her Little Ways

Sew, You Want to be my Valentine?

2012-02-14T12:03:00.000-06:00

Since preschool, Mary Catherine and I have always made her Valentines. (One year we made them AND purchased store-bought because she didn't want to feel left out...she quickly discovered how appreciated homemade Valentines really are!)

So this year was no exception.

And while I did see lots of cute ideas on Pinterest and even used one idea to make Benjamin's valentines, I really wanted to do something hand "sewn" with Mary Catherine.

Thus, we created these little heart pockets that we sewed together out of beautiful scrapbook papers. They were so easy and only took us about an hour to create...including slicing paper, cutting handmade hearts, stitching together, and stuffing with conversation hearts...the SweeTarts variety!

We started with this...

transformed into this...

stitched together like this...

resulting in these...

Each one lovingly stitched together by mama...with a little help from Mary Catherine on the foot pedal...might be why a few are crooked!

But that's the beauty of them, right?

My little one then painstakingly "assigned" each classmate, teacher, principal a valentine based on the color, design, personality...

Sew...you want to be Mary's Valentine?

You Make My Heart GLOW!

2012-02-13T17:33:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Pinterest, I don't think that I will ever purchase store-bought Valentine's again!

This year, I discovered this cute idea from The Teacher Wife.

I just loved her idea of using glow sticks...those things are a favorite of my kiddos!

Of course, I forgot to take a picture of Ben's finished pile...but they turned out pretty cute. His hearts were taped a bit crooked to the card stock and a couple glow sticks had to be replaced because he "cracked" them while attaching to the backs, but otherwise this was an easy card to make.

And they were a huge hit with his pre-K class this morning! That was one group of kiddos that was actually GLAD that a snow day wasn't called.

That First Magical Snowfall

2012-02-13T09:43:00.001-06:00

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event."

~Anonymous

Our first official one inch (1") of snow fell overnight in Kansas City.

And although my little ones were greatly disappointed to learn that they still had school, plans have already been made to sled, make snow angels and drink hot chocolate after dismissal!

I just love the beauty of fresh falling snow.

(Pictures of our home from street level on Kansas City's first official 1" snowfall of the Winter of 2011/2012. Must take pictures today...it is supposed to be in the 50s by this weekend!)

"...small minds discuss people"

2012-02-09T12:55:00.000-06:00

Recently, I've been a bit disheartened by comments that I have read while out and about in blog-land.

Enough already.

I think Eleanor Roosevelt sums it up nicely...

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

My hope is that whenever you visit here, you are left with a sense of kindness...peace...love.

Mother Teresa said it so well...

"Words which do not increase the light of Christ, increase the darkness."

And might I just add...I truly feel blessed to be part of a community of bloggers who place their time and efforts on their faith, family, farms/homes.

Thank you to all of you for the time you take to share your kind thoughts and words with me,

for sticking with me when life slows me down and I'm not able to blog regularly,

and for writing the type of posts on your own blogs that are often thoughtful, encouraging, and filled with beauty...both ideas and photography.

Yours are the types of blogs that fill me up and renew my spirit.

Thank You!

Luke Alexander 18-Months

2012-02-03T12:56:00.001-06:00

Baby Luke is no longer a baby.

I suppose he hasn't been a baby for about 6-months now...

...and he's definitely ALL TODDLER!

He had a wonderful well-baby visit yesterday, despite being covered in tiny blisters over hands and feet. (Doc says he saw none in the mouth and doesn't believe it to be hand/foot/mouth disease. Rather, just a result of the gastro-virus we all had last week.)

Drum roll please...

Weight: 29 lbs! (80th %)

Do you recall that this was the baby whose chart was labeled "Failure to Thrive" because he was solely breastfed for the first 6-months and was only in the 3rd percentile for weight?!!! Funny how these things "correct" themselves!

Height: 34" (90th %)

Still not much of a talker, but my little man has great receptive vocabulary. He can follow most simple 1-step directions and can definitely gesture, point, slap, grunt, etc. to get his point across. :) We will revisit the talking issue at 24-months if he is still not using 2-word sentences, but for now the pediatrician is not concerned and finally, for the first time, neither am I. Seems Chris and I have kiddos that just aren't early talkers.

Enjoy the pics! So sad that Picnik is going away!!!

Brothers playing in the backyard together.

Edited in Picnik using AutoCorrect

Another version of same pic edited in Picnik

It's National Catholic Schools Week!

2012-02-02T10:19:00.000-06:00

It's National Catholic Schools Week!

In addition to the stomach flu hitting our household...I had committed myself to creating the bulletin boards for Mary's school to celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2012.

Whew. That was an undertaking to say the least!

The teachers have such limited access to art and paper supplies that I had little choice on what to work with. I would have preferred any other paper color for the bulletin board backgrounds than orange, but you work with whatcha got!

Mary's principal asked only that the bulletin boards have a cohesive look to them and demonstrate the five principles that fulfill the school's mission statement. These include:

Embracing Christ

Nurturing Relationships

Appreciating Diversity

Cultivating Knowledge

Recognizing Equality

Here's what I came up with using the official logo as a jumping off point. (I need to go back up to school and take a few more pictures now that student artwork and classroom work have been added! The students have really created some beautiful classroom work.)

Embracing Christ

Nurturing Relationships

Recognizing Equality

Appreciating Diversity


Cultivating Knowledge

These were a lot of work...not so much because of the time or skill required to put together...but rather because I had an 18-month old "helper"!

I also had to hire a babysitter one afternoon because Benjamin was so sick with the flu and I couldn't take him to the school with me. Needless to say, that afternoon I got quite a bit accomplished!

I have to say, I had truly forgotten how much I enjoyed this type of "creativity" for the classroom! Creating thought-provoking, energizing, and sometimes even interactive bulletin boards for my students, while working as a 3rd grade teacher, was one of my favorite "job requirements" and something I was good at! (You should have seen my classroom door display during "Dr. Seuss" Week! My students won 1st Place in a classroom door decorating contest with our Fox in Socks interactive door display!!! Love, love, love lamination and Velcro!)

So, happy National Catholic Schools Week! I love this year's motto...Faith. Academics. Service.

In our family that's what it's all about!

Only a life lived for others is worth living.

~Albert Einstein

And...I got the Stomach Flu

2012-01-31T17:27:00.000-06:00

Well, unfortunately, I didn't make it through the early night before coming down with the stomach flu.

It was bound to happen.

One can only clean up after others so many times...without the benefit of gloves...without falling victim to the same bug!

So, last night was a long and rough night.

I'm feeling better. A little. It seems to last about 12-18-hours around here.

Just enough to cause utter chaos around the house!

Anyway, hope to be back up and running tomorrow.

I don't have a choice. The husband is out of town.

Doesn't it always work out that way?!!!

We're Alive...Barely.

2012-01-30T20:10:00.000-06:00

Sorry so long no post...and no visiting.

I'm stuck in a vortex of stomach flu at our house.

First Mary. Then Benjamin. Then Benjamin.

Yup, I typed that correctly. Poor Ben got it twice.

It's been a long two and half weeks around our house.

The bright side...that sweet baby...I mean TODDLER....of mine has yet to get sick! Could Luke still have immunity from breast feeding...7 months later? LOL

Hope to be back to post tomorrow...but now my tummy hurts. ugh

I'm off to bed after an especially long night last night. Three baths for Ben between 8 PM and 1:30 AM. oy!

HE Gives Us Enough Talent & Grace To Tell Others

2012-01-08T21:53:00.000-06:00

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, where Christ reveals himself to man. In our western Catholic tradition, this specifically relates to the visit of the magi (three kings) and thus, the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.

As I was listening to Father deliver his homily, I was struck by the awesome responsibility that has been handed to us as recipients of the gift of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Gospel Mt 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod,

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage."

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled,

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel."

Then Herod called the magi secretly

and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said,

"Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word,

that I too may go and do him homage."

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star,

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,

they departed for their country by another way.

But, the story does not end there.

Instead, the magi tell people about Christ. They DO something.

And so, our responsibility never ends...to quote Father Pat, "We have enough talent and grace to tell others, to announce Christ..."

So how do we do that?

First, by accepting the Gospel...

Second, by offering up to God the most precious gifts we have,

and Third, by telling others.

That might look like going door to door sharing the Gospel, it might take the form of collegians handing out tracts on campus, or maybe, it just might take a "quieter" approach that looks like a parent sharing the Gospel with their child in the home, or living a life that is an example of Christianity to our neighbors and co-workers.

Only you know how the Holy Spirit is moving you.

But regardless of "the way"...we are all called to announce Christ!

Wishing you a Most Blessed Feast of the Epiphany,

My daughter's gift?

Art. She loves to draw and sketch. And often draws pictures of the Cross, Crucifix, Saints.

During Father's homily (sorry Father Pat!) ;) she sketched this sweet drawing of our parish Nativity scene. I just love the little lamb and the tiny crown that she placed on Baby Jesus!

Linking up with Spiritual Sundays. Please drop by to read other beautiful, faith-filled posts.

Sewing on Saturday: Project 1/52 (Ruffle-Bottom Boutique-Style Pants)

2012-01-07T07:15:00.000-06:00

Last March, (yes, nine months ago) I took a sewing class at a local craft store.

I never learned to sew while growing up and was "too busy" with other coursework to take Home Economics classes while in high school! Who needs to know how to sew?!!! Fast-forward twenty-five years...I do! And it's not so much "a need" as "a desire".

Anyway, I didn't blog about it because I know myself. I am a perfectionist, and sewing has been my nemesis. If I can't do it "right" on the first try with this craft, then I usually give up. And, I did. Give up.

But, my New Year's resolution is to live a more intentional life.

Meaning, I really need to put the perfectionism aside and be more determined to learn a new skill and find enjoyment in the process. Regardless of the final result! :)

So, I am planning on creating 52 new projects throughout 2012. I think I can manage 1-project a week given my "easy" skill level and can't wait to create clothing for my three kiddos as well as soft furnishings for my home and/or as gifts for others.

Feel free to join me each Saturday as I "sew my way through 2012". I plan to share tips and tricks that I learn as a novice, and would certainly appreciate any advice that you, dear readers, might have to offer!

Happy Sewing on Saturday!!!

"Boutique Style" Ruffle-Bottom Pants

As you can see from the above photo, I struggle with even the most-basic of sewing skills! The strip of fabric on top was my first attempt at hemming the ruffle. My stitching was everywhere! Then I remembered that I'm supposed to use "the guide" as my fabric feeds through the machine. Thus, the bottom ruffle has a much neater hem line!

And you thought I was kidding about being a novice!

Here is my first attempt, ever, at creating a ruffle. If you disregard my sloppy sewing skills, you might actually agree with me that it turned out cute, no? Mary Catherine picked the fabric (pants are the polka dot fabric). We wanted something "Fall/Winterish". Darling daughter actually wanted the pants made from the "cheetah" fabric. I vetoed that idea.

My work in progress...from far-away these don't look too bad! And wow...attaching that ruffle to the pant leg, about made me return to my old ways (of quitting!), but I persevered.

The "nearly" finished product. I still need to add the elastic waistband, which I will do today.

Finally, a few pics of Mary modeling her new pants.

And I have enough fabric leftover to make a pair of ruffle cuffs to add to a turtleneck to make a coordinated outfit. Which is perfect since I need to really practice those hem lines!

Some Simple Sewing Truths

(I learned along the way!)

Following an "EASY" sewing pattern is not as "easy" as it sounds for the novice.
Your seam ripper will become your best friend.
When in doubt...Google! There are amazing sewing tutorials out on the web.
Novices really need to PIN their fabric when sewing seams, hems, etc. Even if you've pressed your fabric.
Sewing is best done during naptime. ;)

Here's the pattern I used...McCall's M6429

Favorite "YouTube" tutorial for creating ruffles to add to pants...

Sewing with Simply Annie Kate

Her blog...Simply Annie Kate

When You Dare to Find Joy...in the Little Things

2012-01-06T17:44:00.001-06:00

Early this morning, I read this post. And it moved me. In a way, similar, to yesterday's link that I shared.

Ann Voskamp, author of A Holy Experience
(visit here!)

can make me long to be a farmer's wife...have six children...and walk closer with Christ. Her writing is amazing and, apparently, many of you think so, too. Her book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are was on the New York Times Bestseller list.

And she's continuing the quest...her personal journey to find 1000 gifts from God in 2012.

And she's invited us to participate.

All it takes is listing three gifts a day...the way sunlight sparkles through your kitchen window...how a snowflake floats gently to the ground...seeing a tulip bulb begin to sprout...to find a 1000 ways to say thank you to God in one calender year.

