Friday, January 29, 2010

Something I Want to Keep Close to My Heart

A poem found on-line:

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the new house later.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Bathroom Renovation

For Christmas, Mike's parents bought us a new toilet, a new sink and new floor tiles for our main bathroom upstairs. It's been on our "To Do" list for quite some time. Like, three years. When we first moved into this house and I saw the wallpaper in the bathroom I said, "That's gotta be one of the first things to go!" But, life happens and getting wallpaper down becomes less of a priority. But, Mike's parents gave us a little push by buying us the main necessities and it suddenly became a "Must Do" in Mike's mind. You see, once there's something that needs to be done, Mike can't relax or think about anything else until it is, in fact, done. When I told him the date of Mr. Funny's birthday party (which is in less than 2 weeks) he got a little anxious thinking that the bathroom needed to be done before then. "People have to have a place to pee!" he said. I assured him that the nasty wallpaper and ugly floor were not going to stop people from using our perfectly working toilet. He agreed and began to relax. I also reminded him that he was still recovering from his neck injury and that adding another project right now wouldn't be a wise thing to do. Especially with a two week dead line. He agreed and it was put back on the "Must Do" list rather than Mike's "Must Do RIGHT NOW!" list. But then last Friday Mike decided he at least needed to get the toilet, sink and tiles out of his parents house because they had been there for a month. So he called his dad to see if his dad could drop the stuff off on Saturday. But you see, Mike's dad is also a "my hands must be busy at all times- I have to have a project going-let's get it done, why wait" kinda guy just like Mike. It's where Mike gets it. It's in his blood. So, his pops suggested that if he brings the stuff over he might as well lay the tile out for Mike so that when Mike got off of work he could finish off the job. So, on Friday night, despite our decision to wait, Mike started tearing up our ugly bathroom floor. I couldn't argue at this point because you don't decline an offer when someone is willing to help, ya'know? Later that night, Pops called and said he would just go ahead and come over early Saturday morning and do the whole thing. That way it would have all night to dry and Mike could go buy the grout after work and Pops could come over Sunday and help grout it. So he did. Then Saturday night Pops calls again and tells Mike he'll just go ahead and come over early Sunday morning and grout it while we're at Church. So he did. And they look great! He did a wonderful job. It has made such a difference already and now I'm getting excited. Yesterday Mike spent the evening tearing off the wallpaper. But some of the drywall came off with it. It looks pretty messy and Mike says there's no way we can just paint over it because there will be too many bumps and imperfections. So I suggest we get some drywall compound and texture the entire wall. BUT- Mike wants the walls done before he puts the toilet and sink in. And we have people coming over in less than two weeks, remember? He won't have time to texture the wall. Ah, but I will. Me, me, me! I'll do it! I'll do it! He didn't look to assured. How will I get it done with three little ones? Hmm...good question. I don't know but I'll figure it out. So today I've been looking on-line for texture ideas and the wheels are turning. I have a really cool idea in mind where you put a stencil on the wall and instead of painting over it, you put wall spackle over it. So it will be a raised stencil. It looks really cool. When Mike gets home we're heading over to Lowe's to get some inspiration and ideas. I'll let you know what we come up with!

Friday, January 22, 2010

I'm in love...

...with this idea! A business that sells slips with flair! A modern petticoat! You wear them under your skirt to make them longer and cuter! I love lacy or ruffled hemlines and now I can add them to anything I already own. They've also got some sales going on right now. Go check it out here! You might fall in love too!

Here's my favorite.

Which one do you love?

What's in a name?

Mr. Funny- Mom, I know why Robin Hoods name is Robin Hood.

Me- Why?

Mr. Funny- Because he robs stuff!

Little Miss Chatterbox- Because he robs stuff from the 'hood!

How Many Days 'Til Spring?

