St. Pat's day pics

Outside My Window::

::chilly. Dark, with garage lights on. Dan is doing something out there.

I am Listening to::

::TV. Blaise's rapid breathing.

I am wearing ::

:: Cotton, polka dot jammie pants, dark purple shirt...that actually fits me.

I am Thankful For::

::this sweet baby that is quiet...half asleep.

I am Pondering::

::how I'm going to 'do this', meaning homeschool Rose, take care of the boys (entertain/discipline), laundry, lunch, dinner, dishes...oh, and the baby.

::how to make my cloth dipes work for me, despite their leakiness.

I am Reading::

::HA! I went to the library and got out a book on each: landscaping, coupons, home buying, and Dr. Laura's In Praise of Stay at Home Moms. I could've brought home five more. What was I thinking...I have no time to read!

From the Kitchen::

::hmmm...lots of pasta, unfortunately. It's so easy. We all love it. Oh, and a salad. After eating spinach salads for almost two weeks straight after Blaise was born, I ran out of spinach. I was really craving it again, so we had salad last night. Just a good ol' basic salad. It made me think of growing lettuce, and eating salad all spring long.

I am Thinking::

::how every time I get the kids in bed in time to watch House, it's a re-run.

::I think we've eaten dinner in front of the TV in more in the last two months, than in the last five years. When did dinner and Wheel a Fortune go together?

::if I drank water, instead of eating every time I craved a snack, I'd probably be better off, for one, and surely consume my daily allowance of water.

not too much deep thinking going on here.

I am Creating::

::nothing. No creativity going on right now, just survival.

On my iTunes::

::Taylor Swift- stay beautiful and best day. Can't get those out of my head, so I just keep playing them over and over.

Towards a Real Education::

::Really trying to get back into the swing of school...and not just one or two subjects a day, one or two days a week. I was looking a bit a Rose's books, and I think we could be done by the end of May/first week of June. When I look at things from that perspective, the school year looks very short for the amount of things I want to finish up.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty::

::Ahhh, rhythm. How I'd love that. We are settling, a bit. I know Blaise will nap at least one long nap a day. Sometimes waiting for that takes so much patience. Trying to make school automatic again. Trying to keep paced with laundry and dishes. Today wasn't very rhythmic, even though I did get some things done.

To Live the Liturgy::

::Just saying the words next week and holy week together depressed me a bit. It's all coming too fast! Confession this week, and some planning for next week. I think I'm just trying to keep it simple, and get through the bible stories in Rose's religion class, focusing on the story of the passion for next week.

I am Hoping and Praying::

::for patience.

In the Garden::

::lots of green! I wished I could've gotten out there last week when the weather was so warm. Not sure if I can add that in my schedule yet. I'm so excited to see the new blooms in the front garden of things I planted last fall. I am so curious to see what comes up! I am so hoping things grow in the back. I don't see any signs of lilly of the valley or hostas. :( I hope they survived. I hope the soil isn't the problem. I hope the things I planted in the herb garden survived. I can't tell. My herbs are coming back nicely, and the surprise was to see parsley! I thought it was an annual. I also wish we could've tilled a veggie garden, but that will take a little more planning.

Around the House::

::laundry baskets. Some of the clutter is getting to me, especially since I know how long something has been there, depending on how old Blaise is.

On Keeping Home::

::I had DD help me hang the clothes out last Sat. What joy! I love drying my clothes outside. I even took Blaise out with one load. Dan was in bed sick all day, so I kept busy with laundry, dinner, dishes- the usual. The sunshine and open windows made it a beautiful day.

One of My Favorite Things::

::my husband! Dan's had tonsillitis/strep throat this past weekend. It's pretty tough going all day taking care of things. It makes me really appreciate him, especially taking care of Sam in the middle of the night!

Blaise this week::

::His face looks rounder, and chubbier. He just looks bigger every day! He is staying awake, and alert, longer each day. I love that he smiles every day!!! It's so wonderful to be able to hold him, without him crying, and look in his eyes and talk to him, and be rewarded with his sweet smile!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week::

::school. home. make dinner every night. Friday stations-at church- for the second time this lent (oh, that pains me). Confession...sat?

A Picture Thought I'm sharing::

This was our little Blaise on the day he was baptised.

Back in the saddle again...or...the spitup keeps a' flowin'

I felt relieved last week, when the stress of the baptism had passed, I was back to life as we knew it...er, well, sorta...like, trying to figure out 'normal' with this new little one.