Are you longing for more joy in your life?

Are you tired of feeling anxious...worried...stressed?

Sometimes, all it takes is a change in perspective...even if our circumstances can't change...

Will you join me on this dare to find joy...to give thanks?

You need not make it public. It can be a privately kept journal.

Not sure you can find 1000 gifts in 2012...Ann has a printable journal page with daily prompts.

Go here.

So here I go...the start of my list of 1000 gifts that I give thanks to God for experiencing...

January 1: Three things about yourself that you are thankful for...(1) That I'm quick to smile. (2) I can carry on a conversation with anyone...senior citizen...preschooler...special needs adult... (3) That I'm an optimistic peacemaker...always looking for a way to compromise so that all parties are happy.

January 2: A gift outside, inside, on a plate...(4) 58 degree weather in January. (5) A home with a 3rd story finished attic so that my boys might share a bedroom. (6) Paula Deen's Pumpkin (Chocolate) Chip Bread.

January 3: Three lines you overheard that were graces...(7) "Valerie, you always make me smile" (8) "Your joy is contagious" (9) "Mom, I wish I had a thousand dollars to give you to pay our bills."

January 4: one gift old, new, & blue: (10) creamer pitcher and sugar bowl from my great-grandmother; brought to the United States with her from Poland; late 1800s. (11) Cuisinart Bread maker. (12) Luke Alexander!!!

January 5: Something you're reading, you're making, you're seeing...(13) January/February Issues of Southern Lady magazine. (14) Ruffled-bottom pants for my daughter; McCall's Easy Pattern M6429 (15) Pine cone Nutcracker mouse on my desk that my daughter made with her Daisy Scout Troop.

January 6: One thing in your bag...your fridge...your heart...(16) Diaper in my purse...proof positive that I triumphed over infertility. (17) Bottle of Moscato wine. (18) Deep love and admiration for my husband who works 2, sometimes 3, jobs.

Calling All Mothers of Boys...

2012-01-05T08:07:00.000-06:00

Tabitha of Team Studer wrote the most beautiful post about mothers and sons! Her 25 Rules for Mothers of Sons is not just eloquently written and full of many truths, but also a poignant reminder of the enormous responsibility we have in raising future husbands...fathers...or those called to the consecrated life.

Grab a cup of coffee...and a box of Kleenex...and take a couple of moments for yourself. You'll be glad you did!

And here's a shot of my own team...Team Brothers (and Sister)!

Happy Thursday!

Flower Child

2012-01-04T05:00:00.002-06:00

He came home with the bouquet of carnations for her...to her surprise and delight. And she immediately asked if she could keep them in her bedroom.

Lover of nature...art...music, this child of mine came downstairs with her hair fashioned with flowers.

His eyes grew misty with tears when he saw how much his simple gesture meant to her...the joy that she received from this impromptu gift.

"Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get."

~H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (author of Life's Little Instruction Book)

And today I'm linking up with "Wordless Wednesday...with Words!" Ha! Love it...because I just cannot communicate without words!

Tuesday's Tip: Beauty in the Home (Pump Soap)

2012-01-03T18:00:00.005-06:00

As I truly am trying to live a more intentional life, I thought it would be helpful if I posted a simple homemaking tip every Tuesday to hold myself accountable to my New Year's resolution. Thus, "Tuesday's Tip".

And first up...pump soap. Yes, I really am blogging about pump soap!

Whenever I visit my parents' home, I love visiting my mother's guest bathroom. She always has the most fragrant pump soap for washing hands and a beautiful hand towel for drying. It makes visiting her lavatory an enjoyable experience!

But when my husband and I came to the decision that I should stay home, we needed to make some drastic spending cuts. Lots of frivolous spending went away including magazine subscriptions, expensive eating out, and pump soap.

As in...pump soap from Bath & Body Works.

And I've really missed it. While "Equate" pump soap from Walmart certainly does the job...it's not a very "joyful" way to wash one's hands!

And so, while shopping at Bath & Body Works for some holiday trinkets for my two sweet babysitters, I "splurged" on some scented pump soaps.

And you know what?

Almost immediately our house began to feel more like a home!

Mistletoe Kiss is in our guest bathroom and kitchen...and Ribbon Candy in the children's shared bathroom (which doubles as a "guest bath" when my parents come to visit).

A simple folk art Santa hand towel complemented the fruity/woodsy fragrant smell of the pump soap and made my first floor 1/2 bath a cozy and inviting place to wash up.

For the children's shared bathroom, I went with "Ribbon Candy" to complement the pastel colors I have in their bathroom including their lime green hand towels. An unforeseen bonus...my kids LOVE washing their hands with it!

And while I probably won't purchase expensive pump soap for their upstairs bathroom throughout the year, I definitely plan on keeping "fancier" pump soap in my first floor guest bathroom for both visitors and my loved ones.

After all, we should decorate our homes for ourselves and our loved ones. Don't we deserve to be treated as "guests" in our own homes?

"We choose how enthusiastically we live our time alive."

~Alexandra Stoddard, Time Alive: Celebrate Your Life Everyday

After-Christmas Holiday Savings

2012-01-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

I am really not an "after-Christmas-sales" type of shopper.

But, I've had my heart set on hanging Christmas wreaths from ribbon on each of my wrap-around front porch windows for several years now. So, in my effort to live life more intentionally, I promised myself that I would hit the craft stores after Christmas to find greenery on sale for next year.

And "on sale" I did! As in 70% off all holiday decorations.

I was able to purchase four wreaths of greenery and pine cone on metal bases for $5.99/ea. regularly priced $19.99, and...

...I got these adorable little dessert plates for $.59/ea., regularly $1.99. I bought 10 of them...five "Christmas Trees" and five "Stacks of Presents". I think that my two older children and their friends/classmates will really enjoy using these plates at a little "Christmas Tea" that I am dreaming up!

Already, I can't wait to decorate for Christmas 2012!

As for the exterior of our home....think "Farmhouse Christmas" to complement our Greek Revival farmhouse exterior. Lots of greenery, red ribbon, and candles to light up the night sky and give some holiday color to our all-white farmhouse facade.

My goal for 2012 is to create 12 DIY projects (one a month) that add some holiday sparkle to our home. I can't wait to share with you what I create each month!

The Gentleness Challenge

2012-01-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

This month, I am excited to participate in "The Gentleness Challenge" sponsored by Courtney at
Women Living Well.

Women Living Well

What a wonderful way to start off 2012! Each Monday, during the month of January, Courtney will be sharing a video excerpt from her summer book club feature, The Ministry of Motherhood. And while I have not personally read this book, my interest has been piqued by just a peek at the table of contents!

If you are a mother, I invite you to join us each Monday for tips, suggestions, and ideas on how to parent more gently during those, sometimes, trying moments that arise during the day. Whether it is when little ones get underfoot or big ones press our buttons, we've all been there! Feel free to link up with us and share what works for you, or just visit a few of the bloggers who choose to link up and gain some inspiration or find camaraderie. We are not alone in this business of mothering!

And what works for me...

I often find myself turning to the Blessed Mother during particularly stressful situations. To help me keep my emotions in check...and from flying off the handle over little things...I stop and ask myself how Mary would have handled this situation. (Although I imagine Jesus was a model child!) This 10-second time out, seems to help me regain some self-control and see that the situation for what it really is. While disciplining with grace is certainly more challenging, it is abundantly more beneficial.

What works for you?

Intentional

2012-01-01T13:39:00.000-06:00

Intentional.

It is how I want to live life.

Deliberately. Purposefully. Willfully.

Whether that is through loving my family...fostering my friendships...or deepening my relationship with Christ...

This is my New Year's Resolution...

...to live life with intent.

Hoping that 2012 brings you and your loved ones much joy, peace and happiness!

"MAKE IT YOUR AMBITION TO LEAD A QUIET LIFE, TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND TO WORK WITH YOUR HANDS, JUST AS WE TOLD YOU, SO THAT YOUR DAILY LIFE MAY WIN THE RESPECT OF OUTSIDERS AND SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DEPENDENT ON ANYBODY."

1 THESSALONIANS 4: 11 & 12

Happy New Year via Mariah Carey!

2011-12-31T17:00:00.001-06:00

Fun version of Auld Lang Syne performed by Mariah Carey.

(Be sure to turn off my playlist at the bottom of my blog.)

Happy New Year's everyone! Wishing you a blessed, peace-filled 2012, surround by those you love and beauty throughout the seasons!

I'm a Card Counter...

2011-12-30T22:53:00.000-06:00

...and a domino counter...puzzle piece counter...game pieces counter...

You get the idea.

I am obsessed with maintaining the actual number of pieces that accompany any game, puzzle, or activity that my children receive.

This drives my husband (and me!) nuts.

He doesn't understand how I can walk by a pile of breakfast dishes in the sink...all day...only to obsess over finding that one missing puzzle piece.

Me neither.

It's a sickness I tell ya! And it's been with me all my life. Obsessing over finding little things.

So what does this have to do with the holidays...everything!

First off, my kiddos are fortunate enough to be the recipients of many creative activities from generous aunties, uncles, and grandparents who shower them with gifts for both holidays and birthdays. And second...it's almost New Year's Day.

And that means getting my clean on!

So, since I/we have still been recovering from this nasty bout with the flu (I think we got Influenza, not stomach) I have been going stir crazy and decided to start my New Year cleaning/organizing/decluttering early.

This, of course, is what lead to today's all-day project of tackling the linen/game closet.

Let me tell you...I did not take a before pic because, after all, a girl's gotta have some pride! You could not even open the door without tons of games, puzzles, bath towels, bed sheets, etc. flying out at you. It was beyond ridiculous and made me look like we belonged on that TLC program Hoarders.

Really, it was just a disorganized mess. And maybe a bit of hoarding. :)

I threw out tons of trash...including board games with missing pieces...and I am donating a stack of old bath towels to our local animal shelter.

Here's a pic of what's left...

Can I just say that the light bulb stash on the top shelf is driving me insane? I hate that messy cluttered look...I'm thinking of purchasing a large wicker basket (on sale at Michaels!) to hide those in.

Where/how do you store light bulbs?

And I'm so ready to reclaim the linen closet for...well... linens! I only put the most recent additions of family and toddler games on the bottom shelf, but they're taking up valuable space.

I removed all of my table linens and will have to find room for them in the shelving in our dining room hutch.

And don't even look at our nasty bathroom towels! Doesn't matter how nicely one folds ugly towels...they're still ugly. Most of those sets are 18-years old. Seriously. Hubby and I decided it was time to invest in some new ones. We've added a couple new sets here and there, but everything is mismatched and it's driving both of us nuts. While I would love to have all white bath towels...this doesn't seem very practical for our family. Jury's still out on what color to invest in.

Any suggestions?

Anyway, that's what I've been up to this week. I've already tackled all of my drawers in our triple dresser that hold my, ahem, delicates (no photos of those!) and our master bathroom linen closet.

Loving the feel of organized closets!

Kitchen cabinets are next on my to-do list.

How about you? Do you declutter/go into organization overdrive for the New Year?

Just one example of a game that had to "go away".

Sorry Dora and Boots. It wasn't personal. Mama just felt like we were missing too many colorful playing cards, as well as Backpack, and it was driving her nuts. Perhaps we will replace you...but with the original model?!!!

And you, Baa Baa Black Sheep...

How dare you hide your bag of wool from me!

But I found you. Yes I did. Hiding among our towels for boating...and Snuggies that were the "it" item for Christmas last year.

And what were my kids doing while all of this "cleaning" was going on?

Well, the older two were making huge messes on the first floor (for me to clean up) and the baby...well he was figuring out how to do this:

Apparently, Luke's now mastered the art of climbing on stairs...time to get the gate!...and how to remove an ink pen cap. Here's our little Picasso in all his glory!

Wishing you a fabulous Friday night! I'm going to reclaim our first floor living spaces from child Christmas clutter and enjoy the sounds of Seasonal Music that are still being played on channel 933 on digital cable. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate still being able to find Christmas music since we just couldn't get into the Christmas spirit last week!

Holiday Blessings to All!

Valerie

Candid Christmas

2011-12-26T08:31:00.000-06:00

"Christmas just doesn't work out for me. Never has." (Billy, the lonely little boy from the movie The Polar Express.)

Sort of felt like Billy this Christmas Eve!

Not that Christmas hasn't worked out for us before. It most certainly has.

(And the beauty of Christmas is that Jesus still comes...whether it "works out for us" or not!)

But unfortunately, the flu bug hit our family this past week and it just wasn't very merry around our household.