Little Miss Chatterbox is an outdoorsman. Woman. Girl. Whatever.
She loves to be outside. Particularly when the warm sun is beating own on her face, the wind is blowing her hair and her toes are tucked in between blades of grass. The winter practically kills her little soul. She feels the same way I do about winter and snow. She loves the snow, but enough is enough already! When is it gonna be spring? She has asked me, "How many days 'til spring, Mom?" I showed her on the calendar and I could just feel her little heart sink as if it were mine. Her head hung low and she slowly walked over the the window. "Can't you come a little early this year?" Well, it probably won't. But we did get a little treat this past week with a 60 degree day. Boy, was she one happy little girl! When I pick her up from her Montessori school, she likes to hang out afterwards for a little bit and play with her classmates outside. (At least with the ones whose mothers let them stay. I have learned to bring a book, Mr. Tickle is usually sleeping and Mr. Funny enjoys playing with LMC and the big kids. I'm actually glad to have the little moment of peace and quiet!) On this day, after all the kids had left, she was still running outside. I didn't have the boys with me because Mike was home that day with a hurt neck. So she was out there, all by herself (singing, no doubt) and then I watched her run up the hill to the very top. There was the sun, beating down on her face. And the wind, blowing her hair. She was smart and kept her shoes on. (It's been really muddy because of all the melted snow) It made me happy to see her up there with that huge smile on her face. She was so at peace. She rolled down the hill (remember doing that as a kid? I LOVED doing that!) and ran over to the car. "Mom, you HAVE to come up to the top of the hill. The view is GORGEOUS!! You have to! You have to!" Her school is in such a beautiful location. The Blue Ridge Mountains are right behind it and the view is, in fact, gorgeous. Yes, she's my outdoorsgirl. And I love it.
I hope spring comes fast for you, sweetheart.

*By the way, I added a countdown to spring on my blog so I will always have the correct answer the next time she asks!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Darn

Darn the Minnesota Vikings defense.
Darn Brett Favre. (Yes, I'm a fan of Brett. Just not in this post)
Darn the Cowboys offensive line.
Darn the Play Offs!

In case you missed the game and haven't guessed by now, the Cowboys lost. We're done until next season. Oh, what an ugly game it was.

I suppose I'd like to see the Colts vs. the Saints for the Superbowl. No, I don't want the Vikings to get there. Yes, I am a little bitter.

Who would you like to see at the Superbowl?

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!


To my incredible, wonderful Mother! Can't wait to see you Monday, Mom! Have a great day. We love you!

Results #1

Anyone interested in how my "eating healthy and exercising" has been going? I'm happy to report that it's been great! I love eating good food. It makes me feel better, I'm getting more done during the day and its so good to know that I'm giving this baby a great head start. Not being able to "snack" hasn't been a problem because my meals have a lot of protein in them so I actually stay full until the next meal. My meals actually consist of more food than what I ate before, but because they are good choices and low in calories I've lost two pounds! I think the treadmill has a lot to do with that too. I walk every other day, at first for only 15 minutes, then 20 and yesterday I was on there for 30. It gets easier each time.
Counting calories has helped me to realize a few things:
1. I tend to over eat and counting calories helps me to eat smaller portions.
2. Some things that you think wouldn't make much of a difference to weight gain, like a little pack of nerds, actually has a lot of calories!
3. Pickles and mustard have no calories, but that does not mean you should go to town and eat the whole jar. Nor do they go well together.
Well, that's it!

Start before pregnancy: 150 lbs.
Max: 180 lbs.
Start before diet:175 lbs.
Today: 173 lbs.

So far, so good!

Playoffs




So, anybody watch the playoff games this past weekend? How about Saturday nights game? Ya'know, the one where the Cowboys BEAT the Eagles?! Yes, that's right. The Cowboys won a playoff game and will be back this Sunday to play the Minnesota Vikings.
Tony VS. Brett.
Should be a good game. I'm a little nervous but also hopeful.
If the Cowboys lose, I will be highly disappointed and sad but I'll also be happy that they at least won one playoff game because that means that Wade gets to keep his job and I like Wade.
If they win, they'll be one step closer to the Super Bowl!
GO COWBOYS!!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Day 95

Baby has started urinating... I can't wait to start changing those diapers!
No, I'm serious. Because if I'm changing this babies diapers that means the baby would be here, in my arms and I can't wait for that to happen!
5 more months to go....yippee!!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Four Year Anniversary

I just updated my profile to say that I have been an "official" Catholic for FOUR years rather than three. Yesterday was my anniversary of receiving the sacraments for the first time. I was one month away from delivering Mr. Funny. I can't believe that was four years ago! I was hoping to go to Mass last night but Mike had to work overtime. Instead, we prayed together when he got home and thanked God for bringing us to where we are today. God is good.

Well, looks like I have a birthday party to plan for a young man who's turning four next month!

Monday, January 4, 2010

How 'bout them Cowboys?