I guess things went okay. Here we are at the beginning of another week, trying to do the same again.

I guess I feel like I'm officially back in the saddle after doing three loads of laundry Sat, and hanging them outside. I just love hanging clothes outside. Although, I had to put my blinders on to the rest of the mess in the back yard. Can't wait to clean up out there.

Sat. was okay. Dan came down with a fever...strep or tonsillitis. It was beautiful out, almost 70 degrees. The kids played outside a lot, so that helped immensely. We even got bikes out for the first time.

I really wanted to go to Meijer, so later in the evening, I started clipping coupons from my big stack of papers. I clipped, and organized. I was glad, but it got late, and I was too tired to go. But I did scope out some deals at Kroger and CVS. So I planned to go there Sunday.

Sunday, Dan was still sick, so I planned to go to Mass with Blaise. It was a long early morning, with Sam coming in our room, and crying and crying because he couldn't sleep with Dan, and there was no room with Blaise and I. I felt horrible about it, but at the same time, frustrated because I was so tired and just wanted him to sleep in his bed! He eventually did just that. By then, it was time for me to get up for Mass. I had to pick up donuts on the way. It all went fine. I was just pretty tired during Mass. I stayed, and thankfully had help when cleaning up after donuts. I thought nothing of going about my normal routine, with baby in sling. But one of the moms kept telling me to sit down. I eventually conceded, realizing I had this baby only a month ago. It was okay to let others help.

I came home, to children still in jammies, eating cereal. :) I was just so happy it was Sunday. The whole 'day of rest' thing was really ingrained in me that day, and I was so happy about that. I think it was even more anticipated since I had done so much the day before. So I enjoyed lounging, and resting, and planning my grocery trip.

I gave CVS a try. I know a few women that insist they have such phenomenal deals at CVS. I don't like that the rebate 'money' you get, is all in store credit. But I got a couple packs of diapers for only $4 each, and free toothpaste, and dish soap for .46, and Easter candy on sale. I'm gonna give this a try. I hope it's not more of a hassle.

Kroger went well. I stuck to the list, and saved a good deal. I heard a lot of comments in passing about the 'little baby'. He was in my baby bjorn. I was checking out and the cashier asked how old he was. Realizing, once again, he was still only a month old. It kinda registered...what the heck was I doing in a grocery with this baby!!! Oh well. I felt good about it all. I got some bare minimum things for Easter baskets, in case I don't get another chance to go out alone.

So I feel like I'm back, like there's nothing I can't do. Much as I'd love to rest on the couch for another two weeks, I can't. Life calls. I do still get a nap every afternoon, and I savor that down time. I'm not giving that up for a while.

Unfailing Petition to St. Joseph

Holy St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary, be mindful of me, pray for me, watch over me. Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam, provide for my temporal wants. Faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures, I beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end, if it be for the glory of God, and the good of my soul. Amen

St. Joseph, protector of families, pray for us!!!

Happiness is:

• A beautiful, sunny, spring-like day.
• A fun, festive holiday to celebrate.
• Having Rose's hair brushed and braided and looking nice.
• Getting floors in the house swept and mopped.
• Getting a load of laundry washed and dried.
• Shamrock window cling-ons.
• Venturing out today, with all four kids, to watch Rose dance at six different shows.
• Dear friends to lend a helping hand.
• A 'good' baby that slept most of the day in the sling.
• The excitement of being with others to celebrate with Irish music, dancing, and all things green.
• Watching my sweet Rose dance her heart out. She did so well. She was so cute, and did her steps so well.
• Hearing Rose say her favorite show to dance at was the nursing home, and remembering how she visited so kindly with the residents after dancing.
• Watching Rose bounce to the music, while clapping her hands, while watching the older kids dance.
• Having Sam almost cry when Rose left with a friend this morning to go dance, and then saying her name over and over, and pointing to her when we caught up with them at the next show.
• Having Dominic be so attentive during the shows, and overall, doing quite well at listening to me while we were out today.
• Free lunch at the UD show.
• Letting my kids go in the bouncy house, after the college students.
• Rose remarking today "I'm just so happy."
• Seeing Rose waiting on stage with the other beginner dancers, and standing still, feet crossed, just as she's supposed to be waiting.
• Being able to leave Rose with friends at a show, while I went to the van to change Sam's wet pants.
• Taking the kids to the park while waiting to go to the next show, and seeing them have a wonderful time expending stored-up energy.
• Having something green to put on Blaise, other than camo, like the other boys.
• A wonderful husband who got dinner started because Rose so desperately wanted to dance that last show.
• A tall coffee Frappachino from Starbucks- a rare, yet much needed treat.
• Opening the door and smelling corned beef cooking.
• The smell of sauteed cabbage and onions.
• Lots of butter and dill on red potatoes.
• Green milk.
• Well deserved computer time for two children; a sleeping baby; and a helpful-not troublesome- two year old = easy dinner preparation.
• A joyful, delicious meal.
• Putting a dent, even if only a small one, in the mound of dishes left to be done.
• A sweet baby that would sit in the bouncy seat for more than two minutes.
• Seeing all the children love on Blaise, as if they hadn't been with him all day!
• Seeing Blaise smile.
• Irish music...that I forgot to bring with me today.
• Thin mints.
• The Quiet Man.
• A sleeping baby.
• praying to St. Patrick on his feast day.
• the joy of celebrating such a feast with friends and family...all day long.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Daybook