As my girlfriend Shannon has shared with me...some Christmases are just like that...and it will be one that you never forget! Thanks Shannon for reminding of what's really important in life!

Still, we did manage to open a few gifts and find some holiday cheer. Here are just a couple photos of Christmas Eve and Morning...

This is Luke...opening a Little Tykes "Fire Station" on Christmas Day afternoon. First time sine last Wednesday that he was wearing clothes and not footie jammies. He's been running 105.3 for a couple days now...pediatrician said he had clear lungs, but might be on the edge of croup. Just thankful it didn't turn into pneumonia or RSV.

This was a Christmas gift from Benjamin...a tiny key chain that he bought for mommy at the St. Paul School Christmas store. He picked it out himself with the aid of student helpers...the preschoolers 3rd grade buddies.

Another gift from Benjamin...this one for Daddy. An insulated ice scrapper. Daddy was pretending to use it as a razor blade which Ben thought was just hilarious.

Our Daddy loves Mountain Dew. As in...I think it runs through his veins. Totally unhealthy. But, he's a grown-up and all my nagging has gotten me nowhere. I've let it drop for now. After 18-years, I don't think I can be the one to convince him to give up the habit. So, when Mary and I saw this graphic t-shirt while out shopping, we knew we had to get it!

I've pledged to the kiddos that we are going to be better about keeping Family Night on Thursdays around here. So, it was a board game Christmas for all three. Benjamin received the classic Operation. (As you can see, fever had set in with bright rosy cheeks to show for it.)

Mary received Sorry. This was my favorite game when I was growing up! Mary and I started to learn the rules last night. That game has a ton of rules!

Other gifts included a train board for Benjamin, "Just Like Me" American Girl doll for Mary, and a brand new car seat for Luke. He's thrilled I'm sure. :)

Can't wait to try out my new gift from Santa...a bread maker! Yippeee!!! The kids helped daddy pick it out...it's stainless steel from Cuisinart and it's a beauty. So, I'm off to make my first loaf. Perhaps homemade bread will lift everyone's spirits around here!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:57:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

"Little Ways" to Keep Advent

2011-12-18T16:32:00.001-06:00

If you search Pinterest for Advent Calenders (which I actually think are better referred to as "Christmas Countdown" calenders) there is no shortage of beautiful and creative displays. I, myself, have pinned many for future reference!

Credit Here

But, in keeping with the title of this blog, I thought that I would share with you just a couple of sweet ways that my children, husband, and I have been keeping Advent during this beautiful liturgical season.

First...

...who can resist a sweet handmade interactive Advent wreath made by their favorite preschooler?!!!

This wreath was created by Benjamin using construction paper, toilet paper tubes, and tissue paper.

To assemble: trace hand prints on green construction paper to form the base of the wreath on a paper plate.. Using 4 toilet paper tubes, paint three purple and one pink. Cut bottoms of tubes to adhere to the wreath using Elmer's glue. Finally, scrunch 4 small pieces of yellow tissue paper and insert one piece into each "candle".

Each Sunday morning during Advent, our little guy was beside himself with excitement to pull up a flame.

Not to be outdone by her brother, Mary Catherine also came home with an Advent wreath created at school.

Using dried peas and glue, our first grader mixed and fashioned a wreath. Before hardening, her classroom teacher provided each child with 3 blue (purple) and one pink birthday candle(s). This adorable little wreath is lit each Sunday night during dinner.

Another Advent keeper that Mary created is this little manger crafted from a brown lunch sack that she fills with "straw" cut from yellow strips of paper. Each piece of straw that forms the bedding for Baby Jesus represents one act of kindness or prayer offered up on behalf of the Holy Family.

And finally, there is our family Nativity set. This set belonged to my grandmother and was passed on to me after she passed away in 1993. I have lovingly display it year after year. This year, we have added a new twist...instead of displaying the whole Nativity Set at once, we have only placed Mary, Joseph, the animals and Shepherd boy. We are waiting until December 24th to add Baby Jesus and then the Feast of the Epiphany to add the three Wise Men.

While our Advent altar may not be made up of buckets or burlap & buttons, it is fashioned by the love of a family representing many generations...with hands and hearts that love and honor our Heavenly Father through the simplest of ways.

Wishing you a Blessed Sunday night as we enter into this last week of Advent...

Breakfast with Santa

2011-12-16T19:50:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday, Mary and Ben's Catholic school parish hosted a "Breakfast with Santa".

I wasn't really expecting much...but was truly "wowed" by the event.

For a "free will offering" participants enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and biscuits & gravy. Cinnamon rolls, orange juice, and coffee were also available. The event was hosted by the Knights of Columbus and the 7th and 8th graders of the school provided table service.

In addition to the food and, of course, obligatory picture with Santa (FREE too!), a gentleman of the parish provided live Christmas Carol karaoke. He was incredibly talented with a rich baritone voice.

Breakfast with Santa, December 2011

As you can see, Chris and I are also in the photo. While we hadn't planned on being photographed with Santa, Luke had other ideas...he was not about to sit on the lap of some stranger with a white beard and red suit! In the free photo of just the kiddos, Luke is going hysterical.

Why do we do that to our children? ;)

Wishing you a peaceful Friday night!

I'm Back..For Real!

2011-12-16T06:34:00.000-06:00

So excited to be back in the world of technology!

It ended up taking our IT people a bit longer to "repair" (read: replace internal hard drive) my computer than expected.

The good news...all of my data was recovered including pictures. The bad news...I feel like I've lost touch with everyone. :(

Promise to be back later this morning to update our family blog and start making the visiting rounds.

Blessings,

Mary Catherine in the Nutcracker!

2011-12-05T13:25:00.000-06:00

I know...I know...I've been MIA.

You don't even want to know why!

Let just say this...Girls, I have got to stop Googling...or at least get better virus protection for my computer! Seems that I infected myself with some "Russian Thanksgiving" computer virus and am at the mercy of free IT help. Which is blessedly FREE, but means the IT guys get to my personal computer when they're not officially working.

It's made for a "bah humbug" start to our December.

And I have so much to share...Benjamin Boy turned FIVE the week before Thanksgiving; we kicked off the Holiday Season with a wonderful trip to historic St. Charles, Missouri with my mother, sister and nephews; and, Mary Catherine performed in a local Kansas City production of The Nutcracker last night. We're exhausted! :)

Until I get my own computer back, I have to beg, borrow, and steal a few minutes on hubby's laptop.

Of which, he is fiercely protective..

...considering I've screwed up my own computer twice in as many months!

So, I leave you with a few pics of our little ballerina. She did so great performing on the huge stage at Shawnee Mission West High School.

Hope to be back soon! Enjoy!!!

"Angel"

"Chinese" I thought Mary looked amazing in these colors!

"Gingerbread Girl"

Christmas Roses from Mommy & Daddy

Again, I hope to be back soon. Maybe the IT guys (from hubby's part-time job) will have my computer ready and back to me tomorrow?

I hope...

...pretty please!!!

Miss all of you and hope to be back to blogging soon.

Hug Your Kids!

2011-11-08T17:02:00.000-06:00

I know that for most of us this is a no-brainer...

I know that for most of us cherishing our children and seeing them as blessings is second nature...

but I also know how easy it is to become busy with the day to day of living and that sometimes...

just sometimes...

we take for granted these little lives that are with us.

It's times like these...when a story like this one hits home especially hard.

This afternoon,

while in our small-town Dollar General,

I noticed a disheveled-looking Black man, in camo, with red-rimmed eyes, paying an inordinate amount of attention to my two older children. I moseyed towards the coloring books and toy aisle to overhear this gentlemen telling Benjamin that Matchbox cars were his favorite, too, when he was little.

No harm. No foul.

Then, at the checkout counter, he was behind me.

Talking to Luke, trying to get him to smile.

And although his breath didn't smell like whiskey, I couldn't get over those watery eyes.

And it was then that he said to me...

"Ma'am, your children sure are beautiful. Make sure you hug them a little bit tighter tonight. You see, tomorrow, I'm burying my 4-week old grandson.

My heart stopped for just a moment.

Crib death...

3:00 AM...

Every mother's worst nightmare...

And then I felt my cheeks, burning hot with shame.

For making assumptions...

child-molester, kidnapper, drunk...

...grieving grandparent

never crossed my mind.

And while it is true that we must be constantly vigilant with regard to our children's safety...we must never let our "fear" of those that are different from us stop us from interacting and forming relationship with others.

Tonight, I ask that you keep this family, grieving deeply over the loss of their precious grandson, in your thoughts and prayers. I pray that our Heavenly Father might console them as only He can.

In Christ,

Tooth Fairy and the GPS

2011-11-07T13:43:00.000-06:00

Finally.

After YEARS of waiting...

...the Tooth Fairy gets to add our DeSoto address into her GPS system.

Yes, it's true, Mary Catherine FINALLY lost her first tooth!

She's ONLY 7-YEARS OLD for pete's sake! :)

She is beyond excited about tonight...and tooth #2 is about to fall out as well...although she won't let me pull it.

And can I tell you a little secret...I was so happy that it fell out today.at home. The kiddos are off of school for teacher in-service. Yay!

There's something magical about losing that first baby tooth...and can I say she just "looks" so much more grown up!

Happy Monday!

Just a bit shocked...

Now we're all smiles!

I Should Have Been a Cowboy...

2011-11-01T21:58:00.000-05:00

I should have been a cowboy...

It's never a party unless someone's a cryin'...

I should have learned to rode the ride...

Look, I'm all better...my mama gave me chocolate!

Wearin' my six-shooter, ridin' my pony on the cattle drive....

Cutest calf around!

About a half-hour into it...my husband and I decided that someone should go back to the house to hand out candy...our neighborhood was inundated with kiddos...obviously more than those that live in the subdivision.

(Can I just say that my parents NEVER took us to a strange neighborhood...besides the safety issues, they raised me to believe it was bad form. And so today, I just can't do that...we trick or treat to a few of our neighbors' houses and call it a night. Not to mention, most of us have 1-acre plots...and that's a lot of walking for little ones in costumes.)

Anyway, I volunteered to return to the house, switch on the porch lights, light up the pumpkins and hand out candy with my sidekick, Moo Cow.

Be prepared for a series of cute photos... :)

Dig-a-doo (that's my silly nickname for Luke...he tries to talk and I swear he says "dig-a-doo") was all about my the candy basket...boyfriend knows the good stuff, too...he wasn't happy about the left-over pixie-stix...he wanted chocolate! :)

And so we've turned the calender to a new month...one of my favorites! My precious Benjamin is soon to turn FIVE...and of course Thanksgiving. Love it!

Little things I am thankful for...

1. Benjamin sharing with me at bedtime that he never wants to grow-up...he wants to stay 4...forever! (Me, too, sweet son!)

2. Luke's new favorite past time...giving big, fat wet kisses at bedtime. He smooches up his mouth and makes a cute little noise to go with them.

3. Baking bread with my little ones...and waiting in anticipation for that first slice.

4. A Catholic-school community that takes seriously it's job in catechesis.

5. Neighbors calling to let me know that my garage door was still up (earlier this week) at 11 PM! YIKES!

Giddy Up..It's Time for Trunk or Treat

2011-10-29T07:14:00.000-05:00

Mary Catherine and Benjamin's school principal instituted the first ever St. Paul School Trunk or Treat.

As we have never been to one, I had no idea what to expect and didn't get the memo that we should have decorated our car! I think some large white paper spots on my black mini van would have made the perfect cow!

Anyway, here's some pictures from last night's festivities. Can I just say that I LOVED the little priest...he posed for me all night long. Unfortunately, the lighting was bad and you can't see his cute little black biretta.

So...

Introducing Cowboy Ben, Cowgirl Mary and Luke the Calf...

Mary's classmate, Ella, and her family went all out decorating their minivan. The theme was "Boo at the Zoo". I loved how even Dad got into the spirit wearing footie jammies! :)

This poor student just can't seem to get herself graduated...

Here's the little priest...only he's not wearing his biretta...it's in his candy bucket!

And another one of my favorites..."Lucia Santos, 1917) (for those not familiar...one of the three shepherd children that the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Fatima, appeared before in Fatima, Portugal). Her siblings were Lucia's two cousins, but I couldn't get a group picture as those three little ones were all about the candy!

And finally, Mary with her classmates. She loved every minute of the evening. Next year, I am so decorating the car!!!


Mary's new BFF, Caroline, adopted from China. My girl is now obsessed with all thing Chinese!

Happy Saturday! Enjoy the weekend with all your little spooks!

Just one of many reasons...

2011-10-28T13:28:00.000-05:00

...why we pulled our daughter out of public school.

