that we bought the girls a "how to draw horses" book, a new sketch pad and pastels. These were some of my favorite art items as a child - and since the girls love horses as much as I did at that age, I just HAD to get the the supplies for them. (had I mentioned that a friend of mine from school brought over her horse for the girls to pet and ride while the hubs was in TX? They love horses THAT MUCH that even our friends know!!)

Anyway, while we were picking out girl stuff - the boys went to the model store and picked up the son a couple new models - so all was well in his world too.

After, we went to PetSmart. We needed some goldfish and a plecotomus for our rainbarrels and since we were there (and the fish were only $1) we also picked up a few dozen tetras and neons for our inside tank. A few misc dog supplies rounded off the trip there.

Next we went out to eat at Fazoli's. I love the looks that we get when we go out as a family! As a general rule, the kids are usually pretty well-behaved, so people are always commenting on their behavior or on how well they help each other out/get along, etc. I ordered a trio - lasagna, fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti. Um yeah- the portion was so huge that I boxed the lasagna and alfredo and brought those home for other meals.

We stopped at a game store and didn't get quite the deal we were looking for, but still traded a game anyways. Next door was a wild bird store, so I was able to pick up my new (made in the USA) hummingbird feeder too.

After we got home, my good friend brought over Mylie - the new doggie we adopted. She is a purebred Chi (with papers) but was the runt of the litter - so she weighs in at 3 lbs! She's a cute little thing and pretty laid back, so we hope she stays that way!

Will summer slow down?

Ahhhh....to have my husband home - how I have missed him! He was only gone for 4 days/3 nights - but let me tell you - 5 kids, 2 dogs, storms in the nighttime,church Sunday morning, a skipped wedding reception and no vehicle big enough to take EVERYONE (thus, we stayed home) yes - I am glad that he is home! I'm thinking that we'll have a date night soon and possibly even a mommy day this week!

Don't get me wrong - I am totally NOT complaining - for those of you that don't know - he went to TX to visit his brother. I am glad he did....he got time with his nephew, brother, sister-in-law and her parents - not to mention time with his sister and other brother the whole drive down and back. But, I definitely see why God made man and woman/husband and wife - my hubby is my helpmeet, the one I lean on for support. While I AM able to "do it all" myself - it is times like this that make me extra thankful that I have him and that we work so well together!

I was amazed at the children - they had missed him SO MUCH that they were standing in the driveway waiting for him! He got lots of hugs and "Happy Father's Day, dad!"  I think he felt pretty special.

While my sis-in-law and her girls were here Saturday (thanks for the fun day!!), L decided that she wanted to get daddy an ice cream cake from DQ - so we called and ordered one. When he got home, we ran into town and picked it up. Then we came home for an impromptu father's day supper at our house - we grilled steak, and had cheesy potatoes, sweet corn, salad, jello, cheese curds and  watermelon - it was a great time! I love to not ALWAYS plan (although only my brother and his son were able to make it because everyone else in his family had prior plans....but that's alright, it happens - we'll just do it again).

Monday hubs and I went to our Chiropractor - he needed it from the trip and I needed it because A was up in the middle of the night and I ended up sleeping in the chair with her - not so good for this ladies back!

One day this week we made chocolate "chips" - melted chocolate and spread it thin, so it looked like a potato chip. This was our eldest daughter's idea. She wanted to try - and hey, what does it hurt, right?!

This on the heels of last week when L came up with her own dessert. She had this whole plan and everything - adorable! She crushed oreo cookies and spread them on the bottom of the pan, then poured melted chocolate chips as well as caramel over the top. Um yeah - total sugar rush....but it's super fun inventing things, right?!

Yesterday we met up with my bff from high school and her two children and went to Pizza Hut - in the summer they offer 2 free children's buffets with the purchase of 1 adult buffet. Considering we drink water when we go - it was only $12 to feed all 6 of us (hubs stayed home this time) for an all-you-can eat pizza/salad buffet. Yep - we walked out stuffed and happy - and I was personally glad that I had Zumba last night, to burn those calories off! Afterwards, we went to the local bowling alley to use our coupons for the "kids bowl free" program. Our oldest daughter has her own shoes - so all we had was shoe rental for the other children - and since the youngest has small feet, she's allowed to wear her own shoes, if we make sure that there are no rocks in them. I even bowled - and did pretty good too!

This weekend looks like this: hubs is working tomorrow, company on Sunday, possible trip to Wausau sometime over the weekend and we are getting our new puppy - a good friend has found that she is allergic to her animals and she has a 3 lb teacup purebred chi that we are adopting. But that's it. Three dogs is enough!! (and maybe too much?!)

Anyways, this post is three days in the making (so I had to change some days there!) and getting long, so I'm going to hit the "post" button now!

ZUMBA...baby!

Yep - I did it! I joined a Zumba class - and I totally love it!

One of my bff's from high school (Stacy) - her little sis is teaching it  - right here, just a few blocks away. I SOOO wish I would have started this sooner - totally thinking of getting the Wii game now too - it is just too much fun!

Today the girls and I made soap - they were so thrilled to do this and we made up numerous batches - many different scents, colors and molds were used. They are looking forward to do more (there were a LOT of soap blocks in the box that we got!). They are also looking forward to making candles and wreaths - two other kits that Lauri gave us - can I say: I have the BEST bff's! :)

Ahhh, summer, I have missed you!