Outside My Window::

::Dark. No idea if it's cold or cool, or what.

I am Listening to::

::Blaise's rhythmic breathing as he sleeps on my lap. Dan's weird, way-too-sci-fi-for-me movie.

I am wearing ::

::floral cotton jammies

I am Thankful For::

::dinner with no complaining tonight.

I am Pondering::

::trying to remember what I was pondering earlier today. Too tired to recall now. :(

I am Reading::

::trying to read my 'The Liturgical Year' book, for lent.

From the Kitchen::

::I made a real meal tonight. My first since Blaise has been born. Mini meatloaves from the freezer, baked potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower. Mmmm. Fresh veggies. All around yummy meal.

I am Thinking::

::postpartum hormones, or whatever it is, really impairs my decision making. I've gotten pretty tired out trying to decide things the last few days. I'm ready for someone to take charge for the next few weeks and I'll come along for the ride!

I am Creating::

::a baptismal gown. It's lovely so far. It's going to be more simple than the one I made for Samuel. Fun to make, though.

Towards a Real Education::

:: First day back to school today! Cleaning off the school desk was a task in and of itself. We did math. Somehow, we just never got around to anything else.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty::

::fresh flowers in the house: beautiful. We're falling into a sort of rhythm, where Blaise will wake up around 8am or so, and after a couple hours sleep for the rest of the morning, and then again for a long stretch in the afternoon. And the evening as well! He's growing.

:: I'm nowhere near a rhythm with any chores yet. Laundry might be the closest thing, but still not yet. But Sam is keeping tabs on the trash. He goes around saying 'trash chores'. He loves to do it. He'll collect all the small trash cans in the house, I'll help him dump them in a bag, and then he sprays all the trash cans with Lysol spray- his favorite part. He's keeping all those dirty diapers out of the house!

To Live the Liturgy::

:: Trying to commit to saying prayers while I nurse Blaise, first thing in the morning...before the kids eat, before the computer is on, or tv. Even better, before the kids wake up!

:: I got to slip away to stations last Friday- just Blaise and I. They weren't at our parish. I look forward to attending that lenten ritual with my family this week, at our church. (I like St. Alphonsus stations).

I am Hoping and Praying::

::for a friend of mine who is mourning the loss of her friend's five year old daughter, due to a car accident.

In the Garden::

::I'm not ready for this yet! I thought I would get to hibernate longer than this, but the weather was beautiful today. Spring is coming soon, and tilling and planting will be a part of it. I so want to do that, and can't wait. At the same time I want to take a few more weeks to hold my baby and take naps.

Around the House::

:: fresh flowers. Rose got some flowers when she danced at her recital on Sat. I got to take some tulips home from the brunch we had at church on Sunday. Pretty pink tulips really say 'spring'!

On Keeping Home::

::Well, I feel like this is my first week of 'back to normal'. I woke up with Dan, and felt okay about it, until Sam and Rose woke up too- and stayed up! I went back to bed. The house has amazingly stayed pretty clean.

One of My Favorite Things::

::Blaise's little soft, fuzzy head. Napping with him on the couch in the afternoon.

Blaise this week::

:: Each day I wake up, it looks like he's grown a little more, he's a little heaver. He's starting to look a bit chubbier in the face. I'm saddened he doesn't quite look like a new newborn anymore.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week::

::sew, sew, sew. fix some food for the Baptism on Sunday. Stations on Friday. Hopefully not too much more than that.