My girlfriend posted this on her facebook page:

"I guess there was a para in Maddie's classroom the other day trying to keep the kids quiet while the teacher was on a very important phone call. The para asked the kids to meditate and sit in Indian style position and say "oooommmm" while they asked for things they wanted. Maddie politely stated, "I only pray to the one true living God!" Another para in the room said, "Now, that's faith!" Oh thank you Lord for a little girl who is not ashamed to stand up for truth!"

And to think this is happening in a one-stop light town in east central Kansas. If Mary came home and shared this I think I would have come unglued!

Mary Catherine and Maddie were in the same kindergarten classroom together. Maddie still attends public school, but her mom and I had many discussions last Spring over whether or not to homeschool, send our children to private/parochial school, or stay the course.

Folks, you can't have it both ways...you can't fight to keep Christian prayer out of public school and then allow Hindu or Muslim prayer time. Your school district shouldn't be offering yoga as part of the health/PE curriculum for "stretching and strengthening" while your state legislature grants tax-free status to yoga clinics because it falls under "religious organization" exemption...

If there is to be true separation of church and state in our public schools...then it needs to be for all world religions...not just Christianity.

I'll get off of my soapbox now...I'm not usually this controversial! :)

“I believe in getting into hot water; it keeps you clean.”
― G.K. Chesterton

Brothers

2011-10-28T12:26:00.000-05:00

Maybe because he is growing up so fast..

...he actually walked over to me, handed me his sippy cup, and said, "Mom?" and then signed "more"...

...or maybe because so many relatives have commented about how much my two sons look alike...

I had to check it out for myself.

And they do.

While each has their own unique look that God gave them, you can definitely tell these two are siblings...and I can't even tell you how much that tickles me. Especially since they are nearly four years apart.

It will be fascinating to watch these two progress in age!

Luke Alexander, Age 15-Months (Oct. 2011)

Benjamin Paul, First Birthday, 12-Months (Nov. 2007)

Benjamin Paul, First Birthday, (Nov. 2007)

I'm not sure about Luke's eyes...they were always that murky blue color, whereas Ben's were always light blue. Today, Ben's are still blue, but Luke's often appear green.

Are You Feeling the Cardinal Love...

2011-10-28T05:52:00.000-05:00

Are you feeling some love for the St. Louis Cardinals...?

I know there's an awful lot of Texas bloggers out there who are cheering on their Rangers. I love you girls too, but...

as most of you know, I'm a St. Louis gal.

Even after having lived in KC for 20 years...just can't find the love for the Royals. Sorry.

I couldn't stay up for last night's game...I went to bed hoping FB would bring me the good news...it did.

Here's to Game 7 and wrapping up this World Series with a win!!!

Oh...and this amazing guy graduated from the same high school as my public school friends and siblings...


Stole this off my girlfriend's facebook frame: The captions says: FREESE FRAME! Cute!

I know there's a lot of tired folks out there this morning! TGIF!!!

Calling all Bread Makers

2011-10-24T06:59:00.009-05:00

Source

As I recently mentioned, my sister and I have become smitten with the whole modern homesteading movement.

For me, it's less about being "green" (politically-speaking) and more about living simply...slowing down...getting back to basics. It is a way for me to honor God by loving my family...doing those "ordinary tasks with extraordinary love."

But it's going to be hard...embracing new ways of doing things that I've never done before...

...like baking bread.

I'm sure that there are going to be some flops...loaves that don't rise...have too much air...are too dense. I don't have any expectations to make perfect bread right from the start...

...but I do have a few questions as I was paralyzed in the baking section of the grocery store last night!
With recipe in hand, I set out to purchase all the ingredients necessary to make my first loaf(ves) and quickly came to realize that there are way more choices than I ever imagined or planned on being bombarded with.

So, I ask you...

What brand of flour do you use? My recipe calls for unbleached, white, all-purpose flour. I had no idea there were so many choices...Gold Medal, Wheat Montana, Bob's Red Mill. Is this just a matter or personal preference? I know that there are different types of flour...whole wheat, bread flour, etc..but regardless of type of flour are some brands better than others?

Yeast Again, I had no idea about all of the choices. The recipe website I am using suggested buying yeast in bulk rather than by the packet to save $$$$. This makes sense, but as I was looking at the jars of yeast I noticed two different types...one seemed like a "traditional" type of yeast and the other said "Quick Rise" yeast. I didn't know what to do....both jars said "for traditional baking and bread machines". As I am not using a bread machine...should I have bought the "quick rise"? I went with Active Dry Yeast.

Loaf Pans How do you bake your bread? (I guess I should clarify..bread for slicing/sandwiches) Do you use a particular brand or type of loaf pan? Are bread pans different from the loaf pans I have to bake quick breads? (Clearly, a novice here!) The recipe I am using doesn't require any type of pan at all...rather, you shape the bread and place on a baking stone.

Okay, I think that's about it for now. If you are able, feel free to answer my so basic questions in the comment section or direct me to one of your fantastic bread-making posts, as I'm sure many of you have written a post or two on bread-making!

I'll be back later today to post on how my bread-making adventure goes...

Happy Monday,

I'm linking up with Jill at The Prairie Homestead for their Monday Barn Hop

Letting Go

2011-10-22T08:06:00.000-05:00

Letting go...

...of bad habits...a certain lifestyle...dreams.

It can be difficult to do...this letting go.

If your a blogger who's into the farm life/homesteading life, than you've probably been following Flower Patch Farmgirl's series of posts on "letting go". Shannan, her husband and kiddos are making some radical life changes and she's been chronicling their journey and the the changes that require "letting go". It's a wonderful thought-provoking series and I invite you to go here if you aren't already familiar with her and her super cute kiddos as well as ingesting some great food for thought!

I recently "let go" of a lot of "stuff".

Baby stuff.

For many of you, this is a no-brainer.

My sweet friend, Erin, lets go of stuff all the time. And her house looks like it.

Immaculate. Uncluttered. Peaceful.

Completely the opposite of my home.

I've been trying to figure out this "hoarding" problem I have...

No, I'm not eligible to be on TLCs Hoarders, but I do have tons of "stuff" taking over my home. And it's no longer baby stuff. Now it's "toddler" stuff..."grade schooler" stuff...

You get the picture.

A simple answer would be to A) Stop buying more stuff, and B) to simply get rid of the stuff.

But it's not that easy. (And we rarely do A. Actually, "A" is really the result of other people buying my kiddos stuff!) It's me and B that have difficulty.

One thing that I have learned from watching Hoarders is that hoarding rarely results from living a normal day to day lifestyle, but rather, almost always has some sort of "trauma or dysfunction" attached to it. Death of a spouse or child...growing up in poverty...abandonment/divorce of spouse or parents...mental health issues, etc.

As I look at the baby stuff that I hold onto, I realize that my trauma was infertility. And even though my husband and I were able to eventually have biological children, it didn't come without a cost. A deep wound to the very depths of our souls...a wound that heals and creates a scar that is still red and raised and tender to the touch. That scar is healing...getting tougher and whiter...smoother and less sensitive. But it's still there.

I know to outsiders, especially those that have never struggled with infertility, it should seem that our problem has been solved...gone away. But just because one eventually has a child does not mean that infertility is cured. It never really goes away. It's always there...peeking out from behind the curtain.

Sure, I'm happy for folks when they announce they are expecting #6...or have "Big Families are a Blessing" tags on their blogs. But it always causes me to catch my breath...even if just for a moment. (Little families are a blessing too!)

So back to the problem at hand.

Stuff. Baby stuff. Lots and lots of baby stuff.

I have been doing lots of soul searching, reading, and praying about letting go of stuff.

And so I did. Last weekend.

My girl and I held a garage sale. Our first ever. (I typically donate to charity...except my baby stuff... and call it a day.) And truth be known, if my favorite "Big Families are a Blessing" bloggers lived closer to me, I would have just invited you all over to rummage through my rubber maid tubs and donated to you. We could have had a giant baby clothing give-away and then ate dessert while all our kiddos ran around...it would have been great fun!

But since none of you live close to me I did the garage sale thing. If for no other reason than to earn some cash for tuition payments!

Whew...that was a ton of work! Even with my girl helping me.

It was painful at first. To watch the beautiful bassinet that we bought for our firstborn be carted off...and then Mary's nursery layette...and then all the holiday dresses.

But what I realized as that beautiful blue basket on wheels rolled down the driveway was that I have attached all sorts of emotion and memories to these objects. I hold onto objects to "never forget" the wonderment and amazement of creating and expecting new life. And for a long time I wanted those who bought or got my stuff to LOVE it as much as I do.

As I watched my girl hock cinnamon rolls to early morning garage-salers I also realized that I don't need "stuff" to remember the "wonderment and amazement of creating and expecting new life."...she was sitting right there next to me...in all her beautiful, loose-tooth, gangly-legged, flaxen-haired beauty. And I could touch her, hold her, take in every ounce of her being...every.single.day. I can nurture and love on her and her brothers in the flesh...creating new memories...living in the present, not the past.

And I know God blesses me expecting me to bless others in return.

Most of the clothing...marked $.25 to $.50 was purchased by the Hispanic families that live in our town. They cleaned me out. I talked with one father and he explained that they purchase the clothing to mail to family members back in Mexico.

I sold out three tables of baby boy clothing...we've got lots of grandsons in our family!

I think many (not you dear readers!) in society would find this irritating...annoying...problematic.

But it is not unlike what my grandparents used to do in the 1970s and 1980s for extended family in Poland. My parents would often donate our gently used clothing to my grandmother who would box it up and mail it to relatives suffering under a Communist regime.

Only the politics have changed...the need has not.

A comment was made to me that "those folks buying my clothing probably didn't have "green cards". "

Do you think Christ would ask to see their "green card" before extending a helping hand...

...I don't either.

Charity starts at home. By teaching my children that we don't hoard...that what we have in this life does nothing to serve us in the next life except in the way of providing a hand up to others...I teach them to love.

Am I "all cured". No. It's going to take some time to heal emotionally and physically (as in boxing up lots of stuff for donation!) from this "hoarding" habit of mine, but with my eye on the prize (heaven), I can learn to...

Let Go.

Happy Saturday,

Tomato-Based Beef & Barley Soup...Homestead Style

2011-10-21T11:22:00.001-05:00

Last night was Parent/Teacher conferences at Mary's school.

Our girl is doing great academically, but what warmed our hearts more than hearing that she is "on-grade level" or "excelling" in certain academic subjects is that her area of excellence is...

FAITH

To quote her teacher,

"Mary sometimes startles me with her deep reverence for the liturgy and understanding of the meaning behind the words of daily prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Grace. It is evident that you take seriously the job of passing on the Faith to your children."

I cried...

...it was just the bit of affirmation I needed to justify the miles we are putting on our car...the gas we are using to drive both kiddos to parochial school...the tuition payments we are making which is making it harder and harder to make ends meet...

And speaking of making ends meet...

My sister and I have become totally hooked on the movement known as "Modern Homesteading".

I've recently added a new linking bar on the side of my blog for "Homesteaders". And while I've been bemoaning the fact that we don't live on 5 or 10 acres...

Jill at The Prairie Homestead
has begun to write a wonderful series of articles about homesteading right where you are!

Many of us that long to homestead don't live on 20 acres out in the middle of nowhere...and yet desire a "back to your roots" sort of lifestyle for our families. Jill is confident that "homesteading" can be done whether you live in a urban high rise or a suburban subdivision with annoying HOA rules..ahem...

If you are smitten with country living...but dwell in suburbia...please check out Jill's blog to learn more!

And while I was blog hopping "homesteading sites", I also discovered Homestead Revival. I made Amy's tomato-based Beef & Barley soup for the teacher's dinner on Thursday night.

It was a huge hit...as in totally empty crock pot.

The highest compliment to any cook!

For Amy's Beef & Barley Soup
click on the link!

I transferred the soup from stockpot to crock pot since there is no stove in the teacher's lounge. I did have to add a couple more cups of water as it thickened during cooking and I needed to serve about 10 teachers/staff members.

Goes to show you...homestead cooking is the best!

Today, my kiddos are enjoying a day off from school for P/T conferences and I am enjoying the pleasure of their company!

Wishing you a pleasure-filled weekend with the ones you love,

When Infertility Makes You Laugh

2011-10-07T14:25:00.000-05:00

Infertility and laughter are words not often used together in the same sentence. And certainly, a couple's struggle with infertility is not a laughing matter. But every once in a while, a funny conversation occurs that makes one smile, if not laugh.

One such instance happened at Mass...of all places... this past weekend.