I am a summer person - my kiddos are home - life is free and happy, yes summer is MY season!!

As is our tradition, the last day of school, we set up the pool....after more sand was hauled in....and actually, we got it up a day late because there was a hole in the bottom, which got fixed, but didn't hold. So, out of the vacation fund came a new pool. And, out to the road went the box of "extra" pool goodies (including two ladders) that we no longer needed. Within 24 hours - the stuff was gone - wonders, what a "free" sign will do.

Sunday I went to Amherst to visit my bff (Lauri). I love that girl! We've been friends for over 15 years now, and while how we met is unusual - our friendship has lasted through the years and we both rely on each other for support. It was a great day and I needed the "me" time.

Hubby is planning a trip to see his brother and sis-in-law. How I wish we could go as a family - but I know that some of our children just don't ride really well and the trip is a 17 hour drive! Instead though, he is going with his other brother and his youngest sister. It's a four-day stint, with a little better than 36 hours of actual time spent in Tx....but it's ok, and I think that all involved NEED this right now - to pull together for each other. Personally, I have always lived within 20 miles of my brother and parents and I cannot imagine being over 1000 miles away from the 5 siblings and numerous aunts and uncles! So, off he'll go and here I'll stay....with the kiddos - we'll have to do something "fun and exciting" as the older kids really wanted to go to - but we hope to go down as a family in another year to two years.

Yesterday we went to the beach - my oh my - what fun to be had! The kids all had a blast and we went the people that used to be our neighbors - so the kids all got to play again. Hubby decided to stay home, so I got more "girl time" with Tina. Sure is nice to get in that adult time!

This morning is filled with dentist appts and errand running with "C" - running with a 6-year old can be fun...but also exhausting. Then we'll do soap-making this afternoon - they are SO excited and this is one of things that Lauri had for me to pick up - her neighbor was getting rid of TONS of crafting stuff (including wreath making kits, soap making supplies, candle making crafts....etc!) so we are excited to learn a few new "trades!"

On a down note - we are losing our beloved priest. He is getting re-assigned and we are pretty bummed. We knew this would happen, we just weren't expecting it sooo soon. We have met the new priest and he seems very nice, so we hope to have a relationship with him as well. I guess that 44 churches in diocese are getting new/different priests/assignments....so we aren't the only ones.

Oh, and also - since June 1st, my bff (Becky) has been in CHINA - and will be there for another week - so I have been missing my (almost) daily phone calls.....argh! :)

Sad...

Today I've given myself a moment and I've cried. I've cried for all she has gone through, for all she has lost.

Today, my sister-in-law buries her infant. A child she only got to spend 40 minutes of life with. While I am grateful she got those precious 40 minutes, I am also sad. Yes, we knew that she was a sick little girl and weren't even sure she would be born alive....but that doesn't lighten the situation at all.

The fact remains - one day that precious little girl was kicking her mommy for all she was worth and then just a few days later, this proud mommy was leaving the hospital with a box full of memories and pictures of a little angel girl. Where is the fairness in that? It just isn't fair!

I cry for her, and for all mothers who have lost their children. I know that she has faith and the prayers of all of us will help see her through this hard time. But still, I cry for her - I put myself in her situation and I know that even though she puts on such a brave front, she is dying inside - she is screaming at her God for how unfair this is - why her?? Because it's not fair, it's just not fair! I know (from other mommy friends that experienced this type of a loss) that even though the grief subsides, it never goes away - I know she may struggle greatly when people ask her about her "child" or "children"  - for this little girl IS her child and always will be.....but she may struggle with how often she wants to open those floodgates and launch into a full explanation as to why her angel girl isn't here anymore. I know that while she will feel happy for those that are pregnant or have infants, she may also experience the hurt and jealousy that THEY are able to hold their infants (in their tummy and/or arms) while hers is gone to heaven. She may look at the mom with an infant that is complaining of getting no sleep, or colic, or teething and think to herself...."I would gladly give up that sleep to hold MY baby just one more time!"

My 80+ year old great grandmother said at my grandfather's funeral: "It's wrong, it's just not right....a mother should not have to bury her child." She is right. It IS wrong - whether that child is a newborn or 60+ years old or anywhere inbetween - a mother should NOT have to bury her child.

I was crying on the phone to my mother about my sister-in-law's loss....she told me that on her deathbed this same great-grandmother asked my grandma to "not forget her baby" - as she, herself had lost an infant ... a child grabs that special spot in a mom's heart and never lets go.....

Edited to add: I went to Church this morning and there was a huge send off for the 6th graders. Father said this: "...we must look forward and keep God in our sights - for he has a "mission" for all of us - when Jesus came to earth, he lived his life and fulfilled his mission."

I could only weep silent tears....for as short as my little niece's life was, she fulfilled her mission that God had given her. We may not know what it was....but she completed her mission!

"food" for thought...

Surfing around I found a really neat article that (in my opinion) helps explain WHY Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays and fast during other days of the year:

Facing up to instant gratification

Abstinence also involves facing up to instant gratification. Our society is built on instant gratification and there are few things more toxic to spiritual fitness. It is a fascinating and educational experience to want something — something you could easily obtain — and refrain from satisfying the urge. In this way, abstinence can help teach you how driven you are by your urges, and how thoughtlessly you obey them.

You can find the entire article here.