WARNING: If you are one of my loving family members who is unfortunately a Redskins fan, please skip this post.


After shutting out the Redskins last week, 17-0, we shut out the Eagles yesterday, 24-0!!! This is the first time in Cowboys history that they shut out two teams back to back. And what makes it even sweeter is that both teams are our division rivalries. By the way, we have clinched the division.
We're going to the Playoffs, baby!

I'm looking forward to laughing at McNabb again this Saturday at 8PM. Don't miss it!

Missed this memorable game? Check the highlights here:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010010303/2009/REG17/eagles@cowboys/recap#tab:watch

Day 90 (and the start of eating healthy)

This is day 90 of pregnancy #4 and the countdown ticker says that the baby has taste buds now! Just in time for my new healthy eating plan which I'm starting today. Maybe the baby will pick up on these healthy foods and be a healthy eater. (unlike his or her sister and brothers).
Here's my plan:
according to www.mypryamid.gov I can have 2400 calories a day. I'm tracking my calorie intake on that website too. They also let you know what percentage of grains, veges, fruits, dairy and meat and beans that you have had in a day.
I'm also exercising now! My brother gave us his treadmill so I will be walking everyday. I only did 15 minutes today and I can already feel it!
I'm also going to try to stay away from these things:
sweets
fast food
potato chips
unnecessary snacking
condiments
soda
Ya'know, all the good stuff.
I gotta stick to this, people! My goal was not to go over 180 pounds this pregnancy. After all the holidays, guess how much I weigh? 175! SO I seriously need to do this. It helps to keep in mind that I need to do this for the baby. (It also helps to know that I won't have so many pounds to lose after the baby is born!)
Wish me luck...I'll keep you posted.

A Beautiful Baptism for a Beautiful Baby

I just recently read about a baptism according to the Traditional Rite and was in awe over its beauty. It was so much more than the Baptisms I have attended and that my children have had. Our Church offers Mass in the Traditional Rite and so I wondered if they offered these beautiful Baptisms too. To my surprise, I found out this past Sunday that they do! Best of all, I got to see it first hand. Sweet little Gertrud Maria was Baptized Sunday and Mike and I stood in as the proxies for her Godparents who live in Hungary. I was so excited to be a part of it. Here are a few pictures. Gertrud looked like a little angel!













A Miracle on Main Street

A very happy and joyous update on our friends whom were expecting their fifth child. 15 doctors and specialists surrounded Mrs. O as she went into labor. They're 5th daughter, Gertrud, was born on December 29th at 8:30 AM. Mrs. O was expected to lose a lot of blood as she had before and because she had already had procedures done in the past, it wasn't certain if these procedures would work again. She would possibly lose her life. If she was to live, Doctors discussed the threat of a hysterectomy and a different procedure that would possibly paralyze her legs.
And so we prayed.
We prayed through her entire pregnancy. Every chance, every time the thought of prayer entered our minds, we offered them for her. We asked others to do the same. We asked God to have mercy. To let her live so that she could be here to raise her 5 daughters. He gave her this child. Only He could keep her here to take care of her. We asked the Blessed Virgin to stay close to her and comfort her through these stressful and anxious times.
After the birth, as the 15 doctors waited, nothing happened. They waited more. Nothing. Mrs. O was alive and well, happily holding her newborn with her husband at her side. Mr. O stated that the specialists almost seemed a bit "disappointed" that they're expertise would not be needed. They kept her in the hospital for 2 more nights, expecting something to happen. But still, nothing. It was one of her easiest labours/births. God gave them a miracle.
This past Sunday, January 3rd, we went over to the O's house to meet baby Gertrud for the first time. When Mrs. O came down the stairs she had a smile on her face (she ALWAYS has a smile on her face) and proudly held her sweet newborn. I gave her a big hug and had to hold back my tears. Technically, she shouldn't have been there. She shouldn't have been standing right in front of me with that baby in her arms. I thanked God and oohed and aahed over Gertrud. She's a beauty. I got a chance to hold her and breathed in that wonderful new baby smell. She was very alert, looking around and then looking at me as I talked to her. I told her how blessed she is to have 4 older sisters who will always love her and look after her. And how blessed she is to have her mother.
What a fantastic mother she is too. She always inspires me to be a better mother. You only have to meet her once to know that her children mean the world to her. She would do anything for them. Even if it means losing her life.