My husband was on-duty on Saturday (24-hour shift), but our family was assigned to carry up the Offertory Gifts and so my three little ones and I attended Mass by ourselves. It also happened to be the weekend of my husband's and my wedding anniversary.

Since we had arrived early, Father Pat, our Pastor, put my two older kiddos to work greeting parishioners and handing out bulletins. Sitting alone in the pew with just our youngest, two sweet little "old" ladies sat down in front of me.

They oohed and aaaahed over Luke and then somehow it came up in conversation that Sunday was my wedding anniversary.

So little "old" lady #1 says: "How many years?"

To which I say, "Eighteen".

Little "old" lady #1 replies, "Eighteen. Don't you just have babies? What did you do all those years?"

For the first time, ever, I was able to simply look her in the eye with my head held high, smile, and say, "Infertility".

Chime in Little "Old" Lady #2 who says, "WHAT DID SHE SAY? SHE CAME EARLY?" And yes. She yelled it. (I don't think her hearing aid worked properly.)

Little "Old" Lady #1 then says, "SHE SAID IN.FER.TIL.I.TY," so loudly that not only could Little "old" lady #2 hear, but so could every other parishioner at Holy Family!

I wanted to die. Laughing. And it was all I could do to stifle that giggle.

Is infertility funny. No. But gosh darn it, we just need to laugh at ourselves and the situations we find ourselves in at times.

After four losses, my husband and I were blessed with Mary and then Benjamin. A fifth loss occurred between Benjamin and Luke.

And Luke. A gift from God a mere 3-weeks before my 41st birthday and 17th wedding anniversary.

So, what did we do all those years?

We loved, we lost, we loved, we grew, we loved, we grieved, we loved.

And we thanked and honored God.

Always.

October Love...Eighteen Years!

2011-10-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

To say I love the season of Fall would be an understatement.

I adore everything about this season...from back to school in "September" (does anyone (except homeschoolers) go back to to school in September?...we start mid-August, ugh!), to falling leaves, apple picking, pumpkin-patching, and trick-or-treating. I love it all!

Then we slide right into November where my love for all things yellow, red, orange and brown continues. The sights, the smells, the sounds.

Canadian geese, burning leaves, and farm fields being harvested...all make Kansas a patchwork of beauty that delights the senses!

This past weekend, the official turning of the calender from September to October also marked another year of matrimony for my sweet husband and me.

Eighteen years on October 2nd. And three beautiful children to show for it.

More about our Anniversary Weekend later.

P.S. Not sure that I'm liking the layout of my new blog header, but I do adore the pictures. One might say that I have a bit of an obsession with coordinating my children's Halloween costumes. I'm not sure the older two are going to let me get away with this for much longer...silly independent-minded little things!...but both agreed to one last year of "costumes by mama" so that Luke can be included in the coordination effort! :)

P.S.S. Someone is reallllly close to walking. I might not have to carry him into kindergarten after all!

Louisburg Ciderfest, October 2011

I'm Back!

2011-10-05T08:54:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

I feel like I have been gone forever! Two and half weeks can feel that way...

My computer was sick. Very, very sick. :(

Somehow, somewhere I managed to infect my computer with a/some nasty virus(es). Awful, terrible things were popping up in windows on my computer. It was all very disturbing.

Fortunately, my husband "knows" people in the IT department of his part-time job, and they agreed to work on my computer...for free!

I am happy to report that I am back up and running.

Now, I just have to reinstall Picasa...for some reason, that was one of the things that "disappeared" one day when I turned on my system. Fortunately, we regularly back up our files, including pictures, with an off-site program. Whew!

Now, to get my blog banner changed and get some posts drafted!

Be back soon,

An Introduction to New Readers

2011-09-15T11:24:00.000-05:00

Recently, I was invited to become a contributing author over at the Association of Catholic Women Bloggers.

Since then, I've been reticent to post...fear of failure I suppose...of not living up to expectations. Not really a "Catholic Guilt" issue...I would feel the same as as a practicing Protestant! ;) This is more of a "lack of self-confidence" issue.

I'm certain that the Holy Spirit guided Jackie to my blog to offer the invitation!

Anyway, I wrote this post as way of introduction and thought you might enjoy learning a few things about me that I might not have shared in the past.

Otherwise, I've been quiet here lately at her Little Ways, because of how busy I have been in day to day life. Somehow, some way, I managed to get recruited to serve on PTO for St. Paul Catholic School. Don't let me fool you...I LOVE being needed! Yup, I'm a joiner! Not necessarily a born "leader", but I am willing to step up and help out where necessary.

So, lots of extra responsibilities just got added to my parenting plate, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Oh, and I have a HUGE date with the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas tonight! A very special young lady in my life asked me to be her confirmation sponsor. Tonight, Kailey will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. My prayer for her is that she may always be stirred by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit!

XO,

For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion

2011-09-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

'Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity

of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement

for our sins and those of the whole world.'

"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the
whole world.'

Remembering all those who lost their lives and showed courage in the face of adversity.

May we never forget.

A Hidden Gem Will Rise Again...

2011-09-10T10:00:00.001-05:00

Last weekend, at the fair, we saw this...

For those of you who have been longtime followers of her Little Ways (formerly titled From Our Front Porch), you know of the loss of our community-loved barn at Zimmerman's Kill Creek Farm. A tornado touched down on May 12 of 2010 and leveled this much-loved homesteading landmark.

Weddings, birthday celebrations, graduations, anniversary parties, Blues and BBQ festivals, Art in the Barn, etc. all had to find new locations. Our beloved 150-year old landmark was gone with one mighty storm.

But it appears that all will be good again!

We are beyond excited...and even had to have our picture taken in front of this display!


Look at that excitement!

To learn more about Zimmerman's Kill Creek Farm and the destruction of this beautiful landmark click here or scroll down to the bottom of my "labels" on the left-hand side of my blog and click on Zimmermans.

I, myself, had forgotten just how powerful this storm was and the destruction inflicted.

Carnival Mom

2011-09-09T13:10:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I totally rocked it as "carnival" mom over the Labor Day weekend.

Or maybe I should say I "spun it" as carnival mom.

Because it seems that those sickeningly dizzy rides are my kiddos favorites.

And I promised them I would ride two carnival rides with them.

I totally should have opted for the carousel.

(Although that too can make me nauseous.)


The "dizzy dragons"

So very excited...

Showing off his tickets...

And no, we don't buy wrist bands because

a.) they're $18 a piece and my kiddos don't go on "unlimited" rides...they're too young/tired/fussy, etc.

and b.) that's an outrageous amount of money per kiddo for "carnival" rides...

and c.) well, it's a better lesson in economics to have our 7-year old count up the number of rides she wants to ride and then add up the "# of tickets" it takes per ride. Mama then helps her multiply the $$$ amount...and they learn a greater appreciation for the almighty dollar.

It still cost me a ton of money...I'm thinking of requiring some chore/birthday money as a contribution next year...


Snapshot before mama entered the dragon...

Next up...the "tea cups".

Heaven help me. It wan't pretty. Although I did manage to hold down my dinner...ugh!

Inside the giant tea cups.

This is the one and only picture of the tea cups.

You see, I was trying my darnedest not to fall over...we had just come from the dizzy dragons...and I was feeling a bit light headed.

I could not operate my camera inside the tea cup for pictures and the ride had not even started!

What in the world happens to us as we age...

...as this anti-dizzy-ride thing hasn't always been with me.

Is it a 40+ ailment...or does something happen to us after pregnancy/childbirth?

All I know is that I cannot handle these types of rides anymore.

(So do we spend the money on a trip to Disney World?)

Of course there were treats...which we ate AFTER we rode the rides. I nursed a cherry sno-cone in hopes of settling my sour stomach!

Ben loves sweet...not salty.

Mary loves salty...not sweet.

A few other carnival pics...

He loves the motorcycles.

Miss Legs

Caught between toddlerhood and the tween years, I didn't have the heart to tell her that she will probably be too tall to ride the "kiddie" rides next year...yet not tall enough for many of the "adult" rides. :(

So sweet...

Pure joy!

All in all, it was a beautiful night, out in the country, down by the river. The short drive back into town with cool fresh air did my stomach and head some good.

Can't wait until Labor Day 2012.

Or maybe I can.

Have a great weekend!

Just Breathe...

2011-09-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

Hello sweet friends! I'm back.

We've had a crazy couple of days this past week...and thus my lack of blogging.

While I planned to take the Labor Day weekend off from the computer to just sit back and relax with my family, I didn't plan on spending it playing nurse...helping little ones recuperate!

It has felt difficult to even just breathe...

The first full week of school brought pink eye...and then last week it was ear infections.

This week, Luke ran 105.4 and needed to be seen "immediately"

(according to the pediatrician's office).

It was there...or urgent care. Um, no thank you!

No pneumonia. Just viral.

I'm blaming it on germs that the older two are bringing home from school...but who knows where these things come from!

Anyway, I'm back and can't wait to share pics from last weekend...

...I rocked it hard as "carnival" mom!

De Soto Days...Going to the Fair!

2011-09-02T16:36:00.000-05:00

Tonight we are taking the little ones to our small town carnival/fair.

Something we look forward to doing once a year...it has become an annual tradition.

Fair

August has cooled down for the fair,
For the cinnamon sugar donut air,
And dust and breeze and first gold leaf on the fairgrounds.

O holy prairie night.
Tonight the stars are outdone
By the dazzling lights on the edge of town.
The townspeople
Walk the dirt aisles,
Past farm kids selling pulled pork in a white shed,
Past kids sitting with cows and sheep in a white barn.

Spinning in carnival circles,
below us, the townspeople parade,
For their communion of corn dogs and caramel apples
To pay for their indulgences at the ticket booths.

O holy night.
The farmers will be in the fields
(The harvest is yet to come),
Big sweaters will be unpacked
From trunks in the basement,
And Esther will serve her prize-winning pie to the neighbors
When this is all through.

Oh holy prairie night.
The music of the carousel and buzz of the electric lights:
Your benediction for a fading summer.

Kristie Woll

Welcome September!

2011-09-01T14:44:00.000-05:00

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."
- John Updike, September

The Help, St. Peter, & Admitting my Own Shortcomings

2011-08-31T12:21:00.002-05:00

Last week, I briefly mentioned that I finished reading The Help and that I had some thoughts to share on the book.

Since then, I've avoided writing this post...not because I don't wish to be transparent, but rather because it is so painful for me to do so. Change is painful. But true growth requires us to change.

So taking a deep breath, here I go...

As I read The Help, I couldn't help but make comparisons of women in my life who seem fascinatingly similar to the main characters in the story.

Not in a "we've got domestic help" and "we're opposed to civil rights legislation" sort of ways, but rather "I've got strong opinions and I'm not afraid to share them" sort of ways or "I haven't formed my own opinions and I'll defer to yours" sort of way.

That would be me. The latter. At least all through high school and college.

Now, as a 40+ woman, wife and mother to three, I tend to have more strongly-formed opinions that are my own...not of my friends... on all sorts of issues including politics, religion, and parenting. But, unfortunately, like Elizabeth Leefolt, one of the white women in the story, who to be clear, is a villain, I too am often fearful to go against the grain...to differ with the friend who speaks the loudest...even if she's the wrong-est...and so I seldom voice those opinions, even when I know that what I believe is the Truth.

Why am I like this...I'm sure there's some pop-culture psychologist that would love to dissect my personality, but suffice to say that after having lived with myself for 40+ years, I know that I aim to please...I am the great compromiser...I dislike conflict.

But what I am learning as I "grow up" is that sometimes, pleasing and compromising can be destructive...even detrimental to one's self...and soul, and that conflict is sometimes a necessary evil. Especially, when we are called to defend the Truth.

So what does all of this have to do with St. Peter?
Well, like St. Peter, I have a deep and profound love for our Lord. And like Peter, I have lied to myself and our Lord that I would never deny HIM.

So what happened that would make me compare myself to both Elizabeth Leefolt (a wishy-washy white woman who desperately wants to fit in with the Junior League crowd, hiring help she really can't afford and fearing retribution from her "friend", Hilly, who she has seen unleash her wrath upon enemies) and St. Peter (who Christ himself called to be one of His own and yet denied knowing Him)?

A run-in with the parent of my 7-year old daughter's friend.

It happened last Spring. And my cheeks still burn hot with shame when I replay the events of the day as they unfolded on our front porch and then kitchen.

My daughter, longing for a playmate, quickly befriended the daughter of a new neighbor that had moved in across the street. The girls were in the same kindergarten class, and were in close proximity in the subdivision, so fast friends they became. Over the course of Winter and early Spring, I began to suspect that the little girl's family was not religious or even believers in Christianity. My daughter would often speak about Jesus or Mary or going to Wednesday night religion class and the other child would stare with wide-eyed amazement and sometimes ask questions. I either let Mary answer them in her 6-year old speak, or I would simply respond with a statement to satisfy curiosity, but not "evangelize" her against her parents' wishes.

Well, one Spring afternoon, a very angry mama showed up on my front porch after walking my daughter home from a play date that had been cut short. Imagine my surprise when I learned that it wasn't my daughter's behavior that ended the play date, but rather the fact that she had told her daughter about Jesus.

"And she was having none of that."

Gulp.

And what did I do...hold on to your hats...

I APOLOGIZED to her for Mary upsetting them and then told my daughter NOT to speak about Jesus when she played at their house.

I "went along" with the loudest, wrong-est person out of fear of retribution, and then went on to "deny" our Lord by asking my daughter not to speak of Him.

And then I cried. For I knew the error of my ways.

And then I called my sister ranting and raving about the nerve of that woman.

And I cried.

And then I called my husband ranting and raving about the nerve of that woman.

And I cried.

And then I called...

Well, you get the picture.

So, how did I rectify this?

First, I sat my dear daughter down in our kitchen and explained to her that sometimes grown-ups make mistakes.

Even mommies.

And that while I had told her NOT to talk about Jesus over at her friend's house, I now realize how wrong and confusing that directive was and instead, wanted her to speak whatever she felt convicted of...in not so grown-up terms. ;)

Then, I went to confession.

And I cried.

And I was forgiven for my shortcomings.

And while my soul was cleansed and absolution given and penance completed, my heart still felt heavy.

It still feels heavy. But not as heavy.

For I am working on developing the confidence necessary to speak the Truth. In little ways..

I am praying for courage...one of the Cardinal Virtues...

I am forcing myself to act courageously, even if I don't feel that way inside, in front of my children...

And I am praying for and forgiving the parent that caused me so much angst...and in fact thanking her for challenging me in my faith walk.

Because it is easy to be a Christian among other Christians when your biggest argument is whether your religion "worships Mary" or whether Christ is truly present in the Eucharist versus whether or not God exists and why secularism and relativism shouldn't be our new gods...

That my friends, is hard. Especially, since we live in an era where tolerance is expected of everything, even the denial of Truth.

And so like Elizabeth Leefolt, who in the end still fired her black maid, but would not file charges of stealing against her (a small victory in terms of personal growth for Elizabeth),

and like St. Peter who, although bitterly sad and repentant, did not beat himself up to the point that he was no longer a follower of Christ, but rather rose to the occasion and accepted Christ's command to build his Church,

I too hope to grow and change...becoming stronger in my faith...not only by keeping His commandments and completing good works, but by allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to stir within me the courage necessary to speak Truth and model Truth for my children.

Because after all, change begins with a whisper and that might be the best place to start before I can yell it from the mountaintops.

Today I am linking up with Ann over at A Holy Experience
for her

and Courtney
over at

Water

2011-08-30T08:10:00.001-05:00

Seems we are all under the weather at our house after our fun, if not tiresome, camping and boating weekend.

Going...

Gone!

(Sunset over Stockton Lake, Stockton, Missouri, August 2011)

We are also expecting some weather...fortunately not severe...this morning. I'm thinking it might be a good day to dive back in under the covers and listen to the pitter patter of raindrops while the pitter patter of tiny feet are still silent!

Up in the loft of the "Camper Cabin" we stayed in at Stockton Lake.

And speaking of "diving" back in I discovered the towel shelf in the kids' hall bathroom rearranged. It seems that there has been a bookshelf added.


So the question is...where are the rest of the baby bath towels?!!!

When I walked into the kiddos' bathroom this morning I saw this stack of "reading material"...1st grade level. I asked our first born about the books and she says, "That's my reading shelf. They're for the bathtub." I explain that this might be dangerous...for the books...and she replies, "Well you do it all the time." *sigh* How you you argue with logic?!!!

Hope to be back tomorrow when everyone is feeling better and not needing the mama quite so much!

Happy Birthday...to Me!

2011-08-26T06:32:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday.

Number 42.

I'm not really sure how this happened...how I went from turning the "big 4-0" to actually being in my 40s, but I'm thinking it has something to do with Mary, Benjamin, and Luke! ;)

Feeling so very blessed today. I have good health, a strong faith life, a wonderful husband of nearly 18 years (wow...that sounds like a long time by today's standards!) and three beautiful children.

Life is good!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

P.S. I have really been working on finding the beauty in everyday life. Mary finds it simply in nature. While blogging one early morning, I was struck by the beauty of the sunrise. Needless to say, it stormed later that same morning!

The Help

2011-08-25T06:45:00.000-05:00

the Help.

Have you read it?

Have you seen it?

I lost about two days of my life last week because I couldn't put it down.

I'm one of those people who needs to read the book before I will go see it on film.

Everyone told me it was a great read, and I wasn't disappointed. But then, I love American Civil Rights history, Southern accents, and characters that are deeply complicated.

I have lots of thoughts on the book that I wish to share, but today is too busy of a day to do a proper post. Perhaps tomorrow.

Brothers at the park.

School is going swimmingly! Well, except for the part where Benjamin has to get up in the mornings...he's a bit of a bear, but to be fair, we do have to be up and at 'em by 6:30 or quarter to seven. Not being a morning person, he's a grump.

And by afternoon...well let's just say that he cried no less than five times over ill-fitting soccer shoes. He was fine at practice...it was at home that we felt the wrath.

He will adjust...and maybe so will bedtime...as in earlier.

Snapped this picture at the park last week. It was Mary's first day of school and I just had the boys home with me. Benjamin asked to go to the park. This was Luke's first time in a park swing.

He loved it!

First time in a park swing. He's so skinny, I was afraid he would slip out.

Joy.

Busy day around our house including packing for a weekend camping trip, house cleaning, meal preparation and Mary's Open House this evening.

Happy Thursday!

Fun & Sun Party Favors/Centerpieces (Price Breakdown)

2011-08-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

For Mary Catherine's "Fun and Sun" pool party, I decided to have the party favors double as table centerpieces. Since five families were invited, and each family had 3 or 4 children, I thought it would be most economical to do a "family gift" rather than individual party favors for 16 children.

I started with simple sand pails that I got from Michael's for $1.00 each.

Because I wanted the sand pails to double as table centerpieces, I went ahead and splurged on some floral foam to help in displaying the gifts tucked inside.

Included in each pail was the following...

The shovel from the sand pail @ $!.00/each
1 Pkg. of Water Bombs @.60/each
3 or 4 Glow Bracelets @.1.00 per tube of bracelets (I think there were 15 bracelets per tube)
1 Large Container of Bubbles @.50/each
3 or 4 Bubble Wands @ $1.50 per container of wands (25 piece pack)
5 Pieces of Sidewalk Chalk @ $3.00 for a 52 Piece Crayola brand container
Several Pieces of Saltwater Taffy thrown into the pails @ $3.49 per bag
1 Giant Carnival Lollipop @ $1.50/each

I also spent approximately $3.50 on scrapbook paper to create the family label for each sand pail.

Assembly

Using the crafter/floral foam, I was able to lift up the "base" of each sand pail to about the halfway point of the bucket. The floral foam also allowed for me to wedge in each large container of bubbles. This created the base of my display.

Next, I lined the "bottom" of the pail with saltwater taffy. This was one of my larger expenses...at $3.49 per bag. I used a little less than 1/2 bag per sand pail.

To add some fullness to each bucket, I stuffed tissue in coordinating colors behind the large container of bubbles and floral foam. The tissue helped to hide the foam and add some height to each centerpiece.

The "carnival" size lollipop was tucked into the floral foam which provided some stability for this treat since it was so heavy.

Sidewalk chalk and water balloon bombs were wrapped in clear packaging and tied with satin ribbon. These packages were adhered to the sand pails using glue dots.

Finally, I tucked three or four bubble wands, glow sticks and the shovel into the arrangements, securing with glue dots, and peeking out here and there.

My greatest finds were the sand pails @ $1.00 each, Crayola Sidewalk Chalk (52 piece container) for $3.00 and SUPER Miracle Bubbles (32 oz.) @ .50 each. The water bombs, taffy, lollipops, glow bracelets and bubble wands all came from Michael's clearance racks. The sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and tissue came from the Wal-Mart clearance department.

The grand total spent on all 5 buckets was $38.78. This divided out to $7.75 per family and around $2.50 per kid.

I think that these turned out to be fairly economical party favors...especially considering that they included items for each child's age range. Toddler love bubbles and sidewalk chalk while grade school-ers love water bombs and glow sticks. Everyone wins and I didn't have to come up with individual gift bags that were age appropriate!!!

So...what do you think? Economical? This was our first "friends" party...so I've never had to provide party favors/treats in the past.

But now I've got the party favor bug...I'm already thinking about Benjamin's birthday in November!!!

Fun & Sun Pool Party

2011-08-23T09:12:00.000-05:00

Good morning and happy Tuesday. A little one that was under the weather kept me from blogging yesterday, but today I am back and excited to share with you Mary's "Fun & Sun" pool party that we hosted over the weekend.

Let me start by sharing that the heaven's were conspiring against us (wink!) this entire summer, but when life gives you lemons...make lemonade!

Our girl desperately wanted a "horse" party this year. Unfortunately, Zimmerman's barn was destroyed in a tornado last Spring (allowing for an "indoor" venue) and a record-setting heat wave invaded Kansas in late July/early August prohibiting us from hosting an "outdoor" party at the Deanna Rose Farmstead.

So, we decided to beat the heat with a "pool party".

And it rained.

With a predicted a predicted high of 78 for the day. Seriously.

Only I would host a pool party on the coolest day of summer! ;)

I wanted to cry for my dear daughter, but instead put on a brave face and optimistic spirit and forged ahead with our scheduled get-together. (And cleaned my house just.in.case...!)

And in the end...our party could not have turned out better!

To host an "after-hours" party at the local aquatic center would cost me $150.00 per hour. This would allow for a private venue with lifeguards. For $25.00 an hour, I could rent the "party room" during public swim hours.

I went with the 2nd option.

And because of the rain...we had a PRIVATE party for $50.00!!!

In fact, the staff even offered to play the Caribbean music CD that we had brought for our portable CD player over the main sound system!!!

Sixteen kiddos swam to their hearts' content in city pool built to hold a hundred plus...all the while to Caribbean Cruise Party Vol 1!

It was cloudy, overcast, spitting rain...but everyone had a great time. I didn't have to "fight" the crowds looking for my party-goers, and Mary felt so special on her party day.

Although my girl and I originally planned for a "beach" theme...we ended up doing more of a "pool party/summer theme" centered around our idea of "Summer in a Bucket".

Here are just a few pics of the great time we had on Saturday afternoon with sweet friends, both old and new.

Table decorations included sand and seashells.

We went with an orange and blue color theme with our sand pails as centerpieces.

Paper goods (plates, napkins, utensils) complemented the sand pails.

Our "Summer in a Bucket" centerpieces/party favors were a huge hit! Even the lifeguards wanted to take one home!

And finally..."Making a Splash!"

Summer in a Bucket

2011-08-20T07:53:00.001-05:00

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language"

~Henry James

Looking forward to celebrating Mary Catherine's 7th birthday with friends this summer afternoon.

We invited 5 families to join us at our local aquatic center...

...one last "hurrah" of summer!

Just a sneak peek at our "Summer in a Bucket" party favors.

Happy Saturday!

Starfish Birthday Invite

2011-08-19T06:37:00.000-05:00

Busy, busy weekend planned for us girls!

My mom is arriving from St. Louis today to help celebrate my birthday (early).

We are also celebrating Mary Catherine's 7th birthday with a small "friends" party on Saturday.

We are going with a "Beach/Ocean" theme and my crafty girl insisted that we make our own invites. (I think that she is officially beyond the "Little Mermaid".)

While I struggled to figure out printer settings and how to slide vellum through my printer, the birthday girl sorted out starfish and cut lengths of ribbon.

They turned out pretty cute and we hand delivered them to friends and neighbors that we invited.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

First Grade...at Catholic School

2011-08-18T16:41:00.029-05:00

An apple for the teacher! First Grade, August 2011

*NOTE* This post has been amended to join up with Kelly over at Kelly's Korner to share our "Back to School Traditions." And although this is only our 2nd year of school...if we discount preschool...there are a couple of things that we do annually.

One is to take an apple to the teacher. As a former classroom teacher myself, I can't tell you how much this tickled me...an old-fashioned tradition in a sometimes crazy, modern world!

Kindergarten, August 2010

On the 2nd Day of School we take a small bouquet of flowers...typically roses...in a mason jar. Again a touch of gentle "old-fashionedness".

Finally, on the last day of the first week of school, I send home a "These are a few of my Favorite Things" list for the teacher to fill out. List includes items such as...
...My Favorite Cookie is.......
...My Favorite Body Lotion scent is...
...My Favorite Fast Food restaurant is...etc.

That way, throughout the year, I can pick up little gifts, trinkets, gift cards, etc. for Mary to take with her to show our appreciation for all the hard work it takes to love and educate our kiddos!

Hope you enjoy these "traditions". I know I can't wait to read about what others do to celebrate this very special time of year!

Hot tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I drive down the highway...

...after I've promised myself that I wouldn't rain on her parade today.

She's so very excited...

...to be a First Grader today.

Beyond excited to model her freshly starched and pleated uniform jumper while sporting a crisp, clean white polo.

And the shoes...

we can't forget to mention the shoes...or how hard it was to find "sensible" shoes that weren't "blinged" out or Twinkle Toes.

She's collected and sorted her school supplies on top of our dining room table...

...eager to place them into the backpack that morning.

It's then that I have a moment of panic.

Where's the pencil box...why do we not have a pencil box?

Did I miss this too...like the gallon-size ziplock with slide enclosure? But it's not on the list...

We arrive at her "new" school and she's bounding out of the car, with enthusiasm, ready to dodge into traffic.

The principal and custodian greet us at the door...every single person who works and attends this school is valued... of equal importance...precious in His eyes...

In the foyer, the school nurse gives her a hug...and helps us find the First Grade classroom.

It's not hard...2nd door on the left...located in the one and ONLY hallway...

We enter the classroom...

...to be greeted by her beautiful teacher...who calls her by name...as if she had attended Kindergarten here and already knows her..

...and my smart girl starts following the directions. So confident...like she's been doing this school thing for years.

My heart races just a bit...all sorts of doubts and worries fill my mind...

Will they like her (the "new" kid)...Will she like them...Remember her manners...Miss me...Be able to keep up with her peers that attended All-Day Kindergarten???

She's one of thirteen...Nine Girls, Four Boys...She has a seat up front.

Signs of Faith abound everywhere...

The Blessed Mother statue on the bookshelf enveloped by bags of school supplies..but peeking out...as if She's saying..."This is a safe place, Mom...I'm here to guide and protect your little ones." Crucifix over the "chalkboard"...bulletin boards with faith-filled reminders...

A few last hugs and kisses goodbye and I leave my girl in the arms of a loving and caring faith community...

At dismissal she bubbles with enthusiasm...telling me about homework...needing a snack...getting a compliment for being the only one to say "thank you" for a teacher-provided treat...my heart beams.

I think it's going to be a great year!

...And her teacher provided the pencil box. :)

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

2011-08-17T06:54:00.000-05:00

To help celebrate the 4th of July with neighbors and friends, I whipped up a batch of Pink Lemonade Cupcakes.

I know...I know...they're not red, white, and blue.

Sometimes, I'm just not in the mood for blue teeth. They look awesome on kids though.

I decided to go with "picnic" theme instead.

Doesn't really matter...they were a huge hit with the crowd of "big" kids!

For the cupcake recipe, I used Paula Deen's Pink Lemonade Layer Cake recipe.

Cupcake Batter

1 (18.25-ounce) white cake mix, plus any additional ingredients the package directions call for
3 tablespoon pink lemonade drink powder
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Cupcake Frosting
1 lb confectioners sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoon frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line cupcake pan with liners.

For the cake, in a large bowl, stir together the cake mix and lemonade powder.
Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions, using any additional ingredients called for (eggs, milk, water, oil, etc…).
Stir the lemon zest into the batter.

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake pans.

Bake according to box directions.

For the frosting, beat together the confectioners’ sugar and butter until fluffy.

Beat in the remaining ingredients until combined.

Frost cupcakes.

(I used a pastry bag and Wilton's icing tip...I think it was 1M)

My cupcake liners came from Michaels and the little candy pieces from Wal-Mart.

And don't even think for one minute that I came up with this idea on my own.

Absolutely not.

I must give all the credit to Melissa over at A Little Loveliness. You have got to check out her post that she did on her Pink Lemonade Cupcakes. Her presentation is to die for. Really. She does nothing half-baked! HA!

I did package mine up for delivery in those cute little cupcake boxes. They were a huge hit!

Before these last few weeks of summer slip away, you might be in the mood for some Pink Lemonade...cupcakes!

Enjoy!

When Your Dad's a Fireman

2011-08-16T07:02:00.000-05:00

When your dad is a fireman on the 4th of July...

You will probably want to dress up in your finest digs to show how proud you are of him...

You will set up camp with your baby brother to watch the parade...

The parade will start off with a policeman or two...

Followed by the color guard...

And if your dad is really cool...or been employed with the fire department for a really long time... he might be driving the fire truck!

Of course, if you live in Kansas you might see a farm tractor or two...as well as Miss Kansas herself...

...and then there's those crazy Shriners...

There will be grabbing for candy...

...and the high school band...

...as well as a crazy pirate.

All because your dad is a fireman on the 4th of July!

Hope you had a fantastic holiday this year. It is hard to believe that we've scooted into August...and are halfway through this month too.

Doesn't it seem like once the 4th of July is over, the summer spirals away so quickly?

Happy Tuesday,

Valerie

P.S. In case you're wondering...Miss Mary spent the 4th of July with her Grandma in Iowa. Another wonderful place to experience small-town living!

Finding a School Home

2011-08-15T07:55:00.000-05:00

As I briefly mentioned, last Spring, we made the decision to enroll Mary at our local Catholic elementary school. Although our own parish does not operate a school, a neighboring parish willingly accepted her for admission. Economics...? Perhaps. But we also think that it was God's providence calling us to St. Paul's.

Eighteen years ago (this October) my husband and I were married at St. Paul's.

It's a "homecoming" in many ways.

Last weekend, Mary, Ben, Luke and I attended Mass at St. Paul's so that we might meet the new principal and pick up Mary and Ben's "Back to School" packet. Both kiddos were so excited.

I remember, while still teaching, my principal asking me what Catholic school (or any parochial/private school) does "so differently" from public school, as I, myself, am a Catholic school graduate.

I just couldn't articulate my answer.

It's not the academics. At least not where we live. We have outstanding public school systems surrounding our metro area.

It's not necessarily even the teachers. Although they are part of the equation. There are outstanding, loving, caring teachers in public schools.

I was one of them.

It's the feeling tone of the buildings that are so different. It's the love for Christ that permeates through all the day's activities...whether that be the respect show between students and teachers and students and students...artwork on the walls...lessons in the classroom...uniforms worn to show modesty and respect for ourselves and our neighbors...

It's the support and encouragement to have large families...and to include those families in activities throughout the school year...

It's attending weekly Mass...saying grace before meals...and starting and ending each day with prayer...

This is what makes Catholic schools different.

This weekend, we had our 2nd opportunity to interact with the St. Paul school family. Saturday night was the Ice Cream Social after 5 PM Mass. And while I forgot to snap a couple of pictures of the kids enjoying their root beer floats, I did manage to capture the smiles and fun that my two were having making new friends and playing on new playground equipment.

From the principal (who is new herself!), to Benjamin's preschool teacher, to random parents who came up to introduce themselves and welcome us to St. Paul's, we couldn't have felt more loved.

Thank you St. Paul's family for welcoming us to our new school home and for showing us the love of Christ in action.

P.S Mary will be one of only 16 or 17 in First Grade. There is only one section of Kindergarten through 5th grade...and 6th, 7th and 8th grades are combined. Wow. Sort of like a one-room school house!

Get Wet!

2011-08-14T17:27:00.001-05:00

“Play in the sand; splash in the water; get dirty; get wet. The beach is the only place my mom doesn’t get mad about me doing that stuff. Of course I love the beach!”

--Dixie Dykens (age 5)


Benjamin, Age 4, Gulf Shores, AL (July 2011)

While searching for beach quotes, I came across this statement from a little 5-year old. I thought it was perfect...sweet, simple, and full of truth.

I never seem to mind my kiddos getting wet when we're at the ocean...even if we're in our "church" clothes...I wonder why that is?

This week, my kiddos return back to school. Where or where did summer go? I know a lot of it was spent indoors...not even at the public pool, do to the scorching temps and heat index. Looking forward to the return of cooler weather...and maybe some "summer fun" on the weekends!

May this be the start to a beautiful week...

Blessings,

Grant's Farm (Part 2, Clydesdales)

2011-08-13T08:20:00.000-05:00

Blogger is acting strangely, and I'm having difficulties uploading photos. Thus, "Part 2" of our trip to Grant's Farm.

One of the highlights of any visit to Grant's Farm, is to see the majestic Clydesdales. One can't help but be awed by their sheer size, beauty, and strength. The stables are open to the public and a must see! Learn more about the Clydesdales here.

Mimi, Papa, Mary, Ben, & Luke. (June 2011)

Check out the size of their horseshoes!

The beautiful stable.

Grant's Farm

2011-08-13T07:58:00.000-05:00

NOTE: Over the course of this next week, future posts will be about our summer adventures...for posterity's sake!

Grant's Farm (Part 1)

Did you know that the 18th President of the United States lived on a farm outside of St. Louis before the Civil War?

Between serving as Lieutenant in the Mexican-American War and eventual Commander of the Union Army during the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant married Julia Boggs Dent, the daughter of a slave owner. They were given 80 acres in southwest St. Louis as a wedding present. It was here that Grant tried, unsuccessfully to make a living at farming, naming his cabin home "Hardscrabble".

Today, Grant's Farm is part of the 281 acre ancestral home of the Busch Family. In 1977, Anheuser-Busch restored the cabin to its present condition. The Farm is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 different species. Admission is free, but parking fees are required.

According to the U.S. Family Travel Guide Zagat Survey, Gran'ts Farm is ranked overall as the 7th best family attraction in the United States.

"Hardscrabble"

Covered Wagons

The natural beauty of the wildlife preserve.

Petting Zoo fun

Those were some hungry kids!

Favorite Summer Pic

2011-08-12T20:38:00.001-05:00

Over this next week or so, I plan to post several "summer adventure" posts. Feel free to read along...or skip! These posts are for posterity. :)

In mid-July we were able to take a 12-day trip to the Gulf Coast. This is my very favorite pic of all three kiddos...it is quite the challenge to get a good snapshot off all three at the same time!

And now for a couple of bloopers...

Cute...but, nobody's looking at the camera!

Somebody's always crying...

Closed eyes...tears...frustration!

Wishing you a great start to your weekend,

There's a Jayhawk in my Car

2011-08-11T08:21:00.000-05:00

KU Jayhawk inside my minivan. I'm an MU graduate!

Last night, on the way to ballet, I needed to return a Redbox DVD. Our Redbox is located at McDonalds...convenient...no?...and so I swung in and parked in an "illegal" parking spot next to the Redbox machine.

I jumped out of my car...leaving the door open...and the next thing I know Jay is peeking into my car! My kids were terrified. HA!

Mary, dead serious, asked, "Mom, is it okay if I smiled at him? He wasn't a tiger!"

Hilarious! (I've trained them well!)

(For non-Missourians/AKA BIG 12 Conference fans, the mascot for Missouri is the Tiger)

Prairie Honey from Na.Da. Farm

2011-08-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

Look what arrived this afternoon...

My very own jar of Anne Marie's Illinois prairie honey!

Oh my...is it sweet. And the color...beautiful!

My older two were beyond excited...

I especially love these last three photos...tongues hanging out in anticipation...honey dripping off of fingers...purity, innocence, summer...all poured into an 8 oz. mason jar! (I chose not to share the photo of Benjamin LICKING honey off my leg...it is that good!)

And so we are off...to the public library. Because after begging to visit Anne Marie's blog Mary and Ben now want to learn about bees, bee keeping, and honey. (Ben was a bit confused and kept asking to see the hive...think Winnie the Pooh!)

On a different note...but still just as sweet...this little lady (Baby E.) made her debut Monday evening...

Me getting to hold Baby E. She only weighs 7lbs 9 oz. Both of my boys were nearly 9 lbs!

...my girlfriend's newest arrival! That makes daughter #3 for her and her husband. Such sweet little blessings. Unfortunately, it was the mama of this precious bundle that was to teach our pillowcase-dress class at our sewing guild on Tuesday evening.

It's all good though...we kept our scheduled girls night sewing as planned, vising Caitlin and Baby E. and then enjoying Chocolate Stampede cake instead.

Wishing you a peace-filled Wednesday,

Old-Fashioned Folks & Sunflowers

2011-08-09T15:33:00.001-05:00

"As for marigolds, poppies, hollyhocks, and valorous sunflowers, we shall never have a garden without them, both for their own sake, and for the sake of old-fashioned folks, who used to love them."
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Sunflowers from our garden...August 2011.

The extreme heat (and our frequent vacationing!) really did a number on our garden. Mostly because we were not home enough to water or harvest.

Fortunately, the extensive root system of the sunflower allows for it to flourish even in the most arid conditions.

From the northern plains of the Dakotas to the panhandle of Texas, sunflowers are an important agricultural crop.

A bit of history...

"Sunflower was a common crop among American Indian tribes throughout North America. Evidence suggests that the plant was cultivated by Indians in present-day Arizona and New Mexico about 3000 BC. Some archaeologists suggest that sunflower may have been domesticated before corn." The National Sunflower Association

My children were delighted by their big, beautiful heads and they have definitely added a pop of color to our garden landscape.

I suppose they appeal to the "old-fashioned folks" that we are!

Pledging to be better gardeners next year...until then...thank goodness for the local farmer's market!

The Sweetness of Life

2011-08-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

What do Winnie the Pooh...

and Na.Da. Farm Life

have in common...

...Why...HONEY, of course!

Image Courtesy of NaDa Farm Life with Anne Marie

Sweet, simple, pure raw HONEY.

Last week, for my daughter's birthday, we beat the heat with a trip to the movies.

Her choice...She wanted her little brothers to like the movie choice...

Winnie the Pooh.

It was delightful. Sweet and simple...just like Anne Marie's honey!

Which I purchased that very same day after I discovered it was ready and for sale.

If you have not discovered Na.Da. Farm Life with Anne Marie, you must hop over. You are in for a real treat!

And, if you are interested in purchasing her pure Illinois Prairie honey, click here.

Wishing you a peaceful start to your week....Happy Monday!

Just a Drop in the Ocean

2011-08-07T08:17:00.003-05:00

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in an ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. - Mother Teresa

Mary Catherine (6) Gulf Shores, AL (July 2011)

May you never forget the significance your life has on impacting the lives of others...

Wishing you a most blessed Sunday...

Linking up with Charlotte & Ginger for Spiritual Sundays .

Pink Twirl Skirt

2011-08-06T11:14:00.016-05:00

Today, I am excited to be linking up with Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday ! It has been over a year since I last participated. With the arrival of Baby #3 last July, I just needed to put blogging on the back burner. Now, one year later, I feel renewed and like I've got a handle on this "multiple children" parenting thing. Ha!

As part of Mary's 7th birthday celebration, I took my girl shopping to a new dress boutique that opened up near us. Stephanie's Wonderland BOUTIQUE is one of those "girly-girl" "princessy" type of places that offer tutus, hair bows, mommy-bling, etc. Not necessarily my style...I'm more simple/farmhouse/cotton than rock star bling, but my girl likes it.

While perusing the store, a section of 100% brightly-patterned cotton prints caught my eye. There were adorable shifts, smocks, skirts, etc. and they had that "homemade" look to them. I was smitten.

And although my girl would probably have preferred layers and layers of an organza tutu, I think she looks adorable in this:

Paired with a simple white cotton-stretch tee-shirt and her white leather butterfly sandals, she looks ready to beat the heat!

Ridin' the pony at Chuck E. Cheese for her 7th Birthday.

I especially love the coordinating fabrics. I love to coordinate fabrics...and anymore the fabric stores make it easy to do. As I studied the design of this twirl skirt (I'm sure I can make this myself!) I noticed the inside label...

Made in Pakistan.

Pakistan?

I'm not sure if that's better or worse than "Made in China". Better...if it is employing and empowering women...worse if it is exploiting their skills and talents to save money over a "Made in the USA" tag. The name label "Jelly the Pug" led me to google the website. Jelly the Pug What started out as a one-woman-show, sewing girls clothing out of her home and traipsing to trade shows, quickly grew into a profitable business. To that I say, "wonderful!"

But I have to wonder...in this economy...why are we not farming out the work to United States manufacturers or the many talented women one finds on Etsy?

Just my thoughts. I still love the skirt, but think that I might try my hand at making it myself.

There's a lot of PINK at the American Girl Store, Kansas City!

I'm meeting up with my women's sewing guild on Tuesday (August 9th) and might get their opinions on this issue. We are going to be making a pillowcase dress with coordinating fabrics, so it will be a timely discussion!

BTW...did I mention that I took a sewing class this past Spring? I loved it...and love to sew...but just haven't prioritized the time for this hobby. Sort of like blogging...which I have recently returned to.

In the end, we all have the same 24-hours. It's what we choose to do with those hours that makes the difference! Looking forward to reworking my daily schedule when my two oldest return to school this Fall. Mary will be gone all day :( and Benjamin will be gone in the morning three days a week. I see some morning sewing sessions in my near future!

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard

Pierced Ears...A Birthday Gift

2011-08-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

I want them.

I need them.

I love them.

I've got to have them.

My mom and my dad won't let me have them.

Earrings.

Beautiful earrings for pierced ears.

So goes the first two pages of Judith Viorst's EARRINGS! a sweet little book given to Mary Catherine by her Aunt Julie last year on her birthday.

This mama wasn't quite ready then for her to get her ears pierced, and truth be known, neither was she. But a year later...oh, what a difference a year makes.

And while mama still wasn't quite ready, Mary Catherine (and daddy!) definitely was.

Teachers and lady dentists have them.

Mothers and even grandmothers have them.

Why won't my mom and my dad let me have pierced ears?

My preference would have been to have her wait...one more year...and get them done for her First Holy Communion, but the heavens conspired against me...and she didn't want to wait one more year!

I want them.

I need them.

I love them.

Beautiful earrings.

Glorious earrings.

And so she got them. As a special gift for her 7th birthday. After all, as she tells us, "I am going into first grade!"

Where did my baby go?

EARRINGS! By Judith Viorst

Choosing her "starter" set.

We're all smiles...for now!

Hair pulled back...

Dots marked for placement...

Getting the left side done first...

Umm...what just happened...

Trying to be brave! That hurt waaay worse than you said it would, mom!

Aaack...we still have to do the RIGHT side?!!!

I think I'm glad I did this...

Be sure to drop back by tomorrow, if you are interested in learning more about the handmade skirt that Mary is wearing as part of her new birthday outfit.

Enjoy the start to your weekend,

Happy Birthday, Mary Catherine!

2011-08-04T07:16:00.000-05:00

It's official...

Well, almost. (It will be official at 11:11 AM.)

I am now mother to a SEVEN-YEAR OLD. And yes, I am screaming that! ;)

Mary Catherine & Meadow...my sister's Golden Retriever. (July 2011)

I'll save the "dripping with saccharine" sweet posts for my daughter.

Some things are just better left publicly unsaid.

Just know this...this angelic face has brought my husband and I more joy than we ever thought possible! What started out as a quest to overcome infertility and "have a baby" has turned into, "Why did God choose us to parent this beautiful child...we are so undeserving!"

Her delight with life...ability to notice and celebrate the small things...positive spirit...love for Christ...all of these things have helped me to be a better mother. Daily.

She is both an answer to prayer...and an answer to unasked prayers.

God knows both the desire of out hearts...and what our hearts need, even if unbeknown to us.

We've got big plans today with this girl of ours...including a trip to the Kansas City Zoo...Chuck E. Cheese (gag!) ;)...and ear piercing (her request...daddy's conspiracy!).

Wishing you a blessed Thursday,

Living a Lukewarm Life

2011-08-03T08:28:00.000-05:00

How do I spend my days...

Am I living life passionately...

dedicated to doing God's will for my life? Wife...Mother...Teacher...

Or, am I living a lukewarm life...

concerned more with what others think, attaining worldly goods, or seeking consolation from others rather than Him?

Thomas a Kempis, in The Imitation of Christ, speaks of the undisciplined person, who "seeks to be released from their duties" and says this person will always be in trouble, for nothing will ever satisfy them.

How true this is!

As I return to blogging regularly, I seen a new opportunity to share with others how I dedicate and commit myself to God...my family...our home. Not for any worldly gain or profit (i.e. increasing Facebook friends, blog followers, etc.), but rather to live life passionately right where I am and to show others that they can too.

And speaking of living life with a fervor...it's hard not to in this intense heat wave...

Here are a couple of shots of my kiddos enjoying a "family fun night" swim at our local aquatic center. My little ones were so excited to get to stay up late and go swimming "in the dark"! (I love the enthusiasm for life that our children posses!)

Checking out the flood lights.

I love this shot with Mary's feet coming up off the ground. Such enthusiasm!

Working on our hula hooping skills.

Ben's got some moves!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!

Routines

2011-08-02T07:14:00.000-05:00

Normally, August 1st means a return to our "back to school" routine, but this year we pushed the date to August 2nd.

As I previously mentioned, my girl and I were gifted tickets to Kansas City's Amphitheatre, Starlight, to see Cinderella. It was a delightful evening.

Mary wore her "Ariel" costume and was only one of a handful of "mermaids" that attended the Royal Wedding!

Tickets to Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella"

Outside of the theatre.

It was so very hot, but we kept hydrated and fanned ourselves.

View of the stage...from our seats. The ticket holders have Plaza seats, directly behind the Orchestra section.

Thank you so much to Mary's former soccer coach (and friends/neighbors) Coach Sean, for thinking of us to use your tickets. This was such a special treat for me and my girl!

Thus, after returning home after 11 PM Sunday night, I allowed Mary to sleep in. TODAY, we start our back to school routine, i.e., getting up early.

Mary's new school has a much earlier start time (that's one benefit of not having school buses; bus transportation, among other things, sets public school start and dismissal times); 7:50 AM. Not a problem, except that we live quite a ways from school...no more 5-minute car trip.

Honestly, I am looking forward to the return to routine. Regularly schedule bedtime and wake up time helps everyone's day flow better.

It also allows me to spend more time with Him. I have been very lax about setting aside morning time to start my day off with prayer and thanksgiving. And with our Women's Catholic Bible Study group disbanded for the summer, I really got away from reading Scripture.

For now I am off to weed my pathetic garden before the heat of the day cranks up. 108 degrees is the predicted HIGH...not heat index temperature for Kansas City. Lord, Have Mercy on us! About the only thing that has been able to tolerate these extreme temperatures are our sunflowers.

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday,

Cake and Icing in My Hair!

2011-08-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

Happy August 1st!

I promise that this will be the last birthday post for Luke!

He's just so stinkin' cute and I want to capture all these memories before my mommy brain turns them into mush!

With out further ado...a birthday poem pictorial.

Cake and icing in my hair,

I'm turning one and do not care;


Dedication sticker on "I'll Love You Through and Through" from Mimi & Papa.

Ribbons, balloons, and presents for me,

I'd rather play with box, if you please!

Our little man loved these bright green boxes and didn't want anyone else to touch them!

And yet, the birthday festivities do not end! Our first-born celebrates her 7th birthday this week! Good times..good times!

Roll Out the Barrel...We'll Have a Barrel of Fun (Birthday Party)

2011-07-31T17:52:00.000-05:00

...or a barrel of monkeys!

I decided to do a "Sock Monkey" theme for Luke's 1st Birthday Party.

Nothing over the top or too extravagant...just a cute little monkey-themed party including cake and decorations.

We've had a long and tiring weekend...but the fun still goes on.

Mary and I were gifted tickets to Kansas City's Starlight Amphitheater for TONIGHT!. We are off to see Cinderella. A sweet surprise from her soccer coach, Coach Sean. I need to go and help my girl primp and curl for the ball!

But before I sign off...a big thank you to all friends who have dropped by to send birthday wishes to our littlest boy! Thank you so much for thinking of us and leaving your comments. I promise to drop by tomorrow to thank you, personally.

Expecting more guests than those that arrived...I ordered extra cupcakes. They came with cute Curious George monkey rings.

How cute is this smash cake? I had no idea they were going to make Luke this monkey face cake...and for free!

A few extra treats for all the cousins. I also sent home "Barrels of Monkeys" with each family.

I'll have my COOKIE and Eat it Too!

2011-07-30T20:33:00.000-05:00

The fun continues this weekend for Baby Luke. Last night we had a quiet family celebration with just the five of us.

Today, my parents, sister, and nephews arrived for the birthday boy's big weekend. We took the boys (and Mary) ;) to visit Daddy at the Fire Station. (Pics to come)

Can't wait for the BIG birthday celebration tomorrow with both sides of the family. So much love for this little guy.